bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Haematological Parameters in Cerebrovascular Accidents: a Retrospective Study in Tertiary Care Centre
Authors: M. Vanishree , U. Sunderesh Kamal Chander , E. Yogalakshmi , Sulochana Sonti
Published: August 2022

Aim: To analyse hematological parameters in Cerebrovascular disease

Study design :A retrospective study

Place of Study: The study was carried out in Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Tamil Nadu, India.

Methodology: This is a retrospective study conducted in Saveetha medical college and hospital during the period of December 2020 and May 2021. The study includes 260 cases, of which 130 CVA patients and 130 control group was taken. Haematological parameters were obtained using Sysmex Automated Analyzer XN-1000.

Statistical analysis was done by SPSS software version 23, with descriptive and independent t test. The level of significance was taken as p value<0.05

Results: CVA are due to two main causes, ischaemic (63.84%) and haemorrhagic infarct (36.15%) The age ranges from 47-69 among stroke subjects. The mean age of control(38.80±12.40years) and CVA group(58.177±11.78years). Both ischaemic and haemorrhagic infarcts are more common among male. On haematological parameters study, analysis showed platelet was increased in CVA than control group. RBC, PCV, MCV, MCHC, TC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, eosinophil, basophil are significant. Haemoglobin, MCH, RDW and monocyte revealed no significance.

Conclusion: In this study, haematological parameters of ischemic CVA patients were greatly altered. The presence of persistently altered status of haematological parameters cerebral ischemic event indicate that these parameters can be considered a simple inflammatory indicator during the development of ischemic damage.
The Effects of Education and Sustainable Development on the Palestinian Economy and Business Student Behaviour
Authors: Badwan Nemer , Awad Sana , Jbara Lubna
Published: August 2022

Researchers and policymakers have long been interested in education for sustainable development (ESD). Despite a sizable body of research, more thorough empirical investigations are needed to comprehend how sustainable development goals are applied in higher education and how (ESD) could be used to influence sustainable behaviour. The two main drivers behind this sort of study are the lack of studies examining economic and business higher education and the requirement to accurately measure the relationship between (ESD) principles and students' behaviour. In light of this justification, the current study seeks to offer an overview of how students’ perceptions of sustainable campus efforts, teaching staff engagement, and curriculum influence their sustainable behaviour. The statistical and econometric analysis performed on survey data of students from Birzeit University (BZU) (N = 1062) reveals insights into the degree to which students’ knowledge of topics relating to sustainable development is obtained via education results in sustainable behaviour. According to the findings, we contend that a greater emphasis on sustainable development subjects along with efforts by teaching staff to increase student understanding of sustainability concerns are essential to promoting sustainable behaviour in students. On-campus activities are unlikely to alter behaviour unless they are elective rather than mandated. Our findings confirm the essential need for consistency in developing higher education to sustainability challenges, as education is one of the key drivers of sustainable development.
Changes in Migration and Mortality Among Patients With Kidney Failure in Puerto Rico After Hurricane Maria
Authors: Rivera-Hernandez Maricruz , Kim Daeho , Nguyen Kevin H. , Thorsness Rebecca , Lee Yoojin , Swaminathan Shailender , Mehrotra Rajnish , Trivedi Amal N.
Published: August 2022

Importance

On September 20, 2017, one of the most destructive hurricanes in US history made landfall in Puerto Rico. Anecdotal reports suggest that many persons with kidney failure left Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria; however, empirical estimates of migration and health outcomes for this population are scarce.

Objective

To assess the changes in migration and mortality among patients with kidney failure in need of dialysis treatment in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study used an interrupted time-series design of 6-month mortality rates and migration of 11 652 patients who received hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis care in Puerto Rico before Hurricane Maria (before October 1, 2017) and/or during and after Hurricane Maria (on/after October 1, 2017). Data analyses were performed from February 12, 2019, to June 16, 2022..

Main Outcomes and Measures

Number of unique persons dialyzed in Puerto Rico per quarter; receipt of dialysis treatment outside Puerto Rico per quarter; and 6-month mortality rate per person-quarter for all persons undergoing dialysis.

Exposures

Hurricane Maria.

Results

The entire study sample comprised 11 652 unique persons (mean [SD] age, 59 [14.7] years; 7157 [61.6%] men and 4465 [38.4%] women; 10 675 [91.9%] Hispanic individuals). There were 9022 patients with kidney failure and dialysis treatment before and 5397 patients after Hurricane Maria. Before the hurricane, the mean quarterly number of unique persons dialyzed in Puerto Rico was 2834 per quarter (95% CI, 2771-2897); afterwards it dropped to 261 (95% CI, −348 to −175; relative change, 9.2%). The percentage of persons who had 1 or more dialysis sessions outside of Puerto Rico in the next quarter following a previous dialysis in Puerto Rico was 7.1% before Hurricane Maria (95% CI, 4.8 to 9.3). There was a significant increase of 5.8 percentage points immediately after the hurricane (95% CI, 2.7 to 9.0). The 6-month mortality rate per person-quarter was 0.08 (95% CI, 0.08 to 0.09), and there was a nonsignificant increase in level of mortality rates and a nonsignificant decreasing trend in mortality rates.

