bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Peptidases in Plant Tissue
Authors: Bonner Philip LR
Published: February 2020

Peptidases are a diverse group of enzymes with many different catalytic mechanisms. They constitute up to 2% of the plant proteome and function in multitude of ways to ensure survival. The study of seed development and germination has revealed many peptidases that are crucial to the correct deposition of seed storage proteins in monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants. Under the correct environmental conditions, germination of the seed is initiated. The organised synthesis and action of peptidases ensure the hydrolysis of the storage proteins which then provides the necessary amino acids for the seedling's growth. These events have profound implications to the survival of the plant species and to the survival of ecosystems that feed on the seeds and plant material generated after germination. Peptidase activity (which can be monitored using coloured substrates) is also linked to plant senescence, programmed or regulated cell death, to the 26S proteasome which functions in normal cellular events to regulate the total cell protein and also to provide defence against pathogen invasion. The activity of these peptidases can be regulated by naturally occurring inhibitors and the differential location of substrate and enzyme. Plant peptidases (e.g. papain) are of commercial interest particularly in the meat processing industry because of their wide pH optima, thermostability and their ability to work on heterogeneous substrates.

Key Concepts

Peptidases are the principal enzymes in the catabolism of proteins and peptides.

Seed germination is an event in which the stored carbohydrate, lipid and protein in the seed is hydrolysed and used for the synthesis of new macromolecules vital for the emerging plant's growth.

Plant programmed cell death is the death of a cell responding to a variety of extracellular and intracellular signals.

Endomembrane flow is the dynamic movement of lipid and protein from the endoplasmic reticulum through the Golgi bodies to the plasma membrane or storage vesicles.

Signal peptides are small specific sequences at theN‐terminus of a proteins sequence to designate which organelle the protein should be directed to.
Combining whole‐school and targeted programs for the reduction of bullying victimization: A randomized, effectiveness trial
Authors: Rapee Ronald M. , Shaw Therese , Hunt Caroline , Bussey Kay , Hudson Jennifer L. , Mihalopoulos Cathrine , Roberts Clare , Fitzpatrick Sally , Radom Naomi , Cordin Tommy , Epstein Melanie , Cross Donna
Published: February 2020

Despite the extensive evaluation of school‐based interventions for bullying, victimization remains a significant problem in schools. Bullying victimization is significantly predicted by contextual (school‐related) factors. As a consequence whole‐school programs have been commonly used to prevent and reduce bullying victimization. Evidence also points to individual risk factors (such as emotional distress) in predicting victimization, yet programs to prevent bullying victimization by changing these individual risks are far less developed. Few studies have approximated “real‐world” implementation conditions in their trials. The current effectiveness trial evaluated the combination of a whole‐school program designed to prevent bullying perpetration and victimization together with a targeted intervention for at‐risk students, teaching them individual and dyadic strategies to reduce their anxiety and manage victimization, allowing schools some latitude to implement programs as they typically would. Students from Grades 3 and 4 (N = 8,732) across 135 schools were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: combined intervention; whole‐school intervention only; individual intervention only; and care as usual. Victimization decreased significantly and similarly across all four conditions at 12 and 24 months following baseline. Similar reductions and failure to discriminate conditions were found on other key constructs: anxiety; bullying perpetration; and depression. Possible reasons for the failure to demonstrate victimization prevention differences and lessons learned from this large, effectiveness trial are considered.
Crystalline Mesoporous Complex Oxides: Porosity‐Controlled Electromagnetic Response
Authors: Jin Lei , Su Xingsong , Shi Jianhang , Shih Kuo‐Chih , Cintron Daniel , Cai Tong , Nieh Mu‐Ping , Chen Ou , Suib Steven L. , Jain Menka , He Jie
Published: February 2020

A colloidal‐amphiphile‐templated growth is developed to synthesize mesoporous complex oxides with highly crystalline frameworks. Organosilane‐containing colloidal templates can convert into thermally stable silica that prevents the overgrowth of crystalline grains and the collapse of the mesoporosity. Using ilmenite CoTiO3 as an example, the high crystallinity and the extraordinary thermal stability of its mesoporosity are demonstrated at 800 °C for 48 h under air. This synthetic approach is general and applicable to a series of complex oxides that are not reported with mesoporosity and high crystallinity, such as NiTiO3, FeTiO3, ZnTiO3, Co2TiO4, Zn2TiO4, MgTi2O5, and FeTi2O5. Those novel materials make it possible to build up correlations between mesoscale porosity and surface‐sensitive physicochemical properties, e.g., electromagnetic response. For mesoporous CoTiO3, there is a 3 K increase of its antiferromagnetic ordering temperature, compared with that of nonporous one. This finding provides a general guideline to design mesoporous complex oxides that allow exploring their unique properties different from bulk materials.
Self‐Mineralized Photothermal Bacteria Hybridizing with Mitochondria‐Targeted Metal–Organic Frameworks for Augmenting Photothermal Tumor Therapy
Authors: Chen Qi‐Wen , Liu Xin‐Hua , Fan Jin‐Xuan , Peng Si‐Yuan , Wang Jia‐Wei , Wang Xia‐Nan , Zhang Cheng , Liu Chuan‐Jun , Zhang Xian‐Zheng
Published: February 2020

