bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Improved Hybrid Algorithm for Optimizing the Parameters of Hidden Markov Models
Authors: Danaa Abukari Abdul Aziz , Daabo Mohammed Ibrahim , Abdul-Barik Alhassan
Published: June 2021

Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) have become increasingly popular in the last several years due to the fact that, the models are very rich in mathematical structure and hence can form the theoretical basis for use in a wide range of applications. Various algorithms have been proposed in literature for optimizing the parameters of these models to make them applicable in real-life. However, the performance of these algorithms has remained computationally challenging largely due to slow/premature convergence and their sensitivity to preliminary estimates. In this paper, a hybrid algorithm comprising the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Baum-Welch (BW), and Genetic Algorithms (GA) is proposed and implemented for optimizing the parameters of HMMs. The algorithm not only overcomes the shortcomings of the slow convergence speed of the PSO but also helps the BW escape from local optimal solution whilst improving the performance of GA despite the increase in the search space. Detailed experimental results demonstrates the effectiveness of our proposed approach when compared to other techniques available in literature.
The Impact of the COVID 19 Pandemic on the Digitalization of Municipal Administration, the Development of E-Governance
Authors: Mustafa Kujtim , Mustafa Ragmi , Ahmedi Basri
Published: June 2021

This paper essentially addresses the importance and contribution of digitalization in the creation and implementation of public policies, thus analyzing the activity of the Municipal Administration in Gjilan, Vitia, and Kamenica, the principles on which it relies and administrative bodies as an important part of administration. First, the importance of Public Administration and its principles is presented, then Municipal Administration and Ethics in Municipal Administration. It then analyzes E-Government and E-Kiosk as an important structure of the administration and the role it has given so far in administrative reform as one of the advantages for the integration of Municipal Administrations, strong management and use of information technology for a smooth-running of work quickly and accurately, especially in protecting the health of citizens from the Covid-19 Pandemic. To achieve the purpose of this paper, the method of surveying citizens directly through questionnaires was used. The questions are mostly qualitative and they are closed-type, open-type, but there are also Liker type. The questionnaire was used to survey 60 participants from the Municipality of Gjilan, 50 participants from the Municipality of Vitia and 50 participants from the Municipality of Kamenica. After completing the questionnaire, it was concluded that the digitalization of the Municipal Administration requires well-trained staff and continuous   maintenance of information systems. E-Government should be the main goal in the reform of the municipal administration, which will promote radical changes such as: a   new way of management, discussions and communication, more efficient and faster   decision-making, access for all to services, elimination of corruption and administrative  silence. It is a driving force for the reorganization and renewal of administration services. It also protects the health of citizens from contagious diseases, especially during the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Common Beans and Abiotic Stress Challenges
Authors: Lone Ajaz A. , Khan M. N. , Gul Audil , Dar Zahoor A. , Iqbal Asif M. , Lone Bilal A. , Ahangar Ashraf , Rasool Faisul Ur , Khan Mehfooza Habib , Ali G. , Nisar Fouzea , Fayaz Asma
Published: June 2021

Legumes are well recognized for their nutritional and health benefits as well as for their impact in the sustainability of agricultural systems. The threatening scenario imposed by climate change highlights the need for concerted research approaches in order to develop crops that are able to cope with environmental stresses, while increasing yield and quality. Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plays a significant role in human diets around the world, especially in developing countries and particularly in Asian Sub continent. It is very rich in protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Common beans face major production challenge in the form of various abiotic stresses like drought, cold temperature and salinity. Abiotic stresses play a major role in determining overall returns and also affects the differential distribution of the plant species across different types of environments. These stresses hamper production potential of beans and result in declining of final harvests. These traits are very complex in their expression behavior and their per se inheritance from one generation to next one. Abiotic stress resilience is most of the times governed by polygenic nature of inheritance and often conditioned by multiple factor interacting mechanisms right from physiological, biochemical and genetical processes. Enough has to be explored regarding effect severity and crop stage susceptibility against drought or moisture stress and to optimize the severity of stress to be put on in the field. This review draft will consider different aspects of common bean with respect to different prevailing abiotic stresses, and will suggest an better plant ideotype with a summation of most desirable traits to handle effectively with the unpredictability of abiotic stress, and their heavy impact.
Field Efficacy of Thiophanate Methyl 44.8% + Kasugamycin 2.6% Sc against Major Foliar Diseases of Tomato
Authors: Narayanaswamy H. , Patil Balanagouda , Pruthviraj .
Published: June 2021

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is the important edible solanaceous plant originated from western South and Central America. Despite botanically being a fruit, it’s generally eaten and preferred like a vegetable. Tomatoes are the major dietary source of the antioxidant lycopene,   which has been linked to many health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease                  and cancer. Early blight caused by Alternaria solani and powdery mildew caused by Erysiphe    orontii and bacterial leaf spot caused by Xanthomonas campestris has become a serious       problem for successful cultivation of tomato. Therefore, a field experiment was carried out to      know the efficacy of Thiophanate methyl 44.8% + Kasugamycin 2.6% Sc on tomato diseases   during 2017-18 and 2018-19, at College of Agriculture, Shivamogga. Experimental results     revealed that all the treatments significantly reduced the early blight, bacterial leaf spot and powdery mildew disease severity over untreated control. Among all the treatments Thiophanate methyl 44.8% + Kasugamycin 2.6% SC @ 1250 ml/ha recorded significantly less Per cent Disease Index (PDI) of Early blight (Alternaria solani) (7.78 % and 10.19 %), Bacterial leaf spot (Xanthomonas campestris) ( 3.96 and 1.39 %) and Powdery mildew (Erysiphe orontii) ( 1.67 and 2.50 %) with yield of 340.33 and 333.33 q/ha followed by Thiophanate methyl 44.8% + Kasugamycin 2.6% SC @ 1000 ml/ha.
Calophyllum brasiliense Extracts Induced Apoptosis in Human Breast Adenocarcinoma Cells
Authors: Correia Michelle S. F. , Alvares-Saraiva Anuska M. , Hurtado Elizabeth C. P. , Paciencia Mateus L. B. , Konno Fabiana T. C. , Frana Sergio A. , Suffredini Ivana B.
Published: June 2021

