bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using multimodal MRI to investigate alterations in brain structure and function in the BBZDR/Wor rat model of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Lawson Christopher M. , Rentrup Kilian F. G. , Cai Xuezhu , Kulkarni Praveen P. , Ferris Craig F.
Published: December 2020

Background

This is an exploratory study using multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to interrogate the brain of rats with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) as compared to controls. It was hypothesized there would be changes in brain structure and function that reflected the human disorder, thus providing a model system by which to follow disease progression with noninvasive MRI.

Methods

The transgenic BBZDR/Wor rat, an animal model of T2MD, and age‐matched controls were studied for changes in brain structure using voxel‐based morphometry, alteration in white and gray matter microarchitecture using diffusion weighted imaging with indices of anisotropy, and functional coupling using resting‐state BOLD functional connectivity. Images from each modality were registered to, and analyzed, using a 3D MRI rat atlas providing site‐specific data on over 168 different brain areas.

Results

There was an overall reduction in brain volume focused primarily on the somatosensory cortex, cerebellum, and white matter tracts. The putative changes in white and gray matter microarchitecture were pervasive affecting much of the brain and not localized to any region. There was a general increase in connectivity in T2DM rats as compared to controls. The cerebellum presented with strong functional coupling to pons and brainstem in T2DM rats but negative connectivity to hippocampus.

Conclusion

The neuroradiological measures collected in BBBKZ/Wor rats using multimodal imaging methods did not reflect those reported for T2DB patients in the clinic. The data would suggest the BBBKZ/Wor rat is not an appropriate imaging model for T2DM.
Complex‐Solid‐Solution Electrocatalyst Discovery by Computational Prediction and High‐Throughput Experimentation**
Authors: Batchelor Thomas A. A. , Löffler Tobias , Xiao Bin , Krysiak Olga A. , Strotkötter Valerie , Pedersen Jack K. , Clausen Christian M. , Savan Alan , Li Yujiao , Schuhmann Wolfgang , Rossmeisl Jan , Ludwig Alfred
Published: December 2020

Complex solid solutions (“high entropy alloys”), comprising five or more principal elements, promise a paradigm change in electrocatalysis due to the availability of millions of different active sites with unique arrangements of multiple elements directly neighbouring a binding site. Thus, strong electronic and geometric effects are induced, which are known as effective tools to tune activity. With the example of the oxygen reduction reaction, we show that by utilising a data‐driven discovery cycle, the multidimensionality challenge raised by this catalyst class can be mastered. Iteratively refined computational models predict activity trends around which continuous composition‐spread thin‐film libraries are synthesised. High‐throughput characterisation datasets are then used as input for refinement of the model. The refined model correctly predicts activity maxima of the exemplary model system Ag‐Ir‐Pd‐Pt‐Ru. The method can identify optimal complex‐solid‐solution materials for electrocatalytic reactions in an unprecedented manner.
In situ Construction of Robust Biphasic Surface Layers on Lithium Metal for Lithium–Sulfide Batteries with Long Cycle Life
Authors: Guo Wei , Han Qing , Jiao Junrong , Wu Wenhao , Zhu Xuebing , Chen Zhonghui , Zhao Yong
Published: December 2020

Lithium–sulfur (Li‐S) batteries have potential in high energy density battery systems. However, intermediates of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) can easily shuttle to the Li anode and react with Li metal to deplete the active materials and cause rapid failure of the battery. A facile solution pretreatment method for Li anodes involving a solution of metal fluorides/dimethylsulfoxide was developed to construct robust biphasic surface layers (BSLs) in situ. The BSLs consist of lithiophilic alloy (LixM) and LiF phases on Li metal, which inhibit the shuttle effect and increase the cycle life of Li‐S batteries. The BSLs allow Li+transport and they inhibit dendrite growth and shield the Li anodes from corrosive reaction with LiPSs. Li‐S batteries containing BSLs‐Li anodes demonstrate excellent cycling over 1000 cycles at 1 C and simultaneously maintain a high coulombic efficiency of 98.2 %. Based on our experimental and theoretical results, we propose a strategy for inhibition of the shuttle effect that produces high stability Li‐S batteries.
Anodic Oxidation Enabled Cation Leaching for Promoting Surface Reconstruction in Water Oxidation
Authors: Duan Yan , Lee Jun Yan , Xi Shibo , Sun Yuanmiao , Ge Jingjie , Ong Samuel Jun Hoong , Chen Yubo , Dou Shuo , Meng Fanxu , Diao Caozheng , Fisher Adrian C. , Wang Xin , Scherer Günther G. , Grimaud Alexis , Xu Zhichuan J.
Published: December 2020

A rational design for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts is pivotal to the overall efficiency of water electrolysis. Much work has been devoted to understanding cation leaching and surface reconstruction of very active electrocatalysts, but little on intentionally promoting the surface in a controlled fashion. We now report controllable anodic leaching of Cr in CoCr2O4 by activating the pristine material at high potential, which enables the transformation of inactive spinel CoCr2O4 into a highly active catalyst. The depletion of Cr and consumption of lattice oxygen facilitate surface defects and oxygen vacancies, exposing Co species to reconstruct into active Co oxyhydroxides differ from CoOOH. A novel mechanism with the evolution of tetrahedrally coordinated surface cation into octahedral configuration via non‐concerted proton‐electron transfer is proposed. This work shows the importance of controlled anodic potential in modifying the surface chemistry of electrocatalysts.
Electrooxidative B−H Functionalization of nido‐Carboranes
Authors: Chen Meng , Zhao Deshi , Xu Jingkai , Li Chunxiao , Lu Changsheng , Yan Hong
Published: December 2020

