bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examining katakana synform errors made by Japanese university students
Authors: Stubbe Raymond , Nakashima Kosuke
Published: August 2021

Laufer (1988) introduced the concept of synform errors, where second language (L2) learners confuse a word for a different but similar looking or sounding L2 word. Stubbe and Cochrane (2016) reported that of 1,187 commonly repeated errors on a Japanese to English non-contextual translation test, 461 were synform errors (39%). This study introduces the concept of katakana consonant pairing synform errors, where Japanese learners of English can confuse one English word for another because some English consonants have no Japanese equivalent, for example, l and v. Words containing these consonants can be transcribed into katakana using the closest Japanese consonant sound: r, b, respectively. This can result in katakana pairings (l-r, v-b), which may lead to confusion for the Japanese learners. “Vest” may be interpreted as “best,” for instance. In the present study, English students at one Japanese university (N = 235) were given a Japanese to English non-contextual translation test containing the lower frequency member of 30 such katakana pairs (“vest” being a much less frequent word than its pair “best,” for instance). Thirty words not having a katakana partner (e.g., shade) from the same JACET8000 frequency levels were also tested. The study results suggest that katakana consonant pairing synform errors are problematic for these Japanese university students. Implications for the classroom and vocabulary assessment are presented.
Prioritizing Dose in Music-Listening Intervention Research
Authors: Kiernan Jason Micheal
Published: August 2021

Music listening interventions (MLI) have grown into a major subcategory in the world of complementary and alternative medicine research.  These studies have led to an epistemic explosion in MLI clinical application across many disciplines.  However, this body of research still contains a critical handicap that will limit its potential: dose and dosing.  Inconsistencies in how much of an MLI a research participant receives in a study will continue to impact generalizability until an MLI's dose is both defined and incorporated into clinical trials.  This brief paper explores MLI dose, and attempts to frame MLI dose research as a priority for all researchers who utilize this intervention in their studies.
Studies of Serum Calcium, Inorganic Phosphate and Magnesium Levels in Lactating Mothers in Owerri
Authors: Edward Ukamaka , Obeagu Emmanuel Ifeanyi , Okorie Hope M. , Vincent C. C. N. , Bot Yakubu Sunday
Published: August 2021

This study was aimed at evaluating the serum levels of Calcium, Inorganic phosphate and Magnesium together with the Body Mass Index (BMI) in lactating mothers in Owerri. A total of sixty subjects were recruited. Thirty were lactating subjects while thirty were apparently healthy individuals that served as control subjects. Whole blood (5mls) was collected by venipuncture from the subjects using sterile needles and syringes into clean and sterile plain containers. The samples were immediately centrifuged and separated. The serum samples were stored at -20°C prior to use. All reagents were commercially purchased and the manufacturers’ Standard Operational Procedures were strictly followed. Serum Calcium, Inorganic phosphate and Magnesium levels were analyzed by spectrophotometric method and data was assessed using statistical packages for social sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. The results were expressed as mean and standard deviation (mean ± SD). Difference in mean values between groups was assessed by student t-test. Result with probability value of P < 0.05 was statistically significant. The mean ± SD values of serum Calcium, Magnesium, Inorganic phosphate and Body Mass Index (9.28 ± 0.53mg/dl, 2.24 ± 0.38mg/dl, 4.18 ± 0.33mg/dl and 25.73 ± 1.60kg/m²) were higher in lactating subjects which was statistically significant (P < 0.05) when compared with the control subjects (8.98 ± 0.50mg/dl, 1.98 ± 0.24mg/dl, 3.34 ± 0.37mg/dl and 24.20 ± 1.35kg/m²). There was progressive decrease between 0 – 3 months, 4 – 6 months and ≥ 7 months with the mean ± SD values of Calcium (9.43 ± 0.55, 9.29 ± 0.52 and 9.12 ± 0.53)mg/dl and Inorganic Phosphate (4.25 ± 0.36, 4.18 ± 0.36 and 4.11 ± 0.27)mg/dl, and non progressive decrease in the mean ± SD values of Magnesium (2.29 ± 0.40, 2.20 ± 0.39 and 2.24 ± 0.38)mg/dl and Body Mass Index (26.30 ± 1.77, 25.30 ± 1.70 and 25.60 ± 1.27)kg/m² which was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The increase found was due to increased bone resorption and the decrease was due to enhanced mechanism for bone mineralization as the hormones concentrations tend to normalize in prolonged lactation.
Modulating the Verwey Transition of Epitaxial Magnetite Thin Films by Ionic Gating
Authors: Hou Yanliang , Liu Yang , Yang Xuxin , Mao Hongying , Shi Zhong , Wu Shuxiang , Lu Bin , Ye Quan‐Lin , Ye Jianting
Published: August 2021

Understanding the Verwey transition in magnetite (Fe3O4), a strongly correlated magnetic oxide, is a one‐century‐old topic that recaptures great attention because of the recent spectroscopy studies revealing its orbital details. Here, the modulation of the Verwey transition by tuning the orbital configurations with ionic gating is reported. In epitaxial magnetite thin films, the insulating Verwey state can be tuned continuously to be metallic showing that the low‐temperature trimeron states can be controllably metalized by both the gate‐induced oxygen vacancies and proton doping. The ionic gating can also reverse the sign of the anomalous Hall coefficient, indicating that the metallization is associated with the presence of a new type of carrier with competing spin. The variable spin orientation associated with the sign reversal is originated from the structural distortions driven by the gate‐induced oxygen vacancies.
Multi‐Sites Electrocatalysis in High‐Entropy Alloys
Authors: Li Hongdong , Lai Jianping , Li Zhenjiang , Wang Lei
Published: August 2021

