bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nurturing global consciousness through internationalization
Authors: Helleve Mette Birgitte
Published: December 2019

The topic of this article is nurturing global consciousness through internationalization in teacher education. As a teacher educator, I have been supervising 29 student teachers in their three-month practice in Namibia and Uganda over a four-year period. Here I have focused on the students' experience according to global consciousness with a primary focus towards their global sensitivity. The purpose of this article is threefold. First I describe the nuances of global consciousness and the connection between the three sub-areas: global sensitivity, global understanding, and global self-representation. The two concepts intersubjectivity and attunement will provide a meaningful contribution to the definition of global consciousness. Secondly, I argue that internationalization, as a three-month-long practice abroad in itself, is not sufficient to nurture global consciousness. Thirdly, I describe a pedagogical approach to nurture teacher students’ global consciousness through a set of five different tasks. The research question for this article is: How can initial teacher education contribute to nurturing student teachers’ global consciousness through mentoring and practice abroad? Methodologically the study is grounded in a phenomenological tradition. In the analysis of the material, I have focused on the students' experiences concentrated toward the concept of global consciousness and the sub-areas mentioned above.
Growth Response of Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) Seedlings to Application of Cocoa Pod Husk-based Compost
Authors: Dogbatse Jerome A. , Arthur A. , Amoaku-Attah I. , Quaye A. K. , Konlan S. , Owusu-Ansah F. , Djan E. , Amon-Armah F.
Published: December 2019

Aim: To study the effects of cocoa pod husk based compost: Soil mixtures on growth of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) seedlings.

Study Design: The experiment was laid out in a Complete Randomized Design with four replications.

Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted at the main nursery of Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana at New Tafo - Akim (06°13’ N and 00°22’ W) in the Eastern Region of Ghana, between November, 2016 and December 2017.

Methodology: Surface soil classified as Ferric Lixisols together with four compost types produced from cocoa pod husk, poultry manure and Panicum maximum was used to fill polythene bags. A Soil alone (T1) and Soil + standard foliar fertilizer (T2) with a four compost:soil mixture treatments namely T3 - 1:1 w/w, T4 - 1:2 w/w, T5 -1:3 w/w and T6 - 2:1 w/w were tested. Each of the four compost types was used for T3 to T6. Surface soil, poultry manure, compost and compost-soil mixtures were carried out using standard laboratory procedures. Mixed hybrid cocoa seedlings were raised and growth evaluated monthly.

Results: Interaction effect was observed between compost types and compost-soil mixtures on dry matter yield of cocoa seedlings. Cocoa seedlings grown in T5 of compost 1 had the highest dry matter yield. Higher shoot: root ratio of cocoa seedlings were observed in compost 1. The order of desirability for the four compost types in terms of compost-soil mixtures was compost:soil (1:3 w/w) > compost:soil (1:2 w/w) > compost:soil (2:1 w/w) > compost:soil (1:1 w/w). CMPT1 will ensure more vigorous cocoa seedlings growth after transplanting and subsequently, higher establishment rate.

Conclusion: The optimum mixture of compost and soil for growing cocoa seedlings under limited availability of fertile surface soil is compost 1 mixed with surface soil at the ratio of 1:3.
Climate Resilient Millets for Food and Nutrition Security for All Seasons: Time to Promote
Authors: Suneetha W. Jessie , Kumar J. Hemanth , Kumari B. Anila , Rao P. Jagan Mohan , Ranjitha P. Sri , Kumar K. Ravi , Phanisree P. N. M. , Srinivas D.
Published: December 2019

Millets are climate-resilient crops adaptable to wide variety of ecological conditions requiring less water for irrigation with better growth and productivity in low nutrient soils.  They require low artificial fertilizers application and show minimal vulnerability to environmental stresses. There is need to revive the importance of millet groups as health foods to enhance food and nutritional security. Millets contain high amounts of proteins, fiber, niacin, thiamine and riboflavin, methionine, lecithin and little of vitamin E. They are rich in minerals like iron, magnesium, calcium and potassium also. Millets due to their nutritive value have potential health benefits to prevent cancers, decrease the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases, reduce tumor proliferation, lower blood pressure, risk of heart diseases, cholesterol content, rate of fat absorption, delayed gastric emptying and increased gastrointestinal bulk. Value-addition to millet grains as ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook items offers good opportunity to farmers for enhanced income generation, promotes production and marketing leading to nutritional security, employment and revenue generation.
Growth Response of Selected Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Varieties to Integrated Weed Management in Sudan Savanna of Nigeria
Authors: Ajala A. A. , Muhammad A. , Yakubu A. I. , Sanda H. Y.
Published: December 2019