An atom‐economical method for the direct B−H functionalization of nido‐carboranes (7,8‐nido‐C2B9H12−) has been developed under electrochemical reaction conditions. In this reaction system, anodic oxidation serves as a green alternative for traditional chemical oxidants in the oxidation of nido‐carboranes. No transition‐metal catalyst is required and different heteroatoms bearing a lone pair are reactive in this transformation. Coupling nido‐carboranes with thioethers, selenides, tellurides, N‐heterocycles, phosphates, phosphines, arsenides and antimonides demonstrates high site‐selectivity and efficiency. Importantly, nido‐carboranes can be easily incorporated into drug motifs through this reaction protocol.
Ag44(EBT)26(TPP)4 Nanoclusters With Tailored Molecular and Electronic Structure
Authors: Bootharaju Megalamane S. , Lee Sanghwa , Deng Guocheng , Malola Sami , Baek Woonhyuk , Häkkinen Hannu , Zheng Nanfeng , Hyeon Taeghwan
Published: December 2020

Although atomically precise metalloid nanoclusters (NCs) of identical size with distinctly different molecular structures are highly desirable to understand the structural effects on the optical and photophysical properties, their synthesis remains highly challenging. Herein, we employed phosphine and thiol capping ligands featuring appropriate steric effects and synthesized a charge‐neutral Ag NC with the formula Ag44(EBT)26(TPP)4 (EBT: 2‐ethylbenzenethiolate; TPP: triphenylphosphine). The single‐crystal X‐ray structure reveals that this NC has a hollow metal core of Ag12@Ag20 and a metal–ligand shell of Ag12(EBT)26(TPP)4. The presence of mixed ligands and long V‐shaped metal–ligand motifs on this NC has resulted in an enhancement of the NIR‐II photoluminescence quantum yield by >25‐fold compared to an all‐thiolate‐stabilized anionic [Ag44(SR)30]4− NC (SR: thiolate). Time‐dependent density‐functional calculations show that our Ag44 NC is an 18‐electron superatom with a modulated electronic structure as compared to the [Ag44(SR)30]4− anion, significantly influencing its optical properties.
Independent Luminescent Lifetime and Intensity Tuning of Upconversion Nanoparticles by Gradient Doping for Multiplexed Encoding
Authors: Liu Xuan , Chen Zi‐Han , Zhang Hongxin , Fan Yong , Zhang Fan
Published: December 2020

Luminescent materials with engineered optical properties have been developed for multiplexed labeling detection, where encoding capacity plays a pivotal role in the efficiency. However, multi‐dimensional optical identities are usually not independent which essentially hinder the practical encoding numbers to access theoretical capacity. In this work, we carefully studied the sensitizer gradient doping structure in near‐infrared (NIR) excitable upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and managed to achieve independent emission intensity and lifetime tuning. With the orthogonally tunability, it breaks the constraint of intensity (k) and lifetime (n) correlation and expands the practical encoding number to theoretical value as (k+1)n−1 in binary encoding. This method can also be combined with previous lifetime engineering as well to realize high level multiplexing.
Cooperative Syngas Production and C−N Bond Formation in One Photoredox Cycle
Authors: Han Chuang , Li Yue‐Hua , Li Jing‐Yu , Qi Ming‐Yu , Tang Zi‐Rong , Xu Yi‐Jun
Published: December 2020

Solar‐driven syngas production by CO2 reduction provides a sustainable strategy to produce renewable feedstocks. However, this promising reaction often suffers from tough CO2 activation, sluggish oxidative half‐reaction kinetics and undesired by‐products. Herein, we report a function‐oriented strategy of deliberately constructing black phosphorus quantum dots‐ZnIn2S4 (BP/ZIS) heterostructures for solar‐driven CO2 reduction to syngas, paired with selectively oxidative C−N bond formation, in one redox cycle. The optimal BP/ZIS heterostructure features the enhanced charge‐carrier separation and enriched active sites for cooperatively photocatalytic syngas production with a tunable ratio of CO/H2 and efficient oxidation of amines to imines with high conversion and selectivity. This prominent catalytic performance arises from the efficient electronic coupling between black phosphorus quantum dots and ZnIn2S4, as well as the optimized adsorption strength for key reaction intermediates, as supported by both experimental and theoretical investigations. We also demonstrate a synergistic interplay between CO2 reduction and amine dehydrogenation oxidation, rather than simply collecting these two single half‐reactions in this dual‐functional photoredox system.
Unveiling Intrinsic Potassium Storage Behaviors of Hierarchical Nano Bi@N‐Doped Carbon Nanocages Framework via In Situ Characterizations
Authors: Sun Zehang , Liu Yang , Ye Weibin , Zhang Jinyang , Wang Yuyan , Lin Yue , Hou Linrui , Wang Ming‐Sheng , Yuan Changzhou
Published: December 2020

