bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cattle manure management using microbial fuel cells for green energy generation
Authors: Syed Zainab , Sonu Kumar , Sogani Monika
Published: September 2021

The increased use of estrogens in modern livestock farming has caused them to enter the environment and they have become a serious human health concern. Studies have suggested that animal waste treatment using bio‐electrochemical systems may reduce their environmental impact. Bio‐electrochemical systems hold great potential as green bioenergy conversion systems utilizing different bio‐wastes as the feedstock. The present work involves the development of a laboratory‐scale microbial fuel cell (MFC) for energy generation from two different cattle manures (cow dung and buffalo dung) as bio‐waste after ultrasonication pretreatment for a period ranging from 4 to 8 min. The maximum power density in both the cattle manures is reported with 5.5 min of ultrasonication pretreatment at 40 kHz, 120 W, at 25 °C. Two similar setups of a single‐chambered membrane‐less MFC were fed with pretreated cow dung (PCD) and pretreated buffalo dung (PBD) as substrates in the anodic chamber, and the effects of various parameters such as temperature and time were investigated. The maximum chemical oxygen demand and biochemical oxygen demand removal were 80% and 87% respectively, with PBD. The coulombic efficiency of PBD‐MFC was slightly higher (0.53%) than that of PCD‐MFC (0.48%). The maximum voltage (0.65 V) and power density (12.75 mW m−2) were also recorded with PBD‐MFC. Energy recovery was also studied by electrically stacking five individual units of these MFCs into series and parallel arrangements. The parallel and series PBD‐MFC stacks yielded 22 and 12 times higher power output respectively than the individual unit. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
The neuroprotective effect and RNA‐sequence analysis of postconditioning on the ischemic stroke with diabetes mellitus tree shrew model
Authors: Zhao Ling , Tan Shufen , Liao Qiwei , Li Xia , Ke Tingyu , Li Shuqing
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Patients with comorbidity of ischemic stroke (IS) and diabetes mellitus (DM) show poor neurological functional recovery, and ischemic postconditioning (IPOC) should be considered a powerful neuroprotective method for IS. However, whether it should be introduced for patients with IS and DM remains controversial. This study established a DM with IS (DMIS) tree shrew model, which was intervened by IPOC to assess its neuroprotective effects and also to analyze the relevant mechanism by RNA‐sequence and bioinformatics analysis.

Methods

Fifty‐four tree shrews were randomly divided into a sham operation control group, a DMIS group, and an IPOC group (DMIS model), with 18 tree shrews per group. Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC), hematoxylin‐eosin (HE) staining, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and RNA‐sequence analysis were performed to assess the IPOC effect.

Results

IPOC reduced infarct size and reduced nerve cell injury in IS tree shrews with DM. RNA‐seq analysis showed that IPOC significantly increased the expression of the homeobox protein SIX3, while downregulating the expression of HLA class II histocompatibility antigens DQ beta 1 chain, CAS1 domain‐containing protein 1, and cytokine receptor‐like factor 2. The most downregulated signaling pathways include the NF‐κB signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, and Fc gamma R‐mediated phagocytosis.

Conclusions

IPOCs have a neuroprotective effect in a DMIS animal model that reduces infarct size and nerve cell injury. This mechanism might be related to reducing inflammation and stress responses that decreases the activity of TNF and NF‐κB signaling pathways.
A global assessment of recent trends in gastrointestinal cancer and lifestyle‐associated risk factors
Authors: Lu Lili , Mullins Christina S. , Schafmayer Clemens , Zeißig Sebastian , Linnebacher Michael
Published: September 2021

Background

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers were responsible for 26.3% of cancer cases and 35.4% of deaths worldwide in 2018. This study aimed to analyze the global incidence, mortality, prevalence, and contributing risk factors of the 6 major GI cancer entities [esophageal cancer (EC), gastric cancer (GC), liver cancer (LC), pancreatic cancer (PC), colon cancer, and rectal cancer].

Methods

Using the Global Cancer Observatory and the Global Health Observatory databases, we reviewed the current GI cancer incidence, prevalence, and mortality, analyzed the association of GI cancer prevalence with national human development indices (HDIs), identified the contributing risk factors, and estimated developing age‐ and sex‐specific trends in incidence and mortality.

Results

In 2020, the trend in age‐standardized rate of incidence of GI cancers closely mirrored that of mortality, with the highest rates of LC, EC, and GC in Asia and of colorectal cancer (CRC) and PC mainly in Europe. Incidence and mortality were positively, but the mortality‐to‐incidence ratio (MIR) was inversely correlated with the national HDI levels. High MIRs in developing countries likely reflected the lack of preventive strategies and effective treatments. GI cancer prevalence was highest in Europe and was also positively correlated with HDIs and lifestyle‐associated risk factors, such as alcohol consumption, smoking, obesity, insufficient physical activity, and high blood cholesterol level, but negatively correlated with hypertension and diabetes. Incidences of EC were consistently and those of GC mostly decreasing, whereas incidences of CRC were increasing in most countries/regions, especially in the younger populations. Incidences of LC and PC were also increasing in all age‐gender populations except for younger males. Mortalities were decreasing for EC, GC, and CRC in most countries/regions, and age‐specific trends were observed in PC and LC with a decrease in the younger but an increase in the older population.

