bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ver, tocar, creer: travesías de la mirada religiosa en las estampitas devocionales
Authors:   Centro de Estudios Judaicos, Facultad de Filosofía y Humanidades, Universidad de Chile, Jiménez Osorio Lily Estefanía
Published: January 2021

El objetivo de este artículo es explorar los mecanismos de la visualidad háptica aplicada a imágenes religiosas de reproducción masiva. Para ello, se ha trabajado con una muestra de estampas devocionales católicas perteneciente al Museo Histórico Nacional, las que corresponden a imágenes del Sagrado Corazón en sus distintas variantes. Sostengo que el carácter háptico de las imágenes es fundamental para la mirada religiosa y las formas de la creencia, evidenciando los mecanismos de persuasión que estas imágenes comportan, así como sus implicaciones táctiles, visuales y corporales.
Some Biological Observations on Rearing Juveniles of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758)) in Fixed Cages at Gezira Irrigation Canals, Sudan
Authors: Tahir Sana Yagoub Abdallah , Alnaiem Abdalla Gadain , Ahmed Egbal Osman
Published: January 2021

This study was conducted at Gezira Irrigation canal to evaluate the growth performance and the effect of water tempetrature to the culture ability of Nile tilapia juveniles for 120 days. Monosex Oreochromis niloticus sized 8.17±0.33 g were carried out from Mabroka fish farm and stocked in 400 m³ fixed cages at a density of 50 fish/m³. Fish were fed daily with a commercial pellet diet with 33% protein concentration at a feeding rate of 3% of their body weight per day. Feed was given twice a day (09:00 morning and 16:00 evening). Fish growth parameters, water quality analysis have measured every two weeks. The final body weight of fish was 40.23±1.04 grams and the mean daily gained weight was 0.29 g/day, while the survival rate of fish was 99.7%±6.7 and the Food Conversion Ratio (FCR) was 3.8. The average value of temperature, pH and transparency were 23°C, 7.5, 31.5 cm respectively. The results of the study revealed that there is a possibility to culture tilapia juvenile at stocking density of 50/m³ in fixed cages in Irrigation Canals, for the effect of water temperature on fish growth performance the results obtained that no more effect on fish growth during study period.
Study on Biodiesel Production and Characterization for Used Cooking Oil
Authors: Dulawat M. S. , Makavana J. M. , Kelaiya S. V. , Gojiya M. J. , Gadhiya G. A. , Chauhan P. M.
Published: January 2021

The increasing awareness of the depletion of fossil fuel resources and the environmental benefits of biodiesel fuel has made it more attractive in recent times. Its primary advantages deal with it being one of the most renewable fuels currently available and it is also non-toxic and biodegradable. It can also be used directly in most diesel engines without requiring extensive engine modifications. However, the cost of biodiesel is the major hurdle to its commercialization in comparison to petroleum-based diesel fuel. Biodiesel is proved to be a potential candidate for partial substitute of mineral diesel oil. The environmental issues associated with the use of fossil-based energy sources have informed the search for more sustainable energy alternatives. This work investigated the potential of producing biodiesel from waste cooking oil (WCO). The work gives ample evidence that oil from eateries in WCO could be used in producing high quality biodiesel in an easy, one-step transesterification reaction without the need for acid esterification which increases the overall cost of the production process.
Adelomelon beckii, The Giant Predator Snail: Introduction
Authors: Arrighetti Florencia
Published: January 2021

Adelomelon beckiiis a large volutid of the southwestern Atlantic ocean that lives in sandy bottoms. It is a dioecious species with a semiannual reproductive cycle.A. beckiican reach up to 29 years of age being one of the most long‐lived gastropods studied to date. This species is harvested as part of the bycatch by fishing trawlers and the current exploitation is far beyond the optimum rate.
Adelomelon beckii
, The Giant Predator Snail: Intestinal System
Authors: Arrighetti Florencia
Published: January 2021

The digestive gland of
Adelomelon beckii
is composed of blind‐ended tubules with digestive and vacuolated cells. The cells are subject to cyclical changes, involving three phases: absorption, digestion and fragmentation.
TapewormGrillotia erinaceus(van Beneden, 1858) (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha) Ultrastructural Organization of the Surface Tegument and Rhyncheal System: Introduction
Authors: Biserova Natalia
Published: January 2021

Trypanorhynch cestodes are parasites of rays and sharks and occupy a special position in the class Cestoda, characterizing their highly specialized attachment apparatus. The phylogeny of the Trypanorhyncha is not fully understood and in fact comprises two independent lineages: Trypanobatoida and Trypanoselachoida. The ultrastructure of the adult tapeworms ofGrillotia erinaceusfrom the spiral valve ofRaja clavatacaught in the coastal waters of the Black Sea has been studied by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. New data concerning the polymorphism of microtriches, the rhyncheal system, and rhynchocoel are presented with illustrations.
Tapeworm
Grillotia erinaceus
(van Beneden, 1858) (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha) Ultrastructural Organization of the Surface Tegument and Rhyncheal System: External Morphology
Authors: Biserova Natalia
Published: January 2021

The scolex external morphology of
Grillotia erinaceus
is characterized by four invaginable armed tentacles and two pairs of flexible bothria. The tentacle surface lacks microtriches and has pores. The fourth hook has bifurcation on the tip. Scolex possesses distinct surface differentiation and polymorphism of the attachment structures, i.e. hooks and microtriches.
Tapeworm
Grillotia erinaceus
(van Beneden, 1858) (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha) Ultrastructural Organization of the Surface Tegument and Rhyncheal System: Skeletal System
Authors: Biserova Natalia
Published: January 2021