A photothermal bacterium (PTB) is reported for tumor‐targeted photothermal therapy (PTT) by using facultative anaerobic bacterium Shewanella oneidensis MR‐1 (S. oneidensis MR‐1) to biomineralize palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs) on its surface without affecting bacterial activity. It is found that PTB possesses superior photothermal property in near infrared (NIR) regions, as well as preferential tumor‐targeting capacity. Zeolitic imidazole frameworks‐90 (ZIF‐90) encapsulating photosensitizer methylene blue (MB) are hybridized on the surface of living PTB to further enhance PTT efficacy. MB‐encapsulated ZIF‐90 (ZIF‐90/MB) can selectively release MB at mitochondria and cause mitochondrial dysfunction by producing singlet oxygen (1O2) under light illumination. Mitochondrial dysfunction further contributes to adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis inhibition and heat shock proteins (HSPs) down‐regulated expression. The PTB‐based therapeutic platform of PTB@ZIF‐90/MB demonstrated here will find great potential to overcome the challenges of tumor targeting and tumor heat tolerance in PTT.
Dendrite Suppression by a Polymer Coating: A Coarse‐Grained Molecular Study
Authors: Kong Xian , Rudnicki Paul E. , Choudhury Snehashis , Bao Zhenan , Qin Jian
Published: February 2020

A major hurdle to the successful deployment of high‐energy‐density lithium metal based batteries is dendrite growth during battery cycling, which raises safety and cycle life concerns. Coating the Li metal anode with a soft polymer layer has been previously shown to be effective in suppressing dendrite growth, leading to uniform lithium deposition even at high current densities. A 3D coarse‐grained molecular model to study the mechanism of dendrite suppression is presented. It is found that the most effective coatings delay or even prevent dendrites from penetrating the polymer layer during deposition. The optimal deposition can be achieved by jointly tuning the polymer stiffness and relaxation time. Higher polymer dielectric permittivity and coating thickness are also effective, but the deposition rate and, therefore, the charging current density is reduced. These findings provide the basis for rational design of soft polymer coatings for stable lithium deposition.
Non‐Noble‐Metal‐Based Electrocatalysts toward the Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Wu Zhi‐Peng , Lu Xue Feng , Zang Shuang‐Quan , Lou Xiong Wen (David)
Published: February 2020

The development of low‐cost, high‐efficiency, and robust electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is urgently needed to address the energy crisis. In recent years, non‐noble‐metal‐based OER electrocatalysts have attracted tremendous research attention. Beginning with the introduction of some evaluation criteria for the OER, the current OER electrocatalysts are reviewed, with the classification of metals/alloys, oxides, hydroxides, chalcogenides, phosphides, phosphates/borates, and other compounds, along with their advantages and shortcomings. The current knowledge of the reaction mechanisms and practical applications of the OER is also summarized for developing more efficient OER electrocatalysts. Finally, the current states, challenges, and some perspectives for non‐noble‐metal‐based OER electrocatalysts are discussed.
Real‐Time Imaging Tracking of Engineered Macrophages as Ultrasound‐Triggered Cell Bombs for Cancer Treatment
Authors: Xu Zhili , Liu Hongmei , Tian Hao , Yan Fei
Published: February 2020

Cell‐based drug delivery systems are a promising platform for tumor‐targeted therapy due to their high drug‐loading capacities and inherent tumor‐homing abilities. However, the real‐time tracking of these carrier cells and controlled release of the encapsulated drugs are still challenging. Here, ultrasound‐activatable cell bombs are developed by encapsulating doxorubicin (DOX) and phase transformable perfluoropentane (PFP) into hollow mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles (HMONs) to prepare DOX/PFP‐loaded HMONs (DPH), followed by internalization into macrophages (RAW 264.7 cells). The resulting cell bombs (DPH‐RAWs) can maintain viability and actively home to the tumor. Especially, their migration can be tracked in real time using ultrasound due to the vaporization of a small portion of PFP during cell incubation at 37 °C. After accumulation at the tumor site, the further vaporization of remaining PFP can be triggered by a short‐pulsed high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) sonication, resulting in the generation of several large microbubbles, which destroys DPH‐RAWs and allows drug release out of these cells. The DPH‐RAWs combined with short‐pulsed HIFU sonication significantly inhibit tumor growth and prolong survival of tumor‐bearing mice. In conclusion, this study provides a new approach to cell‐based drug delivery systems for real‐time tracking of their migration and targeted cancer treatment.
Redox‐Active Iron‐Citrate Complex Regulated Robust Coating‐Free Hydrogel Microfiber Net with High Environmental Tolerance and Sensitivity
Authors: Ju Min , Wu Baohu , Sun Shengtong , Wu Peiyi
Published: February 2020

Stretchable hydrogel microfibers as a novel type of ionic conductors are promising in gaining skin‐like sensing applications in more diverse scenarios. However, it remains a great challenge to fabricate coating‐free but water‐retaining conductive hydrogel microfibers with a good balance of spinnability and mechanical strength. Here the old yet significant redox chemistry of Fe‐citrate complex is employed to solve this issue in the continuous draw‐spinning process of poly(acrylamide‐co‐sodium acrylate) hydrogel microfibers and microfiber nets from a water/glycerol solution. The resultant microfibers are ionically conductive, highly stretchable, and uniform with tunable diameters. Furthermore, the presence of redox‐reversible Fe‐citrate complex and glycerol endows the fibers with good anti‐freezing, water‐retaining, and environmentally intelligent properties. Humidity and UV light can finely mediate the stiffness of hydrogel microfibers; conversely, the ionic conductance of microfibers is also responsive to light, humidity, and strain, which enables the highly sensitive perception of environmental changes. The present draw‐spinning strategy provides more possibilities for coating‐free conductive hydrogel microfibers with a variety of responsive and sensing applications.
Semi‐Interpenetrating Polymer Network Biomimetic Structure Enables Superelastic and Thermostable Nanofibrous Aerogels for Cascade Filtration of PM2.5
Authors: Li Yuyao , Cao Leitao , Yin Xia , Si Yang , Yu Jianyong , Ding Bin
Published: February 2020

Particulate matter (PM) has taken heavy tolls on the global economy and public health, calling for air filters that can remove PM from high‐temperature emission sources. However, creating desirable filter media capable of capturing polydisperse fine particles (PFPs) effectively and enduringly, while also withstanding high speed airstream, is extremely challenging. Here, a biomimetic and bottom‐up strategy to prepare superelastic, strong, and thermostable nanofibrous aerogels (NFAs) as cascade filters by assembling semi‐interpenetrating polymer network (semi‐IPN)‐based nanofibers into a gradient architecture is reported. Inspired by the robust loofah sponges originating from stiff cellulose networks, the mechanical property of NFAs is enhanced via tailoring the chain flexibility of heat‐resistant semi‐IPNs. Further constructing a gradient cellular architecture endows NFAs with a versatile cascade filtration behavior for capturing polydisperse fine particles. The resultant semi‐IPN‐based gradient NFAs exhibit temperature‐invariant superelasticity, a high compressive stress (7.9 kPa) and modulus (12 kPa), high filtration efficiency (>99.97%, PM0.3), low pressure drop (≈50% that of membranes), and ultrahigh dust‐holding capacity (114 g m−2). The fabrication of this attractive material paves the way for designing next‐generation air filters for industrial dust removal.
Lightweight Liquid Metal Entity
Authors: Yuan Bo , Zhao Chenjia , Sun Xuyang , Liu Jing
Published: February 2020

Liquid metals are of great importance in developing wearable devices and soft robotics owing to its high conductivity and flexibility. However, the high density of such metals turned out to be big concern for many practical situations. With generalized purpose, a new conceptual material as lightweight liquid metal entity, which can be as light as water, is proposed here. For illustration, an unconventionally ultralight material composed of eutectic galliumindium alloys (eGaIn) and glass bubbles is demonstrated, whose density can be reduced below 2.010 even 0.448 g cm‐3, even lighter than water, but still maintains excellent conformability, electric conductivity, and stiffness variety under temperature regulation. Such material is further adopted to build various complicated structures through origami or force regulation, representing various application scenarios and can be reused for eight times without evident loss in function. Based on these tests, buoyancy component for water‐related devices is designed, which offers the functions of a switch and loading element. The lightweight liquid metal entities are promising for making diverse advanced soft robotics and underwater devices in the near future.
Devising Synthetic Reaction Cycles for Dissipative Nonequilibrium Self‐Assembly
Authors: Singh Nishant , Formon Georges J. M. , De Piccoli Serena , Hermans Thomas M.
Published: February 2020

Fuel‐driven reaction cycles are found in biological systems to control the assembly and disassembly of supramolecular materials such as the cytoskeleton. Fuel molecules can bind noncovalently to a self‐assembling building block or they can react with it, resulting in covalent modifications. Overall the fuel can either switch the self‐assembly process on or off. Here, a closer look is taken at artificial systems that mimic biological systems by making and breaking covalent bonds in a self‐assembling motif. The different chemistries used so far are highlighted in chronological order and the pros and cons of each system are discussed. Moreover, the desired traits of future reaction cycles, their fuels, and waste management are outlined, and two chemistries that have not been explored up to now in chemically fueled dissipative self‐assembly are suggested.
Exploiting Supramolecular Interactions from Polymeric Colloids for Strong Anisotropic Adhesion between Solid Surfaces
Authors: Tardy Blaise L. , Richardson Joseph J. , Greca Luiz G. , Guo Junling , Ejima Hirotaka , Rojas Orlando J.
Published: February 2020

Adhesion occurs by covalent bonding, as in reactive structural adhesives, or through noncovalent interactions, which are nearly ubiquitous in nature. A classic example of the latter is gecko feet, where hierarchical features enhance friction across the contact area. Biomimicry of such structured adhesion is regularly achieved by top‐down lithography, which allows for direction‐dependent detachment. However, bottom‐up approaches remain elusive given the scarcity of building blocks that yield strong, cohesive, self‐assembly across multiple length scales. Herein, an exception is introduced, namely, aqueous dispersions of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) that form superstructured, adherent layers between solid surfaces upon confined evaporation‐induced self‐assembly (C‐EISA). The inherently strong CNCs (EA > 140 GPa) align into rigid, nematically ordered lamellae across multiple length scales as a result of the stresses associated with confined evaporation. This long‐range order produces remarkable anisotropic adhesive strength when comparing in‐plane (≈7 MPa) and out‐of‐plane (≤0.08 MPa) directions. These adhesive attributes, resulting from self‐assembly, substantially outperform previous biomimetic adhesives obtained by top‐down microfabrication (dry adhesives, friction driven), and represent a unique fluid (aqueous)‐based system with significant anisotropy of adhesion. By using C‐EISA, new emergent properties will be closely tied with the nature of colloids and their hierarchical assemblies.
Substrate Developments for the Chemical Vapor Deposition Synthesis of Graphene
Authors: Shi Qitao , Tokarska Klaudia , Ta Huy Quang , Yang Xiaoqin , Liu Yu , Ullah Sami , Liu Lijun , Trzebicka Barbara , Bachmatiuk Alicja , Sun Jingyu , Fu Lei , Liu Zhongfan , Rümmeli Mark H.
Published: February 2020

Since the isolation of graphene and numerous demonstrations of its unique properties, the expectations for this material to be implemented in many future commercial applications have been enormous. However, to date, challenges still remain. One of the key challenges is the fabrication of graphene in a manner that satisfies processing requirements. While transfer of graphene can be used, this tends to damage or contaminate it, which degrades its performance. Hence, there is an important drive to grow graphene directly over a number of technologically important materials, viz., different substrate materials, so as to avoid the need for transfer. One of the more successful approaches to synthesis graphene is chemical vapor deposition (CVD), which is well established. Historically, transition metal substrates are used due to their catalytic properties. However, in recent years this has developed to include many nonmetal substrate systems. Moreover, both solid and molten substrate forms have also been demonstrated. In addition, the current trend to progress flexible devices has spurred interest in graphene growth directly over flexible materials surfaces. All these aspects are presented in this review which presents the developments in available substrates for graphene fabrication by CVD, with a focus primarily on large area graphene.
Narrow‐Band Thermal Emitter with Titanium Nitride Thin Film Demonstrating High Temperature Stability
Authors: Yang Zih‐Ying , Ishii Satoshi , Doan Anh Tung , Shinde Satish Laxman , Dao Thang Duy , Lo Yu‐Ping , Chen Kuo‐Ping , Nagao Tadaaki
Published: February 2020

A refractory wavelength selective thermal emitter is experimentally realized by the excitation of Tamm plasmon polaritons (TPPs) between a titanium nitride (TiN) thin film and a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR). The absorptance reaches nearly unity at ≈3.73 μm with the bandwidth of 0.36 μm in the experiment. High temperature stabilities are confirmed up to 500 and 1000 °C in ambient and in vacuum, respectively. When the TiN TPP structure is compared to the TiN–insulator–TiN (TiN‐metal–insulator–metal (MIM)) structure, the former shows higher Q‐factor, which indicates the advantage of choosing the TiN TTP structure against the MIM structure. The proposed refractory TiN TPP structure is lithography‐free and scalable, which paves a way for large scale thermal emitters in practical usage.
Embedding Scattering Centers in Polymer Substrate to Yield Robust Hazy Film with High Optical Transmittance: Application to Virtual‐Reality Display
Authors: Park Jae Yong , Cho Won Seok , Choi Chung Sock , Cho Sang‐Hwan , Lee Jong‐Lam
Published: February 2020

Flexible plastic film with embedded air gaps is introduced to reduce the screen‐door effect (SDE) in virtual‐reality (VR) displays. Silver chloride nanorods are used as an etching mask to implement wavelength‐scale patterns with high aspect ratio on the surface of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film. The patterned PET is coated with a layer of highly viscous protective resin; this coating produces numerous air gaps in the valleys of the patterns, so the plastic film develops a haze. The resulting film has an average transmittance of 93.6% and an average haze of 88.6% in visible wavelengths (400–800 nm), as well as increased resistance to scratching. Consequently, the hazy film significantly reduces the SDE of a VR display, thereby reducing the SDE indices from 41% to 11% for red, from 19% to 0.8% for green, and from 14% to 0.7% for blue. The electromagnetic simulations provide evidence that the air‐trapped sites in the film can effectively scatter light to yield the increase in haze.
Optical Metasurface‐Based Holographic Stereogram
Authors: Choi Yun‐Seok , Lee Shinho , Jung Joo‐Yun , Jeong Kwang‐Yong , Park Hong‐Gyu , Seo Min‐Kyo
Published: February 2020

Holographic stereography providing binocular depth cues is one of the most promising technologies for 3D displays. However, conventional holographic stereograms based on micrometer‐scale pixels suffer from multiple diffraction orders and narrow viewing angles. Optical metasurfaces with sub‐wavelength‐scale features have recently been leading amongst the state‐of‐the‐art technologies in 3D holograms but employing only monocular depth cues. Here, a novel method is presented based on optical metasurfaces for obtaining a binocular holographic stereopsis. The demonstrated optical metasurface is an ensemble of several hologram pieces, which produce the different 2D projections of the target 3D structure depending on the observation direction, and displays the holographic stereogram of 25 × 25 × 25 µm3 over a wide viewing angle of more than ±30°. A Gerchberg–Saxton algorithm modified with a spatial Fourier filter calculates the phase and amplitude distribution of meta‐atoms. The results will open avenues to advanced eyeglasses‐free 3D displays that can provide rich and well‐defined depth cues.
Engineering Quantum Dots with Ionic Liquid: A Multifunctional White Light Emitting Hydrogel for Enzyme Packaging
Authors: Shet Sachin M. , Bisht Meena , Pramanik Sabyasachi , Roy Shilaj , Kumar T. Sarath , Nataraj S. K. , Mondal Dibyendu , Bhandari Satyapriya
Published: February 2020

Herein, a new and straightforward approach for the fabrication of a stable and multifunctional white light emitting (WLE) hydrogel is reported. For the first time, the utility of such hydrogels for protein packaging with enhanced activity and stability is presented. Initially, a WLE composite with color chromaticity of (0.33, 0.27) is fabricated by engineering the surface of an orange light emitting Mn2+‐doped ZnS quantum dot (QD) using a blue‐emitting choline‐tosylate ionic liquid (IL). The color chromaticity can be tuned by altering the concentration of the IL and excitation wavelengths. The WLE hydrogel is constructed through the conjugation of the WLE QD‐IL composite with an alginate biopolymer. Remarkably, the WLE QD‐IL composite and WLE hydrogel show preservation of their structural and luminescence properties for an extended time and thus indicate a potential for storage applications. When cytochrome c (Cyt C) is caged within the WLE hydrogel matrix, the peroxidase activity increases by more than 1.7‐times compared with native Cyt C and a Cyt C‐loaded QD hydrogel at room temperature. Also, Cyt C‐immobilized WLE hydrogel shows a 3.5‐fold increase in activity (compared with native Cyt C) at a higher temperature (120 °C) and in the presence of a denaturation agent.
Reprogramming Tumor Associated Macrophages toward M1 Phenotypes with Nanomedicine for Anticancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Xu Xiaoxuan , Gong Xiang , Wang Yuqi , Li Jie , Wang Hong , Wang Jiaoying , Sha Xianyi , Li Yaping , Zhang Zhiwen
Published: February 2020

Tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs), one of the most important constituents in tumor immunosuppressive microenvironments, are a potential therapeutic target due to their essential role in promoting tumor progression and metastasis. Macrophages are usually divided into two categories of protumoral M2‐like TAMs and antitumoral M1 phenotypes at the two extremes. Reprogramming M2‐like TAMs toward tumoricidal M1 phenotype is especially intriguing in terms of the restoration of antitumor immunity for anticancer immunotherapy. In this review, the recent advances of nanomedicine‐mediated reprogramming of TAMs from M2 to M1 to elicit the antitumor immunity are discussed. This reprogramming can be achieved via direct re‐education by targeted delivery of various active agents to TAMs and indirect re‐education by modulating the abnormal tumor microenvironment. Perspectives on nanomedicine mediated TAMs‐M1 reprogramming for effective anticancer immunotherapy are also presented.
An Anion‐Tuned Solid Electrolyte Interphase with Fast Ion Transfer Kinetics for Stable Lithium Anodes
Authors: Wang Zhenxing , Qi Fulai , Yin Lichang , Shi Ying , Sun Chengguo , An Baigang , Cheng Hui‐Ming , Li Feng
Published: February 2020

The spatial distribution and transport characteristics of lithium ions (Li+) in the electrochemical interface region of a lithium anode in a lithium ion battery directly determine Li+ deposition behavior. The regulation of the Li+ solvation sheath on the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) by electrolyte chemistry is key but challenging. Here, 1 m lithium trifluoroacetate (LiTFA) is induced to the electrolyte to regulate the Li+ solvation sheath, which significantly suppresses Li dendrite formation and enables a high Coulombic efficiency of 98.8% over 500 cycles. With its strong coordination between the carbonyl groups (CO) and Li+, TFA− modulates the environment of the Li+ solvation sheath and facilitates fast desolvation kinetics. In addition, due to relatively smaller lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy than solvents, TFA− has a preferential reduction to produce a stable SEI with uniform distribution of LiF and Li2O. Such stable SEI effectively reduces the energy barrier for Li+ diffusion, contributing to low nucleation overpotential, fast ion transfer kinetics, and uniform Li+ deposition with high cycling stability. This work provides an alternative insight into the design of interface chemistry in terms of regulating anions in the Li+ solvation sheath. It is anticipated that this anion‐tuned strategy will pave the way to construct stable SEIs for other battery systems.
Nine newly identified individuals refine the phenotype associated with MYT1L mutations
Authors: Windheuser Isabelle C. , Becker Jessica , Cremer Kirsten , Hundertmark Hela , Yates Laura M. , Mangold Elisabeth , Peters Sophia , Degenhardt Franziska , Ludwig Kerstin U. , Zink Alexander M. , Lessel Davor , Bierhals Tatjana , Herget Theresia , Johannsen Jessika , Denecke Jonas , Wohlleber Eva , Strom Tim M. , Wieczorek Dagmar , Bertoli Marta , Colombo Roberto , Hempel Maja , Engels Hartmut
Published: February 2020

Both point mutations and deletions of the MYT1L gene as well as microdeletions of chromosome band 2p25.3 including MYT1L are associated with intellectual disability, obesity, and behavioral problems. Thus, MYT1L is assumed to be the—at least mainly—causative gene in the 2p25.3 deletion syndrome. Here, we present comprehensive descriptions of nine novel individuals bearing MYT1L mutations; most of them single nucleotide variants (SNVs). This increases the number of known individuals with causative deletions or SNVs of MYT1L to 51. Since eight of the nine novel patients bear mutations affecting MYT1L only, the total number of such individuals now nearly equals the number of individuals with larger microdeletions affecting additional genes, allowing for a comprehensive phenotypic comparison of these two patient groups. For example, 55% of the individuals with mutations affecting MYT1L only were overweight or obese as compared to 86% of the individuals with larger microdeletions. A similar trend was observed regarding short stature with 5 versus 35%, respectively. However, these differences were nominally significant only after correction for multiple testing, further supporting the hypothesis that MYT1L haploinsufficiency is central to the 2p25.3 deletion phenotype. Most importantly, the large number of individuals with MYT1L mutations presented and reviewed here allowed for the delineation of a more comprehensive clinical picture. Seizures, postnatal short stature, macrocephaly, and microcephaly could be shown to be over‐represented among individuals with MYT1L mutations.
Impact of anthropogenic factors on affiliative behaviors among bonnet macaques
Authors: Balasubramaniam Krishna N. , Marty Pascal R. , Arlet Małgorzata E. , Beisner Brianne A. , Kaburu Stefano S. K. , Bliss‐Moreau Eliza , Kodandaramaiah Ullasa , McCowan Brenda
Published: February 2020

Objectives

In primates, allogrooming and other affiliative behaviors confer many benefits and may be influenced by many socioecological factors. Of these, the impact of anthropogenic factors remain relatively understudied. Here we ask whether interactions with humans decreased macaques' affiliative behaviors by imposing time‐constraints, or increased these behaviors on account of more free‐/available‐time due to macaques' consumption of high‐energy human foods.

Materials and methods

In Southern India, we collected data on human–macaque and macaque–macaque interactions using focal‐animal sampling on two groups of semi‐urban bonnet macaques for 11 months. For each macaque within each climatic season, we calculated frequencies of human–macaque interactions, rates of monitoring human activity and foraging on anthropogenic food, dominance ranks, grooming duration, number of unique grooming partners, and frequencies of other affiliative interactions.

Results

We found strong evidence for time‐constraints on grooming. Macaques that monitored humans more groomed for shorter durations and groomed fewer partners, independent of their group membership, sex, dominance rank, and season. However, monitoring humans had no impact on other affiliative interactions. We found no evidence for the free‐time hypothesis: foraging on anthropogenic food was unrelated to grooming and other affiliation.

Discussion

Our results are consistent with recent findings on other urban‐dwelling species/populations. Macaques in such environments may be especially reliant on other forms of affiliation that are of short duration (e.g., coalitionary support, lip‐smacking) and unaffected by time‐constraints. We stress on the importance of evaluating human impact on inter‐individual differences in primate/wildlife behavior for conservation efforts.
Historical human remains identification through maternal and paternal genetic signatures in a founder population with extensive genealogical record
Authors: Harding Tommy , Milot Emmanuel , Moreau Claudia , Lefebvre Jean‐Francois , Bournival Jean‐Sébastien , Vézina Hélène , Laprise Catherine , Lalueza‐Fox Carles , Anglada Roger , Loewen Brad , Casals Ferran , Ribot Isabelle , Labuda Damian
Published: February 2020

Objectives

We describe a method to identify human remains excavated from unmarked graves in historical Québec cemeteries by combining parental‐lineage genetic markers with the whole‐population genealogy of Québec contained in the BALSAC database.

Materials and methods

The remains of six men were exhumed from four historical cemeteries in the province of Québec, Canada. DNA was extracted from the remains and genotyped to reveal their mitochondrial and Y‐chromosome haplotypes, which were compared to a collection of haplotypes of genealogically‐anchored modern volunteers. Maternal and paternal genealogies were searched in the BALSAC genealogical record for parental couples matching the mitochondrial and the Y‐chromosome haplotypic signatures, to identify candidate sons from whom the remains could have originated.

Results

Analysis of the matching genealogies identified the parents of one man inhumed in the cemetery of the investigated parish during its operating time. The candidate individual died in 1833 at the age of 58, a plausible age at death in light of osteological analysis of the remains.

Discussion

This study demonstrates the promising potential of coupling genetic information from living individuals to genealogical data in BALSAC to identify historical human remains. If genetic coverage is increased, the genealogical information in BALSAC could enable the identification of 87% of the men (n = 178,435) married in Québec before 1850, with high discriminatory power in most cases since >75% of the parental couples have unique biparental signatures in most regions. Genotyping and identifying Québec's historical human remains are a key to reconstructing the genomes of the founders of Québec and reinhuming archeological remains with a marked grave.
Ni(COD)(DQ): An Air‐Stable 18‐Electron Nickel(0)–Olefin Precatalyst
Authors: Tran Van T. , Li Zi‐Qi , Apolinar Omar , Derosa Joseph , Joannou Matthew V. , Wisniewski Steven R. , Eastgate Martin D. , Engle Keary M.
Published: February 2020

We report that Ni(COD)(DQ) (COD=1,5‐cyclooctadiene, DQ=duroquinone), an air‐stable 18‐electron complex originally described by Schrauzer in 1962, is a competent precatalyst for a variety of nickel‐catalyzed synthetic methods from the literature. Due to its apparent stability, use of Ni(COD)(DQ) as a precatalyst allows reactions to be conveniently performed without use of an inert‐atmosphere glovebox, as demonstrated across several case studies.
Corrosion of Heritage Objects: Collagen‐Like Triple Helix Found in the Calcium Acetate Hemihydrate Crystal Structure
Authors: Bette Sebastian , Stelzner Jörg , Eggert Gerhard , Schleid Thomas , Matveeva Galina , Kolb Ute , Dinnebier Robert E.
Published: February 2020

