bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Westminster as Usual? Three Interpretations for the UK Democracy
Authors: Giuliani Marco
Published: June 2021

The Brexit process has shattered the foundations of British politics, with prime ministerial resignations, government defeats, continuous rebellions and floor-crossings. These phenomena seem at odds with the usual decisiveness of Westminster systems. However, the aforementioned departures from the British tradition could be interpreted as compatible with the typical distance of any empirical reality from theoretical models, as exceptions to the rule due to the specificity of the European issue, or as the surfacing of some deeper social, economic and cultural tensions. Data alone are insufficient to confirm any of the alternative interpretations, although they seem to confirm the existence of long-term dynamics rather than some short-term exceptionalism. Within this scenario, the article suggests that a series of institutional innovations introduced since the late 1990s have facilitated the political consolidation of those tensions, contributed to the partisan dealignment, and made room for a potential departure from a Westminster model of democracy.
Measurement of unsaturated meltwater percolation flux in seasonal snowpack using self-potential
Authors: Clayton Wilson S.
Published: June 2021

This paper presents a feasibility study of in situ field measurements of unsaturated meltwater percolation flux within the vertical profile of a snowpack, using the self-potential (SP) method. On-site snowmelt column tests calibrated the SP measurements. The SP data measured electrical field strength with an electrode spacing of 20 cm, and coincident water saturation (Sw) measurements using time domain reflectometry allowed calculation of SP-modeled vertical percolation flux (qsp), expressed as Darcy velocity. The results reflected transient diurnal snowmelt dynamics, with peak flux lagging arrival of a saturation wetting front. Peak dailyqspwas 60 to >300 mm d−1, whereas daily snowmelt was 20–50 mm w.e. Surface refreezing events appeared to cause upward flow, possibly representing water redistribution toward the freezing boundary. Calculated fluxes were comparable to actual fluxes, although average errors ranged from −15 to +46% compared to average of melt expected from surface energy-balance and ablation stake measurements. By advancing method development to measure unsaturated meltwater percolation flux in snowpacks this study creates opportunities to study fundamental snowmelt processes, may improve mathematical modeling and may supplement glacier mass-balance studies and studies of snowmelt interactions with avalanches, groundwater and surface water.
THE POSET OF ALL LOGICS II: LEIBNIZ CLASSES AND HIERARCHY
Authors: JANSANA R. , MORASCHINI T.
Published: June 2021

A Leibniz class is a class of logics closed under the formation of term-equivalent logics, compatible expansions, and non-indexed products of sets of logics. We study the complete lattice of all Leibniz classes, called the Leibniz hierarchy. In particular, it is proved that the classes of truth-equational and assertional logics are meet-prime in the Leibniz hierarchy, while the classes of protoalgebraic and equivalential logics are meet-reducible. However, the last two classes are shown to be determined by Leibniz conditions consisting of meet-prime logics only.
14C DATES AND STABLE ISOTOPE ECOLOGY OF MARINE VERTEBRATES IN THE LATE PLEISTOCENE-EARLY HOLOCENE CHAMPLAIN SEA
Authors: Feranec Robert S , Cournoyer Mario E , Kozlowski Andrew L
Published: June 2021

The late Pleistocene to early Holocene Champlain Sea provides a unique opportunity to study the development of marine ecosystems in a context of global climatic change. This study presents radiocarbon (14C) dates and stable isotope analyses on 15 vertebrate specimens from Champlain Sea sediments, including the Charlotte Whale, which is Vermont’s State marine fossil. Data are used in an attempt to investigate the timing of colonization and ecological dynamics in this newly formed sea. Using the average marine correction,14C dates on four specimens likely calibrate prior to or possibly synchronous with the accepted origination date for the Champlain Sea, implying larger marine reservoir effects than the average marine correction in the vertebrate tissues. Without knowing the specific marine reservoir offsets, it is not possible to calculate the timing of colonization or its relation to concurrent climatic change. Observed lower δ13C and δ15N values in walruses, a fin whale, and a right whale support consumption of prey from lower trophic levels such as bivalve mollusks, krill, and copepods. Higher isotopic values in beluga whales and a bird, the thick-billed murre, support consuming fish, such as cod and capelin. These isotopic data show comparable values and relationships as observed in modern arctic marine ecosystems.
WHAT DOES THE TERM TOGATA ‘REALLY’ MEAN?
Authors: Rallo G.E.
Published: June 2021

This article aims to shed fresh light on the meaning of the term togata. It conducts an analysis of the term as it appeared in ancient sources,1 investigating in particular both how and why ancient authors across several periods focussed their attention on the togata. The paper will also distinguish between the attestation of the term togata in ancient writers, who are likely to have actually watched these theatrical performances in person and known more directly what they were talking about, and the usage of the term by later grammarians, who would have had no opportunity to watch such performances. These later authors, rather, were simply guessing what kind of theatrical representation could have been performed onstage (much as we do nowadays) and did so by adopting obvious differences in terminology.
EMBEDDING THEOREM OF THE WEIGHTED SOBOLEV–LORENTZ SPACES
Authors: LI HONGLIANG , RUAN JIANMIAO , SUN QINXIU
Published: June 2021

Weight criteria for embedding of the weighted Sobolev–Lorentz spaces to the weighted Besov–Lorentz spaces built upon certain mixed norms and iterated rearrangement are investigated. This gives an improvement of some known Sobolev embedding. We achieve the result based on different norm inequalities for the weighted Besov–Lorentz spaces defined in some mixed norms.
Dying against Democracy: Suicide Protest and the 1905 Anti-American Boycott
Authors: He Keren
Published: June 2021