High‐entropy alloys (HEAs) have attracted widespread attention in electrocatalysis due to their unique advantages (adjustable composition, complex surface, high tolerance, etc.). They allow for the formation of new and tailorable active sites in multiple elements adjacent to each other, and the interaction can be tailored by rational selection of element configuration and composition. However, it needs to be further explored in catalyst design, the interaction of elements, and the determination of active sites. This review article focuses on the important progress for multi‐sites electrocatalysis in HEAs. The classification is done on the basis of catalytic reaction, including hydrogen evolution reaction, oxygen evolution reaction, oxygen reduction reaction, alcohol oxidation reaction, carbon dioxide reduction reaction, and nitrogen reduction reaction. Based on experiments and theories, a more in‐depth exploration of the high catalytic activity of HEAs will be conducted, including the selection of elements (the special role of each element in catalysis) and the multi‐sites effect. This review can provide the basis for the element selection and design of HEAs in some reactions, to adjust the compositions of HEAs to improve their intrinsic activity. Furthermore, the remaining challenges and future directions for promising research fields are also provided.
Exceptionally Robust Face‐Sharing Motifs Enable Efficient and Durable Water Oxidation
Authors: Guan Daqin , Zhang Kaifeng , Hu Zhiwei , Wu Xinhao , Chen Jeng‐Lung , Pao Chih‐Wen , Guo Yanan , Zhou Wei , Shao Zongping
Published: August 2021

Corner‐sharing oxides usually suffer from structural reconstruction during the bottleneck oxygen‐evolution reaction (OER) in water electrolysis. Therefore, introducing dynamically stable active sites in an alternative structure is urgent but challenging. Here, 1D 5H‐polytype Ba5Bi0.25Co3.75FeO14−δ oxide with face‐sharing motifs is identified as a highly active and stable candidate for alkaline OER. Benefiting from the stable face‐sharing motifs with three couples of combined bonds, Ba5Bi0.25Co3.75FeO14−δ can maintain its local structures even under high OER potentials as evidenced by fast operando spectroscopy, contributing to a negligible performance degradation over 110 h. Besides, the higher Co valence and smaller orbital bandgap in Ba5Bi0.25Co3.75FeO14−δ endow it with a much better electron transport ability than its corner‐sharing counterpart, leading to a distinctly reduced overpotential of 308 mV at 10 mA cm−2 in 0.1 m KOH. Further mechanism studies show that the short distance between lattice‐oxygen sites in face‐sharing Ba5Bi0.25Co3.75FeO14−δ can accelerate the deprotonation step (*OOH + OH− = *OO + H2O + e−) via a steric inductive effect to promote lattice‐oxygen participation. In this work, not only is a new 1D face‐sharing oxide with impressive OER performance discovered, but also a rational design of dynamic stable and active sites for sustainable energy systems is inaugurated.
Liquid–Liquid Phase Separation of the Green Mussel Adhesive Protein Pvfp‐5 is Regulated by the Post‐Translated Dopa Amino Acid
Authors: Deepankumar Kanagavel , Guo Qi , Mohanram Harini , Lim Jessica , Mu Yuguang , Pervushin Konstantin , Yu Jing , Miserez Ali
Published: August 2021

The underwater adhesive prowess of aquatic mussels has been largely attributed to the abundant post‐translationally modified amino acid l‐3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine (Dopa) in mussel foot proteins (MFPs) that make up their adhesive threads. More recently, it has been suggested that during thread fabrication, MFPs form intermediate fluidic phases such as liquid crystals or coacervates regulated by a liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) process. Here, it is shown that Dopa plays another central role during mussel fiber formation, by enabling LLPS of Pvfp‐5β, a main MFP of the green mussel Perna viridis. Using residue‐specific substitution of Tyrosine (Tyr) for Dopa during recombinant expression, Dopa‐substituted Pvfp‐5β is shown to exhibit LLPS under seawater‐like conditions, whereas the Tyr‐only version forms insoluble aggregates. Combining quantum chemistry calculations and solution NMR, a transient H‐bonding network requiring the two hydroxyl groups of Dopa is found to be critical to enable LLPS in Dopa‐mutated Pvfp‐5β. Overall, the study suggests that Dopa plays an important role in regulating LLPS of MFPs, which may be critical to concentrate the adhesive proteins at the plaque/substrate interface and therefore produce a more robust adhesive. The findings also provide molecular‐level lessons to guide biomanufacturing of protein‐based materials such as bioadhesives and load‐bearing fibers.
Selective Thrombosis of Tumor for Enhanced Hypoxia‐Activated Prodrug Therapy
Authors: Ma Zhaoyu , Zhang Yifan , Dai Xinxin , Zhang Weiyun , Foda Mohamed F. , Zhang Jin , Zhao Yanli , Han Heyou
Published: August 2021

