bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Doping of Carbon Materials for Metal‐Free Electrocatalysis
Authors: Hu Chuangang , Dai Liming
Published: December 2018

Carbon atoms in the graphitic carbon skeleton can be replaced by heteroatoms with different electronegative from that of the carbon atom (i.e., heteroatom doping) to modulate the charge distribution over the carbon network. The charge modulation can be achieved via direct charge transfer with an electron acceptor/donor (i.e., charge transfer doping) or through introduction of defects (i.e., defective doping). Various doping strategies, including heteroatom doping, charge‐transfer doping, and defective doping, have now been devised for modulating the charge distribution of numerous graphite carbon materials to impart new properties to carbon materials. Consequently, carbon nanomaterials with defined doping have recently become prominent members in the carbon family, promising for a variety of applications, including catalysis, energy conversion and storage, environmental remediation, and important chemical production and industrial processes. The purpose of this review is to present an overview on the doping of carbon materials for metal‐free electrocatalysis, especially the development of doping strategies and doping‐induced structure and property changes for potential catalytic applications. Current challenges and future perspectives in the doped carbon‐based metal‐free catalyst field are also discussed.
Pd‐Decorated CuO Thin Film for Photodegradation of Acetaminophen and Triclosan under Visible Light Irradiation
Authors: Katal Reza , Panah Saeid Masudy , Saeedikhani Mohsen , Kosari Mohammadreza , Sheng Chua Chin , Leong Ong Say , Xiao Gong , Jiangyong Hu
Published: December 2018

Inefficient visible light photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants, such as acetaminophen (ACE) and triclosan (TS), is one of the main limiting factors for implementing cost‐effective metal oxide photocatalyst for large‐scale deployment. Here, a highly efficient CuO thin film photocatalyst is developed through rapid thermal annealing. The CuO thin film is decorated with Pd nanostructures for enhanced visible light degradation of ACE and TS. It is shown that compared to the as‐deposited thin CuO film photocatalyst, the rapid thermal assisted CuO photocatalyst can significantly enhance charge generation and separation efficiency through improvement of crystallinity and reduction of recombination centres. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the incorporation of Pd nanostructures can considerably increase optical absorption, which further improve the photocatalytic performance through the enhancement of surface plasmon resonance. The CuO film with the 40 s of Pd sputtering (Pd40–CuO) shows the highest performance for photocatalytic degradation of both ACE and TS. The Pd40–CuO film shows good stability and does not show any considerable reduction in photocatalytic activity after five cycles. This indicates the high potential of Pd40–CuO for water and wastewater treatment on industrial scale.
Nanoparticle Assembled Mesoporous MoO2 Microrods Derived from Metal Organic Framework and Wrapped with Graphene as the Sulfur Host for Long‐Life Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Razaq Rameez , Sun Dan , Xin Ying , Li Qian , Huang Taizhong , Zhang Zhaoliang , Huang Yunhui
Published: December 2018

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries are highly potential for next‐generation electrochemical energy storage due to their high energy density. However, low conductivity of the sulfur cathode, dissolution, and poor conversion kinetics of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) are the key challenges. Herein crispy rice‐like nanoparticle assembled mesoporous MoO2 microrods derived from metal organic frameworks and wrapped with graphene (MoO2/rGO) are fabricated, exhibiting high electron and lithium ion conductivity from the inherent metallic conductivity for MoO2 and mesoporous‐structural microrod morphology, physical confinement for LiPSs through mesopores, chemical adsorption, and catalytic conversion of LiPSs by formation of thiosulfates (polythionates) due to moderate redox potential for MoO2. The S‐MoO2/rGO cathode shows a discharge capacity of 1145 mAh g−1 at 0.5C and keeps at 1027 mAh g−1 after 500 cycles, corresponding to an average capacity decay rate of 0.02% per cycle. Specifically, an ultralong cycling life with a low capacity decay of 0.016% only over 3200 cycles at 3.0C is the best performance in long‐life Li–S batteries among reported sulfur hosts.
Domino Synthesis of 3‐Alkyliden‐2,3‐Dihydro‐4‐Quinolones
Authors: Raga Esther , Escolano Marcos , Torres Javier , Rabasa‐Alcañiz Fernando , Sánchez‐Roselló María , del Pozo Carlos
Published: December 2018

The synthesis of 3‐alkyliden‐2,3‐dihydro‐4‐quinolones has been accomplished in a domino fashion through a three‐step sequence that comprised an initial aza‐Baylis‐Hillman reaction, followed by a 1,3‐rearrangement and an intramolecular amination. Starting from readily available aryl vinyl ketones and N‐tosyl imines, the reaction with PPh3, CsOAc and CuI in CH3CN gave rise, in good overall yields, to final 3‐alkyliden‐4‐quinolone derivatives, valuable scaffolds in medicinal chemistry. The simultaneous addition of two bases, PPh3 and CsOAc, was found to be crucial for the success of the process. While PPh3 promoted the reversible aza‐Baylis‐Hillman reaction, CsOAc triggered the subsequent 1,3‐rearrangement, which shifted the initial equilibrium and allowed to complete the synthetic sequence upon the addition of CuI.