The joint rise of popular movements and mass media in early twentieth-century China gave birth to a democratic imagination, which culminated in the anti-American boycott of 1905. The transnational campaign nonetheless disintegrated as a result of partisan division—an ingrained predicament of democratic agonism that is best illustrated by the story of Feng Xiawei, a grassroots activist whose suicide in Shanghai constituted a key moment in the boycott. Juxtaposing a variety of accounts about Feng's death in journalism, political fiction, reformed opera, and advertisements, this article examines how, together, these texts construct democratic agonism and suicide protest as revealing two opposing political sensibilities as well as modes of action. Instead of expressing only nationalist passion, Feng's suicide reveals a deep anxiety of his time to locate a spiritual source of authority in the face of its glaring absence in social negotiation. This fraught dynamic between the democratic and the transcendent continues to characterize modern Chinese political culture to the present.
Progression of swallowing dysfunction and associated complications of dysphagia in a cohort of patients with serial videofluoroscopic swallow examinations
Authors: Hanna R , Randall D R
Published: June 2021

Objective

Dysphagia is a common symptom with associated complications ranging from mild discomfort to life-threatening pulmonary compromise. Videofluoroscopic swallow is the ‘gold standard’ evaluation for oropharyngeal dysphagia, but little is known about how patients’ performance changes over time.

Method

This was a retrospective cohort study evaluating dysphagia patients’ clinical course by serial videofluoroscopic swallow study. Univariate analysis followed by multivariate analysis were used to identify correlations between pneumonia outcomes, diet allocation, aetiology and comorbidities.

Results

This study identified 104 patients (53 per cent male) stratified into risk groups by penetration-aspiration scale scores. Mean penetration-aspiration scale worsened over time (p < 0.05), but development of pneumonia was not associated with worsened penetration-aspiration scale score over time (p = 0.57) or severity of dysphagia (p = 0.88).

Conclusion

Our dataset identified a large cohort of patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia and demonstrated mean penetration-aspiration scale tendency to worsen. Identifying prognostic factors associated with worsening radiological findings and applying this to patients at risk of clinical swallowing difficulty is needed.
Amazonian Atlantic: Cacao, Colonial Expansion and Indigenous Labour in the Portuguese Amazon Region (Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries)
Authors: Chambouleyron Rafael , Arenz Karl Heinz
Published: June 2021

A product native to the Amazon forest, cacao became the most important staple of the Portuguese Amazonian colonial economy from the late seventeenth until the mid-nineteenth century. Based on extensive research in Brazilian and European archives, this article analyses cacao exploitation in Portuguese Amazonia, examining its dual spatial dimension: the expansion of an agricultural frontier, and the expansion of an extractive frontier in the deep hinterland, with a particular focus on the role that Indian labour played in this development.
Tracking the mental health of home-carers during the first COVID-19 national lockdown: evidence from a nationally representative UK survey
Authors: Whitley Elise , Reeve Kelly , Benzeval Michaela
Published: June 2021

Background

Unpaid carers who look after another member of their household (home-carers) have poorer mental health than the general population. The first COVID-19 national lockdown led to an increasing reliance on home-carers and we investigate the short- and longer-term impacts of lockdown on their mental health.

Methods

Data from 9737 adult participants (aged 16+) from the UK Household Longitudinal Study (Understanding Society) were used to explore changes in 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) score between (a) pre-pandemic (2019) and early lockdowns (April 2020) and (b) early and later (July 2020) lockdowns.

Results

GHQ-12 scores among home-carers were higher pre-lockdown and increased more than for non-carers from 2019 to April 2020 with further increases for home-carers compared with non-carers between April and July. Compared with respondents caring for a spouse/partner, those caring for a child under 18 had a particularly marked increase in GHQ-12 score between 2019 and April, as did those caring for someone with a learning disability. Home-carers of children under 18 improved from April to July while those caring for adult children saw a marked worsening of their mental health. Home-carers with greater care burden saw larger increases in GHQ-12 score from 2019 to April and from April to July, and increases through both periods were greater for home-carers who had formal help prior to lockdown but then lost it.

Conclusions

The mental health of home-carers deteriorated more during lockdown than non-carers. Policies that reinstate support for them and their care-recipients will benefit the health of both vulnerable groups.
Landscape forest loss changes sunfleck dynamics in forest fragments of southern Bahia, Brazil
Authors: Reis Igor Pires , Rocha-Santos Larissa , Leal Adrielle , Faria Deborah , Mielke Marcelo Schramm
Published: June 2021

Landscape-scale habitat loss can change the floristic composition of forest fragments, affecting the survival of specific groups of plants, as shade-tolerant and emergent trees. This increasing in tree mortality creates forest canopy gaps of different sizes that ultimately determine the solar radiation available in the forest understorey. We conducted a study aiming to assess how the loss of forest cover at landscape level (i.e. deforestation) affects the sunfleck dynamics, a proxy of light regime in forest understorey. We expected that fragments located in landscapes with less forest cover have a high number of larger canopy gaps and, consequently, long-lasting sunflecks. In each forest fragment, a 100 per 50 m plot was established, and in each plot, we took 10 hemispherical photographs. The images were analysed using the Gap Light Analyzer software. The sunflecks were divided into six temporal classes. We evidenced that landscape-scale deforestation increased the frequency of all sunfleck intervals >8 min, particularly the long-lasting (> 32 min) sunflecks. We propose that the increasing frequency of long-lasting sunflecks reduces suitability of microhabitat to some shade-tolerant species in local fragments, a potential proximal mechanism contributing to compositional shifts of tree assemblages observed in forest fragments within deforested landscapes.
What Do We Owe to Novel Synthetic Beings and How Can We Be Sure?
Authors: McKeown Alex
Published: June 2021

