bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How soil meso‐/macro‐faunas orchestrate ecosystem multifunctionality under different artificial disturbance conditions in the Changbai Mountain region, China
Authors: Kou Xinchang , Tao Yan , Wang Shengzhong , Wu Zhengfang , Wu Haitao , He Hongshi
Published: June 2022

Biodiversity‐ecosystem function relationships have been widely studied in the field of microorganisms in recent years. The research findings revealed that microorganisms positively influence multiple ecosystem functions in diverse ecosystem types. However, the previous studies have neglected the fact that biodiversity at higher trophic levels is also required in order to maintain ecosystem multifunctionality. Here, in this study, the relationships among soil macro/meso faunal diversity, soil functions (C, N, and P functions), and ecosystem multifunctionality under different artificial disturbance conditions were investigated. The results revealed a positive relationship between the soil meso‐faunal diversity and ecosystem multifunctionality in primary forest (PM), secondary forest (SF), and deforested land (DL). However, correlations between macro‐faunal diversity and ecosystem multifunctionality decreased as the intensity of artificial disturbances increased, and no significant relationships were found in the DL and cultivated land (CL). We suggested that the soil faunal size was the main factor affecting the predictive ability of meso‐ or macro‐ faunas, and the soil meso‐faunal diversity was more suitable than soil macro‐fauna to orchestrate the ecosystem multifunctionality. Further, we demonstrated that the relative effects of the soil functions on ecosystem multifunctionality were changed with the increasing disturbance intensities. We proposed that soil function and meso‐/macro‐faunas contribute to ecosystem multifunctionality in different ways under natural or artificial disturbances. It was concluded that the relative contributions of the soil meso‐/macro‐fauna to the ecosystem multifunctionality were manipulated by their size, soil functions, and disturbance intensities.
Krawtchouk wavelets method for solving Caputo and Caputo–Hadamard fractional differential equations
Authors: Saeed Umer , Idrees Shafaq , Javid Khurram , Din Qamar
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of the present work is to develop a new wavelet method, named as Krawtchouk wavelets method, for solving both Caputo fractional and Caputo–Hadamard fractional differential equations on a semi‐infinite domain.

Design/methodology/approach

We have utilized the discrete Krawtchouk orthogonal polynomial for the construction of Krawtchouk wavelets method. The supporting analysis of the method such as construction of operational matrices, procedure of implementation, and convergence analysis of the method are being provided. We have also proposed a method by combining the Krawtchouk wavelets method with the method of step for the solution of Caputo–Hadamard fractional delay differential equations.

Findings

We have provided the orthogonality condition for the Krawtchouk wavelets. We have derived and constructed the Krawtchouk wavelets matrix, Krawtchouk wavelets operational matrix of Riemann–Liouville and Hadamard‐type fractional‐order integration, and Krawtchouk wavelets operational matrix of Riemann–Liouville and Hadamard‐type fractional‐order integration for boundary value problems. These matrices are successfully utilized for the solution of Caputo and Caputo–Hadamard fractional differential equations. Operational matrices contains many zero entries, which makes the present method more efficient.

Furthermore, we workout on the procedure of implementation of the method for the Caputo fractional differential equations as well as for the Caputo–Hadamard fractional differential equations. We also derived the convergence analysis of the Krawtchouk wavelets method, which completes the theoretical analysis of the proposed method.

We have applied the Krawtchouk wavelets method for the numerical solutions of several Caputo fractional differential equations and Caputo–Hadamard fractional differential equations and compare the obtained results with the analytical solutions. The comparison shows the effectiveness of the present numerical method. In this paper, we have considered initial value problem, boundary value problem, and delay problem. According to the numerical results, the present method is more efficient and accurate.

Originality/value

Since fractional differential equation is a latest and emerging field, many engineers and scientists can utilize the present method for solving their fractional models. To the best of the author's knowledge, the present wavelets method has never been introduced and implemented for Caputo fractional and Caputo–Hadamard fractional differential equations.
Riemann–Hilbert problem associated with the vector Lakshmanan–Porsezian–Daniel model in the birefringent optical fibers
Authors: Hu Beibei , Lin Ji , Zhang Ling
Published: June 2022

In this paper, we investigate vector Lakshmanan–Porsezian–Daniel (VLPD) model which can be used to describe the ultrashort pulses in the birefringent optical fiber. Based on the unified transformation method, the Riemann–Hilbert problem is introduced and initial‐boundary value problems of the VLPD model are studied. By solving the formulated matrix Riemann–Hilbert problem, the potential function solutions of the VLPD model can be reconstructed. Moreover, that the spectral functions are not independent but meet the so‐called global relation is shown.
Homogenization of a poroelasticity model for fiber‐reinforced hydrogels
Authors: Eden Michael , Mahato Hari Shankar
Published: June 2022

In this paper, the analysis and homogenization of a poroelastic model for the hydro‐mechanical response of fiber‐reinforced hydrogels are considered. Here, the medium in question is considered to be a highly heterogeneous two‐component media composed of a connected fiber‐scaffold with periodically distributed inclusions of hydrogel. While the fibers are assumed to be elastic, the hydromechanical response of hydrogel is modeled viaBiot's poroelasticity.

