bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of acute-phase proteins and cytokines response in goats with contagious caprine pleuropneumonia with special reference to their diagnostic accuracy
Authors: El-Deeb Wael , Fayez Mahmoud , Elsohaby Ibrahim , Salem Mohamed , Alhaider Abdulrhman , Kandeel Mahmoud
Published: November 2020

Acute-phase proteins (APPs) have always had valued diagnostic potentialities in response to infection. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of selected APPs and proinflammatory cytokines (PIC) in goats with contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) under field conditions. Moreover, to highlight the role of tested biomarkers in CCPP pathogenesis. Fifty-eight goats (38 confirmed cases with CCPP and 20 healthy controls) were involved in this investigation. C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), haptoglobin (HP), fibrinogen (Fb), serum amyloid A (SAA), selected PIC (IL1-α, IL1-β, IL-6, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)) levels were investigated in serum samples from all goats under investigation. Latex agglutination test was used for diagnosis of goats with CCPP. For microbiological investigations, nasopharyngeal swabs (from all goats), lung tissues and pleural fluids (from only necropsied goats) were collected. This study revealed that all tested parameters have a high to moderate degree of diagnostic performance for CCPP. Magnitudes of increase in levels of APPs (CRP, HP and SAA) were stronger than PIC, IFN-γ, Fb and PCT. All tested parameters showed high diagnostic accuracy (AUROC >90%), except HP (AUROC = 87.3%) and IFN-γ(AUROC = 78.8%) showed moderate accuracy in differentiation of goats with and without CCPP infection. For detecting goats with and without CCPP infection, HP had the lowest sensitivity (Se = 81.6%) and Fb had the lowest specificity (Sp = 85.0%) among the APPs parameters tested. However, PCT showed the highest Se (100%) and Sp (95.0%) to detect goats with and without CCPP infection among tested parameters. Conclusively, this study endorses the significance of selected APPs and PIC as additional screening diagnostic parameters for naturally occurring CCPP in goats. However, it does not replace traditional methods for diagnosis of CCPP in goats. Furthermore, APPs and PIC have an important role in disease pathogenesis in goats.
Use and effectiveness of dapagliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a multicenter retrospective study in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Jung-Fu , Peng Yun-Shing , Chen Chung-Sen , Tseng Chin-Hsiao , Chen Pei-Chi , Lee Ting-I , Lu Yung-Chuan , Yang Yi-Sun , Lin Ching-Ling , Hung Yi-Jen , Chen Szu-Ta , Lu Chieh-Hsiang , Yang Chwen-Yi , Chen Ching-Chu , Lee Chun-Chuan , Hsiao Pi-Jung , Jiang Ju-Ying , Tu Shih-Te
Published: November 2020

Aims/Introduction

To investigate the clinical outcomes of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who initiated dapagliflozin in real-world practice in Taiwan.

Materials and Methods

In this multicenter retrospective study, adult patients with T2DM who initiated dapagliflozin after May 1st 2016 either as add-on or switch therapy were included. Changes in clinical and laboratory parameters were evaluated at 3 and 6 months. Baseline factors associated with dapagliflozin response in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression.

Results

A total of 1,960 patients were eligible. At 6 months, significant changes were observed: HbA1c by −0.73% (95% confidence interval [CI] −0.80, −0.67), body weight was -1.61 kg (95% CI −1.79, −1.42), and systolic/diastolic blood pressure by −3.6/−1.4 mmHg. Add-on dapagliflozin showed significantly greater HbA1c reduction (−0.82%) than switched therapy (−0.66%) (p = 0.002). The proportion of patients achieving HbA1c <7% target increased from 6% at baseline to 19% at Month 6. Almost 80% of patients experienced at least 1% reduction in HbA1c, and 65% of patients showed both weight loss and reduction in HbA1c. Around 37% of patients had at least 3% weight loss. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated patients with higher baseline HbA1c and those who initiated dapagliflozin as add-on therapy were associated with a greater reduction in HbA1c.

Conclusions

In this real-world study with the highest patient number of Chinese population to date, the use of dapagliflozin was associated with significant improvement in glycemic control, body weight, and blood pressure in patients with T2DM. Initiating dapagliflozin as add-on therapy showed better glycemic control than as switch therapy.
Protein Quality Evaluation of Raw and Processed Seeds of Cadaba farinosa Forssk and Growth Performance of Albino Rats Fed with the Products
Authors: Inuwa I. M. , Atiku M. K. , Mashi J. A.
Published: November 2020

