bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polysubstituted Pyrimidines as Potent Inhibitors of Prostaglandin E2 Production: Increasing Aqueous Solubility
Authors: Kalčic Filip , Kolman Viktor , Zídek Zdeněk , Janeba Zlatko 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWater solubility is one of the key features of potential therapeutic agents. In order to enhance the low water solubility of the parent 5‐butyl‐4‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐6‐phenylpyrimidin‐2‐amine, a potent inhibitor of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production, we synthesized and evaluated a new series of derivatives in which the butyl group at the C5 position of the pyrimidine ring was replaced with a less lipophilic substituent, preferably with a hydrophilic aliphatic moiety. Except for the 5‐cyanopyrimidine derivative, all target compounds exhibited increased (2.7–87‐fold) water solubility relative to the parent compound. Although nontoxic in mouse peritoneal cells, the prepared compounds were either equipotent or weaker inhibitors of PGE2 production than the parent compound. The most promising compound from the series was found to be the 5‐(2,5,8,11‐tetraoxadodecyl)pyrimidine derivative (with three polyethylene glycol units at the C5 position), which exhibited 32‐fold higher water solubility and only slightly weaker inhibitory activity (22 % of remaining PGE2 production) compared with the parent compound (15 % of remaining PGE2 production).
Photoperiodic control of electrophysiological properties of the caudo‐dorsal cells in the pond snail, Lymnaea stagnalis
Authors: Hamanaka Yoshitaka , Shiga Sakiko 
Published: May 2021

AbstractEgg laying in the pond snail, Lymnaea stagnalis is regulated by the photoperiod; long‐day conditions (16L8D) promote egg laying whereas medium‐day conditions (12L12D) suppress it. In this snail, a caudo‐dorsal cell hormone (CDCH) is produced by neurosecretory cells, CDCs in the cerebral ganglion (CG), and its release triggers ovulation and subsequent egg laying. However, the physiological basis for photoperiod‐dependent egg laying remains unraveled. Here, we compared electrophysiological properties of CDCs between 16L8D and 12L12D using intracellular recording, and found that CDC excitability is higher in 16L8D than in 12L12D. Striking differences are as follows: (1) a shallower resting membrane potential in 16L8D than in 12L12D, and (2) a smaller threshold voltage (minimum depolarization from rest to elicit action potentials) in 16L8D than in 12L12D. Switching of the excitability can be a physiological basis of a photoperiod‐dependent CDCH release. Simultaneous intracellular dye injection identified two morphological subtypes of CDCs, validating a previous report. Both types bear short lateral extensions in CG, some of which probably function as integration sites of photoperiodic inputs. In addition, we found two novel CDCH‐immunoreactive cell groups (CDCCOM and SCm) in the CG besides conventional CDCs and small cells expressing CDCH. The CDCCOM with cell bodies and fibers in the neurohemal commissure may be involved in triggering ovulation. Notably, the total number of CDCs is larger than that previously reported, the right CDC cluster with more cells than the left. Our findings are instructive in following the neurophysiology of photoperiodism in L. stagnalis.
Indian classical musical instrument classification using Timbral features
Authors: Gulhane Sushen Rameshpant , Shirbahadurkar Suresh Damodar , Badhe Sanjay Shrikrushna 
Published: May 2021

SummaryMusical instrument classification becomes effective when the music signal arrives with profound characteristics. This urged the researchers to develop an automatic system of recognizing the music signals and classify the instruments interplayed through the music. Thus, this paper proposes a model for the Indian music classification system using the optimization‐based stacked autoencoder. The significance of this research is based on the proposed Cuckoo‐dragonfly optimization (CuDro)‐based stacked autoencoder, where the proposed CuDro optimization trains the stacked autoencoder for acquiring accurate classification results. The proposed CuDro technique is the combination of the standard Cuckoo search (CS) and the Dragonfly algorithm (DA) that renders optimal weights for training the stacked autoencoder (SAE). Moreover, the musical instrument classification using the proposed CuDro‐based stack autoencoder is based on the compact features, such as Timbral features and proposed FrMkMFCC features, which further add value to this research. The Timbral features like Spectral flux, spectral kurtosis (SK), Spectral skewness, Spectral pitch similarity, Roughness, In harmonicity are added in the research for efficient musical instrument classification. The proposed FrMkMFCC feature is the integration of the Fractional Fourier transforms and Multi kernel method, and Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficient (MFCC) features. The analysis using the developed classification methodology confirms that the proposed method acquired the maximum accuracy of 96.16%, the sensitivity of 86.86%, and specificity of 92.85%, respectively.
