bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital Seriality as Structure and Process
Authors: Maeder Dominik , Wentz Daniela
Published: March 2022

The article analyzes and theorizes oftentimes overlooked phenomena of digital seriality in web-based media. Digital seriality can be located on two different levels: on the structural level of web interfaces, digital seriality concerns the web as a structure of interconnected websites, as well as the organizational forms through which the operational images of web interfaces establish, manage, and regulate these connections. On the processual level of viral autopoiesis, digital seriality denotes the forms through which images evolve and transform through sharing and spreading. This is for instance characteristic for memes as gesture-images in constant transformational becoming. While the article does not aim at describing the entirety of networks in terms of seriality, serial operations and procedures have to be understood as playing a distinct and significant role in the digital realm.
Games and AI: Paths, Challenges, Critique
Authors: Fuchs Mathias , Sudmann Andreas
Published: March 2022

In 2006, the first-person shooter F.E.A.R. makes headlines in the gaming world. One feature in particular attracts much attention: the non-playable characters seem to behave intelligently to a degree yet unseen in computer games. From earlier productions like No One Lives Forever 1 & 2 (2000, 2002), players were already familiar with NPCs that are able to seek cover under fire and to leave it at random in order to shoot back at the player. In F.E.A.R. that happens too, but in a much more realistic manner. Computer-controlled enemies attack players in a coordinated way. If one member of the enemy team comes closer, he gets supportive fire by his team members. If the player attacks them, enemy forces remain in cover until they are immediately threatened.Ten years later, an AI system called AlphaGo beats the human world champion Kim Sung Yong in the ancient board game Go in five rounds—final score: 4-1. The global community of Go players is perplexed, almost shocked, even though the victory did not totally come out of the blue. Already in October 2015, an earlier version of AlphaGo was able to beat the European Go champion Fan Hui. However, Hui’s playing level was significantly lower than that of Kim Sung Yong (2-dan out of possible 9-dan levels).As these introductory examples illustrate, the relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and games can basically be studied from two perspectives: The first is the implementation of AI technologies in games, in order to improve the game experience in one way or another, for example with the intention to make it more believable, more immersive, or simply more enjoyable. The second is the use of games as a benchmark, a learning or test environment to evaluate, but also demonstrate, the current state of AI technologies. Both perspectives have gained enormous importance in recent years—technically, but also culturally and economically.
The Development of Decision Support Systems in the 1960s as Antecedent of “AI-Rationality”
Authors: Nohr Rolf F.
Published: March 2022

The decision making process in a given game is usually organized in binary form and oriented toward a final and finite set of goals. This determinative action shapes the game on both formal and ludological levels. At the same time, however, the computer (or better, the algorithm) is also a decision making machine: the deeply logical calculus of the code and the program do not seem to know any 'perhaps'—the system works (literally) according to the logic of 'or', which represents one of the central elements of digital computing. The decision rationality of computers (at the heart of computer games) is characterized by simplification, reduction, symbolic coding, and also by a dynamic of action and reaction (in the sense of decision and consequence). Such observations about the consequential logic of game-based AI inevitably lead to one grand question: Who is the primary decision maker in games—the player or the machine?
The Ontology of Incremental Games: Thinking Like the Computer in Frank Lantz’s Universal Paperclips
Authors: Schmalzer Matthew
Published: March 2022

Incremental games merge the game's system and guise, casting the player in the role of a computer. This paper analyzes incremental games to show how the specific features of the genre cause the player to engage in machinic thinking. It begins with a brief overview of the incremental game genre. Then shifts to an analysis of one game in particular: Frank Lantz’s Universal Paperclips (2017). Universal Paperclips puts the player in the role of an AI tasked with producing paperclips, making it a perfect example to show how the player learns to think like the machine through the overlapping roles of the player and computer, which will be elaborated through a comparison of the ways both incremental games and slot machines encourage what Natasha Dow Schüll’s (2012) calls the “machine zone” in players. The study concludes by complicating these arguments with an examination of the ways in which, despite the machinic thinking that incremental games engender, the player and computer actually withdraw from each other which makes incremental games a critique of human computer interactions and a meta-game about the construction of videogames, instead of purely a speculative ontological representation of computers.
Playful Strategies in Print Advertising
Authors: Karels Alysa , De la Hera Teresa
Published: March 2022

