bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fabrication of Water‐Repellent Platinum(II) Complex‐Based Photon Downshifting Layers for Perovskite Solar Cells by Ultrasonic Spray Deposition
Authors: Hwang Eunhye , Kim Hyungwoo , Lee Sang‐Hak , Seo Ji Hoon , Kim Hyun‐Tak , Lee Chaiheon , Jang Sung‐Yeon , Seo Kwanyong , Kwon Tae‐Hyuk
Published: August 2020

Despite a rapid increase in light harvesting efficiencies, organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) exhibit relatively inefficient photocurrent generation in the UV region and severe degradation when exposed to UV light and humidity. Herein, to enhance UV and humidity stability as well as photocurrent generating efficiency, a water‐repellent platinum(II) complex, Pt‐F, is developed as a luminescent photon downshifting layer (PDL) for PSCs. The Pt‐F PDL is fabricated on the glass substrate of a PSC using ultrasonic spray deposition, resulting in a considerably higher crystallinity and photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) than those fabricated by conventional spin‐coating processes (PLQYs of 77% and 19%, respectively). A maximum device performance of 22.0% is achieved through the addition of a PDL coating to a 21.4% efficient PSC owing to the long‐range photon downshifting effect of Pt‐F, as confirmed by the enhanced spectral response of the device in the UV region. Moreover, remarkable improvements in UV and humidity stability are observed in Pt‐F‐coated PSCs. The versatile effects of the Pt‐F‐based PDL, when fabricated by ultrasonic spray deposition, suggest wide ranging applicability that can improve the performance and stability of other optoelectronic devices.
Anion Reactivity in Cation‐Disordered Rocksalt Cathode Materials: The Influence of Fluorine Substitution
Authors: Crafton Matthew J. , Yue Yuan , Huang Tzu‐Yang , Tong Wei , McCloskey Bryan D.
Published: August 2020

The demand for high energy‐density, mass‐producible cathode materials has spurred the exploration of new material structures and compositions. Lithium‐excess, cation‐disordered rocksalt (DRX) materials are a new class of transition metal oxides that display high capacity and environmental friendly composition. These materials achieve their high capacities partially through oxygen redox, which leads to oxygen loss and detrimental reactivity with the electrolyte. It has previously been shown that oxygen loss can be suppressed by partial substitution of the lattice oxygen for fluorine, but the explicit mechanism behind this effect remains unknown. In this work, differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) and titration mass spectrometry are used to quantify the primary electrochemical reactions occurring during the first cycle in DRX materials. Comparing a DRX oxide and a DRX oxyfluoride, it is shown that fluorination limits oxygen redox and suppresses oxygen loss. Additionally, DEMS is coupled with fluoride‐scavenging to demonstrate that small amounts of fluorine dissolve from DRX oxyfluorides during the first cycle. Finally, these techniques are extended over the first several cycles, demonstrating that CO2 evolution persists and fluoride dissolution continues to a diminishing extent during the first few cycles. These findings motivate surface modifications to control interfacial reactivity and improve long‐term cycling.
Bi‐Based Metal‐Organic Framework Derived Leafy Bismuth Nanosheets for Carbon Dioxide Electroreduction
Authors: Yang Jian , Wang Xiaolin , Qu Yunteng , Wang Xin , Huo Hang , Fan Qikui , Wang Jin , Yang Li‐Ming , Wu Yuen
Published: August 2020

Electroreduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) into high‐value and readily collectable liquid products is vital but remains a substantial challenge due to the lack of highly efficient and robust electrocatalysts. Herein, Bi‐based metal‐organic framework (CAU‐17) derived leafy bismuth nanosheets with a hybrid Bi/BiO interface (Bi NSs) is developed, which enables CO2 reduction to formic acid (HCOOH) with high activity, selectivity, and stability. Specially, the flow cell configuration is employed to eliminate the diffusion effect of CO2 molecules and simultaneously achieve considerable current density (200 mA cm−2) for industrial application. The faradaic efficiency for transforming CO2 to HCOOH can achieve over 85 or 90% in 1 m KHCO3 or KOH for at least 10 h despite a current density that exceeds 200 mA cm−2, outperforming most of the reported CO2 electroreduction catalysts. The hybrid Bi/BiO surface of leafy bismuth nanosheets boosts the adsorption of CO2 and protects the surface structure of the as‐prepared leafy bismuth nanosheets, which benefits its activity and stability for CO2 electroreduction. This work shows that modifying electrocatalysts by surface oxygen groups is a promising pathway to regulate the activity and stability for selective CO2 reduction to HCOOH.
Ni‐Activated Transition Metal Carbides for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution in Acidic and Alkaline Solutions
Authors: Yang Chenfan , Zhao Rong , Xiang Hui , Wu Jing , Zhong Wenda , Li Wenlong , Zhang Qin , Yang Nianjun , Li Xuanke
Published: August 2020

