bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Political-legal framework of international cooperation of the regions of Italy
Authors: Shaidaeva Marina Rakhmanovna
Published: December 2020

  The object of this article is the foreign affairs of Italian regions with other countries and their territorial entities. Despite the unitary state structure, Italy is a bright example of “regionalistic” country, within the framework of which the individual administrative-territorial units receive high level of autonomy in different spheres, including international relations. Therefore, de facto Italy can be regarded as “quasi-federation”. Analysis is conducted on the historical peculiarities of foreign activity of the Italian regions. The author examines the norms of Italian legislation on the division of powers between the state and the regions, as well as refers to the statutes of separate regions of Italy in the aspect of regulation of international cooperation. The novelty of this research consists in the analysis of legal framework with regards to the activity of Italian regions as the subjects of international cooperation, their legal capacity in the context of the conducted in Italy policy of decentralization policy. The article determines the key prerequisites for the devolution process in Italy, including contradictions between the South and North of the country, rise of popularity of regionalistic political parties and movements in the 1980s – 1990s, as well as the policy of EU institutions aimed at the establishment of direct contacts between the regions of the European states. The conclusion is made that granting extended autonomy to the Italian regions in sphere of international relations testifies to the erosion of sovereignty towards subnational level, which in turn, allows us resolving the tasks of socioeconomic development of the territories, as well as establishment of cultural and humanitarian connections with foreign countries, including Russia. ,
Editorial. A new graphic profile for FormAkademisk
Authors: Reitan Janne Beate , Ringvold Tore André
Published: December 2020

In recent years, we at FormAkademisk have taken a certain approach to changing our graphic profile. Now that we have also changed the article template, which is the last piece of a puzzle that Tore André Ringvold began when he started working for FormAkademisk in 2016. He is a trained industrial designer from England and has extensive experience with graphic design and marketing communication in the advertising industry. The work began with a new logo and a new cover image for each issue. The idea behind the new graphic profile was that it should better reflect both the role and function of the journal. We have strived for the logo to be classic in terms of form, and at the same time contemporary. Each year will have its own colour, and each issue will have its own design. In the current, new template, all articles will now contain a cover image in the left corner corresponding to the number to which the article belongs. This also helps to create wholeness in the ‘system’.
Juvenile Granulosa Cell Tumour of Ovary in Young Females- A Clinico-pathological Evaluation of 11 Patients
Authors: Hatwal Deepa , Joshi Chitra , Agrawal Ranjan
Published: December 2020

Introduction: Ovarian sex cord-stromal tumours, including Granulosa Cell Tumours (GCTs), are a group of neoplasm that occurs rarely, especially in children. Only 0.1% of all ovarian tumours and 4-5% of GCTs occur in children. They commonly present as precocious puberty especially in prepubertal girls. Aim: To analyse the clinico-pathological features along with the laboratory findings of ovarian mass. Materials and Methods: A prospective study in tertiary care teaching institutions was carried out during a three year study period starting from April 2017 to March 2020. The study was carried out in tertiary care teaching institutions i.e., VCSGG Medical Sciences and Research Institute, Srinagar Garhwal, PauriGarhwal, Doon Medical College, Dehradun and Rohilkhand Medical College, Bareilly. A total of 11 cases of Juvenile Granulosa Cell Tumour (JGCT) among girls in the age group of 5-13 years who presented with precocious puberty were included in the present study. The results were analysed especially the clinico-laboratory parameters including histopathology and Immunohistochemistry (IHC) findings. All the patients underwent resection of the ovarian mass and were subjected to histopathological examination. Microscopy and IHC was compatible with the diagnosis of juvenile GCT in all the 11 cases. Results: Majority of the patients with GCTs of the ovary presented in the early stage. Of the 11 cases included, only one patient was aged 13 years; seven were in the age group of 5-8 years and three in the 9-12 years of age group. The laboratory profile in all showed an elevated Estradiol level, low Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) levels. Among the thyroid profile only the Triiodothyronine (T3) levels were raised while Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) and Thyroxine (T4) levels were within normal limits. All cases were histopathologically proved and confirmed using IHC markers. Surgery is the primary treatment modality for GCTs. Conclusion: Histopathology along with specific IHC is important in the diagnosis of JGCT. A careful search provides good insight of the tumour and its final outcome. Diagnosing JGCT especially in the early stage is important as they carry a favourable prognosis when treated in the initial phase.
Syngas Production via Methane Dry Reforming over La-Ni-Co and La-Ni-Cu Catalysts with Spinel and Perovskite Structures
Authors: Messaoudi Hassiba , Thomas Sébastien , Slyemi Samira , Djaidja Abdelhamid , Barama Akila
Published: December 2020

In this paper, the catalytic properties of La-Ni-M (M = Co, Cu) based materials in dry reforming of methane (DRM) for syngas (CO + H2) production, were studied in the temperature range 773−1073 K. The LaNi0.9M0.1O3 and La2Ni0.9M0.1O4 (M = Co, Cu and Ni/M = 0.9/0.1) catalysts were prepared by partial substitution of Ni by Co or Cu using sol-gel method then characterized by XRD, H2-TPR and N2 physisorption. The XRD analysis of fresh catalysts showed, in the case of Co-substitution, the formation of La-Ni and La-Co perovskite and spinel structures, while only LaNiO3 and La2NiO4 phases were observed for the Cu-substituted samples. The substitution of these two structures by copper decreases the reduction temperature compared to cobalt. The reactivity results showed that the partial substitution of nickel by copper decreases the methane activation temperature, whereas a better stability of catalytic activity and syngas production was obtained via the cobalt-substituted catalysts, which is due to a synergistic effect between Ni and Co. The TPO analysis carried out on the spent catalysts indicated that the lowest carbon deposition was obtained for the cobalt substituted samples. Copyright © 2021 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Frontmatter (Front Cover, Editorial Team, Indexing, and Table of Contents)
Authors: Istadi Istadi
Published: December 2020

