bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adsorption Capacities of Ammonia‐Activated Carbon Pairs in a Single‐Bed Adsorption Cooling System
Authors: Chaudhari Vikas H. , Desai Avinash D. , Bari Mahendra L. , Deshpande Tushar D.
Published: December 2022

In this study, the adsorption capacities of activated charcoal‐ammonia working pairs at room temperature, at which waste heat is supplied, were studied in a tube‐in‐tube adsorption bed in the pressure range of 0.4–10 bar. A double‐pipe adsorption bed was designed, constructed, and utilized for sequential adsorption and desorption of ammonia at 27 °C. Three types of granular activated carbons (GACs) with different particle size distributions were used as adsorbents. Experimental observations showed that the highest adsorption capacity for ammonia was shown by GAC‐2 with broader particle size distribution. The adsorption behaviors of all three adsorbents closely followed the Langmuir model under the operating conditions used in the study.
Biomineralized Piezoelectrically Active Scaffolds for Inducing Osteogenic Differentiation
Authors: Ma Zequn , Hu Xiantong , Zhang Yi , Li Xiangming , Chen Bo , An Qi , Zhao Yantao , Zhang Yihe
Published: December 2022

There is an endogenous electric field in living organisms, which plays a vital role in the development and regeneration of bone tissue. Therefore, self‐powered piezoelectric material for bone repair has become hot research in recent years. However, the current piezoelectric materials for tissue regeneration still have the shortcomings of lack of biological activity and three‐dimensional structure. Here, we proposed a three‐dimensional polyurethane foam (PUF) scaffold coated with piezoelectric poly (vinylidene fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF‐HFP) and modified by a calcium phosphate (CaP) mineralized coating. The preferred scaffold has an open circuit voltage and short circuit current output of 5 V and 200 nA. Combining the physical and chemical properties of the CaP coating, the piezoelectric signal of PVDF‐HFP and the three‐dimensional structure of PUF, the scaffold exhibits superior promotion of cell osteogenic differentiation and ectopic bone formation in vivo. The mechanism is attributed to an increase in intracellular Ca2+ levels in response to chemical and piezoelectric stimulation with the material. This research not only paves the way for the application of piezoelectric scaffolds to stimulate osteoblasts differentiation in situ, but also lays the foundation for the clinical treatment of long‐term osteoporosis.
Intramolecular Ferromagnetism in Di‐Nuclear 3 d‐Transition‐Metal Single‐Molecule Magnets by Pseudo‐Serial Arrangement
Authors: Wakizaka Masanori , Sato Tetsu , Yoshino Yuko , Takaishi Shinya , Yamashita Masahiro
Published: December 2022

Di‐nuclear citrate complexes, [CH6N3]2[M2(citH)2(H2O)4] ⋅ 2H2O (citH4=citric acid; M=FeII (Fe‐2), CoII (Co‐2), and NiII (Ni‐2)), are synthesized. The ligand, citH3−, is deprotonated only at the three carboxy groups, which is different from the previously reported tetra‐nuclear structures with cit4− ligands. Magnetic measurements reveal that these complexes have intramolecular ferromagnetism with J=∼0 cm−1 (Ni‐2), 0.02 cm−1 (Co‐2), and 0.04 cm−1 (Fe‐2). Co‐2 and Fe‐2 show slow magnetic relaxation, and are field‐induced SMMs with activation energy of spin‐reversal Ueff=27 cm−1 (Co‐2) and 4.2 cm−1 (Fe‐2). Density functional theory calculations indicate that the uniaxial anisotropy along the z‐axis of each metal ion center forms the pseudo‐serial arrangement, leading to intramolecular ferromagnetism via the magnetic dipole interaction. This work demonstrates the creation of ferromagnetic SMMs by the magnetic dipole engineering of 3d di‐nuclear metal ion centers.
Molecular Design and Crystal Chemistry of Polyfluorinated Naphthalene‐bis‐phenylhydrazimides with Superior Thermal and Polymorphic Stability and High Solution Processability
Authors: Abbinante Vincenzo Mirco , Zambra Marco , García‐Espejo Gonzalo , Pipitone Candida , Giannici Francesco , Milita Silvia , Guagliardi Antonietta , Masciocchi Norberto
Published: December 2022

Naphthalene tetracarboxylic diimides (NDIs) are highly promising air‐stable n‐type molecular semiconductor candidates for flexible and cost‐effective organic solar cells and thermoelectrics. Nonetheless, thermal and polymorphic stabilities of environmentally stable NDIs in the low‐to‐medium temperature regime (<300 °C) remain challenging properties. Structural, thermal, spectroscopic, and computational features of polyfluorinated NDI‐based molecular solids (with up to 14 F atoms per NDI molecule) are discussed upon increasing the fluorination level. Slip‐stacked arrangement of the NDI cores with suitable π–π stacking and systematically short interplanar distances (<3.2 Å) are found. All these materials exhibit superior thermal stability (up to 260 °C or above) and thermal expansion coefficients indicating a response compatible with flexible polymeric substrates. Optical bandgaps increase from 2.78 to 2.93 eV with fluorination, while LUMO energy levels decrease down to −4.37 eV, as shown per DFT calculations. The compounds exhibit excellent solubility of 30 mg mL−1 in 1,4‐dioxane and DMF.
Direct Observation of Charge, Energy, and Hydrogen Transfer between the Backbone and Nucleobases in Isolated DNA Oligonucleotides
Authors: Liu Min , O'Reilly David , Schwob Lucas , Wang Xin , Zamudio‐Bayer Vicente , Lau J. Tobias , Bari Sadia , Schlathölter Thomas , Poully Jean‐Christophe
Published: December 2022

