bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of Immunohistochemistry in Diagnosis of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: The Use of Ck19, CD56, P63 and CD117
Authors: Abdel-Aziz Azza , Abdallah Dina
Published: March 2019

Objective: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most frequent histologic type of all thyroid malignancies. The presence of characteristic nuclear changes focally in a thyroid lesion may cause diagnostic dilemma. Immunohistochemistry may be helpful in the diagnosis of PTC yet not conclusive. The aim of this study is to test the applicability immunohistochemical markers; CK19, P63, CD56 and CD117 in distinguishing PTC from other follicular thyroid.

Methods: Fifty nine cases of unequivocal diagnosis were selected to be rolled in our study; 24 papillary carcinoma cases and 35 cases representing other follicular throid lesions. Immunohistological studies include CK19, P63, CD56 and CD117. Subsequent statistical analysis of immunohistochemical data in relation to diagnosis was performed.

Results: The diagnosis of PTC was significantly associated with Strong diffuse Ck19 expression, P63 expression and negative CD56 in relation to studied non PTC follicular thyroid lesions. On the other hand, CD117 was negative in most of the studied thyroid lesions with no significant difference between PTC and other lesions. CK19 was the most sensitive marker (91.2%) and P63 was the most specific one (87.5%), with better specificity in combining markers. Expression of CK19 and lost CD56 provided 97.1% sensitivity and 91.2% diagnostic accuracy in differentiating PTC from other studied lesions.

Conclusions: Immunohistochemical markers, Ck19, P63 and CD56 are helpful in diagnosis of PTC and their combination can further improve diagnostic accuracy. CD117 is of no value in the diagnosis of studied cases.
Chemical Composition and Nutritive Value during Grain Development of Three Varieties of Maize
Authors: Sekunola Ajakaye Adeola , Olumide Ajewole Tolulope , Samuel Ayesa Abayomi , Omolade Olu Faith , Christopher Oni Ayodeji
Published: March 2019

Two improved varieties of maize (OBA SUPER II and SWAN) and one local variety were grown in the University of Ado Ekiti during the early cropping season of year 2016 to study the changes in their chemical and nutritional quality as the maize kernel develops.

The chemical composition of the three varieties shows a decrease in carbohydrate content and an increase in protein and fat content as the kernel matures while the concentration of Ash and fibre in the three varieties varies and does not follow a consistent pattern as the kernel matures.

The most abundant mineral elements are phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and zinc. Maize grains are low in trace elements.
Solar Energy as an Alternative for an All Year Round Production of Vegetables in Anambra, Nigeria
Authors: Ikeh C. U.
Published: March 2019

Epileptic power supply is a major problem in Nigeria and one of the ways Nigerians have solving this challenge is by using renewable energy as an alternative power supply in place fossil fuels. Among renewable energy sources, solar is the most important because it is available in this part of the world. This energy source is also used in various industries including agriculture and it can be used in irrigation and sprinklers in farmer’s vegetable farm. This research was carried out through field visitations and extensive literature on the performance of photovoltaic modules. This paper outlines the use of solar water pump for irrigation in vegetable farms, the benefits and concludes with suggested recommendations which can help production of vegetables during dry season in Anambra State. It aims at contributing a better understanding of the potential impact of solar photovoltaic (PV) on sustainable production of vegetables with special attention to the effect of income generating activities in the State. It is known that during dry season, vegetables do not get enough water, sometimes these agricultural products are very scarce and expensive. Solar photovoltaic water pumping is found to be economically viable in comparison to electricity or diesel based systems for irrigation and sprinklers in the vegetable farm. Solar photovoltaic water pumping is therefore, an attractive alternative for irrigation and sprinklers in Nigerian vegetable farm due to the huge solar potential in the country.
Evaluation of Antimicrobial Efficacy of Three Combinations of Different Antibiotics against Microorganisms in Gingival Abscess – An in Situ Study
Authors: Pravin Viral Maru , Katge Farhin , Poojari Manohar , Shetty Shilpa K.
Published: March 2019

Background: It is important to maintain primary dentition in the dental arch to facilitate the development of permanent teeth, in spite of teeth with infected root canals. Antimicrobial agents have been used, but, even a broad spectrum antibiotic could not eradicate all the bacteria from the periapical lesions. An in situ study was carried out with the aim to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of combinations antibiotics against microorganisms in a gingival abscess or primary tooth root canals.

Methodology: Thirty children with gingival abscess secondary to pulp infection or infected primary tooth root canals were randomly selected for the study. Swabs of gingival abscess microbial content were used for development of bacteria in suitable media containing three combinations of antibiotics, under aerobic and anaerobic incubation. Ciprofloxacin, Minocycline were used with metronidazole, ornidazole, tinidazole antibiotics to form three different combinations. The antimicrobial efficacy was measured in terms of the diameter of the zone of inhibition around the antibiotic discs.

Results: The three combinations of antibiotics exhibit equivalent efficacy for aerobic as well as anaerobic bacteria, and the difference in efficacy between them was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). There was no difference in pair-wise significance between the groups.

