bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Violence Against Women Act
(VAWA)
of 1994 and Reauthorization Act of 2013
Authors: Kirven Stephane J.
Published: August 2019

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was enacted in 1994 as part of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act (Pub.L. 103–322) and is subject to reauthorization every five years. Its original purpose was to provide services and protection to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault focusing largely on improving local and state law enforcement and court responses to these cases. The Act included, among other things, provisions on rape and battering and enhanced prosecutions of offenders. This landmark legislation was the first comprehensive federal government response to combating violence against women providing US$1.6 billion toward social services for victims and the investigation and prosecution of such crimes. The provisions and protections afforded by the 1994 Act were later improved and expanded with the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization 2000 and 2005. VAWA was again reauthorized in 2013 but faced stiff opposition by conservative Republicans who opposed extending the Act to same‐sex couples and battered illegal immigrants. This entry will present an overview of VAWA, its provisions, and its impact on ending violence against women.
West, Rosemary
Authors: Callahan Kelli
Published: August 2019

This entry provides a background on Rosemary West, a female British serial killer who along with her husband, Frederick West, raped, murdered, and dismembered several girls and young women, including two of their own children. The bodies of their victims were often buried in the cellar of the West family home, commonly referred to as the Cromwell House of Horrors.
White Female Offenders and Victims
Authors: Marcus‐Mendoza Susan
Published: August 2019

White crime victims experience the same violent crimes as other women, but at different rates. Most crimes against women are committed by a partner or someone they know. Historically, much of women's crimes reflect the social norms of the time, and they are arrested for crimes which violate these norms. White women have been underrepresented in the jail and prison populations, but over the past 20 years, their numbers have grown. White women differ from other women offenders in terms of age distribution, health, types of crimes committed, and crime trends.
Women's History Month
Authors: Gordon Hava Rachel
Published: August 2019

This entry details the origins and contemporary development of Women's History Month. This synopsis highlights the role of popular movements and women's activism as they have shaped the evolution of International Women's Day into Women's History Week, and later into Women's History Month. Rooted in women's activism around gender equity and labor rights, Women's History Month grew out of a concerted effort to make visible women's contributions to national history. This entry highlights the efforts of feminist activists to urge government representatives to officially recognize and celebrate the innovations and leadership of women in history, as well as to bring women's history into systems of schooling across the United States.
World Drug Report
Authors: Hurst Terri
Published: August 2019

The World Drug Report is an annual publication produced by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) that provides information on global activity related to drug use, health, drug supply, and market analyses of opiates, cocaine, cannabis, and synthetic drugs. The report underscores drug activity as a public health and social issue that requires therapeutic intervention and treatment. The current World Drug Report estimates that over 29 million people worldwide who use drugs have a substance use disorder. In particular, women are more likely than men to engage in the nonmedical use of opioids and tranquilizers.
Bangkok Rules
Authors: Van Gundy Alana
Published: August 2019

The “United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non‐custodial Measures for Women Offenders” is also known as the Bangkok Rules. These rules serve as reinforcement for the necessity of gender‐specific classification instruments, needs, treatment programs, and post‐incarceration reintegration programming. They also serve as guidance for best practices for the treatment of women that are being detained, housed, or incarcerated within prison facilities and provide support for gender‐specific medical and healthcare treatment, special care when incarcerating women with children, and the importance of raising public awareness of the unique needs of women inmates. While the Bangkok Rules primarily suggest appropriate governance for female inmates, many protections also serve to better the situation of male inmates and families of incarcerated individuals.
Sexting
Authors: Hume Wendelin , Spelchen Melissa
Published: August 2019

Initially the sending of typed messages via cell phone was referred to as texting. Soon sexual images were accompanying texts and the behavior was renamed sexting in the media. Sexting may be seen as a harmless way to flirt, cultivate romance, or cement a relationship. However, the aftermath of some sexting behaviors may include cybervictimization leading to humiliation, depression, and, in some extreme instances, even death by suicide of the victim. Forwarding is when you receive a sext and, rather than deleting it or keeping it private, you send it forward to one or more additional people. Forwarding is the action most often associated with cybervictimization. Many areas are now passing laws not to prohibit sexting outright, but to prohibit the violation of an expectation of privacy.
Child Abuse and Technology
Authors: McCabe Kimberly A.
Published: August 2019

Technology has improved many aspects of modern living. Unfortunately, technology has also promoted vulnerabilities for victims in a variety of modalities. This includes an increase in the vulnerability of children for victimization via technology or Internet crimes against children (ICAC). This narrative focuses on the sexual exploitation of children and, in particular, the ICAC involving child pornography, child solicitation, cyberbullying, and sexting.
Radicalization of Women and Girls
Authors: Ljujic Vanja , Rodermond Elanie
Published: August 2019

Oppressive socialization approach views specific forms of women's commitment and involvement in terrorism as a reflection of “male practice.” It highlights women's passivity in radicalization processes, leading to controversial conclusions with respect to her (in)ability to make personal choices and decisions. Alternatively, it attributes a woman's radicalization to patriarchal models of socially desirable behavior in terms of submissiveness and maternal‐sacrificial code.
Females in the Middle East and
ISIS
Authors: Mell Shana M.
Published: August 2019