Conclusions

On the global scale, higher GI cancer burden was accompanied, for the most part, by factors associated with the so‐called Western lifestyle reflected by high and very high national HDI levels. In countries/regions with very high HDI levels, patients survived longer, and increasing GI cancer cases were observed with increasing national HDI levels. Optimizing GI cancer prevention and improving therapies, especially for patients with comorbid metabolic diseases, are thus urgently recommended.
Encouraging long‐term survival following autophagy inhibition using neoadjuvant hydroxychloroquine and gemcitabine for high‐risk patients with resectable pancreatic carcinoma
Authors: AlMasri Samer S. , Zenati Mazen S. , Desilva Annissa , Nassour Ibrahim , Boone Brian A. , Singhi Aatur D. , Bartlett David L. , Liotta Lance A. , Espina Virginia , Loughran Patricia , Lotze Michael T. , Paniccia Alessandro , Zeh Herbert J. , Zureikat Amer H. , Bahary Nathan
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Preoperative autophagy inhibition with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in combination with gemcitabine in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has been shown to be safe and effective in inducing a serum biomarker response and increase resection rates in a previous phase I/II clinical trial. We aimed to analyze the long‐term outcomes of preoperative HCQ with gemcitabine for this cohort.

Methods

A review of patients enrolled between July 2010 and February 2013 in the completed phase I/II single arm (two doses of fixed‐dose gemcitabine (1500 mg/m2) in combination with oral hydroxychloroquine administered for 31 consecutive days until the day of surgery for high‐risk pancreatic cancer) was undertaken. Progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival analysis (OS) using Kaplan–Meier estimates were performed.

Results

Of 35 patients initially enrolled, 29 patients underwent surgical resection (median age at diagnosis: 62 years, 45% females). Median duration of follow‐up was 7.5 years. There was a median 15% decrease in the serum CA19‐9 levels following completion of neoadjuvant therapy and 83% of the cohort underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy, 7 (24%) patients had a concomitant venous resection. On histopathology, 14 (48%) patients had at least a partial treatment response. The median PFS and OS were 11 months (95% Confidence interval [CI]: 7–28) and 31 months (95% CI: 13–47), respectively, while 9 (31%) patients survived beyond 5 years from diagnosis; a rate that compares very favorably with contemporaneous series.

Conclusion

Compared to historical data, neoadjuvant autophagy inhibition with HCQ plus gemcitabine is associated with encouraging long‐term survival for patients with PDAC.
Integrated analysis reveals distinct molecular, clinical, and immunological features of B7‐H3 in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Zhang Ling‐yi , Jin Ye , Xia Pei‐hui , Lin Jiang , Ma Ji‐chun , Li Ting , Liu Zi‐qi , Xiang He‐lin , Cheng Chen , Xu Zi‐jun , Zhou Hong , Qian Jun
Published: September 2021

The role of B7‐H3 in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is not fully understood. Two previous studies investigating its expression and significances in AML are partially different. In this study, we aimed to systematically characterize the genomic and immune landscape in AML patients with altered B7‐H3 expression using multi‐omics data in the public domain. We found significantly increased B7‐H3 expression in AML compared to either other hematological malignancies or healthy controls. Clinically, high B7‐H3 expression was associated with old age, TP53 mutations, wild‐type WT1 and CEBPA, and the M3 and M5 FAB subtypes. Moreover, we observed that increased B7‐H3 expression correlated significantly with a poor outcome of AML patients in four independent datasets. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed the enrichment of the “EMT” oncogenic gene signatures in high B7‐H3 expressers. Further investigation suggested that B7‐H3 was more likely to be associated with immune‐suppressive cells (macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells, and Th17 cells). B7‐H3 was also positively associated with a number of checkpoint genes, such as VISTA (B7‐H5), CD80 (B7‐1), CD86 (B7‐2), and CD70. In summary, we uncovered distinct genomic and immunologic features associated with B7‐H3 expression in AML. This may lead to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying B7‐H3 dysregulation in AML and to the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
Extended robot‐assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy and extended pelvic lymph node dissection as a monotherapy in patients with very high‐risk prostate cancer Patients
Authors: Miura Noriyoshi , Sugihara Naoya , Funaki Keisuke , Kakuda Toshio , Koyama Kanae , Watanabe Ryuta , Sawada Yuichiro , Noda Terutaka , Nishimura Kenichi , Fukumoto Tetsuya , Miyauchi Yuki , Kikugawa Tadahiko , Saika Takashi
Published: September 2021

Background

Patients with very‐high‐risk prostate cancer (VHRPCa) have earlier biochemical recurrences (BCRs) and higher mortality rates. It remains unknown whether extended robot‐assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (eRALP) without neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy can improve the outcomes of VHRPCa patients. We aimed to determine the feasibility and efficacy of eRALP as a form of monotherapy for VHRPCa.

Methods

Data from 76 men who were treated with eRALP without neoadjuvant/adjuvant therapy were analyzed. eRALP was performed using an extrafascial approach. Extended pelvic lymph node (LN) dissection (ePLND) included nodes above the external iliac axis, in the obturator fossa, and around the internal iliac artery up to the ureter. The outcome measures were BCR, treatment failure (defined as when the prostate‐specific antigen level did not decrease to <0.1 ng/ml postoperatively), and urinary continence (UC). Kaplan–Meier, logistic regression, and Cox proportional‐hazards model were used to analyze the data.

