bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parallel visual circuitry in a basal chordate
Authors: Kourakis Matthew J , Borba Cezar , Zhang Angela , Newman-Smith Erin , Salas Priscilla , Manjunath B , Smith William C
Published: April 2019

A common CNS architecture is observed in all chordates, from vertebrates to basal chordates like the ascidian Ciona. Ciona stands apart among chordates in having a complete larval connectome. Starting with visuomotor circuits predicted by the Ciona connectome, we used expression maps of neurotransmitter use with behavioral assays to identify two parallel visuomotor circuits that are responsive to different components of visual stimuli. The first circuit is characterized by glutamatergic photoreceptors and responds to the direction of light. These photoreceptors project to cholinergic motor neurons, via two tiers of cholinergic interneurons. The second circuit responds to changes in ambient light and mediates an escape response. This circuit uses GABAergic photoreceptors which project to GABAergic interneurons, and then to cholinergic interneurons. Our observations on the behavior of larvae either treated with a GABA receptor antagonist or carrying a mutation that eliminates photoreceptors indicate the second circuit is disinhibitory.
Technical Efficiency and Production Risk of Rice Farms under Anchor Borrowers Programme in Kebbi State, Nigeria
Authors: Kara A. H. , Shamsudin M. N. , Mohamed Z. , Latiff I. B. , Seng K. W. K.
Published: April 2019

This study estimates technical efficiency and production risk of rice farms under Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) in Kebbi State, Nigeria. The study employed Stochastic Frontier Production (SFA) with flexible risk specifications to a sample of 231 rice producers surveyed in 2016 production season. The findings shows that seed, fertilizer, agrochemicals and labour inputs influenced rice output positively. The production technology characterizing rice farms in the study area exhibit increasing returns to scale. Fertilizer and agrochemicals are estimated to decrease variance of the value of output while seed and labour are estimated to increase the variance of the value of output. This implies that a risk-averse farmer will use more of fertilizer and agrochemicals and less of seed and labour than a risk neutral farmer. The mean technical efficiency estimates was 85.3 percent. Several characteristics of the farmers such as education, farming experience, extension contact, land cultivation technique and planting technique significantly decrease technical inefficiency of the farmers. The study concludes that, on the average 14.7 percent of potential output is lost due to technical inefficiency and production risk in inputs and recommends the use of best farm practice to produce rice efficiently. Policy option should also consider the incorporation of production risk in technical efficiency analysis if the inputs are non-neutral in risk.
High‐Performance Flexible Thermoelectric Devices Based on All‐Inorganic Hybrid Films for Harvesting Low‐Grade Heat
Authors: Wu Bo , Guo Yang , Hou Chengyi , Zhang Qinghong , Li Yaogang , Wang Hongzhi
Published: April 2019

The fabrication of a flexible thermoelectric (TE) device that contains flexible, all‐inorganic hybrid thin films (p‐type single‐wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs)/Sb2Te3 and n‐type reduced graphene oxide (RGO)/Bi2Te3) is reported. The optimized power factors of the p‐type and n‐type hybrid thin films at ambient temperature are about 55 and 108 µW m−1 K−2, respectively. The high performance of these films that are fabricated through the combination of vacuum filtration and annealing can be attributed to their planar orientation and network structure. In addition, a TE device, with 10 couples of legs, shows an output power of 23.6 µW at a temperature gradient of 70 K. A prototype of an integrated photovoltaic‐TE (PV‐TE) device demonstrates the ability to harvest low‐grade “waste” thermal energy from the human body and solar irradiation. The flexible TE and PV‐TE device have great potential in wearable energy harvesting and management.
TPP1 Delivery to Lysosomes with Extracellular Vesicles and their Enhanced Brain Distribution in the Animal Model of Batten Disease
Authors: Haney Matthew J. , Klyachko Natalia L. , Harrison Emily B. , Zhao Yuling , Kabanov Alexander V. , Batrakova Elena V.
Published: April 2019

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are promising natural nanocarriers for delivery of various types of therapeutics. Earlier engineered EV‐based formulations for neurodegenerative diseases and cancer are reported. Herein, the use of macrophage‐derived EVs for brain delivery of a soluble lysosomal enzyme tripeptidyl peptidase‐1, TPP1, to treat a lysosomal storage disorder, Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses 2 (CLN2) or Batten disease, is investigated. TPP1 is loaded into EVs using two methods: i) transfection of parental EV‐producing macrophages with TPP1‐encoding plasmid DNA (pDNA) or ii) incorporation therapeutic protein TPP1 into naive empty EVs. For the former approach, EVs released by pretransfected macrophages contain the active enzyme and TPP1‐encoding pDNA. To achieve high loading efficiency by the latter approach, sonication or permeabilization of EV membranes with saponin is utilized. Both methods provide proficient incorporation of functional TPP1 into EVs (EV‐TPP1). EVs significantly increase stability of TPP1 against protease degradation and provide efficient TPP1 delivery to target cells in in vitro model of CLN2. The majority of EV‐TPP1 (≈70%) is delivered to target organelles, lysosomes. Finally, a robust brain accumulation of EV carriers and increased lifespan is recorded in late‐infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (LINCL) mouse model following intraperitoneal administration of EV‐TPP1.
Design of Bistable Gold@Spin‐Crossover Core–Shell Nanoparticles Showing Large Electrical Responses for the Spin Switching
Authors: Torres‐Cavanillas Ramón , Sanchis‐Gual Roger , Dugay Julien , Coronado‐Puchau Marc , Giménez‐Marqués Mónica , Coronado Eugenio
Published: April 2019

