bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Language Prejudice
Authors: Preston Dennis R.
Published: November 2020

Language prejudice has been studied in several overlapping traditions that focus on experimental, task‐oriented, and conversational means of uncovering negative attitudes to entire languages and even minor structural features of them. In many if not most cases, so‐called language prejudices appear to be associations between language facts themselves and attitudes toward the social groups who use them.
Language, Globalization, and Colonialism
Authors: Shulist Sarah , H. Murali Lavanya
Published: November 2020

Colonialism and globalization are related phenomena that result in, and reinforce, the dominance of colonizers' languages. Studying the ways in which they are related to language involves a study of language and inequality, marked by greater symbolic capital assigned to dominant languages. These processes may play out differently at local levels, leading to the marginalization or exclusion of some language forms, and varying forms of linguistic resistance and revitalization in response.
Linguistic Diversity and Plurality in Eurasia and Central Asia
Authors: Wier Thomas R.
Published: November 2020

Eurasia's exuberant linguistic diversity can best be seen through the lens of the “core” Eurasian linguistic regions: the Steppe, the Caucasus, and the Himalaya‐Pamir‐Tian Shan mountain ranges. They also present citation examples of how geography affects the distribution and evolution of language families: spread‐zones vs. residual zones.
Maledictive Language: Obscenity and Taboo Words
Authors: McIntosh Janet
Published: November 2020

Obscene words have an astonishing social range: they can provoke, grind a conversation to a halt, underline fury, threaten the moral order, effect joyful emotional release, praise, bond people in joking relationships, expand the function of a ritual, mark an unusual gender identity, and more. Obscenity takes “offstage” topics – typically to do with sex, excretion, and oral, anal, and genital functions – and brings them onstage. Taboo words are those that must be avoided, either by an entire speech community or just by certain speakers in certain contexts. Not all obscene words are taboo, just as not all taboo words are obscene. There is tremendous historical, cultural, and contextual variation in what should be offstage and what can be onstage, a judgment often bound up with power struggles and gender, class, race, cross‐cultural hierarchies, even imperialism.
Tone Systems, Pitch, and Intonation
Authors: Stanlaw James , Khor Su Yin
Published: November 2020

Differences in physical “pitch” (the perceptual response to different frequencies of sound) is a fundamental characteristic of all languages. This entry focuses on three important conceptual constructs, all dealing with sound contours: “tone languages,” “pitch‐accent languages,” and “intonation languages” (sometimes also called “tonal languages,” “accent languages,” and “stress languages”). Generally speaking, tone is usually regarded as a feature of the lexicon – words or morphemes, or syllables of words or morphemes – and functions to indicate lexical meaning. Intonation is thought to be a feature of phrases or sentences, and functions on the level of meaning in discourse.
Transitivity
Authors: Stanlaw James
Published: November 2020

Transitivity and intransitivity describe how verbs relate “subject” noun phrases to “object” noun phrases.
Universals
Authors: Williams Nicholas
Published: November 2020

Universals are features of language that are claimed to be shared by all or most human languages. Linguists have searched for and proposed universals at all levels of linguistic structure. Universals can be absolute (“all languages have nouns and verbs”), but most valid universals are expressed as tendencies. In reality, true absolute universals are impossible to verify, given the documented extents of present‐day linguistic diversity and the tiny minority of languages ever described by linguists. In linguistic anthropology, the domains of pragmatics and communicative behavior, including multimodal aspects, have been studied from the lens of universality and difference. Strong claims have been made that what humans share is not a universal grammar or linguistic system, but rather a universal system of social interaction and social cognitive skills that both unite humanity and distinguish us from our closest relatives. Research in linguistic anthropology today continues to engage with the tension between universality and cultural diversity in human communicative behavior.
Von der Gabelentz, Georg
Authors: Stanlaw James
Published: November 2020

The Sinologist Georg von der Gabelentz (1840–1893) occupies an important transitional space between the nineteenth‐century neogrammarians and philologists and the twentieth‐century structural linguists (whose ideas in many ways he anticipated).
Data Archiving, Access, and Repatriation
Authors: Kung Susan Smythe
Published: November 2020

Data archiving, data access, and data repatriation are crucially interdependent steps in the research data lifecycle in linguistic anthropology. Data are the digital and analogue materials created in the course of doing research. The practice of archiving data is becoming increasingly necessary and required both to make data accessible and to repatriate them to their source communities. If planned for early and done ethically, data archiving, access, and repatriation can ensure that important anthropological data are preserved and available for years to come.
Hale, Kenneth
Authors: Stanlaw James
Published: November 2020

Kenneth Hale (1934–2001) was an important language theorist whose ideas had a major impact in linguistics in the last quarter of the twentieth century. He was particularly well known for his advocacy of language preservation and involving informants professionally in linguistic analysis.
Identifying Minimal and Meaningful Change in a Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System for Rheumatoid Arthritis: Use of Multiple Methods and Perspectives
Authors: Bartlett Susan J. , Gutierrez Anna Kristina , Andersen Kathleen M. , Bykerk Vivian P. , Curtis Jeffrey R. , Haque Uzma J. , Orbai Ana‐Maria , Jones Michelle R. , Bingham Clifton O.
Published: November 2020

Objective

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is chronic, painful, disabling condition resulting in significant impairments in physical, emotional, and social health. Our objective was to use different methods and perspectives to evaluate the responsiveness of Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) short forms (SFs) and to identify minimal and meaningful score changes.

