bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tracer Study of Graduate School Graduates of a State Higher Education Institution in the Philippines from 2016 to 2020
Authors: Cruz Jonathan L. Dela
Published: September 2022

In a highly competitive global marketplace, the academic preparation of graduates provides them with better job opportunities and a higher chance of employment. With graduate studies, one will be more qualified, eligible, and competent to face new jobs and work assignments, especially when holding managerial positions. This study generally aimed to trace the graduates of a State Higher Education Institution in the Philippines. Specifically, it determined the profile of graduates, employment status, employability characteristics, the extent of contribution and applicability of the skills gained, assessed the graduate program offerings, and recommendations to improve the services of the Graduate School. The study used a descriptive research design. The study gathered data from ninety-two graduates of the three program offerings of the Graduate School. The questionnaire was used to gather the necessary data and analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency count and percentage, mean, and rank. Based on the result, graduates have a very high employability rate. There is a very high application of the competencies gained by the graduates specifically on the enhanced academic profession to their personal and professional growth; there is a very high assessment of graduates to the graduate program they enrolled in the College. The graduates recommended the offering of more terminal programs and improvement of facilities to improve the services of the Graduate School. With these conclusions, the study recommends a periodic review of the curriculum and continuous capability building of professors to make the programs more responsive and relevant to the needs of the students and the standards and requirements of the industry.
Continuing the Debate: A Response to the Literacy Research Association’s Dyslexia Research Report
Authors: Green Elizabeth A.
Published: September 2022

The Literacy Research Association (LRA) is known for releasing research reports on essential topics in the field of literacy. An Examination of Dyslexia Research and Instruction, with Policy Implications is a recent LRA report with far-reaching impact in education and policy. The report claimed to be a summary of dyslexia research and instruction, however, much recent research on dyslexia definitions, diagnosis, interventions, neuroscience, and law was left out. This paper is a response to the LRA report with the intent to examine elements of the report that are particularly important and well explained, as well as those that are problematic.
Relationship between Critical Reading Skills and Creative Reading Perceptions of Fifth Grade Students
Authors: Ocak Gürbüz , Karslı Engin
Published: September 2022

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between critical reading skills and creative reading perceptions of fifth grade students. In the study, correlational research design was employed. The population of the study consisted of approximately 5000 fifth grade students studying at schools in the city center and at central village schools in Uşak Province, Turkey in the 2019-2020 academic year. The sample of the study consisted of 446 fifth grade students selected from this population through stratified sampling. To collect the data, the “Critical Reading Skill (CRS) Scale” and the “Perception Scale of Creative Reading” (PSCR) scale were used. In the analysis of the data, descriptive statistics, correlation, one-way and two-way analysis of variance, regression analysis and one-way multivariate analysis of variance were used. As a result of the research, it was found that there was a positive and significant relationship between the critical reading skills and creative reading perception levels of fifth grade students (r =.886, p.01). In addition, it was found that critical reading skill was a significant predictor of creative reading perception (R2=.785, p.01). It was concluded that gender groups did not significantly affect the relationship between critical reading skill level and creative reading perception level of fifth grade students while average daily TV viewing time and the number of the books read in a month variables significantly affected this relationship. In addition, it was revealed that critical reading skill scores were significant predictor of creative reading perception scores. Lastly, our results indicated that critical reading skill level and the number of the books read in a month had common effect on the creative reading perception level of the students.
A questionnaire development to assess the social representation of nurses in the Basque Country: a psychometric assessment
Authors: Tíscar-González Verónica , Iturregui-Mardaras Leire , Miranda-Bernabé Eztizen , Bermúdez-Ampudia Cristina , Cidoncha-Moreno Maria Ángeles , Ballesteros-Peña Sendoa
Published: September 2022

Background

Only a few Spanish studies have explored how nurses are seen by society and no validated tools exist for this purpose in the scientific literature.

Objectives

The aim was create and evaluate the psychometric characteristics of a questionnaire that explored the social representation of nursing in social and health care.

Methods

Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to develop the questionnaire and the first version was created based on existing studies. A three-round Delphi technique was used that involved nurses, doctors, journalists and a politician. The pilot questionnaire was then tested and retested with 23 journalism students, with an interval of 10–14 days between the two phases. After further modifications, the questionnaire was sent to all the third and fourth year journalism students at the University of the Basque Country. Principal component factor analysis was used to identify the key components for the questionnaire.

Results

A total of 141 third and fourth year journalism students took part in the study. The internal consistency of the 43-item perception section of the questionnaire had a Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.90. The 42.7% agreed or strongly agreed that nursing was an eminently scientific profession and 26.3% agreed or strongly agreed with the statement that nurses were presented in the media as health educators and disseminators. Just under a fifth (19.9%) agreed with the statement that society was aware of the competencies that nurses required.

