bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Potential Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant Activities of Astragalus davisii against Paracetamol Induced Liver Damage in Rats
Authors: Foudah Ahmed I. , Alqarni Mohammed H. , Soliman Gamal A. , Rahman Rehab F. Abdel- , Çalışkan Özgen Alankuş- , Ganaie Majid A. , Yusufoglu Hasan
Published: October 2020

The current study aimed to estimate in vitro antioxidant effect of Astragalus davisii (A. davisii) extract. Further, the possible protective effect of A. davisii against paracetamol (PCM)-induced liver injury was assessed in rats. A. davisii was tested for its antioxidant activity using DPPH radical scavenging assay. The hepatoprotective potential of the extract was assessed in rats following oral administration for 7 days. Liver injury was induced in rats following oral administration of PCM overdose. Hepatic biomarkers; alanine-aminotransferase, aspartate-aminotransferase, alkaline-phosphatase, γ-glutamyl transferase and bilirubin were increased, while total protein and albumin were reduced in PCM control animals. Additionally, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione-peroxidase (GPx) and the levels of glutathione were significantly declined, while levels of hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly elevated in PCM alone treated rats. Oral administration of A. davisii (400 mg/kg) prior to PCM inhibited the elevation in the levels of liver damage markers in serum and protected against oxidative stress. Histopathological remarks confirmed the hepatoprotective potential of the extract. The results suggest that A. davisii extract at 400 mg/kg protects liver against injury induced by PCM overdose.
Knowledge and Attitude of Pregnant Women Regarding Antenatal Exercises
Authors: Hashmi Maria , Ain Qurat-Ul- , Shaikh Noor-Us-Saba , Valecha Jeetendar
Published: October 2020

Background: Exercise during pregnancy is very beneficial for maternal health and fetus also. Proper knowledge in pregnant mothers is very important to promote practicing of it.

Objective: To assess the knowledge and attitude of pregnant women regarding antenatal exercises.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study done in Isra institute of rehabilitation and sciences, Karachi & JPMC, Karachi. Total of 266 pregnant women during their 2nd and 3rd trimester and willing to participate in study were included from different gynecological departments of Hyderabad. Complete history was assessed regarding patient’s age, gestational age, educational status and any previous known pathology. Data were collected through face to face interviews and a validated and modified questionnaire with informed consent. For recording all the data, a designed questioner proforma was used. SPSS version 20 was utilized for data analysis, which was then summarized by descriptive statistics using frequency tables, charts and percentages.

Results: Total 266 pregnant women were interviewed; the mean age was 27.86±4.79 years, with a minimum and maximum age of 18 and 44 years respectively. Majority (54.97%) of the women did not have knowledge regarding antenatal exercise. However, 79.0% of women showed positive attitude towards antenatal care.

Conclusions: Majority of pregnant women had inadequate knowledge regarding antenatal exercises, while most of whom with a positive attitude.
TYROBP is a potential prognostic biomarker of clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Wu Ping , Xiang Tingting , Wang Jing , Lv Run , Wu Guangzhen
Published: October 2020

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) exhibits high recurrence and metastasis rates. Although target therapy has significantly improved the prognosis of some patients with ccRCC, the median survival rate remains poor. Thus, there remains a need for the identification of novel potential targets for diagnosis and therapy. Here, we screened differentially expressed genes between ccRCC and normal tissues through analyzing The Cancer Genome Atlas database. We identified 55 up‐regulated and 67 down‐regulated genes associated with poor prognosis. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis revealed that these genes were associated with glycometabolic process, complement and coagulation cascades. In addition, the eight down‐regulated genes (HRG, FABP1, ALDOB, PCK1, HAO2, CASR, PLG, and HMGCS2) and two up‐regulated genes (SERPINE1 and TYROBP) were filtered out. Finally, TYROBP was selected through repeated verification of various databases. High expression of TYROBP is associated with low survival rate in ccRCC, is closely related to immune cell infiltration and is coexpressed with Programmed cell death protein‐1(PD‐1) and Cytotoxic T lymphocyte‐associated antigen‐4(CTLA‐4). In conclusion, TYROBP may have potential for diagnosis and treatment of ccRCC.
Inhibition properties of free and conjugated leupeptin analogues
Authors: Billinger Erika , Viljanen Johan , Lind Sara Bergström , Johansson Gunnar
Published: October 2020