Photochemical CO2 Reduction Using Rhenium(I) Tricarbonyl Complexes with Bipyridyl‐Type Ligands with and without Second Coordination Sphere Effects
Authors: Rotundo Laura , Grills David C. , Gobetto Roberto , Priola Emanuele , Nervi Carlo , Polyansky Dmitry E. , Fujita Etsuko 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe front cover artwork is provided by Elena Amadio, University of Torino (Italy). The image shows the photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to CO by an aniline‐substituted Re‐bpy catalyst in the presence of a strong electron donor (BIH). Read the full text of the Article at 10.1002/cptc.2020000307.
13.4 % Efficiency from All‐Small‐Molecule Organic Solar Cells Based on a Crystalline Donor with Chlorine and Trialkylsilyl Substitutions
Authors: Su Wenyan , Wang Yang , Yin Zhihong , Fan Qunping , Guo Xia , Yu Liyang , Li Yuxiang , Hou Lintao , Zhang Maojie , Peng Qiang , Li Yongfang , Wang Ergang 
Published: May 2021

AbstractHow to simultaneously achieve both high open‐circuit voltage (Voc) and high short‐circuit current density (Jsc) is a big challenge for realising high power conversion efficiency (PCE) in all‐small‐molecule organic solar cells (all‐SM OSCs). Herein, a novel small molecule (SM)‐donor, namely FYSM−SiCl, with trialkylsilyl and chlorine substitutions was designed and synthesized. Compared to the original SM‐donor FYSM−H, FYSM−Si with trialkylsilyl substitution showed a decreased crystallinity and lower highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) level, while FYSM−SiCl had an improved crystallinity, more ordered packing arrangement, significantly lower HOMO level, and predominant “face‐on” orientation. Matched with a SM‐acceptor Y6, the FYSM−SiCl‐based all‐SM OSCs exhibited both high Voc of 0.85 V and high Jsc of 23.7 mA cm−2, which is rare for all‐SM OSCs and could be attributed to the low HOMO level of FYSM−SiCl donor and the delicate balance between high crystallinity and suitable blend morphology. As a result, FYSM−SiCl achieved a high PCE of 13.4 % in all‐SM OSCs, which was much higher than those of the FYSM−H‐ (10.9 %) and FYSM−Si‐based devices (12.2 %). This work demonstrated a promising method for the design of efficient SM‐donors by a side‐chain engineering strategy via the introduction of trialkylsilyl and chlorine substitutions.
Current rise phenomena due to electron emission from CTJ in vacuum
Authors: Asari Naoki , Tateyama Chihiro , Kondo Junichi , Miura Hayato , Yamazaki Ryuhei , Yamano Yasushi 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn general, cathode triple junctions (CTJ) are regarded as electrical weakness points because of the occurrence of electron emission. It's believed that vacuum surface flashover starts from the initiation of electron emission at CTJ. Therefore, it is important to investigate electron emission phenomenon around the CTJ region. However, such a study which is direct measurement of the electron emission from CTJ has not been almost done because it is difficult to measure it directly. So, the purpose of this study is to elucidate the electron emission phenomenon from CTJ by investigating field electron emission current characteristics and charge distribution at CTJ region. Thus, we measured the electron emission current and the surface potential for the samples which CTJ was formed artificially. In addition, we simulated the electric lines of force near CTJ region. The results show that electron emission current increases due to the effect of the insulator surface being charged by the electrons emitted from the CTJ.
