bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemical profiling, in vitro antioxidant, membrane stabilizing and antimicrobial properties of wild growing Murraya paniculata from Amarkantak (M.P.)
Authors: Sonter Shruti , Mishra Shringika , Dwivedi Manish Kumar , Singh Prashant Kumar
Published: May 2021

The excessive usage of antibiotics in humans and veterinary medicine has lead to the emergence of antibiotic resistance and now requires the use of novel antibiotics. There has been increased interest towards plants as source of drugs because of their pharmacological potency and long traditional usage. The aim of the current study was to evaluate bioactive components, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities of the leaf extracts ofMurraya paniculata,a plant traditionally used in Indian medicinal system. Evaluations were made for phytochemical analysis, antioxidant, membrane stabilizing, and antimicrobial activities. The methanol extract displayed the highest flavonoid and phenolic content, the acetone extract demonstrated considerable ABTS inhibitory activity (IC50value:555.18 ± 1.68 µg/mL) and the hexane extract exhibited highest H2O2radical scavenging activity (IC50value: 509.84 ± 3.03 µg/mL). The aqueous extract displayed 19.4 ± 0.66% RBC hemolysis and 80.5 ± 0.66% protection caused by hypotonic solution at high concentration of the extract. The fractions of hexane extract revealed a higher zone of inhibition than crude extract. The major components found in the fractions were cyclohexane (40.11%) and 3-(6-Methoxy-3-methyl-2-benzofuranyl) Cyclohexanone (13.68%) as analyzed by GC–MS/MS technique. The current results validate the traditional use of theM. paniculataand warrant its potential in drug development programs in further investigations.
Nitrogen oxides concentration and emission change detection during COVID-19 restrictions in North India
Authors: Misra Prakhar , Takigawa Masayuki , Khatri Pradeep , Dhaka Surendra K. , Dimri A. P. , Yamaji Kazuyo , Kajino Mizuo , Takeuchi Wataru , Imasu Ryoichi , Nitta Kaho , Patra Prabir K. , Hayashida Sachiko
Published: May 2021

COVID-19 related restrictions lowered particulate matter and trace gas concentrations across cities around the world, providing a natural opportunity to study effects of anthropogenic activities on emissions of air pollutants. In this paper, the impact of sudden suspension of human activities on air pollution was analyzed by studying the change in satellite retrieved NO2 concentrations and top-down NOx emission over the urban and rural areas around Delhi. NO2 was chosen for being the most indicative of emission intensity due to its short lifetime of the order of a few hours in the planetary boundary layer. We present a robust temporal comparison of Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) retrieved NO2 column density during the lockdown with the counterfactual baseline concentrations, extrapolated from the long-term trend and seasonal cycle components of NO2 using observations during 2015 to 2019. NO2 concentration in the urban area of Delhi experienced an anomalous relative change ranging from 60.0% decline during the Phase 1 of lockdown (March 25–April 13, 2020) to 3.4% during the post-lockdown Phase 5. In contrast, we find no substantial reduction in NO2 concentrations over the rural areas. To segregate the impact of the lockdown from the meteorology, weekly top-down NOx emissions were estimated from high-resolution TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) retrieved NO2 by accounting for horizontal advection derived from the steady state continuity equation. NOx emissions from urban Delhi and power plants exhibited a mean decline of 72.2% and 53.4% respectively in Phase 1 compared to the pre-lockdown business-as-usual phase. Emission estimates over urban areas and power-plants showed a good correlation with activity reports, suggesting the applicability of this approach for studying emission changes. A higher anomaly in emission estimates suggests that comparison of only concentration change, without accounting for the dynamical and photochemical conditions, may mislead evaluation of lockdown impact. Our results shall also have a broader impact for optimizing bottom-up emission inventories.
Maternal pre-pregnancy weight and early life lower respiratory tract infections in a low-income urban minority birth cohort
Authors: Gutierrez Maria J. , Nino Gustavo , Hong Xiumei , Wang Xiaobin
Published: May 2021

The prevalence of maternal obesity has increased dramatically with adverse consequences on infant health. Prior studies have reported associations between maternal obesity and childhood wheeze, asthma as well as lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI). However, studies examining the association of obesity with early-life LRTIs in low-income urban minority populations are still lacking. This is a critical gap because both obesity and infant respiratory morbidity are more prevalent and severe in these communities. We examined mother‐child dyads from the Boston Birth Cohort (BBC) to define the longitudinal association of maternal pre‐pregnancy BMI and LRTI in infancy, defined as the presence of bronchiolitis, bronchitis, or pneumonia during the first year of life (< 12 months of age). A total of 2,790 mother‐child dyads were included in our analyses. Infants born to pre-pregnancy obese mothers (n = 688, 25%) had 1.43 increased odds (adjOR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.08–1.88, p = 0.012) of developing LRTI during the first year of life when compared with newborns born to normal-weight mothers after adjusting by relevant LRTI risk factors. Notably, infants born to overweight mothers (n = 808, 29%) followed a similar trend (adjOR = 1.31, 95% CI 1.00–1.72, p = 0.048). Our study demonstrated that maternal pre-pregnancy obesity is an independent risk factor for the development of LRTI during infancy in a low-income urban minority birth cohort.
A role for the fusogen eff-1 in epidermal stem cell number robustness in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Koneru Sneha L. , Quah Fu Xiang , Ghose Ritobrata , Hintze Mark , Gritti Nicola , van Zon Jeroen Sebastiaan , Barkoulas Michalis
Published: May 2021

