bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Introduction to CART-Cell Therapy: Principles and Applications
Authors: Silva Analice Oliveira , Carvalho Júlia Valentim de , Dias Nayara Canêlhas , Paula Lorrayne Victoria Soares de , Lauar Sandra de Assis Pechir , Alves Lucas Ferreira
Published: December 2024

CAR-T cell immunotherapy involves the genetic modification of T lymphocytes to express a chimeric antigen receptor, enabling them to recognize tumor cells. There are five generations of CARs, and the production process of these cells involves several stages: collection, genetic modification, cell expansion, and subsequent infusion into the patient. This therapy can cause Cytokine Release Syndrome and neurotoxic events, which are both manageable and treatable. Its greatest efficacy has been observed in treating hematological tumors, with CD-19 and BCMA targets approved for four tumor types, though challenges related to antigen escape and relapses remain. In solid tumors, the immunosuppressive microenvironment, heterogeneity, and antigen escape present challenges to the efficacy of immunotherapy, which are being addressed with new CAR designs. CAR-T cell therapy is revolutionizing the treatment of hematological cancers, with ongoing advancements in genetic engineering and strategic collaborations, promising significant improvements despite the challenges in solid tumors. Thus, this literature review aims to cover the key concepts of CAR-T therapy, providing an overview of its current applications and the main challenges to be addressed.
Obesity: Pathophysiology, Health Implications, and Therapeutic Interventions
Authors: Swaraj Subhra , Sarraf Sheetal , Panda Subhranshu , Parveen Sadia
Published: December 2024

Obesity is a significant health issue defined by the excessive accumulation of fat that poses serious health risks. A Body Mass Index (BMI) exceeding 24 is categorised as overweight, while a BMI over 30 is considered obese. Obesity is a major contributor to various chronic diseases, including cardiovascular issues such as heart disease and stroke, which rank among the leading causes of death globally. Currently, more than 800 million people worldwide are living with obesity, and the medical expenses related to this condition are expected to surpass $1 trillion by 2025. Furthermore, individuals with obesity face twice the likelihood of hospitalization if they test positive for COVID-19.
The weight loss industry plays a significant role in the overall revenue of the dietary supplements market. Anti-obesity medications act as pharmacological agents aimed at reducing or managing body weight. These drugs can alter essential physiological processes involved in weight regulation by affecting either appetite or calorie absorption. Effective management of obesity is vital to reduce its health consequences and associated financial burdens.
Purchasing Still Wines: The Influence of Extrinsic Attributes
Authors: Fauquet-Alekhine Elena , Fauquet-Alekhine Philippe
Published: December 2024

Aims: Purchasing wine in shops implies that the consumer makes a choice based on the extrinsic attributes of the product (eg packaging, bottle shape and design, labels and written information) rather than extrinsic information such the flavor or the taste of the wine. Various studies were undertaken in different countries and published that provide information regarding the extrinsic attributes that influence this choice. Focusing on studies addressing still wine purchasing in shops, this study aims to summarize the main attributes that intervene in the choice-making of wine for the geographical areas with high levels of consumption.
Study Design:  The study was based on bibliographic research and its analysis.
Place and Duration of Study: The bibliographic research and analysis were conducted at the Laboratory for Research in Science of Agronomy & Biology (France) in November 2024.
Methodology: Bibliographic research was conducted using Googlescholar with keywords including influence, purchasing wine, bottle, packaging. Articles addressing sparkling wine, organic wine, online purchase, tourist consumers, and studies focusing on specific generations were excluded.
Results: A total of 23 articles were selected, covering the period from 2006 to 2024. The increase in the number of articles over time illustrates growing interest in the topic. A significant correlation was found between the number of articles per country and the importance of the wine market (r=.94). Regardless of the country considered among those selected, the main criterion in consumer choice was the price followed by the label (design and content), and then the bottle shape. Attributes such as the wine’s origin, vintage, and the food pairing - appreciated on the label - also influence the consumer choice. Important features of label design were identified.
Conclusion: Despite the undeniable effect of cultural differences across countries, which may influence consumer behavior differently when purchasing wine, a common set of extrinsic attributes was identified for selecting still wines in shops in the selected countries. The information that should be emphasized on the label, along with its design features, was determined. These findings may help wine producers, sellers and marketers reduce packaging costs by focusing on key extrinsic attributes during the design process and emphasizing features important to consumer choice.
Analysis and Enlightenment of Power System Massive Blackout Accidents
Authors: Wang Zhangruixi , Gu Heming
Published: December 2024

The occurrence of massive blackouts has had a severe impact on both the social-economic fabric and the daily lives of the public. This paper analyzes massive blackout accidents worldwide to explore their primary causes, including natural disasters, equipment issues, imperfect management mechanisms, and human factors. The research indicates that natural disasters are the leading cause of massive blackouts, accounting for over 52% of cases. Equipment issues and human factors also contribute to a significant proportion. To ensure the safe and stable operation of power systems, this paper proposes targeted recommendations, including enhancing the resilience of power systems, improving management mechanisms, strengthening protections against human-induced incidents, and bolstering cybersecurity defenses. These measures aim to draw on lessons from past accidents while improving the overall risk resistance ability of power systems to better address potential future power crises.
Der Wirtschaftsgutbegriff im Lichte digitaler Tendenzen
Authors: Kopp Nicolas
Published: December 2024