Leupeptin is a naturally occurring inhibitor of various proteases, in particular serine proteases. Following its discovery, the inhibitory properties of several other peptidyl argininals have been studied. The specificity of leupeptin is most likely due to the Leu–Leu–Argininal sequence, and its C‐terminal aldehyde group has been suggested to enhance the binding efficiency and to be essential for function. The terminal aldehyde group makes the structure less vulnerable to carboxypeptidases. Here, we investigated whether the inhibitory function of leupeptin toward serine proteases is retained after oxidation or reduction of the aldehyde group. The oxidized form, which corresponds to the natural precursor, was shown to be superior to the reduced form in terms of inhibitory properties. However, the original leupeptin possessed enhanced inhibitory properties as compared with the oxidized form. Based on these results, new synthetic leupeptin analogues, 6‐aminohexanoic acid (Ahx)–Phe–Leu–Arg–COOH and Ahx–Leu–Leu–Arg–COOH, were prepared by solid‐phase peptide synthesis using the Fmoc strategy. In these analogues, the N‐terminal capping acetyl group was replaced with a 6‐aminohexanoyl group to allow conjugation. The structures of the modified leupeptin and the synthetic peptides were confirmed by mass spectrometry. Determination of the inhibitory properties against trypsin (IEC 3.4.21.4, Chymotrypsin IEC 3.4.21.1) revealed that these further modified tripeptides were tight binding inhibitors to their target enzyme, similar to the naturally occurring leupeptin, with Ki values generally in the micromolar range. The Ahx–Phe–Leu–Arg–COOH analogue was selected for conjugation to inorganic oxide nanoparticles and agarose gel beads. All conjugates exhibited inhibitory activity in the same range as for the free peptides.
Rational Mutual Interactions in Ternary Systems Enable High‐Performance Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Jiang Huanxiang , Han Chenyu , Li Yonghai , Bi Fuzhen , Zheng Nan , Han Jianhua , Shen Wenfei , Wen Shuguang , Yang Chunming , Yang Renqiang , Bao Xichang
Published: October 2020

Ternary organic solar cells (TOSCs) offer a facile and efficient approach to increase the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs). However, the critical roles that guest components play in complicated ternary systems remain poorly understood. Herein, two acceptors named LA1 and LA9 with differing crystallinity are investigated. The overly crystalline LA9 induces large self‐aggregates in PM6:LA9 binary system, resulting in a lower PCE (13.12%) compared to PM6:LA1 device (13.89%). Encouragingly, both acceptors are verified as efficient guest candidates into the host binary PM6:NCBDT‐4Cl (PCE = 13.48%) and afford markedly improved PCEs up to 15.39% and 15.75% in LA1 and LA9 ternary devices, respectively. Interestingly, the higher crystallinity LA9 reveals smaller interaction energies with both the host acceptor and donor PM6. Compared to LA1, the appropriate mutual interactions in the LA9 ternary system not only induces the orderly crystallinity of PM6 but also better compatibility with the host acceptor, generating further optimized molecular orientations and ternary morphology. Therefore, enhanced charge transport and minimized recombination loss are detected in LA9 ternary devices, affording the most competitive performance among Y6‐sbsent TOSCs. This work suggests that complicated intermolecular interactions should be seriously considered when fabricating state‐of‐the‐art multiple components OSCs.
Bioinspired Fractal Design of Waste Biomass‐Derived Solar–Thermal Materials for Highly Efficient Solar Evaporation
Authors: Geng Yang , Sun Wan , Ying Peijin , Zheng Yujie , Ding Jun , Sun Kuan , Li Ling , Li Meng
Published: October 2020

Solar evaporation is considered a promising technology to address the issue of fresh water scarcity. Although many efforts have been directed towards increasing the solar–thermal conversion efficiency, there remain challenges to develop efficient and cost‐effective solar–thermal materials from readily available raw materials. Furthermore, further structural modification of the original biomass structure, particularly at multiple length scales, are seldom reported, which may further improve the solar–thermal performance of these material systems. Herein, a novel low‐cost system is developed based on a common bio‐waste, pomelo peels (PPs), through a bioinspired fractal structural design strategy, fractal carbonized pomelo peels (FCPP). This FCPP system shows an extremely high solar spectrum absorption of ≈98%, and marvelous evaporation rate of 1.95 kg m−2 h−1 with a solar–thermal efficiency of 92.4%. In addition, the mechanisms of the evaporation enhancement by fractal structural design are identified by numerical and experimental methods. Moreover, using FCPP in solar desalination shows great superiority in terms of cost and its potential in sewage treatment is also studied. The present work is an insightful attempt on providing a novel proposal to develop bio‐waste‐derived solar–thermal materials and construct biomimetic structures for efficient solar evaporation and applications.
Pressure‐Dependent Behavior of Defect‐Modulated Band Structure in Boron Arsenide
Authors: Meng Xianghai , Singh Akash , Juneja Rinkle , Zhang Yanyao , Tian Fei , Ren Zhifeng , Singh Abhishek K. , Shi Li , Lin Jung‐Fu , Wang Yaguo
Published: October 2020

The recent observation of unusually high thermal conductivity exceeding 1000 W m−1 K−1 in single‐crystal boron arsenide (BAs) has led to interest in the potential application of this semiconductor for thermal management. Although both the electron/hole high mobilities have been calculated for BAs, there is a lack of experimental investigation of its electronic properties. Here, a photoluminescence (PL) measurement of single‐crystal BAs at different temperatures and pressures is reported. The measurements reveal an indirect bandgap and two donor–acceptor pair (DAP) recombination transitions. Based on first‐principles calculations and time‐of‐flight secondary‐ion mass spectrometry results, the two DAP transitions are confirmed to originate from Si and C impurities occupying shallow energy levels in the bandgap. High‐pressure PL spectra show that the donor level with respect to the conduction band minimum shrinks with increasing pressure, which affects the release of free carriers from defect states. These findings suggest the possibility of strain engineering of the transport properties of BAs for application in electronic devices.
Mass‐Producible, Quasi‐Zero‐Strain, Lattice‐Water‐Rich Inorganic Open‐Frameworks for Ultrafast‐Charging and Long‐Cycling Zinc‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Yang Xin , Deng Wenzhuo , Chen Ming , Wang Yaobing , Sun Chuan‐Fu
Published: October 2020