Frontmatter (Front Cover, Editorial Team, Indexing, and Table of Contents)
Backmatter (Publication Ethics, Copyright Transfer Agreement Form)
Authors: Istadi Istadi
Published: December 2020

Backmatter (Publication Ethics, Copyright Transfer Agreement Form)
MRGBP, a member of the NuA4 complex, inhibits DNA double‐strand break repair
Authors: Rivero Sabrina , Rodríguez‐Real Guillermo , Marín Inés , Huertas Pablo
Published: December 2020

The repair of DNA breaks takes place in the context of chromatin and thus involves the activity of chromatin remodelers. The nucleosome acetyltransferase of H4 (NuA4) remodeler complex enables DNA break repair by relaxing flanking chromatin. Here, we show that MRG domain binding protein (MRGBP), a member of this complex, acts as a general inhibitor of DNA double‐strand break repair. Upon its downregulation, repair is generally increased. This is particularly evident for the stimulation of early events of homologous recombination. Thus, MRGBP has an opposing role to the main catalytic subunits of the NuA4 complex. Our data suggest that MRGBP acts by limiting the activity of this complex in DNA repair, specifically by narrowing the extent of DNA‐end resection.
Multicomponent Nanoscale Patterning of Functional Light‐Harvesting Protein Complexes by Local Oxidation Lithography
Authors: Huang Xia , Hunter Christopher Neil , Vasilev Cvetelin
Published: December 2020

Local oxidation lithography has the potential for patterning proteins on conductive substrates such as silicon with nanometer accuracy, guided by and extending the nanoscale architectures found in native bioenergetic membranes. Such membranes foster energy and electron transfers between two or more types of protein complex, so the potential of this lithographic technique is investigated for copatterning multiple types of protein complex. Composite patterns consisting of light‐harvesting 2 (LH2) and reaction center‐light‐harvesting 1‐PufX (RCLH1) complexes purified from Rhodobacter (Rba.) sphaeroides, and light‐harvesting complex II (LHCII) purified from spinach, are fabricated. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images demonstrate the successful sequential deposition of single‐molecule layers of RCLH1 and LH2 molecules. In the case of LHCII, a mixture of single‐layer and multilayer patterns is found on the silicon substrate. Experimental conditions are established for the most efficient substrate surface modification and for protein immobilization. Spectral imaging and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) show that the immobilized photosynthetic complexes retain their native light‐harvesting and energy transfer functions, and provide evidence for excitation energy transfer from LH2 to RCLH1. Local oxidation lithography has the capacity to pattern proteins singly, or in small domains, for fabricating bioinspired nanoscale architectures for biosensors and solar cells.
Nanoscale “Earthquake” Effect Induced by Thin Film Surface Acoustic Waves as a New Strategy for Ice Protection
Authors: Yang Deyu , Tao Ran , Hou Xianghui , Torun Hamdi , McHale Glen , Martin James , Fu YongQing
Published: December 2020

Ice accretion often poses serious operational and safety challenges in a wide range of industries, such as aircraft, wind turbines, power transmission cables, oil field exploration and production, as well as marine transport. Great efforts have been expended to research and develop viable solutions for ice prevention. Effective ice protection techniques, however, have yet to be developed. Ice prevention measures that are currently available often consume significant amounts of de‐icing chemicals or energy, and these approaches are expensive to operate and have long‐term economic and environmental impacts. Here, a new ice protective strategy based on thin film surface acoustic waves (SAWs) is proposed that generates: nanoscale “earthquake”‐like vibrations, acoustic streaming, and acousto‐heating effects, directly at the ice–structure interface, which actively and effectively delays ice nucleation and weakens ice adhesion on the structure surface. Compared with the conventional electro‐thermal de‐icing method, the SAW approach demonstrates much‐improved energy efficiency for ice‐removal. The potential for the dual capability of autonomous ice monitoring and removing functions using the SAW generation elements as transducers is also explored.
Arsenic‐Induced Growth of Dodecagonal GaN Microrods with Stable a‐Plane Walls
Authors: Ciechanowicz Paulina , Gorantla Sandeep , Michałowski Paweł P. , Zdanowicz Ewelina , Rousset Jean‐Guy , Hlushchenko Daria , Adamczyk Krzysztof , Majchrzak Dominika , Kudrawiec Robert , Hommel Detlef
Published: December 2020

