bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Green algae and gelatine derived nitrogen rich carbon as an outstanding competitor to Pt loaded carbon catalysts
Authors: Ilnicka Anna , Skorupska Malgorzata , Tyc Magdalena , Kowalska Kinga , Kamedulski Piotr , Zielinski Wojciech , Lukaszewicz Jerzy P.
Published: March 2021

The development of effective catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a significant challenge in energy conversion systems, e.g., Zn–air batteries. Herein, green-algae- and gelatine-derived porous, nitrogen-rich carbons were extensively investigated as electrode materials for electrochemical catalytic reactions. These carbon-based catalysts were designed and optimized to create a metal-free catalyst via templating, carbonization, and subsequent removal of the template. The additional incorporation of graphene improved electronic conductivity and enhanced the electrochemical catalytic reaction. Porous carbons with heteroatoms were used as effective platinum-free ORR electrocatalysts for energy conversion; the presence of nitrogen in the carbon provided more active sites for ORR. Our catalyst also displayed notable durability in a rechargeable Zn–air battery energy system. More importantly, the nitrogen-containing porous carbons were found to have comparable ORR performance in alkaline media to commercially available electrocatalysts. The manuscript demonstrates that nitrogen atom insertion is an appropriate approach when aiming to eliminate noble metals from the synthesis route. N-doped carbons are competitive materials compared to reference platinum-based catalysts.
Prunus Hexokinase 3 genes alter primary C-metabolism and promote drought and salt stress tolerance in Arabidopsis transgenic plants
Authors: Pérez-Díaz Jorge , Batista-Silva Willian , Almada Rubén , Medeiros David B. , Arrivault Stéphanie , Correa Francisco , Bastías Adriana , Rojas Pamela , Beltrán María Francisca , Pozo María Francisca , Araújo Wagner L. , Sagredo Boris
Published: March 2021

Hexokinases (HXKs) and fructokinases (FRKs) are the only two families of enzymes in plants that have been identified as able to phosphorylate Glucose (Glc) and Fructose (Fru). Glc can only be phosphorylated in plants by HXKs, while Fru can be phosphorylated by either HXKs or FRKs. The various subcellular localizations of HXKs in plants indicate that they are involved in diverse functions, including anther dehiscence and pollen germination, stomatal closure in response to sugar levels, stomatal aperture and reducing transpiration. Its association with modulating programmed cell death, and responses to oxidative stress and pathogen infection (abiotic and biotic stresses) also have been reported. To extend our understanding about the function of HXK-like genes in the response of Prunus rootstocks to abiotic stress, we performed a detailed bioinformatic and functional analysis of hexokinase 3-like genes (HXK3s) from two Prunus rootstock genotypes, ‘M.2624’ (Prunus cerasifera Ehrh × P. munsoniana W.Wight & Hedrick) and ‘M.F12/1’ (P. avium L.), which are tolerant and sensitive to hypoxia stress, respectively. A previous large-scale transcriptome sequencing of roots of these rootstocks, showed that this HXK3-like gene that was highly induced in the tolerant genotype under hypoxia conditions. In silico analysis of gene promoters from M.2624 and M.F12/1 genotypes revealed regulatory elements that could explain differential transcriptional profiles of HXK3 genes. Subcellular localization was determinates by both bioinformatic prediction and expression of their protein fused to the green fluorescent protein (GFP) in protoplasts and transgenic plants of Arabidopsis. Both approaches showed that they are expressed in plastids. Metabolomics analysis of Arabidopsis plants ectopically expressing Prunus HXK3 genes revealed that content of several metabolites including phosphorylated sugars (G6P), starch and some metabolites associated with the TCA cycle were affected. These transgenic Arabidopsis plants showed improved tolerance to salt and drought stress under growth chamber conditions. Our results suggest that Prunus HXK3 is a potential candidate for enhancing tolerance to salt and drought stresses in stone fruit trees and other plants.
Mid-wavelength infrared avalanche photodetector with AlAsSb/GaSb superlattice
Authors: Li Jiakai , Dehzangi Arash , Brown Gail , Razeghi Manijeh
Published: March 2021

In this work, a mid-wavelength infrared separate absorption and multiplication avalanche photodiode (SAM-APD) with 100% cut-off wavelength of ~ 5.0 µm at 200 K grown by molecular beam epitaxy was demonstrated. The InAsSb-based SAM-APD device was designed to have electron dominated avalanche mechanism via the band structure engineered multi-quantum well structure based on AlAsSb/GaSb H-structure superlattice and InAsSb material in the multiplication region. The device exhibits a maximum multiplication gain of 29 at 200 K under -14.7 bias voltage. The maximum multiplication gain value for the MWIR SAM-APD increases from 29 at 200 K to 121 at 150 K. The electron and hole impact ionization coefficients were derived and the large difference between their value was observed. The carrier ionization ratio for the MWIR SAM-APD device was calculated to be ~ 0.097 at 200 K.
In vivo efficacy of auranofin in a hamster model of Clostridioides difficile infection
Authors: Abutaleb Nader S. , Seleem Mohamed N.
Published: March 2021

Clostridioides difficile infections (CDIs) are an urgent public health threat worldwide and are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in healthcare settings. The increasing incidence and severity of infections combined with the scarcity of effective anti-CDI agents has made treatment of CDI very challenging. Therefore, development of new, effective anticlostridial agents remains a high priority. The current study investigated the in vivo efficacy of auranofin in a CDI hamster model. All hamsters treated with auranofin (5 mg/kg) survived a lethal challenge with C. difficile. Furthermore, auranofin (5 mg/kg) was as effective as vancomycin, the drug of choice for treatment of CDIs, against relapsing CDI. Furthermore, auranofin (5 mg/kg) generated a 3.15-log10 reduction (99.97%) in C. difficile count in the cecal contents of hamsters. These results indicate that auranofin warrants further investigation as a new agent to replenish the pipeline of anti-CDI therapeutics.
Native Burmese pythons exhibit site fidelity and preference for aquatic habitats in an agricultural mosaic
Authors: Smith Samantha Nicole , Jones Max Dolton , Marshall Benjamin Michael , Waengsothorn Surachit , Gale George A. , Strine Colin Thomas
Published: March 2021

