bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Breaking the Limits of Ionic Liquid‐Based Supercapacitors: Mesoporous Carbon Electrodes Functionalized with Manganese Oxide Nanosplotches for Dense, Stable, and Wide‐Temperature Energy Storage
Authors: Lai Feili , Feng Jianrui , Yan Runyu , Wang Gui‐Chang , Antonietti Markus , Oschatz Martin
Published: July 2018

Manganese oxide (MnO2) nanosplotches (NSs) are deposited on N‐ and S‐doped ordered mesoporous carbon (N,S‐CMK‐3) essentially blocking microporosity. The obtained N,S‐CMK‐3/MnO2 composite materials are assembled into ionic liquid (IL)‐based symmetric supercapacitors, which exhibit a high specific capacitance of 200 F g−1 (0–3.5 V) at a scan rate of 2 mV s−1, and good rate stability with 55.5% capacitance retention at a scan rate of 100 mV s−1. The device can operate in a wide temperature range (−20 to 60 °C), and high cycling stability of N,S‐CMK‐3/MnO2 composite electrode is demonstrated. Lower energy of −3.56 eV can be achieved for the adsorption of 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium+ (EMIM+) cation on the edge between MnO2 NSs and N,S‐CMK‐3 than on the plane of MnO2 NS (−3.04 eV), both being more preferred than the surface of pristine N,S‐CMK‐3 (−1.52 eV). This strengthening of the ion adsorption at the three‐phase boundary between N,S‐CMK‐3, MnO2, and IL leads to enhancement of the specific capacity as compared to nondoped or MnO2‐free reference materials. Supercapacitors based on such composite electrodes show significantly enhanced areal capacity pointing to energy storage in the mesopores rather than in the electrochemical surface layer, demonstrating a new energy storage mechanism in ILs.
Recent Advances in Tracking the Transplanted Stem Cells Using Near‐Infrared Fluorescent Nanoprobes: Turning from the First to the Second Near‐Infrared Window
Authors: Chen Guangcun , Zhang Yejun , Li Chunyan , Huang Dehua , Wang Qianwu , Wang Qiangbin
Published: July 2018

Stem cell‐based regenerative medicine has attracted tremendous attention for its great potential to treat numerous incurable diseases. Tracking and understanding the fate and regenerative capabilities of transplanted stem cells is vital for improving the safety and therapeutic efficacy of stem cell‐based therapy, therefore accelerating the clinical application of stem cells. Fluorescent nanoparticles (NPs) have been widely used for in vivo tracking of the transplanted stem cells. Among these fluorescent NPs, near‐infrared (NIR) NPs have greatly improved the sensitivity, tissue penetration depth, spatial and temporal resolutions of the fluorescence imaging‐based stem cell tracking technologies due to the reduced absorption, scattering, and autofluorescence of NIR fluorescence in tissues. Here, this review summarizes the recent studies regarding the tracking of transplanted stem cells using NIR NPs and emphasizes the recent advances of fluorescence imaging in the second NIR window (NIR‐II, 1000–1700 nm). Furthermore, the challenges and future prospects of the NIR NP‐based technologies are also discussed.
Nanocatalyst Complex Can Dephosphorylate Key Proteins in MAPK Pathway for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Tang Rongbing , Jia Yuexiao , Zheng Wenshu , Feng Qiang , Zheng Wenfu , Jiang Xingyu
Published: July 2018

Controlling phosphorylation processes of proteins is a facile way for manipulating cell fates. Herein, a synergistic therapeutic strategy utilizing a near‐infrared (NIR)‐responsive nanocatalyst (NC) complex is presented, which is comprised of photoactive NC and protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), to synergistically inhibit hyperphosphorylation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway for cancer therapy, as an example of many biological processes this approach can apply to. NIR‐triggered release of PP2A specially dephosphorylates and inactivates mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase (MAP2K, also known as MEK) and extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK) in the MAPK pathway, meanwhile, the NIR‐triggered activation of NC decreases the level of intracellular adenosine triphosphate to attenuate protein phosphorylation of MEK and ERK. The synergistic therapeutics effectively suppress melanoma progression by inhibiting hyperphosphorylation of the MAPK pathway. In addition, the nanocatalyst complex reduces the risk of drug‐resistance through inhibiting a rebound of RAS‐GTP. The NIR‐responsive nanocatalyst complex paves a novel way for cancer therapeutics.
Visible Light‐Induced C−H Bond Functionalization: A Critical Review
Authors: Revathi Lekkala , Ravindar Lekkala , Fang Wan‐Yin , Rakesh K. P. , Qin Hua‐Li
Published: July 2018

In recent years, visible‐light‐induced C−H bond functionalization has become an emerging field at the forefront of organic chemistry. In a general sense, these approaches rely on the capability of metal complexes and organic dyes to convert visible light into chemical energy by engaging in single‐electron transfer with organic substrates, thus generating reactive intermediates. This review covers most of the strategies involving visible light‐induced benzylic and non‐benzylic alkylation, halogination, oxidation, vinylation, arylation, benzylation, acetylation, formylation, thiocyanation, xanthylation, azidation, amination, addition, and coupling reactions of sp2 and sp3 C−H bonds.

