bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hierarchical Architecture of Well‐Aligned Nanotubes Supported Bimetallic Catalysis for Efficient Oxygen Redox
Authors: Zhang Qing , Liu Pengfei , Fu Xiaogang , Yuan Yang , Wang Liguang , Gao Rui , Zheng Lirong , Yang Lin , Bai Zhengyu
Published: February 2022

Rational design of efficient non‐precious materials for oxygen redox electrocatalysis is currently a critical obstacle for rechargeable zinc‐air batteries. Herein, this work presents a strategy to modulate the activity and mass transfer performance for advanced bifunctional electrocatalysts. This is achieved via a prior vacuum heat treatment‐assisted pyrolysis approach, obtaining atomically disperse Fe/Co sites and alloy nanoparticle composites rooted in the unique well‐aligned nanotubes hierarchical architecture. The design of multiple metal active species and hierarchically porous structure facilitates the bifunctional activity and accessibility of the active sites, respectively, which affords the catalyst enhanced performance in rechargeable zinc‐air batteries, outperforming the commercial Pt/C‐Ir/C benchmarks. This work provides a new avenue to improve activity and accessibility together with single atomic catalysts as advanced bifunctional air cathodes for efficient oxygen redox electrocatalysis.
Biopolymer‐Based Multilayer Microparticles for Probiotic Delivery to Colon
Authors: Talebian Sepehr , Schofield Timothy , Valtchev Peter , Schindeler Aaron , Kavanagh John M. , Adil Qayyum , Dehghani Fariba
Published: February 2022

The potential health benefits of probiotics may not be realized because of the substantial reduction in their viability during food storage and gastrointestinal transit. Microencapsulation has been successfully utilized to improve the resistance of probiotics to critical conditions. Owing to the unique properties of biopolymers, they have been prevalently used for microencapsulation of probiotics. However, majority of microencapsulated products only contain a single layer of protection around probiotics, which is likely to be inferior to more sophisticated approaches. This review discusses emerging methods for the multilayer encapsulation of probiotic using biopolymers. Correlations are drawn between fabrication techniques and the resultant microparticle properties. Subsequently, multilayer microparticles are categorized based on their layer designs. Recent reports of specific biopolymeric formulations are examined regarding their physical and biological properties. In particular, animal models of gastrointestinal transit and disease are highlighted, with respect to trials of multilayer microencapsulated probiotics. To conclude, novel materials and approaches for fabrication of multilayer structures are highlighted.
High On/Off Ratio Spintronic Multi‐Level Memory Unit for Deep Neural Network
Authors: Zhang Kun , Jia Xiaotao , Cao Kaihua , Wang Jinkai , Zhang Yue , Lin Kelian , Chen Lei , Feng Xueqiang , Zheng Zhenyi , Zhang Zhizhong , Zhang Youguang , Zhao Weisheng
Published: February 2022

Spintronic devices are considered as one of the most promising technologies for non‐volatile memory and computing. However, two crucial drawbacks, that is, lack of intrinsic multi‐level operation and low on/off ratio, greatly hinder their further application for advanced computing concepts, such as deep neural network (DNN) accelerator. In this paper, a spintronic multi‐level memory unit with high on/off ratio is proposed by integrating several series‐connected magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) and a Schottky diode in parallel. Due to the rectification effect on the PMA MTJ, an on/off ratio over 100, two orders of magnitude higher than intrinsic values, is obtained under proper proportion of alternating current and direct current. Multiple resistance states are stably achieved and can be reconfigured by spin transfer torque effect. A computing‐in‐memory architecture based DNN accelerator for image classification with the experimental parameters of this proposal to evidence its application potential is also evaluated. This work can satisfy the rigorous requirements of DNN for memory unit and promote the development of high‐accuracy and robust artificial intelligence applications.
Mechanistic Elucidation of Electronically Conductive PEDOT:PSS Tailored Binder for a Potassium‐Ion Battery Graphite Anode: Electrochemical, Mechanical, and Thermal Safety Aspects
Authors: Gribble Daniel A. , Li Zheng , Ozdogru Bertan , McCulfor Evan , Çapraz Ömer Ö. , Pol Vilas G.
Published: February 2022

Potassium‐ion batteries (KIBs) are considered more appropriate for grid‐scale storage than lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) due to similar operating chemistry, abundant precursors, and compatibility with low‐cost graphite anodes. However, a larger ion reduces rate capabilities and exacerbates capacity fading from volumetric expansion. Herein, conductive polymer, poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS), is substituted for standard insulating polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). Half‐cells using carbon black (CB) in continuously conductive PEDOT:PSS/CB binder outperforms PVDF/CB by mitigating electrically isolated “dead” graphite, improving 100 cycle capacity retention at C/10 from 63 to 80%. Enhanced electrical contact with PEDOT:PSS/CB also reduces ion impedance and improves rate capabilities. Without CB however, PEDOT:PSS binder performs poorly in electrochemical studies despite promising ex situ electronic conductivity. This discrepancy is mechanistically elucidated through identification of redox activity between PEDOT:PSS and K+ which results in high impedances in the anode operating voltage window. Additionally, the impact of conducting binder on mechanical properties and thermal safety of the anode is investigated. Brittleness and poor wettability of PEDOT:PSS are identified as issues, but greater stability against reactive KC8 reduces overall heat generation. Binder substitution offers a promising means of mitigating issues with current KIB anodes regardless of active material, and the work herein addresses issues towards further improvement.
Entanglement of Spatial and Energy Segmentation for C1 Pathways in CO2 Reduction on Carbon Skeleton Supported Atomic Catalysts
Authors: Sun Mingzi , Wong Hon Ho , Wu Tong , Dougherty Alan William , Huang Bolong
Published: February 2022

