bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Two‐Step Divergent Synthesis of Monodisperse and Ultra‐Long Bottlebrush Polymers from an Easily Purifiable ROMP Monomer
Authors: Yamauchi Yoshihiro , Horimoto Noriko Nishizawa , Yamada Kuniyo , Matsushita Yoshitaka , Takeuchi Masayuki , Ishida Yasuhiro 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe longest bottlebrush polymers reported so far (up to 7 μm in length) were synthesized in two steps from a norbornene derivative bearing two 2‐bromoisobutylate moieties (NB). The key to this achievement is the excellent reactivity of NB in ring opening metathesis polymerization, which proceeded in a well‐controlled manner with quantitative conversion of NB for monomer‐initiator ratios ranging up to 10,000. The resultant polymer derived from NB was readily converted to various bottlebrush polymers in a divergent synthetic route by grafting vinyl monomers from the 2‐bromoisobutylate units in NB via atom transfer radical polymerization. The structure of the ultra‐long bottlebrush polymer was directly observed using atomic force microscopy.
Optimized Active Layer Morphologies via Ternary Copolymerization of Polymer Donors for 17.6 % Efficiency Organic Solar Cells with Enhanced Fill Factor
Authors: Guo Xia , Fan Qunping , Wu Jingnan , Li Guangwei , Peng Zhongxiang , Su Wenyan , Lin Ji , Hou Lintao , Qin Yunpeng , Ade Harald , Ye Long , Zhang Maojie , Li Yongfang 
Published: October 2020

AbstractRegulating molecular structure to optimize the active layer morphology is of considerable significance for improving the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) in organic solar cells (OSCs). Herein, we demonstrated a simple ternary copolymerization approach to develop a terpolymer donor PM6‐Tz20 by incorporating the 5,5′‐dithienyl‐2,2′‐bithiazole (DTBTz, 20 mol%) unit into the backbone of PM6 (PM6‐Tz00). This method can effectively tailor the molecular orientation and aggregation of the polymer, and then optimize the active layer morphology and the corresponding physical processes of devices, ultimately boosting FF and then PCE. Hence, the PM6‐Tz20: Y6‐based OSCs achieved a PCE of up to 17.1% with a significantly enhanced FF of 0.77. Using Ag (220 nm) instead of Al (100 nm) as cathode, the champion PCE was further improved to 17.6%. This work provides a simple and effective molecular design strategy to optimize the active layer morphology of OSCs for improving photovoltaic performance.
Branched Antisense and siRNA Co‐Assembled Nanoplatform for Combined Gene Silencing and Tumor Therapy
Authors: Liu Jianbing , Lu Xuehe , Wu Tiantian , Wu Xiaohui , Han Lin , Ding Baoquan 
Published: October 2020

AbstractChemically modified DNA has been widely developed to fabricate various nucleic acid nanostructures for biomedical applications. Herein, we report a facile strategy for construction of branched antisense DNA and small interfering RNA (siRNA) co‐assembled nanoplatform for combined gene silencing in vitro and in vivo. In our design, the branched antisense can efficiently capture siRNA with 3′ overhangs through DNA–RNA hybridization. After being equipped with an active targeting group and an endosomal escape peptide by host–guest interaction, the tailored nucleic acid nanostructure functions efficiently as both delivery carrier and therapeutic cargo, which is released by endogenous RNase H digestion. The multifunctional nucleic acid nanosystem elicits an efficient inhibition of tumor growth based on the combined gene silencing of the tumor‐associated gene polo‐like kinase 1 (PLK1). This biocompatible nucleic acid nanoplatform presents a new strategy for the development of gene therapy.
Comparison of gut microbiota of healthy and diseased walking sticks, Phasmotaenia lanyuhensis
Authors: Li Yi‐Hsuan , Huang Yu‐Feng , Chen Tzu‐Han , Wu Shin‐Shan , Tang Hsin‐Chieh , Hsiao Chung‐Yi , Huang Lung‐Chun , Chang Ju‐Chun , Chiu Kuo‐Ping , Nai Yu‐Shin 
Published: October 2020

