bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
miR‐335 modulates Numb alternative splicing via targeting RBM10 in endometrial cancer
Authors: Dou Xiao‐Qing , Chen Xiu‐Juan , Zhou Qun , Wen Ming‐Xiao , Zhang Shu‐Zhen , Zhang Shi‐Qian
Published: January 2020

Numb is a conserved protein plays important roles in the development of cancer. Two Numb isoforms have been found produced by alternative splicing and play contrast roles in regulating cellular functions. It is reported that the expression of Numb long isoform (Numb‐L) was increased in various kinds of cancers, but in endometrial cancer, the condition is still unknown. The level of two Numb transcripts and protein isoforms were detected by semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting in 47 paired endometrial tumor and adjacent non‐tumor control tissues. The level of three alternative splicing related proteins: RBM5, RBM6, and RBM10 was determined by immunoblotting. MiRNAs targeting RBM10 were predicted by bioinformatics tools and their interaction with RBM10 was confirmed by luciferase assay and immunoblotting. The function of miR‐335 in endometrial cancer was examined in xenograft mouse model. Numb‐L level was increased in tumors and negatively correlated with RBM10 protein level. RBM10 mRNA level was not significantly altered in endometrial tumors suggesting its expression may regulated by post transcriptional regulators such as miRNAs. We identified miR‐133a, miR‐133b, and miR‐335 directly target RBM10, but only miR‐335 level increased in tumors and negatively correlated with RBM10 protein level. miR‐335 overexpression promoted tumor growth by downregulating RBM10 and upregulating Numb‐L level in xenograft mouse model. miR‐335 overexpression promoted Numb‐L expression via targeting RBM10 in endometrial cancer, which may provide new biomarkers for EC diagnosis.
Apoptosis signaling molecules as treatment targets in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Ow Thomas J. , Thomas Carlos , Fulcher Cory D. , Chen Jianhong , López Andrea , Reyna Denis E. , Prystowsky Michael B. , Smith Richard V. , Schiff Bradley A. , Rosenblatt Gregory , Belbin Thomas J. , Harris Thomas M. , Childs Geoffrey C. , Kawachi Nicole , Schlecht Nicolas F. , Gavathiotis Evripidis
Published: January 2020

Objectives

To evaluate BCL‐2 family signaling molecules in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and examine the ability of therapeutic agents with variable mechanisms of action to induce apoptosis in HNSCC cells.

Methods

messenger ribonculeic acid (mRNA) expression of BAK, BAX, B‐cell lymphoma (Bcl‐2), BCL2 Like 1 (BCL2L1), and MCL1 were measured in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) head and neck cancer dataset, as well as in a dataset from a cohort at Montefiore Medical Center (MMC). Protein expression was similarly evaluated in a panel of HNSCC cell lines (HN30, HN31, HN5, MDA686LN, UMSCC47). Cell viability and Annexin V assays were used to assess the efficacy and apoptotic potential of a variety of agents (ABT‐263 [navitoclax], A‐1210477, and bortezomib.

Results

Expression of BAK, BAX, BCL2L1, and MCL1 were each significantly higher than expression of BCL2 in the TCGA and MMC datasets. Protein expression demonstrated the same pattern of expression when examined in HNSCC cell lines. Treatment with combined ABT‐263 (navitoclax)/A‐1210477 or with bortezomib demonstrated apoptosis responses that approached or exceeded treatment with staurospaurine control.

Conclusion

HNSCC cells rely on inhibition of apoptosis via BCL‐xL and MCL‐1 overexpression, and induction of apoptosis remains a potential therapeutic option as long as strategies overcome redundant anti‐apoptotic signals.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 130:2643–2649, 2020
Challenges to the Stability of Active Layer Materials in Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Wang Kun , Li Yaowen , Li Yongfang
Published: January 2020

In the past 20 years, organic solar cells (OSCs) have made great progress in pursuing high power‐conversion efficiencies, reaching the application threshold. Instead, device stability is becoming particularly important toward commercialization. There are many factors influencing the stability of OSCs, such as light, heat, humidity, oxygen, as well as device structure. Active layer materials, as the most critical functional layer in the devices, are greatly affected by these factors in terms of both efficiency and stability. Herein, it is desirable and urgent to summarize methods for obtaining active layer materials with long‐term stability, mainly focusing on the chemical structure and blending morphology. Meanwhile, the corresponding degraded mechanism of OSCs is concluded and analyzed. In this outlook, challenges for developing high‐performance and stable OSCs are discussed.
Facile Fabrication of Redox‐Responsive Covalent Organic Framework Nanocarriers for Efficiently Loading and Delivering Doxorubicin
Authors: Liu Shuai , Yang Jumin , Guo Ruiwei , Deng Liandong , Dong Anjie , Zhang Jianhua
Published: January 2020

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) as drug delivery systems have shown great promise, but their pharmaceutical applications are often limited by complex building blocks, tedious preparations, irregular shape, and uncontrolled drug release within target cells. Herein, a facile strategy is developed to prepare PEGylated redox‐responsive nanoscale COFs (denoted F68@SS‐COFs) for efficiently loading and delivering doxorubicin (DOX) by use of FDA‐approved Pluronic F68 and commercially available building blocks. The obtained F68@SS‐COFs with controlled size, high stability, and good biocompatibility can not only achieve a very high DOX‐loading content (about 21%) and very low premature leakage at physiological condition but can also rapidly respond to the tumor intracellular microenvironment and efficiently release DOX to kill tumor cells. Considering the readily available raw materials, simple preparation process, and desirable redox‐responsiveness, the strategy provided here opens up a promising avenue to develop well‐defined COFs‐based nanomedicines for cancer therapy.
3.6‐8.1 GHz CMOS balun with 1.8° in‐band phase difference by using capacitive balance compensation technique
Authors: Yang Geliang , Tang Kai , Wang Zhigong
Published: January 2020

