bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Economic Indices for the Application of Irrigation to Enhance Cactus Pear Fruit Yield
Authors: Sánchez-Toledano Blanca Isabel , Zegbe Jorge A.
Published: February 2021

Aims: Cactus pear cultivation for fruit production is under rainfed conditions, mainly. Hence, irrigation uses for this purpose is expensive in arid and semi-arid agricultural lands. The objective of this study was to derive agro-economic indicators associated with supplemental irrigation to improve fruit yield of commercial cactus pear cultivars grown in a semiarid agroecosystem of Mexico.

Study Design: The irrigation treatments tested were fully irrigated (FI) and supplemental irrigation (SI), with non-irrigated as a control (NI).

Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was set up at the Campo Experimental Zacatecas, Calera, Zacatecas, Mexico from 2011 to 2013.

Methodology: Five-year-old cactus pear plants of ‘Cristalina’ (O. albicarpa Scheinvar; white-pulped fruit) and ‘Roja Lisa’ [O. ficus-indica (L.) Mill.; red-pulped fruit] were included. The experiment was conducted in a split-block design. There were three blocks; each included both cultivars, randomly allocated to each irrigation treatment. The response variables were: fruit yield (FY), cultivation costs (CC), gross return (GR), net return (NR), benefit-cost ratio (BC), irrigation use efficiency (IUE), gross water productivity (GWP), net water productivity (NWP), labor productivity (LP), break-even-point (BEP), and credit vulnerability (CV).

Results: In all years but 2013, FI ‘Cristalina’ plants had the highest CC, reflected in their greater GR and NR; however, BC values were similar between SI and FI plants or greater in SI plants for 2013. Therefore, SI plants had the highest IUE, GWP, NWP, LP, EP, and equal or greater credit vulnerability than FI plants. The NI plants produced positive values for BEP and CV. The economic indices for ‘Roja Lisa’ were similar to those of ‘Cristalina’.

Conclusion: The SI treatment produced the best agricultural economic indices and it is also a feasible water-saving irrigation strategy for cactus pear cultivation in semiarid agroecosystems worldwide.
Analyzing the Impact of Long-Lasting Changes in Energy Homeostasis and Nutrient Sensing on Nutritional Programming of Hypothalamus in Rats
Authors: Aboelnaga Shimaa Mohammed Hasnin , Khatoon Fahmida
Published: February 2021

Background: The diseases due to nutritional deficiencies or imbalanced diet can be due to different factors. These factors can be biological or environmental. The study indicated that there will be increase risks of acquiring diseases as a result of irregular intake of diet. These risks include the increased risk of diseases such as liver abnormality, hypertension, lipids deposition, and other diseases.

Methodology: The databases used for the collection of secondary information include Science Direct, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Besides, the keywords used for the searching of relevant research articles include “experimental rats, nutritional deficiencies. Hypothalamus, mechanisms studies, gene ontology, metabolic syndromes”. There were the use of female rats (n=8) and the weight was ranged between 200 to 250 grams. The experimental rats were placed in a cycle of 12 h light/dark. An adequate amount of water and food was provided for about one week to the rats before starting the experiment. Enzymatic procedures were used for the analysis of cholesterol, fatty acids, and triglycerides. Glucose concentrations in the blood samples were also assessed using the glucose meter. The insulin levels were also measured by using the assay kits. The hybridisation, scanning, and normalization of the data were also done. The extracted RNA from the hypothalamus was transcribed by using the “Superscript II RNAseH- Reverse-Transcriptase”. The t-test was also performed using statistical software. The groups of genes and their altered expressions were studied after the malnutrition conditions. The results obtained through PCR were expressed in the form of average and standard deviation values [1]. The mRNA expression levels in the samples of the hypothalamus were also assessed. The data were compared using the student test. The significance levels were measured at p < 0.05.

Findings: The findings of the study also indicated that the transcription of co-regulators is also link with the nutritional and temporal cues to the metabolism process by means of their association with circadian clock. The findings revealed that the hypothalamic circuits and its nutritional programming plays significant role in the regulation of energy homeostasis which is a major factor of obesity development in association with malnutrition in early life development.

Conclusion: Conclusively, it has been identified that the deficiency of nutrients during developmental period such as prenatal and postnatal is linked with the enhanced risk of different types of diseases in childhood as well as in adulthood.
Preventive Effect of Ethanol Extract of Red Spinach (Amaranthus tricolor L.) on Diet-induced Obese Zebrafish
Authors: Yuniarto Ari , Putri Aisyah Zavira , Selifiana Nita , Adnyana I. Ketut
Published: February 2021

Background: Nowadays obesity recognized as chronic or non-communicable disease. Pathophysiology of obesity caused by an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure. Obesity was known to be a risk factor for the development of metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study is to evaluate activity of ethanol extract of red spinach (EERS) to prevent obesity in diet-induced zebrafish.

Materials and Methods: Acclimatization period for zebrafish was carried out for 2 weeks. After the acclimatization, zebrafish were divided into 6 groups (n = 10 in each group) such as normal group (negative control); obese group (positive control); standard drug (orlistat 4,5 µg/ml); EERS group (50 µg/ml); EERS group (100 µg/ml); and EERS group (200 µg/ml). During a period of 4 weeks, normal group received a standard diet and didn’t received EERS administration. Positive control group received Artemia. Treated group received Artemia and were combined by administration of EERS. To determine obesity criteria we calculated of zebrafish BMI.

