bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Subdural Bioelectronic Implant to Record Electrical Activity from the Spinal Cord in Freely Moving Rats
Authors: Harland Bruce , Aqrawe Zaid , Vomero Maria , Boehler Christian , Cheah Ernest , Raos Brad , Asplund Maria , O'Carroll Simon J. , Svirskis Darren
Published: May 2022

Bioelectronic devices have found use at the interface with neural tissue to investigate and treat nervous system disorders. Here, the development and characterization of a very thin flexible bioelectronic implant inserted along the thoracic spinal cord in rats directly in contact with and conformable to the dorsal surface of the spinal cord are presented. There is no negative impact on hind‐limb functionality nor any change in the volume or shape of the spinal cord. The bioelectronic implant is maintained in rats for a period of 12 weeks. The first subdural recordings of spinal cord activity in freely moving animals are presented; rats are plugged in via a recording cable and allowed to freely behave and move around on a raised platform. Recordings contained multiple distinct voltage waveforms spatially localize to individual electrodes. This device has great potential to monitor electrical signaling in the spinal cord after an injury and in the future, this implant will facilitate the identification of biomarkers in spinal cord injury and recovery, while enabling the delivery of localized electroceutical and chemical treatments.
Material and Structural Engineering of Ovonic Threshold Switch for Highly Reliable Performance
Authors: Seo Hyun Kyu , Ryu Jin Joo , Lee Su Yeon , Park Minsoo , Park Seong‐Geon , Song Wooseok , Kim Gun Hwan , Yang Min Kyu
Published: May 2022

As a selection device for highly integrated crossbar‐type data storage, the chalcogenide‐based ovonic threshold switch (OTS) shows high selectivity, fast switching speed, and bi‐directional operation ability for stacking with versatile memory devices. These promising performance features of OTS are based on electronic resistance switching through the amorphous chalcogenide active layer. However, there is a need to improve the thermal stability of the chalcogenide material, which is essential for maintaining the amorphous structure, and the minimization of the operation voltage shift phenomenon, which is essential for achieving sufficient endurance performance. In this study, the active layer of Se‐doped (at 5%) GeTe (SGT) is investigated as a selection device with the potential for high thermal stability (<400 °C) and extreme endurance performance (>1012). The Se introduced into the GeTe (GT) layer compensates for the Te vacancy in the GT layer, making the SGT layer resistant to crystallization in high‐thermal‐budget circumstances. To achieve extremely high endurance performance, a device structural reconfiguration is proposed that minimizes the operation voltage shift by restricting the surge current in its initial resistance switching stage. The results of analyses of the materials and electrical characteristics of the OTS demonstrate its enhanced performance.
Carbon Catalysts for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction toward Multicarbon Products
Authors: Pan Fuping , Yang Xiaoxuan , O'Carroll Thomas , Li Haoyang , Chen Kai‐Jie , Wu Gang
Published: May 2022

Electrochemical CO2 reduction offers a compelling route to mitigate atmospheric CO2 concentration and store intermittent renewable energy in chemical bonds. Beyond C1, C2+ feedstocks are more desirable due to their higher energy density and more significant market need. However, the CO2‐to‐C2+ reduction suffers from significant barriers of CC coupling and complex reaction pathways. Due to remarkable tunability over morphology/pore architecture along with great feasibility of functionalization to modify the electronic and geometric structures, carbon materials, serving as active components, supports, and promoters, provide exciting opportunities to tune both the adsorption properties of intermediates and the local reaction environment for the CO2 reduction, offering effective solutions to enable CC coupling and steer C2+ evolution. However, general design principles remain ambiguous, causing an impediment to rational catalyst refinement and application thrusts. This review clarifies insightful design principles for advancing carbon materials. First, the current performance status and challenges are discussed and effective strategies are outlined to promote C2+ evolution. Further, the correlation between the composition, structure, and morphology of carbon catalysts and their catalytic behavior is elucidated to establish catalytic mechanisms and critical factors determining C2+ performance. Finally, future research directions and strategies are envisioned to inspire revolutionary advancements.
Further description of two patients with biallelic variants in NADSYN1 in association with cardiac and vertebral anomalies
Authors: Kortbawi Hannah , Ames Elizabeth , Pritchard Amanda , Devine Patrick , van Ziffle Jessica , Slavotinek Anne
Published: May 2022

Congenital nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) deficiency disorders are associated with pathogenic variants in the genes NADSYN1, HAAO, and KYNU. These disorders overlap with the anomalies present in vertebral, anal, cardiac, tracheoesophageal, radial and renal, and limb anomalies (VATER/VACTERL) association and often result in premature death. Children who survive typically have developmental delays or intellectual disability. Here, we describe two patients with compound heterozygous variants in NADSYN1 who presented with cardiac and vertebral defects overlapping with the VATER/VACTERL association, although the patients did not satisfy criteria for the diagnosis of VATER/VACTERL due to their lack of limb anomalies and significant renal anomalies. One patient survived into childhood with developmental delays and may represent an expansion of the survival data for NADSYN1‐associated NAD deficiency disorders. Interestingly, one patient had hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and one had an aortic coarctation and transverse hypoplasia of the aortic arch, suggesting that NADSYN1 sequencing should be performed in children presenting with congenital anomalies related to VATER/VACTERL association and with HLHS and aortic arch abnormalities.
MYH7 variants cause complex congenital heart disease
Authors: Ritter Alyssa , Leonard Jacqueline , Gray Christopher , Izumi Kosuke , Levinson Katharine , Nair Divya R. , O'Connor Matthew , Rossano Joseph , Shankar Venkat , Chowns Jessica , Marzolf Amy , Owens Anjali , Ahrens‐Nicklas Rebecca C.
Published: May 2022