Electroreduction of CO2 has become the most attractive approach to generate value‐added chemicals and fuels. Products of single atomic catalysts (SAC) in CO2 reduction reaction reactions (CO2RR) are mostly limited to CO since the contributions of spatial and thermodynamic factors are not distinguished. To break through the challenges, comprehensive explorations in graphdiyne(GDY)‐based SAC are made, to reveal detailed influences of active sites, elements, and adsorptions on the selectivity and reaction energy of the C1 pathway. Unique d electrons dominated adsorption behaviors are identified, where the d6 boundary is able to help screen out promising candidates for achieving complicated C2+ products. Based on spatial and thermodynamic factors, metal sites are still the most promising active sites. The transition metal based GDY‐SACs show element‐dependent electroactivity towards different products in CO2RR. Meanwhile, the GDY‐Pr and GDY‐Pm SACs are promising candidates for the CO2RR and even C2 products in the future. This work supplies in‐depth insights into the CO2RR to facilitate the design of efficient atomic catalysts in future work.
A Soft Sensor for Bleeding Detection in Colonoscopies
Authors: Gerald Arincheyan , McCandless Max , Sheth Avani , Aihara Hiroyuki , Russo Sheila
Published: February 2022

Colonoscopies allow surgeons to detect common diseases, that is, colorectal cancer, ulcers, and other ailments. However, there is a risk of bleeding in the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract while maneuvering endoscopes. This may be due to perforations, hemorrhaging, polyps, diverticula, or post‐biopsy complications. Thus, it is essential for the surgeon to be able to detect bleeding at the site and evaluate the severity of blood leakage. Herein, a soft sensor that can detect the presence of blood at the bleeding site during colonoscopies is presented. The sensor consists of optical waveguides that interface with a microfluidic channel. Blood flow causes absorption and scattering of incident light that can be picked up by the optical sensing apparatus via light transmission through the waveguide. The surgeon can be alerted when bleeding occurs through a graphical user interface. The device is compact and measures only 1 mm thick. This allows the sensor to be circumferentially mounted onto a colonoscope at different locations. The sensor is able to record the presence of blood as an optical loss, rapidly detect the presence of blood under 100 ms as it enters the microchannel, and differentiate between gastric fluid and blood through changes in measured optical loss.
Integrin αIIbβ3 Activation and Clustering in Minimal Synthetic Cells
Authors: Benk Lucia T. , Benk Amelie S. , Lira Rafael B. , Cavalcanti-Adam Elisabetta Ada , Dimova Rumiana , Lipowsky Reinhard , Geiger Benjamin , Spatz Joachim P.
Published: February 2022

Platelet adhesion and activation are mediated by integrin αIIbβ3 clustering, which is crucial for the hemostatic function of platelets. In an activated state, integrins provide the connection between the extracellular matrix and the actin cytoskeleton through a variety of cytoplasmic proteins, such as talin. Here, droplet‐based microfluidics is applied to generate cell‐sized giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) with a defined molecular composition to quantify the adhesion of integrin αIIbβ3‐containing protocells in relation to the number of integrin–talin head domain (THD) complexes. Furthermore, it is shown that THD induces integrin clustering in protocells adhering to fibrinogen. The formation of this molecular link, which has, so far, only been observed in vivo, is an essential step in synthetic cell design to recapitulate integrin‐mediated bidirectional signaling across the membrane. These results pave the way for further quantitative investigations of protein–protein interactions between integrins and associated proteins and their assembly within such defined, but complex, synthetic cells. An essential future step to mimic the complex interaction between cells and their environment will be to combine synthetic approaches with peptide chemistry to guide the molecular mechanisms involved in integrin binding and activation.
Profiling of the ADP‐Ribosylome in Living Cells
Authors: Lehner Maike , Rieth Sonja , Höllmüller Eva , Spliesgar Daniel , Mertes Bastian , Stengel Florian , Marx Andreas
Published: February 2022

Post‐translational modification (PTM) with ADP‐ribose and poly(ADP‐ribose) using nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) as substrate is involved in the regulation of numerous cellular pathways in eukaryotes, notably the response to DNA damage caused by cellular stress. Nevertheless, due to intrinsic properties of NAD+ e.g., high polarity and associated poor cell passage, these PTMs are difficult to characterize in cells. Here, two new NAD+ derivatives are presented, which carry either a fluorophore or an affinity tag and, in combination with developed methods for mild cell delivery, allow studies in living human cells. We show that this approach allows not only the imaging of ADP‐ribosylation in living cells but also the proteome‐wide analysis of cellular adaptation by protein ADP‐ribosylation as a consequence of environmental changes such as H2O2‐induced oxidative stress or the effect of the approved anti‐cancer drug olaparib. Our results therefore pave the way for further functional and clinical studies of the ADP‐ribosylated proteome in living cells in health and disease.
Acridine‐Functionalized Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs) as Photocatalysts for Metallaphotocatalytic C−N Cross‐Coupling
Authors: Traxler Michael , Gisbertz Sebastian , Pachfule Pradip , Schmidt Johannes , Roeser Jérôme , Reischauer Susanne , Rabeah Jabor , Pieber Bartholomäus , Thomas Arne
Published: February 2022

