bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antibacterial Zeolite Imidazole Frameworks with Manganese Doping for Immunomodulation to Accelerate Infected Wound Healing
Authors: Wan Yao , Fang Jiao , Wang Yu , Sun Jiao , Sun Yue , Sun Xiaolin , Qi Manlin , Li Wen , Li Chunyan , Zhou Yanmin , Xu Lin , Dong Biao , Wang Lin
Published: September 2021

Numerous nanomedicines currently emerge to reduce the dramatic threat in antibiotics resistance for antibacterial application against severe bacterial infections, while it is restricted by over‐reacted immune response to pathogenic bacteria. Herein, enzymatic activity is introduced into the zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 (ZIF‐8) to achieve sterilization by releasing Zn ions, as well as inflammation regulation through the variable valence of Mn ions that are uniformly doped into its framework. Within this simple metal organic framework (MOF) structure design, Mn‐ZIF‐8 possesses the co‐existence of Mn2+/Mn4+ to endow the nanocomposite with the anti‐inflammatory capabilities, which can be adjusted through the redox environment. The enzymatic activity of Mn ions and superiority of pore structure of ZIF‐8 are effectively combined to realize the substrate selection via reactant molecular size and high‐efficiency internal catalytic performance. By such design, this nanocomposite would not only exhibit an excellent antibacterial performance against pathogenic bacteria, but also reshape the inflammatory immunity by regulating macrophage polarization to suppress over‐reacted inflammation, leading to a favorably therapeutic efficiency on bacteria‐infected wound healing in animal models. Taken together, this nanoplatform provides effective approach for accelerating infected wound healing via bacteria killing and inflammation modulation, and may be extended for the therapy of other severe bacteria‐induced infections.
Self‐Supported Nickel Single Atoms Overwhelming the Concomitant Nickel Nanoparticles Enable Efficient and Selective CO2 Electroreduction
Authors: Shen Shujin , Han Cheng , Wang Bing , Wang Yingde
Published: September 2021

Self‐supported metal/nitrogen‐doped carbon (M‐N‐C) catalysts with unitary single‐atom (SA) sites are highly desired to facilitate the electrocatalysis industrialization. Nevertheless, the concomitance of metal nanoparticles (NPs) enclosed by graphene layers is commonly inevitable and results in structure heterogeneity. Herein, an electronic structure modulation strategy of inactivating nickel (Ni) NPs to maximize Ni SAs for highly efficient and selective carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) within a facilely prepared self‐supported Ni NPs/SAs‐containing catalyst is reported. The side effect of Ni NPs is effectively inhibited by finely tuning the encapsulating graphene layers thickness to block electrons penetration. The optimized catalyst exhibits a nearly 100% selectivity of CO production under moderate working potentials of −0.6– −0.8 V (vs reversible hydrogen electrode) and produces a partial current density of 341 mA cm−2 when directly used as a gas diffusion electrode for CO2RR. The authors’ discoveries provide fresh insights into the design and scalable preparation of self‐supported M‐N‐C catalysts with unitary single‐atom active sites for CO2RR aiming at industrialization.
Plantar Pressure‐Based Insole Gait Monitoring Techniques for Diseases Monitoring and Analysis: A Review
Authors: Chen Jun‐Liang , Dai Yan‐Ning , Grimaldi Nicolas S. , Lin Jing‐Jing , Hu Bo‐Yi , Wu Yin‐Feng , Gao Shuo
Published: September 2021

Among diverse wearable techniques, insole‐based plantar pressure monitoring systems have surged as a leading technology to monitor patient's chronic disease progression. Such technological feat has been made possible due to the strong correlation between gait and disease status. Hence, insole‐based plantar pressure monitoring techniques are growing rapidly worldwide; with several research institutions and enterprises showing an increased interest in the field. This review intends to first explain the working principles of mainstream insole plantar sensing techniques and design considerations such as sensing material selection and electronics design requirements, and then the state‐of‐the‐art algorithms for plantar pressure distribution reconstruction. Following, this article will discuss disease monitoring applications and the extraction of disease features. Finally, insight regarding common challenges and their potential solutions within the field would be elucidated.
Electrically Tunable Reflection Color of Chiral Ferroelectric Nematic Liquid Crystals
Authors: Feng Chenrun , Saha Rony , Korblova Eva , Walba David , Sprunt Samuel N. , Jákli Antal
Published: September 2021

The recently discovered ferroelectric nematic (NF) liquid crystals (LCs) with over 0.04 C m−2 ferroelectric polarization and 104 relative dielectric constants, coupled with sub‐millisecond switching, offer potential applications in high‐power super capacitors and low voltage driven fast electro‐optical devices. This paper presents electrical, optical, and electro‐optical studies of a ferroelectric nematic LC material doped with commercially available chiral dopants. While the NF phase of the undoped LC is only monotropic, the chiral NF phase is enantiotropic, indicating a chirality induced stabilization of the polar nematic order. Compared to undoped NF material, a remarkable improvement of the electro‐optical switching time is demonstrated in the chiral doped materials. The color of the chiral mixtures that exhibit a selective reflection of visible light in the chiral NF phase, can be reversibly tuned by 0.02–0.1 V µm−1 in‐plane electric fields, which are much smaller than typically required in full‐color cholesteric LC displays and do not require complicated driving scheme. The fast switchable reflection color at low fields has potential applications for LC displays without backlight, smart windows, shutters, and e‐papers.
Photogated Coordination Switching of Silver Nanoparticles for Reversible Coloration/Discoloration of Hydrogel
Authors: Wang Fushun , Cui Anyang , Hu Zhigao , Zhang Lidong
Published: September 2021

