bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Effects of Solvents on the Herbal Extraction of Antidiabetic Phytochemicals
Authors: Iwuji Samuel C. , Ogbonna Chidimma V. , Iwu Chinonye I. , Okafor Wilson C. , Chibuike Emmanuel C.
Published: May 2021

Aims: The study determined and compared the herbal extraction yields using water, ethanol and hydromethanol solvent and the solvent extracting the highest antidiabetic constituents.

Place: The study took place in the Department of Chemistry (Organic Laboratory), Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria.

Methodology: The antidiabetic contents of Moringa oleifera (Moringa) and Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf) were extracted by soaking using water, ethanol and hydromethanol (1:1) as solvents. The phytochemicals analysis was done both qualitatively and quantitatively (using Spectrophotometer (UV-V15)). Data collected were statistically analysed using SPSS version 10 tools.

Results: The crude ethanolic extraction was found to give the highest extract yield of 46.06% and 38.91% from Moringa and bitter leaf, respectively. There were more phytochemicals obtained from Moringa (28+) than from Vernonia crude extracts (21+). The antidiabetic phytochemicals identified in both plants included Steroids, Phenols, Cardiac glycosides and Terpenoids. Ethanol extracted the Glycosides, Terpenoids and Phenols in relative abundance.. Hydromethanol solvent extraction yielded the highest concentrations of Steroids from Moringa (59.87mg/100g) and bitter leaves (75.43mg/100g) as well as highest extraction of Cardiac glycosides from both plants. Water extracted the highest concentrations of Phenols from both Moringa (0.32mg/g); bitter leaf (0.25mg/g) and Terpenoids from Moringa.

Conclusion: This study suggests that the choice of solvent (s) for phytochemical extraction (s) should consider factors such as the plant material (s) and the phytochemical (s) involved. So, Water > Hydromethanol > ethanol could be used for extracting phytochemicals for diabetes therapy.
Evaluation of Sensitivity, Specificity, and Cost-Effectiveness of Paper-Based Microfluidics for DNA Diagnostics of Malaria versus Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) Versus Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDT) in Resource-Limited Settings: A Protocol
Authors: Adiga Usha , Rai Tirthal
Published: May 2021

Objective: The objective of the study is to compare three techniques, routinely used rapid diagnostic tests (lateral flow immune chromatography) versus nucleic acid amplification test (NAT)  versus Paper-based microfluidics for DNA diagnostics of Malaria, in terms of their sensitivity and specificity as diagnostic tests in detecting malarial infection among febrile illnesses, suspected of malaria, as well as to compare their cost-effectiveness.

Methodology: Three seventy febrile cases suspected of malaria with negative results with RDT will be screened by real-time PCR and DNA microfluidics techniques, sensitivity and specificity of these as screening tests will be compared. The number of extra positive cases detected by NAT gives us the yield. Cost-effectiveness analysis will be done by calculating the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) and average cost-effectiveness ratio (ACER) for the tests.

Statistical Analysis: Statistical analysis will be done using SPSS version 21. Sensitivity, specificity, Positive predictive values will be computed. Comparison of sensitivity and specificity of NAT, a paper microfluidic technique for DNA diagnostics and RDT will be carried out using McNemar’s test. Receiver operating curves will be generated separately to assess the utility of the NAT.

Conclusion: The Implications of this study from the patient's perspective would mean early diagnosis which forms the tenet of control of the disease by increasing the yield. Early diagnosis at the community level would translate into the application of efficient prevention mechanisms to spread the infection. The cost-effectiveness analysis would provide a scientific basis for the adoption of the best test for the diagnosis, given the economic feasibility of the study.
Pediatric Dentistry and Oral Health Features of Children with Certain Genetic Diseases
Authors: Khvalevich Uliana Aleksandrovna , Planova Anastasiia Denisovna , Dorofeev Yuri , Pogosyan David Robertovich , Bamatgiriyeva Seda Beslanovna , Goncharov Vitaly V.
Published: May 2021

Pediatric dentistry provides primary and comprehensive preventive and therapeutic dental care for infants and children in adolescence, as well as provides special medical needs. This specialty includes many skills, disciplines, procedures, and techniques that share a common origin with other dental specialties, but they have been modified and reformed to meet the special requirements of infants, children, adolescents, and special medical needs. However, pediatric dentistry is mainly focused on healthy children, while quite often there are cases when such assistance is required for children with congenital genetic diseases. The prevalence of rare diseases is approximately 65 cases per 100,000 people. This estimate reflects the existence of 7,000 different types of rare diseases, most of which are genetic in nature. Rare diseases of genetic origin are often associated with other comorbidities, which are often characterized by debilitating and chronically degenerative conditions associated with phenotypes. Patients with rare diseases may sometimes exhibit challenging behaviors and often experience physical, mental, and sensory impairments that can affect functioning and participation in daily life. The purpose of the work is to consider the features of pediatric dentistry and the features of oral health of children with certain genetic diseases.
Cantharidin downregulates PSD1 expression and inhibits autophagic flux in yeast cells
Authors: Swagatika Swati , Tomar Raghuvir Singh
Published: May 2021

