bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structure-Based Virtual Screening of Essential Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Enzymes AspS and KatG for potential inhibitors
Authors:   University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, Florida, Collins Andrew P. ,   2University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Published: February 2021

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) is a leading global cause of disease-related death. Recent works have studied metabolic pathways of the mycobacterium, highlighting essential enzymes to target via competitive inhibition through computational molecular modeling to suppress the organism’s life cycle. We used the Protein Databank (PDB), the UniProt Knowledgebase and the iDock server in this study. In vitro toxicity screening and pharmacokinetic properties were assessed to determine potential ligand safety and drug properties. Our results have revealed five and nine potential ligands for the enzymes AspS and KatG respectively. The KatG active site has displayed binding affinities of -13.443 to -12.895 kcal/mol, while AspS ligands range from -6.580 to -6.490kcal/mol. The intermolecular forces responsible for the differing binding affinities of each enzyme are primarily Coulombic interactions for AspS, versus Coulombic and extensive hydrogen bonding interactions in KatG.
Cytotoxic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of Celery (Apium graveolens L.)
Authors:   Department of Biology, College of Science, Al-Zulfi-, Majmaah University, Majmaah- 11952, Riyadh region Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Al Aboody Mohammed Saleh
Published: February 2021

Celery (Apium graveolens Linn, Family: Apiaceae) is a common edible herb used as a spice in the traditional medicine of several nations since time immemorial. The whole plant is extensively used in cooking as soups and salads. A. graveolens has various pharmacological properties such as anticancer, anti-obesity, anti-hepatotoxic, and antihypertensive agents. Hence, it is of interest to document the in vitro cytotoxic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activity of A. graveolens. The plants were collected in the local market, shade dried, and different parts of the plants were extracted with 70% ethanol using a cold maceration process. Antioxidant tests were performed based on the various radical scavenging methods. Antimicrobial activity and MIC were completed using the respective cup-plate and two-fold serial dilution method. In vitro cytotoxic studies were achieved by the MTT; Sulphorhodamine B assayed total cell protein content. DLA and ESC cells determined the short-term toxicity. The leaf extract exhibited significant antioxidant properties against NO, DPPH, ABTS, LPO, and HPO methods. Thus, potential inhibition against Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and fungal strains within the MIC ranges of 250-500 μg/ml was observed. All the extracts of the plant presented in the study revealed greater cytotoxicity effects against five respective cancer cell lines, L6, Vero, BRL 3A, A-549, L929, and L-929 with the ranging of 443-168.5 μg/ml. Thus, we show that A. graveolens possess a potential cytotoxic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activity.
Effectiveness of silver nano particles on root canal disinfection
Authors:   Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India, Nasim Iffat
Published: February 2021

The goal of endodontic treatment is the debridement and removal of the microbial ecosystem associated with the disease process. The need for root canal disinfectants increases especially in those cases where infection is resistant to the regular treatment and the outcome of endodontic therapy is often compromised. Therefore, it is of interest to document the known effectiveness of silver nanoparticle based root canal disinfectants with other root canal disinfectants on microbial load reduction during root canal disinfection. Known data shows that the overall risk of bias for the selected studies was moderate. Silver nanoparticle based root canal disinfectants showed superior reduction of microbial counts in majority of the studies. This data is limited to vitro studies with no clinical information to validate the use of antimicrobial properties of silver nanoparticles used as root canal disinfectant.
Molecular docking analysis of α-Topoisomerase II with δ-Carboline derivatives as potential anticancer agents
Authors:   Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Ooty, Nilgiris-643001,Tamil Nadu, India, Ayyamperumal Selvaraj
Published: February 2021

The enzyme, α-topoisomerase II (α-Topo II), is known to regulate efficiently the topology of DNA. It is highly expressed in rapidly proliferating cells and plays an important role in replication, transcription and chromosome organisation. This has prompted several investigators to pursue α-Topo II inhibitors as anticancer agents. δ-Carboline, a natural product, and its synthetic derivatives are known to exert potent anticancer activity by selectively targeting α-Topo II. Therefore, it is of interest to design carboline derivatives fused with pyrrolidine-2,5-dione in this context. δ-Carbolines fused with pyrrolidine-2,5-dione are of interest because the succinimide part of fused heteroaromatic molecule can interact with the ATP binding pocket via the hydrogen bond network with selectivity towards α-Topo II. The 300 derivatives designed were subjected to the Lipinski rule of 5, ADMET and toxicity prediction. The designed compounds were further analysed using molecular docking analysis on the active sites of the α-Topo II crystal structure (PDB ID:1ZXM). Molecular dynamic simulations were also performed to compare the binding mode and stability of the protein-ligand complexes. Compounds with ID numbers AS89, AS104, AS119, AS209, AS239, AS269, and AS299 show good binding activity compared to the co-crystal ligand. Molecular Dynamics simulation studies show that the ligand binding to α-Topo II in the ATP domain is stableand the protein-ligand conformation remains unchanged. Binding free energy calculations suggest that seven molecules designed are potential inhibitors for α-Topo II for further consideration as anticancer agents.
Marginal bone loss around axial and straight implants supported with prefabricated SFI-Bar with mandibular overdentures
Authors:   Department of Prosthodontics, Government dental college and research Institute, Bangalore, Karnataka, India, Balehonnur Prema
Published: February 2021

