bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A survey of pediatric flexible bronchoscopy in India
Authors: Jat Kana Ram , Agarwal Sheetal , Lodha Rakesh , Kabra Sushil Kumar
Published: July 2022

Background

A bronchoscopy is an essential tool in pediatric pulmonology. However, the practices involved in the procedure are variable.

Objective

To evaluate prevalent practices and variations in pediatric flexible bronchoscopy in India.

Methods

An online survey was conducted via Google forms between September 2018 and March 2019. We circulated the survey among members of various respiratory societies and personal contacts. Physicians performing pediatric flexible bronchoscopy were requested to respond. The survey had 95 questions in seven domains: demographics, patient preparation, sedation, procedural aspects, monitoring, bronchoscope cleaning, and complications.

Results

The survey received 24 complete responses; the respondents were from 14 cities. Pediatric bronchoscopy was done mainly for diagnostic purposes. Most (19, 79%) respondents reported using conscious sedation for the procedure. The preferred regimen for sedation was midazolam plus fentanyl [9 (37.5%)]. Atropine was used routinely by 4 (16%). For topical anesthesia, nebulized lignocaine only, both nebulized and spray as go lignocaine, and spray as go lignocaine only were used by 1 (4.2%), 6 (25%), and 17 (71%) respondents, respectively. The methods of providing oxygen during bronchoscopy were free flow (9, 37.5%), nasal prongs (8, 33.3%), mask (6, 25%), and laryngeal mask airway (1, 4.2%). The common therapeutic procedures included removal of mucus plugs (17, 71%), bronchoscopic intubation (11, 45%), and foreign body removal (10, 41%). The number of aliquots used by respondents for bronchoalveolar lavage varied from 2 to 6, and the volume for each aliquot was also varied (1–2 ml/kg or 5–10 ml). Almost all the respondents reported complication rates of less than 5%.

Conclusion

There is a considerable variation in pediatric flexible bronchoscopy practices across the country, highlighting the need to develop a uniform guideline.
Platelets, mean platelet volume, lymphocytes, leukocytes, and ratios of them altered in patients with hepatitis B virus‐related decompensated cirrhosis
Authors: Xu Changzhi , Yi Yanhua , Xie Zhizhi , Zhu Donglin , Abuduwaili Dannier , Wang Zhu , Xi Yun
Published: July 2022

Blood routine examination is an inexpensive, routinely performed clinical project, which includes many blood parameters. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection may have significant effects on blood parameters in decompensated patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis. However, details were not quite clear yet. A total of 207 HBV‐related decompensated cirrhosis (HBV‐DeCi) patients were included in this retrospective analysis. The included patients were subdivided into three groups: 44 patients with HBsAg, HBeAg, and HbcAb positive were set as Group I; 122 patients with HBsAg, HBeAb, and HbcAb positive were set as Group II; 41 patients with HBsAb, HBeAb, and HbcAb positive were set as Group III. Blood parameters, including platelet (PLT) count, mean platelet volume (MPV), lymphocyte count, leukocyte count and MPV/lymphocyte ratio (MPVLR), lymphocyte/ leukocyte ratio (LLR), platelet/leukocyte ratio (PLR) were analyzed respectively. The correlation between mentioned parameters and the HBV infection were characterized respectively. The values of PLT, MPVLR, and PLR in Group I and II were lower than that in Group III. Group II has a much higher LLR than that in Group I and III. HBV does have significantly effect on blood parameters in HBV‐DeCi patients. Effective treatment must be applied to achieve cirrhosis recompensation promptly.
The effect of lipid composition on the dynamics of tau fibrils
Authors: Chowdhury Unmesh Dutta , Paul Arnav , Bhargava B. L.
Published: July 2022

Knowledge of the interaction of the tau fibrils with the cell membrane is critical for the understanding of the underlying tauopathy pathogenesis. Lipid composition is found to affect the conformational ensemble of the tau fibrils. Using coarse‐grained and all‐atom molecular dynamics simulations we have shown the effect of the lipid composition in modulating the tau structure and dynamics. Molecular dynamics simulations show that tau proteins interact differentially with the zwitterionic compared to the charged lipid membranes. The negatively charged POPG lipid membranes increase the binding propensity of the tau fibrils. The addition of cholesterol is also found to modify the tau binding to the membrane. The binding of tau fibril leads to the concomitant loss of the β‐sheet structures across the tau residues alongside the change in the membrane properties (like area per lipid, bilayer thickness, and order parameter of the lipid tails) over the pure bilayers.
Perovskite Solar Module Outdoor Field Testing and Spectral Irradiance Effects on Power Generation
Authors: Huang Mianji , Shou Chunhui , Sun Jingsong , Shen Qu , Huang Chaopeng , Peng Hao , Jin Shengli , He Haiyan
Published: July 2022

One of the challenges facing the industrialization of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is the lack of outdoor field‐testing evaluation, especially for large‐scale perovskite solar modules. Herein, the real‐world operating performance of an efficient PSC module in the rooftop field test is characterized and analyzed. The maximum power point of a 125 mm × 125 mm PSC module, with a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 10.34%, is tracked outdoors. Meanwhile, the weather information is recorded, which enables us to investigate the correlation between specific outdoor factors and the device performance. Compared with the multicrystalline silicon (mc‐Si) solar cell as a reference, the PSC module is more sensitive to outdoor solar spectral variations due to its narrow absorption region. Furthermore, benefitting from the long‐wave bump and redshift of the spectral, the available energy ratio of PSC module increases in the morning and afternoon hours, and its performance ratio (PR) value increases accordingly. During the test, the PR of PSC module reaches a maximum of 92.3%, an average of 5% higher than that of the mc‐Si counterpart.
Is lightweighting glass bottles for wine an option? Linking technical requirements and consumer attitude
Authors: Soares João , Ramos Paulo , Poças Fátima
Published: July 2022

