bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Li+ and Mg2+ on the Electrochemical Decomposition of the Ionic Liquid 1‐Butyl‐1‐ methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide and Related Electrolytes
Authors: Alwast Dorothea , Schnaidt Johannes , Hancock Kurtus , Yetis Gülsah , Behm R. Jürgen
Published: March 2019

We investigated the decomposition of 1‐butyl‐1‐methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (BMP‐TFSI) based electrolytes on Au and glassy carbon (GC) in the absence and presence of Li(TFSI) and Mg(TFSI)2. Detecting the volatile reaction products via differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) measurements allowed us to gain insight into the decomposition mechanisms. In neat ionic liquid (IL) and on Au electrodes both ions are decomposed at reductive potentials. The TFSI− anion mainly decomposes by releasing CF3, while for the BMP+ cation ring opening and scission of either the methyl or the butyl side chain occur in parallel. At oxidative potentials the decomposition of the anion is the predominant process. Changing to the GC electrode increases the fraction of TFSI− decomposition products at both cathodic and anodic potentials. The addition of Li+ largely hinders the formation of volatile BMP‐TFSI decomposition. In contrast, addition of Mg2+ promotes the TFSI− decomposition at the expense of the BMP+ decomposition.
Formation of XPhos‐Ligated Palladium(0) Complexes and Reactivity in Oxidative Additions
Authors: Wagschal Simon , Perego Luca Alessandro , Simon Alexandre , Franco‐Espejo Aida , Tocqueville Chanelle , Albaneze‐Walker Jennifer , Jutand Anny , Grimaud Laurence
Published: March 2019

Understanding the nature of the intermediate species operating within a palladium catalytic cycle is crucial for developing efficient cross‐coupling reactions. Even though the XPhos/Pd(OAc)2 catalytic system has found numerous applications, the nature of the active catalytic species remains elusive. A Pd0 complex ligated to XPhos has been detected and characterized in situ for the first time using cyclic voltammetry and NMR techniques. In the presence of XPhos, Pd(OAc)2 initially associates with the ligand to form a complex in solution, which has been characterized as PdII(OAc)2(XPhos). This PdII center is then reduced to the Pd0(XPhos)2 species by an intramolecular process. This study also sheds light on the formation of PdI–PdI dimers. Finally, a kinetic study probes a dissociative mechanism for the oxidative addition with aryl halides involving Pd0(XPhos) as the reactive species in equilibrium with the unreactive Pd0(XPhos)2. Remarkably, the reportedly poorly reactive PhCl reacts at room temperature in the oxidative addition, which confirms the crucial role of the XPhos ligand in the activation of aryl chlorides.
Tuning Emission Wavelength of Polymorphous Crystal via Controllable Alkyl Chain Stacking and Its Vapor‐ and Thermo‐Responsive Fluorescence
Authors: Peng Lu , Wei Ruirui , Guo Yifei , Zheng Xiaokun , Zheng Yue , Ding Yiwen , Xiang Yu , Tong Aijun
Published: March 2019

Tuning fluorescence colour of solid‐state materials has become a topic of increasing interest for both fundamental mechanism study and practical applications such as sensors, optical recording and security printing. In this work, a fluorescent colour tuneable molecule BA‐C16 is rationally designed and facilely synthesized by attaching flexible long alkyl chains to 2‐hydroxybenzophenone azine (BA), which shows both aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) and excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) characteristics. Compared to BA, the simple introduction of long alkyl chains in BA‐C16 leads to an emission wavelength redshift from 542 to 558 nm. This strategy of extending emission wavelength is rarely reported, and is ascribed to the enlarged through‐space π‐conjugation between interplanar molecules in the aggregate of BA‐C16. Three crystals of BA‐C16 are obtained with green, yellowish green and yellow emission. According to characterization by X‐ray crystallography, X‐ray powder diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry, alkyl chains play an important role in inducing different stacking modes of the three crystals, which further leads to polymorph‐dependent fluorescence colour. BA‐C16 exhibits tuneable solid‐state fluorescence upon vapor fumigation, or annealing based on a transition between a “near‐monomer” crystalline state and a “dimer” crystalline state. BA‐C16 is further applied for rewritable fluorescence printing tuned by vapor‐ and thermal‐treatment.
Generation of the Thymine Triplet State by Through‐Bond Energy Transfer
Authors: Miro Paula , Gomez‐Mendoza Miguel , Sastre Germán , Cuquerella M. Consuelo , Miranda Miguel A. , Marin M. Luisa
Published: March 2019

Benzophenone (BP) and drugs containing the BP chromophore, such as the non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug ketoprofen, have been widely reported as DNA photosensitizers through triplet–triplet energy transfer (TTET). In the present work, a direct spectroscopic fingerprint for the formation of the thymine triplet (3Thy*) by through‐bond (TB) TTET from 3BP* has been uncovered. This has been achieved in two new systems that have been designed and synthesized with one BP and one thymine (Thy) covalently linked to the two ends of the rigid skeleton of the natural bile acids cholic and lithocholic acid. The results shown here prove that it is possible to achieve triplet energy transfer to a Thy unit even when the photosensitizer is at a long (nonbonding) distance.
Solid‐State Hydrogen‐Bond Alterations in a [Co2Fe2] Complex with Bifunctional Hydrogen‐Bonding Donors
Authors: Nihei Masayuki , Yanai Yuta , Natke Dominik , Takayama Ryo , Kato Marina , Sekine Yoshihiro , Renz Franz , Oshio Hiroki
Published: March 2019

