bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Na cama com De Duve: reflexões sobre práticas criativas
Authors: Aita Flores Carolina , Prigol Valdir
Published: December 2021

Apreciar uma obra de arte suscita reações mentais e físicas. É impossivel passar incólume por uma obra, seja ela um quadro, uma música, um texto. As obras nos provocam. Por isso, apresento algumas reflexões sobre o processo de crítica de arte deduviano, entendido como uma relação íntima com as obras que aprecia.
Association of Epicardial Adipose Tissue Thickness with Left Atrial Size and Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Abd ElSalam Ahmed M. , M. Allaithy Amany , Elsaedy Mona , Said Ekram Sadek
Published: December 2021

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and is associated with detrimental consequences. Epicardial fat is consistently associated with the presence, severity, and recurrence of AF.

Aim: The aim of the work was to investigate the association of epicardial adipose tissue thickness with left atrial size in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Patients and Methods: This study was conducted on 25 atrial fibrillation (AF) patients and 25 subjects with normal sinus rhythm as a control group matched in body weight. All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiogram. EAT (epicardial adipose tissue) thickness was measured on the right ventricular free wall of the two- dimensional parasternal long-axis view at end systole. 

Results: The results showed that there was a significant difference between the two groups in waist circumference, EAT (epicardial adipose tissue) thickness, left atrium diameter, LA volume. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis showed that an EAT thickness of > 0.30 cm maximizes the sensitivity and specificity to predict the development of AF.

Conclusion: Increases epicardial adipose tissue is associated with the occurrence of atrial fibrillation.
Outcome of Tuberculosis Case Surveillance at Kano Central Correctional Center, North-west Nigeria: A Need for Routine Active Case Findings for TB in Nigerian Correctional Centers
Authors: Tukur M. , Odume B. , Bajehson M. , Dimpka C. , Useni S. , Ogbudebe C. , Chukwuogo O. , Nwokoye N. , Dim C. , Nongo D. , Eneogu R. , Odusote T. , Oyelaran O. , Umar I. , Anyaike C.
Published: December 2021

Aim: To demonstrate the need for routine active TB case finding in Nigerian correctional centers through a TB case surveillance intervention at the largest correctional centre in the most populous state in Nigeria by KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation Nigeria.

Study Design: It was a retrospective review of public health intervention data derived from the mass TB screening of Kano central correctional centre inmates in Kano state, Nigeria. Methodology: A digital X-ray with artificial intelligence (AI) was used for mass TB screening of 1,967 consenting inmates at the Kano central correctional centre in Kano state, Nigeria, from 21st September to 2nd October 2020. Participants with CAD4TB score ≥ 60 had a GeneXpert assessment of their sputa for TB diagnosis. Where sputum production was not possible, or GeneXpert result was negative, expert clinical evaluation of the presumptive radiogram was carried out by experienced radiologist. Data from the project were extracted and analysed for this report. Proportions and means were compared with Fisher Exact test and Student t-test, respectively. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Overall, 1,967 inmates were screened for TB and 92 (4.7%) presumptive were identified - males (4.8%, 91/92), females (1.9%, 1/92). Out of the 92 presumptive, 21 males were diagnosed as TB cases giving a TB prevalence of 1.1% among the inmates and 22.8% among presumptive. One of the TB cases had multi-drug resistant TB. The number needed to screen (NNS) was 94. All TB cases were enrolled in treatment.

Conclusion: The prevalence of TB at the Kano central correctional centre during the mass TB screening project was high. The National Tuberculosis Control Programme of Nigeria should accelerate the planned paradigm shift from passive to active case-finding for TB in Nigerian correctional centers.
Anti – Androgenic Activity of Caesalpinia bonducella in Androgen-induced Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Rats
Authors: Sumithra M. , Chitra V. , Moka Murali Krishna , Padaleeswaran . , Ahamed Safeeq
Published: December 2021

Aim:  Our goal was to use the androgen and anabolic steroid (AAS) Testosterone Propionate (TP) to create a novel animal model to study polycystic ovaries.

Materials and Methods: Thirty albino female Wistar rats weighing 200 – 250 g were split into five groups with six rats in each group. Group I was treated as standard control, Group II was treated as the PCOS induced group, Group III was treated as a standard group, Clomiphene citrate (20 mg per kg body weight), intraperitoneally (I.P) along with a 4 mg TP injection intramuscularly (I.M) in an oily solution, Group IV was treatment control group treated with a hydro-alcoholic extract of Caesalpinia bonducella (CBHAE) at a dose of 200 mg per kg body weight. Group V was given CBHAE at 400 mg per kg of body weight. Blood collected from animals examined for hormonal parameters and ovaries is subjected to histopathological studies. 

Results: There was a fall in testosterone volume and an increase in the efflux of female hormone constituents, which improved the ovarian development and helped to regulate menses.

