bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Skin‐Inspired Design Integrating Mechano–Chemical–Thermal Robustness into Superhydrophobic Coatings
Authors: Zhang Hailong , Bu Xinyu , Li Wanbo , Cui Miaomiao , Ji Xingxiang , Tao Furong , Gai Ligang , Jiang Haihui , Liu Libin , Wang Zuankai
Published: June 2022

Designing scalable coatings with a wide spectrum of functions such as liquid repellency, anticorrosion, and antiflaming and a high level of mechano–chemical–thermal robustness is crucial in real‐life applications. However, these individual functionalities and robustness are coupled together or even have conflicting requirements on the interfacial or bulky properties of materials, and thus, simultaneously integrating all these individual features into one coating has proved challenging. Herein, an integral skin‐inspired triple‐layered coating (STC) that resolves conflicting demands imposed by individual features on the structural, chemical, mechanical, and thermal properties of materials is proposed. Specifically, the rational design of multiple gradients in roughness, wetting, strength, and flame retardancy and the formation of continuous interfaces along its triple layers endow a sustained liquid repellency, anticorrosion, and flame retardancy even under harsh environments, as well as strong antiabrasion on surfaces and adhesion with the substrate. Such an all‐in‐one design enhances the durability and lifetime of coatings and reduces the maintenance and repair, thereby contributing to cost and energy saving. Together with a facile spraying fabrication process, this STC provides a feasible and sustainable strategy for constructing energy and resource‐saving materials.
Iron‐Phosphate‐Based Cathode Materials for Cost‐Effective Sodium‐Ion Batteries: Development, Challenges, and Prospects
Authors: He Liang , Li Huangxu , Ge Xiaochen , Li Shihao , Wang Xu , Wang Sha , Zhang Liuyun , Zhang Zhian
Published: June 2022

The progress on electrode materials over the last few years has greatly facilitated sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) toward practical applications. Cost‐effectiveness is the key character to realize practical applications of SIBs. The iron‐based phosphate materials (IPBMs) are composed of the resource abundant and low‐cost Na–Fe–P–O system and have demonstrated intriguing sodium‐storage properties to reach this goal. Starting from NaFePO4, through compositional and structural engineering, many IPBMs have been developed in recent years. This review offers a comprehensive overview about the development of IPBMs. Crystal structure, electrochemical performance, and reaction mechanism of three main categories (phosphates, pyrophosphates, mixed polyanions) of IPBMs and their represented materials are systematically introduced. Besides, the key challenges encountered by IPBMs, including the impurity phase issue, low‐quality carbon coating, limited energy density, and random morphology are proposed. Finally, perspectives on the future development of IPBMs from intrinsic properties regulation to full battery manufacturing are highlighted in aspects of electrochemical performance enhancements, mechanism investigation, surface and electrolytes, and commercialization. It is believed that this review is timely and is of great importance to promote applications of cost‐effective sodium‐ion batteries.
Tumor Microenvironment‐Activated Nanosystem With High Aggregation and On‐Demand Degradation for Imaging‐Guided Synergistic Hydrogenothermal Therapy
Authors: Qin Yufei , Zheng Ziliang , Chen Xuejiao , Liu Qin , Ren Shilei , Zhang Weiwei , Duan Ailin , Zhang Ruiping
Published: June 2022

Photothermal therapy (PTT) as an emerging antitumor approach has many advantages. However, when the PTT generates localized hyperthermia to induce cell apoptosis, excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory cytokine release will threaten the peritumoral healthy tissues, thus it is challenging to develop efficient strategies to reduce the undesirable PTT‐mediated side effects. Herein, the authors report exploitation of hypoxia‐responsive degradation in designing a synergistic hydrogenothermal therapeutic nanosystem for ROS elimination and anti‐inflammatory action to enhance antitumor activity. The nanosystem (MA@NHC) is successfully constructed by encapsulating melanin‐nanoparticles (MNPs) and amine‐borane (AB) inside functionalized hyaluronic acid to obtain MA@NH, then capped with 4T1 cell‐membranes. Synergistic integration of the homotypic aggregation with EPR effect can improve the tumor‐targeting properties of MA@NHC. Upon specifically targeting tumor, sequentially time‐dependent MNPs and AB release can be triggered by hypoxia tumor‐microenvironment. Based on the superior NIR light‐absorption ability, widely permeated MNPs are activated for photoacoustic imaging‐guided PTT. Meanwhile, the high intra‐tumor acidity accelerates the production of H2 via AB to scavenge excess ROS and reduce PTT‐induced inflammatory responses, which can be further sped up during PTT. Remarkably, as an antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory agent, the MNPs synergize with H2 to protect peritumoral normal cells from damage.
Light Propagating in a Born–Infeld Background as Seen by an Accelerated Observer
Authors: Guzman‐Herrera Elda , Breton Nora
Published: June 2022

The propagation of light in the Born–Infeld (BI) background as seen by an accelerated observer is examined. In a Born–Infeld electromagnetic field, light trajectories are governed by the null geodesics of the effective optical metric. The accelerated observer is in a Rindler frame, a situation that, according to the Einstein equivalence principle, is equivalent to being in a uniform gravitational field. The phase velocity of light propagating through a purely magnetic or electric BI background is determined as measured by the Rindler observer. The BI field and the acceleration of the frame have opposite effects on the propagating light; while the intense electric or magnetic BI background decreases the velocity of light, in the accelerated frame light may exceed its velocity in vacuum. Light propagating parallel or transversal to the acceleration direction of the Rindler frame is considered. The redshift of light pulses sent from one Rindler observer to another in the BI background is also calculated.
Property‐Driven Development of Passively Permeable Macrocyclic Scaffolds Using Heterocycles**
Authors: Saunders George J. , Yudin Andrei K.
Published: June 2022