Cadaba farinosa Forssk is a wild shrub whose seeds are eaten as a famine food in North Eastern Nigeria when there is poor harvest of conventional crops. This research was carried out in order to evaluate the protein quality of the seeds and to carry out the growth performance of experimental animals fed on seeds processed by different methods. The processed methods include cooking, cooking with the addition of potash, fermentation and sprouting. PTH-Amino acid analyzer was used to determine the amino acid profile and milk reference protein was used for scoring the essential amino acids. The products were fed to weaning albino rats for 28 days growth performance studies. The determination of nitrogen content of the feed, faeces, urine and the carcass of the animals were carried out by Kjeldahl method. Protein quality evaluation of the processed products was carried out by calculating the Biological Value (BV), Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER), Net Protein Utilization (NPU) and The Protein Digestibility-Corrected Amino Acids Score (PDCAAS). Results of Amino acid analysis showed that the sample cooked with addition of potash contain higher levels of amino acids. Glutamic acid was found to the most abundant amino acid with a value of 11.96 g/ 100 g and 13.96 g/ 100 g in the sprouted and raw seeds respectively. Chemical score of amino acids revealed higher score for protein of seeds cooked with addition of potash except tryptophan which was 219.29% for seeds cooked without potash. The highest PDCAAS (49.84%) was found in the diet cooked with potash, however, it showed lower biological value (95%) and protein efficiency ratio (0.32). The group fed with sprouted diet showed significant increase (P=.05) in body weight (52.13%). Though cooking with addition of potash showed higher distribution of amino acids, but sprouting and fermentation were more promising in terms of promoting the growth of the experimental animals.
Hypothyroidism and Platelet Parameter Evaluation
Authors: Shehata Fatma S. , Elraouf Yasser M. Abd , Serogy Hisham A. El , Mohamed Wael F.
Published: November 2020

Aims: To evaluate the effect of subclinical and overt hypothyroidism on mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW).

Study Design: Cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Outpatient Clinic of Diabetes, Metabolism and Endocrinology Unit in internal medicine department and clinical pathology, Tanta University, Egypt in a period between June 2018 to June 2019.

Methodology: We tested 250 subjects; 50 healthy control and 200 hypothyroid patients (all were female; age ≥18 years old age) without any medical history, then patients were subdivided into newly diagnosed group and another group on l-thyroxin treatment. Platelet parameters (MPV, PDW) were assessed in all of them.

Results: MPV & PDW is increasing in hypothyroid patients than control group (8.93 ± 0.62), more in overt group (10.88 ± 0.57) than subclinical group (10.02 ± 0.55). No significant reduction in MPV and PDW in patients on l-thyroxin treatment which suggest that l-thyroxin treatment couldn’t produce difference till patients reaching their target level being euthyroid.

Conclusion: We recommend the usefulness of MPV and PDW as inexpensive markers of platelet activation in diagnostic work-up of athero-thrombotic complications risk in patients with subclinical and overt hypothyroidism.
Perceptions of the Impact of Biogas: A Case Study from Pakistan’s Southern District Muzaffargarh
Authors: Zubair Muhammad , Imran Muhammad Sajid , Hussain Syed Bilal , Jamil Akash
Published: November 2020

In the era when climate change is causing havoc on the health, economics, infrastructure and environment of the mankind, alternatives to fossil fuel energies being promoted. Renewable energy resources are more sustainable as compared to fossil fuels and have the potency to replace conventional and pollution inducing energy resources. Biogas an alternative green energy resource that generates energy from organic matter has been introduced in Pakistan.  This energy resource has found to have a great potential and many initiatives of biogas has been initiated by the government and non-government organizations. The present study was designed in order to understand the level of awareness and preference of using biogas as an alternative energy resource for day to day household activities. The study involved a primary data collection from 10 villages in District Muzaffargarh. Data were gathered from 70 livestock farming households in the study sites using purposive sampling. Descriptive analysis was used in order to depict the status, level of utilization and preference of biogas over other conventional sources. It was observed that addition of a biogas among the already present fuel sources have divided the burden on solid biomass fuels. The empirical evidence displayed that the people experienced a cut in their expenses, smaller number of ailments has been registered since the use of this green energy. The study concluded that awareness and information regarding the biogas technology must be publicized in order to generate eminent profits.
Experimental Evaluation in Dry Machining of Inconel 718 Using Coated Carbides
Authors: Reddy M. M. , Reddy N. S. , Evan J. N.
Published: November 2020

Past two decades, the usage of ceramic tools has increased especially in milling and turning process. These advanced ceramic tools have good characteristics that are capable in maintaining high hardness in temperatures and also wears much slower when compared to carbide tools. With limited data available on the tool itself, research is to be done on these advance ceramic tools. The main purpose of this research project is to determine the cutting parameters affecting the cutting temperature and cutting force. The cutting parameters are cutting speed, depth of cut and feed rate. Silicon Nitride is chosen as the tool and Steel AISI4140 is chosen as the work piece. Analysis is conducted through Box-Behnken method with 3 levels, 3 factors and 2 responses. The regression model for cutting temperature and cutting force responses are identified. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) is done to determine the effect of the cutting parameters and their contribution towards the cutting temperature and cutting force response. It is found that feed rate has the most influence on cutting temperature and force. The optimal cutting parameters that produce the lowest cutting temperature and lowest cutting force are also obtained.
Catalytic Activity of Ni, Co, Mo Supported Anodic Aluminum Oxide Nanocomposites
Authors: Xamidov Anvar , Hoshimov Farhodjon , Mamatkulov Shavkat , Butanov Khakimjan , Yunusov Mirakhmat , Ruzimuradov Olim
Published: November 2020

