bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimizing a reliable ex vivo human blood model to analyze expression of Staphylococcus epidermidis genes
Authors: Brás Susana , França Ângela , Cerca Nuno
Published: June 2020

Human blood is often used as an ex vivo model to mimic the environment encountered by pathogens inside the host. A significant variety of experimental conditions has been reported. However, optimization strategies are often not described. This study aimed to evaluate key parameters that are expected to influence Staphylococcus epidermidis gene expression when using human blood ex vivo models. Our data confirmed that blood antimicrobial activity was dependent on initial bacterial concentration. Furthermore, blood degradation over time resulted in lower antimicrobial activity, with a 2% loss of leukocytes viability correlating with a 5-fold loss of antimicrobial activity against S. epidermidis. We further demonstrated that the volume of human blood could be reduced to as little as 0.18 mL without affecting the stability of gene expression of the tested genes. Overall, the data described herein highlight experimental parameters that should be considered when using a human blood ex vivo model for S. epidermidis gene expression analysis.
A potential role for Galectin-3 inhibitors in the treatment of COVID-19
Authors: Caniglia John L. , Guda Maheedhara R. , Asuthkar Swapna , Tsung Andrew J. , Velpula Kiran K.
Published: June 2020

The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. With no standard of care for the treatment of COVID-19, there is an urgent need to identify therapies that may be effective in treatment. Recent evidence has implicated the development of cytokine release syndrome as the major cause of fatality in COVID-19 patients, with elevated levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) observed in patients. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is an animal lectin that has been implicated in the disease process of a variety of inflammatory conditions. Inhibitors of the small molecule Gal-3 have been shown to reduce the levels of both IL-6 and TNF-α in vitro and have shown anti-inflammatory effects in vivo. Additionally, a key domain in the spike protein of β-coronaviridae, a genus which includes SARS-CoV2, is nearly identical in morphology to human Gal-3. These spike proteins are critical for the virus’ entry into host cells. Here we provide a systematic review of the available literature and an impetus for further research on the use of Gal-3 inhibitors in the treatment of COVID-19. Further, we propose a dual mechanism by which Gal-3 inhibition may be beneficial in the treatment of COVID-19, both suppressing the host inflammatory response and impeding viral attachment to host cells.
Assessment of Listening
Authors: OCkey Gary J.
Published: June 2020

Valid assessment of listening comes with many challenges and unresolved issues. A variety of types of input and tasks for assessing comprehension have been used, all of which have strengths and limitations. The quality of listening assessments should be evaluated based on the purpose of the test, the characteristics of the test takers, and the context in which the assessment will be given. Developing computer technology continues to increase the potential for item types that can better assess listening, but comes with its own challenges. Current challenges associated with listening include disagreement in the field about the extent to which visual information should accompany the audio input and the degree to which listening should be assessed with the aim of excluding other language abilities, such as oral production. Because all listening assessments have inherent strengths and weaknesses, test developers and users must agree on the listening construct that they desire to assess, and then use input and item types that will best assess it.
Cognitive Approaches to Translation
Authors: Risku Hanna
Published: June 2020

Cognitive scientific approaches to translation investigate the development and workings of the underlying processes that make the complex cognitive behavior of translation possible. They refer to and expand existing cognitive scientific models of the mind to explain the behavior and choices of translators. Cognitive models have been oriented to the metaphors of the computer (translation as information processing, code switching, and symbol manipulation), neural networks (connectionist models of translation), and sociocognitive theory (translation as situated interaction). Cognitive translation research uses a variety of methods to investigate the activity of translating by different groups of participants with a range of text types and in a variety of contexts. The methods used to date have included, for example, introspection, neurological EEG measurements, theoretical analysis, interviews, think‐aloud protocols, participant observation, screen logging, and eye‐tracking. Recent cognitive approaches to translation emphasize the social organization of translation and the ergonomics of the computer‐supported cooperative work in which complex activities are negotiated. Defining professionalism and expertise has also become one of the current themes in cognitive translation studies. In addition, affective and emotional aspects shift into the focus of attention as essential elements of cognition, and their impact on translation performance is being increasingly investigated.
Language Ideology and Public Discourse
Authors: Milani Tommaso M.
Published: June 2020

The notion of language ideology has become a key concept in critical research about language and society. While it is axiomatic for linguists that “all languages are equal” in terms of their meaning‐making potential and their worth as objects of academic inquiry, a quick look at the “real world” will reveal a very different picture—one in which linguistic phenomena are unequally ranked according to different meanings and values, so that, say, “language A” is believed to be lexically richer, more logical, or beautiful, and thus better suited for wider communication within a polity than “dialect B.” The notion of language ideology aims to grasp the belief systems underlying such social processes of naming, signifying, and valorizing linguistic practices. This entry begins by clarifying the notion of language ideology, followed by a reflection over the notions of public versus private in relation to language ideological processes. The entry concludes with some current developments and directions in language ideology research.
Good and Better
Authors: Hansson Sven Ove
Published: June 2020