The rhyncheal system comprises four armed, invaginable tentacles, tentacle sheaths, retractor muscles, and hydroprotractor muscular bulbs. Tentacles, sheaths, and muscular bulbs possess a closed cavity – the rhynchocoel, which is lined by the rhynchothelial cells. The tentacle wall has myoepithelial syncytial structure and consists of anuclear apical cytoplasm filled with secretory granules, extracellular multilaminar support plate, and the basal cytoplasm with nuclei, myofibrils, and secretory granules. Thin neurites penetrate the fibrous plate of the tentacle sheaths and enter in the rhynchocoel. The tentacular bulbs consist of striated muscles surrounding a bulb lumen and innervated by the motor neurons.
Haliclona
: Intestinal System
Authors: Zerarguia Islem , Stillitani Daniele , Borges Felipe dos Santos , Moraes Fernando , Vieira Ricardo P. , Costa Manoel L. , Coutinho Cristiano C.
Published: January 2021

Sponges of the genus
Haliclona
have leuconoid type of filter‐feeding structure, which is a maze of water canals converging from many porous cells at the epithelial surface to some few small exhalant oscula. All epithelial cells of the canals phagocytes particulate organic matters, but choanocytes are specialized to catch it. Groups of choanocytes form epithelial oval chambers, with collar and flagellum facing the circulating water. Dissolved organic matter is also consumed, and symbiotic microorganisms at the mesohyl are directly involved in it. Symbionts contribute to sponge cells as food or providing intermediate metabolites. A healthy sponge is in balance with the environmental microorganisms.
Gobionellus oceanicus:
Introduction
Authors: da Mota Araujo Helena Rachel , Aguilar Leticia , da Cruz André Luis
Published: January 2021

This article describes the morphology of the respiratory surfaces, gills, and integument of the palate of the goby
Gobionellus oceanicus
(Pallas, 1770). We highlight the role of the palate integument's surface for air breathing in estuarine environments under probable hypoxia conditions. Such conditions can result from decreases in dissolved oxygen related to fluctuations in water level between tides, chemical composition, and increase in water temperature. Thus, a surface with respiratory characteristics can guarantee this fish's survival in environments that suffer constant variations.
Poecilia reticulata: Reproductive Organs
Authors: Campuzano‐Caballero Juan C. , Uribe Mari C.
Published: January 2021

Female teleosts fishes do not develop Müllerian ducts; consequently, they do not have oviducts, and uniquely, the ovary forms the reproductive system. Therefore, the ovary is divided into two zones: germinal and gonoduct. The gonoduct ofPoecilia reticulatais divided into three regions: anterior, middle, and posterior. The histological components of the gonoduct are epithelium, connective tissue, longitudinal smooth muscle, and visceral peritoneal epithelium at the periphery. The connective tissue contains macrophage, eosinophils, lymphocytes, and melanomacrophage centers. To conclude, the gonoduct is involved in essential aspects of reproduction such as secretory and immunological activities, receives the sperms during the insemination, and is the passage of embryos during birth.
Hydrogen‐Bond‐Assisted Exciplex Emitters Realizing Improved Efficiencies and Stabilities in Organic Light Emitting Diodes
Authors: Zhang Ming , Zheng Cai‐Jun , Wang Kai , Shi Yi‐Zhong , Wang De‐Qi , Li Xing , Lin Hui , Tao Si‐Lu , Zhang Xiao‐Hong
Published: January 2021

Exciplex emitters have been extensively studied owing to their natural thermally activated delayed fluorescence characteristic, and many efforts have been made to improve their performance in organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). In this work, the authors propose a novel strategy by introducing intermolecular hydrogen bond (HB) between electron‐donating and electron‐accepting constituting molecules (D and A) to suppress non‐radiative transition of exciplex emitters and thus improve their efficiencies and stabilities in the OLEDs. Accordingly, three exciplex emitters are constructed by using 1,3‐di(10H‐phenoxazin‐10‐yl)benzene (13PXZB) as donor and 4,6‐bis(3,5‐di(pyridin‐4‐yl)phenyl)‐2‐methylpyrimidine (B4PyMPM), 4,6‐bis(3,5‐di(pyridin‐3‐yl)phenyl)‐2‐methylpyrimidine (B3PyMPM), and 4,6‐bis(3,5‐di(pyridin‐2‐yl)phenyl)‐2‐methylpyrimidine (B2PyMPM) as acceptors. With the most intermolecular HBs, 13PXZB:B4PyMPM shows the highest photoluminescence quantum yield (69.6%) and the lowest rate constant of non‐radiative process of triplet excitons (3.4 × 105 S−1). And the OLED using 13PXZB:B4PyMPM as the emitter successfully exhibits a much higher external quantum efficiency of 14.6% than other contrastive devices. Moreover, the half lifetime of 13PXZB:B4PyMPM is 4.8 and 8.2 times higher than those of 13PXZB:B3PyMPM and 13PXZB:B2PyMPM in the devices. This work not only demonstrates that intermolecular HBs between D and A molecules can improve the performance of exciplex emitters, but also paves a new route to develop efficient and stable exciplex emitters.
Designing the Bending Stiffness of 2D Material Heterostructures
Authors: Yu Jaehyung , Han Edmund , Hossain M. Abir , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Ertekin Elif , van der Zande Arend M. , Huang Pinshane Y.
Published: January 2021

