bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Photophysics of Polythiophene Nanoparticles for Biological Applications
Authors: Bargigia Ilaria , Zucchetti Elena , Kandada Ajay Ram Srimath , Moreira Miguel , Bossio Caterina , Wong Walter P. D. , Miranda Paulo Barbeitas , Decuzzi Paolo , Soci Cesare , D'Andrea Cosimo , Lanzani Guglielmo 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIn this work the photophysics of poly(3‐hexylthiophene) nanoparticles (NPs) is investigated in the context of their biological applications. The NPs, made as colloidal suspensions in aqueous buffers, present a distinct absorption band in the low‐energy region. On the basis of systematic analysis of absorption and transient absorption (TA) spectra taken under different pH conditions, this band is associated with charge‐transfer states generated by the polarization of loosely bound polymer chains and originating from complexes formed with electron‐withdrawing species. Importantly, the ground‐state depletion of these states upon photoexcitation is active even on microsecond timescales, thus suggesting that they act as precursor states for long‐living polarons; this could be beneficial for cellular stimulation. Preliminary transient absorption microscopy results for NPs internalized within the cells reveal the presence of long‐living species, further substantiating their relevance in biointerfaces.
Enhanced Oxygen Reduction Stability and Activity by Co and N (or O) Interaction in CoO on N‐Doped Carbon Prepared through Spray Pyrolysis
Authors: Kim In Gyeom , Nah In Wook , Park Sehkyu 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAlthough the development of a highly active and cost‐effective electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is necessary, it is a challenging issue for commercially viable energy conversion applications such as fuel cells or metal‐air batteries. In this study, we synthesize nitrogen‐doped, carbon‐supported CoO catalysts (denoted as CoO/NCs) with high stability and activity. The CoO/NC is prepared by one‐pot spray pyrolysis, which is simple and has an easily scalable synthetic route. In an effort to find a better catalyst composition for ORR activity, several catalysts are synthesized by controlling the concentrations of the solutions that contain carbon, urea as the nitrogen source, and a cobalt precursor. The catalysts are then characterized using various methods to comprehensively study their properties coupled with ORR kinetics and stability. The CoO/NC2 catalyst shows higher catalytic activity towards ORR than the other in‐house prepared catalysts. It is comparable to commercial Pt/C and has very high stability for 80 h in an alkaline medium. Systematic analyses clarify that the superior electrocatalytic performance of CoO/NC2 stems mainly from its enhanced electron density and pathway by heteroatom doping and its modified carbon nature during spray pyrolysis.
Progress in Lanthionine and Protected Lanthionine Synthesis
Authors: Denoël Thibaut , Lemaire Christian , Luxen André 
Published: May 2018

AbstractLanthionine (Lan), a non‐proteinogenic natural amino acid, is an essential component of peptidoglycan found in the cell wall of Fusobacterium species. Lan and β‐methyllanthionine are also key constituents in lantibiotics, a prevalent class of peptide antibiotics. The development of those new antibacterial drugs with enhanced properties is the focus of recent research. Since multiple isomers of Lan are possible, a regio‐ and diastereoselective synthesis is challenging. This comprehensive review summarizes the known chemical syntheses of lanthionine from various precursors (e.g., β‐chloroalanine, cystine, dehydroalanine, β‐iodoalanine, aziridine, serine lactone, sulfamidate) since 1941. Methods for preparation of unprotected, protected, orthogonally protected, and mutually orthogonally protected lanthionine with relevant experimental details and perspectives on their usefulness are provided. The potential of these Lan derivatives is illustrated by one recent application.
Compartmentalization of Incompatible Polymers within Metal–Organic Frameworks towards Homogenization of Heterogeneous Hybrid Catalysts for Tandem Reactions
Authors: Zhao Jin‐Hao , Yang Yong , Che Jin‐Xin , Zuo Jun , Li Xiao‐Hua , Hu Yong‐Zhou , Dong Xiao‐Wu , Gao Liang , Liu Xin‐Yuan 
Published: May 2018