Animal movement and resource use are tightly linked. Investigating these links to understand how animals use space and select habitats is especially relevant in areas affected by habitat fragmentation and agricultural conversion. We set out to explore the space use and habitat selection of Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus) in a heterogenous, agricultural landscape within the Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve, northeast Thailand. We used VHF telemetry to record the daily locations of seven Burmese pythons and created dynamic Brownian Bridge Movement Models to produce occurrence distributions and model movement extent and temporal patterns. To explore relationships between movement and habitat selection we used integrated step selection functions at both the individual and population level. Burmese pythons had a mean 99% occurrence distribution contour of 98.97 ha (range 9.05–285.56 ha). Furthermore, our results indicated that Burmese pythons had low mean individual motion variance, indicating infrequent moves and long periods at a single location. In general, Burmese pythons restricted movement and selected aquatic habitats but did not avoid potentially dangerous land use types like human settlements. Although our sample is small, we suggest that Burmese pythons are capitalizing on human disturbed landscapes.
Identify potential allelochemicals from Humulus scandens (Lour.) Merr. root extracts that induce allelopathy on Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb.
Authors: Wang Lichao , Liu Yao , Zhu Xiaomin , Zhang Zhen , Huang Xueqi
Published: March 2021

Although it is well-documented that invasion of invasive plants is promoted with allelopathic effects by inhibiting the growth and phenotypic performance of native plants, little is known conversely. In this study, the allelopathy effects of a native plant, Humulus scandens (Lour.) Merr., on a typical invasive species Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb., was investigated by exposing A. philoxeroides seedlings to three chemical solvent extracts (i.e., petroleum ether extract (PE), ethyl acetate extract (EE), and n-butanol extract (NE) of H. scandens root (HR). The three chemical extracts inhibited the growth, stem length, node number, leaf number, leaf area, and root number, and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content of A. philoxeroides seedlings, which indicated that the extracts inhibited the plant growth by damaging the membrane system of leaves. And the synthetical effect of allelopathy (SE) index indicated that EE had the greatest inhibition on the growth of A. philoxeroides. Fifty compounds were identified from the three extracts of HR using GC–MS analysis, among which 5 compounds (dibutyl phthalate, stigmasta-3,5-diene, 2,6-Di-tert-butylphenol campesterol, and neophytadiene) were identified from H. scandens root extracts for the first time. And n-hexadecanoic acid exists in all three extracts. The findings of the present study provide a novel method to potentially control the invasion of A. philoxeroides. However, field monitoring under natural conditions would be necessary to confirm in practice the results obtained with the bioassays.
Novel molecular transport medium used in combination with Xpert MTB/RIF ultra provides rapid detection of Mycobacterium bovis in African buffaloes
Authors: Clarke Charlene , Smith Katrin , Goldswain Samantha J. , Helm Christopher , Cooper David V. , Kerr Tanya J. , Kleynhans Léanie , van Helden Paul D. , Warren Robin M. , Miller Michele A. , Goosen Wynand J.
Published: March 2021

Mycobacterium bovis is the causative agent of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in wildlife. Confirmation of M. bovis infection relies on mycobacterial culture, which is time-consuming. Collection and transportation of infectious material also pose a human health risk. PrimeStore Molecular Transport Medium (MTM) has been shown to effectively inactivate infectious organisms, making it a safe method for handling infectious samples. This study investigated an in-field sampling technique for rapid, safe detection of M. bovis in buffalo tissues. Potentially infected tissues from bTB test-positive buffaloes were swabbed at post-mortem examination and stored in PrimeStore MTM at ambient temperature until Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra testing was performed. Additionally, tissue samples were frozen and transported before homogenisation for culture and Ultra testing. Oral swabs were collected from M. bovis-unexposed buffaloes as a negative control cohort. Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) DNA was detected by Ultra in 13/16 tissue swabs and 9/16 matched tissue homogenates from culture-confirmed M. bovis-positive buffalo tissues. MTBC DNA was not detected in swabs from M. bovis-unexposed animals, showing the potentially high specificity of Ultra with PrimeStore swabs. PrimeStore MTM sample processing, in combination with the Ultra assay, has the potential to provide a safe, rapid post-mortem screening test for M. bovis in buffaloes.
Moistube irrigation fouling due to anaerobic filtered effluent (AF) and horizontal flow constructed wetland (HFCW) effluent
Authors: Dirwai T. L. , Senzanje A. , Mabhaudhi T. , Buckley C. A.
Published: March 2021

The study assessed the suitability of two effluent types, namely anaerobic filtered (AF) and horizontal flow constructed wetland (HFCW) effluent for Moistube irrigation (MTI). Secondary to this, the study determined the plugging coefficients (α) on MTI for the respective effluents. The feed water was supplied from a raised tank (3.5 m), and mass-flow rates were recorded at 15 min intervals using an electronic balance. The effluent feed water concentrations and experimental room temperature (25 °C ± 1 °C) were continuously monitored and kept constant. Hermia’s models based on the $${\text{R}}^{2}$$

