bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemovariation and antibacterial activity of extracts and isolated compounds from species of Ixora and Greenea (Ixoroideae, Rubiaceae)
Authors: Buathong Raveevatoo , Chamchumroon Voradol , Schinnerl Johann , Bacher Markus , Santimaleeworagun Wichai , Kraichak Ekaphan , Vajrodaya Srunya
Published: May 2019

Background

A large number of secondary metabolites can be obtained from plants used for traditional medicine in two related genera (Ixora and Greenea) in the subfamily Ixoroideae (Rubiaceae), but there are only a few detailed studies on their bioactivities. Therefore, the main goals of this study were to determine the antibacterial activities of lipophilic extracts from plants of some Ixora and Greenea species native to Thailand, and to isolate some pure compounds from those extracts. Moreover, we compared the occurrence of compounds in different plant parts of samples from different habitats to better understand their variation.

Methods

A total of 56 lipophilic extracts were obtained from the leaves, stem bark, and root bark of eight Ixora and two Greenea species collected at various locations in Thailand. Isolated compounds were identified using nuclear magnetic resonance. Antimicrobial activities were evaluated against four Gram-positive and nine Gram-negative human pathogenic bacterial strains.

Results

Extracts from I. javanica, I. nigricans, I. brunonis, and G. montana, along with isolated scopoletin, exhibited antibacterial activities against Gram-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 43300, with minimum inhibitory concentration values ranging from 64 to 256 µg/mL. The occurrence of scopoletin, isofraxidin, and geniposidic acid in lipophilic extracts showed some variation among different plant parts and species.

Conclusions

Lipophilic extracts of Ixora and Greenea species have the potential to be developed as anti-Gram-positive agents, in particular to counter infections of methicillin-resistant S. aureus strains. The chemical profiles showed differences between floristic regions but similarity within the same plant parts.
Intoxicação de capim-braquiária e capim-ruziziensis por glyphosate e fluazifop-p-butil
Authors: Silveira Raul Ribeiro , Santos Márcia Vitória , Oliveira Fabiana Lopes Ramos de , Ferreira Evander Alves , Braz Thiago Gomes dos Santos , Anésio Arnon Henrique Campos , Santos José Barbosa dos
Published: May 2019

O controle de gramíneas infestantes em pastagens ainda é um problema a ser solucionado no manejo das pastagens. Desse modo o uso de herbicidas comumente utilizados em pastagens foi estudado (glyphosate e fluazifop-p-butil) e suas doses determinadas para controle de Brachiaria decumbens (capim-braquiária) e toleradas pela B. ruziziensis (capim-ruziziensis), na formação de pastagens, a partir da intoxicação das mesmas pelos herbicidas. Utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com cinco repetições, distribuídos no esquema fatorial (2x6), sendo dois herbicidas (glyphosate e fluazifop-p-butil) e seis doses desses herbicidas. As doses dos herbicidas foram equivalentes a 0,00; 0,25; 0,50; 1,00; 1,50; 2,00 vezes a dose comercial indicada pelos fabricantes para controle de gramíneas do gênero Brachiaria. Procedeu-se então avaliações de controle das plantas de capim-braquiária e nível de intoxicação das plantas de capim-ruziziensis, aos 07, 15, 21 e 30 dias após aplicação do herbicida (DAA), por meio de observações visuais, atribuindo-se notas de 0 a 100, para ambas as espécies. O glyphosate proporciona intoxicação de 100% em plantas de capim-braquiária e capim-ruziziensis, mesmo na menor dose de 90 g e.a. ha-1 de glyphosate, podendo ser utilizado com eficiência para o controle dessas espécies no início de desenvolvimento, já o fluazifop-p-butil proporciona intoxicação do capim-braquiária acima de 70%, nas plantas submetidas às doses a partir de 300 g ha-1 e de capim-ruziziensis a partir da dose de 100 g ha-1, demonstrando ser o capim-braquiária mais tolerante a essa molécula herbicida.
Interação e eficácia de misturas em tanque dos herbicidas metsulfuron-methyl e glyphosate
Authors: Andrade Jeisiane De Fátima , Presoto Jéssica Cursino , Gonçalves Netto Acácio , Pinto de Carvalho Saul Jorge
Published: May 2019

A solução mais comum para as falhas no controle de plantas daninhas no sistema de produção é a inclusão de herbicidas alternativos, aplicados de forma isolada ou misturados em tanque. Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de avaliar a eficácia e a interação de misturas de metsulfuron-methyl e glyphosate para controle de plantas daninhas. Para tanto, foram desenvolvidos dois experimentos independentes, avaliando-se diferentes bioindicadores, uma monocotiledônea (capim-amargoso - Digitaria insularis) e uma dicotiledônea (corda-de-viola - Ipomoea triloba). Os tratamentos constaram de esquema fatorial 5x5, correspondendo o primeiro fator às cinco doses do herbicida glyphosate (0, 180, 360, 540 e 720 g e.a. ha-1) e o segundo fator às cinco doses do herbicida metsulfuron-methyl (0; 1,2; 2,4; 3,6 e 4,8 g i.a. ha-1). Em ambos os experimentos se adotou delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com seis repetições. A aplicação da mistura de glyphosate e metsulfuron-methyl sobre o capim-amargoso foi considerada aditiva em todas as doses utilizadas; já sobre a corda-de-viola, a adição de metsulfuron-methyl à calda de glyphosate eleva o controle absoluto da mistura, porém com magnitude aquém da esperada, o que denota caráter antagônico.
Admissions criteria as predictors of first-term success at a chiropractic institution
Authors: Long Ashley N. , Chen P. Daniel
Published: May 2019

Objective

To determine the relationship between admissions criteria and grade point average (GPA) at the conclusion of the first-term of study at a chiropractic institution.