A hydrogen‐bonding donor–acceptor system, [Co2Fe2(bpy*)4(CN)6(tp*)2](PF6)2⋅2ABA⋅4BN⋅2PE (1 solv), was prepared by co‐crystallization of an external stimuli‐responsive cyanide‐bridged tetranuclear [Co2Fe2] complex and bifunctional hydrogen‐bonding donors, p‐aminobenzoic acid. Compound 1 solv exhibited a gradual electron‐transfer‐coupled spin transition (ETCST), and the removal of solvent molecules led to an abrupt thermal ETCST behavior with increased transition temperature. X‐ray structural analysis revealed that the modification of ETCST was caused by a significant alteration of a hydrogen‐bonding mode between the tetranuclear [Co2Fe2]2+ cations and ABA molecules. Variable temperature IR measurements indicated that the desolvated form, 1 desolv, showed dynamic alteration of hydrogen‐bonding interactions coupled with thermal ETCST behavior. These results suggested that the tetranuclear [Co2Fe2] complex shows solid‐state modulations of hydrogen‐bond strengths by external stimuli.
Ionic liquid‐mediated aqueous two‐phase system to enhance the partitioning of lignin
Authors: Gogoi Gayatri , Hazarika Swapnali
Published: March 2019

The aqueous two‐phase system (ATPS) is a promising and efficient alternative platform for the extraction, separation, and purification of biomolecules and bioproducts. In this work, four different imidazolium‐based ionic liquids with Cl− as anions and with different cations with aqueous Na2CO3 (inorganic salt) acting as the salting out agent were used to form the ATPS for the partitioning of lignin. The effects of the cation core and the length of the alkyl side chain of the ionic liquids on the formation of the ATPS were investigated using the phase diagram determined by the cloud point titration method, and the corresponding tie lines were measured and reported. It was found that the hydrophobicity of the ionic liquids plays a major role in the phase formation. The effects of the concentrations of IL, Na2CO3, and lignin as well as temperature on the partition coefficient and the extraction efficiency of lignin in the IL‐mediated ATPS were investigated, and the optimum conditions were established. It was found that the high extraction efficiency (∼99 %) and partition coefficient (∼47) of lignin in the IL‐mediated ATPS were achieved with the following parameters: Na2CO3 40 % (w/w); [HMIM]Cl 0.4 mol/L; lignin 0.006 mol/L; and at a temperature of 328 K. The thermodynamic study on lignin partitioning in the IL‐mediated ATPS was also investigated by varying the temperature range from 298–328 K, from which it was observed that the partitioning of lignin in the ATPS increases with an increase in temperature. This suggests that the process is endothermic in nature.
Facile Synthesis and in situ TEM Observation of Nanoporous Pd for Enhanced Catalytic Applications
Authors: Liu Haiyang , Ke Kai , Li Chang , Chen Xin , Wu Yulian
Published: March 2019

Summary of main observation and conclusion

A facile, efficient and green photochemical synthetic approach has been used to prepare sponge‐like porous Pd nanoparticles. Obtained by ultraviolet irradiation using a K2PdCl4 precursor solution, the final products exhibited three dimensionally interconnected porous structures made up of ~3.6 nm sized Pd nanoparticles. In situ liquid cell TEM results indicated such porous structures are in a dynamic stable state when the particles are distributed in aqueous solution. The porous Pd nanoparticles exhibited electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) of up to 43 m2·g–1 and mass activity of 1144 mA·mg–1 in menthol oxidation, kapp of 0.22 min–1 and normalized kapp/m (kn) of 8.3×104 min–1·g–1 in 4‐nitrophenol (4‐NP) reduction reactions. Comparing with the literature, it is demonstrated that our porous Pd nanoparticles with clean surfaces exhibited very high catalytic performances. This work may shed a light on facile and green synthesis of noble‐metal particles with better catalytic performances.
Willingness to bear adversity and beliefs about the curability of advanced cancer in older adults
Authors: Loh Kah Poh , Mohile Supriya G. , Epstein Ronald M. , McHugh Colin , Flannery Marie , Culakova Eva , Lei Lianlian , Wells Megan , Gilmore Nikesha , Babu Dilip , Whitehead Mary I. , Dale William , Hurria Arti , Wittink Marsha , Magnuson Allison , Conlin Alison , Thomas Melanie , Berenberg Jeffrey , Duberstein Paul R.
Published: March 2019

Background

Older patients with advanced cancer who are 100% certain they will be cured pose unique challenges for clinical decision making, but to the authors’ knowledge, the prevalence and correlates of absolute certainty about curability (ACC) are unknown.

