bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF FAMILY DAIRY FARMS
Authors: Sowula-Skrzyńska Elżbieta , Skrzyński Grzegorz , Matysik-Pejas Renata , Kurpan Sabina
Published: April 2020

For optimal farm management, it is very important to research potential opportunities of raising its rental ability. These opportunities lie as by side of selling income as of its costs. It causes a necesity of constant cost control and of looking for new methods of reducing these costs. The aim of study was the assessment of economic viability of family dairy farms .The economic efficiency of these farms was analysed according to scale of production. Basic indicators and measures of the economic efficiency of production, such as net agricultural income, gross margin, production costs, parity income and break-even point were calculated. The paper presents the analyze of disproportion income between small and large farms. The executed analysis showed that from economic point of view the optimal dairy farms maintains about 60 cows.
DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES AND DIRECTIONS OF BIOECONOMY RESEARCH
Authors: Maciejczak Mariusz
Published: April 2020

The paper aims to discuss the challenges of bioeconomy development and outline the directions of research responding to these challenges, in particular in the field of economic sciences. It is argued that the challenge is to perceive bioeconomy in research and scientific discourse, development strategies and plans as well as public debate in a holistic way. It is important to not only take into account the effectiveness of particular subsystems: social, economic, natural but also processes and connections between these systems, assuming the interaction between their components. It changes though the gravity of the analysis to a more detailed level and gives a dynamic character.
CONSUMER FOOD COOPERATIVES AS COMPLE X ADAPTIVE NETWORKS
– THE CASE OF FIVE COOPERATIVES FROM POLAND
Authors: Zakharov Kiryll , Maciejczak Mariusz
Published: April 2020

This paper is an attempt to present selected Polish consumer food cooperatives as the complex
adaptive network. Based on the literature review and structured questionnaire, their compliance with
consumer cooperative principles and attitude of the members towards these principles were investigated.
It is argued that due to their voluntary character based on networking activities they are subject to adjustment
processes. These processes, under the umbrella of the democratic governance, are focused on using
these principles as adaptive mechanism.
Self-presentation work of people experiencing homelessness. Mixed social situations background
Authors: Kostrzyńska Małgorzata
Published: April 2020

The article is a reflection on the participatory research conducted by me among the homeless living in the streets of a large city outside the system of institutional aid (2005–2008) and in the environment of homeless people staying in the hostel created within the framework of one of the associations (from 2007 to 2013). The location of these studies within the interpretative orientation ensures an opportunity to get to know the perspective of the Respondents (in this particular case – the homeless).
Work on self-presentation is based on the assumption of symbolic interactionism, according to which the basis of interaction is defining the situation, proceeding through interpretation, so reading the meaning of the partner's action and definition, informing the partner about the intentions of action. Therefore, work on self-presentation is an attempt to read the meaning of a partner's activity, based on a specific way of imagining a partner, and thus – the way of treating him and the mechanisms accompanying work on self-presentation.
Rethinking home. Home space from the perspective of homeless people’s opinions and practices
Authors: Nóżka Marcjanna
Published: April 2020

Home as a space with its own material and non-material markers is defined, among other things, by social and culturally recognised standards for using and arranging space, which are usually reproduced, mediated and redefined in the
everyday living practices of the homeless. Thus, although a flat is perceived as a rare good, a privilege, from which the homeless are excluded, by constituting an important element of human life, also in the situation of homelessness it is
acquired through spatial location, the arrangement of adapted- originally not residential – space, or ways of practicing neighbourhood. The article discusses factors or circumstances which in the conditions of homelessness constitute
“home – room”, “home – space of housing activity”, “home – space for relations and neighbouring”, and which have been determined by reference to the opinions and practices of the homeless.
Scotist Hylomorphism in Support of Total Brain Death
Authors: Wittenmyer Tyler ,   The National Catholic Bioethics Center
Published: April 2020

Empirical evidence has led some philosophers to question total brain death (TBD), because a brain-dead patient’s body remains integrated; it can still grow and age. Catholic philosophers have based arguments for and against TBD on Thomist principles of hylomorphism. Given such principles, the arguments against TBD appear stronger. Blessed John Duns Scotus provides an alternative set of principles. Specifically, Scotus is a pluralist regarding substantial form. However, his pluralism is distinct in that he denies a substantial form to the body as a whole and instead speaks of part-substances that are integrated with each other by efficient and final causal chains. Scotus’s hylomorphism, unlike St. Thomas Aquinas’s, can both defend TBD and adequately describe the physical characteristics of the totally brain-dead patient.
Challenges to the Determination of Death by Neurological Criteria
Authors: Pacholczyk Tadeusz , Hannan Stephen ,   The National Catholic Bioethics Center
Published: April 2020

