bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Significant Effect of Fluorination on Simultaneously Improving Work Function and Transparency of Anode Interlayer for Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Lu Lili , Liao Qing , Zu Yunfei , Xu Ye , Xu Bowei , Hou Jianhui 
Published: February 2019

AbstractSince the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) level of donors in organic solar cells (OSCs) is being constantly downshifted for achieving high open‐circuit voltage (Voc), a further enhancement of the anode work function (WF) is required. Herein, an effective approach of fluorination is demonstrated to simultaneously improve the WF and transparency for anode interlayer (AIL) material. By fluorination, in combination with the dialysis treatment in LiCl solution, the WF of PCP‐2F‐Li could be significantly enhanced from 4.86 to 5.0 eV, as compared to PCP‐Na. Meanwhile, the transparency of the polymer is also improved. As a result, PCP‐2F‐Li can be used to modify efficient active layers consisting of polymer donors with deep HOMO levels, such as PBDB‐T‐2F:IT‐4F, and an outstanding power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 12.7% is achieved in the corresponding device with a high Voc of 0.84 V. This result represents the highest efficiency for the OSCs using a solution‐processed pH‐neutral AIL, which is beneficial to the low‐cost fabrication of high‐performance OSCs with improved stability. More importantly, PCP‐2F‐Li could be processed by blade coating for making large‐area device of 1 cm2, and a PCE of 10.6% is achieved, bringing a promising prospect for the large‐area device fabrication.
Age‐related changes in the marmoset gut microbiome
Authors: Reveles Kelly R. , Patel Shrina , Forney Larry , Ross Corinna N. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe gut microbiome is known to play a significant role in human health but its role in aging remains unclear. The objective of this study was to compare the gut microbiome composition between young adult and geriatric non‐human primates (marmosets) as a model of human health and disease. Stool samples were collected from geriatric (8+ years) and young adult males (2–5 years). Stool 16S ribosomal RNA V4 sequences were amplified and sequenced on the Illumina MiSeq platform. Sequences were clustered into operational taxonomic units and classified via Mothur's Bayesian classifier referenced against the Greengenes database. A total of 10 young adult and 10 geriatric marmosets were included. Geriatric marmosets had a lower mean Shannon diversity compared with young marmosets (3.15 vs. 3.46; p = 0.0191). Geriatric marmosets had a significantly higher mean abundance of Proteobacteria (0.22 vs. 0.09; p = 0.0233) and lower abundance of Firmicutes (0.15 vs. 0.19; p = 0.0032) compared with young marmosets. Geriatric marmosets had a significantly higher abundance of Succinivibrionaceae (0.16 vs. 0.01; p = 0.0191) and lower abundance of Porphyromonadaceae (0.07 vs. 0.11; p = 0.0494). In summary, geriatric marmosets had significantly altered microbiome diversity and composition compared with young adult marmosets. Further studies are needed to test microbiome‐targeted therapies to improve healthspan and lifespan.
Mitral Annular Plane Systolic Excursion as a predictor of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction in mechanically ventilated patients
Authors: Shah Asim , Nanjayya Vinodh , Ihle Josh 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIntroductionThe accurate measurement of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) requires high‐quality images and echocardiography expertise. Critically ill patients can present challenges in obtaining good acoustic windows for ultrasound, particularly for ICU trainees early in their ultrasound learning. Mitral Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (MAPSE), a simple measurement, may be useful in this context to estimate LV systolic function.Materials and MethodsAll adult patients admitted to the Alfred ICU between August 2012 and February 2013 who were on mechanical ventilation and needed an echocardiography examination were eligible to be included in the study. An ICU trainee in their first year of echocardiography training performed MAPSE measurements. An advanced echocardiographer classified LV systolic function into normal, mild, moderate or severe categories based on the visual estimation of LVEF. The relationship between the MAPSE measurements and the range of LV systolic function was assessed.ResultsAmongst 39 patients, the mean (SD) age was 55 (18.6) years, 20 (50%) were males, 36 (90%) were in sinus rhythm, 19 (48%) were on vasopressors, 12 (30%) were on inotropes and 23 (58%) were on mandatory mode mechanical ventilation. The mean (SD) MAPSE was 12.2 (5.28) mm. 28 (70%) of the patients had normal or mildly reduced LVEF. The ROC analysis showed that a MAPSE cut‐off point of ≥12.5 mm diagnosed normal or mildly reduced LVEF with 82.14% sensitivity and 91.67% specificity. The area under ROC curve was 0.91 (95% CI 0.82–1.00).ConclusionMAPSE is useful as a surrogate for LVEF in mechanically ventilated patients. In early critical care echocardiography training, a novice learner can perform MAPSE easily, accurately, and find it helpful for assessment of LVEF.