Der Verfasser analysiert den Wirtschaftsgutbegriff im Lichte digitaler Tendenzen und beleuchtet praxisrelevante Anwendungsfälle, darunter Software und damit zusammenhängende Implementierungs- und Customizing-Maßnahmen, der kommerzialisierbare Teil des Namensrechts sowie Social-Media-Profile. Der Beitrag hinterfragt bestehende Auffassungen und bietet neue Perspektiven in Bezug auf die Wirtschaftsgutqualifikation bestimmter immaterieller Positionen. Aus Sicht des Verfassers sind bei der Abgrenzung immaterieller Wirtschaftsgüter digitale Tendenzen und wirtschaftliche Entwicklungen zwar zu berücksichtigen, gleichwohl dürfen die etablierten Bilanzrechtsgrundsätze nicht durch eine Überbetonung der wirtschaftlichen Betrachtungsweise verdrängt werden.
60 Jahre lineare Gebäudeabschreibung nach § 7 Abs. 4 EStG – Trotz Jubiläum kein Anlass zur Freude
Authors: Zochert Maik , Mandler Peter
Published: December 2024

Die pauschalen Abschreibungssätze für die lineare Gebäudeabschreibung sind seit 60 Jahren unverändert. Der Beitrag zeigt die Probleme der gegenwärtigen Typisierung auf. Die zunehmende Anzahl von Anträgen auf Berücksichtigung einer kürzeren Nutzungsdauer ist dafür symptomatisch. Der Beitrag zeigt einen Ausweg, indem er einen konkreten Reformvorschlag unterbreitet, wie die Abschreibungssätze auf Grundlage einer sachgerechten Typisierung neu gefasst werden könnten.
Gel and thermoluminescence dosimetry for dose verifications of a real anatomy simulated prostate conformal radiation treatment in the presence of metallic femoral prosthesis
Authors: Rojas Diana M. C. , Pavoni Juliana F. , Arruda Gustavo V. , Baffa Oswaldo
Published: August 2021

This study aims to verify the dose delivery of prostate radiotherapy treatments in an adult pelvic phantom with two metallic hip and femur prosthesis using a four‐field box technique. The prostate planned target volume (PTV) tridimensional (3D) dose distribution was evaluated using gel dosimetry, and thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) were used for point‐dose measurements outside it. Both results were compared to the treatment planning system (TPS) dose calculation without using heterogeneity corrections to evaluate the influence of the metal in the dose distribution. MAGIC‐f gel dosimeter (Methacrylic and Ascorbic acid in Gelatin Initiated by Copper with Formaldehyde) associated with magnetic resonance imaging was used. TLD were positioned at several points at the bone metal interface and the sacrum region. The comparison of the gel measured and the TPS calculated dose distributions were done using gamma analysis (3%/3 mm), and a pass rate of 93% was achieved. The TLD dose values at the bone‐metal interface showed variations from the planned dose. However, at the sacrum region, where the beams did not intercept the prosthesis, there was a good agreement between TPS planning and TLD measurements. Our results show how the combination of 3D dosimetry and measurements at specific points in the phantom allowed a comprehensive view of the dose distribution and identified that care must also be paid to regions outside the PTV.
Combining Mechanical Tuneability with Function: Biomimetic Fibrous Hydrogels with Nanoparticle Crosslinkers
Authors: Chen Wen , Kouwer Paul H. J.
Published: August 2021

Fibrous networks of biopolymers possess unique properties: mechanical stability at low concentrations, an extremely porous architecture, and strong stiffening at small deformations. An outstanding challenge is to find methods that allow to tailor the mechanical properties of these bionetworks or their synthetic equivalents without changing the polymer concentration, which simultaneously changes all other hydrogel properties. Here, networks of dilute (0.1 wt.%) fibrous hydrogels are prepared and crosslink them with functional rod‐shaped nanoparticles. The crosslinking is observed to induce an architectural change that strongly affects the mechanical properties of the hydrogels with a 40‐fold increase in stiffness. The effect is strongest at the lowest polymer and particle concentrations (99.8% water) and is tailorable through tuning the crosslink density. Moreover, the nanoparticle components in the composite offer the opportunity to introduce additional functions; gels with magnetic and conductive properties are reported. However, through the generic crosslinking approach of a fibrous network with decorated nanoparticle crosslinkers as presented in this work, virtually any functionality may be introduced in highly responsive hydrogels, providing a guide to design next generations of multi‐functional soft materials.
Achieving Narrow FWHM and High EQE Over 38% in Blue OLEDs Using Rigid Heteroatom‐Based Deep Blue TADF Sensitized Host
Authors: Braveenth Ramanaskanda , Lee Hyuna , Park Jae Doh , Yang Ki Joon , Hwang Soon Jae , Naveen Kenkera Rayappa , Lampande Raju , Kwon Jang Hyuk
Published: August 2021