Results

The median operative time was 246 min, and median blood loss was 50 ml. Twenty‐one patients experienced postoperative complications. Median follow‐up was 25.2 months; 19.7% of patients had treatment failure. Three‐year, BCR‐free survival rate was 62.0%. Castration‐resistant prostate cancer‐free survival rate was 86.1%. Overall survival was 100%. In 55 patients who had complete postoperative UC data, 47 patients (85.5%) recovered from their UC within 12 months. Clinical stage cT3b was an independent preoperative treatment failure predictor (p = 0.035), and node positivity was an independent BCR predictor (p = 0.037). The small sample size and retrospective nature limited the study.

Conclusions

This approach was safe and produced acceptable UC‐recovery rates. Preoperative seminal vesicle invasion is associated with treatment failure, and pathological LN metastases are associated with BCR. Therefore, our results may help informed decisions about neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapies in VHRPCa cases.

Precis

Extended robot‐assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy and extended pelvic lymph node dissection without adjuvant therapy is safe and effective for some patients with very‐high‐risk prostate cancer. The clinical stage and node positivity status predicted monotherapy failure, which may indicate good adjuvant therapy candidate.
Missing Data, Complex Processes and Differing Contexts: A Case File Analysis of School Staff's Involvement in Child Protection Cases for Concerns of Neglect
Authors: Sharley Victoria
Published: September 2021

This paper reports the findings from the analysis of 119 children's social work case files from three local authorities in Wales. The study offers new understanding about the extent of school staff's involvement in the provision of statutory support when there are concerns that a child is living with neglect. Findings demonstrate evidence of a broad range of early and preventative school‐based support provided in 42 per cent of the sample, some gaps in schools' contributions to statutory assessments and a decline in the level of involvement of members of school staff following the initial child protection conference. The discussion also acknowledges a number of challenges encountered during the study: the complexity of social work processes, the variance in understandings of neglect within differing regional contexts and large amounts of missing data on children's files and the restrictions this created for statistical measurement. Findings have important implications for interprofessional relationships between schools and social work teams, at individual and agency levels. The author makes a call for social workers to actively engage members of school staff in child protection processes with the purpose of increasing information sharing across agencies, while enhancing interprofessional safeguarding practice.

‘Reports the findings from the analysis of 119 children's social work case files from three local authorities in Wales’

Key Practitioner Messages

Schools are key safeguarding partners and provide an extensive range of support to children and their families, both prior to and during statutory intervention.

Members of school staff hold expert knowledge on children living with neglect which should be utilised more consistently within statutory assessments.

Social workers should ensure members of school staff are invited to attend child protection conferences and develop interprofessional relationships to improve information sharing across agencies.
Synthesis of 3′‐O‐Alkyl Homologues and a Biotin Probe of Isorhamnetin and Evaluation of Cytotoxic Efficacy on Cancer Cells
Authors: Yang Zhuojin , Zheng Yi , Tursumamat Nafisa , Zhu Mingyan
Published: September 2021

Isorhamnetin is a natural flavonoid which shows a variety of biological activities such as antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory and antitumor. In order to identify the cellular binding protein of isorhamnetin as potential anti‐cancer target, we first synthesized 3′‐O‐substituted quercetin as isorhamnetin homologues and evaluated the growth inhibitory activity of these derivatives on breast, colon and prostate cancer cell lines. The preliminary results showed that the 3′‐O modification did not affect the cytotoxic activity of the scaffold. Analysis of the co‐crystal structure and the docking pose of isorhamnetin with reported binding protein of isorhamnetin or quercetin indicated the 3′‐O‐substitution groups located outside of the binding pocket, which is in accordance with activity of 3′‐O derivatives. Then a biotin conjugate of isorhamnetin with a tetraethylene glycol (PEG)4 linker at the 3′ position was synthesized and the resulting probe retained the anti‐proliferative activity on cancer cell lines, while the cellular fluorescence analysis showed the distribution of probe inside the cells which indicated the probe had limited cell permeability. Finally, pull down assay both in situ inside cells and in the cell lysates indicated the isorhamnetin biotin probe was capable of protein labeling in cell lysates. These findings provide the isorhamnetin 3′‐O‐biotin probe as a tool to reveal the target proteins of isorhamnetin.
The clinical impact of chronic liver disease in patients undergoing transcatheter and surgical aortic valve replacement: Systematic analysis of the 2011–2017 US hospital database
Authors: Lee David Uihwan , Han John , Fan Gregory Hongyuan , Hastie David Jeffrey , Kwon Jean , Lee Ki Jung , Addonizio Elyse Ann , Karagozian Raffi
Published: September 2021

Objectives

In this study, we use a national database to evaluate post‐transcatheter (TAVR)/surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) outcomes stratified using chronic liver disease (CLD).

Background

In patients undergoing TAVR and SAVR, the surgical risks should be optimized; this includes evaluating hepatic diseases that may pose an operative risk.

Methods

2011–2017 National Inpatient Sample was used to select in‐hospital TAVR and SAVR cases, which were stratified according to CLD (cirrhosis, hepatitis B/C, alcoholic/fatty/nonspecific liver disease). The cases–controls were matched using propensity score matching and compared with various endpoints.