R

2

coefficient was used to select the best fitting fouling mechanism model and, consequently, the plugging coefficients. In addition, microbial colony analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis was carried out to assess the composition of the deposited sediment (DS) and adhered bacterial film (ABF) onto the MTI lateral. The study revealed that MTI pore blocking was a complex phenomenon described by complete pore-blocking model ($${\text{R}}^{2}$$

R

2

 ≥ 0.50). Discharge followed an exponential decay with early fouling observed on AF effluent because of a high concentration of total suspended solids (TSS) and dissolved organic matter (DOM). Discharge declined by 50% after 20 and 10 h of intermittent operation for AF and HFCW effluent, respectively. The α for each effluent (foulant) were $$\alpha_{AF}$$

α

AF

 = 0.07 and $$\alpha_{ HFCW}$$

α

HFCW

 = 0.05, respectively, for AF and HFCW. The microbial analysis revealed bacterial aggregation structures that contributed to pore blocking. SEM imaging revealed complete surface coverage by deposited sediment. It is concluded that water quality determines the operation life span of MTI, and the two effluents promote accelerated MTI pore fouling or blocking. Continuous use without flushing the MTI will promote membrane degradation and reduced discharge efficiency. Additional filtration can potentially mitigate the membrane degradation process.
Structure–Property Relationships in 3D Graphene-based Macrostructures
Authors: Chandula Wasalathilake Kimal , Yan Cheng
Published: March 2021

Three-dimensional (3D) graphene-based macrostructures (GBMs) have shown great potential in a wide range of clean energy-related technologies (including batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, solar cells, etc.) and environmental remediation applications (such as absorption, adsorption, catalysis, sensors, etc.) during recent years. However, from a practical viewpoint, a fundamental understanding of the structure–property relationship of 3D GBMs is essential to precisely tune their physicochemical properties, thereby outspreading their application potential. The current chapter targets this aspect amongst others, with a special emphasis on the effects of pore geometry on the physicochemical properties of 3D GBMs.
3D Graphene-based Scaffolds with High Conductivity and Biocompatibility for Applications in Microbial Fuel Cells
Authors: Yadav Ashish , Verma Nishith
Published: March 2021

Like conventional fuel cells, microbial fuel cells (MFCs) offer an exciting new avenue for generating clean and sustainable electrical energy directly from wastewater and other organic wastes. In recent years, 3D graphene-based macrostructures (GBMs) have been explored as both anode and cathode materials in MFCs to enhance their application potential. 3D GBMs offer an exciting prospect towards application in MFCs owing to their high surface area, biocompatibility, electrical conductivity and chemical stability, thereby leading to an enhanced power generation. This area of research, therefore, provides tremendous opportunities to address the basic challenges of MFCs pertaining to scale-up, commercialization and low power generation in addition to providing alternatives to conventionally used expensive electrodes. The current chapter summarizes the applications of 3D GBMs in MFCs, present their current developmental status, and discuss the key scientific and technological challenges in using them to improve the performance of MFCs.
Stable and efficient solar-driven photoelectrochemical water splitting into H2 and O2 based on a BaTaO2N photoanode decorated with CoO microflowers
Authors: Wei Shunhang , Chang Shufang , Yang Fan , Fu Zhengping , Liu Gang , Xu Xiaoxiang
Published: March 2021

CoO microflower decorated BaTaO2N demonstrates a high and stable photoelectrochemical performance with a Faraday efficiency of almost unity for O2 evolution reactions.
Emerging open microfluidics for cell manipulation
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Feng Shuo , Lin Ling , Mao Sifeng , Lin Jin-Ming
Published: March 2021

Emerging open microfluidics is a user-friendly, multifunctional and precise tool for cell manipulations. Basic principles, important applications, challenges and developing trends of the methodology are introduced in detail in this tutorial review.
Recent advances in lab-on-paper diagnostic devices using blood samples
Authors: Lee Wen-Chin , Ng Hwee-Yeong , Hou Chih-Yao , Lee Chien-Te , Fu Lung-Ming
Published: March 2021

Overview of integrated lab-on-paper diagnostic devices.
Alpha energy dependence of alpha induced liquid radioluminescense
Authors: Malmbeck Rikard , Banik Nidhu lal , Kerst Thomas , Soti Zsolt
Published: March 2021

The presence of alpha radiation causes weak nitric acid solutions to emit ultraviolet light.
Study towards improving artemisinin-based combination therapies
Authors: Lyu Hai-Ning , Ma Nan , Meng Yuqing , Zhang Xing , Wong Yin-Kwan , Xu Chengchao , Liao Fulong , Jiang Tingliang , Tu Youyou , Wang Jigang
Published: March 2021

This highlight provides a brief history of artemisinin in its journey from being a natural product to drug, as well as the continuous efforts to improve ACTs with better efficacy against the parasites, which have prolonged life cycles.
Metal-free tandem reactions of 2-iodoaryl ynones with sodium azide for the synthesis of benzoisoxazole containing 1,2,3-triazoles
Authors: Majeed Kashif , Zhou Fengtao , Zhang Qiuyu
Published: March 2021

Two nitrogen-containing heterocycles were constructed in one pot under metal-free conditions through [3 + 2] azide–alkyne cycloaddition, SNAr azidation and denitrogenative cyclization.
Inkjet-printed O2 gas sensors in intelligent packaging
Authors: Fernández-Ramos M. D. , Pageo-Cabrera M. , Capitán-Vallvey L. F. , Pérez de Vargas-Sansalvador I. M.
Published: March 2021

An inkjet printed membrane is presented as a colorimetric sensor for oxygen for use in smart packaging, in order to quickly inform the consumer about possible degradation reactions in modified atmosphere products (MAP).
Coating small-diameter ePTFE vascular grafts with tunable poly(diol-co-citrate-co-ascorbate) elastomers to reduce neointimal hyperplasia
Authors: Yu Lu , Newton Emily R. , Gillis David C. , Sun Kui , Cooley Brian C. , Keith Andrew N. , Sheiko Sergei S. , Tsihlis Nick D. , Kibbe Melina R.
Published: March 2021