2D monolayers represent some of the most deformable inorganic materials, with bending stiffnesses approaching those of lipid bilayers. Achieving 2D heterostructures with similar properties would enable a new class of deformable devices orders of magnitude softer than conventional thin‐film electronics. Here, by systematically introducing low‐friction twisted or heterointerfaces, interfacial engineering is leveraged to tailor the bending stiffness of 2D heterostructures over several hundred percent. A bending model is developed and experimentally validated to predict and design the deformability of 2D heterostructures and how it evolves with the composition of the stack, the atomic arrangements at the interfaces, and the geometry of the structure. Notably, when each atomic layer is separated by heterointerfaces, the total bending stiffness reaches a theoretical minimum, equal to the sum of the constituent layers regardless of scale of deformation—lending the extreme deformability of 2D monolayers to device‐compatible multilayers.
Effective Pretreatment Routes of Polyethylene Terephthalate Fabric for Digital Inkjet Printing of Enzyme
Authors: Biswas Tuser , Yu Junchun , Nierstrasz Vincent
Published: January 2021

Enzymes immobilized on synthetic polyethylene terephthalate (PET) textile surface by resource‐efficient inkjet printing technology can promote developments for various novel applications. Synthetic fabrics often require adequate pretreatments to facilitate such printing process. This work discusses PET–woven fabric pretreatment routes to improve wettability by alkaline, enzymatic, and plasma processes for effective printing of lysozyme using an industrial piezoelectric printhead. Results indicate that all pretreated samples contain similar amount of enzymes upon printing. Plasma treated fabrics show relatively more hydrophilic surface characteristics, better protein binding stability, and lower retained activity. Alkali and cutinase‐treated samples possess relatively higher activity due to greater amount of enzyme desorption to substrate solution. Depending on respective enzyme‐binding stability, combination of a well pretreated surface and inkjet as preferential placement technology, the approach of this study can be used as a facile enzyme immobilization method for suitable applications, for example, controlled‐release and bio‐sensing.
Feasibility of a Dielectric Elastomer Augmented Aorta
Authors: Almanza Morgan , Clavica Francesco , Chavanne Jonathan , Moser David , Obrist Dominik , Carrel Thierry , Civet Yoan , Perriard Yves
Published: January 2021

Although heart transplantation is a gold standard for severe heart failure, there is a need for alternative effective therapies. A dielectric‐elastomer aorta is used to augment the physiological role of the aorta in the human circulatory system. To this end, the authors developed a tubular dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA) able to assist the heart by easing the deformation of the aorta in the systole and by increasing its recoil force in the diastole. In vitro experiments using a pulsatile flow‐loop, replicating human physiological flow and pressure conditions, show a reduction of 5.5% (47 mJ per cycle) of the heart energy with this device. Here, the controlled stiffness of the DEA graft, which is usually difficult to exploit for actuators, is perfectly matching the assistance principle. At the same time, the physiological aortic pressure is exploited to offer a prestretch to the DEA which otherwise would require an additional bulky pre‐stretching system to reach high performances.
Charge Transfer Doping of 2D PdSe2 Thin Film and Its Application in Fabrication of Heterostructures
Authors: Withanage Sajeevi S. , Chamlagain Bhim , Johnston Ammon C. , Khondaker Saiful I.
Published: January 2021

Palladium diselenide (PdSe2) is an emerging 2D material with exotic optical and electrical properties and widely tunable layer dependent band gap in the infrared regime. The ability to further tune the electronic properties of PdSe2 via doping is of fundamental importance for a wide range of electronic and optoelectronic device applications. Here, surface charge transfer doping of chemical vapor deposition grown p‐type PdSe2 thin film using benzyl viologen (BV) molecules is reported. The electrical transport measurements of the PdSe2 device show an increase in resistance by ≈1700 percent from 2.1 MΩ for the pristine sample to 36.2 MΩ upon BV doping, revealing electrons are transferred from BV molecules to PdSe2 resulting in an n‐doping. Raman characterization shows a red‐shift and broadening of A3g characteristic peak for the doped sample, while X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy shows a negative shift in Pd 3d and Se 3d binding energies confirming n‐doping by BV. Kelvin force probe microscopy measurements show a ≈0.3 eV decrease in work function for doped PdSe2, consistent with the n‐doping by BV molecules. A selective doping of PdSe2 channel is implemented for the fabrication of lateral heterojunction device which shows good current rectifying behavior with a rectification ratio of up to ≈55.
Scalable Fabrication of >90 cm2 Perovskite Solar Modules with >1000 h Operational Stability Based on the Intermediate Phase Strategy
Authors: Tong Guoqing , Son Dae‐Yong , Ono Luis K. , Liu Yuqiang , Hu Yanqiang , Zhang Hui , Jamshaid Afshan , Qiu Longbin , Liu Zonghao , Qi Yabing
Published: January 2021

