bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Viromimetic STING Agonist‐Loaded Hollow Polymeric Nanoparticles for Safe and Effective Vaccination against Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
Authors: Lin Leon Chien‐Wei , Huang Chen‐Yu , Yao Bing‐Yu , Lin Jung‐Chen , Agrawal Anurodh , Algaissi Abdullah , Peng Bi‐Hung , Liu Yu‐Han , Huang Ping‐Han , Juang Rong‐Huay , Chang Yuan‐Chih , Tseng Chien‐Te , Chen Hui‐Wen , Hu Che‐Ming Jack
Published: April 2019

The continued threat of emerging, highly lethal infectious pathogens such as Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS‐CoV) calls for the development of novel vaccine technology that offers safe and effective prophylactic measures. Here, a novel nanoparticle vaccine is developed to deliver subunit viral antigens and STING agonists in a virus‐like fashion. STING agonists are first encapsulated into capsid‐like hollow polymeric nanoparticles, which show multiple favorable attributes, including a pH‐responsive release profile, prominent local immune activation, and reduced systemic reactogenicity. Upon subsequent antigen conjugation, the nanoparticles carry morphological semblance to native virions and facilitate codelivery of antigens and STING agonists to draining lymph nodes and immune cells for immune potentiation. Nanoparticle vaccine effectiveness is supported by the elicitation of potent neutralization antibody and antigen‐specific T cell responses in mice immunized with a MERS‐CoV nanoparticle vaccine candidate. Using a MERS‐CoV‐permissive transgenic mouse model, it is shown that mice immunized with this nanoparticle‐based MERS‐CoV vaccine are protected against a lethal challenge of MERS‐CoV without triggering undesirable eosinophilic immunopathology. Together, the biocompatible hollow nanoparticle described herein provides an excellent strategy for delivering both subunit vaccine candidates and novel adjuvants, enabling accelerated development of effective and safe vaccines against emerging viral pathogens.
Biodegradable Nanoparticles of Polyacrylic Acid–Stabilized Amorphous CaCO3 for Tunable pH‐Responsive Drug Delivery and Enhanced Tumor Inhibition
Authors: Xu Chengyuan , Yan Yunfeng , Tan Jinchao , Yang Dahai , Jia Xianjing , Wang Lu , Xu Yisheng , Cao Song , Sun Shengtong
Published: April 2019

Inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) are promising drug delivery carriers owing to their high drug loading efficiency, scalable preparation, facile functionalization, and chemical/thermal stability. However, the clinical translation of inorganic nanocarriers is often hindered by their poor biodegradability and lack of controlled pH response. Herein, a fully degradable and pH‐responsive DOX@ACC/PAA NP (pH 7.4–5.6) is developed by encapsulating doxorubicin (DOX) in poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) stabilized amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) NPs. The DOX‐loaded NPs have small sizes (62 ± 10 nm), good serum stability, high drug encapsulation efficiency (>80%), and loading capacity (>9%). By doping proper amounts of Sr2+ or Mg2+, the drug release of NPs can be further modulated to higher pH responsive ranges (pH 7.7–6.0), which enables drug delivery to the specific cell domains of tissues with a less acidic microenvironment. Tumor inhibition and lower drug acute toxicity are further confirmed via intracellular uptake tests and zebrafish models, and the particles also improve pharmacokinetics and drug accumulation in mouse xenograft tumors, leading to enhanced suppression of tumor growth. Owing to the excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and tunable drug release behavior, the present hybrid nanocarrier may find broad applications in tumor therapy.
Short‐Chain Ligand‐Passivated Stable α‐CsPbI3 Quantum Dot for All‐Inorganic Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Chen Keqiang , Zhong Qiaohui , Chen Wen , Sang Binghua , Wang Yingwei , Yang Tingqiang , Liu Yueli , Zhang Yupeng , Zhang Han
Published: April 2019

Cubic phase CsPbI3 (α‐CsPbI3) perovskite quantum dots (QDs) have received extensive attention due to their all‐inorganic composition and suitable band gap (1.73 eV). However, α‐CsPbI3 QDs might convert to δ‐CsPbI3 (orthorhombic phase with indirect band gap of 2.82 eV) due to easy loss of surface ligands. In addition, commonly used long‐chain ligands (oleic acid, OA, and oleylamine, OLA) hinder efficient charge transport in optoelectronic devices. In order to relieve these drawbacks, OA, OLA, octanoic acid, and octylamine are used as capping ligands for synthesizing high‐quality α‐CsPbI3 QDs. The results indicate that these QDs exhibit excellent optical properties and long‐term stability compared to QDs capped only with OA and OLA. Moreover, QDs with shorter ligands exhibit an enhanced charge transport rate, which improves the power conversion efficiency of photovoltaic devices from 7.76% to 11.87%.
Genetically Encoded, Functional Single‐Strand RNA Origami: Anticoagulant
Authors: Krissanaprasit Abhichart , Key Carson , Fergione Michael , Froehlich Kristen , Pontula Sahil , Hart Matthew , Carriel Pedro , Kjems Jørgen , Andersen Ebbe Sloth , LaBean Thomas H.
Published: April 2019

