bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phase‐Junction Electrocatalysts towards Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in Alkaline Media
Authors: Fu Qiang , Wang Xianjie , Han Jiecai , Zhong Jun , Zhang Tongrui , Yao Tai , Xu Chengyan , Gao Tangling , Xi Shibo , Liang Ce , Xu Lingling , Xu Ping , Song Bo
Published: September 2020

To ensure sustainable hydrogen production by water electrolysis, robust, earth‐abundant, and high‐efficient electrocatalysts are required. Constructing a hybrid system could lead to further improvement in electrocatalytic activity. Interface engineering in composite catalysts is thus critical to determine the performance, and the phase‐junction interface should improve the catalytic activity. Here, we show that nickel diphosphide phase junction (c‐NiP2/m‐NiP2) is an effective electrocatalyst for hydrogen production in alkaline media. The overpotential (at 10 mA cm−2) for NiP2‐650 (c/m) in alkaline media could be significantly reduced by 26 % and 96 % compared with c‐NiP2 and m‐NiP2, respectively. The enhancement of catalytic activity should be attributed to the strong water dissociation ability and the rearrangement of electrons around the phase junction, which markedly improved the Volmer step and benefited the reduction process of adsorbed protons.
Trabecular bone in domestic dogs and wolves: Implications for understanding human self‐domestication
Authors: Chirchir Habiba
Published: September 2020

The process of domestication is complex and results in significant morphological, cognitive, and physiological changes. In canids, some of the traits indicative of domestication of domestic dogs compared to their wild counterparts the wolves are prosociality toward humans, reduced stress hormone levels, and reduced cranial capacity. Research suggests that selection for prosociality among dogs resulted in morphological changes such as reduction in cranial capacity, juvenilization of the face, and overall gracile morphology. Interestingly, similar features have been described in modern humans compared to extinct species of Homo, for example, Neanderthals. Therefore, the human self‐domestication hypothesis has been proposed to partially explain the gracile modern human skeleton. Specifically, that as modern humans settled in communities, there was increased selection for prosociality (intergroup cooperation); and one of the by‐products of this selection was the evolution of a gracile skeleton, including a slight reduction in cranial capacity, reduced brow ridge and tooth size, and low trabecular bone fraction (TBF). However, TBF variation has not been tested between domestic dogs and wolves, who underwent self‐domestication. Thus, this study tests the hypothesis that dogs have low TBF as a consequence of domestication compared to their wild counterparts, the wolves, by comparing TBF in the hindlimbs—proximal femur and distal tibia‐ of the two species. Wilcoxon rank sum tests show that dogs have lower TBF values than wolves in both elements. These preliminary results add to the literature documenting changes in self‐domesticated species and provide a potential analog to further the understanding of self‐domestication.
Insecticidal and synergistic activity of dsRNAs targeting buprofezin‐specific genes against the small brown planthopper, Laodelphax striatellus
Authors: Fang Ying , Park Min G. , Choi Jae Y. , Park Dong H. , Wang Minghui , Kim Hyun J. , Kim Woo J. , Je Yeon H.
Published: September 2020

The small brown planthopper, Laodelphax striatellus, is a dangerous pest in rice fields. Although buprofezin has been used to control L. striatellus for more than a decade, the occurrence of buprofezin‐resistant L. striatellus has been recently reported. To develop an alternative pest control strategy, comparative transcriptome analysis of buprofezin‐treated and nontreated L. striatellus was performed to screen the buprofezin‐specific target genes for RNA interference (RNAi) application. Among six genes downregulated in the buprofezin‐treated L. striatellus, RNAi‐based silencing of the lipophorin precursor, endocuticle structure glycoprotein, and chitin synthase significantly induced the lethality of L. striatellus in a concentration‐dependent manner. In addition, a cocktail of double‐stranded RNAs against these three genes showed synergistic effects with buprofezin. These results provide RNAi‐based effective approaches to control L. striatellus as well as an efficient method to identify novel target genes for RNAi application.
Synthesis of new arylazopyrazoles as apoptosis inducers: Candidates to inhibit proliferation of MCF‐7 cells
Authors: Ismail Magda M. F. , Soliman Dalia H. , Sabour Rehab , Farrag Amel M.
Published: September 2020

New 4‐arylazo‐3,5‐diamino‐1H‐pyrazole derivatives substituted in the 4‐aryl ring with the acetyl moiety were designed and synthesized. The antiproliferative activity of the novel arylazopyrazoles was examined against the MCF‐7 cell line. Among all target compounds, 8b (IC50 3.0 µM) and 8f (IC50 4.0 µM) displayed higher cytotoxicity as compared with the reference standard imatinib (IC50 7.0 µM). Further studies to explore the mechanism of action were performed on the most active hit of our library, 8b, via anti‐CDK2 kinase activity. It demonstrated good inhibitory effects for CDK2 (IC50 0.24 µM) with 62.5% inhibition, compared with imatinib. The cell cycle analysis in the MCF‐7 cell line revealed apoptosis induction by 8b and cell cycle arrest at the S phase. Docking in the CDK2 active site and pharmacophore modeling confirmed the affinity of 8b to the CDK2 active site. Absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion studies revealed that our target compounds are orally bioavailable, with no permeation through the blood–brain barrier.
Social Motivation Across Multiple Measures: Caregiver‐Report of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Neuhaus Emily , Bernier Raphael A. , Webb Sara J.
Published: September 2020