We show that the resulting mathematical problem admits a unique weak solution and investigate the limit behavior (in the sense of two‐scale convergence) of the solutions with respect to a scale parameter, , characterizing the heterogeneity of the medium. While doing , we arrive at an effective model where the micro variations of the pore pressure give rise to a micro stress correction at the macro scale.
Sum of some product‐type operators from Hardy spaces to weighted‐type spaces on the unit ball
Authors: Stević Stevo , Huang Cheng‐Shi , Jiang Zhi‐Jie
Published: June 2022

We investigate the boundedness and compactness of the operator , where is the multiplication operator with symbol , which are holomorphic functions on the open unit ball in the composition operator with symbol which is a holomorphic self‐map of , and the th iterated radial derivative operator, from the Hardy space to the weighted‐type space on .
Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosis of long‐term renal atrophy and fibrosis after ischemia reperfusion induced acute kidney injury in mice
Authors: Wang Feng , Otsuka Tadashi , Adelnia Fatemeh , Takahashi Keiko , Delgado Rachel , Harkins Kevin D. , Zu Zhongliang , de Caestecker Mark P. , Harris Raymond C. , Gore John C. , Takahashi Takamune
Published: June 2022

Tubular atrophy and fibrosis are pathological changes that determine the prognosis of kidney disease induced by acute kidney injury (AKI). We aimed to evaluate multiple magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters, including pool size ratio (PSR) from quantitative magnetization transfer, relaxation rates, and measures from spin‐lock imaging (
and
), for assessing the pathological changes associated with AKI‐induced kidney disease. Eight‐week‐old male C57BL/6 J mice first underwent unilateral ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) induced by reperfusion after 45 min of ischemia. They were imaged using a 7T MRI system 56 days after the injury. Paraffin tissue sections were stained using Masson trichrome and picrosirius red to identify histopathological changes such as tubular atrophy and fibrosis. Histology detected extensive tubular atrophy and moderate fibrosis in the cortex and outer stripe of the outer medulla (CR + OSOM) and more prominent fibrosis in the inner stripe of the outer medulla (ISOM) of IRI kidneys. In the CR + OSOM region, evident decreases in PSR,
,
,
, and
showed in IRI compared with contralateral kidneys, with PSR and
exhibiting the most significant changes. In addition, the exchange parameter
dropped by the largest degree among all the MRI parameters, while
increased significantly. In the ISOM of IRI kidneys, PSR increased while
kept decreasing.
,
, and
all increased due to more severe fibrosis in this region. Among MRI measures, PSR and
showed the highest detectability of renal changes no matter whether tubular atrophy or fibrosis dominated.
and
could be more specific to a single pathological event than other MRI measures because only
increased and
decreased consistently when either fibrosis or tubular atrophy dominated, and their correlations with fibrosis scores were higher than other MRI measures. Multiparametric MRI may enable a more comprehensive analysis of histopathological changes following AKI.
Signal enhancement of hyperpolarized 15N sites in solution—increase in solid‐state polarization at 3.35 T and prolongation of relaxation in deuterated water mixtures
Authors: Gamliel Ayelet , Shaul David , Gomori J. Moshe , Katz‐Brull Rachel
Published: June 2022

Hyperpolarized 15N sites have been found to be promising for generating long‐lived hyperpolarized states in solution, and present a promising approach for utilizing dissolution‐dynamic nuclear polarization (dDNP)‐driven hyperpolarized MRI for imaging in biology and medicine. Specifically, 15N sites with directly bound protons were shown to be useful when dissolved in D2O. The purpose of the current study was to further characterize and increase the visibility of such 15N sites in solutions that mimic an intravenous injection during the first cardiac pass in terms of their H2O:D2O composition. The T1 values of hyperpolarized 15N in [15N2]urea and [15N]NH4Cl demonstrated similar dependences on the H2O:D2O composition of the solution, with a T1 of about 140 s in 100% D2O, about twofold shortening in 90% and 80% D2O, and about threefold shortening in 50% D2O. [13C]urea was found to be a useful solid‐state 13C marker for qualitative monitoring of the 15N polarization process in a commercial pre‐clinical dDNP device. Adding trace amounts of Gd3+ to the polarization formulation led to higher solid‐state polarization of [13C]urea and to higher polarization levels of [15N2]urea in solution.
Development of a rapid active layer detachment slide in the Fenghuoshan Mountains, Qinghai–Tibet Plateau
Authors: Jiang Guanli , Gao Siru , Lewkowicz Antoni G. , Zhao Hongting , Pang Shouji , Wu Qingbai
Published: June 2022

An active layer detachment slide (ALDS) in the interior portion of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) was investigated within 2 days of its formation on September 21, 2018. The ALDS developed on a relatively gentle slope (4.8° to 9°) at an elevation of 4,850 m above sea level (asl) and was about 145 m long and 45 m wide, with a headscarp 2.2–2.5 m high. Analyses of meteorological data and soil temperatures indicated that it was probably triggered by a record thaw depth which intersected a layer with high ice content at the base of the active layer and in the top of the permafrost. Based on the time window, the minimum downslope velocity of the main slide mass was about 20 m/h which is higher than previously reported values. The ALDS ran into the embankment of the Qinghai–Tibet Railway (QTR) but did not damage the railbed. However, extensive rehabilitation of the slope was needed subsequent to the failure to clear the slide mass and as minor headscarp recession and thaw settlement continued on the slope. In this work, we describe this feature and the most likely mechanisms of development.
Just a human error…? Case study of a condensate vessel explosion
Authors: Spósito Nestor H.
Published: June 2022