Hydrogels remain challenging for the reversible high‐resolution coloration/discoloration in response to external stimuli. Herein, a photogated coordination‐switching mechanism is proposed to alter the localized surface plasmon resonance of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) inside a hydrogel network, which enables the reversible color change. The hydrogel is synthesized by free‐radical crosslinking of N,N'‐bisacrylylcystamine (BACA), sodium p‐styrenesulfonate (NASS), and acrylamide (Am) in the presence of AgNPs. Upon light irradiation at λ = 400 nm (300 mW cm−2), the AgNPs selectively coordinate with the disulfide bond of BACA to result in a reddish‐brown hydrogel in 30 s. In dark condition, this coordinating effect is replaced by the sulfonate of NASS and AgNPs, which brings the hydrogel into gray white. Such a photogated coordination‐switching mechanism is a physical process that enables the coloration/discoloration cycles without apparent reduction in the resolution. By means of a high‐precision mask, it allows writing, storing, and erasing of complicated information at the hydrogel surface, showing a great potential in informatics, cryptology, and security areas.
Selectively Defect‐Healed Graphene Electrodes for Tungsten Diselenide Thin‐Film Transistors
Authors: Kim Tae In , Park Ick‐Joon
Published: September 2021

2D nanomaterials such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides have attracted great interest as future electronic materials, especially for application in next‐generation displays, owing to their extraordinary electrical, mechanical, and optical properties. In order to achieve 2D material‐based practical devices, it is essential to heal the graphene defects which are inevitably generated during chemical vapor deposition‐based large‐area synthesis and transfer process, through doping technology. In this article, a novel approach for selective defect‐healing of graphene with electrodeposited gold nanoparticles is proposed, where the defect‐healed graphene source/drain electrodes are integrated with p‐type tungsten diselenide (WSe2) thin‐film transistors (TFTs), for the first time. This proposed device shows greatly enhanced electrical characteristics (increase of carrier mobility about ≈230.8%) by selective defect‐healing of graphene, and the performance improvement mechanism is systematically investigated in terms of conductivity and Schottky barrier engineering of graphene/WSe2 interface. Also, a long‐term stability of defect‐healed graphene electrode is achieved over a long period of a month, which is enabled by a polymer‐based passivation layer that maintains the doping effects of defect‐engineered graphene. The authors’ findings therefore provide a new strategy for developing graphene electrode‐based high‐performance TFTs, and reveal the enormous potential of graphene as an innovative conductor for prospective displays.
Ligand Exchange and Impurity Doping in 2D CdSe Nanoplatelet Thin Films and Their Applications
Authors: Lee Woo Seok , Kang Yoon‐Gu , Sharma Manoj , Lee Yong Min , Jeon Sanghyun , Sharma Ashma , Demir Hilmi Volkan , Han Myung Joon , Koh Weon‐Kyu , Oh Soong Ju
Published: September 2021

The effects of halide‐ligand exchange and Cu and Ag doping are studied on structural, optical, and electrical properties of four monolayer CdSe nanoplatelet (NPL) and NPL thin films. Combinational study shows that NH4Cl‐treatment on CdSe NPL and NPL thin films show tetragonal lattice distortion of NPL, side‐to‐side attachment between NPLs, bathochromic shift in absorption spectra, and complete quenching of band‐edge and dopant‐induced emissions. First‐principle calculations reveal that Cl creates states below valence band maximum while Ag and Cu dopants create acceptor‐like states, explaining the change of their optical property. Field‐effect transistors are fabricated to investigate the effect of doping and reduced interplatelet distance on electrical properties of CdSe NPL thin films, demonstrating Cu and Ag dopants mitigate n‐type character of CdSe NPL thin films. Temperature‐dependent electrical characterization is conducted to further understand charge transport behavior depending on the existence of dopants. This work provides scientific information on the influence of surface chemistry and impurity doping on quantum confined semiconductors and new directions for the design of high‐performance nanomaterial‐based electronic and optoelectronic devices.
Robinow syndrome in an extremely preterm infant: Novel homozygous ROR2 variant detected by rapid exome sequencing
Authors: McDermott Helen , Robinson Hannah K. , Caswell Richard , Gowda Harsha , Offiah Amaka , Naik Swati
Published: September 2021

An extremely preterm infant presented with clinical and radiological features of Robinow syndrome including butterfly vertebrae, posterior rib fusion, brachydactyly, nail hypoplasia, and retromicrognathia resulting in difficult endotracheal intubation in the intensive care setting. Rapid trio exome sequencing detected a novel homozygous likely pathogenic missense variant in the ROR2 gene, NM_004560.3:c.950A>G, p.(Tyr317Cys), for which both parents were heterozygous carriers. In‐silico protein modeling predicted a deleterious effect on the function of the protein. We report an extreme premature infant with novel homozygous likely pathogenic variant in the ROR2 gene consistent with autosomal recessive Robinow syndrome. This case expands the phenotypic and genotypic spectrum of this disorder and highlights the benefit of performing rapid exome sequencing early during evaluation to aid in patient management and providing accurate genetic counseling to families.
Synthesis of Mono β‐Pyrrole Substituted Triphyrin(2.1.1)s
Authors: Kaur Gurpreet , Sinha Avisikta , Ravikanth Mangalampalli
Published: September 2021