Rice is a weak competitor against weeds and the majority of African farmers have few options and resources available for effective weed control. Weed control is one of the most important and suggestive practices for potential rice production. Field trials were carried out during 2017/2018 dry season at the Teaching and Research Fadama farm of the Kebbi State University of Science and Technology located at Jega (Latitude 12º21ˈN; Longitude 4º36ˈE) and that of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto located at Kwalkwalawa (Latitude 13º01ˈN, Longitude 5º09ˈE) to study the effects of integrated weed management (IWM) and variety on weed occurrence and the growth of rice. Both locations lie within Sudan Savanna ecological zone of Nigeria. The treatments consisted of six (6) weed management options (Solarization/Orizo-plus (3 WAT)/Hoe-weeding (6 WAT), Round-up/Orizo-plus (3 WAT)/Hoe-weeding (6WAT), Solarization/Hoe-weeding (3 WAT)/Hoe-weeding (6 WAT), Round-up/Hoe-weeding (3 WAT)/Hoe-weeding (6 WAT), Weedy-check and Weed-free) and three (3) rice varieties (Jamila, Faro 44 and Faro 57). The factorial combinations of the treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with the split-plot arrangement and were replicated three times. Weed management options formed the main plots while rice varieties were assigned to the sub-plots. The result of the study indicated that combination of solarization, orizo-plus and hoe-weeding achieved an effective weed control (33.56 g weed dry matter per m2) close to the weekly hoe-weeding (16.13 g weed dry matter per m2). Faro 57 variety was noted with the potential to increase rice growth under good weed management practices. From the results, it could be concluded that for increased rice growth, Faro 57 under the combination of solarization, orizo-plus and hoe-weeding IWM option should be adopted.
The Effects of Hydro Priming Intervals on the Germination and Yield of Kidney Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in the Humid Forest Zone of Cameroon
Authors: Kisito Mbiankeu Saint , Shu Che Samuel , Monono Ekwa Y. , Tata-Kong Arnold , S. Mbomi Elizabeth
Published: December 2019

The aim of this research was to evaluate the appropriate hydro-priming interval on germination, growth and yield of kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).

The experiment was conducted in a Completely Randomized Block Design, with five treatments, replicated thrice.

This study was conducted at the agricultural research farm of Pan African Institute for Development – West Africa (PAID-WA), Buea from August to October 2017.

The Five treatments were: T1 (Unprimed or control), T2 (Hydro-primed for 6 hours), T3 (Hydro-primed for 12 hours), T4 (Hydro-primed for 18 hours), and T5 (Hydro-primed for 24 hours). Data were collected on percentage germination, plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves per plant, number of pods, pod weight and grain yield.

The result revealed there was a significant increase in days (P < 0.05) in the germination percentage of some primed seeds and unprimed seeds across the treatment. There was not any significant difference (P > 0.05) in plant height, number of leaves, plant girth from T1 to T5. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the number of pots among the primed treatments. Yield of beans also showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) with unprimed and primed plants. Seeds of T2, T3, T4, T5 produced the following yields 11.1 kg/ha, 22.3 kg/ha, 172.3 kg/ha, 277.8 kg/ha more than unprimed seeds (control) respectively.

This study showed that hydro primed seeds for 6 hours produced the best growth and development aspect as well as the yield, despite the low germination percentage as compared to the unprimed and the other primed seeds.
Androgenic Effects of Cinnamomum camphora in Male Sprague-dawley Rats
Authors: Ayoade O. H. , Akunna G. G. , Duru F. I.
Published: December 2019

This study evaluated camphora-induced androgenic and histopathological changes in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Thirty-five animals weighing 200 g±20 g were used for this study and randomly divided equally into five groups, with seven rats in each group. Group A animals (normal control group) were served water and rat chow only; Groups B-D (treatment groups) were orally administered camphora in doses of 1 g/kg (Low-dose), 2 g/kg (Medium-dose) and 4 g/kg (High-dose) respectively while Group E (vehicle group) were orally administered 6 mL/kg olive oil (a solvent for camphora) per day for 56 days. There was a significant decrease (P< .05) in activity levels of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH); Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) when the treatment was compared with the control group. Also, a significant decrease (P< .05) in activity level of FSH was observed when the Medium-dose group was compared with Low-dose group. Insignificant irregular pattern in activity level of Testosterone was observed across the treatment groups when compared with the control. However, a significant increase (P< .05) in activity level of Testosterone was observed when the High-dose group was compared with the Medium-dose group. There was a significant increase (P< .05) in activity levels of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) when the treatment was compared with the control group. Semen analysis showed reduction in sperm concentration, motility and morphology with increasing concentration of camphora. Significant decrease was recorded in testicular weight when High-dose group was compared to Control and Low-dose groups. Histopathological changes were seen in the testes of the camphor administered groups, ranging from mild disintegrated interstitial tissues in Low-dose to severe degeneration and disintegration of both seminiferous and interstitial tissues in the testes in the Medium-dose and High-dose groups. In conclusion, camphora had androgenic and toxic effects on testis and may cause testicular tissue damage.
Increasing Market Rewards for Sustainability: A Case of Private Nursing and Midwifery Colleges in Ghana
Authors: Duodu John Kwame , Antwi James , Baafi Joseph Antwi
Published: December 2019

This study sought to examine the interplay between market rewards and sustainability of private nursing and midwifery colleges in a competitive market environment. Over the last two decades, there has been a proliferation of Private Nursing and Midwifery Colleges in Ghana. These colleges are increasingly competing with their counterparts in the public sector that receive incentives from government. Therefore, increasing market rewards of private nursing colleges is imperative for sustainability of the colleges. The study adopted a descriptive survey design using quantitative approach. Total number of respondent for this study was 142. The study uncovered that equal employment opportunities for graduates, tax holidays, subventions or support from government were the key market rewards that could lead to sustainability of private institutions. These rewards were found to have a significant relationship with sustainability of institutions. The study also discovered that, effective market rewards can lead to improvement in enrolment and attraction of local or external investors in management of private nursing and midwifery colleges to enable them compete with those in the public sector.
Association between dental consultation and oral health status among male Japanese employees
Authors: Shimazaki Yoshihiro , Nonoyama Toshiya , Miyano Yoshikazu , Miyata Yasushi , Hisada Kazuaki , Nagasawa Tsuneyasu
Published: December 2019

Objective

To investigate the association between dental consultation and oral health status among male Japanese employees.