Transition metal carbides (TMCs) feature high catalytic activity and superior stability for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). However, their platinum‐like HER catalytic performance is heavily hindered, due to their strong interaction with hydrogen. Herein, Ni activation of TMCs (M = V, Fe, Cr, and Mo) is proposed through introducing adsorbed nickel atoms on the TMC surface (Ni/TMC). In both acidic and alkaline solutions, a sharp decrease of both overpotentials and Tafel slopes of the Ni/TMC catalysts for HER is achieved. At 10 mA cm−2, the overpotentials of the Ni/vanadium carbide (VC) and Ni/Fe3C catalysts are 128 and 93 mV in 1 m KOH, 111 and 112 mV in 0.5 m H2SO4, respectively. Even at 150 mA cm−2, they exhibit the overpotentials of as low as 270 and 291 mV, respectively. In the alkaline solutions, the performance of these Ni/TMC catalysts is even superior to a Pt/C catalyst. As confirmed from density functional theory calculations and X‐ray absorption fine structure analysis, such adsorbed Ni atoms effectively optimize the d‐electron structure and improve HER performance. As a versatile strategy, this work provides a universal route to activate TMCs for highly efficient HER in different media.
Effective rainfall estimates for St. Augustinegrass lawns under varying irrigation programs
Authors: Fontanier Charles H. , Aitkenhead‐Peterson Jacqueline A. , Wherley Benjamin G. , White Richard H. , Thomas James C.
Published: August 2020

Prediction of effective rainfall, rainfall which contributes to the plant available water content, for lawns remains a challenge despite its critical role in accurately estimating a soil water balance and irrigation water requirement. The objective of this research was to validate simple runoff models for estimating effective rainfall on St. Augustinegrass [Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walter) Kuntze ‘Raleigh’] turf managed under varying irrigation strategies. A field experiment was conducted at Texas A&M Urban Landscape Runoff Facility in College Station, TX, USA. Effective rainfall during the irrigation season was approximately 16% of measured rainfall but varied with rainfall depth and irrigation management. Methods which accounted for initial abstraction and subsequent rainfall independently were more accurate than simple coefficient models which only accounted for runoff as a percentage of daily rainfall depth. In general, St. Augustinegrass lawns can abstract 12.5 mm of water before rainfall becomes ineffective (runs off). These findings suggest accurate estimates of effective rainfall can be achieved using readily‐available methods such as the SCS Curve Number model with adjustments for irrigation management strategy. Implementing more accurate effective rainfall estimates may reduce irrigation applied without decreasing turf quality.
Cold snare polypectomy for fundic gland polyps
Authors: Chen Chi‐Hung , Huang Jen‐Chieh , Shin Jeng‐Shiann
Published: August 2020

Fundic gland polyps (FGPs), the most common type of gastric polyps, are thought to be sporadic or associated with an inherited polyposis syndrome. FGPs associated with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or attenuated FAP may have increased risk of dysplasia or malignancy. We evaluated the characteristics of FGPs and the endoscopic management with cold snare polypectomy of patients with fundic gland polyposis. We retrospectively analyzed data collected from our executive health management center on patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy between January 2016 and December 2018. Patients with FGPs ≧10 were considered as having polyposis. All patients with FGPs received cold snare polypectomy or biopsy. Patients' age, gender, polyp size, polyp location, Helicobacter pylori infection status with rapid urease test, presence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), histological type of polyps and colonoscopy results were recorded. Major complications, such as bleeding or perforation events, were reviewed. FGPs were found in 86 patients (83.7% women). The mean age was 48.4 ± 9.6 years. Twenty‐six patients with FGPs were classified as having fundic gland polyposis. Most polyps were located at the body and the fundus. The polyp sizes were 3 to 8 mm. No Helicobater pylori infection was found. Eighteen (20.9%) patients with FGPs had GERD. In all, 26 (30.2%) patients with FGPs also had colon polyps, one with colon cancer (pTis). Histology revealed one case (1.1%) with focal low‐grade dysplasia. No complications, such as bleeding or perforation episode, were found. In further analysis between adults with FGPs and fundic gland polyposis, there were statistical significant differences in age (P = .01) and GERD (P = .018). In logistic regression of multivariate analysis for risk factors associated with fundic gland polyposis, age (aOR: 1.059, P = .041) and GERD (aOR: 3.638, P = .026) were risk factors for fundic gland polyposis. FGPs are common and benign gastric polyps, with a good prognosis. Management can be observation in sporadic FGPs. Endoscopic resection may be considered in selected patients with FGPs, especially those with fundic gland polyposis, or FGPs associated with FAP or attenuated FAP. We used cold snare polypectomy for patients with fundic gland polyposis, which provides easy and effective endoscopic management without complications.
A Participatory, Mixed Methods Approach to Define and Measure Partnership Synergy in Long‐standing Equity‐focused CBPR Partnerships
Authors: Coombe Chris M. , Chandanabhumma P. Paul , Bhardwaj Prachi , Brush Barbara L. , Greene‐Moton Ella , Jensen Megan , Lachance Laurie , Lee S.Y. Daniel , Meisenheimer Melanie , Minkler Meredith , Muhammad Michael , Reyes Angela G. , Rowe Zachary , Wilson‐Powers Eliza , Israel Barbara A.
Published: August 2020