A series of ten mono β‐substituted triphyrin(2.1.1)s were synthesized by coupling mono β‐bromo triphyrin(2.1.1) with appropriate boronic acid in THF/toluene/water (1 : 1 : 1) in the presence of a catalytic amount of Pd(PPh3)4 in 17–67% yields. Different boronic acids such as methyl, phenyl, p‐tolyl, p‐anisyl, p‐fluorophenyl, p‐chlorophenyl, 3‐thienyl, 3‐pyridyl, 4‐pyridyl, p‐biphenyl boronic acids were used. This synthetic approach to β‐substituted triphyrin(2.1.1)s was facile. The mono‐β‐substituted triphyrin(2.1.1)s were characterized and studied by mass spectrometry, NMR, absorption, electrochemical and DFT/TD‐DFT techniques. The spectral studies indicated slight alterations in their electronic properties due to presence of an alkyl/aryl/heteroaryl substituent at the β‐pyrrole carbon. DFT studies indicated that the pyrrole ring which was substituted with alkyl group at its β‐position exhibited more deviation compared to the other two pyrroles of triphyrin(2.1.1) macrocycle from the mean plane. However, the β‐aryl/heteroaryl substituted pyrrole showed less deviation from the mean plane and overall β‐aryl/heteroaryl macrocycle was planar. Furthermore, the studies also supported the participation of a β‐substituent with π‐delocalization of triphyrin(2.1.1). TD‐DFT studies support the experimental observations.
A Low‐Strain Phosphate Cathode for High‐Rate and Ultralong Cycle‐Life Potassium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Liao Jiaying , Chen Cailing , Hu Qiao , Du Yichen , He Yanan , Xu Yifan , Zhang Zhuangzhuang , Zhou Xiaosi
Published: September 2021

Most potassium‐ion battery (PIB) cathode materials have deficient structural stability because of the huge radius of potassium ion, leading to inferior cycling performance. We report the controllable synthesis of a novel low‐strain phosphate material K3(VO)(HV2O3)(PO4)2(HPO4) (denoted KVP) nanorulers as an efficient cathode for PIBs. The as‐synthesized KVP nanoruler cathode exhibits an initial reversible capacity of 80.6 mAh g−1 under 20 mA g−1, with a large average working potential of 4.11 V. It also manifests an excellent rate property of 54.4 mAh g−1 under 5 A g−1, with a high capacity preservation of 92.1 % over 2500 cycles. The outstanding potassium storage capability of KVP nanoruler cathode originates from a low‐strain K+ uptake/removal mechanism, inherent semiconductor characteristic, and small K+ migration energy barrier. The high energy density and prolonged cyclic stability of KVP nanorulers//polyaniline‐intercalated layered titanate full battery verifies the superiority of KVP nanoruler cathode in PIBs.
Loss of a freshwater copepod species from El Junco Lake, Galápagos following the introduction and eradication of the Nile tilapia
Authors: López Carlos , Steinitz‐Kannan Miriam , Domínguez‐Granda Luis , Soto Luz Marina , Gomes‐Barbosa Luciana , Karpowicz Maciej , dos Santos‐Silva Edinaldo Nelson , Arcifa Marlene Sofia , Marrone Federico
Published: September 2021

An undescribed diaptomid copepod probably belonging to a new Mastigodiaptomus species has been discovered and was very abundant in El Junco Lake (San Cristóbal Island, Ecuador) from 1966 until 2004. The species was not found in samples from 2007, 2008 or 2018.

The loss of this key species from the lake coincides with the illegal introduction of Nile tilapia to El Junco Lake in 2005 and its subsequent eradication in 2008.

The disappearance of this biogeographically and ecologically important copepod population may be explained by direct mechanisms of predation and competition, by a combination of both processes, and by indirect mechanisms linked to alterations in the lake ecosystem.

The effects of fish eradication using rotenone may have contributed to the loss of the diaptomid population and to preventing its recovery.

This article discusses the search for sources of propagules for recolonization and possible reintroduction scenarios and procedures.
Maternal prenatal selenium levels and child risk of neurodevelopmental disorders: A prospective birth cohort study
Authors: Lee Ashley Sang Eun , Ji Yuelong , Raghavan Ramkripa , Wang Guoying , Hong Xiumei , Pearson Colleen , Mirolli Gabrielle , Bind Eric , Steffens Andrew , Mukherjee Jhindan , Haltmeier Douglas , Fan Zhihua ( Tina) , Wang Xiaobin
Published: September 2021