In addition to high efficiencies, upscaling and long‐term operational stability are key pre‐requisites for moving perovskite solar cells toward commercial applications. In this work, a strategy to fabricate large‐area uniform and dense perovskite films with a thickness over one‐micrometer via a two‐step coating process by introducing NH4Cl as an additive in the PbI2 precursor solution is developed. Incorporation of NH4Cl induces the formation of the intermediate phases of x[NH4+]·[PbI2Clx]x− and HPbI3−xClx, which can effectively retard the crystallization rate of perovskite leading to uniform and compact full‐coverage perovskite layers across large areas with high crystallinity, large grain sizes, and small surface roughness. The 5 × 5 and 10 × 10 cm2 perovskite solar modules (PSMs) based on this method achieve a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 14.55% and 10.25%, respectively. These PSMs also exhibit good operational stability with a T80 lifetime (the time during which the solar module PCE drops to 80% of its initial value) under continuous light illumination exceeding 1600 h (5 × 5 cm2) and 1100 h (10 × 10 cm2), respectively.
Forage species and summer management impacts on soil carbon and nitrogen in winter stockpiled grazing systems
Authors: Tilhou Neal Wepking , Nave Renata L. G. , Jagadamma Sindhu , Eash Neal , Mulliniks J. Travis
Published: January 2021

Soil organic matter (SOM) in managed grasslands have economic and environmental benefits. This experiment evaluated a stockpiled winter grazing system with two summer management treatments (grazing or hay harvest) and three forage species treatments: tall fescue (TF, Schedonorus arundinaceus Schreb.), switchgrass (SG, Panicum virgatum L.), and mixed big bluestem–Indiangrass [BBIG, Andropogon gerardii Vitman–Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash]. Soil was sampled on 18 dates (January 2016–July 2017) at two depths (0–5 and 5–15 cm) in 15 paddocks in central Tennessee. Total organic carbon and total nitrogen concentrations in 0–5‐cm samples were greater in grazed paddocks relative to hay harvest, and greater in TF relative to BBIG and SG. Summer grazing also resulted in greater 0–5‐cm permanganate‐oxidizable carbon (POXC) and 5–15 cm hot‐water extract ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm (A254). Hot‐water extractable carbon, A254, and POXC concentrations were reduced in SG soils compared with TF and BBIG. Summer hay harvests, compared with grazing, reduced hot‐water extractable C/N in both soil horizons in TF. The interactions between management and plant species suggests contrasting nutrient cycling associated with TF and the morphologically different native grasses BBIG and SG. This study represents the first observations of soil impacts within stockpiled grazing systems and the first observations of grazed native grass species in the southeastern United States.
Welfare analysis of introducing private label packaged salads into the US market
Authors: Meng Xiao , Jaenicke Edward C.
Published: January 2021

In this study, we use the Berry, Levinsohn, and Pakes (BLP) method to study consumer demand and firm supply to the 2005 US market for packaged salads. Our results show that, although consumers in general are price sensitive, their sensitivity decreases as income increases. Moreover, consumers exhibit strong brand loyalty if they prefer specific features, such as the organic claim of a brand. Using our estimation results, we conduct a welfare analysis of introducing private label (store brands) packaged salads. Our results show that the hypothetical elimination of private label brands would result in the packaged salad market becoming less competitive, implying total welfare increased and consumers fared much better after the introduction of private label packaged salads. [EconLit citations: D12, Q13, Q18].
Turbulence damping above the cloud height in suspensions of concentrated slurries in stirred tanks
Authors: Ayranci Inci , Kresta Suzanne M.
Published: January 2021

Poor mixing in the clear liquid layer above the cloud height has been reported by several authors. This study uses LDV measurements to quantify turbulence above the cloud using a liquid level of 1.5 T to remove the barrier of a free surface at H = T. A D = T/3, down‐pumping PBT was used at an off‐bottom clearance of C = T/3. Three slurries were tested at impeller speeds 0.8, 1, and 1.2Njs. The change in turbulence was quantified using the normalized root mean square (RMS) of the fluctuating velocity summed and averaged over each radial traverse. A significant difference between the fluctuating values of the cloud height—minimum, average, and maximum—was observed. The turbulence decays until the maximum cloud height. Beyond that, it remains constant and near zero. The effects of both particle size and solids concentration prove to be important.
Interfacial properties between ionic‐liquid‐based electrolytes and lithium‐ion‐battery separator
Authors: Sun Yanjun , Wang Jian , Prausnitz John M.
Published: January 2021

For lithium salts, ionic liquids (ILs) are promising alternatives to conventional solvents in lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) due to a more favorable high‐voltage operating window, and due to improved safety through reduction of flammability. Toward better understanding of wetting properties of IL‐based electrolytes on a LIB separator, wetting properties affect electrochemical performance, experimental studies were made to determine the influence of solvent, lithium‐salt type and salt concentration. Surface tensions and advancing contact angles were measured for two pure ILs ([C4C1im][BF4] and [C4C1im][OTf]) and for four IL/alkylcarbonate solvent blends (1:1 mass ratio, [C4C1im][BF4]/PC, [C4C1im][BF4]/DMC, [C4C1im][OTf]/PC, and [C4C1im][OTf]/ DMC) with several concentrations of a lithium salt (LiClO4, LiPF6, and LiTFSI). A significant improvement of wettability of pure ILs was observed by adding DMC, while adding PC with surface tension higher than that of pure ILs is detrimental to wetting behavior. Contact angles decrease by adding LiTFSI but show almost no change upon addition of LiPF6 or LiClO4. Surface tensions follow the same trend as that for contact angles. Incorporation of TFSI− anion gives favorable separator wettability. Estimates were made for interfacial properties of the separator (dispersive and polar components of the surface free energy for solid‐vapor, for liquid–vapor, and for solid–liquid interfacial free energy).
Open source implementation of glued sphere discrete element method and nonspherical biomass fast pyrolysis simulation
Authors: Lu Liqiang , Gao Xi , Shahnam Mehrdad , Rogers William A.
Published: January 2021