Nano‐ and micro‐rods of GaN offer many functionalities that are not present in regular flat nanostructures. Therefore, development of new growth methods of such structures is a hot topic. In this work the arsenic‐induced growth of GaN microrods under Ga‐rich conditions in the molecular beam epitaxy is presented. It is a self‐catalyst vapor–liquid–solid process with native Ga droplets. The formation of Ga droplets is induced by antisurfactant properties of arsenic. The presence of As during the epitaxial process promotes the growth of dodecagonal microrods with 12 walls: six m‐planes and six a‐planes. It is possible since As changes the growth rates for the different GaN planes comparing to arsenic‐free conditions, where hexagonal microrods are usually formed. The growth parameters and their influence on the sample morphology are carefully studied in this work. Microrods with an average height and diameter of 3 and 0.7 µm, respectively, and the density of 2.3 × 107 cm−2, are obtained under optimal growth conditions. The observed mechanism of growth of microrods can also be present in other material systems by introducing atoms with antisurfactant properties under metal‐rich conditions, where the surface is covered by a metal monolayer.
Incorporating Metal Organic Frameworks within Microstructured Optical Fibers toward Scalable Photoreactors
Authors: Potter Matthew E. , Stewart Daniel J. , Ignatyev Konstantin , Bradley Tom , Sazio Pier J. A. , Raja Robert
Published: December 2020

Optical fiber technology has revolutionized the telecommunications industry, though is still under‐utilized in chemistry. Optical fibers open many avenues for introducing, and containing, light in chemical reactions, as part of a photoreactor. This work shows, for the first time, a design strategy for incorporating a photocatalytic, nanoporous framework (Co ZIF‐67) within the internal capillaries of an optical fiber, in doing so creating an all‐in‐one, plug‐in‐and‐play photoreactor. This system improves the reactivity of the photocatalyst, relative to the powdered form, for CH activation leading to CC bond formation, a significant process in pharmaceutical and organic synthesis. Performing this reaction using solar energy, and low temperature demonstrates the clear potential for these systems for large scale industrial applications.
Soft Tunable Lenses Based on Zipping Electroactive Polymer Actuators
Authors: Hartmann Florian , Penkner Lukas , Danninger Doris , Arnold Nikita , Kaltenbrunner Martin
Published: December 2020

Compact and entirely soft optics with tunable and adaptive properties drive the development of life‐like soft robotic systems. Yet, existing approaches are either slow, require rigid components, or use high operating voltages of several kilovolts. Here, soft focus‐tunable lenses are introduced, which operate at practical voltages, cover a high range of adjustable focal lengths, and feature response times in the milliseconds range. The nature‐inspired design comprises a liquid‐filled elastomeric lens membrane, which is inflated by zipping electroactive polymers to tune the focal length. An analytic description of the tunable lens supports optimized designs and accurate prediction of the lens characteristics. Focal length changes between 22 and 550 mm (numerical aperture 0.14–0.005) within 260 ms, equal in performance to human eyes, are demonstrated for a lens with 3 mm aperture radius, while applying voltages below 500 V. The presented model, design rules, and fabrication methods address central challenges of soft electrostatic actuators and optical systems, and pave the way toward autonomous bio‐inspired robots and machines.
Climate change impacts on corn heat unit for the Canadian Prairie provinces
Authors: Major David. J. , McGinn Sean M. , Beauchemin Karen A.
Published: December 2020

corn heat unit (CHU) are used in Canada to rank corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids for maturity; however, maps showing expected CHU during the growing season have not been updated since 1976. The objective of this study was to: (a) examine historical weather data for the Canadian Prairie provinces and determine if there has been a change in the annual accumulation of CHU (ΣCHU), and (b) use updated technology and improved access to weather data to revise ΣCHU maps. Daily temperature data, recorded over the past century at 8,750 weather stations across Canada and consolidated into 1,413 sites were downloaded. There were 466 sites in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. The daily CHU were summed over the growing season for each site by year. The annual growing season for corn in the Prairies increased by 3–12 d over the past century, with greatest increases in southern and western locations. The change coincided with warmer springtime temperatures, allowing for earlier seeding, and warmer autumn temperatures, allowing for delayed harvest. During the past century, ΣCHU increased by 200–400 depending upon location, and the area with ΣCHU suitable for growing corn for silage has more than doubled to 915 thousand km2 (46% of the total area). These results provide tangible proof of climate change and its impacts on the potential for growing corn on the Prairies. The new ΣCHU maps can help farmers select regionally adapted corn hybrids. This study demonstrates the need for adaptive strategies for climate change in agriculture.
Selective Triazenation Reaction (STaR) of Secondary Amines for Tagging Monomethyl Lysine Post‐Translational Modifications
Authors: Nwajiobi Ogonna , Mahesh Sriram , Streety Xavier , Raj Monika
Published: December 2020

Lysine monomethylation (Kme) is an impactful post‐translational modification (PTM) responsible for regulating biological processes and implicated in diseases, thus there is great interest in identifying these methylation marks globally. However, the progress in this area has been challenging because the addition of a small methyl group on lysine leads to negligible change in the bulk, charge, and hydrophobicity. Herein, we report an empowering chemical technology selective triazenation reaction, which we term “STaR”, of secondary amines using arene diazonium salts to achieve highly selective, rapid, and robust tagging of Kme peptides from a complex mixture under biocompatible conditions. Although the resulting triazene‐linkage with Kme is stable, we highlight the efficient decoupling of the triazene‐conjugate to afford unmodified starting components under mild conditions when desired. Our work establishes a unique chemoselective, traceless bioconjugation strategy for the selective enrichment of Kme PTMs.
Division and Regrowth of Phase‐Separated Giant Unilamellar Vesicles**
Authors: Dreher Yannik , Jahnke Kevin , Bobkova Elizaveta , Spatz Joachim P. , Göpfrich Kerstin
Published: December 2020