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An Atropos Biphenyl Bisphosphine Ligand with 2,2′‐tert‐Butylmethylphosphino Groups for the Rhodium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Enol Esters
Authors: Jia Jia , Fan Dongyang , Zhang Jian , Zhang Zhenfeng , Zhang Wanbin
Published: July 2018

This is an update of our previous work concerning the development of Atropos biphenyl bisphosphine ligands. An unexpected Atropos structural property was confirmed by single crystal X‐ray diffraction and this result is consistent with the computational calculations described in our previous work. This P‐stereogenic bisphosphine ligand possessing a biphenyl backbone and 2,2′‐tert‐butylmethylphosphino groups has been applied to the Rh‐catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of enol esters, which has not been widely studied and can be used for the synthesis of several important bioactive compounds. Although there is room for further improvement in enantioselectivity, the results reported herein provide a further understanding of such types of ligands.

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DeepScreen: An Accurate, Rapid, and Anti‐Interference Screening Approach for Nanoformulated Medication by Deep Learning
Authors: Zhu Yanjing , Huang Ruiqi , Zhu Rui , Xu Wei , Zhu Rongrong , Cheng Liming
Published: July 2018

Accuracy of current efficacy judgment methods for nanoformulated drug remains unstable due to the interference of nanocarriers. Herein, DeepScreen, a drug screening system utilizing convolutional neural network based on flow cytomerty single‐cell images, is introduced. Compared to existing experimental approaches, the high‐throughput system has superior precision, rapidity, and anti‐interference, and is cost‐cutting with high accuracy. First, it can resist most disturbances from manual factors of complicated evaluation progress. In addition, class activation maps generated from DeepScreen indicate that it may identify and locate the tiny variation from cell apoptosis and slight changes of cellular period caused by drug or even nanoformulated drug action at very early stages. More importantly, the excellent performance of assessment on two types of nanoformulations and fluorescent drug proves the fine generality and anti‐interference of this novel system. All these privileged performances make DeepScreen a very smart and promising system for drug detection.
2‐Arylsilacyclobutane as a Latent Carbanion Reacting with CO2
Authors: Ishida Naoki , Okumura Shintaro , Kawasaki Tairin , Murakami Masahiro
Published: July 2018

An electronically neutral 2‐arylsilacyclobutane generates a nucleophilic carbanion at room temperature through cleavage of the benzylic C−Si bond when simply dissolved in polar aprotic solvents such as N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF). The nucleophilic species is capable of capturing carbon dioxide to furnish a silalactone. The carboxylation reaction is unique in that no additional activating agents are required.
Palladium/Rhodium Cooperative Catalysis for the Production of Aryl Aldehydes and Their Deuterated Analogues Using the Water–Gas Shift Reaction
Authors: Ibrahim Malek Y. S. , Denmark Scott E.
Published: July 2018

A novel Pd/Rh dual‐metallic cooperative catalytic process has been developed to effect the reductive carbonylation of aryl halides in moderate to good yield. In this reaction, water is the hydride source, and CO serves both as the carbonyl source and the terminal reductant through the water–gas shift reaction. The catalytic generation of the Rh hydride allows for the selective formation of highly hindered aryl aldehydes that are inaccessible through previously reported reductive carbonylation protocols. Moreover, aldehydes with deuterated formyl groups can be efficiently and selectively synthesized using D2O as a cost‐effective deuterium source without the need for presynthesizing the aldehyde.
flowPloidy: An R package for genome size and ploidy assessment of flow cytometry data
Authors: Smith Tyler William , Kron Paul , Martin Sara L.
Published: July 2018

Premise of the Study

Despite advantages in terms of reproducibility, histogram analysis based on nonlinear regression is rarely used in genome size assessments in plant biology. This is due in part to the lack of a freely available program to implement the procedure. We have developed such a program, the R package flowPloidy.

Methods and Results

flowPloidy builds on the existing statistical tools provided with the R environment. This base provides tools for importing flow cytometry data, fitting nonlinear regressions, and interactively visualizing data. flowPloidy adds tools for building flow cytometry models, fitting the models to histogram data, and producing visual and tabular summaries of the results.

Conclusions

flowPloidy fills an important gap in the study of plant genome size. This package will enable plant scientists to apply a more powerful statistical technique for assessing genome size. flowPloidy improves on existing software options by providing a no‐cost workflow streamlined for genome size and ploidy determination.
How Do Patients With Newly Diagnosed Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Present? A Multicenter Cohort of Early Systemic Lupus Erythematosus to Inform the Development of New Classification Criteria
Authors: Mosca Marta , Costenbader Karen H. , Johnson Sindhu R. , Lorenzoni Valentina , Sebastiani Gian Domenico , Hoyer Bimba F. , Navarra Sandra , Bonfa Eloisa , Ramsey‐Goldman Rosalind , Medina‐Rosas Jorge , Piga Matteo , Tani Chiara , Tedeschi Sara K. , Dörner Thomas , Aringer Martin , Touma Zahi
Published: July 2018

Objective

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presents with nonspecific signs and symptoms that are also found in other conditions. This study aimed to evaluate manifestations at disease onset and to compare early SLE manifestations to those of diseases mimicking SLE.