Conclusions and Relevance

The findings of this cross-sectional study suggest there was a significant increase in the number of people receiving dialysis outside of Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. However, no significant differences in mortality rates before and after the hurricane were found, which may reflect disaster emergency preparedness among dialysis facilities and the population with kidney failure, as well as efforts from other stakeholders.
Identification and targeting of a HES1‐YAP1‐CDKN1C functional interaction in fusion‐negative rhabdomyosarcoma
Authors: Kovach Alexander R. , Oristian Kristianne M. , Kirsch David G. , Bentley Rex C. , Cheng Changde , Chen Xiang , Chen Po‐Han , Chi Jen‐Tsan Ashley , Linardic Corinne M.
Published: August 2022

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), a cancer characterized by features of skeletal muscle, is the most common soft‐tissue sarcoma of childhood. With 5‐year survival rates among high‐risk groups at < 30%, new therapeutics are desperately needed. Previously, using a myoblast‐based model of fusion‐negative RMS (FN‐RMS), we found that expression of the Hippo pathway effector transcriptional coactivator YAP1 (YAP1) permitted senescence bypass and subsequent transformation to malignant cells, mimicking FN‐RMS. We also found that YAP1 engages in a positive feedback loop with Notch signaling to promote FN‐RMS tumorigenesis. However, we could not identify an immediate downstream impact of this Hippo‐Notch relationship. Here, we identify a HES1‐YAP1‐CDKN1C functional interaction, and show that knockdown of the Notch effector HES1 (Hes family BHLH transcription factor 1) impairs growth of multiple FN‐RMS cell lines, with knockdown resulting in decreased YAP1 and increased CDKN1C expression. In silico mining of published proteomic and transcriptomic profiles of human RMS patient‐derived xenografts revealed the same pattern of HES1‐YAP1‐CDKN1C expression. Treatment of FN‐RMS cells in vitro with the recently described HES1 small‐molecule inhibitor, JI130, limited FN‐RMS cell growth. Inhibition of HES1 in vivo via conditional expression of a HES1‐directed shRNA or JI130 dosing impaired FN‐RMS tumor xenograft growth. Lastly, targeted transcriptomic profiling of FN‐RMS xenografts in the context of HES1 suppression identified associations between HES1 and RAS‐MAPK signaling. In summary, these in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies support the further investigation of HES1 as a therapeutic target in FN‐RMS.
Approaching the External Quantum Efficiency Limit in 2D Photovoltaic Devices
Authors: Wang Haoyun , Wang Wei , Zhong Yongle , Li Dongyan , Li Zexin , Xu Xiang , Song Xingyu , Chen Yunxin , Huang Pu , Mei Anyi , Han Hongwei , Zhai Tianyou , Zhou Xing
Published: August 2022

2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are promising candidates for realizing ultrathin and high‐performance photovoltaic devices. However, the external quantum efficiency (EQE) and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of most 2D photovoltaic devices face great challenges in exceeding 50% and 3%, respectively, due to the low efficiency of photocarrier separation and collection. Here, this study demonstrates photovoltaic devices with defect‐free interface and recombination‐free channel based on 2D WS2, showing high EQE of 92% approaching the theoretical limit and high PCE of 5.0%. The high performances are attributed to the van der Waals metal contact without interface defects and Fermi‐level pinning, and the fully depleted channel without photocarrier recombination, leading to intrinsic photocarrier separation and collection with high efficiency. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that the strategy can be extended to other TMDs such as MoSe2 and WSe2 with EQE of 92% and 94%, respectively. This work proposes a universal strategy for building high‐performance 2D photovoltaic devices. The nearly ideal EQE provides great potential for PCE approaching the Shockley–Queisser limit.
Visible Light‐Induced Radical‐Radical Coupling: One‐Pot Synthesis of 6‐Benzyl‐6‐hydroxyindolo[2,1‐b]quinazolin‐12(6H)‐ones from Isatins and Potassium Benzyl Trifluoroborates
Authors: Huang Lan‐Qian , Dong Chun‐Lin , He Yan‐Hong , Guan Zhi
Published: August 2022

A method for one‐pot synthesis of 6‐benzyl‐6‐hydroxyindolo[2,1‐b]quinazolin‐12(6H)‐ones from isatins and potassium benzyl trifluoroborates was developed. Bioactive tryptanthrin skeleton can be constructed by visible light‐induced radical‐radical cross coupling, in which C−C and C−N bonds are formed in one pot. With this method, 31 products were synthesized directly from isatins in 22–86% yields. Notable features of this method include mild reaction conditions, metal‐ and external oxidant‐free, and direct construction of high‐value complex structures from inexpensive and readily available starting materials.