Methods

Secondary data analysis was used on the Fall 2017 entering cohort of doctor of chiropractic students. Independent samples t-tests and ordinary least squares linear regression were used to explain the extent to which incoming undergraduate GPA, undergraduate chemistry grade, undergraduate anatomy and physiology grade, and age, respectfully, influenced the end-of-trimester GPA.

Results

Linear regression found each of the four independent variables (undergraduate GPA, undergraduate chemistry grade, undergraduate anatomy and physiology grade, and age) to be significant influencers of end-of-trimester-1 GPA with undergraduate GPA being the most statistically significant predictor (p < .001).The difference in mean end-of-trimester GPAs for male and female students was not statistically significant. There also was no difference in mean end-of-trimester GPAs by race/ethnicity.

Conclusion

Current admissions requirements may need to emphasize incoming undergraduate GPA and target student support for older students. This study should be repeated for increased sample size, be performed at other chiropractic institutions, and consider additional cohorts to strengthen results.
Critical Perspectives on Female Offending
Authors: A. Arrigo Bruce , Woodall Denise
Published: May 2019

Several established and emerging critical perspectives on and responses to female offending exist. This entry succinctly reviews these perspectives and briefly comments on their criminological relevance. These critical perspectives include socialist, Black, queer, and postmodern feminisms. The new school of convict criminology is also discussed in its capacity to affect institutional and structural change consistent with correctional policy and justice reform that would improve the lives of adolescent girls and women.
Female Gang Involvement
Authors: Novich Madeleine
Published: May 2019

Early gang research generally focused on male gang members despite evidence that women were also involved in gang activity. While previous research indicated that men join gangs at a higher rate than women, more recent scholarship suggests that women comprise approximately a third to a half of all existing gang members. Since the mid‐1980s, a time period of gang proliferation, there have been efforts to understand and research female gang involvement. Extensive research has been devoted to examining the rates in which women have become involved in gangs, female pathways into gang membership, the social organizations of gangs, activities once involved, and gang desistance and motherhood.
Girls and the School‐to‐Prison Pipeline
Authors: Simmons‐Horton Sherri , Gibson Camille
Published: May 2019

The metaphorical “school to prison pipeline” for girls refers to school actions that propel girls toward involvement in the juvenile justice system and/or the adult criminal justice system. The girls who fall into the pipeline tend to be victims of abuse, often sexually. There may also be mental health distress issues. These facts may manifest in the girl's lack of conformity in school. In response, school personnel may “push” the girl away from the educational setting with suspensions, expulsions, and experiences of failure, and thus, by default, toward the justice system.
History of Women in Policing
Authors: Gossett Jennifer
Published: May 2019

The history of women in policing follows a unique, but consistent, timeline through the years. Recorded participation of women in policing stems from the mid‐1800s. Although sometimes limited over the years, beginning in the 1970s the number of female officers steadily increased because of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Today, women in policing serve in every role within law enforcement from patrol officer to chief of police.
International Criminal Court
Authors: Mizrahi Stephanie B.
Published: May 2019

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is an independent permanent international criminal tribunal designed to deal with the worst of crimes occurring during war and conflict that often overwhelm nation‐states or states that are unwilling to prosecute. It is not tied to any specific conflict or region and tries individuals rather than states. There are currently 124 nations that are members. This entry highlights the workings and structure of the ICC, particularly as it relates to gender‐based crimes and crimes against women.
Defect and Contact Passivation for Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Aydin Erkan , De Bastiani Michele , De Wolf Stefaan
Published: May 2019

Metal‐halide perovskites are rapidly emerging as an important class of photovoltaic absorbers that may enable high‐performance solar cells at affordable cost. Thanks to the appealing optoelectronic properties of these materials, tremendous progress has been reported in the last few years in terms of power conversion efficiencies (PCE) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), now with record values in excess of 24%. Nevertheless, the crystalline lattice of perovskites often includes defects, such as interstitials, vacancies, and impurities; at the grain boundaries and surfaces, dangling bonds can also be present, which all contribute to nonradiative recombination of photo‐carriers. On device level, such recombination undesirably inflates the open‐circuit voltage deficit, acting thus as a significant roadblock toward the theoretical efficiency limit of 30%. Herein, the focus is on the origin of the various voltage‐limiting mechanisms in PSCs, and possible mitigation strategies are discussed. Contact passivation schemes and the effect of such methods on the reduction of hysteresis are described. Furthermore, several strategies that demonstrate how passivating contacts can increase the stability of PSCs are elucidated. Finally, the remaining key challenges in contact design are prioritized and an outlook on how passivating contacts will contribute to further the progress toward market readiness of high‐efficiency PSCs is presented.
Carbon Nanotube/Polyolefin Elastomer Metacomposites with Adjustable Radio‐Frequency Negative Permittivity and Negative Permeability
Authors: Luo Hongchun , Qiu Jun
Published: May 2019