Evaluating terms like “good,” “bad,” “best,” “not worst,” “better,” and so on are among the key terms of moral discourse. There are three major groups of evaluating terms: classifying, comparative, and quantitative terms. This entry puts focus on the structural properties of each of these classes of terms, and on the ways in which some evaluative terms can be defined in terms of others.
Cyrenaics
Authors: O'Keefe Tim
Published: June 2020

The Cyrenaics were a group of ancient Greek philosophers who were hedonists. Unlike Epicurus, they thought bodily pleasures were more important than mental ones, and they denied that freedom from pain – in particular, tranquility, or freedom from mental distress – is a kind of pleasure. They stood well outside the mainstream of Greek ethical thought, denying that eudaimonia is the highest good and dismissing the importance of planning for the future.
Discretion
Authors: Molander Anders
Published: June 2020

When an agent is allowed to choose between a set of alternatives on behalf of a principal, he or she is granted discretionary power. Officials have discretionary power when they are left free to choose among two or more lawful alternatives in their treatment of particular cases. Another agents commonly associated with having discretionary power are practitioners of professional occupations. Within their respective area of expertise they are mandated to apply knowledge to the benefit of their individual clients or patients. In the welfare state, professionals often act as gatekeepers who make judgments and decisions about who is entitled to what kind of benefits and services. The decisional space left open to an agent by a principal is one aspect of discretion. The other is the cognitive activity – the kind of reasoning – that is performed within such a space. What characterizes discretion as a kind of reasoning is that it is carried out under conditions of indeterminacy – the rules and standards that discretionary power is relative to allow more than one answer. Delegation of discretionary power involves agency risks, as entrusting agents with certain tasks also gives them autonomy. However, what is expected from holders of discretionary powers is that they are willing and competent to form reasoned judgments; the entrustment of such powers is accompanied by a demand for accountability. Discretionary reasoning has an inherent tendency to produce agent‐related variations in judgments. This tendency creates tensions between delegation of discretionary power and the rule of law and democratic authority. When officials are entrusted to judge and decide more or less autonomously, this may threaten such rule‐of‐law principles as predictability and equal treatment, and for democratic bodies it is difficult to ensure that what occurs in discretionary spaces is in accordance with the political will.
Objective Theories of Well‐Being
Authors: Lin Eden
Published: June 2020

A person's level of well‐being (or, equivalently, welfare or quality of life) is the extent to which things go well for her: the better a person's life is for her – i.e., the better things go for her – the higher she is in well‐being. How well things go for someone depends on whether, and to what extent, the things that happen in her life are good or bad for her. A theory of well‐being purports to tell us how to identify the things in a person's life that are basically good or bad for her – good or bad for her in their own right, and not merely on account of causing things that are good or bad for her (as money does), indicating such things (as the results of a blood test might), having such things as parts (as the person's entire life might), or being otherwise related to such things. Roughly speaking, an objective theory of well‐being is one that claims that something can be basically good for a person even if she has no favorable (or “pro‐”) attitude toward it or basically bad for her even if she has no disfavorable (or “con‐”) attitude toward it. Examples of objective theories include theories on which knowledge, moral virtue, or the exercise of distinctively human capacities is a basic good.
Validating robotic couch isocentricity with 3D surface imaging
Authors: El‐Sherif Omar , Remmes Nicholas B. , Kruse Jon J.
Published: June 2020

Background

A proton therapy system with 190° gantries uses robotic couch rotations to change the treatment beam laterality. Couch rotations are typically validated clinically with post‐rotation radiographic imaging.

Aims

This study assesses the specificity and sensitivity of a commercial 3D surface imaging system, AlignRT (Vision RT, London UK) for validating couch rotations.

Materials & Methods

In clinical operation, a reference surface image of the patient is acquired after radiographic setup with couch at 270°, perpendicular to the gantry axis of rotation. The couch is then rotated ±90° to a typical treatment angle, and AlignRT reports a 3D displacement vector. Patient motion, changes in patient surface, non‐coincidence between AlignRT and couch isocenter, and mechanical couch run‐out all contribute to the 3D vector magnitude. To assess AlignRT sensitivity in detecting couch run‐out, volunteers were positioned orthogonal to the proton gantry and reference surface images were captured without x‐ray localization. Subjects were repeatedly rotated ±90⁰ to typical treatment angles and displacement vectors were recorded. Additionally, measurements were performed in which intentional translations of 2, 4, 6, and 8 mm were combined with the intended isocentric rotations. Data sets were collected using a phantom; subjects with a thoracic isocenter and no immobilization; and subjects with a cranial isocenter and thermoplastic immobilization. A total of 300 rotations were measured.

Results

During isocentric rotations, the mean AlignRT displacement vectors for the phantom, immobilized, and non‐immobilized volunteers were 0.1 ± 0.1 mm, 0.8 ± 0.1 mm, and 1.1 ± 0.2 mm respectively. 95% of the AlignRT measurements for the immobilized and non‐immobilized subjects were within 1 mm and 2 mm of the actual displacement respectively.

Discussion

After characterizing the accuracy using phantoms and volunteers, we have shown that a three‐pod surface imaging system can be used to identify gross non‐isocentric patient rotations. Significant positional deviations, either due to improper couch rotation or patient motion, should be followed by radiographic imaging and repositioning.