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Mechanical Confinement and DDR1 Signaling Synergize to Regulate Collagen‐Induced Apoptosis in Rhabdomyosarcoma Cells
Authors: Gonzalez‐Molina Jordi , Kirchhof Katharina Miria , Rathod Bhavik , Moyano‐Galceran Lidia , Calvo‐Noriega Maria , Kokaraki Georgia , Bjørkøy Astrid , Ehnman Monika , Carlson Joseph W. , Lehti Kaisa
Published: August 2022

Fibrillar collagens promote cell proliferation, migration, and survival in various epithelial cancers and are generally associated with tumor aggressiveness. However, the impact of fibrillar collagens on soft tissue sarcoma behavior remains poorly understood. Unexpectedly, this study finds that fibrillar collagen‐related gene expression is associated with favorable patient prognosis in rhabdomyosarcoma. By developing and using collagen matrices with distinct stiffness and in vivo‐like microarchitectures, this study uncovers that the activation of DDR1 has pro‐apoptotic and of integrin β1 pro‐survival function, specifically in 3D rhabdomyosarcoma cell cultures. It demonstrates that rhabdomyosarcoma cell‐intrinsic or extrinsic matrix remodeling promotes cell survival. Mechanistically, the 3D‐specific collagen‐induced apoptosis results from a dual DDR1‐independent and a synergistic DDR1‐dependent TRPV4‐mediated response to mechanical confinement. Altogether, these results indicate that dense microfibrillar collagen‐rich microenvironments are detrimental to rhabdomyosarcoma cells through an apoptotic response orchestrated by the induction of DDR1 signaling and mechanical confinement. This mechanism helps to explain the preference of rhabdomyosarcoma cells to grow in and metastasize to low fibrillar collagen microenvironments such as the lung.
Adopt or not adopt? Mirror clauses and the European Green Deal
Authors: Beckman Jayson , Ivanic Maros , Jelliffe Jeremy , Arita Shawn
Published: August 2022

Mirror clauses have recently been discussed as a way of setting a level playing field for EU farmers in terms of the proposed European Green Deal (EGD) and the proposed reduction in usage of agricultural inputs. This study builds a Nash equilibrium model to determine if regions would implement these reductions to maintain open trade with the European Union. We find that more regions joining the EGD dampen the negative market impacts to the European Union, but we also find that major agricultural producers do not join the European Union in implementing the EGD.
Assessing nitrogen uptake and the impact of fertilizer amounts and sources on strawberry production in California
Authors: Biscaro Andre , Riffle Vegas , Geisseler Daniel
Published: August 2022

A study was conducted in Oxnard, CA, from 2014 to 2015 to assess seasonal nitrogen (N) uptake, and 2018–2019 to assess the effect of fertilizer rates and types (calcium nitrate [CN9] and ammonium nitrate [AN20]) on yield of two strawberry (Fragaria × ananassaDuch.) cultivars (Fronteras and a proprietary cultivar). The 2014–2015 study identified mainly two seasonal uptake rates: 0.59 and 1.30 kg ha–1d–1for early (October–February) and late season (March–June), respectively. The N fertilizer rates for the 2018–2019 study, derived from the 2014–2015 study, were defined as low (CN9‐L and AN20‐L; 132 kg ha–1total applied), optimum (CN9‐O and AN20‐O; 233 kg ha–1total applied), and high (CN9‐H and AN20‐H; 334 kg ha–1total applied). Marketable yield for Fronteras plateaued at the optimum fertilizer rate, suggesting the average rate determined from the 2014–2015 study (equivalent to the optimum rate in the 2018–2019 study) achieved the highest yield for that cultivar. Marketable yield of the AN20 treatments for the proprietary cultivar was significantly greater than the CN9 treatments. Increasing N fertilizer rates resulted in greater aboveground vegetative biomass and consequent increased yield for both cultivars. The AN20 treatments resulted in 193–264% less nitrate found in the 30.5‐to‐61.0‐cm depth of soil than the CN9 treatments at crop termination, indicating significantly less nitrate‐leaching potential for fertilizers with greater proportion of N as ammonium. Assessing N uptake and tailoring fertilizer amounts and sources accordingly can maximize strawberry yield and minimize nitrate leaching.
Synthese von unsymmetrischen Azobenzolen durch palladiumkatalysierte Kreuzkupplung von siliciummaskierten Diazenylanionen und (Hetero)arylhalogeniden
Authors: Finck Lucie , Oestreich Martin
Published: August 2022

Das photoschaltbare Motiv von Azobenzolen nimmt eine bedeutende Stellung in den Lebens‐ und Materialwissenschaften ein. Das hält einen steten Bedarf an deren effizienter Synthese aufrecht, was besonders für unsymmetrische Derivate gilt. Wir stellen hier eine allgemeine Strategie zu deren Darstellung vor, bei der in einer neuartigen C(sp2)−N(sp2)‐Kreuzkupplung funktionalisierte arylsubstituierte, mit einer Silylgruppe maskierte Diazene als Diazenylpronukleophile eingesetzt werden. Diese Entsprechungen für recht instabile Diazenylanionen kuppeln unter Palladiumkatalyse mit einer breitgefächerten Palette an (Hetero)arylbromiden ohne Verlust von Distickstoff. Die konkurrierende Biarylbildung unter Abspaltung von Distickstoff ist vollständig unterdrückt. Die Reaktion erfordert nur einen geringen Überschuss von 1.2 Äquivalenten der Diazenylkomponente. Auf diese Weise werden unzählige Azobenzole mit elektronenreichen/‐armen Arylresten unter ausgezeichneter Toleranz gegenüber funktionellen Gruppen planbar zugänglich gemacht.
Synthesis of Non‐Symmetric Azoarenes by Palladium‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling of Silicon‐Masked Diazenyl Anions and (Hetero)Aryl Halides
Authors: Finck Lucie , Oestreich Martin
Published: August 2022