Methods

Cross‐sectional data were collected in a geriatric assessment trial. ACC was assessed by asking patients, “What do you believe are the chances that your cancer will go away and never come back with treatment?” Response options were 100% (coded as ACC), >50%, 50/50, <50%, 0%, and uncertain. The willingness to bear adversity in exchange for longevity was assessed by asking patients to consider trade‐offs between survival and 2 clinical outcomes that varied in abstractness: 1) maintaining quality of life (QOL; an abstract outcome); and 2) specific treatment‐related toxicities (eg, nausea/vomiting, worsening memory). Logistic regression was used to assess the independent associations between willingness to bear adversity and ACC.

Results

Of the 524 patients aged 70 to 96 years, approximately 5.3% reported that there was a 100% chance that their cancer would be cured (ACC). ACC was not found to be significantly associated with willingness to bear treatment‐related toxicities, but was more common among patients who were willing to trade QOL for survival (adjusted odds ratio, 4.08; 95% CI, 1.17‐14.26).

Conclusions

Patients who were more willing to bear adversity in the form of an abstract state, namely decreased QOL, were more likely to demonstrate ACC. Although conversations regarding prognosis should be conducted with all patients, those who are willing to trade QOL for survival may especially benefit from conversations that focus on values and emotions.
Developmental organization of central neurons in the adult Drosophila ventral nervous system
Authors: Shepherd David , Sahota Virender , Court Robert , Williams Darren W. , Truman James W.
Published: March 2019

We have used MARCM to reveal the adult morphology of the post embryonically produced neurons in the thoracic neuromeres of the Drosophila VNS. The work builds on previous studies of the origins of the adult VNS neurons to describe the clonal organization of the adult VNS. We present data for 58 of 66 postembryonic thoracic lineages, excluding the motor neuron producing lineages (15 and 24) which have been described elsewhere. MARCM labels entire lineages but where both A and B hemilineages survive (e.g., lineages 19, 12, 13, 6, 1, 3, 8, and 11), the two hemilineages can be discriminated and we have described each hemilineage separately. Hemilineage morphology is described in relation to the known functional domains of the VNS neuropil and based on the anatomy we are able to assign broad functional roles for each hemilineage. The data show that in a thoracic hemineuromere, 16 hemilineages are primarily involved in controlling leg movements and walking, 9 are involved in the control of wing movements, and 10 interface between both leg and wing control. The data provide a baseline of understanding of the functional organization of the adult Drosophila VNS. By understanding the morphological organization of these neurons, we can begin to define and test the rules by which neuronal circuits are assembled during development and understand the functional logic and evolution of neuronal networks.
Effect of Food on the Pharmacokinetics of a Combination of Olanzapine and Samidorphan
Authors: Sun Lei , McDonnell David , Liu Jianjun , von Moltke Lisa
Published: March 2019

ALKS 3831 is a combination of olanzapine and samidorphan (OLZ/SAM), intended to provide the antipsychotic efficacy of OLZ while mitigating its known weight gain and metabolic effects. This randomized, 2‐way crossover study evaluated the effect of food on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of OLZ and SAM (both are Biopharmaceutics Classification System class 3 compounds) given in combination as OLZ/SAM. Thirty‐six healthy volunteers were randomized to receive a single dose of OLZ/SAM (10 mg OLZ/10 mg SAM) in either fasted or fed conditions. After a 14‐day washout period, study participants received the same OLZ/SAM dose in the opposite condition. PK profiles of OLZ and SAM were similar in fed and fasted conditions. The 90% confidence intervals (CIs) for the fed/fasted ratio of the geometric means for OLZ AUC0‐∞ and Cmax and SAM AUC0‐∞ were within the equivalence limit of 80%‐125%. Although the lower bound of the 90%CI for the fed/fasted ratio of SAM Cmax (76%‐94%) was slightly below the 80% equivalence limit, this slight decrease was not considered clinically meaningful. The results indicated that food does not have a clinically relevant impact on the PK of OLZ and SAM given as OLZ/SAM.
The effect of corporate social performance on the financial performance of business‐to‐business and business‐to‐consumer firms
Authors: Luffarelli Jonathan , Markou Panos , Stamatogiannakis Antonios , Gonçalves Dilney
Published: March 2019

There exists a widespread managerial belief that higher corporate social performance (CSP) increases both firm value and sales. Although numerous studies provide evidence of a positive effect of CSP on firm value, whether CSP can impact sales remains largely unknown. Can CSP influence sales? Is this effect contingent on the product‐market profile, that is, on whether firms operate in business or consumer markets? We use a panel dataset comprising 23,769 firm‐year observations to help address these questions. We find that higher CSP has a strong negative effect on sales for business‐to‐consumer firms but an insignificant or economically trivial effect for business‐to‐business firms. However, we also find that higher CSP has a positive effect on firm value for both types of firms. Taken together, these results demonstrate that higher CSP results in higher firm value but can hurt sales. We discuss the theoretical contributions and managerial implications of these findings.
Suppressing derivatives of selected variables in Verilog‐A
Authors: Huszka Zoltan , Molnar Kund
Published: March 2019

A former scaling technique made it possible to eliminate the effect of the automatically generated derivatives at bipolar non–quasi‐static (NQS) modeling in Verilog‐A. An alternative technique is proposed here, which makes the derivatives of selected variables zero. The method was verified on the examples of bipolar NQS variants. The confirming results open a new perspective for increasing the flexibility of Verilog‐A compact modeling along with the reduction of computational efforts.
Identification of a 42‐bp heart‐specific enhancer of the notch1b gene in zebrafish embryos
Authors: Wang Feng , Yang Qian , Wu Fang , Zhang Yawen , Sun Shuna , Wang Xu , Gui Yonghao , Li Qiang
Published: March 2019

Background

NOTCH1 plays a key role in the differentiation of ventricles, and mutations are strongly associated with both sporadic and familial bicuspid aortic valves. However, few heart‐specific enhancers have been identified to date.