Research focusing on Middle Eastern females and their exposure to and involvement with ISIS is limited. Existing literature suggests that women may be disproportionately impacted by the existence of ISIS in the Middle East. This entry explores the ways in which women interact with ISIS as victims, associates, and participants.
Recent Developments in Stability and Passivation Techniques of Phosphorene toward Next‐Generation Device Applications
Authors: Sang David K. , Wang Huide , Guo Zhinan , Xie Ni , Zhang Han
Published: August 2019

Phosphorene as a rising star is a monolayer or few‐layer form of black phosphorus (BP), which is used as a 2D material, in addition to graphene. This monoelemental 2D material has gained considerable attention in the fields of electronics, optoelectronics, and biomedicine due to its extraordinary physical properties. However, as both theoretical and experimental works show, the intrinsic instability of phosphorene under ambient conditions is a major challenge in practical applications. Various theoretical and experimental researches regarding the mechanism of the degradation and passivation strategies are proposed and reported to overcome the problem of the ambient instability of phosphorene. These strategies have enabled researchers to conduct fundamental studies on phosphorene's extraordinary properties. Here, not only an extensive summary of these passivation strategies but also an overview of the fabrication methods, challenges, and suitable applications of phosphorene are provided.
Donor–Acceptor‐Conjugated Polymer for High‐Performance Organic Field‐Effect Transistors: A Progress Report
Authors: Kim Minjun , Ryu Seung Un , Park Sang Ah , Choi Kyoungwon , Kim Taehyun , Chung Dasol , Park Taiho
Published: August 2019

Polymeric semiconductors have demonstrated great potential in the mass production of low‐cost, lightweight, flexible, and stretchable electronic devices, making them very attractive for commercial applications. Over the past three decades, remarkable progress has been made in donor–acceptor (D–A) polymer‐based field‐effect transistors, with their charge‐carrier mobility exceeding 10 cm2 V−1 s−1. Numerous molecular designs of D–A polymers have emerged and evolved along with progress in understanding the charge transport physics behind their high mobility. In this review, the current understanding of charge transport in polymeric semiconductors is covered along with significant features observed in high‐mobility D–A polymers, with a particular focus on polymeric microstructures. Subsequently, emerging molecular designs with further prospective improvements in charge‐carrier mobility are described. Moreover, the current issues and outlook for future generations of polymeric semiconductors are discussed.
Sulfide‐Based Solid‐State Electrolytes: Synthesis, Stability, and Potential for All‐Solid‐State Batteries
Authors: Zhang Qing , Cao Daxian , Ma Yi , Natan Avi , Aurora Peter , Zhu Hongli
Published: August 2019

Due to their high ionic conductivity and adeciduate mechanical features for lamination, sulfide composites have received increasing attention as solid electrolyte in all‐solid‐state batteries. Their smaller electronegativity and binding energy to Li ions and bigger atomic radius provide high ionic conductivity and make them attractive for practical applications. In recent years, noticeable efforts have been made to develop high‐performance sulfide solid‐state electrolytes. However, sulfide solid‐state electrolytes still face numerous challenges including: 1) the need for a higher stability voltage window, 2) a better electrode–electrolyte interface and air stability, and 3) a cost‐effective approach for large‐scale manufacturing. Herein, a comprehensive update on the properties (structural and chemical), synthesis of sulfide solid‐state electrolytes, and the development of sulfide‐based all‐solid‐state batteries is provided, including electrochemical and chemical stability, interface stabilization, and their applications in high performance and safe energy storage.
Engineering Porous Emitting Framework Nanoparticles with Integrated Sensitizers for Low‐Power Photon Upconversion by Triplet Fusion
Authors: Perego Jacopo , Pedrini Jacopo , Bezuidenhout Charl X. , Sozzani Piero E. , Meinardi Francesco , Bracco Silvia , Comotti Angiolina , Monguzzi Angelo
Published: August 2019

The conversion of low‐energy light into photons of higher energy based on sensitized triplet–triplet annihilation (sTTA) upconversion is emerging as the most promising wavelength‐shifting methodology because it operates efficiently at excitation powers as low as the solar irradiance. However, the production of solid‐state upconverters suited for direct integration in devices is still an ongoing challenge owing to the difficulties concerning the organization of two complementary moieties, the triplet sensitizer, and the annihilator, which must interact efficiently. This problem is solved by fabricating porous fluorescent nanoparticles wherein the emitters are integrated into robust covalent architectures. These emitting porous aromatic framework (ePAF) nanoparticles allow intimate interaction with the included metallo‐porphyrin as triplet sensitizers. Remarkably, the high concentration of framed chromophores ensures hopping‐mediated triplet diffusion required for TTA, yet the low density of the framework promotes their high optical features without quenching effects, typical of the solid state. A green‐to‐blue photon upconversion yield as high as 15% is achieved: a record performance among annihilators in a condensed phase. Furthermore, the engineered ePAF architecture containing covalently linked sensitizers produces full‐fledge solid‐state bicomponent particles that behave as autonomous nanodevices.
Assembly of Topographical Micropatterns with Optoelectronic Tweezers
Authors: Zhang Shuailong , Zhai Yifan , Peng Ran , Shayegannia Moein , Flood Andrew G. , Qu Juntian , Liu Xinyu , Kherani Nazir P. , Wheeler Aaron R.
Published: August 2019

