bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gel Electrocatalysts: An Emerging Material Platform for Electrochemical Energy Conversion
Authors: Fang Zhiwei , Li Panpan , Yu Guihua
Published: August 2020

Seeking sustainable and cost‐effective energy sources is one of the significant challenges for the sustainable development of modern society. To date, considerable expectations have been held for technologies, such as fuel cells and electrolyzers, where the performance strongly depends on electrochemical conversion processes that can generate and store chemical energy through the breaking or formation of chemical bonds. However, those advanced technologies are severely limited by the efficiency, selectivity, and durability of electrocatalysis. Thanks to their hierarchically porous architecture, compositional and structural tunability, and ease of functionalization, the family of gel materials opens exciting opportunities for advanced energy technologies. Unique advances in gel materials based on controllable compositions and functions enable gel electrocatalysts to potentially break the limitations of current materials, enhancing the device performance of electrochemical energy. Here, recent developments and challenges for nanostructured gel‐based materials for electrocatalysis applications are summarized. Future possibilities and challenges for gel electrocatalysts in terms of synthesis and applications are also discussed.
High‐Performance Semitransparent and Bifacial Perovskite Solar Cells with MoOx/Ag/WOx as the Rear Transparent Electrode
Authors: Liang Fengxia , Ying Zhiqin , Lin Yi , Tu Bao , Zhang Zheng , Zhu Yudong , Pan Hui , Li Haifeng , Luo Linbao , Ageev Oleg , He Zhubing
Published: August 2020

Semitransparent solar cells play a crucial role in such typical photovoltaic applications as smart windows, transparent chargeable devices, tandem and bifacial devices, and so on. Relying on the commercial conductive transparent oxides as the front electrodes, the development of rear transparent electrode (RTE) is especially essential. Here, an efficient semitransparent perovskite solar cell (PSC) with the softly deposited transparent MoOx/Ag/WOx (MAW) as the rear electrode is demonstrated. MoOx enables the continuously grown silver ultrathin film while the high‐refractive‐index WOx capping layer can modulate the whole optical interference and enhance the light transmission throughout the device. As a result, depending on the MAW RTE, the semitransparent normal planar PSC owns the optimal conversion efficiency of 15.40% along with 10.17% in the average visible‐light transmission (AVT) simultaneously, which claims the best conversion efficiency of the semitransparent PSCs at such considerable AVT. Combining the optical characterizations, the bifacial performance test of the same device also reveals the uneven absorption due to the different optical interference depending on the light direction, as well as the typical parasitic absorption by the functional layers. This paper paves an alternative and promising way to fabricate high‐performance semitransparent optoelectronic devices in the future.
Facile Resist‐Free Nanopatterning of Monolayers of MoS2 by Focused Ion‐Beam Milling
Authors: Mupparapu Rajeshkumar , Steinert Michael , George Antony , Tang Zian , Turchanin Andrey , Pertsch Thomas , Staude Isabelle
Published: August 2020

Nanopatterning of monolayers of transition metal dichalcogenides offers a new avenue for the creation of nanoscale light sources and their integration into hybrid nanophotonic systems. Here, focused gallium ion‐beam milling is employed as a resist‐free and simple nanofabrication approach to pattern MoS2 monolayers grown by chemical vapor deposition into nanoribbons. Using photoluminescence (PL), Raman, and valley polarization spectroscopy, it is investigated how the optoelectronic properties of the MoS2 monolayers are affected by the nanopatterning as a function of the ion fluence used for milling. Characteristic spectral shifts in the Raman and PL peaks are observed, which are indicative of a release of strain in patterned MoS2 monolayers as compared to the as‐grown monolayers. Furthermore, while the total PL signal is reduced in the patterned monolayers, using circular‐polarization‐resolved cryogenic PL spectroscopy it is shown that the valley polarization is well preserved for monolayers patterned within an optimal ion‐fluence range. The results and in particular the observed robustness of the valley polarization indicate that focused ion‐beam nanopatterned MoS2 monolayers are interesting candidates for their integration into hybrid quantum systems consisting of designed photonic nanostructures and precisely placed nanoscale excitonic light sources.
Fabrication of Graphene‐Based Self‐Assembly Monoliths through Reversible Fluorination and Defluorination Strategy
Authors: Fan Kun , Wang Yue , Liu Yang , Li Yu , Chen Yue , Meng Yeqiao , Liu Xiangyang , Feng Wei , Wang Xu
Published: August 2020

The low bending stiffness and inferior self‐lubricating ability of graphene bring about flexible nanosheet and poor mobility, greatly restricting its well‐organized self‐assembly in direct solid‐phase molding. Herein, abundant fluorine atoms are introduced onto graphene nanosheet to obtain fluorinated graphene (FG). A direct dry‐compression molding achieves to rapidly fabricate highly compact FG monolith under room temperature. Tracing origins, the enhanced bending stiffness guarantees relatively flat FG nanosheet and excellent self‐lubricating ability actuates flat FG nanosheets to automatically slip, thereby accomplishing well‐organized and compact layer‐by‐layer stacking with interlock structure. Whereafter, highly compact graphene monolith is finally obtained by high‐temperature annealing, because interlock structure in FG monolith restricts graphene′s deformations during defluorination. Obtained graphene monolith owns a high conductivity of 5.5 × 104 S m−1 and compression strength of 77 MPa, while graphene without above process only forms fluffy foam with a low conductivity of 6.8 S m−1. Interestingly, transitional FG monolith presents a higher compression strength of 102 MPa, ultralow dielectric constant of 1.72 and prolongable chemical reactivity for preparing “Janus” monolith. Designing reversible fluorination and defluorination strategy offers an unexplored avenue to effectively manufacture high‐quality graphene‐based monoliths.
Dynamic Friction Performance of Hierarchical Biomimetic Surface Pattern Inspired by Frog Toe‐Pad
Authors: Banik Arnob , Tan Kwek‐Tze
Published: August 2020