Cantharidin is a terpenoid compound of insect origin, naturally produced by male blister beetles as an antipredatory mechanism. Cantharidin has anticancer properties, which are attributed to its ability to induce cell cycle arrest, DNA damage, MAPK signaling pathway, and apoptosis. Cantharidin has been reported to induce apoptosis in triple‐negative breast cancer cells by suppressing autophagy via downregulation of Beclin 1 expression and autophagosome formation. However, it remains unclear which stage of the autophagic pathway is targeted by cantharidin. Herein, we report that yeast cells are sensitive to cantharidin, and external supplementation of ethanolamine (ETA) ameliorates the cytotoxicity. In addition, cantharidin downregulates phosphatidylserine decarboxylase 1 (PSD1) expression. We also report that cantharidin inhibits autophagic flux, and external administration of ETA could rescue this inhibition. Additionally, cotreatment with chloroquine sensitized the autophagy inhibitory effects of cantharidin. We conclude that yeast cells are sensitive to cantharidin due to inhibition of autophagic flux.
Physical and biological beam modeling for carbon beam scanning at Osaka Heavy Ion Therapy Center
Authors: Fujitaka Shinichiro , Fujii Yusuke , Nihongi Hideaki , Nakayama Satoshi , Takashina Masaaki , Hamatani Noriaki , Tsubouchi Toshiro , Yagi Masashi , Minami Kazumasa , Ogawa Kazuhiko , Mizoe Junetsu , Kanai Tatsuaki
Published: May 2021

We have developed physical and biological beam modeling for carbon scanning therapy at the Osaka Heavy Ion Therapy Center (Osaka HIMAK). Carbon beam scanning irradiation is based on continuous carbon beam scanning, which adopts hybrid energy changes using both accelerator energy changes and binary range shifters in the nozzles. The physical dose calculation is based on a triple Gaussian pencil‐beam algorithm, and we thus developed a beam modeling method using dose measurements and Monte Carlo simulation for the triple Gaussian. We exploited a biological model based on a conventional linear‐quadratic (LQ) model and the photon equivalent dose, without considering the dose dependency of the relative biological effectiveness (RBE), to fully comply with the carbon passive dose distribution using a ridge filter. We extended a passive ridge‐filter design method, in which carbon and helium LQ parameters are applied to carbon and fragment isotopes, respectively, to carbon scanning treatment. We then obtained radiation quality data, such as the linear energy transfer (LET) and LQ parameters, by Monte Carlo simulation. The physical dose was verified to agree with measurements to within ±2% for various patterns of volume irradiation. Furthermore, the RBE in the middle of a spread‐out Bragg peak (SOBP) reproduced that from passive dose distribution results to within ±1.5%. The developed carbon beam modeling and dose calculation program was successfully applied in clinical use at Osaka HIMAK.
Adaptive fuzzy constraint control for switched nonlinear systems in nonstrict feedback form
Authors: Tang Li , Yang Meiying , Sun Jing
Published: May 2021

In this paper, the adaptive fuzzy controller design problem is investigated for a class of switched nonlinear systems in nonstrict feedback form, in which the unknown functions are considered and are approximated. Moreover, the system states are constrained in corresponding compact. By using Barrier Lypunov function method and backstepping technique, the adaptive fuzzy controller is designed such that all the signals in the closed‐loop system are bounded, the system output can track the desired signal to small compact, and all the system states satisfy the constraint conditions. Finally, the simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Superconducting Quantum Metamaterials from Convergence of Soft and Hard Condensed Matter Science
Authors: Beaucage Peter A. , van Dover R. Bruce , DiSalvo Francis J. , Gruner Sol M. , Wiesner Ulrich
Published: May 2021

Superconducting quantum metamaterials are expected to exhibit a variety of novel properties, but have been a major challenge to prepare as a result of the lack of appropriate synthetic routes to high‐quality materials. Here, the discovery of synthesis routes to block copolymer (BCP) self‐assembly‐directed niobium nitrides and carbonitrides is described. The resulting materials exhibit unusual structure retention even at temperatures as high as 1000 °C and resulting critical temperature, Tc, values comparable to their bulk analogues. Applying the concepts of soft matter self‐assembly, it is demonstrated that a series of four different BCP‐directed mesostructured superconductors are accessible from a single triblock terpolymer. Resulting materials display a mesostructure‐dependent Tc without substantial variation of the XRD‐measured lattice parameters. Finally, field‐dependent magnetization measurements of a sample with double‐gyroid morphology show abrupt jumps comparable in overall behavior to flux avalanches. Results suggest a fruitful convergence of soft and hard condensed matter science.
Biomimetic Dendrimer–Peptide Conjugates for Early Multi‐Target Therapy of Alzheimer's Disease by Inflammatory Microenvironment Modulation
Authors: Liu Peixin , Zhang Tongyu , Chen Qinjun , Li Chao , Chu Yongchao , Guo Qin , Zhang Yiwen , Zhou Wenxi , Chen Hongyi , Zhou Zheng , Wang Yu , Zhao Zhenhao , Luo Yifan , Li Xuwen , Song Haolin , Su Boyu , Li Chufeng , Sun Tao , Jiang Chen
Published: May 2021