Topographical micropatterns (TMPs), or ordered arrays of 3D features on a flat surface, have become important for a wide range of applications. A new optofluidic method based on optoelectronic tweezers to assemble TMPs from suspensions of microparticles in fluid is reported. After assembly, TMPs can be freeze‐dried and then transferred to alternate substrates. 3D simulations are carried out to clarify the experimental results and techniques are developed to evaluate pattern‐transfer fidelity, which is found to be >90% for a wide range of different structures. The optofluidic assembly method described here is facile and accessible, suggesting utility for a wide range of microfabrication and microassembly applications in the future.
Efficient White Polymer Light‐Emitting Diode (WPLED) Based on Single‐Component Eu3+–Tb3+‐Containing Metallopolymer
Authors: Fu Guorui , Liu Lin , Li Wentao , He Yani , Miao Tiezheng , Lü Xingqiang , He Hongshan
Published: August 2019

Despite the excellent physical properties of single‐component Eu3+–Tb3+‐containing metallopolymers, the development of their flexible white polymer light‐emitting diodes (WPLEDs) for portable full‐color flat displays remains a formidable challenge. Herein, the WPLEDs from a metallopolymer Poly(NVK‐co‐2‐co‐7) are reported, in which [Eu(DBM)3(4‐vp‐PBI)] (2) and [Tb(tba‐PMP)3(4‐vp‐PBI)] (7) with different localized circumstances are grafted into poly(N‐vinyl‐carbarzole) (PVK). In this design, both Dexter and Förster energy transfers occur, which endow a photoluminescent quantum yield up to 22.3% of the straightforward high‐quality white‐lights. Contributing from the stepwise alignment of frontier molecular orbitals of Poly(NVK‐co‐2‐co‐7) as the emitting layer in combination with CBP‐ and BCP‐assisted carrier‐transports, a reliable WPLED with the record‐renewed electroluminescent performance (LMax = 388.0 cd m−2, ηcMax = 31.1 cd A−1, ηpMax = 15.0 lm W−1, ηEQEMax = 18.1%, and weak efficiency‐roll‐off) among previous organo‐Ln3+‐based white organic light‐emitting diodes/WPLEDs is achieved. This finding renders a single‐component Eu3+–Tb3+‐containing metallopolymers a potential new platform to cost‐effective flexible WPLEDs for practical applications.
Perspectives of Unicolored Phosphor‐Sensitized Fluorescence
Authors: Paterson Leanne , Mondal Anirban , Heimel Paul , Lovrincic Robert , May Falk , Lennartz Christian , Andrienko Denis
Published: August 2019

Unicolored phosphor‐sensitized fluorescence (UPSF) is a dual emitting concept proposed for improving efficiencies and operational lifetimes of blue organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). To overcome the limitations of the individual emitters, it uses a phosphorescent donor to sensitize a fluorescent acceptor. To quantify the potential of the concept, a multiscale model of a UPSF OLED is developed. It starts from atomistic morphologies, the rates of all processes on the available experimental data are parameterized, and the respective master equation is solved with the help of the kinetic Monte Carlo algorithm. The simulations show that the energy transfer between donor molecules is essential to reproduce the results of the time‐resolved photoluminescence experiment. The scope of the experiment is expanded by studying the effect of the acceptor concentration, as well as Förster and (parasitic) Dexter energy transfer from the donor to acceptor, on the characteristics of the UPSF OLED. The study shows that an appropriate material design can further improve efficiency by more than 30% and at the same time achieve radiative decay times below 0.02 µs, thus significantly extending OLED operational lifetime.
Megalencephaly syndromes associated with mutations of core components of the PI3K‐AKT–MTOR pathway: PIK3CA, PIK3R2, AKT3, and MTOR
Authors: Dobyns William B. , Mirzaa Ghayda M.
Published: August 2019

Megalencephaly (MEG) is a developmental abnormality of brain growth characterized by early onset, often progressive, brain overgrowth. Focal forms of megalencephaly associated with cortical dysplasia, such as hemimegalencephaly and focal cortical dysplasia, are common causes of focal intractable epilepsy in children. The increasing use of high throughput sequencing methods, including high depth sequencing to more accurately detect and quantify mosaic mutations, has allowed us to identify the molecular etiologies of many MEG syndromes, including most notably the PI3K‐AKT‐MTOR related MEG disorders. Thorough molecular and clinical characterization of affected individuals further allow us to derive preliminary genotype–phenotype correlations depending on the gene, mutation, level of mosaicism, and tissue distribution. Our review of published data on these disorders so far shows that mildly activating variants (that are typically constitutional or germline) are associated with diffuse megalencephaly with intellectual disability and/or autism spectrum disorder; moderately activating variants (that are typically high‐level mosaic) are associated with megalencephaly with pigmentary abnormalities of the skin; and strongly activating variants (that are usually very low‐level mosaic) are associated with focal brain malformations including hemimegalencephaly and focal cortical dysplasia. Accurate molecular diagnosis of these disorders is undoubtedly crucial to more optimally treat children with these disorders using PI3K‐AKT–MTOR pathway inhibitors.
Katalyse und Elektronentransfer in helikalen De‐novo‐Gerüststrukturen
Authors: Pinter Tyler B. J. , Koebke Karl J. , Pecoraro Vincent L.
Published: August 2019