Conclusion: Significantly lower levels of Testosterone were produced as a result of the extract, which also showed superior anti-androgenic properties. However, additional intervention is recommended in order to investigate the therapeutic effect of Caesalpinia bonducella seed in further detail.
A Newly Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles Mediated Phytomedicine from Linum usitatissimum for Dental Caries
Authors: Bhuvaneshwari P. , Vinoba P. , Prabhu N. , Singh M. Vijay Pradhap , Rajamehala M. , Archana A.
Published: December 2021

The present study deals with the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using seed extract of Linum usitatissimum (Flaxseed) with ethanol as solvent and examined for anticariogenic activity using disc diffusion method along with antioxidant activity using DPPH scavenging studies. The ethanolic seed extract revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, alkaloids, glycosides, counarins, anthocyanins, carbohydrates, leucoanthocyanin and xanthoproteins. Characterization of synthesized AgNPs were confirmed by FTIR to confirm the functional group involved in reduction of Ag+ ions, SEM to know the morphology of synthesized nanoparticles and XRD to study the crystallographic structure of nanoparticles. The antioxidant activity of synthesized AgNPs showed that the maximum inhibition of 88.88% for the seed-AgNPs and compared with the standard ascorbic acid (90.74%) was observed at concentration (100 µg/ml). The anticariogenic activity of synthesized AgNPs using the seed of   Linum usitatissimum showed the maximum zone of inhibition for Streptococcus salivarius with the radius of 12 mm at a higher concentration of 100 µg/ml. Therefore, it is proposed that the synthesized seed-AgNPs played the efficient role against the antioxidant activity and forms the potential source for anticariogenic activity in dental caries application.
How Does FinTech Affect Consumer Non-cash Payment Satisfaction? The Moderating Role of Financial Knowledge
Authors: Chen Fuzhong , Chen Xiaoyan
Published: December 2021

As the merger of innovations from developing financial services for the twenty-first century, FinTech has brought payment methods into a new and electronic era, and non-cash payment is gradually becoming the mainstream for transaction activities. This study empirically investigates the effects of FinTech on consumer non-cash payment satisfaction, and the moderating role of financial knowledge is examined as well. Utilizing the data from the China Household Finance Survey in 2017, the results indicate that the use of FinTech can significantly promote consumer satisfaction towards non-cash payment. The mechanism analysis specific to the moderating role also shows that financial knowledge positively contributes to the impacts of FinTech on consumer non-cash payment satisfaction. The findings of this study imply that financial service providers are recommended to promote their facilities to meet consumers’ increasing demand for financial services. Besides, consumers should also take the initiative to improve their financial knowledge to better integrate non-cash payment into life and enjoy the satisfaction brought by FinTech.
Diagnosis of Brain Tumor Using Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Ganesh R. , Sivakumar Dr.R.
Published: December 2021

Accurate detection and diagnosis of brain tumor is one the crucial task of medical image analysis. Brain tumor classification system aids the physician to make accurate diagnosis and to provide effective treatment. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the gold standard imaging technique for brain tumor diagnosis. This paper proposes a method for brain tumor detection and classification using artificial neural network. The proposed method consists of four major processes such as preprocessing, region of interest segmentation, feature extraction and classification. Feed forward neural network is employed to classify the brain tumors. Classification performance of the proposed method is evaluated using 10-cross fold validation and compared with the previous methods. Empirical findings proved that the proposed method can efficiently classify the brain tumor with higher classification rate.
Saúde e população LGBTQIA+:
Authors: Gouvêa Luciana Ferrari , Souza Leonardo Lemos de
Published: December 2021

Este artigo tem por objetivo problematizar aspectos relevantes do SUS, da saúde da população LGBTQIA+ e discutir a Política Nacional de Saúde Integral de Lésbicas, Gays, Bissexuais, Travestis e Transexuais (PNSI-LGBT[1]), instituída em 2011 pela Portaria nº 2.836, com o objetivo de promover a saúde integral dessa população, na tentativa de eliminar o preconceito e reduzir as desigualdades no atendimento à saúde. Utilizaremos como ferramenta metodológica a Genealogia Cartográfica (LEMOS et al, 2015), a qual sugere a aproximação e complementaridade dos conceitos de genealogia e cartografia propostos, respectivamente, por Michel Foucault, Gilles Deleuze e Félix Guattari, com a intenção de trabalharmos com novas maneiras de se fazer pesquisa em Psicologia e outros saberes. Faz-se necessário o acolhimento desta população nos serviços de saúde de modo a propiciar maiores vínculos de acesso, legitimação da aplicabilidade da PNSI-LGBT e pela luta da garantia de direitos a saúde integral, bem como atendimento igualitário para os LGBTQIA+[2].[1] Para facilitar a leitura, utilizaremos a sigla PNSI-LGBT para referenciar a Política Nacional de Saúde Integral de Lésbicas, Gays, Bissexuais, Travestis e Transexuais.[2] No momento da elaboração e efetivação da referida Política, o termo LGBTQIA+ não era comumente utilizado. Utilizaremos o termo LGBT (Lésbicas, Gays, Bissexuais, Travestis e Transexuais) quando nos referirmos ao nome da Política. Nas demais referências utilizaremos o termo LGBTIQIA+ (Lésbicas, Gays, Bissexuais, Travestis, Transexuais, Intersexos, Queer, Assexuais e outros) para contemplar as diversas orientações sexuais e identidades de gênero.
A representatividade da união homossexual e a formação familiar na propaganda “Sophia” do Mercado Livre sob a perspectiva de um grupo focal
Authors: Santos Camila , Brod Marta
Published: December 2021

Entre os diversos problemas sociais atualmente discutidos, a diversidade é um tema de extrema importância, sobretudo em um contexto de intolerância em relação a minorias, como é o contexto moderno. Com o intuito de promover a inclusão, este estudo busca compreender a percepção e opinião das pessoas sob vários pontos de vista acerca de novas configurações familiares, em particular a união homossexual, sendo princípio de estudo a propaganda “Sophia”, lançada na ocasião do Dia Das Mães de 2018 pelo Mercado Livre. Para isto,utilizou-se como técnica o grupo focal formado por pessoas de variadas idades, gêneros e religiões. O comercial foi exibido ao grupo e, em seguida, foram feitos questionamentos a respeito do tema por meio de uma entrevista semiestruturada e coletiva. Durante a conversa, algumas opiniões em comum ganharam destaque, como a falta de representação de personagens homossexuais em comerciais diversos e a vigência da heteronormatividade, o que fez com que a maioria dos(as) participantes não imaginasse que a propaganda tratasse de uma família não convencional.
Teoria queer e ordem jurídica:
Authors: Garcia Danler
Published: December 2021

