bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ЕФИКАСНОСТ И ОГРАНИЧЕЊА МОНЕТАРНИХ ПОЛИТИКА БИХ, СРБИЈЕ И ХРВАТСКЕ
Authors: Мировић Иван , Петровић Весна
Published: December 2018

Економски проблеми у условима неолиберализма и транзиције, лоших и неуспјелих приватизација у БиХ, Србији и Хрватској су готово идентични, али се монетарни оквир разликује. БиХ има валутни одбор, Србија има политику циљања инфлације, а Хрватска номинално сидро девизног курса (режим пливајућег управљаног девизног курса). На питање која се монетарна стратегија показала дјелотворном у управљању кризом и санирању њених посљедица, нема адекватаног и задовољавајућег одговора. Наиме, три посматране земље су мале, отворене транзиционе земље, високо евроизиране, са слабије развијеним институцијама и финансијском структуром, осјетљиве на промјене девизног курса трпе ограничења, из економског и финансијског система, посебно у условима кризе у вођењу активне и самосталне монетарне политике. Упркос циљу централне банке, да промовише генералну политику државе и различито институционално устројство централних банака у наведеним државама, и њихове несводиве функције, ЦБ БиХ функционише у режиму валутног одбора, док централне банке Србије и Хрватске у режиму,, квази валутног одбора", постоји јединство циља, стабилност цијена, курса, и финансијска стабилност. Заједнички именитељ монетарних политика централних банака БиХ, Србије и Хрватске да нису довољно самосталне, активне и развојно оријентисане.
Species turnover reveals hidden effects of decreasing nitrogen deposition in mountain hay meadows
Authors: Roth Tobias , Kohli Lukas , Bühler Christoph , Rihm Beat , Meuli Reto Giulio , Meier Reto , Amrhein Valentin
Published: December 2018

Nitrogen (N) deposition is a major threat to biodiversity in many habitats. The recent introduction of cleaner technologies in Switzerland has led to a reduction in the emissions of nitrogen oxides, with a consequent decrease in N deposition. We examined different drivers of plant community change, i.e. N deposition, climate warming, and land-use change, in Swiss mountain hay meadows, using data from the Swiss biodiversity monitoring program. We compared indicator values of species that disappeared from or colonized a site (species turnover) with the indicator values of randomly chosen species from the same site. While oligotrophic plant species were more likely to colonize, compared to random expectation, we found only weak shifts in plant community composition. In particular, the average nutrient value of plant communities remained stable over time (2003-2017). We found the largest deviations from random expectation in the nutrient values of colonizing species, suggesting that N deposition or other factors that change the nutrient content of soils were important drivers of the species composition change over the last 15 years in Swiss mountain hay meadows. In addition, we observed an overall replacement of species with lower indicator values for temperature with species with higher values. Apparently, the community effects of the replacement of eutrophic species with oligotrophic species was outweighed by climate warming. Our results add to the increasing evidence that plant communities in changing environments may be relatively stable regarding average species richness or average indicator values, but that this apparent stability is often accompanied by a marked turnover of species.
Extraordinary centromeres: differences in the meiotic chromosomes of two rock lizards species Darevskia portschinskii and Darevskia raddei
Authors: Spangenberg Victor , Arakelyan Marine , Galoyan Eduard , Pankin Mark , Petrosyan Ruzanna , Stepanyan Ilona , Grishaeva Tatiana , Danielyan Felix , Kolomiets Oxana
Published: December 2018

According to the synthesis of 30 years of multidisciplinary studies parthenogenetic species of rock lizards of genus Darevskia were formed as a result of different combination patterns of interspecific hybridization of the four bisexual parental species: D. raddei, D. mixta, D. valentini, and D. portschinskii. In particular D. portschinskii and D. raddei are considered as the parental species for the parthenogenetic species D. rostombekowi. Here for the first time we present the result of comparative immunocytochemical study of primary spermatocyte nuclei spreads from the leptotene to diplotene stages of meiotic prophase I in two species: D. portschinskii and D. raddei. We observed similar chromosome lengths for both synaptonemal complex (SC) karyotypes as well as similar number of crossing over sites. However, unexpected differences in the number and distribution of anti-centromere antibody (ACA) foci were detected in the SC structure of bivalents of the two species. In all examined D. portschinskii spermatocyte nuclei, one immunostained centromere focus was detected per SC bivalent. In contrast, in almost every studied D. raddei nuclei we identified three – nine SCs with additional immunostained ACA foci per SC bivalent. Thus, the obtained results allow us to identify species-specific karyotype features, previously not been detected using conventional mitotic chromosome analysis. Presumably the additional centromere foci are result of epigenetic chromatin modifications. We assume that this characteristic of the D. raddei karyotype could represent useful marker for the future studies of parthenogenetic species hybrid karyotypes related to D. raddei.
Atividade física e indicadores de saúde em pessoas vivendo com HIV/aids
Authors: Cordeiro Hygor , Kitagawa Lidyane Midori , Máximo Milena Arantes , Dias Douglas Fernando , Guariglia Débora Alves
Published: December 2018