The fact that people are increasingly eager to seek out playful experiences in their everyday lives is part of a trend known as the ludification of culture. Scholars find that, in a time characterized by information overload, consumers are open and drawn to media products that offer entertainment through playful interaction. Meanwhile, the advertising industry is faced with the quandary of how to stand out and attract consumers’ fleeting attention in a landscape that has become highly competitive. Print advertising in particular faces a budget decline and has to compete with digital advertising forms that know richer affordances to appeal to consumers’ attention. For this reason, this article explores how print advertising uses playful strategies in order to stand out from the crowd and appease the demand to provide entertaining interaction for consumers. In doing so, the article focuses on the following research question: How do advertisers make use of playful communication strategies in print advertisements to stand out in the contemporary attention economy? To gain a comprehensive answer to this research question, a qualitative approach was taken. A thematic analysis of print advertisements was conducted, going through multiple rounds of coding that eventually resulted in the emergence of three central themes of playful strategies: (1) the use of playful visual design that is meant to instill a playful mindset; (2) the use of strategies based on a pleasurable interactive experiential logic; (3) the liberation of unspoken topics of a dark, solemn, and negative nature in a playful way. This study identifies playful aesthetics and their capacity for interactivity, resembling that of games, in static media forms such as print advertising; moreover, it identifies how playfulness can be used as a mode of production (playification) for the advertising industry as part of the creative industries. The conclusions and implications drawn from this article are thus theoretically and practically impactful. Regarding the former, contributions to an understanding of aesthetic interactivity and negative pleasurable experiences are made, and a need for further inquiry in playification is identified and encouraged. Regarding the latter, the benefit for advertisers to use playful print advertising strategies in their marketing mix is illuminated and ethical concerns regarding the persuasion of the strategies are expressed. The article closes by pointing out directions for future research.
Eternal Recurrence of All Bits
Authors: Winnerling Tobias
Published: March 2022

Video games that feature historical content – what I term ‘historicizing’ video games – often come in series. Civilization (I – V), Age of Empires (I – IV), Anno (5 pts.), Monkey Island (5 pts.), Total War (7 pts.), Assassin’s Creed (I – IV), to name but a few, are heavily serialized in that they all, save for their respective first incarnations, point continuously to the other titles in their series’, be it on a structural level or with regard to content. That they do so has many reasons that are totally unconnected with everything they represent, economic ones foremost, but also the need to meet genre- and audience-imposed expectations as well as technical limitations. This aside, given that players who liked one in a bundle are likely to play the rest also, the mere factuality of the series carries implications for the content worth mentioning. First, semiotically such a set of game titles is aptly described in Deleuze/Guattari-terms as an instance of the paranoid-despotic regime of signs, where signs signify nothing but other signs, bound up in an endless virtual cycle. And second, philosophically this may be taken as a prime instance of the Nietzschean ‘eternal recurrence of all things’. Both readings converge in the implication that as these games’ series seemingly stage ‘history’, they unlink history and temporality, installing a chron-alogical framing. Thus, they effectively replave in themselves any factual history as the concept is traditionally understood in Western discourse since the middle of the 19th century with affective historicity. In this, they may reflect (as other media featuring historical content as literature, film, TV, radio, comics, re-enactment, ‘living history’, LARP etc.) popular demands not satisfied by academia, or foreshadow a conceptual transition as part of the digital revolution. Time will tell – if this will still be possible, then.
Prediction of Incident Heat Flux of Facade Considering Opening Jet Plume
Authors: Kang Seung-Goo
Published: March 2022

In this study, a combustion experiment was performed by setting fire source conditions to generate an opening fire plume and flame for various opening shapes using a large-scale compartment model. It was confirmed that the opening temperature and incident heat flux increased with increasing fire source condition. Regression analysis was performed using the relationship between the dimensionless numbe QD*-2/3z* and the incident heat flux q’’. Comparison of the derived formula with the experimental value confirmed the validity of the results.
Thermal Characteristics of ISO 13785-2 Alternative Ignition Sources
Authors: Choi Ji-Hun , Chae Seung-Un , Choi Don-Mook
Published: March 2022

In this study, the types of ignition sources suggested by the international standard ISO 13785-2 by external wall fire evaluation methods were examined. The suitability of these sources was reviewed through a large-scale test to determine the agreement between main and alternative fire sources. ISO 13785-2 implements external ignition of the flame by a propane burner, which is a standard ignition source, and uses liquid fuel or a wood crib as an alternative ignition source of the propane burner. The thermal characteristics of wood crib among alternative ignition sources were analyzed, and the maximum heat release rate of wood crib is approximately 5.11 MW which is calculated with formula. In the case of a full-scale experiment two repeated experiments were performed to ensure data reliability, and Test 1 was approximately 2.9 MW and Test 2 was approximately 3 MW. The standard temperature of the calibration range is defined as the average temperature of the top three thermocouples (T1~T3) above 800 ℃, and the measurement results showed that Test 1 was 472.4 ℃ and Test 2 was 514.9 ℃. Comparison of the value calculated using the formula derived in previous studies with that of the experimental results, it was concluded that there was a difference between the main and alternative ignition sources in the range of intersections suggested in the international standard.
Effects of the Organizational Climate of Firefighters on the Job Performance
Authors: Choi Hee-Chul
Published: March 2022

This study aimed to contribute to the preparation of an action plan for improving job performance at an individual level for firefighters by examining how the organizational climate perceived by firefighters affects job performance. For the foregoing, this study conducted a survey with a purposive sampling method targeting 187 firefighting officers in Seoul and Incheon. Survey results showed that autonomy (β = .202, p < .05) and supervisors' consideration (β = .370, p < .001) of the sub-variables of the organizational climate of firefighters have a significant influence on job performance. Based on the results, this study suggests various action plans that can support the organizational climate and improve the job performance of firefighters.
Spontaneous Pneumoperitoneum due to Intra-abdominal Drain- A Case Report
Authors: Sarma Himangsu , Gopalkrishnan Gayathri , Kudari Ashwin Ikumar
Published: March 2022