O escopo deste trabalho é compreender o que poderia ser uma “teoria queer do direito”, vale dizer, como as críticas empreendidas pela teoria queer poderiam se imiscuir nas ciências jurídicas de maneira a revolucionar o que o direito compreende por sexo, gênero e sexualidade. O direito, como estrutura normativa, sempre arquitetou sexo, gênero e sexualidade; todavia, o campo jurídico arquiteta essas dimensões sob o prisma da natureza, retroalimentando e robustecendo a heteronormatividade, as identidades fixas, os binarismos sexuais e de gênero, assim como a lógica sexo-gênero-sexualidade que a teoria queer aspira desmantelar. Assim, por intermédio da pesquisa exploratória e da revisão bibliográfica em estudos queer, este estudo compreende que uma teoria queer do direito deve empreender desmantelamentos e estranhamentos às normas do campo jurídico, de maneira a criticar a normatização engendrada por tais normas jurídicas concernente às categorias de sexo, gênero e sexualidade. Por conseguinte, uma teoria queer do direito imiscui ao universo jurídico todos aqueles que se situam nas raias da cidadania e da heteronormatividade, contemplando todos os sujeitos sem atentá-los em conformidade com seu sexo, gênero ou sexualidade.
TRANSPARÊNCIA NA ADMINISTRAÇÃO PÚBLICA: O QUE MUDOU DEPOIS DA LEI DE RESPONSABILIDADE FISCAL? UM ESTUDO EXPLORATÓRIO EM SEIS MUNICÍPIOS DA REGIÃO METROPOLITANA DE SALVADOR.
Authors: Sacramento Ana Rita Silva , Pinho José Antônio Gomes
Published: December 2021

O objetivo desse artigo é apresentar o estudo exploratório realizado em seis municípios selecionados na região metropolitana de Salvador, a fim de conhecer como está se concretizando a transparência, com ênfase na abertura à participação popular, na administração pública local após o advento da Lei de Responsabilidade Fiscal. Para tanto, após efetuar revisão da literatura por meio de uma pesquisa bibliográfica baseada em fontes que versam sobre o assunto, efetuamos a coleta de dados empíricos, para a análise de conteúdo, em duas fontes de evidências, quais sejam: entrevistas realizadas com atores estratégicos do Poder Executivo municipal e os Relatórios Prévios emitidos pelo Tribunal de Contas dos Municípios referentes à prestação de contas do último ano disponível no site dessa entidade – no caso 2002. Embora o artigo tenha por base uma pesquisa maior, a qual ainda está em andamento, os primeiros resultados já apontam em uma direção: há muito ainda o que fazer para que a transparência estimulada pela LRF se concretize nesses municípios.
Steroids
Authors: Acebedo Sofía L. , Ramírez Javier A.
Published: December 2021

Steroids are a unique family of tetracyclic terpenoids that fulfill multiple functions vital to metazoan life. From unicellular fungi to higher plants and mammals, all eukaryotes depend on steroids to orchestrate multiple aspects of their growth, development, and reproduction. The wide array of biological activity of naturally occurring steroids has been exploited in developing therapeutic agents such as antihormones, anesthetics, immunomodulators, contraceptives, and antitumor agents. Nowadays, steroid pharmaceuticals are placed among the most marketed medical products and represent the second largest category next to antibiotics. Therefore, several industrial syntheses were developed for the efficient manufacture of structurally and stereochemically complex pharmaceuticals.
Particle Impact Electrochemistry
Authors: Alpuche‐Aviles Mario A.
Published: December 2021

Experiments involving collisions between a single entity and the electrode surface have become an active area of research. The electrochemical contribution of individual nanoparticles (NPs), enzymes, and other entities, such as aggregates or agglomerates, can be determined using particle impact experiments. Destructive nanoimpact experiments of materials, such as Ag, and the electrocatalytic amplification (ECA) are used to detect the NP/electrode interactions. This review covers the seminal work, critical theoretical studies, and some recent applications. The applications to electrocatalysis include measurements of electron transfer rate constants on individual nanoparticles. Applications in analytical chemistry have allowed the detection of nonelectroactive species by detecting the collisions of soft materials, e.g. micellar suspensions and proteins have increased the technique's analytical possibilities. With ECA, NPs can be used as tags for the electrochemical detection of bioanalytes such as DNA, proteins, and liposomes. The theory of ECA collisions, including frequency of collision and the size of the electrochemical current transients, are also covered. For nanoimpacts, the charge measured during a NP electrolysis, such as Ag NP, is used to detect the NP. Measurements of NP diameter are possible, but limitations to this analysis are covered. The electron transfer studies to the electrolysis of Ag and of metal oxides are discussed. Finally, key experimental instrumentations are discussed, including instrumentation techniques for the small currents inherent to single NP measurement. The effect of filtering, instrumentations rise time, and sampling frequency are also covered.
Electrochemical Wearable Devices
Authors: Lee Bang Hyun , Daniele Michael A.
Published: December 2021