Current therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatments mainly focus on β‐amyloid (Aβ) targeting. However, such therapeutic strategies have limited clinical outcomes due to the chronic and irreversible impairment of the nervous system in the late stage of AD. Recently, inflammatory responses, manifested in oxidative stress and glial cell activation, have been reported as hallmarks in the early stages of AD. Based on the crosstalk between inflammatory response and brain cells, a reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐responsive dendrimer–peptide conjugate (APBP) is devised to target the AD microenvironment and inhibit inflammatory responses at an early stage. With the modification of the targeting peptide, this nanoconjugate can efficiently deliver peptides to the infected regions and restore the antioxidant ability of neurons by activating the nuclear factor (erythroid‐derived 2)‐like 2 signaling pathway. Moreover, this multi‐target strategy exhibits a synergistic function of ROS scavenging, promoting Aβ phagocytosis, and normalizing the glial cell phenotype. As a result, the nanoconjugate can reduce ROS level, decrease Aβ burden, alleviate glial cell activation, and eventually enhance cognitive functions in APPswe/PSEN1dE9 model mice. These results indicate that APBP can be a promising candidate for the multi‐target treatment of AD.
Stretchable and Soft Organic–Ionic Devices for Body‐Integrated Electronic Systems
Authors: Jo Young Jin , Ok Jehyung , Kim Soo Young , Kim Tae‐il
Published: May 2021

Ion‐conducting polymers such as hydrogels have soft, flexible, and stretchable properties that enable humans to intimately interact with other living things. They are important components of cells, tissue, and organs of the human being. Interestingly, these polymers possess sufficient mobile ions that are more sensitive to external stimuli of tactility, temperature, biological molecules, and electrical polarization than conventional solid‐state materials such as metals and oxides. The objective of this review is to summarize recent advances in such unconventional electronics using soft ion‐conducting polymers in various types of sensors and electronic components for signal processing, stimulation, and display devices for integrated systems. Differences in properties (such as soft and elastic properties, formation of electrical double layer, and direct doping/dedoping of active layer) between ion‐conducting polymer‐based electronic devices and conventional electronics are discussed, considering essential conditions for their biomedical applications, including decreased driving voltage due to mobility of ions, high stability and sensitivity in a biological environment, and biocompatible and biodegradable characteristics. Each part of an integrated system is successfully demonstrated using novel materials and geometries with advanced fabrications and low‐voltage operation for diverse bio‐interfaces. Finally, representative research efforts are introduced for integrating each part of electronics for biomedical applications.
Self‐Organization Principles of Cell Cycles and Gene Expressions in the Development of Cell Populations
Authors: Wang Xiaoliang , Bai Dongyun
Published: May 2021

A big challenge in current biology is to understand the exact self‐organization mechanism underlying complex multi‐physics coupling developmental processes. Using multiscale computations of subcellular gene expressions and cell population dynamics that are based on first principles, it is shown that cell cycles can self‐organize into periodic stripes in the development of E. coli populations from one single cell, relying on the moving graded nutrient concentration profile, which provides directing positional information for cells to keep their cycle phases in place. Resultantly, the statistical cell cycle distribution within the population is observed to collapse to a universal function and shows a scale invariance. Depending on the radial distribution mode of genetic oscillations in cell populations, a transition between gene patterns is achieved. When an inhibitor–inhibitor gene network is subsequently activated by a gene‐oscillatory network, cell populations with zebra stripes can be established, with the positioning precision of cell‐fate‐specific domains influenced by cells’ speed of free motions. Such information may provide important implications for understanding relevant dynamic processes of multicellular systems, such as, biological development.
Toward Programmable Moiré Computation
Authors: Gao Yuechen , Ye Shuqian , Lin Haoxiang , Zhu Xi
Published: May 2021

Recent advances in optical quantum computation set up a broad discussion on quantum supremacy and its practicability. Lack of programmability and extreme working conditions remain the challenges, calling for a programmable computation scheme. The quasi‐2D layered materials introduce new architectures for the optical neural networks (ONNs), which support various programmable computations following the on‐demand layer design. Compared with the traditional ONNs, Moiré ONNs architectures are more flexible to manufacture via layer number or twist angle control. A general Penn's model to demonstrate the mechanism inside is developed: the dielectric constant control through the layer and twisted bilayer angle dependence, respectively. Theoretically, this device can conduct demo computations ranging from boson sampling to image classification, where quantum computing shows its significant advantages. Instead of redundant 3D‐printing and lithography in traditional ONNs, the Moiré computation framework can train different tasks through programmable twists on single layers without replacing materials.
Science‐based maize stover removal can be sustainable
Authors: Nunes Marcio R. , De Mriganka , McDaniel Marshall D. , Kovar John L. , Birrell Stuart , Karlen Douglas L.
Published: May 2021

