bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Relationship of Megazoobenthos Association with Seagrass Ecosystem Conditions in Ujung Genteng Waters, Sukabumi
Authors: Rachman Gilang Primanagita , Riyantini Indah , Hasan Zahidah , Hamdani Herman
Published: February 2020

Seagrass beds in Ujung Genteng waters are one of the shallow marine ecosystems that have relatively high biodiversity. Seagrass ecosystem as one of the coastal ecosystems in these waters has a diversity of marine life that is associated with it. The purpose of this study was to establish the association pattern and the correlation of mega zoobenthos to seagrass ecosystem conditions. The method used was a survey method by conducting a survey direct observation of the stations that have been determined.  Three seagrass species were identified, namely: Thallasia hemprichii, Cymodoceae rotundata and Enhalus acoroides. The highest density of seagrass was found in station 2 with the type of seagrass Thallasia hemprichii as much as 207 ind/m2. Fifteen mega zoobenthos species were identified representing 3 phyla. Species Mega zoobenthos which is most commonly found in Ujung Genteng waters is Ophiothrix fragilis, Ophiocoma erinaceus, and Diadema setosum. The mega zoobenthos Diversity Index at the observation station is included in the medium category that is 2.33-2.66 and the evenness index is 0.63-0.84. Correlation of seagrass density with mega zoobenthos obtained by 0.92 shows that there is a very strong relationship between seagrass density with mega zoobenthos. The result shows that there are 4 patterns of close association and 2 patterns of very close association. Ophiocoma erinaceus of the ophiuroidea class has a pattern of very close positive associations with seagrass Cymodoceae rotundata and Dendrodoris sp of the order nudibranchia has a pattern of very close negative associations with seagrass Cymodoceae rotundata.
The Effect of Microbe Plus and Phosphorus Fertilizers on the Vegetative Growth of Oil Palm (Elaesis guineensis, Jacq.) Seedlings
Authors: Oppong E. , Opoku A. , Ewusi-Mensah N. , Danso F. , Tuffour H. O. , Abubakari A. , Kyere C. G. , Snr P. Atta Poku
Published: February 2020

The main objective of this study was to improve the growth of oil palm seedlings by using microbe plus to enhance phosphorous availability from rock phosphate under oil palm nursery was evaluated at Oil Palm Research Institute of Ghana, Kade-Kumasi. The study consisted of 16 treatments replicated 3 times in a 4 × 4 factorial experiment arranged in Randomize Complete Block Design. The factors tested were: Phosphate fertilizers (Phosphate only, triple superphosphate, super rock phosphate and Togo rock phosphate) and microbe plus rates (0, 50, 100 and 150%). Data was collected on leaf area, leaf area index and dry matter production. All data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using GENSTAT Version 11.1 (2008). The results showed that the P fertilizers and microbe plus applied alone or their interactions had no significant (P=.05) effect on leaf area and leaf area index values, however, dry matter produced was significantly (P=.05) different from each other. TSPMP150 treated seedlings produced significantly (P=.05) the highest dry weight; 42% increase over the control (No phosphate and microbe plus). The complementary use of microbe plus with triple superphosphate or Senegal rock phosphate proved to be the best options in terms of the parameters measured than the triple superphosphate. Microbe plus can therefore be used in combination with rock phosphate to improve phosphate availability. Field experiment is suggested to validate the effect of microbe plus and these rock phosphates on the performance of oil palm, whereas, additional studies with different application rates, both at nursery and at the field, are recommended.
Drying Performance of Beans Using Natural Convective Step Type Solar Dryer
Authors: Davidson S. Joshua , Gunasekar J. John , Prasanthkumar K.
Published: February 2020

Development of appropriate technologies for conversion of solar radiation to thermal energy is essential for fruit and vegetable preservation. A natural convective step type solar dryer with 10 trays was used. The drying parameters such as drying temperature, drying rate and dryer efficiency were studied on bright sunny days from top to bottom of the dryer using unblanched and blanched beans. The maximum and minimum temperatures observed were 84ºC and 50ºC at no load, 59ºC and 75ºC using unblanched beans and 51 and 75ºC using blanched beans. While drying on a sunny day, the moisture content removed was from 72 to 14% for unblanched beans and 76 to 7.32% for blanched beans. On quality evaluation, the high rehydration coefficient was found in blanched beans (0.76) than in unblanched beans (0.52). The collection efficiency was found to be 40.92% and drying efficiency was found to be 15.85% using unblanched beans and 18.75% using blanched beans.
The Effects of Neem Wood Ash on Soil Characteristics and Seedling Growth of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp)
Authors: Arshad Sadaf , Iqbal Muhammad Zafar , Shafiq Muhammad , Athar Mohammad , Kabir Muhammad , Farooqi Zia-ur-Rehman
Published: February 2020

The burning of wood in industrial activities discharge a large amount of wood ash and affecting on the environment. The effects of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) wood ash on seedling growth of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) was recorded. The data reveals significant (p<0.05) effects of neem ash on the shoot length and seedling length of cowpea with the increase in the concentration of neem wood ash treatment up to 20%. The results also showed the significant (p<0.05) decrease in leaf weight ratio of cowpea as the wood ash concentration increase in substrate as compared to without ash treatment (control).

The effects of neem wood ash treatment on physical and chemical characteristics of soil including organic matter (%), pH of soil, calcium carbonate (%), chloride (meq/L), maximum water holding capacity (%) of soil, electrical conductivity (mS/cm), bulk density (g/cm3), sodium and potassium content (µg/g) content of soil was found. The wood ash produced changes in physical and chemical soil characteristic viz. organic matter (%), pH of soil, water content (%), calcium carbonate (%), chloride (meq/L), maximum water holding capacity (%), electrical conductivity (mS/cm), bulk density (g/cm3), sodium and potassium content (µg/g) content of soil.

