bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Direct Deuteration of Acrylic and Methacrylic Acid Derivatives Catalyzed by Platinum on Carbon in Deuterium Oxide
Authors: Park Kwihwan , Matsuda Takumi , Yamada Tsuyoshi , Monguchi Yasunari , Sawama Yuka , Doi Naoki , Sasai Yasushi , Kondo Shin‐ichi , Sawama Yoshinari , Sajiki Hironao
Published: April 2018

The platinum on carbon (Pt/C)‐catalyzed deuteration of acrylic and methacrylic acid derivatives in deuterium oxide (D2O) efficiently proceeded to give the corresponding acrylic acid‐d3 and methacrylic acid‐d5 derivatives. The olefinic functionality, as well as the methyl group on the unsaturated functionality of the substrate, were satisfactorily deuterated via the hydrogen (H)‐deuterium (D) exchange reaction. The obtained deuterated compounds are useful building blocks and efficiently converted to the corresponding desired products including a polymer without the degradation of the original deuterium contents.

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Borescopy in pressurized gas‐solid fluidized beds
Authors: Banaei Mohammad , Dellaert Rik , Deen Niels G. , van Sint Annaland Martin , Kuipers Johannes A. M.
Published: April 2018

A borescopic technique was used for finding the effect of pressure on the hydrodynamics of gas‐solid fluidized beds. The results showed that solids radial distribution may become more or less uniform with increasing pressure depending on the superficial gas velocity. Moreover, it is found that the solids volume fraction of the emulsion phase may decrease at relatively high pressures, only in the central region of the bed. Additionally, it is observed that with increasing pressure the bubble size generally decreased in the central regions and increased near the wall regions. This trend was more complicated at low excess gas velocities. The number of bubbles increased for the central regions and near the walls for all the performed experiments. However, this parameter showed a different trend at other radial positions. © 2018 The Authors AIChE Journal published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 3303–3311, 2018
Applications of Pybox Complexes in Asymmetric Catalysis
Authors: Babu Sheba Ann , Krishnan K. Keerthi , Ujwaldev S. M. , Anilkumar Gopinathan
Published: April 2018

Pybox ligands have found widespread application in organic synthesis and catalysis ever since their discovery, and their involvement in various C−C and C–heteroatom bond‐forming reactions is rapidly increasing. In this Focus Review, we summarise the reactions involving various Pybox–metal combinations used for forming C−C bonds, such as cross‐coupling reactions, carbonyl–ene reactions, three‐component reactions, allylation reactions, Diels–Alder reactions and other C−C bond‐forming reactions. The literature from 2006 to 2017 is covered.
Copper‐Catalyzed C−H Ethoxycarbonyldifluoromethylation of Indoles and Pyrroles
Authors: Yan Sheng‐Yi , Zhang Zhuo‐Zhuo , Liu Yan‐Hua , Liao Gang , Li Peng‐Xiang , Shi Bing‐Feng
Published: April 2018

An efficient copper‐catalyzed ethoxycarbonyldifluoromethylation of indoles and pyrroles with commercially available BrCF2CO2Et is reported. The developed protocol allows the site‐selective introduction of the CF2CO2Et moiety at the C2‐position of N‐heteroarenes with the assistance of a pyrimidyl group using CuI as the catalyst and 4,7‐diphenyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline as the ligand. This procedure is scalable and tolerates various important functional groups.
Molecular Vise Approach to Create Metal‐Binding Sites in MOFs and Detection of Biomarkers
Authors: Wang Yang , Liu Qi , Zhang Qin , Peng Bosi , Deng Hexiang
Published: April 2018

We report a new approach to create metal‐binding site in a series of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), where tetratopic carboxylate linker, 4′,4′′,4′′′,4′′′′‐methanetetrayltetrabiphenyl‐4‐carboxylic acid, is partially replaced by a tritopic carboxylate linker, tris(4‐carboxybiphenyl)amine, in combination with monotopic linkers, formic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, benzoic acid, isonicotinic acid, 4‐chlorobenzoic acid, and 4‐nitrobenzoic acid, respectively. The distance between these paired‐up linkers can be precisely controlled, ranging from 5.4 to 10.8 Å, where a variety of metals, Mg2+, Al3+, Cr3+, Mn2+, Fe3+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Ag+, Cd2+ and Pb2+, can be placed in. The distribution of these metal‐binding sites across a single crystal is visualized by 3D tomography of laser scanning confocal microscopy with a resolution of 10 nm. The binding affinity between the metal and its binding‐site in MOF can be varied in a large range (observed binding constants, Kobs from 1.56×102 to 1.70×104 L mol−1), in aqueous solution. The fluorescence of these crystals can be used to detect biomarkers, such as cysteine, homocysteine and glutathione, with ultrahigh sensitivity and without the interference of urine, through the dissociation of metal ions from their binding sites.
Divergent Synthesis of CF3‐Substituted Allenyl Nitriles by Ligand‐Controlled Radical 1,2‐ and 1,4‐Addition to 1,3‐Enynes
Authors: Wang Fei , Wang Dinghai , Zhou Yu , Liang Ling , Lu Ronghua , Chen Pinhong , Lin Zhenyang , Liu Guosheng
Published: April 2018

