bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advanced Pre‐Diagnosis Method of Biomass Intermediates Toward High Energy Dual‐Carbon Potassium‐Ion Capacitor
Authors: Cai Peng , Momen Roya , Tian Ye , Yang Liwen , Zou Kangyu , Massoudi Abouzar , Deng Wentao , Hou Hongshuai , Zou Guoqiang , Ji Xiaobo
Published: December 2021

Potassium ion capacitors (PICs) have the potential to combine the advantages of capacitors and batteries, making them promising energy storage substitutes for existing systems. Biomass‐based‐electrodes are very promising materials for potassium storage, however, at present, the acquisition of biomass‐based‐electrodes is mainly dependent on high temperature calcination, which makes the efficient utilization of biomass materials quite challenging. Herein, in accordance with ex‐situ 13C NMR and Raman, a universally directional selection strategy of biomass precursors through an advanced pre‐diagnosis method for calcination intermediates and a sulfur engineering strategy are initially proposed, proving that the carbon materials derived from precursors with fewer aliphatic chains and more aromatic carbons show a higher yield and can be have more K ions inserted. In addition, the evolution mechanism of in‐plane/interlayered CS bonds is thoroughly evaluated. Notably, PICs assembled by such carbon materials as the battery‐type anode, deliver a high energy density of 151 Wh kg‐1 and an ultrahigh power output of 10 kW kg‐1, closing to state‐of‐the‐art values for PICs. This breakthrough opens up a new avenue for targeted design of biomass materials and offers in‐depth insights into the evolution of S‐C bonds, promoting the energy/power density of PICs devices to a higher level.
Essential updates 2020/2021: Current topics of simulation and navigation in hepatectomy
Authors: Saito Yu , Shimada Mitsuo , Morine Yuji , Yamada Shinichiro , Sugimoto Maki
Published: December 2021

With the development of three‐dimensional (3D) simulation software, preoperative simulation technology is almost completely established. The remaining issue is how to recognize anatomy three‐dimensionally. Extended reality is a newly developed technology with several merits for surgical application: no requirement for a sterilized display monitor, better spatial awareness, and the ability to share 3D images among all surgeons. Various technology or devices for intraoperative navigation have also been developed to support the safety and certainty of liver surgery. Consensus recommendations regarding indocyanine green fluorescence were determined in 2021. Extended reality has also been applied to intraoperative navigation, and artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the topics of real‐time navigation. AI might overcome the problem of liver deformity with automatic registration. Including the issues described above, this article focuses on recent advances in simulation and navigation in liver surgery from 2020 to 2021.
Kohlschütter–Tönz syndrome: Case report with novel feature and detailed review of features associated with ROGDI variants
Authors: Liepina Lelde , Kalnina Marija Luize , Micule Ieva , Gailite Linda , Rots Dmitrijs , Kalnina Julija , Strautmanis Jurgis , Celmina Marta
Published: December 2021

Kohlschütter–Tönz syndrome (KTS) is a rare, autosomal recessive syndrome characterized by a triad of epilepsy, amelogenesis imperfecta and severe global developmental delay. It was first described in a Swiss family in 1974 by Alfried Kohlschütter and Otmar Tönz. It is caused by pathogenic variants in the ROGDI gene. To the best of our knowledge, there are currently 43 patients with a confirmed ROGDI gene pathogenic variant reported. Here, we review in detail the clinical manifestations of KTS, provide an overview of all reported genetically confirmed patients, and document an additional case of KTS—a 6‐year‐old Latvian girl—with a confirmed ROGDI gene pathogenic variant. In contrast to previous reports, we detected idiopathic bilateral nephrocalcinosis in this newly identified KTS patient. Perampanel proved an effective treatment for our patient with prolonged super‐refractory status epilepticus. In order to better characterize this rare syndrome and its clinical course, it is important to report any additional symptoms and also the effectiveness of used therapies. Future research should focus on elucidating the mechanisms by which the absence/insufficiency of ROGDI‐encoded protein causes the clinical manifestations of KTS. This knowledge could shape possible ways of influencing the disease's natural history with more effective therapies.
Divergent Synthesis of 3,5‐Disubstituted Pyrazoles and α, β‐Alkynic Hydrazone from Diarylpropynones and Carbazates
Authors: Wang Qi , Hong Gang , Tang Zhicong , Yang Peng , Zhong Yi , Gong Yu , Wang Limin
Published: December 2021

Yb(OTf)3 catalyzed synthesis of pyrazoles by cyclization of 1,3‐diarylpropynones with carbazates was reported. In the presence of K2S2O8/TBAI as catalyst, α,β‐alkynic hydrazone was obtained through the reactions from the same starting materials in up to 97% yields. Mechanistic studies indicated that propargyl hydrazone was not involved in pyrazole formation. The aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) characteristics of the pyrazoles were explored, demonstrating potential applications in the luminophoric materials.
Development and validation of a procedure‐based organ failure assessment model for patients in the intensive care unit: an administrative database study
Authors: Ohbe Hiroyuki , Yamana Hayato , Matsui Hiroki , Yasunaga Hideo
Published: December 2021

Aim

To develop a procedure‐based organ failure assessment model for intensive care unit (ICU) patients and to examine the ability of this model to predict in‐hospital mortality, with reference to the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score.

