bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Organic Light‐Emitting Physically Unclonable Functions
Authors: Kayaci Nilgun , Ozdemir Resul , Kalay Mustafa , Kiremitler N. Burak , Usta Hakan , Onses M. Serdar
Published: December 2021

The development of novel physically unclonable functions (PUFs) is of growing interest and fluorescent organic semiconductors (f‐OSCs) offer unique advantages of structural versatility, solution‐processability, ease of processing, and great tuning ability of their physicochemical/optoelectronic/spectroscopic properties. The design and ambient atmosphere facile fabrication of a unique organic light‐emitting physically unclonable function (OLE‐PUF) based on a green‐emissive fluorescent oligo(p‐phenyleneethynylene) molecule is reported. The OLE‐PUFs have been prepared by one‐step, brief (5 min) thermal annealing of spin‐coated nanoscopic films (≈40 nm) at a modest temperature (170 °C), which results in efficient surface dewetting to form randomly positioned/sized hemispherical features with bright fluorescence. The random positioning of molecular domains generated the unclonable surface with excellent uniformity (0.50), uniqueness (0.49), and randomness (p > 0.01); whereas the distinctive photophysical and structural properties of the molecule created the additional security layers (fluorescence profile, excited‐state decay dynamics, Raman mapping/spectrum, and infrared spectrum) for multiplex encoding. The OLE‐PUFs on substrates of varying chemical structures, surface energies and flexibility, and direct deposition on goods via drop‐casting are demonstrated. The OLE‐PUFs immersed in water, exposed to mechanical abrasion, and read‐out repeatedly via fluorescence imaging showed great stability. These findings clearly demonstrate that rationally engineered solution‐processable f‐OSCs have a great potential to become a key player in the development of new‐generation PUFs.
Rational Design of Hydrogel Networks with Dynamic Mechanical Properties to Mimic Matrix Remodeling
Authors: Wiley Katherine L. , Sutherland Bryan P. , Ogunnaike Babatunde A. , Kloxin April M.
Published: December 2021

Engineered hydrogels are increasingly used as extracellular matrix (ECM) surrogates for probing cell function in response to ECM remodeling events related to injury or disease (e.g., degradation followed by deposition/crosslinking). Inspired by these events, this work establishes an approach for pseudo‐reversible mechanical property modulation in synthetic hydrogels by integrating orthogonal, enzymatically triggered crosslink degradation, and light‐triggered photopolymerization stiffening. Hydrogels are formed by a photo‐initiated thiol–ene reaction between multiarm polyethylene glycol and a dually enzymatically degradable peptide linker, which incorporates a thrombin‐degradable sequence for triggered softening and a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐degradable sequence for cell‐driven remodeling. Hydrogels are stiffened by photopolymerization using a flexible, MMP‐degradable polymer‐peptide conjugate and multiarm macromers, increasing the synthetic matrix crosslink density while retaining degradability. Integration of these tools enables sequential softening and stiffening inspired by matrix remodeling events within loose connective tissues (Young's modulus (E) ≈5 to 1.5 to 6 kPa with >3x ΔE). The cytocompatibility and utility of this approach is examined with breast cancer cells, where cell proliferation shows a dependence on the timing of triggered softening. This work provides innovative tools for 3D dynamic property modulation that are synthetically accessible and cell compatible.
Photothermal Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticles for Suppressing Breast Tumor Growth by Regulating TRPA1 Ion Channels
Authors: Li Boying , Ren Shuxi , Gao Dong , Li Ning , Wu Manman , Yuan Hongbo , Zhou Mei , Xing Chengfen
Published: December 2021

Cancer cells survive by relying on oxidative stress defense against the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during tumor formation. ROS‐sensitive TRPA1 ion channels are overexpressed in breast cancer cells and induce a large influx of Ca2+which upregulates the anti‐apoptotic pathway to lead breast cancer cells to produce oxidative stress defense and enhance the resistance to ROS related chemotherapy. Targeting and inhibiting the TRPA1 ion channels are critical for breaking down the oxidative stress defense system and overcoming cellular resistance. Here, near‐infrared (NIR) light‐responsive conjugated polymer nanoparticles are designed and prepared to promote apoptosis of breast cancer cells, reduce cell drug resistance and suppress tumor growth through the remote and precise regulation of TRPA1 ion channels. Upon 808 nm laser irradiation, the nanoparticles block the formation of Ca2+/CaM complex and regulate the content of MCL‐1 protein. Especially, the nanoparticles overcome drug resistance of cancer cells, therefore accelerating apoptosis of cancer cells and suppressing tumor growth in mice. Compared with carboplatin, the volume of tumor induced by NPs‐H decreases by 54.1%. This work provides a strategy to disrupt the oxidative stress defense system and downregulate the antiapoptotic signaling pathway in cancer cells.
Multiferroic‐Enabled Magnetic‐Excitons in 2D Quantum‐Entangled Van der Waals Antiferromagnet NiI2
Authors: Son Suhan , Lee Youjin , Kim Jae Ha , Kim Beom Hyun , Kim Chaebin , Na Woongki , Ju Hwiin , Park Sudong , Nag Abhishek , Zhou Ke‐Jin , Son Young‐Woo , Kim Hyeongdo , Noh Woo‐Suk , Park Jae‐Hoon , Lee Jong Seok , Cheong Hyeonsik , Kim Jae Hoon , Park Je‐Geun
Published: December 2021