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element involved in various biological processes, including neurodevelopment. Available literature indicates that both Se deficiency and excess may be detrimental to health. It is also known that Se can cross the placenta from maternal to fetal circulation. To date, the role of maternal Se status in child long‐term neurodevelopment is largely unexplored. This study investigated the temporal and dose–response associations between maternal Se status and child risk of neurodevelopmental disorders including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It consisted of 1550 mother–infant dyads from the Boston Birth Cohort. Maternal red blood cell (RBC) Se levels were measured in samples collected within 72 h of delivery (biomarker of third trimester Se status). Pediatric neurodevelopmental diagnoses were obtained from electronic medical records. Data analyses showed that maternal RBC Se levels were positively associated with child risk of developing ASD, with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.49 for ASD (95% CI: 1.09, 2.02) per IQR increase in Se. There was also a positive association between maternal Se and ADHD (OR: 1.29; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.56, per IQR increase in Se). These associations remained robust even after adjusting for pertinent covariables; and there was no significant interaction between Se and these covariables. Our findings suggest that prenatal exposure to high maternal Se levels may adversely affect child neurodevelopment. Our findings warrant further investigation; if confirmed, optimizing maternal prenatal Se levels may be necessary to maximize its health benefits while preventing undue risk.

Lay Summary

Selenium (Se) is an essential nutrient for the health of the pregnant mother and her baby. While Se can readily cross the placenta from maternal to fetal circulation, little is known about maternal Se status on her child's neurodevelopmental outcomes. We studied over 1500 mother–child dyads from birth to school age of the child. We found that babies born from mothers with high blood Se levels may be at increased risk of developing autism spectrum disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Given this is the first study of the kind, more study is needed to confirm our findings.
Lead pipe andlead–tinsolder scale formation and structure: A conceptual model
Authors: Snoeyink Vernon L. , Tang Min , Lytle Darren A.
Published: September 2021

Lead–tin solder and lead service lines (LSLs) are important sources of lead, and after LSLs are removed, lead–tin solder will remain a major source of lead. A better understanding of the factors that control lead release from solder joints can help water utilities reduce lead. This paper reviews the reactions that take place at galvanic connections involving both lead–tin solder and lead pipe in contact with copper. A conceptual model based on these reactions was developed and is presented here to explain how such scale structure forms. The likely reactions that affect lead release for each of three cases, (1) no galvanic action, (2) lead anode and copper–brass cathode, and (3) lead cathode and copper–brass anode, are presented. The model also considers uniform corrosion that takes place on LSLs. This model should be useful when evaluating the impact of water quality changes on lead release from galvanic connections and LSLs.

Article Impact Statement

The conceptual model sets the basis for water systems to anticipate the impact of water quality changes on lead release from lead surfaces.
Magnetic levitation assisted biofabrication, culture, and manipulation of 3D cellular structures using a ring magnet based setup
Authors: Anil‐Inevi Muge , Delikoyun Kerem , Mese Gulistan , Tekin H. Cumhur , Ozcivici Engin
Published: September 2021

Diamagnetic levitation is an emerging technology for remote manipulation of cells in cell and tissue level applications. Low‐cost magnetic levitation configurations using permanent magnets are commonly composed of a culture chamber physically sandwiched between two block magnets that limit working volume and applicability. This work describes a single ring magnet‐based magnetic levitation system to eliminate physical limitations for biofabrication. Developed configuration utilizes sample culture volume for construct size manipulation and long‐term maintenance. Furthermore, our configuration enables convenient transfer of liquid or solid phases during the levitation. Before biofabrication, we first calibrated/ the platform for levitation with polymeric beads, considering the single cell density range of viable cells. By taking advantage of magnetic focusing and cellular self‐assembly, millimeter‐sized 3D structures were formed and maintained in the system allowing easy and on‐site intervention in cell culture with an open operational space. We demonstrated that the levitation protocol could be adapted for levitation of various cell types (i.e., stem cell, adipocyte and cancer cell) representing cells of different densities by modifying the paramagnetic ion concentration that could be also reduced by manipulating the density of the medium. This technique allowed the manipulation and merging of separately formed 3D biological units, as well as the hybrid biofabrication with biopolymers. In conclusion, we believe that this platform will serve as an important tool in broad fields such as bottom‐up tissue engineering, drug discovery and developmental biology.
Comprehensive pain management as a frontline treatment to address the opioid crisis
Authors: Hobelmann Joseph Gregory , Huhn Andrew S.
Published: September 2021

Background: The opioid crisis continues to devastate individuals and communities in the United States and abroad. While there have been several measures to address the over‐prescription of opioid analgesics, the number of overdose deaths related to prescription opioids has not changed appreciably in the last 10 years. Comprehensive (or multidisciplinary) pain recovery programs consist of providers from multiple backgrounds that treat pain on an individual level through a combination of approaches including physical therapy, emotional and spiritual support, cognitive behavioral therapy, and non‐opioid pharmacotherapies. Because there is a dynamic interplay between a given chronic pain patient and multiple providers, comprehensive pain programs are not as “standardized” as other medical treatments because they are meant to meet the individual needs of each patient and their specific pain diagnoses

Methods: Review of the literature.

Results: There is evidence that comprehensive pain treatment can reduce pain severity and improve functioning; comprehensive pain treatment can be used to treat those with post‐surgical pain, thus preventing the onset of non‐medical opioid use and opioid use disorder, and in persons with chronic pain who are on long‐term opioid therapy, as a method to reduce or eliminate opioid medication use. Comprehensive pain recovery programs were abundant for a period from the 1960s through the 1980s, but for a variety of reasons, they became financially unsustainable as the national reimbursement environment evolved.