Die Frage nach der Beziehung zwischen der Struktur und der Funktion von Proteinen ist eines der größten Rätsel der Biochemie. Das De‐novo‐Design von Metalloproteinen bietet die Möglichkeit, neu zu bestimmen, was nötig ist, um von Grund auf Funktionalität in einer Struktur aufzubauen, die nicht von der Struktur des natürlichen Vorbilds abgeleitet ist. Dieser Aufsatz konzentriert sich auf Arbeiten zum Proteindesign, die De‐novo‐Metalloproteine innerhalb alpha‐helikaler Gerüststrukturen liefern. Beispiele umfassen De‐novo‐Proteine mit Carboanhydrase‐ oder Nitritreduktaseaktivität, sowie Systeme, in denen die spektroskopischen Eigenschaften einzigartiger Elektronentransferzentren von Cupredoxinen oder Rubredoxinen nachgebildet werden. Diese Arbeiten demonstrieren die Vielseitigkeit von alpha‐Helices als Gerüststrukturen im Design von Metalloproteinen und die Fortschritte, die durch rationales Design möglich sind. Unsere Arbeiten belegen die Unabhängigkeit der Carboanhydraseaktivität von der Gerüststruktur und Position des aktiven Zentrums, verfeinern unsere Cupredoxinmodelle und erhöhen die Aktivität unserer Nitritreduktase um bis zu das 1000‐Fache.
Access to Multifunctionalized Benzofurans by Aryl Nickelation of Alkynes: Efficient Synthesis of the Anti‐Arrhythmic Drug Amiodarone
Authors: Iqbal Naeem , Iqbal Naila , Maiti Debabrata , Cho Eun Jin
Published: August 2019

An unconventional nickel‐catalyzed reaction was developed for the synthesis of multifunctionalized benzofurans from alkyne‐tethered phenolic esters. The transformation involves the generation of a nucleophilic vinyl NiII species by the regioselective syn‐aryl nickelation of an alkyne, which then undergoes an intramolecular cyclization with phenol ester to yield highly functionalized 1,1‐disubstituted alkenes with 3‐benzofuranyl and (hetero)aryl substituents. The methodology can be used for the late‐stage benzofuran incorporation of various drug molecules and natural products, such as 2‐propylvaleric acid, gemfibrozil, biotin, and lithocholic acid. Furthermore, this arylative cyclization method was successfully applied for the efficient synthesis of the anti‐arrhythmic drug amiodarone.
Nanoporous Gold Embedded ZIF Composite for Enhanced Electrochemical Nitrogen Fixation
Authors: Yang Yijie , Wang Shu‐Qi , Wen Haoming , Ye Tao , Chen Jing , Li Cheng‐Peng , Du Miao
Published: August 2019

The electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) offers an energy‐saving and environmentally friendly approach to produce ammonia under ambient conditions. However, traditional catalysts have extremely poor NRR performances because of their low activity and the competitive hydrogen evolution reaction. The high catalytic activity of nanoporous gold (NPG) and the hydrophobicity and molecular concentrating effect of the zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 (ZIF‐8) were incorporated in the NPG@ZIF‐8 nanocomposite so that the ZIF‐8 shell could weaken hydrogen evolution and retard reactant diffusion. A highest Faradaic efficiency of 44 % and an excellent rate of ammonia production of (28.7±0.9) μg h−1 cm−2 were achieved, which are superior to traditional gold nanoparticles and NPG. Moreover, the composite catalyst shows high electrochemical stability and selectivity (98 %). The superior NRR performance makes NPG@ZIF‐8 one of the most promising water‐based NRR electrocatalysts for ammonia production.
Facile C=O Bond Splitting of Carbon Dioxide Induced by Metal–Ligand Cooperativity in a Phosphinine Iron(0) Complex
Authors: Leitl Julia , Marquardt Michael , Coburger Peter , Scott Daniel J. , Streitferdt Verena , Gschwind Ruth M. , Müller Christian , Wolf Robert
Published: August 2019

New iron complexes [Cp*FeL]− (1‐σ and 1‐π, Cp*=C5Me5) containing the chelating phosphinine ligand 2‐(2′‐pyridyl)‐4,6‐diphenylphosphinine (L) have been prepared, and found to undergo facile reaction with CO2 under ambient conditions. The outcome of this reaction depends on the coordination mode of the versatile ligand L. Interaction of CO2 with the isomer 1‐π, in which L binds to Fe through the phosphinine moiety in an η5 fashion, leads to the formation of 3‐π, in which CO2 has undergone electrophilic addition to the phosphinine group. In contrast, interaction with 1‐σ—in which L acts as a σ‐chelating [P,N] ligand—leads to product 3‐σ in which one C=O bond has been completely broken. Such CO2 cleavage reactions are extremely rare for late 3d metals, and this represents the first such example mediated by a single Fe centre.
Simultaneous Long‐Persistent Blue Luminescence and High Quantum Yield within 2D Organic–Metal Halide Perovskite Micro/Nanosheets
Authors: Zhou Bo , Yan Dongpeng
Published: August 2019