Methods

Academic lupus centers in Asia, Europe, North America, and South America collected baseline data on patients who were referred to them during the previous 3 years for possible SLE and who had a symptom duration of <1 year. Clinical and serologic manifestations were compared between patients diagnosed as having SLE and those diagnosed as having SLE‐mimicking conditions. Diagnostic performance of the 1997 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) SLE classification criteria and the 2012 Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) SLE classification criteria was tested.

Results

Data were collected on 389 patients with early SLE and 227 patients with SLE‐mimicking conditions. Unexplained fever was more common in early SLE than in SLE‐mimicking conditions (34.5% versus 13.7%, respectively; P < 0.001). Features less common in early SLE included Raynaud's phenomenon (22.1% versus 48.5%; P < 0.001), sicca symptoms (4.4% versus 34.4%; P < 0.001), dysphagia (0.3% versus 6.2%; P < 0.001), and fatigue (28.3% versus 37.0%; P = 0.024). Anti–double‐stranded DNA, anti–β2‐glycoprotein I antibodies, positive Coombs’ test results, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, hypocomplementemia, and leukopenia were more common in early SLE than in SLE‐mimicking conditions. Symptoms detailed in the ACR and SLICC classification criteria were significantly more frequent among those with early SLE. Fewer patients with early SLE were not identified as having early SLE with use of the SLICC criteria compared to the ACR criteria (16.5% versus 33.9%), but the ACR criteria demonstrated higher specificity than the SLICC criteria (91.6% versus 82.4%).

Conclusion

In this multicenter cohort, clinical manifestations that could help to distinguish early SLE from SLE‐mimicking conditions were identified. These findings may aid in earlier SLE diagnosis and provide information for ongoing initiatives to revise SLE classification criteria.
Recent Advances in the Design of Targeted Iridium(III) Photosensitizers for Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Huang Huaiyi , Banerjee Samya , Sadler Peter J.
Published: July 2018

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a noninvasive treatment for certain types of cancer, bacterial, fungal and viral infections, and skin diseases. In recent years, adaptation of this treatment so as to achieve more specific targeted cancer therapy in particular has attracted significant attention. We focus herein on the design of novel iridium‐based photosensitizers (PSs) with tunable photophysical and photobiological properties as efficient PDT agents. We highlight the ability of some IrIII photosensitizers to target specific cellular components, including their activation by one‐ and two‐photon irradiation.
Semiconducting π‐Extended Tetrathiafulvalene Derivatives
Authors: Yamada Hiroko , Yamashita Masataka , Hayashi Hironobu , Suzuki Mitsuharu , Aratani Naoki
Published: July 2018

Tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) has been one of the most studied compounds, since the discovery of electrical conductivity as a charge‐transfer complex in combination with tetracyano‐p‐quinodimethane (TCNQ) in 1973. In 2004, TTF was realized in a new light as an innate semiconductor material, as well as conductor and superconductor material. Because of the ready modification of its core skeleton and better solubility than that of acene compounds, many TTF derivatives have been reported to attain better charge‐carrier mobility for field‐effect transistor devices. Considering the high charge‐carrier mobility of acene and TTF derivatives, annulation of the acene and TTF moieties is expected to improve the charge‐carrier mobilities. This Minireview focuses on the syntheses, crystal structures, and electronic properties of state‐of‐the‐art π‐extended TTF derivatives, based on the history of the development of TTF derivatives. The relationship between the packing structure and charge‐carrier mobilities is also discussed.
Stereospecific C‐Glycosylation by Mizoroki–Heck Reaction: A Powerful and Easy‐to‐Set‐Up Synthetic Tool to Access α‐ and β‐Aryl‐C‐Glycosides
Authors: Mabit Thibaud , Siard Aymeric , Legros Frédéric , Guillarme Stéphane , Martel Arnaud , Lebreton Jacques , Carreaux François , Dujardin Gilles , Collet Sylvain
Published: July 2018

A stereospecific Mizoroki–Heck cross‐coupling of differently substituted glycals with haloarenes resulting in the exclusive formation of either α‐ or β‐aryl‐C‐glycosides depending solely on the configuration at C3 was achieved. The reaction was easy to set up because no specific precautions were required concerning moisture or oxygen, and it proceeded by a chirality transfer from C3 to C1. After optimization of cross‐coupling conditions, various prepared glycals (7 examples) and arenes (10 examples) were tested, leading stereospecifically to the corresponding aryl‐C‐glycosides with a carbonyl group at C3, thus opening up new horizons for the total synthesis of glycosylated natural products.
2H‐Naphthopyran‐Based Three‐State Systems: From Solution Studies to Photoresponsive Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Materials
Authors: Vlajić Marina , Schmidt Johannes , Thomas Arne , Rück‐Braun Karola
Published: July 2018

Densely packed self‐assembled monolayers with photoresponsive naphthopyrans attached to COOH headgroups on Si(111) were studied at the solid/inert‐gas interface. We demonstrate that 2H‐naphtho[1,2‐b]pyrans are suitable three‐state photochromic systems for solution and surface studies. Switching between three states on the surface was realized using UV light, thermal relaxation and visible light as trigger and release elements as analyzed by ATR‐FTIR. Compared to solution studies, surface polarity and environmental effects, especially steric hindrance, contribute to state formation by stabilization of photoisomers, acceleration and deceleration of photochemical processes, and slowed down of thermal fading.
A robust inverter‐based amplifier versus PVT for discrete‐time integrators
Authors: Baltolu Anthony , Albinet Xavier , Chalet Frederic , Dallet Dominique , Begueret Jean‐Baptiste
Published: July 2018