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are structurally tuneable, porous and crystalline polymers constructed through the covalent attachment of small organic building blocks as elementary units. Using the myriad of such building blocks, a broad spectrum of functionalities has been applied for COF syntheses for broad applications, including heterogeneous catalysis. Herein, we report the synthesis of a new family of porous and crystalline COFs using a novel acridine linker and benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarbaldehyde derivatives bearing a variable number of hydroxy groups. With the broad absorption in the visible light region, the COFs were applied as photocatalysts in metallaphotocatalytic C−N cross‐coupling. The fully β‐ketoenamine linked COF showed the highest activity, due to the increased charge separation upon irradiation. The COF showed good to excellent yields for several aryl bromides, good recyclability and even catalyzed the organic transformation in presence of green light as energy source.
Capabilities and limitations of electrical resistivity tomography for mapping and surveying hillfort fortifications
Authors: Klanica Radek , Křivánek Roman , Grison Hana , Tábořík Petr , Šteffl Jindřich
Published: February 2022

Hillforts are fortified archaeological sites built from the Neolithic to Early Middle Ages within the area of Europe. They were usually surrounded by fortifications consisting of various combinations of ramparts and ditches, which today constitute their most striking remains. Although magnetometry surveys are commonly used for spatial identification of ramparts and ditches, a different method must be employed for directly obtaining depth information. Hence, we evaluate the potential of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) for surveying hillfort fortifications. Within three hillforts of different ages in the Czech Republic, we investigated various features affecting the imaging ability of ERT, including bedrock type, building material, present‐day condition of fortification, impact of past or recent agricultural activities, and field settings of the ERT method. Supported by additional information from magnetometry and electromagnetic surveys, the results show that ERT is most applicable in cases of stony ramparts, ditches carved into rocky bedrock or well‐preserved earthen ramparts. Poorer results were achieved upon active and/or recently active agricultural lands, where fortifications have been gradually destroyed by ploughing. The remains of stony ramparts remained distinguishable in the latter case, but mere traces of earthen ramparts and ditches were invisible to ERT due to mixing of fortification material with on‐site soil. ERT is a unique method for detailed investigation of both ramparts and ditches by which a structure and its extent can be evaluated to indicate the function of a settlement and obtain information about former environmental conditions, population, land use and/or human–environmental interaction.
Professional noticing of coordinated mathematical thinking
Authors: Campbell Tye G. , Yeo Sheunghyun
Published: February 2022

Over the past three decades, research and policy in many geographic regions has promoted a shift from direct, lecture‐oriented mathematics instruction to inquiry‐based, dialogic forms of instruction. While theory and research support dialogic instructional approaches, some have noted that the complexities of dialogic teaching make it difficult for teachers to implement. One mechanism by which teachers can improve their decision‐making practices in dialogic classrooms is learning to notice (i.e. becoming aware of learners’ processes). While research has contributed frameworks for understanding how teachers notice individual learners’ mathematical thinking, there is little conceptualization regarding how teachers notice group processes in mathematics classrooms, which is integral to dialogic instruction. We offer a noticing framework termed professional noticing of coordinated mathematical thinking that describes how teachers notice group activity in mathematics classrooms. Professional noticing of coordinated mathematical thinking is conceptualized as a bi‐dimensional process: noticing groups’ mathematical activity and noticing groups’ coordinated activity. Teachers must become aware of how groups approach the mathematical and collaborative nature of a task, since both of these aspects inform whether learners develop opportunities to learn in groups. The framework describes noticing practices integral to dialogic instruction and promotes inquiry for future research related to teaching moves in dialogic classrooms.
Model selection characteristics when using MCP‐Mod for dose–response gene expression data
Authors: Duda Julia C. , Kappenberg Franziska , Rahnenführer Jörg
Published: February 2022

We extend the scope of application for MCP‐Mod (Multiple Comparison Procedure and Modeling) to in vitro gene expression data and assess its characteristics regarding model selection for concentration gene expression curves. Precisely, we apply MCP‐Mod on single genes of a high‐dimensional gene expression data set, where human embryonic stem cells were exposed to eight concentration levels of the compound valproic acid (VPA). As candidate models we consider the sigmoid (four‐parameter log‐logistic), linear, quadratic, , exponential, and beta model. Through simulations we investigate the impact of omitting one or more models from the candidate model set to uncover possibly superfluous models and to evaluate the precision and recall rates of selected models. Each model is selected according to Akaike information criterion (AIC) for a considerable number of genes. For less noisy cases the popular sigmoid model is frequently selected. For more noisy data, often simpler models like the linear model are selected, but mostly without relevant performance advantage compared to the second best model. Also, the commonly used standard model has an unexpected low performance.
Development, validation and application of a UHPLC–MS/MS method for quantification of the adiponectin‐derived active peptide ADP355 in rat plasma
Authors: Li Qiaoxi , Jiang Fulin , Guan Yanping , Jiang Xianxing , Wu Junyan , Huang Min , Zhong Guoping
Published: February 2022