Conclusions

The questionnaire provided the first validated tool that allowed researchers to assess how nursing, and all of its areas of professional development, were perceived by society. This could enable studies to assess the evolution of the profession over time and between different socio-cultural contexts.
Influence of planting yellowhorn (Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge) on the bacterial and fungal diversity of fly ash
Authors: Liu Zehui , Zhao Jianguo , Huo Jinxian , Ma Hongfang , Chen Zhiwen
Published: September 2022

Phytoremediation is a low-cost solution to fly ash pollution and the rhizosphere interactions between plant roots and the fly ash microbiome were important for the phytoremediation. To analyze the dynamic changes of the rhizosphere microbiome during yellowhorn cultivation in fly ash, the bacterial 16S rRNA gene V3–V4 region and the fungal ITS region of the rhizosphere microbiome were sequenced using Illumina MiSeq technology. The changes in fly ash physicochemical properties and the heavy metal content of different yellowhorn tissues were also analyzed. The results showed that both the bacterial and fungal communities were noticeably different after yellowhorn cultivation compared with the control sample. Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria levels increased (p < 0.05) and Firmicutes and Actinobacteria decreased (p < 0.05) in the bacterial community after yellowhorn cultivation. In the fungal community, Ascomycota and Mortierellomycota decreased (p < 0.05), while Chytridiomycota increased (p < 0.05). The levels of four heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Hg, Pb and As) decreased in the fly ash after yellowhorn cultivation. These metals were absorbed by the yellowhorn plants and accumulated in the fibrous root, taproot, stem and leaf tissues of these plants. Accordingly, the abundance of bacteria that could solubilize heavy metals increased (p < 0.05). In summary, the cultivation of yellowhorn affected the composition of the rhizosphere microbial communities in fly ash, which is of great significance for the biological remediation of fly ash.
Clinical tool to measure fluorescein patterns in orthokeratology
Authors: López García Rosuero Marina , Arranz Bombin Alejandro , Romero Roberto , Hornero Roberto , Martin Raul
Published: September 2022

Background

Orthokeratology (ortho-k) is an overnight clinical contact lens wear technique to correct myopia and to reduce myopia progression wearing reverse-geometry rigid gas-permeable lenses. The lens fitting procedure in clinical practice usually requires subjective assessment of fluorescein pattern (fluorescein “bull’s eye” pattern). The aim of this study was to develop a novel tool for fluorescein pattern measurements to reduce subjective practitioner dependency, especially in inexperienced practitioners, in ortho-k practice.

Methods

A new MATLAB customized algorithm to measure the horizontal width of the four main zones of ortho-k fluorescein patterns (central bearing, tear reservoir, mid-peripheral bearing and edge lift) was designed. The algorithm was tested on a small image database consisting of 26 ortho-k fluorescein pattern images of 13 volunteers fitted with reverse geometry lenses (Seefree, Conoptica-Hecht Contactlinsen). The agreement between two independent observers and the ImageJ measurements was determined.

Results

The new clinical tool provided similar measurements to ImageJ software for the central bearing (4.20 ± 0.74 and 4.27 ± 0.69 mm; P = 0.21), tear reservoir (1.69 ± 0.41 and 1.69 ± 0.45 mm; P = 0.69), mid-peripheral bearing (1.17 ± 0.11 and 1.13 ± 0.10 mm; P < 0.01) and edge lift (0.48 ± 0.06 and 0.48 ± 0.06 mm; P = 0.81) zones. Good agreement between the software (limits of agreement lower than ±0.55 mm) and inter-observer measurements (limits of agreement lower than ±0.66 mm) was found.

Conclusions

The proposed clinical tool for semiautomatic fluorescein pattern measurements in ortho-k could help to reduce practitioner dependency in fluorescein pattern assessment with future potential to introduce prediction algorithms or artificial intelligence methods in myopia control management.
Cardiac vs. Non Cardiac Chest Pain: Prospect of Different Pathological and Physiological Etiologies and Managements
Authors: Kabir Chowdhury Md. Navim
Published: September 2022

Chest pain with/without etiologies are common phenomenon in day to day life .Like indigestion, dyspepsia and heartburn, people of third world country frequently suffer from these symptoms. Though it is not uncommon, lack of precautions and awareness it would be life threatening situation unless treatment module is activated. Different medical roles along with life style modification helpful in this regard for managing chest pain with different clinical features.
Social Media and Medical Misinformation
Authors: Khullar Dhruv
Published: September 2022

This Viewpoint describes several proposals to mitigate the role of social media in medical misinformation from the ABIM Foundation’s 2022 Forum, including algorithmic adjustment, misinformation research and surveillance, and medical professional training and community engagement.
Odds of Hospitalization for COVID-19 After 3 vs 2 Doses of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine by Time Since Booster Dose
Authors: Ridgway Jessica P. , Tideman Samuel , French Thomas , Wright Bill , Parsons Guilford , Diaz George , Robicsek Ari
Published: September 2022

This study assesses the association between COVID-19 mRNA booster immunization compared with vaccination with the primary mRNA vaccination series alone and odds of hospitalization for COVID-19.
Structures of distantly related interacting protein homologs are less divergent than non‐interacting homologs
Authors: Naveenkumar Nagarajan , Prabantu Vasam Manjveekar , Vishwanath Sneha , Sowdhamini Ramanathan , Srinivasan Narayanaswamy
Published: September 2022

Homologous proteins can display high structural variation due to evolutionary divergence at low sequence identity. This classical inverse relationship between sequence identity and structural similarity, established many years ago, has remained true between homologous proteins of known structure over time. However, a large number of heteromeric proteins also exist in the structural data bank, where the interacting subunits belong to the same fold and maintain low sequence identity between themselves. It is not clear if there is any selection pressure to deviate from the inverse sequence–structure relationship for such interacting distant homologs, in comparison to pairs of homologs which are not known to interact. We examined 12,824 fold pairs of interacting homologs of known structure, which includes both heteromers and multi‐domain proteins. These were compared with monomeric proteins, resulting in 26,082 fold pairs as a dataset of non‐interacting homologous systems. Interacting homologs were found to retain higher structural similarity than non‐interacting homologs at diminishing sequence identity in a statistically significant manner. Interacting homologs are more similar in their 3D structures than non‐interacting homologs and have a preference towards symmetric association. There appears to be a structural constraint between remote homologs due to this commitment.
Precipitation Evolution in the Heat‐Affected Zone and Coating Material of AA2024 Processed by Friction Surfacing
Authors: Ehrich Jonas , Staron Peter , Karkar Ahmet , Roos Arne , Hanke Stefanie
Published: September 2022