Embodiment is typically given insufficient weight in debates concerning the moral status of Novel Synthetic Beings (NSBs) such as sentient or sapient Artificial Intelligences (AIs). Discussion usually turns on whether AIs are conscious or self-aware, but this does not exhaust what is morally relevant. Since moral agency encompasses what a being wants to do, the means by which it enacts choices in the world is a feature of such agency. In determining the moral status of NSBs and our obligations to them, therefore, we must consider how their corporeality shapes their options, preferences, values, and is constitutive of their moral universe. Analysing AI embodiment and the coupling between cognition and world, the paper shows why determination of moral status is only sensible in terms of the whole being, rather than mental sophistication alone, and why failure to do this leads to an impoverished account of our obligations to such NSBs.
Household food insecurity and children’s physical activity and sedentary behaviour in the United States: the Healthy Communities Study
Authors: Navarro Sophia M , Tsai Marisa M , Ritchie Lorrene D , Frongillo Edward A , Laraia Barbara A , Pate Russell R , Au Lauren E
Published: June 2021

Objective:

To examine associations between household food insecurity and children’s physical activity and sedentary behaviours.

Design:

Secondary analysis was conducted on the Healthy Communities Study, an observational study from 2013 to 2015. Household food insecurity was assessed by two items from the US Department of Agriculture’s 18-item US Household Food Security Survey Module. Physical activity was measured using the 7-d Physical Activity Behaviour Recall instrument. Data were analysed using multilevel statistical modelling.

Setting:

A total of 130 communities in the USA.

Participants:

In sum, 5138 US children aged 4–15 years.

Results:

No associations were found for the relationship between household food insecurity and child physical activity. A significant interaction between household food insecurity and child sex for sedentary behaviours was observed (P= 0·03).

Conclusions:

Additional research capturing a more detailed assessment of children’s experiences of food insecurity in relation to physical activity is warranted. Future studies may consider adopting qualitative study designs or utilising food insecurity measures that specifically target child-level food insecurity. Subsequent research may also seek to further explore sub-group analyses by sex.
Problematic Gaming in Youth and Its Association with Different Dimensions of Quality of Life
Authors: Wartberg Lutz , Bröning Sonja , Lindenberg Katajun
Published: June 2021

Abstract. Objective: The problematic use of computer games was included in the DSM-5 and in the ICD-11. Initial research revealed associations between problematic gaming (PG) and quality of life (QoL). However, clarification is needed concerning which dimensions of the multidimensional construct QoL are particularly relevant for PG. Method: To answer this question empirically, we asked 503 parents (mean age: 47.63 years) to rate their 503 children (average age: 14.60 years) regarding QoL and PG, using validated questionnaires on parental assessments of adolescent PG and health-related QoL to collect the data. Correlation analyses were calculated to determine bivariate relations, and a multiple linear regression was used to conduct a multivariable analysis. Results: In the bivariate analyses, a higher severity of PG was associated with a lower health-related QoL in all five surveyed dimensions. In the multivariable model (corrected R 2 = 0.35), we observed statistically significant associations between higher severity of PG and male sex and lower age of the adolescent as well as lower QoL in the dimensions of physical well-being and school environment. Conclusions: According to the findings of the present study, physical well-being and school environment should be especially focused on in preventive approaches against the development of PG in youth.
Cognitive Workload in an Auditory Digit Span Task When Memory Span Is in the Neighborhood of Seven Items
Authors: Lo Ming , Lin Yi-Xiu , Li Yi-Jui
Published: June 2021

Abstract. Task performance of digit span has been widely used in the research on human short-term memory. The present study was conducted to show that the dynamic change of underlying mental effort can be further estimated by measuring the strength of theta oscillations at a forehead site on the scalp. Fourteen healthy adults ( Mage = 26.1 years) performed a passive listening (PL) task and an auditory digit span (DS) task, and electroencephalography (EEG) data were recorded simultaneously during the two tasks. Considering that the digit span paradigm has often been conducted in a non-laboratory location, the EEG data were collected with a wireless single-channel headset system. The headset system was validated in this study by replicating the EEG (an enhancement of frontal theta power) as well as event-related potential (N200 and P300) responses to the deviant tone stimuli in the PL task. The outcomes of the DS task showed that the memory span of the participants was at least eight items. Moreover, frontal theta power in response to a list of six to eight digits increased significantly. This pattern of results supports a hypothesis that additional mental effort is required for short-term retention of verbal items when the number of stimulus items exceeds the newly proposed limit of short-term memory capacity. Some strengths and limitations of the current EEG headset system are also discussed.
Investigating the Structure of the Children's Concentration and Empathy Scale Using Exploratory Graph Analysis
Authors: Golino Hudson , Lillard Angeline S. , Becker Ian , Christensen Alexander P.
Published: June 2021