MYH7, encoding the myosin heavy chain sarcomeric β‐myosin heavy chain, is a common cause of both hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathy. Additionally, families with left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy (LVNC) and congenital heart disease (CHD), typically septal defects or Ebstein anomaly, have been identified to have heterozygous pathogenic variants in MHY7. One previous case of single ventricle CHD with heart failure due to a MYH7 variant has been identified. Herein, we present a single center's experience of complex CHD due to MYH7 variants. Three probands with a history of CHD, LVNC, and/or arrhythmias were identified to have MYH7 variants through multigene panel testing or exome sequencing. These three patients collectively had 12 affected family members, four with a history of Ebstein anomaly and seven with a history of LVNC. These findings suggest a wider phenotypic spectrum in MYH7‐related CHD than previously understood. Further investigation into the possible role of MYH7 in CHD and mechanism of disease is necessary to fully delineate the phenotypic spectrum of MYH7‐related cardiac disease. MYH7 should be considered for families with multiple individuals with complex CHD in the setting of a family history of LVNC or arrhythmias.
Tunable Circularly Polarized Luminescence from Inorganic Chiral Photonic Crystals Doped with Quantum Dots
Authors: Yang Xuekang , Lv Jiawei , Zhang Jing , Shen Tianxi , Xing Tingyang , Qi Fenglian , Ma Shaohua , Gao Xiaoqing , Zhang Wei , Tang Zhiyong
Published: May 2022

Chiral semiconductor nanostructures have received enormous attention due to their emerging circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) properties. However, compared with well‐studied photoluminescence (PL), the reported CPL is much weaker and more challenging to be modulated. Herein, we describe a new approach for acquiring the intense and tunable CPL from inorganic chiral photonic crystals (CPCs) doped with semiconductor quantum dots (QDs). Unprecedentedly, the sign, position and intensity of CPL peaks can be precisely controlled by manipulating either the photonic band gap of CPCs or luminescence wavelength of QDs and a giant absolute dissymmetry factor |glum| up to 0.25 is obtained. More importantly, the origin of the CPL modulation is clearly elucidated by both experiment and theory. This work lays the foundation for the construction of next‐generation high‐performance CPL‐based devices.
Catalytic Regio‐ and Enantioselective Protonation for the Synthesis of Chiral Allenes: Synergistic Effect of the Counterion and Water
Authors: Lin Qianchi , Zheng Sujuan , Chen Long , Wu Jin , Li Jinzhao , Liu Peizhi , Dong Shunxi , Liu Xiaohua , Peng Qian , Feng Xiaoming
Published: May 2022

A highly enantioselective tandem Pudovik addition/[1,2]‐phospha‐Brook rearrangement of α‐alkynylketoamides with diarylphosphine oxides was achieved with a N,N′‐dioxide/ScIII complex as the catalyst. This protocol features broad substrate scope, high regio‐ and enantioselectivity, and good functional‐group compatibility, providing a straightforward route to various trisubstituted allenes with a diarylphosphinate functionality in good yields with high enantioselectivities (up to 97 % yield, 96 % ee). Control experiments and theoretical calculations revealed that a synergistic effect of the counterion and water was critical for the regio‐ and enantioselective protonation after [1,2]‐phospha‐Brook rearrangement. The synthetic utility of this methodology was demonstrated by the conversion of products into complex bridged polycyclic architectures through intramolecular dearomatizing arene/allene cycloaddition.
A Silylene‐Stabilized Germanium Analogue of Alkynylaluminum
Authors: Chen Ming , Lei Binglin , Wang Xuyang , Rong Hua , Song Haibin , Mo Zhenbo
Published: May 2022

In contrast to the well‐developed metal acetylides, the heavier analogues of the type REEM (E=Si, Ge, Sn, Pb; M=metals) have not been reported to date. Herein, we describe the synthesis of a silylene‐stabilized germanium analogue of alkynylaluminum (4) by the reaction of a silylene‐stabilized digermavinylidene (3) with 0.25 equiv of (AlCp*)4in THF at 80 °C. The structure of4has been unambiguously characterized by spectroscopic analysis, X‐ray diffraction analyses and DFT calculations, and features a linear AlGeGe skeleton with a Ge=Ge double bond and a polarized Ge−Al bond. Complex4shows excellent reactivity towards small molecules such as H2, CS2and TolNCO, and this allows for the construction of the structurally intriguing germylenyl aluminum complex (5) and the germacycles (6,7).
One‐Step C2H4Purification from Ternary C2H6/C2H4/C2H2Mixtures by a Robust Metal–Organic Framework with Customized Pore Environment
Authors: Wang Gang‐Ding , Li Yong‐Zhi , Shi Wen‐Juan , Hou Lei , Wang Yao‐Yu , Zhu Zhonghua
Published: May 2022