In this study, the dynamic friction performance of frog toe‐pad inspired surface patterns is investigated in three folds. First, frog toe‐pad morphology is mimicked, designed, and fabricated using 3D printing technology. Friction coefficients of the models are measured experimentally over a wet medium, with varying velocity, load, and sliding direction. Furthermore, time is recorded to reach a 5 mm height by the water flow through a steady model in another experimental set‐up. Second, numerical simulation is employed to study the contact area, sliding displacement, and frictional stress of the model tread patterns. Surfaces with different low frictional coefficients are considered to simulate the presence of wet medium and surface roughness. Third, an analytical model is utilized to calculate the water squeeze‐out time, as well as the height difference of drained water during wet surface conditions. Among three different bioinspired models, built to compare with a sample tire design, the double‐layered studded hexagonal pattern shows the best wet traction performance. This study demonstrates that the bioinspired hierarchical studded hexagonal model can provide design solutions for future tire treads with enhanced wet friction performances, as well as applications in products requiring surface wet traction enhancement, including boot soles, roller surfaces, and surgical grippers.
2H‐MoS2 as an Artificial Solid Electrolyte Interface in All‐Solid‐State Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Kızılaslan Abdulkadir , Çetinkaya Tuğrul , Akbulut Hatem
Published: August 2020

All‐solid‐state lithium‐ion batteries are considered the next‐generation energy storage systems. However, certain problems arise from the degradation of anode–electrolyte interface hindering their use especially when lithium is used as an anode. Herein, lithium metal anode surface is modified by an artificial 2H‐MoS2 layer to prevent the contact between highly reactive lithium and solid electrolyte without sacrificing the lithium ion transport. The stabilization of the electrode/electrolyte interface is attributed to the electrochemical stability of the 2H‐MoS2 layer. Besides, high ionic conductivity and selective sieving nature of layered MoS2 neither prevents the electrochemical reactions nor increases the total impedance of the cell. Electrochemical stability of the electrode/electrolyte interface is shown by long‐term chronoamperometry and chronovoltammetry tests. By stabilizing electrode/electrolyte interface, initial and final discharge capacities of 675.8 and 584.1 mAh g−1, respectively, is obtained at 0.4 mA cm−2 current density in MoS2@Li/Li7P3S11/S. After 200 cycles, discharge capacity fade is obtained as 13.58% and 27.3% for the cells assembled with MoS2@Li and bare Li anodes, respectively.
Reflective‐Type Transparent/Colored Mirror Switchable Device Using Reversible Electrodeposition with Fabry–Perot Interferometer
Authors: Sung Chihun , Han Jisu , Song Juhee , Ah Chil Seong , Cho Seong M. , Kim Tae‐Youb
Published: August 2020

Reversible electrodeposition (RED) devices have been considered as the optical transmittance or reflectance switchable display for the reflective display applications. In this study, transparent/colored mirror switchable RED device is demonstrated by integrating the Fabry–Perot (FP) interferometer. Indium‐tin‐oxide (ITO)‐based FP interference effect is utilized for color filter to emit particular wavelength. Color‐switchable RED cells are researched using ITO (red, green, and blue (RGB)) films and tungsten (W) films as partially reflective layers for the cavities. The red/green/blue colored mirrors are developed according to ITO thickness as the Ag film deposit. Then, the ITO (RGB) pixelated RED devices are investigated by differential deposition process. In the 25 × 25 µm2 sized ITO (RGB) micro‐subpixels mirror, the high transparent and high reflectivity states are successfully achieved, which can be applied to reflective‐type transparent displays.
A 3D Biohybrid Real‐Scale Model of the Brain Cancer Microenvironment for Advanced In Vitro Testing
Authors: Tricinci Omar , De Pasquale Daniele , Marino Attilio , Battaglini Matteo , Pucci Carlotta , Ciofani Gianni
Published: August 2020

The modeling of the pathological microenvironment of the central nervous system (CNS) represents a disrupting approach for drug screening for advanced therapies against tumors and neuronal disorders. The in vitro investigations of the crossing and diffusion of drugs through the blood–brain barrier (BBB) are still not completely reliable, due to technological limits in the replication of 3D microstructures that can faithfully mimic the in vivo scenario. Here, an innovative 1:1 scale 3D‐printed realistic biohybrid model of the brain tumor microenvironment, with both luminal and parenchyma compartments, is presented. The dynamically controllable microfluidic device, fabricated through two‐photon lithography, enables the triple co‐culture of hCMEC/D3 cells, forming the internal biohybrid endothelium of the capillaries, of astrocytes, and of magnetically‐driven spheroids of U87 glioblastoma cells. Tumor spheroids are obtained from culturing glioblastoma cells inside 3D microcages loaded with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs). The system proves to be capable in hindering dextran diffusion through the bioinspired BBB, while allowing chemotherapy‐loaded nanocarriers to cross it. The proper formation of the selective barrier and the good performance of the anti‐tumor treatment demonstrate that the proposed device can be successfully exploited as a realistic in vitro model for high‐throughput drug screening in CNS diseases.
Pushing and Pulling on Ropes: Hierarchical Woven Materials
Authors: Moestopo Widianto P. , Mateos Arturo J. , Fuller Ritchie M. , Greer Julia R. , Portela Carlos M.
Published: August 2020

