bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adherence to Weight‐Based Dosing Guidelines in Patients Receiving Hydroxychloroquine for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results of a Quality Improvement Initiative
Authors: Skorupa Tara , Shmerling Robert H.
Published: August 2021

Objective

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is commonly prescribed for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and other rheumatic diseases. To limit retinal toxicity, the 2016 American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) guidelines recommended limiting the HCQ dose to 5 mg/kg/day or less. Our objective was to develop a quality improvement program to improve adherence to these guidelines.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of 801 adult patients receiving HCQ for SLE and RA in a single academic rheumatology practice. In 2018, we calculated weight‐based doses of HCQ at two time points at least 6 months apart. We surveyed provider opinions regarding the 2016 AAO guidelines and implemented a quality improvement intervention during which dosing data were shared with all prescribers (individually and in aggregate) and nurse‐aided decision support was provided for HCQ refill requests. One year after the initial analysis and intervention, we again assessed weight‐based doses of HCQ for the 674 patients still taking HCQ.

Results

At both measured time points during 2018, 22.8% of patients received doses greater than 5 mg/kg/day. For 60% of those patients, the dose of HCQ was reduced to 5 mg/kg/day or less by the study end. Between the second time point in 2018 and the postintervention time point in 2019, there was a statistically significant increase in the proportion of patients receiving of dose of 5 mg/kg/day or less (from 74% to 87%; P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

We observed a significant increase in adherence with current AAO guidelines for weight‐based HCQ dosing after providing feedback to providers regarding their prescribing data and reviewing weight‐based dosing prior to refilling prescriptions.
A Review on Thermophysical Properties for Heat Transfer Enhancement of Carbon‐Based Nanolubricant
Authors: Saufi Muhammad Aiman Bin , Mamat Hussin Bin
Published: August 2021

In previous years, nanolubricants have gained attention in terms of their use as heat transfer fluids in applications such as engine cooling and air conditioning. Carbon‐based nanolubricants have attracted great interest due to their superior heat transfer performance. To date, the stability of a carbon‐based nanolubricant is crucial if the enhanced properties are to be retained after the fabrication process. In this context, the current research aims to review the stability and thermophysical properties of carbon‐based nanolubricants. Recent works on these nanolubricants are summarized herein, including the method of preparation and improvements in their properties. The factors that affect the thermal conductivity and viscosity are also discussed, and finally, the applications of nanolubricants are described. The recent studies of nanolubricants are summarized and opportunities for further improvements in their efficiency are suggested.
Thermal Reliability and Electrical Properties of Integrated Copper Inverse Opal Structures
Authors: Singhal Gaurav , Lohan Danny J. , Kohanek Julia , Joshi Shailesh N. , Braun Paul V.
Published: August 2021

Templating with self‐assembled colloidal crystals has enabled fabrication of porous materials with potential for sensing, heat transfer, and energy storage applications. Herein, electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties of templated electroplated metallic copper inverse opals (CIO) containing close‐packed 500 nm pores are evaluated via a four‐point probe, eddy current, lap shear measurements, thermal cycling, and finite‐element analysis (FEA). CIOs are found to have an electrical conductivity of ≈4 × 106 S m−1, about 15% of pure copper, about the expected value based on the measured electroplated copper conductivity and the CIO pore structure. The good electrical and thermal properties of this structure, coupled with its connected porosity, make it attractive for two‐phase cooling applications. However, the thermal reliability of this structure raises questions about its integrity. It is found that this structure fails around 150 cycles when cycled between −40 and 200 °C at 10 °C min−1. Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) images of failed samples show that the failure plane lies within the CIO and generally at the thinnest interconnects in the structure, which agrees with FEA of the CIO structure, which shows stress concentrations at thin regions of the interconnects in the structure.
Nanocellulose‐Based Functional Materials: From Chiral Photonics to Soft Actuator and Energy Storage
Authors: Lv Pengfei , Lu Xiaomin , Wang Ling , Feng Wei
Published: August 2021

Nanocellulose is currently in the limelight of extensive research from fundamental science to technological applications owing to its renewable and carbon‐neutral nature, superior biocompatibility, tailorable surface chemistry, and unprecedented optical and mechanical properties. Herein, an up‐to‐date account of the recent advancements in nanocellulose‐derived functional materials and their emerging applications in areas of chiral photonics, soft actuators, energy storage, and biomedical science is provided. The fundamental design and synthesis strategies for nanocellulose‐based functional materials are discussed. Their unique properties, underlying mechanisms, and potential applications are highlighted. Finally, this review provides a brief conclusion and elucidates both the challenges and opportunities of the intriguing nanocellulose‐based technologies rooted in materials and chemistry science. This review is expected to provide new insights for nanocellulose‐based chiral photonics, soft robotics, advanced energy, and novel biomedical technologies, and promote the rapid development of these highly interdisciplinary fields, including nanotechnology, nanoscience, biology, physics, synthetic chemistry, materials science, and device engineering.
A Bioprinting Process Supplemented with In Situ Electrical Stimulation Directly Induces Significant Myotube Formation and Myogenesis
Authors: Kim WonJin , Lee Hyeongjin , Lee Chang Kyu , Kyung Jae Won , An Seong Bae , Han In‐Bo , Kim Geun Hyung
Published: August 2021