Matter–light interaction is at the center of diverse research fields from quantum optics to condensed matter physics, opening new fields like laser physics. A magnetic exciton is one such rare example found in magnetic insulators. However, it is relatively rare to observe that external variables control matter‐light interaction. Here, it is reported that the broken inversion symmetry of multiferroicity can act as an external knob enabling magnetic excitons in the van der Waals antiferromagnet NiI2. It is further discovered that this magnetic exciton arises from a transition between Zhang–Rice‐triplet and Zhang–Rice‐singlet fundamentally quantum‐entangled states. This quantum entanglement produces an ultrasharp optical exciton peak at 1.384 eV with a 5 meV linewidth. The work demonstrates that NiI2 is 2D magnetically ordered with an intrinsically quantum‐entangled ground state.
Femtosecond Pulse Generation by Nonlinear Optical Gain Modulation
Authors: Qi Weiao , Zhou Jiaqi , Cui Shuzhen , Cheng Xin , Zeng Xin , Feng Yan
Published: December 2021

Many approaches have been explored to generate ultrafast lasers including mode locking, microresonators, electro‐optic modulation, and gain‐switched diodes. Despite much progress, it is still challenging to generate high‐performance ultrafast pulses with wavelength versatility in a simple approach. Herein, a new method is proposed and demonstrated to transform a continuous‐wave (CW) single‐frequency laser into femtosecond‐scale pulses by nonlinear optical gain modulation in a fiber Raman amplifier. The proof‐of‐principle setup generates a stable and highly coherent laser at 1120 nm with a pulse energy of 25.7 nJ, a pulse width of 436 fs, and an optical efficiency of 69.4% by 14 ps gain modulation. Numerical simulation shows that pulse energy scaling to micro‐Joule level is feasible by increasing pump energy. By cascading the conversion process, high‐energy, femtosecond‐scale pulses can be produced over a wide spectral range.
Bound States in the Continuum in All‐Dielectric Metasurface: Separation of Sub‐10 nm Enantiomers
Authors: Mao Libang , Liu Kuan , Lian Meng , Jia Jingyuan , Su Ying , Ren Haonan , Zhou Lei-Ming , Cao Tun
Published: December 2021

Enantioseparation is crucial in pharmaceutics and agrochemicals. Compared to the current chemical technique, the optical enantioseparation is more effective means yet hampered by the weak chiral optical force. Recently, plasmonic nanostructures have been theoretically demonstrated to excite superchiral fields that can enhance enantioselective optical forces. Yet, the quality (Q) factors of plasmonic resonances are limited by the ohmic losses intrinsically existing in metals, thus hindering their applications for sorting of a few nanometer size chiral molecules (i.e., proteins and DNA). Herein, a dielectric metasurface consisting of an array of silicon (Si) rings with a broken symmetry is proposed. This dielectric metasurface can excite a sharp high‐Qmagnetic dipolar (MD) resonance caused by a distortion of symmetry‐protected bound states in the continuum (BICs), so called quasi‐BIC. It is shown that this quasi‐BIC MD resonance can pronouncedly improve the chiral lateral force on the paired enantiomers under linearly polarized illumination, offering an enantioseparation of sub‐10 nm nanoparticles with chirality parameters of ±0.2 in 1 ms. The work provides a new approach for enantiopurification and enantioseparation, taking a novel perspective to discriminate and separate chiral molecules in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
Tunable Circularly Polarized Luminescence of Excited‐State‐Proton‐Transfer‐Based Chiral Guanidine
Authors: Han Dongxue , Li Chengxi , Jin Xue , Zhou Jin , Xu Yuelong , Jiao Tifeng , Duan Pengfei
Published: December 2021

Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) of chiral materials responsive to external stimuli has drawn widespread attention due to their important applications in smart photonic materials. Here, a CPL‐active chiral emitter derived from guanidine‐substituted 1,8‐naphthalimide (R/S‐1) is reported, which could emit tunable circularly polarized light through regulating the situation of protonation/deprotonation in aqueous, as well as the solvent polarity. Tunable fluorescence emission from the protonated compound can be observed, which is contributed to excited‐state proton transfer of guanidine moiety, as well as the intramolecular charge transfer of naphthalimide group. Subsequently, color‐tunable CPL is obtained, enabling a single‐molecule‐white‐color circularly polarized light emission. Additionally, by introducing R/S‐1 into chiral nematic liquid crystal film, CPL emission is adjusted by exposing to acid/alkaline environment, which can be directly distinguished by naked eyes due to the extremely large dissymmetry factor (|glum| = 1.1). This work opens new venues for photonic applications of CPL active materials.
Severity of early diagnosed organ/space surgical site infection in elective gastrointestinal and hepatopancreatobiliary surgery
Authors: Okui Jun , Obara Hideaki , Shimane Gaku , Sato Yasunori , Kawakubo Hirofumi , Kitago Minoru , Okabayashi Koji , Kitagawa Yuko
Published: December 2021

Background

Organ/space surgical site infection (SSI) is a significant clinical problem. The postdiagnosis course of organ/space SSIs and the impact of its early diagnosis on clinical outcomes are yet to be clarified. Thus, we aimed to investigate the association between the timing of diagnosis and the clinical outcome of organ/space SSI.

Methods

This retrospective, single‐center cohort study evaluated patients who underwent elective gastrointestinal or hepatopancreatobiliary surgery between 2016 and 2020. Clinical outcomes were compared between the early group (ie, SSI diagnosed until postoperative day [POD] 4) and normal‐late group (ie, SSI diagnosed after POD 5). The primary outcome was the final C‐reactive protein (CRP) level within 14 d after organ/space SSI diagnosis.