Results: Based on BMI calculation, EERS 50 µg/ml, 100 µg/ml and 200 µg/ml showed a preventive effect on obesity compared to the positive control group. In addition, EERS 50 µg/ml was able to reduce BMI lower than the other extract groups.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that EERS 50 µg/ml has strength preventive effect on diet-induced obese zebrafish. This effect might be influenced by the presence of phytochemical compounds of extract such as flavonoid, saponins, and tannins.
Epistemologias marginalizadas: a questão racial no debate sociológico latino-americano
Authors: Da Silva Santos Oliveira Franciane , Pinheiro Barbosa Lia
Published: February 2021

Este artigo analisa o não lugar da questão racial e das epistemologias afrodiaspóricas no pensamento social e na sociologia latino-americana. Argumentamos que ainda é incipiente uma produção do conhecimento no campo sociológico que atente para o caráter marginal conferido às epistemologias africanas e afrodiaspóricas, resultado do racismo científico e da invisibilização dessas epistemologias. Problematizamos este debate enfatizando a necessidade histórica de uma produção sociológica que leve em consideração as epistemologias diaspóricas no processo de teorização sociológica e de seu papel na interpelação do suposto caráter universal de uma ciência eurocentrada e branca em detrimento de outros referentes epistêmicos do fazer sociológico.

Palavras-chave: questão racial | epistemologias afrodiaspóricas | sociologia Latino-Americana | racismo epistêmico | descolonização científica.

 

Abstract:

This article analyzes the absence  of the racial question and African diasporic epistemologies in Latin American sociology and social thought. We argue that the production of knowledge that addresses the marginalization of African and African diasporic epistemologies in Latin American sociology is still incipient, as the result of scientific racism and the lack of visibility of these epistemologies. We further this debate by emphasizing the historical need for a sociological production that takes into account diasporic epistemologies in the process of sociological theorizing, and their role in questioning the supposedly universal character of an Eurocentric and white science, to the detriment of other epistemic referents of sociology.

Keywords: racial question | afro-diasporic epistemologies | Latin American sociology | epistemic racism | scientific decolonization.
A construção de personagens nos romances de Pepetela e a imaginação da nação angolana
Authors: Machado Carolina Bezerra
Published: February 2021

Este artigo tem como objetivo refletir sobre a construção de um imaginário acerca da nação angolana nas páginas dos romances do escritor Pepetela, mais especificamente em A geração da utopia, escrito entre 1991 e 1992. A partir de um debate sobre como os conceitos de nação e raça ainda permaneciam problemáticos no período pós-independência, podemos visualizar através do romance a tensão ainda existente na sociedade angolana nos anos 1990, parte de um debate político dentro do MPLA que influenciou diretamente o desenvolvimento de uma ideia de Estado e nação do país. Nesse sentido, os romances de Pepetela vão muito além de uma concepção de literatura pautada pela escrita ficcional, e passam a ser fundamentais para refletirmos sobre o imaginário angolano sob uma perspectiva histórica e política.

Palavras-chave: Pepetela | Angola | Nação.

  

Abstract:

This article analyzes the construction of a collective imaginary about Angola in the novels of the writer known as Pepetela[1] , more specifically, the novel A Geração da Utopia, written between 1991 and 1992. By discussing how the concepts of nation and race remained problematic in the post-independence period, we can see through the novel the  tension still existing in Angolan society at that time he 1990s and which was part of a political debate within the MPLA, directly influencing the development of an idea of State and nation. In this sense, Pepetela's novels go far beyond a conception of literature as merely fictional writing,  becoming fundamental for reflections on the Angolan imaginary from historical and political perspectives.

Keywords: Pepetela | Angola | Nation.
Entre cultura, solidariedade internacional e “mundo negro”: a negociação de sentidos na Présence Africaine (1955-56)
Authors: Reis Raissa Brescia dos
Published: February 2021

Este artigo parte das publicações da revista cultural francesa e senegalesa, Présence Africaine, propondo pensar como esta última procurou se posicionar, partindo do mundo intelectual, como interventora na imaginação e no fomento de soluções políticas e culturais para inserir novos participantes, principalmente africanos, no concerto internacional, em diálogo com bandeiras de solidariedade internacional/racial entre perspectivas locais e globais. Por meio da análise de debates, comunicações e mensagens retiradas das atas do Primeiro Congresso de Escritores e Artistas Negros, investiga-se como a revista se apropriou de novas linguagens e possibilidades políticas disponíveis e legitimadas no pós-Segunda Guerra Mundial, conciliando-as, não sem dificuldades, a discursos internacionalistas de movimentos políticos anteriores, como a Négritude e o pan-africanismo.

Palavras-chave: presença africana | negritude | Pan-africanismo | História intelectual | Guerra Fria.

 
Abstract: 
This paper is based on publications of the French/Senegalese journal Présence Africaine and its intellectual stance in seeking to intervene in the design and dissemination of political/cultural solutions to include new participants (especially from Africa) in the international scene, in  dialogue with the goal of international/racial solidarity goals at  local and global levels. The paper examines debates, communications and messages  from the annals of the First Congress of Black Writers and Artists in investigating how the journal appropriated new communicative strategies and political possibilities that emerged  and were legitimized after World War II, in relation to the internationalizing discourses of previous political movements such as Négritude and Pan-Africanism.

Keywords: présence africaine | négritude | Pan-Africanism | Intellectual history | Cold War.