Nucleic acid aptamers selected for thrombin binding have been previously shown to possess anticoagulant activity; however, problems with rapid renal clearance and short circulation half‐life have prevented translation to clinical usefulness. Here, a family of self‐folding, functional RNA origami molecules bearing multiple thrombin‐binding RNA aptamers and showing significantly improved anticoagulant activity is described. These constructs may overcome earlier problems preventing clinical use of nucleic acid anticoagulants. RNA origami structures are designed in silico and produced by in vitro transcription from DNA templates. Incorporation of 2'‐fluoro‐modified C‐ and U‐nucleotides is shown to increase nuclease resistance and stability during long‐term storage. Specific binding to human thrombin as well as high stability in the presence of RNase A and in human plasma, comparatively more stable than DNA is demonstrated. The RNA origami constructs show anticoagulant activity sevenfold greater than free aptamer and higher than previous DNA weave tiles decorated with DNA aptamers. Anticoagulation activity is maintained after at least 3 months of storage in buffer at 4 °C. Additionally, inhibition of thrombin is shown to be reversed by addition of single‐stranded DNA antidotes. This project paves the way for development of RNA origami for potential therapeutic applications especially as a safer surgical anticoagulant.
Direct In Situ Observation of the Early‐Stage Disorder–Order Evolution of Perpendicular Lamellae in Thermally Annealed High‐χ Block Copolymer Thin Films
Authors: Chandra Alvin , Nakatani Ryuichi , Uchiyama Takumi , Seino Yuriko , Sato Hironobu , Kasahara Yusuke , Azuma Tsukasa , Hayakawa Teruaki
Published: April 2019

The evolution of well‐ordered, sub‐10 nm, perpendicular lamellae from a disordered state is documented directly using in situ atomic force microscopy, cross‐sectional scanning electron microscopy, and grazing‐incidence small angle X‐ray scattering. Since block copolymer (BCP) self‐assembly occurs on extremely fast time scales, directly imaging the growth of perpendicular lamellae remains challenging. The lack of understanding behind early‐stage self‐assembly and how metastable defects can affect the kinetic behavior near thermodynamic equilibrium prevents the realization of defect‐free thin films. By characterizing the evolution of nanostructures using a high‐χ, perpendicular lamella‐forming BCP, poly(polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane)‐block‐poly(2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl methacrylate), over a wide temperature range, three stages in the evolution of perpendicular lamellae, characterized mainly by the root‐mean‐squared (rms) roughness, is observed. At temperatures lower than the glass transition temperatures (Tg), the film retains a smooth, disordered surface (rms roughness = 0.352 ± 0.006 nm), characteristic of spin‐coated films. Near the Tg, spinodal decomposition and the appearance of lamellae are detected as the rms roughness increases at 70 °C, before peaking at 82 °C at 0.83 nm, and decaying rapidly with increasing temperatures. Above the Tg, the rms roughness returns to 0.35 ± 0.03 nm, as defects are observed to annihilate sequentially.
Smart‐Sensing Polymer Coatings with Autonomously Reporting Corrosion Dynamics of Self‐Healing Systems
Authors: Wang Jun‐Peng , Song Xiaoke , Wang Jun‐Kuo , Cui Xurui , Zhou Qiong , Qi Tao , Li Guo Liang
Published: April 2019

Inspired by biological systems, self‐healing coatings have been fabricated to protect metals against corrosion. However, in situ monitoring of the corrosion dynamics for various self‐healing strategies generally remains a big challenge due to different working mechanisms. In the present work, a universal intelligent‐sensing coating (SC) system containing pH‐responsive polymer microspheres with a color probe is developed. When corrosion occurs in the self‐healing system, the color around cracks turns pink gradually over time owing to the increased pH value. For the high‐performance self‐healing coatings, the onset and propagation of corrosion is suppressed, thereby leading to a narrow light‐pink‐color area. With this smart SC approach, the corrosion dynamics is established for three self‐healing strategies by the correlation between the width of color lines with time. The anticorrosion ability in 48 h for the three extrinsic self‐healing strategies are evaluated; that is, the SC with benzotriazole‐loaded poly(divinylbenzene)‐graft‐poly(divinylbenzene‐co‐acrylic acid) microspheres (PDVB‐graft‐P(DVB‐co‐AA)‐BTA) is superior to that with BTA‐loaded halloysite (Halloysite‐BTA), which surpasses that with polyurethane/poly(urea‐formaldehyde) microcapsules filled with isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI@PU/PUF). These results are consistent with electrochemical experiments. This smart‐sensing coating system can be a promising alternative for the in situ investigation of the anticorrosion performance of various self‐healing anticorrosion strategies.
Recent Advances in Graphene Homogeneous p–n Junction for Optoelectronics
Authors: Tian Pin , Tang Libin , Teng Kar Seng , Xiang Jinzhong , Lau Shu Ping
Published: April 2019

Graphene has been widely used as electrodes and active layers in optoelectronics due to its diverse excellent performances, such as high mobility, large thermal conductivity, and high specific surface area. Methodology for constructing p–n junction has become an important consideration in improving the performance of optoelectronic devices and broadening of its application in related fields. Currently, graphene‐based p–n junctions have been explored and different structures have also been investigated. Herein, the recent progress on graphene homogeneous p–n junction is summarized, ranging from preparation of front‐end materials (e.g., p‐ and n‐type graphene) to building of planar and vertical p–n junctions. Furthermore, p–n junction via electrical modulation is described. The requirements for building the graphene homogeneous p–n junction, and the advantages and drawbacks of the different structures of the p–n junction are also discussed. Finally, a preferential technique to fabricate high performance p‐ and n‐type graphene and building of the p–n junction is evaluated. This paper therefore provides an important indication on the future direction on the application of graphene in optoelectronics.
Dielectric Broadband Metasurfaces for Fiber Mode‐Multiplexed Communications
Authors: Nazemosadat Elham , Mazur Mikael , Kruk Sergey , Kravchenko Ivan , Carpenter Joel , Schröder Jochen , Andrekson Peter A. , Karlsson Magnus , Kivshar Yuri
Published: April 2019