Passive membrane permeability is a fundamental challenge in the development of bioactive macrocycles. To achieve this objective, chemists have resorted to various strategies, the most common of which is deployment of N‐methylated amino acids and/or D‐amino acids. Here we investigate the effect of heterocyclic grafts on the passive membrane permeability of macrocycles and report the structural consequences of iterative amino acid replacement by azole rings. Through stepwise substitution of amino acid residues for heterocycles, we show that lipophilicity and PAMPA permeability of a macrocycle can be vastly improved. Overall, changes in permeability do not scale linearly as more heterocycles are incorporated, underscoring the subtleties of conformation‐property relationships in this class of molecule. NMR analysis and molecular dynamics simulations provide insights into the structural consequences of the added heterocycles and these frameworks can now be applied as macrocyclic scaffolds for drug discovery.
Preparation and properties of carboxylated styrene‐butadiene rubber/flue gas desulfurization ash composites by in situ carboxylate reaction
Authors: Zhuang Wei , Shi Cheng , Wang Jinyun , Su Tong , Lin Tengfei , Lin Cong , Wu Xiao , Gao Min , Chen Hong , Su Qingfa
Published: June 2022

Flue gas desulfurization ash (FGD) is a byproduct of flue gas desulfurization facilities. Its comprehensive utilization has attracted increasing interest. In this work, FGD is used as the reinforcing filler to improve the mechanical properties of carboxylated styrene‐butadiene rubber (XSBR). The effects of FGD on the curing characteristics, microtopography, and mechanical properties of the composites were studied. The results indicated that FGD can be uniformly dispersed in XSBR and effectively improve the mechanical properties of XSBR composites. The tensile strength of the XSBR/25FGD composite reaches 14.0 MPa, approximately 19.7% higher than that of pure XSBR. Even if the incorporation of FGD reaches 45 phr, the tensile strength is still higher than that of pure XSBR. The composites obtained a lower rate of thermal degradation than XSBR. The DMA properties of the composites may be improved by the appropriate amount of addition. This work provides a new method for making more effective use of FGD in the polymer field, which has significant economic and environmental benefits.
Role of aromatic ring spacer in homo‐coupled conjugated microporous polymers in selective CO2 separation
Authors: Mane Sachin Tanaji , Kanase D. G. , Mohite Suhas
Published: June 2022

To obtain high purity of natural and flue gases, the development of adsorbent with appropriate structure is of great importance. As a result, there is an urgent need to investigate the role of aromatic ring spacer in adsorbent in high CO2 capture. For this, conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) were fabricated through homo‐coupling reaction of 1,3,5‐tribromobenzene (TBB) and 1,3,5‐triethynylbenzene (TEB). It was observed that, CMP‐A (without spacer) demonstrates high CO2 uptake over CMP‐B (with spacer). CMP‐A demonstrates CO2 uptake of 212.1 mg g−1 which is obviously higher than benchmark adsorbents under the analogous conditions. In addition, the obtained CO2 uptake is also higher than metal–organic framework (MOF) and energy‐intensive carbon‐based adsorbents. CMP‐A revealed high CO2/N2 selectivity (78.5) over CMP‐B (56.1). It was noticed that CMP‐A demonstrates excellent CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2 selectivity over CMP‐B at 273 K. This is mainly due to appropriate structure in CMP‐A (without spacer). The obtained CO2/N2 selectivity (78.5) is higher than recently reported adsorbents under the similar experimental conditions.
A Characterization of approximate decentralized fixed modes of time‐delay systems
Authors: Erol Hüseyin Ersin , İftar Altuğ
Published: June 2022

The concept of decentralized fixed mode (DFM) is crucial in determining the output feedback stabilizability by linear time‐invariant (LTI) decentralized controllers. However, in some cases, although a system has no DFMs, some of its modes may be very close to being fixed. It is thus important to characterize these modes, which are called approximate DFMs (ADFMs). In this paper, the characterization of ADFMs is discussed for LTI neutral (possibly descriptor‐type) time‐delay systems under static and dynamic decentralized output feedback control laws, and a mode mobility measure is proposed to provide quantitative information about ADFMs. To analytically compare the proposed measure, some of the commonly used quantitative measures for the characterization of ADFMs of finite‐dimensional systems have also been extended to the considered type of systems. The herein proposed approach allows multiple time delays and does not require additional expansions or preliminaries for multi‐input multi‐output systems, like some other commonly used methods. Thus, characterization with this measure, in general, requires less computational load, while it can provide more explicit information about the controller effort than the other considered measures.
Der Argentinienknoten – komplexe Infrastruktur mit BIM im Griff
Authors: Middendorf Julia , Opitz Daniel , Rahn Gunnar , Zehetmaier Gerhard , Marbes Marcel
Published: June 2022