To assess the role of prefabricated SFI-Bar in peri-implant bone loss around immediately axially loaded and straight implants. This study comprised of 40 complete denture wearer patients who received two axially parallel implants connected by SFI-Bars in group I and two 15° mesially tilted implants connected by SFI-Bars in group II. Peri- implant bone loss (PiBL) was measured at 1 year, 2 years and 3 years. The mean PiBL at 1 year in group I was 0.21 mm and I group II was 0.22, at 2 years in group I was 0.26 mm and in group II was 0.23 mm and at 3 years, in group I was 0.29 mm and in group II was 0.34 mm. The difference was significant at 3 years (P< 0.05). The mean mesial PIBL at 1year in group I was 0.18 mm, in group II was 0.20 mm, at 2 years in group I was 0.19 mm and in group II was 0.07 mm and at 3 years, in group I was 0.25 mm and in group II was 0.29 mm. The difference found to be significant in each time duration in both groups (P< 0.05).The mean distal PIBL at 1 year in group I was 0.23 mm, in group II was 0.22 mm, at 2 years in group I was 0.33 mm and in group II was 0.39 mm and at 3 years, in group I was 0.34 mm and in group II was 0.39 mm. The difference found to be significant at 2 and 3 years in both groups (P< 0.05). Authors found that mandibular overdentures retained with Prefabricated SFI-Bar with axial and straight inserted implants may be useful in patients with reduced bone height.
СТРАТЕГИЯ ДИСКРЕДИТАЦИИ В БРИТАНСКОМ БРЕКСИТ-ДИСКУРСЕ
Authors:   Пензенский государственный университет, Юськаева Эльмира
Published: February 2021

Статья является частью исследования, посвященного изучению языковых средств конструирования национальной идентичности в британском политическом выступлении. В данной работе автор ставит следующую задачу - установить, с помощью каких языковых средств актуализируется стратегия дискредитации в выступлениях британских политиков. В качестве материала использованы тексты выступлений, доступные для скачивания на сайте кампаний «Vote Leave» и «Britain Stronger in Europe». Автор исследует материал посредством методик критического дискурс-анализа. В результате выделены различия в использовании стратегии дискредитации сторонниками и противниками Брексита. Если сторонники Брексита используют стратегию дискредитации по отношению к Евросоюзу, то противники Брексита обращаются к стратегии дискредитации с целью подрыва авторитета своих политических оппонентов. Спектр языковых средств, используемых при реализации стратегии дискредитации, включает пейоративы, инвективы, прилагательные с отрицательно-оценочным компонентом значения и др.
Una agencia... ¡de anuncio!
Authors: Vilajoana Alejandre Sandra
Published: February 2021

En el hogar de la Sra. Rushmore celebran lo que son, la agencia en la que la mayoría de los publicitarios querrían trabajar. Quizás porque su Atleti les ha hecho más fuertes, más de cien profesionales se vienen arriba cada día y consiguen emocionarnos con su publicidad. Clemente Manzano, su director general, nos abre las puertas de una agencia humana con un toque muy especial.
Cocinar, comer, comunicar
Authors: Creus Amalia
Published: February 2021

El buen comer está de moda, está en los medios y está, sobre todo, en la red. Festivales gastronómicos, restaurantes pop-up, blogs y apps nos ayudan a elegir un buen vino o a descubrir el tiempo exacto de preparación del fricandó... Lo que se cuece va más allá de los fogones y, ya sea por la crisis o por estar a la última, el hecho es que la cocina gana cada vez más 'seguidores', se expande en Internet y se multiplica en las redes sociales. Bienvenidos al mundo foodie, donde comer y cocinar son, más que nunca, comunicar.
La libertad de prensa en España
Authors: Vilajoana Alejandre Sandra
Published: February 2021

En un contexto de transformación política, social y económica, la efectiva garantía de los derechos a la libertad de expresión e información resulta, si cabe, más esencial. Consciente de la trascendencia de los retos que nos depara el 2015, el International Press Institute acaba de publicar un informe en el que evalúa el estado de la libertad de prensa en España e identifica sus principales desafíos.
El dinero no da la felicidad, pero sí la independencia
Authors: Sánchez-Navarro Jordi
Published: February 2021

En los últimos años he tenido oportunidad de aprender sobre el fenómeno del crowdfunding (la financiación colectiva de proyectos a partir de campañas promovidas por creadores) gracias a algunas investigaciones que he desarrollado junto a mi colega Antoni Roig y a la estudiante de doctorado Talia Leibovitz. Ambos han aprendido mucho más que yo, como comprobará cualquiera que en el futuro lea la tesis doctoral que está ultimando Leibovitz o lo que Roig ha escrito en anteriores números de COMeIN sobre crowdfunding y crowdsourcing, de modo que recomiendo acudir a esos textos para despejar algunas de las dudas que puedan surgir tras la lectura de lo que expongo a continuación.
Aprender, hacer, compartir: creatividad colectiva y cambio social
Authors: Roig Antoni
Published: February 2021

Los próximos días 26 y 27 de junio, en el Disseny Hub de Barcelona, tiene lugar la primera edición doméstica del Learn Do Share, una iniciativa nacida en los EE. UU. de la mano de Lance Weiler y actualmente presente en más de diez ciudades y tres continentes. La UOC, a través de los Estudios de Ciencias de la Información y de la Comunicación, somos partners académicos de este acontecimiento -gratuito previa inscripción- y a través de este artículo intentaré explicaros por qué, simplemente, no os lo podéis perder.
Comunicación gastronómica o la solución para no oír hablar de crisis
Authors: Costa Txell
Published: February 2021

