bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Miscibility–Function Relations in Organic Solar Cells: Significance of Optimal Miscibility in Relation to Percolation
Authors: Ye Long , Collins Brian A. , Jiao Xuechen , Zhao Jingbo , Yan He , Ade Harald 
Published: January 2018

AbstractPolymer solar cells (PSCs) continue to be a promising low‐cost and lead‐free photovoltaic technology. Of critical importance to PSCs is understanding and manipulating the composition of the amorphous mixed phase, which is governed by the thermodynamic molecular interactions of the polymer donor and acceptor molecules and the kinetics of the casting process. This progress report clarifies and defines nomenclature relating to miscibility and its relevance and implications to PSC devices in light of new developments. Utilizing a scanning transmission X‐ray microscopy method, the temperature dependences of “molecular miscibility” in the presence of fullerene crystals, now referred to liquidus miscibility, are presented for a number of representative blends. An emphasis is placed on relating the amorphous miscibility of high‐efficiency PSC blends at a given processing temperature with their actual device performance and stability. It is shown and argued that a system with an amorphous miscibility close to percolation exhibits the most stable morphology. Furthermore, an approach is outlined to convert liquidus miscibility to an effective Flory–Huggins interaction parameter χ. Crucially, determination of temperature‐dependent amorphous miscibility paves a way to rationally optimize the stability and mixing behaviors of PSCs at actual processing and operating temperatures.
Fatal work‐related falls in the United States, 2003‐2014
Authors: Socias‐Morales Christina M. , Chaumont Menéndez Cammie K. , Marsh Suzanne M. 
Published: January 2018

BackgroundFalls are the second leading cause of work‐related fatalities among US workers. We describe fatal work‐related falls from 2003 to 2014, including demographic, work, and injury event characteristics, and changes in rates over time.MethodsWe identified fatal falls from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries and estimated rates using the BLS Current Population Survey.ResultsFrom 2003 to 2014, there were 8880 fatal work‐related falls, at an annual rate of 5.5 per million FTE. Rates increased with age. Occupations with the highest rates included construction/extraction (42.2 per million FTE) and installation/maintenance/repair (12.5 per million FTE). Falls to a lower level represented the majority (n = 7521, 85%) compared to falls on the same level (n = 1128, 13%).ConclusionsFalls are a persistent source of work‐related fatalities. Fall prevention should continue to focus on regulation adherence, Prevention through Design, improving fall protection, training, fostering partnerships, and increasing communication.
Visible Light‐Induced Aerobic Oxidation of Indoles: One‐Pot Formation of 4‐Quinolones at Room Temperature
Authors: Ji Xiaochen , Li Dongdong , Wang Zhongzhen , Tan Muyun , Huang Huawen , Deng Guo‐Jun 
Published: January 2018