Results

In this study, we investigated evolutionary conserved regions (ECRs) that might act as potential enhancers within the region approximately 150‐kb upstream and downstream of the NOTCH1 gene. Functional validation revealed that one 127‐bp ECR located ~85‐kb downstream of the NOTCH1 gene drives green fluorescent protein expression in the zebrafish embryo heart. Transcription factor (TF) prediction and core TF distribution analyses were performed to identify the core region. Dissection of ECR3 was performed to identify the 42‐bp sequence, which is sufficient for heart‐specific expression. In situ hybridization experiments showed that notch1b is expressed in the heart. Overexpression experiments in cells indicated that NKX2‐5 is critical for enhancer activity. Mutation of the NKX‐5 binding site significantly decreased reporter gene expression. Next, compared with the commonly used myocardium‐labeled zebrafish transgenic strain Tg(cmlc2: mCherry), this 42‐bp enhancer‐labeled stable line mediated a similar expression pattern but with a smaller core region.

Conclusion

This study identified a 42‐bp heart‐specific enhancer near the NOTCH1 gene and further verified its functional targeting by NKX2‐5.
Increased lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in anorexia nervosa: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Hussain Alia A. , Hübel Christopher , Hindborg Mathias , Lindkvist Emilie , Kastrup Annie M. , Yilmaz Zeynep , Støving René K. , Bulik Cynthia M. , Sjögren Jan M.
Published: March 2019

Objective

Alterations in blood lipid concentrations in anorexia nervosa (AN) have been reported; however, the extent, mechanism, and normalization with weight restoration remain unknown. We conducted a systematic review and a meta‐analysis to evaluate changes in lipid concentrations in acutely‐ill AN patients compared with healthy controls (HC) and to examine the effect of partial weight restoration.

Method

A systematic literature review and meta‐analysis (PROSPERO: CRD42017078014) were conducted for original peer‐reviewed articles.

Results

Forty‐eight studies were eligible for review; 33 for meta‐analyses calculating mean differences (MD). Total cholesterol (MD = 22.7 mg/dL, 95% CI = 12.5, 33.0), high‐density lipoprotein (HDL; MD = 3.4 mg/dL, CI = 0.3, 7.0), low‐density lipoprotein (LDL; MD = 12.2 mg/dL, CI = 4.4, 20.1), triglycerides (TG; MD = 8.1 mg/dL, CI = 1.7, 14.5), and apolipoprotein B (Apo B; MD = 11.8 mg/dL, CI = 2.3, 21.2) were significantly higher in acutely‐ill AN than HC. Partially weight‐restored AN patients had higher total cholesterol (MD = 14.8 mg/dL, CI = 2.1, 27.5) and LDL (MD = 16.1 mg/dL, CI = 2.3, 30.0). Pre‐ versus post‐weight restoration differences in lipid concentrations did not differ significantly.

Discussion

We report aggregate evidence for elevated lipid concentrations in acutely‐ill AN patients compared with HC, some of which persist after partial weight restoration. This could signal an underlying adaptation or dysregulation not fully reversed by weight restoration. Although concentrations differed between AN and HC, most lipid concentrations remained within the reference range and meta‐analyses were limited by the number of available studies.
Food insecurity and bulimia nervosa in the United States
Authors: Lydecker Janet A. , Grilo Carlos M.
Published: March 2019

Background

Food insecurity occurs when access to food is limited by financial hardship. Yet, paradoxically, food insecurity is associated with overeating, with emerging evidence that it may be related to disordered eating. A recent report found that food insecurity was associated with binge‐eating disorder (BED), but it is not yet known whether food insecurity is also associated with bulimia nervosa (BN).

Methods

Participants were 873 respondents recruited online who completed a battery of established measures and were categorized into three study groups: healthy‐weight (HW), BED, and BN. Hierarchical logistic regressions evaluated the extent to which low and very low food security were associated with BN compared with HW and BED study groups.