Conclusions: In the context of the protracted and deadly opioid crisis, revitalizing and expanding comprehensive pain treatment should be considered as a frontline approach to treat chronic pain.
Apoptosis and its therapeutic implications in neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Erekat Nour S.
Published: September 2021

Neurodegenerative disorders are characterized by progressive loss of particular populations of neurons. Apoptosis has been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson disease, Alzheimer disease, Huntington disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In this review, we focus on the existing notions relevant to comprehending the apoptotic death process, including the morphological features, mediators and regulators of cellular apoptosis. We also highlight the evidence of neuronal apoptotic death in Parkinson disease, Alzheimer disease, Huntington disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Additionally, we present evidence of potential therapeutic agents that could modify the apoptotic pathway in the aforementioned neurodegenerative diseases and delay disease progression. Finally, we review the clinical trials that were conducted to evaluate the use of anti‐apoptotic drugs in the treatment of the aforementioned neurodegenerative diseases, in order to highlight the essential need for early detection and intervention of neurodegenerative diseases in humans.
Severe infections in patients with lymphoproliferative diseases treated with new targeted drugs: A multicentric real‐world study
Authors: Stefania Infante Maria , Fernández‐Cruz Ana , Núñez Lucia , Carpio Cecilia , Jiménez‐Ubieto Ana , López‐Jiménez Javier , Vásquez Lourdes , Del Campo Raquel , Romero Samuel , Alonso Carmen , Morillo Daniel , Prat Margarita , Luis Plana José , Villafuerte Paola , Bastidas Gabriela , Bocanegra Ana , Serna Ángel , De Nicolás Rodrigo , Marquet Juan , Mas‐Ochoa Carmen , Cordoba Raúl , García‐Suárez Julio , Comai Alessandra , Martín Xavier , Bastos‐Oreiro Mariana , Seri Cristina , Navarro‐Matilla Belén , López‐Guillermo Armando , Martínez‐López Joaquín , Ángel Hernández‐Rivas José , Ruiz‐Camps Isabel , Grande Carlos ,   Grupo Español de Linfomas y Trasplante Autólogo de Medula Ósea (GELTAMO)
Published: September 2021

Background

Lymphoid neoplasms treatment has recently been renewed to increase antitumor efficacy and conventional chemotherapies toxicities. Limited data have been published about the infection risk associated with these new drugs, therefore this study analyzes the infectious complications in patients with lymphoproliferative diseases (LPD) treated with monoclonal antibodies (obinutuzumab, ofatumumab, brentuximab, nivolumab, or pembrolizumab), BTK inhibitors (ibrutinib and acalabrutinib), PI3K inhibitors (idelalisib) and BCL2 inhibitors (venetoclax).

Methods

Multicenter retrospective study of 458 LPD patients treated with targeted therapies in real‐life setting, in 18 Spanish institutions, from the time of their commercial availability to August 2020.

Results

Severe infections incidence was 23% during 17‐month median follow‐up; cumulative incidence was higher in the first 3–6 months of targeted drug treatment and then decreased. The most frequent etiology was bacterial (54%). Nine (6%) Invasive fungal infections (IFI) were observed, in its majority in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients treated predominantly with ibrutinib. Significant risk factors for severe infection were: severe lymphopenia (p = 0.009, OR 4.7, range 1.3–1.7), combined targeted treatment vs single agent treatment (p = 0.014 OR 2.2 range 1.1–4.2) and previous rituximab (p = 0.03 OR 1.8, range 1.05–3.3). Infection‐related mortality was 6%. In 22% of patients with severe infections, definitive discontinuation of the targeted drug was observed.

Conclusion

A high proportion of patients presented severe infections during follow‐up, with non‐negligible attributable mortality, but infection incidence is not superior to the one observed during the chemotherapy era. In selected cases with specific risk factors for infection, antimicrobial prophylaxis should be considered.
Asymptomatic endobronchial tuberculosis represented as a solitary airway stenosis without tree‐in‐bud appearance on computed tomography
Authors: Toyoshima Hirokazu , Tanigawa Motoaki
Published: September 2021

Bronchoscopy is a crucial tool for diagnosing endobronchial tuberculosis in patients with airway stenosis. Early diagnosis and treatment may reduce airway sequelae and prevent the spread of infection.
Front Cover: Amino Assisted Protonation for Carbon−Carbon Coupling During Electroreduction of Carbon Dioxide to Ethylene on Copper(I) Oxide (ChemCatChem 20/2021)
Authors: Deng Hongwei , Guo Chenyan , Shi Penghui , Zhao Guohua
Published: September 2021

The Front Cover shows an amino‐modified copper(I) oxide catalyst reduces the Gibbs free energy for electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide to ethylene. The roller coasters and tracks represent the catalysts and the Gibbs free energy, respectively. In their Full Paper, H. Deng et al, illustrate that the modification of amino on copper(I) oxide promotes the hydrogenation of *CO to *CHO, which is the rate‐determining step for the formation of ethylene. This work presents an amino‐assisted carbon‐carbon coupling mechanism during electroreduction of carbon dioxide to multi‐carbon products. More information can be found in the Full Paper by H. Deng et al.
Tolerance of fine fescues to indaziflam formulations in minimal‐to‐no mow golf course rough
Authors: Braun Ross C. , Patton Aaron J. , Reiter Maggie , Elmore Matthew T. , Tuck Daniel P.
Published: September 2021

Core Ideas

Indaziflam sprays at 0.044 lb a.i. acre−1 reduced cover by 38–42% compared to the nontreated.

