bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Systemic Delivery of Bc12‐Targeting siRNA by DNA Nanoparticles Suppresses Cancer Cell Growth
Authors: Rahman Mohammad Aminur , Wang Pengfei , Zhao Zhixiang , Wang Dongsheng , Nannapaneni Sreenivas , Zhang Chao , Chen Zhengjia , Griffith Christopher C. , Hurwitz Selwyn J. , Chen Zhuo G. , Ke Yonggang , Shin Dong M. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractShort interfering RNA (siRNA) is a promising molecular tool for cancer therapy, but its clinical success is limited by the lack of robust in vivo delivery systems. Rationally designed DNA nanoparticles (DNPs) have emerged as facile delivery vehicles because their physicochemical properties can be precisely controlled. Nonetheless, few studies have used DNPs to deliver siRNAs in vivo, and none has demonstrated therapeutic efficacy. Herein, we constructed a number of DNPs of rectangular and tubular shapes with varied dimensions using the modular DNA brick method for the systemic delivery of siRNA that targets anti‐apoptotic protein Bcl2. The siRNA delivered by the DNPs inhibited cell growth both in vitro and in vivo, which suppressed tumor growth in a xenograft model that specifically correlated with Bcl2 depletion. This study suggests that DNPs are effective tools for the systemic delivery of therapeutic siRNA and have great potential for further clinical translation.
Ruthenium NNN complexes with a 2‐hydroxypyridylmethylene fragment for transfer hydrogenation of ketones
Authors: Shi Jing , Shang Shu , Hu Bowen , Chen Dafa 
Published: October 2017

Four NNN tridentate ligands L1–L4 containing 2‐methoxypyridylmethene or 2‐hydroxypyridylmethene fragment were synthesized and introduced to ruthenium centers. When (HOC5H3NCH2C5H3NC5H7N2) (L2) and (HOC5H3NCH2C5H3NC6H6N3) (L4) reacted with RuCl2(PPh3)3, two ruthenium chloride products Ru(L2)(PPh3)Cl2 (1) and Ru(L4)(PPh3)Cl2 (2) were isolated, respectively. Reactions of (MeOC5H3NCH2C5H3NC5H7N2) (L1) and (MeOC5H3NCH2C5H3NC6H6N3) (L3) with RuCl2(PPh3)3 in the presence of NH4PF6 generated two dicationic complexes [Ru(L1)2][PF6]2 (3) and [Ru(L3)2][PF6]2 (4), respectively. Complex 1 reacted with CO to afford product [Ru(L2)(PPh3)(CO)Cl][Cl]. The catalytic activity for transfer hydrogenation of ketones was investigated. Complex 1 showed the highest activity, with a turnover frequency value of 1.44 × 103 h−1 for acetophenone, while complexes 3 and 4 were not active.
Effect of ketene additive and Si/Al ratio on the reaction of methanol over HZSM‐5 catalysts
Authors: Hassanpour Javad , Zamani Mehdi , Dabbagh Hossein A. 
Published: October 2017

The influence of ketene as possible intermediate for the reaction of methanol to aromatics was investigated over HZSM‐5 catalysts (Si/Al ratio of 15 and 9) using diketene‐acetone (2,2,6‐trimethyl‐4H‐1,3‐dioxin‐4‐one) as ketene precursor under atmospheric pressure at 300 °C. The physicochemical properties of HZSM‐5 catalysts were investigated by NH3‐TPD, BET, XRD and ICP analysis. The distribution of products was measured by GC‐Mass spectrometer. These catalysts exhibit high reactivity and selectivity for the conversion of methanol and/or ketene to hydrocarbons (mostly high octane number xylenes, trimethylbenzenes, tetramethylbenzenes and ≤1.5% benzene). The conversion of neat diketene‐acetone over these catalysts produced aromatics compounds and significant amounts of oxygenated compounds (ketone, carboxylic acid, phenol, furan, pyran and others) depending on Si:Al ratio. These catalysts with high acid content produced small amount of saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons without releasing significant amount of gas. The ketene and produced oxygenates from ketene appears to act as intermediates for the formation of aromatic compounds.
