bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spectroscopic, thermodynamic and kinetic analysis of selective triplex formation by peptide nucleic acid with double‐stranded RNA over its DNA counterpart
Authors: Sato Takaya , Sato Yusuke , Nishizawa Seiichi 
Published: September 2021

AbstractUnlike conventional triplex‐forming oligonucleotide (TFO), triplex‐forming peptide nucleic acid (PNA) can tightly bind with double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) than double‐stranded DNA (dsDNA). Here, we performed spectroscopic, thermodynamic and kinetic experiments for triplex formation by PNA to examine different binding behaviors between PNA − dsRNA and PNA − dsDNA triplexes. We found 9‐mer PNA (cytosine content of 66%) formed the thermally stable triplex with dsRNA compared to dsDNA over a wide range of pH (5.5‐8.0), salt concentration (50‐500 mM NaCl). Both the calorimetric binding constant and the association rate constant for dsRNA were larger than those for dsDNA, indicating the favorable association process for the PNA − dsRNA triplex formation. Comparison with the DNA/RNA heteroduplexes revealed that the DNA strand was detrimental to the triplex stability for PNA, a contrasting result for conventional TFO. The keys underlying the difference in the triplex formation of PNA with different duplexes appear to be the conformational adoptability and the geometric compatibility of PNA to fit the deep, narrow major groove of dsRNA and the helical rigidity difference of the duplexes. Our results emphasize the importance of both the sugar puckering of the duplex and the appropriate conformational flexibility of PNA for the triplex formation.
High‐throughput and automation advances for accelerating single‐cell cloning, monoclonality and early phase clone screening steps in mammalian cell line development for biologics production
Authors: Tejwani Vijay , Chaudhari Minal , Rai Toyaj , Sharfstein Susan T. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractMammalian cell line development is a multistep process wherein timelines for developing clonal cells to be used as manufacturing cell lines for biologics production can commonly extend to 9 months when no automation or modern molecular technologies are involved in the workflow. Steps in the cell line development workflow involving single‐cell cloning, monoclonality assurance, productivity and stability screening are labor, time and resource intensive when performed manually. Introduction of automation and miniaturization in these steps has reduced the required manual labor, shortened timelines from months to weeks, and decreased the resources needed to develop manufacturing cell lines. This review summarizes the advances, benefits, comparisons and shortcomings of different automation platforms available in the market for rapid isolation of desired clonal cell lines for biologics production.
Blood supply to the corticospinal tract: A pictorial review with application to cranial surgery and stroke
Authors: Nuñez Maximilano , Guillotte Andrew , Faraji Amir H. , Deng Hansen , Goldschmidt Ezequiel 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe corticospinal tract (CST) is the main neural pathway responsible for conducting voluntary motor function in the central nervous system. The CST condenses into fiber bundles as it descends from the frontoparietal cortex, traveling down to terminate at the anterior horn of the spinal cord. The CST is at risk of injury from vascular insult from strokes and during neurosurgical procedures. The aim of this article is to identify and describe the vasculature associated with the CST from the cortex to the medulla. Dissection of cadaveric specimens was carried out in a manner, which exposed and preserved the fiber tracts of the CST, as well as the arterial systems that supply them. At the level of the motor cortex, the CST is supplied by terminal branches of the anterior cerebral artery and middle cerebral artery. The white matter tracts of the corona radiata and internal capsule are supplied by small perforators including the lenticulostriate arteries and branches of the anterior choroidal artery. In the brainstem, the CST is supplied by anterior perforating branches from the basilar and vertebral arteries. The caudal portions of the CST in the medulla are supplied by the anterior spinal artery, which branches from the vertebral arteries. The non‐anastomotic nature of the vessel systems of the CST highlights the importance of their preservation during neurosurgical procedures. Anatomical knowledge of the CST is paramount to clinical diagnosis and treatment of heterogeneity of neurodegenerative, neuroinflammatory, cerebrovascular, and skull base tumors.
