bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on the Marketing of Marigold Flower in Varanasi District of Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: Patel Roshan , Kumar Sanjay
Published: September 2024

This paper explores the marketing channels, margins, and efficiencies associated with marigold flower cultivation in the Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh, India. The study investigates three distinct marketing channels to understand their impact on the economic returns for marigold farmers. Through a systematic examination of the cost structures, price spreads, and producer's share in the consumer rupee across these channels, the research aims to identify the most efficient marketing practices that maximize profitability for cultivators. The research methodology involved a multi-stage sampling process, starting with the purposive selection of Varanasi district, followed by the selection of Kashi Vidyapeeth block, which has a high concentration of marigold farmers. Ten villages within this block were chosen randomly, and a stratified random sampling technique was used to select 10% of the farmers, categorized based on landholding sizes. Data was collected through both primary methods, including structured interviews and surveys, and secondary sources, such as reports from the District Agriculture Office. The results indicate that Channel III, characterized by direct-to-retailer sales, provides the highest producer share in the consumer rupee at 41.56%, with a lower price spread and total marketing cost compared to other channels. This channel emerges as the most efficient, suggesting that reducing intermediaries in the supply chain can lead to better financial outcomes for farmers. The study concludes that strategic market interventions and policy support are essential to promote more direct marketing avenues, thereby enhancing the income of marigold farmers in the region. This paper contributes valuable insights into the marketing dynamics of high-value agricultural products and offers practical recommendations for improving the efficiency and equity of agricultural marketing systems in India.
Allium sativum: Botanical, Chemical, and Therapeutic Aspects
Authors: Repolês Lorena Cotta , Rodrigues Bruna Soares de Souza Lima , Corrêa Anderson Domingues , Siqueira-Batista Rodrigo
Published: September 2024

Aims: The presence of Allium sativum in human societies dates back thousands of years. Its medicinal and aphrodisiac properties, combined with its distinctive flavor, make it a valuable ingredient in both culinary and traditional medicinal practices in various cultures. Not surprisingly, it is one of the most researched and marketed herbal products today. Active substances present in garlic, such as allicin and other sulfur compounds, have been the subject of extensive research, with promising results in several areas of health.
Objective: The main objective of this article is to gather relevant information on the botanical, chemical and therapeutic aspects of garlic in order to provide a comprehensive overview of this important legume.
Methods: The search was undertaken in the following electronic databases: Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), United States National Library of Medicine (PubMed) and Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO). The terms (in English) used for the bibliographic search were identified in the Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCS): "Garlic", "Botany", "Chemistry" and "Therapeutic Uses". Thirty-one academic texts were selected to construct this work.
Results, Discussion and Conclusion: From the data obtained, it was possible to list several health benefits of garlic, the main ones being: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal, anticancer and other protective effects. In this way, A. sativum demonstrates a variety of pharmacological effects, which makes it a viable option for the treatment of various diseases, even though its mechanisms of action are poorly understood and require further scientific studies.
Enhancing Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica Plenk) Yield with Efficient Water Use: A Marginal Analysis of Irrigation and Water Saving Techniques
Authors: Jaybhaye Pralhad , Mukherjee Asis
Published: September 2024

Climate change impacts are more evident in agriculture sector at micro level in general, and technological interventions (e.g. cropping patterns, crop diversification, soil health management, rainwater harvesting, use of modern irrigation system with precise irrigation quantity etc.) are some of the interventions which can play a significant role in enhancing the current capacity of farmers to cope with climate change. The experiment was conducted at the “C” Block  Research Farm at Kalyani of the BCKV, Mohanpur, India during winter season (November–January) of the year 2016–2017and 2017–2018; to study the relationship between ET and fruit yield, water use efficiency (WUE), net evapotranspiration efficiency (ETWUE) and irrigation use efficiency  (IWUE), to develop the MWUE and EWP functions, to estimate the critical level of ET for obtaining maximum WUE and maximum yield, to screen out most suitable and efficient water saving techniques on the basis of the above production function.  The experimental design was a split plot with four irrigation regimes  (I1.0, I0.75, I0.50 and I0.25) as main treatment and five water saving techniques {no water saving techniques (MC – controlled); MH - hydrogel; MK - potassium nitrate (KNO3) ;  MBP - black polyethylene mulch and MPS - paddy straw mulch  as sub treatment. Net head fresh yield under I1.0 was 15.17 Mg ha-1; which reduced by 6, 19 and 35 % respectively under I0.75; I0.50 and I0.25. Different water saving techniques increased yield by 5-34 % over non-water saving techniques condition. Irrespective of water saving techniques, WUE, ETWUE and IWUE were found to be the highest (11 kg m−3, 15 kg m−3 and 17 kg m−3 respectively) under moderately wet (I0.75) soil environment. Among different water saving techniques, MBP recorded the highest WUE (13 kg m−3), ETWUE (19 kg m−3) and IWUE (18 kg m−3) values. The marginal analysis showed difference in critical values of SET against maximum WUE and maximum yield was narrowed down under bio or polyethylene mulches and hydrogel compared to the bare situation.
Estimating and Validating Reference Evapotranspiration Using Weather Data over Northern India
Authors: Prasad Sudarshan , Denis Derrick Mario , Prabha Shashi
Published: September 2024