Results

In total, 110 patients were evaluated. The median time of diagnosis was 7 d postoperatively (interquartile range, 5–9 d postoperatively). Compared with the normal‐late group, the early group included a higher proportion of patients with Clavien–Dindo grade ≥IIIb (8/21 vs 11/89, P = .01), higher final CRP value within 14 d after SSI diagnosis (mean, 4.49 mg/dL vs 2.27 mg/dL, P = .01), longer postoperative length of hospitalization (median, 45.0 d vs 33.0 d; P = .028), and worse 1‐y overall survival rate (74.8% vs 89.3%, P = .08).

Conclusion

Early diagnosed organ/space SSI are originally severe and may therefore be detected earlier. Importantly, early diagnosed organ/space SSI is likely to be severe and refractory.
Inorganic Chiral Hybrid Nanostructures for Tailored Chiroptics and Chirality‐Dependent Photocatalysis
Authors: Tan Lili , Yu Shang‐Jie , Jin Yiran , Li Jiaming , Wang Peng‐peng
Published: December 2021

Inorganic chiral hybrid nanostructures that embed chirality within distinct material compositions can create novel chiral properties and functionalities absent from achiral nanostructures; however, they remain largely unexplored. We report, for the first time, a class of chiral plasmonic metal‐semiconductor core‐shell nanostructures that employ structurally chiral nanoparticles as chirality inducing templates to grow functional shell materials, which allowed us to independently control material parameters such as core geometry and shell thickness, as well as handedness of the system. We experimentally and theoretically achieved enhanced and tunable chiroptical activity of the heterostructures as a result of the core‐shell strong coupling effect. As a proof‐of‐concept demonstration, we demonstrate that the chiral hybrid nanostructures can drive chirality‐dependent photocatalytic hydrogen generation under circularly polarized light. This study enables rational design and functionalization of chiral hybrid nanomaterials towards enhanced chiral light–matter interactions and chiral device applications.
A General Access Route to High‐Nuclearity, Metal‐Functionalized Molecular Vanadium Oxides
Authors: Greiner Simon , Hettig Jan , Laws Alec , Baumgärtner Katharina , Bustos Jenna , Pöppler Ann‐Christin , Clark Adam H. , Nyman May , Streb Carsten , Anjass Montaha
Published: December 2021

Molecular metal oxides are key materials in diverse fields like energy storage and conversion, molecular magnetism and as model systems for solid‐state metal oxides. To improve their performance and increase the variety of accessible motifs, new synthetic approaches are necessary. Herein, we report a universal, new precursor to access different metal‐functionalized polyoxovanadate (POV) clusters. The precursor is synthesized by a novel solid‐state thermal treatment procedure. Solution‐phase test reactions at room temperature and pressure show that reaction of the precursor with various metal nitrate salts gives access to a range of metal‐functionalized POVs. The first nitrate‐templated molecular calcium vanadate cluster is reported. We show that this precursor could open new access routes to POV components for molecular magnetism, energy technologies or catalysis.
A Chemoenzymatic Cascade Combining a Hydration Catalyst with an Amine Dehydrogenase: Synthesis of Chiral Amines
Authors: Chang Fengwei , Wang Chengyi , Chen Qipeng , Zhang Yongjin , Liu Guohua
Published: December 2021

The combination of biocatalysis and transition‐metal catalysis can complement synthetic gaps only in a chemical or biological process. However, the intrinsic mutual deactivation between enzymatic and chemical species is a significant challenge in a single operation. To address the above issue, we developed an encapsulated Au/carbene combined with a free amine dehydrogenase as a co‐catalyst system that enables an efficient hydration/amination enantioselective cascade process to be accomplished. The mechanistic investigation discloses dual catalysis comprised of alkyne hydration, followed by a reductive amination process.
A Chemical Biology Toolbox Targeting the Intracellular Binding Site of CCR9: Fluorescent Ligands, New Drug Leads and PROTACs
Authors: Huber Max E. , Toy Lara , Schmidt Maximilian F. , Vogt Hannah , Budzinski Julian , Wiefhoff Martin F. J. , Merten Nicole , Kostenis Evi , Weikert Dorothee , Schiedel Matthias
Published: December 2021

A conserved intracellular allosteric binding site (IABS) has recently been identified at several G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs). Starting from vercirnon, an intracellular C−C chemokine receptor type 9 (CCR9) antagonist and previous phase III clinical candidate for the treatment of Crohn's disease, we developed a chemical biology toolbox targeting the IABS of CCR9. We first synthesized a fluorescent ligand enabling equilibrium and kinetic binding studies via NanoBRET as well as fluorescence microscopy. Applying this molecular tool in a membrane‐based setup and in living cells, we discovered a 4‐aminopyrimidine analogue as a new intracellular CCR9 antagonist with improved affinity. To chemically induce CCR9 degradation, we then developed the first PROTAC targeting the IABS of GPCRs. In a proof‐of‐principle study, we succeeded in showing that our CCR9‐PROTAC is able to reduce CCR9 levels, thereby offering an unprecedented approach to modulate GPCR activity.
Modified thermal‐ and sound‐absorption properties of plaster sandwich panels with natural rubber‐latex compounds for building construction
Authors: Pianklang Sompratthana , Muntongkaw Sarun , Tangboriboon Nuchnapa
Published: December 2021

