bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Delivery of Phosphorescent Anticancer Iridium(III) Complexes by Polydopamine Nanoparticles for Targeted Combined Photothermal‐Chemotherapy and Thermal/Photoacoustic/Lifetime Imaging
Authors: Zhang Dong‐Yang , Zheng Yue , Zhang Hang , Sun Jing‐Hua , Tan Cai‐Ping , He Liang , Zhang Wei , Ji Liang‐Nian , Mao Zong‐Wan
Published: August 2018

Recently, phosphorescent iridium complexes have demonstrated great potential as anticancer and imaging agents. Dopamine is a melanin‐like mimic of mussel adhesive protein that can self‐polymerize to form polydopamine (PDA) nanoparticles that demonstrate favorable biocompatibility, near‐infrared absorption, and photothermal effects. Herein, PDA nanoparticles are functionalized with β‐cyclodextrin (CD) substitutions, which are further assembled with adamantane‐modified arginine‐glycine‐aspartic acid (Ad‐RGD) tripeptides to target integrin‐rich tumor cells. The thus formed PDA‐CD‐RGD nanoparticles can deliver a phosphorescent iridium(III) complexes LysoIr ([Ir(ppy)2(l)]PF6, ppy = 2‐phenylpyridine, L = (1‐(2‐quinolinyl)‐β‐carboline) to form a theranostic platform LysoIr@PDA‐CD‐RGD. It is demonstrated that LysoIr@PDA‐CD‐RGD can be applied for targeted combined cancer photothermal‐chemotherapy and thermal/photoacoustic/two‐photon phosphorescence lifetime imaging under both in vitro and in vivo conditions. This work provides a useful strategy to construct multifunctional nanocomposites for the optimization of metal‐based anticancer agents for further biomedical applications.
Intensification of the Sulfuric Acid Alkylation Process with Trifluoroacetic Acid
Authors: Li Liantang , Zhang Jisong , Du Chencan , Luo Guangsheng
Published: August 2018

H2SO4 alkylation of isobutane and butene is one of the primary commercial processes used to produce alkylates. This work presents a technology for the intensification of sulfuric acid alkylation with the addition of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). The addition of TFA increased the solubility of isobutane in H2SO4, decreased its viscosity, and adjusted the acidity of H2SO4. With the addition of TFA, the selectivity of C8 was dramatically improved from 36.8 to 95.7%. The TFA content, stirring speed, reaction temperature, volume ratio of acid to hydrocarbon (H/C), molar ratio of isobutane to 2‐butene (I/O), reaction time, and reuse of H2SO4/TFA were also investigated in this work. Compared with the conventional process, the new technology provided a considerably higher quality alkylation with considerably lower energy consumption. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 65: 113–119, 2019
Canopy structure affects temperature distributions and free convection in moss shoot systems
Authors: Rice Steven K. , Gagliardi Thomas A. , Krasa Rebecca A.
Published: August 2018

Premise of the Study

Nonvascular plants play important roles in exchange of water and heat at the soil–atmosphere interface. Differential evaporative cooling may cause temperature gradients within bryophyte canopies, influencing convective heat and mass transport. Understanding mechanisms that affect fluxes through moss layers should improve models of forest floor function.

Methods

A three‐dimensional thermal imaging system measured temperature distributions within moss shoot systems that were used to explore relationships among canopy structure, temperature gradients, evaporation, and conductance to water vapor (gs). We studied five moss species under dark and light conditions in the lab. Also, these properties were measured in two species that differed in canopy structure during drying.

Key Results

Differential evaporative cooling led to a 1.4 to 5.0°C range in shoot temperatures within canopies. Samples displayed −0.5 to −0.9°C/cm temperature gradients with cooler apical temperatures. Gradient magnitudes did not differ among species, but taller canopies expressed greater temperature differences. Light enhanced both the gradient and the temperature difference. Rates of evaporation were significantly related to canopy height in the light, but not in the dark, although gs was positively associated with canopy height in both. Rayleigh (Ra) numbers characterize whether temperature gradients likely generate free convection. In tall canopies, Ra numbers exceeded the value indicative of free convection and turbulent flow. As plants dried, temperature gradients decreased.

Conclusions

When moss canopies are wet, cooler apical temperatures create thermal instabilities within the canopies that appear sufficient to enhance convective transport of water vapor and heat in tall canopies with low bulk density.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling of Arylboronic Acid and Benzonitriles Using DMSO as the Methylene Source
Authors: Ai Han‐Jun , Qi Xinxin , Peng Jin‐Bao , Ying Jun , Wu Xiao‐Feng
Published: August 2018

An interesting strategy on palladium‐catalyzed cross‐coupling of arylboronic acids and benzonitriles has been developed. In this approach, DMSO was utilized as the methylene source and reacted with benzamides (generated in situ from benzonitriles) to form an N‐acyliminium cation, followed by palladium‐catalyzed cross‐coupling with phenylboronic acids to afford the final products. A variety of the desired products were obtained in moderate to excellent yield.
Highly Flexible and Efficient All‐Polymer Solar Cells with High‐Viscosity Processing Polymer Additive toward Potential of Stretchable Devices
Authors: Chen Shanshan , Jung Sungwoo , Cho Hye Jin , Kim Na‐Hyang , Jung Seungon , Xu Jianqiu , Oh Jiyeon , Cho Yongjoon , Kim Hyeongwon , Lee Byongkyu , An Yujin , Zhang Chunfeng , Xiao Min , Ki Hyungson , Zhang Zhi‐Guo , Kim Ju‐Young , Li Yongfang , Park Hyesung , Yang Changduk
Published: August 2018