Low‐cost and high‐safety aqueous Zn‐ion batteries are an exceptionally compelling technology for grid‐scale energy storage. However, their development has been plagued by the lack of stable cathode materials allowing fast Zn2+‐ion insertion and scalable synthesis. Here, a lattice‐water‐rich, inorganic‐open‐framework (IOF) phosphovanadate cathode, which is mass‐producible and delivers high capacity (228 mAh g−1) and energy density (193.8 Wh kg−1 or 513 Wh L−1), is reported. The abundant lattice waters functioning as a “charge shield” enable a low Zn2+‐migration energy barrier, (0.66 eV) even close to that of Li+ within LiFePO4. This fast intrinsic ion‐diffusion kinetics, together with nanostructure effect, allow the achievements of ultrafast charging (71% state of charge in 1.9 min) and an ultrahigh power density (7200 W kg−1 at 107 Wh kg−1). Equally important, the IOF exhibits a quasi‐zero‐strain feature (<1% lattice change upon (de)zincation), which ensures ultrahigh cycling durability (3000 cycles) and Coulombic efficiencies of 100%. The cell‐level energy and power densities reach ≈90 Wh kg−1 and ≈3320 W kg−1, far surpassing commercial lead–acid, Ni–Cd, and Ni–MH batteries. Lattice‐water‐rich IOFs may open up new opportunities for exploring stable and fast‐charging Zn‐ion batteries.
Spatial Atomic Layer Deposition of Molybdenum Oxide for Industrial Solar Cells
Authors: Gregory Geoffrey , Luderer Christoph , Ali Haider , Sakthivel Tamil S. , Jurca Titel , Bivour Martin , Seal Sudipta , Davis Kristopher O.
Published: October 2020

Molybdenum oxide thin films are successfully deposited using spatial atomic layer deposition (SALD), a tool designed for high‐throughput industrial film growth. The structural and optical properties of the film are evaluated using ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, and spectroscopic ellipsometry. To demonstrate the applicability of molybdenum oxide in industrial settings the films are applied as hole‐selective silicon heterojunction contacts for solar cells. When paired with intrinsic amorphous silicon passivation layers, implied open‐circuit voltages of 699 mV are achieved. The carrier transport is unaffected by low‐temperature contact anneals up to 300 °C with contact resistivities of ≈ 10 mΩ cm2. Finally, the optical performance of silicon solar cells featuring different front hole‐selective heterojunction structures are simulated. It is shown that the generation current density of heterojunction solar cells can be significantly increased with the addition of SALD molybdenum oxide contacts.
Noncovalent Functionalization and Passivation of Black Phosphorus with Optimized Perylene Diimides for Hybrid Field Effect Transistors
Authors: Lloret Vicent , Nuin Edurne , Kohring Malte , Wild Stefan , Löffler Mario , Neiss Christian , Krieger Michael , Hauke Frank , Görling Andreas , Weber Heiko B. , Abellán Gonzalo , Hirsch Andreas
Published: October 2020

Amongst the different existing methods to passivate black phosphorus (BP) from environmental degradation, the noncovalent functionalization with perylene diimides (PDI) has been postulated as one of the most promising routes because it allows preserving its electronic properties. This work describes the noncovalent functionalization and outstanding environmental protection of BP with tailor made PDI having peri‐amide aromatic side chains, which include phenyl and naphthyl groups, exhibiting a significantly increased molecule‐BP interaction. These results are rationalized by density functional theory (DFT) calculations showing that the adsorption energies are mainly governed by van der Waals (vdW) interactions and increase concomitantly with the aromatic character of the side chains. The resulting hybrids are thoroughly characterized showing enhanced ambient and thermal stabilities. Last but not least, hybrid organic–inorganic BP‐PDI field effect transistors (FETs) are studied for the first time showing the usefulness of PDI derivatives as efficient passivation layers while obtaining improved values of electron mobilities. These results pave the way for the use of optimized PDIs by molecular engineering to preserve the electronic properties of BP FETs, using straightforward wet chemical approaches.
Ultrasensitive SERS Detection of Cancer‐Related miRNA‐182 by MXene/MoS2@AuNPs with Controllable Morphology and Optimized Self‐Internal Standards
Authors: Liu Lei , Shangguan Changjian , Guo Jianlun , Ma Kejian , Jiao Songlong , Yao Yue , Wang Jianqiao
Published: October 2020