Der Argentinienknoten ist ein zentraler Verkehrsknoten der Haupthafenroute im Hamburger Hafen, liegt in der Verlängerung der Köhlbrandbrücke und hat essenzielle Bedeutung für die Hafenlogistik. Der Knoten besteht heute aus einer Vielzahl voneinander abhängiger Einzelbauwerke und vereint Hafenverkehr auf Straße, Schiene und Wasserstraße. Dem Ersatzneubau von Teilen des Knotens widmet sich eine Machbarkeitsstudie, die vom Auftraggeber als rein modellbasierte Studie auf Basis der Building‐Information‐Modelling‐(BIM‐)Methode konzipiert wurde. Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden die wesentlichen Aspekte der Studie beschrieben. Den Schlüssel zur Betrachtung möglicher Neu‐ und Rückbauszenarien bildet ein Bestandsmodell als Datendrehscheibe. Auf dem Bestandsmodell setzt eine umfangreiche Variantenuntersuchung auf, die in jedem Bauzustand die komplexen Abhängigkeiten der Infrastrukturen berücksichtigen muss. Vor diesem Hintergrund wird die notwendige Modellierungstiefe im Vergleich zu einer hinreichenden Aussagekraft der Variantenmodelle diskutiert. Die Studie mündet in einer Untersuchung der Vorzugsvariante mit modellbasierter Termin‐ und Logistikplanung und Visualisierung der Bauphasen zur zielgruppengerechten Ansprache der Entscheidungsebenen. Das Potenzial der BIM‐Methode zeigt sich nicht zuletzt im vollständig modellbasierten Planen – für die Studie und die damit verbundenen Abstimmungen zwischen Planer, Bauherr und Dritten wurde nicht ein herkömmlicher Plan angefertigt.
Active genetics comes alive
Authors: Gantz Valentino M. , Bier Ethan
Published: June 2022

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)‐based “active genetic” elements developed in 2015 bypassed the fundamental rules of traditional genetics. Inherited in a super‐Mendelian fashion, such selfish genetic entities offered a variety of potential applications including: gene‐drives to disseminate gene cassettes carrying desired traits throughout insect populations to control disease vectors or pest species, allelic drives biasing inheritance of preferred allelic variants, neutralizing genetic elements to delete and replace or to halt the spread of gene‐drives, split‐drives with the core constituent Cas9 endonuclease and guide RNA (gRNA) components inserted at separate genomic locations to accelerate assembly of complex arrays of genetic traits or to gain genetic entry into novel organisms (vertebrates, plants, bacteria), and interhomolog based copying systems in somatic cells to develop tools for treating inherited or infectious diseases. Here, we summarize the substantial advances that have been made on all of these fronts and look forward to the next phase of this rapidly expanding and impactful field.
Hemodynamic changes and neuronal damage detected by 9.4 T MRI in rats with chronic cerebral ischemia and cognitive impairment
Authors: Sun Minghua , Wu Liangmiao , Chen Guangying , Mo Xukai , Shi Changzheng
Published: June 2022

Introduction

The bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) rat model is an ideal animal model for simulating the pathology of chronic brain hypoperfusion in humans. However, dynamic changes in neuronal activity, cellular edema, and neuronal structural integrity in vivo after BCCAO have rarely been reported. The purpose of this study is to use a 9.4 T MRI to explore the pathophysiological mechanisms of vascular dementia.

Materials and Methods

Twelve Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into two groups: the sham group and the model group (n = 6 for each group). Rats were subjected to MRI using T2*WI, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and DWI sequences by MRI at the following six time points: presurgery and 6 h, 3 days, 7 days, 21 days, and 28 days postsurgery. Then, the T2*, fractional anisotropy (FA), and average apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were measured in the bilateral cortices and hippocampi. After MRI scanning, all rats in both groups were subjected to the Y‐maze test, novel object recognition test, and open‐field test to assess their learning, memory, cognition, and locomotor activity.

Results

The T2*, FA, and ADC values in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus decreased sharply at 6 h after BCCAO in the model group compared with those of the sham group. By Day 28, the T2* and ADC values gradually increased to close to those in the sham group, but the FA values changed little, and the rats in the model group had worse learning, memory, and cognition and less locomotor activity than the rats in the sham group.

Conclusions

The BCCAO is an ideal rat model for studying the pathophysiological mechanisms of vascular dementia.
From impacts to dependencies: A first global assessment of corporate biodiversity risk exposure and responses
Authors: Carvalho Sergio Henrique Collaço de , Cojoianu Theodor , Ascui Francisco
Published: June 2022

There is growing awareness that biodiversity loss poses a significant risk to the global economy, but a lack of clarity on what this means for corporations, and how they are responding. This study provides a first quantitative assessment of biodiversity risk exposure across the world's largest listed companies, compared with their adoption of biodiversity policies, through analysis of disclosures from a sample of 11,812 companies from 2004 to 2018. We find that companies have started responding strategically to biodiversity risk, with 29% having adopted a biodiversity policy by 2018. However, around $7.2 trillion of total enterprise value remains exposed to unmanaged biodiversity risk. Companies in sectors with material impacts on biodiversity tend to have high levels of response, but there is poorer responsiveness to material biodiversity dependency risks. A natural‐capital‐based view (NCBV) of the firm is proposed to theorise how corporations are constrained by both their impacts and dependencies on natural capital.
NIL: Consider lessons from the past about disclosing records under FERPA
Authors: Rainsberger Richard
Published: June 2022

State laws governing name, image, and likeness have failed to address what can be disclosed to third parties about student‐athletes’ NIL agreements.
Laser direct writing derived robust carbon nitride films with efficient photon‐to‐electron conversion for multifunctional photoelectrical applications
Authors: Tan Haotian , Si Wenping , Peng Wei , Wang Yuqing , Liu Daolan , Wang Liqun , Jiang Chongyun , Di Lu , Liang Ji , Hou Feng
Published: June 2022