Metacomposites have received significant interest over the past decade due to their unique double‐negative electromagnetic properties. Magnetic particles, conductive polymer, and carbon materials are the usual materals used to fabricate metamaterials with doube‐negative electromagnetic properties. Here, insulating polymer polyolefin elastomer is instead used as the matrix to construct such metacomposites. The composites are fabricated by using a swelling, bonding, and hot pressing process. Metacomposites in which 50 vol% binder and 3 vol%, 6 vol%, and 12 vol% multi‐walled carbon nanotubes are added show negative permittivity and permeability in the microwave frequency range. Additionally, the electromagnetic properties of the metacomposites can be effectively adjusted by changing the amount of binder and filler. Specifically, the distribution of carbon nanotubes in the matrix can be tuned and thus some composites can exhibit double‐negative properties after the hot pressing process, which indicates hot pressing is also an effective way to adjust electromagnetic performance. The first insulating‐polymer‐based double‐negative metamaterial is fabricated and new methods are examined to adjust its electromagnetic properties, which greatly expands the potential applications of metacomposites.
Comparative genomics of Bifidobacterium species isolated from marmosets and humans
Authors: Brown Celeste J. , Mtui Dorah , Oswald Benjamin P. , Van Leuven James T. , Vallender Eric J. , Schultz‐Darken Nancy , Ross Corinna N. , Tardif Suzette D. , Austad Steven N. , Forney Larry J.
Published: May 2019

The genus Bifidobacterium is purported to have beneficial consequences for human health and is a major component of many gastrointestinal probiotics. Although species of Bifidobacterium are generally at low relative frequency in the adult human gastrointestinal tract, they can constitute high proportions of the gastrointestinal communities of adult marmosets. To identify genes that might be important for the maintenance of Bifidobacterium in adult marmosets, ten strains of Bifidobacterium were isolated from the feces of seven adult marmosets, and their genomes were sequenced. There were six B. reuteri strains, two B. callitrichos strains, one B. myosotis sp. nov. and one B. tissieri sp. nov. among our isolates. Phylogenetic analysis showed that three of the four species we isolated were most closely related to B. bifidum, B. breve and B. longum, which are species found in high abundance in human infants. There were 1357 genes that were shared by at least one strain of B. reuteri, B. callitrichos, B. breve, and B. longum, and 987 genes that were found in all strains of the four species. There were 106 genes found in B. reuteri and B. callitrichos but not in human bifidobacteria, and several of these genes were involved in nutrient uptake. These pathways for nutrient uptake appeared to be specific to Bifidobacterium from New World monkeys. Additionally, the distribution of Bifidobacterium in fecal samples from captive adult marmosets constituted as much as 80% of the gut microbiome, although this was variable between individuals and colonies. We suggest that nutrient transporters may be important for the maintenance of Bifidobacterium during adulthood in marmosets.
Can the shock index be a reliable predictor of early mortality after trauma in older patients? A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Shibahashi Keita , Sugiyama Kazuhiro , Okura Yoshihiro , Hoda Hidenori , Hamabe Yuichi
Published: May 2019

Aim

Older patients have different physiological characteristics; thus, the reliability of the shock index (SI) to predict mortality could depend on age. We investigated whether the SI is a reliable predictor of early mortality in older patients and evaluated the clinical benefit of age in the interpretation of the SI.

Methods

Using data from the Japan Trauma Data Bank, we identified injured patients aged 20–84 years. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the discrimination ability of the SI to predict early mortality. A formula to determine the cut‐off for each age was derived using linear regression analysis. Performance of the new method was compared with that of the traditional SI cut‐off of ≥0.9 AUC.

Results

We analyzed data from 146,802 patients. Early mortality was observed in 4% of patients. The AUC showed a significant negative correlation with age (Spearman's ρ = –0.97, P < 0.001), and it decreased from 0.788 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.761–0.815) in the 20–24 years age group to 0.660 (95% CI, 0.643–0.676) in those aged 80–84 years. By adjusting for age in the SI interpretation, AUC significantly improved from 0.681 (95% CI, 0.675–0.688) to 0.695 (95% CI, 0.688–0.701) (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The performance of the SI to predict mortality after trauma was significantly worse in older patients. Even if the SI cut‐off value was adjusted based on age, the decrease in performance was not sufficiently prevented. Our results indicated that clinicians should be cautious when using the SI in older patients.
Catalytic Kinetic Resolution by Enantioselective Aromatization: Conversion of Racemic Intermediates of the Barton–Zard Reaction into Enantioenriched 3‐Arylpyrroles
Authors: Zheng Sheng‐Cai , Wang Qian , Zhu Jieping
Published: May 2019

Racemic 3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐pyrroles, hypothetical intermediates of the Barton–Zard reaction, were synthesized in a highly diastereoselective manner and fully characterized for the first time. Kinetic resolution of the dihydropyrroles with a quinine‐derived thiourea afforded the (+)‐3‐arylpyrrole products and recovered (+)‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐pyrroles with high efficiency (s‐factor up to 153). The resolved (+)‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐pyrroles underwent subsequent aromatization with a quinidine‐derived thiourea catalyst to afford (−)‐3‐arylpyrroles with excellent central‐to‐axial chirality transfer. In contrast to the well‐accepted Barton–Zard mechanism, the aromatization of the 3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐pyrroles in the presence of a bifunctional catalyst is believed to proceed by an unprecedented sequence involving syn elimination of HNO2 and aromatization.
Stable, Reactive, and Orthogonal Tetrazines: Dispersion Forces Promote the Cycloaddition with Isonitriles
Authors: Tu Julian , Svatunek Dennis , Parvez Saba , Liu Albert C. , Levandowski Brian J. , Eckvahl Hannah J. , Peterson Randall T. , Houk Kendall N. , Franzini Raphael M.
Published: May 2019