Pneumoperitoneum is most commonly caused by hollow viscus perforation which requires an emergency surgical intervention. However, this is not always the case. Pneumoperitoneum which is not due to hollow viscus perforation is called Spontaneous or “non-surgical” pneumoperitoneum. Rarely, it can present with peritonitis but non-surgical pneumoperitoneum usually follows a benign course and can be managed conservatively. A case of 53-year-old male, non-smoker, non-alcoholic, hypertensive known to have decompensated chronic liver disease, since one year with portal hypertension and ascites was presented. The patient underwent uneventful laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute calculous cholecystitis and developed spontaneous pneumoperitoneum due to intra-abdominal drain one week postprocedure. Pneumoperitoneum was successfully managed conservatively. A thorough history, physical examination and imaging are crucial in identifying patients with non-surgical pneumoperitoneum and to prevent unnecessary laparotomies. In present case, pneumoperitoneum was due to intra-abdominal drain which resolved after removing the drain. So, it is of utmost importance to rule out non-surgical causes of pnemoperitoneum, especially in surgeries where drain are kept in-situ.
Evaluation of the Earth’s Electrical Properties of the Undeveloped Area at the Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, Nigeria
Authors: Igbologe O. , Okieke U.
Published: March 2022

The application of good electrical earthing system is inevitable in every electrical installation. This study was carried out to evaluate the earth’s electrical properties of an undeveloped area of Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, Nigeria. The soil resistance of the study area was determined according to Wenner Four Point method, while the soil resistivity was calculated from the soil resistance obtained. Six locations (A, B, C, D, E and F) were tested across the area; while five probe distances (3 m, 6 m, 9 m, 12 m and 15 m) were adopted at each testing location. Results obtained from the soil test revealed that, the soil resistance and resistivity varied widely across the study area. It was observed that the northern part of the area generally had lower soil resistance and resistivity than the southern part of the study area. The soil resistance ranged between 3.2 Ω and 4.8 Ω at the northern part of the study area; while the soil resistance ranged between 5.1 Ω and 17.2 Ω at the southern part of the study area. In term of the soil resistivity, the results revealed that the northern part of the area had the lowest soil resistivity, compared to the southern part of the area. The soil resistivity ranged from 96.15 Ωm to 324.25 Ωm at the southern region of the area, while at the northern region of the area, the soil resistivity ranged from 60.33 Ωm to 90.49 Ωm. Furthermore, the result established that the northern region of the study area will be suitable for electrical earthing without any soil treatment.
No Tillage Cultivation of Mustard Requires Definite Boron Dose for Optimizing Seed Yield
Authors: Chowhan Sushan , Islam Majharul , Nahar Kamrun , Ali Md. Khan Jahan , Husain Muhammad Maruf
Published: March 2022

Boron (B) is an essential plant nutrient which plays a key role during plant seed formation and quality seed development. No tillage (NT) or zero tillage mustard (Brassica sp.) production has already received remarkable attention by the farmers mainly due to time, cost effectiveness and profitability. Vast growers only apply NPK fertilizers and avoid boron (B) or other micronutrient fertilizers; which imbalances nutrient translocation, mobilization, utilization in plants and ultimately affects seed quality, yield and maturity duration. Considering this drawback, the present investigation was done to ascertain the role of B in attaining desirable seed yield of mustard in no tillage condition. Experiment was set during winter season (Rabi) at BINA Sub-station farm, Ishurdi, Pabna. A factorial RCBD with three replications were followed for the trial. Two varieties (V1: Binasarisha-9 and V2: BARI Sarisha-17) and six B doses (T1: 0 kg/ha, T2: 1 kg/ha, T3: 2 kg/ha,      T4: 3 kg/ha, T5: 4 kg/ha, T6: 5 kg/ha) were used as treatments. Data on yield and yield attributes were collected at different phenological stage and upon harvest. Findings depicted that, treatment combinations V1 × T4 beared maximum siliqua length (8.43 cm), highest seed yield (2.34 t/ha), straw yield (3.01 t/ha), 100 grain weight (HGW) (0.32 g) and days to maturity (90.67 days). V1 × T3 and V2 × T4 treatment combinations gave the greatest number of siliqua/plant (82.55) and number of seeds per siliqua (36.33). Contrary, least seed yield (0.82 t/ha) and number of seeds per siliqua (22.89) was recorded with combination in V1 × T1. Minimum number of siliquae per plant (21.37), straw yield (1.17 t/ha), days to harvest (82.00 days) and HGW (0.20 g) was found with combination in V2 × T1. Results obtained suggest that, B doses between 2 kg/ha to 3 kg/ha might be accurate with B responsive mustard varieties for achieving higher seed yield of mustard under NT.
Molecular Characterization of Different Varieties of rice (Oryza sativa L.) using SSR Markers
Authors: Jhangel Khumeshwar , Tantwai Keerti , Tripathi Niraj , Pooniya Sajjan Kumar , Tiwari Sharad , Sahni Sangita , Prasad Bishun Deo
Published: March 2022