One of the main challenges for tumor vascular infarction in combating cancer lies in failing to produce sustained complete thrombosis. Inspired by the capability of vascular infarction in blocking the delivery of oxygen to aggravate tumor hypoxia, the performance of selective tumor thrombus inducing hypoxia activation therapy to improve the therapeutic index of coagulation‐based tumor therapy is presented. By encapsulating coagulation‐inducing protease thrombin and a hypoxia‐activated prodrug (HAP) tirapazamine into metal–organic framework nanoparticles with a tumor‐homing ligand, the obtained nanoplatform selectively activates platelet aggregation at the tumor to induce thrombosis and vascular obstruction therapy by the exposed thrombin. Meanwhile, the thrombus can cut off the blood oxygen supply and potentiate the hypoxia levels to enhance the HAP therapy. This strategy not only addresses the dissatisfaction of vascular therapy, but also conquers the dilemma of inadequate hypoxia in HAP treatment. Since clinical operations such as surgery can be used to induce coagulation, coagulation‐based synergistic therapy is promising for translation into a clinical combination regimen.
Optimizing the Iodide/Iodonium/O2 Oxidation Cycle Enhances the Scope, Selectivity, and Yields of Hydroiodic Acid‐Catalyzed Multicomponent Cyclocondensation Reactions
Authors: Scott David E. , Aloisio Mark D. , Rodriguez Jose F. , Morimoto Masato , Hamilton Robin J. , Brown Orain , Tykwinski Rik R. , Stryker Jeffrey M.
Published: August 2021

Catalytic iodine in the presence of water acts indirectly as a source of Brønsted acid and, concurrently, generates iodonium ion and hydrogen peroxide, which mediate the final oxidative aromatization step in the multicomponent cyclocondensation of an aromatic amine and two aliphatic aldehyde compounds. The oxidative cycle in this and related iodine‐catalyzed reactions is seldom discussed, generally unoptimized, and rarely investigated in detail. This work establishes that two independent catalytic cycles (H+ and I−/I+) drive such multicomponent cyclocondensation/ oxidation reactions, provided that the oxidant is generated in sufficient concentration to inhibit oxidation of the dihydroquinoline by the intermediate iminium cation. The complementary dual catalytic cycles, when optimized, act in concert to suppress side product formation, which simplifies isolation and purification of the self‐aggregating products, and increases the efficiency and scope of the Wang‐Kozlov multicomponent reaction.

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Suppressing Dissolution of Pt‐Based Electrocatalysts through the Electronic Metal–Support Interaction
Authors: Lin Gaoxin , Ju Qiangjian , Jin Yan , Qi Xiaohuan , Liu Weijing , Huang Fuqiang , Wang Jiacheng
Published: August 2021

Suppressing the Pt dissolution still remains a big challenge in improving the long‐term stability of Pt‐based catalysts in electrochemical energy conversion. In this work, the degradation of Pt nanoparticles is successfully suppressed via weakening the Pt–O dipole effect by adjusting the electronic structure of surface Pt atoms. The specially designed graphitic‐N‐doped carbon nanosheets with balanced N content and graphitization degree as well as fewer defects are prepared for anchoring Pt nanoparticles to enhance the electronic metal–support interaction. This can accelerate the electron transfer from Pt to substrate, decrease the surface electron density of Pt, and attenuate the Pt–O interaction. As a result, the rate of Pt dissolution decreases by 95% compared to that of commercial Pt/C toward the oxygen reduction reaction and thus the catalytic stability is significantly improved in the electrochemical accelerated durability test. The theoretical simulation shows that the inhibition of surface Pt dissolution is attributed to the enhanced energy barrier in the initial relaxation process.
Probing Charge Carrier Properties and Ion Migration Dynamics of Indoor Halide Perovskite PV Devices Using Top‐ and Bottom‐Illumination SPM Studies
Authors: Alosaimi Ghaida , Shin So Jeong , Chin Robert Lee , Kim Jong H. , Yun Jae Sung , Seidel Jan
Published: August 2021

Recently, perovskite solar cells have shown excellent performance under indoor light conditions. In a new approach using directional illumination combined with nanoscale scanning probe microscopy (SPM) characterization, morphology dependent‐charge transport measurements are performed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the optoelectronic behavior of (FAPbI3)0.85(MAPbBr3)0.15 containing 5 vol% cesium (Cs5vol%) with various electron transport layers (ETLs), i.e., SnO2, c‐TiO2, and [6,6]‐phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester/SnO2 under indoor light. This approach allows the identification of the charge transport properties of the perovskite film and the perovskite/ETL interface separately. The light is applied from the top of the perovskite film to study the electronic properties of the surface. Lower photocurrent and lower surface photovoltage (SPV) are observed under top‐illumination conditions. The electronic interface behavior is investigated using bottom‐illumination and short excitation wavelengths, such as blue LED light. Higher photocurrent and higher SPV are observed under blue light illumination from the bottom. These results suggest that the charge transport capability is enhanced near the p–n junction. Conductive atomic force microscopy results show that SnO2 enhances the charge collection properties of the perovskite's grain boundaries (GBs). Kelvin probe force microscopy results confirm that SnO2 exhibits homogeneous and high surface potential because of the lowest trap states at GBs.
Ultrasensitive Hierarchical Piezoresistive Pressure Sensor for Wide‐Range Pressure Detection
Authors: Li Jing , Wu Tianyu , Jiang Huan , Chen Yanyu , Yang Qibiao
Published: August 2021

