bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wheel‐Shape Heterometallic Ti10M2‐oxo Clusters (M = Ni, Co) with Effective Visible Light Absorption
Authors: Liu Xiao‐Xue , Fang Wei‐Hui , Chen Shumei , Zhang Lei , Zhang Jian
Published: January 2019

Summary of main observation and conclusion

In order to make visible light harvest crystalline polyoxo‐titanium clusters, we initially used transition metal pivalate complexes in this system and prepared successfully two isostructural compounds, [Ti10M2(PPO)4(μ3‐O)8(μ2‐O)4(PA)12(MeCN)4]·4HPA (PPOA = phenylphosphonic acid, HPA = propionic acid, M = Ni, PTC‐52‐Ni; M = Co PTC‐52‐Co). Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction study showed that these two complexes possessed wheel‐shape heterometallic Ti10M2‐oxo clusters. The absorption bands of these two compounds shift effectively toward the visible‐light region. Furthermore, their photocurrent response has also been studied.
Inside Cover: Biomimetic Chiral Pyridoxal and Pyridoxamine Catalysts (Chin. J. Chem. 2/2019)
Authors: Chen Jianfeng , Liu Yong Ethan , Gong Xing , Shi Limin , Zhao Baoguo
Published: January 2019

The inside cover picture shows the development of chiral pyridoxal and pyridoxamine catalysts by mimicking vitamin B6‐dependent enzymes. These chiral pyridoxals and pyridoxamines displayed extraordinary catalytic performances in asymmetric biomimetic transamination and Mannich reaction, to give various chiral α‐amino acids and α,β‐diamino acid esters in good yields with excellent diastero‐ and/or enantioselectivities. The research has provided some useful information for further applications of the catalytic power of vitamin B6 in the area of asymmetric cayalysis. More details are discussed in the article by Zhao et al. on page 103–112.

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Back Cover: Can Synthetic All‐Metal Cluster Compound Support Multifold (π and σ) Aromaticity and d‐Orbital Aromaticity? (Chin. J. Chem. 2/2019)
Authors: You Xue‐Rui , Zhai Hua‐Jin
Published: January 2019

The back cover picture shows Steely alien is invading a lilac garden. A synthetic all‐metal cluster compound is shown computationally to possess five‐fold (π and σ) aromaticity, including d‐orbital aromaticity. The bottleable [Pd3Sn8Bi6]4 cluster features a core‐shell shape akin to an unidentified flying object (UFO), in which a triangular Pd3 core is largely floating inside a Sn8Bi6 shell. Electron clouds in the system are delocalized over the Pd3 core, trigonal pyramid Sn4 caps, peripheral Bi6 ring, and roof‐like Sn2Bi2 walls, whose electron‐counting follows the (4n + 2) Hückel rule. The finding is beyond imagination and should help appease debate on the nature of aromaticity in the community. More details are discussed in the article by Zhai et al. on page 126–130.

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Highly Selective and Potent Human β‐Secretase 2 (BACE2) Inhibitors against Type 2 Diabetes: Design, Synthesis, X‐ray Structure and Structure–Activity Relationship Studies
Authors: Ghosh Arun K. , Brindisi Margherita , Yen Yu‐Chen , Lendy Emma K. , Kovela Satish , Cárdenas Emilio Leal , Reddy Bhavanam Sekhara , Rao Kalapala Venketeswara , Downs Deborah , Huang Xiangping , Tang Jordan , Mesecar Andrew D.
Published: January 2019

Herein we present the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of potent and highly selective β‐secretase 2 (memapsin 1, beta‐site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 2, or BACE 2) inhibitors. BACE2 has been recognized as an exciting new target for type 2 diabetes. The X‐ray structure of BACE1 bound to inhibitor 2 a {N3‐[(1S,2R)‐1‐benzyl‐2‐hydroxy‐3‐[[(1S,2S)‐2‐hydroxy‐1‐(isobutylcarbamoyl)propyl]amino]propyl]‐5‐[methyl(methylsulfonyl)amino]‐N1‐[(1R)‐1‐phenylpropyl]benzene‐1,3‐dicarboxamide} containing a hydroxyethylamine isostere was determined. Based on this structure, a computational docking study was performed which led to inhibitor 2 a‐bound BACE2 models. These were used to optimize the potency and selectivity of inhibitors. A systematic structure–activity relationship study led to the identification of determinants of the inhibitors’ potency and selectivity toward the BACE2 enzyme. Inhibitors 2 d [N3‐[(1S,2R)‐1‐benzyl‐2‐hydroxy‐3‐[[(1S,2S)‐2‐hydroxy‐1‐(isobutylcarbamoyl)pentyl]amino]propyl]‐N1‐methyl‐N1‐[(1R)‐1‐phenylpropyl]benzene‐1,3‐dicarboxamide; Ki=0.031 nm, selectivity over BACE1: ≈174 000‐fold] and 3 l [N1‐((2S,3R)‐3‐hydroxy‐1‐phenyl‐4‐((3‐(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)amino)butan‐2‐yl)‐N3,5‐dimethyl‐N3‐((R)‐1‐phenylethyl)isophthalamide; Ki=1.6 nm, selectivity over BACE1: >500‐fold] displayed outstanding potency and selectivity. Inhibitor 3 l is nonpeptide in nature and may pave the way to the development of a new class of potent and selective BACE2 inhibitors with clinical potential.
Further investigation on the modified hyperbolic function in the CAM16 color appearance model
Authors: Wang Zhifeng , Gao Cheng , Xu Yang , Melgosa Manuel , Brill Michael H. , Pointer Michael , Li Changjun
Published: January 2019