Understanding how charge and energy, as well as protons and hydrogen atoms, are transferred in molecular systems as a result of an electronic excitation is fundamental for understanding the interaction between ionizing radiation and biological matter on the molecular level. To localize the excitation at the atomic scale, it was chosen to target phosphorus atoms in the backbone of gas‐phase oligonucleotide anions and cations, by means of resonant photoabsorption at the L‐ and K‐edges. The ionic photoproducts of the excitation process were studied by a combination of mass spectrometry and X‐ray spectroscopy. The combination of absorption site selectivity and photoproduct sensitivity allowed the identification of X‐ray spectral signatures of specific processes. Moreover, charge and/or energy as well as H transfer from the backbone to nucleobases has been directly observed. Although the probability of one versus two H transfer following valence ionization depends on the nucleobase, ionization of sugar or phosphate groups at the carbon K‐edge or the phosphorus L‐edge mainly leads to single H transfer to protonated adenine. Moreover, our results indicate a surprising proton‐transfer process to specifically form protonated guanine after excitation or ionization of P 2p electrons.
Alcohols as Efficient Intermolecular Initiators for a Highly Stereoselective Polyene Cyclisation Cascade
Authors: Aynetdinova Daniya , Jacques Reece , Christensen Kirsten E. , Donohoe Timothy J.
Published: December 2022

The use of benzylic and allylic alcohols in HFIP solvent together with Ti(OiPr)4 has been shown to trigger a highly stereoselective polyene cyclisation cascade. Three new carbon‐carbon bonds are made during the process and complete stereocontrol of up to five new stereogenic centers is observed. The reaction is efficient, has high functional group tolerance and is atom‐economic generating water as a stoichiometric by‐product. A new polyene substrate‐class is employed, and subsequent mechanistic studies indicate a stereoconvergent mechanism. The products of this reaction can be used to synthesize steroid‐analogues in a single step.
Non‐linear steady‐state data reconciliation: Theoretical perspective and practical scenarios
Authors: Soni Rahul K. , Dash Swagatika , Chinthapudi Eswaraiah
Published: December 2022

Data reconciliation (DR) is one of the primary error handling methods to reduce measurement errors in industries that may otherwise cause misleading information about the plant. In this article, the mathematical aspects of measurement errors and their treatment by DR are discussed in detail. The flaws in the existing DR methods have been identified and re‐investigated. More importantly, the feasibility and health check‐up of the DR problem have been discussed. The primary objective of the work is to develop a DR code based on the observations made in the present study, which involves DR solutions by both successive linearization (SL) and sequential quadratic programming (SQP) schemes. Benchmarking of the code with standard cases showed its wider suitability in solving DR problems. The algebraic SL method was found suitable for proper data health check‐ups and reliable solutions, whereas SQP was robust. The developed code was tested successfully for a chemical plant as well.
Flexible nanoscale co‐continuous structures prepared by controlled crazing of ethylene‐octene elastomers and in‐situ polymerization of conductive networks
Authors: Kornberg Anton B. , Thompson Michael R. , Zhu Shiping
Published: December 2022

An approach based on controlled crazing and post‐polymerization was used to incorporate a nanoscaled conductive co‐continuous network into commercial ENGAGE™ Polyolefin Elastomers (POEs). Three POE films of differing crystallinity and phase morphology were stretched in a reactive mixture of acrylic polymerization precursors that possessed an affinity for the olefinic materials and acted as a surface‐active agent for craze promotion. As a result, a rigid acrylic hydrogel phase was grown in the void space associated with crazing, which prevented the formed channels from collapsing after mechanical stresses were removed. The hydrogel phase offered ion conductivity properties to the POE. Simply replacing the acrylic monomer with an aniline emulsion for polymerization did not lead to the same outcome in terms of a continuous network; the materials became insulative after the removal of mechanical stresses due to fragmentation of the polyaniline channels from the unrestrained elastic relaxation of the POE. This problem was overcome by solution‐casting POE with polycaprolactone (PCL) into films and, subsequently, partially dissolving and leaching PCL from the blend while a sample was stretched in an aniline emulsion medium containing formic acid. The residual PCL left in the crazes reinforced the polyaniline to prevent fragmentation, allowing the formation of a highly electron‐conductive secondary phase.
Flotation response of coal washery reject fines: Characteristics, process optimization, and oxidation
Authors: Hazare Gayatri Deepaksingh , Pradhan Soumya Sucharita , Dash Nilima , Dwari Ranjan Kumar
Published: December 2022

The present paper outlines the characterization, electrokinetic behaviour, and flotation response of rejected coking coal fines with 32.5% ash generated in a coal washery in Eastern India. The response methodology and central composite rotatable design (RSM‐CCRD) were used for the process modelling and optimization of the flotation process using diesel, methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC), and sodium hexametaphosphate as a collector, frother, and depressant to maximize ash reduction, yield, and combustible recovery. At optimum condition, a 9.7% clean ash coal was achieved with a 63% yield at collector, frother, and depressant dosages of 0.78, 0.31, and 0.80 kg/ton, respectively. The model prediction and experimental data corroborated sufficiently. Subsequently, within 1 year, the fines oxidized and did not float with the collector. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed surface oxidation on oxidized coal. The oxidized coal responded favourably to acid oil, a vegetable oil refinery waste. With acid oil as a collector, the oxidized coal can upgrade to 12% clean ash coal with a 60% yield; the combustible recovered is 80%. The work indicates successful upgradation of fresh and oxidized coal using the froth flotation process.
Ionic Radius Dependent Kinetic Behavior for the Self‐Assemblyand Chiral Amplification of Lanthanide Tetrahedral Cages
Authors: Hu Shao‐Jun , Guo Xiao‐Qing , Zhou Li‐Peng , Cai Li‐Xuan , Tian Chong‐Bin , Sun Qing‐Fu
Published: December 2022