Wood ash treatment affected physical and chemical poperies of soil which in turn results decreased seedling growth performance of cow pea.
Response of the Growth of Cowpea Varieties Submitted to Organic Fertilization Produced under a Regosol in the Semiarid Region of Paraiba
Authors: Costa Cássio Ricardo Gonçalves da , Silva Marcos Gomes da , Fraga Vânia da Silva
Published: February 2020

The objective of this work was to compare growth parameters of traditional varieties of cowpea with commercial varieties based on agroecological processes in the semi - arid region of Paraiba. The experiment was installed in the factorial scheme of 3 blocks x 4 treatments x varieties: T1- control (without addition of inputs), T2- 10 t ha-1 organic compound (being, bovine manure + vegetal materials), T3- 4.2 t ha-1 rock powder, and T4- 5 t ha-1 of rock dust + 2.1 t ha-1 organic compound, x 3 varieties, being, 02 commercials identified as, 1- New Age and 2- Guaribas (provided by EMBRAPA), and 01 traditional, 3- Sedinha (already in common use by farmers). The field project was developed in partnership with the Advisory and Services in Alternative Agriculture (AS-PTA), which was also used as an experimental unit, located in the city of Esperança - PB, the soil of the area was classified as a Regosol, the growth parameters were: number of plants (NP), plant height (AP), leaf number (NF), leaf area (FA), stem diameter (DC). The Sedinha variety was the one that stood out in relation to the others when comparing growth parameters such as height and leaf area, while the Guaribas variety obtained a larger caulinar diameter. The treatment with the organic compound proved to be the most efficient for all varieties, but for the treatment with rock dust, it will require further studies due to the high levels of sodium and low phosphorus, which may explain the low development.
Services Sector FDI-Growth Nexus in Nigeria: Does Liberalization Policy Matter?
Authors: Wahab Bashir Adelowo
Published: February 2020

Since it is the need of developing countries to step up own industrialization process and growth and calls for more technology spill-over through foreign investments. This made it a necessity that efforts are made by these countries to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) because of its acknowledged advantages as a tool of economic development. Nigeria, in particular, joined the rest of the world in the quest for increased FDI inflows arising from the notion that FDI leads to economic benefits within the host country. This study analyzed the role of liberalization policy on the nexus between services sector FDI and economic growth in Nigeria under scenarios with and without a structural break for the period 1981-2018. Time-series properties were examined using both conventional and unit root tests with structural breaks to account for shift dummy in the series. Their results indicate that the series is stationary at I(1) and this prompt the use of vector error correction model (VECM). The statistical results show the existence of the long-run relationship between services FDI and economic growth though services FDI spurs growth when policy shift is not included but retards growth when it is included. In the short-run, the estimate under a scenario without break reveals significant positive relationship with growth but negative and statistically insignificant under the scenario with the break. The overall analyses show that services FDI could only play a significant role in Nigeria's growth when there is no change in government policy or intervention. Based on these findings, the policy implications include the expansion of more service-oriented firms to increase sectoral share in the total GDP. The potential benefits from such expansion include creation of jobs, more inclusive growth and development, and the higher plant survival tends to increase social prosperity.
EFFECT OF FINANCIAL ABILITY OF FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS ON HOUSE PRICES WITH PARENTAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Authors: Haryono Alvin Januar , Anastasia Njo , Rahardjo Jani
Published: February 2020

Rumah merupakan salah satu kebutuhan primer. Membeli rumah merupakan salah satu keputusan penting dalam rumah tangga karena nilainya yang besar dan merupakan nilai terbesar dalam portofolio aset keluarga. Namun keterbatasan finansial menjadi salah satu penghambat dalam suatu keluarga untuk membeli rumah. Oleh sebab itu perlunya bantuan finansial orang tua dalam pembelian rumah pertama anaknya. Sehingga penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui keterlibatan orang tua dalam proses pendanaan pembelian rumah pertama anaknya serta seberapa besar pengaruh bantuan finansial orang tua kepada anaknya dalam membeli rumah pertama kali. Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa orang tua terlibat dalam pembelian rumah pertama kali untuk anaknya sesuai dengan pendapatannya dan bentuk bantuan yang diberikan. Dari 212 responden, sebagian besar yaitu sebanyak 72,2% orang tua terlibat dalam proses pendanaan rumah pertama anaknya. Rata-rata besar kontribusi bantuan finansial orang tua sebesar 44,4% dari harga rumah.

 

The house is one of the primary needs. Buying a home is one of the important decisions in a household because it has a large value and is the biggest value in a family's asset portfolio. But financial limitations become one of the obstacles in a family to buy a house. Therefore the need for financial assistance from parents for the first time buying a home for their children. So this study aims to determine the involvement of parents in the process of funding their first-time home purchase and how much influence the financial assistance of parents to their children in first-time buying a home. The results of this study indicate that parents are involved in first-time home purchases for their children according to their income and the form of assistance provided. From 212 respondents, the majority of which is as much as 72.2% of parents involved in the first-time home funding process for their children. The average contribution of parents' financial assistance was 44.4% of the price of the house.
Alpha‐lipoic acid inhibits lung cancer growth via mTOR‐mediated autophagy inhibition
Authors: Peng Peipei , Zhang Xiaojin , Qi Tao , Cheng Hao , Kong Qiuyue , Liu Li , Cao Xiaofei , Ding Zhengnian
Published: February 2020