Understanding what contributes to success of community‐based participatory research (CBPR) partnerships is essential to ensuring their effectiveness in addressing health disparities and health inequities. Synergy, the concept of accomplishing more together than separately, is central to partnership effectiveness. However, synergy specific to long‐standing, equity‐focused CBPR partnerships has not been closely examined. To address this, we defined and developed measures of partnership synergy as one dimension of a participatory mixed methods study, Measurement Approaches to Partnership Success (MAPS), to develop a validated instrument to measure success in long‐standing CBPR partnerships. Framed by a conceptual model and scoping literature review, we conducted in‐depth interviews with a national panel of academic and community experts in CBPR and equity to develop partnership synergy measures. Items were refined through an iterative process, including a three‐stage Delphi process, comparison with existing measures, cognitive interviews, and pilot testing. Seven questionnaire items were developed to measure synergy arising from equitable partnerships bringing together diverse partners across power differences to promote equity. Defining and measuring synergy in the context of long‐standing partnership success is central to understanding the role of synergy in collaborative approaches to research and action and can strengthen CBPR partnerships to promote healthy communities and advance health equity.
A patient with novel MBOAT7 variant: The cerebellar atrophy is progressive and displays a peculiar neurometabolic profile
Authors: Farnè Marianna , Tedesco Giovanna M. , Bedetti Chiara , Mencarelli Amedea , Rogaia Daniela , Colavito Davide , Di Cara Giuseppe , Stangoni Gabriela , Troiani Stefania , Ferlini Alessandra , Prontera Paolo
Published: August 2020

Mutations in the MBOAT7 gene have been described in 43 patients, belonging to 18 families, showing nonspecific clinical features (intellectual disability [ID], seizures, microcephaly or macrocephaly, and mild to moderate cerebellar atrophy) that make the clinical diagnosis difficult. Here we report the first Italian patient, a 22.5‐year‐old female, one of the oldest reported, born to apparently consanguineous parents. She shows severe ID, macrocephaly, seizures, aggressive outbursts, hyperphagia. We also documented progressive atrophy of the cerebellar vermis, that appeared not before the age of 7. The whole‐exome sequencing of the trio identified a novel homozygous variant c.1057_1058delGCinsCA (p.Ala353His) in the MBOAT7 gene. The variant is considered to be likely pathogenic, since it is absent from population database and it lies in a highly conserved amino acid residue. This disorder has a neurometabolic pathogenesis, implicating a phospholipid remodeling abnormalities. A brain hydrogen‐magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H‐MRS) examination in our patient disclosed a peculiar neurometabolic profile in the cerebellar hemispheric region. This new finding could address the clinical suspicion of MBOAT7‐related disorder, among the wide range of genetic conditions associated with ID and cerebellar atrophy. Moreover, the documented progression of cerebellar atrophy and the worsening of the disease only after some years open to the possibility of a therapeutic window after birth.
Quantitating skill acquisition with optical ultrasound simulation
Authors: Clark Anna E , Shaw Caroline J , Bello Fernando , Chalouhi Gihad E , Lees Christoph C
Published: August 2020

Objective

To investigate and compare the effect of simulator training on quantitative scores for ultrasound‐related skills for trainees with novice level ultrasound experience and expert ultrasound operators.

Methods

Three novice (comprising of 11, 32, 23 participants) and one expert (10 participants) subgroups undertook an ultrasound simulation training session. Pre‐ and post‐training test scores were collected for each subgroup. Outcome measures were as follows: mean accuracy score for obtaining the correct anatomical plane, percentage of correctly acquired target planes, mean number of movements, time to achieve image, distance travelled by probe and accumulated angling of the probe.

Results

The novices showed improvement in image acquisition after completion of the simulation training session with an improvement in the rate of correctly acquired target planes from 28–57% to 39–83%. This was not replicated in the experts. The novice’s individual ratios based on pre‐ vs. post‐training metrics improved between 1.7‐ and 4.3‐fold for number of movements, 1.9‐ and 6.7‐fold for distance, 2.0‐ and 5.2‐fold for time taken and 1.8‐ and 7.3‐fold for accumulated angling. Among the experts, there was no relationship between pre‐training simulator metrics and years of ultrasound experience.

Conclusions

The individual simulation metrics suggest the sessions were delivered at an appropriate level for basic training as novice trainees were able to show demonstrable improvements in both efficiency and accuracy on the simulator. Experts did not improve after the simulation modules, and the novice scores post‐training were similar to those of experts, suggesting the exercises were valid in testing ultrasound skills at novice but not expert level.
Hearing loss and microstructural integrity of the brain in a dementia‐free older population
Authors: Croll Pauline H. , Vernooij Meike W. , Reid Robert I. , Goedegebure André , Power Melinda C. , Rigters Stephanie C. , Sharrett A. Richey , de Jong Robert J. Baatenburg , Mosley Thomas H. , de Groot Marius , Lin Frank R. , Deal Jennifer A.
Published: August 2020

Introduction

As hearing loss has been identified as an important risk factor for dementia, we aimed to assess the association between hearing loss and microstructural integrity of the brain.

Methods

A total of 1086 dementia‐free participants (mean age = 75.2 [standard deviation: 4.9], 61.4% female) of the population‐based Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study underwent hearing assessment (2016–2017) and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain (2011–2013). Microstructural integrity was determined with diffusion tensor imaging. Multivariable linear regression was used to investigate associations between hearing loss and microstructural integrity of different brain regions and white matter (WM) tracts.