Social motivation is a foundational construct with regard to the etiology, neurobiology, and phenotype of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Multiple theories suggest that early emerging alterations to social motivation underlie a developmental cascade of social and communication deficits across the lifespan. Despite this significance, methods to measure social motivation vary widely, with little data to date as to how different measures might compare. In this study, we explore three existing caregiver‐report measures that have been proposed to quantify social motivation among school‐age children with ASD (n = 18; all male) and without ASD (n = 36; 50% female), with the broad goal of characterizing social motivation across measures and specific aims of investigating (a) diagnostic and sex differences in social motivation, (b) correspondence between measures, and (c) relationships between social motivation and broader social outcomes. Across all three measures, individuals with ASD had lower social motivation by caregiver‐report. However, they did display individual differences in the degree of social motivation reported. There were no differences in social motivation between males and females without ASD on any of the three measures. For the full sample, measures of social motivation correlated with one another as anticipated, and stronger social motivation was associated with stronger social skills and fewer social difficulties. Our data suggest that social motivation among children with ASD may be best conceptualized as an individual difference that is diminished on average relative to peers but which varies among children and adolescents with ASD, rather than as an absolute absence or uniform deficit.

Lay Summary

Several theories suggest that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience less social motivation than their peers without ASD, contributing to difficulties in social skills. Based on multiple caregiver‐report questionnaires, social motivation was reduced on average for school‐age children with ASD but also varied among children with ASD. Stronger social motivation was related to stronger social skills and fewer social problems. Future work should include more girls with ASD, consider social motivation across age groups, and include first‐hand perspectives from people with ASD.
The elucidation of phosphosugar stress response in Bacillus subtilis guides strain engineering for high N‐acetylglucosamine production
Authors: Niu Tengfei , Lv Xueqin , Liu Yanfeng , Li Jianghua , Du Guocheng , Ledesma‐Amaro Rodrigo , Liu Long
Published: September 2020

Bacillus subtilis is a preferred microbial host for the industrial production of nutraceuticals and a promising candidate for the synthesis of functional sugars, such as N‐acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc). Previously, a GlcNAc‐overproducer B. subtilis SFMI was constructed using glmS ribozyme dual‐regulatory tool. Herein, we further engineered to enhance carbon flux from glucose towards GlcNAc synthesis. As a result, the increased flux towards GlcNAc synthesis triggered phosphosugar stress response, which caused abnormal cell growth. Unfortunately, the mechanism of phosphosugar stress response had not been elucidated in B. subtilis. To reveal the stress mechanism and overcome its negative effect in bioproduction, we performed comparative transcriptome analysis. The results indicate that cells slow glucose utilization by repression of glucose import and accelerate catabolic reactions of phosphosugar. To verify these results, we overexpressed the phosphatase YwpJ, which relieved phosphosugar stress and allowed us to identify the enzyme responsible for GlcNAc synthesis from GlcNAc 6‐phosphate. In addition, the deletion of nagBB and murQ, responsible for GlcNAc precursor degradation, further improved GlcNAc synthesis. The best engineered strain, B. subtilis FMIP34, increased GlcNAc titer from 11.5 to 26.1 g/L in shake flasks and produced 87.5 g/L GlcNAc in 30‐L fed‐batch bioreactor. Our results not only elucidate, for the first time, the phosphosugar stress response mechanism in B. subtilis, but also demonstrate how the combination of rational metabolic engineering with novel insights into physiology and metabolism allows the construction of highly efficient microbial cell factories for the production of high‐value chemicals.
Incidence and recurrence rate of sigmoid diverticulitis in patients requiring admission to hospital in Iceland from 1985 to 2014: nationwide population-based register study
Authors: Alexandersson B T , Stefánsson T
Published: September 2020

Background

Diverticulitis is the most common complication of diverticular disease, affecting 10–25 per cent of patients with diverticula. A retrospective, nationwide, population-based cohort study was performed to analyse the incidence and recurrence rate of sigmoid diverticulitis requiring hospital admission.

Methods

All patients discharged from hospital in Iceland during 1985–2014 who were diagnosed with diverticular disease were included. The χ2 test was used to analyse the trend of the incidence in the period 2002–2014. The Kaplan–Meier method and the Cox model were used to analyse recurrence.

Results

Of 8660 admissions for diverticular disease, 4746 were due to diverticulitis, of which 2939 were for diverticulitis diagnosed for the first time. After the first attack, surgery was used to treat 661 patients. Of 2278 patients not treated by resection, 537 had a second attack (23·6 per cent). There was a significant decrease in the incidence of diverticulitis in patients aged 40–89 years during the period from 2002 to 2014 (P = 0·033). The risk of recurrence was associated with younger age at first attack and female sex (P < 0·001).