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer‐related death, and there remains a need for novel therapies for this malignancy. Here, we examined the effects of alpha‐lipoic acid (LA), a drug used for treating human diabetic complications, on lung cancer growth. We report that LA limited lung cancer growth in xenograft mice and reduced lung cancer A549 cell viability. We observed autophagy activation in human lung cancers, and report that LA inactivated autophagy in A549 cells. In addition, LA activated mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/p70S6K signaling. Inhibition of mTOR with rapamycin reversed LA‐induced inactivation of autophagy and abolished LA‐induced suppression of A549 cell viability. Altogether, the data suggest that LA exerts an anti‐lung cancer effect through mTOR‐mediated inhibition of autophagy, and thus LA may have therapeutic potential for lung cancer management.
The Chemistry of Reticular Framework Nanoparticles: MOF, ZIF, and COF Materials
Authors: Ploetz Evelyn , Engelke Hanna , Lächelt Ulrich , Wuttke Stefan
Published: February 2020

Nanoparticles have become a vital part of a vast number of established processes and products; they are used as catalysts, in cosmetics, and even by the pharmaceutical industry. Despite this, however, the reliable and reproducible production of functional nanoparticles for specific applications remains a great challenge. In this respect, reticular chemistry provides methods for connecting molecular building blocks to nanoparticles whose chemical composition, structure, porosity, and functionality can be controlled and tuned with atomic precision. Thus, reticular chemistry allows for the translation of the green chemistry principle of atom economy to functional nanomaterials, giving rise to the multifunctional efficiency concept. This principle encourages the design of highly active nanomaterials by maximizing the number of integrated functional units while minimizing the number of inactive components. State‐of‐the‐art research on reticular nanoparticles—metal‐organic frameworks, zeolitic imidazolate frameworks, and covalent organic frameworks—is critically assessed and the beneficial features and particular challenges that set reticular chemistry apart from other nanoparticle material classes are highlighted. Reviewing the power of reticular chemistry, it is suggested that the unique possibility to efficiently and straightforwardly synthesize multifunctional nanoparticles should guide the synthesis of customized nanoparticles in the future.
Multivalent Aptamer Functionalized Ag2S Nanodots/Hybrid Cell Membrane‐Coated Magnetic Nanobioprobe for the Ultrasensitive Isolation and Detection of Circulating Tumor Cells
Authors: Ding Caiping , Zhang Cuiling , Cheng Shasha , Xian Yuezhong
Published: February 2020

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) play key roles in the development of tumor metastasis. It remains a significant challenge to capture and detect CTCs with high purity and sensitivity from blood samples. Herein, a nanoplatform is developed for the efficient isolation and ultrasensitive detection of CTCs by combining near‐infrared (NIR) multivalent aptamer functionalized Ag2S nanodots with hybrid cell membrane‐coated magnetic nanoparticles. Multivalent aptamer functionalized Ag2S nanodots are synthesized using a one‐pot method under mild conditions (60 °C). White blood cell and tumor cell membranes are fused as the hybrid membrane and coated with magnetic nanoparticles, which are further modified with streptavidin (SA). Through the specific interaction of SA‐biotin, the multivalent aptamer‐Ag2S nanodots are grafted with hybrid cell membrane‐magnetic nanoparticles. Due to the features of hybrid cell membrane modification, multivalent aptamer functionalization, magnetic separation, and NIR fluorescence measurements, the nanoplatform shows sensitive recognition, efficient capture, easy isolation, and sensitive detection of CTCs due to its great enhancement in anti‐interference from background and improvement on binding ability toward CTCs. The capture efficiency and purity for CTCs is as high as 97.63% and 96.96%, respectively. Furthermore, the nanoplatform is successfully applied to the detection of CTCs in blood samples.
Co–Ferrocene MOF/Glucose Oxidase as Cascade Nanozyme for Effective Tumor Therapy
Authors: Fang Chao , Deng Zheng , Cao Guodong , Chu Qiang , Wu Yulian , Li Xiang , Peng Xinsheng , Han Gaorong
Published: February 2020

Chemodynamic therapy (CDT), enabling selective therapeutic effects and low side effect, attracts increasing attention in recent years. However, limited intracellular content of H2O2 and acid at the tumor site restrains the lasting Fenton reaction and thus the anticancer efficacy of CDT. Herein, a nanoscale Co–ferrocene metal–organic framework (Co‐Fc NMOF) with high Fenton activity is synthesized and combined with glucose oxidase (GOx) to construct a cascade enzymatic/Fenton catalytic platform (Co‐Fc@GOx) for enhanced tumor treatment. In this system, Co‐Fc NMOF not only acts as a versatile and effective delivery cargo of GOx molecules to modulate the reaction conditions, but also possesses excellent Fenton effect for the generation of highly toxic •OH. In the tumor microenvironment, GOx delivered by Co‐Fc NMOF catalyzes endogenous glucose to gluconic acid and H2O2. The intracellular acidity and the on‐site content of H2O2 are consequently promoted, which in turn favors the Fenton reaction of Co‐Fc NMOF and enhances the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Both in vitro and in vivo results demonstrate that this cascade enzymatic/Fenton catalytic reaction triggered by Co‐Fc@GOx nanozyme enables remarkable anticancer properties.
Removing the Obstacle of Dye‐Sensitized Upconversion Luminescence in Aqueous Phase to Achieve High‐Contrast Deep Imaging In Vivo
Authors: Liang Tao , Wang Qirong , Li Zhen , Wang Peipei , Wu Junjie , Zuo Miaomiao , Liu Zhihong
Published: February 2020