One‐step C2H4purification from ternary C2H6/C2H4/C2H2mixtures by a single adsorbent is of great industrial significance, but few adsorbents achieve this separation. Herein, we report a robust metal–organic framework (MOF) that possesses methyl‐decorated nonpolar pores and shows one‐step C2H4purification (purity >99.9 %) from binary C2H6/C2H4mixtures and ternary C2H6/C2H4/C2H2mixtures. The methyl groups in pores provide a suitable pore environment to simultaneously enhance the adsorption capacity for C2H2and C2H6compared to C2H4. Simulations revealed the multiple interactions between C2H6or C2H2molecules and the pore wall, while the interactions with C2H4molecules are weak and also unfavorable due to the repulsion from methyl groups in pores. The MOF displays high C2H6and C2H2uptakes and benchmark C2H6/C2H4selectivity (2.2), surpassing all of the reported MOFs for one‐step C2H4purification from ternary C2H6/C2H4/C2H2mixtures.
Cobalt(III)/Chiral Carboxylic Acid‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Synthesis of Benzothiadiazine‐1‐oxides via C−H Activation
Authors: Hirata Yuki , Sekine Daichi , Kato Yoshimi , Lin Luqing , Kojima Masahiro , Yoshino Tatsuhiko , Matsunaga Shigeki
Published: May 2022

Among sulfoximine derivatives containing a chiral sulfur center, benzothiadiazine‐1‐oxides are important for applications in medicinal chemistry. Here, we report that the combination of an achiral cobalt(III) catalyst and a pseudo‐C2‐symmetric H8‐binaphthyl chiral carboxylic acid enables the asymmetric synthesis of benzothiadiazine‐1‐oxides from sulfoximines and dioxazolones via enantioselective C−H bond cleavage. With the optimized protocol, benzothiadiazine‐1‐oxides with several functional groups can be accessed with high enantioselectivity.
Free Metallophosphines: Extremely Electron‐Rich Phosphorus Superbases That Are Electronically and Sterically Tunable**
Authors: Wei Rui , Ju Shaoying , Liu Liu Leo
Published: May 2022

We report herein a facile and highly modular access to an intriguing class of free Au‐substituted phosphines (AuPhos), namely (LAu)nPR3−n (L=singlet carbene ligand; R=H, aryl, alkyl, silyl) (n=1–3). The Tolman electronic parameter (TEP) values coupled with theoretical investigations showcase that Au‐substitution can boost the electron‐releasing ability of AuPhos, thus leading to an electronically and sterically tunable, extremely electron‐rich phosphorus center. The high basicity of AuPhos is attributed to the d‐p lone pair π‐repulsion arising from interaction between Au substituents and the lone pair at P. A series of multi‐nuclear transition metal complexes (i.e. Rh, Ir, Pd, Au, W, Mn) ligated by AuPhos are readily prepared via a straightforward process. Preliminary catalytic results reveal the facilitation of Pd‐catalyzed C−N coupling reactions and Ir‐catalyzed decarbonylation reactions via AuPhos. This work provides insights for future development of electron‐rich ligands.
Utilization of dairy beta stream to produce phospholipids products by salt precipitation and solvent fractionation
Authors: Wan Zifan , Fei Tao , Clark Stephanie , Wang Tong
Published: May 2022

Dairy phospholipids (PLs) have unique functional and nutraceutical properties over PLs obtained from other sources that typically lack phosphatidylserine (PS) and sphingomyelin (SM). In this study, an underutilized dairy by‐product, beta stream, was used for the production of enriched dairy PLs products and membrane proteins by solvent extractions. After calcium salt precipitation of the membrane components, various green (i.e., safer or bioderived) solvent systems were evaluated for their capabilities for PLs extraction from the PLs‐protein‐salt precipitate in comparison to the standard Folch extraction (chloroform: methanol, 2:1, v/v). Among the five solvent systems (Folch alternatives) evaluated, the combination of hexane and isopropanol (H:IP, 3:2, v/v) was identified as the best for total lipid and PLs extraction, resulting in a recovery of 74.4% and 65.7% (w/w), respectively. EDTA chelating of the calcium ions was applied to produce a salt‐free membrane protein product. A treatment with 0.2% EDTA was able to significantly reduce the calcium content to 0.20 mg/g protein compared to 58.81 mg/g in the initial calcium‐precipitated MFGM. EDTA chelating of cations also facilitated the extraction of lipids during H:IP (3:2) treatment, which increased the total recovery of total lipid and PLs to 90.7% and 82.5% (w/w), respectively. Overall, this study demonstrates a great potential for the utilization of beta stream and other low‐solids content aqueous dairy by‐products for PLs recovery and further fractionation. Value‐added dairy products (PLs and membrane proteins) can be obtained using green solvents identified in this study, and the process is industrially scalable.
Influence of the melting point on the deblocking reaction of methyl ethyl ketoxime‐blocked aromatic polyisocyanates
Authors: Li Xiaoxuan , Zhai Linming , Meng Xun , Wu Shengli
Published: May 2022

Blocked polyisocyanates are used in single component (1 K) water‐based and powder coatings to simplify coating synthesis and reduce waste. However, the relationship between the melting point and deblocking behavior of blocked polyisocyanates is not clear. We aim to determine the influence of the melting temperature on the deblocking of methyl ethyl ketoxime (MEKO)‐blocked aromatic polyisocyanates. A toluene‐2,4‐diisocyanate trimer grafted with different mass ratios of methoxypolyethylene glycol (MPEG) is used to achieve compounds with different melting points and is blocked with MEKO. The deblocking behaviors of the polymers are investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The results show that the deblocking temperature and average activation energy of the blocked polyisocyanates decrease with increase in melting point. Further, MEKO is more likely to be lost from blocked polyisocyanates having lower melting points. Furthermore, polyacrylic resins cured with blocked polyisocyanates having low melting points exhibit better properties than those having high melting points. The results reveal that the reduction in melting point induced by grafting with MPEG can significantly reduce the deblocking temperature of blocked polyisocyanates. The improvements in these properties may help achieve the low‐temperature crosslinking of blocked polyisocyanates for coating technologies.
Digital divide, critical‐, and crisis‐informatics perspectives on K‐12 emergency remote teaching during the pandemic
Authors: Reynolds Rebecca , Aromi Julie , McGowan Catherine , Paris Britt
Published: May 2022

