bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New Records of some Pests of the Coconut Inflorescence and Developing Fruit and Their Natural Enemies in Sri Lanka
Authors: FERNANDO L. C. P. , KANAGARATNAM P.
Published: October 2010

A survey was carried out at Bandirippuwa Estate, Kirimetiyana Estate and at IsolatedSeed Garden, Rajakadaluwa for the pests of coconut inflorescence and developing fruits.The mite, Dolichotetranychus sp. (Tenuipalpidae) which lives beneath the perianthand feeds on the epicarp, causes considerable damage to the developing fruit. Bi-monthlyobservations on the intensity of infestation of nuts among different forms of coconutindicated a significant difference among forms in their susceptibility to mite damage.Pseudococcus cocotis (Maskell) (Pseudococcidae), Pseudococcus citriculus Green(Pseudococcidae) and Planococcus lilacinus (Cockereli) (Pseudococcidae), when feedingin large numbers on the peduncle, cause button nut shedding and drying up of the inflorescence.The parasitoids and predators of these mealybugs recorded for the first timein Sri Lanka are Promuscidea unfasciativentris Girault (Aphelinidae) Platygaster sp.(Platygastridae), Anagyrus sp. nr. pseudococci (Girault) (Encyrtidae) Coccodiplosis sp.(Cecidomyiidae), Cryptogonus bryanti Kapur (Coccinellidae) and Pseudoscymnus sp.(Coccinellidae).Several species of scale insects namely, Coccus hesperidum (Linnaeus) (Coccidae)Aulacaspis sp. (Diaspididae), Pseudaulacaspis cockerelli (Cooley) (Diaspididae), Aonidiellaorientalis (Newstead) (Diaspididae), and Pinnaspis strachani (Cooley) (Diaspididae)are recorded as minor pests of the developing fruits of coconut. Coccophagus silvestriiCompere (Aphelinidae), Scymnus sp. (Coccinellidae), Pseudoscymnus sp. (Coccinellidae)Telsimia ceylonica (Weise) (Coccinellidae), Cryptogonus bryanti Kapur (Coccinellidae)and Cybocephalus sp. (Nitidulidae) are recorded as their parasitoids and predators.These natural enemies are probably responsible for the control of these pests in thefield.doi: 10.4038/cocos.v5i0.2050COCOS 1987 Vol.5 39-42
The Cardiorenal Syndrome: Making the Connection
Authors: Viswanathan Gautham , Gilbert Scott
Published: October 2010

The heart and the kidneys share responsibility for maintaining hemodynamic stability and end-organ perfusion. Connections between these organs ensure that subtle physiologic changes in one system are tempered by compensation in the other through a variety of pathways and mediators. In the setting of underlying heart disease or chronic kidney disease, the capacity of each organ to respond to perturbation caused by the other may become compromised. This has recently led to the characterization of the cardiorenal syndrome (CRS). This review will primarily focus on CRS type 1 where acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) results in activation of hemodynamic and neurohormonal factors leading to an acute drop in the glomerular filtration rate and the development of acute kidney injury. We will examine the scope and impact of this problem, the pathophysiology associated with this relationship, including underperfuson and venous congestion, diagnostic tools for earlier detection, and therapeutic interventions to prevent and treat this complication.
Recent Advances in Application of Male Germ Cell Transplantation in Farm Animals
Authors: Honaramooz Ali , Yang Yanfei
Published: October 2010

Transplantation of isolated germ cells from a fertile donor male into the seminiferous tubules of infertile recipients can result in donor-derived sperm production. Therefore, this system represents a major development in the study of spermatogenesis and a unique functional assay to determine the developmental potential and relative abundance of spermatogonial stem cells in a given population of testis cells. The application of this method in farm animals has been the subject of an increasing number of studies, mostly because of its potential as an alternative strategy in producing transgenic livestock with higher efficiency and less time and capital requirement than the current methods. This paper highlights the salient recent research on germ cell transplantation in farm animals. The emphasis is placed on the current status of the technique and examination of ways to increase its efficiency through improved preparation of the recipient animals as well as isolation, purification, preservation, and transgenesis of the donor germ cells.
Preclinical Research into Basic Mechanisms of Radiation-Induced Heart Disease
Authors: Boerma M. , Hauer-Jensen M.
Published: October 2010

Radiation-induced heart disease (RIHD) is a potentially severe side effect of radiotherapy of thoracic and chest wall tumors if all or part of the heart was included in the radiation field. RIHD presents clinically several years after irradiation and manifestations include accelerated atherosclerosis, pericardial and myocardial fibrosis, conduction abnormalities, and injury to cardiac valves. There is no method to prevent or reverse these injuries when the heart is exposed to ionizing radiation. This paper presents an overview of recent studies that address the role of microvascular injury, endothelial dysfunction, mast cells, and the renin angiotensin system in animal models of cardiac radiation injury. These insights into the basic mechanisms of RIHD may lead to the identification of targets for intervention in this late radiotherapy side effect.
Towards happiness: Experiences of work-role fit, meaningfulness and work engagement of industrial/organisational psychologists in South Africa
Authors: Van Zyl Llewellyn E. , Deacon Elmari , Rothmann Sebastiaan
Published: October 2010