Nanostructured catalysts based on porous aluminum oxide (PAO) and some 3d metals, such as: nickel, cobalt, and molybdenum, have been obtained by anodic oxidation and impregnation. The synthesis of porous aluminum oxide with a highly ordered pore structure with pore sizes of 50 nm and a thickness of 50 µm is carried out by the method of two-stage anodic oxidation. The catalysts are obtained by impregnation of 3d metals into nanosized pores of aluminum oxide. The obtained catalysts based on nickel and porous Al2O3 are studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDX). The results of SEM-EDX analysis shows that a spongy structure with filament sizes of 100 nanometers containing particles of 3d metals formed on the surface of the aluminum oxide matrix. The results are presented on the activity of nickel and heterogenic cobalt and molybdenum nanoparticles in the reaction of hydrogenation of hexene to hexane. The results show that the yield temperature of the hexane is decreased and the yield of hexane is observed at 200 °C with Ni/Al2O3 catalysts, and a similar yield of hexane mass is achieved at temperatures higher than 250 °C with Co-Mo/Al2O3 and traditional nickel catalysts on kieselguhr. Copyright © 2021 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Methods in Linguistic Anthropology: Introduction
Authors: Stanlaw James
Published: November 2020

Methodology in linguistic anthropology is often compared and contrasted with methodology in theoretical or autonomous linguistics. While there is some technical and technological overlap, linguistic anthropology stresses a commitment to fieldwork, ethnographic rigor, and at least some facility in the local languages. The goals of both approaches are also usually different.
Minority Languages
Authors: O'Rourke Bernadette
Published: November 2020

In the globalized world, minority language speakers often feel the pressures of language contact with economically, politically, and socially dominant languages. However, despite these pressures, many minority language communities continue to maintain or reclaim their languages as active agents through everyday interactions. Minority language research now takes account of speaker mobilities and the more fluid nature of the virtual and digital communities. This has led to a rethinking of existing frameworks to better understand language maintenance and shift in minority communities within the broader framework of language diversity and multilingualism. There has been a move away from the classical macro models, used to understand why minority languages are maintained or not, to more micro‐level analyses of beliefs, ideologies, and situated practices of minority language speakers as a means of capturing the diversity across different minority language settings. There has also been a move away from a focus on ethnonational models in which much previous work has been based on a rethinking within the fame of sociolinguistics of mobility, which reflects the new social order in which minority language research can be understood.
The case of a 69‐year‐old man with COVID‐19 and encephalopathy
Authors: Cline Trevor E. , Sangha Navdeep
Published: November 2020

Summary of case

A 69‐year‐old man with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes presented to an outside hospital with altered mental status. He progressed from being argumentative to encephalopathic and agitated by the evening with urinary frequency, urinary urgency, nausea, and vomiting. His vital signs were normal, and he had no focal neurological deficits on presentation. He was generally encephalopathic, only groaning with no ability to follow commands. He was found to have diabetic ketoacidosis on initial labs. A left parietal hypodensity on CT Head was found, and he was positive for Sars‐COV‐2.
NIR Organic Dyes as Innovative Tools for Reprocessing/Recycling of Plastics: Benefits of the Photothermal Activation in the Near‐Infrared Range
Authors: Launay Valentin , Caron Aurore , Noirbent Guillaume , Gigmes Didier , Dumur Frédéric , Lalevée Jacques
Published: November 2020

Photoinduced thermal polymerization upon Near‐InfraRed (NIR) light has been recently reported in the literature as an efficient tool for polymer synthesis. In this work, a completely different approach is developed since polymeric materials containing a very low amount of a stimuli‐responsive compound are prepared by using a benchmark UV photoinitiator. As the stimuli‐responsive compound, an organic dye strongly absorbing in the near‐infrared region is selected. The heat released by its irradiation with an inexpensive and highly penetrating NIR light source allows the development of an unprecedented approach for reprocessing, reshaping, recycling, and self‐healing. Several parameters have been studied in order to determine their influence on the polymer temperature: the wavelength of the NIR irradiation, the irradiance of the NIR light source, the choice of heater (IR‐813 p‐toluenesulfonate or a squaraine dye), and the heater concentration. The thermoplastics bonding and debonding has also been studied and showed promising results since two pieces of polymers could be pasted together after a short time of NIR irradiation. Finally, self‐healing ability of the thermoplastic is investigated and furnished impressive results even for large scratches.
Facile Formation of Hierarchical Textures for Flexible, Translucent, and Durable Superhydrophobic Film
Authors: Dai Ziyi , Chen Ge , Ding Sen , Lin Jing , Li Shunbo , Xu Yi , Zhou Bingpu
Published: November 2020

Flexible superhydrophobic surfaces have recently attracted extensive interest not only in the field of burgeoning flexible electronics, but also for the practicability toward various situations. Herein, a cost‐effective and environment‐friendly approach is demonstrated to realize the durable, flexible, and superhydrophobic film with optical transparency. Without sophisticated facilities, the essential hierarchical architecture to render a low‐adhesive surface is achieved via magnetic field‐assisted polydimethylsiloxane microcilia, followed with the swelling process to decorate nanoscaled particles with excellent robustness. This tight connection between the microcilia and decorated nanoparticles renders the mechanical robustness with resistance to ultrasonic treatment, sandpaper abrasion, and high‐speed water impact. The film further exhibits outstanding stabilities when exposed to organic contamination, hot water, and chemical corrosions. Water repellency is well preserved when the film is under various mechanical deformations including cyclic stretching, bending, and squeezing. For practical demonstrations, the film is applied as the protective film for touch screen owing to the intrinsic optical transmittance, or serves as the water‐proof covers for sorts of complex/curved surfaces. These stated features reveal the convincing potential of the methodology to be applied for the circumstances where simultaneous addressing of robustness, flexibility, and adaptability is highly appreciated.
Development of an Enzymatic Process for the Synthesis of the Key Intermediate of Telotristat Ethyl
Authors: Li Hengyu , Zhang Wenhe , Jiang Xianyan , Wang Huibin , Wang Qi , Wang Jiajun , Jia Xian , Qin Bin , You Song
Published: November 2020