The isocyano group is a structurally compact bioorthogonal functional group that reacts with tetrazines under physiological conditions. Now it is shown that bulky tetrazine substituents accelerate this cycloaddition. Computational studies suggest that dispersion forces between the isocyano group and the tetrazine substituents in the transition state contribute to the atypical structure–activity relationship. Stable asymmetric tetrazines that react with isonitriles at rate constants as high as 57 L mol−1 s−1 were accessible by combining bulky and electron‐withdrawing substituents. Sterically encumbered tetrazines react selectively with isonitriles in the presence of strained alkenes/alkynes, which allows for the orthogonal labeling of three proteins. The established principles will open new opportunities for developing tetrazine reactants with improved characteristics for diverse labeling and release applications with isonitriles.
Synthesis of a novel magnetic nanocatalyst based on rhodium complex for transfer hydrogenation of ketone
Authors: Kooti M. , Nasiri E.
Published: May 2019

A magnetic heterogeneous nanocatalyst based on novel rhodium complex is designed. The transfer hydrogenation of ketones with 2‐propanol as hydrogen donor and the rhodium complex as nanocatalyst was achieved. High yields of ketones under mild conditions were obtained from easily available precursors.
Electron beam‐induced crosslinking of silk fibers using triallyl isocyanurate for enhanced properties
Authors: Thite Amol G. , Krishnanand Kumar , Panda Prasanta K.
Published: May 2019

In this paper, electron beam (EB) radiation‐induced crosslinking of silk fibers by triallyl isocyanurate was accomplished for the first time by exposing the silk fabric in an inert atmosphere. The effect of EB dose (100–300 kGy) on the degree of crosslinking was found to show correlation with sol–gel contents and confirmed by Charlesby–Pinner plot along with their chemical stability in different solvents. Uniform and homogeneous distribution of particles on the fiber surface was observed under a scanning electron microscope, and elemental composition of those particles was detected similar to the silk by energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectra. Chemical changes occurred due to EB irradiation and crosslinking in the silk polymer was affirmed by attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. From the thermogravimetric analyses, the thermal stability of the irradiated fibers with respect to weight loss was found to have increased from 17 to 32% at higher temperature range. The changes in mechanical property, stiffness, water contact angle, and degree of crosslinking of silk proportionately change with respect to the EB dose. However, 200 kGy EB dose was found optimum based on physical, chemical, and thermal properties. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47888.
Fabrication and characterization of sulfonated polybenzimidazole/sulfonated imidized graphene oxide hybrid membranes for high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells
Authors: Imran Muhammad Asif , He Gaohong , Wu Xuemei , Yan Xiaoming , Li Tiantian , Khan Abdul‐Sammed
Published: May 2019

The sulfonated polybenzimidazole (sPBI)/sulfonated imidized graphene oxide (SIGO) was evaluated to be a potential candidate for high temperature proton exchange membranes fuel cells (HT‐PEMFCs). Multifunctionalized covalently bonded SIGO is incorporated in sPBI matrix to resolve the drawbacks such as low proton conductivity, poor water uptake, and ion‐exchange capacity (IEC) of sPBI polymer, synthesized by direct polycondensation in phosphoric acid for the application of proton exchange membranes. Strong hydrogen bonding among multifunctional groups established a neighborhood of interconnected hydrophobic graphene sheets and organic polymer chains. It provides hydrophobic–hydrophilic phase separation and facile proton hopping architecture. The optimized sPBI/SIGO (15 wt %) revealed 2.45 meq g−1 IEC; 5.81 mS cm−1 proton conductivity [120 °C and 10% relative humidity (RH)] and 2.45% bound water content. The maximum power density of the sPBI/SIGO‐15 membrane was 0.40 W cm−2 at 160 °C (5% RH) and ambient pressure with stoichiometric feed of H2/air. This recommends that sPBI/SIGO composite membranes are compatible candidate for HT‐PEMFCs. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47892.
High antibacterial performance of electrospinning silk fibroin/gelatin film modified with graphene oxide‐sliver nanoparticles
Authors: Zhang Rui , Han Qiong , Li Yu , Cai Youfeng , Zhu Xuyang , Zhang Tongqing , Liu Yi
Published: May 2019

In this study, graphene oxide‐sliver nanoparticle (GO‐AgNP) composite was synthesized in situ with GO as the raw material. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize the composite, the spherical Ag particles with a diameter of about 36 nm were well deposited on the surface of GO nanosheets without serious agglomeration, and the antibacterial properties of the composites were also tested. Moreover, the silk fibroin (SF)/gelatin (GT) electrospun nanofiber film was prepared by electrospinning, and the structure of the SF nanofiber film was observed using a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, X‐ray diffractometer, and scanning electron microscope. The TGA curves indicated that the total weight loss rate of SF nanofibers at 400°C was significantly higher than that of SF/GT composite nanofibers (74.72% for pure SF, 62.37% for SF/GT nanocomposites). Finally, the GO‐AgNP composite was combined with electrospinning SF film, which resulted in the decrease in surface roughness from 393.5 ± 123.7 nm to 109.9 ± 24.43 nm and the decrease in contact angle from 82.48° to 54.78°. Besides, the GO‐AgNP composites enhanced the antibacterial performance of SF film greatly, which was conducive to its application in biological tissue engineering. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47904.
Electrically conductive polystyrene nanocomposites incorporated with aspect ratio‐controlled silver nanowires
Authors: Kim Jung Mock , Jang Keon‐Soo , Lee Seong Jae
Published: May 2019