Highly efficient electrically conductive networks in carbon‐black‐filled ternary blends through the formation of thermodynamically induced self‐assembled hierarchical structures
Authors: Zhang Qiyan , Zhang Bo‐Yuan , Wang Wei‐Jia , Guo Zhao‐Xia , Yu Jian 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTHighly efficient electrical conductive networks were constructed in carbon‐black (CB)‐filled polyoxymethylene (POM)–thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)–polyamide 6 (PA6) ternary blends through the formation of a hierarchical structure composed of a minor PA6 phase as droplets inside one major phase (TPU) and CB particles localized at the TPU–PA6 interface by thermodynamically induced self‐assembly. The hierarchical structure was thermodynamically predicted on the basis of the minimization of total interfacial energies and confirmed by electron microscopy. The degrees of the TPU phase continuity before and after the addition of PA6 were determined by solvent‐extraction experiments. The percolation threshold of CB decreased by 50% compared to that in the POM–TPU binary blend because of the more efficient formation of a CB conductive network through CB‐covered PA6 domains inside the TPU phase. The hierarchical structure not only increased the electrical conductivity of the composites but also improved their thermal stability in comparison with the simple structure formed by the homogeneously dispersed CB particles in POM. The method reported in this article can offer possibilities for improving the comprehensive properties of the conductive composites and the widening of their applications. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 45877.
Properties of (meth)acrylate copolymer grafted with long fluorinated side chain prepared by “graft onto” strategy
Authors: Lin Zhancong , Liu Weiqu , Tan Jianquan 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTA (meth)acrylate copolymer grafted with long fluorinated side chains (AGLF) was synthesized successfully through a two‐step procedure. First, a carboxyl terminated fluoropolymer, poly(2,2,3,4,4,4‐hexafluorobutyl methacrylate) was synthesized by conventional radical polymerization in the presence of 3‐mercaptopropionic acid as chain transfer agent. And then the fluoropolymer was grafted to the in‐house synthesized polyacrylate (MMA‐r‐BA‐r‐GMA). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and 1H‐nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy were employed to verify the synthesis of AGLF. Moreover, the surface properties were investigated by contact angle measurement and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results proved that a small amount of poly(2,2,3,4,4,4‐hexafluorobutyl methacrylate) addition can create a hydrophobic surface effectively. Furthermore, the X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy results showed that it is the AGLF grafted with longer fluorinated side chain that have more fluorine atoms enriched on the surface and thus performed better hydrophobicity and lipophobicity. Testified by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry, it was found that AGLF films have excellent thermal properties. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 45894.
Determinants and outcomes of price premium and loyalty: A food case study
Authors: Gómez Mar , Martín‐Consuegra David , Díaz Estrella , Molina Arturo 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThis paper examines determinants and outcomes of price premium and loyalty on a food product. The study attempts to fill this gap by offering new insights into consumer's perspectives, as concerns food marketing, and to empirically test a model that includes five determinants or drivers: awareness, corporate social responsibility, origin, quality, and positioning. Furthermore, the greater or weaker impact of price premium and loyalty on their outcomes have been also studied, specifically, the influence that word‐of‐mouth has on people's opinions. This study uses a survey research design, and the data were collected from 278 consumers of a specific food product: olive oil. Structural equation modeling with partial least squares regression technique was used to test the hypotheses. The results provide empirical support for the proposed differences on the relationships of price premium and loyalty with their determinants and outcomes. Positioning is the strongest and unique element of the determinants of price premium. Awareness, corporate social responsibility, and quality are the drivers of loyalty. Both constructs have a positive influence on word‐of‐mouth. The findings reveal important practical implications for food managers, in terms of making a proper design of strategies from the analysis of consumer's behavior. To stay competitive, practitioners should work in an ongoing process. Specifically, they should pay attention to quality, sustainable olive oil, locally made products, or food marketing.