Results

Hearing loss was associated with lower WM microstructural integrity in the temporal lobe, lower gray matter integrity of the hippocampus, and with lower WM microstructural integrity of the limbic tracts and the uncinate fasciculus.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that hearing loss is indepedently associated with lower microstructural integrity in brain regions that are important for different cognitive processes.
Early‐Onset Parkinsonism Is a Manifestation of the PPP2R5D p.E200K Mutation
Authors: Kim Christine Y. , Wirth Thomas , Hubsch Cécile , Németh Andrea H. , Okur Volkan , Anheim Mathieu , Drouot Nathalie , Tranchant Christine , Rudolf Gabrielle , Chelly Jamel , Tatton‐Brown Katrina , Blauwendraat Cornelis , Vonsattel Jean Paul G. , Cortes Etty , Alcalay Roy N. , Chung Wendy K.
Published: August 2020

PPP2R5D‐related neurodevelopmental disorder is characterized by a range of neurodevelopmental and behavioral manifestations. We report the association of early‐onset parkinsonism with the PPP2R5D p.E200K mutation. Clinical characterization and exome sequencing were performed on three patients, with postmortem neuropathologic examination for one patient. All patients had mild developmental delay and developed levodopa‐responsive parkinsonism between the ages of 25 and 40 years. The PPP2R5D c.598G>A (p.E200K) mutation was identified in all patients. Neuropathologic examination demonstrated uneven, focally severe neuronal loss and gliosis in the substantia nigra pars compacta, without Lewy bodies. Our findings suggest the PPP2R5D p.E200K mutation to be a possible new cause of early‐onset parkinsonism. ANN NEUROL 2020;88:1028–1033
Refolding of Cold‐Denatured Barstar Induced by Radio‐Frequency Heating: A New Method to Study Protein Folding by Real‐Time NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Pintér György , Schwalbe Harald
Published: August 2020

The C40A/C82A double mutant of barstar has been shown to undergo cold denaturation above the water freezing point. By rapidly applying radio‐frequency power to lossy aqueous samples, refolding of barstar from its cold‐denatured state can be followed by real‐time NMR spectroscopy. Since temperature‐induced unfolding and refolding is reversible for this double mutant, multiple cycling can be utilized to obtain 2D real‐time NMR data. Barstar contains two proline residues that adopt a mix of cis and trans conformations in the low‐temperature‐unfolded state, which can potentially induce multiple folding pathways. The high time resolution real‐time 2D‐NMR measurements reported here show evidence for multiple folding pathways related to proline isomerization, and stable intermediates are populated. By application of advanced heating cycles and state‐correlated spectroscopy, an alternative folding pathway circumventing the rate‐limiting cis‐trans isomerization could be observed. The kinetic data revealed intermediates on both, the slow and the fast folding pathway.
Oxidative Addition of Water, Alcohols, and Amines in Palladium Catalysis
Authors: Grünwald Annette , Heinemann Frank W. , Munz Dominik
Published: August 2020

The homolytic cleavage of O−H and N−H or weak C−H bonds is a key elementary step in redox catalysis, but is thought to be unfeasible for palladium. In stark contrast, reported here is the room temperature and reversible oxidative addition of water, isopropanol, hexafluoroisopropanol, phenol, and aniline to a palladium(0) complex with a cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (CAAC) and a labile pyridino ligand, as is also the case in popular N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) palladium(II) precatalysts. The oxidative addition of protic solvents or adventitious water switches the chemoselectivity in catalysis with alkynes through activation of the terminal C−H bond. Most salient, the homolytic activation of alcohols and amines allows atom‐efficient, additive‐free cross‐coupling and transfer hydrogenation under mild reaction conditions with usually unreactive, yet desirable reagents, including esters and bis(pinacolato)diboron.
β‐Alanine‐functionalized magnetic graphene oxide quantum dots: an efficient and recyclable heterogeneous basic catalyst for the synthesis of 1H‐pyrazolo[1,2‐b]phthalazine‐5,10‐dione and 2,3‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H)‐one derivatives
Authors: Khaleghi Abbasabadi Masoud , Azarifar Davood
Published: August 2020

In this research, we report a novel synthesis of magnetic β‐alanine‐functionalized‐graphene oxide quantum dots Fe3O4@GOQDs‐N‐(β‐alanine) as a recyclable and eco‐friendly heterogeneous nanocatalyst. The catalytic efficiency of these nanosheets was explored as a basic catalyst for a one‐pot three‐component synthesis of various 1H‐pyrazolo[1,2‐b]phthalazine‐5,10‐dione and 2,3‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H)‐one derivatives. The reactions proceeded smoothly under mild and green conditions to afford the respected products in excellent yields. The structure of this newly fabricated catalyst was successfully confirmed by different analytical techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, field emission‐scanning electron microscopy, high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, and thermogravimetric analysis. The stability and recyclability of the catalyst were examined by performing the model reaction in six consecutive runs. The recovered catalyst from the first run was directly used for the next runs with no significant loss of catalytic activity.
Fe(III)‐catalyzed degradation of persistent textile dyes by chlorine at slightly acidic conditions: the crucial role of Cl2●− radical in the degradation process and impacts of mineral and organic competitors
Authors: Meghlaoui Fatima Zohra , Merouani Slimane , Hamdaoui Oualid , Alghyamah Abdulaziz , Bouhelassa Mohammed , Ashokkumar Muthupandian
Published: August 2020