(R)‐1‐(4‐chloro‐2‐(3‐methyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)phenyl)‐2,2,2‐trifluoroethan‐1‐ol [(R)‐2] is a key chiral intermediate in the synthesis of telotristat ethyl, an anti‐carcinoid syndrome drug. However, the synthetic methods for (R)‐2 mainly include chemical reductions, rarely involving biocatalysis or bioreduction until now. Here, we report a method for obtaining (R)‐2 by biocatalytic reduction of corresponding prochiral acetophenone (1) with bulky o‐substitution using recombinant Lactobacillus fermentum short‐chain dehydrogenase/reductase 1 (LfSDR1) as a biocatalyst. Further engineering of LfSDR1 variants could access asymmetric reduction of 1 and yield (R)‐2 with a >99% ee and a >99% conversion. In addition, through the test of different co‐solvents and a series of initial substrate concentrations, substrate 1 with the concentration of 60 g/L can be completely converted into (R)‐2 on a preparative scale (1.13 g, 3.93 mmol, 75.6% isolated yield) in 24 hours. This study presents an efficient enzymatic process for the biocatalytic synthesis of key chiral intermediate (R)‐2 in the synthesis of telotristat ethyl.

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3D Rotation‐Trackable and Differentiable Micromachines with Dimer‐Type Structures for Dynamic Bioanalysis
Authors: Lin Gungun , Liu Yuan , Huang Guan , Chen Yinghui , Makarov Denys , Lin Jun , Quan Zewei , Jin Dayong
Published: November 2020

Utilizing the magnetic interactions between microparticle building blocks allows creating long‐range ordered structures and constructing smart multifunctional systems at different scales. The elaborate control over the inter‐particle magnetic coupling interaction is entailed to unlock new magnetoactuation functionalities. Herein, dimer‐type microstructures consisting of a pair of magnetic emulsions with tailorable dimension and magnetic coupling strength are fabricated using a microfluidic emulsion‐templated assembly approach. The magnetite nanoparticles dispersed in vinylbenzene monomers are partitioned into a pair of emulsions with conserved volume, which are wrapped by an aqueous hydrogel shell and finally polymerized to form discrete structures. Tunable synchronous–asynchronous rotation over 60 dB is unlocked in magnetic dimers, which is shown to be dependent on the magnetic moments induced. This leads to a new class of magnetic actuators for the parallelized assay of distinctive virus DNAs and the dynamic optical evaluation of 3D cell cultures. The work suggests a new perspective to design smart multifunctional microstructures and devices by exploring their natural variance in magnetic coupling.
Phylogeographic structure and continued surveys of a Vulnerable South African freshwater crab (Potamonautidae, Potamonautes lividus): Implications for the IUCN Red Listing of the Afrotropical fauna
Authors: Daniels Savel Regan , James Nicola C. , Gouws Gavin
Published: November 2020

In the present study, the phylogeography of the only southern African freshwater crab listed as Vulnerable (VU) on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, Potamonautes lividus, was investigated by surveying several localities in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu‐Natal provinces in South Africa. Both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA (nDNA and mtDNA) markers were used and, as it was hypothesized that marked genetic differentiation should be present, niche modelling was undertaken to explore the distribution of the species along the east coast of South Africa. In addition, shortfalls in the present approach to IUCN Red Listing, as illustrated by this Vulnerable species of crab, are discussed.

Results from the mtDNA revealed the presence of two haploclades, confined to specimens from the two provinces, respectively, and the general absence of maternal dispersal, a fact that was further validated by the fixation index (FST) data and high ΦST values. Within the Eastern Cape haploclade, low‐frequency maternal dispersal occurred, corroborated by the low value of FST. In contrast, no haplotypes were shared in the KwaZulu‐Natal haploclade, as corroborated by the marked differences in FST.

The microsatellite data demonstrated the presence of higher frequency, possibly paternally biased, dispersal of specimens between the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu‐Natal provinces. The results suggest the presence of two distinct management units within P. lividus. An estimate of divergence time suggests a late Pleistocene cladogenesis between the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu‐Natal haploclades.

Considering the presence of P. lividus in several newly formed nature conservation areas in both provinces, and its potential presence in the intermediary area, based on maximum entropy (Maxent) niche modelling, our data suggest that the species status in the IUCN Red List should be downgraded to Least Concern.