With the rapid emergence of mobile devices and telemedicine, electrochemical wearable devices capable of detecting and monitoring specific biomarkers in a noninvasively and timely manner have attracted huge attention across various applications. They offer distinctive possibilities for a personalized healthcare monitoring system by detecting and keeping track of target molecules in different biofluids with high specificity and sensitivity via versatile sensing platforms. This entry in the Encyclopedia of Electrochemistry reviews recent advances and developments of the electrochemical wearable device and provides a survey of basic sensing principles and target sampling methodologies. Major and minor obstacles that still exist in the commercialization of this sensing platform will also be covered at the end of this article. With continued tactical innovation and attention to critical challenges, such electrochemical wearable devices are expected to pave the way for the realization of distributed on‐body sensors in a variety of application areas.
A Comprehensive Review on Piezoelectric Polymeric and Ceramic Nanogenerators
Authors: Abbasipour Mina , Khajavi Ramin , Akbarzadeh Abdol Hamid
Published: December 2021

Piezoelectric nanogenerators (PNGs) have recently received significant attention because of their great potential for harvesting electricity from wasted mechanical energy resources. In spite of many studies on piezoelectric energy harvesters, a comprehensive review that summarizes alternative types of piezoelectric materials is yet to be reported. This article categorizes piezoelectric materials into two types: piezoelectric perovskite and wurtzite micro‐/nanostructures ceramics and ferroelectric polymers and compares their energy harvesting capabilities and piezoelectric properties. Piezoelectric inorganic materials with a perovskite structure, such as lead magnesium niobate−lead titanate (PMN−PT,d33 = 2500 pCN−1) and lead zirconate titanate,d33 = 500–600 pCN−1) PNGs, generate the highest output voltage and current density among all piezoelectric materials. However, the piezoelectric coefficientd31(−28 to ≈−69 pC N−1) of PMN−PT is lower than PZT (−175 pC N−1) and its toxicity and expensive fabrication process have limited its utilization. Cellular polypropylene (PP) as a ferroelectret polymer offers a high piezoelectric coefficientd33(250−1400 pC N−1), although theird31is lower than piezoelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) polymer. Piezoelectric natural polymers such as cellulose (d33≈ 8−28 pC/N, silk (d33≈ 0.3−0.8 pC/N, and collagen (d33 ≈ 22 pC/N are also introduced for bio‐PNG applications to tackle environmental problems. There is still a research gap on rationally designed self‐powered, wearable, stretchable, and biocompatible PNGs with high and controllable energy conversion efficiency.
Single‐Solution Doping Enabling Dominant Integer Charge Transfer for Synergistically Improved Carrier Concentration and Mobility in Donor–Acceptor Polymers
Authors: Li Hui , Xu Zhen , Song Jian , Chai Haoyu , Wu Lili , Chen Lidong
Published: December 2021

Chemical doping of donor–acceptor (D–A) polymers is essential for their usage in highly efficient optoelectronic devices. The crucial challenge remains to synergistically improve the carrier concentration and mobility of these polymers via a single solution doping method. Here, a D–A polymer, Pg32T‐OTz is designed and synthesized, containing a weak‐acceptor–strong‐donor backbone with nonpolar (alkoxy) and polar (ethylene glycol) side chains. Pure integer charge transfer (ICT) is shown to occur in 2,3,5,6‐tetrafluoro‐tetracyanoquinodimethane (F4TCNQ)‐doped D–A polymer at a low doping level. It is shown that the ordered edge‐on orientations of ICT structures overcome the Coulomb interactions and endow a long‐range hole delocalization, while few charge transfer complex states form in amorphous regions and bridge the crystalline ICT structures at high doping level, creating a network that sustains efficient charge transport. As a result, simultaneously high carrier concentration and high mobility are realized for F4TCNQ‐doped Pg32T‐OTz and thus a high electrical conductivity up to 550 S cm−1 is approached, which is the highest value among any doped polymers via a single‐solution doping process. This work demonstrates that the modulation of the acceptor strength combined with side‐chain engineering is an effective molecular design strategy to promote both the doping efficiency and carrier transport property of D–A polymers.
High‐Performance Transparent Broadband Microwave Absorbers
Authors: Wang Heyan , Zhang Yilei , Ji Chengang , Zhang Cheng , Lu Zhengang , Liu Yunfei , Cao Zhibo , Yuan Jing , Tan Jiubin , Guo L. Jay
Published: December 2021

The ability to absorb a broad frequency range of microwaves is essential for improving the performance of various electromagnetic interference shielding applications. However, the achievement of broadband microwave absorption with high optical transparency remains a long‐standing and unsolved challenge. Here, a simple and powerful method for high‐efficiency broadband microwave absorption is presented by introducing strongly overlapped multi‐cavity resonances, which is supported by multi‐layer structures comprising of alternating graphene/silica pairs and ultrathin silver films. A design guideline for achieving broadband absorption in multi‐layer structures is proposed and, more importantly, the complementary effect of different graphene layers on the microwave absorption mechanism is revealed for the first time, providing a new analytical perspective. Experiments show that the absorption efficiency of the proposed multi‐layer structures is near unity (≈100%) at resonant peaks with absorption bandwidths (≥50%) up to ≈30 GHz within the measured range of 32 GHz. In addition, the multi‐layer structures exhibit highly visible transmittance ranging from ≈85.8% to 68.0%. The proposed general theoretical framework and physical insights in combination with experimental demonstrations lay the foundation for designing a new type of transparent broadband microwave absorber.
Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed Aldehyde C−H Activation and Functionalization with Dioxazolones: An Entry to Imide Synthesis
Authors: Massouh Joe , Petrelli Antoine , Bellière‐Baca Virginie , Hérault Damien , Clavier Hervé
Published: December 2021

A rhodium(III)‐based catalytic system has been used to develop a C−H bond activation of benzaldehyde derivatives and subsequent functionalization with dioxazolones in order to afford imides. The importance of the nature of the directing group to perform selectively the aldehydic C−H bond activation has been highlighted. The scope investigation showed that this transformation could be applied to various dioxazolones and many benzaldehyde derivatives as well as an acrolein derivative. Derivatization reactions of the imide products demonstrated the synthetic utility of this rhodium‐catalyzed aldehydic C−H amidation.