Social capital mediates the effect of socio‐economic status on prosocial practices: Evidence from the CGSS 2012 survey
Authors: Zhang Yikang , Sun Qian , Liu Yongfang 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAlthough the relationship between socio‐economic status (SES) and prosocial practices has been extensively studied, little is known about the role that social capital plays in this relationship. This study examines the mediating effect of different forms of social capital, including informal neighbourhood capital, membership in voluntary associations, and professional connection, on the relationship between SES and prosocial practices. A total of 3,300 urban samples and 2,170 rural samples from the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) 2012 were selected to conduct two‐group structural equation modelling. Our results suggested that (a) all three forms of social capital mediated the effect of SES on donating, but only informal neighbourhood capital and membership mediated the effect of SES on volunteering, and (b) SES had a different relationship with social capital in urban China than in rural China. SES had a weak positive correlation with informal neighbourhood capital in rural areas but a negative one in urban areas. SES also had a stronger relationship with membership in voluntary associations in rural areas. Our analyses support the notion that higher SES promotes prosocial practices through social capital.
Heterogeneous NiFeCoP/NF Nanorods as a Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Efficient Water Electrolysis
Authors: Cen Jianmei , Wu Liyan , Zeng Yanfei , Ali Asad , Zhu Yuqing , Shen Pei Kang 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe exploitation of transition metal phosphates (TMPs)‐based catalysts with excellent activity and stability toward both oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) for water electrolysis is imperative but challenging. Herein, we report a novel heterostructured Ni2P−Fe2P−Co2P−Ni5P4 nanorods derived from a NiFe LDH@ZIF‐67 precatalyst on 3D self‐supported Ni foam (NiFeCoP/NF) for water electrolysis. Owing to systematically engineering the composition, structure, and morphology of catalyst, which not only increase the intrinsic activity and create more accessible catalytic activity centers, but also accelerate electron transfer and promote the gas release, the designed NiFeCoP/NF achieves synergistically enhanced catalytic performance towards OER and HER. The as‐prepared NiFeCoP/NF electrode exhibits excellent activities with low overpotentials of 244.2 mV for OER and 167.5 mV for HER, respectively to reach a current density of 100 mA cm−2 in 1.0 KOH solution, as well as outstanding stability for 140 h at 500 mA cm−2. Additionally, a water electrolysis device constructed with the NiFeCoP/NF electrode as both the anode and cathode only needs a low cell voltage of 1.564 V to achieve 30 mA cm−2. This work presents a viable way for developing the high catalytic performance of TMPs‐based bifunctional electrocatalysts via designing and regulating the electronic structure and morphology.
SnS Nanosheets for Rapid and Effective Bacteria Sterilization Under Near‐infrared Irradiation
Authors: Kim JongGuk , Zhang Ze , Sun JingYu , Mo ShuDi , Yun UnHyok , Yun HuiGwang , Liu Lu 
Published: September 2021

AbstractToday, the threat of pathogenic bacterial infection worldwide that leads to the increase of mortality rate strongly demands the development of new antibacterial agents that can kill bacteria quickly and effectively. Although there are a lot of antibacterial agents that have been developed so far, few studies on the antibacterial performance of SnS have been investigated at 808 nm laser. Here, we synthesized SnS nanosheets with strong near‐infrared absorption performance and excellent antibacterial performance via a simple solvothermal synthesis route. The as‐prepared SnS nanosheets showed excellent photothermal conversion efficiency (38.7 %), photodynamic performance, and photostability, and at the same time 99.98 % and 99.7 % sterilization effect against Gram‐negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Gram‐positive Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) under near‐infrared irradiation (808 nm, 1.5 W/cm2). This study suggests that SnS nanosheets could be a promising candidate for antibacterial therapy owing to the synergetic effects of photothermal and photodynamic performance.
Asymmetric syntheses of four stereoisomers of 13‐hydroxy‐14‐methylhexadecanoic acid as potential antibacterial agents
Authors: Wang Lifeng , Zhou Yun , Wang Xueyang , Yuan Gucheng , Yuan Chaonan , Yang Yuxiong , Bian Qinghua , Wang Min , Zhong Jiangchun 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe first total syntheses of four stereoisomers of 13‐hydroxy‐14‐methylhexadecanoic acid have been accomplished. Central to this strategy are asymmetric alkynylation of aldehyde, acid‐catalyzed lactonization, the selective protection of primary alcohol and Wittig reaction. The product 1a was obtained in 17 steps in 2% overall yield. Moreover, these synthetic chiral hydroxy fatty acids 1a‐1d are valuable for the development of antibacterial agents.