In the early morning of June 28, 2019, a strong explosion occurred at an ethylene plant that fortunately had no impact on lives or injuries, but it provoked significant damage to the assets of the facility, business interruption, and concern in the neighboring community as the loud bang was heard several kilometers around, even producing some glass breaks in some of the nearby plants. This work analyzes what happened, what the consequences were, and the learning experiences from the accident. The failure that originated the explosion was produced in a condensate container of 2 m3. The author analyzes how smaller pieces of equipment with relative relevance in the final operation of a facility can become serious accident triggers. This work also evaluates the accident from the perspective of the risk‐based process safety management system, the selection and appropriate design of the protection hierarchies, and the human factor as a fundamental part of a management system robustness. One of the relatively new learning experiences being analyzed is the appearance of fake news on social media immediately after the explosion occurred. This further potentiated the drama of the situation, increasing the fear of the population, the distress of the staff's relatives who were at the plant at the time of the accident, and the confusion of the authorities and response teams.
Evolution of Electrical Transport Property in Ge‐Based Negative Differential Resistance Devices under Pulsed High Magnetic Field
Authors: He Xiong , Xia Zhengcai , Niu Haoyu , Song Yujie , Zeng Zhuo , Jiang Dequan , Liang Youyuan , Huang Hao
Published: June 2022

Negative differential resistance (NDR) effect has its research significance and application value. However, the evolution of the NDR under magnetic fields (especially ultrahigh magnetic fields) is rarely reported and unclear. Herein, the electrical transport properties of the Ge‐based devices of Ag/p‐Ge:Ga/Ag are investigated. In these devices, the NDR behavior is observed from 77 to 300 K, which is mainly related to the minority injection effect. Under static magnetic field conditions, the NDR is effectively enhanced and presented with geometrical‐related anisotropy. Using a 50 T pulsed high magnetic field, the evolution of the NDR is further investigated at 300 K, and an unusual NDR is observed in a high field region due to stronger suppression of local impact ionization processes. This investigation results help to predict the performance evolution of the prospective NDR device in an ultrahigh‐magnetic‐field environment.
Gut microbiota, bile acids, and nature compounds
Authors: Cheng Hao , Liu Juan , Zhang Dandan , Tan Yuzhu , Feng Wuwen , Peng Cheng
Published: June 2022

Natural compounds (NPs) have historically made a major contribution to pharmacotherapy in various diseases and drug discovery. In the past decades, studies on gut microbiota have shown that the efficacy of NPs can be affected by the interactions between gut microbiota and NPs. On one hand, gut microbiota can metabolize NPs. On the other hand, NPs can influence the metabolism and composition of gut microbiota. Among gut microbiota metabolites, bile acids (BAs) have attracted widespread attention due to their effects on the body homeostasis and the development of diseases. Studies have also confirmed that NPs can regulate the metabolism of BAs and ultimately regulate the physiological function of the body and disease progresses. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the interactions among NPs, gut microbiota, and BAs. In addition, we also discuss the role of microbial BAs metabolism in understanding the toxicity and efficacy of NPs. Furthermore, we present personal insights into the future research directions of NPs and BAs.
Numerical entropy conservation without sacrificing Charney–Phillips grid optimal wave propagation
Authors: Thuburn John
Published: June 2022

Conservation of entropy or potential temperature and accurate representation of wave propagation without computational modes are both desirable properties for a numerical model of the atmosphere. However, they appear to require different model formulations, forcing model developers to choose between them. Here it is shown that, by a straightforward modification of the horizontal entropy fluxes, numerical entropy conservation can be achieved without sacrificing accurate wave propagation. The result is confirmed by a numerical linear normal mode analysis for a simple but suitably modified finite‐volume scheme, and by buoyant bubble and gravity‐wave test cases in a vertical slice model using a suitably modified conservative semi‐Lagrangian transport scheme.
Two‐stage degradation modeling for remaining useful life prediction based on the Wiener process with measurement errors
Authors: Guan Qingluan , Wei Xiukun , Bai Wenfei , Jia Limin
Published: June 2022

Remaining useful life prediction (RUL) is a key component in the application of prognostics and health management associated with devices or systems. But such RUL predictions are cumbersome owing to complexities from external effects and internal degradation mechanisms within systems. Specifically, it is common for degradation processes to comprise distinct multiple stages rather than just one uniform stage in many mechanical systems. In particular, the two‐stage degradation modeling for RUL prediction based on the Wiener process with linear drift has received significant attention in recent years. However, negative effects of measurement errors and stochasticity of the degradation states are generally excluded from current degradation modeling, which causes inaccuracy problems that can impact system maintenance schedules and operational efficiency. Therefore, to solve such problems, measurement errors are considered in this paper and a two‐stage degradation model is proposed, in which an adaptive term is also characterized by the Wiener process. The transition probability density function (TPDF) of the degradation state at the two‐stage changing point is derived and an analytical solution for the RUL is obtained under the concept of the first hit time (FHT). A Kalman filter and smoothing algorithm are introduced to estimate variables, and the expectation maximization (EM) algorithm is applied to update and estimate model parameters. Finally, the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed model in RUL predictions are verified through numerical simulation and a case study of bearings.
An autonomous robot for shell and tube heat exchanger inspection
Authors: Zheng Bujingda , Su Jheng‐Wun , Xie Yunchao , Miles Jonathan , Wang Hong , Gao Wenxin , Xin Ming , Lin Jian
Published: June 2022