Herein, self‐mating coating depositions are generated from Al–Cu–Mg alloy AA2024 by using the solid‐state joining method, friction surfacing (FS). The precipitation evolution in the heat‐affected zone (HAZ) of the substrate material and in the deposited coatings is analyzed using hardness mapping, temperature measurements, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) as well as synchrotron small‐angle X‐Ray scattering (SAXS) used for mapping mean particle radius and particle volume fraction over the whole sample. Quantitative measurements of the thermal cycle using thermocouples positioned inside the substrate sheets reveal a distinguishing temperature distribution and a maximum temperature up to 420 °C close to the center of the bonding zone (BZ). The hardness distribution is frequently encountered in solid‐state joining processes. It can be understood taking into account the complex modifications of the precipitate size distribution, including small Guinier–Preston–Bagaryatsky GPB (Al2CuMg)/Guinier–Preston GP(I) (Al2Cu)‐zones and larger S′ (Al2CuMg)/θ′ (Al2Cu)‐phases. Uniform precipitation of small and larger particles leads to an increase in hardness. It has become apparent that the highest hardness values within the HAZ are obtained when the volume fractions of small and larger particles are increased and equally distributed.
High Current‐Density‐Charging Lithium Metal Batteries Enabled by Double‐Layer Protected Lithium Metal Anode
Authors: Kim Ju‐Myung , Engelhard Mark H. , Lu Bingyu , Xu Yaobin , Tan Sha , Matthews Bethany E. , Tripathi Shalini , Cao Xia , Niu Chaojiang , Hu Enyuan , Bak Seong‐Min , Wang Chongmin , Meng Ying Shirley , Zhang Ji‐Guang , Xu Wu
Published: September 2022

The practical application of lithium (Li) metal anode (LMA) is still hindered by non‐uniformity of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), formation of “dead” Li, and continuous consumption of electrolyte although LMA has an ultrahigh theoretical specific capacity and a very low electrochemical redox potential. Herein, a facile protection strategy is reported for LMA using a double layer (DL) coating that consists of a polyethylene oxide (PEO)‐based bottom layer that is highly stable with LMA and promotes uniform ion flux, and a cross‐linked polymer‐based top layer that prevents solvation of PEO layer in electrolytes. Li deposited on DL‐coated Li (DL@Li) exhibits a smoother surface and much larger size than that deposited on bare Li. The LiF/Li2O enriched SEI layer generated by the salt decomposition on top of DL@Li further suppresses the side reactions between Li and electrolyte. Driven by the abovementioned advantageous features, the DL@Li||LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2 cells demonstrate capacity retention of 92.4% after 220 cycles at a current density of 2.1 mA cm–2 (C/2 rate) and stability at a high charging current density of 6.9 mA cm–2 (1.5 C rate). These results indicate that the DL protection is promising to overcome the rate limitation of LMAs and high energy‐density Li metal batteries.
Enzymatic Nanosphere‐to‐Nanofiber Transition and Autophagy Inducer Release Promote Tumor Chemotherapy
Authors: Cheng Xiaotong , Xia Tiantian , Zhan Wenjun , Xu Hai‐Dong , Jiang Jiaoming , Liu Xiaoyang , Sun Xianbao , Wu Fu‐Gen , Liang Gaolin
Published: September 2022

Chemotherapy has remained an effective and predominant cancer treatment for the past decades, but is hampered by its low response rate and severe systemic toxicity. Combination chemotherapies are proposed to address these issues, yet their therapeutic outcomes are still far from satisfactory. Thus, it is urgent to develop novel strategies to promote tumor chemosensitivity while reducing toxic side effects of chemotherapeutics. Herein, employing a rationally designed peptide conjugate Nap‐Phe‐Phe‐Lys(SA‐AZD8055)‐Tyr(H2PO3)‐OH (Nap‐AZD‐Yp), a novel approach of simultaneous intracellular nanofiber formation and autophagy inducer release is proposed for selectively sensitizing tumor to chemotherapy. Upon sequential catalyses of alkaline phosphatase and carboxylesterase, Nap‐AZD‐Yp undergoes nanosphere‐to‐nanofiber transition accompanied by autophagy inducer AZD8055 release in cancer cells. Cell experiments show enhanced endocytosis of anticancer drug doxorubicin and inhibition of cell migration due to the intracellular nanofiber formation. The released AZD8055 further activates excessive autophagy of cancer cells, sensitizing them to chemotherapy. Animal experiment results suggest Nap‐AZD‐Yp can significantly enhance the therapeutic effects of doxorubicin on tumors while mitigate its toxic adverse effects on normal tissues. It is anticipated that the “smart” concept in this work c be widely employed to develop novel combinational therapies for the treatment of cancers and other diseases in near future.
Highly Transparent Conjugated Polymer as the Counter Electrode in Electrochromic Smart Windows
Authors: Yu Lirong , Xing Xing , Fang Daqi , Meng Hong
Published: September 2022