A UHPLC–MS/MS method for the quantification of ADP355, an adiponectin‐derived active peptide, was developed and validated. The extraction method employed simple protein precipitation using methanol and chromatographic separation was achieved on anAccucore™ RP‐MS C18 column (100 × 2.1 mm, 2.6 μm, 80 Å), using 0.1% formic acid in both water and acetonitrile with gradient elution at the flow rate of 400 μl/min within 4.0 min. Detections were performed under positive ion mode with multiple reaction monitoring ion transitions m/z 1109.2 → 309.8 and 871.4 → 310.1 for ADP355 and Jt003 respectively at unit resolution. The linearity range of the calibration curve was 2–1,000 ng/ml with a lower limit detection of 0.5 ng/ml. The selectivity, linearity, precision, accuracy, recovery, matrix effect and stability were validated, and all items met the requirement of US Food and Drug Administration guidance. This method was successfully applied to an intravenous pharmacokinetic study of ADP355 in rats and the in‐vitro stability in rat serum, plasma and whole blood was also assessed.
Rectosigmoid endometriosis: Diagnostic pitfalls and management – A case report
Authors: Piachas Athanasios , Smyrnis Panagiotis , Tooulias Andreas
Published: February 2022

Endometriosis constitutes a benign condition, occurring in 10%–12% of menstruating women. Bowel involvement is estimated to occur in 5%–12% with the rectosigmoid region involved in up to 90% of these cases. We present the case of a 45‐year‐old Caucasian female patient with rectosigmoid endometriosis.
Case series on patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma: From clinical presentations to outcomes
Authors: Anvari Kazem , Welsh James S. , Molaie Fatemeh
Published: February 2022

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare form of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma. In this report, we present 11 cases of PCNSL which were treated with high‐dose MTX and WBI with a localized radiation boost to the tumor bed.
Cryptococcal infection with ruxolitinib in primary myelofibrosis: A case report and literature review
Authors: Ciochetto Zachary , Wainaina Njeri , Graham Mary Beth , Corey Anna , Abid Muhammad Bilal
Published: February 2022

Cryptococcus neoformans (CN) is an encapsulated yeast that is found worldwide. It causes self‐limiting infections in immunocompetent hosts; however, infections due to CN could be disseminated and potentially life‐threatening in immunocompromised hosts. Herein, we present a patient with primary myelofibrosis who received ruxolitinib and developed disseminated cryptococcosis due to CN. We further discuss immune compromising factors indigenous to myeloproliferative neoplasms, ruxolitinib, and immunological pathways associated with janus kinase inhibition. We further review other cases of cryptococcal infections in patients receiving ruxolitinib reported in the literature. The report underscores the importance of suspecting infections with intracellular pathogens early in the course of illness in patients with higher rates of cumulative immunosuppression. A high clinical suspicion should be maintained when caring for such immunosuppressed patients receiving immunomodulatory agents as severe, disseminated infections can present atypically and lead to worse outcomes.
Occurrence of acute cholinergic syndrome in an infant due to donepezil ingestion
Authors: Sadeghi Mahdieh , Zakariaei Zakaria , Soleymani Mostafa , Malakian Abdollah
Published: February 2022

Donepezil and acetyl cholinesterase inhibitors are the most commonly prescribed medications for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. We describe a 2‐year‐old infant who was referred to the emergency department after developing cholinergic syndrome 6 hours after ingesting 10 mg of his grandmother's donepezil tablets and was finally discharged in stable condition.
Quantitative Operando Detection of Electro Synthesized Ammonia Using Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Krempl Kevin , Hochfilzer Degenhart , Cavalca Filippo , Saccoccio Mattia , Kibsgaard Jakob , Vesborg Peter C. K. , Chorkendorff Ib
Published: February 2022

In this work the successful operando detection of synthesized ammonia from nitrogen reduction in non‐aqueous electrolytes with an electron‐ionization mass spectrometer was reported. Using selective ionization at 22 eV together with a highly sensitive micro‐chip‐based electrochemistry mass spectrometry set‐up, quantitative detection of produced ammonia down to few pmol s−1 in non‐aqueous as well as aqueous electrolytes was demonstrated. The well‐defined electrochemical and mass transport environment of the thin‐layer electrochemical cell allowed for fundamental studies of the nitrogen reduction process, which was shown to produce ammonia at faradaic efficiencies of 49±3 % at ambient pressure. Moreover, through the operando capabilities of the developed method, it was shown that ammonia production proceeded even after lithium electroplating had been terminated This potentially explained why higher faradaic efficiencies of lithium mediated ammonia synthesis were observed under dynamic cycling conditions. Two possible mechanisms for this behavior were proposed and an outlook towards future research in operando studies of lithium mediated ammonia synthesis was given.
Rubbed PFN−Br as an Alignment Layer for Liquid Crystalline Conjugated Polymer Chain Orientation**
Authors: Wei Xuanxuan , Zhang Zhiyuan , Zhang Qian , Fu Shuai , Xia Ruidong
Published: February 2022