Ethical concerns regarding the conceptual framework for the determination of death by neurological criteria, including several clinical and diagnostic practices, are addressed. The significance of a diagnosis of brain death, diagnostic criteria, and certain technical aspects of the brain-death exam are presented. Standard and ancillary tests that typically help achieve prudential certitude that an individual has died are indicated. Ethical concerns surrounding interinstitutional variability of testing protocols are evaluated and considered, as are potential apnea-testing confounders such as hypotension, hypoxemia, hypercarbia, and penumbra effects during ancillary testing. Potential adjustments to apnea-testing protocols involving capnography, thoracic impedance monitors, or spirometers to assess respiratory efforts are discussed. Situations in which individuals determined to be brain dead “wake up,” or fail to manifest the imminent cessation of somatic functioning typically seen when supported only by a ventilator, are also briefly reviewed.
The Impotence of the Causal Impotence Objection
Authors: Norcross Alastair ,   Southwestern Philosophical Society
Published: April 2020

Many significant harms, such as the mass suffering of animals on factory farms, can only be prevented, or at least lessened, by the collective action of thousands, or in some cases millions, of individual agents. In the face of this, it can seem as if individuals are powerless to make a difference, and thus that they lack reasons, at least from the consequentialist perspective, to refrain from eating meat. This has become known as the “causal impotence” problem. The standard response is to appeal to expected utility calculations. Recently, this response has been attacked, mostly on the grounds that the relevant causal mechanisms are more complex than its proponents are said to assume. In this paper, I argue that the attacks are unsuccessful, both at undermining specific expected utility calculations urged by me and Kagan, or even at showing that significantly different expected utility calculations wouldn’t justify the relevant behavior.
Friendship for the Flawed
Authors: Trujillo G. M. ,   Southwestern Philosophical Society
Published: April 2020

When considering the value of friendship, most philosophers ignore the negatives. Most assume that humans need friends to flourish, and some argue that friendships can be good, no matter the risks entailed. This makes conversations about the value of friendship one-sided. Here, I argue that Cynics and Pessimists have an important view on friendship, despite it being ignored. They hold that: (a) friendship is unnecessary for flourishing, and (b) friendship presents ethical risks, especially to one’s own self-sufficiency. I defend these views. Then I conclude with reflections on why Cynics and Pessimists actually make great friends. By helping people to focus on vulgar human nature and the flaws that humans have, they create an unpretentious basis for friendship.
Charles Peirce on Assertion
Authors: Breiner Nikolaus ,   Southwestern Philosophical Society
Published: April 2020

Charles Peirce claimed that the principal ingredient in assertion is an act of “taking responsibility” for the truth of what is asserted. Some people writing about the Commitment Theory of Assertion have at times construed Peirce’s claim as his espousal of that contemporary theory, but this, I argue, is mistaken. Peirce saw “taking responsibility” as the assumption, not of an obligation, but instead of a liability, a penalty to be incurred if one’s assertion turned out to be false. I then consider how this point connects to other parts of Pierce’s analysis of assertion, specifically his claims that we assert to persuade, that assertion involves an intentional exhibition of our assumption of liability, and that this assumption of liability furnishes evidence for what is asserted. I conclude by sketching on Peirce’s behalf how the assumption of liability could constitute, and be intelligibly offered as, evidence for what is asserted.
De-Moralizing Heroism
Authors: Smyth Bryan ,   Southwestern Philosophical Society
Published: April 2020

Agents’ self-reports in cases of reactive heroism often deny the optionality, and hence the supererogatory status, of their actions, while conversely supporting a view of these actions in terms of nonselfsacrificial existential necessity. Taking such claims seriously thus makes it puzzling as to why such cases elicit strong approbation. To resolve this puzzle, I show how this necessity can be understood in the predispositional embodied terms of unreflective ethical expertise, such that the agent may be said literally to incarnate generally accepted norms of a shared ethical environment. On this basis I argue that the object of the relevant approbation is the agent’s embodied predispositionality itself—expressing a deep continuity with her social context, it is in virtue of this alone that her action can be both spontaneous and ethically outstanding. By way of conclusion I briefly discuss how this suggests an important categorial distinction between heroism and saintism.
Socialist governmentality: political formation, revolutionary instruction, and socialist emulation in the CDR, Cuba, 1961-1965
Authors: Medel Toro Juan Carlos
Published: April 2020

During the 1960s, the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (Comités de Defensa de la Revolución [CDR]) took relevant actions along with the Cuban masses, organizing cultural, social, and economic activities that shaped socialism from below. Thereby, through their work, the CDR gave meaning to their own idea of Cuban socialism. In the context of revolutionary upheaval, they were major players in the process of governmentality deployed by the revolutionary project. They willingly participated in their own governance. As a result, the CDR deployed a productive power that actually aimed at improving the lives of fellow Cubans. This article highlights the political formation of CDR members through revolutionary instruction and ideological formation. Also, this is an analysis of the role of CDR members in the revolutionary process beyond political surveillance, focusing on their impact in the everyday lives of Cuban people. The work of the CDR was key to build a new hegemonic project in revolutionary Cuba. They took a significant ideological role, creating and promoting a new cultural hegemony that sought to convince fellow Cubans about the potential benefits that the revolution could eventually bring. Thus, through the work of the CDR, we may see the Cuban Revolution beyond the vanguard.Keywords: Governmentality. Ideology. Socialist Emulation. Representations. Political Formation.
Fazendo Drama com crianças
Authors: Barbieri Nicole Pacheco
Published: April 2020