Conclusion: In view of the equivalent antibacterial activity of the three classes, towards the two types of bacteria, a group containing ornidazole was found to be superior with more favorable side effect profile compared to metronidazole.
Ionic Liquids
Authors: Kar Mega , Matuszek Karolina , MacFarlane Douglas R.
Published: March 2019

An overview of the field of ionic liquids is presented, including the nomenclature and types of ionic liquids. Their synthesis and purification methods are described, along with typical characterisation procedures and general physico‐chemical properties. The various applications of ionic liquids are also summarised including in batteries, in green chemistry as low vapour pressure solvents, in medicinal chemistry and in protein stabilisation.
Multiphase Reactors for Cell Culture Technology
Authors: Pangarkar Vishwas Govind
Published: March 2019

This chapter presents a discussion on the major types of multiphase reactors that can be used for cell culture technology. It starts with a brief treatment of cell culture technology, biopharmaceuticals and basic aspects of animal cell culture. Different modes of operation of bioreactors are then presented and three relevant types of reactors and their advantages and drawbacks are discussed.

A detailed discussion on stirred tank reactor (STR), which is particularly suitable for cell culture technology, focuses on hydrodynamic and mass transfer aspects, and on procedures for predicting the design parameters such as the gas hold up, and gas–liquid and cell‐liquid mass transfer coefficients. Finally, gaps in the existing literature and recommendations for future work are pointed out.
Spatial organization of the transcriptional regulatory network of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Sun Dong‐Qing , Tian Liu , Ma Bin‐Guang
Published: March 2019

A transcriptional regulatory network (TRN) is a complex network composed of all of the regulatory interactions between transcription factors and the corresponding target genes. Recently, three‐dimensional (3D) genomic studies have shown that the 3D structure of the genome may influence the regulation of gene transcription, which provides us with a novel perspective. In the present study, we constructed the TRN of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and placed it in the context of a 3D genome model. We analyzed the spatial organization of the yeast TRN on four levels: global features, central nodes, hierarchical structure and network motifs. The results obtained suggest that the TRN of S. cerevisiae presents an optimized structure in space to adapt to functional requirements.
Differences of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia Virus Loads among Organs of Dead and Surviving Olive Flounder Infected by Intramuscular Injection and Immersion Challenge
Authors: Kim Soo-Jin , Kim Wi-Sik , Oh Myung-Joo
Published: March 2019

Viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) is an important viral pathogen in the culture of Olive Flounder Paralichthys olivaceus. Based on cumulative mortality, the virulence of VHSV was found to be highly different depending on challenge routes and exposure doses (using tissue culture infectious dose with 50% endpoint [TCID50]). Olive Flounder were injected with VHSV at 102.5, 104.5, 106.5, and 108.5 TCID50/100 μL/fish. A second group of fish was immersed at 103.5, 105.5, and 107.5 TCID50/mL at 10°C for 1 h in this study. The cumulative mortality was observed at 15 d postinfection. Immersion challenge at 103.5 TCID50/mL caused no mortality, while intramuscular injection challenge resulted in high levels of mortality with all VHSV exposure doses. Overall, Olive Flounder was susceptible to VHSV, with cumulative mortality of 90% or 100% in fish intramuscularly injected with high or low doses of VHSV. The cumulative mortality was 40% and 70% at 105.5 and 107.5 TCID50/mL, respectively, in the immersion challenge group. The VHSV titration and copy numbers were estimated by TCID50 and quantitative reverse transcription PCR methods. From dead Olive Flounder, VHSV titration was consistently detected in all tested organs, ranging from 105 to 109 TCID50/mL. The VHSV titration was under the detection limit from surviving Olive Flounder, but the VHSV N gene was detected.
Photothermal Bimorph Actuators with In‐Built Cooler for Light Mills, Frequency Switches, and Soft Robots
Authors: Li Jingjing , Zhang Rui , Mou Linlin , Jung de Andrade Monica , Hu Xiaoyu , Yu Kaiqing , Sun Jinkun , Jia Tianjiao , Dou Yuanyuan , Chen Hong , Fang Shaoli , Qian Dong , Liu Zunfeng
Published: March 2019

Photothermal bimorph actuators are widely used for smart devices, which are generally operated in a room temperature environment, therefore a low temperature difference for actuation without deteriorating the performance is preferred. The strategy for the actuator is assembling a broadband‐light absorption layer for volume expansion and an additional water evaporation layer for cooling and volume shrinkage on a passive layer. The response time and temperature‐change‐normalized bending speed under NIR, white, and blue light illumination are at the same level of high performance, fast photothermal actuators based on polymer or polymer composites. The classical beam theory and finite element simulations are also conducted to understand the actuation mechanism of the actuator. A new type of light mill is designed based on a wing‐flapping mechanism and a light‐modulated frequency switch. A fast‐walking robot (with a speed of 26 mm s−1) and a fast‐and‐strong mechanical gripper with a large weight‐lifting ratio (≈2142), respectively, are also demonstrated.
Boron Nitride Aerogels with Super‐Flexibility Ranging from Liquid Nitrogen Temperature to 1000 °C
Authors: Li Guangyong , Zhu Mengya , Gong Wenbin , Du Ran , Eychmüller Alexander , Li Taotao , Lv Weibang , Zhang Xuetong
Published: March 2019

Aerogels with extraordinary mechanical properties attract a lot of interest for their wide spread applications. However, the required flexibility is yet to be satisfied, especially under extreme conditions. Herein, a boron nitride nanoribbon aerogel with excellent temperature‐invariant super‐flexibility is developed by high temperature amination of a melamine diborate precursor formed by hydrogen bonding assembly. The unique structure of the aerogel provides it with outstanding compressing/bending/twisting elasticity, cutting resistance, and recoverable properties. Furthermore, the excellent mechanical super‐flexibility is maintained over a wide temperature range, from liquid nitrogen temperature (−196 °C) to higher than 1000 °C, which extends their possible applications to harsh environments.
Photocontrollable Chiral Switching and Selection in Self‐Assembled Plasmonic Nanostructure
Authors: Zhao Wenjing , Zhang Weixuan , Wang Rong‐Yao , Ji Yinglu , Wu Xiaochun , Zhang Xiangdong
Published: March 2019