Less indaziflam injury occurred following granular applications than liquid spray formulations.

Plots thinned from indaziflam injury provided better golfer playability ratings.

Indaziflam use in fine fescue roughs should be limited to sites where thinning is tolerable.
Phosphorus and Potassium in Aggregates of Degraded Soils: Changes Caused by Biochar Application
Authors: Fonseca Aymbiré Angeletti da , Santos Danilo Andrade , Moura‐Junior Celcino Dias , Passos Renato Ribeiro , Rangel Otacílio José Passos
Published: September 2021

The low capacity of degraded soils to provide phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) to plants makes cultivation unviable in these areas. Biochar can increase nutrients availability and improve the physical conditions of soil to maintain their availability over time, including within soil macroaggregates, where P and K are less susceptible to losses. The aim of this study is to understand, how biochar application can change P and K availability in aggregates of degraded soils. The experiment is carried out under controlled conditions following the factorial scheme 2 × 3 × 5 × 2 + 4, corresponding to two classes of soil, three biochars produced from different raw materials (including stems of elephant grass, EGB, and two types of agricultural wastes: eucalypt stalks, ESB, and sugarcane bagasse, SBB), five rates of biochar, two times and four control treatments. At the end of each time, soil aggregates are divided into two classes by size (macroaggregates and microaggregates) and then P and K availability are measured. The results show that biochar can be a powerful tool to increase P and K availability in soil aggregates. EGB is the most efficient biochar to increase P and K availability, followed by SBB and ESB biochars.
A new metaheuristic‐based method for solving the virtual machines migration problem in the green cloud computing
Authors: Xu Yanfei , Abnoosian Karlo
Published: September 2021

Cloud computing (CC) provides dynamic hiring of server abilities as scalable virtualized services to end‐users. However, data center hosting wastes massive amounts of energy resulting in high operational costs and carbon footprints. Also, virtualization is one of CC's main features, and physical resources are delivered by virtual machine (VM). Therefore, in the present article, a new method is provided to improve the VM energy consumption and execution time in the VM migration problem using a hybrid optimization algorithm. Since this issue is one of the famous NP‐hard problems, a method is proposed in this article works based on genetic algorithm (GA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. The hybrid algorithm uses a GA to dominate PSO algorithms' constraints, such as weak convergence and stymie in global optima. The CloudSim simulator is employed to show the efficiency of the method compared to others. Using this method will keep the proficiency and power performance of the data centers at the same level. The results showed that energy consumption in the proposed method is better than the other three methods and has been improved by an average of 23.19%. Also, the results showed that execution time is better than the other three methods and has been improved by an average of 29.01%.
Nucleic Acids under Stress: Understanding and Simulating Nucleobase Fragmentation Pathways
Authors: Semmeq Abderrahmane , Badawi Michael , Dziurla Marie‐Antoinette , Ouaskit Said , Monari Antonio
Published: September 2021

The effects of radiations on nucleic acids and their constituents is widely studied across several research fields using different experimental and theoretical protocols. While a large number of studies were performed in this context, many fundamental physical and chemical effects are still being investigated, particularly involving the effect of the biological environment. As an example, the interpretation of experimental nucleic acid bases mass spectra, and hence inferring their reactivity in complex environment still poses great challenge. This Minireview summarizes recent theoretical advancements aiming to predict and interpret the reactivity of nucleic acid bases. We focus not only on the understanding of the inherent fragmentation pathways of isolated nucleobases but also on the modeling of a realistic nano‐environments highlighting the importance of molecular dynamics simulations and the non‐innocent role of the environment and also the possibility to open novel fragmentation pathways.
Efficient CO2 Electroreduction via Au‐Complex Derived Carbon Nanotube Supported Au Nanoclusters
Authors: Sun Kun , Shi Yaoxuan , Li Huiyi , Shan Jingjing , Sun Chengyue , Wu Zhen‐yu , Ji Yujin , Wang Zhijiang
Published: September 2021

The production of value‐added chemicals from CO2 electroreduction, using renewable energy, provides an appealing route to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality. Challenges remain in designing and understanding of high‐performance catalysts with restructuring behavior under electrochemical conditions. Here, the intrinsic performance enhancement of an Au‐complex derived carbon nanotube‐supported Au nanoclusters catalyst was demonstrated for CO2 reduction. This catalyst exhibited impressive activity for yielding CO in both H‐cell and flow cell reactors. Experimental results revealed that the synthesis procedure via metal complex reconstructing on proper support induced charge transfer between Au nanoclusters and carbon nanotubes, forming a rather electron‐rich state for Au active sites, which greatly contributed to the CO2 activation pathway.
Evolution of inwardly rectifying potassium channels and their gene expression in zebrafish embryos
Authors: Silic Martin R. , Murata Sarah Haruka , Park Sung Jun , Zhang GuangJun
Published: September 2021

Background

Inwardly rectifying potassium channels are essential for normal potassium homeostasis, maintaining the cellular resting membrane potential, and regulating electrolyte transportation. Mutations in Kir channels have been known to cause debilitating diseases ranging from neurological abnormalities to renal and cardiac failures. Many efforts have been made to understand their protein structures, physiological functions, and pharmacological modifiers. However, their expression and functions during embryonic development remain largely unknown.

