bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diurnal Variations in Water Potential and Gas Exchanges in Two-Hybrid Oil Palms Under Water Deficit
Authors: Oliveira Igor V. de , Aguiar Rodrigo O. , Lima Clenes C. , Cunha Roberto L. , Cruz Wilton P. da , Silva Claudete R. da , Silva Vicente F. A. , Silva Josiane P. da , Carvalho Fábio I. M. , Martins Luiza H. da S. , Silva Priscilla A. , Pinheiro Hugo A.
Published: November 2020

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) presents considerable sensitivity to water deficit and the identification of stress-tolerant hybrids is a strategy to improve the adaptation and growth of plants throughout the annual dry seasons. For this reason, we examined possible differences in water deficit tolerance in two oil palm hybrids (BRS Manicoré and BRS C 2501) subjected to moderate drought conditions. The comparison of hybrids was performed using diurnal curves of leaf water potential (Ψw), gas exchanges, and biochemical variables, such as chloroplast pigments and enzymes analysis. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design, in a 2 × 2 × 13 factorial scheme resulting from the combination of two hybrids versus two water regimes, and thirteen evaluation schedules. Regardless of the water regime, the maximum average value of net assimilation rates of CO2 (A), stomatal conductance to water vapor (gs), and water use efficiency (A/E) in both hybrids was registered at 8 h. Peaks of A, gs, and A/E coincided with milder climatic conditions during the morning. While decreases in these variables were observed with increases in air temperature and vapor pressure deficit between leaf and atmosphere throughout the day. The water deficit induced significant increases in the total carotenoids levels of BRS C 2501 (62%) and BRS Manicoré (220%), while chlorophyll a content was significantly reduced only in BRS C 2501 (36%) and chlorophyll b only in Manicoré (34%). It also mediated significant increases in the activities of glycolate and catalase oxidase in both hybrids; however, such increases were more expressive in BRS C 2501 than in BRS Manicoré. In conclusion, it can be inferred that BRS Manicoré presents more favorable physiological and biochemical responses to the water deficit imposed compared to BRS C 2501.
Graded Modules as a Clean Comodule
Authors: Puspita Nikken Prima , Wijayanti Indah Emilia , Surodjo Budi
Published: November 2020

In ring and module theory, the cleanness property is well established. If any element of R can be expressed as the sum of an idempotent and a unit, then R is said to be a clean ring. Moreover, an R-module M is clean if the endomorphism ring of M is clean. We study the cleanness concept of coalgebra and comodules as a dualization of the cleanness in rings and modules. Let C be an R-coalgebra and M be a C-comodule. Since the endomorphism of C-comodule M is a ring, M is called a clean C-comodule if the ring of C-comodule endomorphisms of M is clean. In Brzezi´nski and Wisbauer (2003), the group ring R[G] is an R-coalgebra. Consider M as an R[G]-comodule. In this paper, we have investigated some sucient conditions to make M a clean R[G]-comodule, and have shown that every G-graded module M is a clean R[G]-comodule if M is a clean R-module.
APM transport system concept for CPK terminals
Authors: Koper-Olecka Emilia , Kochan Andrzej
Published: November 2020

The present article refers to selected challenges related to the need to ensure passenger transfer between terminals in the context of the planned construction of the Central Communication Port (CPK). The authors present the concept of using the modern public transport solution Innovia APM 300 as a potential automatic transport system for CPK airport terminals.
The article presents Bombardier's product - Innovia APM 300 system, its characteristics, aspects relevant for development and its components. The solution proposal was based on the example of APM system, implemented at Munich airport. In this article, the structure of the line connecting the main terminal and the satellite terminal is proposed, the analysis is made in terms of transport needs, rules of traffic organization are proposed and other aspects important for system planning are indicated. The article briefly outlines the legal status for the approval of the system in Polish conditions.
20 de teste de limba romana pentru cetatenii turci. Nivel A1-A2 (incepatori)/ Türk vatandaşlari için A1-A2 başlangiç seviyeleri için 20 test
Authors: Dafinoiu Cristina Valentina , Menabit Ciden-Sena
Published: November 2020

Lucrarea de fata cuprinde 20 de teste de limba romana ca limba straina, alcatuite pentru nivelurile de competenta lingvistica A1 și respectiv A2, dedicate in principal vorbitorilor nativi de limba turca, fie ca sunt studenti care doresc sa urmeze studii universitare la programe cu predare in limba romana, fie ca vorbim de persoane interesate de achizitia limbii romane din cu totul alte motive. Este un material auxiliar gandit astfel incat sa vina in sprijinul celor care doresc sa-și (auto)evalueze cunoștintele de RLS
PREDICTOR-BASED SELF TUNING CONTROL OF POWER PLANT
Authors: Kaminskas Vytautas , Janickienė Danguolė
Published: November 2020

Design problems of predictor-based self tuning digital control systems for power plants are discussed. Investigation results for self-tuning control algorithms for a nuclear reactor are presented. These algorithms provide the minimum variance of power deviations from the given trajectory in transition and stationary regimes of operation.
BLACK-BOX FAULT MODELS
Authors: Bareiša Eduardas , Jusas Vacius , Motiejūnas Kęstutis , Šeinauskas Rimantas
Published: November 2020