Developmental patterning in Caenorhabditis elegans is known to proceed in a highly stereotypical manner, which raises the question of how developmental robustness is achieved despite the inevitable stochastic noise. We focus here on a population of epidermal cells, the seam cells, which show stem cell-like behaviour and divide symmetrically and asymmetrically over post-embryonic development to generate epidermal and neuronal tissues. We have conducted a mutagenesis screen to identify mutants that introduce phenotypic variability in the normally invariant seam cell population. We report here that a null mutation in the fusogen eff-1 increases seam cell number variability. Using time-lapse microscopy and single molecule fluorescence hybridisation, we find that seam cell division and differentiation patterns are mostly unperturbed in eff-1 mutants, indicating that cell fusion is uncoupled from the cell differentiation programme. Nevertheless, seam cell losses due to the inappropriate differentiation of both daughter cells following division, as well as seam cell gains through symmetric divisions towards the seam cell fate were observed at low frequency. We show that these stochastic errors likely arise through accumulation of defects interrupting the continuity of the seam and changing seam cell shape, highlighting the role of tissue homeostasis in suppressing phenotypic variability during development.
Endothelial glycocalyx degradation and disease severity in Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium knowlesi malaria
Authors: Barber Bridget E. , Grigg Matthew J. , Piera Kim A. , Chen Youwei , William Timothy , Weinberg J. Brice , Yeo Tsin W. , Anstey Nicholas M.
Published: May 2021

Degradation of the endothelial glycocalyx is associated with mortality in adult falciparum malaria. However, its role in the pathogenesis of non-falciparum malaria is unknown. In Malaysian patients with knowlesi (n = 200) and vivax (n = 61) malaria, and in healthy controls (n = 50), we measured glycocalyx breakdown products plasma syndecan-1 and urinary glycosaminoglycans, and evaluated correlations with biomarkers of disease severity. Urinary glycosaminoglycans were increased in patients with knowlesi and vivax malaria compared to healthy controls, and in knowlesi malaria were highest in those with severe disease. In knowlesi malaria, plasma syndecan-1 was also highest in those with severe disease, and correlated with markers of endothelial activation (angiopoietin-2, osteoprotegerin, ICAM-1), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and impaired microvascular reactivity. Syndecan-1 also correlated with endothelial activation (ICAM-1, angiopoietin-2) and ADMA in vivax malaria. In knowlesi malaria increased syndecan-1 was associated with acute kidney injury, after controlling for age and parasitemia. In knowlesi malaria, the difference in median syndecan-1 between severe and non-severe disease was more marked in females than males. Endothelial glycocalyx degradation is increased in knowlesi and vivax malaria, and associated with disease severity and acute kidney injury in knowlesi malaria. Agents that inhibit glycocalyx breakdown may represent adjunctive therapeutics for severe non-falciparum malaria.
Impact of environmental changes on the behavioral diversity of the Odonata (Insecta) in the Amazon
Authors: de Resende Bethânia O. , Ferreira Victor Rennan S. , Brasil Leandro S. , Calvão Lenize B. , Mendes Thiago P. , de Carvalho Fernando G. , Mendoza-Penagos Cristian C. , Bastos Rafael C. , Brito Joás S. , Oliveira-Junior José Max B. , Dias-Silva Karina , Luiza-Andrade Ana , Guillermo Rhainer , Cordero-Rivera Adolfo , Juen Leandro
Published: May 2021

The odonates are insects that have a wide range of reproductive, ritualized territorial, and aggressive behaviors. Changes in behavior are the first response of most odonate species to environmental alterations. In this context, the primary objective of the present study was to assess the effects of environmental alterations resulting from shifts in land use on different aspects of the behavioral diversity of adult odonates. Fieldwork was conducted at 92 low-order streams in two different regions of the Brazilian Amazon. To address our main objective, we measured 29 abiotic variables at each stream, together with five morphological and five behavioral traits of the resident odonates. The results indicate a loss of behaviors at sites impacted by anthropogenic changes, as well as variation in some morphological/behavioral traits under specific environmental conditions. We highlight the importance of considering behavioral traits in the development of conservation strategies, given that species with a unique behavioral repertoire may suffer specific types of extinction pressure.
Results of a German wide survey towards current surgical approach in early stage cervical cancer NOGGO MONITOR 11
Authors: Armbrust Robert , Chen Frank , Richter Rolf , Muallem Mustafa Zela , Mustea Alexander , Holthaus Bernd , Sehouli Jalid
Published: May 2021

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has become the standard approach in early stage cervical cancer (ECC). However, the recently published “LACC” trial and even others could show inferior PFS and OS of MIS compared to open radical hysterectomy. The results led to a widespread debate about the best surgical approach in ECC. The present survey aimed to get first insights after publication. NOGGO and AGE conducted a nationwide digital survey among 186 Gynecological Cancer Centers. Descriptive statistics and t-tests were performed using SPSS. A majority of the centers were of high expertise and/or experience in treatment of ECC and were highly aware of the LACC trial results. Trial quality and scientific value were rated as very good/good. However, still 40% would not change the standard of care to open surgery. Centers with higher volume and participating in clinical trials were more likely to change. This survey represents insights after the surprising results of recently published trials towards the surgical approach of ECC. There still seems to be a high need of future trials and possible explanations for the unexpected worse outcomes in the MIS group.
Effects of TiO2 structure and Co addition as a second metal on Ru-based catalysts supported on TiO2 for selective hydrogenation of furfural to FA
Authors: Tolek Weerachon , Nanthasanti Natdanai , Pongthawornsakun Boontida , Praserthdam Piyasan , Panpranot Joongjai
Published: May 2021

