bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Continuous Production of Water‐Soluble Nanocrystals through Anti‐Solvent Precipitation in a Fluidic Device
Authors: Chen Qiaoshan , Hood Zachary D. , Qiu Jichuan , Guan Baohong , Xia Younan
Published: July 2019

This paper describes a simple and robust method for the continuous production of water‐soluble nanocrystals using anti‐solvent precipitation under diffusion control in a fluidic device. We use sodium chloride (NaCl) as an example to demonstrate the concept. In a typical process, aqueous NaCl and ethanol (the anti‐solvent) serve as the focused and focusing phases, respectively, for the generation of a coaxial‐flow system. Upon contact with each other, the rapid diffusion between water and ethanol leads to the formation of NaCl nanocrystals at the interface while a gradient in NaCl concentration is created along the flow direction. The nucleation and growth of NaCl nanocrystals can be readily tuned by varying the hydrodynamic parameters such as the ratio between the flow rates of the two phases and the total volumetric rate. By optimizing these parameters, we are able to produce NaCl nanocubes and nanospheres as small as 20 nm and 6 nm, respectively, while attaining a narrow distribution in size. We have also successfully generated KCl nanocrystals with similar controls, demonstrating the generality of this method for the production of water‐soluble nanocrystals.
Energy‐aware task scheduling with time constraint for heterogeneous cloud datacenters
Authors: Liu Xing , Liu Panwen , Hu Lun , Zou Chengming , Cheng Zhangyu
Published: July 2019

Energy optimization with time constraint has become a timely and significant challenge for the datacenters. In this paper, a hardware and software collaborative optimization strategy is implemented to minimize the energy cost while satisfying the time constraint of the datacenters. In the hardware aspect, a DVFS‐capable CPU/GPU/FPGA heterogeneous computing infrastructure is built. This infrastructure can adjust its hardware characteristics dynamically in terms of the software run‐time contexts so that the applications can be executed efficiently with less time and lower energy cost. In the software aspect, a deadline‐aware energy‐efficient task scheduling algorithm based on the Q‐learning approach is investigated. This algorithm can adjust its searching directions smartly in terms of the environment feedback so that it can achieve better optimization performance comparing with the traditional genetic algorithm. However, its convergence time is long due to the large amount of training work, making it inappropriate to be applied in the large‐scale datacenters. To ease this problem, we proposed another new algorithm named Rapid Local Convolution Optimization (RLCO) and combine it with the Q‐learning algorithm. By doing this, the convergence time of the Q‐learning mechanism can be decreased significantly. We conducted both the simulation and real‐world experiments to evaluate the performance of our approaches, and the results proved the proposed algorithm running on the DVFS‐capable heterogeneous hardware architecture could decrease the energy cost of the datacenter significantly even if the datacenter is in large scale.
Predicting therapy success from the outset: The moderating effect of insight into the illness on metacognitive psychotherapy outcome among persons with schizophrenia
Authors: de Jong Steven , Hasson‐Ohayon Ilanit , van Donkersgoed Rozanne J.M. , Timmerman Marieke E. , van der Gaag Mark , Aleman Andre , Marieke Pijnenborg G.H. , Lysaker Paul H.
Published: July 2019

The degree to which a person recognizes their mental disorder, attributes symptoms to the disorder, and recognizes that treatment may be necessary is frequently referred to as clinical insight. The current study investigates whether clinical insight at baseline moderates the effects on metacognitive capacity of 40 sessions of metacognitive reflection and insight therapy among 35 participants with psychosis. Findings showed that clinical insight did not predict drop‐out from therapy. Multilevel analyses provided support for our hypotheses that insight at baseline significantly moderates metacognitive gains at both postmeasurement and follow‐up. Our findings demonstrate that lacking clinical insight substantially hampers the effect of this psychosocial intervention. We posit that research efforts should shift from developing interventions, which enhance clinical insight, to interventions, which are effective in absence of clinical insight.
Transformation of Levulinic Acid to Valeric Biofuels: A Review on Heterogeneous Bifunctional Catalytic Systems
Authors: Yu Zhihao , Lu Xuebin , Xiong Jian , Ji Na
Published: July 2019

Valerate esters (VAEs) commonly derived from levulinic acid (LA), which is deemed as one of the most promising biomass platform molecules, have been hailed as “valeric biofuels” in recent years. The cascade transformation of LA to VAEs consists of a series of acid‐ and metal‐catalyzed processes alternately, in which heterogeneous bifunctional catalysts are required for better catalytic performance. The transformation pathway from LA to VAEs is presented, and bifunctional catalytic systems for the cascade transformation of LA into valeric acid (VA) and its esters, as well as one‐pot conversion processes, are reviewed. Additionally, effects of metal and acid sites on the catalytic performance are discussed in detail. Impacts of and improvements to coke deposition, which is determined to be the primary reason for the reduction in catalytic activity, are also analyzed. Finally, feasible suggestions are proposed for enhanced catalytic performance and a reduction in overall costs.
An adaptive‐aware energy and queue improvement of AOMDV
Authors: Yang Xiaoping , Li Mengjie , Wang Ping , Hu Yunfeng
Published: July 2019