Four black-box fault models are introduced in the paper. The test generation task for the black-box model is more complicated, because possible realizations of the design must be taken into account. However, the time required to generate tests is not very critical factor, because the test generation can be done in parallel with the circuit synthesis process without a prolongation of Time-to-Market. All the proposed fault models were analyzed and investigated experimentally. On the basis of these results, an appropriate fault model responding to the complexity of the problem being solved can be selected.
BUSINESS KNOWLEDGE EXTRACTION FROM LEGACY INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Authors: Paradauskas Bronius , Laurikaitis Aurimas
Published: November 2020

This article discusses the process of enterprise knowledge extraction from relational database and source code of legacy information systems. Problems of legacy systems and main solutions for them are briefly described here. The uses of data reverse engineering and program understanding techniques to automatically infer as much as possible the schema and semantics of a legacy information system is analyzed. Eight step data reverse engineering algorithm for knowledge extraction from legacy systems is provided. A hypothetical example of knowledge extraction from legacy information system is presented.
EXTENSION OF PLA SPECIFICATION FOR DYNAMIC SYSTEM FORMALIZATION
Authors: Packevičius Šarūnas , Kazla Algirdas , Pranevičius Henrikas
Published: November 2020

In this paper, an extension of Piece Linear Aggregates (PLA) formalization language is presented. This extension, called dynPLA (dynamic PLA) is intended for formalization of dynamic systems. Dynamic systems are characterized as the ones that change their structure and/or behavior during runtime. This paper covers the extension of PLA – dynPLA model, its specification and meta-model. An example of transaction coordinating systems is given to illustrate presented method.
TRANSFORMING ONTOLOGY REPRESENTATION FROM OWL TO RELATIONAL DATABASE
Authors: Vysniauskas Ernestas , Nemuraite Lina
Published: November 2020

The current work has arisen with respect to the growing importance of ontology modelling in Informa-tion Systems development. Due to emerging technologies of Semantic Web, it is desirable to use for this purpose the Web Ontology Language OWL. From the other side, the relational database technology has ensured the best facilities for storing, updating and manipulating the information of problem domain. The algorithms for transformation of domain ontology, described in OWL, to relational database are proposed. The methodology is illustrated with an example.
Incorporating Semantic Word Representations into Query Expansion for Microblog Information Retrieval
Authors: Xu Bo , Lin Hongfei , Lin Yuan , Xu Kan , Wang Lin , Gao Jiping
Published: November 2020

Microblog information retrieval has attracted much attention of researchers to capture the desired information in daily communications on social networks. Since the contents of microblogs are always non-standardized and flexible, including many popular Internet expressions, the retrieval accuracy of microblogs has much room for improvement. To enhance microblog information retrieval, we propose a novel query expansion method to enrich user queries with semantic word representations. In our method, we use a neural network model to map each word in the corpus to a low-dimensional vector representation. The mapped word vectors satisfy the algebraic vector addition operation, and the new vector obtained by the addition operation can express some common attributes of the two words. In this sense, we represent keywords in user queries as vectors, sum all the keyword vectors, and use the obtained query vectors to select the expansion words. In addition, we also combine the traditional pseudo-relevance feedback query expansion method with the proposed query expansion method. Experimental results show that the proposed method is effective and reduces noises in the expanded query, which improves the accuracy of microblog retrieval.
Taxonomic Studies on Australian Psammoecus Latreille (Coleoptera, Silvanidae, Brontinae)
Authors: Karner Michael
Published: November 2020

Two new species of Psammoecus Latreille, 1829 from Australia are described: Psammoecus australis sp. nov. and P. venustus sp. nov. A taxonomic revision and diagnoses for other Australian species are provided. Psammoecus obesus Grouvelle, 1919 is recorded from Australia for the first time. Two new synonyms are discovered: Psammoecus t-notatus Blackburn, 1908 = P. amoenus Grouvelle, 1912 syn. nov.; Psammoecus vittifer Blackburn, 1903 = P. concolor Grouvelle, 1919 syn. nov. A lectotype is designated for Psammoecus concolor Grouvelle, 1919.
ELEMENTAL CONCENTRATIONS AND SOIL-TO-MOSS TRANSFER FACTORS OF RADIONUCLIDES IN THE ENVIRONMENT OF NORTH KOSOVO AND METOHIJA
Authors: Gulan Ljiljana , Jakšić Tatjana , Milenković Biljana , Stajić Jelena
Published: November 2020

This paper deals with investigations of elemental concentrations and soil-to-moss transfer factors of radionuclides in area of municipalities Kosovska Mitrovica and Zubin Potok. Twelve samples of soil and moss Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw. were collected during May 2018. Transfer factors of radionuclides: 226Ra, 232Th, 40Kand 137Cs were calculated with regard to elemental concentrations of radionuclides in soil and moss samples. Analysis was done in order to indicate the different ways of adopting radionuclides by mosses. According to calculated transfer factors and analysis, authors concluded that the soil is dominant source of natural radionuclides and their concentration in moss occurred due to resuspension of soil particles, while artificial 137Cs is present in soil and moss samples as a consequence of atmospheric dry and wet deposition.
Estratégias de design para o desenvolvimento de produtos de moda na perspectiva da sustentabilidade
Authors: Mesacasa Andréia , Sorgatto Patrícia
Published: November 2020