When discussing glass bottles within the context of circular economy, reusability and recyclability are highlighted. However, it is recognised the relevant environmental footprint of glass production due to energy consumption and the impact of transportation of the empty bottles from the production site to the filling plants. Reducing the weight of the bottles has become possible through design and production technologies advances. However, consumer perceptions and technical requirements must be integrated and may conflict. This work aims at contributing to better understanding the relationship between the wine glass bottle weight, consumer perception of wine quality and acceptance of lighter bottles and recognition of sustainability factors related to packaging. Bordeaux shaped bottles are the lightest in the wine market, when compared to Burgundy or Conical, but also the ones with a wider weight range. Bordeaux bottles with 100 g of weight difference could be found for 750‐cL capacity. Design features, punt and finish/neck dimensions were found to limit the reduction in bottle weight. Consumer survey results indicate a correlation between the bottle weight and the wine price. Portuguese consumers tend to associate a heavier bottle with better quality and higher price, particularly those consumers with higher wine expertise. The three top concerns regarding packaging are, by order, being plastic‐free, recyclable and reusable. There is very low awareness on the importance of lightweighting glass bottles as a measure to improve sustainability. More than 80% of the respondents indicated the increase of recycled content as the measure contributing the most to sustainability.
Betting against sentiment? Seemingly unrelated anomalies and the low‐risk effect
Authors: Dierkes Maik , Schroen Sebastian
Published: July 2022

The negative CAPM alphas of high‐beta and high‐variance stocks are attributable to an unaccounted factor in the CAPM. We use eight seemingly unrelated anomalies to construct a composite factor in the spirit of the optimal orthogonal portfolio (FOP). Accounting for FOP re‐establishes a positive relation between beta and average returns in time series regressions as well as cross‐sectional and explains the negative alphas of high‐beta and high‐variance stocks. To analyze economic drivers behind FOP, we perform a horse race between leverage constraints, investor sentiment, and disagreement. Our results highlight investor sentiment as the most promising explanation for the low‐risk effect.
Homogeneity based finite/fixed‐time observers for linear MIMO systems
Authors: Zimenko Konstantin , Polyakov Andrey , Efimov Denis , Kremlev Artem
Published: July 2022

The article is devoted to the problem of finite‐time and fixed‐time observation of linear multiple input multiple output control systems. The proposed dynamic observers do not require system transformation to a canonical form and guarantee convergence of the observation error to zero in a finite or in a fixed time. It is shown that the observers are robust (in input‐to‐state sense) against input disturbances and measurement noises. The results are supported with simulation examples.
Finite‐time parameter estimation based boundary control for a class of 2×2 hyperbolic partial differential equation systems with uncertain transport speeds
Authors: Guo Runsheng , Sun Kangkang , Wang Tong , Qiu Jianbin , Chu Danlei
Published: July 2022

This article investigates the boundary control problem for a class of hyperbolic partial differential equation systems with uncertain transport speeds, in which both state feedback and output feedback cases are considered. The least‐square method is utilized to achieve the finite‐time parameter estimation based on the parametric models. During parameter estimation, proper actuation signals are designed via contradiction method to avoid the singular problems. With the estimated parameters, control laws are designed by the backstepping method for both state‐feedback case and output‐feedback case. Finally, simulation studies are provided to illustrate the efficiency of our results.
Optimal resource allocation for high‐order nonlinear uncertain multi‐agent systems
Authors: Duan Shuqing , Zhao Zhiliang , Chen Sen , Jiang Zhong‐Ping
Published: July 2022

This article investigates the optimal resource allocation of nonlinear high‐order multi‐agent systems with coupling uncertainties. The objective is to design an output‐feedback distributed algorithm for each agent to optimize the global cost function under network constraints. The global cost function is the sum of local cost functions. The available information to design the algorithm for each agent is only its own output and cost function, the outputs of its neighbors. To address the key technical challenge arising from the uncertainties and nonlinearities of network systems, a novel distributed resource allocation algorithm is proposed using active disturbance rejection strategy. The simulation results in the economic dispatch of a smart grid validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Longitudinal habitat gradient affects diet and body condition of riverine fish: A case study ofPelteobagruscatfishes in the Three Gorges Reservoir, China
Authors: Liao Chuansong , Chen Sibao , Correa Sandra Bibiana , Ye Shaowen , Zhang Tanglin , Liu Jiashou
Published: July 2022