Success in the bottom‐up assembly of synthetic cells will depend on strategies for the division of protocellular compartments. Here, we describe the controlled division of phase‐separated giant unilamellar lipid vesicles (GUVs). We derive an analytical model based on the vesicle geometry, which makes four quantitative predictions that we verify experimentally. We find that the osmolarity ratio required for division is
, independent of the GUV size, while asymmetric division happens at lower osmolarity ratios. Remarkably, we show that a suitable osmolarity change can be triggered by water evaporation, enzymatic decomposition of sucrose or light‐triggered uncaging of CMNB‐fluorescein. The latter provides full spatiotemporal control, such that a target GUV undergoes division whereas the surrounding GUVs remain unaffected. Finally, we grow phase‐separated vesicles from single‐phased vesicles by targeted fusion of the opposite lipid type with programmable DNA tags to enable subsequent division cycles.
Guest Exchange by a Partial Energy Ratchet in Water
Authors: Yang Xue , Cheng Qian , Monnier Valerie , Charles Laurence , Karoui Hakim , Ouari Olivier , Gigmes Didier , Wang Ruibing , Kermagoret Anthony , Bardelang David
Published: December 2020

Molecular machines are ubiquitous in nature and function away from equilibrium by consuming fuels to produce appropriate work. Chemists have recently excelled at mimicking the fantastic job performed by natural molecular machines with synthetic systems soluble in organic solvents. In efforts toward analogous systems working in water, we show that guest molecules can be exchanged in the synthetic macrocycle cucurbit[7]uril by involving kinetic traps, and in such a way as modulating energy wells and kinetic barriers using pH, light, and redox stimuli. Ditolyl‐viologen can also be exchanged using the best kinetic trap and interfaced with alginate, thus affording pH‐responsive blue, fluorescent hydrogels. With tunable rate and binding constants toward relevant guests, cucurbiturils may become excellent ring molecules for the construction of advanced molecular machines working in water.
Surface Functionalized Sensors for Humidity‐Independent Gas Detection
Authors: Qu Fengdong , Zhang Shendan , Huang Chaozhu , Guo Xuyun , Zhu Ye , Thomas Tiju , Guo Haichuan , Attfield J. Paul , Yang Minghui
Published: December 2020

Semiconducting metal oxides (SMOXs) are used widely for gas sensors. However, the effect of ambient humidity on the baseline and sensitivity of the chemiresistors is still a largely unsolved problem, reducing sensor accuracy and causing complications for sensor calibrations. Presented here is a general strategy to overcome water‐sensitivity issues by coating SMOXs with a hydrophobic polymer separated by a metal–organic framework (MOF) layer that preserves the SMOX surface and serves a gas‐selective function. Sensor devices using these nanoparticles display near‐constant responses even when humidity is varied across a wide range [0–90 % relative humidity (RH)]. Furthermore, the sensor delivers notable performance below 20 % RH whereas other water‐resistance strategies typically fail. Selectivity enhancement and humidity‐independent sensitivity are concomitantly achieved using this approach. The reported tandem coating strategy is expected to be relevant for a wide range of SMOXs, leading to a new generation of gas sensors with excellent humidity‐resistant performance.
Tensor product model transformation‐based control for fractional‐order biological pest control systems
Authors: Boonyaprapasorn Arsit , Kuntanapreeda Suwat , Sa Ngiamsunthorn Parinya , Pengwang Eakkachai , Sangpet Teerawat
Published: December 2020

As environmental pollution and safety of human and creatures have been an issue of concern, pest management based on nonchemical use is preferable. Biological pest control can satisfy the regulation of pest population without causing environmental problems. Moreover, representation of dynamical systems in the form of fractional‐order dynamic models can explain several phenomena better than the integer‐order dynamic models can. The aim of this study is to determine the biological pest control policy for the fractional‐order pest control systems, which is a complex nonlinear multiple input and multiple output control problem. Here, the system is represented in the form of a fractional‐order Lotka–Volterra model. In order to avoid complexity in the nonlinear feedback controller design process, the tensor product (TP) model transformation was applied to automatically transform the biological pest control system to the TP polytopic model which allows the designer to synthesize the controller under linear framework. Moreover, the design process can be easily carried out by solving an linear matrix inequality (LMI) problem, which is very well applicable to high‐dimensional multiple input and multiple output control problems. Simulation studies were conducted to demonstrate the ease of the TP‐based design process. The simulation results showed that the designed control policy effectively manipulates the pest populations of the fractional‐order Lotka–Volterra model to the desired level which is economically viable.
Novel reversed‐phase HPLC method for simultaneous determination of ethynodiol diacetate (EDA)/ethinyl estradiol (EE) in pharmaceutical dosage form
Authors: Chinta Srinivasa Reddy , Ponnam Vijetha , Katari Naresh Kumar , Ediga Sasikiran Goud , Marisetti Vishnu Murthy
Published: December 2020

Ethynodiol diacetate (EDA) and ethinyl estradiol (EE) tablets are indicated to prevent pregnancy in women who use oral contraceptives as a contraception method. EDA and EE were separated by reversed‐phase HPLC using Agilent ZORBAX SB‐Phenyl column, 4.6 mm × 15 cm, 5 μm, using a gradient mixture of acetonitrile and Milli‐Q water as mobile phase. The linearity and recovery were found in the range of 0.025–0.25 mg/mL and 0.05–0.18 mg/mL for EDA and 0.001–0.01 mg/mL and 0.002–0.007 mg/mL for EE, respectively. The method is validated according to the regulatory guidelines concerning system suitability, specificity, repeatability, recovery, linearity, robustness, and stability of the sample solution.
Phenoxy Radical Reactivity of Nucleic Acids: Practical Implications for Biotinylation
Authors: Wilbanks Brandon , Garcia Brian , Byrne Shane , Dedon Peter , Maher L. James
Published: December 2020