A ligand‐controlled system that enables regioselective trifluoromethylcyanation of 1,3‐enynes has been identified, which provides access to a variety of CF3‐containing tri‐ and tetrasubstituted allenyl nitriles. We disclose that the involved propargylic radicals can be selectively trapped by (Box)CuII cyanide, while the tautomerized allenyl radicals are trapped by (phen)CuII cyanide (Box= bisoxazoline, phen=phenanthroline). In addition, the reaction features broad substrate scope and excellent functional group compatibility. Moreover, this protocol represents a novel regioselectivity‐tunable functionalization of 1,3‐enynes via radicals, which we believe will have great implications for the development of catalytic systems for selectivity control in radical and organometallic chemistry.
Nanosecond Dynamics Regulate the MIF‐Induced Activity of CD74
Authors: Pantouris Georgios , Ho Junming , Shah Dilip , Syed Mansoor Ali , Leng Lin , Bhandari Vineet , Bucala Richard , Batista Victor S. , Loria J. Patrick , Lolis Elias J.
Published: April 2018

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) activates CD74, which leads to severe disorders including inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer under pathological conditions. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations up to one microsecond revealed dynamical correlation between a residue located at the opening of one end of the MIF solvent channel, previously thought to be a consequence of homotrimerization, and residues in a distal region responsible for CD74 activation. Experiments verified the allosteric regulatory site and identified a pathway to this site via the MIF β‐strands. The reported findings provide fundamental insights on a dynamic mechanism that controls the MIF‐induced activation of CD74.
Development of the Human Incus With Special Reference to the Detachment From the Chondrocranium to be Transferred into the Middle Ear
Authors: Rodríguez‐Vázquez Jose Francisco , Yamamoto Masahito , Abe Shinichi , Katori Yukio , Murakami Gen
Published: April 2018

The mammalian middle ear represents one of the most fundamental features defining this class of vertebrates. However, the origin and the developmental process of the incus in the human remains controversial. The present study seeks to demonstrate all the steps of development and integration of the incus within the middle ear. We examined histological sections of 55 human embryos and fetuses at 6 to 13 weeks of development. At 6 weeks of development (16 Carnegie Stage), the incus anlage was found at the cranial end of the first pharyngeal arch. At this stage, each of the three anlagen of the ossicles in the middle ear were independent in different locations. At Carnegie Stage 17 a homogeneous interzone clearly defined the incus and malleus anlagen. The cranial end of the incus was located very close to the otic capsule. At 7 and 8 weeks was characterized by the short limb of the incus connecting with the otic capsule. At 9 weeks was characterized by an initial disconnection of the incus from the otic capsule. At 13 weeks, a cavity appeared between the otic capsule and incus. Our results provide significant evidence that the human incus developed from the first pharyngeal arch but independently from Meckel's cartilage. Also, during development, the incus was connected with the otic capsule, and then it was detached definitively. The development of the incus in humans provides evidence that this ossicle is homologous to the quadrate. Anat Rec, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Immunological Behavior Analysis of Muscle Cells under IFN‐γ Stimulation in Vitro and in Vivo
Authors: Ding Maochao , Huang Tao , Zhu Rong , Gu Ruicai , Shi Dandan , Xiao Jiangwei , Guo Mengxia , Li Junhua , Hu JiJie , Liao Hua
Published: April 2018

Muscle cells could serve as antigen‐presenting cells, and participate in the activation of immune response. Immunological characteristics of muscle cells, and their capacities to equip themselves with immunorelevant molecules, remain to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated the immunological properties of myoblasts and differentiated myotubes in vitro and in vivo, under the IFN‐γ induced inflammatory condition. We found that the fused C2C12 myotubes are more sensitive to inflammatory stimulation, and significantly upregulated the expression levels of MHC‐I/II and TLR3/7 molecules, than that of proliferated myoblasts. As well, some co‐stimulatory/‐inhibitory molecules, including CD40, CD86, ICAM‐I, ICOS‐L, and PD‐L1, were prominently upregulated in IFN‐γ induced myotubes. Notably, we detected the protein levels of ASC, NLRP3, and Caspase‐1 increased in stimulated myotubes, and IL‐1β in cell culture supernatant, implying the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes in IFN‐γ treated myotubes. The pro‐inflammatory cytokines and chemokines mRNA levels in IFN‐γ induced C2C12 myotubes and myoblasts, involving IL‐1, IL‐6, and MCP‐1, increased markedly. T cell activation test further verified IFN‐γ induced C2C12 myotubes prompt to the proliferation of the splenic CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. In Cardiotoxin‐damaged tibialis anterior (TA) muscle, some regenerated myofibers expressed both MHC class I and class II molecules under IFN‐γ enhanced inflammatory condition. Thus, our work demonstrates that muscle cells are active participants of local immune reactions. Anat Rec, 301:1551–1563, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Translational Biomarkers and Ex Vivo Models of Joint Tissues as a Tool for Drug Development in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Kjelgaard‐Petersen Cecilie F. , Platt Adam , Braddock Martin , Jenkins Martin A. , Musa Kishwar , Graham Emma , Gantzel Thorbjørn , Slynn Gillian , Weinblatt Michael E. , Karsdal Morten A. , Thudium Christian S. , Bay‐Jensen Anne‐C.
Published: April 2018

Objective

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic and degenerative autoimmune joint disease that leads to disability, reduced quality of life, and increased mortality. Although several synthetic and biologic disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs are available, there is still a medical need for novel drugs that control disease progression. As only 10% of experimental drug candidates for treatment of RA that enter phase I trials are eventually registered by the Food and Drug Administration, there is an immediate need for translational tools to facilitate early decision‐making in drug development. In this study, we aimed to determine if the inability of fostamatinib (a small molecule inhibitor of Syk) to demonstrate sufficient efficacy in phase III of a previous clinical study could have been predicted earlier in the development process.

