bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of global research on vegetable seedlings and transplants and their impacts on product quality
Authors: Gallegos‐Cedillo Victor M. , Nájera Cinthia , Signore Angelo , Ochoa Jesús , Gallegos Jesús , Egea‐Gilabert Catalina , Gruda Nazim S. , Fernández Juan A.
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND

Previous research has established that using high‐quality planting material during the early phase of vegetable production significantly impacts success and efficiency, leading to improved crop performance, faster time to harvest and better profitability. In the present study, we conducted a global analysis of vegetable seedlings and transplants, providing a comprehensive overview of research trends in seedling and transplant production to enhance the nutritional quality of vegetables.

RESULTS

The analysis involved reviewing and quantitatively analysing 762 articles and 5248 keywords from the Scopus database from 1971 to 2022. We used statistical, mathematical and clustering tools to analyse bibliometrics and visualise the most relevant research topics. A visualisation map was generated to identify the evolution of keywords used in the articles, resulting in five clusters for further analysis. Our study highlights the importance of the size of seed trays for the type of crop, the mechanical seeder used and the greenhouse facilities to produce desirable transplants. We identified grafting and light‐emitting diode (LED) lighting technology as rapidly expanding technologies in vegetable seedlings and transplant production used to promote plant qualitative profile.

CONCLUSION

There is a need for sustainable growing media to optimise resources and reduce input use. Thus, applying grafting, LED artificial lighting, biostimulants, biofortification and plant growth‐promoting microorganisms in seedling production can enhance efficiency and promote sustainable vegetable nutritional quality by accumulating biocompounds. Further research is needed to explore the working mechanisms and devise novel strategies to enhance the product quality of vegetables, commencing from the early stages of food production. © 2024 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
THE COMEBACK WILL BE STRONGER THAN THE SETBACK
Authors: Lutoff‐Perlo Lisa
Published: January 2024

The author, an executive at the Royal Caribbean Group, who was appointed President & CEO/Chief Executive Officer of its Celebrity Cruises brand in late 2014, discusses her leadership journey, including dealing with the global pandemic. The latter shut down the global cruise industry for 15 months, yet planning for the future was maintained. “Our chairman,” she writes, “was working with other cruise company leaders, health experts and government leaders to keep the dialogue going in the hope that we would eventually be given the green light to start cruising again. It was a long and arduous time.” She is candid about the uncertainties during this time period: “I felt a big responsibility to rally my team, to understand what they were going through, to keep them confident, energized, and optimistic that we would get through this, even on those days when I wasn’t so sure myself.” Reflecting on the success of the return of its cruise ships, she recalls leadership lessons, including: “When you have that level of trust and confidence in your team and they look at you and ask, “Should we do it?” You say “Yes!” And when I learned another valuable lesson. When your team knows they have your trust and confidence, they, in turn are not going to let you down.”
How to achieve the high‐quality development of SRDI enterprises? Evidence from machine learning
Authors: Qu Guimin , Bai Jingkun
Published: January 2024

Exploring how SRDI enterprises achieve high‐quality development constitutes a pivotal task for small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) and niche leaders. While prior research primarily concentrated on the influence of innovative policies on SRDI enterprises, it has disregarded the intrinsic propelling forces intrinsic to these enterprises. To bridge this research gap, our study leverages a machine learning model that incorporates 19 feature variables spanning four dimensions—“specialization, refinement, distinctiveness, and innovation”—to anticipate high‐quality development in enterprises. Drawing on a sample of 667 A‐share SRDI‐listed enterprises from 2012 to 2022, and after subjecting the data to preprocessing, the study employs the mean of five machine learning models to predict high‐quality development in enterprises. Moreover, we discern pivotal feature variables and dimensions. Notably, outcomes underscore the paramount significance of market share in achieving high‐quality progress within SRDI enterprises, with refinement emerging as the foremost feature dimension among the four. Moreover, during the three stages delineated by SRDI policies, research and development intensity, equity financing, and market share emerge as the preeminent feature variables within their respective stages.
A comparative analysis of channel strategies for refurbished products: The influence of blockchain, brand spillover on co‐opetitive supply chain
Authors: Fang Zhou , Bai Yang
Published: January 2024

Industry insiders and researchers have widely recognized refurbishment as an environmentally friendly activity that reduces raw material waste and energy consumption. Simultaneously, blockchain is increasingly used in the supply chain with its information transparency and traceability. The refurbished product market possesses substantial potential. Nevertheless, refurbished products carry an inherent risk of brand spillover. Within this framework, manufacturers must weigh broader considerations in selecting product distribution channels. In this study, we discuss three sales models for new and refurbished products in the secondary market, namely, Scenarios M (where the manufacturer sells new products to consumers through the retailer and sells refurbished products to consumers directly), R (where the manufacturer sells new products to consumers through the retailer, and the retailer produces and sells refurbished products alongside new products), and C (where the manufacturer sells new products to consumers, and the remanufacturer sells refurbished products to consumers through a retailer). Upon examining the equilibrium outcomes of each model, it is evident that a manufacturer's decision to produce refurbished products hinges on market demand. High demand for refurbished goods inclines manufacturers towards the M scenario, whereas insufficient demand leads to cessation of refurbishment activities. Conversely, retailers navigate between R and C scenarios based on market demand. The advent of blockchain technology shifts the strategic focus: the extent of brand spillover supersedes market demand as the pivotal factor influencing retailers' production strategies. Blockchain technology can increase manufacturers' profits. Interestingly, in Scenario C, blockchain does not always improve retailer profits.
Segmental infralesional pathological spontaneous activity in subacute traumatic spinal cord injury
Authors: Berger Michael J. , Adewuyi Adenike A. , Doherty Christopher , Hanlan Amy K. , Morin Cynthia , O'Connor Russ , Sharma Radhika , Sproule Shannon , Swong Kevin N. , Wu Harvey , Franz Colin K. , Brown Erin
Published: January 2024