Result

After matching for demographics and comorbidities, for TAVR, 606 and 1818 were with or without CLD; for SAVR, 1353 and 4059 were with and without CLD. In TAVR, there was no differences in mortality (2.81% vs. 2.75% OR 1.02 95% CI 0.58–1.78) or length of stay (6.29 vs. 6.44d p = 0.29), and CLD‐present patients had marginally increased costs ($228,415 vs. $226,682 p = 0.048). There were no differences in complications. In multivariate, there was no difference in mortality (aOR 1.02 95% CI 0.58–1.79). In SAVR, CLD patients had higher mortality (7.98% vs. 3.23% OR 2.60 95% CI 2.00–3.38), length of stay (13.3 vs. 11.3 days p < 0.001), and costs ($273,487 vs. $238,097 p < 0.001). CLD patients also had increased respiratory failure (9.02% vs. 7.19% OR 1.28 95% CI 1.03–1.59) and bleeding (8.43% vs. 6.33% OR 1.36 95% CI 1.08–1.71). In multivariate, CLD had higher mortality (aOR 2.60 95% CI 2.00–3.38).

Conclusion

CLD is associated with higher mortality and complications in patients undergoing SAVR; however, no correlation was found in patients undergoing TAVR.
Successful treatment of COVID‐19‐related acute respiratory distress syndrome with a rare blood type: A case report
Authors: Yamada Hiroyuki , Ohtsuru Shigeru , Nagatomo Mika , Korogi Yohei , Shinozuka Ken , Tanabe Naoya , Kai Shinichi , Matsubara Takeshi , Ito Isao , Ihara Masahiro , Tanaka Tomoharu , Kato Genta , Nagao Miki , Date Hiroshi
Published: September 2021

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is indispensable for critically severe COVID‐19 patients. However, it would be inapplicable to patients with a rare blood type or blood transfusion refusal. In that case, severely conservative fluid management with the sacrifice of renal functions and hydrocortisone therapy should be considered for better oxygenation.
Hypoglycemia secondary to insulinoma masking the onset of type 1 diabetes in an adolescent
Authors: Subramani Sriya , Bellizzi Andrew M. , Borcherding Nicholas , Kao Simon C. , Dillon Joseph , Howe James , Norris Andrew W. , Tansey Michael J. , Pinnaro Catherina T.
Published: September 2021

Type 1 diabetes and insulinoma can co‐occur in pediatric patients and may present with episodes of hypo‐ and hyperglycemia, significant glycemic variability, and weight gain. Surgical resection leads to development of fulminant diabetes.
H‐type indices with applications in chemometrics II: h‐outlyingness index
Authors: Yang Qin , Xu Lu , Tian Guo‐Li , Wu Ben‐Qing
Published: September 2021

An outlier is generally considered as a data point that deviates from the “bulk” of all the data points. For outlier diagnosis, two questions could be asked: (1) How far is an object from the bulk? and (2) how many data points do the “bulk” include? To simultaneously deal with the above two questions, the h‐outlyingness index (HOI) is defined as suppose a given data point in a data set of N data points, if at most M% of all the (N − 1) one‐to‐rest distances is no less than M% of all the N(N − 1)/2 pairwise distances, the HOI value for the given data point will be M%. For applications, HOI was used for outlier diagnosis in simulated and real data sets, and the results were compared with those obtained by some robust statistical methods. Compared with the traditional methods, HOI gained similar results. For high‐dimensional data, it was wise to compute HOI based on dimension reduction methods such as principal component analysis (PCA). HOI was demonstrated to be a simple, easy‐to‐compute, robust and effective index for outlier diagnosis. Moreover, HOI is a nonparametric method that has no underlying assumptions on data distribution, which will be useful in chemometrics for multivariate outlier diagnosis.
Fibrous gel polymer electrolyte for an ultrastable and highly safe flexible lithium‐ion battery in a wide temperature range
Authors: Li Ke , Shen Wei , Xu Tao , Yang Lu , Xu Xiaobing , Yang Feiyao , Zhang Lijuan , Wang Yangjian , Zhou Yaning , Zhong Mengjuan , Wei Di
Published: September 2021

Replacement of flammable liquid electrolytes with gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) is a promising route to improve the safety of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). However, polymer‐based electrolytes have limited suitability at low/high temperatures due to the instability of the polymer at high temperatures and the low ionic conductivity of the gel state at low temperatures. Herein, an integrated design of electrodes/fibrous GPEs modified with graphene oxide (GO) is reported. Due to the integrated structure of electrodes/GPEs, the strong interface affinity between electrodes and GPEs ensures that the GPEs spun on electrodes do not shrink at high temperatures (160–180°C), thus preventing a short circuit of electrodes. Moreover, after GO modification, oxygen‐containing functional groups of GO can accelerate Li+ transport of GO‐GPEs even at a low temperature of −15°C. When these GPEs are applied to flexible LIBs, the LIBs show excellent electrochemical performance, with satisfactory cycling stability of 82.9% at 1 C after 1000 cycles at 25°C. More importantly, at a high temperature of 160°C, the LIBs can also discharge normally and light the green light‐emitting diode. Furthermore, at a low temperature of −15°C, 92.7% of its room‐temperature capacity can be obtained due to the accelerated Li+ transport caused by GO modification, demonstrating the great potential of this electrolyte and integrated structure for practical gel polymer LIB applications.
Poincaré and his polarization sphere
Authors: Kahr Bart
Published: September 2021