Diante de um cenário de insustentabilidade ambiental onde a indústria da moda encontra-se inserida, devido a produção e consumo excessivo de recursos naturais aliado ao modelo de desenvolvimento econômico, o presente artigo objetiva investigar e sintetizar estratégias presentes na literatura relacionada ao design para a sustentabilidade para promover o enfrentamento deste cenário, bem como direcionar a prática do profissional designer de moda. A metodologia utilizada neste estudo foi orientada pelo método de revisão bibliográfica integrativa associado à representação gráfica de síntese, onde foi construída uma mandala com a intenção de representar a síntese das estratégias propostas. O estudo mostrou como, de fato, o designer de moda exerce grande influência na mudança para o novo paradigma sustentável, ao compreender com profundidade todo o sistema de moda, bem como ao reconhecer a complexidade e dificuldades que demandam novas estratégias para o desenvolvimento de produtos com vistas a novos estilos de vida que respeitem o ciclo de vida, previstos nas dimensões que regem o desenvolvimento sustentável.
Innovative Industrial Clusters in the Context of Digitalization and Sustainable Competitiveness
Authors: A. Salimova Tatiana , D. Guskova Nadezhda , N. Krakovskaya Irina , I. Biryukova Lyudmila
Published: November 2020

To ensure Russia's sustainable competitiveness, it is necessary to create an infrastructure that allows creating globally competitive technologies and products. The authors suggest that industrial clusters can drive the country’s sustainable economic and innovative development. The research methodology is based on the content of the concept of sustainable competitiveness and cluster theory. The study was carried out using the methods of regression analysis. The systematization of foreign and Russian researchers’ ideas contribute to the conclusion that the cluster approach for ensuring sustainable development and competitiveness in the digital era is regarded as absolutely reasonable. In order to test the hypothesis of the study using regression analysis, a model has been built to assess the dependence and influence of the number of clusters in Russia Federal Districts on the main indicators of economic innovative development of these territories. The regression models constructed by the authors demonstrate a clear dependence of region economic and innovative development indicators on the clustering level. The authors of the present research recognize that clustering should be considered one of the basic elements in the system of national and regional sustainable competitiveness.
Transparently Hierarchical
Authors: Thaisen Jacob
Published: November 2020

The three scribes of a mid-seventeenth-century collection of medical recipes resemble each other in how they have punctuated the recipes, although they did not work simultaneously. They draw on similar repertoires of marks and they mark similar functions, but they do not use the same marks for the same functions. The principal function is the global one of indicating where the constitutive elements of the recipes begin and end. This function of indicating a text’s structural hierarchy goes back centuries and can seem old-fashioned for an Early Modern English manuscript produced when grammarians had started to discuss whether punctuation should mark syntactic units. A key observation is that recipes stand out among text-types by having a fixed, transparently hierarchical structure. This feature of them facilitates the researcher’s appreciation of how the punctuation functions and dismisses any impression of the scribes having deployed the marks haphazardly.
Suffixes in Competition
Authors: Pacheco-Franco Marta , Calle-Martín Javier
Published: November 2020

This paper presents a corpus-driven analysis of the linguistic competition between the suffixes -our/-or in Early Modern English. It is conceived as a state of the art to provide an explanation of the development and distribution of these competing suffixes in Early Modern English. The study is based on the distribution of the most common set of words with alternative spellings in the period to investigate the development and the standardisation of the -our and -or groups. The study offers the quantitative distribution of the suffixes in the period corroborating the participation of phenomena such as linguistic extinction, specialisation, blocking and lexicalisation in the configuration of the contemporary morphological paradigm. The source of evidence comes from the corpus of Early English Books Online (Davies, 2017) for the period 1470–1690. In addition to this, the study also relies on sources such as the Evans Corpus (2011), the Corpus of Historical American English (Davies, 2010) and the Corpus of Contemporary American English (Davies, 2008).
A versatile oblique plane microscope for large-scale and high-resolution imaging of subcellular dynamics
Authors: Sapoznik Etai , Chang Bo-Jui , Huh Jaewon , Ju Robert J , Azarova Evgenia V , Pohlkamp Theresa , Welf Erik S , Broadbent David , Carisey Alexandre F , Stehbens Samantha J , Lee Kyung-Min , Marín Arnaldo , Hanker Ariella B , Schmidt Jens C , Arteaga Carlos L , Yang Bin , Kobayashi Yoshihiko , Tata Purushothama Rao , Kruithoff Rory , Doubrovinski Konstantin , Shepherd Douglas P , Millett-Sikking Alfred , York Andrew G , Dean Kevin M , Fiolka Reto P
Published: November 2020

We present an oblique plane microscope (OPM) that uses a bespoke glass-tipped tertiary objective to improve the resolution, field of view, and usability over previous variants. Owing to its high numerical aperture optics, this microscope achieves lateral and axial resolutions that are comparable to the square illumination mode of lattice light-sheet microscopy, but in a user friendly and versatile format. Given this performance, we demonstrate high-resolution imaging of clathrin-mediated endocytosis, vimentin, the endoplasmic reticulum, membrane dynamics, and Natural Killer-mediated cytotoxicity. Furthermore, we image biological phenomena that would be otherwise challenging or impossible to perform in a traditional light-sheet microscope geometry, including cell migration through confined spaces within a microfluidic device, subcellular photoactivation of Rac1, diffusion of cytoplasmic rheological tracers at a volumetric rate of 14 Hz, and large field of view imaging of neurons, developing embryos, and centimeter-scale tissue sections.
Accurate Hysteresis Loops Calculation Under the Frequency Effect Using the Inverse Jiles-Atherton Model
Authors: Belgasmi I. , Hamimid M.
Published: November 2020

