bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fish Diversity and Abundance Using Statistical Modelling in Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands (HNWs), Nigeria: An Adaptive Environmental Assessment
Authors: Gambo Jibrin , Yusuf Yusuf Ahmed , Abubakar Ahmed , Abba Nafi’u Musa
Published: October 2020

Fisheries and aquaculture plays a significant role in the Nigerian economy by providing employment, diversifying livelihoods, providing animal nutrition, and earning returns on foreign exchange. Fish is an important economic factor for many nations, as serves as a staple diet in many countries. As evident, in many developed nations, fishing is a crucial source of livelihood, particularly for low-income families in rural areas, where it offer local jobs in many communities and is a key source of food for millions. Over the past few decades, fish populations have deteriorated dramatically, and species at risk have experienced growing environmental challenges. Dams, overfishing, pollution, erosion, soil loss and other human activities are main threats to fisheries ecology. The presents study aimed to analyze the decline in diversity of the fish, adaptive management of artisanal fishermen in the wetlands of Hadejia-Nguru, Guri local government area of Jigawa State and to explore the correlation of environmental factors for the decline in fish diversity. In this study the data were collected through questionnaire interview (QI), focus group conversation (FGD), and field data collection (FDC), and the test objectives were accomplished via the analysis workflow. Geostatistical software was used to analyze the information obtained from QI, FGD and other sources while other auxiliary data and field data were collected using GPS receiver. The research findings can be considered as a tools for decision-making, policy-making, management plan development, fish conservation strategies plan and ultimately help to achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1, 2, 8, 14 and 15 of the 2030 agenda.
Bigger Males, Bigger Females? Pigeons’ Sexual Size Dimorphism
Authors: Casanova P. M. Parés- , Kabir A.
Published: October 2020

Sexual dimorphism, defined as phenotypic differences between males and females, is a common phenomenon in animals. In this line, Rensch’s rule states that sexual size dimorphism increases with increasing body size when the male is the larger sex and decreases with increasing average body size when the female is the larger sex. Domesticated animals offer excellent opportunities for testing predictions of functional explanations of Rensch’s theory. Pigeon breeds encounters many different functional purposes and selective constraints, which could influence strongly their morphology. The aim of this paper is to examine, for first time, Rensch’s rule among domestic pigeons. It was compiled a database of 12 quantitative traits (body weight, body height, beak thickness, beak length, neck length, neck thickness, wing length, rump width, tail length, tarsus length, tarsus thickness and middle toe length) for males and females of 11 different domestic pigeon breeds: Bangladesh Indigenous, Racing Homer, Turkish Tumbler, Indian Lotan, Kokah, Mookee, Indian Fantail, Bokhara Trumpeter, Bombai, Lahore and Hungarian Giant House; Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) was also considered as wild relative for comparative purposes. Comparative results between males and females showed that only body weight, wing length and neck thickness were consistent with Rensch’s rule. The rest of trait did not present correlations. Among domestic pigeons, there can appear different expressions of dimorphism according to each trait, so it must be considered that Rensch’s rule vary when considering other traits than body weight.
Character Association among Yield and Quality Traits in Early Maturing Sugarcane Clones
Authors: Reddy G. Eswara , Rakesh G. , Naik P. Jalender , Swapna N. , Swathi Y. , Bharathi Y. , Kumar M. Vijay , Venkataiah M.
Published: October 2020

Eleven early maturing sugarcane clones were planted in Randomized Block Design for this study. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationships among the yield and quality parameters with cane yield and sugar yield in sugarcane, in order to provide information to help breeders in adopting traits for developing high yield and quality varieties. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences among genotypes for eleven yield and quality characters. Highest cane yield (176.66 t/ha) was recorded in clone 2015R10 and highest Commercial Cane Sugar (CCS) % (14.16) were observed in Co C 671. Correlation coefficient results indicated that cane yield was positively correlated with germination (0.166), number of millable canes (0.210), cane length (0.650), cane girth (0.610), single cane weight (0.880), CCS yield (0.518) whereas Brix% (-0.838), Sucrose% (-0.821), Purity % (-0.720) and CCS % (-0.812) showed negative correlation with cane yield. Sugar yield per hectare is positively correlated with purity% (0.187), cane length (0.413), cane girth (0.503), single cane weight (0.515) and cane yield (0.518). Results indicate that the genotypes should be selected on the basis of cane length, cane girth and single cane weight for getting higher sugarcane yield.
Effects of Combination Therapy of Methotrexate with Leflunomide & Hydroxychloroquine: Comparative Clinical Trial
Authors: Bukhari Qurrat-ul-Ain , Ismail Kauser , Dar Muzna Hameed , Abbas Afshan , Ata Madiha
Published: October 2020

Aims: To study the role of combination therapies in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Study Design:  This an open-label, randomized 180-days clinical trial.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, BMSI and Medical unit ward 6, after approval of JPMC ethical committee, between March 2013 and May 2014.

Methodology: We included 90 patients (69 women, 21 men; age range 28-62 years) which were divided into two groups, A and B. 44 patients of group A received methotrexate (MTX) 7.5-20 mg/ week orally and Leflunomide (LEF) 10-20 mg/ day QD orally as maximally tolerated. 46 patients of group B were given MTX 7.5-20 mg/ week orally and Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) 200 mg twice daily orally as maximally tolerated.