In a text (1892) on light, Jules Henri Poincaré introduced a geometrical device for tracking the polarization of state of light interacting with matter. Poincaré first mapped all polarization ellipses onto the surface of sphere and changes of state were represented as rotations from one point to another about prescribed axes depending on linear optical properties of the medium. Here, we consider how Poincaré, the mathematician, invented his sphere. Poincaré's professional activities in the service of geodesy appear at first glance to provide a borrowed geometry for his one‐to‐one mapping of polarization ellipses to global lines of latitude and longitude. However, this association falls apart in the face of a close reading of Poincaré's biography and his influences, especially the research interests of his teachers from the École Polytechnique and the Écoles de Mines. The work of Tissot and Mallard on distortion ellipses in cartography and the etiology of optical activity in crystals, respectively, together with Poincaré's own study of the qualitative theory of differential equations, provide the iconography of, and motivation for, the sphere. Whether Poincaré's mentors were unwitting partners in the invention of the sphere—it is impossible to be sure—Poincaré's otherworldly geometric sensibilities carried him through isometries (rotations) on hyperbolic planes and beyond. The apparent ingenuity behind Poincaré's sphere is diminished in comparison to his fulsome achievements. Moreover, Poincaré's considerations of the psychology of invention further emphasize that sometimes great ideas arrive to those fortunate to receive them by mechanisms that resist interpretation.
A proficient approach for face detection and recognition using machine learning and high‐performance computing
Authors: Singh Astha , Prakash Shiv , Kumar Ankit , Kumar Divya
Published: September 2021

The objective of this article is to increase the efficiency of face recognition in the aspect of a dynamic frame. Studies were carried out that focus on maintaining the high detection rate as well as increasing the accuracy. The study was conducted by considering the current recording of the dynamic frame of randomly selected people walking on a treadmill. Here, the variety of facial features was studied and extracted using different viewing angles on the subject. The existence of a huge amount of datasets and economical processing power is subject to value enhancement in the presence of a convolutional neural network (CNN) on different object identification and realization criteria. These methodologies with excellent knowledge of deep learning techniques that subjects to enhance the potential of the machine to learn the face values. CNN is capable to identify faces, positive positioning facial benchmarks, estimating postures and understanding faces in interconnected images and dynamic video frames. In this article, we present a novel phase detector technique that is rapid and has the potential of recognizing faces with huge changes. This is performed by a technique of using adopted CNN and recurrent neural network's subpart long‐short term memory technique in a particular way so that the objective of bringing improvement in the reorganization procedure can be fulfilled. And this was completed by getting 97.5%–98.1% of accuracy is sustained in this.
Unfolding of Tryptophanoctyl Ester and Elastic Deformation of Host Micelles via RR'3N+⋅⋅⋅π Interaction: Conceivable Relevance to Wrapping Process of Receptor Mediated Endocytosis
Authors: Chakraborty Gulmi , Bardhan Soumik , Saha Swapan K.
Published: September 2021

The interfacial properties of the mixed amphiphiles are modified by a stronger cation‐π interaction between the quaternary ammonium head group of CTAB and the π‐face of TROE, compared to the tyrosine analogue (TYOE). This eventually triggers a morphology transition through elastic deformation of the spherical micelles of CTAB to cylindrical/wormlike micelles. The unfolding of TROE and the molecular interactions in the nanoenvironment have been recognized by NMR spectroscopy and the physical characteristics of the entangled wormlike micelles are investigated by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), whereas the complex fluidic feature is examined by dynamic rheological measurements. Morphology tuning of the soft nanoaggregates of zwitterionic dodecylphosphocholine by the tryptophan analogue via choline‐π interaction has unique biological consequences and we consider the significance of such interactions in facilitating endocytosis of a virion/nano particle(NP) in terms of a quantitative model. The implication in future research on drug development strategies is discussed.
Recessive male floret color for tracking gene flow in cultivated northern wild rice (Zizania palustris L.)
Authors: Gietzel Clare , Duquette Jacques , McGilp Lillian , Kimball Jennifer
Published: September 2021

Northern wild rice (NWR; Zizania palustris L.) is a wind‐pollinated, annual, aquatic grass that grows naturally in the Great Lakes region of the United States and Canada and is also cultivated in flooded paddies, predominantly in California and Minnesota. A better understanding of pollen‐mediated gene flow is needed within the species for both conservation and breeding efforts as cultivation occurs within the species’ natural range and spatially‐isolated, paddy structures are limited within breeding programs. Widely‐cited pollen travel research in NWR demonstrated that pollen could travel at least 3200 m. However, a population segregating for male sterility was used as the pollen recipient in the study and was determined to not be adequate for NWR pollen travel studies. Here, we present the characterization of a recessive white male floret (WMF) population in contrast to the dominant, purple male floret (PMF) color of cultivated NWR along with estimates of pollen‐mediated gene flow in a cultivated paddy setting. Studies conducted in 2018 and 2019 revealed that the primary amount of pollen‐mediated gene flow occurred within the first 7 m from the PMF donor source with no gene flow detected past 63 m. These results suggest that the likelihood of pollen‐mediated gene flow between cultivated NWR and natural stands remains low. We also identified a strong linkage between male floret, collar, and culm color. This study demonstrates that the WMF trait is an excellent candidate for use in pollen‐mediated gene flow studies in NWR.
A new hexagonal quadrature amplitude modulation aided media‐based modulation
Authors: Aydin Erdogan
Published: September 2021