Introdução: O estilo de vida ativo pode contribuir de forma expressiva em pessoas vivendo com HIV/aids auxiliando na melhoria das capacidades físicas e combate aos efeitos adversos da medicação. Objetivo: Analisar a associação entre atividade física e fatores sociodemográficos e de saúde em pessoas vivendo com HIV/aids do município de Ourinhos-SP. Métodos: Foram entrevistados pacientes em tratamento no Serviço de Atendimento Especializado em Doenças Infecciosas (SAEDI). A atividade física habitual e seus domínios foram avaliados mediante o questionário de Baecke, além disso, os prontuários dos pacientes foram acessados para coleta de dados adicionais de saúde. Resultados: Como principais resultados, observou-se baixos níveis de atividade física de lazer na população investigada (21,0%). Modelos de regressão de Poisson ajustados por fatores de confundimento identificaram associação entre atividade física ocupacional e maior classe social (RP: 3,32; IC95%: 1,34-8,25); atividades físicas de lazer e locomoção e maior pressão arterial diastólica (PAD) (RP: 3,17; IC95%: 1,43-7,07); atividade física habitual e tempo de diagnóstico superior a 150 meses (RP: 3,18; IC95%: 1,16-8,72) e maior prevalência de exercícios físicos no lazer associou-se a maior classe social (RP: 2,86; IC95%: 1,11-7,36). Conclusão: Pessoas vivendo com HIV/aids em tratamento na região de Ourinhos apresentam baixos níveis de atividade física. Além disso, classe social, tempo de diagnóstico e PAD apresentaram relações com atividade física.
'Artiphysiology' reveals V4-like shape tuning in a deep network trained for image classification
Authors: Pospisil Dean A , Pasupathy Anitha , Bair Wyeth
Published: December 2018

Deep networks provide a potentially rich interconnection between neuroscientific and artificial approaches to understanding visual intelligence, but the relationship between artificial and neural representations of complex visual form has not been elucidated at the level of single-unit selectivity. Taking the approach of an electrophysiologist to characterizing single CNN units, we found many units exhibit translation-invariant boundary curvature selectivity approaching that of exemplar neurons in the primate mid-level visual area V4. For some V4-like units, particularly in middle layers, the natural images that drove them best were qualitatively consistent with selectivity for object boundaries. Our results identify a novel image-computable model for V4 boundary curvature selectivity and suggest that such a representation may begin to emerge within an artificial network trained for image categorization, even though boundary information was not provided during training. This raises the possibility that single-unit selectivity in CNNs will become a guide for understanding sensory cortex.
A re-inducible gap gene cascade patterns the anterior–posterior axis of insects in a threshold-free fashion
Authors: Boos Alena , Distler Jutta , Rudolf Heike , Klingler Martin , El-Sherif Ezzat
Published: December 2018

Gap genes mediate the division of the anterior-posterior axis of insects into different fates through regulating downstream hox genes. Decades of tinkering the segmentation gene network of Drosophila melanogaster led to the conclusion that gap genes are regulated (at least initially) through a threshold-based mechanism, guided by both anteriorly- and posteriorly-localized morphogen gradients. In this paper, we show that the response of the gap gene network in the beetle Tribolium castaneum upon perturbation is consistent with a threshold-free ‘Speed Regulation’ mechanism, in which the speed of a genetic cascade of gap genes is regulated by a posterior morphogen gradient. We show this by re-inducing the leading gap gene (namely, hunchback) resulting in the re-induction of the gap gene cascade at arbitrary points in time. This demonstrates that the gap gene network is self-regulatory and is primarily under the control of a posterior regulator in Tribolium and possibly other short/intermediate-germ insects.
Technology-Based Professional Development: The Case of Elementary School Teachers in Belgrade
Authors: Joksimović Mirjana , Robertson Ashlee , Đokić Borivoje , Dražeta Lazar
Published: December 2018

Research question: This paper investigated the correlation between the perceptions of strategies that affect professional development and the obstacles to successful implementation of technology-based professional development. Motivation: The research sought to determine elements that make professional development effective in the eyes of teachers, so that they may be more apt to use what they learn in classroom practice. The concept draws upon the TPACK framework while discussion and recommendations draw upon the UTAUT stages that teachers pass through when faced with new innovations. This study looks at the variables of a) time spent teaching, b) level of education, c) knowledge/use of computers, d) class preparation, and e) technology seminars of survey participants, to determine what demographical characteristics may have an impact on certain belief patterns surrounding professional development and technology use. Idea: The idea of this study is to look at the effectiveness of professional development to integrate technology into classroom practice and to allow for recommendations for improved technology-based professional development. Data: Data collected from a paper-based survey was completed by elementary school teachers in the school district of the city
From Conception to Start-Up: Who and What Affect Female Entrepreneurship
Authors: Lin Ting-Ling , Lu Tzu-Ying , Hsieh Mei-Chen , Liu Heng-Yih
Published: December 2018

This study explores the early stages of the female entrepreneurial process from conception to venture start up. Seventy-eight female entrepreneurs’ stories, published on the Flying Goose Program website, were collected and analyzed by content. Engaged in different industries, they are mostly small- and medium-sized enterprises or micro-enterprises in personal service industry. The results describe the women entrepreneur as: middle-aged, married, college degree, with work experience, no management experience, no financial backup, mostly in traditionally personal service industry. In addition to their dreams, interests, and specific skills and knowledge, these women have a desire to solve life problems or assist disadvantaged groups in society. When they have an entrepreneurial idea, they are likely to share it with and receive approval and affirmation from their families—particularly their husbands. Government assistance is a major factor affecting their venture start up decision making. They access related business knowledge from training courses. Practical and policy implications for female entrepreneurship are provided.

To cite this document: Ting-Ling Lin, Tzu-Ying Lu, Mei-Chen Hsieh, Heng-Yih Liu, "From Conception to Start-Up: Who and What Affect Female Entrepreneurship", Contemporary Management Research, Vol.14, No.4, pp. 253-276, 2018.

