bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
El projecte «terradebruixes» i els processos per bruixeria andorrans: entre la recerca històrica i la divulgació
Authors: Castell Granados Pau
Published: June 2019

Resum: Les investigacions dutes a terme durant les últimes dècades han posat en relleu la singularitat i la rellevància de la documentació andorrana relativa al fenomen històric conegut com a «cacera de bruixes», tot destacant l’elevat nombre de processos per bruixeria conservats per als segles XV-XVII. Aquesta realitat documental ha motivat un projecte de recerca finançat pel Govern d’Andorra i basat en la recopilació i estudi del total de processos per bruixeria conservats al fons «Tribunal de Corts» de l’Arxiu Nacional d’Andorra. Els resultats d’aquest projecte han estat recollits en un espai web articulat al voltant d’un atles interactiu de les valls i d’una base de dades formada per desenes de fitxes individuals dotades d’un sistema d’etiquetes i enllaços, fet que converteix aquesta plataforma en una potent eina de recerca per als especialistes i, alhora, en una experiència innovadora de cara a la difusió i posada en valor de la recerca entre el gran públic.
 
Paraules clau: processos, bruixeria, Andorra, Humanitats Digitals
 
 
Abstract: The research carried out during the last decades has pointed up the relevance and uniqueness of the Andorran sources concerning the historical phenomenon of witch-hunts, by highlighting the large number of witchcraft trials preserved for the 15th-17th centuries. This archival reality has motivated the development of a research project financed by the Andorran Government and devoted to the collection and study of the totallity of witchcraft trials preserved in the series «Tribunal de Corts» of the Arxiu Nacional d’Andorra. The project’s results have been displayed in a web page containing an interactive atlas and a database composed of dozens of individual files enriched with a system of tags and hyperlinks. The platform therefore becomes a powerful tool for researchers as well as an innovative experience regarding the dissemination and valorisation of research among the general public.
 
Keywords: trials, witchcraft, Andorra, Digital Humanities
Ressenya a Antoni Ferrando, Fabra, Moll i Sanchis Guarner: la construcció d’una llengua moderna de cultura des de la diversitat, València, 2018
Authors: Mas Castells Josep Àngel
Published: June 2019

Ressenya a Antoni Ferrando, Fabra, Moll i Sanchis Guarner: la construcció d’una llengua moderna de cultura des de la diversitat, València, Publicacions de la Universitat de València, 2018 
Review to Antoni Ferrando, Fabra, Moll i Sanchis Guarner: la construcció d’una llengua moderna de cultura des de la diversitat, València, Publicacions de la Universitat de València, 2018
Ressenya a Emilio Callado Estela, El embajador de María. Don Luis Crespí de Borja, Madrid, 2018
Authors: López Ribao Alejandro J.
Published: June 2019

Ressenya a Emilio Callado Estela, El embajador de María. Don Luis Crespí de Borja, Sílex Ediciones, Madrid, 2018 
Review to Emilio Callado Estela, El embajador de María. Don Luis Crespí de Borja, Sílex Ediciones, Madrid, 2018
Ressenya a Dominique de Courcelles, Viatge per la història i la literatura de les terres catalanes, Alacant, 2017
Authors: De Riquer Isabel
Published: June 2019

Ressenya a Dominique de Courcelles, Viatge per la història i la literatura de les terres catalanes, Institut Universitari de Filologia Valenciana, Alacant, 2017
Review to Dominique de Courcelles, Viatge per la història i la literatura de les terres catalanes, Institut Universitari de Filologia Valenciana, Alacant, 2017
Ressenya a Abel Soler, El corsari Jaume de Vilaragut i la donzella Carmesina. El cavaller que inspirà el Tirant lo Blanc, València, 2013
Authors: Espadaler Anton M.
Published: June 2019

Ressenya a Abel Soler, El corsari Jaume de Vilaragut i la donzella Carmesina. El cavaller que inspirà el Tirant lo Blanc, Institució Alfons el Magnànim, València, 2013 
Review to Abel Soler, El corsari Jaume de Vilaragut i la donzella Carmesina. El cavaller que inspirà el Tirant lo Blanc, Institució Alfons el Magnànim, València, 2013
Contra la revolución “satánica”. Propaganda católica y legitimación del franquismo en Portugal durante la Guerra Civil española
Authors: Pena-Rodríguez Alberto
Published: June 2019

The Spanish Civil War had major political, social and economic consequences for Portugal, whose government acted as if the war were a domestic affair. Faced with the destabilizing contagion of the Second Spanish Republic, General Franco became the great hope for the Salazar regime, a strategic ally of the Spanish insurgents. In this context, the Portuguese Church, very close to Salazarism, supported the coup d’état against the Spanish Government by staging campaigns of anti-Communist agitation and legitimization of the Franco regime. By using documentary and newspaper sources, the main objective of this article is to describe and analyze some of the most relevant aspects of Portuguese Catholic propaganda between 1936 and 1939.
Political Realignment in Brazil: Jair Bolsonaro and the Right Turn
Authors: Chagas-Bastos Fabrício H.
Published: June 2019