A abordagem pedagógico-teatral do Drama, quando integrada aos planejamentos para a Educação Infantil, pode ampliar as experiências criadas pelas crianças e contribuir com o fortalecimento de vínculos e o protagonismo infantil nas vivências. O presente artigo propõe uma breve reflexão a respeito das possibilidades do Drama resultantes das vivências de estágio realizadas no ano de 2017, em Florianópolis, com um grupo de 22 crianças, com idades entre 4 e 5 anos e 11 meses, que vivenciou as propostas de um projeto de docência alicerçado na estrutura de um processo de Drama. As reflexões aqui propostas buscam inspirar docentes que atuam na Educação Infantil a experimentarem a articulação entre a Pedagogia e o Teatro em seu trabalho, de forma a contribuir com a formação de sujeitos mais críticos e transformadores das realidades em que estão inseridos.
Experimentação de texturas: o encontro com a potencialidade das experiências artísticas da criança
Authors: Moreira Adriana
Published: April 2020

Este texto consiste em meu relato de experiência, como professora de teatro, sobre uma prática teatral e pedagógica que denominei Experimentação de Texturas. Tal prática foi desenvolvida em aulas de teatro com crianças de 2 a 5 anos de idade, em escolas da Educação Básica da cidade de Uberlândia/MG, entre os anos de 2014 e 2018. A partir dos conceitos formulados pela artista visual Anna Marie Holm, foi possível reelaborar as experiências artísticas das crianças e repensar o papel do professor nas aulas de teatro, pautando-se por uma perspectiva que visa a escuta, a liberdade e a imprevisibilidade. Por meio das relações com os materiais diversos e suas infinitas texturas, o espaço e a ação da criança, tornou-se possível descobrir a construção de inúmeras teatralidades imbuídas e emergidas no decorrer da prática.
O fascinante e pedagógico Circo na Escola: o ensino das artes do circo na Escola de Aplicação da Universidade Federal do Amapá
Authors: Silva Emerson de Paula , Santos Joseph Batista Oliveira dos
Published: April 2020

A Arte se transformou em objeto de estudo e reflexão em um país como o nosso, marcado pela diversidade cultural. Sendo assim, apresentamos o relato de experiência de uma ação do Programa de Cultura da Universidade Federal do Amapá (UNIFAP), o PROCULT, vinculado à Pró-Reitoria de Extensão e Ações Comunitárias (PROEAC). O PROCULT, inicialmente, possui três linhas de atuação. Cada linha é composta por Projetos de Extensão ou de Pesquisa-extensionista que têm como área temática a Cultura. Propomos tratar do recorte de um dos seus projetos, o “UNIFAP com a Escola – Ciclo de Oficinas Artísticas”. Este texto, portanto, relata um processo de ensino-aprendizagem a partir da linguagem do Circo.
Innovations in Polymer Applications - Plastic Packaging
Authors: Rego Diogo Cardoso , Sartor Cí­ntia , Klayn Nicolas Augusto , Corrêa Harrison Lourenço
Published: April 2020

Polymer materials are used in several industrial sectors such as, paints and varnishes, packaging, and the automotive sector. The countless applications of this type of material stem from several factors such as lightness and ease of processing when compared to metals and ceramics. The possibility of chemical modification of polymers is worth mentioning, which can result in a new material with mechanical properties superior to those of the original ones. Another unique characteristic of polymer material is related to the ease with which they can be mixed with other elements (vegetable and synthetic fibers, metals, ceramics) to obtain a composite or hybrid material, thus expanding the spectrum of polymer applications. In this sense, the present work aims to show the uses of polymers in the packaging segment, addressing the main physicochemical and mechanical characteristics that are necessary for manufacturing packaging items as well as innovative technologies to obtain those materials.
Analysis of satellite data on dynamics of the extent of sea ice due to insolation contrast
Authors: Fedorov Valerii Mikhailovich , Grebennikov Pavel Borisovich , Frolov Denis Maksimovich
Published: April 2020

On the basis of theoretical calculations of insolation and Earth remote sensing data on the dynamics of the sea ice area in the Arctic Ocean, a close relationship between long-term changes in the sea ice area and annual insolation contrast in the Northern hemisphere was determined. The change in insolation contrast was generalized (in terms of the source and sink of heat) reflects the change in the meridional insolation gradient that regulates the meridional heat transfer in the ocean - atmosphere system. The regression model was used to make an estimated forecast of changes in the area of sea ice in the Arctic Ocean. According to our estimates, the reduction of the average annual sea ice extent in the Arctic Ocean in 2050 will be 18.3% relative to 2018. The Maximum area (March) will be reduced by 10.1%, and the Minimum area (September) by 60.3%. The decrease in the area of sea ice is associated with an increase in the meridional gradient of insolation and meridional heat transfer resulting from a decrease in the inclination of the Earth's rotation axis in the present epoch.
Cryogenic deformations of pumping station building at Zapolyarnoye field
Authors: Marakhtanov Vadim Petrovich
Published: April 2020