With the reduction of the supply voltage in modern complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor technologies, and by their intrinsic class AB behavior, inverter‐based amplifiers are suitable to replace classical operational transconductance amplifiers in switched capacitor circuits like sigma‐delta modulators. This paper presents a new inverter‐based amplifier which increases the reliability versus process, voltage, and temperature variations. A new biasing stage is proposed, which controls the bias current without losing the class AB behavior thanks to the use of biasing transistors operated in linear region and a slew rate enhancement circuit. This makes this amplifier more robust than simple inverters regarding to process, voltage, and temperature variations, reducing the worst‐case bias current spread from +140% to +20%, while costing only 15% consumption increase and keeping inverter dynamic strengths.
A design method of strong stability self‐tuning controller based on on‐demand type feedback control
Authors: Yanou Akira
Published: July 2018

This paper proposes a design method of strong stability self‐tuning controller based on on‐demand type feedback control. For safety in industrial applications, although it is important to consider on‐demand type feedback control system, the previous papers about on‐demand type feedback control did not consider the influence of noise and fixed the design parameter to constant value. Therefore, this paper extends the design parameter of on‐demand type feedback control as stable rational function through the design method of strong stability system using coprime factorization. Moreover the self‐tuning controller of the proposed method is given and the control result with noise is shown by numerical example.
Electrochemical Proof of Fluorophilic Interaction among Fluoro‐Carbon Chains
Authors: Fang Cheng , Sobhani Zahra , Megharaj Mallavarapu , Naidu Ravi
Published: July 2018

We form self‐assembled monolayer (SAM) of fluoro‐carbon chain (C−F_SAM) or hydro‐carbon chain (C−H_SAM) to compare their interaction with surfactants containing C−F chains (PFOA, PFOS) or C−H chains (linear alkylbenzene sulphonate, LAS). We observe that the interaction between the C−F_SAM and the C−F chain is much stronger than that between the C−H_SAM and the C−H/C−F chain, and also stronger than that between the C−F_SAM and the C−H chain. The reason is due to the unique fluorophilic interaction among the C−F chains, which is similar with and thus confirm the mechanism for F‐extraction. This unique interaction among the C−F chains might shine new light on the development of fluorosurfactant's sensor and remediation.
Minimizing the Diameter of Electrospun Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) Nanofibers by Design of Experiments for Electrochemical Application
Authors: Yu Sooyoun , Myung Nosang V.
Published: July 2018

An effective method to study and predict the complex mechanism of electrospinning is needed. A combination of design of experiments (DOEs) and finer tuning of the experimental parameters were used to investigate the effect of individual and interactions of solution, electrospinning, and environmental conditions on the dimensions and morphology of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers. Analyses on DOEs determined that solution viscosity, controlled by the concentration of polymer precursor, was the predominant factor in manipulating the PAN nanofiber diameter. Similarly, reduced surface tension controlled by the addition of surfactant contributed to smoother nanofibers. An appropriate applied voltage for stable formation of Taylor cone was established. DOE on environmental conditions revealed the absolute moisture content played a significant role in causing beads. A minimum polyacrylonitrile (PAN)‐based fiber diameter of 42±7 nm was achieved with solution containing 3.25 wt. % PAN, 0.1 wt. % BYK® surfactant in N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF). PAN nanofibers were subsequently stabilized then carbonized. BET analysis of the carbonized nanofibers showed the specific surface area increased as a function of nanofiber diameter, reaching 684 m2/g at 407 nm. Preliminary results from the electrochemical characterization of the carbon nanofibers showed the double‐layer capacitance increased with decreasing fiber diameter, showing suitable potential for electrode applications.
Job satisfaction among anesthetists in Ethiopia—a national cross‐sectional study
Authors: Kibwana Sharon , Yigzaw Muluneh , Molla Yohannes , van Roosmalen Jos , Stekelenburg Jelle
Published: July 2018

Background

Ethiopia has substantially increased production of associate clinician anesthetists. This study aimed to determine the level of and factors that predict job satisfaction among a national sample of anesthetists.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study conducted in 2014 sampled 252 anesthetists. Respondents rated 37 items related to job satisfaction and working and living conditions using a Likert scale, which ranged from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Univariate and multivariable logistic regressions were used to determine factors associated with the main outcome variable, level of job satisfaction. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to show the magnitude of associations.

Results

Less than half (n = 107, 42.5%) of anesthetists were satisfied with their job. Work environment (aOR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.06, 3.31) and more than 10 years of experience working in the public health system (aOR = 4.96, 95% CI = 1.11, 22.13) were predictors of job satisfaction in the multivariable model.