In the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) color appearance model CIECAM02, a modified hyperbolic function is used to represent luminance adaptation. The same nonlinear function is also used in the new color appearance model CAM16 [Color Res Appl., 2017;42:703‐718]. Although the modified hyperbolic function seems reasonable based on physiological evidence, it has an infinite slope at the origin, which causes instability for both the forward and inverse modes of the CIECAM02/CAM16 models. In this article, various possible extensions to the nonlinear luminance adaptation function in CIECAM02/CAM16 are reviewed and evaluated. Based on these investigations, the Gill extension to the hyperbolic function that is used to represent luminance adaptation [Proceedings of 16th Color and Imaging Conference, pp. 327‐331, 2008], is recommended at both the lower end (q < qL) and the upper end (q > qU), where q is the appropriate Rc, Gc, Bc (or Rwc, Gwc, Bwc) response. In addition, the new recommended function can be readily inverted for use in the appropriate inverse appearance model. From an extensive analysis using available experimental data sets, we also propose that, for the lower and upper limits of the luminance range in the extended model, the values qL = 0.26 and qU = 150 be used, respectively.
Arginine Side‐Chain Hydrogen Exchange: Quantifying Arginine Side‐Chain Interactions in Solution
Authors: Mackenzie Harold W. , Hansen D. Flemming
Published: January 2019

The front cover artwork is provided by the group of Prof. D. Flemming Hansen at University College London. The cover illustrates a new NMR method to characterise functional interactions formed by arginine side‐chains. A free side‐chain (fast exchange) and one engaged in a salt‐bridge (slow exchange) are shown. Read the full text of the Article at 10.1002/cphc.201800598.
Zn–Cu Alloy Nanofoams as Efficient Catalysts for the Reduction of CO2 to Syngas Mixtures with a Potential‐Independent H2/CO Ratio
Authors: Lamaison Sarah , Wakerley David , Montero David , Rousse Gwenaëlle , Taverna Dario , Giaume Domitille , Mercier Dimitri , Blanchard Juliette , Tran Huan Ngoc , Fontecave Marc , Mougel Victor
Published: January 2019

Alloying strategies are commonly used to design electrocatalysts that take on properties of their constituent elements. Herein, such a strategy is used to develop Zn–Cu alloyed electrodes with unique hierarchical porosity and tunable selectivity for CO2 versus H+ reduction. By varying the Zn/Cu ratio, tailored syngas mixtures are obtained without the production of other gaseous products, which is attributed to preferential CO‐ and H2‐forming pathways on the alloys. The syngas ratios are also significantly less sensitive to the applied potential in the alloys relative to pure metal equivalents; an essential quality when coupling electrocatalysis with renewable power sources that have fluctuating intensity. As such, industrially relevant syngas ratios are achieved at large currents (−60 mA) for extensive operating times (>9 h), demonstrating the potential of this strategy for fossil‐free fuel production.
Furan‐Based Copolyesters from Renewable Resources: Enzymatic Synthesis and Properties
Authors: Maniar Dina , Jiang Yi , Woortman Albert J. J. , van Dijken Jur , Loos Katja
Published: January 2019

Enzymatic polymerization provides an excellent opportunity for the conversion of renewable resources into polymeric materials in an effective and sustainable manner. A series of furan‐based copolyesters was synthesized with
up to 35 kg mol−1, by using Novozyme 435 as a biocatalyst and dimethyl 2,5‐furandicarboxylate (DMFDCA), 2,5‐bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (BHMF), aliphatic linear diols, and diacid ethyl esters as monomers. The synthetic mechanism was evaluated by the variation of aliphatic linear monomers and their feed compositions. Interestingly, there was a significant decrease in the molecular weight if the aliphatic monomers were changed from diols to diacid ethyl esters. The obtained copolyesters were thoroughly characterized and compared with their polyester analogs. These findings provide a closer insight into the application of enzymatic polymerization techniques in designing sustainable high‐performance polymers.
A large dynamic range voltage controlled attenuator with improved linearity‐in‐dB for ultrasound applications
Authors: Li Di , Fei Chunlong , Li Yani , Zhang Qidong , Yang Yintang
Published: January 2019

A large dynamic range (DR) and high linearity‐in‐dB voltage controlled attenuator (VCAT) for ultrasound applications was presented. Continuous tunable VCAT implemented with Metal‐Oxide‐Semiconductor (MOS) transistors used as shunt devices was proposed in this work, and the linearity‐in‐dB performance was analyzed in detail. Nonlinearity of the shunt transistors operated in different regions resulted in poor linearity‐in‐dB attenuation of the VCAT, which was undesirable in an ultrasonic receiver system. An effective linearity‐in‐dB improvement scheme was then proposed. The full scale range of the input control voltage was divided into N intervals with a same equal‐length by uniformly distributed voltage values. At these division voltages, the attenuation gains were corrected to be the ideal ones by the tracing and comparing circuits. In this way, the non‐linearity‐in‐dB was limited to the intervals between the two adjacent corrected attenuation gains, and the overall linearity of the VCAT was improved greatly. Measurement results showed that the dynamic range of the proposed attenuator was 36‐dB, and the gain errors were in a range from −1.22 to −0.55 dB. The noise figures (NF) at the commonly used ultrasonic frequencies was below 6‐dB, and the S11 was better than −10 dB over the input range of the control voltage.
Relationship between three factor eating questionnaire‐restraint subscale and food intake
Authors: Zambrowicz Rachel , Schebendach Janet , Sysko Robyn , Mayer Laurel E. S. , Walsh B. Timothy , Steinglass Joanna E.
Published: January 2019

Objective

Dietary restraint refers to an individual's intention to restrict food intake, measured via self‐report questionnaires, whereas dietary restriction refers to actual reduction in caloric intake. The aim of this research was to investigate the association between dietary restraint scales and actual caloric restriction.

