bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tough and Multi‐Recyclable Cross‐Linked Supramolecular Polyureas via Incorporating Noncovalent Bonds into Main‐Chains
Authors: Qin Bo , Zhang Shuai , Sun Peng , Tang Bohan , Yin Zihe , Cao Xiao , Chen Quan , Xu Jiang‐Fei , Zhang Xi
Published: July 2020

Covalent thermosets generally exhibit robust mechanical properties, while they are fragile and lack the ability to be reprocessed or recycled. Herein, a new strategy of incorporating noncovalent bonds into main‐chains is developed to construct tough and multi‐recyclable cross‐linked supramolecular polyureas (CSPU), which are prepared via the copolymerization of diisocyanate monomers, noncovalently bonded diamine monomers linked by quadruple hydrogen bonds, and covalent diamine/triamine monomers. The CSPU exhibit remarkable solvent resistance and outstanding mechanical properties owing to the covalent cross‐linking via triamine monomer. Through the incorporation of 9.7% and 14.6% quadruple hydrogen bonded diamine monomer, the transparent CSPU films are endowed with superior toughness of 74.17 and 124.17 MJ m−3, respectively. Impressively, even after five generations of recycling processes, the mechanical properties of reprocessed CSPU can recover more than 95% of their original properties, displaying excellent multiple recyclablity. As a result, the superior toughness, remarkable solvent resistance, high transparency, and excellent multiple recyclability are well‐combined in the CSPU. It is highly anticipated that this line of research will provide a facile and general method to construct various cross‐linked polymer materials with superior recyclability and mechanical properties.
Novel Bi‐Doped Amorphous SnOx Nanoshells for Efficient Electrochemical CO2 Reduction into Formate at Low Overpotentials
Authors: Yang Qi , Wu Qilong , Liu Yang , Luo Shuiping , Wu Xiaotong , Zhao Xixia , Zou Haiyuan , Long Baihua , Chen Wen , Liao Yujia , Li Lanxi , Shen Pei Kang , Duan Lele , Quan Zewei
Published: July 2020

Engineering novel Sn‐based bimetallic materials could provide intriguing catalytic properties to boost the electrochemical CO2 reduction. Herein, the first synthesis of homogeneous Sn1−xBix alloy nanoparticles (x up to 0.20) with native Bi‐doped amorphous SnOx shells for efficient CO2 reduction is reported. The Bi‐SnOx nanoshells boost the production of formate with high Faradaic efficiencies (>90%) over a wide potential window (−0.67 to −0.92 V vs RHE) with low overpotentials, outperforming current tin oxide catalysts. The state‐of‐the‐art Bi‐SnOx nanoshells derived from Sn0.80Bi0.20 alloy nanoparticles exhibit a great partial current density of 74.6 mA cm−2 and high Faradaic efficiency of 95.8%. The detailed electrocatalytic analyses and corresponding density functional theory calculations simultaneously reveal that the incorporation of Bi atoms into Sn species facilitates formate production by suppressing the formation of H2 and CO.
Giant and Broadband Multiphoton Absorption Nonlinearities of a 2D Organometallic Perovskite Ferroelectric
Authors: Li Maofan , Xu Yanming , Han Shiguo , Xu Jinlong , Xie Zhenda , Liu Yi , Xu Zhiyun , Hong Maochun , Luo Junhua , Sun Zhihua
Published: July 2020

Multiphoton absorption (MPA) has been utilized for important technological applications. High‐order multiphoton harvesting (e.g., five‐photon absorption, 5PA) exhibits unique properties that could benefit biophotonics. Within this field, perovskite oxide ferroelectrics (e.g., BaTiO3) enable low‐order optical nonlinearities of 2PA/3PA processes. However, it is challenging to obtain efficient, high‐order 5PA effects. Herein, for the first time, giant and broadband MPA properties are presented in the 2D hybrid perovskite ferroelectric (IA)2(MA)2Pb3Br10 (1; IA = isoamylammonium and MA = methylammonium), where multiphoton‐excited optical nonlinearities related to different MPA mechanisms over a broadband range of 550–2400 nm are observed. Strikingly, its 5PA absorption cross‐section (σ5) reaches up to 1.2 × 10−132 cm10 s4 photon−4 (at 2400 nm), almost 10 orders larger than some state‐of‐the‐art organic molecules and a record‐high value among all known ferroelectrics. This unprecedented 5PA effect results from the quantum‐confined motif of inorganic trilayer sheets (wells) and organic cations (barriers) in 1. Moreover, its large ferroelectric polarization of 5 µC cm−2 could promote modulation of MPA effects under external electric fields. As far as it is known, this is the first report on giant, broadband high‐order MPA properties in ferroelectrics, which provides potential, novel electric‐ordered materials for next‐generation biophotonic applications.
Highly UV Resistant Inch‐Scale Hybrid Perovskite Quantum Dot Papers
Authors: Li Ting‐You , Xu Xuezhu , Lin Chun‐Ho , Guan Xinwei , Hsu Wei‐Hao , Tsai Meng‐Lin , Fang Xiaosheng , Wu Tom , He Jr‐Hau
Published: July 2020