 
Diálogos e aproximações
Authors: Ferreira Jackson
Published: February 2021

Resenha de:
PIRES, Maria Fátima Novaes; SANTANA, Napoliana Pereira; e SANTOS, Paulo Henrique Duque (orgs.). Bahia: escravidão, pós-abolição e comunidades quilombolas – estudos interdisciplinares. Salvador: EDUFBA, 2018, 276p.
O Atlântico enfermo e os agentes da saúde no período do tráfico ilegal
Authors: Kodama Kaori
Published: February 2021

Resenha de:
BARCIA, Manuel. The Yellow Demon of Fever: Fighting Disease in the Nineteenth-Century Transatlantic Slave Trade. New Heaven: Yale University Press, 2020. 269p.
Sobre uma história social do trabalho e dos trabalhadores em Angola
Authors: Carvalho Ariane
Published: February 2021

Resenha de:
ALFAGALI, Crislayne Gloss Marão. Ferreiros e fundidores da Ilamba. Uma história social da fabricação de ferro e da Real Fábrica de Nova Oeiras (Angola, segunda metade do século XVIII). Luanda: Fundação Dr. António Agostinho Neto, 2018. 472p.
Cura, memória e política em Moçambique
Authors: Pereira Luena Nascimento Nunes
Published: February 2021

Resenha de:
SANTANA, Jacimara Souza. Médicas-sacerdotisas: religiosidades ancestrais e contestação ao sul de Moçambique (c. 1927-1988). Campinas: Editora da Unicamp, 2018. 383p.
Renamo: de agente do apartheid a organização política moçambicana
Authors: Conceição Juvenal De Carvalho
Published: February 2021

Resenha de:
CAHEN, Michel.“Não somos bandidos”: a vida diária de uma guerrilha de direita: a Renamo na época  do Acordo de Nkomati (1983-1985). Lisboa: ICS. Imprensa de Ciências Sociais, 2019. 398p.
O racismo antinegro, a psicanálise e a subjetividade da nossa época no Brasil
Authors: Nicácio Jeferson De Jesus
Published: February 2021

Resenha de:
KON, Noemi: SILVA, Maria Lucia da; e ABDUL, Cristiane (orgs.). O racismo e o negro no Brasil: questões para a psicanálise. São Paulo: Perspectiva, 2017. 304p. 
Uma nova perspectiva para o Livro de Cabeceira
Authors: Sales Patricia Reis Moreira
Published: February 2021

A partir do filme O Livro de Cabeceira o texto aborda questões sobre a preservação e conservação da pele humana como documento, apresentando conceitos da Ciência da Informação e a importância de pensar em registros produzidos no corpo, assim como as implicações que devem surgir e serem respondidas pelas áreas do conhecimento.
Marinicaulis
Authors: Sun Cong
Published: February 2021

Ma.ri.ni.cau'lis. L. masc. adj.
marinus
of the sea; L. masc. n.
caulis
stalk; N.L. masc. n.
Marinicaulis
a stalk from the sea.

Proteobacteria / Alphaproteobacteria / Parvularculales / Parvularculaceae / Marinicaulis

The genus
Marinicaulis
accommodates mesophilic, neutrophilic, halotolerant, and chemoorganotrophic bacteria. Cells are Gram‐stain‐negative, aerobic or facultatively anaerobic, ovoid or short rod‐shaped with prosthecae or flagella, non‐spore‐forming, and slightly motile with flagella. Growth occurs at pH 5.0–9.0, 4–40°C, and a wide range of NaCl concentrations (0.5–16%). No growth is observed without NaCl. Catalase‐positive or ‐negative and oxidase‐positive. The major isoprenoid quinone is Q‐10. The principal cellular fatty acids (>10%) are: C
16:0
, 11‐methyl C
18:1
ω7
c
, and summed feature 3 (C
16:1
ω7
c
and/or C
16:1
ω6
c
). Summed feature 8 (C
18:1
ω7
c
and/or C
18:1
ω6
c
) presents as major fatty acid in some species. The major polar lipids include phosphatidylglycerol (PG) or phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and unidentified glycolipids.
Marinicaulis
species can utilize monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, sugar alcohol, amino acids, and organic acids. Genome features show that
Marinicaulis flavus
SY‐3‐19
T
has putative β‐etherase‐encoding sequences, which is the first report of β‐etherases in the order “
Parvularculales
”, indicating the potential ability to degrade lignin model substrates. The known habitat is seawater.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
:
58.2–60.9 (genome sequence).

Type species
:
Marinicaulis flavus
Yu et al. 2018
VP
.
Mangrovitalea
Authors: Tian Yun , Liao Hu
Published: February 2021

Man.gro.vi.ta'le.a N.L. neut. n.
mangrovum
mangrove; N.L. fem. n.
talea
a rod; N.L. fem. n.
Mangrovitalea
.

Proteobacteria / Gammaproteobacteria / Alteromonadales / Alteromonadaceae / Mangrovitalea

The genus
Mangrovitalea
accommodates mildly acidophilic, facultatively anaerobic, and oligotrophic bacteria. Cells are Gram‐stain‐negative, rod shaped, and motile with a single polar flagellum. Growth is observed at temperatures from 10 to 40°C (optimum 30°C), salinities from 0.5 to 6% (optimum 2–3%), and pH from 5 to 8 (optimum 6). The G + C content of the genomic DNA is 58.2%. The dominant fatty acids (>5%) are C
16:0
(32.3%), C
16:0
N‐alcohol (14.8%), summed feature 9 (comprising iso‐C
17:1
ω9
c
and/or C
16:0
10‐methyl, 13.3%), and summed feature 3 (comprising C
16:1
ω7
c
and/or C
16:1
ω6
c
, 8.2%). The predominant respiratory quinone is ubiquinone‐9, and the major polar lipids are diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, and an unidentified aminophospholipid. The known habitat is mangrove sediments.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
:
58.2.

Type species
:
Mangrovitalea sediminis
Liao et al. 2017
VP
.
Zavarzinella
Authors: Dedysh Svetlana N. , Kulichevskaya Irina S.
Published: February 2021

Za.var.zi.nel'la. N.L. fem. dim. n.
Zavarzinella
, named in honor of the famous Russian microbiologist George A. Zavarzin, for his outstanding contribution to increasing our knowledge of microbial diversity.