Orientation: The work of industrial/organisational (I/O) psychologists presents an interesting and relevant context for studying meaning and engagement as components of happiness.Research purpose: The aim of this study was to determine how I/O psychologists experience the meaning of their work and to investigate the relationships between their experiences of work-role fit, meaning of work, psychological meaningfulness and work engagement, utilising the happiness framework proposed by Seligman (2002).Motivation for the study: I/O psychologists spend more than 88% of their working day with people, and they are primary role models for happiness in the workplace. Information about their work engagement and experiences of meaning is therefore needed.Research design, approach and method: A survey design was used. A convenience sample (n = 106) was taken of I/O psychologists in South Africa. A biographical questionnaire, the Work-Role Fit Scale, the Work-Life Questionnaire, the Psychological Meaningfulness Scale, the Work Engagement Scale and a survey measuring the actual and desired time spent on six broad categories of work were administered.Main findings: Work-role fit predicted psychological meaningfulness and work engagement. The calling orientation to work predicted both psychological meaningfulness and work engagement. Work-role fit mediated the relationship between the meaning of work and psychological meaningfulness. Work-role fit partially mediated the relationship between a calling orientation to work and work engagement.Practical implications: A calling orientation to work should be fostered in I/O psychologists because it contributes to experiences of work-role fit, psychological meaningfulness and work engagement.Contribution/value-add: The results of this study contribute to scientific knowledge about work-role fit, engagement and meaning as components of happiness of I/O psychologists.
Verification of the BOLAM weather prediction model over the area of Cyprus
Authors: Savvidou K. , Lagouvardos K. , Michaelides S. , Kotroni V. , Constantinides P.
Published: October 2010

Abstract. The purpose of this study is the verification of the BOLAM weather prediction model over the area of Cyprus. The verification period spans from 1 January 2007 till 31 December 2007 and the parameters studied are: temperature, wind and precipitation. The model forecasts are compared to the observations recorded at three locations on the island, where Automatic Weather Observing Systems are operated by the Meteorological Service of Cyprus, namely, those of Larnaka and Paphos Airports and at Athalassa. The statistical analysis includes calculation of the mean error, the mean absolute error and the standard deviation. Based on the construction of a contingency table, the probability of detection of a precipitation event and the false alarm rate are calculated. Finally, an example of BOLAM forecasts for a case study of a low pressure affecting Cyprus during winter is presented and discussed.
Polymer tensiometers with ceramic cones: direct observations of matric pressures in drying soils
Authors: van der Ploeg M. J. , Gooren H. P. A. , Bakker G. , Hoogendam C. W. , Huiskes C. , Koopal L. K. , Kruidhof H. , de Rooij G. H.
Published: October 2010

Abstract. Measuring soil water potentials is crucial to characterize vadose zone processes. Conventional tensiometers only measure until approximately −0.09 MPa, and indirect methods may suffer from the non-uniqueness in the relationship between matric potential and measured properties. Recently developed polymer tensiometers (POTs) are able to directly measure soil matric potentials until the theoretical wilting point (−1.6 MPa). By minimizing the volume of polymer solution inside the POT while maximizing the ceramic area in contact with that polymer solution, response times drop to acceptable ranges for laboratory and field conditions. Contact with the soil is drastically improved with the use of cone-shaped solid ceramics instead of flat ceramics. The comparison between measured potentials by polymer tensiometers and indirectly obtained potentials with time domain reflectometry highlights the risk of using the latter method at low water contents. By combining POT and time domain reflectometry readings in situ moisture retention curves can be measured over the range permitted by the measurement range of both POT and time domain reflectometry.
Modelling past and future permafrost conditions in Svalbard
Authors: Etzelmüller B. , Schuler T. V. , Isaksen K. , Christiansen H. H. , Farbrot H. , Benestad R.
Published: October 2010

Abstract. Variations in ground thermal conditions in Svalbard were studied based on measurements and theoretical calculations. Ground temperature data was used to calibrate a transient heat flow model describing depth and time variations in temperatures. The model was subsequently forced with historical surface air temperature data records and downscaled global climate model runs to project ground temperatures. We discuss ground temperature development since the early 20th century, and the thermal responses in relation to ground characteristics and snow cover. The modelled ground temperatures show a gradually increase since the end of the Little Ice Age (mid 19th century on Svalbard), by about 1.5 °C to 2 °C at 20 m depth. The active layer thickness (ALT) is modelled to have increased slightly, with the rate of increase depending on water content of the near-surface layers. The used scenario runs predict a significant increase in ground temperatures and an increase of ALT depending on soil characteristics.
Serine 3.39 and isoleucine 4.60 are key sites for 5‐HT2AR‐mediated Gs signaling
Authors: Xie Lulu , Liu Xiaoqian , Yao Yishan , Tan Bo , Su Ruibin
Published: May 2024