Precise computation of evapotranspiration (ET) is essential for agricultural system modelling, hydrology, irrigation planning, including quantification and scheduling, and water resource management. Additionally, reliable estimations of ET might improve the accuracy of performance indicators related to the water balance in the assessment of irrigation projects. The study presents an estimation of daily reference evapotranspiration (ETO) using the FAO-56 Penman Montheith model and daily weather data from the years 2020 to 2022 over SHUATS, Prayagraj (U.P.). The results obtained were validated with the output of CROPWAT 8.0. Statistical techniques viz. MAE, MBE, RMSE, MRE, Willmot index of agreement (d), ȠNS, PCC, and regression analysis were used to evaluate the performance of the simulation. The lesser values of MAE, MBE, RMSE, and MRE and the highest values of d, ȠNS, PCC, and R2 reveal the closeness of the simulated reference evapotranspiration with that determined by the CROPWAT over the region. The results show the wide applicability to compute the daily ETO using the FAO-56 P-M model for effective management of irrigation water in agriculture.
Assessing the Impact of Sulfur, Magnesium, and Acephate on Mustard Crop Performance
Authors: Patel Krishna Kumar , Kumar Anil , Kumar Ravindra , Sharma Sanjeev , Kumar Kaushal , Kumar Sajneev , Baheliya Ajay Kumar , Kumar Pardeep , Yadav Dev Narayan
Published: September 2024

Field experiments were conducted to studies the interaction effect of sulphur, magnesium and acephate on growth parameters, yield components and yield of mustard during rabi season of 2022-23 and 2023-24 at students instructional farm, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur under Central Plain Zone of Uttar Pradesh. The experiment consist of 18 treatments combinations in factorial randomized block design with three replications consisted of three levels of sulphur (0, 20 and 40 kg ha-1), three magnesium levels (0, 10 and 20 kg ha-1) and two pesticide levels (with acephate and without acephate).  The results demonstrated significant improvements in growth parameters with the combined treatments, notably increasing plant height to 183.25 cm at 60 days after sowing. While plant population remained constant at 13.44 plants per square meter, dry matter accumulation rose from 27.13 g to 28.22 g per plant, and branching increased from 12.59 to 13.14 branches per plant. The S and Mg treatments synergistically enhanced leaf development, with the highest leaf counts observed in the S x Mg treatment. Yield attributes, including the number of siliques per plant and seeds per silique, were significantly improved, particularly with the S x Mg and S x Mg x I interactions. Seed production and stover yield were also notably increased, emphasizing the importance of integrated nutrient and pest management for optimizing mustard production.
Unravelling Tamoxifen’s Neuroprotective Effects against Manganese-Induced Neurodegeneration, Cognitive Impairment and Hippocampal Damage Via the Nrf-2 Pathway in Adult Male Wistar Rats
Authors: Owoyemi Ewaoluwa P. , Ogunlade Babatunde , Olawale Mojisola A. , Boboye Ayodeji S.
Published: September 2024

Aims: Neurodegenerative diseases pose a serious threat to public health. Manganese (Mn) is a metal necessary for biological systems; however, it can become hazardous at high concentrations, causing neurological damage. This study explores tamoxifen's potential to protect against Mn-induced neurotoxicity in adult male Wistar rats.
Methodology: Forty (40) adult male Wistar Rats weighing between 170g-220g were used and divided into four groups (A-D) (n=10). Manganese (Mn) and Tamoxifen (TMX) dosages were prepared and administered daily for 45 days through oral gavage. Group A received normal saline as a placebo; Group B received 200 mg/kgbwt of Mn only; Group C received 100 mg/kgbwt of TMX and 200 mg/kgbwt of Mn; Group D received 100 mg/kgbwt of TMX only. At the end of the experiment, behavioral tests were carried out, and animals were sacrificed; the brain was then excised, cleaned, and washed with saline for analysis. 
Results: After the 45 days of treatment the Mn-only group exhibited clear signs of neurobehavioral toxicity. On the other hand, the TMX-treated rats exhibited significantly improved exploratory behavior and locomotor activity indicating its effect in reverting Mn neurotoxicity. The histological assessments further revealed that TMX preserved hippocampal morphology, reducing glial cell distortion and vacuolation caused by Mn exposure, while the immunohistochemical analysis showed activated Nrf-2 expression in TMX-treated groups.
Conclusion: These results suggest that TMX has significant neuroprotective effects and could be a potential therapeutic agent for neurodegenerative diseases.
Effect of Various Fungicides for Controlling Powdery Mildew (Erysiphe polygoni) in Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graceum L)
Authors: Patel Mital , Pandya Jaimin , Kansara Shivangi , Chopada Gopal , John Priya , Mahatma Lalit , Addangadi Kotramma , Patel Apurvkumar M. , Rakholiya K. B.
Published: September 2024