Cancer has become a major killer threatening human health in today's society, and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) may provide a competitive choice for the sensitive detection of cancer‐related miRNAs. In this work, a synergistic calibrated SERS strategy based on MXene/molybdenum disulfide (MoS2)@Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) with controllable morphology is suggested for the ultrasensitive detection of miRNA‐182 by selecting the average intensity of its three own characteristic Raman peaks (at 382 cm−1 and 402 cm−1 corresponding to MoS2 and at 611 cm−1 corresponding to MXene) as a benchmark instead of additional beacon molecules. The linear goodness of fit (the determination coefficient R2) for this strategy is available in amounts up to 0.9995, which is significantly higher than that of single or double peak calibrated case, and thus improves the detection accuracy dramatically. Meanwhile, vertical MoS2 nanosheets anchored on layered MXene can provide uniformly ordered sites for accommodating suitably sized AuNPs as “hot spots” with controllable particle gap of 2.2 nm, resulting in the maximum amplified SERS signal at 1362 cm−1 generated by hairpin probe DNA with Cy5. A linear detection window from 10 am to 1 nm with an ultralow detection limit of 6.61 am for miRNA‐182 is achieved.
Oral Metformin and Polymetformin Reprogram Immunosuppressive Microenvironment and Boost Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Xiong Yang , Song Wantong , Shen Limei , Wang Ying , Zhang Jing , Hu Mengying , Liu Yun , Li Jingjing , Musetti Sara , Liu Rihe , Huang Leaf
Published: October 2020

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), especially PD‐1/PD‐L1 inhibitors, are emerging as promising therapeutic options for patients with advanced tumors, but the response rate in the majority of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients remains low. Herein, the use of metformin (Met) and its polymeric form (Polymet) to enhance the response rate of immune checkpoint blockade therapy is reported. Oral Met and Polymet significantly enhance the antitumor effect of ICI therapy in a murine orthotopic CRC model. Further analyses reveal that Met and Polymet reprogram the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment via activation of adenosine 5′‐monophosphate‐activated protein kinase and inhibition of the mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway, stimulating T cell infiltration into the tumor. Additionally, oral Met and Polymet change the abundance of key microbes in the intestinal environment, including increasing the Lactobacillus population, which should exert tumor‐suppressing activities in the CRC. These findings highlight the potential of combining Met or Polymet with cancer immunotherapy and provide a strategy for sensitizing CRC patients to immune checkpoint blockade therapy.
Gold Nanorod Assisted Enhanced Plasmonic Detection Scheme of COVID‐19 SARS‐CoV‐2 Spike Protein
Authors: Das Chandreyee Manas , Guo Yan , Yang Guang , Kang Lixing , Xu Gaixia , Ho Ho‐Pui , Yong Ken‐Tye
Published: October 2020

The beautiful interplay between light and matter can give rise to many striking physical phenomena, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) being one of them. Plasmonic immunosensors monitor refractive index changes that occur as a result of specific ligand–analyte or antibody–antigen interactions taking place on the sensor surface. The coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) pandemic has jeopardized the entire world and has resulted in economic slowdown of most countries. In this work, a model of a sandwich plasmonic biosensor that utilizes gold nanorods (Au NRs) for the detection of COVID‐19 SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein is presented. Simulation results for different prismatic configurations for the basic Kretschmann layout are presented. It is found that a BK7 glass prism‐based SPR sensor has an incremental sensitivity of 111.11 deg RIU−1. Additionally, using Comsol Multiphysics the electric field enhancement observed for various aspect ratios and layouts of Au NRs are discussed in depth.
Long Noncoding RNA HITTERS Protects Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells from Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress‐Induced Apoptosis via Promoting MRE11‐RAD50‐NBS1 Complex Formation
Authors: Wu Chenzhou , Chen Wen , Yu Fanyuan , Yuan Yihang , Chen Yafei , Hurst Douglas R. , Li Yi , Li Longjiang , Liu Zhe
Published: October 2020

Recent studies have proven that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) exhibit regulatory functions of both DNA damage response (DDR) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Herein, ER stress‐induced lncRNA transcriptomic changes are reported in human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells and a novel lncRNA HITTERS (H ERPUD1 intronic transcript of ER stress) is identified as the most significantly upregulated lncRNA. It is shown that HITTERS is a nucleus‐located lncRNA including two transcript variants. HITTERS lacks an independent promoter but shares the same promoter with HERPUD1. HITTERS is transcriptionally regulated by Activating Transcription Factor (ATF) 6, ATF4, X‐Box Binding Protein 1 (XBP1), and DNA methylation. In human OSCC tissues, HITTERS is significantly correlated with OSCC clinicopathological features and prognosis. Gain‐ and loss‐of‐function studies reveal that HITTERS promotes OSCC proliferation and invasion via influencing the expression of growth factor receptors and the downstream pathways. Once ER stress is triggered, HITTERS significantly attenuates ER stress‐induced apoptosis both in vivo and in vitro. Mechanically, HITTERS functions as RNA scaffold to promote MRE11‐RAD50‐NBS1 complex formation in the repair of ER stress‐induced DNA damage. To sum up, this study presents a novel lncRNA, namely HITTERS, which links ER stress and DDR together in OSCC.
Field‐Induced Ferroelectric Hf1‐xZrxO2 Thin Films for High‐k Dynamic Random Access Memory
Authors: Hyun Seung Dam , Park Hyeon Woo , Park Min Hyuk , Lee Young Hwan , Lee Yong Bin , Kim Beom Yong , Kim Ho Hyun , Kim Baek Su , Hwang Cheol Seong
Published: October 2020