Conclusion

There was a decline in the incidence of patients hospitalized with diverticulitis between 1995 and 2014, most prominent in older age groups. Different recurrence rates were reported in men and women, and in younger compared with older age groups.
Cross‐scale quality assessment of a mechanistic cation exchange chromatography model
Authors: Saleh David , Wang Gang , Mueller Benedict , Rischawy Federico , Kluters Simon , Studts Joey , Hubbuch Jürgen
Published: September 2020

Cation exchange chromatography (CEX) is an essential part of most monoclonal antibody (mAb) purification platforms. Process characterization and root cause investigation of chromatographic unit operations are performed using scale down models (SDM). SDM chromatography columns typically have the identical bed height as the respective manufacturing‐scale, but a significantly reduced inner diameter. While SDMs enable process development demanding less material and time, their comparability to manufacturing‐scale can be affected by variability in feed composition, mobile phase and resin properties, or dispersion effects depending on the chromatography system at hand. Mechanistic models can help to close gaps between scales and reduce experimental efforts compared to experimental SDM applications. In this study, a multicomponent steric mass‐action (SMA) adsorption model was applied to the scale‐up of a CEX polishing step. Based on chromatograms and elution pool data ranging from laboratory‐ to manufacturing‐scale, the proposed modeling workflow enabled early identification of differences between scales, for example, system dispersion effects or ionic capacity variability. A multistage model qualification approach was introduced to measure the model quality and to understand the model's limitations across scales. The experimental SDM and the in silico model were qualified against large‐scale data using the identical state of the art equivalence testing procedure. The mechanistic chromatography model avoided limitations of the SDM by capturing effects of bed height, loading density, feed composition, and mobile phase properties. The results demonstrate the applicability of mechanistic chromatography models as a possible alternative to conventional SDM approaches.
Software tools for optics massive open online courses
Authors: Sahin Furkan E.
Published: September 2020

Massive open online courses (MOOCs) provide anyone with an Internet connection easy access to a wealth of learning and computer training opportunities. Optics and photonics devices are frequently used in numerous academic fields and industries. Therefore, a MOOC approach to optics education would be beneficial to many students, researchers, and professionals all over the world, as this would empower personal and professional development with global reach. As part of online education, students can learn professional computer modeling tools and use them for completing course assignments. In this paper, several optical design packages are reviewed and evaluated for their applicability to MOOC optics education in terms of availability, functionality, and wealth of training resources. An example of an optics MOOC case‐study is also presented.
Extending B‐spline by piecewise polynomial
Authors: Liu Xinyue , Wang Xingce , Wu Zhongke
Published: September 2020

Curve extension is a useful tool in the computer‐aided design (CAD) community. A given B‐spline curve usually needs to be extended by another curve to reach one or more target points. In this work, we aim to enlarge the representation domain of the extending part to achieve the optimal extending result in the global solution space. Inspired by this, we have made three contributions. First, we use piecewise polynomial, that is, a nonuniform B‐spline, instead of one polynomial segment to extend the original curve. Compared to one polynomial segment, curves consisting of piecewise polynomial have stronger modeling ability and therefore expand the solution space of the problem. For extension to multiple target points, we are the first to directly give extension results based on all target points rather than extending to every target step by step. Third, we exploit the matrix representation of B‐splines to obtain an explicit solution for this extension problem. The detailed formula derivations and experimental results are provided to show the validity and effectiveness of our method.
Comparison of Bioorthogonal β‐Lactone Activity‐Based Probes for Selective Labeling of Penicillin‐Binding Proteins
Authors: Brown Nathaniel W. , Shirley Joshua D. , Marshall Andrew P. , Carlson Erin E.
Published: September 2020

Penicillin‐binding proteins (PBPs) are a family of bacterial enzymes that are key components of cell‐wall biosynthesis and the target of β‐lactam antibiotics. Most microbial pathogens contain multiple structurally homologous PBP isoforms, making it difficult to target individual PBPs. To study the roles and regulation of specific PBP isoforms, a panel of bioorthogonal β‐lactone probes was synthesized and compared. Fluorescent labeling confirmed selectivity, and PBPs were selectively enriched from Streptococcus pneumoniae lysates. Comparisons between fluorescent labeling of probes revealed that the accessibility of bioorthogonal reporter molecules to the bound probe in the native protein environment exerts a more significant effect on labeling intensity than the bioorthogonal reaction used, observations that are likely applicable beyond this class of probes or proteins. Selective, bioorthogonal activity‐based probes for PBPs will facilitate the activity‐based determination of the roles and regulation of specific PBP isoforms, a key gap in knowledge that has yet to be filled.
Oligomers of Cyclic Oligochalcogenides for Enhanced Cellular Uptake
Authors: Martinent Rémi , Du Dongchen , López‐Andarias Javier , Sakai Naomi , Matile Stefan
Published: September 2020

Monomeric cyclic oligochalcogenides (COCs) are emerging as attractive transporters to deliver substrates of interest into the cytosol through thiol‐mediated uptake. The objective of this study was to explore COC oligomers. We report a systematic evaluation of monomers, dimers, and trimers of asparagusic, lipoic, and diselenolipoic acid as well as their supramolecular monomers, dimers, trimers, and tetramers. COC dimers were more than twice as active as the monomers on both the covalent and noncovalent levels, whereas COC trimers were not much better than dimers. These trends might suggest that thiol‐mediated uptake of COCs is synergistic over both short and long distances, that is, it involves more than two COCs and more than one membrane protein, although other interpretations cannot be excluded at this level of complexity. These results thus provide attractive perspectives for structural evolution as well as imminent use in practice. Moreover, they validate automated HC‐CAPA as an invaluable method to collect comprehensive data on cytosolic delivery within a reasonable time at a level of confidence that is otherwise inconceivable.
Predictors of reduced cardiac index in patients with acute submassive pulmonary embolism
Authors: Ammari Zaid , Al‐Sarie Mohammad , Ea Anthony , Sangera Rajveer , George Jon C. , Varghese Vincent , Brewster Pamela S. , Xie Yanmei , Chen Tian , Sun Zhen , Gupta Rajesh
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Determine the baseline clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic values that predict reduced cardiac index (CI) among subjects with acute submassive pulmonary embolism (PE).