Methods

Biomarkers of bone, cartilage, and interstitial matrix turnover (C‐telopeptide of type I collagen [CTX‐I], matrix metalloproteinase–derived types I, II, and III collagen neoepitopes [C1M, C2M, and C3M]) were measured in 450 serum samples from the Oral Syk Inhibition in Rheumatoid Arthritis 1 study (OSKIRA‐1, a phase III clinical study of the efficacy of fostamatinib in RA) at baseline and follow‐up. Additionally, the same biomarkers were subsequently measured in conditioned media from osteoclast, cartilage, and synovial membrane cultured with the active metabolite of fostamatinib, R406, to assess the level of suppression induced by the drug.

Results

In OSKIRA‐1 serum samples and osteoclast and cartilage cultures, fostamatinib suppressed the levels of CTX‐I and C2M. In OSKIRA‐1 serum samples and synovial membrane cultures, fostamatinib did not mediate any clinical or preclinical effect on either C1M or C3M, which have previously been associated with disease response and efficacy.

Conclusion

These data demonstrate that translational biomarkers are a potential tool for early assessment and decision‐making in drug development for RA treatment.
Digitale Planung und geometrische Präzisionsfertigung für Durchstanzversuche
Authors: Bocklenberg Lennart , Winkler Karsten , Mark Peter
Published: April 2018

Durchstanzversuche an Stahlbetonplatten sind bislang auf geringe Dicken begrenzt. Infolge hoher Prüflasten und großer Versuchskörperabmessungen stoßen Versuchslabore weltweit an ihre Grenzen. Um erstmals Plattendicken bis 70 cm im Experiment zu testen, nutzt ein neu entwickeltes Versuchskonzept den Symmetrieeffekt. Durch Viertelung der Versuchskörper an zwei Symmetrieebenen lassen sich sowohl Prüflasten als auch Versuchskörperabmessungen um den Faktor 4 reduzieren. Bei der Umsetzung des Konzepts stellt der Übergang zwischen Versuchskörper und Versuchsstand an den Symmetrieebenen die zentrale Herausforderung dar. Durch die statisch unbestimmte Lagerung und Vorspannkräfte von bis zu 5 MN/m führen bereits geringe geometrische Unschärfen zu Zwangsbeanspruchungen, die ungewünscht verfälschte Ergebnisse und Initialrisse erzeugen. Dabei geht es um lokale Welligkeit, ungewollte Schiefstellungen, Versätze oder Winkeligkeit. Der Beitrag zeigt, wie mit digitaler Planung und Fertigung hochpräzise Versuchskörper und ebensolche Gegenstücke an den Widerlagern entstehen. Messungen und Nachrechnungen belegen, dass die erzielten Genauigkeiten im Submillimeterbereich genügen, um die resultierenden Zwangsbeanspruchungen für Plattendicken bis ca. 30 cm vernachlässigbar zu halten. Für Großversuche an bis zu 70 cm starken Platten sind zusätzliche Eigenspannungen aus Widerlagerrotationen zu erwarten, sodass vorgeschlagen wird, die Probekörper direkt im Versuchsstand zu betonieren (match casting), um Zwangsspannungen aus Geometrieunschärfen nahezu auszuschließen.
Production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) from a non‐lignocellulosic component of sugarcane bagasse: fueling a biobased economy
Authors: Tyagi Priyam , Saxena Nitesh Kumar , Sharma Aarti
Published: April 2018

The present study examines the use of residual sugar from sugarcane bagasse for the production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), a class of biodegradable microbial polymers. To achieve this, 26 bacterial isolates were screened for PHA production. From the strains isolated, ART_MKT2E was found to produce PHA and was selected to discover its capability to use a bagasse‐based medium (BGM). To date, the lignocellulosic component of bagasse has been used as a substrate by treating bagasse with acids. This study demonstrates the use of residual sugar from bagasse as a substrate for PHA production. The concentration of bagasse filtrate was found to be optimum at 60%, along with yeast extract and additional salts (pH 7.0 ± 0.5). The maximum PHA production (w/w) was 55%. These results indicate the successful use of non‐lignocellulosic BGM. The remaining lignocellulosic component of bagasse could be fed as a substrate for another production process, promoting a sustainable, biobased economy. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Do No Harm: The Board Member, Personal Expression and Social Media
Authors: Stratton Jeff
Published: April 2018

In this piece, we cover how to manage board members' political views and other personal expression with their duty to their organizations.
Development of a novel ion‐pairing HPLC‐FL method for the separation and quantification of hydroxychloroquine and its metabolites in whole blood
Authors: Charlier Bruno , Pingeon Marine , Dal Piaz Fabrizio , Conti Valeria , Valentini Gabriele , Filippelli Amelia , Izzo Viviana
Published: April 2018