Galvanic Deposition of Pt Nanoparticles on Black TiO2 Nanotubes for Hydrogen Evolving Cathodes
Authors: Touni Aikaterini , Liu Xin , Kang Xiaolan , Carvalho Patricia A. , Diplas Spyros , Both Kevin G. , Sotiropoulos Sotirios , Chatzitakis Athanasios 
Published: September 2021

AbstractA galvanic deposition method for the in‐situ formation of Pt nanoparticles (NPs) on top and inner surfaces of high‐aspect‐ratio black TiO2‐nanotube electrodes (bTNTs) for true utilization of their total surface area has been developed. Density functional theory calculations indicated that the deposition of Pt NPs was favored on bTNTs with a preferred [004] orientation and a deposition mechanism occurring via oxygen vacancies, where electrons were localized. High‐resolution transmission electron microscopy images revealed a graded deposition of Pt NPs with an average diameter of around 2.5 nm along the complete nanotube axis (length/pore diameter of 130 : 1). Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) studies in acidic electrolytes showed comparable results to bulk Pt (per geometric area) and Pt/C commercial catalysts (per mg of Pt). The presented novel HER cathodes of minimal engineering and low noble metal loadings (μg cm−2 range) achieved low Tafel slopes (30–34 mV dec−1) and high stability in acidic conditions. This study provides important insights for the in‐situ formation and deposition of NPs in high‐aspect‐ratio structures for energy applications.
Finding common ground: Toward comparable indicators of adaptive capacity of tree species to a changing climate
Authors: Royer‐Tardif Samuel , Boisvert‐Marsh Laura , Godbout Julie , Isabel Nathalie , Aubin Isabelle 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAdaptive capacity, one of the three determinants of vulnerability to climate change, is defined as the capacity of species to persist in their current location by coping with novel environmental conditions through acclimation and/or evolution. Although studies have identified indicators of adaptive capacity, few have assessed this capacity in a quantitative way that is comparable across tree species. Yet, such multispecies assessments are needed by forest management and conservation programs to refine vulnerability assessments and to guide the choice of adaptation measures. In this paper, we propose a framework to quantitatively evaluate five key components of tree adaptive capacity to climate change: individual adaptation through phenotypic plasticity, population phenotypic diversity as influenced by genetic diversity, genetic exchange within populations, genetic exchange between populations, and genetic exchange between species. For each component, we define the main mechanisms that underlie adaptive capacity and present associated metrics that can be used as indices. To illustrate the use of this framework, we evaluate the relative adaptive capacity of 26 northeastern North American tree species using values reported in the literature. Our results show adaptive capacity to be highly variable among species and between components of adaptive capacity, such that no one species ranks consistently across all components. On average, the conifer Picea glauca and the broadleaves Acer rubrum and A. saccharinum show the greatest adaptive capacity among the 26 species we documented, whereas the conifers Picea rubens and Thuja occidentalis, and the broadleaf Ostrya virginiana possess the lowest. We discuss limitations that arise when comparing adaptive capacity among species, including poor data availability and comparability issues in metrics derived from different methods or studies. The breadth of data required for such an assessment exemplifies the multidisciplinary nature of adaptive capacity and the necessity of continued cross‐collaboration to better anticipate the impacts of a changing climate.