Hierarchy in natural and synthetic materials has been shown to grant these architected materials properties unattainable independently by their constituent materials. While exceptional mechanical properties such as extreme resilience and high deformability have been realized in many human‐made three‐dimensional (3D) architected materials using beam‐and‐junction‐based architectures, stress concentrations and constraints induced by the junctions limit their mechanical performance. A new hierarchical architecture in which fibers are interwoven to construct effective beams is presented. In situ tension and compression experiments of additively manufactured woven and monolithic lattices with 30 µm unit cells demonstrate the superior ability of woven architectures to achieve high tensile and compressive strains (>50%)—without failure events—via smooth reconfiguration of woven microfibers in the effective beams and junctions. Cyclic compression experiments reveal that woven lattices accrue less damage compared to lattices with monolithic beams. Numerical studies of woven beams with varying geometric parameters present new design spaces to develop architected materials with tailored compliance that is unachievable by similarly configured monolithic‐beam architectures. Woven hierarchical design offers a pathway to make traditionally stiff and brittle materials more deformable and introduces a new building block for 3D architected materials with complex nonlinear mechanics.
Sleep‐disordered breathing and nocturnal hypoventilation in children with the MECP2 duplication syndrome: A case series and review of the literature
Authors: van Baelen Amber , Verhoustraeten Louise , Kenis Sandra , Meuwissen Marije , Boudewyns An , van Hoorenbeeck Kim , Verhulst Stijn
Published: August 2020

There is limited knowledge on the occurrence of respiratory manifestations and sleep‐disordered breathing in particular in children with the MECP2 duplication syndrome. Although sleep‐disordered breathing and nocturnal hypoventilation are currently not cited as an important symptom in these children, we present three cases who all had an abnormal breathing during sleep. In view of the consequences associated with sleep apnea and hypoventilation, we advise to perform a polysomnography in children with MECP2 duplication. Different treatment modalities (ENT surgery, CPAP, and non‐invasive ventilation) can be applied to successfully treat these conditions.
Sleep Disruption in Epilepsy: Ictal and Interictal Epileptic Activity Matter
Authors: Peter‐Derex Laure , Klimes Petr , Latreille Véronique , Bouhadoun Sarah , Dubeau François , Frauscher Birgit
Published: August 2020

Objective

Disturbed sleep is common in epilepsy. The direct influence of nocturnal epileptic activity on sleep fragmentation remains poorly understood. Stereo‐electroencephalography paired with polysomnography is the ideal tool to study this relationship. We investigated whether sleep‐related epileptic activity is associated with sleep disruption.

Methods

We visually marked sleep stages, arousals, seizures, and epileptic bursts in 36 patients with focal drug‐resistant epilepsy who underwent combined stereo‐electroencephalography/polysomnography during presurgical evaluation. Epileptic spikes were detected automatically. Spike and burst indices (n/sec/channel) were computed across four 3‐second time windows (baseline sleep, pre‐arousal, arousal, and post‐arousal). Sleep stage and anatomic localization were tested as modulating factors. We assessed the intra‐arousal dynamics of spikes and their relationship with the slow wave component of non‐rapid eye‐movement sleep (NR) arousals.

Results

The vast majority of sleep‐related seizures (82.4%; 76.5% asymptomatic) were followed by awakenings or arousals. The epileptic burst index increased significantly before arousals as compared to baseline and postarousal, irrespective of sleep stage or brain area. A similar pre‐arousal increase was observed for the spike index in NR stage 2 and rapid eye‐movement sleep. In addition, the spike index increased during the arousal itself in neocortical channels, and was strongly correlated with the slow wave component of NR arousals (r = 0.99, p < 0.0001).

Interpretation

Sleep fragmentation in focal drug‐resistant epilepsy is associated with ictal and interictal epileptic activity. The increase in interictal epileptic activity before arousals suggests its participation in sleep disruption. An additional increase in the spike rate during arousals may result from a sleep–wake boundary instability, suggesting a bidirectional relationship. ANN NEUROL 2020;88:907–920
High‐Speed Quantum Transducer with a Single‐Photon Emitter in a 2D Resonator
Authors: Gao Xingyu , Yin Zhang‐Q. , Li Tongcang
Published: August 2020

Quantum transducers can transfer quantum information between different systems. Microwave–optical photon conversion is important for future quantum networks to interconnect remote superconducting quantum computers with optical fibers. Here, a high‐speed quantum transducer based on a single‐photon emitter in an atomically thin membrane resonator, that can couple single microwave photons to single optical photons, is proposed. The 2D resonator is a freestanding van der Waals heterostructure (which may consist of hexagonal boron nitride, graphene, or other 2D materials) that hosts a quantum emitter. The mechanical vibration (phonon) of the 2D resonator interacts with optical photons by shifting the optical transition frequency of the single‐photon emitter with strain or the Stark effect. The mechanical vibration couples to microwave photons by shifting the resonant frequency of an LC circuit that includes the membrane. Thanks to the small mass of the 2D resonator, both the single‐photon optomechanical coupling strength and the electromechanical coupling strength can reach the strong coupling regime. This provides a way for high‐speed quantum state transfer between a microwave photon, a phonon, and an optical photon.
Operando NRIXS and XAFS Investigation of Segregation Phenomena in Fe‐Cu and Fe‐Ag Nanoparticle Catalysts during CO2 Electroreduction
Authors: Kunze Sebastian , Grosse Philipp , Bernal Lopez Miguel , Sinev Ilya , Zegkinoglou Ioannis , Mistry Hemma , Timoshenko Janis , Hu Michael Y. , Zhao Jiyong , Alp Ercan E. , Chee See Wee , Roldan Cuenya Beatriz
Published: August 2020

Operando nuclear resonant inelastic X‐ray scattering (NRIXS) and X‐ray absorption fine‐structure spectroscopy (XAFS) measurements were used to gain insight into the structure and surface composition of FeCu and FeAg nanoparticles (NPs) during the electrochemical CO2 reduction (CO2RR) and to extract correlations with their catalytic activity and selectivity. The formation of a core–shell structure during CO2RR for FeAg NPs was inferred from the analysis of the operando NRIXS data (phonon density of states, PDOS) and XAFS measurements. Electrochemical analysis of the FeAg NPs revealed a faradaic selectivity of 36 % for CO in 0.1 M KHCO3 at −1.1 V vs. RHE, similar to that of pure Ag NPs. In contrast, a predominant selectivity towards H2 evolution is obtained in the case of the FeCu NPs, analogous to the results obtained for pure Fe NPs, although small Cu NPs have also been shown to favor H2 production.
Palladium complex embedded crosslinked polystyrene nanofibers as a green and efficient heterogeneous catalyst for coupling reactions
Authors: Zhang Benben , Ye Zeyu , Qin Min , Wang Qingqing , Du Yijun , Qi Chenze , Shao Linjun
Published: August 2020

A simple and green chemical modification coupled with electrospinning technique has been developed to incorporate tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium [Pd(PPh3)4] inside crosslinked polystyrene nanofibers (Pd@CPS) as an efficient and stable heterogeneous palladium catalyst. The catalytic activities and recyclabilities of the prepared Pd@CPS catalyst have been evaluated by using Suzuki and Heck reactions of various aromatic halides separately with phenylboronic acid and alkenes. The Pd@CPS exhibited high‐catalytic activities for the Suzuki and Heck reactions of aromatic iodides to afford the products in excellent yields (coupling yields >88%). The catalytic activities and the nanofiber structure remained essentially unchanged even after recycling for five times. The high activities and stabilities of the prepared Pd@CPS catalyst can be attributed to the ultrafine fiber and embedment of palladium active species inside the nanofibers.
Rotation of solar‐like stars in the immediate solar neighborhood
Authors: Schmitt Jürgen H. M. M. , Mittag Marco
Published: August 2020

Although photometric space‐based missions such as CoRoT or Kepler have yielded rotation measurements of many thousands of late‐type stars during the last decade, the rotational properties of the bulk of the G star population remain undetected by these missions. From the Sun (when viewed as a star), we know that rotation measurements in the ultraviolet are the most promising, or more general, measurements in wavelength regions very sensitive to plage areas on the stars. Therefore, the “classical” S‐index, that is, the strength of the Ca II H&K line core emission, is still the most viable activity and rotation indicator, and with robotic spectroscopy telescopes, such monitoring measurements can be carried out efficiently and economically. We define a complete volume‐limited sample of solar stars in the immediate solar environment and present period measurements in Ca II H&K, both from archival Mount Wilson data and new data obtained with our robotic TIGRE facility.
Evaluation of the radiation response and regenerative effects of mesenchymal stem cell‐conditioned medium in an intestinal organoid system
Authors: Kim Young‐Heon , Han Sung‐Hoon , Kim Hyewon , Lee Sun‐Joo , Joo Hyun‐Woo , Kim Min‐Jung , Shim Sehwan , Kim Kyuchang , Lee Janet , Jang Won‐Suk , Park Sunhoo , Jang Hyosun , Lee Seung Bum
Published: August 2020

Intestinal organoids have recently emerged as an in vitro model relevant to the gut system owing to their recapitulation of the native intestinal epithelium with crypt–villus architecture. However, it is unclear whether intestinal organoids reflect the physiology of the in vivo stress response. Here, we systemically investigated the radiation response in organoids and animal models using mesenchymal stem cell‐conditioned medium (MSC‐CM), which contains secreted paracrine factors. Irradiated organoids exhibited sequential induction of viability loss and regrowth after irradiation (within 12 days), similar to the response of the native intestinal epithelium. Notably, treatment with MSC‐CM facilitated the reproliferation of intestinal stem cells (ISCs) and restoration of damaged crypt‐villus structures in both models. Furthermore, Wnt/Notch signaling pathways were commonly upregulated by MSC‐CM, but not radiation, and pharmacologically selective inhibition of Wnt or Notch signaling attenuated the enhanced recovery of irradiated organoids, with increases in ISCs, following MSC‐CM treatment. Interestingly, the expression of Wnt4, Wnt7a, and active β‐catenin was increased, but not notch family members, in MSC‐CM‐treated organoid after irradiation. Treatment of recombinant mouse Wnt4 and Wnt7a after irradiation improved to some extent intestinal epithelial regeneration both in vitro and in vivo. Overall, these results suggested that intestinal organoids recapitulated the physiological stress response of the intestinal epithelium in vivo. Thus, our findings provided important insights into the physiology of intestinal organoids and may contribute to the development of strategies to enhance the functional maturation of engineered organoids.
Paclitaxel exposure: Long‐term safety and effectiveness of a drug‐coated balloon for claudication in pooled randomized trials
Authors: Schneider Peter A. , Brodmann Marianne , Mauri Laura , Laird John , Soga Yoshimitsu , Micari Antonio , Ansel Gary , Shishehbor Mehdi H. , Krishnan Prakash , Gao Qi , Ouriel Kenneth , Zeller Thomas
Published: August 2020

Background

Paclitaxel drug‐coated balloons (DCB) prevent recurrent claudication after angioplasty, yet data from randomized trials with incomplete follow‐up have raised uncertainty regarding long‐term mortality.