Molecular solid‐state materials with long‐lived luminescence (such as thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) and room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) systems) are promising for display, sensoring, and bio‐imaging applications. However, the design of such materials that exhibit both long luminescent lifetime and high solid‐state emissive efficiency remains an open challenge. Two‐dimensional (2D) organic–metal halide perovskite materials have a high blue‐emitting quantum yield of up to 63.55 % and ultralong TADF lifetime of 103.12 ms at ambient temperature and atmosphere. Our design leverages the combined influences of a 2D space/electronic confinement effect and a modest heavy‐atom tuning strategy. Photophysical studies and calculations reveal that the enhanced quantum yield is due to the rigid laminate structure of perovskites, which can effectively inhibit the non‐radiative decay of excitons.
Modeling the Rheological Behavior of Chemically Interesterified Blends of Palm Stearin/Canola Oil as a Function of Physicochemical Properties
Authors: Saghafi Zahra , Naeli Mohammad Hossein , Tabibiazar Mahnaz , Zargaraan Azizollaah
Published: August 2019

The main aim of the current study was to model the rheological and textural properties of chemically interesterified palm stearin (PS)/canola oil (CO) blends as a function of saturated fatty acids (SFA), solid fat content (SFC), and temperature. The results and proposed models in this study can be used in design and development of new fat products by trying to limit the need for instrumental methods. To describe and predict how the viscoelastic properties and firmness of the blends change with SFA content, several models have been proposed. The firmness curves of fat samples were described as a function of (SFA, Firmness
f(SFA), Rsqr = 0.94, and mean absolute error (MAE) = 1009.00 g) and (SFC20, Firmness
f(SFC20), Rsqr = 0.98, and MAE = 750.80 g) using a one‐variable Quadratic model. In the next step, a two‐variable Quadratic function for expression of firmness as a function of both SFA content and SFC20 with high goodness of fit and low error (Rsqr = 1.00 and MAE = 0.00) was developed. The G′ modulus as a function of temperature (G′
f(T)) and SFC (G'
f(SFC)) curves was S‐shaped and the three Sigmoidal functions (Logistic, Gompertz, and Sigmoid models) were well able to describe their properties. However, the Logistic models described the G′
f(T) (Rsqr>0.99 and MAE < 7838.00 Pa) and G′
f(SFC) (Rsqr>0.94 and MAE < 20,802.00 Pa) curves in the best way. Finally, a two‐variable Logistic model considering both temperature and SFC as variables was developed and fitted on the experimental data with Rsqr of 0.97 and MAE of 85,367.56 Pa. The validation of the proposed models shows their efficiency and ability for prediction of rheological and textural values of various interestrified blends.
Decorating surface charge of graphite nanoplate using an electrostatic coupling agent for 3‐dimensional polymer nanocomposite
Authors: Ryu Seung Han , Kim Seil , Kwon Young‐Tae , Park Young Ki , Kang Sung‐Oong , Cho Hong‐Baek , Choa Yong‐Ho
Published: August 2019

Here, we report a facile approach to electrostatically couple the surface charges of graphite nanoplate (GNP) fillers and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) polymer particles using ethylene maleic anhydride (EMA) copolymer as an electrostatic coupling agent. Our strategy involved switching the intrinsic repulsive electrostatic interactions between the directly exfoliated GNPs fillers and the PMMA particles to attractive electrostatic surface interactions for preparing core(PMMA)‐shell (GNP) precursor in order to optimizing 3‐dimensionally dispersed polymer nanocomposite. As a result, the electrical conductivity of the composites dramatically increased by a factor of 16.7 in the EMA‐coupled GNP/PMMA composites compared with that of the EMA‐free GNP/PMMA composites. In addition, the percolation threshold was also notably reduced from 0.32 to 0.159 vol% after electrostatic coupling of the GNPs fillers and PMMA particles. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48390.
Volatile Oil from Acorus gramineus Ameliorates the Injury Neurons in the Hippocampus of Amyloid Beta 1‐42 Injected Mice
Authors: Gao Ningxin , Liu Hongqing , Li Shiqi , Tu Xing , Tian Sumin , Liu Jing , Li Guoying , Ma Yuxin
Published: August 2019

In recent years, the extraction fraction of volatile oil from Acorus gramineus has significant effects on anti‐dementia and improving the learning and memory of animals. To date, limited studies have determined whether volatile oil from A. gramineus has the protective effect on neuronal damage. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of volatile oil from A. gramineus on Alzheimer's disease (AD) mice, by means of behavior test, immunohistochemistry and western blot methods. In this study, mice were injected with Aβ1‐42 in the bilateral hippocampus to establish the AD model. On the seventh day after modeling, the mice with cognitive dysfunction were selected by the novel object recognition task. Subsequently, the volatile oil treatment groups underwent intragastric administration for per 10 g body weight 2.5 or 5 μL volatile oil from A. gramineus for 3 weeks. The control group and the AD group were given the same amount of saline. Our results showed that after treatment of volatile oil from A. gramineus, the number of Doublecortin and Nestin positive cells increased significantly, suggesting that the volatile oil from A. gramineus may induce the regeneration of hippocampal neurons in mice, and promote the growth of hippocampal neurons by upregulation of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor, tyrosine protein kinase B, and neurotrophin‐3 expression. These results might provide more experimental evidences for underlying mechanism about the neuroprotective effects of volatile oil from A. gramineus against AD relevant symptoms. Anat Rec, 302:2261–2270, 2019. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy
Discovery to solve multidrug resistance: Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel agents
Authors: Qiu Qianqian , Shi Wei , Zhao Shiyuan , Zhu Yan , Ding Zhengquan , Zhou Shaoyang , Kairuki Mutta , Huang Wenlong , Qian Hai
Published: August 2019