Because the node energy and network resources in the wireless sensor network (WSN) are very finite, it is necessary to distribute data traffic reasonably and achieve network load balancing. Ad hoc on‐demand multipath distance vector (AOMDV) is a widely used routing protocol in WSN, but it has some deficiencies: establishes the route by only using hop counts as the routing criterion without considering other factors such as energy consumption and network load; forwards route request in fixed delay resulting in building the nonoptimal path; and cannot update the path status after built paths. For the deficiency of AOMDV, this paper proposes a multipath routing protocol adaptive energy and queue AOMDV (AEQAOMDV) based on adaptively sensing node residual energy and buffer queue length. When sending a routing request, the forwarding delay of the routing request is adaptively adjusted by both the residual energy and the queue length of the intermediate node; when establishing routes, a fitness is defined as a routing criterion according to the link energy and the queue load, predicting the available duration of the node based on the energy consumption rate and adjusting the weight of the routing criterion by the available duration of the node; after the routes are established, the path information status are updated via periodically broadcasting Hello that carries the path information with the minimum fitness, making the source node update the path information periodically. By using NS‐2, simulations demonstrate that compared with AOMDV, AEQAOMDV has obvious improvements in increasing packet delivery ratio, reducing network routing overhead, reducing route discovery frequency, and decreasing the network delay. And AEQAOMDV is more suitable for WSN.
Conjugation of Small Molecules to RNA Using a Reducible Disulfide Linker Attached at the 2′‐OH Position through a Carbamate Function
Authors: Gauthier Florian , Malher Astrid , Vasseur Jean‐Jacques , Dupouy Christelle , Debart Françoise
Published: July 2019

A post‐synthesis conjugation method was developed to functionalize oligoribonucleotides with various small molecules of biological interest using a reduction‐sensitive disulfide linker connected to 2′OH via a carbamate function. For this, first we prepared a 2′‐O‐[(N‐(acetylthio)‐ethylcarbamoyl] (2′‐O‐AcSEC) uridine phosphoramidite as the key precursor of the disulfide linker, that was incorporated into 21‐mer RNAs. Next the 2′‐O‐AcSEC group was converted on solid support to the activated 2′‐O‐[N‐(2‐pyridyldisulfanyl)‐ethylcarbamoyl] (2′‐O‐PySSEC) group. Finally, the coupling between 2′‐O‐PySSEC‐modified RNA and diverse small molecules bearing a thiol function was based on a thiol‐disulfide exchange reaction in solution. Several RNA‐small molecule conjugates were obtained with satisfactory conjugation yields. An RNA was successfully double‐conjugated with an anticancer drug (doxorubicin) attesting the efficiency and the robustness of the conjugation method. We have shown that the disulfide‐linked RNA‐small molecule conjugates were cleaved upon 5.6 mm glutathione treatment, featuring the release of the small molecules in cells.
Making Copper Photocatalysis Even More Robust and Economic: Photoredox Catalysis with [CuII(dmp)2Cl]Cl
Authors: Engl Sebastian , Reiser Oliver
Published: July 2019

The CuII complex [CuII(dmp)2Cl]Cl (dmp = 2,9‐dimethyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline) is evaluated as an oxidation stable precursor for visible‐light‐mediated CuI‐photoredox catalysis, being efficient and considerable more cost‐effective compared to previously established copper(I) photocatalysts. Its performance and efficiency are demonstrated within a broad scope of atom transfer radical addition (ATRA) reactions, allowing the 1,2‐difunctionalization of alkenes, as well as for decarboxylative coupling and an Appel reaction. Moreover, the utility of the complex is shown by various gram‐scale functionalizations of styrene, thus suggesting [CuII(dmp)2Cl]Cl to be a low‐priced alternative precatalyst for processes run on scale. Furthermore, this study provides UV/Vis evidence on the mechanism for the visible light activation of CuII complexes.
Characterization of therapeutic antibody fragmentation using automated capillary western blotting as an orthogonal analytical technique
Authors: Zhu Yunxiao , Ahluwalia Deepti , Chen Yingchen , Belakavadi Madesh , Katiyar Amit , Das Tapan K.
Published: July 2019

Fragmentation in protein‐based molecules continues to be a challenge during manufacturing and storage, and requires an appropriate control strategy to ensure purity and integrity of the drug product. Electrophoretic and chromatographic methods are commonly used for monitoring the fragments. However, size‐exclusion chromatography often suffers from low resolution of low molecular weight fragments. Electrophoretic methods like CE‐SDS are not compatible with enriching fragments for additional characterization tests such as MS. These limitations may result in inadequate control strategy for monitoring and characterizing fragments for protein‐based molecules. Capillary western blotting was used in this study as an orthogonal method for characterization of fragments in an IgG1 antibody under reduced conditions. To achieve a comprehensive mapping of various fragments generated by thermal stress, capillary western profiles were generated using recognition antibodies for IgG kappa (κ) light chain, Fc, and Fab regions that enabled unambiguous fragment identification. Additionally, three different enzymatic digestion methods (IdeS, PNGase F, and IgdE) were applied coupled with capillary western blotting for clip identifications. Finally, complementary data collected using traditional chromatographic and electrophoretic methods allowed to establish a comparison of analytical profiles with an added benefit of fragment identification offered by capillary western profiling. In addition to various Fc and Fab‐related low molecular weight fragments, a non‐reducible thio‐ether linked 75 kDa HL fragment was also identified.
Multiple change‐point models for time series
Authors: MacNeill I.B. , Jandhyala V.K. , Kaul A. , Fotopoulos S.B.
Published: July 2019