Background

Submassive PE represents a large portion of acute PE population and there is controversy regarding optimal treatment strategies for these patients. There is significant heterogeneity within the submassive PE population and further refinement of risk stratification may aid clinical decision‐making.

Methods

We identified subjects with normotensive acute PE who underwent echocardiogram and right heart catheterization (RHC) prior to catheter‐directed thrombolysis (CDT). We sought to determine the predictors of reduced CI, defined as CI < 2.2 L min‐1m‐2.

Results

Thirty‐two subjects met the inclusion criteria and 41% had reduced CI. Baseline variables did not distinguish subjects with reduced versus normal CI. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) was significantly different between the reduced versus normal CI groups (BNP 440 vs. 160 pg/ml, p = .004, respectively). Univariate logistic regression identified BNP, right ventricular (RV):left ventricular (LV) diameter ratio, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), and right ventricular systolic pressure as predictors of reduced CI. In a multivariate logistic regression model, only TAPSE was an independent predictor of reduced CI. ROC curve analysis identified the following optimal cut points for prediction of reduced CI: BNP > 216 pg/ml, RV:LV ratio > 1.41, or TAPSE <1.6 cm.

Conclusions

Almost half of subjects with acute submassive PE have reduced CI, despite normal systemic blood pressure. Optimal cut points for BNP, RV:LV ratio, and TAPSE were identified to predict reduced CI among patients with acute PE. These findings may aid in clinical decision‐making and risk stratification of patients with acute submassive PE.
Unusual Nitrene Oxidation Product Formation by Metathesis Involving the Dioxygen O−O and Borylnitrene B−N Bonds
Authors: Bhagat Virinder , Schumann Julia , Bettinger Holger F.
Published: September 2020

The reaction of dioxygen with nitrenes can have significant energy barriers, although both reactants are triplet diradicals and the formation of nitroso‐O‐oxides is spin‐allowed. By means of matrix‐isolation infrared spectroscopy in solid argon, nitrogen, and neon, and through high‐level computational quantum chemistry, it is shown herein that a 3‐nitreno‐1,3,2‐benzodioxaborole CatBN (Cat=catecholato) reacts with dioxygen under cryogenic conditions thermally at temperatures as low as 7 K to produce two distinct products, an anti‐nitroso‐O‐oxide and a nitritoborane CatBONO. The computed barriers for the formation of nitroso‐O‐oxide isomers are very low. Whereas anti‐nitroso‐O‐oxide is kinetically trapped, its bisected isomer has a very low barrier for metathesis, yielding the CatBO+NO radicals in a strongly exothermic reaction; these radicals can combine under matrix‐isolation conditions to give nitritoborane CatBONO. The trapped isomer, anti‐nitroso‐O‐oxide, can form the nitritoborane CatBONO only after photoexcitation, possibly involving isomerization to the bisected isomer of anti‐nitroso‐O‐oxide.
Enantioselective Dihalogenation of Alkenes
Authors: Bock Jonathan , Guria Sudip , Wedek Volker , Hennecke Ulrich
Published: September 2020

The dihalogenation of alkenes is one of the classic reactions in organic chemistry and a prime example of an electrophilic addition reaction. The often observed anti‐selectivity in this addition reaction can be explained by the formation of a haliranium‐ion intermediate. Although dihalogenations have been studied for more than a century, the development of reagent‐controlled, enantioselective dihalogenation has proved to be very difficult. Only recently, significant progress has been achieved. In this review, an overview on current method development in enantioselective dihalogenation is provided and mechanistic aspects that render this transformation challenging are discussed.
Evaluation of the Synthetic Scope and the Reaction Pathways of Proton‐Coupled Electron Transfer with Redox‐Active Guanidines in C−H Activation Processes
Authors: Wild Ute , Walter Petra , Hübner Olaf , Kaifer Elisabeth , Himmel Hans‐Jörg
Published: September 2020

Proton‐coupled electron transfer (PCET) is currently intensively studied because of its importance in synthetic chemistry and biology. In recent years it was shown that redox‐active guanidines are capable PCET reagents for the selective oxidation of organic molecules. In this work, the scope of their PCET reactivity regarding reactions that involve C−H activation is explored and kinetic studies carried out to disclose the reaction mechanisms. Organic molecules with potential up to 1.2 V vs. ferrocenium/ferrocene are efficiently oxidized. Reactions are initiated by electron transfer, followed by slow proton transfer from an electron‐transfer equilibrium.
Chiral Oligothiophenes with Remarkable Circularly Polarized Luminescence and Electroluminescence in Thin Films
Authors: Albano Gianluigi , Aronica Laura Antonella , Minotto Alessandro , Cacialli Franco , Di Bari Lorenzo
Published: September 2020

This work reports the first observation of circularly polarized electroluminescence (CPEL) in thin films of self‐organized oligothiophenes. Four new 1,4‐phenylene and 9H‐carbazole‐based oligothiophenes were ad hoc designed to ensure efficient spontaneous formation of chiral supramolecular order. They were easily synthesized and their chiroptical properties in thin films were measured. Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) spectra revealed glum in the order of 10−2 on a wide wavelengths range, originating from their self‐organized chiral supramolecular organization. These molecules have reasonable properties as organic semiconductors and for this reason they can constitute the active layer of circularly‐polarized organic light‐emitting diodes (CP‐OLEDs). Thus, we could investigate directly their electroluminescence (EL) and CPEL, without resorting to blends, but rather in a simple multilayer device with basic architecture. This is the first example of a CP‐OLED with active layer made only of a small organic compound.
Gram‐Scale Synthesis of the 1,1,n,n‐Tetramethyl[n](2,11)teropyrenophanes
Authors: Unikela Kiran Sagar , Ghasemabadi Parisa Ghods , Houska Václav , Dawe Louise N. , Zhao Yuming , Bodwell Graham J.
Published: September 2020

A gram‐scale synthesis of a series of 1,1,n,n‐tetramethyl[n](2,11)teropyrenophanes (n=7–9) has been accomplished as well as the first synthesis of the next higher homologue 1,1,10,10‐tetramethyl[10](2,11)teropyrenophane. The scale‐up of the original small‐scale synthesis required the development of several heavily modified synthetic methods, including a chlorination/Friedel–Crafts alkylation protocol and an iodination/Wurtz coupling protocol, which were performed on 25–30 g and 30–60 g scales, respectively. Two separate sets of conditions for the key teropyrene‐forming cyclodehydrogenation reaction at the end of the synthetic pathway were developed, an acid‐promoted one for the two less strained congeners and an acid‐free method for the two more strained homologues.
Completely Amine‐Free Open‐Atmospheric Synthesis of High‐Quality Cesium Lead Bromide (CsPbBr3) Perovskite Nanocrystals
Authors: Akhil Syed , Dutt V. G. Vasavi , Mishra Nimai
Published: September 2020

Cesium lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) CsPbX3 (X=Cl, Br, and I) have been prominent materials in the last few years due to their high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) for light‐emitting diodes and other significant applications in photovoltaics and optoelectronics. In colloidal CsPbX3 synthesis, the most commonly used ligands are oleic acid and oleylamine. The latter plays an important role in surface passivation but may also be responsible for poor colloidal stability as a result of facile proton exchange leading to the formation of labile oleylammonium halide, which pulls halide ions out of the NC surface. Herein, a facile, efficient, completely amine‐free synthesis of cesium lead bromide perovskite nanocrystals using hydrobromic acid as halide source and tri‐n‐octylphosphane as ligand under open‐atmospheric conditions is demonstrated. Hydrobromic acid serves as labile source of bromide ion, and thus this three‐precursor approach (separate precursors for Cs, Pb, Br) gives more control than a conventional single‐source precursor for Pb and Br (PbBr2). The use of HBr paved the way to eliminate oleylamine, and thus the formation of labile oleylammonium halide can be completely excluded. Various Cs:Pb:Br molar ratios were studied and optimum conditions for making very stable CsPbBr3 NCs with high PLQY were found. These completely amine‐free CsPbBr3 perovskite NCs synthesized under bromine‐rich conditions exhibit good stability and durability for more than three months in the form of colloidal solutions and films, respectively. Furthermore, stable tunable emission across a wide spectral range through anion exchange was demonstrated. More importantly, this work reports open‐atmosphere‐stable CsPbBr3 NCs films exhibiting strong PL, which can be further used for optoelectronic device applications.
A Unified Approach to Phytosiderophore Natural Products
Authors: Kratena Nicolas , Gökler Tobias , Maltrovsky Lara , Oburger Eva , Stanetty Christian
Published: September 2020

This work reports on the concise total synthesis of eight natural products of the mugineic acid and avenic acid families (phytosiderophores). An innovative „east‐to‐west“ assembly of the trimeric products resulted in a high degree of divergence enabling the formation of the final products in just 10 or 11 steps each with a minimum of overall synthetic effort. Chiral pool starting materials (l‐malic acid, threonines) were employed for the outer building blocks while the middle building blocks were accessed by diastereo‐ and enantioselective methods. A highlight of this work consists in the straightforward preparation of epimeric hydroxyazetidine amino acids, useful building blocks on their own, enabling the first synthesis of 3’’‐hydroxymugineic acid and 3’’‐hydroxy‐2’‐deoxymugineic acid.
Coproduction of EPA and Fucoxanthin with P. tricornutum – A Promising Approach for Up‐ and Downstream Processing
Authors: Derwenskus Felix , Schäfer Benjamin , Müller Jan , Frick Konstantin , Gille Andrea , Briviba Karlis , Schmid‐Staiger Ulrike , Hirth Thomas
Published: September 2020

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and fucoxanthin, a carotenoid, provide a broad variety of health benefits in human nutrition. In this study, an up‐ and downstream process for the coproduction of EPA and fucoxanthin using the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum in flat‐panel airlift photobioreactors is proposed. The approach represents a promising alternative to conventional sources for both compounds, viz. marine fish and macroalgae. The productivity as well as the biomass‐specific product content were optimized during cultivation. Subsequently, both compounds were extracted, separated and purified using pressurized liquids.
Virion Display: A High‐Throughput Method to Express Functional Membrane Proteins
Authors: Syu Guan‐Da , Johansen Eric , Zhu Heng
Published: September 2020