In this letter, a passive ultra‐wideband balun with high balance performance is proposed. The balun is realized by using a pair of planar spiral coupled transmission lines and a capacitor which is responsible for the capacitive balance compensation. The straight‐forward scattering matrix derivation shows that the proposed structure can achieve full output balances both in amplitude and phase. For demonstration, two baluns with and without the compensating capacitor were designed and fabricated in a 65‐nm complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor (CMOS) process. The measured results show that the compensated balun features a measured insertion loss ≤5.2 dB and a return loss ≥10 dB from 3.6 to 8.1 GHz. Within such a wide frequency range, the measured amplitude and phase difference are ≤0.2 dB and 1.8°, respectively, which are much better than its uncompensated counterpart.
Dynamisch und skalierbar: Großspeicher am KIT
Authors: Bulmahn Maren
Published: January 2020

Zwei seriennahe Großspeicher ergänzen die Forschungsinfrastruktur des Karlsruher Instituts für Technologie.
Workshop für junge Naturwissenschaftler in Hammamet
Authors: Limbach Hans‐Heinrich , Ellouze Mohamed , Hopf Henning
Published: January 2020

Bereits zum achten Mal gab es einen Workshop für junge Wissenschaftler aus arabischen Ländern, den GDCh und Alexander‐von‐Humboldt‐Stiftung unterstützten. Dieses Mal fand die zweitägige Veranstaltung Ende Oktober in Hammamet, Tunesien, statt, im Vorfeld des Humboldt‐Kollegs Research to Applications & Markets.
Julius Adolph Stöckhardt: Festakt und Kulturdenkmal
Authors: Wienhaus Otto
Published: January 2020

Die seit 1886 auf dem Friedhof Tharandt befindliche Grabstätte eines überragenden (Agrikultur‐)Chemikers des 19. Jahrhunderts – Julius Adolph Stöckhardt – war zu Beginn des Jahres 2019 stark erneuerungsbedürftig. Durch Initiative der TU Dresden, der Stadtverwaltung und der Kirchgemeinde Tharandt ließ sich dieses Kulturdenkmal grundlegend rekonstruieren. Ende September wurde es auf Einladung des Bürgermeisters Silvio Ziesemer eingeweiht.
Was im Block ist, bleibt
Authors: Tomann Rebecca
Published: January 2020

Der Blockchain‐Hype ist mittlerweile in die Chemie vorgestoßen. Das Chemie‐ und Pharmaunternehmen Merck patentierte im Frühjahr ein Sicherheitsverfahren, das auf der Technik basiert, und die Bundesregierung beschließt eine Blockchain‐Strategie.
Weniger reisen
Authors: Zbikowski Frauke
Published: January 2020

Die Junge Akademie verpflichtet sich, aus Klimaschutzgründen auf Flüge von weniger als 1000 km zu verzichten, und fordert ein Umsteuern bei Dienstreisen in der Wissenschaft.1) Fragen an Akademiemitglied Robert Kretschmer, Juniorprofessor mit Tenure Track für anorganische Chemie in Jena.
Regularized economic model predictive control with barrier functions
Authors: Bitlislioglu Altug , Jones Colin
Published: January 2020

In this article, we consider the use of barrier functions as a regularizing cost in economic model predictive control (EMPC). We focus on a specific variant, EMPC with generalized terminal constraints (G‐EMPC), as it is suitable for tackling large‐scale problems commonly arising in multiagent settings, which motivates our work. The benefits of using barrier functions are providing smoothing of the constrained problem, allowing the use of second‐order methods and warm‐starting, which reduces the iteration count significantly. Apart from these numerical benefits, recentered barrier functions can be used as a regularizing cost in the EMPC problem for enhancing closed‐loop convergence properties. We show that in the case of G‐EMPC, which allows the terminal state to be any equilibrium point, regularizing the problem provides (i) convergence of the predicted terminal state to a neighborhood of a globally optimal equilibrium point, (ii) asymptotic average performance guarantees for the closed‐loop system, and (iii) empirical evidence of accelerated numerical solution of the optimal control problem. Specifically we use a proximal‐like regularization, which penalizes the deviation from the previously predicted trajectories. We analyze system theoretic properties of the proposed scheme and provide simulation examples illustrating the numerical and system theoretical benefits of using barriers.
PCL‐CNT nanocomposites prepared by melt compounding and evaluation of their basic properties
Authors: Lebedev Sergey M.
Published: January 2020

Poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐based carbon nanotube composites (PCL‐CNT) fabricated by melt compounding were developed in this work. Complex analysis of main properties of PCL and PCL‐CNT composites was carried out in this study by means of different experimental methods such as dielectric spectroscopy in frequency domain, X‐ray diffraction, DSC analysis, scanning electron and optical microscopy, FTIR analysis, and rheological analysis. It has been found that the percolating threshold for studied composites is observed at 0.1 wt% CNT. The developed PCL‐CNT composites are suitable for processing by extrusion.
Bent into shape: Folded peptides to mimic protein structure and modulate protein function
Authors: Merritt Haley I. , Sawyer Nicholas , Arora Paramjit S.
Published: January 2020

Protein secondary and tertiary structure mimics have served as model systems to probe biophysical parameters that guide protein folding and as attractive reagents to modulate protein interactions. Here, we review contemporary methods to reproduce loop, helix, sheet, and coiled‐coil conformations in short peptides.
Redefining Microfabrication of High‐Precision Optics
Authors: Rodríguez Sofía
Published: January 2020