Permanent link to this document:
http://dx.doi.org/10.7903/cmr.17957
NSC‐34 motor neuron‐like cells are sensitized to ferroptosis upon differentiation
Authors: Martinez Alejandra M. , Mirkovic Jovan , Stanisz Zofia A. , Patwari Fahmida S. , Yang Wan Seok
Published: December 2018

Ferroptosis is a form of regulated cell death that is driven by lethal accumulation of lipid peroxides upon inhibition of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4). Deletion of the Gpx4 gene in mice revealed that neurons are sensitive to ferroptosis in vivo. However, few studies have been conducted on ferroptosis regulation in neurons. Here, we report that cells of a motor neuron‐like cell line, NSC‐34, became more sensitive to ferroptosis upon differentiation into a more motor neuron‐like condition. We identified three factors that influence ferroptosis sensitivity under differentiation conditions: low serum antioxidants, decreased GPx4 protein amount, and inhibition of the transsulfuration pathway. Our results support the hypothesis that neurons, especially motor neurons, are sensitive to ferroptosis, and suggest that ferroptosis in a neuronal context should be investigated further to develop strategies for neuroprotection.
Metallic Porous Iron Nitride and Tantalum Nitride Single Crystals with Enhanced Electrocatalysis Performance
Authors: Zhang Feiyan , Xi Shaobo , Lin Guoming , Hu Xiuli , Lou Xiong Wen (David) , Xie Kui
Published: December 2018

Altering a material's catalytic properties would require identifying structural features that deliver electrochemically active surfaces. Single‐crystalline porous materials, combining the advantages of long‐range ordering of bulk crystals and large surface areas of porous materials, would create sufficient active surfaces by stabilizing 2D active moieties confined in lattice and may provide an alternative way to create high‐energy surfaces for electrocatalysis that are kinetically trapped. Here, a radical concept of building active metal–nitrogen moieties with unsaturated nitrogen coordination on a porous surface by directly growing metallic porous metal nitride (Fe3N and Ta5N6) single crystals at unprecedented 2 cm scale is reported. These porous single crystals demonstrate exceptionally high conductivity of 0.1–1.0 × 105 S cm−1, while the atomic surface layers of the porous crystals are confirmed to be an Fe termination layer for Fe3N and a Ta termination layer for Ta5N6. The unsaturated metal–nitrogen moieties (Fe6–N and Ta5–N3) with unique electronic structures demonstrate enhanced electrocatalysis performance and durability.
Optimal design of combined cycle power plants with fixed‐bed chemical‐looping combustion reactors
Authors: Chen Chen , Bollas George M.
Published: December 2018

Process intensification options are explored for near‐carbon‐neutral, natural‐gas‐fueled combined cycle (CC) power plants, wherein the conventional combustor is replaced by a series of chemical‐looping combustion (CLC) reactors. Dynamic modeling and optimization are deployed to design CLC‐CC power plants with optimal configuration and performance. The overall plant efficiency is improved by optimizing the CLC reactor design and operation, and modifying the CC plant configuration and design. The optimal CLC‐CC power plant has a time‐averaged efficiency of 52.52% and CO2 capture efficiency of 96%. The main factor that limits CLC‐CC power plant efficiency is the reactor temperature, which is constrained by the oxygen carrier material. CLC exhaust gas temperature during heat removal and gas compressor to gas turbine pressure ratio are the most important operating variables and if properly tuned, CLC‐CC power plants can reach high thermodynamic efficiencies. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 65: e16516 2019
Molecularly Mixed Composite Membranes for Advanced Separation Processes
Authors: Zhu Guanghui , Zhang Fengyi , Rivera Matthew P. , Hu Xunxiang , Zhang Guoyan , Jones Christopher W. , Lively Ryan P.
Published: December 2018

Porous organic cages (POCs) are individual soluble, porous molecules. When fabricated into mixed‐matrix membranes (MMMs), the soluble POC molecules have the potential to exhibit intimate molecular‐level mixing with the polymer matrix. POCs have only recently been incorporated into mixed matrix membrane materials, but this process has not yet resulted in significant improvements of membrane performance. Now, vertex‐functionalized amorphous scrambled porous organic cages (ASPOCs) have been utilized as membrane performance enhancers and the amorphous ASPOC mixtures are observed to distribute throughout the matrix without any indication of particle formation or agglomeration, creating unique, molecularly mixed composite membranes. Overall, the molecularly mixed composite membrane provide significant increases in both membrane permeability and selectivity, offering new avenues for creation of membranes with unique properties in industrially relevant separations.
Remarkable Oxygen‐Evolution Activity of a Perovskite Oxide from the Ca2−xSrxFe2O6−δ Series
Authors: Hona Ram Krishna , Ramezanipour Farshid
Published: December 2018

Herein in we report the unprecedented catalytic activity of an iron‐based oxygen‐deficient perovskite for the oxygen‐evolution reaction (OER). The systematic trends in OER activity as a function of composition, defect‐order, and electrical conductivity have been demonstrated, leading to a methodical increase in OER catalytic activity: Ca2Fe2O6−δ<CaSrFe2O6−δ<Sr2Fe2O6−δ. Sr2Fe2O6−δ also has the highest electrical conductivity and a unique type of defect‐order. In conventional experiments using glassy carbon electrode, Sr2Fe2O6−δ shows better OER activity than the current state of the art catalysts, Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ and RuO2. It also offers a high intrinsic electrical conductivity, which allows it to act as a catalyst without the need for glassy carbon electrode or carbon powder. Pure disks of this material exhibit an outstanding activity for OER, without any additives or need for electrode preparation.
Two‐in‐One Strategy for Palladium‐Catalyzed C−H Functionalization in Water
Authors: Zeng Huiying , Wang Zemin , Li Chao‐Jun
Published: December 2018