Comprehensive Summary

Understanding the kinetic process during the self‐assembly and chiral amplification of metal‐organic polyhedra (MOPs) is critical for the rational preparation of chiral MOPs. Herein, we report the ionic radius dependent kinetic processes for the self‐assembly and chiral amplification of Ln4L4‐type (Ln, Lanthanides; L, ligand) lanthanide tetrahedral cages. The chiral Eu4(LR)4 tetrahedral cage is structurally characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), electrospray ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (ESI‐TOF‐MS), and single crystal X‐ray diffraction. Kinetic study on the stereo‐controlled self‐assembly of circularly polarized luminescence (CPL)‐active Ln4(LR)4 (Ln = LaIII, PrIII and EuIII) tetrahedra manifests that the larger ionic radius of Ln leads to faster assembly rates. Mixed‐ligand cage assembly experiments with chiral LR/S, achiral Lac and Ln (1 : 3 : 4 molar ratio) reveal that the self‐assembly and chiral amplification occur synchronously for the LaIII and PrIII cages, while two distinct steps, i.e., first self‐assembly and then chiral amplification, are observed for the EuIII cage. Such distinct kinetic behavior is attributed to different ligands exchange rates among the mixed‐ligand Ln4L4 cages. This work provides fundamental guidance for fabrication and property‐optimization of chiral lanthanide‐based molecular materials.
Anthrazoline Photocatalyst for Promoting Esterification and Etherification Reactions via Photoredox/Nickel Dual Catalysis
Authors: Zhu Xiaolin , Fan Qiujin , Luo Wei , Wang Danfeng , Jia Yihui , Li Heyang , Wang Zhen , Xiao Qi , He Xiaoming
Published: December 2022

Comprehensive Summary

Here, we demonstrate a readily prepared anthrazoline photocatalyst, which can effectively promote C—O bond formation reactions with the aid of Ni(II) complex. This methodology enables the esterification (36 examples) and etherification (8 examples) with a broad range of scope, allowing aryl and alkyl halides coupled with diverse carboxylic acids/alcohols. Our metal‐free photocatalysts have a potential broad application, may serve as an alternative to some iridium and ruthenium based photocatalysts, and are of potential importance to the pharmaceutical industry.
Clinical Drug‐Drug Interaction Between Vatiquinone, a 15‐Lipoxygenase Inhibitor, and Rosuvastatin, a Breast Cancer Resistance Protein Substrate
Authors: Lee Lucy , Murase Katsuyuki , Ma Jiyuan , Thoolen Martin
Published: December 2022

Vatiquinone is a small‐molecule inhibitor of 15‐lipoxygenase in phase 3 development for patients with mitochondrial disease and Friedreich ataxia. The objective of this analysis was to determine the effect of vatiquinone on the pharmacokinetic profile of rosuvastatin, a breast cancer resistance protein substrate. In vitro investigations demonstrated potential inhibition of BCRP by vatiquinone (half maximal inhibitory concentration, 3.8 µM). An open‐label, fixed‐sequence drug‐drug interaction study in healthy volunteers was conducted to determine the clinical relevance of this finding. Subjects received a single dose of 20‐mg rosuvastatin followed by a 7‐day washout. On days 8 through 14, subjects received 400 mg of vatiquinone 3 times daily. On day 12, subjects concomitantly received a single dose of 20‐mg rosuvastatin. The geometric mean ratio for maximum plasma concentration was 77.8%; however, the rosuvastatin disposition phase appeared unaffected. The geometric mean ratios for the area under the plasma concentration–time curve from time 0 to time t and from time 0 to infinity were 103.2% and 99.9%, respectively. Mean rosuvastatin apparent elimination half‐life was similar between treatment groups. These results demonstrate that vatiquinone has no clinically relevant effect on the pharmacokinetics of rosuvastatin.
Glycolytic Wave Patterns in a Simple Reaction‐diffusion System with Inhomogeneous Influx: Dynamic Transitions
Authors: Kumar Premashis , Gangopadhyay Gautam
Published: December 2022

An inhomogeneous profile of chemostatted species generates a rich variety of patterns in glycolytic waves depicted in a Selkov reaction‐diffusion framework here. A key role played by diffusion amplitude and symmetry in the chemostatted species profile in dictating the fate of local spatial dynamics involving periodic, quasiperiodic, and chaotic patterns and transitions among them are investigated systematically. More importantly, various dynamic transitions, including wave propagation direction changes, are illustrated in interesting situations. Besides numerical results, our analytical formulation of the amplitude equation connecting complex Ginzburg‐Landau and Lambda‐omega representation shed light on the phase dynamics of the system. This systematic study of the glycolytic reaction‐diffusion wave is in line with previous experimental results in open spatial reactor and will provide a knowledge about the dynamics that shape and control biological information processing and related phenomena.
Does Urea Preferentially Interact with Amide Moieties or Nonpolar Sidechains? A Question Answered Through a Judicious Selection of Model Systems
Authors: Ajayi Simisola , Asakereh Iman , Rezasoltani Hanieh , Davidson David , Khajehpour Mazdak
Published: December 2022