Halide perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) are promising materials for diverse applications including displays, light‐emitting diodes, and solar cells due to their intriguing properties such as tunable bandgap, high photoluminescence quantum yield, high absorbance, and narrow emission peaks. Despite the prosperous achievements over the past several years, PQDs face severe challenges in terms of stability under different circumstances. Currently, researchers have overcome part of the stability problem, making PQDs sustainable in water, oxygen, and polar solvents for long‐term use. However, halide PQDs are easily degraded under continuous irradiation, which significantly limits their potential for conventional applications. In this study, an oleic acid/oleylamine (traditional surface ligands)‐free method to fabricate perovskite quantum dot papers (PQDP) is developed by adding cellulose nanocrystals as long‐chain binding ligands that stabilize the PQD structure. As a result, the relative photoluminescence intensity of PQDP remains over ≈90% under continuous ultraviolet (UV, 16 W) irradiation for 2 months, showing negligible photodegradation. This proposed method paves the way for the fabrication of ultrastable PQDs and the future development of related applications.
Microfluidic‐Assisted Blade Coating of Compositional Libraries for Combinatorial Applications: The Case of Organic Photovoltaics
Authors: Rodríguez‐Martínez Xabier , Sevim Semih , Xu Xiaofeng , Franco Carlos , Pamies‐Puig Paula , Córcoles‐Guija Laura , Rodriguez‐Trujillo Romen , del Campo Francisco Javier , Rodriguez San Miguel David , deMello Andrew J. , Pané Salvador , Amabilino David B. , Inganäs Olle , Puigmartí‐Luis Josep , Campoy‐Quiles Mariano
Published: July 2020

Microfluidic technologies are highly adept at generating controllable compositional gradients in fluids, a feature that has accelerated the understanding of the importance of chemical gradients in biological processes. That said, the development of versatile methods to generate controllable compositional gradients in the solid‐state has been far more elusive. The ability to produce such gradients would provide access to extensive compositional libraries, thus enabling the high‐throughput exploration of the parametric landscape of functional solids and devices in a resource‐, time‐, and cost‐efficient manner. Herein, the synergic integration of microfluidic technologies is reported with blade coating to enable the controlled formation of compositional lateral gradients in solution. Subsequently, the transformation of liquid‐based compositional gradients into solid‐state thin films using this method is demonstrated. To demonstrate efficacy of the approach, microfluidic‐assisted blade coating is used to optimize blending ratios in organic solar cells. Importantly, this novel technology can be easily extended to other solution processable systems that require the formation of solid‐state compositional lateral gradients.
A PC‐SAFT model for heavy hydrocarbon thermodynamics in downstream separation processes
Authors: Marshall Bennett D. , Vella Joseph R. , Greene Jennifer , Kozuch Daniel J.
Published: July 2020

The Advanced Petroleum Parameterization Scheme (TAPPS) provides a very accurate method to determine pure component petroleum fraction model parameters for the polar PC‐SAFT equation of state. In this work we extend the TAPPS/PC‐SAFT petroleum thermodynamics methodology to vacuum residuum (VR) ranged molecules. The challenge for these heavy species is twofold: first, the normal boiling point ceases to be a sensible descriptor of molecular size; and second, the phase behavior of interest in downstream processing is liquid–liquid equilibria (LLE). We develop new parameter models for both unary and binary polar PC‐SAFT parameters for VR ranged molecules. In addition to PC‐SAFT parameters, we also develop a scheme to redefine a detailed model of composition to a number of pseudo‐components manageable in a process simulator (~102) using a lumping scheme based on the fraction of aromatic carbon and molecular weight. We demonstrate that this methodology allows for the accurate description of VR/paraffin LLE.
The recurrent TUBB3 Gly98Ser substitution is the first described to inconsistently result in CFEOM3
Authors: Smith Scott C. , Olney Ann Haskins , Beavers Angela , Spaulding Joanna , Nelson Marilu , Nielsen Shelly , Sanmann Jennifer N.
Published: July 2020

Missense variants in TUBB3 have historically been associated with either congenital fibrosis of the extraocular muscles type 3 (CFEOM3) or malformations of cortical development (MCD). Until a recent report identified two amino acid substitutions in four patients that had clinical features of both disorders, pathogenic variants of TUBB3 were thought distinct to either respective disorder. Three recurrent de novo Gly71Arg TUBB3 substitutions and a single patient with a de novo Gly98Ser substitution blurred the MCD and CFEOM3 phenotypic distinctions. Here we report a second patient with a missense c.292G>A (p.Gly98Ser) substitution, but without CFEOM3, the first reported evidence that even the same TUBB3 substitution can produce a spectrum of TUBB3 syndrome phenotypes. Our patient presented with amblyopia, exotropia, optic disc pallor, and developmental delay. Neuroimaging identified hypoplasia of the corpus callosum, interdigitation of the frontal lobe gyri, and dysplasia or hypoplasia of the optic nerves, basal ganglia, brainstem, and cerebellum. This report identifies the TUBB3 Gly98Ser substitution to be recurrent but inconsistently including CFEOM3, and identifies the absence of joint contractures and the presence of optic disc abnormalities that may be genotype‐specific to the TUBB3 Gly98Ser substitution.
The [(NHC)B(H)C6F5]+ Cations and Their [B](H)−CO Borane Carbonyls
Authors: Chen Chaohuang , Li Jun , Daniliuc Constantin G. , Mück‐Lichtenfeld Christian , Kehr Gerald , Erker Gerhard
Published: July 2020

Hydride abstraction from the heterocyclic carbene borane adducts (NHC)BH2C6F5 (NHC: IMes or IMe4) gave the B−H containing [(NHC)B(H)C6F5]+ borenium cations. They added carbon monoxide to give the respective [(NHC)B(H)(C6F5)CO]+ boron carbonyl cations. Carbon nucleophiles add to the boron carbonyl to give [B](H) acyls. Hydride reduced the [B]CO cation to hydroxymethylborane derivatives.
Nanochaperone‐Based Strategies to Control Protein Aggregation Linked to Conformational Diseases
Authors: Caballero Ana B. , Gamez Patrick
Published: July 2020

