bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measurement of Radon Concentration in Selected Buildings in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka
Authors: Chukwurah A.B. , Ezeribe A.C. , Achinike S.C. , Umeasiegwu O.A. , Onyeisi E.
Published: November 2024

Radiation due to Radon gas and its progeny constitutes 50% of the total background radiation exposure. The odourless, colourless and tasteless property of the gas makes it difficult to detect its presence. It can only be detected when measured using a detector. The radioactive decay of radon has a deterministic effect on human lungs when inhaled. For this reason, the World Health Organization (WHO) grouped radon as a human lung carcinogen. The aim of this study was to estimate the average radon concentration in Nnamdi Azikiwe University. Radon levels were measured in eleven different buildings on the campus using the RD 200 radon-eye detector.  The indoor radon concentration was measured in both ground floors and upstairs. The average radon concentration measured on the ground floor was 55.03 ± 9.51 Bq.m-3 and 13.90 ± 3.83 Bq.m-3 on the upper floor. The implication of this result is that a person that spends a total of 2000 hrs/yr in these ground floor locations will be exposed to an average effective dose of 0.38 mSv.y-1, while a worker that spends equal time in the upstairs locations will accumulate an average of 0.096 mSv.y-1. Generally, the mean radon concentration in the campus was measured to be 36.34 Bq.m-3 which is a bit lower than the global average of 40 Bq.m-3. The mean annual effective dose for this study was found to be 0.25 mSv.y-1 which is lower than the recommended limit of 1 mSv.y-1. The data from this research offers a reference point for designing the ventilation system of future buildings in the school.
O IMPACTO DA ASMA NO BRASIL E A GESTÃO EM SAÚDE PARA O MELHORAMENTO DO SEU CONTROLE DE EXARCERBAÇÕES
Authors: Gomes Luciano Gama da Silva , Costa Ryan dos Santos , Praxedes Marcus Fernando da Silva
Published: November 2024

Introdução: A asma é uma doença crônica que não há cura. Conhecer seu impacto na sociedade e prever gastos é de suma importância para equilíbrio financeiro público/privado. Objetivo: Analisar o impacto da asma no Brasil, no período de 2008 a 2022, e propor estratégias de gestão pública para diminuição das exacerbações. Métodos: Estudo transversal, cujos os dados foram obtidos via DATASUS/TABNET, buscando-se pelo CID-10 - Doenças do Aparelho Respiratório. Resultados: A asma é uma das doenças respiratórias que mais interna pacientes no Brasil, com média de 70.508 hospitalizações/ano e tem uma média anual de 2.598 óbitos. Por conta disso, a asma demanda elevados gastos para o SUS, principalmente devido a quantidade das internações desses pacientes em estado de exacerbação. Outro ponto a se destacar é que há uma nítida sazonalidade desses quantitativos de hospitalizações e gastos. Conclusão: Por ser uma doença crônica que não tem cura, a asma é uma das principais doenças respiratórias sazonais a serem consideradas, pois parte da população não recebe atendimento adequado, o que impacta diretamente no aumento do número de internações, gastos financeiros e piora da qualidade de vida do asmático.
Alterações em instrumentais cirúrgicos detectadas no centro de materiais e esterilização: estudo multicêntrico
Authors: Varoto Adriely de Abreu , Miranda Amanda Braz , Albuquerque Patrícia de Sales Tito , Lima Elizângela Leão da Silva , Marques Hercília Naiara Nogueira , Alvim André Luiz Silva
Published: November 2024

Introdução: Instrumentais cirúrgicos com alterações relacionadas a pontos, manchas, corrosão e/ou oxidação podem causar eventos adversos ao paciente devido a redução da funcionalidade e a presença de biofilmes. Objetivo: Analisar alterações em instrumentais cirúrgicos detectadas no centro de materiais e esterilização. Materiais e métodos: Estudo multicêntrico, transversal, descritivo, de natureza quantitativa realizado em três hospitais localizados na região central de São Paulo, SP, Brasil. Os pesquisadores realizaram uma seleção aleatória de instrumentais cirúrgicos na sala de preparo e após, realizado inspeção visual com auxílio de uma lupa de aumento. Resultados: Foram analisados 900 (100,0%) instrumentais cirúrgicos, dos quais 365 (41,0%) foram identificados com a presença de pontos e manchas, 312 (35,0%) apresentaram alterações na coloração, enquanto 133 (15,0%) continham sinais de oxidação ou corrosão. O hospital de estudo, o tipo de instrumental cirúrgico, a utilização de água potável, alterações na água e o uso de detergente enzimático podem desencadear alterações nos instrumentais (p<0,05). Conclusão: Esta pesquisa mostrou que os produtos para saúde apresentaram alterações, podendo comprometer a segurança do paciente.
O PROJETO DE REFORMA DO CÓDIGO CIVIL, AS EXPECTATIVAS SOCIAIS E A TUTELADOS ANIMAIS DE COMPANHIA
Authors: Gramstrup Erik Frederico , Armando Catherine Fernanda dos Santos
Published: November 2024