The “Bayes‐type” method of deriving change‐point test statistics was introduced by Chernoff and Zacks (1964). Other authors subsequently adapted this approach and derived Bayes‐type statistics for at most one change (AMOC), and for multiple change points, under a variety of model formulations. Asymptotic distribution theory has always been limited to the AMOC statistics because of the perceived complexity of multiple change‐point statistics. In this article, it is shown that the Bayes‐type statistic derived to test for multiple change points is directly proportional to the AMOC statistic. This result immediately provides distributional results for Bayes‐type multiple change‐point statistics. In addition, it fundamentally alters the current understanding of the AMOC statistic. It follows from this result that the Bayes‐type statistic derived under AMOC conditions in fact tests for at least one change (ALOC), even though the statistic is derived under AMOC formulation. Under asymptotic consideration, the result also extends to the case of model errors following a stationary process. As an example, the classical Nile River data are revisited and analyzed for the presence of multiple change points.
Experimental investigation of effects of magnetic field on performance, combustion, and emission characteristics of a spark ignition engine
Authors: Niaki Seyed Reza Amini , Zadeh Fatemeh Gholi , Niaki Seyed Bahador Amini , Mouallem Joseph , Mahdavi Sajad
Published: July 2019

This article presents a comprehensive experimental work for the application of permanent magnets with the intensity of 9,000 G to a four‐stroke four cylinders gasoline engine on fuel lines at a location near to the combustion chamber. By using the permanent magnet, the liquid fuel disintegrates into small diameter, and de‐clustering of the fuel molecules of hydrocarbon has been proved to provide better atomization of the fuel, which makes sure that the fuel strenuously combines with oxygen and results in complete and more efficient burning process inside the combustion chamber. The experimental analysis revealed that magnetic treatment has improved performance and emission characteristics. Analysis over the engine test results with magnetic fuel conditioning showed that the reduction of 4–12% in fuel consumption and reduction in 11, 10, 18, and 10% for CO, CO2, HC, and NOx emissions, respectively, compared to gasoline fuel without magnetic condition. Further, we experimentally investigated the performance of petrol engine parameters such as in‐cylinder temperature and pressure, cylinder, and head cylinder temperature, the temperature of different parts of the piston. As a whole, magnetic fuel treatment has improved combustion and reduced the harmful pollutants of the compression ignition engine.
Economic uncertainty, trading activity, and commodity futures volatility
Authors: Watugala Sumudu W.
Published: July 2019

This paper investigates the dynamics of commodity futures volatility. I derive the variance decomposition for the futures basis and show unexpected excess returns result from new information about expected future interest rates, convenience yields, and risk premia. Measures of uncertainty in economic conditions have significant predictive power for realized volatility of commodity futures returns, after controlling for lagged volatility, returns, commodity index trading, hedging pressure, and other trading activity, even during the so‐called “index financialization” period. During this period, hedge fund performance predicts volatility in grain commodities, which are affected by the US ethanol mandate.
A nomogram to estimate the risk of developing distant metastases in parotid cancer
Authors: Locatello Luca Giovanni , Cannavicci Angelo , Bruno Chiara , Maggiore Giandomenico , Napoleone Vincenzo , Gallo Oreste
Published: July 2019

Background

Parotid cancer (PC) is a heterogeneous group of malignant tumors whose management mainly focuses on locoregional control. However, distant metastases (DM) can represent the most common cause of treatment failure. We have defined the predictors and developed a model that can predict a single patient's risk to develop DM.

Methods

We have analyzed our institutional database of 259 patients with PC and use it to develop a nomogram. C‐index and calibration curves were used to assess performance of our model.

Results

DM appeared in 18.9% of patients. Age, cT, pN, perineural invasion, and adenoid cystic carcinoma were significantly associated with distant failure.

Conclusions

We here present the first model to identify patients with PC at high risk of DM. Such tool can be of great value in managing these rare cancers in terms of a more precise prognosis and follow‐up while waiting for better systemic therapies to come in the future.
Cost of providing emergency obstetric care in Tanzania's Kigoma region
Authors: Mengistu Tewodaj , Berruti Andrés , Krivelyova Anna , Swor Meghan , Waite Rachel , Maro Godson
Published: July 2019

Background

The provision of Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (EmONC) is critical for reducing maternal mortality, yet little is known about the costs of EmONC services in developing countries. This study estimates these costs at six health facilities in Tanzania's Kigoma region.

Methods

The study took a comprehensive programmatic approach considering all sources of financial and in‐kind support over a 1‐year period (1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013). Data were collected retrospectively and costs disaggregated by input, sources of support, programmatic activity, and patient type (nonsurgical, surgical patients, and among the latter patients undergoing caesarean sections).

Results

The median per‐patient cost across the six facilities was $290. Personnel and equipment purchases accounted for the largest proportions of the total costs, representing 32% and 28%, respectively. Average per‐patient costs varied by patient type; cost per nonsurgical patient was $80, $258 for surgical patients and $426 for patients undergoing caesarean sections. Per‐patient costs also varied substantially by facility type: mean per‐patient cost at health centres was $620 compared with $169 at hospitals.

Conclusions

This study provides the first cost estimates of EmONC provision in Kigoma. These estimates could inform programme planning and highlight areas with potential scope for cost reductions.
Policy overview of the multisectoral nutrition planning process: The progress, challenges, and lessons learned from Burkina Faso
Authors: Ouedraogo Ousmane , Doudou Maimouna Halidou , Drabo Koiné Maxime , Garnier Denis , Zagré Noël Marie , Sanou Dia , Reinhardt Kristina , Donnen Philippe
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Malnutrition is a multifactorial problem, and multisectoral planning is an indispensable tool.