A highly transmissive counter electrode material (CEM) at both neutral and doped states in the visible range is essential for the optical performance of electrochromic devices (ECDs), but is rarely reported due to the challenge in molecular design. Herein a novel conjugated polymer HTCP is reported, which exhibits a wide bandgap (3.02 eV) and a strong absorption at 300 nm in its neutral state. Upon oxidation, the absorption spectrum is substantially red‐shifted, peaking at 900 nm. Thus HTCP can keep high transparency throughout the whole visible range at both states, making it particularly well‐suited as the CEM in ECDs, which is demonstrated by the excellent optoelectronic performance of a smart window‐type ECD in this work. Furthermore, the geometric and electronic configuration study of its building block reveals that HTCP evolves from a closed‐shell butterfly‐like folded structure into a twisted geometry featuring a quinoidal open‐shell character after oxidation, explaining the nature of its unique optical properties. This work provides new insights and explicit instructions for the structural design of conjugated polymer‐based CEMs. In addition, it offers a clear scenario for the application of open‐shell materials in optoelectronics, not only limited to the chemical fundamental studies.
Dynamic Phase‐Change Metawaveplates for Advanced Wavefront Shaping
Authors: Cai Ziru , Ding Yingtao , Chen Zhiming , Zheng Ziwei , Ding Fei
Published: September 2022

Metasurfaces have recently gained increasing attention and shown great potential in replacing bulk optics with ultracompact flat metadevices, owing to their unprecedented capabilities of molding optical fields with surface‐confined configurations and exceedingly low losses. However, most existing metasurfaces are typically passive and feature well‐defined responses determined by material compositions and configurations, which severely limit the functionalities in intelligent and adaptive nanophotonics. Therefore, it is highly desired to realize active metasurfaces with dynamic modulation postfabrication. Herein, a highly efficient tunable metawaveplate at the telecom wavelength of 1.55 μm by structuring the phase‐change alloy Sb2Se3 is designed, which can switch from a half‐waveplate to a quarter‐waveplate once Sb2Se3 transits from the amorphous to the crystalline state. Capitalizing on the designed Sb2Se3 meta‐atom and the Pancharatnam–Berry phase, two switchable meta‐devices capable of actively shaping the wavefronts of the transmitted waves are proposed, including tunable beam steering and metalens with tailored focal intensity. The presented tunable metasurfaces can open new avenues for adaptive photonics with advanced functionalities.
Neuropathological correlates of neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia
Authors: Gibson Lucy L. , Grinberg Lea T. , ffytche Dominic , Leite Renata E. P. , Rodriguez Roberta D. , Ferretti‐Rebustini Renata E. L. , Pasqualucci Carlos A. , Nitrini Ricardo , Jacob‐Filho Wilson , Aarsland Dag , Suemoto Claudia K.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) are common in Lewy body disease (LBD), but their etiology is poorly understood.

Methods

In a population‐based post mortem study neuropathological data was collected for Lewy body (LB) neuropathology, neurofibrillary tangles (NFT), amyloid beta burden, TDP‐43, lacunar infarcts, cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), and hyaline atherosclerosis. Post mortem interviews collected systematic information regarding NPS and cognitive status. A total of 1038 cases were included: no pathology (NP; n = 761), Alzheimer's disease (AD; n = 189), LBD (n = 60), and AD+LBD (n = 28).

Results

Hallucinations were associated with higher LB Braak stages, while higher NFT Braak staging was associated with depression, agitation, and greater number of symptoms in the Neuropsychiatric Inventory. Cases with dual AD+LBD pathology had the highest risk of hallucinations, agitation, apathy, and total symptoms but a multiplicative interaction between these pathologies was not significant.

Discussion

LB and AD pathology contribute differentially to NPS likely with an additive process contributing to the increased burden of NPS.
Association of liver fibrosis with cognitive test performance and brain imaging parameters in the UK Biobank study
Authors: Parikh Neal S. , Kamel Hooman , Zhang Cenai , Gupta Ajay , Cohen David E. , de Leon Mony J. , Gottesman Rebecca F. , Iadecola Costantino
Published: September 2022

Introduction

We hypothesized that liver fibrosis is associated with worse cognitive performance and corresponding brain imaging changes.

Methods

We examined the association of liver fibrosis with cognition and brain imaging parameters in the UK Biobank study. Liver fibrosis was assessed using the Fibrosis‐4 (FIB‐4) score. The primary cognitive outcome was the digit symbol substitution test (DSST); secondary outcomes were additional executive function/processing speed and memory tests. Imaging outcomes were hippocampal, total brain, and white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volumes.

Results

We included 105,313 participants with cognitive test data, and 41,982 with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In adjusted models, liver fibrosis was associated with worse performance on the DSST and tests of executive function but not memory. Liver fibrosis was associated with lower hippocampal and total brain volumes, without compelling association with WMH volume.

Discussion

Liver fibrosis is associated with worse performance on select cognitive tests and lower hippocampal and total brain volumes.

Highlights

It is increasingly recognized that chronic liver conditions impact brain health.

We performed an analysis of data from the UK Biobank prospective cohort study.

Liver fibrosis was associated with worse performance on executive function tests.

Liver fibrosis was not associated with memory impairment.