Dans ce présent travail, une tentative a été faite pour améliorer la forme des boucles d'hystérésis ainsi qu'un calcul précis des pertes de fer sous l'effet de fréquence. Le modèle inverse de Jiles-Atherton est étendu pour décrire l'aimantation du comportement des matériaux ferromagnétiques en régime dynamique. Une nouvelle formulation du champ magnétique efficace est utilisée qui consiste à modifier l'expression du champ excédentaire pour prendre correctement en compte l'effet des parois du domaine mobile. La nouvelle expression proposée du champ effectif permet une bonne représentation du comportement d'hystérésis magnétique vis-à-vis de l'augmentation de fréquence. Pour valider cette proposition, on compare des boucles d'hystérésis mesurées et modélisées pour différentes fréquences.
Targeting immunogenic cell death in cancer
Authors: Ahmed Asma , Tait Stephen W.G.
Published: November 2020

Immunogenic cell death (ICD) is a type of cancer cell death triggered by certain chemotherapeutic drugs, oncolytic viruses, physicochemical therapies, photodynamic therapy, and radiotherapy. It involves the activation of the immune system against cancer in immunocompetent hosts. ICD comprises the release of damage‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) from dying tumor cells that result in the activation of tumor‐specific immune responses, thus eliciting long‐term efficacy of anticancer drugs by combining direct cancer cell killing and antitumor immunity. Remarkably, subcutaneous injection of dying tumor cells undergoing ICD has been shown to provoke anticancer vaccine effects in vivo. DAMPs include the cell surface exposure of calreticulin (CRT) and heat‐shock proteins (HSP70 and HSP90), extracellular release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), high‐mobility group box‐1 (HMGB1), type I IFNs and members of the IL‐1 cytokine family. In this review, we discuss the cell death modalities connected to ICD, the DAMPs exposed during ICD, and the mechanism by which they activate the immune system. Finally, we discuss the therapeutic potential and challenges of harnessing ICD in cancer immunotherapy.
Delivery of a mitochondria‐targeted antioxidant from biocompatible, polymeric nanofibrous scaffolds
Authors: Hamedani Yasaman , Teixeira Rayane Brinck , Karbasiafshar Catherine , Wipf Peter , Bhowmick Sankha , Abid M. Ruhul
Published: November 2020

Cardiovascular disease has been associated with increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Recently, we have shown that a critical balance between cytosolic ROS and mitochondrial ROS is crucial in cardiovascular health and that modulation of mitochondrial ROS helps prevent detrimental effects of cytosolic ROS on endothelial cells (EC) in transgenic animals. Here, we report the development of a controlled delivery system for a mitochondria‐targeted antioxidant, JP4‐039, from an electrospun scaffold made of FDA‐approved biocompatible polymeric nanofibers. We demonstrate that the active antioxidant moiety was preserved in released JP4‐039 for over 72 h using electron paramagnetic resonance. We also show that both the initial burst release of the drug within the first 20 min and the ensuing slow and sustained release that occurred over the next 24 h improved tube formation in human coronary artery ECs (HCAEC) in vitro. Taken together, these findings suggest that electrospinning methods can be used to upload mitochondrial antioxidant (JP4‐039) onto a biocompatible nanofibrous PLGA scaffold, and the uploaded drug (JP4‐039) retains nitroxide antioxidant properties upon release from the scaffold, which in turn can reduce mitochondrial ROS and improve EC function in vitro.
Squaraine Dyes for Photovoltaic and Biomedical Applications
Authors: He Jin , Jo Young Jin , Sun Xianglang , Qiao Weiguo , Ok Jehyung , Kim Tae‐il , Li Zhong'an
Published: November 2020

Squaraine dyes (SQs) are an important class of polymethine dyes with a unique reasonable‐stabilized zwitterionic structure, in which electrons are highly delocalized over the conjugated bridge. These dyes can not only be easily synthesized via a condensation, but also exhibit intense absorption and emission in the visible and near‐infrared region with excellent photochemical stability, making them attractive material candidates for many photoelectric and biomedical applications. Thus, in this review, after an introduction of SQs, the recent advances of SQs in the photovoltaic field are comprehensively summarized including dye‐sensitized solar cells, organic solar cells, and perovskite solar cells. Then, the important advances in the use of SQs as the biosensors, biological imaging, and photodynamic/photothermal therapy reagents in the biomedical field are also discussed. Finally, a summary and outlook will be provided with some new perspectives for the future design of SQs.
Surface Engineering in Mesoporous Single Crystal to Enhance Pseudocapacitance
Authors: Ye Lingting , Xi Shaobo , Li Hao , Lin Guoming , Xie Kui
Published: November 2020

Mesoporous single crystals combining the ordering of crystal lattice and the disordering of interconnected pores would create well‐defined structures confined at continuously twisted surfaces that are kinetically trapped. Here, mesoporous WN single crystal at 2 cm scale is grown to create and engineer the well‐defined surface structures. The unsaturated coordination structures including W–N1/2, W–N1/3, and W–N1/6 confined at twisted surfaces account for the chemisorption of H in acidic electrolyte and deliver a record high areal capacitance of ≈250 F cm−2 without degradation being observed even after 15 000 cycles. The engineering of well‐defined coordination structures at twisted surfaces would open an alternative to create active surfaces in the wealth of other single‐crystalline materials.
A Superhydrophobic Droplet‐Based Magnetoelectric Hybrid System to Generate Electricity and Collect Water Simultaneously
Authors: Ma Zheng , Ai Jingwei , Shi Yunsong , Wang Kun , Su Bin
Published: November 2020