The present study was performed to analyze molecular diversity among different varieties of rice using SSR markers, which are effective and reliable tools for this type of analysis. A total of 34 different alleles were generated using 17 SSR primers. Out of these 33 alleles were found to be polymorphic and only one was monomorphic. On average, 2 alleles per primer and 1.94 polymorphic alleles per primer was calculated. In the cluster analysis three varieties KATKIRICE, SONUMRICE and 1010 were found to be diverse from other varieties of rice. These varieties may be used as diverse parents for the future breeding programs for rice improvement. According to Jaccard’s similarity coefficient, the highest genetic diversity was observed between KATKIRICE and CHANDRAHASNI. Both varieties were grouped distantly. Out of 17 primers, the best 10 primers were selected based on polymorphic banding patterns for genetic diversity analysis. These selected 10 primers are sufficient to discriminate the group of rice varieties. These findings not only highlight the capacity of the SSR technique but also help in the selection of diverse rice varieties for conservation and crop improvement.
Phytochemical and Antibacterial Profile of Moringa oleifera lam Seed Extracts on Some Wound and Enteric Bacterial Pathogens
Authors: Anyanwu George Okechukwu , Dike- Ndudim Joy Nkeiruka , Ndubueze Chizaram Winners
Published: March 2022

The seeds of Moringa oleifera were studied in this research to determine the phytochemicals present and assess the antibacterial activities of the seed extracts against some wound and enteric bacterial pathogens. The extracts of Moringa oleifera seeds were obtained. The phytochemical constituents of the extracts were evaluated, while the antibacterial efficacy of extracts (FMSE, FMSA and DMSE, DMSA) were tested against five bacterial organisms namely; Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Salmonella typhi isolated from both wound and faeces of typhoid fever patients using agar diffusion technique (punch method). Two-fold tube dilution method was used for the Determination of the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). The Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) was also ascertained. Phytochemical analysis of the extracts revealed the presence of saponin, flavonoids, alkaloids and tannins. Both the aqueous and ethanolic extracts exhibited antibacterial effects against all the test organisms. DMSE at 500mg/ml had the inhibition zone of S. aureus as the highest (38.00a) and that of E. coli and S. typhi as the lowest (10.00b), while FMSE had the highest zone of inhibition to be 20.00b against S. typhi and P. aeruginosa and the lowest zone of 14.00b against E. coli. This study suggests that seed extracts of Moringa oleifera possess antibacterial properties. Ethanolic extracts were effective than aqueous extracts, meaning that the potency is solvent dependent. Dried seed extracts were more effective than fresh extracts. Inhibition of Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms portrays this plant as a potential source of broad-spectrum antibiotics. The findings from this work suggest further purification of the constituents of the plant for the development of novel antibiotics.
Review and Synthesis of Literature on Single and Multizone Thermodynamic Combustion in a Diesel Engine
Authors: Téré Dabilgou , Christian Tubreoumya Guy , Kayaba Haro , Sidiki Zongo , Zakarie Kam S. , Sayouba Sandwidi , Léonard Ouédraogo T. , Tizane Daho , Jean Koulidiati , Oumar Sanogo , Belkacem Zeghmati , Antoine Bere
Published: March 2022

This work is largely devoted to a review of existing works in the literature on single and multi-zone models of thermodynamic combustion in a diesel engine. It is found that numerical simulations of diesel engine operation based on thermodynamic models are of great interest in predicting engine performance and developing new concepts.  Also, the advantages and disadvantages of the different models of a multi-zone are given. This study summarises several studies over several years of these thermodynamic models in use by presenting the different results.  The limitations of the single-zone model led to the development of the multi-zone thermodynamic combustion model. This work therefore suggests a comprehensive study that takes into account the different models (kinetics, fuel flow, injection, heat transfer, etc.) to better appreciate the performance of the diesel engine.  This will give a clear idea of how to develop new concepts for single-zone or multi-zone thermodynamic modelling that will help car manufacturers, for example.
Plastic/Ferroelectric Crystals with Distorted Molecular Arrangement: Ferroelectricity in Bulk Polycrystalline Films through Lattice Reorientation
Authors: Harada Jun , Takehisa Mika , Kawamura Yuto , Takahashi Haruka , Takahashi Yukihiro
Published: March 2022

Plastic/ferroelectric crystals have attracted increasing attention as emerging functional molecular materials with unique features. In this study, a new plastic/ferroelectric crystal is developed from ionic molecules, which exhibits three solid phases: a paraelectric plastic crystal phase and two ferroelectric phases. Owing to the malleability in the plastic crystal phase, by applying pressure to the powder at a high temperature, transparent polycrystalline films are easily fabricated, exhibiting ferroelectric performance at room temperature. The crystal structures of the three solid phases are determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The arrangement of anions and cations in the ferroelectric crystal is significantly distorted from the CsCl‐type structure in the paraelectric cubic crystal. The large distortion results in distinct splitting of the diffraction peaks that are equivalent in the cubic phase, which enables the observation of electric‐field‐induced lattice reorientation using powder X‐ray diffraction measurements. These results broaden the range of compounds for which plastic/ferroelectric crystals can be developed and provide a solid understanding of the switching process in their bulk polycrystals, which will facilitate their application to a variety of device elements.
Digitizing Chemical Synthesis in 3D Printed Reactionware
Authors: Bubliauskas Andrius , Blair Daniel J. , Powell‐Davies Henry , Kitson Philip J. , Burke Martin D. , Cronin Leroy
Published: March 2022