AbstractNew catalytic systems that contain incompatible catalytic sites were constructed by the in situ polymerization of acidic and basic polymers into metal–organic frameworks, which resulted in highly porous, recyclable, and durable catalytic composites with excellent compartmentalization, so that opposing agents were spatially isolated. These synthesized hybrid catalysts exhibited excellent catalytic activity for one‐pot “wolf and lamb” reactions (deacetalization/Knoevenagel or Henry), which was attributed to their unique characteristic of having a locally homogeneous, but globally heterogeneous, structure.
Multicomponent Self‐Assembly of Metallo‐Supramolecular Macrocycles and Cages through Dynamic Heteroleptic Terpyridine Complexation
Authors: Wang Shih‐Yu , Huang Jyun‐Yang , Liang Yen‐Peng , He Yun‐Jui , Chen Yu‐Sheng , Zhan Yi‐Yang , Hiraoka Shuichi , Liu Yi‐Hung , Peng Shie‐Ming , Chan Yi‐Tsu 
Published: May 2018

AbstractSpontaneous formation of the heteroleptic cadmium(II) bis(terpyridine) complex under ambient conditions can be achieved by a combination of 6,6′′‐di(2,6‐dimethoxylphenyl)‐substituted and unsubstituted terpyridine‐based ligands. Building on this dynamic heteroleptic complexation, diverse metallo‐supramolecular macrocycles and cages were readily assembled in quantitative yields from the predesigned multicomponent systems. The complementary ligation reinforced self‐recognition to facilitate the shape‐dependent self‐sorting of a four‐component dynamic library into two well‐defined parallelograms. In addition, the subtle lability difference between homoleptic and heteroleptic complexes led to the site‐selective CdII–ZnII transmetalation in the Sierpiński triangle. Facile construction of a dodecanuclear tetrahedral metallocage was also realized by using two self‐recognizable tritopic building blocks. The photophysical study of the metallo‐supramolecules assembled from the d10 metal ions revealed intense ligand‐based photoluminescence in solution. The self‐assembly strategy described here provides an efficient methodology for building pre‐programmable, sophisticated supramolecular architectures furnished with photoactivity.
Catalytic Transformation of Cellulose and Its Derivatives into Functionalized Organic Acids
Authors: Li Shi , Deng Weiping , Wang Shanshan , Wang Pan , An Dongli , Li Yanyun , Zhang Qinghong , Wang Ye 
Published: May 2018