Considering the potential applications of all‐polymer solar cells (all‐PSCs) as wearable power generators, there is an urgent need to develop photoactive layers that possess intrinsic mechanical endurance, while maintaining a high power‐conversion efficiency (PCE).Herein a strategy is demonstrated to simultaneously control the intercalation behavior and nanocrystallite size in the polymer–polymer blend by using a newly developed, high‐viscosity polymeric additive, poly(dimethylsiloxane‐co‐methyl phenethylsiloxane) (PDPS), into the TQ‐F:N2200 all‐PSC matrix. A mechanically robust 10wt% PDPS blend film with a great toughness was obtained. Our results provide a feasible route for producing high‐performance ductile all‐PSCs, which can potentially be used to realize stretchable all‐PSCs as a linchpin of next‐generation electronics.
Pilot‐scale development of core–shell polymer supports for the immobilization of recombinant lipase B from Candida antarctica and their application in the production of ethyl esters from residual fatty acids
Authors: Cipolatti Eliane Pereira , Pinto Martina Costa Cerqueira , Robert Julia de Macedo , da Silva Tabita Pizoni , Beralto Thamires da Costa , Santos Jorge G. F. , de Castro Rui de Paula Vieira , Fernandez‐Lafuente Roberto , Manoel Evelin Andrade , Pinto José Carlos , Freire Denise Maria Guimarães
Published: August 2018

A recombinant lipase B from Candida antarctica (LipB) in Pichia pastoris was synthesized through submerged fermentation using crude glycerin as substrate. The immobilization of this enzyme on the core–shell polymeric supports is an effective alternative for its application. The supports with distinct levels of hydrophobicity were produced through combined suspension and emulsion polymerization in pilot scale. Particles with distinct compositions were synthesized (PMMA/PMMA; PMMA‐co‐DVB/PMMA‐co‐DVB; and PS‐co‐DVB/PS‐co‐DVB) and employed on the immobilization of the produced lipase (LipB) and the commercial enzyme (CalB). The morphological properties (specific area, average pore diameter, specific volume of pores, and hydrophobicity level) and the influence of the polymerization conditions on the morphology of the supports were studied. The thermal stability of such biocatalysts was also investigated in the presence of calcium cation (Ca+2), maintained 100% of the activity after 3 h at 50°C when the PMMA‐co‐DVB/PMMA‐co‐DVB was employed. The synthesized enzyme and supports manufactured in pilot scale were employed successfully for production of esters using residual fatty acids as substrates, adding value to these raw materials and increasing the ranges of possible applications.
Superoxide dismutase from venom of the ectoparasitoid Scleroderma guani inhibits melanization of hemolymph
Authors: Liu Nai‐Yong , Huang Jing‐Mei , Ren Xue‐Min , Xu Zhi‐Wen , Yan Nai‐Sheng , Zhu Jia‐Ying
Published: August 2018

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) known as an important antioxidative stress protein has been recently found in venoms of several parasitoid wasps. However, its functions and characteristics as a virulent factor remain scarcely described. Here, we report the characterization of two venomous SOD genes (SguaSOD1 and SguaSOD3) from the ectoparasitoid, Scleroderma guani. The metal binding sites, cysteine amino acid positions and signature sequences of the SOD family were conserved within SguaSOD1 and SguaSOD3. Relatively high levels of their transcripts were observed in pupae followed a decrease in early adults, after which they had the highest transcriptions, indicating that their productions would be regulated in venom apparatus. Although the two genes showed lower expression in venom apparatus compared to head and thorax, the enzymatic assay revealed that SOD indeed had activity in venom. Further, we showed that recombinant SguaSOD3 suppressed melanization of host hemolymph, implying that this protein used as a virulent factor uniquely impacts the prophenoloxidase cascade.
Comprehensive Insight into the Hydrogen Bonding of Silanes
Authors: Voronova Evgenia D. , Golub Igor E. , Pavlov Alexander A. , Belkova Natalia V. , Filippov Oleg A. , Epstein Lina M. , Shubina Elena S.
Published: August 2018

The interaction of a set of mono‐, di‐ and trisubstituted silanes with OH proton donors of different strength was studied by variable temperature (VT) FTIR and NMR spectroscopies at 190–298 K. Two competing sites of proton donors coordination: SiH and π‐density of phenyl rings—are revealed for phenyl‐containing silanes. The hydrogen bonds SiH⋅⋅⋅HO and OH⋅⋅⋅π(Ph) are of similar strength, but can be distinguished in the νSiH range: the νSiH⋅⋅⋅HO vibrations appear at lower frequencies while OH⋅⋅⋅π(Ph) complexes give Si–H vibrations shifted to higher frequency. The calculations showed the manifold picture of the noncovalent interactions in hydrogen‐bonded complexes of phenylsilanes. As OH⋅⋅⋅HSi bonds are weak, the other noncovalent interactions compete in the stabilization of the intermolecular complexes. Still, the structural and electronic parameters of “pure” DHB complexes of phenylsilanes are similar to those of Et3SiH.
Na+, K+‐ATPase activity in children with autism spectrum disorder: Searching for the reason(s) of its decrease in blood cells
Authors: Bolotta Alessandra , Visconti Paola , Fedrizzi Giorgio , Ghezzo Alessandro , Marini Marina , Manunta Paolo , Messaggio Elisabetta , Posar Annio , Vignini Arianna , Abruzzo Provvidenza Maria
Published: August 2018