Methods

The participants were 3351 male employees who received a workplace oral health examination conducted at the ages of 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, and 59 years before retirement in conjunction with an annual health checkup. Data on dental expenditures were collected from health insurance claims. The number of dental visits and dental care expenses, alone or in combination, were used as indices of the dental consultation status for the analyses. The effects of dental consultation status on oral health status (number of total teeth, number of decayed teeth, and periodontal status) were analyzed using multivariate multinomial logistic regression analyses adjusted for confounders.

Results

Multivariate analyses revealed that the odds ratio (OR) for 20-27 teeth (losing 1-8 teeth) was significantly higher (OR 1.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-1.7) in those who had a high number of dental visits and high dental care expenses than in those who did not have a dental visit. By contrast, the ORs for ≤19 teeth (losing ≥9 teeth), having ≥3 decayed teeth, or having a periodontal pocket ≥6 mm were significantly lower (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.1-0.6; OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.3-0.6; OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.5-1.0, respectively) in those who had fewer dental visits and lower dental care expenses.

Conclusions

These results imply that the dental consultation status is associated with oral health status among male employees.
Ritualized Homosexuality
Authors: Jolly Margaret
Published: December 2019

The concept of ritualized homosexuality was coined by Gilbert Herdt to describe practices of semen ingestion as part of male initiation among the Sambia of Papua New Guinea. It depicted nonreciprocal relations as young novices fellated older bachelors and ingested their semen to grow into strong, mature men. Herdt discerned desire and fear, eroticism, and violent masculinist hierarchy in such practices. He compared similar practices among several groups in Papua New Guinea and more widely in Melanesia. His groundbreaking ethnography powerfully influenced the cross‐cultural and historical study of homosexualities, although the concept of ritualized homosexuality was increasingly criticized, including by Herdt himself and by Deborah Elliston and Bruce Knauft. Knauft suggests that the concept is now “vestigial” not only because of the abandonment of such practices by Melanesian people but because of its lessened salience as a frame for contemporary researchers.
Teaching Anthropology Outside the University: Global Approaches
Authors: Ford Emma
Published: December 2019

Teaching and learning outside of universities occurs in classroom settings but also in a much wider range of contexts, as anthropologists of education have long recognized. Because public engagement is also an opportunity for public education, there are multiple interconnections between anthropology in education, communicating anthropology to nonspecialist audiences, and the public presence of anthropology generally. Moreover, pre‐university students can be understood as a public with whom anthropologists communicate, and the presence of anthropology at this level brings awareness of the subject to parents, politicians, and the press. This entry identifies various contexts in which anthropology is taught and learned outside the university, before discussing patterns in global approaches.
Agricultural Origins
Authors: Bellwood Peter
Published: December 2019

Agriculture (or, more generally, food production) developed with plant and animal domestication in several regions of the world during the past 10,000 years, following the post‐ice age establishment of encouraging Holocene climates, mostly in seasonal temperate and tropical latitudes. The entry reviews the various archaeological and biological records that apply to some of the major regions, and discusses some possible causal factors, both environmental and behavioral. Agriculture drove the rise of complex human societies toward chiefdoms and states in later periods of prehistory, and was especially important in generating population increase, sufficient to fuel major migrations of early farmers, with their languages and genes.
Anthropocene, The
Authors: Hornborg Alf
Published: December 2019

The concept of the Anthropocene has framed two decades of voluminous discussions on the current environmental predicament of humankind. Its point of departure is the observation that human impacts on the environment can be detected in geological sediments. Strongly associated with anthropogenic climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions largely deriving from the combustion of fossil fuels, it has prompted several kinds of responses within social sciences and humanities. The dominant approach within anthropology is post‐humanism, which proposes a radical rejection of modern distinctions between society and nature and humans and nonhumans. Although the Anthropocene does justify a fundamental transformation of modern ontology, this does not necessarily mean abandoning anthropocentrism, the concept of nature, or the modernist concern with justice.
Candomblé
Authors: Motta Roberto
Published: December 2019

Candomblé, a Brazilian religion with African (mainly Yoruba) roots, consists of the worship oforixás, syncretized with the saints of popular Catholicism.Orixásare viewed as parents and patrons and intervene in matters of practical concern. The essential rite ofCandombléis animal sacrifice, which is thought to nourish both gods and humans. Sacrifices lead to feasts, dances, and trances, through which devotees are transferred, though transitorily, to the supernatural world of truth and identity, and fuse with the imperishable stuff of the gods.
Evil
Authors: Olsen William C.
Published: December 2019

Evil as an anthropological construct within a moral framework has received a wide range of attention for decades in anthropology as communities, individuals, and even nations identify specific events, persons, and sometimes populations as embodying undesirable behaviors, dubious natures, or nefarious ideologies. Literature exploring witchcraft and sorcery, genocide and mass murder, and other such practices makes use of the word “evil” to aid in the comprehension of the deep suffering such activities cause for those who experience their realities firsthand. However, as an analytical and conceptual tool in anthropology, “evil” has received rather limited exposure. It has even been dismissed as being a concept restricted to a frame of reference that is heavily Western, or Christian, or as being mystical in its outlook. Recent literature shows that evil is not only useful but necessary in the anthropology of morality.
Luck
Authors: Hamayon Roberte , Simon Damien
Published: December 2019

