bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epoxy‐Functionalized Porous Organic Polymers via the Diels–Alder Cycloaddition Reaction for Atmospheric Water Capture
Authors: Byun Yearin , Coskun Ali 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe synthesis of highly microporous, epoxy‐functionalized porous organic polymers (ep‐POPs) by a one‐pot, catalyst‐free Diels–Alder cycloaddition polymerization is reported. The high oxygen content of ep‐POPs offer efficient hydrogen‐bonding sites for water molecules, thus leading to high water‐uptake capacities up to 39.2–42.4 wt % under a wide temperature range of 5–45 °C, which covers the span of climatic conditions and manufacturing applications in which such materials might be used. Importantly, ep‐POPs demonstrated regeneration temperatures as low as 55 °C, as well as excellent water stability, recyclability, and high specific surface areas up to 852 m2 g−1.
Numerical simulations of hydrodynamics and concentration distribution in a stirred tank during startup stage for producing phenylboronic acid ester
Authors: Liu Qi , Su Yuanhai , Luo Zheng‐Hong 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIn this work, a kinetic model of phenylboronic acid ester production process is firstly derived using the power law analysis based on experimental data and then combined with computational fluid dynamics models to simulate the concentration distributions of phenylmagnesium as reactant and phenylboronic acid ester as product during the stirred tank startup stage. Computational grid refinements as well as transient analysis are applied to confirm hydrodynamic and concentration results. Different factors including turbulent equations, wall functions, and rotational speed are investigated with different computational fluid dynamics methods to predict both the phenylmagnesium and phenylboronic acid ester concentration distributions. Simulation results show good agreements with experimental results, and thus, the diffusion and distribution of phenylmagnesium and phenylboronic acid ester inside the reactor can be successfully predicted. To achieve good mixing performance, high rotational speed should be provided with considering the balance between the mixing time and the energy consumption.
Labour Mobility in the PACER Plus
Authors: Kautoke‐Holani Alisi 
Published: January 2018

AbstractSince the commencement of the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus negotiations in 2009, the Pacific Forum Island Countries have maintained that their main gain from this Free Trade Agreement is in labour mobility. Free Trade Agreements, such as the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus, are considered crucial for enhancing labour mobility gains for Pacific Forum Island Countries, particularly given the constraints associated with multilateral trade agreements and unilateral initiatives. In June 2017, the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus was signed and included a side‐arrangement on labour mobility. This article discusses the role of the Agreement in enhancing the development impact of labour mobility in Pacific sending countries and examines the text of the Movement of Natural Persons Chapter and the Arrangement on Labour Mobility to determine the potential gains for Pacific Forum Island Countries.
Development of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Lectin LecA Inhibitor by using Bivalent Galactosides Supported on Polyproline Peptide Scaffolds
Authors: Huang Shao‐Feng , Lin Cin‐Hao , Lai Yu‐Tsung , Tsai Chia‐Lung , Cheng Ting‐Jen R. , Wang Sheng‐Kai 
Published: January 2018

AbstractLecA is a galactose‐binding tetrameric lectin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa involved in infection and biofilm formation. The emergent antibiotic resistance of P. aeruginosa has made LecA a promising pharmaceutical target to treat such infections. To develop LecA inhibitors, we exploit the unique helical structure of polyproline peptides to create a scaffold that controls the galactoside positions to fit their binding sites on LecA. With a modular scaffold design, both the galactoside ligands and the inter‐ligand distance can be altered conveniently. We prepared scaffolds with spacings of 9, 18, 27, and 36 Å for ligand conjugation and found that glycopeptides with galactosides ligands three helical turns (27 Å) apart best fit LecA. In addition, we tested different galactose derivatives on the selected scaffold (27 Å) to improve the binding avidity to LecA. The results validate a new multivalent scaffold design and provide useful information for LecA inhibitor development.
