bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photoconductive Charge Transfer Complexes as Charge Transport Layers for High Performance Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Wang Hui , Wang Pang , Sun Yuandong , Gao Chen , Miao Weiqiang , Li Donghui , Yang Yujie , Wang Tao , Liu Dan
Published: May 2022

Charge transport layers (CTLs) are critical for achieving high power conversion efficiency (PCE) and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, the p‐type bulk heterojunction (p‐BHJ, i.e., PCBM doped PTAA) and n‐type BHJ (n‐BHJ, i.e., PBDTTT‐C‐T doped PCBM) charge transfer complexes are employed as hole and electron transport layers, respectively, to fabricate inverted PSCs. The photo‐induced charge transfer between p‐type and n‐type organic semiconductors in the BHJ layers provides extra photoconductivity for enhanced charge transport and quasi‐Fermi level splitting, hence enhancing the fill factor and open‐circuit voltage of PSCs. The p‐BHJ layer helps to improve the crystallinity and light absorption of perovskite, whilst the n‐BHJ layer provides extra light absorption and charge generation to boost the short‐circuit current. The combination of p‐BHJ and n‐BHJ CTLs in Cs0.05(FA0.92MA0.08)0.95Pb (I0.92Br0.08)3 based inverted PSCs synergistically enhances the PCE from 18.3% to 22.6% with superior operational and thermal stabilities, and showing a negligible dependence on the thickness of these BHJ CTLs. Density functional theory simulations show that the formation energy of BHJ complex is critical in determining the doping effect and the ultimate performance enhancement of PSCs.
Hollow Metal Organic Framework Improves the Sensitivity and Anti‐Interference of the Detection of Exhaled Volatile Organic Compounds
Authors: Li Ailin , Qiao Xuezhi , Liu Keyan , Bai Wanqiao , Wang Tie
Published: May 2022

Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has great potential in the early diagnosis of diseases by detecting the changes of volatile biomarkers in exhaled breath, because of its high sensitivity, rich chemical molecular fingerprint information, and immunity to humidity. However, two factors limit the application of SERS: 1) specific enrichment of trace target molecules in SERS hotspots; and 2) stability and reproducibility of SERS signals in multi‐interference environments. In order to accurately detect biomarkers in the complex exhaled breath and to eliminate the interference of other components, hollow ZIF‐8 wrapped on the gold superparticle with a yolk‐shell structure is proposed as a SERS substrate. Similar to the solid ZIF layer, the hollow ZIF‐8 layer is also enriched with gas molecules, and the enriched molecules reacts with functional molecules on the surface of the superparticle, generating a strong response signal. The difference is that the hollow ZIF layer can effectively exclude interfering molecules that are not bound to the modified molecules, and the detection limit is 5 times lower than the detection limit of core‐shell structure substances. A mask‐type sensor is prepared, and the obtained spectra are modeled by PC‐LDA to determine the probability of illness in the actual population.
Integrating Bi@C Nanospheres in Porous Hard Carbon Frameworks for Ultrafast Sodium Storage
Authors: Liang Yazhan , Song Ning , Zhang Zhengchunyu , Chen Weihua , Feng Jinkui , Xi Baojuan , Xiong Shenglin
Published: May 2022

Sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) have emerged as an alternative technology because of their merits in abundance and cost. Realizing their real applications, however, remains a formidable challenge. One is that among the limitations of anode materials, the alloy‐type candidates tolerate fast capacity fading during cycling. Here, a 3D framework superstructure assembled with carbon nanobelt arrays decorated with a metallic bismuth (Bi) nanospheres coated carbon layer by thermolysis of Bi‐based metal–organic framework nanorods is synthesized as an anode material for SIBs. Due to the unique structural superiority, the anode design promotes excellent sodium‐storage performance in terms of high capacity, excellent cycling stability, and ultrahigh rate capability up to 80 A g−1 with a capacity of 308.8 mAh g−1. The unprecedented sodium‐storage ability is not only attributed to the unique hybrid architecture, but also to the production of a homogeneous and thin solid electrolyte interface layer and the formation of uniform porous nanostructures during cycling in the ether‐based electrolyte. Importantly, deeper understanding of the underlying cause of the performance improvement is illuminated, which is vital to provide the theoretical basis for application of SIBs.
London Dispersion‐Corrected Density Functionals Applied to van der Waals Stacked Layered Materials: Validation of Structure, Energy, and Electronic Properties
Authors: Emrem Birkan , Kempt Roman , Finzel Kati , Heine Thomas
Published: May 2022

Most density functionals lack to correctly account for long‐range London dispersion interactions, and numerous a posteriori correction schemes have been proposed in recent years. In van der Waals structures, the interlayer distance controls the proximity effect on the electronic structure, and the interlayer interaction energy indicates the possibility to mechanically exfoliate a layered material. For upcoming twisted van der Waals heterostructures, a reliable but efficient and scalable theoretical scheme to correctly predict the interlayer distance is required. Therefore, the performance of a series of popular London dispersion corrections combined with computationally affordable density functionals is validated. As reference data, the experimental interlayer distance of layered bulk materials is used, and corresponding interlayer interaction energies are calculated using the random phase approximation. We demonstrate that the SCAN‐rVV10 and PBE‐rVV10L functionals predict interlayer interaction energies and interlayer distances of the studied layered systems within the range of the defined error limits of 10 meV per atom and 0.12 Å, respectively. Semi‐empirical and empirical dispersion‐corrected functionals show significantly larger error bars, with PBE+dDsC performing best with comparable quality of geometries, but with higher interlayer interaction energy error limits of ≈20 meV per atom.
Why a Diffusing Single‐Molecule can be Detected in Few Minutes by a Large Capturing Bioelectronic Interface
Authors: Macchia Eleonora , De Caro Liberato , Torricelli Fabrizio , Franco Cinzia Di , Mangiatordi Giuseppe Felice , Scamarcio Gaetano , Torsi Luisa
Published: May 2022