Transition metal catalyzed C−H functionalizations have been developed as powerful methods for C−C bond formations. Directing groups, removable directing groups, traceless directing groups, and transient directing groups (TDGs) have been successfully used to improve the reaction efficiencies. For the development of greener and more sustainable methods, C−H functionalization using a TDG that also serves as a reagent in aqueous solvent was investigated. The palladium‐catalyzed C−H functionalization of tryptamine derivatives using ketones in water successfully generated tetrahydro‐β‐carbolines with a quaternary carbon center at C1. Deuterium‐labeling experiments are discussed to provide insight into the mechanism. The C2‐position of pyridine was also successfully functionalized by this strategy.
Directed Evolution of a Designer Enzyme Featuring an Unnatural Catalytic Amino Acid
Authors: Mayer Clemens , Dulson Christopher , Reddem Eswar , Thunnissen Andy‐Mark W. H. , Roelfes Gerard
Published: December 2018

The impressive rate accelerations that enzymes display in nature often result from boosting the inherent catalytic activities of side chains by their precise positioning inside a protein binding pocket. Such fine‐tuning is also possible for catalytic unnatural amino acids. Specifically, the directed evolution of a recently described designer enzyme, which utilizes an aniline side chain to promote a model hydrazone formation reaction, is reported. Consecutive rounds of directed evolution identified several mutations in the promiscuous binding pocket, in which the unnatural amino acid is embedded in the starting catalyst. When combined, these mutations boost the turnover frequency (kcat) of the designer enzyme by almost 100‐fold. This results from strengthening the catalytic contribution of the unnatural amino acid, as the engineered designer enzymes outperform variants, in which the aniline side chain is replaced with a catalytically inactive tyrosine residue, by more than 200‐fold.
Synthesis and Reactivity of α‐Cumyl Bromodifluoromethanesulfenate: Application to the Radiosynthesis of [18F]ArylSCF3
Authors: Wu Jiang , Zhao Qunchao , Wilson Thomas C. , Verhoog Stefan , Lu Long , Gouverneur Véronique , Shen Qilong
Published: December 2018

A highly reactive electrophilic bromodifluoromethylthiolating reagent, α‐cumyl bromodifluoro‐methanesulfenate 1, was prepared to allow for direct bromodifluoromethylthiolation of aryl boron reagents. This coupling reaction takes place under copper catalysis, and affords a large range of bromodifluoromethylthiolated arenes. These compounds are amenable to various transformations including halogen exchange with [18F]KF/K222 , a process giving access to [18F]arylSCF3 in two steps from the corresponding aryl boronic pinacol esters.
Stabilizing Lithium into Cross‐Stacked Nanotube Sheets with an Ultra‐High Specific Capacity for Lithium Oxygen Batteries
Authors: Ye Lei , Liao Meng , Sun Hao , Yang Yifan , Tang Chengqiang , Zhao Yang , Wang Lie , Xu Yifan , Zhang Lijian , Wang Bingjie , Xu Fan , Sun Xuemei , Zhang Ye , Dai Hongjie , Bruce Peter G. , Peng Huisheng
Published: December 2018

Although lithium–oxygen batteries possess a high theoretical energy density and are considered as promising candidates for next‐generation power systems, the enhancement of safety and cycling efficiency of the lithium anodes while maintaining the high energy storage capability remains difficult. Here, we overcome this challenge by cross‐stacking aligned carbon nanotubes into porous networks for ultrahigh‐capacity lithium anodes to achieve high‐performance lithium–oxygen batteries. The novel anode shows a reversible specific capacity of 3656 mAh g−1, approaching the theoretical capacity of 3861 mAh g−1 of pure lithium. When this anode is employed in lithium–oxygen full batteries, the cycling stability is significantly enhanced, owing to the dendrite‐free morphology and stabilized solid–electrolyte interface. This work presents a new pathway to high performance lithium–oxygen batteries towards practical applications by designing cross‐stacked and aligned structures for one‐dimensional conducting nanomaterials.
Computational and Synthetic Investigation of Cationic Rearrangement in the Putative Biosynthesis of Justicane Triterpenoids
Authors: Elkin Masha , Scruse Anthony C. , Turlik Aneta , Newhouse Timothy R.
Published: December 2018

A biomimetic cationic structural rearrangement of the oleanolic acid framework is reported for the gram‐scale synthesis and structural reassignment of justicioside E aglycone. The mechanism of the putative biosynthetic rearrangement is investigated with kinetic, computational, and synthetic approaches. The precursor to rearrangement was accessed through two strategic advancements: (1) synthesis of a 1,3‐diketone via oxidation of a β‐silyl enone, and (2) diastereoselective 1,3‐diketone reduction to form a syn‐1,3‐diol using SmI2 with PhSH as a key additive.
Ideal‐Filter Capillary Electrophoresis (IFCE) Facilitates the One‐Step Selection of Aptamers
Authors: Le An T. H. , Krylova Svetlana M. , Kanoatov Mirzo , Desai Shrey , Krylov Sergey N.
Published: December 2018

Selection of aptamers from oligonucleotide libraries currently requires multiple rounds of alternating steps of partitioning of binders from nonbinders and enzymatic amplification of all collected oligonucleotides. Herein, we report a highly practical solution for reliable one‐step selection of aptamers. We introduce partitioning by ideal‐filter capillary electrophoresis (IFCE) in which binders and nonbinders move in the opposite directions. The efficiency of IFCE‐based partitioning reaches 109, which is ten million times higher than that of typical solid‐phase partitioning methods. One step of IFCE‐based partitioning is sufficient for the selection of a high‐affinity aptamer pool for a protein target. Partitioning by IFCE promises to become an indispensable tool for fast and robust selection of binders from different types of oligonucleotide libraries.
Total Synthesis of (−)‐Merochlorin A
Authors: Brandstätter Marco , Freis Manuel , Huwyler Nikolas , Carreira Erick M.
Published: December 2018