India grows fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graceum L.), it’s a legume crop but its seeds are used as spice. Erysiphe polygoni DC caused powdery mildew is one of the major disease of fenugreek production. In Rabi 2019 to 2022, a field experiment was carried out to ascertain the impact of fungicides on the Erysiphe polygoni caused powdery mildew disease of fenugreek. In field conditions, Total six fungicides, along with treated and untreated control were evaluated for their efficacy to control the powdery mildew disease of fenugreek. All the fungicides were significantly effective in reducing the powdery mildew disease intensity over control. Among these fungicides, at maturity the minimum per cent disease intensity 29.25 was recorded with the spray of hexaconazole (0.005%) @ 1 ml/l and followed by propiconazole (0.025%) @ 1 ml/l showed 31.23 per cent disease intensity. Wettable sulphur (0.2%) @ 2.5 g/l 33.07 % disease intensity was observed. The highest net returns were recorded with hexaconazole 5% EC (Rs. 20,198/ha) and an ICBR of 1:6.23, followed by propiconazole 25% EC with a net return of Rs. 16,568/ha and an ICBR of 1:5.26, and sulfur 80% WP with a net return of Rs. 14,858/ha and an ICBR of 1:5.24.
Effect of Different Maturity Mulberry Leaves on Biology of Bivoltine Silkworm (Bombyx mori L.)
Authors: S.N Vallapu, , P.K. Nalwandikar, , V.K. Bhamare, , N.S.S.S Darapureddy, , H.N Patel,
Published: September 2024

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the effects of feeding mulberry leaves of different maturity stages-tender, medium, and coarse on the biology of bivoltine silkworms (Bombyx mori L.), with the goal of enhancing sericulture practices by identifying the most beneficial leaf types for feeding.
Study Design: A randomized block design was employed to evaluate the impact of different mulberry leaf maturity levels on silkworm development.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted during monsoon 2020-21 at the Department of Agricultural Entomology, College of Agriculture, Latur, under Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani, Maharashtra.
Methodology: Disease-free layings of FC2 X FC1 bivoltine double hybrid silkworms were reared with seven treatments involving different combinations of mulberry leaves categorized as tender, medium, and coarse. Each treatment included three replications, with 100 larvae per replication. Key parameters measured included larval duration, pupal duration, moth emergence, fecundity, and hatching percentage.
Results: Larval duration was shortest for larvae fed tender leaves (23.82 days), significantly shorter compared to those fed coarse leaves (25.38 days). Pupal duration was also shortest for tender leaves (10.67 days) and longest for coarse leaves (11.50 days). Moth emergence was highest in larvae fed tender leaves (97.67%) and lowest in coarse leaves (84.67%). Fecundity ranged from 442.33 to 566.67 eggs per female moth, with the highest observed in larvae fed tender leaves (566.67 eggs). Hatching percentage was highest for tender leaves (94.67%) and lowest for coarse leaves (85.33%).
Conclusion: The study confirms that tender mulberry leaves significantly enhance silkworm development and productivity, resulting in shorter larval and pupal durations, higher moth emergence rates, increased fecundity, and improved hatching percentages. These findings highlight the importance of tender leaves in optimizing sericulture practices and improving silk production efficiency.
Maximizing the Plasmid Yield in Laboratory-scale Maxiprep Preparations through a Modified Alkaline Lysis Approach
Authors: Jaisree S. , Shoba K. , Ramesh A. , Vijayarani K. , Vairamuthu S.
Published: September 2024

Plasmid purification is an important step in molecular biology and good quality / quantity of plasmids are essential for cloning, production of therapeutic plasmid. Commercial kits for plasmid purification are costlier and the traditional methods are suitable for lesser culture volume. Hence, the study was aimed to enhance the yield of therapeutic grade plasmid in maxiprep preparation by modifying culturing conditions and the traditional alkaline lysis method. To increase the yield of bacterial cell mass carrying the plasmid of interest, LB broth supplemented with 1.9% yeast extract (LBY) was used. The dry pellet yield (g/ 250 ml of culture volume) of DH5α cells containing recombinant plasmid (pVAX1 -ILTV-gB) in LB broth and LBY broth after 18 hours of overnight culture were 1.142 ± 0.016 and 1.535 ± 0.016, respectively. Further, the traditional alkaline lysis method was improved by using calcium chloride, Sodium chloride and PEG6000 (40%) which boosted the yield of plasmid with increasing amount of supercoiled plasmid. The mean yield of plasmid purified from 250 ml of culture volume using the commercial kit and the modified method was 566 µg and 3530 µg, respectively. The modified alkaline lysis method yielded five times higher yield compared to purification by kit.  The plasmid purified using the modified method was pure, cost-effective, and ideal for cloning and transfection. This modified method of purification enhanced the yield of supercoiled plasmid which is essential for therapeutic purpose.
Study of the Relative Growth of Bivalve Cardium costatum (Linné, 1758) of the Exclusive Economic Zone of Côte d'ivoire
Authors: Kouato Fulgence , Kouakou Fokouo Kessia Irène , Aman Jean-Baptiste , Yao N’Guessan , Atcho Otchoumou
Published: September 2024

This study was to determine growth parameters in order to provide important data for better planning of the sustainable management of maritime resources and initiate shellfish farming.
A total of 540 individuals from the exclusive economic zone of Côte d'Ivoire were sampled from November 2012 to October 2014. The measurements were carried out in order to study the allometric relationships concerning the height-length, height-thickness relationships, thickness-length, weight-length, weight-height and weight-thickness. The results reveal that linear growth exhibits negative allometry (b < 1) in Cardium costatum. This species grows faster in length than in height and thickness. The weight growth of Cardium costatum presents a positive allometry (b > 3). Which means that this species grows faster than it lengthens.
Exploring Seed Dormancy Focussing on Medicinal Plants: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Mullai T. , Malarkodi K. , Sasthri G. , Visalakshi M. , Anand T. , Kavitha S.
Published: September 2024