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is an old antimalarial drug that has proven to be a safe and effective treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and other autoimmune diseases. Since hematic concentration of HCQ is closely related to the therapeutic response, monitoring the levels of the drug and its metabolites in the blood of HCQ‐treated patients helps the clinician in the evaluation of partial or complete unresponsiveness to treatment. We developed and validated a novel ion‐pairing HPLC‐FL method for the simultaneous dosage of HCQ, and its major metabolites desethylhydroxychloroquine, desethylchloroquine and bisdesethylchloroquine, after extraction from whole blood. This methodological approach was used for the analysis of real samples obtained from patients affected by SLE and undergoing HCQ treatment. The same samples were also analyzed using a previously validated LC/MS/MS method and data obtained with the two approaches were in substantial agreement with each other. Results presented in this work indicate that this approach can be successfully used to monitor the level of HCQ and its metabolites in the blood of various categories of patients (i.e. low and high responders, or those not adhering to the therapy). Comparison of HPLC‐FL and LC/MS/MS data confirmed the efficacy of the proposed method for routine clinical analyses.
The dissociations of visual processing of “hole” and “no‐hole” stimuli: An functional magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors: Meng Qianli , Huang Yan , Cui Ding , He Lixia , Chen Lin , Ma Yuanye , Zhao Xudong
Published: April 2018

Introduction

“Where to begin” is a fundamental question of vision. A “Global‐first” topological approach proposed that the first step in object representation was to extract topological properties, especially whether the object had a hole or not. Numerous psychophysical studies found that the hole (closure) could be rapidly recognized by visual system as a primitive property. However, neuroimaging studies showed that the temporal lobe (IT), which lied at a late stage of ventral pathway, was involved as a dedicated region. It appeared paradoxical that IT served as a key region for processing the early component of visual information. Did there exist a distinct fast route to transit hole information to IT? We hypothesized that a fast noncortical pathway might participate in processing holes.

Methods

To address this issue, a backward masking paradigm combined with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was applied to measure neural responses to hole and no‐hole stimuli in anatomically defined cortical and subcortical regions of interest (ROIs) under different visual awareness levels by modulating masking delays.

Results

For no‐hole stimuli, the neural activation of cortical sites was greatly attenuated when the no‐hole perception was impaired by strong masking, whereas an enhanced neural response to hole stimuli in non‐cortical sites was obtained when the stimulus was rendered more invisible.

Conclusions

The results suggested that whereas the cortical route was required to drive a perceptual response for no‐hole stimuli, a subcortical route might be involved in coding the hole feature, resulting in a rapid hole perception in primitive vision.
Adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with operable granulosa cell tumors of the ovary: a surveillance, epidemiology, and end results cohort study
Authors: Oseledchyk Anton , Gennarelli Renee L. , Leitao Mario M. , Aghajanian Carol A. , Iasonos Alexia , Zivanovic Oliver , Zamarin Dmitriy
Published: April 2018

Adjuvant chemotherapy is recommended for patients with resected high‐risk adult granulosa cell tumors (GCT), although strong data to support this are lacking. The objective of this study was to assess the outcomes of GCT patients, with the specific focus on patients that received adjuvant chemotherapy with curative intent (stage I‐III), reported in a large national cancer registry. Data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database between 2000 and 2013 were used for analysis. Patient and disease characteristics were extracted and analyzed for association with administration of chemotherapy. Impact on disease‐specific survival (DSS) was analyzed using log‐rank test. A total of 739 patients with surgically treated adult GCT were identified. Median age was 51 years. 570 (77%) patients were stage I, 87 (12%) were stage II, and 82 (11%) were stage III. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered to 176 (24%) patients. Young age, higher stage, and hysterectomy were associated with chemotherapy administration. Higher disease stage was associated with decreased five‐year DSS (IA/B 98.5%, IC 95.1%, II 86.1%, III 83.5%, P < 0.01). Notably, administration of adjuvant chemotherapy was not associated with improved five‐year DSS (P = 0.45) regardless of disease stage (stage IA/B: 96% with chemotherapy vs. 99% without chemotherapy; P = 0.64), (stage IC: 97% with chemotherapy vs. 94% without chemotherapy; P = 0.49), (stage II: 89% with chemotherapy vs. 83% without chemotherapy; P = 0.56), (stage III: 73% with chemotherapy vs. 93% without chemotherapy; P = 0.18). In this analysis, chemotherapy was not found to be associated with improved DSS of patients with operable disease regardless of stage, questioning the role for adjuvant chemotherapy in GCT.
Manipulating augmented virtual character using dynamic hierarchical pointing interface
Authors: Kim Hyejin , Hwang Jae‐In
Published: April 2018

In this paper, we introduce a bare‐hand interaction method for controlling an augmented virtual character. Our method is utilizing a dynamic hierarchical structure of virtual buttons on the natural marker of the environment. Unlike the existing virtual button method, the proposed method can be used to select a very fine level. This method is adequate for controlling an augmented virtual character with a users' various intentions. We implemented several examples of manipulating an augmented virtual character such as guiding the character, selecting part of the character, and selecting a target object for the character. We also compared the performance of full arrangement and dynamic hierarchical arrangement of virtual buttons. Our method outperforms the full arrangement method, especially in the low index of difficulty. In the user study with 15 participants, the users responded that the proposed method was significantly better than the existing full arrangement method regarding efficiency and satisfaction in the case of the fine level selection.
Ligand‐Tuneable, Red‐Emitting Iridium(III) Complexes for Efficient Triplet–Triplet Annihilation Upconversion Performance
Authors: Phillips Kaitlin A. , Stonelake Thomas M. , Chen Kepeng , Hou Yuqi , Zhao Jianzhang , Coles Simon J. , Horton Peter N. , Keane Shannon J. , Stokes Emily C. , Fallis Ian A. , Hallett Andrew J. , O'Kell Sean P. , Beames Joseph M. , Pope Simon J. A.
Published: April 2018