Modeling of the Triacylglycerol Stereospecific Composition of Vegetable Oils: I. Comparison of Models for Triacylglycerol Assembly
Authors: Sovová Helena 
Published: September 2021

AbstractStereospecific composition of triacylglycerols (TAGs) is calculated for a set of analytical data on genetically modified sunflower and soybean seed oils, using different mathematical models for TAG assembly. The models are related to biochemical pathways. The data (Reske et al., JAOCS 74 (1997) 989–998) consist of total fatty acid profiles, fatty acid proportion in the sn‐positions of TAGs, and TAG composition determined by HPLC analysis without distinguishing isomers. Besides the 1‐random, 2‐random, 3‐random models, a DAG‐random, 3‐random model is examined, the parameters of which are estimates of mole fractions of sn‐1,2‐diacylglycerols (sn‐1,2‐DAGs) before esterification at the sn‐3 position. Combining the last named model with correlations of fatty acid proportions in the sn‐positions and overall fatty acid composition, triacylglycerol stereospecific composition can be estimated from the TAG composition determined by HPLC. The deviation of the estimates from analytical characteristics of oils (fatty acid distribution and TAG composition) is less than the deviation of results of the Vander Wal model.Practical Applications: It can be expected that the DAG‐random, 3‐random model with arbitrarily adjustable distribution of acyls in sn‐1,2‐diacylglycerols can reflect the composition of TAGs rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids better than previously used models. The reason is that it can reflect acyl editing in phosphatidylcholine pool of seed cells, while the 1‐random, 2‐random, 3‐random models correspond to simple Kennedy pathway of oil biosynthesis.
Bidirectional Synthesis, Photophysical and Electrochemical Characterization of Polycyclic Quinones Using Benzocyclobutenes and Benzodicyclobutenes as Precursors
Authors: Mohamed Abdelmoniem Amr , Abdelshafy Abdelhamid Ismail , Butenschön Holger 
Published: September 2021

AbstractQuinones have widespread applications in view of their interesting chemical and photophysical features. On the other hand, benzocyclobutenes (BCBs) are generally masked reactive dienes suitable for the [4+2] cycloaddition reactions. Here, benzocyclobutenes and benzodicyclobutenes (BDCBs) were prepared and further reacted with benzoquinone and naphthoquinone in order to obtain some new polycyclic quinones with highly extendedπsystems, namely, 6‐bromo‐5,8‐dimethoxyanthracene‐1,4‐dione, 2,9‐dibromo‐1,4,8,11‐tetramethoxypentacene‐6,13‐dione, 9‐bromo‐7,10‐dimethoxytetracene‐5,12‐dione, 3,10‐dimethoxycyclobuta[b]anthracene‐1,5,8(2H)‐trione, 6,10,17,21‐tetramethoxynonacene‐1,4,8,12,15,19‐hexaone, and 3,12‐dimethoxycyclobuta[b]tetracene‐1,5,10(2H)‐trione. In addition to their spectroscopic characterization the new compounds are investigated by UV and fluorescence spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and DFT calculations.
N‐Confused Pyritriphyrin: A New Class of Triphyrin and Its Calixphyrin Analogue
Authors: Das Mainak , Singh Deepak , Chitranshi Sangya , Murugavel M. , Srinivasan A. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe N‐confused pyritriphyrin(3.3.1) was synthesized by switching the bonding mode of subpyriporphyrin with inclusion of two o‐phenylene rings in the macrocyclic core and prevails nonaromatic character due to the local aromatic characteristic of the embedded 3,5‐diphenylpyridyl unit. The simplest contracted derivative of N‐confused pyricalixphyrin such as calix[2]phyrin(2.2.1.1.1) is mainly achieved; (a) along with N‐confused pyritriphyrin; (b) by changing the reaction condition and (c) from N‐confused pyritriphyrin by using simple reducing agent. The conversion of N‐confused pyritriphyrin to respective calixphyrin analogue was elusive so far. The molecular structure of calixphyrin is unambiguously confirmed by crystal analysis which reveals its partial ruffled conformation with exclusively amine pyrrole units in the macrocyclic core in spite of steric congestion, which is unprecedented to date.
A projection‐based Laplace approximation for spatial latent variable models
Authors: Park Jaewoo , Lee Sangwan 
Published: September 2021

AbstractLaplace method is a practical tool for obtaining maximum likelihood estimators for a wide class of latent variable models. The main idea is to approximate the integrand using a Gaussian distribution. However, with increasing observations, the Laplace approximation becomes infeasible because the dimension of the correlated latent variables grows, which results in the high‐dimensional optimization problem. One important example is spatial latent variable models, which are widely used in many fields, such as ecology, epidemiology, and sociology. Spatial latent variable models are useful for investigating the relationship between spatial covariates or predicting the unobserved area. Here, we propose a fast Laplace approximation based on the dimension reduction of the latent variables. Our methods are faster and have fewer components to be tuned than simulation‐based methods such as Markov chain Monte Carlo maximum likelihood and Monte Carlo expectation‐maximization. Our approach can be applied to the large non‐Gaussian spatial data sets, commonly used in modern environmental sciences. Especially, we show how we may understand spatial patterns of non‐Gaussian responses for two case studies: confirmed COVID‐19 cases in the United States and thickness of the Antarctic ice sheet. Through simulation studies under different scenarios, we investigate that our method can provide accurate maximum likelihood estimations and predictions quickly. Our study can be widely applicable for practical maximum likelihood inference for high‐dimensional random effect models. We provide a freely available R‐package that can implement the proposed method.