Luck, as a selective immaterial attribute from which one expects good things to happen, belongs to a family of notions (grace, fortune, fate, etc.) that aims to replace probabilistic or hidden causalities through alternative causalities that humans believe they can influence—hence divinatory and propitiatory practices and religious rituals—which are broadly distinguishable according to whether the purpose is individual or collective. Luck requires an active personal commitment and some degree of social redistribution. While it can be fostered, it is ultimately perceived as uncontrollable; it can be triggered by opportunity (
kairos
) and may conflict with merit. Often there is no identifiable source for good luck, while bad luck must be clearly identified to be repelled. This asymmetry is reflected through a gender divide in the ethnographic record: While figures that bring luck are mostly generic and female, figures that repel misfortune are mostly identifiably human and male.
Sufism
Authors: Vicini Fabio
Published: December 2019

While the term “Sufism” has long been used within the academic literature to define the mystic dimension of Islam, later works have questioned the orientalizing tendencies of such a definition and have shown the deep interconnectedness of the phenomenon with social and political change in modern times. After an overview of the history of the term and how it has been employed in seminal sociological and anthropological scholarship, the entry illustrates how a new body of literature has explored the interconnectedness between Sufism and modernity from different perspectives. It mainly explains Sufism's resilience as a result of the flexibility of its foundational pedagogical and intersubjective patterns. Moreover, it highlights this particular tradition's capacity for recreating connectivity at a translocal level, as well as for offering replies to questions that, though framed partly in new ways, address long‐standing human problems.
Social Media
Authors: Collins Samuel Gerald
Published: December 2019

Since its meteoric rise in the twenty‐first century, social media have been a source of both attraction and consternation to anthropologists. While they constitute a growing part of their interlocutors' lives, social media also pose ethical dilemmas both for anthropologists and for the communities in which they work. And yet, for good or for ill, the work of anthropology is marketed, reviewed, and discussed on social media: It is an unavoidable part of scholarly and institutional life.
A 6π Azaelectrocyclization Strategy towards the 1,5,9‐Triazacoronenes
Authors: Sun Yi‐Xun , Wang Xiao‐Gang , Shen Guo‐Dong , Yang Tian , Yang Yi‐Hui , Li Jing , Yang Ming‐Yu , Sun Hua‐Ming , Wei Jun‐Fa
Published: December 2019

We present the instance of two aromatic double bonds and an imine double bond involved thermal 6π‐azaelectrocyclization and, on this basis, a one‐step synthesis of triazacoronenes (TACs) from triphenylene‐1,5,9‐triamines and aldehydes under nonacidic conditions. This method has several advantages such as simplicity, high yields, and extensive substrate scope. A plausible reaction mechanism has been proposed with several experimental supports. A typical derivative shows a unique dimer holding together via a π‐π interaction and six H‐bonds and a zigzag superstructure stabilized by three centered H‐bonds and Br ⋅⋅⋅ π interaction between the adjacent dimers.

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Circ‐MALAT1 Functions as Both an mRNA Translation Brake and a microRNA Sponge to Promote Self‐Renewal of Hepatocellular Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Chen Liang , Kong Ruijiao , Wu Cong , Wang Shuo , Liu Zixin , Liu Shupeng , Li Shuiping , Chen Tian , Mao Chuanbin , Liu Shanrong
Published: December 2019

Both circular RNAs (circRNAs) and cancer stem cells (CSCs) are separately known to be involved in cancer, but their interaction remains unclear. Here, the regulation of hepatocellular CSC self‐renewal is discovered by a circRNA, circ‐MALAT1, which is produced by back‐splicing of a long noncoding RNA, MALAT1. Circ‐MALAT1 is highly expressed in CSCs from clinical hepatocellular carcinoma samples under the mediation of an RNA‐binding protein, AUF1. Surprisingly, circMALAT1 functions as a brake in ribosomes to retard PAX5 mRNA translation and promote CSCs' self‐renewal by forming an unprecedented ternary complex with both ribosomes and mRNA. The discovered braking mechanism of a circRNA, termed mRNA braking, along with its more traditional role of miRNA sponging, uncovers a dual‐faceted pattern of circRNA‐mediated post‐transcriptional regulation for maintaining a specific cell state.
Receiving the news of Down syndrome in the era of prenatal testing
Authors: Crombag Neeltje MTH , Page‐Christiaens Godelieve CML , Skotko Brian G. , de Graaf Gert
Published: December 2019

Objective

To explore the prenatal trajectory and the experiences of mothers of a child with Down syndrome (DS) at the time of receiving information or test results when participating in a nationwide prenatal screening program.

Methods

An online questionnaire study was completed by mothers of children with DS born between January 1, 2010 and February 28, 2016 (n= 212). Data were collected between February 15 and 28, 2016.

Results

Most of the live born children with DS were diagnosed postnatally. The majority of their mothers had explicitly chosen not to have prenatal DS screening. Of the 39 mothers prenatally informed their child might have DS, only 49% were completely or mostly satisfied about the information provided by their clinical providers at that time. About 16% of women (of the 38 that answered this question) recall some perceived emphasis on the option of terminating pregnancy as the first choice. Mothers who had received a postnatal diagnosis rated the experience as more positive than their counterparts who received prenatal diagnoses.