Tandem Radical Cyclization for the Construction of Difluoro‐Containing Oxindoles and Quinoline‐2,4‐diones
Authors: Ding Fangwei , Fang Yuanding , Jiang Yanqiu , Lin Kaifeng , Shi Lei 
Published: January 2018

AbstractCu‐catalyzed direct difluoromethylation of activated alkenes through a difluoromethyl radical addition/cyclization to afford difluorinated oxindoles and quinoline‐2,4‐diones has been developed. This method provides convenient access to a variety of oxindoles and quinoline‐2,4‐diones under mild conditions via a proposed tandem radical cyclization process, while tolerating various functional groups well. Moreover, a facile method to construct diverse difluorinated quinoline‐2,4‐diones by visible‐light photoredox catalysis under mild conditions was presented.
Advances in ginsenoside biosynthesis and metabolic regulation
Authors: Lu Jun , Li Jinxin , Wang Shihui , Yao Lu , Liang Wenxia , Wang Juan , Gao Wenyuan 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIn this paper, we reviewed the advances in ginsenoside biosynthesis and metabolic regulation. To begin with, the application of elicitors in the ginsenoside biosynthesis was discussed. Methyl jasmonate (MJ) and analogues have the best effect on accumulation of ginsenoside compared with other elicitors, and few biotic elicitors are applied in Panax genus plants tissue culture. In addition, so far, more than 40 genes encoding ginsenoside biosynthesis related enzymes have been cloned and identified from Panax genus, such as UDP‐glycosyltransferases (UGT) genes UDPG, UGTAE2, UGT94Q2, UGTPg100, and UGTPg1. However, the downstream pathway of the ginsenoside biosynthesis is still not clear. Moreover, some methods have been used to increase the expression of functional genes and ginsenoside content in the ginsenoside synthesis pathway, including elicitors, overexpression, RNAi, and transcription factors. The ginsenoside biosynthesis pathway should be revealed so that ginsenoside contents can be regulated.
Nexus between environmental infrastructure and transnational cluster in one belt one road countries: Role of governance
Authors: Sun Huaping , Tariq Gulzara , Kong Yusheng , Khan Muhammad Salman , Geng Yong 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIt is widely accepted that cluster brings economic growth as well as environmental pollution, very little is known negative effects of cluster has been proportionally offset by providing good governance to enhance infrastructure's competitiveness in globalized environment. Establishing long‐term relationship among countries for environmental infrastructure has become indispensable. This research improves our understanding of these trade‐offs by conducting empirical analysis with special attention to one belt one road countries. There is absence of econometric studies that investigate the nexus between environmental infrastructure and transnational cluster in one belt one road countries together with governance ranging from 1981 to 2015. Interpretations, recommendations, and analysis are carried out through generalized method of moments due to presence of multicollinearity and hetroskedasticity. It is very difficult for individual businesses to capture international market. So, companies make cluster with help of governance for higher development, and economic growth and overall effects of transnational cluster with the help of governance are positively correlated with environmental infrastructure and vice versa are the results of this assessment. To support our results, region dummies are also assessed. The countries policy makers should strive to accelerate environmental infrastructure that will result in attract high level of investment and cluster which in turn develop countries. This leads to the awareness that to measure environmental conditions of polluted areas, there is a need to formulate an objective method. To enhance host country growth as well as to maximize the stability of environmental infrastructure, authorities should construct policy on attracting cluster.