Metallic bismuth has drawn attention as a promising alloying anode for advanced potassium ion batteries (PIBs). However, serious volume expansion/electrode pulverization and sluggish kinetics always lead to its inferior cycling and rate properties for practical applications. Therefore, advanced Bi‐based anodes via structural/compositional optimization and sur‐/interface design are needed. Herein, we develop a bottom‐up avenue to fabricate nanoscale Bi encapsulated in a 3D N‐doped carbon nanocages (Bi@N‐CNCs) framework with a void space by using a novel Bi‐based metal‐organic framework as the precursor. With elaborate regulation in annealing temperatures, the optimized Bi@N‐CNCs electrode exhibits large reversible capacities and long‐duration cyclic stability at high rates when evaluated as competitive anodes for PIBs. Insights into the intrinsic K+‐storage processes of the Bi@N‐CNCs anode are put forward from comprehensive in situ characterizations.
Metal‐Free Electrochemical Synthesis of Sulfonamides Directly from (Hetero)arenes, SO2, and Amines
Authors: Blum Stephan P. , Karakaya Tarik , Schollmeyer Dieter , Klapars Artis , Waldvogel Siegfried R.
Published: December 2020

Sulfonamides are among the most important chemical motifs in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. However, there is no methodology to directly introduce the sulfonamide group to a non‐prefunctionalized aromatic compound. Herein, we present the first dehydrogenative electrochemical sulfonamide synthesis protocol by exploiting the inherent reactivity of (hetero)arenes in a highly convergent reaction with SO2 and amines via amidosulfinate intermediate. The amidosulfinate serves a dual role as reactant and supporting electrolyte. Direct anodic oxidation of the aromatic compound triggers the reaction, followed by nucleophilic attack of the amidosulfinate. Boron‐doped diamond (BDD) electrodes and a HFIP–MeCN solvent mixture enable selective formation of the sulfonamides. In total, 36 examples are demonstrated with yields up to 85 %.
Effect of the elastomer viscosity on the morphology and impact behavior of injection molded foams based on blends of polypropylene and polyolefin elastomers
Authors: Muñoz‐Pascual Santiago , Saiz‐Arroyo Cristina , Vananroye Anja , Moldenaers Paula , Rodriguez‐Perez Miguel Angel
Published: December 2020

The impact resistance of injection‐molded polypropylene (PP) parts is severely reduced when they are foamed. It is necessary to implement strategies, such as elastomer toughening, to increase the impact behavior of foamed parts. However, the knowledge on the effect of elastomer addition on the morphology, cellular structure, and impact of injection‐molded cellular parts is very limited. In this work, foamed parts based on blends of PP and polyolefin elastomers have been produced and characterized. A high and a low viscosity octene‐ethylene copolymer (EOC) and a high viscosity butene‐ethylene copolymer (EBC) were employed. The blends have been thermally and rheological characterized. Solids materials and foams (relative density 0.76) were injection‐molded. The solid phase and cellular structure morphologies were studied using scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that elastomer toughening has been successful to obtain an improvement of the impact behavior in solid and cellular polymers. In this case, EOC materials provide an appropriate interfacial adhesion and optimized cellular structure which results in high impact resistance. The optimum elastomer to improve the properties is the EOC with a higher viscosity which provides impact resistance with n values below 3 due to the toughening of polymer matrix, thick skin thickness, and low cell size.
Rare earth ions‐enhanced gold nanoclusters as fluorescent sensor array for the detection and discrimination of phosphate anions
Authors: Miao Wenjing , Wang Lei , Liu Qin , Guo Shuai , Zhao Lingzhi , Peng Juanjuan
Published: December 2020

The discrimination and detection of phosphate anions have attracted extensive attention due to their important roles in various biological processes. Compared with sensors to detect one individual phosphate at a time, sensor arrays are able to discriminate multiple phosphates simultaneously. In this study, we developed a rare earth ions enhanced AuNCs‐based sensor array to achieve facile and rapid identification of phosphate anions (PPi, ADP and ATP). The rare earth ions (i. e., Ce3+, Gd3+, Tm3+ and Yb3+) can significantly enhance the fluorescence of AuNCs through aggregation‐induced emission effect. And the subsequent addition of phosphate anions can recover the fluorescence of the AuNCs‐rare earth ions assembly. Thanks to the different numbers of phosphate group and different steric hindrance effects of phosphate anions, the recovery fluorescence of AuNCs‐rare earth ions assembly induced by PPi, ADP or ATP are respectively distinct. Thus the sensor array composed of AuNCs and different rare earth ions is able to distinguish those phosphate anions. Finally, the sensor array was successfully demonstrated to identify the phosphates in blind samples.
Photophysical Properties and Electrochromism of Viologen Encapsulated Viologen@InBTB Metal–Organic Framework
Authors: Yoon Sukbin , Kim Hyun‐Chul , Kim Youngmee , Huh Seong
Published: December 2020

The encapsulation of various types of guest molecules into the preorganized channels of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) is continuously motivating chemists searching for better MOF host materials to systematically alter or control the photophysical properties of the captured guests in a controlled manner. The unique spatial distribution and a certain preferential geometry of the guests inside MOFs often render guests to exhibit distinct optical properties. Three different viologen cations were encapsulated into the mesoscale channels of negatively charged InBTB MOF ([Et2NH2]3[In3(BTB)4]·10DEF·14H2O, H3BTB = 1,3,5‐benzenetribenzoic acid) via cation exchange process. The cationic viologens were partially encapsulated through cation exchange with [Et2NH2]+ counter‐cations to afford viologen@InBTB. The colorless InBTB crystals changed into yellow in the case of viologen@InBTB. The fluorescence measurement of methylviologen (MV2+) encapsulated MV@InBTB showed different behavior compared to ethylviologen (EV2+) and benzylviologen (BV2+) encapsulated InBTB. Both EV@InBTB and BV@InBTB exhibited unusual quenching of the photoluminescence emission in solid state.
A case of aggressive systemic mastocytosis with bulky lymphadenopathy showing response to midostaurin
Authors: Sciumè Mariarita , Serpenti Fabio , Muratori Simona , Pravettoni Valerio , Ulivieri Fabio Massimo , Croci Giorgio Alberto , Migliorini Anna Chiara , Esposito Andrea , Goldaniga Maria Cecilia , Saporiti Giorgia Natascia , Galassi Giulia , Baldini Luca , Onida Francesco , Grifoni Federica Irene
Published: December 2020