Conclusion

With recent developments in screening, more parents are expected to receive a DS diagnosis before birth. Meeting the parents' individual counseling needs at the time of prenatal diagnosis requires careful exploration of their personal values and preferences.
Visible Light‐ and Heat‐Promoted C−O Coupling Reaction of Phenols and Aryl Halides
Authors: Yang Qing‐Qing , Liu Na , Yan Jia‐Ying , Ren Zhi‐Lin , Wang Long
Published: December 2019

A visible light‐ and heat‐promoted C‐O coupling reaction of phenols and aryl halides has been described. Compared to the traditional C‐O coupling reactions promoted by visible light, this strategy avoids the use of transition metals, photocatalysts and ligands. Moreover, the reaction has good substrate universality, suitable for substituted phenol, naphthol and heterocyclic phenol derivatives.
Influence of vitamin D receptor gene FokI and ApaI polymorphisms on glucocorticoid response in patients with asthma
Authors: Mohamed Nesrine A. , Abdel‐Rehim Asmaa S.
Published: December 2019

Background

Glucocorticoid (GC)‐resistant asthma, a complex disease phenotype, has a high morbidity and mortality and takes up a disproportionate share of healthcare costs. The aim of this work was to assess serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)VD) levels in steroid‐resistant, steroid‐sensitive patients with asthma and in healthy controls, and to investigate the association between the vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) FokI and ApaI polymorphisms and GC resistance in patients with asthma.

Methods

This case‐control study included 70 patients with severe bronchial asthma and 30 apparently healthy controls. Atopic status was determined by skin‐prick test reaction to the most common locally‐encountered allergens. A GC reversibility test was performed to differentiate between GC‐sensitive and GC‐resistant asthma. For all subjects, analysis of the VDR FokI and ApaI polymorphisms by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) and measurement of serum 25(OH)VD levels by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were performed.

Results

The frequencies of FokI polymorphism genotypes and alleles differed significantly between patients with asthma and controls. The frequencies of the TT genotype and T allele carriers were significantly higher among patients with asthma than among controls, and also among GC‐resistant patients with asthma than among GC‐sensitive patients with asthma. Additionally, serum 25(OH)VD levels differed significantly among the 3 VDR FokI polymorphic genotypes in GC‐resistant patients with asthma; the highest level was detected in the TT genotype. No significant differences in ApaI were found.

Conclusion

We found a possible association between the FokI T allele and GC resistance in patients with asthma. Variations in VDR FokI might also play a role in 25(OH)VD levels.
Onion‐like Multifunctional Microtrap Vehicles for Attraction–Trapping–Destruction of Biological Threats
Authors: Soto Fernando , Kupor Daniel , Lopez‐Ramirez Miguel Angel , Wei Fanan , Karshalev Emil , Tang Songsong , Tehrani Farshad , Wang Joseph
Published: December 2019

A multifunctional motile microtrap is developed that is capable of autonomously attracting, trapping, and destroying pathogens by controlled chemoattractant and therapeutic agent release. The onion‐inspired multi‐layer structure contains a magnesium engine core and inner chemoattractant and therapeutic layers. Upon chemical propulsion, the magnesium core is depleted, resulting in a hollow structure that exposes the inner layers and serves as structural trap. The sequential dissolution and autonomous release of the chemoattractant and killing agents result in long‐range chemotactic attraction, trapping, and destruction of motile pathogens. The dissolved chemoattractant (l‐serine) significantly increases the accumulation and capture of motile pathogens (E. coli) within the microtrap structure, while the internal release of silver ions (Ag+) leads to lysis of the pathogen accumulated within the microtrap cavity.
A Chemical Proteomic Probe for the Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier Complex
Authors: Yamashita Yu , Vinogradova Ekaterina V. , Zhang Xiaoyu , Suciu Radu M. , Cravatt Benjamin F.
Published: December 2019

Target engagement assays are crucial for establishing the mechanism‐of‐action of small molecules in living systems. Integral membrane transporters can present a challenging protein class for assessing cellular engagement by small molecules. The chemical proteomic discovery of alpha‐chloroacetamide (αCA) compounds that covalently modify cysteine‐54 (C54) of the MPC2 subunit of the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) is presented. This finding is used to create an alkyne‐modified αCA, YY4‐yne, that serves as a cellular engagement probe for MPC2 in click chemistry‐enabled western blotting or global mass spectrometry‐based proteomic experiments. Studies with YY4‐yne revealed that UK‐5099, an alpha‐cyanocinnamate inhibitor of the MPC complex, engages MPC2 with remarkable selectivity in human cells. These findings support a model where UK‐5099 inhibits the MPC complex by binding to C54 of MPC2 in a covalent reversible manner that can be quantified in cells using the YY4‐yne probe.
Dicyclohepta[ijkl,uvwx]rubicene with Two Pentagons and Two Heptagons as a Stable and Planar Non‐benzenoid Nanographene
Authors: Zhang Xi‐Sha , Huang Yan‐Ying , Zhang Jing , Meng Wei , Peng Qian , Kong Ruirui , Xiao Zhenwei , Liu Jie , Huang Miaofei , Yi Yuanping , Chen Liangliang , Fan Qingrui , Lin Gaobo , Liu Zitong , Zhang Guanxin , Jiang Lang , Zhang Deqing
Published: December 2019