The transfer model suggests that urea unfolds proteins mainly by increasing the solubility of the amide backbone, probably through urea‐induced increase in hydrogen bonding. Other studies suggest that urea addition increases the magnitude of solvent‐solute van der Waals interactions, which increases the solubility of nonpolar sidechains. More recent analyses hypothesize that urea has a similar effect in increasing the solubility of backbone and sidechain groups. In this work, we compare the effects of urea addition on the solvation of amides and alkyl groups. At first, we study the effects of urea addition upon solvent hydrogen bonding acidity and basicity through the perturbation in the fluorescence spectrum of probes 1‐AN and 1‐DMAN. Our results demonstrate that the solvent's hydrogen bonding properties are minimally affected by urea addition. Subsequently, we show that urea addition does not perturb the intra‐molecular hydrogen bonding in salicylic acid significantly. Finally, we investigate how urea preferentially interacts with amide and alkyl groups moieties in water by comparing the effects of urea addition upon the solubility of acetaminophen and 4‐tertbutylphenol. We show that urea affects amide and t‐butyl solubility (lowers the transfer free energy of both amide (backbone) and alkyl (sidechain) groups) in a similar fashion. In other words, preferential interaction of urea with both moieties contributes to protein denaturation.
Managing interspecies competition to improve spring pasture maturity, nutritive value, and biomass
Authors: Mercier Kelly M. , Billman Eric D. , Soder Kathy J. , Jaramillo David M. , Goslee Sarah C. , Adler Paul R.
Published: December 2022

In much of the United States, wet springs often cause poor field conditions leading to harvest and/or grazing delays and subsequent reductions in forage nutritive value. The objective of this study was to compare monocultures and combinations of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), and white clover (Trifolium repens L.) to determine the effects of interspecies competition on plant maturity, nutritive value, and forage mass over two consecutive springs. It was hypothesized that shade and competition from chicory would delay orchardgrass maturity resulting in greater nutritive value and an extended harvest or grazing window for high‐nutritive value forage. Mixtures containing chicory delayed orchardgrass maturity by at least 9 days in the first spring as compared to orchardgrass monocultures and orchardgrass‐white clover mixtures. Even with decreased chicory mass in the second year (due to drought and winterkill), both 1:1:1 and 4:1:1 (ratio of seeds per hectare) orchardgrass–white clover–chicory mixtures provided greater forage mass and nutritive value (crude protein and net energy) yield over 2 years compared to an orchardgrass monoculture; however, only the 1:1:1 orchardgrass–white clover–chicory mixture provided greater benefits to forage mass and nutritive value yield when compared to orchardgrass–white clover mixtures that are commonly found on farms. This study showed that chicory inclusion provides benefits to orchardgrass and orchardgrass–white clover pastures when planted in appropriate seed proportions; however, increasing chicory longevity will require further investigation to provide continued benefits in perennial cool‐season grass and legume pasture systems.
Covalent Grafting of a Nickel Thiolate Catalyst onto Covalent Organic Frameworks for Increased Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Wang Jixian , Li Lei , Jiang Shan , Young David J. , Ren Zhi‐Gang , Li Hong‐Xi
Published: December 2022

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have recently emerged as prospective photoactive materials with noble Pt as a cocatalyst for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. In this work, a series of SH‐group‐functionalized covalent organic frameworks, TpPa‐1‐SH‐X, is prepared by reaction of p‐phenylenediamine (Pa) and 1,3,5‐triformylphloroglucinol (Tp) with p‐NH2C6H4SH as a modulating agent. The reaction of TpPa‐1‐SH‐X with NiII acetylacetonate Ni(acac)2 gave nickel thiolate‐immobilized TpPa‐1 (TpPa‐1‐SNi‐X). The highest hydrogen evolution rate was 10.87 mmol h−1 g−1, which was an enhancement of 16.47, 3.83, and 1.84 times than that of the parent TpPa‐1, covalent‐bond‐free [(p‐NH2C6H4S)2Ni]n/TpPa‐1‐SH‐10, and 3 wt % Pt‐deposited TpPa‐1, respectively. This enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution is ascribed to enhanced crystallinity, the use of NiII thiolate as a cocatalyst and covalent bonding between the cocatalyst and TpPa‐1.
Sling‐shot spider optimization algorithm based packet length control in wireless sensor network and Internet of Things‐based networks
Authors: R Adhi Lakshmi , S Pavalarajan
Published: December 2022

Wireless sensor network (WSN) is a well‐developed domain suitable in the optimal collection and processing of information needed for the present world. For processing and transmitting the correct data by the network, it is affected by many disrupting factors like interference, battery life, distance between the nodes, and redundant data. There have been many methods proposed in the past. Among all the disrupting factors, routing has been the most studied problem in the WSN literature, whereas packet length sizing has been the most untouched topic compared to routing. Sizing the packet lengths to transmit it through the network is important to get error‐free data and run an energy‐efficient network. In this paper, we propose a sling‐shot spider optimization (S2SO) algorithm for packet length optimization in WSN and Internet of Things (IoT)‐based networks. The S2SO algorithm is developed based on the spider's unique behavior of catching prey. The proposed algorithm is implemented in three types of networks: 1‐hop, 2‐hop, and multi‐hop networks. A mathematical model for the communication channel, energy efficiency, and energy consumption is developed for all three types of networks. The proposed packet length optimization model is simulated in MATLAB software and compared with conventional bio‐inspired algorithms. The results show that the proposed algorithm is very fast in finding the optimal results and transmits optimal packet size with low error rate of 0.2 p.u. and a high efficiency of 98%.
Factors influencing the participation of Black and White Americans in Alzheimer's disease biomarker research
Authors: Eliacin Johanne , Hathaway Elizabeth , Wang Sophia , O'Connor Caitlin , Saykin Andrew J. , Cameron Kenzie A.
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a public health priority. AD biomarkers may vary based on race, but the recruitment of diverse participants has been challenging.