Results: Comparing the combination of group A with group B, group A showed highly significant improvement in mean patient’s global assessment (1.4 ± 0.66) and mean pain (1.3 ± 1.11) as compared to group B (2.4 ± 1.14, 2.2 ± 1.49). The drugs of group B showed significant improvement in mean physician’s global assessment (1.7 ± 0.92) and mean morning stiffness (49.2 ± 10.59) as compared to group A (2.8 ± 0.97, 54.4 ± 10.14). Combination treatment of group B showed significantly lower adverse effects (4.3%) as compared to group A (11.4%). Statistical analysis revealed that patients receiving both the combinations responded equally in terms of effects but group B showed significantly better in terms of adverse effects.

Conclusion: Both combinations of MTX & LEF and MTX & HCQ were well tolerated but the efficacy of MTX and HCQ was significantly superior in terms of adverse effects to the combination of MTX and LEF.
Walking at work: Maximum gait speed is related to work ability in hospital nursing staff
Authors: Aldridge Chad , Tringali Victor , Rhodes Robert , Kershisnik Kohl , Creditt Debra , Gonzalez-Mejia Jorge , Lugo-Vargas Jose , Eby Jean
Published: October 2020

Objectives

Like the concept of work ability in occupational health, gait speed is a measure of general fitness and can predict functional decline and morbidity. This is especially important when our care-takers, i.e. nurses, show decline in fitness and become care-receivers. The study aims to describe the demographics of hospital nurses in the context of gait speed and work ability as well as to determine the association between them.

Methods

Three-hundred and twelve inpatient nurses and nursing assistants were sampled from a level 1 trauma and teaching hospital from several service lines and acuity levels. Spearman correlation tests were utilized to determine the relationship of gait speed and ratings of item 1 on the Work Ability Index (WAI) as well as Cochran-Armitage test for linear trend of gait speed.

Results

Maximum gait speed has a significant positive association with work ability with a Rho coefficient of 0.217 (P < .0001). Additionally, the linear trend test of gait speed tertiles was significant (P < .001) for work ability categories of Moderate to Poor (0-7) and Good to Excellent (8-10).

Conclusions

Gait speed is correlated with the item 1 self-rating of the WAI in hospital nursing staff. The 10-m walk test is a practical and easy measure that can be utilized in occupational health. More research is required to validate gait speed in other occupational health populations and investigate gait speed changes and its interaction with the work environment longitudinally.
Improvement of Functioning and Health With Ixekizumab in the Treatment of Active Nonradiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis in a 52‐Week, Randomized, Controlled Trial
Authors: Walsh Jessica A. , Magrey Marina N. , Baraliakos Xenofon , Inui Kentaro , Weng Meng‐Yu , Lubrano Ennio , van der Heijde Désirée , Boonen Annelies , Gensler Lianne S. , Strand Vibeke , Braun Jürgen , Hunter Theresa , Li Xiaoqi , Zhu Baojin , León Luis , Calderon David Marcelino Sandoval , Kiltz Uta
Published: October 2020

Objective

To evaluate the effect of ixekizumab on self‐reported functioning and health in patients with active nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis (SpA).

Methods

COAST‐X was a randomized, controlled trial conducted in patients with nonradiographic axial SpA over 52 weeks. Participants were randomized at a ratio of 1:1:1 to receive 80 mg of ixekizumab subcutaneously every 4 weeks or 2 weeks or placebo for 52 weeks. Self‐reported functioning and health end points included the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF‐36) health survey, Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS) health index, and European Quality of Life‐5 Dimensions‐5 Level (EQ‐5D‐5L) health‐utility descriptive system.

Results

Compared to placebo, ixekizumab treatment resulted in improvement of SF‐36 physical component summary scores from baseline, with a score of 4.7 improving to 8.9 with ixekizumab therapy every 4 weeks (P < 0.05) and a score of 9.3 with ixekizumab therapy every 2 weeks (P < 0.01); the greatest improvements were observed in the domains of physical functioning, role‐physical, and bodily pain at weeks 16 and 52. A higher proportion of patients receiving ixekizumab therapy every 2 weeks reported ≥3 improvements based on the ASAS health index from baseline to weeks 16 and 52 (P < 0.05). Significantly more patients receiving ixekizumab every 4 weeks reported improvements in “good health status” on the ASAS health index (ASAS score of ≤5) at weeks 16 and 52 (P < 0.05). Patients receiving ixekizumab reported improvements on the EQ‐5D‐5L compared to those who received placebo at week 16 (0.11 versus 0.17 for patients receiving treatment every 4 weeks and 0.19 for patients receiving treatment every 2 weeks; P < 0.05), which remained consistent at week 52. There were no clinical meaningful differences in responses based on the ixekizumab dosing regimen for patients who received ixekizumab therapy every 2 weeks or every 4 weeks.

Conclusion

In patients with nonradiographic axial SpA, therapy with ixekizumab was superior to placebo in the improvement of self‐reported functioning and health at weeks 16 and 52.
Temporal Relationship Between Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Disease Activity and Uveitis Disease Activity
Authors: Liebling Emily J. , Faig Walter , Chang Joyce C. , Mendoza Elizabeth , Moore Nicholas , Vicioso Nahomy Ledesma , Lerman Melissa A.
Published: October 2020

Objective

To determine whether there is a temporal association between arthritis and uveitis activity among children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis–associated uveitis (JIA‐U).

Methods

Uveitis and arthritis data from patients with JIA‐U age ≤21 years were collected from July 2013 to December 2019 at a tertiary care center. Arthritis activity was assessed at each rheumatology visit, and the primary outcome was the presence of active uveitis at ophthalmologic examination within 45 days of the rheumatology visit. Repeated‐measures logistic regression was used to evaluate the temporal association between any uveitis activity within 45 days of arthritis activity. Models were adjusted for demographic‐, disease‐, and treatment‐related factors.