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with hexagons/pentagons or hexagons/heptagons have been intensively investigated in recent years, but those with simultaneous presence of hexagons, pentagons and heptagons remain rare. In this paper, we report dicyclohepta[ijkl,uvwx]rubicene (DHR), a non‐benzenoid isomer of dibenzo[bc,kl]coronene with two pentagons and two heptagons. We developed an efficient and scalable synthetic method for DHR by using Scholl reaction and dehydrogenation. Crystal structure of DHR shows that the benzenoid rings, two pentagons and two heptagons are coplanar. The bond lengths analysis and the ICSS(1)zz and LOL‐π calculations indicate that the incorporation of two formal azulene moieties has an effect on the conjugated structure. The π‐electrons of benzenoid and pentagon rings are more delocalized. Cyclic voltammetry studies indicate that DHR shows multiple oxidation and reduction potentials. Interestingly, DHR exhibits unusual S0 to S2 absorption and abnormal anti‐Kasha S2 to S0 emission. Moreover, crystals of DHR exhibit semiconducting behaviour with hole mobility up to 0.082 cm2 V−1 s−1.
Allosteric Recognition of Homomeric and Heteromeric Pairs of Monosaccharides by a Foldamer Capsule
Authors: Mateus Pedro , Chandramouli Nagula , Mackereth Cameron D. , Kauffmann Brice , Ferrand Yann , Huc Ivan
Published: December 2019

The recognition of either homomeric or heteromeric pairs of pentoses in an aromatic oligoamide double helical foldamer capsule was evidenced by circular dichroism (CD), NMR spectroscopy, and X‐ray crystallography. The cavity of the host was predicted to be large enough to accommodate simultaneously two xylose molecules and to form a 1:2 complex (one container, two saccharides). Solution and solid‐state data revealed the selective recognition of the α‐4C1‐d‐xylopyranose tautomer, which is bound at two identical sites in the foldamer cavity. A step further was achieved by sequestering a heteromeric pair of pentoses, that is, one molecule of α‐4C1‐d‐xylopyranose and one molecule of β‐1C4‐d‐arabinopyranose despite the symmetrical nature of the host and despite the similarity of the guests. Subtle induced‐fit and allosteric effects are responsible for the outstanding selectivities observed.
Identification of the Enzymes Mediating the Maturation of the Seryl‐tRNA Synthetase Inhibitor SB‐217452 during the Biosynthesis of Albomycins
Authors: Ushimaru Richiro , Chen Zhang , Zhao Houyuan , Fan Po‐hsun , Liu Hung‐wen
Published: December 2019

Albomycin δ2 is a sulfur‐containing sideromycin natural product that shows potent antibacterial activity against clinically important pathogens. The l‐serine‐thioheptose dipeptide partial structure, known as SB‐217452, has been found to be the active seryl‐tRNA synthetase inhibitor component of albomycin δ2. Herein, it is demonstrated that AbmF catalyzes condensation between the 6′‐amino‐4′‐thionucleoside with the d‐ribo configuration and seryl‐adenylate supplied by the serine adenylation activity of AbmK. Formation of the dipeptide is followed by C3′‐epimerization to produce SB‐217452 with the d‐xylo configuration, which is catalyzed by the radical S‐adenosyl‐l‐methionine enzyme AbmJ. Gene deletion suggests that AbmC is involved in peptide assembly linking SB‐217452 with the siderophore moiety. This study establishes how the albomycin biosynthetic machinery generates its antimicrobial component SB‐217452.
Redox‐Active Two‐Dimensional Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs) for Selective Reductive Separation of Valence‐Variable, Redox‐Sensitive and Long‐Lived Radionuclides
Authors: Li Yang , Guo Xinghua , Li Xiaofeng , Zhang Meicheng , Jia Zhimin , Deng Yun , Tian Yin , Li Shoujian , Ma Lijian
Published: December 2019

We report the first example of 2D covalent organic framework nanosheets (Redox‐COF1) for the selective reduction and in situ loading of valence‐variable, redox‐sensitive and long‐lived radionuclides (abbreviated as VRL nuclides). Compared with sorbents based on chemical adsorption and physical adsorption, the redox adsorption mechanism of Redox‐COF1 can effectively reduce the impact of functional group protonation under the usual high‐acidity conditions in chemisorption, and raise the adsorption efficiency from the monotonous capture by pores in physisorption. The adsorption selectivity for UO22+ reaches up to unprecedented ca. 97 % at pH 3, more than for any analogous adsorbing material.
Structural Insight into IAPP‐Derived Amyloid Inhibitors and Their Mechanism of Action
Authors: Niu Zheng , Prade Elke , Malideli Eleni , Hille Kathleen , Jussupow Alexander , Mideksa Yonatan G. , Yan Li‐Mei , Qian Chen , Fleisch Markus , Messias Ana C. , Sarkar Riddhiman , Sattler Michael , Lamb Don C. , Feige Matthias J. , Camilloni Carlo , Kapurniotu Aphrodite , Reif Bernd
Published: December 2019

Designed peptides derived from the islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) cross‐amyloid interaction surface with Aβ (termed interaction surface mimics or ISMs) have been shown to be highly potent inhibitors of Aβ amyloid self‐assembly. However, the molecular mechanism of their function is not well understood. Using solution‐state and solid‐state NMR spectroscopy in combination with ensemble‐averaged dynamics simulations and other biophysical methods including TEM, fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy, and DLS, we characterize ISM structural preferences and interactions. We find that the ISM peptide R3‐GI is highly dynamic, can adopt a β‐like structure, and oligomerizes into colloid‐like assemblies in a process that is reminiscent of liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS). Our results suggest that such assemblies yield multivalent surfaces for interactions with Aβ40. Sequestration of substrates into these colloid‐like structures provides a mechanistic basis for ISM function and the design of novel potent anti‐amyloid molecules.
A Coordinative Dendrimer Achieves Excellent Efficiency in Cytosolic Protein and Peptide Delivery
Authors: Ren Lanfang , Lv Jia , Wang Hui , Cheng Yiyun
Published: December 2019