The photoswitchable motif of azobenzenes is of great importance across the life and materials sciences. This maintains a constant demand for their efficient synthesis, especially that of non‐symmetric derivatives. We disclose here a general strategy for their synthesis through an unprecedented C(sp2)−N(sp2) cross‐coupling where functionalized aryl‐substituted diazenes masked with a silyl group are employed as diazenyl pronucleophiles. These equivalents of fragile diazenyl anions couple with a diverse set of (hetero)aryl bromides under palladium catalysis with no loss of dinitrogen. The competing denitrogenative biaryl formation is fully suppressed. The reaction requires only a minimal excess, that is 1.2 equivalents, of the diazenyl component. By this, a broad range of azoarenes decorated with two electron‐rich/deficient aryl groups can be accessed in a predictable way with superb functional‐group tolerance.
Dexmedetomidine sedation for a dental extraction in a patient with known difficult airway
Authors: Guinness F. , Coleman M. , Gillbride M.
Published: August 2022

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva is an autosomal dominant condition that causes cervical spine fusion and ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint, resulting in anaesthetic challenges. Awake tracheal intubation with flexible bronchoscopy is recommended for general anaesthetics required by patients with this disease. This case report describes the novel approach of using dexmedetomidine sedation in combination with local anaesthesia to allow dental extraction of the fifth and seventh upper left teeth in a patient with fibrodyplasia ossificans progressive, who had a known difficult airway and profound thrombocytopenia. This procedure was not previously tolerated by the patient under local anaesthesia alone. The use of dexmedetomidine was successful in facilitating completion of the procedure with a high degree of patient satisfaction. We discuss the advantages of dexmedetomidine over other sedative agents due to its minimal effects on respiratory drive and airway muscle tone. We highlight the use of dexmedetomidine for complex cases such as this, where tracheal intubation is potentially challenging, but the procedure itself could be managed under sedation and local anaesthesia.
Polymeric nanoparticles containing different oils as insecticides against the storage pest Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)
Authors: Khandehroo Fatemeh , Moravvej Gholamhossein , Farhadian Nafiseh , Ahmadzadeh Hossein
Published: August 2022

Garlic oil (GO) and cinnamon oil (CO) was successfully loaded in chitosan (CS) based polymeric nanoparticles (NPs). Fumigant, contact toxicities and persistent efficacy of these new Chitosan nano particles (CSNPs) were examined against Tribolium castaneum (T. castaneum) as a common stored product pest. Different ratios of polymer to sodium tripolyphosphate cross‐linker were applied for NPs preparation. Stability of CSNPs loaded with oils was examined for 4 months. Bioassay tests were used to determine LC50 values for fumigant toxicity evaluation and contact effects on red flour beetle, T. castaneum. The optimized CSNPs containing GO and CO had the particle size of 231.1 ± 7.5 nm and 303.4 ± 10 nm with encapsulation efficiency of 76.78% and 86.81%, respectively. Characterization results based on transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) indicated the successful formation of CSNPs with spherical morphology, amorphous property, and high stability during the storage time. LC50 index of pure oils and their nanoformulations suggested that CSNPs loaded oils have higher fumigant and contact effects on T. castaneum in a lower concentration than pure oils. Lethal effectiveness of CSNPs loaded GO and CO against T. castaneum were 18 and 20 days, respectively. However, GO and CO pure oils lost their efficacy in 10 and 14 days after exposure, respectively.
Fabrication of hollow poly(alpha‐methylstyrene) shells for inertial confinement fusion targets
Authors: Pastukhov Alexander V. , Pervakov Kirill S. , Akunets Alexander A. , Kuvshinov Ilya R. , Borisenko Natalia G.
Published: August 2022

One of the important technical problems of Inertial Confinement Fusion is the development of a technology for obtaining large batches of targets‐containers for hydrogen isotopes. At the first stage of production of targets, spherical polymer shell‐matrices are used. In this work, for the first time, a method is proposed for obtaining batches of spherical shells from high molecular mass poly(alpha‐methylstyrene) using the developed set of equipment. To obtain batches of shells with a high degree of sphericity 0.992–0.997, the optimal conditions for their production and the composition of the equipment complex were determined. The surface quality of the shells and the uniformity of their walls were determined by electron microscopy. To estimate the degree of sphericity of polymeric shells, statistical calculations of data obtained by photo‐registering of different batches of shells were performed. Batches of spherical shells 2.1 ± 0.05 mm in size were obtained.
Electromagnetic interference shielding of thermally exfoliated graphene/polyurethane composite foams
Authors: Oraby Hussein , Naeem Ibrahim , Darwish Mohammad , Senna Magdy H. , Tantawy Hesham Ramzy
Published: August 2022

Thermally exfoliated graphene (TEG)/polyurethane (PU) expanded composite samples were synthesized for application in electromagnetic interference shielding (EMIS) in the 8–12 GHz frequency range. The effect of TEG concentration on both the shielding efficiency (SE) and mechanical characteristics of the resultant composite foam was investigated in detail, with the goal of determining the optimal TEG concentration that delivers the best performance in terms of SE and mechanical properties. The TEG filler was characterized using x‐ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Whereas the prepared composite foam samples were examined by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), SEM, Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and mechanical testing. The experimental results revealed that the composite foam sample with 5 wt% TEG content exhibits the highest SE to be −25.6 dB (−430.3 dB cm3 g−1). It was also found that the optimal loading of TEG is 3 wt%, resulting in a compromise between SE (−20.4 dB; −345.68 dB cm3 g−1) and mechanical characteristics (compressive strength of 15.5 MPa and compressive modulus of 5.06 MPa). These findings highlight the potential applicability of the synthesized composite foam to a variety of EMIS applications.
Anti‐fouling performance of polyamide microfiltration membrane modified with surfactants
Authors: Giro Maitam Marcos Vinicius , Nicolini João Victor , de Araujo Kronemberger Frederico
Published: August 2022