Single‐molecule detection at a nanometric interface in a femtomolar solution, can take weeks as the encounter rate between the diffusing molecule to be detected and the transducing nanodevice is negligibly small. On the other hand, several experiments prove that macroscopic label‐free sensors based on field‐effect‐transistors, engaging micrometric or millimetric detecting interfaces are capable to assay a single‐molecule in a large volume within few minutes. The present work demonstrates why at least a single molecule out of a few diffusing in a 100 µL volume has a high probability to hit a large capturing and detecting electronic interface. To this end, sensing data, measured with an electrolyte‐gated FET whose gate is functionalized with 1012 capturing anti‐immunoglobulin G, are here provided along with a Brownian diffusion‐based modeling. The EG‐FET assays solutions down to some tens of zM in concentrations with volumes ranging from 25 µL to 1 mL in which the functionalized gates are incubated for times ranging from 30 s to 20 min. The high level of accordance between the experimental data and a model based on the Einstein's diffusion‐theory proves how the single‐molecule detection process at large‐capturing interfaces is controlled by Brownian diffusion and yet is highly probable and fast.
Regulating Solvation Structure in Nonflammable Amide‐Based Electrolytes for Long‐Cycling and Safe Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Zhang Qian‐Kui , Zhang Xue‐Qiang , Hou Li‐Peng , Sun Shu‐Yu , Zhan Ying‐Xin , Liang Jia‐Lin , Zhang Fang‐Shu , Feng Xu‐Ning , Li Bo‐Quan , Huang Jia‐Qi
Published: May 2022

The cycling stability of lithium metal batteries is steadily improving. The safety issues, which mainly result from the employment of flammable solvents, should be strongly considered for practical Li metal batteries. Nonflammable solvents can mitigate fire hazards; however, their employment irreversibly deteriorates the cycling stability of working batteries owing to intrinsic high reactivity against Li metal. Herein, regulating solvation structure in a dimethylacetamide (DMAC)‐based electrolyte is proposed to achieve compatibility between cycling stability and nonflammability of electrolytes. DMAC, a nonflammable solvent, is employed to construct a nonflammable localized high‐concentration electrolyte (LHCE). In the DMAC‐based LHCE, there are abundant aggregate clusters resulting in the formation of anion‐derived solid electrolyte interphase to circumvent parasitic reactions between DMAC solvents and Li metal and to improve the uniformity of Li deposition, which ensures the compatibility between cycling stability under practical conditions and nonflammability of electrolytes. This work opens an emerging avenue to construct long‐cycling and safe Li metal batteries by manipulating solvation structure in nonflammable electrolytes.
Hierarchically Self‐Assembled MOF Network Enables Continuous Ion Transport and High Mechanical Strength
Authors: Du Lulu , Zhang Bo , Deng Wei , Cheng Yu , Xu Lin , Mai Liqiang
Published: May 2022

Composite solid electrolytes have attracted significant interest because they overcome the defects of single‐component solid electrolytes. However, the discontinuous ion transport and weak mechanical support caused by randomly distributed powders lead to inferior ionic conductivity and poor mechanical strength. Herein, a hierarchically self‐assembled metal‐organic framework (MOF) network is designed to provide continuous ion transport and mechanical support for composite polymer electrolytes. This unique structure is achieved by constructing well‐ordered MOF nanocrystals along 1D polyimide fibers to provide continuous linear pathways for lithium ions at the micrometer scale, and the 1D MOF fibers are interconnected to form a monolithic 3D network for continuous Li+ transport in the bulk of composite electrolytes. Meanwhile, sub‐nano pores and Lewis acid sites in MOF nanocrystals can selectively confine the movement of larger anions as ion sieves to promote Li+ transport. In addition, the strong banding between MOF and polyimide, coupled with the robustness of the polyimide skeleton, endows the MOF network with high mechanical strength and flexibility. Accordingly, the resultant composite electrolyte delivers a high ionic conductivity and desired mechanical strength. This work shows that rational spatial arrangement of incorporated powders from disorder to order by a self‐assembly strategy can yield novel properties for composite solid electrolytes and solid‐state lithium batteries.
The role of mitochondrial dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis
Authors: Ashleigh Theophania , Swerdlow Russell H. , Beal M. Flint
Published: May 2022

To promote new thinking of the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), we examine the central role of mitochondrial dysfunction in AD. Pathologically, AD is characterized by progressive neuronal loss and biochemical abnormalities including mitochondrial dysfunction. Conventional thinking has dictated that AD is driven by amyloid beta pathology, per the Amyloid Cascade Hypothesis. However, the underlying mechanism of how amyloid beta leads to cognitive decline remains unclear. A model correctly identifying the pathogenesis of AD is critical and needed for the development of effective therapeutics. Mitochondrial dysfunction is closely linked to the core pathological feature of AD: neuronal dysfunction. Targeting mitochondria and associated proteins may hold promise for new strategies for the development of disease‐modifying therapies. According to the Mitochondrial Cascade Hypothesis, mitochondrial dysfunction drives the pathogenesis of AD, as baseline mitochondrial function and mitochondrial change rates influence the progression of cognitive decline.