The generation of highly organized amyloid fibrils is associated with a wide range of conformational pathologies, including primarily neurodegenerative diseases. Such disorders are characterized by misfolded proteins that lose their normal physiological roles and acquire toxicity. Recent findings suggest that proteostasis network impairment may be one of the causes leading to the accumulation and spread of amyloids. These observations are certainly contributing to a new focus in anti‐amyloid drug design, whose efforts are so far being centered on single‐target approaches aimed at inhibiting amyloid aggregation. Chaperones, known to maintain proteostasis, hence represent interesting targets for the development of novel therapeutics owing to their potential protective role against protein misfolding diseases. In this minireview, research on nanoparticles that can either emulate or help molecular chaperones in recognizing and/or correcting protein misfolding is discussed. The nascent concept of “nanochaperone” may indeed set future directions towards the development of cost‐effective, disease‐modifying drugs to treat several currently fatal disorders.
Dinuclear gold(I)‐N‐heterocyclic carbene complexes: Synthesis, characterization, and catalytic application for hydrohydrazidation of terminal alkynes
Authors: Yadav Seema , Ray Sriparna , Singh Ajeet , Mobin Shaikh M. , Roy Tapta Kanchan , Dash Chandrakanta
Published: July 2020

Dinuclear gold(I)‐N‐heterocyclic carbene complexes were developed for the hydrohydrazidation of terminal alkynes. The gold(I)‐N‐heterocyclic carbene complexes 2a‐2b were synthesized in good yields from silver complexes synthesized in situ, which in turn were obtained from the corresponding imidazolium salts with Ag2O in dichloromethane as a solvent. The new air‐stable gold(I)‐NHC complexes, 2a‐2b, were characterized using NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, infrared, and mass spectroscopy studies. The gold(I) complex 2a was characterized using X‐ray crystallography. Bis‐N‐heterocyclic carbene–based gold(I) complexes 2a‐2b exhibited excellent catalytic activities for hydrohydrazidation of terminal alkynes yielding acylhydrazone derivatives. The working catalytic system can be used in gram‐scale synthesis. In addition, the catalytic reaction mechanism of the hydrohydrazidation of terminal alkynes by gold(I)‐NHC complex was studied in detail using density functional theory.
Peanut FAD2 Genotype and Growing Location Interactions Significantly Affect the Level of Oleic Acid in Seeds
Authors: Tonnis Brandon , Wang Ming Li , Li Xianran , Wang Jianping , Puppala Naveen , Tallury Shyam , Yu Jianming
Published: July 2020

The level of oleic acid is an important parameter in determining seed nutritional quality and oil stability. The level of oleic acid in peanut is genetically controlled by a pair of fatty acid desaturase genes (FAD2A and FAD2B), but the environmental conditions of the production sites can also have a significant effect. To investigate the effect of gene and environment interaction, 45 accessions were grown at three locations for 2 years. Environmental data were collected; individual plants were genotyped with functional SNP markers from FAD2A and FAD2B; and seed level of oleic acid was determined by gas chromatography. Three FAD2A/FAD2B genotypes (448G/no insertion 442A, 448A/no insertion 442A, and 448A/insertion 442A) were identified and designated as G/W, A/W, and A/A, respectively. A/A genotype averaged the highest level of oleic acid (80.0%), followed by A/W (56.0%), and then G/W (40.7%). Analysis of gene and environment interaction revealed that oleic acid phenotype plasticity could be explained by the interaction of FAD2 genotype and photothermal time, which quantified environmental conditions. The A/W genotype was the most sensitive to photothermal time changes. The oleic acid plasticity revealed in this study would be useful for breeders, farmers, and product processors.
Distribution and habitat use by endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales: Patterns observed during a photo‐identification study, 2005–2017
Authors: McGuire Tamara L. , Himes Boor Gina K. , McClung John R. , Stephens Amber D. , Garner Christopher , Shelden Kim E.W. , Wright Bruce
Published: July 2020

Cook Inlet beluga whales (CIBWs;Delphinapterus leucas), are an isolated and declining endangered population in Alaska, USA. Their critical habitat has been broadly defined, with little empirical data on habitat use to direct management actions. This article examines data collected during surveys for a long‐term photo‐ID study to gain insight into the use of critical habitat by CIBW groups and individuals, with a focus on areas where belugas were observed feeding, calving, rearing young, and in transit. It also describes patterns of group distribution, size, and composition, according to sex and age class, in order to better understand how CIBWs are distributed throughout critical habitat during the ice‐free season. The results are presented according to survey month and survey zone, so that patterns of habitat use are accessible in a useful format to aid managers in evaluations of how timing and location of human activities occurring in CIBW critical habitat may overlap with CIBW occurrence and use of these areas.

There were 575 beluga groups encountered during 477 photo‐ID surveys conducted in CIBW critical habitat 2005–2017. CIBW locations were mapped, and models were developed to test for temporal and spatial patterns. Approximately 400 individual whales were identified, and their sighting histories were compiled to examine residency and movement patterns.

CIBWs were found seasonally in distinct areas, where they aggregate in large groups of both sexes and all age classes while rearing calves and feeding. These areas, and the general corridors connecting them, represent important beluga habitat that warrant focused management attention and protection efforts.

Whales travelling among distinct areas of Cook Inlet increase their likelihood of exposure to multiple, localized threats.