Natural rubber‐latex compounds were embedded with glass fibers as a sandwich layer to modify the thermal‐ and sound‐absorption properties of plaster sandwich‐panel composites by casting. The physical, thermal, mechanical, and sound‐absorption properties of the composites were compared to those of the commercial gypsum ceiling according to the American Society for Testing and Materials and Thai Industrial Standards. The optimum sample was a plaster sandwich‐panel composite with 20 wt% natural rubber‐latex compounds, 10 wt% NaHCO3, and 10 wt% tissue paper (PN0‐2010‐10). It exhibited low‐bulk density (0.7504 g/cm3), low‐thermal conductivity (0.0775 ± 0.0005 W/m.K), good noise‐reduction coefficient (NRC) (0.2142), and a high percentage of sound‐absorption coefficient (56.02%) at a low frequency of 500 Hz. On the other hand, the reference sample (P0‐0‐0) exhibited high‐bulk density (1.1363 g/cm3), high‐thermal conductivity (0.3387 ± 0.0003 W/m.K), low NRC (0.1381), and a low percentage of sound‐absorption coefficient (10.07%) at a low frequency of 500 Hz. Therefore, the obtained plaster sandwich‐panel composites are promising as building materials for the protective and decorative coating of walls and ceilings.
Assessing foraging variability on small islands in Manu‘a (American Samoa) during the first millennium BC
Authors: LAMBRIDES ARIANA B.J. , WEISLER MARSHALL I. , CLARK JEFFREY T. , QUINTUS SETH , WORTHY TREVOR H. , BUCKLEY HALLIE
Published: December 2021

Small islands are important model systems for examining the role of people in shaping novel environments and modifying resources through time. Here we report on the vertebrate faunal assemblages recovered from two sites on Ofu and Olosega islands (American Samoa), which were occupied only a few centuries after the initial settlement of the islands. We assess forager decision‐making both locally and regionally as well as changing subsistence regimes. Our results suggest foraging efforts were focused on the marine environment, particularly fish, but with concomitant evidence for interactions with terrestrial habitats (e.g. seabirds) including the introduction of commensal species (i.e. red junglefowl and Pacific rat). Notably we documented a high degree of similarity between the fish species reported archaeologically and those targeted by modern subsistence fishers in the region, which is despite the occurrence of wide scale coastal landscape changes over the past several thousand years. These preliminary outcomes may suggest fish resources have remained stable through initial occupation to the present‐day, but future zooarchaeological research is required to comprehensively evaluate the sustainability of the marine fishery over the past several millennia.
Time scale reachability and controllability of time‐varying linear systems
Authors: Ben Nasser Bacem , Djemai Mohamed , Defoort Michael , Laleg‐Kirati Taous‐Meriem
Published: December 2021

In this paper, we investigate the analysis of reachability and controllability for time‐varying linear systems evolving on nonuniform time domains also known as arbitrary time scales. Based on appropriate operators, some necessary and sufficient conditions are derived to guarantee the reachability for this class of systems using linear algebra tools. Furthermore, a link between optimality and the proposed operators is given. Then, the connection between reachability and controllability analysis on arbitrary time scales is discussed. Through the paper, some examples illustrate the theoretical results.
Pareto optimum design of an adaptive robust backstepping controller for an unmanned aerial vehicle
Authors: Mahmoodabadi Mohammad Javad , Babak Nima Rezaee
Published: December 2021

This research develops an adaptive robust backstepping (AR‐backstepping) controller for stabilization of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having strong coupling and highly nonlinear dynamics. At first, the backstepping control method as the basic stabilizer is utilized to determine the control efforts of the considered UAV. Next, an adaptive‐robust mechanism subject to gradient decent methods and sliding surfaces is implemented to regulate the control gains. In fact, this mechanism determines the speed of changes of the gain values of the backstepping controller to make better responses in the presence of disturbances and uncertainties. Then, the optimum values of the design parameters related to the adaptive‐robust mechanism are selected by using a multi‐objective ant‐lion optimization (MOALO) algorithm to simultaneously minimize the total error and control efforts. Finally, the results for a UAV developed in the Sirjan University of Technology, Sirjan, Iran, are given to confirm the effectiveness, robustness, and advantages of the designed AR‐backstepping controller.
Cultural differences in social communication and interaction: A gap in autism research
Authors: Golson Megan E. , Ficklin Erica , Haverkamp Cassity R. , McClain Maryellen Brunson , Harris Bryn
Published: December 2021

Social communication and interaction deficits are a diagnostic criteria of autism and integral to practitioner and researcher conceptualization. Culture is an influential factor in expectations for, and demonstration of, social communication and interaction skills, but there is limited research published in autism journals on this topic. This paucity of autism research examining cultural factors related to social communication and interaction may contribute to known identification disparities for racial and ethnic populations minoritized by systemic factors and research bias. We call for increased commitment from researchers to recruit racially and ethnically minoritized participants, prioritize investigating cultural expectations and perceptions of social communication and interaction, and evaluate measures related to social communication for cultural and linguistic responsivity.

Lay Summary

A diagnosis of autism requires the presence of deficits in social communication and interaction. Examples of these behaviors and skills include holding a back‐and‐forth conversation, the use of nonverbal communicative behaviors (e.g., gestures), and developing and maintaining social relationships. Culture influences the expectations for, and presentation of, these behaviors. However, research on this topic is lacking. Conducting more research related to culture and social communication could help reduce the disparities in autism identification across racially and ethnically minoritized populations.
Co‐occurrence of congenital anomalies by maternal race/ethnicity among infants and fetuses with Down syndrome, 2013–2017: A U.S. population‐based analysis
Authors: Stallings Erin B. , Isenburg Jennifer L. , Heinke Dominique , Sherman Stephanie L. , Kirby Russell S. , Lupo Philip J. ,   for the National Birth Defects Prevention Network
Published: December 2021

Background

Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) have a higher prevalence of additional congenital anomalies, especially cardiovascular defects, compared to the general population. Several reports have indicated that the prevalence of DS among live births varies by race and ethnicity within the United States. We aim to examine variations in co‐occurring congenital anomalies by maternal race/ethnicity among infants and fetuses diagnosed with DS born during 2013–2017.