We report the need to develop POCA elastomers as ascorbate-based surface coating to modify the luminal surface of small-diameter ePTFE grafts in order to overcome graft occlusion induced by neointimal hyperplasia.
Palladium-catalyzed one-pot phosphorylation of phenols mediated by sulfuryl fluoride
Authors: Zhang Yiyuan , Chen Wanting , Tan Tingting , Gu Yuang , Zhang Shuning , Li Jie , Wang Yan , Hou Wei , Yang Guang , Ma Peixiang , Xu Hongtao
Published: March 2021

A one-pot palladium-catalyzed procedure for the synthesis of aryl phosphonates, phosphinates and phosphine oxides from phenols mediated by sulfuryl fluoride.
Acetalated dextran based nano- and microparticles: synthesis, fabrication, and therapeutic applications
Authors: Wang Shiqi , Fontana Flavia , Shahbazi Mohammad-Ali , Santos Hélder A.
Published: March 2021

Acetalated dextran (Ac-DEX) is a pH-responsive dextran derivative polymer. Ac-DEX and its functional derivatives have been formulated as nano- or microparticles for drug delivery applications in the biomedical field.
Particle-in-a-frame gold nanomaterials with an interior nanogap-based sensor array for versatile analyte detection
Authors: Wang Feiyang , Na Na , Ouyang Jin
Published: March 2021

A sensor array based on a peroxidase-like Au particle-in-a-frame nanostructure (PIAF) was constructed to detect a variety of substances.
Dipole moment enhanced π–π stacking in fluorophenylacetylenes is carried over from gas-phase dimers to crystal structures propagated through liquid like clusters
Authors: Singh Sumitra , Hsu Po-Jen , Kuo Jer-Lai , Patwari G. Naresh
Published: March 2021

Fluorine position dependent structural diversity in fluorophenylacetylene trimers.
A key step for preparing highly active Mg–Co composite oxide catalysts for N2O decomposition
Authors: Li Ye , Tang Fan , Wang Dongqi , Wang Xinping
Published: March 2021

The hydrothermal treatment accelerates the Mg2+ substitution for Co2+ at tetrahedral sites and thus greatly increases the activity of the catalyst.
NiCo2O4 arrays with a tailored morphology as hole transport layers of perovskite solar cells
Authors: Li Zhaowu , Yin Xin , Song Lixin , Chen Wei-Hsiang , Du Pingfan , Li Ni , Xiong Jie
Published: March 2021

NiCo2O4 arrays with different morphologies were prepared via a facile hydrothermal method. The PSCs based on NiCo2O4 NWs achieve a best PCE of 11.58%.
Closed-loop feedback control of microfluidic cell manipulation via deep-learning integrated sensor networks
Authors: Wang Ningquan , Liu Ruxiu , Asmare Norh , Chu Chia-Heng , Civelekoglu Ozgun , Sarioglu A. Fatih
Published: March 2021

An adaptive microfluidic system changing its operational state in real-time based on cell measurements through an on-chip electrical sensor network.
Tricyclic nitrogen-rich explosives with a planar backbone: bis(1,2,4-triazolyl)-1,2,3-triazoles as potential stable green gas generants
Authors: Gu Hao , Cheng Guangbin , Yang Hongwei
Published: March 2021

Planar tricyclic energetic compounds with good energetic performance, thermal stability and gas production capacity were synthesized based on 1,2,3-triazole.
Micropores within N,S co-doped mesoporous 3D graphene-aerogel enhance the supercapacitive performance
Authors: Kumari Shilpa , Verma Ekta , Kumar Rajinder , Upreti Deepak , Prakash Bhanu , Maruyama Takahiro , Bagchi Vivek
Published: March 2021

Micropores within N,S co-doped mesoporous 3D graphene-aerogel enhances supercapacitive performance.
Tandem catalysts for the conversion of methanol to aromatics with excellent selectivity and stability
Authors: Wang Shunqiang , Wang Junwen , Jia Yanming , Ding Chuanmin , Gao Pengfei , Li Yanchun , Wang Mingyi , Zhang Kan , Meng Yuanyuan
Published: March 2021

A schematic diagram of the construction methods and reaction paths of different catalysts.
Molecular probes for selective detection of cysteine cathepsins
Authors: Schleyer Kelton A. , Cui Lina
Published: March 2021

One of these is not like the others: the 11 cysteine cathepsins have overlapping but distinct roles in pathology, and molecular probes enable their cumulative or selective detection in many applications.
Towards circular fashion – transforming pulp mills into hubs for textile recycling
Authors: Sanchis-Sebastiá Miguel , Novy Vera , Stigsson Lars , Galbe Mats , Wallberg Ola
Published: March 2021

Textile recycling can be integrated in pulp mills through the use of green liquor in the pretreatment of the textiles.
A Turn-ON fluorometric biosensor based on ssDNA immobilized with a metal phenolic nanomaterial for the sequential detection of Pb(ii) and epirubicin cancer drug
Authors: Arunjegan A. , Rajaji P. , Sivanesan S. , Panneerselvam P.
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we propose a fluorescent biosensor for the sequential detection of Pb2+ ions and the cancer drug epirubicin (Epn) using the interactions between label-free guanine-rich ssDNA (LFGr-ssDNA), acridine orange (AO), and a metal–phenolic nanomaterial.
Correction: Cobalt-catalyzed, directed arylation of C–H bonds in N-aryl pyrazoles
Authors: Nguyen Tung T. , Le Lam V. , Pham Hai H. , Nguyen Dung H. , Phan Nam T. S. , Le Ha V. , Phan Anh N. Q.
Published: March 2021