In this paper, a new high‐data rated and energy‐efficient hexagonal quadrature amplitude modulation aided media‐based modulation scheme, called HQAM‐MBM, is proposed for the next‐generation communication systems. In MBM, mirror activation patterns (MAPs) of a reconfigurable antenna have been used to convey extra information in addition to conventional modulated symbols. Therefore, the MBM is seen as a promising index modulation (IM) scheme for the next generation of high‐data rated communication systems. On the other hand, the HQAM constellation scheme is more energy‐efficient than traditional QAM but also has a similar performance at high signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) values. Hence, the HQAM technique can appear as a promising energy‐efficient scheme for 5G and beyond networking systems. From this point forth, it has been found appropriate to propose the rational HQAM‐MBM technique, which uses an energy‐efficient HQAM constellation instead of a traditional QAM constellation, and also carries additional information with the indices of the MAPs of a reconfigurable antenna. Besides, it has been shown via computer simulations that the HQAM‐MBM system has lower transmission energy than QAM‐MBM systems. Performance analysis of the HQAM‐MBM scheme is evaluated on Rayleigh fading channels.
Will fencing floodplain and riverine wetlands from feral pig damage conserve fish community values?
Authors: Waltham Nathan J. , Schaffer Jason
Published: September 2021

Installation of feral pig (Sus scrofa) exclusion fences to conserve and rehabilitate coastal floodplain habitat for fish production and water quality services remains untested. Twenty‐one floodplain and riverine wetlands in the Archer River catchment (north Queensland) were surveyed during postwet (June–August) and late‐dry season (November–December) in 2016, 2017, and 2018, using a fyke net soaked overnight (~14–15 hr) to test: (a) whether the fish assemblage are similar in wetlands with and without fences; and (b) whether specific environmental conditions influence fish composition between fenced and unfenced wetlands. A total of 6,353 fish representing twenty‐six species from 15 families were captured. There were no wetland differences in fish assemblages across seasons, years and for fenced and unfenced (PERMANOVA, Pseudo‐F < 0.589, p < .84). Interestingly, the late‐dry season fish were far smaller compared to postwet season fish: a strategy presumably in place to maximize rapid disposal following rain and floodplain connectivity. In each wetland, a calibrated Hydrolab was deployed (between 2 and4 days, with 20 min logging) in the epilimnion (0.2 m) and revealed distinct diel water quality cycling of temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH (conductivity represented freshwater wetlands), which was more obvious in the late‐dry season survey because of extreme summer conditions. Water quality varied among wetlands in terms of the daily amplitude and extent of daily photosynthesis recovery, which highlights the need to consider local conditions and that applying general assumptions around water quality conditions for these types of wetlands is problematic for managers. Though many fish access wetlands during wet season connection, the seasonal effect of reduced water level conditions seems more overimprovised when compared to whether fences are installed, as all wetlands supported few, juvenile, or no fish species because they had dried completely regardless of the presence of fences.
Enabling Argyrodite Sulfides as Superb Solid‐State Electrolyte with Remarkable Interfacial Stability Against Electrodes
Authors: Xu Hongjie , Cao Guoqin , Shen Yonglong , Yu Yuran , Hu Junhua , Wang Zhuo , Shao Guosheng
Published: September 2021

While argyrodite sulfides are getting more and more attention as highly promising solid‐state electrolytes (SSEs) for solid batteries, they also suffer from the typical sulfide setbacks such as poor electrochemical compatibility with Li anode and high‐voltage cathodes and serious sensitivity to humid air, which hinders their practical applications. Herein, we have devised an effective strategy to overcome these challenging shortcomings through modification of chalcogen chemistry under the guidance of theoretical modeling. The resultant Li6.25PS4O1.25Cl0.75 delivered excellent electrochemical compatibility with both pure Li anode and high‐voltage LiCoO2 cathode, without compromising the superb ionic conductivity of the pristine sulfide. Furthermore, the current SSE also exhibited highly improved stability to oxygen and humidity, with further advantage being more insulating to electrons. The remarkably enhanced compatibility with electrodes is attributed to in situ formation of helpful electrolyte–electrode interphases. The formation of in situ anode–electrolyte interphase (AEI) enabled stable Li plating/stripping in the Li|Li6.25PS4O1.25Cl0.75|Li symmetric cells at a high current density up to 1 mA cm−2 over 200 h and 2 mA cm−2 for another 100 h. The in situ amorphous nano‐film cathode–electrolyte interphase (CEI) facilitated protection of the SSE from decomposition at elevated voltage. Consequently, the synergistic effect of AEI and CEI helped the LiCoO2|Li6.25PS4O1.25Cl0.75|Li full‐battery cell to achieve markedly better cycling stability than that using the pristine Li6PS5Cl as SSE, at a high area loading of the active cathode material (4 mg cm−2) in type‐2032 coin cells. This work is to add a desirable SSE in the argyrodite sulfide family, so that high‐performance solid battery cells could be fabricated without the usual need of strict control of the ambient atmosphere.
New Carbon Nitride C3N3 Additive for Improving Cationic Defects of Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Li Zuhong , Feng Jiaxin , Cao Jinguo , Jin Jiaren , Zhou Yijun , Cao Duoling , Liang Zihui , Zhu Bicheng , Li Ming , Zhao Li , Wang Shimin
Published: September 2021