The TiO2 supported Ru-based catalysts were prepared with 1.5 wt% Ru and 0–0.8 wt% Co on various TiO2 (anatase, rutile, P-25, and sol–gel TiO2) and studied in the liquid-phase selective hydrogenation of furfural to furfuryl alcohol (FA) under mild conditions (50 °C and 2 MPa H2). The presence of high anatase crystallographic composition on TiO2 support was favorable for enhancing hydrogenation activity, while the strong interaction between Ru and TiO2 (Ru–TiOx sites) was required for promoting the selectivity to FA. The catalytic performances of bimetallic Ru–Co catalysts were improved with increasing Co loading due to the synergistic effect of Ru–Co alloying system together with the strong interaction between Ru and Co as revealed by XPS, H2-TPR, and TEM–EDX results. The enhancement of reducibility of Co oxides in the bimetallic Ru–Co catalysts led to higher hydrogenation activity with the Ru–0.6Co/TiO2 catalyst exhibited the best performances in FA selective hydrogenation of furfural to FA under the reaction conditions used.
Analysing nystagmus waveforms: a computational framework
Authors: Abadi Richard V. , Akman Ozgur E. , Arblaster Gemma E. , Clement Richard A.
Published: May 2021

We present a new computational approach to analyse nystagmus waveforms. Our framework is designed to fully characterise the state of the nystagmus, aid clinical diagnosis and to quantify the dynamical changes in the oscillations over time. Both linear and nonlinear analyses of time series were used to determine the regularity and complexity of a specific homogenous phenotype of nystagmus. Two-dimensional binocular eye movement recordings were carried out on 5 adult subjects who exhibited a unilateral, uniplanar, vertical nystagmus secondary to a monocular late-onset severe visual loss in the oscillating eye (the Heimann-Bielschowsky Phenomenon). The non-affected eye held a central gaze in both horizontal and vertical planes (± 10 min. of arc). All affected eyes exhibited vertical oscillations, with mean amplitudes and frequencies ranging from 2.0°–4.0° to 0.25–1.5 Hz, respectively. Unstable periodic orbit analysis revealed only 1 subject exhibited a periodic oscillation. The remaining subjects were found to display quasiperiodic (n = 1) and nonperiodic (n = 3) oscillations. Phase space reconstruction allowed attractor identification and the computation of a time series complexity measure—the permutation entropy. The entropy measure was found to be able to distinguish between a periodic oscillation associated with a limit cycle attractor, a quasiperiodic oscillation associated with a torus attractor and nonperiodic oscillations associated with higher-dimensional attractors. Importantly, the permutation entropy was able to rank the oscillations, thereby providing an objective index of nystagmus complexity (range 0.15–0.21) that could not be obtained via unstable periodic orbit analysis or attractor identification alone. These results suggest that our framework provides a comprehensive methodology for characterising nystagmus, aiding differential diagnosis and also permitting investigation of the waveforms over time, thereby facilitating the quantification of future therapeutic managements. In addition, permutation entropy could provide an additional tool for future oculomotor modelling.
Structural insight into Pichia pastoris fatty acid synthase
Authors: Snowden Joseph S. , Alzahrani Jehad , Sherry Lee , Stacey Martin , Rowlands David J. , Ranson Neil A. , Stonehouse Nicola J.
Published: May 2021

Type I fatty acid synthases (FASs) are critical metabolic enzymes which are common targets for bioengineering in the production of biofuels and other products. Serendipitously, we identified FAS as a contaminant in a cryoEM dataset of virus-like particles (VLPs) purified from P. pastoris, an important model organism and common expression system used in protein production. From these data, we determined the structure of P. pastoris FAS to 3.1 Å resolution. While the overall organisation of the complex was typical of type I FASs, we identified several differences in both structural and enzymatic domains through comparison with the prototypical yeast FAS from S. cerevisiae. Using focussed classification, we were also able to resolve and model the mobile acyl-carrier protein (ACP) domain, which is key for function. Ultimately, the structure reported here will be a useful resource for further efforts to engineer yeast FAS for synthesis of alternate products.
The modulation of neural insular activity by a brain computer interface differentially affects pain discrimination
Authors: Taesler Philipp , Rose Michael
Published: May 2021

The experience of pain is generated by activations throughout a complex pain network with the insular cortex as a central processing area. The state of ongoing oscillatory activity can influence subsequent processing throughout this network. In particular the ongoing theta-band power can be relevant for later pain processing, however a direct functional relation to post-stimulus processing or behaviour is missing. Here, we used a non-invasive brain–computer interface to either increase or decrease ongoing theta-band power originating in the insular cortex. Our results show a differential modulation of oscillatory power and even more important a transfer to independently measured pain processing and sensation. Pain evoked neural power and subjective pain discrimination were differentially affected by the induced modulations of the oscillatory state. The results demonstrate a functional relevance of insular based theta-band oscillatory states for the processing and subjective discrimination of nociceptive stimuli and offer the perspective for clinical applications.
Effect of prenatal ambient temperature on the performance physiological parameters, and oxidative metabolism of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) layers exposed to heat stress during growth
Authors: Santana Thaís Pacheco , Gasparino Eliane , de Souza Khatlab Angélica , Brito Claudson Oliveira , Barbosa Leandro Teixeira , Lamont Susan J. , Del Vesco Ana Paula
Published: May 2021