One hundred days have passed since Bolsonaro took office, and there are two salient aspects of his presidency: first, it is clear that he was not tailored for the position he holds; second, the lack of preparation of his entourage and the absence of parliamentary support has led the country to a permanent state of crisis. In this article, I make an initial assessment of a presidency that was the direct outcome of a pivotal election that fractured the Brazilian political landscape and catapulted an unknown Congressman to the highest political office in the republic. The first part of the article covers the 2018 elections as the critical juncture of the Nova República [New Republic]. The second part delves into the main events Jair Bolsonaro’s first three months in office.
Critical thickness of strained Si1-xGex on Ge(111) and Ge-on-Si(111)
Authors: Alam Md. Mahfuz , Wagatsuma Youya , Okada Kazuya , Hoshi Yusuke , Yamada Michihiro , Hamaya Kohei , Sawano Kentarou
Published: June 2019

Critical thicknesses (t
c) of Ge-rich strained Si1-xGex layers grown on various Ge substrates are precisely determined experimentally, and t
c is revealed to strongly depend on the substrate conditions. We find that t
c of Si1-xGex on Ge-on-Si(111) is much lower than that on the Ge(111) substrate for x > 0.75 while, for x < 0.75, t
c becomes equivalent between both substrates, origins of which can be discussed in terms of dislocation nucleation and surface ridge formation. This study provides critical design parameters for strained SiGe(111) based devices, such as high-mobility channels and spintronic devices on a Si platform.
A Literature Review on Medicinal Plants That are being Used in Traditional Medicine for the Management of the Snake Bites in Sri Lanka
Authors: Mansoor Nushrath Roshana , Sanmugarajah Vinotha
Published: June 2019

Background: Traditional Medicine is time-tested and still caters to the health needs of the society and provides health care through prophylactic treatment and rejuvenation. Today poisonous snake bites are life-threatening problems resulting in high morbidity and mortality all over the world including Sri Lanka. The medicinal plants available locally and used widely by traditional healers. Therefore they need attention in this aspect.

Aim: The primary aim of this study was to do a literature review on essential characteristics of medicinal plants which are being used for the management of snake bites in Traditional Medicine.

Place and Duration of the Study: Unit of Siddha Medicine, University of Jaffna from April to June 2018.

Methodology:   Data for the literature review on 94 medicinal plants from 41 families were collected from relevant books and research articles. The characteristics of the medicinal species that were identified for the review were morphology; habitat; parts used; Siddha properties such as taste, potency and efficacy; pharmacological action; the number of plants used for dietary purposes; poisonous plants; phytochemical contents and mode of transmission.

Results: From the 94 medicinal plants, 9 (9.6%) of the species were found in Fabaceae and followed by 6 (6.38%) in Cucurbitaceae and Apocynaceae families. Based on the morphology 24 (25%) plants were herb and shrub; 42 (45%) were found in the natural habitat. From these plants, 31 species (26%) were used as root and 29 (24%) as leaves. These plants contain: Siddha properties such as bitter taste [52 (48.14%)]; hot potency [64 (70.32%)] and pungent efficacy [68 (72.34%)]. Pharmacological actions such as diuretic [36 (38.3%)]; tonic [35 (37.23)]; astringent [33 (35.1%)] and stimulant [32 (34.04%)]. Phytochemicals such as flavonoids 88 (93.61%) and saponin 81 (86.17%) were highly found in these medicinal plants. Fifty (53.19%) of these species were used as external and internal medication in the management of snake bites. 

Conclusion: This literature review provides useful documented evidence on the management of snake bites in Traditional Medicine. However, there is a need for further extensive scientific studies to be carried out to justify its clinical potential in the management of snake bites.
Comparative Study on the Incidence of Aspergillus flavus in Farmer’s Field and Stored Maize (Zea mays) Seed in Northern Region of Ghana
Authors: Sowley Elias Nortaa Kunedeb , Kankam Frederick , Tawiah Edmond
Published: June 2019

Aspergillus flavus is predominant among other fungi species responsible for aflatoxin contamination of crops on the field and in storage. A study was conducted to determine the incidence of Aspergillus flavus in maize seeds from various sources. Sixty (60) maize seed samples were collected from farmers and marketers from different storage structures within Tamale metropolis, Savelugu and Tolon districts,northern region of Ghana. Three different fungi species were isolated from the maize samples. These were Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Fusarium spp. Total fungi species differed significantly. Tamale metropolis recorded the least occurrence of fungi species. Aspergillus flavus recorded varied occurrences across all three districts with the highest incidence recorded in Savelugu (42%). Aspergillus flavus was found predominant in maize from the markets than maize from the farmers. The incidences of Aspergillus flavus varied with the method of storage. Storage using cocoa sack recorded the highest incidence (69%), with the lowest (13%) in hanging shed. Aspergillus flavus was however found to be associated with maize from all three districts studied. Proper drying and use of proper storage structures are recommended as a way of combating the high incidences of Aspergillus flavus.
Efficacy of Turmeric Rhizome (Curcuma longa) and Moringa Leaf (Moringa oleifera) Extract in Treatment against Fungi Associated with Maize Seeds
Authors: John W. C. , Ihum T. A. , Olusolape O. , Janfa N.
Published: June 2019

This research was focused on the use of different concentration of aqueous extract of Moringa leaf and Turmeric rhizome as seed treatment agents against fungi associated with maize seeds. The study was designed using 2 x 3 factorial in completely randomised design. This research was carried out in Biology Laboratory of Federal College of Forestry, Jos from April to June 2018. Untreated maize seeds were collected from farmers in three different areas of Mazah village in Jos North LG. Maize seeds were tested for the presence of fungi by culturing on Petri dish having moist filter paper. Aqueous extract of Turmeric rhizome and Moringa leaf at 25, 50, and 75 ml concentration were used as seed treatment agent against fungi. The seeds were soaked in prepared extracts for 1 hour and then cultured on petri dish having moist filter paper, control samples were soaked in sterile water. Infested seeds were counted manually after twenty days. Results were analysed using one-way analysis of variance at 95% confidence level. Penicillium sp, Fusarium solani, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus were isolated from the untreated maize seed. Fusariumsolani gave the highest percentage occurrence of 35.48. 50 ml concentration of Turmeric rhizome has an antifungal mean value of 3.67 after 20days. The control (untreated) showed the antifungal mean value of 6.67 after 20 days. The results obtained revealed significance between the treatment and the control. The results indicate Turmeric rhizome and Moringa leaf extracts could be used in seed dressing against maize infection caused by fungi.
Phytoremediation of Heavy Metals from Water of Yamuna River by Tagetes patula, Bassica scoparia, Portulaca grandiflora
Authors: Ghosh Arpita , Manchanda Nikita
Published: June 2019

Heavy metal contamination is a worldwide problem, causing many serious diseases and the levels of contamination varied from place to place. Heavy metals like cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), and lead (Pb) etc. are very injurious even at low concentration and are present in Yamuna river water. Phytoremediation has great potential as an efficient cleanup technology for contaminated soils, groundwater, and wastewater. It is a cheap and very efficient technique for metal removal. A study had been carried out to detect the efficiency of phytoremediation technique for removal of heavy toxic metals from water of Yamuna river. This study also focused on the phytoremediation capacity of all of three selected plants: Tagetes patula, Bassica scoparia, and Portulaca grandiflora. Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in various parts of plants has also been checked.
Studies on the Antibacterial Activity and Chemical Composition of Methanol Extract of Cochlospermum tinctorium Root
Authors: Abdulaziz R. , Usman M. H. , Ibrahim U. B. , Tambari B. M. , Nafiu A. , Jumare I. F. , Said Mohammad A. , Ibrahim A. D.
Published: June 2019

The aim of study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of Cochlospermum tinctorium against ten (10) strains of antibiotic resistant food-borne pathogens Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogene. Ten (10) strains of antibiotic resistant food-borne pathogens Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogene procured from Microbiology Research Laboratory Usman Danfodiyo University Sokoto. The roots of Cochlospermum tinctorium were collected from the rock side in Dambu Gomo, Zuru Local Government Area of Kebbi State, Nigeria. The roots were washed, air-dried and milled to powder using mortal and pestle and sieved to obtained fine powder. Maceration was used for extraction using methanol as solvent. The antibacterial activity of the plant was determined on Mueller Hinton agar using agar well diffusion method. Minimum concentration (MIC) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MBC) of plant extract was also determined. Thin layer chromatography and column chromatography was employed for separation and fraction of different compounds in the plant extract. The fractions were screened for antibacterial activity and active fractions having high antibacterial activity were subjected Gas Chromatography Mass Spectoscopy (GC-MS) analysis. The result of methanol extraction yield 5.17% extracts. The methanol extract of Cochlospermum tinctorium was effective in inhibiting the isolates at high concentration of 10 mg/mL. The results thin layer chromatography revealed four spots with Rf values 0.02, 0.37, 0.44 and 0.80 respectively. The GC-MS analysis of the active methanol extract of Cochlospermum tinctorium root powder revealed the existence of major peaks 1-(+)-Ascorbic acid 2,6-dihexadecanoate (R.T: 13.666), Diethyl phthalate (R.T: 10.440), Undecyl acetate (R.T: 10.007), 3-tetradecanone (R.T: 9.793), 3-hexadecanone (R.T: 12.427). It therefore concluded that the root of Cochlospermum tinctorium has immense potential to be used in the area of pharmacology as it possess antimicrobial activity against the antibiotic resistant food-borne pathogens, thus could be exploited as alternative antimicrobial drugs.
Comparing between Germination Percentage in Moringa peregrina and Moringa oleifera under Laboratory Conditions
Authors: El-Absy Karima M. A. , Khazen Nouf A. , Al-Rashidi Manal M. , Anezi Bayan B. Al , Anezi Fareh H. Al , Atawi Njood S. Al , Anezi Amnaa S. Al , Balawi Hana N. Al
Published: June 2019

This study was carried out in February 2019 at the laboratory; Department of Biology, College of Taymaa, Tabuk University. The numbers of germinated seeds were recorded daily after Soaking for two days during 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th and 30th days and final percentage calculated at the end of germination period. Germination percentage, radical length and vigor index values were calculated for the two studied species. The two species (S) under study, days of germination (D) and interaction between them showed highly significant (P < 0.01) for seed germination. Despite germination percentages being slightly higher at the 10th day and 15th day for M. oleifera than M. peregrina, the germination percentages recorded higher values at the 20th, 25th and 30th days for M. peregrina than M. oleifera. The highest seed germinated number recorded at 20th day and 15th day for M. peregrina and M. oleifera, respectively with significant differences between the numbers of germinated seed in two species. Generally, germination %, radical length and vigor index of M. peregrina recorded a higher value compared to M. oleifera. A total value of germination percentage (80.33% and 65.33%) was recorded for M. peregrina and M. oleifera seed after 20 days from germinating time, respectively.
Renal Protective Effect of Ginkgo biloba and L-carnitine Extracts against Pentylenetetrazol Induced Toxicity, Oxidative Stress, Injury and Proliferation Alternation in Epileptic Rats
Authors: Tousson Ehab , Keshta Akaber T. H. , Hussein Youssef , Fekry Reda M. , Abo-Ghaneima Wafaa K.
Published: June 2019

Objectives: Ginkgo biloba leaf extract (GBLE) and L-carnitine extract are a commercial product used as a nutraceutic herbal widely. They have antioxidant and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger. This study hypothesized that GB and L-carnitine may have protective effects against pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) induced oxidative damage in kidney in male albino rats.

Materials and Methods: A total of 80 male albino rats were equally divided into eight groups (G1, control; G2, GBLE; G3, L-carnitine; G4, Pentylenetetrazole; G5&G6, pre and post treated PTZ with L-carnitine groups respectively; G7&G8, pre and post treated PTZ with GBLE respectively). Results: Serum urea, creatinine, uric acid and cystatin c were significantly increased in PTZ group when compared with control. Also; kidney homogenate MDA and DNA fragmentation were increased when compared with control while, significant decrease in CAT, SOD, GST and TAC in PTZ when compared with control. On other hand pre and post-treatment with L-carnitine and GBLE improved these parameters.

Conclusions: The results revealed that; the treatment with L-carnitine improved these parameters more than GBLE and the results of post treatment were better than pre-treatment.
Putative Mechanisms of Drought Tolerance in Maize (Zea mays L.) via Root System Architecture Traits
Authors: Al-Naggar A. M. M. , Shafik M. M. , Elsheikh M. O. A.
Published: June 2019

Identifying maize genotypes with favorable root architecture traits for drought tolerance is prerequisite for initiating a successful breeding program for developing high yielding and drought tolerant varieties of maize. The aims of the present study were: (i) to identify drought tolerant genotypes of maize at flowering and grain filling, (ii) to interpret the correlations between the drought tolerance and root architecture traits and (iii) to identify the putative mechanisms of drought tolerance via root system traits. An experiment was carried out in two years using a split plot design with three replications. The main plots were assigned to three water stress levels, namely: well watering (WW), water stress at flowering (WSF) and water stress at grain filling (WSG), and sub-plots to 22 maize cultivars and populations. Drought tolerance index (DTI) had strong and positive associations with crown root length (CRL), root circumference (RC) and root dry weight (DRW) under both WSF and WSG, a negative correlation with brace root whorls (BW), and positive correlations with crown root number (CN) under WSF and brace root branching (BB) and crown root branching (CB) under WSG. These root traits are therefore considered as putative mechanisms of drought tolerance. The cultivars Pioneer-3444, SC-128, Egaseed-77, SC-10 and TWC-324 showed the most drought tolerant and the highest yielding in a descending order; each had a number of such drought tolerance mechanisms. Further investigation should be conducted to determine the underlying root mechanisms contributing to the selection of water-efficient hybrids of maize.
Blond Ale Craft Beer Production with Addition of Pineapple Pulp
Authors: Costa Patrícia Monique Crivelari da , Almeida Indihaoara Lilian Marjorie Lima de , Bianchini Aloisio , Bianchini Maria das Graças Assis , Vassoler e Silva Rodrigo Esaú , Rossignoli Paulo Afonso
Published: June 2019

The second most consumed beverage worldwide is beer. In Brazil, the brewing market is in full expansion, which allowed the emergence of several microbreweries, which end up attrative a significant portion of the consumers of the large breweries, due to the fact that they provide differentiated products, using high raw materials quality and production methods specific to each style. In this context, the objective of this work was the development of a Blond Ale beer, with addition of pineapple pulp (Ananas comosus L. Merril). The physical and chemical attributes were: original and final gravity, alcohol content, total dry extract, total acidity, maltose reducing sugar, pH, color and degree of fermentation. The OG and FG of the beer produced were, respectively, 1.0455 and 1.0107, and the alcohol content was 5.24%. The results found are within the range allowed for a Blonde Ale style, according to the BJCP 2015 standard. Thus, the quality of the beer produced meets the proposed in the article.
Stable Plasmonic Coloration of Versatile Surfaces via Colloidal Monolayer Transfer Printing
Authors: Chang Ning , Wang Delong , Liu Bing , He Da , Wu Hong , Zhao Xiangwei
Published: June 2019

Preparing nanoscale patterns with bright and high resolution structural colors for object decoration remains a challenge. Herein, the authors propose a strategy for fabricating surface‐universal and large‐area photonic crystal monolayer membrane with stable plasmonic coloration based on polydopamine (PDA) modification, self‐assembly, transfer printing, and e‐beam evaporation. In practice, the membrane is achieved with different diameters of silica and polystyrene (PS) colloidal nanoparticles through layer‐by‐layer (LBL) self‐assembled method. The photonic crystals are prepared on the PDA‐coated substrates and experimental spectra of different periodic plasma substrates with 20 nm‐gold‐coating are obtained and analyzed. Based on this, different plasma display patterns are prepared and solvent‐response plasma pattern is fabricated. Compared with traditional coloration method, this method is low‐cost, stable, and surface‐universal and can be used to proceed large‐area plasmonic coloration, which will be promising in the fields of plasma display, optical sensor and anti‐counterfeiting.
Implantable Highly Compliant Devices for Heating of Internal Organs: Toward Cancer Treatment
Authors: Cañón Bermúdez Gilbert Santiago , Kruv Anastasiia , Voitsekhivska Tetiana , Hochnadel Inga , Lebanov Ana , Potthoff Andrej , Fassbender Jürgen , Yevsa Tetyana , Makarov Denys
Published: June 2019

Flexible electronics has a strong potential to revolutionize the health care sector. Until now, numerous flexible diagnostic or therapeutic devices have been successfully developed. However, tumor treatment remains rather unexplored in the field of flexible electronics. Herein, the electrical and mechanical properties of highly compliant electronics that are advantageous for targeting tumor sites in internal organs are demonstrated. This kind of electronics can be implanted to heat and thereby render the treated tissue susceptible to chemotherapy, radiation, or other available treatments. The proposed device consists of a 6 μm‐thick polymeric foil hosting a heating unit and temperature sensor, capped with a 5 μm‐thick encapsulation layer. Due to its ultrathin nature, it seamlessly conforms to the very soft liver tissue and allows for precisely controlled thermal treatment and remarkable mechanical compliance. Measurements in murine cancer models exhibit a temperature accuracy of 0.1 °C even at a bending radius of 2.5 mm, characteristic of the markedly curved mouse liver tissues. The presented highly compliant device paves the way for handling of exophytic (located at the organ surface) tumor nodules via thermal destruction of tissue, targeted drug release, or enhancement of antitumor immune responses.
Materials for Immunotherapy
Authors: Shields C. Wyatt , Wang Lily Li‐Wen , Evans Michael A. , Mitragotri Samir
Published: June 2019

Breakthroughs in materials engineering have accelerated the progress of immunotherapy in preclinical studies. The interplay of chemistry and materials has resulted in improved loading, targeting, and release of immunomodulatory agents. An overview of the materials that are used to enable or improve the success of immunotherapies in preclinical studies is presented, from immunosuppressive to proinflammatory strategies, with particular emphasis on technologies poised for clinical translation. The materials are organized based on their characteristic length scale, whereby the enabling feature of each technology is organized by the structure of that material. For example, the mechanisms by which i) nanoscale materials can improve targeting and infiltration of immunomodulatory payloads into tissues and cells, ii) microscale materials can facilitate cell‐mediated transport and serve as artificial antigen‐presenting cells, and iii) macroscale materials can form the basis of artificial microenvironments to promote cell infiltration and reprogramming are discussed. As a step toward establishing a set of design rules for future immunotherapies, materials that intrinsically activate or suppress the immune system are reviewed. Finally, a brief outlook on the trajectory of these systems and how they may be improved to address unsolved challenges in cancer, infectious diseases, and autoimmunity is presented.
Laser‐Splashed Plasmonic Nanocrater for Ratiometric Upconversion Regulation and Encryption
Authors: Feng Ziwei , Hu Dejiao , Liang Liangliang , Xu Jian , Cao Yaoyu , Zhan Qiuqiang , Guan Bai‐Ou , Liu Xiaogang , Li Xiangping
Published: June 2019

Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) with exceptional optical properties have emerged as a new paradigm for data encryption through multicolor coding, lifetime tuning, and excitation light phasing. However, in addition to low internal quantum efficiency, the utility of UCNPs for data encryption is largely hampered by the requirement of multiple sets of UCNPs of complex compositions with specifically tailored optical properties. Herein, it is found that metal–insulator–metal (MIM) configurations are capable of regulating upconversion emission of UCNPs through programmable geometry‐dependent plasmonic features of laser‐splashed submicron cavities. Furthermore, a ratiometric encryption strategy by regulating the ratio of dual‐band emission of a single set of UCNPs of fixed composition placed within the plasmonic MIM configuration is demonstrated. High‐throughput encryption and decryption through the luminescence ratiometric strategy can be achieved in a facile laser writing fashion with upscalability and sub‐micrometer‐scale precision. This demonstration opens a new route to luminescence modulation with large encoding capacity and underpins potential applications of UCNPs in multiplexed data storage and information encryption.
Iron‐Catalyzed Cross‐Dehydrogenative Coupling of Oxindoles with Thiols/Selenols for Direct C(sp3)−S/Se Bond Formation
Authors: Huang Lu‐Shan , Han Dong‐Yang , Xu Da‐Zhen
Published: June 2019

The C−X (S/Se) bonds are common and ubiquitous in natural products and pharmaceuticals. Here, we report an iron‐catalyzed cross‐dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reaction for the direct synthesis of C(sp3)−X (S/Se) bonds from oxindoles, phenylacetamides, pyrazolones, phenylacetonitriles and ethyl cyanoacetate with thiols and selenols. All the reactions were performed under simple and mild conditions, and air (molecular oxygen) was employed as an ideal green oxidant, thus promising broad application in chemical industry and modification of bioactive molecules.

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Glycosylated Copper Sulfide Nanocrystals for Targeted Photokilling of Bacteria in the Near‐Infrared II Window
Authors: Hou Shuai , Mahadevegowda Surendra H. , Mai Van Cuong , Chan‐Park Mary B. , Duan Hongwei
Published: June 2019

Photothermal and photodynamic therapies are established as alternative approaches to combating bacterial infections; however, the heat and reactive oxygen species generated by the photoagents act on both normal and bacterial cells. A targeting strategy is thus required to minimize side effects and enhance the antibacterial efficiency. Glycoconjugates specifically interacting with bacterial lectins have emerged as a new class of materials for targeting bacteria. In this paper, galactosylated plasmonic copper sulfide nanocrystals (Cu2−xS NCs) are used to target Pseudomonas aeruginosa via galactose–LecA interactions and kill the bacteria by simultaneous photothermal and photodynamic therapy. Galactosylated Cu2−xS NCs are obtained by functionalizing the nanocrystals with tri‐thiogalactoside glycoclusters. The excellent specificity of galactosylated nanoparticles toward LecA with a LecA‐deficient P. aeruginosa strain as the control is first demonstrated. Afterward, a laser in the near‐infrared II window is used to kill the bacteria, and the critical role of targeted binding in efficient killing of bacteria is highlighted. This approach can be readily generalized to the targeting of other pathogens which have highly specific carbohydrate‐binding lectins.
Structural Insight into Layer Gliding and Lattice Distortion in Layered Manganese Oxide Electrodes for Potassium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhang Qing , Didier Christophe , Pang Wei Kong , Liu Yajie , Wang Zhijie , Li Sean , Peterson Vanessa K. , Mao Jianfeng , Guo Zaiping
Published: June 2019

Potassium‐ion batteries (PIBs) are an emerging, affordable, and environmentally friendly alternative to lithium‐ion batteries, with their further development driven by the need for suitably performing electrode materials capable of reversibly accommodating the relatively large K+. Layer‐structured manganese oxides are attractive as electrodes for PIBs, but suffer from structural instability and sluggish kinetics of K+ insertion/extraction, leading to poor rate capability. Herein, cobalt is successfully introduced at the manganese site in the KxMnO2 layered oxide electrode material and it is shown that with only 5% Co, the reversible capacity increases by 30% at 22 mA g‐1 and by 92% at 440 mA g‐1. In operando synchrotron X‐ray diffraction reveals that Co suppresses Jahn–Teller distortion, leading to more isotropic migration pathways for K+ in the interlayer, thus enhancing the ionic diffusion and consequently, rate capability. The detailed analysis reveals that additional phase transitions and larger volume change occur in the Co‐doped material as a result of layer gliding, with these associated with faster capacity decay, despite the overall capacity remaining higher than the pristine material, even after 500 cycles. These results assert the importance of understanding the detailed structural evolution that underpins performance that will inform the strategic design of electrode materials for high‐performance PIBs.
A Soft‐Robotic Harbor Porpoise Pectoral Fin Driven by Coiled Polymer Actuators as Artificial Muscles
Authors: Hunt Robert , Trabia Sarah , Olsen Zakai , Kim Kwang
Published: June 2019

Biomimicry is an approach in science and engineering to overcome human challenges by designing materials and systems modeled after nature. Selected applications of biomimicry include catheters, hearing devices, and artificial appendages such as arms, legs, and fingers. The inspiration for this study is the hydrofoil‐like structured pectoral fin of the harbor porpoise whale that is ultimately useful for studying fluid‐structure interactions, drag, lift, and laminar‐to‐turbulent transitions. The pectoral fin is fabricated by manipulating computed tomography (CT) scans into 3D models using Simpleware ScanIP and post‐processed in Autodesk for printing. An array of thermally driven coiled polymer actuators (CPA) fabricated from nylon and heated with Nichrome are used as artificial muscles for the fabricated pectoral fin. The CPAs are of great interest due to its high specific power and large actuation stroke. The work discussed includes the fabrication of the fin (designing, printing, and assembly), the fabrication and testing of the CPAs, implementation of the CPAs, controlling, and actuation of the bio‐inspired whale fin.
Whole System Design of a Wearable Magnetic Induction Sensor for Physical Rehabilitation
Authors: Chen Liming , Lu Mingyang , Wang Yuqi , Huang Yuhao , Zhu Shuang , Tang Jiawei , Zhu Chuang , Liu Xuqing , Yin Wuliang
Published: June 2019

Wearable sensor technologies attract increasing attention for continuous monitoring of human health. Much effort is devoted to exploit well‐designed materials to realize superior abilities, such as high sensitivity, stability, and responsiveness. However, it hardly meets huge demands for practically wearable applications simply focusing on the development of sensing materials in isolation. Comprehensive consideration is given from upstream materials to endure market, including materials design, sensor assembly, signal analysis, theoretical foundation, and final system performance, such as sensitivity, stability, responsiveness, cost, comfortability, and durability. Herein, a systematic design is presented that combines a conductive fiber fabrication based on surface nanotechnology, device assembly process optimization, signal acquisition and analysis, and theoretical simulation, through a new multidisciplinary strategy integrating material science, textile technology, electromagnetics, and electronic engineering. The as‐constructed magnetic inductance sensing system shows approximately six‐times inductance change with regard to joint bending motions during rehabilitation exercises. This integrated design strategy offers a new concept, namely, a whole sensing system design, for wearable technologies in real‐time health monitoring applications.
Unpacking the heritability of body mass index and other ratios
Authors: Blomquist Gregory E.
Published: June 2019

Objectives

Ratios of weight to height, especially body mass index (BMI = kg/m2), are often used in epidemiological and genetic studies of health, but the limitations of quantitative genetic analysis of ratios are not widely known. The heritability of these ratios can be closely approximated from a bivariate quantitative genetic model of weight and height which clarifies how BMI heritabilities change.

Methods

I explored this bivariate approximation and alternative measures through simulated datasets fit with linear mixed models. Simulated data were based on published heritabilities and other statistics for BMI and related anthropometric dimensions from four human samples.

Results

Inspection of the bivariate approximation and analysis of simulated data show the heritability of weight/height crucially depends on the phenotypic (rP) and genetic correlations (rA) between weight and height. Changes in these correlations can have dramatic effects on the heritability of BMI. For example, whenrP ≪ rAheritability of BMI is reduced to 35‐50% of its value when the correlations are equal.

Discussion

Increasing adiposity likely decreases the phenotypic correlations more than the genetic correlation resulting in reduced heritability of the ratio. This contrasts with the commonly reported stability or increase of BMI heritability and implies it may result from increased genetic variance in weight in obesogenic environments. The bivariate model offers other advantages over ratios, including estimating theconditionalgenetic variance or heritability of weight that is unassociated with height, which may prove useful in quantitative and molecular genetic studies.
Chemical Functionalization of Nanodiamonds: Opportunities and Challenges Ahead
Authors: Reina Giacomo , Zhao Li , Bianco Alberto , Komatsu Naoki
Published: June 2019

Nanodiamond(ND)‐based technologies are flourishing in a wide variety of fields spanning from electronics and optics to biomedicine. NDs are considered a family of nanomaterials with an sp3 carbon core and a variety of sizes, shapes, and surfaces. They show interesting physicochemical properties such as hardness, stiffness, and chemical stability. Additionally, they can undergo ad‐hoc core and surface functionalization, which tailors them for the desired applications. Noteworthy, the properties of NDs and their surface chemistry are highly dependent on the synthetic method used to prepare them. In this Minireview, we describe the preparation of NDs from the materials‐chemistry viewpoint. The different methodologies of synthesis, purification, and surface functionalization as well as biomedical applications are critically discussed. New synthetic approaches as well as limits and obstacles of NDs are presented and analyzed.
A Solid‐State Protein Junction Serves as a Bias‐Induced Current Switch
Authors: Fereiro Jerry A. , Kayser Ben , Romero‐Muñiz Carlos , Vilan Ayelet , Dolgikh Dmitry A. , Chertkova Rita V. , Cuevas Juan Carlos , Zotti Linda A. , Pecht Israel , Sheves Mordechai , Cahen David
Published: June 2019

A sample‐type protein monolayer, that can be a stepping stone to practical devices, can behave as an electrically driven switch. This feat is achieved using a redox protein, cytochrome C (CytC), with its heme shielded from direct contact with the solid‐state electrodes. Ab initio DFT calculations, carried out on the CytC–Au structure, show that the coupling of the heme, the origin of the protein frontier orbitals, to the electrodes is sufficiently weak to prevent Fermi level pinning. Thus, external bias can bring these orbitals in and out of resonance with the electrode. Using a cytochrome C mutant for direct S−Au bonding, approximately 80 % of the Au–CytC–Au junctions show at greater than 0.5 V bias a clear conductance peak, consistent with resonant tunneling. The on–off change persists up to room temperature, demonstrating reversible, bias‐controlled switching of a protein ensemble, which, with its built‐in redundancy, provides a realistic path to protein‐based bioelectronics.
Photoactivated Lysosomal Escape of a Monofunctional PtII Complex Pt‐BDPA for Nucleus Access
Authors: Xue Xuling , Qian Chenggen , Fang Hongbao , Liu Hong‐Ke , Yuan Hao , Guo Zijian , Bai Yang , He Weijiang
Published: June 2019

A photosensitizing monofunctional Pt complex, Pt‐BDPA, was prepared with a BODIPY chromophore. Apart from its DNA binding ability, this complex displays emission at ca. 578 nm and a singlet oxygen quantum yield of 0.133. Confocal imaging revealed that this complex was sequestered in lysosomes via endocytosis in the dark, preventing its access to the nucleus. Profiting from its photoinduced ROS generation ability, this complex undergoes lysosomal escape to access the nucleus upon photoirradiation. The photoinduced ROS still cause a drop in intracellular GSH, favoring the stability of Pt‐BDPA and contributing to its nuclear DNA accessibility. This complex displayed distinct cytotoxicity to all tested tumor cell lines upon photoirradiation, and the IC50 values were ca. 3–6 μm, which are distinctly lower than those found with only dark incubation (IC50>50 μm). These results are consistent with photoactivated lysosomal escape of this photosensitizing Pt complex to access the nucleus.
Climate change: Clinical considerations
Authors: Haseley Dennis
Published: June 2019

Psychological reactions to climate change run the gamut from a sense of the need for urgent action to utter denial. This paper looks at some categories of defenses that block acknowledgement of this pressing threat. It cites the work of Renee Lertzman, an analytically oriented social scientist, whose research suggested that disavowal, negation, or denial could be deconstructed and viewed as defenses against intolerable anxieties, feelings of helplessness and disappointment, loss and guilt, and warded‐off wishes for agency and reparation. Clinical examples and personal self‐reflection are employed to posit that when anxiety over climate change, a serious disquiet in its own right, gets confused with childhood traumatic anxiety, with its attendant feelings of helplessness, smallness, hopelessness, shame, isolation, and useless rage, then dysfunctional defenses and affects are more likely to come to the fore. In contrast to this, realistic anxiety over our changing climate and need to shift from a carbon‐based culture can be made more tolerable and can allow one to face the uncertain future, to feel one's feelings, to work them through, to share them without shame, and to feel a certain amount of agency in confronting the climate future and working to cope with it, both individually and societally. Finally, the paper suggests that we clinicians need to listen with new awareness to patients' references to and defenses against climate change, as not simply displacements but also as allusions to a looming reality that is a thing in itself. It is suggested that although we cannot impose our agendas on our patients, as climate change disavowal breaks down, we do have in our tool kit ways of helping our patients with it, depending of course very much on the state of our own disavowal.
Combined passivity based control and optimal control for energy management of fuel cell/battery hybrid system
Authors: Benmouna Amel , Becherif Mohamed
Published: June 2019

