bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The coordinated increase in stomatal density and vein dimensions during genetic improvement in rice
Authors: Wu Lilian , de Boer Hugo J. , Zixiao Zhang , Chen Xueliang , Shi Yanying , Peng Shaobing , Wang Fei
Published: February 2020

Rice (Oryza sativa L. ssp. indica) has experienced three distinct phases of considerable yield increases: Green Revolution, utilization of heterosis, and the combination of ideotype and inter‐subspecific hybrid breeding. Crop breeding and selection for high yield have increased radiation use efficiency in modern indica rice varieties. However, the underlying leaf morphological and physiological changes have not been established. Field and pot experiments were conducted in 2016 and 2017. We investigated the relationships between the anatomical maximum stomatal conductance (gmax), operational stomatal conductance (gop), and the anatomy of the stomata and vein in relation to leaf‐level transpiration and photosynthesis across historical indica rice varieties. The results showed that flag leaf temperature of new varieties was reduced relative to the temperature of older varieties due to increased gop and leaf transpirational cooling. Both high stomatal density and larger veins were increased in new varieties with improved yield potential, while no change was observed in stomatal length and vein density. There was a significant correlation between stomatal density and gop as well as between gop and the light‐saturated photosynthetic rate. The present study reveals that historical selection for high yield is accompanied by leaf morphological changes that contribute to enhanced gop, leaf cooling, and photosynthesis of irrigated rice inhabiting hot, high light environments.
An Investigation on triaxial compression of flexible fiber packings
Authors: Guo Yu , Li Yanjie , Liu Qingzhao , Jin Hanhui , Xu Dandan , Wassgren Carl , Curtis Jennifer S.
Published: February 2020

This article examines the mechanical response of flexible fiber packings subject to triaxial compression. Short fibers yield in a manner similar to typical granular materials in which the deviatoric stress remains nearly constant with increasing strain after reaching a peak value. Interestingly, long fibers exhibit a hardening behavior, where the stress increases rapidly with increasing strain at large strains and the packing density continuously increases. Phase diagrams for classifying the bulk mechanical response as yielding, hardening, or a transition regime are generated as a function of the fiber aspect ratio and fiber–fiber friction coefficient. Large fiber aspect ratio and large fiber–fiber friction coefficient promote hardening behavior. The positions of boundaries between different regimes depend on the confining pressure and fiber flexibility. The hardening packings can support much larger loads than the yielding packings, but larger internal axial forces within fibers and larger fiber–fiber contact forces occur.
Spatial Manipulation and Integration of Supramolecular Filaments on Hydrogel Substrates towards Advanced Soft Devices
Authors: Zhang Kai , Oldenhof Sander , Wang Yiming , van Esch Jan H. , Mendes Eduardo
Published: February 2020

Supramolecular assemblies are promising building blocks for the fabrication of functional soft devices for high‐tech applications. However, there is a lack of effective methods for large‐scale manipulation and integration of nano‐sized supramolecular structures on soft substrate. Now, functional soft devices composed of micellar filaments and hydrogels can be created through a versatile approach involving guided dewetting, transfer‐printing, and laser‐assisted patterning. Such an approach enables unprecedented control over the location and alignment of the micellar filaments on hydrogel substrates. As examples, freely suspended micellar fishnets immobilized on hydrogels are formed, showing the capability of trapping and releasing micro‐objects and the piconewton force sensitivity. By incorporating responsive moieties into hydrogels, shape‐morphing actuators with micelle‐controlled rolling directionality are constructed.
An Efficient Method for the Programmed Synthesis of Multifunctional Diketopyrrolopyrroles
Authors: Pieczykolan Michał , Sadowski Bartłomiej , Gryko Daniel T.
Published: February 2020

A new, transformative methodology for the preparation of diketopyrrolopyrroles from aldehydes, primary amines, nitriles, and diethyl oxalacetate has been developed. It is now possible to prepare diketopyrrolopyrroles bearing an ordered arrangement of three different substituents from abundant and commercially available materials, allowing the independent regulation of all desired physicochemical properties. For the first time very electron‐rich (carbazol‐3‐yl, dimethylaminophenyl, pyrrolo[3,2‐b]pyrrolyl), and sterically hindered substituents (naphthalen‐1‐yl, quinolin‐4‐yl, acridin‐9‐yl, imidazo[1,5‐a]pyridin‐1‐yl, 2‐bromophenyl etc.) can be appended to the diketopyrrolopyrrole core by condensation of an appropriate nitrile with a pyrrolidin‐2‐one intermediate. Even greater synthetic possibilities are related to the fact that such demanding substituents as 4‐dimethylaminophenyl, indol‐3‐yl, and 2‐methoxyphenyl can be incorporated from aldehyde precursors, bypassing problems with the nitriles reactivity.
Visible‐Light‐Enabled Direct Decarboxylative N‐Alkylation
Authors: Nguyen Vu T. , Nguyen Viet D. , Haug Graham C. , Vuong Ngan T. H. , Dang Hang T. , Arman Hadi D. , Larionov Oleg V.
Published: February 2020