Introduction/Aims

There is a dearth of knowledge regarding the status of infralesional lower motor neurons (LMNs) in individuals with traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (SCI), yet there is a growing need to understand how the spinal lesion impacts LMNs caudal to the lesion epicenter, especially in the context of nerve transfer surgery to restore several key upper limb functions. Our objective was to determine the frequency of pathological spontaneous activity (PSA) at, and below, the level of spinal injury, to gain an understanding of LMN health below the spinal lesion.

Methods

Ninety‐one limbs in 57 individuals (53 males, mean age = 44.4 ± 16.9 years, mean duration from injury = 3.4 ± 1.4 months, 32 with motor complete injuries), were analyzed. Analysis was stratified by injury level as (1) C4 and above, (2) C5, and (3) C6‐7. Needle electromyography was performed on representative muscles innervated by the C5‐6, C6‐7, C7‐8, and C8‐T1 nerve roots. PSA was dichotomized as present or absent. Data were pooled for the most caudal infralesional segment (C8‐T1).

Results

A high frequency of PSA was seen in all infralesional segments. The pooled frequency of PSA for all injury levels at C8‐T1 was 68.7% of the limbs tested. There was also evidence of PSA at the rostral border of the neurological level of injury, with 58.3% of C5‐6 muscles in those with C5‐level injuries.

Discussion

These data support a high prevalence of infralesional LMN abnormalities following SCI, which has implications to nerve transfer candidacy, timing of the intervention, and donor nerve options.
Seltene Erden: Für Batterien oder Windräder
Authors: Bulmahn Maren
Published: January 2024

Der Handel mit Selten‐Erd‐Elementen hat in den letzten Jahren zugelegt. Dies gilt in der Europäischen Union für Im‐ wie Exporte.
Polymere: Flexibel, sensitiv und reagierend
Authors: Ludwigs Sabine
Published: January 2024

Roboterstrukturen aus Elastomeren sind anpassungsfähig und sprechen auf Bewegungen und äußere Stimuli an. Mit solchen intelligenten Kunststoffen zieht die Polymerchemie in Soft Robotics für biomedizinische Anwendungen ein.
Global problems – global solutions
Authors: Alexander‐White Camilla , Metzger Stephanie , Welton Tom
Published: January 2024

Chemistry and the chemicals in products have transformed our societies for the better, giving us better health and living conditions. However, these benefits have not been delivered without significant costs to the environment. In 2022, the UN Environment Agency agreed to set up a Science‐Policy Panel (SPP) for Chemicals, Waste and the Prevention of Pollution.
Einkommensumfrage
Authors: Pereira Jaé Angela
Published: January 2024

Wie beeinflussen die weltpolitische Lage und die hohe Inflation die Gehaltsentwicklung? Nehmen Sie an der Einkommensumfrage teil und finden Sie es heraus.
A review of polymer surface modification by cold plasmas toward bulk functionalization
Authors: Bertin Maicon , Leitao Erin M. , Bickerton Simon , Verbeek Casparus Johannes Reinhard
Published: January 2024

Plasma surface modification of polymers is a well‐established method applied to increase the surface energy of these materials, where the capacity of cold plasmas to generate free radicals and functionalize the surface with polar groups is widely reported in the literature. This article provides a comprehensive literature review on plasma surface treatment, plasma‐induced grafting, and plasma polymerization, evaluating how these techniques can be applied to modify the bulk properties of polymers. A novel process of plasma‐induced polymer bulk functionalization in the melt state is introduced, where an atmospheric pressure plasma jet could be applied to a continuous reactive extrusion process, enhancing the production of graft copolymers for compatibilization of polymeric blends and fiber composites.
Toward improved image‐based root phenotyping: Handling temporal and cross‐site domain shifts in crop root segmentation models
Authors: Banet Travis , Smith Abraham George , McGrail Rebecca , McNear David H. , Poffenbarger Hanna
Published: January 2024

Crop root segmentation models developed through deep learning have increased the throughput of in situ crop phenotyping studies. However, models trained to identify roots in one image dataset may not accurately identify roots in another dataset, especially when the new dataset contains known differences, called domain shifts. The objective of this study was to quantify how model performance changes when models are used to segment image datasets that contain domain shifts and evaluate approaches to reduce error associated with domain shifts. We collected maize root images at two growth stages (V7 and R2) in a field experiment and manually segmented images to measure total root length (TRL). We developed five segmentation models and evaluated each model's ability to handle a temporal (growth‐stage) domain shift. For the V7 growth stage, a growth‐stage‐specific model trained only on images captured at the V7 growth stage was best suited for measuring TRL. At the R2 growth stage, combining images from both growth stages into a single dataset to train a model resulted in the most accurate TRL measurements. We applied two of the field models to images from a greenhouse experiment to evaluate how model performance changed when exposed to a cross‐site domain shift. Field models were less accurate than models trained only on the greenhouse images even when crop growth stage was identical. Although models may perform well for one experiment, model error increases when applied to images from different experiments even when crop species, growth stage, and soil type are similar.
Pore‐scale freezing of a sandy saline soil visualized with micro‐computed tomography
Authors: Gao Xiangbo , Tian Rongrong , Yin Tingchang , Torres Sergio Andres Galindo , Lei Liang
Published: January 2024