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Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Vinylene Carbonate Annulation by C−H/N−H Functionalizations: Step‐Economical Access to Indoles
Authors: Yu Yao , Wang Yang , Li Bo , Tan Yuqiang , Zhao Huan , Li Zheyu , Zhang Chunran , Ma Wenbo
Published: December 2021

A convenient and effective method of ruthenium‐catalyzed C−H/N−H annulations using vinylene carbonate as oxidizing acetylene surrogate has been disclosed. This method is scalable and compatible with a wide range of functional groups, providing a step‐economical access to indole synthesis Preliminary mechanistic studies provided support for a reversible, acetate‐assisted C−H ruthenation, along with a subsequent olefin insertion.

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Achieving High Thermoelectric Performance by NaSbTe2 Alloying in GeTe for Simultaneous Suppression of Ge Vacancies and Band Tailoring
Authors: Duan Sichen , Xue Wenhua , Yao Honghao , Wang Xinyu , Wang Chen , Li Shan , Zhang Zongwei , Yin Li , Bao Xin , Huang Lihong , Wang Xiaodong , Chen Chen , Sui Jiehe , Chen Yue , Mao Jun , Cao Feng , Wang Yumei , Zhang Qian
Published: December 2021

GeTe alloys have attracted wide attention due to their high conversion efficiency. However, pristine GeTe possesses intrinsically massive Ge vacancies, leading to a very high hole concentration (1021 cm−3). Herein, a decreased carrier concentration is realized by alloying NaSbTe2 in GeTe due to the increased formation energy of Ge vacancies. This alloying also lowers energy separation between the valence bands in the rhombohedral GeTe and induces two extra valence band pockets around the Fermi surface along Γ‐L and L‐W in the cubic GeTe, all of which contributes to the higher power factors over a wide temperature range. Combined with the low lattice thermal conductivities due to plenty of dislocations and strains as a result of the crystallographic disorder of Na, Ge, and Sb, a maximum zT ≈ 2.35 at 773 K and a zTave of 1.33 from 300 to 773 K are achieved in (GeTe)90(NaSbTe2)10.
Collateral Damage Occurs When Using Photosensitizer Probes to Detect or Modulate Nucleic Acid Modifications
Authors: Fleming Aaron M. , Chabot Michael B. , Nguyen Ngoc L. B. , Burrows Cynthia J.
Published: December 2021

Nucleic acids are chemically modified to fine‐tune their properties for biological function. Chemical tools for selective tagging of base modifications enables new approaches; the photosensitizers riboflavin and anthraquinone were previously proposed to oxidizeN6‐methyladenine (m6A) or 5‐methylcytosine (5mdC) selectively. Herein, riboflavin, anthraquinone, or Rose Bengal were allowed to react with the canonical nucleosides dA, dC, dG, and dT, and the modified bases 5mdC, m6A, 8‐oxoguanine (dOG), and 8‐oxoadenine (dOA) to rank their reactivities. The nucleoside studies reveal that dOG is the most reactive and that the native nucleoside dG is higher or similar in reactivity to 5mdC or m6A; competition in both single‐ and double‐stranded DNA of dG vs. 5mdC or 6mdA for oxidant confirmed that dG is favorably oxidized. Thus, photosensitizers are promiscuous nucleic acid oxidants with poor chemoselectivity that will negatively impact attempts at targeted oxidation of modified nucleotides in cells.
2D Active Nanobots Based on Soft Nanoarchitectonics Powered by an Ultralow Fuel Concentration
Authors: Mathesh Motilal , Bhattarai Elisha , Yang Wenrong
Published: December 2021

Enzyme catalysis to power micro/nanomotors has received tremendous attention because of the vast potential in applications ranging from biomedicine to environmental remediation. However, the current design is mainly based on a complex three‐dimensional (3D) architecture, with limited accessible surface areas for the catalytic sites, and thus requires a higher fuel concentration to achieve active motion. Herein we report for the first time an enzyme‐powered 2D nanobot, which was designed by a facile strategy based on soft nanoarchitectonics for active motion at an ultralow fuel concentration (0.003 % H2O2). The 2D nanobots exhibited efficient positive chemotactic behavior and the ability to swim against gravity by virtue of solutal buoyancy. As a proof‐of‐concept, the 2D nanobots showed an excellent capability for “on‐the‐fly” removal of methylene blue (MB) dye with an efficiency of 85 %.
Core–Shell Structured Upconversion/Lead‐Free Perovskite Nanoparticles for Anticounterfeiting Applications
Authors: Xiao Hui , Liu Bin , Qiu Lei , Li Guogang , Zhang Guodong , Huang Dayu , Zhao Yajie , Yang Chunzheng , Jiang Fan , Dang Peipei , Lian Hongzhou , Cheng Ziyong , Lin Jun
Published: December 2021