AbstractA one‐pot synthesis of 4‐quinolones starting from indoles is disclosed. This cascade reaction involves a photocatalytic aerobic oxidation of indoles using visible light and a subsequent base‐promoted Camps cyclization. The advantages of the present protocol include the use of environmentally benign and inexpensive oxygen as the sole oxidant, easy handling at room temperature, as well as step‐ and atom‐economy.
Light‐Driven Water Splitting Mediated by Photogenerated Bromine
Authors: Sheridan Matthew V. , Wang Ying , Wang Degao , Troian‐Gautier Ludovic , Dares Christopher J. , Sherman Benjamin D. , Meyer Thomas J. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractLight‐driven water splitting was achieved using a dye‐sensitized mesoporous oxide film and the oxidation of bromide (Br−) to bromine (Br2) or tribromide (Br3−). The chemical oxidant (Br2 or Br3−) is formed during illumination at the photoanode and used as a sacrificial oxidant to drive a water oxidation catalyst (WOC), here demonstrated using [Ru(bda)(pic)2], (1; pic=picoline, bda=2,2′‐bipyridine‐6,6′‐dicarboxylate). The photochemical oxidation of bromide produces a chemical oxidant with a potential of 1.09 V vs. NHE for the Br2/Br− couple or 1.05 V vs. NHE for the Br3−/Br− couple, which is sufficient to drive water oxidation at 1 (RuV/IV≈1.0 V vs. NHE at pH 5.6). At pH 5.6, using a 0.2 m acetate buffer containing 40 mm LiBr and the [Ru(4,4′‐PO3H2‐bpy)(bpy)2]2+ (RuP2+, bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine) chromophore dye on a SnO2/TiO2 core–shell electrode resulted in a photocurrent density of around 1.2 mA cm−2 under approximately 1 Sun illumination and a Faradaic efficiency upon addition of 1 of 77 % for oxygen evolution.
Ice Melting to Release Reactants in Solution Syntheses
Authors: Wei Hehe , Huang Kai , Zhang Le , Ge Binghui , Wang Dong , Lang Jialiang , Ma Jingyuan , Wang Da , Zhang Shuai , Li Qunyang , Zhang Ruoyu , Hussain Naveed , Lei Ming , Liu Li‐Min , Wu Hui 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAqueous solution syntheses are mostly based on mixing two solutions with different reactants. It is shown that freezing one solution and melting it in another solution provides a new interesting strategy to mix chemicals and to significantly change the reaction kinetics and thermodynamics. For example, a precursor solution containing a certain concentration of AgNO3 was frozen and dropped into a reductive NaBH4 solution at about 0 °C. The ultra‐slow release of reactants was successfully achieved. An ice‐melting process can be used to synthesize atomically dispersed metals, including cobalt, nickel, copper, rhodium, ruthenium, palladium, silver, osmium, iridium, platinum, and gold, which can be easily extended to other solution syntheses (such as precipitation, hydrolysis, and displacement reactions) and provide a generalized method to redesign the interphase reaction kinetics and ion diffusion in wet chemistry.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Formal Cross‐Coupling of Diaryl Ethers with Amines: Slicing the 4‐O‐5 Linkage in Lignin Models
Authors: Zeng Huiying , Cao Dawei , Qiu Zihang , Li Chao‐Jun 
Published: January 2018

AbstractLignin is the second most abundant organic matter on Earth, and is an underutilized renewable source for valuable aromatic chemicals. For future sustainable production of aromatic compounds, it is highly desirable to convert lignin into value‐added platform chemicals instead of using fossil‐based resources. Lignins are aromatic polymers linked by three types of ether bonds (α‐O‐4, β‐O‐4, and 4‐O‐5 linkages) and other C−C bonds. Among the ether bonds, the bond dissociation energy of the 4‐O‐5 linkage is the highest and the most challenging to cleave. To date, 4‐O‐5 ether linkage model compounds have been cleaved to obtain phenol, cyclohexane, cyclohexanone, and cyclohexanol. The first example of direct formal cross‐coupling of diaryl ether 4‐O‐5 linkage models with amines is reported, in which dual C(Ar)−O bond cleavages form valuable nitrogen‐containing derivatives.
An Intracellular H2O2‐Responsive AIEgen for the Peroxidase‐Mediated Selective Imaging and Inhibition of Inflammatory Cells
Authors: Cheng Yong , Dai Jun , Sun Chunli , Liu Rui , Zhai Tianyou , Lou Xiaoding , Xia Fan 
Published: January 2018

