bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strukturrevision einer weit verbreiteten marinen Sulfonolipidklasse basierend auf deren Isolierung und Totalsynthese
Authors: Roman Dávid , Meisinger Philippe , Guillonneau Richard , Peng Chia‐Chi , Peltner Lukas K. , Jordan Paul M. , Haensch Veit , Götze Sebastian , Werz Oliver , Hertweck Christian , Chen Yin , Beemelmanns Christine
Published: March 2024

Bakterien der marinen Roseobacter‐Gruppe spielen eine wichtige Rolle in globalen biogeochemischen Prozessen. Prominente Vetreter dieser Gruppe produzieren schwefelhaltige Aminolipide (SAL), die für die Bildung von Biofilmen und die Besiedlung von Meeresoberflächen von entscheidender Bedeutung sind. Obwohl Genome Mining‐Ansätze und massenspektrometrische Studien homotaurinhaltige Strukturen für eine Gruppe von SALs postulierten, blieben deren relative und absolute Strukturen bisher unbekannt, was biochemische und funktionelle Untersuchungen behinderte. In dieser Studie konnten wir die absoluten Strukturen durch eine Kombination von analytischen Techniken, Isolierungs‐ und Abbauexperimenten sowie Totalsynthese bestimmen. Im Gegensatz zu vorherigen Strukturvorschlägen sind die hier untersuchten Aminolipide durch eine ungewöhnliche N,O‐acylierte Cysteinolsäure Kopfgruppe gekennzeichnet, weshalb wir die Substanzklasse Cysteinolide genannt haben. Durch gezielte Netzwerk‐basierende metabolomische Studien konnten wir zudem die Verteilung und strukturelle Vielfalt von Cysteinoliden in verschiedenee Vertretern der bakteriellen Roseobacter‐Gruppe kartieren. Insgesamt konnten in dieser Studie 14 verschiedene Aminolipide, einschließlich der in dieser Studie isolierten Cysteinolide, synthetisiert werden. Der Vergleich der erhaltenen analytischen Daten ermöglichte tiefergehende strukturelle Einblicke in die Charakteristika diese Substanzgruppe, welche für Studien zum bakteriellen Sulfonolipid‐Stoffwechsel und zu biogeochemischen Nährstoffkreislauf in den Ozeanen von großer Bedeutung sein werden.
Two‐Orders‐of‐Magnitude Enhancement of Photoinitiation Activity via a Simple Surface Engineering of Metal Nanoclusters
Authors: Tang Jin , Xu Ning , Ren An , Ma Liang , Xu Wenwu , Han Zhongkang , Chen Zijie , Li Qi
Published: March 2024

Development of high‐performance photoinitiator is the key to enhance the printing speed, structure resolution and product quality in 3D laser printing. Here, to improve the printing efficiency of 3D laser nanoprinting, we investigate the underlying photochemistry of gold and silver nanocluster initiators under multiphoton laser excitation. Experimental results and DFT calculations reveal the high cleavage probability of the surface S−C bonds in gold and silver nanoclusters which generate multiple radicals. Based on this understanding, we design several alkyl‐thiolated gold nanoclusters and achieve a more than two‐orders‐of‐magnitude enhancement of photoinitiation activity, as well as a significant improvement in printing resolution and fabrication window. Overall, this work for the first time unveils the detailed radical formation pathways of gold and silver nanoclusters under multiphoton activation and substantially improves their photoinitiation sensitivity via surface engineering, which pushes the limit of the printing efficiency of 3D laser lithography.
Achieving Efficient Dark Blue Room‐Temperature Phosphorescence with Ultra‐Wide Range Tunable‐Lifetime
Authors: Zhou Lei , Song Jinming , He Zhenyi , Liu Yiwei , Jiang Ping , Li Tao , Ma Xiang
Published: March 2024

Tunable‐lifetime room‐temperature phosphorescence (RTP) materials have been widely studied due to their broad applications. However, only few reports have achieved wide‐range lifetime modulation. In this work, ultra‐wide range tunable‐lifetime efficient dark blue RTP materials were realized by doping methyl benzoate derivatives into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix. The phosphorescence lifetimes of the doped films can be increased from 32.8 ms to 1925.8 ms. Such wide range of phosphorescence lifetime modulation is extremely rare in current reports. Moreover, the phosphorescence emission of the methyl 4‐hydroxybenzoate‐doped film is located in the dark blue region and the phosphorescence quantum yield reaches as high as 15.4 %, which broadens their applications in organic optoelectronic information. Further studies demonstrated that the reason for the tunable lifetime was that the magnitude of the electron‐donating ability of the substituent group modulates the HOMO–LUMO and singlet‐triplet energy gap of methyl benzoate derivatives, as well as the ability to non‐covalent interactions with PVA. Moreover, the potential applications of luminescent displays and optical anti‐counterfeiting of these high‐performance dark blue RTP materials have been conducted.
A Lipopeptidomimetic of Transcriptional Activation Domains Selectively Disrupts the Coactivator Med25 Protein–Protein Interactions
Authors: Pattelli Olivia N. , Valdivia Estefanía Martínez , Beyersdorf Matthew S. , Regan Clint S. , Rivas Mónica , Hebert Katherine A. , Merajver Sofia D. , Cierpicki Tomasz , Mapp Anna K.
Published: March 2024

Short amphipathic peptides are capable of binding to transcriptional coactivators, often targeting the same binding surfaces as native transcriptional activation domains. However, they do so with modest affinity and generally poor selectivity, limiting their utility as synthetic modulators. Here we show that incorporation of a medium‐chain, branched fatty acid to the N‐terminus of one such heptameric lipopeptidomimetic (LPPM‐8) increases the affinity for the coactivator Med25 >20‐fold (Ki >100 μM to 4 μM), rendering it an effective inhibitor of Med25 protein–protein interactions (PPIs). The lipid structure, the peptide sequence, and the C‐terminal functionalization of the lipopeptidomimetic each influence the structural propensity of LPPM‐8 and its effectiveness as an inhibitor. LPPM‐8 engages Med25 through interaction with the H2 face of its activator interaction domain and in doing so stabilizes full‐length protein in the cellular proteome. Further, genes regulated by Med25‐activator PPIs are inhibited in a cell model of triple‐negative breast cancer. Thus, LPPM‐8 is a useful tool for studying Med25 and mediator complex biology and the results indicate that lipopeptidomimetics may be a robust source of inhibitors for activator‐coactivator complexes.
Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Intramolecular 7‐endo‐dig Cyclization of Triene‐Yne Systems: New Access towards Azulenothiophenes
Authors: Eshagh Saatlo Rebeka , Oczlon Julian , Wunsch Jonas F. , Rudolph Matthias , Rominger Frank , Oeser Thomas , Shiri Farshad , Ariafard Alireza , Hashmi A. Stephen K.
Published: March 2024

We report the direct synthesis of new azulene derivatives through gold‐catalyzed cyclization reactions. A five‐membered ring as backbone in the applied triene‐yne substrates turned out to be crucial to induce the 7‐endo‐dig cyclization mode necessary to trigger azulene formation. The obtained targets are of high interest due to their potential applications in different fields, like organic materials, medicine or cosmetics. UV/Vis spectra and cyclic voltammetry were measured, based on these the electronic properties were determined. Short two or three step sequences towards the applied starting materials make this approach synthetically highly attractive.
The reaction of nonacarbonyldiiron with 8‐alkynyloxyquinolines: Alkynyl activation, cyclization via C‐N bond formation, and C‐H bond cleavage
Authors: Luo Jiabin , Yu Mengdan , Chu Fangxu , Xiao Zhiyin , Zhong Wei , Li Xueming , Liu Xiaoming
Published: March 2024

In this work, the reactions of nonacarbonyldiiron with 8‐alkynyloxyquinoline ligands (L1‐L3) and their resultant iron carbonyl complexes (1a, 1b, 2, and 3) are described. The complexes including the ligands were fully characterized by using a variety of spectroscopic techniques. The four complexes were also crystallographically determined. In the reactions, the quinoline N atom underwent cyclization to form a quinolinium skeleton while the C‐H bond of the quinoline at position 2 or the substituted methyl group was cleaved to form Fe‐C bond(s). Meanwhile, the alkynyl triple bond was reduced to a single bond (1a) or double bonds (1b, 2, and 3) to further coordinate the iron in σ‐bonds or η‐bonds. Particularly, pathways of hydrogenation (1a and 2) and/or dehydrogenation (1b and 3) were accompanied by the reactions. Moreover, the oxidation states of the iron centers in these complexes were identified through analyses of their bond formation, FTIR and NMR spectroscopic signals (1H NMR and DEPT‐135) in combination with their diamagnetic nature, that is, iron (0) for 2 and iron (I) for the rest of the diiron complexes.
A dual‐responsive luminescent sensor for efficient detection of 3‐nitrotyrosine and dipicolinic acid biomarkers based on copper(II) organic framework
Authors: Li Wenqian , Li Wencui , Liu Xin , Wu Haonan , Yang Jingyao , Lu Feiyu , Fan Liming
Published: March 2024

The trace detection of biomarkers in real samples has profound a most important significance in the early diagnosis and daily monitoring of diseases. Based on the ligand pre‐design strategy, a novel 3D CuMOF, with the formula of {[Cu4(BTPB)(μ2‐OH)2(H2O)5]·3H2O}n, was fabricated by using the hexacarboxyl ligand of 1,4‐bis(2,4,6‐tricarboxylpyrid‐5‐yl)benzene (H6BTPB) and tetranuclear {Cu4(COO)4(μ2‐OH)2} SBUs. Benefiting from the robust framework and unique luminescence performance, the prepared CuMOF displays great potential as a dual‐responsive efficient luminescent sensor in “turn‐off” detection of 3‐nitrotyrosine (3‐NT) biomarker and “turn‐on” detecting the anthrax biomarker of dipicolinic acid (DPA), with detection limits (LOD) for 3‐NT and DPA being 110.8 ng/ml and 85.2 ng/ml, respectively. Additionally, the practicality and compatibility of such developed sensors were verified by quantifying 3‐NT and DPA biomarkers in diluted serum and urine samples with satisfactory recoveries. Further, the theoretical calculations of energy levels as well as the spectral overlap between the analytes and CuMOF were conducted to elucidate the possible sensing mechanisms. This work demonstrated that MOFs‐based luminescent sensors are evolving as an efficacious and equable approach for the detection of biomarkers in real samples.
A novel method for the synthesis of solvent‐free and high‐solid‐content waterborne polyurethanes by introducing a small amount of polyethylene glycol
Authors: Hsu Kuei Ting , You Jhu‐Lin
Published: March 2024

In the study, the synthesis process involved the reaction of dimethylolbutyric acid and polytetramethylene ether glycol 1000 (PTMG1000) with hexamethylene diisocyanate (H12MDI), taking advantage of their mutual dissolution at high temperatures. The chain‐extension reaction with 1,4‐butanediol (BDO) was successfully conducted without the use of organic solvents. The emulsification reaction was carried out using the polyurethane prepolymer at 60% solids content, along with aqueous dispersions of polyethylene glycol (PEG) with varying molecular weights and amounts as interfacially active agents. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis suggested potential hydrogen bonding interactions between the PEG molecular chain and the polyurethane chain. Rheometer analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in viscosity with the addition of 1–5 wt.% PEG, accompanied by an increase in average particle size. This phenomenon was attributed to the formation of a hydrophilic lubrication layer of PEG around the water‐based polyurethane (WPU) microcells. Among them, WPU films containing 4 wt.% PEG4000 not only exhibited soft properties with a mechanical elongation rate exceeding 2000% but also showed excellent storage stability. The addition of long‐chain PEG facilitated the formation of a lubrication layer between the microcells, contributing to spatial stabilization and reducing particle aggregation at high solids content. It is noteworthy that this solvent‐free process, without any organic solvents, together with the adjusted PEG content, successfully synthesized waterborne polyurethanes with low viscosity and high solids content. This provides a new sustainable and environmentally friendly method for the future production of waterborne polyurethanes.
Optimization of synthesis parameters of PUF/ENB microcapsules for self‐healing applications using factorial design methodology
Authors: de Carvalho Freire Maria Paula , da Silva Gabriel Agostinho , Pereira de Paula Ygor Matheus , Marini Juliano , Melo José Daniel Diniz , Costa Maria Carolina Burgos
Published: March 2024

This study introduces a systematic experimental approach aimed at enhancing the production process of poly(urea‐formaldehyde) (PUF) microcapsules filled with 5‐ethylidene‐2‐norbonene (ENB) using in situ emulsion polymerization. Essential parameters were identified through a prior Plackett Burman (PB) design, leading to the implementation of a 24‐1 fractional factorial design. The key parameters selected encompassed stirring speed, poly(ethylene‐alt‐maleic anhydride) (EMA) emulsifier content, pH of the reaction, and the quantity of 1‐octanol. Optimal conditions for polymeric microcapsule synthesis were determined using a statistical analysis of the complete factorial design, facilitating the development of representative mathematical models for the process. A comprehensive evaluation of response variables including microcapsule diameter, yield, encapsulated content, stability, and thermal degradation was conducted. Utilizing response surface analysis (RSM), it was determined that the PUF/ENB(2C) condition (stirring at 700 rpm, a reaction pH of 3.0, and EMA content of 0.425 g) resides within the optimized synthesis region, producing microcapsules exhibiting favorable morphological characteristics, yield of 52% and encapsulated content of 80%.
Complexities and opportunities: A review of the trajectory of fish farming in Zimbabwe
Authors: Mabika Nyasha , Utete Beaven
Published: March 2024

Zimbabwe is currently rated as one of the top 10 fish producers in Sub‐Saharan Africa. Fish farming in Zimbabwe is dominated by the culture of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) followed by rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Over 90% of the cultured fish isO. niloticus,which comes from Lake Kariba. Since the first decade of the 21stcentury, there has been a significant increase in fish production from two tons to eight tons annually. The increase in fish production has been attributed to the government and donor‐funded fishery programs. In this review, current practices, opportunities, and challenges for aquaculture in Zimbabwe are highlighted. The current practices include intensive, semi‐intensive, and extensive aquaculture systems. Consistent high market demand for fish and numerous water bodies with potential for cage culture are some of the drivers for aquaculture. Despite the industry's significant growth, there are still a number of management and production issues that need to be resolved. Weaknesses in structural issues and operational frameworks in Non‐Governmental Organizations, lack of credit facilities, subsidies, limited technology, obfuscated governance, weak fish disease surveillance mechanisms and legal frameworks, and constrained human resources capacity are some of the challenges plaguing fish culture in Zimbabwe. Cogent aquaculture policies, sustainable subsidies, intensive training of human resources and fisheries experts, strengthened disease surveillance, cheaper alternative fish feeds, reliable viable fingerling production, concerted value chain efforts, and exploration of lucrative export markets is a panacea for the fledgling aquaculture industry in Zimbabwe.
An underlying factor of increasing early winter precipitation in the Hokuriku region of Japan in recent decades
Authors: Takemura Kazuto , Maeda Shuhei , Kawamura Ryuichi
Published: March 2024

Using a reanalysis dataset and large‐ensemble simulation results, this study examines a possible factor of increasing trend in early winter precipitation in recent decades in the Hokuriku region of Japan. Monthly precipitation in December has a significant increasing trend after the early 1990s, which is different from those in January and February. The increasing precipitation in December is related to that in the sea surface upward latent heat flux due to intensified winter monsoon circulation and warming sea surface temperatures (SSTs) over the Sea of Japan. December averaged SSTs show a trend pattern in recent decades that is similar to the negative phase of the interdecadal Pacific oscillation (IPO), accompanied by positive trends from the eastern Indian Ocean to the western tropical Pacific. The enhanced trend of convection over the Bay of Bengal is seen; suggesting a combined effect of climatologically high SSTs and IPO‐related warmed SSTs over the region. Trends in recent decades of an upper‐level wavy pattern from South Asia to near Japan along the subtropical jet associated with enhanced convection near the Bay of Bengal and the related pressure drop from Japan to the north are seen, which contribute to intensified winter monsoon circulation.
May the Intentional Candidate Win: The Effect of Global Performance Information on Intentionality Attributions and Managerial Hot‐Hand Predictions
Authors: Braga João Niza , Jacinto Sofia
Published: March 2024

In organizational contexts, managers often have to judge and predict others' performance. Previous research has consistently shown that when predicting someone's performance, people expect that a local sequence of successful outcomes will continue—the hot‐hand. The present work proposes that hot‐hand predictions occur when local streaks are dispositionally attributed to the agents' intentionality and explores how the inclusion of global performance success rates may guide intentionality inferences and moderate predictions of success after a streak. Three studies, using within‐ and between‐subjects' designs, manipulate agent's global success rate and show that after a local streak, intentionality attributions and predictions of success are lower when success rates are low (vs. high or unknown); intentionality attributions mediate the effect of success rate on predictions; hot‐hand predictions are lower for low success rate agents (vs. high or unknown) as they are not perceived as more responsible for streaky than for alternated performances.
Development of synthetic small regulatory RNA for Rhodococcus erythropolis
Authors: Wang Lijuan , Hou Jie , Yang Kun , Yu Haonan , Zhang Bo , Liu Zhiqiang , Zheng Yuguo
Published: March 2024

Rhodococci have been regarded as ideal chassis for biotransformation, biodegradation, and biosynthesis for their unique environmental persistence and robustness. However, most species of Rhodococcus are still difficult to metabolically engineer due to the lack of genetic tools and techniques. In this study, synthetic sRNA strategy was exploited for gene repression in R. erythropolis XP. The synthetic sRNA based on the RhlS scaffold from Pseudomonas aeruginosa functions better in repressing sfgfp expression than those based on E. coli MicC, SgrS, and P. aeruginosa PrrF1‐2 scaffold. The RhlS‐based sRNAs were applied to study the influence of sulfur metabolism on biodesulfurization (BDS) efficiency in R. erythropolis XP and successfully identified two genes involved in sulfur metabolism that affect the BDS efficiency significantly. The RhlS‐based synthetic sRNAs show promise in the metabolic engineering of Rhodococcus and promote the industrial applications of Rhodococcus in environmental remediation and biosynthesis.
Characterization of cellular responses and cell lysis to elevated hydrodynamic stress from benchtop perfusion bioreactors
Authors: Zhang Weijian , Ran Qingyuan , Zhao Liang , Ye Qian , Tan Wen‐Song
Published: March 2024

The effective design of perfusion cell culture is currently challenging regarding balancing the operating parameters associated with the hydrodynamic conditions due to increased system complexity. To address this issue, cellular responses of an industrial CHO cell line to different types of hydrodynamic stress in benchtop perfusion bioreactors originating from agitation, sparging, and hollow fibers (HF) in the cell retention devices were systematically investigated here with the analysis of cell lysis. It was found that cell lysis was very common and most associated with the sparging stress, followed by the HF and lastly the agitation, consequently heavily impacting the estimation of process descriptors related to biomass. The results indicated that the agitation stress led to a reduced cell growth with a shift toward a more productive phenotype, suggesting an energy redirection from biomass formation to product synthesis, whereas the sparging stress had a small impact on the intracellular metabolic flux distribution but increased the cell death rate drastically. For HF stress, a similar cell maintenance profile was found as the sparging while the activity of glycolysis and the TCA cycle was significantly impeded, potentially leading to the lack of energy and thus a substantial decrease in cell‐specific productivity. Moreover, a novel concept of volume average shear stress was developed to further understand the relations of different types of stress and the observed responses for an improved insight for the perfusion cell culture.
One‐Pot Reactions in Different Sites: A New Approach in Hydroformylation‐Based Processes
Authors: Delolo Fábio G. , dos Santos Eduardo N. , Gusevskaya Elena V.
Published: March 2024

One‐pot synthetic procedures allow multiple chemical transformations circumventing the isolation of intermediates and thus saving time, energy and feedstocks. Within the scope of one‐pot processes, cascade, domino, or tandem procedures are even more efficient, as multiple reactions can occur in parallel. Hydroformylation is an industrially relevant reaction particularly suitable for this kind of methodology, as the primary products (aldehydes) are usually converted into compounds containing other functionalities. In addition to examples of transformations of the substrate before the hydroformylation step or the transformation of the aldehyde into other functionalities, we highlight a novel approach, in which an additional functionalization takes place in a remote site of the substrate molecule, along with the hydroformylation of the carbon‐carbon double bond.
Atomically Dispersed Metal‐Nitrogen‐Carbon Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Lu Jiajia , Deng Peng‐Jun , Fu Gaoliang , Meng Xiangyu , Zhang Shouren , Yang Baocheng
Published: March 2024

The quest for alternatives to Pt as an oxygen reduction electrocatalyst, possessing high activity, stability, and abundant reserves, holds great significance for H2/O2 fuel cells. Recently, metal‐nitrogen‐carbon (M‐N‐C) electrocatalysts have garnered substantial attention as promising substitutes. These electrocatalysts not only exhibit well‐defined structures but also offer the flexibility to adjust the central metal atoms and coordination atoms. It is beneficial in elucidating the active sites during the catalytic process and in the design of highly active electrocatalysts. In this review, the real active site of M‐N‐C electrocatalyst‐driven ORR is investigated in depth by in situ characterization techniques such as X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy. It′s worth noting that the catalytic activity of M‐N‐C electrocatalysts originates from the dynamic evolution of electrocatalyst structure. Subsequently, we review various synthetic strategies, including the wet chemistry method, spatial confinement, and template‐assisted method, aimed at the rational design of M‐N‐C electrocatalysts. Moreover, recent progresses of M‐N‐C electrocatalysts with varying configurations, encompassing single‐atom, and double‐atom electrocatalysts are discussed, Finally, summary and perspectives on the development of M‐N‐C are provided.
Surface‐Enhanced Raman Scattering Using 2D Materials
Authors: Pinto de Sousa Beatriz , Fateixa Sara , Trindade Tito
Published: March 2024

The use of surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) as a technique for detecting small amounts of (bio)chemical analytes has become increasingly popular in various fields. While gold and silver nanostructures have been extensively studied as SERS substrates, the availability of other types of substrates is currently expanding the applications of this spectroscopic method. Recently, researchers have begun exploring two‐dimensional (2D) materials (e. g., graphene‐like nanostructures) as substrates for SERS analysis. These materials offer unique optical properties, a well‐defined structure, and the ability to modify their surface chemistry. As a contribution to advance this field, this concept article highlights the significance of understanding the chemical mechanism that underlies the experimental Raman spectra of chemisorbed molecules onto 2D materials’ surfaces. Therefore, the article discusses recent advancements in fabricating substrates using 2D layered materials and the synergic effects of using their metallic composites for SERS applications. Additionally, it provides a new perspective on using Raman imaging in developing 2D materials as analytical platforms for Raman spectroscopy, an exciting emerging research area with significant potential.
Azorubin im Erfrischungsgetränk
Authors: Scheer Carola
Published: March 2024

In der vorgestellten Unterrichtseinheit führen die Schülerinnen und Schüler mit ihren eigenen digitalen Endgeräten eine quantitative Konzentrationsbestimmung eines Farbstoffes durch. Gegenstand der Untersuchung ist das isotonische Sportgetränk „Powerade Wild Cherry“, welches den Azofarbstoff Azorubin (E 122) enthält und den meisten Jugendlichen aus ihrer Lebenswelt bekannt ist. So wird, anknüpfend an Alltagserfahrungen, ein schulpraktikabler Weg beschritten, um die Massenkonzentration des Azofarbstoffes zu bestimmen. Die zur Konzentrationsbestimmung nötige Vorgehensweise wird von den Lernenden sukzessive in einem Wechsel aus zentralen und dezentralen Phasen erarbeitet und anschließend durchgeführt. Auf diese Weise werden sowohl kognitive als auch praktische Grundlagen gelegt, um das grundlegende Messprinzip einer professionellen Konzentrationsbestimmung mit einem echten UV/VIS‐Spektralphotometer zu verstehen. Vertiefend werden der Aufbau und die Funktionsweise eines klassischen Spektralphotometers vorgestellt und mit dem selbst entwickelten Smartphone‐Photometer‐Aufbau verglichen und analogisiert. Die in der Praxis erprobte Unterrichtseinheit legt nahe, dass ein tiefergreifendes Verständnis über die Funktionsweise eines Blackbox‐Gerätes wie das Spektralphotometer besonders dann hervorragend generiert werden kann, wenn die Schülerinnen und Schüler sich die nötige Vorgehensweise und das Messprinzip selbst erarbeiten und erst im Anschluss daran das tatsächliche Gerät kennenlernen.
Sustainable approach to integrate a conventional power plant and renewable energies, coupled with the Goswami cycle and Maisotsenko heat exchanger
Authors: Bakhshayesh Ali , Ozgoli Hassan Ali , Mirzahosseini Alireza Haji Seyed , Saraei Alireza , Ezam Mojtaba
Published: March 2024

This paper presents a pioneering investigation into an integrated power generation cycle that combines gas turbines, steam turbines, Goswami cycles, biomass fuel, solar energy sources, and advanced Maisotsenko heat exchangers. Biomass gasification has been applied to partially fuel the gas turbine, while the M‐Cycle serves as the gas turbine inlet air cooling system. Solar parabolic collectors are utilized to elevate the compressed air temperature for combustion, and the Goswami cycle generates both power and cooling through waste heat recovery. This research addresses a critical gap by undertaking a holistic examination of the integrated power generation cycle, modelling the overall system performance by considering interactions and synergies between various components. The base model has been implemented, and the impacts of influential parameters on system efficiency, such as ambient temperature, seasonal variation, and steam‐to‐biomass ratio, have been taken into consideration. Remarkably, the incorporation of the M‐Cycle, solar parabolic systems, steam cycles, and the Goswami cycle into the base gas cycle results in substantial energy efficiency enhancements of 1.59%, 1.96%, 16.87%, and 6.06%, respectively, highlighting the transformative potential of this integrated approach for sustainable and efficient power generation.
Aryl Sulfoxides: A Traceless Directing Group for Catalytic C−H Activation of Arenes
Authors: Marqués Pablo Simón , Kammerer Claire
Published: March 2024

The transition metal‐catalyzed C−H activation of arenes directed by sulfoxides represents a compelling strategy in organic synthesis, owing to its exceptional regioselectivity and high efficiency. This innovative approach stands out for its traceless character, enabling the direct functionalization of arenes, before the easy removal or conversion of the key sulfinyl moiety. Beyond their utility as a directing group, sulfoxides have proved particularly valuable to mediate as chiral auxiliaries, presenting exciting prospects for the synthesis of stereo‐enriched compounds upon C−H functionalization. The versatility demonstrated by the method paves the way to different structures with potential applications ranging from medicinal chemistry to organic electronics.
Photon Management Enabled by Opal and Inverse Opal Photonic Crystals: from Photocatalysis to Photoluminescence Regulation
Authors: Wang Hui , Cheng Yiyan , Zhu Jintao , Zhang Lianbin
Published: March 2024

Light is a promising renewable energy source and can be converted into heat, electricity, and chemical energy. However, the efficiency of light‐energy conversion is largely hindered by limited light‐absorption coefficients and the low quantum yield of current‐generation materials. Photonic crystals (PCs) can adjust the propagation and distribution of photons because of their unique periodic structures, which offers a compelling platform for photon management. The periodicity of materials with an alternating refractive index can be used to manipulate the dispersion of photons to generate the photonic bandgap (PBG), in which light is reflected. The slow photon effect, i. e., photon propagation at a reduced group velocity near the edges of the PBG, is widely regarded as another valuable optical property for manipulating light. Furthermore, multiple light scattering can increase the optical path, which is a vital optical property for PCs. Recently, the light reflected by PBG, the slow photon effect, and multiple light scattering have been exploited to improve light utilization efficiency in photoelectrochemistry, materials chemistry, and biomedicine to enhance light‐energy conversion efficiency. In this review, the fabrication of opal or inverse opal PCs and the theory for improving the light utilization efficiency of photocatalysis, solar cells, and photoluminescence regulation are discussed. We envision photon management of opal or inverse opal PCs may provide a promising avenue for light‐assisted applications to improve light‐energy‐conversion efficiency.
Practical 10‐Color T‐Cell Panel for Phenotyping Diverse Populations Using Spectral Flow Cytometry: A Beginner's Guide
Authors: Zargaran Sina , Oveisi Morvarid , Sun Chunxiang , Barbour Abdelahhad , Glogauer Michael
Published: March 2024

Flow cytometry stands as the most employed high‐throughput single‐cell analysis technique, facilitating the profiling of remarkably diverse samples, such as blood, bone marrow and body fluids. In addition, it allows for the discrimination of diverse immune cell subsets, including infrequently encountered types like T regulatory cells and exhausted CD28Null T cells. However, analyzing rare immune cell subsets with conventional flow cytometry poses challenges stemming from factors like fluorophore overlap, compensation issues, and limited flexibility in fluorophore selection. Therefore, spectral flow cytometry offers advantages over traditional flow cytometry. It measures the full emission spectrum and then separates it to identify different fluorochromes. This enables the use of fluorochromes with significant overlap in a single test, allowing for the analysis of more protein markers. Following this, spectral technology employs precise calculations to separate individual fluorochromes, thereby enabling the detection and elimination of autofluorescent signals originating from cells within the entire emission spectrum. This capability is pivotal in achieving deep phenotyping of immune cells with the requisite sensitivity and resolution essential for monitoring the immune systems of patients with compromised immunity, such as cancer and autoimmune disorders. Additionally, it allows for the exploration of interactions between distinct immune subsets. In this context, we introduce an optimized protocol utilizing spectral flow cytometry for precise T‐cell characterization and differentiation, encompassing the assessment of their activation states. Furthermore, this protocol extends its applicability to the identification of less common circulating T‐cell populations, notably T‐regulatory and CD28Null T cells, following autofluorescence correction within the spectrum. This protocol provides a set of steps and reagents for the surface and intracellular staining of human T cells using whole peripheral blood. The spectral‐based design of this panel allows for its applicability to other spectral machines, providing a versatile and efficient tool for T‐cell analysis. © 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Achieving optimal staining through effective antibody titration

Basic Protocol 2: Single‐cell staining

Basic Protocol 3: Comprehensive panel staining post‐titration and spectral library integration
Assessment of bioactive compounds, antioxidant potential, and enzymatic activity in different guava (Psidium guajava) cultivars
Authors: Kumari Priyanka , Mankar Abhay , Karuna Kumari , Homa Fozia , Ilahy Riadh , Siddiqui Mohammed Wasim
Published: March 2024

Fresh fruits of five guava (Psidium guajava L.) cultivars were assessed for ascorbic acid (AA) content and enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase [SOD] and ascorbate peroxidase [APX]) activities, while extracted peel and pulp samples were analyzed for total phenol (TP) and total flavonoids (TFs). The hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidant activity was evaluated using six different analytical assays. We noticed significant differences in the antioxidant compounds (AA, TP, and TF). SOD and APX activities varied from ∼54 to 71 and ∼41 to 59 U/g FW, respectively. Cv. KG Guava had the highest TP (in both hydrophilic and lipophilic peel and pulp fractions) and TF (in hydrophilic pulp and lipophilic peel and pulp fractions). Therefore, the strongest antioxidant potential was exhibited by KG Guava using most of the assays, which was followed by the cultivars Kimchu and Salithong. The results provide valuable information about antioxidant potential of guava peel and pulp fractions, which is essential for their future application in the food and health industry.
Awareness and engagement of listed companies in combating deforestation and forest degradation in Brazil
Authors: Baccas Daniela , Warnatzsch Erika A.
Published: March 2024

Forests provide invaluable ecosystem services, including critical services such as climate regulation. Increasing rates of deforestation in Brazil, home of some of the world's largest and most ecologically diverse tropical forests, poses several threats to businesses; companies face the challenge of intensified physical risks, stringent regulations, and pressure from investors and consumers demanding low‐carbon investment and product practices. This study investigated a sample of 232 listed Brazilian companies to understand their awareness of the forest agenda and commitment to forest protection. Although most companies are aware of forest‐related issues, risk management and impact monitoring are lacking. This analysis provides qualitative insights into listed Brazilian companies' perceptions of forest‐related issues, demonstrating the need to raise risk awareness and increase engagement. The study findings suggest that regulatory measures can leverage corporate disclosure of forest engagement, encouraging risk reduction and maximizing opportunities aligned with the climate agenda.
Facilitator Meg Bolger says we can all hone this skill
Authors: May Rachel
Published: March 2024

Facilitator Meg Bolger helps people move through difficult conversations and has been training professional facilitators for the last ten years. She's in her element in moments most of us might try to avoid, but she notes that we are likely doing this work without realizing it. Anyone who leads a meeting, teaches a class, or supervises people is a facilitator and can hone those skills to deepen engagement within groups.
Usefulness of oxygen uptake efficiency slope in a 6 min walk test in chronic heart failure
Authors: Kim Min Sun , Bong Woori , Choi Jung Hyun , Shin Myung‐Jun , Lee Byeong‐Ju
Published: March 2024

Aims

Frailty is an obstacle to performing cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). We evaluated the usefulness of oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) using a 6 min walk test (6MWT) with portable gas analysis compared with CPET‐derived parameters in patients with CHF.

Methods and results

Patients with CHF who underwent both the 6MWT with portable gas analysis and CPET between December 2016 and May 2020 were retrospectively investigated. The 6MWT‐derived and echocardiographic parameters were compared with the OUES and peak oxygen consumption (VO2) from the CPET. Forty patients were analysed; 50% were male with a mean age of 55.45 ± 14.70 years. Twenty‐six patients (65%) had New York Heart Association Functional Classification II or III dyspnoea. Twenty‐five patients (62.5%) had heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (EF) (left ventricular EF > 50%), and nine patients (22.5%) had HF with reduced EF (EF < 40%). During the 6MWT, the peak VO2 was 14.97 ± 3.80 mL/kg/min, which was only 74% of the peak VO2 in the CPET, 20.18 ± 5.64 mL/kg/min. The OUES in the 6MWT was lower than that in the CPET (1528.87 ± 579.01 in the 6MWT vs. 1638.69 ± 601.31 in the CPET). The 6 min walk distance (6MWD) and OUES in the 6MWT were positively correlated with the OUES in the CPET (6MWD, r = 0.434, P = 0.005; OUES, r = 0.729, P < 0.001). The OUES in the 6MWT showed the strongest correlation with the OUES in the CPET. When we divided patients into two groups according to peak VO2 in the CPET, the correlation between OUES values of the 6MWT and that of the CPET was consistently confirmed (peak VO2 ≥ 20 mL/kg/min group, r = 0.661, P = 0.001; peak VO2 < 20 mL/kg/min group, r = 0.526, P = 0.021). In addition, the 6MWD, OUES, and peak VO2 in the 6MWT were associated with peak VO2 in the CPET (6MWD, r = 0.627, P < 0.001; OUES, r = 0.452, P = 0.003; and peak VO2, r = 0.492, P = 0.001).

Conclusions

In frail patients with CHF who have difficulty performing maximal exercises, the OUES through the 6MWT may be applied instead of the OUES and peak VO2 from the CPET.
Lycium barbarum polysaccharide mitigated methamphetamine addiction and altered methamphetamine‐induced gut microbiota dysbiosis
Authors: Zhuang Jingshen , Chen Qianling , Xu Luyao , Qiao Dongfang , Chen Xuebing
Published: March 2024

Methamphetamine (MA) is a highly addictive mental stimulant, and MA abuse remains a significant public health problem worldwide, while effective treatment options are limited. Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP), a major effective component extracted from Lycium barbarum, has potential health‐promoting effects on the nervous system; however, its role in MA dependence remains unclear. In this study, the conditioned place preference (CPP) of MA addiction in adult male mice was established to detect changes in gut microbiota profiles after LBP treatment through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Our results found that LBP administration could alleviate MA‐induced CPP and hyperactivity. Interestingly, LBP improved MA‐induced gut microbiota dysbiosis by increasing some beneficial autochthonous genus abundances, such as Allobaculum, Gordonibacter, and Ileibacterium. MA exposure induced the co‐occurrence network of intestinal microbiota to become weaker and more unstable when compared with the control group, while LBP changed the above effects when compared with the MA group. Bacterial gene function prediction showed that amphetamine addiction, cocaine addiction, and short‐chain fatty acid metabolism were enriched. These findings reveal that LBP might regulate MA‐induced gut microbiota and behavior changes, which showed potential therapeutic applicability in treating MA addiction by regulating the gut microbiota.
Who is to blame? Stories of European Union migration governance in Italian, Maltese, and Spanish newspapers
Authors: Abisso Martina , Terlizzi Andrea , Cusumano Eugenio
Published: March 2024

While scholars have investigated how media frame human mobility and securitize irregular border crossings, little research has been dedicated to how European Union (EU) actors are portrayed in media coverage of migration across the Mediterranean. By integrating framing into narrative analysis through the Narrative Policy Framework, our article fills this gap. Specifically, we provide a content analysis of Italian, Maltese, and Spanish newspapers and identify the key narratives underlying the portrayal of specific EU actors. We show that, overall, lack of EU solidarity is the prevalent issue in Italian, Maltese, and Spanish newspapers alike, followed by the alleged inefficiency of EU actors. Accordingly, the EU and its key actors are regularly narrated as either villains, responsible for the crisis and deserting member states in need of solidarity, or as weaklings unable to take effective action. These narratives appear remarkably consistent across countries, over time, and newspapers with different ideological orientation.
Back cover image
Authors: Tang Chunmei , Yao Yao , Wang Ning , Zhang Xiaohan , Zheng Fangyuan , Du Lei , Luo Dongxiang , Aoki Yoshitaka , Ye Siyu
Published: March 2024

Protonic solid oxide electrolysis cell combined with intermittent renewable energy is a promising green hydrogen production technology.

image
Asiatic acid and madecassic acid cause cardiotoxicity via inflammation and production of excessive reactive oxygen species in zebrafish
Authors: Guo Qingquan , Li Qiuru , Liang Wenyao , Zhang Yudong , Jiang Chenyang , Zhang Yihan , Tan Jianhua , Zhao Haishan
Published: March 2024

Centella asiatica (L.) Urban is a famous Chinese traditional medicine, which is widely used for treating various chronic inflammatory diseases. Although there are reports that Centella total glycosides exhibit heart‐protective properties, our previous experiment showed that it has cardiac toxic effects in zebrafish. The components of Centella total glycosides are complex, so we recommend further research to determine their key components and mechanisms. In this study, sample quantification was done using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The cardiotoxicity of Centella total glycosides, asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid, and madecassic acid was evaluated using zebrafish and cell models. The zebrafish oxidative stress model and myocarditis model were used to explore further the mechanisms through which cardiotoxicity is achieved. Asiatic acid and madecassic acid caused zebrafish cardiotoxicity and H9C2 cell death. However, no toxicity effects were observed for asiaticoside and madecassoside in zebrafish, until the solution was saturated. The results from the cell model study showed that asiatic acid and madecassic acid changed the expression of apoptosis‐related genes in myocardial cells. In the zebrafish model, high concentrations of these components raised the levels of induced systemic inflammation, neutrophils gathered in the heart, and oxidative stress injury. Asiatic acid and madecassic acid are the main components causing cardiotoxicity in zebrafish. This may be due to enhanced inflammation and reactive oxygen species injury, which causes myocardial cell apoptosis, which further leads to cardiac toxicity.
Post‐weaning social isolation modifies neonatal anoxia‐induced changes in energy metabolism and growth of rats
Authors: Cruz‐Ochoa Natalia Andrea , Motta‐Teixeira Lívia Clemente , Cruz‐Ochoa Pablo Felipe , Lopez‐Paredes Santiago , Ochoa‐Amaya Julieta Esperanza , Takada Silvia Honda , Xavier Gilberto Fernando , Nogueira Maria Inês
Published: March 2024

Neonatal oxygen deficiency in rats may disturb growth and long‐term metabolic homeostasis. In order to facilitate metabolic evaluation, the subjects are usually housed individually. However, social isolation associated with individually housed conditions alters animal behavior, which may influence the experimental results. This study investigated the effects of social isolation on neonatal anoxia‐induced changes in growth and energy metabolism. Male and female Wistar rats were exposed, on postnatal day 2 (P2), to either 25‐min of anoxia or control treatment. From P27 onward, part of the subjects of each group was isolated in standard cages, and the remaining subjects were housed in groups. At P34 or P95, the subjects were fasted for 18 h, refeed for 1 h, and then perfused 30 min later. Glycemia, leptin, insulin, and morphology of the pancreas were evaluated at both ages. For subjects perfused at P95, body weight and food intake were recorded up to P90, and the brain was collected for Fos and NeuN immunohistochemistry. Results showed that male rats exposed to neonatal anoxia and social isolation exhibited increased body weight gain despite the lack of changes in food intake. In addition, social isolation (1) decreased post‐fasting weight loss and post‐fasting food intake and (2) increased glycemia, insulin, and leptin levels of male and female rats exposed to anoxia and control treatments, both at P35 and P95. Furthermore, although at P35, anoxia increased insulin levels of males, it decreased the area of the β‐positive cells in the pancreas of females. At P95, anoxia increased post‐prandial weight loss of males, post‐fasting food intake, insulin, and leptin, and decreased Fos expression in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of males and females. Hyperphagia was associated with possible resistance to leptin and insulin, suspected by the high circulating levels of these hormones and poor neuronal activation of ARC. This study demonstrated that continuous social isolation from weaning modifies, in a differentiated way, the long‐term energy metabolism and growth of male and female Wistar rats exposed to neonatal anoxia or even control treatments. Therefore, social isolation should be considered as a factor that negatively influences experimental results and the outcomes of the neonatal injury. These results should also be taken into account in clinical procedures, since the used model simulates the preterm babies' conditions and some therapeutic approaches require isolation.