Certain amino acid sites of 5‐HT2AR play crucial roles in interacting with various G proteins. Hallucinogens and non‐hallucinogens both act on 5‐HT2AR but mediate different pharmacological effects, possibly due to the coupling of different G proteins. Therefore, this study identified the binding sites of hallucinogens and non‐hallucinogens with 5‐HT2AR through molecular docking. We conducted site mutation to examine the impact of these sites on G proteins, in order to find out the sites that can distinguish the pharmacological effects of hallucinogens and non‐hallucinogens. Our results indicate that I4.60A and S3.39A did not affect the ability of hallucinogens to activate Gq signaling, but significantly reduced Gs signaling activation by hallucinogens. These results suggest that S3.39 and I4.60 are important for the activation of Gs signaling by hallucinogens.
Predicting aggressive behaviors: Examining unique and interactive roles of PTSD and emotion dysregulation in a minority sample
Authors: Hatfield Olivia , Bresin Konrad , Mekawi Yara , Michopoulos Vasiliki , Fani Negar , Bradley Bekh , Powers Abigail
Published: May 2024

Aggression is a costly public health problem with severe and multi‐faceted negative consequences and thus, identifying factors that contribute to aggression, particularly in understudied populations, is necessary to develop more effective interventions to reduce the public health cost of aggression. The goal this study was to test whether difficulties regulating emotions moderated the association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and aggression in a community sample of predominantly Black females with high levels of trauma exposure. Furthermore, we explored unique relations between PTSD symptom clusters and distinct subscales of difficulties regulating emotions and aggression. The sample included 601 community participants recruited from an urban public hospital. Symptoms were assessed using self‐report measures including the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) and Behavioral Questionnaire‐Short. Regression analyses were conducted using PTSD symptoms and total DERS to test their interaction as predictors for aggression (using BQ‐Short). We found that higher levels of PTSD arousal symptoms and difficulty controlling impulses when upset were positively related to aggression. We also conducted an exploratory analysis to examine the association between PTSD symptom clusters using the Alternative Symptom Clusters hybrid model. The results suggest that some PTSD symptoms (externalizing behavior) and some emotion dysregulation processes (difficulties controlling impulses when upset), relate to aggression in independent, rather than multiplicative ways. These results offer insights for new directions of research that focuses on the independent association between specific emotion dysregulation processes and PTSD symptoms on aggression.
CM group calls on SAMHSA to rescind $75 cap
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: May 2024

This month, the Contingency Management Policy Group (CMPG) headed by H. Westley Clark, M.D., issued a statement calling on the federal government to rescind the $75 limit on what can be paid per year to patients being treated for substance use disorder. Contingency management is the only effective treatment for stimulant use disorders, involving payment for negative drug tests, but it doesn't work unless the dollar figure is much higher.
An Ultrasound‐Responsive and In Situ Gelling Hydrogel Nanocomposite for Boosting Anti PD‐L1 Immunotherapy via Remodeling Aberrant ECM of Post‐Surgical Residual Cancer
Authors: Cao Yuting , Zhong Xinyu , Wu Nianhong , Wan Li , Tang Rui , He Hongye , Wang Can , Cheng Hongfeng , Zhang Qin , Zhong Linhong , Wei Xi , Ren Jianli , Sun Yang , Li Pan
Published: May 2024

Tumor recurrence and metastasis following surgery remain formidable challenges. Although that is a crucial factor in determining efficacy of postoperative immune treatment, the impact of surgery on tumor microenvironment (TME) is still understudied and the specific treatment options for residual cancer are unsatisfactory. Here, it is verified that abnormal extracellular matrix (ECM) of postsurgical residual cancer results in deteriorative hypoxia, immunosuppression, and hypo‐perfusion, which further promotes invasion and may hinder efficacy of immune checkpoint blockades (ICB). To adaptively potentiate ICB therapy in this context, an ultrasound‐responsive, visualized, and in situ gelling hydrogel nanocomposite (TPP ALG) is prepared through combining phase change nanoparticles and alginate solution for normalizing ECM with controllable delivery of tranilast. After injection and gelling with ions in situ, TPP ALG enables ultrasound visualized and responsive local delivery and long‐term retention, capable of normalizing ECM, improving hypoxia, remodeling immunosuppressive microenvironment, and enhancing ICB permeation for boosting immunotherapy. Ultimately, this TPP ALG and ICB synergistic treatment approach effectively inhibit local recurrence and lung metastasis post operation, thereby delaying survival. Therefore, based on clinical drug and biocompatible materials, the simple‐synthesized hydrogel nanocomposite holds great application prospects for boosting ICB and inhibiting postsurgical cancer recurrence and metastasis.
Fe/Al‐LDH Nanomedicine for Antitumor Ferroptosis‐Immunotherapy by Immunosuppression Reversal
Authors: Fang Wenming , Yu Zhiguo , Hu Ping , Shi Jianlin
Published: May 2024