To understand how riverine fish respond to longitudinally different habitats created by impoundment, we selected three congeneric yellow catfish species (Pelteobagrusspp.) as a model system to assess changes in diet, prey selectivity, and body condition among the lotic, transitional, and lentic habitats along the Three Gorges Reservoir. Our results add to previous findings highlighting a shift in fish diets from diverse zoobenthos to shrimp‐dominated as the river becomes lentic by showing spatial segregation in the size of shrimp prey consumed. Relative to the available shrimp populations, catfish populations selected smaller shrimp in the upper (lotic) section and larger shrimp in the middle (transitional) and lower (lentic) sections. Complementary body condition indices exhibited a consistent spatial pattern, where populations in the lotic zone were healthier than those in the transitional and lentic zones. This pattern seems to result from a greater nutrient value of zoobenthos, the dominant food in the lotic zone, relative to shrimps. Our results suggest that these generalist fish species have adapted to the spatial habitat gradient and maintained their populations, but the impoundment has deeply influenced their energy acquisition and allocation.
Canopy palm cover across the Brazilian Amazon forests mapped with airborneLiDARdata and deep learning
Authors: Dalagnol Ricardo , Wagner Fabien H. , Emilio Thaise , Streher Annia S. , Galvão Lênio S. , Ometto Jean P. H. B. , Aragão Luiz E. O. C.
Published: July 2022

The Amazon region in Brazil contains c. 5% of the palm species of the world. However, palm cover at macroecological scales has not yet been quantified in this biome. Here, we used high spatial resolution LiDAR data, acquired from 610 flightlines over the Brazilian Amazon, to map canopy palm cover for the first time using a deep learning approach. The image segmentation model from U‐Net deep learning was selected for mapping palm segments using the LiDAR canopy height model (CHM) at 0.5‐m spatial resolution. To train and validate the model, we manually delineated 6971 canopy palm segments over 931.43 ha of forests on four training sites by inspecting their unique star‐shaped crown architecture in the CHM. The results indicated an accuracy of 80% to automatically map canopy palm area. The approach detected >1.1 million palm segments over the 480 000 ha sampled by LiDAR and roughly estimated 1.05 billion palm segments for the Brazilian Amazon. Palm cover was not evenly distributed over the Amazon, revealing undocumented hotspots of high cover (>5%) in eastern Amazon (Pará state), and confirming documented hotspots in southwest (Acre state) and north of the region (Roraima state). Palm segment height was strongly and positively correlated with forest height, where palm segments showed overall lower height. A higher canopy palm cover was observed over shorter forests, while the opposite was found over taller forests, where palms may not be visible from the canopy. Palm segments occurred more frequently at valleys but they were also observed in other landscapes, depending on site location and forest height. Our findings highlight the disproportional occurrence of palm cover in some Amazonian canopies. This fact should be taken into account to improve regional carbon cycle representation and promote initiatives of biodiversity conservation and bioeconomic use of these forests.
A novel Bayesian method for variable selection and estimation in binary quantile regression
Authors: Dao Mai , Wang Min , Ghosh Souparno
Published: July 2022

In this paper, we develop a Bayesian hierarchical model and associated computation strategy for simultaneously conducting parameter estimation and variable selection in binary quantile regression. We specify customary asymmetric Laplace distribution on the error term and assign quantile‐dependent priors on the regression coefficients and a binary vector to identify the model configuration. Thanks to the normal‐exponential mixture representation of the asymmetric Laplace distribution, we proceed to develop a novel three‐stage computational scheme starting with an expectation–maximization algorithm and then the Gibbs sampler followed by an importance re‐weighting step to draw nearly independent Markov chain Monte Carlo samples from the full posterior distributions of the unknown parameters. Simulation studies are conducted to compare the performance of the proposed Bayesian method with that of several existing ones in the literature. Finally, two real‐data applications are provided for illustrative purposes.
Correlation between Chirality and Spherical Particle Formation Related to the Loss of Function of Thixotropic Additive Molecules
Authors: Mashiyama Yuki , Hasunuma Yuka , Fujimori Atsuhiro
Published: July 2022

The relationship between chirality and loss of function of thixotropic additive molecules with asymmetric carbon and helical fiber growth under high‐temperature exposure was investigated. Among the thixotropic additive molecules that impart gelation/fluidization ability during pressurization of the solvent, derivatives with high‐performance, helical fiber growth ability became mesoscopic spherical particles upon high‐temperature exposure. Conversely, derivatives that lost their fiber growth ability could not achieve solvent gelation. The growth pattern was such that the helical fibers were transformed into straight fibers. The right‐handed helical signal of the circular dichroism spectrum, which is indicative of chirality by structure formation, was inactivated upon high‐temperature exposure. Therefore, a low‐temperature process or heat treatment in an inert state under a N2 atmosphere is essential for maintaining chirality and helical fibrosis.
Pd Nanoparticles Decorated on Ionic Liquid Modified Magnetite Nanoparticles as a Recyclable and Active Nanocatalyst for Reduction of Nitro Compounds and Degradation of Organic Dyes
Authors: Zareh Fatemeh , Gholinejad Mohammad , Mostafavi Ali , Sheibani Hassan
Published: July 2022

The development of new technologies for the efficient degradation of toxic organic pollutants from water resources has received great attention. In this study, we described an effective method for the preparation of Pd nanoparticles (NPs) decorated on nitrogen rich ionic liquid (IL) modified magnetic nanoparticles and its application as the green and recoverable heterogeneous catalyst in the reductive degradation of organic dyes and reduction of nitro compounds. The Fe3O4/SiO2−IL−Pd nanocatalyst was characterized by several techniques namely, FT‐IR, FE‐SEM, EDX‐ elemental mapping, XRD, TEM, XPS, TGA and VSM. The Fe3O4/SiO2‐IL−Pd nanocatalyst was applied for the efficient reduction of structurally different nitroarenes, methyl orange (MO), methylene blue (MB) and methyl red (MR) in aqueous media using NaBH4 as reducing agent at room temperature. Using this catalyst nitroarenes were reduced to corresponding amines very efficiently and organic dyes reduced quantitatively under short reaction times. The catalyst can be recovered and recycled for at least ten runs without a notable decrease in the activity.
Integrating Zebrafish Model to Screen Active Ingredients and Network Pharmacology Methods to Explore the Mechanism of Lavandula angustifolia Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Li Muchun , Cao Xueqin , Yan Huan , Wang Miaomiao , Tashibolati Ayiguli , Maiwulanjiang Maitinuer
Published: July 2022