Chemotherapy remains a pillar in the treatment and management of various cancers. However, multidrug resistance (MDR) becomes a severe problem after long‐term administration of chemotherapy drugs. Overexpression of P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) is a significant cause for tumor MDR. Therefore, P‐gp inhibition is considered as an effective strategy to reverse MDR. A third‐generation P‐gp inhibitor tariquidar was selected as a lead compound, and a new series of triazol‐N‐ethyl tetrahydroisoquinoline based compounds were designed as novel P‐gp inhibitors and synthesized through click chemistry. These compounds presented higher reversal activities than the positive‐control verapamil (VRP). Among 18 compounds, compound 11 without cytotoxicity reversed MDR in a dose‐dependent manner, with a persistent longer chemosensitizing effect and reversibility compared to others. Mechanism studies discovered that compound 11 could escalate the intracellular accumulation of rhodamine‐123 and doxorubicin in K562/A02 cells as well as inhibit their efflux from cells. The results obtained suggest that compound 11 is more potent than VRP administered under the same conditions; it may be a potent and safe candidate for P‐gp modulation for further development.
Effect of quality control on the proliferation of the extract from Taraxacum mongolicum Hand.‐Mazz. in Lactobacillus plantarum
Authors: Liu Jing , Li Xiu‐Mei , Shi Dong‐dong , Wen Zhi‐guo , Yang Pei‐Long
Published: August 2019

In recent years, the fingerprint of high‐performance liquid chromatography has been extensively applied in the identification and quality control of traditional Chinese medicine. It can be a potential protocol for assessing the authenticity, stability and consistency of traditional Chinese medicine and guaranteeing the expected biological activity. In this paper, a method using high‐performance liquid chromatography to identify and control the quality of the extract of Taraxacum mongolicum Hand.‐Mazz. (TME) was established. With this method, the correlation coefficients of the similarity of 10 batches were ≥0.994. The TME displayed a steady proliferative effect in Lactobacillus plantarum. In brief, this study successfully built a reliable, simple and efficient method to control and confirm the quality and the stability of biological activity of the TME.
Immunization strategy for epidemic spreading based on membership (m) over a multilayer network
Authors: Singh Vinay , Verma Pratima , Muthukumaar Vignaesh , Kumar Vimal , Tewari Manuj , Lai Kuei‐Kuei , Chang Yu‐Hsin
Published: August 2019

The purpose of this paper is to declare an immunization strategy for epidemic spreading based on membership (m) of a node among various communities over a multilayer network. The past few years have seen exponential growth in the understanding and research in modern complex networks field. The mapping of real‐world social interactions to complex networks has opened a new pathway for innovation and research. The real‐world interactions among people take place in various circumstances, and thus, a complex network imitates these interactions using various layers. The events and its information in a real world are incorporated in multiple layers in a network that otherwise are lost due to layer aggregation. The form of interaction captured in a multilayer network can have effects of spreading of a process such as an epidemic. The findings explain the highest membership nodes in one layer, immunizing it and observing the propagation of the epidemic through the layers based on a fraction of overlapped nodes in the network that transmit the disease to various layers. Further, this research paper tried to measure the efficiency of the immunization strategy for epidemic spreading based on membership metric when applied on a multilayer network and henceforth apply them to prevent spreading of the rumor/disease. In this manner, the strategy is more productive to secure the people of the entire system.
Chemical Analysis of Selected Seaweeds and Seagrass from the Adriatic Coast of Montenegro
Authors: Milović Sanja , Stanković Ivan , Nikolić Dejan , Radović Jelena , Kolundžić Marina , Nikolić Vesna , Stanojković Tatjana , Petović Slavica , Kundaković‐Vasović Tatjana
Published: August 2019

Three seaweeds (Halimeda tuna,Codium bursaandCystoseira barbata) and one seagrass (Cymodocea nodosa) were collected from the Coast of Montenegro, Gulf of Boka Kotorska and their chemical analysis was performed. In seagrassC. nodosa, three phenolic compounds were identified (diosmetin 7‐sulfate, caftaric and coutaric acid). The content ofβ‐glucan, fatty acids, sterols and micro‐ and macro‐elements were investigated among all samples. The highest content ofβ‐glucan was detected inC. nodosaseagrass (13.04±0.42 g/100 g). The highest polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) level was reported inC. barbata, the brown alga (7.157 mg/g), which also had the significant sterol content (fucosterol, 21.76±0.1 μg/g). Green algae,C. bursaandH. tuna, showed the highest level of sterols (β‐sitosterol, 95.21±0.16 μg/g and 73.90±0.08 μg/g, respectively).H. tunahad the highest content of calcium (Ca) in amount of 55125 μg/g. InC. bursa,C. barbataandC. nodosa, the Na/K ratio was low (0.43, 0.46 and 0.69, respectively).
Multivariate curve resolution methods and the design of experiments
Authors: Sawall Mathias , Kubis Christoph , Schröder Henning , Meinhardt Denise , Selent Detlef , Franke Robert , Brächer Alexander , Börner Armin , Neymeyr Klaus
Published: August 2019

A major problem of multivariate curve resolution methods is the underlying non‐uniqueness of the pure component decompositions. This raises the question how a chemical experiment should be designed so that the solution ambiguity is as small as possible. Changes of the reaction conditions belong to the possible variations whereas for a fixed chemical reaction system, the pure component spectra appear to be unchangeable.