Sandy saline soils are widely distributed and commonly experience seasonal or long‐term freezing, yet the freezing process in these soils is rarely studied. This research utilized in situ X‐ray computed tomography (CT) to visualize pore‐scale freezing processes in sandy saline soils under various initial water and salt contents. Micron‐resolution observations of pore ice and unfrozen water produced new insights into the preferential orientation and grouping of pore ice crystals, intersections between different pore ice crystal groups causing anisotropic behavior, decreasing pore ice crystal size under faster freezing rates, and the formation of interconnected networks of both pore ice and unfrozen water upon freezing. From a thermodynamic perspective, the salt content in the unfrozen liquid is dependent on the local temperature as described by water–salt phase diagram. Furthermore, the local volume ratio between unfrozen water and pore ice reflects the initial salt content and salt mass transfer occurring due to both diffusion and fluid flow processes. This work improves the understanding of complex freezing phenomena in sandy saline soils through high‐resolution evidence of crystallization patterns, transformation mechanisms, and coupled heat‐mass transfer.
An Extended Temperature Model Based on the Trapping Effect for Drain‐Source Current in GaN HEMTs
Authors: Wu Wenwei , Yao Ruohe , Liu Yurong , Geng Kuiwei , Zhu Yingbin
Published: January 2024

In this work, an extended temperature current–voltage (I–V) model for AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) is proposed. Since there is no carrier freeze‐out effect in GaN HEMTs, the current density, switching characteristics, and heat dissipation performance are significantly improved with the decrease in temperature. The threshold voltage drift phenomenon can be accurately described at various temperatures by the trapping effect control potential model. Based on Matthiessen's law, the applicable temperature range of the mobility model is further extended. At cryogenic temperatures, the saturation current, saturation velocity, and sub‐threshold swing of the device tend to saturate as well as be temperature‐independent, which can be accurately modeled by using the equivalent temperature and applying the crucial temperature to quantify the turning point. Furthermore, the SHE modeling incorporates the temperature dependence of the material's thermal conductivity. The accuracy of the model is verified by experimental data at low (4.2–300 K) and high (298–773 K) temperatures. The proposed model overcomes the limitations of existing models applied at wide ambient temperatures.
Probing the Spatial Variation of Magnetic Order in Strained SrMnO3 Thin Films Using Spin Hall Magnetoresistance
Authors: van Rijn Job J. L. , Banerjee Tamalika
Published: January 2024

SrMnO3 (SMO) is a magnetic insulator and is predicted to exhibit a multiferroic phase upon straining. Strained films of SMO display a wide range of magnetic orders, ranging from G‐type to C‐and A‐type, indicative of competing magnetic interactions. The potential of spin Hall magnetoresistance (SMR) is exploited as an electrical probe for detecting surface magnetic order, to read surface magnetic moments in SMO and its spatial variation, by designing and positioning electrodes of different sizes on the film. The findings demonstrate antiferromagnetic domains with different magnetocrystalline anisotropies along with a ferromagnetic order, where the magnetization arises from double exchange‐mediated ferromagnetic order and canted antiferromagnetic moments. Further, from a complete analysis of the SMR, a predominance of antiferromagnetic domain sizes of 3.5 μm2 is extracted. This work enhances the applicability of SMR in unraveling the richness of correlation effects in complex oxides, as manifested by the detection of coexisting and competing ground states, and lays the foundation for the study of magnon transport for different magnetoelectric‐based computing applications.
Magnetic‐ and Spin‐Gapless‐Related Transport Properties in Sputtered Mn2CoGa Thin Films
Authors: Xu Guizhou , Tang Li , Wang Peihao , Pan Shuang , Bai Yuqing , Xiang Xinji , Zhang Shichao , Zhu Jie , Xu Feng
Published: January 2024

Spin‐gapless semiconductors (SGS) are highly attractive for spintronics applications due to their unique spin‐polarized band structure. In this study, the potential SGS candidate of Mn2CoGa alloy is focused on by growing thin films using magnetron sputtering on Si(001)/SiO2 substrates. By applying appropriate heat treatment, the Mn2CoGa thin films can crystallize into the expected Heusler structure, as confirmed by the dominant (220) peak observed in X‐ray diffraction. These films exhibit soft magnetized behavior, with a saturation magnetization of approximately 1.86 μB f.u.−1 at 10 K. This value deviates slightly from the theoretical prediction, indicating the presence of antisite disorder within the film. The resistivity curve shows a negative temperature coefficient, which is attributed to the strong electron–electron interaction that is also connected to the disorder. Despite the presence of disorder, positive variation and sign reversal of the magnetoresistance are observed, along with a nearly vanishing anomalous Hall effect, both of which are typical characteristics of SGS. Compared to bulk Mn2CoGa, the carrier concentration is larger and the mobility is lower in the film, while similar temperature dependences are observed.
Adaptive containment control of heterogeneous high‐order fully actuated multi‐agent systems
Authors: Liu Yang , Zhang Jiaming , Jia Yingmin
Published: January 2024