Pressure sensitivity and wide range are two crucial features of flexible electromechanical sensors for applications in the next‐generation of intelligent electronics, such as wearable healthcare monitors and soft human–machine interfaces. Conventional pressure sensors have a narrow pressure range (<10 kPa) and complex fabrication processes, which significantly hinder their extensive applications. A facile laser‐engraving method is proposed to fabricate a flexible multiwalled‐carbon‐nanotube (MWCNTs)/poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) composite‐based piezoresistive sensor with hierarchical microstructures. Herein, the nonstandard‐circular feature and Gaussian distributed facula of a laser spot are utilized to produce the middle‐level porous microdome upon the bottom‐level cylinder microcolumn array, while the top‐level tentacle‐like conical micropillars are produced by vertically rotating the acrylic mold during the laser engraving process. This novel hierarchical microstructure endows the proposed piezoresistive sensor with orders‐of‐magnitude of higher sensitivity (≈35.51 kPa−1) than that of other reported electromechanical sensors and a more extensive pressure sensing range up to 23 kPa. Moreover, the detection limit of the sensor is down to 2 Pa, which makes it a desirable candidate for monitoring subtle pressure. The sensor is successfully applied to distinguish the syllables of each pronounced word, detect movements of the human wrist, and monitor radial arterial pulse, thus demonstrating its promising applications in wearable electronics.
Highly Selective Monoalkylation of Active Methylene and Related Derivatives using Alkylsilyl Peroxides by a Catalytic CuI‐DMAP System
Authors: Zhou Canhua , Lv Jiamin , Xu Weiping , Lu Hanbin , Kato Terumasa , Liu Yan , Maruoka Keiji
Published: August 2021

A new approach for highly selective monoalkylation of active methylene and related derivatives using various types of alkylsilyl peroxides in the presence of copper catalysts under mild conditions has been developed to a synthetically useful level. This approach has a wide substrate scope in terms of both active methylene compounds and alkylsilyl peroxides. In addition, nitroalkanes can also be employed for a copper‐catalyzed selective monoalkylation with alkylsilyl peroxides. The participation of radical species was proposed in the present monoalkylation reactions by the mechanistic study.
Anything for a cheerio: Brown capuchins (Sapajus [Cebus] apella) consistently coordinate in an Assurance Game for unequal payoffs
Authors: Robinson Lauren M. , Martínez Mayte , Leverett Kelly L. , Rossettie Mattea S. , Wilson Bart J. , Brosnan Sarah F.
Published: August 2021

Unequal outcomes disrupt cooperation in some situations, but this has not been tested in the context of coordination in economic games. To explore this, we tested brown capuchins (Sapajus [Cebus] apella) on a manual version of the Stag Hunt (or Assurance) Game, in which individuals sequentially chose between two options, Stag or Hare, and were rewarded according to their choices and that of their partner. Typically, coordination on Stag results in an equal highest payout, whereas coordinating on Hare results in a guaranteed equal but lower payoff and uncoordinated play results in the lowest payoff when playing Stag. We varied this structure such that one capuchin received double the rewards for the coordinated Stag outcome; thus, it was still both animals' best option, but no longer equally rewarding. Despite the inequality, capuchins coordinated on Stag in 78% of trials, and neither payoff structure nor their partner's choice impacted their decision. Additionally, there was no relationship between self‐scratching, a measure of stress in capuchins, and choices. After completing the study, we discovered our reward, cheerios, was sufficiently valuable that in another study, capuchins never refused it, so post hoc we repeated the study using a lower value reward, banana flavored pellets. Capuchins completed only 26% of the pellet trials (compared to 98% with cheerios), constraining our ability to interpret the results, but nonetheless the monkeys showed a decrease in preference for Stag, particularly when they received fewer rewards for the coordinated Stag outcome. These results reinforce capuchins' ability to find coordinated outcomes in the Stag Hunt game, but more work is needed to determine whether the monkeys did not mind the inequality or were unwilling to sacrifice a highly preferred food to rectify it. In either case, researchers should carefully consider the impact of their chosen rewards on subjects' choices.
Synthesis of Chiral Spirolactams via Sequential C−H Olefination/Asymmetric [4+1] Spirocyclization under a Simple CoII/Chiral Spiro Phosphoric Acid Binary System
Authors: Yuan Wen‐Kui , Shi Bing‐Feng
Published: August 2021

An unprecedented enantioselective synthesis of spiro‐γ‐lactams via a sequential C−H olefination/asymmetric [4+1] spirocyclization under a simple CoII/chiral spiro phosphoric acid (SPA) binary system is reported. A range of biologically important spiro‐γ‐lactams are obtained with high levels of enantioselectivity (up to 98 % ee). The concise, asymmetric synthesis of an aldose reductase inhibitor was successfully achieved. Notably, contrast to previous reports that relied on the use of cyclopentadienyl or its derivatives (achiral Cp*, CptBu, or chiral Cpx) ligated CoIII complexes requiring tedious steps to prepare, cheap and commercially available cobalt(II) acetate tetrahydrate was used as an efficient precatalyst.
Lipase‐mediated synthesis of neopentyl glycol diester using a combination of reduced and standard pressure
Authors: Kim Ji Won , Kim Byung Hee , Kim Yangha , Lee Moon‐Won , Im Dong Joong , Kim In‐Hwan
Published: August 2021