Results

Low and very low food security were both associated with increased likelihood of BN group membership compared with HW but not BED.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that food insecurity is associated with BN and also suggest that food insecurity's association with BN is similar to that for BED. These findings highlight the need for greater clinical and research attention to associations between food insecurity and eating disorders that include binge eating to inform eating‐disorder prevention and treatment.
Do riparian forest strips in modified forest landscapes aid in conserving bat diversity?
Authors: Carrasco‐Rueda Farah , Loiselle Bette A.
Published: March 2019

Agricultural practices lead to losses of natural resources and biodiversity. Maintaining forests alongside streams (riparian forest strips) has been used as a mechanism to minimize the impact of clearing for agriculture on biodiversity. To test the contribution of riparian forest strips to conserve biodiversity in production landscapes, we selected bats as a biodiversity model system and examined two dimensions of diversity: taxonomic and functional. We compared bat diversity and composition in forest, with and without stream habitat, and in narrow forest riparian strips surrounded by areas cleared for agriculture. We tested the hypothesis that riparian forest strips provide potential conservation value by providing habitat and serving as movement corridors for forest bat species. Riparian forest strips maintained 75% of the bat species registered in forested habitats. We found assemblage in sites with riparian forest strips were dominated by a few species with high abundance and included several species with low abundance. Bat species assemblage was more similar between sites with streams than between those sites to forests without stream habitat. These results highlight the importance of stream habitat in predicting presence of bat species. We registered similar number of guilds between forest sites and riparian forest strips sites. Relative to matrix habitats, stream and edge habitats in riparian forest strips sites were functionally more diverse, supporting our hypothesis about the potential conservation value of riparian forest strips. Results from this study suggest that maintaining riparian forest strips within cleared areas for agricultural areas helps conserve the taxonomic and functional diversity of bats. Also, it provides basic data to evaluate the efficacy of maintaining these landscape features for mitigating impacts of agricultural development on biodiversity. However, we caution that riparian forest strips alone are not sufficient for biodiversity maintenance; their value depends on maintenance of larger forest areas in their vicinity.
Modeling competition, niche, and coexistence between an invasive and a native species in a two‐species metapopulation
Authors: Dubart Maxime , Pantel Jelena H. , Pointier Jean‐Pierre , Jarne Philippe , David Patrice
Published: March 2019

Modeling the dynamics of competition and coexistence between species is crucial to predict long‐term impacts of invasive species on their native congeners. However, natural environments are often fragmented and variable in time and space. In such contexts, regional coexistence depends on complex interactions between competition, niche differentiation and stochastic colonization–extinction dynamics. Quantifying all these processes at landscape scale has always been a challenge for ecologists. We propose a new statistical framework to evaluate metapopulation parameters (colonization and extinction) in a two‐species system and how they respond to environmental variables and interspecific competition. It requires spatial surveys repeated in time, but does not assume demographic equilibrium. We apply this model to a long‐term survey of two snails inhabiting a network of freshwater habitats in the West Indies. We find evidence of reciprocal competition affecting colonization or extinction rates, modulated by species‐specific sensitivity to environmental variables. Simulations using model estimates allow us to predict species dynamics and explore the role of various coexistence mechanisms described by metacommunity theory in our system. The two species are predicted to stably coexist, because niche partitioning, source–sink dynamics and interspecific differences in extinction–colonization parameters all contribute to reduce the negative impacts of competition. However, none of these mechanisms is individually essential. Regional coexistence is primarily facilitated by transient co‐occurrence of the two species within habitat patches, a possibility generally not considered in theoretical metacommunity models. Our framework is general and could be extended to guilds of several competing species.
Relation between therapy‐induced changes in natriuretic peptide levels and long‐term therapeutic effects on mortality in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Wessler Benjamin S. , McCauley Michael , Morine Kevin , Konstam Marvin A. , Udelson James E.
Published: March 2019

Aims

To assess whether natriuretic peptides (NPs) can be used to reliably predict long‐term therapeutic effect on clinical outcomes for patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Methods and results

HFrEF intervention trials with mortality data were identified. Subsequently, we identified trials assessing therapy‐induced changes in NPs. We assessed the correlation between the average short‐term placebo‐corrected drug or device effect on NPs and the longer‐term therapeutic effect on clinical outcomes. Of 35 distinct therapies with an identifiable mortality result (n = 105 062 patients), 20 therapies had corresponding data on therapeutic effect on NPs. No correlation was observed between therapy‐induced placebo‐corrected change in brain natriuretic peptide or N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide and therapeutic effect on all‐cause mortality (ACM) (Spearman r = −0.32, P = 0.18 and r = −0.20, P = 0.47, respectively). There was no correlation between therapy‐induced placebo‐corrected per cent change in NP and intervention effect on ACM or ACM‐heart failure hospitalizations (r = −0.30, P = 0.11 and r = 0.10, P = 0.75, respectively).

Conclusions

Short‐term intervention‐induced changes in NP levels are not reliable predictors of therapeutic long‐term effect on mortality or morbidity outcomes for patients with HFrEF.
Human T‐cell receptor V gene segment of alpha and beta families: A revised primer design strategy
Authors: Ch'ng Angela Chiew Wen , Chan Soo Khim , Ignatius Joshua , Lim Theam Soon
Published: March 2019

The application of human TCR in cancer immunotherapy has gained momentum with developments in tumor killing strategies using endogenous adaptive immune responses. The successful coverage of a diverse TCR repertoire is mainly attributed to the primer design of the human TCR V genes. Here, we present a refined primer design strategy of the human TCR V gene by clustering V gene sequence homolog for degenerate primer design based on the data from IMGT. The primers designed were analyzed and the PCR efficiency of each primer set was optimized. A total of 112 alpha and 160 beta sequences were aligned and clustered using a phylogram yielding 32 and 27 V gene primers for the alpha and beta family. The new primer set was able to provide 93.75% and 95.63% coverage for the alpha and beta family, respectively. A semi‐qualitative approach using the designed primer set was able to provide a relative view of the TCR V gene diversity in different populations. Taken together, the new primers provide a more comprehensive coverage of the TCR gene diversity for improved TCR library generation and TCR V gene analysis studies.
Porphyrin‐Containing Rotaxane Assemblies
Authors: Hewson Sean W. , Mullen Kathleen M.
Published: March 2019