Method

Data were collected from six previously published or two ongoing eating behavior studies in which participants (n = 183) completed the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ) and Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire (EDE‐Q) and participated in a laboratory‐based research lunch meal. Participants were individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and healthy controls (HC). The primary analysis was the association between TFEQ Restraint subscale and caloric intake in the meal.

Results

There was a significant negative correlation between total caloric intake and TFEQ Restraint scores (r = −.60, p < .001) and EDE‐Q Restraint scores (r = −.54, p < .001). For TFEQ Restraint score, this relationship was significant within each diagnostic group (HC: r = −.32, p = .007; AN: r = −.38, p < .001; BN: r = −.43, p = .02).

Discussion

These results suggest that the TFEQ Restraint scale is a useful measure of dietary restriction, especially among individuals with eating disorders.
Flooding regimes increase avian predation on wildlife prey in tidal marsh ecosystems
Authors: Thorne Karen M. , Spragens Kyle A. , Buffington Kevin J. , Rosencranz Jordan A. , Takekawa John
Published: January 2019

Within isolated and fragmented populations, species interactions such as predation can cause shifts in community structure and demographics in tidal marsh ecosystems. It is critical to incorporate species interactions into our understanding when evaluating the effects of sea‐level rise and storm surges on tidal marshes. In this study, we hypothesize that avian predators will increase their presence and hunting activities during high tides when increased inundation makes their prey more vulnerable. We present evidence that there is a relationship between tidal inundation depth and time of day on the presence, abundance, and behavior of avian predators. We introduce predation pressure as a combined probability of predator presence related to water level. Focal surveys were conducted at four tidal marshes in the San Francisco Bay, California where tidal inundation patterns were monitored across 6 months of the winter. Sixteen avian predator species were observed. During high tide at Tolay Slough marsh, ardeids had a 29‐fold increase in capture attempts and 4 times greater apparent success rate compared with low tide. Significantly fewer raptors and ardeids were found on low tides than on high tides across all sites. There were more raptors in December and January and more ardeids in January than in other months. Ardeids were more prevalent in the morning, while raptors did not exhibit a significant response to time of day. Modeling results showed that raptors had a unimodal response to water level with a peak at 0.5 m over the marsh platform, while ardeids had an increasing response with water level. We found that predation pressure is related to flooding of the marsh surface, and short‐term increases in sea levels from high astronomical tides, sea‐level rise, and storm surges increase vulnerability of tidal marsh wildlife.
Integrating the Rabinowitz rarity framework with a National Plant Inventory in South Korea
Authors: Choe Hyeyeong , Thorne James H. , Hijmans Robert , Seo Changwan
Published: January 2019

Increasingly large presence‐only survey datasets are becoming available for use in conservation assessments. Potentially, these records could be used to determine spatial patterns of plant species rarity and endemism. We test the integration of a large South Korean species record database with Rabinowitz rarity classes. Rabinowitz proposed seven classes of species rarity using three variables: geographic range, habitat specificity, and local population size. We estimated the range size and local abundance of 2,215 plant species from species occurrence records and habitat specificity as the number of landcover types each species’ records were found in. We classified each species into a rarity class or as common, compared species composition by class to national lists, and mapped the spatial pattern of species richness for each rarity class. Species were classed to narrow or wide geographic ranges using 315 km, the average from a range size index of all species (Dmax), based on maximum distance between observations. There were four classes each within the narrow and wide range groups, sorted using cutoffs of local abundance and habitat specificity. Nationally listed endangered species only appeared in the narrow‐range classes, while nationally listed endemic species appeared in almost all classes. Species richness in most rarity classes was high in northeastern South Korea especially for species with narrow ranges. Policy implications. Large presence‐only surveys may be able to estimate some classes of rarity better than others, but modification to include estimates of local abundance and habitat types, could greatly increase their utility. Application of the Rabinowitz rarity framework to such surveys can extend their utility beyond species distribution models and can identify areas that need further surveys and for conservation priority. Future studies should be aware of the subjectivity of the rarity classification and that regional scale implementations of the framework may differ.
Integrative taxonomy refutes a species hypothesis: The asymmetric hybrid origin of Arsapnia arapahoe (Plecoptera, Capniidae)
Authors: Young Michael K. , Smith Rebecca J. , Pilgrim Kristine L. , Fairchild Matthew P. , Schwartz Michael K.
Published: January 2019