Chemistry digitization requires an unambiguous link between experiments and the code used to generate the experimental conditions and outcomes, yet this process is not standardized, limiting the portability of any chemical code. What is needed is a universal approach to aid this process using a well‐defined standard that is composed of syntheses that are employed in modular hardware. Herein we present a new approach to the digitization of organic synthesis that combines process chemistry principles with 3D printed reactionware. This approach outlines the process for transforming unit operations into digitized hardware and well‐defined instructions that ensure effective synthesis. To demonstrate this, we outline the process for digitizing 3 MIDA boronate building blocks, an ester hydrolysis, a Wittig olefination, a Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction, and synthesis of the drug sulfanilamide.
Nickel‐Catalyzed Reductive C(sp2)−Si Coupling of Chlorohydrosilanes via Si−Cl Cleavage
Authors: Zhao Zhen‐Zhen , Pang Xiaobo , Wei Xiao‐Xue , Liu Xue‐Yuan , Shu Xing‐Zhong
Published: March 2022

We report here a new method for the synthesis of organohydrosilanes from phenols and ketones. This method is established through reductive C−Si coupling of chlorohydrosilanes via unconventional Si−Cl cleavage. The reaction offers access to aryl‐ and alkenylhydrosilanes with a scope that is complementary to those of the established methods. Electron‐rich, electron‐poor, and ortho‐/meta‐/para‐substituted (hetero)aryl electrophiles, as well as cyclic and acyclic alkenyl electrophiles, were coupled successfully. Functionalities, including Grignard‐sensitive groups (e.g., primary amine, amide, phenol, ketone, ester, and free indole), acid‐sensitive groups (e.g., ketal and THP protection), alkyl‐Cl, pyridine, furan, thiophene, Ar‐Bpin, and Ar‐SiMe3, were tolerated. Gram‐scale reaction, incorporation of ‐Si(H)R2 into complex biologically active molecules, and derivatization of formed organohydrosilanes are demonstrated.
Oligomer‐Assisted Photoactive Layers Enable >18 % Efficiency of Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Cheng Yujun , Huang Bin , Huang Xuexiang , Zhang Lifu , Kim Seoyoung , Xie Qian , Liu Chao , Heumüller Thomas , Liu Zuoji , Zhang Youhui , Wu Feiyan , Yang Changduk , Brabec Christoph J. , Chen Yiwang , Chen Lie
Published: March 2022

Although ternary organic solar cells (OSCs) have unique advantages in improving device performance, the morphology assembly in the ternary‐phase would be more uncertain or complex than that in the binary‐phase. Here, we propose a new concept of oligomer‐assisted photoactive layers for high‐performance OSCs. The formed alloy‐like phase of the oligomer : host polymer blend enabled the oligomer‐assisted OSCs to fuse the advantages of both binary and ternary devices, exhibiting substantially enhanced performance and stability compared to the control devices. With the addition of oligomers, outstanding efficiencies of 17.33 % for a PM6 : Y6 device, 18.32 % for a PM6 : BTP‐eC9 device, and 17.13 % for a PM6/Y6 pseudo‐bilayer device were achieved, all of which are one of the highest values in their corresponding fields. The improved performance originated from the downshift energy levels, enhanced light absorption, optimized blend morphology, favorable charge dynamics, and reduced non‐radiative energy loss.
A New Platform of B/N‐Doped Cyclophanes: Access to a π‐Conjugated Block‐Type B3N3 Macrocycle with Strong Dipole Moment and Unique Optoelectronic Properties
Authors: Li Pengfei , Shimoyama Daisuke , Zhang Niu , Jia Yawei , Hu Guofei , Li Chenglong , Yin Xiaodong , Wang Nan , Jäkle Frieder , Chen Pangkuan
Published: March 2022

We herein describe a new design principle to achieve B/N‐doped cyclophane where an electron‐donor block of three triarylamines (Ar3N) and an acceptor block of three triarylboranes (Ar3B) are spatially separated on opposite sides of the π‐extended ring system. DFT computations revealed the distinct electronic structure of the block‐type macrocycle MC‐b‐B3N3 with a greatly enhanced dipole moment and reduced HOMO–LUMO energy gap in comparison to its analogue with alternating B and N sites, MC‐alt‐B3N3. The unique arrangement of borane acceptor Ar3B and amine donor Ar3N components in MC‐b‐B3N3 induces exceptionally strong intramolecular charge transfer in the excited state, which is reflected in a largely red‐shifted luminescence at 612 nm in solution. The respective linear open‐chain oligomer L‐b‐B3N3 was also synthesized for comparison. Our new approach to donor–acceptor macrocycles offers important fundamental insights and opens up a new avenue to unique optoelectronic materials.
Modular Generation of (Iodinated) Polyarenes Using Triethylgermane as Orthogonal Masking Group
Authors: Kreisel Tatjana , Mendel Marvin , Queen Adele E. , Deckers Kristina , Hupperich Daniel , Riegger Julian , Fricke Christoph , Schoenebeck Franziska
Published: March 2022