Objectives

To evaluate the effect of paclitaxel exposure on the long‐term safety and efficacy of angioplasty of femoropopliteal artery lesions in the combined IN.PACT randomized trials.

Methods

The IN.PACT randomized trials (SFA, N = 331 and Japan, N = 100) each compared the DCB with standard percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for claudication, and consented patients for 5 and 3 years, respectively. To address long‐term safety, sites were requested to obtain vital status follow‐up. In the pooled, updated data set, we examined the association between randomized treatment and mortality by cumulative incidence and hazard ratio (HR), and freedom from clinically driven target lesion revascularization (CD‐TLR). Multivariable Cox regression with adjustment for baseline characteristics was used to evaluate the dose effect. Causes of death were adjudicated by a blinded clinical events committee that included oncologists with paclitaxel expertise.

Results

The rate of long‐term vital status ascertainment increased from 81% to 97% for DCB and from 85% to 97% for PTA in the IN.PACT SFA trial. The cumulative incidence of mortality was 14.7% DCB versus 12.0% PTA at 5 years, HR 1.39, log‐rank p = .286. Paclitaxel dose (mg) was not an independent predictor of mortality (HR 1.02, p = .381), but was an independent predictor of reduced risk of CD‐TLR (HR 0.79; p < .001). Causes of death did not differ by treatment arm.

Conclusions

In pooled randomized trial data with updated vital status ascertainment, paclitaxel was associated with improved efficacy but was not associated with increased mortality.
Dependence of Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit Performance on H‐Oil Severity, Catalyst Activity, and Coke Selectivity
Authors: Stratiev Dicho , Shishkova Ivelina , Ivanov Mihail , Chavdarov Ivan , Yordanov Dobromir
Published: August 2020

The effect of the quality of ebullated bed vacuum residue H‐Oil hydrocracking gas oils cracked in a commercial fluid catalytic cracking unit (FCCU) on its performance was studied. Six different catalysts were employed in this study. Four catalysts were tested in a commercial FCCU, and two in a laboratory FCCU. An increase of the H‐Oil hydrocracker reaction temperature was associated with a decrease in the KW factor of the H‐Oil gas oils. The diminished KW factor of H‐Oil gas oils resulted in lower FCCU conversion and higher regenerator temperatures. The FCC conversion at maximum gasoline yield is best predicted by the feed KW factor. The higher‐activity, higher‐Δcoke catalyst is unfavorable for FCCU performance because the excessive regenerator temperature excursions require reduction of the throughput.
Synthesis of Benzazoles through Electrochemical Oxidative Cyclization Reactions
Authors: An Qi , He Chaoyin , Fan Xiaodong , Hou Chuanfu , Zhao Jian , Liu Yue , Liu Hao , Ma Junjie , Sun Zhizhong , Chu Wenyi
Published: August 2020

An effective method for the synthesis of benzazoles through the electrochemical oxidative cyclization of o‐aminophenol/o‐aminothiophenol/o‐phenylenediamine and aldehydes was developed. A series of benzazoles were efficiently synthesized by using this method in good yields. Furthermore, this method was applied to the synthesis of the drug thiabendazole in a gram‐scale reaction, which proved the practicality of the method. This approach avoids using catalysts and oxidants, and has the advantages of wide substrate range, mild reaction conditions and good tolerance of functional groups. Finally, the possible reaction mechanism was proposed and supported by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and control experiments.
A survey on the techniques, applications, and performance of short text semantic similarity
Authors: Han Mengting , Zhang Xuan , Yuan Xin , Jiang Jiahao , Yun Wei , Gao Chen
Published: August 2020

Short text similarity plays an important role in natural language processing (NLP). It has been applied in many fields. Due to the lack of sufficient context in the short text, it is difficult to measure the similarity. The use of semantics similarity to calculate textual similarity has attracted the attention of academia and industry and achieved better results. In this survey, we have conducted a comprehensive and systematic analysis of semantic similarity. We first propose three categories of semantic similarity: corpus‐based, knowledge‐based, and deep learning (DL)‐based. We analyze the pros and cons of representative and novel algorithms in each category. Our analysis also includes the applications of these similarity measurement methods in other areas of NLP. We then evaluate state‐of‐the‐art DL methods on four common datasets, which proved that DL‐based can better solve the challenges of the short text similarity, such as sparsity and complexity. Especially, bidirectional encoder representations from transformer model can fully employ scarce information of short texts and semantic information and obtain higher accuracy and F1 value. We finally put forward some future directions.
Cu Atomic Chain Supported on Graphene Nanoribbon for Effective Conversion of CO2 to Ethanol
Authors: Shen Haoming , Sun Qiang
Published: August 2020