Transmembrane proteins are responsible for many critical cellular functions and represent one of the largest families of drug targets. However, these proteins, especially multipass transmembrane proteins, are difficult to study because they must be embedded in a lipid bilayer to maintain their native conformations. The development of the virion display (VirD) technology enables transmembrane proteins to be integrated into the viral envelope of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV‐1). Combining high‐throughput cloning, expression, and purification techniques, VirD technology has been applied to the largest set of human transmembrane proteins, namely G‐protein‐coupled receptors, and has allowed the identification of interactions that are both specific and functional. This article describes the procedures to integrate an open reading frame for any transmembrane protein into the HSV‐1 genome and produce recombinant HSV‐1 virus to ultimately generate pure VirD virions for biological and pharmaceutical studies. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Gateway cloning of transmembrane proteins

Support Protocol 1: Ethanol precipitation of bacterial artificial chromosomal DNA

Support Protocol 2: Preparation of competent cells

Basic Protocol 2: Production of recombinant HSV‐1 virions
Farmers' awareness of eco‐efficiency and cleaner production as environmental responsibility: Lithuanian case
Authors: Vilkė Rita , Gedminaitė‐Raudonė Živilė , Baležentis Tomas , Štreimikienė Dalia
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this study is to disclose farmers' awareness of environmental responsibility in terms of eco‐efficiency and cleaner production in the post‐soviet bloc. Theoretical modeling and survey methods were applied. Original empirical data were collected in Lithuanian farms in 2019. The results demonstrate that the patterns of farmers' environmental responsibility are diverse when taking into account farm's characteristics (e.g., size, years in operation, type of farming) and demographic farmer's characteristics (e.g., age, gender, education). The major share of Lithuanian farmers stated eco‐efficiency and cleaner production characteristics being important factors regarding purchasing decisions of farm equipment and machinery. These factors appeared along with other environmental responsibility characteristics. At the same time, research elucidated the gaps of Lithuanian farmers' environmental responsibility and accordingly relevant policy implications are proposed.
Keep accessibility central in planning for COVID‐19 mitigation
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: September 2020

If students, faculty, and staff members are back on campus this fall, your institution has no doubt taken steps to reduce the risk of COVID‐19 transmission. As a disability services professional, you can work with your facilities staff to ensure mitigation efforts don't restrict access for individuals with disabilities.
Characterization of soil microbes associated with a grazing‐tolerant grass species, Stipa breviflora, in the Inner Mongolian desert steppe
Authors: Chen Lingling , Saixi Yala , Yi Ru , Baoyin Taogetao
Published: September 2020

Although soil microbial communities are central in ecosystem functioning, we know little of their characterization for those associated with grazing‐tolerant host plant species in grassland ecosystems in response to grazing. In this study, we used a high‐throughput sequencing approach to characterize soil microbes from the rhizosphere and bulk soil of grazing‐tolerant grass species, Stipa breviflora, in the Inner Mongolian desert steppe. We found that response mechanisms of soil bacteria distinct from fungal communities, and variance also occur between the rhizosphere and bulk soil communities under long‐term grazing. Soil fungal communities and the co‐occurrence networks in S. breviflora rhizosphere were more sensitive to long‐term grazing than bacteria. We reveal that rhizosphere effects and soil water content were the main drivers of the changes in fungal communities and their co‐occurrence networks. Moreover, the dominant bacterial phyla Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria and fungal phyla Ascomycota and Glomeromycota might participate in regulating processes of S. breviflora's response to grazing. Overall, these findings give new snapshots of mechanisms of how grazing affects soil microbial communities, in an attempt to contribute to a clearer understanding of grazing‐tolerant mechanism of S. breviflora.
Swollen heart in COVID‐19 patients who progress to critical illness: a perspective from echo‐cardiologists
Authors: Liu Yingxian , Xie Jinjie , Gao Peng , Tian Ran , Qian Hao , Guo Fan , Yan Xiaowei , Song Yanjun , Chen Wei , Fang Ligang , Wu Wei , Zhang Shuyang
Published: September 2020

Aims

Cardiac complications are common and associated with mortality in critically ill patients with COVID‐19; however, the diagnostic and prognostic implications of critical care echocardiography (CCE) have not been studied.

Methods and results

A cohort of 43 patients with COVID‐19 who were in the intensive care unit (ICU) underwent bedside CCE during their disease course. Demographic, clinical, and survival data were collected. The echocardiographic analyses revealed high frequencies of pericardial effusion (90.7%), increased left ventricular mass index (60.5%), elevated relative wall thickness (76.7%), and reduced left ventricular stroke volume index (LVSVi; 53.5%) and cardiac index (51.2%). Twenty‐two (51.2%) patients died in the ICU. In multivariate Cox regression, the strongest predictor of in‐ICU death was decreased cardiac index [hazard ratio (HR), 0.67, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.45–0.98; P = 0.041], after adjusting for male sex, shock status, high‐sensitivity cardiac troponin I, and N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide. Negative associations with mortality were observed for LVSVi (HR, 0.91, 95% CI 0.85–0.96; P = 0.002), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (HR, 0.74, 95% CI 0.64–0.84; P < 0.001), and S′ (HR, 0.78, 95% CI 0.69–0.88; P < 0.001). Kaplan–Meier analyses indicated that reductions in LVSVi, cardiac index, TAPSE, and S′ were associated with a shorter survival time.