Na+, K+‐ATPase (NKA) activity, which establishes the sodium and potassium gradient across the cell membrane and is instrumental in the propagation of the nerve impulses, is altered in a number of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In the present work, we examined a wide range of biochemical and cellular parameters in the attempt to understand the reason(s) for the severe decrease in NKA activity in erythrocytes of ASD children that we reported previously. NKA activity in leukocytes was found to be decreased independently from alteration in plasma membrane fluidity. The different subunits were evaluated for gene expression in leukocytes and for protein expression in erythrocytes: small differences in gene expression between ASD and typically developing children were not apparently paralleled by differences in protein expression. Moreover, no gross difference in erythrocyte plasma membrane oxidative modifications was detectable, although oxidative stress in blood samples from ASD children was confirmed by increased expression of NRF2 mRNA. Interestingly, gene expression of some NKA subunits correlated with clinical features. Excess inhibitory metals or ouabain‐like activities, which might account for NKA activity decrease, were ruled out. Plasma membrane cholesterol, but not phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidlserine, was slighty decreased in erythrocytes from ASD children. Although no compelling results were obtained, our data suggest that alteration in the erytrocyte lipid moiety or subtle oxidative modifications in NKA structure are likely candidates for the observed decrease in NKA activity. These findings are discussed in the light of the relevance of NKA in ASD. Autism Res 2018, 11: 1388–1403. © 2018 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay Summary

The activity of the cell membrane enzyme NKA, which is instrumental in the propagation of the nerve impulses, is severely decreased in erythrocytes from ASD children and in other brain disorders, yet no explanation has been provided for this observation. We strived to find a biological/biochemical cause of such alteration, but most queries went unsolved because of the complexity of NKA regulation. As NKA activity is altered in many brain disorders, we stress the relevance of studies aimed at understanding its regulation in ASD.
Evaluation of renal excretion and pharmacokinetics of furosemide in rats after acute exposure to high altitude at 4300 m
Authors: Luo Bingfeng , Li Jing , Yang Tao , Li Wenbin , Zhang Juanhong , Wang Chang , Zhao Anpeng , Wang Rong
Published: August 2018

With studies indicative of altered renal excretion under high altitude‐induced hypobaric hypoxia, the consideration of better therapeutic approaches has long been the aim of research on the management of high altitude related illness. The pharmacokinetics of drugs such as furosemide might be altered under hypoxic conditions, making it essential to establish different dose‐regimens to maintain therapeutic efficacy or to avoid toxic side effects at high altitude. Simultaneously, drug–drug interactions (DDIs) mediated by OAT1 occur at high altitude, severely affecting furosemide pharmacokinetics. This study investigated the influence of acute exposure to high altitude at 4300 m on the renal excretion of furosemide in rats. Significant changes in physiological parameters and kidney histopathology were found after acute high altitude exposure. Compared with low altitude, the pharmacokinetics of furosemide and the expression level of OAT1 in kidney were significantly changed after rapid ascent to high altitude. Additionally, the down‐regulated OAT1 expression further sustained the potential mechanism for the decreased renal excretion of furosemide, resulting in extended residence of the drug in the human body. The elevation of AUC, Cmax, MRT, t1/2 of furosemide, and decreased CL at high altitude further reinforced the current findings. Moreover, the absorption of furosemide was markedly increased and renal excretion significantly declined after co‐administration of captopril, resulting in local drug interaction at high altitude. In conclusion, acute exposure to high altitude may significantly affect the renal excretion of furosemide and the pharmacokinetic parameters of furosemide were altered after co‐administration of captopril, which may then impact the conventional therapeutic dosage.
Determination of tocopherols and tocotrienols in human breast adipose tissue with the use of high performance liquid chromatography–fluorescence detection
Authors: Bartosińska Ewa , Jacyna Julia , Borsuk-De Moor Agnieszka , Kaliszan Michał , Kondej Karolina , Jankau Jerzy , Renkielska Alicja , Kruszewski Wiesław Janusz , Markuszewski Michał Jan , Siluk Danuta
Published: August 2018

Tocopherols and tocotrienols have been extensively studied owing to their anticancer potential, especially against breast cancer. Therefore, the aim of this study was to quantitatively determine tocochromanols in human breast adipose tissue with the use of HPLC–FLD. The sample preparation procedure included homogenization and solvent extraction with isopropanol–ethanol–0.1% formic acid mixture prior to solid‐phase extraction. After implementation of central composite design, satisfactory separation of all eight target compounds was achieved within 10.5 min. Chromatographic runs were carried out with the use of a naphthylethyl chromatographic column with methanol–water mixture (89:11, v/v) as the mobile phase. Fluorescence detection of tocochromanols was performed with excitation and emission wavelengths 298 and 330 nm, respectively. The method was validated in terms of linearity, carryover, recovery, precision, accuracy and stability. Extraction yield was also determined for accurate evaluation of vitamin E content in human breast adipose tissue samples. Finally, concentrations of particular tocochromanols compounds were assessed in human breast adipose tissue samples obtained from 99 patients, including women with breast cancer, healthy volunteers and deceased women who had died as a result of accidents. The raw data was transformed according to the newly developed equation for accurate estimation of the concentrations of tocochromanols in breast adipose tissue samples. Results obtained in the study indicated that the proposed analytical assay could be useful in breast cancer research.
Determination of glucosamine and monitoring of its mutarotation by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography with evaporative light scattering detector
Authors: Pazourek Jiří
Published: August 2018