Maize (Zea mays L.) stover can be harvested for multiple uses or left in the field to sustain soil organic carbon (SOC), cycle essential plant nutrients, and protect soil health. This 13‐yr field study quantified effects of no (0 Mg ha–1 yr–1), low (1.0–1.4 Mg ha–1 yr–1), moderate (3.5–4.0 Mg ha–1 yr–1), or high rates (4.7–5.4 Mg ha–1 yr–1) of stover harvest from either continuous maize or maize–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotation on grain yield, plant nutrient concentrations, and multiple soil properties at two sites in Iowa. Stover harvest increased plant macro‐ and micro‐nutrient removal, but did not affect average grain yields of either crops. Soil inorganic carbon (IC), SOC, bulk density, pH, and cation exchange capacity (CEC) showed no significant differences due to stover harvest. Plant tissue and soil‐test nutrient concentration effects were also minor and site‐specific. Stover harvest significantly (p < .05) decreased exchangeable K and Ca concentrations by 8.3–23.8% and 0.3–22.5% but overall soil health indicator effects were minimal. Overall, based on crop yields, plant nutrient and soil‐test concentrations, soil health indicators, and carbon sequestration estimates, maize stover harvest can be sustainable provided: (a) grain yields consistently exceed 11 Mg ha–1, (b) stover removal does not exceed 40% of the aboveground biomass (i.e., 3.5–4.0 Mg ha–1 yr–1), and (c) plant nutrients (especially K) are closely monitored.
Investigating liquid fronts during spontaneous imbibition of liquids in industrial wicks. Part I: Experimental studies
Authors: F. Zarandi M. Amin , Pillai Krishna M.
Published: May 2021

A large set of industrial wicks made from sintered polymer beads and fibrous materials were studied. Three types of liquid fronts were observed: sharp, semi‐sharp, and diffuse. The bead‐like microstructure with lower porosity is found to support sharp fronts, while the aligned‐fiber microstructure with higher porosities leads to a smudging/diffusing of the fronts. The previously developed sharp‐front model is found to predict the front height as a function of time quite well in the sintered‐bead wicks and the two “semi‐sharp” fibrous wicks. The liquid‐front height calculated from the liquid mass‐gain data was validated through visual observations for all but the two fibrous wicks generating the diffuse fronts. These latter cases, observed to start off as a sharp fronts, faded with time.
The portrayal of dwarfism without skeletal dysplasia in art: Proportionate short stature due to growth hormone deficiency and other disorders
Authors: Lapunzina Pablo , Tenorio‐Castaño Jair , Nevado Julián , Campos Barros Ángel , Pachajoa Harry , Ruiz‐Pérez Víctor L. , Castilla Eduardo E.
Published: May 2021

In this article, we analyze several works of art which portray individuals with short stature (“dwarfism”). We have focused on eight individuals who we believe have short stature due to growth hormone deficiency (GHD) or closely related disorders, rather than skeletal dysplasia. We discuss them individually, suggest the potential diagnosis, review the characteristics of their life and personal history, and briefly outline the artistic framework in which these works of art were created. This work is a posthumous tribute to the people with short stature portrayed in these works of art, who likely experienced harassment and inappropriate treatment by others and called by derogatory names. We have tried to acknowledge their identities with the respect they deserve.
The impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on the analyses of Holocaust survivors' offspring
Authors: Kogan Ilany
Published: May 2021

This essay tackles the following issues: (a) The encounter of Holocaust survivor offspring whose damaged parents suffered from unresolved grief with a life‐threatening pandemic; (b) Changes of technique that may be needed during this period; and (c) The impact of countertransference of the analyst in the analytic cure in a shared life‐threatening situation. This theme will be examined by means of a case study, in which the life‐threatening situation of the pandemic reactivated guilt feelings. These feelings belonged to the patient's relationship with her mother, as well as to the Holocaust survivor mother, who committed suicide as a result of her unresolved mourning.
Safe spaces, unsafe spaces, and gendered spaces: Psychoanalysis during the pandemic
Authors: Ellman Paula L.
Published: May 2021

This paper explores the multilayered concept of space that has been unveiled during the pandemic and discusses our experience of space, what is safe and unsafe, and how it has become reconfigured and differently considered. The pandemic opens social fractures with regard to race and gender, and with that in mind the concept of space is discussed in terms of race, and also space that becomes gendered, as well as on those occasions when it is regressively experienced. Further elaborated are the ways that the use of space can become perverse, as well as contain creative life‐giving forces in an effort to defy the fear of illness and death.
Simple colorimetric screening of paraquat residue in vegetables evaluated by localized surface plasmon resonance of gold nanoparticles
Authors: Kongpreecha Pakawat , Siri Sineenat
Published: May 2021

The contamination of paraquat in vegetables is widely connected with human health risks, leading to the research interest in developing a paraquat sensing system. This work reports a simple detection method of paraquat based on the electrostatic interaction of paraquat and the negatively charged gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), resulting in the changes of colors from red to blue and the shifting of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peaks of AuNPs. The limit of detection concentration (CLOD) of this system was 100 μM paraquat. Moreover, among eight cationic salts tested, NaCl was selective to enhance the detection sensitivity of the system, resulting in the reduction of CLOD to 0.10 μM. This system selectively detected paraquat, but not other tested herbicides (ametryn, atrazine, glyphosate, and 2,4‐D‐dimethyl ammonium). The paraquat‐spiking experiment in kale demonstrated the significant recovery rate of paraquat at 96.0–103.0%, and the relative standard deviations were less than 4%. The developed system was efficient for screening contaminated paraquat in vegetables under unwashed and washed conditions. Three out of five unwashed vegetables had a significant level of paraquat as determined by LSPR values. These results suggested the potential application of this system for a simple screening of contaminated paraquat in vegetables.

Simple paraquat‐screening system was developed based on the negatively charged gold nanoparticles.

The limit of paraquat detection of this system was 0.10 μM.