The rapid deployment of emergency remote teaching in the pandemic presents sweeping societal‐level information systems phenomena worthy of scholarly inquiry. This paper reports findings from teacher interviews conducted with K‐12 public school teachers, exploring how digital access and use gaps in communities reflect wider digital and social inequalities as schools fulfilled emergency remote teaching mandates, becoming swept up into e‐learning technology expansion trends propelled by mandates, and unfettered corporate edtech. Results show persistence of home and school level digital affordance gaps as hindrances to pandemic pedagogy. We build upon theory of the digital divide, and crisis and critical informatics literature considering how critical approaches to the study of socio‐technical systems research can inform these understandings, providing insights into how localized digital inequities contribute to broader digital inequality and social inequality, in the educative processes expected of public education in democratic societies. Our work gives voice to one highly pressured and conflicted stakeholder in these dynamics—K‐12 public school teachers—and demonstrates some of the ways in which digital inequity gaps may play a further magnifying role of societal division through expanding edtech deployment in K‐12 grades, if current edtech trends hold.
Electrocatalytic HER Enhancement of C3N4 in NiCo2O4
Authors: Zhang Chao , Wang Jinming , Liu Ying , Li Weiping , Wang Yilin , Qin Guohui , Lv Zhiguo
Published: May 2022

Generally, C3N4 was widely used in the field of photocatalytic hydrogen production, but only few studies focused on electrocatalytic hydrogen production field in Ni/Co based systems. Herein, to investigate the enhanced HER property of C3N4, NiCo2O4@C3N4 were fabricated successfully via a simple mixture method. With the introduction of C3N4, NiCo2O4@C3N4 showed better HER property with small overpotential (89 mV, η10 mA cm−2), low Tafel slope (146 mV dec−1) and superior long‐term stability, thereby indicating the excellent synergistic effect between NiCo2O4 and C3N4. Besides, compared with NiCo2O4, the large electrochemically active surface areas of NiCo2O4@C3N4 (ca. 126 cm2) indicated the abundant active sites, directly proofing the HER enhancement of C3N4. According to Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculation results, when NiCo2O4 combined with C3N4, the EH2O* of NiCo2O4@C3N4 decreased from 3.80 to 2.76 eV and, accordingly, the heterostructure possessed an appropriate ΔGH* (0.19 eV, close to Pt), suggesting the unique synergistic effect between NiCo2O4 and C3N4. Meanwhile, H2O interacted with the d orbital of the Co atom and induced more electrons to transfer from NiCo2O4 to C3N4 and H2O sequentially, thereby accumulating plenty of electrons on H2O molecule and further activating H2O molecule. Accordingly, the H−O−H bond angle of H2O was narrowed from 104.3° to 103.2°, meanwhile, the O−H bond length was extended from 0.975 to 0.989 Å, demonstrating the HER enhancement of C3N4.
A hybrid fault prediction method for control systems based on extended state observer and hidden Markov model
Authors: Yang Dezhen , Hai Xingshuo , Ren Yi , Cui Jingjing , Li Kanjing , Zeng Shengkui
Published: May 2022

Fault diagnosis and prediction for complex control systems rely either on the collection of rich data for training neural networks or on the system models and prior knowledge of faults. These methods are difficult to apply directly in complex integrated systems due to the large uncertainties in practical scenarios. A new fault diagnosis and prediction technique that is based on extended state observer (ESO) and a hidden Markov model (HMM) for control systems is proposed in this paper. Real‐time and predictive information that is obtained by ESO of the active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) is utilized to improve the HMM method for the fault prediction of control systems with large uncertain disturbances. The proposed approach realizes a high recognition rate with a small demand for data, and the dependence on the system model is weak without prior knowledge of faults. Fault prediction of the control system output can be realized without additional sensors. The proposed solution is evaluated in simulations of an asynchronous servo motor control system against the traditional control method and the ADRC control. The results indicate that the proposed method performs well in fault prediction and outperforms the traditional method in terms of control when disturbances and failures occur.
Adaptive Gaussian filters for nonlinear state estimation with one‐step randomly delayed measurements
Authors: Poluri Sri Mannarayana , Dey Aritro
Published: May 2022