A subwavelength‐thick spatial‐mode multiplexer based on a highly transparent all‐dielectric Mie‐resonant metasurface is demonstrated with a broadband response covering major optical communication wavelength bands. The metasurface is employed to convert simultaneously each orthogonal polarization of LP01 inputs into individual higher‐order TM01 and TE01 vectorial modes, without the need of a polarization diversity setup. This is not feasible using current mode multiplexing approaches. An LP01 polarization‐multiplexed 51 × 64 quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) superchannel, with a 10.3 bits s−1 Hz−1 spectral‐efficiency and total bit‐rate of 13.2 Tb s−1, is converted to higher‐order modes with the metasurface multiplexer, and then mode‐multiplexed data is transmitted over a multimode fiber. The results demonstrate the potential application of these metadevice‐based mode multiplexers in space‐division multiplexed systems.
Phase‐Change‐Material‐Based Low‐Loss Visible‐Frequency Hyperbolic Metamaterials for Ultrasensitive Label‐Free Biosensing
Authors: Sreekanth Kandammathe Valiyaveedu , Ouyang Qingling , Sreejith Sivaramapanicker , Zeng Shuwen , Lishu Wu , Ilker Efe , Dong Weiling , ElKabbash Mohamed , Ting Yu , Lim Chwee Teck , Hinczewski Michael , Strangi Giuseppe , Yong Ken‐Tye , Simpson Robert E. , Singh Ranjan
Published: April 2019

Hyperbolic metamaterials (HMMs) have emerged as a burgeoning field of research over the past few years as their dispersion can be easily engineered in different spectral regions using various material combinations. Even though HMMs have comparatively low optical loss due to a single resonance, the noble‐metal‐based HMMs are limited by their strong energy dissipation in metallic layers at visible frequencies. Here, the fabrication of noble‐metal‐free reconfigurable HMMs for visible photonic applications is experimentally demonstrated. The low‐loss and active HMMs are realized by combining titanium nitride (TiN) and stibnite (Sb2S3) as the phase change material. A reconfigurable plasmonic biosensor platform based on active Sb2S3–TiN HMMs is proposed, and it is shown that significant improvement in sensitivity is possible for small molecule detection at low concentrations. In addition, a plasmonic apta‐biosensor based on a hybrid platform of graphene and Sb2S3–TiN HMM is developed and the detection and real‐time binding of thrombin concentration as low as 1 × 10−15 m are demonstrated. A biosensor operating in the visible range has several advantages including the availability of sources and detectors in this region, and ease of operation particularly for point‐of‐care applications.
Distortion correction and characteristics measurement of circumferential liquid film based on PLIF
Authors: Xue Ting , Li Chenyang , Wu Bin
Published: April 2019

For its advantages of noninvasion and high temporal–spatial resolution, planar laser‐induced fluorescence (PLIF) is increasingly applied to measure the liquid film near axial flow. However, the circumferential distribution characteristics of liquid film, which are significant for heat and mass transfer process, cannot be measured briefly by the axial imaging. Because of the refractive index difference of the gas and liquid as well as the circular pipe, circumferential observation suffers distortion inevitably. In this paper, PLIF is developed to measure the circumferential film with a virtual dual‐view vision sensor, besides, the distortion model is established and a new distortion correction method is proposed. The effective view of circumferential liquid film is extended to 260°. Characteristics of vertical falling film are measured under different Reynolds numbers. Compared with the classical prediction models, the experimental results show the proposed method is capable for measuring circumferential film and the distribution characteristics conveniently and reliably.
Treatment with direct‐acting antiviral agents is associated with increased platelet count in patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Hsu Wei‐Fan , Peng Cheng‐Yuan , Su Wen‐Pang , Lai Hsueh‐Chou , Lin Chia‐Hsin , Chuang Po‐Heng , Chen Sheng‐Hung , Chen Hung‐Yao , Wang Hung‐Wei , Huang Guan‐Tarn
Published: April 2019

Platelet count correlates with the liver fibrosis stage of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Patients with CHC exhibit improvement in platelet count after achieving a sustained virological response (SVR) to peg‐interferon and ribavirin (RBV) therapy. The temporal effect of direct‐acting antiviral agents (DAAs) on platelet count in patients with CHC throughout treatment and after 12 weeks of posttreatment follow‐up is unclear. From September 2012 to November 2016, 78 consecutive CHC patients who received a complete course of antiviral therapy with DAAs and without RBV were enrolled in this retrospective study. Demographic features, complete blood counts, biochemical data, and hepatitis C virus ribonucleic acid levels were collected at baseline, week 2, week 4, end of therapy (EOT), and 12 weeks after therapy (PW12). The mean age was 52.63 ± 10.11 years, and 40 (51.3%) patients were male. The baseline mean alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was 75.5 ± 50.0 U/L. The SVR rate at 12 weeks after therapy (SVR12) was 98.7% (77/78). Mean platelet count increased from 173.0 ± 58.3 × 109/L at baseline to 186.0 ± 59.0 × 109/L at week 2 (P < 0.001), 181.5 ± 59.0 × 109/L at week 4 (P = 0.001), 184.6 ± 59.3 × 109/L at EOT (P < 0.001), and 187.5 ± 56.1 × 109/L at PW12 (P < 0.001). Mean ALT levels decreased from 75.5 ± 50.0 U/L at baseline to 26.8 ± 18.1 U/L at week 2 (P < 0.001), 24.2 ± 17.4 U/L at week 4 (P < 0.001), 29.2 ± 59.2 U/L at EOT (P < 0.001), and 21.2 ± 10.7 U/L at PW12 (P < 0.001). Similar patterns of changes in platelet count and ALT levels throughout the treatment and follow‐up periods were observed in patients without cirrhosis (n = 70), those with thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 150 × 109/L) and SVR12 (n = 28), and those with nonthrombocytopenia and SVR12 (n = 49). However, platelet count did not significantly change throughout the treatment and follow‐up periods in patients with cirrhosis (n = 8). DAA therapy is associated with increased platelet count in CHC patients without cirrhosis. ALT normalization exhibits a temporal correlation with an increased platelet count. The effect of DAA therapy on platelet count in patients with cirrhosis requires further study.
Dental microwear of living Hadza foragers
Authors: Ungar Peter S. , Livengood Sarah V. , Crittenden Alyssa N.
Published: April 2019

Objectives

Studies of dental microwear of bioarchaeological assemblages and extant mammals from museum collections show that surface texture can provide a valuable proxy for reconstructing diets of past peoples and extinct species. However, no study to date has focused on occlusal surface microwear textures of living hunter‐gatherers. Here we present the first such study of the Hadza foragers of Tanzania.