A simple chemical protocol to prepare core–shell gold@spin‐crossover (Au@SCO) nanoparticles (NPs) based on the 1D spin‐crossover [Fe(Htrz)2(trz)](BF4) coordination polymer is reported. The synthesis relies on a two‐step approach consisting of a partial surface ligand substitution of the citrate‐stabilized Au NPs followed by the controlled growth of a very thin layer of the SCO polymer. As a result, colloidally stable core@shell spherical NPs with a Au core of ca. 12 nm and a thin SCO shell 4 nm thick, are obtained, exhibiting a narrow distribution in sizes. Differential scanning calorimetry proves that a cooperative spin transition in the range 340–360 K is maintained in these Au@SCO NPs, in full agreement with the values reported for pristine 4 nm SCO NPs. Temperature‐dependent charge‐transport measurements of an electrical device based on assemblies of these Au@SCO NPs also support this spin transition. Thus, a large change in conductance upon spin state switching, as compared with other memory devices based on the pristine SCO NPs, is detected. This results in a large improvement in the sensitivity of the device to the spin transition, with values for the ON/OFF ratio which are an order of magnitude better than the best ones obtained in previous SCO devices.
Cobalt‐Catalyzed Allylic Alkylation Enabled by Organophotoredox Catalysis
Authors: Takizawa Koji , Sekino Tomoyuki , Sato Shunta , Yoshino Tatsuhiko , Kojima Masahiro , Matsunaga Shigeki
Published: April 2019

Co‐catalyzed allylic substitution reactions have received little attention, arguably because of the lack of any known advantage of Co catalysis over either Rh or Ir catalysis. Described here is a general and regioselective Co‐catalyzed allylic alkylation using an in situ catalyst activation by organophotoredox catalysis. This noble‐metal‐free catalytic system exhibits unprecedentedly high reactivities and regioselectivities for the allylation with an allyl sulfone, for the first time, representing the unique synthetic utility of the Co‐catalyzed method compared to the related Rh‐ and Ir‐catalyzed reactions.
Eine Kupfer‐katalysierte N‐F‐Bindungsaktivierung für die einheitliche intramolekulare C‐H‐Aminierung zu Pyrrolidinen und Piperidinen
Authors: Bafaluy Daniel , Muñoz‐Molina José Maria , Funes‐Ardoiz Ignacio , Herold Sebastian , de Aguirre Adiran , Zhang Hongwei , Maseras Feliu , Belderrain Tomás R. , Pérez Pedro J. , Muñiz Kilian
Published: April 2019

Die Bifunktionalität der N‐F‐Bindung als wirksames Oxidationsmittel und nachfolgende Stickstoffquelle in intramolekularen aliphatischen C‐H‐Funktionalisierungen wird untersucht. Dabei wird gezeigt, dass eine Kupferkatalyse eine vollständige Regio‐ und Chemoselektivitätskontrolle ermöglicht, wodurch neue Synthesewege zu stickstoffhaltigen Heterozyklen mit vorhersagbarer Ringgröße geebnet werden. Für den Aufbau von Pyrrolidin‐ und Piperidinringen wird erstmals ein einheitlicher Katalysezyklus identifiziert. Die einzelnen Schritte dieser neuen Kupferoxidationskatalyse werden durch Kontrollexperimente und Computerstudien aufgeklärt, um die Einzigartigkeit der N‐F‐Funktion zu belegen und die Katalyse als einen Kupfer(I/II)‐Zyklus zu charakterisieren.
Interfacial Defect Engineering for Improved Portable Zinc–Air Batteries with a Broad Working Temperature
Authors: An Li , Huang Bolong , Zhang Yu , Wang Rui , Zhang Nan , Dai Tengyuan , Xi Pinxian , Yan Chun‐Hua
Published: April 2019

Atomic‐thick interfacial dominated bifunctional catalyst NiO/CoO transition interfacial nanowires (TINWs) with abundant defect sites display high electroactivity and durability in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that the excellent OER/ORR performance arises from the electron‐rich interfacial region coupled with defect sites, thus enabling a fast‐redox rate with lower activation barrier for fast electron transfer. When assembled as an air‐electrode, NiO/CoO TINWs delivered the high specific capacity of 842.58 mAh gZn−1, the large energy density of 996.44 Wh kgZn−1 with long‐time stability of more than 33 h (25 °C), and superior performance at low (−10 °C) and high temperature (80 °C).
Gold Difluorocarbenoid Complexes: Spectroscopic and Chemical Profiling
Authors: Tskhovrebov Alexander G. , Lingnau Julia B. , Fürstner Alois
Published: April 2019

Gold carbenes of the general type [LAu=CR2]+ are sufficiently long‐lived for spectroscopic inspection only if the substituents compensate for the largely missing stabilization of the carbene center by the [LAu]+ fragment. π‐Donation by two fluorine substituents (R=F) is insufficient; rather, difluorocarbene complexes are so deprived in electron density that they sequester even “weakly coordinating” anions such as triflate or triflimide. This particular bonding situation translates into unmistakable carbenium ion chemistry upon reaction with stilbene as a model substrate.
Role of cytokines in combinatorial immunotherapeutics of non‐small cell lung cancer through systems perspective
Authors: Misra Pragya , Singh Shailza
Published: April 2019