Simultaneously obtaining high efficiency and deep blue emission in organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) remains a challenge. To overcome the demands associated with deep blue thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters, two deep blue TADF materials namely, DBA–BFICz and DBA–BTICz, are designed and synthesized by incorporating oxygen‐bridged boron (DBA) acceptor with heteroatoms, oxygen and sulphur‐based donors, BFICz and BTICz, respectively. Both TADF materials show deep blue photoluminescence emissions below 450 nm by enhancing the optical band gap over 2.8 eV through deeper highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) level of heteroatom based donor moieties. At the same time, the photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) of both TADF materials remain over 94%. The TADF device with DBA–BFICz as an emitter exhibits a good external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 33.2%. Since both new TADF materials show deep blue emissions and high efficiencies, hyperfluorescence (HF) OLED devices are fabricated using ν‐DABNA as a fluorescence dopant. DBA–BFICz as a TADF sensitized host in HF–OLED reveals an outstanding EQE of 38.8% along with narrow full width at half maximum of 19 nm in the bottom emission pure blue OLEDs. This study provides an approach to develop deep blue TADF emitters for highly efficient OLEDs.
Printable and Homogeneous NiOx Hole Transport Layers Prepared by a Polymer‐Network Gel Method for Large‐Area and Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Zhang Shaohua , Wang Hongyu , Duan Xin , Rao Li , Gong Chenxiang , Fan Baojin , Xing Zhi , Meng Xiangchuan , Xie Bing , Hu Xiaotian
Published: August 2021

As one of the most promising hole transport layers (HTLs), nickel oxide (NiOx) has received extensive attention due to its application in flexible large‐area perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, the poor interface contact caused by inherent easy‐agglomeration phenomenon of NiOx nanoparticles (NPs) is still the bottleneck for achieving high‐performance devices. Herein, a general strategy to synthesize NiOx NPs with high crystallinity and good dispersibility via the polymer network micro‐precipitation method is reported. Promisingly, this approach realizes the flow‐division of precipitant and the restraint of the NPs motion, thereby effectively alleviating the coagulation phenomenon caused by excessive local concentration and secondary movement adsorption. Furthermore, the addition of ionic liquid not only inhibits the secondary aggregation of NiOx NPs during the dispersion process, but also significantly enhances the properties of the colloidal solution. Ultimately, the 1.01 cm2 PSCs based on the optimized NiOx HTLs achieve the champion power conversion efficiency of 20.91% and 19.17% on rigid and flexible substrates, respectively. Moreover, the reproducibility and stability of PSCs are also significantly improved, especially for flexible devices. Overall, this strategy provides the possibility for flexible, large‐area fabrication of high‐quality NiOx HTLs to promote the development of stable and efficient perovskite devices.
A Series of Fused Carbazole/Carbonyl Based Blue to Yellow‐Green Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Materials for Efficient Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Luo Xu‐Feng , Li Fang‐Ling , Zou Jian‐Wei , Zou Qian , Su Jian , Mao Meng‐Xi , Zheng You‐Xuan
Published: August 2021

The exploitation of novel fused carbazole/carbonyl emitters is essential to broaden the application of thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) materials for organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs). Here, with the aid of the addition and cyclization of the cyano group with the ortho‐carbazole, fused carbazole/carbonyl based TADF emitters are effectively synthesized via this new synthetic strategy. The attachment of ancillary donors including carbazole, diphenylamine, and phenolazine to the fused carbazole/carbonyl skeletons further tunes their emissions from blue to yellow‐green. Particularly, pure‐blue OLEDs incorporating the peripheral carbazole attached emitter exhibit a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQEmax) of 22.3%, with a small full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 48 nm. In addition, the peripheral phenolazine attached yellow‐green emitter shows extremely small singlet−triplet state energy gap (ΔEST) of 0.01 eV, high photoluminescence quantum efficiency of 82.5%, short delayed fluorescence lifetime of 6.2 µs and good OLED performances with an EQEmax of 21.7%, an FWHM of 68 nm and low efficiency roll‐off. These results demonstrate that the new synthetic strategy for fused carbazole/carbonyl molecules provide a valuable reference for the design of high‐efficient TADF emitters.
Ruthenium Supported on Cobalt‐Embedded Porous Carbon with Hollow Structure as Efficient Catalysts toward Ammonia‐Borane Hydrolysis for Hydrogen Production
Authors: Cui Boyang , Wu Guiming , Qiu Shujun , Zou Yongjin , Yan Erhu , Xu Fen , Sun Lixian , Chu Hailiang
Published: August 2021

Catalysts with high activity play an indispensable role in ammonia‐borane (AB) hydrolysis for hydrogen production. Supported catalysts are always used because proper support can effectively prevent metal particle agglomeration. In addition, the interaction between support and metal species can further enhance the catalytic activity. Herein, cobalt‐embedded porous carbon with polyhedral structure (CoPCP) is successfully synthesized by one‐step carbonization of a core‐shell structured ZIF‐8@ZIF‐67 composite. As support, Ru nanoparticles are loaded on CoPCP by in situ reduction to obtain Ru/CoPCP catalysts with a special hollow structure, effectively preventing Ru nanoparticles from agglomeration. Moreover, the existence of synergistic effect between Co metal and Ru nanoparticles in Ru/CoPCP catalyst is confirmed by a series of well‐designed control experiments. Both these factors endow the Ru/CoPCP catalyst with high activity and decent stability toward AB hydrolysis. A low activation energy (Ea = 31.25 kJ mol–1) and a high catalytic performance (turnover frequency = 243.4 molH2 molRu–1 min–1) are simultaneously achieved for Ru1/CoPCP‐1000 even with a low amount of Ru (1.88 wt%). This work represents a promising method to prepare the high‐activity catalysts with low content of noble metals for diverse applications in heterogeneous catalysis.
Use of Interplay between A‐Site Non‐Stoichiometry and Hydroxide Doping to Deliver Novel Proton‐Conducting Perovskite Oxides
Authors: Lee Jin Goo , Naden Aaron B. , Savaniu Cristian D. , Connor Paul A. , Payne Julia L. , M. Skelton Jonathan , Gibbs Alexandra S. , Hui Jianing , C. Parker Stephen , Irvine John T. S.
Published: August 2021