In this article, the distributed containment control schemes are presented for a class of nonlinear heterogeneous high‐order fully actuated multi‐agent systems. First, for each follower, the reference trajectory generator is constructed by using the output information of the neighbor agents. Then, the distributed containment controllers are designed for the system with known nonlinear system function matrices and control gain matrices. Further, since the existence of modeling errors and other uncertain factors, the obtained system model is often not accurate enough, that is, the system function matrix and control gain matrix are actually unknown nonlinear matrices. To tackle these obstacles, we employ the radial basis function neural network method to approximate the unknown nonlinear system function matrices and skillfully construct the controllers combined with the adaptive technology to eliminate the effects of the unknown control gain matrices. The developed control strategies can guarantee that the containment control can be realized and the containment errors can be adjusted to arbitrary precision. In the end, the simulation results on the electromechanical system and robotic system demonstrate the availability and effectiveness of the provided schemes.
Assessing sustainable decarbonization strategies for green shipping using tugboat owner investment in hybrid power systems in ports in Taiwan
Authors: Liu Ta‐Kang , Chen Yung‐Sheng
Published: January 2024

Decarbonization has significant operational implications for ships, fuel resources, and ports. Sustainable management is highly prioritized by ship owners and port authorities. The shipping industry must develop appropriate strategies to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050 and support the 2030 United Nations sustainable development goals. Tugboats, a ubiquitous vessel in Taiwanese ports, were selected as the subject of this study. Implementing hybrid power systems in response to the growing trend of carbon reduction was explored. This study involves various stakeholders in Taiwan, including ship owners, port agency representatives, and other relevant parties. Assessing investment costs, market demand, and policy guidance is highly significant. Establishing a positive cycle is necessary to encourage tugboat operators to adhere to sustainable management practices and environmental protection measures. This entails providing incentives through policy measures that enable tugboat operators to gain cost advantages and balance environmental, economic, and societal needs within an expanding market.
Path to sustainable development: Can industrial intelligence and technological innovation balance economic growth and environmental quality in China?
Authors: Yin Zi Hui , Zeng Wei Ping
Published: January 2024

Intelligent industrial transformation and technological innovation fuel China's sustainable development. We examine whether industrial intelligence and technological innovation improve economic growth and environmental quality using provincial data from China from 2006 to 2020. We used panel co‐integration techniques (fully modified OLS and dynamic OLS) for analysis. The results showed that industrial intelligence drives economic growth and environmental quality, whereas technological innovation primarily promotes economic growth. We also found that green technological innovation improves economic growth and environmental quality. The Granger causality technique based on the vector error‐correction model showed a strong interrelationship among industrial intelligence, technological innovation, economic growth, and environmental quality. Furthermore, a heterogeneity analysis shows that the effects and interrelationships of the variables of interest vary significantly by region in China. To achieve sustainable development, the government should accelerate the transformation of industrial intelligence, invest in environment‐friendly technological innovation activities, and focus on the co‐development of industrial intelligence, technological innovation, economic growth, and environmental quality.
Silica Grafted Imprinted Mesoporous Polymer for the Development of SPE Coupled FAAS Method of Nickel Determination, Removal, and Spent Polymer for Reduction of Permanganate: Multivariate Optimization
Authors: Rais Saman , Islam Aminul
Published: January 2024

A novel silica fabricated allyloxy ethanol based imprinted polymer is synthesised with surface area of 333 m2 g−1 and average pore size of 6.5 nm by an environment friendly one pot surface imprinting process. It was employed for the selective solid‐phase extraction (SPE) of trace Ni(II) in real samples prior to FAAS determination. The factor settings produced via central composite design in response surface methodology (RSM) (pH: 3.6; initial concentration; 800 mg L−1 and time; 15 minute) provide adsorption capacity of 176 mg g−1. Artificial neural network model employed on the RSM data, provided better predictability. Sips isotherm model and BSf kinetic model describes best the sorption phenomena of the homogenous binding terrain. The developed SPE‐coupled FAAS method demonstrate a detection limit of 1.62 μg L−1, quantification limit of 4.17 μg L−1, and Linear dynamic range of 20–8000 μg L−1. It was successfully applied to determine nickel in food (Spinach, Radish, Green tea infusion, Black tea infusion, Coffee, Soya milk, Chocolate Soya milk, Tobacco) and wastewater samples (>99 % removal). For five replicate determinations, the method‘s relative standard deviation was 2.3 %. The method was validated by analysing two certified reference materials, and the outcomes were well‐congruent with standard values. For the synthesised polymer Ni(II) exhibits higher distribution ratio than other competing ions (Cu(II), Pb(II), Cd(II), and Zn(II)) with the imprinting factor; β values of 5.73, 4.98, 6.80, and 5.04 respectively. The reusability experiments revealed that APS@Ni‐IIP retains a strong adsorption efficacy even after 15 cycles and after its exhaustion it was employed as catalyst for reducing permanganate ions, further reducing pollution. The rigid structure of mesoporous silica contributes to its acid resilience and reusability, which can lead to a relative increase in polymer performance in absorption rate and selectivity. Apart from the novelty in the synthesis, thorough examination of the method and material selectivity (in binary, ternary and multielement system), multi fold applications of determination, removal of Ni(II) and reduction of permanganate ions, makes APS@Ni‐IIP a promising candidate for environmental remediation.
Nickel‐Catalyzed Microwave‐Mediated Methylsulfonylation of Alkyl Halides
Authors: Bandaru Madhava Rao , Venkatanarayana Muvvala , Basava Vikram , Haridasyam Sharath Babu
Published: January 2024