Highlights

The Amyloid Cascade Model does not readily account for various parameters associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD).

A unified model correctly identifying the pathogenesis of AD is greatly needed to inform the development of successful therapeutics.

Mitochondria play a key and central role in the maintenance of optimal neuronal and synaptic function, the core pathological feature of AD.

Mitochondrial dysfunction may be the primary cause of AD, and is a promising target for new therapeutic strategies.
Cobalt Single Atoms Anchored on Oxygen‐Doped Tubular Carbon Nitride for Efficient Peroxymonosulfate Activation: Simultaneous Coordination Structure and Morphology Modulation
Authors: Wang Ziwei , Almatrafi Eydhah , Wang Han , Qin Hong , Wang Wenjun , Du Li , Chen Sha , Zeng Guangming , Xu Piao
Published: May 2022

Simultaneous regulation of the coordination environment of single‐atom catalysts (SACs) and engineering architectures with efficient exposed active sites are efficient strategies for boosting peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation. We isolated cobalt atoms with dual nitrogen and oxygen coordination (Co−N3O1) on oxygen‐doped tubular carbon nitride (TCN) by pyrolyzing a hydrogen‐bonded cyanuric acid melamine–cobalt acetate precursor. The theoretically constructed Co−N3O1 moiety on TCN exhibited an impressive mass activity of 7.61×105 min−1 mol−1 with high 1O2 selectivity. Theoretical calculations revealed that the cobalt single atoms occupied a dual nitrogen and oxygen coordination environment, and that PMS adsorption was promoted and energy barriers reduced for the key *O intermediate that produced 1O2. The catalysts were attached to a widely used poly(vinylidene fluoride) microfiltration membrane to deliver an antibiotic wastewater treatment system with 97.5 % ciprofloxacin rejection over 10 hours, thereby revealing the suitability of the membrane for industrial applications.
Geruchsstoffmetabolismus im Menschen
Authors: Kornbausch Nicole , Debong Marcel W. , Buettner Andrea , Heydel Jean‐Marie , Loos Helene M.
Published: May 2022

Geruchsstoffe sind verhältnismäßig kleine Moleküle, welche vom menschlichen Körper leicht aufgenommen werden können. Trotz ihrer großen Relevanz im Alltag ist vergleichsweise wenig über ihren Metabolismus, ihre Verteilungswege und ihre Bioaktivität im menschlichen Körper bekannt. Mit diesem Aufsatz möchten wir zu interdisziplinärer Forschung an den Schnittstellen zwischen Ernährungswissenschaften, Medizin, Biochemie, Chemie und Wahrnehmungswissenschaften beitragen, um das Wissen über die Mechanismen und Funktion der Biotransformation von Geruchsstoffen zu erweitern. Innerhalb des Artikels wird zunächst ein allgemeiner Überblick über die Aufnahme von Geruchsstoffen und die bei der Verstoffwechselung beteiligten Enzyme gegeben. Anschließend wird speziell auf die Biotransformation im Mund‐ und Nasenraum sowie in der Lunge und im Gastrointestinaltrakt eingegangen, und die verschiedenen Ausscheidungswege werden aufgezeigt. Schließlich wird ein Ausblick auf die zukünftige Forschung gegeben und diskutiert.
From Copper to Basic Copper Carbonate: A Reversible Conversion Cathode in Aqueous Anion Batteries
Authors: Gallagher Trenton C. , Wu Che‐Yu , Lucero Marcos , Sandstrom Sean K. , Hagglund Lindsey , Jiang Heng , Stickle William , Feng Zhenxing , Ji Xiulei
Published: May 2022

Dual‐ion batteries that use anions and cations as charge carriers represent a promising energy‐storage technology. However, an uncharted area is to explore transition metals as electrodes to host carbonate in conversion reactions. Here we report the reversible conversion reaction from copper to Cu2CO3(OH)2, where the copper electrode comprising K2CO3 and KOH solid is self‐sufficient with anion‐charge carriers. This electrode dissociates and associates K+ ions during battery charge and discharge. The copper active mass and the anion‐bearing cathode exhibit a reversible capacity of 664 mAh g−1 and 299 mAh g−1, respectively, and relatively stable cycling in a saturated mixture electrolyte of K2CO3 and KOH. The results open an avenue to use carbonate as a charge carrier for batteries to serve for the consumption and storage of CO2.
The coronary capillary bed and its role in blood flow and oxygen delivery: A review
Authors: Tomanek Robert J.
Published: May 2022