The energy management of hybrid electric vehicles is becoming an interesting topic for many researchers. Furthermore, the wise choice of the energy management strategy allows not only the best distribution of the power between the used sources, but also it allows reduction of consumption, increase in the lifetime of the sources, and improves the autonomy of the hybrid electric vehicle. The autonomy is guaranteed by the optimization of the embedded sources. In this study, the hybrid system consists of combining the fuel cell as the main source with the battery as the auxiliary source. The novelty of the proposed energy management strategy for the studied hybrid system is the combination between interconnection and damping assignment‐passivity based control and the Hamiltonian Jacobi Bellman method. The stability proof is given and the efficiency of the proposed strategy is proved by the experimental work, where the obtained results show the good and adequate results to the proposed scenario.
Scenario‐based eLearning to promote active learning in large cohorts: Students' perspective
Authors: Mio Cristina , Ventura‐Medina Esther , João Elsa
Published: June 2019

This work presents results from an investigation on the students' perspective of the use of scenario‐based (SBL) e‐learning and their performance in a first‐year core chemical engineering module in a Scottish university. SBL is a pedagogy that promotes active learning by bringing to the classroom practical and industrial experience. When combined with online delivery, SBL can be used to increase students' engagement in large cohorts. The scenario developed and used in this work was delivered via the Scenario‐Based Learning Interactive tool. A survey was used to capture students' insights on the activity and the use of the software. These data were then analyzed in combination with students' exam performance. Two cohorts with around 100 students each participated in this study over 2 years (with 91% response rate in the evaluation questionnaire). They indicate that students fully engaged with this form of learning as it links module content with real industrial applications. There is, however, a significant difference between female and male students in terms of the enjoyment they derived from the computer‐based activity with male students preferring the activity over tutorials with opposite results for females. There is no relationship between the perceived level of difficulty of the scenario and the exam performance in either cohort. The majority of students identified that they developed their problem‐solving and analytical skills through doing the scenario activity. In general, the students found the software difficult to use which suggests the need to explore other tools for the delivery of scenario‐based activities.
Boronic Acid Modified Polymer Nanoparticles for Enhanced Bacterial Deactivation
Authors: Gong Haiyue , Liu Weifeng , Carlquist Magnus , Ye Lei
Published: June 2019

A new method has been developed to enhance the antibacterial efficiency of traditional antibiotics. Chloramphenicol‐imprinted polymer particles were decorated with boronic acid to improve their binding to both Gram‐negative and ‐positive bacteria. The polymer particles have a high antibiotic loading and provide a slow release of the antibiotic payload to deactivate the target bacteria. The boronic acid modified polymer particles not only contribute to enhanced antibacterial efficiency, but also have the potential to act as scavengers to remove unused antibiotic from the environment.
Evaluation of the severity of mitral stenosis in patient with pulmonary hypertension: Role of exercise hemodynamics
Authors: Kern Morton J. , Kim Min , Yu Jeannie , Seto Arnold H.
Published: June 2019

Dyspnea due to mitral stenosis (MS) and/or pulmonary hypertension (PHT) in patients who may have both conditions presents a challenging diagnostic dilemma. The hemodynamic response to exercise is probably the most helpful method to arrive at the correct diagnosis and treatment algorithm. In this hemodynamic rounds discussion, we evaluated a patient with MS and PHT prior to the decision for mitral valvuloplasty.

Key Points

Symptoms in patients with mitral stenosis and pulmonary hypertension cannot always be attributed to one pathology.

Catheter‐based hemodynamics are often needed to differentiate valve from lung disease.

Exercise hemodynamics can clarify the predominant pathology in complex clinical scenarios.
Fluorodibenzocyclooctynes: A Trackable Click Reagent with Enhanced Reactivity
Authors: Li Wei , Zou Juan , Zhu Shiyu , Mao Xianxian , Tian Hongyan , Wang Xiaojian
Published: June 2019

Bioorthogonal reactions have widespread applications in biological systems, and development of new bioorthogonal reactions has been of great interest over the past two decades. In this work, the design and synthesis of a family of fluorinated dibenzocyclooctynes (FDIBOs) are reported. The electron‐deficient nature of fluorine atoms significantly accelerated the reaction of cyclooctynes in 1,3‐dipolar cycloadditions, with either benzyl azide or ethyl diazoacetate, compared to conventional dibenzocyclooctyne (DIBO). In addition, FDIBOs showed unique trackable properties owing to the high NMR sensitivity of the naturally abundant 19F isotope. Biological molecules, including a monosaccharide, a peptide, and a protein, were tested with FDIBOs, and these reactions could be easily monitored by 19F NMR spectroscopy to evaluate the progress of the conjugation reactions. In addition, labeling of live cells was also demonstrated with metabolically modified bacteria to expand the possible applications of FDIBOs.