Ferroptosis is recognized as a novel type of programmed cell death with efficient immunogenicity to activate T cell‐mediated adaptive immune responses. However, conventional ferroptosis‐inducers mostly show poor efficacies due to their less effectiveness in immune regulation. In addition, suppression of T cells by M2‐type macrophages within the tumor microenvironment further weaken the immunotherapeutic effect of ferroptosis. To overcome these challenges, herein, an extremely simple Fe/Al‐layered double hydroxide (Fe/Al‐LDH) nanomedicine of enhanced iron concentration is reported, which is capable of selective degradation in acidic microenvironments to induce tumor cell ferroptosis and in the meantime reversing the immunosuppressive microenvironment by utilizing tumor cell ferroptosis and macrophage M1 polarization to synergistically enhance T cell immune response. This combined strategy has achieved excellent therapeutic efficacy in an orthotopic bilateral breast cancer model, demonstrating the great application potential of Fe/Al‐layered double hydroxide nanoplatform for iron ions‐regulated cancer immunotherapy.
Iridium Cluster Anchored onto Cubic Molybdenum Carbide with Strong Electronic Interactions for Robust Hydrogen Oxidation Reaction in Alkaline Medium
Authors: Han Yuchen , Zhao Lei , Cheng Wen , Wang Mingzhe , Yang Li , Lin Yunxiang , Xu Kun
Published: May 2024

Constructing atomic‐scale dispersed noble metal electrocatalysts holds enormous potential toward alkaline hydrogen oxidation reactions (HOR) owing to the high intrinsic activity and atom utilization. Here, this work shows that Ir clusters anchored on different types of molybdenum carbides (Ir/α‐MoC1‐x, Ir/β‐Mo2C) with tunable electronic interactions display distinct performance in alkaline HOR. Notably, the mass activity of Ir/α‐MoC1‐x with stronger electronic interaction is roughly twice that of Ir/β‐Mo2C. Moreover, the Ir/α‐MoC1‐x has reached an impressive mass‐normalized exchange current density (j0, mass) of 320 mA mg−1metal, making the HOR properties are comparable to those recently reported excellent alkaline HOR Ir‐based electrocatalysts. Both experimental and theoretical calculations have confirmed that the strong metal‐substrate interaction of Ir/α‐MoC1‐x via interfacial Ir‐Mo bonding, leading to a significantly modulated electronic structure and optimized binding energy of H* and OH*, thereby promoting the reaction kinetics of alkaline HOR. This work highlights strong metal‐support interactions can be an effective scheme for regulating the local electronic configuration and adsorption behavior of the catalyst along with an improved intrinsic catalytic activity.
Directional Formation of Reactive Oxygen Species Via a Non‐Redox Catalysis Strategy That Bypasses Electron Transfer Process
Authors: Song Junsheng , Hou Nannan , Liu Xiaocheng , Bi Guangyu , Wang Yang , Mu Yang
Published: May 2024

A broad range of chemical transformations driven by catalytic processes necessitates the electron transfer between catalyst and substrate. The redox cycle limitation arising from the inequivalent electron donation and acceptance of the involved catalysts, however, generally leads to their deactivation, causing substantial economic losses and environmental risks. Here, a “non‐redox catalysis” strategy is provided, wherein the catalytic units are constructed by atomic Fe and B as dual active sites to create tensile force and electric field, which allows directional self‐decomposition of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) molecules through internal electron transfer to form singlet oxygen, bypassing the need of electron transfer between catalyst and PMS. The proposed catalytic approach with non‐redox cycling of catalyst contributes to excellent stability of the active centers while the generated reactive oxygen species find high efficiency in long‐term catalytic pollutant degradation and selective organic oxidation synthesis in aqueous phase. This work offers a new avenue for directional substrate conversion, which holds promise to advance the design of alternative catalytic pathways for sustainable energy conversion and valuable chemical production.
Novel A–D–A Type Naphthalenediimide Supramolecule for H2O2 Photosynthesis with Solar‐to‐Chemical Conversion 1.03%
Authors: Ji Rong , Dong Yuming , Sun Xinyu , Li Pengken , Zhang Renbao , Pan Chengsi , Zhao Hui , Zhu Yongfa
Published: May 2024

Organic supermolecules have shown great promise for photocatalytic hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production. However, the limitation of intramolecular charge separation efficiency is still a crucial scientific problem. In this study, a novel acceptor–donor–acceptor (A–D–A) type naphthalenediimide supramolecule (SA‐NDI) is successfully designed for overcoming fundamental issues in organic supermolecule. Composed of one electron‐rich core (naphthalenediimide) and two electron‐poor units (aminopyridine), the supramolecule possesses strong intramolecular charge transfer ability. Meanwhile, the SA‐NDI has an obviously stronger internal electric field, which is 2.83 times higher than that of D–A type supramolecule. The A–D–A type SA‐NDI efficiently accelerates charge separation, so that the intramolecular electron quickly migrates to the acceptor for a two‐electron oxygen reduction reaction. The SA‐NDI supramolecule shows excellent H2O2 accumulation ability (13.7 mm) and stable cyclic time above 120 h. Meanwhile, the catalyst exhibits a superior solar‐to‐chemical conversion efficiency of 1.03% under simulated solar irradiation. This work provides an entirely new idea to design an organic supramolecule with an efficient intramolecular charge transfer monomer.
Forecast combination in agricultural economics: Past, present, and the future
Authors: Ramsey A. Ford , Adjemian Michael K.
Published: May 2024