Bip bip. Son las 9 de la noche de un jueves y recibo un correo electrónico en la cuenta del trabajo. ¿Quién será a estas horas? "Hola, Txell. Te escribimos del restaurante X de Manresa. Nos ha gustado mucho tu libro Working happy y quisiéramos invitarte a una cena-tertulia un día de cada día. En nuestro restaurante hacemos eventos cada mes y creemos que sería un reclamo muy chulo".
El científico de datos: un perfil multidisciplinario altamente especializado
Authors: Vàzquez Garcia Mercè
Published: February 2021

Actualmente el auge de los datos masivos ha sido clave para que las empresas tengan un interés creciente en la figura del científico de datos como perfil profesional que deberá permitir transformar la tendencia de crecimiento de diferentes sectores empresariales. Este nuevo perfil profesional es altamente especializado, tiene un gran dominio de las matemáticas, la estadística, las ciencias de la computación, y también cuenta con una buena capacidad comunicativa para poder trasladar los avances que se llevan a cabo en un determinado campo de especialidad en las decisiones que se toman en el ámbito empresarial.
El universo fanfiction: entrevista a Marcos Muñoz (II)
Authors: Sánchez-Navarro Jordi
Published: February 2021

En la primera entrega de la entrevista a Marcos Muñoz reflexionamos sobre las motivaciones de la producción fan, sobre la necesidad de compartir aquello que amamos con otras personas y sobre cómo se cultiva y cosecha el prestigio en el seno de las comunidades de fans. En esta segunda y última parte, Muñoz nos habla con detalle del proceso de creación fanfiction de El Ministerio del Tiempo y de las implicaciones que para él tiene su compromiso creativo con la serie.
Evidence of phenotypic plasticity along an altitudinal gradient in the dung beetle Onthophagus proteus
Authors: Stanbrook Roisin A. , Harris W. Edwin , Wheater Charles P. , Jones Martin
Published: February 2021

Background

High altitude insects are an ecologically specialized group and possess a suite of adaptions which allow persistence in the inhospitable conditions often associated with mountain tops. Changes in body coloration and reductions or increases in body size are thought to be examples of such adaptions. Melanic individuals, or individuals containing high levels of eumelanin, possess several traits which increase resistance to ultraviolet radiation and desiccation, while aiding thermoregulation. Trait variation is often observed in dung beetles and is associated with dimorphism and sexual selection. In this study, we identified trait changes which occur across an altitudinal gradient by measuring morphological color and body size traits in a montane insect.

Methods

Using standard digital photography and Image J, we examined individuals of Afromontane dung beetle Onthophagus proteus. Individuals were classified according to sex and color morph to identify intrasexual variance. Nine morphometric traits were measured per beetle to identify patterns of morphology across discrete 500 m altitude segments.

Results

The results of this study provide one of the first descriptions of trait changes associated with elevation in an African dung beetle. We suggest that color polymorphism in Onthophagus proteus might be at least partly driven by environmental factors as there is significantly increased melanism with increasing elevation and significant differences in color hues between altitude bands. We also suggest changes in horn length are density dependent, as we observed an increase in cephalic horn length at high elevations where O. proteus is the most abundant species.
Contribution of cyanobacteria to phytoplankton biomass in San Quintín Bay
Authors: García-Mendoza Ernesto , Almazán-Becerril Antonio
Published: February 2021

N/A
Effective VLSs in Language Learning: An Analysis of Micro Strategy Use
Authors: GÜL YILMAZ Vesile , ÇÖKER Berna
Published: February 2021

The purpose of this research was to investigate the micro VLSs Turkish graduate learners with high vocabulary levels employ, and thus to pinpoint the effective micro VLSs. The micro VLSs rarely or never used by most of the graduate
learners with high vocabulary levels were also investigated to point out the least used micro VLSs. A descriptive research design was employed in the study. The participants were a total of 128 Turkish students pursuing their graduate
(master’s and doctorate) education in Turkey (EFL) and the UK (ESL). Study data were collected via the ‘Vocabulary Learning Strategies Questionnaire’ and the ‘Vocabulary Levels Test’ after taking the necessary permissions from
Exeter University Graduate School of Education Ethical Committee (with the reference number D/14/15/28) on 09/03/2015 and from Dokuz Eylul University Institude of Educational Sciences Ethical Committee (with the reference number
06) on 26/05/2016. The study data were analysed using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, etc.) to determine the learners with high vocabulary levels. Strategies employed by high-level learners with top five rankings
and those reported to be used either rarely or none at all by most of the participants were compared and contrasted in terms of their language learning context. A t test was also used to see if the difference in VLS use between
the ELS and EFL contexts was statistically significant or not. The results revealed that the most popular VLSs among high-level learners was ‘getting help from the context to guess word meaning’ and the least popular was ‘getting
the teacher check the vocabulary notebooks, lists and word-cards prepared by the learner for accuracy’. There were also differences in the use of VLSs between the two contexts. In the light of the study findings, it is suggested
that instruction of effective VLSs be considered as part of English language teaching practices. Differences between contexts should be taken into account and further investigated.
Energy Saving Efforts in the Hospitality Sector
Authors: ÖZDER Ceren Gül ARTUNER
Published: February 2021