This paper proposes new algorithms of adaptive Gaussian filters for nonlinear state estimation with maximum one‐step randomly delayed measurements. The unknown random delay is modeled as a Bernoulli random variable with the latency probability known a priori. However, a contingent situation has been considered in this work when the measurement noise statistics remain partially unknown. Due to unavailability of the complete knowledge of measurement noise statistics, the unknown measurement noise covariance matrix is estimated along with states following: (i) variational Bayesian approach, (ii) maximum likelihood estimation. The adaptation algorithms are mathematically derived following both of the above approaches. Subsequently, a general framework for adaptive Gaussian filter is presented with which variants of adaptive nonlinear filters can be formulated using different rules of numerical approximation for Gaussian integrals. This paper presents a few of such filters, viz., adaptive cubature Kalman filter, adaptive cubature quadrature Kalman filter with their higher degree variants, adaptive unscented Kalman filter, and adaptive Gauss–Hermite filter, and demonstrates the comparative performance analysis with the help of a nontrivial Bearing only tracking problem in simulation. Additionally, the paper carries out relative performance comparison between maximum likelihood estimation and variational Bayesian approaches for adaptation using Monte Carlo simulation. The proposed algorithms are also validated with the help of an off‐line harmonics estimation problem with real data.
Hybrid‐triggered scheme asynchronous control for hidden Markov jump systems with partially unknown probabilities and cyber attacks
Authors: Guo Yaxiao , Li Junmin
Published: May 2022

This paper is concerned with the issue of hybrid‐triggered scheme
asynchronous control for networked Markov jump systems (MJSs) with probabilistic cyber attacks. First, in view of the subsistent phenomenon that the controller cannot capture the system modes synchronously, the hidden Markov model (HMM) with partly unknown probabilities is introduced in this article to describe such asynchronous phenomenon. In addition, the hybrid‐triggered scheme includes time‐triggered scheme and event‐triggered scheme, in which the switching signal between two schemes obeys random Bernoulli distribution. By utilizing Lyapunov stability theory and matrix inequality technique, some sufficient conditions are developed, which can guarantee the networked MJSs mean‐square asymptotically stable (MSAS) and
performance; also, the desired controller gains are obtained by singular value decomposition (SVD) methods. Moreover, as the special cases of the results above, three corollaries are given. Finally, a numerical example and a pulse width‐modulation‐driven boost converter (PWMDBC) model are provided to demonstrate the usefulness and reliability of our developed approaches.
Gray matter volume alteration is associated with insistence on sameness and cognitive flexibility in autistic youth
Authors: Seng Guan‐Jye , Lai Meng‐Chuan , Goh Joshua Oon Soo , Tseng Wen‐Yih Issac , Gau Susan Shur‐Fen
Published: May 2022

Restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) are hallmark characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Previous studies suggest that insistence on sameness (IS) characterized as higher‐order RRBs may be a promising subgrouping variable for ASD. Cognitive inflexibility may underpin IS behaviors. However, the neuroanatomical correlates of IS and associated cognitive functions remain unclear. We analyzed data from 140 autistic youth and 124 typically developing (TD) youth (mean age = 15.8 years). Autistic youth were stratified by median‐split based on three current IS items in the autism diagnostic interview‐revised into two groups (high, HIS, n = 70, and low, LIS, n = 70). Differences in cognitive flexibility were assessed by the Cambridge neuropsychological test automated battery (CANTAB). T1‐weighted brain structural images were analyzed using voxel‐based morphometry (VBM) to identify differences in gray matter (GM) volume among the three groups. GM volume of regions showing group differences was then correlated with cognitive flexibility. The HIS group showed decreased GM volumes in the left supramarginal gyrus compared to the LIS group and increased GM volumes in the vermis VIII and left cerebellar lobule VIII compared to TD individuals. We did not find significant correlations between regional GM volumes and extra‐dimensional shift errors. IS may be a unique RRB component and a potentially valuable stratifier of ASD. However, the neurocognitive underpinnings require further clarification.

Lay Summary

The present study found parietal, temporal and cerebellar gray matter volume alterations in autistic youth with greater insistence on sameness. The findings suggest that insistence on sameness may be a useful feature to parse the heterogeneity of the autism spectrum yet further research investigating the underlying neurocognitive mechanism is warranted.
Rapid identification of chemical constituents in Yinqiao powder using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole‐time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry using data filtering strategy
Authors: Gu Yongzhe , Wei Lele , Liu Yue , Luo Yun , Tan Ting
Published: May 2022

Yinqiao powder is a classic and effective prescription for the treatment of many kinds of pneumonia in China. To date, its chemical constituents have not been determined. A comprehensive identification of its chemical constituents provided a structural basis to discover the potential anti‐pneumonia ingredients in Yinqiao powder. This paper developed an ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled to quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐QTOF‐MS/MS) analysis with diagnostic product ions and neutral loss filtering strategy and applied it for the comprehensive chemical profiling of Yinqiao powder, which simplified the structural elucidation of chemical constituents in Yinqiao powder. A total of 124 compounds, comprising 8 C6‐C2 glucoside conjugates, 28 iridoid glycosides, 14 lignans, 21 phenylethanol glycosides, 20 triterpenoid saponins, 9 chlorogenic acids, and 24 flavonoids, were rapidly identified in Yinqiao powder, and 32 of these were characterized by comparing their MS/MS data and retention time with reference standards. The results indicated that UHPLC‐QTOF‐MS/MS method coupled with data filtering strategy was feasible and rational to identify the complex chemical constituents of Yinqiao powder, which would be conducive to discover the active ingredients of Yinqiao powder for the treatment of pneumonia and establish its quality standard.
Click Bioconjugation: Modifying Proteins Using Click‐Like Chemistry
Authors: Stump Bernhard
Published: May 2022