Aims: Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is linked to several mechanisms of cell growth control. The present work aimed at evaluating the induction of apoptosis in MCF-7 human breast adenocarcinoma cell by Calophyllum brasiliense.
Study design: The tests were performed in triplicates in the apoptosis assays and sextuplicates in the cytotoxic assays, to each group, and the data expressed the mean +/- standard deviations. The cytotoxicity IC50s were obtained based on nonlinear regression curve fit. Two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s tests were applied in the apoptosis analyses.
Place and duration of study: The work was done at the Center for Research in Biodiversity (Cell Culture Laboratory, and Phytochemistry Laboratory), and Research Center (Molecular Biology Laboratory), Paulista University, between Jan 2019 and Dec 2019.
Methodology: Two aqueous extracts, obtained from the stem (STE) and from the leaves (LFE) of Calophyllum brasiliense by a 24-h maceration, were submitted to a cytotoxic assay against MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines at the concentrations of 0.01 µg/ml, 0.1 µg/ml, 1.0 µg/ml, 10 µg/ml and 100 µg/ml. They were also subjected to the evaluation of apoptosis and necrosis cell death induction at concentrations of 50, 100 and 200 μg/ml, after 6 h, 12 h and 24 h. Curcumin was used as a reference drug for both cytotoxic (50 mM, 5.0 mM, 0.5 mM, 0.05 mM and 0.005 mM ) and apoptosis/necrosis (12.5 μM, 25 μM and 50 μM / 6 h, 12 h and 24 h) assays. Apoptosis and necrosis were accessed by the use of annexin V and 7-AAD, in a two-channel flow cytometer.
Results: In terms of the cytotoxic activity, STE (IC50 7.86 µg/ml) was more toxic than LFE (IC50 74.35 µg/ml), and curcumin IC50 was 0.00159 µg/ml. STE induced 21.19 % and LFE, 20.63 %, in comparison to 13.4% of apoptosis induction by curcumin. The results of apoptosis induction in the cancer cells were achieved at 24 h, extract concentrations at 100 µg/ml.
Conclusion: Both the extracts, STE and LFE, were cytotoxic against MCF-7 breast cancer cell line, and induced more apoptosis in MCF-7 cells than curcumin, suggesting that they are high potential sources of natural product-inducing apoptosis agents to be used against adenocarcinoma breast cells.
Inactivation Kinetics and Thermodynamics Parameters of Polyphenol Oxidase and Peroxidase Activities in an Extract from of Violet Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)
Authors: Yapi Jocelyn Constant , Ekissi Gbocho Serge Elvis , Ya Kouame Claude , Kouamé Patrice Lucien
Published: June 2021

Enzymatic browning is associated with the action of polyphenol oxidases (PPO) and peroxidases (POD). The products of these enzymes cause undesirable changes of color and flavor of processed eggplant products. The present study aimed to evaluate kinetic properties and thermodynamics parameters of PPO and POD activities for controlling this undesirable process in extract from of violet eggplant. The effect of heat treatment on polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activities in violet eggplant were studied over a range of 30 to 80 °C. T1/2-values of enzymatic activities are between 6.15 ± 0.03 and 13,27 ± 0,04 min at 80 °C, they decreased with increasing temperature, indicating a difference thermostability of each enzyme. D- and k-values decreased and increased, respectively, with increasing temperature, indicating faster of these enzymes inactivation at higher temperatures. Results suggested that polyphenol oxydase and peroxidase were relatively thermostable enzymes with a Z-value which from 50.25 and from 88.33 °C and Ea of 41.21 and of 27.78 kJmol-1. Thermodynamic parameters were also calculated. The Gibbs free energy ΔG values range from 43.24 ± 0,03 to 91.45 ± 0,01 kJ/mol. These kinetic data can be used to predict prevention of browning in the violet eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) by thermal inactivation of enzymes.
Malaria Infection Prevalence and Haematological Profiles of Nursery and Primary School Children in Fegge, Onitsha, Anambra State-Nigeria
Authors: Onyido A. E. , Esene J. O. , Anumba J. U. , Umeanaeto P. U. , Ugha C. , Umenzekwe C. C. , Obiezue R. N. N.
Published: June 2021