The magnitude of ionic conductivity is known to depend upon both mobility and number of available carriers. For proton conductors, hydration is a key factor in determining the charge–carrier concentration in ABO3 perovskite oxides. Despite the high reported proton mobility of calcium titanate (CaTiO3), this titanate perovskite has thus far been regarded as a poor proton conductor due to the low hydration capability. Here, the enhanced proton conductivity of the defective calcium titanate Ca0.92TiO2.84(OH)0.16 prepared by replacing lattice oxygens with hydroxyl groups via a solvothermal route is shown. Conductivity measurements in a humidified Ar atmosphere reveal that, remarkably, this material exhibits one order of magnitude higher bulk conductivity (10−4 Scm−1 at 200 °C) than hydrated stoichiometric CaTiO3 prepared by traditional solid‐state synthesis due to the higher concentration of protonic defects and variation in the crystal structure. The replacement of Ca2+ by Ni2+ in the Ca1−xTi1O3−2x(OH)2x, which mostly exsolve metallic Ni nanoparticles along orthorhombic (100) planes upon reduction, is also demonstrated. These results suggest a new strategy by tailoring the defect chemistry via hydration or cation doping followed by exsolution for targeted energy applications.
Ancestral patterns of recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa mutations in Hispanic populations suggest sephardic ancestry
Authors: Warshauer Emily Mira , Brown Adam , Fuentes Ignacia , Shortt Jonathan , Gignoux Chris , Montinaro Francesco , Metspalu Mait , Youssefian Leila , Vahidnezhad Hassan , Jacków Joanna , Christiano Angela M. , Uitto Jouni , Fajardo‐Ramírez Óscar R. , Salas‐Alanis Julio C. , McGrath John A. , Consuegra Liliana , Rivera Carolina , Maier Paul A. , Runfeldt Goran , Behar Doron M. , Skorecki Karl , Sprecher Eli , Palisson Francis , Norris David A. , Bruckner Anna L. , Kogut Igor , Bilousova Ganna , Roop Dennis R.
Published: August 2021

Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is a rare genodermatosis caused by mutations in the gene coding for type VII collagen (COL7A1). More than 800 different pathogenic mutations in COL7A1 have been described to date; however, the ancestral origins of many of these mutations have not been precisely identified. In this study, 32 RDEB patient samples from the Southwestern United States, Mexico, Chile, and Colombia carrying common mutations in the COL7A1 gene were investigated to determine the origins of these mutations and the extent to which shared ancestry contributes to disease prevalence. The results demonstrate both shared European and American origins of RDEB mutations in distinct populations in the Americas and suggest the influence of Sephardic ancestry in at least some RDEB mutations of European origins. Knowledge of ancestry and relatedness among RDEB patient populations will be crucial for the development of future clinical trials and the advancement of novel therapeutics.
A label‐free ratiometric method to detect Hg2+ based on structural change of DNA
Authors: Xu Mingming , Peng Yu , Liu Huan , Tian Xinyu , Yang Hualin , Zhou Yu
Published: August 2021

In this work, a simple ratiometric method has been designed to detect Hg2+ based on the structural change between double‐stranded DNA (dsDNA) and its G‐quadruplex structure. When Hg2+ was added, the designed G‐quadruplex structure could change into the corresponding dsDNA by forming the T–Hg2+–T mismatch. This kind of variation resulted in a decrease in the fluorescence of the G‐quadruplex/N‐methyl mesoporphyrin IX (NMM) complex and an increase in the fluorescence from the dsDNA/SYBR Green I (SG I) pair. The secondary excitation wavelength of SG I was used to excite NMM and SG I simultaneously. The titration experiment indicated that the new method had a linear response within 0.7–2.5 μM Hg2+ with a limit of detection of 9.3 nM. Because using the T–Hg2+–T mismatch to recognize Hg2+ was very specific, the selectivity of the new method was also satisfactory. The recoveries ranged from 92.8% to 110.2% suggested that this new method could achieve a potential application for Hg2+ detection in real environmental samples.
Fostering sustainable entrepreneurship by business strategies: An explorative approach in the bioeconomy
Authors: Urbaniec Maria , Sołtysik Mariusz , Prusak Anna , Kułakowski Konrad , Wojnarowska Magdalena
Published: August 2021

The conceptual framework of bioeconomy advances sustainability by ensuring that environmental, social, and economic goals are met. Although numerous authors perceive bioeconomy as a key sector to achieve sustainable transformation, there is a lack of a comprehensive set of factors determining sustainable entrepreneurship in the bioeconomy sector. This study aims to identify factors influencing business strategies for sustainable entrepreneurship in the bioeconomy sector. This study uses the triangulation of research methods, including the entrepreneurial discovery process, as well as multiple‐criteria methods of the pairwise comparison and the analytic hierarchy process. This study serves as grounds for the identification of priority factors influencing the choice of relevant business strategies in the bioeconomy. Within the framework of the research, five core factors are specified: economic‐and‐financial, market, technological, ecological, organization‐and‐human resources, and legal. The findings reveal that the most significant factors are economic‐and‐financial and market factors that determine the choice of innovative and offensive strategies by bioeconomy enterprises. These strategies impact entrepreneurial decision‐making processes in the environmental and social areas, and they contribute to the development of more sustainable and entrepreneurial ecosystems. To advance the research on sustainable entrepreneurship, different theoretical perspectives are combined, including economics, strategic management, and innovation perspective.
Chemical Constituents from the Rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. and Their Nrf2 Inducing Activity
Authors: Zhang Kan , Fang Kai‐Li , Wang Tian , Xu Lin‐Tao , Zhao Yu , Wang Xiao‐Ning , Xiang Lan , Shen Tao
Published: August 2021

The rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. has been widely used for the therapy of diabetic nephropathy (DN) in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The nuclear transcription factor erythroid 2‐related factor (Nrf2) is a potential target for treating DN. The purpose of this research was to study the chemical constituents from the rhizome of L. chuanxiong, evaluate their Nrf2 inducing activity, and find the molecules with potential therapeutic effect against DN. In this study, two new phthalides (1–2) along with twenty‐seven known constituents were obtained from the rhizome of L. chuanxiong. Their structures were elucidated through various spectroscopic methods. Twelve constituents, including eight phthalides (2, 5, 6,10–13, 14) and four other compounds (17, 18, 20,28), stimulated NAD(P)H: quinone reductase (QR) activity, suggesting that these bioactive constituents were potential Nrf2 activators. Among the isolated compounds, phthalide levistolide A (LA, 14) upregulated the protein levels of Nrf2, NQO1, and γ‐GCS in a dose‐dependent manner. Our results implied that the clinical application of the rhizome of L. chuanxiong as an anti‐DN drug in TCM might be attributed to the Nrf2 inducing effect of phthalides. Thus, phthalides is a group of promising leading molecules for discovering anti‐DN agents.
Supported Metal Nanoparticles Assisted Catalysis: A Broad Concept in Functionalization of Ubiquitous C−H Bonds
Authors: Baroliya Prabhat Kumar , Chopra Jaishri , Pal Tanay , Maiti Siddhartha , Al‐Thabaiti Shaeel Ahmed , Mokhtar Mohamed , Maiti Debabrata
Published: August 2021

Supported metal nanoparticles (NPs) catalysed chemical transformations have been a vital area of research over the last few decades. Catalysis by supported NPs not only plays a pivotal role in the production of fine chemicals such as coupling products, heterocycles, alcohols, carbonyl compounds, acids, etc. but also provides sustainable chemical processes. The use of supported metal NPs provides a much prosperous basis than conventional homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts for tuning reactivity, recyclability, high productivity and environment benevolent alternative for C−H functionalization. Consequently, as evidenced in the literature, various support materials such as silica, metal oxides, zeolites, carbon‐based materials, bio‐materials, magnetic materials, and MOFs have been moderately investigated in order to exploit their benefit in supported metal NPs catalyzed various C−H functionalizations. This review aims to summarize recent advances in the development of new support materials or novel supported NPs catalytic systems for functionalization of the challenging C−H bond under heterogeneous conditions. Furthermore, a deep scientific understanding of the mechanisms, active species, role of base and oxidants for these systems are also discussed to gain insight into the advance in the rational design of efficient catalytic systems, which may serve as an inspiration to researchers in their future work.
Valmet Chiral Schiff‐Base Ligands And Their Copper(II) Complexes as Organo, Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Catalysts for Henry, Cyanosilylation and Aldol Coupling Reactions
Authors: Arora Zinnia , Eftemie Diana‐Ioana , Spinciu Adela , Maxim Cătălin , Hanganu Ana‐Maria , Tudorache Madalina , Cojocaru Bogdan , Pavel Octavian D. , Granger Pascal , Andruh Marius , Pârvulescu Vasile I.
Published: August 2021

Cyanosilylation, aldol coupling and asymmetric Henry reactions were carried out with L‐ and D‐valmet ligands in different configurations: i) coordinated to sodium ions, as organocatalysts, with week base properties, ii) complexes with copper(II), as homogeneous catalysts, and iii) immobilized copper(II) complexes onto graphene oxide (GO) as heterogeneous catalysts. For the reaction of benzaldehyde and nitromethane in water these afforded an asymmetric Henry reaction, with a spectacular increase of the conversion and ee (92.5 and 95.8 %, respectively) after the deposition on GO. Ligand complexed copper was also effective for cyanosilylation and Aldol coupling reaction.
Kinetic study on alkylation of hydroquinone with methanol over SO3H functionalized Brønsted acidic ionic liquids
Authors: Bhongale Priyanka V. , Amonkar Amogh A. , Joshi Sunil S. , Mali Nilesh A.
Published: August 2021