Due to the loss of organic amine cations and lead ions in the structure of the iodine–lead methylamine perovskite solar cell, there are a large number of defects within the film and the recombination loss caused by grain boundaries, which seriously hinder the further improvement of power conversion efficiency and stability. Herein, a novel carbon nitride C3N3 incorporated into the perovskite precursor solution is a multifunctional strategy, which not only increases the light absorption strength, grain size, and hydrophobicity of the perovskite film, but also effectively passivates the bulk and interfacial defects of perovskite and verified by the first‐principles density functional theory calculations. As a result, the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells are improved. The device with 0.075 mg mL−1 C3N3 additive delivers a champion power conversion efficiency of 19.91% with suppressed hysteresis, which is significantly higher than the 18.16% of the control device. In addition, the open‐circuit voltage of the modified device with the maximum addition as high as 1.137 V is 90.96% of the Shockley–Queisser limit (1.25 V). Moreover, the power conversion efficiency of the modified device without encapsulation can maintain nearly 90% of its initial value after being stored at 25 °C and 60% relative humidity for 500 h. This work provides a new idea for developing additives to improve the power conversion efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells.
Trimetallic Metal‐Organic Framework Nanoframe Superstructures: A Stress‐Buffering Architecture Engineering of Anode Material toward Boosted Lithium Storage Performance
Authors: Lin Jia , Xu Chao , Lu Man , Lin Xiaoming , Ali Zeeshan , Zeng Chenghui , Xu Xuan , Luo Yifan
Published: September 2021

Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) can serve as prevailing anodes for lithium‐ion batteries, due to their multiple redox‐active sites and prominent structural compatibility. However, the poor electronic conductivity and inferior cyclability hinder their further implementation. Herein, a synthetic methodology for trimetallic Fe‐Co‐Ni MOFs with nanoframe superstructures architecture (Fe‐Co‐Ni NFSs) via structural evolution is proposed for versatile anode materials for lithium storage. Ascribed to optimal compositional and structural optimization, the Fe‐Co‐Ni NFSs achieve exceptional electrochemical performance with superior specific capacity (1030 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1), outstanding rate capacity (414 mAh g−1 at 2 A g−1), and prolonged cyclability (489 mAh g−1 upon 1000 cycles at 1 A g−1). Both experimental and theoretical investigations reveal that the multi‐component metal centers could boost electronic conductivity, confer multiple active sites, and energetically favor Li adsorption capability. Additionally, the nanoframe superstructures of Fe‐Co‐Ni NFSs could facilitate stress‐buffering effect on volumetric expansion and prevent electrode pulverization, further improving the lithium storage capability. This work envisions a meticulous protocol for high‐performance MOF anode materials for lithium‐ion batteries.
Helios is a marker, not a driver, of human Treg stability
Authors: Lam Avery J. , Uday Prakruti , Gillies Jana K. , Levings Megan K.
Published: September 2021

Treg therapy holds promise as a potentially curative approach to establish immune tolerance in transplantation and autoimmune disease. An outstanding question is whether therapeutic Tregs have the potential to transdifferentiate into effector T‐cells and, thus, exacerbate rather than suppress immune responses. In mice, the transcription factor Helios is thought to promote Treg lineage stability in a range of inflammatory contexts. In humans, the role of Helios in Tregs is less clear, in part, due to the inability to enrich and study subsets of Helios‐positive versus Helios‐negative Tregs. Using an in vitro expansion system, we found that loss of high Helios expression and emergence of an intermediate Helios (Heliosmid)‐expressing population correlated with Treg destabilization. We used CRISPR/Cas9 to genetically ablate Helios expression in human naive or memory Tregs and found that Helios‐KO and unedited Tregs were equivalent in their suppressive function and stability in inflammation. Thus, high Helios expression is a marker, but not a driver, of human Treg stability in vitro. These data highlight the importance of monitoring Helios expression in therapeutic Treg manufacturing and provide new insight into the biological function of this transcription factor in human T‐cells.
Metal‐Free and syn‐Selective Hydrohalogenation of Alkynes through a Pseudo‐Intramolecular Process
Authors: Asahara Haruyasu , Mukaijo Yusuke , Muragishi Kengo , Iwai Kento , Ito Akitaka , Nishiwaki Nagatoshi
Published: September 2021

A new metal‐free hydrohalogenation method for alkynes has been developed, which proceeds through a pseudo‐intramolecular process. In this reaction, ethynylaniline serves as a substrate to quantitatively form an anilinium salt upon treatment with hydrochloric acid. The spatial proximity facilitates the efficient electrophilic addition of HCl to the ethynyl group in syn‐mode, affording the corresponding chloroalkene without overaddition. This protocol was applied to HBr and HI, and the corresponding bromo‐ and iodoalkenes were obtained, respectively. The obtained chloroalkene was converted to tri‐substituted alkenes possessing different aryl/alkynyl groups through Pd‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions.
Nanostructured Mesoporous Carbon Based Electrochemical Biosensor for Efficient Detection of Swine Flu
Authors: Jain Raghav , Nirbhaya Vishakha , Chandra Ramesh , Kumar Suveen
Published: September 2021