The assumption that the coronary capillary blood flow is exclusively regulated by precapillary vessels is not supported by recent data. Rather, the complex coronary capillary bed has unique structural and geometric characteristics that invalidate many assumptions regarding red blood cell (RBC) transport, for example, data based on a single capillary or that increases in flow are the result of capillary recruitment. It is now recognized that all coronary capillaries are open and that their variations in flow are due to structural differences, local O2 demand and delivery, and variations in hematocrit. Recent data reveal that local mechanisms within the capillary bed regulate flow via signaling mechanisms involving RBC signaling and endothelial‐associated pericytes that contract and relax in response to humoral and neural signaling. The discovery that pericytes respond to vasoactive signals (e.g., nitric oxide, phenylephrine, and adenosine) underscores the role of these cells in regulating capillary diameter and consequently RBC flux and oxygen delivery. RBCs also affect blood flow by sensing and releasing nitric oxide to facilitate relaxation of pericytes and a consequential capillary dilation. New data indicate that these signaling mechanisms allow control of blood flow in specific coronary capillaries according to their oxygen requirements. In conclusion, mechanisms in the coronary capillary bed facilitate RBC density and transit time, hematocrit, blood flow and O2 delivery, factors that decrease capillary heterogeneity. These findings have important clinical implications for myocardial ischemia and infarction, as well as other vascular diseases.
Syn and Anti Metal Complexes of 24π Antiaromatic Bis(Dicarbonylrhodium(I))Dithiaamethyrin
Authors: Ishimaru Yoshihiro , Takahashi Fumiya , Mochizuki Samu , Hosoda Natsuki , Fujihara Takashi
Published: May 2022

From the reaction of sterically less hindered tetrapropyl[24]dithiaamethyrin(1.0.0.1.0.0) 5, with [Rh(CO)2Cl]2, a unique anti form of the bis(dicarbonylrhodium(I)) complex (6‐anti), where two rhodium ions are on the opposite faces of the macrocyclic ligand, was isolated for the first time in 12% yield along with the corresponding syn isomer (6‐syn, 61% yield). These structures were characterized in detail by single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis. Compound 6‐syn exhibited a bowl‐shaped structure with the two rhodium atoms separated by a distance of ∼4.5 Å. In contrast, 6‐anti contained a wave‐shaped macrocycle with a distance of ∼5.3 Å between the two rhodium atoms. Furthermore, the 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectra and density functional theory calculation results revealed that 6‐anti had a stronger paratropic ring current and a more planar structure than 6‐syn. The isolation of both 6‐anti and 6‐syn enabled detailed discussion of the structure‐property relationship.
Nonmetallic reinforcement at the cap widening of Carola Bridge in Dresden
Authors: Michler Harald , Scheerer Silke , Burgard Stefan , Kalbe Holger , Curbach Manfred
Published: May 2022

The Carola Bridge (Carolabrücke), built in 1971, has a length of approximately 375 m and takes the tram and the B 170 federal road in Dresden across the river Elbe. The intensive use of the bridge and deficits in user‐friendliness made building measures inevitable. One part was the widening of the upstream bridge cap. Here, the application of a new nonmetallic reinforcement within the concrete cover was planned to improve the service life of the cap, a so far unique method. Based on an installation test and an investigation of the cracking behavior, both described in the paper, two reinforcement configurations were selected for practical application. The project provides an ideal opportunity to bring carbon and basalt reinforcements closer to the public and to demonstrate their cast in during normal operation on a concrete construction site.
Adaptable Optical Microwaveguides From Mechanically Flexible Crystalline Materials
Authors: Chinnasamy Ragaverthini , Ravi Jada , Vinay Pradeep Vuppu , Manoharan Deepak , Emmerling Franziska , Bhattacharya Biswajit , Ghosh Soumyajit , Chandrasekar Rajadurai
Published: May 2022

Flexible organic crystals (elastic and plastic) are important materials for optical waveguides, tunable optoelectronic devices, and photonic integrated circuits. Here, we present highly elastic organic crystals of a Schiff base, 1‐((E)‐(2,5‐dichlorophenylimino)methyl)naphthalen‐2‐ol (1), and an azine molecule, 2,4‐dibromo‐6‐((E)‐((E)‐(2,6‐dichlorobenzylidene)hydrazono)methyl)phenol (2). These microcrystals are highly flexible under external mechanical force, both in the macroscopic and the microscopic regimes. The mechanical flexibility of these crystals arises as a result of weak and dispersive C−H⋅⋅⋅Cl, Cl⋅⋅⋅Cl, Br⋅⋅⋅Br, and π⋅⋅⋅π stacking interactions. Singly and doubly‐bent geometries were achieved from their straight shape by a micromechanical approach using the AFM cantilever tip. Crystals of molecules 1 and 2 display a bright‐green and red fluorescence (FL), respectively, and selective reabsorption of a part of their FL band. Crystals 1 and 2 exhibit optical‐path‐dependent low loss emissions at the termini of crystal in their straight and even in extremely bent geometries. Interestingly, the excitation position‐dependent optical modes appear in both linear and bent waveguides of crystals 1 and 2, confirming their light‐trapping ability.
Catalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of Functionalized Cyclopropanes from α‐Substituted Allyl Sulfones with Donor‐Acceptor or Diacceptor Diazo Reagents
Authors: Chen Ling , Minh Thi Le Thi , Bouillon Jean‐Philippe , Poisson Thomas , Jubault Philippe
Published: May 2022

The catalytic asymmetric synthesis of highly functionalized cyclopropanes from α‐substituted allyl sulfones and silanes is reported. The reaction, using α‐aryl diazoacetates or diacceptor diazo reagents, catalyzed by a chiral rhodium complex (Rh2((S)‐BTPCP)4), furnished the corresponding cyclopropanes in moderate to high yields (27–97 %), high diastereoselectivities (68 : 32 to 20 : 1 d.r.) and moderate to excellent ee (40–99 %). This methodology offers a privileged access to an underexplored class of enantioenriched cyclopropanes with a high level of functionality, an asset for further post‐functionalization and their incorporation into more complex structure.
The N6‐methyladenosine modification enhances ferroptosis resistance through inhibiting SLC7A11 mRNA deadenylation in hepatoblastoma
Authors: Liu Li , He Jiangtu , Sun Guifeng , Huang Nan , Bian Zhixuan , Xu Chang , Zhang Yue , Cui Zhongqi , Xu Wenqiang , Sun Fenyong , Zhuang Chengle , Man Qiuhong , Gu Song
Published: May 2022

Background

Solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) is overexpressed in multiple human tumours and functions as a transporter importing cystine for glutathione biosynthesis. It promotes tumour development in part by suppressing ferroptosis, a newly identified form of cell death that plays a pivotal role in the suppression of tumorigenesis. However, the role and underlying mechanisms of SLC7A11‐mediated ferroptosis in hepatoblastoma (HB) remain largely unknown.