The first asymmetric total synthesis of the meroterpenoid (−)‐merochlorin A is described. The route features enantiospecific gold‐catalyzed tandem 1,3‐acyloxy migration/Nazarov/aldol reaction sequence to furnish the bicyclo[3.3.0]octane core in a single step from a linear propargylic 1,3‐enyne aldehyde. After completion of the central skeleton by reductive enol lactone rearrangement, late stage Diels–Alder cycloaddition/aromatization sequence installed the resorcinol. An additional salient feature of the synthesis is the assignment of the absolute configuration, which had not been determined previously.
A Water‐Soluble Perylene Bisimide Cyclophane as a Molecular Probe for the Recognition of Aromatic Alkaloids
Authors: Sapotta Meike , Hofmann Anja , Bialas David , Würthner Frank
Published: December 2018

Herein, we report a water‐soluble macrocyclic host based on perylene bisimide (PBI) chromophores that recognizes natural aromatic alkaloids in aqueous media by intercalating them into its hydrophobic cavity. The host–guest binding properties of our newly designed receptor with several alkaloids were studied by UV/Vis and fluorescence titration experiments as the optical properties of the chromophoric host change significantly upon complexation of guests. Structural information on the host–guest complexes was obtained by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and molecular modelling. Our studies reveal a structure–binding property relationship for a series of structurally diverse aromatic alkaloids with the new receptor and higher binding affinity for the class of harmala alkaloids. To our knowledge, this is the first example of a chromophoric macrocyclic host employed as a molecular probe for the recognition of aromatic alkaloids.
Optimization of ethylene trimerization using catalysts based on TiCl3/half‐sandwich ligands
Authors: Azimnavahsi Leila , Mohamadnia Zahra
Published: December 2018

Catalytic trimerization of ethylene using three titanium‐based complexes [η5‐C9H6C(R)thienyl]TiCl3 with various types of bridges (R = cyclo‐C5H10 (C1), cyclo‐C4H8 (C2) and (CH3)2 (C3)) has been successfully optimized and compared. First of all, three benzofulvene precursors, C9H6C(R), were synthesized. Then the corresponding indenyl‐based ligands were obtained via the reaction of the precursors with thienyllithium. The final titanium‐based catalysts display a distorted tetrahedral geometry, as expected for Ti(IV), with the ligand coordinated with a hemilabile behaviour. The structures of the compounds were confirmed on the basis of various analyses. The effect of catalyst concentration, ethylene pressure, reaction temperature and nature of the bridge as the significant factor affecting coordination and orientation of thienyl group relative to the metal centre on 1‐hexene (1‐C6) productivity and selectivity was investigated. Results revealed that the bulky bridge groups such as cyclo‐C5H10 and cyclo‐C4H8 are appropriate for ethylene trimerization due to the closer coordination of sulfur atom with Ti, especially in cationic state, and catalyst C2 with cyclo‐C4H8 bridge exhibits moderate productivity equal to 785 kg 1‐C6 (mol Ti)−1 h−1. According to the results, ethylene at a pressure of 10 bar, 50°C and 1.5 μmol of catalyst were selected as the best conditions for obtaining 1‐C6 with high productivity and selectivity. The presence of indenyl enhances the thermal stability of the catalysts and preserves their activity in higher temperatures such as 50 and 80°C.
C–C bridged Ni(II) complexes bearing β‐keto‐9‐fluorenyliminato ligands prepared by different in situ bonding mechanisms and their use in catalytic (co)polymerization of norbornene and styrene
Authors: He Xiaohui , Wang Suli , Yang Yingping , Tu Guangshui , Zhang Feng , Huang Shengmei , Duan Yapeng , Zhu Chuanyi , Cheng Changwen , Chen Defu
Published: December 2018

Two C–C bridged Ni(II) complexes bearing β‐keto‐9‐fluorenyliminato ligands with electron‐withdrawing groups (─CF3), Ni{PhC(O)CHC[N(9‐fluorenyl)]CF2}2 (Ni1) and Ni{CF3C(O)CHC[N(9‐fluorenyl)]Ph}2 (Ni2), were synthesized by metal coordination reaction and different in situ bonding mechanisms. The C–C bridged bonds of Ni1 were formed by in situ intramolecular trifluoromethyl and 9‐fluorenyl carbon–carbon cross‐coupling reaction and those of Ni2 were formed by in situ intramolecular 9‐fluorenyl carbon–carbon radical coupling reaction mechanism. The obtained complexes were characterized using 1H NMR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. The crystal and molecular structures of Ni1 and Ni2 with C–C bridged configuration were determined using X‐ray diffraction. Ni1 and Ni2 were used as catalysts for norbornene (NB) polymerization after activation with B(C6F5)3 and the catalytic activities reached 106 gpolymer molNi−1 h−1. The copolymerization of NB and styrene catalyzed by the Ni1/B(C6F5)3 system showed high activity (105 gpolymer molNi−1 h−1) and the catalytic activities decreased with increasing feed content of styrene. All vinyl‐type copolymers exhibited high molecular weight (104 g mol−1), narrow molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn = 1.71–2.80), high styrene insertion ratios (11.13–50.81%) and high thermal stability (Td > 380°C) and could be made into thin films with high transparency in the visible region (400–800 nm).
A gene expression signature‐based nomogram model in prediction of breast cancer bone metastases
Authors: Zhao Chenglong , Lou Yan , Wang Yao , Wang Dongsheng , Tang Liang , Gao Xin , Zhang Kun , Xu Wei , Liu Tielong , Xiao Jianru
Published: December 2018