Planctomycetes / Planctomycetia / Gemmatales / Gemmataceae / Zavarzinella

The genus
Zavarzinella
is represented by planctomycetes with ellipsoid cells, which occur singly or are assembled in large rosettelike clusters. Cell division occurs by means of budding. Daughter cells are motile, while adult cells are nonmotile. Cells produce thick stalks and attach to surfaces by means of amorphous holdfast material. Members of the genus are moderately acidophilic and mesophilic chemoorganotrophic aerobes. Most sugars and some polysaccharides are used as growth substrates. The major fatty acids are C
18:0
, C
18:1
ω5
c
, and C
16:1
ω5
c
. The major quinone is MK‐6. This genus is a member of the phylum
Planctomycetes
, class
Planctomycetia,
order
Gemmatales
, and family
Gemmataceae
. Representatives of this genus colonize wetlands and various freshwater habitats.

DNA G
+
C content
(
mol
%): 59.1 (genome sequence).

Type species
:
Zavarzinella formosa
Kulichevskaya et al. 2009
VP
.
Halopeptonella
Authors: Menes Rodolfo Javier
Published: February 2021

Ha.lo.pep.to.nel'la. Gr. masc. n.
hals
,
halos
salt; N.L. neut. n.
peptonum
, peptone; L. fem. dim. ending ‐
ella
; N.L. fem. n.
Halopeptonella
, a halophilic bacterium that grows solely with peptone.

Proteobacteria / Gammaproteobacteria / Chromatiales / Ectothiorhodospiraceae / Halopeptonella

The genus
Halopeptonella
, classified within the family
Ectothiorhodospiraceae
, and within the class
Gammaproteobacteria
, currently consists of a single species,
Halopeptonella vilamensis
. It was isolated in pure culture from the sediment of a hypersaline Andean lake located at 4,600 m above sea level (Laguna Vilama, Argentina). The cells are Gram‐stain‐negative, nonmotile, non‐spore‐forming, heterotrophic, and strictly aerobic rods. Colonies are pink, circular, smooth, convex, and pinpoint. Cells are halophilic, capable of growing at NaCl concentrations from 7.5 to 25% (w/v). Cells grow in media containing tryptone or peptone as sole carbon and energy source. Require yeast extract, sodium, and magnesium but not potassium ions for growth.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 64.2 (genome).

Type species
:
Halopeptonella vilamensis
Menes et al. 2016, VL168.
Clinical Experience With a Multidisciplinary Model of Vascular Ultrasound for the Evaluation for Giant Cell Arteritis
Authors: Tedeschi Sara K. , Sobiesczyzk Piotr S. , Ford Julia A. , DiIorio Michael A. , Docken William P.
Published: February 2021

Objective

Vascular ultrasound (VUS) is a first‐line test for giant cell arteritis (GCA) in Europe but has been of limited use in the United States. We report clinical experience with a multidisciplinary model of VUS for the evaluation of GCA at a large US medical center.

Methods

Patients who underwent VUS for evaluation of GCA between 2013 and 2017 were reviewed. Trained vascular technologists followed a standardized protocol to visualize bilateral temporal, carotid, subclavian, and axillary arteries. Vascular medicine physicians interpreted VUS as no arteritis, hyperechoic wall thickening, or acute arteritis. Characteristics of patients with versus without acute arteritis (no arteritis or hyperechoic wall thickening) were compared. Among patients with suspected new‐onset GCA, the treating physician’s pretest and posttest suspicion for GCA were compared.

Results

Of 530 patients, 10.6% had prior‐onset GCA, 31.7% had polymyalgia rheumatica, and 57.6% were taking glucocorticoids. Most patients had no arteritis on VUS (84.3%); 10.6% had acute arteritis, and 5.1% had hyperechoic wall thickening. Typical GCA symptoms, such as jaw claudication and scalp tenderness, were significantly more frequent in patients with acute arteritis. For all 42 patients with suspected new‐onset GCA and acute arteritis, posttest suspicion was unchanged or increased. Of 415 patients with suspected new‐onset GCA and VUS without acute arteritis, suspicion decreased (76.4%) or was unchanged (20.2%).

Conclusion

We describe a multidisciplinary model for incorporating VUS into GCA care. When pretest suspicion was low and VUS did not reveal acute arteritis, posttest suspicion typically decreased, whereas when pretest suspicion was high and VUS revealed acute arteritis, posttest suspicion was reinforced.
The Role of Knowledge and Attitudes About Nonsteroidal Anti‐inflammatory Drugs in Determining Treatment Use
Authors: Vina E. R. , Hannon M. J. , Quinones C. , Hausmann L. R. M. , Ibrahim S. A. , Dagnino J. , Kwoh C. K.
Published: February 2021

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate how patient knowledge and beliefs regarding nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may influence the use of NSAIDs for osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

Surveys of 334 adults with knee and/or hip OA were analyzed in this cross‐sectional study. Familiarity with and perceptions of benefits/risks of NSAID use were measured to assess associations with the use of prescription and nonprescription oral NSAIDs. Multinomial logistic regression models were adjusted for sociodemographic and clinical variables.

Results

In this sample, 35.9% and 35.6% reported use of oral prescription and nonprescription‐only NSAIDs, respectively. Hispanic participants, compared with non‐Hispanic White participants, had lower perceived benefit (P = 0.005) and risk (P = 0.001) of prescription NSAIDs. The following were associated with prescription NSAID use instead of no NSAID use: having family/friends who used prescription (relative risk ratio [RRR] 3.91; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.05‐7.47) and over‐the‐counter (OTC) (RRR 3.10; 95% CI 1.65‐5.83) NSAIDs for OA, understanding the consequences of using both prescription (RRR 3.50; 95% CI 1.79‐6.86) and OTC (RRR 2.80; 95% CI 1.39‐5.65) NSAIDs, higher perceived benefit of both prescription (RRR 2.51; 95% CI 1.71‐3.66) and OTC (RRR 1.44; 95% CI 1.01‐2.06) NSAIDs, and lower perceived risk of both types of NSAIDs (prescription: RRR 0.63 [95% CI 0.46‐0.87]; OTC: RRR 0.53 [95% CI 0.37‐0.75]). Similar results were found when we assessed the relationship between these variables and OTC NSAID use versus no oral NSAID use.