Dünyamızın sınırlı kaynaklarının en verimli şekilde kullanılmasına yönelik çabalar, son yıllarda verimliliği arttırmak amacıyla akıllı teknolojilerin artan bir şekilde benimsenmesiyle birlikte, çevreyi korumaya ve günlük hayatımızda
enerji tasarrufuna yönelik uygulamaların yaygınlaşmasını da beraberinde getirmiştir. Bu olguların kuruluşların faaliyet gösterdiği ulusal ve uluslararası pazarlar üzerinde önemli bir etkiye sahip olduğu söylenebilir. Diğer birçok
sektörde olduğu gibi konaklama sektöründe de, enerji verimliliği açısından daha etkili çözümlerin benimsenmesine yol açan enerji tasarrufu ve çevre koruma çabaları, son yıllarda öne çıkan ve işletmelerin uzun vadede varlığını sürdürebilmesi
açısından belirleyici niteliktedir. Bu araştırmanın temel amacı, çevre dostu uygulamaların yanı sıra kullanılan enerji miktarını ve kaynak israfını azaltmaya yönelik çabalara kapsamlı literatür araştırma yöntemiyle daha yakından
eğilerek, otel endüstrisinin mevcut sürdürülebilirlik uygulamalarını değerlendirmektir. Buna istinaden, enerji tüketimi ve tasarruf endişeleri, enerji tüketimini etkileyen faktörler, çevresel değerlendirme yöntemleri, enerji kullanım
modelleri, performans ve tüketim modelleme yöntemleri, konaklama sektöründe enerji yönetimi, otel zincirlerinin çevre yönetimi açısından misyonu, otellerin enerji yönetimi yatırımları bağlamında karşılaştıkları engeller ve bu yatırımları
etkileyen faktörler, birbirini izleyen başlıklar altında ele alınmıştır. Sonuç bölümünde, enerji tüketimini yönetmek için ortak bir çabaya duyulan ihtiyaç, otel zincirlerinin enerji israfını azaltmadaki misyonu, sürdürülebilirlik
politikası uygulama maliyetlerini gösteren bilimsel araçların kullanımı, enerji verimliliğini finanse etme seçenekleri, otellerin enerji verimliliği teknolojilerindeki yatırım kararlarını etkileyen faktörler ve küresel ölçekte
kullanılan enerji ölçütlerinin standardizasyonu tartışılmakta ve önerilerde bulunulmaktadır.
Comparison of Insulin Resistance in Lean and Obese Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus- A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Deepa Sandinti , Lakshmaiah V , Prabhakar K , Raveesha A , Vidyasagar CR , Raghavendra Prasad BN
Published: February 2021

Introduction: Insulin Resistance (IR) can develop into type 2 diabetes mellitus and is closely associated with obesity. However, the non-obese population has also shown a predisposition to the risk of IR due to genetics. Aim: To assess the relationship between IR and obesity in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) by comparing the proportion of subjects with IR in lean and obese T2DM and to identify the factors predicting IR in T2DM. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, hospital-based study was done at Department of Medicine of RL Jalappa hospital, Kolar, Karnataka on 106 T2DM patients aged >18 years. The study population was grouped into lean (BMI <19 kg/m2) and obese adults (BMI >30 kg/m2). IR was calculated using Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) and was considered as primary outcome variable. Obesity was considered as primary explanatory variable. Age, Gender, fasting insulin, C-peptide, Fasting Blood Sugar, Glycated haemoglobin (GHB or HbA1c) were the other explanatory variables. Descriptive analysis was carried out using mean and standard deviation for quantitative variables, frequency and proportion for categorical variables. Chi-square test was used to test statistical significance between the groups. Univariate logistic regression analysis was done to identify the predictors of IR. IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 was used for statistical analysis. The p-value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: The 106 subjects involved in the study had a mean age of 53.88±9.21 years. 44 subjects (41.5%) had IR. Obese to lean diabetic patients were in the ratio of 1:4. The proportion of obese diabetic subjects was (n=84, 79.2%) whereas lean diabetics were (n=22, 20.8%). The proportion of obese diabetic subjects with IR was 38.1% while the proportion of lean diabetic subjects with IR was 54.55%, but this difference was statistically not significant (p=0.163). On univariate logistic regression analysis, fasting insulin (odds ratio of 2.442 with 95% CI of 1.665 to 3.851, p<0.001**) and C-peptide (odds ratio of 1.446 with 95% CI of 1.123, p=0.004) were statistically significant factors attributing to IR. Conclusion: There was no significant relationship between IR and obesity. IR was independently associated with Fasting insulin levels and C-peptide levels.
Pseudothermotoga
Authors: Farrell Anne , Nesbø Camilla L. , Zhaxybayeva Olga , L'Haridon Stéphane
Published: February 2021

Pseu.do.ther.mo.to'ga. Gr. adj.
pseudo
, false; N.L. fem. n.
Thermotoga,
a bacterial genus; N.L. fem. n.
Pseudothermotoga,
a genus falsely (or incorrectly) classified as
Thermotoga
.

Thermotogota / Thermotogae / Thermotogales / Thermotogaceae / Pseudothermotoga

The genus
Pseudothermotoga
comprises sheathed, thermophilic, anaerobic, fermentative, and hydrogen‐producing bacteria. Thiosulfate is reduced by all the strains of the genus.
Pseudothermotoga
spp. are members of the phylum
Thermotogota
, class
Thermotogae,
order
Thermotogales
, family
Thermotogaceae
. Known habitats are hot springs, oil reservoirs, and thermophilic bioreactors. Genome sizes are in the range 2.01–2.19 Mb, and GC content varies between 38.7 and 51.3%. Based on phylogenomic analyses, two recently described species,
Thermotoga profunda
and
Thermotoga caldifontis,
should be assigned to the recently described genus
Pseudothermotoga
. Based on DNA–DNA hybridization and various genomic measurements, the
Pseudothermotoga lettingae
and
Pseudothermotoga subterranea
species should be reclassified as subspecies of
Pseudothermotoga elfii
. With these proposed reclassifications, the genus
Pseudothermotoga
would consist of five described species:
Pseudothermotoga thermarum, Pseudothermotoga elfii, Pseudothermotoga hypogea, Pseudothermotoga Profunda, and Pseudothermotoga caldifontis
. However, high genomic divergence observed within this genus may require additional taxonomic revisions in the future.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 38.7–51.3.