The subject of the study was to determine the causes of long-term deformation of the structures of technological equipment inside the building of the pumping station that supplies water to the industrial facilities and residential buildings of the infrastructure of the Zapolyarnoye oil and gas condensate field, located in the permafrost zone of Western Siberia, near the Arctic Circle. The main objectives of the study were to identify the mechanism of these deformations and develop practical recommendations for stabilizing structures and preventing their further destruction based on the analysis of the results. The survey was carried out using a set of methods provided for by the current legislation (visual and measurement control, geodetic works, thermometric observations in wells). The current situation at objects of such importance at the time of our study had no analogues. Analysis of the results of the structure inspection leads to the conclusion that the cause of the deformations were miscalculations in the design, construction and operation of the structure. The construction should be done with participation of specialists in the field of permafrost engineering.
Amderma open water period characteristics based on satellite observation of the sea ice concentration, archives for the 1979-2018 period
Authors: Shabanova Natalia , Shabanov Pavel
Published: April 2020

The aim of this study is to estimate the Amderma station (the Kara Sea) ice-free period using sea ice concentration satellite datasets in comparison to observation data. The work follows the research performed for the Western Coast of the Yamal (Marresalya) being the part of the Arctic coastal dynamics study. The OSISAF, JAXA and NSIDC (resolution 25 km, 1 day, 1979-2018) sea ice concentration datasets were used to characterize the water area adjacent to the station within the 30-50 km radius. The threshold (15%-concentration) and the author's "sliding window" methods were used to detect open water start and end dates. According to the satellite data, the ice-free period in the 30-50-kilometer water area along the Amderma coast is shifted by 2-3 weeks closer to December if compared to observations. At Amderma station (in the contrast to Marresalya), there are no significant trends in ice-free period start dates. On the adjacent water area, the destruction of the ice cover occurs earlier by 3-6 weeks if compared to the 1980’s, and the end date by 3-6 weeks later. The duration of the open water period over 40 years has increased by 32-36 days at the station and by 52-120 days (40-100%) in the adjacent water area.
Some clear evidences of the intrasedimental origin of massive ice in northern Eurasia
Authors: Vasil'chuk Yurij Kirillovich
Published: April 2020

Massive ice is widespread on the territory of modern of Eurasian permafrost area: in the north of Western Siberia, Taimyr, Chukotka, and Arctic islands. Their thickness reaches 45-50m. The origin of massive ice is difficult to define due to the equifinality of such two different processes as intrasedimental freezing and formation of glacial ice. In both cases, thick massive ice is formed in various ways, but with the same final appearance. Three important aspects that show the evidence of the intrasedimental origin of massive ice in the north of Eurasia are examined. At first glance, they are obvious, but still fell out of sight of paleogeocryologists. It is shown that: 1) Any currently existing Late Pleistocene glacier, or part of it located under Holocene ice, have not yet been found within the Eurasian Arctic or on the Arctic islands with ice sheets, nor in the mountainous regions. 2) The isotopic composition of the vast majority of massive ice found in northern Eurasia is quite "Holocene", whereas in the north of Canada and Alaska, ice with a very light isotopic composition can often be found. 3) It should be taken into account that massive ice is found in the Holocene sediments of Western Siberia and Chukotka, where there is no reason to assume the glaciers spread to the plains.
Statistical evaluation of the information content of attributes for the task of searching for semantically close sentences
Authors: Glazkova Anna Valer'evna
Published: April 2020

The paper presents the results of evaluating the informative value of quantitative and binary signs to solve the problem of finding semantically close sentences (paraphrases). Three types of signs are considered in the article: those built on vector representations of words (according to the Word2Vec model), based on the extraction of numbers and structured information and reflecting the quantitative characteristics of the text. As indicators of information content, the percentage of paraphrases among examples with a characteristic, and the percentage of paraphrases with a attribute (for binary characteristics), as well as estimates using the accumulated frequency method (for quantitative indicators) are used. The assessment was conducted on the Russian paraphrase corps. The set of features considered in the work was tested as input for two machine learning models for defining semantically close sentences: reference vector machines (SVMs) and a recurrent neural network model. The first model accepts only the considered set of signs as input parameters, the second - the text in the form of sequences and the set of signs as an additional input. The quality of the models was 67.06% (F-measure) and 69.49% (accuracy) and 79.85% (F-measure) and 74.16% (accuracy), respectively. The result obtained in the work is comparable with the best results of the systems presented in 2017 at the competition for the definition of paraphrase for the Russian language (the second result for the F-measure, the third result for accuracy). The results proposed in the work can be used both in the implementation of search models for semantically close fragments of texts in natural language, and for the analysis of Russian-language paraphrases from the point of view of computer linguistics.
Generalized algorithm for finding the catacaustics of an optical system
Authors: Lyubchinov Evgenii Vladimirovich
Published: April 2020

The author of the work has proposed an algorithm for determining catacaustics in a “source-reflector” optical system on a plane. Katakaustika is called the envelope of reflected rays from a given curve and the study of catacaustics in the design of optical systems is one of the main tasks. The paper gives examples of solving this problem and presents the corresponding visualization. Particular attention is paid to problems where the source and reflector are curved, because these tasks in the scientific literature have not been previously considered. The presented algorithm is based on the cyclographic projection of the spatial curve of the line and its optical property. It is versatile and suitable for all tasks where the source of optical radiation is given in the form of a central (point), parallel or scattered beam of direct (light rays). The main advantage of the algorithm is that in the end it turns out analytical, i.e. exact solution to the problem of determining catacaustics. The results of the study can be used in applied fields of geometric optics, as well as in various computer-aided design systems specializing in modeling lighting of geometric objects.
Human as a phenomenon of unity of corporeal and spiritual in various-system languages (based on the material of euphemisms in the English and Buryat languages)
Authors: Tsydendambaeva Oyuna , Dorzheeva Olga
Published: April 2020