Conclusion

Adults with knee and/or hip OA were more likely to use NSAIDs if they were more familiar with, had an increased perceived benefit of, and had a decreased perceived risk of these drugs. Patients’ perceptions and beliefs about NSAIDs should be evaluated when considering them for treatment.
Efficient Human Cell Coexpression System and Its Application to the Production of Multiple Coronavirus Antigens
Authors: Kim Chonsaeng , Jeong You Kyeong , Yu Jihyeon , Shin Hye Jin , Ku Keun Bon , Cha Hyung Jin , Han Jun Hee , Hong Sung‐Ah , Kim Bum‐Tae , Kim Seong‐Jun , Woo Jae‐Sung , Bae Sangsu
Published: February 2021

Coproduction of multiple proteins at high levels in a single human cell line would be extremely useful for basic research and medical applications. Here, a novel strategy for the stable expression of multiple proteins by integrating the genes into defined transcriptional hotspots in the human genome is presented. As a proof‐of‐concept, it is shown that EYFP is expressed at similar levels from hotspots and that the EYFP expression increases proportionally with the copy number. It is confirmed that three different fluorescent proteins, encoded by genes integrated at different loci, can be coexpressed at high levels. Further, a stable cell line is generated, producing antigens from different human coronaviruses: MERS‐CoV and HCoV‐OC43. Antibodies raised against these antigens, which contain human N‐glycosylation, show neutralizing activities against both viruses, suggesting that the coexpression system provides a quick and predictable way to produce multiple coronavirus antigens, such as the recent 2019 novel human coronavirus.
Blue Light‐Operated CRISPR/Cas13b‐Mediated mRNA Knockdown (Lockdown)
Authors: Blomeier Tim , Fischbach Patrick , Koch Leonie‐Alexa , Andres Jennifer , Miñambres Miguel , Beyer Hannes Michael , Zurbriggen Matias Daniel
Published: February 2021

The introduction of optogenetics into cell biology has furnished systems to control gene expression at the transcriptional and protein stability level, with a high degree of spatial, temporal, and dynamic light‐regulation capabilities. Strategies to downregulate RNA currently rely on RNA interference and CRISPR/Cas‐related methods. However, these approaches lack the key characteristics and advantages provided by optical control. “Lockdown” introduces optical control of RNA levels utilizing a blue light‐dependent switch to induce expression of CRISPR/Cas13b, which mediates sequence‐specific mRNA knockdown. Combining Lockdown with optogenetic tools to repress gene‐expression and induce protein destabilization with blue light yields efficient triple‐controlled downregulation of target proteins. Implementing Lockdown to degrade endogenous mRNA levels of the cyclin‐dependent kinase 1 (hCdk1) leads to blue light‐induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and inhibition of cell growth in mammalian cells.
Domain‐Size‐Dependent Residual Stress Governs the Phase‐Transition and Photoluminescence Behavior of Methylammonium Lead Iodide
Authors: Lee Kwang Jae , Turedi Bekir , Giugni Andrea , Lintangpradipto Muhammad Naufal , Zhumekenov Ayan A. , Alsalloum Abdullah Y. , Min Jung‐Hong , Dursun Ibrahim , Naphade Rounak , Mitra Somak , Roqan Iman S. , Ooi Boon S. , Mohammed Omar F. , Fabrizio Enzo Di , Cho Namchul , Bakr Osman M.
Published: February 2021

Methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) perovskite has garnered significant interest as a versatile material for optoelectronic applications. The temperature‐dependent photoluminescence (TDPL) and phase‐transition behaviors revealed in previous studies have become standard indicators of defects, stability, charge carrier dynamics, and device performance. However, published reports abound with examples of irregular photoluminescence and phase‐transition phenomena that are difficult to reconcile, posing major challenges in the correlation of those properties with the actual material state or with the subsequent device performance. In this paper, a unifying explanation for the seemingly inconsistent TDPL and phase‐transition (orthorhombic‐to‐tetragonal) characteristics observed for MAPbI3 is presented. By investigating MAPbI3 perovskites with varying crystalline states, ranging from polycrystal to highly oriented crystal as well as single‐crystals, key features in the TDPL and phase‐transition behaviors are identified that are related to the extent of crystal domain‐size‐dependent residual stress and stem from the considerable volume difference (ΔV ≈ 4.5%) between the primitive unit cells of the orthorhombic (at 80 K) and tetragonal phases (at 300 K) of MAPbI3. This fundamental connection is essential for understanding the photophysics and material processing of soft perovskites.
Dendrite‐Free Li‐Metal Anode Enabled by Dendritic Structure
Authors: Zhang Hongyu , Ju Shunlong , Xia Guanglin , Sun Dalin , Yu Xuebin
Published: February 2021

The practical application of Li‐metal anode in high‐energy rechargeable Li batteries is still hindered by the uncontrollable formation of Li dendrites. Here, a facile way is reported to stabilize Li‐metal anode by building dendrite‐like Li3Mg7 alloys enriched with Li‐containing polymers as the physical protecting layer and LiH as the Li‐ion conductor. This unique dendritic structure effectively reduces local current density and accommodates volume change during the repeated Li plating/stripping process. More importantly, lithiophilic Li3Mg7 alloys not only guide the uniform Li deposition down into the below Li metal upon Li deposition, but also thermodynamically promote the extraction of Li during the reverse Li stripping process, which suppresses the parasitic reactions occurring on the surface of Li metal and hence inhibits the formation of Li dendrites. Moreover, the facile diffusion of Mg from Li3Mg7 alloys toward Li metal below is thermodynamically permitted, which leads to a uniform distribution of LiMg alloys inside the whole electrode and thus benefits long‐term deep cycling stability. As a result, the protected Li‐metal anode delivers stable and dendrite‐free cycling performance at 10 mA h cm−2 for over 900 h. When coupling this anode with LiFePO4 and S cathodes, the thus‐assembled full cells exhibit superior cycling stability.
Porphyrin Conjugated Polymer with Periodic Type II‐Like Heterojunctions and Single‐Atom Catalytic Sites for Broadband‐Responsive Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Wang Jinming , Xu Lei , Wang Tingxia , Chen Shengtao , Jiang Zhuo , Li Renjie , Zhang Yuexing , Peng Tianyou
Published: February 2021