Results

A total of 98 patients were included: 81 (83%) female, 67 (69%) antinuclear antibody positive, 59 (60%) oligoarticular, and 13 (13%) enthesitis‐related arthritis (ERA) subtypes. There were 1,229 rheumatology visits, with a median of 13 visits per patient (interquartile range 7–18). Concordance between arthritis and uveitis activity was observed 73% of the time (694 of 947). There was an independent temporal association between uveitis and arthritis activity (odds ratio 2.47 [95% confidence interval 1.72–3.54]; P < 0.01), adjusted for demographic and disease characteristics. Use of combination biologic and nonbiologic disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs, female sex, HLA–B27 positivity, and ERA and polyarticular (rheumatoid factor negative) subtypes were associated with decreased odds of active uveitis at any time point.

Conclusion

In patients with JIA‐U, there is a significant temporal association between arthritis and uveitis disease activity. These novel results suggest that an arthritis flare should prompt an expedited referral to the ophthalmologist.
Biomineralization: An Opportunity and Challenge of Nanoparticle Drug Delivery Systems for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Wang Weicai , Liu Xiaofan , Zheng Xiangjiang , Jin Hyung Jong , Li Xuemei
Published: October 2020

Biomineralization is a common process in organisms to produce hard biomaterials by combining inorganic ions with biomacromolecules. Multifunctional nanoplatforms are developed based on the mechanism of biomineralization in many biomedical applications. In the past few years, biomineralization‐based nanoparticle drug delivery systems for the cancer treatment have gained a lot of research attention due to the advantages including simple preparation, good biocompatibility, degradability, easy modification, versatility, and targeting. In this review, the research trends of biomineralization‐based nanoparticle drug delivery systems and their applications in cancer therapy are summarized. This work aims to promote future researches on cancer therapy based on biomineralization. Rational design of nanoparticle drug delivery systems can overcome the bottleneck in the clinical transformation of nanomaterials. At the same time, biomineralization has also provided new research ideas for cancer treatment, i.e., targeted therapy, which has significantly better performance.
Repeatable and Reprogrammable Shape Morphing from Photoresponsive Gold Nanorod/Liquid Crystal Elastomers
Authors: Wang Yuchen , Dang Alei , Zhang Zhifeng , Yin Rui , Gao Yuchong , Feng Liang , Yang Shu
Published: October 2020

Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are of interest for applications such as soft robotics and shape‐morphing devices. Among the different actuation mechanisms, light offers advantages such as spatial and local control of actuation via the photothermal effect. However, the unwanted aggregation of the light‐absorbing nanoparticles in the LCE matrix will limit the photothermal response speed, actuation performance, and repeatability. Herein, a near‐infrared‐responsive LCE composite consisting of up to 0.20 wt% poly(ethylene glycol)‐modified gold nanorods (AuNRs) without apparent aggregation is demonstrated. The high Young's modulus, 20.3 MPa, and excellent photothermal performance render repeated and fast actuation of the films (actuation within 5 s and recovery in 2 s) when exposed to 800 nm light at an average output power of ≈1.0 W cm−2, while maintaining a large actuation strain (56%). Further, it is shown that the same sheet of AuNR/LCE film (100 µm thick) can be morphed into different shapes simply by varying the motifs of the photomasks.
Record‐Low Subthreshold‐Swing Negative‐Capacitance 2D Field‐Effect Transistors
Authors: Wang Yang , Bai Xiaoyuan , Chu Junwei , Wang Hongbo , Rao Gaofeng , Pan Xinqiang , Du Xinchuan , Hu Kai , Wang Xuepeng , Gong Chuanhui , Yin Chujun , Yang Chao , Yan Chaoyi , Wu Chunyang , Shuai Yao , Wang Xianfu , Liao Min , Xiong Jie
Published: October 2020

Power consumption is one of the most challenging bottlenecks for complementary metal‐oxide–semiconductor integration. Negative‐capacitance field‐effect transistors (NC‐FETs) offer a promising platform to break the thermionic limit defined by the Boltzmann tyranny and architect energy‐efficient devices. However, it is a great challenge to achieving ultralow‐subthreshold‐swing (SS) (10 mV dec−1) and small‐hysteresis NC‐FETs simultaneously at room temperature, which has only been reported using the hafnium zirconium oxide system. Here, based on a ferroelectric LiNbO3 thin film with great spontaneous polarization, an ultralow‐SS NC‐FET with small hysteresis is designed. The LiNbO3 NC‐FET platform exhibits a record‐low SS of 4.97 mV dec−1 with great repeatability due to the superior capacitance matching characteristic as evidenced by the negative differential resistance phenomenon. By modulating the structure and operating parameters (such as channel length (Lch), drain–sourse bias (Vds), and gate bias (Vg)) of devices, an optimized SS from ≈40 to ≈10 mV dec−1 and hysteresis from ≈900 to ≈60 mV are achieved simultaneously. The results provide a new potential method for future highly integrated electronic and optical integrated energy‐efficient devices.
Recent Advances in the Synthesis of C2‐Functionalized Pyridines and Quinolines Using N‐Oxide Chemistry
Authors: Wang Dong , Désaubry Laurent , Li Gaoyu , Huang Mindong , Zheng Shixin
Published: October 2020

While remarkable progress has recently been made for the direct C−H‐functionalization of azines, its application is still limited by a lack of accessible functional groups (primarily carbon‐based) and poor regioselectivity. In contrast, C2‐functionalized pyridines and quinolines can be easily synthesized by treating readily available N‐oxides with various reagents under appropriate activation conditions. This review seeks to comprehensively document the available synthetic methods for introducing functional groups at the C2 position of pyridines and quinolines. In this work, we highlight recent developments in the C2‐functionalization of pyridine and quinoline N‐oxides and address both the mechanisms and regioselectivity of the reactions. We also describe the pathways and reactive species involved in these processes and highlight a number of medically relevant nitrogen heteroaromatics.