Methods

Adults with RA who were enrolled in a multisite prospective observational cohort completed PROMIS physical function, pain interference, fatigue, and participation in social roles/activities SFs, the PROMIS 29‐item form (PROMIS‐29), and pain and patient global assessment, and rated change in specific symptoms and RA (a little versus lot better or worse) at the second visit. Physicians recorded joint counts, physician global assessment, and change in RA at visit 2. We compared mean score differences for minimal and meaningful improvement/worsening using patient and physician change ratings and distribution‐based methods, and we visually inspected empirical cumulative distribution function curves by change categories.

Results

The 348 adults were mostly female (81%) with longstanding RA. Using patient ratings, generally 1–3‐point differences were observed for minimal change and 3–7 points for meaningful change. Larger differences were observed with patient versus physician ratings and for symptom‐specific versus RA change. Mean differences were similar among SF versions. Prespecified hypotheses about change in PROMIS physical function, pain interference, fatigue, and participation and legacy scales were supported.

Conclusion

PROMIS SFs and the PROMIS‐29 profiles are responsive to change and generally distinguish between minimal and meaningful improvement and worsening in key RA domains. These data add to a growing body of evidence demonstrating the robust psychometric properties of PROMIS and supporting its use in RA care, research, and decision‐making.
Building Hierarchical Martensite
Authors: Schwabe Stefan , Niemann Robert , Backen Anja , Wolf Daniel , Damm Christine , Walter Tina , Seiner Hanuš , Heczko Oleg , Nielsch Kornelius , Fähler Sebastian
Published: November 2020

Martensitic materials show a complex, hierarchical microstructure containing structural domains separated by various types of twin boundaries. Several concepts exist to describe this microstructure on each length scale, however, there is no comprehensive approach bridging the whole range from the nano‐ up to the macroscopic scale. Here, it is described for a Ni‐Mn‐based Heusler alloy how this hierarchical microstructure is built from scratch with just one key parameter: the tetragonal distortion of the basic building block at the atomic level. Based on this initial block, five successive levels of nested building blocks are introduced. At each level, a larger building block is formed by twinning the preceding one to minimize the relevant energy contributions locally. This naturally explains the coexistence of different types of twin boundaries. The scale‐bridging approach of nested building blocks is compared with experiments in real and reciprocal space. The approach of nested building blocks is versatile as it can be applied to the broad class of functional materials exhibiting diffusionless transformations.
Decoupling Interfacial Reactions at Anode and Cathode by Combining Online Electrochemical Mass Spectroscopy with Anode‐Free Li‐Metal Battery
Authors: Shitaw Kassie Nigus , Yang Sheng‐Chiang , Jiang Shi‐Kai , Huang Chen‐Jui , Sahalie Niguse Aweke , Nikodimos Yosef , Weldeyohannes Haile Hisho , Wang Chia‐Hsin , Wu She‐Huang , Su Wei‐Nien , Hwang Bing Joe
Published: November 2020

It is essential to decouple the interfacial reactions taking place at the anode and cathode in rechargeable batteries. However, due to the reactive nature of Li, it is challenging to use Li‐metal batteries (LMBs) protocol to decouple the interfacial reactions. The by‐products from the anode or cathode become mixed in Li/NMC111 cells, which make decoupling interfacial reactions difficult. Here, reactions at electrodes are successfully decoupled and demystified using a protocol combining anode‐free LMB (AFLMB) with online electrochemical mass spectroscopy. LiPF6 in ethylene carbonate (EC)/diethyl carbonate (DEC) and EC/ethyl methyl carbonate (1:1 v/v%) electrolytes are used to compare interfacial reactions in Li/NMC111 and Cu/NMC111 cells. In Cu/NMC111, the evolution of CO2, CO, and C2H4 gases at the initial stage of first charging is due to interfacial reactions at Cu surface due to solid–electrolyte‐interphase formation. However, the evolution of CO2 and CO gases at high voltage in the entire cycles is associated with chemical and/or electrochemical electrolyte oxidation at the cathode. This work paves a new concept to decouple interfacial reactions at electrodes for developing electrochemically stable electrolytes to improve the performance with the long‐cycling life of AFLMBs and LMBs.
HASEL Artificial Muscles for a New Generation of Lifelike Robots—Recent Progress and Future Opportunities
Authors: Rothemund Philipp , Kellaris Nicholas , Mitchell Shane K. , Acome Eric , Keplinger Christoph
Published: November 2020