In view of their excellent luminescence properties, nanocrystalline metal halide perovskites have diverse optoelectronic applications, including those related to anticounterfeiting. However, high‐quality optical anticounterfeiting typically requires multiple encryptions relying on several optical modes to ensure information security. Herein, an efficient anticounterfeiting strategy based on dual optical encryption is realized by combining up‐ and downconversion luminescence in a nanocomposite with NaYF4 : Er3+,Yb3+ as core and a CsMnCl3 as shell. The emission color of this nanocomposite depends on the penetration depth of incident radiation and can be changed by varying the excitation source (980 nm laser or UV light) to produce different luminescent patterns. This feature allows one to effectively improve the anticounterfeiting index and fabricate professional anticounterfeiting materials.
Green Carbon Science: Efficient Carbon Resource Processing, Utilization, and Recycling towards Carbon Neutrality
Authors: He Mingyuan , Sun Yuhan , Han Buxing
Published: December 2021

Green carbon science is defined as the “study and optimization of the transformation of carbon‐containing compounds and the relevant processes involved in the entire carbon cycle from carbon resource processing, carbon energy utilization, CO2 fixation, and carbon recycling to utilize carbon resources efficiently and minimize the net CO2 emission.”[1] Green carbon science is related closely to carbon neutrality, and relevant fields have developed quickly in the last decade. In this Minireview, we propose the concept of carbon energy index, and the recent progress in petroleum refining, and the production of liquid fuels, chemicals, and materials using coal, methane, CO2, biomass, and waste plastics is highlighted in combination with green carbon science. An outlook for these important fields is provided in the final section.
Surface Engineering Assisted Size and Structure Modulation of Gold Nanoclusters by Ionic Liquid Cations
Authors: Zhu Moshuqi , Yao Qiaofeng , Liu Zhihe , Zhang Bihan , Lin Yingzheng , Liu Jian , Long Minnan , Xie Jianping
Published: December 2021

Surface modification induced core size/structure change is a recent discovery in inorganic nanoparticles research, and has rarely been revealed at the molecular level. Here, we exemplify with atomically precise Au nanoclusters (NCs) that proper surface modification can selectively stabilize the desired Au0 core, conducive to the formation of size/structure‐controlled Au NCs. Leveraging π–π enhanced ion‐pairing interactions, ionic liquid (IL) cations are bonded to AuI‐thiolate complexes. The hydrophobic–hydrophobic interactions between IL cations subsequently provide a good mechanism to prolong the size of the AuI‐thiolate complexes, selectively producing small‐sized Au NCs upon reduction. Through combined control over the structure and concentration of IL cations, pH and solvent polarity, we are able to produce atomically precise Au NCs with customizable size, atomic packing structure, and surface chemistry. This work also provides a facile means to integrate/synergize the materials functionalities of Au NCs and ILs, increasing their acceptance in diverse fields.
Synthesis, spectroscopic and thermal studies of Cu+2, Ni+2and Co+3complexes of Schiff base containing furan moiety. Antitumor, antioxidant, antibacterial and DNA interaction studies
Authors: Venkateswarlu Kadtala , Anantha Lakshmi P. V. , Shivaraj
Published: December 2021

Three mononuclear bioefficient imine‐based coordination complexes [Cu(FMIMBCP)2] (1), [Ni(FMIMBCP)2] (2), and [Co(FMIMBCP)3] (3) were synthesized using ligand [FMIMBCP = (((furan‐2‐yl)methylimino)methyl)‐6‐bromo‐4‐chlorophenol]. The formation of the complexes was ascertained by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared, UV–Visible, electrospray‐mass spectrometry, electron paramagnetic resonance, and thermogravimetric analysis. From the thermogravimetric curves, the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of the thermal degradation steps were computed. The stability of the complexes has been calculated from quantum chemical parameters using HOMO‐LUMO energies. The comparative binding propensity profiles of above synthesized complexes with thecalf thymus‐DNA were investigated via UV absorption and fluorescence studies. On the basis of extended conjugation and increased chromophores, complex3exhibited superior bioactivity with greater calculated DNA binding constant values, (Kb) 5.73 × 104 M−1(3) as compared to complexes1(2.96 × 104 M−1) and2(8.38 × 103 M−1). The competitive binding titration with ethidium bromide (EB) revealed that metal complexes efficiently displace EB from the EB‐DNA system. The complexes were found to have pronounced cleavage efficiency as evaluated from agarose gel electrophoresis. The anticancer activity of the ligand and metal complexes against MCF‐7 and KB3 cells revealed that the complexes were more efficacious than the corresponding ligand. Further, in vitro antioxidant activity against DPPH proclaimed the remarkable bioefficiency of compounds, which makes them promising as an active chemotherapeutic agent. The complexes have strong antibacterial activity againstBacillus thuringiensis,Streptococcus pneumoniae,Escherichia coli, andPseudomonas putida.
Experimental investigation of the dewatering performance and product characteristics of oily scum at increased reaction time through hydrothermal treatment
Authors: Deng Shuanghui , Yu Shilin , Tan Houzhang , Wang Xuebin , Lu Xuchao
Published: December 2021