The development of efficient and selective C−N bond‐forming reactions from abundant feedstock chemicals remains a central theme in organic chemistry owing to the key roles of amines in synthesis, drug discovery, and materials science. Herein, we present a dual catalytic system for the N‐alkylation of diverse aromatic carbocyclic and heterocyclic amines directly with carboxylic acids, by‐passing their preactivation as redox‐active esters. The reaction, which is enabled by visible‐light‐driven, acridine‐catalyzed decarboxylation, provides access to N‐alkylated secondary and tertiary anilines and N‐heterocycles. Additional examples, including double alkylation, the installation of metabolically robust deuterated methyl groups, and tandem ring formation, further demonstrate the potential of the direct decarboxylative alkylation (DDA) reaction.
Polarity Umpolung Strategy for the Radical Alkylation of Alkenes
Authors: Liu Jige , Wu Shuo , Yu Jiajia , Lu Chenxi , Wu Zhen , Wu Xinxin , Xue Xiao‐Song , Zhu Chen
Published: February 2020

Free radical mediated alkylation of alkenes is a challenging and largely unmet goal. Disclosed here is a conceptually novel “polarity umpolung” strategy for radical alkylation of alkenes using a portfolio of easily accessed, difunctional alkylating reagents. This strategy is achieved by substituting inherently nucleophilic alkyl radicals with electrophilic sulfone‐bearing surrogates, thus inverting the usual mode of reactivity. Along with alkylation, either an heteroaryl or oximino group is concurrently incorporated into the alkenes by a consecutive docking and migration process, leading to valuable products. The reaction displays a broad functional‐group tolerance under mild reaction conditions. The protocol opens new vistas for the late‐stage modification of complex natural products and drug molecules containing alkene moieties.
Reactions of titanium alkoxide with SiH containing polymers as a route to titanium/siloxane hybrid materials with enhanced refractive index
Authors: Rubinsztajn Slawomir , Chojnowski Julian , Cypryk Marek , Mizerska Urszula , Uznański Pawel , Walkiewicz‐Pietrzykowska Agnieszka
Published: February 2020

Reactions of titanium tetrabutoxide with polyhydromethylsiloxane (PHMS) and with some hydromethylsiloxane copolymers were used for synthesis of light transparent materials having enhanced refractive index. The FTIR, 1H NMR and 29Si NMR spectroscopies were used to study the reaction between PHMS and titanium tetrabutoxide in toluene. Reaction of SiH functional siloxane polymers with titanium tetrabutoxide results in a titanium‐containing heterosiloxane prepolymers that are stable under anhydrous anaerobic conditions. Exposure of the resulting materials to humid air transforms them into light transparent titanium/siloxane nanocomposites with enhanced refractive index. The films of these composites formed during the spin‐coating process were characterized by UV–Vis, ellipsometry, IR and 29Si NMR spectroscopies and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Titanium/siloxane hybrid films obtained on the basis of poly(phenylmethylsiloxane‐co‐hydromethylsiloxane) copolymer are free of cracks and have a refractive index of up to 1.60.
Missing data treatment for locally weighted partial least square‐based modelling: A comparative study
Authors: Yeo Wan Sieng , Saptoro Agus , Kumar Perumal
Published: February 2020

Adaptive soft sensors including widely used locally weighted partial least square (LW‐PLS) have been established for online prediction, fault detection, and process monitoring. Nevertheless, majority of these existing adaptive soft sensors have zero tolerance to missing data, and the presence of missing data is inevitable due to sensor failures, routine maintenance, changes in sensor equipment over time, merging data from different system, and so forth. In the literature, limited studies could be found on the effects of missing data and the existing missing data imputation methods on the predictive performances of adaptive soft sensors. This work reports combined use of different missing data imputation techniques on LW‐PLS and the nonadaptive soft sensor, the partial least square (PLS). Well known trimmed score regression (TSR) and singular value decomposition (SVD) were employed in this study, and thus, the newly integrated TSR‐LW‐PLS and SVD‐LW‐PLS algorithms were proposed. Meanwhile, both existing TSR‐PLS and SVD‐PLS were used, and their results compared with the novel TSR‐LW‐PLS and SVD‐LW‐PLS algorithms. These algorithms were tested and evaluated using two examples having different percentages of missing data ranging from 5% to 40%. Results showed that TSR‐LW‐PLS model was superior compared with SVD‐LW‐PLS, TSR‐PLS, and SVD‐PLS as indicated by more than 100% improvements in prediction accuracy. It was also evident that TSR‐LW‐PLS is able to cope well with up to 20% of missing data.
The incorporation and release of ungeremine, an antifungal Amaryllidaceae alkaloid, in poly(lactic acid)/poly(ethylene glycol) nanofibers
Authors: Moeini Arash , Cimmino Alessio , Masi Marco , Evidente Antonio , Van Reenen Albert
Published: February 2020

Ungeremine (UNG) is an alkaloid typically isolated from Pancratium maritimum or synthesized by the oxidation of lycorine. This antifungal alkaloid was incorporated into electrospun nanofibers based on blends of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). The effect of the UNG on the structure, morphology, and thermal properties of the fibers was evaluated, and the release of the alkaloid from the fibers was quantified. Studies on the release of the UNG for the nanofibers show that the release rate is related to the amount and distribution of the PEG in the nanofiber matrix. Initial burst release of the antifungal alkaloid is related to the PEG in the nanofibers, where after a sustained release occurs indicating that the UNG is present in both the PLA and PEG domains in the nanofibers.
Development and characterization of novel SSR markers in the endangered endemic species Ferula sadleriana
Authors: Malkócs Tamás , Laczkó Levente , Bereczki Judit , Meglécz Emese , Szövényi Péter , Sramkó Gábor
Published: February 2020

Premise

Ferula sadleriana (Apiaceae) is a polycarpic, perennial herb with a very limited range and small populations. It is listed as “endangered” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Microsatellite markers can contribute to conservation efforts by allowing the study of the genetic structure of its shrinking populations.