In this work, we have explored for the first time the potential application of trace‐Fe(III)/chlorine system as an innovative oxidation technology for the degradation of persistent textile dyes. Fe(III)/chlorine combination improved the dye removal by ~40% within 30 s, as compared with chlorination alone, mainly through a radical pathway induced by the catalytic activation of chlorine in the presence of Fe(III). A chemical probe method was used for identifying the main reactive species. Cl2●− was found to be the key species responsible of huge abatement of dyes in the Fe(III)/chlorine system, whereas ●OH and Cl● can participate with only ~5% in the overall removal efficiency. At pH 3, 77% of reactive green 12 (RG12) was removed after 30 s, and then the removal efficiency diminished to 60% at pH 4, 20% at pH 5, and ~10% at pH 6 and 7. However, the best implication of free radicals was achieved at pH 4, at which the degradation rate was 3.3 time higher than that of chlorination alone. The dye removal efficiency increased with an increase in chlorine and iron loads up to certain optimums, but detrimental effect was observed at higher dosage levels. An increase in the solution temperature notably accelerated the removal yield (i.e., 81% of RG12 was removed at 50°C against 67% at 30°C and 57% at 10°C). NO2− and HSO3− as well as the cationic surfactant Adogen 464 showed strongest inhibiting effect on the performance of the process. Based on these findings, the Fe(III)/chlorine process is highly efficient in removing dyes from wastewaters.
From bilingual to multilingual neural‐based machine translation by incremental training
Authors: Escolano Carlos , Costa‐Jussà Marta R. , Fonollosa José A. R.
Published: August 2020

A common intermediate language representation in neural machine translation can be used to extend bilingual systems by incremental training. We propose a new architecture based on introducing an interlingual loss as an additional training objective. By adding and forcing this interlingual loss, we can train multiple encoders and decoders for each language, sharing among them a common intermediate representation. Translation results on the low‐resource tasks (Turkish‐English and Kazakh‐English tasks) show a BLEU improvement of up to 2.8 points. However, results on a larger dataset (Russian‐English and Kazakh‐English) show BLEU losses of a similar amount. While our system provides improvements only for the low‐resource tasks in terms of translation quality, our system is capable of quickly deploying new language pairs without the need to retrain the rest of the system, which may be a game changer in some situations. Specifically, what is most relevant regarding our architecture is that it is capable of: reducing the number of production systems, with respect to the number of languages, from quadratic to linear; incrementally adding a new language to the system without retraining the languages already there; and allowing for translations from the new language to all the others present in the system.
Genome mining and functional analysis of cytochrome P450 genes involved in insecticide resistance in Leucinodes orbonalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)
Authors: Kariyanna Bheeranna , Prabhuraj Aralimarad , Asokan Ramasamy , Ramkumar Govindaraju , Venkatesan Thiruvengadam , Gracy Ramasamy G. , Mohan Muthugounder
Published: August 2020

Genome‐wide analysis of cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (CYP) genes from the advanced genome project of the Leucinodes orbonalis and the expression analysis provided significant information about the metabolism‐mediated insecticide resistance. A total of 72 putative CYP genes were identified from the genome and transcriptome of L. orbonalis. The genes were classified under 30 families and 46 subfamilies based on the standard nomenclature. In the present study, a novel CYP gene, CYP324F1, was identified and it has not been reported from any other living system so far. Biochemical assays showed enhanced titers (5.81–18.5‐fold) of O‐demethylase of CYP in five field‐collected populations. We selected 34 homologous CYP gene sequences, seemed to be involved in insecticide resistance for primer design and quantitative real‐time PCR studies. Among the many overexpressed genes (>10 fold), the expression levels of CYP324F1 and CYP306A1 were prominent across all the field populations as compared with the susceptible iso‐female line. Oral delivery of ds‐CYP324F1 and ds‐CYP306A1 directed against CYP324F1 and CYP306A1 to the larvae of one of the insecticide resistance populations caused reduced expression of these two transcripts in a dose‐dependent manner (53.4%–85.0%). It appears that the increased titer of O‐demethylase is the result of increased transcription level of CYP genes in resistant populations. The data provide insight for identifying the novel resistance management strategies against L. orbonalis.
Pan‐Genome‐Scale Network Reconstruction: Harnessing Phylogenomics Increases the Quantity and Quality of Metabolic Models
Authors: Correia Kevin , Mahadevan Radhakrishnan
Published: August 2020

A genome‐scale network reconstruction (GENRE) is a knowledgebase for an organism and has various applications. Available genome sequences have risen in recent years, but the number of curated GENREs has not kept pace. Existing yeast GENREs contain significant commission and omission errors. Current practices limit the quantity and quality of GENREs. An open and transparent phylogenomic‐driven framework is outlined to address these issues. The method is demonstrated with 33 yeasts and fungi in Dikarya. A pan‐fungal metabolic network called FYRMENT (Fungal and Yeast Metabolic Network) (https://github.com/LMSE/FYRMENT) is created, and annotated with ortholog groups from AYbRAH (https://github.com/LMSE/AYbRAH). Metabolic models for lower‐level taxons are compiled. The fungal pan‐GENRE contains 1553 orthologs, 2759 reactions, 2251 metabolites. The GENREs have higher genomic and metabolic coverage than existing yeast and fungal GENREs created with other methods. Metabolic simulations show the maximum amino acid yields from glucose differs between yeast lineages, indicating metabolic networks have evolved. Curating genomes and reactions at higher taxonomic‐levels increases the quantity and quality of GENREs than conventional approaches. This approach can scale to other branches in the tree of life.
Improved Electrochemical Performance of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles Decorated Activated Carbon Supercapacitor Electrodes
Authors: Park Seungil , Raj Chellan Justin , Manikandan Ramu , Kim Byung Chul , Yu Kook Hyun
Published: August 2020