A comparison of all the Endangered, Vulnerable, and Critically Endangered IUCN Red Listed freshwater crabs for the entire Afrotropical region reveals the lack of recent sampling in the three biodiversity hot spots in West, Central, and East Africa, with mountainous areas containing a disproportionate number of species but with most species being devoid of phylogeographical study.
Historical and contemporary habitat use of sperm whales around the Galápagos Archipelago: Implications for conservation
Authors: Eguiguren Ana , Pirotta Enrico , Boerder Kristina , Cantor Maurício , Merlen Godfrey , Whitehead Hal
Published: November 2020

Sperm whales have occupied the waters off the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, for at least the past 200 years. During the 19th century, they were the target of intensive whaling that severely depleted the population. In recent times, after commercial whaling ended, sperm whales in the region remain vulnerable to multiple threats, especially potential entanglement in fishing gear, which may hinder their ability to recover from the whaling era.

As a highly mobile, long‐lived species, long‐term analysis of the habitat use of sperm whales is necessary to establish effective conservation and management strategies. Here, contemporary (1985–2014) and historical (1830–1850) sperm whale habitat use off the Galápagos Islands was analysed and contrasted to the extent of the Galápagos Marine Reserve (GMR). Contemporary habitat use and its variability over time were modelled as a function of geographic, oceanographic, and topographic variables using generalized additive models.

The fine‐scale habitat (<50 km) used by sperm whales was associated with topographic (i.e. depth and slope) and oceanographic characteristics (i.e. relative sea surface temperature and standard deviation of sea surface temperature), but these preferences varied over time.

While historical and contemporary data indicate that sperm whale habitat primarily occurred within the boundaries of the GMR, in recent years, whales were found up to 30.1% of the time outside the GMR, potentially overlapping with commercial fisheries operating in the area.

The dynamic nature of the relationship of this nomadic species with its habitat highlights the need of large‐scale conservation efforts across the Eastern Tropical Pacific region, including the wide‐scale enforcement of regulations requiring the use of Automatic Identification System in fishing vessels, the promotion of on‐board fisheries observer programmes, the development of adaptive management strategies, and international collaboration to identify and mitigate threats.
Singlet Oxygen in Lithium−Oxygen Batteries
Authors: Hong Misun , Byon Hye Ryung
Published: November 2020

Singlet oxygen (1O2) is one of the most critical species leading to parasitic side reactions and poor reversibility in non‐aqueous Li−O2 batteries. 1O2 is generated via the disproportionation of the superoxide radical (O2.−) in O2/Li2O2 electrochemistry. The mechanistic and computational studies on 1O2 formation revealed the significant roles of the associated cations, solvation ability of aprotic solvents, H+ source, and catalyst/electrode materials. Along with efforts to alleviate 1O2 production, trapping and eliminating 1O2 have been attempted using molecular agents. Anthracene derivatives trap 1O2 and form endoperoxides, which can be quantitatively detected using in situ fluorescence analysis. Physical quenchers that convert 1O2 to 3O2 are desirable for cycling of Li−O2 cells because quencher molecules are reusable. We highlight the recent reports on the formation and elimination of 1O2, and challenges and perspectives of suppressing the 1O2 effect on the performance of Li−O2 cells.
Investigation of Li Anode/FeS2 Cathode Electrochemical Properties for Optimizing High‐Power Thermal Batteries
Authors: Im Chae‐Nam , Hun Choi Chi , Yu Hye‐Ryeon , Ahn Tae‐Young , Yoon Hyun‐Ki , Seong Yeo Jae , Cho Jang‐Hyeon
Published: November 2020

Herein, the discharge properties of lithium (Li) anode with FeS2 cathode system are investigated under different pressure loads, weight percent of Li, temperatures, and current densities to provide a fundamental understanding of the operational safety, electrochemical properties, and optimization parameters for Li anode‐based thermal batteries. The lithium anode was prepared via physically mixing Li with Fe powder. The Li−Si alloy, the most common anode for thermal batteries, was investigated simultaneously to show the clear distinction in electrochemical performance between the Li anode and Li−Si anode. For achieving high operational safety and discharge performance with Li anode, the recommended pressure load and weight percent of Li are below 6 kgf cm−2 and 15 wt%, respectively, to prevent any leakage or short‐circuiting problems. The discharge at 500 °C and 0.2–0.4 A cm−2 exhibits the optimal performance for the Li anode and FeS2 cathode system. Finally, the thermal batteries with 17 cells are manufactured to confirm the aforementioned parameters at −32 and 63 °C to demonstrate that the previous results coincide with the actual battery level experiments. Due to the intertwined nature of the parameters, the optimization should always be conducted in a holistic manner to obtain high‐performance thermal batteries for future military applications.
Influence of Chemical Composition and Domain Morphology of Li2MnO3 on Battery Properties
Authors: Hikima Kazuhiro , Taminato Sou , Hinuma Yoyo , Shimizu Keisuke , Suzuki Kota , Hirayama Masaaki , Yasuno Satoshi , Tamura Kazuhisa , Kanno Ryoji
Published: November 2020