Lung cancer is the leading cause of deaths related to cancer and accounts for more than a million deaths per year. Various new strategies have been developed and adapted for treatment; still the survival for 5 years is just 16% in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Most of these strategies to combat NSCLC whether it is a drug molecule or immunotherapy/vaccine candidate require a big cost and time. Integration of computational modeling with systems biology has opened new avenues for understanding complex cancer biology. Resolving the complex interactions of various pathways and their crosstalk leading to oncogenic changes could identify new therapeutic targets with lesser cost and time. Herein, this review provides an overview of various aspects of NSCLC along with available strategies for its cure concluding with our insight into how systems approach could serve as a therapeutic intervention dissecting the immunologic parameters and cross talk between various pathways involved.
Discovery of a Highly Active Catalyst for Hydrogenolysis of C−O Bonds via Systematic, Multi‐metallic Catalyst Screening
Authors: van Muyden Antoine P. , Siankevich Sviatlana , Yan Ning , Dyson Paul J.
Published: April 2019

Hydrogenolysis of C−O bonds is a highly challenging reaction with the most efficient catalysts based on bimetallic assemblies. Systematic studies to identify the optimum metal combination have not been performed and, therefore, we designed a method to screen multi‐metallic catalysts, including all water stable transition metals, using diphenyl ether as a model substrate. Bimetallic Pd−Pt (70 : 30) nanoparticles were the most efficient, catalyzing the hydrogenolysis of the C−O bond in diphenyl ether at 95 °C and 1 atm of hydrogen in quantitative yield. This research provides insights into the activity of multi‐metallic catalysts in hydrogenolysis reactions. The catalyst was successfully applied in the reductive fractionation of bio‐mass affording key products in near‐quantitative yields.
Highly Porous Metalloporphyrin Covalent Ionic Frameworks with Well‐Defined Cooperative Functional Groups as Excellent Catalysts for CO2 Cycloaddition
Authors: Liu Jiahui , Zhao Guoying , Cheung Ocean , Jia Lina , Sun Zhenyu , Zhang Suojiang
Published: April 2019

The development of multifunctional heterogeneous catalysts with high porosity and remarkable catalytic activity still remains a challenge. Herein, four highly porous metalloporphyrin covalent ionic frameworks (CIFs) were synthesized by coupling 5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(4‐nitrophenyl)porphyrin (TNPP) with 3,8‐diamino‐6‐phenylphenanithridine (NPPN) or 5,5′‐diamino‐2,2′‐bipyridine (NBPy) followed by ionization with bromoethane (C2H5Br) or dibromoethane (C2H4Br2) and then metalization with Zn or Co. The resulting CIFs showed high efficiency in catalyzing the cycloaddition of propylene oxide (PO) with CO2 to form propylene carbonate (PC). All of the Zn‐containing CIF catalysts were able to catalyze the cycloaddition reaction with a PC yield greater than 97 %. The TNPP/NBPy (CIF2) catalyst ionized with C2H4Br2 and metalized with Zn (Zn‐CIF2‐C2H4) exhibited the highest catalytic activity among the synthesized catalysts. The high catalytic performance of Zn‐CIF2‐C2H4 is related to its high porosity (577 m2 g−1), high Br:metal ratio (1:3.89), and excellent synergistic action between the Lewis acidic Zn sites and the nucleophilic Br− ions. Zn‐CIF2‐C2H4 is sufficiently stable that greater than 94 % PC yield could be obtained even after six cycles. In addition, Zn‐CIF2‐C2H4 could catalyze the cycloaddition of several other epoxides with CO2. These highly porous materials are promising multifunctional and efficient catalysts for industrially relevant reactions.
Synthesis of Highly Functionalized N,N‐Diarylamides by an Anodic C,N‐Coupling Reaction
Authors: Dörr Maurice , Lips Sebastian , Martínez‐Huitle Carlos Alberto , Schollmeyer Dieter , Franke Robert , Waldvogel Siegfried R.
Published: April 2019

We report an innovative, sustainable and straightforward protocol for the synthesis of N,N‐diarylamides equipped with nonprotected hydroxyl groups by using electrosynthesis. The concept allows the application of various substrates furnishing diarylamides with yields up to 57 % within a single and direct electrolytic protocol. The method is thereby easy to conduct in an undivided cell with constant current conditions offering a versatile and short‐cut alternative to conventional pathways.
An Efficient Photocatalyst Based on Black TiO2 Nanoparticles and Porous Carbon with High Surface Area: Degradation of Antibiotics and Organic Pollutants in Water
Authors: Fang Yu , Li Yuanyuan , Zhou Feng , Gu Peiyang , Liu Jiadi , Chen Dongyun , Li Najun , Xu Qingfeng , Lu Jianmei
Published: April 2019

Porous carbon (PC) materials with high surface area can separate electron–hole pairs and adsorb organic pollutants more effectively. A series of nanocomposites were prepared by anchoring black TiO2 nanoparticles (BTN) onto PC through a calcination process. Chemical and structural features of samples were examined by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction (P‐XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses. The resulting adsorption‐photocatalysis synergistic effect led to a dramatically improved photocurrent for BTN@PCs, thus indicating the high photocatalytic performance toward water‐soluble organic species. For instance, the degradation of tetracycline under visible light reached 90 %, which is higher than that for activated carbon doped onto BTN (57 %) without any additional agents. Moreover, the degradation of other antibiotics (such as oxytetracycline and ciprofloxacin) and methylene blue were also studied, thus showing that this system has the potential to be used for water treatment.
Trimodality therapy for oropharyngeal cancer in the TORS era: Is there a cohort that may benefit?
Authors: Gallitto Matthew , Sindhu Kunal , Wasserman Isaac , De Brian , Gupta Vishal , Miles Brett A. , Genden Eric M. , Posner Marshall , Misiukiewicz Krzysztof , Bakst Richard L.
Published: April 2019

Background

With increasing adoption of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for oropharyngeal cancer (OPC), more patients may receive trimodality therapy. We sought to investigate outcomes and toxicities in this cohort.