Methods

Reverse transcription quantitative real‐time PCR (RT‐qPCR) and western blotting were used to measure SLC7A11 levels. Cell proliferation, colony formation, lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS), MDA concentration, 4‐HNE, GSH/GSSG ratio and cell death assays as well as subcutaneous xenograft experiments were used to elucidate the effects of SLC7A11 in HB cell proliferation and ferroptosis. Furthermore, MeRIP‐qPCR, dual luciferase reporter, RNA pulldown, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and RACE‐PAT assays were performed to elucidate the underlying mechanism through which SLC7A11 was regulated by the m6A modification in HB.

Results

SLC7A11 expression was highly upregulated in HB. SLC7A11 upregulation promoted HB cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo, inhibiting HB cell ferroptosis. Mechanistically, SLC7A11 mRNA exhibited abnormal METTL3‐mediated m6A modification, which enhanced its stability and expression. IGF2 mRNA‐binding protein 1 (IGF2BP1) was identified as the m6A reader of SLC7A11, enhancing SLC7A11 mRNA stability and expression by inhibiting SLC7A11 mRNA deadenylation in an m6A‐dependent manner. Moreover, IGF2BP1 was found to block BTG2/CCR4‐NOT complex recruitment via competitively binding to PABPC1, thereby suppressing SLC7A11 mRNA deadenylation.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrated that the METTL3‐mediated SLC7A11 m6A modification enhances HB ferroptosis resistance. The METTL3/IGF2BP1/m6A modification promotes SLC7A11 mRNA stability and upregulates its expression by inhibiting the deadenylation process. Our study highlights a critical role of the m6A modification in SLC7A11‐mediated ferroptosis, providing a potential strategy for HB therapy through blockade of the m6A‐SLC7A11 axis.
Rainfall pulse regime drives biomass and community composition in biological soil crusts
Authors: M. C. Fernandes Vanessa , Rudgers Jennifer A. , Collins Scott L. , Garcia‐Pichel Ferran
Published: May 2022

Future climates will alter the frequency and size of rain events in drylands, potentially affecting soil microbes that generate carbon feedbacks to climate, but field tests are rare. Topsoils in drylands are commonly colonized by biological soil crusts (biocrusts), photosynthesis‐based communities that provide services ranging from soil fertilization to stabilization against erosion. We quantified responses of biocrust microbial communities to 12 years of altered rainfall regimes, with 60 mm of additional rain per year delivered either as small (5 mm) weekly rains or large (20 mm) monthly rains during the summer monsoon season. Rain addition promoted microbial diversity, suppressed the dominant cyanobacterium, Microcoleus vaginatus, and enhanced nitrogen‐fixing taxa, but did not consistently increase microbial biomass. The addition of many small rain events increased microbial biomass, whereas few, large events did not. These results alter the physiological paradigm that biocrusts are most limited by the amount of rainfall and instead predict that regimes enriched in small rain events will boost cyanobacterial biocrusts and enhance their beneficial services to drylands.
Compositional Differences between Preterm Milk of Different Gestational Ages with the Term Milk: A Comparative Lipidomic Study by LC‐MS/MS
Authors: Zhao Ying‐chun , Zhang Ying , Liu Chun‐xue , Yan Dong‐yong , Dong Ping
Published: May 2022

Human milk lipids have important biological effects on recipient infants. The objective of this study is to comprehensively describe lipidomic differences between preterm milk of different gestational ages and term milk over the course of lactation. Colostrum (<5 d postpartum, n = 20 for very preterm [VPT], n = 20 for moderately preterm [MPT] and n = 30 for full‐term [FT]) and mature milk (at four weeks postpartum, n = 11 for extremely preterm [EPT], n = 23 for VPT, n = 21 for MPT, and n = 25 for FT) are collected from 88 mothers who had delivered premature babies and 39 who had delivered term infants. It is found that the relative abundance of 10 out of 43 lipid subclasses are persistently higher in preterm milk than in term milk over the course of lactation. Diacylglycerol and fatty acid ester of hydroxyl fatty acid (FAHFA) lipid classes contribute most to the differences. The ten individual lipid species differing most significantly between VPT and FT colostrum are mainly part of the phosphatidylethanolamine and diacylglycerol groups. Levels of lipid species from the FAHFA class are significantly higher in both EPT and VPT mature milk than in their FT counterpart. The lipids in preterm and term milk show substantial differences, which may be critical for postnatal growth.