Polymer nanocomposites consisting of electrically conductive nanofillers with high aspect ratios are widely utilized for high‐performance applications such as sensors and electronics. Silver nanowires (AgNWs) synthesized through polyol reduction have been reported to show excellent electrical conductivity, hydrophilicity, and high aspect ratios. In this study, the influence of the aspect ratios of the AgNWs on the rheological and electrical properties of the fabricated polystyrene (PS)/AgNW nanocomposites was chiefly investigated. The nanocomposites were made by combining a dispersion of AgNWs with a suspension of PS particles, followed by freeze‐drying the PS/AgNW mixture harnessing the latex technology. Scanning electron microscopy, UV–Vis spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis were performed on the nanocomposites to investigate the morphological, optical, and thermal properties, respectively; in addition, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy was performed to examine the hydrophilic polymer poly(vinylpyrrolidone)‐capped AgNW surfaces. The rheological behavior of the nanocomposites changed from liquid‐like to solid‐like after the addition of AgNWs with high aspect ratios. The electrical percolation threshold of the AgNWs in the nanocomposites was determined by the aspect ratio of the nanofiller rather than by its length. Thus, the various properties of the PS/AgNW nanocomposites could be tuned by tailoring the aspect ratios of the AgNWs. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47927.
Toll/IMD signal pathways mediate cellular immune responses via induction of intracellular PLA2 expression
Authors: Sajjadian Seyede Minoo , Vatanparast Mohammad , Kim Yonggyun
Published: May 2019

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) hydrolyzes fatty acids from phospholipids at the sn‐2 position. Two intracellular PLA2s, iPLA2A and iPLA2B, have been found in Spodoptera exigua. Both are calcium‐independent cellular PLA2. Their orthologs have been found in other insects. These two iPLA2s are different in ankyrin motif of N terminal region. The objective of this study was to determine whether Toll/immune deficiency (IMD) signal pathways could mediate cellular immune responses via induction of iPLA2 expression. Both iPLA
2s were expressed in all developmental stages of S. exigua, showing the highest expression in the adult stage. During larval stage, hemocyte is the main tissue showing expression of these iPLA2s. Both iPLA2s exhibited similar expression patterns after immune challenge with different microbial pathogens such as virus, bacteria, and fungi. Promoter component analysis of orthologs encoded in S. frugiperda indicated nuclear factor‐κB‐ and Relish‐responsible elements on their promoters, suggesting their expression in S. exigua under Toll/IMD immune signaling pathways. RNA interference (RNAi) of MyD88 or Pelle under Toll pathway suppressed inducible expression levels of both iPLA2s in response to Gram‐positive bacteria containing Lys‐type peptidoglycan or fungal infection. In contrast, RNAi against Relish under IMD pathway suppressed both iPLA2s in response to infection with Gram‐negative bacteria. Under RNAi conditions, hemocytes significantly lost cellular immune response measured by nodule formation. However, addition of arachidonic acid (a catalytic product of PLA2) rescued such immunosuppression. These results suggest that Toll/IMD signal pathways can mediate cellular immune responses via eicosanoid signaling by inducing iPLA2 expression.
Product solubility control in cellooligosaccharide production by coupled cellobiose and cellodextrin phosphorylase
Authors: Zhong Chao , Luley‐Goedl Christiane , Nidetzky Bernd
Published: May 2019

Soluble cellodextrins (linear β‐1,4‐d‐gluco‐oligosaccharides) have interesting applications as ingredients for human and animal nutrition. Their bottom‐up synthesis from glucose is promising for bulk production, but to ensure a completely water‐soluble product via degree of polymerization (DP) control (DP ≤ 6) is challenging. Here, we show biocatalytic production of cellodextrins with DP centered at 3 to 6 (~96 wt.% of total product) using coupled cellobiose and cellodextrin phosphorylase. The cascade reaction, wherein glucose was elongated sequentially from α‐d‐glucose 1‐phosphate (αGlc1‐P), required optimization and control at two main points. First, kinetic and thermodynamic restrictions upon αGlc1‐P utilization (200 mM; 45°C, pH 7.0) were effectively overcome (53% → ≥90% conversion after 10 hrs of reaction) by in situ removal of the phosphate released via precipitation with Mg2+. Second, the product DP was controlled by the molar ratio of glucose/αGlc1‐P (∼0.25; 50 mM glucose) used in the reaction. In optimized conversion, soluble cellodextrins in a total product concentration of 36 g/L were obtained through efficient utilization of the substrates used (glucose: 98%; αGlc1‐P: ∼80%) after 1 hr of reaction. We also showed that, by keeping the glucose concentration low (i.e., 1–10 mM; 200 mM αGlc1‐P), the reaction was shifted completely towards insoluble product formation (DP ∼9–10). In summary, this study provides the basis for an efficient and product DP‐controlled biocatalytic synthesis of cellodextrins from expedient substrates.
Forecasting and control of lactate bifurcation in Chinese hamster ovary cell culture processes
Authors: Schmitt John , Downey Brandon , Beller Justin , Russell Brian , Quach Anthony , Lyon David , Curran Meredith , Mulukutla Bhanu Chandra , Chu Chia
Published: May 2019