Molecular tools are commonly directed at refining taxonomies and the species that constitute their fundamental units. This has been especially insightful for groups for which species hypotheses are ambiguous and have largely been based on morphological differences between certain life stages or sexes, and has added importance when taxa are a focus of conservation efforts. Here, we examine the taxonomic status of Arsapnia arapahoe, a winter stonefly in the family Capniidae that is a species of conservation concern because of its limited abundance and restricted range in northern Colorado, USA. Phylogenetic analyses of sequences of mitochondrial and nuclear genes of this and other capniid stoneflies from this region and elsewhere in western North America indicated extensive haplotype sharing, limited genetic differences, and a lack of reciprocal monophyly between A. arapahoe and the sympatric A. decepta, despite distinctive and consistent morphological differences in the sexual apparatus of males of both species. Analyses of autosomal and sex‐linked single nucleotide polymorphisms detected using genotyping by sequencing indicated that all individuals of A. arapahoe consisted of F1 hybrids between female A. decepta and males of another sympatric stonefly, Capnia gracilaria. Rather than constitute a self‐sustaining evolutionary lineage, A. arapahoe appears to represent the product of nonintrogressive hybridization in the limited area of syntopy between two widely distributed taxa. This offers a cautionary tale for taxonomists and conservation biologists working on the less‐studied components of the global fauna.
Univariate Community Assembly Analysis (UniCAA): Combining hierarchical models with null models to test the influence of spatially restricted dispersal, environmental filtering, and stochasticity on community assembly
Authors: Sydenham Markus A. K. , Moe Stein R. , Steinert Mari , Eldegard Katrine
Published: January 2019

Identifying the influence of stochastic processes and of deterministic processes, such as dispersal of individuals of different species and trait‐based environmental filtering, has long been a challenge in studies of community assembly. Here, we present the Univariate Community Assembly Analysis (UniCAA) and test its ability to address three hypotheses: species occurrences within communities are (a) limited by spatially restricted dispersal; (b) environmentally filtered; or (c) the outcome of stochasticity—so that as community size decreases—species that are common outside a local community have a disproportionately higher probability of occurrence than rare species. The comparison with a null model allows assessing if the influence of each of the three processes differs from what one would expect under a purely stochastic distribution of species. We tested the framework by simulating “empirical” metacommunities under 15 scenarios that differed with respect to the strengths of spatially restricted dispersal (restricted vs. not restricted); habitat isolation (low, intermediate, and high immigration rates); and environmental filtering (strong, intermediate, and no filtering). Through these tests, we found that UniCAA rarely produced false positives for the influence of the three processes, yielding a type‐I error rate ≤5%. The type‐II error rate, that is, production of false negatives, was also acceptable and within the typical cutoff (20%). We demonstrate that the UniCAA provides a flexible framework for retrieving the processes behind community assembly and propose avenues for future developments of the framework.
Performance of surface ionic conduction single chamber fuel cell prepared by the sol gel method
Authors: Tsutsui Naoji , Nagata Akiyoshi
Published: January 2019

The performance of surface ionic conduction single chamber fuel cell (SIC‐SCFC) prepared by the sol gel method was studied on electric characteristics due to the differences of the operating temperature and humidity, the electrode distance and electrolyte film depth, and multiple cells with the series and parallel connections. The SIC–SCFC was arranged the both anode of Pt and cathode of Au on the boehmite electrolyte. The open circuit voltage (OCV) of single cell achieved a maximum of 530mV in the dry gas mixtures of O2/H2=50% in room temperature operation, and but it became decrease as over 60%. The OCV was maintained the constant value between operating temperatures of 30°C to 80°C, and but it was decreased sharply at over 90°C because a humidity on the cell became lower as increasing operating temperature. Then, the cell property was improved to 120°C by adding to the humidity of 70% using a humidifier. The electrode distance and the electrolyte film depth of SIC‐SCFC found to be contributed to the reductions of the cell resistance and the surface roughness on the electrode, respectively. Moreover, the power property of SIC‐SCFC was significantly improved by cell stacks comprised of the series or parallel connection of a cell.
Effect of Calcination Temperature on the Characteristics and Performance of Solid Acid WO3/TiO2‐Supported Lithium‐Manganese Catalysts for the Oxidative Coupling of Methane
Authors: Cheng Fei , Yang Jian , Yan Liang , Zhao Jun , Zhao Huahua , Song Huanling , Chou Lingjun
Published: January 2019

A series of solid acid WO3/TiO2‐supported lithium‐manganese oxide (Li‐Mn/WO3/TiO2) catalysts for the oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) were prepared by the impregnation method. The XRD and XPS analyses showed that increasing the calcination temperature could promote the generation of Mn2+ and Mn3+ species and the anatase‐to‐rutile phase transformation of TiO2, which are beneficial to the OCM reaction. It was revealed by CO2‐TPD, O2‐TPD, H2‐TPR, XPS, and CH4‐TPSR that Li‐Mn/WO3/TiO2 with higher calcination temperature possessed much stronger surface basicity, lower lattice oxygen mobility, and more abundant lattice oxygen, which are favorable for the selectivity to C2 hydrocarbons. The catalytic, structural, and spectroscopic results showed that the catalytic performance, structure, and properties of catalysts were little influenced by the calcination temperature of the WO3/TiO2 support. The optimized calcination temperature of the support and the catalyst is 800 °C, on which the highest C2 yield of 16.3 % was achieved at a reaction temperature of 750 °C.
Experimental design and measurement uncertainty in ligand binding studies by affinity capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Stein Matthias , Haselberg Rob , Mozafari‐Torshizi Mona , Wätzig Hermann
Published: January 2019