Type species
:
Pseudothermotoga thermarum
Bhandari and Gupta, 2014, VL158 (Basonym:
Thermotoga thermarum, Windberger et al. 1989
).
Microstructure, Hardness, Tensile Strength, and Sliding Wear of Hypoeutectic Al–Si Cast Alloys with Small Cr Additions and Fe‐Impurity Content
Authors: de Rosso Eduardo , dos Santos Carlos A. , Garcia Amauri
Published: February 2021

Herein, the influence of Cr additions on the solidification parameters, as‐cast microstructures, and mechanical properties of Al–Si alloys with Fe‐impurity is investigated. Al–Si–Cr alloys with 3% and 7% Si and 0.25% and 0.40% Cr are developed. Solidification experiments are performed using an instrumented cooling casting apparatus permitting the obtainment of vertical upward‐solidified ingots. The morphological and phase structures are characterized by optical and scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffractometry. Hardness, tensile, and dry sliding wear tests are conducted to determine the mechanical properties. The Cr addition to the Al–Si alloys leads to the formation of α‐Al(Si, Fe)Cr interdendritic precipitates, suppressing the formation of undesired needle‐like β‐intermetallic compounds (Al5FeSi). It is noted that both higher alloy Cr content and cooling rate induce refinement in the dendrite arm spacing, and improvement in both hardness and ultimate tensile strength when considering the alloys with identical Si content. The coefficient of friction slightly increases with increasing alloy Cr content and with coarsening of the microstructure. Correlations between the wear rate and secondary dendrite arm spacing are proposed, in which the wear rate decreases with decrease in the secondary dendrite arm spacing and increase in the alloy Cr content and hardness.
Induction of Four‐Dimensional Spatiotemporal Geometric Transformations in High Cell Density Tissues via Shape‐Changing Hydrogels
Authors: Lee Yu Bin , Jeon Oju , Lee Sang Jin , Ding Aixiang , Wells Derrick , Alsberg Eben
Published: February 2021

Developing and healing tissues begin as cellular condensations. Spatiotemporal changes in tissue geometry, transformations in the spatial distribution of the cells, and extracellular matrix are essential for its evolution into a functional tissue. 4D materials, 3D materials capable of geometric changes, may have the potential to recreate the aforementioned biological phenomenon. However, most reported 4D materials are non‐degradable and/or not biocompatible, limiting their application in regenerative medicine, and to date, there are no systems controlling the geometry of high density cellular condensations and differentiation. Here, 4D high cell density tissues based on shape‐changing hydrogels are described. By sequential photocrosslinking of oxidized and methacrylated alginate (OMA) and methacrylated gelatin (GelMA), bilayered hydrogels presenting controllable geometric changes without any external stimuli are fabricated. Fibroblasts and human adipose‐derived stem cells (ASCs) are encapsulated at concentrations up to 1.0 × 108 cells mL–1 in the 4D constructs, and controllable shape changes are achieved in concert with ASCs differentiated down chondrogenic and osteogenic lineages. Bioprinting of the high density cell‐laden OMA and GelMA permits the formation of more complex constructs with defined 4D geometric changes, which may further expand the promise of this approach in regenerative medicine applications.
Robust Nanovaccine Based on Polydopamine‐Coated Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Effective Photothermal‐Immunotherapy Against Melanoma
Authors: Huang Chenlu , Zhang Li , Guo Qing , Zuo Yueyue , Wang Nannan , Wang Hai , Kong Deling , Zhu Dunwan , Zhang Linhua
Published: February 2021

Nanoparticle‐based combination therapy strategy of photothermal therapy (PTT) and immunotherapy is an attractive cancer treatment for ablating tumors and eliciting host immune responses. However, this strategy is often hampered by tedious treatment process and limited immune response, and usually needs to be combined with checkpoint blockades to enhance therapeutic effect. Herein, a nanoplatform with mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) as a vector, which integrated photothermal agent polydopamine (PDA), model antigen ovalbumin (OVA), and antigen release promoter ammonium bicarbonate (ABC) in an easy way for melanoma PTT‐immunotherapy is designed. The formulated MSNs‐ABC@PDA‐OVA nanovaccine exhibits excellent photothermal properties and effectively eliminates primary tumors. Under laser irradiation, the MSNs‐ABC@PDA‐OVA nanovaccine realizes rapid antigen release and endosome escape, enhances dendritic cells activation and maturation, facilitates migration to tumor‐draining lymph nodes, and induces robust antitumor immune responses. Impressively, single injection of MSNs‐ABC@PDA‐OVA combines with single round of PTT successfully eradicates melanoma tumors with a cure rate of 75% and generates strong immunological memory to inhibit tumor recurrence and lung metastasis. Hence, the research offers a simple and promising strategy of synergistic PTT‐immunotherapy to effectively treat cancer.
3D Anisotropic Polyethylene as Light‐Responsive Grippers and Surfing Divers
Authors: Pan Xinglong , Grossiord Nadia , Sol Jeroen A. H. P. , Debije Michael G. , Schenning Albert P. H. J.
Published: February 2021