Management of systemic mastocytosis is an emerging challenge which requires a multidisciplinary diagnostic approach and personalized treatment strategy. Midostaurin can rapidly reduce the disease burden, also in cladribine refractory cases.
Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis associated with uremia
Authors: Zhang Mingxia , Xiang Haiyan , Fan Hui , Liu Lunzhi
Published: December 2020

Regular treatment of DKA patients is not feasible in cases associated with Uremia because of being urineless and prone to heart failure of these patients. Our results indicated that continuous renal replacement therapy is a better alternative.
π‐Extended Carbazole Derivatives as Host Materials for Highly Efficient and Long‐Life Green Phosphorescent Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Arai Ayato , Sasabe Hisahiro , Nakao Kohei , Masuda Yuki , Kido Junji
Published: December 2020

High‐performance organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) that use phosphorescent and/or thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitters are capable of realizing 100 % electron‐to‐photon conversion. The host materials in these OLEDs play crucial roles in determining OLED performance. Carbazole derivatives are frequently used as host materials, among which 3,3‐bis(9H‐carbazol‐9‐yl)biphenyl (mCBP) is often used for lifetime testing in scientific studies. In this study, the π conjugation of the carbazole unit was expanded to enhance OLED lifetime by designing and developing two benzothienocarbazole (BTCz)‐based host materials, namely m1BTCBP and m4BTCBP. Among these host materials, m1BTCBP formed a highly efficient [Ir(ppy)3]‐based OLED with an operational luminescence half‐life (LT50) of over 300 h at an initial luminance of approximately 12000 cd m−2 (current density: 25 mA cm−2). The LT50 value at 1000 cd cm−2 was estimated to be about 23 000 h. This performance is clearly higher than that of mCBP‐based OLEDs (LT50≈8500 h).
Synthesis, Structure and Photophysical Properties of a New Class of Inherently Chiral Boron(III) Chelates—The tert‐Leucine Complexes
Authors: Algoazy Nawaf , Knight Julian G. , Waddell Paul G. , Aerts Roy , Herrebout Wouter , Al‐Sharif Hatun H. T. , Karlsson Joshua K. G. , Harriman Anthony
Published: December 2020

A new family of boron(III) chelates is introduced whereby molecular chirality, confirmed by circular dichroism, is imported during synthesis such that isolation of the diastereoisomers does not require separation procedures. The photophysical properties of two members of the family have been examined: the N,O,O‐salicylaldehyde‐based derivative shows pronounced intramolecular charge‐transfer character in fluid solution and is weakly fluorescent, with a large Stokes shift. The corresponding 2‐methylamino‐benzaldehyde‐derived N,N,O‐chelate absorbs and fluoresces in the visible region with a much smaller Stokes shift. Orange fluorescence is also observed for this compound as a cast film. Temperature‐dependence studies show that decay of the fluorescent state is weakly activated but emission is less than quantitative at 77 K. Quite rare for boron(III)‐based chelates, this derivative undergoes intersystem crossing to form a meta‐stable triplet‐excited state. X‐ray crystal structures are reported for both compounds, along with simulated ECD spectra.
A deep learning‐based indoor‐positioning approach using received strength signal indication and carrying mode information
Authors: Lin Szu‐Yin , Leu Fang‐Yie , Ko Chia‐Yin , Shih Ming‐Chien
Published: December 2020

Indoor smartphone positioning is one of the key information and cummunication technology techniques enabling new opportunities for indoor navigation and mobile location‐based services to enrich our everyday lives. Generally, the development of an indoor positioning system heavily relies on wireless sensor network. Since wireless sensors can estimate the probable distance between radio source and the sensors themselves by evaluating the strengths of wireless signals received from radio sources, such as received strength signal indications of Wi‐Fi and Bluetooth. However, the radio signals could be influenced by indoor and outdoor objects, such as walls and furniture, and carrying mode of a user's smartphone, like in‐pocket or in‐backpack. But, according to the best of our knowledge, up to present, people do not know how carrying mode information (CMI) influences the positioning accuracy of a positioning system. Therefore, in this study, we propose an indoor positioning scheme, named LEarning‐based Indoor Positioning System (LEIPS), which identifies the carrying mode of a user's smartphone by using this smartphone's inertial sensors and deep learning algorithms, aiming to increase indoor positioning accuracy. Our experimental results demonstrate that this system reaches 96% of positioning accuracy. CMI is also validated, showing that it is able to improve indoor prediction accuracy.
Phase‐Transfer Catalytic Strategy: Rapid Synthesis of Spiro‐Fused Heterocycles, Integrated with Four Pharmacophores‐Succinimide, Pyrrolidine, Oxindole, and Trifluoromethyl Group
Authors: Chen Zheng‐Jun , Liang Wei , Chen Zhuo , Chen Lin
Published: December 2020