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Recent Advances in Polychloromethylation Reactions
Authors: Huang Gao , Yu Jin‐Tao , Pan Changduo
Published: October 2020

Molecules with di‐ or trichloromethyl group are widely existed in natural products and man‐made structures that represent special activities in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Besides, polychloromethyl‐containing compounds are also high valuable intermediates in organic synthesis and also can be used as functional materials. Therefore, significant efforts have been made toward the incorporation of polychloromethyl groups into certain structures. In this field, a variety of polychloromethyl reagents, such as CH2Cl2, HCCl3, CCl4, TMSCCl3, TMSCCl2H, etc. have been utilized as the di‐ or trichloromethyl sources toward polychloromethylated structures through radical, nucleophilic, and other reaction patterns. In this review, we summarized and discussed the recent achievements in the synthesis of polychloromethylated compounds, mainly focused on the employment of different polychloromethyl reagents. Most of the works we investigated were reported after 2010. Mechanism discussions and outlooks were also given.

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β‐Trifluoromethyl α,β‐unsaturated Ketones: Efficient Building Blocks for Diverse Trifluoromethylated Molecules
Authors: Chaudhary Bharatkumar , Kulkarni Neeraj , Saiyed Nehanaz , Chaurasia Meenakshi , Desai Surbhi , Potkule Sagar , Sharma Satyasheel
Published: October 2020

The trifluoromethyl (CF3) group is an advantageous structural motif in various biologically active molecules as well as materials, which is depicted by steadily increasing demand from the industries involved in drug discovery, agrochemicals and material development. β‐trifluoromethyl α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds constitute a very efficient building blocks as starting material in the synthesis of fluorinated molecules. Their usage for the synthesis of various heterocycles and organic molecules bearing stereogenic carbon containing CF3 motif has received significant attention during the recent times. This review provides the existing methods for the synthesis of β‐substituted trifluoromethyl‐α,β‐unsaturated ketones and the efforts made by researchers for the synthetic development through various reactions by employing them as synthetic building blocks for trifluoromethylated organic scaffolds.

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Strategies for Fabricating Protein Films for Biomaterial Applications
Authors: Gopalakrishnan Sanjana , Xu Jinlong , Zhong Fang , Rotello Vincent M.
Published: October 2020

Proteins are naturally occurring functional building blocks that are useful for the fabrication of materials. Naturally‐occurring proteins are biodegradable and most are biocompatible and nontoxic, making them attractive for the fabrication of biomaterials. Moreover, the fabrication of protein‐based materials can be conducted in a green and sustainable manner due to their high aqueous solubility. Consequently, the applicability of protein‐based materials is limited by their aqueous and mechanical instability. This review summarizes strategies for the stabilization of protein films, highlighting their salient features and potential limitations. Applications of protein films ranging from food packaging materials, tissue engineering scaffolds, antimicrobial coatings etc. are also discussed. Finally, the need for robust and efficient fabrication strategies for translation to commercial applications as well as potential applications of protein films in the field of sensing, diagnostics, and controlled release systems are discussed.
Single Protein Encapsulated Doxorubicin as an Efficacious Anticancer Therapeutic
Authors: Yu Changjun , Huang Faqing , Chow Warren A. , Cook‐Wiens Galen , Cui Xiaojiang
Published: October 2020

Small‐molecule chemotherapeutics are potent and effective against a variety of malignancies, but common and severe side effects restrict their clinical applications. Nanomedicine approaches represent a major focus for improving chemotherapy, but have met limited success. To overcome the limitations of chemotherapy drugs, a novel single protein encapsulation (SPE)‐based drug formulation and delivery platform is developed and its utility in improving doxorubicin (DOX) treatment is tested. Using this methodology, a series of SPEDOX complexes are generated by encapsulating various numbers of DOX molecules into a single human serum albumin (HSA) molecule. UV/fluorescence spectroscopy, membrane dialysis, and dynamic light scattering techniques show that SPEDOXs are stable and uniform as monomeric HSA and display unique properties distinct from those of DOX and DOX‐HSA mixture. Furthermore, detailed procedures to precisely monitor and control both DOX payload and binding strength to HSA are established. Breast cancer xenograft tumor studies reveal that SPEDOX‐6 treatment displays improved pharmacokinetic profiles, higher antitumor efficacy, and lower DOX accumulation in the heart tissue compared with unformulated DOX. This SPE technology, which does not involve nanoparticle assembly and modifications to either small‐molecule drugs or HSA, may open up a new avenue for developing new drug delivery systems to improve anticancer therapeutics.
A Theoretical Framework for Ratiometric Single Ion Luminescent Thermometers—Thermodynamic and Kinetic Guidelines for Optimized Performance
Authors: Suta Markus , Meijerink Andries
Published: October 2020

