bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid Biofilm Eradication on Bone Implants Using Red Phosphorus and Near‐Infrared Light
Authors: Tan Lei , Li Jun , Liu Xiangmei , Cui Zhenduo , Yang Xianjin , Zhu Shengli , Li Zhaoyang , Yuan Xubo , Zheng Yufeng , Yeung Kelvin W. K. , Pan Haobo , Wang Xianbao , Wu Shuilin
Published: June 2018

Bone‐implant‐associated infections are common after orthopedic surgery due to impaired host immune response around the implants. In particular, when a biofilm develops, the immune system and antibiotic treatment find it difficult to eradicate, which sometimes requires a second operation to replace the infected implants. Most strategies have been designed to prevent biofilms from forming on the surface of bone implants, but these strategies cannot eliminate the biofilm when it has been established in vivo. To address this issue, a nonsurgical, noninvasive treatment for biofilm infection must be developed. Herein, a red‐phosphorus–IR780–arginine–glycine–aspartic‐acid–cysteine coating on titanium bone implants is prepared. The red phosphorus has great biocompatibility and exhibits efficient photothermal ability. The temperature sensitivity of Staphylococcus aureus biofilm is enhanced in the presence of singlet oxygen (1O2) produced by IR780. Without damaging the normal tissue, the biofilm can be eradicated through a safe near‐infrared (808 nm) photothermal therapy at 50 °C in vitro and in vivo. This approach reaches an antibacterial efficiency of 96.2% in vivo with 10 min of irradiation at 50 °C. Meanwhile, arginine–glycine–aspartic‐acid–cysteine decorated on the surface of the implant can improve the cell adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation.
More Than 12 % Polarization and 20 Minute Lifetime of 15N in a Choline Derivative Utilizing Parahydrogen and a Rhodium Nanocatalyst in Water
Authors: McCormick Jeffrey , Korchak Sergey , Mamone Salvatore , Ertas Yavuz N. , Liu Zhiyu , Verlinsky Luke , Wagner Shawn , Glöggler Stefan , Bouchard Louis‐S.
Published: June 2018

Hyperpolarization techniques are key to extending the capabilities of MRI for the investigation of structural, functional and metabolic processes in vivo. Recent heterogeneous catalyst development has produced high polarization in water using parahydrogen with biologically relevant contrast agents. A heterogeneous ligand‐stabilized Rh catalyst is introduced that is capable of achieving 15N polarization of 12.2±2.7 % by hydrogenation of neurine into a choline derivative. This is the highest 15N polarization of any parahydrogen method in water to date. Notably, this was performed using a deuterated quaternary amine with an exceptionally long spin‐lattice relaxation time (T1) of 21.0±0.4 min. These results open the door to the possibility of 15N in vivo imaging using nontoxic similar model systems because of the biocompatibility of the production media and the stability of the heterogeneous catalyst using parahydrogen‐induced polarization (PHIP) as the hyperpolarization method.
Structural studies and cytotoxic activity of a new dinuclear coordination compound of palladium(II)–2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine with rigid dianionic 1,2,4‐triazole‐3‐sulfonate linker
Authors: Işık Büyükekşi Sebile , Erkısa Merve , Şengül Abdurrahman , Ulukaya Engin , Yılmaztepe Oral Arzu
Published: June 2018

A new dinuclear coordination compound of palladium(II), [Pd2(terpy)2(μ‐tas‐N1,N4)]SO4⋅11H2O (1), was synthesized by tethering a doubly deprotonated 1,2,4‐triazole‐3‐sulfonate (tas) linker generated in situ via oxidation of 1,2,4‐triazole‐3‐thione (tat) under the synthetic conditions. X‐ray diffraction analysis reveals that tat molecules adopt the thione form in the solid state, and are combined in infinite chains by symmetrically related classical intermolecular hydrogen bonds N1─H1⋅⋅⋅S1, N3─H3⋅⋅⋅N2 to give rise to R22(7) pattern in one‐dimensional chains along the b‐axis propagating along the a‐axis. Further short contacts through lone pairs of N2⋅⋅⋅S1 on the rings between the adjacent chains along the a‐axis lead to a two‐dimensional network structure. Compound 1 was characterized using infrared, 1H NMR and UV–visible spectroscopies, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and X‐ray crystallography. The crystal structure determination of 1 reveals that the Pd(II) ions are coordinated with four nitrogen atoms: three from terpy and one from tas acting as an end‐to‐end (μ‐1,4) bridging ligand. The Pd(II) ions in 1 adopt a distorted square planar geometry. The anti‐growth effect of 1 was tested on colorectal cancer (HCT‐15), non‐small‐cell lung cancer (A549), prostate cancer (PC‐3) and cervical cancer (HeLa) cell lines using sulforhodamine B viability assay. The cytotoxic effect was further confirmed using adenosine triphosphate viability assay. Compound 1 shows a promising cytotoxic activity in the diverse cancer cell models in vitro (p <0.0001).
Spectroscopic, DFT and antimicrobial activity of Zn(II), Zr(IV), Ce(IV) and U(VI) complexes of N,N‐ chelated 4,6‐bis (4‐chlorophenyl)‐2‐amino‐1,2‐dihydropyridine‐3‐carbinitrile
Authors: Sadeek S.A. , Abd El‐Hamid S.M. , Zordok W.A.
Published: June 2018