Although upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have drawn increasing attention for their unique photophysical characteristics, they suffer from a bottleneck of low luminescence efficiency due to the poor absorption coefficient of Ln3+. Dye sensitization has provided thousands‐fold enhancement of upconversion luminescence (UCL) in organic solvents because of the remarkably improved light absorption ability, but the sensitization of UCL in aqueous phase is only less than 20 folds by far, with unknown restrictive factors. Herein, the aggregation‐caused quenching (ACQ) of dyes is revealed as the most important reason limiting dye sensitization in aqueous phase, and the problem is circumvented through delicately modulating the physical properties of dyes and their assembly manner with UCNPs. By further alleviating energy back transfer (EBT) from Ln3+ to dyes, more than 600‐fold enhancement of UCL is achieved in aqueous phase. The as‐obtained dyes modified UCNPs show good biocompatibility and high signal contrast when applied for deep in vivo imaging.
Supramolecular Photonic Elastomers with Brilliant Structural Colors and Broad‐Spectrum Responsiveness
Authors: Li Miaomiao , Tan Haiying , Jia Lizhen , Zhong Rui , Peng Bolun , Zhou Jiacheng , Xu Jiangping , Xiong Bijin , Zhang Lianbin , Zhu Jintao
Published: February 2020

Photonic elastomers (PEs) that can tune their colors through adjusting the lattice spacing of incorporated colloidal particles during mechanical deformation have shown great promise in visualized strain/stress sensors. However, the unsatisfactory structural color and narrow‐spectrum responsiveness limit their broad applications. Herein, carbon‐coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Fe3O4@C NPs) with a high refractive index (RI) and broad light absorption are employed for the construction of PEs with brilliant colors and broad‐spectrum responsiveness by incorporating the Fe3O4@C NPs into amino‐terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) (amino‐PDMS) polymer through supramolecular interactions. The inherent light‐absorbing property, high RI, and supramolecular‐induced short‐range ordered arrangement of Fe3O4@C NPs imparts the PEs with brilliant and angle‐independent structural color. By optimizing the content of Fe3O4@C NPs in the PEs, broad‐spectrum responsiveness (stopband shifting ≈223 nm) and excellent recovery properties under a large strain can be achieved. The dynamic and reversible interaction endows the PEs with a healable capability. More interestingly, the incorporated Fe3O4@C NPs with photothermal capability can effectively absorb light and convert it into heat under light irradiation (solar light or near‐infrared laser), accelerating healing of the damaged PEs. This study provides a new strategy for bioinspired construction of PEs for applications in the fields of sensing, colorful coating, and display.
Maladaptive Contractility of 3D Human Cardiac Microtissues to Mechanical Nonuniformity
Authors: Wang Chenyan , Koo Sangmo , Park Minok , Vangelatos Zacharias , Hoang Plansky , Conklin Bruce R. , Grigoropoulos Costas P. , Healy Kevin E. , Ma Zhen
Published: February 2020

Cardiac tissues are able to adjust their contractile behavior to adapt to the local mechanical environment. Nonuniformity of the native tissue mechanical properties contributes to the development of heart dysfunctions, yet the current in vitro cardiac tissue models often fail to recapitulate the mechanical nonuniformity. To address this issue, a 3D cardiac microtissue model is developed with engineered mechanical nonuniformity, enabled by 3D‐printed hybrid matrices composed of fibers with different diameters. When escalating the complexity of tissue mechanical environments, cardiac microtissues start to develop maladaptive hypercontractile phenotypes, demonstrated in both contractile motion analysis and force‐power analysis. This novel hybrid system could potentially facilitate the establishment of “pathologically‐inspired” cardiac microtissue models for deeper understanding of heart pathology due to nonuniformity of the tissue mechanical environment.
Flexible All‐Solution‐Processed Organic Solar Cells with High‐Performance Nonfullerene Active Layers
Authors: Sun Lulu , Zeng Wenwu , Xie Cong , Hu Lin , Dong Xinyun , Qin Fei , Wang Wen , Liu Tiefeng , Jiang Xueshi , Jiang Youyu , Zhou Yinhua
Published: February 2020

All‐solution‐processed organic solar cells (from the bottom substrate to the top electrode) are highly desirable for low‐cost and ubiquitous applications. However, it is still challenging to fabricate efficient all‐solution‐processed organic solar cells with a high‐performance nonfullerene (NF) active layer. Issues of charge extraction and wetting are persistent at the interface between the nonfullerene active layer and the printable top electrode (PEDOT:PSS). In this work, efficient all‐solution‐processed NF organic solar cells (from the bottom substrate to the top electrode) are reported via the adoption of a layer of hydrogen molybdenum bronze (HXMoO3) between the active layer and the PEDOT:PSS. The dual functions of HXMoO3 include: 1) its deep Fermi level of −5.44 eV can effectively extract holes from the active layer; and 2) the wetting issues of the PEDOT:PSS on the hydrophobic surface of the NF active layer can be solved. Importantly, fine control of the HXMoO3 composition during the synthesis is critical in obtaining processing orthogonality between HXMoO3 and the PEDOT:PSS. Flexible all‐solution‐processed NF organic solar cells with power conversion efficiencies of 11.9% and 10.3% are obtained for solar cells with an area of 0.04 and 1 cm2, respectively.
Hydrogen‐Free and Dendrite‐Free All‐Solid‐State Zn‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Ma Longtao , Chen Shengmei , Li Na , Liu Zhuoxin , Tang Zijie , Zapien Juan Antonio , Chen Shimou , Fan Jun , Zhi Chunyi
Published: February 2020