Methods

We took high‐resolution dental impressions of occlusal surfaces for a total of 43 molds representing 25 men and women, 1–3 samples each, at different times during the rainy and dry seasons. Dental replicas were prepared and scanned by confocal profilometry and standard microwear texture parameters were calculated. Central tendencies and dispersions of variable scores were compared by season and by sex.

Results

We found no differences between sexes or seasons in texture attribute central tendency, but some for dispersion. Females had notably low microwear texture dispersion in the dry season while males had higher dispersion in some attributes, particularly in the dry season. These differences seem to be driven primarily by low variance among females in the dry season.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates microwear texture data can be generated for living foragers. Given caveats of small samples available and consideration of foraging groups in transition, this study hints at variation in microwear texture dispersion between sexes and seasons for the Hadza, suggesting that such analyses might be of value for assessing hunter‐gatherer diet.
Partikel für Partikel – elektrochemische Einschlagsexperimente zur Synthese oberflächenimmobilisierter Goldnanopartikel für die Elektrokatalyse
Authors: Evers Mathies V. , Bernal Miguel , Roldan Cuenya Beatriz , Tschulik Kristina
Published: April 2019

Wir demonstrieren die sukzessive elektrochemische Umsetzung einzelner HAuCl4‐gefüllter Nanoreaktoren auf einer Kohlefaserelektrode zur Funktionalisierung mit Nanopartikeln (NP). Dabei können Größe und Anzahl der einzeln abgeschiedenen NP während des Prozesses kontrolliert werden. Zunächst werden Mizellen von enger Größenverteilung mit Metallsalz beladen. Der sporadische Einschlag dieser Mizellen auf einer polarisierten Elektrode führt zur Reduktion der Metallionen und es entsteht ein einzelner NP. Die während eines Einschlags übertragene Ladung wird gemessen und ermöglicht die operando‐Größenbestimmung des gebildeten NP. Wir zeigen dies für die Beladung von zylindrischen Kohlefaserelektroden mit 25±7 nm großen AuNP, die bereits bei niedrigen Katalysatorbeladungen eine hervorragende Leistung für die Sauerstoffreduktion (ORR) zeigen. Diese Form der Nanoeinschlagsmethode wird daher als neuer Weg zu nanopartikelmodifizierten Elektroden mit effektiver Katalysatorausnutzung vorgestellt.
Synchronized On/Off Switching of Four Binding Sites for Water in a Molecular Solomon Link
Authors: Caprice Kenji , Pupier Marion , Bauzá Antonio , Frontera Antonio , Cougnon Fabien B. L.
Published: April 2019

A molecular Solomon link adopts different conformations in acetonitrile (1) and in water (2). Contrary to expectations, the main driving force of the transformation is not the change in medium polarity, but the cooperative binding of about four molecules of water, forming a tiny droplet in the central cavity of 2. Mechanistic studies reveal that the four binding sites can simultaneously switch between an inactive state (unable to bind water) and an active state (able to bind water) during the transformation. Spatial and temporal coordination of switching events is commonly observed in biological systems but has been rarely achieved in artificial systems. Here, the concerted activation of the four switchable sites is controlled by the topology of the whole molecule.
π‐Ruthenium Complexes of Hexaphyrins(1.1.1.1.1.1): A Triple‐Decker Complex Bearing Two Ruthenoarene Units
Authors: Nakai Akito , Ishida Shin‐ichiro , Soya Takanori , Osuka Atsuhiro
Published: April 2019

Ruthenium(II) π‐coordination onto [28]hexaphyrins(1.1.1.1.1.1) has been accomplished. Reactions of bis‐AuIII and mono‐AuIII complexes of hexakis(pentafluorophenyl) [28]hexaphyrin with [RuCl2(p‐cymene)]2 in the presence of NaOAc gave the corresponding π‐ruthenium complexes, in which the [(p‐cymene)Ru]II fragment sat on the deprotonated side pyrrole. A similar reaction of the bis‐PdII [26]hexaphyrin complex afforded a triple‐decker complex, in which the two [(p‐cymene)Ru]II fragments sat on both sides of the center of the [26]hexaphyrin framework.
Chiral Amplification in Nature: Studying Cell‐Extracted Chiral Carotenoid Microcrystals via the Resonance Raman Optical Activity of Model Systems
Authors: Dudek Monika , Machalska Ewa , Oleszkiewicz Tomasz , Grzebelus Ewa , Baranski Rafal , Szcześniak Piotr , Mlynarski Jacek , Zajac Grzegorz , Kaczor Agnieszka , Baranska Malgorzata
Published: April 2019