Fouling is the main limitation in membrane separation processes. This phenomenon occurs by the adsorption/deposition of particles, colloids, or biomolecules on the membrane surface and it pores. This process can severely affect membrane performance due to the decrease in permeate flux, lifetime reduction, and selectively and separability changes. Studies have concluded that physicochemical superficial characteristics of membranes is a key for understanding and mitigating fouling. In this study, the surface of a commercial microfiltration membrane (MF) was modified with commercial surfactants and a biosurfactant to reduce fouling and improve its performance. Coated (MF‐SDS, MF‐CTAB, MF‐Tween80, and MF‐Rha) and uncoated membranes were characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), contact angle, and zeta potential. Microfiltration tests were performed by using Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast suspensions as model fouling agent at different transmembrane pressures and feed flow rates. Interfacial analysis indicated that the adsorption of surfactants on the membranes' surface is responsible for significant changes in the membrane's hydrophilicity and superficial charges. Considering filtration of the model suspensions, the permeate flux values were increased for all coated membranes compared to the uncoated one. Long‐term experiments showed a high stability of the rhamnolipid adsorption on the membrane surface, proving its effectiveness in fouling reduction.
Coumarin as a Surrogate for the Protection‐group‐free Synthesis of o‐Hydroxy Stilbenes: Hydrolysis‐Decarboxylation‐Heck Coupling Reactions in One Pot
Authors: Andhare Nitin H. , Equbal Danish , Sinha Arun K.
Published: August 2022

The 2‐hydroxystyrylbenzene scaffold is found in various compounds that are widely applicable in medicinal chemistry as well as material chemistry. Here, a successful attempt is made to develop a one‐pot protocol for the synthesis of 2‐hydroxystilbene derivatives via hydrolysis of natural coumarins followed by in situ decarboxylative Heck coupling with haloarenes. Fine tuning of the reaction conditions allowed exclusive formation of 2‐hydroxystyrylbenzenes over other possible side products, i. e., benzofuran/substituted coumarins.
A kinetic framework for modeling oleochemical biosynthesis in Escherichia coli
Authors: Peoples Jackson , Ruppe Sophia , Mains Kathryn , Cipriano Elia C. , Fox Jerome M.
Published: August 2022

Microorganisms build fatty acids with biocatalytic assembly lines, or fatty acid synthases (FASs), that can be repurposed to produce a broad set of fuels and chemicals. Despite their versatility, the product profiles of FAS‐based pathways are challenging to adjust without experimental iteration, and off‐target products are common. This study uses a detailed kinetic model of the Escherichia coli FAS as a foundation to model nine oleochemical pathways. These models provide good fits to experimental data and help explain unexpected results from in vivo studies. An analysis of pathways for alkanes and fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs), for example, suggests that reductions in titer caused by enzyme overexpression—an experimentally consistent phenomenon—can result from shifts in metabolite pools that are incompatible with the substrate specificities of downstream enzymes, and a focused examination of multiple alcohol pathways indicates that coordinated shifts in enzyme concentrations provide a general means of tuning the product profiles of pathways with promiscuous components. The study concludes by integrating all models into a graphical user interface. The models supplied by this work provide a versatile kinetic framework for studying oleochemical pathways in different biochemical contexts.
Immunogenicity of small‐cell lung cancer associates with STING pathway activation and is enhanced by ATR and TOP1 inhibition
Authors: Li Xuetao , Li Yujun , Zhao Ziwen , Miao Nabo , Liu Guorong , Deng Liaoyuan , Wei Shuquan , Hou Jun
Published: August 2022

Introduction

The activation of STING (stimulator of interferon genes) pathway enhances antitumor immunity in small‐cell lung cancer (SCLC), while the DNA damage induced by non‐cGAMP‐based agonists is a potent inducer of STING activity. Here, we investigate the intrinsic expression of STING in cancer cells and evaluate the value of the combination of ATR and TOP1 inhibitors in enhancing antitumor immunity.

Methods

STING expression was assessed at mRNA and protein levels in SCLC and normal lung tissues. Transcriptomic subsets of SCLC were identified based on STING‐related genes. Distinct mutation and immunogenomic profiles of these subsets were determined. The direct antitumor efficacy and the potential of enhancing antitumor immunity of the strategy using the ATR‐TOP1‐inhibitor combination were tested in SCLC cell lines.

Results

The intrinsic expression of STING was significantly reduced in SCLC compared to normal lung tissues (p < 0.0001). Three STING‐related SCLC subtypes were identified in which the STING‐high subtype was associated with (1) high immune infiltration, (2) high expression of genes related to MHC and immune checkpoints, and (3) high EMT and ferroptosis score. On the contrary, the STING‐low subtype was enriched with pathways related to DNA damage response (DDR) and cell cycle progression. The association between the DDR pathway activity and the STING‐IFN innate immune response was verified by in vitro experiments in which the inhibition of ATR and TOP1 triggered the expression of genes encoding type I IFN signaling and pro‐inflammatory cytokines/chemokines in a STING‐low SCLC cell line.