Liver fibrosis was associated with lower hippocampal and total brain volumes.
Regulation of innate immune responses by rabies virus
Authors: Zhang Haili , Huang Jingbo , Song Yumeng , Liu Xingqi , Qian Meichen , Huang Pei , Li Yuanyuan , Zhao Ling , Wang Hualei
Published: September 2022

Rabies virus (RABV) is an infectious and neurotropic pathogen that causes rabies and infects humans and almost all warm‐blooded animals, posing a great threat to people and public safety. It is well known that innate immunity is the critical first line of host defense against viral infection. It monitors the invading pathogens by recognizing the pathogen‐associated molecular patterns and danger‐associated molecular patterns through pattern‐recognition receptors, leading to the production of type I interferons (IFNα/β), inflammatory cytokines, and chemokines, or the activation of autophagy or apoptosis to inhibit virus replication. In the case of RABV, the innate immune response is usually triggered when the skin or muscle is bitten or scratched. However, RABV has evolved many ways to escape or even hijack innate immune response to complete its own replication and eventually invades the central nervous system (CNS). Once RABV reaches the CNS, it cannot be wiped out by the immune system or any drugs. Therefore, a better understanding of the interplay between RABV and innate immunity is necessary to develop effective strategies to combat its infection. Here, we review the innate immune responses induced by RABV and illustrate the antagonism mechanisms of RABV to provide new insights for the control of rabies.
Monte Carlo Simulation‐Guided Design of a Thorium‐Based Metal–Organic Framework for Efficient Radiotherapy‐Radiodynamic Therapy
Authors: Xu Ziwan , Luo Taokun , Mao Jianming , McCleary Caroline , Yuan Eric , Lin Wenbin
Published: September 2022

High‐Z metal‐based nanoscale metal–organic frameworks (nMOFs) with photosensitizing ligands can enhance radiation damage to tumors via a unique radiotherapy‐radiodynamic therapy (RT‐RDT) process. Here we report Monte Carlo (MC) simulation‐guided design of a Th‐based nMOF built from Th6‐oxo secondary building units and 5,15‐di(p‐benzoato)porphyrin (DBP) ligands, Th‐DBP, for enhanced RT‐RDT. MC simulations revealed that the Th‐lattice outperformed the Hf‐lattice in radiation dose enhancement owing to its higher mass attenuation coefficient. Upon X‐ray or γ‐ray radiation, Th‐DBP enhanced energy deposition, generated more reactive oxygen species, and induced significantly higher cytotoxicity to cancer cells over the previously reported Hf‐DBP nMOF. With low‐dose X‐ray irradiation, Th‐DBP suppressed tumor growth by 88 % in a colon cancer and 97 % in a pancreatic cancer mouse model.
Removal of organic solvents from contaminated water surface through a fatty acid grafted polyvinyl alcohol based organogel
Authors: Baruah Kankana , Ahmed Asfi , Dutta Riku , Ahmed Shahnaz , Lahkar Suman , Dolui Swapan Kumar
Published: September 2022

Toxic organic solvents are constantly being cast out causing serious issues to the environment. In this work, a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)‐based organogel has been prepared by modification with a long‐chain fatty acid via condensation method without the use of any cross‐linker. Organogel or the semi‐solid material has been used as a sorbent for solvent absorption from the polluted water surface. The prepared organogel was characterized by Fourier Transform‐Infrared Spectroscopy, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Wide‐Angle X‐Ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, Thermogravimetric Analysis while contact angle measurements were also performed. The gel was used as a sorbent for the absorption of organic solvents. The swelling ratio was examined and exhibited absorption performance of 534% with reusable and retention properties. Experiments were performed to find the maximum absorption capacity at 875.5 (g/g), establishing kinetics of second order reaction. The gel can be extracted by scooping after absorption. Thus, making it an effective and ideal material for the removal of a wide array of organic solvents.
Cover picture: Production of mesoporous carbon nitrides and their photocatalytic properties for degradation of organic pollutants (BKCS 09/2022)
Authors: Lee Suyeon , Shin Eun Young , Jang Dawoon , Choi Seungjoo , Park Hyeju , Kim Jeongho , Park Sungjin
Published: September 2022

Mesoporous C3N4 materials were produced through the self‐assembly of melamine and cyanuric acid. The materials showed excellent performance for degrading organic pollutants, rhodamine B, under the irradiation of visible light. Various study revealed that high surface areas, good adsorption ability of visible light, and long lifetimes of the photoexcited electrons would be origins for the photocatalytic superiority. More information can be found in the article by S. Park et al.

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Total Bioactive Contents, Metabolic Profiling, Docking Studies, Antioxidant and Enzyme Inhibition Activities of Convolvulus Arvensis L. and Multivariate Analysis to Unravel a Potential Herb as Natural Resource for Pharmaceutical Industry
Authors: Imran Tousif Muhammad , Nazir Mamona , Saleem Muhammad , Tauseef Saba , Uddin Reaz , Zengin Gokhan , Fawzi Mahomoodally Mohamad , Abbas Zaheer
Published: September 2022