A strategy to mitigate the negative effects of stress on animals is to enhance their ability to beneficially respond to stressful conditions. This study aimed to assess whether prenatal ambient temperature influences the response of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) chicks to environmental challenges during growth. The experiment was conducted in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement: two temperature conditions for the mothers (thermoneutral and heat stress by continuous exposure to 32 °C) and two offspring ambient temperature conditions (thermoneutral and heat stress by intermittent exposure to 34 °C for 6 h/day from 15 to 35 days of age). Heat stress in mothers led to lower laying rate, egg mass, expression of methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MSRA) gene, and antioxidant capacity as well as higher chick mortality rate (1–15 days of age). Maternal heat stress led to lower weight gain and total antioxidant capacity and higher feed conversion ratio. Maternal temperature × Offspring temperature interaction effects were observed on carbonylated protein content and HSP70, GSS, and MSRA gene expression. It was observed that, for chicks hatched from heat-stressed mothers, exposure to heat stress led to higher carbonylated protein content and HSP70 expression than exposure to thermoneutral conditions. Maternal heat stress was also responsible for increasing GSS expression in chicks grown under thermoneutral conditions. Chicks hatched from non-stressed mothers and subjected to heat stress had higher MSRA expression compared to chicks maintained in a thermoneutral environment. Our results show that, although maternal heat stress had no negative effects on performance or oxidative metabolism of offspring grown under thermoneutral conditions, it was associated with lower performance and higher protein oxidation in offspring exposed to heat stress during growth. These results could be due in part to alterations in the expression of genes related to antioxidant capacity.
A combined microfluidic deep learning approach for lung cancer cell high throughput screening toward automatic cancer screening applications
Authors: Hashemzadeh Hadi , Shojaeilangari Seyedehsamaneh , Allahverdi Abdollah , Rothbauer Mario , Ertl Peter , Naderi-Manesh Hossein
Published: May 2021

Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in both men and women worldwide. The high mortality rate in lung cancer is in part due to late-stage diagnostics as well as spread of cancer-cells to organs and tissues by metastasis. Automated lung cancer detection and its sub-types classification from cell’s images play a crucial role toward an early-stage cancer prognosis and more individualized therapy. The rapid development of machine learning techniques, especially deep learning algorithms, has attracted much interest in its application to medical image problems. In this study, to develop a reliable Computer-Aided Diagnosis (CAD) system for accurately distinguishing between cancer and healthy cells, we grew popular Non-Small Lung Cancer lines in a microfluidic chip followed by staining with Phalloidin and images were obtained by using an IX-81 inverted Olympus fluorescence microscope. We designed and tested a deep learning image analysis workflow for classification of lung cancer cell-line images into six classes, including five different cancer cell-lines (P-C9, SK-LU-1, H-1975, A-427, and A-549) and normal cell-line (16-HBE). Our results demonstrate that ResNet18, a residual learning convolutional neural network, is an efficient and promising method for lung cancer cell-lines categorization with a classification accuracy of 98.37% and F1-score of 97.29%. Our proposed workflow is also able to successfully distinguish normal versus cancerous cell-lines with a remarkable average accuracy of 99.77% and F1-score of 99.87%. The proposed CAD system completely eliminates the need for extensive user intervention, enabling the processing of large amounts of image data with robust and highly accurate results.
Applicability of pan-TRK immunohistochemistry for identification of NTRK fusions in lung carcinoma
Authors: Strohmeier Simon , Brcic Iva , Popper Helmut , Liegl-Atzwanger Bernadette , Lindenmann Jörg , Brcic Luka
Published: May 2021

In the last two decades, various therapies have been introduced for lung carcinoma patients, including tyrosine-kinase inhibitors for different mutations. While some of them are specific to specific tumor types, others, like NTRK1–3 fusions, are found in various solid tumors. The occurrence of an NTRK1,2 or 3 fusion acts as a biomarker for efficient treatment with NTRK inhibitors, irrespectively of the tumor type. However, the occurrence of the NTRK1–3 fusions in lung carcinomas is extremely rare. We performed a retrospective analysis to evaluate the applicability of immunohistochemistry with the pan-TRK antibody in the detection of NTRK fusions in lung carcinomas. The study cohort included 176 adenocarcinomas (AC), 161 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), 31 large-cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (LCNEC), and 19 small cell lung carcinomas (SCLC). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed using the pan-TRK antibody (clone EPR17341, Ventana) on tissue microarrays, while confirmation for all positive cases was done using RNA-based Archer FusionPlex MUG Lung Panel. On IHC staining, 12/387 samples (3.1%) demonstrated a positive reaction. Ten SCC cases (10/161, 6.2%), and two LCNEC cases (2/31, 6.5%) were positive. Positive cases demonstrated heterogeneous staining of tumor cells, mostly membranous with some cytoplasmic and in one case nuclear pattern. RNA-based sequencing did not demonstrate any NTRK1–3 fusion in our patients’ collective. Our study demonstrates that pan-TRK expression in lung carcinoma is very low across different histologic types. NTRK1–3 fusions using an RNA-based sequencing approached could not be detected. This stresses the importance of confirmation of immunohistochemistry results by molecular methods.
A hierarchical expert-guided machine learning framework for clinical decision support systems: an application to traumatic brain injury prognostication
Authors: Farzaneh Negar , Williamson Craig A. , Gryak Jonathan , Najarian Kayvan
Published: May 2021