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Copper‐Catalyzed Intermolecular Hydroamination of Arylamines or Aza‐Heterocycles with Nitrostyrene Derivatives
Authors: Park Subin , Kang Seongil , Lee Yunmi
Published: December 2018

A new copper‐catalyzed protocol for the intermolecular anti‐Markovnikov addition of arylamines or heterocycles to terminal and unsymmetrical 1,2‐disubstituted vinylarenes has been developed. The direct hydroamination is catalyzed by a readily available N‐heterocyclic carbene‐based copper complex and KOt‐Bu, and the use of MeOH as an additive enhances the reactivity. The method provides a broad range of new and versatile amine compounds bearing various functional groups in good to excellent yields.

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Dual‐Gate Organic Field‐Effect Transistor for pH Sensors with Tunable Sensitivity
Authors: Pfattner Raphael , Foudeh Amir M. , Chen Shucheng , Niu Weijun , Matthews James R. , He Mingqian , Bao Zhenan
Published: December 2018

Dual‐gate field‐effect transistors (FETs) based on organic semiconductor polymer and SiOx as the topmost active sensing layer permit monitoring of pH in physiologically relevant conditions in a fast and reversible fashion. Beyond that, due to the bottom gate‐induced field effect, such sensors exhibit tunable sensitivity and provide faster continuous measurements compared to conventional bulky glass bulb pH sensors. pH response of bare SiOx is evaluated independently by means of voltmeter measurements. When assembled in dual‐gate architecture, the pH response of FET devices scales in agreement with the theoretical model, which assumes capacitive coupling, exhibiting an amplification of up to 10. This opens up the possibility for reversible and reliable sensing based on organic semiconductors well beyond pH sensors.
Thermodynamic and Kinetic Origins of Ferroelectricity in Fluorite Structure Oxides
Authors: Park Min Hyuk , Lee Young Hwan , Mikolajick Thomas , Schroeder Uwe , Hwang Cheol Seong
Published: December 2018

Ferroelectricity in fluorite structure oxides such as HfO2 and ZrO2 has been intensively studied since the first report on it in 2011. The ferroelectricity in this material system is induced by the formation of a non‐centrosymmetric orthorhombic phase, which is not thermodynamically stable under the normal thin‐film processing conditions. Therefore, the thermodynamic and kinetic origins of the formation of the ferroelectric phase have yet to be clearly elucidated. Here, the previously proposed thermodynamic model based on the surface/interface/grain boundary energy argument is critically reviewed, and it is concluded that the thermodynamic model could not account for the emergence of the metastable phase accurately. Subsequently, the probable kinetic paths of phase evolution during the crystallization annealing and cooling processes are reassessed. A phase transition in Hf1−xZrxO2 thin films can be considered a feasible example of the well‐known Ostwald's step rule involving a two‐step phase transition with different kinetic energy barriers. It is concluded that the emergence of the ferroelectric orthorhombic phase can be mainly attributed to a kinetic origin: the transition to a stable nonferroelectric monoclinic phase either from the tetragonal or orthorhombic phase, which must be initially formed during the crystallization anneal, is kinetically suppressed.
Silver Telluride Nanowire Assembly for High‐Performance Flexible Thermoelectric Film and Its Application in Self‐Powered Temperature Sensor
Authors: Zeng Xiaoliang , Yan Changzeng , Ren Linlin , Zhang Tao , Zhou Fengrui , Liang Xianwen , Wang Ning , Sun Rong , Xu Jian‐Bin , Wong Ching‐Ping
Published: December 2018

Flexible thermoelectric materials that enable harvesting electricity from human body heat or an ambient temperature gradient have potential applications in self‐powered flexible wearable electronics. The development of more efficient and flexible n‐type thermoelectric materials, however, is highly desired but challenging. Herein, reported is a nylon substrate supported fabric silver telluride (Ag2Te) nanowire network used as flexible n‐type thermoelectric materials, by the combination of vacuum filtrated assembly and mechanical pressing method. The prepared silver telluride nanowire films show optimal thermoelectric properties with the Seebeck coefficient of −129.5 µV K−1 and electrical conductivity of 187.78 S cm−1, leading to the highest power factor of 315.1 µW m−1 K2. Owing to the elimination of Peierls stress in the fabrics interlocking structure, the silver telluride nanowire films exhibit good flexibility, as the thermoelectric properties only have a change below 10% after 500 bending cycles. Based on the silver telluride nanowire film, a flexible self‐powered temperature sensor is fabricated for detecting the temperature from a human finger. The sensor shows high sensitivity that its response time and reset time are about 1.05 and 2.1 s, respectively. The results imply that silver telluride nanowire films have great potential applications in flexible thermoelectric energy conversion and self‐powered temperature sensing.
Design and characterization of a Low‐pressure‐drop static mixer
Authors: Hosseini Seyyed Mahdi , Razzaghi Kiyanoosh , Shahraki Farhad
Published: December 2018

Four‐blade static mixer was designed for inline mixing of Newtonian fluids at Reynolds numbers from 700 to 6800. The mixer consists of four equally spaced blades mounted on cylindrical housing with 45° rotation relative to the circumference. It was tested in three different compartments of 6, 8, and 10 mixing elements; each element rotated 45° relative to the adjacent one. Multipoint sampling was used to measure concentration downstream the mixer. The mixing quality was measured by the coefficient of variance (CoV). The CoV decreases as the energy input per unit mass increases. This effect is more pronounced when the number of mixing elements increases. For the case of 10 mixing elements, a good mixing performance (typically more than 95% mixedness or CoV < 0.05) achieved, although a marginally good mixing performance could also be achieved by eight mixing elements. The friction factors were correlated as f = C1/Re + C2/Ren with an average deviation of ±10% from experimental data. Furthermore, experimental friction factors were compared with existing models. For a wide range of Reynolds numbers, the friction factors are apparently smaller than those from SMV, KMX, and baffle‐type static mixers. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 65: 1126–1133, 2019
Deaminative (Carbonylative) Alkyl‐Heck‐type Reactions Enabled by Photocatalytic C−N Bond Activation
Authors: Jiang Xuan , Zhang Mao‐Mao , Xiong Wei , Lu Liang‐Qiu , Xiao Wen‐Jing
Published: December 2018