Methods and Results

We used a microsatellite‐enriched library combined with an Illumina sequencing approach to develop simple sequence repeat markers in our target species. Out of 44 tested primer pairs, 22 provided specific products, and 13 showed heterologous amplification in the target species. Cross‐species amplification was achieved at 20 and 19 loci in two congeneric species, F. soongarica and F. tatarica, respectively.

Conclusions

The primers described here are the first tools that enable the population genetic characterization of F. sadleriana. Our results suggest a wider applicability in the genus Ferula.
Using object‐based image analysis with multi‐temporal aerial imagery and LiDAR to detect change in temperate intertidal habitats
Authors: Lightfoot Paula , Scott Catherine , Fitzsimmons Clare
Published: February 2020

Intertidal habitat maps are needed at both fine and coarse scales to monitor change and inform conservation and management, but current methods of field survey and expert interpretation of aerial imagery can be time‐consuming and subjective. Object‐based image analysis (OBIA) of remote sensing data is increasingly employed for producing habitat or land cover maps. Users create automated workflows to segment imagery, creating ecologically meaningful objects, which are then classified based on their spectral or geometric properties, relationships to other objects and contextual data.

This study evaluates the change‐detection capability of OBIA in the intertidal environment by developing and comparing two OBIA methods for quantifying change in extent and distribution of habitats from freely available multi‐temporal aerial imagery and LiDAR data. Despite considerable variability in the data, pre‐ and post‐classification change detection methods had sufficient accuracy (mean overall accuracy from 70.5 to 82.6%) to monitor deviation from a background level of natural environmental fluctuation.

This insight into spatial and temporal patterns of natural cyclical change and their detectability by OBIA could inform use of remote sensing for regular, rapid coastal assessment, providing an alert system to direct survey resources to areas of ecologically relevant change.
Biological subtype predicts locoregional recurrence after postmastectomy radiotherapy in Chinese breast cancer patients
Authors: Wang Jiangfeng , Luo Jurui , Jin Kairui , Wang Xuanyi , Yang Zhaozhi , Ma Jinli , Mei Xin , Wang Xiaofang , Zhou Zhirui , Yu Xiaoli , Chen Xingxing , Guo Xiaomao
Published: February 2020

Aim

To investigate the impact of biological subtypes in locoregional recurrence in Chinese breast cancer patients receiving postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT).

Methods and Materials

About 583 patients who received postmastectomy radiation between 2010 and 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. According to immunohistochemical staining profile, patients were classified into: Luminal A‐like, Luminal B‐like, HER2‐positive, and triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC). Local and regional recurrence (LRR) cumulative incidences were calculated by competing risks methodology and the power of prognostic factors was examined by Gray's test and the test of Fine and Gray.

Results

The median follow‐up was 70.9 months. About 34 LRR events occurred. For Luminal A, Luminal B, HER2‐positive, and TNBC patients, the 5‐year LRR cumulative incidence rates were 1.57%, 4.09%, 10.74%, and 10.28%. Compared with Luminal A, HER2‐positive subtype and TNBC had a significant increased risk of LRR (HR was 5.034 and 5.188, respectively). In univariate analysis, predictive factors for higher LRR were HER2‐positive subtype (HR = 4.43, P < .05), TNBC (HR = 4.70, P < .05), and pN3 (HR = 5.83, P < .05). In the multivariate model, HER2‐positive subtype (HR = 5.034, P < .05), TNBC (HR = 5.188, P < .05), and pN3 (HR = 9.607, P < .01) were independent predictors of LRR. LRR without trastuzumab was similar to that of TNBC (without vs TNBC, 17.88% vs 10.28%, P > .05) in HER2‐positive subtype patients, while LRR with trastuzumab was approximate to Luminal A (with vs Luminal A, P > .05). Additionally, endocrine therapy also significantly reduced LRR incidence in the luminal subtype cohort (without vs with therapy, 6.25% vs 2.89%, HR = 0.365, P < .1).