The paper investigates and discusses the possibility to design a chemical experiment in a way that minimizes the ambiguity of the factorization. The analysis identifies regions of the spectra that are responsible for a small ambiguity. Certain sources are identified that are responsible for an increased ambiguity by means of an a posteriori analysis. This results in recommendations how to construct spectral measurements incorporating a reduced factorization ambiguity. Furthermore, lower bounds on an unavoidable base level of ambiguity are specified under the constraint of fixed reactants. The problem analysis is accompanied by investigations of several experimental data sets.
Organocatalytic Formal Intramolecular [3+2]‐Cycloaddition to Acquire Biologically Important Methanodibenzo[a,f]azulenes and Methanobenzo[f]azulenes
Authors: Peraka Swamy , Pasha Mohammed Anif , Thirupathi Guguloth , Ramachary Dhevalapally B.
Published: August 2019

Lawsones were transformed into the functionally rich framework of methanodibenzo[a,f]azulenes and methanobenzo[f]azulenes in a single‐ or two‐pot operation through five organocatalytic sequential reactions in very good yields with excellent selectivities. These resultant molecules are basic skeletons of important antibiotics, which highlights the value of this formal intramolecular [3+2]‐cycloaddition as a key protocol.
Oxygen‐Depleted Calixarenes as Ligands for Molecular Models of Galactose Oxidase
Authors: Keck Matthias , Hoof Santina , Herwig Christian , Vigalok Arkadi , Limberg Christian
Published: August 2019

A calix[4]arene ligand, in which two of the phenol functions are replaced by pyrazole units has been employed to mimic the His2–Tyr2 (His: histidine, Tyr: tyrosine) ligand sphere within the active site of the galactose oxidase (GO). The calixarene backbone forces the corresponding copper(II) complex into a see‐saw‐type structure, which is hitherto unprecedented in GO modelling chemistry. It undergoes a one‐electron oxidation that is centered at the phenolate donor leading to a copper‐coordinated phenoxyl radical like in the GO. Accordingly, the complex was tested as a functional model and indeed proved capable of oxidizing benzyl alcohol to the respective aldehyde using two phenoxyl‐radical equivalents as oxidants. Finally, the results show that the calixarene platform can be utilized to arrange donor functions to biomimetic binding pockets that allow for the creation of novel types of model compounds.
Experimental methods in chemical engineering: specific surface area and pore size distribution measurements—BET, BJH, and DFT
Authors: Bardestani Raoof , Patience Gregory S. , Kaliaguine Serge
Published: August 2019

Gas physisorption is an experimental technique based on equilibrium Van der Waals interactions between gas molecules and solid particles, that quantifies the specific surface area (SSA), pore size distribution (PSD), and pore volume of solids and powders. The performance of catalysts, absorbents, chromatography column materials, and polymer resins depends on these morphological properties. Here we introduce the basic principles and procedures of physical adsorption, especially nitrogen physisorption, as a guide to students and researchers unfamiliar with the field. The Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller theory (BET) is a common approach to estimate SSA that extends the Langmuir monolayer molecular adsorption model to multilayer layers. It relies on an equilibrium adsorption isotherm, measured at the normal boiling point of the adsorbate, eg, 77 K or 87 K for N2 and Ar, respectively. Web of Science indexed 45 400 articles in 2016 and 2017 that mentioned N2 adsorption porosimetry—BET and BJH (Barrett‐Joyner‐Halenda) keywords. The VOSViewer bibliometric tool grouped these articles into four research clusters: adsorption, activated carbon in aqueous solutions for removal of heavy metal ions; synthesis of nanoparticles and composites; catalysts performance in oxidation and reduction processes; and photocatalytic degradation with TiO2. According to the literature, the accuracy of the density function theory (DFT) method is higher than with the BJH theory and it is more reliable.
Comparison of finite volume and lattice Boltzmann methods for multicomponent flow simulations
Authors: Shardt Orest
Published: August 2019

In pseudopotential lattice Boltzmann (LB) models for simulating multicomponent flows, interaction forces between the components of a mixture lead to phase separation and interfacial tension. At the macroscopic scale, such LB models solve an advection‐diffusion equation for each component and the Navier‐Stokes equations for the fluid mixture. In this paper, the computational efficiency of the LB method is compared with a finite volume (FV) solver for the same macroscopic‐scale equations for a binary system in a two dimensional domain. The FV implementation replicates the phase separation of the LB model. Differences in the interfacial tension are due to truncation of the Taylor series expansion of the LB interaction force in the FV version. While the computations required to update the domain for each timestep can be completed faster with the FV approach, a smaller timestep is required to achieve stability, which negates the improvement in processing speed. The FV implementation, however, allows independent variation of model parameters, which is not possible in LB. For example, the viscosity can be changed without affecting interfacial tension or the extent of phase separation. Furthermore, it is possible to obtain low interfacial tensions without suppressing phase separation with the FV formulation. The significance of changing the diffusion rate of components on the deformation of a droplet in shear is also demonstrated. For three‐dimensional simulations, the finite volume approach is expected to be faster than LB and would benefit from the demonstrated flexibility in specifying model parameters.
Upfront autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation consolidation for patients with aggressive B‐cell lymphomas in first remission in the rituximab era: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Epperla Narendranath , Hamadani Mehdi , Reljic Tea , Kharfan‐Dabaja Mohamed A. , Savani Bipin N. , Kumar Ambuj
Published: August 2019

Background

The outcomes for patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with adverse clinical prognostic factors such as a high age‐adjusted International Prognostic Index (aaIPI) are not optimal. In the current study, the authors performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis to assess the totality of evidence pertaining to the efficacy of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto‐HCT) consolidation for patients with DLBCL in first remission.