Measuring the spatial distribution of health rankings in the United States
Authors: Davis Will , Gordan Alexander , Tchernis Rusty 
Published: September 2021

AbstractWe rank counties in the United States with respect to population health. We utilize the five observable county health variables used to construct the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute's County Health Rankings (CHRs). Our method relies on a Bayesian factor analysis model that estimates data‐driven weights for our rankings, incorporates county population sizes into the level of rank uncertainty, and allows for spillovers of health stock across county lines. We find that demographic and economic variation explains a large portion of the variation in health rankings. We address the importance of uncertainty caused by imputation of missing data and show that there is a substantial quantity of uncertainty in rankings throughout the rank distribution. Analyzing the health of counties both within and across state lines shows notable degrees of disparity in county health. While we find some disagreement between the ranks of our model and the CHRs, we show that there is additional information gained by utilizing the rankings produced by both methods.
Factors influencing motivation and job satisfaction of community health workers in Africa and Asia—A multi‐country study
Authors: Olaniran Abimbola , Madaj Barbara , Bar‐Zeev Sarah , Banke‐Thomas Aduragbemi , van den Broek Nynke 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAs key stakeholders continue to affirm the relevance of community health workers (CHWs) in universal health coverage, there is a need for a commensurate focus on their motivation and job satisfaction especially in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) where they play prominent roles. Despite the wealth of literature on motivation and job satisfaction, many studies draw on research conducted in high‐income settings. This study explored factors influencing motivation and satisfaction among CHWs in LMICs. Thirty‐two focus group discussions and 116 key informant interviews were conducted with CHWs, programme staff, health professionals and community leaders in Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Malawi and Nigeria. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Overall, CHWs desired: (1) CHW programmes with manageable workload; work schedules that address concerns of female CHWs on work‐life balance; clear career pathway; and a timely, regular and sustainable remuneration. However, no remuneration type guaranteed satisfaction because of an insatiable quest for additional financial reward. (2) Relationship with stakeholders that enhances their reputation. This was more important for unsalaried CHWs. (3) Opportunities to support community members. This was popular among all cadres as it resonated with their altruistic values. This study provides insights for developing a ‘comprehensive motivation package’ for CHWs.
Impact of optical clearing on ex vivo human skin optical properties characterized by spatially resolved multimodal spectroscopy
Authors: Zaytsev Sergey M. , Amouroux Marine , Khairallah Grégoire , Bashkatov Alexey N. , Tuchin Valery V. , Blondel Walter , Genina Elina A. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractA spatially resolved multimodal spectroscopic device was used on a two‐layered “hybrid” model made of ex vivo skin and fluorescent gel to investigate the effect of skin optical clearing on the depth sensitivity of optical spectroscopy. Time kinetics of fluorescence and diffuse reflectance spectra were acquired in four experimental conditions: with optical clearing agent (OCA) 1 made of polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG‐400), propylene glycol and sucrose; with OCA 2 made of PEG‐400 and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO); with saline solution as control and a “dry” condition. An increase in the gel fluorescence back reflected intensity was measured after optical clearing. Effect of OCA 2 turned out to be stronger than that of OCA 1, possibly due to DMSO impact on the stratum corneum keratin conformation. Complementary experimental results showed increased light transmittance through the skin and confirmed that the improvement in the depth sensitivity of the multimodal spectroscopic approach is related not only to the dehydration and refractive indices matching due to optical clearing, but also to the mechanical compression of tissues caused by the application of the spectroscopic probe.