This review explores the complex field of studies on medicinal plants during dormancy, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of research findings and methodologies. Dormancy, a crucial physiological phase in the growth stage of plants, plays a master role in regulating growth, development and survival strategies. In medicinal plants, understanding dormancy is of paramount importance due to its implications for cultivation, propagation and the production of some compounds that are in high demand for pharmaceutical industry. This review focuses on methodologies in dormancy research, elucidating the underlying mechanisms and exploring strategies to manipulate dormancy for enhanced medicinal plant cultivation and utilization. Furthermore, it discusses the challenges in dormancy studies, highlighting the potential for novel approaches and interdisciplinary collaborations to unravel the complexities of dormancy and harness its benefits in medicinal plant research and industry.
Intelligent Tuning of Fuzzy-\(\mathcal{L}_1\) Adaptive Controller for Uncertain Nonlinear MIMO Systems Using Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Akinrinde Henry A. , Hashim Hashim A. , Ayinde Babajide O. , El-Ferik Sami , Abido Mohamed A. , Akande Emmanuel O.
Published: September 2024

This paper proposes an efficient approach for tuning feedback filter of adaptive controller for multi-input multi-output (MIMO) systems. The feedback filter provides performance that trades off fast closed loop dynamics, robustness margin, and control signal range. Thus appropriate tuning of the filter's parameters is crucial to achieve optimal performance. For MIMO systems, the parameters tuning is challenging and requires a multi-objective performance indices to avoid instability. This paper proposes a fuzzy-based feedback filter design tuned with multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) to remove these bottlenecks. MOPSO guarantees the appropriate selection of the fuzzy membership functions. The proposed approach is validated using twin rotor MIMO system and simulation results demonstrate the efficacy of here proposed while preserving the system stabilizability.
Shear localization in a mature mylonitic rock analog during fast slip
Authors: Takahashi M. , van den Ende M. P. A. , Niemeijer A. R. , Spiers C. J.
Published: January 2017

Highly localized slip zones developed within ductile shear zones, such as pseudotachylyte bands occurring within mylonitic fabric rocks, are frequently interpreted as evidence for earthquake nucleation and/or propagation within the ductile regime. To understand brittle/frictional shear localization processes in ductile shear zones and to relate these to earthquake nucleation and propagation, we performed tests with large changes in velocity on a brine‐saturated, 80:20 (wt %) mixture of halite and muscovite gouge after forming a mature mylonitic structure through frictional‐viscous flow. The direct effect a on shear strength that occurs in response to an instantaneous upward velocity‐step is an important parameter in determining the nature of seismic rupture nucleation and propagation. We obtained reproducible results regarding low‐velocity mechanical behavior compared with previous work, but also obtained new insights into effects of sudden increases in slip velocity on localization and strength evolution, at velocities above a critical velocity Vc (∼20 μm/s). We found that once a ductile, mylonitic structure has developed in a shear zone, subsequent cataclastic deformation is consistently localized in a narrow zone. This switch to localized deformation is controlled by the imposed velocity and becomes most apparent at velocities above Vc. In addition, the direct effect drops rapidly when the velocity exceeds Vc. This implies that slip can accelerate toward seismic velocities almost instantly and without much loss of fracture energy, once Vc is exceeded. Obtaining a measure for Vc in natural faults is therefore of key importance for understanding earthquake nucleation and propagation in the brittle‐ductile transitional regime.
Cloud‐edge mixing: Direct numerical simulation and observations in Indian Monsoon clouds
Authors: Kumar Bipin , Bera Sudarsan , Prabha Thara V. , Grabowski Wojceich W.
Published: January 2017

A direct numerical simulation (DNS) with the decaying turbulence setup has been carried out to study cloud‐edge mixing and its impact on the droplet size distribution (DSD) applying thermodynamic conditions observed in monsoon convective clouds over Indian subcontinent during the Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement EXperiment (CAIPEEX). Evaporation at the cloud‐edges initiates mixing at small scale and gradually introduces larger‐scale fluctuations of the temperature, moisture, and vertical velocity due to droplet evaporation. Our focus is on early evolution of simulated fields that show intriguing similarities to the CAIPEEX cloud observations. A strong dilution at the cloud edge, accompanied by significant spatial variations of the droplet concentration, mean radius, and spectral width, are found in both the DNS and in observations. In DNS, fluctuations of the mean radius and spectral width come from the impact of small‐scale turbulence on the motion and evaporation of inertial droplets. These fluctuations decrease with the increase of the volume over which DNS data are averaged, as one might expect. In cloud observations, these fluctuations also come from other processes, such as entrainment/mixing below the observation level, secondary CCN activation, or variations of CCN activation at the cloud base. Despite large differences in the spatial and temporal scales, the mixing diagram often used in entrainment/mixing studies with aircraft data is remarkably similar for both DNS and cloud observations. We argue that the similarity questions applicability of heuristic ideas based on mixing between two air parcels (that the mixing diagram is designed to properly represent) to the evolution of microphysical properties during turbulent mixing between a cloud and its environment.
Biophysical consequences of photosynthetic temperature acclimation for climate
Authors: Smith Nicholas G. , Lombardozzi Danica , Tawfik Ahmed , Bonan Gordon , Dukes Jeffrey S.
Published: January 2017

Photosynthetic temperature acclimation is a commonly observed process that is increasingly being incorporated into Earth System Models (ESMs). While short‐term acclimation has been shown to increase carbon storage in the future, it is uncertain whether acclimation will directly influence simulated future climate through biophysical mechanisms. Here, we used coupled atmosphere‐biosphere simulations using the Community Earth System Model (CESM) to assess how acclimation‐induced changes in photosynthesis influence global climate under present‐day and future (RCP 8.5) conditions. We ran four 30 year simulations that differed only in sea surface temperatures and atmospheric CO2 (present or future) and whether a mechanism for photosynthetic temperature acclimation was included (yes or no). Acclimation increased future photosynthesis and, consequently, the proportion of energy returned to the atmosphere as latent heat, resulting in reduced surface air temperatures in areas and seasons where acclimation caused the biggest increase in photosynthesis. However, this was partially offset by temperature increases elsewhere, resulting in a small, but significant, global cooling of 0.05°C in the future, similar to that expected from acclimation‐induced increases in future land carbon storage found in previous studies. In the present‐day simulations, the photosynthetic response was not as strong and cooling in highly vegetated regions was less than warming elsewhere, leading to a net global increase in temperatures of 0.04°C. Precipitation responses were variable and rates did not change globally in either time period. These results, combined with carbon‐cycle effects, suggest that models without acclimation may be overestimating positive feedbacks between climate and the land surface in the future.
Activation of the B−F Bond by Diphenylcarbene: A Reversible 1,2‐Fluorine Migration between Boron and Carbon
Authors: Costa Paolo , Mieres‐Perez Joel , Özkan Nesli , Sander Wolfram
Published: January 2017

Experiments in low‐temperature matrices reveal that triplet diphenylcarbene inserts into the very strong B−F bond of BF3 in a two‐step reaction. The first step is the formation of a strongly bound Lewis acid–base complex between the singlet state of diphenylcarbene and BF3. This step involves an inversion of the spin state of the carbene from triplet to singlet. The second step requires visible‐light photochemical activation to induce a 1,2‐F migration from boron to the adjacent carbon atom under formation of the formal insertion product of the carbene center into BF3. The 1,2‐F migration is reversible under short‐wavelength UV irradiation, thus leading back to the Lewis acid–base adduct.
Flexible all‐aromatic polyesterimide films with high glass transition temperatures
Authors: Guan Qingbao , Norder Ben , Dingemans Theo J.
Published: January 2017

A series all‐aromatic poly(esterimide)s with different molar ratios of N‐(3′‐hydroxyphenyl)‐trimellitimide (IM) and 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA) (IM/HBA = 0.3/0.7 and 0.7/0.3) was prepared with the aim to design flexible high Tg films. Melt‐pressed films, either from high molecular weight polymer or cured phenylethynyl precursor oligomers, exhibit Tgs in the range of 200 °C to 242 °C and are brittle. After a thermal stretching procedure, the films became remarkably flexible and very easy to handle. In addition, the thermally stretched 3‐IM/7‐HBA and 7‐IM/3‐HBA films show tensile strengths of 108 MPa and 169 MPa, respectively. Thermal treatment increased the Tg of 3‐IM/7‐HBA from 205 °C to 248 °C, whereas the Tg of 7‐IM/3‐HBA increased from 230 °C to 260 °C. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 133, 44774.
Stimulus‐Responsive Short Peptide Nanogels for Controlled Intracellular Drug Release and for Overcoming Tumor Resistance
Authors: Lyu Linna , Liu Fang , Wang Xiaoyong , Hu Ming , Mu Jing , Cheong Haolun , Liu Gang , Xing Bengang
Published: January 2017

Multidrug resistance (MDR) poses a major burden to cancer treatment. As one important factor contributing to MDR, overexpression of P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) results in a reduced intracellular drug accumulation. Hence, the ability to effectively block the efflux protein and to accumulate the therapeutics in cancer cells is of great significance in clinical practice. In this work, we successfully developed a smart stimulus‐responsive short peptide‐assembled system, termed as PD/VER nanogels, which synergistically combined the acid‐activatable antitumor prodrug doxorubicin (Dox) with the P‐gp inhibitor verapamil (VER) for reversing MDR. Systematic studies demonstrated that such an inhibitor‐encapsulated nanogel could effectively enhance the accumulation of Dox in resistant cancer cells, thereby revealing significantly higher antitumor activity compared to free Dox molecules. This work showed that the assembly of bioactive agents with a synergistic effect into nano‐drugs could provide a useful strategy to overcome cancer drug resistance.
Synthesis and luminescence properties of CaSnO3:Bi3+ blue phosphor and the emission improvement by Li+ ion
Authors: Cao Renping , Zhang Jinlong , Wang Wudi , Hu Qianglin , Li Wensheng , Ruan Wen , Ao Hui
Published: January 2017