Electric field stimulation has supported biophysical and biological cues for tissue regeneration approaches to affect cell morphology, alignment, and even cellular phenotypes types. Here, an innovative bioprinting approach supported by in situ electrical stiumlation (E‐printing) is used to fabricate a bioengineered skeletal muscle construct composed of human adipose stem cells and methacrylated decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM‐Ma) derived from porcine muscle. To obtain highly ordered myofiber‐like structures, various parameters of the printing process are optimized. The E‐printed structure exhibits higher cell viability and fully aligned cytoskeleton than the conventionally printed cell‐bearing structures, due to activation of voltage‐gated ion channels that affect various signaling pathways. When using the E‐printed structure, expression of myogenesis‐related genes is upregulated by 1.9–2.5‐fold higher than when using a dECM‐Ma structure produced without electrical stimulation. Furthermore, when implanted into a rat model of volumetric muscle loss, the structure yields outstanding myogenesis relative to the conventionally bioprinted structure.
Application of Mannose‐Functionalized Microgel as a Novel Vaccine Delivery Platform for Subunit Vaccines
Authors: Pan Yong , Qi Yanxin , Li Xiaoyuan , Luan Shifang , Huang Yubin
Published: August 2021

The recent outbreaks of a series of new infectious diseases have highlighted the pressing need to develop efficacious countermeasures, including preventive vaccines. Subunit vaccines are developed using the subunit proteins from pathogens to induce immune responses, which are safe but often limited by low immunogenicity. Particulate vaccines can potentially enhance the endocytosis efficiency of antigen‐presenting cells (APCs) and promote antigen delivery to the draining lymph nodes. Besides, the particulate vaccines that contain pathogen‐associated molecular patterns can promote antigen‐presenting by binding to pattern recognition receptors, thereby enhancing the efficacy of vaccination. Here, a new type of particulate subunit vaccine is developed, which is composed of model antigen ovalbumin and mannose‐modified microgels. The microgels can prevent the degradation of the antigen and control the slow release of the encapsulate antigen in a sustained manner. The mannose modified on the microgels can target the mannose receptor of the APCs, further improving the endocytosis efficiency of APCs and promoting the effectiveness of the subunit vaccine. This study addresses that the mannose‐modified microgel as a carrier can effectively promote the efficiency of the subunit vaccine, hence providing a promising platform for improving subunit vaccine.
Ultrafast Plasmon Thermalization in Epitaxial Graphene Probed by Time‐Resolved THz Spectroscopy
Authors: Paingad Vaisakh C. , Kunc Jan , Rejhon Martin , Rychetský Ivan , Mohelský Ivan , Orlita Milan , Kužel Petr
Published: August 2021

The control of carrier transport by electrical, chemical, or optical Fermi level tuning is central to graphene electronics. Here, an optical pump—terahertz (THz) probe spectroscopy—is applied to investigate ultrafast sheet conductivity dynamics in various epitaxially grown graphene layers representing a large variety of carbon allotropes, including H2 intercalated films. The graphene layers display a prominent plasmonic response connected with induced THz transparency spectra on ultrashort timescale. It is generally believed that the plasmonic excitations appear due to wrinkles, and substrate terraces that bring about natural confinement potentials. It is shown that these potentials act within micrometer‐sized domains with essentially isotropic character. The measured ultrafast dynamics are entirely controlled by the quasi‐Fermi level of laser‐excited carriers through their temperature. The photocarriers undergo a disorder‐enabled super‐collision cooling process with an initial picosecond transfer of the optically deposited heat to the lattice followed by a sub‐nanosecond relaxation governed by the lattice cooling. The transient spectra is described by a two‐temperature Drude‐Lorentz model revealing the ultrafast evolution of the carrier temperature and chemical potential and providing crucial material parameters such as Fermi energy, carrier mobility, carrier confinement length, and disorder mean free path.
Lithium Extraction by Emerging Metal–Organic Framework‐Based Membranes
Authors: Hou Jue , Zhang Huacheng , Thornton Aaron W. , Hill Anita J. , Wang Huanting , Konstas Kristina
Published: August 2021

Lithium is mainly extracted from brine and ores; however, current lithium mining methods require large amounts of chemicals, discharge many wastes, and can have serious environmental repercussions. Metal–organic framework (MOF)‐based membranes have shown great potential in lithium extraction due to their uniform pore sizes, high porosities, and rich host–guest chemistry compared to other materials. In this review, the processes and disadvantages of current lithium extraction technologies are introduced. The structure features and corresponding design strategy of MOFs suitable for Li+ ion separations are presented. Following, recent advances of polycrystalline MOF membranes, mixed matrix membranes, and MOF channel membranes for lithium‐ion separation are discussed in detail. Finally, opportunities for future developments and challenges in this emerging research field are presented.
A Flexible Smart Monitoring System for the Conservation of Textile Relics
Authors: Lin He , Yao Meiyu , Tao Yifei , Li Guangzhe , An Liang , Li Li
Published: August 2021