The front cover artwork is provided by the group of Prof. Qiang Sun (Peking University, China). The image shows how Cu‐decorated zigzag graphene nanoribbons can catalyze CO2 reduction to ethanol with a small energy barrier and tunable selectivity. Read the full text of the Article at 10.1002/cphc.202000476.
Theoretical and Experimental Studies on the Near‐Infrared Photoreaction Mechanism of a Silicon Phthalocyanine Photoimmunotherapy Dye: Photoinduced Hydrolysis by Radical Anion Generation
Authors: Kobayashi Masato , Harada Mei , Takakura Hideo , Ando Kanta , Goto Yuto , Tsuneda Takao , Ogawa Mikako , Taketsugu Tetsuya
Published: August 2020

Invited for this month's cover are the collaborating groups of Dr. Masato Kobayashi and Prof. Mikako Ogawa, both from Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan. The cover picture shows the photochemical reaction process of the near‐infrared (NIR) photoimmunotherapy dye IR700, and subsequent cancer cell death. A computational study predicted that ligand dissociation, which is known to initiate cancer cell death, proceeds by the hydrolysis of the IR700 radical anion, rather than as a direct result of NIR irradiation. This mechanism has also been supported by experimental work. Read the full text of the Communication at 10.1002/cplu.202000338.
The Propagation, Quantification, and Storage of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus
Authors: Abdelmageed Alaa A. , Ferran Maureen C.
Published: August 2020

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is the prototypical member of the Rhabdoviridae family of negative‐sense single‐stranded RNA viruses. This virus has been used as a powerful model system for decades and is currently being used as a vaccine platform and an oncolytic agent. Here, we present methods to propagate, quantitate, and store VSV. We also review the proper safety protocol for the handling of VSV, which is classified as a Biosafety Level 2 pathogen by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Generation, purification, and storage of vesicular stomatitis virus stocks

Basic Protocol 2: Quantification of vesicular stomatitis virus by plaque assay

Support Protocol: Propagation of Vero cells
Efficient Multi‐Allelic Genome Editing of Primary Cell Cultures via CRISPR‐Cas9 Ribonucleoprotein Nucleofection
Authors: Hoellerbauer Pia , Kufeld Megan , Paddison Patrick J.
Published: August 2020

CRISPR‐Cas9‐based technologies have revolutionized experimental manipulation of mammalian genomes. However, limitations regarding the delivery and efficacy of these technologies restrict their application in primary cells. This article describes a protocol for penetrant, reproducible, and fast CRISPR‐Cas9 genome editing in cell cultures derived from primary cells. The protocol employs transient nucleofection of ribonucleoprotein complexes composed of chemically synthesized 2′‐O‐methyl‐3′phosphorothioate‐modified single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) and purified Cas9 protein. It can be used both for targeted insertion‐deletion mutation (indel) formation at up to >90% efficiency (via use of a single sgRNA) and for targeted deletion of genomic regions (via combined use of multiple sgRNAs). This article provides examples of the nucleofection buffer and programs that are optimal for patient‐derived glioblastoma (GBM) stem‐like cells (GSCs) and human neural stem/progenitor cells (NSCs), but the protocol can be readily applied to other primary cell cultures by modifying the nucleofection conditions. In summary, this is a relatively simple method that can be used for highly efficient and fast gene knockout, as well as for targeted genomic deletions, even in hyperdiploid cells such as many cancer stem‐like cells. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC

Basic Protocol: Cas9:sgRNA ribonucleoprotein nucleofection for insertion‐deletion (indel) mutation and genomic deletion generation in primary cell cultures
Post‐operative discomforts in children after extraction of primary teeth
Authors: Baillargeau Claire , Lopez‐Cazaux Serena , Charles Hugo , Ordureau Aline , Dajean‐Trutaud Sylvie , Prud'homme Tony , Hyon Isabelle , Soueidan Assem , Alliot‐Licht Brigitte , Renard Emmanuelle
Published: August 2020

Objectives

This prospective observational study aimed to evaluate discomfort after extraction of deciduous teeth under local anesthesia. The primary objective was to describe the prevalence of post‐extraction pain (PEP), post‐extraction bleeding (PEB), post‐extraction biting injury (PEBI), and analgesic usage in children. The secondary objective was to define whether it is possible to determine a profile of patients or a type of extraction procedure predictive to PEP, administration of analgesics, PEB, or PEBI.

Methods

One hundred and twenty‐five children, aged 3–13 years, with indications of at least one deciduous tooth extraction, were included. Immediately after extraction, information concerning the patient and the extraction were collected. Eighteen to 32 hr after extraction, parents were called by phone to request reports concerning the onset and intensity of PEP assessed using the Wong‐Baker Faces (WBF) scale, the administration of paracetamol (acetaminophen) to their children, and the appearance of PEB and/or PEBI.

Results

Of the children, 37.3% reported PEP (WBF ≥2), but 23.3% of these children did not receive any analgesic drugs to help relieve pain. Pain appeared before 3 hr after extraction in 69% of the children. Higher incidences of PEP and usage of analgesics were found both in the group of children with unfavorable socioeconomic level compared to favorable level and in the group with pre‐operative pain compared to no pre‐operative pain (p < .05).