The reaction mechanism, which is the changes that happen during electrochemical cycling, in Li2MnO3 with a layered rock‐salt (O3) structure was examined using model electrodes in a liquid battery. Epitaxial films of Li2MnO3(001) with thickness of 30 nm, various Li/Mn atomic ratios, and different morphologies were fabricated by pulsed laser deposition. These electrodes showed charge–discharge capacity ranging from 150 to 300 mAh g−1, with different degradation characteristics depending on the composition and morphology. Films with nominal (Li/Mn atomic ratio=2.07) and Li‐rich (Li/Mn ratio=2.28) underwent irreversible structural transformation to an activated phase, regardless of the grain size, during the first cycling to 4.8 V. The interlayer spacing increased after activation, which may be a result of a transition to a O1 stacking structure. Li layer and transition metal layer octahedra share faces in the O1 structure, hence, Li diffusion would be easier and therefore results in activation considered to the O1 structure. Further degradation was slower in the nominal film, but the reason cannot be clearly ascribed to composition or grain size. Ex situ hard X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES) results suggest that some O were oxidized but others were not during charge. The Li‐rich film showed large interactions with a solid‐electrolyte interface layer by virtue of the high Li concentration.
The neurotoxic effect of isoflurane on age‐defined neurons generated from tertiary dentate matrix in mice
Authors: Xiao Xin‐Li , Wu Jing‐Tao , Zhang Han‐Ze , Wang Yi‐Di , Zhang Jing‐Qiao , Liu Le‐Fan , Yu‐Chen  , Min‐Li  , Yang Peng‐Bo , Wu Xiao‐Lin , Liu Jian‐Xin
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Recent animal studies showed that isoflurane exposure may lead to the disturbance of hippocampal neurogenesis and later cognitive impairment. However, much less is known about the effect of isoflurane exposure on the neurons generated form tertiary dentate matrix, even though a great increase of granule cell population during the infantile period is principally derived from this area.

Methods

To label the new cells originated from the tertiary dentate matrix, the mice were injected with BrdU on postnatal day 6 (P6). Then, the mice were exposed to isoflurane for 4 hr at 1, 8, 21, and 42 days after BrdU injection, and the brains were collected 24 hr later. The loss of newly generated cells/neurons with different developmental stage was assessed by BrdU, BrdU + DCX, BrdU + NeuN, or BrdU + Prox‐1 staining, respectively.

Results

We found that the isoflurane exposure significantly decreased the numbers of nascent cells (1 day old) and mature neurons (42 days old), but had no effect on the immature (8 days old) and early mature neurons (8 and 21 days old, respectively).

Conclusion

The results suggested isoflurane exposure exerts the neurotoxic effects on the tertiary dentate matrix‐originated cells with an age‐defined pattern in mice, which partly explain the cognitive impairment resulting from isoflurane exposure to the young brain.
The Bipartisan Future of Synthetic Chemistry and Synthetic Biology
Authors: Sadler Joanna C.
Published: November 2020

Synthetic biology holds great potential for sustainable chemical synthesis, yet is limited to accessing a relatively small area of chemical space. By interfacing this new technology with the versatility and scope of synthetic chemistry, the best of both worlds can be harnessed to drive a green chemical industry.
Benzene Diazonium Sulfonate Modified Nanoporous Gold Electrodes for the Direct Detection of Copper(II) Ions
Authors: Siepenkoetter Till , Mastin Hélène , Salaj‐Kosla Urszula , Magner Edmond
Published: November 2020

The detection of Cu2+on surface modified nanoporous gold in aqueous solution is reported. Nanoporous gold electrodes were prepared with a wide range of pore sizes by dealloying of sputtered gold–silver alloys in concentrated nitric acid. Varying the pore sizes can significantly improve the electroactive surface area of the electrodes as well as protect the surface from biofouling materials, both necessary for the direct detection of trace metals in untreated samples. Two surface modificationsi. e. a self‐assembled monolayer of 3‐mercapto‐1‐propanesulfonate and electro‐grafted benzene diazonium sulfonate were evaluated. Underpotential deposition of Cu2+and subsequent stripping of the deposited copper was achieved utilizing square wave voltammetry. The sensor was capable of accurately measuring Cu2+concentrations in a range of water samples (tap, rain and river water) without the necessity of prior pre‐treatment of the samples. The sensor had a linear range of 0.2 to 25 μM, which encompasses the accepted maximum limit for the concentration of copper in drinking water (20.5 μM). The sensitivity was 8.18 μA cm−2 μM−1with a limit of detection of 18.9 nM (∼1.2 ppb). The response of the sensor in artificial human serum was unaffected by the sample matrix, demonstrating the ability of the system to resist fouling by serum
The Effect of Cation Mixing in LiNiO2 toward the Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Ren Yadan , Yamaguchi Ryusei , Uchiyama Tomoki , Orikasa Yuki , Watanabe Toshiki , Yamamoto Kentaro , Matsunaga Toshiyuki , Nishiki Yoshinori , Mitsushima Shigenori , Uchimoto Yoshiharu
Published: November 2020

Nickel‐based oxide catalysts are widely used for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline water electrolysis because of their low cost and high activity. In particular, the LiNiO2 catalyst shows high activity. Therefore, to elucidate the fundamental relationship between the local structure, catalyst activity, and stability of LiNiO2, we investigated the cation mixing effect by mixing sites of lithium and nickel ions in the LiNiO2‐based catalysts. Lower degrees of cation mixing lead to higher intrinsic OER activity but lower long‐term stability. The X‐ray absorption spectra (XAS) displayed a strong hybridization state of the Ni 3d and O 2p orbitals, which is the origin of the different catalytic activity behaviors. Meanwhile, operando XAS studies combined with potentiostatic stability tests and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP‐OES) demonstrated the Li ion loss during the OER process. Thus, the instability of LiNiO2 originates from de‐intercalation of Li ions and this irreversible structure change deteriorates the performance. Hindering the lithium diffusion path by cation mixing is a useful strategy for maintaining performance. This strategy could provide a novel design principle for compatible high activity and long‐lasting catalysts by reasonable structure mediation.
Carbon‐based metal‐free catalysts for electrochemical CO2 reduction: Activity, selectivity, and stability
Authors: Masood ul Hasan Israr , Peng Luwei , Mao Jianfeng , He Ruinan , Wang Yongxia , Fu Jing , Xu Nengneng , Qiao Jinli
Published: November 2020