An ionic‐liquid‐based Zn salt electrolyte is demonstrated to be an effective route to solve both the side‐reaction of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and Zn‐dendrite growth in Zn‐ion batteries. The developed electrolyte enables hydrogen‐free, dendrite‐free Zn plating/stripping over 1500 h cycle (3000 cycles) at 2 mA cm–2 with nearly 100% coulombic efficiency. Meanwhile, the oxygen‐induced corrosion and passivation are also effectively suppressed. These features bring Zn‐ion batteries an unprecedented long lifespan over 40 000 cycles at 4 A g–1 and high voltage of 2.05 V with a cobalt hexacyanoferrate cathode. Furthermore, a 28.6 µm thick solid polymer electrolyte of a poly(vinylidene fluoride‐hexafluoropropylene) film filled with poly(ethylene oxide)/ionic‐liquid‐based Zn salt is constructed to build an all‐solid‐state Zn‐ion battery. The all‐solid‐state Zn‐ion batteries show excellent cycling performance of 30 000 cycles at 2 A g–1 at room temperature and withstand high temperature up to 70 °C, low temperature to –20 °C, as well as abuse test of bending deformation up to 150° for 100 cycles and eight times cutting. This is the first demonstration of an all‐solid‐state Zn‐ion battery based on a newly developed electrolyte, which meanwhile solves the deep‐seated hydrogen evolution and dendrite growth problem in traditional Zn‐ion batteries.
Structure‐Controlled Li Metal Electrodes for Post‐Li‐Ion Batteries: Recent Progress and Perspectives
Authors: Jin Dahee , Park Joonam , Ryou Myung‐Hyun , Lee Yong Min
Published: February 2020

Li dendrite formation deteriorates cyclability and poses a safety hazard, hindering the widespread use of Li metal as the ultimate anode material for post‐Li‐ion batteries. Hence, the underlying reasons of this phenomenon and ways to suppress it have been extensively investigated, which has resulted in the establishment of corresponding theoretical models and their practical applications. Herein, several representative models (e.g., the Chazalviel model) of Li dendrite growth are explained, and the key technologies of structure‐controlled framework and Li metal usage allowing to realize low local current densities and improved electrochemical performance are covered with the practical (dis)advantages due to material characteristics, electrode and cell design, and even manufacturing processes. In particular, the use of Li metal powder and patterned Li metal is discussed in conjunction with corresponding applications (e.g., protection layers, functional additives, and salts in the electrolyte) and advantages.
Water‐Stable Lanthanide Coordination Polymers with Triple Luminescent Centers for Tunable Emission and Efficient Self‐Calibration Sensing Wastewater Pollutants
Authors: Gao Enjun , Wu Shuangyan , Wang Jing , Zhu Mingchang , Zhang Ying , Fedin Vladimir P.
Published: February 2020

Conventional luminescent sensors relying on single emission responsive to analytes demonstrate limited sensitivity and selectivity and developing novel self‐calibration probes is highly required. A series of water‐stable coordination polymers (CPs) with three emitting centers for tunable emissions is reported. They are facilely synthesized by simultaneously doping red‐emitting Eu3+ and green‐emitting Tb3+ into the same framework. The versatile Eu0.67Tb0.33–CP is applied to conveniently distinguishing different nitroaromatics pollutants and multidimensional ratiometric sensing CrO42−/Cr2O72−. Specific nitroaromatics can cause unique changes to the ligand→Eu3+/Tb3+ energy transfer efficiency, while CrO42−/Cr2O72− intriguingly quench the three emissions at different rates. Each nitroaromatic exhibits notably correlation to a unique combination of the two ligand→Eu3+/Tb3+ emission intensity ratios, enabling a 2D fingerprint recognition. Furthermore, the concentration‐dependent evolution of the two ratios upon exposure to CrO42−/Cr2O72− can be mapped out, achieving a 3D code recognition. As a result, the sensor demonstrates selective recognition of 4‐nitrophenol and CrO42−/Cr2O72− with high sensitivity and selectivity as well as great recycling ability. Both the synthetic and sensing strategies present a promising strategy to develop facile and effective ratiometric sensors.
Manipulating Photoluminescence of Carbon G‐center in Silicon Metasurface with Optical Bound States in the Continuum
Authors: Zhu Liangqiu , Yuan Shuai , Zeng Cheng , Xia Jinsong
Published: February 2020

In this paper, a dielectric metasurface is demonstrated to manipulate the photoluminescence of the G‐centers introduced by nanopatterning of crystalline silicon. The metasurface consists of asymmetric holes arranged in a square array, which can transform the bound states in the continuum (BICs) with infinite quality factor to a quasi‐BICs, while maintaining high quality factor of the optical resonance. Compared with the photoluminescence of G‐centers with nonresonance enhancement, ≈40 times photoluminescence enhancement is achieved, accompanied by a near‐zero threshold at cryogenic temperature. In addition, the polarization of the photoluminescence is controlled by the structural asymmetry. These findings provide a novel approach to enhance and manipulate the photoluminescence of G‐centers and may anticipate for realizing light source in silicon.
A Thin‐Film Flexible Defect‐Mode Laser
Authors: Ali Taimoor , Lin Jia‐De , Snow Benjamin , Wang Xiuze , Elston Steve J. , Morris Stephen M.
Published: February 2020