Untethered soft actuators are usually based on 3D engineered special polymers such as liquid crystal networks or hydrogels that require complex fabrication methods. Here, an easy‐to‐process, anisotropic composite soft actuator based on a simple photothermal dye‐doped polyethylene film is presented. The 3D anisotropic polymer films are prepared by solution‐casting and subsequent thermal solid‐stretching. The resulting soft actuators exhibit large and controllable bending in response to light (UV and/or near‐infrared (NIR)) and are able to act as grippers picking up cargo. Additionally, the films are capable of realizing “diving” and “surfing” locomotion in and over a liquid via the photothermal induced Marangoni effect, yielding a NIR light‐fueled transporter able to pick up cargo. The results open up new possibilities of using commodity polymers in a broad range of applications including untethered soft actuators and robotic devices.
A Nanoformulation‐Mediated Multifunctional Stem Cell Therapy with Improved Beta‐Amyloid Clearance and Neural Regeneration for Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Huang Dehua , Cao Yuheng , Yang Xue , Liu Yongyang , Zhang Yejun , Li Chunyan , Chen Guangcun , Wang Qiangbin
Published: February 2021

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common dementia that is currently incurable. The existing treatments can only moderately relieve the symptoms of AD to slow down its progress. How to achieve effective neural regeneration to ameliorate cognitive impairments is a major challenge for current AD treatment. Here, the therapeutic potential of a nanoformulation‐mediated neural stem cell (NSC) therapy capable of simultaneous Aβ clearance and neural regeneration is investigated in a murine model. Genetically engineered NSCs capable of stably and continuously expressing neprilysin (NEP) are developed to enhance Aβ degradation and NSC survival in the brain. A PBAE‐PLGA‐Ag2S‐RA‐siSOX9 (PPAR‐siSOX9) nanoformulation with high gene/drug deliverability is synthesized to overcome AD microenvironment‐associated adverse effects and to promote neuronal differentiation of the NEP‐expressing NSCs. For achieving accurate stereotactic transplantation, Ag2S quantum‐dot‐based fluorescence imaging is used to guide NSC transplantation in real time. This strategy shows numerous benefits, including efficient and long‐lasting Aβ degradation, improved neural regeneration, and accurate cell transplantation. It is shown that a single administration of this therapy achieves long‐term efficacy (6 months) with respect to memory reversal and improvement of learning deficits.
Injectable and Biocompatible Mussel‐Inspired Adhesive for Enhanced Reendothelialization of Injured Artery
Authors: Xu Chengyuan , Chen Yang , Si Yi , Yan Yunfeng , Kayitmazer A. Basak , Ding Yong , Qian Weiwei , Zheng Zhiyuan , Cao Song , Xu Yisheng
Published: February 2021

The drug delivery in vascular lesions is still challenging due to blood flow and complex dynamic physiological environment. Therefore, therapeutic bioadhesives are promising materials in replacement of drug eluting stents because of their unique features such as oriented delivering therapeutic agents, biodegradability, and avoidance of second injury. However, the adhesive strength of bioadhesives is seriously deteriorated in the moist environment of vessel surface. Herein, a rapid and simple method to prepare novel mussel‐inspired drug‐loaded bioadhesive through self‐assembly between lysine and 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine (DPA) functionalized poly(acrylic acid) is reported. The abundant DPA moieties endow adhesive strong underwater adhesion, which can reach the highest adhesion strength of 718 kPa. The adhesive shows 2.9‐fold and 14.7‐fold wet adhesion strength, more than that of the commercial cyanoacrylate and fibrin sealant. Such bioadhesive can serve as an efficient delivery vehicle for controlled‐release of drugs paclitaxel (PTX), which is successfully encapsulated in adhesive showing a durable (>200 h) sustained release. The capability on inhibition of neointima and enhancement of reendothelialization of injured artery are further confirmed in vivo. The novel therapeutic adhesive with injectability, biodegradability, and biocompatibility shows promising potential in the application in vessel therapy.
Durable Photoetching Magnetic Biomass‐Based Hydrogel with High Performance
Authors: Zhang Yang , Ma Na , Li Jingyu , Sui Guoxin
Published: February 2021

Benefiting from the economic raw materials and efficient f abrication process, it is easy to directly scale up the hydrogels for biomedical scaffolds, functional materials, and storage systems. However, it remains challenging to construct stable hydrogel combining photoetching technology with low‐cost, room‐temperature, and low‐pressure fabrication. Here, a novel photoetching microcrystalline cellulose (M C C) @ Fe3O4/lignin‐Ca2+ hydrogel with excellent compressive strength (up to 300 kPa) is reported and its elasticity is well maintained under the temperature (−25–100 °C). Interestingly, the magnetic hydrogel exhibits controllable photoetching patterns based on the photothermal effect of Fe3O4 nanoparticles under near‐infrared irradiation (808 nm), especially in the different circumstances including enclosed space and underwater condition. In addition, the magnetic hydrogel displays the outstanding fire resistance and UV absorption (100%). The photoetching magnetic cellulose‐based hydrogel has great potential toward environmental‐friendly devices and applications in optics, electronics, sensors, and other miniature devices.
Atomic Layer Deposition for the Photoelectrochemical Applications
Authors: Pastukhova Nadiia , Mavrič Andraž , Li Yanbo
Published: February 2021