AbstractCellulose is a promising renewable and abundant resource for the production of high‐value chemicals, in particular, organic oxygenates, because of its high oxygen/carbon ratio. The sustainable production of hydroxycarboxylic acids and dicarboxylic acids, such as gluconic/glucaric acid, lactic acid, 2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid, adipic acid, and terephthalic acid, most of which are monomers of key polymers, have attracted much attention in recent years. The synthesis of these organic acids from cellulose generally involves several tandem reaction steps, and thus, multifunctional catalysts that can catalyze the selective activation of specific C−O or C−C bonds hold the key. This review highlights recent advances in the development of efficient catalytic systems and new strategies for the selective conversion of cellulose or its derived carbohydrates into functionalized organic acids. The reaction mechanism is discussed to offer deep insights into the regioselective cleavage of C−O or C−C bonds.
Estimating tree diversity in forest ecosystems by two‐phase inventories
Authors: Corona P. , Fattorini L. , Franceschi S. , Marcheselli M. , Pisani C. , Chiavetta U. , Puletti N. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractSeveral studies reveal that there is a strong interconnection between climate change and biodiversity. Indeed, estimating plant biodiversity is an important issue under forest ecosystem monitoring, which allows the evaluation of carbon storage and sequestration capacity. To this end, a two‐phase strategy, suitably compatible with the most adopted sampling designs in large‐scale forest inventories, is proposed. In the first phase, tessellation stratified sampling is performed by partitioning the study area into a grid of quadrats and by randomly selecting a point in each quadrat. The first‐phase points are classified as forest or nonforest using remotely sensed imagery. In the second phase, a sample of points is selected from those classified as forest by means of simple random sampling without replacement. The second‐phase points constitute the centers of circular plots that are visited in the field to record plant species (usually trees) and their abundance. Estimators of abundance and diversity and estimators of their variances are presented. The proposed strategy is applied in a forest area from Central Italy, as a case study. With respect to the sampling effort, the resulting estimates of relative standard errors are satisfactory, especially those regarding the overall total and diversity index estimators. The proposed statistical approach represents a suitable reference for integrated forest inventory frameworks effectively supporting biodiversity monitoring and assessment.
Rapid preparation of molecularly imprinted polymers by custom‐made microwave heating for analysis of atrazine in water
Authors: Kueseng Pamornrat , Nisoa Mudtorlep , Sontimuang Chonlatid 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe rapid preparation of an atrazine‐imprinted polymer in a cost‐effective custom‐made microwave reactor was demonstrated. The polymerization reaction was accelerated by microwave heating, and the preparation time was greatly shortened (to 1 h). The resulting polymer was successfully applied as solid‐phase extraction adsorbent for the selective extraction and preconcentration of atrazine in environmental water samples. The binding capacity of the polymer was 1.11 mg/g polymer. The polymer provided selectivity with higher recovery of atrazine than of other interfering related contaminants. The proposed method had good limits of detection and quantitation at 0.20 and 0.60 ng/mL, respectively. The recoveries were from 83 to 89% at two spiking levels, with relative standard deviations less than 5%. This method was successfully applied to determine the atrazine levels in environmental water samples.
Selection of rest structures and microsites by fishers in Oregon
Authors: Aubry Keith B. , Raley Catherine M. , Cunningham Patrick G. 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACTMost previous studies of resting habitat for fishers (Pekania pennanti) in the Pacific coastal region of the western United States and Canada were focused on habitat conditions within rest sites (typically ≤0.5 ha), which include the rest structure (e.g., live tree, snag, log) at its center. Studies of selection for rest structures were sparse and compared characteristics of rest structures to those occurring within rest sites; none investigated selection by sampling resource availability throughout the study area. In addition, limited data were available on the use of rest microsites (e.g., mistletoe brooms, platform branches, cavities) by fishers, and no studies have quantified their availability. To better inform forest management activities designed to improve resting habitat for fishers, we documented use of rest structures and microsites throughout the year by 12 female and 7 male fishers on the west slope of the Cascade Range in southern Oregon, USA from 1995 to 2001, systematically sampled the availability of rest structures and microsites, and used logistic regression modeling to investigate selection of rest structures. Fishers primarily used live trees (65%), snags (14%), and logs (16%) for resting; in all 3 resulting models, the characteristic that best distinguished used from available rest structures was the presence of a suitable rest microsite: mistletoe broom or cavity in live trees, cavity in snags, and hollow end in logs. Only the snag and log models included covariates associated with tree size, likely reflecting the need for enclosed rest microsites (cavities, hollow ends) to be large enough to contain an adult fisher. We then used our availability data to model the ecological characteristics associated with mistletoe brooms in live trees, cavities in snags, and hollow ends in logs. Whether a tree was a hemlock (Tsuga spp.) had the greatest effect on the presence of suitable mistletoe broom microsites, but the most important characteristics of snags with cavities and logs with hollow ends were being in moderate stages of decay and relatively large in diameter at breast height (snags) or diameter 3 m from the large end (logs). Forest structures containing suitable rest microsites for fishers were uncommon in our study and may represent a limited resource. Accordingly, we recommend that management of resting habitat for fishers be focused on retaining relatively large structures that already contain suitable rest microsites, rather than simply retaining the largest available structures. Published 2018. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Evaluation of spatial distribution and regional zone delineation for micronutrients in a semiarid Deccan Plateau Region of India
Authors: Shukla Arvind Kumar , Sinha Nishant Kumar , Tiwari Pankaj Kumar , Prakash Chandra , Behera Sanjib Kumar , Surendra Babu P. , Patnaik M.C. , Somasundaram J. , Singh Pooja , Dwivedi Brahma Swaroop , Datta Siba Prasad , Meena Mahesh C. , Tripathi Rahul , Nayak Amaresh Kumar , Kumar Anil , Shukla Kriti , Siddiqui Sahab , Patra Ashok Kumar 
Published: May 2018

AbstractEmerging micronutrient deficiencies in different soils of the world is a threat for sustainability of agriculture. As distribution of micronutrients in soil varies spatially, site‐specific management of micronutrients by delineating regional zones (RZs) is an effective strategy for precision agriculture. The current investigation was performed to delineate RZs in a Deccan Plateau Region (DPR) of India by considering spatial variability of some soil properties and available micronutrients for efficient management of micronutrients. Altogether, 4,939 representative soil samples (with geographical coordinates) from surface (0–0.15 m depth) layers were obtained from Telangana state lying in DPR of India. After processing, soil samples were analysed for pH, electrical conductivity, soil organic carbon and available zinc, copper, iron, and manganese. Soil pH, electrical conductivity, and soil organic carbon content had mean values of 7.48 ± 0.95, 0.42 ± 0.22 dS/m and 0.48 ± 0.17%, respectively. Whereas, the mean values of available zinc, iron, copper, and manganese concentrations were 0.83 ± 0.36, 8.79 ± 4.15, 0.99 ± 0.43, and 8.79 ± 4.06 mg/kg, respectively. Geostatistical analysis divulged different distribution pattern of soil properties and available micronutrients with strong to moderate spatial dependency. The four principal components (with >1 eigenvalue) responsible for 73% of total variance were considered for analysis. Six RZs from the study area were created through geostatistical, principal component, and clustering analysis. The measured soil properties and available micronutrients in the RZs varied significantly highlighting the usefulness of RZ delineation technique for precise micronutrients management in DPR of India.
Translating phototherapeutic indices from in vitro to in vivo photodynamic therapy with bacteriochlorins
Authors: Luz André F.S. , Pucelik Barbara , Pereira Mariette M. , Dąbrowski Janusz M. , Arnaut Luis G. 
Published: May 2018

ObjectiveTo compare hydrophilic and lipophilic bacteriochlorin photosensitizers in the photodynamic therapy of cancer, and relate their properties and in vitro phototoxicities to the efficacy of in vivo PDT treatments.Materials and MethodsPhotochemical characterization of a hydrophilic bacteriochlorin (F2BOH) photosensitizer, and its use in PDT was compared with the performance of a closely related but water‐insoluble bacteriochlorin (F2BMet or redaporfin). Biodistribution, pharmacokinetics, skin photosensitivity, PDT efficacy and immune responses of two bacteriochlorins were compared. PDT in vitro employed CT26 colon carcinoma cells. BALB/c mice bearing CT26 cells were treated according to a protocol where the illumination of the subcutaneous tumor is performed 15 minute after intravenous administration of the photosensitizer, while it is in the vascular compartment (vascular‐PDT).ResultsF2BOH has photochemical properties comparable to redaporfin and both are promising photosensitizers for PDT. Although, F2BOH is 10 times less phototoxic in vitro than redaporfin, the phototoxicity of F2BOH in vascular‐PDT is comparable to that of redaporfin. This is consistent with the fact that the vasculature is the main target of vascular‐PDT. F2BOH‐PDT led to long‐term cures and stimulation of the immune system.ConclusionF2BOH is soluble in aqueous media, photostable, has a convenient elimination half‐life of 44 hours and leads to very low skin photosensitivity one week after administration. F2BOH and redaporfin are both very phototoxic in vascular‐PDT, but this could not be anticipated from their widely different phototherapeutic indices in vitro. PDT with F2BOH enabled long‐term cures of BALB/c mice with subcutaneously implanted CT26 tumors, and the cured mice rejected tumor re‐inoculation one year after the treatment. Lasers Surg. Med. 50:451–459, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sulforaphane Upregulates the Heat Shock Protein Co‐Chaperone CHIP and Clears Amyloid‐β and Tau in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Lee Siyoung , Choi Bo‐Ryoung , Kim Jisung , LaFerla Frank M. , Park Jung Han Yoon , Han Jung‐Soo , Lee Ki Won , Kim Jiyoung 
Published: May 2018

ScopeSulforaphane is an herbal isothiocyanate enriched in cruciferous vegetables. Here, the authors investigate whether sulforaphane modulates the production of amyloid‐β (Aβ) and tau, the two main pathological factors in Alzheimer's disease (AD).Methods and resultsA triple transgenic mouse model of AD (3 × Tg‐AD) is used to study the effect of sulforaphane. Oral gavage of sulforaphane reduces protein levels of monomeric and polymeric forms of Aβ as well as tau and phosphorylated tau in 3 × Tg‐AD mice. However, sulforaphane treatment do not affect mRNA expression of amyloid precursor protein or tau. As previous studies show that Aβ and tau metabolism are influenced by a heat shock protein (HSP) co‐chaperone, C‐terminus of HSP70‐interacting protein (CHIP), the authors examine whether sulforaphane can modulate CHIP. The authors find that sulforaphane treatment increase levels of CHIP and HSP70. Furthermore, observations of CHIP‐deficient primary neurons derived from 3 × Tg‐AD mice suggest that sulforaphane treatment increase CHIP level and clear the accumulation of Aβ and tau. Finally, sulforaphane ameliorated memory deficits in 3 × Tg‐AD mice as reveal by novel object/location recognition tests and contextual fear conditioning tests.ConclusionThese results demonstrate that sulforaphane treatment upregulates CHIP and has the potential to decrease the accumulation of Aβ and tau in patients with AD.
Incongruence between women's survey‐ and interview‐determined decision control preferences: A mixed methods study of decision‐making in metastatic breast cancer
Authors: Ejem Deborah , Dionne‐Odom J. Nicholas , Turkman Yasemin , Knight Sara J. , Willis Dan , Kaufman Peter A. , Bakitas Marie 
Published: May 2018

AbstractObjectiveWomen with metastatic breast cancer face numerous, complex treatment and advance care planning (ACP) decisions. Our aim was to develop a better understanding of women with metastatic breast cancer's decision‐making preferences overtime and relative to specific types of decisions.MethodsConvergent, parallel mixed‐methods study. Participants completed the Control Preferences Scale (CPS) and a semi‐structured interview of decision‐making experiences at enrollment (T1; n = 22) and when facing a decision or 3 months later (T2; n = 19). We categorized women's decision‐making experience descriptions into one of the CPS decisional styles and compared them to their CPS response. We constructed an analytic grid that aligned the interview‐determined treatment and ACP decisional preferences with the CPS categories at T1 and T2 and calculated Cohen's kappa coefficient and congruence percentages.ResultsParticipants (n = 22) were White (100%), averaged 62 years, married (54%), retired (45%), and had a bachelor's degree (45%). Congruence between CPS response and interview‐determined treatment preferences at T1 was 32% (kappa = 0.083) and 33% (kappa = 0.120) at T2. Congruence between CPS survey response and interview‐determined ACP preferences at T1 was 22.7% (kappa =0.092) at T1 and 11% (kappa = 0.011) at T2.ConclusionsAlthough women selected a “shared” treatment decision‐making style using the CPS validated tool, when interviewed their descriptions generally reflected a passive process in which they followed the oncologists' treatment suggestions. Future research should explore whether the incongruence between stated and actual decision‐making style is a function of misinterpreting the CPS choices or a true inconsistency that could lead to adverse consequences such as decisional regret.
Effectiveness of nonpharmacological interventions to reduce procedural anxiety in children and adolescents undergoing treatment for cancer: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Nunns Michael , Mayhew Dominic , Ford Tamsin , Rogers Morwenna , Curle Christine , Logan Stuart , Moore Darren 
Published: May 2018

AbstractObjectiveChildren and young people (CYP) with cancer undergo painful and distressing procedures. We aimed to systematically review the effectiveness of nonpharmacological interventions to reduce procedural anxiety in CYP.MethodsExtensive literature searches sought randomised controlled trials that quantified the effect of any nonpharmacological intervention for procedural anxiety in CYP with cancer aged 0 to 25. Study selection involved independent title and abstract screening and full text screening by two reviewers. Anxiety, distress, fear, and pain outcomes were extracted from included studies. Where similar intervention, comparator, and outcomes presented, meta‐analysis was performed, producing pooled effect sizes (Cohen's d) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). All other data were narratively described. Quality and risk of bias appraisal was performed, based on the Cochrane risk of bias tool.ResultsScreening of 11 727 records yielded 56 relevant full texts. There were 15 included studies, eight trialling hypnosis, and seven nonhypnosis interventions. There were large, statistically significant reductions in anxiety and pain for hypnosis, particularly compared with treatment as usual (anxiety: d = 2.30; 95% CI, 1.30‐3.30; P < .001; pain: d = 2.16; 95% CI, 1.41‐2.92; P < .001). Evidence from nonhypnosis interventions was equivocal, with some promising individual studies. There was high risk of bias across included studies limiting confidence in some positive effects.ConclusionsEvidence suggests promise for hypnosis interventions to reduce procedural anxiety in CYP undergoing cancer treatment. These results largely emerge from one research group, therefore wider research is required. Promising evidence for individual nonhypnosis interventions must be evaluated through rigorously conducted randomised controlled trials.