Results

Using zebrafish as a model, we identified and renamed 31 kir genes. We also analyzed Kir gene evolution by phylogenetic and syntenic analyses. Our data indicated that the four subtypes of the Kir genes might have already evolved out in chordates. These vertebrate Kir genes most likely resulted from both whole‐genome duplications and tandem duplications. In addition, we examined zebrafish kir gene expression during early embryogenesis. Each subgroup's genes showed similar but distinct gene expression domains. The gene expression of ohnologous genes from teleost‐specific whole‐genome duplication indicated subfunctionalization. Varied temporal gene expression domains suggest that Kir channels may be needed for embryonic patterning or regulation.

Conclusions

Our phylogenetic and developmental analyses of Kir channels shed light on their evolutionary history and potential functions during embryogenesis related to congenital diseases and human channelopathies.
Emotion dysregulation across the span of eating disorder symptoms: Findings from a community sample of adolescents
Authors: Trompeter Nora , Bussey Kay , Forbes Miriam K. , Mond Jonathan , Hay Phillipa , Cunningham Mitchell L. , Mitchison Deborah
Published: September 2021

Objective

Emotion dysregulation is proposed as a key factor within eating disorder pathology. However, less is known about specific emotion regulation difficulties experienced by adolescents with varying levels of eating disorders symptoms. The present study examined the relationship between eating disorder behaviors and specific facets of emotion dysregulation, and differences in emotion dysregulation between eating disorder diagnostic groups.

Method

Participants were 2,783 adolescents, 11–19 years (M = 14 years, 9 months, SD = 1 year, 6 months), who completed self‐report measures as part of the EveryBODY study. Adolescents were identified as not having eating disorder symptoms (n = 2,122) or meeting diagnostic criteria for symptoms of specific eating disorder, including: anorexia nervosa or atypical anorexia nervosa (n = 57), bulimia nervosa (n = 136), binge‐eating disorder (n = 57), other specified feeding or eating disorder characterized by binge eating or purging (n = 381), and unspecified feeding or eating disorder (n = 30).

Results

Binge eating, driven exercise, and fasting were each uniquely associated with emotion dysregulation, whereas purging was not. Similar findings were obtained within specific domains of emotion dysregulation. Findings from diagnostic groups showed a significant main effect of diagnosis on overall emotion dysregulation and most domains of emotion dysregulation. Adolescents with eating disorder symptoms consistently reported higher emotion dysregulation compared to those without these symptoms.

Discussion

Findings indicate that emotion dysregulation is a key factor across eating disorder pathology, and potential treatment target across the spectrum of eating disorder diagnoses in adolescents.
Development of a high‐sensitivity VNA‐FMR spectrometer with field modulation detection and its application to magnetic characterization
Authors: Tamaru Shingo , Yamamoto Tatsuya , Onuma Tomoyuki , Kikuchi Nobuaki , Okamoto Satoshi
Published: September 2021

We have developed a vector network analyzer ferromagnetic resonance (VNA‐FMR) spectrometer with field modulation detection. This system provides broadband coverage and very high sensitivity to resolve the FMR signal on a ultra‐thin (∼ 1 nm thick) magnetic film. This paper first presents the detail of the VNA‐FMR spectrometer built in this work, including its operation principle and design guideline, and second various magnetic properties obtained by the VNA‐FMR measurement results.
Biomimetic assembly to superplastic metal–organic framework aerogels for hydrogen evolution from seawater electrolysis
Authors: Sun Yuntong , Xu Shuaishuai , Ortíz‐Ledón César A , Zhu Junwu , Chen Sheng , Duan Jingjing
Published: September 2021

Applications for metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) demand their assembly into three‐dimensional (3D) macroscopic architectures. The capability of sustaining structural integrity with considerable deformation is important to allow a monolithic material to work reliably. Nevertheless, it remains a significant challenge to introduce superplasticity in 3D MOF networks. Here, we report a general procedure for synthesizing 3D superplastic MOF aerogels inspired by the hierarchical architecture of natural corks. The resultant MOFs exhibited excellent superplasticity that can recover fully and rapidly to its original dimension after 50% strain compression and unloading for >2000 cycles. The 3D superplastic architecture is achieved by successively assembling one‐dimensional (1D) to two‐dimensional (2D) and then 3D, in a variety of MOFs with different transition metal active sites (Co‐, NiMn‐, NiCo‐, NiCoMn‐) and organic ligands (2‐thiophenecarboxylic acid and glutaric acid). Latent applications have been demonstrated for NiMn‐MOF aerogels to serve as a new generation of flexible electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) from seawater splitting, which requires a low overpotential of 243 mV to achieve a current density of 10 mA·cm−2. Notably, the electrocatalyst remains stable even being deformed, as the overpotential to achieve a current density of 10 mA·cm−2 increases slightly to 270, 264, and 258 mV after one‐, two‐, and threefold, respectively. In great contrast, traditional MOF powder‐electrodes demonstrate significant activity decay under similar conditions. This work opens up enormous opportunities for exploring new applications of MOFs in a freestanding, structurally adaptive, and macroscopic form.
Dietary supplementation with black raspberries prolongs survival in ApcMin/+ mice
Authors: Dong Athena , Huang Yi‐Wen , Yearsley Martha , Oshima Kiyoko , Chen Xiao , Yu Jianhua , Wang Li‐Shu
Published: September 2021

