bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of Small Scale Indoor Hydroponic Fodder Production System
Authors: Bhat Adarsha Gopalakrishna , Jinu A. , Sathian K. K.
Published: September 2021

Field experiment was conducted to develop a small scale indoor hydroponic fodder production system (May- June 2021). Green fodder supply to the domestic animals is most important factor to improve their health, body weight, milk yield and thus obtaining maximum economic return. Land degradation and urbanisation reduced the area available for the green fodder production. India has 10.7% of world livestock population but only having 2.29% of its land mass and this is putting a huge pressure on land and water resource. Vertical growing of crop and minimising the usage of water is the best solution to solve this problem. Hydroponic technology helps to achieve very high yield and also provides better control over the crop production. Indoor cultivation eliminates the problem of weeds and pests and the use of pesticides and herbicides. Artificial lighting overcomes the disadvantage of seasonal variation of solar radiation and provides continuous source of energy supply. The study shows that green fodder can be efficiently grown at indoor condition. Hydroponic technique helped to achieve yield of 7.535 kg per day with a water requirement of only 4.78 litres per kg. The combination of red and blue LED lights supplied continuous energy for 12 hours a day for the better growth of crop. Results clearly show that the indoor hydroponic fodder production system with artificial supply of light can be recommended for the farmers to meet their fodder requirement.
Impact of Agro-met Conditions and Crop Growth Stages on the Progression of Brown Spot Disease in Basmati Rice
Authors: Viswanath H. S. , Singh Ramji , Singh Gopal , Mishra Prashant , Shahi U. P. , Singh D. V. , Sengar R. S.
Published: September 2021

The present study was carried out at Crop Research Centre of SVPUAT Meerut, U.P during three cropping seasons i.e. 2018, 2019 and 2020 using basmati rice as test cultivar. The study was primarily focused upon the combined effect of weather parameters and crop growth stages of rice crop on the progression of brown spot disease. It was noticed that disease was first observed at late vegetative stage in every cropping season viz. 2018, 2019 and 2020 and reached its maximum towards maturity phase of the crop by obtaining total AUDPC’S of 1049.3, 1170.74 and 852.6 respectively. A significant negative correlation between weekly percent disease index (PDI) and T-max & T-min was obtained recording correlation coefficients (r) of (- 0.71 & - 0.98), (- 0.88 & - 0.98) and (- 0.63 & - 0.98) during 2018, 2019 and 2020 respectively indicating decline in maximum and minimum temperatures at the terminal stages of the crop can greatly favor disease progression. A non-significant positive correlation was obtained between weekly m-RH and PDI to the end of every crop season. During the year 2020, a highly significant negative correlation was obtained between weekly a-RH and PDI (r = - 0.803) in contrast with the years 2018 (r = - 0.55) and 2019 (r = -0.477) exhibiting non-significant negative correlation which might be the reason for low PDI during the year 2020 due to greater decline in relative humidity to the end of the crop season. Although, a non-significant negative correlation between weekly PDI and RF (rainfall) and partial positive correlation with weekly bright sunshine hours (BSS) was obtained during all three crop seasons, high intermittent rainfall from late vegetative to reproductive stage during 2018 and 2019 might be responsible for large amount of spore dispersal (high inoculum pressure) leading to greater disease progression. The regression model developed using 2018, 2019 and 2020 meteorological data, which was validated with disease severity data of 2019 yielded significant R2 value of 0.98 using observed and predicted values.
Study of YKL-40 Expression in Chronic Plaque Psoriasis: Case Controlled Study
Authors: EL-Setiha Ghada Abd EL-Maksoud , Amin Tarek El-Sayed , Mohammed Dareen Abd El-Aziz , Neinaa Yomna Mazid El-Hamd
Published: September 2021

Background: Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin disorder. The typical cutaneous lesions are papules and plaques covered with silvery scales distributed mainly on extensor aspects of extremities. The course and progression of the disease are unpredictable and vary in each patient. YKL-40 is a new inflammatory biomarker which may be involved the pathogenesis of the disease.

Objective: The aim of this study was to study YKL-40 expression in patients with psoriasis to evaluate its possible role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

Patients and Methods: This study included 30 patients with chronic plaque psoriasis and 10 healthy individuals of matched age and sex served as a control group. Punch biopsies of four mm were taken from the skin of psoriatic patients as well as from corresponding sites of control subjects. All specimens were examined by both hematoxylin and eosin stain and anti-YKL-40 stain.

Results: The intensity of YKL-40 expression was upregulated in both epidermis and dermis of psoriatic skin in comparison with normal skin of control subjects. YKL-40 expression in psoriatic skin showed significant positive correlation with Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score.

Conclusion: YKL-40 involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis manifested by its up-regulation in skin of psoriatic patients group in comparison to control group.
An Examination of Teacher Education Management and Innovative Reforms Agenda for Curriculum Implementation in Secondary Schools in IMO State, Nigeria
Authors: Nnorom Stanley U. , Abuchi Ezenwagu, Stephen , Azubike Anyanwu, Jude , Nwankwo Benignus C.
Published: September 2021