The objective of this study was (a) to evaluate the extent to which nutrition is integrated into policies and (b) to describe the process used by the government of Burkina Faso to reform its policy frameworks and multisectoral nutrition planning.

Methods

This was a qualitative study, and data were collected in two key steps: first, through a policy overview conducted in 2015 and, second, in November 2017, through a document review and individual stakeholder interviews with 32 key actors involved in national nutrition planning.

Results

The extent to which nutrition is integrated into development policies varied from one sector to another. Since 2014, Burkina Faso has initiated nutrition planning through a multisectoral approach involving six sectors. This process was implemented in three key stages. Progress includes revision of national nutrition policy towards multisectoral perspective, formulation of a consensual and quality multisectoral nutrition strategic plan, creation of nutrition budget line, and establishment of nutrition technical secretariat.

Conclusion

To improve the anchoring of multisectoral coordination bodies at the supra‐ministerial level, mobilizing resources and promoting sector accountability are key next steps that would contribute to the success of the implementation.
Basic psychological need satisfaction mediates the relationship between engaging leadership and work engagement: A cross‐national study
Authors: Rahmadani Vivi Gusrini , Schaufeli Wilmar B. , Ivanova Tatiana Y. , Osin Evgeny N.
Published: July 2019

The current study investigates the mediating role of basic psychological need for satisfaction at work (i.e., autonomy, relatedness, and competence) in the relationship between engaging leadership (i.e., inspiring, strengthening, empowering, and connecting) and work engagement. Also, we are proposing and testing an additional need for meaningfulness that plays a similar mediating role. Data were collected from two independent samples from Indonesia (n = 607 state‐owned company employees) and Russia (n = 384 civil servants). Results of both samples confirmed that basic psychological need satisfaction (autonomy, relatedness, competence, and meaningfulness) mediated the relationship between engaging leadership and work engagement. Multigroup analysis revealed that the parameters of the mediation model were invariant across both national samples, supporting the cross‐national validity of the model. When the mediating role of the satisfaction of the need for meaningfulness was tested separately, this appeared only the case in the Russian and not in the Indonesian sample.
Cu‐water and Cu‐kerosene micropolar nanofluid flow over a permeable stretching sheet
Authors: Mohapatra Deepak Kumar , Mishra Satyaranjan , Jena Swarnalata
Published: July 2019

This manuscript is a mathematical expression for micropolar nanofluid flow phenomena past a stretching permeable sheet. Here, the micropolar nanofluid, which is water and kerosene based, contains Copper nanoparticles. The similarity approach has been adopted to obtain the ordinary differential equations from the respective basic equations. Using an analytical method, that is, the Adomian decomposition method (ADM), the nonlinear coupled ordinary equations are solved. From the computational aspect, it is ensured that results of shooting technique and ADM (present method) yield same results for special cases. Computations are obtained for velocity, microrotation, and temperature profiles for different pertinent parameters along with skin friction and Nusselt number. The major outcomes are: the Cu‐water nanofluid velocity dominates over the Cu‐kerosene nanofluid velocity and temperature and further, thermal radiation is favorable to enhance the fluid temperature.
Estimation in a generalization of bivariate probit models with dummy endogenous regressors
Authors: Han Sukjin , Lee Sungwon
Published: July 2019

The purpose of this paper is to provide guidelines for empirical researchers who use a class of bivariate threshold crossing models with dummy endogenous variables. A common practice employed by the researchers is the specification of the joint distribution of unobservables as a bivariate normal distribution, which results in a bivariate probit model. To address the problem of misspecification in this practice, we propose an easy‐to‐implement semiparametric estimation framework with parametric copula and nonparametric marginal distributions. We establish asymptotic theory, including root‐n normality, for the sieve maximum likelihood estimators that can be used to conduct inference on the individual structural parameters and the average treatment effect (ATE). In order to show the practical relevance of the proposed framework, we conduct a sensitivity analysis via extensive Monte Carlo simulation exercises. The results suggest that estimates of the parameters, especially the ATE, are sensitive to parametric specification, while semiparametric estimation exhibits robustness to underlying data‐generating processes. We then provide an empirical illustration where we estimate the effect of health insurance on doctor visits. In this paper, we also show that the absence of excluded instruments may result in identification failure, in contrast to what some practitioners believe.
Retracted: Long noncoding LINC01551 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by acting as a competing endogenous RNA of microRNA‐122‐5p to regulate ADAM10 expression
Authors: Gao Jun , Yin Xiangbao , Yu Xin , Dai Chao , Zhou Fan
Published: July 2019