In all life sciences ligand binding assays (LBAs) play a crucial role. Unfortunately these are very error prone. One part of this uncertainty results from the unavoidable random measurement uncertainty, another part can be attributed to the experimental design. To investigate the latter, uncertainty propagation was evaluated as a function of the given experimental design. A design space including the normalized maximum response range (nMRR), the data point position (DPP), the data point range (DPR) and the number of data points (NoDP) was defined. Based on ten measured ms ACE source data sets 20 specific parameter sets were selected by Design of Experiments. Monte Carlo simulations using 100 000 repeats for every parameter set were employed. The resulting measurement uncertainty propagation factors (measurement uncertainty multiplier: MUM) were used to describe the whole design space by polynomial regression. The resulting 5‐dimensional response surface was investigated to evaluate the design parameter's influence and to find the minimal uncertainty propagation. It could be shown, that the nMRR is of highest importance, followed by DPP and DPR. Interestingly, the NoDP is less relevant. However, the interactions of the four parameters need to be carefully considered during design optimization. Using at least five data points which cover over 40% of the upper part of the binding hyperbola (DPP > 0.57) the MUM will be minimized (MUM approximately 1.5) when the nMRR is appropriate. It is possible to reduce the measurement uncertainty propagation more than one order of magnitude.
Losers and prospectors in the short‐term options market
Authors: Chatrath Arjun , Christie‐David Rohan A. , Miao Hong , Ramchander Sanjay
Published: January 2019

Intraday data for weekly options are investigated for behavioral biases implied in prospect theory (PT) and cumulative prospect theory (CPT). The results generally support both theories, with losers (winners) observed to be relatively risk‐seeking (averse). On aggregate, losers (winners) overprice (underprice) their contracts and overweight (underweight) the probability of winning. Additionally, the volatility smirk observed in equity options is dampened by PT/CPT biases. The price distortions are time sensitive, especially for losing traders. Losers hold out by transacting later in the day and closer to expiration than their baseline counterparts. This betting‐time effect is absent among winners.
Second Circuit ZEC Ruling Major Challenge to FERC; Supreme Court Review Desirable
Authors: Sabino Michael A.
Published: January 2019

To say the least, government regulation of the energy industry is a complex, multifaceted affair.
In 2019, NAESB Ushers in Future With Practical Standards Development
Authors: Mallett Elizabeth , Trum Caroline
Published: January 2019

Today, we find ourselves almost two decades into this new century, and the landscape of the energy industry has vastly changed and continues to rapidly evolve.
Direct conversion of adult human skin fibroblasts into functional Schwann cells that achieve robust recovery of the severed peripheral nerve in rats
Authors: Kitada Masaaki , Murakami Toru , Wakao Shohei , Li Gen , Dezawa Mari
Published: January 2019

Direct conversion is considered a promising approach to obtain tissue‐specific cells for cell therapies; however, this strategy depends on exogenous gene expression that may cause undesired adverse effects such as tumorigenesis. By optimizing the Schwann cell induction system, which was originally developed for trans‐differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into Schwann cells, we established a system to directly convert adult human skin fibroblasts into cells comparable to authentic human Schwann cells without gene introduction. Serial treatments with beta‐mercaptoethanol, retinoic acid, and finally a cocktail of basic fibroblast growth factor, forskolin, platelet‐derived growth factor‐AA, and heregulin‐β1 (EGF domain) converted fibroblasts into cells expressing authentic Schwann cell markers at an efficiency of approximately 75%. Genome‐wide gene expression analysis suggested the conversion of fibroblasts into the Schwann cell‐lineage. Transplantation of induced Schwann cells into severed peripheral nerve of rats facilitated axonal regeneration and robust functional recovery in sciatic function index comparable to those of authentic human Schwann cells. The contributions of induced Schwann cells to myelination of regenerated axons and re‐formation of neuromuscular junctions were also demonstrated. Our data clearly demonstrated that cells comparable to functional Schwann cells feasible for the treatment of neural disease can be induced from adult human skin fibroblasts without gene introduction. This direct conversion system will be beneficial for clinical applications to peripheral and central nervous system injuries and demyelinating diseases.
ErbB receptor signaling directly controls oligodendrocyte progenitor cell transformation and spontaneous remyelination after spinal cord injury
Authors: Bartus Katalin , Burnside Emily R. , Galino Jorge , James Nicholas D. , Bennett David L. H. , Bradbury Elizabeth J.
Published: January 2019

We recently discovered a novel role for neuregulin‐1 (Nrg1) signaling in mediating spontaneous regenerative processes and functional repair after spinal cord injury (SCI). We revealed that Nrg1 is the molecular signal responsible for spontaneous functional remyelination of dorsal column axons by peripheral nervous system (PNS)‐like Schwann cells after SCI. Here, we investigate whether Nrg1/ErbB signaling controls the unusual transformation of centrally derived progenitor cells into these functional myelinating Schwann cells after SCI using a fate‐mapping/lineage tracing approach. Specific ablation of Nrg1‐ErbB receptors in central platelet‐derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα)‐derived lineage cells (using PDGFRαCreERT2/Tomato‐red reporter mice crossed with ErbB3fl/fl/ErbB4fl/fl mice) led to a dramatic reduction in P0‐positive remyelination in the dorsal columns following spinal contusion injury. Central myelination, assessed by Olig2 and proteolipid protein expression, was unchanged. Loss of ErbB signaling in PDGFRα lineage cells also significantly impacted the degree of spontaneous locomotor recovery after SCI, particularly in tests dependent on proprioception. These data have important implications, namely (a) cells from the PDGFRα‐expressing progenitor lineage (which are presumably oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, OPCs) can differentiate into remyelinating PNS‐like Schwann cells after traumatic SCI, (b) this process is controlled by ErbB tyrosine kinase signaling, and (c) this endogenous repair mechanism has significant consequences for functional recovery after SCI. Thus, ErbB tyrosine kinase receptor signaling directly controls the transformation of OPCs from the PDGFRα‐expressing lineage into PNS‐like functional remyelinating Schwann cells after SCI.
Long‐Read RNA Sequencing Identifies Alternative Splice Variants in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Tumor‐Specific Isoforms
Authors: Chen Hui , Gao Feng , He Mian , Ding Xiao Fan , Wong Aikha M. , Sze Siu Ching , Yu Allen C. , Sun Tingting , Chan Anthony W‐H. , Wang Xin , Wong Nathalie
Published: January 2019

