bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Space‐Resolved Photoresponse in Quasi‐Two‐Dimensional Ruddlesden–Popper Perovskites
Authors: Ling Qin , Dai Qing , Yang Liu , Huang Like , Liu Xiaohui , Zhang Houcheng , Zhang Jing , Zhu Yuejin , Hu Ziyang
Published: August 2022

Quasi‐two‐dimensional (quasi‐2D) organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites have shown excellent ambient stability with decent photovoltaic performance. Further improvement of device level properties requires a comprehensive understanding of the performance‐limiting mechanisms such as phase segregation, ion/electron coupling conduction, and their effects on charge transport at both the micro‐ and macro‐scale. Here, space resolved investigations of Ruddlesden–Popper (RP) phases of the commonquasi‐2D perovskite are probed using two complementary methods, conducting atomic force microscopy (c‐AFM) and Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM). Bias‐driven photocurrent mappings obtained by c‐AFM measurements disclose local inhomogeneous conduction and hysteresis currents in quasi‐2D RP perovskites, while relatively uniform conductivity is observed on individual grains. Bias‐driven KPFM reveals that the surface average photovoltage sign is dominated by the band bending at the buried perovskite–substrate interface. The quasi‐2D RP film exhibits substantial variations in the spatial response of the photovoltage across grains and grain boundaries, which is direct evidence of the inherently benign nature of microstructures, and the final device performance. This research elucidates underlying space‐resolved photoresponse mechanisms behind the lower efficiency of quasi‐2D RP perovskites compared with the 3D perovskites, which is necessary for further development of efficient and stable 2D perovskite‐based devices.
Bayesian Target‐Vector Optimization for Efficient Parameter Reconstruction
Authors: Plock Matthias , Andrle Kas , Burger Sven , Schneider Philipp‐Immanuel
Published: August 2022

Parameter reconstructions are indispensable in metrology. Here, the objective is to explain K experimental measurements by fitting to them a parameterized model of the measurement process. The model parameters are regularly determined by least‐square methods, that is, by minimizing the sum of the squared residuals between the K model predictions and the K experimental observations, χ2. The model functions often involve computationally demanding numerical simulations. Bayesian optimization methods are specifically suited for minimizing expensive model functions. However, in contrast to least‐square methods such as the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm, they only take the value of χ2 into account, and neglect the K individual model outputs. A Bayesian target‐vector optimization scheme with improved performance over previous developments, that considers all K contributions of the model function and that is specifically suited for parameter reconstruction problems which are often based on hundreds of observations is presented. Its performance is compared to established methods for an optical metrology reconstruction problem and two synthetic least‐squares problems. The proposed method outperforms established optimization methods. It also enables to determine accurate uncertainty estimates with very few observations of the actual model function by using Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling on a trained surrogate model.
Surface‐Enhanced Mid‐IR Gas Sensor Employing Wavelength‐Tunable Bloch Surface Waves
Authors: Nong Jinpeng , Zhao Bo , Xiao Xin , Min Changjun , Yuan Xiaocong , Somekh Michael , Feng Fu
Published: August 2022

In this paper, a wavelength‐tunable Bloch surface waves (BSWs) platform for the illustration of SO2 sensing in mid‐IR region, which is consisted of a 1D photonic crystal with an omnidirectional bandgap and an attached layer of phase change material (Ge2Sb2Te5, GST) is theoretically designed. Based on such configuration, the spectral response of the sensor can be actively modulated by adjusting the crystallization fraction of GST and the incident angle of light, with ultrahigh quality‐factor at the order of 104 within a wide waveband. Such specific designed BSWs‐assisted IR gas sensor significantly enhances the molecular absorption signal by 106‐fold. This allows not only to qualitatively identify the species of the probed gas molecules but also quantitatively measure the concentration of the SO2 molecules, showing unique advantages over the conventional BSWs‐based refractive index sensors working in visible and near‐IR region. It is further demonstrated that the sensor can be used for early warning of SO2 concentration, of which the threshold value is determined by the incident angle and the refractive index of the prism. This work provides an alternative and effective strategy for high‐performance gas sensing in the mid‐IR.
Superanionic Solvent‐Free Liquid Enzymes Exhibit Enhanced Structures and Activities
Authors: Zhou Ye , Pedersen Jannik Nedergaard , Pedersen Jacob Nedergaard , Jones Nykola C. , Hoffmann Søren Vrønning , Petersen Steen Vang , Pedersen Jan Skov , Perriman Adam , Gao Renjun , Guo Zheng
Published: August 2022

The surface of a carboxylate‐enriched octuple mutant of Bacillus subtilis lipase A (8M) is chemically anionized to produce core (8M)‐shell (cationic polymer surfactants) bionanoconjugates in protein liquid form, which are termed anion‐type biofluids. The resultant lipase biofluids exhibit a 2.5‐fold increase in hydrolytic activity when compared with analogous lipase biofluids based on anionic polymer surfactants. In addition, the applicability of the anion‐type biofluid using Myoglobin (Mb) that is well studied in anion‐type solvent‐free liquid proteins is evaluated. Although anionization resulted in the complete unfolding of Mb, the active α‐helix level is partially recovered in the anion‐type biofluids, and the effect is accentuated in the cation‐type Mb biofluids. These highly active anion‐type solvent‐free liquid enzymes exhibit increased thermal stability and provide a new direction in solvent‐free liquid protein research.
Debonding‐On‐Demand Polymeric Wound Patches for Minimal Adhesion and Clinical Communication
Authors: Zeng Qiankun , Wang Fangbing , Hu Ruixuan , Ding Xuyin , Lu Yifan , Shi Guoyue , Haick Hossam , Zhang Min
Published: August 2022