Carotenoid microcrystals, extracted from cells of carrot roots and consisting of 95 % of achiral β‐carotene, exhibit a very intense chiroptical (ECD and ROA) signal. The preferential chirality of crystalline aggregates that consist mostly of achiral building blocks is a newly observed phenomenon in nature, and may be related to asymmetric information transfer from the chiral seeds (small amount of α‐carotene or lutein) present in carrot cells. To confirm this hypothesis, we synthesized several model aggregates from various achiral and chiral carotenoids. Because of the sergeant‐and‐soldier behavior, a small number of chiral sergeants (α‐carotene or astaxanthin) force the achiral soldier molecules (β‐ or 11,11′‐[D2]‐β‐carotene) to jointly form supramolecular assemblies of induced chirality. The chiral amplification observed in these model systems confirmed that chiral microcrystals appearing in nature might consist predominantly of achiral building blocks and their supramolecular chirality might result from the co‐crystallization of chiral and achiral analogues.
Lithium Chlorides and Bromides as Promising Solid‐State Chemistries for Fast Ion Conductors with Good Electrochemical Stability
Authors: Wang Shuo , Bai Qiang , Nolan Adelaide M. , Liu Yunsheng , Gong Sheng , Sun Qiang , Mo Yifei
Published: April 2019

Enabling all‐solid‐state Li‐ion batteries requires solid electrolytes with high Li ionic conductivity and good electrochemical stability. Following recent experimental reports of Li3YCl6 and Li3YBr6 as promising new solid electrolytes, we used first principles computation to investigate the Li‐ion diffusion, electrochemical stability, and interface stability of chloride and bromide materials and elucidated the origin of their high ionic conductivities and good electrochemical stabilities. Chloride and bromide chemistries intrinsically exhibit low migration energy barriers, wide electrochemical windows, and are not constrained to previous design principles for sulfide and oxide Li‐ion conductors, allowing for much greater freedom in structure, chemistry, composition, and Li sublattice for developing fast Li‐ion conductors. Our study highlights chloride and bromide chemistries as a promising new research direction for solid electrolytes with high ionic conductivity and good stability.
Covalent Inter‐Carbon‐Allotrope Architectures Consisting of the Endohedral Fullerene Sc3N@C80and Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Wei Tao , Martin Oliver , Chen Muqing , Yang Shangfeng , Hauke Frank , Hirsch Andreas
Published: April 2019

Using a reductive sidewall functionalization concept, we prepared for the first time a covalent inter‐carbon‐allotrope hybrid consisting of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and the endohedral fullerene Sc3N@C80. The new compound type was characterized through a variety of techniques including absorption spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, TG‐MS, TG‐GC‐MS, and MALDI‐TOF MS. HRTEM investigations were carried out to visualize this highly integrated architecture.
A Microporous Metal‐Organic Framework Supramolecularly Assembled from a CuII Dodecaborate Cluster Complex for Selective Gas Separation
Authors: Zhang Yuanbin , Yang Lifeng , Wang Lingyao , Duttwyler Simon , Xing Huabin
Published: April 2019

A novel 3D metal‐organic framework BSF‐1 based on the closo‐dodecaborate cluster [B12H12]2− was readily prepared at room temperature by supramolecular assembly of CuB12H12 and 1,2‐bis(4‐pyridyl)acetylene. The permanent microporous structure was studied by X‐ray crystallography, powder X‐ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and gas sorption. The experimental and theoretical study of the gas sorption behavior of BSF‐1 for N2, C2H2, C2H4, CO2, C3H8, C2H6, and CH4 indicated excellent separation selectivities for C3H8/CH4, C2H6/CH4, and C2H2/CH4 as well as moderately high separation selectivities for C2H2/C2H4, C2H2/CO2, and CO2/CH4. Moreover, the practical separation performance of C3H8/CH4 and C2H6/CH4 was confirmed by dynamic breakthrough experiments. The good cyclability and high water/thermal stability render it suitable for real industrial applications.
Glassy carbon electrode modified by new Copper(I) oxide nanocomposite for glucose detection: An electroanalysis study
Authors: Karami Kazem , Allafchian Ali Reza , Amiri Razieh , Shirani Fatemeh , Bayat Parvaneh , Rezaei Behzad
Published: April 2019

The Glucose amount of human blood is very vital because in higher levels than allowed value the corporal biological system was hampered. Therefore, in this study, the Cu2O was deposited on the reduced Graphene oxide (RGO) by polydopamin (PDA) as linker. The new RGO‐PDA‐Cu2O nanocomposite was deposited on the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface after its characterization by UV–Visible, fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Energy‐dispersive X‐ray (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) techniques. The electroanalysis of the new electrode was investigated by the cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) methods. The obtained detection limit of glucose (Glu) showed that the deposited GCE by RGO‐PDA‐Cu2O nanocomposite has a high potential for its diagnosis. In addition, this electrode was applied to the Glu detection as biosensor in real samples in order to utilize in commercial applications.
Pyrazolyl‐phosphinoyl nickel (II) complexes: synthesis, characterization and ethylene dimerization studies
Authors: Junges C.H. , Dresch L.C. , da Costa M.T. , Tirloni B. , Casagrande O.L. , Stieler R.
Published: April 2019