O‐alkylation of a dihydric phenol (i.e., hydroquinone) with methanol in presence of benzoquinone catalyzed by double SO3H functionalized Brønsted acidic ionic liquids (i.e., 1,3‐disulphonic acid imidazolium hydrogen sulphate, 1,3‐disulphonic acid benzimidazolium hydrogen sulphate, and sulphuric acid) is studied in a batch reactor. The sensitivity of activity and selectivity with reaction time, temperature, speed of agitation, and catalyst loading was examined. The plausible reaction pathways proposed based on the experimental observations and detailed kinetic investigation are performed by assuming a homogeneous reaction phase. The kinetic parameters, such as pre‐exponential factor and activation energy, are estimated for both ionic liquids and sulphuric acid by considering all competitive reactions, and comparative results were presented. An extended form of the Arrhenius equation is used to estimate the kinetic parameters for the reaction which showed curvature in against a plot. The model prediction with the estimated kinetic parameters is in good agreement with the experimental data, which confirmed the model validity in the experimental operating range. It was found that ionic liquid has a potential application in the synthesis of a selective monoalkylated product of hydroquinone. The kinetic analysis performed is found to be useful in the understanding of process behaviour.
The setting up and running of a children's activity group and learning centre for children with haematological and oncology conditions
Authors: Daruvala Rhea , Narasimha Valli , Sharad Sandhya , Bhatnagar Manjari , Kumar Prem , Bhat Sunil
Published: August 2021

Background

Children diagnosed with haematological and oncology conditions spend long periods of time undergoing treatments in hospital. Treatments are intensive and may include combinations of chemotherapy, radiation, surgery and bone marrow transplants. This often means that they have prolonged hospital stays away from family, friends and familiar environments.

Aim

We aimed at starting an activity group and learning centre based in the hospital setting for children undergoing treatment for haematological and oncology conditions.

Methods

The activity group and learning centre was set up in a tertiary care hospital under the department of Paediatric Haematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with the support of a local NGO called ‘Samiksha Foundation’ in Bangalore, India. Children who participated in the programme engaged in learning through participation in the activity groups which engaged in academic and non‐academic activities. The activity group and learning centre was piloted in April and May of 2019. During the pilot sessions, 156 children participated in the group. Children of all ages were welcome to attend and were given activities based on their age and learning levels. Until March 2020, the group has seen over 600 children in attendance.

Results

This methods report examines various aspects of the activity group such as setting up of the activity groups, how they are run, the activities conducted in the groups and the effects the group has had on children and their families as reported by them while undergoing treatment.

Conclusion

The overall response to the activity groups was positive and widely accepted among our patient community. The intervention proved to be effective, easy to implement and relatively inexpensive. We hope that by sharing data from our centre, more paediatric units may be able to implement such groups for children.
Feature based opinion analysis on social media tweets with association rule mining and multi‐objective evolutionary algorithms
Authors: Meesala Shobha Rani , Subramanian Sumathy
Published: August 2021

Social media platform has achieved wide popularity in presenting the user‐generated information online. The proliferation of user‐generated content through social networking sites can enhance the existing transportation system. This work adds to the existing research by proposing a novel system to assess transit rider's reviews on the quality of transport services using Twitter information. A novel framework of a multi‐objective evolutionary approach with association rule mining is proposed for feature‐based opinion analysis on social media transit reviews. Feature‐based opinion analysis is performed in two steps such as feature extraction and opinion analysis. First, the corpus of association rules is generated with opinion analysis, morphological and syntactic analysis, and semantic representation. Then, multi‐objective flower pollination, multi‐objective gray wolf, multi‐objective moth flame, and multi‐objective cat swarm optimization are applied to discover high‐quality association rules on the transit user's opinion. The experimental results indicate that multi‐objective cat swarm optimization using association rule mining performs better in terms of confidence, coverage, the interestingness of the rules, computational time, mean average support, and mean average confidence than the other proposed as existing approaches. It is observed that MCSO‐ARM achieved an improvement in the range of 0.21%–0.27% in terms of confidence, 0.10%–0.13% in coverage, 0.10%–0.25% in interestingness, the computational time of 27.5 s, mean average support value of 0.10%–0.30% and mean of 0.20%–0.30% compared to the existing MPSO‐ARM and other proposed MGWO‐ARM, MMFO‐ARM, and MFPO‐ARM approaches.
Enhancement of the Tetrel Bond by the Effects of Substituents, Cooperativity, and Electric Field: Transition from Noncovalent to Covalent Bond
Authors: Liu Na , Xie Xiaoying , Li Qingzhong , Scheiner Steve
Published: August 2021

The T⋅⋅⋅N tetrel bond (TB) formed between TX3OH (T=C, Si, Ge; X=H, F) and the Lewis base N≡CM (M=H, Li, Na) is studied by ab initio calculations at the MP2/aug‐cc‐pVTZ level. Complexes involving TH3OH contain a conventional TB with interaction energy less than 10 kcal/mol. This bond is substantially strengthened, approaching 35 kcal/mol and covalent character, when fluorosubstituted TF3OH is combined with NCLi or NCNa. Along with this enhanced binding comes a near equalization of the TB T⋅⋅⋅N and the internal T−O bond lengths, and the associated structure acquires a trigonal bipyramidal shape, despite a high internal deformation energy. This structural transformation becomes more complete, and the TB is further strengthened upon adding an electron acceptor BeCl2 to the Lewis acid and a base to the NCM unit. This same TB strengthening can be accomplished also by imposition of an external electric field.
High speed Power efficient Vedic arithmetic modules on Zedboard‐Zynq‐7000 FPGA
Authors: S Sujitha , Kailath Binsu J
Published: August 2021