Conclusions

Biological subtype was a prognostic factor of LRR in the PMRT setting among Chinese breast cancer patients.
The effects of moisture at baling and wrapping delay on storage characteristics of annual ryegrass round bale silage
Authors: Crook Tyler , Stewart Brandon , Sims Michael , Weiss Caleb , Coffey Ken , Coblentz Wayne , Beck Paul
Published: February 2020

Moisture content and time between baling and wrapping round bale silage impacts silage quality and aerobic stability. The objective of this study was to observe the effects of wrapping delays of 0, 1, 2, or 3 d on the nutritional quality and storage characteristics of annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) silage baled at two levels of moisture (30 ± 9.5% [DRY] or 74 ± 0.8% [WET]). The DRY (n = 18) and WET (n = 20) bales were assigned as replicates and wrapped by pasture quadrant, then stored for 85 d. Crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent insoluble crude protein (ADICP) of the silage were greater (P < .01) for DRY than WET. Wrapping delays did not change bale weight or CP, but dry matter concentrations decreased linearly (P = .03) and ADF, NDF, and ADICP increased (P ≤ .02) linearly with wrapping delay. The maximum temperature of DRY was greater (P = .01) than WET and increased linearly with wrapping delays (P < .01). Changes in the fermentation profile of WET bales with delays in wrapping indicated altered fermentation and increased pH, which will result in reduced shelf life as well as clostridial activity with greater butyric acid content and possible reduced intake by livestock. Based on these results, ryegrass fermentation patterns and nutritional quality show a decline with each day delayed before wrapping with WET silage.
Electronic Finetuning of 8‐Methoxy Psoralens by Palladium‐Catalyzed Coupling: Acidochromicity and Solvatochromicity
Authors: Geenen Sarah R. , Presser Lysander , Hölzel Torsten , Ganter Christian , Müller Thomas J. J.
Published: February 2020

Differently 5‐substituted 8‐methoxypsoralens can be synthesized by an efficient synthetic route with various cross‐coupling methodologies, such as Suzuki, Sonogashira and Heck reaction. Compared to previously synthesized psoralens, thereby promising daylight absorbing compounds as potentially active agents against certain skin diseases can be readily accessed. Extensive investigations of all synthesized psoralen derivatives reveal fluorescence in the solid state as well as several distinctly emissive derivatives in solution. Donor‐substituted psoralens exhibit remarkable photophysical properties, such as high fluorescence quantum yields and pronounced emission solvatochromicity and acidochromicity, which were scrutinized by Lippert–Mataga and Stern–Volmer plots. The results indicate that the compounds exceed the limit of visible light, a significant factor for potential applications as an active agent. In addition, (TD)DFT calculations were performed to elucidate the underlying electronic structure and to assign experimentally obtained data.
N‐Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC)‐Stabilized Ru0 Nanoparticles: In Situ Generation of an Efficient Transfer Hydrogenation Catalyst
Authors: Kathuria Lakshay , Din Reshi Noor U. , Samuelson Ashoka G.
Published: February 2020

Tethered and untethered ruthenium half‐sandwich complexes were synthesized and characterized spectroscopically. X‐ray crystallographic analysis of three untethered and two tethered Ru N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes were also carried out. These RuNHC complexes catalyze transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones in 2‐propanol under reflux, optimally in the presence of (25 mol %) KOH. Under these conditions, the formation of 2–3 nm‐sized Ru0 nanoparticles was detected by TEM measurements. A solid‐state NMR investigation of the nanoparticles suggested that the NHC ligands were bound to the surface of the Ru nanoparticles (NPs). This base‐promoted route to NHC‐stabilized ruthenium nanoparticles directly from arene‐tethered ruthenium–NHC complexes and from untethered ruthenium–NHC complexes is more convenient than previously known routes to NHC‐stabilized Ru nanocatalysts. Similar catalytically active RuNPs were also generated from the reaction of a mixture of [RuCl2(p‐cymene)]2 and the NHC precursor with KOH in isopropanol under reflux. The transfer hydrogenation catalyzed by these NHC‐stabilized RuNPs possess a high turnover number. The catalytic efficiency was significantly reduced if nanoparticles were exposed to air or allowed to aggregate and precipitate by cooling the reaction mixtures during the reaction.
Main‐Group Metal Complexes in Selective Bond Formations Through Radical Pathways
Authors: Lichtenberg Crispin
Published: February 2020

Recent years have witnessed remarkable advances in radical reactions involving main‐group metal complexes. This includes the isolation and detailed characterization of main‐group metal radical compounds, but also the generation of highly reactive persistent or transient radical species. A rich arsenal of methods has been established that allows control over and exploitation of their unusual reactivity patterns. Thus, main‐group metal compounds have entered the field of selective bond formations in controlled radical reactions. Transformations that used to be the domain of late transition‐metal compounds have been realized, and unusual selectivities, high activities, as well as remarkable functional‐group tolerances have been reported. Recent findings demonstrate the potential of main‐group metal compounds to become standard tools of synthetic chemistry, catalysis, and materials science, when operating through radical pathways.
Rh‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of α,β‐ and β,β‐Disubstituted Unsaturated Boronate Esters
Authors: Yan Qiaozhi , Shen Xin , Zi Guofu , Hou Guohua
Published: February 2020

A highly enantioselective hydrogenation of α,β‐unsaturated boronate esters catalyzed by Rh‐(S)‐DTBM‐Segphos complex has been developed. Both (Z)‐α,β‐ and β,β‐disubstituted substrates can be successfully hydrogenated to afford chiral boronates with excellent enantioselectivities, up to 98 % ee. Furthermore, the obtained chiral boronate esters, as important versatile synthetic intermediates are successfully transformed to the corresponding chiral alcohols, amines and other important derivatives with maintained enantioselectivities.
Enantiomeric effect of paclobutrazol on the microorganism composition during wine fermentation
Authors: Guo Hao‐Ming , Zhao Yue , Ou Yang Mei‐Nan , Yang Zhong‐Hua
Published: February 2020