Biomanufacturing exhibits inherent variability that can lead to variation in performance attributes and batch failure. To help ensure process consistency and product quality the development of predictive models and integrated control strategies is a promising approach. In this study, a feedback controller was developed to limit excessive lactate production, a widespread metabolic phenomenon that is negatively associated with culture performance and product quality. The controller was developed by applying machine learning strategies to historical process development data, resulting in a forecast model that could identify whether a run would result in lactate consumption or accumulation. In addition, this exercise identified a correlation between increased amino acid consumption and low observed lactate production leading to the mechanistic hypothesis that there is a deficiency in the link between glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Using the correlative process parameters to build mechanistic insight and applying this to predictive models of lactate concentration, a dynamic model predictive controller (MPC) for lactate was designed. This MPC was implemented experimentally on a process known to exhibit high lactate accumulation and successfully drove the cell cultures towards a lactate consuming state. In addition, an increase in specific titer productivity was observed when compared with non‐MPC controlled reactors.
The nature and extent of corporate social responsibility disclosure in Tanzania
Authors: Kikwiye Ibrahim Ramadhani
Published: May 2019

The study determined the nature and extent of corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosures in the annual reports in Tanzania. The documentary analysis of the annual reports of 15 listed companies on the Dar Es Salam stock exchange market was undertaken from 2000 to 2014. The data were analysed using content analysis to determine the patterns and contents of information disclosed. The findings indicate that disclosure of CSR activities in the narrative section of the annual report is pleasing. Good reports disclosed social and environmental protection, education, health, and water supply to the stakeholders accompanied with monetary values. Other disclosures included contributions in sports and culture, empowerment of women and youth, community, employees, and human rights. However, some companies had unsystematic reporting and less monetary values to support their recipients. The study recommends the stock exchange and the accounting body to provide disclosure guidelines to improve the form and contents of reporting. Future research can be directed to other disclosure means such as websites, stand‐alone reports, and press releases of both listed and unlisted companies.
Does gender diversity matter for green innovation?
Authors: He Xiaoping , Jiang Shuo
Published: May 2019

This study empirically investigated the relationship between board gender diversity and firm's green innovation, using panel data of public companies of China's manufacturing. Green product innovation was assessed by “green” patents and green process innovation assessed by environmental management certification. The endogeneity problem that resulted from self‐selection of gender diversity was addressed by means of extended probit regressions with an instrumental variable, and the instrumental variable was elaborately constructed based on changes in directorships. The findings show that occurrence of green innovation at the firm‐level is systematically related to female board representation. Specifically, women can exert a sizable and positive effect on green innovation, once they enjoy at least two seats on the boards; a further increase in representation of women on the boards can increase the likelihood of green product innovation rather than the likelihood of green process innovation. These results were robust to various regression specifications and alternative samples. The study provides empirical evidence that women at the top management can play a positive role in developing firm's active environmental strategies, and the conclusions are of practical implications for improving corporate governance along the environmental dimension.
Documenting suicide risk assessments and proportionate clinical actions to improve patient safety and mitigate legal risk
Authors: Stanley Ian H. , Simpson Skip , Wortzel Hal S. , Joiner Thomas E.
Published: May 2019

Few clinical practices are as important for simultaneously augmenting patient safety and mitigating legal risk as the judicious evaluation and stratification of a patient's risk for suicide, proportionate clinical actions based thereon taken by the healthcare provider, and contemporaneous documentation of the foregoing. In this article, we draw from our combined decades of multidisciplinary experience as a clinical psychologist, forensic psychiatrist, medical malpractice attorney, and clinical psychology trainee to discuss the documentation of suicide risk assessment and management as a conduit to patient safety and legal risk mitigation. We additionally highlight documentation as a core clinical competency across disciplines and note areas of improvement, such as increased training, to bolster documentation practices.
Exosomal cyclophilin A as a novel noninvasive biomarker for Epstein‐Barr virus associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Liu Lingzhi , Zuo Lielian , Yang Jing , Xin Shuyu , Zhang Jing , Zhou Jianhua , Li Guiyuan , Tang Jinyong , Lu Jianhong
Published: May 2019