We report poly[(9,9‐bis(3’‐((N,N‐dimethyl)‐N‐ethylammonium)‐propyl)‐2,7‐fluorene)‐alt‐2,7‐(9,9‐dioctylfluorene)]dibromide (PFN−Br), a previously reported charge transfer interlayer for organic optoelectronic devices, as an orientation/alignment layer and rubbing as a means to achieve chain orientation for liquid crystalline conjugated polymers (LCCP). Polyfluorene and its derivatives, namely blue emission polymer poly(9,9‐dioctylfluorene) (PFO), green‐yellow emission polymer poly(9,9‐dioctylfluorene‐cobenzothiadiazole) (F8BT), and binary blend red emission polymer F8BT/Red F (Ref F=poly(triphenylamine‐co‐4,7‐di(thiophen‐2‐yl)benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole‐co‐benzo[c]thiadiazole‐co‐9,9‐dioctyl‐9H‐fluorene)), demonstrated clear polarized absorption when PFN−Br was used as the orientation layer. We have studied the effects of rubbing times of a PFN−Br layer, and molecular weight, film thickness and annealing temperature of LCCP on the orientation degree. A high absorption anisotropy ratio of 12.22 was achieved for 106 nm thick F8BT film with a molecular weight of 55000 at the annealing temperature 265 °C, which is close to the theoretical limitation of the dichroic ratio of F8BT derived previously. Finally, we studied the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) in chain oriented F8BT and PFO films. It showed that chain orientation made the ASE threshold anisotropic and lowers the threshold compared to the isotropic films if pumped under the favored configuration. This work provides a novel approach to reduce laser threshold and improve charge transfer simultaneously for electrically pumped devices when combined with the conductive property of PFN−Br.
Multiscale modeling of tumor adaption and invasion following anti‐angiogenic therapy
Authors: Cess Colin G. , Finley Stacey D.
Published: February 2022

In order to promote continued growth, a tumor must recruit new blood vessels, a process known as tumor angiogenesis. Many therapies have been tested that aim to inhibit tumor angiogenesis, with the goal of starving the tumor of nutrients and preventing tumor growth. However, many of these therapies have been unsuccessful and can paradoxically further tumor development by leading to increased local tumor invasion and metastasis. In this study, we use agent‐based modeling to examine how hypoxic and acidic conditions following anti‐angiogenic therapy can influence tumor development. Under these conditions, we find that cancer cells experience a phenotypic shift to a state of higher survival and invasive capability, spreading further away from the tumor into the surrounding tissue. Although anti‐angiogenic therapy alone promotes tumor cell adaptation and invasiveness, we find that augmenting chemotherapy with anti‐angiogenic therapy improves chemotherapeutic response and delays the time it takes for the tumor to regrow. Overall, we use computational modeling to explain the behavior of tumor cells in response to anti‐angiogenic treatment in the dynamic tumor microenvironment.
Copper Supported on Ceria Mesocellular Foam Silica as an Effective Catalyst for Reductive Condensation of Acetone to Methyl Isobutyl Ketone
Authors: Grzelak Kalina , Trejda Maciej , Riisager Anders
Published: February 2022

Copper‐containing materials based on Ce‐ and Ca–Nb‐mesocellular foam (MCF) silica supports are prepared, characterized and applied as catalysts for gas‐phase reductive condensation of acetone to produce methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK). The properties of the materials, the interaction of metal species, and their role in the catalytic process are examined by nitrogen physisorption, XRD, XPS, CO2‐TPD, H2‐TPR, and chemisorption of NO and pyridine combined with FTIR spectroscopy. A synergistic interaction of Cu2+, Cu0, and CeO2 species incorporated in the MCF support enable the Cu/Ce‐MCF catalyst to yield 34 % of acetone conversion with over 90 % MIBK selectivity at 250 °C. Moreover, this high catalyst selectivity is maintained during operation for 24 h despite a decline in catalyst activity. The catalytic performance is superior to that of hydroxyapatite‐supported Cu and similar previously reported Pd‐containing catalysts.
A tri‐band triangular lamp post shaped quad port MIMO antenna
Authors: Naidu Praveen Vummadisetty , Mahesh Babu Dhanekula , Akkapanthula Sai Haranadh , Kumar Arvind , Vummadisetty Neelima , Kumar Sanjeev
Published: February 2022

In this article, a novel and compact multiband quad port asymmetric coplanar strip‐fed triangular lamp post shaped printed multiple‐input and multiple‐output (MIMO) antenna has been presented. The proposed MIMO antenna is designed and developed on a FR‐4 (εr = 4.4) dielectric (40 × 40 × 1.6) mm3. The proposed MIMO antenna utilizes the pattern diversity technique to obtain the desired isolation among closely spaced radiators. Simulated and measured results indicate that |S11| of proposed lamp post shaped MIMO antenna array < −10 dB, that assures the operation in three frequency bands, namely, (2.27–2.42), (3.38–3.62), and (4.5–6.23) GHz, which are the operating bands of WiBro, Bluetooth, WiMAX, and WLAN/WiMAX, respectively. A peak radiation gain of 5.1 dBi is observed alongside with a maximal radiation efficiency close to 92% in operating band for the proposed MIMO antenna. A minimal isolation of −18 dB between the antenna elements has been observed in all three operating bands, which is necessary for improved performance to achieve high data transfer rates. Performance critical diversity characteristics such as diversity gain (DG), envelope correlation coefficient (ECC), total active reflection coefficient (TARC), mean effective gain (MEG), and channel capacity (CC) of the compact proposed lamp post shaped MIMO antenna have been calculated and found that the correlation coefficient was <0.001 with higher diversity gain > 9.95 dB and achieved better CCL < 0.4 bits/s/Hz in the respective operating bands. With these results, the proposed triangular lamp post shaped MIMO array is suitable for high data rate applications, which is one of the main concerns of 5G and beyond networks.
A scoping review of the treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids
Authors: Davies Benjamin M. , Carter Alison R. , Brindley David A.
Published: February 2022