Forecasts are common in agricultural settings where they are routinely used for decision‐making. The advent of the computer age has allowed for rapid generation of individual forecasts that can be updated in real time. It is well known that the selection and use of a single forecast can expose the forecaster to serious error as a result of model mis‐specification. Forecast combination avoids this problem by combining information from different forecasts. Although forecast combination can be as simple as averaging across forecasts, advances in machine learning have made it possible to combine forecasts according to more complicated weighting schemes and criteria. We provide an overview of forecast combination techniques, including those at the frontier of current practice and involving machine learning. We also provide a retrospective on the use of forecast combination in agricultural economics and prospects for the future. Several of the techniques are illustrated in an application to forecasting nationwide corn and soybean planted acreage and we demonstrate how forecast combination can improve expert USDA projections.
Comparative effects of legume‐based intercropping systems involving pigeon pea and cowpea under deep‐bed and conventional tillage systems in Malawi
Authors: Phiri Augustine , Njira Keston , Dixon Alan
Published: May 2024

Leguminous‐based intercropping, combined with conservation agriculture, is a promising approach to improve soil fertility, crop yields, and sustainable land use for smallholder farmers in sub‐Saharan Africa, including Malawi. This study aimed to assess the effects of incorporating legume‐based intercropping systems involving pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) into the deep bed farming (DBF) system promoted by Tiyeni in northern Malawi. The study used a split plot design with cropping systems (CS) as the main plots and tillage systems (TS) as the sub‐plots. All treatments were replicated three times. The study encompassed two cropping seasons, where CS included legume‐based treatments, sole cropped maize (Zea mays) without fertilizer (MZ) and sole cropped maize with 92 kg top dressing N fertilizer per hectare (MZ + 92), while TS included DBF and conventional tillage (CT). The study found that all plots with leguminous crops on both DBF and CT showed higher levels of ammonium (NH4+), nitrate (NO3−) and phosphorus (P) in the soil, but DBF had significantly higher levels over 2 years. Intercropping systems showed higher land productivity (land equivalent ratio > 1) than sole cropping in both years, indicating that legume‐based cropping can improve land use efficiency and yields. It can be noted from this study that intercropping systems based on cereals and legumes, implemented in DBF, has the potential to sustain agricultural intensification in sub‐Saharan African countries where access to chemical fertilizers is limited among smallholder farmers.
Chaos and mixing in NETmix
Authors: Matos Joana , Santos Ricardo J. , Dias Madalena M. , Lopes José Carlos B.
Published: May 2024

NETmix is a network of mixing chambers interconnected by channels, in which the most efficient mixing occurs under chaotic flow regimes. Chaos is highly influenced by the topology, particularly by the ratio chamber diameter/channel width, D/d. In this work, micromixing in NETmix is characterized through Lagrangian Mixing Simulation (LMS), which enables to establish the relation between the degree of mixing and the topology, D/d. The degree of mixing is then related with the Eulerian chaoticity from hydrodynamics and spectral analysis. The best mixing is obtained at D/d = 6.65 and is associated to a thin 8 shaped strange attractor. The spectral analysis shows a principal oscillation frequency at St = 0.13. Since the quasi‐periodic regime is alternated with chaotic behavior, NETmix has an intermittent bifurcation. For the NETmix system, orderly flows in the quasi‐periodic regime have higher mixing intensity than less orderly flows in the weak or strong chaotic regimes.
Energy‐Efficient Co‐production of Benzoquinone and H2 Using Waste Phenol in a Hybrid Alkali/Acid Flow Cell
Authors: He Chengchao , Pan Duo , Chen Kai , Chen Junxiang , Zhang Qinlong , Zhang Hao , Zhang Zhifang , Wen Zhenhai
Published: May 2024

In both the manufacturing and chemical industries, benzoquinone is a crucial chemical product. A perfect and economical method for making benzoquinone is the electrochemical oxidation of phenol, thanks to the traditional thermal catalytic oxidation of phenol process requires high cost, serious pollution and harsh reaction conditions. Here, a unique heterostructure electrocatalyst on nickel foam (NF) consisting of nickel sulfide and nickel oxide (Ni9S8‐Ni15O16/NF) was produced, and this catalyst exhibited a low overpotential (1.35 V vs. RHE) and prominent selectivity (99 %) for electrochemical phenol oxidation reaction (EOP). Ni9S8‐Ni15O16/NF is beneficial for lowering the reaction energy barrier and boosting reactivity in the EOP process according to density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Additionally, an alkali/acid hybrid flow cell was successfully established by connecting Ni9S8‐Ni15O16/NF and commercial RuIr/Ti in series to catalyze phenol oxidation in an alkaline medium and hydrogen evolution in an acid medium, respectively. A cell voltage of only 0.60 V was applied to produce a current density of 10 mA cm−2. Meanwhile, the system continued to operate at 0.90 V for 12 days, showing remarkable long‐term stability. The unique configuration of the acid‐base hybrid flow cell electrolyzer provides valuable guidance for the efficient and environmentally friendly electrooxidation of phenol to benzoquinone.
Multiple‐State Control over Supramolecular Chirality through Dynamic Chemistry Mediated Molecular Engineering
Authors: Wang Zhuoer , Xie Xufeng , Hao Aiyou , Xing Pengyao
Published: May 2024