Conclusion

Our study verifies that activation of the STING‐IFN response by ATR and TOP1 inhibitors might be a therapeutic strategy to improve the response to immune checkpoint therapy in STING‐low SCLC. Furthermore, the combinations of ATR and TOP1 inhibitors can augment tumor inflammation in STING‐low SCLC.
Probing Biothiols Using a Red‐Emitting Pyridoxal Derivative by Adopting Copper(II) Displacement Approach and Cell Imaging
Authors: Bhardwaj Vinita , Patel Dhvani A. , Majeed S. Abdul , Sahul Hameed A. S. , Aatif Mujthaba A. , Kumar Ashok S. K. , Sahoo Suban K
Published: August 2022

An aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) active Schiff base L was obtained by reacting pyridoxal and 2‐hydroxy‐1‐naphthaldehyde with p‐phenylenediamine in two simple steps. The colorimetric, UV/VIS and fluorescence studies of L revealed that the yellow emissive L (λem=540 nm, λex=450 nm) in pure DMSO turned to a red‐emissive L, when the poor solvent fraction (HEPES buffer, 10 mM, pH 7.4) was increased above 50 % in DMSO. The SEM and DLS results indicated the formation of self‐aggregates of L that restricted the intramolecular motion and promoted the excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process. The cations sensing ability of the AIEgen L was explored in HEPES buffer (5 % DMSO, 10 mM, pH 7.4), where Cu2+ selectively quenched the fluorescence at 608 nm due to the chelation‐enhanced fluorescence quenching (CHEQ) effect with an estimated sensitivity limit of 0.9 μM. Subsequently, the in situ formed AIEgen L‐Cu2+ complex was applied for the cascade detection of glutathione (GSH), cysteine (Cys) and homocysteine (Hcy). The decomplexation of Cu2+ from the AIEgen L‐Cu2+ by GSH, Cys and Hcy restored the quenched fluorescence emission of AIEgen L at 608 nm. With this Cu2+ displacement approach, the concentration of Cys, Hcy and GSH can be detected down to 2.8 μM, 3.12 μM and 2.0 μM, respectively. The practical utility of AIEgen L and AIEgen L‐Cu2+ was examined by monitoring the selective analytes in real environmental and biological samples, and also applied successfully for the cell imaging applications.
Crystalline Microporous MoVBiO Polyoxometalates for Indirect Oxidation of Methanol to Methyl Formate: Effects of Organic Additives on Crystals Size and Catalytic Performance
Authors: Huang Ke , Xu Ningkun , Liu Bin , Zhang Peihua , Yang Ge , Guo Hailing , Bai Peng , Wang Chunzheng , Mintova Svetlana
Published: August 2022

Crystalline porous Mo‐V‐Bi oxides (MoVBiO) were prepared by hydrothermal synthesis approach. The effects of organic additives (methanol and tartaric acid) on the morphology and particle size of the MoVBiO crystals were investigated. The size of MoVBiO crystals was tuned in the range of 30–300 nm. It was found that methanol accelerated the formation of crystal nuclei resulting in the crystallization of small particles (30 nm), while tartaric acid inhibited the nucleation thus resulting in MoVBiO crystals with a size of 300 nm. The as‐synthesized MoVBiO samples were used in the indirect oxidation of methanol to methyl formate. The MoVBiO crystals with a size of 30 nm, synthesized with methanol, showed a high methyl nitrite conversion of 92 % and methyl formate selectivity of 94 % at 140 °C. The catalyst exhibited a relatively slow but almost constant deactivation over 50 h due to deposition of reaction species. The small MoVBiO crystals (30 nm) with more surface active sites and accessibility showed high performance in the oxidation of methanol to methyl formate in contrast to the big crystals (300 nm).
Reusable Copper Catechol‐based Porous Polymers for the Highly Efficient Heterogeneous Catalytic Oxidation of Secondary Alcohols
Authors: Henrion Mickaël , Mohr Yorck , Janssens Kwinten , Smolders Simon , Bugaev Aram L. , Usoltsev Oleg A. , Quadrelli Elsje Alessandra , Wisser Florian M. , De Vos Dirk E. , Canivet Jérôme
Published: August 2022

New catechol‐based porous polymers were synthesized and used as platforms for the heterogenization of molecular Cu complexes. The resulting Cu@CatMP‐1 materials proved to be highly stable and performing catalysts for the oxidation of secondary alcohols with turnover numbers up to 6000, about 1 to 2 orders of magnitude higher than the current relevant state of the art, using catalyst loadings as low as 25 ppm of Cu. The solid catalyst proved to be recyclable for over 10 runs without detectable metal leaching and has been scaled to the gram scale. The coordination of Cu to catechol within the polymer has been evidenced by X‐ray absorption spectroscopy.
CO2 Hydrogenation to Hydrocarbons over Fe/BZY Catalysts
Authors: Karakaya Canan , White Erick , Jennings Dylan , Kidder Michelle , Deutschmann Olaf , Kee Robert J.
Published: August 2022