Hypertrophic scars and keloids are both conditions that represent an abnormal healing response by skin in response to some form of trauma. They are a cause of significant morbidity and psychological distress to patients. The costs associated with treating these conditions are considerable and had already reached 12 billion US dollars per annum by 2009. The lack of a well‐established treatment to reliably and effectively treat these conditions is demonstrated by the multitude of different treatments available. This scoping review aimed to review the treatment landscape available for hypertrophic scars and keloids to provide an overview of this varied field. A total of 113 studies representing 5211 participants were located. We identified over 40 different treatments utilised in the treatment of established scars and prophylactically to prevent scarring of wounds and burns. The heterogeneity of study design in terms of control arms, comparators, and outcome measures means that direct comparison of studies across the identified studies is difficult. While a large number of interventions were shown to have a beneficial effect compared with no treatment, there was no clear treatment that was both sufficiently effective and useable to have achieved widespread usage. This study highlights the wide variety of treatments available for hypertrophic scars and keloids. Future work will concentrate on more specific questions which will lend themselves to more detailed investigation using techniques such as network meta‐analysis. Future studies of treatments for hypertrophic scars and keloids should also ensure they are designed to allow for easy comparison with other studies.
Seismic pounding damage to adjacent reinforced concrete frame–shear wall buildings and freestanding contents
Authors: Lu Yang , Xiong Feng , Ran Ming‐Ming , Ge Qi , Wang Jianze
Published: February 2022

Closely spaced tall buildings are common in modern urban areas due to limited supply of land to accommodate rapid growth of population. These buildings are vulnerable in seismically active regions particularly when earthquake‐induced pounding occurs between adjacent buildings, resulting in high floor acceleration spikes that may lead to excessive demands on building contents (BCs). This paper examines the effect of seismic pounding on damage to adjacent reinforced concrete (RC) frame–shear wall buildings and their freestanding contents using nonlinear response‐history analyses (RHA). A cascading analysis approach is adopted to obtain absolute floor accelerations of pounding tall buildings, which are then applied to determine response of freestanding contents dominated by either sliding or rocking motions. In order to provide a useful tool for practicing engineers and facilitate analyses, the buildings are simplified as story‐based multiple‐degree‐of‐freedom (MDOF) flexural‐shear models, and unanchored contents are idealized as single‐degree‐of‐freedom (SDOF) oscillators, all of which are approximated using OpenSees and verified against solutions to their exact equations of motion solved using Matlab. It is shown that seismic pounding leads to higher building damage and alters story damage distribution patterns. It is concluded that pounding significantly increases sliding potential and maximum sliding displacement demands on stocky contents, especially those on higher floors. The transitions of stick–slip response of the contents coincide well with pounding occurrences. It is also concluded that pounding has detrimental effects on slender rocking contents, but rocking rotation histories of these contents do not show abrupt changes upon impact.
Early targeting of endoneurial macrophages alleviates the neuropathy and affects abnormal Schwann cell differentiation in a mouse model of Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth 1A
Authors: Klein Dennis , Groh Janos , Yuan Xidi , Berve Kristina , Stassart Ruth , Fledrich Robert , Martini Rudolf
Published: February 2022

We have previously shown that targeting endoneurial macrophages with the orally applied CSF‐1 receptor specific kinase (c‐FMS) inhibitor PLX5622 from the age of 3 months onwards led to a substantial alleviation of the neuropathy in mouse models of Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth (CMT) 1X and 1B disease, which are genetically‐mediated nerve disorders not treatable in humans. The same approach failed in a model of CMT1A (PMP22‐overexpressing mice, line C61), representing the most frequent form of CMT. This was unexpected since previous studies identified macrophages contributing to disease severity in the same CMT1A model. Here we re‐approached the possibility of alleviating the neuropathy in a model of CMT1A by targeting macrophages at earlier time points. As a proof‐of‐principle experiment, we genetically inactivated colony‐stimulating factor‐1 (CSF‐1) in CMT1A mice, which resulted in lower endoneurial macrophage numbers and alleviated the neuropathy. Based on these observations, we pharmacologically ablated macrophages in newborn CMT1A mice by feeding their lactating mothers with chow containing PLX5622, followed by treatment of the respective progenies after weaning until the age of 6 months. We found that peripheral neuropathy was substantially alleviated after early postnatal treatment, leading to preserved motor function in CMT1A mice. Moreover, macrophage depletion affected the altered Schwann cell differentiation phenotype. These findings underscore the targetable role of macrophage‐mediated inflammation in peripheral nerves of inherited neuropathies, but also emphasize the need for an early treatment start confined to a narrow therapeutic time window in CMT1A models and potentially in respective patients.
Changes in serum hepatitis B surface and e antigen, interferon‐inducible protein 10, and aminotransferase levels during combination therapy of immune‐tolerant chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Perrillo Robert , Lin Hsing‐Hua S. , Schwarz Kathleen B. , Rosenthal Philip , Lisker‐Melman Mauricio , Chung Raymond T. , Prokunina‐Olsson Ludmila , Cloherty Gavin , Feld Jordan ,   for the Hepatitis B Research Network (HBRN)
Published: February 2022

Background and Aims

Treatment of immune‐tolerant (IT) children and adults with combined peginterferon alfa‐2a and entecavir results in a decline in serum HBeAg and HBsAg concentrations but rarely results in loss of HBeAg or sustained off‐treatment response. Factors associated with declines in these viral antigens during treatment remain unexplored.

