bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oskar Looritsa liivi folkloori kogu
Authors:   University of Tartu, Estonia, Tuisk Tuuli
Published: April 2022

The Estonian Folklore Archives of the Estonian Literary Museum hold a valuable collection of Livonian ethnography and folklore – Oskar Loorits’ collection of Livonian folklore. Oskar Loorits started his journey to Livonians and the Livonian language in 1920, when he participated in a Livonian expedition in Courland as an assistant to Lauri Kettunen, professor of Finnic languages at the University of Tartu. His great interest in Livonians and the Livonian language, Livonian ethnography and folklore developed during this expedition. The Livonian folklore collection is valuable material concerned with the Livonian language and culture. The materials were mostly collected in the 1920s from 12 Livonian villages. The article provides an overview of the collection that physically consists of folders and file boxes in quarter format. The materials include both Livonian folklore texts and their translations. An important component part is the Livonian ethnographic dictionary. In 2013, the digitalization of materials started. The entire physical collection and its partially digitized materials are available to anyone interested.
Analysis of Modal Frequencies Estimated from Frequency Domain Decomposition Method
Authors: Hadianfard Mohammad Ali , Kamali Soroosh
Published: April 2022

Frequency Domain Decomposition (FDD) is an operational modal analysis method by which the dynamic parameters of structures are obtained using response signals recorded on several locations of structures. In recent years, many researchers have employed the method to estimate the modal parameters of several Multi-Degree-of-Freedom (MDOF) mechanical and civil systems. The accuracy of the results depends on recording and signal processing parameters such as sampling frequency, windowing, filtering etc. As a result, investigation on the influence of these parameters on the accuracy of the estimates is a good practice. In this research, the uncertainty of modal frequencies obtained from FDD method is analyzed. In order to achieve this goal, the exact values of modal parameters must be available to be compared with the results from FDD method. For this purpose, synthetic signals with random characteristics the same as the ambient vibrations’ are produced and structures with known dynamic parameters are simulated and loaded. The effect of several parameters are investigated in the accuracy of results and proper values and settings are proposed to minimize the errors.
GNSS-Based High-Precision Fixed-Point and Lofting of Hoisting Operation for Construction Tower Crane
Authors: Zhou Mingduan , Lu Zhengyang , Wang Jiaxing , Zhao Chengsi Zhao , Zhao Yuan
Published: April 2022

GNSS receiver is one of novel sensors applied to accurate management and control technology for the construction tower crane. Since the low-precision of m-level navigation application based on GNSS pseudo-range observations, it is insatiable to develop requirements of intelligent command for the construction tower crane. To improve the monitoring accuracy for construction tower crane based on GNSS method, a high-precision monitoring approach applied to fixed-point and lofting of hoisting operation by GNSS carrier phase observations is proposed. It is applied to the intelligent command of hoisting operation for the construction tower crane, and a set of GNSS-based fixed-point and lofting of hoisting operation system, named as GNSS_PLS, is designed and developed. The experimental results show that, for 6 minutes (360 epochs) of the monitor station installed on the top of the construction tower crane, the minimum error of North-RMS is 0.009m, the maximum error of North-RMS is 0.015m and the average error of North-RMS is 0.013m; the minimum error of East-RMS is 0.008m, the maximum error of East-RMS is 0.014m and the average value of East-RMS is 0.011m; the minimum error of Up-RMS is 0.021m, the maximum error of Up-RMS is 0.036m and the average value of Up-RMS is 0.030m. The monitoring accuracy of intelligent command of the GNSS_PLS system is obtained to cm-level and the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed solutions are verified.
3 Unit Cube-Sat Mass Reduction Using Topology Optimization
Authors: Alfayez Joud A. , Mejjaouli Sobhi
Published: April 2022

This study aims to Design and perform Finite element Analysis under the static load of a solid 3U cube structure. an evaluation of the critical loads affecting the structure during launching will be conducted to help re-design a topologized structure designed for additive manufacturing. The development of the structure's design was performed using SolidWorks, while the analysis was performed with both SolidWorks simulations and Fusion 360. The study shows the effect on the structure during the launching phase and promising results for the topology optimization approach's effectiveness as it gave an initial mass reduction of 40% that can be archived by focusing on the stress point while generating the new design even though the analysis was done using the same material, it is expected that with the material change the percentage of the original mass will drop by a higher percentage.
Sources of Transmission of Pathogenic Intestinal Parasites in Humans and Vegetables in Omdurman, Sudan – 2015
Authors: Mohamed Mai Ahmed Elhag , Eldirdery Muataz Mohamed
Published: April 2022