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a severe disease with high mortality in the world. It has been shown that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) might play a role in HCC. The aim of the present study was to identify the role of long intergenic noncoding RNA 01551 (LINC01551) in the HCC development and explore the underlying mechanism of LINC01551/miR‐122‐5p/ADAM10 axis. The differentially expressed lncRNAs associated with HCC were screened out by a microarray analysis. The expression of LINC01551, miR‐122‐5p, and ADAM10 was determined in HCC tissues and cells. The potential miRNA (miR‐122‐5p) regulated by LINC01551 was explored, and the target relationship between miR‐122‐5p and ADAM10 was confirmed. To evaluate the effect of LINC01551 and miR‐122‐5p on proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of HCC, different plasmids were delivered into MHCC97‐H cells. High expression of LINC01551 and ADAM10 yet low‐expression of miR‐122‐5p were revealed in HCC tissues and cells. Overexpression of miR‐122‐5p could downregulate ADAM10. Biological prediction websites and fluorescence in situ hybridization assay verified that LINC01551 was mainly expressed in the cytoplasm. Silencing LINC01551 reduced HCC cell viability, proliferation, migration, invasion, and cell cycle entry yet induce cell apoptosis. Upregulation of LINC01551 increased its ability of competitively binding to miR‐122‐5p, thus reducing miR‐122‐5p and upregulating ADAM10 expression, as well as promoting the proliferative, migrative, and invasive ability. Taken together the results, it is highly possible that LINC01551 functions as an competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) to regulate the miRNA target ADAM10 by sponging miR‐122‐5p and therefore promotes the development of HCC, highlighting a promising competitive new target for the HCC treatment.
Hexokinase2 controls angiogenesis in melanoma by promoting aerobic glycolysis and activating the p38‐MAPK signaling
Authors: Lu Jingjing , Liang Xiaofang , Gao Ying , Fu Guili , Shen Qin
Published: July 2019

In this study, we used endostatin (ES)‐induced apoptosis of endothelial cells to study the role of Hexokinase2 (HK2) in the control of angiogenesis in melanoma. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis were performed to explore the effect of HK2, lactate, and ES on the levels of caspase‐9/3, ATP, and p38/MAPK activation. ES increased the levels of caspase‐9/3 while decreasing the level of ATP, whereas ES + HK2 and lactate both restored the normal levels of caspase‐9/3 and ATP. In addition, cells transfected with HK2 short hairpin RNA1 (HK2shRNA1) and HK2shRNA2 showed an evident decrease in the levels of caspase‐9/3 along with an obvious increase in the level of ATP. Knockdown of HK2 also increased O2 consumption while decreasing the extracellular level of lactate and the phosphorylation of p38‐mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK). On the other hand, the lactate treatment elevated the phosphorylation of p38‐MAPK under time‐ and concentration‐dependent manner. In the study, we clarified the role of HK2 in the control of apoptosis of ECs, which plays an important role in the angiogenesis of melanoma by promoting aerobic glycolysis and activating the p38‐MAPK signaling.
Copper(II) complexes containing pyridine‐based and phenolate‐based systems: Synthesis, characterization, DFT study, biomimetic catalytic activity of catechol oxidase and phenoxazinone synthase
Authors: Ramadan Abd El‐Motaleb M. , Shaban Shaban Y. , Ibrahim Mohammed M. , El‐Hendawy Morad M. , Eissa Hatem , Al‐Harbi Sami A.
Published: July 2019

A template Schiff condensation of 2,6‐pyridine dicarbaldehyde or 2,6‐diformyl‐4‐ bromophenol and 1,3–diamino‐2‐hydroxy propane or 3,4‐diaminotoluene in the presence of copper(II) salts (CuX2) (X = Cl, Br, CH3COO, or ClO4) affords different types of copper(II) complexes. Depending on the employed molar ratio of the dicarbonyl compounds and diamines, different types of copper(II) complexes formed during the template condensation reaction. Structural formulation of the complexes was confirmed by elemental analysis (C, H, N, and M), physical measurements such as thermal analysis (TAG & DTG), molar conductivity, and magnetic moments in addition to spectral studies (UV–Vis, IR, and ESR). Homobinuclear in a four‐coordinate square planar and five‐coordinate square pyramidal and trigonal bipyramidal in monomeric structures are proposed. A mononuclear hexa‐coordinate in an octahedral geometry is suggested as well. Oxidase biomimetic catalytic activity of these newly synthesized copper(II) complexes was examined toward the aerobic oxidation of 4‐tert‐butylcatechol (4‐TBCH2) and o‐aminophenol under catalytic conditions. Both catalytic and kinetic investigations demonstrate promising oxidase catalytic activity and based on the kinetic results, probable mechanistic catalytic implications are discussed. Geometrical structures of representative copper(II) complexes were determined by optimizing their bond lengths, bond angles, dihedral angles, and the structural index (τ).
Water de/adsorption associated with single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal structural transformation of a series of two‐dimensional metal–organic frameworks, [M(bipy)(C4O4)(H2O)2]·3H2O (M = Mn (1), Fe (2), and Zn (3), and bipy=4,4′‐bipyridine)
Authors: Wang Chih‐Chieh , Ke Szu‐Yu , Hsieh Yi‐Fang , Huang Shih‐Ting , Wang Tzu‐Heng , Lee Gene‐Hsiang , Chuang Yu‐Chun
Published: July 2019

An assembly of three metal coordination polymers (CPs), [M(bipy)(C4O4)(H2O)2]·3H2O (M = Mn (1), Fe (2), Zn (3), and bipy = 4,4′‐bipyridine, C4O42− (squarate) = dianion of H2C4O4 (squaric acid)), was synthesized and structurally characterized. Single‐crystal X‐ray structural determination reveals that compounds 1–3 are iso‐structural, in which the M(II) ions are six‐coordinate in a distorted octahedral geometry. C4O42− and bipy both act as bridging ligands with bis‐monodentate coordination mode connecting the M(II) ions to form a two‐dimensional (2D) layered metal–organic framework (MOF). Adjacent 2D layers are then arranged in parallel and interpenetrated manners to construct their three‐dimensional (3D) supramolecular architecture. Compounds 1, 2, and 3 undergo two‐step dehydration processes with the first and second weight losses of 14.1 and 8.6% for 1, of 12.1 and 7.5% for 2, and of 11.2 and 8.1% for 3, respectively, corresponding to the weight losses of the three guest water molecules and the two coordinated water molecules, and all exhibit reversible sponge‐like water de/adsorption properties during de/rehydration processes for guest water molecules as per cyclic thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal (SCSC) structural transformation during the reversible de/rehydration processes of three guest water molecules was identified and monitored using exhaustive single‐crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction measurements.
Solvent effects on the geometry, electronic structure, and bonding style of Zn(N5)2: A theoretical study
Authors: Ding Zhiyuan , Gao Pin , Lu Ming , Wang Guixiang , Gong Xuedong
Published: July 2019