O artigo analisa as reformas propostas para o Código Civil brasileiro, especialmente no que se refere à tutela jurídica dos animais de companhia. O estudo investiga a evolução dos direitos dos animais, considerando a sensibilidade e o afeto humano, bem como utiliza uma metodologia que inclui a análise de julgados, a interpretação de projetos de lei em trâmite e comparações com legislação estrangeira. A abordagem doutrinária e jurisprudencial orienta a pesquisa, da mesma forma que a discussão teórica aborda as mudanças nos direitos dos animais e as novas perspectivas jurídicas. O estudo conclui que, embora as mudanças propostas no projeto de Código Civil representem um avanço significativo, ainda existem lacunas na proteção efetiva dos direitos dos animais de companhia. Ainda, a pesquisa identifica a necessidade de maior clareza e rigor nas disposições legais para garantir a tutela adequada desses animais. As principais conclusões destacam a importância de uma legislação mais robusta e detalhada para assegurar o bem-estar e os direitos dos animais de companhia, refletindo as demandas da sociedade contemporânea e os avanços na percepção dos direitos dos animais.
FAMÍLIA MULTIESPÉCIE E A LEGITIMIDADE PASSIVA SUCESSÓRIA DOS ANIMAIS DE ESTIMAÇÃO, ACRIAÇÃODEENCARGOOPELEGISNA SUCESSÃO
Authors: Abilio Juan Roque , Santin Valter Foletto
Published: November 2024

O presente trabalho busca analisar a legitimidade passiva dos animais de estimação em receberem herança. Ele se justifica pela importância factual do tema diante da necessidade de se pensar em mecanismos aptos aos tutores a garantir os cuidados de seus animais de estimação após o falecimento da pessoa. Para a realização da pesquisa usa-se o método de abordagem dedutivo e de procedimento bibliográfico com pesquisa em documentação direta (legislação e jurisprudência) e indireta (artigos científicos, livros e demais obras monográficas) e com análise qualitativa dos resultados apresentados. O principal norte teórico reside no pensamento biocêntrico de Peter Singer a justificar titulação de direitos pelos animais não humanos e no pensamento de Emmanuel Levinas a trazer respeito pelos sentimentos nutridos pelos tutores em relação ao animal. Destarte, com a união dos pressupostos teóricos, há a viabilidade de se reconhecer a chamada família multiespécie e dela pugnar proteções jurídicas aos seus membros. A conclusão do artigo, após análise teórica dos referenciais manejados e de diversos projetos de lei em especial o de n° 179/2023, resulta na ideia de que nada obstante se afastar a legitimidade passiva dos animais há mecanismos de proteção atualmente existentes para serem aplicados após a morte do tutor. Busca ainda avançar de forma inédita em propor obrigação legal para os sucessores no cuidado dos animais de estimação sob pena de indignidade e deserdação.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Automotive Design: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Mohamad Gamal Moustafa Hussien , Alfuraih Mazen
Published: December 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming more important with transformative impacts in the automotive design
process. The role of AI in automotive technology is being chiefly investigated from the perspectives of
information technology, mechatronics, mechanical engineering, control science, and computer simulation. This
paper discusses the application and potential challenges of AI from the viewpoints of interdisciplinary
technologies within automotive engineering. We systematically present the trends and applications regarding the
combination of AI and automotive engineering, and discuss the possible problems as a result of integrating these
interdisciplinary fields. In addition to discussing these questions, a final key issue is the necessity of educating
not only engineers and researchers but also all stakeholders in the automotive industry in these fields.
The investigation of such interdisciplinary research will have significant impacts on the future of transformative
re-engineering of the world. An overall scenario about the future will occur to the reader at the end of this paper.
Future of the vehicles are being transformed from mechanical products into informatics systems. Practical
deployment of onboard AI technology in new complex automotive environments demands novel functionality
adjustments, adding machine learning processes able to cope with interpretability constraints, uncertainty, and
energy efficiency. AI in vehicles has gained remarkable scientific attention as it has several applications in
automotive in areas including intelligent systems, speech and image recognition, predictive intelligence, and
recommendation systems. AI in automotive can transfer information that is initially in a physical form, such as a spoken command or a written text input, to a medium that can understand it logically or rationally, and thus allow the AI program to develop a response.(1)
Genome‐wide analysis of the callose enzyme families of fertile and sterile flower buds of the Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis)
Authors: Pu Yanan , Hou Lingyun , Guo Yingqi , Ullah Ikram , Yang Yongping , Yue Yanling
Published: June 2019

Callose is a β‐1,3‐glucan commonly found in higher plants that plays an important role in regulating plant pollen development. It is synthesized by glucan synthase‐like (GSL) and is degraded by the enzyme endo‐1,3‐β‐glucosidase. However, genome‐wide analyses of callose GSL and endo‐1,3‐β‐glucosidase enzymes in fertile and sterile flower buds of Chinese cabbage have not yet been reported. Here, we show that delayed callose degradation at the tetrad stage may be the main cause of microspore abortion in Chinese cabbage with nuclear sterility near‐isogenic line ‘10L03’. Fifteen callose GSLs and 77 endo‐1,3‐β‐glucosidase enzymes were identified in Chinese cabbage. Phylogenetic, gene structural and chromosomal analyses revealed that the expansion occurred due to three polyploidization events of these two gene families. Expression pattern analysis showed that the GSL and endo‐1,3‐β‐glucosidase enzymes are involved in the development of various tissues and that the genes functionally diverged during long‐term evolution. Relative gene expression analysis of Chinese cabbage flowers at different developmental stages showed that high expression of the synthetic enzyme BraA01g041620 and low expression of AtA6‐homologous genes (BraA04g008040, BraA07g009320, BraA01g030220 and BraA03g040850) and two other genes (BraA10g020080 and BraA05g038340) for degrading enzymes in the meiosis and tetrad stages may cause nuclear sterility in the near‐isogenic line ‘10L03’. Overall, our data provide an important foundation for comprehending the potential roles of the callose GSL and endo‐1,3‐β‐glucosidase enzymes in regulating pollen development in Chinese cabbage.
EDGAR
: A Versatile Tool for Phylogenomics
Authors: Blom Jochen , Glaeser Stefanie P. , Juhre Tobias , Kreis Julian , Hanel Patrick H.G. , Schrader Jascha G. , Kämpfer Peter , Goesmann Alexander
Published: June 2019