Characterization and in vitro evaluation of electrospun aligned‐fiber membranes of poly(L‐co‐D,L‐lactic acid)
Authors: Leal Claudenete Vieira , dos Santos Almeida Rosemeire , Dávila José Luis , Domingues Juliana Almeida , Hausen Moema A. , Duek Eliana A. Rezende , d’Ávila Marcos Akira 
Published: February 2019

ABSTRACTpoly(L‐co‐D,L‐lactic acid) (PLDLA) is a bioresorbable and biocompatible copolymer obtained from the combination of L‐lactic and D, L‐lactic monomers. PLDLA membranes formed by aligned fibers were prepared by AC/DC electrospinning. Solutions of 8 and 10 wt % of PLDLA were used and membranes were collected by a rotating cylindrical collector. The results showed a slight increase in the fiber diameter with the increase in the polymer concentration. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results showed no changes in the chemical structure. Dynamic mechanical analysis results showed an increase in the storage modulus and a decrease in glass‐transition temperature for the 10 wt % samples, which was corroborated by differential scanning calorimetry. Thermogravimetric analysis showed a slight variation of the peak degradation temperature. Nevertheless, the samples did not present solvent residues. The membranes were tested in vitro using adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs). The ASCs proliferated after 1, 7, and 14 days of culture, maintaining a spindle‐like morphology, which evidences their potential for tissue engineering applications. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47657.
Design and synthesis of imidazolidinone derivatives as potent anti‐leishmanial agents by bioisosterism
Authors: Ramu Dandugudumula , Jain Ravi , Kumar Ravi R. , Sharma Veena , Garg Swati , Ayana Rajagopal , Luthra Tania , Yadav Preeti , Sen Subhabrata , Singh Shailja 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBioisosterism is a useful strategy in rational drug design to improve pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of lead compounds. Imidazolidinones have been reported as potent kinase inhibitors and antileishmanial agents. In this study, bioisosteres of imidazolidinones (compounds 1–3) were evaluated for their antileishmanial properties. The modified imidazolidinones exhibited potent antileishmanial activity against extracellular as well as intracellular Leishmania donovani parasites in nanomolar concentrations. The selectivity index of these compounds on host cells was found to be more than 1000, emphasizing their specificity toward the parasite. Using SwissTargetPrediction software, we assessed the potential targets of these compounds and found MAPK as the most probable target. To in vitro validate, we developed a novel in vitro kinase assay that mimics the in vivo nature of the functional kinome. Compounds 1–3 displayed specific inhibition of parasite kinase activity accompanied by an increase in intracellular sodium levels in the parasites. This might be the effect of kinase inhibition that regulates sodium homeostasis through Na‐ATPases. Finally, the compound‐treated parasites underwent apoptosis‐like death. This study represents bioisoterism as a novel approach for drug design to establish the structure–activity relationship, which in turn helps to improve the therapeutic activity of lead compounds.