Methods

Using the Japanese nationwide Diagnosis Procedure Combination database, we identified patients aged ≥15 years who were admitted to the ICUs April 2018–March 2019. Since April 2018, Japanese health care providers have been required to input ICU patients' SOFA scores into this database. We extracted data on the following procedures on ICU admission: oxygen supplementation, invasive mechanical ventilation, blood transfusions, catecholamines, chest compression, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and renal replacement therapy. A procedure‐based organ failure assessment model (Model 1) for in‐hospital mortality was developed using therapeutic procedures for organ failure on the day of ICU admission in the derivation cohort. We also constructed a model using the SOFA score (Model 2). Discriminatory ability was assessed using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) in the validation cohort, and the discriminatory abilities of the models were compared.

Results

In total, 69,019 patients were included. Overall in‐hospital mortality was 7.2%. The AUROCs for Model 1 (0.810) and Model 2 (0.817) in the validation cohort did not show a statistically significant difference (P = 0.20).

Conclusion

The models established using procedure‐based organ failure assessment showed no statistically significant differences from those using the SOFA score, suggesting that procedure records in administrative databases can be used for risk adjustment in clinical studies on ICU mortality.
Novel 3D Lung Tumor Spheroids for Oncoimmunological Assays
Authors: De Ridder Kirsten , Tung Navpreet , Werle Jan-Timon , Karpf Léa , Awad Robin Maximilian , Bernier Annie , Ceuppens Hannelore , Salmon Hélène , Goyvaerts Cleo
Published: December 2021

Lung cancer thrives in a complex multicellular tumor microenvironment (TME) that impacts tumor growth, metastasis, response, and resistance to therapy. While orthotopic murine lung cancer models can partly recapitulate this complexity, they do not resonate with high‐throughput immunotherapeutic drug screening assays. To address the current need for relevant and easy‐to‐use lung tumor models, a protocol is established to generate and evaluate fully histocompatible murine and human lung tumor spheroids, generated by coculturing lung fibroblasts with tumor cells in ultralow adherence 96‐well plates. A spheroid generation protocol with the murine KrasG12Dp53−/−(KP) and Lewis Lung Carcinoma (LLC) cell lines is delivered next to the human lung H1650 adenocarcinoma line. In addition, their application potential to study tumor‐stroma organization, T‐cell motility, and infiltration as well as distinct macrophage subsets’ behavior using confocal microscopy is described. Finally, a 3D target‐specific T‐cell killing assay that allows spatiotemporal assessment of different tumor to T‐cell ratios and immune checkpoint blockade regimens using flow cytometry and live cell imaging is described. This 3D lung tumor spheroid platform can serve as a blueprint for other solid cancer types to comply with the need for straightforward murine and human oncoimmunology assays.
Amylolytic microorganisms from diverse tropical environments: Isolation, identification, and amylase production
Authors: Muriithi Josphine , Matofari Joseph W. , Nduko John M.
Published: December 2021

This study aimed to identify microbes producing amylases from diverse unexplored environments in Kenya. Screening based on microorganisms' ability to grow on minimal media (M9) supplemented with starch resulted in the selection of 70 amylolytic isolates. The isolates were then subjected to primary screening based on starch hydrolysis ratio (SHR) obtained by halo formation on starch agar plates after flooding plates with Lugol's iodine solution. SHR narrowed down the isolates' number to 17 (SHR > 1.5), which were used for subsequent experiments. The 17 isolates were grown on M9 starch broth for the production of amylases. Crude amylases and commercial enzyme (control) were assayed for amylase activity using the 3,5‐dinitrosalicylic acid method. Specific enzyme activities of crude enzymes ranged between 0.0079 and 0.0629 U g−1, which were lower than 1.7188 U g−1 of the control. Five enzymes with the highest specific enzyme activity were used for cassava hydrolysis. All crude enzymes exhibited higher specific enzyme activity (0.0707–0.1853 U g−1) than the control (0.0052 U g−1) in hydrolyzing cassava. Alkaline lakes had the highest number (4) of isolates whose enzymes had the highest specific enzyme activity, while isolates from potato processing plant waste, termite gut, and black soldier fly gut had a representative each. Isolates with enzymes having the highest specific enzyme activity were identified by DNA sequencing and belonged to Lysinibacillus sp. (four isolates), Alternaria sp. (one isolate), and Bacillus sp. (two isolates). The study demonstrated the presence of microorganisms in tropical environments with amylase activity that can be scaled and optimized for practical applications.
Platinum Nanoparticles Uniformly Dispersed on Covalent Organic Framework Supports for Selective Synthesis of Secondary Amines
Authors: Wang Nan , Liu Jianguo , Tang Long , Wang Chenguang , Li Xinjun , Ma Longlong
Published: December 2021

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with pore structures are talented supports for active components. In this report, COF has been rationally fabricated and served as host for growing uniformly dispersed platinum nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution (2 nm). The obtained hybrid Pt/COF exhibits high catalytic activity in the reductive amination of benzaldehyde towards secondary amines with a yield of 96 % and good recyclability. The preferable selectivity towards secondary amines could be attributed to synergistic effects of active platinum nanoparticles and COF, in which metallic Pt nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed with a positively charged surface. This work will open an avenue towards controlling the interaction between active metals and support as well as rational design of catalysts for demanding transformations for fine agrochemicals intermediates.
Preliminary studies of microencapsulation and anticancer activity of polyphenols extract from Punica granatum peels
Authors: Fathi Faezeh , Ebrahimi Samad N. , Pereira David M. , Estevinho Berta N. , Rocha Fernando
Published: December 2021