The study examines managing teacher education and innovative reforms agenda for curriculum execution in secondary schools in Imo state, Nigeria. The study adopted descriptive survey design. The population comprised of Five hundred and thirty (530) secondary school Principal in Imo state school system. The sample consisted of 200 duty principals randomly selected by stratified technique from each of the three education zones of the state, Okigwe, Orlu, and Owerri. Fifteen (15) items questionnaire was the instruments for data collection and the instrument was validated by experts in Imo state University, Owerri. The questionnaire which recorded a reliability coefficient of 0.89 was administered face to face to 200 respondents by the researchers who also retrieved same. The data collected were analyzed with mean and standard deviation and null hypothesis were tested using the z-test statistics at 0.05 level of significance. Based on the results, the researchers made crucial recommendations that government and stakeholders in education should emphasize on managing teacher education and innovative reform agenda to enhance development of the nation.
Role of Pharmacists in Health Care: A Review on Pharmacist and Consumer Views
Authors: Mohanan Haritha , Rajesh Aiswarya , Aswathi V. V. , Sareena A.
Published: September 2021

As a member of the therapeutic team, pharmacists should be directly involved in patient healthcare. Many studies over the last few years have shown that pharmacists providing pharmaceutical care services can enhance patients’ clinical status and health care outcomes. However, differences exist between developing and developed countries in the accepted scope of pharmacists' professional services. The expansion of the pharmacist's role can lead to significant changes in patient perceptions. Advancements in pharmacy practice and the incorporation of professional services are gaining attention in developing countries. This review aims to analyze pharmacists’ and public views and attitudes towards the role of pharmacists in healthcare to find the best ways to support and improve the services. Studies investigating public or pharmacist views on pharmacists' roles or pharmacy services from 2010 to 2021 have been considered and reviewed.
WReTaMo Refractory High‐Entropy Alloy with High Strength at 1600 °C
Authors: Wan Yixing , Wang Qianqian , Mo Jinyong , Zhang Zhibin , Wang Xin , Liang Xiubing , Shen Baolong
Published: September 2021

Structural materials with higher melting temperatures and better mechanical properties than superalloys are in high demand in refractory applications. A promising WReTaMo refractory high‐entropy alloy (RHEA) with high strength at 1600 °C is fabricated by vacuum arc melting. The WReTaMo RHEA has a body‐centered cubic (BCC) structure with a maximal compressive strength of 1140 MPa and Vickers microhardness of 654 HV at room temperature. The alloy displays a strong resistance to high‐temperature softening, showing the high maximal compressive strength of 244 MPa at 1600 °C. The deformation of the WReTaMo RHEA compressed at 1600 °C maybe resulted from the grain boundary sliding, which leads to the propagation of the cracks along grain boundaries. Face‐centered cubic (FCC) phase forms at the surface region of samples annealed above 1800 °C due to the diffusion of carbon atoms by gas carburizing in the graphite crucible at such high temperatures. The increase in hardness at temperatures above 1600 °C results from the solid solution strengthening of dissolved carbon. The forming ability of the WReTaMo RHEA is also discussed. This work presents a promising high‐temperature structural material and fills the vacancy of the mechanical properties of Re‐containing RHEAs at 1600 °C.
Fabrication of the Silver Grids by Interfacial Interaction
Authors: Liu Weicai , Zhou Haihua , Cai Zheren , Chen Guozhu , Song Yanlin
Published: September 2021

Silver (Ag) grid is one of the most competitive alternatives for transparent conductors because of its optical transparency, high conductivity, and cost competitiveness. Although printing, self‐assembly, and other combination strategies are widely adopted for the fabrication of Ag grids, the size/morphology accuracy adjustments and structural complexity design in micro/nanodimension are still challenges. Herein, adjustable Ag grid patterns at the micro/nanoscale are obtained by the combination of template printing and self‐assembly method. The strategy generates air‐filled uniform concave meniscus between silicon pillars helped by coating polymer solutions. The experimental results demonstrate that the concave meniscus’ features strongly influence the stick‐slip motion of the triple‐phase contact line (TCL), which is the key factor for the construction of different Ag grid patterns, and the morphologies of the patterns affect the application of the Ag grid accordingly. By selection of the surface interaction, the proper Ag grids at the micro/nanoscale have good transmittance (85.3%) and low sheet resistance (7.6 Ω sq−1) on the glass substrate, and Ag grids on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate have also been investigated which are important for its application in flexible transparent electronics.
A Solvent Regulated Hydrogen Bond Crosslinking Strategy to Prepare Robust Hydrogel Paint for Oil/Water Separation
Authors: Bai Zhongxiang , Jia Kun , Liu Chenchen , Wang Lingling , Lin Guo , Huang Yumin , Liu Shuning , Liu Xiaobo
Published: September 2021

Hydrogel modified porous matrix with the super‐wetting surface (i.e., super‐hydrophilic/underwater super‐oleophobic) is ideal for oil/water separation. However, the deterioration in mechanical strength and separation efficiency during the swelling process and complicated synthesis procedure limits its industrial application. In this study, a strategy of using ethanol to dynamically regulate the hydrogen bond crosslinking between polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and tannic acid (TA) is proposed to prepare a “hydrogel paint”, which can be simply applied on the porous substrate surface by different one‐step operations (dipping, brushing, spraying, etc.) without additional cross‐linking. The underline mechanism is attributed to the re‐establishment of intermolecular hydrogen bond mediated cross‐linking between PVA and TA during ethanol evaporation. Consequently, the resultant hydrogel coating exhibits ultra‐high strength (>10 MPa), swelling volume stability, and excellent oil‐water separation efficiency (>99%). This study will provide new insights into the scalable fabrication of hydrogel‐coated porous materials for oil/water separation in industrial scenarios.
Organic Field Effect Transistor‐Based Photonic Synapses: Materials, Devices, and Applications
Authors: Zhang Qing , Jin Tengyu , Ye Xin , Geng Dechao , Chen Wei , Hu Wenping
Published: September 2021