The deployment of next‐generation sequencing approaches has caused a rapid increase in the number of completely sequenced genomes. As one result of this development, it is feasible to analyze not only single genomes, but also large groups of related genomes in a comparative approach. Whole genome sequencing of type strain genomes also holds huge potential for obtaining a higher resolution phylogenetic and taxonomic classification. In the past 9 years, the EDGAR platform has become one of the most established software tools in the field of comparative genomics. During this time, the software has been continuously improved, and a large number of new analysis features have been added. In recent years, the use of EDGAR for core‐genome‐based phylogenomic/taxonomic analysis has become a main application field of the software. With a focus on generating genome sequences of all type strains of prokaryotic species, the basic 16S rRNA gene sequence phylogeny can be significantly extended to a higher resolution core‐genome‐based taxonomy, and lab work intensive DNA–DNA hybridization (DDH) can be replaced by genome‐sequence‐based indices, which reflect the species borders in the same manner as the DDH.

The web‐based user interface of EDGAR offers all tools required for phylogenomic inter‐ and intraspecies taxonomic analyses as needed for the proposal of novel species. EDGAR calculates core‐genome‐based phylogenetic trees with neighbor‐joining and maximum‐likelihood methods as well as amino acid identity (AAI) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) matrices. Furthermore, it offers convenient visualization features such as Venn diagrams, synteny plots, and a comparative view of the genomic neighborhood of orthologous genes. Recently, the software was extended to include various new features, such as statistical analyses, replicon grouping options, and second‐level analyses of meta gene sets. Thus, the software enables a quick survey of evolutionary relationships and simplifies the process of obtaining new biological insights into the differential gene content of kindred genomes.

EDGAR also provides public databases with precomputed projects providing comparative genomics and phylogenomic results. The platform provides 322 genus‐based public databases comprising 8,079 complete genomes. Besides those genus‐based projects, in this article, we present 226 new public projects that are clustered on the family level and use type strains genomes, which also include draft genomes. These new public projects comprise a further 4,400 genomes. EDGAR is free for academic use and funded as a service by the German Network for Bioinformatics Infrastructure – de.NBI. EDGAR is available via the public web server
http://edgar.computational.bio
.
A
renicella
Authors: Romanenko Lyudmila A.
Published: June 2019

Are.ni.cel'la. L. fem. n.
arena
, sand; L. fem. n.
cella
, a chamber, and in biology a cell; N.L. fem. n.
Arenicella
, a cell from sand.

Proteobacteria / Gammaproteobacteria / Arenicellales / Arenicellaceae / Arenicella

Gram‐negative, aerobic, oxidase‐positive, catalase‐positive, deep yellow‐pigmented nonmotile rod‐shaped bacteria. Cells are 0.5–0.6‐µm wide and 2.0–4.0‐µm long. Chemoorganoheterotrophic. Sodium ions are essential for growth. Slightly halophilic, alkaliphilic, and mesophilic. The dominant isoprenoid quinone is Q‐8. The polar lipids include phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, an aminophospholipid, and an unidentified phospholipid. The major fatty acids are C
16:1
ω7
c
, iso‐C
16:0
, iso‐C
18:0
, and C
18:1
ω7
c
. The known habitat is marine environment.
Arenicella
is a genus in the family
Arenicellaceae
, order
Arenicellales
, class
Gammaproteobacteria
, phylum
Proteobacteria
.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 46.3–48.1 (
T
m
).

Type species
:
Arenicella xantha
Romanenko, Tanaka, Frolova and Mikhailov 2010, 1835
VP
.
G
lycocaulis
Authors: Abraham Wolf‐Rainer
Published: June 2019

Gly.co.cau'lis. Gr. adj.
glykys
sweet; L. masc. n.
caulis
stalk; N.L. masc. n.
Glycocaulis
sweet (sugar) stalk.

Proteobacteria / Alphaproteobacteria / Rhodobacterales / Hyphomonadaceae / Glycocaulis

Glycocaulis
cells are
dimorphic
and morphologically and behaviorally distinct from each other. One cell type is sessile, nonmotile, and bearing a
prosthecum
; the other cell type is motile due to one polar flagellum. Cells multiply by binary fission. During division, one cell possesses a prosthecum and the other a single polar flagellum. Each appendage occurs at the cell pole opposite the one formed during fission. The flagellated cell develops a prosthecum at the base of the flagellum, secretes adhesive material at its end, attaches to interfaces, and enters the immobile vegetative phase. Cells stain Gram‐negative and are chemoorganotrophic, oligotrophic, and strict aerobes. Species are catalase‐, alkaline phosphatase‐, and leucine arylamidase‐positive but oxidase‐negative; require organic growth factors not satisfied by mixtures of B vitamins and amino acids; require NaCl and neutral to alkaline pH for growth. Growth is inhibited or cells become deformed in media containing 1% (w/v) or more organic material. The genus is characterized by two major
fatty acids
,

C
18:1
ω7
c
and C
18:0
,

and the hydroxy fatty acid

C
12:0
3‐OH

, and the predominant
quinone is Q10
.
Polar lipids
are

α‐
d
‐glucopyranosyl diacylglycerol and α‐
d
‐glucopyranuronosyl diacylglycerol

; in some species, small amounts of phospholipids are present. Members of the genus were isolated from seawater, soil, and crude oil.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 62–63 (HPLC,
T
m
).

Type species
:
Glycocaulis abyssi
Abraham, Lünsdorf, Vancanneyt and Smit 2013, 2212
VP
.
Anti‐retinoblastoma Protein Antibodies: A New Specificity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Associated With Protection Against Lupus Nephritis
Authors: Goules Andreas , Li Jessica , Antiochos Brendan , Goldman Daniel W. , Rosen Antony , Petri Michelle , Casciola‐Rosen Livia
Published: June 2019

Objective

Retinoblastoma (Rb) protein is a nuclear protein with several important functions, including the ability to stabilize heterochromatin. Because antibodies against the nucleosome and chromatin are key in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), we sought to determine whether Rb was an autoantigen in SLE and to evaluate any associated clinical phenotypes.