Bioconjugation deals with the chemical modification of proteins. The reactions used exploit either the intrinsic chemical reactivity of the biomolecule or introduce functionalities that can then be subsequently reacted without interfering with other functional groups of the biological entity. Perfectly selective, high yielding chemical transformations are needed that can be run in aqueous environment under mild pH conditions. Requirements that have an obvious overlap with the definition of click chemistry. This review shows a selection of successfully applied click‐type reactions in bioconjugation as well as some recent developments to broaden the chemical toolbox to meet the challenge of selective, bioorthogonal modification of biomolecules.
Advances in Designer DNA Nanorobots Enabling Programmable Functions
Authors: Wang Meixia , Li Xiaoxiao , He Fang , Li Juan , Wang Hong‐Hui , Nie Zhou
Published: May 2022

The advent of DNA nanotechnology has paved the way for the development of nanoscale robotics capable of executing smart and sophisticated tasks in a programmed and automatic manner. The programmability and customizable functionality of designer DNA nanorobots interfacing with biology would offer great potential for basic and applied research in the interdisciplinary fields of chemistry, biology, and medicine. This review aims to summarize the latest progress in designer DNA nanorobotics enabling programmable functions. We first describe the state‐of‐art engineering principles and the functional modules used in the rational design of a dynamic DNA nanorobot. Subsequently, we summarize the distinct types of DNA nanorobots performing sensing tasks, sensing‐and‐actuation, or continuous actuation, highlighting the versatility of designer DNA nanorobots in accurate biosensing, targeted drug delivery, and autonomous molecular operations to promote desired cellular behavior. Finally, we discuss the challenges and opportunities in the development of functional DNA nanorobotics for biomedical applications. We envision that significant progress in DNA‐enabled nanorobotics with programmable functions will improve precision medicine in the future.
Iso‐osmolar versus low‐osmolar contrast media and outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention: Insights from the VA CART Program
Authors: Jovin Ion S. , Warsavage Theodore J. , Plomondon Mary E. , Grunwald Gary K. , Waldo Stephen W. , Rao Sunil V. , Brilakis Emmanouil S. , Azzalini Lorenzo
Published: May 2022

Objectives

To assess whether contrast media type is associated with outcomes in veterans undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Background

There is uncertainty about the impact of iso‐osmolar contrast medium (IOCM) versus low‐osmolar contrast medium (LOCM) on acute kidney injury (AKI) and other major adverse renal or cardiovascular events (MARCE) after PCI. We assessed the association between contrast media type and MARCE in patients who underwent PCI within the Veterans Administration Healthcare System.

Methods

We reviewed PCIs performed between 2009 and 2019 using data from the Veterans Affairs Clinical Assessment, Reporting, and Tracking Program. The primary endpoint was MARCE, a composite of myocardial infarction, stroke, all‐cause death, AKI, and dialysis onset at 30 days.

Results

The analysis cohort consisted of 50,389 patients of whom 25,555 received LOCM and 24,834 received IOCM. There was significant variation in contrast type across sites. After adjustment for comorbidities, no significant association between contrast media type and MARCE was observed in both site—unadjusted (odds ratio [OR] for IOCM: 0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.92–1.08; p = 0.97) and site‐adjusted (OR: 1.06; 95% CI: 0.95–1.18; p = 0.30) analyses. Similar results were obtained when contrast volume was imputed or the data was subset to individuals with available contrast volume.

Conclusion

In a large cohort of veterans undergoing PCI, we found considerable site variation in the type of contrast media used but no significant association between contrast media type and the incidence of MARCE, both before and after adjustment for the site.
Preparation of Co3O4 Electrodes with Different Morphologies for the Investigation of Magnetic Response in Hybrid Capacitors
Authors: Liang Zhiwei , Tian Wensheng , Liu Yuan , Du Yuanzhen , Zhang Wenxin , Lin Lihua , Chen Mingming , Cao Dawei
Published: May 2022

The magnetic response of hybrid capacitors (HCs) has become an essential topic in practical applications and fundamental research, but because of the complicated contact surface between the electrode and electrolyte, identifying the effect of the morphologies of electrodes on the magnetic response remains challenging. Here, we prepared needle‐, weed‐ and net‐like Co3O4 as electrodes to investigate the morphology‐dependent HCs properties under a magnetic field (MF). The results showed that the capacity of the needle‐ and weed‐like electrode changes in a range of 5.8 % to −23.2 % and 12.8 % to −5.1 % at a scan rate from 5 to 100 mV/s with a 4000Gs magnetic field, while that of net‐like electrode changes from 45.3 % to 41.3 %. The different magnetic response is attributed to the effect of the morphology on electrolyte convection under an external magnetic field. This work favours understanding the magnetic dependence of HCs properties and pushes the practical application of HCs in magnetic environments.
Preparation and Electrochemical Properties of Polyaniline Nanostructures Using Vertically Aligned Mesochannels as Confinement
Authors: Li Yuping , Zhang Kai , Ma Jing , Liu Yufeng , Liang Xiaohong , Xuan Haicheng , Han Peide
Published: May 2022