A study on malaria infection prevalence and haematological profiles of nursery and primary school pupils aged 0 – 14 years old was conducted in three selected primary schools in Fegge, Onitsha South Local Government Area, Anambra State. Three hundred and sixty (360) pupils were randomly selected from the schools and 2ml of venous blood was collected by venipuncture. Thick and thin blood films were made and stained with Field’s stain A and B. Haematological profiles such as Haemoglobin, White Blood Cell Count, Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (Hb) Concentration and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate were determined using the anticoagulated blood samples. Of the 360 blood samples examined, 342 (95.0%) comprising 170 (47.22%) males and 172 (47.78%) females were positive for Plasmodium falciparum across the three primary schools. Differences in malaria prevalence among the schools and gender was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Pupils within the age group 3 - 5 and 6 - 8 years recorded the highest infection rate of 118 (96.72%) and 102 (96.22%) respectively which was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The highest percentage of the pupils 10 (55.6%) with heavy malaria intensity had their haemoglobin levels within the lower normal range of 11.0 – 11.9g/dl. There were significant and no significant differences in the haematological profiles of the pupils – Haemoglobin and Packed Cell Volume (P<0.05) indicating mild anaemia, while White Blood Cell Counts (P>0.05) indicates mild leukopenia and for Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (P>0.05). The study showed that malaria is holoendemic in Fegge area of Onitsha and poses a significant health problem for the children in the study area. Improved health education in the schools on preventive measures for malaria transmission including integrated vector control to reduce vector-man is recommended.
Role of Hypouricemic Agents in Tumor Lysis Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Alshehri Waleed , Aljohani Abdulrahman , Alhasani Reem , Alshammari Anood , Alhamoud Jwael A. , Alruwaili Atheer , Altemani Omniah , Bahabri Ali , Alahmadi Hassan , Alderaan Shaykhah , Almutairi Afnan , Alsehli Marwan , Almohammadi Mohammed , Almaleki Faisal , Alotaibi Hamoud
Published: June 2021

Objective and background: Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a life-threatening emergency and demands emergency care of effective outcome with minimal or no side effects. The Hypouricemic agents, including Rasburicase, Allopurinol and Febuxostate used for the management of TLS. This study was designed to evaluate the Role of Hypouricemic agents by analyzing TLS development rate, control of uric acid, and Creatinine levels.

Methods: An extensive electronic data search was conducted by using all leading scientific databases. Twenty-six studies were selected to conduct this study, as per the inclusion criteria.

Results: The Odd ratio of TLS development rate was 4.06, 1.24, and 1.49 by Rusbricase, Allopurinol & Febuxostate administration respectively. 95% confidence interval was reported by selected studies against TLS development rate, Uric acid, and Creatinine levels by administrating Rusbricase, Allopurinol & Febuxostate.

Conclusion: All Hypouricemic agents, including Rasburicase, Allopurinol and Febuxostate, are effective to manage Tumor lysis Syndrome. However, a suitable and most effective intervention dose needs to identify with better efficacy and minimal side effects both in Adults and Children.
Investment Priorities of the Budgets for Disaster and Safety Management Projects Based on Euclidean Distance with AHP
Authors: Cho Hyeonu , Choi Seungyong
Published: June 2021

The object of this study is to determine investment priorities for various types of disasters and accidents in order to promote the investment efficiency of disaster and safety management budgets. To this end, data were collected on 35 types of disasters and accidents and damage statistics for the five most recent years (2014-2018) from 43 disaster and safety management projects budgets. Factors are (ｉ) the damage status of overall disasters and accidents: annual average number of occurrences, human casualties, and property losses, and (ⅱ) the characteristics of large-scale events: occurrence cycle, human casualties per disaster, and property losses per disaster. Investment priority was determined using Euclidean distance with weights determined by the AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process) to represent the current status of damage caused by disasters and accidents. As a result, storm⋅flood and maritime accidents were found to have greatest investment priority. Heat waves, heavy snows (including cold waves), infectious diseases, suicides, fires (including explosions), and accidents in vulnerable social groups show a higher ranking of investment priority. Massive investment in disaster and safety management focusing on these types is necessary.
Digital Terrestrial Broadcast Standards
Authors: Montalban Jon , Iradier Eneko , Fanari Lorenzo , Siebert Peter
Published: June 2021

The European Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) project started in 1993 as an industry forum providing the specifications for digital broadcast. Afterwards, the first Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) system, DVB‐Terrestrial (DVB‐T), was standardized in 1997, and one year later, the first DVB‐T broadcast began in Sweden and the UK. In September 2009, ETSI published the first version of the second generation standard (DVB‐T2), where the data‐carrying capacity of a single Radio Frequency (RF) broadcast channel was notably increased. Specifically, a minimum capacity increase of 30% was achieved as well as improved SFN performances, a mechanism to reduce the peak‐to‐average‐power ratio (PAPR), sand a flexible frame structure for Physical Layer Pipes (PLPs). This article starts with a system overview of the DVB‐T2 standard, and then, the general architecture of the DVB‐T2 transceiver is comprehensively described module by module. This work also gathers a comprehensive review of the available implementation and evaluation results of the standard.
3D Lattice‐Matching Layered Hydroxide Heterostructure with Improved Interfacial Charge Transfer and Ion Diffusion for High Energy Density Supercapacitor
Authors: Liu Huanji , Zhu Juncheng , Tian Dan , Carvalho Rodrigo , Shi Zhicheng , Cai Zhao , Chang Xinghua , Araujo Carlos Moyses , Zhou Yu , Zhu Jiliang
Published: June 2021