Laser emission from a flexible defect‐mode structure consisting of two photopolymerized liquid crystal thin films separated by a dye‐doped polymethylmethacrylate defect layer is demonstrated. A simple and cost‐effective film transfer technique is used to fabricate the flexible laser and the corresponding laser emission characteristics, which shows single‐mode laser emission at λ = 582 nm, with an excitation threshold of Eth = 12.3 ± 0.5 µJ cm−2 per pulse and a slope efficiency of ηs = 6.0 ± 0.3%, are presented. The polarization state of the laser emission are also presented and are compared with the findings reported in the literature. Finally, laser‐beam steering is demonstrated up to 42° by subjecting the device to a mechanically induced deformation that creates a radius of curvature of 5 mm, which is of potential interest for conformable and wearable technology platforms.
X‐Shaped Alignment of Chromophores: Potential Alternative for Efficient Organic Terahertz Generators
Authors: Lee Ji‐Ah , Kim Won Tae , Jazbinsek Mojca , Kim Deokjoong , Lee Seung‐Heon , Yu In Cheol , Yoon Woojin , Yun Hoseop , Rotermund Fabian , Kwon O‐Pil
Published: February 2020

Efficient broadband organic terahertz (THz) generators using X‐shaped alignment of the nonlinear optical chromophores, as an alternative to the parallel alignment of chromophores in benchmark organic crystals, are reported. All the developed six organic benzothiazolium crystals exhibit an isomorphic X‐shaped alignment of chromophores, resulting in an unprecedentedly large off‐diagonal optical nonlinearity (>100 × 10−30 esu), which presents one of the largest off‐diagonal optical nonlinearity of organic crystals. The benzothiazolium crystals exhibit efficient broadband THz wave generation employing the off‐diagonal optical nonlinearity, in contrast to the present state‐of‐the‐art organic THz generators that mostly utilize diagonal optical nonlinearity. For using off‐diagonal and diagonal optical nonlinearities, the polarization of the optical pump is perpendicular and parallel, respectively, to the polar axis of crystals. In addition to a large THz wave generation efficiency with one order of magnitude higher peak‐to‐peak THz electric field than that generated in a 1.0‐mm‐thick inorganic benchmark ZnTe crystal, the benzothiazolium crystals generate broadband THz spectra with an upper cut‐off frequency of near 8 THz, and the absence of strong absorption dimples in the range of 0.5−4 THz. Therefore, the X‐shaped alignment of chromophores presents an interesting potential alternative for efficient broadband organic THz generators.
Nanophotonic Polarization Routers Based on an Intelligent Algorithm
Authors: Lu Cuicui , Liu Zhouhui , Wu You , Xiao Zhiyuan , Yu Dongyi , Zhang Hongyu , Wang Chenyang , Hu Xiaoyong , Liu Yong‐Chun , Liu Xiaohong , Zhang Xiangdong
Published: February 2020

Nanophotonic polarization routers, which can separate and steer light with different polarizations of transverse electric and transverse magnetic modes into different output ports, are an essential component of on‐chip integrated photonic circuits. By developing an intelligent algorithm that combines the genetic algorithm and the finite element method, various polarization routers possessing different operation bands, different structures, and different materials, which can be easily fabricated and integrated, are successfully designed. On‐chip ultrasmall silicon‐based polarization routers are experimentally demonstrated in the near‐infrared range. The footprint is only 970 nm × 1240 nm, which is the smallest demonstrated. The measured normalized transmission is up to 85% in the near infrared range. Additionally, a broadband highly efficient photon coupler is also achieved based on disordered‐grating configurations designed by the intelligent algorithm. This breaks the restrictions of traditional structures, provides a universal platform for the realization of nanophotonic polarization routers, and paves a way for the design and high‐density on‐chip integration of nanophotonic devices.
Multiscale Simulation of Photoluminescence Quenching in Phosphorescent OLED Materials
Authors: Symalla Franz , Heidrich Shahriar , Friederich Pascal , Strunk Timo , Neumann Tobias , Minami Daiki , Jeong Daun , Wenzel Wolfgang
Published: February 2020

Bimolecular exciton‐quenching processes such as triplet–triplet annihilation (TTA) and triplet–polaron quenching play a central role in phosphorescent organic light‐emitting diode (PhOLED) device performance and are, therefore, an essential component in computational models. However, the experiments necessary to determine microscopic parameters underlying such processes are complex and the interpretation of their results is not straightforward. Here, a multiscale simulation protocol to treat TTA is presented, in which microscopic parameters are computed with ab initio electronic structure methods. With this protocol, virtual photoluminescence experiments are performed on a prototypical PhOLED emission material consisting of 93 wt% of 4,4ʹ,4ʺ‐tris(N‐carbazolyl)triphenylamine and 7 wt% of the green phosphorescent dye fac‐tris(2‐phenylpyridine)iridium. A phenomenological TTA quenching rate of 8.5 × 10−12 cm3 s−1, independent of illumination intensity, is obtained. This value is comparable to experimental results in the low‐intensity limit but differs from experimental rates at higher intensities. This discrepancy is attributed to the difficulties in accounting for fast bimolecular quenching during exciton generation in the interpretation of experimental data. This protocol may aid in the experimental determination of TTA rates, as well as provide an order‐of‐magnitude estimate for device models containing materials for which no experimental data are available.
Threshold investment and firm viability: Evidence from commercial poultry farms in Nigeria
Authors: Sanou Awa , Liverpool‐Tasie Lenis S. O. , Kerr John M.
Published: February 2020