Reversible photocontrol of dynamic chirality in self‐assembly systems is of great importance in exploitations of artificial nanomachines for scientific and industrious applications. Here, a new strategy is proposed for achieving optically chiral controls based on photoswitchable plasmonic nanostructures. Chiral plasmonic nanoassemblies that are responsive to optomechanical perturbations exerted by circular polarized light (CPL) in the visible (vis)/near infrared (NIR) region are designed. The reversible photoswitching between opposite chiral states is verified by circular dichroism (CD) spectral signals. Theoretical simulations reveal the key role of optical torques in driving this chiral switching. By regulating light polarization or tuning light frequency to excite different plasmonic modes of the nanostructures, such an optomechanically driven chiral switching can enable a directed mirror‐symmetry breaking and selective chiral amplification in nanoassemblies. This plasmon‐based photoswitching nanosystem can operate at the optical transparent window, showing particular advantages over most of the molecular photoswitches for applications in living systems.
3D Printing of Multifunctional Hydrogels
Authors: Chen Zhe , Zhao Donghao , Liu Binhong , Nian Guodong , Li Xiaokeng , Yin Jun , Qu Shaoxing , Yang Wei
Published: March 2019

3D printing technology has been widely explored for the rapid design and fabrication of hydrogels, as required by complicated soft structures and devices. Here, a new 3D printing method is presented based on the rheology modifier of Carbomer for direct ink writing of various functional hydrogels. Carbomer is shown to be highly efficient in providing ideal rheological behaviors for multifunctional hydrogel inks, including double network hydrogels, magnetic hydrogels, temperature‐sensitive hydrogels, and biogels, with a low dosage (at least 0.5% w/v) recorded. Besides the excellent printing performance, mechanical behaviors, and biocompatibility, the 3D printed multifunctional hydrogels enable various soft devices, including loadable webs, soft robots, 4D printed leaves, and hydrogel Petri dishes. Moreover, with its unprecedented capability, the Carbomer‐based 3D printing method opens new avenues for bioprinting manufacturing and integrated hydrogel devices.
Unifying Energetic Disorder from Charge Transport and Band Bending in Organic Semiconductors
Authors: Karki Akchheta , Wetzelaer Gert‐Jan A. H. , Reddy Gollapalli Narayana Manjunatha , Nádaždy Vojtech , Seifrid Martin , Schauer Franz , Bazan Guillermo C. , Chmelka Bradley F. , Blom Paul W. M. , Nguyen Thuc‐Quyen
Published: March 2019

Characterizing the density of states (DOS) width accurately is critical in understanding the charge‐transport properties of organic semiconducting materials as broader DOS distributions lead to an inferior transport. From a morphological standpoint, the relative densities of ordered and disordered regions are known to affect charge‐transport properties in films; however, a comparison between molecular structures showing quantifiable ordered and disordered regions at an atomic level and its impact on DOS widths and charge‐transport properties has yet to be made. In this work, for the first time, the DOS distribution widths of two model conjugated polymer systems are characterized using three different techniques. A quantitative correlation between energetic disorder from band‐bending measurements and charge transport is established, providing direct experimental evidence that charge‐carrier mobility in disordered materials is compromised due to the relaxation of carriers into the tail states of the DOS. Distinction and quantification of ordered and disordered regions of thin films at an atomic level is achieved using solid‐state NMR spectroscopy. An ability to compare solid‐state film morphologies of organic semiconducting polymers to energetic disorder, and in turn charge transport, can provide useful guidelines for applications of organic conjugated polymers in pertinent devices.
Self‐Limiting Assembly Approaches for Nanoadditive Manufacturing of Electronic Thin Films and Devices
Authors: Wang Zhao , Kang Yu , Zhao Sanchuan , Zhu Jian
Published: March 2019

Most electronics consist of functional thin films with tens of nanometer thicknesses. It is usually challenging to control the growth of these thin films using conventional solution‐based approaches. Nanoadditive manufacturing, a method to deposit electronically desired molecules, polymers, or nanomaterials in a layer‐by‐layer (LbL) fashion, has emerged as a promising technique for the precise control of film growth and device fabrication. Here, basic principles of nanoadditive manufacturing approaches with self‐limiting characteristics are summarized with a particular focus on Langmuir–Blodgett assembly and LbL assembly. Additively manufactured electronic thin films with properties of conductors, semiconductors, and dielectrics are reviewed, followed by a discussion of their application in various electronics, such as field‐effect transistors, sensors, memory devices, photodetectors, light‐emitting diodes, and electrochromic devices. Finally, challenges and future developments of these approaches are proposed. The resulting analysis reveals promising opportunities of nanoadditive manufacturing for the solution‐based fabrication of electronic devices.
Biomaterials to Mimic and Heal Connective Tissues
Authors: Freedman Benjamin R. , Mooney David J.
Published: March 2019