Recent advances in peroxidase‐mediated biotin tyramide (BT) signal amplification technology have resulted in high‐resolution and subcellular compartment‐specific mapping of protein and RNA localization. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in the presence of H2O2 is known to activate phenolic compounds for phenoxy radical reaction with nucleic acids, where biotinylation by BT is a practical example. BT reactivity with RNA and DNA is not understood in detail. We report that BT phenoxy radicals react in a sequence‐independent manner with guanosine bases in RNA. In contrast, DNA reactivity with BT cannot be detected by our methods under the same conditions. Remarkably, we show that fluorescein conjugates DNA rapidly and selectively reacts with BT phenoxy radicals, allowing convenient and practical biotinylation of DNA on fluorescein with retention of fluorescence.
High‐Capacity Iron‐Based Anodes for Aqueous Secondary Nickel–Iron Batteries: Recent Progress and Prospects
Authors: Yang Jiao , Chen Jingwei , Wang Zhixun , Wang Zhe , Zhang Qichong , He Bing , Zhang Ting , Gong Wenbin , Chen Mengxiao , Qi Miao , Coquet Philippe , Shum Ping , Wei Lei
Published: December 2020

Invited for this month's cover picture are the groups of Prof. Lei Wei at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. The Front Cover shows an aqueous rechargeable nickel‐iron (Ni‐Fe) battery that is realized by recent achievements in the design and preparation of nanostructured Fe‐based anodes. This safe, environmentally friendly and cost‐effective energy‐storage technology will enable next‐generation aqueous rechargeable Ni‐Fe batteries for wearable and large‐scale energy storage. Read the full text of the Review at 10.1002/celc.202001251.
Correlation between the structure and dielectric constant of Bi0.5(Na1‐xLix)0.5TiO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.20) solid solutions
Authors: Anjali Krishnankutty , Ajithkumar Thalasseril G. , Joy Pattayil A.
Published: December 2020

Bismuth sodium titanate Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 (BNT) is a lead‐free piezoelectric ceramic material with high Curie temperature. The effect of substitution of the smaller ion Li+ for the larger ion Na+ in Bi0.5(Na1‐xLix)0.5TiO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.20) on the structure of BNT is studied using powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. The Rietveld refinement analysis of the powder XRD patterns showed that all the compositions formed under the monoclinic Cc space group, with the lattice parameters showing minor changes above x > 0.08. Raman spectral parameters such as position and intensity of a peak also showed a similar trend in the same Li concentration range with increasing Li content. A corresponding change in the variation of the dielectric constant with increasing Li content is also observed, suggesting a close correlation between the crystal structure and dielectric properties of the different compositions in the Bi0.5(Na1‐xLix)0.5TiO3 solid solution series.
Enantiopure Calcium Iminophosphonamide Complexes: Synthesis, Photoluminescence, and Catalysis
Authors: Goswami Bhupendra , Feuerstein Thomas J. , Yadav Ravi , Köppe Ralf , Lebedkin Sergei , Kappes Manfred M. , Roesky Peter W.
Published: December 2020

The synthesis of calcium complexes ligated by three different chiral iminophosphonamide ligands, L‐H (L=[Ph2P{N(R)CH(CH3)Ph}2]), L′‐H (L′=[Ph2P{NDipp}{N(R)CH(CH3)Ph}]), (Dipp=2,6‐iPr2C6H3), and L′′‐H (L′′=[Ph2P{N(R)CH(CH3)naph}2]), (naph=naphthyl) is presented. The resulting structures [L2Ca], [L′2Ca], and [L′′2Ca] represent the first examples of enantiopure homoleptic calcium complexes based on this type of ligands. The calcium complexes show blue–green photoluminescence (PL) in the solid state, which is especially bright at low temperatures. Whereas the emission of [L′′2Ca] is assigned to the fluorescence of naphthyl groups, the PL of [L2Ca] and [L′2Ca] is contributed by long‐lived phosphorescence and thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF), with a strong variation of the PL lifetimes over the temperature range of 5–295 K. Furthermore, an excellent catalytic activity was found for these complexes in hydroboration of ketones at room temperature, although no enantioselectivity was achieved.
Heteroaromatic Inhibitors of the Astacin Proteinases Meprin α, Meprin β and Ovastacin Discovered by a Scaffold‐Hopping Approach
Authors: Tan Kathrin , Jäger Christian , Körschgen Hagen , Geissler Stefanie , Schlenzig Dagmar , Buchholz Mirko , Stöcker Walter , Ramsbeck Daniel
Published: December 2020