Pesticide residues in food can bring potential risks to human health and has been widely concerned in recent years. In the current study, the influence of paclobutrazol, which resided in raw material (grape) on wine fermentation process, were investigated. The degradation kinetic results indicated that the enantiomers of paclobutrazol not be degraded during 30 days of fermentation process. In order to achieve the fermented microorganism information of diversity, community composition, and function, the analysis of 16S rRNA and ITS sequencing were performed. Results demonstrated that the dominant microorganisms multiplied and the microbial diversity in the samples decreased as the fermentation process progresses. Furthermore, the paclobutrazol stimulated the growth of Pichia, which was observed during wine fermentation and which may have an underlying impact on the quality of the wine. The above results inferred that paclobutrazol residue could disturb the microbial community stability during wine fermentation, and the stable existence of paclobutrazol will cause potential risks to food safety and human health. In this work, we have successfully devised a method to investigate the influences of pesticide residues in raw materials during food processing and conclusions from this study could provide basis for dietary risk assessment.
Exercise and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Two incompatible entities?
Authors: Basu Joyee , Malhotra Aneil , Papadakis Michael
Published: February 2020

A greater understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms underpinning hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) has translated to improved medical care and better survival of affected individuals. Historically these patients were considered to be at high risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) during exercise; therefore, exercise recommendations were highly conservative and promoted a sedentary life style. There is emerging evidence that suggests that exercise in HCM has a favorable effect on cardiovascular remodeling and moderate exercise programs have not raised any safety concerns. Furthermore, individuals with HCM have a similar burden of atherosclerotic risk factors as the general population in whom exercise has been associated with a reduction in myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart failure, especially among those with a high‐risk burden. Small studies revealed that athletes who choose to continue with regular competition do not demonstrate adverse outcomes when compared to those who discontinue sport, and active individuals implanted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator do not have an increased risk of appropriate shocks or other adverse events. The recently published exercise recommendations from the European Association for Preventative Cardiology account for more contemporary evidence and adopt a more liberal stance regarding competitive and high intensity sport in individuals with low‐risk HCM. This review addresses the issue of exercise in individuals with HCM, and explores current evidence supporting safety of exercise in HCM, potential caveats, and areas of further research.
Crafting Porous Carbon for Immobilizing Pd Nanoparticles with Enhanced Catalytic Activity for Formic Acid Dehydrogenation
Authors: Li Zhangpeng , Tsumori Nobuko , Xu Qiang
Published: February 2020

The development of highly active heterogeneous catalytic systems that catalyze formic acid (FA) to generate CO‐free H2 holds great promise for future energy demands, but is often limited by the low catalytic activity and stability of metal catalysts under ambient conditions. It is thus highly desirable to rationally design a catalyst to boost the catalytic performance. Herein, a general room‐temperature HNO3‐treatment approach (RTHTA) is developed to accomplish surface modification of various porous carbon materials for immobilizing ultrafine palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs). A significantly enhanced catalytic performance of the immobilized Pd NPs toward the selective dehydrogenation of FA is achieved, which gives a record‐high turnover frequency of 13333 h−1 at 60 °C, corresponding to a calculated H2 generation rate of 50.8 L H2 min−1 gPd−1. The results presented here may provide insight into the formation and stabilization of highly active immobilized metal nanoparticles, as well as the enhanced catalytic performance of Pd NPs for catalytic dehydrogenation reactions.
How to Perform miRacles: A Step‐by‐Step microRNA Detection Protocol Using DNA Nanoswitches
Authors: Chandrasekaran Arun Richard , Dey Bijan K. , Halvorsen Ken
Published: February 2020

MicroRNAs are short non‐coding RNAs involved in post‐transcriptional gene regulation, and are increasingly considered to be biomarkers for numerous biological processes and human diseases. Current techniques used for microRNA detection can be expensive and labor‐intensive, and typically require amplification, labeling, or radioactive probes. In this protocol, we describe a DNA nanoswitch–based microRNA detection assay termed  “miRacles”: microRNA‐activated conditional looping of engineered switches. This method uses conformationally responsive DNA nanoswitches that detect the presence of specific microRNAs with a simple and unambiguous gel‐shift assay that can be performed on the benchtop. The assay is low cost, minimalistic, and capable of direct detection of specific microRNAs in unprocessed total RNA samples, with no enzymatic amplification, labeling, or special equipment. The protocol for detection of microRNAs in total RNA can be completed in as little as a few hours, making this assay a compelling alternative to qPCR and Northern blotting. © 2020 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Basic Protocol 1: Preparation of DNA nanoswitches

Basic Protocol 2: Detection of microRNAs from total RNA samples

Support Protocol 1: Optional nanoswitch purification by PEG precipitation

Support Protocol 2: Optional nanoswitch purification by liquid chromatography
Integrative Sustainable Intelligence: A holistic model to integrate corporate sustainability strategies
Authors: Silvestre Winston Jerónimo , Fonseca Ana
Published: February 2020