Correction for ‘Cobalt-catalyzed, directed arylation of C–H bonds in N-aryl pyrazoles’ by Tung T. Nguyen et al., RSC Adv., 2021, 11, 9349–9352, DOI: 10.1039/D1RA00975C.
Enhanced neurite outgrowth on electrically conductive carbon aerogel substrates in the presence of an external electric field
Authors: Rodriguez Sala Martina , Chandrasekaran Swetha , Skalli Omar , Worsley Marcus , Sabri Firouzeh
Published: March 2021

It has been established that aerogels are a suitable substrate for neuronal scaffold. In this study, the cell behavior of neuronal cells cultured on aerogels with an electrical stimulation is evaluated.
Transforming non-adhesive hydrogels to reversible tough adhesives via mixed-solvent-induced phase separation
Authors: Cui Wei , Zhu Ruijie , Zheng Yong , Mu Qifeng , Pi Menghan , Chen Qiang , Ran Rong
Published: March 2021

Non-adhesive hydrogels are tailored to show tough adhesion to various solid surfaces by a universal phase-separation method. This method opens the possibility of utilizing non-adhesive hydrogels for emerging soft–rigid hybrid devices.
Recent advances in ferromagnetic metal sulfides and selenides as anodes for sodium- and potassium-ion batteries
Authors: Wu Yuhan , Zhang Chenglin , Zhao Huaping , Lei Yong
Published: March 2021

Recent advances in ferromagnetic metal sulfides and selenides as anodes in SIBs and PIBs are summarized. The preparation methods, charge storage mechanisms, and electrochemical properties are outlined. The challenges and perspectives are discussed.
Defect-rich N-doped CeO2 supported by N-doped graphene as a metal-free plasmonic hydrogen evolution photocatalyst
Authors: Van Dao Dung , Jung Hyun Dong , Nguyen Thuy T. D. , Ki Sang-Woo , Son Hoki , Bae Kang-Bin , Le Thanh Duc , Cho Yeong-Hoon , Yang Jin-Kyu , Yu Yeon-Tae , Back Seoin , Lee In-Hwan
Published: March 2021

We reported a plasmonic photocatalyst consisting of N-CeO2 supported by N-graphene for light-driven HER, which offered a superior performance relative to N-CeO2 and CeO2 catalysts. This could be due to the plasmonic effects of N-CeO2 and excellent conductivity of N-graphene.
Controllable binary/ternary memory behavior induced by isomerization of phenylhydrazone groups in polymer side chains under ultraviolet light conditions
Authors: Wang Guan , Zhang Qijian , Zhu Fengjuan , Zhang Cheng , Li Hua , Lu Jianmei
Published: March 2021

A hydrazone structure based polymer sandwiched memory device achieves a new high conductivity state after Z → E isomerization under 394 nm light due to the conformational change in the Ph1-E film.
An underestimated photoactive area in organic solar cells based on a ZnO interlayer
Authors: Chen Zhi , Wang Jie , Jin Hui , Yang Jianming , Bao Qinye , Ma Zaifei , Tress Wolfgang , Tang Zheng
Published: March 2021

UV-induced doping reduces the resistance of the ZnO interlayer in an organic solar cell, leading to an increased photoactive area. This results in a significantly overestimated Jsc in the solar cell characterized without using a mask.
RNA-Seq analysis reveals critical transcriptome changes caused by sodium butyrate in DN mouse models
Authors: Yang Hansen , Zhang Zheng , Peng Rui , Zhang Luyu , Liu Handeng , Wang Xinyi , Tian Yiting , Sun Yan
Published: March 2021

Diabetic nephropathy (DN)—a common complication of diabetes—is the primary cause of end-stage renal disease. Sodium butyrate (NaB) is a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) that is a metabolic product of intestinal bacterium, and its protective effect on the kidney has been reported in cases of DN. However, its underlying mechanism remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of NaB on globe transcriptome changes in DN. In our study, 8-week-old male db/db mice suffering from DN were randomly divided into two groups: the DN+NaB group (DN mice treated with NaB, 5 g/kg/day) and the DN group (DN mice treated with saline). Further, normal db/m mice were used as the normal control (NC) group. The blood glucose, body weight, urinary microalbumin and urinary creatinine of mice were measured for all three groups. Whole-transcriptome analysis was performed by RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) to evaluate the profiling of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and messenger RNAs (mRNAs). Bioinformatics analysis was performed to predict the potential NaB-related lncRNAs and genes in DN. The expressions of lncRNAs and mRNAs were tested using the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reactions (qRT-PCRs) in renal tissues and mesangial cells treated with NaB. The results of the present study demonstrated that NaB ameliorated renal dysfunction in DN mice. Moreover, RNA-Seq results identified that some lncRNAs and mRNAs were reversely changed in the DN+NaB group in comparison to those in the DN group. Additionally, the integrated co-expression networks of NaB-related lncRNAs revealed that these lncRNAs interacted with 155 key mRNAs. Furthermore, the co-expression network of inflammation-related lncRNAs and mRNAs demonstrated that those reversed lncRNAs and mRNAs also play essential roles in the inflammatory response. In summary, the present study suggests that NaB ameliorates diabetes-induced renal dysfunction and regulates transcriptome changes in DN.
A new m6A methylation-related gene signature for prognostic value in patient with urothelial carcinoma of the bladder
Authors: Zheng Bin , Wang Jianwei , Zhao Guiting , Chen Xiaoxu , Yao Zhongshun , Niu Zhihong , He Wei
Published: March 2021

Background: Bladder cancer (BC) is one of the most common malignant urological cancer in the world. Because of its characteristic of easy-recurrence and muscle-invasive, advances in our genetic understanding of bladder cancer should be translated into prognostic indicators.