Luminescence (nano)thermometry is an increasingly important field for remote temperature sensing with high spatial resolution. Most typically, ratiometric sensing of the luminescence emission intensities of two thermally coupled emissive states based on a Boltzmann equilibrium is used to detect the local temperature. Dependent on the temperature range and preferred spectral window, various choices for potential candidates appear possible. Despite extensive experimental research in the field, a universal theory covering the basics of luminescence thermometry is virtually nonexistent. In this manuscript, a general theoretical framework of single ion luminescent thermometers is presented that offers simple, user‐friendly guidelines for both the choice of an appropriate emitter and respective embedding host material for optimum temperature sensing. The results show that the optimum performance (thermal response and sensitivity) around T0 is realized for an energy gap ∆E21 between thermally coupled levels between 2kBT0 and 3.41kBT0. Analysis of the temperature‐dependent excited state kinetics shows that host lattices in which ∆E21 can be bridged by one or two phonons are preferred over hosts in which higher order phonon processes are required. Such a framework is relevant for both a fundamental understanding of luminescent thermometers but also the targeted design of novel and superior luminescent (nano)thermometers.
Enhanced Protein Damage Clearance Induces Broad Drug Resistance in Multitype of Cancers Revealed by an Evolution Drug‐Resistant Model and Genome‐Wide siRNA Screening
Authors: Shao Fangyuan , Lyu Xueying , Miao Kai , Xie Lisi , Wang Haitao , Xiao Hao , Li Jie , Chen Qiang , Ding Renbo , Chen Ping , Xing Fuqiang , Zhang Xu , Luo Guang‐Hui , Zhu Wenli , Cheng Gregory , Lon Ng Wai , Martin Scott E. , Wang Guanyu , Chen Guokai , Dai Yunlu , Deng Chu‐Xia
Published: October 2020

Resistance to therapeutic drugs occurs in virtually all types of cancers, and the tolerance to one drug frequently becomes broad therapy resistance; however, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Combining a whole whole‐genome‐wide RNA interference screening and an evolutionary drug pressure model with MDA‐MB‐231 cells, it is found that enhanced protein damage clearance and reduced mitochondrial respiratory activity are responsible for cisplatin resistance. Screening drug‐resistant cancer cells and human patient‐derived organoids for breast and colon cancers with many anticancer drugs indicates that activation of mitochondrion protein import surveillance system enhances proteasome activity and minimizes caspase activation, leading to broad drug resistance that can be overcome by co‐treatment with a proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib. It is further demonstrated that cisplatin and bortezomib encapsulated into nanoparticle further enhance their therapeutic efficacy and alleviate side effects induced by drug combination treatment. These data demonstrate a feasibility for eliminating broad drug resistance by targeting its common mechanism to achieve effective therapy for multiple cancers.
Constructing Co3S4 Nanosheets Coating N‐Doped Carbon Nanofibers as Freestanding Sulfur Host for High‐Performance Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Zhang Xuzi , Shang Chaoqun , Akinoglu Eser Metin , Wang Xin , Zhou Guofu
Published: October 2020

Lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) have shown great potential as a rival for next generation batteries, for its relatively high theoretical capacity and eco‐friendly properties. Nevertheless, blocked by the shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides (LPSs, Li2S4‐Li2S8) and insulation of sulfur, LSBs show rapid capacity loss and cannot achieve the practical application. Herein, a composite of carbon nanofibers coated by Co3S4 nanosheets (denoted as CNF@Co3S4) is successfully synthesized as freestanding sulfur host to optimize the interaction with sulfur species. The combination of the two materials can lead extraordinary cycling and rate performance by alleviating the shuttle of LPSs effectively. N‐doped carbon nanofibers serve as long‐range conductive networks and Co3S4 nanosheets can accelerate the conversion of LPSs through its electrocatalytic and chemical adsorption ability. Benefiting from the unique structure, the transporting rate of Li+ can be enhanced. Distribution of Li+ is uniform for enough exposed negative active sites. As a result, the cell with CNF@Co3S4 as sulfur host is able to stabilize at 710 mA h g−1 at 1 C after 200 cycles with average coulombic efficiency of 97.8% in a sulfur loading of 1.7 mg cm−2 and deliver 4.1 mA h cm−2 at 0.1 C even in 6.8 mg cm−2 for 100 cycles.
Multiparametric Profiling of Engineered Nanomaterials: Unmasking the Surface Coating Effect
Authors: Gallud Audrey , Delaval Mathilde , Kinaret Pia , Marwah Veer Singh , Fortino Vittorio , Ytterberg Jimmy , Zubarev Roman , Skoog Tiina , Kere Juha , Correia Manuel , Loeschner Katrin , Al‐Ahmady Zahraa , Kostarelos Kostas , Ruiz Jaime , Astruc Didier , Monopoli Marco , Handy Richard , Moya Sergio , Savolainen Kai , Alenius Harri , Greco Dario , Fadeel Bengt
Published: October 2020