Neopentyl glycol (NPG) diester is a biodegradable lubricant used in the machinery industry as it is suitable for the low‐temperature environment. NPG diester was successfully synthesized with fatty acid and NPG using immobilized lipase. Immobilization was carried out with a liquid enzyme, Eversa® Transform 2.0 (from Thermomyces lanuginosus) and Lewatit VP OC 1600 as a carrier. The Eversa immobilized lipase prepared in this study was compared with commercial lipases, such as Novozym 435, Lipozyme RM IM, and Lipozyme TL IM. The Eversa immobilized lipase was the most effective biocatalyst for the synthesis of NPG diesters. The effects of enzyme loading and temperature on conversion were explored at a standard pressure of 101.3 kPa. And then, the effect of reduced pressure was investigated in the range of 1.3 to 40.0 kPa under optimum conditions obtained at standard pressure. The maximum conversion of ca. 63% was achieved at the optimal temperature of 50°C and the enzyme loading of 5% (based on the total weight of the substrate) at standard pressure after 10 h. However, the conversion to NPG diester increased markedly up to 97% after 10 h, even though reduced pressure as low as 26.7 kPa was applied. No significant differences in the conversion to NPG diester between the reactions at constant reduced pressure and the combined reaction of reduced pressure and standard pressure were observed. This pressure combination method employed in this study demonstrated a novel, energy‐saving strategy for the synthesis of NPG diester.
Recent progress in bio‐based eugenol resins: From synthetic strategies to structural properties and coating applications
Authors: Kumar Bijender , Agumba Dickens O. , Pham Duc H. , Kim Hyun Chan , Kim Jaehwan
Published: August 2021

This review article describes the synthesis route of eugenol (4‐Allyl‐2‐methoxyphenol, EU)‐based resins, properties, and their use in coating application. EU‐based resin is an attractive phenolic‐based material with outstanding properties such as thermal stability, water‐resistant, antioxidant, and flame retardancy performance. However, limited research articles on EU‐based resins have been published recently for the coating application. A growing interest in developing design strategies and properties of EU‐based resins has emerged due to their low cost, non‐toxic, and environment‐friendly behaviors. This review article aims to highlight EU‐based resins, including epoxy and non‐epoxy ones, and critically discuss their properties and opportunities in coating application, which may facilitate their utilization in academia and industries.
Tuning enzymatic properties by protein engineering toward catalytic tetrad of carbonyl reductase
Authors: Cheng Feng , Zhai Qiu‐Yao , Gao Xiao‐Fan , Liu Hua‐Tao , Qiu Shuai , Wang Ya‐Jun , Zheng Yu‐Guo
Published: August 2021

Enzyme engineering toward catalytic‐tetrad residues usually results in activity loss. Unexpectedly, we found that a directed evolution campaign yielded a beneficial residue A100 in KmCR (a carbonyl reductase from Kluyveromyces marxianus ZJB14056), which is a residue of catalytic tetrad and conserved according to multiple sequence alignment. Inspired by this finding, we performed saturation mutagenesis on all the four residues of catalytic tetrad of KmCR. A number of variants with improved enzymatic activities were obtained. Among them, the variant KmCR_A100S exhibited increased catalytic efficiency (kcat/KM = 47.3 s−1·mM−1), improved stereoselectivity (from moderate selectivity (deP = 66.7%) to strict (S)‐selectivity (deP > 99.5%)), and extended substrate scope, compared to those of KmCR_WT. In silico analysis showed that a relay system was rebuilt in KmCR via the beneficial residue S100. Furthermore, comparison of 11 protein engineering campaigns indicated that the beneficial position is easily overlooked due to the long distance (>10 Å) from ketone substrates. Since CRs share similar catalytic mechanism, the knowledge gained from this study has universal significance to CR engineering.
Probing specificities of alcohol acyltransferases for designer ester biosynthesis with a high‐throughput microbial screening platform
Authors: Lee Jong‐Won , Seo Hyeongmin , Young Caleb , Trinh Cong T.
Published: August 2021

Alcohol acyltransferases (AATs) enables microbial biosynthesis of a large space of esters by condensing an alcohol and an acyl‐CoA. However, substrate promiscuity of AATs prevents microbial biosynthesis of designer esters with high selectivity. Here, we developed a high‐throughput microbial screening platform that facilitates rapid identification of AATs for designer ester biosynthesis. First, we established a microplate‐based culturing technique with in situ fermentation and extraction of esters. We validated its capability in rapid profiling of the alcohol substrate specificity of 20 chloramphenicol acetyltransferase variants derived from Staphylococcus aureus (CATSa) for microbial biosynthesis of acetate esters with various exogeneous alcohol supply. By coupling the microplate‐based culturing technique with a previously established colorimetric assay, we developed a high‐throughput microbial screening platform for AATs. We demonstrated that this platform could not only probe the alcohol substrate specificity of both native and engineered AATs but also identify the beneficial mutations in engineered AATs for enhanced ester synthesis. We anticipate the high‐throughput microbial screening platform provides a useful tool to identify novel wildtype and engineered AATs that have important roles in nature and industrial biocatalysis for designer bioester production.
Establishing an efficient salinomycin biosynthetic pathway in three heterologous Streptomyces hosts by constructing a 106‐kb multioperon artificial gene cluster
Authors: Jiang Chanjuan , Zhou Haibo , Sun Hongluan , He Ruoting , Song Chaoyi , Cui Tianqi , Luan Ji , Fu Jun , Zhang Youming , Jiao Nianzhi , Wang Hailong
Published: August 2021