Photonic artificial synapses‐based neuromorphic computing systems have been regarded as promising candidates for replacing von Neumann‐based computing systems due to the high bandwidth, ultrafast signal transmission, low energy consumption, and wireless communication. Although significant progress has been made in developing varied device structures for synaptic emulation, organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs) hold the compelling advantages of facile preparation, liable integration, and versatile structures. As a powerful and effective platform for photonic synapses, OFETs can fulfill not only the simulation of simple synaptic functions, but also complex photoelectric dual modulation and simulation of the visual system. Herein, an overview of OFET‐based photonic synapses, including functional materials, device configurations, and innovative applications is provided. Meanwhile, rules for selecting materials, mechanism of photoelectric conversion, and fabrication techniques of devices are also highlighted. Finally, challenges and opportunities are all discussed, providing solid guidance for multilevel memory, multi‐functional tandem artificial neural system, and artificial intelligence.
Smart Energy Bricks: Ti3C2@Polymer Electrochemical Energy Storage inside Bricks by 3D Printing
Authors: Vaghasiya Jayraj V. , Mayorga‐Martinez Carmen C. , Pumera Martin
Published: September 2021

Three‐dimensional (3D) printing technology has a pronounced impact on building construction and energy storage devices. Here, the concept of integrating 3D‐printed electrochemical devices into insulation voids in construction bricks is demonstrated in order to create electrochemical energy storage as an integral part of home building. The low‐cost 3D‐printed supercapacitor (SC) electrodes are created using graphene/polylactic acid (PLA) filament in any desired shape such as 3D cylindrical‐ (3Dcy), disk‐ (3Ddc), and 3D rectangular‐ (3Drc) shaped electrodes. To obtain excellent capacitive performance, a Ti3C2@polypyrrole (PPy) hybrid is uniformly electroplated on the surface of 3D‐printed electrodes. These Ti3C2@PPy‐coated 3D‐printed electrodes exhibit outstanding electrical conductivity, capacitive performance, cycle life, and power density. The bricks themselves act as an excellent scaffold for electrochemical energy devices as they are electrically insulating, fire‐resistant, and contain substantial unused thermal insulation voids. A 3Drc Ti3C2@PPy SC is integrated into a real brick to showcase a smart house energy storage system that allows to reserve power in the bricks and use it as a power backup source in the event of a power outage in the elevator. This concept provides a platform for future truly smart buildings built from added value “smart brick” energy storage systems.
Microfluidic Tandem Mechanical Sorting System for Enhanced Cancer Stem Cell Isolation and Ingredient Screening
Authors: Jia Yuanyuan , Shen Peiliang , Yan Tao , Zhou Weijia , Sun Jia , Han Xin
Published: September 2021

Robust isolation of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in a high‐throughput, label‐free manner is critical for understanding tumor heterogeneity and developing therapeutic strategies targeting CSCs. Cell‐mechanics‐based microfluidic sorting systems provide efficient and specific platforms for investigation of stem cell‐like characteristics on the basis of cell deformability and cell‐substrate adhesion properties. In the present study, a microfluidic tandem mechanical sorting system is developed to enrich CSCs with high flexibility and low adhesive capacity. In the integrated microfluidic system, cancer cells are driven by hydrodynamic forces to flow continuously through two featured devices, which are functionalized with sequentially variable microbarriers and surface‐coated fluid mixing microchannels, respectively. Collected deformable and low‐adhesive cancer cells exhibit enhanced stem cell‐like properties with higher stemness and metastasis capacity both in vitro and in vivo, compared with each single device separation. Using these devices, bioactive natural compound screening targeting CSCs is performed and a potent therapeutic compound isoliquiritigenin from licorice is identified to inhibit the lung cancer stem cell phenotype. Taken together, this microfluidic tandem mechanical sorting system can facilitate drug screening targeting CSCs and the analysis of signals regulating CSC function in drug resistance.
Persistent Organic White‐Emitting Afterglow from Ultralong Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence and Room‐Temperature Phosphorescence
Authors: Wang Yaguang , Sun Qikun , Yue Lingtai , Ma Jie , Yuan Shou , Liu Danfeng , Zhang Haichang , Xue Shanfeng , Yang Wenjun
Published: September 2021

The current organic white light emission is unabiding and excited by UV light. This work presents the first ultralong organic room‐temperature white‐emitting crystal from 2,6‐di(carbazol‐9‐yl)benzonitrile that emits prompt blue light and delayed white light. Impressively, this white afterglow is nondiscoloring and exhibits high photoluminescence (PL) efficiency over 6% and ultralong lifetime over 900 ms and can be excited at wide wavelengths of 300–520 nm. Single‐crystal analysis and room‐ and low‐temperature PL reveal that this V‐type double D–A molecule can adopt different twisted conformations to pack together and form two kinds of ultralong room‐temperature afterglow crystals, and the vertical conformation can greatly reduce the energy gap between the lowest singlet and triplet states and prolong the reverse intersystem crossing to enable persistent and visible‐light excitable hybrid white‐emitting afterglow consisting of ultralong thermally activated delayed fluorescence and room‐temperature phosphorescence.
Tunable Resonant‐Photopyroelectric Detector Using Chalcogenide−Metal−Fluoropolymer Nanograting
Authors: Wei Le , Monshat Hosein , Qian Jingjing , Dong Liang , Lu Meng
Published: September 2021