Methods

Sera from 222 patients with SLE from the Hopkins longitudinal cohort were studied. Additional cohorts tested included sera from 100 patients with primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS) (disease controls) evaluated at the Johns Hopkins Jerome L. Greene Sjögren's Center and sera from 36 healthy individuals. Anti‐Rb antibodies were assayed by immunoprecipitation of 35S‐methionine–labeled Rb, which was generated by in vitro transcription/translation. Fisher's exact test was used for the univariate analysis. Multivariable exact logistic regression was used to model for the presence of proteinuria in patients with SLE.

Results

Anti‐Rb antibodies were present in 15 of 222 (6.8%) patients with SLE, in 3 of 100 patients with pSS (3%), and in 0 of 36 healthy individuals. Among patients with SLE, Rb antibodies were strongly negatively associated with proteinuria (P = 0.0031), renal involvement (odds ratio [OR] = 0.11; P = 0.01), and anemia (OR = 0.05; P < 0.0001) and were positively associated with stroke (OR = 7.65; P = 0.05). The negative association with lupus nephritis held true in multivariate models (adjusted OR = 0.11; P = 0.01).

Conclusion

Anti‐Rb antibodies are a novel specificity not previously described in SLE. These new data define a possible SLE subset that is protected against renal involvement, is positively associated with stroke, and is not associated with antiphospholipid antibodies.
The Validity, Reliability, Measurement Error, and Minimum Detectable Change of the 30‐Second Fast‐Paced Walk Test in Persons with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Novel Test of Short‐Distance Walking Ability
Authors: Hoglund Lisa T. , Folkins Eric , Pontiggia Laura , Knapp Michael W.
Published: June 2019

Objective

To develop and establish the reliability, validity, measurement error, and minimum detectable change of a novel 30‐second fast‐paced walk test (30SFW) in persons with knee osteoarthritis (OA) that is easy to administer and can quantify walking performance in persons of all abilities.

Methods

Twenty females with symptomatic knee OA (mean age [SD] 58.30 [8.05] years) and 20 age‐ and sex‐matched asymptomatic controls (57.25 [8.71] years) participated in the study. Participants completed questionnaires of demographic and clinical data, the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and the 36‐item Short Form Health Survey (SF‐36) followed by 30SFW performance. Participants returned 2‐7 days later and performed the 30SFW again.

Results

The knee OA group reported function that was worse than controls (all KOOS subscales; P < 0.0001). The 30SFW intrarater and interrater reliability were excellent [ICC(2,1) = 0.95‐0.99]. Knee OA participants walked a shorter distance in the 30SFW than controls (mean [SD]: OA 44.4 m [9.5 m]; control 58.1 m [7.8 m]; P < 0.0001). Positive strong correlations were found between the 30SFW and the KOOS–Activity of Daily Living, SF‐36‐Physical Functioning, and SF‐36‐Physical Health Composite scores (P < 0.0001). A nonsignificant, weak correlation between 30SFW and SF‐36‐Mental Health scores was present (r = 0.32, P = 0.05).

Conclusion

The 30SFW has excellent intrarater and interrater reliability. The 30SFW demonstrated excellent known groups, convergent, and discriminant validity as a measure of short‐distance walking ability in persons with knee OA. Clinicians and researchers should consider using the 30SFW to quantify walking ability in persons with knee OA and assess walking ability change.
On the almost sure central limit theorem for ARX processes in adaptive tracking
Authors: Bercu Bernard , Vázquez Víctor
Published: June 2019

The goal of this paper is to highlight the almost sure central limit theorem (ASCLT) for martingales to the control community. We shall establish the ASCLT for the least squares estimator of the unknown parameter of a controllable ARX(p,q) process in adaptive tracking. The usual notion of controllability for ARX(p,q) processes allows us to avoid the use of a persistent excitation in the adaptive tracking control. We shall also provide strongly consistent estimators of the even moments of the driven noise as well as two quadratic strong laws for the average costs and the estimation errors sequences. Our theoretical results are illustrated by numerical experiments.
Prescribed performance adaptive fuzzy dynamic surface control of nonaffine time‐varying delayed systems with unknown control directions and dead‐zone input
Authors: Tooranjipour Pouria , Vatankhah Ramin , Arefi Mohammad Mehdi
Published: June 2019

In this paper, an adaptive prescribed performance control method is presented for a class of uncertain strict feedback nonaffine nonlinear systems with the coupling effect of time‐varying delays, dead‐zone input, and unknown control directions. Owing to the universal approximation property, fuzzy logic systems are used to approximate the uncertain terms in the system. Since there is no systematic approach to determine the required upper bounds of errors in control systems, the prior selection of control parameters to have a satisfactory performance is somehow impossible. Therefore, the prescribed performance technique as a solution is applied in this study to bring satisfactory performance indices to the system such as overshoot and steady state performance within a predetermined bound. Dynamic surface control strategy is also introduced to the proposed control scheme to address the “explosion of complexity” behavior existing in conventional backstepping methods. To ease the control design, the mean‐value theorem is utilized to transform the nonaffine system into the affine one. Moreover, with the help of this theorem, the unknown dead‐zone nonlinearity is separated into the linear and nonlinear disturbance‐like bounded term. The proposed method relaxes a prior knowledge of control direction by employing Nussbaum‐type functions, and the effect of time‐varying delays are compensated by constructing the proper Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functions. The proposed controller guarantees that all the closed‐loop signals are semiglobally uniformly ultimately bounded and the error evolves within the decaying prescribed bounds. In the end, in order to demonstrate the superiority of this method, simulation examples are given.
Biological Nanofibrous Generator for Electricity Harvest from Moist Air Flow
Authors: Li Mingjie , Zong Lu , Yang Weiqing , Li Xiankai , You Jun , Wu Xiaochen , Li Zehui , Li Chaoxu
Published: June 2019