Methods

State birth defect surveillance systems (N = 12) submitted data on infants and fetuses diagnosed with DS born during 2013–2017. We calculated the prevalence of co‐occurring major and minor congenital anomalies, by organ system, and four selected cardiovascular birth defects, all stratified by maternal race/ethnicity.

Results

Among 5,836 cases of DS, 79.7% had one or more co‐occurring congenital anomalies. There was a higher percentage of co‐occurring congenital anomalies among infants and fetuses born to Hispanic mothers. The lowest percentage of co‐occurring congenital anomalies, including three out of the four individual cardiovascular conditions examined, was among infants/fetuses born to non‐Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native mothers.

Conclusions

We describe differences in DS co‐occurrence with additional congenital anomalies among maternal racial/ethnic groups. These data may help focus future research on differences among racial/ethnic groups in the diagnosis and reporting of co‐occurring congenital anomalies in infants/fetuses diagnosed with DS.
Virus filtration: A review of current and future practices in bioprocessing
Authors: Johnson Sarah A. , Chen Shuang , Bolton Glen , Chen Qi , Lute Scott , Fisher John , Brorson Kurt
Published: December 2021

For drug products manufactured in mammalian cells, safety assurance practices are needed during production to assure that the final medicinal product is safe from the potential risk of viral contamination. Virus filters provide viral retention for a range of viruses through robust, largely size‐based retention mechanism. Therefore, a virus filtration step is commonly utilized in a well‐designed recombinant therapeutic protein purification process and is a key component in an overall strategy to minimize the risks of adventitious and endogenous viral particles during the manufacturing of biotechnology products. This study summarizes the history of virus filtration, currently available virus filters and prefilters, and virus filtration integrity test methods and study models. There is also discussion of current understanding and gaps with an eye toward future trends and emerging filtration technologies.
Device for respiration activity measurement enables the determination of oxygen transfer rates of microbial cultures in shaken 96‐deepwell microtiter plates
Authors: Dinger Robert , Lattermann Clemens , Flitsch David , Fischer Jan P. , Kosfeld Udo , Büchs Jochen
Published: December 2021

Mini‐bioreactors with integrated online monitoring capabilities are well established in the early stages of process development. Mini‐bioreactors fulfil the demand for high‐throughput‐applications and a simultaneous reduction of material costs and total experimental time. One of the most essential online monitored parameters is the oxygen transfer rate (OTR). OTR‐monitoring allows fast characterization of bioprocesses and process transfer to larger scales. Currently, OTR‐monitoring on a small‐scale is limited to shake flasks and 48‐well microtiter plates (MTP). Especially, 96‐deepwell MTP are used for high‐throughput‐experiments during early‐stage bioprocess development. However, a device for OTR monitoring in 96‐deepwell MTP is still not available. To determine OTR values, the measurement of the gas composition in each well of a MTP is necessary. Therefore, a new micro(µ)‐scale Transfer rate Online Measurement device (µTOM) was developed. The µTOM includes 96 parallel oxygen‐sensitive sensors and a single robust sealing mechanism. Different organisms (Escherichia coli, Hansenula polymorpha, and Ustilago maydis) were cultivated in the µTOM. The measurement precision for 96 parallel cultivations was 0.21 mmol·L−1·h−1 (pooled standard deviation). In total, a more than 15‐fold increase in throughput and an up to a 50‐fold decrease in media consumption, compared with the shake flask RAMOS‐technology, was achieved using the µTOM for OTR‐monitoring.
Engineering a Carbonyl Reductase for Scalable Preparation of (S)‐3‐Cyclopentyl‐3‐hydroxypropanenitrile, the Key Building Block of Ruxolitinib
Authors: Cui Yunfeng , Zhu Liangyan , Chen Xi , Feng Jinhui , Wu Qiaqing , Zhu Dunming
Published: December 2021

(S)‐3‐Cyclopentyl‐3‐hydroxypropanenitrile is the key precursor for the synthesis of ruxolitinib. The bioreduction of 3‐cyclopentyl‐3‐ketopropanenitrile (1 a) offers an attractive method to access this important compound. A carbonyl reductase (PhADH) from Paraburkholderia hospita catalyzed the reduction of 1 a giving the (S)‐alcohol (1 b) with 85 % ee. Rational engineering of PhADH resulted in a double mutant H93C/A139L, which enhanced the enantioselectivity from 85 % to >98 %, as well as a 6.3‐fold improvement in the specific activity. The bioreduction of 1 a was performed at 200 g/L (1.5 M) substrate concentration, leading to isolation of (S)‐1 b in 91 % yield. Similarly, using this mutant enzyme, 3‐cyclohexyl‐3‐ketopropanenitrile (2 a) and 3‐phenyl‐3‐ketopropanenitrile (3 a) were reduced at high concentration affording the corresponding alcohols in >99 % ee, and 90 % and 92 % yield, respectively. The results showed that the variant H93C/A139L was a powerful biocatalyst for reduction of β‐substituted‐β‐ketonitriles.
Molecular mechanisms of N‐acyl homoserine lactone signals perception by plants
Authors: Babenko Lidia M. , Kosakivska Iryna V. , Romanenko Кateryna О.
Published: December 2021

N‐acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) belong to the class of bacterial quorum sensing signal molecules involved in distance signal transduction between Gram‐negative bacteria colonizers of the rhizosphere, as well as bacteria and plants. AHLs synchronize the activity of genes from individual cells, allowing the bacterial population to act as a multicellular organism, and establish a symbiotic or antagonistic relationship with the host plant. Although the effect of AHLs on plants has been studied for more than ten years, the mechanisms of plant perception of AHL signals are not fully understood. The specificity of the reactions caused by AHL indicates the existence of appropriate mechanisms for their perception by plants. In the current review, we summarize available data on the molecular mechanisms of AHL‐signal perception in plants, its effect on plant growth, development, and stress resistance. We describe the latest research demonstrating direct (on plants) and indirect (on rhizosphere microflora) effects of AHLs, as well as the prospects of using these compounds in biotechnology to increase plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses.
Incidentally detected atrioventricular septal defect in an adult
Authors: Shimbori Risa , Takaki Jun , Hosoda Yasuhito , Okamoto Ken , Fukae Koji , Fukui Toshihiro
Published: December 2021

A 34‐year‐old woman, a liver transplantation donor for her son, was referred to our hospital for preoperative evaluation. She was diagnosed with an incomplete atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD). She underwent double valve repair and patch closure of the defect. Incidental discovery of an asymptomatic AVSD in an adult is rare.
Towards Developing a Screening Strategy for Ecstasy: Revealing the Electrochemical Profile
Authors: Thiruvottriyur Shanmugam Saranya , Van Echelpoel Robin , Boeye Griet , Eliaerts Joy , Samanipour Mohammad , Ching H. Y. Vincent , Florea Anca , Van Doorslaer Sabine , Van Durme Filip , Samyn Nele , Parrilla Marc , De Wael Karolien
Published: December 2021

This article describes the development of an electrochemical screening strategy for 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), the regular psychoactive compound in ecstasy (XTC) pills. We have investigated the specific electrochemical profile of MDMA and its electro‐oxidation mechanisms at disposable graphite screen‐printed electrodes. We have proved that the formation of a radical cation and subsequent reactions are indeed responsible for the electrode surface passivation, as evidenced by using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and electrochemistry. Thereafter, pure cutting agents and MDMA as well as simulated binary mixtures of compounds with MDMA were subjected to square wave voltammetry at pH 7 to understand the characteristic electrochemical profile. An additional measurement at pH 12 was able to resolve false positives and negatives occurring at pH 7. Finally, validation of the screening strategy was done by measuring a set of ecstasy street samples. Overall, our proposed electrochemical screening strategy has been demonstrated for the rapid, sensitive, and selective detection of MDMA, resolving most of the false positives and negatives given by the traditional Marquis color tests, thus exhibiting remarkable promises for the on‐site screening of MDMA.
Albrecht Kossel und die Nukleinbasen
Authors: Framm Edith , Framm Joachim
Published: December 2021

Das 21. Jahrhundert wird bereits als das Zeitalter der Genetik bezeichnet. Tiefgreifende gesellschaftliche Veränderungen sind zu erwarten. Mit dieser Entwicklung sind viele berühmte Namen verbunden. Doch Albrecht Kossel, der die bedeutungsvollen Bausteine der Nukleinsäure entdeckt und erstmalig charakterisiert hat, ist wenig bekannt. Er erhielt 1910 den Nobelpreis, geriet später in Vergessenheit. Mehr als vier Jahrzehnte vergingen, bis man verstand, dass es die Kosselschen Nukleinbasen Adenin, Guanin, Thymin und Cytosin sind, die in der DNA die Erbinformation kodieren. Es ist das Anliegen, Leben und Werk Albrecht Kossels zu beschreiben und die Erinnerung an diesen herausragenden Biochemiker zu fördern. Seine große Persönlichkeit ragt vorbildhaft in die Gegenwart hinein.
Edge intelligence‐enabled dynamic overlapping community discovery and evolution prediction in social media data streams
Authors: Ge Jun , Shi Lei‐lei , Liu Lu , Shi Hongwei , Panneerselvam John
Published: December 2021

Edge intelligence (EI) is recognized by academia and industry as one of the key emerging technologies for future cyber‐physical‐social systems (CPSS), which provides the ability to analyze data at edge rather than sending it to the cloud for analysis, and will be a key enabler to realize a world of a trillion hyper‐connected smart sensing devices. As a part of future CPSS, online social networks are large‐scale complex networks that consist of a large number of network nodes and links. The dynamic discovery of communities, especially overlapping communities, is important to understand the evolution of online social networks. However, traditional community discovery algorithms cannot effectively discover overlapping communities in social networks. In order to address this challenge, an edge intelligence‐enabled dynamic overlapping community discovery and evolution prediction model (EIDEP) is proposed in this article. This model encompasses a label propagation algorithm based extension (LPAE) algorithm, which is able to efficiently discover the user community structures in online social networks. Based on the LPAE community discovery algorithm, a user interest behavior based evolution prediction (UIBEP) algorithm is incorporated in our EIDEP model in order to realize a fast yet accurate community evolution for online social networks, by considering the interest similarity of unlinked nodes in a given community. The performance of our proposed LPAE and UIBEP models is validated and evaluated against notable state‐of‐the‐art community discovery algorithms, through extensive experiments conducted based on a Twitter dataset.
Selective counter design in quantum‐dot cellular automata nanotechnology
Authors: Amirzadeh Zaman , Gholami Mohammad
Published: December 2021