Conculsion

AlignRT can be used to verify patient positioning following couch rotations that are applied after the initial x‐ray guided patient setup. Using a three‐pod AlignRt system, positional deviations exceeding 4 mm were flagged with sensitivity and specificity of 90% and 100% respectively.
Transmission of CJD from nasal brushings but not spinal fluid or RT‐QuIC product
Authors: Raymond Gregory J. , Race Brent , Orrú Christina D. , Raymond Lynne D. , Bongianni Matilde , Fiorini Michele , Groveman Bradley R. , Ferrari Sergio , Sacchetto Luca , Hughson Andrew G. , Monaco Salvatore , Pocchiari Maurizio , Zanusso Gianluigi , Caughey Byron
Published: June 2020

Objective

The detection of prion seeding activity in CSF and olfactory mucosal brushings using real‐time quaking‐induced conversion assays allows highly accurate clinical diagnosis of sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease. To gauge transmission risks associated with these biospecimens and their testing, we have bioassayed prion infectivity levels in patients’ brain tissue, nasal brushings, and CSF, and assessed the pathogenicity of amplified products of real‐time quaking‐induced conversion assays seeded with Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease prions.

Methods

We obtained olfactory mucosal brushings and CSF from patients with a final diagnosis of sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease subtype MM1 (n = 3). Samples were inoculated intracerebrally into Tg66 transgenic mice that overexpress the homologous human 129M prion protein. The mice were evaluated for clinical, neuropathological, and biochemical evidence of prion infection.

Results

Patients’ brain tissue at 102 to 105 fold dilutions affected 47/48 Tg66 mice. In contrast, maximum acutely tolerable doses of insoluble pellets from their olfactory mucosa brushings caused evidence of prion disease in only 4/28 inoculated mice, and no effects were seen with 10‐fold dilutions. No clinical prion disease was observed in mice inoculated with antemortem CSF samples or prion‐seeded real‐time quaking‐induced conversion assay products.

Interpretation

Pellets from patients’ olfactory mucosa brushings had ≥10,000‐fold lower infectivity per unit volume than brain tissue, while CSF lacked detectable infectivity. Nonetheless, the results suggest that appropriate precautions may be warranted in surgical interventions involving the olfactory areas. The lack of pathogenic infectivity in the real‐time quaking‐induced conversion assay products provides evidence that the assay does not replicate biohazardous prions in vitro.
Laterally Heterogeneous 2D Layered Materials as an Artificial Light‐Harvesting Proton Pump
Authors: Quan Di , Ji Danyan , Wen Qi , Du Linhan , Wang Lili , Jia Pan , Liu Dan , Ding Liping , Dong Huanli , Lu Diannan , Jiang Lei , Guo Wei
Published: June 2020

Heterogeneous structures in nacre‐mimetic 2D layered materials generate novel transport phenomena in angstrom range, and thus provide new possibilities for innovative applications for sustainable energy, a clean environment, and human healthcare. In the two orthogonal transport directions, either vertical or horizontal, heterostructures in horizontal direction have never been reported before. Here, a 2D‐material‐based laterally heterogeneous membrane is fabricated via an unconventional dual‐flow filtration method. Negatively and positively charged graphene oxide multilayers are laterally patterned and interconnected in a planar configuration. Upon visible light illumination on the bipolar nanofluidic heterojunction, protons are able to move uphill against their concentration gradient, functioning as a light‐harvesting proton pump. A maximum proton concentration gradient of about 5.4 pH units mm−2 membrane area can be established at a transport rate up to 14.8 mol h−1 m−2. The transport mechanism can be understood as a light‐triggered asymmetric polarization in surface potential and the consequent change in proton capacity in separate parts. The implementation of photonic–ionic conversion with abiotic materials provides a full‐solid‐state solution for bionic vision and artificial photosynthesis. There is plenty of room to expect the laterally heterogeneous membranes for new functions and better performance in the abundant family of liquid processable colloidal 2D materials.
Plant Nanomaterials and Inspiration from Nature: Water Interactions and Hierarchically Structured Hydrogels
Authors: Ajdary Rubina , Tardy Blaise L. , Mattos Bruno D. , Bai Long , Rojas Orlando J.
Published: June 2020

Recent developments in the area of plant‐based hydrogels are introduced, especially those derived from wood as a widely available, multiscale, and hierarchical source of nanomaterials, as well as other cell wall elements. With water being fundamental in a hydrogel, water interactions, hydration, and swelling, all critically important in designing, processing, and achieving the desired properties of sustainable and functional hydrogels, are highlighted. A plant, by itself, is a form of a hydrogel, at least at given states of development, and for this reason phenomena such as fluid transport, diffusion, capillarity, and ionic effects are examined. These aspects are highly relevant not only to plants, especially lignified tissues, but also to the porous structures produced after removal of water (foams, sponges, cryogels, xerogels, and aerogels). Thus, a useful source of critical and comprehensive information is provided regarding the synthesis of hydrogels from plant materials (and especially wood nanostructures), and about the role of water, not only for processing but for developing hydrogel properties and uses.
Engineered Cell‐Membrane‐Coated Nanoparticles Directly Present Tumor Antigens to Promote Anticancer Immunity
Authors: Jiang Yao , Krishnan Nishta , Zhou Jiarong , Chekuri Sanam , Wei Xiaoli , Kroll Ashley V. , Yu Chun Lai , Duan Yaou , Gao Weiwei , Fang Ronnie H. , Zhang Liangfang
Published: June 2020