Astacin metalloproteinases, in particular meprins α and β, as well as ovastacin, are emerging drug targets. Drug‐discovery efforts have led to the development of the first potent and selective inhibitors in the last few years. However, the most recent compounds are based on a highly flexible tertiary amine scaffold that could cause metabolic liabilities or decreased potency due to the entropic penalty upon binding to the target. Thus, the aim of this study was to discover novel conformationally constrained scaffolds as starting points for further inhibitor optimization. Shifting from flexible tertiary amines to rigid heteroaromatic cores resulted in a boost in inhibitory activity. Moreover, some compounds already exhibited higher activity against individual astacin proteinases compared to recently reported inhibitors and also a favorable off‐target selectivity profile, thus qualifying them as very suitable chemical probes for target validation.
Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Glasdegib in Participants With Moderate/Severe Hepatic Impairment: A Phase I, Single‐Dose, Matched Case‐Control Study
Authors: Masters Joanna C. , LaBadie Robert R. , Salageanu Joanne , Li Jerry , Shaik Naveed
Published: December 2020

This phase I open‐label trial (NCT03627754) assessed glasdegib pharmacokinetics and safety in otherwise healthy participants with moderate (Child‐Pugh B) or severe (Child‐Pugh C) hepatic impairment. Participants with hepatic impairment and age/weight‐matched controls with normal hepatic function received a single oral 100‐mg glasdegib dose under fasted conditions. The primary end points were area under the plasma concentration–time curve from time zero to infinity (AUCinf) and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax). Twenty‐four participants (8/cohort) were enrolled. Glasdegib plasma exposures in moderate hepatic impairment were similar to controls, with adjusted geometric mean ratios (GMRs) of 110.8% (90% confidence interval [CI], 78.0–157.3) for AUCinf and 94.8% (69.9–128.4) for Cmax versus controls. In severe hepatic impairment, glasdegib plasma exposures were lower than controls (AUCinf GMR, 75.7%; 90%CI, 51.5–111.0; Cmax GMR, 58.0%; 90%CI, 37.8–89.0). Unbound glasdegib exposures were similar to controls for moderate (AUCinf,u GMR, 118.1%; 90%CI, 88.7–157.2; Cmax,u GMR, 101.1%; 90%CI, 78.4–130.3) and severe hepatic impairment (AUCinf,u GMR, 116.3%; 90%CI 81.8–165.5; Cmax,u GMR, 89.2%, 90%CI, 60.2–132.3). No treatment‐related adverse events or clinically significant changes in laboratory values, vital signs, or electrocardiograms were observed. Together with previous findings, this suggests glasdegib dose modifications are not required based on hepatic impairment.
Principal component analysis, hidden Markov model, and artificial neural network inspired techniques to recognize faces
Authors: Aggarwal Akarsh , Alshehri Mohammed , Kumar Manoj , Sharma Purushottam , Alfarraj Osama , Deep Vikas
Published: December 2020

Face Recognition is a challenging task for recognizing and detecting the identity of an individual. Although, plethora of work has already been done in the field of pattern recognition still there has been lot which has not been addressed in any of the literature. In the current research, we have presented a comparative analysis using three popularly known techniques for face recognition namely, Principal Components Analysis (PCA) using Eigen Faces, Hidden Markov Model (HMM) using Singular Value Decomposition, and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) using Gabor filters. These techniques are implemented and evaluated using various measuring metrics such as false acceptance, false recognition rate, and so on. We used ORL and Yale Face dataset to test the robustness of implemented algorithms. Results show that ANN model for face recognition outperforms the other two techniques by achieving more accurate results and shows the highest recognition rate of 97.49% on ORL database. Moreover, it is also observed that ANN model shows the minimum error count of about 2.502% on ORL database while it is 3.5% on Yale Face dataset. To evaluate further, the implemented techniques are compared with best known techniques in class implemented by various researchers.
An integrated product modularity method based on transfer network of failure mode‐recycling decision for remanufacturing
Authors: Cheng Xianfu , You Minhua , Zhou Jian , Yuan Tian , Guo Zhihu , Ma Xiaotian
Published: December 2020

The product modularity has an important influence on the whole product life cycle. In order to improve product recovery of a used product at the end‐of‐life stage, it is imperative to develop modular product architecture with remanufacturing strategies consideration. In this paper, an integrated modular design method for green remanufacturing considering hierarchical structure of the product and fuzzy logic is proposed, and the modularity of the architecture from the viewpoint of product remanufacturing is assessed. The transfer network of failure mode‐recycling decision using BP neural network optimized by adaptive genetic algorithm is built. Design structure matrix is employed to represent the relationships between components, and the hierarchical structure of product modularity with functionality, physical connection as well as geometric position is constructed. The failure modes of used components are analyzed, and four modular drivers with remanufacturing strategies consideration, namely, recycling mode, component lifetime, material compatibility, and remanufacturing processability, are introduced to reconstruct the modular product architecture for remanufacturing. Finally, an example on the grab is provided to illustrate the proposed method for product modularity taking into account function, structure as well as remanufacturing characteristics.
Twist‐Bend Nematic Glasses: The Synthesis and Characterisation of Pyrene‐based Nonsymmetric Dimers
Authors: Walker Rebecca , Majewska Magdalena , Pociecha Damian , Makal Anna , Storey John MD , Gorecka Ewa , Imrie Corrie T.
Published: December 2020