The extended discontinuous Galerkin method adapted for moving contact line problems via the generalized Navier boundary condition
Authors: Smuda Martin , Kummer Florian 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn this work, an extended discontinuous Galerkin (extended DG/XDG also called unfitted DG) solver for two‐dimensional flow problems exhibiting moving contact lines is presented. The generalized Navier boundary condition is employed within the XDG discretization for the handling of the moving contact lines. The spatial discretization is based on a symmetric interior penalty method and the numerical treatment of the surface tension force is done via the Laplace–Beltrami formulation. The XDG method adapts the approximation space conformal to the position of the interface and allows a sub‐cell accurate representation within the sharp interface formulation. The interface is described as the zero set of a signed‐distance level‐set function and discretized by a standard DG method. No adaption of the level‐set evolution algorithm is needed for the extension to moving contact line problems. The developed solver is validated against typical two‐dimensional contact line driven flow phenomena including droplet simulations on a wall and the two‐phase Couette flow.
Energy, economy, and ecological (3E)‐based performance evaluation of a steam cycle power plant through optimization investigation
Authors: Raja Bansi D. , Hajabdollahi Hassan , Patel Vivek K. , Mudgal Anurag 
Published: May 2021

AbstractEnergy, economy, and ecological (3E)‐based analysis of steam cycle power plant evaluated through multiobjective investigation. The Montazer Ghaem steam‐based power plant situated in Iran is considered for investigation. Cycle efficiency, total cost, and ecological function of steam power cycle are treated as the 3E objective in the analysis. Simultaneous optimization of this performance parameter is executed through a heat transfer search algorithm. Fifteen operating variables of the steam power cycle, which includes different pressure, temperature, and isentropic efficiency are considered during the 3E‐based optimization investigation. The dryness fraction of the exhaust stream and condensing temperature are operating constraints considered in the present investigation. The results are presented in the form of Pareto solutions. The results of the Pareto solution indicate that a 6.73% variation in cycle efficiency, 44.67% variation in total cost rate, and 15.63% variation in ecological function (ECF) are observed between extreme values of 3E objectives. The obtained optimum condition is compared with the present actual operating condition of the steam power cycle. Comparative results reveal 5.27% higher cycle efficiency with 15.53% higher ECF as compared to the actual running case. For identical total cost rate of the system, 4.65% higher cycle efficiency with 1.21% rise in ECF was observed as compared to actual running case. Further, the uncertainty propagation of the Pareto points is obtained with different uncertainty levels to identify the robustness of the solutions. Finally, the important operating variables are identified and their effects on the 3E objectives are also investigated.
Genetic variants of CHEK1, PRIM2 and CDK6 in the mitotic phase‐related pathway are associated with nonsmall cell lung cancer survival
Authors: Mu Rui , Liu Hongliang , Luo Sheng , Patz Edward F. , Glass Carolyn , Su Li , Du Mulong , Christiani David C. , Jin Lei , Wei Qingyi 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe mitotic phase is a vital step in cell division and may be involved in cancer progression, but it remains unclear whether genetic variants in mitotic phase‐related pathways genes impact the survival of these patients. Here, we investigated associations between 31 032 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 368 mitotic phase‐related pathway genes and overall survival (OS) of patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We assessed the associations in a discovery data set of 1185 NSCLC patients from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial and validated the findings in another data set of 984 patients from the Harvard Lung Cancer Susceptibility Study. As a result, we identified three independent SNPs (ie, CHEK1 rs76744140 T>C, PRIM2 rs6939623 G>T and CDK6 rs113181986 G>C) to be significantly associated with NSCLC OS with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.29 (95% confidence interval = 1.11‐1.49, P = 8.26 × 10−4), 1.26 (1.12‐1.42, 1.10 × 10−4) and 0.73 (0.63‐0.86, 1.63 × 10−4), respectively. Moreover, the number of combined unfavorable genotypes of these three SNPs was significantly associated with NSCLC OS and disease‐specific survival in the PLCO data set (Ptrend < .0001 and .0003, respectively). Further expression quantitative trait loci analysis showed that the rs76744140C allele predicted CHEK1 mRNA expression levels in normal lung tissues and that rs113181986C allele predicted CDK6 mRNA expression levels in whole blood tissues. Additional analyses indicated CHEK1, PRIM2 and CDK6 may impact NSCLC survival. Taken together, these findings suggested that these genetic variants may be prognostic biomarkers of patients with NSCLC.