This study was designed to investigate the possibility of infection via food with pathogenic organisms. It was carried out in the city Omdurman in Khartoum States during the period from December 2015 to November 2019. The objectives of the study were to identify the causative intestinal parasites in the examined individuals. A total of 600 stool specimens and 256 vegetables samples were examined. fecal samples were observed macroscopically for the consistency and presence of mucus, blood, worm larvae and cestodes segments. The samples were then examined by wet smear and formal - ether concentration technique. A bout 200 -300 grams of each vegetable and fruit were washed in 50 ml of sterile normal saline and filtrate was centrifuged then sediment was examined microscopically. Result showed that the overall prevalence of intestinal parasites microscopically was found to be 179/600(29.8%). Entamoeba histolytica cyst was reported in mothers 28 (62.2%) as twofold as in children 13 (28.9%), while in food handlers was recorded in 4(8.9%). Gardia Lamblia was more dominated in mothers 48(58.5%) as twice as seen in children 24 (29.3%), whereas in food a handler was noted in 10(12.2%). Taenia spp was found only in mothers 5 (71.4%) and children 2 (28.6%). Moreover, Ascaris lumbricoides was also seen in mothers 11(61.1%) and children 7 (38.9%). Among the examined vegetables and fruits samples, G.lamblia found to be the most dominated parasite 26 (66.7%), followed by E. histolytica 8 (20.5%) and A.lumbrucoides 5 (12.8%) respectively. In conclusion, the overall of the prevalence intestinal parasites was more pronounced among mothers and their children's. G. Lamblia and E. histolytica were the most predominated parasites seen microscopically among participants. Mothers should be examined periodically for their health status regarding intestinal parasites to increase the awareness prompt detection.
Evaluation beyond a Review: Developments in Heat Pump Dryers from the Recent Past to the Present
Authors: Yazici Mesut , Kose Ramazan
Published: April 2022

Heat pump dryers provide tremendous advantages in the drying sector, an energy-intensive process. Studies on heat pump dryers for many years still maintain their popularity today. The presented study deals with the developments in heat pump dryers in recent years. Only 82 of the studies that contributed to the literature between 1997 and 2022 were examined in this framework. This study firstly focused on studies examining the performance of heat pump dryers used in food drying, mainly in which ambient air is used as a source. In the following, this review summarizes the results from studies on chemical heat pump dryers and drum heat pump dryers for drying clothes. This review also covers applications that integrate solar and infrared, which increase the efficiency of heat pump dryers, and studies using exergy analysis. The examined studies were evaluated in terms of performance parameters such as coefficient of performance, specific moisture extraction rate, drying time, exergy efficiency, and destruction. This review study shows that improvements in heat pump dryers will reduce drying time and operating costs. Thus, an important guide study has been put forward for researchers working on this subject and the sector leaders.
Antifungal Activity of Echinops echinatus and Fagonia cretica from Cholistan Desert-Pakistan
Authors: Hadi Faheem , Khawer Annum , Riaz Amna , Basharat Anaab , Habib-E-Ajmi Muhammad , Maqbool Tahir , Rafiq Muhammad , Sarwar Muhammad , Muhammad Tahir , Zahra Memoona
Published: April 2022

Background: Fungal infections are getting worse due to their resistance against available antibiotics and have always remain a problem. Homoeopathic mother tinctures are part of therapy in clinical patients with less side effects and much efficient against pathogenic infections.

Methodology: Echinops echinatus and Fagonia cretica plant mother tinctures were performed and used to evaluate the anti-fungal potential of these plants against potentially pathogenic fungal species like Candida albicans, Aspergillus ustus, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus by agar disc diffusion method. Three doses were used (0.25 ml, 0.5 ml and 1 ml volume per disc) and zone of inhibition was observed in millimetres and compared with positive control Fluconazole (2 mg/ml) which is commercially available.

Results: The results indicated efficacy of both mother tinctures showed remakarble activity against pathogens with zone of inhibition ranging 17.33 – 30.33 mm.

Conclusion: Current work indicated anti-infective potential of plants which can be added in therapy of infections in future after confirmation in in-vivo models.
Isolation and Identification of Bacteria from Wound Sepsis among Patients at Obigwe Orthopedic Clinic, Amorji Ubaha, Okigwe
Authors: P. Christian Chizurum , C. Njoku George , V. Alisigwe Chibuzo , Iloanusi David U. , K. Amanze Emmanuel , C. Aririguzo Prisca , Nwagu Isabel C.
Published: April 2022

Infection in wound delays healing and may cause wound breakdown, herniation, and complete wound dehiscence. This study investigated the isolation and identification of bacteria associated with wound sepsis. A total number of ten (10) swab samples were collected at random from the wound surface of patients with infected wounds. The swabs with the samples were analyzed using standard microbiological procedures. Bacterial isolates were characterized using their colonial, microscopic, and biochemical properties. Identification was with reference to Bergey's Manual. It was observed that Escherichia coli is the most frequently occurring isolates with a percentage occurrence of (25%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus with a percentage of (20%), then Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20%), Klebsiella pneumonia (20%), and Streptococcus pyogenes (15%). The overall distribution of bacterial isolates from the wound samples indicated that the wound samples from the male patients have a higher percentage distribution of (80%) than the samples obtained from the female patients with (20%). This study revealed that various bacteria, including opportunistic bacteria, are found in different wounds. Some of the wounds were infected with more than one bacteria species at a time. Although complete eradication of wound infections is not possible, however, by adopting prompt, clean surgical procedures, proper care of wounds, and antibiotics, the incidence of wound infection may be limited to a minimum.
Best practice model for outpatient psychiatric pharmacy practice, part 2: Confirmation of the attribute statements
Authors: Lee Kelly C. , Silvia Richard J. , Payne Gregory H. , Moore Tera D. , Ansara Elayne D. , Ross Clint A.
Published: April 2022

Introduction

The American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists (AAPP) used multiple modalities to develop and refine 28 attribute statements to describe a best practice model for outpatient psychiatric pharmacists. Before addressing implementation, assessment, and field testing, it was necessary to finalize and confirm the statements and their supporting narratives among stakeholders. The objective of this project was to confirm the attribute statements and supporting justifications for a best practice model for outpatient psychiatric pharmacists providing direct patient care.