Connective tissue is one of the four major types of animal tissue and plays essential roles throughout the human body. Genetic factors, aging, and trauma all contribute to connective tissue dysfunction and motivate the need for strategies to promote healing and regeneration. The goal here is to link a fundamental understanding of connective tissues and their multiscale properties to better inform the design and translation of novel biomaterials to promote their regeneration. Major clinical problems in adipose tissue, cartilage, dermis, and tendon are discussed that inspire the need to replace native connective tissue with biomaterials. Then, multiscale structure–function relationships in native soft connective tissues that may be used to guide material design are detailed. Several biomaterials strategies to improve healing of these tissues that incorporate biologics and are biologic‐free are reviewed. Finally, important guidance documents and standards (ASTM, FDA, and EMA) that are important to consider for translating new biomaterials into clinical practice are highligted.
A Chain‐Elongated Oligophenylenevinylene Electrolyte Increases Microbial Membrane Stability
Authors: Zhou Cheng , Chia Geraldine W. N. , Ho James C. S. , Moreland Alex S. , Seviour Thomas , Liedberg Bo , Parikh Atul N. , Kjelleberg Staffan , Hinks Jamie , Bazan Guillermo C.
Published: March 2019

A novel conjugated oligoelectrolyte (COE) material, named S6, is designed to have a lipid‐bilayer stabilizing topology afforded by an extended oligophenylenevinylene backbone. S6 intercalates biological membranes acting as a hydrophobic support for glycerophospholipid acyl chains. Indeed, Escherichia coli treated with S6 exhibits a twofold improvement in butanol tolerance, a relevant feature to achieve within the general context of modifying microorganisms used in biofuel production. Filamentous growth, a morphological stress response to butanol toxicity in E. coli, is observed in untreated cells after incubation with 0.9% butanol (v/v), but is mitigated by S6 treatment. Real‐time fluorescence imaging using giant unilamellar vesicles reveals the extent to which S6 counters membrane instability. Moreover, S6 also reduces butanol‐induced lipopolysaccharide release from the outer membrane to further maintain cell integrity. These findings highlight a deliberate effort in the molecular design of a chain‐elongated COE to stabilize microbial membranes against environmental challenges.
Fabricating Single‐Atom Catalysts from Chelating Metal in Open Frameworks
Authors: Lin Yichao , Liu Pingying , Velasco Ever , Yao Ge , Tian Ziqi , Zhang Linjuan , Chen Liang
Published: March 2019

In the present study, a highly efficient strategy is reported using open framework platforms with abundant chelating ligands to fabricate a series of stable metal single‐atom catalysts (SACs). Here, the metal ions are initially anchored onto the active bipyridine sites through postsynthetic modification, followed by pyrolysis and acid leaching. The resulting single metal atoms are uniformly distributed on a nitrogen‐doped carbon (N‐C) matrix. Interestingly, each metal atom is found to be coordinated with five N atoms, in contrast to the average coordination number of four as previously reported. The as‐prepared Fe SAC/N‐C catalyst exhibits excellent oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity (with a half‐wave potential of 0.89 V), outstanding stability, and good methanol tolerance. The density functional calculations reveal that the coordinated pyridine can favorably modulate the interaction strength of oxygen on the Fe ion and thus improve the ORR activity. More importantly, it is demonstrated that this strategy can be successfully extended to the preparation of other transition metal SACs, simply by altering the metal precursors used in the metalation step.
Glucose Oxidase‐Instructed Multimodal Synergistic Cancer Therapy
Authors: Fu Lian‐Hua , Qi Chao , Hu Yan‐Ru , Lin Jing , Huang Peng
Published: March 2019

Over the past 3 years, glucose oxidase (GOx) has aroused great research interest in the context of cancer treatment due to its inherent biocompatibility and biodegradability, and its unique catalytic properties against β‐d‐glucose. GOx can effectively catalyze the oxidation of glucose into gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide. This process depletes oxygen levels, resulting in elevated acidity, hypoxia, and oxidative stress in the tumor microenvironment. All of these changes can be readily harnessed to develop a multimodal synergistic cancer therapy by combining GOx with other therapeutic approaches. Herein, the representative studies of GOx‐instructed multimodal synergistic cancer therapy are introduced, and their synergistic mechanisms are discussed systematically. The current challenges and future prospects to advance the development of GOx‐based nanomedicines in this cutting‐edge research area are highlighted.
Efficient Solar Cells Employing Light‐Harvesting Sb0.67Bi0.33SI
Authors: Nie Riming , Im Jino , Seok Sang Il
Published: March 2019

Sb1−xBixSI, an isostructural material with the well‐known quasi‐1D SbSI, possesses good semiconductive and ferroelectric properties but is not applied in solar cells. Herein, solar cells based on alloyed Sb0.67Bi0.33SI (ASBSI) as a light harvester are fabricated. ASBSI is prepared through the reaction of bismuth triiodide in N,N‐dimethylformamide solution with an antimony trisulfide film deposited on a mesoporous (mp)‐TiO2 electrode via chemical bath deposition at 250 °C under an argon or nitrogen atmosphere; the alloy exhibits a promising bandgap (1.62 eV). The best performing cell fabricated with poly[2,6‐(4,4‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)‐4H‐cyclopenta[2,1‐b;3,4‐b′]dithiophene)‐alt‐4,7‐(2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole)] as the hole‐transporting layer shows 4.07% in a power conversion efficiency (PCE) under the standard illumination conditions of 100 mW cm−2. The unencapsulated cells exhibit good comprehensive stability with retention of 92% of zjr initial PCE under ambient conditions of 60% relative humidity over 360 h, 93% after 1 sun illumination for 1254 min, and 92% after storage at 85 °C in air for 360 h.
Self‐Healing of Polarizing Films via the Synergy between Gold Nanorods and Vitrimer
Authors: Zhao Gui , Zhou Yusai , Wang Jiayi , Wu Zhonghua , Wang Hong , Chen Hongyu
Published: March 2019