Understanding the Colloidal Stability of Nanoparticle–Ligand Complexes: Design, Synthesis, and Structure–Function Relationship Studies of Amphiphilic Small‐Molecule Ligands
Authors: Okada Yohei , Ishikawa Kodai , Maeta Naoya , Kamiya Hidehiro 
Published: October 2017

AbstractFor effective application of nanoparticles, their amenability to in‐solution processing must be addressed, and stable, homogeneous solvent conditions are required. Although organic ligands have been used as surface‐modifying reagents for nanoparticles to increase their colloidal stability and homogeneity in solution, the structure–function relationships of nanoparticle–ligand complexes remain elusive and controversial. Herein, a series of novel amphiphilic small‐molecule ligands were designed, synthesized, and applied as surface‐modifying reagents for aqueous, transparent TiO2 and ZrO2 nanoparticles. The colloidal stability of the resulting nanoparticle–ligand complexes was found to depend not only on the chain length, but also on the relative balance between hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity. The structure of the ligands can be fine‐tuned to achieve “flexible colloidal stability”, thus significantly increasing complex stability in a variety of organic solvents.
In Situ Flow MAS NMR Spectroscopy and Synchrotron PDF Analyses of the Local Response of the Brønsted Acidic Site in SAPO‐34 during Hydration at Elevated Temperatures
Authors: Kalantzopoulos Georgios N. , Lundvall Fredrik , Checchia Stefano , Lind Anna , Wragg David S. , Fjellvåg Helmer , Arstad Bjørnar 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIn situ flow magic‐angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR) spectroscopy and synchrotron‐based pair distribution function (PDF) analyses were applied to study water's interactions with the Brønsted acidic site and the surrounding framework in the SAPO‐34 catalyst at temperatures up to 300 °C for NMR spectroscopy and 700 °C for PDF. 29Si enrichment of the sample enabled detailed NMR spectroscopy investigations of the T‐atom generating the Brønsted site. By NMR spectroscopy, we observed dehydration above 100 °C and a coalescence of Si peaks due to local framework adjustments. Towards 300 °C, the NMR spectroscopy data indicated highly mobile acidic protons. In situ total X‐ray scattering measurements analyzed by PDF showed clear changes in the Al local environment in the 250–300 °C region, as the Al−O bond lengths showed a sudden change. This fell within the same temperature range as the increased Brønsted proton mobility. We suggest that the active site in this catalyst under industrial conditions comprises not only the Brønsted proton but also SiO4. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work proposing a structural model of a SAPO catalyst by atomic PDF analysis. The combination of synchrotron PDF analysis with in situ NMR spectroscopy is promising in revealing the dynamic features of a working catalyst.
Appendages and gene regulatory networks: Lessons from the limbless
Authors: Infante Carlos R. , Rasys Ashley M. , Menke Douglas B. 
Published: October 2017

SummaryAmong squamate reptiles, dozens of lineages have independently evolved complete or partial limb reduction. This remarkable convergence of limbless and limb‐reduced phenotypes provides multiple natural replicates of different ages to explore the evolution and development of the vertebrate limb and the gene regulatory network that controls its formation. The most successful and best known of the limb‐reduced squamates are snakes, which evolved a limb‐reduced body form more than 100 million years ago. Recent studies have revealed the unexpected finding that many ancient limb enhancers are conserved in the genomes of snakes. Analyses in limbed animals show that many of these limb enhancers are also active during development of the phallus, suggesting that these enhancers may have been retained in snakes due their importance in regulating transcription in the external genitalia. This hypothesis is substantiated by functional tests of snake enhancers, which demonstrate that snake enhancer elements have lost limb function while retaining genital enhancer function. The large degree of overlap in the gene regulatory networks deployed during limb and phallus development may act to constrain the divergence of shared gene network components and the evolution of appendage morphology. Future studies will reveal whether limb regulatory elements have undergone similar functional changes in other lineages of limb‐reduced squamates.
Maximizing the public health impact of eating disorder services: A simulation study
Authors: Moessner Markus , Bauer Stephanie 
Published: October 2017

AbstractObjectiveAlthough effective interventions for eating disorders (ED) are available, the impact of health care services on a population level is far from satisfactory. A mathematical model of how health care for ED affects the population's disease burden can stimulate discussions and provide guidance about promising strategies to reduce ED‐related suffering on the population level.MethodThe current health care situation for ED is modeled taking into account the reach and effectiveness of prevention, treatment, and aftercare, as well as incidence rates, relapse rates, and rates for spontaneous remissions. A first‐order Markov model is applied and the effect of changes in single service parameters on the populations overall disease burden are simulated.ResultsImprovements of treatment utilization and the reach of prevention programs would have the largest effects on the population's disease burden. Improving the efficacy of treatment, prevention, and aftercare show only limited effects.DiscussionIn order to maximize the public health impact of health care for ED new models of treatment delivery as well as public health approaches to the prevention of ED are critical.
Ecohydrological responses to rewetting of a highly impacted raised bog ecosystem
Authors: D'Acunha Brenda , Lee Sung‐Ching , Johnson Mark S. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractMonitoring peatland restoration can be labour intensive, and monitoring activities can result in further disturbance, suggesting that remote sensing can play an important role in assessing ecosystem responses to restoration efforts. In this study, we assessed the response of plant phenological parameters for Burns Bog, a highly disturbed peatland in Western Canada, to restoration efforts. We evaluated the potential for rewetting of disturbed areas to reverse impacts from prior drainage by assessing hydroclimatic controls of precipitation and water table height fluctuations in concert with normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and evapotranspiration (ET) parameters obtained from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer platform. Three transects, at different stages of rewetting were used in this study: a control transect with undisturbed native bog vegetation, and transects over disturbed areas with rewetting efforts begun in 2001 and 2005, respectively. Additionally, impacts from a fire event occurring in one of the rewetted transects were investigated. Results showed that rewetting was an efficient restoration procedure for Burns Bog, with both water table height and peat coverage increasing in the rewetted areas. Both rewetted transects are exhibiting characteristics in line with increased Sphagnum coverage in response to rewetting, with NDVI values ranging from 0.5 during the wet season to 0.9 during the growing season and with ET around 450 mm y−1. Additionally, changes in NDVI and ET were strongly correlated to precipitation, temperature and the change in water table height at each transect. We found that NDVI was more effective than ET for investigating the impacts of disturbance events (e.g., fires in the bog), whereas ET provided a better index to monitor the ecohydrological functioning of the bog in response to restoration efforts.
Stabilizing effects in temporal fluctuations: management, traits, and species richness in high‐diversity communities
Authors: Lepš Jan , Májeková Maria , Vítová Alena , Doležal Jiří , de Bello Francesco 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe loss of biodiversity is thought to have adverse effects on multiple ecosystem functions, including the decline of community stability. Decreased diversity reduces the strength of the portfolio effect, a mechanism stabilizing community temporal fluctuations. Community stability is also expected to decrease with greater variability in individual species populations and with synchrony of their fluctuations. In semi‐natural meadows, eutrophication is one of the most important drivers of diversity decline; it is expected to increase species fluctuations and synchrony among them, all effects leading to lower community stability. With a 16‐year time series of biomass data from a temperate species‐rich meadow with fertilization and removal of the dominant species, we assessed population biomass temporal (co)variation under different management types and competition intensity, and in relation to species functional traits and to species diversity. Whereas the effect of dominant removal was relatively small (with a tendency toward lower stability), fertilization markedly decreased community stability (i.e., increased coefficient of variation in the total biomass) and species diversity. On average, the fluctuations of individual populations were mutually independent, with a slight tendency toward synchrony in unfertilized plots, and a tendency toward compensatory dynamics in fertilized plots and no effects of removal. The marked decrease of synchrony with fertilization, contrary to the majority of the results reported previously, follows the predictions of increased compensatory dynamics with increased asymmetric competition for light in a more productive environment. Synchrony increased also with species functional similarity stressing the importance of shared ecological strategies in driving similar species responses to weather fluctuations. As expected, the decrease of temporal stability of total biomass was mainly related to the decrease of species richness, with its effect remaining significant also after accounting for fertilization. The weakening of the portfolio effect with species richness decline is a crucial driver of community destabilization. However, the positive effect of species richness on temporal stability of total biomass was not due to increased compensatory dynamics, since synchrony increased with species richness. This shows that the negative effect of eutrophication on community stability does not operate through increasing synchrony, but through the reduction of diversity.
Belief in school meritocracy as an ideological barrier to the promotion of equality
Authors: Darnon Céline , Smeding Annique , Redersdorff Sandrine 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIn the educational system, social inequalities are reproduced and legitimated. As a consequence, the implementation of interventions that reduce the SES achievement gap in education may face important ideological barriers. The purpose of the present article is to test the belief in school meritocracy as one of these barriers. In three studies, participants' willingness to see an equalizing pedagogical intervention implemented in one's own university (Study 1) or in one's own children's school (Studies 2 and 3) and their intention to engage in this implementation were measured. Results indicated that a higher belief in school meritocracy (but not meritocracy endorsement, Study 1) predicted lower engagement in the implementation of an equalizing method. This is not observed for inequality‐maintaining interventions (Studies 2 and 3), sustaining the role of descriptive school meritocracy in the perpetuation of social inequalities within education.
Scale‐Up of BiVO4 Photoanode for Water Splitting in a Photoelectrochemical Cell: Issues and Challenges
Authors: Yao Xin , Wang Danping , Zhao Xin , Ma Susu , Bassi Prince S. , Yang Guang , Chen Wei , Chen Zhong , Sritharan Thirumany 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe monoclinic scheelite‐type BiVO4 is recognized as one of the promising candidate materials for a photoanode because of its 9.1 % theoretical efficiency for half‐cell solar‐to‐hydrogen conversion. Although significant research efforts have been devoted to improving the performance of the photoelectrochemical cell (PEC) of this material, they have mainly been in small anode areas with only a handful of studies on scaled‐up sizes. Herein, a facile metal–organic decomposition synthesis method was used to produce scaled‐up Mo‐doped BiVO4 photoanodes. Multiple modifications were explored and incorporated to enhance the performance of the photoanode. A large‐area (5 cm×5 cm) photoanode was successfully prepared with all modifications. The resulting photoanode gave rise to an initial photocurrent density of 2.2 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode, under AM 1.5G illumination in a PEC, which remained at 79 % of this value after 1 h of operation. A deleterious effect of the increased anode surface area on the photocurrent density was observed, which we termed the “areal effect”. Understanding the reasons for the areal effect is indispensable for the development of large‐scale PEC devices for water splitting.
Vitellogenin concentrations in feral Danish brown trout have decreased: An effect of improved sewage treatment in rural areas?
Authors: Morthorst Jane E. , Mathiesen Karsten K. , Holbech Henrik , Pedersen Knud L. , Bjerregaard Poul 
Published: October 2017

Abstract

Feminization of male and juvenile fish because of exposure to estrogens or estrogenic chemicals in effluents from central wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is a worldwide issue of concern. Intersex and induction of the female yolk protein, vitellogenin, in male and juvenile fish are robust biomarkers for estrogenic exposure, and feminized fish have been observed downstream of WWTP outlets in many countries. Danish central WWTPs reduce effluent estrogenicity effectively by advanced sewage treatment, and feminizations have not been observed downstream of central WWTP outlets. However, between 2000 and 2004, investigations of Danish streams not receiving sewage from central WWTPs revealed a high variation in vitellogenin concentrations of male juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta); some individuals had high concentrations, probably as a result of estrogenic point sources, and the plasma concentration was &gt;50 ng mL−1 in 79% of the juvenile males. The streams were reinvestigated in 2010 to 2016, and the average male level had decreased to a hitherto unseen baseline level; in 2010 only 0.7% (one individual) of the males had a vitellogenin concentration &gt;50 ng mL−1, which could indicate that the estrogenicity of the streams decreased after 2004. We examined possible estrogenic sources in streams unaffected by central WWTP effluents, and found that the reduced vitellogenin levels are most likely explained by a national effort to improve on-site wastewater treatment in scattered houses not connected to central WWTPs. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:839–845. © 2017 SETAC