Lavandula angustifolia (LA) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine commonly used as a folk medicine to treat brain diseases; in previous pharmacological studies, its water extract has been reported to have neuroprotective effects with the potential to be used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the material basis and the action mechanism of the effects were not clear. Hence, we have adopted a fast, low‐cost strategy to address this problem, through the following three processes: degreased lavender flower grains are extracted stepwise, main active sites are screened by zebrafish AD model, and key compounds and major pathways are identified using network pharmacology tools. The initial results show luteolin‐7‐glucoside, Apigenin‐7‐O‐glucoside, Salvianolic acid A and Rosmarinic acid can be used as the main active ingredient for lavender treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The major biological processes involved in these compounds include regulation of defense responses, decomposition of extracellular matrix, oxidative stress response, and peptidyl tyrosine phosphorylation. The most important metabolic pathways are cancer, IL‐17 signaling and age‐rage signaling indiabetic complications. Therefore, the strategies developed in this study are helpful to address the unclear material basis and mechanism of the effect of Chinese herbal medicine as well as form a bridge between traditional Chinese herbal medicine and modern medical language.
Recent Advances in Transition Metal‐Catalyzed Domino‐Cyclization Strategies for Functionalized Heterocyclic/Carbocyclic Compounds
Authors: Maurya Rohit Kumar , Sharma Deepika , Kumari Suruchi , Chatterjee Rana , Khatravath Mahender , Dandela Rambabu
Published: July 2022

The discovery of the Domino reaction offers a useful strategy to the scientific community. From the beginning, it has received much attention in numerous advances for organic synthesis. Especially, for the constructive cyclization via multiple C−C and C‐heteroatom bond formation, the Domino‐Heck coupling reaction has become an essential tool in organic chemistry. In the case of drug synthesis, different natural products and biologically relevant scaffolds are achieved by employing the Domino‐cyclization technique. Palladium or nickel‐based intramolecular coupling reactions have been associated with many developing methods which lead to important carbo or heterocyclic scaffolds. In this account, metal‐catalyzed intramolecular cyclization is an emerging tool to access several heterocyclic scaffolds such as coumarins, quinolines, piperidines, indoles spiro and fused polycyclic rings. In this review, we have attempted to highlight the recent advances in metal‐mediated Domino cyclization reaction over the past few years.
Design, Synthesis, in Vitro and in Silico Studies of Benzimidazole‐Linked Oxadiazole Derivatives as Anti‐inflammatory Agents
Authors: Celik Ismail , Sarıaltın Sezen Yılmaz , Çoban Tülay , Kılcıgil Gülgün
Published: July 2022

In this study, 24 new benzimidazole‐oxadiazole hybrids were designed and synthesized as anti‐inflammatory agents. It was measured their stabilizing potentials against heat‐induced human erythrocyte membrane hemolysis for anti‐inflammatory activity. Compound 5 w bearing cyclohexyl as R2 group at the 2nd position of oxadiazole ring and 3,4‐dimethoxy phenyl at the 2nd position of benzimidazole showed the highest membrane stabilizing activity with IC50= 0.50 mM. Antioxidant activity screening of compounds synthesized by ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging assay methods was performed. Molecular docking studies of all compounds were performed against COX‐1 and COX‐2 with Glide XP. Moreover, to examine the protein‐ligand stability of the most active compound 5 w, molecular dynamics simulations of 100 ns duration were performed with COX‐1 and COX‐2 using Gromacs.
A Simple and Green Oxygen‐Tolerant RAFT Polymerization without Additional Catalyst and Initiator
Authors: Huang Yan , Sun Yue , Weng Yuyan , Zhang Weidong
Published: July 2022

Oxygen‐tolerant reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT) can be successfully achieved through the addition of organic and inorganic photoredox catalysts or other additives. Thus, developing a simple oxygen‐tolerant RAFT without additional catalyst and initiator will augment the development of this field. In this work, two‐component systems, 2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and 4‐cyanopentanoic acid dithiobenzoate (CPADB), have been successfully applied to develop green and oxygen‐tolerant RAFT under aqueous conditions without any additional catalysts, where dithioester CPADB was employed as an iniferter agent (initiator‐transfer‐terminator) for polymerization control, as well as an intrinsic photoredox catalyst for deoxygenation. DMAEMA was utilized as monomer and electron donor. In the present work, dithioester‐assisted oxygen removal in aqueous RAFT photopolymerization is reported for the first time. This work provides a simple and green method for oxygen‐tolerant RAFT polymerization.
A Green Synthesis of Nitrogen Containing Novel Tetraazaaceanthrylene Derivatives Under Catalyst‐free Conditions: Docking studies, ADME and Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Sankar Gunasekaran , Vinoth Nangagoundan , Nagasundaram Nagarajan , Lalitha Appaswami
Published: July 2022