Shell and tube heat exchangers (STHEs) are critical to energy conversion efficiency of power plants. Eddy current examination is a way to evaluate working conditions of these tubes. However, the current testing apparatus requires human to manually insert an eddy current testing (ECT) probe into and extract it out of individual tubes, and meanwhile monitor measurement results for diagnosis. It is a time‐consuming and labor‐intensive procedure even for an experienced technician. To tackle this challenge, in this study, we developed a robot enabled ECT system for autonomous inspection of STHEs. The robotic platform employs Mecanum wheeled chassis for high mobility, machine vision to locate tube bundle and tube inlets, a rotational Cartesian mechanism to operate at planes with all possible inclinations, and a task‐specific mechanism for ECT probe delivery. Machine vision locates tube bundle and tube inlets by an April tag detection algorithm and a Circle Hough Transform algorithm, respectively. Assisted by a guiding cone, the ECT probe is continuously fed into the tubes with a fill factor of 0.819. During this process, the eddy current data are automatically collected and real‐time analyzed by convolutional neural networks, showing accuracy of nearly 100% for identifying defective and nondefective tubes and 85% for four types of defective tubes and nondefective tubes.
Landsat time series reveal forest loss and woody encroachment in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania
Authors: Borges Joana , Higginbottom Thomas P. , Cain Bradley , Gadiye Donatus E. , Kisingo Alex , Jones Martin , Symeonakis Elias
Published: June 2022

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) of Tanzania, is globally significant for biodiversity conservation due to the presence of iconic fauna, and, since 1959 has been managed as a unique multiple land‐use areas to mutually benefit wildlife and indigenous residents. Understating vegetation dynamics and ongoing land cover change processes in protected areas is important to protect biodiversity and ensure sustainable development. However, land cover changes in savannahs are especially difficult, as changes are often long‐term and subtle. Here, we demonstrate a Landsat‐based monitoring strategy incorporating (i) regression‐based unmixing for the accurate mapping of the fraction of the different land cover types, and (ii) a combination of linear regression and the BFAST trend break analysis technique for mapping and quantifying land cover changes. Using Google Earth Pro and the EnMap‐Box software, the fractional cover of the main land cover types of the NCA were accurately mapped for the first time, namely bareland, bushland, cropland, forest, grassland, montane heath, shrubland, water and woodland. Our results show that the main changes occurring in the NCA are the degradation of upland forests into bushland: we exemplify this with a case study in the Lerai Forest; and found declines in grassland and co‐incident increases in shrubland in the Serengeti Plains, suggesting woody encroachment. These changes threaten the wellbeing of livestock, the livelihoods of resident pastoralists and of the wildlife dependent on these grazing areas. Some of the land cover changes may be occurring naturally and caused by herbivory, rainfall patterns and vegetation succession, but many are linked to human activity, specifically, management policies, tourism development and the increase in human population and livestock. Our study provides for the first time much needed and highly accurate information on long‐term land cover changes in the NCA that can support the sustainable management and conservation of this unique UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Catalysts Optimization of WO3‐SiO2 Supported Iridium for NOx Reduction by CO under Excess Oxygen Conditions
Authors: Zhou Yuansong , Gao Fengyu , Tang Xiaolong , Meng Jingxuan , Du Ying , Yi Honghong
Published: June 2022

A series of Ir‐based catalysts were prepared by ultrasonic‐assisted equal‐volume impregnation to evaluate the catalytic performance of selective catalytic reduction of NOx by CO (CO‐SCR) with excess O2 in simulated flue gas. We investigated the effects of different carrier, Ir loading, and composite carrier ratio (W/Si) on the CO‐SCR activities. The results showed that WO3 and SiO2 were effective carriers for the CO‐SCR reaction under oxygen‐rich conditions. Results of XRD and H2‐TPR studies indicated that metal Ir strongly interacted with carrier WO3 and SiO2, respectively, which improved the surface dispersion of active component Ir species and was conducive to the removal of NOx and CO. When W/Si molar ratio was 1/9 and Ir loading was 2 wt%, the Ir/WO3‐SiO2 catalyst reached 49 % NOx conversion and 76 % CO conversion at 225°C, while NO2 yield was also only 5 ppm. The effects of O2, SO2, and H2O on the structure of Ir/WO3‐SiO2 were analyzed by XRD and XPS characterization methods. It was found that O2 could oxidize Ir species to IrO2, thereby inhibiting NOx reduction. A low concentration of SO2 can weaken the process of Ir oxidation, promote NOx reduction, and improve catalytic activity. H2O can reduce the NOx conversion rate and inhibit the CO‐SCR reaction, but the inhibition effect is reversible.
Phytochemical Analysis and Biological Evaluation of Hypericum linarioides Bosse: in Vitro and in Silico Studies
Authors: Altay Ahmet , Yeniçeri Esma Kübra Kağan , Taslimi Parham , Taskin‐Tok Tugba , Yılmaz Mustafa Abdullah , Köksal Ekrem
Published: June 2022