Prognosis of the long-term functional outcome of traumatic brain injury is essential for personalized management of that injury. Nonetheless, accurate prediction remains unavailable. Although machine learning has shown promise in many fields, including medical diagnosis and prognosis, such models are rarely deployed in real-world settings due to a lack of transparency and trustworthiness. To address these drawbacks, we propose a machine learning-based framework that is explainable and aligns with clinical domain knowledge. To build such a framework, additional layers of statistical inference and human expert validation are added to the model, which ensures the predicted risk score’s trustworthiness. Using 831 patients with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury to build a model using the proposed framework, an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and accuracy of 0.8085 and 0.7488 were achieved, respectively, in determining which patients will experience poor functional outcomes. The performance of the machine learning classifier is not adversely affected by the imposition of statistical and domain knowledge “checks and balances”. Finally, through a case study, we demonstrate how the decision made by a model might be biased if it is not audited carefully.
Hybrids of Graphite, Graphene and Graphene Oxide
Authors: Oliva González Cesar Máximo , Kharissova Oxana V. , Ibarra Torres Cynthia Estephanya , Kharisov Boris I. , Gonzalez Lucy T.
Published: May 2021

Carbon hybrids and composites are materials that have promoted technological advances in different applications such as energy storage, catalysis, solar cells, environmental remediation, manufacture of biosensors, etc. For this reason, in this chapter we make an analysis of composites, the synergies of their components and the advantages of incorporating these materials in modern technologies, focusing mainly on those that have graphite, graphene and graphene oxide as the base component in their structure. Since these carbon structures alone have attractive properties for a wide variety of applications, they can also function as host material that promotes synergy between the components of the hybrid material through their covalent or van der Waals interactions between the carbon atoms, granting significant improvements to its original properties or, in some cases, allowing the appearance of unusual properties compared to their individual counterparts.
Carbon Dots Derived from Natural Carbon Sources: Preparation, Chemical Functionalization, Characterization, and Applications
Authors: Saikia Monikankana , Saikia Binoy K.
Published: May 2021

Carbon dots/carbon nanodots/carbon quantum dots (C-Dots/CDs/CQDs) are nascent carbon-based materials in the nano family with several interesting features and characteristics. Generally, they can be defined as tiny surface-functional carbonic nano-particles with a high level and modifiable fluorescence property. These nano-structures have currently gained much prominence in the field of sensors, energy storage, light-emitting diodes, bioimaging, composite products, catalysis, and drug delivery, etc. because of their exceptional chemical, electrical, thermal, and mechanical characteristics. C-Dots can be synthesized basically by two processes i.e., the top-down process mainly including the arc-discharge method, laser ablation, chemical oxidation; and the bottom-up process that comprises of the hydrothermal method, microwave pyrolysis, electrochemical treatment, etc. Due to the incredible properties of these carbon nano-structures, it has become an interesting chapter in the field of nano-research. Moreover, the recent studies focus on the doping/co-doping of C-Dots, synthesis of nanocomposites, and nano-hybrids along with their evolving feasible applications. In this chapter, the key information on C-Dots along with their luminescence mechanism is summarized prior to the progress of C-Dots in preparation techniques, their amazing physical and electronic features, and applications in sensing, catalysis, bio-imaging and optronics. This chapter provides a review on the synthesis of C-Dots from various natural sources including coal and graphite. It also includes some of the important aspects of doping and co-doping C-Dots and formation of nano-composites along with preparation techniques, and their various applications. This chapter provides an overview and outlines the challenges faced while synthesizing C-Dots with different color emissions.
Composites of Carbon Nanodots for Hydrogen Energy Generation
Authors: Choudhury Biswajit
Published: May 2021

This chapter discusses the synthesis of carbon nanocomposites based on zero-dimensional (0D) carbon nanodots with other carbonaceous nanostructures. We include three types of carbon nanodots in our study. These are carbon dots (CDs), graphene quantum dots (GQD), and carbon nitride quantum dots (CNQDs). Our emphasis is on the applications of these materials in solar-powered hydrogen (H2) evolution. Electronic structure calculations and different spectroscopy results demonstrate that they have a suitable conduction band (CB) and valence band (VB) position for H2 generation under solar light. Carbon nanodots serve as an excellent photosensitizer and electron relay center. Thus, in conjugation with other carbonaceous nanostructures, the nanodots can extend the carrier lifetime. Furthermore, carbon quantum dots show infrared responsive unconverted photoluminescence. Therefore, in a carbon composite nanostructure, carbon nanodots extend the photon absorption to the near infrared (NIR) region. This chapter starts with the fabrication of various carbon nanodots and their carbon-based hybrid nanocomposites. We provide an elaborate review of functional group present on the interface engineering and electronic structure tuning for simultaneous carrier separation and easy electron transport. Finally, for each composite nanostructure, we show the H2 evolution possibilities under simulated solar light.
Final Remarks
Authors: Kharissova Oxana V. , Kharisov Boris I.
Published: May 2021