Methods

A retrospective study of patients with OPC treated with trimodality therapy at a tertiary‐care hospital, comparing those receiving bilateral vs unilateral neck radiation.

Results

Four hundred thirty‐six patients underwent TORS, 17% receiving adjuvant chemoradiation. Of the 46 patients completing adjuvant treatment in‐house, contralateral neck was spared in 20%. There were no significant differences in survival, and patient‐reported outcomes in salivary function, mood, and anxiety were superior in those patients receiving unilateral neck radiation and directly correlated with mean dose to local structures.

Conclusions

Surgery for OPC offers the potential for reduction in radiation volumes by omitting the contralateral neck in those who may have required definitive chemoradiation. Even in patients receiving concurrent chemotherapy, unilateral neck radiation has a favorable toxicity profile without compromising survival.
High expression of miR‐338 is associated with poor prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia undergoing chemotherapy
Authors: Fu Lin , Qi Jialei , Gao Xiang , Zhang Ninghan , Zhang Huihui , Wang Rong , Xu Linyan , Yao Yao , Niu Mingshan , Xu Kailin
Published: April 2019

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease with unfavorable outcomes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators and prognostic factors involved in AML. To determine the clinical role of miR‐338 in AML, a total of 164 adults with de novo AML were collected. These patients were classified into a chemotherapy group and an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT) group according to the clinical treatment, and then each group was divided into two subgroups based on the median miR‐338 expression values. We found that upregulated miR‐338 positively correlates with higher frequencies of complex karyotype, RUNX1 mutation, and poor risk status. In the chemotherapy group, high expression of miR‐338 was independently associated with shorter EFS and OS. However, no significant differences were observed between the two subgroups within the allo‐HSCT group. We also divided all patients into two groups according to the median miR‐338 expression values of the whole cohort. In the miR‐338 high expression group, patients receiving allo‐HSCT had longer OS and EFS than those receiving chemotherapy only. In contrast, patients receiving different therapies had similar OS and EFS in the miR‐338 low expression group. Our study suggests that high expression of miR‐338 is an adverse prognostic biomarker in patients with AML undergoing chemotherapy and may guide treatment decisions for AML. Furthermore, allo‐HSCT could significantly overcome the negative effect of high miR‐338 expression, but it seemed to be unbeneficial and unnecessary for low miR‐338 expressions.
The Influence of Proinflammatory Cytokines on Voriconazole Trough Concentration in Patients With Different Forms of Hematologic Disorders
Authors: Mafuru Magesa , Wu Sanlan , He Sijie , Lu Xuan , Huang Jiangeng , Jiang Hongliang
Published: April 2019

Even though multiple factors are involved in the high fluctuation of voriconazole (VCZ) plasma concentration, little is known regarding the influence of proinflammatory cytokines on VCZ concentration. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of proinflammatory cytokines, namely, interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐18, interferon‐γ, tumor necrosis factor‐α, and transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 on VCZ trough concentration (VCZ‐Cmin) in Chinese patients with different forms of hematologic disorders. A total of 250 plasma samples from 113 patients were analyzed for VCZ‐Cmin and proinflammatory cytokines using a validated liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay methods, respectively. Patient demographics and clinical characteristics were obtained from hospital records. VCZ‐Cmin was significantly correlated with IL‐18 in acute myeloid leukemia (r = 0.456; P ˂ .0001), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (r = 0.317; P = .019), and chronic myeloid leukemia (r = 0.737; P = .004) while VCZ‐Cmin and TGF‐β1 were correlated (r = 0.436; P ˂ .001) in acute myeloid leukemia patients only. VCZ‐Cmin at different concentration range showed significant inhibitory effect of IL‐6. A backward multiple linear regression model revealed patient age (coefficient [β] = 0.025; P = .04), gamma‐glutamyl transferase (β = 0.003; P = .023), IL‐6 (β = –0.001; P = .024), proton pump inhibitor coadministration (β = 1.518; P = .002), and cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C19 polymorphism as predictors of VCZ‐Cmin; however, these factors explained only 29% of VCZ‐Cmin variation. In conclusion, IL‐18 and TGF‐β1 have correlation with VCZ‐Cmin in Chinese patients with leukemia. Apparently, VCZ may have an inhibitory effect on IL‐6 levels. Furthermore, patient age, gamma‐glutamyl transferase, IL‐6, PPI coadministration, and cytochrome P450 2C19 polymormorphism partially predicted the VCZ‐Cmin. Therapeutic drug monitoring of VCZ in Chinese patients is highly encouraged.
The effect of risk communication on periodontal treatment outcomes: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Asimakopoulou Koula , Nolan Matthew , McCarthy Claire , Newton Jonathan T.
Published: April 2019

Background

This study determines the effects of a routine assessment (Treatment as Usual, TAU) versus a risk communication intervention (Risk) versus a Goal‐Setting, Planning and Self‐Monitoring (GPS) intervention on periodontal disease patients’ clinical and psychological outcomes.

Methods

In a three‐arm randomized controlled trial (RCT; registration: ISRCTN59696243) adults (N = 97) judged to have moderate oral hygiene attended a primary dental care setting for a standard consultation. Intervention participants received an individualized calculation of their periodontal disease risk using only the Previser Risk Calculator (Risk group) or supplemented with a GPS‐behavioral intervention (GPS group). Clinical, behavioral and psychological measures were obtained at baseline, 4 and 12 weeks later.