Zero or negative emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) is the need of the times, as inexorable rising and alarming levels of CO2 in the atmosphere lead to global warming and severe climate change. The electrochemical CO2 reduction (eCO2R) to value‐added fuels and chemicals by using renewable electricity provides a cleaner and more sustainable route with economic benefits, in which the key is to develop clean and economical electrocatalysts. Carbon‐based catalyst materials possess desirable properties such as high offset potential for H2 evolution and chemical stability at the negative applied potential. Although it is still challenging to achieve highly efficient carbon‐based catalysts, considerable efforts have been devoted to overcoming the low selectivity, activity, and stability. Here, we summarize and discuss the recent progress in carbon‐based metal‐free catalysts including carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, carbon nanoribbons, graphene, carbon nitride, and diamonds with an emphasis on their activity, product selectivity, and stability. In addition, the key challenges and future potential approaches for efficient eCO2R to low carbon‐based fuels are highlighted. For a good understanding of the whole history of the development of eCO2R, the CO2 reduction reactions, principles, and techniques including the role of electrolytes, electrochemical cell design and evaluation, product selectivity, and structural composition are also discussed. The metal/metal oxides decorated with carbon‐based electrocatalysts are also summarized. We aim to provide insights for further development of carbon‐based metal‐free electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction from the perspective of both fundamental understanding and technological applications in the future.
Synthesis of Tunable Syngas on Cobalt‐Based Catalysts towards Carbon Dioxide Reduction
Authors: Huang Mengke , Kong Xiangdong , Wang Cheng , Geng Zhigang , Zeng Jie , Bao Jun
Published: November 2020

CO2 electroreduction, which coupled the application of renewable electricity, paved a promising way for syngas synthesis. Herein, we demonstrated that Co‐based N doped carbon prepared by a simple pyrolysis method provided an ideal platform to generate syngas with tunable ratios of H2 to CO. During CO2 electroreduction, Co‐based N doped carbon exhibited the highest faradaic efficiency (FE) of 56.3% for CO with a total current density of 10.8 mA cm−2 at −0.9 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode. Structural characterizations showed that the co‐existence of Co0 and Co2+ was responsible for the synthesis of tunable syngas. Notably, we obtained syngas with tunable ratios of H2 to CO ranging from ∼1 : 1 to 3 : 1 with the highest current density reaching 47.6 mA cm−2. This work provides a green way to produce syngas for further applications.
Innovative Protocols in the Catalytic Oxidation of 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural
Authors: Su Ting , Zhao Deyang , Wang Yantao , Lü Hongying , Varma Rajender S. , Len Christophe
Published: November 2020

5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) has been identified as one of the most promising biomass‐based multi‐purpose platform molecules. Innovative protocols, namely electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, and microwave (MW)‐assisted chemistry, as well as continuous‐flow systems, add a new dimension and another promising toolbox for the oxidation of HMF in recent years. This Minireview deals with recent progress in the catalytic oxidation of HMF to 2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) and other intermediates using noble, non‐noble, and metal‐free systems deploying emerging protocols. Selective HMF downstream oxidation products could be obtained not only via common catalyst modifications, namely nature of the metal, preparative method, and the property of deployed support, but also by using innovative processes.
Adding the third dimension to studies of parallel evolution of morphology and function: An exploration based on parapatric lake‐stream stickleback
Authors: Haines Grant E. , Stuart Yoel E. , Hanson Dieta , Tasneem Tania , Bolnick Daniel I. , Larsson Hans C. E. , Hendry Andrew P.
Published: November 2020

Recent methodological advances have led to a rapid expansion of evolutionary studies employing three‐dimensional landmark‐based geometric morphometrics (GM). GM methods generally enable researchers to capture and compare complex shape phenotypes, and to quantify their relationship to environmental gradients. However, some recent studies have shown that the common, inexpensive, and relatively rapid two‐dimensional GM methods can distort important information and produce misleading results because they cannot capture variation in the depth (Z) dimension. We use micro‐CT scanned threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatusLinnaeus, 1758) from six parapatric lake‐stream populations on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, to test whether the loss of the depth dimension in 2D GM studies results in misleading interpretations of parallel evolution. Using joint locations described with 2D or 3D landmarks, we compare results from separate 2D and 3D shape spaces, from a combined 2D‐3D shape space, and from estimates of biomechanical function. We show that, although shape is distorted enough in 2D projections to strongly influence the interpretation of morphological parallelism, estimates of biomechanical function are relatively robust to the loss of the Z dimension.
Similar mechanisms underlie beta diversity of bryophytes in two archipelagos with different isolation time
Authors: Liu Jinliang , Zheng Shilu , Tiwari Ravi Mohan , Liu Libin , Han Wenjuan , Liu Jiajia
Published: November 2020