This manuscript reports a CO2 hydrogenation process in a catalytic laboratory‐scale packed‐bed reactor using an Fe/BZY15 (BaZr0.85Y0.15O3‐δ) catalyst to form hydrocarbons (e. g., CH4, C2+) at elevated pressure of 30 bar and temperatures in the range
 °C. The effects of temperature, feed composition (i. e., CO2/H2 ratio, and residence time (i. e., Weight Hourly Space Velocity (WHSV) are studied to understand the relationship between CO2 conversion and carbon selectivity. Catalyst characterization elucidates the relationships between the catalyst structure, surface adsorbates, and reaction pathways. Thermodynamic analyses guide the experimental conditions and assist in interpreting results. While the feed composition and temperature influence the product distribution, the results suggest that the higher‐carbon (C2+) selectivity and yield depend strongly on residence time. The results suggest that the CO2 hydrogenation reaction pathway is similar to Fischer–Tropsch (FT) synthesis. The reaction begins with CO2 activation to form CO, followed by chain‐growth reactions similar to the FT process. The CO2 activation depends on the redox activity of the catalyst. However, the carbon chain growth depends primarily on the residence time. as is the case for the FT synthesis, high residence time (on the orders of hours) is required to achieve high C2+ yield.
[Bmim]FeCl4 Efficient Catalytic Oxidative Removal of H2S by Cu2+ Synergistic Reinforcement
Authors: Qiu Kui , Liu Zhihao , Dong Yu , Liu Luwei , Li Weijun , Niu Shihao , Jin Zhaobo
Published: August 2022

An iron/copper bimetallic catalytic oxidation desulfurization system was constituted by adding N‐methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) and CuCl2 aqueous solution to an iron‐based ionic liquid (Fe‐IL) for the removal of hydrogen sulfide from industrial gas streams. The desulfurizer and its sulfur products were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). Static desulfurization experiments were conducted to investigate the absorption pattern of the system for H2S. The addition of NMP and water effectively reduced the acidity and viscosity of the system and improved the gas‐liquid mass transfer efficiency. The introduction of CuCl2 increased the oxidation potential of the solution and enabled Fe3+ to efficiently catalyze the oxidation of H2S to produce monomeric S. The synergistic catalytic oxidation between Fe3+/Cu2+ is the main reason why the system can maintain a high degree of purification over a long period.
High Performance Bifunctional Electrocatalysts Designed Based on Transition‐Metal Sulfides for Rechargeable Zn–Air Batteries
Authors: Wang Bingqian , Li Guangda
Published: August 2022

Due to the energy crisis by the excessive consumption of fossil fuels, Zinc–air batteries (ZABs) with high theoretical energy density have attracted people‘s attention. The overall performance of ZABs is largely determined by the air cathode catalyst. Therefore, it is necessary to develop high‐efficiency and low‐cost bifunctional catalysts to replace noble metal catalysts to promote the development of ZABs. Among a variety of cathode catalysts, TMS has become a research hotspot in recent years because of its better electrical conductivity than metal phosphides and metal oxides. In this work, we focus on the means of improving the electrocatalytic performance of transition‐metal sulfides (TMS) providing ideas for us to rationally design high‐performance catalysts. Furthermore, the performance improvement law between catalyst performance and ZABs is also discussed in this work. Finally, some challenges and opportunities faced in the research of TMS electrocatalysis are briefly proposed, and strategies for improving the performance of ZABs are prospected.
Coronene and Bipyridine Derivatives Inducing Diversified Structural Transitions of Carboxylic Acids at the Liquid/Solid Interface
Authors: Meng Ting , Lei Peng , Zhang Yufei , Deng Ke , Xiao Xunwen , Zeng Qingdao
Published: August 2022

Comprehensive Summary

In recent years, the construction of stable multicomponent assembled structures on surfaces and the exploration of the assembled mechanism have become research hotspots. In this paper, the azobenzene‐carboxylic acid called (E)‐4’,4”’‐(diazene‐1,2‐diyl) bis(([1,1’‐biphenyl]‐3,5‐dicarboxylic acid)) (H4DBBD) could self‐assemble into regular network structure at heptanoic acid/graphite via hydrogen bonding, and could be regulated into analogous kagomé network by coronene (COR) molecules. In addition, a series of bipyridine derivatives were further introduced to construct bi‐component systems with H4DBBD molecules, and successfully induced diversified structural transitions of H4DBBD on the graphite surface. Combined with scanning tunneling microscope (STM) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we have investigated the diversified structural transitions and analyzed the formation mechanism of the assembled systems.
MOF‐Incorporated Binuclear N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Cobalt Catalyst for Efficient Conversion of CO2to Formamides
Authors: Zhou Zhenzhen , Liu Xiao , Ma Jian‐Gong , Cheng Peng
Published: August 2022