Salinomycin is a promising anticancer drug for chemotherapy. A highly productive biosynthetic gene cluster will facilitate the creation of analogs with improved therapeutic activity and reduced side effects. In this study, we engineered an artificial 106‐kb salinomycin gene cluster and achieved efficient heterologous expression in three hosts: Streptomyces coelicolor CH999, S. lividans K4‐114, and S. albus J1074. The six‐operon artificial gene cluster consists of 25 genes from the native gene cluster organized into five operons and five fatty acid β‐oxidation genes into one operon. All operons are driven by strong constitutive promoters. For K4‐114 and J1074 harboring the artificial gene cluster, salinomycin production in shake flask cultures was 14.3 mg L−1 and 19.3 mg L−1, respectively. The production was 1.3‐fold and 1.7‐fold higher, respectively, than that of the native producer S. albus DSM41398. K4‐114 and J1074 harboring the native gene cluster produced an undetectable amount of salinomycin and 0.5 mg L−1, respectively. CH999 harboring the artificial gene cluster produced 10.3 mg L−1 of salinomycin, which was 92% of the production by DSM41398. The efficient heterologous expression system based on the 106‐kb multioperon artificial gene cluster established in this study will facilitate structural diversification of salinomycin, which is valuable for drug development and structure–activity studies.
Organic–inorganic hybrid gate dielectric using bifunctional polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane for low‐voltage organic thin‐film transistors
Authors: Yu Byungseok , Ha Young‐Geun
Published: August 2021

Herein, we report the facile fabrication of rationally designed, high‐performance organic–inorganic hybrid dielectric films constructed by combining a one‐step solution processing and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation under ambient conditions. For the exceptional dielectric properties and facile fabrication process, we use bifunctional polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) with UV cross‐linking and hydrophobic properties to prepare precursor solutions for the hybrid dielectric films. The bifunctional POSS enables the fabrication of a dense network of hybrid films with UV curing at under ambient conditions. The prepared hybrid gate dielectrics exhibit high capacitance (~300 nF/cm2), exceptional surface smoothness (root‐mean‐square roughness <0.4 nm), and excellent leakage current properties (10−6 A/cm2 at 2 MV/cm). In addition, the hydrophobic function of bifunctional POSS enables the low surface energy of fabricated hybrid gate dielectrics without further treatment. Pentacene‐based organic thin‐film transistors, fabricated with a hybrid dielectric, function well at low voltage with excellent thin‐film transistor performances.
Alitretinoin in the treatment of cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Kaemmerer Till , Stadler Pia‐Charlotte , Helene Frommherz Leonie , Guertler Anne , Einar French Lars , Reinholz Markus
Published: August 2021

Introduction

In this survey, we analyzed data from patients suffering from the most common cutaneous T‐cell lymphomas (CTCLs) subtypes mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS), treated with the retinoid alitretinoin during a 7‐year period at our outpatient department between 2015 and 2020.

Materials and Methods

We analyzed patient medical records including TNMB stage, side effects under therapy with alitretinoin, time to next treatment (TTNT), and previous photo documentation.

Results

A total of 35 patients with MF (n = 28) and SS (n = 7) were included in the study, of whom 69% were male and 31% were female. The mean age of onset was 56 ± 15 years in MF and 65.4 ± 10.8 years in SS with 51.4% having early stage (IA–IIA) and 48.6% having advanced stage (IIB–IVA) CTCL.

Of these patients 37.2% responded to alitretinoin, 28.6% had a stable course, and 34.3% experienced progression. Alitretinoin was administered as a monotherapy (25.7%) or combined with five concomitant therapies (74.2%), most frequently with ECP (31.4%) and PUVA (11.4%). 63% did not report any side effects, most often hypertriglyceridemia (20%) was described.

Conclusion

Considering that nearly two thirds of the CTCL patients treated with alitretinoin showed a response or stable disease, together with a low number of side effects and low cost compared to bexarotene, alitretinoin may be a potential alternative in the treatment of less advanced CTCLs. This survey represents the largest number of recorded therapies with the retinoid alitretinoin in CTCLs in a European patient collective.
Point‐of‐care Doppler ultrasound in the management of hyponatremia: Another string to nephrologists' Bow
Authors: Samant Samira , Koratala Abhilash
Published: August 2021

Objective assessment of fluid status is vital for the appropriate management of patients with hyponatremia. Conventional physical examination suffers from several limitations in this regard, and point‐of‐care Doppler ultrasonography can be used as an adjunct to clinical and laboratory data in evaluating these patients.
Structure‐Designed Preparation of Pod‐Like CuCo2S4/rGO as Advanced Anode Material Targeting Superior Sodium Storage
Authors: Li Qun , Jiao Qingze , Zhou Wei , Gu Tingting , Li Zuze , Zhao Yun , Li Hansheng , Shi Daxin , Feng Caihong
Published: August 2021

It is urgent to design and assemble anode materials with long cycling life and high capacity for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs). Thereby, pod‐like CuCo2S4/rGO, with a unique core‐shell structure, was successfully fabricated through a solvothermal method, a green reduction process, and a following liquid‐nitrogen treatment. CuCo2S4 spheres were embedded into rGO nanosheet scrolls, forming a unique pod‐like structure due to the shrinkage of rGO during the liquid‐nitrogen treatment. The pod‐like CuCo2S4/rGO material exhibits a superior electrochemical performance compared to bare CuCo2S4, including a high capacity (557.5 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1) and good rate capability (372 mAh g−1 at 2 A g−1). In addition, a long cycling life with a high capacity of 341 mAh g−1 over 5000 cycles at 2 A g−1 is achieved. The improved electrochemical performance can be ascribed to the unique pod‐like core‐shell structure, which cannot only provide efficient pathways to facilitate electron/ion transportation, but also relieve the strain caused by volume change to maintain the structural stability. This work offers a simple strategy to prepare rGO‐wrapped CuCo2S4 nanocomposites with stable pod‐like structure, proving their potential application as anode materials for SIBs.
Photo‐Induced Ruthenium‐Catalyzed C−H Benzylations and Allylations at Room Temperature
Authors: Struwe Julia , Korvorapun Korkit , Zangarelli Agnese , Ackermann Lutz
Published: August 2021

The ruthenium‐catalyzed synthesis of diarylmethane compounds was realized under exceedingly mild photoredox conditions without the use of exogenous photocatalysts. The versatility and robustness of the ruthenium‐catalyzed C−H benzylation was reflected by an ample scope, including multifold C−H functionalizations, as well as transformable pyrazoles, imidates and sensitive nucleosides. Mechanistic studies were indicative of a photoactive cyclometalated ruthenium complex, which also enabled versatile C−H allylations.
Metastasis suppressor 1 interacts with α‐actinin 4 to affect its localization and regulate formation of membrane ruffling
Authors: Liang Lijun , Liang Xiaoping , Jiang Peng , Zhou Lu , Zhong Luanluan , Wang Mei , Lin Shuyun , Guo Zhen , Yu Juan , Yang Changcheng , Chen Yu , Zhuo Chengjie , Chen Ping , Wang Ying
Published: August 2021

Membrane ruffling plays an important role in the directed cell migration and escape of tumor cells from the monolayer. Metastasis suppressor 1 (MTSS1), also known as missing in metastasis, has been implicated in cell morphology, motility, metastasis, and development. Here, the dynamic interaction proteins associated with MTSS1 and involved in membrane ruffling were determined by cross‐linking and mass spectrometry analysis. We identified α‐actinin 4 (ACTN4) as an interacting protein and confirmed a direct interaction between MTSS1 and ACTN4. Moreover, co‐expression of MTSS1 in fibroblasts recruited cytoplasmic ACTN4 to the cell periphery, at which point ruffling became thick and rigid. In MCF‐7 cells, MTSS1 knockdown did not show an obvious effect on the cell shape or the distribution of endogenous ACTN4; however, ACTN4 overexpression transformed cell morphology from an epidermal‐ to a fibroblast‐like shape, and further MTSS1 depletion significantly increased the ratio of fibroblast cells exhibiting prominent ruffling. Furthermore, biochemical data suggested that MTSS1 cross‐linking with ACTN4 induced the formation of actin fiber bundles into more organized structures in vitro. These data indicated that MTSS1 might recruit cytoplasmic ACTN4 to the cell periphery and regulate cytoskeleton dynamics to restrict its performance in membrane ruffling.
Namib beetle optimization algorithm: A new meta‐heuristic method for feature selection and dimension reduction
Authors: Chahardoli Meysam , Eraghi Nafiseh Osati , Nazari Sara
Published: August 2021

Today, large amounts of data are generated in various applications such as smart cities and social networks, and their processing requires a lot of time. One of the methods of processing data types and reducing computational time on data is the use of dimension reduction methods. Reducing dimensions is a problem with the optimization approach and meta‐heuristic methods can be used to solve it. Namib beetles are an example of intelligent insects and creatures in nature that use an interesting strategy to survive and collect water in the desert. In this article, the behavior of Namib beetles has been used to collect water in the desert to model the Namib beetle optimization (NBO) algorithm. In the second phase of a binary version, this algorithm is used to select features and reduce dimensions. Experiments on CEC functions show that the proposed method has fewer errors than the DE, BBO, SHO, WOA, GOA, and HHO algorithms. In large dimensions such as 200, 500, and 1000 dimensions, the NBO algorithm of meta‐heuristic algorithms such as HHO and WOA has a better rank in the optimal calculation of benchmark functions. Experiments show that the proposed algorithm has a greater ability to reduce dimensions and feature selection than similar meta‐heuristic algorithms. In 87.5% of the experiments, the proposed method reduces the data space more than other compared methods.
An extra virgin olive oil‐enriched chocolate spread positively modulates insulin‐resistance markers compared with a palm oil‐enriched one in healthy young adults: A double‐blind, cross‐over, randomised controlled trial
Authors: Tuccinardi Dario , Di Mauro Antonio , Lattanzi Greta , Rossini Giovanni , Monte Lavinia , Beato Ivan , Spiezia Chiara , Bravo Maria , Watanabe Mikiko , Soare Andreea , Kyanvash Shadi , Armirotti Andrea , Bertozzi Sine Mandrup , Gastaldelli Amalia , Pedone Claudio , Khazrai Yeganeh Manon , Pozzilli Paolo , Manfrini Silvia
Published: August 2021

Aims

To investigate if extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) or palm oil enriched chocolate spreads consumption leads to different results in terms of plasma ceramides concentration, glucose and lipid metabolism, inflammatory markers and appetite regulation in young healthy subjects.

Methods

In a 2‐week, double‐blind, cross‐over, randomised controlled trial, 20 healthy, normal‐weight subjects with a mean age of 24.2 years (SD: 1.2), consumed chocolate spread snacks (73% of energy [%E] from fat, 20% from carbohydrates and 7% from proteins), providing 570 Kcal/day added to an isocaloric diet. The chocolate spreads were identical, except for the type of fat: EVOO oil, rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), or palm oil, rich in Saturated Fatty Acids (SFAs).

Results

EVOO‐enriched chocolate spread consumption led to better circulating sphingolipids and glucose profile, with reduced plasma ceramide C16:0, ceramide C16:0/ceramide C22:0‐ceramide C24:0 ratio and sphingomyelin C18:0 (P = 0.030, P= 0.032 and P = 0.042, respectively) compared to the palm oil‐enriched chocolate spread diet. HOMA‐IR and plasma insulin were lower, while the Quicki and the McAuley Index were higher after the EVOO diet compared to the palm oil diet (P = 0.046, P = 0.045, P = 0.018 and P = 0.039 respectively). Subjects maintained a stable weight throughout the study. No major significant changes in total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, inflammatory markers, and appetite‐regulating hormones/visual analogue scale were observed between the groups.