The direct nickel‐catalyzed methylsulfonylation of alkyl and aryl halides using dimethyl sulfite as the sulfur dioxide surrogate as well as the source of methyl has been achieved. This protocol provides a robust method for the synthesis of methyl sulfone derivatives under microwave irradiation in moderate to excellent yields within 60 minutes and shows excellent functional group tolerance.
Graphene/Ta2O5 co‐coating to improve the electrochemical performance of cathode material LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 for lithium‐ion batteries
Authors: Zhang Xueqian , Dang Mengyue , Li Ying , Zhang Ruijin , Nan Quanhui , Li Mingqi , Zhu Mingyuan , Jin Hongming , Li Wenxian
Published: January 2024

The cycling and rate capabilities of LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 (NCM523) cathode material under high cut‐off voltage (≥4.5 V) and high current density have attracted much attention. However, the material‘s insufficient intrinsic electronic/ion conductivity and interface instability are still key issues restricting its electrochemical performance.In this paper, a graphene/Ta2O5 co‐coating layer is successfully fabricated on the surface of NCM523 to form a cathode material of GTa‐NCM523 to enhance both the electron and lithium‐ion transport during cathode operation. The GTa‐NCM523 cathode material achieves a discharge specific capacity of 147.4 mAh g−1 after 600 cycles at a voltage of 3.0–4.5 V and a rate of 1 C (180 mA g−1) with a capacity retention rate of 81.4 %. In contrast, the uncoated NCM523 only retains 63.2 % of its capability. At an elevated rate of 10 C (1800 mA g−1), the GTa‐NCM523 can achieve a discharge‐specific capacity of up to 113.5 mAh g−1, which is 43.7 % higher than the uncoated NCM523. The co‐coating layer can inhibit HF erosion and accelerate the movement of lithium‐ions and electrons, which account for the superior electrochemical characteristics of the co‐coating layer comprised of graphene and Ta2O5.
Caveat emptor as an obstacle to business transfers: Effect of product line liability exceptions on acquisitions, entry, and exit
Authors: Balasubramanian Natarajan , Sivadasan Jagadeesh , Xu Wenjian
Published: January 2024

Research Summary

Being able to sell a business not only allows a firm to exit an industry but is also a motivation for entrepreneurial entry. Therefore, factors that make acquisitions less desirable for potential acquirers could not only affect the rate of acquisitions, but also entry and exit. We test this in the context of judicial adoptions of product line exceptions, which increased acquirer exposure to potential accumulated liabilities. We find that after adoption, and relative to nonmanufacturing establishments, acquisitions of manufacturing establishments decrease, while exits through closure increase. Relative entry of manufacturing establishments declines. These effects are higher in industries where resalability of physical capital is lower and for smaller entrants. Interestingly, while the likelihood of acquisitions declines for older establishments, it increases for younger ones.

Managerial Summary

Making it harder to sell a business not only hinders business transfers but also affects business entry and exit. This is because entrepreneurs and businesses often exit by selling to other firms, not just through closures. Based on comprehensive data on US establishments, we provide evidence supporting this thesis. We find that after judicial adoption of a legal principle that holds acquirers accountable for the acquired firm's product line liabilities, the probability of manufacturing establishments (which are more likely to have such liabilities) being acquired decreases more than that of other establishments. Simultaneously, closures as a form of exit increase, and the relative entry of manufacturing establishments declines. These findings underscore the strategic importance of acquisition‐driven exits for businesses and entrepreneurs.
Tuning the Pyridine Units in Vinylene‐Linked Covalent Organic Frameworks Boosting 2e− Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Yang Shuai , Meng Fancheng , Li Xiaomeng , Fu Yubin , Xu Qing , Zhang Fan
Published: January 2024

The N‐doped carbon materials are supposed to be the efficient oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts with the undefined N‐doped carbon ring groups. It is essential to well define the role of the nitrogen atoms of these carbon structures in active behavior. Even though, the covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with precise structures are well developed, but unable to exclude the polar linkages influence. This study presents a series of pyridine‐containing COFs linked via nonpolar carbon–carbon double bonds (C = C). Their catalytic activity and selectivity for 2e− ORR are successfully modulated by locating the embedded pyridine nitrogen in the backbones through the linking modes of pyridine moieties within the frameworks. Such phenomena can be attributed to their different binding abilities toward O2, leading to the different binding strength of the intermediate OH* to the catalytic sites, also verified by the theoretical calculation. This work provides us a new insight to design high‐efficiency ORR catalysts through the exact location of pyridine nitrogen.
Low Temperature Synthesis of 2D p‐Type α‐In2Te3 with Fast and Broadband Photodetection
Authors: Huangfu Ying , Qin Biao , Lu Ping , Zhang Qiankun , Li Wei , Liang Jingyi , Liang Zhaoming , Liu Jialing , Liu Miaomiao , Lin Xiaohui , Li Xu , Saeed Muhammad Zeeshan , Zhang Zhengwei , Li Jia , Li Bo , Duan Xidong
Published: January 2024