Herein, a multifunctional bilayer wound patch is developed by integrating a debonding‐on‐demand polymeric tissue adhesive (DDPTA) with an ionic conducting elastomer (ICE). As a skin adhesive layer, the DDPTA is soft and adherent at skin temperature but hard and non‐tacky when cooled, so it provides unique temperature‐triggered quick adhesion and non‐forced detachment from the skin. During use, the dense surface of the DDPTA prevents blood infiltration and reduces unnecessary blood loss with gentle pressing. Moreover, its hydrophobic matrix helps to repel blood and prevents the formation of clots, thus precluding wound tearing during its removal. This unique feature enables the DDPTA to avoid the severe deficiencies of hydrophilic adhesives, providing a reliable solution for a wide range of secondary wound injuries. The DDPTA is versatile in that it can be covered with ICE to configure a DDPTA@ICE patch for initiating non‐verbal communication systems by the fingers, leading toward sign language recognition and a remote clinical alarm system. This multifunctional wound patch with debonding‐on‐demand can promote a new style of tissue sealant for convenient clinical communication.
Downy mildew resistance and genetic variability in a wild rocket germplasm collection
Authors: Coelho Paula S. , Reis João M. , Pereira Ana L. , Vairinhos Aliana , Lopes Violeta , Leitão José M.
Published: August 2022

One hundred accessions of a “core collection” of Diplotaxis tenuifolia (L.) DC. and Eruca spp. were screened at seedling stage for resistance to downy mildew. Accessions tested at the seedling stage were assigned to 0–6 interaction phenotypes. All cultivated rocket (Eruca spp.) accessions exhibited a resistant (R) response both in cotyledons and in young leaves. The wild rocket (D. tenuifolia) accessions exhibited higher susceptibility in cotyledons than in the 1st and 2nd leaves, with 16 and 47 accessions classified as resistant or partially resistant (PR) in the cotyledon and in leaves stages, respectively. Only three wild rocket accessions displayed an R phenotype in cotyledons and leaves. The most frequent response in cotyledons vs. leaves was the highly susceptible/susceptible (HS/S) combination (33 accessions), followed by the S/PR combination (18 accessions). A significant correlation (r = 0.917, P < .000) was observed between the disease index in cotyledons and leaves. The molecular markers analyses revealed a wide genetic distance between Diplotaxis and Eruca, which gather in two clearly separated species clusters. The molecular variability is accompanied by a wide diversity of interactions with the pathogen isolate. The closest similarities among D. tenuifolia accessions were found in accessions provided by the same breeding company. Future studies will be focused on two main objectives: (a) the assessment of the accessions behavior that have evidenced an R/R, S/PR, and HS/PR cotyledon and leaf response under greenhouse or field production and (b) the genome mapping of genetic features that provide downy mildew resistance.
High‐Humidity Shaker Aging to Access Chitin and Cellulose Nanocrystals**
Authors: Jin Tony , Liu Tracy , Hajiali Faezeh , Santos Madison , Liu Yali , Kurdyla Davis , Régnier Sophie , Hrapovic Sabahudin , Lam Edmond , Moores Audrey
Published: August 2022

To unlock nature's potential for functional biomaterials, many efforts have been devoted to isolating the nanocrystalline domains within the supramolecular structure of polysaccharides. Yet, low reactivity and yield in aqueous systems along with excessive solvent usage hinders its development. In this report, the first solvent‐free pathway to access carboxylated chitin and cellulose nanocrystals with excellent mass balance is described, relying on a new method coined high‐humidity shaker aging (HHSA). The method involves a mild grinding of the polysaccharide with ammonium persulfate followed by an aging phase under high‐humidity and on a shaker plate. Insights into the mechanism were uncovered, which highlighted the unique role of high humidity to afford a gradual uptake of water by the material up to deliquescence when the reaction is complete. This process was then validated for direct synthesis of nanocrystals from biomass sources including crab and soft wood pulp.
Controlled/slow‐release fertilizer based on cellulose composite and its impact on sustainable agriculture: review
Authors: Firmanda Afrinal , Fahma Farah , Syamsu Khaswar , Suryanegara Lisman , Wood Kathleen
Published: August 2022

The increase in global population puts pressure on food supplies in the agricultural sector, whose productivity depends on the soil nutrient availability. This demand has an impact on the high chemical fertilizer consumption. Simultaneously, another problem arises owing to unsustainable agricultural practices, namely low fertilizer efficiency. Controlled/slow‐release (CRF/SRF) fertilizers using cellulose biopolymers as composite matrices are a sustainable prospect owing to their being abundant, renewable, and biodegradable. Furthermore, cellulose contains surface chemical properties that are easily modified to play a role in the fertilizers’ release. In addition, the high cellulose hydrophilicity helps maintain soil moisture for plant growth. This article reviews the prospects of cellulose and its derivatives for CRF/SRF development, including cellulose modification, slow/controlled‐release mechanisms, and their impact on sustainable agricultural practices, which are discussed based on environmental, economic and social aspects. In addition, selecting environmentally friendly and low‐cost technologies is a concern to support sustainability. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of rivaroxaban in rat plasma by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography–Q‐Orbitrap high‐resolution mass spectrometry and its application to a pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Qian Jing , Gu Shun‐zhong , Yan Yong‐jin
Published: August 2022