Electricity harvest from ubiquitous water has been endeavored, using nanogenerators based on carbon nanomaterials, to acquire renewable and clean energy and cope with fossil depletion and pollution as well. Meanwhile, though many biological organisms can harness water for bioelectricity, it is still challenging to produce biological nanogenerators based on biological nanomaterials with billions of tons of annual production in nature. Herein biological nanofibrils, including cellulose, chitin, silk fibroin, and amyloid, are produced either by liquid‐exfoliation of biomasses or by supramolecular assembly of bio‐macromolecules. With the intrinsic hydrophilicity and charged states, they can capture moisture from air and form hydrated nanochannels, in analogue to ionic channels of cytomembranes. When exposing their aerogels to moist air flow, there is a balance of water absorption and evaporation, thus producing a streaming potential and an open‐circuit voltage across the aerogel. With flexibility, sustainability, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, these biological nanogenerators can harvest electricity from moist air flow in nature (e.g., wind, respiration and perspiration) and in industry, and serve for environmentally‐friendly, low‐cost, high‐efficiency, wearable, and miniaturized power devices.
Facile Phototherapeutic Nanoplatform by Integrating a Multifunctional Polymer and MnO2 for Enhancing Tumor Synergistic Therapy
Authors: Zhao Menglong , Xie Mingjuan , Guo Jungu , Feng Wei , Xu Yunjian , Liu Xiangmei , Liu Shujuan , Zhao Qiang
Published: June 2019

Recent studies indicate that the synergistic phototherapy (SPT) process can simultaneously generate heat for photothermal therapy (PTT) and singlet oxygen (1O2) for photodynamic therapy (PDT) to overcome the recurrence of tumors. However, the hypoxic environment in tumors seriously limits the therapeutic effect of the oxygen‐dependent PDT, leading to the domination of PTT in the SPT process. Therefore, it is urgent to develop a novel SPT platform for overcoming hypoxia in tumors and improving the therapeutic effect of both PTT and PDT. In this work, a novel phototherapeutic platform based on a nanocomposite of aza‐BODIPY/manganese dioxide (MnO2) is developed via simple electrostatic self‐assembly. In this design, MnO2 nanosheets, which could produce heat and catalyze endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to generate oxygen, are prepared as a nanocarrier. After being coated with the as‐prepared water‐soluble aza‐BODIPY‐based polymer (PPAIB), the obtained MnO2@PPAIB performs as a smart phototherapeutic agent for enhancing the efficiency of both PTT and PDT. More importantly, compared to PPAIB, MnO2@PPAIB generates more heat and reactive oxygen species to realize the enhanced therapy effects of PTT and PDT. Hence, this work provides a new method to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of SPT by using a polymer/MnO2 nanoplatform to improve the oxygen concentration and produce more heat.
Flexible, Printable Soft‐X‐Ray Detectors Based on All‐Inorganic Perovskite Quantum Dots
Authors: Liu Jingying , Shabbir Babar , Wang Chujie , Wan Tao , Ou Qingdong , Yu Pei , Tadich Anton , Jiao Xuechen , Chu Dewei , Qi Dongchen , Li Dabing , Kan Ruifeng , Huang Yamin , Dong Yemin , Jasieniak Jacek , Zhang Yupeng , Bao Qiaoliang
Published: June 2019

Metal halide perovskites represent a family of the most promising materials for fascinating photovoltaic and photodetector applications due to their unique optoelectronic properties and much needed simple and low‐cost fabrication process. The high atomic number (Z) of their constituents and significantly higher carrier mobility also make perovskite semiconductors suitable for the detection of ionizing radiation. By taking advantage of that, the direct detection of soft‐X‐ray‐induced photocurrent is demonstrated in both rigid and flexible detectors based on all‐inorganic halide perovskite quantum dots (QDs) synthesized via a solution process. Utilizing a synchrotron soft‐X‐ray beamline, high sensitivities of up to 1450 µC Gyair−1 cm−2 are achieved under an X‐ray dose rate of 0.0172 mGyair s−1 with only 0.1 V bias voltage, which is about 70‐fold more sensitive than conventional α‐Se devices. Furthermore, the perovskite film is printed homogeneously on various substrates by the inexpensive inkjet printing method to demonstrate large‐scale fabrication of arrays of multichannel detectors. These results suggest that the perovskite QDs are ideal candidates for the detection of soft X‐rays and for large‐area flat or flexible panels with tremendous application potential in multidimensional and different architectures imaging technologies.
Ultrasensitive Ebola Virus Antigen Sensing via 3D Nanoantenna Arrays
Authors: Zang Faheng , Su Zhijuan , Zhou Liangcheng , Konduru Krishnamurthy , Kaplan Gerardo , Chou Stephen Y.
Published: June 2019