Approach and Results

We investigated the pattern of virologic and biochemical response in 86 participants (59 children, 27 adults) by serial quantitative measurement of HBsAg (qHBsAg), quantitative HBeAg (qHBeAg), HBV RNA, interferon‐inducible protein (IP‐10), IL‐18, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Each individual had previously been treated with 8 weeks of entecavir followed by 40 weeks of combined peginteferon and entecavir. We defined the interrelationships between these parameters and virologic response measured as nadir declines from baseline for HBeAg and HBsAg. The patterns of HBsAg and HBeAg decline were similar in pediatric and adult participants. Higher levels of IP‐10 were observed during treatment in participants with greater ALT elevations and greater reductions of qHBsAg and qHBeAg. Individuals with peak ALT values exceeding three times the upper limit of normal were significantly more likely to have >1 log10 decline in both viral antigens. HBV DNA became undetectable in 21 of 86 (24%) and HBV RNA in 4 of 77 (5%) during therapy, but both markers remained negative only in those who became HBsAg negative, all of whom also had ALT elevations.

Conclusions

Induction of IP‐10 during peginterferon treatment in adults and children in the IT phase of chronic HBV infection is associated with ALT elevations and decline in viral antigens, suggesting a degree of interferon‐inducible viral control.
Ponicidin attenuates streptozotocin‐induced diabetic nephropathy in rats via modulating hyperlipidemia, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers
Authors: An Shuqiang , Li Yang , Jia Xiaojing , Yang Yaqin , Jia Xiaojuan , Jia Xiaozhao , Xue Wujun
Published: February 2022

The present research work was proposed to discover the beneficial roles of ponicidin against the streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic nephropathy (DN) in rats via modulating the oxidative stress and inflammation. The DN was initiated to the Wistar rats via administering 45 mg/kg of STZ and then diabetic animals were supplemented with 50 mg/kg of ponicidin and 150 mg/kg of metformin (standard drug) for 8 weeks. The body weight and food intake of animals were checked every week. The glucose, insulin, and homeostasis model assessment– insulin resistance  (HOMA‐IR) levels in the serum were assessed using kits. The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, oxidative stress and antioxidant markers, and pro‐inflammatory cytokines were examined using assay kits. The levels of lipid profiles and renal function markers were investigated using respective kits. The renal tissues were analyzed microscopically to detect the histological alterations. The ponicidin treatment effectively decreased the body weight, food intake, HOMA‐IR, and HbAlc levels in the DN animals. The levels of ROS and MDA were decreased and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR) activities were improved by the ponicidin. The ponicidin also reduced the blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and kidney injury molecule (KIM‐1) levels. The levels of low‐density lipoprotein (LDL), very‐low‐density lipoprotein (VLDL), free fatty acid (FFA), and total cholesterol (TC) were decreased and the high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) level was improved by the ponicidin treatment to the DN rats. The tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB), and IL‐6 levels were appreciably attenuated by the ponicidin. The ponicidin also ameliorated the DM‐provoked histological alterations in the renal tissues. In conclusion, this study work evidenced that ponicidin has the therapeutic action in ameliorating the development of DN via averting oxidative stress, inflammation, and renal injury. It could be a promising therapeutic agent to treat DN in the future.
Synthesis, anti‐TB activities, and molecular docking studies of 4‐(1,2,3‐triazoyl)arylmethanone derivatives
Authors: Turkmen Yunus , Yagiz Erdemir Güler , Yuksel Mayda Pelin , Akdemir Atilla , Gunaydin Akyildiz Aysenur , Altundas Aliye
Published: February 2022

Infectious diseases such as tuberculosis (TB) are leading causes of human death. Antibiotics are effective molecules to combat bacterial infections by affecting the processes required for bacterial cell growth and proliferation. The development of new antibiotics has become an important issue as overdosed or incorrect use of antibiotic lead to the development of antibiotic resistance. In this study, a new series of 4‐(1,2,3‐triazoyl)arylmethanone derivatives has been synthesized using the one‐pot Copper‐​Catalyzed Oxidative Cross‐​Dehydrogenative Coupling​/Oxidative Cycloaddition strategy to overcome the aforementioned problems. New compounds were characterized by using spectroscopic techniques (1H, 13C‐APT‐NMR, FT‐IR, and HRMS‐TOF). In vitro antimycobacterial activities of the arylmethanone derivatives against the Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv standard strain were examined using the resazurin microplate method in the presence of streptomycin and rifampycin as standard medicines. Bioactive assays demonstrated promising results that some of the synthesized 4‐(1,2,3‐triazoyl)arylmethanone derivatives exhibited good anti‐TB activities. Notably, compounds 6b, 6f, and 6g gave the most potent efficiency with minimum inhibitory concentration values of 4 μg/ml (12.8, 11.7, and 12.8 μΜ, respectively). Among the synthesized compounds, the cytotoxicity measurements of the 6b, 6f, 6g, 6d, and 6v derivatives were screened and it was found that the 6f derivative did not show any cytotoxicity. Molecular docking analyses are utilized to identify the binding mode and the key interactions between target compounds and the ligand‐binding site of M. tuberculosis enoyl‐acyl carrier protein reductase enzyme (MtInhA, EC 1.3.1.9). The docking results were in agreement with the in vitro results, which confirm the synthesized ligands bind to MtInha with moderate to low affinity.
Molecular docking study and molecular dynamics simulation of ethyl 3,5‐diphenyl‐1H‐pyrrole‐2‐carboxylate and (Z)‐ethyl‐2‐(3‐oxo‐1,3‐diphenylprop‐1‐enylamino)acetate
Authors: Kurbanova Malahat , Maharramov Abel , Safarova Aytan , Ahmad Sajjad , El Bakri Youness
Published: February 2022