Cytosolic protein delivery is a prerequisite for the development of protein therapeutics that act on intracellular targets. Proteins are generally membrane‐impermeable and thus need a carrier such as a polymer to facilitate their internalization. However, the efficient binding of proteins with different isoelectric points to polymeric carriers is challenging. In this study, we designed a coordinative dendrimer to solve this problem. The dendrimers modified with dipicolylamine/zinc(II) complex were capable of binding proteins through a combination of ionic and coordination interactions. The best polymer efficiently delivered 30 cargo proteins and peptides into the cytosol, while maintaining their bioactivity after intracellular release. The removal or replacement of zinc ions in the polymer with other transition‐metal ions lead to significantly decreased efficiency in cytosolic protein delivery. This study provides a new strategy to develop robust and efficient polymers for cytosolic protein delivery.
Boron‐Induced Electronic‐Structure Reformation of CoP Nanoparticles Drives Enhanced pH‐Universal Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Cao Erping , Chen Zhimin , Wu Hao , Yu Peng , Wang Ying , Xiao Fei , Chen Shuo , Du Shichao , Xie Ying , Wu Yiqun , Ren Zhiyu
Published: December 2019

Even though transition‐metal phosphides (TMPs) have been developed as promising alternatives to Pt catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), further improvement of their performance requires fine regulation of the TMP sites related to their specific electronic structure. Herein, for the first time, boron (B)‐modulated electrocatalytic characteristics in CoP anchored on the carbon nanotubes (B‐CoP/CNT) with impressive HER activities over a wide pH range are reported. The HER performance surpasses commercial Pt/C in both neutral and alkaline media at large current density (>100 mA cm−2). A combined experimental and theoretical study identified that the B dopant could reform the local electronic configuration and atomic arrangement of bonded Co and adjacent P atoms, enhance the electrons’ delocalization capacity of Co atoms for high electrical conductivity, and optimize the free energy of H adsorption and H2 desorption on the active sites for better HER kinetics.
Spectroscopic and theoretical studies on Cr (III), Mn (II) and Cu (II) complexes of hydrazone derived from picolinic hydrazide and O‐vanillin and evaluation of biological potency
Authors: Al‐Hazmi Gamil A.A. , Abou‐Melha Khlood S. , El‐Metwaly Nashwa M. , Althagafi Ismail , Shaaban Fathy , Elghalban Marwa G. , El‐Gamil Mohammed M.
Published: December 2019

Trivalent Cr (III) and divalent of both Mn (II) and Cu (II) complexes containing hydrazone ligands derived from the condensation of picolinohydrazide with O‐vanillin were synthesised and characterized by elemental analysis, spectral and magnetic measurements. The suggested octahedral structures were confirmed by applying DFT optimization and conformational studies. The thermal decomposition behaviour of Mn (II) complex is discussed. The evaluation of kinetic parameters (Ea, A, ∆H, ∆S and ∆G) of all thermal degradation stages have been evaluated using Coats‐Redfern and Horowitz‐Metzger approaches. The band gap results suggested that these complexes are semi‐conductors and lie in same range of highly efficient photovoltaic materials. Antibacterial studies showed that higher activity of complexes than of ligands. Assay on the antioxidant activity (DPPH and SOD) of the above complexes revealed the high SOD‐activity of Mn (II) complex and high DPPH‐activity for ligand.
Synthesis and characterization of molybdenum (VI) complex immobilized on polymeric Schiff base‐coated magnetic nanoparticles as an efficient and retrievable nanocatalyst in olefin epoxidation reactions
Authors: Mortazavi‐Manesh Anahita , Bagherzadeh Mojtaba
Published: December 2019

In this study, a new polymeric functionalized magnetic nanocatalyst containing a molybdenum Schiff base complex was prepared using a few consecutive steps. Poly (methylacrylate)‐coated magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized via radical polymerization of methyl acrylate onto modified magnetic nanoparticles followed by the amidation of the methyl ester groups with hydrazine. Polymeric functionalization efficiently provides the advantage that more catalytic units can be grafted on the surface of magnetic nanoparticles. The functionalization process was continued with salicylaldehyde which introduced Schiff base groups on to the surface of the polymeric support. In the final step, the desired catalytic system was prepared via complexation of the Schiff base groups with MoO2(acac)2. The resulting nanoparticles were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, elemental analysis, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, vibrating sample magnetometry and thermogravimetric analysis. This heterogenized catalytic system was also found to be highly active, sustainable and recyclable nanocatalyst in alkene epoxidation. Eventually, the attractive features of the synthesized catalyst such as simple work‐up, good stability, magnetic separation, high TOF and high surface area; make it appropriate for oxidation reactions.
Synthesis, structures, thermal behaviour, luminescence and magnetic properties of lanthanide complexes constructed from 2,6‐dimethylbenzoic acid and 5,5′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine
Authors: Li Ying‐Ying , Ren Ning , He Shu‐Mei , Wang Shu‐Ping , Zhang Jian‐Jun
Published: December 2019