Saccharides and their derivatives are typical polar analytes without a suitable UV‐chromophore that are nowadays analyzed by HPLC (high‐performance liquid chromatography) under HILIC (hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography) mode. Usually an evaporative light scattering detector (ELSD) is utilized which, however, gives a nonlinear response. A procedure to overcome the problem of mutarotating (time‐varying) analytes recorded with such a nonlinear response detector is described. The procedure was applied for determination of glucosamine in two commercially available pharmaceutical formulations containing the common inorganic ions that the detector gives a response to. Under optimized conditions, both the anomers of glucosamine were separated and could be determined separately. Owing to the short retention time of the analyte (a run time <4 min) and relatively slow kinetics of the anomeric conversion (equilibration time 2.5 h), mutarotation could be monitored and corresponding rate constants calculated.
Medical education for millennials: How anatomists are doing it right
Authors: Ruzycki S.M. , Desy J.R. , Lachman N. , Wolanskyj‐Spinner A.P.
Published: August 2018

Millennial students born between 1980 and 1999 are currently the most prevalent generation in medical schools. Understanding this generation of inspiring yet challenging learners is key to satisfying instructional interaction. Effective strategies for teaching millennial learners can be summarized with 5 R's: ensuring a relaxed learning environment, building rapport with learners, highlighting the relevance and rationale of learning objectives and assessments, and implementing research‐based educational methods. These strategies are exemplified by anatomists who relate (through platforms that encourage team‐based learning in a relaxed environment), resonate (by highlighting the relevance and rationale of basic science learning objectives and feedback strategies), and innovate (by adopting cutting edge, research‐proven technologies) within their curricula. Anatomists lead the way in effectively engaging, teaching and evaluating Millennial medical students in the 21st century. Broad application of these principles by other medical educators can further enhance Millennial education. Clin. Anat., 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Social class and models of agency: Independent and interdependent agency as educational (dis)advantage
Authors: Jay Sarah , Muldoon Orla T.
Published: August 2018

Social class continues to be associated with achievement in school and attendance in university and higher education. This qualitative study explores this phenomenon, and reports three focus group interviews with middle and working class secondary school students, in Ireland. We explore cultural and identity factors in educational settings. Specifically, our analysis orients to the models of agency experienced by these students. Middle class participants express independent agency in education, through norms of choice, control, and freedom from constraints. In contrast, working class students orient towards an interdependent model of agency and express psychological, social, and material barriers to opportunity in education. However, independent neo‐liberal individualising and meritocratic discourses were expressed by both groups, suggesting the models are complicated and nuanced. Nevertheless, it is concluded that cultural fit and identity compatibility in educational settings, broadly, constitute middle class advantages and working class disadvantages.
Porous‐Carbon‐Confined Formation of Monodisperse Iron Nanoparticle Yolks toward Versatile Nanoreactors for Metal Extraction
Authors: Wang Qingqing , Luo Wei , Chen Xinqi , Fan Jianwei , Jiang Weizhong , Wang Lianjun , Jiang Wan , Zhang Wei‐xian , Yang Jianping
Published: August 2018

All‐in‐one architectures in which uniform nanoscale zero‐valent iron nanoparticles are wrapped in hollow porous carbon shells are highly desirable for environmental applications such as wastewater treatment and for use as catalysts, but their preparation remains a significant challenge. Herein, a spatially confined strategy for the in situ preparation of uniform Fe0@mC (mC=micro/mesoporous carbon) yolk–shell nanospheres, in which the iron nanoparticles are encapsulated in thin, porous carbon shells, is reported. The elaborately designed Fe0@mC yolk–shell nanospheres were obtained by utilizing silica‐ and phenolic‐resin‐coated magnetite nanoparticle core–shell structures as templates by means of selective etching and in situ thermal reduction. The highly dispersed iron nanoparticles with superior reduction capability can effectively remove metal pollutants (e.g., AuIII, AgI, and CuII), the carbon shell acts as protective cover and prevents aggregation of iron nanoparticles, and the void space in the capsules serves as a reactor for reduction and catalytic reactions.
Total Synthesis, Stereochemical Assignment, and Divergent Enantioselective Enzymatic Recognition of Larreatricin
Authors: Martin Harry J. , Kampatsikas Ioannis , Oost Rik , Pretzler Matthias , Al‐Sayed Emir , Roller Alexander , Giester Gerald , Rompel Annette , Maulide Nuno
Published: August 2018

A concise and efficient total synthesis of the lignan natural product larreatricin as well as an unambiguous assignment of configuration of its enantiomers are reported, resolving a long‐held controversy. Enzyme kinetic studies revealed that different polyphenol oxidases show high and remarkably divergent enantioselective recognition of this secondary metabolite.
Consistent LDL‐C response with evolocumab among patient subgroups in PROFICIO: A pooled analysis of 3146 patients from phase 3 studies
Authors: Stroes Erik , Robinson Jennifer G. , Raal Frederick J. , Dufour Robert , Sullivan David , Kassahun Helina , Ma Yuhui , Wasserman Scott M. , Koren Michael J.
Published: August 2018

Background

Evolocumab significantly lowers low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) when dosed 140 mg every 2 weeks (Q2W) or 420 mg monthly (QM) subcutaneously.