This system was potentially used for a simple screening of contaminated paraquat in vegetables.
Terminal 3 am Flughafen Frankfurt: Building the Future
Authors: Rohr Harald
Published: May 2021

Mit dem Bau des neuen Terminal 3 auf dem ehemaligen Gelände der Rhein‐Main Air Base verwirklicht die Fraport AG ein langfristig ausgelegtes Ausbauprojekt am Flughafen Frankfurt. Trotz der Corona‐Pandemie und deren Folgen für den Luftverkehr stellt das neue Terminal weiterhin einen integralen Bestandteil für die Zukunft des Frankfurt Airport dar. Durch den modular geplanten Bau können die insgesamt drei Bauabschnitte des Terminals eng am tatsächlichen Kapazitätsbedarf realisiert werden. Zwei von ihnen befinden sich aktuell im Bau. Sie umfassen das Hauptgebäude sowie die drei Flugsteige G, H und J mit Kapazitäten für bis zu 19 Mio. Fluggäste jährlich. Eine neue fahrerlose Sky Line‐Bahn sowie eine smarte Gepäcklogistik stellen eine schnelle und reibungslose Verbindung mit den beiden bestehenden Terminals im Norden sowie dem Fern‐ und Regionalbahnhof sicher. Mit einem Investitionsvolumen von rund 4 Mrd. Euro ist Terminal 3 eines der größten privat finanzierten Infrastrukturprojekte in Europa. Vom Spezialtiefbau über den Hochbau bis hin zur technischen Gebäudeausstattung – die Dimensionen der Großbaustelle halten für Planer wie Ingenieure bauliche und auch logistische Herausforderungen bereit. Schließlich sind zahlreiche Gewerke in mehreren Projektbereichen gleichzeitig aktiv – während des laufenden Betriebs an Deutschlands größtem Flughafen.
Digitalisierung der Mobilität und deren Einfluss auf die bauliche Infrastruktur
Authors: Benz Michael
Published: May 2021

Die disruptiven Effekte der Digitalisierung führen in den letzten Jahren zu einem Paradigmenwechsel in der Mobilität und der Verkehrsplanung. Von einer Modellbetrachtung des Verkehrs transformieren sich die Zielvorstellungen in ein datengetriebenes und zunehmend umweltorientiertes Verkehrsmanagement in Fast‐Echtzeit. Die neuen Möglichkeiten und die sich daraus ergebenden Umsetzungen ändern die Anforderungen an die bauliche Infrastruktur. Insbesondere geht es zunehmend darum, die Anforderungen der Versorgungsstrukturen (z. B. Logistik) und der nutzerorientierten Mobilität aufeinander abzustimmen, da beide Systeme die gleiche Infrastruktur verwenden. Dabei sind es die Nutzer/‐innen, die als Nachfrager/‐innen entsprechender Mobilitäts‐/Logistikleistungen als zentrale Stellgröße angesehen werden sollten. Für eine Umsetzung von kundenzentrierten Maßnahmen bedarf es jedoch entsprechender Organisationseinheiten innerhalb von Städten und Kommunen, die die richtigen Maßnahmen auf Basis von anforderungsgerecht aufgearbeiteten (Echtzeit‐)Daten treffen. Solche Einheiten können bspw. kooperative Leitstellen sein, die auf Basis von Big Data Analytics sowie Vorhersagen oder Strategievorgaben die „richtigen“ Maßnahmen zum Management des Verkehrs vorschlagen oder sogar automatisch treffen.
A Low‐Frequency Pulsed Magnetic Field Reduces Neuropathic Pain by Regulating NaV1.8 and NaV1.9 Sodium Channels at the Transcriptional Level in Diabetic Rats
Authors: Coskun Cagil , Ocal Isil , Gunay Ismail
Published: May 2021

Low‐frequency pulsed magnetic field (LF‐PMF) application is a non‐invasive, easy, and inexpensive treatment method in pain management. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the effect of LF‐PMF on pain is not fully understood. Considering the obvious dysregulations of gene expression observed in certain types of voltage‐gated sodium channels (VGSCs) in pain conditions, the present study tested the hypothesis that LF‐PMF shows its pain‐relieving effect by regulating genes that code VGSCs proteins. Five experimental rat groups (Control, Streptozotocin‐induced experimental painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN), PDN Sham, PDN 10 Hz PMF, and PDN 30 Hz PMF) were established. After the pain formation in PDN groups, the magnetic field groups were exposed to 10/30 Hz, 1.5 mT PMF for 4 weeks, an hour daily. Progression of pain was evaluated using behavioral pain tests during the entire experimental processes. After the end of PMF treatment, SCN9A (NaV1.7), SCN10A (NaV1.8), SCN11A (NaV1.9), and SCN3A (NaV1.3) gene expression level changes were determined by analyzing real‐time polymerase chain reaction results. We found that 10 Hz PMF application was more effective than 30 Hz on pain management. In addition, NaV1.7 and NaV1.3 transcriptions were upregulated while NaV1.8 and NaV1.9 were downregulated in painful conditions. Notably, the downregulated expression of the genes encoding NaV1.8 and NaV1.9 were re‐regulated and increased to control level by 10 Hz PMF application. Consequently, it may be deduced that 10 Hz PMF application reduces pain by modulating certain VGSCs at the transcriptional level. © 2021 Bioelectromagnetics Society.
Synthesis and optimization of photoluminescence properties in potential reddish orange emitting niobate phosphor for photonic device applications
Authors: Jain Rakshit , Sinha Rachna , Sahu Mukesh K. , Jayasimhadri Mula
Published: May 2021