A novel heterometallic Zn‐/Co‐porphyrin conjugated polymer (ZnCoP‐F CP) with its Co‐porphyrin bridging unit bearing two perfluorophenyls is synthesized via a Sonogashira coupling reaction. The resulting ZnCoP‐F CP without the Pt cocatalyst exhibits broadband (UV–vis–NIR) light‐driven hydrogen evolution activity of 83 µmol h−1, which is more than twice that (39 µmol h−1) of its counterpart (ZnCoP CP) with the Co‐porphyrin unit bearing two phenyls. Furthermore, an apparent quantum yield of 6.92%, 5.50%, 5.78%, 3.17%, and 0.73% is achieved from the ZnCoP‐F CP illuminated at 400, 500, 550, 700, and 850 nm monochromatic light, respectively. The enhanced performance of ZnCoP‐F CP can be attributed to the high electron‐withdrawing capacity of its perfluorophenyls and the highly dispersed Co centers in Co‐porphyrin bridging units serving as single‐atom catalytic sites (CoN4), which facilitate the formation of periodic type II‐like heterojunctions and the fast charge transfer from Zn‐porphyrin to Co‐porphyrin units for hydrogen evolution reaction. The broadband‐responsive feature is due to the large π‐conjugated system through the whole 2D internal framework of the porphyrin polymer. This work opens a new path to fabricate porphyrin‐based polymer with an efficient and broadband‐responsive hydrogen evolution system.
Liquid Crystal Soft Actuators and Robots toward Mixed Reality
Authors: Zhu Chongyu , Lu Yao , Jiang Lixin , Yu Yanlei
Published: February 2021

Liquid crystals (LCs) are soft but smart materials that can adjust its chemical or physical properties in response to various external stimuli. Using these materials to construct soft actuators and robots, referred as LC actuators and robots, is expected to replace current machinery part, obtaining lighter and smaller equipment with adjustable and complex functions. Especially, combining these LC actuator and robots with existing virtual reality and augmented reality technologies will produce a new world of mixed reality (MR) with the visual, auditory, and somatosensory interaction. In this review, the recent work on responsive LC actuators and robots is introduced, emphasizing on their potentials in haptic use. By discussing their programmable control via suitable stimuli, the LC actuators and robots are summarized for mechanical outputs, environmental mimic, and fine‐tuning of surface texture and roughness. It is anticipated that the continuous development on LC actuators and robots will accelerate the MR technology toward practical application.
Nano‐Oncologicals: A Tortoise Trail Reaching New Avenues
Authors: Dacoba Tamara G. , Anthiya Shubaash , Berrecoso Germán , Fernández‐Mariño Iago , Fernández‐Varela Carmen , Crecente‐Campo José , Teijeiro‐Osorio Desirée , Torres Andón Fernando , Alonso María J.
Published: February 2021

Research efforts towards cancer therapeutics have resulted in the development of a variety of pharmacological molecules, including small synthetic molecules and biological drugs (RNA‐based therapies and monoclonal antibodies—mAbs), intended to target tumor or immune‐related cells, or their signaling mediators. The majority of them present important biopharmaceutical problems related to their difficulties for overcoming biological barriers and reach their targets. Nanotechnology has been, for more than 60 years, trying to solve these problems. As knowledge in drug discovery, molecular biology, and biomaterials advances, there has been significant progress in the adequate design of nanodelivery strategies that may significantly contribute to the exploitation of the new therapies. This review provides a critical overview of the current potential of nanotechnology to solve problems associated with the different categories of drugs. Starting with the general concept of passive and active targeting, it presents the distinct advantages that delivery technologies have shown to date for improving the therapeutic outcome of small drugs with cytotoxic activity, RNA‐ and mAb‐based therapies. Moreover, it precisely describes the benefits of combining immunotherapies and nanotechnology. The most advanced technologies are put into perspective in relation to their translational pathway and the future avenues for nano‐oncologicals.
Dye‐Sensitized Downconversion Nanoprobes with Emission Beyond 1500 nm for Ratiometric Visualization of Cancer Redox State
Authors: Wang Chenlu , Lin Hongxin , Ge Xiaoguang , Mu Jing , Su Lichao , Zhang Xuan , Niu Meng , Yang Huanghao , Song Jibin
Published: February 2021