Abstract. The current paper investigates the structural validity of the Children's Concentration and Empathy Scale (CCES), which was designed based on Montessori's developmental theory to assess, using teacher ratings, the coherence of attention-related characteristics (concentration, empathy, and normalization) in children from 1.5 to 12 years old. The dimensionality analysis was carried out using exploratory graph analysis (EGA), and the stability of the items and factors were checked using a bootstrap version of EGA, and the results contrasted to exploratory factor analysis. The results point to a four-factor structure (emotion regulation, fantasy, task engagement, and empathy) after eliminating items with low replicability across bootstrapped samples. Beyond pointing to ways to improve the CCES, our paper presents a number of data analytical strategies that can be useful for studies investigating the structural validity of measurement instruments and demonstrates how EGA can effectively be used in the scale construction and validation process. Our manuscript and results are fully reproducible and are available on the Open Science Framework.
Postdrought Recovery Time Across Global Terrestrial Ecosystems
Authors: Zhang Shulei , Yang Yuting , Wu Xiuchen , Li Xiaoyan , Shi Fangzhong
Published: June 2021

Drought, as an intermittent disturbance of the water cycle, profoundly impacts the terrestrial ecosystem. Recovery time (RT) of an ecosystem from drought is an important indicator of assessing drought impacts and ecosystem resilience, yet the spatiotemporal pattern of ecosystem postdrought RT remains controversial in existing studies. Here we investigate the spatiotemporal pattern of postdrought RT across global terrestrial ecosystems using two observation‐based gross primary productivity (GPP) data sets: direct flux‐site observations and gridded estimates by upscaling flux‐site observations using machine‐learning approach. For droughts that occur on average once every 5.2 years, the RT typically ranges between 2 and 8 months, with a global mean RT of ∼6 months. Spatially, both GPP data sets show a significant bilinear relationship between RT and moisture gradient, and that ecosystems in arid and humid regions tend to recover from drought more rapidly than semi‐arid/sub‐humid ecosystems. Additionally, forests show an overall longer RT than shrublands and grasslands. Temporally, global ecosystem RT shows a slight yet significant increasing trend (0.032 months yr−1) during 1982–2010, which is partly caused by the increasing drought for the same period. However, the observed patterns of RT across global bio‐climatic zones are not captured by the state‐of‐the‐art land surface models, which exhibit a shorter RT in semi‐arid/sub‐humid ecosystems but longer RT in arid/humid regions, and a larger increasing trend of RT over time (0.069 months yr−1). Our findings provide crucial insights into ecosystem vulnerability to sub‐decadal stress events and ecosystem recovery trajectories among diverse bio‐climatic regions and highlight potential model deficiencies that should be accounted for in future model developments.
Seeking advanced thermal management for stretchable electronics
Authors: Sun Bin , Huang Xingyi
Published: June 2021

With the trend of integration, miniaturization, and increasing power density of stretchable electronic devices, real-time thermal dissipation is becoming crucial. Seeking materials and/or structures with advanced thermal management for stretchable electronics becomes an urgent issue. For passive thermal management, the traditional thermal interfacial materials (TIMs) with flexibility cannot meet the demand of stretchable electronics, because stretchable devices are usually required to experience a large scale of bending, twisting, stretching, and so on. The main challenge facing thermal management for stretchable electronics is how to maintain stable thermal conductance under large deformation. Here, we examine the development of materials and structures available in this field. We also propose a comparative analysis of the existing challenges and provide possible solutions for the thermal management of stretchable electronics in the future.
Rheumatological features of Whipple disease
Authors: Tison Alice , Preuss Pauline , Leleu Clémentine , Robin François , Le Pluart Adrien , Vix Justine , Le Mélédo Guillaume , Goupille Philippe , Gervais Elisabeth , Cormier Grégoire , Albert Jean-David , Perdriger Aleth , Bouvard Béatrice , Berthelot Jean-Marie , Foulquier Nathan , Saraux Alain
Published: June 2021

Whipple disease (WD) is a rare infectious systemic disease. Rheumatologists are at the frontline of WD diagnosis due to the early rheumatological manifestations. An early diagnosis is crucial, as usual anti-rheumatic drugs, especially TNF inhibitors, may worsen the disease course. We conducted a retrospective multicentre national study from January 2010 to April 2020 to better characterize the rheumatological features of WD. Classic WD (CWD) was defined by positive periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining of a small-bowel biopsy sample, and non-CWD (NCWD) was defined by negative PAS staining of a small-bowel biopsy sample but at least one positive Tropheryma whipplei (TW) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for a digestive or extradigestive specimen. Sixty-eight patients were enrolled, including 11 CWD patients. Twenty patients (30%) received TNF inhibitors during the WD course, with inefficacy or symptom worsening. More digestive symptoms and systemic biological features were observed in CWD patients than in NCWD patients, but both patient groups had similar outcomes, especially concerning the response to antibiotics and relapse rate. Stool and saliva TW PCR sensitivity were both 100% for CWD and 75% for NCWD and 89% and 60% for small-bowel biopsy sample PCR, respectively. WD encountered in rheumatology units has many presentations, which might result from different pathophysiologies that are dependent on host immunity. Given the heterogeneous presentations and the presence of chronic carriage, multiple TW PCR tests on samples from specific rheumatological sites when possible should be performed, but samples from nonspecific digestive and extradigestive sites also have great value.
Effects of whole blood storage in a polyolefin blood bag on platelets for acute normovolemic hemodilution
Authors: Murata Yutaka , Kusudo Eriko , Kawamoto Shuji , Fukuda Kazuhiko
Published: June 2021

Acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) is a potential transfusion method for platelets, as well as for red blood cells. However, previous studies have shown that whole blood storage in ANH decreases platelet aggregability by 14.7–76.3% and that this decrease is not recovered by reinfusion. We investigated whether a new whole blood storage method for 6 h using a polyolefin bag, based on the platelet concentrates storage method, would maintain platelet function better than the conventional method using a polyvinyl chloride bag. We demonstrated that storage of whole blood in a polyolefin bag maintained ADP-induced aggregation rates at more than twofold higher than those in a polyvinyl chloride bag, and also significantly suppressed P-selectin expression, a platelet activation marker (ADP-induced aggregation rates: 24.6 ± 5.1% vs. 51.7 ± 11.5%, p = 0.002; P-selectin expression; 50.3 ± 8.4MFI vs. 31.6 ± 9.3MFI, p = 0.018). These results could be attributed to the high gas permeability of polyolefin, which lowered PCO2 and maintained a high pH with or without agitation. There were no significant changes in platelet count and red blood cell parameters due to the storage methods. Our results suggest that ANH using polyolefin bags is advantageous in improving hemostatic function compared to the conventional method.
Supplier-origin mouse microbiomes significantly influence locomotor and anxiety-related behavior, body morphology, and metabolism
Authors: Ericsson Aaron C. , Hart Marcia L. , Kwan Jessica , Lanoue Louise , Bower Lynette R. , Araiza Renee , Kent Lloyd K. C. , Franklin Craig L.
Published: June 2021

The mouse is the most commonly used model species in biomedical research. Just as human physical and mental health are influenced by the commensal gut bacteria, mouse models of disease are influenced by the fecal microbiome (FM). The source of mice represents one of the strongest influences on the FM and can influence the phenotype of disease models. The FM influences behavior in mice leading to the hypothesis that mice of the same genetic background from different vendors, will have different behavioral phenotypes. To test this hypothesis, colonies of CD-1 mice, rederived via embryo transfer into surrogate dams from four different suppliers, were subjected to phenotyping assays assessing behavior and physiological parameters. Significant differences in behavior, growth rate, metabolism, and hematological parameters were observed. Collectively, these findings show the profound influence of supplier-origin FMs on host behavior and physiology in healthy, genetically similar, wild-type mice maintained in identical environments.
I(nsp1)ecting SARS-CoV-2–ribosome interactions
Authors: Simeoni Matthieu , Cavinato Théo , Rodriguez Daniel , Gatfield David
Published: June 2021

While SARS-CoV-2 is causing modern human history’s most serious health crisis and upending our way of life, clinical and basic research on the virus is advancing rapidly, leading to fascinating discoveries. Two studies have revealed how the viral virulence factor, nonstructural protein 1 (Nsp1), binds human ribosomes to inhibit host cell translation. Here, we examine the main conclusions on the molecular activity of Nsp1 and its role in suppressing innate immune responses. We discuss different scenarios potentially explaining how the viral RNA can bypass its own translation blockage and speculate on the suitability of Nsp1 as a therapeutic target.
Graphenylene and inorganic graphenylene nanopores for gas-phase 4He/3He separation: kinetic and steady-state considerations
Authors: Motallebipour Maryam S. , Karimi-Sabet Javad
Published: June 2021

The efficiency of graphenylene and inorganic graphenylene nanoporous membranes for 4He/3He separation has been theoretically considered in both kinetic competition and thermally driven steady-state conditions.
An ultrasensitive polarity-specific two-photon probe for revealing autophagy in live cells during scrap leather-induced neuroinflammation process
Authors: Liang Tianyu , Qiang Taotao , Ren Longfang , Wang Baoshuai , Hu Wei
Published: June 2021

A polarity-sensitive probe AMN was developed to demonstrate the role of autophagy inhibitory drugs in the process of leather residue-induced neuroinflammation, promoting the knowledge of the relationship between autophagy and neuroinflammation.
Highly porous Fe/N/C catalyst for oxygen reduction: the importance of pores
Authors: Ding Xiao-Bo , Zhang Li , Qin Yuan-Hang , Yang Li , Wang Cunwen , Peng Changjun
Published: June 2021

Fe/N/C rich in ultrafine Fe-based species and pores is synthesized and Fe/N/C with higher pore volume exhibits higher ORR activity.
An upper bound visualization of design trade-offs in adsorbent materials for gas separations: alkene/alkane adsorbents
Authors: Elashkar Ahmed H. , Hedley Gavin S. , Qazvini Omid T. , Telfer Shane G. , Cowan Matthew G.
Published: June 2021

An online database and bound visualizations for researchers to understand design trade-offs and identify candidate materials for gas adsorption separations.
Structure-selective differentiation of deletion mutations in circulating tumor DNA using dual probe-based isothermal amplification
Authors: Wang Yusong , Kong Say Li , Su Xiaodi
Published: June 2021

A rapid dual probe-based assay was developed to detect deletion mutations (i.e. homozygous & heterozygous) in circulating tumor DNA using structure-selective isothermal amplification. It could achieve pM detection limit with high selectivity in 2 h.
Stereoselective synthesis of highly functionalized (Z)-chloroalkene dipeptide isosteres containing an α,α-disubstituted amino acid
Authors: Kodama Yuki , Imai Saki , Fujimoto Junko , Sato Kohei , Mase Nobuyuki , Narumi Tetsuo
Published: June 2021