Habitat protection and the regulation of anthropogenic activities should consider cumulative effects of all activities in the range of CIBWs and their potential to affect the entire population.
Recent Advances in the Cycloaddition Reactions of 2‐Benzylidene‐1‐benzofuran‐3‐ones, and Their Sulfur, Nitrogen and Methylene Analogues
Authors: Deng Qingsong , Meng Xiangtai
Published: July 2020

Benzothiophene, benzofuran, indole, and indene derivatives are privileged heterocyclic motifs. These are present in a wide range of bioactive natural products and pharmaceutical drugs and are the subject of materials science research. However, the construction of benzothiophene, benzofuran, indole, and indene frameworks have been long‐standing challenges to organic chemists. In this review, we classify the derivatives of four structures synthesized from 2‐benzylidene‐1‐benzofuran‐3‐one and their analogues in terms of their ring size (from three‐ to ten‐membered) and type (fused or spiro), as well as summarizing the developments of this field. Finally, we discuss the ring opening and 1,4‐addition reactions.
New Right 2.0: Teacher populism on social media in England
Authors: Watson Steven
Published: July 2020

This article is concerned with teacher populism on social media in England. This has grown in the last 10 years, facilitated by Twitter. While it appears to be a response to challenging working conditions and declining pay, it has largely been driven by conservative political strategy, an adaptation of the New Right coalition between social conservatives and economic liberals of the 1970s. New Right 2.0, as I frame it here, is a New Right project for the social media age, but also goes deeper into society to promote civic capitalism—so‐called ‘Big Society’. New Right 2.0, like its predecessor, is an attempt to create an aggregated passive acceptance of free‐market ideology by creating division and indifference, setting one group against another, using the state to reward its proponents and to discipline its objectors. Teacher populism, though modest in numbers and specific to a particular public service, uses the language of populism to promote its cause, wanting to give voice to the ordinary teacher against a liberal educational elite which includes academics, local education authorities and teaching unions. This article contributes to an understanding of the social, cultural and political processes that are at play as part of a populist rupture.
Rapid and sensitive detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis based on strand displacement amplification and magnetic beads
Authors: Chu Zhao Jun , Xiao Sai Jin , Yuan Ming Yue , Wang Li Zhi , Wang Shan Ping , Zhang Guang Mei , Zhang Zhi Bin
Published: July 2020

Tuberculosis is one of the main infectious diseases threatening public health, and the development of simple, rapid, and cost‐saving methods for tuberculosis diagnosis is of profound importance for tuberculosis prevention and treatment. The bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is the pathogen that causes tuberculosis, and assaying for MTB is the only criterion for tuberculosis diagnosis. A new enzyme‐free method based on strand displacement amplification and magnetic beads was developed for simple, rapid, and cost‐saving MTB detection. Under optimum conditions, a good linear relationship could be observed between fluorescence and MTB specific DNA concentration ranging from 0.05 to 150 nM with a correlation coefficient of 0.993 (n = 8) and a detection limit of 47 pM (3σ/K). The present method also distinguished a one base mismatch from MTB specific DNA, showing great promise for MTB genome single base polymorphism analysis. MTB specific DNA content in polymerase chain reaction samples was successfully detected using the new method, and recoveries were 97.8–100.8%, indicating that the present method had high accuracy and shows good potential for the early diagnosis of tuberculosis.
Enzyme‐coupled fluorescence sensor for sensitive determination of uric acid and uricase inhibitor
Authors: Jiao Yuan , Xing Yunlong , Li Kai , Li Zainan , Zhao Guoqing
Published: July 2020

In this study, an enzyme‐coupled fluorescence sensor was developed successfully for the sensitive detection of uric acid (UA) and uricase inhibitor based on graphene quantum dots (GQDs). UA was first oxidized using uricase and produced hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which could oxidize phenol to benzoquinone in the presence of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) as the catalysis. Benzoquinone is an efficient quencher and can cause fluorescence quenching of GQDs. The degree of quenching was proportional to UA concentration and was linear for the UA concentration in the ranges 0.2–14 μmol/L. The detection limit was 0.06 μmol/L for UA. In addition, the proposed sensor was further utilized for UA detection in human serum samples with satisfactory reproducibility and accuracy. The proposed strategy provided may be widely utilized to sense H2O2 or H2O2 generating processes in related biological environment.
ZnWO4:Eu3+ phosphor with intense blue LED excitation: photoluminescence and electron density distribution analysis
Authors: D Sivaganesh , S Saravanakumar , V Sivakumar , S Sasikumar , J NandhaGopal , Ramanathan Rajajeyaganthan
Published: July 2020

A high intensity 464 nm excitable ZnWO4:Eu3+ red‐emitting phosphor for warm white lighting applications was prepared using a solid‐state reaction method by varying the dopant Eu3+ concentration. Crystalline purity and phase identification was confirmed and revealed using powder X‐ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement analysis. The surface morphology of Zn1‐xEuxWO4 (x = 0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04 and 0.05) was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. From SEM analysis, the ZnWO4:Eu3+ phosphor prepared at 1–3% molar Eu3+ concentrations exhibited a small pebble‐like morphology with a smooth surface. On increasing the molar concentration of Eu3+ to >3%, the pebble stone morphology disappeared and a large, smooth irregular polygon‐shaped granular‐like morphology was obtained. Of the higher mol% Eu3+, the 4% Eu3+‐doped ZnWO4 showed the best photoluminescence properties with high intensity and sharp excitation at 395 and 464 nm, followed by red emission centred at 615 nm with excellent CIE coordinates (x = 0.58 and y = 0.41) in the core red region. Elemental composition and chemical state analysis were carried out for the 4% Eu3+‐doped ZnWO4 phosphor using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy studies. Based on all the above analyses, the Eu3+‐doped ZnWO4 phosphor was found to be a very efficient red‐emitting phosphor under near‐UV light as well as under visible light excitation and could be used for white LED and field emissive displays applications.
Use of Hantzsch reaction for quantitation of milnacipran as a magic treatment for fibromyalgia syndrome in human plasma and urine
Authors: Mostafa Islam M. , Omar Mahmoud A. , Nagy Dalia M. , Derayea Sayed M.
Published: July 2020