A series of new nickel (II) complexes of general formula [NiBr2(N,O)2] (Ni1–Ni5) based on bidentate pyrazolyl‐phosphinoyl ligands were prepared and characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, high‐resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), and X‐ray crystallography for Ni1. X‐ray crystallographic analyses of Ni1 revealed a six‐coordinate species, in which Ni (II) lies in an octaedral environment. The nickel center is chelated by two pyrazolyl‐phosphinoyl ligands with the two bromide ligands occupying mutually trans positions. Upon activation with methylaluminoxane (MAO), all nickel complexes were able to oligomerize ethylene with turnover frequencies (TOFs) varying from 5.0 to 16.6 × 103 (mol ethylene) (mol Ni)−1 h−1 producing selectively 1‐butene (91.0–95.5 wt%). The substitution on the pyrazolyl group and the length of the backbone chain play a significant role in the catalytic activity. The use of MAO/TMA (1:1) or MAO/TiBA (1:1) instead of MAO drastically reduced the activities. The TMA content has no significant influence on the selectivity. However, the use of TiBA leads to a reduction of 1‐butene (from 94.9 to 71.0 wt%) and an improvement in the hexene production (from 1.5 to 23.3 wt%). Under optimized reaction conditions (10 °C, 20 min, 20 bar ethylene, [Al/Ni] = 600), Ni1/MAO catalytic system yielded TOF = 24.7 × 103 (mol ethylene) (mol Ni)−1 h−1 with good selectivities for α‐C4 (94.9 wt%).
Encapsulation of polar phase change materials via multiemulsification and crosslinking method and its application in building
Authors: Liu Lingzhi , Xiang Mingyue , Lyu Dong , Men Yongfeng
Published: April 2019

Phase change microcapsules are prepared using chitosan as shell material and aliphatic alcohol/aliphatic acid as core material via multiemulsification and crosslinking method. During the phase change process, the phase change microcapsules store and release heat energy. The enthalpy value of these phase change microcapsules is high enough to be used for application. Suitable phase change temperature can be obtained by changing the core material easily. The resulted microcapsules showed excellent thermal stability. Thermal gravity analysis results showed that the microcapsules remain stable below 200 °C. The microcapsules also exhibited good solvent resistance because of the crosslinking of the shell material chitosan. By integrating the microencapsulated phase change materials (2.5%) into building walls, the inner temperature of model house remained 2 °C higher than that without PCM during the test process. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2019,136, 47837.
Swelling degree prediction of polyhydroxybutyrate/chitosan matrices loaded with “Arnica‐do‐Brasil”
Authors: Silva Glauco Fonseca , da Silva Talita Goulart , Gobbi Vinícius Guedes , Portela Theresa Lomeu , Teixeira Bruna Nunes , dos Santos Mendonça Tiago , da Silva Moreira Thiré Rossana Mara , Oliveira Renata Nunes , Yaunner Ricardo Stutz , de Almeida Rodrigues Junior Jorge , Mendonça Roberta Helena
Published: April 2019

Polyhydroxybutyrate and chitosan have been studied as materials for drug delivery systems (DDSs) due to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. The aim of this work was to produce amphiphilic polyhydroxybutyrate/chitosan matrices that form porous structures (scaffolds) after swelling in water and arnica extract. The matrices were analyzed by TGA, SEM, XDR, DSC, and FTIR. Thin plate spline interpolation method (TPSIM) was used to predict the swelling of the matrices generating three‐dimensional data fitted, showing the influence of time and concentration variables on both fluids absorption. Polyhydroxybutyrate/chitosan samples containing 60 wt % (weight percent) of chitosan formed a porous structure as they were submitted to arnica loading, and the obtained device was able to deliver arnica in physiological medium. Thus, the produced matrices have a strong potential to perform both as scaffolds and DDS © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47838.
Approaches to the selection of a network of freshwater ecosystems within New Zealand for conservation
Authors: West David W. , Leathwick John R. , Dean‐Speirs Tracie L.
Published: April 2019

Although the freshwater environments of New Zealand once comprised an extensive interconnected network of rivers, lakes, and wetlands, their extent, condition, and connectivity have been reduced since human settlement, with consequent impacts on ecosystem functioning and the species that reside within them. An imbalance in the protection of freshwater ecosystems, with significant under‐representation of lowland freshwater ecosystems, makes these the most threatened ecosystems in New Zealand.

Recent policy initiatives are attempting to take a whole‐catchment view, i.e. ‘from the mountains to the sea’. There is also an increased focus on the restoration of vulnerable water bodies that still support moderate values, in preference to previous long‐term restoration programmes for the most degraded freshwater sites. The outcomes of these programmes have been less certain, with opportunities lost for systems that are declining in condition but have not yet reached the threshold of degradation for investment.

This work demonstrates the gains that can be made through the use of spatial conservation prioritization software to identify priority catchments for freshwater restoration, emphasizing the representation of a full range of ecosystems and species, while also taking account of longitudinal‐connectivity constraints within catchments.

Third‐order subcatchments were the most suitable scale for this prioritization, to capture the most important components within the largest river catchments. Populations of important native fish populations and the locations of major terrestrial conservation projects were also considered when assessing priorities; iteratively chosen weightings were applied to control the balance of representation across these different features.

Consideration was also given to existing patterns of protection, in order to assess the biodiversity representation within areas currently protected and to identify sites that would provide maximum additional benefits if restored or protected.

The resulting subcatchment prioritizations have contributed strongly to regional collaborative restoration processes.
Down the rabbit hole: Investigating disruption of the information encountering process
Authors: Makri Stephann , Buckley Lily
Published: April 2019

Information encountering (IE) often occurs during active information seeking and involves passively finding unsought, unexpected information that is subjectively considered interesting, useful, or potentially useful. While the idealized IE process involves engaging with information after noticing it (for example, by examining it, conducting follow‐up seeking to determine usefulness, then using or sharing it), the process can be disrupted—resulting in missed opportunities for knowledge and insight creation. This study provides a detailed understanding of when and why the process can be disrupted. Think‐aloud observations and Critical Incident Interviews were conducted with 15 web users, focusing on examining when they encountered information but did not engage with it. Factors that discouraged engagement and simultaneously encouraged participants to return to active, goal‐directed information seeking by disrupting the IE process were identified. These factors individually and collectively demonstrate that IE can instigate a highly uncertain cost–benefit trade‐off, sometimes resulting in encounterers being cautious by returning to “less risky” active seeking. Design suggestions are made for reducing the uncertainty of deciding whether to engage with encountered information and making it easier to return to the active seeking task if disruption occurs.
Catalytic Reactivity of Molybdenum–Trihalide Complexes Bearing PCP‐Type Pincer Ligands
Authors: Eizawa Aya , Arashiba Kazuya , Egi Akihito , Tanaka Hiromasa , Nakajima Kazunari , Yoshizawa Kazunari , Nishibayashi Yoshiaki
Published: April 2019