This article is dedicated to the examination of euphemisms in the various-system languages – English and Buryat that contain view of the world by a human, and the ways of their conceptualization. Euphemisms remain insufficiently studied. Whereupon, examination of linguistic expression of the key concepts of culture is among the paramount programs of modern linguistics, need for the linguoculturological approach towards analysis of euphemisms in the languages, viewing it in light of the current sociocultural transformations, which are refer to euphemisms and values reflected by them. The subject of this research is the euphemisms in the English and Buryat languages, representing the semiosphere “corporeal and spiritual”. The scientific novelty consists in introduction of the previously unexamined euphemism in Buryat language that comprise semiosphere “corporeal and spiritual” into the scientific discourse. The analysis of language material testifies to the fact that in various cultures the topic of intimacy and sex is euphemized differently. The lexis indicating the intimate parts of the body is vividly presented in the West, while in Buryat language – rather reserved. The author also determines the common, universal, and nationally marked components elucidating the linguistic worldview of different ethnoses and cultures.
Same structure, different mechanisms?
Authors: Tsai Francis TF , Hill Christopher P
Published: April 2020

Two interpretations of similar structures for the same molecular machine illustrate the limits of inferring biochemical mechanism from protein structure.
Multi-walled carbon nanotubes produced after forest fires improve germination and development of Eysenhardtia polystachya
Authors: Juárez-Cisneros Gladys , Gómez-Romero Mariela , Reyes de la Cruz Homero , Campos-García Jesús , Villegas Javier
Published: April 2020

Background

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are nanoparticles with countless applications. MWCNTs are typically of synthetic origin. However, recently, the formation of MWCNTs in nature after forest fires has been documented. Previous reports have demonstrated the positive effects of synthetic MWCNTs on the germination and development of species of agronomic interest; nevertheless, there is practically no information on how synthetic or natural MWCNTs affect forest plant development. In this report, based on insights from dose-response assays, we elucidate the comparative effects of synthetic MWCNTs, amorphous carbon, and natural MWCNTs obtained after a forest fire on Eysenhardtia polystachya plant.

Methods

E. polystachya seeds were sown in peat moss-agrolite substrate and conserved in a shade house. Germination was recorded daily up to 17 days after sowing, and plant development (manifested in shoot and root length, stem diameter, foliar area, and root architecture parameters) was recorded 60 days after sowing.

Results

The treatments with natural MWCNTs accelerated the emergence and improved the germination of this plant, thus while untreated seeds achieve 100% of germination within 16th day, seeds supplemented with natural MWCNTs at doses of 20 µg/mL achieve the above percentage within the 4th day. Natural MWCNTs also promoted fresh and dry biomass in all applied treatments, specially at doses of 40 µg/mL where natural MWCNTs significantly promoted leaf number, root growth, and the dry and fresh weights of shoots and roots of seedlings. Seeds supplemented with doses between 20 and 40 µg/mL of amorphous carbon achieving 100% of germination within the 6th day; however, seeds supplemented either with doses of 60 µg/mL of the above carbon or with synthetic MWCNTs at all the tested concentrations could achieve at most 80 % and 70% of germination respectively within the 17 days. Finally, neither treatments added with amorphous carbon nor those added with synthetic MWCNTs, showed significant increases in the fresh and dry biomass of the tested plant. Likewise, the survival of seedlings was reduced between 10 and 20 % with 40 and 60 µg/mL of amorphous carbon, and with synthetic MWCNTs in all the doses applied was reduced at 30% of survival plants.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that MWCNTs produced by wildfire act as plant growth promoters, contributing to the germination and development of adapted to fire-prone conditions species such as E. polystachya.
Synthetic biology principles for the design of protein with novel structures and functions
Authors: Zhou Weijun , Šmidlehner Tamara , Jerala Roman
Published: April 2020

Nature provides a large number of functional proteins that evolved during billions of years of evolution. The diversity of natural proteins encompasses versatile functions and more than a thousand different folds, which, however, represents only a tiny fraction of all possible folds and polypeptide sequences. Recent advances in the rational design of proteins demonstrate that it is possible to design de novo protein folds unseen in nature. Novel protein topologies have been designed based on similar principles as natural proteins using advanced computational modelling or modular construction principles, such as oligomerization domains. Designed proteins exhibit several interesting features such as extreme stability, designability of 3D topologies and folding pathways. Moreover, designed protein assemblies can implement symmetry similar to the viral capsids, while, on the other hand, single‐chain pseudosymmetric designs can address each position independently. Recently, the design is expanding towards the introduction of new functions into designed proteins, and we may soon be able to design molecular machines.
Recent Advances and Promise of MXene‐Based Nanostructures for High‐Performance Metal Ion Batteries
Authors: Dong Yanfeng , Shi Haodong , Wu Zhong‐Shuai
Published: April 2020

