bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Ammonia Synthesis on Co3Mo3N via Metal Support Interactions on a Single‐crystalline MgO Support
Authors: Rai Rohit K. , Maligal‐Ganesh Raghu , Maksoud Walid Al , Kim Seok‐Jin , Vaishnav Yuvraj , Yavuz Cafer T. , Kobayashi Yoji 
Published: February 2024

AbstractCo3Mo3N has been reported to have activity for the synthesis of ammonia surpassing that of industrial Fe catalysts under certain conditions. However, so far the research has largely focused on unsupported Co3Mo3N. We report a comprehensive study on the catalytic activity of Co3Mo3N when supported on two distinct MgO substrates. Our findings reveal that the method of MgO preparation plays a crucial role in influencing surface basicity. Remarkably, Co3Mo3N supported on single‐crystalline MgO demonstrates significantly enhanced catalytic activity, achieving a 162.0 mmol g−1metal h−1 rate. This surpasses the performance on commercial MgO support (41.2 mmol g−1metal h−1) and unsupported Co3Mo3N (15.0 mmol g−1metal h−1). While kinetic analyses show no substantial differences between the two supported catalysts, spectroscopic studies employing CO2 and N2 temperature‐programmed desorption (TPD) reveal a richer array of basic sites and adsorption/desorption phenomena on the single‐crystalline MgO support. These catalysts exhibit exceptional stability. The drastically reduced Co/Mo loading amounts in comparison to the bulk form, make the commercialization of Co3Mo3N catalysts more practical.
Development of Pyridothiophene Compounds for PET Imaging of α‐Synuclein
Authors: Pees Anna , Tong Junchao , Birudaraju Saritha , Munot Yogeshkumar S. , Liang Steven H. , Saturnino Guarino Dinahlee , Mach Robert H. , Mathis Chester A. , Vasdev Neil 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAggregated α‐synuclein (α‐syn) protein is a pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD) and Lewy body dementia (LBD). Development of positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracers to image α‐syn aggregates has been a longstanding goal. This work explores the suitability of a pyridothiophene scaffold for α‐syn PET radiotracers, where 47 derivatives of a potent pyridothiophene (asyn‐44; Kd=1.85 nM) were synthesized and screened against [3H]asyn‐44 in competitive binding assays using post‐mortem PD brain homogenates. Equilibrium inhibition constant (Ki) values of the most potent compounds were determined, of which three had Ki′s in the lower nanomolar range (12–15 nM). An autoradiography study confirmed that [3H]asyn‐44 is promising for imaging brain sections from multiple system atrophy and PD donors. Fluorine‐18 labelled asyn‐44 was synthesized in 6±2 % radiochemical yield (decay‐corrected, n=5) with a molar activity of 263±121 GBq/μmol. Preliminary PET imaging of [18F]asyn‐44 in rats showed high initial brain uptake (>1.5 standardized uptake value (SUV)), moderate washout (~0.4 SUV at 60 min), and low variability. Radiometabolite analysis showed 60–80 % parent tracer in the brain after 30 and 60 mins. While [18F]asyn‐44 displayed good in vitro properties and acceptable brain uptake, troublesome radiometabolites precluded further PET imaging studies. The synthesis and in vitro evaluation of additional pyridothiophene derivatives are underway, with the goal of attaining improved affinity and metabolic stability.
Aggregate Removal by Responsive Electrospun Membrane based Hydrophobic Interaction Chromatography
Authors: Hao Xiaolei , Chen Shu-Ting , Chiao Yu-Hsuan , Matsuyama Hideto , Qian Xianghong , Wickramasinghe Ranil 
Published: February 2024

AbstractPoly(N‐vinylcaprolactam) (PVCL), a salt responsive ligand, was grafted from electrospun cellulose nanofiber membranes by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The membranes were used for hydrophobic interaction chromatography. The modified PVCL‐cellulose membranes were used to separate BSA dimers from monomers as well as monoclonal antibody (mAb) aggregates. Fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) was used for protein separation and fraction collection. High performance liquid chromatography with a size exclusion column (HPLC‐SEC) analysis confirmed the separation of monomers and aggregates from both BSA and the mAb. The results suggest that use of a responsive ligand that changes its conformation with ionic strength could improve the performance of hydrophobic interaction chromatography enabling the separation of compounds based on slight differences in hydrophobicity.
Experimental and computational investigation of coaxial contra‐rotating impellers design in baffled‐free stirred reactors
Authors: Berestinas G. S. , Nunhez J. R. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractFluid mixing is a common topic in contemporary industry. The search for more efficient processes and reliable equipment is a constant challenge. In this work, numerical and experimental tests analyzed a 45° pitched blade turbine in a contra‐rotating coaxial impeller system (CRCIS) configuration mounted on baffles‐free reactors and compared it with conventional systems with one (CS1I) and two (CS2I) impellers mounted on tanks with baffles. Experimental tests were carried out using a pilot reactor with reduced scales of 1.0 m in diameter and 1.0 m in height (square batch). The behaviour of the physical variables was analyzed for mixing operations, solid particle suspension, and formation of vortices, and the power consumption was recorded through a torque transducer for different rotations. The acquired results helped in the validation of models and numerical simulations. The numerical simulation was carried out using the OpenFOAM® open‐source field operation and manipulation software. In addition, the velocity profile along with the height of the reactor, flow lines, pumping number, power consumption variations, and mixing time were compared. The conclusion of this study showed that CRCIS can be used in tanks without baffles. It also showed promising results for applications involving the suspension of solids, developing axial velocities at the bottom of the reactor higher than those of the CS1I and CS2I arrangements for the same rotation, with less energy consumption, proving to be a technically promising option for application on an industrial scale.
Promotion of hydrate formation by multi‐walled carbon nanotubes in ultrasonic compounding system
Authors: Du Xianghan , Jiang Husheng , Shang Liyan 
Published: February 2024

AbstractMulti‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are an excellent hydrate promoter, with their own Brownian motion of nanoparticles effectively shortening hydrate nucleation and accelerating hydrate formation. In this work, the properties of methane hydrate formation in a complex system of MWCNTs, sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and NaCl were investigated. It was shown that the compounding system effectively enhanced the kinetics of methane hydrate formation, and the gas consumption of the reaction reached 0.38 MPa at 100 ppm MWCNTs, an increase of 865.8% compared to the pure water system, effectively promoting methane hydrate. In the complexed system, NaCl significantly enhanced the dispersion of MWCNTs, with 1000 ppm NaCl showing the best kinetic promotion effect. SDS not only increases the gas–liquid contact area through the wall attachment effect, but also enhances the dispersion of MWCNTs by adsorbing on the surface of carbon nanotubes and forming an electronic layer with NaCl. MWCNTs not only improve the mass transfer of the system through Brownian motion, but their large heat transfer coefficients can also effectively conduct the heat generated by the system. However, MWCNTs become agglomerated with increasing concentration, making the kinetic promotion effect weaker and the solution less stable, resulting in shorter shelf life. This study confirmed the effective promotion of hydrate formation by MWCNTs under the ultrasonic compounding system, and also provided a reference for related studies on the compounding of MWCNTs with NaCl.
The Prostate Cancer Active Lifestyle Study (PALS): A randomized controlled trial of diet and exercise in overweight and obese men on active surveillance
Authors: Wright Jonathan L. , Schenk Jeannette M. , Gulati Roman , Beatty Sarah J. , VanDoren Matthew , Lin Daniel W. , Porter Michael P. , Morrissey Colm , Dash Atreya , Gore John L. , Etzioni Ruth , Plymate Stephen R. , Neuhouser Marian L. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundActive surveillance (AS) is increasingly used to monitor patients with lower risk prostate cancer (PCa). The Prostate Cancer Active Lifestyle Study (PALS) was a randomized controlled trial to determine whether weight loss improves obesity biomarkers on the causal pathway to progression in patients with PCa on AS.MethodsOverweight/obese men (body mass index >25 kg/m2) diagnosed with PCa who elected AS were recruited. The intervention was a 6‐month, individually delivered, structured diet and exercise program adapted from the Diabetes Prevention Program with a 7% weight loss goal from baseline. Control participants attended one session reviewing the US Dietary and Physical Activity Guidelines. The primary outcome was change in glucose regulation from baseline to the end of the 6‐month intervention, which was measured by fasting plasma glucose, C‐peptide, insulin, insulin‐like growth factor 1, insulin‐like growth factor binding protein‐3, adiponectin, and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance.ResultsAmong 117 men who were randomized, 100 completed the trial. The mean percentage weight loss was 7.1% and 1.8% in the intervention and control arms, respectively (adjusted between‐group mean difference, −6.0 kg; 95% confidence interval, −8.0, −4.0). Mean percentage changes from baseline for insulin, C‐peptide, and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance in the intervention arm were −23%, −16%, and −25%, respectively, compared with +6.9%, +7.5%, and +6.4%, respectively, in the control arm (all p for intervention effects ≤ .003). No significant between‐arm differences were detected for the other biomarkers.ConclusionsOverweight/obese men with PCa undergoing AS who participated in a lifestyle‐based weight loss intervention successfully met weight loss goals with this reproducible lifestyle intervention and experienced improvements in glucose‐regulation biomarkers associated with PCa progression.
Cumulative incidence and risk factors of brain metastases in metastatic non–small cell lung cancer without baseline brain metastasis: Pooled analysis of individualized patient data from IMpower130, IMpower131, and IMpower150
Authors: Zhou Yue , Guo Tiantian , Liang Fei , Wang Zezhou , Zhang Junhua , Ni Jianjiao , Zhu Zhengfei 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe objective of this study was to explore the abilities of atezolizumab plus chemotherapy in preventing brain metastases (BMs) among metastatic non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without initial BMs, as well as the risk factors of BMs.MethodsIndividual patient data from three trials involving first‐line atezolizumab for metastatic NSCLC (IMpower130, IMpower131, and IMpower150) were pooled. Among patients without baseline BMs and without epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and/or anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) mutations, those receiving atezolizumab + chemotherapy ± bevacizumab were classified as the atezolizumab plus chemotherapy group and those receiving placebo + chemotherapy ± bevacizumab were classified as the chemotherapy group. The cumulative incidences of BM (CI‐BMs) between the two groups were compared. Other factors associated with the CI‐BM were analyzed by Cox regression analyses.ResultsWith a median follow‐up of 17.6 months (range, 0.03–33.64 months), 74 (3.1%) of the 2380 enrolled patients developed BMs, including 50 (3.1%) and 24 (3.0%) in the atezolizumab plus chemotherapy group (n = 1589) and the chemotherapy group (n = 791), respectively. The CI‐BMs at 6, 12, and 24 months were 1.7%, 2.8%, and 3.3%, respectively. After taking competing risk events into account, there was no significant difference in the CI‐BMs between the two groups (p = .888). Nevertheless, the use of bevacizumab and the histology of nonsquamous NSCLC were found to be independently associated with the risk of BMs.ConclusionsIn patients with metastatic EGFR/ALK wild‐type NSCLC without baseline BMs, adding atezolizumab in the first‐line treatment might not reduce the CI‐BM. However, the administration of bevacizumab may reduce the risk of BMs.
Assessment on the use of allopurinol to improve safety and efficacy of mercaptopurine in pediatric patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Lymphoma during maintenance therapy
Authors: Barone Tecca , Dandekar Smita , McKeone Daniel , Mulieri Kevin 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundMercaptopurine is an important component of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and lymphoma (LLy) maintenance therapy. The 6‐thioguanine nucleosides (6‐TGN) are believed to be the primary contributor to myelosuppression and immunosuppressive effects, while 6‐methylmercaptopurine (6‐MMPN) is believed to be responsible for several toxicities including hepatotoxicity, pancreatitis, and hypoglycemia. Previous reports suggest the addition of allopurinol may reduce these toxicities.AimsTo assess the use of allopurinol to improve both safety and efficacy of mercaptopurine in pediatric patients with ALL and LLy during maintenance therapy. Secondary objectives included evaluating patient tolerability and skewed metabolism. In addition, we also analyzed mercaptopurine daily dose reduction upon allopurinol initiation.Methods and ResultsThe primary endpoint was time within goal ANC prior to and after initiation of allopurinol. Secondary endpoints included; improvement in selective toxicities (hepatotoxicity, pancreatitis, and hypoglycemia) and 6‐MMPN to 6‐TGN ratio prior to and after allopurinol initiation. In addition, an exploratory endpoint assessing mercaptopurine daily dose reduction prior to and after allopurinol initiation was included. Sixteen patients met inclusion criteria and 15 (94%) of which were included in this study. Median percent of maintenance days within goal ANC prior to and after initiation of allopurinol was 27.8 (IQR 22.6–44.9) and 41.6 (IQR 20.2–58.2) respectively. All patients experienced selective toxicities; 15 (100%) hepatotoxicity, 1 (7%) pancreatitis, and 3 (20%) hypoglycemia. Improvement of toxicities was seen in 13/15 (87%), 1/1 (100%), and 2/3 (67%) respectively. Average 6‐MMPN:6‐TGN ratio prior to allopurinol initiation was 304:1 and after, allopurinol initiation improved to 15:1, resulting in a 95% reduction. Average mercaptopurine dose prior to and after allopurinol initiation decreased by about 56% (63 to 28 mg/m2/day).ConclusionResults suggest that the use of allopurinol in pediatric patients with ALL and LLy receiving mercaptopurine during maintenance therapy is both safe and effective.
Shrinking Devices: Shape‐Memory Polymer Fabrication of Micro‐and Nanostructured Electrodes
Authors: González‐Martínez Eduardo , Moran‐Mirabal Jose 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe front cover artwork is provided by Prof. Jose Moran‐Mirabal's group at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The image shows a 3D rendering and electron microscopy images of micro/nanostructured electrodes, fabricated through thermal shrinking of a shape memory polymer. Read the full text of the Review at 10.1002/cphc.202300535.
Sustainable Beckmann Rearrangement using Bead‐Milling Technology: The Route to Paracetamol
Authors: Geib Romain , Colacino Evelina , Gremaud Ludovic 
Published: February 2024

AbstractTo address the growing demand for more sustainable and greener chemistry, mechanochemical methodologies are emerging as key players. However, to date there has been little data highlighting the benefits of these rising mechanochemical technologies with regard to process scale‐up activities or implementation in commercial production scale. Herein, we report the first application of bead‐mill technology (Dyno®‐mill) for the sustainable mechanochemical synthesis of Acetaminophen, known under the brand name Paracetamol. Using the Beckmann rearrangement, the optimized solvent‐free methodology delivered a final product on a scale of several tens of grams. In comparison to current production solvent‐based process, the proposed process achieves a higher yield while also allowing the removal of solvents in the chemical reaction, hereby reducing one of the extensive drivers to waste generation. The mechanochemical approach was compared to solvent‐based process using a combination of green metrics and EcoScale score. The mechanochemical synthesis of paracetamol scores the highest for all the metrics over currently used solution‐based processes.
The last stage of development: The restructuring and plasticity of the cortex during adolescence especially at puberty
Authors: Juraska Janice M. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThere is considerable evidence of reorganization in the prefrontal cortex during adolescence in humans, as well as in rodents, where the cellular basis can be explored. Studies from my laboratory in the rat medial prefrontal cortex are reviewed here. In general, growth predominates before puberty. Pruning mainly occurs at puberty and after with decreases in the number of synapses, dendrites, and neurons. Perineuronal nets, extracellular structures that control plasticity, are pruned peripubertally only in female rats, which may further open the adolescent prefrontal cortex to environmental influences. This is supported by our recent evidence that exposure to mild stress early, but not late, in adolescence decreases prepulse inhibition. Additionally, exposure to methamphetamine in females early in adolescence increases the number of a major class of inhibitory interneurons, parvalbumin neurons, while the opposite occurs late in adolescence. In females, even estrogen receptor beta mRNA decreases at puberty in the prefrontal cortex. Interestingly, rats of both sexes perform better after puberty on a test of cognitive flexibility in the water maze. Thus, evidence is accruing that adolescence is not a single entity but rather an ongoing set of processes, and environmental effects will differ depending on timing and sex.
Effects of leaf herbivory and autumn seasonality on plant secondary metabolites: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Skovmand Lota , O'Dea Rose E. , Greig Keri A. , Amato Katherine R. , Hendry Andrew P. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractPlant secondary metabolites (PSMs) are produced by plants to overcome environmental challenges, both biotic and abiotic. We were interested in characterizing how autumn seasonality in temperate and subtropical climates affects overall PSM production in comparison to herbivory. Herbivory is commonly measured between spring to summer when plants have high resource availability and prioritize growth and reproduction. However, autumn seasonality also challenges plants as they cope with limited resources and prepare survival for winter. This suggests a potential gap in our understanding of how herbivory affects PSM production in autumn compared to spring/summer. Using meta‐analysis, we recorded overall production of 22 different PSM subgroups from 58 published papers to calculate effect sizes from herbivory studies (absence to presence) and temperate to subtropical seasonal studies (summer to autumn), while considering other variables (e.g., plant type, increase in time since herbivory, temperature, and precipitation). We also compared production of five phenolic PSM subgroups – hydroxybenzoic acids, flavan‐3‐ols, flavonols, hydrolysable tannins, and condensed tannins. We wanted to detect a shared response across all PSMs and found that herbivory increased overall PSM production in herbaceous plants. Herbivory was also found to have a positive effect on individual PSM subgroups, such as flavonol production, while autumn seasonality was found to have a positive effect on flavan‐3‐ol and condensed tannin production. We discuss how these responses might stem from plants producing some PSMs constitutively, whereas others are induced only after herbivory, and how plants produce metabolites with higher costs only during seasons when other resources for growth and reproduction are less available, while other phenolic PSM subgroups serve more than one function for plants and such functions can be season dependent. The outcome of our meta‐analysis is that autumn seasonality changes some PSM production differently from herbivory, and we see value in further investigating seasonality–herbivory interactions with plant chemical defense.
Lactic acid bacteria in Swedish honey bees during outbreaks of American foulbrood
Authors: Nilsson Anna , D'Alvise Paul , Milbrath Meghan O. , Forsgren Eva 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe honey bee microbiota is involved in several important functions, and alterations in the composition could have a severe effect on honey bee health. Among the bacteria identified in the honey bee microbiome are a group of non‐pathogenic honey bee‐specific lactic acid bacteria (hbs‐LAB) that have been shown to inhibit the growth of bacterial pathogens such as Paenibacillus larvae, the causative agent of American foulbrood (AFB). While P. larvae only causes disease in larvae and not in adult honey bees, there are reports of the pathogen causing changes in the microbiota composition of the adults. The aim of this study was to investigate how AFB in the colony affect the hbs‐LAB composition in adult honey bees. Adult bees were collected from colonies with and without AFB during three outbreaks of AFB in Sweden. The hbs‐LAB was analyzed using qPCR to detect and quantify the number of ten hbs‐LAB (five Lactobacilli, two Apilactobacilli, one Bombilactobacilli, and two Bifidobacterium). The hbs‐LAB composition was compared between AFB outbreaks and depending on the AFB status of the honeybee colony at the time of sampling. The data analyses revealed differences in the abundance of individual hbs‐LAB between outbreaks and an overall difference in bacterial community composition depending on AFB status. Also, a higher hbs‐LAB diversity was observed in samples that were P. larvae culture positive.