Practical applications: These findings expand the current understanding of lipid components in human milk and provide important laboratory data for the future management of infant feeding, particularly of fragile, high risk EPT and VPT infants.
Substrate Photoswitching for Rate Enhancement of a Organocatalytic Cyclization Reaction
Authors: Žabka Matej , Gschwind Ruth M.
Published: May 2022

In this article, we report that applying in situ LED‐NMR irradiation with appropriate wavelength resulted in the photoswitching of an α,β‐unsaturated hydrazone C=N double bond configuration. This reaction was previously reported to be the first step in a chiral Brønsted acid‐catalyzed cyclization reaction, where the minor but stable Z‐isomer is the reactive intermediate. By enhancing the rate of the isomerization, we could show that the overall rate of the cyclization could be increased and followed directly by NMR kinetics. Exclusively light with a specific wavelength matching the isomerization process affected the cyclization. The light‐ and acid‐mediated isomerization provide complementary pathways that can be exploited in synthetic applications to increase reaction rates of asymmetric transformations, especially in reactions requiring high loadings of elaborate chiral catalysts.
Design and Development of a Non‐Enzymatic Electrochemical Biosensor for the Detection of Glutathione
Authors: Kannappan Shrute , Prabakaran Lakshmishri , Nesakumar Noel , Babu K. Jayanth , Jayalatha Kulandaisamy Arockia , Bosco Balaguru Rayappan John
Published: May 2022

Glutathione (GSH‐reduced form) is a tripeptide that plays a vital role as an antioxidant to remove xenobiotics in the human body and changes in GSH levels are a marker for the progression of various diseases. In this context, a highly sensitive non‐enzymatic electrochemical biosensor for the detection of GSH has been developed using reduced graphene oxide Manganese oxide (rGMnO) nanocomposite as the nano‐interface. Initially, graphene oxide was synthesized by Hummer's method and then thermally reduced in the presence of MnO2in a blast furnace to obtain rGMnO nanocomposite. The nanocomposite was characterized to validate its structure and morphological properties via Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Cyclic voltammetry and amperometry studies showed that upon the addition of GSH, the Pt/rGMnO modified working electrode exhibited a linear response in the range of 1–100 μM at an input voltage of −0.62 V. The developed sensor was found to have a sensitivity of 0.3256 μA μM−1and LOD of 970 nM with a recovery of 92–104 % in real blood serum samples.
Natural convective flow past a suddenly started vertical plate with uniform mass and heat flux in the presence of radiation, thermal diffusion
Authors: Bormudoi Mridusmita , Ahmed Nazibuddin , Bordoloi Rajdeep
Published: May 2022

An attempt has been made to investigate the problem of a natural convective radiative flow past an impulsively moving vertical plate with uniform mass and heat flux in the existence of the thermal diffusion effect. The resulting governing equations are solved by the Laplace transform technique in closed form. Effects of radiation, Prandtl number, Soret number, Grashof number, modified Grashof number, and Schmidt number are studied on temperature field, concentration field, velocity field, plate temperature, plate concentration, skin friction, and are demonstrated through graphs. The present study reveals that an intensification of the thermal radiation effect causes a downfall in the fluid temperature, plate temperature, and skin friction, but a contradictory outcome is spotted for plate concentration. One of the significant findings of this study includes that the increasing thermo‐diffusion effect hikes the concentration and frictional resistance of the field.
Sex‐specific role of alexithymia in associations between parental bonding and mental health: A moderated mediation model
Authors: Li Ru , Kajanoja Jani , Karlsson Linnea , Karlsson Hasse , Karukivi Max
Published: May 2022

Objective

This study aimed to explore the role of alexithymia and potential sex differences in the associations between perceived parental bonding and mental health.

Methods

The sample consists of 2421 parents from the FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study who completed the parental bonding instrument, the Toronto alexithymia scale, the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale, and the anxiety subscale of the symptom checklist‐90. Moderated mediation analyses were conducted to examine the possible mediating role of alexithymia and moderating role of sex in the associations between parental bonding and depressive/anxiety symptoms.

Results

Alexithymia was found to be a potential mediator and sex be a moderator in the relations between perceived dysfunctional parental bonding and the psychological symptoms. Specifically, dysfunctional paternal bonding, especially paternal overprotection, had stronger indirect effects (via alexithymia) on the psychological symptoms in males.

Conclusions

This study indicates the importance of alexithymia in the parenting‐related mental health impacts and highlights the significance of paternal bonding for the development of alexithymia and mental health problems in male populations. The findings improve the limited understanding of sex‐related parental factors for alexithymia and mental health problems. Future studies in longitudinal designs are warranted to clarify the causal process of the mediation.
Diary studies, a double‐edged sword? An experimental exploration of possible distortions due to daily reporting of social interactions
Authors: Gochmann Viktoria , Ohly Sandra , Kotte Silja
Published: May 2022

Diary studies on social interactions are increasingly common in management research. Yet due to the high demands involved, participants may experience burden and respond by showing insufficient effort responding (IER). Moreover, repeated reflection on the variables of interest may change individuals' perceptions of their work, thereby compromising the benefits of diary studies. We investigated these two effects in a sample of 444 participants in an exploratory experiment on different diary‐writing conditions. Perceptions and evaluation of the work environment were assessed before and after a 2‐week diary‐writing period in which participants reported on daily interactions at work. Participants were randomly assigned to one of five conditions differing in length and affective valence of the required report or to a control group without a diary. Results show that IER increases over time, especially when participants report negative (vs. positive) interactions at work. Changes in work‐related perceptions only occurred in team‐member‐exchange as a result of reporting negative work interactions. We discuss reasons for the absence of effects for the other outcomes. Finally, we provide implications for designing and conducting diary research and suggestions for future studies examining diary methodology.
Effects of meteorology and human‐mobility on UK's air quality during COVID‐19
Authors: Acosta‐Ramírez Cammy , Higham Jonathan E.
Published: May 2022

Efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic have had profound positive and negative impacts on social and environmental indicators worldwide. For the first time, a scenario of a partial economic shutdown could be measured, and large tech companies published wide‐coverage mobility reports to quantify the impacts on social change with anonymized location data. During the COVID‐19 pandemic, the UK government has employed some of the strictest lockdown periods in the world, causing an immediate halt to travel and business activities. From these repeated lockdown periods, we have gained a snapshot of life without excessive human‐made pollution; this has allowed us to interrogate the interaction between meteorology and air quality with minimal anthropogenic input. Our findings show a warmer 2020 increased the UK's ozone levels by 9%, while reductions in human‐mobility reduced UK‐wide nitrogen dioxide levels by 25% in 2020, which have remained low during the first months of 2021 despite curtailing/ending of restrictions; and a decrease in particulate matter created by meteorological and human drivers. Regionally, London records the highest NO2 and O3 changes, −31% and 35%, respectively, linked to mobility reductions and meteorology.
Results on impulsive semilinear differential equations with control functions
Authors: Gautam Pooja , Shukla Anurag , Patel Rohit
Published: May 2022

The article deals with the sufficient conditions for the approximate controllability for the impulsive semilinear control systems. We have considered two different sets of sufficient conditions. In the first set, we derived the results by applying the theories related to the compactness of semigroup and Schauder's fixed point theorem. In the second set, we derived the results by applying Gronwall's inequality and avoids the use of fixed point theorem and compactness of semigroup. Under suitable assumptions, the discussion on the existence and uniqueness of the impulsive system is also proved. We have also included an example for the validation of theoretical results.
Comprehensive folding variations for protein folding
Authors: Yang Jiaan , Cheng Wen Xiang , Zhao Xiao Fei , Wu Gang , Sheng Shi Tong , Hu Qiyue , Ge Hu , Qin Qianshan , Jin Xinshen , Zhang Lianshan , Zhang Peng
Published: May 2022

The revelation of protein folding is a challenging subject in both discovery and description. Except for acquirement of accurate 3D structure in protein stable state, another big hurdle is how to discover structural flexibility for protein innate character. Even if a huge number of flexible conformations are known, difficulty is how to represent these conformations. A novel approach, protein structure fingerprint, has been developed to expose the comprehensive local folding variations, and then construct folding conformations for entire protein. The backbone of five amino acid residues was identified as a universal folden, and then a set of Protein Folding Shape Code (PFSC) was derived for completely covering folding space in alphabetic description. Sequentially, a database was created to collect all possible folding shapes of local folding variations for all permutation of five amino acids. Successively, Protein Folding Variation Matrix (PFVM) assembled all possible local folding variations along sequence for a protein, which possesses several prominent features. First, it showed the fluctuation with certain folding patterns along sequence which revealed how the protein folding was related the order of amino acids in sequence. Second, all folding variations for an entire protein can be simultaneously apprehended at a glance within PFVM. Third, all conformations can be determined by local folding variations from PFVM, so total number of conformations is no longer ambiguous for any protein. Finally, the most possible folding conformation and its 3D structure can be acquired according PFVM for protein structure prediction. Therefore, the protein structure fingerprint approach provides a significant means for investigation of protein folding problem.
The favela effect: Spatial inequalities and firm strategies in disadvantaged urban communities
Authors: Pongeluppe Leandro S.
Published: May 2022

Research summary

E‐commerce firms make fewer products available and charge higher delivery prices to customers inside Brazilian favelas than they do to customers immediately outside favelas, despite the absence of infrastructure impediments at the favela borders. This phenomenological study uses mixed methods to investigate firm heterogeneity in these practices. The analysis shows that some firms treat favela consumers more equitably than their competitors. These firms (i) invest in physical stores inside and outside favelas, which are complementary to their online marketplaces, and (ii) engage genuinely with employees and consumers, which reflects their stakeholder orientation. By examining how firms operate in disadvantaged communities, scholars can enrich core theoretical constructs in strategic management, particularly by integrating insights from the fields of critical geography and urban economics.

Managerial summary

This study investigates whether firms operate differently in disadvantaged communities compared to co‐located nondisadvantaged areas. Findings show that operations in disadvantaged communities, such as favelas (Brazilian urban slums), demand specific investments that support transactions and contribute to realizing the underdeveloped potential of those communities. Firms succeed in commercial endeavors within disadvantaged communities by redeploying their resources and cultivating a stakeholder culture concomitantly. This strategy enables superior performance and the change‐making of structural inequalities to help alleviate poverty and develop urban communities.
Grow enrollment with focus on student support, authenticity
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: May 2022

When Steve Robinson became Senior Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management at the University of Utah two and a half years ago, what he learned about the institution during the job search process convinced him it was a sleeping giant.
Evaluation of anisotropic mechanical behaviour of 316L parts realized by metal fused filament fabrication using digital image correlation
Authors: Pellegrini Alessandro , Palmieri Maria Emanuela , Guerra Maria Grazia
Published: May 2022