Methods

The 4 phases that resulted in the 28 attribute statements and supporting narratives have been described and published elsewhere. As part of phase 5, the confirmation survey was distributed to pharmacists and resident members of AAPP in November 2021 for 3 weeks.

Results

The survey respondents (n = 74; 6.1%) were licensed pharmacists for an average of 15.6 years (SD = 12.0) and had been practicing as psychiatric pharmacists for an average of 11.3 years (SD = 10.4). Slightly more than half (54.2%) of the respondents reported practicing in the outpatient setting and three-fourths (74.3%) were Board Certified Psychiatric Pharmacists. For each of the 28 statements, more than 90% of respondents either agreed or agreed with minimal reservations.

Discussion

Given the high degree of agreement on the proposed practice model statements, they will be used as the basis for the outpatient psychiatric pharmacist best practice model. Next steps in developing this model include establishing implementation guidance, determining appropriate metrics for evaluation of these statements in practice, and establishing appropriate field-testing methods.
Genetics of Transposition of Great Arteries
Authors: De Ita Ley Marlon
Published: April 2022

Transposition of the great arteries (TGA) is a congenital defect of the heart's outflow tract characterised by discordant ventricle‐arterial connections that could be described clinically as ‘regular’ or RTGA and congenital corrected TGA or CCTGA. Most patients who present transposition of the great arteries display this defect as isolated and sporadic, but familiar forms, accompanied by other defects, have also been reported. Although genetic anomalies are commonly associated with congenital heart disease, RTGA and CCTGA features differ and their aetiology is still unknown in most patients.

Key Concepts

The two presentations of
transposition of the great arteries
(
TGA
) are the
congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries
(
CCTGA
) and ‘regular’ transposition of great arteries or RTGA.

Some Klinefelter syndrome patients display TGA.

22q11.2 deletion is poorly related to TGA.

TGA is related to rare
copy number variations
(
CNV
) microdeletions and microduplication as del11q21, del1q21.1 and del18p.

Kabuki and Carpenter syndromes are associated with TGA.

Ciliar function related syndromes Ellis Van Creveld, Simpson–Golabi–Behmel and Nephronophthisis, are associated with TGA.

NODAL
,
GDF1
and
MED13L
mutations are associated with TGA.

TGA remains as
congenital heart disease
(
CHD
) with an unknown aetiology.
The Role of Posttranslational Modification in Cellular Function
Authors: McDermott Connor , Gaona‐Gamboa Abril , Lee Sung Hyun , Sesco Ethan , Deppmann Christopher
Published: April 2022

There is a wide variety of posttranslational modifications (PTMs) ranging from the addition of small moieties like phosphorylation, acetylation and methylation to the removal of domains via proteolysis to the addition of other macromolecules such as sugars, lipids, and other proteins. These PTMs serve various functions, from contributing to the localisation of a modified protein to marking proteins for degradation to improving protein stability. A common feature of PTMs is the reader, writer, and eraser framework, wherein writers add a PTM, readers detect that modification and trigger a corresponding signalling cascade, and erasers remove the modification. Through focusing on the functions of these PTMs with a particular emphasis on cell function, we analyse the complex regulatory role played by PTMs and the overarching similarities between PTM systems.

Key Concepts

Cell functions can be regulated via the
posttranslational modification
(
PTM
) of proteins.

There is a wide variety of PTMs including the addition of small moieties, the linkage of other macromolecules, or cleavage.

PTMs play an integral role in protein degradation, protein localisation.

A common feature of PTMs is a system of readers, writers and erasers.

Writers add a PTM to a protein.

Readers detect a PTM and trigger a corresponding signalling cascade.

Erasers remove a PTM.

Over or under abundance of a PTM can lead to pathology.
Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Modulators of Signal Transduction
Authors: Favichia Michelle , Gibney Theresa , Kowalewski Karl , Pani Ariel , Deppmann Christopher
Published: April 2022

Signal transduction pathways are heavily dependent on interactions with the cellular environment. The same environmental elements that make food tasty (salt, fat, acid, heat) have profound impacts on many other aspects of protein function. Transducing sensory information involves a change in receptor confirmation on a sensory neuron/end organ (e.g. taste bud), which allows perception of salt, fat, acid and heat. Beyond our perception, however, are the wide‐ranging effects that these environmental elements have on the intracellular signal transduction pathways which impacts every aspect of cell, tissue, organ and organism function. The proteins constituting signalling pathways are constantly receiving environmental information including ionic charges (salt), hydrophobicity (fat), protonation state (acid) and thermal energy (heat).

Key Concepts

Signal transduction pathways can be altered by environmental fluctuations.

Salts dissociate into their separate ionic forms. Regulating ion type and concentration are important for maintaining protein structure, enzyme activity, protein interactions and controlling ion channels.