Carbon nitride, an emerging polymeric semiconductor, has attracted attention in research ranging from photocatalysis to photodetection due to its favorable visible light response and high physicochemical stability. For its practical device application, the fabrication of high‐quality carbon nitride films on substrates is essential. However, conventional methodologies to achieve high polymerization of carbon nitride are often accompanied by its decomposition, significantly compromising the film quality. Herein, we report an ultrafast fabrication of carbon nitride film by laser direct writing (LDW). The instantaneous high temperature and pressure during LDW can efficiently boost the polymerization of carbon nitride and suppress its decomposition, resulting in high‐quality carbon nitride film with excellent mechanical stability with the substrate. Due to the efficient photon‐to‐electron conversion, it exhibits an outstanding photoelectrochemical water splitting and optoelectronic detection capability, even under strong acid/alkaline conditions. This study thus offers a facile and efficient LDW strategy for the rapid fabrication of carbon nitride film photoelectrodes, demonstrating its great feasibility in multifunctional photoelectrical applications, including but not limited to photoelectrochemical water splitting and optoelectronic detection.
In Situ Grignard Metalation Method for the Synthesis of Hauser Bases
Authors: Sengupta Simon , Schüler Philipp , Görls Helmar , Liebing Phil , Krieck Sven , Westerhausen Matthias
Published: June 2022

The in situ Grignard Metalation Method (iGMM) is a straightforward one‐pot procedure to quickly produce multigram amounts of Hauser bases R2N‐MgBr which are valuable and vastly used metalation reagents and novel electrolytes for magnesium batteries. During addition of bromoethane to a suspension of Mg metal and secondary amine at room temperature in an ethereal solvent, a smooth reaction yields R2N‐MgBr under evolution of ethane within a few hours. A Schlenk equilibrium is operative, interconverting the Hauser bases into their solvated homoleptic congeners Mg(NR2)2and MgBr2depending on the solvent. Scope and preconditions are studied, and side reactions limiting the yield have been investigated. DOSY NMR experiments and X‐ray crystal structures of characteristic examples clarify aggregation in solution and the solid state.
Fluorescent P‐Hydroxyphosphole for Peptide Labeling through P‐N Bond Formation
Authors: Rémond Emmanuelle , Fehrentz Jean‐Alain , Liénart Laure , Clément Sébastien , Banères Jean‐Louis , Cavelier Florine
Published: June 2022

Synthesis of fluorescent P‐hydroxybinaphtylphosphole‐oxide or ‐sulfide was achieved by trapping a binaphtyl dianion with methyl dichlorophosphite or P‐(N,N‐diethylamino)dichlorophosphine, followed by oxidation or sulfuration of the P‐center. After saponification or acid hydrolysis, the P‐hydroxyphospholes were coupled to peptides using the coupling agent BOP, under the conditions required for the synthesis in solution or on a solid support. This new method was illustrated by the labeling of the JMV2959, a potent antagonist of the Growth Hormone Secretagogue Receptor type 1a (GHS−R1a). The labeled conjugates were used to characterize GHSR ligands by competition assays, based on Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET). Such P‐hydroxyphosphole‐oxide or ‐sulfide constitute a promising new class of compact fluorophores with large Stokes shift, for labeling biomolecules by grafting through the phosphorus atom.
Adamantyl Side Chains as Anti‐Aggregating Moieties in Dyes for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Almenningen David Moe , Haga Brita Susanne , Hansen Henrik Erring , Buene Audun Formo , Hoff Bård Helge , Gautun Odd Reidar
Published: June 2022

Designing and evaluating novel dye concepts is crucial for the development of the field of dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In our recent report, the novel concept of tethering the anti‐aggregation additive chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) to dyes for DSSC was introduced. Based on the performance improvements seen for this modification, the aim of this study is to see if a simplified anti‐aggregation unit could achieve similar results. The following study reports the synthesis and photovoltaic characterization of two novel dyes decorated with the steric ethyladamantyl moiety on the π‐spacer, and on the triarylamine donor. This modification is demonstrated to be successful in increasing the photovoltages in devices employing copper‐based electrolytes compared to the non‐modified reference dye. The best photovoltaic performance is achieved by a device prepared with the adamantyl decorated donor dye and CDCA, this device achieves a power conversion efficiency of 6.1 % (Short‐circuit current=8.3 mA cm−2, Open‐circuit voltage=1054 mV, Fill factor=0.69). The improved photovoltaic performance seen for the adamantyl decorated donor demonstrate the potential of ethyladamantyl side chains as a tool to ensure surface protection of TiO2.
Feasibility and acceptability of a digital tele‐guided intervention targeting components of the addictive appetite model for bulimia nervosa and binge‐eating disorder in Korea
Authors: Kwag Kyung Hwa , Kim Youl‐Ri , Lee You Kyung , Lee Hye Rin , Lee Ja Youn , Lee Jihye , Kim Jione , Kim Youngkeun , Treasure Janet
Published: June 2022

Objective

We aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and potential impact of a tele‐guided digital‐based intervention based on the addictive appetite model of recurrent binge eating.

Method

Female college students with bulimia nervosa (BN) or binge‐eating disorder (BED) (n = 22) received a 6‐week guided intervention targeting addictive processes and emotion regulation. The feasibility of the intervention was evaluated, and the outcomes were assessed at baseline, the end of the intervention, and 1‐month follow‐up.