A series of samarium ions (Sm3+) activated barium sodium niobate (Ba2NaNb5O15) samples have been successfully synthesized via employing a solid‐state reaction technique. Single phase, crystalline tetragonal Ba2NaNb5O15 were formed and the crystallite size of the prepared sample varied with doping of Sm3+ ions. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of Ba2NaNb5O15:Sm3+ illustrate that the particles possess a non‐uniform spherical structure with some agglomeration. The prepared Ba2NaNb5O15:Sm3+ phosphors were efficiently excited with near‐ultraviolet (n‐UV) (406 nm) and emit strong visible emission peaks in the range 550–725 nm. The phenomenon of concentration quenching was detected after x = 0.10 mol of Sm3+ ions concentration for Ba2NaNb5O15, which arises due to non‐radiative energy transfer through dipole–dipole interaction among activator ions. Colour coordinates (0.586, 0.412) for the optimized phosphor lies in the visible reddish orange region. A bi‐exponential decay behaviour was observed for the photoluminescence decay curve of the optimized phosphor sample with an average decay time in milliseconds. The temperature dependent emission intensity confirms that the Ba2−xNaNb5O15:xSm3+ (x = 0.10 mol) phosphor exhibits adequate thermal stability having high value of activation energy (ΔE = 0.201 eV). The comprehensive study and analysis of the as‐prepared samples suggest that the intense reddish orange emitting thermally stable Ba2NaNb5O15:Sm3+ phosphor can act as a potential luminescent material in phosphor coated lighting, solar cells and other photonic devices.
Bromoamination of a Benzoallene Ether and the Subsequent Palladium‐catalyzed Coupling Reactions to Benzoxazinone Derivatives Containing Conjugated Substituents
Authors: Lee Kun Jung , Kim Guncheol
Published: May 2021

Benzoxazinone derivatives containing conjugated substituents have been synthesized through bromination of an benzoallene ether and the subsequent palladium‐catalyzed coupling reactions. Heck or Suzuki coupling reaction of the vinylbromide precursor provided resonable to good yields of the desired products.
Theoretical Study on the Aliphatic C─H Bond Activation by a Mononuclear Manganese(III) Iodosylbenzene Complex
Authors: Jeong Donghyun , Hirao Hajime , Cho Jaeheung
Published: May 2021

We present a theoretical study on the aliphatic C─H bond activation of cyclohexadiene (CHD) by a mononuclear manganese(III) iodosylbenzene complex [MnIII(TBDAP)(OIPh)(OH)]2+ (1). The results suggest that the first step is overall characterized as hydride transfer. However, at the more fundamental level, this step consists of a hydrogen atom transfer and a subsequent electron transfer.
Know how to manage personnel issues in the aftermath of COVID‐19
Authors: O'Brien Timothy
Published: May 2021

College athletics departments, like so many employers, have learned how to adapt and continue to operate in a world dominated by COVID‐19. Initially, departments dealt with the cancellation of tournaments, championships, and seasons in the spring of 2020, which required focused effort, coordination, and immediate action.
Rapid acanthocytic schistocytosis and fulminant microangiopathic hemolysis as a preterminal event
Authors: Moshref Razavi Habib , Yu Richard
Published: May 2021

Isolated schistocytosis is a hematological emergency. Clinically significant schistocytosis requires 1% red cell fragments in a high power field. These include triangular fragments, crescents, helmet cells, keratocytes, or microspherocytes.
Trends in Conjugated Chalcogenophenes: A Theoretical Study
Authors: Topolskaia Valentina , Pollit Adam A. , Cheng Susan , Seferos Dwight S.
Published: May 2021

Heavy atom substitution in chalcogenophenes is a versatile strategy for tailoring and ultimately improving conjugated polymer properties. While thiophene monomers are commonly implemented in polymer designs, relatively little is known regarding the molecular properties of the heavier chalcogenophenes. Herein, we use density functional theory (DFT) calculations to examine how group 16 heteroatoms, including the radioactive polonium, affect polychalcogenophene properties including bond length, chain twisting, aromaticity, and optical properties. Heavier chalcogenophenes are more quinoidal in character and consequently have reduced band gaps and larger degrees of planarity. We consider both the neutral and radical cationic species. Upon p‐type doping, bond length rearrangement is indicative of a more delocalized electronic structure, which combined with optical calculations is consistent with the polaron‐model of charge storage on conjugated polymer chains. A better understanding of the properties of these materials at their molecular levels will inevitably be useful in material design as the polymer community continues to explore more main group containing polymers to tackle issues in electronic devices.
Tuning Viscoelasticity in Alginate Hydrogels for 3D Cell Culture Studies
Authors: Charbonier Frank , Indana Dhiraj , Chaudhuri Ovijit
Published: May 2021