The palladium‐catalyzed Heck reaction is a well‐known, Nobel Prize winning transformation for producing alkenes. Unlike the alkenyl and aryl variants of the Heck reaction, the alkyl‐Heck reaction is still underdeveloped owing to the competitive side reactions of alkyl–palladium species. Herein, we describe the development of a deaminative alkyl‐Heck‐type reaction that proceeds through C−N bond activation by visible‐light photoredox catalysis. A variety of aliphatic primary amines were found to be efficient starting materials for this new process, affording the corresponding alkene products in good yields under mild reaction conditions. Moreover, this strategy was successfully applied to deaminative carbonylative alkyl‐Heck‐type reactions.
Late‐Stage Diversification through Manganese‐Catalyzed C−H Activation: Access to Acyclic, Hybrid, and Stapled Peptides
Authors: Kaplaneris Nikolaos , Rogge Torben , Yin Rongxin , Wang Hui , Sirvinskaite Giedre , Ackermann Lutz
Published: December 2018

Bioorthogonal C−H allylation with ample scope was accomplished through a versatile manganese(I)‐catalyzed C−H activation for the late‐stage diversification of structurally complex peptides. The unique robustness of the manganese(I) catalysis manifold was reflected by full tolerance of sensitive functional groups, such as iodides, esters, amides, and OH‐free hydroxy groups, thereby setting the stage for the racemization‐free synthesis of C−H fused peptide hybrids featuring steroids, drug molecules, natural products, nucleobases, and saccharides.
Interconverting Lanthanum Hydride and Borohydride Catalysts for C=O Reduction and C−O Bond Cleavage
Authors: Patnaik Smita , Sadow Aaron D.
Published: December 2018

The high catalytic reactivity of homoleptic tris(alkyl) lanthanum La{C(SiHMe2)3}3 is highlighted by C−O bond cleavage in the hydroboration of esters and epoxides at room temperature. The catalytic hydroboration tolerates functionality typically susceptible to insertion, reduction, or cleavage reactions. Turnover numbers (TON) up to 10 000 are observed for aliphatic esters. Lanthanum hydrides, generated by reactions with pinacolborane, are competent for reduction of ketones but are inert toward esters. Instead, catalytic reduction of esters requires activation of the lanthanum hydride by pinacolborane.
The Cardiac Gap Junction has Discrete Functions in Electrotonic and Ephaptic Coupling
Authors: Gourdie Robert G.
Published: December 2018

Connexin43‐formed gap junctions have long been thought to contribute to cardiac conduction in the mammalian ventricle by providing direct electrotonic connectivity between the cytoplasms of neighboring cardiomyocytes. However, accumulating data from studies of non‐mammalian hearts, Connexin 43 (Cx43) knockout mice and human Cx43 mutations have raised questions as to whether gap junctions are the sole means by which electrical coupling between cardiomyocytes is accomplished. Computational and experimental work over the last decade have indicated that intercellular propagation of action potentials in the heart may involve both electrotonic and ephaptic contributions—in what has been dubbed “mixed‐mode” conduction. Interestingly, the Cx43 gap junction may provide a common structural platform in mammals that facilitates the operation of these two mechanisms. In addition to gap junction channels functioning in an electrotonic role, the perinexus region at the edge of gap junctions may be provide a niche for voltage‐gated sodium channels from neighboring cells to be in sufficiently close proximity to enable ephaptic transmission of action potential. A novel role has recently been identified in this potential ephaptic mechanism for inter‐membrane adhesion mediated by the beta subunit (beta1/Scn1b) of the sodium channel. The new perspective of the operational redundancy that is built into cardiac electrical connectivity could provide new understanding of arrhythmia mechanisms and holds the promise for new approach to anti‐arrhythmic therapy. Anat Rec, 302:93–100, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Perspectives of monitoring of cataclysmic variables in the very soft X‐ray band
Authors: Šimon V.
Published: December 2018

Some components and important regions of X‐ray spectra of cataclysmic variables (CVs) are present only in the very soft band with energy E < 1.5 keV, which is beyond the region of sensitivity of most available X‐ray monitors. We show that a population study of a large ensemble of such systems with various states of activity that will be observable by eROSITA (on board the SRG satellite) will be a suitable method of investigation even with its very sampled data. We demonstrate that the hardness ratios of such X‐ray spectra show specific positions and patterns of the individual types of CVs in the hardness vs. hardness diagrams. Quiescent dwarf novae and intermediate polars constitute a long tail extending from a group of the high‐state polars. Interstellar absorption plays only a marginal role in this respect. A complicated distribution of CVs in these diagrams thus mainly reflects the complexity of the emitting regions, the absorbing regions intrinsic to the source, and the emission mechanisms in various CVs and CV types. Although this is a case study using incomplete data as examples, it demonstrates serendipitous scientific potentials of the eROSITA archives.
Physical parameters of RR Lyrae stars in NGC 6171
Authors: Deras D. , Arellano Ferro A. , Muneer S. , Giridhar S. , Michel R.
Published: December 2018