One‐dimensional conducting polymer nanowire arrays have shown promising potential in applications of electrochemical supercapacitors, sensors, and more. Herein, vertically aligned mesoporous silica films (VMSF) with hexagonally packed mesochannels were generated on indium‐tin oxide (ITO) electrodes by an electrochemically‐assisted self‐assembly (EASA) method. The prepared VMSF/ITO electrode was then exploited as a hard template for electrochemical growth of well‐aligned polyaniline (PANI) nanofilaments within silica mesochannels, eventually forming a PANI/VMSF/ITO composite electrode. The electrochemical conditions of the PANI growth through the mesochannnels were investigated in detail, and the electrochemical capacitance was also tested. It is shown that the resulting nanofilaments separated through silica walls exhibit significantly improved electrochemical performance, including better electrochemical reversibility and high specific capacitance (3.00 mF/cm2 at 20 μA/cm2), which is increased by about 152 % in comparison to PANI directly on an ITO (PANI/ITO) substrate. Such an improved electrochemical performance is mainly contributed to by enhanced charge transfer efficiency and improved electrochemical reaction kinetics resulting from the well‐aligned PANI nanostructure.
Electrochemically Assisted Cycloaddition of Carbon Dioxide to Styrene Oxide on Copper/Carbon Hybrid Electrodes: Active Species and Reaction Mechanism
Authors: Li Wenze , Qi Ke , Lu Xingyu , Qi Yujie , Zhang Jialong , Zhang Bingsen , Qi Wei
Published: May 2022

A novel electrochemically assisted cycloaddition process is proposed, in which highly efficient coupling of CO2 with styrene oxide (SO) can be achieved to form styrene carbonate (SC) as a high‐value‐added product. A series of Cu catalysts with different morphologies and chemical states were fabricated on carbon paper (CP) by using in‐situ electrodeposition, and the sample with nano‐dendrimer structure was found to exhibit a relatively high activity of 74.8 % SC yield with 92.7 % SO conversion under gentle reaction conditions, thus showing its potential for practical applications. The relatively high electrochemically active surface area and charge transfer ability of dendrimer‐like Cu benefited the electrochemical reaction. In particular, the Cu2+ species that were formed in situ during the reaction played a vital role in enhancing the activity and selectivity of the proposed Cu/CP hybrid catalyst. Cu2+ atoms served as active sites that can not only electrochemically activate CO2 but also facilitate the ring opening of SO. Mechanistic analysis suggested that the reaction followed electrochemical and liquid‐phase heterogeneous paths, which provide a new green and sustainable route for efficient utilization of CO2 resources for fine chemical electrosynthesis.
What Role Does the Incident Light Intensity Play in Photocatalytic Conversion of CO2: Attenuation or Intensification?
Authors: Zhu Zhonghui , Xuan Yimin , Liu Xianglei , Zhang Kai , Zhang Ying , Zhu Qibin , Wang Jin
Published: May 2022

Artificial photoreduction of CO2 is vital for the sustainable development of human beings via solar energy storage in stable chemicals. This process involves intricate light‐matter interactions, but the role of incident light intensity in photocatalysis remains obscure. Herein, the influence of excitation intensity on charge kinetics and photocatalytic activity is investigated. Model photocatalysts include the pure graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) and g‐C3N4 loaded with noble/non‐noble‐metal cocatalysts (Ag, TiN, and CuO). It is found that the increase of light intensity does not always improve the electron utilization. Overly high excitation intensities cause charge carrier congestion and changes the recombination mechanism, which is called the light congestion effect. The electron transport channels can be established to mitigate the light‐induced effect via the addition of cocatalyst, leading to a nonlinear growth in the reaction rate with increasing light intensity. From experiments and simulations, it is found that the light intensity and active site density should be collectively optimized for increasing the energy conversion efficiency. This work elucidates the effect of light intensity on photocatalytic CO2 reduction and emphasizes the synergistic relationship of matching the light intensity and the photocatalyst category. The study provides guidance for the design of efficient photocatalysts and the operation of photocatalytic systems.
Analysis of senescence in gingival tissues and gingival fibroblast cultures
Authors: Furukawa Masae , Matsuda Kazunari , Aoki Yu , Yamada Mitsuyoshi , Wang Jingshu , Watanabe Maki , Kurosawa Mie , Shikama Yosuke , Matsushita Kenji
Published: May 2022

Objective

To determine senescence‐associated changes in the gingival tissues of aged mice and gingival fibroblast cultures.

Materials and Methods

The production of senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase (SA‐β‐gal) and mRNA expression of p16, p21, interleukin (IL)‐1β, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α) were evaluated in gingival tissues, gingival fibroblasts of 10‐ and 20‐month‐old C57BL/6NCrl mice, and multiple‐passaged and hydrogen peroxide‐stimulated human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). Changes in molecular expression in HGF cultures due to senescent cell elimination by the senolytic drug ABT‐263 (Navitoclax) were analyzed.

Results

Compared to 10‐week‐old mice, the 20‐month‐old mice had higher numbers of M1 macrophages. The proportion of cells expressing SA‐β‐gal were also higher in 20‐ month‐old mice than in 10‐week‐old‐mice. Gingival fibroblasts in 20‐month‐old mice expressed less collagen 1a1, collagen 4a1, and collagen 4a2 mRNA than those in 10‐week‐old mice. Compared to control cells, H2O2 treated HGF cells expressed higher levels of SA‐β‐gal and p16, p21, IL‐1β, and TNF‐α. Furthermore, ABT‐263 suppressed HGF cell expression of cytokines after senescence induction.