Stereoselective synthesis of (Z)-chloroalkene dipeptide isosteres containing an α,α-disubstituted amino acid was realized from structurally unique tetra-substituted spirocyclic aziridines.
Measuring the end-face of silicon boules using mid-infrared laser scanning
Authors: Jensen Mathias Novik , Hellesø Olav Gaute
Published: June 2021

Laser scanning is investigated to measure the deflection of the crystal–melt interface during Czochralski-growth of silicon.
Benefits on photocarrier transfer from the transition of 3D to a 2D morphology
Authors: Kou Shiwen , Yu Qiaonan , Peng Yaru , Li Guoqiang
Published: June 2021

In the transition from three-dimensional to a two-dimensional morphology, the area of the (010) facet (electron surface) increases, and the conduction band bottom becomes more negative.
Multi-color mechanochromic luminescence of three polymorphic crystals of a donor–acceptor-type benzothiadiazole derivative
Authors: Ito Suguru , Nagai Sayaka , Ubukata Takashi , Tachikawa Takashi
Published: June 2021

The three polymorphic crystals of a donor–acceptor dye exhibited different luminescence colors, which changed in response to mechanical grinding.
Dynamics of photodissociation of nitric oxide fromS-nitrosylated cysteine andN-acetylated cysteine derivatives in water
Authors: Yoon Hojeong , Park Seongchul , Lim Manho
Published: June 2021

S-Nitrosothiols (RSNOs) are efficient photochemical NO precursors for quantitative administration of NO owing to secondary reaction of RS with RSNO.
Indium(iii)-catalyzed solvent-free multicomponent [2 + 2 + 1 + 1]-annulation to polycyclic functionalized fused pyridines as potential optical chemosensors
Authors: Jamshaid Sana , Mohandoss Sonaimuthu , Lee Yong Rok
Published: June 2021

An In(iii)-catalyzed and solvent-free multicomponent one-pot N-annulation for the construction of highly fused pyridines as novel fluorophores is developed.
An environmentally friendly and economical strategy to cyclically produce cellulose nanocrystals with high thermal stability and high yield
Authors: Tang Feng , Li Yingzhan , Huang Junwen , Tang Jinhong , Chen Xinyi , Yu Hou-Yong , Zhou Ying , Tang Dongping
Published: June 2021

FeCl3 solution was used as a new solvent to develop a green and recyclable strategy to produce CNCs. Specifically, FeCl3 polarizes water molecules to generate H+ and catalyzes the hydrolysis of the amorphous area of cellulose.
A facile spectroscopic method for measuring lignin content in lignocellulosic biomass
Authors: Lu Fachuang , Wang Chen , Chen Mingjie , Yue Fengxia , Ralph John
Published: June 2021

A spectroscopic method was developed for the determination of lignin contents in lignocellulosic biomass, based on a full dissolution of the biomass sample in a cysteine–sulfuric acid solution at room temperature.
Classification of ginseng according to plant species, geographical origin, and age using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging
Authors: Zhao Shangyong , Song Weiran , Hou Zongyu , Wang Zhe
Published: June 2021

This study used LIBS and HSI combined with chemometrics to determine the ginseng samples based on plant species, geographical origin, and age.
Microchannel measurements of viscosity for both gases and liquids
Authors: Shiba Kota , Li Guangming , Virot Emmanuel , Yoshikawa Genki , Weitz David A.
Published: June 2021

We introduce a facile, microfluidic approach to mechanically measuring the viscosity of a fluid with high precision over a wide range, even extending from gases to liquids.
Hysteresis-reversible MoS2 transistor
Authors: Cao Banglin , Wang Zegao , Xiong Xuya , Gao Libin , Li Jiheng , Dong Mingdong
Published: June 2021

Sulfur vacancy dominant hysteresis in MoS2 transistors is observed. By decorating with Pt, the hysteresis behavior could switch from sulfur vacancy dominant to interfacial dominant, thereby realizing a hysteresis-reversible MoS2 transistor.
O,N-Heterocyclic germylenes as efficient catalysts for hydroboration and cyanosilylation of benzaldehyde
Authors: Arsenyeva Kseniya V. , Pashanova Kira I. , Trofimova Olesya Yu. , Ershova Irina V. , Chegerev Maxim G. , Starikova Alyona A. , Cherkasov Anton V. , Syroeshkin Mikhail A. , Kozmenkova Anna Ya. , Piskunov Alexandr V.
Published: June 2021

Novel O,N-heterocyclic germylenes were examined as catalysts for cyanosilylation and hydroboration of benzaldehyde.
Techno-economic and environmental assessment of BECCS in fuel generation for FT-fuel, bioSNG and OMEx
Authors: Emenike Oluchi , Michailos Stavros , Hughes Kevin J. , Ingham Derek , Pourkashanian Mohamed
Published: June 2021

BECCS potential in fuel generation.
Organization of multi-access in databases
Authors: Kolyeva Natalya
Published: June 2021

A particular, but important problem of freeing database memory in multi-access conditions is considered. A number of solutions to this problem are proposed and their advantages and disadvantages are noted. Three methods of organizing work with free space are considered. The first method assumes two additional modes of capturing pages: “Joint deletion” and “deletion”. In the second method, the pages after the last tuple have been deleted are inserted at the end of the free list. The third method involves the actual presentation of the freed pages of the relationship to the free memory pool of the segment and is postponed until the relationship is reorganized.
Information and communication technologies in the development of women’s professional activity
Authors: Polishchuk Elena , Stakhno Natalia , Pochupailo Olga
Published: June 2021