A selection of pyrene‐based liquid crystal dimers have been prepared, containing either methylene‐ether or diether linked spacers of varying length and parity. All the diether linked materials, CBOnO.Py (n=5, 6, 11, 12), exhibit conventional nematic and smectic A phases, with the exception of CBO11O.Py which is exclusively nematic. The methylene‐ether linked dimer, CBnO.Py, with an even‐membered spacer (n=5) was solely nematogenic, but odd‐members (n=6, 8, 10) exhibited both nematic and twist‐bend nematic phases. Replacement of the cyanobiphenyl fragment by cyanoterphenyl giving CT6O.Py, gave elevated melting and nematic‐isotropic transition temperatures, and SmA and SmCA phases were observed on cooling the nematic phase. Intermolecular face‐to‐face associations of the pyrene moieties drive glass formation, and all these materials have a glass transition temperature at or above room temperature. The stability of the glassy twist‐bend nematic phase allowed for its study using AFM, and the helical pitch length, PTB, was measured as 6.3 and 6.7 nm for CB6O.Py and CB8O.Py, respectively. These values are comparable to the shortest pitch of a twist‐bend nematic phase measured to date.
Breeding strategies in evaluation of forage barley
Authors: Juskiw Patricia , Baron Vern S. , Doce Raquel , Nyachiro Joseph , Swift Mary Lou , Oba Masahito
Published: December 2020

Producers on the Canadian Prairies grow barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) as a forage crop for ruminants, especially cattle. The purpose of our study was to determine methods to improve our selection of barley lines with superior forage value for ruminants. Data from the Western Cooperative Forage Barley Registration Test were used with permission of the Prairie Recommending Committee for Oat and Barley (PRCOB) and the breeders. Data were analyzed from 20 environments collected from 3 yr (2012–2014) and seven sites. We measured forage accumulation (FA) at the soft dough stage, five nutritive value traits, and three derived cow–calf variables. Although the variation in FA and forage nutritive value traits attributed to environment (E) was large, significant genotypic (G) effects were found for all traits measured. Whereas G× E effects were also significant, the mean square effect for G was up to 40 times higher than the mean squares for G×E. The proportion of variance attributed to G was greater for nutritive value traits than for FA. Significance of G means there was variability in the germplasm tested, and improvement through selection should be possible. The two parametric methods of stability analyses (Francis–Kannenberg method and Eberhart–Russell method) often identified the same lines as superior. Lines that were superior for FA and carrying capacity (cow on swath grazing, CC) were often different from those identified as superior for nutritive value, empty body weight gain (cow, EBWG) and average daily gain (backgrounding calf, ADG). A nonparametric method used to determine dynamic stability (Nassar–Hühn method) identified different lines as superior from the parametric methods. Breeders can use a combination of these selection criteria in breeding forage barley varieties with enhanced forage value for ruminants.
More Than Just a Reagent: The Rise of Renewable Organohydrides for Catalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Ghosh Debashis , Kumar George Rajendra , Subramanian Saravanan , Tanaka Koji
Published: December 2020

Stoichiometric carbon dioxide reduction to highly reduced C1 molecules, such as formic acid (2e−), formaldehyde (4e−), methanol (6e−) or even most‐reduced methane (8e−), has been successfully achieved by using organosilanes, organoboranes, and frustrated Lewis Pairs (FLPs) in the presence of suitable catalyst. The development of renewable organohydride compounds could be the best alternative in this regard as they have shown promise for the transfer of hydride directly to CO2. Reduction of CO2 by two electrons and two protons to afford formic acid by using renewable organohydride molecules has recently been investigated by various groups. However, catalytic CO2 reduction to ≥2e−‐reduced products by using renewable organohydride‐based molecules has rarely been explored. This Minireview summarizes important findings in this regard, encompassing both stoichiometric and catalytic CO2 reduction.
Synthesis of ethyl acetate from glucose by Kluyveromyces marxianus, Cyberlindnera jadinii and Wickerhamomyces anomalus depending on the induction mode
Authors: Hoffmann Andreas , Kupsch Christian , Walther Thomas , Löser Christian
Published: December 2020

Ethyl acetate is currently produced from fossil carbon resources. This ester could also be microbially synthesized from sugar‐rich wastes of the food industry. Wild‐type strains with GRAS status are preferred for such applications. Production of ethyl acetate by wild‐type yeasts has been repeatedly reported, but comparative studies with several strains at various induction modes are largely missing. Here, synthesis of ethyl acetate by three yeasts with GRAS status, Kluyveromyces marxianus DSM 5422, Cyberlindnera jadinii DSM 2361 and Wickerhamomyces anomalus DSM 6766, was studied under identical and well‐defined conditions in an aerated bioreactor, by inducing the ester synthesis via iron or oxygen limitation. Balancing the ester synthesis was based on measured concentrations of ethyl acetate in the exhaust gas, delivering masses of synthesized ester and synthesis rates in a high temporal resolution. All tested yeasts synthesized ethyl acetate under these conditions, but the intensity varied with the strain and induction mode. The highest yields were achieved under iron limitation with K. marxianus (0.182 g g–1) and under oxygen limitation with W. anomalus (0.053 g g–1). Iron limitation proved to be the better inducer for ester synthesis while oxygen limitation favored ethanol formation. K. marxianus DSM 5422 was the most potent producer of ethyl acetate exhibiting the highest biomass‐specific synthesis rate of 0.5 g g–1h–1 under moderate iron limitation.
Revamp resources, processes to better recruit, retain online students
Authors: Pavlik Amelia
Published: December 2020

The needs of online students are not the same as on‐campus students’ needs — just ask Rhonda Moll and Rich Simpson of California Baptist University.
Sister chromatid cohesion defects are associated with chromosomal copy number heterogeneity in high hyperdiploid childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Moura‐Castro Larissa H. , Peña‐Martínez Pablo , Castor Anders , Galeev Roman , Larsson Jonas , Järås Marcus , Yang Minjun , Paulsson Kajsa
Published: December 2020