AbstractResearch on gut microbiota of phytophagous insects has shown to be important for the physiological functions of insect hosts; however, little is known about the changes in gut microbiota when they are suffering from environmental stress or pathogen infections. During rearing of Phasmotaenia lanyuhensis (Phasmatodea: Phasmatidae), sluggish locomotion was usually followed by the death of the insect with a symptom of melanization in the front part of the abdomen. Therefore, the abnormal individuals were initially classified into moribund, light‐ and serious‐symptom based on the level of abnormal physiological circumstances and melanization. The gut microbiota of these samples were further investigated by 16S metagenomic sequencing and the differences in bacterial abundance and structure of bacterial community were analyzed. A decrease in microbiota diversity was observed in the diseased P. lanyuhensis, with the abundance of phyla Proteobacteria and Firmicute relatively higher compared to those without symptom. Interestingly, principal component analysis based on the bacterial richness was correlated to the level of melanization symptom in the diseased P. lanyuhensis, suggested the change in bacterial microbiota involved in this abnormal circumstance. However, the factor that caused the initial alternation of microbiota remains to be identified. Additionally, the lack of bacterial diversity (i.e., absence of Meiothermus and Nubsella spp.) in P. lanyuhensis might reduce the fitness for surviving. This report provided the comprehensive microbiota analysis for P. lanyuhensis and concluded that either the relative abundance or the bacterial diversity of microbiota in the insect digestive system may influence the physiological functions of phytophagous insects.
D‐3‐phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase from the silkworm Bombyx mori: Identification, functional characterization, and expression
Authors: Yamamoto Kohji , Mohri Shinya , Furuya Shigeki 
Published: October 2020

AbstractD‐3‐phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH) is a key enzyme involved in the synthesis of l‐serine. Despite the high serine content in silk proteins and the crucial role of PHGDH in serine biosynthesis, PHGDH has not been described in silkworms to date. Here, we identified PHGDH in the silkworm Bombyx mori and evaluated its biochemical properties. On the basis of the amino acid sequence and phylogenetic tree, this PHGDH has been categorized as a new type and designated as bmPHGDH. The recombinant bmPHGDH was overexpressed and purified to homogeneity. Kinetic studies revealed that PHGDH uses NADH as a coenzyme to reduce phosphohydroxypyruvate. High expression levels of bmphgdh messenger RNA (mRNA) were observed in the middle part of the silk gland and midgut in a standard strain of silkworm. Moreover, a sericin‐deficient silkworm strain displayed reduced expression of bmphgdh mRNA. These findings indicate that bmPHGDH might play a crucial role in the provision of l‐serine in the larva of B. mori.
Recent Advances in Catalysts for the Conversion of Ethanol to Butadiene
Authors: Bin Samsudin Ismail , Zhang Hongwei , Jaenicke Stephan , Chuah Gaik‐Khuan 
Published: October 2020