The purpose of this study was to prepare functional formulations using two different types of Punica granatum (pomegranate) peels extracts (the native and the enriched extract), as an important source of polyphenolic compounds such as punicalagin and ellagic acid. These two extracts were microencapsulated by a spray‐drying technique. Polyphenol constituents of P. granatum play a significant role in the prevention of different diseases from cancer to cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. In general, polyphenols are sensitive and present low bioavailability in the human body. Microencapsulation could be a perfect alternative to modify the reactivity, durability, sensitivity, and photosensitivity of these natural compounds. Arabic gum, pectin, and modified chitosan were used as biopolymers‐based carriers in this research. The mean size of the microparticles prepared is between 2.55–6.86 μm (volume distribution). Release studies were implemented. The fastest release was observed for Arabic gum‐based carriers. The pectin‐based microparticles showed the slowest release profile. The Korsmeyer‐Peppas model was adjusted to the experimental release profiles. In addition, some anticancer activity studies were performed. When incubated with the human gastric cancer cell line AGS and human lung cancer cell line A549, both extracts elicited some loss of cancer cell viability, which increased in the case of the enriched extract. The bioactive pomegranate extracts microencapsulated seem to be a valid strategy to enhance their biological activity. A final powder formulation was obtained, which can improve the bioavailability and stability of these active constituents and overcome their limitations of application.
Sequential One‐Pot Three‐Enzyme Synthesis of the Tetrasaccharide Repeating Unit of Group B Streptococcus Serotype VIII Capsular Polysaccharide
Authors: Liang Min , Gong Wei , Sun Chongzhen , Zhao Jielin , Wang Hong , Chen Zonggang , Xiao Min , Gu Guofeng
Published: December 2021

Comprehensive Summary

The biochemical property and functional identification of three recombinant glycosyltransferases, including β‐1,4‐rhamnosyltransferase (Cps8R), β‐1,4‐galactosyltransferase (Cps8J) and α‐2,3‐sialyltransferase (Cps8K) involved in the biosynthesis of the tetrasaccharide repeating unit of serotype VIII capsular polysaccharide (CPS) of Group B Streptococci (GBS), were systematically investigated. Subsequently, these recombinant enzymes were employed for one‐pot three‐enzyme efficient synthesis of the tetrasaccharide repeating unit of GBS serotype VIII CPS using the chemically synthesized Glcα‐PP‐(CH2)11‐OPh as the starting substrate in a satisfying yield of 87%.
Ghost Point Diffusion Maps for Solving Elliptic PDEs on Manifolds with Classical Boundary Conditions
Authors: Jiang Shixiao Willing , Harlim John
Published: December 2021

In this paper, we extend the class of kernel methods, the so‐called diffusion maps (DM) and its local kernel variants to approximate second‐order differential operators defined on smooth manifolds with boundaries that naturally arise in elliptic PDE models. To achieve this goal, we introduce the ghost point diffusion maps (GPDM) estimator on an extended manifold, identified by the set of point clouds on the unknown original manifold together with a set of ghost points, specified along the estimated tangential direction at the sampled points on the boundary. The resulting GPDM estimator restricts the standard DM matrix to a set of extrapolation equations that estimates the function values at the ghost points. This adjustment is analogous to the classical ghost point method in a finite‐difference scheme for solving PDEs on flat domains. As opposed to the classical DM, which diverges near the boundary, the proposed GPDM estimator converges pointwise even near the boundary. Applying the consistent GPDM estimator to solve well‐posed elliptic PDEs with classical boundary conditions (Dirichlet, Neumann, and Robin), we establish the convergence of the approximate solution under appropriate smoothness assumptions. We numerically validate the proposed mesh‐free PDE solver on various problems defined on simple submanifolds embedded in Euclidean spaces as well as on an unknown manifold. Numerically, we also found that the GPDM is more accurate compared to DM in solving elliptic eigenvalue problems on bounded smooth manifolds. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Pharmacokinetics of Sugammadex: An Open‐Label, 3‐Period, Fixed‐Sequence, 3‐Single‐Doses Study in Healthy Chinese Subjects
Authors: Yuan Fei , Yang Mengjie , Chen Weili , Chen Hanjing , Xu Hongrong , Li Hui , Sheng Lei , Li Xuening , Ellen Wrishko Rebecca , Joel Woolf Eric
Published: December 2021

The main purpose of this study was to assess pharmacokinetic parameters (area under the plasma concentration–time curve from time 0 to infinity, area under the plasma concentration–time curve from time 0 to the last measurable concentration, maximum concentration, and apparent terminal half‐life) after administration of 3 single intravenous (IV) doses of sugammadex to evaluate the safety and tolerability in healthy nonanesthetized subjects. This was an open‐label, 3‐period, nonrandomized, single‐rising‐dose study in 12 healthy Chinese subjects 18 to 45 years of age. In each period, every subject received a single IV dose of sugammadex in a fixed sequence (1, 2, and 4 mg/kg) under fasting conditions. There was a 3‐day washout phase between dosing in each treatment period. In this study, a total of 11 (6 men and 5 women) Chinese subjects (with mean age of 25 ± 4.0 years; body weight, 64 ± 6 kg; height, 167 ± 6 cm; and body mass index, 22.9 ±1.2 kg/m2) received single doses of sugammadex 1, 2, and 4 mg/kg sequentially, with a 3‐day washout phase between consecutive doses, and completed the study. The geometric mean maximum concentrations were 16.81, 30.99, and 60.55 μg/mL for sugammadex 1, 2, and 4 mg/kg, respectively. The median time to maximum concentration was 0.03 hour after bolus administration, and plasma sugammadex concentrations declined with a mean apparent terminal half‐life of ≈1.7 hours across all 3 doses. Single‐dose IV administration of sugammadex 1, 2, and 4 mg/kg was generally safe and well tolerated in healthy Chinese male and female subjects.
Mechanochemical Synthesis of Polymorphic Urea ⋅ Adipic Acid Cocrystal as a Sustained‐Release Nitrogen Source
Authors: Parakatawella Shalika , Gogoi Diptajyoti , Deka Poonam , Xu Yizhi , Sandaruwan Chanaka , Jayasundera Anil C. A. , Arhangelskis Mihails , Thakuria Ranjit , Adassooriya Nadeesh M.
Published: December 2021