Results

Of the participants, 86.4% (n = 19) completed the intervention. The self‐help materials were viewed 6.03 ± 3.06 times per week, and the duration of using the self‐help materials was 113.16 ± 160.19 min/week. The intervention group experienced a significant reduction with a moderate effect on binge eating at the end of the intervention (Hedges' g = 0.58), and the effects lasted through follow‐up (Hedges' g = 0.82).

Discussion

The results suggest that the digital intervention targeting a maintenance mechanism of recurrent binge eating was feasible and acceptable for patients with BN and BED, proving the potential for symptom improvement.

Public significance

The addictive appetite model provides the framework for new interventions to improve treatments for BN and BED. This study found that the digital intervention based on the model was feasible and acceptable for patients with BN and BED.
Quantifying Electrochemical Processes in Batteries and Beyond
Authors: Antonio Emma N. , Toney Michael F.
Published: June 2022

The correlation of electrochemical measurements with materials characterization has advanced our understanding of operation and degradation mechanisms in electrochemical energy storage and many other fields. Yet, often these correlations are qualitative, preventing the unambiguous identification of both operational principles and the root causes of performance losses. Here we suggest quantitative approaches to define competing mechanisms and determine their relative contributions. We illustrate the importance of quantitative methodologies over a range of electrochemical systems and highlight the need to consider the effect of the experimental design and measurement itself. These approaches will reveal the most detrimental degradation mechanisms and enable the development of strategies to suppress, stabilize or eliminate them, leading to materials and devices with longer lifetimes, reduced environmental impact, and improved performance.
Nickel oxide Nanoparticles/Carbon Nanotubes Nanocomposite for Non‐enzymatic Determination of Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Fernández Iñigo , Carinelli Soledad , González‐Mora José Luis , Villalonga Reynaldo , Salazar‐Carballo Pedro A.
Published: June 2022

In this work, nickel oxide nanoparticles‐modified multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were prepared and used for H2O2 sensing application. Firstly, ex situ NiO nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared and further used to decorate polyethylenimine (PEI)‐modified carboxylated CNTs. The obtained nanocomposite and its precursors were identified by using X‐ray diffraction, thermal analysis, Raman spectroscopy and SEM and TEM images, N2 adsorption‐desorption isotherms, and electrochemical techniques. The sensing properties of the NiO‐modified nanocomposite toward H2O2 were studied by electrochemical techniques using glassy carbon electrodes (GCEs) as support material. After optimizing the sensor construction, the sensor sensitivity was about of 0.83±0.01 A M−1 cm−2 with a LOD of about 1.0 μM. In addition, it showed excellent anti‐interference properties, reproducibility, and stability (over 4 months). Finally, such sensors were coupled to a flow injection device and the H2O2 concentration of some commercial antiseptic solutions were successfully obtained (with recovery ratios between 96.3–102.4 %).
A Novel Electroanalytical Biosensor Based on ZIF‐8/Acetylcholinesterase Bio‐nanohybrids for Early Management of Hirschsprung Disease
Authors: Roy Souradeep , Mathur Ashish , Bihari Pati Akash
Published: June 2022

Hirschsprung's disease (HD) is characterised by missing nerve cells in the colon of infants and children which results in strained bowel movement. Under such situations, undiagnosed and untreated cases often lead to a cascade of gastrointestinal infections eventually resulting in Hirschsprung‐assisted enterocolitis which has significantly high mortality rate. This is further exacerbated by the absence of suitable, sensitive and efficient technologies to detect the pathological segment of the intestine, which could significantly reduce surgery duration in the operation theatre, as well as associated risks to patients. It therefore becomes a matter of extreme importance to develop a point‐of‐care platform for early and efficient management/identification of the occurrence of HD in neonates and older children during its onset, before it proves fatal with life‐threatening outcomes. The present work reports an electrochemical enzymatic biosensor using Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework‐8 (ZIF‐8) modified with acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AchE), for detection of HD as a function of the key biomarker – acetylcholine. The developed sensor was initially characterized using Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), while the analytical performance and insights onto interfacial redox kinetics were assessed using Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV) and EIS respectively. The sensor exhibited limit of detection and sensitivity of 0.19 μM and sensitivity of 0.42 μA/μM/mm2 with a shelf life of 1 month, while remaining unperturbed in the presence of common interferants. The performance of developed sensor was also examined in spiked serum samples and was observed to yield a high degree of linearity.
Data‐driven rapid damage evaluation for life‐cycle seismic assessment of regional reinforced concrete bridges
Authors: Xu Ji‐Gang , Feng De‐Cheng , Mangalathu Sujith , Jeon Jong‐Su
Published: June 2022