Rapidly increasing demand for animal protein in many countries in the Global South has generated an expansion of the poultry subsector. This sector is typically diverse, ranging from small backyard farms to commercial farms of varying sizes. As the subsector expands, little is known about the performance or viability of different sizes of operation. Is there a minimum investment required to establish a viable commercial farm? Focusing on Nigeria, Africa's largest economy and most populous country, this study uses nonparametric statistics, transition matrices, and parametric estimations to identify the equilibrium poultry farm size. We find consistent evidence of multiple equilibria, particularly a high‐ and low‐stable equilibrium separated by a threshold between small and large farms. Farms are highly likely to remain in the size category in which they begin; small poultry farms are unlikely to cross the threshold and transition to large ones. We also find that larger farms are better able to withstand a price shock than smaller farms, which are more likely to cease operations in the event of a shock. These underlying dynamics should be given due consideration by governments, donors and private sector as they enter the industry or encourage others to engage in it [EconLit citations: O12‐Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development, L11‐Production, Pricing, and Market Structure • Size Distribution of Firms, Q12‐Micro Analysis of Farm Firms, Farm Households, and Farm Input Markets].
Clinical manifestations of osteogenesis imperfecta in adulthood: An integrative review of quantitative studies and case reports
Authors: Chougui Khadidja , Addab Sofia , Palomo Telma , Morin Suzanne N. , Veilleux Louis‐Nicolas , Bernstein Mitchell , Thorstad Kelly , Hamdy Reggie , Tsimicalis Argerie
Published: February 2020

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a rare genetic disorder of the bones caused by a mutation in Type I collagen genes. As adults with OI are aging, medical concerns secondary to OI may arise. This integrative review sought to review, appraise, and synthesize the clinical manifestations faced by adults with OI. Four electronic bibliographic databases were searched. Published quantitative, qualitative, and mixed‐methods studies, as well as case reports from 2000 to March 2019, addressing a clinical manifestation in adulthood, were reviewed. Eligible studies and case reports were subsequently appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool and Case Report Checklist, respectively. Twenty quantitative studies and 88 case reports were included for review regardless of the varying methodological quality score. These studies collectively included 2,510 adults with different OI types. Several clinical manifestations were studied, and included: hearing loss, cardiac diseases, pregnancy complications, cerebrovascular manifestations, musculoskeletal manifestations, respiratory manifestations, vision impairment, and other clinical manifestations. Increased awareness may optimize prevention, treatment, and follow‐up. Opportunities to enhance the methodological quality of research including better design and methodology, multisite collaborations, and larger and diverse sampling will optimize the generalizability and transferability of findings.
Isotopic niche partitioning in two sympatric howler monkey species
Authors: Flores‐Escobar Elizabeth , Sanpera Carolina , Jover Lluís , Cortés‐Ortiz Liliana , Rangel‐Negrín Ariadna , Canales‐Espinosa Domingo , Dias Pedro Américo D.
Published: February 2020

Objectives

Ecological similarity between species can lead to interspecific trophic competition. However, when ecologically similar species coexist, they may differ in foraging strategies and habitat use, which can lead to niche partitioning. As the body tissues of consumers contain a stable isotope signature that reflects the isotopic composition of their diet, stable isotope analysis is a useful tool to study feeding behavior. We measured the isotopic niche width, which is a proxy for trophic niche width, of mantled (Alouatta palliata) and black (A. pigra) howler monkeys. Specifically, studied populations in allopatry and sympatry to assess whether these species showed niche partitioning.

Materials and Methods

Between 2008 and 2012, we collected hair samples from 200 subjects (113 black and 87 mantled howler monkeys) and used continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry to estimate δ13C and δ15N. We described the isotopic niche width of each species in allopatry and sympatry with the Bayesian estimation of the standard ellipse areas.

Results

In allopatry, isotopic niche width and isotopic variation were similar in both species. In sympatry, black howler monkeys had a significantly broader isotopic niche, which was mainly determined by high δ15N values, and included the majority of mantled howler monkeys' isotopic niche. The isotopic niche of mantled howler monkeys did not differ between sympatry and allopatry.

Conclusions

The coexistence of these ecologically similar species may be linked to trophic niche adjustments by one species, although the particular features of such adjustments (e.g., dietary, spatial, or sensory partitioning) remain to be addressed.
Wood and meat as complementary sources of sodium for Kanyawara chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)
Authors: Venable Emily M. , Machanda Zarin , Hagberg Lindsey , Lucore Jordan , Otali Emily , Rothman Jessica M. , Uwimbabazi Moreen , Wrangham Richard
Published: February 2020

Objectives

Sodium, a vital micronutrient that is often in scarce supply for tropical herbivores, is sometimes found at high concentration in decaying wood. We tested two hypotheses for chimpanzees: first, that wood‐eating facilitates acquisition of sodium; second, that wood‐eating occurs in response to the low availability of sodium from other dietary sources.

Materials and Methods

We studied the behavior of more than 50 chimpanzees of all age‐sex classes in the Kanyawara community of Kibale National Park, Uganda. We quantified the sodium content of dietary items, including wood samples from tree species that chimpanzees consumed or did not consume. To assess variation in sodium intake, we used 7 years of data on time spent feeding on plant foods, 18 months of data on rates of food intake by adult females, and 20 years of data on meat‐eating.

Results

Major dietary sources of sodium were wood, fruits and meat. Chimpanzees consumed wood primarily from decaying trees of Neoboutonia macrocalyx (Euphorbiaceae), which had substantially higher sodium content than all other dietary items tested. Wood‐eating was negatively correlated with fruit‐eating. Females ate wood more often than males, while males had a greater probability of consuming meat at predation events.