Conclusions

Partially replacing SFAs with MUFAs in a chocolate‐based snack as part of a short‐term isocaloric diet in healthy individuals may limit SFAs detrimental effects on insulin sensitivity and decrease circulating harmful sphingolipids in young adults.
Reexamining forest disturbance thresholds for managing cumulative hydrological impacts
Authors: Wei Xiaohua , Hou Yiping , Zhang Mingfang , Li Qiang , Giles‐Hansen Krysta , Liu Wenfei
Published: August 2021

Forest disturbance thresholds, defined as those at or above which significant hydrological impacts are caused, are important guides to support forest and watershed management decisions for protecting hydrological functions and minimizing negative environmental impacts. Our literature review suggests that despite their significance, the research on this topic is surprisingly limited (<20 publications), where the paired watershed experiments (PWEs) primarily designed for detecting hydrological responses to forest cover change at the small watersheds were used to derive the thresholds. However, the widely used thresholds (e.g., 20%) based on the PWEs were identified from visual interpretation rather than determined from hydrological response curves, suffering from methodological shortcomings, and thus, may lack reliability. To advance this topic, we provided a robust technique (the modified double mass curve, MDMC) for quantitatively determining forest disturbance thresholds on annual mean flow as it allows the development of a hydrological response curve between cumulative hydrological effects and forest disturbance over time at the watershed scale. We applied this robust technique in eight large watersheds in British Columbia, Canada, and found that the forest disturbance thresholds ranged from 12 to 25%. We highly recommend that the widely used forest disturbance thresholds must be reexamined, and more studies are needed with rigorous methods and in consideration of other hydrological variables in forested watersheds.
Comparison of the return period for landslide‐triggering rainfall events in Japan based on standardization of the rainfall period
Authors: Tsunetaka Haruka
Published: August 2021

The intensity of rainfall events with potential to cause landslides has varying temporal characteristics. In this study, the time at which the 72‐h accumulated rainfall reached its maximum was used to standardize the period of rainfall measurement. The proposed standardization of the rainfall period was used in conjunction with the return level of rainfall intensity, obtained from intensity–duration–frequency curves, to investigate rainfall intensity anomalies associated with 10 hazardous rainfall events that triggered numerous landslides at the regional scale in Japan. These landslides included shallow landslides in volcanic and non‐volcanic areas, as well as deep‐seated landslides. The rainfall events that triggered the shallow landslides were divided into two types: downpours that repeatedly reached close to the 100‐year return level within approximately 3–4 h, and accumulated rainfall that reached close to 200–400 mm over longer time intervals but within 72 h. Lithological differences seemed unrelated to the differences between the two types of shallow‐landslide‐triggering rainfall; however, precipitation >1000 mm was necessary to trigger deep‐seated landslides. Although the characteristics of the hyetographs differed markedly among the landslide‐triggering rainfall events, all the landslides could have been triggered when the mean rainfall intensity reached the 100‐year rainfall level during the standardized period. Thus, the landslide trigger can be evaluated indirectly based on the increase in the return level of the mean rainfall intensity, which could provide a means for estimating the time of landslide occurrence.
Early and accurate detection of cholangiocarcinoma in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis by methylation markers in bile
Authors: Vedeld Hege Marie , Grimsrud Marit M. , Andresen Kim , Pharo Heidi D. , von Seth Erik , Karlsen Tom H. , Honne Hilde , Paulsen Vemund , Färkkilä Martti A. , Bergquist Annika , Jeanmougin Marine , Aabakken Lars , Boberg Kirsten M. , Folseraas Trine , Lind Guro E.
Published: August 2021

Background and Aims

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is associated with increased risk of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Early and accurate CCA detection represents an unmet clinical need as the majority of patients with PSC are diagnosed at an advanced stage of malignancy. In the present study, we aimed at establishing robust DNA methylation biomarkers in bile for early and accurate diagnosis of CCA in PSC.

Approach and Results

Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) was used to analyze 344 bile samples from 273 patients with sporadic and PSC‐associated CCA, PSC, and other nonmalignant liver diseases for promoter methylation of cysteine dioxygenase type 1, cannabinoid receptor interacting protein 1, septin 9, and vimentin. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses revealed high AUCs for all four markers (0.77–0.87) for CCA detection among patients with PSC. Including only samples from patients with PSC diagnosed with CCA ≤ 12 months following bile collection increased the accuracy for cancer detection, with a combined sensitivity of 100% (28/28) and a specificity of 90% (20/203). The specificity increased to 93% when only including patients with PSC with longtime follow‐up (> 36 months) as controls, and remained high (83%) when only including patients with PSC and dysplasia as controls (n = 23). Importantly, the bile samples from the CCA‐PSC ≤ 12 patients, all positive for the biomarkers, included both early‐stage and late‐stage CCA, different tumor growth patterns, anatomical locations, and carbohydrate antigen 19‐9 levels.

Conclusions

Using highly sensitive ddPCR to analyze robust epigenetic biomarkers, CCA in PSC was accurately detected in bile, irrespective of clinical and molecular features, up to 12 months before CCA diagnosis. The findings suggest a potential for these biomarkers to complement current detection and screening methods for CCA in patients with PSC.