A host of classic and some less-common synthesis methods have been applied for the synthesis of carbon–carbon composites, in particular, high-temperature techniques such as CVD/pyrolysis/carbonization, their combination with next-step nitrogen-plasma treatment, by middle-temperature methods under pressure, solution-based techniques, air-spraying and flash light irradiation methods. Some processes need subsequent oxidation and reduction steps. The resulting 3D hybrids possess novel properties, which are frequently not a sum of those of their counterparts, in particular an improved electrical conductivity, better “solubility”, improved gas adsorption capacity and metal insertion ability. These properties can be varied upon addition or elimination of oxygen-containing and other groups. To elucidate in detail these and other effects, DFT calculations are frequently applied. As a result of carbon–carbon hybrid formation, the counterparts can remain practically unchanged or distorted in distinct grades. Different parts of a hybrid system could possess distinct reactivity. The carbon–carbon hybrids are applied for catalysis, photocatalytic energy generation, degradation of pollutants, Li-ion insertion and storage, as supercapacitors, sensors, lateral heat spreaders for commercial portable electronics, thermal absorbers, and for orthopedic and dental applications, among others.
Two viologen-based photoluminescent compounds: excitation-wavelength-dependent and photoirradiation-time-dependent photoluminescent switches
Authors: Liu Qing , Liu Lu , Yu Cao-Ming , Li Pei-Xin , Guo Guo-Cong
Published: May 2021

We synthesized two isostructural multi-coloured photoluminescent coordination polymers. They exhibit excitation-wavelength-dependent photoluminescence emission and photoirradiation-time-dependent photoluminescence emission in solid-state.
Efficient solid-state synthesis of biomineralized vaterite-derived pure CaMnO3 perovskite for effective photocatalysis
Authors: Paul Debojit , Das Gopal
Published: May 2021

Biomineralized vaterite-based synthesis of the perovskite CaMnO3 for effective photocatalytic dye degradation.
Activation and adsorption performance of sewage sludge carbon for CO2: unusual enhancement effect of HF treatment
Authors: Sun Jingxiang , Zhu Jinzhu , Tian Shuanghong , Wen Yan , Feng Jinxi , Xiong Ya
Published: May 2021

The unusual enhancement effect of HF-treated sludge carbon for CO2 adsorption was found, which contributed to the HF activation role, resulting in the formation of abundant CO2-philic ultra-micropores and C–F functional groups.
Rational design of a FRET-based nanoprobe of gold-conjugated carbon dots for simultaneous monitoring and disruption of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm through selective detection of virulence factor pyocyanin
Authors: Sharma Chandni , Shukla Ashish K. , Acharya Amitabha
Published: May 2021

Fluorescent nanoprobe for detection of pyocyanin to monitor Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation.
Antidiabetic activities of glycoprotein from pea (Pisum sativum L.) in STZ-induced diabetic mice
Authors: Liu Jun-ping , Qian Yan-fang , Qin Gao-yi-xin , Zhao Li-yan , Chen Gui-tang
Published: May 2021

Glycoprotein PGP2 had good hypoglycemic activity and was expected to be developed as a natural medicine for the treatment of type II diabetes.
Benzyl isothiocyanates modulate inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis via Nrf2/HO-1 and NF-κB signaling pathways on indomethacin-induced gastric injury in rats
Authors: El Badawy Shymaa A. , Ogaly Hanan A. , Abd-Elsalam Reham M. , Azouz Asmaa A.
Published: May 2021

The present study investigated the gastroprotective activity of benzyl isothiocyanates (BITC) on indomethacin (IND)-induced gastropathy via its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic activities.
Synthesis and evaluation of pyridine-derived bedaquiline analogues containing modifications at the A-ring subunit
Authors: Barbaro Lisa , Nagalingam Gayathri , Triccas James A. , Tan Lendl , West Nicholas P. , Baell Jonathan B. , Priebbenow Daniel L.
Published: May 2021

Unique synthetic strategies were developed access to new bedaquiline analogues, leading to the discovery that anti-tubercular activity could be retained following replacement of bedaquiline's quinoline A-ring subunit with pyridine heterocycles.
Type-II lateral SnSe/GeTe heterostructures for solar photovoltaic applications with high efficiency
Authors: Zhuang Qianyong , Li Jin , He Chaoyu , Ouyang Tao , Zhang Chunxiao , Tang Chao , Zhong Jianxin
Published: May 2021

SnSn/GeTe lateral heterostructures are semiconductors with type II band alignment and possess high absorption over a wide range of visible light and high power conversion efficiency (up to 22.3%).
Water-mediated reduction of [Cu(dmp)2(CH3CN)]2+: implications of the structure of a classical complex on its activity as an anticancer drug
Authors: Levín Pedro , Ruiz María C. , Romo Adolfo I. B. , Nascimento Otaciro R. , Di Virgilio Ana L. , Oliver Allen G. , Ayala Alejandro P. , Diógenes Izaura C. N. , León Ignacio E. , Lemus Luis
Published: May 2021

[Cu(dmp)2(CH3CN)]2+ can be reduced in acetonitrile containing water due to steric constraints of the ligands. Hydroxyl radicals are produced from water oxidation. We take advantage of this reaction to evaluate the anticancer activity of the complex.
A NiCo LDH nanosheet array on graphite felt: an efficient 3D electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline media
Authors: Ye Chen , Zhang Longcheng , Yue Luchao , Deng Biao , Cao Yang , Liu Qian , Luo Yonglan , Lu Siyu , Zheng Baozhan , Sun Xuping
Published: May 2021

A NiCo LDH nanosheet array on graphite felt is an efficient 3D OER catalyst with the need for an overpotential of 249 mV to drive 20 mA cm−2 in 1.0 M KOH.
Broadband electromagnetic wave absorption properties and mechanism of MoS2/rGO nanocomposites
Authors: Ding Yi , Zhao Xuan , Li Qi , Zhang Zheng , Kang Zhuo , Liao Qingliang , Zhang Yue
Published: May 2021