Exosomes have emerged as novel vehicles for proteins and other contents in cancer progression. Cyclophilin A (CYPA) is a pivotal member of immunophilin family. Whether CYPA can be detected in sera of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients remains to be explored. Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) is the first identified human tumor virus and is a causative agent of NPC. The antibody of EBV capsid antigen immunoglobulin A (EBV‐VCA‐IgA) is a known biomarker of NPC, with a proportion of no more than 70% being detected positively. Hence, novel biomarkers need to be discovered for early diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of EBV‐associated NPC. A total of 110 NPC and 36 normal control serum samples were collected. Exosomes from these samples were extracted. The mRNA and protein expression levels of the above samples were validated by reverse transcription –quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, or enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Finally, the results demonstrated that both the serum and exosomal CYPA levels of NPC patients were significantly higher than that of normal cases. In addition, exosomal CYPA had a much higher level than that in the whole sera. The positive rate of EBV‐VCA‐IgA antibody was 68.2% in NPC sera, and noticeably, among the cases with EBV‐VCA‐IgA negative, 80% of them presented high levels of CYPA above the standard (cutoff value). In particular, CYPA in exosomes was uniformly with higher significance than that in whole sera. Combined analysis of CYPA protein and EBV‐VCA‐IgA antibody showed a greatly higher discriminatory ability in diagnosis of NPC. Moreover, exosomal CYPA level had a positive correlation with that of the EBV‐encoded latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) in exosomes. EBV‐positive cancer cells secreted significantly higher levels of exosomal CYPA. This study established the utility of circulating exosomal CYPA as a potential noninvasive diagnostic biomarker for EBV‐associated NPC.
Effects of RhoC downregulation on the angiogenesis characteristics of myeloma vascular endothelial cells
Authors: Zhao Zhihua , Liu Kai , Tian Xiangyu , Sun Miaomiao , Wei Na , Zhu Xiaoyan , Yang Hongmei , Wang Tong , Jiang Guozhong , Chen Kuisheng
Published: May 2019

Background

Tumor angiogenesis plays an important role in disease progression, and RhoC has been previously found to be expressed in vascular endothelial cells (VECs); however, its role in tumor angiogenesis requires clarification. This study aimed to explore the effects of RhoC downregulation on the cytoskeleton, pseudopod formation, migration ability, and canalization capacity of myeloma vascular endothelial cells (MVECs) in vitro.

Materials and methods

The expression of RhoC in MVECs and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was knocked down by shRNA, and the expression levels of RhoC mRNA were detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). The cytoskeletal changes and pseudopods were observed by laser scanning confocal and scanning electron microscopy; VECs were incubated in two‐dimensional Matrigel and three‐dimensional microcarriers to observe tube‐like structures and budding status, respectively. The protein expression of RhoC, phosphorylation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (p‐MAPK), and Rho‐associated coiled‐coil kinase (ROCK) was determined by Western blotting. The expression of RhoC in VECs was downregulated by RhoC shRNA, thereby decreasing the number of pseudopods, two‐dimensional tube‐like structures, and buds.

Results

When RhoC was downregulated, the expression levels of ROCK and phosphorylation of MAPK were both decreased (P < 0.05). Moreover, the expression levels of RhoC and phosphorylation of MAPK and three‐dimensional budding numbers were higher in MVECs than in HUVECs (P < 0.05). The downregulation of RhoC expression in MVECs and HUVECs inhibited pseudopod formation, migration, canalization ability, and angiogenesis (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our data indicated that MVECs and HUVECs were well suited for angiogenesis research, but the former cell type was shown to be more advantageous in terms of budding numbers. RhoC plays a pivotal role in MVECs angiogenesis, and the downregulation of RhoC expression could inhibit angiogenesis via the RhoC/MAPK and RhoC/ROCK signaling pathways.
Metal‐Free and Heterogeneous Photocatalytic Reduction of 4‐Nitroaniline by a Poly(Ethylene Glycol)‐Supported Eosin Dye under Visible‐Light Exposure
Authors: Chibac Andreea L. , Melinte Violeta , Brezová Vlasta , Renard Estelle , Brosseau Arnaud , Langlois Valerie , Versace Davy‐Louis
Published: May 2019

A new feasible approach for the photoreduction of a chemical pollutant, 4‐nitroaniline, to p‐phenylenediamine was developed. We highlighted the crucial roles of a polymer backbone and the atmosphere for the efficient heterogeneous reduction of 4‐nitroaniline. The novel synthesized poly(ethylene glycol)‐derived film containing immobilized eosin dye revealed a high photoreduction rate of 4‐nitroaniline. According to laser flash photolysis results the first step of this photoinduced process represents a single electron transfer from eosin radical anion to the 4‐nitroaniline to form a nitroaniline radical anion. The in‐situ electron paramagnetic resonance spin‐trapping experiments evidenced the generation of superoxide radical anion serving as catalyst in the p‐phenylenediamine production according to a photoreduction process. The main roles play by poly(ethylene glycol) matrix as efficient reducing agent and hydrogen‐donor molecule was also pointed out. A mechanism was proposed to explain the heterogeneous photoreduction of 4‐nitroaniline to p‐phenylenediamine in the presence of eosin dye‐based poly(ethylene glycol) system under air.
Proper Orthogonal Decomposition and Statistical Analysis of 2D Confined Impinging Jets Chaotic Flow
Authors: Torres Pedro , Goncalves Nelson D. , Fonte Claudio P. , Dias Madalena M. , Lopes José Carlos B. , Liné Alain , Santos Ricardo J.
Published: May 2019

Proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) is shown to be a statistical operation that identifies the main characteristics of chaotic flows and separates them into a few modes. The dynamic chaotic flow is obtained from two‐dimensional (2D) computational fluid dynamics simulations, for different Reynolds numbers, of a confined impinging jets mixer. POD enables reconstruction of the dynamic flow from a few modes that are related to coherent flow structures. The POD flow reconstruction enables a large compression of the flow data set. The decomposition of the flow field into orthogonal modes related to coherent structures provides direct insight into the mixing dynamics and scales which are not accessible from flow dynamics statistic quantities, which were introduced in the context of turbulence and are here applied to chaotic flow.
Anomeric 5‐Aza‐7‐deaza‐2′‐deoxyguanosines in Silver‐Ion‐Mediated Homo and Hybrid Base Pairs: Impact of Mismatch Structure, Helical Environment, and Nucleobase Substituents on DNA Stability
Authors: Zhou Xinglong , Kondhare Dasharath , Leonard Peter , Seela Frank
Published: May 2019