Activation of the Peroxisome Proliferator–Activated Receptor γ Coactivator 1β/NFATc1 Pathway in Circulating Osteoclast Precursors Associated With Bone Destruction in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Ma Jian‐Da , Jing Jun , Wang Jun‐Wei , Mo Ying‐Qian , Li Qian‐Hua , Lin Jian‐Zi , Chen Le‐Feng , Shao Lan , Miossec Pierre , Dai Lie 
Published: February 2019

ObjectiveActivation of osteoclastogenesis at the bone site in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is well established. The mechanisms by which circulating osteoclast precursors contribute are still unclear. Peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor γ coactivator 1β (PGC‐1β) is implicated in transcriptional regulation of osteoclastogenesis in mouse models. This study was undertaken to investigate the contribution of PGC‐1β to circulating osteoclast precursors and its link to bone destruction in RA.MethodsPGC‐1β expression in RA peripheral blood CD14+ monocytes was increased and showed correlation with joint destruction shown on radiographs. Cells from RA patients or healthy controls were transfected with a lentivirus vector for PGC‐1β gene silencing or overexpression and cultured with macrophage colony‐stimulating factor and RANKL. Bone resorption activity, bone‐degrading enzymes, and signaling molecules were measured in these mature osteoclasts.ResultsIncreased nuclear accumulation of PGC‐1β was observed in RA peripheral blood CD14+ monocytes, and these cells had stronger osteoclastogenesis than in healthy controls. PGC‐1β protein expression was positively correlated with radiographic joint destruction (r = 0.396–0.413; allP< 0.05). PGC‐1β knockdown suppressed (51–82% reduction) the expression of cathepsin K, tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP‐9), as well as osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption activity. Conversely, PGC‐1β overexpression increased these markers (by 1.5–1.8‐fold) and osteoclastogenesis. VIVIT, an inhibitor of NFATc1 activation, inhibited the effect of overexpressed PGC‐1β by reducing cathepsin K, TRAP, and MMP‐9 expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay and dual‐luciferase reporter gene assay showed PGC‐1β bound to NFATc1 promoter, leading to transcriptional activation.ConclusionActivation of the PGC‐1β/NFATc1 pathway in circulating osteoclast precursors was associated with bone destruction in RA. This may represent a new treatment target.
Forecasting the volatility of biofuel feedstock prices: the US evidence
Authors: Dutta Anupam , Junttila Juha , Uddin Gazi S. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractGiven that, nowadays, 40% of the US corn crop is used for biofuel production, there is a growing concern that the rise in biofuel production might lead to an increase in food prices. However, it is also obvious that significant growth in biofuel use has minimized the demand for fossil fuel and has hence reduced the volume of carbon emissions. It is therefore crucial to model corn market volatility precisely because such an estimate could play a vital role in stabilizing food and biofuel market prices. For this purpose, we consider using the information content of the corn implied volatility (CIV) index to predict the corn futures market return volatility. Using symmetric and asymmetric GARCH‐class models, we find that the CIV index provides additional information beyond what is contained in the historical volatility of the corn market returns, and the information provided by the CIV index improves volatility forecasts for the US corn market. These findings could be extremely useful for energy market participants. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Simultaneous determination of eight bioactive components in rat plasma after oral administration of Yan‐Ke‐Ning‐Tablet by liquid chromatography coupled with Q‐Exactive Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Xia Yu , Sun Mingyang , Li Ren , Liu Yue 
Published: February 2019

AbstractA rapid, sensitive and reliable quantitative method based on ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography coupled with Q‐Exactive Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry was developed for simultaneous determination of berberine, berberrubine, palmatine, jatrorrhizine, columbamine, baicalin, baicalein and wogonin in rat plasma after oral administration with Yan‐Ke‐Ning‐Tablet (YKNT). After precipitation with acetonitrile, the plasma samples were separated on a reverse‐phase C18 column with 1 mm ammonium acetate containing 0.2% acetic acid–acetonitrile as mobile phase. Calibration curves showed good linearity (r > 0.9983) over the tested concentration ranges of 0.5–200 ng/mL for berberine, berberrubine, palmatine, jatrorrhizine and columbamine, and 1–300 ng/mL for baicalin, baicalein and wogonin. The precision (relative standard deviation) at three different concentration levels was <12.15% and the accuracy (relative error) ranged from −8.24 to 10.85%. No matrix effects were observed with matrix effect value ranging from 89.23 to 107.68%. The extraction recovery was in the range of 82.34–92.31%. The validated assay was further successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of these components after oral administration of YKNT. The present study provides the pharmacokinetic profiles of major bioactive components found in YKNT, and provides valuable information regarding the chemical components that were absorbed into plasma, which will be helpful for understanding the therapeutic effects of YKNT.
Enhanced Droplet Size Control in Liquid‐Liquid Emulsions Obtained in a Wire‐Guided X‐Mixer
Authors: Bangjang Thapanee , Cherkasov Nikolay , Denissenko Petr , Jaree Attasak , Rebrov Evgeny V. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe droplet size in a liquid‐liquid emulsion can be controlled by placing a metal wire along the centerline of an X‐mixer. Droplets gradually form when flowing along the wire, with droplet separation occurring at the tip of the wire rather than at the channel intersection in the X‐mixer. The droplet size is now defined by the Plateau‐Rayleigh instability developing in the axisymmetric annular flow region rather than by a sophisticated and hardly predictable three‐dimensional flow at the channel intersection. The wire‐guided droplet formation allows for fine control of the droplet size by changing the wire diameter, the position of the wire tip, and the flow rates. Further control of the droplet size can be achieved by adjusting the surface tension by adding a surfactant.