Breast cancer is prone to form bone metastases and subsequent skeletal‐related events (SREs) dramatically decrease patients’ quality of life and survival. Prediction and early management of bone lesions are valuable; however, proper prognostic models are inadequate. In the current study, we reviewed a total of 572 breast cancer patients in three microarray data sets including 191 bone metastases and 381 metastases‐free. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) indicated less aggressive and low‐grade features of patients with bone metastases compared with metastases‐free ones, while luminal subtypes are more prone to form bone metastases. Five bone metastases‐related genes (KRT23, REEP1, SPIB, ALDH3B2, and GLDC) were identified and subjected to construct a gene expression signature‐based nomogram (GESBN) model. The model performed well in both training and testing sets for evaluation of breast cancer bone metastases (BCBM). Clinically, the model may help in prediction of early bone metastases, prevention and management of SREs, and even help to prolong survivals for patients with BCBM. The five‐gene GESBN model showed some implications as molecular diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets. Furthermore, our study also provided a way for analysis of tumor organ‐specific metastases. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first published model focused on tumor organ‐specific metastases.
A Topologically Distinct Modified Peptide with Multiple Bicyclic Core Motifs Expands the Diversity of Microviridin‐Like Peptides
Authors: Roh Heejin , Han Yeji , Lee Hyunbin , Kim Seokhee
Published: December 2018

Microviridins are ribosomally synthesized and post‐translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) that contain multiple intramolecular ω‐ester or ω‐amide crosslinks between two side chains in peptides. This type of the side‐to‐side macrocyclization may generate diverse structures with distinct topology and ring sizes, but the majority of the microviridin‐like RiPPs present only a single consensus sequence with a tricyclic architecture. Here, we expanded the natural diversity of the microviridin‐like modified peptides by determining the crosslinking connectivity of a new modified peptide, mTgnA and its homologous RiPPs, which we named the thuringinin group. Members of the thuringinin group have core motifs with a distinct consensus sequence, which is transformed to a novel hairpin‐like bicyclic structure by the cognate ATP‐grasp enzyme. We suggest that the microviridin‐like RiPPs naturally have novel sequences and architectures beyond those found in microviridins and comprise a larger RiPP family, termed omega‐ester containing peptides (OEPs).
DNA‐Based Chemical Reaction Networks
Authors: Li Fan , Xiao Mingshu , Pei Hao
Published: December 2018

Motivated by complex molecular networks of biological organisms, which enable control of the temporal and spatial concentrations of molecules, the bottom‐up development of artificial chemical reaction networks has received renewed interest from biochemists. Based on hybridization and strand‐displacement reactions, DNA‐based chemical reaction networks (D‐CRNs) provide a promising method to describe and analyze (bio)chemical systems, depending on their high programmability and directionality. Herein, progress in the development of D‐CRNs is discussed, and an overview of significant biochemistry applications based on D‐CRNs reported in recent decades is provided. Furthermore, opportunities and future directions for research into D‐CRNs in biochemistry are also discussed.
Oxovanadium(V)‐Catalyzed Direct Amination of Allyl Alcohols
Authors: Sakuramoto Takashi , Hirao Toshikazu , Tobisu Mamoru , Moriuchi Toshiyuki
Published: December 2018

Direct amination of allyl alcohols is regarded as one of reliable methods to synthesize allyl amines in one step because water is only by‐product. Oxovanadium(V) compound with triphenyl siloxide ligands was demonstrated to serve as an efficient catalyst in the direct amination of allyl alcohols. The catalytic direct amination reaction could be performed with both aromatic and aliphatic amines. This catalytic system induced selective direct amination in the case of the unsymmetrically substituted allyl alcohols. Furthermore, gram‐scale direct amination reaction was successfully achieved.
Hydrogenation Size‐Selective Pt/Hollow Beta Catalysts
Authors: Morgado Prates Ana Rita , Meunier Frédéric , Dodin Mathias , Martinez Franco Raquel , Farrusseng David , Tuel Alain
Published: December 2018

The aim of the present work is to synthesize a zeolite‐based catalyst with a hollow morphology and highly dispersed metal nanoparticles (NPs) encapsulated inside the zeolite micropores. For this purpose, we have studied a treatment using tetraalkylammonium (TAA) bromides for the selective removal of a large Pt particle from the outer surface of a hollow Beta zeolite. TEM analysis reveals that we succeeded in the synthesis of a hollow beta zeolite single crystal with encapsulated particles, with a high dispersion of 50–60 %. The molecular‐sieve‐type mechanism of the obtained catalysts was evaluated in the model reaction of toluene and mesitylene catalytic hydrogenation. Thanks to the high dispersion. a 10‐fold activity enhancement has been obtained with respect to hollow beta zeolites with encapsulated NPs recently described in the literature.
Tris(trichlorosilyl)tetrelide Anions and a Comparative Study of Their Donor Qualities
Authors: Teichmann Julian , Kunkel Chantal , Georg Isabelle , Moxter Maximilian , Santowski Tobias , Bolte Michael , Lerner Hans‐Wolfram , Bade Stefan , Wagner Matthias
Published: December 2018