In this research, a glued‐sphere discrete element method was implemented in the open‐source, computational fluid dynamics software MFiX. The implementation was verified using a cylinder‐wall collision and then validated by simulating the packing and fluidization of nonspherical particles. The validated code was applied to simulate fast pyrolysis of nonspherical biomass particles in a bubbling fluidized bed. The glued sphere occupancy ratio was proposed to quantify the quality of shape resolution using glued sphere. Shape resolution showed significant influence on the packing height in the simulation of particle packing and an occupancy ratio of 80% was recommended. Its influence is minor in fully fluidized bed but can be eight times higher in packed bed. Three tested heat transfer models predicted similar yields of elongated biomass fast pyrolysis. The solver developed in this research can be used to simulate other multiphase reacting flows involving nonspherical particles.
Noonan syndrome with loose anagen hair with variants in the PPP1CB gene: First familial case reported
Authors: Huckstadt Victoria , Chinton Josefina , Gomez Abel , Obregon María Gabriela , Gravina Luis Pablo
Published: January 2021

Rasopathies are a group of phenotypically overlapping conditions that include Noonan, Noonan with multiple lentigines, Noonan with loose anagen hair, Costello, Cardio‐facio‐cutaneous, and Neurofibromatosis‐Noonan syndromes. Noonan syndrome with loose anagen hair (NS‐LAH) is clinically characterized by prominent forehead, macrocephaly, growth hormone deficiency, sparse, loose and slow‐growing anagen hair, hyperpigmented skin with eczema or ichthyosis, mild psychomotor delays, hypernasal voices, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Variants in SHOC2 are responsible for the majority of the cases. Gripp et al. identified four unrelated individuals with similar phenotype to NS‐LAH with pathogenic variants in PPP1CB. In this study, we present one family and one patient with NS‐LAH and variants in PPP1CB. The first patient belongs to a family with a likely pathogenic variant, c.545T>A (p.Met182Lys), the first family published so far with a variant in this gene. The second patient harbors a de novo pathogenic variant, c.146C>G (p.Pro49Arg). This study presents two additional patients with this rare syndrome in order to increase the clinical characterization of the syndrome and provide more evidence of the pathogenicity of the c.545T>A (p.Met182Lys) variant in PPP1CB, a gene recently associated with NS‐LAH.
Enhanced Concanavalin A Binding to Preorganized Mannose Nanoarrays in Glycodendrimersomes Revealed Multivalent Interactions
Authors: Yu. Kostina Nina , Söder Dominik , Haraszti Tamás , Xiao Qi , Rahimi Khosrow , Partridge Benjamin E. , Klein Michael L. , Percec Virgil , Rodriguez‐Emmenegger Cesar
Published: January 2021

The effect of the two‐dimensional glycan display on glycan‐lectin recognition remains poorly understood despite the importance of these interactions in a plethora of cellular processes, in (patho)physiology, as well as its potential for advanced therapeutics. Faced with this challenge we utilized glycodendrimersomes, a type of synthetic vesicles whose membrane mimics the surface of a cell and offers a means to probe the carbohydrate biological activity. These single‐component vesicles were formed by the self‐assembly of sequence‐defined mannose‐Janus dendrimers, which serve as surrogates for glycolipids. Using atomic force microscopy and molecular modeling we demonstrated that even mannose, a monosaccharide, was capable of organizing the sugar moieties into periodic nanoarrays without the need of the formation of liquid‐ordered phases as assumed necessary for rafts. Kinetics studies of Concanavalin A binding revealed that those nanoarrays resulted in a new effective ligand yielding a ten‐fold increase in the kinetic and thermodynamic constant of association.
Steering Electron–Hole Migration Pathways Using Oxygen Vacancies in Tungsten Oxides to Enhance Their Photocatalytic Oxygen Evolution Performance
Authors: Wei Zhen , Wang Wenchao , Li Wenlu , Bai Xueqin , Zhao Jianfeng , Tse Edmund C. M. , Phillips David Lee , Zhu Yongfa
Published: January 2021

The overall water splitting efficiency is mainly restricted by the slow kinetics of oxygen evolution. Therefore, it is essential to develop active oxygen evolution catalysts. In this context, we designed and synthesized a tungsten oxide catalyst with oxygen vacancies for photocatalytic oxygen evolution, which exhibited a higher oxygen evolution rate of 683 μmol h−1 g−1 than that of pure WO3 (159 μmol h−1 g−1). Subsequent studies through transient absorption spectroscopy found that the oxygen vacancies can produce electron trapping states to inhibit the direct recombination of photogenerated carriers. Additionally, a Pt cocatalyst can promote electron trap states to participate in the reaction to improve the photocatalytic performance further. This work uses femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy to explain the photocatalytic oxygen evolution mechanism of inorganic materials and provides new insights into the design of high‐efficiency water‐splitting catalysts.
GlycoBODIPYs: Sugars Serving as a Natural Stock for Water‐soluble Fluorescent Probes of Complex Chiral Morphology
Authors: Patalag Lukas J. , Ahadi Somayeh , Lashchuk Olesia , Jones Peter G. , Ebbinghaus Simon , Werz Daniel B.
Published: January 2021