Detection of glutathione (GSH) in the body is essential to accurately map the redox state of cells and real‐time visualization of physiological and pathological conditions in vivo. However, traditional fluorescence (FL) imaging in the near‐infrared I region (NIR‐I, 650–900 nm) is difficult to quantitively visualize GSH in vivo due to the tissue autofluorescence background and disastrous photon scattering. Herein, a NIR‐IIb (1500–1700 nm) nanoprobe consisting of 4‐nitrophenol‐Cy7 (NPh) conjugated lanthanide‐based downconversion nanoparticles (DCNP@NPh‐PEG) is developed for in vivo ratiometric imaging of GSH. In the presence of GSH, NPh shows responsively enhanced FL emission at 808 nm, thus enhancing FL signal at 1550 nm of DCNPs excited by 808 nm (F1550, 808Ex) through non‐radiative energy transfer (NRET) effect, while the fluorescence of DCNP at 1550 nm excited by 980 nm laser (F1550, 980Ex) is stable because no NRET occurred. The ratiometric F1550, 980Ex/F1550, 808Ex value exhibits a linearship with GSH concentration ranged from 0–24 mm with detection limit of 0.3 mm. The NIR‐IIb nanoprobe has excellent performance in detecting and imaging GSH in both subcutaneous tumor and orthotopic colon tumor in vivo with high accuracy and resolution. The design strategy of the ratiometric NIR‐II FL nanoprobe based on the activated FERT effect provides a reliable tool for the development of NIR‐II nanoprobes for accurate biosensing in vivo.
Understanding the Ion Transport Behavior across Nanofluidic Membranes in Response to the Charge Variations
Authors: Hou Linxiao , Xian Weipeng , Bing Shaosuo , Song Yanpei , Sun Qi , Zhang Lin , Ma Shengqian
Published: February 2021

Biological pores regulate the cellular traffic of a diverse collection of molecules, often with extremely high selectivity. Given the ubiquity of charge‐based separation in nature, understanding the link between the charged functionalities and the ion transport activities is essential for designing delicate separations, with the correlation being comparatively underdeveloped. Herein, the effect of charge density from the impact of pore structure is decoupled using a multivariate strategy for the construction of covalent organic framework‐based membranes. How the density of charged sites in the nanofluidic membranes affect the ion transport activity with particular emphasis on Li+ and Mg2+ ions, relevant to the challenge of salt‐lake lithium mining is systematically investigated. Systematic control of the charge distribution produces membranes with numerous advantages, overcoming the long‐term challenge of Li+/Mg2+ separation. The top membrane exhibits an outstanding equilibrium selectivity for Li+ over Mg2+ and operational stability under diffusion dialysis and electrodialysis conditions (Li+/Mg2+ up to 500), qualifying it as a potential candidate for lithium extraction. It is anticipated that the developed nanofluidic membrane platform can be further leveraged to tackle other challenges in controlled separation processes.
Microfluidic Reconstitution of Tumor Microenvironment for Nanomedical Applications
Authors: Oh Hyun Jeong , Kim Jaehoon , Kim Hyunho , Choi Nakwon , Chung Seok
Published: February 2021

Nanoparticles have an extensive range of diagnostic and therapeutic applications in cancer treatment. However, their current clinical translation is slow, mainly due to the failure to develop preclinical evaluation techniques that can draw similar conclusions to clinical outcomes by adequately mimicking nanoparticle behavior in complicated tumor microenvironments (TMEs). Microfluidic methods offer significant advantages over conventional in vitro methods to resolve these challenges by recapitulating physiological cues of the TME such as the extracellular matrix, shear stress, interstitial flow, soluble factors, oxygen, and nutrient gradients. The methods are capable of de‐coupling microenvironmental features, spatiotemporal controlling of experimental sequences, and high throughput readouts in situ. This progress report highlights the recent achievements of microfluidic models to reconstitute the physiological microenvironment, especially for nanomedical tools for cancer treatment.
Electronic States Modulation by Coherent Optical Phonons in 2D Halide Perovskites
Authors: Fu Jianhui , Li Mingjie , Solanki Ankur , Xu Qiang , Lekina Yulia , Ramesh Sankaran , Shen Ze Xiang , Sum Tze Chien
Published: February 2021

Excitonic effects underpin the fascinating optoelectronic properties of 2D perovskites that are highly favorable for photovoltaics and light‐emitting devices. Analogous to switching in transistors, manipulating these excitonic properties in 2D perovskites using coherent phonons could unlock new applications. Presently, a detailed understanding of this underlying mechanism remains modest. Herein, the origins of the carrier‐phonon coupling in 2D perovskites using transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy are explicated. The exciton fine structure is modulated by coherent optical phonons dominated by the vibrational motion of the PbI6 octahedra via deformation potential. Originating from impulsive stimulated Raman scattering, these coherent vibrations manifest as oscillations in the TA spectrum comprising of the generation and detection processes of coherent phonons. This two‐step process leads to a unique pump‐ and probe‐energy dependence of the phonon modulation determined by the imaginary part of the refractive index and its derivative, respectively. The phonon frequency and lattice displacement of the inorganic octahedra are highly dependent on the organic cation. This study injects fresh insights into the exciton–phonon coupling of 2D perovskites relevant for emergent optoelectronics development.
Ultralow‐Threshold Continuous‐Wave Room‐Temperature Crystal‐Fiber/Nanoperovskite Hybrid Lasers for All‐Optical Photonic Integration
Authors: Nguyen Duc Huy , Sun Jia‐Yuan , Lo Chia‐Yao , Liu Jia‐Ming , Tsai Wan‐Shao , Li Ming‐Hung , Yang Sin‐Jhang , Lin Cheng‐Chia , Tzeng Shien‐Der , Ma Yuan‐Ron , Lin Ming‐Yi , Lai Chien‐Chih
Published: February 2021

Continuous‐wave (CW) room‐temperature (RT) laser operation with low energy consumption is an ultimate goal for electrically driven lasers. A monolithically integrated perovskite laser in a chip‐level fiber scheme is ideal. However, because of the well‐recognized air and thermal instabilities of perovskites, laser action in a perovskite has mostly been limited to either pulsed or cryogenic‐temperature operations. Most CW laser operations at RT have had poor durability. Here, crystal fibers that have robust and high‐heat‐load nature are shown to be the key to enabling the first demonstration of ultralow‐threshold CW RT laser action in a compact, monolithic, and inexpensive crystal fiber/nanoperovskite hybrid architecture that is directly pumped with a 405 nm diode laser. Purcell‐enhanced light–matter coupling between the atomically smooth fiber microcavity and the perovskite nanocrystallites gain medium enables a high Q (≈1500) and a high β (0.31). This 762 nm laser outperforms previously reported structures with a record‐low threshold of 132 nW and an optical‐to‐optical slope conversion efficiency of 2.93%, and it delivers a stable output for CW and RT operation. These results represent a significant advancement toward monolithic all‐optical integration.
Lifetime of Liquid Metal Wires for Stretchable Devices
Authors: Dorsey Kristen L. , Lazarus Nathan
Published: February 2021