Trichlorosilylated tetrelides [(Cl3Si)3E]− have been prepared by adding 1 equiv of a soluble Cl− salt to (Cl3Si)4Si (E=Si) or 4 Si2Cl6/GeCl4 (E=Ge). To assess their donor qualities, the anions [(Cl3Si)3E]− (E=C, Si, Ge) have been treated with BCl3, AlCl3, and GaCl3. Both BCl3 and GaCl3 give 1:1 adducts with the anionic centers. AlCl3 leads to Cl− abstraction from [(Cl3Si)3E]− with formation of (Cl3Si)4E (E=Si or Ge). (Cl3Si)4Ge is cleanly converted to the perhydrogenated (H3Si)4Ge by use of Li[AlH4]. Another case of Cl− abstraction was observed for [(Cl3Si)3Ge⋅GaCl3]−, which reacts with GaCl3 to afford the neutral dimer [(Cl3Si)3Ge−GaCl2]2.
Improvement of the ON/OFF Switching Performance of a pH‐Activatable Porphyrin Derivative by the Introduction of Phosphorus(V)
Authors: Horiuchi Hiroaki , Isogai Masataka , Hirakawa Kazutaka , Okutsu Tetsuo
Published: December 2018

An activatable photosensitizer for singlet oxygen is of significance due to its potential application in tumor‐specific photodynamic therapy and diagnosis. In this study, a pH‐activatable system that enables the specific photosensitization of singlet oxygen at a low pH value was developed based on the complexation of a porphyrin‐aniline conjugate with phosphorus(V). As a result of complexation with phosphorus, the water solubility of the porphyrin‐aniline conjugate was improved 100‐fold. Furthermore, this complexation strongly suppressed the singlet‐oxygen‐generating activity of the porphyrin photosensitizer under basic conditions, and the quantum yield of the singlet oxygen photosensitization markedly increased under acidic conditions. Based on these improvements, an extremely high ON/OFF switching ratio of the quantum yield was obtained (>400‐fold).
A Reproducible, Objective Method Using MitoTracker® Fluorescent Dyes to Assess Mitochondrial Mass in T Cells by Flow Cytometry
Authors: Clutton Genevieve , Mollan Katie , Hudgens Michael , Goonetilleke Nilu
Published: December 2018

MitoTracker ® dyes are fluorescent compounds that allow cellular mitochondrial content to be measured semi‐quantitatively by flow cytometry and have been used extensively in immunology publications. However, the parameters commonly reported, mean or median fluorescence intensity and percentage of cells that are MitoTracker® “high”, can be influenced by variability in cytometer setup, dye stability, and operator subjectivity, making it difficult to compare data between experiments. Here, we describe a method to identify MitoTracker® “high” populations in an objective manner. When analyzing data, we first removed outliers using a pre‐specified threshold, determined the fluorescence intensity of the brightest and dimmest events to obtain the fluorescence range and then gated cells within the top 90% of this range. This strategy substantially reduced variability between technical replicates and produced consistent results when data were analyzed by different operators. Consistent with previous reports and other analysis strategies, this analysis method demonstrated that within an individual, CD4+ T cells exhibit significantly higher mitochondrial mass than CD8+ T cells. Objective gating increases the reliability and utility of data generated using MitoTracker® dyes. © 2018 The Authors. Cytometry Part A published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.
Impact of operating parameters and wall material components on the characteristics of microencapsulated Melissa officinalis essential oil
Authors: Karimi Sani Iraj , Alizadeh Mohammad , Pirsa Sajad , Moghaddas Kia Ehsan
Published: December 2018

To develop a novel usage for functional essential oils, the present study aimed to evaluate the influence of process parameters on the characteristics of Melissa officinalis essential oil microencapsulated through whey protein isolate (WPI) and sodium caseinate (NaCS). Melissa officinalis was encapsulated via whey proteins and NaCS with variable ratios (0–100), core/coating ratios (10–100%), and ultrasonication power (50–150). The impacts of these variables were examined via response surface methodology. The findings demonstrated that lower particle sizes were obtained at higher amounts of WPI with the lowest level of applied sonication power. Desirability function results indicate that the maximum quantity of WPI with an ultrasonication power of 50 W led to the lowest particle size, zeta potential, and turbidity. The application of microcapsules loaded with Melissa officinalis was found to be useful to preserve their bioactive compounds and induces flavour stability, enabling the use of microcapsules in food formulations.
Long‐term marginal adaptation and nanoleakage of class V cavity restored with organic filler filled 4‐META/MMA‐TBB resin
Authors: Zhang Chao , Yang Bin
Published: December 2018

The current restorative materials used for cervical lesions restoration still need to be improved. A low E‐modulus restorative material Bondfill SB (group BF) is developed. This study was to evaluate marginal adaptation and nanoleakage expression at dentin bonding interface of BF before and after artificial aging cycling when used for class V cavity restoration in vitro. Cavities were prepared in human premolars and restored with either Bondfill SB or Z100 (group SZ). Quantitative data were analyzed by t‐test (α = 0.05). Before cycling, there was no significant differences between groups for perfect margin and modes of failure. After cycling, SZ showed a higher (p = 0.002) perfect margin value (55.08 ± 15.20%) and less (p = 0.01) adhesive failure (35.35 ± 15.02%) to enamel than BF (25.15 ± 12.47% and 61.78 ± 15.41%, respectively). BF exhibited less (p = 0.01) adhesive failure (12.89 ± 5.58%) to dentin than SZ (44.17 ± 17.50%). BF showed more cohesive failures at both enamel (12.01 ± 3.65%) (p < 0.0001) and dentin (9.58 ± 3.14%) (p = 0.02) sides than SZ (0.77 ± 1.21% and 4.68 ± 1.39%, respectively). Transmission electron microscope (TEM) showed that hybrid layers in SZ and BF were around 0.5 μm thick. Before cycling, more silver deposits were found at dentin bonding interface in SZ. After cycling, the deterioration in SZ mostly occurred at the bottom and on the surface of the hybrid layer. While in BF, the deterioration occurred at the bottom of the hybrid layer and in Bondfill SB. BF showed a more reliable dentin bonding after artificial aging and might buffer the cervical stress concentration. Bondfill SB may be a new promising choice for long‐term success of cervical lesions restoration. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 2050–2056, 2019.
Novel zein‐based multilayer wound dressing membranes with controlled release of gentamicin
Authors: Kimna Ceren , Tamburaci Sedef , Tihminlioglu Funda
Published: December 2018