Alternative splicing (AS) allows generation of cell type–specific mRNA transcripts and contributes to hallmarks of cancer. Genome‐wide analysis for AS in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), however, is limited. We sought to obtain a comprehensive AS landscape in HCC and define tumor‐associated variants. Single‐molecule real‐time long‐read RNA sequencing was performed on patient‐derived HCC cells, and presence of splice junctions was defined by SpliceMap‐LSC‐IDP algorithm. We obtained an all‐inclusive map of annotated AS variants and further discovered 362 alternative spliced variants that are not previously reported in any database (neither RefSeq nor GENCODE). They were mostly derived from intron retention and early termination codon with an in‐frame open reading frame in 81.5%. We corroborated many of these predicted unannotated and annotated variants to be tumor specific in an independent cohort of primary HCC tumors and matching nontumoral liver. Using the combined Sanger sequencing and TaqMan junction assays, unique and common expressions of spliced variants including enzyme regulators (ARHGEF2, SERPINH1), chromatin modifiers (DEK, CDK9, RBBP7), RNA‐binding proteins (SRSF3, RBM27, MATR3, YBX1), and receptors (ADRM1, CD44v8‐10, vitamin D receptor, ROR1) were determined in HCC tumors. We further focused functional investigations on ARHGEF2 variants (v1 and v3) that arise from the common amplified site chr.1q22 of HCC. Their biological significance underscores two major cancer hallmarks, namely cancer stemness and epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition–mediated cell invasion and migration, although v3 is consistently more potent than v1. Conclusion: Alternative isoforms and tumor‐specific isoforms that arise from aberrant splicing are common during the liver tumorigenesis. Our results highlight insights gained from the analysis of AS in HCC.
Incentivizing physical activity using token reinforcement with preschool children
Authors: Patel Rutvi R. , Normand Matthew P. , Kohn Carolynn S.
Published: January 2019

We combined several single‐subject designs to assess the effects of contingent and noncontingent token reinforcement on moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA) exhibited by 4 preschool‐aged children. Higher overall levels and longer bouts of MVPA reliably occurred when tokens were delivered contingent on MVPA for 3 of the 4 children when compared to baseline (no token) and for 2 of the 4 children when compared to noncontingent‐token conditions. The present study demonstrated that the delivery of tokens contingent on MVPA can increase and maintain MVPA exhibited by preschool‐aged children, resulting in more MVPA than in baseline conditions and conditions in which tokens are awarded without respect to MVPA. These results demonstrate that token economies can be used to increase MVPA and they add to the evidence base supporting the use of token economies to address a range of behavior problems.
The cancer‐related transcription factor RUNX2 modulates expression and secretion of the matricellular protein osteopontin in osteosarcoma cells to promote adhesion to endothelial pulmonary cells and lung metastasis
Authors: Villanueva Francisco , Araya Hector , Briceño Pedro , Varela Nelson , Stevenson Andres , Jerez Sofia , Tempio Fabian , Chnaiderman Jonas , Perez Carola , Villarroel Milena , Concha Emma , Khani Farzaneh , Thaler Roman , Salazar‐Onfray Flavio , Stein Gary S , van Wijnen Andre J. , Galindo Mario
Published: January 2019

Osteosarcomas are bone tumors that frequently metastasize to the lung. Aberrant expression of the transcription factor, runt‐related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), is a key pathological feature in osteosarcoma and associated with loss of p53 and miR‐34 expression. Elevated RUNX2 may transcriptionally activate genes mediating tumor progression and metastasis, including the RUNX2 target gene osteopontin (OPN/SPP1). This gene encodes a secreted matricellular protein produced by osteoblasts to regulate bone matrix remodeling and tissue calcification. Here we investigated whether and how the RUNX2/OPN axis regulates lung metastasis of osteosarcoma. Importantly, RUNX2 depletion attenuates lung metastasis of osteosarcoma cells in vivo. Using next‐generation RNA‐sequencing, protein‐based assays, as well as the loss‐ and gain‐of‐function approaches in selected osteosarcoma cell lines, we show that osteopontin messenger RNA levels closely correlate with RUNX2 expression and that RUNX2 controls the levels of secreted osteopontin. Elevated osteopontin levels promote heterotypic cell–cell adhesion of osteosarcoma cells to human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells, but not in the presence of neutralizing antibodies. Collectively, these findings indicate that the RUNX2/OPN axis regulates the ability of osteosarcoma cells to attach to pulmonary endothelial cells as a key step in metastasis of osteosarcoma cells to the lung.
Dietary natural products as emerging lipoprotein(a)‐lowering agents
Authors: Momtazi‐Borojeni Amir Abbas , Katsiki Niki , Pirro Matteo , Banach Maciej , Rasadi Khalid Al , Sahebkar Amirhossein
Published: January 2019