A range of unprocessed, reducing sugar substrates (mono‐, di‐, and trisaccharides) is shown to take part in a straightforward four‐step synthetic route to water‐soluble, uncharged BODIPY derivatives with unimpaired chiral integrity and high fluorescence efficiency. A wide compatibility with several postfunctionalizations is demonstrated, thus suggesting a universal utility of the multifunctional glycoconjugates, which we call GlycoBODIPYs. Knoevenagel condensations are able to promote a red‐shift in the spectra, thereby furnishing strongly fluorescent red and far‐red glycoconjugates of high hydrophilicity. The synthetic outcome was studied by X‐ray crystallography and by comprehensive photophysical investigations in several solvent systems. Furthermore, cell experiments illustrate efficient cell uptake and demonstrate differential cell targeting as a function of the integrated chiral information.
Dynamically Unveiling Metal–Nitrogen Coordination during Thermal Activation to Design High‐Efficient Atomically Dispersed CoN4 Active Sites
Authors: He Yanghua , Shi Qiurong , Shan Weitao , Li Xing , Kropf A. Jeremy , Wegener Evan C. , Wright Joshua , Karakalos Stavros , Su Dong , Cullen David A. , Wang Guofeng , Myers Deborah J. , Wu Gang
Published: January 2021

We elucidate the structural evolution of CoN4 sites during thermal activation by developing a zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF)‐8‐derived carbon host as an ideal model for Co2+ ion adsorption. Subsequent in situ X‐ray absorption spectroscopy analysis can dynamically track the conversion from inactive Co−OH and Co−O species into active CoN4 sites. The critical transition occurs at 700 °C and becomes optimal at 900 °C, generating the highest intrinsic activity and four‐electron selectivity for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). DFT calculations elucidate that the ORR is kinetically favored by the thermal‐induced compressive strain of Co−N bonds in CoN4 active sites formed at 900 °C. Further, we developed a two‐step (i.e., Co ion doping and adsorption) Co‐N‐C catalyst with increased CoN4 site density and optimized porosity for mass transport, and demonstrated its outstanding fuel cell performance and durability.
Synthesis and in vitro antileishmanial efficacy of novel benzothiadiazine‐1,1‐dioxide derivatives
Authors: Mangwegape Daisy K. , Zuma Nonkululeko H. , Aucamp Janine , N'Da David D.
Published: January 2021

Leishmaniasis is a major vector‐borne parasitic disease that affects thousands of people in tropical and subtropical developing countries. In 2019 alone, it killed 26,000–65,000 individuals. Leishmaniasis is curable, yet its eradication and elimination are hampered by major hurdles, such as the availability of only a handful of clinical toxic drugs and the emergence of pathogenic resistance against them. This underscores the imperative need for new and effective antileishmanial drugs. In search for such agents, we synthesized and evaluated the in vitro antileishmanial potential of a small library of benzothiadiazine derivatives by assessing their activity against the promastigotes of three strains of Leishmania and toxicity in healthy cells. The derivatives were found to have no toxicity to the mammalian cells and were, in general, active against all parasites. The benzothiadiazine derivative 1e, 3‐methyl‐2‐[3‐(trifluoromethyl)benzyl]‐2H‐benzo[e][1,2,4]thiadiazine 1,1‐dioxide, was found to be the most active (IC50, 0.2 μM) against Leishmania major, responsible for the most prevalent disease form, cutaneous leishmaniasis. Conversely, benzothiadiazine 2c, 2‐(4‐bromobenzyl)‐3‐phenyl‐2H‐benzo[e][1,2,4]thiadiazine 1,1‐dioxide, was the most potent (IC50, 6.5 μM) against Leishmania donovani, a causative strain of the lethal visceral leishmaniasis. Both compounds stand as antipromastigote hits for further lead investigation into their potential to act as new antileishmanial agents.
Phytochemical characterization and effects on cell proliferation ofPinus nigraArn. bark
Authors: Milić Nataša , Milanović Maja , Četojević‐Simin Dragana , Malenčić Đorđe , Prvulović Dejan , Pavkov Nina , Radulović Zlatan , Milošević Nataša , Rašković Aleksandar , Mandić Anamarija
Published: January 2021

Pinus nigraArn. bark extracts from Mokra gora (MG) and Tara mountains were analyzed with regard to their polyphenolic profile and antioxidative and antiproliferative activity. The ethanol extract from MG showed the highest phenolic, flavonoid, tannin, and proanthocyanidin content when compared with the acetone and methanol extracts from both sites. The same extract exhibited the highest ABTS (2,2ʹ‐azinobis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) diammonium salt) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) radical scavenging ability and total antioxidant activity (TAA). On the basis of high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis, catechin, caffeic, syringic,p‐coumaric, and ferulic acids were predominantly present in the MG extracts. The ethanol extract from MG was rich in syringic acid, epicatechin and its derivatives, and ferulic acid and its derivatives. The bark extracts also exerted a high cytotoxic bioactivity against all evaluated cell lines (HeLa, MCF7, HT‐29, and MRC‐5). The antiproliferative activity ofP. nigrabark is probably related to the ferulic acid content and its synergistic activity to caffeic acid and taxifolin. The antioxidative role of the presented phenols was confirmed through the obtained significant linear correlation between the total phenolic content and DPPH (r = .934) as well as the FRAP% of the extracts (r = .948). Also, the TAA significantly depended on the proanthocyanidins (r = .902) and tannin contents (r = .914). The composition of the presented compounds could be related to promising antioxidant and antiproliferative efficacy of MG bark.
Prevalence and Age of Onset of Regression in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analytical Update
Authors: Tan Christine , Frewer Veronica , Cox Georgina , Williams Katrina , Ure Alexandra
Published: January 2021