A 2 : 1 urea ⋅ adipic acid cocrystal was obtained in two polymorphic forms (Form I reported earlier, and Form II synthesized in this study) using mechanochemistry as well as solution crystallization. Lower solubility and leaching study showed the newly synthesized urea ⋅ adipic acid 2 : 1 cocrystal to be an efficient sustained‐release nitrogen fertilizer compared to commercially available urea.
Design of Non‐Incendive High‐Voltage Liquid Electrolyte Formulation for Safe Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Kwak Sehyun , An Kihun , Tran Yen Hai Thi , Song Seung‐Wan
Published: December 2021

Battery safety has an ever‐increasing significance and is required for consumer's safety. The high flammability of traditional organic liquid electrolyte, which consists of ethylene carbonate and highly flammable linear carbonate, is one of the major reasons for thermal runaway and battery fire events. Replacement of flammable liquid electrolyte with non‐incendive one is urgently needed for safe lithium‐ion batteries. A fluorinated linear sulfate paired with 1 m LiPF6 was developed and evaluated as a solvent of non‐incendive liquid electrolyte for a use in high‐voltage (4.4 V) and high‐temperature (45 °C) LiNi0.82Mn0.07Co0.11O2 (NCM811) chemistry‐based lithium‐ion batteries. Non‐incendive liquid electrolyte containing sulfate with two trifluoroethyl groups exhibited superior anodic and thermal stability and promoted cathode–electrolyte and anode‐electrolyte interfacial stability, compared to flammable traditional electrolyte. Non‐incendive electrolyte showed markedly improved 300 cycle performance of an industrial graphite‖NCM811 lithium‐ion pouch cell with a nominal capacity of 730 mAh under harsh conditions, and high safety of 10 V overcharge abuse tolerance, from which safe and high‐performing high‐energy lithium‐ion batteries and battery‐powered electric vehicles and energy storage system are anticipated.
Evaluating a Dispersion of Sodium in Sodium Chloride for the Synthesis of Low‐Valent Nickel Complexes**
Authors: Johnson Humphrey Elliot L. B. , Kennedy Alan R. , Sproules Stephen , Nelson David J.
Published: December 2021

The use of a sodium in sodium chloride dispersion is systematically evaluated for the synthesis of nickel(0) and nickel(I) complexes from readily‐prepared nickel(II) precursors. A variety of complexes with phosphine and bipyridine‐type ligands were accessed, although some reactions were found to produce mixtures of nickel(0) and nickel(I), and yields were highly variable. Several new nickel(I) complexes were obtained, and these were characterized using techniques including NMR spectroscopy, EPR spectroscopy, and single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis.
Determinants of obstetric fistula in Afghanistan: An analysis of the Demographic and Health Survey 2015
Authors: Yusufi Mohammad Omid , Fanning Erin , Bhatta Madhav P.
Published: December 2021

Objective

To examine the reproductive, sociodemographic, and geographic factors associated with obstetric fistula, which is a significant but neglected health problem faced by women in low‐income countries, in women in Afghanistan, where epidemiologic studies examining the determinants of obstetric fistula are currently lacking.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study used data from a nationally representative sample of women collected through the Afghanistan Demographic and Health Survey 2015. Descriptive and binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the prevalence of obstetric fistula and describe and assess the risk factors associated with the condition.

Results

Among the weighted sample of 29 374 women aged 15–49 years, 3% reported having an obstetric fistula. In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, factors associated with women reporting a history of an obstetric fistula included parity, ethnicity, geography, income level, educational attainment, employment outside the home, decider on medical care, and their husband's education level.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight the multifactorial nature of the determinants of obstetric fistula in Afghan women and underscore the need for multidisciplinary integrative interventions to address the reproductive, socio‐economic, cultural, and healthcare‐related factors in reducing the burden of obstetric fistula in women in Afghanistan.
Hedgehog or fox? Theories of change for dryland cereals in Eastern Africa
Authors: Orr Alastair , Muange Elijah
Published: December 2021

International Crops Research Institute for the Semi‐Arid Tropics' (ICRISAT) research strategy for sorghum and millets is based on market‐led development. We analyse the construction of this Theory of Change and its application to Eastern Africa using evidence from the Harnessing Opportunities for Productivity Enhancement (HOPE) project. We trace the evolution of market discourse in ICRISAT and ask why this discourse became so influential. The scale of commercialisation was limited, and its effect on intensification was mixed. A Green Revolution for dryland cereals in Eastern Africa may come not from improved varieties that give higher yields but that mature early and evade drought. A modified Theory of Change for dryland cereals requires greater recognition of household food security, farmer agency and regional heterogeneity.
CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) delta promotes the expression of PTX3 and macrophage phagocytosis duringA. fumigatusinfection
Authors: Liu Lulu , Zhong Jinjin , Chen Bilin , Wang Weiping , Xi Haiyan , Su Xin
Published: December 2021