An efficient and practical 1,3‐dipolar [3+2] cycloaddition of N‐2,2,2‐trifluoroethylisatin ketimines and maleimides has been achieved through phase‐transfer catalytic process by using the cheap quaternary ammonium salt as a catalyst. The strategy grants rapid generation of various complex trifluoromethyl spiro‐fused[succinimide‐pyrrolidine‐oxindole]s in good yields and with excellent diastereoselectivities. The preparative‐scale reaction in conjunction with the optimized Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling derivatizations of the product give prominence to application prospect of this methodology. The investigation on the reaction mechanism implies that the real catalyst in the cycloaddition might be tetrahexylammonium carbonate.
N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Catalyzed [3+2] Annulations of β‐Halocycloenals with Isatins and Mechanism Study
Authors: Wang Gang , Wu Jiang , Cheng Hang , Zhong Cheng , He Zhao‐Lin
Published: December 2020

An NHC‐catalyzed [3+2] annulations of β‐halocycloenals with isatins upon a dual‐activation mode was developed for the synthesis of tetracyclic 3‐spirooxindoles. DFT calculations were performed for the mechanism study of this transformation.
Recovered Carbon from Coal Gasification Fine Slag as Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction and Zinc–Air Battery
Authors: Guo Qinghua , Huang Yuchen , Gong Yan , Zhuang Xiaodong , Richter Andreas , Yu Guangsuo
Published: December 2020

The coal gasification industry produces a large amount of coarse and fine slag. Such slag, which is composed mainly of carbon residues and inorganic species, e.g., silicon, calcium, magnesium, and aluminum, becomes a tough problem because of the environmental concerns and high reusage cost. Benefiting from the carbon‐rich feature, such cheap byproducts of the coal gasification industry can be used as precursors to prepare porous carbons for energy conversion and storage. Herein, new porous carbons are prepared by treating carbon‐rich fine slag by direct acid etching and ammonia activation. The oxygen reduction reaction performance of as‐developed porous carbons as electrocatalysts is evaluated in alkaline media. Then, such porous carbons are further utilized as air cathodes for a zinc–air battery and reach a power density of 88 mW cm−2 at the current density of 154.9 mA cm−2. All these results indicate that fine slag, a byproduct of the coal gasification industry, has a great potential to be reused as a high‐value electrocatalyst and electrode for energy conversion and storage.
Sustainable biocarbon materials derived from Lessonia Trabeculata macroalgae biomass residue for supercapacitor applications
Authors: Sankaranarayanan Sivashunmugam , Hariram Muruganandham , Vivekanandhan Singaravelu , Navia Rodrigo
Published: December 2020

Value addition of waste (or) residual biomass gain more interest because it comes under the category of “waste to wealth” and creates new pathway to biorefinery processes. Owing to high carbon contents, residual biomasses are considered as a potential raw material for the preparation of biocarbon materials which are eco‐friendly and can be the alternate for traditional carbon materials. This study reports the preparation of pristine and activated biocarbon materials using Lessonia Trabeculata macroalgal residual biomass as carbon source by thermochemical process. The physiochemical properties of the synthesized biocarbon materials were investigated through powder X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, Raman, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller surface area analyses. The activated biocarbon resulted higher specific surface area (769 m2/g) than pristine biocarbon (60 m2/g). Both pristine and activated biocarbon were used to fabricate electrodes for symmetric supercapacitor and the assembled capacitive cells showed the specific capacitance of 45.2 and 81.6 F g−1, respectively, at 1 A g−1 specific current using 1 M potassium hydroxide electrolyte. Also, the fabricated biocarbon materials showed excellent capacitance retention (96%) during 500 cycles. The results indicate that the activated carbon prepared from residual macroalgal biomass have more promising application scope in the field of supercapacitors.
I‐FBECS: Improved fuzzy based energy efficient clustering using biogeography based optimization in wireless sensor network
Authors: Dwivedi Anshu Kumar , Sharma Awadesh K.
Published: December 2020

Cluster formation and optimal cluster head selection are two optimization problems in wireless sensor network (WSN) for prolonged lifetime. To address the above mentioned issue, biogeography based selection of cluster heads along with efficient cluster formation is propound in this article which improves the performance of fuzzy based enhanced clustering scheme (FBECS). A novel fitness function is formulated by making use of remnant energy, distance to base station (BS), and density around node for optimal cluster head selection using biogeography based optimization (BBO). A rank based mechanism is developed for non‐cluster head nodes for selecting their cluster head. Routing technique for region based forwarding is designed to improve the lifetime expectancy. The proposed I‐FBECS is compared with two state of the art protocols namely LEACH and FBECS. Simulation results reveal an improved stability period by 33.8% and 38.9% over FBECS and LEACH, respectively. The proposed I‐FBECS exhibits better load balancing and improvement in terms of more alive nodes per round, more packets forwarded to the BS, improved average remnant energy, and extended lifetime. The proposed I‐FBECS is suitable for applications where the BS is located at a distant place.
Have decreases in young workers’ risky drinking resulted in an increase in illicit drug use?
Authors: Roche Ann , Kostadinov Victoria , Chapman Janine , McEntee Alice
Published: December 2020

Issues addressed

Recent reductions in young people's risky alcohol use have been widely documented but have not been examined among employed youth. Young workers’ risky drinking may have corresponded with increased illicit drug use. This study investigated these issues.

Methods

Secondary analyses were conducted for 15‐24 year old Australian workers using nationally representative data from 2007 to 2016. Frequency analyses examined alcohol and illicit drug use, Z scores assessed differences over time, and logistic regression examined predictors of illicit drug use.