Future robots and intelligent systems will autonomously navigate in unstructured environments and closely collaborate with humans; integrated with our bodies and minds, they will allow us to surpass our physical limitations. Traditional robots are mostly built from rigid, metallic components and electromagnetic motors, which make them heavy, expensive, unsafe near people, and ill‐suited for unpredictable environments. By contrast, biological organisms make extensive use of soft materials and radically outperform robots in terms of dexterity, agility, and adaptability. Particularly, natural muscle—a masterpiece of evolution—has long inspired researchers to create “artificial muscles” in an attempt to replicate its versatility, seamless integration with sensing, and ability to self‐heal. To date, natural muscle remains unmatched in all‐round performance, but rapid advancements in soft robotics have brought viable alternatives closer than ever. Herein, the recent development of hydraulically amplified self‐healing electrostatic (HASEL) actuators, a new class of high‐performance, self‐sensing artificial muscles that couple electrostatic and hydraulic forces to achieve diverse modes of actuation, is discussed; current designs match or exceed natural muscle in many metrics. Research on materials, designs, fabrication, modeling, and control systems for HASEL actuators is detailed. In each area, research opportunities are identified, which together lays out a roadmap for actuators with drastically improved performance. With their unique versatility and wide potential for further improvement, HASEL actuators are poised to play an important role in a paradigm shift that fundamentally challenges the current limitations of robotic hardware toward future intelligent systems that replicate the vast capabilities of biological organisms.
Surface‐Initiated Grafting of Dendritic Polyglycerol from Mussel‐Inspired Adhesion‐Layers for the Creation of Cell‐Repelling Coatings
Authors: Kulka Michaël W. , Nie Chuanxiong , Nickl Philip , Kerkhoff Yannic , Garg Arushi , Salz Dirk , Radnik Jörg , Grunwald Ingo , Haag Rainer
Published: November 2020

Biofouling is a major challenge in the application of textiles, biosensors, and biomedical implants. In the current work, a straightforward method for the solvent‐free polymerization of antifouling dendritic polyglycerol (dPG) from mussel‐inspired dendritic polyglycerol (MI‐dPG) coatings on hydrophilic titanium dioxide (TiO2) and hydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is reported. Surface characterization is performed by static water contact angle (CA) measurements, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Significant lower CA values are obtained after dPG grafting from MI‐dPG‐coated TiO2 and MI‐dPG coated PDMS. Furthermore, XPS shows a time‐dependent increase of the CO bond content upon dPG grafting from MI‐dPG‐coated TiO2 and MI‐dPG‐coated PDMS. Analysis of the surface morphology by SEM shows a clear time‐dependent increase in the surface roughness upon dPG grafting from MI‐dPG‐coated TiO2 and MI‐dPG‐coated PDMS. When the viability of two adhesive cell types is studied via LIVE/DEAD staining, a strong reduction in the cell density is observed after the dPG grafting from MI‐dPG‐coated TiO2 and MI‐dPG‐coated PDMS (a decrease of >95% in all cases). The combined results show that biocompatible but highly cell‐repelling surfaces are efficiently constructed via the grafting of dPG from MI‐dPG‐coated TiO2 and MI‐dPG‐coated PDMS.
Van der Waals Multi‐Heterostructures (PN, PIN, and NPN) for Dynamic Rectification in 2D Materials
Authors: Aftab Sikandar , Samiya  , Ul Haq Hafiz Mansoor , Yousuf Saqlain , Khan Muhammad Usman , Ahmed Zaheer , Aziz Jamal , Iqbal Muhammad Waqas , ur Rehman Atteq , Iqbal Muhammad Zahir
Published: November 2020

Here, van der Waals multi‐heterojunctions (PN, NP, PIN, and NPN) are fabricated by stacking of MoTe2, hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN), and MoSe2 nanoflakes using a mechanical‐exfoliation technique where the dynamic rectification is examined. Low‐resistance metal contacts Al/Au and Pt/Au are applied to MoSe2 and MoTe2, respectively, and gate‐dependent rectifying behavior is achieved, with a rectification ratio of up to 105 in PN devices. It is found that the performance of the device is enhanced by placing an interfacial layer h‐BN between two opposite layers of 2D materials where the rectification ratio is found to be >106 with the ideality factor ≈1.3 in the PIN devices. Also, using the conventional Richardson's plot, the barrier heights of PN and PIN diodes are calculated to be 260 and 490 meV at zero gate bias, respectively. As well, the devices exhibit good performance with a built‐in electric field observed in both PN and PIN diodes, which gives rise to an open‐circuit voltage (Voc) and short‐circuit current (Isc) under zero external bias. Remarkably, it is found that the performance of the devices also gets better by forming double heterojunction (NPN) layer than PN or NP layers. The device is also tested for a rectification application, and it successfully rectifies an input alternating‐current signal. These findings are important for the development of nano‐ and optoelectronics devices.
Robust and Gradient Thickness Porous Membranes for In Vitro Modeling of Physiological Barriers
Authors: Gholizadeh Shayan , Allahyari Zahra , Carter Robert N. , Delgadillo Luis F. , Blaquiere Marine , Nouguier‐Morin Frederic , Marchi Nicola , Gaborski Thomas R.
Published: November 2020