Conclusion

Ethiopian anesthetists have low levels of job satisfaction, with work environment and years of experience being factors that predict their satisfaction positively. Motivation and retention of this cadre will require emphasis on creating a safe and conducive work environment, and interventions designed to motivate junior anesthetists.
Effect of mistimed eating patterns on breast and prostate cancer risk (MCC‐Spain Study)
Authors: Kogevinas Manolis , Espinosa Ana , Castelló Adela , Gómez‐Acebo Inés , Guevara Marcela , Martin Vicente , Amiano Pilar , Alguacil Juan , Peiro Rosana , Moreno Victor , Costas Laura , Fernández‐Tardón Guillermo , Jimenez Jose Juan , Marcos‐Gragera Rafael , Perez‐Gomez Beatriz , Llorca Javier , Moreno‐Iribas Conchi , Fernández‐Villa Tania , Oribe Madalen , Aragones Nuria , Papantoniou Kyriaki , Pollán Marina , Castano‐Vinyals Gemma , Romaguera Dora
Published: July 2018

Modern life involves mistimed sleeping and eating patterns that in experimental studies are associated with adverse health effects. We assessed whether timing of meals is associated with breast and prostate cancer risk taking into account lifestyle and chronotype, a characteristic correlating with preference for morning or evening activity. We conducted a population‐based case‐control study in Spain, 2008–2013. In this analysis we included 621 cases of prostate and 1,205 of breast cancer and 872 male and 1,321 female population controls who had never worked night shift. Subjects were interviewed on timing of meals, sleep and chronotype and completed a Food Frequency Questionaire. Adherence to the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute of Cancer Research recommendations for cancer prevention was examined. Compared with subjects sleeping immediately after supper, those sleeping two or more hours after supper had a 20% reduction in cancer risk for breast and prostate cancer combined (adjusted Odds Ratio [OR] = 0.80, 95%CI 0.67–0.96) and in each cancer individually (prostate cancer OR = 0.74, 0.55–0.99; breast cancer OR = 0.84, 0.67–1.06). A similar protection was observed in subjects having supper before 9 pm compared with supper after 10 pm. The effect of longer supper‐sleep interval was more pronounced among subjects adhering to cancer prevention recommendations (OR both cancers= 0.65, 0.44–0.97) and in morning types (OR both cancers = 0.66, 0.49–0.90). Adherence to diurnal eating patterns and specifically a long interval between last meal and sleep are associated with a lower cancer risk, stressing the importance of evaluating timing in studies on diet and cancer.
Epidemiology of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease‐related hepatocellular carcinoma and its implications
Authors: Wong Sui‐Weng , Ting Yi‐Wen , Chan Wah‐Kheong
Published: July 2018

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer‐related mortality worldwide. Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) encompasses a spectrum of liver pathology that is characterized by the excessive accumulation of fat in the liver attributable to overnutrition and is strongly associated with the metabolic syndrome. Non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis is the more severe form of NAFLD that is defined histologically by the presence of lobular inflammation and hepatocyte ballooning. Non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis patients have a greater tendency to develop advanced liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and HCC. This review focuses on the epidemiology of NAFLD‐related HCC and its implications. NAFLD has been estimated to contribute to 10–12% of HCC cases in Western populations and 1–6% of HCC cases in Asian populations. NAFLD‐related HCC is expected to increase in Asian populations, in line with the increased prevalence of NALFD similar to that of Western populations in recent years. The increasing burden of NAFLD‐related HCC over time has been demonstrated in studies from both Western and Asian populations. Certain factors such as ethnicity, obesity, and diabetes mellitus appear to have an incremental effect on the risk of developing HCC among NAFLD patients. The difficulty in identifying NAFLD patients with cirrhosis and the possibility of HCC developing in noncirrhotic NAFLD patients are challenges that need to be addressed. Further understanding of these gaps may contribute to better surveillance strategies for the early detection of HCC in NAFLD patients to reduce the mortality and improve the survival of these patients.
Deep ultraviolet initiated excited state dynamics of riboflavin and flavin mononucleotide
Authors: Ghosh Sudeb , Puranik Mrinalini
Published: July 2018

Flavins are cofactors in several light‐activated enzymes and therefore their excited states are found to involve in many photobiological processes. Excited state dynamics of flavin compounds corresponding to their first singlet state (S1) has been studied using a plethora of techniques, whereas studies related to highly absorbing ultraviolet excited states are lacking. Here, we study the ultrafast excited state dynamics of riboflavin and flavin mononucleotide using resonance Raman intensity analysis upon photoexcitation into their most intense absorption band centered at 266 nm. Resonance Raman cross sections of each flavin band are quantitatively measured across the 266‐nm absorption band (257–280 nm), and Raman excitation profiles are constructed. We have used Lee and Heller's time‐dependent wave packet theory to simulate the experimental Raman cross sections in a self‐consistent manner. The simulation results in instantaneous structural changes along with solvation dynamics, through linewidth broadening within tens of femtoseconds following photoexcitation. Major structural changes were observed through contraction and elongation of several ring stretching coordinates, affecting at a different site when compared with the S1 excitation. The value of the total reorganization energy was determined to be 1,665 cm−1 (and 1,602 cm−1 for flavin mononucleotide) with a contribution of 1,310 cm−1 from the inertial response of water. We find upon excitation, the first solvation shell inertially responds with an ultrafast timescale of <30 fs for both the molecules. Our results can be useful to determine the structure and dynamics of flavoenzymes by using flavin as a probe following excitation within their 266‐nm absorption band.
Early detection of zinc deficit with confocal Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Zhao Xiaoyu , Cai Lijing
Published: July 2018