Discussion

We propose that females ate wood more often than males because females had reduced access to meat, their preferred source of sodium. This hypothesis suggests that the need for sodium is a motivating reason for chimpanzees to consume both meat and wood.
A Direct Fluorescent Activity Assay for Glycosyltransferases Enables Convenient High‐Throughput Screening: Application to O‐GlcNAc Transferase
Authors: Alteen Matthew G. , Gros Christina , Meek Richard W. , Cardoso David A. , Busmann Jil A. , Sangouard Gontran , Deen Matthew C. , Tan Hong‐Yee , Shen David L. , Russell Cecilia C. , Davies Gideon J. , Robinson Phillip J. , McCluskey Adam , Vocadlo David J.
Published: February 2020

Glycosyltransferases carry out important cellular functions in species ranging from bacteria to humans. Despite their essential roles in biology, simple and robust activity assays that can be easily applied to high‐throughput screening for inhibitors of these enzymes have been challenging to develop. Herein, we report a bead‐based strategy to measure the group‐transfer activity of glycosyltransferases sensitively using simple fluorescence measurements, without the need for coupled enzymes or secondary reactions. We validate the performance and accuracy of the assay using O‐GlcNAc transferase (OGT) as a model system through detailed Michaelis–Menten kinetic analysis of various substrates and inhibitors. Optimization of this assay and application to high‐throughput screening enabled screening for inhibitors of OGT, leading to a novel inhibitory scaffold. We believe this assay will prove valuable not only for the study of OGT, but also more widely as a general approach for the screening of glycosyltransferases and other group‐transfer enzymes.
A Benchtop Method for Appending Protic Functional Groups to N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Protected Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: DeJesus Joseph F. , Sherman Lindy M. , Yohannan Darius J. , Becca Jeffrey C. , Strausser Shelby L. , Karger Leonhard F. P. , Jensen Lasse , Jenkins David M. , Camden Jon P.
Published: February 2020

The remarkable resilience of N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) gold bonds has quickly made NHCs the ligand of choice when functionalizing gold surfaces. Despite rapid progress using deposition from free or CO2‐protected NHCs, synthetic challenges hinder the functionalization of NHC surfaces with protic functional groups, such as alcohols and amines, particularly on larger nanoparticles. Here, we synthesize NHC‐functionalized gold surfaces from gold(I) NHC complexes and aqueous nanoparticles without the need for additional reagents, enabling otherwise difficult functional groups to be appended to the carbene. The resilience of the NHC−Au bond allows for multi‐step post‐synthetic modification. Beginning with the nitro‐NHC, we form an amine‐NHC terminated surface, which further undergoes amide coupling with carboxylic acids. The simplicity of this approach, its compatibility with aqueous nanoparticle solutions, and its ability to yield protic functionality, greatly expands the potential of NHC‐functionalized noble metal surfaces.
Total Synthesis of α‐ and β‐Amanitin
Authors: Lutz Christian , Simon Werner , Werner‐Simon Susanne , Pahl Andreas , Müller Christoph
Published: February 2020

α‐Amanitin and related amatoxins have been studied for more than six decades mostly by isolation from death cap mushrooms. The total synthesis, however, remained challenging due to unique structural features. α‐Amanitin is a potent inhibitor of RNA polymerase II. Interrupting the basic transcription processes of eukaryotes leads to apoptosis of the cell. This unique mechanism makes the toxin an ideal payload for antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs). Only microgram quantities of toxins, when delivered selectively to tumor sites through conjugation to antibodies, are sufficient to eliminate malignant tumor cells of almost every origin. By solving the stereoselective access to dihydroxyisoleucine, a photochemical synthesis of the tryptathion precursor, solid‐phase peptide synthesis, and macrolactamization we obtained a scalable synthetic route towards synthetic α‐amanitin. This makes α‐amanitin and derivatives now accessible for the development of new ADCs.
Identification of the nucleotide exchange factor BmGrpE and its role under high‐temperature stress in silkworm, Bombyx mori
Authors: Li Jinxin , Lu Zhengting , Mao Tingting , Li Mengxue , Wang Hui , Qu Jianwei , Chen Jian , Fang Yilong , Li Fanchi , Li Bing
Published: February 2020

The high‐temperature stress gene GrpE plays an important role in coping with high‐temperature stress. The mutation of key sites of this gene can improve the high‐temperature resistance of organisms. In the present study, using complementary DNAs from the silkworm fat body as the template, the open reading frame sequence of the GrpE gene (BmGrpE) was amplified and was found to be 644 bp in length and encode a protein with a predicted molecular weight of 24.1 kDa. The presence of a binding site for the heat shock transcription factor (Hsf1) at −1440 bp upstream of its coding region indicates that BmGrpE may respond to high‐temperature stress. BmGrpE was constitutively expressed throughout developmental stages, with the highest level observed in the 5th instar larvae stage. Moreover, in 5th instar larvae (the 3th day), BmGrpE was expressed in all tissues examined, with the highest levels in the fat body, silk gland, and midgut. Interestingly, under high‐temperature stress, TiO2 nanoparticle treatment increased the messenger RNA levels of BmGrpE in the fat body and silk gland. After treatment with dsRNA of BmGrpE, the cell viability of BmN cells was significantly decreased under 34°C and H2O2 stress (p < .05). Mutation of BmGrpE (H163L) enhanced the resistance of BmN cells under high‐temperature stress. These results provide new clues for the study of molecular mechanisms of insect resistance to high temperatures.