Substantial progress has been made in the photoelectrochemical (PEC) field to understand the photoelectrode behavior, semiconductor‐electrolyte interface, and photocorrosion, enabling new photoelectrode architectures with higher photocurrent, reduced photovoltage losses, and longer lifetime. Nevertheless, for practical PEC applications additional efforts are still needed to optimize all components of the photoelectrodes, including the light absorbing semiconductors, the layers for charge extraction, charge transfer, corrosion protection, and catalysis. In this regard, atomic layer deposition (ALD) offers new opportunities due to the monolayer‐by‐monolayer deposition approach, allowing preparation of conformal films with precisely controlled thickness and composition. As the ALD instruments are becoming widely accessible, this review aims to make an overview of the applications for photoelectrodes fabrication. The deposition of semiconductors onto flat and nano‐textured substrates, the deposition of ultrathin interlayers to ease charge transport by energy band alignment and surface states passivation, the deposition of corrosion protection layers, and finally, the possibilities for high catalyst dispersion is presented.
Complete‐Lifecycle‐Available, Lightweight and Flexible Hierarchical Structured Bi2WO6/WO3/PAN Nanofibrous Membrane for X‐Ray Shielding and Photocatalytic Degradation
Authors: He Dayong , Ma Yuying , Zhao Rui , Qiu Ju , Sun Bolun , Wang Hao , Yang Mei , Jia Xiaoteng , Li Xiang , Li Yongxin , Lu Xiaofeng , Wang Ce
Published: February 2021

Faced with the presence of radiation sources in many different areas, researchers are beginning to focus on the development of personal protective equipment. The design and manufacture of lightweight, lead‐free, and flexible X‐ray shielding materials have recently become a challenge in materials science, whereas, high‐Z materials, which are essential raw materials for high‐performance X‐ray protective fillers, are non‐renewable, and their exploitation and utilization usually require long‐term planning. In this study, a new route is demonstrated to the preparation of multifunctional polymer/high‐Z material nanofibrous membrane through electrospinning and subsequent solvothermal processes. The resultant Bi2WO6/WO3/polyacrylonitrile hybrid nanofibrous membrane possesses a remarkable X‐ray attenuating property with an attenuation rate of 90.10% at 30 keV and a mass attenuation coefficient of 2.97 cm2 g−1 at 83 keV. In addition, the freestanding hybrid nanofibrous membrane also possesses excellent photocatalytic activities for the degrading of cationic water pollutants, showing promising potential in industrial wastewater treatment, and providing a new strategy for the design and applications of multifunctional and recyclable shielding materials.
Paper‐Based, Chemiresistive Sensor for Hydrogen Peroxide Detection
Authors: Giaretta Jacopo Emilio , Oveissi Farshad , Dehghani Fariba , Naficy Sina
Published: February 2021

Detecting hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as the side product of enzymatic reactions is of great interest in food and medical applications. Despite the advances in this field, the majority of reported H2O2 sensors are bulky, expensive, limited to only one phase detection (either gas or liquid), and require multistep fabrications. This article aims to address some of these limitations by presenting a 3D printable paper‐based sensor made from poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) decorated with horseradish peroxidase, an enzyme able to interact with H2O2. Unlike most electrochemical PEDOT:PSS‐based H2O2 sensors with voltametric or potentiometric mechanisms, the sensing mechanism in this technology is impedimetric, significantly simplifying the fabrication process. Here, the resistance of sensors proportionally changes with H2O2 concentration upon exposure to liquid or gas with a linear trend within the range of 61.3 × 10−9 and 61.3 × 10−6 m H2O2. The observed correlation between the resistance and H2O2 concentration is highly dependent on the level of integrated enzyme, suggesting the direct contribution of horseradish peroxidase in the co‐redoxing of PEDOT:PSS in the presence of H2O2. Raman and UV–vis spectroscopies also confirm the structural change of PEDOT in the presence of H2O2 which is facilitated by the enzyme.
Regioselective Decarboxylative Cycloaddition Route to Fully Substituted 3‐CF3‐Pyrazoles from Nitrilimines and Isoxazolidinediones
Authors: Tian Yu‐Chen , Li Jun‐Kuan , Zhang Fa‐Guang , Ma Jun‐An
Published: February 2021

1,4‐Diaryl‐5‐carboxamido substituted 3‐trifluoromethylpyrazoles are obtained with exclusive regioselectivity under transition‐metal‐free conditions. This decarboxylative [3+2] cycloaddition protocol was enabled by employing trifluoromethyl nitrilimines as 1,3‐dipoles, and isoxazolidinediones as CO2‐masked alkynyl dipolarophiles. The applicability of this method is further manifested by its compatibility with difluoromethyl, alkyl, aryl, and heteroaryl nitrilimines, as well as the preparation of 4‐carboxylic amido analogue of drug Celebrex.

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Achieving Efficient Ternary Organic Solar Cells Using Structurally Similar Non‐Fullerene Acceptors with Varying Flanking Side Chains
Authors: Chang Yuan , Zhang Jianquan , Chen Yuzhong , Chai Gaoda , Xu Xiaopeng , Yu Liyang , Ma Ruijie , Yu Han , Liu Tao , Liu Pei , Peng Qiang , Yan He
Published: February 2021

In this work, the properties and performance of three structurally similar non‐fullerene acceptors (named BTP‐Ph, BTP‐Th, and BTP‐C11) possessing different side chains on the β‐positions of the thienothiophene units of the Y6 molecule are systematically studied. The steric and electronic effects of these side chains on the blend morphology and device performance based on the PTQ10 donor polymer are investigated. It is found that the thiophene and benzene units on the side chains introduce more steric hindrance and thus slightly reduce the crystallinity of the molecule. However, an interesting matching trend with the PTQ10 donor that appears to better match with the less crystalline molecules is observed. Overall, PTQ10:BTP‐Ph delivers the highest performance of 17.1% due to the suitable phase separation among three blends. Next, a ternary strategy is explored by incorporating BTP‐Th/BTP‐C11 with better molecular packing into PTQ10:BTP‐Ph, which successfully extends photon response, enhances charge transport, and suppresses charge recombination compared with the binary blend. Due to these synergistic effects, the ternary device based on PTQ10:BTP‐Ph:BTP‐Th achieves an outstanding power conversion efficiency of 17.6% with a fill factor of 78.8%, which is the highest value of PTQ10‐based devices to date.
Information and consumer demand for milk attributes: Are redundant labels an effective marketing strategy?
Authors: Ufer Danielle , Ortega David L. , Wolf Christopher A.
Published: February 2021