While the modular construction of molecules from suitable building blocks is a powerful means to more rapidly generate a diversity of molecules than through customized syntheses, the further evolution of the underlying coupling methodology is key to realize widespread applications. We herein disclose a complementary modular coupling approach to the widely employed Suzuki coupling strategy of boron containing precursors, which relies on organogermane containing building blocks as key orthogonal functionality and an electrophilic (rather than nucleophilic) unmasking event paired with air‐stable PdI dimer based bond construction. This allows to significantly shorten the reaction times for the iterative coupling steps and/or to close gaps in the accessible compound space, enabling straightforward access also to iodinated compounds.
Strong Nonlinearity Induced by Coaxial Alignment of Polar Chain and Dense [BO3] Units in CaZn2(BO3)2
Authors: Mutailipu Miriding , Li Fuming , Jin Congcong , Yang Zhihua , Poeppelmeier Kenneth R. , Pan Shilie
Published: March 2022

Discovery of new efficient nonlinear optical (NLO) materials with large second‐order nonlinearity for the short‐wave ultraviolet spectral region (λPM≤266 nm, PM=phase‐matching) is still very challenging. Herein, a new beryllium‐free borate CaZn2(BO3)2 with Sr2Be2B2O7 (SBBO) double‐layered like configuration was rationally designed, which not only preserves the structural merits but also eliminates the limitations of the SBBO crystal. CaZn2(BO3)2 shows a large PM second harmonic generation (SHG) reponse of 3.8×KDP, which is 38 times higher than that of its barium analogue. This enhancement mainly originates from the 1[Zn2O6]∞ polar chains with a large net dipole moment and [BO3] units with a high NLO active density. Our findings show the great significance of the [ZnO4] tetrahedra introduced strategy to design beryllium‐free SBBO‐type NLO crystals and also verify the feasibility of using simple non‐isomorphic substitution to induce giant second‐order nonlinearity enhancement.
Single‐Cell Quantification of a Highly Biocompatible Dinuclear Iridium(III) Complex for Photocatalytic Cancer Therapy
Authors: Fan Zhongxian , Rong Yi , Sadhukhan Tumpa , Liang Shaoxia , Li Wenqing , Yuan Zhanxiang , Zhu Zilin , Guo Shunwen , Ji Shaomin , Wang Jinquan , Kushwaha Rajesh , Banerjee Samya , Raghavachari Krishnan , Huang Huaiyi
Published: March 2022

Quantifying the content of metal‐based anticancer drugs within single cancer cells remains a challenge. Here, we used single‐cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to study the uptake and retention of mononuclear (Ir1) and dinuclear (Ir2) IrIII photoredox catalysts. This method allowed rapid and precise quantification of the drug in individual cancer cells. Importantly, Ir2 showed a significant synergism but not an additive effect for NAD(P)H photocatalytic oxidation. The lysosome‐targeting Ir2 showed low dark toxicity in vitro and in vivo. Ir2 exhibited high photocatalytic therapeutic efficiency at 525 nm with an excellent photo‐index in vitro and in tumor‐bearing mice model. Interestingly, the photocatalytic anticancer profile of the dinuclear Ir2 was much better than the mononuclear Ir1, indicating for the first time that dinuclear metal‐based photocatalysts can be applied for photocatalytic anticancer treatment.
Biologically Safe, Versatile, and Smart Bismuthene Functionalized with a Drug Delivery System Based on Red Phosphorus Quantum Dots for Cancer Theranostics
Authors: Song Huaibing , Wang Jun , Xiong Bin , Hu Jiayuan , Zeng Pei , Liu Xiaoming , Liang Huageng
Published: March 2022

Two‐dimensional nanomaterials are attracting attention for cancer therapy. However, high toxicity, insensitivity to external stimuli and single therapeutic modality are still key issues hindering their clinical application. Therefore, the construction of a safe, intelligent and versatile nanocomposite is needed to meet clinical expectations. Herein, we developed a nanocomposite of Bi@RP‐PEG‐DOX with 2D bismuthene loaded with 0D red phosphorus quantum dots and DOX. The nanocomposite with DOX loading capacity (ca. 250 %) and photothermal conversion efficiency (ca. 54 %) showed both photothermal and photodynamic effects and a sensitive response of drug release to the acidic tumor microenvironment or NIR II laser irradiation. The nanocomposite exhibits good biosafety. Through the X‐ray attenuation properties of bismuth, the nanocomposite serves as an excellent CT contrast agent, providing potential to perform CT‐guided therapy.
Ultrafine palladium nanoparticles confined in polydopamine functionalized chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride) nanofibers for Heck reaction
Authors: Luo Yangyang , Xie Mali , Zheng Jingxia , Shao Linjun , Qi Chenze , Du Yijun , Zhou Shujing , Li Jinjing
Published: March 2022