In research, prototyping, and production processes, additive manufacturing has become a tool for unique designs. With the almost unlimited design freedom, intricate geometries and even organic topographies can be created. Nanoscribe's innovative technology of two‐photon grayscale lithography combines an additive approach with maximum precision to rapidly transform digital models into functional parts on the microscale. This maskless lithography technique offers the versatility of additive manufacturing and the precise exposure control of grayscale lithography.
Collision cross‐section analysis of self‐assembled metallomacrocycle isomers and isobars via ion mobility mass spectrometry
Authors: Endres Kevin J. , Barthelmes Kevin , Winter Andreas , Antolovich Robert , Schubert Ulrich S. , Wesdemiotis Chrys
Published: January 2020

Rationale

Coordinatively driven self‐assembly of transition metal ions and bidentate ligands gives rise to organometallic complexes that usually contain superimposed isobars, isomers, and conformers. In this study, the double dispersion ability of ion mobility mass spectrometry (IM‐MS) was used to provide a comprehensive structural characterization of the self‐assembled supramolecular complexes by their mass and charge, revealed by the MS event, and their shape and collision cross‐section (Ω), revealed by the IM event.

Methods

Self‐assembled complexes were synthesized by reacting a bis(terpyridine) ligand exhibiting a 60o dihedral angle between the two ligating terpyridine sites (T) with divalent Zn, Ni, Cd, or Fe. The products were isolated as (Metal2+[T])n (PF6)2n salts and analyzed using IM‐MS after electrospray ionization (ESI) which produced several charge states from each n‐mer, depending on the number of PF6ˉ anions lost upon ESI. Experimental Ω data, derived using IM‐MS, and computational Ω predictions were used to elucidate the size and architecture of the complexes.

Results

Only macrocyclic dimers, trimers, and tetramers were observed with Cd2+, whereas Zn2+ formed the same plus hexameric complexes. These two metals led to the simplest product distributions and no linear isomers. In sharp contrast, Ni2+ and Fe2+ formed all possible ring sizes from dimer to hexamer as well as various linear isomers. The experimental and theoretical Ω data indicated rather planar macrocyclic geometries for the dimers and trimers, twisted 3D architectures for the larger rings, and substantially larger sizes with spiral conformation for the linear congeners. Adding PF6ˉ to the same complex was found to mainly cause size contraction due to new stabilizing anion–cation interactions.

Conclusions

Complete structural identification could be accomplished using ESI‐IM‐MS. Our results affirm that self‐assembly with Cd2+ and Zn2+ proceeds through reversible equilibria that generate the thermodynamically most stable structures, encompassing exclusively macrocyclic architectures that readily accommodate the 60o ligand used. In contrast, complexation with Ni2+ and Fe2+, which form stronger coordinative bonds, proceeds through kinetic control, leading to more complex mixtures and kinetically trapped less stable architectures, such as macrocyclic pentamers and linear isomers.
Self‐Healing of Cracks in Concrete Using Bacillus Strains Encapsulated in Sodium Alginate Beads
Authors: Shahid Saman , Aslam Muhammad A. , Ali Shahid , Zameer Mariam , Faisal Muhammad
Published: January 2020

This research focused on the self‐healing of micro‐cracks in concrete by using different Bacillus strains. The encapsulation of strains in sodium alginate was protected with the bacterial mass, which prevented them from leaching. A viability test was performed to check the viability of bacteria in the highly alkaline environment. The encapsulated bacterial mix having 2–3% of total volume of concrete cubes was effective without compromising compressive strength. The calcium carbonate (CaCO3) precipitation was observed under urease activity. The SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) revealed the direct involvement of ureolytic bacteria in CaCO3 precipitation. A 16% increase in compressive strength in concrete and significant healing was achieved with Bacillus Subtilis. However, with Bacillus Anthracis, only 6% increase in the concrete strength was achieved. Moreover, the Bacillus Pasteurii did not give effective results. Bacillus Subtilis provided better results than the other strains. The bacterial culture in sodium alginate beads within 2–3% was optimum for compressive strength and self‐healing of cracks.
The Removal of Formaldehyde via Visible Photocatalysis Using the Black TiO2 Nanoparticles with Mesoporous
Authors: Han Lijuan , An Xingcai , Zhang Ping , Jiang Yingyu , Liu Gang
Published: January 2020

The black TiO2 nanoparticles with plentiful mesoporous and active sites was synthesized by a simple calcination amorphous titanium hydroxide in vacuum. The photocatalytic and adsorption performance of the materials for removal of formaldehyde under visible light irradiation was investigated and compared with the white TiO2 nanoparticles according linear and nonlinear forms of pseudo‐first order and pseudo‐second order kinetic equations. The nonlinear of pseudo‐first order is suitable for the photocatalytic and adsorption performance. The reusability performance for formaldehyde shows that the removal rate constants of the black TiO2 in three cycles decline slowly while the white TiO2 declines sharply. The results imply that the black TiO2 nanoparticles have quickly removal rate for formaldehyde and reusability performance. The good photocatalytic and adsorption performance should be result from the mesoporous and oxygen vacancies as active sites. And, the close stacked structure nanoparticles can enhance separation of photogenerated holes and electrons to increase the photocatalytic performance for removal of formaldehyde.
Experimental and Computational Study of Organic Sulfur Removal Proficiency of (Ni, Cu, Co)‐Doped ZIF‐8 Adsorbents
Authors: Saeedirad Raheleh , Ganjali Saeed Taghvaei , Rashidi Alimorad , Bazmi Mansour
Published: January 2020