Results

Risky drinking decreased significantly over time whilst low‐risk drinking increased. This pattern was observed for both young workers and young employed illicit drug users. Whilst “any” illicit drug use did not change over time, methamphetamine use decreased, and cannabis and hallucinogen use increased. Drinking alcohol at risky levels (monthly) was associated with illicit drug use in 2016, as were being single and having high/very high levels of psychological distress.

Conclusions

Risky drinking reductions over time have not corresponded with increased illicit drug use. Nonetheless, as risky drinking remains high among young workers, and is strongly associated with illicit drug use, it warrants concerted health promotion efforts that may also help minimise illicit drug use.

So what?

Despite a reduction in young workers’ risky alcohol consumption, risky drinking is still high and may impact the health and safety of workers and the wider community. As risky drinking is strongly associated with illicit drug use, workplaces could potentially play a vital role in combating alcohol and illicit drug misuse.
Mesoporous silica thin films incorporated chitosan mixed matrix nanofiltration membranes for textile wastewater treatment
Authors: Lai Yung‐Sheng , Yang Jingling , Mou Chung‐Yuan
Published: December 2020

The demand of nanofiltration (NF) membranes for practical and cost‐effective environmental treatment is exploding. Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) have attracted tremendous interest on account of combining the benefits of polymer and inorganic fillers. In this study, mesoporous silica thin films with perpendicular nanochannels (SBA‐15(⊥)) incorporated in chitosan (CS) were fabricated for dye wastewater purification. Functional groups, such as amino or epoxy groups were introduced into SBA‐15(⊥) (SBA‐15(⊥)‐NH2, SBA‐15(⊥)‐Epo) for forming covalent bonds with chitosan matrix to improve their compatibility. The excellent performance in dye/salt fractionation in aqueous solution was demonstrated by SBA‐15(⊥)‐Epo/CS MMMs, which realized a cut off of 585 g/mol, 99.9% rejection of Congo red, while maintaining 85% permeation of NaCl. In addition, the separation mechanism of the resulting membrane was explored. The efficient NF performance of SBA‐15(⊥)‐Epo/CS membrane was attributed to its better compatibility between SBA‐15(⊥)‐Epo and chitosan matrix by virtue of the formation of covalent bonds thus to ensure the high dye rejection, and the vertically oriented nanochannels arrangement facilitated the molecule transportation. This work will inspire feasible synthesis of a new generation of MMMs membranes for dye wastewater purification.
OCT4 regulated neointimal formation in injured mouse arteries by matrix metalloproteinase 2‐mediated smooth muscle cells proliferation and migration
Authors: Ding Xueyan , Yan Yan , Zhang Chengke , Xu Xudong , Yang Fan , Liu Yang , Wang Guokun , Qin Yongwen
Published: December 2020

The excessive proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play vital roles in neointimal hyperplasia and vascular restenosis. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the function and mechanism of octamer‐binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4, a key transcription factor for maintaining stem cells in de‐differentiated state) on neointima formation in response to vascular injury. Quantitative reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot results displayed a significant increase of OCT4 levels in injured carotid arteries. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence assays confirmed that the increased OCT4 expression was primarily localized in α‐SMA‐positive VSMCs from neointima, and colocalized with PCNA in the nuclei of VSMCs. Adenovirus‐mediated OCT4 overexpression in injured carotid arteries exacerbated intimal thickening, while OCT4 knockdown significantly inhibited intimal thickening. In‐vitro experiments confirmed that the increased OCT4 expression in VMSCs could be induced by platelet‐derived growth factor‐BB (PDGF‐BB) in a time‐dependent manner. Overexpression of OCT4 greatly promoted VSMCs proliferation and migration, while OCT4 knockdown significantly retarded the PDGF‐BB‐induced excessive proliferation and migration of VSMCs. Bioinformatics analysis, dual‐luciferase reporter assay, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay confirmed that OCT4 could upregulate matrix metalloproteinases 2 (MMP2) expression through promoting its transcription. Moreover, knockdown of MMP2 significantly attenuated OCT4‐mediated VSMCs proliferation and migration. These results indicated that OCT4 facilitated neointimal formation in response to vascular injury by MMP2‐mediated VSMCs proliferation and migration, and targeting OCT4 in VSMCs might be a novel therapeutic strategy for vascular restenosis.
Comparative ultrastructure and ornamentation characteristics of scales in gobiid species (Teleostei: Gobiidae) using the scanning electron microscope
Authors: Sadeghi Reza , Esmaeili Hamid Reza , Teimori Azad , Ebrahimi Mehregan , Gholamhosseini Ali
Published: December 2020