MoS2/rGO nanocomposites are successfully prepared as enhanced electromagnetic wave absorbers, and the maximum reflection loss of −26.7 dB and effective absorption bandwidth of 5.05 GHz were obtained through regulating the filler loadings.
Regioselective, copper(i)-catalyzed, tandem sulfonylation-cyclization of 1,5-dienes with sulfonyl chlorides
Authors: Ding Ran , Liu Ya-Li , Hao Hui , Chen Chuan-Yi , Liu Lei , Chen Nian-Shou , Guo Yu , Wang Pei-Long
Published: May 2021

A copper(i)-catalyzed sulfonylation-cyclization of 1,5-dienes with sulfonyl chlorides was developed.
Novel N,Cl-doped deep eutectic solvents-based carbon dots as a selective fluorescent probe for determination of morphine in food
Authors: Yin Qinhong , Wang Mengtao , Fang Dong , Zhu Yanqin , Yang Lihua
Published: May 2021

A schematic illustrating the synthesis and morphine detection of N,Cl-CDs.
Toughened chitosan-based composite membranes with antibiofouling and antibacterial properties via incorporation of benzalkonium chloride
Authors: Khoerunnisa Fitri , Kulsum Chintia , Dara Fitri , Nurhayati Mita , Nashrah Nisa , Fatimah Siti , Pratiwi Amelinda , Hendrawan Hendrawan , Nasir Muhamad , Ko Young Gun , Ng Eng-Poh , Opaprakasit Pakorn
Published: May 2021

Chitosan/PEG/MWCNT/BKC membranes exhibit enhanced antibiofouling properties against S. aureus and E. coli. MWCNT/BKC are located as dispersed nano-clusters with π–π stacking interactions in the chitosan matrix, and are coved by PEG chains.
Deposition behavior of lignin on solid surfaces assessed by stagnation point adsorption reflectometry
Authors: Alipoormazandarani Niloofar , Fokkink Remco , Fatehi Pedram
Published: May 2021

The deposition of lignin on a solid surface (i.e., SiO2 made wafer) was fundamentally studied using Stagnation Point Adsorption Reflectometry (SPAR).
A two-step chemical vapor deposition process for the growth of continuous vertical heterostructure WSe2/h-BN and its optical properties
Authors: Alahmadi M. , Mahvash F. , Szkopek T. , Siaj M.
Published: May 2021

Direct growth of WSe2 on hexagonal boron nitride via a two step CVD process.
Recent developments in natural mineral-based separators for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Liu Fangfang , Chuan Xiuyun
Published: May 2021

Based on the issues of polyolefin separators, the application of natural minerals with unique properties to lithium-ion battery separators has attracted widespread attention.
Evaluation of fully-functionalized diazirine tags for chemical proteomic applications
Authors: Conway Louis P. , Jadhav Appaso M. , Homan Rick A. , Li Weichao , Rubiano Juanita Sanchez , Hawkins Richard , Lawrence R. Michael , Parker Christopher G.
Published: May 2021

The chemical proteomic properties of five diazirine-based, fully-functionalized photoaffinity tags, including a newly developed, minimal tag, were compared. This study provides guidance for the development of new photoaffinity probes.
Green ammonia as a spatial energy vector: a review
Authors: Salmon Nicholas , Bañares-Alcántara René
Published: May 2021

This review examines the cost of green ammonia production and intercontinental transport to assess the complete supply chain for energy in a global, decarbonised ammonia economy. It further identifies the major constraints on supply and demand.
Pulse electrodeposited CoFeNiP as a highly active and stable electrocatalyst for alkaline water electrolysis
Authors: Li Yun , Li Ruopeng , Wang Dan , Xu Hao , Lu Xiangyu , Xiao Lihui , Meng Fan , Zhang Jinqiu , An Maozhong , Yang Peixia
Published: May 2021

A high-performance CoFeNiP/NF bifunctional catalyst for water splitting was prepared via a pulse-electrodeposition method. Doping with iron and nickel significantly modulates the electronic state of CoP, resulting in enhanced activity and stability.
Predictable interfacial mass transfer intensification of Sn–N doped multichannel hollow carbon nanofibers for the CO2 electro-reduction reaction
Authors: Cao Ziqiang , Liu Song , Xu Keyi , Mao Yuanxin , Wu Yingjie , Mao Qing
Published: May 2021

Construction of controllable multichannel and mesoporous structures on Sn and N co-doped carbon nanofibers enables intensified interfacial CO2 transfer and stabilized high-loading CO2,ads, enhancing CO2 electro-reduction performance.
3D-Printed highly stretchable conducting polymer electrodes for flexible supercapacitors
Authors: Yang Jiayu , Cao Qinghe , Tang Xiaowan , Du Junjie , Yu Tao , Xu Xi , Cai Dongming , Guan Cao , Huang Wei
Published: May 2021

A stretchable conducting polymer electrode has been prepared using extrusion 3D printing technology in combination with rational structural patterning, which shows promising mechanical and electrochemical performance.
Diatom-inspired 2D nitric oxide releasing anti-infective porous nanofrustules
Authors: Lim Hong Kit , Tan Shao Jie , Wu Zhuoran , Ong Boon Chong , Tan Kwan Wee , Dong Zhili , Tay Chor Yong
Published: May 2021

This paper describes the development and antibacterial activity of a 2D nitric oxide releasing nanocomposite with a mesoporous structure inspired by nature's diatoms.
A novel microbial fuel cell electrode design: prototyping a self-standing one-step bacteria-encapsulating bioanode with electrospinning
Authors: Sanchez Jérémie-Luc , Laberty-Robert Christel
Published: May 2021