Therapeutic drug monitoring is critical to decrease the incidence rate of bleeding and thrombosis for personalized treatment with rivaroxaban, especially for drug interaction treatment, patients with renal dysfunction, elderly patients, patients with cardiovascular problems, and so on. In addition, an accurate analytical method is necessary for therapeutic drug monitoring. This study developed a ultra‐HPLC–tandem Orbitrap high‐resolution MS (UHPLC–Q‐Orbitrap HRMS) method to accurately identify and quantify rivaroxaban in rat plasma. The isotope internal standard method was applied for accurate quantification. Rivaroxaban‐d4 was selected as the isotope internal standard substance. The m/z 436.07263 ([M + H]+) was selected as the precursor ion and m/z 144.95085 and m/z 231.11259 were selected as the main product ions for rivaroxaban. The lower limit of quantification of rivaroxaban in plasma was 0.01 mg/L. The intra‐ and inter‐day precisions were ≤3.65% and ≤8.16%, while the recoveries ranged from 87.4% to 95.2%. This analysis method was simple, low cost, and easy to operate. The developed and validated method was subsequently applied to successfully investigate the pharmacokinetic parameters of rivaroxaban in rats after its oral administration. These results could be helpful to promote further research regarding the mechanisms of rivaroxaban and drug interaction, which can avoid false positives due to high‐precision identification of the proposed method.
Green capabilities, green purchasing, and triple bottom line performance: Leading toward environmental sustainability
Authors: Khan Syed Abdul Rehman , Yu Zhang , Farooq Khalid
Published: August 2022

Despite the vast literature on green purchasing practices and sustainability, the role of an organization's green capabilities in defining green purchasing practices for triple‐bottom‐line performance has received limited attention. This research intends to empirically evaluate the impact of green capabilities on green purchasing practices to boost the triple‐bottom‐line performance of manufacturing organizations. We analyzed 386 manufacturing organizations' responses using the covariance‐based structural equation modeling approach. The results indicate a positive correlation between green capabilities and purchasing habits; however, green innovation capabilities did not establish a statistically meaningful correlation. Additionally, green buying strategies have significant favorable associations with the triple bottom line of performance. The results contributed to the advancement of the resource‐based‐view theory by empirically examining the impact of green capabilities and green purchasing practices in influencing the triple‐bottom‐line performance of manufacturing firms.
Therapist + Social Media = Mental health influencer? Considering the research focusing upon key ethical issues around the use of social media by therapists
Authors: White Ella , Hanley Terry
Published: August 2022

Current ethical guidelines for therapists who make use of social media are very limited. As a consequence, they leave much open to interpretation by professionals, an openness that may place the public and professionals at risk. This is particularly of note as therapists are increasingly making use of social media and many professionals are taking on roles as mental health influencers, both purposefully and without realising. Such developments raise many important ethical issues including considerations around influencer competency, integrity, the maintenance of confidentiality and risk management. These issues are briefly discussed in this paper alongside related current research focusing upon them. It is concluded that, despite the existence of ethical guidelines focusing upon social media use by therapists, current research suggests that therapists are not consistently following these guidelines. Moreover, it is argued that researchers and professional bodies, and their associated good practice guidelines, need to keep abreast of new developments to account for changes in social media usage.
Phytochemical Analysis and Antibacterial Activity of Achillea coarctata Poir. Essential Oils
Authors: Stamenković Jelena G. , Petrović Goran M. , Đorđević Aleksandra S.
Published: August 2022

Essential oils obtained from different parts of Achillea coarctata species (inflorescences, stem and leaves and the whole aerial part) collected on four different locations in Serbia have been investigated to evaluate the chemical composition and antibacterial activity of isolated oils. The aim of this study was to determine differences in the chemical composition of essential oils obtained from different plant parts and how different type of substrate as well as different climate conditions affect the chemical composition of essential oils. Oxigenated terpenes were reported to be the major constituents in almost all examinated samples with 1,8‐cineole, caryophyllene oxide and cis‐cadin‐4‐en‐7‐ol identified as dominant compounds. Disk diffusion assay was used to determine antibacterial activity against two Gram‐positive (Bacillus subtilis subsp. spizizenii ATCC 6633 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538) and three Gram‐negative bacteria (Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027 and Salmonella abony ATCC 6017). The obtained results showed that essential oils obtained from A. coarctata exhibit significant antibacterial activity against tested bacteria strains. The best inhibitory effect was observed against S. aureus, while on the other hand P. aeruginosa showed high level of resistance to almost all examined essential oils.
Synthetic Approaches to Break the Chemical Shift Degeneracy of Glycans
Authors: Dal Colle Marlene C. S. , Fittolani Giulio , Delbianco Martina
Published: August 2022