Conclusions

About a third of the children reported pain after extraction, but the instructions for pain relief were not followed by all parents. The socioeconomic level of the young patient and the pain felt during the extraction were important predictors of discomfort. Therefore, our study could help the dentist to provide information on predicted post‐operative discomfort and to allow suitable care depending on the patient's profile or procedure.
Characterization of KIR + NKG2A + Eomes− NK‐like CD8+ T cells and their decline with age in healthy individuals
Authors: Kasakovski Dimitri , Zeng Xiangbo , Lai Jing , Yu Zhi , Yao Danlin , Chen Shaohua , Zha Xianfeng , Li Yangqiu , Xu Ling
Published: August 2020

Background

KIR+NKG2A + Eomes+ CD8+ T cells, which are preferentially found with a TEMRA (CD45RA + CCR7−) phenotype while having the capacity to rapidly produce IFN‐γ in response to innate stimulation (IL‐12 and IL‐18), have been demonstrated to exist in human cord blood and the adult blood circulation. This highly responsive T‐cell type was termed NK‐like CD8+ T cells due to their capability to act in an innate immune fashion in mice similar to NK cells. However, KIR+NKG2A + CD8+ T cells that are Eomes− represent a small proportion of unconventional T cells that have not been described until now.

Methods

We compare the distribution of the memory phenotypes and senescence‐associated markers of two T‐cell subsets by multicolor flow cytometry in 10 cord blood samples and 105 healthy individuals (HIs) ranging from 6 to 84 years of age.

Results

We found that the Eomes+ population has a higher differentiation degree than the Eomes− population. T cells in the Eomes− subset show proportionally less TEMRA phenotypes while instead preferentially displaying a more naïve and TCM phenotype. Furthermore, the Eomes− population was shown to linearly decrease with age, while the Eomes+ population exhibited more senescence‐associated characteristics, such as CD57 expression and loss of CD28.

Conclusion

Overall, the KIR+NKG2A + Eomes− CD8+ T‐cell population shares similar characteristics with the Eomes+ population, although with a lower degree of differentiation, lower senescence marker expression, and a proportional decrease with age. Thus, we suspect that KIR+NKG2A + Eomes‐CD8+ T cells may represent a less differentiated stage of the NK‐like CD8+ T‐cell subset.
Implementation of the HIF activator IOX‐2 in routine doping controls – Pilot study data
Authors: Görgens Christian , Guddat Sven , Bosse Christina , Knoop Andre , Geyer Hans , Thevis Mario
Published: August 2020

Early in 2020, racehorse doping cases revolved around the hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF) activator IOX‐2. While the composition of IOX‐2 has also been known and monitored in human doping controls for several years, the testing capability of routine sports drug testing methods was revisited for this newly surfaced doping agent. IOX‐2 and the analytically well‐established HIF activator roxadustat (FG‐4592) share identical precursor/product ion pairs, enabling their co‐detection in existing initial testing procedures in routine doping controls for the intact unconjugated analytes. In addition, hydroxylated IOX‐2 and the corresponding glucuronic acid conjugates were identified as major metabolites in a microdose elimination study, contributing to enhanced initial testing and confirmation procedures.
Heart failure in COVID‐19 patients: prevalence, incidence and prognostic implications
Authors: Rey Juan R. , Caro‐Codón Juan , Rosillo Sandra O. , Iniesta Ángel M. , Castrejón‐Castrejón Sergio , Marco‐Clement Irene , Martín‐Polo Lorena , Merino‐Argos Carlos , Rodríguez‐Sotelo Laura , García‐Veas Jose M. , Martínez‐Marín Luis A. , Martínez‐Cossiani Marcel , Buño Antonio , Gonzalez‐Valle Luis , Herrero Alicia , López‐Sendón José L. , Merino José L. ,   for the CARD‐COVID Investigators
Published: August 2020

Aims

Data on the impact of COVID‐19 in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients and its potential to trigger acute heart failure (AHF) are lacking. The aim of this work was to study characteristics, cardiovascular outcomes and mortality in patients with confirmed COVID‐19 infection and a prior diagnosis of heart failure (HF). Further aims included the identification of predictors and prognostic implications for AHF decompensation during hospital admission and the determination of a potential correlation between the withdrawal of HF guideline‐directed medical therapy (GDMT) and worse outcomes during hospitalization.

Methods and results

Data for a total of 3080 consecutive patients with confirmed COVID‐19 infection and follow‐up of at least 30 days were analysed. Patients with a previous history of CHF (n = 152, 4.9%) were more prone to the development of AHF (11.2% vs. 2.1%; P < 0.001) and had higher levels of N‐terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide. In addition, patients with previous CHF had higher mortality rates (48.7% vs. 19.0%; P < 0.001). In contrast, 77 patients (2.5%) were diagnosed with AHF, which in the vast majority of cases (77.9%) developed in patients without a history of HF. Arrhythmias during hospital admission and CHF were the main predictors of AHF. Patients developing AHF had significantly higher mortality (46.8% vs. 19.7%; P < 0.001). Finally, the withdrawal of beta‐blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists and angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers was associated with a significant increase in in‐hospital mortality.