MXenes, a large family of 2D transition metal carbides or carbonitrides, possessing exceptional conductivity in the crystal core and ample functional groups (e.g., OH, F, O) on their surface, low energy barriers for metal ion diffusion, and large interlayer spaces for ion intercalation, are opening up various intriguing opportunities to construct advanced MXene‐based nanostructures for different‐type metal ion batteries (MIBs) with remarkable energy density and power density. Herein, this work summarizes the recent advances in MXene‐based nanostructures for high‐performance MIBs from lithium ion batteries to non‐lithium (Na+, K+, Mg2+, Zn2+, Ca2+) ion batteries, in which the unique roles of MXenes as active materials, conductive substrates, and even current collectors are highlighted. Furthermore, the loaded model, encapsulated model, and sandwiched model are clarified in detail for MXene‐based hybrids with different dimensional (0D, 1D, and 2D) active materials, and each structural model is well exampled for different MIBs with special emphasis of synergistic effects and strong interaction interfaces between MXene and active materials. Finally, the existing challenges and perspectives of MXene‐based nanostructures are briefly discussed for MIBs.
In Situ Ice Template Approach to Fabricate 3D Flexible MXene Film‐Based Electrode for High Performance Supercapacitors
Authors: Zhang Peng , Zhu Qizhen , Soomro Razium A. , He Shiyu , Sun Ning , Qiao Ning , Xu Bin
Published: April 2020

MXenes with metallic conductivity, high pseudo‐capacitance and 2D structure, are promising flexible electrode materials for supercapacitors, but suffer from the restacking issue, which hinders ion accessibility and causes sluggish ion kinetics. Herein, a simple in situ ice template strategy is proposed to fabricate free‐standing, flexible 3D porous Ti3C2Tx/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) film (3D‐PMCF) by freeze‐drying Ti3C2Tx‐based hydro‐films without any postprocessing. During the freeze‐drying process, small ice grains are in situ transformed from the residual water molecules in the Ti3C2Tx interlayer and then act as a self‐sacrifice template to construct a 3D porous network. CNTs introduced in the hydro‐film increase the amount of interlayer water and the resultant porosity. The 3D structure of Ti3C2Tx significantly increases the exposed surface active sites and accelerates the ion transport, meanwhile maintaining good flexibility. Consequently, the flexible 3D‐PMCF film delivers a capacitance of 375 F g−1 at 5 mV s−1 and retains 251.2 F g−1 at 1000 mV s−1 with excellent cycling stability, much superior to the conventional densely stacked Ti3C2Tx film. Being assembled into a symmetric supercapacitor, an energy density of 9.2 Wh kg−1 is realized. This work demonstrates a simple and efficient route for constructing high‐performance and flexible 3D MXene film electrodes for supercapacitors.
Microcontainer Delivery of Antibiotic Improves Treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms
Authors: Birk Stine Egebro , Haagensen Janus Anders Juul , Johansen Helle Krogh , Molin Søren , Nielsen Line Hagner , Boisen Anja
Published: April 2020

Biofilm‐associated infections are difficult to treat effectively with antibiotics despite repeated treatments. Polymeric microdevices (microcontainers) have previously been shown to engulf in mucus layers and to provide tunable release. Such devices may overcome the challenge of delivering antibiotics into the biofilm, increasing the local drug concentration and hence improve local bacterial killing. In this work, microcontainers are loaded with the antibiotic, ciprofloxacin hydrochloride, and functionalized with polymeric lids of polyethylene glycol (PEG), chitosan, or Eudragit S100. The PEG lid gives rise to a drug release comparable to uncoated microcontainers showing complete release after 8 h, whereas chitosan and Eudragit S100 lids result in continuous release during the course of 24 h. All antibiotic‐containing microcontainers inhibit planktonic growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAO1) cells, but the degree of inhibition depends on the coating. Microcontainers with ciprofloxacin hydrochloride kill about three times more biofilm‐associated PAO1 cells compared with a single standard bolus. Moreover, the use of microcontainers in biofilm result in bacterial killing equal to a constant flow of a three times higher concentration of solubilized antibiotics. These studies suggest that microcontainers can be useful for antibiotic delivery in treatment of biofilm‐associated infections, resulting in more effective treatment and reduced use of antibiotics.
Exploring Bi2Te3 Nanoplates as Versatile Catalysts for Electrochemical Reduction of Small Molecules
Authors: Zhang Nan , Zheng Fangfang , Huang Bolong , Ji Yujin , Shao Qi , Li Youyong , Xiao Xiangheng , Huang Xiaoqing
Published: April 2020