The aim of this study is to determine the phenolic composition of Hypericum linarioides Bosse, to assess its various biological properties, and finally to confirm the experimental data of enzyme inhibitions via docking studies. LC‐MS/MS analysis performed over methanol extract (ME) revealed the presence of 27 phytochemicals. Antioxidant activity results indicated that ME had the strongest DPPH radical scavenging and ferric ion reducing capacity than water and hexane extracts. XTT assays revealed the strongest anti‐proliferative activity of ME against MCF‐7 and HT‐29 cancer cells. Flow cytometry results also confirmed the notable apoptotic effect of ME on MCF‐7 cells through mitochondria‐dependent pathway. Enzyme activity results exhibited the most promising acetylcholinesterase and α‐glycosidase inhibitory activities of the ME. Molecular docking calculations of α‐glycosidase with the major compounds (1, 15, 17 and 19) indicated that 17 (isoquercitrin) had the best docking binding energy (−10.92 kcal/mol) with appropriate binding interactions.
Evaluation of Efficacy of“Cassia renigera”Leaf Extract Mediated ZnO Nanoparticles as Nano Fertilizer for Cauliflower Plant
Authors: Parveen Khadeeja , Kumar Naveen , Sharma Deepika , Ledwani Lalita
Published: June 2022

Present study portrays, environment benign and cost‐effective method to synthesize Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) usingCassia renigeraleaf extract (CRLE). X‐ray diffraction profile was analyzed using Rietveld refinement technique which revealed the hexagonal crystallinity with space groupP63mc. FTIR spectrum ofCassia renigeraleaf extract mediated ZnO NPs (CRLE: ZnO NPs) showed bends located at 3352 cm−1and 1394 cm−1belonging to phenolic groups present in phytochemicals of CRLE, which manifested that CRLE acted as capping agent for ZnO NPs. UV‐Visible absorption spectrum displayed strong humps located at 240 nm and 280 nm, respectively in the UV range confirming the formation of CRLE: ZnO NPs which has depicted non‐uniform grain distribution without any traces of agglomeration with grain size ranging ∼ 28–112 nm. The application of CRLE: ZnO NPs in Cauliflower seedling inhibited the effect of Cauliflower pathogen′Xanthomonas campestris pv campestris′ (Xcc) and also helped in plant metabolism. CRLE: ZnO NPs uptake, translocation and biotransformation in the form of Zn2+affected the overall growth of the plant with enriched micronutrients. CRLE: ZnO NPs were introduced in the cauliflower crops through seeds and promising results were obtained. Introduction of CRLE: ZnO NPs in Cauliflower seeds developed good growth parameters as compared to bare seeds.
Photocatalytic Degradation of Ortho‐Nitrophenol using ZnO‐β‐CD Nanocomposite
Authors: Yadav Renu , Chundawat Tejpal S. , Surolia Praveen K. , Vaya Dipti
Published: June 2022

Phenolic compounds are present as pollutant in the industrial waste water. The present work deals with the photocatalytic degradation of Ortho‐Nitrophenol by using Zinc oxide Nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and its composite with β‐Cyclodextrin (β‐CD) represented as ZnO‐β‐CD. ZnO NPs were prepared by using Sol Gel Method. The morphological and structural properties were studied using SEM EDAX, PXRD, FT‐IR and UV‐DRS. Effect of pH was also studied. ZnO NPs degraded the Ortho‐Nitrophenol up to 25.8 % and it was enhanced by the addition of β‐CD up to 88.9 % in 100 minutes. Catalysts used were 1 g/L during the degradation.
Highly Efficient Chemoselective Hydrogenation of 5‐HMF to BHMF over Reusable Bimetallic Pd‐Ir/C Catalyst
Authors: Ratrey Geetanjali , Solanki Bhanupratap S , Kamble Sanjay P , Rode Chandrashekhar V.
Published: June 2022

Catalytic synergism was observed for a bimetallic Pd−Ir catalyst supported on activated carbon for chemoselective hydrogenation of 5‐hydroxymetahyl furfural (5‐HMF) to 2, 5‐(bishydroxymethyl) furan (BHMF) with complete conversion and 97 % selectivity under very mild reaction conditions. The structural characterization like XRD, N2 sorption, FE‐SEM and TEM suggested formation of fine nanoparticles (1.95–3.08 nm) having very higher surface area, uniform distribution and mesoporous nature of the material. XPS spectra and Pyridine‐IR spectroscopy revealed formation of Pd‐PdO and Ir/IrO2/IrO3 interface on the catalytic surface along with strong Brönsted acidic sites which were responsible for high efficiency of catalyst at 80 °C, 100 psig H2 pressure at 5‐HMF/Catalyst=20 and within 2.5 h of reaction time. A plausible reaction mechanism is also elucidated based on structure activity correlation.
1,3‐Dimethylbarbituric Acid Promoted Metal‐Free Cascade Annulation for Straightforward Access to Benzimidazole‐Fused Heterocycles
Authors: Alizadeh Abdolali , Bagherinejad Akram , Kayanian Jasmine
Published: June 2022