Elevated plasma lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) levels are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Hitherto, niacin has been the drug of choice to reduce elevated Lp(a) levels in hyperlipidemic patients but its efficacy in reducing CVD outcomes has been seriously questioned by recent clinical trials. Additional drugs may reduce to some extent plasma Lp(a) levels but the lack of a specific therapeutic indication for Lp(a)‐lowering limits profoundly reduce their use. An attractive therapeutic option is natural products. In several preclinical and clinical studies as well as meta‐analyses, natural products, including l‐carnitine, coenzyme Q
10, and xuezhikang were shown to significantly decrease Lp(a) levels in patients with Lp(a) hyperlipoproteinemia. Other natural products, such as pectin, Ginkgo biloba, flaxseed, red wine, resveratrol and curcuminoids can also reduce elevated Lp(a) concentrations but to a lesser degree. In conclusion, aforementioned natural products may represent promising therapeutic agents for Lp(a) lowering.
Assessment of anoxic volume ratio based on hydrolysis kinetics for effective nitrogen removal: model evaluation
Authors: Insel Guclu , Sözen Seval , Yucel Ayse Begum , Gökçekuş Hüseyin , Orhon Derin
Published: January 2019

BACKGROUND

The study aimed to set forth a model simulation approach for an accurate calculation of denitrification potential (NDP) and selection of appropriate anoxic volume (VD) in biological nitrogen removal. Simulations utilized the characteristics of a typical sewage and the model coefficients associated with a model structure that included all relevant microbial processes. They were carried out first for a fully anoxic reactor sustained with excess nitrogen and then for a pre‐denitrification system operated with different anoxic volume ratios (VD/VT) of 0.1–0.4 when the influent nitrogen (TKN) level was set as 57 and 85 mg N L−1.

RESULTS

Without nitrate limitation, generated NDP could reach 37 mg N L−1 for VD/VT = 0.1 and gradually escalated to 56, 75 and 86 mg N L−1 when VD/VT was raised to 0.4. Results for the pre‐denitrification system showed the effect of nitrate limitation on both substrate removal and NDP levels: At VD/VT = 0.4, NDP associated with TKN = 85 mg N L−1 was approximately 60 mg N L−1, while it remained basically around 40 mg N L−1 with TKN = 57 mg N L−1. Simulation also indicated that the hydrolysis kinetics significantly affected NDP generation.

CONCLUSION

Simulation results revealed that stoichiometric estimations always underestimated NDP, recommending unnecessarily high anoxic volumes, where the oxidized nitrogen was consumed within the 20–25% portion of the provided volume. The remaining volume fraction was then totally wasted since it was forced to operate under anaerobic conditions, with practically no useful microbial activity and negligible substrate utilization. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
State of the art: Evaluation and prognostication of myocarditis using cardiac MRI
Authors: Gannon Michael P. , Schaub Ebe , Grines Cindy L. , Saba Shahryar G.
Published: January 2019

Myocarditis encompasses both primary and secondary processes causing inflammation of the myocardium. Viral infections are a common secondary cause of myocarditis with important clinical relevance. Viral myocarditis has a varied clinical presentation, potentially resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Acutely, systolic dysfunction and sudden cardiac death may ensue; chronically, myocarditis may result in a dilated cardiomyopathy requiring heart transplantation. Myocarditis is thought to be one of the most common causes of myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA), with important consequences for cardiovascular outcomes. Patients with myocarditis are currently underdiagnosed. Cardiac MRI has evolved as the noninvasive test of choice, with cardiac MRI‐specific diagnostic requirements defined in the Lake Louise Criteria (LLC). Detecting the presence of tissue edema, hyperemia, and necrosis in both acute and chronic stages form the foundation of the LLC. Cardiac MR for chronic myocarditis (greater than 8 weeks from symptom onset) has decreased sensitivity for diagnosis. Emerging sequences such as T1 and T2 parametric maps provide tissue characterization regarding inflammation without reliance on reference tissue, overcoming limitations of the LLC. Beyond diagnostic criteria, these imaging techniques have proven useful in further characterizing the diseased tissue, prognostication, and clinical decision‐making. This review describes the utility and evolving use of cardiac MRI in clinical practice.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy Stage: 5

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1061–1071.
MRI in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease
Authors: Zhang Weiguo , Blumenfeld Jon D. , Prince Martin R.
Published: January 2019

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly used in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) for diagnosis, classification, assessment of disease progression and treatment response, and for identifying complications. Herein we review the role of MRI in the management of patients with ADPKD. We show how MRI‐derived total kidney volume is a biomarker for assessing ADPKD severity and predicting decline in renal function. We also demonstrate the MR appearances of common complications.