A systematic review published in 2013 reported 32% of children on the autism spectrum experience skill loss, known asautistic regression. However, the frequency varied depending on definition and measures used to capture skills. Retrospective parent report and prospective observation indicate loss of language and/or social skills, with motor skills typically unaffected. Our aim was to update the prevalence and age of onset of autistic regression through a meta‐analysis of the literature to understand if there have been changes to the reported onset and prevalence since 2010. A systematic literature search was conducted using Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library databases and included studies published from 2010 onward. Risk of bias assessment was performed on included studies. A random effects model was used to calculate the pooled prevalence and age of onset of autistic regression. Ninety‐seven studies were included in the systematic review, of which 75 studies involving 33,014 participants had sufficient data for meta‐analytic syntheses. The pooled proportion of autistic regression was 30% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 27–32%) but heterogeneity was high (I2= 96.91) and did not reduce with sensitivity or subgroup analyses based on study design or clinical differences, respectively. Prevalence varied according to risk of bias (low: 27%) and definition of regression (language: 20%, language/social: 40%, mixed: 30%, and unspecified: 27%). Weighted average age of onset was 19.8 months. Findings from this meta‐analysis highlight the importance of developing a standardized definition of autistic regression, and tools to measure this at multiple time points during early childhood development.

Lay summary

About a third of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder experience loss of skills, which is also known asautistic regression. This paper provides an update of the rate of autistic regression in children and the age when they first experience loss of skills, based on current studies. The findings from this review contribute to our understanding of the onset patterns of autistic regression. Unfortunately, studies are not sufficiently similar, making it difficult to provide clear answers on the exact timing or type of regression seen in different children.
Multiple paternity and the number of offspring: A model reveals two major groups of species
Authors: Correia Hannah E. , Abebe Ash , Dobson F. Stephen
Published: January 2021

Parentage analyses via microsatellite markers have revealed multiple paternity within the broods of polytocous species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fishes and invertebrates. The widespread phenomenon of multiple paternity may have attending relationships with such evolutionary processes as sexual selection and kin selection. However, just how much multiple paternity should a species exhibit? We developed Bayesian null models of how multiple paternity relates to brood sizes. For each of 114 species with published data on brood sizes and numbers of sires, we compared our null model estimates to published frequencies of multiple paternity. The majority of species fell close to our null model, especially among fish and invertebrate species. Some species, however, had low probabilities of multiple paternity, far from the predictions of the null model, likely due to sexual selection and environmental constraints. We suggest a major division among species’ mating systems between those with close to random mating and high levels of multiple paternity, and those with constraints that produce low levels of multiple paternity.
Group‐based behavioral skills training to promote effective instruction delivery for children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: LaBrot Zachary C. , Kupzyk Sara , Pasqua Jamie L. , Fox Wagner Shelby
Published: January 2021

Children with autism spectrum disorder are at increased risk for noncompliance with parent instructions and subsequent disruptive behaviors. Effective instruction delivery is an antecedent‐based strategy designed to prevent noncompliance with parent instructions and given its components, may be especially useful for promoting compliance in children with autism. However, long wait times for behavioral parent training could lead to increased severity of behavioral difficulties prior to receiving services. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of group‐based behavioral skills training for increasing effective instruction delivery with their children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Results indicated improved use of effective instruction delivery with concomitant improvements in children's response to parent instructions. Results, implications, and future directions are discussed.
A secretion‐based dual fluorescence assay for high‐throughput screening of alcohol dehydrogenases
Authors: Lu Hongyuan , Yu Shiqin , Qin Fengyu , Ning Wenbo , Ma Xiaoqiang , Tian Kaiyuan , Li Zhi , Zhou Kang
Published: January 2021

Alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs) play key roles in the production of various chemical precursors that are essential in pharmaceutical and fine chemical industries. To achieve a practical application of ADHs in industrial processes, tailoring enzyme properties through rational design or directed evolution is often required. Here, we developed a secretion‐based dual fluorescence assay (SDFA) for high‐throughput screening of ADHs. In SDFA, an ADH of interest is fused to a mutated superfolder green fluorescent protein (MsfGFP), which could result in the secretion of the fusion protein to culture broth. After a simple centrifugation step to remove the cells, the supernatant can be directly used to measure the activity of ADH based on a red fluorescence signal, whose increase is coupled to the formation of NADH (a redox cofactor of ADHs) in the reaction. SDFA allows easy quantification of ADH concentration based on the green fluorescence signal of MsfGFP. This feature is useful in determining specific activity and may improve screening accuracy. Out of five ADHs we have tested with SDFA, four ADHs can be secreted and characterized. We successfully screened a combinatorial library of an ADH from Pichia finlandica and identified a variant with a 197‐fold higher kcat/km value toward (S)‐2‐octanol compared to its wild type.
R‐COMP versus R‐CHOP as first‐line therapy for diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma in patients ≥60 years: Results of a randomized phase 2 study from the Spanish GELTAMO group
Authors: Sancho Juan‐Manuel , Fernández‐Alvarez Rubén , Gual‐Capllonch Francisco , González‐García Esther , Grande Carlos , Gutiérrez Norma , Peñarrubia María‐Jesús , Batlle‐López Ana , González‐Barca Eva , Guinea José‐María , Gimeno Eva , Peñalver Francisco‐Javier , Fuertes Miguel , Bastos Mariana , Hernández‐Rivas José‐Ángel , Moraleda José‐María , García Olga , Sorigué Marc , Martin Alejandro
Published: January 2021

The use of non‐pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (Myocet®) in diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) has been investigated in retrospective and single‐arm prospective studies. This was a prospective phase 2 trial of DLBCL patients ≥60 years old with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥55% randomized to standard R‐CHOP or investigational R‐COMP (with Myocet® instead of conventional doxorubicin). The primary end point was to evaluate the differences in subclinical cardiotoxicity, defined as decrease in LVEF to <55% at the end of treatment. Secondary objectives were efficacy, safety, and variations of troponin and N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) and LVEF along follow‐up.