A convenient and novel 1,3‐dimethylbarbituric acid‐mediated methodology for constructing diverse benzimidazole‐fused heteroaromatics has been developed. This metal‐free cascade annulation of readily available 3‐formylchromones, 1,2‐diaminoarenes, and cyclic 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds provides an alternative synthetic route in the green conditions. 1,3‐Dimethylbarbituric acid acts as a protecting group and accelerates intramolecular cyclization. This one‐pot protocol proceeds through cascade nucleophilic addition, ring‐opening, Michael‐type addition, intramolecular cyclization, elimination, and air oxidation reactions.
Thiosemicarbazone Derivatives Act as Potent Urease Inhibitors; Synthesis, Bioactivity Screening and Molecular Docking Study
Authors: Moghadam Ebrahim Saeedian , Al‐Sadi Abdullah Mohammed , Talebi Meysam , Amanlou Massoud , Stoll Raphael , Amini Mohsen , Abdel‐Jalil Raid
Published: June 2022

An enzyme called urease assists highly pathogenic bacteria in colonizing and maintaining themselves. Accordingly, inhibiting urease enzymes has been shown to be a promising strategy for preventing ureolytic bacterial infections. So, design and synthesis of potent and safe urease inhibitors converted to an interesting target for medicinal chemists. In this study, the design, synthesis, and bioactivity of fourteen thiosemicarbazone derivatives 5 a–n are described as potent urease inhibitors. A variety of spectroscopic techniques (1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR, MS), and elemental analysis were utilized to determine the structure of 5 a–n. Interestingly, all 5 a–n showed higher inhibitory activity (IC50: 4.08 to 11.31 μM) than the standards thiourea and hydroxyurea (IC50: 22 and 100 μM respectively). 5 g and 5 f exhibited the best activity with IC50 values of 4.08 and 4.79 μM, respectively. Molecular docking was also used to reveal the potential interactions between the enzyme‘s active site and the most active compound. An MTT assay was conducted on two different cell lines to investigate the cytotoxic effect of the tested compounds. all 5 a–n have IC50 values above 50 μM on both tested cell lines. In conclusion, current reported compounds are potent and safe enough to continue further bioassays to find a new drug candidate.
MnO2 Nanozyme‐Loaded MXene for Cancer Synergistic Photothermal‐Chemodynamic Therapy
Authors: Li Jingqi , Cai Xinda , Zhang Yihan , Li Kangning , Guan Lingyun , Li Yilong , Wang Ting , Sun Tiedong
Published: June 2022

Nanozymes, as an emerging representative of nanocatalytic technology, have recently been widely used in the treatment of tumors. However, considering the limitation of the tumor microenvironment (TME) on the catalytic activity of nanozymes, the efficacy of cancer therapy appears to be more resistant. In this paper, we have synthesized PVP/MnO2‐Ti3C2 composites by combining MXene and MnO2 nanozymes and modifying them with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). MnO2 brings dual enzymatic activities to the composites. It can alleviate tumor hypoxia by O2 production and kill tumor cells by producing highly toxic ⋅OH. In addition, glutathione (GSH) overexpressed is also depleted. MXene brings PTT, which not only can ablate tumors using local high temperature under the irradiation of NIR laser but also further improves the efficacy of ROS. Thus, this study provides evidence for the enhanced efficacy of PTT in combination with CDT for tumors.
Metal‐Free Rapid Diastereoselective Construction of Isocryptolepine Core via Elecrophilic Dearomatization ‐ Inramolecular Michael Addition Sequence
Authors: Morozov Vyacheslav , Shklyaev Yurii
Published: June 2022

A method for rapid construction of indolo[3,2‐l]acridin‐7‐one systems bearing isocryptolepine scaffold is described. Metal‐free condensation of (4‐methoxyphenyl)cyclohexan carbinols with ortho‐amino/hydroxybenzonitriles in concentrated sulfuric acid yields polyannulated compounds with four new stereogenic centers in a highly diastereoselective manner. The reaction includes elecrophilic dearomatization of methoxyarene, formation of spirocyclic intermediate and intramolecular 1,4‐nucleophilic addition sequence.
Transition Metal Non‐Oxides as Electrocatalysts: Advantages and Challenges
Authors: Das Chandni , Sinha Nibedita , Roy Poulomi
Published: June 2022

The identification of hydrogen as green fuel in the near future has stirred global realization toward a sustainable outlook and thus boosted extensive research in the field of water electrolysis focusing on the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). A huge class of compounds consisting of transition metal‐based nitrides, carbides, chalcogenides, phosphides, and borides, which can be collectively termed transition metal non‐oxides (TMNOs), has emerged recently as an efficient class of electrocatalysts in terms of performance and longevity when compared to transition metal oxides (TMOs). Moreover, the superiority of TMNOs over TMOs to effectively catalyze not only OERs but also HERs and ORRs renders bifunctionality and even trifunctionality in some cases and therefore can replace conventional noble metal electrocatalysts. In this review, the crystal structure and phases of different classes of nanostructured TMNOs are extensively discussed, focusing on recent advances in design strategies by various regulatory synthetic routes, and hence diversified properties of TMNOs are identified to serve as next‐generation bi/trifunctional electrocatalysts. The challenges and future perspectives of materials in the field of energy conversion and storage aiding toward a better hydrogen economy are also discussed in this review.
A new lobopodian from the middle Cambrian of Utah: did swimming body flaps convergently evolve in stem‐group arthropods?
Authors: Lerosey‐Aubril Rudy , Ortega‐Hernández Javier
Published: June 2022