Porphyrins have been widely recognized for their unique photo‐ and electrochemical properties as well as their crucial roles in a wide variety of biological processes including catalysis, oxygen transport, and photosynthesis. In addition, their size and predictable coordination geometries makes them attractive components in the assembly of functional supramolecular assemblies. Advances in porphyrin synthesis have enabled their incorporation into rotaxanes not only as stoppers but also as components of the macrocycle, or even higher order rotaxane architectures, each design imparting unique functionality either through redox, fluorescence, or coordination environment. Here we describe advances in the synthesis of increasingly complex porphyrin‐containing rotaxane assemblies and their dynamic properties that arise from the porphyrin inclusion.
ImuB and ImuC contribute to UV‐induced mutagenesis as part of the SOS regulon in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Luján Adela M. , Moyano Alejandro J. , Martino Román A. , Feliziani Sofía , Urretavizcaya Mariana , Smania Andrea M.
Published: March 2019

DNA damage‐induced mutagenesis is a process governed by the SOS system that requires the activity of specialized DNA polymerases. These polymerases, which are devoid of proof‐reading activity, serve to increase the probability of survival under stressful conditions in exchange for an error‐prone DNA synthesis. As an opportunistic pathogen of humans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa employs adaptive responses that originally evolved for survival in many diverse and often stressful environmental conditions, where the action of error‐prone DNA polymerases may be crucial. In this study, we have investigated the role of the polymerases ImuB and ImuC in P. aeruginosa DNA‐damage induced mutagenesis. UV irradiation of imuB‐ and imuC‐deletion mutants showed that both genes contribute to UV‐induced mutagenesis in this bacterium. Furthermore, we confirmed that UV treatment significantly increase the expression levels of the imuB and imuC genes and that they are co‐transcribed as a single transcriptional unit under the control of LexA as part of the SOS regulon in P. aeruginosa. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Analysis of Sublethal Toxicity in Developing Zebrafish Embryos Exposed to a Range of Petroleum Substances
Authors: Hedgpeth Bryan M. , Redman Aaron D. , Alyea Rebecca A. , Letinski Daniel J. , Connelly Martin J. , Butler Josh D. , Zhou Heping , Lampi Mark A.
Published: March 2019

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) test guideline 236 (fish embryo acute toxicity test; 2013) relies on 4 endpoints to describe exposure-related effects (coagulation, lack of somite formation, tail-bud detachment from the yolk sac, and the presence of a heartbeat). Danio rerio (zebrafish) embryos were used to investigate these endpoints along with a number of additional sublethal effects (cardiac dysfunction, pericardial edema, yolk sac edema, tail curvature, hatch success, pericardial edema area, craniofacial malformation, swim bladder development, fin development, and heart rate) following 5-d exposures to 7 petroleum substances. The substances investigated included 2 crude oils, 3 gas oils, a diluted bitumen, and a petrochemical containing a mixture of branched alcohols. Biomimetic extraction–solid-phase microextraction (BE–SPME) was used to quantify freely dissolved concentrations of test substances as the exposure metric. The results indicated that the most prevalent effects observed were pericardial and yolk sac edema, tail curvature, and lack of embryo viability. A BE–SPME threshold was determined to characterize sublethal morphological alterations that preceded embryo mortality. Our results aid in the understanding of aquatic hazards of petroleum substances to developing zebrafish beyond traditional OECD test guideline 236 endpoints and show the applicability of BE–SPME as a simple analytical tool that can be used to predict sublethal embryo toxicity. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:1302–1312. © 2019 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC.
Optimization of textural characteristics of restructured pimiento strips by response surface methodology
Authors: Mousavi Seyyed Mohammad Reza , Rafe Ali , Yeganehzad Samira
Published: March 2019

In this study, the effect of guar gum (0.5%–1% w/w), sodium alginate (1%–2% w/w), and calcium chloride (2%–8% w/w) on textural properties of restructuring pimiento strips (RPS) was investigated. The gums were added to the pimiento strip formula, and different quality attributes including rupture force, energy to fracture, hardness, adhesiveness, cohesiveness, springiness, and chewiness were determined. Based on the textural properties of RPS, it was optimized by response surface methodology. All the textural properties of RPS were found to be significantly affected by alteration in guar gum, sodium alginate, and calcium chloride. The regression models for product’s response like rupture force and energy to fracture were highly significant. Results showed that restructured pimiento strip formula containing guar gum 1% w/w along with sodium alginate 2% w/w and 8% calcium chloride improved the textural and tensile properties. According to the RSM results on the textural properties of RPS, it is feasible to achieve the high elasticity and rigidity of pimiento strips as well as obtain the ability to tolerate thermal and mechanical stresses with appreciable textural integrity during processing such as pasteurization that would be investigated in another work.
Subset testing and analysis of multiple phenotypes
Authors: Derkach Andriy , Pfeiffer Ruth M.
Published: March 2019