Porous membranes are fundamental elements for tissue‐chip barrier and co‐culture models. However, the exaggerated thickness of commonly available membranes may represent a stumbling block impeding a more accurate in vitro modeling. Existing techniques to fabricate membranes such as solvent cast, spin‐coating, sputtering, and plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PE‐CVD) result in uniform thickness films. Here, a robust method to generate ultrathin porous parylene C (UPP) membranes is developed not just with precise thicknesses down to 300 nm, but with variable gradients in thicknesses, while at the same time having porosities up to 25%. Surface etching and increased roughness which lead to improved cell attachment is also shown. Next, the mechanical properties of UPP membranes with varying porosity and thickness is examined and the data is fitted to previously published models, which can help determine the practical upper limits of porosity and lower limits of thickness. Lastly, a straightforward approach allowing the successful integration of the UPP membranes into a prototyped 3D‐printed scaffold is validated, demonstrating mechanical robustness and allowing cell adhesion under varying flow conditions. Collectively, the results support the integration and the use of UPP membranes to examine cell–cell interaction in vitro.
Interface Deformable, Thermally Sensitive Hydrogel–Elastomer Hybrid Fiber for Versatile Underwater Sensing
Authors: Wang Chengmin , Wu Baohu , Sun Shengtong , Wu Peiyi
Published: November 2020

Underwater sensing plays a vital role in perceiving various hydrodynamic stimuli for underwater operations, while fishes evolve an adaptable, durable, and multifunctional lateral line sensory system to feel mechanical deformations from nearly all sources as well as water temperature changes. Such perfect integration of multiple functions into one biological system poses a great challenge for artificial soft sensors. Here, by constructing a stretchable and water‐proof core‐cladding hydrogel–elastomer hybrid optical fiber, nearly all the underwater sensations of fish lateral lines can be realized with unprecedented sensing stability. High‐refractive‐index salt, LiBr, is introduced to the hydrogel core to enable long‐range light propagation with a low loss coefficient (≈0.32 dB cm−1), and the dissimilar yet tightly adhered hydrogel–elastomer interface is readily deformable, contributing to the ultrasensitive optical response to subtle environmental stimulations, induced by either motions, hydrostatic pressure variations, ultrasonic/audible sound waves, or water flows. Moreover, the optical loss of the hybrid fiber is linearly responsive to wide temperature changes (5–70 °C), caused by the altered light scattering from hydrogel chain clustering. The present elastomer–hydrogel hybrid optical fiber offers a new designing strategy in developing next‐generation underwater stretchable ray‐optic sensors.
Comparative Analysis of Yeast Replicative Lifespan in Different Trapping Structures Using an Integrated Microfluidic System
Authors: Gao Ziqing , Xu Jian , Chen Kaiyue , Wang Shujing , Ouyang Qi , Luo Chunxiong
Published: November 2020

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an important model to study the molecular mechanisms of eukaryotic cell aging. In previous studies, the replicative lifespan (RLS) of yeast is analyzed mainly by manual microdissection. Microfluidic technologies have gradually replaced this labor‐intensive operation. Many microfluidic devices can trap a single yeast cell and track its entire lifespan. However, a direct comparison between microfluidic device designs and the corresponding evaluated RLS values is limited by the different experimental conditions. This study establishes a microfluidic platform for a systematic comparison among different cell trapping structures. The platform integrates four representative structures (micropads, microchannels, three‐bar jails, and two‐bar cups) and allows simultaneous control with a uniform external condition. The experimentally evaluated RLS values are affected by specific chip structures. Exploration of the underlying mechanism revealed that external mechanical stress caused by the chip structure is the key factor in reducing RLS. The findings indicate that external mechanical stress should be a major reference factor in the selection of microfluidic devices. The study also highlights the importance of further research on the relationship between mechanical stress and aging.
Boosting a Power Performance of a Hybrid Nanogenerator via Frictional Heat Combining a Triboelectricity and Thermoelectricity toward Advanced Smart Sensors
Authors: Jo Seungju , Kim Inkyum , Byun Junmoo , Jayababu Nagabandi , Kim Daewon
Published: November 2020

The demand for a well‐equipped healthcare system is increasing due to the requirement of instant treatment in emergency situations. Particularly, patients are advised to employ fall‐detection sensors and touch‐activated emergency alarms to reduce the mortality rate arising from unexpected falls and emergency conditions. Herein, smart sensors are successfully developed by scavenging the human motions and heat energy with the combination of a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) and a thermoelectric generator (TEG). The frictional heat energy produced from the contact and separation of TENG can be utilized as an input source for TEG. Thus, the hybrid tribo‐thermoelectric nanogenerator (HTTNG) generates two electrical outputs with a single primary input. As evidence of this, the flexible HTTNG delivers high output due to the synergistic effect of two generators, that is, through the high output voltage and current in TENG and TEG, respectively. The feasibility of HTTNG as a touch‐activated emergency alarm and a human fall‐detection sensor is successfully demonstrated. Furthermore, the HTTNG can be a promising self‐powered sensing device without any additional power source as well as a power supplier in the Internet of Things era. This hybrid nanogenerator can pave the way for efficient utilization in healthcare systems.
Polarization‐Dependent and Wavelength‐Tunable Optical Limiting and Transparency of Multilayer Selenium‐Doped Black Phosphorus
Authors: Liu Qirui , Hu Siyang , Zhang Chenxi , Ouyang Hao , Jiang Tian
Published: November 2020