A facile and convenient greener route has been introduced for the synthesis of novel 2‐phenyl‐2,3,5,6‐tetraazaaceanthrylene‐1,4(2H,5H)‐dione derivativesviaone pot three component reaction of barbituric acid, substituted aryl amines and isatin with ethanol as solvent. The synthesized compounds were characterized by FT‐IR,1H NMR and13C NMR techniques. The remarkable features of this method are catalyst‐free, short reaction time, good yields and simple purification techniques. The effect of inhibition and possibilities of interaction of 1GQN enzyme onSalmonella typhiwith synthesized compounds was explored through molecular docking approach. Pharmacokinetics profile of the synthesized compounds was explored by ADME technique. All the synthesized compounds have also been evaluated for their antibacterial activity against Gram positive and Gram‐negative bacterial strains. The compounds 4a and 4d exhibited significant effect against four human pathogenic bacterial strains with the maximum inhibition zone.
Antioxidant and Anti‐Pollution Effect of Naturally Occurring Carotenoids Astaxanthin and Crocin for Human Skin Protection
Authors: Ácsová Aneta , Hojerová Jarmila , Hergesell Kristýna , Hideg Éva , Csepregi Kristóf , Bauerová Katarína , Pružinská Katarína , Martiniaková Silvia
Published: July 2022

Four in vitro oxidative‐stress models were used to study the antioxidant/antipollution effects of all‐trans‐astaxanthin and crocin compared to synthetic antioxidants. DPPH‐scavenging activity of astaxanthin (5 μM) was 2.4, 1.3, 1.4, 1.1 and 0.9‐fold higher than that of alpha‐tocopherol (AT), butylhydroxytoluene, butylhydroxyanisole, gallic acid and Trolox, respectively. Crocin scavenged the same radicals amount as butylhydroxytoluene and butylhydroxyanisole. Both carotenoids were more effective at reducing ferric ions than synthetic antioxidants and had a protective effect on the viability of stressed epidermal cells. Reactive oxygen species induced by hydrogen peroxide or cigarette smoke on a skin were quenched with astaxanthin and crocin to approximately the same extent as with AT. ASX was 3.8, 2.3 and 14‐fold better singlet oxygen scavenger than Trolox, AT and gallic acid, respectively. The polyunsaturated fatty acids in the astaxanthin’ emulsion were 6.5 and 2.5‐fold more resistant to oxidation than in the control emulsion and the AT’ emulsion, respectively.
Bimetallic Pd‐Au Nanoparticles Supported Monodisperse Porous Silica Microspheres as an Efficient Heterogenous Catalyst for Fast Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol
Authors: Tosun Rukiye Babacan , Hamaloğlu Kadriye Özlem , Tuncel Ali
Published: July 2022

A bimetallic heterogeneous catalyst in the form of PdAu nanoparticle supported monodisperse‐porous SiO2 microspheres (PdAu@APTES@SiO2) was prepared for fast oxidation of benzyl alcohol (BzOH). The mesoporous support obtained by an originally developed staged‐shape templated hydrolysis‐condensation protocol provided large surface area and high pore volume for parking of noble metal nanoparticles. PdAu@APTES@SiO2 provided higher BzOH conversion, benzaldehyde (BzH) selectivity and BzH formation yield with respect to monometallic catalysts containing Pd or Au nanoparticles supported with SiO2 microspheres. BzOH conversions and BzH formation yields higher than 95 % were obtained in 30 min at 80 °C. The maximum TON and TOF values were determined as 300 and 600 h−1, respectively. BzOH conversions and TOF were also higher with respect to similar catalysts prepared using different supports also carrying PdAu nanoparticles. PdAu@APTES@SiO2 exhibited good stability with a decrease of BzOH conversion less than 2.5 % over five consecutive runs.
Heterogeneous Nanocatalyst for Biodiesel Synthesis
Authors: Yadav Deshal , Datta Sudipta , Saha Sujan , Pradhan Subhalaxmi , Kumari Shweta , Gupta Pavan Kumar , Chauhan Vishal , Saw Shiva Kumar , Sahu Gajanan
Published: July 2022

Internationally emerging energy trend, depletion of existing fossil fuel reserves along with growing population and alarming pollution all together has diverted the research towards the use of renewable fuels such as biodiesel. Biodiesel being eco‐friendly and climate neutral is a better alternative to vastly depleting petrodiesel fuels. Biodiesel is frequently produced by combining vegetable oil and alcohol with catalyst in a transesterification reaction. Catalyst is a key factor that is known to affect the kinetics and output of a transesterification reaction. Moreover, one of the most critical features of a catalyst‘s catalytic activity is the particle size. The present review is an account of the widely used heterogeneous nanocatalyst for biodiesel synthesis. Heterogeneous nanocatalyst are novel for FAME synthesis as they are economical, recyclable, reusable, readily available, active, selective, non‐corrosive, stable and conveniently separable. Metal oxide (MO), Nano ferrites, Nano zeolites, Nano hydrotalcite and Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) based heterogeneous nanocatalyst and their reusability have been discussed. Critical factors like time duration, alcohol‐to‐oil ratio, reaction temperature, intensity of mixing, catalyst loading etc. have also been accounted in this review.
Recent Developments in the Synthesis of N‐Heterocyclic Compounds as α‐Amylase Inhibitors via In‐Vitro and In‐Silico Analysis: Future Drugs for Treating Diabetes
Authors: Garg Pooja , Rawat Ravindra Singh , Bhatt Harshil , Kumar Sanjit , Reddy Sabbasani Rajasekhara
Published: July 2022