Direct and Regioselective Di‐α‐fucosylation on the Secondary Rim of β‐Cyclodextrin
Authors: Verkhnyatskaya Stella A. , de Vries Alex H. , Douma‐de Vries Elmatine , Sneep Renze J. L. , Walvoort Marthe T. C. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractA straightforward glycosylation method is described to regio‐ and stereoselectively introduce two α‐l‐fucose moieties directly to the secondary rim of β‐cyclodextrin. Using NMR and MS fragmentation studies, the nonasaccharide structure was determined, which was also visualized using molecular dynamics simulations. The reported glycosylation method proved to be robust on gram‐scale, and may be generally applied to directly glycosylate β‐cyclodextrins to make well‐defined multivalent glycoclusters.
HIV infection is not associated with the initiation of curative treatment in women with cervical cancer in Botswana
Authors: Grover Surbhi , MacDuffie Emily C. , Wang Qiao , Bvochora‐Nsingo Memory , Bhatia Rohini K. , Balang Dawn , Chiyapo Sebathu P. , Luckett Rebecca , Ramogola‐Masire Doreen , Dryden‐Peterson Scott L. , Lin Lilie L. , Shin Sanghyuk S. , Zetola Nicola M. 
Published: February 2019

BackgroundCervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Sub‐Saharan Africa. The risk of developing cancer is increased for women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. It is unknown which factors predict the initiation of curative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in resource‐limited settings and whether HIV is associated with initiating curative CRT in settings with a high HIV burden.MethodsAll women living with and without HIV infection who were initiating curative and noncurative CRT for locally advanced cervical cancer in Botswana were prospectively enrolled in an observational study. The factors associated with receiving CRT were evaluated in all patients and the subgroup of women living with HIV.ResultsOf 519 enrolled women, 284 (55%) initiated CRT with curative intent. The curative cohort included 200 women (70.4%) who were living with HIV and had a median CD4 count of 484.0 cells/μL (interquartile range, 342.0‐611.0 cells/μL). In the noncurative cohort, 157 of 235 women (66.8%) were living with HIV and had a median CD4 count of 476.5 cells/μL (interquartile range, 308.0‐649.5 cells/μL). HIV status was not associated with initiating curative CRT (odds ratio [OR], 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.58‐1.56). The factors associated with receiving curative CRT treatment on multivariable analysis in all patients included baseline hemoglobin levels ≥10 g/dL (OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.18‐2.74) and stage I or II versus stage III or IV disease (OR, 3.16; 95% CI, 2.10‐4.75). Women aged >61 years were less likely to receive curative treatment (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.24‐0.75). Among women who were living with HIV, higher CD4 cell counts were associated with higher rates of CRT initiation.ConclusionsThe initiation of CRT with curative intent does not depend on HIV status. Significant predictors of CRT initiation include baseline hemoglobin level, disease stage, and age.
Transcranial direct current stimulation modulates implicit attitudes towards food in eating disorders
Authors: Mattavelli Giulia , Gallucci Alessia , Schiena Giandomenico , D'Agostino Armando , Sassetti Teresa , Bonora Stefano , Bertelli Sara , Benetti Alberto , Tugnoli Elena , Ruggiero Giovanni Maria , Sassaroli Sandra , Romero Lauro Leonor , Gambini Orsola , Papagno Costanza 
Published: February 2019

AbstractObjectiveNeuromodulation of regions involved in food processing is increasingly used in studies on eating behaviors, but results are controversial. We assessed the effects of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a‐tDCS) on food and body implicit preferences in patients with eating disorders (EDs).MethodThirty‐six ED patients and 36 healthy females completed three sessions with a‐tDCS applied to the medial‐prefrontal cortex (mPFC), the right extrastriate body area (rEBA) or in sham mode. Each participant then completed three Implicit Association Tests (IATs) on tasty/tasteless food, underweight/overweight body images, flowers versus insects as control. Differences in latency between incongruent and congruent blocks were calculated (D score).ResultsThe tDCS by group interaction was significant for the IAT‐food D score, with patients showing weaker preference for tasty food than controls in sham, but not a‐tDCS sessions. In particular, rEBA stimulation significantly increased patients' D score compared to sham. Moreover, a‐tDCS over mPFC and rEBA selectively increased patients' reaction times in the incongruent blocks of the IAT‐food.DiscussionA‐tDCS on frontal and occipito‐temporal cortices modulated food preferences in ED patients. The effect was specific for food images and selective in patients, but not in healthy participants. These findings suggest that neuromodulation of these regions could affect implicit food attitudes.