Arthropods are ubiquitous in all modern habitats and yet their origin remains poorly documented. It is widely thought that their segmented and arthrodized body evolved from the annulated vermiform body of a lobopodian ancestor c. 540 Ma. This major transformation included the evolution of sclerotized and articulated appendages from annulated non‐jointed limbs or lobopods. However, this scenario is complicated by the presence in many stem‐group arthropods of body flaps of various origins, characteristics and functions. We describe the new lobopodian Utahnax vannieri gen. et sp. nov. from Drumian strata of the House Range in Utah. Known from an incomplete specimen, this taxon features a vermiform, annulated body flanked by pairs of swimming flaps, except in the caudal region, and a digestive system with putative glands. Extensions of the body cavity into the body flaps of Utahnax suggest that they are modified lobopods similar to the ventral body flaps of radiodonts; as such, they are not homologous to the dorsal body flaps of the stem‐group arthropods Opabinia, Pambdelurion, and possibly Kerygmachela. We discuss the details of the limb anatomy of these three taxa and consider an alternative interpretation for Kerygmachela. Despite morphological similarities in radiodonts, Utahnax, and possibly Kerygmachela, our parsimony and Bayesian inference phylogenetic analyses suggest that ventral body flaps have evolved convergently in those taxa, probably accompanying a shift towards a predominantly swimming predatory lifestyle. Ecological competition with radiodonts is proposed as an explanation for the scarcity of non‐radiodont swimming lobopodians in Cambrian Lagerstätten.
Mobil catalytic material number 41 modified magnetite nano‐composites for efficient extraction of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs from tap water and urine samples
Authors: Kumar Sandeep , Bhogal Shikha , Sharma Promila , Rani Susheela , Aulakh Jatinder Singh , Malik Ashok Kumar
Published: June 2022

Magnetite modified mobil catalytic material number 41 (MCM‐41) nano‐composites have been synthesized for the effective determination and separation of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (diclofenac, ketoprofen, and mefenamic acid) using high‐performance liquid chromatography. The synthesized magnetite‐modified MCM‐41 nano‐composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersed spectrum, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, N2 adsorption‐desorption analysis, and vibratory sample magnetometer analysis. Magnetite modified MCM‐41 was further utilized in magnetic solid‐phase extraction to separate non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs from tap water and urine samples. The as‐prepared nano‐composites demonstrated a fast (5 min) and efficient (94.42%–102.42%) technique for the detection of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs. The limit of detection and limit of quantification of the developed method were in the range of 0.08–0.14 and 0.26–0.46 ng/ml respectively.
Rapid screening for 315 drugs in food and biological matrices by ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry and its application to a specific incident
Authors: Guo Qiaozhen , Yang Yi , Zhang Jing
Published: June 2022

Comprehensive screening of harmful chemical drugs in food is an essential analytical tool in the investigation of food poisoning. Meanwhile, determining harmful chemical drugs in biological matrices is a supplement to support the screening results in food. In this study, we developed a screening method for 315 harmful chemical drugs in food and biological matrices based on ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry. The food and gastric juice sample was extracted by 1.0% formic acid acetonitrile and acetonitrile, respectively, and cleaned up by a C18 sorbent. Urine and serum were directly extracted by 1.0 % formic acid acetonitrile. Then the data was acquired and screened for drugs using a self‐built library. The recovery, accuracy, and limit of quantitation for methodology were investigated. The method was validated by other three laboratories in different areas in China using different mass spectrometric techniques. For screening, the coefficient of variation of the retention times was below 5%. The recoveries for the drugs in nine matrices were 70–120%. At last, the developed method was applied to a real incident, demonstrating its suitability for the sensitive and fast screening of harmful chemical drugs in food and biological samples.
Keratoacanthoma‐like squamous cell carcinoma successfully treated by the surgery combined with ALA‐PDT
Authors: Shi Jingjuan , Yan Jia , Yang Yutong , Huang Jianhua , Wu Minfeng , Wang Xiuli , Wang Hongwei , Shi Lei
Published: June 2022

Keratoacanthoma‐like squamous cell carcinoma (KA‐like SCC) is a malignant classification of KA. We report here a case of surgical combined with 5‐aminolevulinic acid‐photodynamic therapy (ALA‐PDT) to treat KA‐like SCC in an elderly male with successful tumor removal. The tumor resection was performed before ALA‐PDT. One week later, the lesion site was further treated with 20% ALA for 3 h when it was unknown whether the tumor was resected entirely or not. The irradiation was performed with a 633 nm light‐emitting diode lamp at 100 mW/cm2 for 200 J/cm2 after wiping off the ALA cream. Two sessions of ALA‐PDT were performed at a 2 weeks interval. One month after ALA‐PDT, the surgical trace of the lesion was found to have disappeared entirely, with a little scab, and the cancer did not recur. After 1 year of follow‐up, there was no recurrence. The combination with surgery and ALA‐PDT may provide a new idea for the treatment of KA‐like SCC for a wide range of patients.
The triple differential vulnerability of female entrepreneurs to climate risk insub‐SaharanAfrica: Gendered barriers and enablers to private sector adaptation
Authors: Gannon Kate Elizabeth , Castellano Elena , Eskander Shaikh , Agol Dorice , Diop Mamadou , Conway Declan , Sprout Elizabeth
Published: June 2022