To study scale based phylogenetic affinity, the ultrastructure and ornamentation characteristics of body key scales were studied for 12 gobiid species from the Iranian coast of the Persian Gulf including Qeshm and Hormuz Islands and the Makran coast of the Oman Sea using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique. The scales were removed from below the first dorsal fin, cleaned in potassium hydroxide solution 1%, and were prepared for the SEM imaging. The presence of both ctenoid and cycloid scales in the studied gobiids was revealed. The focus of ctenoid scales was positioned posteriorly, while the focus of cycloid scales was positioned in the postero‐central part of the scale. In all the studied species, radii were located only on the anterior part of the scale, and the primary radii were dominant. Also, there were no granules in the inter circular space, but bifurcation was observed in some circuli. In most species, the teeth‐like structures called lepidonts were present on the crest of circuli, which functionally help to firmly attach the scales to the epithelium. The dendrogram of the between‐groups‐linkage method sorted the gobiid species into the two main groups of five distinct clusters: (a)Cryptocentroides arabicusandCryptocentrus cyanotaenia(theCryptocentrus‐lineage); (b)Bathygobius meggittiandBathygobius cocosensis(theGlossogobius‐lineage); (c)Coryogalops adamsoniandCoryogalops tessellatus(theGobius‐lineage); (d)Acentrogobius dayi,Istigobius ornatus,Favonigobius reichei,Aulopareia ocellata, andSilhouettea ghazalae(theGobiopsis‐lineage). It seems that the dendrogram topology obtained based on the macro‐and microscopic structures of scales, reveals phylogenetic lineages of gobies that have already been proposed for these taxa. Hence, the results of this study are largely consistent with the previous molecular studies on the gobiid fishes and implied that besides other data, the analysis of scale shape and scale‐surface microstructures could be served to study the diversification of gobiid species.
Delivering bad news fairly: Higher construal level promotes interactional justice enactment through perspective taking
Authors: Holt Lauren , Bobocel D. Ramona , Chen Valerie
Published: December 2020

How can managers deliver bad news with greater interactional justice? We propose a novel cognitive pathway: Construing the activity at a higher (vs. lower) level increases actors' other‐oriented perspective taking, which in turn promotes the enactment of interactional justice. Three studies provide support. Studies 1 and 2 demonstrated a beneficial effect of construal level on interactional justice enactment when explaining a hypothetical bad news decision. Study 2 also showed that other‐oriented perspective taking is the mechanism through which construal level promotes interactional justice enactment. Study 3 replicated and extended these findings with a different paradigm and the addition of a moderator variable (trait perspective taking), providing a converging test of the proposed mechanism. Overall, the present research suggests that how managers think about delivering bad news—whether at higher or lower levels of construal—affects the extent to which they think from the recipient's perspective, and in turn how they communicate the news. Our research generates novel avenues for future research on justice enactment, construal level theory, and perspective taking. It may also have implications for better understanding downstream consequences of interactional justice enactment for bad news deliverers themselves.
Variations in the diversity of the soil microbial community and structure under various categories of degraded wetland in Sanjiang Plain, northeastern China
Authors: Wu Yining , Xu Nan , Wang He , Li Jinbo , Zhong Haixiu , Dong Haiyan , Zeng Zhaowen , Zong Cheng
Published: December 2020

Understanding the changes in microbial community composition in wetlands affected by different types of degradation can help enrich theoretical knowledge about wetland degradation. However, studies of the relative role of microorganisms under different types of degradation of wetlands are rare in wetland ecology. Because of agricultural development, a large volume of groundwater has been extracted from the Sanjiang Plain over the last few decades, which has caused wetland degradation. To provide information for the development and protection of this wetland ecosystem, investigations into the processes of wetland degradation are important. The aim of the present work was to assess the impacts of wetland degradation on soil microbial communities under four different types of wetlands degradation in the Sanjiang Plain: swamp meadow (SW), meadow wetland (MW), paddy farmland (PF), and cropland (CL). Both 16S and ITS rRNA gene amplicon sequencing were used to evaluate the diversity and composition of bacteria and fungi. A total of 638,758 effective 16S rRNA and 916,211 valid internal transcribed spacer rRNA gene sequences were obtained, which were classified into 11 fungal and 40 bacterial phyla. The dominant fungal and bacterial phyla were Ascomycota and Proteobacteria, respectively. In addition, wetland degradation increased the relative abundances of Chloroflexi and Gemmatimonadetes, but the relative abundances of Proteobacteria and Verrucomicrobia significantly decreased. The bacterial Shannon index of SW was lower than those of the other investigated sites. Fungal diversity showed no significant differences for different types of degraded wetlands. In addition to wetland degradation, different reactions of the dominant microbial phyla and their diversity were clearly coorelated with total phosphorus (TP), total potassium (TK), available potassium (AK), and soil organic matter (SOM), which formed essential criteria that influenced the soil microbial communities. Wetland degradation resulted in the decrease of soil nutrient and the decline of the abundance of dominant phylum in soil bacterial and fungal communities. These changes can be used as an early warning signal for the degrading wetland of the Sanjiang Plain.
Particular microbial clades rather than total microbial diversity best predict the vertical profile variation in soil multifunctionality in desert ecosystems
Authors: Wang Honglei , Bu Lianyan , Tian Jing , Hu Yingwei , Song Fangqin , Chen Chun , Zhang Yinglong , Wei Gehong
Published: December 2020

In desert ecosystems, the desertification process is characterized by increasing attenuation of plant productivity and deterioration of soil habitats, leading to enhanced environmental stress gradients for soil microbiomes. Despite the significance of microbial communities for multifunctionality in terrestrial ecosystems, the feedback dynamics of microbiomes and their contributions to maintaining deep soil (20–100 cm) multifunctionality as desertification progresses have yet to be evaluated. Here, we used three sites with different desertification stages and investigated the variation trends of microbiomes in soil profiles (0–100 cm) and their contributions to regulating multifunctionality. The multifunctionality did not exhibit a significant difference between superficial (0–20 cm) and deep soils and slightly decreased as depth increased throughout the entire profile. Results from alpha‐ and beta‐diversity analysis of soil microbiomes suggested that bacterial communities received on average more positive and progressive feedback from desertification development than fungal and archaeal communities. Particular microbial clades rather than total microbial diversity best predict and explain the vertical profile variation in soil multifunctionality in desert ecosystems. Microbial clades within Acidobacteria could be targeted for future soil‐focussed, bottom‐up desertification control studies.
Molecularly imprinted materials for biomedical sensing
Authors: Batista Alex D. , Silva Weida R. , Mizaikoff Boris
Published: December 2020