Molybdenum–iodide complexes bearing a PCP[1] ligand have been found to work as excellent catalysts toward ammonia formation under ambient reaction conditions among dinitrogen‐bridged dimolybdenum complexes and other molybdenum complexes bearing PNP and PCP[2] ligands.
A metrics‐based analysis of seasonal daily precipitation and near‐surface temperature within seven Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment domains
Authors: Glisan Justin M. , Jones Richard , Lennard Chris , Castillo Pérez Nadia I. , Lucas‐Picher Philippe , Rinke Annette , Solman Silvina , Gutowski William J.
Published: April 2019

We compare ensemble mean daily precipitation and near‐surface temperatures from regional climate model simulations over seven Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment domains for the winter and summer seasons. We use Taylor diagrams to show the domain‐wide pattern similarity between the model ensemble and the observational data sets. We use the Climatic Research Unit (CRU) and the University of Delaware gridded observations and ERA‐Interim reanalysis data as an additional observationally based estimate of historical climatology. Taylor diagrams determine the relative skill of the seven sets of simulations and quantify these results in terms of center pattern root‐mean square error and correlation coefficient. Results suggest that there is good agreement between the models and the CRU, in terms of their respective seasonal cycles, as shown in Taylor diagrams and bias plots. There is also good agreement between both gridded observation sets. In addition, downscaled ERA‐Interim precipitation is closer to observations than raw ERA‐Interim precipitation. Domains located in the low latitudes and those having high topography appear to have larger biases, especially precipitation.
Hydroalcoholic extract from Baccharis dracunculifolia recovers the gastric ulcerated tissue, and p‐coumaric acid is a pivotal bioactive compound to this action
Authors: Costa Philipe , Boeing Thaise , Somensi Lincon Bordignon , Cury Benhur Judah , Espíndola Vanessa Lopes , França Tauani Caroline Santos , de Almeida Marília Oliveira , Arruda Caroline , Bastos Jairo Kenupp , da Silva Luisa Mota , de Andrade Sérgio Faloni
Published: April 2019

Baccharis dracunculifolia is a medicinal plant native to southeastern Brazil and is the main botanical source used by bees (Apis mellifera) in the manufacture of green propolis and display similar gastroprotective action and chemical profile. This article reports the healing gastric ulcer activity of the hydroethanolic extract of B. dracunculifolia (HEBD) in an acetic acid‐induced ulcer model. In addition to the extract, the isolated compounds ferulic acid, p‐coumaric acid, caffeic acid, baccharin, and aromadendrin‐4’‐O‐methyl ether were also assayed. HEBD at a dose of 300 mg/kg reduced the ulcerated area by 49.4% after treatment for 7 days, twice a day. Histological analyses revealed that the margins and base of the ulcer obtained significant regeneration, and periodic acid Schiff base staining showed a 78.2% increase in the mucin levels. The action on the enzymatic antioxidant system demonstrated an increased activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione‐S‐transferase, in addition to raising glutathione reduced levels and myeloperoxidase activity. HEBD did not show cytotoxicity in the 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenylterazole bromine test. In vitro, HEBD inhibited the H+/K+‐ATPase enzyme and showed antioxidant activity in the 2,2 diphenyl‐1‐picryllydrazyl test. Regarding the isolated compounds, oral administration of p‐coumaric acid (15 mg/kg) reduced the ulcerated area by 66.2%. The results suggest that HEBD recovers the gastric ulcerated tissue, raising mucus and antioxidant enzyme levels, and reducing the H+/K+‐ATPase activity. In addition, the findings confirm that p‐coumaric acid is a pivotal bioactive compound on the gastric healing effects elicited by HEBD. © 2019 BioFactors, 45(3):479–489, 2019
Meta-analysis of the outcomes of treatment of internal carotid artery near occlusion
Authors: Meershoek A J A , Vries E E , Veen D , Ruijter H M , Borst G J , Garcia-Pastor A , Gonzalez A , Johansson E , Matsuda Y , Ogata T , Oka F , Pulli R , Sakamoto S , Tanaskovic S , Radak D , Son S
Published: April 2019

Background

Guidelines recommend treating patients with an internal carotid artery near occlusion (ICANO) with best medical therapy (BMT) based on weak evidence. Consequently, patients with ICANO were excluded from randomized trials. The aim of this individual-patient data (IPD) meta-analysis was to determine the optimal treatment approach.

Methods

A systematic search was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library databases in January 2018. The primary outcome was the occurrence of any stroke or death within the first 30 days of treatment, analysed by multivariable mixed-effect logistic regression. The secondary outcome was the occurrence of any stroke or death beyond 30 days up to 1 year after treatment, evaluated by Kaplan–Meier survival analysis.

Results

The search yielded 1526 articles, of which 61 were retrieved for full-text review. Some 32 studies met the inclusion criteria and pooled IPD were available from 11 studies, including some 703 patients with ICANO. Within 30 days, any stroke or death was reported in six patients (1·8 per cent) in the carotid endarterectomy (CEA) group, five (2·2 per cent) in the carotid artery stenting (CAS) group and seven (4·9 per cent) in the BMT group. This resulted in a higher 30-day stroke or death rate after BMT than after CEA (odds ratio 5·63, 95 per cent c.i. 1·30 to 24·45; P = 0·021). No differences were found between CEA and CAS. The 1-year any stroke- or death-free survival rate was 96·1 per cent for CEA, 94·4 per cent for CAS and 81·2 per cent for BMT.