The recent success of immunotherapies has highlighted the power of leveraging the immune system in the fight against cancer. In order for most immune‐based therapies to succeed, T cell subsets with the correct tumor‐targeting specificities must be mobilized. When such specificities are lacking, providing the immune system with tumor antigen material for processing and presentation is a common strategy for stimulating antigen‐specific T cell populations. While straightforward in principle, experience has shown that manipulation of the antigen presentation process can be incredibly complex, necessitating sophisticated strategies that are difficult to translate. Herein, the design of a biomimetic nanoparticle platform is reported that can be used to directly stimulate T cells without the need for professional antigen‐presenting cells. The nanoparticles are fabricated using a cell membrane coating derived from cancer cells engineered to express a co‐stimulatory marker. Combined with the peptide epitopes naturally presented on the membrane surface, the final formulation contains the necessary signals to promote tumor antigen‐specific immune responses, priming T cells that can be used to control tumor growth. The reported approach represents an emerging strategy that can be used to develop multiantigenic, personalized cancer immunotherapies.
Recent Progress in 3D Printing of 2D Material‐Based Macrostructures
Authors: Yang Rui , Zhou Jingzhuo , Yang Chuang , Qiu Ling , Cheng Huiming
Published: June 2020

2D materials have a range of unique properties and are promising building blocks for the fabrication of macroscopic materials for many applications ranging from flexible electronics to energy storage devices. The development of effective methods to fabricate 2D material‐based macroscopic materials with designed structures is the key to enabling high performance. Lately, 3D printing has emerged as a new technique to assemble such materials. Compared to conventional fabrication methods, 3D printing techniques have a high degree of customization of the structure with a broad range of domain sizes from nanometers to centimeters, and thereby give the resulting products additional structure‐related functionalities. Recent advances in the fabrication of 2D material‐based macrostructures using 3D printing techniques and their uses in different fields are reviewed. Challenges and opportunities for the future development of the topic are also discussed.
Polarization Detection Using Light's Orbital Angular Momentum
Authors: Ma Aning , Intaravanne Yuttana , Han Jin , Wang Ruoxing , Chen Xianzhong
Published: June 2020

Polarization detection has been used for a wide variety of applications. A twisted light beam with a helical phase structure carries an orbital angular momentum. The rapid development of optical metasurfaces has enabled practical generation and manipulation of twisted light beams at subwavelength resolution. Herein, a facile metasurface approach is experimentally demonstrated to directly detect the polarization state of light based on the superposition of twisted light beams. The major axis and ellipticity of the polarized light are measured by the interference pattern of two twisted light beams with same topological charges and opposite signs, while the handedness is determined by using topological charges with different values. The subwavelength resolution, ultrathin nature, and compactness render this technology very attractive for diverse applications including optical communications, optical tweezers, and quantum sciences.
Over 17% Efficiency Stand‐Alone Solar Water Splitting Enabled by Perovskite‐Silicon Tandem Absorbers
Authors: Karuturi Siva Krishna , Shen Heping , Sharma Astha , Beck Fiona J. , Varadhan Purushothaman , Duong The , Narangari Parvathala Reddy , Zhang Doudou , Wan Yimao , He Jr‐Hau , Tan Hark Hoe , Jagadish Chennupati , Catchpole Kylie
Published: June 2020

Realizing solar‐to‐hydrogen (STH) efficiencies close to 20% using low‐cost semiconductors remains a major step toward accomplishing the practical viability of photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen generation technologies. Dual‐absorber tandem cells combining inexpensive semiconductors are a promising strategy to achieve high STH efficiencies at a reasonable cost. Here, a perovskite photovoltaic biased silicon (Si) photoelectrode is demonstrated for highly efficient stand‐alone solar water splitting. A p+nn+ ‐Si/Ti/Pt photocathode is shown to present a remarkable photon‐to‐current efficiency of 14.1% under biased condition and stability over three days under continuous illumination. Upon pairing with a semitransparent mixed perovskite solar cell of an appropriate bandgap with state‐of‐the‐art performance, an unprecedented 17.6% STH efficiency is achieved for self‐driven solar water splitting. Modeling and analysis of the dual‐absorber PEC system reveal that further work into replacing the noble‐metal catalyst materials with earth‐abundant elements and improvement of perovskite fill factor will pave the way for the realization of a low‐cost high‐efficiency PEC system.
An In Situ Formed Surface Coating Layer Enabling LiCoO2 with Stable 4.6 V High‐Voltage Cycle Performances
Authors: Wang Yi , Zhang Qinghua , Xue Zhi‐Chen , Yang Lufeng , Wang Junyang , Meng Fanqi , Li Qinghao , Pan Hongyi , Zhang Jie‐Nan , Jiang Zheng , Yang Wanli , Yu Xiqian , Gu Lin , Li Hong
Published: June 2020