2D compounds (A = Al, Ga, In, and B = S, Se, and Te) with intrinsic structural defects offer significant opportunities for high‐performance and functional devices. However, obtaining 2D atomic‐thin nanoplates with non‐layered structure on SiO2/Si substrate at low temperatures is rare, which hinders the study of their properties and applications at atomic‐thin thickness limits. In this study, the synthesis of ultrathin, non‐layered α‐In2Te3 nanoplates is demonstrated using a BiOCl‐assisted chemical vapor deposition method at a temperature below 350 °C on SiO2/Si substrate. Comprehensive characterization results confirm the high‐quality single crystal is the low‐temperature cubic phase α‐In2Te3 , possessing a noncentrosymmetric defected ZnS structure with good second harmonic generation. Moreover, α‐In2Te3 is revealed to be a p‐type semiconductor with a direct and narrow bandgap value of 0.76 eV. The field effect transistor exhibits a high mobility of 18 cm2 V−1 s−1, and the photodetector demonstrates stable photoswitching behavior within a broadband photoresponse from 405 to 1064 nm, with a satisfactory response time of τrise = 1 ms. Notably, the α‐In2Te3 nanoplates exhibit good stability against ambient environments. Together, these findings establish α‐In2Te3 nanoplates as promising candidates for next‐generation high‐performance photonics and electronics.
Enhancing Interfacial Capacitance by Boron Doping in Vertically Porous Carbon Toward High‐Performance AC Filtering Electrochemical Capacitors
Authors: Chen Bin , Huang Nan , Zhai Zhaofeng , Zhang Chuyan , Liu Lusheng , Yang Bing , Jiang Xin
Published: January 2024

Electrochemical capacitors (ECs) show great perspective in alternate current (AC) filtering once they simultaneously reach ultra‐fast response and high capacitance density. Nevertheless, the structure‐design criteria of the two key properties are often mutually incompatible in electrode construction. Herein, it is proposed that combining vertically oriented porous carbon with enhanced interfacial capacitance (Ci) can efficiently solve this issue. Theoretically, the density function theory calculation shows that the Ci of a carbon electrode can be enhanced by boron doping due to the corresponding compact induced charge layer. Experimentally, the vertical‐oriented boron‐doped graphene nanowalls (BGNWs) electrodes, whose Ci is enhanced from 4.20 to 10.16 µF cm−2 upon boron doping, are prepared on a large scale (480 cm2) using a hot‐filament chemical vapor deposition technique (HFCVD). Owing to the high Ci and vertically oriented porous structure, BGNWs‐based EC has a high capacitance density of 996 µF cm−2 with a phase angle of − 79.4° at 120 Hz in aqueous electrolyte and a high energy density of 1953 µFV2 cm−2 in organic electrolyte. As a result, the EC is capable of smoothing 120 Hz ripples for 60 Hz AC filtering. These results provide enlightening insights on designing high‐performance ECs for high‐frequency applications.
Supramolecular Nano‐Grid Platform to Load and Deliver Liposomes and Exosomes
Authors: Li Jing , Ma Wuzhen , Ren Xiaohong , Guo Tao , Yang Boyang , Huang Chenxi , Xiong Ting , Guo Yuhua , Li Zeru , Wang Siwen , Jia Bingqian , Wang Shujun , Wu Li , Zhang Jiwen
Published: January 2024

In general, carriers are designed to deliver pharmaceutical (featuring small drug‐molecules) and biopharmaceutical (featuring large‐molecule drugs, e.g., antibodies, proteins, etc.) active ingredients and platform that is capable of transporting nanoparticles is rare. Herein, the fabrication of a supramolecular carrier with a nano‐grid structure for the entrapment of liposomes and exosomes is reported. The nano‐grid particles (NGP) are made of cyclodextrins as elementary units which are widely used to load drugs through host–guest inclusion complexes, whilst its secondary structure further formed the NGP tertiary architectures, enabling the entrapment of nanoparticles. The NGP features stimuli responsiveness, tunable surface charge, and good biocompatibility. The entrapped liposomes in NGP present enhanced distribution in lungs and extended duration of action in mice. And elongated release profiles for over 14 days is obtained for exosomes—making one‐of‐its‐kind unique platform to load and deliver nanoparticles.
PRDX2 regulates stemness contributing to cisplatin resistance and metastasis in bladder cancer
Authors: Li Peng , Wang Weihua , Zhu Baowei , Wang Yangui , Li Jixia , Wang Chenghong , Wang Chenyu , Li Qin
Published: January 2024

Background

Cisplatin (CDDP)‐based chemotherapy has emerged as the primary treatment for muscle‐invasive bladder cancer and metastatic bladder cancer. Nevertheless, a significant proportion of patients experience rapidly developed chemoresistance, leading to treatment ineffectiveness. Existing evidence suggests that chemoresistance is governed by various factors, including tumor stem cells, epithelial mesenchymal transition, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, limited research has been conducted on the role of PRDX2, a crucial ROS scavenger, in the modulation of chemoresistance in bladder cancer.