Traditional electromagnetic generators used in hydraulic power generation are heavy, bulky, and immovable, and are thus unsuitable for low water supply. A portable miniature electromagnetic system that can harvest energy from rainwater is critical for developing a sustainable energy strategy. In this study, a superhydrophobic droplet‐based magnetoelectric hybrid system is fabricated, that can generate electricity from tiny water droplets. The magnetoelectric system (MS) comprises three parts: a superhydrophobic surface containing a conductive coil, liquid droplets, and a superhydrophobic magnetic powders/Ecoflex base. The mechanical impact of a falling water droplet onto the assembled system is transformed into electricity. Maxwell numerical simulation is used to analyze the related mechanism; the magnetoelectric performance is further improved by modifying the process parameters such as droplet falling velocity and magnetic powder contents. Furthermore, a model is developed, comprising the MS and a cactus‐like superhydrophobic patterned plate that can generate electricity and collect water from fog, simultaneously. The described magnetoelectric strategy is believed to enhance and extend functions in energy harvesting and provide a generalized method to exploit new systems toward sustainable energy development.
Near‐Field Communication Powered Hydrogel‐Based Smart Contact Lens
Authors: Vásquez Quintero Andrés , Arai Ritsuko , Yamazaki Yoshiko , Sato Takao , De Smet Herbert
Published: November 2020

Nowadays, smart contact lenses (SCLs) display interesting features for healthcare monitoring; however, their comfort and practical usability strongly depend on the outermost material in contact with the eye. In this publication, the embedding of a custom‐made and thermoformed Near‐Field Communication based circuit in a conventional soft CL is presented. The circuit is composed of gold tracks on polyimide between thermoplastic polyurethane layers (insert), while the lens is based on industry standard double‐molding process of poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) with proven compatibility with corneal tissue. The lens shows stable geometrical parameters (bevel landing area) thus enabling a practical implementation. Finite element method models are used to optimize the thermoforming process in order to provide a stable and desired curvature of the insert before the embedding process. While the insert is designed to allow oxygen transmission at the center of the lens, a custom‐made ultra‐compact radio‐frequency antenna provides communication and wireless power transfer both in air and inside saline solutions. The successful combination of the intrinsic soft mechanical properties of the wirelessly powered electronic insert with conventional hydrogel materials and manufacturing processes delivers a practical solution for SCLs. This enables non‐invasive applications in fields such as vision correction and/or biomedical sensing.
VCAM‐1‐Targeted Gene Delivery Nanoparticles Localize to Inflamed Endothelial Cells and Atherosclerotic Plaques
Authors: Distasio Nicholas , Salmon Hugo , Dierick France , Ebrahimian Talin , Tabrizian Maryam , Lehoux Stephanie
Published: November 2020

The ability to target nanoparticles to the dysfunctional endothelium may present a new and innovative therapy for cardiovascular disease. In this work, an anti‐inflammatory gene therapy nanoparticle targeted to VCAM‐1, a protein overexpressed by inflamed endothelial cells located within atherosclerotic plaque, is developed. Targeting is accomplished via a peptide‐grafted coating for the nanoparticles. Nanoparticle binding to VCAM‐1 is probed via surface plasmon resonance with imaging to determine kinetics and binding dynamics. Targeted nanoparticles are internalized by transfected inflamed primary endothelial cells more than nontargeted controls (80% vs 30% positive cells) under both static and dynamic flow conditions. The nanoparticles also bind specifically to VCAM‐1+ endothelial cells within atherosclerotic plaque from mouse models in both the aortic sinus and whole aorta. Taken together, this nanoparticle formulation may be an effective and specific strategy for anti‐inflammatory therapy within the context of atherosclerosis.
Benefits, Problems, and Solutions of Silver Nanowire Transparent Conductive Electrodes in Indium Tin Oxide (ITO)‐Free Flexible Solar Cells
Authors: Azani Mohammad‐Reza , Hassanpour Azin , Torres Tomás
Published: November 2020

In this review, silver nanowires (AgNWs) are introduced, as the primary material to replace indium tin oxide for fabricating cost‐effective flexible organic solar cells (FOSCs), because of their remarkable solution‐processing, flexibility, transparency, and conductivity, along with their enhanced properties in terms of light‐scattering, plasmonic effects, and transmittance in the near infrared region. The drawbacks of AgNWs, particularly their high roughness, low adhesion to substrates, atmospheric corrosion, degradation under UV and visible light, and poor contact at wire‐wire junctions, must be resolved prior to their use in commercial FOSCs applications. Herein, comparisons among all candidates (e.g., graphene, carbon nanotubes, metal grids, and conducting polymers), along with a report of all recent progress in addressing these issues for using AgNWs as flexible transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs), are discussed. In addition, recent publications on the fabrication of highly efficient FOSCs based on AgNWs are summarized. The discussed issues regarding AgNWs‐TCEs apply not only to FOSCs, but can be generalized for other third‐generation solar cells, such as perovskite solar cells and dye‐sensitized solar cells; additionally, they provide insight for other optoelectronic applications, such as organic light‐emitting diodes, liquid crystal displays, smart windows, touch panels, and heaters.
Quantifying the impacts of waterlogging on cotton at different growth stages: A case study in Hubei Province, China
Authors: Qian Long , Chen Xiaohong , Gao Yawen , Deng Kenan , Wang Xiugui , Zeng Wenzhi , Luo Yunying
Published: November 2020