Polydopamine has been considered as the adhesive of mussels to solid surfaces in biological systems. The development of dopamine and polydopamine functionalized nanofibrous materials is highly desirable for catalysis, drug delivery and tissue engineering. Polydopamine induced surface functionalized solid matrices have been proved to be efficient supporting materials for palladium nanoparticles. In this study, the dopamine monomers were first incorporated into the Pd2+/chlorated poly(vinyl chloride) (CPVC) composite nanofibers by electrospinning and then polymerized in basic and reductive solution at elevated temperature to prepare stable polydopamine functionalized CPVC supported palladium composite nanofibers. Scanning electron microscopy images show that uniform and smooth nanofibers with diameter of ~325 nm have been prepared and high temperature can promote their solvent resistance. Fourier transformed infrared and UV–visible (UV–Vis) spectra confirmed the synthesis of polydopamine inside the composite nanofibers. The ultrafine palladium nanoparticles inside the composite nanofibers were characterized by X‐ray spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Although these palladium nanoparticles were confined inside the nanofibers, they exhibited excellent catalytic efficiency for the Heck reactions of aryl iodides with alkenes. Moreover, this novel fibrous catalyst could be easily recovered by simple filtration and reused at least five times without obviously loss of initial catalytic activity. In all, we have developed a distinctive way for the synthesis of polydopamine functionalized polymeric materials for catalysis and other applications.
PM2.5 decrease with precipitation as revealed by single‐point ground‐based observation
Authors: Fujino Risako , Miyamoto Yoshiaki
Published: March 2022

This study analyzed the observed data of precipitation and PM2.5 concentration collected over two and a half years at Tsujido, Fujisawa City, to examine a quantitative relationship between the two quantities. It was observed that the PM2.5 concentration decreased as precipitation increased. A composite analysis revealed that the PM2.5 concentration on average decreases by 20.99% 1 h after the onset of precipitation as compared to that 1 h before, which is statistically significant based on a paired t‐test. The PM2.5 concentrations decreased over 8 h period from 5 h (−5 h) before to 3 h (+3 h) after the onset of precipitation, with a particularly dramatic decrease at the onset of precipitation. Analysis of PM2.5 scavenging rates by precipitation intensity showed that the scavenging rate was 2.03% for light precipitation events, 28.15% for moderate precipitation events, and 26.75% for heavy precipitation events, indicating that the scavenging rate increased with moderate precipitation intensity and above. It is suggested that the deposition processes of rainout and washout are effective in reducing PM2.5 concentration with precipitation.
Landscapes of Time: Building Long‐Term Perspectives in Animal Behavior*
Authors: Milam Erika Lorraine
Published: March 2022

In the 1960s, scientists fascinated by the behavior of free‐living animals founded research projects that expanded into multi‐generation investigations. This paper charts the history of three scientists’ projects to uncover the varied reasons for investing in a “long‐term” perspective when studying animal behavior: Kenneth Armitage's study of marmots in the Rocky Mountains, Jeanne Altmann's analysis of baboons in Kenya, and Timothy Hugh Clutton‐Brock's studies (among others) of red deer on the island of Rhum and meerkats in the Kalahari. The desire to study the behavior of the same group of animals over extended periods of time, I argue, came from different methodological traditions – population biology, primatology, and sociobiology – even as each saw themselves as contributing to the legacy of ethology. As scientists embraced and combined these approaches, a small number of long‐running behavioral ecology projects like these grew from short pilot projects into decades‐long centers of intellectual gravity within behavioral ecology as a discipline. By attending to time as well as place, we can see how this long‐term perspective was crucial to their success; they measured evolutionary changes over generations of animals and their data provided insights into how the animals they studied were adapting (or not) to changing local and global environmental factors.
Protective role of activating transcription factor 3 against neuronal damage in rats with cerebral ischemia
Authors: Ma Na , Li Gaixia , Fu Xiuxin
Published: March 2022

Background

The participation of activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) in transient middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion injury has been reported. However, the precise mechanism of ATF3 in cerebral ischemia is little known so far. Thus, the study examines the mechanism of action underlying the protective role of ATF3 following middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats.

Methods and results

The MCAO rats exhibited reduced body weight and motor ability, while increased neurological deficits and brain infarct volume. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment and KEGG pathway analyses revealed that differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in the TLR4/NF‐κB signaling. Moreover, ATF3 was the most differentially expressed gene in brain tissues of MCAO rats versus sham‐operated rats, which could bind to CCL2. ATF3 was reduced in MCAO rats, and ATF3 inhibited CCL2 expression to mediate the TLR4/NF‐κB signaling. Functionally, ATF3 inhibited neuronal apoptosis, microglia activation, and pro‐inflammatory cytokine production to alleviate brain injury in rats. By contrast, CCL2 was overexpressed in neurons and microglia, and CCL2 mitigated the effects of ATF3 to exacerbate brain injury in rats.

Conclusion

Our findings suggested that ATF3 repressed neuronal apoptosis and microglia activation caused by cerebral ischemia via targeting CCL2 and mediating the TLR4/NF‐κB signaling.
Through‐and‐through gunshot wound to the head in a rare case of survival
Authors: Cakani Bujar , Vyshka Gentian , Gega Petrit , Qirinxhi Denis
Published: March 2022

We describe the case of a 42‐year old Caucasian male who presented for follow‐up treatment of refractory epilepsy. He suffered a cranial trauma 13 years before when a bullet from a pistol, (presumably accidentally) entered the right frontal side of the cranial vault and exited contralateral, causing severe neurological damage.
Identification of B Cell and T Cell Epitopes Using Synthetic Peptide Combinatorial Libraries
Authors: Pinilla Clemencia , Giulianotti Marc A. , Santos Radleigh G. , Houghten Richard A.
Published: March 2022