Hypothesis

LDL‐C changes are comparable among different patient subgroups in a pooled analysis of data from phase 3 trials.

Methods

A total of 3146 patients received ≥1 dose of evolocumab or control in four 12‐week phase 3 studies. Percent change from baseline in LDL‐C for evolocumab 140 mg Q2W or 420 mg QM vs control was reported as the average of week 10 and 12 values. Quantitative and qualitative interactions between treatment group and subgroup by dose regimen were tested.

Results

In the pooled analysis, treatment differences vs placebo or ezetimibe were similar for both 140 mg Q2W and 420 mg QM doses across ages (<65 years, ≥65 years); gender; race (Asian, black, white, other); ethnicity (Hispanic, non‐Hispanic); region (Europe, North America, Asia Pacific); glucose tolerance status (type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, neither); National Cholesterol Education Program risk categories (high, moderately high, moderate, low); and European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society risk categories (very high, high, moderate, or low). Certain low‐magnitude variations in LDL‐C lowering among subgroups led to significant quantitative interaction P values that, when tested by qualitative interaction, were not significant. The incidences of adverse events were similar across groups treated with each evolocumab dosing regimen or control.

Conclusions

Consistent reductions in LDL‐C were observed in the evolocumab group regardless of demographic and disease characteristics.
SO(N) Lattice Gauge Theory, planar and beyond
Authors: Basu Riddhipratim , Ganguly Shirshendu
Published: August 2018

Lattice gauge theories have been studied in the physics literature as discrete approximations to quantum Yang‐Mills theory for a long time. Primary statistics of interest in these models are expectations of the so‐called Wilson loop variables. In this article we continue the program initiated by Chatterjee [3] to understand Wilson loop expectations in lattice gauge theories in a certain limit through gauge‐string duality. The objective in this paper is to better understand the underlying combinatorics in the strong coupling regime by giving a more geometric picture of string trajectories involving correspondence to objects such as decorated trees and noncrossing partitions. Using connections with free probability theory, we provide an elaborate description of loop expectations in the planar setting, which provides certain insights into structures of higher‐dimensional trajectories as well. Exploiting this, we construct an example showing that in any dimension, the Wilson loop area law lower bound does not hold in full generality. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Identification of the Structures and Sources of Shockley‐Type In‐Grown Stacking Faults in 4H‐SiC Epilayers
Authors: Li Zhe , Zhang Li‐Guo , Zhang Ze‐Hong , Ju Tao , Zhang Xuan , Zhang Bao‐Shun
Published: August 2018

Shockley‐type in‐grown stacking faults (IGSFs) in 4H‐SiC epilayers are studied. Most of the IGSFs are observed to be of triangular shape in the samples. Detailed optical features of two types of IGSFs are revealed by room temperature cathodoluminescence (RTCL) and low‐temperature photoluminescence (LTPL). Energy gaps (Egx) of the two types of IGSFs are deduced to be 2.511 and 2.764 eV from their emission wavelengths. They are identified to be of (6, 2) and (4, 4) types, respectively. The nucleation sites and propagation of the IGSFs are tracked by back etching and defect‐selective‐etching (DSE), and threading screw dislocations (TSDs) are frequently observed at the nucleation sites of the Shockley‐type IGSFs. The nucleation mechanism of these IGSFs is discussed, and the TSDs are suggested to be the major sources of the IGSFs.
Structure‐Mediated Charge Separation in Boron Carbon Nitride for Enhanced Photocatalytic Oxidation of Alcohol
Authors: Zhou Min , Yang Pengju , Wang Sibo , Luo Zhishan , Huang Caijin , Wang Xinchen
Published: August 2018

Boron carbon nitride (BCN) is a promising earth‐abundant photocatalyst for solar energy conversion. However, the photocatalytic activities of BCN materials remain moderate because of the fast electron–hole recombination. Herein, an ordered BCN structure is fabricated by a facile one‐step thermal treatment strategy. The ordered structure of BCN is directly evident from powder X‐ray diffraction and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy. Importantly, it is found that the long‐period ordered structure can intrinsically accelerate the separation and transfer kinetics of photogenerated charge carriers. Benefiting from these advantages, the ordered BCN structure exhibits remarkable performance for photoinduced selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol compared with the pristine BCN counterpart. This work highlights the important role of the crystal structure of light‐harvesting materials in affecting electron–hole separation and at the same time points to the ample potential for improving the photocatalytic performance.
Evidence theory‐based framework for improving automation in home automation system
Authors: Chemoun Karima , Gilg Marc , Laghrouche Mourad , Lorenz Pascal
Published: August 2018