Textiles and apparel archaeology is an indispensable part of history and archaeology. As most unearthed textile relics are silk, soft and multi‐layered in nature, their frangibility poses enormous difficulties in their transportation, storage and exhibition. Traditional methods may not be suitable for accurately monitoring their condition under various external situations, due to the particularity of the textile relics. Herein, a smart, flexible, fabric‐based monitoring system, which integrates sensing fibers, textile technology, and traditional silkscreen conservation, is developed for the preservation and conservation of textile relics. The proposed integrated electrochemical fabric bears a high level of flexibility and diversification in structure, and furthermore can act as a protective cover to monitor external environmental impact factors such as pH value, strain, humidity, temperature, and ultraviolet light. The newly developed system can act as a daily monitoring solution to achieve real‐time and prolonged preventative control from various mechanisms of degradation, so as to ultimately support and uphold the conversation and preservation of textile relics.
Bistable Structures for Advanced Functional Systems
Authors: Cao Yunteng , Derakhshani Masoud , Fang Yuhui , Huang Guoliang , Cao Changyong
Published: August 2021

Bistable mechanical systems having two local minima of potential energy can rest in either of the two stable equilibrium states in the absence of external loadings. A snap‐through action may occur under suitable stimuli and/or loading, during which such systems exhibit distinct properties from linear structures. Such kinds of structures have been widely exploited for designing advanced functional systems for a variety of applications. Here, the advances of bistable structures are summarized for novel advanced functional systems, including actuators, energy harvesters, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), robotics, energy absorbers, and programmable devices as well as metamaterials. The controllable snap‐through motions are highlighted in the nonlinear structures of bistability/multistability. Finally, the major principles, structures, pros and cons, and the future research directions along with its challenges are discussed.
Bioinspired Dynamically Switchable PANI/PS‐b‐P2VP Thin Films for Multicolored Electrochromic Displays with Long‐Term Durability
Authors: Zhang Dashui , Wang Junxin , Tong Zhangfa , Ji Hongbing , Qu Hui‐Ying
Published: August 2021

Electrochromism has attracted wide attention as futuristic adaptive camouflage technologies due to its reversible and sustainable optical modulation with low energy consumption. However, limited color control of the electrochromic materials has hampered its applications. Inspired by the remarkable dynamic camouflage capabilities of cephalopods, polyaniline (PANI) and polystyrene‐block‐poly (2‐vinyl pyridine) (PS‐b‐P2VP) thin films are integrated to simulate chromatophores and iridophores in the skin of cephalopods, respectively. Herein, it is demonstrated that the adaptive lamellar PANI/PS‐b‐P2VP thin film exhibits a wide range of color control, switchable vivid coloration, and excellent durability. It serves as an ideal multicolored electrochromic platform due to the combined effect of electrochromism from PANI and structural coloration from PS‐b‐P2VP. Unambiguous evidence shows that optical properties of the PANI/PS‐b‐P2VP thin film are related to the thickness of each layer and nanostructure of PANI, pronounced color changes mainly depend on electronic states of PANI and transition of hydrated SO42− ions between PANI and P2VP. The coloration mechanism is discussed using quantitative analysis via RGB color specification and optical transmittance and reflectance simulations. The new insights will advance the design of reflection‐contributed superior multicolored electrochromic materials, and have great potential in the fields of displays and camouflage.
Sub 5 nm Gd3+–Hemoporfin Framework Nanodots for Augmented Sonodynamic Theranostics and Fast Renal Clearance
Authors: Geng Peng , Yu Nuo , Liu Xiaohan , Zhu Qin , Wen Mei , Ren Qian , Qiu Pu , Zhang Haijun , Li Maoquan , Chen Zhigang
Published: August 2021

Metal–organic nanomaterials have emerged as promising therapeutic agents to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) under ultrasound (US) or light irradiation for tumor treatments. However, their relatively large sizes (ranging from tens to hundreds of nanometers) usually lead to low ROS utilization and body metabolism, thus enlarging their long‐term toxicity and low therapeutic effect. To solve these shortcomings, herein the ultrasmall Gd3+–hemoporfin framework nanodots (GdHF‐NDs， ≈5 nm) is reported as efficient nano‐sonosensitizers. Compared with GdHF aggregation (GdHF‐A, ≈400 nm), the ultrasmall GdHF‐NDs generate 2.3‐fold toxic ROS amount under similar conditions, due to shorter diffusion path and larger relative specific surface area. When the GdHF‐NDs dispersion is introvenously injected into tumor‐bearing mouse, they are accumulated within tumors to provide high magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast. Under US irradiation, the GdHF‐NDs achieve a better sonodynamic therapeutic efficacy for tumors, compared with that from GdHF‐A. More importantly, owing to ultrasmall size, most of GdHF‐NDs can be rapidly cleared through the renal pathway. Therefore, GdHF‐NDs can be used as a biosafety and high‐performance sonodynamic agent for cancer theranostics.
Engineered Extracellular Matrices with Integrated Wireless Microactuators to Study Mechanobiology
Authors: Uslu Fazil E. , Davidson Christopher D. , Mailand Erik , Bouklas Nikolaos , Baker Brendon M. , Sakar Mahmut Selman
Published: August 2021