Ninety patients were included, 45 in each group. No differences were observed in the percentage of patients with LVEF <55% at end of treatment (11% in R‐CHOP arm vs. 7% in R‐COMP arm, p = 0.697) or at 4 months (10% vs. 6%, respectively, p = 0.667) and 12 months (8% vs. 7%, respectively, p = 1). However, a higher percentage of R‐CHOP compared with R‐COMP patients showed increased troponin levels in cycle 6 (100% vs. 63%, p = 0.001) and at 1 month after treatment (88% vs. 56%, respectively, p = 0.015). Cardiovascular adverse events were seen in five R‐CHOP patients (nine episodes, four grade ≥3) and in four R‐COMP patients (five episodes, all grade 1–2). No significant differences in efficacy were observed.

In conclusion, R‐COMP is a feasible immunochemotherapy schedule for DLBCL patients ≥60 years, with similar efficacy to R‐CHOP. However, the use of non‐pegylated doxorubicin instead of conventional doxorubicin was not associated with less early cardiotoxicity, although some reduced cardiac safety signals were observed.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02012088.
Right transradial coronary angiography in the setting of tortuous brachiocephalic/thoracic aorta (“elephant head”): Impact on fluoroscopy time and contrast use
Authors: Case Brian C. , Yerasi Charan , Forrestal Brian J. , Chezar‐Azerrad Chava , Khan Jaffar M. , Khalid Nauman , Shlofmitz Evan , Chen Yuefeng , Musallam Anees , Waksman Ron , Hashim Hayder
Published: January 2021

Objectives

Assess the impact on fluoroscopy time and contrast use in patients with tortuous brachiocephalic/thoracic aortas undergoing right transradial coronary angiography (RTCA) and provide strategies to manage.

Background

Unfavorable anatomy with severe brachiocephalic/thoracic tortuosity, referred to as an “elephant head,” remains a significant obstacle for RTCA.

Methods

We reviewed the coronary angiograms of patients who underwent RTCA and had tortuous aortas. Angiography was attempted first using a universal catheter (Tiger) and switched to a left coronary specific catheter (Judkins Left [JL]) if challenging. Fluoroscopy time, contrast volume, and greatest distance from the patient's midline to the catheter in the aorta were recorded.

Results

Forty‐nine patients (62.6 ± 12.0 years, 69.4% male) were included. Fifteen (30.6%) patients underwent successful angiography with a Tiger catheter; 34 (69.4%) patients required switching to JL catheter. The average distance of Tiger catheters to the midline of the spine was 0.78 ± 0.41 cm versus 1.28 ± 0.44 cm (p = .001) in JL catheters. Tiger catheter use resulted in less fluoroscopy time (6.48 ± 4.73 min) and contrast use (58.87 ± 43.53 ml) than in cases switched to JL (13.26 ± 10.76 min [p = .026]; 86.5 ± 69.95 ml [(p = .017]).

Conclusions

For patients undergoing RTCA with significant brachiocephalic/thoracic aorta tortuosity, “elephant head,” a Tiger catheter can be used efficiently for curvatures <1 cm from the middle of the spine. We propose that for curvatures >1 cm, operators should consider immediately switching to a JL catheter.
Predicting complete heart block after alcohol septal ablation for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy using a risk stratification model and clinical tool
Authors: Karimianpour Ahmadreza , Heizer Justin , Leaphart Davis , Rier Jeremy D. , Shaji Shawn , Ramakrishnan Viswanathan , Nielsen Christopher D. , Fernandes Valerian L. , Gold Michael R.
Published: January 2021

Background

Alcohol septal ablation (ASA) is a proven method of septal reduction for patients with drug refractory, symptomatic hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). This procedure is associated with a 6.5–11% risk of complete heart block (CHB).

Objective

The aim of this study is to determine factors that predict CHB and to develop a clinical tool for risk stratification of patients.

Methods

Patients were enrolled into an ongoing ASA study. A total of 636 patient procedures were included, 527 of whom were used in the development of the prediction tool, and 109 of whom were used for independent validation. Multivariate analysis was performed with odds ratios used to develop the clinical prediction tool. This was then internally and externally validated.

Results

Of the 527 in the prediction cohort, 46 developed CHB. The predictors of CHB were age ≥50 years, pre‐ASA left bundle branch block (LBBB), transient procedural high‐grade block, post‐ASA PR prolongation ≥68 ms, and new bifascicular block. An 11‐point clinical prediction tool was developed to classify these factors. Internal validation using a receiver operating characteristic curve revealed an area under the curve of 0.88 for the clinical prediction tool. External validation using 109 contemporary patients revealed a 98% negative predictive value, 24% positive predictive value, 75% sensitivity, and 81% specificity in high‐risk patients.

Conclusion

Among patients undergoing ASA, the risk of CHB can be predicted with easily obtained clinical and electrocardiographic factors. This clinical prediction tool allows identification of high‐risk patients who may benefit from additional monitoring and therapy.