An easy and better way of life is the topic of the day and stays an important theme for the future. New researches focusing on this aspect are increasingly emerging. In recent years, improving automation in home automation systems and making homes even smarter seem to be a major issue. Automation of daily life functioning of home devices makes life easier for inhabitants, and then saves them from manual adjustments. Home automation systems encompass different communication and networking technologies. They are embedded with sensor networks that perceive information about the environment and occupants. The collected data can mainly be processed to infer sequential patterns defining the home behavior. However, the imperfection, particularly uncertainty of sensor readings, is a significant factor to consider. Also, time is an important aspect when reasoning about home behavior, as each pattern (scenario) performs at a given time throughout the day. Evidence theory is recently gaining great attention. It is suitable for dealing with imperfection of sensor data and for including temporal features into the reasoning process to discover the appropriate pattern to launch. This paper presents a new framework based on evidence theory with the inclusion of time features, for improving automation in home automation systems. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is evaluated by conducting experiments on synthetic dataset. The results show the efficiency of the discovery process when multiple working sensors are available. The results demonstrate also that reliability and accuracy of the process improve significantly when temporal information is provided.
Enhancer activities of amphioxus Brachyury genes in embryos of the ascidian, Ciona intestinalis
Authors: Tominaga Hitoshi , Satoh Noriyuki , Ueno Naoto , Takahashi Hiroki
Published: August 2018

The notochord and somites are distinctive chordate structures. The T‐box transcription factor gene, Brachyury, is expressed in notochord and plays a pivotal role in its formation. In the cephalochordate, Branchiostoma floridae, Brachyury is duplicated into BfBra1 and BfBra2, which are expressed in the somite‐formation region as well. In a series of experiments to elucidate the regulatory machinery of chordate Brachyury expression, we carried out a lacZ reporter assay of BfBra in embryos of the urochordate, Ciona intestinalis. Vista analyses suggest the presence of conserved non‐coding sequences, not only in the 5′‐upstream, but also in the 3′‐downstream and in introns of BfBra. We found that: (1) 5′‐upstream sequences of both BfBra1 and BfBra2 promote lacZ expression in muscle cells, (2) 3′‐downstream sequences have enhancer activity that promotes lacZ expression in notochord cells, and (3) introns of BfBra2 and BfBra1 exhibit lacZ expression preferentially in muscle and notochord cells. These results suggest shared cephalochordate Brachyury enhancer machinery that also works in urochordates. We discuss the results in relation to evolutionary modification of Brachyury expression in formation of chordate‐specific organs characteristic of each lineage.
Expression of Hbs, Kirre, and Rst during Drosophila ovarian development
Authors: Valer Felipe Berti , Machado Maiaro Cabral Rosa , Silva‐Junior Rui Milton Patrício , Ramos Ricardo Guelerman Pinheiro
Published: August 2018

The Irre cell‐recognition module (IRM) is a group of evolutionarily conserved and structurally related transmembrane glycoproteins of the immunoglobulin superfamily. In Drosophila melanogaster, it comprises the products of the genes roughest (rst; also known as irreC‐rst), kin‐of‐irre (kirre; also known as duf), sticks‐and‐stones (sns), and hibris (hbs). In this model organism, the behavior of this group of proteins as a partly redundant functional unit mediating selective cell recognition was demonstrated in a variety of developmental contexts, but their possible involvement in ovarian development and oogenesis has not been investigated, notwithstanding the fact that some rst mutant alleles are also female sterile. Here, we show that IRM genes are dynamically and, to some extent, coordinately transcribed in both pupal and adult ovaries. Additionally, the spatial distribution of Hbs, Kirre, and Rst proteins indicates that they perform cooperative, although largely nonredundant, functions. Finally, phenotypical characterization of three different female sterile rst alleles uncovered two temporally separated and functionally distinct requirements for this locus in ovarian development: one in pupa, essential for the organization of peritoneal and epithelial sheaths that maintain the structural integrity of the adult organ and another, in mature ovarioles, needed for the progression of oogenesis beyond stage 10.
Anthropogenic impacts on tropical karst lakes: “Lagunas de Montebello,” Chiapas
Authors: Alcocer Javier , Merino‐Ibarra Martín , Oseguera Luis A. , Escolero Oscar
Published: August 2018

The “Lagunas de Montebello” National Park (PNLM), Mexico, is a tourist destination well known for its crystal clear lakes surrounded by tropical rainforest. We selected four lakes, two pristine, and two deteriorated, to investigate the changes from transparent, blue waters to turbid, yellowish‐green that have been taking place in the past 15 years. Nutrient, chlorophyll a, seston, and particulate organic carbon concentrations were higher in the deteriorated lakes than in the pristine. Sediments in the deteriorated lakes were finer, with lower carbon and higher sulfur content than those in the pristine. Although the four lakes are karstic and belong to the same district (tropical cockpit karst), the pristine ones are on the SE intermountain zone fed mostly underground, whereas the deteriorated lakes are on the NW plateau area fed mostly superficially. Deteriorated lakes evolved from a pristine condition through receiving nutrients and/or organic matter from agricultural and urban/domestic wastewater, from both point and nonpoint surface sources. Pristine lakes have remained so by their insulation from surface water pollution. Nonetheless, karst lakes maintain a hydraulic connection with the groundwater so pollutants reaching the lakes superficially—or the groundwater that feed them—could be easily and promptly disseminated to other lakes in the district jeopardizing the still pristine lakes. The higher humidity and warmer temperatures of tropical karts areas escalate the fragility of these ecosystems exposed to human activities through, for example, heavy and sudden storm rainfalls and floods, favouring pollutants dispersion among lakes turning them highly vulnerable to water pollution and deterioration.
The negative effects of habitat fragmentation operate at the scale of dispersal
Authors: Fletcher Robert J. , Reichert Brian E. , Holmes Katherine
Published: August 2018