Hydrothermal treatment (HT) is a promising thermal conversion technology that can convert wastes with high moisture content into value‐added products. The effects of reaction time on the dewatering performance and product characteristics of oily scum were investigated through HT in this study. The main components in liquid and the combustion characteristics of hydrochars were also studied. Results showed that as the HT reaction time increased, the appearance of the liquid product changed from light yellow clarifying solution to yellow turbidity oil‐water mixture. The liquid yield obtained from the HT process of oily scum increased with the increase of reaction time, while the moisture yield in hydrochars decreased gradually. The increase of reaction time improved the filtration performance and dewaterability of oily scum. Hydrochars presented the microscopic properties of the smooth and rough surfaces as well as the particles with different sizes. The thermogravimetric analysis showed that the devolatilization and combustion process of hydrochars was further separated into the two combustion phases of light and heavy volatiles. The combustion process of hydrochars was easier than dried oily scum due to lower activation energy and pre‐exponential factor. The results obtained in this study could provide valuable references for the reasonable treatment and effective utilization of oily scum.
You can't keep a bad idea down: Dark history, death, and potential rebirth of eugenics
Authors: Liscum Mannie , Garcia Michael L.
Published: December 2021

“Be careful what you wish for”: This adage guides both how this project came to life, and how the topic covered in this review continues to unfold. What began as talks between two friends on shared interests in military history led to a 4‐year discussion about how our science curriculum does little to introduce our students to societal and ethical impacts of the science they are taught. What emerged was a curricular idea centered on how “good intentions” of some were developed and twisted by others to result in disastrous consequences of state‐sanctioned eugenics. In this article, we take the reader (as we did our students) through the long and soiled history of eugenic thought, from its genesis to the present. Though our focus is on European and American eugenics, we will show how the interfaces and interactions between science and society have evolved over time but have remained ever constant. Four critical 'case studies' will also be employed here for deep, thoughtful exploration on a particular eugenic issue. The goal of the review, as it is with our course, is not to paint humanity with a single evil brush. Instead, our ambition is to introduce our students/readers to the potential for harm through the misapplication and misappropriation of science and scientific technology, and to provide them with the tools to ask the appropriate questions of their scientists, physicians, and politicians.
Simulation modeling of breast cancer endocrine therapy duration by patient and tumor characteristics
Authors: Chandler Young , Schechter Clyde , Jayasekera Jinani , Isaacs Claudine , Kurian Allison W. , Cadham Christopher , Mandelblatt Jeanne
Published: December 2021

Background

Extending endocrine therapy from 5 to 10 years is recommended for women with invasive estrogen receptor (ER)‐positive breast cancers. We evaluated the benefits and harms of the five additional years of therapy.

Methods

An established Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Network (CISNET) model used a lifetime horizon with national and clinical trial data on treatment efficacy and adverse events and other‐cause mortality among multiple birth cohorts of U.S. women ages 25–79 newly diagnosed with ER+, non‐metastatic breast cancer. We assumed 100% use of therapy. Outcomes included life years (LYs), quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs), and breast cancer mortality. Results were discounted at 3%. Sensitivity analyses tested a 15‐year time horizon and alternative assumptions.

Results

Extending tamoxifen therapy duration among women ages 25–49 reduced the lifetime probability of breast cancer death from 11.9% to 9.3% (absolute difference 2.6%). This translates to a gain of 0.77 LYs (281 days)/woman (undiscounted). Adverse events reduce this gain to 0.44 QALYs and after discounting, gains are 0.20 QALYs (73 days)/woman. Extended aromatase inhibitor therapy in women 50–79 had small absolute benefits and gains were offset by adverse events (loss of 0.06 discounted QALYs). There were greater gains with extended endocrine therapy for women with node‐positive versus negative cancers, but only women ages 25–49 and 50–59 had a net QALY gain. All gains were reduced with less than 100% treatment completion.

Conclusion

The extension of endocrine therapy from 5 to 10 years modestly improved lifetime breast cancer outcomes, but in some women, treatment‐related adverse events may outweigh benefits.
Variations in Essential Oils from South Siberian Conifers of the Pinaceae Family: New Data towards Identification and Quality Control
Authors: Romanenko Elena P. , Domrachev Dmitry V. , Tkachev Alexey V.
Published: December 2021

Conifer essential oils have been used for centuries in traditional medicine, and nowadays they are of special interest for official medicine, aromatherapy and perfumery. In the present work, comprehensive information is given on the composition of essential oils prepared from the twigs of the conifer trees of the pine family (Pinaceae): Abies sibirica Ledeb., Larix sibirica Ledeb., Picea obovata Ledeb., Pinus sibirica Du Tour, Pinus sylvestris L. A total of 50 samples of essential oils have been studied. The samples were prepared during vegetation stage in the time period 1998–2012 from the growing wild trees in the South part of the Western Siberia (Russian Federation) and neighboring territories of Republic of Kazakhstan within the area with geographical coordinates LAT 49.180012–57.908583 and LON 83.213217–91.258717 at elevation of 82–2070 m above sea level. All the essential oil samples were obtained from freshly collected plant raw material by steam distillation at atmospheric pressure in stainless steel apparatus, which had been specially designed for field research. All the chromatographic profiles were prepared from authentic samples whose voucher specimens are deposited at the Central Siberian Botanical Garden of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (NS). The following information for each sample is provided: (1) date and location of the plant raw material collecting, indicating administrative areas and the exact geographic coordinates; (2) yield of essential oil, (3) chemical composition of the essential oil sample based on GC/MS experiments using full mass‐spectra (EI, 70 eV) and linear retention indices of the components, (4) results of GC‐FID quantification based on internal standards and response factors, (5) enantiomeric composition of the main components based on GC×GC experiments using the 2nd column with cyclodextrin‐based chiral selector, (6) GC profile of the high‐boiling fractions indicating the characteristic sesquiterpenoids. Therefore, this study provides reliable information about the variability and true composition of the Siberian conifer oils, and the experimental data given can serve as reference chromatographic profiles of volatile substances to solve the problems of quality, authenticity and safety.
L'autocensure des hommes face au congé parental: Le cas français
Authors: Borel Pascale , Essig Elena
Published: December 2021

Nowadays women still assume most of the family and household work. The birth of children reinforces these inequalities mainly because of an unbalanced distribution of time in childcare shouldered by women and men in the first months after birth. Thus, despite European directives that aimed at promoting a fair sharing of parental time, parental leave is still mainly taken by women in France. In order to find the leverage for a more balanced distribution of family time and thus fight against professional gender inequalities, this work aims to better understand the self‐censorship behaviors that prevent men from having recourse to parental leave.
Clinicopathologic features of breast cancers diagnosed in women treated with prior radiation therapy for Hodgkin lymphoma: Results from a population‐based cohort
Authors: Wong Stephanie M. , Ajjamada Lissa , Weiss Anna C. , Prakash Ipshita , Skamene Sonia , Boileau Jean Francois , Pollak Michael N. , Basik Mark
Published: December 2021

Background

Childhood and young adult survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) are at elevated risk of developing breast cancer, yet little data exist on the tumor characteristics that develop in this high‐risk patient population.

Methods

The National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was used to identify breast cancers diagnosed between 1990 and 2016 in women who had received prior radiation therapy for HL at age 30 years or younger. Clinicopathologic features of subsequent breast cancers (breast cancer after radiation therapy for HL [BC‐HL]) were examined and compared with breast cancers diagnosed in women who had no prior malignancy (breast cancer with no prior malignancy [BC‐NPM]).

Results

In total, 321 breast cancers were identified in 257 women who had a history of radiation therapy for HL. The median age at HL diagnosis was 22 years (interquartile range, 18‐26 years), and nearly all patients in the BC‐HL group (97.9%) were diagnosed ≥8 years after radiation therapy. Overall, 56 patients in the BC‐HL group (21.8%) developed bilateral breast cancer. Compared with women who had BC‐NPM, those who had BC‐HL were younger (43 vs 60 years; P < .001) and were less likely to present with ductal carcinoma in situ (8.4% vs 14.9%; P = .001). On multivariable analysis that included adjustment for age, invasive BC‐HL was associated with smaller (≤2 cm) tumor size (odds ratio, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.25‐2.15) and upper outer quadrant tumors (odds ratio, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.04‐1.81) compared with BC‐NPM. In a subset analysis of 102 women who had HER2/neu status available, the distribution of biologic subtype was not significantly different between BC‐HL and BC‐NPM (P = .16).

Conclusions

Breast cancers in women who previously received radiation therapy for HL are characterized by earlier onset disease, although most remain estrogen receptor‐positive and have early stage disease at presentation.

Lay Summary

Women who have had radiation therapy for Hodgkin lymphoma at a young age are at increased risk of developing early onset breast cancer; however, most of these breast cancers are sensitive to hormones (estrogen receptor‐positive) and are diagnosed at early stages.

Because these breast tumors are estrogen receptor‐positive, medications that prevent breast cancer by blocking the effect of or lowering hormone levels (also termed endocrine prevention) may be useful in this group of high‐risk women.
Impact of bacillus Calmette‐Guerin intravesical therapy on the diagnostic efficacy of The Paris System for Reporting Urinary Cytology in patients with high‐grade bladder cancer
Authors: Hermans Julian , Jokisch Friedrich , Volz Yannic , Eismann Lennert , Pfitzinger Paulo , Ebner Benedikt , Weinhold Philipp , Schlenker Boris , Stief Christian G. , Tritschler Stefan , Schulz Gerald B.
Published: December 2021

Background

In high‐grade urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the bladder, bacillus Calmette‐Guerin (BCG) therapy is a therapeutic mainstay, and urinary cytology is recommended to detect recurrences. However, intravesical BCG instillations can induce morphologic changes in urothelial cells. The authors investigated the impact of BCG therapy on the efficacy of urinary cytology.

Methods

Matched pathology and cytology samples from patients undergoing transurethral resection of the bladder after BCG therapy were assessed. Cytology samples were graded according to The Paris System for Reporting Urinary Cytology. Diagnostic quality criteria were tested for different cutoff definitions, and the results were compared between those obtained <100 versus ≥100 days after the last BCG instillation. In addition, the oncologic outcome of false‐positive results was assessed.

Results

In total, 389 matched cases from 197 patients who had a history of high‐grade UC (HGUC) were identified. Sixty cases (15.7%) were diagnosed as high‐grade urothelial bladder cancer. The cytology diagnoses were as follows: non‐HGUC, 191 cases (49.1%); atypical urothelial cells, 80 cases (20.6%); suspicious for HGUC, 56 cases (14.4%); and HGUC, 56 cases (14.4%). Interrater reliability was substantial (κ = 0.660). Sensitivity increased from 45% to 75% when cases diagnosed as suspicious for HGUC were also counted as positive. Notably, sensitivity was reduced within the first 100 days after BCG therapy (61.9%) compared with sensitivity at longer intervals (82.1%). Reactive atypia (odds ratio, 4.155; 95% confidence interval, 2.136‐8.085; P < .001) and cellular degeneration (odds ratio, 5.050; 95% CI, 2.094‐12.175; P < .001) of urothelial cells were associated with false‐positive rates, and 44.7% of patients who had a false‐positive cytology classification presented with HGUC during follow‐up.

Conclusions

BCG therapy has a short‐term adverse impact on the efficacy of urinary cytology. After BCG therapy, cases classified as suspicious for HGUC should be considered positive. Importantly, patients with false‐positive cytology findings should be closely monitored.