NMR spectroscopy is the leading technique for determining glycans’ three‐dimensional structure and dynamic in solution as well as a fundamental tool to study protein‐glycan interactions. To overcome the severe chemical shift degeneracy of these compounds, synthetic probes carrying NMR‐active nuclei (e. g., 13C or 19F) or lanthanide tags have been proposed. These elegant strategies permitted to simplify the complex NMR analysis of unlabeled analogues, shining light on glycans’ conformational aspects and interaction with proteins. Here, we highlight some key achievements in the synthesis of specifically labeled glycan probes and their contribution towards the fundamental understanding of glycans.
Photo‐Oxidizing Ruthenium(II) Complexes with Enhanced Visible‐Light Absorption and G‐quadruplex DNA Binding Abilities
Authors: Gillard Martin , Piraux Guillaume , Daenen Martin , Abraham Michaël , Troian‐Gautier Ludovic , Bar Laure , Bonnet Hugues , Loiseau Frédérique , Jamet Hélène , Dejeu Jérôme , Defrancq Eric , Elias Benjamin
Published: August 2022

Photosensitizers that gather high photo‐oxidizing power and strong visible‐light absorption are of great interest in the development of new photo‐chemotherapeutics. Indeed, such compounds constitute attractive candidates for the design of type I photosensitizers that are not dependent on the presence of oxygen. In this paper, we report on the synthesis and studies of new ruthenium(II) complexes that display strong visible‐light absorption and can oxidize guanine residues under visible‐light irradiation, as evidenced by nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. The reported compounds also tightly bind to G‐quadruplex DNA structures from the human telomeric sequence (TTAGGG repeat). The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of the interaction of these Ru(II) complexes with G‐quadruplex and duplex DNA were studied thanks to luminescence titrations and bio‐layer interferometry measurements, which revealed higher affinities towards the non‐canonical G‐quadruplex architecture. Docking experiments and non‐covalent ionic analysis allowed us to gain information on the mode and the strength of the interaction of the compounds towards G‐quadruplex and duplex DNA. The different studies emphasize the substantial influence of the position and the number of non‐chelating nitrogen atoms on the interaction with both types of DNA secondary structures.
Tetrasodium iminodisuccinate as a biodegradable complexing agent for remediating metal‐contaminated soil
Authors: He Weijing , Hu Xiaojun , Sun Liqi , Wang Bo , Xing Haibo , Li Kan , Zhang Hongbo
Published: August 2022

Soil washing is a rapid and cost‐effective method to treat contaminated soils. However, conventional chelating agents exhibit adverse environmental effects. Tetrasodium iminodisuccinate (IDS) is a new type of amino carboxyl chelating agent, which exhibits strong chelating performance, high solubility in aqueous solution, and is environmentally friendly in soil. In this study, batch washing of Cu, Pb, and Cd removal from simulated contaminated soil and real project‐scale soil of a Pb‐polluted field was explored to evaluate the application of IDS in the remediation of potentially toxic metal‐contaminated soil. The effects of the IDS solution pH, concentration, reaction temperature, liquid/soil (L/S) ratio, number of washing cycles, and contact duration were investigated, and the optimal conditions were identified as follows: pH 7, IDS concentration 10 mmol · L−1, L/S ratio 10:1; 25°C; and 24 h. Almost 80.6% of Cu, 71.1% of Pb, and 59.1% of Cd were removed from simulated contaminated soil under optimal conditions. The primary potentially toxic metal removal mechanisms were analyzed by potentially toxic metal state detection before and after IDS washing. Real project‐scale Pb‐polluted field washing was demonstrated under the same conditions in addition to the IDS concentration of 4.5 mmol · L−1. The Pb concentration was reduced from 460 to 86.8 mg · kg−1 (mean value), which is below the threshold identified in the ‘Risk Assessment of Soil Environmental Health in Shanghai’ (Residential Area, 140 mg · kg−1). The results confirm that IDS is a promising soil washing agent that can effectively remove potentially toxic metals from contaminated soil and minimize environmental risks.
Analysis of the distribution of vagal afferent projections from different peripheral organs to the nucleus of the solitary tract in rats
Authors: Bassi Jaspreet K. , Connelly Angela A. , Butler Andrew G. , Liu Yehe , Ghanbari Anahita , Farmer David G. S. , Jenkins Michael W. , Melo Mariana R. , McDougall Stuart J. , Allen Andrew M.
Published: August 2022

Anatomical tracing studies examining the vagal system can conflate details of sensory afferent and motor efferent neurons. Here, we used a serotype of adeno‐associated virus that transports retrogradely and exhibits selective tropism for vagal afferents, to map their soma location and central termination sites within the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS). We examined the vagal sensory afferents innervating the trachea, duodenum, stomach, or heart, and in some animals, from two organs concurrently. We observed no obvious somatotopy in the somata distribution within the nodose ganglion. The central termination patterns of afferents from different organs within the NTS overlap substantially. Convergence of vagal afferent inputs from different organs onto single NTS neurons is observed. Abdominal and thoracic afferents terminate throughout the NTS, including in the rostral NTS, where the 7th cranial nerve inputs are known to synapse. To address whether the axonal labeling produced by viral transduction is so widespread because it fills axons traveling to their targets, and not just terminal fields, we labeled pre and postsynaptic elements of vagal afferents in the NTS . Vagal afferents form multiple putative synapses as they course through the NTS, with each vagal afferent neuron distributing sensory signals to multiple second‐order NTS neurons. We observe little selectivity between vagal afferents from different visceral targets and NTS neurons with common neurochemical phenotypes, with afferents from different organs making close appositions with the same NTS neuron. We conclude that specific viscerosensory information is distributed widely within the NTS and that the coding of this input is probably determined by the intrinsic properties and projections of the second‐order neuron.
DNA‐Thioguanine Nucleotides as a Marker for Thiopurine Induced Late Leukopenia after Dose Optimizing by NUDT15 C415T in Chinese Patients with IBD
Authors: Zhu Xia , Chao Kang , Yang Ting , Wang Xue‐ding , Guan Shaoxing , Tang Jian , Xie Wen , Yu Ai‐ming , Yang Qing fan , Li Miao , Yang Hong‐sheng , Diao Na , Hu Pin‐jin , Gao Xiang , Huang Min
Published: August 2022