Mechanobiology explores how forces regulate cell behaviors and what molecular machinery are responsible for the sensing, transduction, and modulation of mechanical cues. To this end, probing of cells cultured on planar substrates has served as a primary experimental setting for many decades. However, native extracellular matrices (ECMs) consist of fibrous protein assemblies where the physical properties spanning from the individual fiber to the network architecture can influence the transmission of forces to and from the cells. Here, a robotic manipulation platform that allows wireless, localized, and programmable deformation of an engineered fibrous ECM is introduced. A finite‐element‐based digital twin of the fiber network calibrated against measured local and global parameters enables the calculation of deformations and stresses generated by different magnetic actuation schemes across a range of network properties. Physiologically relevant mechanical forces are applied to cells cultured on the fiber network, statically or dynamically, revealing insights into the effects of matrix‐borne forces and deformations as well as force‐mediated matrix remodeling on cell migration and intracellular signaling. These capabilities are not matched by any existing approach, and this versatile platform has the potential to uncover fundamental mechanisms of mechanobiology in settings with greater relevance to living tissues.
Fibroblast Response to Nanocolumnar TiO2 Structures Grown by Oblique Angle Sputter Deposition
Authors: Kapprell Uta , Friebe Sabrina , Grüner Susann , Grüner Christoph , Kupferer Astrid , Rauschenbach Bernd , Mayr Stefan G.
Published: August 2021

Cells are established to sense and respond to the properties, including nano‐ and microscale morphology, of the substrate they adhere to, which opens up the possibility to tailor bioactivity. With this background, the potential of tilted TiO2 nanostructures grown by oblique angle sputtering to affect fibroblasts with particular focus on inducing anisotropy in cell behavior is explored. By depositing TiO2 at different oblique angles relative to the substrate normal, morphologies, columnar tilt angle, roughness, and distances between neighbored nanocolumns can be adjusted. To assess bioactivity of the resulting structures, L929‐mouse fibroblasts are seeded in vitro on TiO2 nanostructured substrates. Angle‐dependent movement and velocity distributions of the cells on differently tilted columns and a smooth reference sample are studied. Cell proliferation rates and cell areas are additional factors which provide information about viability and the well‐being of cells. It could be shown that the local topography of the surface has an influence on the directed movement of the cells.
Recent Progress in the Nanoskiving Approach: A Review of Methodology, Devices, and Applications
Authors: Fang Zhuo , Yan Yongda , Geng Yanquan
Published: August 2021

Nanoskiving is a unique nanomanufacturing method that can be used to cut out nanostructures directly with well‐controlled shapes and sizes. Over the past 10 years, nanoskiving techniques have evolved in terms of optimization of the sectioning parameters and development of the transfer and alignment approaches. In addition, the range of compatible materials for nanoskiving is expanding via combination of the technique with other bottom–up and top–down methods; for example, soft materials such as block polymers and hard materials such as cemented carbide and semiconductor materials are now able to be nanosized successfully, despite previously being considered incompatible with nanoskiving technology. The preparation of these structures by the nanoskiving method opens a convenient door to verification of the application of this technique to device miniaturization in fields including optics, electrochemistry, electronics, and biology. This review outlines the advances made in nanoskiving, including those in the fabrication process, the development of suitable applications, and the challenges and opportunities for future exploration of the technology.
Sliding Triboelectric Circular Motion Sensor with Real‐Time Hardware Processing
Authors: Xie Zhijie , Zeng Zhenghui , Yang Fei , Lv Jingliang , Wang Yu , Wu Rensuan , Liu Jiaxiu , Wang Zhong Lin , Cheng Tinghai
Published: August 2021

Since circular motion becomes an important part of automated circulation equipment, a sliding triboelectric circular motion sensor (S‐TCMS) has been demonstrated to monitor the velocity and displacement of a circular motion. The S‐TCMS consists of the stator and slider, which is integrated with automated circular motion equipment for sensing applications. When the slider of PTFE grid slides between the stator's electrodes, four electrical signals are produced in the staggered electrode. The experimental results show that the voltage amplitude remains constant at different sliding velocities, showing good sensing stability. Also, this work proposes a real‐time hardware signal processing method, which converts the original S‐TCMS signal into two standard square wave signals. The method makes the sensing detection of S‐TCMS independent from electrostatic instrument and reduces the occupation of hardware resources. The sensing experimental results show that S‐TCMS can detect the velocity of circular motion with the maximum velocity deviation rate of less than 0.37%, the angular position sensing detection accuracy of 0.42°. The S‐TCMS shows good circular motion‐sensing characteristics after hardware signal processing.
Lead‐Free Perovskites‐Based Photonic Synaptic Devices with Logic Functions
Authors: Hao Dandan , Liu Dapeng , Zhang Junyao , Wang Yan , Huang Jia
Published: August 2021

Lead halide perovskites have shown great potential in photonic synaptic devices owing to their notable optical properties. However, the inherent toxicity of lead and complex configuration of the device hinder the further development of perovskites‐based photonic synaptic devices. Here, lead‐free double perovskite Cs2AgSbBr6 is first used to fabricate photonic synaptic devices. The photonic synaptic device with a simple structure exhibits decent reproducibility and stability. By tuning external light signals, photonic synaptic devices based on Cs2AgSbBr6 can mimic primary synaptic behaviors, such as excitatory postsynaptic current, paired pulse facilitation, short‐term memory (STM), long‐term memory (LTM), the transfer between STM and LTM, and the “learning‐forgetting‐relearning” process. Furthermore, the temperature effect on the learning and memory process is investigated. Importantly, logic functions of “OR” and “AND” operations are realized. This work suggests the great potential of Cs2AgSbBr6 in future neuromorphic computation.
Perovskite La0.3Sr0.7Fe0.7Cr0.3O3−δ Catalysis Raises the Bar: Preventing Unwanted Near‐Surface Sr Segregation and SrCO3 Precipitation
Authors: Fidelsky Kozokaro Vicky , Caspary Toroker Maytal
Published: August 2021

Sr surface segregation (SSS) in perovskite materials is a main factor causing efficiency degradation of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC's), and therefore can affect the La0.3Sr0.7Fe0.7Cr0.3O3−δ perovskite, which is known as a compatible anode and cathode in a reversible and symmetric SOFC. As a result of segregation, the atomic rearrangements in the near‐surface environment are likely to generate additional phases to the original one such as strontium carbonate (SrCO3) at high CO2 pressure. In the current work, first principal calculations are carried out for modeling the initial formation of SrCO3 after Sr segregation in LSFCr with CO2 presence. It is found that the tendency of CO2 to participate in SrCO3 phase formation is a competing reaction to its reduction to CO on the LSFCr material, and O vacancies are needed not only to improve CO2 reduction but also to block the competing reaction of SrCO3 adsorption. Therefore, LSFCr successfully “raises the bar” of CO2 reduction catalytic efficiency by preventing unwanted Sr segregation at high concentrations of surface oxygen vacancies.
Overcoming Chemoimmunotherapy‐Induced Immunosuppression by Assemblable and Depot Forming Immune Modulating Nanosuspension
Authors: Jin Seung Mo , Lee Sang Nam , Kim Jung Eun , Yoo Yeon Jeong , Song Chanyoung , Shin Hong Sik , Phuengkham Hathaichanok , Lee Chang Hoon , Um Soong Ho , Lim Yong Taik
Published: August 2021

The deficiency of antigen‐specific T cells and the induction of various treatment‐induced immunosuppressions still limits the clinical benefit of cancer immunotherapy. Although the chemo‐immunotherapy adjuvanted with Toll‐like receptor 7/8 agonist (TLR 7/8a) induces immunogenic cell death (ICD) and in situ vaccination effect, indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO) is also significantly increased in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and tumor‐draining lymph node (TDLN), which offsets the activated antitumor immunity. To address the treatment‐induced immunosuppression, an assemblable immune modulating suspension (AIMS) containing ICD inducer (paclitaxel) and supra‐adjuvant (immune booster; R848 as a TLR 7/8a, immunosuppression reliever; epacadostat as an IDO inhibitor) is suggested and shows that it increases cytotoxic T lymphocytes and relieves the IDO‐related immunosuppression (TGF‐β, IL‐10, myeloid‐derived suppressor cells, and regulatory T cells) in both TME and TDLN, by the formation of in situ depot in tumor bed as well as by the efficient migration into TDLN. Local administration of AIMS increases T cell infiltration in both local and distant tumors and significantly inhibits the metastasis of tumors to the lung. Reverting treatment‐induced secondary immunosuppression and reshaping “cold tumor” into “hot tumor” by AIMS also increases the response rate of immune checkpoint blockade therapy, which promises a new nanotheranostic strategy in cancer immunotherapy.
Requirements for Beneficial Electrochemical Restructuring: A Model Study on a Cobalt Oxide in Selected Electrolytes
Authors: Villalobos Javier , González‐Flores Diego , Urcuyo Roberto , Montero Mavis L. , Schuck Götz , Beyer Paul , Risch Marcel
Published: August 2021

The requirements for beneficial materials restructuring into a higher performance oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalyst are still a largely open question. Here erythrite (Co3(AsO4)2·8H2O) is used as a Co‐based OER electrocatalyst to evaluate its catalytic properties during in situ restructuring into an amorphous Co‐based catalyst in four different electrolytes at pH 7. Using diffraction, microscopy, and spectroscopy, a strong effect in the restructuring behavior is observed depending of the anions in the electrolyte. Only carbonate electrolyte can activate the catalyst material, which is related to its slow restructuring process. While the catalyst turnover frequency (TOF) undesirably reduces by a factor of 28, the number of redox active sites continuously increases to a factor of 56, which results in an overall twofold increase in current of the restructured catalyst after 800 cycles. The activation is attributed to an adequate local order, a high Co oxidation state close to 3+, and a high number of redox‐active Co ions. These three requirements for beneficial restructuring provide new insights into the rational design of high‐performance OER catalysts by electrochemical restructuring.
Discrimination of Urochloa seed genotypes through image analysis: Morphological features
Authors: de Freitas Marcella Nunes , Dias Marcos Altomani Neves , Gomes‐Junior Francisco Guilhien , Abud Haynna Fernandes , de Araújo Lúcio Borges , de Moraes Thiago Finotti
Published: August 2021

The tropical forage species seed market, including signalgrass (Urochloa), is expanding. There is demand for fast, automated methods that can be implemented for quality control of the seeds produced, with the aim of evaluating physical purity. In this respect, seed morphological features obtained by processing radiographs with the Tomato Analyzer software and of red–green–blue obtained and processed on the Groundeye device were used to test differentiation of materials of the Urochloa genus. Seeds of Urochloa brizantha (A.Rich.) R.D.Webster cvv. BRS Piatã, Marandu, and Xaraés MG‐5; Urochloa ruziziensis (R.Germ. & C.M.Evrard) Crins cv. Ruziziensis; and Urochloa decumbens (Stapf) R.D.Webster cv. Basilisk were evaluated. Morphological features obtained by Tomato Analyzer allowed differentiation of Urochloa seeds at an accuracy level greater than 80% for all the materials evaluated. Seed area was one of the features that allowed this differentiation. The Groundeye system also showed high efficiency in distinguishing Urochloa seeds, except for Piatã and Xaraés, which exhibited morphological similarity, and lower accuracy levels in distinguishing their seeds (<50%). Additional studies should be conducted to evaluate Urochloa seed lots from other origins to validate the use of image analysis techniques for the purpose of obtaining morphological features and to assist in determining the physical purity of the materials.
Potato crop stress identification in aerial images using deep learning‐based object detection
Authors: Butte Sujata , Vakanski Aleksandar , Duellman Kasia , Wang Haotian , Mirkouei Amin
Published: August 2021

Recent research on the application of remote sensing and deep learning‐based analysis in precision agriculture demonstrated a potential for improved crop management and reduced environmental impacts of agricultural production. Despite the promising results, the practical relevance of these technologies for field deployment requires novel algorithms that are customized for analysis of agricultural images and robust to implementation on natural field imagery. The paper presents an approach for analyzing aerial images of a potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) crop using deep neural networks. The main objective is to demonstrate automated spatial recognition of healthy vs. stressed crop at a plant level. Specifically, we examine premature plant senescence resulting in drought stress on ‘Russet Burbank’ potato plants. We propose a novel deep learning (DL) model for detecting crop stress, named Retina‐UNet‐Ag. The proposed architecture is a variant of Retina‐UNet and includes connections from low‐level semantic representation maps to the feature pyramid network. The paper also introduces a dataset of aerial field images acquired with a Parrot Sequoia camera. The dataset includes manually annotated bounding boxes of healthy and stressed plant regions. Experimental validation demonstrated the ability for distinguishing healthy and stressed plants in field images, achieving an average dice score coefficient (DSC) of 0.74. A comparison to related state‐of‐the‐art DL models for object detection revealed that the presented approach is effective for this task. The proposed method is conducive toward the assessment and recognition of potato crop stress in aerial field images collected under natural conditions.
Evaluation of growth and yield of indigo ecotypes in different sowing dates and genetic diversity analysis using AFLP markers
Authors: Rastegari Faramarz , Tohidinejad Enayatollah , Mohammadi‐Nejad Ghasem
Published: August 2021

Indigo (Indigoferatinctoria L.), as a forgotten crop, has immense industrial and medicinal value. In this research, the effect of sowing date on the leaf, seed, and dye yield of indigo was examined at Jiroft, Iran, during the 2013 and 2014 growing seasons. The experiment was arranged as a split‐plot based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. Planting dates (5 May, 20 May, and 5 June) and indigo ecotypes as landraces of Jiroft, Roudbar, Rigan, and Ghale‐ganj were considered as main and subplots, respectively, aiming to evaluate their effects on pod number/plant, 1,000‐seed weight, seed number/pod, leaf dry weight, seed yield, as well as indigo dye percentage and yield. The results indicated that the indigo content was greater at the second sowing date (0.68%) than the first (0.66%) and third (0.65%) dates. Further, the indigo percentage was greater in Jiroft and Roudbar ecotypes compared with Rigan and Ghale‐ganj. Seed yield at the second and third sowing dates significantly increased (560.3 kg ha–1) and reduced (188.4 kg ha–1), respectively, compared with the first sowing date (261.4 kg ha–1). Furthermore, the highest value of leaf dry weight, indigo yield, and seed yield were obtained from the Jiroft ecotype at the second sowing date; in contrast, the lowest of these parameters were recorded in the Ghale‐ganj ecotype at the latest sowing date. Moreover, the genetic diversity of ecotypes was studied using the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) marker. Based on the dendrogram, the four ecotypes of indigo were divided into three groups; thus, Jiroft and Rudbar, geographically close to each other and almost the same, were in one group, and Reagan and Ghale‐Ganj were in separate groups. Overall, based on this research results, Jiroft and 20 May could be suggested as the best ecotype and sowing date of indigo for the examined region. Obtained results can also be useful for expanding and facilitating the cultivation of neglected plants.
Greenhouse gas mitigation strategies and opportunities for agriculture
Authors: Kwon Hoyoung , Liu Xinyu , Xu Hui , Wang Michael
Published: August 2021

To cope with increasing demands for food, feed, and energy along with environmental challenges due to climate change, the agricultural sector has a unique opportunity to meet sustainable development goals set by the United Nations through innovative and regenerative agriculture practices that enhance agricultural productivity, ecosystem services, and human well‐being simultaneously. Among many sustainability metrics to measure agriculture's impacts on sustainability and contribution to its improvements, we focus on the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the agricultural sector as a key environmental indicator to assess several GHG mitigation practices from the perspective of life‐cycle analysis applied to agriculture. We first analyze the key factors contributing to farming GHG emissions and then identify a range of GHG mitigation strategies, such as optimizing farm fertilizer/chemical inputs, manufacturing low‐carbon fertilizer/chemical, reducing on‐farm energy/fuel consumption, and increasing soil carbon stocks. Furthermore, we elaborate on how these strategies can be successfully implemented to different scales of farming through policies and incentives and better quantification and verification schemes for effective policies and incentives. Finally, we present the holistic evaluation of agricultural GHG emissions in terms of landscape management approaches and provide ecosystem services to address social and economic issues.
Penetrating cardiac injury repaired under “intentional cardiac arrest” with adenosine triphosphate
Authors: Hagiwara Kazuki , Inoue Jun‐ichi , Matumoto Gaku , Iwase Fumiaki
Published: August 2021