Assessment of the American Joint Commission on Cancer 8th Edition Staging System for Patients with Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: A Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results analysis
Authors: Li Xiaogang , Gou Shanmiao , Liu Zhiqiang , Ye Zeng , Wang Chunyou 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAlthough several staging systems have been proposed for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs), the optimal staging system remains unclear. Here, we aimed to assess the application of the newly revised 8th edition American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system for exocrine pancreatic carcinoma (EPC) to pNETs, in comparison with that of other staging systems. We identified pNETs patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (2004–2014). Overall survival was analyzed using Kaplan–Meier curves with the log‐rank test. The predictive accuracy of each staging system was assessed by the concordance index (c‐index). Cox proportional hazards regression was conducted to calculate the impact of different stages. In total, 2424 patients with pNETs, including 2350 who underwent resection, were identified using SEER data. Patients with different stages were evenly stratified based on the 8th edition AJCC staging system for EPC. Kaplan–Meier curves were well separated in all patients and patients with resection using the 8th edition AJCC staging system for EPC. Moreover, the hazard ratio increased with worsening disease stage. The c‐index of the 8th edition AJCC staging system for EPC was similar to that of the other systems. For pNETs patients, the 8th edition AJCC staging system for EPC exhibits good prognostic discrimination among different stages in both all patients and those with resection.
Distinct predictive impact of FISH abnormality in proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory agents response: redefining high‐risk multiple myeloma in Asian patients
Authors: Byun Ja Min , Shin Dong‐Yeop , Hong Junshik , Kim Inho , Kim Hyun Kyung , Lee Dong Soon , Koh Youngil , Yoon Sung‐Soo 
Published: January 2018

AbstractFor risk‐adaptive therapeutic approaches in multiple myeloma (MM) treatment, we analyzed treatment outcome according to in situ hybridization (FISH) profiles to investigate the prognostic and predictive values of structural variations in a large series of Asian population. A total of 565 newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma between January 2005 and June 2015 were evaluated. FISH results showed del(17p13) in 8.8% (29/331), del(13q14) in 35.5% (184/519), t(14;16) in 2.5% (8/326), t(4;14) in 27.9% (109/390), IgH rearrangement in 47.7% (248/520), and +1q21 in 40.8% (211/517). The presence of del(17p13), IgH rearrangement, and t(14;16) was associated with worse overall survival. Interestingly, however, the presence of t(4;14) conferred little prognostic impact. Treatment‐specific analysis revealed the presence of del(17p13), t(14;16), IgH rearrangement, and trisomy 1q21 was predictive of unsatisfactory response to bortezomib. On the other hand, patients with del(13q14) and del(9p21) were less likely to benefit from lenalidomide. Autologous stem cell transplantation (autoSCT) was less effective in patients with del(17p13), t(14;16), and trisomy 1q21. Predictive values of del(17p13) and t(14;16) to bortezomib and autoSCT are seemingly universal, but predictive marker del(13q14) and del(9p21) for lenalidomide response appears ethnicity‐specific. Thus, FISH profiles in MM treatment should be interpreted with regards to patient's ethnicity.
Metal‐ and Reagent‐Free Anodic Dehydrogenative Cross‐Coupling of Naphthylamines with Phenols
Authors: Dahms Benedikt , Franke Robert , Waldvogel Siegfried R. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe first electrochemical dehydrogenative anodic cross‐coupling of naphthylamines with phenols was established to access a broad variety of non‐symmetrical, hetero‐bidentate N,O‐biaryl motifs. By anodic oxidation, we provide a sustainable and inherently safe method, which avoids the need for pre‐functionalization of the starting materials. Hence, the elaborated electrochemical protocol simplifies the synthesis of the desired C1‐symmetrical biaryls drastically. Furthermore, the use of electricity as a reagent contributes to the idea of green chemistry as metal catalysts and stoichiometric oxidizers are omitted.
Fibrillization of β‐Amyloid Peptides via Chemically Modulated Pathway
Authors: Guo Zhong‐Hong , Yang Chien‐I , Ho Cheng‐I , Huang Shing‐Jong , Chen Yin‐Chung , Tai Hwan‐Ching , Chan Jerry Chun Chung 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe aggregation of β‐amyloid peptides is closely associated with Alzheimer's disease. We have used liposomes to modulate the early aggregation events of 40‐residue β‐amyloid peptides. The spatial confinement provided by liposomes leads to the formation of nonfibrillar aggregates of β‐amyloid peptides. These on‐pathway β‐sheet intermediates were used to seed the fibrillization of the monomer peptides. Solid‐state NMR spectroscopy revealed that the resultant fibrils have a more uniform structure than those formed in liposome‐free solution.