We present an analysis of VI CCD time series photometry of the globular cluster NGC 6171. The main goal is to determine individual physical parameters for single‐mode RR Lyrae stars present in the field of view of our images, by means of light curve Fourier decomposition and well‐established calibrations and zero points. This leads to the estimation of the mean values of the metallicity and distance for the parental cluster. From the RRab stars, we find [Fe/H]ZW = −1.33 ± 0.12 and distance d = 5.3 ± 0.3 kpc, and from the RRc stars we find [Fe/H]ZW = −1.02 ± 0.19 and distance d = 5.3 ± 0.2 kpc. Independent methods such as the P–L (period–luminosity) relations for RRab and SX Phe stars enable the estimation of a weighted average distance to the cluster of 5.4 ± 0.1 kpc. We confirm the amplitude modulations of the Blazhko type of five RRab and the non‐membership of V21 to the cluster. The color–magnitude diagram is consistent with an age of 11 Gyrs. The distribution of RRab and RRc stars seems well segregated around the first overtone red edge of the instability strip. This positions NGC 6171 among OoI‐type clusters where the pulsating modes are neatly separated in the horizontal branch. We report two new irregular variables of the Lb type.
On the ephemeris of the eclipsing polar HU Aquarii. II: New eclipse epochs obtained 2014–2018
Authors: Schwope A. D. , Thinius B. D.
Published: December 2018

The magnetic cataclysmic variable HU Aquarii displayed pronounced modulations of its eclipse timing. In recent years, these have been intensively modeled and discussed in the framework of planets orbiting the binary or the Applegate effect. No scenario yielded a unique and satisfactory interpretation of the data. Here, we present 26 new eclipse epochs obtained between 2014 and 2018. The steep and continuous decrease of the orbital period observed in the time interval 2010–2013 has slowed down sometimes before mid 2016. The new slope in the (O − C)‐diagram of eclipse arrival times will further constrain physical models of its complex shape.
BMA‐Mod: A Bayesian model averaging strategy for determining dose‐response relationships in the presence of model uncertainty
Authors: Gould A. Lawrence
Published: December 2018

Successful pharmaceutical drug development requires finding correct doses. The issues that conventional dose‐response analyses consider, namely whether responses are related to doses, which doses have responses differing from a control dose response, the functional form of a dose‐response relationship, and the dose(s) to carry forward, do not need to be addressed simultaneously. Determining if a dose‐response relationship exists, regardless of its functional form, and then identifying a range of doses to study further may be a more efficient strategy. This article describes a novel estimation‐focused Bayesian approach (BMA‐Mod) for carrying out the analyses when the actual dose‐response function is unknown. Realizations from Bayesian analyses of linear, generalized linear, and nonlinear regression models that may include random effects and covariates other than dose are optimally combined to produce distributions of important secondary quantities, including test‐control differences, predictive distributions of possible outcomes from future trials, and ranges of doses corresponding to target outcomes. The objective is similar to the objective of the hypothesis‐testing based MCP‐Mod approach, but provides more model and distributional flexibility and does not require testing hypotheses or adjusting for multiple comparisons. A number of examples illustrate the application of the method.
A reversible calix[4]arene armed phenolphthalein based fluorescent probe for the detection of Zn2+ and an application in living cells
Authors: Erdemir Serkan , Malkondu Sait , Kocyigit Ozcan
Published: December 2018

A reversible and easy assembled fluorescent sensor based on calix[4]arene and phenolphthalein (C4P) was developed for selective zinc ion (Zn2+) sensing in aqueous samples. The probe C4P demonstrated high selective and sensitive detection towards Zn2+ over other competitive metal ions. Interaction of Zn2+ with a solution of C4P resulted in a considerable increment in emission intensity at 440 nm (λex = 365 nm) due to the suppression of photoinduced electron transfer (PET) process and the restriction of C=N isomerization. The binding constant (Ka) of C4P with Zn2+ was calculated to be 4.50 × 1011 M−2 and also the limit of detection of C4P for Zn2+ was as low as 0.108 μM (at 10−7 M level). Moreover, the fluorescence imaging in the human colon cancer cells suggested that C4P had great potential to be used to examine Zn2+ in vivo.
Callosal thickness profiles for prognosticating conversion from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s disease: A classification approach
Authors: Adamson Chris , Beare Richard , Ball Gareth , Walterfang Mark , Seal Marc ,   the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: December 2018

Introduction

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. Finding biomarkers to prognosticate transition from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to AD is important to clinical medicine. Promising imaging biomarkers of AD conversion identified so far include atrophy of the cerebral cortex and subcortical gray matter nuclei.

Methods

This study introduces thickness and bending angle of the corpus callosum as a putative white matter marker of MCI to AD conversion. The corpus callosum is computationally less demanding to segment automatically compared to more complicated structures and a subject can be processed in a few minutes. We aimed to demonstrate that callosal shape and thickness measures provide a simple, effective, and accurate prognostication tool in ADNI dataset. Using longitudinal datasets, we classified MCI subjects based on conversion to AD assessed via cognitive testing. We evaluated the classification accuracy of callosal shape features in comparison with the existing “gold standard” cortical thickness and subcortical gray matter volume measures.