Rapid and accurate post‐earthquake damage evaluation of regional reinforced concrete (RC) bridges is a key issue for assessing the seismic resilience of cities and communities. Especially, RC bridges are susceptible to the aggressive environment, which can induce time‐dependent aging effects such as corrosion, and thus, it should be considered in the assessment. This paper presents an approach for regional seismic performance assessment of RC bridges in a life‐cycle context based on machine‐learning techniques. The life‐cycle seismic demand and capacity of the bridges are, firstly, obtained by the elaborated numerical model, which includes the deterioration induced by the aging corrosion effect. Then, the tagging‐based damage state (green, yellow, or red) is easily obtained by comparing the pairs of demand and capacity through machine learning. Four hundred and eighty bridge models are generated to develop the machine‐learning models and the performance of the machine learning models is evaluated. Results show that the extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) model has the best performance, which has an accuracy of 81% in predicting the damage states. The proposed approach is demonstrated with a single bridge example and bridges in a sample region. It is shown that the machine learning model can accurately predict the post‐earthquake damage states of the single bridge, and it can also rapidly assess the damage states of the bridges in the sample region. Approximately 30% bridges in the sample region will experience damage states shift after 100 years, which highlights the importance of considering the aging effects on the post‐earthquake damage assessment of bridges.
Mitoquinone mitigates paraquat‐induced A549 lung epithelial cell injury by promoting MFN1/MFN2‐mediated mitochondrial fusion
Authors: Liu Chao , Sun Zhaorui , Wang Mengmeng , Yang Zhizhou , Zhang Wei , Ren Yi , Han Xiaoqin , Zhang Bo , Yao Mengya , Nie Shinan
Published: June 2022

Paraquat (PQ) poisoning often leads to severe lung injuries, in which the mitochondria damage plays a critical role. Mitoquinone (MitoQ), a newly designed mitochondria‐targeted antioxidant, has been proved for its benefit in mitochondria protection. However, the role of MitoQ in PQ‐induced lung injury remains unclear. Thus, this study was performed to investigate the effect of MitoQ on PQ‐induced lung injury and its underlying mechanisms. Our work showed that PQ caused the inhibition of A549 lung epithelial cell viability in a dose‐dependent manner, while MitoQ remarkably mitigated the PQ‐induced cell viability suppression. Besides this, PQ‐mediated apoptosis of A549 cells was significantly attenuated by MitoQ, as indicated by the TUNEL assay and mitochondria membrane potential assay. Moreover, the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was also dramatically suppressed when cotreated MitoQ with PQ. This could be ascribed to enhanced mitochondrial fusion mediated by Mitofusin 1 (MFN1)/Mitofusin 2 (MFN2), because MitoQ preserved mitochondrial network integrity, as reflected by MitoTracker staining, and MitoQ also increased the expression of MFN1/MFN2 in A549 cells after PQ treatment. Our data suggested MitoQ mitigated PQ‐induced lung epithelial cell injury by promoting MFN1/MFN2‐mediated mitochondrial fusion, and MitoQ might be a potential candidate drug for the treatment of PQ‐induced lung injury.
Molecular docking study of GSK‐3β interaction with nomilin, kihadanin B, and related limonoids and triterpenes with a furyl‐δ‐lactone core
Authors: Vergoten Gérard , Bailly Christian
Published: June 2022

Glycogen synthase kinase‐3β (GSK‐3β) is a target enzyme considered for the treatment of multiple human diseases, from neurodegenerative pathologies to viral infections and cancers. Numerous inhibitors of GSK‐3β have been discovered but thus far only a few have reached clinical trials and only one drug, tideglusib (1), has been registered. Natural products targeting GSK‐3β have been identified, including the two anticancer limonoids obacunone (5) and gedunin (4), both presenting a furyl‐δ‐lactone core. To help identifying novel GSK‐3β ligands, we have performed a molecular docking study with 15 complementary natural products bearing a furyl‐δ‐lactone unit (such as limonin (6) and kihadanins A (8) and B (9)) or a closely related structure (such as cedrelone (10) and nimbolide (11)). The formation of GSK‐3β‐binding complexes for those natural products was compared to reference GSK‐3β ATP‐competitive inhibitors LY2090314 (3) and AR‐A014418 (2). Our in silico analysis led to the identification of two new GSK‐3β‐binding natural products: kihadanin B (9) and nomilin (7). The latter surpassed the reference compounds in terms of calculated empirical energy of interaction (ΔE). Nomilin (7) can possibly bind to the active site of GSK‐3β, notably via the furyl‐δ‐lactone core and its 1‐acetyl group, implicated in the protein interaction. Compound structure‐binding relationships are discussed. The study should help the discovery of novel natural products targeting GSK‐3β.
Identification of novel biomarkers in prostate cancer diagnosis and prognosis
Authors: Li Wenji , Xu Wei , Sun Kai , Wang Fujun , Wong Tin Wui , Kong Ah‐Ng
Published: June 2022