Conventional self‐healing is about the recovery of shape and mechanical properties. In contrast, recovery of functional properties is still a great challenge, especially for optical functional materials, as the known self‐healing methods are incompatible with optical properties. By utilizing the synergistic effect between Au nanorods and vitrimer, the alignment of Au nanorods can be achieved in the crosslinked polymer. The optical properties of the resulting polarizing film, such as light transmittance and polarization degree, can be fully recovered without an external repair agent. With simple laser irradiation to induce the photothermal effect of Au nanorods, the shape‐memory effect of vitrimer returns the Au nanorods to their initial orientation, and the plasticity achieves in situ self‐healing of the cutting area. The self‐healing of polarizing film provides a new research direction and reference for the application of self‐healing systems in functional materials.
Enhanced π–π Interactions of Nonfullerene Acceptors by Volatilizable Solid Additives in Efficient Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Yu Runnan , Yao Huifeng , Chen Zhenyu , Xin Jingmin , Hong Ling , Xu Ye , Zu Yunfei , Ma Wei , Hou Jianhui
Published: March 2019

Fine‐tuning of the nanoscale morphologies of the active layers in polymer solar cells (PSCs) through various techniques plays a vital role in improving the photovoltaic performance. However, for emerging nonfullerene (NF) PSCs, the morphology optimization of the active‐layer films empirically follows the methods originally developed in fullerene‐based blends and lacks systematic studies. In this work, two solid additives with different volatilities, SA‐4 and SA‐7, are applied to investigate their influence on the morphologies and photovoltaic performances of NF‐PSCs. Although both solid additives effectively promote the molecular packing of the NF acceptors, due to the higher volatility of SA‐4, the devices processed with SA‐4 exhibit a power conversion efficiency of 13.5%, higher than that of the control devices, and the devices processed with SA‐7 exhibit poor performances. Through a series of detailed morphological analyses, it is found that the volatilization of SA‐4 after thermal annealing is beneficial for the self‐assembly packing of acceptors, while the residuals due to the incomplete volatilization of SA‐7 have a negative effect on the film morphology. The results delineate the feasibility of applying volatilizable solid additives and provide deeper insights into the working mechanism, establishing guidelines for further material design of solid additives.
Enhanced UV‐C Detection of Perovskite Photodetector Arrays via Inorganic CsPbBr3 Quantum Dot Down‐Conversion Layer
Authors: Zou Taoyu , Liu Xiyuan , Qiu Renzheng , Wang Ya , Huang Shuyi , Liu Chuan , Dai Qing , Zhou Hang
Published: March 2019

Organometal halide perovskites have been considered as promising candidates for high‐performance low‐cost photodetectors. Nonetheless, as perovskite photodetectors are usually built on glass or polymer substrates, their UV‐C (200–280 nm) photodetection ability is quite limited due to the high absorption of glass or polymer substrates. Here, a uniform UV photodetector array which integrates perovskite photodiodes with inorganic CsPbBr3 quantum dot (QD) fluorophor is reported. CsPbBr3 quantum dot fluorophor not only acts as an efficient down‐conversion layer to convert UV light into 510 nm light, but also functions as a protective layer to prevent degradation of hybrid organic–inorganic perovskite by UV light. Compared to direct UV‐C (279 nm) detection with perovskite photodiode, the QD integrated photodetector shows a higher responsibility and detectivity to UV‐C, with values enhanced by 1 order in magnitude. This work provides a low‐cost and effective approach for all perovskite‐based UV‐C photodetectors and imagers.
Energy‐Sensitive GaSb/AlAsSb Separate Absorption and Multiplication Avalanche Photodiodes for X‐Ray and Gamma‐Ray Detection
Authors: Juang Bor‐Chau , Chen Andrew , Ren Dingkun , Liang Baolai , Prout David L. , Chatziioannou Arion F. , Huffaker Diana L.
Published: March 2019

Demonstrated are antimony‐based (Sb‐based) separate absorption and multiplication avalanche photodiodes (SAM‐APDs) for X‐ray and gamma‐ray detection, which are composed of GaSb absorbers and large bandgap AlAsSb multiplication regions in order to enhance the probability of stopping high‐energy photons while drastically suppressing the minority carrier diffusion. Well‐defined X‐ray and gamma‐ray photopeaks are observed under exposure to 241Am radioactive sources, demonstrating the desirable energy‐sensitive detector performance. Spectroscopic characterizations show a significant improvement of measured energy resolution due to reduced high‐peak electric field in the absorbers and suppressed nonradiative recombination on surfaces. Additionally, the GaSb/AlAsSb SAM‐APDs clearly exhibit energy response linearity up to 59.5 keV with a minimum full‐width half‐maximum of 1.283 keV. A further analysis of the spectroscopic measurement suggests that the device performance is intrinsically limited by the noise from the readout electronics rather than that from the photodiodes. This study provides a first understanding of Sb‐based energy‐sensitive SAM‐APDs and paves the way to achieving efficient detection of high‐energy photons for X‐ray and gamma‐ray spectroscopy.
Plasmonic Metasurfaces with High UV–Vis Transmittance for Photopatterning of Designer Molecular Orientations
Authors: Yu Hao , Jiang Miao , Guo Yubing , Turiv Taras , Lu Wu , Ray Vishva , Lavrentovich Oleg D. , Wei Qi‐Huo
Published: March 2019