Zinc deficit is one of the most important reasons for botanical disease. It can occur in many forms, for example, as rice blast, bacterial stripe, bacterial blight, and false smut. All these diseases will greatly lead to lower yields during rice harvest. In these paper, we show that Raman spectroscopy provides a single, fast, and sensitive method for detecting zinc deficit, especially during early forms of zinc deficiency. When a plant lacks zinc, the carotenoid content will increase, and many other components' content will decrease, such as starch, proteins, sugars, and amide. All of these changes will be brought out in the Raman spectrum of the rice leaves. In this study, we scanned the healthy leaves, the leaves with early zinc deficiency, and the leaves with zinc deficiency by confocal Raman spectrometer to get the Raman spectra within the wavenumber 200–1,200 cm−1. First, the ensemble empirical mode decomposition algorithm was used to remove the baseline and the noise in the Raman spectra. Then principal components selected by the successive projections algorithm (PC1, PC2, PC3, and PC6) and characteristic parameters of the spectra
(the area of 690–780 cm−1 S1 is divided by the area of 1,080–1,200 cm−1 S2) selected by one‐way variance of analysis and related with the content of carotenoid, starch, carbohydrate, soluble sugar, and so forth were the inputs of the least squares support vector machine model. The model is able to determine from a variety of samples whether the sample has zinc deficiency, early zinc deficiency, or if it is healthy, with a 100% accuracy. These results illustrate that early forms of zinc deficit can be detected before the plants show any physical symptoms. This is groundbreaking news for the future development of zinc deficiency monitoring equipment, as well as for other types of deficiency monitoring equipment in general.
Development of plasmonic U‐bent plastic optical fiber probes for surface enhanced Raman scattering based biosensing
Authors: Danny Christina Grace , Subrahmanyam A. , Sai V.V.R.
Published: July 2018

Evanescent wave‐based excitation of noble metal nanostructures on fiber core surface allows simultaneous excitation over a larger area in comparison with free space coupling, and hence highly suitable for development of surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)‐based sensor applications. This study describes the development of plasmonically active U‐bent plastic optical fiber (POF) probes for SERS‐based sensing. The SERS activity of gold nanostructures on the fiber probe surface obtained by means of electroless deposition, sputtering, and chemisorption of nanoparticles are thoroughly characterized using a confocal microscopic setup. Influence of excitation wavelength and laser excitation power on SERS activity and stability of the plasmonic U‐bent probes is evaluated. Gold‐sputtered POF probes and gold nanoparticle immobilized POF probes show higher enhancement factor in the order to ~108. A biosensor application of these POF‐based SERS sensors is demonstrated by realizing a sandwich immunoassay with 4‐MBA as Raman label.
Measurable cardinals and good ‐wellorderings
Authors: Lücke Philipp , Schlicht Philipp
Published: July 2018

We study the influence of the existence of large cardinals on the existence of wellorderings of power sets of infinite cardinals κ with the property that the collection of all initial segments of the wellordering is definable by a Σ1‐formula with parameter κ. A short argument shows that the existence of a measurable cardinal δ implies that such wellorderings do not exist at δ‐inaccessible cardinals of cofinality not equal to δ and their successors. In contrast, our main result shows that these wellorderings exist at all other uncountable cardinals in the minimal model containing a measurable cardinal. In addition, we show that measurability is the smallest large cardinal property that imposes restrictions on the existence of such wellorderings at uncountable cardinals. Finally, we generalise the above result to the minimal model containing two measurable cardinals.
“Nothing Can Hide Itself from Thy Heat”: Understanding Polymers via Unconventional Applications of Thermal Analysis
Authors: Vyazovkin Sergey
Published: July 2018

This article surveys some exciting possibilities and results offered by less common, yet essential applications of differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The applications are concerned with the most commonly studied processes of the glass transition, crystallization, melting, polymerization, and degradation. Issues related to the glass transition include the non‐Arrhenius temperature dependence and fragility, kinetic complexity of physical aging, evaluation of cooperatively rearranging regions, and rigid amorphous fraction. Discussion of crystallization covers separation of heterogeneous and homogeneous nucleation, crystallization controlled by physical aging, and the use of isoconversional methods for determining the Hoffman–Lauritzen parameters. For melting, the role of reorganization and nucleation control is emphasized. For the thermal degradation and polymerization, advanced kinetic treatments as a way of obtaining mechanistic insights are discussed, and the possibility of studying both processes during continuous cooling is stressed. The possibility of using TGA for monitoring polycondensation is also highlighted.
Mass spectrometry and associated technologies delineate the advantageously biomedical capacity of siderophores in different pathogenic contexts
Authors: Luo Xialin , Guo Rui , Xu Xin , Li Xian , Yao Li , Wang Xijun , Lu Haitao
Published: July 2018