AbstractInflammatory cells have gained widespread attention because inflammatory diseases increase the risk for many types of cancer. Therefore, it is urgent and important to implement detection and treatment methods for inflammatory cells. Herein, we constructed a theranostic probe with aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) characteristics, in which tetraphenylethene (TPE) was modified with two tyrosine (Tyr) moieties. Owing to the H2O2‐dependent, enzyme‐catalyzed dityrosine formation, Tyr‐containing TPE (TT) molecules crosslink through dityrosine linkages to induce the formation of hydrophobic aggregates, activating the AIE process in inflammatory cells that contain H2O2 and overexpress myeloperoxidase. The emission turn‐on resulting from the crosslinking of TT molecules could be used to distinguish between inflammatory and normal cells. Moreover, the massive TT aggregates induced mitochondria damage and cell apoptosis. This study demonstrates that the H2O2‐responsive peroxidase‐activated AIEgen holds great promise for inflammatory‐cell selective imaging and inhibition.
Multi‐facet implications of PEGylated lysozyme stabilized‐silver nanoclusters loaded recombinant PTEN cargo in cancer theranostics
Authors: Arora Neha , Gavya S Lalitha , Ghosh Siddhartha S. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAmalgamation of delivery and tracking of therapeutically relevant moieties on a single platform is made possible by the application of metal nanoclusters, an innovative class of luminescent nanomaterials. Metal nanoclusters, possessing molecule‐like attributes, display extraordinary size and shape tunable properties befitting theranostic applications. Herein, we report successful assembly of therapeutically significant phosphatase protein PTEN and fluorescent lysozyme‐stabilized silver nanoclusters to accomplish delivery and tracking of the protein. Down‐regulation of PTEN perturbs the cellular networking leading to copious pathological conditions. The integration of purified recombinant PTEN with silver nanoclusters was evaluated by fluorescence spectroscopy study. A key feature of this study is the use of polyethylene glycol coating that allows fabrication of the assembly into spherical nanocomposites as characterized by transmission electron microscope along with retention of both optical functionality of the cluster and biological activity of the protein. Prior to cellular application, the functional integrity of PTEN in the composite was determined in vitro, by enzymatic assay employing para‐nitrophenylphosphate as substrate. Cellular internalization of the cargo was studied by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry analysis. The efficacy of the payload on modulation of cellular signaling was assessed on cell lines that expressed PTEN differentially. PTEN null U‐87 MG and PTEN expressing MCF7 cell lines displayed successful alteration of AKT and FAK signaling proteins culminating in cell cycle arrest and reduced wound healing capacity. A dose dependent reduction in cell proliferation of MCF7 cells was achieved. For U‐87 MG, treatment with the payload resulted in chemosensitization toward anti‐cancer drug erlotinib. Thus, PEG coated GST‐PTEN loaded silver nanoclusters serves as a comprehensive system encompassing cellular imaging and protein delivery with potential biomedical implications.
Applying interactive devices to an elementary nature science course
Authors: Wang Chian 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe goal of this paper is to design and develop an interactive learning system (ILS) by integrating interactive devices into a real‐world classroom. ILS is primarily designed for elementary school students where they can have some hands‐on experiences to learn nature science such as airflow and wind. The purpose of adopting interactive devices is to increase students’ motivations and pleasures during the learning process. In order to demonstrate the learning effects of using ILS, an empirical study was conducted by comparing traditional and interactive instructional strategies. During the study, three types of measurements were used to assess the different aspects of ILS: learning achievement tests, a questionnaire about students’ experiences, and teacher interview. The results showed that ILS does have positive effects on students’ learning and we can conclude that ILS can effectively and efficiently assist in learning nature science in a real‐world classroom environment.
Analyzing Xyloglucan Endotransglycosylases by Incorporating Synthetic Oligosaccharides into Plant Cell Walls
Authors: Ruprecht Colin , Dallabernardina Pietro , Smith Peter J. , Urbanowicz Breeanna R. , Pfrengle Fabian 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe plant cell wall is a cellular exoskeleton consisting predominantly of a complex polysaccharide network that defines the shape of cells. During growth, this network can be loosened through the action of xyloglucan endotransglycosylases (XETs), glycoside hydrolases that “cut and paste” xyloglucan polysaccharides through a transglycosylation process. We have analyzed cohorts of XETs in different plant species to evaluate the substrate specificities of xyloglucan acceptors by using a set of synthetic oligosaccharides obtained by automated glycan assembly. The ability of XETs to incorporate the oligosaccharides into polysaccharides printed as microarrays and into stem sections of Arabidopsis thaliana, beans, and peas was assessed. We found that single xylose substitutions are sufficient for transfer, and xylosylation of the terminal glucose residue is not required by XETs, independent of plant species. To obtain information on the potential xylosylation pattern of the natural acceptor of XETs, that is, the nonreducing end of xyloglucan, we further tested the activity of xyloglucan xylosyl transferase (XXT) 2 on the synthetic xyloglucan oligosaccharides. These data shed light on inconsistencies between previous studies towards determining the acceptor substrate specificities of XETs and have important implications for further understanding plant cell wall polysaccharide synthesis and remodeling.
NTPDase activities: possible roles on Leishmania spp infectivity and virulence
Authors: Paes‐Vieira Lisvane , Gomes‐Vieira André Luiz , Meyer‐Fernandes José Roberto 
Published: January 2018

AbstractNucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolases (NTPDases) are enzymes that belong to the GDA1/CD39 protein superfamily. These enzymes catalyze the hydrolysis of ATP and ADP to the monophosphate form (AMP). Biochemical characterization of the nucleotidases/NTPDases from various types of cells, including those from plants, animals, and pathogenic organisms, has revealed the existence of several isoforms with different specificities with respect to divalent cations (magnesium, calcium, manganese, and zinc) and substrates. In mammals, the NTPDases play important roles in the regulation of thrombosis and inflammation. In parasites of the genus Leishmania, the causative agents of leishmaniasis, two NTPDase isoforms, termed NTPDase‐1 and NTPDase‐2 have been described. Independently of their cellular localization, whether cell‐surface localized, secreted or targeted to other organelles, in some Leishmania species these NTPDases could be involved in parasite growth, infectivity, and virulence. Experimental evidence has suggested that the hydrolysis of ATP and ADP by parasite ecto‐nucleotidases can down‐modulate the host immune response. In this context, the present work provides an overview of recent works that show strong evidence not only of the involvement of the nucleotidases/NTPDases in Leishmania spp infectivity and virulence but also of the molecular mechanisms that lead to the success of the parasitic infection.
Structural Change of a Single Ag Nanoparticle Observed by Dark‐field Microspectroscopy
Authors: Pang Jie , Liu Hai‐Ling , Li Jian , Zhai Ting‐Ting , Wang Kang , Xia Xing‐Hua 
Published: January 2018

AbstractSilver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been widely used as photocatalysts and nanosensors. Observation of the spectroscopy of a single AgNP greatly helps us understand the catalytic characteristics and morphology change of the AgNP during reactions. In the present study, AgNPs physically adsorbed on indium tin oxide (ITO) conductive glass were electrochemically reduced and oxidized, and the plasmonic resonance Rayleigh scattering (PRRS) spectrum of an individual AgNP was observed under a dark‐field microscopy (DFM) equipped with a spectrometer. The electrochemical oxidization of the AgNP under constant potential caused a redshift of the PRRS peak for 30±5 nm. However, electrochemical reduction of the AgNP could not make the PRRS peak completely shift back to the initial position. In situ AFM and SEM characterization confirmed that very small Ag fragments (<10 nm) formed around the AgNP core during electrochemical oxidization. Results showed that dark‐field microspectroscopy could be used as a sensitive tool for estimating the morphology/structural changes of nanoparticles that can hardly be observed through the cyclic voltammograms of multiple AgNPs.
Isotropic/Anisotropic NMR Editing by Resolution‐Enhanced NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Marcó Núria , Gil Roberto R. , Parella Teodor 
Published: January 2018

AbstractModern resolution‐enhanced NMR techniques can monitor the in situ discrimination of co‐existing isotropic and anisotropic contributions of small molecules dissolved in weakly aligning PMMA/CDCl3 media. The simultaneous sign‐sensitive determination of accurate Δδiso–aniso(1H), Δδiso–aniso(13C) and/or isotropic 1JCH and anisotropic 1TCH coupling constants (and consequently 1H‐13C residual dipolar couplings and 1H/13C residual chemical shift anisotropies) can be performed from spectral‐aliased heteronuclear single‐quantum correlation spectra.
Rapid loss of group 1 innate lymphoid cells during blood stage Plasmodium infection
Authors: Ng Susanna S , Souza‐Fonseca‐Guimaraes Fernando , Rivera Fabian de Labastida , Amante Fiona H , Kumar Rajiv , Gao Yulong , Sheel Meru , Beattie Lynette , Montes de Oca Marcela , Guillerey Camille , Edwards Chelsea L , Faleiro Rebecca J , Frame Teija , Bunn Patrick T , Vivier Eric , Godfrey Dale I , Pellicci Daniel G , Lopez J Alejandro , Andrews Katherine T , Huntington Nicholas D , Smyth Mark J , McCarthy James , Engwerda Christian R 
Published: January 2018

AbstractObjectivesInnate lymphoid cells (ILCs) share many characteristics with CD4+ T cells, and group 1 ILCs share a requirement for T‐bet and the ability to produce IFNγ with T helper 1 (Th1) cells. Given this similarity, and the importance of Th1 cells for protection against intracellular protozoan parasites, we aimed to characterise the role of group 1 ILCs during Plasmodium infection.MethodsWe quantified group 1 ILCs in peripheral blood collected from subjects infected with with Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 as part of a controlled human malaria infection study, and in the liver and spleens of PcAS‐infected mice. We used genetically‐modified mouse models, as well as cell‐depletion methods in mice to characterise the role of group 1 ILCs during PcAS infection.ResultsIn a controlled human malaria infection study, we found that the frequencies of circulating ILC1s and NK cells decreased as infection progressed but recovered after volunteers were treated with antiparasitic drug. A similar observation was made for liver and splenic ILC1s in P. chabaudi chabaudi AS (PcAS)‐infected mice. The decrease in mouse liver ILC1 frequencies was associated with increased apoptosis. We also identified a population of cells within the liver and spleen that expressed both ILC1 and NK cell markers, indicative of plasticity between these two cell lineages. Studies using genetic and cell‐depletion approaches indicated that group 1 ILCs have a limited role in antiparasitic immunity during PcAS infection in mice.DiscussionOur results are consistent with a previous study indicating a limited role for natural killer (NK) cells during Plasmodium chabaudi infection in mice. Additionally, a recent study reported the redundancy of ILCs in humans with competent B and T cells. Nonetheless, our results do not rule out a role for group 1 ILCs in human malaria in endemic settings given that blood stage infection was initiated intravenously in our experimental models, and thus bypassed the liver stage of infection, which may influence the immune response during the blood stage.ConclusionOur results show that ILC1s are lost early during mouse and human malaria, and this observation may help to explain the limited role for these cells in controlling blood stage infection.
Regulatory T cells in renal disease
Authors: Alikhan Maliha A , Huynh Megan , Kitching A Richard , Ooi Joshua D 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe kidney is vulnerable to injury, both acute and chronic from a variety of immune and metabolic insults, all of which at least to some degree involve inflammation. Regulatory T cells modulate systemic autoimmune and allogenic responses in glomerulonephritis and transplantation. Intrarenal regulatory T cells (Tregs), including those recruited to the kidney, have suppressive effects on both adaptive and innate immune cells, and probably also intrinsic kidney cells. Evidence from autoimmune glomerulonephritis implicates antigen‐specific Tregs in HLA‐mediated dominant protection, while in several human renal diseases Tregs are abnormal in number or phenotype. Experimentally, Tregs can protect the kidney from injury in a variety of renal diseases. Mechanisms of Treg recruitment to the kidney include via the chemokine receptors CCR6 and CXCR3 and potentially, at least in innate injury TLR9. The effects of Tregs may be context dependent, with evidence for roles for immunoregulatory roles both for endogenous Tbet‐expressing Tregs and STAT‐3‐expressing Tregs in experimental glomerulonephritis. Most experimental work and some of the ongoing human trials in renal transplantation have focussed on unfractionated thymically derived Tregs (tTregs). However, induced Tregs (iTregs), type 1 regulatory T (Tr1) cells and in particular antigen‐specific Tregs also have therapeutic potential not only in renal transplantation, but also in other kidney diseases.
Endoplasmic reticulum stress in the development of multiple myeloma and drug resistance
Authors: Nikesitch Nicholas , Lee James M , Ling Silvia , Roberts Tara Laurine 
Published: January 2018

AbstractMultiple myeloma (MM) is a haematological malignancy of mature antibody‐secreting plasma cells. Currently, MM is incurable, but advances in drug treatments have increased patient lifespan. One of the characteristics of MM is the excessive production of monoclonal immunoglobulin (also referred to as paraprotein). This high level of protein production induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and proteasomal degradation of the paraprotein is required to avoid ER stress‐induced cell death. Consequently, proteasomal inhibitors such as bortezomib have been particularly effective therapies. Unfortunately development of resistance to bortezomib is common. In this review, we address how control of endoplasmic reticulum stress is important in the development of MM and how the unfolded protein response and its associated stress response pathways are involved in the development of bortezomib resistance.