Fiber modifications enable fowl adenovirus 4 vectors to transduce human cells
Authors: Zhang Wenfeng , Guo Xiaojuan , Yin Fengcai , Zou Xiaohui , Hou Wenzhe , Lu Zhuozhuang 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundPre‐existing immunities hamper the application of human adenovirus (HAdV) vectors in gene therapy or vaccine development. Fowl adenovirus (FAdV)‐based vector might represent an alternative.MethodsAn intermediate plasmid containing FAdV‐4 fiber genes, pMD‐FAV4Fs, was separated from FAdV‐4 adenoviral plasmid pKFAV4GFP. An overlap extension polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed for fiber modification in pMD‐FAV4Fs, and the modified fibers were restored to generate new adenoviral plasmids through restriction‐assembly. FAdV‐4 vectors were rescued and amplified in chicken LMH cells. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry were used to evaluate the gene transfer efficiency. The amount of viruses binding to cells was determined by a real‐time PCR. A plaque‐forming assay and one‐step growth curve were used to evaluate virus growth.ResultsFour sites in the CD‐, DE‐, HI‐ and IJ‐loop of fiber1 knob could tolerate the insertion of exogenous peptide. The insertion of RGD4C peptide in the fiber1 knob significantly promoted FAdV‐4 transduction to human adherent cells such as 293, A549 and HEp‐2, and the insertion to the IJ‐loop demonstrated the best performance. The replacement of the fiber2 knob of FAdV‐4 with that of HAdV‐35 improved the gene transfer to human suspension cells such as Jurkat, K562 and U937. Fiber‐modified FAdV‐4 vectors could transduce approximately 80% human cells at an acceptable multiplicity of infection. Enhanced gene transfer mainly resulted from increased virus binding. Fiber modifications did not significantly influence the growth of recombinant FAdV‐4 in packaging cells.ConclusionsAs a proof of principle, it was feasible to enhance gene transduction of FAdV‐4 vectors to human cells by modifying the fibers.
Visualization of Spatial Distribution of Spermatogenesis in Mouse Testes Using Creatine Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer Imaging
Authors: Takahashi Yusuke , Kioka Hidetaka , Fukuhara Shinichiro , Kuribayashi Sohei , Saito Shigeyoshi , Asano Yoshihiro , Takashima Seiji , Yoshioka Yoshichika , Sakata Yasushi 
Published: May 2021

BackgroundWhen determining treatment strategies for male infertility, it is important to evaluate spermatogenesis and its spatial distribution in the testes.PurposeTo investigate the usefulness of creatine chemical exchange saturation transfer (CrCEST) imaging for evaluating spermatogenesis and its spatial distribution.Study TypeProspective.Animal ModelC57BL/6 control mice (n = 5) and model mice of male infertility induced by whole testis X‐ray irradiation (n = 11) or localized X‐ray irradiation to lower regions of testes (n = 3).Field Strength/SequenceA 11.7‐T vertical‐bore magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)/segmented fast low‐angle shot acquisition for CEST.AssessmentThe magnetization transfer ratio for the CrCEST effect (MTRCr*) was calculated in each testis of the control mice and X‐ray irradiation model mice at 10, 15, 20, and 30 days after irradiation. Correlation analysis was performed between MTRCr* and Johnsen's score, a histological score for spermatogenesis. In the localized X‐ray irradiation model, regional MTRCr* and Johnsen's score were calculated for correlation analysis.Statistical TestsUnpaired t‐test, one‐way analysis of variance with Tukey's HSD test and Pearson's correlation analysis. A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsIn the irradiation model, CrCEST imaging revealed a significant linear decrease of MTRCr* after irradiation (control, 8.7 ± 0.6; 10 days, 7.9 ± 0.8; 15 days, 6.5 ± 0.6; 20 days, 5.4 ± 1.0; 30 days, 4.4 ± 0.8). A significant linear correlation was found between MTRCr* and Johnsen's score (Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) = 0.79). In the localized irradiation model, CrCEST imaging visualized a significant regional decrease of MTRCr* in the unshielded region (shielded, 6.9 ± 0.7; unshielded, 4.9 ± 1.0), and a significant linear correlation was found between regional MTRCr* and Johnsen's score (r = 0.78).Data ConclusionTesticular CrCEST effects correlated well with spermatogenesis. CrCEST imaging was useful for evaluating spermatogenesis and its spatial distribution.Evidence Level2Technical EfficacyStage 2.