Despite considerable efforts, the properties that drive the cytotoxicity of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) remain poorly understood. Here, the authors inverstigate a panel of 31 ENMs with different core chemistries and a variety of surface modifications using conventional in vitro assays coupled with omics‐based approaches. Cytotoxicity screening and multiplex‐based cytokine profiling reveals a good concordance between primary human monocyte‐derived macrophages and the human monocyte‐like cell line THP‐1. Proteomics analysis following a low‐dose exposure of cells suggests a nonspecific stress response to ENMs, while microarray‐based profiling reveals significant changes in gene expression as a function of both surface modification and core chemistry. Pathway analysis highlights that the ENMs with cationic surfaces that are shown to elicit cytotoxicity downregulated DNA replication and cell cycle responses, while inflammatory responses are upregulated. These findings are validated using cell‐based assays. Notably, certain small, PEGylated ENMs are found to be noncytotoxic yet they induce transcriptional responses reminiscent of viruses. In sum, using a multiparametric approach, it is shown that surface chemistry is a key determinant of cellular responses to ENMs. The data also reveal that cytotoxicity, determined by conventional in vitro assays, does not necessarily correlate with transcriptional effects of ENMs.
A justification for continued management of turfgrass during economic contraction
Authors: Brosnan James T. , Chandra Ambika , Gaussoin Roch E. , Kowalewski Alec , Leinauer Bernd , Rossi Frank S. , Soldat Douglas J. , Stier John C. , Unruh J. Bryan
Published: October 2020

A novel coronavirus, termed COVID‐19, spread worldwide and become a global pandemic in 2020. Forecasts show that COVID‐19 will cause substantial economic contraction affecting almost every industry. Managed turfgrass, particularly in urban settings, has many positive societal and environmental benefits. In a contracted economy, will resources be available to manage turfgrass to achieve these benefits? In this paper, we outline the benefits of managed turfgrass on golf courses, playing fields, recreational parks, and urban landscapes to assist decision makers with resource allocation in the COVID‐19 era.
Construction of High Stable All‐Graphene‐Based FETs as Highly Sensitive Dual‐Signal miRNA Sensors by a Covalent Layer‐by‐Layer Assembling Method
Authors: Sun Mingyuan , Zhang Congcong , Wang Jian , Sun Chenfang , Ji Yanchen , Cheng Shanshan , Liu Hong
Published: October 2020

The abnormal expression of a microRNA (miRNA) is associated with many major diseases. Therefore, the stability, reliability, and sensitivity of miRNA detection are of paramount importance for early diagnosis and therapeutics. Field‐effect transistor (FET) devices, as sensors, have many advantages, including their multiparameter accessibility and ease of large‐scale manufacturing, but the electrical signals of most FETs are vulnerable in humid environments over extended periods of time, further limiting their sensing capability and performance. In this paper, sophisticated all‐graphene‐based field‐effect transistors (AG‐FETs) are designed and fabricated by means of the covalent layer‐by‐layer (LBL) assembly of graphene oxide (GO), with the electrical capability of FETs and the intrinsic properties of graphene being incorporated in a single device. Thanks to the covalent configuration and the fluorescence quenching properties of graphene, the AG‐FETs possess great electrical stability and outstanding solution resistibility and could detect miRNA sensitively, stably, and reliably through electrical and fluorescence dual signals, which mostly avoid false positives during the test process. This is done without the use of any amplification techniques and even in real samples. These dual‐signal biosensors with excellent performance have promising potential for application in early clinical diagnoses and biomedical research.
Beyond d Orbits: Steering the Selectivity of Electrochemical CO2 Reduction via Hybridized sp Band of Sulfur‐Incorporated Porous Cd Architectures with Dual Collaborative Sites
Authors: Wu Yunzhen , Zhai Panlong , Cao Shuyan , Li Zhuwei , Zhang Bo , Zhang Yanting , Nie Xiaowa , Sun Licheng , Hou Jungang
Published: October 2020

Electrochemical CO2 reduction is regarded as a promising strategy for the sustainable conversion of greenhouse gas. However, it still remains a significant challenge to manipulate the selectivity and activity. Herein, amorphous and porous Cd modified by sulfur (P–Cd|S) is synthesized by a p‐block sulfur dopant. In comparison with unmodified Cd metal, the P–Cd|S architecture exhibits superior activity for selective CO generation, indicating that the sulfur dopant enables a selectivity shift from formic acid to CO. The high selectivity of P–Cd|S is partially ascribed to the local alkalization and suppression of hydrogen evolution as indicated by the finite element analysis. In‐depth mechanistic investigations by operando Raman, Infrared, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy in combination with theory calculations indicate that the covalently hybridized sp band system with dual collaborative sites (Cdδ+ and Sδ−) gives rise to a strong interplay with CO2 molecules and carbonaceous species, leading to the natural elimination of linear correlation among intermediates binding for d‐band metals and the convenient modulation of selectivity toward CO versus HCOOH.
Zinc Oxide Sensitized Graphene Quantum Dots “ZnO‐GQDs”: A Hybrid Concept to Study Charge Transfer and its Catalytic Applicability to Synthesize Tetrasubstituted Propargylamines
Authors: Kharkwal Aneeta , Purohit Gunjan , Rahul  , Rawat Diwan S.
Published: October 2020

Inorganic‐organic hybrid nanostructures of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have received much intentness in industrial/academic discipline as they may replace traditional quantum semiconductors, due to their superiority in terms of chemical inertness, biocompatibility and low toxicity. In the present work, graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have been synthesized by an inexpensive facile bottom‐up approach exhibiting one step pyrolysis of L‐glutamic acid. The synthesized GQDs found to have an excitation wavelength dependence of the emission wavelength. The effect on optical and structural properties of GQDs are then studied by varying the synthesis reaction time. The morphological alterations in GQDs were observed when the reaction time increases i. e. spherical to sheet like which may be attributed to interconnecting graphene quantum dots (GQDs), which are termed as ‘GQD sheets.’ The synthesized GQDs are further coupled with zinc oxide (ZnO) to form ZnO : GQDs nano‐composites, which shows an effective interfacial charge transfer from ZnO to GQDs leading to an enhancement in the photo absorption of ZnO from UV to visible region. The coupled ZnO : GQDs nano‐composites were then explored for the catalytic applicability to synthesize tetrasubstituted propargylamines via KA2 mechanism showing closeness to ideal green chemistry metrics.
Infrared thermography cannot be used to approximate core body temperature in wild primates
Authors: McFarland Richard , Barrett Louise , Fuller Andrea , Hetem Robyn S. , Porter Warren P. , Young Christopher , Henzi S. Peter
Published: October 2020