The field‐induced ferroelectric Hf1–xZrxO2 (FFE–HZO) thin film is investigated for use as the capacitive layer in the future dynamic random access memory (DRAM). Although the dielectric permittivity of FFE–HZO is as high as ≈80, a high electric field (4 MV cm−1) is needed to activate the FFE mechanism and the accompanying high dielectric permittivity value. The Zr content is adjusted, or field cycling is performed, to obtain a high dielectric permittivity at a low electric‐field region for feasible DRAM operation. As a result, a dielectric permittivity value of 60–80 is achieved in the low field region (0–2 MV cm−1), which coincided with an equivalent oxide thickness of 0.47 nm with a stable leakage current at 0.8 V. The involvement of hysteresis in the polarization‐electric field curve of the film, however, caused significant energy loss (40–60%). Hysteresis engineering using various dopants, and improving the deposition process, annealing process, or passive interfacial layer, should be the next step.
Designing Advanced Vanadium‐Based Materials to Achieve Electrochemically Active Multielectron Reactions in Sodium/Potassium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Chen Mingzhe , Liu Qiannan , Hu Zhe , Zhang Yanyan , Xing Guichuan , Tang Yuxin , Chou Shu‐Lei
Published: October 2020

Next‐generation sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) and potassium‐ion batteries (PIBs) are considered to be promising alternatives to replace current lithium‐ion batteries due to the high abundance of sodium and potassium resources. New energetic vanadium‐based compounds that undergoes multielectron reactions and demonstrate good sodium/potassium storage capability, provide new solutions for high‐performance SIBs/PIBs in terms of high energy/power density and long‐time cyclability. So far, desirable rich redox centers (V2+‐V5+), consolidated frameworks, and the high theoretical capacities of vanadium‐based compounds have been widely explored for practical applications. Rational materials design utilizing vanadium multiredox centers and the fundamental understanding of their charge‐transfer processes and mechanisms are critical in the development of high‐performance battery systems. The scientific importance and basic design strategies for high performance V‐based anode/cathode materials, structure‐function properties and state‐of‐the‐art understanding of V‐based electrode materials are herein classified and highlighted alongside their design strategies. The important role of the valence electron layer of vanadium, and the scientific advances of vanadium partitions in other electrochemical behaviors are also summarized in detail. Finally, relevant strategies and perspectives discussed in this review provide practical guidance to explore the undiscovered potentials of multi‐electron reaction relationships of not only V‐based composites, but also other types of electrode materials.
Efficient Electrochemical Water Oxidation by a Trinuclear Ru(bda) Macrocycle Immobilized on Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotube Electrodes
Authors: Schindler Dorothee , Gil‐Sepulcre Marcos , Lindner Joachim O. , Stepanenko Vladimir , Moonshiram Dooshaye , Llobet Antoni , Würthner Frank
Published: October 2020

Catalytic water splitting is a viable process for the generation of renewable fuels. Here it is reported for the first time that a trinuclear supramolecular Ru(bda) (bda: 2,2′‐bipyridine‐6,6′‐dicarboxylate) catalyst, anchored on multi‐walled carbon nanotubes and subsequently immobilized on glassy carbon electrodes, shows outstanding performance in heterogeneous water oxidation. Activation of the catalyst on anodes by repetitive cyclic voltammetry (CV) scans results in a catalytic current density of 186 mA cm−2 at a potential of 1.45 V versus NHE. The activated catalyst performs water oxidation at an onset overpotential of 330 mV. The remarkably high stability of the hybrid anode is demonstrated by X‐ray absorption spectroscopy and electrochemically, revealing the absence of any degradation after 1.8 million turnovers. Foot of the wave analysis of CV data of activated electrodes with different concentrations of catalyst indicates a monomolecular water nucleophilic attack mechanism with an apparent rate constant of TOFmax (turnover frequency) of 3200 s−1.
Wheat grain and straw yield, grain quality, and disease benefits associated with increased management intensity
Authors: Roth Mitchell G. , Mourtzinis Spyridon , Gaska John M. , Mueller Brian , Roth Adam , Smith Damon L. , Conley Shawn P.
Published: October 2020

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the third‐most cultivated field crop in the United States and a very important source of nutrition globally. The economic value of wheat motivates farmers to optimize yield and grain quality, which can be obtained with additional inputs that are often expensive. This study investigated three management intensity levels on grain yield, straw yield, grain test weight, and disease on winter wheat in Wisconsin across 4 yr and 20 varieties. All management practices included a pre‐emergence herbicide and N application, with a mid‐level management strategy adding another N application and a single fungicide application to the current strategy, and a high‐level management intensity strategy adding a growth regulator, two micronutrient applications, and another fungicide application to the mid‐level strategy. Our study revealed that increasing management intensity from current strategies to mid‐ or high levels significantly increased grain yields by 0.81–1.22 kg ha−1, straw yields by 1.2–1.2 t ha−1, and grain test weights by 2.6–3.2 kg hl−1, respectively (P < .05). In addition, the high‐level management intensity led to significant reductions in stripe rust incidence and severity, whereas both mid‐ and high‐level management intensity reduced Fusarium head blight incidence and severity, and mycotoxin contamination (P < .001). The economic considerations of intensified management were also examined, and the mid‐ and high‐level management practices resulted in US$306 and US$242 ha−1 greater profit than current management, respectively, as a result of the improved disease protection and yields.
Tillage method and glyphosate‐resistant alfalfa termination timing affect soil properties and subsequent corn yield
Authors: Clark Jason D. , Yost Matt A. , Cardon Grant E. , Ransom Corey V. , Creech J. Earl
Published: October 2020