Hardware implementation of dedicated arithmetic modules is inevitable for any signal processing system development and computational complexity of such modules could be significantly reduced with improved performance by utilizing Vedic algorithms. Five novel Vedic arithmetic modules for multiplication, square, cube, square root, and cube root are implemented on Zedboard Zynq‐7000 FPGA. A novel 4:2 compressor that uses only primitive gates in critical path is proposed to reduce partial products in the Urdhwa Tiryakhbhyam parallel multiplier achieving the best performance reported so far. Elimination of recursiveness in Antyayordashekepi‐Dwanda squarer results in reduced area while modified Dwanda squarer results in reduced delay. Anurupyena cubic module with 4:2 and 5:2 compressors is implemented from which the one with 4:2 compressor provides the least delay with more than 50% reduction with respect to that of reported cube modules. Modified Vargamula square root and modified cube root modules are also implemented incorporating pipelining, priority encoder, and padding of zero's to achieve better performance. In addition to the delay, in terms of area occupancy, power, and energy consumed (power‐delay‐product), better or comparable performance is also achieved by all the above‐mentioned modules implemented. The dedicated multiplier is used in a 64‐point FFT Implementation and results similar to existing structures are obtained.
The immunological link between neonatal lung and eye disease
Authors: Wickramasinghe Lakshanie C , van Wijngaarden Peter , Tsantikos Evelyn , Hibbs Margaret L
Published: August 2021

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) are two neonatal diseases of major clinical importance, arising in large part as a consequence of supplemental oxygen therapy used to promote the survival of preterm infants. The presence of coincident inflammation in the lungs and eyes of neonates receiving oxygen therapy indicates that a dysregulated immune response serves as a potential common pathogenic factor for both diseases. This review examines the current state of knowledge of immunological dysregulation in BPD and ROP, identifying similarities in the cellular subsets and inflammatory cytokines that are found in the alveoli and retina during the active phase of these diseases, indicating possible mechanistic overlap. In addition, we highlight gaps in the understanding of whether these responses emerge independently in the lung and retina as a consequence of oxygen exposure or arise because of inflammatory spill‐over from the lung. As BPD and ROP are anatomically distinct, they are often considered discreet disease entities and are therefore treated separately. We propose that an improved understanding of the relationship between BPD and ROP is key to the identification of novel therapeutic targets to treat or prevent both conditions simultaneously.
Genetic compensation between Pax3 and Pax7 in zebrafish appendicular muscle formation
Authors: Nord Hanna , Kahsay Abraha , Dennhag Nils , Pedrosa Domellöf Fatima , von Hofsten Jonas
Published: August 2021

Background

Migrating muscle progenitors delaminate from the somite and subsequently form muscle tissue in distant anatomical regions such as the paired appendages, or limbs. In amniotes, this process requires a signaling cascade including the transcription factor paired box 3 (Pax3).

Results

In this study, we found that, unlike in mammals, pax3a/3b double mutant zebrafish develop near to normal appendicular muscle. By analyzing numerous mutant combinations of pax3a, pax3b and pax7a, and pax7b, we determined that there is a feedback system and a compensatory mechanism between Pax3 and Pax7 in this developmental process, even though Pax7 alone is not required for appendicular myogenesis. pax3a/3b/7a/7b quadruple mutant developed muscle‐less pectoral fins.

Conclusions

We found that Pax3 and Pax7 are redundantly required during appendicular myogenesis in zebrafish, where Pax7 is able to activate the same developmental programs as Pax3 in the premigratory progenitor cells.
Assessment of genetic relationships among native and introduced Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) plants based on genome profiling
Authors: Korpelainen Helena , Elshibli Sakina
Published: August 2021

We conducted genomic characterization based on SNP and SilicoDArT markers on the invasive Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) plants originating from native and non‐native regions of their distribution. When genetic relationships were explored by PCoA using SNP and SilicoDArT marker data, the first, second, and third principal coordinates explained altogether 37.4% and 31.0% of the variability, respectively. Samples from the UK, Canada, and Pakistan were grouped together, while Indian plants were clearly distinct based on SNP markers but relatively close to the UK–Canada–Pakistan group based on SilicoDArT markers. Constructed trees differentiated individuals into clusters resembling the PCoA patterns. The Bayesian BAPS analysis performed for the SNP data revealed that the individuals were distributed in seven clusters, representing samples from each of the four Finnish populations, India, Pakistan, and the combination of the UK and Canada. Similar clustering was visible in the UPGMA tree. The Indian cluster did not display any ancestral gene flow with the others, while the Pakistani cluster showed ancestral gene flow only with the combined UK and Canada cluster. Furthermore, the latter cluster displayed ancestral gene flow with the Finnish populations varying from 0% to 3.1%. The BAPS analyses conducted for the SilicoDArT data differ slightly: The individuals were distributed in nine clusters, and the Indian cluster exhibited ancestral gene flow with the mixed cluster including Canadian, Pakistani, and UK samples, and one Finnish sample. The AMOVA showed that 45% and 26% of variation was present among the I. glandulifera groups/populations and the rest within them based on SNP and SilicoDArT markers, respectively. The Bayesian BAPS analyses and the gene flow networks were the most informative tools for resolving relationships among native and introduced plants. It is notable that the small sample sizes for non‐Finnish plant materials may affect the accuracy of the gene flow and other estimates.
The effect of plant size and branch traits on rainfall interception of 10 temperate tree species
Authors: Pflug Stefanie , Voortman Bernard R. , Cornelissen Johannes H. C. , Witte Jan‐Philip M.
Published: August 2021