Waterlogging severely restricts cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production worldwide. To assess the impacts of waterlogging on cotton yield, a series of field experiments with multi‐form waterlogging were conducted during four cotton growth stages in Hubei Province, China from 2003 to 2011. Moreover, regional waterlogging events were characterized by the sum of excess rainstorm amount index (SER) and the sum of excess standardized precipitation and evapotranspiration index (SESPEI); accordingly, the spatiotemporal variations in waterlogging in Hubei Province during 1961–2019 were analyzed. The results showed that the 1980s was the most waterlogging‐prone decade and northeastern Hubei was the most waterlogging‐prone region for Hubei. The impact of surface waterlogging on cotton was greater than that of subsurface waterlogging, and the impact of their combined stress was lower than the additive effects of individual stresses. The most waterlogging‐sensitive cotton growth stage was the flowering and boll‐forming stage, whereas the most waterlogging‐proneness growth stage was the budding stage. A normalized waterlogging index integrating both waterlogging sensitivity and proneness indicated that the budding and the flowering and boll‐forming stages were the periods when cotton suffered the greatest waterlogging impacts. Both the SESPEI and SER were significantly (p < .05) and negatively related to the detrended cotton yield, and the former was found more efficient in describing the negative effects of waterlogging. In conclusion, different forms of waterlogging should be accounted for in‐field drainage schedules, and extra attention should be paid during the budding and the flowering and boll‐forming stages of cotton, especially for northeastern Hubei.
Copper‐Catalyzed and Proton‐Directed Selective Hydroxymethylation of Alkynes with CO2
Authors: Wang Mei‐Yan , Jin Xin , Wang Xiaofei , Xia Shumei , Wang Yue , Huang Shouying , Li Ying , He Liang‐Nian , Ma Xinbin
Published: November 2020

An intriguing strategy for copper‐catalyzed hydroxymethylation of alkynes with CO2 and hydrosilane was developed. Switched on/off a proton source, for example, tBuOH, direct hydroxymethylation and reductive hydroxymethylation could be triggered selectively, delivering a series of allylic alcohols and homobenzylic alcohols, respectively, with high levels of Z/E, regio‐ and enantioselectivity. Such a selective synthesis is attributed to the differences in response of vinylcopper intermediate to proton and CO2. The protonation of vinylcopper species is demonstrated to be prior to hydroxymethylation, thus allowing a diversion from direct alkyne hydroxymethylation to reductive hydroxymethylation in the presence of suitable proton.
Electro‐Descriptors for the Performance Prediction of Electro‐Organic Synthesis
Authors: Chen Yuxuan , Tian Bailin , Cheng Zheng , Li Xiaoshan , Huang Min , Sun Yuxia , Liu Shuai , Cheng Xu , Li Shuhua , Ding Mengning
Published: November 2020

Electrochemical organic synthesis has attracted increasing attentions as a sustainable and versatile synthetic platform. Quantitative assessment of the electro‐organic reactions, including reaction thermodynamics, electro‐kinetics, and coupled chemical processes, can lead to effective analytical tool to guide their future design. Herein, we demonstrate that electrochemical parameters such as onset potential, Tafel slope, and effective voltage can be utilized as electro‐descriptors for the evaluation of reaction conditions and prediction of reactivities (yields). An “electro‐descriptor‐diagram” is generated, where reactive and non‐reactive conditions/substances show distinct boundary. Successful predictions of reaction outcomes have been demonstrated using electro‐descriptor diagram, or from machine learning algorithms with experimentally‐derived electro‐descriptors. This method represents a promising tool for data‐acquisition, reaction prediction, mechanistic investigation, and high‐throughput screening for general organic electro‐synthesis.
Wavelength‐Gated Adaptation of Hydrogel Properties via Photo‐Dynamic Multivalency in Associative Star Polymers
Authors: Ludwanowski Simon , Skarsetz Oliver , Creusen Guido , Hoenders Daniel , Straub Paula , Walther Andreas
Published: November 2020

Responsive materials, such as switchable hydrogels, have been largely engineered for maximum changes between two states. In contrast, adaptive systems target distinct functional plateaus between these maxima. Here, we demonstrate how the photostationary state (PSS) of an E/Z‐arylazopyrazole photoswitch can be tuned by the incident wavelength across a wide color spectrum, and how this behavior can be exploited to engineer the photo‐dynamic mechanical properties of hydrogels based on multivalent photoswitchable interactions. We show that these hydrogels adapt to the wavelength‐dependent PSS and the number of arylazopyrazole units by programmable relationships. Hence, our material design enables the facile adjustment of the mechanical properties without laborious synthetic efforts. The concept goes beyond the classical switching from state A to B, and demonstrates pathways for a truly wavelength‐gated adaptation of hydrogel properties potentially useful to engineer cell fate or in soft robotics.
The erector spinae plane block for obstetric analgesia: a case series of a novel technique
Authors: Vilchis Rentería J. S. , Peng P. W. H. , Forero M.
Published: November 2020