Organizations have been showing a growing awareness regarding the importance of corporate sustainability. However, the integration of sustainability concerns in companies' long‐term planning, strategic management, processes, and activities is still challenging, disconnected, and often conducted in isolation. Based on a qualitative exploratory research combining different perspectives found in the literature, the present research presents a theoretical framework that is expected to enhance the adequate development and management of organizational sustainability‐oriented practices — the Integrative Sustainable Intelligence model. This model provides organizational managers with a structured framework to adequately understand, select, implement and assess sustainability promoting actions, based on the development of structural and systematic disruptive tools and involving the exchange of collaborative ideas between organizational stakeholders. The adoption of the Integrative Sustainable Intelligence model is expected to foster change processes and innovations in the search for solutions for sustainability‐oriented business models.
Dual‐Zinc Electrode Electrochemical Desalination
Authors: Dai Jinhong , Wang Jian , Hou Xianhua , Ru Qiang , He Qingyu , Srimuk Pattarachai , Presser Volker , Chen Fuming
Published: February 2020

Continuous and low‐energy desalination technologies are in high demand to enable sustainable water remediation. Our work introduces a continuous desalination process based on the redox reaction of a dual‐zinc electrode. The system consists of two zinc foils as redox electrodes with flowing ZnCl2 electrolyte, concentrated and diluted salt streams with three anion‐ and cation‐exchange membranes (AEM and CEM) separated configuration (AEM|CEM|AEM). If a constant current is applied, the negative zinc electrode is oxidized, and electrons are released to the external circuit, whereas the positive zinc electrode is reduced, causing salt removal in the dilution stream. The results showed that brackish water can be directly desalted to 380.6 ppm during a continuous batch‐mode process. The energy consumption can be as low as 35.30 kJ mol−1 at a current density of 0.25 mA cm−2, which is comparable to reverse osmosis. In addition, the dual‐zinc electrode electrochemical desalination demonstrates excellent rate performance, reversibility, and batch cyclability through electrode exchange regeneration. Our research provides a route for continuous low‐energy desalination based on metal redox mediators.
To the new professional: Personal reflections
Authors: Barbee Jeff
Published: February 2020

When you start your new position, it will be a whirlwind the first few days, or even weeks. You will be shown around a new campus, meet dozens of people, and find what limited parking options are available. Embrace the fact that you will not remember every name or place.
The variability of stemflow generation in a natural beech stand (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) in relation to rainfall and tree traits
Authors: Dezhban Atefeh , Attarod Pedram , Zahedi Amiri Ghavamudin , Pypker Thomas G. , Nanko Kazuki
Published: February 2020

Stemflow (SF) has been recognised as an important process that can exert considerable effects on the hydrology, biogeochemistry, and ecology of wooded ecosystems. The aim of this study was to quantify the relationship between SF (yields and funnelling ratios, FRs) of beech (Fagus orientalis) trees and rainfall characteristics, to evaluate the effects of tree traits on SF yield and the magnitudes of FRs in differing rainfall classes. Event‐based measurements were carried out from April 2016 to November 2017 during the leafed‐out periods in a natural uneven‐aged beech stand located in the Hyrcanian forest of Iran. Tree density in the studied plot was 188 trees ha−1 with a basal area of 51 m2 ha−1. SF volume was measured in three diameter classes (10–40, 40–70, and >70 cm; n = 3 per class). During the 25 rainfall events SF, SF%, and FR were 3.22 mm, 0.41%, and 1.11 on average, respectively. The linear regression analysis revealed that gross rainfall had the strongest correlation with SF yield and FR (P value <.01). The linear regression with the trees structural traits indicated that canopy projected area, diameter at breast height (DBH), and mosses cover percentage, respectively, strongly influence SF yield for rainfall <15 to >50 mm. FR significantly decreased with increasing tree height, DBH, and mosses cover percentage (all P values <.05). Smaller trees concentrated more SF than tall and large DBH trees. Pearson correlation analysis indicated tree height, canopy projected area, and MCP were positively and significantly correlated to DBH (P value <.01; r ≥ .87). Therefore, SF generation in the present study is more associated with DBH. Our findings could assist managers to optimise the management strategies of deciduous forest via promotion of some large DBH trees along with small DBH trees to optimise water inputs via SF in water‐limited forest ecosystems.
Rhizosphere priming effects in soil aggregates with different size classes
Authors: Wang Xiaohong , Dijkstra Feike A. , Yin Liming , Sun Di , Cheng Weixin
Published: February 2020