Methods

Three groups of Black and White participants with and without prior research advocacy or participation were interviewed individually or in focus groups to better understand perspectives related to AD biomarker research participation. A rapid qualitative data analytic approach was used to analyze the data.

Results

Identified barriers to AD biomarker research participation included hesitancy due to fear, distrust of research and researchers, lack of relevant knowledge, and lack of research test results disclosure. Drivers for engagement in biomarker research procedures included knowledge about research, AD, and related clinical procedures, perceived benefits of participation, and outreach from trusted sources.

Discussion

Participants’ comments related to the need for diversity in research and desire for results disclosure suggest opportunities to engage Black individuals.

Highlights

Black Americans experience more salient barriers to Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarker research participation.

Concerns about research diversity influence research participation decisions.

Research test disclosure may affect research participation and retention.
Urolithin A suppresses tumor progression and induces autophagy in gastric cancer via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway
Authors: Zhang Yingjing , Jiang Lin , Su Pengfei , Yu Tian , Ma Zhiqiang , Liu Yuqin , Yu Jianchun
Published: December 2022

Urolithin A (UA) is a microbial metabolite of natural polyphenols ellagitannins and ellagic acid with well‐established antitumor properties against various malignancies. However, the exact role of UA in gastric cancer (GC) progression remains largely unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effects and potential mechanisms of UA in GC in vitro and in vivo. Our results revealed that UA could suppress GC cell proliferation, inhibit migration and invasion, promote apoptosis, and induce autophagy via the phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway in vitro. The autophagy inhibitors 3‐methyladenine and chloroquine augmented the inhibitory effect of UA on proliferation and promoted apoptosis, implying that UA mediated the cytoprotective role of autophagy. Meanwhile, the in vivo experiments showed that UA effectively suppressed tumor growth, enhanced the therapeutic effects, and alleviated chemotherapy toxicity in xenograft models. Overall, these findings offer novel insights into the role of UA in tumor therapy and suggest that UA may possess potential therapeutic applications for GC.
Partner fidelity and environmental filtering preserve stage‐specific turtle ant gut symbioses for over 40 million years
Authors: Hu Yi , D'Amelio Catherine L. , Béchade Benoît , Cabuslay Christian S. , Łukasik Piotr , Sanders Jon G. , Price Shauna , Fanwick Emily , Powell Scott , Moreau Corrie S. , Russell Jacob A.
Published: December 2022

Sustaining beneficial gut symbioses presents a major challenge for animals, including holometabolous insects. Social insects may meet such challenges through partner fidelity, aided by behavioral symbiont transfer and transgenerational inheritance through colony founders. We address such potential through colony‐wide explorations across 13 eusocial, holometabolous insect species in the ant genus Cephalotes. Through amplicon sequencing, we show that previously characterized worker microbiomes are conserved in soldier castes, that adult microbiomes exhibit trends of phylosymbiosis, and that Cephalotes cospeciate with their most abundant adult‐enriched symbiont. We find, also, that winged queens harbor worker‐like microbiomes prior to colony founding, suggesting vertical inheritance as a means of partner fidelity. Whereas some adult‐abundant symbionts colonize larvae, larval gut microbiomes are uniquely characterized by environmental bacteria from the Enterobacteriales, Lactobacillales, and Actinobacteria. Distributions across Cephalotes larvae suggest more than 40 million years of conserved environmental filtering and, thus, a second sustaining mechanism behind an ancient, developmentally partitioned symbiosis.
Niobium Bis‐ and Mono(Pentafulvene) Complexes: E−H Bond Cleavage and Insertion Reactions (E=C, N, O)
Authors: de Graaff Simon , Eilers Marcel , Buschermöhle Julia , Bengen Nina , Dierks Anna , Schmidtmann Marc , Manßen Manfred , Beckhaus Rüdiger
Published: December 2022

Bis(η5:η1‐(di‐para‐tolyl)pentafulvene)niobium chloride (1) reacts with methyl lithium via salt metathesis to the methylated bis(pentafulvene)niobium complex 2, and with lithium 2,6‐diisopropylanilide addition and subsequent N−H bond activation to the imido mono(pentafulvene)niobium complex 3. Avoiding the competing protonation of the chloride, bis(pentafulvene)niobium complex 2 reacts with primary aromatic and aliphatic amines to form terminal niobocene imido complexes, and with water to form the analog terminal oxo complex. Secondary methyl amines undergo a simultaneous N−H and C−H activation to form niobaaziridines under mild conditions. In contrast to other reported examples, 3 can be employed to investigate the uncontested reactivity of mono(pentafulvene)niobium complexes. Reaction with 4‐tert‐butylphenol selectively yields a niobocene phenolate complex. Unprecedented for mono(pentafulvene)niobium complexes, treating 3 with multiple‐bond‐containing substrates (nitriles, isocyanates) smoothly results the insertion into the Nb‐Cexo σ‐bond, forming the corresponding alkylidene amido and imidato complexes.
Transition‐Metal‐Free Multicomponent Reaction of Quinoxalinones with Alkenes and Zhdankin Reagent through Photoredox Catalysis
Authors: Jiang Yu , Liu Wen‐Hao , Xia Zi‐Hao , Zhao Han‐Qing
Published: December 2022