Given the increasing incidence of pulmonary aspergillosis, it is important to understand the natural defense mechanisms by which the body can kill Aspergillus fumigatus conidia. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) plays a nonredundant role in resistance to A. fumigatus. Here, we found that the key predicted PTX3 transcription factor, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein δ (CEBPD), was up-regulated during A. fumigatus conidia infection. Functionally, CEBPD significantly promoted the expression of PTX3 and the phagocytic ability of macrophages. Mechanistically, CEBPD activated the PTX3 by directly binding to the promoter region of the PTX3 gene. We also showed that the RNA-binding protein human antigen R promoted CEBPD expression. These findings provide new insights into the crucial role of CEBPD in the phagocytosis of A. fumigatus conidia by macrophages and highlight this protein as a potential therapeutic target for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.
Impact of infusion frequency on quality of life in patients receiving home parenteral nutrition
Authors: Stanner Heather , Zelig Rena , Rigassio Radler Diane
Published: December 2021

Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) may be needed as a long‐term therapy for patients with chronic intestinal failure whose clinical condition does not allow complete weaning of the parenteral nutrition (PN) solution. HPN is a time‐consuming and clinically complex therapy and can negatively affect quality of life (QOL). The level of dependency on HPN, specifically, infusion frequency, has been proposed as a factor that may have an effect on QOL in patients receiving HPN. The primary aim of this qualitative review is to identify the impact of HPN frequency (days per week of HPN infusion) on QOL measurements in adult patients receiving HPN. A comprehensive literature search was completed in PubMed and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) databases. Primary clinical research studies were included if they were conducted in adult patients receiving HPN and included the assessment of the associations between the frequency of HPN infusion and QOL measurements. Six articles ultimately met the criteria for this review. There was variability among the studies, including use of different tools to measure QOL. However, all six studies suggest that a reduction in HPN frequency may be associated with an improvement in QOL. Whenever patients’ clinical situation allows, a reduction in HPN frequency should be considered to improve QOL in patients receiving HPN.
A Facile and Flexible Humidity Sensor Based on Porous PDMS/AgNWs and GO for Environmental Humidity and Respiratory Detection
Authors: Ma Yanming , Hu Xinqiang , Li Shunbo , He Ye , Xia Zengzilu , Cai Kaiyong
Published: December 2021

Humidity sensors, benefit from their superior humidity‐sensitive components, are able to respond to the environment moisture changes. Based on this feature, the humidity sensor plays an increasingly vital role in biological detection. To improve the performance of humidity sensors, a large number of optimizations have been made from several aspects, such as material synthesis and structural design. In this study, a novel humidity sensor is designed to increase its specific surface area to carry more humidity‐sensitive and conductive materials. A porous polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate is prepared in an economical friendly approach by using the thermal decomposition of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). Meanwhile, high‐quality nano silvers (AgNWs) are applied as the intermediate conductive layer connecting the substrate and detective layer. graphene oxide (GO) is used as the humidity sensitive material in the sensor. It is remarkable that this sensor can detect the humidity with a wide range of 8.6 RH% to 93 RH% in a quick response with high sensitivity. Since this humidity sensor showed powerful functions, such as monitoring respiration and detecting environmental humidity, it will have broad potentials for real‐time clinical and domestic healthcare.
Synthesis and Luminescence Study of n‐UV Excitable Tm3+‐Activated Blue Phosphor
Authors: Taikar Deepak R. , Taikar Ramesh N. , Nagde Kalpana R. , Sarve Sadanand R.
Published: December 2021

Tm3+‐doped La2O3 phosphors with different doping concentration are prepared by co‐precipitation method. The prepared phosphor is characterized by X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), SEM, Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, and photoluminescence (PL) techniques. The XRD analysis confirms the formation of La2O3. PL measurement shows that the phosphor exhibit characteristic Tm3+ bright blue emission attributed to transition from 1D2 → 3F4 of Tm3+ ions, at 363 nm excitation. The Commission International de I'Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity color coordinates of prepared phosphor is calculated and presented. The excitation peak located at 363 nm matches with the emission wavelength of near UV‐LED chip, this indicates that the prepared phosphor is a promising blue light‐emitting candidate for eco‐friendly solid state lighting (W‐LED) application.
Octadecyltrichlorosilane‐Modified Superhydrophobic‐Superoleophilic Stainless Steel Mesh for Oil‐Water Separation
Authors: Sutar Rajaram S. , Kulkarni Narayan P. , Nagappan Saravanan , Jundle Akshay R. , Pawar P. G. , Pargaonkar Nikhil N. , Gharge Nilam B. , Yadav Prashant S. , Kshirsagar Shrutika S. , Kanchankoti Susmita S. , Sawant Akshata S. , Kodag Snehal G. , Mahajan S. S. , Shinde V. S. , Park Kang Hyun , Sadasivuni Kishor Kumar , Bhosale Appasaheb K. , Latthe Sanjay S.
Published: December 2021

Recently, oil‐water separation has become an important topic due to its increasing commercial demand. Here, in this study, a simple technique to prepare superhydrophobic‐superoleophilic mesh for oil‐water separation is reported. The pre‐cleaned stainless steel mesh is modified by octadecyltrichlorosilane (ODS) through solution immersion method. The modified mesh shows the water contact angle (WCA) of 158 ± 2° and oil contact angle (OCA) of 0°. The prepared superhydrophobic‐superoleophilic mesh effectively separates various oils, including petrol, kerosene, diesel, vegetable oil, and coconut oil from oil–water mixtures with separation efficiency greater than 95%, and stable recyclability up to 10 cycles. In case of low viscosity oil (petrol), the modified mesh shows permeation flux of 2086.95 ± 104.34 L/(m2.h), which is higher than high viscosity oils.
Studies on Structural Properties of Ytterbium (Yb3+) Substituted Mg–Cu–Zn Nano‐ferrites
Authors: Patil Prakash S. , Pawar Amol D. , Patil Bajrang B. , More Leena S. , Bhosale Dheeraj B. , Barate Shruti S. , Ghodake Jeevan S. , Thorat Jayavant B. , Shinde Tukaram J.
Published: December 2021