Thiopurine dose optimization by thiopurine‐S‐methyltransferase (TPMT) or nudix hydrolase‐15 (NUDT15) significantly reduced early leucopenia in Asia. However, it fails to avoid the late incidence (> 2 months). Although laboratory monitoring of 6‐thioguanine nucleotides (6TGN) to optimize thiopurine dose was suggested in White patients the exact association between leucopenia and 6TGN was controversial in Asian patients. In the present study, we aimed to explore whether DNA‐thioguanine nucleotides (DNA‐TGs) in leukocytes, compared with 6TGN in erythrocytes, can be a better biomarker for late leucopenia. This was a prospective, observational study. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) prescribed thiopurine from February 2019 to December 2019 were recruited. Thiopurine dose was optimized by NUDT15 C415T (rs116855232). DNA‐TG and 6TGN levels were determined at the time of late leucopenia or 2 months after the stable dose was obtained. A total of 308 patients were included. Thiopurine induced late leucopenia (white blood cells < 3.5 × 109/L) were observed in 43 patients (14.0%), who had significantly higher DNA‐TG concentration than those without leucopenia (P = 4.1 × 10–9, 423.3 (~ 342.2 to 565.7) vs. 270.5 (~ 188.1 to 394.3) fmol/μg DNA). No difference in 6TGN concentrations between leucopenia and non‐leucopenia was found. With a DNA‐TG threshold of 340.1 fmol/μg DNA, 83.7% of leucopenia cases could be identified. Multivariate analysis showed that DNA‐TG was an independent risk factor for late leucopenia. Quantification of DNA‐TG, rather than 6TGN, can be applied to gauge thiopurine therapy after NUDT15 screening in Chinese patients with IBD.
Soil Health Changes from Grassland to Row Crop Conversion in the Northern Great Plains
Authors: Graham Chris , van Es Harold , Sanyal Debankur
Published: August 2022

In the Northern Great Plains, vast amounts of native grassland have given way to crops, mostly small grains and corn, over the past half century. It is less clear, however, what short‐term effects occur to the soil from grassland conversion. Research was conducted to assess the short‐term effects of converting land that is considered long‐term grassland to small‐grain production through either conventional tillage or no‐till practices using various indicators of soil health and to demonstrate how tools such as the Comprehensive Assessment for Soil Health (CASH) was used to document soil health indicator decline immediately upon conversion from grassland to small grains. Earn 1 CEU in Soil & Water Management by reading the article and taking the quiz at https://web.sciencesocieties.org/Learning‐Center/Courses.
Deep Eutectic Solvent‐Induced In Situ Etching and Phosphorization to Form Nickel Phosphides for Electrooxidation of 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural
Authors: Xu Danxia , Yang Yuechao , Zhang Baolong , Yang Zhaohui , Liu Shuzi , Mu Tiancheng
Published: August 2022

The development of catalysts with relatively high current densities at low potentials for the electrooxidation of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is still challenging. In this study, an in situ deep eutectic solvent (DES) etching phosphorization strategy is developed to prepare nickel phosphides encapsulated in P,O‐codoped carbon nanosheets (Ni−P@POC). The DES serves not only as an etchant to extract Ni2+ from the nickel foam, but also as a phosphorus source to form nickel phosphides in situ uniformly embedded in the carbon films to produce a sheet structure. The electrooxidation performance is further greatly improved by implementing an electrochemical activation step to transform Ni−P@POC into NiOOH/Ni−P@POC (t‐Ni−P@POC). t‐Ni−P@POC exhibits a low onset potential of 1.20 V vs. RHE and a high current density of 200 mA cm−2 at 1.33 V vs. RHE for HMF electrooxidation, outperforming most reported catalysts. The as‐developed DES etching phosphorization strategy offers a facile, flexible, and universal route for the design of high‐performance catalysts with specific nanostructures.
Recent advances in liquid biopsy in cancers: Diagnosis, disease state and treatment response monitoring
Authors: Chen Zhixian , Yam Judy Wai Ping
Published: August 2022

Recent years have witnessed the development of scientific research and clinical trials of liquid biopsy in various diseases, especially cancers. Liquid biopsy refers to a procedure in which components, including circulating tumour cells (CTCs), cell‐free nucleic acids (cfDNA and cfRNA) and small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), are obtained from blood or other biofluids for analyses. Together with other biocomponents present in liquid biopsies, including CTCs and cell‐free nucleic acids, sEVs are now hotly anticipated as analytical tools and are expected to help identify early‐stage patients and improve cancer patient survival. The independence from tissue availability further confers on liquid biopsy exclusive roles in patient follow‐up and treatment response monitoring. In the past few years, great challenges have been addressed, and remarkable progress has been made in the technologies used for the detection and collection of these biomaterials, enabling liquid biopsy to enter an increasing number of clinical trials and clinical practice. Although problems regarding accuracy and sensitivity remain to be solved, encouraging outcomes have been reported by scientists and clinicians regarding successful applications of liquid biopsy in the prediction of cancer recurrence and responsiveness to specific drugs. Additionally, according to recent reports, this new comprehensive and systematic approach of sampling and analysis shows much potential in non‐tumour fields, such as neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases. In this review, the current state and latest developments in the applications of different components in liquid biopsy will be discussed, and the use of sEVs in this novel medical strategy will be highlighted.
Sweet taste receptor agonists attenuate macrophage IL‐1β expression and eosinophilic inflammation linked to autophagy deficiency in myeloid cells
Authors: Lee Jinju , Kim So Jeong , Choi Go Eun , Yi Eunbi , Park Hyo Jin , Choi Woo Seon , Jang Yong Ju , Kim Hun Sik
Published: August 2022