The electrochemical charge storage mostly relies on the electrical properties of complex interfaces and electrode materials as well as the dynamic ions diffusion in the electrolytes. Nickel‐cobalt layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with tunable chemical composition are promising for electrochemical supercapacitors, where the theoretical performance could be up to 3000 F g−1. However, the experimental performances of NiCo‐LDHs are still limited by low charge transfer rate and slow dynamic ions diffusion. Here, a 3D lattice matching Ni0.85Co0.15(OH)2@α‐Co(OH)2 heterostructure is epitaxially grown. The experimental results and theoretical calculation confirm that such a 3D heterostructure could improve charge transfer abilities and accelerated ions diffusion. The specific capacitance of 2480 F g−1 and retained 71% of the initial capacitance at high current density of 30 A g−1 have been achieved by optimal Co(OH)2 amount of 20 mg (NCC‐20). Asymmetric button devices and soft‐pack devices have been demonstrated with exceptional energy densities of 69.2 and 65.7 Wh kg−1 at power densities of 0.79 and 0.78 kW kg−1, and maintained 88% and 80% initial capacitance under 10 000 cycles, respectively. The general design principles clearly demonstrate the importance of electrochemical interface and dynamic process, paving the way to push forward the application capability of electrochemical devices.
Influence of Temperature on Photodetection Properties of Honeycomb‐like GaN Nanostructures
Authors: Jain Shubhendra Kumar , Low Mei Xian , Vashishtha Pargam , Nirantar Shruti , Zhu Liangchen , Ton‐That Cuong , Ahmed Taimur , Sriram Sharath , Walia Sumeet , Gupta Govind , Bhaskaran Madhu
Published: June 2021

Broadband photodetectors operable under harsh temperature conditions are crucial optoelectronic components to support ongoing and futuristic technological advancement. Conventional photodetectors are limited to room temperature operation due to the thermal instability of semiconductors under harsh conditions and incapable of covering the ultraviolet (UV) spectrum due to narrow bandgap properties. Gallium nitride (GaN) is a wide bandgap and thermally stable semiconductor, ideal for addressing the abovementioned limitations. Here, epitaxial honeycomb nanostructured GaN film is grown via a plasma‐assisted molecular beam epitaxy system and deployed for stable broadband photodetectors, which can be operated from −75 to 250 °C. Further, spectral response is investigated for a broad spectrum from UV (280 nm) to near‐infrared (850 nm) region. It displays a peak responsivity at 365 nm associated to the bandgap energy of GaN. Fabricated photodetectors with honeycomb‐like nanostructures drive peak responsivity and external quantum efficiency of 2.41 × 106 AW−1 and 8.18 × 108%, respectively, when illuminated at a power density of 1 mWcm−2 and 365 nm wavelength source under 1 V bias. Temperature‐correlated spectral response presents a quenching of responsivity at higher temperatures in visible spectrum associated with the thermal quenching of defect states. The thermally stable and efficient broadband photodetector based on honeycomb‐like nanostructured GaN is promising for the combustion industry, arctic science, and space explorations.
Hybrid Gate Dielectric of MoS2 Transistors for Enhanced Photo‐Electronic Stability
Authors: Park Hamin , Oh Dong Sik , Hong Woonggi , Kang Juyeon , Lee Geon‐Beom , Shin Gwang Hyuk , Choi Yang‐Kyu , Im Sung Gap , Choi Sung‐Yool
Published: June 2021

MoS2 thin‐film transistors (TFTs) have been widely studied for use as driving TFTs of active‐matrix displays considering their outstanding electrical advantages such as high mobility and high on/off current ratio. However, due to the atomically thin nature of MoS2, the device performance of MoS2 TFTs suffers from trap sites at the interface. In this study, a hybrid gate dielectric based on an interface engineering strategy using poly(1,3,5‐trivinyl‐1,3,5‐trimethyl cyclotrisiloxane) (pV3D3) via initiated chemical vapor deposition is investigated to enhance the negative bias illumination stress (NBIS) stability of MoS2 TFTs. Compared to a single oxide dielectric layer (Al2O3), a hybrid dielectric layer (pV3D3/Al2O3) exhibits decreased threshold voltage shift under NBIS by reducing functional groups, such as hydroxyl (OH−) group, which act as charge trapping sites at the interface between the MoS2 channel and the gate dielectric. It is confirmed by quantitative analysis using the stretched‐exponential model. Tau (τ), one of the modeling parameters in the stretched‐exponential model, decreases from 210 to 120 s, indicating the improvement in stability. Furthermore, in a low‐frequency noise (1/f) measurement, hybrid‐dielectric‐based TFTs show an order of magnitude lower noise power spectral density (SID/ID2) than single‐oxide‐dielectric‐based TFTs.
Defect‐Engineered n‐Doping of WSe2 via Argon Plasma Treatment and Its Application in Field‐Effect Transistors
Authors: Kim Junghun , Park Hyunik , Yoo SangHyuk , Im Yeon‐Ho , Kang Keonwook , Kim Jihyun
Published: June 2021

Doping of van der Waals layered semiconductor materials is an essential technique to realize their full potential for implementation in nanoelectronics. Herein, defect‐engineered and area‐selective n‐doping of ambipolar multi‐layer WSe2 are demonstrated via Ar plasma treatment. The contact regions of the WSe2 are exposed to a mild Ar plasma treatment to induce Se vacancy, while the channel region is protected by a hexagonal boron nitride. The results are systematically analyzed using structural and optical characterization methods, and the origin of the n‐type properties in the plasma‐treated WSe2 is proposed using plane‐wave density functional theory calculations. The formation of a defect‐induced donor level in the source and drain regions of the multi‐layer WSe2 helps to improve the contact behaviors in field‐effect transistors (FETs), enhancing the transport of the free electrons. The n‐channel current on/off ratio (from 12.8 to 8.3 × 106) and contact resistance (as low as 2.68 kΩ∙mm) of the n‐type WSe2 FETs are greatly improved by the area‐specific Ar plasma treatment, enabling the fabrication of a WSe2‐based complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor inverter. This method provides a viable route to control the carrier type and concentration in ambipolar van der Waals layered semiconductors, paving the way for high‐performance nanoelectronic devices.
Biodiversity at the global scale: the synthesis continues
Authors: Folk Ryan A. , Siniscalchi Carolina M.
Published: June 2021