Nucleoside configuration (α‐d vs. β‐d), nucleobase substituents, and the helical DNA environment of silver‐mediated 5‐aza‐7‐deazaguanine‐cytosine base pairs have a strong impact on DNA stability. This has been demonstrated by investigations on oligonucleotide duplexes with silver‐mediated base pairs of α‐d and β‐d anomeric 5‐aza‐7‐deaza‐2′‐deoxyguanosines and anomeric 2′‐deoxycytidines incorporated in 12‐mer duplexes. To this end, a new synthetic protocol has been developed to access the pure anomers of 5‐aza‐7‐deaza‐2′‐deoxyguanosine by glycosylation of either the protected nucleobase or its salt followed by separation of the glycosylation products by crystallization and chromatography. Thermal stability measurements were performed on duplexes with α‐d/α‐d and β‐d/β‐d homo base pairs or α‐d/β‐d and β‐d/α‐d hybrid pairs within two sequence environments, positions 6 or 7, of oligonucleotide duplexes. The respective Tm stability increases observed after silver ion addition differ significantly. Homo base pairs with β‐d/β‐d or α‐d/α‐d nucleoside combinations are more stable than α‐d/β‐d hybrid base pairs. The positional switch of silver‐ion‐mediated base pairs has a significant impact on stability. Nucleobase substituents introduced at the 5‐position of the dC site of silver‐mediated base pairs affect base pair stability to a minor extent. Our investigation might lead to applications in the construction of bioinspired nanodevices, in DNA diagnostics, or metal‐DNA hybrid materials.
Enantioseparation of flurbiprofen enantiomers using chiral ionic liquids by liquid‐liquid extraction
Authors: Cui Xing , Ding Qi , Shan Ruo‐Ni , He Chao‐Hong , Wu Ke‐Jun
Published: May 2019

Flurbiprofen is a kind of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug, which has been widely used in clinic for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. It has been reported that S‐flurbiprofen shows good performance on clinic anti‐inflammatory treatment, while R‐enantiomer almost has no pharmacological activities. It has important practical values to obtain optically pure S‐flurbiprofen. In this work, chiral ionic liquids, which have good structural designability and chiral recognize ability, were selected as the extraction selector by the assistance of quantum chemistry calculations. The distribution behaviors of flurbiprofen enantiomers were investigated in the extraction system, which was composed of organic solvent and aqueous phase containing chiral ionic liquid. The results show that maximum enantioselectivity up to 1.20 was attained at pH 2.0, 25°C using 1,2‐dichloroethane as organic solvent, 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazole L‐tryptophan ([Bmim][L‐trp]) as chiral selector. The racemic flurbiprofen initial concentration was 0.2 mmol L−1, and [Bmim][L‐trp] concentration was 0.02 mol L−1. Furthermore, the recycle of chiral ionic liquids has been achieved by reverse extraction process of the aqueous phase with chiral selector, which is significant for industrial application of chiral ionic liquids and scale‐up of the extraction process.
Using PconsC4 and PconsFold2 to Predict Protein Structure
Authors: Bassot Claudio , Menendez Hurtado David , Elofsson Arne
Published: May 2019

In spite of the fact that there has been a significant increase in the number of solved protein structures, structural information is missing for many proteins. Although structural information is codified in the amino acid sequence, computational prediction using only this information is still an unsolved problem. However, one successful method to model a protein's structure starting from the primary sequence is to use contact prediction derived from multiple sequence alignment (MSA). Here we use our contact predictor PconsC4 to generate a list of probable contacts between residues in the primary sequences. These contacts are then used together with the secondary structure prediction as constraints for the CONFOLD folding method. In this way, a 3D protein model can be built starting directly from the primary sequence. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Improving the Gas‐Separation Properties of PVAc‐Zeolite 4A Mixed‐Matrix Membranes through Nano‐Sizing and Silanation of the Zeolite
Authors: Esmaeili Nazila , Boyd Sue E. , Brown Christopher L. , Mac A. Gray Evan , Webb Colin J.
Published: May 2019

Mixed‐matrix membranes containing synthesised nano‐sized zeolite 4A and PVAc were fabricated to investigate the effect of zeolite loading on membrane morphology, polymer‐filler interaction, thermal stability and gas separation properties. SEM studies revealed that, although the membranes with 40 wt % nano‐sized zeolite particles were distributed uniformly through the polymer matrix without voids, the membranes with 15 wt % zeolite loading showed agglomeration. With increasing zeolite content, the thermal stability improved, the permeability decreased and the selectivity increased. The effect of silanation on dispersion of 15 wt % zeolite 4A nanoparticles through PVAc was investigated by post‐synthesis modification of the zeolite with 3‐Aminopropyl(diethoxy)methylsilane. Modification of the nanoparticles improved their dispersion in PVAc, resulting in higher thermal stability than the corresponding unmodified zeolite membrane. Modification also decreased the rigidity of the membrane. Partial pore blockage of the modified zeolite nanoparticles after silanation caused a further decrease in permeability, compared to the 15 wt % unmodified zeolite membrane.