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a common urinary malignancy. The lack of specific and sensitive biomarkers for the early diagnosis and prognosis of PCa makes it important to seek alternatives. R software was used to analyze the PCa expression profile from data sets in Gene Expression Omnibus. Core differential genes were identified by String and Cytoscape and further validated by Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) and The Human Protein Atlas (HPA). Gene Ontology analysis was done in the DIVID database and visualization analysis was conducted by Hiplot. Pathway enrichment was analyzed by IPA. To identify potential competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNA) networks, the experimentally validated microRNA‐target interactions database (miRTarBase), The Encyclopedia of RNA Interactomes (StarBase), lncBase, and GEPIA were used. The lncLocator was utilized to perform subcellular localization of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). Both miRTarBase and StarBase were used to find the binding site of mRNAs‐miRNAs and miRNAs‐lncRNAs. Visualization of the ceRNA network was performed with Cytoscape. Nine genes closely related to the diagnosis and prognosis of PCa were obtained, including four identified biomarkers by HPA, CENPF, TPX2, TK1, and CCNB1, and five novel PCa biomarkers, RRM2, UBE2C, TOP2A, BIRC5, and ZWINT. Pathway analysis indicated that PCa carcinogenesis was highly correlated with liver fibrosis pathways, ILK signaling, and NRF2‐mediated oxidative stress response. Two sets of ceRNA networks, BIRC5/hsa‐miR‐218‐5p/NEAT1 and UBE2C/hsa‐miR‐483‐3p/NEAT1 were found to be novel biomarkers for the identification of PCa. The quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction results verified that UBE2C, BIRC5, and NEAT1 were upregulated and hsa‐miR‐218‐5p and hsa‐miR‐483‐3p were downregulated in human PCa cells compared with normal prostate epithelial cells. The novel identified biomarkers in this study would be valuable for the diagnosis and prognosis of PCa.
An investigation of the effects of chronic zonisamide, sultiam, lacosamide, clobazam, and rufinamide anti‐seizure medications on foliculogenesis in ovarian tissue in prepubertal non‐epileptic rats
Authors: Kart Pınar Özkan , Gürgen Seren Gülşen , Esenülkü Gülnur , Dilber Beril , Yıldız Nihal , Yazar Uğur , Sarsmaz Hayrunnisa Yeşil , Topsakal Ali Samet , Kamaşak Tülay , Arslan Elif Acar , Şahin Sevim , Cansu Ali
Published: June 2022

We aimed to determine the morphological and histological effects of zonisamide, sultiam, lacosamide, clobazam, and rufinamide on ovarian folliculogenesis in rats. Sixty female Wistar rats were divided into six experimental groups as control, zonisamide, sultiam, lacosamide, clobazam, and rufinamide groups; control solution and drugs were administered by gavage for 90 days. The number of healthy follicles in the control group was significantly higher than in the anti‐medication groups (p < 0.001), and the number of corpus luteum was significantly lower (p < 0.001). There was a significant difference in the number of TUNEL positive apoptotic follicles between the control and drug groups (p < 0.001). With EGF, IGF‐1, and GDF‐9 staining, a very strong immunoreaction was observed in the ovarian multilaminar primary follicle granulosa cells and oocytes in the control group compared to the drug group (p < 0.001). Long‐term anti‐seizure medication with zonisamide, sultiam, lacosamide, clobazam, and rufinamide from prepubertal to adulthood causes apoptosis and disruption of folliculogenesis in the ovarian follicles of nonepileptic rats.
Omicron (BA.1) and sub‐variants (BA.1.1, BA.2, and BA.3) of SARS‐CoV‐2 spike infectivity and pathogenicity: A comparative sequence and structural‐based computational assessment
Authors: Kumar Suresh , Karuppanan Kalimuthu , Subramaniam Gunasekaran
Published: June 2022

The Omicron variant of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) has now spread throughout the world. We used computational tools to assess the spike infectivity, transmission, and pathogenicity of Omicron (BA.1) and sub‐variants (BA.1.1, BA.2, and BA.3) in this study. BA.1 has 39 mutations, BA.1.1 has 40 mutations, BA.2 has 31 mutations, and BA.3 has 34 mutations, with 21 shared mutations between all. We observed 11 common mutations in Omicron's receptor‐binding domain (RBD) and sub‐variants. In pathogenicity analysis, the Y505H, N786K, T95I, N211I, N856K, and V213R mutations in omicron and sub‐variants are predicted to be deleterious. Due to the major effect of the mutations characterizing in the RBD, we found that Omicron and sub‐variants had a higher positive electrostatic surface potential. This could increase interaction between RBD and negative electrostatic surface potential human angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (hACE2). Omicron and sub‐variants had a higher affinity for hACE2 and the potential for increased transmission when compared to the wild‐type (WT). Negative electrostatic potential of N‐terminal domain (NTD) of the spike protein value indicates that the Omicron variant binds receptors less efficiently than the WT. Given that at least one receptor is highly expressed in lung and bronchial cells, the electrostatic potential of NTD negative value could be one of the factors contributing to why the Omicron variant is thought to be less harmful to the lower respiratory tract. Among Omicron sub‐lineages, BA.2 and BA.3 have a higher transmission potential than BA.1 and BA.1.1. We predicted that mutated residues in BA.1.1 (K478), BA.2 (R400, R490, and R495), and BA.3 (R397 and H499) formation of new salt bridges and hydrogen bonds. Omicron and sub‐variant mutations at Receptor‐binding Motif (RBM) residues such as Q493R, N501Y, Q498, T478K, and Y505H all contribute significantly to binding affinity with human ACE2. Interactions with Omicron variant mutations at residues 493, 496, 498, and 501 seem to restore ACE2 binding effectiveness lost due to other mutations like K417N.
Quantification of iron and copper ions in some edible oils using broadband cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy (BBCEAS)
Authors: Bazina Naser , Ahmed Tariq , Almdaaf Mostafa , He Jibin , Sarker Mosh , Islam Meez
Published: June 2022

Background

The first application of liquid‐phase broadband cavity‐enhanced absorption spectroscopy (BBCEAS) measurements in food science was made to determine the presence of iron and copper metal in some edible oils. Metal ions in trace amounts, such as iron and copper, have an effect on the oxidative stability of edible oils. The creation of unwanted chemicals is accelerated in the presence of transition metals such as iron and copper, which act as a catalyst in the decomposition of hydrogen peroxides. In general, the rate of oxidation of edible oils can be accelerated, even with trace levels of metal ions. This has an effect on the flavour, odour, and taste of edible oils. As a result, it is critical to determine trace metal concentrations when evaluating oil quality in terms of freshness, stability, and storage.