Nitrogen‐rich compounds involving the cyclo‐pentazole anion (cyclo‐N5−) have attracted extensive attention due to higher energy release and environmental friendliness than traditional high energy density materials (HEDMs). However, the synthesis of stable HEDMs with cyclo‐N5− is still a challenge. In this study, the effect of nine solvents on the geometrical and electronic structures and solvation energies of Zn(N5)2, one of the recently synthesized nitrogen‐rich compounds, was studied using the density functional theory and the polarized continuum model. The results indicated an increase in the stability of Zn(N5)2 in the solution phase compared to the vacuum phase, and the stability of Zn(N5)2 increases with increasing dielectric constants. The energy gap of frontier molecular orbitals and the absolute value of total energy in water are the largest, revealing that Zn(N5)2 is more stable in water than in other solvents. To understand the stabilization mechanism of Zn(N5)2 by water, further studies were performed with the natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis and the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) analysis using the explicit solvent model. The charge transfer and the hydrogen bonds are observed between Zn(N5)2 and water, which are beneficial to improvement of the stability of Zn(N5)2. This may indicate the solvents that have strong interactions with the cyclo‐N5− candidate may improve the possibility of success of synthesis.
Synthesis, structural characterization, and photophysical studies of hexanuclear gold(I) chalcogenido complexes
Authors: Chu Anlea , Hau Franky Ka‐Wah , Yao Liao‐Yuan , Yam Vivian Wing‐Wah
Published: July 2019

A hexanuclear gold(I) selenido cluster and its sulfido counterpart, [Au6{μ‐Ph2PN(CH2‐o‐Py)PPh2}3(μ3‐E)2](ClO4)2 (E = S, Se), with bridging bis(diphenylphosphino)amine ligands were synthesized and characterized. The X‐ray crystal structure of the selenido cluster was determined, with the gold core possessing a distorted heterocubane structure. Intramolecular aurophilic interactions with short Au(I)⋯Au(I) contacts of around 3.09–3.13 Å were observed. The complexes were found to emit strongly in the solid state with orange to red emission colors. Their electronic absorption and emission properties were also investigated.
Hippuric acid and 3‐(3‐hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid inhibit murine osteoclastogenesis through RANKL‐RANK independent pathway
Authors: Zhao Haijun , Lazarenko Oxana P. , Chen Jin‐Ran
Published: July 2019

Nutritional factors influence bone development. Previous studies demonstrated that bone mass significantly increased with suppressed bone resorption in early life of rats fed with AIN‐93G semi‐purified diets supplemented with 10% whole blueberry (BB) powder for 2 weeks. However, the effects of increased phenolic acids in animal serum due to this diet on bone and bone resorption were unclear. This in vitro and in ex vivo study examined the effects of phenolic hippuric acid (HA) and 3‐(3‐hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid (3‐3‐PPA) on osteoclastic cell differentiation and bone resorption. We cultured murine osteoclast (macrophage) cell line, RAW 264.7 cells, and hematopoietic osteoclast progenitor cells (isolated from 4‐week‐old C57BL6/J mice) with 50 ng/ml of receptor activator of nuclear factor κ‐Β ligand (RANKL). Morphologic studies showed decreased osteoclast number with treatment of 2.5% mouse serum from BB diet–fed animals compared with those treated with serum from standard casein diet–fed mice in both RAW 264.7 cell and primary cell cultures. HA and 3‐3‐PPA, but not 3–4‐PPA, had dose‐dependent suppressive effects on osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast resorptive activity in Corning osteo‐assay plates. Signaling pathway analysis showed that after pretreatment with HA or 3‐3‐PPA, RANKL‐stimulated increase of osteoclastogenic markers, such as nuclear factor of activated T‐cells, cytoplasmic 1 and matrix metallopeptidase 9 gene/protein expression were blunted. Inhibitory effects of HA and 3‐3‐PPA on osteoclastogenesis utilized RANKL/RANK independent mediators. The study revealed that HA and 3‐3‐PPA significantly inhibited osteoclastogenesis and bone osteoclastic resorptive activity.
Caveolin‐1 knockdown increases the therapeutic sensitivity of lung cancer to cisplatin‐induced apoptosis by repressing Parkin‐related mitophagy and activating the ROCK1 pathway
Authors: Liu Yi , Fu Yili , Hu Xianoxing , Chen Shuo , Miao Jinbai , Wang Yang , Zhou Ying , Zhang Yuan
Published: July 2019