The management of pain during labour is central to obstetric anaesthetic practice. While epidural analgesia has long been considered the gold standard for intrapartum analgesia, neuraxial techniques can be challenging to perform, are contra‐indicated in circumstances such as coagulopathy. The erector spinae plane block is an interfascial plane block that has generated interest because of a needle tip position away from the neuraxis. This has the potential to mitigate the risks of nerve injury and epidural haematoma formation. The mechanism of action is linked to both paravertebral and epidural distribution of local anaesthetic, providing both somatic and visceral analgesia, with potential utility in obstetric settings. Four women in active labour received either unilateral or bilateral erector spinae plane blocks. All experienced a reduction in pain, ranging from 3 to 6 points measured on a 10‐point numerical rating scale. The duration of analgesia ranged from 60 to 120 min. In this report, we discuss potential for using the erector spinae plane block in the management of obstetric pain.
Hemilabile N‐heterocyclic carbene and nitrogen ligands on Fe (II) catalyst for utilization of CO2 into cyclic carbonate
Authors: Chen Fei , Tao Sheng , Liu Ning , Guo Cheng , Dai Bin
Published: November 2020

Six Fe (II) complexes were synthesized based on the concept of the hemilability of hybrid ligands, and their catalytic behaviors and performances were evaluated for the fixation of CO2 via the cycloaddition of epoxides. The catalytic potential of the Fe (II) complexes, in combination with bis(triphenylphosphoranylidene)ammonium chloride, have been proved to achieve the efficient conversion in some challenging substrates such as internal, disubstituted epoxides, oxetanes, and fatty acid‐derived epoxides for synthesis of cyclic carbonates under the mild reaction conditions. Ultraviolet–visible and in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy experiments as well as our previous coordination of Ni complexes studies revealed that the origin of activity of Fe (II) complexes might be attributed to the trans effect between N‐heterocyclic carbene ligands and pyridine nitrogen donors.
A modified creep model of polylactic acid (PLA‐max) materials with different printing angles processed by fused filament fabrication
Authors: Ye Juan , Yao Tianyun , Deng Zichen , Zhang Kai , Dai Shi , Liu Xiangbing
Published: November 2020

The creep behavior caused by the viscous mechanical effect of biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA‐max) material is of great significance to its application. To better understand the creep properties of PLA‐max materials processed by fused filament fabrication, the effects of printing parameters including printing angle and layer thickness on them are studied theoretically and experimentally. The experimental results show that within the range of loading stress and loading time, the creep deformation of the PLA‐max material decreases with the increase of the printing angle or the decrease of the layer thickness. The experimental results are processed and analyzed, and a modified Burger model is proposed to quantitatively analyze the creep deformation of PLA‐max. In this modified Burger model, the four parameters are functions of printing angle and stress level. The modified model can accurately calculate the creep deformation of the specimen at other printing angles, which provides an important reference for the design of functional structures with specific mechanical properties.
Missing the full story: First estimates of carbon deposition rates for the European flat oyster, Ostrea edulis
Authors: Lee Hannah Z. L. , Davies Ian M. , Baxter John M. , Diele Karen , Sanderson William G.
Published: November 2020

Globally, momentum to restore damaged habitats has been increasing. For example, the number of European shellfish restoration projects has quadrupled in the past 3 years. In line with the increasing focus on both restoration and climate change mitigation efforts, this study highlights how these two practices can complement each other.

This experimental study quantifies the active and passive sediment deposition associated with the European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) and the organic and inorganic carbon fractions of the deposits. Treatments included ‘dead’, ‘live’, and control to account for (i) passive deposition, (ii) biodeposition and passive deposition, and (iii) background deposition respectively. By utilizing these data, the expected carbon deposition associated with a restored flat oyster bed was investigated.

The experiment was conducted ex situ, with natural seawater input. Covariate data on temperature, suspended particulate influx, salinity, and oxygen availability were recorded. Enhanced sedimentation (2.9 times) and organic carbon deposition (three times) were observed in the presence of living oysters, compared with the control. The shell structure of the oysters had no influence on passive sedimentation in this study.

By developing a full understanding of the ecosystem services (functioning, supporting, regulating, and cultural) provided by a habitat, it becomes possible to quantify overall ecosystem function. This evidence is key in advising policymakers, restoration funders, and marine spatial planners on the connection between keystone species restoration, ecosystem service restoration, and conservation management.

The enhancement of benthopelagic coupling by the European flat oyster, evidenced here for the first time, is contextualized from the perspective of quantification of ecosystem service provision for both restoration practices and blue carbon store management. The data produced in this study are discussed comparatively with work that has focused on other species from both Europe and the USA.
The benefits of bivalve reef restoration: A global synthesis of underrepresented species
Authors: zu Ermgassen Philine S. E. , Thurstan Ruth H. , Corrales Jorge , Alleway Heidi , Carranza Alvar , Dankers Norbert , DeAngelis Bryan , Hancock Boze , Kent Flora , McLeod Ian , Pogoda Bernadette , Liu Qing , Sanderson William G.
Published: November 2020

Bivalve habitat restoration is growing in geographic extent and scale globally. While addressing the wide‐scale loss of these biogenic habitats is still a key motivation behind restoration efforts, stakeholders and funders are increasingly drawn to shellfish restoration for the many ecosystem services these habitats provide.