A new fluorimetric procedure is described for analysis of milnacipran in its bulk, tablet dosage forms, as well as in biological human samples such as plasma and urine. The suggested method relies on the construction of a derivative with strong fluorescence called dihydropyridine derivative. This derivative resulted from the interaction of the primary amino group in the studied drug and acetylacetone/formaldehyde in McIlvaine buffer (pH 5). The fluorescent dihydropyridine derivative was measured at 470 nm. Influences of experimental variables namely pH, reagent concentration and temperature were examined and optimized. The calibration curve showed linearity over the range of 0.15–1.25 μg ml−1 of milnacipran with an R2 value of 0.9998. The detection limit was 0.02 μg ml−1 and the determination limit was 0.07 μg ml−1. The developed procedure was successfully used in the assay of the studied drug in Avermilan® tablets with excellent selectivity. In addition, the reaction was applied to estimate the drug in spiked human plasma and urine with mean percentage recoveries of 100.04 ± 1.61 and 99.78 ± 0.81% for urine and plasma, respectively.
Institutional pressures and circular economy performance: The role of environmental management system and organizational flexibility in oil and gas sector
Authors: Jain Nikunj Kumar , Panda Abinash , Choudhary Piyush
Published: July 2020

The pressures to make business operations sustainable have been pushing organizations to adopt circular economy (CE) principles. With depleting fossil resources, the oil and gas (O&G) sector is pushed towards recycling limited resources available with it by leveraging CE principles. However, not many studies have been taken up how institutional pressures influence CE‐targeted environmental and economic performances. Drawing on institutional theory, this study examines the moderated‐mediation role of organization flexibility on the effects of institutional pressures on CE performance through environmental management systems (EMSs). Data are collected from 280 firms in Indian O&G sector using questionnaire‐based survey method. The study reveals that organizations leverage EMS to achieve CE performance, and flexible organizations compared with rigid ones are more effective in dealing with coercive pressures by leveraging EMS. These insights may help policymakers to formulate regulatory framework judiciously that encourages firms to adopt EMS in making their operations environmentally sustainable.
Prognostic factors and treatment comparison in small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the uterine cervix based on population analyses
Authors: Lin Li‐mei , Lin Qin , Liu Jun , Chu Ke‐xin , Huang Yun‐Xia , Zhang Zong‐Kai , Li Tao , Dai Ya‐Qing , Li Jin‐Luan
Published: July 2020

Objective

We aimed to assess the impact of the treatment modality on the outcome of small cell neuroendocrine cervical carcinoma (SCNEC) using the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database.

Methods

Patients from the SEER program between 1981 and 2014 were identified. Significant factors for cancer‐specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed using the Kaplan‐Meier survival and Cox regression methods.

Results

A total of 503 SCNEC patients were identified. The 5‐year CSS and OS were 36.6% and 30.6%, respectively. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage I to IV distributions was 189 (37.6%), 108 (21.5%), 95 (18.9%), and 111 patients (22.0%), respectively. Within the patients with known treatment strategies, 177 (45.9%) were treated with radical surgery and 209 (54.1%) underwent primary radiotherapy. Local treatment strategies were independent prognostic factor for CSS and OS. The 5‐year CSS for radical surgery and primary radiotherapy was 50.0% and 27.9%, respectively (P < .001). The 5‐year OS for those who received radical surgery and primary radiotherapy was 57.8%, and 29.6%, respectively (P < .001). In FIGO stage I SCNEC, patients treated with radical surgery had superior CSS (P = .001) and OS (P = .003) than those with primary radiotherapy. However, in FIGO stage II and III SCNEC, there were no differences in CSS and OS with respect to different local treatment strategies. Our results also found that the addition of brachytherapy impacted OS in the FIGO stage III SENCE (P = .002). The 5‐year CSS and OS of patients with FIGO IV were only 11.7% and 7.1%, respectively.

Conclusions

SCNEC is a rare disease with aggressive clinical behavior. The findings indicate that radical surgery should be suggested for early‐stage SCNEC and combining radiation therapy with brachytherapy should be suitable for patients with advanced stage.
Major Fatty Acid Profiles and Bioactivity of Seed Oils from Ten Tree Peony Cultivars as a Potential Raw Material Source for the Cosmetics and Healthy Products
Authors: Liu Wei , Zhang Tong , Yin Dong‐Xue , Song Peng , Hou Xiao‐Gai , Qi Qiao , Qi Zhong‐Hua
Published: July 2020

As a new woody oleaginous crop, tree peony is now being widely developed and utilized, which attributed to the outstanding oil‐use features regarding the fatty acid profiles and bioactivity. The major fatty acid profiles and bioactivity of seed oils in ten tree peony varieties collected from a common garden were investigated in the present study. The results showed that the oil yields, fatty acid profiles, bioactivity of seed oils existed significant variations among ten tree peony varieties (P<0.05). Considered the application value, ‘Fengdan’ (FD) and ‘Ziban’ (ZB) was the optimal resources as the high oil yields, rich unsaturated fatty acids especially high α‐linolenic acid of 40.46 %, great antioxidant activity with low IC50 values, high ABTS and FRAP values, and strong antimicrobial activity with high DIZ and low MIC/MBC values. The study also confirmed seed oil of tree peony as the potential raw materials sources in functional food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics for human health.
Persistent hypoglycemia due to an IGF‐II‐secreting malignant pheochromocytoma: a case report and literature review
Authors: Martínez García María , Trincado Aznar Pablo , López Alaminos María Elena , González Fernández Mikel , Alvarado Rosas Almendra , Laclaustra Gimeno Martín
Published: July 2020