A series of substituted 2‐phenylquinoxaline ligands have been explored to finely tune the visible emission properties of a corresponding set of cationic, cyclometallated iridium(III) complexes. The electronic and redox properties of the complexes were investigated through experimental (including time‐resolved luminescence and transient absorption spectroscopy) and theoretical methods. The complexes display absorption and phosphorescent emissions in the visible region that are attributed to metal to ligand charge‐transfer transitions. The different substitution patterns of the ligands induce variations in these parameters. Time‐dependent DFT studies support these assignments and show that there is likely to be a strong spin‐forbidden contribution to the visible absorption bands at λ=500–600 nm. Calculations also reliably predict the magnitude and trends in triplet emitting wavelengths for the series of complexes. The complexes were assessed as potential sensitisers in triplet–triplet annihilation upconversion experiments by using 9,10‐diphenylanthracene as the acceptor; the methylated variants performed especially well with impressive upconversion quantum yields of up to 39.3 %.
Wet Oxidation of Process Waters from the Hydrothermal Carbonization of Sewage Sludge
Authors: Weiner Barbara , Breulmann Marc , Wedwitschka Harald , Fühner Christoph , Kopinke Frank‐Dieter
Published: April 2018

Combing hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of sewage sludge with wet oxidation of the resulting process waters (PWs) is a favorable economic process leading to a wastewater that is better amenable to biological treatments. Five PWs from HTC of sewage sludge and straw were oxidized with molecular oxygen. A good removal of chemical oxygen demand and dissolved organic carbon was shown. The oxidized waters proved good substrates for a subsequent anaerobic digestion. However, the oxidized PWs were identified as more toxic in germination tests with cress (Lepidium sativum L.) compared to the untreated PWs.
Nationwide Routine‐Data Analysis of Sex Differences in Outcome of Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Freisinger Eva , Sehner Susanne , Malyar Nasser M. , Suling Anna , Reinecke Holger , Wegscheider Karl
Published: April 2018

Women have been reported to suffer from impaired outcome after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The aim of our study was to determine the impact of sex and age on utilization of inpatient healthcare and outcome in patients with AMI (STEMI and NSTEMI) in a real‐life setting. We performed a routine‐data‐based analysis of 203 106 nationwide inpatients hospitalized with STEMI and NSTEMI, focusing on sex differences regarding risk constellation, treatments, and in‐hospital outcome. A logistic regression model was designed to evaluate the use of coronary angiography and interventions and their sex‐related impact on mortality (within 30 days). Compared with males, female STEMI patients (25 146, vs 52 965 males) were older and had a higher incidence of diabetes mellitus (27.4% vs 20.6%), heart failure (32.8% vs 26.2%), and chronic kidney disease (19.1% vs 13.5%, respectively; all P < 0.05), and had higher observed in‐hospital mortality (STEMI, 16.9% vs 9.9%; NSTEMI, 11.7% vs 8.7%). Females were less likely to receive coronary angiography in STEMI in the age groups <60 and ≥ 80 years (odds ratio: 0.8, 95% confidence interval: 0.76–0.83, P < 0.05), despite similar mortality risk reduction. Estimated overall in‐hospital mortality showed no differences with respect to sex in STEMI for age groups 40 to 79 years. However, females age ≥ 80 years had slightly higher in‐hospital mortality after adjustment. The increased observed in‐hospital mortality in females was attributed to the impact of more unfavorable risk and age distribution. Coronary angiography was associated with lower in‐hospital mortality; particularly, older females were less frequently treated.
Molecular Arrangements of Corannulene and Sumanene in Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Iizumi Yoko , Liu Zheng , Suenaga Kazu , Okada Susumu , Higashibayashi Shuhei , Sakurai Hidehiro , Okazaki Toshiya
Published: April 2018

Molecular arrangements of bowl‐shaped molecules, corannulene and sumanene, in single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were investigated using high‐resolution transmission microscopy and near‐infrared photoluminescence spectroscopy. The results indicated that corannulenes are nested in SWCNTs with a random orientation, whereas sumanenes form stacked structures. The trends are consistent with the molecular orientations of corannulene and sumanene in single crystals.
The triple bottom line and organizational attractiveness ratings: The role of pro‐environmental attitude
Authors: Bohlmann Clarissa , Krumbholz Leonie , Zacher Hannes
Published: April 2018

The triple bottom line refers to companies' economic, social and environmental performance. In this study, we examined effects of these three factors on organizational attractiveness ratings using an experimental vignette methodology. In addition, we investigated pro‐environmental attitude as a moderator of these effects. Forty‐nine participants rated 27 vignettes describing different constellations of companies' triple bottom line and, in total, provided 1321 ratings of organizational attractiveness. Results of a multilevel analysis showed that the positive effect of social performance on organizational attractiveness ratings was stronger than the positive effects of economic and environmental performance. Moreover, environmental performance was more important for individuals with a more positive pro‐environmental attitude and economic performance was less important for individuals with a more positive pro‐environmental attitude. We discuss implications for future research and organizational practice.
Are corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives such as sustainable development and environmental policies value enhancing or window dressing?
Authors: Taylor Joseph , Vithayathil Joseph , Yim Dobin
Published: April 2018