Background

Repairing a cardiac injury with beating heart is sometimes difficult and is associated with increased risks of complications. Here we report a case of cardiac injury repaired with administration of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

Case Presentation

A 46‐year‐old man was stabbed in his chest with a knife and transferred to our hospital. He was hemodynamically unstable, and echocardiography showed pericardial effusion. Emergency thoracotomy revealed a full‐thickness injury in the right ventricle next to the coronary artery. He went into cardiac arrest and was resuscitated with adrenaline administration. We tried to suture immediately, but it was difficult because of tachycardia. After administering 20 mg of ATP (80 mg in total over 15 min), bradycardia was induced that led to “intentional cardiac arrest” after which suturing was performed. He was discharged on the 13th day without complications.

Conclusion

Cases of penetrating cardiac injury repaired using ATP are rare. Administration of ATP may be a useful option while repairing cardiac injuries.
The Bis(η6‐benzene)lithium Cation: A Fundamental Main‐Group Organometallic Species
Authors: Jie Xiaoming , Li Jun , Daniliuc Constantin G. , Wübker Anna‐Lena , Hansen Michael Ryan , Eckert Hellmut , Mück‐Lichtenfeld Christian , Kehr Gerald , Erker Gerhard
Published: August 2021

The synthesis and characterization of the bis(η6‐benzene)lithium cation, the benzene metallocene of the lightest metal, is reported. The boron compound FmesBCl2 [Fmes: 2,4,6‐tris(trifluoromethyl)phenyl] reacted with three molar equivalents of the lithio‐acetylene reagent Li‐C≡C‐Fmxyl [Fmxyl: 3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]. Subsequent crystallization from benzene gave the [bis(η6‐benzene)Li]+ cation with the [{FmesB(‐C≡C‐Fmxyl)3}2Li]− anion. This parent [(arene)2Li]+ cation shows an eclipsed arrangement of the pair of benzene ligands at the central lithium cation with uniform carbon‐lithium bond lengths. The corresponding [(η6‐toluene)2Li]+ and [(η6‐durene)2Li]+ containing salts were similarly prepared. The bis(arene)lithium cations were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, by solid‐state 7Li MAS NMR spectroscopy and their bonding features were analyzed by DFT calculations.
Effects of AOT reverse micelle extraction on structure and emulsifying properties of soybean protein
Authors: Zhang Lifen , Zhang Mingzhu , Sun Xiaoyang , Chen Fusheng , Wu Qian
Published: August 2021

The present study aimed to investigate the forward and backward extraction efficiency, structure, and emulsifying properties of soybean proteins obtained through bis (2‐ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate sodium salt (AOT) reverse micelle, as well as their relationship. The results showed that the extraction efficiency was the highest with the forward extraction time of 25 min, pH of 3.0, temperature of 45°C, KCl concentration of 0.0 mol L−1, and the backward extraction time of 10 min, pH of 4.0, temperature of 30°C, KCl concentration of 0.5 mol L−1. Significant changes in the secondary structure and fluorescence intensity of soybean protein after AOT reverse micelle extraction were observed. More β‐sheet structure and higher fluorescence intensity corresponded to the higher emulsion stability of soybean protein. The results indicated that reverse micelle extraction shows great application in food industry.
Use of mixture design to optimize nanofabrication of dithiocarbazate–loaded polylactic acid nanoparticles
Authors: Costa Rebeca de Oliveira , Coutinho Janclei Pereira , Santos Rodrigo Luis Silva Ribeiro
Published: August 2021

In recent years, polyester polymers such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA) have been extensively studied for drug delivery systems due to their biocompatible, biodegradable, and nontoxic pharmacological properties. Moreover, dithiocarbazate Schiff bases containing sulfur‐nitrogen donor atoms are interesting in the context of coordination chemistry and pharmacological applications. The aim of the present study was to optimize the encapsulation of 1‐(S‐benzyldithiocarbazate)‐3‐methyl‐5‐phenyl‐pyrazole (DTC) into PLA nanoparticles (NPs) by using a simplex‐centroid design to investigate the effect of mixture component ratios on the response. The effect of NP composition (PLA, DTC, and PVA surfactant) on two dependent responses (polydispersity index [PDI] and size distribution) was studied. The mathematical models established were well‐fitted to the experimental data, and their response surfaces allowed the PDI (0.09 ± 0.01) and size distribution (119 ± 3 nm) to be predicted. Afterwards, the optimized DTC‐loaded PLA NPs were prepared and lyophilized. Univariate analysis was used to study the effects of a cryoprotectant, sample dilution, and pH on the colloidal stability of the NPs. The developed NPs exhibited good colloidal stability with adequate mean size (123 ± 9 nm), monomodal size distribution (PDI = 0.10 ± 0.01), and high‐anionic zeta potential (−39.5 ± 3.3 mV). The encapsulation efficiency and drug loading were 29 and 2%, respectively. The use of sucrose as a cryoprotectant is necessary to stabilize the NPs during the lyophilization process and maintain their spherical shape. The pH medium of NPs (5.0, 7.0, or 9.0) did not exhibit significant changes in the analytical response, while highly diluted NP samples (100‐fold) might affect their colloidal stability. Finally, this multivariate optimization allowed for the preparation of colloidally stable NPs with narrow size distribution.
The child in the school, the school in the community, and the community in the child: Linking psychic and social domains in school violence prevention
Authors: Pivnick Billie A. , Hassinger Jane A.
Published: August 2021