Pyroelectric detectors are often broadband and require external filters for wavelength‐specific applications. This paper reports a tunable, narrowband, and lightweight pyroelectric infrared detector built upon a flexible membrane of As2S3−Ag−P(VDF‐TrFE) with subwavelength grating, which is capable of both on‐chip filtering and photopyroelectric energy conversion. The top surface of this hybrid membrane is a corrugated As2S3−Ag film contributing to narrowband light absorption in the near‐infrared (NIR) regime, and the bottom part is a polyvinylidene fluoride‐trifluoroethylene (PVDF‐TrFE) membrane for the conversion of the absorbed light to an electrical signal. Uniquely, applying a bias voltage to the PVDF‐TrFE membrane enables the tuning of the device's absorption and pyroelectric characteristics owing to the piezoelectrically induced mechanical bending. The resonator exhibited a resonant absorption coefficient of 80% and a full‐width‐half‐maximum of 15 nm within the NIR, a responsivity of 1.4 mV mW−1, and an equivalent noise power of 13 µW Hz−1/2 at 1560 nm. By applying a 15‐V bias to the PVDF‐TrFE membrane, the absorption coefficient decreased to 18% due to the change in the grating period and incident angle. The narrowband and tunable features of the As2S3−Ag−P(VDF‐TrFE) pyroelectric detector will benefit a variety of potential applications in sensors, optical spectroscopy, and imaging.
Oxoammonium Salt‐Mediated Vicinal Oxyazidation of Alkenes with NaN3: Access to β‐Aminooxy Azides
Authors: Chen Fei , Tang Yu‐Ting , Li Xin‐Ru , Duan Yan‐Yan , Chen Chao‐Xing , Zheng Yang
Published: September 2021

An approach to the vicinal oxyazidation of alkenes has been achieved under mild and transition metal‐free conditions. This method utilizes NaN3 as the azidation agent and 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxoammonium tetrafluoroborate (TEMPO+BF4−) as the single‐electron oxidant as well as the oxygen source. By using this protocol, various β‐aminooxy azides were synthesized and several complex bioactive molecules were functionalized.

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Metal‐Free Multi‐Component Sulfur Dioxide Insertion Reaction Leading to Quinoxalin‐2‐One‐Containing Vinyl Sulfones under Visible‐Light Photoredox Catalysis
Authors: Lv Yufen , Luo Jinyun , Lin Muze , He Lin , Yue Huilan , Liu Ruisheng , Wei Wei
Published: September 2021

A metal‐free multi‐component sulfur dioxide insertion reaction of alkynes, sodium metabisulfite, aryldiazonium, and quinoxalin‐2‐ones has been developed under visible‐light photoredox‐catalysis. This photocatalytic tandem reaction would be conducted at room temperature by using of Rhodamine 6G as organic photocatalyst and sodium metabisulfite as the SO2 surrogate. This protocol provides a synthetic strategy for the construction of various quinoxalin‐2‐one‐containing vinyl sulfones with favourable functional group tolerance, in which one C−C bond and two C−S bonds were constructed in one pot procedure.

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NOCICEPTRA: Gene and microRNA Signatures and Their Trajectories Characterizing Human iPSC‐Derived Nociceptor Maturation
Authors: Zeidler Maximilian , Kummer Kai K. , Schöpf Clemens L. , Kalpachidou Theodora , Kern Georg , Cader M. Zameel , Kress Michaela
Published: September 2021

Nociceptors are primary afferent neurons serving the reception of acute pain but also the transit into maladaptive pain disorders. Since native human nociceptors are hardly available for mechanistic functional research, and rodent models do not necessarily mirror human pathologies in all aspects, human induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived nociceptors (iDN) offer superior advantages as a human model system. Unbiased mRNA::microRNA co‐sequencing, immunofluorescence staining, and qPCR validations, reveal expression trajectories as well as miRNA target spaces throughout the transition of pluripotent cells into iDNs. mRNA and miRNA candidates emerge as regulatory hubs for neurite outgrowth, synapse development, and ion channel expression. The exploratory data analysis tool NOCICEPTRA is provided as a containerized platform to retrieve experimentally determined expression trajectories, and to query custom gene sets for pathway and disease enrichments. Querying NOCICEPTRA for marker genes of cortical neurogenesis reveals distinct similarities and differences for cortical and peripheral neurons. The platform provides a public domain neuroresource to exploit the entire data sets and explore miRNA and mRNA as hubs regulating human nociceptor differentiation and function.
Engineering a Smart Agent for Enhanced Immunotherapy Effect by Simultaneously Blocking PD‐L1 and CTLA‐4
Authors: Jiang Chunjuan , Zhang Le , Xu Xiaoping , Qi Ming , Zhang Jianping , He Simin , Tian Qiwei , Song Shaoli
Published: September 2021

Combinations of immune checkpoint therapies show encouraging results in the treatment of many human cancers. However, the higher costs and greater side effects of such combinations compared with single‐agent immunotherapies limit their further applications. In this work, a novel smart agent, KN046@19F‐ZIF‐8, is developed to overcome these limitations. KN046 is a novel recombinant humanized PD‐L1/CTLA‐4 bispecific single‐domain antibody‐Fc fusion protein, which can bind to both PD‐L1 and CTLA‐4 effectively. ZIF‐8 is a smart delivery system, which can safely and effectively deliver KN406 to a tumor. In vitro and in vivo results demonstrate that the smart agent KN046@19F‐ZIF‐8 not only improves the immune response rate of the antibody drug in treatment of tumors but also reduces its toxic side effects, thereby achieving excellent antitumor efficacy. This study provides an engineering strategy for clinical applications of a more effective immunotherapy.
A Bioinspired Stress‐Response Strategy for High‐Speed Soft Grippers
Authors: Lin Yangqiao , Zhang Chao , Tang Wei , Jiao Zhongdong , Wang Jinrong , Wang Wei , Zhong Yiding , Zhu Pingan , Hu Yu , Yang Huayong , Zou Jun
Published: September 2021