The natural‐resource‐based view of the firm suggests that there are benefits associated with voluntary disclosure of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities, in that this signals quality of management, as well as the quality of the firm's financial strategy, to its investors. With increased demand for transparency of firm activities, this assertion needs re‐examination. We examine the effects of governance, environmental and social responsibility performance on the firm, and find moderate support for CSR disclosure increasing firm value. However, only the disclosure of social responsibility scores was associated with higher levels of firm value, as measured by Tobin's q. This relationship was positively moderated by the extent to which a firm was consumer facing. These findings suggest that strategic engagement in social responsibility, rather than merely sponsoring environmental initiatives, contributes to increasing firm value through CSR.
Does sustainability marketing strategy achieve payback profits? A signaling theory perspective
Authors: Taoketao Eerdun , Feng Taiwen , Song Yongtao , Nie Yu
Published: April 2018

Despite the importance of sustainability marketing strategy, its influence on firm performance is still inconclusive. In this study, we explore how and under what conditions sustainability marketing strategy influences firm performance by including the customer as an external stakeholder. Drawing on signaling theory, we test the hypothesized relationships using survey data collected from 264 Chinese firms. The results reveal that customer loyalty partially mediates the relationship between sustainability marketing strategy and firm performance. In addition, our findings indicate that competitive intensity positively moderates the relationship between sustainability marketing strategy and customer loyalty, and the mediating effect of customer loyalty. However, customer trust negatively moderates the relationship between sustainability marketing strategy and customer loyalty, while its moderated mediation is not significant. This study contributes to sustainability marketing literature and practice by providing novel insights into how to enhance firm performance by developing sustainability marketing strategy.
The role of IL‐22 in the resolution of sterile and nonsterile inflammation
Authors: Alabbas Saleh Y , Begun Jakob , Florin Timothy H , Oancea Iulia
Published: April 2018

In a broad sense, inflammation can be conveniently characterised by two phases: the first phase, which is a pro‐inflammatory, has evolved to clear infection and/or injured tissue; and the second phase concerns regeneration of normal tissue and restitution of normal physiology. Innate immune cell‐derived pro‐inflammatory cytokines and chemokines activate and recruit nonresident immune cells to the site of infection, thereby amplifying the inflammatory responses to clear infection or injury. This phase is followed by a cytokine milieu that promotes tissue regeneration. There is no absolute temporal distinction between these two phases, and cytokines may have dual pleiotropic effects depending on the timing of release, inflammatory microenvironment or concentrations. IL‐22 is a cytokine with reported pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory roles; in this review, we contend that this protein has primarily a function in restitution of normal tissue and physiology.
The utility of multiparametric flow cytometry in the detection of primary effusion lymphoma (PEL)
Authors: Galán Jacobo , Martin Isaac , Carmona Itziar , Rodriguez‐Barbero José María , Cuadrado Esperanza , García‐Alonso Luis , García‐Vela José Antonio
Published: April 2018

Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is a rare B cell lymphoproliferative disorder that arises predominantly in body cavities causing malignant effusions. The incidence of PEL is very low, accounting for approximately 4% of all HIV‐associated non‐Hodgkin lymphomas. PEL has also been described in elderly patients and after solid‐organ transplantation. It is associated in all cases with human herpes virus 8 (HHV8). We describe a case of PEL in a 88‐year‐old HIV‐negative woman who presented with progressive dyspnea and moderate right‐sided pleural effusion without significant lymphadenopathies or other effusions. The cytological study of the pleural fluid revealed a dense proliferation of large plasmablastic cells. A six‐color multiparametric flow cytometry immunophenotyping study was carried out, and revealed 45% of large in size and high cellular complexity cells positive for CD45 (dim), CD38, CD138, CD30 and HLA‐DR; and negative for CD19, CD20, cytoplasmatic CD79a, surface and cytoplasmic light chains Kappa and Lambda, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, CD28, CD56, CD81, and CD117. In situ hybridization for EBV‐encoded smalI RNA was negative and immunohistochemistry for Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (HHV8) confirmed the diagnosis of PEL. Our results confirm that flow cytometry bring useful data in the diagnosis of large‐cell lymphomas involving body cavities. © 2018 International Clinical Cytometry Society
A based on blinded CP‐ABE searchable encryption cloud storage service scheme
Authors: Cao Laicheng , Zhang Jinbo , Dong Xiaoye , Xi Chengzhe , Wang Yafei , Zhang Yangyang , Guo Xian , Feng Tao
Published: April 2018

Cloud computing has great economical advantages and wide application, more and more data owners store their data in the cloud storage server (CSS) to avoid tedious local data management and insufficient storage resources. But the privacy of data owners faces enormous challenges. The most recent searchable encryption technology adopts the ciphertext‐policy attribute‐based encryption (CP‐ABE), which is one good method to deal with this security issue. However, the access attributes of the users are transmitted and assigned in plaintext form. In this paper, we propose a based on blinded CP‐ABE searchable encryption cloud storage service (BCP‐ABE‐SECSS) scheme, which can blind the access attributes of the users in order to prevent the collusion attacks of the CSS and the users. Data encryption and keyword index generation are performed by the data owners; meanwhile, we construct that CSS not only executes the access control policy of the data but also performs the pre‐decryption operation about the encrypted data to solve higher time cost of decryption calculation to the data users. Security proof results show that this scheme has access attribute security, data confidentiality, indistinguishable security against chosen keyword attack, and resisting the collusion attack between the data user and the CSS. Performance analysis and the experimental results show that this scheme can effectively reduce the computation time cost of the data owners and the data users.
Geographical distribution of zooplankton biodiversity in highly polluted running water ecosystems: Validation of fine‐scale species sorting hypothesis
Authors: Yang Yuzhan , Ni Ping , Gao Yangchun , Xiong Wei , Zhao Yan , Zhan Aibin
Published: April 2018