Conclusion

These data suggest that BMT alone is not superior to CEA or CAS with respect to 30-day or 1-year stroke or death prevention in patients with ICANO. These patients do not appear to constitute a high-risk group for surgery, and consideration should made to including them in future RCTs of internal carotid artery interventions.
Association between debulking area of rotational atherectomy and platform revolution speed—Frequency domain optical coherence tomography analysis
Authors: Mizutani Kazuki , Hara Masahiko , Nakao Kazuhiro , Yamaguchi Tomohiro , Okai Tsukasa , Nomoto Yohta , Kajio Keiko , Kaneno Yasuyuki , Yamazaki Takanori , Ehara Shoichi , Kamimori Kimio , Izumiya Yasuhiro , Yoshiyama Minoru
Published: April 2019

Objectives

In this study, we sought to investigate the association between revolution speed of rotational atherectomy (RA) and debulking area assessed by frequency domain‐optical coherence tomography (FD‐OCT).

Background

The number of patients with severe calcified coronary artery disease requiring treatment with calcium ablation, such as RA, is increasing. However, there is little evidence available regarding the association between debulking area and revolution speed during RA.

Methods

We retrospectively investigated 30 consecutive severely calcified coronary lesions in 29 patients who underwent RA under FD‐OCT guidance. The association between preset revolution speed of RA and burr size‐corrected debulking area of the calcified lesion was evaluated using a multivariable regression model with nonlinear restricted‐cubic‐spline, which can help assess nonlinear associations between variables.

Results

The median age of study participants was 73 years (quartile 65–78); 82.8% were male. The median burr size was 1.5 mm (1.5–1.75); median total duration of ablation was 120 s (100–180). FD‐OCT revealed that the post‐procedural minimum lumen area increased significantly from 1.64 mm2 (1.40–2.09) to 2.45 mm2 (2.11–2.98) (p < .001). In addition, the burr size‐corrected debulking area increased significantly as the preset revolution speed decreased (p = .018), especially when the revolution speed was less than 150,000 rpm. This result implies that additional lumen gain will be obtained by decreasing rpm when the burr speed is set at <150,000 rpm.

Conclusions

FD‐OCT demonstrated that RA with lower revolution speed, below 150,000 rpm, has the potential to achieve greater calcium debulking effect in patients with severe calcified coronary lesions.
Remaining challenges in the diagnosis of early stage cardiac sarcoidosis
Authors: Tsushima Takahiro , Sasaki Shunsuke , Yuda Satoshi , Ohta Masayuki , Cammack Ivor , Sato Hiroyuki , Hayashi Kentaro , Hirokami Mitsugu
Published: April 2019

Key Clinical Message

Despite the requirement for histopathological evidence to make a definite diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis, the sensitivity of endomyocardial biopsy is still low. Recently, Japanese Circulation Society suggests a new strategy that patients diagnosed clinically do not require the endomyocardial biopsy evidence. Physicians should familiarize themselves with such paradigm shifts.
Visible‐Light‐Driven Photocatalytic Hydrogenation of Olefins Using Water as the H Source
Authors: Fan Xin , Yao Yanling , Xu Yangsen , Yu Lei , Qiu Chuntian
Published: April 2019

In this work, a highly efficient PCN‐KCl (KCl‐modified polymeric carbon nitride) nanosheet photocatalyst was synthesized with the assistance of KCl. The as‐prepared PCN‐KCl catalyst shows a more than 30‐fold enhancement in the photocatalytic activity for H2 evolution from water compared to the pristine PCN. More importantly, when PCN‐KCl was composited with a second catalyst (Pd nanoparticles), the simultaneous production and utilization of active H species for alkenes hydrogenation was achieved by visible light irradiation under ambient conditions.
Effect of Facet‐Selective Assembly of Cocatalyst on BiVO4 Photoanode for Solar Water Oxidation
Authors: Li Deng , Chen Ruotian , Wang Pengpeng , Li Zhen , Zhu Jian , Fan Fengtao , Shi Jingying , Li Can
Published: April 2019

Rational assembly of cocatalysts on crystal‐based photocatalysts with anisotropic facets, namely the reduction cocatalyst on the reduction facets and oxidation cocatalyst on the oxidation facets, can enhance the photocatalytic activity remarkably. However, this strategy of selective loading of cocatalysts on crystal‐facet engineered photoelectrodes is rarely discussed in photoelectrocatalysis (PEC). Herein, we fabricated BiVO4 microcrystal photoanodes with simultaneous exposure of oxidation {110} and reduction {010} facets to study the effect of facet‐selective assembly of cocatalysts on the activity of PEC water oxidation. By elaborative photodeposition, identical cocatalysts of MnOx were selectively loaded on the reduction, the oxidation and all the facets of BiVO4 photoanodes (respectively designated as R‐BVO, O‐BVO and O/R‐BVO). We found that MnOx facilitates the charge separation in BiVO4 more significantly on the oxidation facets than on the reduction ones, contributing to the net increase in photocurrent of O‐BVO being as 5.2 and 2.2 times that of R‐BVO and O/R‐BVO, respectively. Surface photovoltage analysis reveals that the interaction between the inherent built‐in electric field in BiVO4 crystals and the additive electric filed induced by the MnOx was account for the difference. Our work emphasizes the effect of facet‐selective assembly of cocatalyst in PEC systems, which may guide the rational design of highly efficient photoelectrodes for solar energy conversion.