The synthesis and characterization of a series of metal‐doped ZIF‐8 (metal=Ni, Co and Cu) has been introduced to gain the highly efficient adsorption of dibenzothiophene (DBT) in liquid phase. Under 150 ml DBT/iso‐octane, 100–1700 ppm, and 25–85 °C, the excellent efficiency and reusability in DBT removal was achieved and fitted better with the pseudo‐first order reaction. The maximum adsorption of 191.84 mg S/g for Ni/ZIF‐8 and two steps for intraparticle diffusion study contrary to Cu‐ and Co‐ZIF‐8 suggested the presence of Ni‐HMeIM clusters in ZIF‐8 cavities. Comparing the performance of prepared adsorbents, the order of qmax and PC was the same, i. e. PC Ni/ZIF‐8> PC Cu/ZIF‐8>PC Co/ZIF‐8>PC ZIF‐8 and qmax (Ni/ZIF‐8)> qmax (Cu/ZIF‐8)> qmax (Co/ZIF‐8)> qmax (ZIF‐8) for both 10% and 100% BT. The prepared adsorbents had the FoMs ranging from 0.05‐0.07 that compared to other adsorbents showed the beneficial use for large scale desulfurization process. The endothermic behavior and a homogeneous adsorption was then indicated through thermodynamic and equilibrium studies.
Design, Synthesis, Biological Evaluation and Molecular Dynamic Simulation Studies of Diphenyl Ether Derivatives as Antitubercular and Antibacterial Agents
Authors: Khade Amol B. , Eshwara Vandana K. , Boshoff Helena I.M. , Arora Kriti , Tiwari Ashutosh , Bhat Pritesh , Tiwari Mradul , Shenoy G. Gautham
Published: January 2020

Tuberculosis is one of the leading cause of death worldwide and Mycobacterium tuberculosis still remains to be the fatal human pathogen. In pursuit of novel diphenyl ethers as antitubercular and antibacterial agents, a series of novel substituted N‐(3‐hydroxy‐4‐phenoxybenzyl)‐N‐phenylmethanesulfonamides 4 a‐k were rationally designed, synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro antitubercular and antibacterial activities. Compounds 4 j and 4 d appeared to be the most promising against Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain H37Rv with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 42 μM and 65 μM, respectively. Compound 4 j exhibited good in vitro antibacterial activity with MIC of 6.97 μM, 13.94 μM, and 27.88 μM against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa respectively, indicating it's broad‐spectrum of activity. The safety profile of the compounds was assessed on HepG2, Vero and RAW 264.7 cell lines. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies were performed to study the binding behavior of the compounds.
Click‐Derived Uracil‐Appended Organosilatranyl Scaffolds: Synthesis, Antibacterial Characteristics, Pb2+ Binding and Fabrication of Hybrid Silica Nanoparticles
Authors: Singh Gurjaspreet , Sharma Geetika , Sanchita  , Kalra Pooja , Satija Pinky , Pawan  , Singh Baljinder , Aulakh Darpandeep , Wreidt Mario
Published: January 2020

Using a simple biocompatible click route Uracil Allied Organosilatranyl frameworks (4 a–4 e) have been obtained. These uracil tethered silatranes have shown judicious fluorescence as compared to the parent nitrogen heterocycle uracil. Through absorption and fluorescence spectral measurements, it was established that the designed analogues were selective towards Pb2+ recognition. Furthermore, for the first time hybrid silica nanoparticles (U‐SiNPs) containing a uracil bis‐triazole linkage in the silica framework is reported. The fabricated organosilatrane (4 d) was subjected to sol‐gel condensation with silica nanospheres for covalent grafting of the organic functionality on to silica. It was of interest that the uracil immobilized nanoparticles presented a high sensing efficacy towards Pb2+ as compared to the bulk material. Also, to investigate their biological potential, organosilatranes were evaluated against different bacterial strains.
Effect of Calcination Temperature on the Photocatalytic Activity of Nanostructures Synthesized by Hydrothermal Method from Black Mineral Sand
Authors: López‐Vásquez A. , Suárez‐Escobar Andrés , Ramírez J. Herney
Published: January 2020

A nanostructured material from black sand, whose structure is composed by Fe2O3 and TiO2 oxides, was prepared via hydrothermal treatment (at 120 °C for 72 h), The starting mineral (as‐synthesized nanostructure) was characterized by XRF spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTA) whereas the calcined nanostructures were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy/EDX, BET single point measurements, X‐ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy, and UV‐Vis spectrophotometry. The effect of thermal treatment on structural, morphological and redox properties of nanostructured samples (NS) have been thoroughly studied in the samples calcined at 400, 700 and 1000 °C, together with a non‐treated sample (M1). Their photocatalytic activity toward hydrogen production in the presence of EDTA as sacrificial agent has been tested. The as‐synthetized samples calcined at 1000 °C (NS‐1000) showed a higher photocatalytic activity for hydrogen production, possibly due to the transformation of magnetite into more active photocatalytical phases (hematite) driven by the changes in surface morphology (such as reduction of crystallite and pore size reduction) according to thermal equilibrium of its phases. The highest activity for photocatalytic hydrogen production was achieved by the materials calcined at 1000 °C (M1‐1000 and NS‐1000), while the sample calcined at lower values (<700 °C) were the least active. The catalyst activity was assigned to the appearance of a new active phase (α‐Fe2O3), which improves the electronic mobility during the photocatalytic mechanism.
Enzymeless Electrocatalytic Detection of Uric Acid Using Polydopamine/Polypyrrole Copolymeric film
Authors: Adeosun Waheed A. , Asiri Abdullah M. , Marwani Hadi M. , Rahman Mohammed M.
Published: January 2020