AbstractButadiene is an important monomer for synthetic rubbers. Currently, the annual demand of ∼16 million tonnes is satisfied by butadiene produced as a byproduct of steam naphtha cracking where ethylene and propylene are the main products. The availability of large amounts of shale gas and condensates in the USA since about 2008 has led to a change in the cracker feed from naphtha to ethane and propane, affecting the amount of butadiene obtained. This has provided the impetus to look into direct processes for butadiene production. One option is the eco‐friendly conversion of (bio) ethanol to butadiene (ETB). This process had been developed in the 1930s in the then Soviet Union. It was operated on a large scale in USA during World War II but has since been abandoned in favour of petroleum‐based processes. The current trend, driven both by the availability of the raw material and ecological considerations, may make this process feasible again, particularly if the catalytic systems can be improved. This critical review discusses recent catalysts for the ETB process with special focus on the development since 2014, benchmarking them against earlier systems with a large database of operational experience.
Human‐like motion planning for autonomous parking based on revised bidirectional rapidly‐exploring random tree* with Reeds‐Shepp curve
Authors: Jhang Jyun‐Hao , Lian Feng‐Li , Hao Yu‐Hsiang 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAutonomous parking is one significant autonomous application and will be implemented in daily life in the near future. Due to encountered narrow environments, the issues related to autonomous parking, such as path quality requirements, strict collision avoidance, and motion direction changes, must be overcome properly. Moreover, to be applied in daily driving activities, real‐time planning and human preference should be fulfilled by the designed motion planners. Therefore, an efficient and human‐like motion planning method based on the revised Bidirectional Rapidly‐Exploring Random Tree* (Bi‐RRT*) with Reeds‐Shepp curve is presented. The proposed method results in human‐like paths which have high trajectory quality and consistency for parking scenarios due to the revised Bi‐RRT* framework. Strict collision checking model guarantees the resulting paths to be collision‐free and even leaves safe distance from obstacles and uncertainties. State space adjustment makes the path optimization more efficient and effective. On the other hand, the cost function revision makes the resulting paths meet human driving behavior, such as less backward driving and motion direction changes. In addition, rigorous simulations and analysis demonstrate the effectiveness of the cost function revision and the state space adjustment and illustrate good performance of the proposed approach in common and even complex parking scenarios.
Persistent contaminants of emerging concern in ozone‐biofiltration systems: Analysis from multiple studies
Authors: Sari Mutiara Ayu , Oppenheimer Joan , Robinson Keel , Drewes Jörg E. , Pisarenko Aleksey N. , Sundaram Vijay , Jacangelo Joseph G. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWater quality, in combination with design and operational data collected from multiple studies, was assessed to benchmark the performance of ozone‐biologically active filtration in reuse applications. A total of 149 contaminants of emerging concern, representative of multiple categories and chemical structures, were prioritized and systematically compared to elucidate apparent differences in removal capabilities as affected by multiple factors such as influent water matrix, ozone‐to‐organic carbon ratio, empty bed contact time, filtration media type, and initial media condition. The results were consistent with earlier findings for the removal of highly amenable compounds but demonstrate inconsistencies and knowledge gaps across multiple facilities for the more persistent compounds. Analysis of this multistudy data‐mining effort also demonstrates a complicated interplay between contaminant removal and numerous design and operational variables. Hence, further systematic investigation is warranted to elucidate the underlying removal mechanisms.
A fully validated HPLC–UV method for determination of sulthiame in human serum/plasma samples
Authors: Madej Katarzyna , Paprotny Łukasz , Wianowska Dorota , Kasprzyk Joanna , Herman Małgorzata , Piekoszewski Wojciech 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSulthiame is an old antiepileptic medicine with controversial history, whose effectiveness and safety in use have been stated in some current studies. However, there is still a need for further clinical examinations for confirmation of its usefulness and tolerability in monotherapy and add‐on therapy for epilepsy of various etiologies. A fully validated RP HPLC–UV method for determination of sulthiame in serum/plasma samples using desethylatrazine as the internal standard was developed. The biological fluid was prepared for analysis by a simple precipitation method with acetonitrile. The following validation parameters of the method were determined: selectivity/specificity, linearity range (0.2–50.0 μl/ml, R2 > 0.9999), limits of detection (0.19 μl/ml) and quantification (0.58 μl/ml), precision (intra‐day CV 1.06% and inter‐day CV 1.25%), extraction recovery (~100%), accuracy (bias, −4.61–0.80%), carryover and ruggedness. Moreover, the stability of the medicine in plasma samples under different storage conditions was also tested. The usability of the method for clinical examinations was checked by analysis of serum samples originating from 19 patients treated with sulthiame. The proposed method is appropriate for determination of sulthiame in serum/plasma samples for drug monitoring purposes, as well as for pharmacokinetic studies.
Can I use TA? Should I use TA? Should Inotuse TA? Comparing reflexive thematic analysis and other pattern‐based qualitative analytic approaches
Authors: Braun Virginia , Clarke Victoria 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThematic analysis methods, including the reflexive approach we have developed, are widely used in counselling and psychotherapy research, as are other approaches that seek to develop ‘patterns’ (themes, categories) across cases. Without a thorough grounding in the conceptual foundations of a wide variety of across‐case analytic approaches, and qualitative research more broadly—something rarely offered in counselling training—it can be difficult to understand how these differ, where they overlap, and which might be appropriate for a particular research project. Our aim in this paper is to support researchers in counselling and psychotherapy to select an appropriate across‐case approach for their research, and to justify their choice, by discussing conceptual and procedural differences and similarities between reflexive thematic analysis (TA) and four other across‐case approaches. Three of these are also widely used in counselling and psychotherapy research—qualitative content analysis, interpretative phenomenological analysis and grounded theory. The fourth—discourse analysis—is less widely used but importantly exemplifies the critical qualitative research tradition. We contextualise our comparative approach by highlighting the diversitywithinTA. TA is best thought of as a spectrum of methods—from types that prioritise coding accuracy and reliability to reflexive approaches like ours that emphasise the inescapable subjectivity of data interpretation. Although reflexive TA provides the point of comparison for our discussion of other across‐case approaches, our aim is not to promote reflexive TA as ‘best’. Rather, we encourage the knowing selection and use of analytic methods and methodologies in counselling and psychotherapy research.
Stabilizing AqdC, a Pseudomonas Quinolone Signal‐Cleaving Dioxygenase from Mycobacteria, by FRESCO‐Based Protein Engineering
Authors: Wullich Sandra C. , Wijma Hein J. , Janssen Dick B. , Fetzner Susanne 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe mycobacterial PQS dioxygenase AqdC, a cofactor‐less protein with an α/β‐hydrolase fold, inactivates the virulence‐associated quorum‐sensing signal molecule 2‐heptyl‐3‐hydroxy‐4(1H)‐quinolone (PQS) produced by the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa and is therefore a potential anti‐virulence tool. We have used computational library design to predict stabilizing amino acid replacements in AqdC. While 57 out of 91 tested single substitutions throughout the protein led to stabilization, as judged by increases in
of >2 °C, they all impaired catalytic activity. Combining substitutions, the proteins AqdC‐G40K‐A134L‐G220D‐Y238W and AqdC‐G40K‐G220D‐Y238W showed extended half‐lives and the best trade‐off between stability and activity, with increases in
of 11.8 and 6.1 °C and relative activities of 22 and 72 %, respectively, compared to AqdC. Molecular dynamics simulations and principal component analysis suggested that stabilized proteins are less flexible than AqdC, and the loss of catalytic activity likely correlates with an inability to effectively open the entrance to the active site.
Preprocessing methods for near‐infrared spectrum calibration
Authors: Jiao Yiping , Li Zhichao , Chen Xisong , Fei Shumin 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSpectrum preprocessing is an essential component in the near‐infrared (NIR) calibration. However, it has mostly been configured arbitrarily in the literature and calibration applications. In this paper, a systematic evaluation framework was proposed to quantify the effect of preprocessing, where repeated cross‐validation and evaluation are involved. As many as 108 preprocessing schemes were gathered from the literature and were tested on 26 different NIR calibration problems. Using the evaluation framework, appropriate schemes can be found for several datasets, reducing the root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) by 50%–60% compared with using the raw spectrum. However, the influence of preprocessing is highly data‐dependent, and no universal solution could be found. Taking the effectiveness and correlation into consideration, Savitzky‐Golay (SG), SG1D, and SG1D + vector normalization (VN)(/standard normal variate [SNV]) are worth testing first. Nevertheless, the heterogeneity at both the dataset level and sample level demonstrated the necessity of a complete evaluation. Our scripts are available at https://github.com/jiaoyiping630/spectrum-preprocessing.
Analysis of Capacity Potentials in Continuously Operated Chemical Processes
Authors: Bruns Bastian , Grünewald Marcus , Riese Julia 
Published: October 2020