Recent developments of utilizing plasmonic metasurfaces in photopatterning of designer molecular orientations have facilitated numerous new applications of liquid crystals; while the optical efficiency of the metamasks remains a critical issue, especially in the UV region. Here a new design of plasmonic metasurfaces made of parallelepiped arrays is presented which yield very high and broadband transmission in the UV–vis wavelength range. It is shown that this plasmonic metamask exhibits two polarization peaks originated from a cavity mode and lattice resonance respectively and demonstrated that complex designer molecular orientations can be photopatterned by using this metamask with significantly reduced exposure time. This type of high‐efficiency broadband plasmonic metasurfaces is not only important for high resolution photopatterning of molecular orientation but also tailorable for various other flat optics applications in the UV and near UV regions.
Anisotropic MXene Aerogels with a Mechanically Tunable Ratio of Electromagnetic Wave Reflection to Absorption
Authors: Han Meikang , Yin Xiaowei , Hantanasirisakul Kanit , Li Xinliang , Iqbal Aamir , Hatter Christine B. , Anasori Babak , Koo Chong Min , Torita Takeshi , Soda Yoshito , Zhang Litong , Cheng Laifei , Gogotsi Yury
Published: March 2019

Lightweight and mechanically flexible materials that can provide efficient electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding are highly desirable for protecting portable and smart electronic devices against electromagnetic pollution. Here, the authors report a tunable design of a three‐dimensional (3D) porous aerogel structure made of 2D transition metal carbides and a carbonitride (MXene) with a long‐range order of aligned lamellar architecture for EMI shielding. Bidirectional freeze‐casting of MXene colloidal solutions is used to fabricate robust, compressible and lightweight aerogels, and achieve orientational assembly leading to outstanding EMI shielding performance and tunable ratio of reflection to absorption. EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) of three types of MXene aerogels (Ti3C2Tx, Ti2CTx, and Ti3CNTx) reaches 70.5, 69.2, and 54.1 dB, respectively, while keeping the compression thickness at 1 mm and a density of only ≈11.0 mg cm−3. The highest specific SE reaches 8818.2 dB cm3 g−1, which is among the best values reported for EMI shielding materials. More importantly, during the compression process of the MXene aerogels, the ratio of electromagnetic wave reflection to absorption increases without noticeable change of the total EMI SE. Compressible MXene aerogels with aligned layers offer an effective approach to control the electromagnetic wave absorption and reflection in EMI shielding materials.
Breaking Trade‐Off between Selectivity and Activity of Nickel‐Based Hydrogenation Catalysts by Tuning Both Steric Effect and d‐Band Center
Authors: Gao Ruijie , Pan Lun , Wang Huiwen , Yao Yunduo , Zhang Xiangwen , Wang Li , Zou Ji‐Jun
Published: March 2019

For selective hydrogenation of chemicals the high selectivity is always at the expense of activity and improving both selectivity and activity is challenging. Here, by chelating with p‐fluorothiophenol (SPhF)‐arrays, both steric and electronic effects are created to boost the performance of cheap nickel‐based catalysts. Compared with dinickel phosphide, the SPhF‐chelated one exhibits nearly 12 times higher activity and especially its selectivity is increased from 38.1% and 21.3% to nearly 100% in hydrogenations of 3‐nitrostyrene and cinnamaldehyde. Commercial catalysts like Raney Ni chelating with SPhF‐array also exhibits an enhanced selectivity from 20.5% and 23.4% to ≈100% along with doubled activity. Both experimental and density functional theory (DFT) calculation prove that the superior performance is attributed to the confined flat adsorption by ordered SPhF‐arrays and downshifted d‐band center of catalysts, leading to prohibited hydrogenation of the vinyl group and accelerative H2 activation. Such a surface modification can provide an easily‐realized and low‐cost way to design catalysts for the selective hydrogenation.
First International Conference on RASopathies and Neurofibromatoses in Asia: Identification and advances of new therapeutics
Authors: Rauen Katherine A. , Alsaegh Abeer , Ben‐Shachar Shay , Berman Yemima , Blakeley Jaishri , Cordeiro Isabel , Elgersma Ype , Evans D. Gareth , Fisher Michael J. , Frayling Ian M. , George Joshi , Huson Susan M. , Kerr Bronwyn , Khire Uday , Korf Bruce , Legius Eric , Messiaen Ludwine , van Minkelen Rick , Nampoothiri Sheela , Ngeow Joanne , Parada Luis F. , Phadke Shubha , Pillai Ashok , Plotkin Scott R. , Puri Ratna , Raji Anup , Ramesh Vijaya , Ratner Nancy , Shankar Suma P. , Sharda Sheetal , Tambe Anant , Vikkula Miikka , Widemann Brigitte C. , Wolkenstein Pierre , Upadhyaya Meena
Published: March 2019

The neurofibromatoses, which include neurofibromatosis type I (NF1), neurofibromatosis type II (NF2), and schwannomatosis, are a group of syndromes characterized by tumor growth in the nervous system. The RASopathies are a group of syndromes caused by germline mutations in genes that encode components of the RAS/mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. The RASopathies include NF1, Noonan syndrome, Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines, Costello syndrome, cardio‐facio‐cutaneous syndrome, Legius syndrome, capillary malformation arterio‐venous malformation syndrome, and SYNGAP1 autism. Due to their common underlying pathogenetic etiology, all these syndromes have significant phenotypic overlap of which one common feature include a predisposition to tumors, which may be benign or malignant. Together as a group, they represent one of the most common multiple congenital anomaly syndromes estimating to affect approximately one in 1000 individuals worldwide. The subcontinent of India represents one of the largest populations in the world, yet remains underserved from an aspect of clinical genetics services. In an effort to bridge this gap, the First International Conference on RASopathies and Neurofibromatoses in Asia: Identification and Advances of New Therapeutics was held in Kochi, Kerala, India. These proceedings chronicle this timely and topical international symposium directed at discussing the best practices and therapies for individuals with neurofibromatoses and RASopathies.
Synthesis of α‐Fluoroenones by Elimination of α‐Chloro‐α‐fluoroketones
Authors: Naruse Atsushi , Kitahara Kazumasa , Iwasa Seiji , Shibatomi Kazutaka
Published: March 2019