Results

Percent plaque reduced significantly (P < 0.05) in intervention groups but not in TAU group. Percent of sites bleeding‐on‐probing reduced in all groups, but the effect was more pronounced in the intervention groups. Interdental cleaning frequency improved only in the intervention groups (P < 0.05). Brushing frequency and probing depths showed little variation across time/groups. Disease risk and most thoughts about periodontal disease changed across time (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

A simple behavioral intervention using individualized periodontal disease risk communication, with or without GPS, reduced plaque and bleeding and increased interdental cleaning over 12 weeks. This is the first study in the field to show that risk communication and behavioral techniques such as Goal‐Setting, Planning and Self‐Monitoring can improve periodontal outcomes.
Polydopamine‐coated cotton fibers as the adsorbent for in‐tube solid‐phase microextraction
Authors: Feng Juanjuan , Sun Min , Han Sen , Ji Xiangping , Li Chunying , Wang Xiuqin , Tian Yu
Published: April 2019

Polydopamine was coated onto cotton fibers as the adsorbent to improve the extraction efficiency. Polydopamine‐coated cotton fibers were placed into a polyetheretherketone tube for in‐tube solid‐phase microextraction. To develop an online analysis system, the extraction tube was connected with high‐performance liquid chromatography. The tube was evaluated with five estrogenic analytes, and the extraction and desorption conditions were optimized to get high extraction efficiency. Under the optimum conditions, the enrichment factors of five analytes were 143–1745. An online analysis method was established, it had large linear ranges (0.10–40 and 0.16–40 μg/L), low limits of detection (0.03, 0.05 μg/L) and satisfactory repeatability (≤3.2%). The analysis method was applied to detect targets in the real samples like as hot water in new plastic cup and tap water. The relative recoveries spiked at 1 and 5 μg/L in these samples were investigated and the results were in the range of 83.7–109%.
Solid‐phase extraction of phenoxyacetic acid herbicides in complex samples with a zirconium(IV)‐based metal–organic framework
Authors: Si Tiantian , Liu Lei , Liang Xiaojing , Duo Huixiao , Wang Licheng , Wang Shuai
Published: April 2019

A zirconium(IV)‐based metal–organic framework material (MOF‐808) has been synthesized in a simple way and used for the extraction of phenoxyacetic acids in complex samples. The material has good thermal and chemical stability, large specific surface area (905.36 m²/g), and high pore size (22.18 Å). Besides, it contains a large amount of Zr‐O groups, easy‐to‐form Zr‐O‐H bond with carboxyl groups of phenoxyacetic acids, and possesses biphenyl skeleton structure, easy to interact with compounds through π‐π and hydrophobic interactions. These characteristics make the material very suitable for the extraction of certain compounds with a high extraction efficiency and excellent selectivity. The extraction conditions were optimized, and then an analytical method was successfully established and applied for analysis of actual samples. The solid‐phase extraction method based on prepared material had a wide linear range of 0.2–250 μg/L and a low detection limit of 0.1–0.5 μg/L for four phenoxyacetic acid compounds including 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 2‐(2,4‐dichlorophenoxy) propionic acid, 4‐chlorophenoxyacetic acid, and dicamba. The relative standard deviations of intra‐ and interday precision were 1.8–3.8 and 4.3–6.9%, and the recoveries after spiking were between 77.1 and 109.3%. The results showed that the material is a desired substituent for the extraction of compounds with benzene ring structure containing carboxyl groups.
A Phenyl Thioether‐Based Probe: Zn2+ Ion Sensor, Structure Determination and Live Cell Imaging†
Authors: Dey Sunanda , Maity Suvendu , Dasmahapatra Ananya , Chattopadhyay Debprasad , Sinha Chittaranjan
Published: April 2019

3,3′‐((1Z,1′Z)‐(((Propane‐1,3‐diylbis(sulfanediyl))bis(2,1‐phenylene))bis(azanyyldiene))bis(methanylylidene))bis(2‐hydroxy‐5‐methylbenzaldehyde) (H2‐SAP), characterized by different spectroscopic data, exhibits yellow emission (λem, 560 nm) when binds with Zn2+ in H2O‐MeOH (1:9 v/v, HEPES buffer, pH 7.4) in a mixture of seventeen biologically important other metal ions. The limit of detection (LOD) is 9.0 nM which is far below the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended data. The composition of the complex, 1:1 Zn2+:SAP2−, is supported by Job's plot, ESI‐MS and single crystal X‐Ray crystallographic structure. Intracellular Zn2+ ion is detected in Vero Cells (African Green Monkey Kidney) by using the probe, H2‐SAP, in the cell lines under fluorescence microscope. The probe has successfully been applied to recover Zn2+ in surface water.
Preparation and Thermophysical Properties of High Thermal Conductive Solar Salt/MWCNTs Composite Materials
Authors: Wu Yanze , Li Jinli , Wang Min , Wang Huaiyou , Zhao Youjing
Published: April 2019

To improve the heat transfer performance of the photothermal molten salt (Solar salt), a composite material of Solar salt doped with MWCNTs (Multi‐walled carbon nanotubes) which has excellent thermal conductivity, was prepared and analyzed. XRD was used to analyze the composition of the composite, which remained as NaNO3 and KNO3 without change. XPS was used to analyze the C1s energy spectrum, the carbon nanotubes were purified and the impurity groups were greatly reduced after high temperature melting. Melting point, phase change enthalpy and specific heat of composite materials were measured by DSC; the decomposition temperature of composite material were measured by TGA; the density was measured by the Archimedes method; the thermal diffusivity was measured by the laser flash method. The thermal conductivity was calculated according to the thermal conductivity formula: k=Cp⋅ρ⋅α. When the Solar salt was doped with 0.4% MWCNTs, the thermal conductivity was greatly improved, increasing by 87% to 0.77 W/(m⋅k). And the influence of carbon nanotubes on the spatial structure of nitrate was analyzed by Raman spectroscopy. This composite material had superior thermal properties than Solar salt and was expected to be applied in solar thermal power generation to improve solar energy utilization efficiency.
Synthesis, Biological Activity and QSAR Studies of Organotin(IV) and Organosilicon(IV) Complexes
Authors: Devi Jai , Devi Suman , Yadav Jyoti , Kumar Ashwani
Published: April 2019