Results

The callosal thickness measures were less accurate in classifying conversion status by cognitive scores compared to gray matter measures for AD.

Conclusions

While this paper presented a negative result, this method may be more suitable for a disease of the white matter.
Age‐specific clinical characteristics and outcome in patients over 60 years old with large hemispheric infarction
Authors: Li Jie , Zhang Ping , Tao Wendan , Yi Xingyang , Zhang Jing , Wang Chun
Published: December 2018

Objective

We aimed to investigate age‐specific clinical characteristics in patients aged >60 years with large hemispheric infarction (LHI).

Methods

We prospectively enrolled consecutive patients with LHI. Patients were divided into two groups: ≤60 vs. >60 years, and demographics, vascular risk factors, clinical feature, in‐hospital treatment, 3‐month mortality, and unfavorable outcome (defined as a mRS score of 4–6) rate were compared.

Results

Of the 256 cases included, 140 (54.7%) were older than 60 years. Compared with the younger, the older patients had higher rates of hypertension (66.4% vs. 31.0%), coronary heart disease (19.3% vs. 2.6%), atrial fibrillation (53.6% vs. 31.0%; all p < 0.001), more history of stroke (21.4% vs. 5.2%, p < 0.001), less history of rheumatic heart disease (16.4% vs. 30.1%, p = 0.009), and alcohol consumption (12.1% vs. 21.6%, p = 0.043). Cardio‐embolism is the most common stroke etiology regardless of age (55.7% and 38.8%, respectively). Furthermore, the elderly less frequently received decompressive hemicraniectomy (4.3% vs. 15.5%, p = 0.005) and mechanical ventilation (7.9% vs. 16.4%, p = 0.035) and had a higher frequency of stroke‐related complication (83.6% vs. 66.4%, p = 0.001). A total of 26 (18.6%) older patients and 15 (12.9%) younger patients died during hospitalization (p = 0.221), and 59 (42.1%) older patients and 35 (30.2%) younger patients died at 3 months (p = 0.061). Patient aged >60 years had significantly higher unfavorable outcome rate at 3 months (adjusted odds ratio, OR 4.30, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.08–8.88; p < 0.05]. However, older age is not independently associated with 3‐month mortality (42.1% vs. 30.2%, p = 0.095 [log‐rank test]).

Conclusions

Large hemispheric infarction patients over 60 years old were a little more than those aged ≤60 years and constitute more than half of those suffered from malignant brain edema and two thirds of in‐hospital death and 3‐month mortality. The elderly had more cardio‐origin risk factors, received less aggressive hospital treatment, and showed higher risk of unfavorable outcome than the younger.
Outcome of contralateral C7 transfers to different recipient nerves after global brachial plexus avulsion
Authors: Liu Yuzhou , Yang Xun , Gao Kaiming , Yu Hu , Xiao Feng , Zhuang Yongqing , Lao Jie
Published: December 2018

Introduction

Contralateral cervical seventh nerve root (CC7) transfer has been widely applied for treatment of traumatic brachial plexus injury. The purpose of the study was to evaluate outcomes of patients with global brachial plexus avulsion (GBPA) after CC7 transfer and compare the recoveries of median nerve as the only recipient nerve and one of the multiple recipient nerves.

Methods

A retrospective review of 51 patients treated with CC7 transfers after GBPA was carried out. The British Medical Research Council (MRC) grading system and range of joint motion (ROM) were used for motor and sensory assessment.

Results

The effective rates of FCR were 57.7%, 45.5%, and 36.4% in CC7 transfer to median nerve (CC7‐Md), CC7 transfer to median nerve and biceps branch (CC7‐Md+Bic) and CC7 transfer to median nerve and triceps branch (CC7‐Md+Tric) groups, respectively. There were no statistical differences no matter in FCR or FDS among groups. The effective rate in biceps had no significant difference with that in triceps. The effective sensory recovery rate was 65.4%, 54.5%, and 36.4% in CC7‐Md, CC7‐Md+Bic, and CC7‐Md+Tric groups. There were no statistical differences in the sensory effective recovery rate among groups. All the ROMs were improved significantly after surgery. The improvement of ROM of elbow flexion after surgery in CC7‐Md+Bic group was significantly larger than that of elbow extension after surgery in CC7‐Md+Tric group (p = 0.047).

Conclusions

The CC7 transfer contributed to the functional improvement of the hand and wrist for the patients with global brachial plexus avulsion. The whole CC7 could be used to repair more than one recipient nerve (including median nerve) without affecting the recovery of median nerve. When CC7 was used to repair two nerves, biceps branch might be preferred to choose as one recipient nerve rather than triceps branch.
Yellow top (Physaria fendleri) presscake: A novel substrate for butanol production and reduction in environmental pollution
Authors: Qureshi Nasib , Harry‐O'kuru Rogers , Liu Siqing , Saha Badal
Published: December 2018