A diet supplemented with freeze‐dried black raspberries (BRBs) has been demonstrated to modulate various biochemical and physiological pathways in both colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and ApcMin/+ mice, which are utilized to model CRC. These changes have been previously shown to exert beneficial chemopreventive effects against CRC, with outcomes such as reduction of adenoma development and inflammation. This study aimed to assess whether these effects manifest in a meaningful change in survival rates by comparing these rates between ApcMin/+ mice administered a 5% BRB‐supplemented diet or a control AIN‐76A diet. Percent survival over days elapsed was assessed in order to determine a median length of survival for each group of mice. Significant increases in survival rates with consumption of the BRB diet versus the control diet were demonstrated in both male and female mouse study groups. Male and female control groups were also compared in order to reduce confounding due to the sex of the mice; the difference in survival rates between male and female mice was not significant (p = 0.07, *p < 0.05), as male mice lived for a median of 143 days and females for 194 days. The results of this study suggest that administration of a BRB‐supplemented diet may potentially prolong the lifespan and increase survival rates of colorectal cancer patients.
Forecasting Bitcoin volatility: A new insight from the threshold regression model
Authors: Zhang Yaojie , He Mengxi , Wen Danyan , Wang Yudong
Published: September 2021

Asset returns, especially negative returns, represent the leverage effect and are found to be informative for forecasting financial market volatility. The purpose of this paper is to dig out more useful information in Bitcoin returns when we predict Bitcoin volatility. We use the threshold regression model to differentiate positive and negative returns. The threshold regression results suggest that not only a decrease in normal returns but also an increase in extremely positive returns would lead to an increase in future Bitcoin volatility. To further capture and address the leverage effect of large positive returns in the Bitcoin market, we propose a model switching method. We empirically demonstrate the significant predictive ability of large positive returns when forecasting Bitcoin volatility both in‐ and out‐of‐sample. And, our findings still hold after considering long‐horizon forecasts, additional leverage effects, jump components, and a wide series of extensions and robustness tests. In an asset allocation exercise, the proposed volatility forecasting models, which highlight the predictive ability of large positive returns, can generate larger economic gains.
Multiperiod default probability forecasting
Authors: Blümke Oliver
Published: September 2021

Accounting standards require that financial institutions must measure default risk with respect to the full maturity of a financial instrument. This requires forecasting of future default probabilities. The forecast of future default probabilities concerns two aspects: forecasting macroeconomic scenarios and future average (with respect to the macroeconomy) default probabilities. The present paper addresses the modeling of future average default probabilities. For corporations and depending on the initial rating grade, default probabilities change in different patterns over time. For initial investment‐grade ratings, the risk of a default increases, whereas for the bottom of the rating scale, default probabilities decrease. To model these different patterns, the paper proposes to extend the existing discrete‐time survival model and to incorporate an additional time‐ and covariate‐dependent shape parameter into the hazard function. Using data from Standard & Poor's, the paper shows that the shape parameter is able to reproduce the different patterns. The proposed model is benchmarked against a model that does not employ a shape parameter, and the results show that the additional shape parameter improves in‐sample and out‐of‐sample prediction.
Fabrication and characterization of jujube extract‐loaded electrospun polyvinyl alcohol nanofiber for strawberry preservation
Authors: Zeinali Tayyebeh , Alemzadeh Esmat , Zarban Asghar , Khorashadizadeh Mohsen , Ansarifar Elham
Published: September 2021

Recently, using of natural ingredients gains much attention in the field of food science and active packaging. In this study, first, jujube extract was investigated for its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, and then, the effect of electrospun PVA/JE (jujube extract loaded into Poly vinyl alcohol) nanofiber as active packaging was evaluated to increase the shelf‐life of strawberry. PVA/ZE nanofiber film was prepared using electrospinning method, and their morphology was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Fruit preservation abilities of the nanofiber film were tested on strawberries. The strawberries were then kept at 4℃ for 15 days and characterized in terms of their properties (weight loss, TSS, firmness, and sensory analysis). Results indicated that flavonoid content of jujube extract ranged from 4.80 ± 0.01 to 13.54 ± 0.08 mg CEQ/100 g, and the DPPH free radical‐scavenging activity was from 210 ± 2.66 to 1498 ± 2.65 (GAE/g DW). The jujube extract also presented potent antibacterial activity against the investigated bacteria and fungi. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of nanofibers had a linear morphology and bead‐free structure; however, PVA/JE (jujube extract encapsulated into PVA nanofiber) had strip and flat organization. Strawberries in control group showed signs of decay and a decrease in visual appearance on the 6th. However, fruits in PVA/JE group had acceptable overall appearance for marketing, as no obvious sign of decay was observed on 12th day of storage. Active packaging containing herbal extracts and essential oils preserves the organoleptic and physicochemical properties of the fruits.