A panel of penta‐coordinated, neutral organotin(IV) and organosilicon(IV) complexes of newly designed Schiff bases: 4‐(2‐hydroxymethyl‐phenylimino)‐2‐methyl‐4H‐pyran‐3‐ol (H2L1) and 4‐(benzothiazol‐2‐ylimino)‐2‐methyl‐4H‐pyran‐3‐ol (HL2) were synthesized and characterized using elemental analysis, spectral studies (UV/Vis, IR, 1H, 13C, 29Si, 119Sn NMR and Fluorescence) and thermal technique. Spectral studies conferred that the Schiff base act as bi/tridentate and form the penta coordinated geometry with oxygen and nitrogen donor atom (NO/NOO). The compounds were screened for in vitro antimicrobial activity using twofold serial dilution method against Gram‐positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus), Gram‐negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae) and fungi (Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans). The antimicrobial study exposed good activity with tri‐ and di‐phenyl derivatives exhibiting excellent biological activity. Compounds 5, 6, 10, 13, 14, 17 and 18 displayed better activity than the standard drugs. Quantitative structure activity relationship involves correlation of biological activity with the structural properties of the compounds using statistical means.
The First Vinylogous, Decarboxylative Michael Reaction with 3‐Cyano‐4‐methylcoumarins as Pronucleophiles
Authors: Bojanowski Jan , Albrecht Anna
Published: April 2019

In the manuscript the first vinylogous, decarboxylative Michael reaction is described. It utilizes 3‐cyano‐4‐methylcoumarins as pronucleophiles undergoing Michael reaction with Michael acceptors activated by the presence of carboxylic acid moiety. Subsequent decarboxylative protonation affords interesting heterocycles in high yields with the reaction realized in the presence of Brønsted base catalyst. Attempts to develop an enantioselective variant of the decarboxylative reaction cascade are also described.
Sequentially Formations of Csp3‐Csp2 and Csp2‐Csp2 Bonds by a One‐pot Reaction Involving N‐Tosylhydrazone and p‐Bromobenzeneboronic Acid
Authors: He Jing , Zhang Jie , Dai Bin , Liu Ping
Published: April 2019

A one‐pot multi‐step reaction of two N‐tosylhydrazones with p‐bromobenzeneboronic acid was established. With the aid of sequentially formations of Csp3‐Csp2 bond and Csp2‐Csp2 bond, a series of 1‐benzyl‐4‐(1‐phenylvinyl)benzene derivatives can be synthesized from readily available starting materials in good yields. The transformation features a broad substrate scope and good functional group tolerance.
Effect of Ligand Concentration, Dilution, and Excitation Wavelength on the Emission Properties of CdSe/CdS Core Shell Quantum Dots and Their Implication on Detection of Uranium
Authors: Singhal Pallavi , Pulhani Vandana
Published: April 2019

Many applications of quantum dots (QDs); such as solar energy harvesting and toxic ion detection advice to understand the photoluminescence properties of QDs in water. However, this property can vary with concentration, purification and excitation wavelength which is seldom understood and can affect the above mentioned applications. The work carried out in this article demonstrates the effect and importance of these parameters on the photoluminescence properties of water dispersible CdSe/CdS core shell QDs. Three core shell QDs having the same core and shell thickness, but different number of ligands were synthesized. It was observed that the ligand concentration, excitation wavelength and concentration has a profound effect on the emission properties of QDs. The effect of above mentioned parameters on the detection of uranium by QDs was also discussed and it was shown that tuning these parameters can impact the detection limit drastically. A detection limit of 10 ppb was achieved by varying the experimental conditions which is much below than the limit prescribed by World Health Organization for uranium in drinking water suggesting the potential of these dots in sensing application and importance to tune different experimental conditions to achieve at a better detection limit.
Smart Microcapsules with Molecular Polarity‐ and Temperature‐Dependent Permeability
Authors: Kim Ji‐Won , Lee Sang Seok , Park Jinho , Ku Minhee , Yang Jaemoon , Kim Shin‐Hyun
Published: April 2019

Microcapsules with molecule‐selective permeation are appealing as microreactors, capsule‐type sensors, drug and cell carriers, and artificial cells. To accomplish molecular size‐ and charge‐selective permeation, regular size of pores and surface charges have been formed in the membranes. However, it remains an important challenge to provide advanced regulation of transmembrane transport. Here, smart microcapsules are designed that provide molecular polarity‐ and temperature‐dependent permeability. With capillary microfluidic devices, water‐in‐oil‐in‐water (W/O/W) double‐emulsion drops are prepared, which serve as templates to produce microcapsules. The oil shell is composed of two monomers and dodecanol, which turns to a polymeric framework whose continuous voids are filled with dodecanol upon photopolymerization. One of the monomers provides mechanical stability of the framework, whereas the other serves as a compatibilizer between growing polymer and dodecanol, preventing macrophase separation. Above melting point of dodecanol, molecules that are soluble in the molten dodecanol are selectively allowed to diffuse across the shell, where the rate of transmembrane transport is strongly influenced by partition coefficient. The rate is drastically lowered for temperatures below the melting point. This molecular polarity‐ and temperature‐dependent permeability renders the microcapsules potentially useful as drug carriers for triggered release and contamination‐free microreactors and microsensors.
Screening Therapeutic Agents Specific to Breast Cancer Stem Cells Using a Microfluidic Single‐Cell Clone‐Forming Inhibition Assay
Authors: Lin Dongguo , Li Peiwen , Feng Jin , Lin Zhun , Chen Xiao , Yang Na , Wang Lihui , Liu Dayu
Published: April 2019