Uric acid is mainly produced from metabolism of purine nucleotide in human body and have several medical importance in human system. It is therefore very imperative to develop a sensitive and accurate method of its detection. This study aimed to develop uric acid biosensor based on polydopamine/polypyrole (PDA/PPY) composite decorated on glassy carbon electrode. The conductive polymer PDA/PPY was electrochemically synthesized and casted on glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The synthesized PDA/PPY was characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, energy dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy and x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. PDA/PPY/GCE showed good response towards uric acid with low limit of detection (0.1 μM, S/N =3), good linearity (0.5‐40 μM) and high sensitivity (2.1 μAμMcm−2). It was also found to have stable response for uric acid unaffected by common interferents. Also, when used for uric acid detection in human serum and urine, it showed a good recovery of 90–110%. The developed PDA/PPY composite is proposed as a promising biosensor for uric acid for human health protection.
Design, Synthesis and Selective Functionalization of a Rigid, Truxene Derived Pure Blue‐Emitting Chromophore
Authors: Kaur Banpreet , Karuthedath Safakath , S. P. De Castro Catherine , Laquai Frédéric , Jacob Josemon
Published: January 2020

A novel, rigid, solution processable, blue‐emitting chromophore based on an extended core of truxene (ExT) was designed and synthesized. The core, ExT based on a fused cyclic trimer of indenofluorene, was found to be planar in nature and a potential precursor for blue emission. This could be selectively brominated under mild conditions to generate a tribromo derivative which underwent ready Suzuki coupling to generate a trisubstituted pyrene derivative, ExT‐P. This coupling alters the kinetics of the excited state considerably as evident from transient absorption spectroscopy, showing faster singlet state decay and less triplet state formation in the case of the pyrene coupled ExT‐P (∼1.6 ns) compared to ExT (∼17 ns). The ExT‐P shows emission maxima at 441 nm and 442 nm in THF solution and film, respectively, with high PLQY value of 0.97. The negligible bathochromic shift in the solid‐state emission and narrow FWHM suggests practically no aggregation and pure blue emission in the target molecule due to bulky and rigid core.
Enhance Solar‐Light‐Driven Photocatalytic Degradation of Norfloxacin Aqueous Solution by RGO‐Based CdxZn1‐xS Alloy Composite with Band‐Gap Tuneability
Authors: Kar Sayani , Ibrahim Sk , Pal Tanusri , Ghosh Surajit
Published: January 2020

The development of efficient photocatalyst for effective removal of antibiotics from aqueous solution is of great significance to protect the human and aquatic animals from antibiotic‐resistant. Herein, we report the solar light‐responsive photocatalytic activity of CdxZn1‐xS alloy semiconducting nanorods towards the degradation of norfloxacin, which is a widely used for treatment at reverse transcriptase inhibitor Urinary tract infection / respiratory tract infections and hospital‐acquired infections. The Cd0.8Zn0.2S alloy nanorod photocatalyst shows the highest photocatalytic activity with 71% degradation efficiency, which increases significantly with high degradation efficiency of 90%, after the formation of composite with RGO (reduced graphene oxide). In the composite, the RGO mats provide a duel role; it acts as a nucleation center as well as solid support for CdxZn1‐xS nanorods. The accountable reactive species for the degradation of norfloxacin are also explored expansively which exhibits that the hole has the most dominating role toward the degradation of norfloxacin. This work paves a simple eco‐friendly green pathway for the efficient removal of antibiotics aquatic pollutants under solar illumination.
Synthesis and Herbicidal Activities of Novel Substituted Acetophenone Oxime Esters of Pyrithiobac
Authors: Xu Xiangjian , Cai Xinhong , Wang Bin , Min Wei , Wang Qin , Lai Chao , Hu Hang , Xu Defeng
Published: January 2020

A series of substituted acetophenone oxime esters of Pyrithiobac were synthesized as potential herbicides. The structures of the synthesized new compounds were confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, HRMS, and X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction (XRD). The pre‐emergence and post‐emergence herbicidal activity studies show that 4‐CF3 (6 f), 4‐NO2 (6 i), 4‐NH2 (6 j), 4‐F (6 l), and 2,4‐2OCH3 (6 s) substituted acetophenone oxime esters of Pyrithiobac exhibit better pre‐emergence and post‐emergence herbicidal activities against monocotyledon and dicotyledon weeds than other synthesized new compounds. In pre‐emergence herbicidal activity study, 6 f, 6 i, 6 j, 6 l, and 6 s exhibit similar herbicidal activities against monocotyledon and dicotyledon weeds as compared to Staple (Pyrithiobac‐sodium). In post‐emergence herbicidal activity study, 6 f, 6 i, 6 j, 6 l, and 6 s exhibit similar herbicidal activities against dicotyledon weeds and better herbicidal activities against monocotyledon weeds as compared to Staple. Compounds 6 i and 6 l with high herbicidal activities and similar binding mode with acetolactate synthase as compared to Staple were further subjected to crop safety study. The results show that the safety of compound 6 l to cotton is as good as Staple and better than 6 i. The present work indicates that compound 6 l may serve as a new candidate for potential herbicides.
Cu2MoS4 Nanotubes as a Cathode Material for Rechargeable Magnesium‐ion Battery
Authors: Le Ly T. , Truong Duc Q. , Ung Thuy T. D. , Nguyen Long H. , Vu Loi D. , Tran Phong D.
Published: January 2020

Identification of efficient cathode materials represents a huge challenge for development of reversible Mg‐ion batteries (MIBs). Herein, we report on the preparation of copper molybdenum sulfide (Cu2MoS4) in a novel microstructure, namely nanotube with the square‐cross‐section, and its use as a cathode material for Mg‐ion battery. The Cu2MoS4 nanotube was prepared via a one‐pot hydrothermal method using Cu2O nanocubes as a sacrificial template. The Cu2MoS4 nanotube belongs to the top‐tier MIBs cathode materials that shows a remarkable specific capacity of 390.5 mAh g−1.
Progress in Reactions of N‐Isocyanoiminotriphenylphosphorane
Authors: Wang Yeming , Zhang Chaoqun
Published: January 2020