Application of glyphosate [N‐(phosphonomethyl) glycine]‐containing herbicides and tillage, alone or in combination, has been the standard for removing declining alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) stands. With glyphosate no longer an option to control glyphosate‐resistant alfalfa, different termination strategies are needed. Field studies across four site‐years in Utah evaluated the effect of tillage type and timing (fall conventional till, spring conventional till, fall strip‐till, spring strip‐till, and no‐till) and herbicide timing (fall, spring, in‐crop, and no herbicide) of 2,4‐D (2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) and dicamba (3,6‐dichloro‐2‐methoxybenzoic acid) on penetration resistance, alfalfa regrowth, corn (Zea mays L.) emergence rate, and silage corn yield. Across tillage treatments, fall, spring, and in‐crop herbicide timings compared with no herbicide reduced alfalfa stem count and biomass by at least 74 and 92%, respectively. Emergence rate was greatest under fall and spring conventional till or spring strip‐till compared with fall strip‐till or no‐till. Silage corn yield was greatest and similar with fall or spring herbicide applications for all tillage systems and conventional tillage with an in‐crop herbicide application (19–27 Mg ha−1), followed by in‐crop herbicide application for conservation tillage systems and fall and spring conventional till without herbicide application (14–20 Mg ha−1), and lastly when only conservation tillage was used to terminate alfalfa (5–15 Mg ha−1). Silage corn yield can be optimized when glyphosate‐resistant alfalfa is terminated with herbicides prior to planting, regardless of tillage type or timing. Termination of glyphosate‐resistant alfalfa by herbicides after corn emergence, depending on tillage, reduces silage corn yield 9–19%.
Integrated cyberattack detection and resilient control strategies using Lyapunov‐based economic model predictive control
Authors: Oyama Henrique , Durand Helen
Published: October 2020

The use of an integrated system framework, characterized by numerous cyber/physical components (sensor measurements, signals to actuators) connected through wired/wireless networks, has not only increased the ability to control industrial systems but also the vulnerabilities to cyberattacks. State measurement cyberattacks could pose threats to process control systems since feedback control may be lost if the attack policy is not thwarted. Motivated by this, we propose three detection concepts based on Lyapunov‐based economic model predictive control (LEMPC) for nonlinear systems. The first approach utilizes randomized modifications to an LEMPC formulation online to potentially detect cyberattacks. The second method detects attacks when a threshold on the difference between state measurements and state predictions is exceeded. Finally, the third strategy utilizes redundant state estimators to flag deviations from “normal” process behavior as cyberattacks.
Separation of propylene and propane with a microporous metal–organic framework via equilibrium‐kinetic synergetic effect
Authors: Ding Qi , Zhang Zhaoqiang , Yu Cong , Zhang Peixin , Wang Jun , Kong Liyun , Cui Xili , He Chao‐Hong , Deng Shuguang , Xing Huabin
Published: October 2020

Adsorption separation of olefin and paraffin can greatly lower the energy consumption associated with the currently utilized distillation technique but remains a great challenge. Herein, we report the efficient separation of propylene (C3H6) and propane (C3H8) in a phosphate anion‐functionalized metal–organic framework (MOF) ZnAtzPO4 by synergetic effect of equilibrium and kinetics. The material features periodically expanded and contracted apertures decorated with electronegative groups, offering eligible pore shape and pore chemistry to effectively trap C3H6 under moderate isosteric heat of adsorption (27.5 kJ mol−1) while obstruct the diffusion of C3H8. It simultaneously combines excellent thermodynamic selectivity (uptake ratio of 1.71) and kinetic selectivity (~31) for C3H6/C3H8 separation, meanwhile can be easily regenerated. Breakthrough experiment for C3H6/C3H8 gas mixture was conducted and confirmed the outstanding separation capability of ZnAtzPO4. The equilibrium and kinetics cooperative C3H6/C3H8 adsorption separation was for the first time found in anion‐functionalized MOFs, and further confirmed by computational studies.
Clinical variability of TUBB‐associated disorders: Diagnosis through reanalysis
Authors: Li Dong , Shen Kaitlyn M. , Zackai Elaine H. , Bhoj Elizabeth J.
Published: October 2020

A range of clinical findings have been associated with heterozygous mutations in the Beta Tubulin (TUBB) gene, including microcephaly, structural brain abnormalities, intellectual disability, and skin creases. We report a 5‐year‐old male who presented for evaluation of cleft palate, cardiac defects, growth retardation, hemivertebrae causing scoliosis, and preauricular skin tags. Previous clinical exome sequencing of this patient was nondiagnostic, but reanalysis in the research setting identified a de novo missense c. 925C>G p.(Arg309Gly) mutation in TUBB. This mutation was not found in population allele frequency databases, and was classified to be likely pathogenic. This patient shares some phenotypic characteristics with previous reported patients of TUBB mutations of the two TUBB‐related phenotypes: “Cortical dysplasia, complex, with other brain malformations 6” [MIM 615771] and “Circumferential Skin Creases Kunze type (CSC‐KT)” [MIM 156610], but has no excess skin creases or structural brain anomalies. We also report previously undescribed features, including transposition of the great arteries and vertebral fusion, thus representing phenotype expansion of TUBB‐associated disorders.
Children and safety in Australian policy: Implications for organisations and practitioners
Authors: Powell Mary Ann , Graham Anne , Canosa Antonia , Anderson Donnah , Taylor Nicola , Robinson Sally , Moore Tim , Thomas Nigel Patrick
Published: October 2020