Sensitive detection of pathogens is crucial for early disease diagnosis and quarantine, which is of tremendous need in controlling severe and fatal illness epidemics such as of Ebola virus (EBOV) disease. Serology assays can detect EBOV‐specific antigens and antibodies cost‐effectively without sophisticated equipment; however, they are less sensitive than reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) tests. Herein, a 3D plasmonic nanoantenna assay sensor is developed as an on‐chip immunoassay platform for ultrasensitive detection of Ebola virus (EBOV) antigens. The EBOV sensor exhibits substantial fluorescence intensity enhancement in immunoassays compared to flat gold substrate. The nanoantenna‐based biosensor successfully detects EBOV soluble glycoprotein (sGP) in human plasma down to 220 fg mL−1, a significant 240 000‐fold sensitivity improvement compared to the 53 ng mL−1 EBOV antigen detection limit of the existing rapid EBOV immunoassay. In a mock clinical trial, the sensor detects sGP‐spiked human plasma samples at two times the limit of detection with 95.8% sensitivity. The results combined highlight the nanosensor's extraordinary capability of detecting EBOV antigen at ultralow concentration compared to existing immunoassay methods. It is a promising next‐generation bioassay platform for early‐stage disease diagnosis and pathogen detection for both public health and national security applications.
Hybrid Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Systems: From Interface Design to System Assembly
Authors: Niu Fujun , Wang Degao , Li Fei , Liu Yanming , Shen Shaohua , Meyer Thomas J.
Published: June 2019

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting has attracted increasing attention due to its potential to mitigate energy and environmental issues. Hybrid PEC systems containing semiconductor photosensitizers and molecular catalysts are reported to be highly active and stable for water splitting with great potential for facilitating clean fuels production. In this review, following a showcasing of the fundamental details of hybrid PEC systems for water splitting, semiconductor/molecular catalyst interface designs are highlighted, with a focus on interfacial physicochemical interactions and binding, and interfacial energetics and dynamics for efficient charge transfer. Recent advances in hybrid system assemblies for PEC water splitting are also briefly introduced. Finally, future challenges and directions in the field of hybrid PEC water splitting for solar energy conversion are reviewed. The current review provides state‐of‐the‐art strategies for optimized interface design for creating highly active and stable PEC water splitting assemblies.
TriboPump: A Low‐Cost, Hand‐Powered Water Disinfection System
Authors: Ding Wenbo , Zhou Jianfeng , Cheng Jia , Wang Zhaozheng , Guo Hengyu , Wu Changsheng , Xu Sixing , Wu Zhiyi , Xie Xing , Wang Zhong Lin
Published: June 2019

Water disinfection at the point of use (POU) has enormous social and economic significance, especially for rural areas or catastrophes. To tackle the requirements of power independence and cost control in such applications, the concept of TriboPump is proposed, which is a low‐cost, hand‐powered water disinfection system. The system consists of three functional parts: a tubular coaxial‐electrode copper ionization cell (CECIC) as the disinfection device, a disk triboelectric nanogenerator (D‐TENG) as the power source, and a coaxial mechanical structure including the water pump. The adoption of D‐TENG can make the system adaptive to varying system resistances without additional power management circuits. Moreover, the integration of CECIC and TENG can successfully turn their intrinsic limitations into advantages and a synergic effect is achieved. With the integrated design, the system can effectively disinfect the water while pumping it solely by hand power. The cost estimate of the whole system can be as low as $10 for a 2‐year service. It is believed that the whole system design provides a feasible one‐stop and cost‐efficient solution for POU water pumping and disinfection, which will ideally be suitable the rural areas or sudden‐onset catastrophes.
Microstructural porosity in additive manufacturing: The formation and detection of pores in metal parts fabricated by powder bed fusion
Authors: Sola Antonella , Nouri Alireza
Published: June 2019

Metal additive manufacturing (AM) is an innovative manufacturing technique that can build complex and high value metal parts layer by layer using a computerized three‐dimensional solid model. Powder bed fusion (PBF) is one of the most common AM techniques. It sequentially processes a powdered feedstock in thin layers and solidifies it by either a laser beam or an electron beam. However, PBF induces microstructural defects that can adversely affect the performance of the manufactured components. These undesirable defects including voids and porosities must be avoided or minimized to limit their negative effects on mechanical properties and to ensure the consistency and repeatability of AM parts. The present article provides an overview of the formation mechanisms of pores in AM metals and some emerging techniques for the detection and quantification of pores. The review also highlights other common defects in PBF parts such as microstructural features associated with keyhole mode of melting.
Influence of ionic liquid on glass transition, dynamic rheology, and thermal stability of poly(methyl methacrylate)/silica nanocomposites
Authors: Xu Yiting , Xu Huilong , Zheng Qiang , Song Yihu
Published: June 2019

The nanofiller dispersion greatly influences the properties of nanocomposites. Herein an ionic liquid, 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, is introduced in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocomposites for mediating dispersion of silica filler. As elucidated by rheology, the ionic liquid is able to improve the degree of retardation of chains diffusion induced by silica although it eliminates the elevation of glass transition. Simultaneously, the ionic liquid incorporated can improve thermal and thermal‐oxidative stability of PMMA due to trapping of radicals and blocking oxygen penetration. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 48007.
Fabrication of Surlyn ionomer fibers using a novel coextrusion approach and mechanical property characterization
Authors: Wang Xinting , Li Xiangjie , Grimme Christian , Olah Andrew , Baer Eric , Wnek Gary E.
Published: June 2019

We report the fabrication of poly (ethylene‐co‐methacrylic acid) sodium‐neutralized ionomer (Surlyn 8940) fibers via a forced‐assembly coextrusion and layer multiplication process with polystyrene (PS) as the matrix material. The PS separating materials were removed by toluene extraction to yield independent Surlyn fibers. The tensile properties of Surlyn fiber strands were studied under different strain rates. Surlyn fibers were oriented to 300% strain at different temperatures to study the effect of orientation on the tensile properties. The oriented Surlyn fibers were annealed after orientation to further enhance the mechanical properties. Further drawing of these oriented fiber mats to a draw ratio of 4 at 60 °C followed by annealing at 60 °C can afford moduli in excess of 350 MPa and tensile strengths in excess of 70 MPa. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 48046.
Preparation and rheological study of pentaerythritol triacrylate grafted onto polypropylene induced by air plasma
Authors: Meng Xiao‐Mei , Ma Zhe , Ma Gui‐Qiu , Sheng Jing
Published: June 2019