In this article novel counters based on quantum‐dot cellular automata (QCA) nanotechnology is designed. To have proper counter design, first new D flip‐flop with appropriate number of cells, area and delay is designed. Then, this flip‐flop is changed to have flip‐flop with set and reset abilities. Therefore, the proposed flip‐flop is used to design selective counters which can count for example from 0–5 or 2–5. However, in this article, compared to the best designs of the past works the number of cells, cross‐sectional area and delay are reduced by 3.57%, 18.18%, and 25% in counting 0–7 and the cell and cross‐sectional area are reduced by 46.88% and 52.17% in counting 0–5. In addition, in counter which can count from 0–7, the total and average energies are improved about 22.3% and 21.83% respectively. Also, for counters which counts from 0–5, the total and average energy dissipation has been improved about 53.01% and 53.08% respectively. It should be noted that the proposed selective counter in QCA technology which counts from 2 to 5 (both lower and upper values are different form 0 and 2n−1) is firstly designed in this article. The proposed designs have few number of cells, small occupied area and low delay. Simulation results prove the theoretical anticipation.
A federated learning method for network intrusion detection
Authors: Tang Zhongyun , Hu Haiyang , Xu Chonghuan
Published: December 2021

Intrusion detection is a common network security defense technology. At present, there are many research using deep learning to realize network intrusion detection. This method has been proved to have high detection accuracy. However, deep learning requires large‐scale data sets for training. The network intrusion detection data set of some institution is lacking. If the network traffic data set is uploaded for centralized deep learning training, it will face privacy problems. Combined with the characteristics of network traffic, this article proposes a network intrusion detection method based on federated learning. This method allows multiple ISPs or other institutions to conduct joint deep learning training on the premise of retaining local data. It not only improves the detection accuracy of the model but also protects privacy in network traffic. This article conducts experiments on the CICIDS2017 network intrusion detection data set. Experimental results show that worker participating in federated learning have higher detection accuracy. The accuracy and other performance of federated learning are almost equal to those of centralized deep learning models.
Guinea Pig and Mouse Models for Genital Herpes Infection
Authors: Hook Lauren M. , Friedman Harvey M. , Awasthi Sita
Published: December 2021

This article describes procedures for two preclinical animal models for genital herpes infection. The guinea pig model shares many features of genital herpes in humans, including a natural route of inoculation, self‐limiting primary vulvovaginitis, spontaneous recurrences, symptomatic and subclinical shedding of HSV‐2, and latent infection of the associated sensory ganglia (lumbosacral dorsal root ganglia, DRG). Many humoral and cytokine responses to HSV‐2 infection in the guinea pig have been characterized; however, due to the limited availability of immunological reagents, assessments of cellular immune responses are lacking. In contrast, the mouse model has been important in assessing cellular immune responses to herpes infection. Both the mouse and guinea pig models have been extremely useful for evaluating preventative and immunotherapeutic approaches for controlling HSV infection and recurrent disease. In this article, we describe procedures for infecting guinea pigs and mice with HSV‐2, scoring subsequent genital disease, and measuring replicating virus to confirm infection. We also provide detailed protocols for dissecting and isolating DRG (the site of HSV‐2 latency), quantifying HSV‐2 genomic copies in DRG, and assessing symptomatic and subclinical shedding of HSV‐2 in the vagina. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Primary and recurrent genital herpes infection in the guinea pig model

Support Protocol 1: Blood collection via lateral saphenous vein or by cardiac puncture after euthanasia

Support Protocol 2: Dissection and isolation of dorsal root ganglia from guinea pigs

Support Protocol 3: PCR amplification and quantification of HSV‐2 genomic DNA from samples

Basic Protocol 2: Primary genital herpes infection in the mouse model

Alternate Protocol: Flank infection with HSV‐2 in the mouse model

Support Protocol 4: Dissection and isolation of mouse dorsal root ganglia
Carbonate‐Induced Electrosynthesis of Hydrogen Peroxide via Two‐Electron Water Oxidation
Authors: Mavrikis Sotirios , Göltz Maximilian , Rosiwal Stefan , Wang Ling , Ponce de León Carlos
Published: December 2021

Electrochemical synthesis of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), via the two‐electron water oxidation reaction (2e− WOR), is an attractive method for the sustainable production of valuable chemicals in place of oxygen during water electrolysis. While the majority of 2e− WOR studies have focussed on electrocatalyst design, little research has been carried out on the selection of the supporting electrolyte. In this work, we investigate the impact of potassium carbonate (K2CO3) electrolytes, and their key properties, on H2O2 production. We found that at electrolyte pH values (>9.5) where the carbonate anion (CO32−) was prevalent in the mixture, a 26.5 % increase in the Faraday efficiency (%FE) for H2O2 production was achieved, compared to bicarbonate (HCO3−) dominant solutions. Utilising boron‐doped diamond (BDD) in highly concentrated K2CO3 solutions, current densities of up to 511 mA cm−2 (in 4 m) and %FEs of 91.5 % (in 5 m) could be attained. The results presented in this work highlight the influence of CO32− on electrochemical H2O2 generation via the 2e− WOR and provide novel pathways to produce desirable commodities at the anode during electrochemical water splitting.
Modulating the Coupling Efficiency of P450 BM3 by Controlling Water Diffusion through Access Tunnel Engineering
Authors: Meng Shuaiqi , Ji Yu , Liu Luo , Davari Mehdi D. , Schwaneberg Ulrich
Published: December 2021