Methods: We investigated 16 m6A RNA methylation regulators from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and The Human Protein Atlas (HPA) database. The expression profile, clinical application as well as prognostic value of these genes in UC were investigated. Moreover, we further explored the correlation between RNA methylation genes and biological functions, pathways and immune status.

Results: Five m6A-related genes (HNRNPC, YTHDF2, YTHDF1, HNRNPA2B1, METTL3) up-regulated in UC tissues, while three regulators (ZC3H13, METTL16, FTO) down-regulated in UC. FTO and YTHDF2 show biomarker potential for the prognosis of UC patients. In addition, these identified genes may related with essential functions and core molecular pathways.

Conclusions: Our research shows that two m6A RNA methylation regulators can serve as reliable prognostic biomarkers of UC, which might be exerted as potential targets of therapeutic strategies.
Genetic characteristics and prognostic implications of m1A regulators in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Zheng Qingyuan , Yu Xiao , Zhang Qiyao , He Yuting , Guo Wenzhi
Published: March 2021

Studies have identified the methylation of N1 adenosine (m1A), an RNA modification, playing an important role in the progression of the tumorigenesis. The present study aimed to analyze the genetic characteristics and prognostic value of m1A regulators in pancreatic cancer. In the present study, data on gene mutations, single-nucleotide variants (SNVs), and copy number variation (CNV) were obtained from 363 patients with pancreatic cancer in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, and survival analysis was performed using the logarithmic rank test and Cox regression model. The chi-squared test was used to examine the relationship between the changes in m1A regulatory factors and clinicopathological characteristics. And we used ICGC database to verify the reliability of prognostic markers. The results show that changes in m1A-regulating genes are related to clinical stage and that the expression of some m1A-regulating genes is positively correlated with CNV. In addition, the low expression of the ‘eraser’ gene ALKBH1 is related to the poor prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer, and its expression level has important clinical significance for patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD). Mechanistically, ALKBH1 may participate in the occurrence and development of pancreatic cancer through mTOR and ErbB signaling pathway. The expression of m1A-regulating genes can be used as a prognostic marker for pancreatic cancer. These findings provide valuable clues for us to understand the epigenetics of m1A in pancreatic cancer.
Responsible innovation: Its role in an era of technological and regulatory transformation
Authors: Tait Joyce , Brown Alex , Lalinde Isabela Cabrera , Barlow Daniel , Chiles Matthew , Mason Paul
Published: March 2021

In the development of innovative technology products, companies of all sizes are being encouraged to innovate responsibly and regulators are encouraged to adapt their regulatory systems to be smarter, more proportionate and adaptive to the needs of innovative technologies. The British Standards Institution Responsible Innovation (RI) Guide (Publicly Available Specification [PAS] 440) is an industry‐wide standard relevant to both these policy trends. It supports companies by providing a framework to demonstrate the balance between the potential benefits and harms and, if necessary, to take action to maximise the benefits and/or minimise the harms. It includes guidance on engagement with stakeholders and will codify what stakeholders can expect from companies undertaking responsible innovation, paving the way to more harmonious relationships among stakeholders with differing interests and values. A cross‐sectoral survey of innovative companies showed that 90% favoured the development of such a standard. PAS 440 was also trialled in two early‐stage biotechnology companies and its expected benefits included contributing to coordinated responsible behaviour along a supply chain; better company and stakeholder understanding of the product properties; supporting decision‐making on whether or not to start a company; considering the risks of not developing the product and avoiding reputational risks. Benefits were expected to be increasingly significant as the RI standard becomes widely adopted.
A two‐stage service restoration method for electric power distribution systems
Authors: Poudel Shiva , Dubey Anamika
Published: March 2021

Improving the reliability of power distribution systems is critically important for both utilities and customers. This calls for an efficient service restoration module within a distribution management system to support the implementation of self‐healing smart grid networks. Although the emerging smart grid technologies, including distributed generators (DGs) and remote‐controlled switches, enhance the self‐healing capability and allow faster recovery, they still pose additional complexity to the service restoration problem, especially under cold load pickup (CLPU) conditions. Herein, a novel two‐stage restoration framework is proposed to generate a restoration solutions with a sequence of control actions. The first stage generates a restoration plan that supports both the traditional service restoration using feeder reconfiguration and the grid‐forming DG‐assisted intentional islanding methods. The second stage generates an optimal sequence of switching operations to bring the outaged system quickly to the final restored configuration. The problem is formulated as a mixed‐integer linear program that incorporates system connectivity, operating constraints, and the CLPU models. It is demonstrated that on using a multi‐feeder test case, the proposed framework is effective in utilizing all available resources to quickly restore the service and generate an optimal sequence of switching actions to be used by the operator to reach the desired optimal configuration.
Sliding‐mode‐based controllers for automation of blood glucose concentration for type 1 diabetes
Authors: Babar Sheraz Ahmad , Ahmad Iftikhar , Mughal Iqra Shafeeq
Published: March 2021