Dispersal, rather than species sorting, is widely recognized as the dominant driver for determining meta‐community structure at fine geographical scales in running water ecosystems. However, this view has been challenged by a recently proposed “fine‐scale species sorting hypothesis,” where community structure can be largely determined by an environmental gradient formed by local pollution at fine scales. Here, we tested this hypothesis by studying community composition and geographical distribution of metazoan zooplankton in a heavily polluted river—the North Canal River in the Haihe River Basin, China. Analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) showed that the community composition of metazoan zooplankton differed significantly (p = .001) along the environmental gradient. Ammonium (NH4‐N) was the leading factor responsible for changes in zooplankton community structure and geographical distribution, followed by total dissolved solid (TDS), Na, dissolved oxygen (DO) and temperature (T). Variation partitioning revealed a larger contribution of environmental variables (21.6%) than spatial variables (1.1%) to the total explained variation of zooplankton communities. Our results support that species sorting, rather than dispersal, played a key role in structuring communities. Threshold Indicator Taxa ANalysis (TITAN) also revealed significant change points at both taxon and community levels along the gradient of NH4‐N, providing further support for the influence of environmental variables on zooplankton communities. Collectively, we validate the fine‐scale species sorting hypothesis when an environmental gradient exists in running water ecosystems at fine geographical scales. However, future studies on interactions between pollutants and zooplankton communities are still needed to better understand mechanisms responsible for the meta‐community dynamics.
Numerical simulation of shrink‐fit motor using gradient Si steel
Authors: Koseki Shinji , Oda Yoshihiko , Hiratani Tatsuhiko , Kasai Shoji , Zaizen Yoshiaki
Published: April 2018

A gradient Si steel sheet shows low iron loss in the high‐frequency range and lower iron loss deterioration under compressive stresses, therefore, it is suitable for use as the core material of high‐speed motors, which have seen considerable downsizing in recent years. By performing shearing and shrink‐fitting, the advantages of gradient Si steel as a motor material are investigated in this study. In both shearing and compressive stress experiments, gradient Si steel showed lower iron loss compared to conventional nonoriented electrical steel (0.2 mm thick). By numerical simulation, the efficiencies of the shrink‐fitted motors using gradient Si steel and 3% Si steel were calculated. The motor using the gradient Si steel showed significantly higher efficiency than that using the 3% Si steel. Moreover, even under city driving conditions, gradient Si steel showed good efficiency, because of lower iron loss deterioration. Therefore, gradient Si steel can be used for a wide variety of motors in addition to high‐frequency devices.
Evaluation of capacitance changes of capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers for ultrasonic diagnoses by charge‐injection
Authors: Aono Takanori , Yoshimura Yasuhiro , Machida Shuntaro
Published: April 2018

This research reports capacitance–voltage (CV) changes of capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUT) for ultrasonic diagnoses. The CMUT constitutes an electrostatically vibrating film, which is fabricated by deposition processes of SiO2 and SiN films as insulator and TiN and Al films as top electrode on a Si substrate. The ultrasonic waves are transmitted by addition of AC voltage between the top electrode and the Si substrate, whereas the reflective ultrasonic wave are received with the vibrating film and converted to the electrical signals for ultrasonic diagnostic images. There is a problem that the CV changes of CMUT occur due to charge‐injection into the insulator, since a high AC and DC voltages are applied for driving the vibrating film. Thus, it is necessary to suppress the change in CV characteristics of the CMUT due to charge‐injection. It is clarified that the CV drift due to charge‐injection can be decreased by forming the top electrode so as to cover the vibrating film. Also, the CV drift is able to be suppressed by setting the driving voltage to be equal to or less than the collapse voltage.
ASB1 differential methylation in ischaemic cardiomyopathy: relationship with left ventricular performance in end‐stage heart failure patients
Authors: Ortega Ana , Tarazón Estefanía , Gil‐Cayuela Carolina , Martínez‐Dolz Luis , Lago Francisca , González‐Juanatey José Ramón , Sandoval Juan , Portolés Manuel , Roselló‐Lletí Esther , Rivera Miguel
Published: April 2018

Aims

Ischaemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) leads to impaired contraction and ventricular dysfunction, causing high rates of morbidity and mortality. Epigenomics allows the identification of epigenetic signatures in human diseases. We analyse the differential epigenetic patterns of the ASB gene family in ICM patients and relate these alterations to their haemodynamic and functional status.

Methods and results

Epigenomic analysis was carried out using 16 left ventricular (LV) tissue samples, eight from ICM patients undergoing heart transplantation and eight from control (CNT) subjects without cardiac disease. We increased the sample size up to 13 ICM and 10 CNT for RNA sequencing and to 14 ICM for pyrosequencing analyses. We found a hypermethylated profile (cg11189868) in the ASB1 gene that showed a differential methylation of 0.26Δβ (P = 0.016). This result was validated by a pyrosequencing technique (0.23Δβ, P = 0.048). Notably, the methylation pattern was strongly related to LV ejection fraction (r = −0.849, P = 0.008), stroke volume (r = −0.929, P = 0.001), and end‐systolic and diastolic LV diameters (r = −0.743, P = 0.035 for both). ASB1 showed a down‐regulation in messenger RNA levels (−1.2‐fold, P = 0.039).