In Vitro Photodynamic Activity of N‐Methylated and N‐Oxidised Tripyridyl Porphyrins with Long Alkyl Chains and Their Inhibitory Activity in Sphingolipid Metabolism
Authors: Jelovica Mateo , Grbčić Petra , Mušković Martina , Sedić Mirela , Pavelić Sandra Kraljević , Lončarić Martin , Malatesti Nela 
Published: January 2018

AbstractA series of N‐methylated and N‐oxidised tripyridyl porphyrins were synthesised, characterised, and their PDT activity was studied with six cell lines. All the tested porphyrins with a long alkyl chain, except one, were more efficient for PDT than an N‐methylated hydrophilic porphyrin and N‐oxidised porphyrin without the long alkyl chain. Generally, N‐methylated tripyridyl porphyrins were more active than those N‐oxidised, but IC50values for phototoxicity of twoN‐oxides, namedTOPyP3‐C17H33OandTOPyP3‐C17H35, were still in the nanomolar concentration range for most of the tested cell lines. However,TOPyP3‐C17H35did not show phototoxicity on human foreskin fibroblast cells. Two methylated amphiphilic porphyrins, namedTMPyP3‐C17H33andTMPyP4‐C17H35,showed significant dark toxicity, whereas none of the oxidopyridyl porphyrins were toxic without light activation. The selected photosensitisers were shown to be apoptosis inducers, and had inhibitory effects on the clonogenic growth of HCT116 and HeLa cells. All three N‐methylated amphiphilic porphyrins significantly reduced the migratory potential of HCT116 cells. PorphyrinsTMPyP3‐C17H35andTOPyP3‐C17H35reduced the activity of acid ceramidase, whereasTOPyP3‐C17H33Ohad a significant inhibitory effect on sphingosine kinase 1 activity in HeLa cells. Compounds with this dual activity were shown to be the most promising photosensitisers, with potential to treat invasive cancers.
Mechanochemical Decomposition of Crystalline Cellulose in the Presence of Protonated Layered Niobium Molybdate Solid Acid Catalyst
Authors: Furusato Shogo , Takagaki Atsushi , Hayashi Shigenobu , Miyazato Akio , Kikuchi Ryuji , Oyama S. Ted 
Published: January 2018

AbstractDirect depolymerization of crystalline cellulose into water‐soluble sugars by solvent‐free ball milling was examined in the presence of a strongly acidic layered metal oxide, HNbMoO6, resulting in full conversion with 72 % yield of water‐soluble sugars. Measurements by 13C cross‐polarization magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction revealed that amorphization of cellulose occurred rapidly within 10 min. Scanning electron microscopy equipped with an energy dispersive X‐ray indicated that the substrate and the catalyst were well mixed during milling. The time course of the product distribution showed that most of the resultant water‐soluble sugars were produced not by successive degradation of oligosaccharides but by direct depolymerization of cellulose chains. The products included glucose, mannose, and cello‐oligomers, as well as anhydrosugars. Addition of small amounts of polar solvents increased the sugar yield, whereas further addition of water decreased the selectivity to anhydrosugars. Calculations of the mechanical energy required for the ball‐milling process showed that 0.02 % was utilized for the chemical transformation under the conditions examined in this study.