A microbial fuel cell bioanode encapsulating electroactive bacteria in core–shell fibers mixed with a conductive scaffold was electrospun. This new design opens up perspectives of storable ready-to-use anodes for portable applications.
Energy efficiency, latency and reliability trade‐offs in M2M uplink scheduling
Authors: Torkudzor Moses K , Schwarz Stefan , Abdulai Jamal‐Deen , Rupp Markus
Published: May 2021

Issues of energy efficiency, latency and reliability have engaged researchers' attention in wireless communications for a long time due to their importance in the dependable delivery of data over wireless networks. The emergence of M2M communication and IoT has intensified this attention because energy efficiency and latency are critical factors affecting their performance. In this paper, a scheduler is designed by utilising the probability density function of the signal‐to‐noise ratio of Rayleigh fading channels to define a threshold used for resource allocation. This threshold, combined with the mean SNR of an M2M device, determines whether or not an M2M device is eligible for scheduling, given its instantaneous channel conditions. The trade‐off between energy efficiency, latency and packet drop of this proposed scheduling strategy is investigated. The performance of the proposed scheduler is compared to round robin, maximum throughput, and proportional fair schedulers. Compared to these standard scheduling strategies, the scheduler provides the advantage of trading off latency for energy efficiency by tuning the threshold parameter.
Exploring the pulsational properties of two ZZ Ceti stars
Authors: Bognár Zs. , Kalup Cs. , Sódor Á.
Published: May 2021

Context. We continued our ground-based observing project with the season-long observations of ZZ Ceti stars at the Konkoly Observatory. Our present targets are the newly discovered PM J22299+3024 and the already known LP 119–10 variables. LP 119–10 was also observed by the TESS space telescope in 120-second cadence mode.

Aims. Our main aims are to characterise the pulsation properties of the targets and extract pulsation modes from the data for asteroseismic investigations.

Methods. We performed a standard Fourier analysis of the daily, weekly, and entire data sets, together with test data of different combinations of weekly observations. We then performed asteroseismic fits utilising the observed and the calculated pulsation periods. For the calculations of model grids necessary for the fits, we applied the 2018 version of the White Dwarf Evolution Code.

Results. We derived six possible pulsation modes for PM J22299+3024 and five plus two TESS pulsation frequencies for LP 119–10. We note that further pulsation frequencies may be present in the data sets, but we found their detection ambiguous, so we omitted them from the final frequency list. Our asteroseismic fits of PM J22299+3024 give 11 400 K and 0.46 M⊙ for the effective temperature and the stellar mass, respectively. The temperature is ≈800 K higher, while the mass of the model star is exactly the same as was earlier derived by spectroscopy. Our model fits of LP 119–10 put the effective temperature in the range of 11 800−11 900 K, which is again higher than the spectroscopic 11 290 K value. Moreover, our best model solutions give M* = 0.70 M⊙ mass for this target, which is near to the spectroscopic value of 0.65 M⊙ and likewise in the case of PM J22299+3024. The seismic distances of our best-fit model stars agree with the Gaia astrometric distances of PM J22299+3024 and LP 119–10 within the errors, validating our model results.
Recent developments in mitochondrial medicine (Part 1)
Authors: Weissig Volkmar , Edeas Marvin
Published: May 2021

Research into elucidating structure and function of mitochondria has been quite steady between the time of discovery during the end of the 19th century until towards the late 1980’s. During the 1990s there was talk about a “comeback” of this organelle reflecting a widely revitalized interest into mitochondrial research which was based on two major discoveries made during that time. The first was the etiological association between human diseases and mitochondrial DNA mutations, while the second revealed the crucial function of mitochondria during apoptosis. The March 5th, 1999 issue of Science even featured a textbook image of a mitochondrion on its front cover and was entirely dedicated to this organelle. Whilst the term “comeback” might have been appropriate to describe the general excitement surrounding the new mitochondrial discoveries made during the 1990s, a term for describing the progress made in mitochondrial research during the last two decades is difficult to find. Between 2000 and 2020 the number of publications on mitochondria has skyrocketed. It is now widely accepted that there hardly exists any human disease for which either the etiology or pathogenesis does not seem to be associated with mitochondrial malfunction. In this review we will discuss and follow several lines of mitochondrial research from their early beginnings up to the present. We hope to be able to convince the reader of what we expressed about a decade ago, that the future of medicine will come through mitochondria.
Smart working in the COVID-19 emergency: A comparative study of the banking and insurance sectors
Authors: Veglianti Eleonora , Dal Zotto Cinzia , De Marco Marco
Published: May 2021

The highly competitive and increasingly dynamic environment in which economic actors are currently operating requires more flexible and resilient organizations, even more so with the widespread of the COVID-19. With the emergence of the Industry 4.0 revolution, many sectors recognize the importance of innovative digital technologies for their activities and are reorganizing their traditional business model also in terms of smart working; others, are still in their infancy. This study explores the potential of smart working solutions to improve collaboration and efficiency in the work environment, by enabling at the same time an improved balance between private and working life. The paper uses secondary data as well as primary data obtained through interviews within the banking and insurance sectors in Italy and in Switzerland. By shedding light on benefits and drawbacks, research findings contribute to the discussion on smart working, which has emerged as a solution in pandemic emergencies but is becoming a new strategic paradigm for a sustainable and resilient organization of work in the future.