Significant advances have been presented in the last decades in the field of biomedical analysis and sensing, especially pertaining to routine procedures based on immunologic and nucleic acids, including enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RTq‐PCR). Despite their efficiency, some limitations such as reagent stability and availability, cost and cumbersome analysis procedures still limit further advances in this area. In this context, the development of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for biomedical purposes has contributed to the improvement of consolidated applications and the development of new approaches in a wide range of application scenarios. This review discusses the contribution of MIPs for advances in biomedical sensing in the past 5 years highlighting their main synthesis strategies, and applications especially for the detection of biomarkers, viruses and bacteria. Last but not least, the utility of MIPs in diagnostic imaging is emphasized.
Effect of exercise training on functional capacity and body composition in myotonic dystrophy type 2 patients
Authors: Kontou Eleni , Papadopoulos Constantinos , Papadimas Giorgos , Toubekis Argyris , Bogdanis Gregory , Xirou Sophia , Kararizou Evangelia , Methenitis Spyridon , Terzis Gerasimos
Published: December 2020

Background

Myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2) is a neuromuscular disorder characterized by myotonia and muscle weakness, with no medical treatment to prevent a decline in decline. It is unknown whether exercise training is effective in DM2. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of exercise training on functional capacity and body composition in these patients.

Methods

Body composition and functional capacity were evaluated at the beginning (T1) and end (T2) of a 12 wk control period, and again after 16 wk of exercise training (T3) in 10 patients.

Results

No changes were recorded after the control period. Handgrip strength, 5× sit to stand, timed up and go, 6 min walk distance, lean body mass (LBM), and bone mineral density (BMD) increased while arterial pressure decreased after training.

Conclusions

These results suggest that supervised exercise training improves functional capacity, LBM, and BMD in ambulatory DM2 patients.
A new approach for the qualitative study of vector born disease using Caputo–Fabrizio derivative
Authors: Haq Fazal , Mahariq Ibrahim , Abdeljawad Thabet , Maliki Nabil
Published: December 2020

In this manuscript, we investigate the existence and the semi‐analytical solutions of the fractional‐order vector‐born disease model using the Caputo–Fabrizio fractional derivative. In this study, we have developed existence results about the solution for the problem under consideration using the results of fixed‐point theory. On the other hand, the semi‐analytical results were obtained via Laplace Adomain decomposition method. The results established using the proposed techniques are in the form of an infinite series which converges rapidly to the exact solution. Furthermore, the obtained results are compared with the result of integer‐order derivatives. The dynamics of the solution is interpreted graphically.
A new stable finite difference scheme and its error analysis for two‐dimensional singularly perturbed convection–diffusion equations
Authors: Kumar Kamalesh , Podila Pramod Chakravarthy
Published: December 2020

This work focuses on the numerical solution of two‐dimensional singularly perturbed convection–diffusion equations via a new stable finite difference (NSFD) scheme on a tensor product of two piecewise‐uniform Shishkin meshes. First, we convert the two‐dimensional equation into two one‐dimensional equations using the alternating direction implicit technique. A NSFD scheme has been developed using Taylor's series and the one‐dimensional equations. Here the truncation of Taylor's series is different from the classical finite difference scheme. The convergence analysis is also studied on a tensor product of two piecewise‐uniform Shishkin meshes. Numerical simulations confirm the theory. Moreover, from the numerical illustrations, it is also observed that the method is parameter uniform convergent.
Safety of Andrographis paniculata: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Worakunphanich Wiwan , Thavorncharoensap Montarat , Youngkong Sitaporn , Thadanipon Kunlawat , Thakkinstian Ammarin
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Andrographis paniculata is one of the commonly used herbal medicines worldwide. Nevertheless, evidences on adverse events (AEs) associated with Andrographis paniculata are very limited. This systematic review and meta‐analysis was conducted to estimate and to compare the AE incidence of oral monotherapy Andrographis paniculata with others among patients with upper respiratory tract infection, noninfective diarrhea, and autoimmune disease.

Methods

Systematic search was performed through six databases from inception until August 2018. Randomized controlled trial (RCT), cohort, or intensive monitoring of AEs was eligible for review if AE incidence was examined. The incidence of AEs was, then, pooled across studies using meta‐analysis.

Results

Ten RCTs and 3 intensive monitoring studies were included. Incidence of serious AEs was very rare with the pooled incidence (95% CI) from RCTs of 0.02 per 1000 patients (0.0–0.5). However, the incidence of nonserious AEs was considered very common with the pooled incidence (95% CI) from RCTs of 102.6 per 1000 patients (10.7–256.1), and the pooled incidence (95% CI) from intensive monitoring of 34.2 per 1000 patients (0.0–229.6). The most common nonserious AEs were related to gastrointestinal disorder, and skin and subcutaneous disorder system.

Conclusions

Like other medicine, Andrographis paniculata can cause some AEs. However, it may be generally safe. Nevertheless, prospective patients who plan to use Andrographis paniculata should be thoroughly advised and closely monitored for common AEs. Due to the increasing use of Andrographis paniculata worldwide, larger studies with adequate methodological quality are warranted to monitor the safety of such product.