A photo‐induced three‐component coupling reaction of quinoxalinones with unactivated alkenes and azidobenziodoxolone (ABX, Zhdankin reagent) was developed. The protocol provides an efficient approach for the synthesis of various bioactive organoazides with quinoxalinone scaffold in moderate to good yields under mild conditions. This reaction is environmentally friendly avoiding the use of expensive transition‐metal photocatalysts and stoichiometric oxidants.
Earth as a time crystal: macroscopic nature of a quantum-scale phenomenon from transformative moderation of geomagnetic polarity, topography, and climate by precession resonance due to many-body entrainment
Authors: Omerbashich Mensur
Published: December 2022

Claims of paleodata periodicity are many and controversial, so that, for
example, superimposing Phanerozoic (0–541 My) mass-extinction periods
renders life on Earth impossible. This period hunt coincided with the
modernization of geochronology, which now ties geological timescales to
orbital frequencies. Such tuneup simplifies energy-band (variance-)
stratification of information contents, enabling the separation of
astronomical signals from harmonics, e.g., using variance-based spectral
analysis. I thus show on diverse data (geomagnetic polarity, cratering,
extinction episodes) as a proxy of planetary paleodynamics that
many-body subharmonic entrainment induces a resonant response of the
Earth to astronomical forcing so that the 2π-phase-shifted axial
precession p=26 ky, and its Pi=2πp/i; i=1,…,n harmonics, get
resonantly responsible for virtually all paleodata periods. This
resonantly quasiperiodic nature of strata is co-triggered by a
p’/4-lockstep to the p’=41-ky obliquity (also 2π-phase-shifted, to
P’=3.5-My superperiod). For verification, residuals analysis after
suppressing 2πp (and thus Pi, too) in the current polarity-reversals
GPTS-95 timescale’s calibration extending to end-Campanian (0–83 My)
successfully detected weak signals of Earth-Mars planetary resonances,
reported previously from older epochs. The significant intrinsic
residual signal is 26.5-My Rampino period — the carrier wave of
crushing deflections co-responsible for transformative polarity
reversals. While the (2πp, Pi) resonant response of the Earth to orbital
forcing is the long-sought energy transfer mechanism of the Milankovitch
theory, fundamental system properties — 2π-phase-shift, ¼ lockstep to
a forcer, and the discrete time translation symmetry (multiplied or
halved periods) — previously thought confined to (quantum) time
crystal, here appear macroscopic, rendering the concept of time crystal
unremarkable. In turn, such a surprising cross-scale outcome has
confirmed the main result: that of planetary precession being a
cataclysmic geodynamic phenomenon as claimed in the past, e.g., as the
mechanism for Earth expansion; then a time crystal in quantum dynamics
could be due to particle entrainment, such as the collisions resulting
in Feshbach resonances.
Teardrop and parabolic lens yield curves for viscous-plastic sea ice models: New constitutive equations and failure angles
Authors: Ringeisen Damien , Losch Martin , Tremblay Bruno
Published: December 2022

Most viscous-plastic sea ice models use the elliptical yield curve. This
yield curve has a fundamental flaw: it excludes acute angles between
deformation features at high resolution. Conceptually, the teardrop and
parabolic lens yield curves offer an attractive alternative. These yield
curves feature a non-symmetrical shape, a Coulombic behavior for the
low-medium compressive stress, and a continuous transition to the
ridging-dominant mode. We show that the current formulation of the
teardrop and parabolic lens viscous-plastic yield curves with normal
flow rules results in negative or zero bulk and shear viscosities and,
consequently, poor numerical convergence and representation of stress
states on or within the yield curve. These issues are mainly linked to
the assumption that the constitutive equation applicable to the
elliptical yield curve also applies to non-symmetrical yield curves and
yield curves with tensile strength. We present a new constitutive
relation for the teardrop and parabolic lens yield curves that solves
the numerical convergence issues naturally. Results from simple
uni-axial loading experiments show that we can reduce the residual norm
of the numerical solver with a smaller number of total solver
iterations, resulting in significant improvements in numerical
efficiency and representation of the stress and deformation field. These
yield curves lead to smaller angles of failure, in agreement with
theoretical predictions, and are good candidates to replace the
elliptical yield curve in high-resolution pan-arctic sea ice simulation.
Hybrid precoding design forMmWavemulti‐user massiveMIMOsystems under high mobility
Authors: Faragallah Osama S. , El‐sayed Hala S. , El‐Mashed Mohamed G.
Published: December 2022

Studying hybrid precoding in a high mobility scenario is challenging task. Because the channel changes quickly with time and becomes double selective fading in the spatial domain. As a result, there is a difficulty to achieve perfect channel state information or estimate the channel under high mobility. In this paper, an applicable hybrid precoding based on amplitude and phase excitation beams for millimeter wave (mmWave) massive multiple input multiple output (MIMO) systems is proposed under high speed railway. The proposed hybrid precoding uses the data from the locations of the mobile stations to build the amplitude and phase beam matrix. The proposed precoders and decoders are designed to maximize the mobile service. An optimization problem of mobile service maximization is formulated for designing hybrid precoders and decoders. To solve the optimization problem, a heuristic technique under power constraint is provided. The proposed hybrid precoding algorithm is compared with analog only beam steering algorithm, partially connected hybrid precoding algorithm and fully connected hybrid precoding algorithm. Results illustrated that the proposed precoding scheme outperforms the other precoding algorithms and handover success probability is enhanced under high mobility.
Effect of seaweed (Ecklonia cava extract) on blood glucose and insulin level on prediabetic patients: A double‐blind randomized controlled trial
Authors: Almutairi Malak Ghazi , Aldubayan Khalid , Molla Haneen
Published: December 2022