The stress‐response strategy is one of the nature's greatest developments, enabling animals and plants to respond quickly to environmental stimuli. One example is the stress‐response strategy of the Venus flytrap, which enables such a delicate plant to perceive and prey on insects at an imperceptible speed by their soft terminal lobes. Here, inspired by this unique stress‐response strategy, a soft gripper that aims at the challenges of high‐speed dynamic grasping tasks is presented. The gripper, called high‐speed soft gripper (HSG), is based on two basic design concepts. One is a snap‐through instability that enables the HSG to sense the mechanical stimuli and actuating instantly. The other one is the spider‐inspired pneumatic‐powered control system that makes the trigger process repeatable and controllable. Utilizing the stress‐response strategy, the HSG can accomplish high‐speed sensing and grasping and handle a dynamic grasping task like catching a thrown baseball. Whereas soft machines typically exhibit slow locomotion speed and low manipulation strength for the intrinsic limitations of soft materials, the exploration of the stress‐response strategy in this study can help pave the way for designing a new generation of practical high‐speed soft robots.
Boosting Nitrogen Reduction to Ammonia on FeN4 Sites by Atomic Spin Regulation
Authors: Wang Yajin , Cheng Wenzheng , Yuan Pengfei , Yang Gege , Mu Shichun , Liang Jialin , Xia Huicong , Guo Kai , Liu Mengli , Zhao Shuyan , Qu Gan , Lu Bang‐An , Hu Yongfeng , Hu Jinsong , Zhang Jia‐Nan
Published: September 2021

Understanding the relationship between the electronic state of active sites and N2 reduction reaction (NRR) performance is essential to explore efficient electrocatalysts. Herein, atomically dispersed Fe and Mo sites are designed and achieved in the form of well‐defined FeN4 and MoN4 coordination in polyphthalocyanine (PPc) organic framework to investigate the influence of the spin state of FeN4 on NRR behavior. The neighboring MoN4 can regulate the spin state of Fe center in FeN4 from high‐spin (dxy2dyz1dxz111) to medium‐spin (dxy2dyz2dxz11), where the empty d orbitals and separate d electron favor the overlap of Fe 3d with the N 2p orbitals, more effectively activating N≡N triple bond. Theoretical modeling suggests that the NRR preferably takes place on FeN4 instead of MoN4, and the transition of Fe spin state significantly lowers the energy barrier of the potential determining step, which is conducive to the first hydrogenation of N2. As a result, FeMoPPc with medium‐spin FeN4 exhibits 2.0 and 9.0 times higher Faradaic efficiency and 2.0 and 17.2 times higher NH3 yields for NRR than FePPc with high‐spin FeN4 and MoPPc with MoN4, respectively. These new insights may open up opportunities for exploiting efficient NRR electrocatalysts by atomically regulating the spin state of metal centers.
Graphene and MXene Based Free‐Standing Carbon Memristors for Flexible 2D Memory Applications
Authors: Fatima Sabeen , Bin Xu , Mohammad Mohammad Ali , Akinwande Deji , Rizwan Syed
Published: September 2021

2D carbon materials are examined extensively by virtue of having functional‐groups richness and adaptable interlayer spacing with exquisite electrochemical characteristics and flexibility. The phenomenal character of these materials enables them to be resilient in building memristive flexible electronics. The present work reports on a facile, inexpensive fabrication scheme of free‐standing memory devices based on graphene and MXene, exhibiting complementary and capacitive resistive switching (RS) mechanisms for a retention time of 104 s with higher durability for >2400 cycles. The complementary RS in the single trilayer reduced graphene oxide/graphene oxide/reduced graphene oxide (rGO/GO/rGO) carbon cell helps in reducing fabrication complexity with its direct integration in crossbar arrays. While the observed capacitive switching enables MXene paper/graphene oxide paper/MXene paper (M/GO/M) memory device ensemble to retain combine capacitive as well as switching properties for designing self‐generating memory frameworks, sustaining a continuous current even when the external applied bias is removed. The present work will pave pathways for carbon memristors as considerably competent candidates toward designing high performance flexible non‐volatile memory architectures.
Genetic Manipulation of M13 Bacteriophage for Enhancing the Efficiency of Virus‐Inoculated Perovskite Solar Cells with a Certified Efficiency of 22.3%
Authors: Han Jiye , Kim Kyusun , Nam Jeong‐Seok , Hong Sung Jun , Choi Eun Jung , Kim Dawoon , Chung In , Lin Hao‐Sheng , Kim Tae‐Dong , Strano Michael S. , Han Byungchan , Oh Jin‐Woo , Kim Hyung Do , Jeon Il
Published: September 2021

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are considered to be one of the most promising solar energy harvesters owing to their high power conversion efficiency (PCE). To increase their PCE even further, additives are used; however, some of these additives pose certain disadvantages, which limit their applications to PSCs. Therefore, in this study, the nature‐inspired ecofriendly M13 bacteriophage is genetically engineered to maximize its performance as a perovskite crystal growth template and as a passivator for PSCs. The genetic manipulation of the M13 bacteriophage enhances the Lewis coordination between the perovskite materials and single‐stranded virus by amplifying a designated amino acid group. Among the 20 types of amino acids, lysine (Lys or K), arginine (Arg or R), and methionine (Aug or M) exhibit the strongest interaction with the perovskite materials. Results suggest that the K‐amplified genetically engineered M13 bacteriophage is the most effective. The K‐type M13 virus‐inoculated PSCs yield a PCE of 23.6% in the laboratory. This device, when taken to a national laboratory for verification, exhibits a certified forward and reverse bias‐combined efficiency (22.3%), which, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, is one of the highest efficiencies reported among the biomaterial‐based PSCs.
State and Unknown Terrain Estimation for Planetary Rovers via Interval Observers
Authors: Khajenejad Mohammad , Jin Zeyuan , Yong Sze Zheng
Published: September 2021