Lipid modifications can influence a protein's microdomain localisation to its target cell and impact ease of intracellular or extracellular diffusion.

Fluctuations in pH alter the protonation state of proteins and ion channels which can impact its specificity, affinity to binding partners, structural dynamics and the pathways that are activated.

Temperature changes (e.g. extreme hot or cold) can inactivate and denature proteins generally but specifically may gate temperature‐sensitive ion channels [i.e.
transient receptor potential
(
TRP
) channels]. Changes in temperature can also reveal gain or loss of function phenotypes for mutations that confer less severe phenotypes at physiological temperatures, as exemplified by numerous temperature‐sensitive alleles used in genetics and cell biology experiments.
Genetics of Vitiligo
Authors: Roberts Genevieve HL , Spritz Richard A
Published: April 2022

Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease that results in destruction of skin melanocytes and patches of white skin and hair. Family studies of vitiligo demonstrated that a strong, but complex genetic component underlies disease risk and that vitiligo often occurs with other autoimmune diseases, suggesting shared autoimmune susceptibility. Genome‐wide linkage and association studies have identified over 50 vitiligo susceptibility loci, with most loci harbouring genes involved in immune regulation, apoptosis or melanocyte function. The identified loci fit together in a model of melanocyte‐directed autoimmunity, and many loci are shared with other autoimmune diseases. Surprisingly, some genetic vitiligo susceptibility alleles are inversely associated with melanoma, suggesting that vitiligo may represent enhanced immune surveillance against melanoma. Genetic studies of vitiligo have greatly advanced understanding of vitiligo pathobiology and may additionally provide insights into melanoma and other autoimmune disease.

Key Concepts

Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease in which destruction of skin melanocytes results in patches of white skin and hair.

Vitiligo heritability is approximately 80% in Caucasians, about two‐thirds attributable to common genetic variants and one‐third to rarer variation.

Vitiligo risk in both familial and sporadic cases follows a polygenic additive model, principally involving common risk alleles as well as unknown environmental triggers.

Over 50 loci have been genetically associated with vitiligo, principally in Caucasian populations, though several exhibit trans‐ethnic association with vitiligo in other populations.

Most vitiligo‐associated loci encode components of the immune system or proteins involved in melanogenesis; some of the latter comprise vitiligo autoantigens. Together, these provide a possible framework for vitiligo pathogenesis.

Vitiligo is epidemiologically associated with several other autoimmune diseases, and nearly half of vitiligo‐associated loci are also associated with these other diseases. Though themajor histocompatibility complex(MHC) is associated with most of these diseases, in vitiligo principal MHC association appears to be regulatory rather than protein coding.

Some loci that encode melanocyte proteins exhibit inverse association between vitiligo and melanoma and other skin cancers, suggesting that vitiligo may represent dysregulated immune surveillance against melanoma.
Interpersonal factors and mental well‐being are associated with accuracy in judging the veracity of political news
Authors: Rauwolf Paul
Published: April 2022

More work needs to be done to understand how mental well‐being and interpersonal factors are associated with biases in judging the veracity of true and false political information. Three days before the 2020 U.S. presidential election, 477 participants guessed the veracity of true and false political statements. Interpersonal factors (e.g., high prosociality and a need to belong) and mental health risk factors (e.g., high depressive symptoms and low eudaimonic well‐being) were highly associated with believing false information. Further, positive well‐being was associated with assessing news with a partisan bias. Next, hierarchical regression was used to better understand the combination of factors which best predict accurate judgments. To reduce the chances of overfitting, out‐of‐sample validation was used. About 40% of the variance for believing false information was explained by high prosociality and low well‐being. In addition, well‐being mediated the effects of political ideology when assessing the veracity of political information.
A Generic Sacrificial Layer for Wide‐Range Freestanding Oxides with Modulated Magnetic Anisotropy
Authors: Peng Huining , Lu Nianpeng , Yang Shuzhen , Lyu Yingjie , Liu Zhiwei , Bu Yifan , Shen Shengchun , Li Mingqiang , Li Zhuolu , Gao Lei , Lu Sicheng , Wang Meng , Cao Hui , Zhou Hua , Gao Peng , Chen Hanghui , Yu Pu
Published: April 2022

Freestanding oxide nanomembranes have promising applications because of their novel electronic states and flexible crystalline structures. Several materials have been developed as sacrificial layers to exfoliate thin films from substrates via wet‐etching. However, these materials face great challenges in terms of either complicated crystalline structures or corrosive solutions. Here, a new sacrificial material, SrCoO2.5, is presented, which can be coherently grown with wide‐range strains and crystalline orientations and is also soluble in eco‐friendly solutions such as acetic acid, vinegar, and even carbonated drinks. With SrCoO2.5 as the sacrificial layer, high‐quality freestanding ferromagnetic SrRuO3 membranes are achieved from wide‐range epitaxial strains and different crystalline orientations. By investigating the evolution of the magnetic properties of these samples, it is discovered that epitaxial strain causes a distinct modification of the magnetic anisotropy of (001)pc‐oriented SrRuO3 samples, while its influence on the (110)pc and (111)pc samples is insignificant. This study not only demonstrates the freestanding SrRuO3 as a promising material for flexible spintronic devices, but also offers a great opportunity to engineer a wide range of strained and oriented complex oxides for novel freestanding electronics using this newly developed sacrificial material.
Modulation of Mo–Fe–C Sites Over Mesoscale Diffusion‐Enhanced Hollow Sub‐Micro Reactors Toward Boosted Electrochemical Water Oxidation
Authors: Gong Feilong , Liu Mengmeng , Gong Lihua , Ye Sheng , Jiang Qike , Zeng Guang , Zhang Xiaoli , Peng Zhikun , Zhang Yonghui , Fang Shaoming , Liu Jian
Published: April 2022