This article presents a combinatorial library method that consists of the synthesis and screening of mixture‐based synthetic combinatorial libraries of peptide molecules to identify B and T cell epitopes. The protocols employ peptide libraries to identify peptides recognized by MAbs and T cells. The first protocol uses a positional scanning peptide library made up of hexapeptides to identify antigenic determinants recognized by MAbs. The 120 mixtures in the hexapeptide library are tested for their inhibitory activity in a competitive ELISA. The second protocol uses a decapeptide library to identify T cell peptide ligands. The 200 mixtures of the decapeptide library are tested for their ability to induce T cell activation. Support protocols cover optimization of the assay conditions for each MAb or T cell, to achieve the best level of sensitivity and reproducibility, and preparation of a hexapeptide library, along with deconvolution approaches. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Screening peptide library for antibody inhibition

Basic Protocol 2: Screening a peptide library to identify CD4+ Or CD8+ T cell ligands

Support Protocol 1: Optimizing antigen and antibody concentrations for screening assay

Support Protocol 2: Preparing a positional scanning peptide library
What is Next in Anion‐Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers? Bottlenecks, Benefits, and Future
Authors: Santoro Carlo , Lavacchi Alessandro , Mustarelli Piercarlo , Di Noto Vito , Elbaz Lior , Dekel Dario R. , Jaouen Frédéric
Published: March 2022

As highlighted by the recent roadmaps from the European Union and the United States, water electrolysis is the most valuable high‐intensity technology for producing green hydrogen. Currently, two commercial low‐temperature water electrolyzer technologies exist: alkaline water electrolyzer (A‐WE) and proton‐exchange membrane water electrolyzer (PEM‐WE). However, both have major drawbacks. A‐WE shows low productivity and efficiency, while PEM‐WE uses a significant amount of critical raw materials. Lately, the use of anion‐exchange membrane water electrolyzers (AEM‐WE) has been proposed to overcome the limitations of the current commercial systems. AEM‐WE could become the cornerstone to achieve an intense, safe, and resilient green hydrogen production to fulfill the hydrogen targets to achieve the 2050 decarbonization goals. Here, the status of AEM‐WE development is discussed, with a focus on the most critical aspects for research and highlighting the potential routes for overcoming the remaining issues. The Review closes with the future perspective on the AEM‐WE research indicating the targets to be achieved.
Improved Effect of Metal Coordination on Molecular Oxygen Activation for Selective Aerobic Photooxidation
Authors: Cui Jing‐Wang , Rao Cai‐Hui , Jia Meng‐Ze , Yao Xin‐Rong , Zhang Jie
Published: March 2022

A pyridinium‐based complex with environment‐friendly and earth‐abundant ZnII ion was synthesized and explored as a green catalyst applied in activating molecular oxygen for the simple and efficient photooxidation of alcohols into aldehydes under additive‐free and mild conditions. The metal coordination was conducive to promoting the electron transfer efficiency and introducing the heavy‐atom effect for the increased generation of ⋅O2− and 1O2. Accordingly, improved photocatalytic performance of this complex compared to its precursor, no matter activity or selectivity, was obtained, facilitating the transformation of alcohols into aldehydes in a sustainable way.
Pediatric hidradenitis suppurativa
Authors: Lee Stephanie S. , Park Helen H. , Toledo Isabella , Ugoji Amaraoma C. , Hightower George K.
Published: March 2022

Pediatric hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that often occurs after puberty and can have a significant impact on quality of life and psychosocial health. Early diagnosis with carefully optimized holistic care are essential for improved outcomes in pediatric HS. In this review, we address diagnosis, epidemiology, associated comorbidities, and management of HS in the pediatric population.
Maternal prolactin levels during late pregnancy and nurturing behavior of offspring in mice
Authors: Masuda Shinnosuke , Ee Oh Kwan , Sairenji Taku James , Sato Seika , Yajima Hiroyuki , Amano Izuki , Koibuchi Noriyuki , Shimokawa Noriaki
Published: March 2022

Elucidating the mechanisms underlying nurturing and neglect behaviors is meaningful but challenging. Recently, we found that CIN85‐deficient mice had reduced pituitary hormone prolactin secretion during late pregnancy, and their pups later showed an inhibited nurturing behavior. To examine whether this phenomenon could be reproduced in normal mice and not just CIN85‐deficient mice, we investigated the nurturing behavior of offspring born to mothers whose blood prolactin levels had been reduced by bromocriptine administration during late pregnancy. First, to determine when bromocriptine treatment should be started, we investigated the detailed changes in blood prolactin levels in late pregnancy in mice, resulting in the identification of the prepartum prolactin surge. Furthermore, prolactin receptors in the fetal hypothalamus were expressed to the same extent as in the adult hypothalamus. Treatment with bromocriptine decreased the plasma concentrations of prolactin to the basal range throughout late pregnancy. However, against expectations, the proportion of the resultant pups exhibiting nurturing behaviors as adults was as high as that in the mice without bromocriptine treatment. In conclusion, the elimination of prolactin secretion during late pregnancy alone does not induce neglect‐like behavior in offspring, suggesting that CIN85‐deficient mice appear to involve another factor due to CIN85 deficiency besides prolactin deficiency.