Destruction of β‐cells in pancreas causes deficiency in insulin production that leads to diabetes in the human body. To cope with this problem, insulin is either taken orally during the day or injected into the patient's body using artificial pancreas (AP) during sleeping hours. Some mathematical models indicate that AP uses control algorithms to regulate blood glucose concentration (BGC). The extended Bergman minimal model (EBMM) incorporates, as a state variable, the disturbance in insulin level during medication due to either meal intake or burning sugar by engaging in physical exercise. In this research work, EBMM and proposed finite time robust controllers are used, including the sliding mode controller (SMC), backstepping SMC (BSMC) and supertwisting SMC (second‐order SMC or SOSMC) for automatic stabilisation of BGC in type 1 diabetic patients. The proposed SOSMC diminishes the chattering phenomenon which appears in the conventional SMC. The proposed BSMC is a recursive technique which becomes robust by the addition of the SMC. Lyapunov theory has been used to prove the asymptotic stability of the proposed controllers. Simulations have been carried out in MATLAB/Simulink for the comparative study of the proposed controllers under varying data of six different type 1 diabetic patients available in the literature.
Psychologische Aspekte von Dysgnathien und Fehlbildungen im Kiefer-Gesichtsbereich
Authors: Handschel Jörg , Nienkemper Manuel
Published: March 2021

Es ist offenkundig, dass Menschen mit einem abweichenden Erscheinungsbild außerhalb der Norm stehen und entsprechende Reaktionen aus ihrer Umwelt erfahren oder sich zumindest als abnormal, nicht zugehörig empfinden können. Besonders Veränderungen im Kopf- und Halsbereich sind prädestiniert, die Aufmerksamkeit anderer auf sich zu ziehen. Diese Veränderungen können angeboren oder erworben sein. Letztere resultieren oft aus einem Trauma oder den Folgen von chirurgischen Eingriffen nach Tumoroperationen (Head & Neck Cancer). Die psychologischen Auswirkungen zeigen sich oft in einem verminderten Selbstwertgefühl, einer erhöhten Unzufriedenheit mit dem eigenen Aussehen und einer erhöhten Angst vor negativen Reaktionen der Mitmenschen. Es wurden keine signifikanten Unterschiede zwischen Patienten mit angeborenen und erworbenen Entstellungen gefunden.

Das Gesicht ist für den Menschen von existenzieller Bedeutung. Mit seiner Form, Mimik und sprachlichen Ausdrucksfähigkeit repräsentiert es nicht nur die individuelle Persönlichkeit, sondern die Reaktionen der Mitmenschen auf das Gesicht beeinflussen auch die soziale Identität der Person. Als Spiegel der Identität ist das menschliche Gesicht ein Vermittler wesentlicher Aspekte des zwischenmenschlichen Zusammenlebens.

Wer sich mit Dysgnathien, Gesichtsdeformationen/-krankheiten und -entstellungen befasst, muss auch die psychologische Bedeutung des Gesichts für den Patienten berücksichtigen und sich den mit der chirurgischen Behandlung verbundenen Konsequenzen stellen.
Trigemino-autonome Kopfschmerzen in der Praxis
Authors: Ziegeler Christian , Peng Kuan-Po
Published: March 2021

Die Gruppe der trigemino-autonome Kopfschmerzen (TAK) beschreibt verschiedene primäre Kopfschmerzsyndrome, die durch ihr streng einseitiges Auftreten, die hohe Intensität der Schmerzattacken sowie den namensgebenden autonomen Begleitsymptomen wie Ptosis, Lakrimation und/oder Rhinorrhoe gekennzeichnet sind. Die Internationale Kopfschmerzklassifikation ICHD-3 unterteilt sie in den Clusterkopfschmerz, die paroxysmale Hemikranie, die Short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks sowie in die Hemicrania continua. Allen TAK ist gemein, dass sie mit hohem individuellen Leidensdruck der Patienten einhergehen, jedoch potenziell behandelbar sind; in einigen Fällen sogar exzellent und hochspezifisch, weshalb Neurologen diese Syndrome kennen sollten.
Neues in der Migränetherapie
Authors: Ruscheweyh Ruth , Hoffmann Jan
Published: March 2021

Migränepatienten brauchen eine wirksame Akuttherapie und in schwereren Fällen auch eine medikamentöse Prophylaxe. In den letzten Jahren sind erstmals gezielt in die Pathophysiologie der Migräne eingreifende Substanzen entwickelt worden, die über die Blockade von CGRP wirken. Dies sind einerseits die Antikörper gegen CGRP und den CGRP-Rezeptor, die prophylaktisch wirken, andererseits die Gepante (CGRP-Rezeptorantagonisten), die sowohl in der Akuttherapie als auch in der Prophylaxe der Migräne eingesetzt werden können. Gemeinsam ist diesen Substanzen ihre gute Verträglichkeit. CGRP-(Rezeptor)-Antikörper haben gegenüber klassischen Prophylaktika den Vorteil eines schnellen Wirkeintritts. Für die Gepante in der Akuttherapie weisen tierexperimentelle Daten darauf hin, dass sie anders als Triptane eventuell nicht zu einem Kopfschmerz bei Medikamentenübergebrauch führen.
Komposite in der Front – klinische Anwendung
Authors: Hahn Britta , Soliman Sebastian , Drehmann Paul , Krastl Gabriel
Published: March 2021

Eine naturgetreue Kompositrestauration in der Front stellt hohe Anforderungen an das verwendete Material und den Behandler. Am natürlichen Zahn angelehnte Schichttechniken und individualisierte Matrizentechniken ermöglichen vorhersagbare ästhetische Resultate. Meist sind es aber nicht das Material oder die optimale Farbauswahl, die eine Restauration schließlich unsichtbar erscheinen lassen, sondern viele kleine, aber konsequent umgesetzte Details. Worauf man bei einer effektiven Vorgehensweise achten sollte und welche Besonderheiten, Vor- und Nachteile im Vergleich zu konventionellen indirekten Therapieverfahren die direkte Komposittechnik hat, wird in diesem Beitrag herausgestellt.
Electroabsorption in gated GaAs nanophotonic waveguides
Authors: Wang Ying , Uppu Ravitej , Zhou Xiaoyan , Papon Camille , Scholz Sven , Wieck Andreas D. , Ludwig Arne , Lodahl Peter , Midolo Leonardo
Published: March 2021