Molecular Design of Phenanthrenequinone Derivatives as Organic Cathode Materials
Authors: Zhao Liu‐Bin , Gao Shu‐Ting , He Rongxing , Shen Wei , Li Ming 
Published: January 2018

AbstractConjugated carbonyl compounds have become the most promising type of organic electrode materials for rechargeable Li‐ion batteries because only they can achieve simultaneously high energy density, high cycling stability, and high power density. In this work, we have performed first‐principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations to explore the fundamental rules of how the electronic structure and redox properties of a typical conjugated carbonyl compound, phenanthrenequinone (PQ), are modified by adjusting the heteroaromatic building blocks. Such a molecular design strategy allows for the improvement in discharge potential while the specific capacity remains nearly unchanged. The correlation between the electronic structures and redox properties for the designed PQ derivatives is systematically discussed. It is demonstrated that the discharge potential of the PQ derivatives depends strongly on the frontier orbital levels, the electric potential, and the Li‐bonding configurations. The electrostatic potential (ESP) maps show visible displays of molecular electric structures and can be applied to understand how the redox properties of the PQ derivatives are modified by the heteroaromatic building blocks.
Functional and phylogenetic diversity determine woody productivity in a temperate forest
Authors: Hao MinHui , Zhang Chunyu , Zhao Xiuhai , von Gadow Klaus 
Published: January 2018

AbstractUnderstanding the relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem productivity has become a central issue in ecology and conservation biology studies, particularly when these relationships are connected with global climate change and species extinction. However, which facets of biodiversity (i.e. taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity) account most for variations in productivity are still not understood very well. This is especially true with regard to temperate forest ecosystems. In this study, we used a dataset from a stem‐mapped permanent forest plot in northeastern China exploring the relationships between biodiversity and productivity at different spatial scales (20 × 20 m; 40 × 40 m; and 60 × 60 m). The influence of specific environmental conditions (topographic conditions) and stand maturity (expressed by initial stand volume and biomass) were taken into account using the multivariate approach known as structural equation models. The variable “Biodiversity” includes taxonomic (Shannon), functional (FDis), and phylogenetic diversity (PD). Biodiversity–productivity relationships varied with the spatial scales. At the scale of 20 × 20 m, PD and FDis significantly affected forest biomass productivity, while Shannon had only indirect effects. At the 40 × 40 m and 60 × 60 m scales, biodiversity and productivity were weakly correlated. The initial stand volume and biomass were the most important drivers of forest productivity. The local environmental conditions significantly influenced the stand volume, biomass, biodiversity, and productivity. The results highlight the scale dependency of the relationships between forest biodiversity and productivity. The positive role of biodiversity in facilitating forest productivity was confirmed at the smaller scales. Our findings emphasize the fundamental role of environmental conditions in determining forest ecosystem performances. The results of this study provide a better understanding of the underlying ecological processes that influence specific forest biodiversity and productivity relationships.
Living in two worlds: Evolutionary mechanisms act differently in the native and introduced ranges of an invasive plant
Authors: Guo Wen‐Yong , Lambertini Carla , Pyšek Petr , Meyerson Laura A. , Brix Hans 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIdentifying the factors that influence spatial genetic structure among populations can provide insights into the evolution of invasive plants. In this study, we used the common reed (Phragmites australis), a grass native in Europe and invading North America, to examine the relative importance of geographic, environmental (represented by climate here), and human effects on population genetic structure and its changes during invasion. We collected samples of P. australis from both the invaded North American and native European ranges and used molecular markers to investigate the population genetic structure within and between ranges. We used path analysis to identify the contributions of each of the three factors—geographic, environmental, and human‐related—to the formation of spatial genetic patterns. Genetic differentiation was observed between the introduced and native populations, and their genetic structure in the native and introduced ranges was different. There were strong effects of geography and environment on the genetic structure of populations in the native range, but the human‐related factors manifested through colonization of anthropogenic habitats in the introduced range counteracted the effects of environment. The between‐range genetic differences among populations were mainly explained by the heterogeneous environment between the ranges, with the coefficient 2.6 times higher for the environment than that explained by the geographic distance. Human activities were the primary contributor to the genetic structure of the introduced populations. The significant environmental divergence between ranges and the strong contribution of human activities to the genetic structure in the introduced range suggest that invasive populations of P. australis have evolved to adapt to a different climate and to human‐made habitats in North America.