Screens of cancer stem cells (CSCs)‐specific agents present significant challenges to conventional cell assays due to the difficulty in preparing CSCs ready for drug testing. To overcome this limitation, developed is a microfluidic single‐cell assay for screening breast cancer stem cell–specific agents. This assay takes advantage of the single‐cell clone‐forming capability of CSCs, which can be specifically inhibited by CSC‐targeting agents. The single‐cell assay is performed on a microfluidic chip with an array of 3840 cell‐capturing units; the single‐cell arrays are easily formed by flowing a cell suspension into the microchip. Achieved is a single cell‐capture rate of ≈60% thus allowing more than 2000 single cells to be analyzed in a single test. Over long‐term suspension culture, only a minority of cells survive and form tumorspheres. The clone‐formation rate of MCF‐7, MDA‐MB‐231, and T47D cells is 1.67%, 5.78%, and 5.24%, respectively. The clone‐forming inhibition assay is conducted by exposing the single‐cell arrays to a set of anticancer agents. The CSC‐targeting agents show complete inhibition of single‐cell clone formation while the nontargeting ones show incomplete inhibition effects. The resulting microfluidic single‐cell assay with the potential to screen CSC‐specific agents with high efficiency provides new tools for individualized tumor therapy.
Xylitol production on sugarcane biomass hydrolysate by newly identified Candida tropicalis JA2 strain
Authors: Morais Junior Wilson G. , Pacheco Thályta F. , Trichez Débora , Almeida João R.M. , Gonçalves Sílvia B.
Published: April 2019

Xylitol is a building block for a variety of chemical commodities, besides being widely used as a sugar substitute in the food and pharmaceutical industries. The aim of this work was to develop a microbial process for xylitol production using sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate as substrate. In this context, 218 non‐Saccharomyces yeast strains were screened by growth on steam‐exploded sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate containing a high concentration of acetic acid (8.0 g/L). Seven new Candida tropicalis strains were selected and identified, and their ability to produce xylitol on hydrolysate at low pH (4.6) under aerobic conditions was evaluated. The most efficient strain, designated C. tropicalis JA2, was capable of producing xylitol with a yield of 0.47 g/g of consumed xylose. To improve xylitol production by C. tropicalis JA2, a series of experimental procedures were employed to optimize pH and temperature conditions, as well as nutrient source, and initial xylose and inoculum concentrations. C. tropicalis JA2 was able to produce 109.5 g/L of xylitol with a yield of 0.86 g/g of consumed xylose, and with a productivity of 2.81 g·L·h, on sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate containing 8.0 g/L acetic acid and177 g/L xylose, supplemented with 2.0 g/L yeast nitrogen base and 4.0 g/L urea. Thus, it was possible to identify a new C. tropicalis strain and to optimize the xylitol production process using sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate as a substrate. The xylitol yield on biomass hydrolysate containing a high concentration of acetic acidobtained in here is among the best reported in the literature.
Digitaler OP: bessere Planung und Kommunikation
Authors: Meppelink A.
Published: April 2019

Im Mittelpunkt der digitalen HNO-Chirurgie stehen v. a. 4 technologische Fortschritte: Neben dem Potenzial eines digitalisierten Operationssaals (OP) sind dies moderne Navigationsverfahren, Planungssoftware sowie roboterbasierte Assistenzsysteme. Im OP der Zukunft spielen nicht nur Datenanreicherung und Informationsintegration eine Rolle, sondern auch die Integration medizinischer Hightech-Geräte. Deren Nutzung und die von ihnen gelieferten Informationen werden vereinfacht; gleichzeitig jedoch werden weitere klinische Daten vor, während und nach dem chirurgischen Eingriff optimiert. Mit speziell entwickelten intuitiven Benutzeroberflächen, automatisierten Arbeitsabläufen und erweiterten Bildgebungsverfahren lässt sich das Potenzial diagnostischer, chirurgischer und postoperativer Patientendaten voll ausschöpfen. Chirurgische Planungstechnologie hilft HNO-Operateuren, komplexe anatomische Strukturen leichter zu evaluieren und Krankheitsbilder genauer und schneller zu bestimmen. Auf Basis eines anpassungsfähigen anatomischen Software-Modells lässt sich eine Vielzahl anatomischer Strukturen erkennen und als Objekte erstellen. Die hohe Genauigkeit und Konsistenz der Objekte machen die Segmentierung zu einem elementaren Bestandteil präziser Behandlungsplanung. Mit Planungssoftware lassen sich Tumoren und Risikostrukturen in 3‑D-Patientenbildern genau einzeichnen, Trajektorien planen sowie CT- und MRT-Bilder fusionieren und anschließend im OP darauf für die weitere Nutzung einfach zurückgreifen. Dies dient während des Eingriffs als Anleitung und letztlich höherer Patientensicherheit sowie effizienteren Prozessen im klinischen Alltag.
Time course of neuropsychiatric symptoms and cognitive diagnosis in National Alzheimer's Coordinating Centers volunteers
Authors: Wise Elizabeth A. , Rosenberg Paul B. , Lyketsos Constantine G. , Leoutsakos Jeannie‐Marie
Published: April 2019

Introduction

Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPSs) are nearly universal in cognitive disorders. The mild behavioral impairment construct postulates that NPS may be the first symptom of impending dementia.