Child safety is now a national policy priority in Australia. Extensive enquiries and reviews have escalated legislative and policy responses focused on developing, maintaining and monitoring “child safe” organisations. The recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse point to the importance of cultural conditions within organisations in supporting child safety and the need for responsive change in some organisations. Drawing on a recent policy analysis, undertaken as part of a larger Australian Research Council Discovery Project, this article examines how children and safety are constructed, within and across relevant state and federal government policies in Australia, and the implications of this. Distinctions are drawn between conceptualisations of children within the broader education policy context and two specific policy contexts in which children are considered particularly vulnerable to abuse – out‐of‐home care and disability. The findings indicate that policy discourses of “child safe” potentially foster different emphases and approaches in organisations. These have implications for the way children are positioned in relation to their safety, how their rights are recognised and implemented, and what is required to foster cultural conditions within organisations to best support children’s safety and wellbeing.
A country's response to tackling plastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems: The Chilean way
Authors: Urbina M.A. , Luna‐Jorquera G. , Thiel M. , Acuña‐Ruz T. , Amenábar Cristi M.A. , Andrade C. , Ahrendt C. , Castillo C. , Chevallier A. , Cornejo‐D'Ottone M. , Correa‐Araneda F. , Duarte C. , Fernández C. , Galbán‐Malagón C. , Godoy C. , González‐Aravena M. , Hinojosa I.A. , Jorquera A. , Kiessling T. , Lardies M.A. , Lenzi J. , Mattar C. , Munizaga M. , Olguín‐Campillay N. , Perez‐Venegas D.J. , Portflitt‐Toro M. , Pozo K. , Pulgar J. , Vargas E.
Published: October 2020

Marine plastic pollution is worse than expected, and we are starting to realize its full extent and severity. Solving the plastic pollution problem is not easy, as it requires the action and commitment of all sectors of our society. With a coastline extending over 4,000 km (from 18°S to 56°S), Chile is a maritime country, and since plastics are potentially harmful for marine and coastal ecosystems, food security, and public health, plastic pollution is a real threat.

Chile is the sixth‐largest exporter of seafood (fish, invertebrates, and algae) in the world, but the extent of plastic contamination of marine organisms, its potential effects on commercial species and aquaculture, and its subsequent effects on human health are mostly unknown.

Chile has recently introduced some legislation to prevent plastics from reaching the environment and the coastal ocean. Governmental and non‐governmental organizations have joined an informal alliance to take action against plastic pollution, both at a national and regional level, but stronger involvement of producers and commerce is required for effective measures.

Chilean scientists working on plastic pollution have created the Scientific Plastic Pollution Alliance of Chile network, aiming to promote collaborative and coordinated research focused on this pollutant. The wide geographical extent of Chile, with researchers working in diverse ecosystems, provides a unique opportunity to better understand the consequences of one of the most recent and severe threats to biodiversity.

Rather than solely presenting the plastic pollution problem from the scientific perspective, this paper includes views from different sectors of society. Mitigating plastic pollution is exceptionally complex, with this study highlighting the importance of local engagement, media, solving social inequities, new legislation, and law enforcement in order to advance on decreasing plastic pollution from a country‐wide perspective.
Microarchitecture of the hearts in term and former‐preterm lambs using diffusion tensor imaging
Authors: Le Bianca , Ferreira Pedro , Merchant Samer , Zheng Gang , Sutherland Megan R , Dahl Mar Janna , Albertine Kurt H , Black Mary Jane
Published: October 2020

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is an MRI technique that can be used to map cardiomyocyte tracts and estimate local cardiomyocyte and sheetlet orientation within the heart. DTI measures diffusion distances of water molecules within the myocardium, where water diffusion generally occurs more freely along the long axis of cardiomyocytes and within the extracellular matrix, but is restricted by cell membranes such that transverse diffusion is limited. DTI can be undertaken in fixed hearts and it allows the three‐dimensional mapping of the cardiac microarchitecture, including cardiomyocyte organization, within the whole heart. The objective of this study was to use DTI to compare the cardiac microarchitecture and cardiomyocyte organization in archived fixed left ventricles of lambs that were born either preterm (n = 5) or at term (n = 7), at a postnatal timepoint equivalent to about 6 years of age in children. Although the findings support the feasibility of retrospective DTI scanning of fixed hearts, several hearts were excluded from DTI analysis because of poor scan quality, such as ghosting artifacts. The preliminary findings from viable DTI scans (n = 3/group) suggest that the extracellular compartment is altered and that there is an immature microstructural phenotype early in postnatal life in the LV of lambs born preterm. Our findings support a potential time‐efficient imaging role for DTI in detecting abnormal changes in the microstructure of fixed hearts of former‐preterm neonates, although further investigation into factors that affect scan quality is required.
Bayesian approach to longitudinal craniofacial growth: The Craniofacial Growth Consortium Study
Authors: Sherwood Richard J. , Oh Hee Soo , Valiathan Manish , McNulty Kieran P. , Duren Dana L. , Knigge Ryan P. , Hardin Anna M. , Holzhauser Christina L. , Middleton Kevin M.
Published: October 2020