Level of Evidence: 3

Technical Efficacy Stage: 5

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;50:41–51.
Finance pathways for young innovative small‐ and medium‐size enterprises: A demand‐side examination of finance gaps and policy implications for the post‐global financial crisis finance escalator
Authors: Owen Robyn , Deakins David , Savic Maja
Published: January 2019

The paper addresses the persistent finance gaps facing young, innovative SMEs, by examining the financing pathways of 40 UK businesses in a post global financial crisis (GFC) environment. Using a unique combination of finance escalator and resource‐based view theories four propositions are tested by examining: (i) early and growth stage development; (ii) innovation R&D investment horizons; (iii) the management resource base; (iv) finance gaps and their implications. The paper finds that successful financing strategies are emerging, using a mix of bootstrapping, collaboration and new emerging post‐GFC finance escalator funding, which is heavily reliant on government interventions. It also pinpoints remaining finance gaps and the need for more cohesive financing and support policy to address these.
Financing social enterprises and the demand for social investment
Authors: Lyon Fergus , Owen Robyn
Published: January 2019

Social investors are supplying increasing amounts of finance to enterprises combining social and commercial objectives although these social enterprises are still more likely to seek bank finance, suggesting that social investors should focus on market gaps which are more likely to occur for smaller, younger social enterprises that lack track record and collateral. Social enterprises offer innovative ways of combining social and commercial objectives and are only slightly less likely to seek repayable finance than other small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs), with younger social enterprises being more growth oriented and also more discouraged from borrowing. Where social enterprise borrowing takes place, it is almost three times more likely to be from commercial banks, rather than specialist social investment lenders that are more likely to invest without requiring collateral. Social investment lenders should therefore focus their offer on finance gaps left by banks, notably in earlier stage social enterprise development, rather than compete for existing commercial bank market share.
Rooibos agro‐processing waste as herbal tea products: optimisation of soluble solids extraction from dust and application to improve sensory profile, colour and flavonoid content of stem infusions
Authors: Sishi Manzimase , Muller Magdalena , de Beer Dalene , van der Rijst Marieta , Joubert Elizabeth
Published: January 2019

BACKGROUND

Rooibos represents 10% of the global herbal tea market. Shrinking production areas as a result of climate change necessitate the maximum conversion of plant biomass to product. The present study aimed to determine the potential of rooibos tea processing waste (i.e. fine dust and coarse stems) as potential flavour and herbal tea ingredients, respectively.

RESULTS

Hot water extraction of soluble solids (SS) from rooibos dust was optimised and extracts from different production batches (n = 20) were prepared. Their sensory profiles were similar, although less intense than that of infusions of commercial rooibos (n = 20) when diluted to the same SS content. The turbidity and flavonoid content of the diluted extracts was mostly lower (P < 0.05) than that of commercial rooibos. An atypical and negative aroma attribute, ‘planky/pencil shavings’, was predominant in the stem infusions (n = 20), which contained less SS (P < 0.05) than commercial rooibos. Blends of stem infusion and extract could not effectively mask this negative aroma note (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Rooibos dust could be used to produce a rooibos flavour extract, whereas the prominent atypical, negative ‘planky/pencil shavings’ aroma note of the stems would limit their inclusion in commercial rooibos blends. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Development of super‐atmospheric oxidation chamber for orthodox tea processing and its validation through neural network approach
Authors: Panda Brajesh K , Chavan Ashutosh N , Datta Ashis K
Published: January 2019

BACKGROUND

Orthodox tea is known for its distinct aroma and superior quality. However, the oxidation step that is most crucial for developing these attributes needs precise control and is also time consuming. In the present study, a super‐atmospheric oxidation chamber (SOC) was designed to address this issue. Oxidation of hand‐rolled tea leaves was performed at an elevated oxygen concentration inside the SOC. Both pressure and processing time were varied over the ranges 101–303 kPa and 0–150 min, respectively. Theaflavin (TF), thearubigin (TR) and total color (TC) were determined experimentally and then predicted through artificial neuron network (ANN) modeling.

RESULTS

An increasing oxygen concentration and attainment of 100% relative humidity in the compressed air was recognized at elevated air pressure. The observed rate of formation or depletion in TF, TR and TC values was faster with compression of the ambient air. The experimental data points were predicted based on an ANN network containing 18, 10 and 16 neurons in the hidden layer since lowest mean square error and mean absolute error values were observed for the given experimental TF, TR and TC values respectively.

CONCLUSION

Considering the significant decrease in oxidation duration and minimal mechanized complexity of the design, the set‐up developed in the present study can be upscaled for industrial application in orthodox tea processing. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Developing and validating a preoperative risk score to predict 90‐day mortality after liver resection
Authors: Dasari Bobby V. M. , Hodson James , Sutcliffe Robert P. , Marudanayagam Ravi , Roberts Keith J. , Abradelo Manuel , Muiesan Paolo , Mirza Darius F. , Isaac John
Published: January 2019

Background

Hepatobiliary surgeons continue to expand the pool of patients undergoing liver resection using combinations of surgical and interventional procedures with chemotherapy. Improved perioperative care allows for operation on higher risk surgical patients. Postoperative outcomes, including 90‐day mortality that improved over the past decade but still varies across cohorts. This study developed a preoperative risk score, on the basis significant clinical and laboratory variables, to predict 90‐day mortality after hepatectomy.

Methods

All patients who underwent hepatectomy between 2011 and 2016 were included. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to identify the predictors of postoperative mortality and a risk score was derived and validated.

Results

The overall 90‐day mortality rate in the derivation cohort (n = 1269 patients) was 4.0% (N = 51). Increasing patient age (P < 0.001), extent of resection (P = 0.001), diabetes mellitus (P = 0.006), and low preoperative sodium (P = 0.012) were predictors of the increased 90‐day mortality in the multivariable analysis. The risk model developed based on these factors had an AUROC of 0.778 (P < 0.001) and remained significant in a validation cohort of 788 patients (AUROC: 0.703,
P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The proposed preoperative risk score to predict 90‐day mortality after liver resection could be useful for appropriate counseling, optimization, and risk‐adjusted assessment of surgical outcomes.