AbstractA method is proposed to evaluate capacity potentials in continuously operated chemical processes. In the main part of the analysis, the operating windows of the equipment are examined based on detailed steady‐state simulations. The method is applied to a case study of the production process of ethylene oxide as a large‐scale commodity chemical. Results show the limitations continuously operated processes are confronted with. However, opportunities to enlarge or shift the operating window of apparatuses applied are determined.
Synthesis of Diverse Aryliodine(III) Reagents by Anodic Oxidation†
Authors: Zu Bing , Ke Jie , Guo Yonghong , He Chuan 
Published: October 2020

Main observation and conclusionAn anodic oxidation enabled synthesis of hypervalent iodine(III) reagents from aryl iodides is demonstrated. Under mild electrochemical conditions, a range of aryliodine(III) reagents including iodosylarenes, (difunctionaliodo)arenes, benziodoxoles and diaryliodonium salts can be efficiently synthesized and derivatized in good to excellent yields with high selectivity. As only electrons serve as the oxidation reagents, this method offers a more straightforward and sustainable manner avoiding the use of expensive or hazardous chemical oxidants.
Accessing p‐Hydroxycinnamic Acids: Chemical Synthesis, Biomass Recovery, or Engineered Microbial Production?
Authors: Flourat Amandine L. , Combes Jeanne , Bailly‐Maitre‐Grand Claire , Magnien Kévin , Haudrechy Arnaud , Renault Jean‐Hugues , Allais Florent 
Published: October 2020