The development of high‐voltage LiCoO2 is essential for achieving lithium‐ion batteries with high volumetric energy density, however, it faces a great deal of challenges owing to the materials, structure and interfacial instability issues. In this work, a strategy is developed, through heat annealing a precoated surface layer to in situ form a high‐voltage‐stable surface coating layer, which is demonstrated to be highly effective to improve the high‐voltage performance of LiCoO2. It is discovered that LiCoO2 reacts with Li1.5Al0.5Ti1.5(PO4)3 (LATP) at 700 °C to form exclusively spinel phases in addition to Li3PO4, which are structurally coherent to the layered lattice of LiCoO2. The heat annealing of the precoated thin layer of LATP enables the formation of a high‐quality surface layer. Spinel phases possess high‐voltage‐stable structures with much weaker oxidizing ability of lattice oxygen than layered structure. In addition, the Li3PO4 is a good lithium‐ion conductor with excellent chemical stability at high voltages. All these benefits contribute to the construction of a uniform and conformal high‐voltage‐stable surface layer with favorable lithium conducting kinetics at the LiCoO2 surface. The modified LiCoO2 shows excellent 4.6 V high‐voltage cycle performance at both room temperature and 45 °C. The thermal stability is greatly enhanced as well.
3D Nanostructures for the Next Generation of High‐Performance Nanodevices for Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage
Authors: Zhao Huaping , Lei Yong
Published: June 2020

Among the different nanostructures that have been demonstrated as promising materials for various applications, 3D nanostructures have attracted significant attention as building blocks for constructing high‐performance nanodevices. Particularly over the last decade, considerable research efforts have been devoted to designing, fabricating, and evaluating 3D nanostructures as electrodes for electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices. Although remarkable progress has been achieved, the performance of electrochemical energy devices based on 3D nanostructures in terms of energy conversion efficiency, energy storage capability, and device reliability still needs to be significantly improved to meet the requirements for practical applications. Rather than simply outlining and comparing different 3D nanostructures, this article systematically summarizes the general advantages as well as the existing and future challenges of 3D nanostructures for electrochemical energy conversion and storage, focusing on photoelectrochemical water splitting, photoelectrocatalytic solar‐to‐fuels conversion from nitrogen and carbon dioxide, rechargeable metal‐ion batteries, and supercapacitors. A comprehensive understanding of these advantages and challenges shall provide valuable guidelines and enlightenments to facilitate the further development of 3D nanostructured materials, and contribute to the achieving more efficient energy conversion and storage technologies toward a sustainable energy future.
Color Modulation in Morpho Butterfly Wings Using Liquid Crystalline Elastomers
Authors: De Bellis Isabella , Ni Bin , Martella Daniele , Parmeggiani Camilla , Keller Patrick , Wiersma Diederik S. , Li Min-Hui , Nocentini Sara
Published: June 2020

Nature provides well‐engineered and evolutionary optimized examples of brilliant structural colors in animals and plants. Morpho butterflies are among the well‐known species possessing iridescent bright blue coloration due to multiple optical effects generated by the complex structuration of the wing scales. Such surprising solution can be replicated to fabricate efficient devices. Maybe even more interesting, novel approaches can be developed to combine wings with synthetic smart materials to achieve complex structures responsive to external stimuli. This study demonstrates the proof of concept of an innovative biotic–abiotic hybrid smart structure made by the integration of a butterfly wing with thermoresponsive liquid crystalline elastomers, and their capability to actuate the mechanical action of the wing, thus controlling its spectral response. Exploiting two fabrication strategies, it is demonstrated how different mechanisms of color tuning can be achieved by temperature control. In addition, due to the thermally induced mechanical deformation of the elastomer and superhydrophobic properties of the wing, a potential self‐cleaning behavior of the bilayer material is demonstrated.
Chemical Proteomic Profiling of Protein 4′‐Phosphopantetheinylation in Mammalian Cells
Authors: Chen Nan , Liu Yuan , Li Yuanpei , Wang Chu
Published: June 2020

Protein 4′‐phosphopantetheinylation is an essential post‐translational modification (PTM) in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. So far, only five protein substrates of this specific PTM have been discovered in mammalian cells. These proteins are known to perform important functions, including fatty acid biosynthesis and folate metabolism, as well as β‐alanine activation. To explore existing and new substrates of 4′‐phosphopantetheinylation in mammalian proteomes, we designed and synthesized a series of new pantetheine analogue probes, enabling effective metabolic labelling of 4′‐phosphopantetheinylated proteins in HepG2 cells. In combination with a quantitative chemical proteomic platform, we enriched and identified all the currently known 4′‐phosphopantetheinylated proteins with high confidence, and unambiguously determined their exact sites of modification. More encouragingly, we discovered, using targeted chemical proteomics, a potential 4′‐phosphopantetheinylation site in the protein of mitochondrial dehydrogenase/reductase SDR family member 2 (DHRS2).
TMEDA in Iron‐Catalyzed Hydromagnesiation: Formation of Iron(II)‐Alkyl Species for Controlled Reduction to Alkene‐Stabilized Iron(0)
Authors: Neate Peter G. N. , Greenhalgh Mark D. , Brennessel William W. , Thomas Stephen P. , Neidig Michael L.
Published: June 2020