Six new lanthanide complexes, with the formula [La(2,6‐DMBA)3(5,5′‐DM‐2,2′‐bipy)(H2O)]2 (1) and [Ln(2,6‐DMBA)3(5,5′‐DM‐2,2′‐bipy)]2 (Ln = Tb(2), Dy(3), Ho(4), Pr(5), Nd(6)) (2,6‐DMBA = 2,6‐dimethylbenzoate, 5,5′‐DM‐2,2′‐bipy = 5,5′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine) have been successfully synthesized and characterized. These title complexes have three different structural types. The structure of complex 1(type I) contains coordination water molecules, and the coordination number is 8. The coordination numbers of complexes 2–4 and 5–6 are 8 and 9, showing a distorted square antiprism geometry and distorted monocapped square anti‐prismatic geometry, respectively. However they have the same general formula and they can be all assembled into the same 1D, 2D supramolecular structures via the C‐H···O hydrogen bonding interactions, which is interesting in previous lanthanide complexes. The complexes were analyzed by TG‐DSC/FTIR. In addition, the visible light luminescence experiments of Tb (III) complex was carried out, and the characteristic luminescence behavior of strong green color was shown. And the fluorescence lifetime and intrinsic quantum yield were calculated. The magnetic properties of complexes 2–4 were also studied, and the results showed that complex 3 and complexes 2, 4 have ferromagnetic interactions and antiferromagnetic interactions, respectively.
Pd‐Iminocarboxylate Complexes and Their Behavior in Ethylene Polymerization
Authors: Deshmukh Satej S. , Gaikwad Shahaji R. , Gonnade Rajesh G. , Pandole Satish P. , Chikkali Samir H.
Published: December 2019

Designing co‐catalyst‐free late transition metal complexes for ethylene polymerization is a challenging task at the interface of organometallic and polymer chemistry. Herein, a set of new, co‐catalyst‐free, single‐component catalytic systems for ethylene polymerization have been unraveled. Treatment of anthranilic acid with various aldehydes produced four iminocarboxylate ligands (L1–L4) in very good to excellent yield (75–92 %). The existence of 2‐((2‐methoxybenzylidene)amino) benzoic acid (L1) has been unambiguously demonstrated using NMR spectroscopy, MS and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. A neutral Pd‐iminocarboxylate complex [{N O}PdMe(L1)] (N O=κ2‐N,O‐ArCHNC6H4CO2 with Ar=2‐MeOC6H4) C1 was prepared by treating stoichiometric amount of L1.Na with palladium precursor. The identity of C1 was confirmed by 1–2D NMR spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. Along the same lines, palladium complexes C2–C4 were prepared from ligands L2–L4 respectively. In‐situ high‐pressure NMR investigations revealed that these Pd complexes are amenable to ethylene insertion and undergo facile β‐H elimination to produce propylene. These palladium complexes were then evaluated in ethylene polymerization reaction and various reaction parameters were screened. When C1–C4 were exposed to ethylene pressures of 10–50 bar, formation of low‐molecular‐weight polyethylene was observed.
Lithium Molybdate (Li2MoO3)−Sulfur Battery
Authors: Dharmasena Ruchira R. , Martinez‐Garcia Alejandro , Atla Veerendra , Akram Muhammad Z. , Sumanasekera Gamini U. , Sunkara Mahendra K.
Published: December 2019

Here, we present a lithiated molybdate‐sulfur battery with practical energy density greater than 300 Wh kg−1. Electrochemically pre‐lithiated α‐MoO3 is prepared to form lithium molybdate anode which was tested against mesoporous titania coated sulfur cathode. A pouch cell with a capacity of 5 mAh made using pre‐lithiated lithium molybdate nanowires as anode and mesoporous TiO2 (titania) coated carbon‐sulfur cathode exhibited 1.4 V operating voltage and exhibited 620 Wh kg−1 capacity in the first cycle, dropped to ∼400 Wh kg−1 in 2nd cycle and 300 Wh kg−1 at 100th cycle. Various prelithiation studies indicate that electrochemical lithiation of MoO3 nanomaterials is crucial to make Li2MoO3 material suitable as anode. In situ electrochemical lithiation of MoO3 anode is introduced as a method to fabricate lithium molybdate (Li2MoO3)‐sulfur pouch cells in one step.
The central nucleus of the amygdala lesion attenuates orthodontic pain during experimental tooth movement in rats
Authors: Qiao Hu , Gao Yunan , Huang Qianqian , Jia Ru
Published: December 2019

Introduction

Orthodontic pain is the most common adverse side effect reported in the context of tooth movement. Given its central role in processing pain and negative emotion, the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is thought to be a key site involved in orthodontic pain sensation.

Methods

In the present study, we therefore explored whether the CeA is involved in contributing to orthodontic pain in a rat model of tooth movement. For this study, we utilized adult male rats with bilateral sham or electrolytic CeA lesions (400 μA; 25 s), and then we analyzed face grooming behavior as a measure of pain sensation.

Results

Through this approach, we found that there were time‐ and force‐dependent factors influencing pain levels in these rats. We further found that bilateral CeA lesions markedly reduced tooth movement‐induced orofacial pain and that unilateral CeA lesions did so to a lesser extent.

Conclusions

As such, these results suggest the CeA is a key area of orthodontic pain, with the results of this study highlighting potential avenues for achieving pain relief in those suffering from orthodontic pain.