As one of the hottest 2D materials, black phosphorus (BP) exhibits a narrow band gap, high carrier mobility, exceptional photoelectric and thermoelectric properties. Nevertheless, easy oxidation in air limits its practical application. Here, versatile optical properties of multilayer selenium‐doped BP (Se‐BP) with air stability are reported. Based on polarization‐resolved Raman spectroscopy, which clarifies the sample structure and doping content, the optical absorption information of Se‐BP is investigated by employing polarized linear absorption spectra and femtosecond (fs) laser intensity scanning (I‐scan). Importantly, wavelength‐changed I‐scan results demonstrate a distinct maximum of 5.9% saturable absorption (SA) and 14.2% reverse saturable absorption (RSA) effect whose modulation depths act out polarization dependence. Through the results of I‐scan and fs transient absorption spectroscopy, not only is the origin of RSA proven to be the excited state absorption (ESA), but also the correlation between SA‐induced optical transparency and RSA‐induced optical limiting is discussed and confirmed. This work sheds new light on multifunctional optical applications based on doped BP materials.
Manipulation of Orbital Angular Momentum Spectrum Using Shape‐Tailored Metasurfaces
Authors: Yang Ling‐Jun , Sun Sheng , Sha Wei E. I.
Published: November 2020

Vortex beams carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) are widely applied in various electromagnetic, optical, and quantum systems. A tailored OAM spectrum composed of several specific modes as expected holds a promise for expanding the degrees of freedom of the systems. However, such a broadband high‐purity tailored spectrum is difficult to be achieved by the present devices, where the broadband amplitude manipulation is not explored yet. In this work, inspired by the envelope‐modulation theory, an elegant and universal way to manipulate the OAM spectrum in wide bandwidth is proposed by using a shape‐tailored metasurface. First, the rotating meta‐atoms on a triangular lattice are proved to have smaller coupling distortion than that on a square lattice, and this behavior is critical for high‐purity vortex spectrum generation by the Pancharatnam–Berry‐based metasurfaces. Second, a universal modulation relation is established between the spatial arrangement of metasurfaces and the generated vortex beams. Finally, the broadband‐modulated OAM spectra and the comb‐like OAM spectra are theoretically and experimentally demonstrated by the shape‐tailored metasurfaces. The proposed amplitude‐modulation scheme offers a novel concept and engineering route to manipulate the OAM spectrum in wide bandwidth, which can promote the development of OAM‐based applications.
Explicit Dynamics of Diffuse Interface in Phase‐Field Model
Authors: Yang Chao , Huang Houbing , Liu Wenbo , Wang Junsheng , Wang Jing , Jafri Hasnain Mehdi , Liu Yu , Han Guomin , Song Haifeng , Chen Long‐Qing
Published: November 2020

Interfaces play an important role during phase transition and interfacial chemical reactions. In this paper, three different methods are introduced to analyze the explicit dynamics of the diffuse interface by means of phase‐field model, and these methods are based on three independent perspectives: non‐dispersive propagation of the interfacial waveform, the flux density and sources/sinks analysis of continuity equation, and the moving interfacial coordinate transformation. These theoretical derivations not only present the relationship between the diffuse interfacial velocity and the effect of driving force and interfacial curvature, but also clarify the equivalent method between the phase‐field dynamics and the sharp‐interfacial dynamics, which reveals the physical meaning of the diffuse interfacial dynamical equation from different perspectives. The present study advances the understanding of the interfacial phase transition and provides theoretical insights for the phase‐field model and numerical simulation.
Emerging Approaches in Enhancing the Efficiency and Stability in Non‐Fullerene Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Zhao Fuwen , Zhang Huotian , Zhang Rui , Yuan Jun , He Dan , Zou Yingping , Gao Feng
Published: November 2020

The past three years have witnessed rapid growth in the field of organic solar cells (OSCs) based on non‐fullerene acceptors (NFAs), with intensive efforts being devoted to material development, device engineering, and understanding of device physics. The power conversion efficiency of single‐junction OSCs has now reached high values of over 18%. The boost in efficiency results from a combination of promising features in NFA OSCs, including efficient charge generation, good charge transport, and small voltage losses. In addition to efficiency, stability, which is another critical parameter for the commercialization of NFA OSCs, has also been investigated. This review summarizes recent advances in the field, highlights approaches for enhancing the efficiency and stability of NFA OSCs, and discusses possible strategies for further advances of NFA OSCs.
Flapping‐Wing Dynamics as a Natural Detector of Wind Direction
Authors: Tanaka Kazutoshi , Yang Shih-Hsin , Tokudome Yuji , Minami Yuna , Lu Yuyao , Arie Takayuki , Akita Seiji , Takei Kuniharu , Nakajima Kohei
Published: November 2020

Flapping‐wing unmanned aerial vehicles have potential advantages, such as consuming lower energy by leveraging the force of wind. Since the flapping movements of the soft wings contain information about the wind, measuring the movement of each part of the wings allows these vehicles to distinguish the direction of the wind. To confirm this prediction, herein, the detection of wind flow from the flapping‐wing motion of a bird robot using an integrated flexible strain sensor on its wing and a physical reservoir computing analysis is presented. In the presence of different wind directions, the movement of the flapping‐wings is measured using flexible strain sensors, and the current wind direction is detected by capitalizing on the intrinsic wing dynamics. As a result, it is found that the detection accuracy using our embedded flexible strain sensors is significantly high, showing a similar level of accuracy with a high‐speed camera recorded from the fixed position in the environment. The results indicate that flapping‐wing unmanned aerial vehicles can recognize wind direction by exploiting the natural dynamics of their wings.
Reaction Acceleration at Solid/Solution Interfaces: Katritzky Reaction Catalyzed by Glass Particles
Authors: Li Yangjie , Mehari Tsdale F. , Wei Zhenwei , Liu Yong , Cooks R. Graham
Published: November 2020