To investigate the effect of polyphenolic‐rich seaweed extract (Ecklonia cava) on postprandial blood glucose (PPBG) and postprandial insulin level (PPIL) as well as investigating any associated side effects related to the study intervention in 20 prediabetic patients in Saudi Arabia. The double‐blind, randomized‐controlled trial was conducted from November 2020 to April 2021 in Riyadh, in 20 prediabetic patients with no other health complications. Subjects were given 600 mg of seaweed extract in a single dose for acute effect investigation. PPBG and PPIL were measured immediately at intervals of 30, 60, 90, and 120 min following 75 g of carbohydrate consumption, iAUC and peak concentration were calculated accordingly. Insignificant differences were shown for PPBG levels between study groups at intervals of 30 and 60 min (p > .05). However, PPBG results were significantly lower in the intervention group compared to placebo of 90 and 120 min after carbohydrate (75 g) consumption. The mean (SD) of PPBG in the seaweed group at 90 and 120 min was 108.1 (±8.9) and 101.3 (±8.7), respectively, compared to the placebo group at 90 and 120 min with a mean of 122.2 (±16.9) and 112.9 (±12.1), respectively (p value at 90 min = 0.032) and (p value at 120 min = 0.024). iAUC of PPBG shows no significant differences between the study groups (p > .05). There was no significant difference in PPIL between study groups at all study measurements (p > .05). Discomfort symptoms were similar between study groups (p > .05). This study indicated that a single dose of 600 mg of E. cava extract has a lowering effect on postprandial blood glucose with no associated side effects. Further research should investigate the glycemic modulating effects of marine algal extracts in the long‐term investigation.
Hederagenin suppresses glioma cell biological activities via Nur77 in vitro study
Authors: Dai Yuxiang , Masra Ngarmbaye , Zhou Lu , Yu Chen , Jin Wei , Ni Hongbin
Published: December 2022

The aim of this research was to discuss Hederagenin's antitumor effects on glioma by in vitro study. U251 and U87 cell lines were used as research target in our research. In the first step, the different Hed concentrations were treated to U251 and U87 cell lines, and the second step is Nur77 transfection in U251 and U87 with Hed treatment; measuring cell proliferation by MTT and EdU staining; evaluating cell invasion and migration abilities by transwell assay and relative gene and protein expressions by RT‐qPCR and WB assay. Compared with NC group, U251 and U87 cell proliferation were significantly depressed with cell apoptosis significantly increasing, and cell invasion and migration abilities were significantly inhibited in Hed‐treated groups (p< .05, respectively); however, with Nur77 transfection, the Hed's antitumor effects disappeared. Meanwhile, with Hed supplement, Nur77, PI3K, and AKT gene expressions were significantly downregulated (p< .05, respectively) in Hed‐treated groups; and Nur77, p‐PI3K, and p‐AKT protein expressions were significantly decreased (p< .05, respectively) in Hed‐treated groups. Hed had antitumor effects on glioma cell biological activities via Nur77/PI3K/AKT pathway in vitro study.
Linear multi‐scale modeling of diffusion MRI data: A framework for characterization of oriented structures across length scales
Authors: Wichtmann Barbara D. , Fan Qiuyun , Eskandarian Laleh , Witzel Thomas , Attenberger Ulrike I. , Pieper Claus C. , Schad Lothar , Rosen Bruce R. , Wald Lawrence L. , Huang Susie Y. , Nummenmaa Aapo
Published: December 2022

Diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW‐MRI) has evolved to provide increasingly sophisticated investigations of the human brain's structural connectome in vivo. Restriction spectrum imaging (RSI) is a method that reconstructs the orientation distribution of diffusion within tissues over a range of length scales. In its original formulation, RSI represented the signal as consisting of a spectrum of Gaussian diffusion response functions. Recent technological advances have enabled the use of ultra‐high b‐values on human MRI scanners, providing higher sensitivity to intracellular water diffusion in the living human brain. To capture the complex diffusion time dependence of the signal within restricted water compartments, we expand upon the RSI approach to represent restricted water compartments with non‐Gaussian response functions, in an extended analysis framework called linear multi‐scale modeling (LMM). The LMM approach is designed to resolve length scale and orientation‐specific information with greater specificity to tissue microstructure in the restricted and hindered compartments, while retaining the advantages of the RSI approach in its implementation as a linear inverse problem. Using multi‐shell, multi‐diffusion time DW‐MRI data acquired with a state‐of‐the‐art 3 T MRI scanner equipped with 300 mT/m gradients, we demonstrate the ability of the LMM approach to distinguish different anatomical structures in the human brain and the potential to advance mapping of the human connectome through joint estimation of the fiber orientation distributions and compartment size characteristics.
Multiresponse optimization of exhaust thermoelectric generator using Taguchi‐based gray relation analysis
Authors: Patil Dipak S.
Published: December 2022