Physical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) affect cell behaviors ranging from cell adhesion and migration to differentiation and gene expression, a process known as mechanotransduction. While most studies have focused on the impact of ECM stiffness, using linearly elastic materials such as polyacrylamide gels as cell culture substrates, biological tissues and ECMs are viscoelastic, which means they exhibit time‐dependent mechanical responses and dissipate mechanical energy. Recent studies have revealed ECM viscoelasticity, independent of stiffness, as a critical physical parameter regulating cellular processes. These studies have used biomaterials with tunable viscoelasticity as cell‐culture substrates, with alginate hydrogels being one of the most commonly used systems. Here, we detail the protocols for three approaches to modulating viscoelasticity in alginate hydrogels for 2D and 3D cell culture studies, as well as the testing of their mechanical properties. Viscoelasticity in alginate hydrogels can be tuned by varying the molecular weight of the alginate polymer, changing the type of crosslinker—ionic versus covalent—or by grafting short poly(ethylene‐glycol) (PEG) chains to the alginate polymer. As these approaches are based on commercially available products and simple chemistries, these protocols should be accessible for scientists in the cell biology and bioengineering communities. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Tuning viscoelasticity by varying alginate molecular weight

Basic Protocol 2: Tuning viscoelasticity with ionic versus covalent crosslinking

Basic Protocol 3: Tuning viscoelasticity by adding PEG spacers to alginate chains

Support Protocol 1: Testing mechanical properties of alginate hydrogels

Support Protocol 2: Conjugating cell‐adhesion peptide RGD to alginate
A charge equalization scheme for battery string with charging current allocation
Authors: Hsieh Yao‐Ching , Yu Li‐Ren , Yang Meng‐Feng
Published: May 2021

This research proposes a charge equalization scheme based on a flyback converter with the polarity‐inverting folding switches together with a set of selection switches for series‐connected batteries. By the selection switches, the converter can provide an additional charging current to the battery with the lowest loaded voltage. In addition to intervening a low current charging to prolong the discrepant charging, a finalizing individual charging is performed to ensure charge equalization even under extremely unbalanced situation. Thus, all the batteries can be allocated with appropriate electric charge through the proposed charge‐balance strategy to make the voltage of all batteries be even after the charging process. Three sets of experiments with different initial conditions are performed. Experimental results show that the charge imbalance can be effectively reduced after the regular current charging for most practical cases. All batteries can be charged to their full capacities with individual charging, even under extremely unbalanced situation. Eventually, the voltage difference among batteries can be alleviated to about 50 mV.
Relationships aid efforts for students with mobility impairments
Authors: Enos Gary A.
Published: May 2021

As early as the 1960s, Ball State University had empowered a committee devoted to the needs of students with disabilities. Its history of promoting accessibility continues to earn accolades, including a 2019 ranking by College Magazine as the nation's top institution for students with physical disabilities. Courtney Jarrett, Director of Disability Services, discussed her office's approach.
Make choices that enable creativity, happiness despite disruption
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: May 2021

When kids are three or four, everything in their life is a celebration, said Joel Zeff, President of Joel Zeff Creative and author of Make the Right Choice: Creating a Positive, Innovative, and Productive Work Life. He was a keynote speaker at the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers annual conference. Celebrating their “ta‐da” moments fuels children's confidence and interest in taking risk, he added.
Niche differentiation in a postglacial colonizer, the bank vole Clethrionomys glareolus
Authors: Escalante Marco A. , Horníková Michaela , Marková Silvia , Kotlík Petr
Published: May 2021

Species‐level environmental niche modeling has been crucial in efforts to understand how species respond to climate variation and change. However, species often exhibit local adaptation and intraspecific niche differences that may be important to consider in predicting responses to climate. Here, we explore whether phylogeographic lineages of the bank vole originating from different glacial refugia (Carpathian, Western, Eastern, and Southern) show niche differentiation, which would suggest a role for local adaptation in biogeography of this widespread Eurasian small mammal. We first model the environmental requirements for the bank vole using species‐wide occurrences (210 filtered records) and then model each lineage separately to examine niche overlap and test for niche differentiation in geographic and environmental space. We then use the models to estimate past [Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and mid‐Holocene] habitat suitability to compare with previously hypothesized glacial refugia for this species. Environmental niches are statistically significantly different from each other for all pairs of lineages in geographic and environmental space, and these differences cannot be explained by habitat availability within their respective ranges. Together with the inability of most of the lineages to correctly predict the distributions of other lineages, these results support intraspecific ecological differentiation in the bank vole. Model projections of habitat suitability during the LGM support glacial survival of the bank vole in the Mediterranean region and in central and western Europe. Niche differences between lineages and the resulting spatial segregation of habitat suitability suggest ecological differentiation has played a role in determining the present phylogeographic patterns in the bank vole. Our study illustrates that models pooling lineages within a species may obscure the potential for different responses to climate change among populations.
Environmental DNA metabarcoding primers for freshwater fish detection and quantification: In silico and in tanks
Authors: Shu Lu , Ludwig Arne , Peng Zuogang
Published: May 2021

Environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques refer to utilizing the organisms’ DNA extracted from environment samples to genetically identify target species without capturing actual organisms. eDNA metabarcoding via high‐throughput sequencing can simultaneously detect multiple fish species from a single water sample, which is a powerful tool for the qualitative detection and quantitative estimates of multiple fish species. However, sequence counts obtained from eDNA metabarcoding may be influenced by many factors, of which primer bias is one of the foremost causes of methodological error. The performance of 18 primer pairs for COI, cytb, 12S rRNA, and 16S rRNA mitochondrial genes, which are all frequently used in fish eDNA metabarcoding, were evaluated in the current study. The ribosomal gene markers performed better than the protein‐coding gene markers during in silico screening, resulting in higher taxonomic coverage and appropriate barcode lengths. Four primer pairs—AcMDB07, MiFish‐U, Ve16S1, and Ve16S3—designed for various regions of the 12S and 16S rRNA genes were screened for tank metabarcoding in a case study targeting six freshwater fish species. The four primer pairs were able to accurately detect all six species in different tanks, while only MiFish‐U, Ve16S1, and Ve16S3 revealed a significant positive relationship between species biomass and read count for the pooled tank data. The positive relationship could not be found in all species within the tanks. Additionally, primer efficiency differed depending on the species while primer preferential species varied in different fish assemblages. This case study supports the potential for eDNA metabarcoding to assess species diversity in natural ecosystems and provides an alternative strategy to evaluate the performance of candidate primers before application of eDNA metabarcoding in natural ecosystems.
Resilience: insights from the U.S. LongTerm Ecological Research Network
Authors: Cowles Jane , Templeton Laura , Battles John J. , Edmunds Peter J. , Carpenter Robert C. , Carpenter Stephen R. , Paul Nelson Michael , Cleavitt Natalie L. , Fahey Timothy J. , Groffman Peter M. , Sullivan Joe H. , Neel Maile C. , Hansen Gretchen J. A. , Hobbie Sarah , Holbrook Sally J. , Kazanski Clare E. , Seabloom Eric W. , Schmitt Russell J. , Stanley Emily H. , Tepley Alan J. , van Doorn Natalie S. , Vander Zanden Jake M.
Published: May 2021

Ecosystems are changing in complex and unpredictable ways, and analysis of these changes is facilitated by coordinated, long‐term research. Meeting diverse societal needs requires an understanding of what populations and communities will be dominant in 20, 50, and 100 yr. This paper is a product of a synthesis effort of the U.S. National Science Foundation funded Long‐Term Ecological Research (LTER) network addressing the LTER core research area of populations and communities. This analysis revealed that each LTER site had at least one compelling story about what their site would look like in 50 or 100 yr. As the stories were prepared, themes emerged, and the stories were grouped into papers along five themes for this special issue: state change, connectivity, resilience, time lags, and cascading effects. This paper addresses the resilience theme and includes stories from the Baltimore (urban), Hubbard Brook (northern hardwood forest), Andrews (temperate rain forest), Moorea (coral reef), Cedar Creek (grassland), and North Temperate Lakes (lakes) sites. The concept of resilience (the capacity of a system to maintain structure and processes in the face of disturbance) is an old topic that has seen a resurgence of interest as the nature and extent of global environmental change have intensified. The stories we present here show the power of long‐term manipulation experiments (Cedar Creek), the value of long‐term monitoring of forests in both natural (Andrews, Hubbard Brook) and urban settings (Baltimore), and insights that can be gained from modeling and/or experimental approaches paired with long‐term observations (North Temperate Lakes, Moorea). Three main conclusions emerge from the analysis: (1) Resilience research has matured over the past 40 yr of the LTER program; (2) there are many examples of high resilience among the ecosystems in the LTER network; (3) there are also many warning signs of declining resilience of the ecosystems we study. These stories highlight the need for long‐term studies to address this complex topic and show how the diversity of sites within the LTER network facilitates the emergence of overarching concepts about this important driver of ecosystem structure, function, services, and futures.
Response of the invasive Alliaria petiolata to extreme temperatures and drought
Authors: Anderson Roger C. , Anderson M. Rebecca , Bauer Jonathan T. , Loebach Christopher , Mullarkey Alicia , Engelhardt Megan
Published: May 2021

Alliaria petiolata, a strict biennial in North America, can have an annual alternating high abundance of rosettes and flowering plants. We monitored changes in abundance of rosettes and flowering plants in permanent plots (2004–2014). Three times during our study, the alternating yearly cycle was not observed (2007–2008, 2008–2009, and 2013–2014). We concluded stochastic extreme climate events (ECEs), deviating from long‐term climatic data norms (10th or 90th percentile), likely caused negative organism responses. Long‐term data from a local NOAA station located 25 km from our study site included monthly data (1) total precipitation, (2) number of days with >0.13 cm precipitation, and (3) mean and minimum temperatures. September 2007 met the criteria for ECEs for all monthly variables. We first observed A. petiolata on our study site in 1988, and by the early 1990s, it was abundant. To determine whether September 2007 significantly differed from other September (1984–2014), we used six variables related to drought: (1) total precipitation, (2) number of days with precipitation, (3) number of contiguous days without precipitation, (4) mean monthly temperature, (5) mean maximum daily temperature, and (6) the number of days with temperatures >30°C. The first two variables likely increase plant stress as they decrease, whereas stress declines as the remaining variables decrease. We used the six variables to generate a principal component analysis (PCA) biplot. Axes 1 and 2 accounted for 74.3% of the variance. Record‐breaking minimum temperatures (ECEs) for January (2009) and February–March (2014) likely reduced rosette abundance and disrupted reestablishment of alternating high abundance of rosettes and flowering plants. Our data suggest that a single ECE variable, minimum temperature, and multiple ECE variables related to drought likely had negative effects on A. petiolata.