N,N,N′,N′‐Tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) has been one of the most prevalent and successful additives used in iron catalysis, finding application in reactions as diverse as cross‐coupling, C−H activation, and borylation. However, the role that TMEDA plays in these reactions remains largely undefined. Herein, studying the iron‐catalyzed hydromagnesiation of styrene derivatives using TMEDA has provided molecular‐level insight into the role of TMEDA in achieving effective catalysis. The key is the initial formation of TMEDA–iron(II)–alkyl species which undergo a controlled reduction to selectively form catalytically active styrene‐stabilized iron(0)–alkyl complexes. While TMEDA is not bound to the catalytically active species, these active iron(0) complexes cannot be accessed in the absence of TMEDA. This mode of action, allowing for controlled reduction and access to iron(0) species, represents a new paradigm for the role of this important reaction additive in iron catalysis.
Study of microwave‐template initiated copolymerization peculiarity and evaluation on the coal floc distinctive behavior and flocculation performance
Authors: Chen Yao , Feng Li , Liu Bingzhi , Peng Junlin , Chen Yuning , Xu Chuang , Ren Jie
Published: June 2020

Cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM) contains a large number of acylamino and positively charged methyl ammonium chloride groups. It has the advantages of good water solubility, strong adsorption bridging ability, enhanced charge neutralization and destabilization performance, excellent flocculation effect, and wide application. Therefore, CPAM can be used in the treatment of coal washing wastewater, and the research and development of a new flocculant with high efficiency is a hot topic in this field. Template copolymer (TPADM) of methacryloyloxyethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (DMC) and acrylamide (AM) was synthesized by microwave‐template initiated polymerization with sodium polyacrylate (PAAS) as template. The microwave‐template initiated polymerization is abbreviated as MW‐TP. By analyzing FTIR, 1H (13C) NMR and TG/DSC of TPADM, it was found that TPADM had obvious cationic fragment structure. In addition, the association constant (KM) and the kinetics of the template reaction showed that the MW‐TP was confirmed to be free radical initiated polymerization and I Zip‐up (ZIP) polymerization mechanism, which demonstrated the formation of the cationic fragment structure again. This new cationic fragment structure greatly enhanced the ability of charge neutralization, electrical patching and adsorption bridging, thus improving the flocculation performance. Compared with cationic P(AM‐DMC) (CPADM), Commercial cationic polypropanamide (CCPAM‐1 and CCPAM‐2), TPADM had better flocculation effect on coal washing wastewater. Under the optimum flocculation conditions (dosage = 16 mg/L, pH = 7.5), suspended solid (SS) concentration and turbidity of coal washing wastewater treated by TPADM reached 14.3 mg/L and 8.7 NTU, respectively. The floc formation, breakage, and regeneration analyses showed that the cationic fragment structure in TPADM could contribute to the formation of large and high density flocculation structure (d50 ≥ 245 μm, Df ≥ 2.05), and these coal flocs can regenerate rapidly after being broken. Finally, these large and compact flocs help to accelerate the flocs sedimentation and reduce the SS concentration and turbidity of coal washing wastewater, and enhance the effect of solid–liquid separation.
When public opinion drives national asylum policymaking: The case of Kurdish asylum seekers in Japan
Authors: Fujibayashi Hirotaka
Published: June 2020

How does public opinion influence national asylum policymaking? This article analyses the change in Japan's asylum policy towards Kurdish asylum seekers from Turkey in the mid‐2000s. Although the conservative government of Japan has maintained a strict asylum policy, the government exceptionally applied an ad hoc and more generous policy to Kurdish asylum seekers. After the deportation of two Kurdish asylum seekers to Turkey was politicised in the mid‐2000s, Japan's stringent asylum policy was continuously attacked by criticisms, expressions of doubt, and requests for reform from the public, media, humanitarian activists, and opposition parties. As a result of mounting public criticism, the government suspended the deportation of Kurdish asylum seekers and expanded the opportunities for them to be pardoned from deportation. In Japan and many other democracies, asylum policymaking is complex, but the study concludes that public opinions can be an important factor in its evolution. Certainly, it has significantly influenced the change in Japan's policy towards Kurdish asylum seekers in the mid‐2000s.
Tunable multicolour S/N co‐doped carbon quantum dots synthesized from waste foam and application to detection of Cr3+ ions
Authors: Wang Congling , Xu Jun , Li Huizhi , Zhao Weilin
Published: June 2020

In this study, by adjusting sulfuric acid concentrations, tunable multicolour S/N‐carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were synthesized from waste foam as the raw material. The S/N‐CQDs presented blue, blue–green, green, green–yellow and yellow emission with an emission peak shifting from 475 to 589 nm and with optimum excitation wavelengths of 385, 405, 440, 450, and 500 nm, respectively. Using transmission electron microscopy, the S/N‐CQDs were seen to be spherical in morphology with a size around 6–8 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectra and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated that the surface of the S/N‐CQDs was highly oxidized and sulfur doped. The fluorescence mechanism of multicolour S/N‐CQDs emission was mainly related to a band gap change caused by the surface state. Blue‐emitting S/N‐CQDs were used as a fluorescent probe that was highly selective and sensitive to Cr3+ ions, with a low detection limit of 6 μM. The waste foam‐derived S/N‐CQDs exhibited promising potential for ion detection in real water samples due to its excellent fluorescence activity.
P3HT‐Based Polymer Solar Cells with Unfused Bithiophene–Rhodanine‐based Nonfullerene Acceptors
Authors: Lim Eunhee
Published: June 2020