In nature, N‐heterocyclic compounds and their derivatives are abundant. They serve as the building blocks of many biological entities, such as enzymes, alkaloids, hormones, antibiotics, and vitamins. The treatment of diabetes is one of the major applications of heterocyclic compounds. Natural as well as synthetic, both types of heterocyclic compounds show anti‐diabetic activity. There is a plethora of literature on the hyper/hypoglycaemic activity of natural compounds. This review discusses the synthesis methods, yields of the reactions and Inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of all the synthesized derivatives via different assays such as 3,5‐dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) or starch assays. IC50 values of all the derivatives have been compared with those of  standard acarbose. Structure activity relationship of most potential compounds with α‐amylase enzyme is established to show the type of interactions between them. Molecular docking studies show the type of interaction between compounds and enzyme.
Annulation of 2’‐Chlorochalcones and Elemental Sulfur toward the Synthesis of 2‐Aryl Thiochromenones
Authors: Huynh Tan N. , Huynh Tien V. , Ca Thuy T. , Tran Dat T. , Pham Hai H. , Nguyen Tung T. , Phan Nam T. S.
Published: July 2022

Herein we report a method for the synthesis of 2‐aryl thiochromenones via a sulfuration of 2’‐chlorochalcones. The chalcones could be prepared in advance or in situ obtained from 2’‐chloroacetophenones and aromatic aldehydes. The conditions were tolerant of functionalities including chloro, fluoro, methylthio, phenoxy, and trifluoromethyl groups. 2‐Heteroaryl thiochromenones could also be obtained in moderate yields. Our method appears to be a simple, general tactic to afford 2‐aryl thiochromenones from commercial starting materials.
Photoatalytic Degradation of Organic Pollutants in Water Under Visible Light by NH2‐MIL‐125(Ti‐Zr)@BiOClxI1‐x Composite Photocatalyst
Authors: Yu Zhengming , Lv Yunkai , Huang Feng , Zhang Fang , Shi Qi , An Ke , Fan Tingting , Li Gang , Wang Jing
Published: July 2022

Combining two different semiconductors to construct heterojunction is an effective solution to the problem of high recombination rate of photo‐generated carriers. In this work, for further improvement of the photocatalytic performance of NH2‐MIL‐125(Ti−Zr)@BiOCl, NH2‐MIL‐125(Ti−Zr)@BiOClxI1‐x was synthesized by doping BiOI. The influence of BiOI doping amount on the photocatalytic performance of organic pollutant Acid Red B (ARB) was explored. The experimental results showed that the existence of BiOI enhanced the absorption of visible light and further reduced the recombination rate of photo‐generated carriers, thus improved the photocatalytic performance. The characterization of NH2‐MIL‐125(Ti−Zr)@BiOClxI1‐x was performed by XRD, SEM, TEM, EIS, DRS UV‐Vis DRS, and PL. Compared with the photocatalyst NH2‐MIL‐125(Ti−Zr)@BiOCl, the composite photocatalyst NH2‐MIL‐125(Ti−Zr)@BiOCl0.8I0.2 demonstrated superior visible‐light photocatalytic activity. With the illumination time of 90 min, the degradation rate of ARB was 94.6 %. After 3 times of recycling, the degradation rate of ARB was 91 %. The results of free radical quenching experiments showed that the degradation of ARB by NH2‐MIL‐125(Ti−Zr)@BiOCl0.8I0.2 was attributed to the oxidation of ⋅O2− and h+. A preliminary discussion on the photocatalytic mechanism was made.
High‐Performance Supercapacitors Fabricated from Sugarcane Waste‐derived Activated Carbon Electrodes and Carbon Dot‐added Molasses as Electrolytes
Authors: Thumkaew Yanisa , Praneerad Janjira , Manyam Jedsada , Chanthad Chalathorn , Liang Xiao , Song Shufeng , Youngvises Napaporn , Paoprasert Peerasak
Published: July 2022

In this work, bio‐renewable, high‐performance supercapacitors were prepared from sugarcane wastes. Activated carbon and carbon dots (CDs) was prepared from sugarcane bagasse and leaves, whereas electrolyte, for the first time in any kind of electrochemical device, was prepared from molasses. The supercapacitors were then fabricated from activated carbon electrodes and molasses electrolyte. The supercapacitors using bagasse‐ and leaf‐derived activated carbon and molasses aqueous solution yielded a specific capacitance of 101 and 80 F g−1, respectively, at a scan rate of 30 mV s−1. When the molasses electrolyte was prepared in H2SO4 solution, the specific capacitance increased to 308 and 268 F g−1, respectively. Interestingly, when the CDs were added to molasses/H2SO4 electrolyte, the specific capacitance was further boosted to 456 and 356 F g−1, which are equivalent to 148 % and 133 % increases. In addition to enhancing the specific capacitance, the use of CDs also improved the cycling stability of the supercapacitors. A combination of enhanced surface capacitance and reduced interfacial resistance offered by the CDs led to a significantly enhanced performance. This work thus demonstrates a value‐adding strategy for sugarcane wastes and the fabrication of novel, high‐performance supercapacitors.
Click Chemistry ‐ Inspired Synthesis of Porphyrin Hybrid Glycodendrimers as Fluorescent Sensor for Cu(II) Ions
Authors: Agrahari Anand K. , Kumar Sunil , Pandey Mrituanjay D. , Rajkhowa Sanchayita , Jaiswal Manoj K. , Tiwari Vinod K.
Published: July 2022