Conclusions

Pericardial effusion and increased ventricular mass in COVID‐19 might indicate a swollen heart. Both left and right heart dysfunction and a reduced cardiac index may lead to an increased risk of mortality. Clinicians should pay special attention to cardiac haemodynamic disorders in critical patients with COVID‐19.
Prescription of exercises for the treatment of chronic pain along the continuum of nociplastic pain: A systematic review with meta‐analysis
Authors: Ferro Moura Franco Katherinne , Lenoir Dorine , dos Santos Franco Yuri Rafael , Jandre Reis Felipe José , Nunes Cabral Cristina Maria , Meeus Mira
Published: September 2020

Background and Objective

To compare different exercise prescriptions for patients with chronic pain along the continuum of nociplastic pain: fibromyalgia, chronic whiplash‐associated disorders (CWAD), and chronic idiopathic neck pain (CINP).

Databases and Data Treatment

Randomized controlled trials comparing different exercise parameters were included. The search was performed in the databases Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and PEDro. Data on the parameters for the physical exercise programs for pain management were extracted for analysis.

Results

Fifty studies with 3,562 participants were included. For fibromyalgia, both aerobic strengthening exercises were similar and better than stretching exercises alone. Exercises could be performed in 50‐ to 60‐min supervised sessions, 2 to 3 times a week, for 13 weeks or more. For CWAD, body awareness exercises were similar to combined exercises, and there was no difference in adding sling exercises to a strengthening exercise program. The exercises could be performed in 90‐min supervised sessions, twice a week, for 10 to 16 weeks. For CINP, motor control exercises and nonspecific muscle strengthening had a similar effect. Exercises could be performed in 30‐ to 60‐min supervised sessions, 2 to 3 times a week, for 7 to 12 weeks.

Conclusions

The choice of parameters regarding exercises should emphasize global exercises in nociplastic pain conditions (such as fibromyalgia and CWAD) and specific exercises in non‐nociplastic pain conditions (such as CINP) and be based on patient's preference and therapist's skills.

Prospero registration number

CRD42019123271.

Significance

The pain mechanism must be considered to optimize exercise prescription in patients with different chronic pain profiles. The main message of this article is that low to moderate intensity global exercises performed for a long period of treatment should be performed in patients with nociplastic pain predominance. Additionally, focused and intense exercises for a short period of treatment can be prescribed for patients with nociceptive pain predominance.
Electrochemical Mechanisms in Potentiometric Phosphate Sensing Using Pure Cobalt, Molybdenum and their Alloy for Environmental Applications
Authors: Zeitoun Reem , Biswas Asim
Published: September 2020

Phosphorus (P) is ubiquitous in the environment, but its measurement is costly and time‐consuming. Sensor‐based measurement shows potential, but selection of right metal remains the major challenge due to strong P species dependence on pH. This study examined the feasibility of pure cobalt, molybdenum, and their electrodeposited alloy, Co63Mo42 (wt %), as phosphate sensors. The cobalt, molybdenum and alloy exhibited mixed potential, Nernst potential, and oxidation‐reduction (red‐ox) mechanisms, respectively. Alloy showed good selectivity over a wide pH range, but high limit of detection and long response time (8–14 minutes). Yet, alloy provides a new opportunity for improving electrochemical phosphate sensors.
Sustainable development of livestock and poultry scale‐breeding based on integration control of resource losses and external environmental costs
Authors: He Zhengtao
Published: September 2020

Intensive livestock and poultry breeding can supply meat products and increase farmers' income. However, it may cause high resource losses (RL) and environmental deterioration if its wastes are not handled correctly. Therefore, sustainable development of scale‐breeding industry is very important. In this article, the sustainable development mechanism of livestock and poultry scale breeding was analyzed from the perspective of joint control of RL and external environmental costs (EEC). Further, the estimated models of EEC and RL were built and the sustainable development conditions were discussed. Correspondingly, the internal driving force and external constraining force for the scale‐breeding sustainable development were analyzed empirically. The results show that based on the empirical analysis the production activities of all sample farms result in EEC and RL. All sample farms are in profitable state with traditional profit analysis method. If resource consumption and environment effects are considered, the actual profits of most farms decreased greatly. After some measures are taken to control EEC and RL, the number of farms under deficit decreased and the profit of many farms increase by more than 20%. The number of farms in the sustainable development conditions rises by 30%. The joint control of RL and EEC is an effective way to facilitate the sustainability of scale‐breeding industry.
Influence of supercritical, liquid, and gaseous CO2 on fracture behavior in sandstone
Authors: Sun Ze‐dong , Song Xuan‐min , Feng Gan , Huo Yu‐ming , Wang Zhong‐Lun , Kong Shao‐qi
Published: September 2020