Habitat loss is often considered the greatest near‐term threat to biodiversity. Yet the impact of habitat fragmentation, or the change in habitat configuration for a given amount of habitat loss, has been intensely debated. We isolated effects of habitat loss from fragmentation on the demography, movement, and abundance of wild populations of a specialist herbivore, Chelinidea vittiger, by removing 2,088 patches across 15 landscapes. We compared fragmentation resulting from random loss, which is often considered in theory, to aggregated loss, which is often observed in the real world. When quantifying fragmentation caused by random vs. aggregated loss, aggregated loss led to less fragmented landscapes than random loss based on patch isolation, but more fragmented landscapes when based on isolation at a larger mesoscale scale defined by dispersal distances of C. vittiger. Overall, habitat loss decreased population size and demographic parameters, with thresholds occurring at approximately 70–80% patch loss. Synergistic effects also occurred, where an aggregated pattern of loss had negative effects at low, but not high, amounts of habitat loss. Effects on population size of C. vittiger were driven by reductions in movement and subsequent reproduction. The direction of habitat fragmentation effects from random and aggregated loss treatments, for a given habitat amount, was conflictingly positive or negative depending on the scale at which fragmentation was quantified. Fragmentation quantified at the scale of dispersal for this species best explained population size and highlighted that fragmentation had negative effects at a mesoscale. Our results emphasize the importance of quantifying habitat fragmentation at biologically appropriate scales.
On the recent developments of insulator‐based dielectrophoresis: A review
Authors: Lapizco‐Encinas Blanca H.
Published: August 2018

Insulator‐based dielectrophoresis (iDEP), also known as electrodeless DEP, has become a well‐known dielectrophoretic technique, no longer viewed as a new methodology. Significant advances on iDEP have been reported during the last 15 years. This review article aims to summarize some of the most important findings on iDEP organized by the type of dielectrophoretic mode: streaming and trapping iDEP. The former is primarily used for particle sorting, while the latter has great capability for particle enrichment. The characteristics of a wide array of devices are discussed for each type of dielectrophoretic mode in order to present an overview of the distinct designs and applications developed with iDEP. A short section on Joule heating effects and electrothermal flow is also included to highlight some of the challenges in the utilization of iDEP systems. The significant progress on iDEP illustrates its potential for a large number of applications, ranging from bioanalysis to clinical and biomedical assessments. The present article discusses the work on iDEP by numerous research groups around the world, with the aim of proving the reader with an overview of the state‐of‐the‐art in iDEP microfluidic systems.
Addition of defatted green‐lipped mussel powder and mixed spices to wheat–purple rice flour biscuits: Physicochemical, in vitro digestibility and sensory evaluation
Authors: Klunklin Warinporn , Savage Geoffrey
Published: August 2018

Biscuits were formulated using a 50/50 wheat and purple rice flour mix containing mixed spices, galangal, and defatted green‐lipped mussel powder (Perna canaliculus) added in the range of 5–15% of the total biscuit weight. The fortified biscuits had higher protein (26.36%), fiber (52.90%), and ash (6.00%) contents and a lower total fat (5.64%) content compared to the control biscuits. The in vitro starch digestibility and predicted glycemic index (pGI) decreased in the fortified biscuits by 18.95% and 6.18%, respectively, while the in vitro protein digestibility increased by 3.73%, corresponding to the increased levels of defatted mussel powder present. The spread ratio and hardness of the fortified biscuits also increased significantly. The color values of the fortified biscuits after the incorporation of different levels of defatted mussel powder showed significant changes, with a darkening of the biscuit surface and a lowered browning index compared to the control biscuits. Results of the sensory quality evaluation showed that incorporation of defatted mussel powder into the biscuit mix of up to 15% showed no significant differences in liking scores in terms of color, overall appearance; whereas, the flavor and overall acceptability scores were significantly lower than the control biscuits. Overall, defatted mussel powder can be successfully incorporated into biscuit mixes to enrich the protein, fiber, and antioxidant contents of the biscuits.
Learning from Me Too
Authors: Zacharias Rachel L.
Published: August 2018

For the past year, many around the world have said, “Me Too.” Women, trans folks, and increasingly men have shared their experiences of sexual assault, harassment, and unhealthy power dynamics in their personal and professional relationships. These experiences were not a surprise to people in bioethics, especially as they relate to the control of women's bodies and behaviors that we have observed in medicine, law, and society. In The Hastings Center's work in reproductive contexts, I have learned about women whose reproductive decisions or choices are negatively affected by external forces—either by restrictive laws and policies, explicit counsel from their physicians, or implicit pressures placed on them by society. Any person with a uterus can be forced to take contraceptives if they want access to other medications that could harm a fetus, even when they are not sexually active with men. And some women of color are criminalized for miscarriages. How can those of us working in reproductive ethics be even more attentive to these experiences and to the impact of gendered power dynamics on reproductive decision‐making?
Proposed Regulations Favor Providers’ Conscience Rights over Patients’ Rights
Authors: Johnson Sandra H.
Published: August 2018