An expeditious and modular CuAAC ‘click’ protocol has been exploited for the construction of porphyrin cored hybrid glycodendrimers of G1 and G2 generation. The developed porphyrin hybrid glycodendrimers were characterized using extensive spectral analysis including NMR (1H, 13C, and 19F), MS, MALDI‐TOF, IR, and SEC datas and evaluated for their sensing ability for a range of metal ions, where they displayed notable sensing for Cu(II) ion with solvatochromism properties.
High Power Figure‐of‐Merit, 10.6‐kV AlGaN/GaN Lateral Schottky Barrier Diode with Single Channel and Sub‐100‐µm Anode‐to‐Cathode Spacing
Authors: Xu Ru , Chen Peng , Zhou Jing , Li Yimeng , Li Yuyin , Zhu Tinggang , Cheng Kai , Chen Dunjun , Xie Zili , Ye Jiandong , Liu Bin , Xiu Xiangqian , Han Ping , Shi Yi , Zhang Rong , Zheng Youdou
Published: July 2022

GaN‐based lateral Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs) have attracted great attention for high‐power applications due to its combined high electron mobility and large critical breakdown field. However, the breakdown voltage (BV) of the SBDs are far from exploiting the material advantages of GaN at present, limiting the desire to use GaN for ultra‐high voltage (UHV) applications. Then, a golden question is whether the excellent properties of GaN‐based materials can be practically used in the UHV field? Here, UHV AlGaN/GaN SBDs are demonstrated on sapphire with a BV of 10.6 kV, a specific on‐resistance (RON,SP) of 25.8 mΩ cm2, yielding a power figure‐of‐merit (P‐FOM = BV2/RON,SP) of 4.35 GW cm−2. These devices are designed with single channel and 85‐µm anode‐to‐cathode spacing, without other additional electric field management, demonstrating its great potential for the UHV application in power electronics.
Resonant‐Opto‐Thermomechanical Oscillator (ROTMO): A Low‐Power, Large Displacement, High‐Frequency Optically Driven Microactuator
Authors: Pevec Simon , Donlagic Denis
Published: July 2022

A light‐driven micromechanical oscillator is presented, which can be operated by a low optical power (in the mW, or even the µW range), can produce large mechanical displacements (>5–100 µm), and can be designed to operate at frequencies from sub‐kHz up to more than 200 kHz. The actuation of the oscillator is achieved by an asymmetrically metal‐coated optical microwire configured into a silica micromechanical oscillator. The metalized optical microwire confines and absorbs the light strongly over a short distance, which results in a controlled optical power conversion into heat, and, consequently, into mechanical actuation through the temperature rise and the difference in thermal expansions of the silica microwire and the asymmetrically applied metal layer. Mechanical displacements are amplified further by the resonance operation of the oscillator, which is driven by a low‐power, harmonic optical excitation signal generated by a current‐modulated laser diode. Proper selection of the micromechanical oscillator's geometrical configuration and materials allows for a high‐frequency operation at large mechanical displacements of the oscillator, while relying on low excitation optical power. The presented concept of a fully optically driven micromechanical oscillator may, thus, present a basis for realization of new classes of actuated micro‐opto‐mechanical Systems and similar photonics microdevices.
Ionic Conductive and Highly‐Stable Interface for Alkali Metal Anodes
Authors: Jin Enzhong , Tantratian Karnpiwat , Zhao Changtai , Codirenzi Anastasia , Goncharova Lyudmila V. , Wang Changhong , Yang Feipeng , Wang Yijia , Pirayesh Parham , Guo Jinghua , Chen Lei , Sun Xueliang , Zhao Yang
Published: July 2022

Alkali metals are regarded as the most promising candidates for advanced anode for the next‐generation batteries due to their high specific capacity, low electrochemical potential, and lightweight. However, critical problems of the alkali metal anodes, especially dendrite formation and interface stabilization, remain challenging to overcome. The solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) is a key factor affecting Li and Na deposition behavior and electrochemical performances. Herein, a facile and universal approach is successfully developed to fabricate ionic conductive interfaces for Li and Na metal anodes by modified atomic layer deposition (ALD). In this process, the Li metal (or Na metal) plays the role of Li (or Na) source without any additional Li (or Na) precursor during ALD. Moreover, the key questions about the influence of ALD deposition temperature on the compositions and structure of the coatings are addressed. The optimized ionic conductive coatings have significantly improved the electrochemical performances. In addition, the electrochemical phase‐field model is performed to prove that the ionic conductive coating is very effective in promoting uniform electrodeposition. This approach is universal and can be potentially applied to other different metal anodes. At the same time, it can be extended to other types of coatings or other deposition techniques.
High Moisture Stability for Enhanced Quality Perovskite Solar Cells Induced by Front and Back Layer Synergistic Passivation of Perovskite
Authors: Gong Xiaoli , Li Haimin , Liu Xingchong , Wang Hanyu , Ni Yafei , Lei Yue , Zhou Ruonan , Zou Wenjing , Tang Yanling , Liu Shuqian
Published: July 2022