There is clear evidence for the provision of ecosystem services from species targeted for restoration in the USA, in particular Crassostrea virginica. Ecosystem services, however, remain largely unquantified or even undescribed for the majority of other species targeted for restoration.

A structured review of the literature was undertaken and supplemented by expert knowledge to identify which ecosystem services are documented in the following other bivalve species targeted for restoration: Ostrea edulis, Ostrea angasi, Crassostrea rhizophorae, Perna canaliculus, Modiolus modiolus, Mytilus edulis, Mytilus platensis, Crassostrea gigas, Ostrea denselamellosa, Crassostrea ariakensis, and Crassostrea sikamea.

Key knowledge gaps in quantifying ecosystem services and the ecosystem engineering properties of habitat‐building bivalves contributing to the provision of ecosystem services were identified. Ecosystem services with the potential to be widely applicable across bivalve habitat‐building species were identified.

Though there is evidence that many of the ecosystem engineering properties that underpin the provision of ecosystem services are universal, the degree to which services are provided will vary between locations and species. Species‐specific, in situ, studies are needed in order to avoid the inappropriate transfer of the ecosystem service delivery between locations, and to further build support and understanding for these emerging targets of restoration.
Return of the native: Survival, growth and condition of European oysters reintroduced to German offshore waters
Authors: Merk Verena , Colsoul Bérenger , Pogoda Bernadette
Published: November 2020

The European oyster (Ostrea edulis) is under significant threat across its natural distribution range and even functionally extinct in some regions, such as in the German North Sea. Due to its ecological significance in terms of biodiversity and other ecosystem services, the species, and the habitat it provides, are defined as highly endangered by the OSPAR Convention.

Restoration measures are gaining momentum in Europe and conclusive recommendations for large‐scale biogenic reef restoration are relevant for example within the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the Habitats Directive.

This study examined whether present‐day environmental conditions of sublittoral offshore waters are ecologically suitable for the return of European oysters. Seed oysters (shell length ~2 mm) were deployed in cages in offshore field experiments in 10–26 m water depth.

Survival, growth, and condition were investigated over the course of 2 years. Survival was high, even over winter. Growth was excellent, with oysters reaching a mean length of 55.0 ± 7.2 mm shell length and 19.2 ± 6.1 g wet weight after 2 years.

The formation of firmly aggregated oysters was observed and confirms O. edulis as a reef‐building species.

The overall condition of oysters in the field was excellent, identified by high condition indices and early reproductive activity.

These findings are highly relevant for future restoration measures in the North Sea as they confirm that present‐day environmental conditions and small, hatchery‐produced seed oysters are suitable of supporting sustainable and successful restoration efforts even in sublittoral offshore waters.
Securing logistics system and supply chain using Blockchain
Authors: Kumar Ajay , Abhishek Kumar , Rukunuddin Ghalib Muhammad , Nerurkar Pranav , Bhirud Sunil , Alnumay Waleed , Ananda Kumar S. , Chatterjee Pushpita , Ghosh Uttam
Published: November 2020

Past international trade practices have been associated with opaque information flows that have hindered traceability and created hurdles in hassle‐free trade. Blockchain and allied technologies have been investigated as a panacea for the problems faced by supply chain and logistics industry. Network analysis also uncovered twenty types of legal and antisocial entities operating on bitcoin and provided a path for uncovering these antisocial entities. However, earlier works of literature have focused on limited aspects of a typical supply chain such as monitoring assets, securing traceability, data integrity negligence, and data access. To overcome such drawbacks, this article proposes permissioned Blockchain with relevant processes and functions to obtain a holistic framework for securing the supply chain and logistic operations. The efficacy of the proposed framework was demonstrated in the case study. Comparative study was performed with the existing frameworks where the proposed framework was found to be better at four counts compared on the basis of data integrity in supply chain, decentralized decision making and traceability. It was found that critical loopholes in a current supply chain can be overcome using the proposed framework.
Application of Bacillus sp. protease in the fabrication of silver/silver chloride nanoparticles in solution and cotton gauze bandages
Authors: Siritapetawee Jaruwan , Limphirat Wanwisa , Pakawanit Phakkhananan , Phoovasawat Chalermluck
Published: November 2020

Silver (Ag)/silver chloride (AgCl) nanoparticles have been used worldwide for their antimicrobial activity. Proteases play an important role in many physiological processes during wound healing. Therefore, the aim of this study was to fabricate silver‐type nanoparticles exhibiting protease activity for medical applications such as wound healing and dressings. The Ag/AgCl nanoparticles were fabricated using Bacillus sp. protease and visible light activation. The size of the fabricated nanoparticles was estimated to be 35.29 ± 6.43 nm. The nanoparticles were coated on a cotton gauze bandage using immersion and ultrasonication. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy confirmed that the nanoparticles could be used to coat the gauze bandage. Synchrotron radiation X‐ray tomographic microscopy indicated that coating with the nanoparticles did not destroy the packing of cotton fibers in the gauze bandage. The nanoparticles exhibited fibrinolytic and collagenolytic activities. Protease activity remained after the nanoparticle coating was applied to the gauze bandage. The nanoparticles were not absorbed on a gelatin agar plate after incubation at 37 °C for 18 H. These results suggest that the coated cotton gauze bandage may be safe for further use, and the nanoparticles may not be absorbed into animal or human skin.