The best operating condition of the exhaust thermoelectric generator (ETEG) provides more power output and low‐pressure drop (low‐PD). So it is required to optimize the operating condition of the ETEG. In the present work, Taguchi's L18(61 33) orthogonal array was chosen to find the optimal parameters. Analysis of variance was used to determine the percent contribution of the control factors such as engine loads (ELs), different types of heat exchangers (HEs) with and without inserts, water flow rate (WFR), and external load resistance (ELR) on the thermoelectric power output and PD in the HE. The confirmation test was carried out at optimum levels for the regression equations and Taguchi method. Gray relational analysis was performed to find the optimum value of the power output and PD. It is observed that the optimal operating condition is EL6 HE1 WFR3 ELR2 (EL6 = 10 kg, HE1 = G‐type test section, WFR3 = 0.08 kg/s, and ELR2 = 40 Ω).
Risk assessment of urban rainstorm flood disaster based on land use/land cover simulation
Authors: Huang Jing , Yang Yabin , Yang Yang , Fang Zhou , Wang Huimin
Published: December 2022

Under the urbanization context, land use/land cover (LULC) changes rapidly which affects both the probability of urban flood disaster and its consequence. In order to explore the impact of LULC changes on rainstorm flood disaster risk in the future, a framework of rainstorm flood disaster risk assessment is constructed from natural‐social perspective through LULC simulation based on the patch‐generating land use simulation (PLUS) model in this study. Specifically, the spatial LULC under three future development scenarios (inertia development scenario, economic priority scenario and sustainable development scenario) for the year 2030 is simulated, and then assessment model of rainstorm flood disaster risk is constructed through obtaining inundation depth and social vulnerability based on simulated LULC. Jingdezhen City in China is selected as an example. The results show that proposed risk assessment framework based on PLUS model can be used to detect the risk changes in different development scenarios. The risk of urban rainstorm flood disaster under economic priority scenario is most severe and risk under the sustainable development scenario is the lowest under the same return period rainstorm. Under the sustainable development scenario, green land including forest land, grassland and open water increases, which reduces the surface runoff and decrease the risk of rainstorm flood disaster effectively, however the reduction is limited with the greater rainstorm return period. Therefore, adaptive measures should be implemented together with land use planning to prevent and control urban flood risk. This study provides a framework to predict the future risk of urban rainstorm flood under different development scenarios, which can support for flood disaster risk prevention and urban sustainable development.
Working with legal small‐scale miners: Implications for development
Authors: Botchwey Gabriel , Nest Michael , D'Emidio Riccardo
Published: December 2022

Development initiatives focused on illegal artisanal and small‐scale mining (ASM) typically assume that formalisation will address environmental degradation and poverty. But there is little research on legal small‐scale miners' (SSMs) perceptions of their environmental impacts, or on demographic characteristics that should inform development programmes. Based on a survey of 137 legal SSMs, this study analysed the perceptions and practices of legal SSMs within the context of an accountability, rule of law and anti‐corruption programme, with an environmental governance subtheme, in Ghana. Data suggest that formalisation may not be a panacea for improving environmental governance, findings with policy and practical implications for development programmes.
MicroRNA dysregulations in Merkel cell carcinoma: Molecular mechanisms and clinical applications
Authors: Mazziotta Chiara , Cervellera Christian Felice , Lanzillotti Carmen , Touzé Antoine , Gaboriaud Pauline , Tognon Mauro , Martini Fernanda , Rotondo John Charles
Published: December 2022

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive skin malignancy with two distinct etiologies. The first, which accounts for the highest proportion, is caused by Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), a DNA tumor virus. A second, UV‐induced, MCC form has also been identified. Few MCC diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic options are available. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNA molecules, which play a key role in regulating various physiologic cellular functions including cell cycling, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Numerous miRNAs are dysregulated in cancer, by acting as either tumor suppressors or oncomiRs. The aim of this review is to collect, summarize, and discuss recent findings on miRNAs whose dysregulation has been assumed to play a role in MCC. The potential clinical application of miRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in MCC is also described. In the future, miRNAs will potentially gain clinical significance for the improvement of MCC diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic options.
Low COVID‐19 vaccine coverage and guardian acceptance among pediatric transplant recipients
Authors: Zheng Zhigang , Lu Yefeng , Wang Min , Luo Yi , Wan Ping , Zhou Tao , Feng Mingxuan , Zhu Jianjun , Wu Ji , Ji Hao , Song Yanyan , Zhang Ting , Zhu Yanbo , Cao Qing , Chen Jing , Xia Qiang , Xue Feng
Published: December 2022

To investigate COVID‐19 vaccine coverage in immunosuppressed children, assess guardians' intention to vaccinate children, and determine reasons and associated factors. In addition, we attempted to capture the characteristics of them with Omicron. We obtained the vaccination coverage and guardian vaccine acceptance among pediatric transplant recipients through a web‐based questionnaire conducted from April 12 to 28, 2022, and performed the statistical analysis. Seven organ transplant recipient children with Omicron were also clinically analyzed. The three‐dose vaccine coverage for liver transplant (n = 563) and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (n = 122) recipient children was 0.9% and 4.9%, and guardian vaccine acceptance was 63.8%. Independent risk factors for vaccine acceptance were the child's age, geographic location, type of transplant, guardian's vaccination status, guardian's level of distress about epidemic events, guardian's risk perception ability, anxiety, and knowledge of epidemic control. The main reasons for vaccine hesitancy were fear of vaccine‐induced adverse events and doubts about efficacy. Ultimately, most children infected with Omicron have mild or no symptoms and are infected by intra‐family. Since vaccine coverage and guardian acceptance are lowest among liver transplant children, and the infected are mainly intra‐family, we should devise more targeted education and vaccination instructions for their guardians.