The present analysis has been performed in the wet‐lab and computational environments. First, the synthesis of the latest heterocyclic compounds containing the alkyl organic compound fragment of acetate and glycine acid were obtained and then their crystal structure and biological activity were studied. (Z)‐ethyl‐2‐(3‐oxo‐1,3‐diphenylprop‐1‐enylamino) acetate (1) was initially retrieved on the supported reaction of dibenzene gas with glycine alkyl organic compound‐complex within the presence of Y(OTF)3 catalyst in liquid medium. At an identical time, ethyl‐3,5‐diphenyl‐1H‐pyrrole‐2‐carboxylate (2) was synthesized from the interaction of amino alkane with tert‐BuOK in the presence of tert‐BuOH/DMFA solvent. The structure of the latest compounds has been studied by 1H, 13C NMR. Additionally, the crystal structure of ethyl‐3,5‐diphenyl‐1H‐pyrrole‐2‐carboxylate (2) is conferred. Moreover, computational drug‐likeness and pharmacokinetics indicated the compounds' good drug‐like molecules and friendly pharmacokinetics, making the compound valuable candidates to be explored for additional structural modification to act as a potential inhibitor of AChE and α‐glycosidase enzymes.
DACT3 has a tumor‐inhibiting role in acute myeloid leukemia via the suppression of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling by DVL2
Authors: Gao Qiuying , Hou Limin , Wang Hui , Xun Liru
Published: February 2022

Dapper antagonist of catenin‐3 (DACT3) is a new tumor‐related protein associated with a diverse set of tumors. However, whether DACT3 plays a role in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is not fully understood. Our findings showed low DACT3 level in AML tissue, which was corrected with shorter survival rates. Upregulation of DACT3 effectively repressed cellular proliferation, and promoted cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of AML cells. Upregulation of DACT3 decreased levels of Dishevelled2 (DVL2), phospho‐glycogen synthase kinase‐3β (GSK‐3β), and active β‐catenin, which collectively suppressed Wnt/β‐catenin‐mediated transcriptional activity. Overexpression of DVL2 reversed DACT3‐mediated suppression of Wnt/β‐catenin pathway. Reactivation of Wnt/β‐catenin abrogated DACT3‐upregulation‐evoked tumor‐suppression in AML cells. Overexpression of DACT3 impeded the formation and growth of AML‐derived xenograft tumor. Collectively, our work reveals a tumor‐suppressive role of DACT3, a protein that negatively adjusts Wnt/β‐catenin pathway via downregulation of DVL2 in AML.
Coping, COVID knowledge, communication, and HBCU student's emotional well‐being: Mediating role of perceived control and social connectedness
Authors: Huang Hsuan Yuan , Li Huijun , Hsu Ying‐Chia
Published: February 2022

The pandemic has disproportionately affected African American college students, who have experienced significant work‐related, academic, financial, and socio‐emotional challenges due to COVID‐19. The purpose of the study is to investigate how African American students cope with the severe impact of COVID‐19 on their emotional well‐being leveraging the benefits of self‐care coping measures, COVID‐19 knowledge, and communication with others to enhance perceived control and social connectedness. A structural equation modeling and a path analysis of 254 responses from a Historically Black College and University showed that emotional well‐being was positively predicted by self‐care coping strategies, feelings of being in control in life, and social connectedness. In addition, respondents who adopted mind−body balance coping strategies, those who are knowledgeable about COVID‐19, and those in more constant communication with others attained a strong sense of being in control, and in turn the empowerment increased their emotional well‐being.
Running of the feathertail glider (Acrobates pygmaeus) on level ground: Kinematics
Authors: Panyutina Aleksandra A. , Makarov Viktor A.
Published: February 2022

A complete kinematic analysis of the trunk and limbs was performed for the smallest gliding mammal, the feathertail glider (Acrobates pygmaeus). To compare the running technique of the glider with that of terrestrial mammals, only movement on horizontal substrate was studied. Kinematic analysis was performed separately for bound with extended suspension and bound with both suspensions. Terrestrial locomotion of the feathertail glider was classified as primitive ricochet, which is distinguished from true gallop by the absence of a delay in protraction of the hindlimbs after their take‐off. The kinematic analysis showed significant impacts of gliding adaptation on the quadrupedal running, the most striking of which are the extremely sprawling position of the limbs, in particular, the wide stance of the forelimbs, and consequently, the absence of crossing of the fore‐ and hindlimbs in gathered stage of the cycle. The degree of limbs' sprawling in the feathertail glider is closer to the reptilian condition than to the mammalian parasagittal state. The sprawling condition of the feathertail glider is secondary and therefore is designated as “deparasagittalization.”