The electroreduction of small molecules to high value‐added chemicals is considered as a promising way toward the capture and utilization of atmospheric small molecules. Discovering cheap and efficient electrocatalysts with simultaneously high activity, selectivity, durability, and even universality is desirable yet challenging. Herein, it is demonstrated that Bi2Te3 nanoplates (NPs), cheap and noble‐metal‐free electrocatalysts, can be adopted as highly universal and robust electrocatalysts, which can efficiently reduce small molecules (O2, CO2, and N2) into targeted products simultaneously. They can achieve excellent activity, selectivity and durability for the oxygen reduction reaction with almost 100% H2O2 selectivity, the CO2 reduction reaction with up to 90% Faradaic efficiency (FE) of HCOOH, and the nitrogen reduction reaction with 7.9% FE of NH3. After electrochemical activation, an obvious Te dissolution happens on the Bi2Te3 NPs, creating lots of Te vacancies in the activated Bi2Te3 NPs. Theoretical calculations reveal that the Te vacancies can modulate the electronic structures of Bi and Te. Such a highly electroactive surface with a strong preference in supplying electrons for the universal reduction reactions improves the electrocatalytic performance of Bi2Te3. The work demonstrates a new class of cheap and versatile catalysts for the electrochemical reduction of small molecules with potential practical applications.
Porous Organic Frameworks Featured by Distinct Confining Fields for the Selective Hydrogenation of Biomass‐Derived Ketones
Authors: Yang Yajie , Deng Dan , Zhang Shenli , Meng Qinghao , Li Zhangnan , Wang Zeyu , Sha Haoyan , Faller Roland , Bian Zheng , Zou Xiaoqin , Zhu Guangshan , Yuan Ye
Published: April 2020

The asymmetric hydrogenation of biomass‐derived molecules for the preparation of single enantiomer compounds is an effective method to reduce the rapid consumption of fossil resources. Porous organic frameworks (POFs) with pure organic surfaces may provide unusual confinement effects for organic substrates in chiral catalysis. Here, a series of POF catalysts are designed with chiral active centers decorated into sharply defined one‐dimensional channels with diameters in the range of 1.2–2.9 nm. Due to the synergistic effect originating from the conjugated inner wall, the POF material (aperture size 2.4 nm) concentrates over 90% of aromatic species into the porous architecture, and its affinity is one or two orders of magnitude higher than those of classical porous solids. As determined by PBE+D3 calculation, the phenyl fragment reveals strong π–π interaction for steric hindrance around the metal active site to achieve stronger asymmetric induction. Therefore, this POF catalyst achieves high conversion (>99% yield) and enantioselectivity (>99% ee) for various substrates. The advantages of using the POF platform as a chiral catalyst can provide new perspectives on POF‐based solid‐state host–guest chemistry and asymmetric heterogeneous catalysis.
Mechanical Tolerance of Cascade Bioreactions via Adaptive Curvature Engineering for Epidermal Bioelectronics
Authors: Wang Ting , Lei Qun‐Li , Wang Ming , Deng Guoying , Yang Le , Liu Xijian , Li Chunlin , Wang Qi , Liu Zhihua , Wang Jianwu , Cui Zequn , Utama Kevin Goldio , Ni Ran , Chen Xiaodong
Published: April 2020

Epidermal bioelectronics that can monitor human health status non‐invasively and in real time are core to wearable healthcare equipment. Achieving mechanically tolerant surface bioreactions that convert biochemical information to detectable signals is crucial for obtaining high sensing fidelity. In this work, by combining simulations and experiments, a typical epidermal biosensor system is investigated based on a redox enzyme cascade reaction (RECR) comprising glucose oxidase/lactate oxidase enzymes and Prussian blue nanoparticles. Simulations reveal that strain‐induced change in surface reactant flux is the key to the performance drop in traditional flat bioelectrodes. In contrast, wavy bioelectrodes capable of curvature adaptation maintain the reactant flux under strain, which preserves sensing fidelity. This rationale is experimentally proven by bioelectrodes with flat/wavy geometry under both static strain and dynamic stretching. When exposed to 50% strain, the signal fluctuations for wavy bioelectrodes are only 7.0% (4.9%) in detecting glucose (lactate), which are significantly lower than the 40.3% (51.8%) in flat bioelectrodes. Based on this wavy bioelectrode, a stable human epidermal metabolite biosensor insensitive to human gestures is further demonstrated. This mechanically tolerant biosensor based on adaptive curvature engineering provides a reliable bio/chemical‐information monitoring platform for soft healthcare bioelectronics.
Two Are Better Than One: A Design Principle for Ultralong‐Persistent Luminescence of Pure Organics
Authors: Alam Parvej , Leung Nelson L. C. , Liu Junkai , Cheung Tsz Shing , Zhang Xuepeng , He Zikai , Kwok Ryan T. K. , Lam Jacky W. Y. , Sung Herman H. Y. , Williams Ian D. , Chan Christopher C. S. , Wong Kam Sing , Peng Qian , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: April 2020

Because of their innate ability to store and then release energy, long‐persistent luminescence (LPL) materials have garnered strong research interest in a wide range of multidisciplinary fields, such as biomedical sciences, theranostics, and photonic devices. Although many inorganic LPL systems with afterglow durations of up to hours and days have been reported, organic systems have had difficulties reaching similar timescales. In this work, a design principle based on the successes of inorganic systems to produce an organic LPL (OLPL) system through the use of a strong organic electron trap is proposed. The resulting system generates detectable afterglow for up to 7 h, significantly longer than any other reported OLPL system. The design strategy demonstrates an easy methodology to develop organic long‐persistent phosphors, opening the door to new OLPL materials.
Deconjugated‐Ketone‐Derived Dienolates in Remote, Stereocontrolled, Aromative aza‐Diels‐Alder Cycloaddition
Authors: Frankowski Sebastian , Skrzyńska Anna , Sieroń Lesław , Albrecht Łukasz
Published: April 2020