Methods

The authors searched the Cochrane and MEDLINE/PubMed databases through December 1, 2018, for studies comparing conventional chemotherapy with rituximab (R‐chemo) versus R‐chemo and auto‐HCT. Two authors independently reviewed all references for study inclusion and extracted data related to benefits (overall survival, progression‐free survival, and response rates) and harms (treatment‐related mortality and adverse events).

Results

Four studies (1173 patients) met the inclusion criteria and were included in the current analysis. The median duration of follow‐up ranged from 42 to 76 months. There was no difference noted with regard to the overall survival (hazard ratio, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.74‐1.37), progression‐free survival (hazard ratio, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.58‐1.04), or response rates (risk ratio, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.92‐1.04) between patients who received R‐chemo and auto‐HCT and those who received R‐chemo alone. The risk of mortality and therapy failure was not found to be different when the analysis was limited to high aaIPI between the 2 groups. Although there was no difference noted with regard to the risk of treatment‐related mortality, there was a significantly higher incidence of CTCAE grade 3 or 4 adverse events in patients who received R‐chemo and auto‐HCT compared with patients treated with R‐chemo alone.

Conclusions

The findings from what to the authors' knowledge is the first meta‐analysis performed in the rituximab era demonstrated no beneficial effect of upfront auto‐HCT consolidation in patients with aggressive B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma, including high‐risk clinical groups (high aaIPI).
BArt: Trading digital contents through digital assets
Authors: Pérez‐Solà Cristina , Herrera‐Joancomartí Jordi
Published: August 2019

Since digital artworks are indeed digital content, they face the inherent problem digital content has: the link between content and its original author is very difficult to keep. Additionally, retaining control over digital copies of the content is also a challenging task. Digital coins have solved this very same problem through cryptocurrencies (for instance, Bitcoin) and have opened the door to apply the same techniques to other similar scenarios where ownership of digital assets needs to be preserved. In this paper, we propose BArt, a transparent and distributed mechanism for artists to commercialize their digital artwork, keeping control of the copies, monetizing its usage, and maintaining ownership. BArt allows artists to publicly register their work in the Bitcoin blockchain and sell usage rights in exchange for bitcoins. Buyers are allowed to exert the acquired rights. Proper behavior from all parties is enforced by the system with cryptography and economic incentives.
Signal and reward in wild fleshy fruits: Does fruit scent predict nutrient content?
Authors: Nevo Omer , Razafimandimby Diary , Valenta Kim , Jeffrey Juan Antonio James , Reisdorff Christoph , Chapman Colin A. , Ganzhorn Jörg U. , Ayasse Manfred
Published: August 2019

Plant species with fleshy fruits offer animals rewards such as sugar, protein, and fat, to feed on their fruits and disperse their seeds. They have also evolved visual and olfactory signals indicating their presence and ripeness.

In some systems, fruit color serves as a reliable visual signal of nutrient content. Yet even though many volatile chemicals used as olfactory signals derive from nutrients animals seek, it is still unknown whether fruit scent encodes information regarding nutrient content in wild fruits.

We examine the relationship between olfactory signals and nutrient rewards in 28 fruiting plant species in Madagascar. We measured the relative amounts of four chemical classes in fruit scent using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, as well as the relative amounts of sugar and protein in fruit pulp.

We found that protein levels are not associated with elevated amounts of chemically related volatile compounds in fruit scent. In contrast, sugar content is strongly associated with the chemical composition of fruit scent.

To our knowledge, this is the first research to explore the connection between fruit chemical signals and nutrient rewards. Our results imply that in the case of sugar, fruit scent is predictive of nutrient content and hence an honest signal.
Immunosensor for Detection of the Textile Dye Disperse Orange 1 Based on Non‐conventional Competitive Assay
Authors: Venturini Uliana Carolina , Yamanaka Hideko
Published: August 2019

Textile dyes appear as an important class of compounds that has become a matter of public concern and a serious challenge for scientists and environmentalists due to their large‐scale production and extensive application. In this work, a non‐conventional competitive‐type amperometric immunosensor was successfully developed for detection of the textile dye Disperse Orange 1 (DO1). The DO1 was magnetically captured and separated from the sample solution using magnetic particles (MP) functionalized with the antibody anti‐DO1 and with HRP and gold electrodes were modified with the conjugate DO1‐BSA. Molecules of DO1 immobilized on the electrode surface and DO1 captured by MP compete for antibody binding sites. As a result, the amperometric signal decreases with increasing target DO1 concentration at the capture step, because this decreases, the attachment between the HRP coated MP and the electrode. This strategy allowed us to determine DO1 at the low detection limit of 0.87 ng mL−1 with great specificity. Also, there were good recoveries for detection of the textile dye in river water samples without the need of sample pre‐treatment. The competitive amperometric immunosensor shows applicability for the determination of small molecules that cannot be determined by conventional competitive or sandwich immunosensors.