Background

Eosinophilic inflammation is a hallmark of refractory chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and considered a major therapeutic target. Autophagy deficiency in myeloid cells plays a causal role in eosinophilic CRS (ECRS) via macrophage IL‐1β overproduction, thereby suggesting autophagy regulation as a potential therapeutic modality. Trehalose is a disaccharide sugar with known pro‐autophagy activity and effective in alleviating diverse inflammatory diseases. We sought to investigate the therapeutic potential of autophagy‐enhancing agent, trehalose, or related sugar compounds, and the underlying mechanism focusing on macrophage IL‐1β production in ECRS pathogenesis.

Methods

We investigated the therapeutic effects of trehalose and saccharin on macrophage IL‐1β production and eosinophilia in the mouse model of ECRS with myeloid cell‐specific autophagy‐related gene 7 (Atg7) deletion. The mechanisms underlying their anti‐inflammatory effects were assessed using specific inhibitor, genetic knockdown or knockout, and overexpression of cognate receptors.

Results

Unexpectedly, trehalose significantly attenuated eosinophilia and disease pathogenesis in ECRS mice caused by autophagy deficiency in myeloid cells. This autophagy‐independent effect was associated with reduced macrophage IL‐1β expression. Various sugars recapitulated the anti‐inflammatory effect of trehalose, and saccharin was particularly effective amongst other sugars. The mechanistic study revealed an involvement of sweet taste receptor (STR), especially T1R3, in alleviating macrophage IL‐1β production and eosinophilia in CRS, which was supported by genetic depletion of T1R3 or overexpression of T1R2/T1R3 in macrophages and treatment with the T1R3 antagonist gurmarin.

Conclusion

Our results revealed a previously unappreciated anti‐inflammatory effect of STR agonists, particularly trehalose and saccharin, and may provide an alternative strategy to autophagy modulation in the ECRS treatment.
Wildfire influences individual growth and breeding dispersal, but not survival and recruitment in a montane amphibian
Authors: Barrile Gabriel M. , Chalfoun Anna D. , Estes‐Zumpf Wendy A. , Walters Annika W.
Published: August 2022

Global wildfire regimes are changing rapidly, with widespread increases in the size, frequency, duration, and severity of wildfires. Whereas the effects of wildfire on ecological state variables such as occupancy, abundance, and species diversity are relatively well documented, changes in population vital rates (e.g., survival, recruitment) and individual responses (e.g., growth, movement) to wildfire are more limited because of the detailed information needed on the same individuals both pre‐ and post‐fire. We capitalized on the 2018 Roosevelt wildfire, which occurred during our 6‐year (2015–2020) capture–mark–recapture study of boreal toads (Anaxyrus boreas boreas; n = 1415) in the Bridger‐Teton National Forest, USA, to evaluate the responses of population vital rates and individual metrics to wildfire. We employed robust design capture–recapture models to compare the growth, dispersal, survival, and recruitment of adult boreal toads pre‐ and post‐fire at burned versus unburned sites. At burned locations, growth increased 2 years post‐fire compared with the year directly following wildfire and was higher 2 years post‐fire than any other interval during our study period. Boreal toads dispersed to alternative breeding patches more at burned sites than unburned sites and dispersal increased 2 years post‐fire compared with the year directly following wildfire. Annual survival and recruitment neither differed between pre‐ and post‐fire years nor among pre‐fire years, the year following wildfire, and 2 years post‐fire. We demonstrate that, in certain contexts, dispersal can play a major role in changes to state variables (e.g., abundance) after wildfire, as opposed to other vital rates such as survival and recruitment. Our study represents an important step toward understanding the biological processes that underlie observed patterns in state variables following wildfire, which ultimately will be critical for the effective management of species in landscapes experiencing shifts in fire activity.
CO2–Brine–rock interaction and sequestration capacity in carbonate reservoirs of the Tahe Oilfield, Xinjiang, China
Authors: Tan Yongsheng , Li Qi , Xu Liang , Xu Lifeng , Yu Tao , Cao Xiaomin
Published: August 2022