The surface modification of isotactic polypropylene by dielectric barrier discharge of air plasma is studied. The air plasma induces melt grafting of pentaerythritol triacrylate onto polypropylene, which successfully introduces polar long‐chain branching (LCB) structure into polymer bulk. The results of X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy show that C─O and CO oxygen‐containing functional groups are formed on polypropylene surface, of which the functional groups contents can reach 24.4 and 12.0%, respectively. It is found that there is an optimum plasma treatment time of 4 min to obtain the high peroxides concentration of about 3.38–3.69 × 10−7 mol cm−2. The highest grafting degree of this plasma method is 1.79%, which achieves the same level as the chemical grafting method. The molecular structural change of the graft‐modified polypropylene, in the form of LCB is investigated by shear rheology. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 48054.
Do active‐dispersing insects dominate the invertebrate fauna of rock pools in the wet–dry tropics, Kimberley, Australia?
Authors: Carey Nicole , Cross Adam T. , Barrett Matthew D. , Robson Belinda J.
Published: June 2019

Invertebrate assemblages of tropical freshwater rock pools (FRPs) are poorly known compared with temperate regions, where FRPs contain specialized, endemic taxa of high conservation value. Invertebrates were sampled from pristine FRPs in the Morgan River catchment in the Australian wet–dry tropics in the 2015 and 2016 wet seasons. Taxa were classified as either active or passive dispersers and by functional feeding groups. A range of physical variables were examined to identify associations with invertebrate assemblages.

Forty‐seven taxa were identified from FRPs; most were actively dispersing predatory insects, primarily Coleoptera and Hemiptera. Five adult insect species were found in most pools; other taxa were rare and scattered across FRPs. Two previously undescribed species of Spinicaudata were collected, but few crustacean taxa were recorded, and passively dispersing taxa were rare. Species accumulation curves indicated that had more pools been sampled, more taxa would have been collected in 2015, but in 2016 most species were collected.

There was no pattern in FRP assemblages related to any physical variable, but the assemblages in pools were correlated between sampling times. An opportunistic and mobile assemblage composed mostly of actively dispersing predatory insects may explain the absence of relationships with measured variables. Low hydrological stability in the wet–dry tropics may be associated with low taxon richness.

The dominance of actively dispersing insects is in contrast with FRP assemblages in temperate and arid regions. Studies of a wider range of FRPs from tropical regions are required to determine whether the fauna of these Kimberley FRPs are typical, and to fully describe short‐range endemic species across the Kimberley and elsewhere.

The FRPs have conservation value as habitat for endemic, specialist rock‐pool taxa, contributing to regional species pools. At present, a lack of knowledge of endemic FRP specialist species in tropical regions, including the Kimberley, impedes our ability to protect and conserve these species from disturbance.
Histochemical Study of the Emergence of Apoptosis and Altered SYCP3 Protein Distribution During the First Spermatogenic Wave in Wistar Rats
Authors: Escobar María L. , Echeverría Olga M. , Valenzuela Yunuen M. , Ortiz Rosario , Torres‐Ramírez Nayeli , Vázquez‐Nin Gerardo H.
Published: June 2019

Apoptosis is a type of cell death responsible for maintaining tissue homeostasis that can occur in male gonads. The morphological and biochemical characteristics of apoptosis include cellular contraction, caspase activation, and DNA fragmentation. Dynamic processes of cell renewal and differentiation occur inside the seminiferous tubules, which are regulated by mitosis and meiosis, respectively. During meiosis, recombination is caused by assembly of the synaptonemal complex, which involves the participation of constitutive proteins, such as synaptonemal complex protein‐3 (SYCP3). The present study evaluated germinal cell death in immature male rats and the distribution of the SYCP3 protein. Our results indicate that as germinal cells progress to the second meiotic stage, significant numbers of them are eliminated by apoptosis. We determined that the SYCP3 protein is not always incorporated into the structure of the synaptonemal complex but rather forms a nuclear cumulus near the inner nuclear membrane, causing many of these cells to undergo apoptosis. We propose that both the excess of the SYCP3 protein and its accumulation during the first meiotic division could contribute to the cell death of primary spermatocytes during the first spermatogenic wave in prepubertal Wistar rats. Anat Rec, 302:2082–2092, 2019. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy
Weichang'an suppressed migration and invasion of HCT116 cells by inhibiting Wnt/β‐catenin pathway while upregulating ARHGAP25
Authors: Tao Li , Gu Ying , Zheng Jian , Yang Jinkun , Zhu Yingjie
Published: June 2019

Evidence suggests that Weichang'an (WCA) inhibited the metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC) in vitro and downregulates oncogenic β‐catenin; more intriguingly, we also found an upregulation of ARHGAP25 in this process. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms by which WCA regulated CRC metastasis in vitro. Here, HCT116 cells were transfected with siRNAs to interfere ARHGAP25 expression. WCA decoction, XAV939 (a specific Wnt/β‐catenin pathway inhibitor), and LiCl (an activator for Wnt/β‐catenin pathway) were used for treatment. Cell migratory and invasive capacities were determined using Transwell chamber. The activation of Wnt/β‐catenin pathway was assessed by determining the expression of MMP7, MMP9, ZEB1, and β‐catenin. The study suggests that WCA inhibited the migration and invasion of HCT116 cells and suppressed the activation of Wnt/β‐catenin pathway, as evidenced by retarding MMP7, MMP9, ZEB1, and β‐catenin. However, siRNA–ARHGAP25 resulted in the opposite. In siRNA–ARHGAP25‐transfected HCT116 cells, WCA (0.4 mg/mL) induced the antimetastatic effects and the inactivation of Wnt/β‐catenin pathway was remarkably reversed with additional LiCl treatment. Our study concludes that inhibiting Wnt/β‐catenin pathway while promoting ARHGAP25 was the mechanism, whereby WCA retarded migration and invasion of CRC in vitro.
Rare cause of acute neck hematoma
Authors: Alfraidy Doaa , Helmi Hadeel , Alamodi Alghamdi Maha , Bokhari Areej , Alsaif Abdulaziz
Published: June 2019