The hydraulic efficiency–safety trade‐off differs between lianas and trees
Authors: van der Sande Masha T. , Poorter Lourens , Schnitzer Stefan A. , Engelbrecht Bettina M. J. , Markesteijn Lars 
Published: February 2019

AbstractHydraulic traits are important for woody plant functioning and distribution. Associations among hydraulic traits, other leaf and stem traits, and species’ performance are relatively well understood for trees, but remain poorly studied for lianas. We evaluated the coordination among hydraulic efficiency (i.e., maximum hydraulic conductivity), hydraulic safety (i.e., cavitation resistance), a suite of eight morphological and physiological traits, and species’ abundances for saplings of 24 liana species and 27 tree species in wet tropical forests in Panama. Trees showed a strong trade‐off between hydraulic efficiency and hydraulic safety, whereas efficiency and safety were decoupled in lianas. Hydraulic efficiency was strongly and similarly correlated with acquisitive traits for lianas and trees (e.g., positively with gas exchange rates and negatively with wood density). Hydraulic safety, however, showed no correlations with other traits in lianas, but with several in trees (e.g., positively with leaf dry matter content and wood density and negatively with gas exchange rates), indicating that in lianas hydraulic efficiency is an anchor trait because it is correlated with many other traits, while in trees both efficiency and safety are anchor traits. Traits related to shade tolerance (e.g., low specific leaf area and high wood density) were associated with high local tree sapling abundance, but not with liana abundance. Our results suggest that different, yet unknown mechanisms determine hydraulic safety and local‐scale abundance for lianas compared to trees. For trees, the trade‐off between efficiency and safety will provide less possibilities for ecological strategies. For lianas, however, the uncoupling of efficiency and safety could allow them to have high hydraulic efficiency, and hence high growth rates, without compromising resistance to cavitation under drought, thus allowing them to thrive and outperform trees under drier conditions.
Advancing knowledge of gas migration and fugitive gas from energy wells in northeast British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Cahill Aaron G. , Beckie Roger , Ladd Bethany , Sandl Elyse , Goetz Maximillian , Chao Jessie , Soares Julia , Manning Cara , Chopra Chitra , Finke Niko , Hawthorne Iain , Black Andrew , Ulrich Mayer K. , Crowe Sean , Cary Tim , Lauer Rachel , Mayer Bernhard , Allen Andrew , Kirste Dirk , Welch Laurie 
Published: February 2019

AbstractPetroleum resource development is creating a global legacy of active and inactive onshore energy wells. Unfortunately, a portion of these wells will exhibit gas migration (GM), releasing fugitive gas (FG) into adjacent geologic formations and overlying soils. Once mobilized, FG may traverse the critical zone, impact groundwater, and emit to the atmosphere, contributing to greenhouse‐gas emissions. Understanding of GM and FG has increased in recent years but significant gaps persist in knowledge of (1) the incidence and causes of GM, (2) subsurface baseline conditions in regions of development required to delineate GM and FG, and (3) the migration, impacts, and fate of FG. Here we provide an overview of these knowledge gaps as well as the occurrence of GM and FG as currently understood in British Columbia (BC), Canada, a petroleum‐producing region hosting significant reserves. To address the identified knowledge gaps within BC, the Energy and Environment Research Initiative (EERI) at the University of British Columbia is implementing several field‐focused research projects including: (1) statistical analyses of regulatory data to elucidate the incidence and causes of GM, (2) characterization of regional hydrogeology and shallow subsurface conditions in the Peace Region of the Montney resource play, and (3) investigation of the migration, impacts, and fate of FG in the shallow subsurface through controlled natural‐gas release. Together, the EERI investigations will advance understanding of GM and FG, provide scientific data that can inform regulations, and aid development of effective monitoring and detection methodologies for BC and beyond. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.