Metal oxide decorated activated carbon (AC) composites exhibit excellent electrochemical property and which is potential for energy storage and catalytic applications. Here, we report the synthesis of iron oxide (Fe3O4) anchored AC composite for supercapacitor (SC) electrode. The citrate‐stabilized Fe3O4 aqueous dispersion (5 mg/mL) of various concentration was utilized for the functionalization of commercial AC and the sample prepared using 50 mL Fe3O4 aqueous dispersion in 2 g of AC (AC‐50Fe) displayed better surface morphology with comparable surface area and porosity. Moreover, the sample AC‐50Fe showed excellent electrochemical performance with a maximum specific capacitance value 131 Fg−1 and cyclic stability ∼105% after 10 000 charge/discharge cycles, which is much higher than the bare AC (77 Fg−1) and AC‐25Fe (91 Fg−1) electrodes. Thus, the optimum amount of Fe3O4 in AC can effectively enhance the SC performance of the electrode by supplying additional pseudocapacitance along with the electric double‐layer capacitance of AC.
An instructional definition and assessment rubric for bioinformatics instruction
Authors: Tapprich William E. , Reichart Letitia , Simon Dawn M. , Duncan Garry , McClung William , Grandgenett Neal , Pauley Mark A.
Published: August 2020

The lack of an instructional definition of bioinformatics delays its effective integration into biology coursework. Using an iterative process, our team of biologists, a mathematician/computer scientist, and a bioinformatician together with an educational evaluation and assessment specialist, developed an instructional definition of the discipline: Bioinformatics is “an interdisciplinary field that is concerned with the development and application of algorithms that analyze biological data to investigate the structure and function of biological polymers and their relationships to living systems.” The field is defined in terms of its two primary foundational disciplines, biology and computer science, and its interdisciplinary nature. At the same time, we also created a rubric for assessing open‐ended responses to a prompt about what bioinformatics is and how it is used. The rubric has been shown to be reliable in successive rounds of testing using both common percent agreement (89.7%) and intraclass correlation coefficient (0.620) calculations. We offer the definition and rubric to life sciences instructors to help further integrate bioinformatics into biology instruction, as well as for fostering further educational research projects.
Bioscience education 2030 and beyond: Where will technology take the curriculum?
Authors: Poronnik Philip , Sellwood Matthew J.
Published: August 2020

This brief review explores the ever‐increasing role that technological affordances may play in the 21C biochemistry and molecular biology curriculum. We consider the need to develop digital and creative fluencies in our students and the importance of creativity and visualization in learning science. The potential of virtual reality (VR) platforms to complement these goals are discussed with a number of examples. Finally, we look into the future where to see how VR might fit into a future curriculum.
Developing critical thinking in STEM education through inquiry‐based writing in the laboratory classroom
Authors: Jeon Ah‐Jung , Kellogg David , Khan Mohammad Asif , Tucker‐Kellogg Greg
Published: August 2020

Laboratory pedagogy is moving away from step‐by‐step instructions and toward inquiry‐based learning, but only now developing methods for integrating inquiry‐based writing (IBW) practices into the laboratory course. Based on an earlier proposal (Science 2011;332:919), we designed and implemented an IBW sequence in a university bioinformatics course. We automatically generated unique, double‐blinded, biologically plausible DNA sequences for each student. After guided instruction, students investigated sequences independently and responded through IBW writing assignments. IBW assignments were structured as condensed versions of a scientific research article, and because the sequences were double blinded, they were also assessed as authentic science and evaluated on clarity and persuasiveness. We piloted the approach in a seven‐day workshop (35 students) at Perdana University in Malaysia. We observed dramatically improved student engagement and indirect evidence of improved learning outcomes over a similar workshop without IBW. Based on student feedback, initial discomfort with the writing component abated in favor of an overall positive response and increasing comfort with the high demands of student writing. Similarly, encouraging results were found in a semester length undergraduate module at the National University of Singapore (155 students).
Do agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals act at local and operational levels? Evidence from a case study in a large energy company in Italy
Authors: Battaglia Massimo , Annesi Nora , Calabrese Mario , Frey Marco
Published: August 2020

This paper investigates the relationship between the business orientation to sustainability read under the lens of viable systems, and the operational and local dimensions of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study deals with the experience of an Italian company operating as a monopolist in the energy industry, and it focuses on three innovative power transmission lines built in the 2000s. All the construction processes are analysed in order to explore both the operational effects and local impacts from a sustainability perspective. Embedding sustainability in a company actively contributes to the SDGs and creates a new interpretive model.
Emerging radiotherapy technologies and trends in nasopharyngeal cancer
Authors: Tseng Michelle , Ho Francis , Leong Yiat Horng , Wong Lea Choung , Tham Ivan WK , Cheo Timothy , Lee Anne WM
Published: August 2020