Chemotherapy is the first‐line treatment option for patients with lung cancer. However, therapeutic resistance occurs through an incompletely understood mechanism. Our research wants to investigate the influence of Caveolin‐1 (Cav‐1) on the therapeutic sensitivity of lung cancer in vitro. Results in this study demonstrated that Cav‐1 levels were markedly inhibited in A549 lung cancer cells after exposure to cisplatin. Knockdown of caveolin further enhanced cisplatin‐triggered cancer death in A549 cells. The functional investigation demonstrated that Cav‐1 inhibition amplified the mitochondrial stress signaling induced by cisplatin, as evidenced by the mitochondrial reactive oxygen species burst, cellular metabolic disruption, mitochondrial membrane potential reduction, and mitochondrial caspase‐9‐related apoptosis activation. At the molecular level, cav‐1 augmented cisplatin‐mediated mitochondrial damage by inhibiting Parkin‐related mitochondrial autophagy. Mitophagy activation effectively attenuated the promotive impact of Cav‐1 knockdown on mitochondrial damage and cell death. Furthermore, our data indicated that Cav‐1 affected Parkin‐related mitophagy by activating the Rho‐associated coiled‐coil kinase 1 (ROCK1) pathway; inhibition of the ROCK1 axis prevented cav‐1 knockdown‐mediated cell death and mitochondrial damage. Taken together, our results provide ample data illuminate the necessary action exerted by Cav‐1 on affecting cisplatin‐related therapeutic resistance. Silencing of Cav‐1 inhibited Parkin‐related mitophagy, thus amplifying cisplatin‐mediated mitochondrial apoptotic signaling. This finding identifies the Cav‐1/ROCK1/Parkin/mitophagy axis as a potential target to overcome cisplatin‐related resistance in lung cancer cells.
Arsenic trioxide, a cancer chemo drug hampers fibrotic liver regeneration by interrupting oxidative stress rekindling and stellate cell rejuvenation
Authors: Nithyananthan Subramaniyam , Thirunavukkarasu Chinnasamy
Published: July 2019

After withdrawal of liver toxic insult, the spontaneous regenerative potential of the liver is well reported in the literature. On the other hand, various molecules have been reported to promote as well as delay such natural regeneration. This current study investigates the involvement of arsenic trioxide (ATO) medication at chemotherapeutic dose on the spontaneous regeneration of the CCl4 induced fibrotic liver. Liver injury markers, such as albumin and SGOT, SGPT, and ALP activities, in serum indicated that ATO supplementation during liver regeneration hampers the rejuvenation process. The hepatic architecture as well as the degree of fibrosis by hematoxylin and eosin and Sirius red staining confirms the above findings. The reduced hepatic antioxidant system and elevated oxidative stress markers, such as lipid peroxidation and 8‐hydroxy deoxy‐guanosine‐positive hepatocytes in ATO supplied rats, display the persistence of oxidative stress when compared with healthy controls and the normal regeneration model. Immuno‐histochemical localization of Ki‐67 indicates that mitotically active hepatocytes were fewer in the ATO given rats when compared with normal regeneration rats. Further delay in hepatic fibrinolysis was monitored by matrix metalloproteinase zymography assay in the ATO‐given animals. Poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase 1 expression demonstrates elevated hepatocyte apoptosis with ATO. Furthermore, increased α‐smooth muscle actin indicates that the stellate cells are in an activated state in ATO supplemented fibrotic animals. In conclusion, it's observed that ATO supplementation to the fibrotic liver delays oxidative stress revitalization and maintains stellate cells in the active form, thereby delaying liver regeneration, and the health status of the liver must be taken into account before administering drugs like ATO.
Hsa_circ_0039411 promotes tumorigenesis and progression of papillary thyroid cancer by miR‐1179/ABCA9 and miR‐1205/MTA1 signaling pathways
Authors: Yang Yimin , Ding Lili , Li Yanhua , Xuan Chengluan
Published: July 2019

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is a common malignancy in endocrine system worldwide. Increasing evidence has shown that dysregulation of circular RNAs (circRNAs) could contribute to PTC tumorigenesis. The aims of this project are to investigate the potential role and molecular mechanism of hsa_circ_0039411 in PTC. In the project, RT‐qPCR was performed to measure the expression profile of hsa_circ_0039411 in PTC tissues and cells. Cell counting kit‐8, clonogenic, flow cytometric, and transwell experiments were used to identify the biological role of hsa_circ_0039411 on PTC cell progression. Bioinformatics methods, along with the dual‐luciferase reporter test, was used to identify the potential mechanism of hsa_circ_0039411. Hsa_circ_0039411 was identified as enhanced in PTC tissues/cells. Gain‐of‐function experiments indicated that hsa_circ_0039411 facilitated PTC cell growth, migration, and invasion and inhibited cell apoptosis. Knockdown of hsa_circ_0039411 caused the opposite effects mentioned above. The mechanism exploration showed that hsa_circ_0039411 functioned as a sponge for miR‐1179 and miR‐1205 to elevate ATP‐binding cassette transporter A9 (ABCA9) and metastasis‐associated 1 (MTA1) expression at the post‐transcriptional level, respectively. Further investigation confirmed that the functions of hsa_circ_0039411 are dependent on its modulation of ABCA9 and MTA1 in PTC cells. This study uncovered a mechanism of hsa_circ_0039411 in PTC, which might act as a novel therapeutic target for PTC.
Highly robust oxide TFT with bulk accumulation and source/drain/active layer splitting
Authors: Lee Suhui , Chen Yuanfeng , Kim Jeonggi , Kim Hyomin , Jang Jin
Published: July 2019