We synthesized unfused bithiophene‐based small molecules containing rhodanine (RH) dye end groups for use as acceptors in solution‐processable polymer solar cells (PSCs). T2‐ERH and T2‐ORH were designed to have different alkyl side‐chain lengths (ethyl and octyl, respectively), which enabled the optical properties and packing behavior of the corresponding films to be varied. PSCs were fabricated using poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and one of the small molecules as a polymer donor and an acceptor, respectively. A power conversion efficiency of 1.81% was attained with the device based on P3HT and T2‐ORH. The enhanced solubility resulting from the long octyl side chain resulted in a highly homogeneous morphology of the P3HT:T2‐ORH film. In this study, we demonstrate the easy synthesis of RH‐based bithiophenes, potentially providing a useful platform for developing nonfullerene small‐molecule acceptors.
Bioassay‐Guided Fractionation, Chemical Compositions and Antibacterial Activity of Extracts from Rhizomes of Globba schomburgkii Hook.f.
Authors: Suekaew Naruemon , Na Pombejra Sarisa , Kulsing Chadin , Doungchawee Jeerapat , Khotavivattana Tanatorn
Published: June 2020

Bioassay‐guided fractionation was conducted on dichloromethane extract from the rhizomes of Globba schomburgkii Hook.f., which have previously been reported as the part with the highest antibacterial activity. 10 fractions and 20 sub‐fractions were obtained and evaluated for their potency against various strains of bacteria. The most active sub‐fractions were 8 times more effective against Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus luteus than the original crude extract. Moreover, two pure compounds, namely petasol and (E)‐15,16‐dinorlabda‐8(17),11‐dien‐13‐one, were successfully isolated and characterized for the first time from this plant species. Untargeted compound analysis of all fractions and sub‐fractions was performed by gas chromatography hyphenated with mass spectrometry, leading to positive identification of 167 compounds according to comparison with the mass spectrum and retention index database, 137 of which have never been reported for G. schomburgkii. The correlation between antibacterial activity and composition of each fraction suggests that the bioactive compounds could be 4,8‐β‐epoxycaryophyllene, methyl isocostate, (E)‐labda‐8(17),12‐diene‐15,16‐dial, α‐kessyl acetate, zederone, clovanediol, ledene oxide‐(I), alantolactone, or 8α,11‐elemadiol.
Phloroglucinol Derivatives from Myrtus communis ‘Variegata’ and Their Antibacterial Activities
Authors: Wu Yan , Chen Ming , Wang Wen‐Jing , Li Ni‐Ping , Ye Wen‐Cai , Wang Lei
Published: June 2020

Myrtucomvalones D–F, three new triketone‐phloroglucinol‐triketone adducts, and three known ones (myrtucommulone E, myrtucommulone D and callistenone D) were obtained from Myrtus communis ‘Variegata’. Myrtucomvalone D is a pair of enantiomers which was further resolved into (+)‐myrtucomvalone D and (−)‐myrtucomvalone D by chiral HPLC. Their structures and complete stereochemistry were established from interpretation of NMR and crystallographic data and chemical calculations. Myrtucomvalone F, myrtucommulone D and callistenone D showed significant antibacterial activities.
Modified Acid‐Base ZSM‐5 Derived from Core‐Shell ZSM‐5@ Aqueous Miscible Organic‐Layered Double Hydroxides for Catalytic Cracking of n‐Pentane to Light Olefins
Authors: Rodaum Chadatip , Thivasasith Anawat , Suttipat Duangkamon , Witoon Thongthai , Pengpanich Sitthiphong , Wattanakit Chularat
Published: June 2020

Over the past decades, the catalytic cracking catalysts for hydrocarbon oil upgrading have been extensively developed to increase the yield of light olefins. In this context, we report the fabrication of the core‐shell ZSM‐5@aqueous miscible organic‐layered double hydroxides prepared by the growth of layered double hydroxides (LDH) precursors on zeolite surfaces. The deposited LDH results in a decrease of the number of strong Brønsted acid sites on zeolite surfaces and its transformation at high temperature leads to produce the highly dispersed metal oxides deposited on external surfaces of zeolites. Therefore, the acid‐base properties of designed surfaces are modified, eventually resulting in the suppression of competing hydride transfers and further side reactions. As a result, there is a significant enhancement in light olefins production compared with the pristine zeolite. In addition, the designed catalysts exhibit high recycling stability and reusability. This first example opens up the new perspectives for the development of modified acid‐base zeolites using zeolite@aqueous miscible organic‐layered double hydroxides for the catalytic upgrading of hydrocarbons.
Evaluation of cowpea germplasm for biomass production, seed yield, and southern root‐knot nematode resistance
Authors: Smith G.R. , Aiosa M.L. , Corriher‐Olson V. , Faske T.R. , Neely C.B. , Somenahally A. , Rouquette F.M.
Published: June 2020