A new synthetic route to α‐fluoroenones was developed. Decarboxylative chlorination of α‐fluoro‐β‐oxocarboxylic acids afforded α‐chloro‐α‐fluoroketones, and subsequent base‐mediated elimination yielded the corresponding α‐fluoroenones. The method successfully produced both cyclic and acyclic α‐fluoroenones in good yields. Furthermore, the method was applicable to the synthesis of not only aromatic but also aliphatic enones. The method allows the preparation of a variety of α‐fluoroenones, which are useful intermediates for the synthesis of various fluoroorganic compounds.
Child deprivation in Australia: A child‐focused approach
Authors: Saunders Peter , Brown Judith E. , Bedford Megan , Naidoo Yuvisthi
Published: March 2019

Income‐based studies of child poverty treat children and young people as effectively invisible and determine the poverty status of families or households on the basis of information that is provided by, and is primarily about, adults. In contrast, the consensual deprivation approach provides a way of developing measures that reflect the views of children about what constitutes poverty and can be applied to data that children themselves provide. This paper extends earlier Australian studies of adult deprivation by applying a similar approach to children aged 11–17 attending a NSW government high school. Focus groups were conducted with children to help identify items regarded as essential for all children, and the results informed the development of a survey that was completed by over 2,600 students. The survey asked about 24 items, 18 of which were retained after statistical testing, and these items form the basis of the deprivation analysis. The findings indicate that a substantial proportion of survey respondents experience either or both of material deprivation and social exclusion. A new Child Deprivation Index (CDI) is developed and used to compare the circumstances of different groups, highlighting some of the factors that are associated with higher levels of deprivation and providing some initial pointers to possible underlying causes.
Unprecedented [5.5.5.6]Dioxafenestrane Ring Construction in Fungal Insecticidal Sesquiterpene Biosynthesis
Authors: Zeng Haichun , Yin Guoping , Wei Qian , Li Dehai , Wang Yi , Hu Youcai , Hu Changhua , Zou Yi
Published: March 2019

Fenestranes, a specific class of natural products, contain four fused rings that share a central quaternary carbon atom. The fungal natural product penifulvin A (1) is a potent insecticidal sesquiterpene that features the [5.5.5.6]dioxafenestrane ring. Although the chemical synthesis of 1 has been achieved recently, the enzymes catalysing the cyclization and oxidation of FPP to 1 remain unknown. In this work, we identified a concise pathway that uses only three enzymes to produce 1. A new sesquiterpene cyclase (PeniA) generates the angular triquinane scaffold silphinene (6). A cytochrome P450 (PeniB) and a flavin‐dependent monooxygenase (PeniC) catalyse a series of oxidation reactions to transform 6 into 1, including oxidation of the C15 methyl group to a carboxylate moiety, oxidative coupling of the C15 carboxylate and the C1‐C2 olefin to form a γ‐lactone, and Baeyer–Villiger oxidation to form a δ‐lactone. Our results demonstrate the highly concise and efficient ways in which fungal biosynthetic pathways can generate complex sesquiterpene scaffolds.
A family of functional Ln‐organic framework constructed by iodine‐substituted aromatic polycarboxylic acid for turn‐off sensing of UO22+
Authors: Wang Yu , Xing Shang‐Hua , Zhang Xu , Liu Chun‐Hong , Li Bing , Bai Feng‐Ying , Xing Yong‐Heng , Sun Li‐Xian
Published: March 2019

With the rapid development of nuclear energy, one of the main constraints restricting the development of nuclear energy is the long‐term safe disposal of strong uranium waste. Here it is a great significance that we use four new synthetic Ln (III)‐based coordination polymers to test the uranium solution. In this study, four three‐dimensional coordination polymers 1–4 (CPs‐(1–4); Ln = Eu, Gd, Sm, Nd) were successfully synthesized through 1:1 complexation of Ln (NO3)3·6H2O with poly‐carboxylic acid ligand H3TIBTC (2,4,6‐Triiodo‐1,3,5‐benzene tricarboxylic acid) which contains substituents of the carboxylic acid group and halogen atom, respectively. Based on the ligand being excellent fluorescent properties in the solution, it prompted us to further study the fluorescence properties of the coordination polymers. Experimental results show that the coordination polymers are favorable materials for the simultaneous selective detection uranium solution from water, being potentially useful in monitoring water quality and treating uranium‐wastewater.
Coastal river connectivity and the distribution of ascending juvenile European eel (Anguilla anguilla L.): Implications for conservation strategies regarding fish‐passage solutions
Authors: Tamario Carl , Calles Olle , Watz Johan , Nilsson P. Anders , Degerman Erik
Published: March 2019

Many diadromous fish populations are declining and at risk of collapse. Lack of river connectivity is a major contributor to these declines, as free migration routes between marine and freshwater habitats are crucial for life‐history completion. For the conservation and ultimately recovery of such species, it is imperative that remedial measures aimed at increasing connectivity are effective.