Yellow Top (Physaria fendleri) is a plant that belongs to the mustard family. This plant is used to produce seeds that are rich in hydroxy oil. After extraction of oil, the presscake is land filled. The seedcake is rich in polymeric sugars and can be used for various bioconversions. For the present case, the seedcake or presscake was hydrolyzed with dilute (0.50% [v/v]) H2SO4 and enzymes to release sugars including glucose, xylose, galactose, arabinose, and mannose. Then, the hydrolyzate was used to produce acetone–butanol–ethanol (ABE). Using 100 gL−1 presscake (prior to pretreatment), 19.22 gL−1 of ABE was successfully produced of which butanol was the major product. In this process, an ABE productivity of 0.48 gL−1 h−1 was obtained. These results are superior to glucose fermentation to produce ABE in which an ABE productivity of 0.42 gL−1 h−1 was obtained. Use of Yellow Top to produce butanol has the following advantages: (i) it is an economic feedstock and is expected to produce butanol economically; (ii) it avoids pollution concerns when not land filled; and (iii) rate of ABE production is not inhibited when fermented this substrate. It is suggested that the potential of this feedstock be further explored by optimizing process parameters for this valuable fermentation. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 35: e2767, 2019.
Get ready now for future potential threats, emergencies
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: December 2018

DALLAS — Threats and violence can happen anywhere. If you're an administrator at a small college without a police department, you're likely to have a large role in addressing situations if they arise on your campus. When cyberthreats were made against schools in the region of Montana where Flathead Valley Community College is located, President Jane Karas collaborated with police agencies and school officials throughout the area to determine the best course of action.
Was student's disability a factor in denial of readmission application?
Authors: Gelpi Aileen
Published: December 2018

The plaintiff began attending the Louisiana State University School of Medicine in 2010. At the outset, the administration was made aware of her bipolar disorder.
My education on locks
Authors: Miles David
Published: December 2018

Does your campus locksmith report to you as the director of public safety? If the answer is yes, then like me, you had to learn all about the different types of locks and locking devices that are used.
Combined hemophagocytic syndrome and thrombotic microangiopathy due to mixed infection with influenza virus and pneumococcal pneumonia
Authors: Ishiguro Takashi , Kojima Ayako , Shimizu Taisuke , Mita Norikatsu , Kuroiwa Seiichiro , Takayanagi Noboru
Published: December 2018

Key Clinical Message

Development of hemophagocytic syndrome and thrombotic microangiopathy due to community‐acquired pneumonia is rare, but delayed management of these complications can lead to a poor prognosis. Infection by both Streptococcus pneumoniae and influenza virus can cause these complications; thus, physicians should pay attention to them when treating influenza‐associated pneumococcal pneumonia.
Use of direct oral anticoagulants in the treatment of left ventricular thrombi: A tertiary center experience and review of the literature
Authors: Shokr Mohamed , Ahmed Abdelrahman , Abubakar Hossam , Sayedahmad Ziad , Rashed Ahmed , Afonso Luis , Cardozo Shaun
Published: December 2018

Key Clinical Message

Direct oral anticoagulants can potentially provide a more convenient oral alternative for the management of left ventricular thrombi than Warfarin. These medications do not require frequent monitoring and have less drug‐drug interactions. Randomized controlled trials are needed to further demonstrate their efficacy and safety in this setting.
The first reported case of vincristine‐induced unilateral vocal cord palsy in an adult patient with HIV‐associated Burkitt‐like lymphoma being treated with dose‐escalated R‐EPOCH
Authors: Rahmat Leena T. , Brandt Philip H. , Ali Syed S.
Published: December 2018

Key Clinical Message

Vincristine‐induced vocal cord palsy (VCP) is a rare but critical complication. Prompt recognition of VCP is imperative. Vincristine‐induced VCP is reversible, and a complete remission of a lymphoma is still feasible upon withdrawal of vincristine from the chemotherapeutic regimen early in the course of treatment.
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis: A Contemporary Qualitative Approach
Authors: Miller Raissa M. , Chan Christian D. , Farmer Laura B.
Published: December 2018

Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) is a contemporary qualitative research method grounded in phenomenology, hermeneutics, and idiography. Philosophical principles and rigorous methodology make this approach well suited for research in counselor education and supervision. In this primer, the authors introduce counselor educators, counseling students, and counseling researchers to IPA theory and methodology and discuss considerations for implementation in counseling research.
Performance Characteristics of a Suspended‐Catalyst Oscillatory Membrane Photocatalytic Reactor
Authors: Gomaa Hassan G. , Sabouni Rana
Published: December 2018

The performance characteristics of an oscillatory membrane photocatalytic reactor were investigated using dye degradation over a suspended ZnO catalyst as a model reaction. Both flat‐surface membranes and ones with transverse turbulence promoters (TP) were used. Application of oscillatory motion can be effective in enhancing the performance of suspended‐catalyst membrane photocatalytic reactors. The eddy formation and vortex shedding when using membranes with TP gave rise to several synergistic effects by providing effective removal of catalyst deposits from the membrane surface, which enhanced the flux and increased the suspended‐catalyst fraction in solution, which consequently enhanced the reaction rate. The effective mixing in the reaction channel minimized particles sedimentation and agglomeration which further enhanced the catalyst suspension and increased its effective reaction area. The specific energy consumption favorably compared to a membrane cross‐flow filtration system.
Increase of Redox Potential during the Evolution of Enzymes Degrading Recalcitrant Lignin
Authors: Ayuso‐Fernández Iván , De Lacey Antonio L. , Cañada Francisco J. , Ruiz‐Dueñas Francisco J. , Martínez Angel T.
Published: December 2018