Helical motifs are common in nature, for example, the DNA double or the collagen triple helix. In the latter proteins, the helical motif originates from glycine, the smallest amino acid, whose molecular confirmation is closely related to acetic acid. The combination of acetic acid with calcium and water, which are also omnipresent in nature, materializing as calcium acetate hemihydrate, was now revealed to exhibit a collagen‐like triple helix structure. This calcium salt is observed as efflorescence phase on calcareous heritage objects, like historic Mollusca shells, pottery or marble reliefs. In a model experiment pure calcium acetate hemihydrate was crystallized on the surface of a terracotta vessel. Calcium acetate hemihydrate crystallizes in a surprisingly large unit cell with a volume of 11,794.5(3) Å3 at ambient conditions. Acetate ions bridge neighboring calcium cations forming spiral chains, which are arranged in a triple helix motif.
A Bio‐Inspired Magnetically Recoverable Palladium Nanocatalyst for the Ullmann Coupling reaction of Aryl halides and Arylboronic acids In Aqueous Media
Authors: Dubey Abhishek V. , Kumar A. Vijay
Published: February 2020

Palladium nanoparticles supported on polydopamine‐coated iron oxide nanoparticles (Pd/Fe3O4@PDA) were found to catalyze the Ullmann homocoupling of a wide variety of aryl halides, arylboronic acids and aryldiazonium salts in aqueous media in the presence of randomly methylated β‐cyclodextrin (RM‐β‐CD). The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by techniques such as TEM, SEM, EDX, XPS, ICP‐AES and XRD. The synthesized catalyst can be easily recovered magnetically and reused up to five cycles without any significant loss of activity. This is the first report demonstrating the use of magnetically recoverable catalyst for Ullmann homocoupling reactions of aryl halides, arylboronic acids and aryldiazonium salts in water.
Bi2O3/FAp, a sustainable catalyst for synthesis of dihydro‐[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine derivatives through green strategy
Authors: Kerru Nagaraju , Gummidi Lalitha , Maddila Surya Narayana , Bhaskaruni Sandeep V.H.S. , Jonnalagadda Sreekantha B.
Published: February 2020

The bismuth loaded on fluorapatite (Bi2O3/FAp) proved to be an excellent catalyst for the synthesis of novel dihydro‐[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine derivatives via a three‐component reaction involving the mixture of 1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐5‐amine, ethyl cyanoacetate or ethyl acetoacetate, and different benzaldehydes in ethanol at room temperature. The catalyst material was characterized by X‐ray diffraction, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analysis, Fourier‐transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy techniques. The efficacy of Bi2O3/FAp as a heterogeneous catalyst was evaluated with the loading of different wt% of bismuth on FAp. The 2.5% bismuth on FAp performed extremely well as a catalyst with a high yield of products (92%–96%) in a short reaction time (25–35 min). The catalyst was recovered by simple filtration. It showed undiminished activity up to five runs. Simple work‐up, room temperature reaction, short reaction time, high yields, no column chromatography, and good reusability of catalyst are the merits of the proposed protocol. In addition, this process offers 100% carbon efficiency and 98% atom economy with noteworthy fiscal and environmental benefits.
Preparation and properties of high viscosity and elasticity asphalt by styrene–butadiene–styrene/polyurethane prepolymer composite modification
Authors: Tian Zhongnan , Zhang Zhengqi , Zhang Kaiwen , Huang Shuolei , Luo Yaofei
Published: February 2020

The porous asphalt pavements is often used in important occasion for its special properties and performance which can be to a great extent attributed to the binder—high viscosity and elasticity asphalt (HVEA). To prepare high demanding binder for porous asphalt pavements, the polyurethane prepolymer (PUP) and styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) were used to modify the matrix asphalt compositely. First, based on a series of physical tests, the effects of binder composition on performance of SBS/PUP HVEA binder (SBS/PUP‐HVEA) were investigated. Then the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) test was conducted to investigate the reaction mechanism of SBS/PUP‐HVEA binder. Last, the fluorescence microscopy, stability tests, multiple stress creep recovery test, and differential scanning calorimetry test were carried out to evaluate and compare the phase structure, storage, high‐temperature performance, thermostability characteristics of several HVEA binders. It is found that the composite modification of SBS and PUP can produce high quality binder which possesses high viscosity and high elasticity. And the composition of SBS/PUP‐HVEA were recommended as follows: Shell‐70# can be chosen as matrix asphalt, the contents of SBS modifier (SBS1301:SBS4303 = 1:2), H2122A PUP, chain extender M‐OEA, and crosslinker sulfur were suggested 4%, 5%, 0.5%, and 1‰, respectively. The new functional groups observed in FTIR confirmed the existence of physical and chemical reactions in the modification process, which were beneficial to improve the high temperature performance and storage stability of the binder. SBS/PUP‐HVEA had good phase structure, storage stability, high temperature performance, and thermostability compared to other HVEA binders. This study demonstrated that the SBS/PUP compositely modified asphalt possessed high viscosity and high elasticity, which can be used in the porous asphalt mixture and other highly demanding working environment as well.
Biodegradation of 3D‐printed polylactic acid milliprojections under physiological conditions
Authors: Tang Tiffany Obog , Simon George Philip
Published: February 2020