Achievement Goals and Creativity: Self‐Construal as an Antecedent
Authors: Wang Ling , Xu Huihui , Yang Dan , Tian Heng , Xi Rongrong , Du Kaiye , Shi Baoguo , Luo Zheng 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe present study aimed to investigate the relationship among self‐construal, achievement goals, and creativity. A total of 464 junior high school students (mean age = 12.81 years; 44.2% male; 51.8% in seventh grade; and 48.2% in eighth grade) completed the Self‐Construal Scale, Goal Orientation Scales, Divergent Feeling Scale, and Kirton’s Adaption–Innovation Inventory. Correlation analyses showed that two types of self‐construal were positively correlated with mastery goals, performance‐approach goals, and creativity indexes (i.e., creative personality and innovative cognitive style); in addition, mastery goals and performance‐approach goals were positively correlated with both creativity indexes, while performance–avoidance goals were positively correlated only with creative personality. Structural equation modeling revealed that independent self‐construal positively predicted creativity; moreover, both independent self‐construal and interdependent self‐construal positively predicted mastery goals, and mastery goals positively predicted creativity, which suggests that both types of self‐construal show positive indirect prediction for creativity through the mediation of mastery goals. In general, self‐construal could predict creativity through achievement goals.
Leveraging differences in multiple prey traits allows selective copepods to meet their threshold elemental ratios
Authors: Herstoff Emily M. , Meunier Cédric L. , Boersma Maarten , Baines Stephen B. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractForaging based on prey elemental content could be more pronounced if consumers leveraged differences in physical traits among stoichiometrically distinct prey to ingest more favorable food, allowing consumers to meet their threshold elemental ratios (TER), the ratio of nutrients in the food where neither carbon nor nitrogen is limiting. We offered the marine copepod, Acartia tonsa, different combinations of large and small diatom congeners, grown to be either stoichiometrically replete or nitrogen‐deficient. When offered each diatom alone, A. tonsa exhibited compensatory grazing on large diatoms; although ingestion was low overall, the copepods ingested more nitrogen‐deficient cells relative to replete cells, resulting in A. tonsa obtaining similar amounts of N, yet differing amounts of C. When offered diatoms that differed in both size and stoichiometry, copepods mixed their diets to achieve a C:N indistinguishable from the literature‐obtained value of A. tonsa's optimal TER. This was achieved by grazing relatively large amounts of the smaller diatom species, regardless of whether it was replete or N‐deficient. When offered pairs of different‐sized diatoms of similar stoichiometry, A. tonsa preferred larger cells, suggesting evolutionary constraints drive choice when stoichiometric differences are minimal. Experiments describing selectivity on single traits may seriously underestimate how precisely copepods can optimize their dietary stoichiometry when feeding on a diverse natural prey assemblage.
Microstructural Abnormalities of the Dentatorubrothalamic Tract in Cervical Dystonia
Authors: Sondergaard Rachel E. , Rockel Conrad P. , Cortese Filomeno , Jasaui Yamile , Pringsheim Tamara M. , Sarna Justyna R. , Monchi Oury , Sadikot Abbas F. , Pike Bruce G. , Martino Davide 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe dentatorubrothalamic tract (DRTT) remains understudied in idiopathic cervical dystonia (CD), despite evidence that the pathway is relevant in the pathophysiology of the disorder.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to examine the DRTT in patients with CD using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)–based tractography.MethodsMagnetic resonance imaging scans from 67 participants were collected to calculate diffusion tractography metrics using a binary tractography‐based DRTT template. Fractional anisotropy and diffusivity measures of left and right DRTT were computed and compared between 32 subjects with CD and 35 age‐matched healthy volunteers.ResultsFractional anisotropy of right DRTT and mean and axial diffusivity of left DRTT were significantly reduced in patients with CD. Similar abnormalities were observed in patients with focal CD and patients with CD without tremor. DTI metrics did not correlate with disease duration or severity.ConclusionsSignificant reductions in DTI measures suggest microstructural abnormalities within the DRTT in CD, characterized by a tractography pattern consistent with decreased axonal integrity. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society