Moisture stability is one of the key factors that hinders the commercialization of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, a new method of front and back layer synergistic passivation of perovskite is investigated. On the front layer, porous PbI2 nanostructures are induced by N‐tert‐butyl‐2‐benzothiazolesulfenamide (TBBS), which is added into PbI2 precursor solution and thermally decomposed to tert‐butylamine (TBA) and 2‐mercaptobenzothiazole (2‐MBT) during annealing process. TBA volatilization leaves voids to induce porous PbI2, promoting diffusion of organic salts, facilitating crystallization of perovskite. Thickness of perovskite with TBBS doping increases from 527.7 to 561.2 nm, and the champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) increases from 19.71% to 20.97%. On the back layer, hydrophobic hole transport material PTAA is introduced onto perovskite surface to fill cation vacancies. Eventually, the highest efficiency of 22.35% with outstanding moisture stability is achieved after front and back layer synergistic passivation, which can maintain 71.14% of its initial efficiency after 7 days under high relative humidity (RH = 65 ± 2%) in ambient conditions without any encapsulation, while the control one can only remain 12.38%.
COVID‐19 and future pandemics: A blockchain‐based privacy‐aware secure borderless travel solution from electronic health records
Authors: Odoom Justice , Huang Xiaofang , Danso Samuel Akwasi
Published: July 2022

COVID‐19 pandemic undoubtedly lingers on and has brought unprecedented changes globally including travel arrangements. Blockchain‐based solutions have been proposed to aid travel amid the pandemic hap. Presently, extant solutions are country or regional‐based, downplay privacy, non‐responsive, often impractical, and come with blockchain‐related complexities presenting technological hurdle for travelers. We therefore propose a solution namely, Borderless to foster global travel allowing travelers and countries collaboratively engage in a secure adaptive proof protocol dubbed Proof‐of‐COVID‐19 status a number of arbitrary statements to ascertain the fact that the traveler poses no danger irrespective of the country located. As far as we know, this is first of its kind. Borderless is implemented as a decentralized application leveraging blockchain as a trust anchor and decentralized storage technology. Security analysis and evaluation are performed proving security, privacy‐preservation, and cost‐effectiveness along with implementation envisioning it as a blueprint to facilitate cross‐border travel during the present and future pandemics. Our experimental results show it takes less than 60 and 3 s to onboard users and perform proof verification respectively attesting to real usability scenarios along with the traits of arbitrary proofs to aid responsiveness to the dynamics of pandemics and blockchain abstraction from travelers.
Characterization of Citric Acid Treated Partially Cold‐Water Swellable Sorghum and Corn Starch Extrudates; A Green Approach
Authors: Zehra Nusrat , Mohsin Ali Tahira , Mustafa Ghulam , Hasnain Abid
Published: July 2022

The present study investigates a green approach for tailoring the properties of sorghum and corn starches. Since, citric acid is a harmless chemical; therefore, starches modified via citric acid as well as extrusion can be labeled as “Green.” Citric acid modification at two different levels 20% and 40% prior to the extrusion technique influence the functional, thermal, structural, and rheological properties of starch extrudates. The swelling index is found to be lower for CA‐treated extrudates and decreases as CA level increases from 20% to 40%. Prior citric acid modification is found to lower the viscosity of the starch extrudates while increases in water retention capacity is observed. All CA‐treated extrudates show signs of more viscous behavior with Gʺ > Gʹ at lower frequency. Creep recovery curves imply that deformation of S40‐Ex (40% w/v citric acid treated sorghum starch extrudate) and C40‐Ex (40% w/v citric acid treated corn starch extrudate) gel shows the minimum value of instantaneous strain indicating their higher recoveries. The induced properties of starch extrudates after modification with citric acid urge the possible use of these extrudates as industrial cold water swell‐able instant starch in ready to eat food products.
“Genes for a role,” “genes as essences”: Secondary students' explicit and implicit intuitions about genetic essentialism and teleology
Authors: Stern Florian , Kampourakis Kostas , Müller Andreas
Published: July 2022

Biology education research has shown that deeply rooted intuitions can influence students' understanding of biological phenomena. One example is design teleology, the intuition that organisms' traits were designed to fulfill a goal. Another example is psychological essentialism, the intuition that organisms have fixed essences. Past research has found both of these intuitions to be conceptual obstacles for understanding evolution. In our study, we investigated whether conceptions stemming from these two intuitions are also expressed in the context of genetics. So, we used two tests to identify teleology and essentialism conceptions in the context of genetics: a multiple‐choice questionnaire (Genetic Essentialism and Teleology Questionnaire) and an implicit test (Genetic Essentialism and Teleology Implicit Association Test [IAT]). The development and validation process of these two tests are presented elsewhere. The present article presents the results of the administration of both tests to 332 secondary school students. It was found that: (1) those students exhibited teleology and essentialism conceptions in the context of genetics; the former, but not the latter, were less frequent the older students were; (2) teleology and essentialism conceptions were not correlated; and (3) measures from the explicit and implicit tests were not correlated with each other. Recommendations to improve teaching about genetics are made; for instance, we suggest that students' genetic essentialism conceptions could be addressed by emphasizing the existence of variation within populations and species, and the impact of mutations on phenotypic outcomes. We also recommend that teachers address design teleology and psychological essentialism conceptions independently from each other.