Methods

Cisplatin‐resistant cell lines were established using the concentration gradient overlay method, and differentially expressed genes in resistant cells were screened through RNA sequencing. The expression of PRDX2 in cells and tissues was assessed using RT‐qPCR, Western Blot, and immunohistochemistry. The expression of PRDX2 in bladder cancer and adjacent tissues was evaluated using a bladder cancer tissue microarray. Furthermore, the impact of PRDX2 knockdown on tumor formation and metastasis was investigated in vivo by applying subcutaneous tumor xenografts tail vein metastasis assays.

Results

We demonstrated that PRDX2 is significantly upregulated in bladder tumors and cisplatin‐resistant bladder tumor cell lines. Overexpression of PRDX2 can promote tumor proliferation, migration, and invasion both in vitro and in vivo. We have found that knockdown of PRDX2 expression can effectively reverse cell resistance to cisplatin. Mechanistically, our findings suggest that PRDX2 is involved in regulating tumor stemness and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT). Knockdown of PRDX2 affects the PI3K‐AKT and mTOR signaling pathways, thereby influencing tumor stemness and EMT, ultimately impacting the chemotherapy resistance of the tumor.

Conclusions

This study provides a new insight into the regulation of chemotherapy resistance in bladder cancer by PRDX2. Targeting PRDX2 can serve as a potent therapeutic target for chemotherapy resistance.
An alleviative effect of Lonicerae japonicae flos water extract against liver fibrogenesis in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Lin Yi‐Ling , Wu Yi‐Hsieng Samuel , Chao Ming‐Yuan , Yang Deng‐Jye , Liu Cheng‐Wei , Tseng Jung‐Kai , Chen Yi‐Chen
Published: January 2024

Lonicerae japonicae (L. japonicae) flos is a medical and food homology herb. This study investigated the phenolic acid and flavonoid contents in L. japonicae flos water extract solution (LJWES) and the preventive effects of LJWES against liver fibrogenesis via FL83B cells and rats. LJWES contains many polyphenols, such as chlorogenic acid, morin, and epicatechin. LJWES increased cell viability and decreased cytotoxicity in thioacetamide (TAA)‐treated FL83B cells (75 mM) (p < .05). LJWES decreased (p < .05) gene expressions of Tnf‐α, Tnfr1, Bax, and cytochrome c but upregulated Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐xl in TAA‐treated cells; meanwhile, increased protein levels of P53, cleaved caspase 3, and cleaved caspase 9 in TAA treated cells were downregulated (p < .05) by LJWES supplementation. In vivo, results indicated that TAA treatment increased serum liver damage indices (alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and alkaline phosphatase [ALP]) and cytokines (interleukin‐6 and transforming growth factor‐β1) levels and impaired liver antioxidant capacities (increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substance value but decreased catalase/glutathione peroxidase activities) in rats (p < .05) while LJWES supplementation amended (p < .05) them. Liver fibrosis scores, collagen deposition, and alpha‐smooth muscle actin deposition in TAA‐treated rats were also decreased by LJWES supplementation (p < .05). To sum up, LJWES could be a potential hepatoprotective agent against liver fibrogenesis by enhancing antioxidant ability, downregulating inflammation in livers, and reducing apoptosis in hepatocytes.
Organic farming in the improvement of soil health and productivity of tea cultivation: A pilot study
Authors: Maitra Debapriya , Roy Bedaprana , Das Debdatta , Chakraborti Archisman , Das Anirban , Chaudhuri Indranath , Choudhury Sudeshna Shyam , Mitra Arup Kumar
Published: January 2024

The sub‐mountainous tea gardens of the Dooars region of West Bengal, which contribute approximately 25% of the national tea yield, are constantly fighting with diminishing soil fertility. Inorganic alternatives like chemical fertilizers can provide easier yet short‐term solutions, as their prolonged and indiscriminate usage leaches the soil, devouring its productivity, increasing the soil's heavy metal contents, and subsequently accumulating those heavy metals in leaves. A plausible substitution in this scenario could be the use of organic alternatives like composting or biofertilizer. Although references to such alternative means are found in the literature, a holistic approach targeting plant growth promotion along with mitigating soil metal toxicity is lacking. Keeping this background in mind, this pilot study was designed to optimize the dosage of novel biofertilizers (using resident and alien flora) that can reduce heavy metal loads and residual toxicity in soil, thereby improving overall soil health and tea production. Two potential metallophilic plant growth‐promoting strains of Bacillus sp. (previously reported) were selected and applied to potted tea plants of two different varieties of tea: TV9 and TV25. Among the two modes of treatment tested: solid treatment (compost amended with bacterial culture) and liquid treatment (cell pellets mixed in water suspension), the water suspension‐based direct application of resident soil bacteria showed the highest physiological growth with reduced metal toxicity. Based on physiological data and physico‐chemical data collected, it was observed that direct application of bacteria showed better results in both plant and soil health improvement in comparison to regular compost amended with beneficial microflora. Therefore, this small‐scale pilot study aimed to optimize the dosage and mode of application of novel biofertilizers for improved soil and plant health.
Subsystem density‐functional theory (update)
Authors: Jacob Christoph R. , Neugebauer Johannes
Published: January 2024

The past years since the publication of our review on subsystem density‐functional theory (sDFT) (WIREs Comput Mol Sci. 2014, 4:325–362) have witnessed a rapid development and diversification of quantum mechanical fragmentation and embedding approaches related to sDFT and frozen‐density embedding (FDE). In this follow‐up article, we provide an update addressing formal and algorithmic work on sDFT/FDE, novel approximations developed for treating the non‐additive kinetic energy in these DFT/DFT hybrid methods, new areas of application and extensions to properties previously not accessible, projection‐based techniques as an alternative to solely density‐based embedding, progress in wavefunction‐in‐DFT embedding, new fragmentation strategies in the context of DFT which are technically or conceptually similar to sDFT, and the blurring boundary between advanced DFT/MM and approximate DFT/DFT embedding methods.