Traditionally, the generation and use of biodiversity data and their associated specimen objects have been primarily the purview of individuals and small research groups. While deposition of data and specimens in herbaria and other repositories has long been the norm, throughout most of their history, these resources have been accessible only to a small community of specialists. Through recent concerted efforts, primarily at the level of national and international governmental agencies over the last two decades, the pace of biodiversity data accumulation has accelerated, and a wider array of biodiversity scientists has gained access to this massive accumulation of resources, applying them to an ever‐widening compass of research pursuits. We review how these new resources and increasing access to them are affecting the landscape of biodiversity research in plants today, focusing on new applications across evolution, ecology, and other fields that have been enabled specifically by the availability of these data and the global scope that was previously beyond the reach of individual investigators. We give an overview of recent advances organized along three lines: broad‐scale analyses of distributional data and spatial information, phylogenetic research circumscribing large clades with comprehensive taxon sampling, and data sets derived from improved accessibility of biodiversity literature. We also review synergies between large data resources and more traditional data collection paradigms, describe shortfalls and how to overcome them, and reflect on the future of plant biodiversity analyses in light of increasing linkages between data types and scientists in our field.
Sex differences and shifts in body composition, physical activity, and total energy expenditure across a 3‐month expedition
Authors: Sarma Mallika S. , Ocobock Cara J. , Martin Sarah , Rochelle Shannon , Croom Brendan P. , Gettler Lee T.
Published: June 2021

Objectives

An energetically demanding environment like a wilderness expedition can lead to potent stressors on human physiology and homeostatic balance causing shifts in energy expenditure and body composition. These shifts likely have consequences on overall health and performance and may potentially differ by sex. It is therefore critical to understand the potential differential body composition and energy expenditure changes in response to a novel and challenging environment in both males and female bodies.

Methods

Data were collected from 75 healthy individuals (female = 41; ages 18–53) throughout a 3‐month long expedition in the American Rockies. Body mass, body fat, and lean muscle mass were measured before, during, and after the course. Physical activity intensity and energy expenditure were also measured in a subset of participants using the wGT3X‐BT Actigraph wrist monitor and an accompanying Bluetooth heart rate monitor.

Results

Over the 3‐month period, individuals initially experienced declines in body mass, body fat percentage, and lean muscle mass. Participants partially rebounded from these deficits to maintain overall body mass with a slight recomposition of body fat and lean muscle mass. Our data also demonstrated that sex moderated total energy expenditure, where females experienced a modest decline whereas males experienced an increase in energy expenditure from the beginning to the end of the course.

Conclusions

Understanding changes in energy storage in the body and variation in energy expenditure between sexes during a 3‐month expedition has critical implications for maintaining health and performance in an energetically demanding environment where resources may be scarce.
Thionitrite and Perthionitrite in NO Signaling at Zinc
Authors: Hosseininasab Valiallah , Bertke Jeffery A. , Warren Timothy H.
Published: June 2021

NO and H2S serve as signaling molecules in biology with intertwined reactivity. HSNO and HSSNO with their conjugate bases −SNO and −SSNO form in the reaction of H2S with NO as well as S‐nitrosothiols (RSNO) and nitrite (NO2−) that serve as NO reservoirs. While HSNO and HSSNO are elusive, their conjugate bases form isolable zinc complexes Ph,MeTpZn(SNO) and Ph,MeTpZn(SSNO) supported by tris(pyrazolyl)borate ligands. Reaction of Na(15‐C‐5)SSNO with Ph,MeTpZn(ClO4) provides Ph,MeTpZn(SSNO) that undergoes S‐atom removal by PEt3 to give Ph,MeTpZn(SNO) and S=PEt3. Unexpectedly stable at room temperature, these Zn‐SNO and Zn‐SSNO complexes release NO upon heating. Ph,MeTpZn(SNO) and Ph,MeTpZn(SSNO) quickly react with acidic thiols such as C6F5SH to form N2O and NO, respectively. Increasing the thiol basicity in p‐substituted aromatic thiols 4−XArSH in the reaction with Ph,MeTpZn(SNO) turns on competing S‐nitrosation to form Ph,MeTpZn‐SH and RSNO, the latter a known precursor for NO.
Catalytic System‐Controlled Divergent Reaction Strategies for the Construction of Diversified Spiropyrazolone Skeletons from Pyrazolidinones and Diazopyrazolones
Authors: Fang Feifei , Hu Shulei , Li Chunpu , Wang Qian , Wang Run , Han Xu , Zhou Yu , Liu Hong
Published: June 2021

A catalytic system‐controlled divergent reaction strategy was here reported to construct four types of intriguing spiroheterocyclic skeletons from simple and readily available starting materials via a precise chemical bond activation/[n+1] annulation cascade. The tetraazaspiroheterocyclic and trizazspiroheterocyclic scaffolds could be independently constructed by a selective N−N bond activation/[n+1] annulation cascade, a C(sp2)‐H activation/[4+1] annulation and a novel tandem C(sp2)‐H/C(sp3)−H bond activation/[4+1] annulation strategy, along with a broad scope of substrates, moderate to excellent yields and valuable transformations. More importantly, in these transformations, we are the first time to capture a N−N bond activation and a C(sp3)−H bond activation of pyrazolidinones under different catalytic system.
Formation control with collision avoidance for underactuated surface vehicles
Authors: Xia Guoqing , Xia Xiaoming , Sun Xianxin
Published: June 2021