The Katritzky reaction in bulk solution at room temperature is accelerated significantly by the surface of a glass container compared to a plastic container. Remarkably, the reaction rate is increased by more than two orders of magnitude upon the addition of glass particles with the rate increasing linearly with increasing amounts of glass. A similar phenomenon is observed when glass particles are added to levitated droplets, where large acceleration factors are seen. Evidence shows that glass acts as a “green” heterogeneous catalyst: it participates as a base in the deprotonation step and is recovered unchanged from the reaction mixture. Reaction acceleration at two separate interfaces is recognized in this study: i) air/solution phase acceleration, as is well known in microdroplets; ii) solid/solution phase, where such acceleration appears to be a new phenomenon.
Recent Advances in Metal‐catalyzed Alkylation, Alkenylation and Alkynylation of Indole/indoline Benzenoid Nucleus
Authors: Pradhan Sourav , De Pinaki Bhusan , Shah Tariq A. , Punniyamurthy Tharmalingam
Published: November 2020

Selective editing of the benzenoid C−H bonds (C4−C7) in indoles/indolines has received great interest because functionalized indoles/indolines are featured in many marketed drugs and natural products. Transition‐metal‐catalyzed directed C−H functionalization has thus been developed to manipulate the benzenoid core through C−C and C‐heteroatom bond formation. This review covers the recent advances in selective C−C bond forming reactions, alkylation, alkenylation and alkynylation, over the benzenoid ring (C4−C7) of indoles/indolines using metal catalysis.
From structure to function: Route to understanding lncRNA mechanism
Authors: Graf Johannes , Kretz Markus
Published: November 2020

RNAs have emerged as a major target for diagnostics and therapeutics approaches. Regulatory nonprotein‐coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in particular display remarkable versatility. They can fold into complex structures and interact with proteins, DNA, and other RNAs, thus modulating activity, localization, or interactome of multi‐protein complexes. Thus, ncRNAs confer regulatory plasticity and represent a new layer of regulatory control. Interestingly, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) tend to acquire complex secondary and tertiary structures and their function—in many cases—is dependent on structural conservation rather than primary sequence conservation.

Whereas for many proteins, structure and its associated function are closely connected, for lncRNAs, the structural domains that determine functionality and its interactome are still not well understood. Numerous approaches for analyzing the structural configuration of lncRNAs have been developed recently. Here, will provide an overview of major experimental approaches used in the field, and discuss the potential benefit of using combinatorial strategies to analyze lncRNA modes of action based on structural information.
Can natural selection and druggable targets synergize? Of nutrient scarcity, cancer, and the evolution of cooperation
Authors: Blackstone Neil W. , Gutterman Jordan U.
Published: November 2020

Since the dawn of molecular biology, cancer therapy has focused on druggable targets. Despite some remarkable successes, cell‐level evolution remains a potent antagonist to this approach. We suggest that a deeper understanding of the breakdown of cooperation can synergize the evolutionary and druggable‐targets approaches. Complexity requires cooperation, whether between cells of different species (symbiosis) or between cells of the same organism (multicellularity). Both forms of cooperation may be associated with nutrient scarcity, which in turn may be associated with a chemiosmotic metabolism. A variety of examples from modern organisms supports these generalities. Indeed, mammalian cancers—unicellular, glycolytic, and fast‐replicating—parallel these examples. Nutrient scarcity, chemiosmosis, and associated signaling may favor cooperation, while under conditions of nutrient abundance a fermentative metabolism may signal the breakdown of cooperation. Manipulating this metabolic milieu may potentiate the effects of targeted therapeutics. Specific opportunities are discussed in this regard, including avicins, a novel plant product.
How neoteny shapes human society: Can we escape our formative years, and fight the wrong kind of populism?
Authors: Speijer Dave
Published: November 2020

This article describes aspects of our biological nature that have contributed to the dangerous current state of societal, ecological and climatological affairs. Next, it deals with stratagems to take these aspects into account, so as to allow us better choices. I will concentrate on the concepts of evolved group mechanisms and “neoteny” and explain why they direct our responses throughout our lives. The connection between our biological make‐up and our vulnerability to the current rise of certain kinds of irrational, undemocratic, populism is also laid bare. I will end by listing some simple, but possibly controversial, proposals that might have value in combating these societal tendencies and help decision making in a reality‐based, more scientific, manner.
Word of mouth: How upward social comparisons influence the sharing of consumption experiences
Authors: Suárez Vázquez Ana , Du Li , del Río Lanza Ana Belén
Published: November 2020