Technology has always driven advances in radiotherapy treatment. In this review, we describe the main technological advances in radiotherapy over the past decades for the treatment of nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) and highlight some of the pressing issues and challenges that remain. We aim to identify emerging trends in radiation medicine. These include advances in personalized medicine and advanced imaging modalities, standardization of planning and delineation, assessment of treatment response and adaptive re‐planning, impact of particle therapy, and role of artificial intelligence or automation in clinical care. In conclusion, we expect significant improvement in the therapeutic ratio of radiotherapy treatment for NPC over the next decade.
Improving survival of stage II‐III primary gastric signet ring cell carcinoma by adjuvant chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Li Yang , Zhu Zhikai , Ma Fuhai , Xue Liyan , Tian Yantao
Published: August 2020

Background

There is no consistent evidence about the appropriate treatment strategies for gastric signet ring cell carcinoma (GSRC) to improve prognosis. We conducted a population‐based study to examine the effects of combined modality therapies on survival outcomes using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data.

Methods

Analyses included stage II‐III primary GSRC patients who were diagnosed between 2006 and 2016. Therapies were categorized as gastrectomy group, adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) group, neoadjuvant radiotherapy (RT) group, and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) group. Survival analyses were conducted by Kaplan‐Meier method and Cox proportional hazards models and subgrouped by gender, tumor site, stage at diagnosis, and number of lymph nodes removed.

Results

Of the 1717 cases of stage II‐III primary GSRC, the mean (SD) age was 59.6 (13.3) years, and over a half were male (52.8%). A total of 39.9% patients received adjuvant CRT and the 5‐year overall survival (OS) rate was 34.6%. The median OS of patients treated with adjuvant CRT was significantly longer than that of the gastrectomy group (33 months vs 24 months, aHR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.59, 0.84). Although the crude model showed a significant association between adjuvant CT and total survival (cHR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.68, 0.96), the effect measure turned null in the multivariable and sub‐group analysis. We did not find the significant effect of neoadjuvant RT.

Conclusions

In this study, GSRC patients with stage II‐III experienced improved overall survival after receiving adjuvant CRT, which provides several treatment implications. More clinical trials will be needed to verify the conclusion derived from this study.
Examining the link between facial affect recognition and violent offending: A comparison between web‐recruited volunteers with histories of violent and non‐violent offending
Authors: Clark C. Brendan , Armstrong Jacob , Ballout Mouhamad Houssein , Ewy Ryley
Published: August 2020

Background

The link between facial affect recognition and criminal justice involvement has been extensively researched, yet there are virtually no data on the capacity for facial affect recognition in post‐incar+cerated individuals, and the results of many studies are limited due to a narrow focus on psychopathy rather than offence category.

Aims

To test the first hypothesis that individuals reporting a history of a violent offence would show a deficit in facial affect recognition and the second hypothesis that the violent offender's deficit would be exclusive to recognition of negative expressions, not affecting positive or neutral expressions.

Method

Post‐incarcerated individuals (N = 298) were recruited online through Qualtrics and completed questionnaires assessing their criminal justice background and demographics. They completed measures of facial affect recognition, anxiety and depression, and components of aggression.

Results

A logistic regression, including sex, ethnicity, age and years of education and depression/anxiety scores, indicated that committing a violent offence was independently associated with lower facial affect recognition scores as well as male gender and a trait‐based propensity towards physical aggression, but no other co‐variable. These data provided no evidence that this deficit was specific to negative emotions.

Conclusions and implications for future research/practice

Our study is one of the first to examine facial affect recognition in a post‐incarcerated sample. It suggests that deficits in facial affect recognition, already well documented among violent prisoners, persist. While acknowledging that these may be relatively fixed characteristics, this study also suggests that, for these people, nothing happening during their imprisonment was touching this. Improving capacity in facial affect recognition should be considered as a target of intervention for violent offenders, developing or revising in‐prison programmes as required.
Progressive growth of coronary aneurysms after bioresorbable vascular scaffold implantation: Successful treatment with OCT‐guided exclusion using covered stents
Authors: Fabbiocchi Franco , Calligaris Giuseppe , Bartorelli Antonio L.
Published: August 2020

The development and progressive enlargement over time of multiple saccular coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) after implantation of everolimus‐eluting stent and bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) have been reported. CAA was successfully excluded by two overlapped covered stents expanded inside a long metallic drug‐eluting stent to avoid dislodgment at the overlap point. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was repeatedly performed to monitor CAA expansion and to guide treatment through precise measurement of aneurysm length and vessel size at the landing zone. At 10‐month follow‐up, coronary computed tomography angiography showed persistent CAA exclusion. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of this technique to exclude a long CCA segment.
Thoracoscopic retrieval of an intrapulmonary sewing needle: A case report
Authors: Messaoudi Houssem , Ben Ismail Imen , Ragmoun Wafa , Lahdhili Hatem , Hachicha Saber , Chenik Slim
Published: August 2020

The intrathoracic sewing needle is an exceedingly rare condition mildly documented in the literature. Given the needle's tendency to migrate, it must be removed as soon as possible, and the minimally invasive technique should be tried first.
Preparation of Aqueous Nanodispersions of Disperse Dye by High‐Gravity Technology and Spray Drying
Authors: Yin Xiong , Xu Wei-Feng , Pu Yuan , Zhai Jing , Wang Dan , Wang Jie-Xin
Published: August 2020