Emergencies in endocrine surgery are rare. Acute neck hematoma may result from recent surgery or spontaneous as with ruptured thyroidal cyst, thyroidal vessel, or parathyroid adenoma. We are reporting a case of acute neck hematoma caused by a ruptured of parathyroid adenoma, which required urgent surgical intervention.
Impact of the Oxygen Vacancies on Copper Electronic State and Activity of Cu‐Based Catalysts in the Hydrogenation of Methyl Acetate to Ethanol
Authors: Xi Yushan , Wang Yue , Yao Dawei , Li Antai , Zhang Jingyu , Zhao Yujun , Lv Jing , Ma Xinbin
Published: June 2019

The front cover artwork for issue 11/2019 is provided by Dr. Yue Wang and co‐workers from Tianjin University (P.R. China). The image shows the increased oxygen mobility of reducible support could effectively increase Cu+ species and further enhance the catalytic activity for methyl acetate hydrogenation. See the Full Paper itself at https://doi.org/10.1002/cctc.201900413.
Metal‐Carboxyl Helical Chain Secondary Units Supported Ion‐Exchangeable Anionic Uranyl–Organic Framework
Authors: Mei Lei , Liu Kang , Wu Si , Kong Xiang‐He , Hu Kong‐Qiu , Yu Ji‐Pan , Nie Chang‐Ming , Chai Zhi‐Fang , Shi Wei‐Qun
Published: June 2019

As a less explored avenue, actinide‐based metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) are worth studying for the particularity of actinide nodes in coordination behaviour and assembly modes. In this work, an azobenzenetetracarboxylate‐based anionic MOF supported by uranyl–carboxyl helical chain units was synthesized, incorporating linear uranyl as the metal centre. This kind of helical chain‐type building unit is reported for the first time in uranyl‐based MOFs. Structural analysis reveals that the formation of helical chain secondary units can be attributed to restricted equatorial coordination of rigid flat azobenzene ligand to uranyl centres. Meanwhile, this newly‐synthesized anionic material has been used to remove Eu3+ ions, as a non‐radioactive surrogate of Am3+ ion, through an ion‐exchange process with [(CH3)2NH2]+ ions in its open channels, as evidenced by a combination of 1H NMR spectroscopy, EDS and PXRD.
Efficient Separation of Water from Diesel Fuel via Membrane Technology and Online Monitoring
Authors: Ebrahimi Mehrdad , Finger Christian , Schmitz Oliver , Schmidt Axel A. , Czermak Peter
Published: June 2019

Die Abtrennung von Wasser aus Dieselkraftstoff ist aus sicherheitstechnischen, ökologischen sowie ökonomischen Gründen sehr wichtig, da es andernfalls u. a. zu einer schlechteren Verbrennungseffizienz und Motorproblemen kommen kann. Zudem lässt sich aus Ultra‐low‐sulfur‐Diesel (ULSD) das freie Wasser mit den klassischen Abscheidesystemen nur unzureichend abtrennen. Zur Lösung dieses Problems wurde ein Membranverfahren mit unterschiedlichen organischen/anorganischen Membranen für die selektive Abtrennung von Wassertropfen aus ULSD sowie ein innovativer Wasser‐in‐Öl‐Online‐Sensor entwickelt.
Wie findet ein Blitz sein Ziel?
Authors: Litzius Kai
Published: June 2019

Einst wurden Gewitter mit Blitz und Donner als Zeichen des Zorns der Götter angesehen; heutzutage kann man in der Schule lernen, wie all dies zustande kommt. So denken Sie nun wahrscheinlich bereits an Eiskristalle in einer großen Wolke, die aneinanderstoßen und dabei Ladungen in der Wolke erzeugen. Aber wie sucht sich dann der Blitz einen Weg von der Wolke zum Boden? Dieser Frage gehen Wissenschaftler nun schon seit einiger Zeit nach – und dennoch wurden noch nicht alle Antworten zur Entstehung und Ausbreitung von Blitzen beantwortet. Hier soll es nun speziell darum gehen, wie sich ein Blitz ein Ziel sucht.
Wie künstliche Zellen kommunizieren
Authors: Feil Sylvia
Published: June 2019

Zellverbände, die mit ihrer Umwelt interagieren können, müssen in der Lage sein, zu kommunizieren und Informationen nicht nur innerhalb einer Zelle zu verarbeiten, sondern auch weiterzureichen. Nun wurden in einem Verband von Kompartimenten verschiedene Signalwege etabliert und untersucht.
Wieso Ballonverkäufer bei der Arbeit keine Zitrusfrüchte essen
Authors: Emden Markus , Engel Simon , Hild Pitt , Kallinna Kirsten , Murer Livia
Published: June 2019

Anliegen der in loser Folge erscheinenden Versuche ist es, Impulse für chemische Experimente zu geben, die sich gefahrlos zu Hause mit haushaltsüblichen Gegenständen durchführen lassen. Sie können damit als Quelle dienen für das gemeinsame Ausprobieren mit Kindern zuhause, in Kindergärten oder an Schulen sowie zur Verwendung bei Tagen der offenen Tür. Ein Stückweit sind sie als Antwort auf den oft gehörten Satz zu verstehen: „Ach, Du bist Chemiker/in!? Dann mach doch mal ein Experiment.“