Understanding the physiological processes that underpin primate performance is key if we are to assess how a primate might respond when navigating new and changing environments. Given the connection between a mammal's ability to thermoregulate and the changing demands of its thermal environment, increasing attention is being devoted to the study of thermoregulatory processes as a means to assess primate performance. Infrared thermography can be used to record the body surface temperatures of free‐ranging animals. However, some uncertainty remains as to how these measurements can be used to approximate core body temperature. Here, we use data collected from wild vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) to examine the relationship between infrared body surface temperature, core body (intra‐abdominal) temperature, and local climate, to determine to what extent surface temperatures reflect core body temperature. While we report a positive association between surface and core body temperature—a finding that has previously been used to justify the use of surface temperature measurements as a proxy for core temperature regulation—when we controlled for the effect of the local climate in our analyses, this relationship was no longer observed. That is, body surface temperatures were solely predicted by local climate, and not core body temperatures, suggesting that surface temperatures tell us more about the environment a primate is in, and less about the thermal status of its body core in that environment. Despite the advantages of a noninvasive means to detect and record animal temperatures, infrared thermography alone cannot be used to approximate core body temperature in wild primates.
A Dinickel Catalyzed Cyclopropanation without the Formation of a Metal Carbene Intermediate
Authors: Maity Arnab K. , Kalb Annah E. , Zeller Matthias , Uyeda Christopher
Published: October 2020

(NDI)Ni2 catalysts (NDI=naphthyridine‐diimine) promote cyclopropanation reactions of 1,3‐dienes using (Me3Si)CHN2. Mechanistic studies reveal that a metal carbene intermediate is not part of the catalytic cycle. The (NDI)Ni2(CHSiMe3) complex was independently synthesized and found to be unreactive toward dienes. Based on DFT models, we propose an alternative mechanism that begins with a Ni2‐mediated coupling of (Me3Si)CHN2 and the diene. N2 extrusion followed by radical C−C bond formation generates the cyclopropane product. This model reproduces the experimentally observed regioselectivity and diastereoselectivity of the reaction.
Synthesis and characterization of a novel organic–inorganic hybrid salt and its application as a highly effectual Brønsted–Lewis acidic catalyst for the production of N,N′‐alkylidene bisamides
Authors: Zare Abdolkarim , Monfared Fatemeh , Sajadikhah Seyed Sajad
Published: October 2020

In this research, a novel organic–inorganic hybrid salt, namely, N1,N1,N2,N2‐tetramethyl‐N1,N2‐bis(sulfo)ethane‐1,2‐diaminium tetrachloroferrate ([TMBSED][FeCl4]2) was prepared and characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), elemental mapping, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric (TG), differential thermal gravimetric (DTG), and vibrating‐sample magnetometry (VSM) analyses. Catalytic activity of the hybrid salt was tested for the synthesis of N,N′‐alkylidene bisamides through the reaction of benzamide (2 eq.) and aromatic aldehydes (1 eq.) under solvent‐free conditions in which the products were obtained in high yields and short reaction times. The catalyst was superior to many of the reported catalysts in terms of two or more of these factors: the reaction medium and temperature, yield, time, and turnover frequency (TOF). [TMBSED][FeCl4]2 is a Brønsted–Lewis acidic catalyst; there are two SO3H groups (as Brønsted acidic sites) and two tetrachloroferrate anions (as Lewis acidic sites) in its structure. Highly effectiveness of the catalyst for the synthesis of N,N′‐alkylidene bisamides can be attributed to synergy of the Brønsted and Lewis acids and also possessing two sites of each acid.
Bimetallic oxide nanoparticles confined in ZIF‐67‐derived carbon for highly selective oxidation of saturated C–H bond in alkyl arenes
Authors: Huang Cheng , Su Xiaoyan , Gu Xiangyu , Liu Rui , Zhu Hongjun
Published: October 2020

Zeolite imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) have recently emerged as an ideal type of carbon precursors with abundant tailorability. In this work, a series of ZIF‐derived porous carbon catalysts have been prepared with encapsulation of bimetallic oxide nanoparticles via simple thermal treatment. The composition and structure of these catalysts were confirmed in detail by different characterization methods. The bimetallic oxide (Mn/Co, Fe/Co, and Cu/Co) nanoparticles were encapsulated in the nitrogen‐doped graphitized carbon matrix. Moreover, the hierarchically porous structure and carbon defects were successfully constructed in the carbon catalysts. Additionally, in the selective oxidation of saturated C–H bonds in alkyl arenes, the carbon catalysts demonstrate outstanding performance for the oxidation of C–H bonds to corresponding carboxyl groups. This was due to their unique structure can greatly promote mass transfer and molecular oxygen activation, resulting in high conversion and high selectivity. Remarkably, this work here could also provide a novel strategy to the controllable synthesis of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs)‐derived carbon catalysts for enhanced performance in heterogeneous catalysis.
Effects of substituents on bridging ligands on the single‐molecule magnet properties of Zn2Dy2 cluster complexes
Authors: Liu Cai‐Ming , Hao Xiang , Zhang De‐Qing
Published: October 2020