N‐isocyanoiminotriphenylphosphorane has been widely applied in diverse organic synthesis due to the favorable structure of isocyano neighbouring iminophosphorane. In this manuscript, we have reviewed the reactions involving N‐isocyanoiminotriphenylphosphorane including insertion reactions, cyclization reactions and multicomponent reactions in last twenty years, as well as the reaction mechanism has been illustrated clearly.
A Cu(II)‐Inorganic Co−Crystal as a Versatile Catalyst Towards ‘Click’ Chemistry for Synthesis of 1,2,3‐triazoles and β‐hydroxy‐1,2,3‐triazoles
Authors: Ghosh Debasish , Dhibar Subhendu , Dey Amiya , Manna Priyanka , Mahata Partha , Dey Biswajit
Published: January 2020

A novel Cu(II) inorganic co‐crystal (CuICC) i. e. {[Cu(IMA)(2,2′‐bipyridine)(H2O)]2 ⋅ [Cu2(IMA)2(2,2′‐bipyridine)2] ⋅ 6H2O} [where IMA=isopropylmalonic acid] has been synthesized. The inorganic co‐crystal of Cu(II) has been exploited as the versatile efficient catalyst for the cost effective facile synthetic approaches towards ‘click’ reaction which is effective for the several marked organic syntheses of 1,2,3‐triazoles and β‐hydroxy‐1,2,3‐triazoles. The catalytic process was performed through the single pot reaction based aerial synthetic protocol that does not need to perform any chromatographic purification technique. Interestingly, the CuICC acts as heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of 1,2,3‐triazoles, whereas its homogeneous catalytic role has been found for the synthesis of β‐hydroxy‐1,2,3‐triazoles.
Oxidative Addition of C–X Bonds and H–H Activation Using PNNP‐Iron Complexes
Authors: Gautam Monika , Yatabe Takafumi , Tanaka Shinji , Satou Naoto , Takeshita Tomohiro , Yamaguchi Kazuya , Nakajima Yumiko
Published: January 2020

Iron(0) complex bearing a phenanthroline‐based meridional PNNP ligand [{Fe(PNNP)}2(μ‐N2)] (1) (PNNP=2,9‐bis((diphenylphosphino)methyl)‐1,10‐phenanthroline) smoothly reacted with CH3I at ambient temperature to cleave C–I bond, resulting in the formation of the corresponding oxidative addition product, [Fe(CH3)(I)(PNNP)] (2). Complex 2 was fully identified by NMR and its structure was determined by a single crystal X‐ray diffraction study. Mechanistic study using cyclopropylmethyl bromide as a radical clock supported a radical pathway for the C–I bond cleavage of CH3I. Complex 2 underwent deprotonation on treatment with NaOtBu to form 4, which possessed a dearomatized phenanthroline backbone. Complex 4 further reacted with H2 to cleave H–H bond. The reaction was mediated by metal‐ligand cooperation process that involves re‐aromatization of the phenanthroline backbone of the PNNP ligand.
How Peptides Dissociate in Plasmonic Hot Spots
Authors: Szczerbiński Jacek , Metternich Jonas B. , Goubert Guillaume , Zenobi Renato
Published: January 2020

Plasmon‐induced hot carriers enable dissociation of strong chemical bonds by visible light. This unusual chemistry has been demonstrated for several diatomic and small organic molecules. Here, the scope of plasmon‐driven photochemistry is extended to biomolecules and the reactivity of proteins and peptides in plasmonic hot spots is described. Tip‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) is used to both drive the reactions and to monitor their products. Peptide backbone bonds are found to dissociate in the hot spot, which is reflected in the disappearance of the amide I band in the TER spectra. The observed fragmentation pathway involves nonthermal activation, presumably by dissociative capture of a plasmon‐induced hot electron. This fragmentation pathway is known from electron transfer dissociation (ETD) of peptides in gas‐phase mass spectrometry (MS), which suggests a general similarity between plasmon‐induced photochemistry and nonergodic reactions triggered by electron capture. This analogy may serve as a design principle for plasmon‐induced reactions of biomolecules.
The Tunable Luminescence of Ruthenium(II) Complexes Containing Different Tetrazolate Ligands
Authors: Zhang Hong‐Rui , Zhang Yun‐Xia , Xiang Jing
Published: January 2020

Three luminescent mononuclear RuII compounds, [RuII(bpy)2(L1)](BF4) (1), [RuII(bpy)2(L2)](BF4) (2), and the neutral compound [RuII(bpy)2(L3)] (3), were obtained, by treatment of [RuII(bpy)2Cl2] with the tetrazolate (tz)‐containing ligands L1–L3. All the compounds were well characterized by IR, UV/Vis, and 1H NMR and their redox properties were also investigated by cyclic voltammogram. The crystal structure of 3 was determined by X‐ray crystallography and it clearly shows that the RuII ion is octahedrally coordinated by two bpy ligands and a deprotonated L3 ligand. After introduction of these tz ligands, 1–3 are more sensitive towards the change of micro‐environment of solvents as compared with that of [RuII(bpy)3]2+. This effect is most obvious in 3, since it contains a 2– ligand L3. The slight modification of diimine ligand make these complexes have potential applications as sensors.
Strong supercooling as a consequence of renormalization group consistency
Authors: Brdar Vedran , Helmboldt Alexander J. , Lindner Manfred
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Classically scale-invariant models are attractive not only because they may offer a solution to the long-standing gauge hierarchy problem, but also due to their role in facilitating strongly supercooled cosmic phase transitions. In this paper, we investigate the interplay between these two aspects. We do so in the context of the electroweak phase transition (EWPT) in the minimal scale-invariant theory. We find that the amount of supercooling generally decreases for increasing scalar couplings. However, the stabilization of the electroweak scale against the Planck scale requires the absence of Landau poles in the respective energy range. Scalar couplings at the TeV scale can therefore not become larger than 𝒪(10
−1). As a consequence, all fully consistent parameter points predict the EWPT not to complete before the QCD transition, which then eventually triggers the generation of the electroweak scale. We also discuss the potential of the model to give rise to an observable gravitational wave signature, as well as the possibility to accommodate a dark matter candidate.
Charge density response and fake plasmons in holographic models with strong translation symmetry breaking
Authors: Andrade Tomas , Krikun Alexander , Romero-Bermúdez Aurelio
Published: January 2020