Herein, the problem of state and unknown terrain estimation is considered, where the unknown planetary terrain parameters, e.g., terrain stiffness and ground height, are inferred from how it affects rover motion through vehicle‐terrain interaction. In particular, an alternative framework for terrain estimation based on set‐valued or set‐membership estimation is proposed, where the goal is to find set‐valued estimates (in the form of hyper‐rectangles or intervals) of the states and unknown terrain parameters. For this purpose, a state and model interval observer is designed for partially unknown nonlinear systems with bounded noise. By leveraging a combination of nonlinear bounding/decomposition functions, affine abstractions, and a data‐driven function abstraction method (to overestimate the unknown dynamics model from noisy input–output data), the proposed observer is capable of simultaneously estimating the states and learning the unknown dynamics. Further, a tractable sufficient condition is derived for guaranteeing the stability of the designed observer, i.e., such that the sequence of interval estimate widths are uniformly bounded. When applied to the state and unknown terrain estimation problem, the simulation results indicate that our approach can more reliably find the range of possible terrain parameters when compared with the cubature Kalman filter.
Congenital heart defects and copy number variants associated with neurodevelopmental impairment
Authors: Findley Tina O. , Crain Alyssa K. , Mahajan Smridhi , Deniwar Ahmed , Davis Jessica , Solis Zavala Ana S. , Corno Antonio F. , Rodriguez‐Buritica David
Published: September 2021

A genetic etiology is identifiable in 20%–30% of patients with congenital heart defects (CHD). Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) can detect copy number variants (CNV) associated with CHD. In previous studies, the diagnostic yield of postnatal CMA testing ranged from 4% to 28% in CHD patients. However, incidental pathogenic CNV and variants of unknown significance are often discovered without any known association with CHD. The study objective was to describe the rate of pathogenic CNV associated with neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) and compare clinical findings in CHD neonates with genetic results. A single‐center retrospective review was performed on all consecutive newborns with CHD admitted to a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit from January 2013 to March 2019 (n = 525). CHD phenotypes were classified as per the National Birth Defect Prevention Study. CMA detected pathogenic CNV in 21.3% (61/287) of neonates, and karyotype or fluorescence in situ hybridization detected aneuploidies in an additional 11% of the overall cohort (58/525). Atrioventricular septal defects and conotruncal defects showed the highest diagnostic yield by CMA (28.6% and 27.2%, respectively). Among neonates with pathogenic CNV on CMA, 78.7% (48/61) were associated with NDI. Neonates with pathogenic CNV were smaller in length at birth compared to those with benign CNV or variants of unknown significance (p = 0.005) and were more likely to be discharged with an enteral feeding tube (p = 0.027). CMA can discover genetic variants associated with NDI and are common in neonates with CHD. Genetic testing in the neonatal period can heighten awareness of genetic risk for NDI.
Esophageal atresia/tracheoesophageal fistula and proximal symphalangism in a patient with a NOG nonsense mutation
Authors: Chooey Jonathan , Trexler Connor , Becker Amy M. , Hogue Jacob S.
Published: September 2021

Esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF) are relatively common malformations of the human foregut. The etiology remains incompletely understood with genetic causes identified in a small minority of affected patients. We present the case of a newborn with type C EA/TEF along with proximal symphalangism found to have a de novo NOG nonsense mutation. Patients with chromosome 17q deletions including the NOG gene have previously been reported to have EA/TEF but mutations in the gene have not been identified in patients with this malformation. This case provides evidence that haploinsufficiency for NOG may be the cause for EA/TEF in the 17q deletion syndrome and suggests that the clinical spectrum of NOG‐related symphalangism spectrum disorders may include EA/TEF.
Ambimodal Transition States in Diels–Alder Cycloadditions of Tropolone and Tropolonate with N‐Methylmaleimide**
Authors: Zhang Hong , Thøgersen Mathias Kirk , Jamieson Cooper S. , Xue Xiao‐Song , Jørgensen Karl Anker , Houk Kendall N.
Published: September 2021

The Diels–Alder reactions of tropolone and its conjugate base with N‐methylmaleimide have been explored computationally and experimentally. Previous studies of the [4+2] cycloaddition under basic conditions show that both endo‐ and exo‐products are obtained in similar, but variable amounts. Density functional theory (ωB97X‐D) explorations of potential energy surfaces, and molecular dynamics trajectories show that the reaction involves an ambimodal transition state for the reaction of the ammonium tropolonate with N‐methylmaleimide, and that similar amounts of endo‐ and exo‐products are obtained. The thermal reaction, studied experimentally in detail here for the first time, is predicted to form the endo‐adduct through an ambimodal transition state. The exo‐adduct can be formed from the same transition state, but requires a hydrogen shift, that hinders this reaction dynamically. Longer reaction times give a small excess of the exo‐product, which is thermodynamically more stable.
Enantiopure C5 Pentaindenocorannulenes: Chiral Graphenoid Materials
Authors: Guo Tianjian , Li Ansu , Xu Jun , Baldridge Kim K. , Siegel Jay
Published: September 2021