As stretchable devices become well established for applications in soft robotics and wearable devices, the compliant conductors that make these applications possible must also be reliable and survive for the entire device lifetime. Liquid metals such as Galinstan are a potential solution as non‐toxic, stretchable, and low‐resistance conductors. Rigorous investigations of liquid metal lifetimes, however, are limited. This work presents the median lifetime of liquid metal‐filled silicone tubes under current density on the order of 1 kAcm−2, which is necessary for applications such as electromagnetic actuators. In these conductors, the median lifetime increases by a factor of over 4700 as current decreases from 2 to 1 kAcm−2. By cooling the sample, median failure time increases from 112 s to 9.4 h, which suggests straightforward solutions to maximize liquid metal wire lifetime by increasing thermal conductivity or by duty cycling the applied current.
Comparative Evaluation of Different MOF and Non‐MOF Porous Materials for SO2 Adsorption and Separation Showing the Importance of Small Pore Diameters for Low‐Pressure Uptake
Authors: Brandt Philipp , Nuhnen Alexander , Öztürk Seçil , Kurt Gülin , Liang Jun , Janiak Christoph
Published: February 2021

The search for adsorbents for flue gas desulfurization processes is a current interest. For the first time, a comparative experimental study of SO2 adsorption by porous materials including the prototypical metal–organic frameworks NH2‐MIL‐101(Cr), Basolite F300 (Fe‐1,3,5‐BTC), HKUST‐1 (Cu‐BTC), the zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF)‐8, ZIF‐67, the alumosilicate Zeolite Y, the silicoaluminumphosphate (SAPO)‐34, Silica gel 60, the covalent triazine framework (CTF)‐1, and the active carbon Ketjenblack is carried out. Microporous materials with pore sizes in the range of 4–8 Å or with nitrogen heterocycles are found to be optimal for SO2 uptake in the low‐pressure range. The SO2 uptake capacity at 1 bar correlates with the Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller‐surface area and pore volume rather independently of the surface microstructure. Zeolite Y and SAPO‐34 are stable toward humid SO2. The materials Zeolite Y and CTF‐1(600) show the most promising SO2/CO2 selectivity results with an ideal adsorbed solution theory selectivity in the range of 265–149 and 63–43 with a mole fraction of 0.01–0.5 SO2, respectively, at 293 K and 1 bar.
Exploration of the Structure–Property Relationship of Polymer‐Based Composites by Monte‐Carlo‐Coupled Viscoelastic Lattice Spring Model
Authors: Cui Zhiwei , Huang Yongmin
Published: February 2021

A viscoelastic lattice spring model is applied to real polymer blend containing strong interaction, i.e., chemical bond, to investigate the structure–property correlation in combination of Monte Carlo method modified by cavity diffusion and bond length fluctuation algorithms. Impacts of inclusion ratio, chemical bonds, chain length, and interface orientation on the mechanical response along with fracture mode are quantified through simulation of uniaxial tensile test. It is confirmed that introduction of strong interaction and prolongation in chain length induces observable reinforcement in global modulus and ultimate tensile strength, respectively, and the amplification is more significant when the interface is parallel to external load.
Understanding the Intra‐Molecular Proton Transfer of Octahydrotriborate and Exploring the Dehydrogenation Pathways of NH4B3H8 by DFT Calculations
Authors: Gao Peng , Zhang Jie
Published: February 2021

The intra‐molecular proton transfer of octahydrotriborate, [B3H8]−, is discovered by density functional theory (DFT) computational studies; such a transfer can largely impact its dehydrogenation pathways. The DFT calculation results further disclose the generation of another triborane intermediate product, B3H9, which is formed via inter‐molecular proton transfer from [NH4]+ to [B3H8]−. Additionally, this intermediate product is unstable and can release hydrogen easily, as the corresponding energy barrier via this pathway is only 12.0 kcal mol−1. Such a relative energy is much lower than that of the routinely raised pathway, which mainly depends on the dihydrogen interaction between the and . This new mechanism is able to explain several experimental observations involving the dehydrogenation of NH4B3H8. Moreover, the detailed dehydrogenations of NH4B3H8 in different states are also studied, and the role of chemical environment during dehydrogenation is demonstrated.
The Influence of Photo‐Induced Space Charge and Energetic Disorder on the Indoor and Outdoor Performance of Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Beuel Sebastian , Hartnagel Paula , Kirchartz Thomas
Published: February 2021

Apart from traditional large‐scale outdoor application, organic solar cells are also of interest for powering small, off‐grid electronic devices indoors. For operation under the low light intensities that are typical for indoor application, a high shunt resistance is required calling for thick active layers in industrial processing to ensure maximum coverage. However, the thickness of an organic solar cell based on energetically disordered semiconductors is limited by space‐charge effects from charged shallow defects under nonuniform generation. While other sources of space charge such as doping and asymmetric transport have been extensively discussed in previous studies, this work offers a theoretical analysis of this photo‐induced space charge in shallow defects and visualizes how the space charge builds up with increasing light intensity with drift‐diffusion simulations. It is shown that the effect particularly deteriorates the performance of an organic solar cell with high active‐layer thickness and substantial energetic disorder. However, the simulations reveal that solar cells are less sensitive to these parameters under low light intensities due to a reduced density of photo‐induced space charge. Therefore, a wider range of material systems and absorber thicknesses can be viable for indoor applications than one may initially expect from testing under 1 sun illumination.