A malignant pheochromocytoma with IGF‐II‐mediated hypoglycemia is reported; although treatment was cumbersome and evolution unfortunate, this diagnosis must be kept in mind when dealing with NICTH's differential diagnosis.
Automatic capture management may cause unnecessary battery depletion in selective his‐bundle pacing
Authors: Wu Hung‐Pin , Chen Jan‐Yow , Lin Kuo‐Hung , Chang Kuan‐Cheng
Published: July 2020

A routine change in the automatic capture management algorithm from “adaptive” to “off or monitor” is required to conserve device longevity in a permanent pacemaker with His‐bundle pacing.
Enhanced learning to improve letter knowledge in children with Down syndrome and severe intellectual disability: A case report
Authors: Fujino Haruo , Imatome Yumeho
Published: July 2020

Children with Down syndrome and severe intellectual disability have difficulties in learning a language. Enhanced learning procedure, including mora segmentation is beneficial to understand letter–sound correspondence in such children.
Highly Selective Catalytic Dechlorination of Dichloromethane to Chloromethane over Al−Ti Mixed Oxide Catalysts
Authors: Yoon Wongeun , Lee Seungjun , Noh Yuseong , Park Seongmin , Kim Youngmin , Ju Kim Hyung , Chae Ho‐Jeong , Bae Kim Won
Published: July 2020

In this paper, a series of Al−Ti mixed oxides with different Al/Ti ratios are prepared by a simple sol‐gel method and they are used as active catalysts for selective dechlorination of dichloromethane to chloromethane. The Al−Ti mixed oxide catalyst with the same molar ratio of Al and Ti shows the highest activity in dechlorination of dichloromethane. The strong and abundant Lewis acid sites in the Al−Ti mixed oxides formed along with Al−O−Ti bondings are responsible for the high catalytic activity toward the selective dechlorination reaction in this work. From a kinetic study, the activation energy of this reaction over the optimum Al−Ti mixed oxide catalyst appears to be 59.4 kJ mol−1 based on Langmuir‐Hinshelwood model. The improved catalytic performance suggests that the Al−Ti mixed oxide could be used as the effective catalyst for the highly selective dechlorination of dichloromethane to chloromethane.
Hydrostibination of Alkynes: A Radical Mechanism**
Authors: MacMillan Joshua W. M. , Marczenko Katherine M. , Johnson Erin R. , Chitnis Saurabh S.
Published: July 2020

The addition of Sb−H bonds to alkynes was reported recently as a new hydroelementation reaction that exclusively yields anti‐Markovnikov Z‐olefins from terminal acetylenes. We examine four possible mechanisms that are consistent with the observed stereochemical and regiochemical outcomes. A comprehensive analysis of solvent, substituent, isotope, additive, and temperature effects on hydrostibination reaction rates definitively refutes three ionic mechanisms involving closed‐shell charged intermediates. Instead the data support a fourth pathway featuring open‐shell neutral intermediates. Density‐functional theory (DFT) calculations are consistent with this model, predicting an activation barrier that is in agreement with the experimental value (Eyring analysis) and a rate limiting step that is congruent with the experimental kinetic isotope effect. We therefore conclude that hydrostibination of arylacetylenes is initiated by the generation of stibinyl radicals, which then participate in a cycle featuring SbII and SbIII intermediates to yield the observed Z‐olefins as products. This mechanistic understanding will enable rational evolution of hydrostibination as a synthetic methodology.
Targeting G Protein‐Coupled Receptors with Magnetic Carbon Nanotubes: The Case of the A3 Adenosine Receptor
Authors: Pineux Florent , Federico Stephanie , Klotz Karl‐Norbert , Kachler Sonja , Michiels Carine , Sturlese Mattia , Prato Maurizio , Spalluto Giampiero , Moro Stefano , Bonifazi Davide
Published: July 2020

The A3 adenosine receptor (AR) is a G protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR) overexpressed in the membrane of specific cancer cells. Thus, the development of nanosystems targeting this receptor could be a strategy to both treat and diagnose cancer. Iron‐filled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are an optimal platform for theranostic purposes, and the use of a magnetic field can be exploited for cancer magnetic cell sorting and thermal therapy. In this work, we have conjugated an A3AR ligand on the surface of iron‐filled CNTs with the aim of targeting cells overexpressing A3ARs. In particular, two conjugates bearing PEG linkers of different length were designed. A docking analysis of A3AR showed that neither CNT nor linker interferes with ligand binding to the receptor; this was confirmed by in vitro preliminary radioligand competition assays on A3AR. Encouraged by this result, magnetic cell sorting was applied to a mixture of cells overexpressing or not the A3AR in which our compound displayed indiscriminate binding to all cells. Despite this, it is the first time that a GPCR ligand has been anchored to a magnetic nanosystem, thus it opens the door to new applications for cancer treatment.
Metabolic Analysis at the Nanoscale with Multi‐Isotope Imaging Mass Spectrometry (MIMS)
Authors: Narendra Derek P. , Steinhauser Matthew L.
Published: July 2020