Methods

Participants were cognitively normal volunteers followed up approximately annually at Alzheimer's Disease Centers, who were assessed on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory and had at least one follow‐up visit during which they were diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia. Descriptive statistics were used to determine sequencing of NPS presence with cognitive diagnoses.

Results

Data were available for 1998 participants who progressed to MCI or dementia. Over 59% developed NPS before the diagnosis of any cognitive disorder. Depression and irritability were the most common NPSs to precede cognitive diagnoses (24 and 21%, respectively).

Discussion

NPSs precede a cognitive diagnosis in most people who develop cognitive decline, both MCI and dementia. These individuals are an important group to focus clinical and research efforts.
Tracing sub-surface swept profiles of tapered toroidal end mills between level cuts
Authors: Aras Eyyup
Published: April 2019

Development of closed-form solutions and algorithms for constructing sub-surface swept profiles (SWP) of toroidal and conical bodies is presented in this paper. While the problem of identifying the entire SWP of such surfaces has been extensively investigated in extant studies, construction of subsurface SWPs has rarely been addressed despite the subject being of great significance to machining process employing nonstandard-shaped NC tools. Torus shapes considered in extant literature are restricted to the fourth quadrant of a tube cross section. In industrial applications, however, profile cutters contain different regions of a toroidal surface. To identify SWP elements in the proposed study, a single analytical expression in one variable has been deduced using two moving frames. The basic idea behind such a formulation is to employ the one-to-many strategy, which greatly reduces the computational cost and effort. Algorithms to identify feasible domains of SWP parameters at each level cut, where toroidal and conical surfaces meet, have also been proposed in this study. This is important, since cutting a tool surfaces along the rotation axis divides SWP-parameter domains into non overlapping sets of intervals that must be addressed for each tool posture. In addition, this study demonstrates that for certain tool postures, while C1 continuity between sub-surfaces is satisfied, the SWP connectivity is lost at some points. To locate these so called singular-characteristic points, some precomputation steps have been performed. Lastly, several factors affecting the smoothness of SWPs have been identified and discussed.

Highlights Closed form solutions have been derived for constructing the sub-swept profiles of toroidal tools. Three algorithms have been presented to identify the feasible domains of swept profile parameters. In order to locate the singular-characteristic points some precomputation steps have been carried out. Finally, several factors, affecting the smoothness of the swept profiles, have been identified.
Critical Issues in Ionospheric Data Quality and Implications for Scientific Studies
Authors: Araujo‐Pradere E. , Weatherhead E. C. , Dandenault P. B. , Bilitza D. , Wilkinson P. , Coker C. , Akmaev R. , Beig G. , Burešová D. , Paxton L. J. , Hernández‐Pajares M. , Liu J.‐Y. , Lin C. H. , Habarulema J. B. , Paznukhov V.
Published: April 2019

Ionospheric data are valuable records of the behavior of the ionosphere, solar activity, and the entire Sun‐Earth system. The data are critical for both societally important services and scientific investigations of upper atmospheric variability. This work investigates some of the difficulties and pitfalls in maintaining long‐term records of geophysical measurements. This investigation focuses on the ionospheric parameters contained in the historical data sets within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Geophysical Data Center and Space Physics Interactive Data Resource databases. These archives include data from approximately 100 ionosonde stations worldwide, beginning in the early 1940s. Our study focuses on the quality and consistency of ionosonde data accessible via the primary Space Physics Interactive Data Resource node located within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Geophysical Data Center and the World Data Center for Solar‐Terrestrial Physics located in Boulder, Colorado. We find that, although the Space Physics Interactive Data Resource archives contained an impressive amount of high‐quality data, specific problems existed involving missing and noncontiguous data sets, long‐term variations or changes in methodologies and analysis procedures used, and incomplete documentation. The important lessons learned from this investigation are that the data incorporated into an archive must have clear traceability back to the primary source, including scientific validation by the contributors, and that the historical records must have associated metadata that describe relevant nuances in the observations. Although this report only focuses on historical ionosonde data in National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration databases, we feel that these findings have general applicability to environmental scientists interested in using long‐term geophysical data sets for climate and global change research.
Incorporating Multidimensional Probabilistic Information Into Robustness‐Based Water Systems Planning
Authors: Taner Mehmet Ümit , Ray Patrick , Brown Casey
Published: April 2019

The widespread uncertainty regarding future changes in climate, socioeconomic conditions, and demographics have increased interest in vulnerability‐based frameworks for long‐term planning of water resources. These frameworks shift the focus from projections of future conditions to the weaknesses of the baseline plans and then to options for reductions in those weaknesses across a wide range of futures. A consistent challenge for vulnerability‐based planning is how to assess the relative likelihood of the occurrence of the multidimensional and codependent uncertainties to which the system or plan is vulnerable. This work proposes a methodological solution to the problem, demonstrated in this case as an extension to Decision Scaling framework. The proposed approach first generates a wide range of futures using stochastic simulators, and then stress tests the system across those futures to identify vulnerabilities relative to stakeholder‐defined performance thresholds. The relative likelihood of the vulnerabilities is then explored using a Bayesian belief network of the knowledge domain of the water resources system. The Bayesian network provides a formal representation of the joint probabilistic behavior of the system conditioned on the uncertain but potentially useful sources of information about the future, including historical trends, expert judgments, and model‐based projections. The proposed approach is applied to compare four design options for a dam project in the Coastal Province of Kenya with respect to the reliability and net present value metrics. Results show that incorporation of belief information helps better distinguishing of the available options, principally by magnifying the differences between the computed net present values.