Dynamic chemistry utilizing both covalent and noncovalent bonds provides valid protocols in manipulating properties of self‐assemblies and functions. Here we employ dynamic chemistry to realize multiple‐route control over supramolecular chirality up to five states. N‐protected fluorinated phenylalanine in the carboxylate state self‐assembled into achiral nanoparticles ascribed to the amphiphilicity. Protonation promoted one‐dimensional growth into helices with shrunk hydrophilicity, which in the presence of disulfide pyridine undergo chirality inversion promoted by the hydrogen bonding‐directed coassembly. Further interacting with the water‐soluble reductant cleavages the disulfide bond to initiate the rearrangement of coassemblies with a chirality inversion as well. Finally, by tuning the pH environments, aromatic nucleophilic substitution reaction between reduced products and perfluorinated phenylalanine occurs, giving distinct chiral nanoarchitectures with emerged luminescence and circularly polarized luminescence. We thus realized a particular five‐state control by combining dynamic chemistry at one chiral compound, which greatly enriches the toolbox in fabricating responsive chiroptical materials.
Electrocatalytic Transfer Hydrogenation of 1‐Octene with [(tBuPCP)Ir(H)(Cl)] and Water
Authors: Mollik Patrick , Drees Markus , Frantz Alexander M. , Halter Dominik P.
Published: May 2024

Electrocatalytic hydrogenation of 1‐octene as non‐activated model substrate with neutral water as H‐donor is reported, using [(tBuPCP)Ir(H)(Cl)] (1) as the catalyst, to form octane with high faradaic efficiency (FE) of 96 % and a kobs of 87 s−1. Cyclic voltammetry with 1 revealed that two subsequent reductions trigger the elimination of Cl− and afford the highly reactive anionic Ir(I) hydride complex [(tBuPCP)Ir(H)]− (2), a previously merely proposed intermediate for which we now report first experimental data by mass spectrometry. In absence of alkene, the stoichiometric electrolysis of 1 in THF with water selectively affords the Ir(III) dihydride complex [(tBuPCP)Ir(H)2] (3) in 88 % FE from the reaction of 2 with H2O. Complex 3 then hydrogenates the alkene in classical fashion. The presented electro‐hydrogenation works with extremely high FE, because the iridium hydrides are water stable, which prevents H2 formation. Even in strongly alkaline conditions (Bu4NOH added), the electro‐hydrogenation of 1‐octene with 1 also proceeds cleanly (89 % FE), suggesting a highly robust process that may rely on H2O activation, reminiscent to transfer hydrogenation pathways, instead of classical H+ reduction. DFT calculations confirmed oxidative addition of H2O as a key step in this context.
Bridged Pt−OH−Mn Mediator in N‐coordinated Mn Single Atoms and Pt Nanoparticles for Electrochemical Biomolecule Oxidation and Discrimination
Authors: Wei Xiaoqian , Lin Yanjuan , Wu Zhenwei , Qiu Yiwei , Tang Yinjun , Eguchi Miharu , Asahi Toru , Yamauchi Yusuke , Zhu Chengzhou
Published: May 2024

The rational design of efficient catalysts for uric acid (UA) electrooxidation, as well as the establishment of structure‐activity relationships, remains a critical bottleneck in the field of electrochemical sensing. To address these challenges, herein, a hybrid catalyst that integrates carbon‐supported Pt nanoparticles and nitrogen‐coordinated Mn single atoms (PtNPs/MnNC) is developed. The metal‐metal interaction during annealing affords the construction of metallic‐bonded Pt−Mn pairs between PtNPs and Mn single atoms, facilitating the electron transfer from PtNPs to the support and thereby optimizing the electronic structure of catalysts. More importantly, experiments and theoretical calculations provide visual proof for the ‘incipient hydrous oxide adatom mediator’ mechanism for UA oxidation. The Pt−Mn pairs first adsorb OH* to construct the bridged Pt−OH−Mn mediators to serve as a highly active intermediate for N−H bond dissociation and proton transfer. Benefiting from the unique electronic and geometric structure of the catalytic center and reactive intermediates, PtNPs/MnNC exhibits superior electrooxidation performance. The electrochemical sensor based on PtNPs/MnNC enables sensitive detection and discrimination of UA and dopamine in serum samples. This work offers new insights into the construction of novel electrocatalysts for sensitive sensing platforms.
A strategy for successful dual‐species protein expression of genes with non‐optimal codon usage destined for bacterial and yeast cell factories
Authors: Wäneskog Marcus , Rasmussen Trine Bertram , Jensen Emil D.
Published: May 2024

Recombinant protein expression on an industrial scale traditionally utilizes one of two microbial workhorses: Escherichia coli or Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Additionally, random protein engineering of enzymes and proteins aimed for expression in S. cerevisiae are often mutagenized and pre‐screened in E. coli before expression in yeast. This introduces artificial bottlenecks as the bacterial expression vector needs to be substituted for a yeast expression vector via sub‐cloning, and the new library re‐evaluated before a final screening in yeast. Here, we put forward a protein expression and engineering strategy that involves the use of a dual‐host shuttle vector (pYB‐Dual) designed with both a strong inducible yeast promoter (pGAL1), and a strong inducible bacterial promoter (pT7‐RNAP), which allows for inducible protein expression in both species. Additionally, we demonstrate that by transforming the pYB‐Dual vector into the E. coli strain Rosetta 2, which has elevated levels of 7 rare tRNAs, we can achieve high‐level protein expression in both yeast and bacteria, even when using a mNeonGreen gene codon optimized for yeast. This dual expression vector is expected to remove bottlenecks during protein engineering of commercially important enzymes destined for high‐titer expression in yeast.
POST: Prototype‐oriented similarity transfer framework for cross‐domain facial expression recognition
Authors: Guo Zhe , Wei Bingxin , Cai Qinglin , Liu Jiayi , Wang Yi
Published: May 2024