An outcome of upward social comparisons that has been largely overlooked is its effect on non‐transactional behaviours (i.e., word of mouth). Previous research has identified three different emotional reactions to upward social comparisons: admiration, benign envy and malicious envy. Despite the fact that their effect on consumption has been previously analysed, it remains unclear how these reactions affect word of mouth intention. This study carries out an experimental design that demonstrates that admiration and benign envy positively influence word of mouth behaviour. However, there is no effect of malicious envy on such disposition. The results are sustained under different cultural contexts. The findings shed light on the drivers of word of mouth. They offer guidance to companies for developing more effective strategies to encourage both brand message sharing and consumer‐to‐consumer sharing of consumption experiences.
New Isoflavones with Antioxidant Activity Isolated from Cornulaca monacantha
Authors: Mhiri Rania , Koubaa Imed , Chawech Rachid , Auberon Florence , Allouche Noureddine , Michel Thomas
Published: November 2020

In the course of phytochemical and chemotaxonomical investigations of Cornulaca monacantha (Amaranthaceae), two new isoflavones, 3‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)‐5,7‐dimethoxy‐6‐(methoxymethyl)‐4H‐1‐benzopyran‐4‐one (1) and 7‐hydroxy‐3‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐5‐methoxy‐6‐(methoxymethyl)‐4H‐1‐benzopyran‐4‐one (2) were isolated from the fresh aerial parts of C. monacantha among with three known compounds named vanillic acid (3), N‐cis‐feruloyltyramine (4) and N‐trans‐feruloyltyramine (5). Their structures were elucidated by means of spectroscopic methods including one‐ and two‐dimensional NMR and HR‐ESI‐MS techniques. The isolated compounds exhibited interesting antioxidant activity determined by DPPH, ABTS and TAC tests.
Ageing and mesenchymal stem cells derived exosomes: Molecular insight and challenges
Authors: Ahmadi Mahdi , Rezaie Jafar
Published: November 2020

Ageing induces a great risk factor that participates in progressing various degenerative diseases morbidities. The main characteristic of ageing is the failure in maintaining homeostasis in the organs with a cellular senescence. Senescence is characterized by reduced cell growth, evade cellular death, and acquiring a senescence‐associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are advantageous cells in regenerative medicine, exerting pleiotropic functions by producing soluble factors, such as exosomes. MSCs and their exosomes (MSCs‐Exo) kinetic are affected by ageing and other aged exosomes. Exosomes biogenesis from aged MSCs is accelerated and their exosomal cargoes, such as miRNAs, vary as compared to those of normal cells. Besides, exosomes from aged MSCs loss their regenerative potential and may negatively influence the function of recipient cells. MSCs‐Exo can improve ageing and age‐related diseases; however, the detailed mechanisms remain yet elusive. Although exosomes‐therapy may serve as a new approach to combat ageing, the translation of preclinical results to clinic needs more extensive investigation on exosomes both on their biology and related techniques. Overall, scrutiny on the effect of ageing on MSCs and vice versa is vital for designing novel therapy using MSCs with focus on the management of older individuals.
Study on the Simple Surface Treatments of N, P Dual‐doped Carbon as Metal‐free Catalyst for Metal‐air Batteries
Authors: Yu Heping , Zhang Hui , Zhang Zhongyi
Published: November 2020

N, P dual‐doped porous carbon with high specific surface area of ∼2000 m2 g−1 was prepared via foaming‐carbonization process. It was demonstrated that the simple surface treatment and modification can conveniently further improve the catalytic performance of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The results showed that chemisorbed phosphorus can promote the surface treatment of sodium borohydride (NaBH4). The modified novel sites, adsorbing water molecules of a semi‐free state, promoted the offensive key steps of H2O molecules in ORR. After post‐treatment, the limit current density increased from 5.0 to 6.1 mA cm−2 with a decreased Tafel slope and the onset potential positively shifted. This surface‐modified catalyst was applied to Zn‐air battery and Al‐air battery, and had exhibited good applicability and excellent performances. This work illustrates that the simple post‐treatments can conveniently and effectively improve the ORR performance of metal‐free carbon catalysts.
Self‐Assembly Approach Towards MoS2‐Embedded Hierarchical Porous Carbons for Enhanced Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Liu Yuping , Wang Hongxing , Liu Fengru , Kang Jialing , Qiu Feng , Ke Changchun , Huang Yu , Han Sheng , Zhang Fan , Zhuang Xiaodong
Published: November 2020

Transition metal‐based nanoparticle‐embedded carbon materials have received increasing attention for constructing next‐generation electrochemical catalysts for energy storage and conversion. However, designing hybrid carbon materials with controllable hierarchical micro/mesoporous structures, excellent dispersion of metal nanoparticles, and multiple heteroatom‐doping remains challenging. Here, a novel pyridinium‐containing ionic hypercrosslinked micellar frameworks (IHMFs) prepared from the core–shell unimicelle of s‐poly(tert‐butyl acrylate)‐b‐poly(4‐bromomethyl) styrene (s‐PtBA‐b‐PBMS) and linear poly(4‐vinylpyridine) were used as self‐sacrificial templates for confined growth of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) inside cationic IHMFs through electrostatic interaction. After pyrolysis, MoS2‐anchored nitrogen‐doped porous carbons possessing tunable hierarchical micro/mesoporous structures and favorable distributions of MoS2 nanoparticles exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction as well as small Tafel slope of 66.7 mV dec−1, low onset potential, and excellent cycling stability under acidic condition. Crucially, hierarchical micro/mesoporous structure and high surface area could boost their catalytic hydrogen evolution performance. This approach provides a novel route for preparation of micro/mesoporous hybrid carbon materials with confined transition metal nanoparticles for electrochemical energy conversion.
Health literacy and shared decision making in prostate cancer screening: Equality versus equity
Authors: Washington Samuel L. , Master Viraj A.
Published: November 2020