This study investigated the distribution patterns of ascending juvenile European eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) in rivers in south‐western Sweden, with a focus on the effects of barriers and measures that aim to reduce the impact of barriers, i.e. fish‐passage solutions (FPSs).

Eel occurrence data were spatially and temporally integrated with the national databases of dams and FPSs in a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment to evaluate their effect on ascending eel distribution. The types of barriers assessed were: (i) dams with nature‐like fishways; (ii) dams with eel ramps; (iii) dams with technical fishways; and (iv) dams without FPSs.

Dams fitted with eel ramps or technical fishways, as well as dams without FPSs, produced a significant negative effect on the probability of eel occurrence upstream. This negative effect was not found for dams fitted with nature‐like fishways, indicating that these solutions may function better than the other FPS types in this study. The probability of eel occurrence decreased with distance from the sea and increased with area sampled, number of electrofishing runs, water temperature, and with the size of the bottom substrate.

We suggest that future conservation strategies for improving the natural immigration of juvenile eels should include optimizing FPS function (e.g. placement and design), the continued maintenance of FPSs, the construction of nature‐like fishways, and preferably the removal of dams, which will also benefit the downstream migration of maturing eels as well as restoring other ecosystem services.
Effects of targeting eye color in Tenebrio molitor through RNA interference of tryptophan 2,3‐dioxygenase (vermilion): Implications for insect farming
Authors: Oppert Brenda , Chu Fu‐Chyun , Reyna Steven , Pinzi Sofia , Adrianos Sherry , Perkin Lindsey , Lorenzen Marcé
Published: March 2019

The gene vermilion encodes tryptophan 2,3‐dioxygenase, part of the ommochrome pathway, and is responsible for the dark pigmented eyes in some insects, including beetles. Using RNA interference, we targeted the vermilion gene ortholog in embryos and pupae of the yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor, resulting in larvae and adults, respectively, that lacked eye pigment. RNA‐Seq was used to analyze the impact of vermilion‐specific RNA interference on gene expression. There was a 425‐fold reduction in vermilion gene expression (p = 0.0003), as well as significant (p < 0.05) differential expression of 109 other putative genes, most of which were downregulated. Enrichment analysis of Gene Ontology terms found in the differentially expressed data set included genes known to be involved in the ommochrome pathway. However, enrichment analysis also revealed the influence of vermilion expression on genes involved in protein translocation to the endoplasmic reticulum, signal transduction, G‐protein‐coupled receptor signaling, cell‐cycle arrest, mannose biosynthesis, and vitamin transport. These data demonstrate that knockdown of vermilion in T. molitor results in complete loss of eye color (white‐eyed phenotype) and identify other interrelated genes in the vermilion metabolic pathway. Therefore, a dominant marker system based on eye color can be developed for the genetic manipulation of T. molitor to increase the value of mealworms as an alternative food source by decreasing negative traits, such as disease susceptibility, and increasing desired traits, such as protein content and vitamin production.
Quantitative characterization of the regulation of iron metabolism in glioblastoma stem‐like cells using magnetophoresis
Authors: Park Kyoung‐Joo J. , Kim James , Testoff Thomas , Adams Joseph , Poklar Miranda , Zborowski Maciej , Venere Monica , Chalmers Jeffrey J.
Published: March 2019

This study focuses on different iron regulation mechanisms of glioblastoma (GBM) cancer stem‐like cells (CSCs) and non‐stem tumor cells (NSTCs) using multiple approaches: cell viability, density, and magnetophoresis. GBM CSCs and NSTCs were exposed to elevated iron concentration, and their magnetic susceptibility was measured using single cell magnetophoresis (SCM), which tracks the magnetic and settling velocities of thousands of individual cells passing through the magnetic field with a constant energy gradient. Our results consistently demonstrate that GBM NSTCs have higher magnetic susceptibility distribution at increased iron concentration compared with CSCs, and we speculate that it is because CSCs have the ability to store a high amount of iron in ferritin, whereas the free iron ions inside the NSTCs lead to higher magnetic susceptibility and reduced cell viability and growth. Further, their difference in magnetic susceptibility has led us to pursue a separate experiment using a quadrupole magnetic separator (QMS), a novel microfluidic device that uses a concentric channel and permanent magnets in a special configuration to separate samples based on their magnetic susceptibilities. GBM CSCs and NSTCs were exposed to elevated iron concentration, stained with two different trackers, mixed and introduced into QMS; subsequently, the separated fractions were analyzed by fluorescent microscopy. The separation results portray a successful label‐less magnetic separation of the two populations.
Direct capture and conversion of CO2from air by growing a cyanobacterial consortium at pH up to 11.2
Authors: Ataeian Maryam , Liu Yihua , Canon‐Rubio Karen Andrea , Nightingale Michael , Strous Marc , Vadlamani Agasteswar
Published: March 2019

Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) is recognized as a potential negative emission technology, needed to keep global warming within safe limits. With current technologies, large‐scale implementation of BECCS would compromise food production. Bioenergy derived from phototrophic microorganisms, with direct capture of CO2from air, could overcome this challenge and become a sustainable way to realize BECCS.

Here we present an alkaline capture and conversion system that combines high atmospheric CO2transfer rates with high and robust phototrophic biomass productivity (15.2 ± 1.0 g/m2/d). The system is based on a cyanobacterial consortium, that grows at high alkalinity (0.5 mol/L) and a pH swing between 10.4 and 11.2 during growth and harvest cycles.