Abstract

We study the charge density response in holographic models with explicit trans- lation symmetry breaking which is relevant in IR. In particular, we focus on Q-lattices and the Bianchy VII helix. We show that the hydrodynamic sound mode is removed from the spectrum due to the strong momentum relaxation and therefore, the usual treatment of the plasmon as Coulomb-dressed zero sound does not apply. Furthermore, the dominant coherent modes in the longitudinal channel, which control the neutral density-density correlator, are the diffusive modes. We show these modes are strongly suppressed when the boundary Coulomb interaction is turned on. This renders the low frequency charge density response spectrum completely incoherent and featureless.

At intermediate frequencies, we observe a broad feature — the fake plasmon — in the dressed correlator, which could be confused with an overdamped plasmon. However, its gap is set by the scale of translation symmetry breaking instead of the plasma frequency. This broad feature originates from the non-hydrodynamic sector of the holographic spectrum, and therefore, its behaviour, typical of strongly correlated quantum critical systems with holographic duals, deviates from the standard Fermi-liquid paradigm.
$$ T\overline{T} $$ deformation of correlation functions
Authors: Cardy John
Published: January 2020

Abstract

We study the evolution of correlation functions of local fields in a two-dimensional quantum field theory under the

$$ \lambda T\overline{T} $$

λT

T
¯

deformation, suitably regularized. We show that this may be viewed in terms of the evolution of each field, with a Dirac-like string being attached at each infinitesimal step. The deformation then acts as a derivation on the whole operator algebra, satisfying the Leibniz rule. We derive an explicit equation which allows for the analysis of UV divergences, which may be absorbed into a non-local field renormalization to give correlation functions which are UV finite to all orders, satisfying a (deformed) operator product expansion and a Callan-Symanzik equation. We solve this in the case of a deformed CFT, showing that the Fourier-transformed renormalized two-point functions behave as k
2∆+2λk2, where ∆ is their IR conformal dimension. We discuss in detail deformed Noether currents, including the energy-momentum tensor, and show that, although they also become non-local, when suitably improved they remain finite, conserved and satisfy the expected Ward identities. Finally, we discuss how the equivalence of the

$$ T\overline{T} $$

T

T
¯

deformation to a state-dependent coordinate transformation emerges in this picture.
String corrections to AdS amplitudes and the double-trace spectrum of $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 4 SYM
Authors: Drummond J. M. , Nandan D. , Paul H. , Rigatos K.S. S.
Published: January 2020

Abstract

We consider α′ corrections to four-point correlators of half-BPS operators in

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 4 super Yang-Mills theory in the supergravity limit. By demanding the correct behaviour in the flat space limit, we find that the leading (α′)3 correction to the Mellin amplitude is fixed for arbitrary charges of the external operators. By considering the mixing of double-trace operators we can find the (α′)3 corrections to the double-trace spectrum which we give explicitly for su (4)-singlet operators. We observe striking patterns in the corrections to the spectra which hint at their common ten-dimensional origin. By extending the observed patterns and imposing them at order (α′)5 we are able to reproduce the recently found result for the correction to the Mellin amplitude for

$$ \left\langle {\mathcal{O}}_2{\mathcal{O}}_2{\mathcal{O}}_p{\mathcal{O}}_p\right\rangle $$

O
2

O
2

O
p

O
p

correlators. By applying a similar logic to the [0, 1, 0] channel of su(4) we are able to deduce new results for the correlators of the form

$$ \left\langle {\mathcal{O}}_2{\mathcal{O}}_3{\mathcal{O}}_p-1{\mathcal{O}}_p\right\rangle $$

O
2

O
3

O
p

−
1

O
p

.
Effects of once-weekly semaglutide vs once-daily canagliflozin on body composition in type 2 diabetes: a substudy of the SUSTAIN 8 randomised controlled clinical trial
Authors: McCrimmon Rory J. , Catarig Andrei-Mircea , Frias Juan P. , Lausvig Nanna L. , le Roux Carel W. , Thielke Desirée , Lingvay Ildiko
Published: January 2020

Aims/hypothesis

Intra-abdominal or visceral obesity is associated with insulin resistance and an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to compare the effects of semaglutide 1.0 mg and canagliflozin 300 mg on body composition in a subset of participants from the SUSTAIN 8 Phase IIIB, randomised double-blind trial who underwent whole-body dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanning.

Methods

Adults (age ≥18 years) with type 2 diabetes, HbA1c 53–91 mmol/mol (7.0–10.5%), on a stable daily dose of metformin (≥1500 mg or maximum tolerated dose) and with an eGFR ≥60 ml min−1 [1.73 m]−2 were randomised 1:1 to semaglutide 1.0 mg once weekly and canagliflozin placebo once daily, or canagliflozin 300 mg once daily and semaglutide placebo once weekly. Body composition was assessed using whole-body DXA scans. The study participants and investigator remained blinded throughout the trial, and quality of DXA scans was evaluated in a blinded manner. Change from baseline to week 52 in total fat mass (kg) was the confirmatory efficacy endpoint.