Abstractp‐Hydroxycinnamic acids (i. e., p‐coumaric, ferulic, sinapic, and caffeic acids) are phenolic compounds involved in the biosynthesis pathway of lignin. These naturally occurring molecules not only exhibit numerous attractive properties, such as antioxidant, anti‐UV, and anticancer activities, but they also have been used as building blocks for the synthesis of tailored monomers and functional additives for the food/feed, cosmetic, and plastics sectors. Despite their numerous high value‐added applications, the sourcing of p‐hydroxycinnamic acids is not ensured at the industrial scale except for ferulic acid, and their production cost remains too high for commodity applications. These compounds can be either chemically synthesized or extracted from lignocellulosic biomass, and recently their production through bioconversion emerged. Herein the different strategies described in the literature to produce these valuable molecules are discussed.
Rosai‐Dorfman disease of the pancreas: Cytologic analysis of three cases presenting as pancreatic masses
Authors: Roe Catherine J. , Tracht Jessica , Madrigal Emilio , Krasinskas Alyssa M. , Xue Yue 
Published: October 2020

AbstractRosai‐Dorfman Disease (RDD), or sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy, is a rare entity characterized by proliferating S100‐positive histiocytes. It is most commonly found in lymph nodes with extranodal involvement usually occurring in the head and neck. Pancreatic involvement is extremely rare. The pathology department archives were searched for fine needle aspirations and pancreatic resections showing evidence of RDD. Clinicopathologic features, cytologic smears, cell blocks, immunocytochemical stains and surgical resections were reviewed. Three cases were identified. They were all females, aged 65, 69 and 75, with involvement of the pancreatic tail or head by solid masses of median size 2.3 cm (range 2.1‐4.5 cm). Cytologic findings on smears included multiple histiocyte clusters resembling loosely cohesive epithelioid granulomas, singly dispersed histiocytes with moderate to marked nuclear atypia and characteristic emperipolesis. These atypical histiocytes stained positively for CD68, CD163 and S100. Smear background contained variable mixed inflammatory cells, necrotic debris and stromal fragments. The RDD diagnosis was further confirmed on pancreatic resection in two patients and core biopsy in one. The latter patient required three separate procedures before a definitive diagnosis was made. RDD of pancreas is a rare benign inflammatory condition that is diagnostically challenging on cytology. This can cause delays in cytologic diagnosis and/or misdiagnosis. Identification of characteristic cytologic features, primarily histiocytes with emperipolesis, and matching immunocytochemical profile can ensure accurate diagnosis and distinction from mimics.
Migration and fate of vestibular melanocytes during the development of the human inner ear
Authors: van Beelen Edward S. A. , van der Valk Wouter H. , de Groot John C. M. J. , Hensen Erik F. , Locher Heiko , van Benthem Peter Paul G. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractMelanocytes are present in various parts of the inner ear, including the stria vascularis in the cochlea and the dark cell areas in the vestibular organs, where they contribute to endolymph homeostasis. Developmental studies describing the distribution of vestibular melanocytes are scarce, especially in humans. In this study, we investigated the distribution and maturation of the vestibular melanocytes in relation to the developing dark cell epithelium in inner ear specimens from week 5 to week 14 of development and in surgical specimens of the adult ampulla. Vestibular melanocytes were located around the utricle and the ampullae of the semicircular canals before week 7 and were first seen underneath the transitional zones and dark cell areas between week 8 and week 10. At week 10, melanocytes made intimate contact with epithelial cells, interrupting the local basement membrane with their dendritic processes. At week 11, most melanocytes were positioned under the dark cell epithelia. No melanocytes were seen around or in the saccule during all investigated developmental stages. The dark cell areas gradually matured and showed an adult immunohistochemical profile of the characteristic ion transporter protein Na+/K+‐ATPase α1 by week 14. Furthermore, we investigated the expression of the migration‐related proteins ECAD, PCAD, KIT, and KITLG in melanocytes and dark cell epithelium. This is the first study to describe the spatiotemporal distribution of vestibular melanocytes during the human development and thereby contributes to understanding normal vestibular function and pathophysiological mechanisms underlying vestibular disorders.