Disperse dyes are poorly water‐soluble and difficult to stably disperse in an aqueous medium, which greatly limits their application in dyeing synthetic fibers. Micronization can solve this problem. Herein, a facile way to prepare stable aqueous nanodispersions of disperse dye (C.I. disperse yellow 54) is presented by combining high‐gravity antisolvent precipitation in a rotating packed bed (RPB) with spray drying. The as‐prepared product had an average particle size of 120 nm, which could be readily redispersed in water. Compared with raw dye, the wettability and dispersibility of disperse dye nanoparticles were remarkably improved. Furthermore, the dyeing properties of the nanodispersions were obviously better than those of the commercial dye, which was micronized by ball milling.
Optimal Design Issues of a Methanol Synthesis Reactor from CO2 Hydrogenation
Authors: Rafiee Ahmad
Published: August 2020

Methanol production through CO2 hydrogenation was investigated in a series of fixed‐bed reactors. Staging of the reactor into several smaller reactors is considered to enhance methanol production, in addition to maximizing a measure of annual profit. The degrees of freedom of the reactor system are the number of stages, the cooling medium temperature, the heat transfer area, and the volume of the stages. Depending on the objective function (OF) criteria, staging of the reactor increases the OF values to various extents. When the objective is to maximize the methanol production, the OF of a three‐stage reactor system with an inlet H2/CO2 ratio of 2 is 2.61 % higher than in the single‐stage configuration. Staging of the reactor also increases the synthesis gas conversion to methanol. However, if maximizing the annual profit is the objective, the profitability of the two‐stage configuration is 2.05 % greater than in the case with one reactor, due to the higher methanol production of the staged reaction system.
Structural Effects of HZSM‐5 Zeolite on Methanol‐to‐Propylene Reaction
Authors: Jami Shahira Islamdoost , Nakhaei Pour Ali , Mohammadi Ali , Kamali Shahri Seyed Mehdi
Published: August 2020

ZSM‐5 zeolite was synthesized using n‐butylamine as a template under hydrothermal conditions. The morphology of the prepared zeolites was changed with the initial gel composition. The influences of OH−/template and H2O/template ratios on the morphology, mesoporosity, acid properties, and crystal size of the synthesized zeolites were evaluated, also the structural effects of the prepared zeolites on the catalytic performances of the methanol‐to‐propylene process. Increasing the external surface area and mesopore volume of the catalysts improved the propylene selectivity. A direct relationship between the deactivation of catalysts and their acidic properties was found. The results were derived from laboratory data and need to be re‐examined on a larger scale to ensure their accuracy on an industrial scale.
A Potent Mimetic of the Siglec‐8 Ligand 6’‐Sulfo‐Sialyl Lewisx
Authors: Kroezen Blijke S. , Conti Gabriele , Girardi Benedetta , Cramer Jonathan , Jiang Xiaohua , Rabbani Said , Müller Jennifer , Kokot Maja , Luisoni Enrico , Ricklin Daniel , Schwardt Oliver , Ernst Beat
Published: August 2020

Siglecs are members of the immunoglobulin gene family containing sialic acid binding N‐terminal domains. Among them, Siglec‐8 is expressed on various cell types of the immune system such as eosinophils, mast cells and weakly on basophils. Cross‐linking of Siglec‐8 with monoclonal antibodies triggers apoptosis in eosinophils and inhibits degranulation of mast cells, making Siglec‐8 a promising target for the treatment of eosinophil‐ and mast cell‐associated diseases such as asthma. The tetrasaccharide 6’‐sulfo‐sialyl Lewisx has been identified as a specific Siglec‐8 ligand in glycan array screening. Here, we describe an extended study enlightening the pharmacophores of 6’‐sulfo‐sialyl Lewisx and the successful development of a high‐affinity mimetic. Retaining the neuraminic acid core, the introduction of a carbocyclic mimetic of the Gal moiety and a sulfonamide substituent in the 9‐position gave a 20‐fold improved binding affinity. Finally, the residence time, which usually is the Achilles tendon of carbohydrate/lectin interactions, could be improved.
Aromatic Linkers Unleash the Antiproliferative Potential of 3‐Chloropiperidines Against Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Authors: Helbing Tim , Carraro Caterina , Francke Alexander , Sosic Alice , De Franco Michele , Gandin Valentina , Göttlich Richard , Gatto Barbara
Published: August 2020

In this study, we describe the synthesis and biological evaluation of a set of bis‐3‐chloropiperidines (B−CePs) containing rigid aromatic linker structures. A modification of the synthetic strategy also enabled the synthesis of a pilot tris‐3‐chloropiperidine (Tri‐CeP) bearing three reactive meta‐chloropiperidine moieties on the aromatic scaffold. A structure–reactivity relationship analysis of B−CePs suggests that the arrangement of the reactive units affects the DNA alkylating activity, while also revealing correlations between the electron density of the aromatic system and the reactivity with biologically relevant nucleophiles, both on isolated DNA and in cancer cells. Interestingly, all aromatic 3‐chloropiperidines exhibited a marked cytotoxicity and tropism for 2D and 3D cultures of pancreatic cancer cells. Therefore, the new aromatic 3‐chloropiperidines appear to be promising contenders for further development of mustard‐based anticancer agents aimed at pancreatic cancers.