Incorporation of a stable‐isotope metabolic tracer into cells or tissue can be followed at submicron resolution by multi‐isotope imaging mass spectrometry (MIMS), a form of imaging secondary ion microscopy optimized for accurate isotope ratio measurement from microvolumes of sample (as small as ∼30 nm across). In a metabolic MIMS experiment, a cell or animal is metabolically labeled with a tracer containing a stable isotope. Relative accumulation of the heavy isotope in the fixed sample is then measured as an increase over its natural abundance by MIMS. MIMS has been used to measure protein turnover in single organelles, track cellular division in vivo, visualize sphingolipid rafts on the plasma membrane, and measure dopamine incorporation into dense‐core vesicles, among other biological applications. In this article, we introduce metabolic analysis using NanoSIMS by focusing on two specific applications: quantifying protein turnover in single organelles of cultured cells and tracking cell replication in mouse tissues in vivo. These examples illustrate the versatility of metabolic analysis with MIMS. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Metabolic labeling for MIMS

Basic Protocol 2: Embedding of samples for correlative transmission electron microscopy and MIMS with a genetically encoded reporter

Alternate Protocol: Embedding of samples for correlative light microscopy and MIMS

Support Protocol: Preparation of silicon wafers as sample supports for MIMS

Basic Protocol 3: Analysis of MIMS data
Parameter Estimation and Reporting in Noncompartmental Analysis of Clinical Pharmacokinetic Data
Authors: Noe Dennis A.
Published: July 2020

The noncompartmental analysis (NCA) of pharmacokinetic (PK) data is important throughout all phases of clinical drug development. Although there are numerous regulatory guidances and articles in the literature concerned with best practices for the modeling of PK data, there are relatively few sources of information on how to conduct a high‐quality NCA. This article provides a systematic review of issues related to the estimation of plasma and urine PK parameters with the intent of encouraging rigor in the performance of NCAs so as to provide reliable and informative analysis results.
A Microdose Cocktail to Evaluate Drug Interactions in Patients with Renal Impairment
Authors: Tatosian Daniel A. , Yee Ka Lai , Zhang Zufei , Mostoller Kate , Paul Erina , Sutradhar Santosh , Larson Patrick , Chhibber Aparna , Wen Jianzhong , Wang Ya‐Juan , Lassman Michael , Latham Andrew H. , Pang Jianmei , Crumley Tami , Gillespie Anne , Marricco Nadia Cardillo , Marenco Ted , Murphy Matthew , Lasseter Kenneth C. , Marbury Thomas C. , Tweedie Donald , Chu Xiaoyan , Evers Raymond , Stoch S. Aubrey
Published: July 2020

Renal impairment (RI) is known to influence the pharmacokinetics of nonrenally eliminated drugs, although the mechanism and clinical impact is poorly understood. We assessed the impact of RI and single dose oral rifampin (RIF) on the pharmacokinetics of CYP3A, OATP1B, P‐gp, and BCRP substrates using a microdose cocktail and OATP1B endogenous biomarkers. RI alone had no impact on midazolam (MDZ), maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), and area under the curve (AUC), but a progressive increase in AUC with RI severity for dabigatran (DABI), and up to ~2‐fold higher AUC for pitavastatin (PTV), rosuvastatin (RSV), and atorvastatin (ATV) for all degrees of RI was observed. RIF did not impact MDZ, had a progressively smaller DABI drug‐drug interaction (DDI) with increasing RI severity, a similar 3.1‐fold to 4.4‐fold increase in PTV and RSV AUC in healthy volunteers and patients with RI, and a diminishing DDI with RI severity from 6.1‐fold to 4.7‐fold for ATV. Endogenous biomarkers of OATP1B (bilirubin, coproporphyrin I/III, and sulfated bile salts) were generally not impacted by RI, and RIF effects on these biomarkers in RI were comparable or larger than those in healthy volunteers. The lack of a trend with RI severity of PTV and several OATP1B biomarkers, suggests that mechanisms beyond RI directly impacting OATP1B activity could also be considered. The DABI, RSV, and ATV data suggest an impact of RI on intestinal P‐gp, and potentially BCRP activity. Therefore, DDI data from healthy volunteers may represent a worst‐case scenario for clinically derisking P‐gp and BCRP substrates in the setting of RI.
Methanol as a Hydrogen Carrier: Kinetic and Thermodynamic Drivers for its CO2‐Based Synthesis and Reforming over Heterogeneous Catalysts
Authors: Frei Matthias S. , Mondelli Cecilia , Short Marion I. M. , Pérez‐Ramírez Javier
Published: July 2020

Methanol is an attractive energy vector in a closed loop including its synthesis from CO2 and H2 and on‐demand reforming to the starting feedstocks. Catalytic materials for the two reactions were mostly studied separately, with very few works assessing the feasibility of the same system for both. Here, key kinetic drivers of methanol synthesis (MS) and methanol steam reforming (MSR) were identified for the main catalyst families, with special focus on Cu−ZnO−Al2O3, In2O3, and Pd/ZrO2. It was shown that the relative activity level was preserved in either direction, whereas the distinctly favored (reverse) water‐gas shift modulated selectivity differently. Low selectivity in kinetically controlled MS could be overcome in MSR by exploiting thermodynamics as the driving force, with many catalysts unfit for MS still comprising appealing candidates for MSR and only few being suited for MS as well as MSR. Overall, readily identifiable properties describing catalyst behavior in the forward and backward reactions were highlighted, effectively linking research in the two fields and setting a stronger basis for developing a methanol‐based hydrogen storage unit with a single reactor.
Predicting eating disorders from Internet activity
Authors: Sadeh‐Sharvit Shiri , Fitzsimmons‐Craft Ellen E. , Taylor C. Barr , Yom‐Tov Elad
Published: July 2020

Objective

Eating disorders (EDs) compromise the health and functioning of affected individuals, but it can often take them several years to acknowledge their illness and seek treatment. Early identification of individuals with EDs is a public health priority, and innovative approaches are needed for such identification and ultimate linkage with evidence‐based interventions. This study examined whether Internet activity data can predict ED risk/diagnostic status, potentially informing timely interventions.