Community assembly of island plants is a central topic in island biogeography. Most previous studies have focused on seed plants, while our understanding of bryophytes is limited. Specifically, how dispersal limitation and habitat heterogeneity shape beta diversity of bryophyte communities on islands remains unknown. We used two datasets of bryophyte communities from an artificial (~60 yr of isolation) and natural archipelago (~8500 yr of isolation) to understand their beta diversity patterns. The null model, in which species could disperse randomly and colonize successfully between islands, but the number of species on each island and the frequency of each species occurrence across all islands remain unchanged, was used to calculate expected beta diversity. Although we found significant differences in species composition between the two archipelagos, the difference in observed beta diversity was negligible. Further, there was no significant difference between observed and expected beta diversity in each archipelago. The difference in island area, rather than isolation, was significantly correlated with the beta diversity of bryophytes in both archipelagos. Our results suggest that the dispersal limitation is not the major ecological process driving the assembly of bryophyte communities in both archipelagos, but the habitat heterogeneity related to island area determines the beta diversity of bryophytes.
Inherent Oxygen‐ and Nitrogen‐Doped Porous Carbon Derived from Biomass of Tamarind Leaf for High‐Performance Supercapacitor Application
Authors: Chakraborty Rishika , Maji Pradip K. , Verma Chhavi , Kumar Nayak Arpan , Shankar Singha Shib , Pradhan Mukul
Published: November 2020

Herein, oxygen‐ and nitrogen‐doped porous carbon material using tamarind leaves via simple chemical activation and carbonization process are presented. Subsequently, the as‐obtained material has not only exhibited a 3D hierarchical honeycomb‐like framework but equally reveals a high specific surface area of 1212 m2 g−1. In favor of the synergistic relationship between the tailored pore architecture and surface enriched heteroatoms, the electrochemical performances are evaluated in a three‐electrode system and by constructing a symmetric solid‐state device. A specific capacitance of 370, 293, and 193 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 is achieved in a three‐electrode system using H2SO4, Na2SO4, and KOH electrolytes, respectively, with electrochemical double‐layer capacitor (EDLC) and pseudocapacitive contributions. Moreover, a high energy density of 36.96 Wh kg−1 at 1 A g−1 and a high power density of 4.49 kW kg−1 at 10 A g−1 are obtained from the assembled solid‐state device along with excellent capacitive retention of 93% after 5000 cycles.
Heracleum moellendorffii root extracts exert immunostimulatory activity through TLR2/4‐dependent MAPK activation in mouse macrophages, RAW264.7 cells
Authors: Son Ho Jun , Eo Hyun Ji , Park Gwang Hun , Jeong Jin Boo
Published: November 2020

Heracleum moellendorffii (H. moellendorffii) is a family of Umbelliferae and has long been used for food and medicinal purposes. However, the immune‐enhancing activity of H. moellendorffii has not been studied. Thus, we evaluated in vitro immune‐enhancing activity of H. moellendorffii through macrophage activation using RAW264.7 cells. Heracleum moellendorffii Root extracts (HMR) increased the production of immunomodulators such as NO, iNOS, IL‐1β, IL‐6 IL‐12, TNF‐α, and MCP‐1 and activated phagocytosis in RAW264.7 cells. Inhibition of TLR2 and TLR4 reduced the production of immunomodulators induced by HMR. Inhibition of MAPK signaling attenuated the production of immunomodulators induced by HMR, but inhibitions of NF‐κB or PI3K/AKT signaling did not affect HMR‐mediated production of immunomodulators. HMR activated MAPK signaling pathway, and activation of MAPK signaling pathways by HMR was reversed by TLR2 and TLR4 inhibition. Based on the results of this study, HMR is thought to activate macrophages through the production of immunomodulators and phagocytosis activation through TLR2/4‐dependent MAPK signaling pathway. Therefore, it is thought that HMR has the potential to be used as an agent for enhancing immunity.
Experimental investigations of a small‐scale solar‐assisted absorption cooling system
Authors: Qadeer Adil , Hussain Shafqat , Ali Muzaffar , Khan Maham
Published: November 2020

The present study deals with a small‐scale solar‐assisted absorption cooling system having a cooling capacity of 3.52 kW and was investigated experimentally under the climatic conditions of Taxila, Pakistan. Initially, a mathematical model was developed for LiBr/H2O vapor absorption system alongside flat‐plate solar thermal collectors to achieve the required operating temperature range of 75°C. Following this, a parametric analysis of the whole system was performed, including various design and climate parameters, such as the working temperatures of the generator, evaporator, condenser, absorber, mass flow rate, and coefficient of performance (COP) of the system. An experimental setup was coupled with solar collectors and instruments to get hot water using solar energy and measurements of main parameters for real‐time performance assessment. From the results obtained, it was revealed that the maximum average COP of the system achieved was 0.70, and the maximum outlet temperature from solar thermal collectors was 75°C. A sensitivity analysis was performed to validate the potential of the absorption machine in the seasonal cooling demand. An economic valuation was accomplished based on the current cost of conventional cooling systems. It was established that the solar cooling system is economical only when shared with domestic water heating.