This paper investigates a formation tracking problem of underactuated surface vessels (USVs) with collision avoidance and input saturation. All nonlinearities induced by model uncertainties and disturbances are assumed to be unknown. A design of observer based on neural network is used to recover the velocity data and unknown uncertainties and disturbances. Distributed control laws are designed based on artificial potential functions (APFs), the observer, and a backstepping technique. The APFs combined with a practical category are used to avoid collision. Additional controllers are employed to deal with the input saturation and underactuated problems without affecting the capability of collision avoidance. The stability of formation control system is proved by using the Lyapunov's direct method. Simulation results are performed to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.
Microbioreactor (micro‐Matrix) potential in aerobic and anaerobic conditions with different industrially relevant microbial strains
Authors: D'ambrosio Sergio , Ventrone Michela , Alfano Alberto , Schiraldi Chiara , Cimini Donatella
Published: June 2021

Microscale fermentation systems are important high throughput tools in clone selection, and bioprocess set up and optimization, since they provide several parallel experiments in controlled conditions of pH, temperature, agitation, and gas flow rate. In this work we evaluated the performance of biotechnologically relevant strains with different respiratory requirements in the micro‐Matrix microbioreactor. In particular Escherichia coli K4 requires well aerated fermentation conditions to improve its native production of chondroitin‐like capsular polysaccharide, a biomedically attractive polymer. Results from batch and fed‐batch experiments demonstrated high reproducibility with those obtained on 2 L reactors, although highlighting a pronounced volume loss for longer‐term experiments. Basfia succiniciproducens and Actinobacillus succinogenes need CO2 addition for the production of succinic acid, a building block with several industrial applications. Different CO2 supply modes were tested for the two strains in 24 h batch experiments and results well compared with those obtained on lab‐scale bioreactors. Overall, it was demonstrated that the micro‐Matrix is a useful scale‐down tool that is suitable for growing metabolically different strains in simple batch process, however, a series of issues should still be addressed in order to fully exploit its potential.
Development of Zinc Hydroxide as an Abundant and Universal Cocatalyst for the Selective Photocatalytic Conversion of CO2 by H2O
Authors: Xu Xuanwen , Teramura Kentaro , Asakura Hiroyuki , Hosokawa Saburo , Tanaka Tsunehiro
Published: June 2021

Water splitting is always a strongly competitive reaction against the photocatalytic conversion of CO2 using H2O as the electron donor over powder photocatalysts. At present, only Ag nanoparticles function as a universal cocatalyst for the activity and selectivity of CO2 conversion in this regard. Herein, abundant Zn(OH)2 is investigated over various typical powder photocatalysts and shows attractive universality in the enhancement of activity and selectivity toward CO evolution from CO2. Taking ZnTa2O6 as an example, the rate of formation of H2 was suppressed (from 32.8 to 5.8 μmol h−1), while the formation of CO was dramatically promoted (from 18.4 to 81.4 μmol h−1) with Zn(OH)2 as the cocatalyst. Zn ions dissolved in solution and an alkaline electrical double layer of the photocatalysts are proved to be important for the function of Zn(OH)2.
Reusable Manganese Catalyst for Site‐Selective Pyridine C−H Arylations and Alkylations
Authors: Choi Isaac , Shen Zhigao , Ronge Emanuel , Karius Volker , Jooss Christian , Ackermann Lutz
Published: June 2021

Herein, we disclose a recyclable, hybrid manganese catalyst for site‐selective azine C−H activation by weak amide assistance. The novel, reusable catalyst enabled C3–H arylation and C3–H alkylation with ample scope, and was characterized by detailed transmission electron microscopy analysis.
Highly Efficient Trityl‐Nitroxide Biradicals for Biomolecular High‐Field Dynamic Nuclear Polarization
Authors: Cai Xinyi. , Lucini Paioni Alessandra , Adler Agnes , Yao Ru , Zhang Wenxiao , Beriashvili David , Safeer Adil , Gurinov Andrei , Rockenbauer Antal , Song Yuguang , Baldus Marc , Liu Yangping
Published: June 2021

Dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) is a powerful method to enhance the sensitivity of solid‐state magnetic nuclear resonance (ssNMR) spectroscopy. However, its biomolecular applications at high magnetic fields (preferably>14 T) have so far been limited by the intrinsically low efficiency of polarizing agents and sample preparation aspects. Herein, we report a new class of trityl‐nitroxide biradicals, dubbed SNAPols that combine high DNP efficiency with greatly enhanced hydrophilicity. SNAPol‐1, the best compound in the series, shows DNP enhancement factors at 18.8 T of more than 100 in small molecules and globular proteins and also exhibits strong DNP enhancements in membrane proteins and cellular preparations. By integrating optimal sensitivity and high resolution, we expect widespread applications of this new polarizing agent in high‐field DNP/ssNMR spectroscopy, especially for complex biomolecules.
Allergy‐related diseases and early gut fungal and bacterial microbiota abundances in children
Authors: Schei Kasper , Simpson Melanie Rae , Øien Torbjørn , Salamati Saideh , Rudi Knut , Ødegård Rønnaug Astri
Published: June 2021

Background

The early gut microbiota has been proposed as an important link between environmental exposures and development of allergy‐related diseases. Beyond the widely investigated associations between the gut bacterial microbiota, we investigated the involvement of early gut mycobiota and gut permeability in the pathogenesis of asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (AR) and eczema.