Results

In this work, for the first time, Iron and copper metal were detected in olive oil, sunflower oil, frying rapeseed oil, cold‐pressed olive oil, and cold‐pressed rapeseed oil samples using BBCEAS. Sensitivity and limit of detection (LOD) of conventional spectrophotometer of analysis have been reported as 4.42 × 10−4 cm−1 Hz−½ and 3.3 × 10−2 for Iron and 4.39 × 10−4 cm−1 Hz−½ and 2.8 × 10−2 mg/L for copper. The results of BBCEAS measurements standard solutions produced sensitivity (αmin[t]) and LOD values of 8.86 × 10−6 cm−1 Hz−½ and 2.38 × 10−4 mg/L for Iron and 4.5 × 10−6 cm−1 Hz−½ and 2.1 × 10−4 mg/L for copper, respectively.

Conclusion

Overall, the results obtained in this work represent a 116‐fold improvement for iron and 78‐fold for copper in sensitivity compared to conventional absorption spectroscopy measurements. The BBCEAS measurements of iron metal in the edible oil samples did not detect the metal in the olive and sunflower oil samples but did detect it in the other oil samples at parts per billion (ppb) levels. Copper was found to be present in all oil samples. The study demonstrates the suitability of applying the BBCEAS technique to food analysis.
Valorization of green biomass Azolla pinnata fern: multi‐parameter evaluation of processing conditions on protein extractability and their influence on the physicochemical, structural, techno‐functional properties and protein quality
Authors: Qoms Mohammed S , Arulrajah Brisha , Shamsudin Rosnah , Ibadullah Wan Zunairah Wan , Saari Nazamid
Published: June 2022

BACKGROUND

This study determined the effect of processing conditions on protein extractability from Azolla pinnata fern, and their influence on the physicochemical, structural, techno‐functional properties and protein quality.

RESULTS

The protein extraction from A. pinnata fern was optimized through response surface methodology obtaining a maximum yield of 18.93% with a recovery rate of 73.66%. The A. pinnata fern protein concentrate (AFPC) had five protein bands with a molecular weight ranging from 17 to 56 kDa. AFPC contained high β‐sheet structure (36.61%), favouring its good thermal properties with three endothermic peaks at 54.28, 86.52 and 166.25 °C. The AFPC scored ≥ 1 for all essential amino acids, except for lysine and histidine. The AFPC exhibited exceptionally high techno‐functional properties, particularly for water holding (5.46 g g−1) and fat absorption capacity (10.08 g g−1), and gelling properties (5% gelation concentration). The AFPC had high in vitro digestibility of 73%, signifying its high availability for human consumption.

CONCLUSION

The underexploited A. pinnata fern is a potential source of edible protein, thus a promising nutraceutical or ingredient of functional and health‐promoting foods. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
The potential of thermal desorption‐GC/MS‐based analytical methods for the unambiguous identification and quantification of perfluoroisobutene and carbonyl fluoride in air samples
Authors: Wingfors Håkan , Mörén Lina , Wiktelius Daniel , Magnusson Roger
Published: June 2022

The reactive gases perfluoroisobutene and carbonyl fluoride are highly toxic and difficult to analyze in air. For this paper, the available sampling and analysis methods involving gas chromatography/mass spectrometry were investigated for their potential to give unambiguous identification and quantification of perfluoroisobutene and carbonyl fluoride, for which no such methods exist. Although high concentrations of perfluoroisobutene could be analyzed directly by manual split injection, sorbent sampling followed by thermal desorption GC/MS allowed lower concentrations to be analyzed. However, a significant degradation of perfluoroisobutene observed after thermal desorption analysis inspired the use of derivatization of perfluoroisobutene with 3,4‐dimercaptotoluene. The use of Tenax TA sorbent tubes spiked with 3,4‐dimercaptotoluene and trimethylamine in a molar ratio of 1:8 proved successful for the quantification of a unique perfluoroisobutene derivative, and the method was validated for atmospheres in the range of 0.13–152 ppb with a relative standard deviation of less than 20% and an accuracy of 90%. Although carbonyl fluoride was less stable than perfluoroisobutene, direct analysis was possible at high concentrations but the response was not linear. The 3,4‐dimercaptotoluene derivatization method developed was also applicable for quantification of carbonyl fluoride atmospheres.
A Unified Framework for Photonic Time‐Stretch Systems
Authors: Zhou Yiming , Chan Jacky C. K. , Jalali Bahram
Published: June 2022

Photonic time stretch is the key enabling technology for a wide variety of instruments with unparalleled single‐shot data acquisition performance at high throughput and continuous operation. These systems have established landmark performance in spectroscopy and imaging including flow‐through microscopy, velocimetry, lidar, and other measurements. The evolution of the original time‐stretch technique into such diverse instruments and applications over the last 25 years has created the need for a unified theoretical framework. This paper represents the first step toward a universal mathematical model for time‐stretch instruments. It shows that the “stretch factor”—the fundamental performance metric—is governed by a single canonical equation in a wide range of seemingly diverse time‐stretch instruments. The paper also provides new insight into the operation of time‐stretch imaging and light scattering systems. The stretch factor is derived for time‐stretch systems that operate in temporal, spatial, angular, and Doppler domains. The analysis and mathematical tools provided here can facilitate understanding and analysis of such systems and help future developments in this field.