Rainfall interception by vegetation plays an important role in the hydrological cycle. Next to rainfall characteristics, interception is influenced by tree size, crown structure and bark morphology. How tree traits determine interception across functionally and morphologically wide‐ranging tree species is poorly understood. We determined interception ratios (interception:gross precipitation) and canopy storage capacities of seven temperate deciduous broadleaved (Acer pseudoplatanus L., Betula pendula Roth, Carpinus betulus L., Fagus sylvatica L., Populus tremula L., Sorbus aucuparia L.) and three evergreen coniferous tree species (Picea abies (L.) Karsten, Pinus sylvestris L., Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) as well as the influence of various tree traits on interception parameters. Interception was measured directly with natural rainfall by means of gravimetry on potted trees, 2–8 m tall, for seven consecutive months. Our results show that (a) the coniferous species had larger canopy storage capacities and larger interception ratios than the broadleaved species both during (summer) and outside the growing season (winter); (b) the absolute tree interception (in kg) of the broadleaved species was positively related to stem diameter at breast height, tree and crown height, maximum branch length, the total branch surface area and above ground dry weight; and (c) interception per unit crown projected area (in mm) of all species was positively related to branch length and branch surface area per unit crown projected area. These results can be used to estimate interception parameters from plant traits and to simulate interception losses of trees in a more reliable manner.
Morning and evening salivary cortisol levels in patients with chronic widespread pain and those at high risk
Authors: Begum Nayab , Taylor Jason R , Brown Christopher , Rajan Jonathan , Keevil Brian , Pye Emily , Rainey Timothy , Jones Anthony
Published: August 2021

Background

Hypothalamic‐Pituitary‐Adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation has been implicated in chronic widespread pain (CWP); the hallmark of fibromyalgia (FM). This is the first study to compare HPA axis changes in individuals with CWP and those at high risk of symptom development.

Methods

We sought to determine differences in morning and evening salivary cortisol levels in FM (n = 19), those at‐risk (n = 20) and pain‐free controls (n = 17). Risk factors included non‐CWP pain, somatic symptoms, illness behaviour and sleep disturbance. We conducted the study in the absence of centrally acting medication, to address limitations of previous research.

Results

Repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant main effects of group (p = 0.003), and time of day (p = 0.002), with no significant interaction. Cortisol levels were higher in FM (p = 0.027) and at‐risk (p = 0.003) groups, compared to controls, but there was no significant difference between FM and at‐risk groups. The main effect of group remained significant with sleep problems (p = 0.021) and life events (p = 0.007), but was not significant with anxiety (p = 0.076) or depression (p = 0.098) scores as covariates. With sleep problems as a covariate, cortisol levels remained significantly higher only in the at‐risk group (p = 0.017).

Conclusions

This study indicates elevated salivary cortisol in FM and those at high risk, and identifies anxiety, depression and sleep problems as potential contributing factors. The results shed light on the dynamic relationship between stress, mood and sleep disorders and the brain's resilience to pain.

Significance

This study examines neurobiological changes in chronic widespread pain and high risk individuals. One strength of the study is the absence of centrally acting medication. We found high salivary cortisol common to Fibromyalgia and those at risk and identified contributing factors. Our results offer insight into the early mechanistic changes underlying Fibromyalgia development and open up possibilities for early diagnosis and prevention.
Advanced cathode materials in dual‐ion batteries: Progress and prospect
Authors: Li Wen‐Hao , Wu Xing‐Long
Published: August 2021

Dual‐ion batteries (DIBs) utilize the working mechanism, that is, anions and cations participate in electrochemical reactions on the cathode and anode materials to achieve energy storage simultaneously. The high potential of anions de‐/intercalation endows DIBs with high energy density. However, the relatively low specific capacity and poor interface stability limit the further development of DIBs. Therefore, improving the performance of cathode materials has become the key to promoting the practical application of DIBs. In this review, a variety of DIBs cathode materials are classified in detail and their energy storage mechanism and typical characteristics are comprehensively summarized. Finally, the rules and corresponding strategies which should be followed in the design of high energy cathode materials are proposed, and the potential development direction of DIBs in the future is summarized.
Recent advances in field‐effect transistor sensing strategies for fast and highly efficient analysis of heavy metal ions
Authors: Liu Chengbin , Ye Ziwei , Wei Xiaojie , Mao Shun
Published: August 2021

Heavy metal ions are highly toxic for living organisms especially after bioaccumulation and biomagnification, which possess a serious threat to human health and ecological environment. The rapid, portable, and efficient analytical methods are urgently needed for the determination of heavy metals in different media. Due to the unique advantages of field‐effect transistor (FET) sensors including fast response, easy manipulation, small size, and high sensitivity, FET sensor has become a novel strategy for heavy metal ion monitoring and numerous attempts have been made for the analysis of various heavy metal ions (e.g., mercury, lead, arsenic, copper, cadmium, iron, and silver) in the past decade. Thus, it is of urgent need to systematically summarize recent advances of FET sensing strategies in fast and highly efficient detection of heavy metal ions. In this review, the representative FET sensing platforms for heavy metal ions are introduced with a focus on their working principle and sensing performance. Moreover, the limitations of current FET sensors as well as the gap between the research achievements and practical application requirements are also discussed. At last, future directions of FET sensors in heavy metal ion analysis are proposed, which provides guidance to the further development of FET sensors for monitoring heavy metal ions as well as other chemicals.