Methods

In the Probiotics in the Prevention of Allergy among Children in Trondheim trial with maternal probiotic supplementation, we collected faecal samples at four timepoints between 0 and 2 years from a cohort of 278 children. Clinical information on allergy‐related diseases was collected in a paediatric examination at 2 years and questionnaires at 6 weeks and 1, 2 and 6 years. By quantitative PCR and 16S/ITS1 MiSeq rRNA gene sequencing, we analysed the gut bacterial and fungal microbiota abundance and bacterial diversity and explored associations with allergy‐related diseases. We also measured gut permeability markers (lipopolysaccharide‐binding protein [LBP] and fatty acid‐binding protein 2 [FABP2]).

Results

Children with higher fungal abundance at 2 years were more likely to develop asthma and AR by 6 years, odds ratios 1.70 (95% CI: 1.06–2.75) and 1.41 (1.03–1.93), respectively. We explored causal connections, and children with eczema at 1–2 years appeared to have more mature bacterial microbiota, as well as being depleted of Enterococcus genus. Although LBP and FABP2 did not correlate with eczema, increased bacterial abundance was associated with increased serum FABP2.

Conclusions

We observed positive associations between gut fungal abundance and allergy‐related disease, but increased gut permeability does not appear to be involved in the underlying mechanisms for this association. Our findings should be confirmed in future microbiota studies.
An Organogold Compound as Potential Antimicrobial Agent against Drug‐Resistant Bacteria: Initial Mechanistic Insights
Authors: Chakraborty Parichita , Oosterhuis Dorenda , Bonsignore Riccardo , Casini Angela , Olinga Peter , Scheffers Dirk‐Jan
Published: June 2021

The rise of antimicrobial resistance has necessitated novel strategies to efficiently combat pathogenic bacteria. Metal‐based compounds have been proven as a possible alternative to classical organic drugs. Here, we have assessed the antibacterial activity of seven gold complexes of different families. One compound, a cyclometalated Au(III) C^N complex, showed activity against Gram‐positive bacteria, including multi‐drug resistant clinical strains. The mechanism of action of this compound was studied in Bacillus subtilis. Overall, the studies point towards a complex mode of antibacterial action, which does not include induction of oxidative stress or cell membrane damage. A number of genes related to metal transport and homeostasis were upregulated upon short treatment of the cells with gold compound. Toxicity tests conducted on precision‐cut mouse tissue slices ex vivo revealed that the organogold compound is poorly toxic to mouse liver and kidney tissues, and may thus, be treated as an antibacterial drug candidate.
Carfilzomib, bendamustine, and dexamethasone in patients with advanced multiple myeloma: The EMN09 phase 1/2 study of the European Myeloma Network
Authors: Gay Francesca , Günther Andreas , Offidani Massimo , Engelhardt Monika , Salvini Marco , Montefusco Vittorio , Patriarca Francesca , Aquino Sara , Pönisch Wolfram , Spada Stefano , Schub Natalie , Gentili Silvia , Wäsch Ralph , Corradini Paolo , Straka Christian , Palumbo Antonio , Einsele Hermann , Boccadoro Mario , Sonneveld Pieter , Gramatzki Martin
Published: June 2021

Background

Combined therapy with carfilzomib, bendamustine, and dexamethasone was evaluated in this multicenter phase 1/2 trial conducted within the European Myeloma Network (EMN09 trial).

Methods

Sixty‐three patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma who had received ≥2 lines of prior therapy were included. The phase 1 portion of the study determined the maximum tolerated dose of carfilzomib with bendamustine set at 70 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8. After 8 cycles, responding patients received maintenance therapy with carfilzomib and dexamethasone until progression.

Results

On the basis of the phase 1 results, the recommended phase 2 dose for carfilzomib was 27 mg/m2 twice weekly in weeks 1, 2, and 3. Fifty‐two percent of patients achieved a partial response or better, and 32% reached a very good partial response or better. The clinical benefit rate was 93%. After a median follow‐up of 21.9 months, the median progression‐free survival was 11.6 months, and the median overall survival was 30.4 months. The reported grade ≥3 hematologic adverse events (AEs) were lymphopenia (29%), neutropenia (25%), and thrombocytopenia (22%). The main nonhematologic grade ≥3 AEs were pneumonia, thromboembolic events (10%), cardiac AEs (8%), and hypertension (2%).

Conclusions

In heavily pretreated patients who have relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, combined carfilzomib, bendamustine, and dexamethasone is an effective treatment option administered in the outpatient setting. Infection prophylaxis and attention to patients with cardiovascular predisposition are required.
Design‐oriented analysis of cross‐regulation in single‐inductor dual‐output Buck‐boost DC‐DC converters
Authors: Zhang Hao , Jing Min , Liu Wei , Liu Wei , Liu Fang
Published: June 2021