In the serum sample of swine flu patients, the novel Serum Amyloid A (SAA) protein has been secreted in higher concentration (49.4±14.1 μg mL−1) with respect tothe normal subject (12.2±15.0 μg mL−1), so SAA protein has been used in swine flu diagnosis. In present work, we developed nanostructured mesoporous carbon (mPC) based electrochemical biosensor for the swine flu detection. The mPC was synthesized through the thermal decomposition process, and with 3‐aminopropyltriethoxy silane (APTES), amine functionalization of mPC was carried out. The obtained product was further deposited onto the functionalized indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass electrode using electrophoretic deposition unit with 40V DC voltage for 150 sec. Next, biofunctionalization with monoclonal anti‐SAA antibodies (anti‐SAA) was carried out onto the APTES/mPC/ITO electrode by EDC‐NHS covalent chemistry and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used to block non‐specific binding sites. The structural and morphological, characterization of the mPC and fabricated electrodes were investigated using X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy. However, surface area and porosity analysis were investigated via Brauner‐Emmett‐Teller technique. Next, the electrochemical characterization and response studies were performed by cyclic voltammetry technique. The fabricated biosensing platform (BSA/anti‐SAA/APTES/mPC/ITO) exhibited excellent sensitivity of 1.69 μA mL μg−1 cm−2, wider linear detection range between 30–70 μg mL−1 with a limit of detection of 3.1 μg mL−1. The biosensing performance of the fabricated biosensing platform was also investigated in artificial serum samples and showed a good correlation with the obtained electrochemical response.
The preparation, characterization, and electrooxidation of colloidal palladium modified poly(methacrylic acid) hydrogel as formic acid fuel cell anode catalyst
Authors: Kivrak Hilal , Khalid Sarwar , Caglar Aykut , Alpaslan Duygu , Selcuk Kadir , Dudu Tuba Ersen , Aktas Nahit
Published: September 2021

At present, poly(methacrylic acid) (MA), poly(MA) hydrogel, and Pd‐doped poly(MA) hydrogel modified electrodes are constructed on graphite pencil (G). The Pd precursor is coated on the poly(MA)/G electrodes surface using the electrodeposition method. These electrodes are characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy‐energy dispersive X‐ray. Poly(MA) hydrogel and Pd‐doped poly(MA) hydrogel are successfully prepared by the polymerization and further electrodeposition. Formic acid electro‐oxidation (FAEO) activities are examined with cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry (CA), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Poly(MA)/G and Pd doped poly(MA) electrodes exhibit promising electro‐catalytic activity with 60 mA current density, greater than literature values. Pd‐doped poly(MA) hydrogel electrodes are promising electrodes for FAEO.
Simplified photogalvanic cell design with promise for the enhanced solar electricity generation and storage
Authors: Koli Pooran , Dayma Yashodhara , Pareek Ramesh Kumar , Kumar Rajendra , Jonwal Meenakshi
Published: September 2021

Photogalvanicists have conventionally used complicated, multichambered, sophisticated, and very costly cell designs for solar electricity and storage. We authors have simplified cell design with encouraging electrical output as well. We authors have used a simple, cheap, and one‐chambered cell design based on cylindrical glass tubes instead of the costly, conventional, and complex H‐shaped glass tube‐based cell fabrication design. The study has been done under similar electrolytic and illuminating conditions for different cell designs based on various blackened H‐shaped glass tubes of the different diffusion lengths, nonblackened simple glass boiling tube, blackened simple glass boiling tube, and simple noncoated glass beakers. Nonblackened glass tube‐based cell design has shown very good electrical output, that is, power 439 μW, current 2100 μA, potential 1045 mV, efficiency 6.1%, and storage capacity 130 minutes. Under similar chemical and illuminating conditions, the electrical output of cells fabricated of the simple glass tube is as good as that of the conventional cells made from the complex H‐shaped glass tube. Furthermore, the cell design based on a simple cylindrical glass tube is three‐edged more advantageous (in terms of the cost, electrical output, and ease of fabrication) over all other cell designs reported so far.
Contribution analysis: A promising method for assessing advocacy's impact
Authors: Kane Robin , Levine Carlisle , Orians Carlyn , Reinelt Claire
Published: September 2021

The dynamic nature of advocacy presents a challenge for evaluators to rigorously assess cause‐and‐effect relationships linking advocacy efforts to policy change. Contribution analysis, developed by Dr. John Mayne, offers a nonexperimental impact evaluation method for testing and validating contribution claims in a policy context with multiple actors and influences. Using two case examples, the authors share how they applied the steps of contribution analysis to determine with greater confidence the extent to which an initiative or campaign contributed to a policy outcome. The authors provide observations and tips for advocacy and policy evaluators on how to create a succinct, evidence‐based story about the contribution claim and how coalitions can use these stories to inform strategic decision‐making.
Evaluating power building: Concepts and considerations for advocacy evaluators
Authors: Fox Katie , Post Margaret
Published: September 2021

Power is a fundamental dimension of social change that evaluators regularly overlook. To evaluate power effectively, the evaluation field needs a necessary reorientation in understandings of social change goals, outcomes, strategies, and actors. A focus on power is a missing component in advocacy evaluation and represents a paradigm shift for advocacy evaluators. This article explores the theoretical contributions and methodological considerations of evaluating power, drawing from our experience evaluating nine community organizations' power‐building work focused on economic justice policy reforms. We conclude that four considerations can reorient evaluations to the role of power: (1) grounding power evaluations in equitable evaluation, (2) expanding the scope of evaluations beyond a focus on policy wins to examine individual and collective liberation, (3) incorporating frameworks that acknowledge and assess the iterative and cyclical nature of power building, and (4) clarifying the unit of analysis to consider how a wide array of actors build and wield power.