The change in native soil organic carbon (SOC) decomposition caused by plant roots or the rhizosphere priming effect (RPE) is a common phenomenon. Although most of the SOC is stored in aggregates with different size classes, the RPE in aggregates and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In a 35‐d pot experiment, we grew Agropyron cristatum (C3 plant) in pots containing large macroaggregates (LMA), small macroaggregates (SMA), and microaggregates (MA) separated from a C4 soil. We quantified the RPE and measured microbial biomass C (MBC), oxidase activity, soil net nitrogen (N) mineralization, and aggregate dynamics at the end of the experiment. The positive RPEs ranged from 47% to 106% and were significantly lower in the SMA treatment than in the LMA and MA treatments. Planting significantly increased microbial N immobilization in all treatments, particularly in the SMA treatment. Furthermore, the positive relationship between RPE and plant‐induced changes in net N mineralization suggests that increasing microbial N immobilization could reduce RPE. Planting significantly increased MBC and oxidase activity, and the positive relationships between SOC decomposition and MBC and oxidase activity suggest that microbial activation may play an important role in the positive RPEs. Planting significantly reduced aggregate destruction in the SMA treatment but increased aggregate destruction in the MA treatment, supporting the aggregate destruction hypothesis. Overall, our results showed for the first time that the RPEs varied among aggregate size classes, with potentially important consequences for SOC dynamics in soils that have a high capacity for aggregation.
Squaramide–Quaternary Ammonium Salt as an Effective Binary Organocatalytic System for Oxazolidinone Synthesis from Isocyanates and Epoxides
Authors: Rostami Ali , Ebrahimi Amirhossein , Husband John , Anwar Muhammad Usman , Csuk Rene , Al‐Harrasi Ahmed
Published: February 2020

Squaramide–quaternary ammonium salt is illustrated as a simple, tunable, and competent metal‐free binary catalytic platform for the atom‐economic conversion of epoxides and isocyanates into oxazolidinones. Although, various metal catalysts have been employed for the title reaction, application of organocatalysis is scarce. At first, a rational survey of catalytic activity of several air‐stable and architecturally distinct squaramides was undertaken. Thereafter, the impact on catalytic capability of different parameters, such as temperature, catalyst loading, and nature of nucleophiles, was examined. This binary organocatalytic system for the oxazolidinone synthesis, composed of a squaramide entity along with a suitable halide anion, was applied to the challenging conversion of a plethora of alkyl‐ and aryl‐substituted epoxides– including disubstituted and enantioenriched ones– and isocyanates into the corresponding oxazolidinones in high‐to‐excellent yields. The time‐dependent formation of oxazolidinone from epoxide and isocyanate was monitored by FTIR‐ATR and 1H NMR spectroscopy and the scalability of this process was also described. In light of 1H NMR experiment, a hydrogen‐bonding/anion‐binding mechanism was proposed wherein the nucleophilic ring‐opening operation, and oxo‐ and carbamate‐anions stabilization occur cooperatively towards isocyanate fixation.
Nanostructured Modified Carbon Paste Electrode as Voltrammetric Sensor for Isoproturon Trace Analysis in Water
Authors: Amra Siham , Bataille Thierry , Bourouina Bacha Saliha , Bourouina Mustapha , Hauchard Didier
Published: February 2020

A new electrochemical sensor based on nanostructured carbon paste electrodes (CPEs) is developed for the sensitive detection of Isoproturon in water. The CPEs were nanostructured by incorporation of carbon nanotubes (NTCs) and synthetized copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO). They were characterized using the X‐ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and voltammetric methods. Electrochemical experiments showed that the adsorption of Isoproturon on to (GC‐NTC‐CuO)‐CPE, associated with nanomaterials (NTCs and CuO), provided remarkable analytical performances of the sensor such as a large quantification range from 1 to 200 μg L−1 with a detection limit of 0.1 μg L−1 of Isoproturon and no interferences of some another pesticides tested (specificity of ISO adsorption in acidified water). The tests carried out on real samples of water are conclusive. The analytical performances of the sensor showed that it is suitable for the specific determination of pesticide traces in water.
Trace Analysis of Heavy Metals (Cd, Pb, Hg) Using Native and Modified 3D Printed Graphene/Poly(Lactic Acid) Composite Electrodes
Authors: Walters John G. , Ahmed Shakir , Terrero Rodríguez Irina M. , O'Neil Glen D.
Published: February 2020

Here we investigate the use of 3D printed graphene/poly(lactic acid) (PLA) electrodes for quantifying trace amounts of Hg, Pb, and Cd. We prepared cylindrical electrodes by sealing a 600 μm diameter graphene/PLA filament in a pipette tip filled with epoxy. We characterized the electrodes using scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry in ferrocene methanol. The physical characterization showed a significant amount of disorder in the carbon structure and the electrochemical characterization showed quasi‐reversible behavior without any electrode pretreatment. We then used unmodified graphene/PLA electrode to quantify Hg, and Pb and Cd in 0.01 M HCl and 0.1 M acetate buffer using square wave anodic stripping voltammetry. We were able to quantify Hg with a limit of detection (LOD) of 6.1 nM (1.2 ppb), but Pb and Cd did not present measurable peaks at concentrations below ∼400 nM. We improved the LODs for Pb and Cd by depositing Bi microparticles on the graphene/PLA and, after optimization, achieved clear stripping peaks at the 20 nM level for both ions (4.1 and 2.2 ppb for Pb2+ and Cd2+, respectively). The results obtained for all three metals allowed quantification below the US Environmental Protection Agency action limits in drinking water.
Significance of the type of reinforcement on the physicomechanical behavior of short glass fiber and short carbon fiber‐reinforced polypropylene composites
Authors: Doddalli Rudrappa Sridhar , Yellampalli Srinivasachar Varadarajan
Published: February 2020