Convolvulus arvensis L. is an evergreen herb growing in various regions of Pakistan. Despite of several medicinal properties associated to this herb, it was not investigated scientifically for its bioactive compounds and detailed pharmaceutical properties. Therefore, its methanolic extract was divided into hexane (CA−H), chloroform (CA−C), ethyl acetate (CA−E) and butanol (CA−B) soluble fractions. CA−H and CA−C were found rich in phenolics (30.73±0.63 and 20.15±0.59 mg GAE/g of the extract, respectively), and the same fractions exhibited significant antioxidant activities (DPPH: 5.23±0.11 & 12.34±0.17 mg TE/g extract, respectively; ABTS: 36.82±0.04 & 56.74±0.61 mg TE/g extract, respectively). Also in CUPRAC activity assay, CA−H and CA−C exhibited highest activities as 87.30±0.46 and 56.74±0.61 mg TE/g extract, respectively, while CA−C was most active in FRAP activity assay with value of 40.21±2.19 mg TE/g extract. Total antioxidant capacity (1.23±0.033 mmol TE/g extract) was also found higher for CA−C, while CA−H activity was also comparable, however, CA−H showed higher metal chelating activity (22.74±0.001 mg EDTAE/g extract) than that of CA−C (17.55±0.22 mg EDTAE/g extract). These activities clearly revealed a direct relation between antioxidant potential and phenolic contents of CA−H and CA−C. In AChE and BChE inhibitory assay, CA−H and CA−E showed better inhibition (AChE: 8.24±0.77 & 4.46±0.007 mg GALAE/g extract; BChE: 5.40±0.02 & 1.92±0.24 mg GALAE/g extract) as compared to other fractions, whereas, against tyrosinase, CA−B was most active (37.35±0.53 mg KAE/g extract). CA−H and CA−C also showed higher inhibitory potential (0.98±0.08 & 0.58±0.01 mmol ACAE/g extract) against α‐Amylase; while against α‐Glucosidase, CA−E was the most active fraction. UHPLC/MS analysis of the methanolic extract of C. arvensis disclosed the presence of 62 compounds as sterols, triterpenes, flavonoids, fatty acids, alkaloids and coumarins. In Multivariate Analysis, the total phenolic contents were correlated strongly with all antioxidant assays except FRAP and DPPH. Regarding enzyme inhibitory properties, only AChE, BChE and α‐amylase were correlated with the total phenolic contents in the extracts. Docking analyses confirmed these findings, as identified compounds had high binding free energy and inhibition constants with the enzymes studied. It was finally concluded that C. arvensis is a potential industrial crop, which can be a component of nutraceuticals and functional foods, if evaluated for its toxicity.
Identification of Antifungal Compounds from Avocado Rhizobacteria (Bacillus spp.) against Fusarium spp., by a Bioassay‐Guided Fractionation Approach
Authors: Guevara‐Avendaño Edgar , Lizette Pérez‐Molina Mayra , Luis Monribot‐Villanueva Juan , Marian Cortazar‐Murillo Elvis , Ramírez‐Vázquez Mónica , Reverchon Frédérique , Antonio Guerrero‐Analco José
Published: September 2022

Antimicrobial compounds produced by bacteria have been increasingly acknowledged as an important resource for the control of phytopathogens. We used a bioassay‐guided fractionation approach to identify antifungal metabolites produced by two avocado rhizobacteria (INECOL‐4742 and INECOL‐5927), both members of the Bacillus subtilis/B. amyloliquefaciens species complex, against Fusarium solani and F. kuroshium, causal agent of Fusarium dieback in avocado and other hosts. The butanol (BuOH) organic extract from INECOL‐4742 (B1‐Bu) exhibited the highest percentage of inhibition (PI) against F. solani (78.76 %), also inhibiting F. kuroshium by up to 44.30 %. Primary fractions, Bu‐F3, Bu‐F12 and Bu‐F15, obtained by silica gel open column chromatography, exhibited the highest PI against F. solani (28.57 % to 33.50 %) and F. kuroshium (38.78 % to 45.00 %). The presence of cyclic lipopeptides from the iturin, surfactin and fengycin families in B1‐Bu extracts and primary fractions was determined by UPLC‐ESI‐HRMS. The Confocal Laser Microscopy analysis revealed deformations in the hyphae of F. kuroshium exposed to extracts, primary fractions and C‐13 surfactin chemical standard. These results emphasize the potential of natural products from Bacillus for the control of the emerging phytopathogenic fungus F. kuroshium.
Natural Products‐Based Fungicides: Synthesis and Antifungal Activity against Plant Pathogens of 2H‐Chromene Derivatives
Authors: Liu Wenjing , Li Yong , Fan Judi , Tang Lei , Guo Bing , Xue Wei , Fan Lingling
Published: September 2022

Aiming to search for novel potential antifungal agents, forty 2H‐chromene analogs were designed, synthesized and their antifungal activity against some typical plant pathogenic fungi were firstly evaluated. The in vitro antifungal bioassays showed that some of the target compounds exhibited comparable or better inhibition activities than the commercial agricultural fungicide hymexazol. Especially compound 1m displayed more promising fungicidal effect against Alternaria alternate (EC50=9.9 μg/mL) and Botrytis cinerea (EC50=9.4 μg/mL), which was significantly superior to hymexazol. Moreover, in vivo protective effects results also indicated that compound 1m had an excellent potential for further development as a new botanical pesticide.
An Organic Chemist's Guide to Mediated Laccase Oxidation
Authors: Obleser Katharina , Kalaus Hubert , Seidl Bernhard , Kozich Martin , Stanetty Christian , Mihovilovic Marko D.
Published: September 2022

Laccases are oxidases that only require O2 as a terminal oxidant. Thus, they provide an attractive green alternative to established alcohol oxidation protocols. However, laccases typically require catalytic amounts of mediator molecules to serve as electron shuttles between the enzyme and desired substrate. Consequently, laccase‐mediator systems are defined by a multitude of parameters such as, e. g., the choice of laccase and mediator, the respective concentrations, pH, and the oxygen source. This complexity and a perceived lack of comparable data throughout literature represent an entry burden into this field. To provide a solid starting point, particularly for organic chemists, we herein provide a time‐resolved, quantitative laccase and mediator screening based on the oxidation of anis alcohol as model reaction. We measured the redox potentials of mediators under the reaction conditions to relate them to their performance. Lastly, for particularly efficient laccase‐mediator pairs, we screened important reaction parameters, resulting in an optimized setup for mediator‐assisted laccase catalyzed oxidations.
Self‐Repairable and Flexible Polymer Network Electrolyte with Enhanced Lithium‐Ion Conduction for Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Song Yaduo , Jiang Yanxin , Deng Longjiang , Yang Guang
Published: September 2022

Developing high‐performance functional polymer‐based electrolytes is important for realizing next generation safe lithium metal batteries. In this study, a new type of quasi‐solid polymer network electrolyte (SIPH‐x‐y%) was prepared by combining synthesized polymer network (SIPH) containing urethane bond linked ionic liquids (ILs), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and disulfide bond moieties, lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide salt (LiTFSI), and glyme type additive. It was found that SIPH‐20‐40% was mechanically flexible, self‐healable, and showed high ionic conductivity of 2.67×10−4 S cm−1. Also, SIPH‐20‐40% possesses a high lithium ion transference number of 0.43 and good electrochemical stability. These properties enabled the SIPH‐20‐40% electrolyte membrane to support Li/Li symmetrical cell to cycle stably during long term Li plating and stripping. The Li/SIPH‐20‐40%/LFP showed high delivered specific capacity and good stability (166.1 mAh g−1 after 106 cycles at 0.2 C). Such glyme doped polymer network electrolyte provides new experimental findings for developing polymer‐based electrolyte with excellent mechanical integrity and battery related properties.
Color appearance of color chips under light‐emitting diodes lamps part II: Hue shift direction
Authors: Chitapanya Phubet , Phuangsuwan Chanprapha , Ikeda Mitsuo
Published: September 2022

Our previous experiment showed that the color appearance of color chips changes depending on the color of illumination. In this article, we continued to analyze the previous data of 23 color chips under six vivid colored illuminations (red, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and magenta) that were assessed by 100 subjects. We found that there were usually two directions of shifted color under vivid illumination. For example, color chips would change to either a dark blue or orange direction under vivid red illumination depending on the color of the color chips. We also found that there is a similar mechanism behind the chromatic adaptation in relation to the complementary color.
High‐Performance Organic Field‐effect Transistors from Functionalized Zinc Meso‐Porphyrins
Authors: Kurlekar Komal , Anjali Anshika , Imran Predhanekar Mohamed , Nagarajan Samuthira
Published: September 2022

A series of new zinc porphyrins were synthesized, and their charge transport property was tuned by introducing various groups. Triarylamine was introduced to the porphyrin moiety at the meso‐position as an electron donor, enhancing the charge carrier mobility. All the synthesized zinc porphyrins are thermally stable with a decomposition temperature over 178 °C. High frontier molecular orbitals levels of these compounds make them stable donor materials. SEM analysis of zinc porphyrins fabricated by spin‐coating resulted in diversely self‐assembled films. Field‐effect transistors were fabricated using bottom‐gate/top‐contact architecture (BGTC) by solution‐processable technique. The higher charge carrier mobility of 5.17 cm2/Vs with on/off of 106 was obtained for trifluoromethyl substituted compound due to better molecular packing. In addition, GIXRD analysis revealed zinc porphyrins films crystalline nature, which supports its better charge carrier mobility. The present investigation has validated that zinc porphyrin building blocks are an attractive candidate for p‐channel OFET devices.
Estimating the Gibbs Hydration Energies of Actinium and Trans‐Plutonium Actinides
Authors: Friedman Ran
Published: September 2022

The use of actinides for medical, scientific and technological purposes has gained momentum in the recent years. This creates a need to understand their interactions with biomolecules, both at the interface and as they become complexed. Calculation of the Gibbs binding energies of the ions to biomolecules, i. e., the Gibbs energy change associated with a transfer of an ion from the water phase to its binding site, could help to understand the actinides’ toxicities and to design agents that bind them with high affinities. To this end, there is a need to obtain accurate reference values for actinide hydration, that for most actinides are not available from experiment. In this study, a set of ionic radii is developed that enables future calculations of binding energies for Pu3+ and five actinides with renewed scientific and technological interest: Ac3+, Am3+, Cm3+, Bk3+ and Cf3+. Reference hydration energies were calculated using quantum chemistry and ion solvation theory and agree well for all ions except Ac3+, where ion solvation theory seems to underestimate the magnitude of the Gibbs hydration energy. The set of radii and reference energies that are presented here provide means to calculate binding energies for actinides and biomolecules.
Retrospective study in U.S. commercial sorghum breeding: II. Physiological changes associated to yield gain
Authors: Demarco Paula A. , Mayor Laura , Rotundo José L. , Prasad P. V. Vara , Morris Geoffrey P. , Fernandez Javier A. , Tamagno Santiago , Hammer Graeme , Messina Carlos D. , Ciampitti Ignacio A.
Published: September 2022

Understanding physiological changes in response to long‐term selection for yield can inform breeding decisions and hasten genetic gain. The objective of this study was to characterize changes over time in yield‐relevant physiological traits for hybrids with different years of release for grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench). Field trials were conducted during the 2018 and 2019 seasons in 8 site‐years across the states of Kansas and Texas including 20 commercially available grain sorghum hybrids released by Pioneer between 1963 and 2017. Detailed yield‐related physiological traits were determined in 2 site‐years including grain yield and its components, grain filling, plant biomass, panicle length, and water‐soluble carbohydrates (WSC) during the reproductive period. Consistent with estimates using historical yield data, sorghum yield improvement was 27 kg ha−1 yr−1. For the 2 site‐years with detailed yield‐related physiological traits, no changes in final grain weight, grain‐filling duration, and rate over time were documented. In contrast, grain number increased at a rate of 100 grains m−2 yr−1. Modern hybrids had larger panicle size and showed greater accumulation of WSC during vegetative period (as measured at the start of flowering) and greater remobilization of WSC during the reproductive period (after flowering) to grain, thus, maintaining grain size on the increased grain number per unit area and harvest index. These findings suggest that WSC dynamics play a critical role on past genetic yield gain in sorghum and its potential for future improvements should be considered.
PARK7 deficiency inhibits fatty acid β‐oxidation via PTEN to delay liver regeneration after hepatectomy
Authors: Qu Xiaoye , Wen Yankai , Jiao Junzhe , Zhao Jie , Sun Xuehua , Wang Fang , Gao Yueqiu , Tan Weifeng , Xia Qiang , Wu Hailong , Kong Xiaoni
Published: September 2022

Background & aims

Transient regeneration–associated steatosis (TRAS) is a process of temporary hepatic lipid accumulation and is essential for liver regeneration by providing energy generated from fatty acid β‐oxidation, but the regulatory mechanism underlying TRAS remains unknown. Parkinsonism‐associated deglycase (Park7)/Dj1 is an important regulator involved in various liver diseases. In nonalcoholic fatty liver diseased mice, induced by a high‐fat diet, Park7 deficiency improves hepatic steatosis, but its role in liver regeneration remains unknown

Methods

Park7 knockout (Park7−/−), hepatocyte‐specific Park7 knockout (Park7△hep) and hepatocyte‐specific Park7‐Pten double knockout mice were subjected to 2/3 partial hepatectomy (PHx)

Results

Increased PARK7 expression was observed in the regenerating liver of mice at 36 and 48 h after PHx. Park7−/− and Park7△hep mice showed delayed liver regeneration and enhanced TRAS after PHx. PPARa, a key regulator of β‐oxidation, and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1a (CPT1a), a rate‐limiting enzyme of β‐oxidation, had substantially decreased expression in the regenerating liver of Park7△hep mice. Increased phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) expression was observed in the liver of Park7△hep mice, which might contribute to delayed liver regeneration in these mice because genomic depletion or pharmacological inhibition of PTEN restored the delayed liver regeneration by reversing the downregulation of PPARa and CPT1a and in turn accelerating the utilization of TRAS in the regenerating liver of Park7△hep mice

Conclusion

Park7/Dj1 is a novel regulator of PTEN‐dependent fatty acid β‐oxidation, and increasing Park7 expression might be a promising strategy to promote liver regeneration.
Unravelling the paradox of reverse chronology in follicular vitiligo
Authors: Mehta Nikhil , Abdallah Marwa , Gupta Somesh
Published: September 2022

Follicular vitiligo is a recently proposed variant of vitiligo, characterized by a primary or predominant depigmentation of hair follicles with no to limited involvement of the interfollicular skin in a nonsegmental distribution, in contrast to vitiligo vulgaris where the opposite predominance and sequence of progression is seen. It is difficult to recognize follicular vitiligo when it presents as isolated leukotrichia without interfollicular skin depigmentation, and the diagnosis is often made in hindsight after the interfollicular skin becomes involved. In follicular vitiligo, the immune response is primarily directed towards hair follicle melanocytes, in contrast to vitiligo vulgaris, in which antigenically distinct melanocytes of the interfollicular skin are targeted. Rapid graying of hair, frequent involvement of the terminal hair of the scalp, eyelashes, and beard, proposed autoimmune response against hair follicle melanocytes, and a proposed loss of immune tolerance of hair follicle melanocytes are the features shared by follicular vitiligo and alopecia areata. Targeted agents such as JAK–STAT pathway inhibitors which have been shown to work in both alopecia areata and vitiligo vulgaris can be useful in the progressive stage of follicular vitiligo.
Base‐Free Alkoxide Dysprosium(III) Complexes with an Unusual Tetraphenylborate Coordination: Study of the Slow Relaxation of the Magnetization
Authors: Long Jérôme , Selikhov Alexander N. , Cherkasov Anton V. , Nelyubina Yulia V. , Salles Fabrice , Guari Yannick , Larionova Joulia , Trifonov Alexander A.
Published: September 2022

We report the synthesis and structures of two base‐free alkoxide dysprosium(III) complexes of formula [Dy(L1)2(μ‐η6:η1‐Ph)2BPh2] ⋅ CH2Cl2 (1) and [Dy(L2)2(μ‐η6:η1‐Ph)2BPh2] ⋅ 3(C7H8) (2) featuring a tetraphenylborate binding (L1=2,6‐dibenzhydryl‐4‐(tert‐butyl)phenolate, L2=tri(naphtalen‐1‐yl)methanolate). Investigations of the magnetic properties for 1 in line with theoretical calculations reveal the occurrence of a field‐induced slow relaxation of the magnetization.