The characteristics of each carbonate reservoir are greatly different, and current databases are insufficient to support engineering scheme design and optimization of carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration and enhanced oil recovery. In this paper, the behavior of CO2‐brine‐rock interactions was investigated under supercritical CO2(50°C and 8.5 MPa) conditions. Five experiments were carried out, including CO2solubility in brine, mass loss analysis by static reaction of CO2–brine–rock, mineralogical composition analysis by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), core surface morphology analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and wettability alteration by contact angle analysis. The experimental results showed that: (a) the CO2solubility in brine increases with increasing pressure, but it increases slowly and gradually reaches equilibrium; (b) the mass loss of carbonate increases with reaction time, but its increments decrease with reaction time; (c) the calcite content gradually decreases and the quartz content slightly increases with reaction time, as evidenced by XRD analysis; (d) based on SEM image analysis, calcite was dissolved into brine by carbonic acid to make the pores larger, and then subsequent precipitation made the pores smaller; and (e) the carbonate rock surface became more water‐wet after CO2–brine–rock interaction experiments due to surface corrosion and increased quartz content. Using the experimental results, a mathematical model was developed to predict CO2sequestration capacity under reservoir conditions. The results suggest that CO2solubility in brine was the main aspect compared with mineral trapping in carbonate reservoirs, and CO2sequestration capacity increased with increasing temperature and pressure. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis B virus infection in those not meeting criteria for antiviral therapy
Authors: Alshuwaykh Omar , Daugherty Tami , Cheung Amanda , Goel Aparna , Dhanasekaran Renumathy , Ghaziani T. Tara , Ahmed Aijaz , Dronamraju Deepti , Kumari Radhika , Kwong Allison , Nguyen Mindie , Kim W. Ray , Kwo Paul Yien
Published: August 2022

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the leading risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study was to explore the incidence of HCC in a cohort of subjects with HBV and correlate with HBV treatment current guidance. We identified 2846 subjects with HBV over the study period. HCC was diagnosed in 386 of 2846 (14%) subjects; 209 of 386 (54%) were on nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) therapy at time of HCC diagnosis, and 177 of 386 (46%) were not on NA therapy. Of the 177 subjects not on NAs who developed HCC during follow‐up, 153 of 177 (86%) had cirrhosis. Within the 177 subjects not on NAs, 158 of 177 (89%) had undetectable HBV DNA, 10 of 177 (6%) had detectable HBV DNA < 2000 IU/L, and 9 of 177 (5%) had HBV DNA > 2000 IU/L. Of those with cirrhosis and undetectable HBV DNA, 115 of 141 had compensated cirrhosis, and 26 of 141 had decompensated cirrhosis. Significant predictors of HCC on time to event analysis included cirrhosis (hazard ratio [HR] 10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.8–17.5; p < 0.001), alanine aminotransferase level (HR 1.004, 95% CI 1.002–1.006; p < 0.001), age (HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.03–1.06; p < 0.001), (HR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2–3.1; p 0.007), and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (HR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1–2.8; p 0.02). Kaplan–Meier analysis demonstrated the cumulative incidence of HCC in subjects with compensated cirrhosis receiving NA therapy was significantly lower compared to subjects with compensated cirrhosis outside current HBV treatment practice guidance (undetectable HBV DNA) (32% vs. 51%; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Those with untreated compensated cirrhosis with undetectable HBV DNA who do not meet current guidance for treatment had higher rates of HCC than those with compensated cirrhosis and suppressed HBV DNA by NA therapy. This study highlights the need for earlier diagnosis and treatment of HBV.
Incentivizing the adoption of precision agricultural technologies in small‐scaled farming systems: A choice experiment approach
Authors: Späti Karin , Huber Robert , Logar Ivana , Finger Robert
Published: August 2022

Precision farming technologies are expected to reduce nutrient surplus in agriculture. Uptake of these technologies in European farming systems, however, is low and policy incentives are needed to promote environmental benefits. We conducted a choice experiment with 418 Swiss farmers to elicit their preferences for site‐specific nitrogen fertilization technologies. Using a split‐sample approach, we elicit both willingness‐to‐accept and willingness‐to‐pay welfare measures. Results show that welfare measures for the nitrogen reduction potential vary significantly between the two samples. This indicates that the policy design affects farmers' preferences and willingness to adopt precision farming technologies that reduce nitrogen losses from agricultural production.
Forecasting low‐frequency macroeconomic events with high‐frequency data
Authors: Galvão Ana Beatriz , Owyang Michael
Published: August 2022

High‐frequency financial and economic indicators are usually time‐aggregated before computing forecasts of macroeconomic events, such as recessions. We propose a mixed‐frequency alternative that delivers high‐frequency probability forecasts (including their confidence bands) for low‐frequency events. The new approach is compared with single‐frequency alternatives using loss functions for rare‐event forecasting. We find (i) the weekly‐sampled term spread improves over the monthly‐sampled to predict NBER recessions, (ii) the predictive content of financial variables is supplementary to economic activity for forecasts of vulnerability events, and (iii) a weekly activity index can date the 2020 business cycle peak in real‐time using a mixed‐frequency filtering.
Predicting antibiotic resistance in complex protein targets using alchemical free energy methods
Authors: Brankin Alice E. , Fowler Philip W.
Published: August 2022

Drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which mostly results from single nucleotide polymorphisms in antibiotic target genes, poses a major threat to tuberculosis treatment outcomes. Relative binding free energy (RBFE) calculations can rapidly predict the effects of mutations, but this approach has not been tested on large, complex proteins. We use RBFE calculations to predict the effects of M. tuberculosis RNA polymerase and DNA gyrase mutations on rifampicin and moxifloxacin susceptibility respectively. These mutations encompass a range of amino acid substitutions with known effects and include large steric perturbations and charged moieties. We find that moderate numbers (n = 3–15) of short RBFE calculations can predict resistance in cases where the mutation results in a large change in the binding free energy. We show that the method lacks discrimination in cases with either a small change in energy or that involve charged amino acids, and we investigate how these calculation errors may be decreased.
The impact of integrating emotion focused components into psychological therapy: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Caspar Franz , Berger Thomas , Holtforth Martin grosse , Babl Anna , Heer Sara , Lin Mu , Stähli Annabarbara , Gomez Penedo Juan Martin , Holstein Dominique , Egenolf Yvonne , Frischknecht Eveline , Krieger Tobias , Ramseyer Fabian , Regli Daniel , Schmied Emma , Flückiger Christoph , Brodbeck Jeannette , Greenberg Les , Carver Charles S. , Castonguay Louis , Kramer Ueli , Auszra Lars , Herrmann Imke , Belz Martina
Published: August 2022