Four novel metal complexes of 4,6‐bis (4‐chlorophenyl)‐2‐amino‐1,2‐dihydropyridine‐3‐carbinitrile (H2L) with Zn(II), Zr(IV), Ce(IV) and U(VI) were synthesized. The structure was elucidated using elemental analysis, melting point, molar conductivity; spectroscopic techniques (IR, 1H NMR, UV–Vis., mass spectra) as well as thermo gravimetric analysis. The spectroscopic data proved that H2L chelated with the metal ions as a bidentate ligand through Namino and Ncarbinitrile atoms. The molecular structure of the complexes was determined using density functional theory (DFT). The central metal ion in each complex is six‐coordinate and the angles around it vary from 62.74° to 166.46°; these values agree with distorted octahedral geometry. The calculated total energy of the complexes found in the region – 406.342 to −459.717 au and the dipole moment change from 4.675 to 13.171D. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of the ligand, metal salts and complexes were estimated on some microorganisms. The complexes showed significant antibacterial profile in comparison to the free ligand.
Immobilized palladium nanoparticles on MNPs@A‐N‐AEB as an efficient catalyst for C‐O bond formation in water as a green Solvent
Authors: Moghaddam Firouz Matloubi , Eslami Mohammad
Published: June 2018

Palladium nanoparticles immobilized on the magnetic nanoparticles@2‐amino‐N‐(2‐aminoethyl) benzamide (MNPs@A‐N‐AEB.Pd0) have been presented as an efficient, and reusable magnetically heterogeneous catalyst for the C‐O coupling reaction, namely Ullmann condensation reactions in an aqueous medium. This heterogeneous catalyst shows superior reactivity for the C‐O arylation of different aryl halide (chloride, bromide, and iodide) with phenol derivatives to afford the desired products in good to excellent yields within short reaction time. Moreover, the catalyst can be easily recovered and reused for seven runs without loss of catalytic activity. The catalyst was characterized by several techniques, such as FT‐IR, SEM, TEM, EDS, XRD, TGA and ICP‐OES.
Preparation of a CaO Nanocatalyst and Its Application for Biodiesel Production Using Butea monosperma Oil: An Optimization Study
Authors: Kalanakoppal Venkatesh Yatish , Mahadevaiah Raghavendra , Haraluru Shankaraiah Lalithamba , Ramappa Suresh , Sannagoudar Basanagouda Arun
Published: June 2018

CaO nanoparticles (NP) were synthesized through solution combustion using crude glycerin (biodiesel by‐product) as the combustion fuel. The synthesized CaO NP were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), X‐ray diffractometer (XRD), temperature programmed desorption of carbon dioxide (CO2‐TPD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The CaO NP were successfully used as a catalyst for biodiesel synthesis. Response surface methodology was used to determine the optimal conditions for biodiesel production from Butea monosperma oil (BMO) using central composite design. A total of 20 experiments were designed and conducted to study the effects of the methanol to BMO molar ratio, reaction time, and catalyst loading conditions on the biodiesel yield. A yield of 96.2% of Butea monosperma methyl ester (BMME or biodiesel) was obtained under optimum conditions, namely a molar ratio (methanol to BMO) of 9:1, a reaction time of 70 min, a catalyst loading of 1.60 wt%, a constant temperature of 65 °C, and an agitation speed of 600 rpm. The fatty‐acid composition of BMO was characterized through gas chromatography. Finally, BMME was characterized using FTIR, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR, and the fuel properties of BMME were determined using the test methods of the American Society for Testing and Materials.
An efficient plasticization method for poly(lactic acid) using combination of liquid‐state and solid‐state plasticizers
Authors: Huang Haichao , Chen Lijie , Song Guolin , Tang Guoyi
Published: June 2018

A combined use of solid plasticizer [poly(ethylene glycol), PEG] with a nominal Mw of 2000 g/mol and liquid plasticizer (epoxidized soybean oil, ESO) for plasticizing poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is proposed in this study. This plasticization method brought an obvious improvement in the melting flowability of the modified PLA, which has been verified by a lower balance torque during blending and a four times increase in the melt flow index compared to neat PLA. Meanwhile, the brittleness of this glassy polymer was also improved significantly; all composites with different contents of combined plasticizers displayed an obvious yield stage and toughness fracture surfaces. The mechanisms of the plasticizing effects were investigated by polarizing optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The PLA/ESO/PEG blends formed a complex reinforcement structure. ESO existed as tiny droplets and uniformly dispersed in the PLA spherulites, and strip‐shaped PEG accumulated along the boundaries of interspherulites. The combined use of these two plasticizers, a liquid one and a solid one, had an excellent effect on plasticizing PLA, not only on melt flowability but also on mechanical properties. Thus, the application areas for PLA could be further expanded, such as melt blowing and melt extrusion. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46669.
Iron oxide induced bagasse nanoparticles for the sequestration of Cr6+ ions from tannery effluent using a modified batch reactor
Authors: Jabasingh S. Anuradha , Belachew Habtamu , Yimam Abubeker
Published: June 2018

The emphasis of the present study is to investigate the potential of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles synthesized using bagasse from sugarcane (M‐NIOB). M‐NIOB was infused onto the modified batch reactor (M‐BR) stirrers using mesh structures for the adsorption of Cr6+ contained in effluent from the leather industry. M‐NIOB exhibited supermagnetic properties under an external magnetic field with a saturation magnetization value of 9.192 emu/g at room temperature. M‐NIOB nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, vibrating sample magnetometer, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis. The size of the M‐NIOB particles ranged from 50 to 200 nm. The most favorable time, pH, and temperature for the application of M‐NIOB to Cr6+ removal from tannery effluent was found to be 180 min, 5, and 318 K, respectively. M‐NIOB adsorbent performed its best at an adsorbent dosage of 800 mg/150 mL with a particle size of 150 nm. Kinetic and thermodynamic studies have been conducted. The applicability of various adsorption models for the Cr6+ adsorption data was tested. Moreover, the desorption studies carried out at 60 °C proved the capability of M‐NIOB for regeneration and reuse. Hence, M‐NIOB could be potentially applied for the treatment of effluent that has Cr6+ as a major constituent. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46683.
Aramid pulp with physisorbed imidazolium ionic liquids for solvent‐casted enhanced styrene‐butadiene rubber composites
Authors: Demétrio da Silva Vinícius , Jacobi Marly Maldaner , Schrekker Henri Stephan , Amico Sandro Campos
Published: June 2018

Poly‐p‐phenyleneterephthalamide is a broadly used aramid for the strengthening of materials. Nevertheless, its relatively inert surface is an obstacle for obtaining composites with enhanced properties. In this work, three ionic liquids (IL) were investigated as compatibilizers in the preparation of styrene‐butadiene rubber (SBR)‐aramid pulp composites. The composites were characterized using hardness and tensile tests, swelling, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermal gravimetric analysis, and also scanning electron microscopy. Aramid pulp treated with IL showed more fibrillation than the untreated pulp. The best characteristics were found for the composite with 5 phr of aramid pulp‐1 wt % of physisorbed IL, which showed the lowest swelling degree compared to the IL‐free SBR‐aramid composite (341% and 410%, respectively) and the highest tensile strength (2.48 MPa), 340% superior to that of SBR (0.73 MPa), and 25% superior to the IL‐free SBR‐aramid composite (2.05 MPa). Confirming the potential of imidazolium IL to be used as compatibilizers in SBR‐aramid composites. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46693.
Wake Up Strong: From Terra Nullius to Recognition
Authors: Nathan Pamela
Published: June 2018

In this paper the importance of psychological recognition as a life and death matter is developed referencing the writings of psychoanalysts Winnicott and Benjamin and philosopher Hegel. I suggest that radical hope, a notion developed by Lear and radical doubt can provide a mode of story transformation from a state of mind of terra nullius to one of recognition. Staying in the “eye of the storm,” a place Bion asks us to be – a place inherent in the world of trauma – can become a holding place of lived and living emotional experience, metamorphosing raging turbulence into dynamic anchorage, dialectic potential spaces and fluid, vital, new beginnings. I show how the Men's Tjilirra Movement (MTM) embodies recognition, continuity, connections, aliveness and transformations from a world of trauma and cultural rupture.
Multifunctional Lanthanide‐Based Metal–Organic Frameworks with a Polyheterotopic Ligand: Doped with Ytterbium(III) for Luminescence Enhancement and Selective Dye Adsorption
Authors: Chen Wei , Fan Ruiqing , Wang Ping , Dong Yuwei , Yang Yulin
Published: June 2018

The chemistry of metal–organic frameworks has been progressing fast with its exciting potential in multifunctional applications. A series of three‐dimensional lanthanide‐based metal–organic frameworks, {[Ln(HTPO)(NO3)(H2O)]⋅x(CH3CN)⋅y(H2O)}n (Ln=Eu (1), Tb (2), Gd (3), Sm (4), Dy (5), Nd (6)), {[Eu(TPO)(HCOO)0.5]⋅(H3O)0.5}n (7), {[Eu(TPO)(DMF)]⋅(solv)x}n (8; DMF= N,N‐dimethylformamide), and {[Eu(TPO)(DMA)]⋅(solv)x}n (9; DMA=dimethylacetamide) were synthesized with semirigid C3‐symmetric ligand tris(4‐carboxylphenyl)phosphine oxide (H3TPO). In these frameworks, the H3TPO ligand exists in a totally different configuration. Framework 1 exhibits good breathing properties for absorbing more guest molecules through a solvent‐induced single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal (SC–SC) transformation involving a configuration transformation of the organic linker in the framework. The ytterbium ion was doped into 1 to improve the luminescent performance (lifetime and quantum yield) of the red europium emission. Among a series of Eu1−xYbxTPO samples, Eu0.88Yb0.12TPO showed enhanced luminescence intensity (≈5.1 times that of the pure europium system), and the lifetime increased from 1073.08 to 1236.57 μs. Moreover, the porosity of these frameworks allows them to efficiently adsorb dye molecules with high selectivity and efficiency.
A New Mode of Energy Transfer between Mn2+ and Eu2+ in Nitride‐Based Phosphor SrAlSi4N7 with Tunable Light and Excellent Thermal Stability
Authors: Ding Jianyan , Seto Takatoshi , Wang Yichao , Cao Yaxin , Li Hua , Wang Yuhua
Published: June 2018

In this work, reciprocal energy transfer between Mn2+ and Eu2+ ions in nitride SrAlSi4N7 has been found and investigated in detail. In contrast to Mn2+‐ and Eu2+‐activated oxide‐based phosphors, the red light centered at 608 nm is ascribed to 4f–5d transitions of Eu2+ ions and Mn2+‐activated SrAlSi4N7 emits a cyan light peaking at 500 nm. Additionally, the special broad excitation band of SrAlSi4N7:Mn2+ centered at 362 nm has been covered by that of Eu2+ ions ranging from 300 to 550 nm. The overlap of the energy level of Mn2+ and Eu2+ ions creates the conditions for reciprocal energy transfer between Eu2+ and Mn2+ ions. A series of SrAlSi4N7:0.002 Mn2+,xEu2+ (0≤x≤005) with tunable light emission have been synthesized and the decay curves of samples prove the reciprocal occurrence of the energy transfer between Mn2+ and Eu2+ ions. This mode of energy transfer not only prevents the loss of energy, but also improves the thermal stability, and the intensity of SrAlSi4N7:Mn2+,Eu2+ at 150 °C is still beyond 92 % of the initial intensity. The results provide a new mode of energy transfer, which is expected to reduce the drawbacks existing in energy transfer.
Understand DOL's latest guidance on FLSA overtime pay in higher ed
Authors: Starich Megan
Published: June 2018

Higher ed administrators need to understand the impact of a new fact sheet issued by the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor. “Fact Sheet #17S on Higher Education Institutions and Overtime Pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act” specifically addresses minimum wage and overtime exemptions for various common positions at colleges and universities.
On the Origin of the Enhanced Performance of Pt/Dendrite‐like Mn3O4 for Methanol Electrooxidation
Authors: Chi Hong Zhong , Wu Yongqiang , Xiong Qinqin , Zhang Chunxiao , Qin Haiying
Published: June 2018

The interaction between precious metal nanoparticles and the support plays an important role in improving poisoning tolerance of Pt‐based catalysts and thus maintaining their activity and stability. Here, a dendrite‐like Mn3O4 was fabricated and used as a support for Pt nanoparticles towards the methanol electrooxidation reaction. The nanoparticles were deposited chemically on surfaces of the dendritic Mn3O4, which was prepared through calcination of MnO2 hollow microspheres. The Mn3O4 support not only provided an appropriate base for the formation of nanosized and homogeneous platinum particles (about 2.6 nm in size), but also increased Pt0 binding energy owing to a strong electronic interaction. By combining the advantages of the small‐size, fine dispersion and enhanced binding energy of Pt nanoparticles, the Pt/Mn3O4 composite exhibited enhanced catalytic activity, poisoning tolerance and stability for methanol electrooxidation.
Application of Threonine Aldolases for the Asymmetric Synthesis of α‐Quaternary α‐Amino Acids
Authors: Blesl Julia , Trobe Melanie , Anderl Felix , Breinbauer Rolf , Strohmeier Gernot A. , Fesko Kateryna
Published: June 2018

We report the synthesis of diverse β‐hydroxy‐α,α‐dialkyl‐α‐amino acids with perfect stereoselectivity for the α‐quaternary center through the action of l‐ and d‐specific threonine aldolases. A wide variety of aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes were accepted by the enzymes and conversions up to >80 % were obtained. In the case of d‐selective threonine aldolase from Pseudomonas sp., generally higher diastereoselectivities were observed. The applicability of the protocol was demonstrated by performing enzymatic reactions on preparative scale. Using the d‐threonine aldolase from Pseudomonas sp., (2R,3S)‐2‐amino‐3‐(2‐fluorophenyl)‐3‐hydroxy‐2‐methylpropanoic acid was generated in preparative amounts in one step with a diastereomeric ratio >100 favoring the syn‐product. A Birch‐type reduction enabled the reductive removal of the β‐hydroxy group from (2S)‐2‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐2‐methyl‐3‐phenylpropanoic acid to generate enantiopure l‐α‐methyl‐phenylalanine via a two‐step chemo‐enzymatic transformation.
Wide‐Range Columnar and Lamellar Photoluminescent Liquid‐Crystalline Lanthanide Complexes with Mesogenic 4‐Pyridone Derivatives
Authors: Chiriac Laura F. , Pasuk Iuliana , Secu Mihail , Micutz Marin , Cîrcu Viorel
Published: June 2018

A series of liquid crystals with various lanthanide ions (EuIII, SmIII, and TbIII) was designed and prepared starting from the corresponding lanthanide nitrates and N‐alkylated 4‐pyridone derivatives bearing mesogenic 3,4,5‐tris(alkyloxy)benzyl moieties (alkyl=hexyl, octyl, decyl, dodecyl, tetradecyl, or hexadecyl). These new lanthanidomesogens were investigated for their mesogenic properties by a combination of differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy, and temperature‐dependent powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD). Their thermal stability was assessed by thermogravimetric analysis. All of these complexes show enantiotropic liquid‐crystalline behavior with lamellar (SmA) phases in the case of shorter‐chain complexes (C6 and C8) or hexagonal columnar phases (Colh) for complexes with longer alkyl chains (C12, C14, and C16), which were assigned on the basis of their characteristic textures and XRD studies. For complexes with an intermediate number of carbon atoms in the side chains (C10), both a lamellar phase at lower temperatures and a Colh phase at higher temperatures were evidenced. In the solid state, all these complexes show characteristic emissions assigned to the corresponding lanthanide ion. In addition, the luminescence decay curves showed single‐exponential decays with characteristic times in the millisecond range (0.75–0.90 ms for EuIII, 0.045–0.060 ms for SmIII, and 0.75–1.05 ms for TbIII).
Novel natural manganese ore NH3‐SCR catalyst with superior alkaline resistance performance at a low temperature
Authors: Zhu Baozhong , Yin Shoulai , Sun Yunlan , Ge Tingting , Zi Zhaohui , Li Guobo , Li Jiaxin
Published: June 2018

Potassium nitrate (KNO3) was chosen as the precursor to prepare the K‐poisoned catalysts on natural manganese ore using the impregnation method. The results demonstrate that the natural manganese ore catalyst possesses superior alkaline resistance performance with a high NOx conversion for NH3‐SCR of NOx at a low temperature. There are two factors responsible for the alkaline resistance performance. Firstly, the NH3 adsorption capacity (more acid sites) of K‐poisoned catalysts is stronger than that of fresh catalyst, which is beneficial for the NOx conversion. Secondly, the K‐poisoned catalyst has a smaller specific surface area, lower concentrations of Fe3+, Mn4+, and Oα, and lower reducibility, which leads to an inhibition effect on the NOx conversion. There exists a competition mechanism between the promotional and inhibition effect on the NOx conversion. The combination of these two effects leads to natural manganese ore exhibiting a superior alkaline resistance performance.
Scope and Mechanism on Iridium‐f‐Amphamide Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Ketones
Authors: Liang Zhiqin , Yang Tilong , Gu Guoxian , Dang Li , Zhang Xumu
Published: June 2018

A series of novel and easily accessed ferrocene‐based amino‐phosphine‐sulfonamide (f‐Amphamide) ligands have been developed and applied in Ir‐catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of aryl ketones, affording the corresponding chiral secondary alcohols with excellent results (up to >99% conversion, >99% ee and TON up to 200 000). DFT calculations suggest an activating model involving an alkali cation Li+.
Building up 1‐D, 2‐D, and 3‐D Polyiodide Frameworks by Finely Tuning the Size of Aryls on Ar‐S‐TTF in the Charge‐Transfer (CT) Complexes of Ar‐S‐TTFs and Iodine
Authors: Ma Longfei , Peng Haili , Lu Xiaofeng , Liu Lei , Shao Xiangfeng
Published: June 2018

The arylthio‐substituted tetrathiafulvalenes (Ar‐S‐TTFs) are electron donors having three reversible states, neutral, cation radical, and dication. The charge‐transfer (CT) between Ar‐S‐TTFs (TTF1—TTF3) and iodine (I2) is reported herein. TTF1—TTF3 show the CT with I2 in the CH2Cl2 solution, but they are not completely converted into cation radical state. In CT complexes of TTF1—TTF3 with I2, the charged states of Ar‐S‐TTFs are distinct from those in solution. TTF1 is at cation radical state, and TTF2—TTF3 are oxidized to dication. The iodine components in complexes show various structures including 1‐D chain of V‐shaped (I5)–, and 2‐D and 3‐D iodine networks composed of I2 and (I3)–.
Characterizing Protein Kinase Substrate Specificity Using the Proteomic Peptide Library (ProPeL) Approach
Authors: Lubner Joshua M. , Balsbaugh Jeremy L. , Church George M. , Chou Michael F. , Schwartz Daniel
Published: June 2018

Characterizing protein kinase substrate specificity motifs represents a powerful step in elucidating kinase‐signaling cascades. The protocol described here uses a bacterial system to evaluate kinase specificity motifs in vivo, without the need for radioactive ATP. The human kinase of interest is cloned into a heterologous bacterial expression vector and allowed to phosphorylate E. coli proteins in vivo, consistent with its endogenous substrate preferences. The cells are lysed, and the bacterial proteins are digested into peptides and phosphoenriched using bulk TiO2. The pooled phosphopeptides are identified by tandem mass spectrometry, and bioinformatically analyzed using the pLogo visualization tool. The ProPeL approach allows for detailed characterization of wildtype kinase specificity motifs, identification of specificity drift due to kinase mutations, and evaluation of kinase residue structure‐function relationships. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Modern Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy
Authors: Bayguinov Peter O. , Oakley Dennis M. , Shih Chien‐Cheng , Geanon Daniel J. , Joens Matthew S. , Fitzpatrick James A. J.
Published: June 2018

Since its commercialization in the late 1980's, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) has since become one of the most prevalent fluorescence microscopy techniques for three‐dimensional structural studies of biological cells and tissues. The flexibility of the approach has enabled its application in a diverse array of studies, from the fast imaging of dynamic processes in living cells, to meticulous morphological analyses of tissues, and co‐localization of protein expression patterns. In this chapter, we introduce the principles of confocal microscopy and discuss how the approach has become a mainstay in the biological sciences. We describe the components of a CLSM system and assess how modern implementations of the approach have further expanded the use of the technique. Finally, we briefly outline some practical considerations to take into account when acquiring data using a CLSM system. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Direct Correlation between Adsorption Energetics and Nuclear Spin Relaxation in a Liquid‐saturated Catalyst Material
Authors: Robinson Neil , Robertson Christopher , Gladden Lynn F. , Jenkins Stephen J. , D'Agostino Carmine
Published: June 2018

The ratio of NMR relaxation time constants
provides a non‐destructive indication of the relative surface affinities exhibited by adsorbates within liquid‐saturated mesoporous catalysts. In the present work we provide supporting evidence for the existence of a quantitative relationship between such measurements and adsorption energetics. As a prototypical example with relevance to green chemical processes we examine and contrast the relaxation characteristics of primary alcohols and cyclohexane within an industrial silica catalyst support.
values obtained at intermediate magnetic field strength are in good agreement with DFT adsorption energy calculations performed on single molecules interacting with an idealised silica surface. Our results demonstrate the remarkable ability of this metric to quantify surface affinities within systems of relevance to liquid‐phase heterogeneous catalysis, and highlight NMR relaxation as a powerful method for the determination of adsorption phenomena within mesoporous solids.
Analysis and Transformations of Room‐Temperature Liquid Metal Interfaces – A Closer Look through Interfacial Tension
Authors: Handschuh‐Wang Stephan , Chen Yuzhen , Zhu Lifei , Zhou Xuechang
Published: June 2018

The front cover artwork is provided by the group of Prof. Xuechang Zhou at Shenzhen University. The image shows the chemical modification of Galinstan droplets by oxygen and water molecules as well as oxonium and hydroxide ions, which was analyzed by pendant drop tensiometry. Read the full text of the Article at 10.1002/cphc.201800129.
Assessing Healthspan and Lifespan Measures in Aging Mice: Optimization of Testing Protocols, Replicability, and Rater Reliability
Authors: Sukoff Rizzo Stacey J. , Anderson Laura C. , Green Torrian L. , McGarr Tracy , Wells Gaylynn , Winter Shawn S.
Published: June 2018

The relationship between chronological age (lifespan) and biological age (healthspan) varies amongst individuals. Understanding the normal trajectory and characteristic traits of aging mice throughout their lifespan is important for selecting the most reliable and reproducible measures to test hypotheses. The protocols herein describe assays used for aging studies at The Jackson Laboratory's Mouse Neurobehavioral Phenotyping Facility and include assessments of frailty, cognition, and sensory (hearing, vision, olfaction), motor, and fine motor function that can be used for assessing phenotypes in aged mice across their lifespan as well as provide guidance for setting up and validating these behavioral measures. Researchers aiming to study aging phenotypes require access to aged mice as a reference when initiating these types of studies in order to observe normal aging characteristics that cannot be observed in young adult mouse populations. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring in Oncology: International Association of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and Clinical Toxicology Recommendations for 5‐Fluorouracil Therapy
Authors: Beumer Jan H. , Chu Edward , Allegra Carmen , Tanigawara Yusuke , Milano Gerard , Diasio Robert , Kim Tae Won , Mathijssen Ron H. , Zhang Li , Arnold Dirk , Muneoka Katsuki , Boku Narikazu , Joerger Markus
Published: June 2018

5‐Fluorouracil (5‐FU) is dosed by body surface area, a practice unable to reduce the interindividual variability in exposure. Endorsed by the International Association of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and Clinical Toxicology (IATDMCT), we evaluated clinical evidence and strongly recommend TDM for the management of 5‐FU therapy in patients with colorectal or head‐and‐neck cancer receiving common 5‐FU regimens. Our systematic methodology provides a framework to evaluate published evidence in support of TDM recommendations in oncology.
Towards Sustainable High‐Performance Thermoplastics: Synthesis, Characterization, and Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Bisguaiacol‐Based Polyesters
Authors: Curia Silvio , Biundo Antonino , Fischer Isabel , Braunschmid Verena , Gübitz Georg M. , Stanzione Joseph F.
Published: June 2018

The utilization of wood‐derived building blocks (xylochemicals) to replace fossil‐based precursors is an attractive research subject of modern polymer science. Here, we demonstrate that bisguaiacol (BG), a lignin‐derived bisphenol analogue, can be used to prepare biobased polyesters with remarkable thermal properties. BG was treated with different activated diacids to investigate the effect of co‐monomer structures on the physical properties of the products. Namely, derivatives of adipic acid, succinic acid, and 2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid were used. Moreover, a terephthalic acid derivative was used for comparison purposes. The products were characterized by1H NMR spectroscopy, attenuated total reflectance FTIR spectroscopy, gel‐permeation chromatography, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry to assess their structural and thermal properties in detail. The polymers showed glass‐transition temperatures ranging up to 160 °C and thermal stabilities in excess of 300 °C. Furthermore, the susceptibility of the polyester to enzymatic hydrolysis was investigated to assess the potential for further surface functionalization and/or recycling and biodegradation. Indeed, hydrolysis with two different enzymes from the bacteriaThermobifida cellulosilyticaled to the release of monomers, as quantified by HPLC. The results of this study indicate that our new polyesters represent promising renewable and biodegradable alternatives to petroleum‐based polyesters currently employed in the plastics industry, specifically for applications in which high‐temperature stability is essential to ensure overall system integrity.
Intraspinal serotonergic signaling suppresses locomotor activity in larval zebrafish
Authors: Montgomery Jacob E. , Wahlstrom‐Helgren Sarah , Wiggin Timothy D. , Corwin Brittany M. , Lillesaar Christina , Masino Mark A.
Published: June 2018

Serotonin (5HT) is a modulator of many vital processes in the spinal cord (SC), such as production of locomotion. In the larval zebrafish, intraspinal serotonergic neurons (ISNs) are a source of spinal 5HT that, despite the availability of numerous genetic and optical tools, has not yet been directly shown to affect the spinal locomotor network. In order to better understand the functions of ISNs, we used a combination of strategies to investigate ISN development, morphology, and function. ISNs were optically isolated from one another by photoconverting Kaede fluorescent protein in individual cells, permitting morphometric analysis as they developed in vivo. ISN neurite lengths and projection distances exhibited the greatest amount of change between 3 and 4 days post‐fertilization (dpf) and appeared to stabilize by 5 dpf. Overall ISN innervation patterns were similar between cells and between SC regions. ISNs possessed rostrally‐extending neurites resembling dendrites and a caudally‐extending neurite resembling an axon, which terminated with an enlarged growth cone‐like structure. Interestingly, these enlargements remained even after neurite extension had ceased. Functionally, application of exogenous 5HT reduced spinally‐produced motor nerve bursting. A selective 5HT reuptake inhibitor and ISN activation with channelrhodopsin‐2 each produced similar effects to 5HT, indicating that spinally‐intrinsic 5HT originating from the ISNs has an inhibitory effect on the spinal locomotor network. Taken together this suggests that the ISNs are morphologically mature by 5 dpf and supports their involvement in modulating the activity of the spinal locomotor network. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2018
Calcium rises induced by AMPA and nicotine receptors in the ventral tegmental area show differences in mouse brain slices prenatally exposed to nicotine
Authors: Ipsen Theis H. , Polli Filip S. , Kohlmeier Kristi A.
Published: June 2018

Nicotine exposure during gestation is associated with a higher risk of adverse behavioral outcomes including a heightened liability for dependency to drugs of abuse, which can exhibit drug‐specificity influenced by gender. This enhanced liability suggests that nicotine use during pregnancy alters neural development in circuits involved in motivation and reward‐based learning. The ventral tegmental area (VTA) is critical in motivated behaviors and we hypothesized that gestational exposure to nicotine alters the development of excitatory circuits in this nucleus. Accordingly, in VTA brain slices from male and female mice exposed to nicotine during the prenatal period (PNE) and controls, we compared cellular rises in calcium induced by AMPA receptor and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) stimulation by use of the ratiometric calcium binding dye, Fura‐2AM. We found that AMPA induced smaller amplitude calcium rises in the PNE VTA, which was an effect only detected in males. Further, while the amplitude did not vary between treatment and control in females, a greater number of cells responded with rises in calcium in the PNE. Conversely, the proportions of cells responding with calcium rises induced by nAChR stimulation did not change in either gender according to treatment. However, larger rises in calcium in PNE females were detected. When taken together our data show that excitatory signaling in the VTA is altered in a gender‐specific manner by PNE and suggest that alterations in signaling could play a role in drug‐specific differences in maladaptive, motivated behaviors exhibited by males and females born to mothers exposed to nicotine during pregnancy. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 2018
Assessment of ethyl sulphate in hair as a marker for alcohol consumption using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Cappelle Delphine , Lai Foon Yin , Covaci Adrian , Vermassen Annemie , Crunelle Cleo L. , Neels Hugo , van Nuijs Alexander L.N.
Published: June 2018

Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl sulphate (EtS) are 2 non‐oxidative and direct metabolites of ethanol. EtG is known to accumulate in hair and has proved to be a reliable biomarker for detection of chronic alcohol consumption. EtS has been analysed in blood and urine but has never been reported in hair. This article presents the first analytical assay based on liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry for the quantification of EtS in hair. Sample preparation, chromatographic, and mass spectrometric parameters, such as solid‐phase extraction, column type, and transitions were optimised. The method was validated according to the guidelines of the European Medicine Agency, fulfilling the requirements for limit of quantification (LOQ), linearity, accuracy, precision, carry‐over, matrix effects, and recovery. Linearity ranged from 5 to 500 pg mg−1 and the LOQ was achieved at 5 pg mg−1. The novel method was successfully applied to hair samples (n = 40) from patients treated for alcohol use disorders. EtS concentrations in hair ranged from 24 to 1776 pg mg−1, while EtG concentrations in hair ranged from 1 to 1149 pg mg−1. Hair concentrations of EtS and EtG were compared to assess the relationship between both biomarkers. There was a significant and positive correlation between EtS and EtG in hair, suggesting that EtS can be used as a biomarker for alcohol consumption. Relatively high basal EtS levels were observed in alcohol‐abstinent persons, comparable to what has been reported for EtG. The developed analytical procedure offers an alternative method to prove alcohol consumption using hair analysis.
Assessing historical and projected carbon balance of Alaska: A synthesis of results and policy/management implications
Authors: McGuire A. David , Genet Hélène , Lyu Zhou , Pastick Neal , Stackpoole Sarah , Birdsey Richard , D'Amore David , He Yujie , Rupp T. Scott , Striegl Robert , Wylie Bruce K. , Zhou Xiaoping , Zhuang Qianlai , Zhu Zhiliang
Published: June 2018

We summarize the results of a recent interagency assessment of land carbon dynamics in Alaska, in which carbon dynamics were estimated for all major terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems for the historical period (1950–2009) and a projection period (2010–2099). Between 1950 and 2009, upland and wetland (i.e., terrestrial) ecosystems of the state gained 0.4 Tg C/yr (0.1% of net primary production,NPP), resulting in a cumulative greenhouse gas radiative forcing of 1.68 × 10−3 W/m2. The change in carbon storage is spatially variable with the region of the Northwest Boreal Landscape Conservation Cooperative (LCC) losing carbon because of fire disturbance. The combined carbon transport via various pathways through inland aquatic ecosystems of Alaska was estimated to be 41.3 Tg C/yr (17% of terrestrialNPP). During the projection period (2010–2099), carbon storage of terrestrial ecosystems of Alaska was projected to increase (22.5–70.0 Tg C/yr), primarily because ofNPPincreases of 10–30% associated with responses to rising atmosphericCO2, increased nitrogen cycling, and longer growing seasons. Although carbon emissions to the atmosphere from wildfire and wetlandCH4were projected to increase for all of the climate projections, the increases inNPPmore than compensated for those losses at the statewide level. Carbon dynamics of terrestrial ecosystems continue to warm the climate for four of the six future projections and cool the climate for only one of the projections. The attribution analyses we conducted indicated that the response ofNPPin terrestrial ecosystems to rising atmosphericCO2(~5% per 100 ppmvCO2) saturates asCO2increases (between approximately +150 and +450 ppmv among projections). This response, along with the expectation that permafrost thaw would be much greater and release large quantities of permafrost carbon after 2100, suggests that projected carbon gains in terrestrial ecosystems of Alaska may not be sustained. From a national perspective, inclusion of all of Alaska in greenhouse gas inventory reports would ensure better accounting of the overall greenhouse gas balance of the nation and provide a foundation for considering mitigation activities in areas that are accessible enough to support substantive deployment.
More than the sum of its parts: how disturbance interactions shape forest dynamics under climate change
Authors: Lucash Melissa S. , Scheller Robert M. , Sturtevant Brian R. , Gustafson Eric J. , Kretchun Alec M. , Foster Jane R.
Published: June 2018

Interactions among disturbances are seldom quantified, and how they will be affected by climate change is even more uncertain. In this study, we sought to better understand how interactions among disturbances shift under climate change by applying a process‐based landscape disturbance and succession model (LANDIS‐II) to project disturbance regimes under climate change in north‐central Minnesota, USA. Specifically, we (1) contrasted mortality rates and the extent of disturbance for four individual (single) disturbance regimes (fire, insects, wind, or forest management) vs. all four disturbance regimes operating simultaneously (concurrent) under multiple climate change scenarios and (2) determined how climate change interacts with single and concurrent disturbance regimes to affect carbon stocks and forest composition. Under single disturbance regimes, we found that climate change amplifies mortality, but did not substantially change the overall extent of disturbances. Tree mortality under the concurrent disturbance regime scenario was less than the sum of all single disturbance regimes, providing evidence of significant negative feedbacks among disturbances, particularly under climate change. Finally, we found that climate change was the most critical driver of area harvested (via shifts in species composition), soil carbon, species composition, and diversity, while the disturbance regime (i.e., single or concurrent) had a larger influence on aboveground carbon and the relative dominance of conifers vs. hardwoods. In conclusion, our simulations suggest that disturbance interactions will be strongly mediated by climate change and will produce increasingly negative feedbacks, preventing worst‐case disturbance outcomes. Our results underscore the importance of running simulations with multiple disturbances on the landscape concurrently rather than focusing on any one or two disturbances.
Episodic disturbances drive nutrient dynamics along freshwater‐to‐estuary gradients in a subtropical wetland
Authors: Davis Stephen E. , Boucek Ross , Castañeda‐Moya Edward , Dessu Shimelis , Gaiser Evelyn , Kominoski John , Sah Jay P. , Surratt Donatto , Troxler Tiffany
Published: June 2018

Wetlands are biogeochemically active ecosystems where primary production and respiration interact with physico‐chemical conditions to influence nutrient availability across spatio‐temporal scales. The effect of episodic disturbances on water quality dynamics within wetlands is relatively unknown, especially in large oligotrophic wetlands such as the Everglades. We describe a range of episodic disturbance events and their impacts on the spatio‐temporal dynamics of surface water total N (TN) and total P (TP) concentrations in the Everglades as a means to understand their effect and legacies. Water quality monitoring along the two principal drainages—Taylor Slough (TS) and Shark River Slough (SRS)—has been ongoing since 2000, spanning myriad disturbances ranging from high‐energy storms such as Hurricane Wilma in 2005 to a record cold event in 2010 and large fires. Local events include pulsed rainfall, low marsh stage, and stage recession and recovery (i.e., droughts and subsequent dry‐to‐wet transitions). The deposition of marine‐derived sediment from Hurricane Wilma corresponded with a doubling of TP in SRS mangrove sites (from 0.39 to 0.84 μmol/L) before recovering to pre‐disturbance mean after 5–6 yr. A brief increase in TP within one week of the 2010 cold event was followed by delayed spikes in TN (>1000 μmol/L) and TN:TP exceeding 5000 after one month. In 2008, a large fire in upper SRS prior to the wet season caused a lagged TP pulse at downstream locations SRS2, SRS3, and possibly SRS4. TP also varied negatively with depth/stage in marsh sites and positively with salinity in estuarine sites, reflecting physical concentration or dilution effects. In upper TS, TP varied according to extremes such as high rainfall and low stage relative to normal conditions. Although excess P in the Everglades is generally derived from anthropogenic upland or natural marine sources, episodic disturbance mobilizes internal sources of nutrients along an Everglades freshwater‐to‐estuary continuum, affecting water quality from days to years depending on disturbance type and intensity. The capacity for resilience is high in coastal wetland ecosystems that are exposed to high‐energy tropical storms and other episodic events, even in the highly managed Florida Everglades.
Low‐Symmetry Phthalocyanine Cobalt Bis(dicarbollide) Conjugate for Hydrogen Reduction
Authors: Nar Ilgın , Atsay Armağan , Gümrükçü Selin , Karazehir Tolga , Hamuryudan Esin
Published: June 2018

The synthesis and characterization of two new A3B type unsymmetrical zinc phthalocyanines, one bearing a hydroxyl group and the other bearing a cobalt bis(dicarbollide) unit, are reported here. The introduction of diethylaminophenoxy moieties to the phthalocyanine fragments yields outstanding solubilities in organic solvents, as well as providing electropolymerization on the surface of the electrode. These modified electrodes are found to be effective for the electrocatalytic reduction of hydrogen ions in acidic media. The enhanced hydrogen‐evolution reaction (HER) performance for the bis(dicarballide)‐functionalized phthalocyanine‐modified electrode can be simultaneously observed. This is attributed to its redox‐active metal center of cobalt bis(dicarbollide), creating a synergistic effect, to facilitate many more electrocatalytic active sites, resulting in improved HER performance. The catalyst shows an onset potential of 163 mV at a current density of 8.79 µA cm–2, and a Tafel slope as low as 28 mV dec–1.