Facial expression recognition (FER) is one of the popular research topics in computer vision. Most deep learning expression recognition methods perform well on a single dataset, but may struggle in cross‐domain FER applications when applied to different datasets. FER under cross‐dataset also suffers from difficulties such as feature distribution deviation and discriminator degradation. To address these issues, we propose a prototype‐oriented similarity transfer framework (POST) for cross‐domain FER. The bidirectional cross‐attention Swin Transformer (BCS Transformer) module is designed to aggregate local facial feature similarities across different domains, enabling the extraction of relevant cross‐domain features. The dual learnable category prototypes is designed to represent potential space samples for both source and target domains, ensuring enhanced domain alignment by leveraging both cross‐domain and specific domain features. We further introduce the self‐training resampling (STR) strategy to enhance similarity transfer. The experimental results with the RAF‐DB dataset as the source domain and the CK+, FER2013, JAFFE and SFEW 2.0 datasets as the target domains, show that our approach achieves much higher performance than the state‐of‐the‐art cross‐domain FER methods.
A Highly Sensitive and Selective Fluorescent Sensor for Folic Acid Detection Based on D‐penicillamine Stabilized Ag/Cu Alloy Nanoclusters
Authors: Mei Zhang Sai , Xue Dong Jiang , Li Wu Xiao , Sen Zhao Yong , Lei Li Yan , Lin Wang Shou , Yang Yang , An Miao , Su Ming , Ya Shi Rong , Feng Gao Zhong
Published: May 2024

In this work, a highly sensitive and selective method for detecting folic acid (FA) was developed using D‐penicillamine (DPA) stabilized Ag/Cu alloy nanoclusters (DPA@Ag/Cu NCs). The yellow emission of DPA@Ag/Cu NCs was found to be quenched upon the addition of FA to the system. The fluorescence intensity quenching value demonstrated a linear relationship with FA concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 1200 μM, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 5.3 nM. Furthermore, the detection mechanism was investigated through various characterization analyses, including high resolution transmission electron microscopy, fluorescence spectra, ultraviolet‐visible absorption spectra, and fluorescence lifetime. The results indicated that the fluorescence quenching induced by FA was a result of electron transfer from FA to the ligands of DPA@Ag/Cu NCs. The selectivity of the FA sensor was also evaluated, showing that common amino acids and inorganic ions had minimal impact on the detection of FA. Moreover, the standard addition method was successfully applied to detect FA in human serum, chewable tablets and FA tablets with promising results. The use of DPA@Ag/Cu NCs demonstrates significant potential for detecting FA in complex biological samples.
Advances in Aluminophosphates for Catalytic Upgrading of Lignocellulose and Derived Compounds
Authors: Fang Wenting , Riisager Anders
Published: May 2024

Utilization of lignocellulosic biomass as a renewable resource to produce liquid fuels/fuel additives and commodity chemicals offer solutions to minimize the exhaustion of nonrenewable carbon‐based fossil resources and mitigate environmental problems. Cellulose and hemicellulose derived from lignocellulose can be converted into several important platform molecules like glucose, fructose, xylose, 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural, furfural, levulinic acid, etc., which subsequently can be transformed into fuels/fuel additives and value‐added chemicals using heterogeneous catalytic processes. Aluminophosphates (AlPO‐n) are zeotype materials with tunable physicochemical properties like acidity and porosity, and this have promoted their wide use as versatile catalysts for several acid‐catalyzed reactions, including hydrolysis, dehydration, isomerization, transfer hydrogenation, reductive etherification, acetalization and aldol condensation. This review summarizes the design and synthetic advances of AlPO‐n catalysts as well as their application in the valorization of lignocellulose and derivatives to platform chemicals and fuel compounds. Perspectives for future design strategies are finally outlined.
Rethinking dose optimization in drug development
Authors: Nierengarten Mary Beth
Published: May 2024

This news section offers Cancer readers timely information on events, public policy analysis, topical issues, and personalities. In this issue, the launch of Project Optimus in 2022 by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) represents a much‐needed shift in the way that drug trials in cancer are conducted. In addition, the FDA approves the first immunotherapy drug for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and Cancer Statistics 2024 reports on cancer facts and trends by the American Cancer Society.
Dynamics of electron capture in positron‐hydrogen scattering under dense semi‐classical plasmas
Authors: Das Kamalika , Das Netai , Ghoshal Arijit
Published: May 2024