In the manuscript, the application of β,γ‐unsaturated ketones as precursors of electron‐rich dienophiles in the organocatalytic, aromative inverse‐electron‐demand hetero‐Diels‐Alder cycloaddition is described. The reaction leads to the formation of biologically relevant benzofuran derivatives bearing additional tetrahydropyridine ring. The reaction is fully site‐selective and occurs preferentially at the distal double bond of the dienolate intermediate. Given the absolute configuration assignment a step‐wise mechanism has been proposed and the formation of aromatic benzofuran ring indicated as the driving force of the cascade.

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Benzyne‐Induced Ring Opening Reactions of DABCO: Synthesis of 1,4‐Disubstituted Piperazines and Piperidines
Authors: Seo Jeongseob , Kim Daegeun , Ko Haye Min
Published: April 2020

The 2‐(4‐phenylpiperazin‐1‐yl)ethan‐1‐amine scaffold is a structurally important motif that occurs frequently in medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry. Despite the significance of this moiety, general strategies for its synthesis to date have required multistep methods and have been very limited, such as the use of SNAr‐type reactions. Herein, we describe a synthetic methodology employing benzynes, 1,4‐diazabicyclo(2.2.2)octane (DABCO), and nitrogen nucleophiles to access these privileged organic compounds. The established protocol proved to be a transition‐metal‐free, mild reaction that proceeded via a quaternary ammonium salt formed from the benzyne and DABCO.

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Ultrastable Sodium–Sulfur Batteries without Polysulfides Formation Using Slit Ultramicropore Carbon Carrier
Authors: Guo Qiubo , Li Shuang , Liu Xuejun , Lu Haochen , Chang Xiaoqing , Zhang Hongshen , Zhu Xiaohui , Xia Qiuying , Yan Chenglin , Xia Hui
Published: April 2020

The formation of the soluble polysulfides (Na2Sn, 4 ≤ n ≤ 8) causes poor cycling performance for room temperature sodium–sulfur (RT Na–S) batteries. Moreover, the formation of insoluble polysulfides (Na2Sn, 2 ≤ n < 4) can slow down the reaction kinetics and terminate the discharge reaction before it reaches the final product. In this work, coffee residue derived activated ultramicroporous coffee carbon (ACC) material loading with small sulfur molecules (S2–4) as cathode material for RT Na–S batteries is reported. The first principle calculations indicate the space confinement of the slit ultramicropores can effectively suppress the formation of polysulfides (Na2Sn, 2 ≤ n ≤ 8). Combining with in situ UV/vis spectroscopy measurements, one‐step reaction RT Na–S batteries with Na2S as the only and final discharge product without polysulfides formation are demonstrated. As a result, the ultramicroporous carbon loaded with 40 wt% sulfur delivers a high reversible specific capacity of 1492 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C (1 C = 1675 mA g−1). When cycled at 1 C rate, the carbon–sulfur composite electrode exhibits almost no capacity fading after 2000 cycles with 100% coulombic efficiency, revealing excellent cycling stability and reversibility. The superb cycling stability and rate performance demonstrate ultramicropore confinement can be an effective strategy to develop high performance cathode for RT Na–S batteries.
Tattooing Plastics with Reversible and Irreversible Encryption
Authors: Yimyai Tiwa , Phakkeeree Treethip , Crespy Daniel
Published: April 2020

Self‐healing materials are explored for restoring mechanical, electrical, and chemical properties. Inspired by the process of tattooing on human skin, a method for engraving non‐permanent or permanent messages on plastics is developed. A self‐healing polymer containing dynamic disulfide bonds is employed as substrate for encryption of written messages. The polymer is engraved with a dye solution which is subsequently covered by the polymer matrix upon activation with temperature increase. The dye is then located at the subsurface of the substrate so that the information cannot be removed easily by wear or extraction with solvents. Therefore, self‐healing polymers can be applied as sustainable substrates for reversibly and irreversibly engraving information.
Medical genetics education in the midst of the COVID‐19 pandemic: Shared resources
Authors: Regier Debra S. , Smith Wendy E. , Byers Heather M.
Published: April 2020

In the midst of the COVID‐19 pandemic, it is appropriate that our focus is on patient care and preparation. However, the genetics community is well poised to fill in the educational gap created by medical students transitioning to limiting patient contact, creation of telemedicine patient care, and online learning modules. Our history of agility in learning and teaching is now only inhibited by the time constraints of current clinical demands on the genetics community. This publication is designed to offer ideas and resources for quickly transitioning our education to meet the current demands in the time of a pandemic. Not only will this allow us to continue our strong history of education, it will enhance our strong commitment to using modern educational techniques and tools to address the genetics workforce issues that have defined the recent past. We have the opportunity to aggressively educate for trainees that now have the capacity to learn, and to lead the way in showing how the genetics community rallies together no matter the challenge.