Recently, metals have been processed with fused filament fabrication (FFF) printers, in the form of mixture of metal powder and a polymeric binder. This new area of additive manufacturing is called metal-fused filament fabrication (metal FFF), and it is characterized by several advantages: low cost of manufacturing for small batches, ease of use, lower cost of energy and lower risks compared to the main metal additive manufacturing technologies. Being a novel technique, it is of great importance to understand the mechanical behaviour of the fabricated parts to reach the potential applications. In this work, the mechanical response of parts printed by metal FFF was analysed by means of digital image correlation (DIC) technique. This latter allowed to better highlight the anisotropic mechanical behaviour of the FFF parts when varying some 3D printing parameters, such as building orientation and number of wall layers and enabled a complete characterization of material useful for numerical calculation and finite element analysis. With this aim, 316L stainless steel filament and a consumer 3D printer were used for the fabrication of tensile test specimens. Three different building orientations and three different numbers of wall layers were evaluated. Results obtained from the tensile tests conducted with the DIC system highlighted the anisotropy of the strain behaviour when varying building orientation and printing strategy. More in details, flatwise and sideways configurations returned higher values of tensile strength, elongation at break and Poisson’s ratio compared to upright one, while the increase of number of wall layers, in some cases, caused a decrease of the mechanical properties.
Choice models in Nordic long-term care: care managers' experiences of privilege and disadvantage among older adults
Authors: Erlandsson Sara , Brodin Helene , Graff Lea , Karsio Olli
Published: May 2022

Consumer choice models have been introduced in eldercare services in several Western welfare societies. Choice models in eldercare emphasise the importance of individuals’ abilities to make informed choices and therefore entail a risk for increased inequalities among older adults with care needs. In the Nordic countries, such inequality risks are in stark contrast to universal policy ambitions of equal access to care services. Care managers, who are responsible for needs assessment for eldercare services, have a central role in implementing policies and, thus, have first-hand experience of their impact on older adults’ access to care. The aim of this study was to explore care managers’ experiences of how user choice affects older adults’ access to care services in three Nordic cities: Copenhagen, Tampere, and Stockholm. These cities were purposely selected as forerunners in marketisation, with different ways of implementing choice models. Semi-structured interviews with care managers were conducted in Copenhagen, Tampere, and Stockholm and analysed thematically. The findings indicate there are difficulties related to older adults’ ability to access information needed to make informed choices, as well as limitations in choice related to available services and personal finances. Further, care managers find that older adults’ abilities to overcome these difficulties are shaped by their health, education, language skills, and assistance from relatives. In order to reduce the risk of choice models increasing the gap between older adults with different resources and capabilities, there is a need to develop accessible information, as well as models for professional guidance.
Review of Alec D. Walen The Mechanics of Claims and Permissible Killing in War (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2019)
Authors: Bowen Joseph
Published: May 2022

This paper reviews Alec D. Walen’s The Mechanics of Claims and Permissible Killing in War.
Heterogenität in motivationalen Entwicklungsverläufen in Mathematik und Deutsch in Abhängigkeit von Schulform und Geschlecht
Authors: Gaspard Hanna , Nagengast Benjamin , Trautwein Ulrich , Jaekel Ann-Kathrin , Göllner Richard
Published: May 2022

Die Motivationsforschung zeigt konsistent eine Abnahme der Motivation mit zunehmendem Alter sowie Geschlechterunterschiede in der Motivation für verschiedene Schulfächer. Weniger erforscht wurde bislang, wie solche Unterschiede mit der besuchten Schulform zusammenhängen. In dieser Studie wurde daher Heterogenität in Fähigkeitsselbstkonzept und Wertüberzeugungen in Mathematik und Deutsch in Abhängigkeit von Jahrgangsstufe, Geschlecht und Schulform untersucht. Hierzu wurden Schülerinnen und Schüler (N = 8080) der Jahrgangsstufen 5 bis 10 an Gymnasien, Realschulen und Gemeinschaftsschulen in Baden-Württemberg zwei Mal im Abstand eines Schuljahres befragt. Schülerinnen und Schüler in höheren Jahrgangsstufen berichteten geringere Ausprägungen im Fähigkeitsselbstkonzept und in den Wertüberzeugungen. Zudem fanden sich Geschlechterunterschiede zugunsten der Jungen in Mathematik und zugunsten der Mädchen in Deutsch. Unter Kontrolle der Leistungen und des familiären Hintergrundes zeigten Schülerinnen und Schüler an weniger selektiven Schulformen höhere Ausprägungen in Fähigkeitsselbstkonzept und Wertüberzeugungen als Schülerinnen und Schüler am Gymnasium. Zudem variierten Jahrgangsstufen- und Geschlechterunterschiede zwischen Schulformen, was auf deren Bedeutsamkeit als Lern- und Entwicklungsmilieu in Bezug auf die Motivation der Schülerinnen und Schüler verweist.
An approximation to determine the source of the WOW! Signal
Authors: Caballero Alberto
Published: May 2022

In this paper it is analysed which of the thousands of stars in the WOW! Signal region could have the highest chance of being the real source of the signal, providing that it came from a star system similar to ours. A total of 66 G and K-type stars are sampled, but only one of them is identified as a potential Sun-like star considering the available information in the Gaia Archive. This candidate source, which is named 2MASS 19281982-2640123, therefore becomes an ideal target to conduct observations in the search for techno-signatures. Another two candidate stars have a luminosity error interval that includes the luminosity of the Sun, and 14 candidates more are also identified as potential Sun-like stars, but the estimations on their luminosity were unknown.