Despite efforts to broaden the focus of school safety provision beyond eliminating individual problematic students, interventions in school contexts have traditionally focused on helping the troubled child adapt to the school; less often do schools view the child's symptoms as reflecting troubles in the community which in turn impact children. Even the “school climate” approach, which is innovative in viewing the child in light of social influences contributing to identity and affective co‐regulation, may not sufficiently illuminate the interactions among neurobiology, teaching methods, family support/networks, organizational systems, and cultural/political disruptions. In this article, we focus on Cohen and Rappaport’s complementary papers on preventing school violence. Although both papers thoughtfully consider individual and school‐climate factors, a common feature in both is the replication of our cultural tendency to split the psychic domain from the social realm—to favor approaches that emphasize individual psychopathology over ones that view the individual and community as inextricably linked and mutually constitutive (Layton, 2020). Models for assessment often unconsciously favor frameworks for understanding individuals' symptoms as opposed to approaches that view symptoms as expressing the needs and troubles of both the individual and the community. We propose that the dialectical relationship between individual and community is the nexus from which we can understand the impact of family and community distress on individual psychopathology in ways that could culminate in a violent incident. We will explore how, in the context of Cohen's policy proposals and Rappaport's case study, a community psychoanalytic model can mobilize different interventions and resources.
Psychological distress among caregivers raising a child with autism spectrum disorder during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Kalb Luther G. , Badillo‐Goicoechea Elena , Holingue Calliope , Riehm Kira E. , Thrul Johannes , Stuart Elizabeth A. , Smail Emily J. , Law Kiely , White‐Lehman Casey , Fallin Daniele
Published: August 2021

The COVID‐19 pandemic may disproportionately impact parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Loss of services and supports, heightened fears about increased infection rates, and disruption of daily routines likely adversely affect the well‐being of children with ASD and their families. The goal of this study was to examine differences in psychological distress–as defined by symptoms of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and hyperarousal–between parents raising a child with ASD and parents in the US as a whole during the early stages of the pandemic (March–April 2020). Parents raising a child with ASD (n = 3556) were recruited through SPARK, a national ASD research registry, whereas a representative sample of parents in the US (n = 5506) were recruited from the Pew Research Center's American Trends Panel. All data were captured via online surveys. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regressions examined psychological distress at the item and summary score level. Parents of children with ASD reported higher levels of overall psychological distress (48% vs. 25%; aOR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.32, 1.84, p < 0.001). Hyperarousal, or feelings of panic when thinking about COVID‐19, was particularly prevalent among parents of children with ASD compared to parents in the US (25% vs. 9%; aOR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.83, 3.07, p < 0.001). Findings highlight the importance of considering the policies and practices that contribute to poor mental health in parents, particularly those raising a child with ASD, to ensure mental health services remain accessible.

Lay Summary

This study examined the mental health of parents raising a child with ASD during the early stages of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Results demonstrated substantially higher levels of psychological distress, particularly those related to feelings of panic, among parents raising a child with ASD when compared to parents in the US as a whole. These data suggest the need for ensuring mental health services are accessible to parents, particularly those raising a child with ASD, during and after the pandemic.
Fluorescent xylitol carbon dots: A potent antimicrobial agent and drug carrier
Authors: Ahuja Vishal , Banerjee Somesh , Roy Partha , Bhatt Arvind Kumar
Published: August 2021

Biomolecular carbon dots (CDs) have immense potential for various industries due to exceptional bioactivity, biocompatibility, low toxicity, and biodegradability. In the present work xylitol (Xlt), a natural sweetener produced by microbial fermentation of sugarcane bagasse (71.98% conversion) has been used for CDs preparation by microwave‐assisted carbonization in the presence of ethylene diamine (EDA). The resultant xylitol carbon dots (XCDs) were irregular shaped, rough with an average size of 8.88 nm and exhibiting fluorescence between 400 and 450 nm. The presence of EDA preserves the native chemical structure of Xlt even after exposure to microwaves. Purified XCDs were conjugated (AM‐XCD) with ketoconazole and tetracycline for fungi and bacteria, respectively. In comparison to Xlt, XCDs have higher inhibitory potential and reduced dosage size of antimicrobials against Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida albicans, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Escherichia coli by 75%, 75%, 87.50%, and 50%, respectively. For Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella typhi also inhibitory potential was increased by 14.68% and 21.38%. Increased efficacy advocated the improved drug delivery in the presence of XCDs. However, no inhibitory effect was recorded against DU145 (human prostate cancer) and HCT‐15 (human colon adenocarcinoma) cell lines. The findings of the current work suggested the possible use of Xlt as an important antimicrobial agent besides an efficient drug carrier in healthcare.