Siderophores are chemically diverse small molecules produced by microorganisms for chelation of irons to maintain their survival and govern some important biological functions, especially those cause that infections in hosts. Still, siderophores can offer new insight into a better understanding of the diagnosis and treatments of infectious diseases from the siderophore biosynthesis and regulation perspective. Thus, this review aims to summarize the biomedical value and applicability of siderophores in pathogenic contexts by briefly reviewing mass spectrometry (MS)‐based chemical biology and translational applications that involve diagnosis, pathogenesis, and therapeutic discovery for a variety of infectious conditions caused by different pathogens. We highlight the advantages and disadvantages of siderophore discovery and applications in pathogenic contexts. Finally, we propose a panel of new and promising strategy as precision‐modification metabolomics method, to rapidly advance the discovery of and translational innovations pertaining to these value compounds in broad biomedical niches. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Mass Spec Rev XX:XX–XX, 2018.
Parental perceptions of prenatal whole exome sequencing (PPPWES) study
Authors: Wou Karen , Weitz Talia , McCormack Clare , Wynn Julia , Spiegel Erica , Giordano Jessica , Wapner Ronald J. , Chung Wendy K.
Published: July 2018

Objective

The objective of the study is to investigate the experiences of couples who underwent prenatal whole‐exome sequencing (WES) for fetal anomalies and the amount/type of information couples want from prenatal WES.

Method

Participants in the Fetal Sequencing Study who had genetic testing for fetal anomalies were invited for a semistructured interview about their experience with prenatal WES. A constructivist grounded theory approach with an inductive coding style was used for coding and analysis.

Results

We interviewed 29 participants from 17 pregnancies. Two pregnancies had positive prenatal WES results, and 4 were terminated prior to receipt of WES results. The main themes were anxiety and stress around the time of diagnosis, education and consent for WES, coping and support while waiting for results, and receiving genetic testing results. In response to hypothetical scenarios probing the desire for uncertain results, 86% would like to be told about results for which the provider had some degree of uncertainty, and the percent desiring results decreased as the certainty of the results decreased.

Conclusion

Participants' experience with exome sequence was similar to other prenatal genetic diagnostic tests, except for the longer wait time for results. When probed with hypothetical scenarios, participants desired more results than were provided in the study, including uncertain results that might diagnose the fetal condition. This highlights the need for specialized prenatal genetic counseling to have nuanced discussions of multiple dimensions of uncertainty with implementation of prenatal WES.
iTRAQ‐Based Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Chemically Induced Aquilaria sinensis Provides Insights into Agarwood Formation Mechanism
Authors: Ye Wei , Zhang Weimin , Liu Taomei , Zhu Muzhi , Li Saini , Li Haohua , Huang Zilei , Gao Xiaoxia
Published: July 2018

Agarwood is a precious traditional Chinese medicine with a variety of pharmacological effects. Although efforts have been made in elucidating the mechanism of agarwood formation, little progress is obtained till now. Therefore, the molecular mechanism of agarwood formation needs to be further explored using different biological approaches. In this study, the quantitative proteomic analysis using iTRAQ technology combined with transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses on chemically induced Aquilaria sinensis is performed to elucidate the agarwood formation mechanism by formic acid stimulus. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD007586; 1884 proteins are detected, 504 differential proteins that show at least twofold differences in their expression levels are selected based on GO annotations, KEGG, STRING analysis, and quantitative RT‐PCR analysis. The results indicate that sesquiterpene synthase, germin‐like protein, pathogenesis‐related protein, 6‐phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, lipoyl synthase, and superoxide dismutase play important roles in the agarwood formation, suggesting that the proteins related to the plant defensive response, the removal of peroxide, the disease‐resistance, the biosythesis of glycan, fatty acids, and sesquiterpene are crucial for agarwood formation.
Design of Gold Nanoparticles in Dendritic Cell‐Based Vaccines
Authors: Dings Ruud P. M. , Cannon Martin , Vang Kieng Bao
Published: July 2018

The design of effective cancer vaccines must be able to activate dendritic cells (DCs) of the innate immune system in order to induce immunity to pathogens and cancer. DCs patrol the body and once they encounter antigens, they orchestrate a complex mechanism of events and signals that can alert the adaptive immune system to action. However, DC‐based vaccines remain a challenge in part because the source and quality of antigens, the DC targeting molecule, type of adjuvant, and delivery vehicle must be optimized to induce a robust immune response. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have now entered clinical trials as carriers due to their ease of functionalization with antigens, adjuvants, and targeting molecules. This progress report discusses how AuNPs can influence DC activation and maturation, as well as their potential impact on T helper (Th) differentiation. Ultimately, successful AuNP‐based DC vaccines are able to induce phagocytosis, activation/maturation, migration, T cell costimulation, and cytokine secretion, which is named AuNP‐induced DC tuning (AuNP‐DC tuning). Although at its infancy, understanding the processes of AuNP‐DC tuning will give a better understanding of how best to engineer AuNPs and will redefine the next generation of DC‐based vaccines.
Strain Effect in Highly‐Doped n‐Type 3C‐SiC‐on‐Glass Substrate for Mechanical Sensors and Mobility Enhancement
Authors: Phan Hoang‐Phuong , Nguyen Tuan‐Khoa , Dinh Toan , Cheng Han‐Hao , Mu Fengwen , Iacopi Alan , Hold Leonie , Dao Dzung Viet , Suga Tadatomo , Senesky Debbie G. , Nguyen Nam‐Trung
Published: July 2018