In establishing a new Conscience and Religious Freedom Division within the Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services and issuing new proposed regulations, the Trump administration has significantly expanded the power of health care providers over the medical choices of patients and has privileged the moral agency of health care providers over that of individual patients. When finalized, these regulations will replace those promulgated during the Obama administration, just as those regulations replaced those promulgated in 2008 by the Bush administration. The 2018 proposed regulations interpret the federal conscience statutes more broadly than either of these predecessors. Among the many significant provisions in the proposed rules are definitional terms that reach a broader range of individuals and activities, the absence of balancing interests, and a powerful enforcement structure.
Test–retest reliability of a stimulation‐locked evoked response to deep brain stimulation in subcallosal cingulate for treatment resistant depression
Authors: Waters Allison C. , Veerakumar Ashan , Choi Ki Sueng , Howell Bryan , Tiruvadi Vineet , Bijanki Kelly R. , Crowell Andrea , Riva‐Posse Patricio , Mayberg Helen S.
Published: August 2018

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) to the subcallosal cingulate cortex (SCC) is an emerging therapy for treatment resistant depression. Precision targeting of specific white matter fibers is now central to the model of SCC DBS treatment efficacy. A method to confirm SCC DBS target engagement is needed to reduce procedural variance across treatment providers and to optimize DBS parameters for individual patients. We examined the reliability of a novel cortical evoked response that is time‐locked to a 2 Hz DBS pulse and shows the propagation of signal from the DBS target. The evoked response was detected in four individuals as a stereotyped series of components within 150 ms of a 6 V DBS pulse, each showing coherent topography on the head surface. Test–retest reliability across four repeated measures over 14 months met or exceeded standards for valid test construction in three of four patients. Several observations in this pilot sample demonstrate the prospective utility of this method to confirm surgical target engagement and instruct parameter selection. The topography of an orbital frontal component on the head surface showed specificity for patterns of forceps minor activation, which may provide a means to confirm DBS location with respect to key white matter structures. A divergent cortical response to unilateral stimulation of left (vs. right) hemisphere underscores the need for feedback acuity on the level of a single electrode, despite bilateral presentation of therapeutic stimulation. Results demonstrate viability of this method to explore patient‐specific cortical responsivity to DBS for brain‐circuit pathologies.
Sustained versus instantaneous connectivity differentiates cognitive functions of processing speed and episodic memory
Authors: King Jace B. , Anderson Jeffrey S.
Published: August 2018

Synchrony of brain activity over time describes the functional connectivity between brain regions but does not address the temporal component of this relationship. We propose a complementary method of analysis by introducing the width of cross‐correlation curves between functional MRI (fMRI) time series as a metric of the relative duration of synchronous activity between brain regions, or “sustained connectivity”. Using resting‐state fMRI, cognitive, and demographics data from 1,003 subjects included in the Human Connectome Project, we find that sustained connectivity is a reproducible trait in individuals, heritable, more transient in females, and shows changes with age in early adulthood. Sustained connectivity in sensory brain regions is specifically associated with differences in processing speed across subjects, particularly in men. In contrast, traditional functional connectivity was correlated with a measure of episodic memory, but not with processing speed. Individual differences in hemodynamic response function (HRF) are closely approximated by sustained connectivity and width of the HRF is also correlated with processing speed across individuals, suggesting that variability in hemodynamic response may be influenced by transient versus sustained neural activity rather than simply differences in vascularity and signal transduction. Sustained connectivity may provide new opportunities to study brain dynamics in clinical populations.
The neural basis of motivational influences on cognitive control
Authors: Parro Cameron , Dixon Matthew L. , Christoff Kalina
Published: August 2018

Cognitive control mechanisms support the deliberate regulation of thought and behavior based on current goals. Recent work suggests that motivational incentives improve cognitive control and has begun to elucidate critical neural substrates. We conducted a quantitative meta‐analysis of neuroimaging studies of motivated cognitive control using activation likelihood estimation (ALE) and Neurosynth to delineate the brain regions that are consistently activated across studies. The analysis included studies that investigated changes in brain activation during cognitive control tasks when reward incentives were present versus absent. The ALE analysis revealed consistent recruitment in regions associated with the frontoparietal control network including the inferior frontal sulcus and intraparietal sulcus, as well as regions associated with the salience network including the anterior insula and anterior mid‐cingulate cortex. As a complementary analysis, we performed a large‐scale exploratory meta‐analysis using Neurosynth to identify regions that are recruited in studies using of the terms cognitive control and incentive. This analysis replicated the ALE results and also identified the rostrolateral prefrontal cortex, caudate nucleus, nucleus accumbens, medial thalamus, inferior frontal junction, premotor cortex, and hippocampus. Finally, we separately compared recruitment during cue and target periods, which tap into proactive engagement of rule‐outcome associations, and the mobilization of appropriate viscero‐motor states to execute a response, respectively. We found that largely distinct sets of brain regions are recruited during cue and target periods. Altogether, these findings suggest that flexible interactions between frontoparietal, salience, and dopaminergic midbrain‐striatal networks may allow control demands to be precisely tailored based on expected value.