Product labels communicate the presence of valuable traits to consumers but, when a single label represents multiple traits, communication can be hindered by consumer misinformation. Redundant labels can address this problem by explicitly indicating included qualities within a comprehensive label. We use data from a field experiment on willingness to pay for redundant labels in the US organic fluid milk market when consumers are either uninformed or informed of the redundancy. Market share simulations demonstrate the market impacts and effectiveness of introducing a redundant label as a response strategy to recapture market share lost to increasingly prevalent individual labels.
A statistical approach to surface renewal: The virtual chamber concept
Authors: Hicks Bruce B. , Lichiheb Nebila , O'Dell Deb. L. , Oetting Joel N. , Eash Neal S. , Heuer Mark , Myles LaToya
Published: February 2021

In the stable conditions prevailing at night, concentrations of emitted gases (e.g., radon [Rn], carbon dioxide [CO2], methane [CH4], ammonia [NH3], and nitrous oxide [N2O]) build up at the surface, with intermittent interruptions due to the passage of packets of turbulence. The applicability of conventional experimental methods is then questionable. Here, a statistical approach is proposed, in which micrometeorological field data are used to replicate the likely characteristics of a chamber experiment, yielding estimates of surface fluxes at the surface itself with reduced requirement for adequate fetch. Application of the virtual chamber methodology to two recent field studies is explored: (a) a study of nocturnal CO2 emission from a farmland area in Ohio in 2015; and (b) an investigation of NH3 effluxes from a crop previously treated with urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) in Illinois in 2014. For both datasets, the virtual chamber approach yields results in general agreement with eddy covariance (EC) data.
Fossil palm reading: using fruits to reveal the deep roots of palm diversity
Authors: Matsunaga Kelly K.S. , Smith Selena Y.
Published: February 2021

PREMISE

Fossils are essential for understanding evolutionary history because they provide direct evidence of past diversity and geographic distributions. However, resolving systematic relationships between fossils and extant taxa, an essential step for many macroevolutionary studies, requires extensive comparative work on morphology and anatomy. While palms (Arecaceae) have an excellent fossil record that includes numerous fossil fruits, many are difficult to identify due in part to limited comparative data on modern fruit structure.

METHODS

We studied fruits of 207 palm species, representing nearly every modern genus, using X‐ray microcomputed tomography. We then developed a morphological data set to test whether the fossil record of fruits can improve our understanding of palm diversity in the deep past. To evaluate the accuracy with which this data set recovers systematic relationships, we performed phylogenetic pseudofossilization analyses. We then used the data set to investigate the phylogenetic relationships of five previously published fossil palm fruits.

RESULTS

Phylogenetic analyses of fossils and pseudofossilization of extant taxa show that fossils can be placed accurately to the tribe and subtribe level with this data set, but node support must be considered. The phylogenetic relationships of the fossils suggest origins of many modern lineages in the Cretaceous and early Paleogene. Three of these fossils are suitable as new node calibrations for palms.

CONCLUSIONS

This work improves our knowledge of fruit structure in palms, lays a foundation for applying fossil fruits to macroevolutionary studies, and provides new insights into the evolutionary history and early diversification of Arecaceae.
Synthesis, structural characterization, DNA cleavage studies, antimicrobial activities, and time‐killing kinetics of tetranuclear Cu (II) with partial cubane Cu4O4 cores and mononuclear Co (II) and Ni (II) complexes of a new acylhydrazone ligand
Authors: Zülfikaroğlu Ayşin , Taş Murat , Vural Hatice , Çelikoğlu Emine , İdil Önder
Published: February 2021

In the present study, a new acyl hydrazone N′‐(3‐ethoxy‐2‐hydroxybenzylidene)isobutyrohydrazide (ehbbhH2) and its metal complexes [Co (ehbbhH)2] (1), [Ni (ehbbhH)2] (2), and [Cu4(ehbbh)4]·4H2O (3) were prepared. The structure of the ligand was characterized using elemental analysis, GC‐MS, electronic, IR, 1H, and 13C NMR spectra. The structure of the prepared complexes was investigated by spectral, analytical, thermal, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The results revealed that complexes 1 and 2 were formed in a 1 M:2 L mole ratio, whereas Complex 3 was formed in a 1:1 mole ratio. Spectral studies showed that the ligand in complexes 1 and 2 bonded to the metal ion in a monoanionic tridentate fashion through the azomethine nitrogen atom, carbonyl, and phenolic oxygen atoms. In Complex 3, ligand acted as dianionic tetradentate through the azomethine nitrogen atom, enolic, phenolic, and ethoxy oxygen atoms. The molecular structures of the ligand and Complex 3 were also established using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The X‐ray structures of Complex 3 revealed that they contained a distorted Cu4O4 cubane core. The present study investigated the cleavage activities of the ligand and its complexes on supercoiled pBR322 DNA. Complex 3 was determined to be the most effective compound on pBR322 plasmid DNA in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The antimicrobial activities of all compounds were investigated against two Gram‐positive bacteria, two Gram‐negative bacteria, and one eukaryote. The results showed that Complex 3 exhibited better antimicrobial activity than other complexes. Finally, time‐killing assays of Complex 3, which was the most effective complex, were carried out.