Meta‐analysis of multiple genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) is effective for detecting single‐ or multimarker associations with complex traits. We develop a flexible procedure (subset testing and analysis of multiple phenotypes [STAMP]) based on mixture models to perform a region‐based meta‐analysis of different phenotypes using data from different GWAS and identify subsets of associated phenotypes. Our model framework helps distinguish true associations from between‐study heterogeneity. As a measure of association, we compute for each phenotype the posterior probability that the genetic region under investigation is truly associated. Extensive simulations show that STAMP is more powerful than standard approaches for meta‐analyses when the proportion of truly associated outcomes is between 25% and 50%. For other settings, the power of STAMP is similar to that of existing methods. We illustrate our method on two examples, the association of a region on chromosome 9p21 with the risk of 14 cancers, and the associations of expression of quantitative trait loci from two genetic regions with their cis‐single‐nucleotide polymorphisms measured in 17 tissue types using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas.
Engaging Australian men in masculinity and suicide – A concept test of social media materials and a website
Authors: Schlichthorst Marisa , King Kylie , Turnure Jackie , Phelps Andrea , Pirkis Jane
Published: March 2019

Issue addressed

Men dominate the suicide statistics and are less likely than women to seek help for emotional problems, and this has been linked to aspects of stoic masculinity. Promoting help‐seeking and challenging stoic thinking may help to address this problem, but it is unclear what works in engaging men in these topics.

Methods

We developed a multimedia intervention called Man Up – including a documentary and digital campaign. We tested promotional materials and the website by interviewing 17 men from different ages and backgrounds about their perceptions, and asked them whether the materials generated interest in the topics of the documentary.

Results

Participants preferred visual materials that were relatable to them and included active and direct language. This helped them to understand and identify with the messages being imparted. Participants had mixed views on talking about masculinity and the use of the term “man up,” with some expressing interest and others being deterred by it. Sharing content about mental health and suicide was seen by some as a risk to personal reputation and their relationships with others.

Conclusions

Our findings informed the design of targeted materials for the national Man Up campaign and website which were then used in a multilevel national health promotion intervention in Australia.

So what?

Our study provided valuable insights beyond Man Up for those seeking to design and deliver health promotion interventions targeting Australian men and engage in sensitive and stigmatised male health issues. Using active and empowering language was especially important when addressing men which contrasts with many promotional materials currently available.
Unsteady MHD chemically reactive double‐diffusive Casson fluid past a flat plate in porous medium with heat and mass transfer
Authors: Das M. , Mahanta G. , Shaw S. , Parida S.B.
Published: March 2019

In this paper, an attempt has been made to analyze the effects of various parameters, such as Soret and Dufour effects, chemical reaction, magnetic field, porosity on the fluid flow, and heat and mass transfer of an unsteady Casson fluid flow past a flat plate. Convective boundary conditions in heat and mass transfer and slip constant on velocity have been taken into account for analysis. The governing equations of the model have been solved numerically using the MATLAB program bvp4c. The impact of various parameters of the model on the velocity, temperature, and concentration profiles has been analyzed through different graphs. To get an insight into the physical quantities of engineering interest, viz, skin friction, Sherwood number, and Nusselt number, their numerical values have been computed for various parameters. The range of the parameters used in numerical computations are , , , , , , and . It has been noticed from the tabulated values that the skin friction gets enhanced with the increase in the thermal and solutal Grashof number, whereas its reverse effects have been observed with an increase in the Biot number. In limiting case, the present study is also compared with the available results in the literature.
Estimating minimum streamflow from measurements at ungauged sites in regions with streamflow‐gauging networks
Authors: Konrad Christopher , Rumsey Christine
Published: March 2019

Estimation of low flows in rivers continues to be a vexing problem despite advances in statistical and process‐based hydrological models. We develop a method to estimate minimum streamflow at seasonal to annual timescales from measured streamflow based on regional similarity in the deviations of daily streamflow from minimum streamflow for a period of interest. The method is applied to 1,019 gauged sites in the Western United States for June to December 2015. The gauges were clustered into six regions with distinct timing and magnitude of low flows. A gamma distribution was fit each day to the deviations in specific discharge (daily streamflow divided by drainage area) from minimum specific discharge for gauges in each region. The Kolmogorov–Smirnov test identified days when the gamma distribution was adequate to represent the distribution of deviations in a region. The performance of the gamma distribution was evaluated at gauges by comparing daily estimates of minimum streamflow with estimates from area‐based regression relations for minimum streamflow. Each region had at least 8 days during the period when streamflow measurements would provide better estimates than the regional regression equation, but the number of such days varied by region depending on aridity and homogeneity of streamflow within the region. Synoptic streamflow measurements at ungauged sites have value for estimating minimum streamflow and improving the spatial resolution of hydrological model in regions with streamflow‐gauging networks.
The Life Science Toolbox Provided by Chemical Biology
Authors: Schultz Carsten
Published: March 2019