This article is categorized under:

Electronic Structure Theory > Density Functional Theory
Effect of human induced surface water scarcity on herbivore distribution during the dry season in Ruaha National Park, Tanzania
Authors: Schmied née Stommel Claudia , Hofer Heribert , Scherer Cédric , Kramer‐Schadt Stephanie , East Marion L.
Published: January 2024

In Africa, burgeoning human populations promote agricultural expansion and the associated demand for water. Water abstraction for agriculture from perennial rivers can be detrimental for wildlife, particularly when it reduces water availability in protected areas. Ruaha National Park (Ruaha NP) in southern Tanzania, one of the largest parks in Africa, contains important wildlife populations, including rare and endangered species. The Great Ruaha River (GRR) is the main dry season water source for wildlife in the Park. Water offtake from this river for large‐scale irrigation and livestock production up‐stream of the Park has caused large expanses of this formerly perennial river within the Park to dry out during the dry season. The dry season distribution of a species in relation to surface water is considered an indicator of its dependence on water and ability to cope with the loss of surface water. We investigated how diminishing surface water availability during three dry seasons (2011–2013) affected herbivores' distance to water in Ruaha NP. The distance held by herbivores to water is shaped by a range of factors including dietary category. We determined changes in the locations of available surface water throughout the dry season using standardized ground transects, close to and leading away from the GRR, to map the locations of nine herbivore species. Functional responses of herbivores, i.e. their change in distance to water between early and late dry season, indicated that distance to water was 1) shortest in buffalo and waterbuck (grazers), 2) similar for plains zebra (grazer), elephant and impala (mixed feeders), 3) larger in giraffe and greater kudu (browsers) and 4) largest in generalist feeders (warthog, common duiker). The substantial species' differences in surface water dependence broadly fit predicted species differences in their ability to cope with anthropogenic reduction in surface water in Ruaha NP.
Interdisziplinär ausgerichtetes Operationsspektrum in Kooperation von Viszeralchirurgie und Gynäkologie
Authors: Garlaschelli Gabriele , Ignativ Atanas , Meyer Frank
Published: January 2024

Ziel

Die vorliegende Kurzübersicht soll in prägnanter Form aus bevorzugt operativer Sicht die wichtigsten gynäkologischen Fragestellungen erläutern, welche auch für Allgemein- und ViszeralchirurgInnen relevant sein können, sowie wesentliche gynäkologische Aspekte primär viszeralchirurgischer Krankheitsbilder aufzeigen.

Methode

Narrative Übersicht zum Thema der gynäkologisch/allgemein- und viszeralchirurgischen interdisziplinären Kooperation mithilfe von PubMed® sowie der Cochrane Llibrary unter Verwendung von Suchbegriffen wie „operative profile of abdominal surgery and gynecology“, „interdisciplinary surgery aspects of gynecology/abdominal surgery“ sowie „interdisciplinary surgical approach – surgical complication“.

Ergebnisse (Eckpunkte)

Viele primär gynäkologische Krankheitsbilder können, allein durch die engen anatomischen Verhältnisse, auch an abdominellen Organen auftreten. Ebenso können primär viszeralchirurgische Pathologien auch eine Involvierung der gynäkologischen Organe bedingen. Hierdurch kann eine intraoperative Zusammenarbeit notwendig werden. Auch prä- und postoperativ kann aufgrund diagnostischer Unsicherheit oder im Rahmen von Komplikationen eine Interdisziplinarität gefordert sein. Dabei können ein fächerübergreifendes Wissen der therapierenden ÄrztInnen sowie die enge Kooperation der gefragten Fachrichtungen das Outcome der betroffenen Patientinnen verbessern.

Schlussfolgerung

Viele Krankheitsbilder erstrecken sich nicht nur bis an die Grenze der einzelnen Fachbereiche, sondern können darüber hinaus auch weitere Systeme betreffen. Für eine optimale Therapie ist es daher notwendig, auch solche Aspekte der Pathologien zu kennen sowie strukturierte Abläufe der interdisziplinären Kooperation zu etablieren.
A review of adaptable conventional image processing pipelines and deep learning on limited datasets
Authors: Münke Friedrich Rieken , Schützke Jan , Berens Felix , Reischl Markus
Published: January 2024

The objective of this paper is to study the impact of limited datasets on deep learning techniques and conventional methods in semantic image segmentation and to conduct a comparative analysis in order to determine the optimal scenario for utilizing both approaches. We introduce a synthetic data generator, which enables us to evaluate the impact of the number of training samples as well as the difficulty and diversity of the dataset. We show that deep learning methods excel when large datasets are available and conventional image processing approaches perform well when the datasets are small and diverse. Since transfer learning is a common approach to work around small datasets, we are specifically assessing its impact and found only marginal impact. Furthermore, we implement the conventional image processing pipeline to enable fast and easy application to new problems, making it easy to apply and test conventional methods alongside deep learning with minimal overhead.