Method

Participants were 936 women who completed a clinically validated online survey for EDs, and 231 of them (24.7%) contributed their Internet browsing history. A machine learning algorithm used key attributes from participants' Internet activity histories to predict their ED status: clinical/subclinical ED, high risk for an ED, or no ED.

Results

The algorithm reached an accuracy of 52.6% in predicting ED risk/diagnostic status, compared to random decision accuracy of 38.1%, a relative improvement of 38%. The most predictive Internet search history variables were the following: use of keywords related to ED symptoms and websites promoting ED content, participant age, median browsing events per day, and fraction of daily activity at noon.

Discussion

ED risk or clinical status can be predicted via machine learning with moderate accuracy using Internet activity variables. This model, if replicated in larger samples where it demonstrates stronger predictive value, could identify populations where further assessment is merited. Future iterations could also inform tailored digital interventions, timed to be provided when target online behaviors occur, thereby potentially improving the well‐being of many individuals who may otherwise remain undetected.
Biodevices using microwells sealed with artificial lipid bilayers: Improvement of sealing performance by protein coating
Authors: Kashimura Yoshiaki , Sumitomo Koji , Nakashima Hiroshi
Published: July 2020

The use of microwells sealed with lipid bilayers is promising for biodevices that utilize protein functions. We have fabricated microwell structures on a Si substrate sealed with lipid bilayers. We have investigated Ca2+ ion transport through α‐hemolysin channels with fluorescent microscopy. However, problems remain as regards achieving the detection of smaller signal such as receptor channels. Ion leakage through the interfacial water layer between the lipid bilayer and the substrate is one of the major hurdles to be overcome. In this paper, we present the mechanism of the ion leakage behavior and then an improved microwell structure that uses bovine serum albumin coating on the device surface to prevent ion leakage from/into the microwells.
Impact of water development on river flows and the catch of a commercial marine fishery
Authors: Broadley Andrew , Stewart‐Koster Ben , Kenyon Rob A. , Burford Michele A. , Brown Christopher J.
Published: July 2020

The growing demand for freshwater resources has led to dam construction and water diversions in a majority of the world's large rivers. With an increasing demand for freshwater, trade‐offs between water allocations and the preservation of ecological connections between terrestrial and marine ecosystems are inevitable. The ecological links formed by rivers flowing into the ocean benefit many commercially fished species. The degree to which different species and the livelihoods of fishers are negatively impacted by changes in river flows due to water extraction or diversion is important for management across terrestrial and marine boundaries. Our objective was to predict how changes in freshwater flows from three wet–dry tropical rivers in northern Australia, that is, the Mitchell, Gilbert, and Flinders rivers, affect the commercial banana prawn (Penaeus merguiensis) catch. We used a novel spatiotemporal Bayesian approach to model the effects of river flows and key climate drivers on banana prawn catch. We then predicted how the loss of flow due to water extraction or diversion affected prawn catch. Our analyses of three water development scenarios found that catch was most impacted by water extraction during low flows. The impact of water extraction was greatest for a scenario with dams on the Mitchell River, where we predicted catch would decline by 53% during a year with low flow. Overall, our results imply that maintenance of low‐level flows is a crucial requirement for sustained fishery yields. We suggest that water managers must balance agricultural demand for water during drier years against the impact of water extraction on prawn fisheries during low‐flow years. Protecting low‐level flows during drier years is a priority for maintaining terrestrial–marine linkages for adjacent marine fisheries.
Synthesis of Size‐Controllable NiCo2S4 Hollow Nanospheres Toward Enhanced Electrochemical Performance
Authors: Zhang Lei , Zhang Haitao , Chu Xiang , Liu Fangyan , Guo Chunsheng , Yang Weiqing
Published: July 2020

Although the synthesis of novel nanostructured metal sulfides has been well established, further size‐controllable optimization is still valuable to enhance their performance for various applications. Herein, a self‐template method to size‐controllably synthesize the hollow NiCo2S4 nanospheres is reported. Uniformly monodisperse NiCo precursors with diameter widely ranging from 97 to 550 nm are controllably synthesized and subsequently transformed into hollow NiCo2S4 nanospheres through in situ sulfidation. Smaller nanoparticles' diameter results in the hollow NiCo2S4 nanospheres larger surface area and thinner shell thickness and hence provides much more electrochemical active sites as well as facilitate the ion and electron transfer. Consequently, the hollow NiCo2S4 nanospheres—used as the electrode materials in supercapacitors—achieve 19% enhancement of specific capacity from 484.8 to 575.1 C g−1 through lowering the 42.5% diameter of hollow NiCo2S4 nanospheres from 407 to 234 nm. Moreover, the hollow NiCo2S4 nanospheres with 234 nm diameter exhibit superior rate capacity indicated by 49% capacity retention from 1 to 50 A g−1 and excellent cycling stability (77% after 2000 cycles). Furthermore, this method is a potentially general strategy in the size‐controllable synthesis of the metal sulfides hollow nanostructures and results in the remarkable electrochemical applications.