Objectives

This paper presents a randomized controlled trial on assimilative integration, which is aimed at integrating elements from other orientations within one approach to enrich its conceptual and practical repertoire. Elements from Emotion‐Focused Therapy (EFT) were integrated into a form of cognitive behavior therapy: Psychological Therapy (PT). In one treatment condition, EFT was added to PT (+EFT) with the intent to enhance therapists' working with emotions. In the other condition, concepts and interventions based on the socialpsychological self‐regulation approach were added to PT (+SR). Our assumption was that the +EFT would lead to greater and deeper change, particularly in the follow‐up assessments.

Method

Patients (n = 104) with anxiety, depression, or adjustment disorders were randomized to the two conditions and treated by 38 therapists who self‐selected between the conditions. Primary outcome was symptom severity at 12‐month follow‐up; secondary outcomes included several measures such as interpersonal problems and quality of life. Variables were assessed at baseline, after 8 and 16 sessions, at posttreatment, and at 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐up.

Results

Contrary to our hypothesis, no significant between‐group effects were found.

Conclusion

The findings first suggest the difficulty of topping an already very effective approach to psychotherapy. Alternative interpretations were that the EFT training, while corresponding to regular practice in AI, was not sufficient to make a difference in outcome, or that while profiting from the enhancement of abilities for working with emotions, this was outbalanced by negative effects of difficulties related to the implementation of the new elements.
Review of molecular imprinting polymer: basic characteristics and removal of phenolic contaminants based on the functionalized cyclodextrin monomer
Authors: Syed Yaacob Syed Fariq Fathullah , Suwaibatu Mamman , Raja Jamil Raja Zalinda , Mohamed Zain Nur Nadhirah , Raoov Muggundha , Mohd Suah Faiz Bukhari
Published: August 2022

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are formed of starch molecules that are linked together in a cyclic ring. They are composed of five or more (1, 4) connected D‐glucopyranoside units. CDs have toroidal, hollow truncated cone structures with exterior hydrophilic edges and internal hydrophobic cavities. The numerous hydroxyl groups available in cyclodextrins are active sites capable of forming various sorts of connections. They can be cross‐linked or derived to generate monomers able to form branching or linear networks. Furthermore, they can form inclusion complexes with a variety of guest molecules, including organic and inorganic molecules, thus changing their physicochemical properties, The modification of the imprinting method could produce molecularly imprinted polymers that are stable, dependable, long‐lasting, selective, and cost‐effective. As a result, molecularly imprinted polymers are becoming increasingly popular in chemical separation and analysis. As found in previous studies, the monomers of cyclodextrins used in molecular imprinting have a higher binding impact on target molecules. The purpose of this study is to highlight the application of imprinting technology utilizing cyclodextrins as a valuable functional monomer in the remediation of phenolic compounds by examining and assessing relevant works published in the literature. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Effects of zeolite morphologies on CO conversion to aromatics via a modified Fischer‐Tropsch synthesis pathway
Authors: Zhang Baizhang , Yao Jie , Wang Yang , Gao Weizhe , Kugue Yasuharu , Guo Xiaoyu , He Yingluo , Yang Guohui , Tsubaki Noritatsu
Published: August 2022

BACKGROUND

Syngas conversion to olefins via Fischer‐Tropsch Synthesis (FTs) route and then subsequently into aromatics (syngas−olefins−aromatics (SOA)) was considered a promising industrialization route due to its ability to match reaction temperatures between syngas to olefins (300–400 °C) and olefins to aromatics (300–500 °C). In this reaction route, the syngas to olefin process can be efficiently and easily realized by Fe‐based FTs catalysts. However, the aromatization process occurring over the zeolite catalyst was still considered a big challenge due to zeolites' complex topology, variable morphology, and elusive acidic properties.

RESULTS

A series of ZSM‐5 zeolites with different morphologies, including nano ellipsoid, nano cube, nano aggregate, nano bead, and nano pile were successfully synthesized . The effects of the ZSM‐5 zeolite's morphology and reaction temperature on the aromatics synthesis from syngas based on a modified FTs route were systematically studied.

CONCLUSION

In all the studied ZSM‐5 zeolites, the nano cube ZSM‐5 zeolite (Z5‐NC) zeolite had the best aromatization ability. The hybrid catalyst combination of FeMnK&Z5‐NC obtained the highest xylene selectivity of 12% (2.8% + 9.2%), and its total aromatics selectivity was also the highest (42.5%). The study on reaction temperature suggested that a higher reaction temperature (320–360 °C) could efficiently impede the formation of CO2. However, the selectivity of aromatics was restrained to around 44% at higher temperatures because a high temperature facilitated the hydrocracking of higher hydrocarbons, leading to the increase of the selectivity of lighter CH4 and paraffin. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).