Conclusions

Patients with COVID‐19 have a significant incidence of AHF, which is associated with very high mortality rates. Moreover, patients with a history of CHF are prone to developing acute decompensation after a COVID‐19 diagnosis. The withdrawal of GDMT was associated with higher mortality.
Use tools, have fun to successfully manage remote employees
Authors: Pavlik Amelia
Published: August 2020

Thanks to COVID‐19, in a matter of days, admissions and enrollment management office teams around the country were forced to adopt remote work arrangements that had often never been tried before.
Connect with prospective students through candid, compassionate communications
Authors: Pavlik Amelia
Published: August 2020

“How would I want my kid to be treated by his university if he was an incoming freshman?” That was the question running through Katharine Johnson Suski's mind as she wrote a letter to incoming first‐year students as COVID‐19 began to impact the United States.
Multipath TCP security over different attacks
Authors: Chaturvedi Rajnish Kumar , Chand Satish
Published: August 2020

Due to the increasing demand for bandwidth and availability of multi‐homed devices, the Multipath TCP (MPTCP) is an emerging protocol that uses multiple paths simultaneously to transfer the data, seamlessly utilizing their bandwidth. The security is an important issue in a system especially the communication network system. Since there are multiple paths in MPTCP, it has many doors open to an adversary especially at the time of connection initiation. These attacks include the man‐in‐the‐middle attack (MM), denial‐of‐service (DOS) attack, and SYN flooding attack. This article proposes a new opportunistic security protocol, named as secure connection multipath TCP (SCMTCP), that uses the elliptic curve cryptography to generate the secret key. It also uses a third‐party certificate authority to ensure the authenticity of public keys exchanged between the communicating parties. The SCMTCP generates a session key at the time of initial handshake (with MP_CAPABLE option) and protects the MPTCP from the man‐in‐the‐middle attack. It generates a unique authentication key for each new subflow within the host using the session key to authenticate them and protects the MPTCP from DoS and SYN flooding attacks. This article analyzes the security complexity of the SCMTCP using the random oracle model and shows that it is not possible for an attacker to get any security key and breaks the MPTCP security.
The effect of natural fractures on CO2storage performance and oil recovery from CO2and WAG injection in an Appalachian basin reservoir
Authors: Raziperchikolaee Samin , Pasumarti Ashwin , Mishra Srikanta
Published: August 2020

Natural fractures affect both the oil recovery from the enhanced oil recovery (EOR) process and the associated CO2storage during and after EOR. The main objective of this study is to evaluate two performance parameters: (1) oil recovery during CO2and water alternating gas (WAG) injection, and (2) CO2storage, during and after EOR, in a fractured oil reservoir of the Appalachian basin. While previous studies have shown the potential of CO2‐EOR to enhance oil recovery in the Appalachian basin, this work investigates WAG performance in comparison to continuous CO2‐EOR. A compositional numerical modeling approach was used to quantify the incremental oil recovery stemming from incorporating natural fractures. History matching of primary production and CO2huff‐and‐puff pilot test for a well producing from a depleted oil field in Ohio was used to assign the fracture network parameters in the dual continuum model. The scenarios modeled include continuous CO2and WAG injection under two injection pore volumes. Each scenario is followed by a CO2storage phase. These simulations help evaluate the performance of different scenarios in terms of oil recovery and CO2storage. Simulation results show how oil recovery and CO2storage vary significantly as a function of operational parameters. The results also show the amount of CO2stored during WAG injection is significantly lower than that stored during the storage phase at the end of oil recovery. In addition, the operational parameters during WAG affect the amount of CO2stored at the end of following storage phase. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gold, uranium, thorium, and rare earth mineralization in the Kadiri Volcanic Province of Eastern Dharwar Craton, India: An evaluation of mineralogical, textural, and geochemical attributes
Authors: Manikyamba Chakravadhanula , Ghose Naresh C , Ganguly Sohini , Pahari Arijit , Sindhuja Challa Satyasri
Published: August 2020

In this article, we present the textural, mineralogical, and geochemical studies of a suite of volcanic rocks and their economic mineral potential from the Kadiri Volcanic Province (KVP) – a greenstone belt in the Eastern Dharwar Craton (EDC) of southern peninsular India. The volcanic rocks are represented by primary pyroclastic deposits dominated by tuff breccia, minor lapilli tuff, and pyroclastic flows together with lava flows, namely, metabasalts, andesites, dacites, and rhyolites. Metabasalts and high‐Mg andesites in the KVP are associated with sporadic occurrences of disseminated‐type gold. The ancient works on gold are confined to the ductile‐brittle shear zones in en‐echelon pattern. The source of gold is likely to be from deep fractures (>200 km) at mantle depths that paved the magma to move upper crustal levels due to partial melting of peridotites which tapped the siderophile elements (Au–Ag) from deeper source. Some andesites and dacites contain atomic minerals [uranium, thorium, and rare earth element (REE)], which requires attention in future studies. Monazite occurring in such dacites is a major source of REE such as cerium (Ce), lanthanum (La), neodymium (Nd), and Yttrium (Y), contributing 50–60% of REEs. Presence of thorite (ThSiO4) in dacite, a metamict mineral, strongly radioactive containing upto 10% uranium (U). This study confirms multi‐metal mineralization in KVP, for example, gold, silver, atomic (U and Th), rare‐earths along with base metals.

Emplacements of rhyolite and alkali granite appears to be synchronous with the major thermal event at 2.51 Ga of the Dharwar Craton. The diverse volcanic associations are formed in a subduction–accretion orogeny at ~2.7 Ga, coeval with the global accretion event and gold mineralization. Au–U–Th–REE abundances in the composite arc‐back arc system of Kolar‐Hutti‐Kadiri‐Jonnagiri greenstone belts of EDC are primarily attributed to devolatilization and melting of subducted oceanic slab, fluid‐fluxed metasomatism of mantle wedge and elemental cycling associated with different stages of subduction.