To investigate how ligninolytic peroxidases acquired the uniquely high redox potential they show today, their ancestors were resurrected and characterized. Unfortunately, the transient Compounds I (CI) and II (CII) from peroxide activation of the enzyme resting state (RS) are unstable. Therefore, the reduction potentials (E°′) of the three redox couples (CI/RS, CI/CII and CII/RS) were estimated (for the first time in a ligninolytic peroxidase) from equilibrium concentrations analyzed by stopped‐flow UV/Vis spectroscopy. Interestingly, the E°′ of rate‐limiting CII reduction to RS increased 70 mV from the common peroxidase ancestor to extant lignin peroxidase (LiP), and the same boost was observed for CI/RS and CI/CII, albeit with higher E°′ values. A straightforward correlation was found between the E°′ value and the progressive displacement of the proximal histidine Hϵ1 chemical shift in the NMR spectra, due to the higher paramagnetic effect of the heme Fe3+. More interestingly, the E°′ and NMR data also correlated with the evolutionary time, revealing that ancestral peroxidases increased their reduction potential in the evolution to LiP thanks to molecular rearrangements in their heme pocket during the last 400 million years.
(5Z)‐7‐Oxozeaenol: A novel and potent resorcylic acid lactone kinase inhibitor with a cis‐enone Michael acceptor
Authors: Ellestad George A.
Published: December 2018

In this review, evidence is presented from a number of research groups over the past two decades that show that (5Z)‐7‐oxozeaenol, an initially biologically uninteresting fungal metabolite, is a remarkably selective and potent kinase inhibitor with important antiproliferative and anti‐inflammatory properties. Taken together, this research shows (5Z)‐7‐oxozeaenol to be a surprisingly selective and competitive ATP binder in which the aromatic ring of the resorcylic lactone mimics the adenine ring of ATP; that it binds covalently to a conserved cysteine at a metabolically unstable cis‐enone Michael acceptor; the conformational importance of the macrocycle, which depends on the absolute stereochemistry and hydrogen bonding properties of the 8,9‐diol; and the success of medicinal chemistry in stabilizing the cis‐enone.
Influence of Soil Nutrient Heterogeneity and Competition on Sprouting and Ramets Growth of Alternanthera philoxeroides
Authors: Yu Hongwei , Shen Nan , Guan Xin , Yu Siqi , Yu Dan , Liu Chunhua
Published: December 2018

Environmental heterogeneity and plant competition influence plant vegetative sprouting and ramets growth. Many major invasive plants reproduce largely or exclusively by vegetative propagation. The terrestrial invasive Alternanthera philoxeroides mainly regenerates from fleshy roots. Here, it is tested whether resource heterogeneity and intraspecific competition influence the fleshy root sprouting and ramet growth of this species. Four or twelve similar‐sized fleshy roots of A. philoxeroides are grown in two soil substrates that are either homogeneous or heterogeneous but have the same total amount of nutrients. After 6 months, the sprouting and ramet growth traits (i.e., ramet number, leaf traits, biomass and biomass allocation) are analyzed. The fleshy root density significantly affects the sprouting and ramet growth traits, but the soil nutrient heterogeneity does not. The sprouting and ramet growth traits decrease in the treatments with high densities of fleshy roots. These results suggest that intraspecific competition has a greater influence on the root sprouting and ramet growth of the invasive terrestrial A. philoxeroides than soil nutrient heterogeneity. Thus, intraspecific competition can limit the establishment of terrestrial A. philoxeroides.
More evidence on the limited impact of state oral oncology parity laws
Authors: Winn Aaron N. , Dusetzina Stacie B.
Published: December 2018

Most US states have enacted cancer parity laws to ensure that copayments are similar for cancer drugs whether they are oral or intravenous medications. However, these parity laws have had a limited impact and often only lower costs for those who already have low copayments.
Hf 4+ Ion Concentration Dependence of Holographic Storage Properties in Hf:Fe:Cu:LiNbO3 Crystals
Authors: Dai Li , Han Xianbo , Shao Yu , Liu Chunrui , Wang Luping
Published: December 2018

A series of Hf:Fe:Cu:LiNbO3 crystal with various concentrations of Hf 4+ ion doping are grown in air by the conventional Czochralski technique. The segregation coefficients of the Hf 4+, Fe3+, and Cu2+ ions in the crystals are carried out with an inductively coupled plasma‐atomic emission spectrometer. The birefringence gradient method is measured in order to analyze the optical homogeneity of Hf:Fe:Cu:LiNbO3 crystals. The holographic storage properties of Hf:Fe:Cu:LiNbO3 crystals are investigated by the two‐wavelength coupling experiment. The result shows that the writing time constant shortens from 529.3 to 214.4 s, and the dynamic range increases from 1.12 to 8.07 with increasing Hf 4+ content in the Hf:Fe:Cu:LiNbO3 crystals.
Polymers Based on Cyclic Carbonates as Trait d'Union Between Polymer Chemistry and Sustainable CO2 Utilization
Authors: Yadav Neha , Seidi Farzad , Crespy Daniel , D'Elia Valerio
Published: December 2018