Chiral carbon nanomaterials offer numerous prospects for material science. As a fundamental building block for non‐planar graphenoid materials, pentaindenocorannulene (PIC) with its C5v symmetrical structure presents a platform for creation of supramolecular chiral carbon materials. Specifically, when uniformly penta‐substituted on its periphery, PIC generates C5 symmetrical chiral buckybowls capable of columnar stacking. The synthesis and resolution of such PICs are achieved, assignment of absolute configuration is established by comparison of ECD and VCD spectra with theory, and material characterization is reported. Evidence for columnar stacking in solution and in the crystal is presented.
The Complex Crystal Structure and Abundant Local Defects of Zeolite EMM‐17 Unraveled by Combined Electron Crystallography and Microscopy
Authors: Liu Xiaona , Liu Lingmei , Pan Tingting , Yan Nana , Dong Xinglong , Li Yuanhao , Chen Lu , Tian Peng , Han Yu , Guo Peng , Liu Zhongmin
Published: September 2021

In this study, we successfully solve polymorphs A and B of zeolite EMM‐17, which can only crystallize in sub‐micrometer‐sized crystals while containing complex stacking disorders, from the three‐dimensional (3D) electron diffraction (ED) data. This is the first time that the atomic structure of this polymorph has been ab initio solved, and the result reveals a unique 10(12)×10(12)×11‐ring channel system. Moreover, we acquire the first atomic‐resolution images of EMM‐17 using integrated differential phase‐contrast scanning transmission electron microscopy. The images allow us to directly observe polymorphs B and C and discover a large number of local structural defects. Based on structural features unraveled from the reciprocal‐space 3D ED data and real‐space images, we propose a series of energetically feasible local structures in EMM‐17. We also demonstrate that the unique porous structure of EMM‐17 enables efficient kinetic separation of C6 alkane isomers.
Photocatalytic Arylation of P4 and PH3: Reaction Development Through Mechanistic Insight
Authors: Rothfelder Robin , Streitferdt Verena , Lennert Ulrich , Cammarata Jose , Scott Daniel J. , Zeitler Kirsten , Gschwind Ruth M. , Wolf Robert
Published: September 2021

Detailed 31P{1H} NMR spectroscopic investigations provide deeper insight into the complex, multi‐step mechanisms involved in the recently reported photocatalytic arylation of white phosphorus (P4). Specifically, these studies have identified a number of previously unrecognized side products, which arise from an unexpected non‐innocent behavior of the commonly employed terminal reductant Et3N. The different rate of formation of these products explains discrepancies in the performance of the two most effective catalysts, [Ir(dtbbpy)(ppy)2][PF6] (dtbbpy=4,4′‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine) and 3DPAFIPN. Inspired by the observation of PH3 as a minor intermediate, we have developed the first catalytic procedure for the arylation of this key industrial compound. Similar to P4 arylation, this method affords valuable triarylphosphines or tetraarylphosphonium salts depending on the steric profile of the aryl substituents.
Impact of the Difluoromethylene Group in the Organocatalyzed Acylative Kinetic Resolution of α,α‐Difluorohydrins
Authors: Desrues Titouan , Merad Jérémy , Andrei Daniela , Pons Jean‐Marc , Parrain Jean‐Luc , Médebielle Maurice , Quintard Adrien , Bressy Cyril
Published: September 2021

Due to the omnipresence of chiral organofluorine compounds in pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and material chemistry, the development of enantioselective methods for their preparation is highly desirable. In the present study, the enantioselective organocatalyzed acylation of α,α‐difluorohydrins using a commercially available chiral isothiourea is reported through a kinetic resolution (KR) process. It reveals that the difluoromethylene moiety (C(sp3)F2) can serve as a directing group through electrostatic fluorine–cation interactions, greatly improving the enantioselectivity of the KR. In this context, a broad range of fluorinated alcohols such as valuable 4,4‐difluoro‐1,3‐diols could be synthesized with exquisite enantiocontrol (typically >99:1 er). Turning to 2,2‐difluoro‐1,3‐diols, we also demonstrated that aromatic and fluorinated groups were mutually compatible to provide the expected enantioenriched adducts with >99:1 er.
Green synthesis of poly(o‐phenylenediamine) polymer film on stainless steel as a corrosion protection layer
Authors: Zhang Jia‐Wei , Li Ying
Published: September 2021

The concept of green chemistry is promoted by more fields. Therefore, it is necessary for the preparation of organic film under the gentle polymerization condition. In this article, the traditional strong acid polymerization electrolyte is replaced by a citric acid‐disodium hydrogen phosphate buffer system (pH 5.6). On the one hand, it reduces the negative effects of strong acid, and on the other hand, it avoids the damage of the metal substrate during the polymerization process. In addition, with o‐phenylenediamine (oPD) as the monomer, poly(oPD) (PoPD) films were successfully prepared by cyclic voltammetry under this system. The effects of concentration, temperature, and immersion time were investigated in 3.5% NaCl solution. It is found that temperature has a negative effect on the corrosion resistance of the coating. But when the temperature rises to 333 K, the resistance of the PoPD film is still five times higher than that of bare steel. The immersion test showed that when the film was immersed for 21.5 h, the impedance of the PoPD film was an order of magnitude larger than that of the bare steel that was impregnated at the same time. This research can provide new ideas for organic film in daily industrial production.
Thermally improved crystalline phase and intercalated PEO/OMMT nanocomposites for high to ultrahigh radio frequency range low‐permittivity nanodielectrics
Authors: Sengwa Ram Jeewan , Dhatarwal Priyanka
Published: September 2021

Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)/organomodified‐montmorillonite (OMMT) nanoclay based nanocomposites having 1, 3, 5, 10, and 20 wt% OMMT nanofiller were prepared by homogeneous mixing and the melt‐compounding method. These hybrid materials were characterized by employing X‐ray diffractometer, differential scanning calorimeter, and radio frequency impedance analyzer. The experimental results confirmed the formation of OMMT intercalated structures with reduced crystallinity and increased melting temperature of PEO crystallites which are predominantly ruled by the nanofiller amounts in the PEO/OMMT nanocomposites. Dielectric permittivity of these nanocomposites measured at 20°C exhibited a gradual decrease with increasing frequencies of the applied harmonic electric field of high to ultrahigh range (i.e., 1 MHz–1 GHz), but it changed anomalously in the range of 2.6–3.6 with the increase of OMMT amounts in the PEO matrix. The dielectric losses in these composites were found low and their loss spectra exhibited a hydrogen bond dipolar reorientation relaxation process around 1 GHz. The alternating current electrical conductivity of these nanocomposites increased with frequency and also changed with the OMMT concentrations. These PEO/OMMT nanocomposites are classified as low permittivity nanodielectrics which could be potential candidates for advances in flexible and biodegradable radio‐electronic devices.
Standortspezifisches Ziellastniveau und objektspezifische Lastmodelle für die Nachrechnung auf der Basis von Bauwerksmonitoring
Authors: Steffens Nico , Geißler Karsten
Published: September 2021

Bei der Bewertung bestehender Brücken wird zunehmend ein unterstützendes Bauwerksmonitoring eingesetzt, um die Beanspruchungen im Tragwerk realistischer als rein rechnerisch zu erfassen und das Rechenmodell zu kalibrieren. Normativ ungeklärt ist derzeit noch die Frage, wie die durch Messungen gewonnenen zusätzlichen Informationen innerhalb des Nachrechnungs‐ einschließlich dessen Sicherheitskonzepts zu berücksichtigen sind. Einwirkungsseitig kann dies durch die modifizierte Definition des Ziellastniveaus oder alternativ durch objektspezifische Lastmodelle für Tragfähigkeit und Ermüdung zur Abbildung des tatsächlichen Verkehrs erfolgen. Weiterhin können auf der Basis der Messdaten die erforderlichen Sicherheitsfaktoren, auch unter Berücksichtigung zukünftiger Verkehrsentwicklungen, bei Einhaltung des normativ erforderlichen Zuverlässigkeitsniveaus begründet werden. In diesem Beitrag werden Möglichkeiten sowie die theoretischen Hintergründe zur Berücksichtigung gemessener Verkehrsbeanspruchungen innerhalb der Nachrechnung von Brückenbauwerken vorgestellt.
Modulare Brückenbauwerke aus carbon‐faserbewehrtem Ultrahochleistungsbeton – Graph‐basierter Entwurf und trajektoriensensitive Fertigung
Authors: Kolbeck Lothar , Auer Daniel , Fischer Oliver , Vilgertshofer Simon , Borrmann André
Published: September 2021

Für die Vorfertigung von Brückentragwerken in industrieller Fließfertigung sind weitreichende Veränderungen in Entwurf und Ausführung nötig. Deshalb erläutert dieser Aufsatz einen ganzheitlichen und durchgängig digitalen Planungsprozess für eine modulare Bauweise mit ebenen, additiv gefertigten Grundmodulen. Als Grundlage eines automatisierten Entwurfs wird das System mithilfe eines graph‐basierten Modells abgebildet, darauf aufbauende Graphersetzungsregeln erzeugen modulare Tragwerke gemäß zweier Herangehensweisen: Einerseits werden bestehende Bauteilgeometrien segmentiert, andererseits formalisieren Regeln die Aggregation zu Strukturen. Die zu diesem Prozessschritt vorrangig geometrische Information wird in eine semantisch reichhaltige Darstellung der Zerlegung entwickelt, sodass daraus ein hochdetailliertes Produktionsmodell für jedes Modul parametrisch instanziiert werden kann. Dieses Modell ist durch die flexible Beschreibung mit NURBS in der Lage, eine Vielzahl an Verbindungs‐ und Fügesituationen abzubilden. Schließlich fungiert es auch als Grundlage der Pfadgenerierung für die additive Fertigung. Der Druckpfad wird dabei entlang den Hauptzugspannungsrichtungen ermittelt, durch numerische Interpolation der Ergebnisse einer nichtlinearen FE‐Analyse. Entlang dieses Pfades wird die Ausrichtung von Carbonfaserbewehrung mithilfe angepasster Düsentechnik gesteuert, wodurch herausragende Materialeigenschaften der gefertigten Komponenten erreicht werden können.
Problem solving in the time of coronavirus pandemic
Authors: Bátor Judit , Szeberényi József
Published: September 2021

Problem solving, multiple‐choice question‐based educational tools have been used for decades in molecular cell biology courses at the University of Pécs Medical School, Pécs, Hungary. A set of these tests was published in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education between 2002 and 2015. Such tests using an experimental approach help students to understand how living cells function. Besides being tools of education, they can be used for examination purposes as well to assess higher levels of intellectual skills (interpretation and problem solving) acquired by the students. The test presented in this paper is based on parts of an original publication in which the authors described seminal observations on the function of a viral protein in the infection process of SARS‐CoV‐2. The test is aimed at helping the students to understand the methods used in the experiments, to analyze the data and to draw conclusions from them regarding certain aspects of the mechanism of coronavirus infection.