We report on the analysis of electroabsorption in thin GaAs/Al0.3Ga0.7As nanophotonic waveguides with an embedded p–i–n junction. By measuring the transmission through waveguides of different lengths, we derive the propagation loss as a function of electric field, wavelength, and temperature. The results are in good agreement with the Franz–Keldysh model of electroabsorption extending over 200 meV below the GaAs bandgap, i.e., in the wavelength range of 910–970 nm. We find a pronounced residual absorption in forward bias, which we attribute to Fermi-level pinning at the waveguide surface, producing over 20 dB/mm loss at room temperature. These results are essential for understanding the origin of loss in nanophotonic devices operating in the emission range of self-assembled InAs semiconductor quantum dots toward the realization of scalable quantum photonic integrated circuits.
Piezoelectricity of Janus Sb2Se2Te monolayers: A first-principles study
Authors: Qiu Jian , Li Hui , Chen Xianping , Zhu Bao , Guo Haojie , Zhang Fusheng , Ding Zhaogui , Lang Lei , Yu Jiabing , Bao Jiading
Published: March 2021

There are few studies on two-dimensional (2D) piezoelectric materials with polyatomic thickness at the present stage. The 2D materials with a thickness of 5 atoms were investigated on the piezoelectric effect of Sb2Se2Te, Sb2Te2Se, and three structures of SbAsSe2Te monolayers. The calculated piezoelectric coefficient d31 of Sb2Te2Se is 1.72 pm/V and is higher than that of the other four 2D piezoelectric materials. Compared with other 2D piezoelectric materials, the out-of-plane piezoelectric properties of 2D Janus Sb2Te2Se show great advantages. Density functional perturbation theory was employed to calculate the piezoelectric tensors. The charge density distribution was calculated to explain the polarization and chemical bonds. The electrostatic potential energy was calculated to reveal the polarization phenomenon. Our works imply that 2D Janus Sb2Te2Se monolayer have potential applications in flexible electronics and piezoelectric devices.
Transition density matrices of Richardson–Gaudin states
Authors: Johnson Paul A. , Fortin Hubert , Cloutier Samuel , Fecteau Charles-Émile
Published: March 2021

Recently, ground state eigenvectors of the reduced Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer (BCS) Hamiltonian, Richardson–Gaudin (RG) states, have been employed as a wavefunction ansatz for strong correlation. This wavefunction physically represents a mean-field of pairs of electrons (geminals) with a constant pairing strength. To move beyond the mean-field, one must develop the wavefunction on the basis of all the RG states. This requires both practical expressions for transition density matrices and an idea of which states are most important in the expansion. In this contribution, we present expressions for the transition density matrix elements and calculate them numerically for half-filled picket–fence models (reduced BCS models with constant energy spacing). There are no Slater–Condon rules for RG states, though an analog of the aufbau principle proves to be useful in choosing which states are important.
1D spin-crossover molecular chain with degenerate states
Authors: Gudyma A. , Gudyma Iu.
Published: March 2021

A study of the one-dimensional molecular chain (MC) with two single-particle degenerate states is presented. We establish connection of the MC with the Ising model with phononic interactions and investigate properties of the model using a transfer-matrix method. The transfer-matrix method offers a promising pathway for simulating such materials properties. The role of degeneracy of states and phononic interaction is made explicit. We analyze regimes of the system and parameters of the occurring crossover. Here, we present exact results for the magnetization per spin, the correlation function, and the effective volume of the system. We demonstrate the possibility of the existence of two peaks in the specific heat capacity thermal behavior.
A mesoscopic model for thermal–solutal problems of power-law fluids through porous media
Authors: Kefayati Gholamreza , Tolooiyan Ali , Bassom Andrew P. , Vafai Kambiz
Published: March 2021

A mesoscopic method based on the lattice Boltzmann method for thermal–solutal incompressible non-Newtonian power-law fluids through porous media is introduced. The macroscopic equations of different representative element volume (REV) models of porous media are presented, and the equations of power-law fluids through porous media for various REV models reported. The general mesoscopic model for two- and three-dimensional cases are presented, and their derivations shown. To demonstrate the ability of the proposed method, natural convection and double-diffusive natural convection of Newtonian and power-law fluids in porous cavities are studied, and the results are validated against previous findings. Finally, double-diffusive natural convection in a porous cubic cavity filled with a non-Newtonian power-law fluid is simulated by the proposed method.
Optical gain and absorption of 1.55 μm InAs quantum dash lasers on silicon substrate
Authors: Li Zhibo , Shutts Samuel , Xue Ying , Luo Wei , Lau Kei May , Smowton Peter M.
Published: March 2021

This Letter reports on the temperature-dependent optical gain and absorption features, including the quantum confined Stark effect, of an InAs/InGaAs quantum-dash laser directly grown on a (001) Si substrate, with the lasing wavelength within the range of 1.5–1.6 μm. The maximum optical net gain was 22 cm−1, and the internal optical loss was ∼–17 cm−1 at 20 °C. Measurements as a function of injection level indicate that while the required current densities are still high, the intrinsic performance is significantly better than that of similarly operated InAs quantum dots operating at 1.3 μm, and further effort on growth could be made to reduce the internal optical losses and non-radiative current density. Optical modal absorption spectra were measured as a function of reverse bias from 0 V to 6 V, and a 40 nm redshift was observed in the absorption edge due to the quantum confined Stark effect, suggesting potential applications of these materials in electro-absorption modulators grown on silicon.