Nano‐ferrites with composition Mg0.55Cu0.05Zn0.4YbxFe2‐xO4 (where x = 0.0, 0.01, 0.02, and 0.03) are prepared by chemical method. The single‐phase cubic spinel structure ferrite formation is confirmed from X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The lattice constant and crystallite size of Mg–Cu–Zn ferrites found to be decreases with increasing concentration of Yb3+ content. The two major absorption bands appear in the range 432.16–441.55 cm–1 and 568.25–578.56 cm–1 corresponding to octahedral and tetrahedral sites in the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra suggest formation of ferrites. Morphological study shows the formation of nano‐ferrites. The EDX analysis approves the formation of required ferrites in desired stoichiometric ratio without any impurity phase.
Hydroxyapatite‐Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite with Enhanced Ammonia Sensing Property
Authors: Begum Sumayya , Narwade Vijakirany N. , Taha Sabah , Mahabole Megha P. , Dadge Jagdish W. , Bogle Kashinath A.
Published: December 2021

This study is focused on presenting a new approach for utilizing properties of hydroxyapatite (HAp) and carbon‐containing material in sensing applications. Nanocrystalline HAp and graphene oxide (GO) are synthesized by wet chemical precipitation and Hummer's method, respectively. A nanocomposite based on HAp and 2 wt % concentration of GO is prepared just by a mechanically mixing method. A simple and cost‐effective screen printing technique is utilized for the development of thick films on a glass substrate. The ammonia‐sensing properties of the nanocrystalline material HAp and 2 wt% GO‐doped HAp are investigated by two‐probe electric method. The gas‐sensing parameters like operating temperature, response/recovery time, maximum detection limit, etc., are studied. The best sensing performance is shown by 2 wt% GO doped HAp thick film for the detection of 10 ppm of ammonia at 35 °C, i.e., its operating temperature than the pure HAp. The maximum uptake capacity of ammonia for 2 wt% GO doped HAp is found to be very high, i.e., 2000 ppm compared to the pure HAp, i.e., 1200 ppm. Whereas other parameters like response and recovery time at corresponding operating temperatures are nearly the same for both sensing substrates.
Room Temperature Surface Oxidation by Alkalization of Binder Free CuO Nanostructured Electrode for Enhanced Supercapacitive Performance
Authors: Pawale Rohan S. , Yadav Suhasini J. , Salokhe Balaji S. , More Suraj M. , Patil Sharad B. , Kim Jin H. , Gurav Kishor V.
Published: December 2021

The copper oxide (CuO) nanostructures are synthesized via facile oxidation of Cu foil in an aqueous KOH solution at room temperature. A precleaned Cu foil immersed in a 0.1 M aqueous KOH solution for different time periods (36–72 h) systematically converts its surface into nanochained to rice husk morphology and then agglomerated dense nanoclusters. The impact of immersion time on the morphology and consequently supercapacitor performance is studied. The CuO nanostructure synthesized at an immersion time of 60 h shows a maximum specific capacitance of 302 Fg–1 at a scan rate of 2 mV s−1. The capacitance retention reaches up to 87% after 2000 cycles.
Effects of Electrolyte Composition on the Supercapacitive Performance of Chemically Synthesized Bundles of Stacked Cu(OH)2 Nanosheets
Authors: Salokhe Balaji S. , Gonugade Madhuri D. , More Suraj M. , Bobhate Pradip A. , Gurav Rutuja N. , Patil Umakant M. , Kim Jin Hyeok , Gurav Kishor. V.
Published: December 2021

The electrochemical performance of an electrode in a supercapacitor primarily depends on the electrolyte composition. Herein, the effect of electrolyte composition on the electrode performance of copper hydroxide [Cu(OH)2] nanosheets thin film is investigated. Cu(OH)2 nanosheets thin film is synthesized by facile chemical bath deposition (CBD) method. The structural and morphological properties are investigated by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The pure phase Cu(OH)2 nanosheet thin film is effectively used as an electrode for supercapacitor. The electrochemical performance of Cu(OH)2 nanosheets thin film is investigated using various 1 M aqueous electrolytes such as KOH, NaOH, and Na2SO4. Among all other electrolytes, Cu(OH)2 nanosheets thin film shows the highest specific capacitance of 467 Fg–1 at a scan rate of 5 mV s–1 in 1 M KOH. Further, cyclic stability for 2000 cycles shows capacitance retention of 93%.
Role of solute carrier transporters SLC25A17 and SLC27A6 in acquired resistance to enzalutamide in castration‐resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Kushwaha Prem P. , Verma Shiv S. , Shankar Eswar , Lin Spencer , Gupta Sanjay
Published: December 2021

Enzalutamide (XTANDI®), an antiandrogen, is used for the treatment of advanced‐stage prostate cancer. Approximately, 60% of patients receiving enzalutamide show initial remission followed by disease relapse with the emergence of highly aggressive castration‐resistant prostate cancer. Solute carrier (SLC) proteins play a critical role in the development of drug resistance by altering cellular metabolism. Transcriptome analysis revealed the predominance of SLC25A17 and SLC27A6 in enzalutamide‐resistant prostate cancer cells; however, their role in antiandrogen resistance has not been elucidated. sgRNA‐mediated knockdown of SLC25A17 and SLC27A6 suppressed cell proliferation and migration in enzalutamide‐resistant cells. An induction of G1/S cell cycle arrest and abundance of hypo‐diploid cells along with the reduction in the protein expression CyclinD1 and CDK6, the checkpoint factors, was observed including increased cell death as evident by BAX upregulation in knockdown cells. Inhibition of SLC25A17 and SLC27A6 resulted in downregulation of fatty acid synthase and acetyl‐CoA carboxylase with parallel decrease in the levels of lactic acid in enzalutamide resistant cells. However, downregulation of triglyceride and citric acid was only observed in SLC25A17 silenced cells. The protein–protein interaction of SLC25A17 and SLC27A6 revealed alteration in some common drug‐resistant and metabolism‐related genes. Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas database exhibiting high SLC25A17 and SLC27A6 gene expression in prostate cancer patients were associated with poor survival than those with low expression of these proteins. In conclusion, SLC25A17 and SLC27A6 and its interactive network play an essential role in the development of enzalutamide resistance through metabolic reprogramming and may be identified as therapeutic target(s) to circumvent drug resistance.
Inherited Metabolic Memory of High‐Fat Diet Impairs Testicular Fatty Acid Content and Sperm Parameters
Authors: Crisóstomo Luís , Videira Romeu A. , Jarak Ivana , Starčević Kristina , Mašek Tomislav , Rato Luís , Raposo João F. , Batterham Rachel L. , Oliveira Pedro F. , Alves Marco G.
Published: December 2021

Scope

Exposure to a high‐fat diet (HFD) from early‐life is associated with a testicular metabolic signature link to abnormal sperm parameters up to two generations after exposure in mice. Hereby, this study describes a testicular lipid signature associate with “inherited metabolic memory” of exposure to HFD, persisting up to two generations in mice.

Methods and Results

Diet‐challenged mice (n= 36) are randomly fed after weaning with standard chow (CTRL); HFD for 200 days or transient HFD (HFDt) (60 days of HFD + 140 days of standard chow). Subsequent generations (36 mice per generation) are fed with chow diet. Mice are euthanized 200 days post‐weaning. Glucose homeostasis, serum hormones, testicular bioenergetics, and antioxidant enzyme activity are evaluated. Testicular lipid‐related metabolites and fatty acids are characterized by1H‐NMR and GC‐MS. Sons of HFD display impaired choline metabolism, mitochondrial activity, and antioxidant defenses, while grandsons show a shift in testicular ω3/ω6 ratio towards a pro‐inflammatory environment. Grandsons of HFDt raise 3‐hydroxybutyrate levels with possible implications to testicular insulin resistance. Sperm counts decrease in grandsons of HFD‐exposed mice, regardless of the duration of exposure.

Conclusion

HFD‐induced “inherited metabolic memory” alters testicular fatty acid metabolism with consequences to sperm parameters up to two generations.
Co‐design of Sub‐6 GHz and mm‐wave array antennas with metal frame for 5G mobile terminals
Authors: Ren Taoyu , Deng Changjiang
Published: December 2021

In this letter, a compact antenna module working at Sub‐6 GHz and millimeter‐wave (mm‐wave) bands is presented for 5G mobile terminal applications. The module includes a long slot etched at the edge of the chassis ground and four short slots etched on the metal frame. By placing the two kinds of slots together, the short slots can work at the quarter‐wavelength mode, thus the length of the short slots on the metal frame is merely 1.4 mm. It greatly reduces the risk of signal attenuation by users' touch. Experimental results show that the proposed design can provide MIMO function at 3.5 GHz band, and wide‐angle beam steering function at 28 GHz band.
DEep learning‐based rapid Spiral Image REconstruction (DESIRE) for high‐resolution spiral first‐pass myocardial perfusion imaging
Authors: Wang Junyu , Weller Daniel S. , Kramer Christopher M. , Salerno Michael
Published: December 2021

The objective of the current study was to develop and evaluate a DEep learning‐based rapid Spiral Image REconstruction (DESIRE) technique for high‐resolution spiral first‐pass myocardial perfusion imaging with whole‐heart coverage, to provide fast and accurate image reconstruction for both single‐slice (SS) and simultaneous multislice (SMS) acquisitions. Three‐dimensional U‐Net–based image enhancement architectures were evaluated for high‐resolution spiral perfusion imaging at 3 T. The SS and SMS MB = 2 networks were trained on SS perfusion images from 156 slices from 20 subjects. Structural similarity index (SSIM), peak signal‐to‐noise ratio (PSNR), and normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) were assessed, and prospective images were blindly graded by two experienced cardiologists (5: excellent; 1: poor). Excellent performance was demonstrated for the proposed technique. For SS, SSIM, PSNR, and NRMSE were 0.977 [0.972, 0.982], 42.113 [40.174, 43.493] dB, and 0.102 [0.080, 0.125], respectively, for the best network. For SMS MB = 2 retrospective data, SSIM, PSNR, and NRMSE were 0.961 [0.950, 0.969], 40.834 [39.619, 42.004] dB, and 0.107 [0.086, 0.133], respectively, for the best network. The image quality scores were 4.5 [4.1, 4.8], 4.5 [4.3, 4.6], 3.5 [3.3, 4], and 3.5 [3.3, 3.8] for SS DESIRE, SS L1‐SPIRiT, MB = 2 DESIRE, and MB = 2 SMS‐slice‐L1‐SPIRiT, respectively, showing no statistically significant difference (p = 1 andp = 1 for SS and SMS, respectively) between L1‐SPIRiT and the proposed DESIRE technique. The network inference time was ~100 ms per dynamic perfusion series with DESIRE, while the reconstruction time of L1‐SPIRiT with GPU acceleration was ~ 30 min. It was concluded that DESIRE enabled fast and high‐quality image reconstruction for both SS and SMS MB = 2 whole‐heart high‐resolution spiral perfusion imaging.
Incompressible flow modeling using an adaptive stabilized finite element method based on residual minimization
Authors: Kyburg Felix E. , Rojas Sergio , Calo Victor M.
Published: December 2021

We model incompressible Stokes flows with an adaptive stabilized finite element method, which solves a discretely stable saddle‐point problem to approximate the velocity‐pressure pair. Additionally, this saddle‐point problem delivers a robust error estimator to guide mesh adaptivity. We analyze the accuracy of different discrete velocity‐pressure pairs of continuous finite element spaces, which do not necessarily satisfy the discrete inf‐sup condition. We validate the framework's performance with numerical examples.
Structural and biochemical analyses of selectivity determinants in chimeric Streptococcus Class A sortase enzymes
Authors: Gao Melody , Johnson D. Alex , Piper Isabel M. , Kodama Hanna M. , Svendsen Justin E. , Tahti Elise , Longshore‐Neate Frederick , Vogel Brandon , Antos John M. , Amacher Jeanine F.
Published: December 2021

Sequence variation in related proteins is an important characteristic that modulates activity and selectivity. An example of a protein family with a large degree of sequence variation is that of bacterial sortases, which are cysteine transpeptidases on the surface of gram‐positive bacteria. Class A sortases are responsible for attachment of diverse proteins to the cell wall to facilitate environmental adaption and interaction. These enzymes are also used in protein engineering applications for sortase‐mediated ligations (SML) or sortagging of protein targets. We previously investigated SrtA from Streptococcus pneumoniae, identifying a number of putative β7–β8 loop‐mediated interactions that affected in vitro enzyme function. We identified residues that contributed to the ability of S. pneumoniae SrtA to recognize several amino acids at the P1′ position of the substrate motif, underlined in LPXTG, in contrast to the strict P1′ Gly recognition of SrtA from Staphylococcus aureus. However, motivated by the lack of a structural model for the active, monomeric form of S. pneumoniae SrtA, here, we expanded our studies to other Streptococcus SrtA proteins. We solved the first monomeric structure of S. agalactiae SrtA which includes the C‐terminus, and three others of β7–β8 loop chimeras from S. pyogenes and S. agalactiae SrtA. These structures and accompanying biochemical data support our previously identified β7–β8 loop‐mediated interactions and provide additional insight into their role in Class A sortase substrate selectivity. A greater understanding of individual SrtA sequence and structural determinants of target selectivity may also facilitate the design or discovery of improved sortagging tools.
Hepatoprotective effect of acetovanillone against methotrexate hepatotoxicity: Role of Keap‐1/Nrf2/ARE, IL6/STAT‐3, and NF‐κB/AP‐1 signaling pathways
Authors: Abd El‐Ghafar Omnia A. M. , Hassanein Emad H. M. , Ali Fares E. M. , Omar Zainab M. M. , Rashwan Eman K. , Mohammedsaleh Zuhair M. , Sayed Ahmed M.
Published: December 2021

This study targeted to examine the protective effects of acetovanillone (AV) against methotrexate (MTX)‐induced hepatotoxicity. Thirty‐two rats were allocated into four groups of eight animals; Group 1: Normal; Group 2: administered AV (100 ml/kg; P.O.) for 10 days; Group 3: challenged with MTX (20 mg/kg, i.p; single dose); Group 4: administered AV 5 days before and 5 days after MTX. For the first time, this study affords evidence for AV's hepatoprotective effects on MTX‐induced hepatotoxicity. The underlined mechanisms behind its hepatic protection include counteracting MTX‐induced oxidative injury via down‐regulation of NADPH oxidase and up‐regulation of Nrf2/ARE, SIRT1, PPARγ, and cytoglobin signals. Additionally, AV attenuated hepatic inflammation through down‐regulation of IL‐6/STAT‐3 and NF‐κB/AP‐1 signaling. Network pharmacology analysis exhibited a high enrichment score between the interacting proteins and strongly suggested the intricate and essential role of the target proteins regulating MTX‐induced oxidative damage and inflammatory perturbation. Besides, AV increased the in vitro cytotoxic activity of MTX toward PC‐3, HeLa, and K562 cancer cell lines. On the whole, our investigation suggested that AV might be regarded as a promising adjuvant for the amelioration of MTX hepatotoxicity and/or increased its in vitro antitumor efficacy, and it could be used in patients receiving MTX.
Active food packaging to control carbon dioxide
Authors: Lee Dong Sun , Wang Hong Jiang , Jaisan Chalalai , An Duck Soon
Published: December 2021

Keeping certain level of carbon dioxide concentration along with a desired oxygen concentration in food packages is helpful in preserving a variety of foods, and thus, active packaging technology to control CO2 has been reviewed here in perspective of optimized package design. For whatever product packages, tailoring interaction among the gas, food product and packaging material is essential for realization of positive role and function of CO2: antimicrobial activity, prevention of oxidation, preferred sensory quality, maintenance of package integrity and extension of shelf life. Gas absorbers, emitters or active valves may be applied for this purpose, and commercial products are available in market. However, these active devices should be applied in harmony with food's CO2 production and dissolution. Elements or factors involved in the design process are examined by looking over scientific literature. Mass balance relationship combined with dissolution equilibration for active food package has been presented to control CO2 concentration and package wholesomeness in beneficial and desired way. Atmosphere estimation of roasted coffee packages was presented as case study for tackling the task of attaining the desired condition.