Conclusions

Our findings link a specific ASB1 methylation pattern to LV structure and performance in end‐stage ICM, opening new therapeutic opportunities and providing new insights regarding which is the functionally relevant genome in the ischaemic failing myocardium.
Tridentate Lewis Acids: Silicon‐Functionalised 1,3,5‐Triethynylbenzene and 1,3,5‐Trivinylbenzene
Authors: Schwartzen Anna , Siebe Lena , Schwabedissen Jan , Neumann Beate , Stammler Hans‐Georg , Mitzel Norbert W.
Published: April 2018

Planar tridentate Lewis acids were synthesised by hydrosilylation reactions of triethynylbenzene with chlorosilanes. Hydrogenation of the rigid triethynylbenzene using hydrogen in the presence of Lindlar's catalyst resulted in the formation of trivinylbenzene. The hydrosilylation of this compound enabled the synthesis of flexible tridentate Lewis acids with SiClMe2 and SiCl2Me, SiCl3 groups. In order to increase the acidity, the chlorine substituents of the tridentate Lewis acids were substituted by fluorine and compounds with SiF2Me and SiF3 groups were obtained. The Lewis acidity of the isolated compounds was determined with the Gutmann–Beckett method. The results show the presence of cooperative effects of the silyl groups.
Benzoyl Groups as ortho‐Substituents in Cannabidiol Derivatives: Controlling Axial Conformation about Aryl‐C(sp3) Bonds
Authors: Denhez Clément , Lameiras Pedro , Flos Manon , Mirand Catherine , Berber Hatice
Published: April 2018

The conformational behaviour arising from the restricted C(sp2)–C(sp3) axis in ortho‐benzoyl‐substituted phenylcyclohexene, phenylcyclohexene oxide and phenylcyclohexane derivatives of cannabidiol was examined by means of VT‐NMR experiments and DFT calculations. In the case of epoxide and phenylcyclohexane derivatives, the compounds are atropisomeric with barriers slightly lower than 90 kJ mol–1 at 298 K. Transition states for the interconversion of the conformers were located, and particularly in phenylcyclohexanes, different intermediate cyclohexane conformations are involved to allow free rotation around the pivot bond. The structure of the favoured (P) phenylcyclohexane conformer was also established by X‐ray diffraction. The conformational control induced by the presence of the benzoyl group is mainly governed by intramolecular stabilizing π–π and CH–π interactions according to the natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis.
Mesoporous Bimetallic PtPd Nanoflowers as a Platform to Enhance Electrocatalytic Activity of Acetylcholinesterase for Organophosphate Pesticide Detection
Authors: Ma Li , Zhou Liya , He Ying , Wang Lihui , Huang Zhihong , Jiang Yanjun , Gao Jing
Published: April 2018

Mesoporous bimetallic PtPd nanoflowers (MPtPdN) were synthesized by a surfactant‐directing method. The MPtPdN was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The use of MPtPdN as a platform for the indirect electrochemical detection of organophosphate pesticides (OPs) via enzymatic inhibition pathway was demonstrated. Due to the nanostructure of MPtPdN and the synergy effect of the noble metal nanoparticles, a novel and sensitive acetylcholinesterase (AChE) biosensor for OPs detections based on MPtPdN and enzyme inhibition was prepared. The inhibition of omethoate exhibited a linear relationship from 4.7×10−11 to 4.7×10−8 M with a detection limit of 1.7×10−12 M (S/N=3). The proposed AChE biosensor was reliable and can be used to measure the concentration of omethoate in different spiked samples with high accuracy and satisfactory recovery. The preparation of biosensors based on the MPtPdN can be further extended to construct many other important enzyme biosensors.
Organic‐inorganic‐hybrid‐enhancement Electrochemical Sensor for Determination of Cu (II) in River Water
Authors: Wu Ju , Chen Xin , Wang Qishai , Bian Yuting , Zhang Kai , Sheng Zhong , Jin Juncheng , Yang Mei , Dai Panpan , Fu Xucheng , Chang Wengui , Xie Chenggen
Published: April 2018

A dual strategy that the L‐cysteine self‐assembling on three‐dimensional network of organic‐hybrid‐materials realized by successive interaction of Au−S bond is employed to construct as the amplified electrochemical sensor for determination Cu (II). Specifically, the sensor combined a rigid three‐dimension inorganic net which provides a higher interfacial area as well as faster adsorption of ions. Accordingly, surface and interfacial‐dominated electro‐catalysis reactivity is used as an ideal test‐bed to verify the reliability of electrochemical sensor that reveal enhancement sensitiveness and selectivity, low detection limit, and stability over a long period of time. Time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) were used to calculating the all complexes energies at the B3LYP/LANL2DZ level associated with the polarized continuum model (PCM). The result of calculation indicates that the binding strength of Cu (II), Cd (II), As (III), Hg (II) with L‐cysteine are decrease successively, and this is in well agreement with experimental results. This work not only achieves an unprecedented understanding to L‐cysteine/Au/TiO2/GCE sensor but also provides a new perspective for application in detection of Cu (II) in real river waters.