Storing CO2 in geological formations can reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. In order to explore the fracture behavior of caprock during CO2 geological storage, three caprock adsorption experiments for supercritical, liquid, and gaseous CO2 were designed. The fracture toughness of mode I, mode II, and mixed‐mode I/II of sandstone before and after the experiment was tested, and X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray fluorescence (XRF), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to examine the fracture mechanical characteristics of sandstone. Results showed that the pure mode I fracture toughness of sandstone immersed in supercritical CO2 (ScCO2), liquid CO2, and gaseous CO2 for 30 days decreased by 27.89%, 11.01%, and 17.43%, respectively, compared to nonimmersed sandstone. Pure mode I fracture toughness was more sensitive than mixed‐mode I/II and pure mode II fracture toughness to the various CO2 phase states. Furthermore, the ability of sandstone to resist fracture and failure was significantly reduced by the adsorption of CO2 in different phases. The effects of the different phases were in the following order: ScCO2 > gaseous CO2 > liquid CO2. The decreased ability of sandstone to resist fracture was primarily due to the geophysical and chemical reactions between CO2 and minerals, the alteration of minerals, or the formation of new substances. SEM observations showed that liquid CO2 adsorption caused the sandstone to undergo intergranular fracture, and the adsorption of gaseous CO2 promoted the occurrence of transgranular fractures. In particular, due to the ScCO2 adsorption, various fracture forms such as intergranular fractures, transgranular fractures, and mutual coupling fractures existed simultaneously. Sandstone exhibited numerous fractures and pores, and fracture resistance was weakened. Results of this study have important significance for evaluating the stability and safety of CO2 geological storage.
Screening and application of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts with L‐lactic acid‐producing and antioxidant capacity in traditional fermented rice acid
Authors: Liu Na , Miao Song , Qin Likang
Published: September 2020

In the study, Lactobacillus paracasei H4‐11, Lactobacillus fermentum D1‐1, Lactobacillus casei H1‐8, Lactobacillus reuteri H2‐12, and Kluyveromyces marxianus L1‐1 were screened from traditional fermented rice acid based on several indicators: L‐lactic acid production capacity (13.46 ~ 19.69 g/kg), antioxidant capacity (DPPH clearance ability of 35.36 ~ 56.89%), and savory flavor indicators. Glutinous rice, quinoa, barley rice, and brown rice were selected to carry out rice acid fermentation. Different viable lactic acid bacteria and yeasts were screened, respectively, in the saccharification, acidification, alcoholization, and late acidification stages. Rice acid fermented with L. paracasei H4‐11 and K. marxianus L1‐1 in glutinous rice showed the high L‐lactic acid content (23.09 g/kg). The DPPH free radical scavenging ability in rice acid fermented with L. fermentum D1‐1 and L. paracasei H4‐11, respectively, reached 34.27% and 33.05% in 96 hr. Although quinoa rice acid had the highest L‐lactic acid content (33.74 g/kg) and the DPPH free radical scavenging ability (60.10%), it had the poor taste due to the high astringency intensity and bitter intensity. Rice acid fermented with both L. paracasei H4‐11 and K. marxianus L1‐1 in glutinous rice showed the highest savory flavor and had the lowest astringency and bitter. L. paracasei H4‐11 and K. marxianus L1‐1 were the potential strains for the fermentation of rice acid. These results promote the industrial development of Chinese rice acid.

Practical applications

Rice acid as a functional nondairy fermented product is widely accepted by Chinese consumers. However, rice acid fermentation is still a traditional spontaneous process, which causes instability in its flavor and quality. Lactobacillus paracasei H4‐11 and Kluyveromyces marxianus L1‐1 screened in this study contributed to the improvements in the flavor and antioxidant capacity of rice acid. In addition, glutinous rice was confirmed as the suitable fermentation material of rice acid in the study.
Neoarchean to Palaeoproterozoic tectonic evolution of the Trans‐North China Orogen, North China Craton: Evidence from zircon U–Pb geochronology, Lu–Hf isotopes, and geochemistry of the Zanhuang Complex
Authors: Shi Kangxing , Wang Changming , Du Bin , Chen Qi , Zhu Jiaxuan
Published: September 2020

Research on the Zanhuang Complex has been one of the hotspots in the Neoarchean–Palaeoproterozoic tectonic evolution of the Trans‐North China Orogen (TNCO) in the North China Craton (NCC). Here, we present data from petrology, geochemistry, zircon U–Pb geochronology, and Lu–Hf isotopes on a suite of granite, diorite, TTG gneiss, and amphibolite in the Zanhuang Complex to characterize these rocks and understand their genesis. Zircon U–Pb data yield magmatic ages of 2,607 Ma for granite, 2,599 Ma for diorite and 2,561 Ma for TTG gneiss, with subsequent thermal event ages of 2,530 and 2,471 Ma. Lu–Hf isotopes show εHf(t) values ranging from 0.04 to 7.11 and crustal model ages of 2,700–3,100 Ma for the diorite, indicating a Meso‐ to Neoarchean mantle source with minor input of crustal components. The granite and TTG gneiss have the characteristics of volcanic‐arc granite, with low Sr/Y and (La/Yb)N, high Cr and Ni contents, positive Pb and K anomalies and negative Nb, Ta, P, and Ti anomalies. The amphibolite and diorite are similar to island arc basalt, with low K2O, Sr/Y, (La/Yb)N, and high FeOT, positive Pb anomaly, negative Nb, Ta, and Ti anomalies and absence of obvious Ce anomaly. These signatures indicate that these rocks were likely formed in a subduction setting. We have proposed a model of subduction–collision process in the TNCO, including subduction at ca. 2.70–2.55 Ga, arc–continent collision at ca. 2.55–2.45 Ga, extension and rifting at ca. 2.30–2.05 Ga, and continent–continent collision at ca. 1.90–1.75 Ga. Our results are consistent with the previous models on the tectonic evolution in the NCC and provide further insights into the Neoarchean–Palaeoproterozoic tectonic history of the craton.