Smarter screening and shared decision making concerning prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) screening allow patients to make informed decisions and provide timely screening to those who are interested. These concepts are endorsed by several guideline statements, but facilitating discussions of prostate cancer screening must be tailored to the individual in ways that are appropriate for the individual's degree of health literacy. In their article in this issue of Cancer, Nguyen et al examine the influence of health literacy on PSA screening rates in a cross‐sectional study.
Digital Imaging‐based Colourimetry for Enzymatic Processes in Transparent Liquid Marbles
Authors: Nguyen Nhat‐Khuong , Singha Pradip , Zhang Jun , Phan Hoang‐Phuong , Nguyen Nam‐Trung , Ooi Chin Hong
Published: November 2020

Liquid marbles are a promising microreactor platform that recently attracts significant research interest owing to their ability to accommodate a wide range of micro reactions. However, the use of destructive and ex‐situ methods to monitor reactions impairs the potential of liquid‐marble‐based microreactors. This paper proposes a non‐destructive, in situ, and cost‐effective digital‐imaging‐based colourimetric monitoring method for transparent liquid marbles, using the enzymatic hydrolysis of starch as an illustrative example. The colourimetric reaction between starch and iodine produces a complex that exhibits a dark blue colour. We found that the absorbance of red channel of digital images showed a linear relationship with starch concentration with high sensitivity and repeatability. This digital‐imaging‐based colourimetric method was used to study the hydrolysis of starch by α‐amylase. The results show high accuracy and applicability of first‐order kinetics for this reaction. The demonstration of digital‐imaging‐based colourimetry indicates the potential of liquid marble‐based microreactors.
Host contribution to parasite persistence is consistent between parasites and over time, but varies spatially
Authors: Bielby Jon , Price Stephen J. , Monsalve‐CarcaÑo Camino , Bosch Jaime
Published: November 2020

Most parasites and pathogens infect multiple hosts, but a great deal of variation exists in the role of those hosts in persistence of infection. Understanding which hosts are most important in maintaining parasites can provide a clearer target for infection control. Recently developed empirical and theoretical approaches provide a way to quantify the relative contribution of hosts within a community and place them in a multi‐host framework to better direct control efforts. Amphibians provide a framework for better understanding multi‐host–multi‐parasite dynamics. Two well‐studied amphibian parasites, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and Ranavirus, infect multiple host species and exhibit a great deal of heterogeneity in how they affect hosts. We used these two parasites and a community of five amphibian species to investigate the relative importance of hosts in parasite persistence, and how any patterns varied spatially and temporally. At two sites (Lake Ercina and Lake Lloroza in the Picos de Europa National Park, Spain) we collected data on the prevalence and shedding rate of parasite infection for both Bd and Ranavirus, and the abundance of each species’ life stages. We used these data to parameterize a recently developed modeling framework, which was used to quantify the relative contribution of each host to the community reproductive number, R0. By comparing each host‐category over time and between sites we were able to identify consistencies in which host was responsible for the maintenance of these two parasites. Within a site one species consistently contributed the most to the persistence of both parasites. This consistency did not transfer between sites, the maintenance host species being different for each. At one site (Ercina), life stages of the common midwife toad, Alytes obstetricans, acted as the maintenance host for both Bd and Ranavirus. In contrast, at the second site, Lloroza, the alpine newt, Ichthyosaura alpestris, fulfilled that role. A single host species was responsible for infection persistence of both parasites at each lake. Attempts to control the infection levels and impacts of multiple parasites can benefit from a community epidemiology approach, and provide clarity on which hosts are the foci of mitigation efforts. However, at a small spatial scale, the target host may vary according to the physical qualities of those sites and the demographics of the host community.
Combined systems based on OSOFC/HSOFC: Comparative analysis and multi‐objective optimization of power and emission
Authors: Mojaver Parisa , Khalilarya Shahram , Chitsaz Ata
Published: November 2020

An integrated system, including a biomass gasifier, a solid oxide fuel cell, heat pipes, and an organic Rankine cycle, was modeled and validated. The system performance was assessed in two different cases based on: (a) oxygen‐ion conducting electrolyte and (b) proton‐conducting electrolyte solid oxide fuel cells. At low current densities, the system based on proton‐conducting electrolyte cell presented larger values of power. In contrast, the system based on oxygen‐ion conducting electrolyte cell had a better performance from power viewpoint at high current densities. This phenomenon was similar for energy and exergy efficiencies and emission. The comparative analysis revealed that the system based on oxygen‐ion conducting electrolyte cell had higher power output than the system based on proton‐conducting electrolyte cell (204.2 kW against 178.7 kW) at their optimum conditions, while the system based on proton‐conducting electrolyte cell presented lower emission (996.5 kg/MW h against 1560.7 kg/MW h). The TOPSIS method was utilized to solve the multi‐criteria decision‐making problem. The results indicated that the system based on proton‐conducting electrolyte cell had a better performance than the system based on oxygen‐ion conducting electrolyte cell.