The scattering dynamics of electron capture in ‐H(1 s) scattering under dense semi‐classical plasma (DSCP) environments has been investigated theoretically. Coupled multi‐channel two‐body Lippmann‐Schwinger equations have been solved by retaining +H(1 s) and p + Ps(1 s) channels to calculate the cross sections (CS) of the electron capture process at intermediate and high incident energies. The effective interaction of the plasma charged particles is modelled by a pseudopotential which is a function of two parameters, namely the plasma screening strength and the de Broglie wavelength. A detailed study is made to explore the changes in the CSs of the above‐mentioned process with respect to the variation in the plasma screening strength and de Broglie wavelength. Significant changes are found to take place, when the screening strength and the de Broglie wavelength are varied. Specifically, the sharp minimum in the differential CS moves toward the forward direction with increasing de Broglie wavelength at a given screening strength.
Department of Justice issues final rule regarding web accessibility
Authors: Lyerly Eric
Published: May 2024

On April 24, 2024, the Department of Justice issued its final rule revising Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act to include specific requirements for web accessibility (https://www.ada.gov/assets/pdfs/web-rule.pdf). Specifically, the rule proposes technical standards for websites and mobile applications managed by state and local governments. The DOJ stated, “It is critical to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access important web content and mobile apps quickly, easily, independently, privately, and equally.”
Effective communication in a crisis requires advance planning
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: May 2024

CLEARWATER BEACH, Fla. — From cybercrime, on‐campus violence, student deaths, and natural disasters to academic scandals and faculty/staff misconduct, there's no shortage of potential crises that can hit college campuses. In the midst of a crisis, higher education administrators often find themselves unprepared to manage communications effectively, which only exacerbates the problem, according to James Haggerty, J.D., CEO of PRCG/Haggerty LLC, a strategic crisis communications firm. He spoke at Stetson University's Annual National Conference on Higher Education Law and Policy.
Environmental DNA recovers fish composition turnover of the coral reefs of West Indian Ocean islands
Authors: Jaquier Mélissa , Albouy Camille , Bach Wilhelmine , Waldock Conor , Marques Virginie , Maire Eva , Juhel Jean Baptiste , Andrello Marco , Valentini Alice , Manel Stéphanie , Dejean Tony , Mouillot David , Pellissier Loïc
Published: May 2024

Islands have been used as model systems to study ecological and evolutionary processes, and they provide an ideal set‐up for validating new biodiversity monitoring methods. The application of environmental DNA metabarcoding for monitoring marine biodiversity requires an understanding of the spatial scale of the eDNA signal, which is best tested in island systems. Here, we investigated the variation in Actinopterygii and Elasmobranchii species composition recovered from eDNA metabarcoding along a gradient of distance‐to‐reef in four of the five French Scattered Islands in the Western Indian Ocean. We collected surface water samples at an increasing distance from reefs (0 m, 250 m, 500 m, 750 m). We used a metabarcoding protocol based on the ‘teleo’ primers to target marine reef fishes and classified taxa according to their habitat types (benthic or pelagic). We investigated the effect of distance‐to‐reef on β diversity variation using generalised linear mixed models and estimated species‐specific distance‐to‐reef effects using a model‐based approach for community data. Environmental DNA metabarcoding analyses recovered distinct fish species compositions across the four inventoried islands and variations along the distance‐to‐reef gradient. The analysis of β‐diversity variation showed significant taxa turnover between the eDNA samples on and away from the reefs. In agreement with a spatially localised signal from eDNA, benthic species were distributed closer to the reef than pelagic ones. Our findings demonstrate that the combination of eDNA inventories and spatial modelling can provide insights into species habitat preferences related to distance‐to‐reef gradients at a small scale. As such, eDNA can not only recover large compositional differences among islands but also help understand habitat selection and distribution of marine species at a finer spatial scale.
Effects of species diversity on trait expression of the clonal herb Taraxacum officinale and its relation to genotype diversity and phenotypic plasticity
Authors: De Giorgi Francesca , Roscher Christiane , Durka Walter
Published: May 2024

Plant species respond to varying plant species diversity and associated changes in their abiotic and biotic environment with changes in their phenotype. However, it is not clear to what degree this phenotypic differentiation is due to genotype diversity within populations or phenotypic plasticity of plant individuals. We studied individuals of 16 populations of the clonal herb Taraxacum officinale grown in plant communities of different species richness in a 17‐year‐old grassland biodiversity experiment (Jena Experiment). We collected 12 individuals in each population to measure phenotypic traits and identify distinct genotypes using microsatellite DNA markers. Plant species richness did not influence population‐level genotype and trait diversity. However, it affected the expression of several phenotypic traits, e.g. leaf and inflorescence number, maximum leaf length and seed mass, which increased with increasing plant species richness. Moreover, population‐level trait diversity correlated positively with genotype richness for leaf dry matter content (LDMC) and negatively with inflorescence number. For several traits (i.e. seed mass, germination rate, LDMC, specific leaf area (SLA)), a larger portion of variance was explained by genotype identity, while variance in other traits (i.e. number of inflorescences, leaf nitrogen concentration, leaf number, leaf length) resided within genotypes and thus was mostly due to phenotypic plasticity. Overall, our findings show that plant species richness positively affected the population means of some traits related to whole‐plant performance, whose variation was achieved through both phenotypic plasticity and genotype composition of a population.