Early in the 20th century, a series of studies were initiated across North America to investigate and characterize childhood growth. The Craniofacial Growth Consortium Study (CGCS) combines craniofacial records from six of those growth studies (15,407 lateral cephalograms from 1,913 individuals; 956 females, 957 males, primarily European descent). Standard cephalometric points collected from the six studies in the CGCS allows direct comparison of craniofacial growth patterns across six North American locations. Three assessors collected all cephalometric points and the coordinates were averaged for each point. Twelve measures were calculated from the averaged coordinates. We implemented a multilevel double logistic equation to estimate growth trajectories fitting each trait separately by sex. Using Bayesian inference, we fit three models for each trait with different random effects structures to compare differences in growth patterns among studies. The models successfully identified important growth milestones (e.g., age at peak growth velocity, age at cessation of growth) for most traits. In a small number of cases, these milestones could not be determined due to truncated age ranges for some studies and slow, steady growth in some measurements. Results demonstrate great similarity among the six growth studies regarding craniofacial growth milestone estimates and the overall shape of the growth curve. These similarities suggest minor variation among studies resulting from differences in protocol, sample, or possible geographic variation. The analyses presented support combining the studies into the CGCS without substantial concerns of bias. The CGCS, therefore, provides an unparalleled opportunity to examine craniofacial growth from childhood into adulthood.
Cranial synchondroses of primates at birth
Authors: Smith Timothy D. , Reynolds Rebecca L. , Mano Nanami , Wood Brody J. , Oladipupo Lanre , Hughes Gabriel K. , Corbin Hayley M. , Taylor Jane , Ufelle Alexander , Burrows Anne M. , Durham Emily , Vinyard Christopher J. , Cray James J. , DeLeon Valerie B.
Published: October 2020

Cranial synchondroses are cartilaginous joints between basicranial bones or between basicranial bones and septal cartilage, and have been implicated as having a potential active role in determining craniofacial form. However, few studies have examined them histologically. Using histological and immunohistochemical methods, we examined all basicranial joints in serial sagittal sections of newborn heads from nine genera of primates (five anthropoids, four strepsirrhines). Each synchondrosis was examined for characteristics of active growth centers, including a zonal distribution of proliferating and hypertrophic chondrocytes, as well as corresponding changes in matrix characteristics (i.e., density and organization of Type II collagen). Results reveal three midline and three bilateral synchondroses possess attributes of active growth centers in all species (sphenooccipital, intrasphenoidal, presphenoseptal). One midline synchondrosis (ethmoseptal) and one bilateral synchondrosis (alibasisphenoidal synchondrosis [ABS]) are active growth centers in some but not all newborn primates. ABS is oriented more anteriorly in monkeys compared to lemurs and bushbabies. The sphenoethmoidal synchondrosis (SES) varies at birth: in monkeys, it is a suture‐like joint (i.e., fibrous tissue between the two bones); however, in strepsirrhines, the jugum sphenoidale is ossified while the mesethmoid remains cartilaginous. No species possesses an SES that has the organization of a growth plate. Overall, our findings demonstrate that only four midline synchondroses have the potential to actively affect basicranial angularity and facial orientation during the perinatal timeframe, while the SES of anthropoids essentially transitions toward a “suture‐like” function, permitting passive growth postnatally. Loss of cartilaginous continuity at SES and reorientation of ABS distinguish monkeys from strepsirrhines.
Functional Redox‐Active Molecular Tunnel Junctions
Authors: Han Yingmei , Nijhuis Christian A.
Published: October 2020

Redox‐active molecular junctions have attracted considerable attention because redox‐active molecules provide accessible energy levels enabling electronic function at the molecular length scales, such as, rectification, conductance switching, or molecular transistors. Unlike charge transfer in wet electrochemical environments, it is still challenging to understand how redox‐processes proceed in solid‐state molecular junctions which lack counterions and solvent molecules to stabilize the charge on the molecules. In this minireview, we first introduce molecular junctions based on redox‐active molecules and discuss their properties from both a chemistry and nanoelectronics point of view, and then discuss briefly the mechanisms of charge transport in solid‐state redox‐junctions followed by examples where redox‐molecules generate new electronic function. We conclude with challenges that need to be addressed and interesting future directions from a chemical engineering and molecular design perspectives.
Mapping potable reuse survey data using spatial statistics to inform tailored education and outreach
Authors: Cruz Maurice P. , Scruggs Caroline E. , Distler Lauren N.
Published: October 2020

This research describes geospatial analyses of water‐related knowledge and opinion data on potable water reuse collected through a large‐scale public survey of water utility customers in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We identify key geographic areas, or statistically significant “hotspots,” of public distrust in the local water utility provider, public willingness (or lack thereof) to accept potable water reuse, and lack of knowledge or misconceptions about water‐related issues and climate change. By combining public survey data, geographic information system software, and spatial statistics for hotspot analyses, we introduce a tailored outreach method to identify geographic locations for targeted outreach and education on water‐related issues. This new approach to analyzing survey data is a promising dimension of water management, and the method could be important for tackling other resource management issues in additional cities or regions as well.