Conclusions

Senescence‐associated changes were observed in the gingival tissues of aged mice and HGF cultures. In addition, the potential of senolytic drugs to modify aging‐related changes in the gingiva was shown.
Grazing management effects on cover crop responses and cotton lint yield
Authors: Santos Erick R. S. , Dubeux José C. B. , Sollenberger Lynn E. , Mackowiak Cheryl L. , Wright David L. , Dilorenzo Nicolas , Siqueira Michelle C. B. , Garcia Carlos C. V. , D. Queiroz Luana M. , van Cleef Flavia O. S. , Garcia Liza , Jaramillo David M. , Ruiz‐Moreno Martin
Published: May 2022

Grazing cover crops can improve land‐use efficiency and diversification, making agricultural enterprises more resilient to market fluctuations. We investigated how grazing intensity affects cover crop forage responses and cotton (Gossypium hirsutumL.) lint yield. Cover crops were a rye (Secale cerealeL.)–oat (Avena sativaL.) mixture managed as follows: no grazing + 34 kg N ha–1(NG34), no grazing + 90 kg N ha–1(NG90), heavy grazing (HG), moderate grazing (MG), and light grazing (LG), compared with a no cover crop control. All grazed treatments received 90 kg N ha–1. Average postgrazing herbage mass (HM) for HG, MG, and LG was 520, 1,350, and 2,120 kg dry matter ha–1, respectively. Herbage accumulation (HA) rate was greater for LG than HG, with MG being intermediate. Forage crude protein (CP) and in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM) concentrations decreased as the season progressed and were usually greater for HG than MG and LG. Stubble residue before cover crop termination was greatest for NG34 and NG90 in 2018 and 2020, however, in 2019 NG90 had greater stubble residue before termination than NG34 (7540 vs. 6650 kg dry matter ha–1). Heavy grazing resulted in greater weed proportion (17 vs. 6.5%) and lesser soil cover (49 vs. 70%) than nongrazed cover crops. Cotton lint yield was low and unaffected by treatment, reaching a maximum of 520 kg ha–1in 2019. Although lint yield was not affected by cover crop fertilization or grazing during 3 yr, HG reduced soil cover and increased weed presence.
Identification of fetal liver stroma in spectral cytometry using the parameter autofluorescence
Authors: Peixoto Márcia Mesquita , Soares‐da‐Silva Francisca , Schmutz Sandrine , Mailhe Marie‐Pierre , Novault Sophie , Cumano Ana , Ait‐Mansour Cedric
Published: May 2022

The fetal liver (FL) is the main hematopoietic organ during embryonic development. The FL is also the unique anatomical site where hematopoietic stem cells expand before colonizing the bone marrow, where they ensure life‐long blood cell production and become mostly resting. The identification of the different cell types that comprise the hematopoietic stroma in the FL is essential to understand the signals required for the expansion and differentiation of the hematopoietic stem cells. We used a panel of monoclonal antibodies to identify FL stromal cells in a 5‐laser equipped spectral flow cytometry (FCM) analyzer. The “Autofluorescence Finder” of SONY ID7000 software identified two distinct autofluorescence emission spectra. Using autofluorescence as a fluorescence parameter we could assign the two autofluorescent signals to three distinct cell types and identified surface markers that characterize these populations. We found that one autofluorescent population corresponds to hepatoblast‐like cells and cholangiocytes whereas the other expresses mesenchymal transcripts and was identified as stellate cells. Importantly, after birth, autofluorescence becomes the unique identifying property of hepatoblast‐like cells because mature cholangiocytes are no longer autofluorescent. These results show that autofluorescence used as a parameter in spectral FCM is a useful tool to identify new cell subsets that are difficult to analyze in conventional FCM.
Collaborate with librarians to help students learn to conduct research
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: May 2022

Daneshea Palmer, Director of Accessibility Services and Director of the College Assistance Program at Iona College, launched a partnership with her institution's library to help CAP students successfully complete assignments.
Qualifying Disabilities
Authors: Lyerly Eric
Published: May 2022

An overview of the key topics faced by disability services providers with citations to noteworthy cases, statutes, regulations, and additional sources.
Individual differences in song plasticity in response to social stimuli and singing position
Authors: Jablonszky Mónika , Canal David , Hegyi Gergely , Krenhardt Katalin , Laczi Miklós , Markó Gábor , Nagy Gergely , Rosivall Balázs , Szász Eszter , Zsebők Sándor , Garamszegi László Zsolt
Published: May 2022

Individual animals can react to the changes in their environment by exhibiting behaviors in an individual‐specific way leading to individual differences in phenotypic plasticity. However, the effect of multiple environmental factors on multiple traits is rarely tested. Such a complex approach is necessary to assess the generality of plasticity and to understand how among‐individual differences in the ability to adapt to changing environments evolve. This study examined whether individuals adjust different song traits to varying environmental conditions in the collared flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis), a passerine with complex song. We also aimed to reveal among‐individual differences in behavioral responses by testing whether individual differences in plasticity were repeatable. The presence of general plasticity across traits and/or contexts was also tested. To assess plasticity, we documented (1) short‐scale temporal changes in song traits in different social contexts (after exposition to male stimulus, female stimulus or without stimuli), and (2) changes concerning the height from where the bird sang (singing position), used as a proxy of predation risk and acoustic transmission conditions. We found population‐level relationships between singing position and both song length (SL) and complexity, as well as social context‐dependent temporal changes in SL and maximum frequency (MF). We found among‐individual differences in plasticity of SL and MF along both the temporal and positional gradients. These among‐individual differences in plasticity were repeatable. Some of the plastic responses correlated across different song traits and environmental gradients. Overall, our results show that the plasticity of bird song (1) depends on the social context, (2) exists along different environmental gradients, and (3) there is evidence for trade‐offs between the responses of different traits to different environmental variables. Our results highlight the need to consider individual differences and to investigate multiple traits along multiple environmental axes when studying behavioral plasticity.