Sixteen forage cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] plant introduction (PI) lines were evaluated for agronomic traits and pest resistance in field and greenhouse experiments to enhance double cropping and cover crop rotation systems in northeast Texas and the southeastern United States. Cowpea cultivars ‘Iron and Clay’ and ‘Combine’, and one cowpea breeding line, TX‐3, were included as controls. Cowpea lines were planted in a Darco loamy fine sand soil (a loamy, siliceous, semiactive, thermic Grossarenic Paleudult) in a randomized complete block design. Data collected in 2015 and 2016 included biomass, seed yield, and maturity stage. Plant introduction lines differed in biomass and seed production (P < .05) in both years. Biomass production ranked highest at 2,695 lb dry matter (DM) acre−1 for PI 175963 in 2015 and 2,582 lb DM acre−1 for PI 367863 in 2016. Seed yield ranked highest at 305 lb acre−1 for PI 175963 in 2015 and 2,071 lb acre−1 for PI 208845 in 2016. In a greenhouse study, 14 PI lines and two cowpea breeding lines, TX‐505 and TX‐3, were evaluated for susceptibility to the southern root‐knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita). Based on nematode reproduction and root galling, most of the PI lines were susceptible, while PI 367863 and TX‐505 were resistant. Several PI lines were identified with improved biomass and seed production and one PI line and one breeding line with resistance to the southern root‐knot nematode. These lines could be used in cowpea breeding programs to develop improved forage cowpea cultivars for double‐cropping and crop‐rotation systems in Texas and the southeastern United States.
Molecular Complexes of Emerging Tetravalent Rare‐Earth Metals
Authors: Li Nan , Zhang Wen‐Xiong
Published: June 2020

Exploring new oxidation state of elements is an important and challenging issue. Rare‐earth elements all exhibit the stable +3 oxidation state, while the +2 oxidation state is accessible except radioactive Pm. However, until 2019, only cerium has the +4 oxidation state in molecular complexes. Since 2019, four Tb(IV) and Pr(IV) molecular complexes have been successful prepared and will open a new avenue for the development of tetravalent rare‐earth chemistry. This emerging topic briefly describes the recent advances and prospects of the tetravalent rare‐earth chemistry.
Tree‐based fault‐tolerant collective operations for MPI
Authors: Margolin Alexander , Barak Amnon
Published: June 2020

With the increase in size and complexity of high‐performance computing systems, the probability of failures, and the cost of recovery grow. Parallel applications running on these systems should be able to continue running in spite of node failures at arbitrary times. Collective operations are essential for many parallel MPI applications, and are often the first to detect such failures. This work presents tree‐based fault‐tolerant collective operations, which combine fault detection and recovery as an integral part each operation. We do this by extending existing tree‐based algorithms, to allow for a collective operation to succeed despite failing nodes before or during its run. This differs from other approaches, where recovery takes place after a failure of such operations have failed. The article includes a comparison between the performance of the proposed algorithm and other approaches, as well as a simulator‐based analysis of performance at scale.
Simultaneous Examination of Cellular Pathways using Multiplex Hextuple Luciferase Assaying
Authors: Sarrion‐Perdigones Alejandro , Chang Lyra , Gonzalez Yezabel , Gallego‐Flores Tatiana , Young Damian W. , Venken Koen J.T.
Published: June 2020

Multiplex experimentation that can assay multiple cellular signaling pathways in the same cells requires orthogonal genetically encoded reporters that report over large dynamic ranges. Luciferases are cost‐effective, versatile candidates whose output signals can be sensitively detected in a multiplex fashion. Commonly used dual luciferase reporter assays detect one luciferase that is coupled to a single cellular pathway and a second that is coupled to a control pathway for normalization purposes. We have expanded this approach to multiplex hextuple luciferase assays that can report on five cellular signaling pathways and one control, each of which is encoded by a unique luciferase. Light emission by the six luciferases can be distinguished by the use of two distinct substrates, each specific for three luciferases, followed by spectral decomposition of the light emitted by each of the three luciferase enzymes with bandpass filters. Here, we present detailed protocols on how to perform multiplex hextuple luciferase assaying to monitor pathway fluxes through transcriptional response elements for five specific signaling pathways (i.e., c‐Myc, NF‐κβ, TGF‐β, p53, and MAPK/JNK) using the constitutive CMV promoter as normalization control. Protocols are provided for preparing reporter vector plasmids for multiplex reporter assaying, performing cell culture and multiplex luciferase reporter vector plasmid transfection, executing multiplex luciferase assays, and analyzing and interpreting data obtained by a plate reader appropriately equipped to detect the different luminescences. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Preparation of vectors for multiplex hextuple luciferase assaying

Basic Protocol 2: Cell culture work for multiplex hextuple luciferase assays

Basic Protocol 3: Transfection of luciferase reporter plasmids followed by drug and recombinant protein treatments

Basic Protocol 4: Performing the multiplex hextuple luciferase assay