Two new Zn2Dy2 complexes were constructed from Zn (II) salen‐type Schiff base complex fragment and 2,6‐pyridinedimethanol (H2pdm) or its Br‐substituted analogue (4‐bromopyridine‐2,6‐diyl)dimethanol (H2Brpdm); their molecular formulas are [Zn2Dy2(L)2(pdm)2(MeOH)2](ClO4)2 [1, H2L = N, N′‐ bis(3‐methoxysalicylidene)‐1,3‐diaminopropane] and [Zn2Dy2(L)2(Brpdm)2(MeOH)2](ClO4)2 [2], the Dy (III) ions of which have a NO7 triangular dodecahedral coordination sphere. The two complexes show not only ferromagnetic interaction but also field‐induced single‐molecule magnet (SMM) behavior, which are rare Dy (III)‐containing cluster complexes with the NO7 triangular dodecahedral coordination sphere that can show good magnetic relaxation. The energy barrier value of complex 2 is higher than those of complex 1 and the Dy (III) complexes with the DyNO7 triangular dodecahedral coordination configuration reported in the literature.
The HD 217107 planetary system: Twenty years of radial velocity measurements
Authors: Giovinazzi Mark R. , Blake Cullen H. , Eastman Jason D. , Wright Jason , McCrady Nate , Wittenmyer Rob , Johnson John A. , Plavchan Peter , Sliski David H. , Wilson Maurice L. , Johnson Samson A. , Horner Jonathan , Kane Stephen R. , Houghton Audrey , García‐Mejía Juliana , Glaser Joseph P.
Published: October 2020

The hot Jupiter HD 217107 b was one of the first exoplanets detected using the radial velocity (RV) method, originally reported in the literature in 1999. Today, precise RV measurements of this system span more than 20 years, and there is clear evidence of a longer‐period companion, HD 217107 c. Interestingly, both the short‐period planet (Pb ∼ 7.13 d) and long‐period planet (Pc ∼ 5059 d) have significantly eccentric orbits (eb ∼ 0.13 and ec ∼ 0.40). We present 42 additional RV measurements of this system obtained with the MINERVA telescope array and carry out a joint analysis with previously published RV measurements from four different facilities. We confirm and refine the previously reported orbit of the long‐period companion. HD 217107 b is one of a relatively small number of hot Jupiters with an eccentric orbit, opening up the possibility of detecting the precession of the planetary orbit due to general relativistic effects and perturbations from other planets in the system. In this case, the argument of periastron, ω, is predicted to change at the level of ∼0.8∘ century−1. Despite the long time baseline of our observations and the high quality of the RV measurements, we are only able to constrain the precession to be century−1. We discuss the limitations of detecting the subtle effects of precession in exoplanet orbits using RV data.
Curved beam stress analysis using a binary image of the cross‐section
Authors: Narvydas Evaldas , Puodziuniene Nomeda
Published: October 2020

Crane hooks, chain links, various rings, and many other curved structural members are widely used in mechanical engineering structures. The stress analysis procedure of this group of structural members includes two steps: definition of the cross‐section geometry properties and determination of stresses. The article presents a variation of the method for curved beam stress analysis where geometrical properties of the cross‐section are found by numerical processing of a binary image. This is suggested instead of the conventional procedure provided by many textbooks that includes decomposition of the cross‐section area into regular shapes and calculation of the area properties by analytical formulae. Having the complex shape of the cross‐section the conventional method becomes complicated and time‐consuming. The application of a numerical binary image is independent of the complexity of cross‐section, but image resolution may influence the results. The article presents procedures suitable for the alternative definition of the geometrical properties of curved beam cross‐section and gives an evaluation of how the image resolution affects the results. The rectangular and circular shape cross‐sections are analyzed in detail and stress analysis of an industrial crane hook with complex cross‐section shape is demonstrated in the case study. The results of the conventional and proposed methods are compared. The calculated stresses of the case study are also compared to finite element analysis results. The method is suggested as a convenient alternative for structural analysis students and engineers.
A genetic algorithm‐based approach for making pairs and assigning exercises in a programming course
Authors: Tehlan Kanika , Chakraverty Shampa , Chakraborty Pinaki , Khapra Shradha
Published: October 2020

Pair programming is an approach where two programmers work to solve one programming problem sitting shoulder to shoulder on a computer. Several studies indicating numerous benefits of using pair programming as a teaching strategy exist. However, only a few of them take into consideration the mechanism followed for pair formation. With an aim to study the impact of pair programming on undergraduate students, we try to make the pairs compatible with a genetic algorithm‐based approach. Using a genetic algorithm, the system ensures that every pair in the class gets a particular combination of skills and personality traits. We also developed a desktop application to assign programming exercises to students dynamically. To assess the efficacy of pair programming in introductory programming course, a formal pair programming experiment was run at Netaji Subhas University of Technology. The pair programming experiment involved a total 171 undergraduate students from a computer engineering course. At the end of the program, we assessed the programming abilities of every student. We also analyzed the impact of a genetic algorithm‐based pairing mechanism. On the basis of assessments, it is observed that pair programming is a successful pedagogical tool for facilitating active learning of introductory programming courses. Responses to survey garnered from undergraduate students hint that the genetic algorithm approach leads to compatible pairs.