This perspective covers a fraction of the diverse engineering branches of chemical biology. Long before the term chemical biology was created, there was the desire to use chemistry for unraveling the endlessly complex world of biology. The impact of this work has been tremendous, as we are now able to follow and switch biological processes at will and in realtime. In fact, without these tools it will be very difficult to address the complexity of biology in the future.
Parenting self‐efficacy in the context of poverty and HIV in Eastern Uganda: A qualitative study
Authors: Augustinavicius Jura L. , Familiar‐Lopez Itziar , Winch Peter J. , Murray Sarah M. , Ojuka Caesar , Boivin Michael J. , Bass Judith K.
Published: March 2019

We sought to understand social representations of effective parenting and parenting self‐efficacy among female HIV‐affected caregivers in rural Eastern Uganda. We conducted in‐depth interviews (n = 21) to describe parenting experiences and caregivers’ perceptions of their own parenting abilities and to create vignettes for use in directed focus groups. We carried out open focus groups (n = 2) to gain social perspectives on parenting, and directed focus groups (n = 2) concentrated on parenting self‐efficacy. Analysis involved memoing and inductive and deductive coding of transcripts. Caregivers’ perceptions of their own parenting were grounded in parenting values such as providing children with basic needs, having well‐behaved children, and having good relationships with children. Caregivers’ perceptions were influenced by challenges, including single parenthood, living with HIV, limited family resources, and mental health problems. When facing challenges, caregivers relied on social support and faith as well as their own parenting confidence. Caregivers’ perceptions of their parenting abilities were influenced by how they felt others perceived them, their satisfaction in the parenting role, their perseverance despite challenges, and the extent to which they had a vision for their family. Our findings contextualize parenting self‐efficacy within parenting values, challenges, and social perceptions among HIV‐affected caregivers in rural Uganda.
Preparation and properties of dopamine‐modified alginate/chitosan–hydroxyapatite scaffolds with gradient structure for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Shi Dongjian , Shen Jiali , Zhang Zhuying , Shi Chang , Chen Mingqing , Gu Yanglin , Liu Yang
Published: March 2019

Three‐dimensional (3D) homogenous scaffolds composed of natural biopolymers have been reported as superior candidates for bone tissue engineering. There are still remaining challenges in fabricating the functional scaffolds with gradient structures to similar with natural bone tissues, as well as high mechanical properties and excellent affinity to surround tissues. Herein, inspired by the natural bone structure, a gradient‐structural scaffold composed of functional biopolymers was designed to provide an optimized 3D environment for promoting cell growth. To increase the interactions among the scaffolds, dopamine (DA) was employed to modify alginate (Alg) and needle‐like nano‐hydroxyapatite (HA) was prepared with quaternized chitosan as template. The obtained dopamine‐modified alginate (Alg‐DA) and quaternized chitosan‐templated hydroxyapatite (QCHA) were then used to fabricate the porous gradient scaffold by “iterative layering” freeze‐drying technique with further crosslinking by calcium ions (Ca2+). The as‐prepared Alg‐DA/QCHA gradient scaffolds were possessed seamlessly integrated layer structures and high levels of porosity at around 77.5%. Moreover, the scaffolds showed higher compression modules (1.7 MPa) than many other biopolyermic scaffolds. The gradient scaffolds showed appropriate degradation rate to satisfy with the time of the bone regeneration. Both human chondrocytes and fibroblasts could adhesive and growth well on the scaffolds in vitro. Furthermore, an excellent osteogenetic activity of the gradient scaffold can effectively promote the regeneration of the bone tissue and accelerate the repair of the bone defects in vivo, compared with that of the scaffold with the homogenous structure. The novel multilayered scaffold with gradient structure provided an interesting option for bone tissue engineering. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 107A: 1615–1627, 2019.
Novel ultrafine‐grained β‐type Ti–28Nb–2Zr–8Sn alloy for biomedical applications
Authors: Zhang Yidi , Guo Tianqi , Li Qiushi , Qin Jie , Ding Xinxin , Ye Shan , Zhao Jinghui , Zhou Yanmin
Published: March 2019

Titanium alloys are widely accepted as orthopedic or dental implant materials in the medical field. It is important to evaluate the biocompatibility of an implant material prior to use. A new β‐type ultrafine‐grained Ti–28Nb–2Zr–8Sn (TNZS) alloy with low Young's modulus of 31.6 GPa was fabricated. This study aims to evaluate the biocompatibility of TNZS alloy. In this study, we examined the microstructure, chemical composition and surface wettability of the TNZS alloy. The mouse embryonic osteoblast MC3T3‐E1 cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured to study the cytocompatibility of TNZS alloy. Also, we evaluated the proinflammatory response of TNZS alloy in vitro and in vivo. The results show that the TNZS did not cause cytotoxicity, genotoxicity to MC3T3‐E1 cells and HUVECs. Whereas, the TNZS alloy could significantly promote the cell proliferation, cell spreading and cell adhesion of MC3T3‐E1 cells and HUVECs, as well as facilitate the osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3‐E1 cells. Moreover, the TNZS alloy did not induce any remarkable proinflammatory response in vitro and in vivo. Thus, the novel TNZS alloy with an elasticity closer to that of human bone is biologically safe and could be a potential candidate for biomedical implant application. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 107A: 1628–1639, 2019.