The ability of businesses to adapt effectively to climate change is highly influenced by the external business enabling environment. Constraints to adaptive capacity are experienced by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across sub‐Saharan Africa, regardless of the gender of the business owner. However, gender is a critical social cleavage through which differences in adaptive capacity manifest and in Africa most entrepreneurs are women. We conduct a systematic review to synthesize existing knowledge on differential vulnerability of female entrepreneurs in Africa to climate risk, in relation to their sensitivity to extreme climate events and their adaptive capacity. We synthesize this literature using a vulnerability analysis approach that situates vulnerability and adaptive capacity within the context of the wider climate risk framework denoted in the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report. In doing so, we identify gendered barriers and enablers to private sector adaptation and suggest women entrepreneurs face a “triple differential vulnerability” to climate change, wherein they: (1) are often more sensitive to climate risk, as a result of their concentration in certain sectors and types of enterprises (e.g., micro SMEs in the agricultural sector in remote regions); (2) face additional barriers to adaptation in the business environment, including access to finance, technologies, (climate and adaptation) information and supportive policies; and (3) are also often concurrently on the frontline of managing climate risk at household levels. Since various forms of inequality often create compounding experiences of discrimination and vulnerability, we pay particular attention to how factors of differential vulnerability intersect, amplify, and reproduce.

This article is categorized under:

Climate and Development > Social Justice and the Politics of Development

Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change > Institutions for Adaptation
A general overview and comparative interpretation on element‐specific X‐ray spectroscopy techniques:XPS,XAS,andXRS
Authors: Ketenoglu Didem
Published: June 2022

X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X‐ray Raman scattering (XRS) spectroscopy are the element‐specific tools providing local electronic and chemical structure insights. XPS is widely used for qualitative/quantitative surface analysis of solids and replaced by synchrotron‐based ambient pressure‐XPS and hard‐XPS to benefit from the advantages of near‐ambient pressures and hard X‐rays to study complex sample environments. XAS is a well‐established soft and hard X‐ray probe to examine the coordination, spin and oxidation states in solids, liquids and gases with high resolutions and short data acquisition time. XRS, using the hard X‐rays of ~10 keV, is preferred to conventional XAS and XPS in the study of soft X‐ray absorption edges such as C, O, Li K‐edges bulk‐sensitively in vacuum‐free medium for energy storage systems during working operations, inner Earth elements under realistic conditions, probing chemical and biological reactions in the liquid phase, C speciation in archeological and paleontological samples and direct tomography. In this study, first the basics of XPS, XAS, and XRS techniques with their advantages and limitations are introduced to provide a general overview. In the Results and Discussion, the particular emphasis is given to the comparison of XPS, XAS, and XRS with the interpretation of the spectroscopic signatures for organic carbonate‐based electrolytes. The computed C 1 s binding energy shifts for ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), and diethyl carbonate (DEC) are presented to discuss the XPS peak assignments and the performed C K‐edge XRS measurements of 1 M LiPF6in DMC and EC are given for a detailed discussion of the XRS spectra. C 1 s XPS, C K‐edge XAS, and XRS of PC from the literature are discussed to interpret the spectra of each technique comparatively.
Unfirm Foundations
Authors: Schappacher Norbert
Published: June 2022

In each of the three parts of this book we present a characteristic feature that highlights the state of mathematics in the corresponding period.
The First IMU: Triumph and Demise
Authors: Schappacher Norbert
Published: June 2022

The foundation of the IAA was discussed in Section 1.3.2. Its structural peculiarities were highlighted by remarks made by one of its architects, the physicist Arthur Schuster, Fellow of the Royal Society. The upshot was that, as an international science consortium, the IAA was somehow suspended in mid-air between nations and disciplines because the member Academies each had their own international network of corresponding fellows, independently of their being part of the IAA, and each one of them tried to represent all disciplines as well as possible. And yet, taken together, these Academies did not count among their individual members all the relevant researchers, even for some of the most prestigious international projects.
Seventy Years, Eighteen ICMs, and One IMU
Authors: Schappacher Norbert
Published: June 2022

Turning now to a period which coincides with my own life, I cannot deliver a historical account; the minimum distance to many of the events studied is missing. This is one of the reasons why the style of this third and final part of the book will become increasingly different from that of the preceding chapters.
Russian-Chinese Military-Technological Cooperation and the Ukrainian Factor
Authors: Kirchberger Sarah
Published: June 2022

Arms transfers are an important indicator of the level of strategic trust between countries. During the past 70 years, relations between China and the Soviet Union/Russia have gone through phases that were characterized by dramatically different levels of military-industrial cooperation. This paper explores how the fallout from the Crimea crisis of 2014 has impacted the Russian-Chinese arms trade relationship against the backdrop of a history where Russia aimed to restrict arms transfers to China. It argues that the sanctions imposed on China after the Tiananmen massacre in 1989 and on Russia since early 2014 have had the combined unintended consequence of incentivizing closer Russian-Chinese arms-industrial cooperation than had ever existed before. Western ambiguity toward Ukraine after 2014 furthermore provided China with opportunities to profit from openings in Ukraine’s arms-industrial complex. The chapter starts with a historical overview of the Russian-Chinese arms trade relationship before analyzing the impact of Russian and Ukrainian transfers on China’s military modernization before and after 2014. The final part discusses how changed incentives since 2014 have fostered unprecedented Sino-Russian arms-industrial cooperation. This could solidify the developing Chinese-Russian military relationship and eventually lead toward a more equal relationship in joint arms development.