In single‐inductor multiple‐output converters, the multiplexing of the inductor at each output port will inevitably lead to severe cross‐regulation effect. This paper aims to investigate the steady state performance and transient state cross‐regulation in the single‐inductor multiple‐output DC‐DC converters. A ripple‐based averaged model is proposed to describe the inherent cross‐regulation characteristics of single‐inductor dual‐output (SIDO) Buck‐Boost DC‐DC converter by considering the three piecewise ripple of the inductor current. Then, the steady state performance analysis is carried out to show the cross‐coupling effect on the power distribution relationship and voltage gains of the two output ports. Furthermore, the nonlinear modal series representation is derived to describe the transient behavior of SIDO converter under different load disturbances. More significantly, based on the nonlinear modal analysis, the cross‐regulation factors are proposed to evaluate the influence of some key circuit parameters on the transient state cross‐regulation. It is found that increasing kp2 may improve the transient cross‐regulation performance of the output voltages, but non‐ideal factor VF has little influence on the transient cross‐regulation. This provides much design‐oriented information to suppress the cross‐regulation and optimize the transient performance of the SIDO converter. Finally, the effectiveness of the above analysis is verified by the experimental results. This paper proposes one design‐oriented analysis method to investigate the cross‐regulation in the SIDO DC‐DC converters based on the ripple‐based averaged model. Firstly, the steady state analysis is carried out to show the cross‐coupling effect on the power distribution of the two output ports. Then, according to the nonlinear modal analysis, the cross‐regulation factors are defined to identify the key parameters for the transient cross‐regulation, which provides some design‐oriented information to suppress the cross‐regulation.
Green roof vegetation management alters potential for water quality and temperature mitigation
Authors: Ouellet Valerie , Khamis Kieran , Croghan Danny , Hernandez Gonzalez Liliane M. , Rivera Vivien A. , Phillips Collin B. , Packman Aaron I. , Miller William M. , Hawke Richard G. , Hannah David M. , Krause Stefan
Published: June 2021

The global increase of urban impervious land cover poses a significant threat to the integrity of river ecosystems. Hence, it is critical to assess the efficiency of green roofs (GR) to mitigate the negative impacts of urbanization on river ecosystems, such as thermal surges and pollutants. In this study, we evaluated the ecohydrological behaviour of two fully established GR under differing management regimes at the Chicago Botanical Gardens from July to September 2019. The drainage outflow from a non‐vegetated roof, a managed GR (perennial native and non‐native plants) and an unmanaged GR (perennial natural prairie vegetation) were monitored, and thermal dynamics, dissolved organic matter (DOM) composition and nitrate concentration assessed. The managed GR runoff had a lower DOC concentration and less humic‐like DOM signal (SUVA254) compared to the unmanaged GR. In contrast, lower concentrations of nitrate and more recalcitrant DOM (less protein‐like compounds relative to humic‐like compounds) were associated with the unmanaged GR. The unmanaged GR also displayed a greater capacity to reduce thermal surges associated with storm events. Our study provides new information on the implications of GR management for water quality with particular relevance to the urban stream syndrome. Further, the impacts of GR management on the mitigation of thermal surges and DOM composition can help to improve future GR design, as these ecohydrological responses have been largely overlooked to date. Our findings can support future urban planning, particularly for scenarios where green infrastructures are used to mitigate the impacts of climate change on urban river ecosystems.
Synergistic Effect of Metal Doping and Tethered Ligand Promoted High‐Selectivity Conversion of CO2 to C2 Oxygenates at Ultra‐Low Potential
Authors: Bai Xiaowan , Shi Li , Li Qiang , Ling Chongyi , Ouyang Yixin , Wang Shiyan , Wang Jinlan
Published: June 2021

Effectively controlling the selectivity of C2 oxygenates is desirable for electrocatalytic CO2 reduction. Copper catalyst has been considered as the most potential for reducing CO2 to C2 products, but it still suffers from low C2 selectivity, high overpotential, and competitive hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Here, we propose a design strategy to introduce a second metal that weakly binds to H and a functional ligand that provides hydrogen bonds and protons to achieve high selectivity of C2 oxygenates and effective suppression of HER on the Cu(100) surface simultaneously. Seven metals and eleven ligands are screened using first‐principles calculations, which shows that Sn is the most efficient for inhibiting HER and cysteamine (CYS) ligand is the most significant in reducing the limiting potential of *CO hydrogenation to *CHO. In the post C−C coupling steps, a so‐called “pulling effect” that transfers H in the CYS ligand as a viable proton donor to the C2 intermediate to form an H bond, can further stabilize the OH group and facilitate the selection of C2 products toward oxygenates. Therefore, this heterogeneous electrocatalyst can effectively reduce CO2 to ethanol and ethylene glycol with an ultra‐low limiting potential of −0.43 V. This study provides a new strategy for effectively improving the selectivity of C2 oxygenates and inhibiting HER to achieve advanced electrocatalytic CO2 reduction.
Hierarchical Bimetallic Selenides CoSe2–MoSe2/rGO for Sodium/Potassium‐Ion Batteries Anode: Insights into the Intercalation and Conversion Mechanism
Authors: Xu Yanan , Liu Xiaofeng , Su Hang , Jiang Shan , Zhang Jianmin , Li Dan
Published: June 2021

As anode materials for high‐performance sodium‐ion batteries and potassium‐ion batteries, bimetallic selenides have attracted great concern due to their relatively high electrical conductivity and electrochemical activity. However, the formidable challenge in the reaction process is the large volume change, leading to the structural collapse of material, and eventually the decline in electrochemical performance. Herein, a composite of hierarchical CoSe2–MoSe2 tubes anchored on reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (CoSe2–MoSe2/rGO) is designed by an in situ hydrothermal selenization treatment. Benefiting from the synergistic effects between CoSe2 and MoSe2, unique hierarchical structure, and effective reduced graphene oxide coating, the CoSe2–MoSe2/rGO exhibited improved reaction kinetics and structural stability, and thus good electrochemical properties. A combination mechanism of intercalation and conversion of CoSe2–MoSe2/rGO by forming NaxCoSe2 and Mo15Se19 as intermediate states is put forward on the basis of in situ and ex situ XRD analyses.