High hyperdiploid acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is one of the most common malignancies in children. The main driver event of this disease is a nonrandom aneuploidy consisting of gains of whole chromosomes but without overt evidence of chromosomal instability (CIN). Here, we investigated the frequency and severity of defective sister chromatid cohesion—a phenomenon related to CIN—in primary pediatric ALL. We found that a large proportion (86%) of hyperdiploid cases displayed aberrant cohesion, frequently severe, to compare with 49% of ETV6/RUNX1‐positive ALL, which mostly displayed mild defects. In hyperdiploid ALL, cohesion defects were associated with increased chromosomal copy number heterogeneity, which could indicate increased CIN. Furthermore, cohesion defects correlated with RAD21 and NCAPG mRNA expression, suggesting a link to reduced cohesin and condensin levels in hyperdiploid ALL. Knockdown of RAD21 in an ALL cell line led to sister chromatid cohesion defects, aberrant mitoses, and increased heterogeneity in chromosomal copy numbers, similar to what was seen in primary hyperdiploid ALL. In summary, our study shows that aberrant sister chromatid cohesion is frequent but heterogeneous in pediatric high hyperdiploid ALL, ranging from mild to very severe defects, and possibly due to low cohesin or condensin levels. Cases with high levels of aberrant chromosome cohesion displayed increased chromosomal copy number heterogeneity, possibly indicative of increased CIN. These abnormalities may play a role in the clonal evolution of hyperdiploid pediatric ALL.
‘I just take them because I know the people that give them to me’: A theory‐informed interview study of community‐dwelling people with dementia and carers' perspectives of medicines management
Authors: Barry Heather E. , McGrattan Máiréad , Ryan Cristín , Passmore A. Peter , Robinson A. Louise , Molloy Gerard J. , Darcy Carmel M. , Buchanan Hilary , Hughes Carmel M.
Published: December 2020

Objective

Identify facilitators and barriers to successful medicines management for people with dementia (PwD) in primary care from the perspectives of community‐dwelling PwD and carers.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews conducted with PwD and carers in Northern Ireland. The 14‐domain Theoretical Domains Framework guided data collection and analysis. Interviews explored participants' experiences and perceptions of medicines management. PwD also completed the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire indicating their level of agreement with statements about medicines. Qualitative data were analysed using the framework method and content analysis. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively.

Results

Eighteen PwD and 15 carers were interviewed. PwD believed they were competent with medicines management (‘beliefs about capabilities’). Most PwD reported having strategies to prompt them to take their medicines (‘memory, attention and decision processes’). Carers played an important role in supporting PwD with medicines management (‘social influences’) and monitoring adherence (‘behavioural regulation’) and anticipated having to take on a greater role as patients' cognitive impairment worsened (‘beliefs about consequences’). Participants highlighted assistance provided by community pharmacies with medicines acquisition and delivery (‘environmental context and resources’) and placed great trust in primary healthcare professionals (‘social influences’). PwD had positive attitudes towards medication and believed strongly in the necessity of their medicines.

Conclusions

This is the first study to use a theoretical approach to explore medicines management for community‐dwelling PwD. The findings provide new insights into the critical role of carers in facilitating optimal medicines management and will inform future intervention development, in which carers' needs assessment and involvement will be key.
Effect of leaf distribution pattern on the interception storage capacity of leaf litter under simulated rainfall conditions
Authors: Li Kaifeng , Zhao Longshan , Hou Rui , Fang Qian , Fan Chunhua
Published: December 2020

Rainwater interception by leaf litter is an important part of forest hydrological processes. The objective of this study was to investigate the interception storage capacity (ISC) of woodland leaf litter for three leaf distribution patterns, one flow path, two flow paths, and three flow paths, manually simulated via one‐by‐one leaf connection in the top leaf litter layer. A random pattern served as the control. Three different slopes (0°, 5° and 25°, representing flat, gentle and steep slopes, respectively) and two contrasting leaf litters (needle‐leaf litter, represented by P. massoniana leaves, and broad‐leaf litter, represented by C. camphora leaves) with a biomass of 0.5 kg/m2 per unit area were applied, at a rainfall intensity of 50 mm/h. Results suggested that leaf distribution pattern greatly impacts litter drainage and hence affects leaf litter ISC. The delaying capacity of litter drainage initiation and ISC of broad‐leaf litter were higher than those of needle‐leaf litter under the same slope conditions. The maximum ISC (Cmax) and minimum ISC (Cmin) of leaf litter at flat and gentle slopes were higher than those at steep slope. Cmin of the broad‐leaf litter was two times higher than that of needle‐leaf litter on average. When raindrops reached the litter layer, some were temporarily intercepted by the top litter layer while others infiltrated leaf litter sublayer along leaf edges, and in the process, some rainwater flowed through litter layer and contributed to lateral litter drainage along the potential flow path formed by leaves. The lateral litter drainage of broad‐leaf litter was higher than that of needle‐leaf litter, and the partitioning of rainwater into lateral litter drainage increased with increases in slope. The difference in leaf litter Cmax among different slopes and leaf shapes decreased with flow path increasing. Therefore, leaf distribution pattern notably impact leaf litter ISC, which is similar to leaf shape and slope impacts. On inclined slopes, avoiding leaf accumulation to form flow path is helpful for improving ISC.