CaSnO3:Bi3+ blue‐emitting phosphor was synthesized using a high‐temperature solid‐state reaction method in air. The crystal structures and luminescence properties were investigated. A broad emission band peaking at ~448 nm upon excitation at 262 and 308 nm was observed in the range 330–680 nm at room temperature due to 3P1 → 1S0 transition of the Bi3+ ion. The chromaticity coordinate was (0.1786, 0.1665). The optimal Bi3+ ion concentration was ~0.6 mol% in CaSnO3:Bi3+ phosphor. The emission spectrum of CaSnO3:Bi3+ phosphor showed a blue‐shift with increasing temperature from 50 to 300 K due to the influence of temperature on the electron transition of the Bi3+ ion. The emission intensity of CaSnO3:Bi3+ phosphor may be increased ~1.45 times by co‐doping Li+ ions as a charge compensator and fluxing agent. The luminescence mechanism is explained by a configurational coordinate diagram of Bi3+ ion in CaSnO3:Bi3+ phosphor.
Systemic inflammatory markers and outcome in patients with locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus and gastro-oesophageal junction
Authors: Jagadesham V P , Lagarde S M , Immanuel A , Griffin S M
Published: January 2017

Background

Raised levels of systemic inflammatory markers are associated with poor survival in patients with cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of markers of systemic inflammation in patients with adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus or gastro-oesophageal junction.

Methods

Data from a consecutive series of patients undergoing transthoracic oesophagectomy following neoadjuvant therapy at a single centre were analysed. Fibrinogen, albumin, C-reactive protein, leucocyte differential and platelet counts were measured before surgery. The upper quartile (75th percentile) was used as a cut-off for dichotomization. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to identify independent prognostic factors.

Results

A series of 199 patients underwent transthoracic oesophagectomy following neoadjuvant therapy. Univariable analysis indicated that reduced median survival was associated with a raised platelet : lymphocyte ratio (158 or above; 25.6 versus 44·4 months for patients with a normal ratio, P = 0·038) and increased fibrinogen levels (4·9 g/l or above; 22·8 versus 59·9 months for those with a normal level, P = 0·005). On multivariable analysis a combination of one or more markers of systemic inflammation was associated with poorer overall survival (hazard ratio 2·12, 95 per cent c.i. 1·20 to 3·74; P = 0·010).

Conclusion

Preoperative markers of systemic inflammation predict poor outcome in patients undergoing curative treatment for locally advanced oesophageal and gastro-oesophageal adenocarcinoma.
Moving to the Next Strategy Stage: Examining Firms' Awareness, Motivation and Capability Drivers in Environmental Alliances
Authors: Stadtler Lea , Lin Haiying
Published: January 2017

Complementing extant studies on the antecedents of firms' environmental strategy, this article focuses on the trajectories of corporate engagement in proactive environmental alliances. Specifically, we build an awareness–motivation–capability framework and analyze factors that drive the move beyond incremental pollution prevention and facilitate firms' engagement in transformative, sustainable development strategies in their alliances. Based on 212 environmental alliance‐related observations, our test results indicate limited explanatory power of regulatory pressures, but highlight the role of firms' environmental networks to sharpen their awareness to engage in transformative alliances. Further, we elaborate on the nuances and boundary conditions of firms' risk‐taking propensity, industry concentration, financial capacity and especially prior sector‐spanning experiences as motivation and capability drivers. These insights contribute to the discourse on firms' environmental strategy and alliance formation by depicting how and to what extent environment‐specific and more general firm attributes predispose them to engage in transformative rather than incremental environmental projects. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
The Humanisation of Refugees: A Discourse Analysis of UK Parliamentary Debates on the European Refugee ‘Crisis’
Authors: Kirkwood Steve
Published: January 2017

Previous research has explored the ‘othering’ and dehumanisation of asylum seekers and refugees, yet comparatively little research has explored the opposite process: the humanisation of refugees. This article applies discursive psychological analysis to the transcripts of five UK Parliamentary debates on the European refugee ‘crisis’ from September 2015 to January 2016, examining an explicit form of humanisation: categorising refugees as ‘human beings’. The analysis focuses on the nature and function of such categorisations to explore the social functions of the discourse. It illustrates how politicians draw on the human qualities of both refugees and ‘us’ to make the government and nation morally accountable for protecting refugees. Moreover, it shows how the humanisation or dehumanisation of others implicates or denies the self as morally responsible. This highlights how research on dehumanisation—and the opposite process of humanisation—needs to attend to the rhetorical, relational and dialogical aspects of discourse. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oxidative Esterification of Methacrolein to Methyl Methacrylate over Gold Nanoparticles on Hydroxyapatite
Authors: Gao Jun , Fan Guoli , Yang Lan , Cao Xinzhong , Zhang Peng , Li Feng
Published: January 2017