Simultaneously engineering the mesoscale mass transfer and surface reactions on the electrode can promote the kinetics of oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Herein, it is reported that the simultaneous modulation of the mesoscale diffusion and Mo–Fe–C sites formation over monodispersed hollow Fe@MoS2–C sub‐micro reactors for boosted OER performance. According to finite element simulation and analysis, the hollow nanostructured MoS2–C host possesses better mesoscale diffusion properties than its solid and yolk–shell counterparts. Notably, the sulfur vacancies and intercalated carbon in the sub‐micro reactor offer a unique microenvironment for Fe anchoring on Mo–Fe–C sites. The stability and activity of the sites are revealed by theoretical calculations. The resultant Fe@MoS2‐C presents an OER overpotential of 194 mV, which is much better than those of the Fe‐based single‐atom catalysts reported in the data. This monodispersed sub‐micro reactor involves the modulation of mesoscale diffusion and single‐atom sites, and it may have broad prospects for complex electrocatalytic reactions.
Combining Both Acceptorless Dehydrogenation and Borrowing Hydrogen Mechanisms in One System as Described by DFT Calculations
Authors: Cicolella Alessandra , C. D'Alterio Massimo , Duran Josep , Simon Sílvia , Talarico Giovanni , Poater Albert
Published: April 2022

The mechanisms for the formation of N‐substituted hydrazones by coupling of alcohols and hydrazine, achieved by the sequential processes of acceptorless dehydrogenation and borrowing hydrogen, has been unveiled by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The release of water and molecular hydrogen as subproducts, combined with the Mn‐PNN pincer based catalyst describe a green environment. Mechanistically, apart from describing a complex system of three coupled catalytic pathways, calculations describe the pivotal role of two intermediates, which participate in two catalytic pathways each one. Finally, predictive catalysis plays the role to push forward this reaction toward milder conditions, and thus in line with green chemistry standards.
Impacts of winter grazing on soil health in southeastern cropping systems
Authors: Crowell Hayley , Gamble Audrey V. , Feng Yucheng , Balkcom Kipling , Yang Anna
Published: April 2022

Coastal Plain soils are often characterized by low soil organic carbon (SOC) as a result of natural and anthropogenic factors. A rotation of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) under conventional tillage is typical in this region, but an opportunity to increase SOC and improve soil health by incorporating winter grazing of cover crops exists for producers with row crop and livestock operations. A study to assess winter grazing impacts on soil health was established in the U.S. Coastal Plain. Three cattle removal dates and an ungrazed control were evaluated for impacts on selected soil health indicators: SOC, permanganate oxidizable carbon (POXC), water stable aggregates (WSA), penetration resistance (PR), microbial biomass C (MBC), and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonization rates. After two years, MBC was highest in the control treatments, likely due to greater cover crop biomass on the soil surface at termination. No differences were observed between treatments for SOC, POXC, WSA, PR, or AMF. Increased cotton lint yield was observed in control and mid‐February treatments in 2019, likely due to greater cover crop residues on the soil surface following grazing, which may have conserved soil moisture during the growing season. Peanut yields were unaffected by treatments in 2020. Lack of differences in soil health indicators suggests that integrating winter‐grazing livestock does not negatively nor positively impact selected dynamic soil properties in the short‐term, but more time under grazing treatments is needed to thoroughly evaluate how winter‐grazing livestock impacts soil health and crop yield.
Sodium Borates: Expanding the Electrolyte Selection for Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Ould Darren M. C. , Menkin Svetlana , Smith Holly E. , Riesgo‐Gonzalez Victor , Jónsson Erlendur , O'Keefe Christopher A. , Coowar Fazlil , Barker Jerry , Bond Andrew D. , Grey Clare P. , Wright Dominic S.
Published: April 2022

Sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) are a promising grid‐level storage technology due to the abundance and low cost of sodium. The development of new electrolytes for SIBs is imperative since it impacts battery life and capacity. Currently, sodium hexafluorophosphate (NaPF6) is used as the benchmark salt, but is highly hygroscopic and generates toxic HF. This work describes the synthesis of a series of sodium borate salts, with electrochemical studies revealing that Na[B(hfip)4]⋅DME (hfip=hexafluoroisopropyloxy, OiPrF) and Na[B(pp)2] (pp=perfluorinated pinacolato, O2C2(CF3)4) have excellent electrochemical performance. The [B(pp)2]− anion also exhibits a high tolerance to air and water. Both electrolytes give more stable electrode‐electrolyte interfaces than conventionally used NaPF6, as demonstrated by impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Furthermore, they give greater cycling stability and comparable capacity to NaPF6 for SIBs, as shown in commercial pouch cells.
Modular Introduction of endo‐Binding Sites in a Macrocyclic Cavity towards Selective Recognition of Neutral Azacycles
Authors: Xu Kaidi , Li Bin , Yao Shibo , Li Zhaoxian , Lu Yunfeng , Dong Ming , Qiu Jianfeng , Luo Liqiang , Li Chunju
Published: April 2022

Macrocycles with a functionalized interior, which is a general cavity feature of bioreceptors, are relatively hard to synthesize. Here we report a modular strategy to customize diverse endo‐binding sites in the macrocycle cavity. Only two steps are needed. First, one V‐shaped functional module bearing an embedded binding site and two 2,5‐dimethoxyphenyls as reaction modules are connected. Then the condensation of the resulting monomer and paraformaldehyde directly produces the designed macrocycle. V‐shaped monomers are deliberately used to guarantee the binding sites equatorially directing inward into the cavity and 2,5‐dimethoxyphenyls standing axially as macrocycle sidewalls. More than a dozen endo‐functionalized macrocyclic receptors have been constructed. Host–guest complexation studies show that macrocycle BP1‐decorated interior OH moieties can strongly encapsulate neutral azacycles by forming inner hydrogen bonds, giving a high association constant of 4.59×104 M−1 in non‐polar media.
Programmed Supramolecular Assemblies Using Orthogonal Pairs of Heterodimeric Coiled Coil Peptides
Authors: Jiang Linhai , Zuo Xiaobing , Li Jianping , Traaseth Nathaniel J. , Kirshenbaum Kent
Published: April 2022

Despite recent progress, it remains challenging to program biomacromolecules to assemble into discrete nanostructures with pre‐determined sizes and topologies. We report here a novel strategy to address this challenge. By using two orthogonal pairs of heterodimeric coiled coils as the building blocks, we constructed six discrete supramolecular assemblies, each composed of a prescribed number of coiled coil components. Within these assemblies, different coiled coils were connected via end‐to‐side covalent linkages strategically pre‐installed between the non‐complementary pairs. The overall topological features of two highly complex assemblies, a “barbell” and a “quadrilateral” form, were characterized experimentally and were in good agreement to the designs. This work expands the design paradigms for peptide‐based discrete supramolecular assemblies and will provide a route for de novo fabrication of functional protein materials.
Asymmetric Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Hydroalkylation of Racemic Allylic Alcohols for the Synthesis of Chiral Amino Acid Derivatives
Authors: Zhang Xiaohui , Ma Wei , Zhang Jinyu , Tang Weijun , Xue Dong , Xiao Jianliang , Sun Huaming , Wang Chao
Published: April 2022

The asymmetric hydroalkylation of racemic allylic alcohols has been developed for the synthesis of chiral amino acid derivatives with two remote chiral centers by borrowing hydrogen catalysis. The stereoselectivities are controlled by a single chiral Ru catalyst via a dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation process and an interesting diastereoselectivity amplification process of the product. The method could be used for the synthesis of several types of biologically important molecules, including stereodivergent synthesis of chiral pyrrolidine derivatives.
An ecological resilience index to improve conservation action for stream fish habitat
Authors: Tracy Erin E. , Infante Dana M. , Cooper Arthur R. , Taylor William W.
Published: April 2022

Stream fishes are increasingly threatened by consequences of climate change that will alter stream habitats. Conservation of stream ecosystems will be more effective if management actions retain or restore essential structures and functions that promote ecosystem resilience to disturbance.

This study developed a method for assessing the resilience of stream fish habitat in Michigan, USA. Three sub‐indices comprising different components of resilience were derived using information on natural landscape features, human impacts and habitat heterogeneity. These sub‐indices were combined into a single overall index to broadly characterize resilience.

Mapping sub‐indices show that stream resilience based on natural features varies across Michigan, whereas resilience reduced by human impacts decreases from north to south, corresponding to patterns in human population density and land use. Higher stream resilience occurs in the Upper and Northern Lower Peninsulas of Michigan which have more natural features and fewer human impacts, although some resilient streams also occur in the Southern Lower Peninsula, suggesting that there are opportunities in every part of the state for protecting resilient streams.

Resilience index scores combined with modelled distributions of a fish species of conservation importance show locations where specific conservation action would be most effective in protecting or improving habitat for this species.

The assessment of Michigan stream resilience provides new information for supporting conservation strategies and action in relation to expected changes caused by climate change. It also offers an approach that can be applied in other regions.
A Graphene Oxide‐based Covalent Resorufin‐Conjugated Fluorescence “OFF‐ON” Probe for Detection of Hydrazine
Authors: Guo Qiang , Zhang Jie , Sun Hongyan , Chen Jian Lin
Published: April 2022

The unique properties of graphene oxide (GO), such as good water solubility, non‐toxicity, biocompatibility and cell permeability, make GO well suited for a number of biological applications. In this study, we explore the application of GO as an efficient fluorescent quencher for a highly fluorescent organic dye, resorufin (RF). The quenching effect of GO on resorufin is studied by noncovalent and covalent bonding of resorufin, respectively. The fluorescence is completely quenched when resorufin is covalently linked to GO; while resorufin's fluorescence could be still observed through noncovalent bonding to GO sheet. Interestingly, addition of hydrazine into RF‐GO complex causes the fluorescence recovered, providing a potential ‘‘OFF‐ON’’ fluorescence responsive probe for detecting hydrazine in vitro and in living cells.
A dual‐mode optical assay for iron(II) and gallic acid based on Fenton reaction
Authors: Qi Li , Ding Hao , Lu Changfang , Wang Xianxiang
Published: April 2022

The hydroxyl radicals (·OH) produced by the Fenton reaction of iron(II) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) can oxidize the colorless 3,3′,5,5′‐tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) to blue oxidized TMB (Ox‐TMB), resulting in a decrease in the fluorescence intensity of the reaction system and an increase in ultraviolet absorption. Ox‐TMB had a visible absorption peak at 625 nm and a fluorescence peak around 420 nm. When gallic acid (GA) was added to the system, Ox‐TMB was reduced to TMB, which made the color of the system disappear and the fluorescence recover. The linear ranges for determination of iron(II) were 0.5–10 μM (fluorometric) and 0.5–20 μM (colorimetric), and the detection limits were 0.25 μM (fluorometric) and 0.28 μM (colorimetric). The linear ranges for determination of GA were 0–80 μM (fluorometric) and 0–60 μM (colorimetric), and the detection limits were 0.31 μM (fluorometric) and 0.8 μM (colorimetric). The results of anti‐interference experiments shew that this dual‐mode assay had very good selectivity for the determination of iron(II) and GA.
Eremophilane and Cadinene Sesquiterpenes from Syringa oblata and Their Protective Effects against Hypoxia‐Induced Injury on H9c2 Cells
Authors: Tai Badalahu , Bai Laxinamujila , Yu Muyao , Liu Juan , Zheng Han , Huang Luqi
Published: April 2022

Seven sesquiterpenes including four eremophilanes (1–4) and three cadinenes (5–7), were isolated from the heartwood of Syringa oblata Lindl. Among them, three new eremophilane‐type sesquiterpenes were identified and named oblatanoids A–C (1–3), respectively. Their structures were established by extensive analyses of spectroscopic methods, and their absolute configurations were determined by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. All these new compounds were evaluated for protective effects against hypoxia‐induced injury on H9c2 cells, and 1–3 exhibited significantly protective activities toward H9c2 cells in vitro.
An Enantiomeric Fragment Pair (EFP) Approach for the Study of Cellular Uptake of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins
Authors: Foley Alejandro R , Raskatov Jevgenij A.
Published: April 2022

The study of intrinsically disordered and amyloidogenic proteins poses a major challenge to researchers due to the propensity of the system to aggregate and to form amyloid fibrils and deposits. This intrinsic nature limits the way amyloids can be studied and increases the level of complexity of the techniques needed to study the system of interest. Recent reports suggest that cellular recognition and internalization of pre‐fibrillary species of amyloidogenic peptides and proteins may initiate some of its toxic actions. Therefore, developing novels tools to facilitate the understanding and determination of the interactions between intrinsically disordered proteins and the cellular membrane is becoming increasingly valuable. Here, we present and propose an approach for the study of the interactions of intrinsically disordered proteins with the cellular surface based on the use of enantiomeric fragment pairs (EFPs). By following a stepwise methodology in which the amyloidogenic peptide or protein is fragmented into specific segments, we show how this approach can be exploited to differentiate between different types of cellular uptake, to determine the degree of receptor‐mediated cellular internalization of intrinsically disordered peptides and proteins, and to pinpoint the specific regions within the amino acid sequence responsible for the cellular recognition. Adopting this approach overcomes aggregation‐related challenges and offers a particularly well‐suited platform for the elucidation of receptor‐intermediated recognition, uptake, and toxicity.
Case report: Severe brain hypoxic damages after acute methanol poisoning
Authors: Abidi Ameni , Souid Asma , B Abdallah Khalaf , Hammami Nadia , Siala Selima , Brahmi Nozha , B Hamouda Mohamed
Published: April 2022

Methanol poisoning is a challenging clinical situation with irreversible neurologic complication mainly encountered in developed countries. We report a case of a 50‐year‐old patient who presented with methanol poisoning, symptomatic of respiratory and neurologic failure. In this context, cerebral magnetic resonance imaging concluded entangled injury mechanisms leading to neurologic failure.
Taming of Singlet Oxygen: Towards Artificial Oxygen Carriers Based on 1,4‐Dialkylnaphthalenes
Authors: Li Jin , Wang Lei , Li Jinrong , Shao Yujie , Liu Ziang , Li Guangzhe , Akkaya Engin U.
Published: April 2022

Naphthalene endoperoxides are known as convenient sources of singlet oxygen (O2, 1Δg), which is the major product of endoperoxide cycloreversion reaction. However, their potential as carriers of ground‐state molecular oxygen (O2, 3Σg) similar to artificial oxygen carriers remains largely unexplored. This is due to the extreme reactivity and cytotoxic effects of the released singlet oxygen. We now report that a compound with a bimodular design, which incorporates an endoperoxide and an efficient physical quencher of singlet oxygen, 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO), produces exclusively ground‐state molecular oxygen. This result, coupled with the fact that oxygen release rates from endoperoxides are highly amenable to fine‐tuning in a very broad range, and open to targeting by ligand attachment, raises the potential of these compounds far above any comparable chemical, or even biochemical sources. In cell culture experiments, we showed that the addition of the endoperoxide‐quencher conjugate can enhance and sustain cell proliferation.
Tuning the Properties of 5‐Azido and 5‐Nitramino‐tetrazoles by Diverse Functionalization – General Concepts for Future Energetic Materials
Authors: Benz Maximilian , Klapötke Thomas M. , Lenz Tobias , Stierstorfer Jörg
Published: April 2022

5‐Azido and 5‐nitraminotetrazole backbones are established heterocyclic motifs in the research field of energetic materials synthesis. Despite the high energy content of the compounds, the problem with many derivatives is that their sensitivities are far too high. Functionalization of one of the ring nitrogen atoms is the aim of this study to adjust the sensitivity by inserting nitratoethyl, azidoethyl and methyl groups. In this context, derivatives of 2‐(2‐azidoethyl)‐5‐nitraminotetrazoles (2, 2 a–2 d), as well as 1‐nitrato and 1‐azidoethyl substituted 5‐azidotetrazole (7 and 10) and the methylation products of 5‐azidotetrazole (5‐azido‐1‐methyl‐tetrazole, 11 and 5‐azido‐2‐methyl‐tetrazole, 12) were prepared. The obtained nitrogen‐rich compounds were extensively characterized through multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and IR spectroscopy. The structural confinement was checked by X‐ray diffraction experiments. The pure samples (verified by elemental analysis) were investigated regarding their behavior toward friction, impact (BAM methods) and electrostatic discharge as well as heating (DTA and DSC). For all metal‐free compounds the detonation properties were computed with the EXPLO5 code using their density and heat of formation, calculated based on CBS‐4 M level of theory.
Organization of the 43rd European Congress of Cytology in the SARS–CoV‐2 pandemic period: A report
Authors: Klijanienko Jerzy , Cochand‐Priollet Béatrix , Król‐Cieciorowska Wiktoria , Jeleń Michał , Vrdoljak‐Mozetič Danijela
Published: April 2022

The 43rd European Congress of Cytology in Wrocław, Poland, was held as a hybrid meeting in the Fall of 2021. After nearly 2 years without in‐person cytology conferences, the 43rd Congress represents 1 of the first major international scientific meetings to occur during the severe acute respiratory syndrome‐coronavirus 2 pandemic. Since March 2020, the pandemic situation substantially modified the organization of scientific meetings because of both domestic and international travel restrictions, new health standards, and concern among participants, resulting in new alternative forms of virtual conferencing. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2022;130:000‐000.;
Forward single‐cell sequencing into clinical application: Understanding of cancer microenvironment at single‐cell solution
Authors: Liu Xuanqi , Powell Charles A. , Wang Xiangdong
Published: April 2022

The single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐seq) is considered as an important approach to understand molecular mechanisms of cancer microenvironmental functions and has the potential for clinical and translational discovery and development. The recent concerns on the impact of scRNA‐seq for clinical practice are whether scRNA can be applied as a routine measurement of clinical biochemistry to assist in clinical decision‐making for diagnosis and therapy. Pushing single‐cell sequencing into clinical application is one of the important missions for clinical and translational medicine (CTM), although there still are large number challenges to be overcome. The present Editorial as one of serials aims at overviewing the history of scRNA‐seq publications in CTM, sharing the understanding and consideration on cancer microenvironment at single‐cell solution, and emphasizing the objective to translate scRNA‐seq into clinical application. The dynamic characteristics and patterns of single‐cell identity, regulatory network, and intercellular communication play decisive roles in properties of microenvironment, malignancy and migrative capacity of cancer cells, and defensive capacity of immune cells. The microenvironmental single‐cell transcriptomic profiles and cell clusters defined by scRNA‐seq have great values to explore molecular mechanisms of diseases and predict cell sensitivities to therapy and patient prognosis.
Camera traps and guard observations as an alternative to researcher observation for studying anthropogenic foraging
Authors: Walton Ben J. , Findlay Leah J. , Hill Russell A.
Published: April 2022

Foraging by wildlife on anthropogenic foods can have negative impacts on both humans and wildlife. Addressing this issue requires reliable data on the patterns of anthropogenic foraging by wild animals, but while direct observation by researchers can be highly accurate, this method is also costly and labor‐intensive, making it impractical in the long‐term or over large spatial areas. Camera traps and observations by guards employed to deter animals from fields could be efficient alternative methods of data collection for understanding patterns of foraging by wildlife in crop fields. Here, we investigated how data on crop‐foraging by chacma baboons and vervet monkeys collected by camera traps and crop guards predicted data collected by researchers, on a commercial farm in South Africa. We found that data from camera traps and field guard observations predicted crop loss and the frequency of crop‐foraging events from researcher observations for crop‐foraging by baboons and to a lesser extent for vervets. The effectiveness of cameras at capturing crop‐foraging events was dependent on their position on the field edge. We believe that these alternatives to direct observation by researchers represent an efficient and low‐cost method for long‐term and large‐scale monitoring of foraging by wildlife on crops.