Cytochromes P450 have gained much interest for their broad substrate scope in the catalysis of oxidation reactions for pharmaceuticals, plastics, and hormones. However, achieving high coupling efficiency by the engineering of P450s is still a big challenge. The presence of extra water around the active site is deemed to be related to uncoupling. In this study, the access tunnels of P450 BM3 from Bacillus megaterium are engineered to control water access from bulk solvent to the active site. Nine residues located in tunnels are investigated by site‐saturation mutagenesis to reduce water diffusion, thereby improving the coupling efficiency. The recombined variant N319L/T411V/T436A shows improved coupling efficiency (from 31.2 % to 52.6 %). Tunnel polarity analysis and molecular dynamics simulation further indicate that reduced water molecules around the active site lead to higher coupling efficiency. Overall, this study provides valuable insight on improving coupling efficiency by controlling water diffusion through tunnel engineering.
Fine‐needle aspiration cytological findings in three cases of metastatic amelanotic melanoma to the parotid gland with divergent differentiation
Authors: Laforga Juan B.
Published: December 2021

This report presents the clinical and pathologic findings of three cases of metastatic amelanotic melanoma to the parotid gland. Two of the patients had a primary cutaneous tumor. Fine‐needle aspiration of the parotid showed clusters of epithelioid cells and/or spindle‐shaped cells with vesicular nuclei, macronucleoli, and abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm. In addition, one had striking balloon‐cell features. In the immunohistochemical study, the tumors expressed S‐100, HMB‐45 antigen, Melan‐A, and SOX10, and focally smooth‐muscle actin, cytokeratin, CD56, p63, and synaptophysin. The diagnosis was challenging because the tumors were clinically thought to be primary parotid lesion and showed unusual immunohistochemical labeling for SMA, cytokeratins, p63, and neuroendocrine markers. Furthermore, the long clinical history in two of the cases made the diagnosis of a metastatic lesion less likely. Diagnostic errors can be reduced by integrating cytomorphologic, histologic, immunohistochemical, and clinical findings.
Genetic structure and dispersal in peripheral populations of a marine fish (Pacific cod, Gadus macrocephalus) and their importance for adaptation to climate change
Authors: Fisher Mary C. , Helser Thomas E. , Kang Sukyung , Gwak Wooseok , Canino Michael F. , Hauser Lorenz
Published: December 2021

Small and isolated peripheral populations, which are often remnants of glacial refugia, offer an opportunity to determine the magnitude and direction of fine‐scale connectivity in high gene flow marine species. When located at the equatorial edge of a species’ range, these populations may also harbor genetic diversity related to survival and reproduction at higher temperatures, a critical resource for marine species facing warming ocean temperatures. Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus), a marine fish in the North Pacific, has already experienced major shifts in biomass and distribution linked to climate change. We estimated the magnitude and direction of connectivity between peripheral populations of Pacific cod at the southern edge of the species’ range, by conducting restriction site‐associated DNA (RAD) sequencing and individual assignment on fish collected around the Korean Peninsula during the spawning season. Three populations on the western, eastern, and southern Korean coasts were highly differentiated (FST = 0.025–0.042) and relatively small (Ne = 433–1,777). Ten putative dispersers and estimates of contemporary migration rates revealed asymmetrical, west‐to‐east movement around the Korean Peninsula, at a higher rate than predicted by indirect estimates of connectivity (FST). Allele frequencies at 87 RAD loci were decisively correlated with strong marine temperature gradients between the warmer southern coast and the cooler waters of the eastern and western coasts. Despite relatively small sample sizes, our data suggest asymmetrical dispersal and gene flow, potentially involving adaptive alleles, between peripheral populations inhabiting markedly different thermal regimes. Our study emphasizes the conservation value of peripheral populations in high gene flow marine fish species.
Plant community succession following ungulate exclusion in a temperate rainforest
Authors: Woodward A. , Jenkins K. J. , Harmon M. E.
Published: December 2021

Ecosystem structure and processes of coastal temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest are thought to be strongly influenced by herbivory primarily of Roosevelt elk (Cervus elaphus roosevelti) and secondarily of Columbian black‐tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus). Two large (0.5‐ha) exclosures were built in old‐growth coniferous rainforest communities in Olympic National Park, Washington, during 1979 to study these effects. Cover of shrubs, ferns, herbs, and graminoids and numbers of tree seedlings were described over 36 yr. Results show a sequence following ungulate exclusion of early release of shrubs, ferns, and herbs followed by eventual dominance of shrubs as other vegetation layers become shaded. Short‐term responses of individual species reflected functional traits related to ability to avoid or tolerate herbivory. Over the longer term, effects reflected changing competitive relationships among vegetation layers and other ecosystem dynamics such as the provision of fallen trees in the appropriate decay class to serve as establishment substrate for tree seedlings. In aggregate, vegetation composition shifted after 36 yr from a system dominated by herbaceous cover with a major graminoid component to one dominated by shrubs (5‐ to 6‐fold absolute increase) and ferns (5–7% increase in absolute cover), less absolute herb cover (15–20% loss), and almost no graminoids (<1.5% cover remaining in any plot) after 36 yr. These changes represented a substantial loss in plant community diversity with a loss of 46 of 74 species. Elk abundance outside of the exclosures began to decline in the 1990s leading to parallel changes in plant community trajectories outside of exclosures to those initially seen inside. While this suggests plant community responses inside the exclosures were also driven by elk exclusion, the strength of this response depends on elk abundance.