The study describes the role of information and communication technologies (ICT), which have an impact on the development of professional activity of women. It is established that the problem of gender inequality is relevant because of the significant changes in modern society, in particular the rethinking of the roles of different categories of the population, including gender roles and status-role expectations. Based on the time-series analysis female ratio in the ICT organizations was calculated. It allowed to consider the real picture of the development of the analyzed sector with all the changes taking place, as well as to suggest the main priority areas that will promote the active entry of women into the digital economy. The study concluded that, despite the fact that the average number of female employees in ICT organizations is increasing, there is still a significant gender gap among those employed in the sector considered, which indicates that the potential of women in overcoming the acute shortage of IT professionals is not used. It has been established that reducing the digital gender gap in employment is not an end in itself, but the need to make greater use of the labor and intellectual potential of the entire employed population of the country - not only men, but also women. At the same time, the active involvement of women in the digital sector will increase the level of their professional activity and ensure their full participation in the modern labor market.
Developing natural gas vehicle market as a basis for industrialized future of territorial sustainability
Authors: Kulikova Elena , Durandina Olga , Molokova Elena
Published: June 2021

This study is devoted to one of the factors of sustainable development of the territory - the regional transport system. One of the most important elements that determine the competitiveness of the system is the market for natural gas fuel. In the Russian Federation, there are state support programs with a scenario of advanced development, as it directly affects the regional economy and, accordingly, provides the basis for sustainable development and the quality of life. The article describes the state and prospects of road transport development in the Ural region related to the transition to natural gas. The advantages of natural gas from the perspective of motor fuel in the context of the economic component of regional development are evaluated. The measures necessary to create conditions for the development of gas-engine infrastructure for the mass use of natural gas vehicles are determined.
Dynamics and control of a bio-inspired Stewart platform
Authors: Peng Yuansheng , Dai Honghua , Zhang Hao , Yue Xiaokui
Published: June 2021

Collision and strong impacts take place in mission of the on orbit capture of non-cooperative spacecraft. So, it is necessary to design a vibration isolation system with efficient vibration isolation performance. A Stewart vibration isolation platform based on the bio-inspired isolation system is proposed in this paper. The characteristics of the novel bio-inspired Stewart platform realizes the vibration isolation protection of the serving spacecraft during the capture mission. The dynamic model of the vibration isolation platform is established by Lagrange's equations. The fidelity of the established dynamic model is verified via a comparison of the theoretical simulation and the ADAMS simulation. Comparisons between the presently proposed vibration isolation platform and the traditional spring-mass-damper type Stewart vibration isolation platform demonstrates the advantages of the present platform. The effects of system parameters on the isolation performance of the present platform are thoroughly investigated. The feedback linearization control method is used to control the present platform which overcomes the drift motion that occurs in the passive isolation case. The results show that the novel bio-inspired Stewart platform has excellent vibration isolation performance, which provides a promising way for the vibration isolation of the non-orbit capture mission.
Perspektiven und Methoden der Experimentellen Nuklearmedizin
Authors: Balber Theresa , Mitterhauser Markus
Published: June 2021

Die zentralen Aufgaben der experimentellen Nuklearmedizin liegen in der Entwicklung neuer Bildgebungsstrategien und Radioligandentherapien, in dem Erwerb eines tiefen molekularen Verständnisses für das Verhalten etablierter Radiopharmaka und der Entwicklung entsprechender Methodik für die Charakterisierung eben dieser. Die folgende Arbeit bietet einen Überblick über wichtige Parameter und Methoden der experimentellen Nuklearmedizin, die für die Realisierung einer erfolgreichen Bildgebungsstrategie und Radioligandentherapie essentiell sind.
Frischer Wind für Integrine
Authors: Kossatz Susanne , Notni Johannes
Published: June 2021

Selektive PET- oder SPECT- Radiopharmaka sind inzwischen nicht nur für αvβ3, sondern auch weitere der 24 verschiedenen Integrine verfügbar, zum Beispiel α5β1, αvβ6, αvβ8 und α6. Da diese unter anderem auch von verschiedenen Karzinomen und im Zuge von Fibrose exprimiert werden, ist die Vorstellung, dass Integrine nur als Zielstrukturen für die Bildgebung von Angiogenese in Betracht kommen, endgültig überholt. Die derzeit besten Aussichten auf eine breite klinische Anwendung, sowohl diagnostisch als auch therapeutisch, haben derzeit αvβ6-Integrin-Radiopharmaka, da αvβ6 von vielen malignen Krebsarten (v. a. Pankreas-, Plattenepithel-, Basalzell-, Lungen- und Colonkarzinom) überexprimiert wird.
Pharmacokinetics of Five Alkaloids and their Metabolites in Normal and Diabetic Rats after Oral Administration of Rhizoma coptidis
Authors: Feng Xinchi , Wang Kun , Cao Shijie , Ding Liqin , Qiu Feng
Published: June 2021