In the present work, short glass fiber (SGF) and short carbon fiber (SCF)‐reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites are fabricated using twin‐screw extrusion and injection molding techniques. The SGF and SCF are reinforced as a single and hybrid reinforcement into the PP matrix with the same weight percentage (wt%) and the obtained composites are characterized for physicomechanical properties. It is observed that the tensile and flexural strength and modulus of elasticity of PP are improved by increasing the weight percent of reinforcement in the composite. The highest value is observed for composite with 30 wt% of SCF reinforcement; hybrid composite with 10 and 20 wt% of the mixture of SGF and SCF proves to outperform the other composites with the same weight percent of SGF and SCF added individually. The notched Izod impact strength of SGF + PP composite at 30 wt% is found to be the highest amongst all. Furthermore, the increased presence of SCF improved the tensile and flexural properties; however, it was not able to improve the impact strength significantly.
Efficacy and acceptability of self‐monitoring via a smartphone application versus traditional paper records in an intensive outpatient eating disorder treatment setting
Authors: Keshen Aaron , Helson Thomas , Ali Sarrah , Dixon Laura , Tregarthen Jenna , Town Joel
Published: February 2020

Objective

Although self‐monitoring is an important part of eating disorder treatment, non‐adherence is commonly observed among patients asked to maintain paper food records. This study aims to compare the efficacy and acceptability of electronic self‐monitoring via Recovery Record to self‐monitoring via traditional paper records, in an intensive outpatient (IOP) eating disorder treatment for adults.

Method

Ninety patients were recruited from an IOP eating disorder clinic and randomly assigned to the experimental or control condition. Those in the control condition received the standard treatment delivered by the IOP programme, including the use of paper records for self‐monitoring. Those in the experimental condition received the same treatment but used Recovery Record for self‐monitoring.

Results

The results did not demonstrate statistically significant group differences over time on eating disorder symptomatology, and there were no statistically significant group differences on acceptability or adherence.

Conclusions

Our pilot efficacy data do not support superiority of the app over paper records in an IOP setting, so proceeding to a larger efficacy trial is not warranted. Future studies should aim to determine whether the app is efficacious as an adjunct to less intensive treatment or to further explore adherence and acceptability outcomes in studies with larger sample sizes.

Clinical trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02484794.
Identification of potential CO2 leakage pathways and mechanisms in oil reservoirs using fault tree analysis
Authors: Wang Yanqing , Zhang Liang , Ren Shaoran , Ren Bo , Chen Bailian , Lu Jun
Published: February 2020

Geological storage of CO2 technologies has become an important and effective way to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions, especially when it is combined with CO2 enhanced oil recovery (EOR), which can not only trap CO2 but also enhance oil recovery. However, the risk of CO2 leakage has always been a prominent issue. In this paper, the mechanisms and pathways of CO2 leakage during geological storage in oil reservoirs were analyzed using fault tree analysis (FTR). Besides, monitoring technologies were discussed and deployed in a CO2 EOR demonstration project. The analysis results showed that the sealing failures of oil producer and CO2 injector wells, like well cement failure and casing failure, are the main reasons for the CO2 leakage, which has been observed in the oil field monitoring project. The monitoring results indicated that there is no large‐scale CO2 leakage, while relatively high and abnormal CO2 concentration in soil gas near some wellbores are observed, which indicates there is some leakage of CO2 through incomplete cement ring and well casing string. FTR results provide guidelines for monitoring and preventing of CO2 leakage during geological storage in oil reservoirs. The near‐surface monitoring methods, especially the soil gas monitoring technologies, can effectively detect the leakage of CO2, and are a proper method for CO2 leakage monitoring. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Transdisciplinary Methodology for Introducing Solar Water Disinfection to Rural Communities in Malawi—Formative Research Findings
Authors: Morse Tracy , Luwe Kondwani , Lungu Kingsley , Chiwaula Levison , Mulwafu Wapulumuka , Buck Lyndon , Harlow Richard , Fagan G Honor , McGuigan Kevin
Published: February 2020

Despite the increasing volume of evidence demonstrating the efficacy of solar water disinfection (SODIS) as a household water treatment technology, there still appear to be significant barriers to uptake in developing countries. The potential of SODIS is often treated with skepticism in terms of effective treatment, volume, and safety, and is dismissed in preference for more accepted technologies such as ceramic filters and dose chlorination. As part of WATERSPOUTT (EU H2020 688928), our study used a transdisciplinary methodology to cocreate an innovative SODIS system in rural Malawi. The formative work focused on the design of 1) an appropriate and acceptable system and 2) a context-specific intervention delivery program using a behavior-centered design. Initial research identified specific water needs and challenges, which were discussed along with a cocreation process with potential end users, through a series of shared dialogue workshops (SDWs). Specifications from end users outlined a desire for higher volume systems (20 L) that were “familiar” and could be manufactured locally. Development of the “SODIS bucket” was then undertaken by design experts and local manufacturers, with input from end users and subject to controlled testing to ensure efficacy and safety. Concurrent data were collated using questionnaires (n = 777 households), water point mapping (n = 121), water quality testing (n = 46), and behavior change modeling (n = 100 households). These identified specific contextual issues (hydrogeology, water access, gender roles, social capital, and socioeconomic status), and behavioral determinants (normative, ability, and self-regulation factors) that informed the development and delivery mechanism for the implementation toolkit. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2020;16:871–884. © 2020 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC)