bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preoperative Oral-Bowel Preparation Using Sodium Picosulfate and Magnesium Citrate Combination Powder for Left-Sided Colorectal Cancer: A Prospective Study
Authors: Ohta Katsuya , Ikenaga Masakazu , Ueda Masami , Iede Kiyotsugu , Tsuda Yujiro , Nakashima Shinsuke , Tanida Tsukasa , Nojiri Takashi , Matsuyama Jin , Endo Shunji , Yamada Terumasa
Published: August 2022

Objective

This study aimed to determine if induction of sodium picosulfate and magnesium citrate (SPMC) preparation leads to adequate surgery for left-sided colorectal cancer (CRC).

Summary of Background Data

Adequate bowel cleansing is vital for safe and accurate colorectal surgery. Ingestion of laxatives for bowel cleansing may be associated with a broad spectrum of adverse effects during surgical intervention.

Methods

A single-center prospective study was conducted with hospitalized patients scheduled operation for left-sided CRC. All enrolled patients were instructed to consume normal diet until before preparation. Twenty-seven patients underwent preoperative SPMC preparation.

Results

The primary endpoint of this study was the 30-day postoperative morbidity rate, which was 23%, and no postoperative complication was higher than Clavien-Dindo grade 3. The primary anastomosis rate was 100%, and there was no anastomotic leakage. The colonic cleansing grades were 1 or 2 according to the bowel preparation scale for surgical assessment in 89% of the patients. The acceptability of the cleansing procedure by the patients assessed by a questionnaire was 85%, and the acceptability of the SPMC preparation by the medical staff was 93%. The surgical procedures included 18 laparoscopies, 6 robotic surgeries, and 3 laparotomies. The median operation time was 165 minutes, and the median blood loss was <50 cc. The median sodium serum concentration was significantly decreased after surgery.

Conclusion

Ingestion of an SPMC preparation as a cleansing procedure was judged to be adequate for curative surgery in patients with left-sided colorectal cancer.
BALANÇO ENERGÉTICO NA PRODUÇÃO DE POLPAS DE MANGA: DO CULTIVO AO ARMAZENAMENTO
Authors: Carneiro Adailza Oliveira , Silva Eduardo Henrique Borges Cohim
Published: August 2022

O consumo de energia associado à distribuição, processamento e armazenamento de alimentos tem gerado cada vez mais discussões no cenário mundial, por impactar nas emissões de gases de efeito estufa na atmosfera. Por outro lado, segundo análise do Plano Nacional de Energia – PNE 2030, o setor de Alimentos e Bebidas é tido como um dos grandes potenciais na busca por eficiência energética. Nesse estudo, estimou-se o consumo energético associado à produção de polpa de manga, considerando desde as etapas agrícolas de plantio e cultivo, até o congelamento e armazenamento da polpa envasada, identificando os processos com maior quantidade de energia agregada. Em seguida estimou-se a eficiência energética da produção da polpa, relacionando a quantidade de energia demandada com a quantidade de energia ofertada pelo produto final. Observou-se que, enquanto 2,3x106 KJ de energia entraram no processo, apenas 2x106 KJ saíram como oferta de energia do produto final, o que representa uma eficiência de aproximadamente 87%. A utilização de coprodutos do processamento da manga como componentes da alimentação humana ou de animais, mostra-se como alternativa promissora na busca pela melhor eficiência energética do processo. Portanto, espera-se que esses resultados possam direcionar pesquisas e investimentos para técnicas que, possibilitem o aumento da eficiência energética e contribuam a redução de perdas e Emissões de gases de Efeito Estufa para a atmosfera.
ANÁLISE DA CONTRIBUIÇÃO DO PROGRAMA DE MELHORIAS SANITÁRIAS DOMICILIARES (MSD) DA FUNASA NA REDUÇÃO DO QUANTITATIVO DE DOMICÍLIOS SEM BANHEIRO OU SANITÁRIO NO ESTADO DA BAHIA
Authors: Almeida Hugo Vítor Dourado de , Brito Elisabeth Maria Meireles , Silva Jeirlaine de Oliveira
Published: August 2022

O saneamento básico é um direito humano fundamental e universal, reconhecido pela Organização das Nações Unidas como essencial para o pleno gozo da vida e dos direitos humanos. Apesar disso, observa-se uma carência e deficiência na prestação dos serviços públicos de saneamento básico, sobretudo nas zonas rurais dos municípios brasileiros. Nesse sentido, o Programa de Melhorias Sanitárias Domiciliares (MSD) da Funasa realiza intervenções nos domicílios visando ao atendimento das necessidades básicas de saneamento das famílias, por meio de instalações hidrossanitárias relacionadas, entre outros, ao destino adequado dos esgotos domiciliares. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a contribuição do Programa de MSD da Funasa na redução do déficit de casas sem banheiros ou sanitários no Estado da Bahia. Realizouse uma pesquisa do tipo descritiva, utilizando fonte de dados de portais estatísticos da Internet, a exemplo do IBGE, e dados gerenciais fornecidos pela Funasa, após solicitação pelo Sistema Eletrônico de Informações ao Cidadão (e-SIC), desenvolvido pela Controladoria-Geral da União (CGU). Para análise das informações coletadas foram usados métodos quantitativos simplificados e foi feita comparação dos dados obtidos com estimativas realizadas a partir de indicador disponível no Plano Nacional de Saneamento Básico. Assim, verificou-se que, entre 2010 e 2020, foram construídos 24.019 módulos sanitários domiciliares, representando 7,4% do déficit total de 324.347 domicílios baianos que não possuíam banheiros, de acordo com o censo de 2010 do IBGE. À luz das metas estabelecidas em indicador do Plansab associado à ação, estima-se que apenas a Funasa foi responsável por mais de 30% das ações esperadas para todos os agentes federais para redução do déficit de casas sem banheiros ou sanitários na Bahia, o que demonstra o importante papel da instituição no esforço pela universalização do acesso aos serviços públicos de saneamento básico no país.
SEGURANÇA HÍDRICA E A PRESTAÇÃO REGIONALIZADA DOS SERVIÇOS DE ABASTECIMENTO DE ÁGUA E ESGOTAMENTO SANITÁRIO NO BRASIL
Authors: Rodrigues Ayrimoraes Sergio
Published: August 2022

Artigo de opinião sobre a segurança hídrica e a prestação regionalizada dos serviços de abastecimento de água e esgotamento sanitário no Brasil.
Numerous White Retinal Lesions Following Cataract Surgery
Authors: Scavelli Kurt , Priester William B. , Finn Avni P.
Published: August 2022

A 74-year-old woman was referred for evaluation of retinal lesions in her left eye. The vitreous sample obtained at the time of treatment grew Staphylococcus caprae susceptible to vancomycin, and the patient responded well to treatment with topical steroid and cycloplegic drops. What would you do next?
Application of reference air kerma alert levels for pediatric fluoroscopic examinations
Authors: Somasundaram Elanchezhian , Brady Samuel L. , Strauss Keith J.
Published: August 2022

The purpose of this study was to provide an empirical model to develop reference air kerma (RAK) alert levels as a function of patient thickness or age for pediatric fluoroscopy for any institution to use in a Quality Assurance program. RAK and patient thickness were collected for 10&663 general fluoroscopic examinations and 1500 fluoroscopically guided interventions (FGIs). RAK and patient age were collected for 6137 fluoroscopic examinations with mobile‐C‐arms (MC). Coefficients of linear regression fits of logarithmic RAK as a function of patient thickness or age were generated for each fluoroscopy group. Regression fits of RAK for 50%, 90%, and 98% upper prediction levels were used as inputs to derive an empirical formula to estimate alert levels as a function of patient thickness. A methodology is presented to scale results from this study for any patient thickness or age for any institution, for example, the patient thickness dependent RAK alert level at the top 1% of expected RAK can be set using the 98% upper prediction interval boundary given by: , where xavg is the institute's average patient thickness or age, and is the intercept based on the average RAK of the patient population calculated as is the institution's average RAK (mGy). m and s98 are constants presented for each type of fluoroscope and RAK group and represent slope of the fit and scale factor, respectively. An empirical equation, which estimates alert levels expressed as air Kerma without backscatter at the interventional reference point as a function of patient thickness or age is provided for each fluoroscopic examination type. The empirical equations allow any facility with limited data to scale the results of this study's single facility data to model their practice's unique RAK alert levels and patient population demographics to establish pediatric alert levels for fluoroscopic procedures.
Crosslinked Nanofiber‐Reinforced Solid‐State Electrolytes with Polysulfide Fixation Effect Towards High Safety Flexible Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Sheng Jinzhi , Zhang Qi , Sun Chongbo , Wang Junxiong , Zhong Xiongwei , Chen Biao , Li Chuang , Gao Runhua , Han Zhiyuan , Zhou Guangmin
Published: August 2022

Solid‐state lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries using gel polymer electrolytes have attracted much attention owing to their higher safety compared to liquid electrolytes and lower interfacial resistance compared to ceramic electrolytes. However, except for their unsatisfactory lithium‐ion conductivity, relatively low mechanical strength, the unavoidable polysulfide shuttling in gel polymer electrolytes still limits their development. This work designed a poly(ethylene oxide)‐polyacrylonitrile (PEO‐PAN) copolymer membrane electrolyte, in which PAN fibers act as both a filler and crosslinker. This structure not only provides improved ionic conductivity, high mechanical strength, and lithium dendrite blocking ability, it also inhibits polysulfide shuttling as a result of strong polysulfide adsorption by the CNO functional groups formed during the PEO and PAN crosslinking process, which improves the safety, cycling stability and rate capability when used in Li–S batteries. A more than 96% capacity retention after 1000 bend cycles of the flexible battery is also achieved because of the high flexibility and high bonding strength of this electrolyte.
Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Targeted Cell Seeding: Magnetic Patterning and Magnetic 3D Cell Culture
Authors: Kappes Mona , Friedrich Bernhard , Pfister Felix , Huber Christian , Friedrich Ralf Phillipp , Stein René , Braun Christian , Band Julia , Schreiber Eveline , Alexiou Christoph , Janko Christina
Published: August 2022

In regenerative medicine, noncontact manipulation of cells enables new possibilities for tissue engineering. Due to their physicochemical properties, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are used in biomedicine for various applications, e.g., as drug transporters, contrast agents or to make cells maneuverable by magnetic forces. SPIONs attached to and/or taken up by cells enable their magnetic targeting for adoptive immune therapies or tissue engineering. Remote control of different “magnetized” cell types can be used to construct multilayered tissues without the need for a scaffold structure. Here, the suitability of SPIONs with various coatings, such as polyacrylic acid‐co‐maleic acid (PAM), lauric acid (LA), lauric acid‐human serum albumin (HSA), and citrate to magnetize cells is compared with the commercially available NanoShuttle‐PL, designed for use in magnetic 3D cell cultures. Depending on the amount of cellular labeling, magnetic control is more or less effective. In particular, PAM‐ and citrate‐coated SPIONs achieve good cellular loading and provide magnetic controllability of cells. In 2D cell culture, the magnetic cargo allows the patterned culture of cells. In 3D, SPIONs enable and accelerate spheroid formation as well as micropatterning using unloaded and loaded cells in parallel.
Magnetothermal Modulation of Calcium‐Dependent Nerve Growth
Authors: Rosenfeld Dekel , Field Hannah , Kim Ye Ji , Pang Karen Ka Lam , Nagao Keisuke , Koehler Florian , Anikeeva Polina
Published: August 2022

Nerve injuries are common, and the available treatments including invasive surgeries do not guarantee complete regeneration of the injured nerves and restoration of function. Despite the ability of peripheral nerves to regenerate, the slow rate of axonal growth hampers the functional recovery. Development of new approaches to discover underlying mechanisms that may accelerate axonal growth is needed to overcome these limitations and augment available treatments of nerve injury. In addition to chemical factors, recent studies suggested the use of optogenetics and electrical stimulation to promote axonal growth. The underlying mechanisms of these approaches, however, require further investigation. Furthermore, their application relies on invasive hardware, which may not be compatible with injured nerves under significant mechanical deformation. Here, it is shown that thermal activation of a heat sensitive ion channel TRPV1 promotes axonal growth in a calcium‐dependent manner. By leveraging heat dissipation of magnetic nanoparticles in alternating magnetic fields, the calcium influx through TRPV1 channels endogenously expressed in dorsal root ganglion explants is triggered remotely. The accelerated axonal growth through elongation of neurofilaments and increased Schwann cell migration following magnetothermal stimulation is observed. These findings suggest future applications of magnetothermal modulation of axonal growth as a minimally invasive approach to accelerate nerve regeneration.
A Multiscale Porous 3D‐Fabric Evaporator with Vertically Aligned Yarns Enables Ultra‐Efficient and Continuous Water Desalination
Authors: Lei Zhiwei , Zhu Shifeng , Sun Xuantong , Yu Shaonan , Liu Xuqing , Liang Kun , Zhang Xueji , Qu Lijun , Wang Lili , Zhang Xiansheng
Published: August 2022

Solar steam generation has emerged as an environment‐friendly and promising strategy to overcome the freshwater and energy crisis. However, simultaneously attaining the satisfied evaporation rate, durability and energy utilization in a single system is challengeable, but crucial to the practical application. Herein, inspired by the carpet weaving technique and benefiting from “fiber–yarn–fabric” hierarchical structures, a 3D fabric evaporator with vertical hemp‐yarn arrays is innovatively constructed, featuring a combined structure of multiscale pores from tunable spacing between adjacent fibers or yarns, the vertically aligned architecture coated with superhydrophilic MXene‐sandwiched layer and the adjustable side height/areas. These structures work cooperatively, surprisingly achieving the integrated functions of excellent light capture, the balanced evaporation area and vapor escape space, the additional energy adsorption from the environment and the salt exchange along or between micro/macro pores. Consequently, the 3D evaporator exhibits an outstanding evaporation rate (3.95 kg m−2 h−1 under one‐sun illumination) and extremely high outdoor evaporation (47.04 kg m−2 for 8 h), accompanied with outstanding salt‐resistance (continuous 120 h in 14% brine without salt accumulation), anti‐oilfouling and anti‐bacterial (efficiency over 99.9%) performances. Finally, through rationally assembling multi‐function modules with a condenser, an all‐in‐one “desalination–thermoelectricity–irrigation” platform is built, realizing the maximum utilization of steam condensation enthalpy.
Tunable d‐Band Centers of Ni5P4 Ultra‐Thin Nanosheets for Highly‐Efficient Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Miao Chengcheng , Zang Yanmei , Wang Hang , Zhuang Xinming , Han Ning , Yin Yanxue , Ma Yandong , Chen Ming , Dai Ying , Yip SenPo , Ho Johnny C. , Yang Zai‐xing
Published: August 2022

Although the recent advance of ultra‐thin 2D nanosheets for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is remarkable, there are still substantial challenges to reliably control their physioelectric and electrochemical properties to employ as highly‐efficient electrocatalysts. Herein, based on complementary theoretical and experimental studies, the d‐band center position of ultra‐thin 2D Ni5P4 nanosheets can be manipulated by simple heteroatom doping. Interestingly, the Fe‐doped nanosheets yield the lowest d‐band center position, but they do not display the optimal Gibbs free energy of adsorbed H atoms due to the imbalance of adsorption and desorption of adsorbed H atoms. With the proper Co doping (i.e., 20%), the nanosheets exhibit the best electrocatalytic performance along with an excellent stability. The overpotential is only 100.5 mV at 10 mA cm−2 with a Tafel slope of 65.8 mV dec−1, which is superior than those of Fe‐doped, Cu‐doped, and pristine Ni5P4 nanosheets. Ultraviolet photoelectron and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy further verify the downshift of d‐band centers of nanosheets by optimal doping, illustrating that Ni with the lower binding energy mainly dominates the active sites. All these results provide a valuable design scheme of dopants to control the d‐band center position of nanosheets for next‐generation highly‐efficient HER electrocatalysts.
Self‐Standing Membrane of Hetero‐Assembled Nanosheets with Drastically Enhanced Emission and Tunable Color
Authors: Bai Mingjun , Li Junyi , Liu Xiaohe , Sasaki Takayoshi , Ma Renzhi
Published: August 2022

Self‐standing membranes are fabricated by filtrating corresponding superlattice units of luminescent rare‐earth hydroxide (e.g., europium doped gadolinium hydroxide (GdEu), terbium doped gadolinium hydroxide (GdTb)) nanosheets, and semiconducting oxide (e.g., Ti0.87O20.52− (TiO), TaO3− (TaO)) nanosheets. The superlattice membrane of GdEu/TiO and GdTb/TaO shows drastically enhanced emission intensity 21.5 and 38.6 times higher than that of GdEu and GdTb, respectively, as well as a higher color purity and longer lifetime. By further integrating both GdEu/TiO and GdTb/TaO superlattices, the (GdEu/TiO)/(GdTb/TaO) integrated membrane exhibits tunable color under different excitations. The superior performance is ascribed to the enhanced energy absorption by the semiconducting oxide nanosheets and efficient energy transfer to rare‐earth hydroxide nanosheets across the nanointerface. Moreover, the superlattice membrane displays strong and stable cathodoluminescence under continuous cathode‐ray radiation. This work demonstrates a new strategy for large‐scale fabrication of self‐standing membranes, which are promising for practical applications in multicolor display fields.
Insights into Boosting Photoelectrochemical Performance Over Cu3(BTC)2 Passivated Cu2O Nanorod Arrays
Authors: Ye Meng , Wu Xi , Li Chuanhao , Song Bo , Ma Xinzhou , Liu Shengwei
Published: August 2022

Earth‐abundant Cu2O is a promising photocathode material for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. However, the serious photocorrosion and low efficiency retard its practical applications. Herein, a porous Cu‐based metal–organic framework material, Cu3(BTC)2, as surface passivation layer is grown on Cu2O nanorod arrays (NRARs) photocathode by in situ surface/interfacial growth. Compared to conventional Cu2O photocathodes, the optimized Cu2O/Cu3(BTC)2 NRARs exhibit two times higher photocurrent density, ≈2.73 mA cm−2 at 0 VRHE under visible light irradiation, and the maximum incident photon to converted electron (IPCE) performance reaches 45% (450 nm). It is demonstrated that the Cu3(BTC)2 layer synergistically passivates interfacial defects, forms p–n junctions at the Cu2O/Cu3(BTC)2 interface, and introduces active sites catalyzing the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), improving charge separation, transfer, and utilization efficiency. Moreover, the oxidative Cu2O photocorrosion is inhibited owing to the accelerated charge dynamics at the Cu2O/Cu3(BTC)2 interface and the hole‐scavenging ability of Cu3(BTC)2, meanwhile, reductive Cu2O photocorrosion at Cu2O/Cu3(BTC)2 is also attenuated by catalyzing the water reduction reaction that competes for photoelectrons and sustaining balanced “Cu2+(Cu+)/Cu0” cycles.
Controlling Crystallization of Quasi‐2D Perovskite Solar Cells: Incorporating Bulky Conjugated Ligands
Authors: Coffey Aidan H. , Yang Seok Joo , Gómez Martín , Finkenauer Blake P. , Terlier Tanguy , Zhu Chenhui , Dou Letian
Published: August 2022

Quasi‐2D hybrid halide perovskites have drawn considerable attention due to their improved stability and facile tunability compared to 3D perovskites. The expansiveness of possibilities has thus far been limited by the difficulty in incorporating large ligands into thin‐film devices. Here, a bulky bi‐thiophene 2T ligand is focused on to develop a solvent system around creating strongly vertically‐aligned (2T)2(MA)6Pb7I22 (n = 7) quasi‐2D perovskite films. By starting with a poorly coordinating solvent (gamma‐butyrolactone) and adding a small amount of dimethylsulfoxide and methanol, it is found that vertical orientation and z‐uniformity is greatly improved. These are carefully examined and verified using grazing‐incidence wide‐angle X‐ray scattering analysis and advanced optical characterizations. These films are incorporated into champion solar cells that achieve a power conversion efficiency of 13.3%, with a short‐circuit current density of 18.9 mA cm‐2, an open‐circuit voltage of 0.96 V, and a fill factor of 73.8%. Furthermore, the quasi‐2D absorbing layers show excellent stability in moisture, remaining unchanged after hundreds of hours. In addition, 2T is compared with the more common ligands butylammonium and phenylethylammonium in this solvent system to develop heuristics and deeper understanding of how to incorporate large ligands into stable photovoltaic devices.
Packing size effects on the liquid circulation property in an external‐loop packed bubble column
Authors: Tang Yanling , Luo Gang , Cheng Zhenmin
Published: August 2022

Packing size effects on the fluid dynamics in an external‐loop packed bubble column with Raschig rings of three different effective diameters (4.9, 14.1, and 40.7 mm) in the riser were investigated. The overall gas holdup, liquid circulating velocity and gas–liquid mass transfer coefficient were respectively measured by volume expansion, tracer‐response, and dynamic oxygen‐absorption techniques. CFD simulation with the Euler–Euler two‐fluid method was used to predict the liquid circulating velocity by treating the packing as a porous medium. Compared to the empty column, the gas holdup was found to increase in the presence of packing, however, the liquid circulating velocity and gas–liquid mass transfer coefficient are rather complicated. Specifically, the gas holdup increases with the decrease of packing size, while the liquid circulating velocity is on the contrary, and the maximal gas–liquid mass transfer coefficient is achieved under packing diameter of 14.1 mm.
Recent Advances in the Synthesis of Indolines via Dearomative Annulation of N‐acylindoles
Authors: Lu Cong‐Cong , Hao Bo‐Ya , Han Ya‐Ping , Liang Yong‐Min
Published: August 2022

Polycyclic fused indoline derivatives, specifically those bearing tertiary or quaternary carbon stereocenters at C2 and C3 positions, stand as an important class of nitrogen‐containing heterocyclic compounds because they are frequently occurring core structures in a wide variety of alkaloid natural products, pharmaceutical molecules, and functional materials. Over the past few decades, the development of new and versatile synthetic approaches for the construction of indolines has been the focus of a great deal of research initiatives. In this review, recent advances in the dearomative annulation of N‐acylindoles with diverse nucleophiles are summarized since 2012, which could be divided into five categories: 1) Dearomative Heck reactions of N‐acylindoles; 2) Visible‐light‐induced reductive dearomatization of N‐acylindoles; 3) Lewis acid‐catalyzed dearomative reductive reactions of N‐acylindoles; 4) Asymmetric dearomative Heck reactions of N‐acylindoles; 5) Dearomative Heck reactions by other closely related N‐acylindoles reagents.
The role of prolactin/vasoinhibins in cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Zhao Hui , Gong Sugang , Shi Yongcong , Luo Cijun , Qiu Hongling , He Jing , Sun Yuanyuan , Huang Yuxia , Wang Shang , Miao Yuqing , Wu Wenhui
Published: August 2022

Prolactin (PRL) is a polypeptide hormone that is mainly synthesized and secreted by the lactotroph cells of the pituitary. There are two main isoforms of PRL: 23‐kDa PRL (named full‐length PRL) and vasoinhibins (including 5.6–18 kDa fragments). Both act as circulating hormones and cytokines to stimulate or inhibit vascular formation at different stages and neovascularization, including endothelial cell proliferation and migration, protease production, and apoptosis. However, their effects on vascular function and cardiovascular diseases are different or even contrary. In addition to the structure, secretion regulation, and signal transduction of PRL/vasoinhibins, this review focuses on the pathological mechanism and clinical significance of PRL/vasoinhibins in cardiovascular diseases.
Optical Nonreciprocity in Rotating Diamond with Nitrogen‐Vacancy Color Centers
Authors: Huang Hong‐Bo , Lin Jun‐Jie , Yao Yi‐Xuan , Xia Ke‐Yu , Yin Zhang‐Qi , Ai Qing
Published: August 2022

A method to realize optical nonreciprocity in rotating nano‐diamond with nitrogen‐vacancy (NV) centers is theoretically proposed here. Because of the relative motion of the NV center with respect to the propagating fields, the frequencies of the fields are shifted due to the Doppler effect. When the control and probe fields are incident to the NV center from the same direction, the two‐photon resonance still holds as the Doppler shifts of the two fields are the same. Thus, due to the electromagnetically‐induced transparency, the probe light can pass through the NV center nearly without absorption. However, when the two fields propagate in opposite directions, the probe light cannot effectively pass through the NV center as a result of the breakdown of two‐photon resonance.
Enantioselective para‐C(sp2)−H Functionalization of Alkyl Benzene Derivatives via Cooperative Catalysis of Gold/Chiral Brønsted Acid**
Authors: Liu Xun‐Shen , Tang Zhiqiong , Si Zhi‐Yao , Zhang Zhikun , Zhao Lei , Liu Lu
Published: August 2022

An asymmetric para‐C(sp2)−H bond functionalization of alkyl benzene derivatives was successfully developed via cooperative catalysis of gold and chiral phosphoric acid (CPA), leading to synthetically useful chiral 1,1‐diaryl motifs. Chiral phosphoric acid, ligand, and molecular sieves were found to be crucial for enantioselectivity control of this transformation. The salient features of this protocol include mild conditions, high efficiency, commercially available starting materials, highly chemo‐ and site‐ as well as enantioselective aromatic C−H functionalization, broad substrate scope, and extensive applications of the chiral products. The mechanistic studies suggested that two CPAs might be involved in chiral induction.
Isolation and Reactivity of Tetrylene‐Tetrylone‐Iron Complexes Supported by Bis(N‐Heterocyclic Imine) Ligands
Authors: Zhao Xuan‐Xuan , Szilvási Tibor , Hanusch Franziska , Kelly John A. , Fujimori Shiori , Inoue Shigeyoshi
Published: August 2022

The germanium iron carbonyl complex3was prepared by the reaction of dimeric chloro(imino)germylene [IPrNGeCl]2(IPrN=bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin‐2‐iminato) with one equivalent of Collman's reagent (Na2Fe(CO)4) at room temperature. Similarly, the reaction of chloro(imino)stannylene [IPrNSnCl]2with Na2Fe(CO)4(1 equiv) resulted in the Fe(CO)4‐bridged bis(stannylene) complex4. We observed reversible formation of bis(tetrylene) and tetrylene‐tetrylone character in complexes3vs.5and4vs.6, which was supported by DFT calculations. Moreover, the Li/Sn/Fe trimetallic complex12has been isolated from the reaction of [IPrNSnCl]2with cyclopentadienyl iron dicarbonyl anion. The computational analysis further rationalizes the reduction pathway from these chlorotetrylenes to the corresponding complexes.
Unravelling the Mechanistic Pathway of the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Driven by a Cobalt Catalyst
Authors: Jiang Bing , Gil‐Sepulcre Marcos , Garrido‐Barros Pablo , Gimbert‐Suriñach Carolina , Wang Jia‐Wei , Garcia‐Anton Jordi , Nolis Pau , Benet‐Buchholz Jordi , Romero Nuria , Sala Xavier , Llobet Antoni
Published: August 2022

A cobalt complex bearing a κ‐N3P2 ligand is presented (1+ or CoI(L), where L is (1E,1′E)‐1,1′‐(pyridine‐2,6‐diyl)bis(N‐(3‐(diphenylphosphanyl)propyl)ethan‐1‐imine). Complex 1+ is stable under air at oxidation state CoI thanks to the π‐acceptor character of the phosphine groups. Electrochemical behavior of 1+ reveals a two‐electron CoI/CoIII oxidation process and an additional one‐electron reduction, which leads to an enhancement in the current due to hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at Eonset=−1.6 V vs Fc/Fc+. In the presence of 1 equiv of bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide, 1+ forms the cobalt hydride derivative CoIII(L)‐H (22+), which has been fully characterized. Further addition of 1 equiv of CoCp*2 (Cp* is pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) affords the reduced CoII(L)‐H (2+) species, which rapidly forms hydrogen and regenerates the initial CoI(L) (1+). The spectroscopic characterization of catalytic intermediates together with DFT calculations support an unusual bimolecular homolytic mechanism in the catalytic HER with 1+.
Efficient Synthesis of Multiply Seven‐Membered‐Ring Fused Porphyrins by Rhodium‐Catalyzed [5+2] Annulation
Authors: Shu Hui , Guo Mengjie , Wang Machongyang , Zhou Mingbo , Zhou Bixiang , Xu Ling , Rao Yutao , Yin Bangshao , Osuka Atsuhiro , Song Jianxin
Published: August 2022

Rhodium‐catalyzed reaction of meso‐pyrrol‐2‐yl NiII porphyrins with internal alkynes proceeded smoothly to give singly, doubly, and quadruply seven‐membered‐ring fused NiII porphyrins as the first example of [5+2] annulation reaction for porphyrin substrates, where the meso‐appended pyrrole unit serves as a directing group. These reactions are operationally quite simple and easy. A plausible reaction mechanism was proposed on the basis of the isolation of a key intermediate. The structures of the representative products have been revealed to be considerably bent owing to the implemented seven‐membered rings. Doubly fused ZnII and NiII porphyrins possessing an unsubstituted meso‐position were dimerized to meso‐meso linked dimers by aerobic oxidation with Zn(OAc)2⋅2 H2O and electrochemical oxidation, respectively. The optical and electrochemical highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)–lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) gaps, as well as the aromatic characters of the fused porphyrins decrease as the fusion parts increases.
User‐friendly point of care test device for detection of arsenic in potable water: Prototype, design, and artifact
Authors: Ravula Rajasekhar , Bhabak Krishna Pada , Mandal Tapas K.
Published: August 2022

Arsenic, a common pollutant, harms human health, and its WHO's permissible is 10 μg/L in drinking water. This research aimed to develop a paper‐based point of care test (POCT) device for rapid detection of arsenic with a concentration of ~10 μg/L in potable water. In this, arsenic was converted to arsine gas, which was identified by a paper sensor by producing a characteristic color due to specificity of the reaction. The sensor was constructed by impregnating gold chloride (NaAuCl4) on a paper strip. The device had a very good response time, nearly 4 and 2 min for arsenic concentrations of (10–20) and above 20 (20–500) μg/L, respectively. The device also gave decent results for the field samples like river and groundwater. The device could be used for both qualitative and quantitative assays. ImageJ software was used for quantitative estimation, which accorded with atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) results.
Comparison of physical and mechanical properties of biodegradable polybutylene adipate terephthalate, polycaprolactone, and poly(lactic acid) fabricated via fused deposition modeling and conventional molding
Authors: Mohd Sabee Mohd Meer Saddiq , Ahmad Tajuddin Nurul Nabilah Izzah , Ku Ishak Ku Marsila , Rusli Arjulizan , Abdullah Muhammad Khalil , Shafiq Mohamad Danial , Shuib Raa Khimi , Abdul Hamid Zuratul Ain
Published: August 2022

The research work aims to compare the physical and mechanical properties of biodegradable polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polycaprolactone (PCL), and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) fabricated via fused deposition modeling (FDM) and conventional compression molding (CM) method. It was found that the thermal stability was comparable for sample fabricated using both techniques. The percentage difference for the density measurement was 7.4%. The water absorption of FDM samples was about 75.5% higher compared to those fabricated using the CM due to higher porous structures obtained. The results also showed that the FDM did not significantly affect the materials' crystallinity, however the flowability increases by 25.2%. The tensile strength, tensile modulus, elongation at break (Eb), impact strength, and water contact angle of FDM samples were approximately 25.5%, 25.0%, 46.4%, 50.3%, and 20.7% lower compared to the CM samples.
Recent Advances in TiO2‐based Photoanodes for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyan , Zhang Shengqi , Cui Xiaoli , Zhou Wei , Cao Weimin , Cheng Danhong , Sun Yi
Published: August 2022

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting has attracted great attention in the past several decades as it holds great promise to address global energy and environmental issues by converting solar energy into hydrogen. However, its low solar‐to‐hydrogen (STH) conversion efficiency remains a bottleneck for practical application. Developing efficient photoelectrocatalysts with high stability and high STH conversion efficiency is one of the key challenges. As a typical n‐type semiconductor, titanium dioxide (TiO2) exhibits high PEC water splitting performance, especially high chemical and photo stability. But, TiO2has also disadvantages such as wide band gap and fast electron‐hole recombination rate, which seriously hinder its PEC performance. This review focuses on recent development in TiO2‐based photoanodes as well as some key fundamentals. The corresponding mechanisms and key factors for high STH, and controllable synthesis and modification strategies are highlighted in this review. We conclude finally with an outlook providing a critical perspective on future trends on TiO2‐based photoanodes for PEC water splitting.
Full‐state prescribed performance pose tracking of space proximity operations with input saturation
Authors: Wang Jun , Sun Liang , Jiang Jingjing
Published: August 2022

This paper investigates the relative position tracking and attitude synchronization control for spacecraft close‐range proximity missions with input saturation and model uncertainties. A robust saturated relative motion controller is proposed for this purpose. Prescribed performance functions are designed to guarantee the transient and steady‐state response of the system and the full‐state constraints. Then, a nonlinear disturbance observer is developed to estimate the lumped disturbance that comprises the effects of parametric uncertainties and kinematic couplings. At the same time, a linear compensator system is incorporated into the controller design to deal with the control input saturation. Finally, it can be proved via the Lyapunov theory that the closed‐loop system is uniformly ultimately bounded stable. Simulation results on the spacecraft close‐range rendezvous and docking mission validate the effectiveness of the proposed control approach.
The prognostic significance of early blood neurofilament light chain concentration and magnetic resonance imaging variables in relapse‐onset multiple sclerosis
Authors: Williams Thomas , Heslegrave Amanda , Zetterberg Henrik , Miszkiel Katherine A , Barkhof Frederik , Ciccarelli Olga , Brownlee Wallace J , Chataway Jeremy
Published: August 2022

Background

Improved prognostication remains vital in multiple sclerosis to inform personalized treatment approaches. Blood neurofilament light (bNfL) is a promising prognostic biomarker, but to what extent it provides additional information, independent of established MRI metrics, is yet to be established.

Methods

We obtained all available bNfL data for 133 patients from a longitudinal observational cohort study. Patients were dichotomized into good or poor outcome groups based upon clinical and cognitive assessments performed 15 years after a clinically isolated syndrome. We performed longitudinal modeling of early NfL and MRI variables to examine differences between outcome groups.

Results

The bNfL dataset was incomplete, with one to three (mean 1.5) samples available per participant. Within 3 months of onset, bNfL was similar between groups. The bNfL concentration subsequently decreased in those with a good outcome, and remained persistently elevated in those with a poor outcome. By year 5, NfL in the poor outcome group was approximately double that of those with a good outcome (14.58 [10.40–18.77] vs. 7.71 [6.39–9.04] pg/ml, respectively). Differences were reduced after adjustment for longitudinal changes in T2LV, but trends persisted for a greater rate of increase in NfL in those with a poor outcome, independent of T2LV.

Conclusions

This analysis requires replication in cohorts with more complete bNfL datasets, but suggests that persistently elevated blood NfL may be more common in patients with a poor long‐term outcome. Persistent elevation of blood NfL may provide additional prognostic information not wholly accounted for by standard monitoring techniques.
Research, standards, and data needs for industrialization of ceramic direct ink writing
Authors: Allen Andrew J. , Levin Igor , Maier Russell A.
Published: August 2022

Here, we summarize a panel discussion on the direct ink writing (DIW) of ceramics, organized and moderated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology at the American Ceramic Society's 46th International Conference on Advanced Ceramics and Composites in January 2022. The panel reviewed the current state of the art in DIW, focusing on research directions, standards development, and data needs required to facilitate industrial adoption of these technologies. The panel agreed to form working groups for (1) exploring how the community can work together to develop and curate public databases of feedstock characteristics and properties of end‐products and (2) organizing an international round‐robin to compare performance properties of DIW‐manufactured ceramics, potentially tied to ASTM/ISO standards development.
Metal–organic frameworks in chiral separation of pharmaceuticals
Authors: Dhurjad Pooja , Dhalaram Choudhary Sampat , Ali Nazish , Kumari Nikita , Sonti Rajesh
Published: August 2022

Stereoselective chiral molecules are responsible for specific biological functions in nature. At present, more than half of the prescribed drugs are chiral. Living organisms display divergent pharmacological responses to the enantiomers, leading to altered toxicity, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics. Thus, chiral analysis, separation, and extraction are crucial for ensuring enantiomeric purity to develop safe and effective medication. In recent times, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with appealing structures are gaining importance because of their fascinating properties as a sorbent and stationary phase. MOFs are crystalline porous solid materials built by interconnecting metal ions or clusters and organic linkers. This review explores the advancements in MOFs for the isolation and separation of chiral active pharmaceutical drugs.
Improved mayfly optimization deep stacked sparse auto encoder feature selection scorched gradient descent driven dropout XLM learning framework for software defect prediction
Authors: Anbu M.
Published: August 2022

Software testing is the process of improving software quality by classifying and removing defects in the software development. Previously, several methods were used for software defect prediction, but any one method did not provide sufficient accuracy. To overcome this issue, an improved may fly optimization with deep stacked sparse auto encoder feature selection scorched gradient descent driven dropout extreme learning machine framework (SDP‐IMFOFS‐GDDDXLMC) is proposed in this article for software defect prediction. Here, an IMFO method is considered for feature selection techniques. In feature selection technique, features are selected, such as PC1, PC4, and MC1 for selecting the probable minimal attribute. Then, GDDDXLMC approach is used to classify buggy and clean software detection. The proposed approach is implemented in MATLAB platform. The performance metrics, such as accuracy, precision, F‐measure, sensitivity, specificity, Mathew correlation coefficient (MCC) is examined to examine the performance of the proposed method. The simulation performance of the proposed SDP‐IMFOFS‐GDDDXLMC method attains higher accuracy 99.75%, 97.85%, 95.13%, 14.89%, 16.34%, 17.89%, and 98.79, higher sensitivity 96.34%, 91.23%, 89.12%, 12.67%, 17.56%, 18.90%, and 87.25% higher specificity 14.89%, 16.89%, 20.67%, 93.67%, 92.37%, 98.47%, and 94.78% compared with the existing methods, like SDP‐MLP‐PSO, SDP‐BPNN‐RBFNN, SDP‐CNN‐RNN‐LSTM, SDP‐KBN‐LIME, SDP‐SLDeep‐LSTM, SDP‐K‐PCA‐ELM, and SDP‐CNN‐PHI forest, respectively.
The dark side of Section 63(3b) of the Labour Act (Chapter 28:01): The perspective of the stakeholders
Authors: Ndhlovu Pilot , Ndhlovu Provilence
Published: August 2022

This article sought to investigate the untold story of section 63(3b) of the Labour Act, Chapter 28:01 of Zimbabwe. A qualitative approach was used in this study. The purposive sampling method was used to select 30 participants. Semi‐structured interviews were utilized to collect primary data from Zvishavane – Mberengwa area in the Midlands Province. The study established that employers have become knowledgeable of the Labour Act and are thus sidelining the Labour Officer for Designated Agents at the employees' expense. The research established that employees who are less favored by the set‐up feel like Labour Officers are letting them down. The study revealed that section 63(3b) of the Labour Act was defeating the whole purpose of the act as it was only benefiting employers. Section 63(3b) of the Labour Act does not promote social justice and democracy as provided for in section 2A of the Labour Act. However, it was recommended that National Employment Councils should not deploy a Designated Agent in the first place if they are not able to deploy them in every district like what the government does on its Labour Officers. It was also recommended that the government and policymakers should consider amending the Labour Act, especially on the issue of jurisdiction; otherwise, the system will continue to suffocate one side.
Short‐stature maize reduced wind damage during the 2020 midwestern derecho, improving yields and greenhouse gas outcomes
Authors: Barten Ty J. , Kosola Kevin R. , Dohleman Frank G. , Eller Magen , Brzostowski Lillian , Mueller Steffen , Mioduszewski John , Gu Chiyu , Kashyap Subash , Ralston Lyle , Renaud Alexandar , Hall Mike , Mack David , Gillespie Kelly
Published: August 2022

Future agricultural systems will need to become more resilient as climate change impacts increase. One expected outcome of climate change is an increase in severe thunderstorms with high velocity straight line winds. In August 2020, a derecho, a cluster of thunderstorms generating high‐speed prolonged‐duration straight line winds, swept through Iowa and Illinois in the north central U.S. Corn Belt. Damage estimates from the derecho range up to US$11.2 billion, with significant impacts to crops, stored grain, and property throughout its path. Fourteen field locations of short‐statured maize research hybrids were growing within the path of the derecho, where data was collected on their lodging damage resistance compared with isogenic and near isogenic tall counterparts. For short‐stature maize, an average of 25% of plants were damaged, compared with 50% for isogenic tall hybrids (across all locations; p = .0009). This decreased lodging damage was associated with a mean estimated yield advantage of 1.57 t ha–1 for short‐stature maize across the breadth of the storm (p = .0011). Economic and environmental models indicated that planting short‐stature maize hybrid across the storm area could have prevented the loss of approximately $938 million in revenue and 1.48 million metric tons of CO2 equivalents.
Sequential evaluation of MUC promoter methylation using next‐generation sequencing‐based custom‐made panels in liquid‐based cytology specimens of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Yokoyama Sieya , Iwaya Hiromichi , Akahane Toshiaki , Hamada Taiji , Higashi Michiyo , Hashimoto Shinichi , Tanoue Shiroh , Ohtsuka Takao , Ido Akio , Tanimoto Akihide
Published: August 2022

Background

As liquid‐based cytology (LBC) specimens preserve high‐quality DNA, clinical sequencing of LBC specimens using next‐generation sequencing (NGS) is becoming a common strategy. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of NGS‐based custom‐made panels for evaluating MUC promoter methylation in LBC specimens.

Methods

Thirty‐one patients with pancreatic cancer were enrolled in the study. Cancer tissue samples were obtained using endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration/biopsy (EUS‐FNA/FNB). LBC, formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded (FFPE), and fresh frozen specimens were prepared for DNA extraction after pathological diagnosis. These specimens were then subjected to NGS analysis using custom‐made cancer gene screening and methylation panels comprising 28 cancer‐related genes and 13 gene promoter regions, including MUC1, MUC2, and MUC4.

Results

The success rate of NGS using the cancer gene panel was comparable among the LBC, FFPE, and frozen specimens, and the presence of cancer cell‐derived somatic mutations in each specimen was confirmed. The specimens were then tested using a methylation panel that revealed the sequential methylation status of CpG islands located in the promoter regions of MUC genes. The methylation status results obtained from LBC specimens were almost comparable with those from FFPE and frozen specimens.

Conclusions

MUC and other gene methylation analyses using an NGS‐based panel were successfully performed in residual LBC specimens obtained by EUS‐FNA/FNB. Therefore, this approach provides an alternative source of molecular tests for gene mutations and methylation, especially in the pancreatic cancers, which are often unresectable and unsuitable for obtaining FFPE specimens.
Development of an intention estimation model based on gaze and face information for electric wheelchair operation support
Authors: Higa Sho , Yamada Koji , Kamisato Shihoko
Published: August 2022

In recent years, various user interfaces have been developed to meet the diverse needs of physically disabled persons. In this paper, we developed a method to identify gazing and facial movements based on gaze time and eye/face information and developed an electric wheelchair that can be operated with the user's natural gazing and facial movements. This intention estimation model is composed of 1DCNN and LSTM layers. First, 1DCNN is used to extract features from gaze and face information, and then the extracted features are input to LSTM to estimate the user's intentions regarding movement. The evaluation experiments suggest that the combination of gaze and face information improves the estimation accuracy and contributes to the classification. Furthermore, it was confirmed that adding a convolutional filter layer to the LSTM layer improved the accuracy.