Given the large amount of anthropogenic CO2 emissions, it is advantageous to use CO2 as feedstock for the fabrication of everyday products, such as fuels and materials. An attractive way to use CO2 in the synthesis of polymers is by the formation of five‐membered cyclic organic carbonate monomers (5CCs). The sustainability of this synthetic approach is increased by using scaffolds prepared from renewable resources. Indeed, recent years have seen the rise of various types of carbonate syntheses and applications. 5CC monomers are often polymerized with diamines to yield polyhydroxyurethanes (PHU). Foams are developed from this type of polymers; moreover, the additional hydroxyl groups in PHU, absent in classical polyurethanes, lead to coatings with excellent adhesive properties. Furthermore, carbonate groups in polymers offer the possibility of post‐functionalization, such as curing reactions under mild conditions. Finally, the polarity of carbonate groups is remarkably high, so polymers with carbonates side‐chains can be used as polymer electrolytes in batteries or as conductive membranes. The target of this Review is to highlight the multiple opportunities offered by polymers prepared from and/or containing 5CCs. Firstly, the preparation of several classes of 5CCs is discussed with special focus on the sustainability of the synthetic routes. Thereafter, specific classes of polymers are discussed for which the use and/or presence of carbonate moieties is crucial to impart the targeted properties (foams, adhesives, polymers for energy applications, and other functional materials).
The utility of combined mutation analysis and microRNA classification in reclassifying cancer risk of cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules
Authors: Banizs Anna B. , Silverman Jan F.
Published: December 2018

Objectives

Real‐world clinical results of (1) Bethesda categorization, (2) mutation analysis, and (3) a microRNA classifier were correlated to show the utility of molecular analysis in assessing malignancy risk of indeterminate thyroid nodules.

Methods

Cytology and molecular results of clinically tested thyroid nodules were compared. An additional microRNA threshold was determined based on nodules with known disease status, establishing a 3‐tiered microRNA approach to clinical risk assessments. Expected rate of malignancy given mutation panel and 3‐tiered microRNA approach was validated in an independent cohort of atypia of undetermined significance or follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS) and follicular neoplasm or suspicious for follicular neoplasm (FN/SFN) nodules with surgically derived outcomes.

Results

In 2685 patients clinically tested, PIK3CA, PAX8/PPARγ, and RET/PTC mutations occurred in less than 1%. Of note, 2% had BRAFV600E mutation and 82% lacked mutations. The maximum expected risk of malignancy in nodules lacking mutations was 9% and 17% for AUS/FLUS and FN/SFN nodules, respectively. Positive microRNA status further increased risk, with the most worrisome status (level‐3) elevating risk to 36% and 54%, respectively. RAS mutations occurred in 15% of nodules tested clinically, including in 8% of those that were cytologically benign. The maximum expected risk of malignancy in nodules with RAS or PAX8/PPARγ mutations was 49% and 65% for AUS/FLUS and FN/SFN nodules, respectively. Positive microRNA status further increased risk, with the most worrisome microRNA status (level‐3) elevating risk to 85% and 91%, respectively.

Conclusions

Mutation panels alone do not sufficiently risk stratify thyroid nodular disease. microRNA classification complements cytology and mutation analysis with the capacity to better differentiate nodules at high risk of malignancy.
Synthesis, in vivo and in silico evaluation of novel 2,3‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H)‐one derivatives as potential anticonvulsant agents
Authors: Kothayer Hend , Ibrahim Samy M. , Soltan Moustafa K. , Rezq Samar , Mahmoud Shireen S.
Published: December 2018

In light of the pharmacophoric structural requirements for achieving anticonvulsant activity, a series of N‐(1‐methyl‐4‐oxo‐2‐un/substituted‐1,2‐dihydroquinazolin‐3[4H]‐yl)benzamide (4a‐g) and N‐(1‐methyl‐4‐oxo‐2‐un/substituted‐1,2‐dihydroquinazolin‐3[4H]‐yl)‐2‐phenylacetamide (4h‐n) derivatives were synthesized in two steps starting from the reaction of N‐methyl isatoic anhydride with the appropriate hydrazide and followed by condensation with the appropriate aldehyde. The anticonvulsant activities of the synthesized compounds were evaluated according to the anticonvulsant drug development (ADD) programme protocol. Among the synthesized compounds, 4n showed promising activity in both the maximal electroshock (MES) and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) tests with median effective dose (ED50) values of 40.7 and 6 mg/kg, respectively. The six most promising derivatives, 4b, 4a, 4c, 4f, 4j, and 4i, showed very low ED50 values in the PTZ test (3.1, 4.96, 8.68, 9.89, 12, and 13.53 mg/kg, respectively). All the tested compounds showed no to low neurotoxicity in the rotarod test with a wide therapeutic index. Docking studies of compound 4n suggested that GABAA binding could be the mechanism of action of these derivatives. The in silico drug likeliness parameters indicated that none of the designed compounds violate Lipinski's rule of five and that they are able to cross the blood–brain barrier.

Hit, Lead & Candidate Discovery
Normative developmental trajectories of actigraphic sleep variables during the preschool period: A three‐wave longitudinal study
Authors: Tétreault Émilie , Bernier Annie , Matte‐Gagné Célia , Carrier Julie
Published: December 2018

Important changes in sleep are believed to occur in the preschool years, but studies that have documented these changes were generally cross‐sectional or based on subjective sleep measures. The current longitudinal study modeled the developmental trajectories followed by five sleep variables objectively assessed during the preschool period. Children (N = 128) wore an actigraph over 3 days at 2, 3, and 4 years of age and change in sleep variables was assessed with growth curves. The results showed a linear decrease of daytime, total, and nighttime sleep duration, and a linear increase of sleep efficiency and proportion of nighttime to total sleep. For all sleep variables, the rhythm of change was relatively uniform across children, but there was significant inter‐individual variation around the initial status for most variables. To our knowledge, this study is the first to model the developmental trajectories followed by several sleep variables during the preschool period.