Results

A subset of 178 participants (semaglutide, n = 88; canagliflozin, n = 90) underwent DXA scanning at screening and were randomised into the substudy. Of these, 114 (semaglutide, n = 53; canagliflozin, n = 61) participants had observed end-of-treatment data included in the confirmatory efficacy analysis. Of the 178 participants in the substudy, numerical improvements in body composition (including fat mass, lean mass and visceral fat mass) were observed after 52 weeks with both treatments. Total fat mass (baseline 33.2 kg) was reduced by 3.4 kg and 2.6 kg with semaglutide and canagliflozin, respectively (estimated treatment difference: –0.79 [95% CI −2.10, 0.51]). Although total lean mass (baseline 51.3 kg) was also reduced by 2.3 kg and 1.5 kg with semaglutide and canagliflozin, respectively (estimated treatment difference: −0.78 [−1.61, 0.04]), the proportion of lean mass (baseline 59.4%) increased by 1.2%- and 1.1%-point, respectively (estimated treatment difference 0.14 [−0.89, 1.17]). Changes in visceral fat mass and overall changes in body composition (assessed by the fat to lean mass ratio) were comparable between the two treatment groups.

Conclusions/interpretation

In individuals with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes on stable-dose metformin therapy, the changes in body composition with semaglutide and canagliflozin were not significantly different. Although numerical improvements in body composition were observed following treatment in both treatment arms, the specific impact of both treatments on body composition in the absence of a placebo arm is speculative at this stage.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03136484.

Funding

This trial was supported by Novo Nordisk A/S, Denmark.
Mental disorders and suicidal behavior in refugees and Swedish-born individuals: is the association affected by work disability?
Authors: Björkenstam Emma , Helgesson Magnus , Amin Ridwanul , Lange Theis , Mittendorfer-Rutz Ellenor
Published: January 2020

Background

Among potential pathways to suicidal behavior in individuals with mental disorders (MD), work disability (WD) may play an important role. We examined the role of WD in the relationship between MD and suicidal behavior in Swedish-born individuals and refugees.

Methods

The study cohort consisted of 4,195,058 individuals aged 16–64, residing in Sweden in 2004–2005, whereof 163,160 refugees were followed during 2006–2013 with respect to suicidal behavior. Risk estimates were calculated as hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The reference groups comprised individuals with neither MD nor WD. WD factors (sickness absence (SA) and disability pension (DP)) were explored as potential modifiers and mediators.

Results

In both Swedish-born and refugees, SA and DP were associated with an elevated risk of suicide attempt regardless of MD. In refugees, HRs for suicide attempt in long-term SA ranged from 2.96 (95% CI: 2.14–4.09) (no MD) to 6.23 (95% CI: 3.21–12.08) (MD). Similar associations were observed in Swedish-born. Elevated suicide attempt risks were also observed in DP. In Swedish-born individuals, there was a synergy effect between MD, and SA and DP regarding suicidal behavior. Both SA and DP were found to mediate the studied associations in Swedish-born, but not in refugees.

Conclusion

There is an effect modification and a mediating effect between mental disorders and WD for subsequent suicidal behavior in Swedish-born individuals. Also for refugees without MD, WD is a risk factor for subsequent suicidal behavior. Particularly for Swedish-born individuals with MD, information on WD is vital in a clinical suicide risk assessment.
Multilinear Maps from Obfuscation
Authors: Albrecht Martin R. , Farshim Pooya , Han Shuai , Hofheinz Dennis , Larraia Enrique , Paterson Kenneth G.
Published: January 2020

We provide constructions of multilinear groups equipped with natural hard problems from indistinguishability obfuscation, homomorphic encryption, and NIZKs. This complements known results on the constructions of indistinguishability obfuscators from multilinear maps in the reverse direction. We provide two distinct, but closely related constructions and show that multilinear analogues of the $${\text {DDH}} $$DDH assumption hold for them. Our first construction is symmetric and comes with a $$\kappa $$κ-linear map $$\mathbf{e }: {{\mathbb {G}}}^\kappa \longrightarrow {\mathbb {G}}_T$$e:Gκ⟶GT for prime-order groups $${\mathbb {G}}$$G and $${\mathbb {G}}_T$$GT. To establish the hardness of the $$\kappa $$κ-linear $${\text {DDH}} $$DDH problem, we rely on the existence of a base group for which the $$\kappa $$κ-strong $${\text {DDH}} $$DDH assumption holds. Our second construction is for the asymmetric setting, where $$\mathbf{e }: {\mathbb {G}}_1 \times \cdots \times {\mathbb {G}}_{\kappa } \longrightarrow {\mathbb {G}}_T$$e:G1×⋯×Gκ⟶GT for a collection of $$\kappa +1$$κ+1 prime-order groups $${\mathbb {G}}_i$$Gi and $${\mathbb {G}}_T$$GT, and relies only on the 1-strong $${\text {DDH}} $$DDH assumption in its base group. In both constructions, the linearity $$\kappa $$κ can be set to any arbitrary but a priori fixed polynomial value in the security parameter. We rely on a number of powerful tools in our constructions: probabilistic indistinguishability obfuscation, dual-mode NIZK proof systems (with perfect soundness, witness-indistinguishability, and zero knowledge), and additively homomorphic encryption for the group $$\mathbb {Z}_N^{+}$$ZN+. At a high level, we enable “bootstrapping” multilinear assumptions from their simpler counterparts in standard cryptographic groups and show the equivalence of PIO and multilinear maps under the existence of the aforementioned primitives.