The catalytic production of methyl methacrylate through the direct oxidative esterification of methacrolein is important in terms of green chemistry and sustainable development. In the present work, Au nanoparticles supported on three needle‐like, lamella‐like, and rodlike hydroxyapatites were synthesized. We demonstrated that needle‐like hydroxyapatite could facilitate the higher dispersion of Au species because of its high specific surface area, and the strong interaction between the Au nanoparticles and the support resulted in the formation of more surface defects because of the existence of partially encapsulated Au particles by the needle‐like hydroxyapatite. The surface defects were related closely to the generation of strong basic sites. Compared with the other two materials, the Au supported on the needle‐like hydroxyapatite catalyst, which had a large amount of surface acid–base sites, exhibited a much higher catalytic activity and selectivity to methyl methacrylate in the direct oxidative esterification of methacrolein with methanol under mild reaction conditions (i.e., ambient pressure, low reaction temperature of 70 °C, and low methanol/aldehyde ratio of 8:1). The superior catalytic performance of the Au supported on needle‐like hydroxyapatite catalyst was attributable to a cooperative effect between abundant acid–base sites for the preferential chemisorption of methacrolein and highly dispersed active Au species for the favorable formation of β‐hydride and oxygen activation. The present findings open a new and promising route for the practical production of methyl methacrylate using high‐performance hydroxyapatite‐supported metal catalyst systems.
Covalently Connected Polymer–Protein Nanostructures Fabricated by a Reactive Self‐Assembly Approach
Authors: Ju Yuanyuan , Xing Cheng , Wu Dongxia , Wu Yunfang , Wang Lianyong , Zhao Hanying
Published: January 2017

The synthesis of polymer–protein nanostructures opens up a new avenue for the development of new biomaterials. In this research, covalently connected polymer–protein nanostructures were fabricated through a reactive self‐assembly approach. Poly(tert‐butyl methacrylate‐co‐pyridyl disulfide methacrylamide) (PtBMA‐co‐PPDSMA) was synthesized by reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Covalently connected nanostructures (CCNs) with hydrophobic polymer cores and hydrophilic protein coronae were prepared by adding solutions of PtBMA‐co‐PPDSMA/DMF to aqueous solutions of bovine serum albumin (BSA). The thiol–disulfide exchange reaction between pyridyl disulfide groups on the polymer chains and thiol groups on the protein molecules plays a key role in the fabrication of CCNs. The self‐assembly process was investigated by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and stopped‐flow techniques. DLS results indicated that the sizes of the CCNs were determined by the initial polymer concentration, the BSA concentration, and the average number of thiol groups on BSA molecules. TEM and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were used to analyze the nanostructures. Far‐UV circular dichroism results demonstrated that the original folded conformations of BSA molecules were basically maintained in the reactive self‐assembly process. Compared with native BSA, the secondary structure and conformation change of coronal BSA induced by urea or thermal treatment were remarkably suppressed. The cytotoxicity assays demonstrated that the CCNs were essentially nontoxic to Hela and COS‐7 cells.
Electronic Structure and Excited‐State Dynamics of an Arduengo‐Type Carbene and its Imidazolone Oxidation Product
Authors: Schmitt Hans‐Christian , Flock Marco , Welz Eileen , Engels Bernd , Schneider Heidi , Radius Udo , Fischer Ingo
Published: January 2017

We describe an investigation of the excited‐state dynamics of isolated 1,3‐di‐tert‐butyl‐imidazoline‐2‐ylidene (tBu2Im, C11H20N2, m/z=180), an Arduengo‐type carbene, by time‐ and frequency‐resolved photoionization using a picosecond laser system. The energies of several singlet and triplet excited states were calculated by time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT). The S1 state of the carbene deactivates on a 100 ps time scale possibly by intersystem crossing. In the experiments we observed an additional signal at m/z=196, that was assigned to the oxidation product 1,3‐di‐tert‐butyl‐imidazolone, tBu2ImO. It shows a well‐resolved resonance‐enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) spectrum with an origin located at 36951 cm−1. Several low‐lying vibrational bands could be assigned, with a lifetime that depends strongly on the excitation energy. At the origin the lifetime is longer than 3 ns, but drops to 49 ps at higher excess energies. To confirm formation of the imidazolone we also performed experiments on benzimidazolone (BzImO) for comparison. Apart from a redshift for BzImO the spectra of the two compounds are very similar. The TD‐DFT values display a very good agreement with the experimental data.
Gold‐Catalyzed Intermolecular Formal Insertion of Aryldiazo Esters into Cp−H Bonds of Iron and Ruthenium Metallocenes
Authors: López Enol , Borge Javier , López Luis A.
Published: January 2017

The reaction of ferrocene and ruthenocene with aryldiazo acetates in the presence of gold catalysts produced new functionalized metallocenes resulting from a C−H bond functionalization process. This process is believed to proceed through initial decomposition of the diazo component and formation of an electrophilic gold–carbene intermediate, which is subsequently involved in an electrophilic aromatic substitution. The gold‐catalyzed functionalization of ruthenocene exhibited a broad scope and a notable functional‐group tolerance. Interestingly, the functionalized ferrocene derivatives were found to react with molecular oxygen to yield α‐aryl‐α‐ferrocenyl‐α‐hydroxyacetates. Adsorption on silica gel was found to be essential for this dioxygen activation/C(sp3)−H bond functionalization sequence. The methodologies reported herein provide a simple and efficient approach to functionalized metallocene derivatives that are difficult to access through conventional organic functional group transformations.
Formal Total Synthesis of (±)‐Strictamine by [2,3]‐Sigmatropic Stevens Rearrangements
Authors: Eckermann Ruben , Breunig Michael , Gaich Tanja
Published: January 2017