This work reports the strain effect on the electrical properties of highly doped n‐type single crystalline cubic silicon carbide (3C‐SiC) transferred onto a 6‐inch glass substrate employing an anodic bonding technique. The experimental data shows high gauge factors of −8.6 in longitudinal direction and 10.5 in transverse direction along the [100] orientation. The piezoresistive effect in the highly doped 3C‐SiC film also exhibits an excellent linearity and consistent reproducibility after several bending cycles. The experimental result is in good agreement with the theoretical analysis based on the phenomenon of electron transfer between many valleys in the conduction band of n‐type 3C‐SiC. Our finding for the large gauge factor in n‐type 3C‐SiC coupled with the elimination of the current leak to the insulated substrate could pave the way for the development of single crystal SiC‐on‐glass based MEMS applications.
Two‐Dimensional Hot Spot Temperature Simulation for c‐Si Photovoltaic Modules
Authors: Qian Jiadong , Thomson Andrew , Ernst Marco , Blakers Andrew
Published: July 2018

A two‐step method to simulate the spatially resolved temperature of a partially shaded cell in a crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) module is presented and tested. First, an efficient module electronic simulation tool computes the operating conditions of a module's constituent cells. Second, a two‐dimensional finite‐element analysis simulation, utilizing forward‐, and revers‐bias electroluminescence measurements, is performed to spatially resolved cell temperature. With an outdoor experiment, un‐encapsulated cell temperatures are directly measured under controlled heat transfer conditions. A peak local cell temperature of 144 °C is observed on a multi crystalline silicon cell dissipating 54 W heat in the experiment, 57 °C higher than the result from a non‐spatially resolved simulation. Experimental results indicate cells without significant Ohmic shunts are suitable for temperature simulation with the aid of reverse bias electroluminescence imaging, which yields a maximum temperature prediction error of less than 15 °C. However, simulation for cells with significant Ohmic shunts is prone to underestimate the cell temperature by up to 45 °C. Multiple shading fractions from 12 to 80% lead to severe heating scenarios in such case.
Vinorelbine‐induced acute respiratory distress syndrome treated with non‐invasive ventilation and immunosuppressive therapy
Authors: Ribeiro de Oliveira Santos Mário Bruno , Mergulhão Paulo
Published: July 2018

Severe drug‐induced lung disease, resistant to steroids, is a dramatic situation due to the absence of therapeutic alternatives. We describe a case of vinorelbine‐induced acute respiratory distress syndrome that did not respond to supportive care plus high‐dose steroids. Cyclophosphamide pulse therapy was initiated with subsequent clinical and radiological improvement, allowing the patient to be discharged. We suggest that vinorelbine‐induced lung toxicity is driven by a primarily immune‐mediated mechanism and that it can respond favourably to immunosuppressive therapy.
A Critical Overview on the Effect of Microwave Irradiation in Organic Synthesis
Authors: Díaz‐Ortiz Á. , Prieto P. , de la Hoz A.
Published: July 2018

Despite the great success of Microwave Assisted Organic Synthesis (MAOS) there is still a lack of knowledge about the interaction of the electromagnetic radiation with matter. In consequence, it has been very difficult to rationalize the effect of microwave irradiation in chemistry, to determine the existence of microwave effects (thermal and non‐thermal) and to develop predictive models on the characteristics required for a reaction to be improved under microwaves. This has been a handicap to develop new chemistry under microwave irradiation and the origin of many controversies. This personal account collects some new findings in this field and our work on the use of computational chemistry to develop predictive models and to determine parameters related to thermal and non‐thermal effects, with clear advantages over experimental methods where separation of these effect is almost impossible.
Designing educational systems to support enactment of the Next Generation Science Standards
Authors: Anderson Charles W. , de los Santos Elizabeth X. , Bodbyl Sarah , Covitt Beth A. , Edwards Kirsten D. , Hancock James Brian , Lin Qinyun , Morrison Thomas Christie , Penuel William R. , Welch Mary Margaret
Published: July 2018

This article reports on a design‐based implementation research (DBIR) project that addresses the question: How can classrooms be supported at scale to achieve the three‐dimensional learning goals of the Next Generation Science Standards? Inherent in this question are three key design challenges: (i) three‐dimensional learning—the multidimensional changes in curriculum, assessment, and instruction required for three‐dimensional learning; (ii) scale—the necessity of change at multiple scales in educational systems; and (iii) diversity—achieving rigor in our expectations with responsiveness to the enduring diversity of our students, classrooms, and schools. We discuss findings from the Carbon TIME project, which focuses on teaching carbon cycling and energy transformations at multiple scales. Findings focus on design and knowledge building in three interconnected contexts. (i) Assessment—understanding and assessing students’ three‐dimensional learning. Learning progression frameworks provide insight into students’ reasoning and the basis for efficient and reliable classroom and large‐scale assessments that have used automated scoring of constructed responses for over 80,000 tests. (ii) Classrooms—classroom discourse and learning communities. Six Carbon TIME units are based on an instructional model that scaffolds students’ engagement with phenomena as questioners, investigators, and explainers. The units support substantial learning and reduce the achievement gap between high‐pretest and low‐pretest students, but with substantial differences among teachers. (iii) Professional communities—a professional development course of study and research‐practice partnerships address issues of organizational resources, conflicting norms and obligations, and building practical knowledge in schools and districts. Project results show continuing advantages for schools with more organizational resources. Overall, results provide evidence that it is possible to measure and achieve three‐dimensional learning at scale. However, this accomplishment requires substantial investments in the material, human, and social resources of educational communities of practice.