Rhizoma coptidis has been clinically used for a long time for the treatment of various diseases in China, such as hypertension, diabetes, and inflammation. Previous studies have shown that alkaloid components of Rhizoma coptidis extract could be extensively metabolized and the metabolites were also considered to be the therapeutic material basis. However, until now, pharmacokinetic studies of the in vivo metabolites have not been revealed yet. The aim of the present study was to characterize the pharmacokinetics and excretions of five main alkaloids (berberine, jatrorrhizine, palmatine, epiberberine, and coptisine) and their seven metabolites (berberrubine, demethyleneberberine, jatrorrhizine-3-O-β-D-glucuronide, thalifendine-10-O-β-D-glucuronide, berberrubine-9-O-β-D-glucuronide, demethyleneberberine-2-O-sulfate, and demethyleneberberine-2-O-β-D-glucuronide) in rats after oral administration of
Rhizoma coptidis extract. Meanwhile, comparative pharmacokinetics and excretions of these analytes in diabetic model rats were also investigated, since Rhizoma coptidis is widely used for the treatment of diabetes. Our results showed that the in vivo existing forms of alkaloid components were phase II metabolites, highlighting the glucuronidation metabolic pathway. In diabetic model rats, the utilization of Rhizoma coptidis alkaloids was significantly increased and the biotransformation of berberine into berberrubine was significantly inhibited.
Facile Synthesis of 4-Perfluoroalkylated 2H-Pyran-2-ones Bearing Indole Skeleton via a Base-Promoted Cascade Process
Authors: Zhou Wei , Huang Qi , Zhang Hui , Cao Weiguo , Shen Lichun , Han Jing , Chen Jie , He Weimin , Deng Hongmei , Shao Min
Published: June 2021

A protocol for the synthesis of 4-perfluoroalkylated 2H-pyran-2-ones bearing indole skeleton is reported. This efficient synthesis involves a Et3N-promoted Michael addition/enolization/cyclization cascade process at 40 °C in air, using 3-(1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-3-oxopropanenitriles and methyl perfluoroalk-2-ynoates as the easily available starting materials. Various functionalized 6-(1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-2-oxo-4-(perfluoroalkyl)-2H-pyran-5-carbonitrile derivatives were obtained in 44–99% yield.
Synthesis of Biologically Active Heterocycles via a Domino Sequence Involving an SN2/Thorpe–Ziegler Reaction Step
Authors: Larionova Natalia A. , Shestopalov Anatoliy M. , Rodinovskaya Lyudmila A. , Zubarev Andrey A.
Published: June 2021

This review highlights methods for the synthesis of five- and six-membered heterocycles and their annulated analogues. These methods are based on anionic domino reactions that have a common step: an SN2/Thorpe–Ziegler reaction. In addition, data on the biological activity of these heterocycles are summarized.

1 Introduction

2 Synthesis of Thiophenes, Pyrroles, Furans and Other Heterocycles

2.1 Synthesis of 3-Aminothiophenes

2.2 Synthesis of 3-Aminopyrroles

2.3 Synthesis of 3-Aminofurans

3 Synthesis of Bicyclic Heterocyclic Systems

3.1 Thiophenes, Pyrroles and Furans Fused with Five-Membered Heterocycles

3.2 Thiophenes, Pyrroles and Furans Fused with Six-Membered Heterocycles

4 Synthesis of Heterocyclic Compounds Using Three-Step Domino Reactions

5 Synthesis of Heterocyclic Compounds Based on a Combination of Two Domino Reactions

6 Miscellaneous

7 Conclusion
Photocatalysis: A Green Tool for Redox Reactions
Authors: Das Shoubhik , Cauwenbergh Robin
Published: June 2021

Reduction-and-oxidation (redox) reactions are one of the most utilized approaches for the synthesis of value-added compounds. With the growing awareness of green chemistry, researchers have searched for new and sustainable pathways for performing redox reactions. From this, a new field has gained tremendous attention, namely photoredox catalysis. Here, molecules can be easily oxidized or reduced with the use of one of Nature’s biggest resources: visible light. This tutorial paper gives the basics of photoredox catalysis along with limited examples to encourage further research in this blooming research area.

1 Introduction

2 Redox Chemistry

3 Photochemistry

3.1 Laws of Photochemistry

3.2 Principles

3.3 Examples

4 Photoredox Catalysis

4.1 General Principles

4.2 Classification of Redox Processes

4.3 Other Mechanistic Considerations

4.4 Stern–Volmer Plots

4.5 Photophysical Properties

4.6 Redox Potentials

5 Photocatalysts

5.1 Metal-Based Photocatalysts

5.2 Organic Dyes

5.3 Semiconductors

6 Dual Catalysis

7 Conclusions
Study on precision dicing process of SiC wafer with diamond dicing blades
Authors: Wang Xue , Yuan Zewei , Zhuang Peng , Wu Tianzheng , Feng Shuang
Published: June 2021

An innovative method for high-speed micro-dicing of SiC has been proposed using two types of diamond dicing blades, a resin-bonded dicing blade and a metal-bonded dicing blade. The experimental research investigated the radial wear of the dicing blade, the maximum spindle current, the surface morphology of the SiC die, the number of chips longer than 10 µm, and the chipped area, which depend on the dicing process parameters such as spindle speed, feed speed, and cutting depth. The chipping fractures in the SiC had obvious brittle fracture characteristics. The performance of the metal-bonded dicing blade was inferior to that of the resin-bonded dicing blade. The cutting depth has the greatest influence on the radial wear of the dicing blade, the maximum spindle current, and the damage to the SiC wafer. The next most important parameter is the feed speed. The parameter with the least influence is the spindle speed. The main factor affecting the dicing quality is blade vibration caused by spindle vibration. The optimal SiC dicing was for a resin-bonded dicing blade with a spindle speed of 20 000 rpm, a feed speed of 4 mm/s, and a cutting depth of 0.1 mm. To improve dicing quality and tool performance, spindle vibrations should be reduced. This approach may enable high-speed dicing of SiC wafers with less dicing damage.