We report stable and high performance amorphous indium‐gallium‐zinc oxide (a‐IGZO) thin‐film transistor (TFT) by using bulk‐accumulation (BA) and split active/source/drain layers. The a‐IGZO TFTs exhibit the mobility over 80 cm2/Vs and extremely stable under bias and mechanical stresses. We demonstrated a 4‐inch semitransparent AMOLED using the oxide TFT backplane with the gate driver integrated.
Accuracy and outcomes of stereotactic vacuum‐assisted breast biopsy for diagnosis and management of nonpalpable breast lesions
Authors: Tsai Huei‐Yi , Chao Min‐Fang , Ou‐Yang Fu , Kan Jung‐Yu , Hsu Jui‐Sheng , Hou Ming‐Feng , Chiu Herng‐Chia
Published: July 2019

Stereotactic vacuum‐assisted biopsy (SVAB) is an alternative method of breast biopsy for nonpalpable lesions detected by mammography. Considering the diagnostic effectiveness, a direct comparison of SVAB and open surgical biopsy (OSB) is lacking. We performed a retrospective review of 276 (33.8%) SVAB and 541 (66.2%) OSB to compare the diagnostic accuracy and the total number of procedures the patients underwent. The negative predictive values of OSB and SVAB were 99.77% and 99.61%, and their false‐negative rates were 0.96% and 4.76%, respectively. SVAB, as the first‐line biopsy method, obviated 92.3% of operations. All malignancies diagnosed using SVAB could be treated with single therapeutic surgery. By contrast, 48% of malignancies of OSB group received two operations. Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI‐RADS) category used at the study correlated well with the percentage of malignancy and can thus be used to predict biopsy results. Our study concluded that SVAB is reliable for diagnosing nonpalpable breast lesions and is the better biopsy method for categories 3 and 4A lesions, which reduces the benign surgery rate. For lesions with a higher likelihood of malignancy, BI‐RADS 4B, 4C and 5, SVAB has an advantage over OSB, which lowers the total number of operations for malignancy treatment.
Design and development of low radar cross section antenna using hybrid metamaterial absorber
Authors: Sharma Atipriya , Panwar Ravi , Khanna Rajesh
Published: July 2019

An efficient approach is presented in this article, to reduce radar cross section (RCS) of a microstrip patch antenna, without affecting other radiation characteristics by the application of a novel hybrid metamaterial (MM) structure. The microstrip antenna is designed to operate at 4.2 GHz. Three different configurations of MM structures (ie, CB_1, CB_2, and hybrid) with splitted square and ring shaped two nonidentical MM cells are designed and critically analyzed in the range of 2‐18 GHz. A hybrid MM configuration is chosen for the design and implementation of low RCS antenna due to its exceptional performance as compared to CB_1 and CB_2. The hybrid MM is organized in chessboard configuration, comprises of splitted square and ring shaped MM unit cell. The results show that proposed antenna gives substantially out of band RCS reduction from 6 to 18 GHz and the proposed antenna has a lower RCS than the reference antenna. Proposed antenna attains wideband bandwidth around 7.4 GHz (ranging 2.0‐4.4 GHz, 7.8‐9.1 GHz, and 14.3‐18 GHz). The maximum reduction of −30.1 dBsm at 16.4 GHz is achieved in the hybrid MM structure impinged microstrip patch antenna. Finally, the fabrication and performance evaluation of MM loaded antenna is carried out. Moreover, measured results of the fabricated samples are closely matched with simulated results, which prove the effectiveness of the adopted approach for practical applications.
The incidence and outcomes of urodynamic stress urinary incontinence in female patients with urethral diverticulum
Authors: Barratt Rachel , Malde Sachin , Pakzad Mahreen , Hamid Rizwan , Ockrim Jeremy , Greenwell Tamsin
Published: July 2019

Aims

To assess the incidence and management of urodynamic stress urinary incontinence (USUI) in women undergoing transvaginal excision of a urethral diverticulum (UD) at our institution.

Methods

A prospective database, capturing patients undergoing urethral diverticulectomy over a 9‐year period (May 2007 to August 2016), was reviewed focusing on USUI and subsequent management.

Results

One hundred patients underwent UD excision (with modified Martius labial fat‐pad flap interposition). Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging data, available in 90 patients, demonstrated that 80% had complex diverticula. Complete urodynamic data were available for 93 patients.

Preoperatively, 27 patients (29%) had USUI of which 16 patients resolved with either UD excision alone (n = 8) or 3 months of pelvic floor muscle therapy (PFMT) (n = 8). All 11 with persistent postoperative USUI had video urodynamics (VUDs) confirming Blaivas type 3 USUI. Six patients had a rectus fascial pubovaginal sling (RFPVS) with success in five (83.3%) while five had a mid‐urethral obturator tape (MUT‐O) with 100% success.

Sixteen patients developed de novo stress urinary incontinence (SUI) postoperatively, with resolution after PFMT in 12 (75%). VUDS identified USUI (Blaivas type 3) in two (of the remaining four) patients, managed successfully with MUT‐O (n = 1) and RFPVS (n = 1).

Conclusion

Preoperative USUI is present in 29% with UD. Postoperatively, 35.5% (n = 33) have pre‐existing (19) or de novo (14) SUI, of which 60.6% (n = 20) resolves after 12 months of conservative management. Surgery for USUI is required in 13 (13.9%), with cure in 92.3%. This supports our practice to excise UD primarily and delay USUI surgery, therefore, avoiding overtreatment for the majority.