The degradation of 3D‐printed polylactic acid (PLA) milliprojections of different molecular weights and crystallinity was studied under physiological conditions for a few months. The motivation of the work was to investigate the use of such printed materials as a potential release device in a transdermal patch. Upon being subjecting to a degradation environment, the remnant milliprojections were investigated in terms of weight loss and change in molecular weight. The critical molecular weights of the polymers were found to be between 8,000 g/mol and 13,000 g/mol. Among the polymers examined, the amorphous PLA had the fastest rate of degradation, losing almost half of its weight at the end of the study. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis further showed that the onset of degradation was favored in the amorphous regions of the polymers while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) findings suggest enhanced hydrolysis due to greater exposure caused by the increased porosity and crack formation upon reaching the critical molecular weight. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) showed the emergence of multimodal molecular weight distribution during degradation indicating the fragmentation in the polymer bulk. The results of SEM and GPC analysis suggest that bulk erosion was the main mechanism of degradation of the 3D‐printed models.
Plasma‐modified CNFs, GPs, and their mixtures for enhanced polypropylene thermal conductivity
Authors: Covarrubias‐Gordillo Carlos Andrés , Soriano‐Corral Florentino , Ávila‐Orta Carlos Alberto , Fonseca‐Florido Heidi Andrea , González‐Morones Pablo , Cruz‐Delgado Víctor Javier , Cabello‐Alvarado Christian Javier
Published: February 2020

Low thermal conductivity of polypropylene (PP) is a key factor in limiting its use for the manufacture of solar heaters. To overcome this problem, in the present work, two different methods were tested to increase the thermal conductivity of a PP matrix by increasing the dispersion and compatibility between PP and carbon nanoparticles (CNPs). In the first method, CNPs modified superficially by plasma of propylene were used, and in the second, mixtures of CNPs (carbon nanofibers and graphene platelets in 9:1, 8:2, and 7:3 ratios) were used. Dispersion and compatibility between PP and CNPs were tested by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy. The results show that both methodologies increase the dispersion and compatibility and, therefore, the thermal conductivity of the PP matrix (0.14 W m−1 K−1), which reached up 0.90 W m−1 K−1. It was also observed that dispersion is a key factor in high concentrations (5 wt/wt%) of CNPs to obtain high thermal conductivity and compatibility in low concentrations (1 wt/wt%). Finally, only a synergistic effect was observed at 1 wt/wt% when using surface‐modified CNPs by plasma and at 5 wt/wt% when the CNPs were used without surface treatment.
Band‐Edge Luminescence from Oxide and Halide Perovskite Semiconductors
Authors: Kanemitsu Yoshihiko , Yamada Yasuhiro
Published: February 2020

Because perovskite crystals exhibit unique magnetic, conductive, and optical properties, they have been the subject of many fundamental investigations in various research fields. However, investigations related to their use as optoelectronic device materials are still in their early days. Regarding oxide perovskites, which have been investigated for a long time, the efficiency of photoluminescence (PL) induced by band‐to‐band transitions is extremely low because of the localized nature of the carriers in these materials. On the other hand, halide perovskites exhibit a highly efficient band‐edge PL attributable to the recombination of delocalized photocarriers. Therefore, it is expected that this class of high‐quality materials will be advantageous for optoelectronic devices such as solar cells and light‐emitting diodes. In this Minireview, we discuss various aspects of the PL properties and carrier dynamics of SrTiO3 and CH3NH3PbX3 (X=I, Br), which are representative oxide and halide perovskites.
Diastereoselective Synthesis of Benzoxanthenones
Authors: Neuhaus William C. , Kozlowski Marisa C
Published: February 2020

An oxidative catalytic vanadium(V) system was developed to access the naturally nonabundant diastereomers of carpanone from the corresponding alkenyl phenol monomer in one pot by tandem oxidation, oxidative coupling, and 4+2 cyclization. This system was applied to the synthesis of two other analogues of carpanone. Mild oxidizing silver salts were used as the terminal oxidant to minimize background oxidation which produces the natural diastereomer of carpanone. Further, the first examples of enantioselective oxidative benzoxanthenone formation are reported. Solvent polarity has a strong effect on enantioselectivity, consistent with a mechanism involving binding of vanadium Schiff base catalysts to the alcoholic moiety of the alkenyl phenols during the cyclization step.
Impact of CRISPR interference on strain development in biotechnology
Authors: Schultenkämper Kerstin , Brito Luciana F. , Wendisch Volker F.
Published: February 2020

Genetic perturbation systems are of great interest to redirect metabolic fluxes for value‐added production, as well as genetic screening for the development of new drugs, or to identify new targets for biotechnological applications. Here, we review CRISPR interference (CRISPRi), a method for gene expression using a catalytically inactive version of the CRISPR‐associated protein 9 (dCas9) of the widely applied CRISPR‐Cas9 genome editing system. In combination with the appropriate sgRNA, dCas9 binds to specific DNA sequences without causing double‐stranded DNA breakage but interfering with transcription initiation or elongation. Besides manifold uses to interrogate the physiology of a bacterial cell, CRISPRi is used in applications for metabolic engineering and strain development in industrial biotechnology. Albeit in its infancy, CRISPRi has already delivered the first success stories; however, we also analyze limitations of the CRISPRi system and give future perspectives.
Recent advances in fluorescence sensors based on DNA–MOF hybrids
Authors: Wu Fen , Ye Jianhan , Cao Yulu , Wang Ziyuan , Miao Tingting , Shi Qian
Published: February 2020

In this review, the recent advances in the development of fluorescence sensors based on DNA and metal–organic framework hybrids have been reported for nucleic acid, metal ion and amino acid detection. The main detection mechanism depends on different adsorption capacities of MOFs towards different DNA structures (single‐stranded DNA, double‐stranded DNA), and consequently the fluorescence intensity of probe DNA is changed. These results might open up a way to study their potential application in material science and clinical diagnosis of some related diseases.