To date, more than 100 congeners of the akuammiline alkaloid family have been isolated. Their signature structural element is a methanoquinolizidine moiety, a cage‐like scaffold structurally related to adamantane. The structural variations of the family members originate from oxidative processes that mostly trigger rearrangements of the methanoquinolizidine motif. The family of the akuammiline alkaloids is best represented by strictamine. It bears the least functionalized carbon skeleton of all family members without lacking the signature structural motifs. Herein, we report the formal synthesis of strictamine through a Stevens [2,3]‐sigmatropic rearrangement as a key step and the synthetic pitfalls related with its synthesis.
The Structure of Linkers Affects the DNA Binding Properties of Tethered Dinuclear Ruthenium(II) Metallo‐Intercalators
Authors: Saeed Hiwa K. , Saeed Ibrahim Q. , Buurma Niklaas J. , Thomas Jim A.
Published: January 2017

With the long‐term aim of enhancing the binding properties of dinuclear RuII‐based DNA light‐switch complexes, a series of eight structurally related mono‐ and dinuclear systems are reported in which the linker of the bridging ligand has been modulated. These tethered systems have been designed to explore issues of steric demand at the binding site and the thermodynamic cost of entropy loss upon binding. Detailed spectroscopic and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) studies on the new complexes reveal that one of the linkers produces a dinuclear system that binds to duplex DNA with an affinity (Kb >107 m−1) that is higher than its corresponding monometallic complex and is the highest affinity for a non‐threading bis‐intercalating metal complex. These studies confirm that the tether has a major effect on the binding properties of dinuclear complexes containing intercalating units and establishes key design rules for the construction of dinuclear complexes with enhanced DNA binding characteristics.
Protein Metalation by Anticancer Metallodrugs: A Joint ESI MS and XRD Investigative Strategy
Authors: Merlino Antonello , Marzo Tiziano , Messori Luigi
Published: January 2017

Interactions of metal‐based drugs with proteins and consequent adduct formation (the so‐called “protein metalation” process) play a key role in the mode of action of several anticancer agents and in determining their toxicological profile. Through a novel investigative strategy grounded on the combined use of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI MS) and biological macromolecule X‐ray crystallography we show that it is possible to clarify in depth the metalation process of small model proteins; a number of instructive examples are provided. Recently, this kind of investigative approach has been extended to bigger proteins such as human serum albumin and horse spleen ferritin, with rather encouraging results. Overall, by application of this strategy, metalation of proteins caused by anticancer metallodrugs can be disclosed in the molecular detail.
Coexistence of Distinct Supramolecular Assemblies in Solution and in the Solid State
Authors: Reddy G. N. Manjunatha , Huqi Aida , Iuga Dinu , Sakurai Satoshi , Marsh Andrew , Davis Jeffery T. , Masiero Stefano , Brown Steven P.
Published: January 2017

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Steven P. Brown at the University of Warwick and collaborators in Italy and the US. The image depicts the transformation (studied by NMR spectroscopy) between small molecule building blocks into unique assemblies during solid‐solution interconversions. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.201604832.
Doping Effects on the Adsorption of a Nitric Oxide Molecule on an Anatase (101) Surface
Authors: Liu Qin , Liu Liangliang , Xiao Wei
Published: January 2017

NO adsorption on n‐type and p‐type modified anatase (101) surfaces is studied by using first‐principles calculations. Both types of modifications can facilitate the adsorption of a NO molecule on an anatase (101) surface. The adsorption mechanisms for these two types of adsorption are different. On n‐type modified surfaces, the N atom of the NO molecule is bonded to a surface Ti5C ion, that is, the unpaired electron on the π* orbital of the NO molecule forms a bond with an extra 3d electron of the surface Ti ion. On p‐type modified surfaces, the N atom of the NO molecule is bonded to surface O2C. The unpaired electron of the NO molecule fills the empty 2p orbital of the modified surface, and the π* orbital of the NO molecule hybridizes with the surface valence band.
Pan‐cancer survey of epithelial–mesenchymal transition markers across the Cancer Genome Atlas
Authors: Gibbons Don L. , Creighton Chad J.
Published: January 2017

Background: While epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) can be readily induced experimentally in cancer cells, the EMT process as manifested in human tumors needs to be better understood. Pan‐cancer genomic datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), representing over 10,000 patients and 32 distinct cancer types, provide a rich resource for examining correlative patterns involving EMT mediators in the setting of human cancers. Results: Here, we surveyed a 16‐gene signature of canonical EMT markers in TCGA pan‐cancer cohort. The histology or cell‐of‐origin of a tumor sample may align more with mesenchymal or epithelial phenotype, and noncancer as well as cancer cells can contribute to the overall molecular patterns observed within a tumor sample; correlation models involving EMT markers can factor in both of the above variables. EMT‐associated genes appear coordinately expressed across all cancers and within each cancer type surveyed. Gene signatures of immune cells correlate highly with EMT marker expression in tumors. In pan‐cancer analysis, several EMT‐related genes can be significantly associated with worse patient outcome. Conclusions: Gene correlates of EMT phenotype in human tumors could include novel mediators of EMT that might be confirmed experimentally, by which TCGA datasets may serve as a platform for discovery in ongoing studies. Developmental Dynamics 247:555‐564, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.