Recently, functional multilayer scaffolds with controlled drug release ability come into prominence for wound healing applications to mimic the layered structure of skin tissue and prevent the possible infections at the defect site. In this study, controlled antibiotic releasing zein bilayer membranes were fabricated for treatment of acute skin infections. Gentamicin loaded fibers were prepared by electrospinning on the membrane surface. Membranes were characterized with scanning electron microscope, atomic force microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, contact angle, mechanical analysis, swelling, degradation, and water vapor permeability studies. In vitro cytotoxicity, cell attachment, and proliferation were investigated. Cell attachment on fiber layer was observed with fluorescence imaging. Fabricated fibers showed structural similarity to the skin tissue layers with a fiber diameter range of 350–425 nm and film thickness in the range of 311–361 μm. Mechanical properties were found compatible with the skin tissue. In addition, membranes showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The sustained release was achieved with a cumulative release of 94%. Membranes did not show any cytotoxic effect. NIH/3T3 and HS2 cell lines were proliferated on each layer mimicking the multilayer skin tissue. Hence, zein‐based bilayer membrane showed promising properties to be used as a potential antimicrobial wound dressing for skin tissue regeneration. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 2057–2070, 2019.
Global secretome analysis of resident cardiac progenitor cells from wild‐type and transgenic heart failure mice: Why ambience matters
Authors: Samal Rasmita , Sappa Praveen Kumar , Gesell Salazar Manuela , Wenzel Kristin , Reinke Yvonne , Völker Uwe , Felix Stephan Burkhard , Hammer Elke , Könemann Stephanie
Published: December 2018

Resident cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) have gained attention in cardiac regenerative medicine primarily due to their paracrine activity. In our current study we determined the role of pathological conditions such as heart failure on the autocrine‐paracrine action of stem cell antigen‐1 (Sca‐1) expressing CPC. This comparative secretome profiling of Sca‐1+ cells derived from transgenic heart failure (αMHC–cyclin‐T1/Gαq overexpression [Cyc] cells) versus healthy (wild‐type [Wt] cells) mice, achieved via mass‐spectrometric quantification, enabled the identification of over 700 proteins. Our results demonstrate that the heart failure milieu caused a 2‐fold enrichment of extracellular matrix proteins (ECM) like biglycan, versican, collagen XII, and angiogenic factors like heparan sulfate proteoglycan 2, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 in the secretome. We further elucidated the direct influence of the secretome on the functional behavior of Sca‐1
+ cells via in vitro tube forming assay. Secreted factors present in the diseased milieu induced tube formation in Cyc cells (1.7‐fold;
p < 0.01) when compared with Wt cells after 24 hr of exposure. The presence of conditioned media moderately increased the proliferation of Cyc cells but had a more pronounced effect on Wt cells. Overall, these findings revealed global modifications in the secretory activity of adult Sca‐1
+ cells in the heart failure milieu. The secretion of ECM proteins and angiogenic factors, which are crucial for cardiac remodeling and recovery, was notably enriched in the supernatant of Cyc cells. Thus, during heart failure the microenvironment of Sca‐1
+ cells might favor angiogenesis and proliferation suggesting their potential to recover the damaged heart.
Early sonographic manifestation of fetal congenital lobar emphysema
Authors: Khatib Nizar , Beloosesky Ron , Ginsberg Yuval , Lea Bentur , Michal Gur , Weiner Zeev , Bronshtein Moshe
Published: December 2018

Advanced fetal sonographic equipment has contributed to the increase in prenatal diagnosis of congenital thoracic malformations. Among these anomalies is congenital lobar emphysema (CLE), a rare congenital anomaly characterized by over distention and overexpansion of the involved fetal pulmonary lobe. Several studies addressed the prenatal diagnosis of CLE in mid second or early third trimester. The early prenatal diagnosis and the outcome of a case of CLE are reported in this study.
Differential regulation of IgA+ B cells in vitro by stromal cells from distinctive anatomical compartments
Authors: Cen Selena Y , Moreau Joshua M , Furlonger Caren , Berger Alexandra , Paige Christopher J
Published: December 2018

B cell development is regulated by stromal cells (SCs) that form a supportive microenvironment. These SCs along with other cell types produce cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules that guide B cell commitment and differentiation. BM, spleen (Sp), and the gut lamina propria (LP) constitute distinctive anatomical compartments that support B cell differentiation. In order to characterize and compare the signals necessary to generate IgA+ B cells, we developed an in vitro system to co-culture gut LP, BM, or Sp-derived SCs with B lineage cells. Using this co-culture system, we found that gut LP SCs promote IgA+ B cell accumulation through the production of soluble stimulatory factors. In contrast to gut LP SCs, BM and splenic SCs were found to impair IgA+ B cell accumulation in vitro. Taken together, these observations provide new insights into how SCs derived from different anatomical locations shape IgA+ B cell responses.