Environmental problem caused by carbon emission is of widespread concern. Involving CO2as C1resource into chemical synthesis is one of the most attractive ways for carbon recycling. Herein, the first example of host–guest composites featuring metal–organic framework (MOF)‐encapsulated binuclear N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complex, Co2@MIL101, was developed with the molecularly dispersed [Co(IPr)Br]2(μ‐Br)2(Co2) loading in the cage of MIL‐101(Cr) via a “ligand‐in‐dimer‐trap” strategy, which was comprehensively investigated through various techniques including synchrotron X‐ray absorption, electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and others. The noble‐metal‐free double‐sites catalystCo2@MIL101 exhibited promising stability, activity, efficiency, reusability, and substrate adaptability for converting CO2into various formamides with amines and hydrosilanes and achieved the best performance for one of the most useful formamides,N‐methyl‐N‐phenylformamide (MFA), among the recyclable catalysts at ambient conditions, providing a reliable approach to successfully unify the advantages of both homo‐ and heterogeneous catalysts. Density functional theory calculations were applied to illustrate the superior activity of the binuclear NHC complex center as double‐sites catalyst toward the activation of CO2.
Fungivorous nematodes drive microbial diversity and carbon cycling in soil
Authors: Kane Jennifer L. , Kotcon James B. , Freedman Zachary B. , Morrissey Ember M.
Published: August 2022

Soil bacteria and fungi mediate terrestrial biogeochemical cycling, but we know relatively little about how trophic interactions influence their community composition, diversity, and function. Specifically, it is unclear how consumer populations affect the activity of microbial taxa they consume, and therefore the interaction of those taxa with other members of the microbial community. Due to its extreme diversity, studying trophic dynamics in soil is a complex feat. Seeking to address these challenges, we performed a microcosm‐based consumer manipulation experiment to determine the impact of a common fungal‐feeding nematode (Aphelenchus avenae) on soil microbial community composition, diversity, and activity (e.g., C cycling parameters). Fungivory decreased fungal and bacterial α‐diversity and stimulated C and N cycling, possibly via cascading impacts of fungivory on bacterial communities. Our results present experimental evidence that soil trophic dynamics are intimately linked with microbial diversity and function, factors that are key in understanding global patterns in biogeochemical cycling.
Electrochemistry of Lipophilic Redox Enzymes Associated with a Reversible Follow‐up Chemical Reaction – Theoretical Consideration in Cyclic Staircase Voltammetry
Authors: Gulaboski Rubin
Published: August 2022

Protein‐film voltammetry (PFV) is established as an efficient methodology for studying the redox activity of lipophilic proteins and enzymes some 25 years ago. Yet it is still a challenge to understand specific behaviour of these systems under different voltametric conditions. In this work we apply cyclic staircase voltammetry to study theoretically the electrochemical properties of lipophilic redox enzymes, whose product of the electrochemical transformation at the working electrode is involved in a reversible chemical reaction. Attention is paid to understand how the kinetics of follow‐up chemical reaction affects the features of theoretical staircase cyclo‐voltammetric patterns of lipophilic redox enzymes.
Energy Management in Plugin Hybrid Electric Vehicles with Hybrid Energy Storage System Using Hybrid Approach
Authors: Ramasamy Kannan , Chandramohan Kalaivani , Ghanta Devadasu
Published: August 2022

Herein, an optimal control approach for the energy management of hybrid energy storage system (HESS) like battery, supercapacitor (SC), and integrated charging unit in plugin hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is proposed. The proposed approach is the combination of both the jellyfish search optimizer (JS) and gradient boosting decision tree algorithm (GBDT) and it is termed as JS‐GBDT approach. The high energy density battery and high power density SC are combined for satisfying the demand of vehicle. To balance the charging, an uncontrolled rectifier with DC to DC buck converter, and to guarantee smooth transition of energy, two bidirectional DC–DC buck–boost converters are utilized. To meet the load requirements, GBDT approach predicts and integrates the total power supply and the charging level of the power source. The output voltage regulation, reference generation, and smooth tracking of current are performed by the energy management of PHEV using JS approach. The proposed methodology is executed on MATLAB/Simulink working platform. The performance of the HESS is evaluated by utilizing the comparison analysis with existing systems. From the analysis, the proposed approach provides less stress for primary and secondary sources and improves the charging unit performance and enhances the battery life.
Experimental comparison of solar thermal desalination systems based on energy, exergy and economic (3‐E) analysis
Authors: Kumar Amit , Tiwari Abhishek , Mehla Neeraj
Published: August 2022

With rapid increase in human population, the demand of fresh water has been increased significantly and the world will encounter enormous water crisis by 2040. The sea contains nearly 97% of available water on earth. To fulfill the demand of fresh water, desalination of sea water can be best solution. As desalination process can be performed by using low grade energy, the use of solar energy for desalination is very popular. The most popular solar thermal desalination system is conventional solar still but its productivity is very low. In the present study, a new desalination system based on evacuated tube collectors (ETC) is developed and its performance is compared with conventional solar still experimentally. The present system consists of 15 evacuated tubes, an insulated storage tank, a heat exchanger, a condenser, and a thermic fluid as working medium. The performance of both systems is compared on the basis of daily productivity, energy and exergy efficiency, and economic viability. It is observed that the ETC‐based desalination system performed better as compared to the solar still. The average energy and exergy efficiency, productivity and produced fresh water cost of desalination systems based on ETC and conventional solar still are 43.74%, 9.52%, 4.2 L/m2/day, 0.022 $/L and 19.23%, 1.4%, 1.975 L/m2/day, 0.024 $/L respectively. Further, the pay‐back time for ETC based desalination system is also less (104 days) as compared to solar still (113 days).
Comparing 10- and 28-Day Sediment Toxicity and Bioaccumulation of Fluoranthene in Hyalella azteca Using Passive Sampling Techniques
Authors: Nishimori Takahiro , Hiki Kyoshiro , Fischer Fabian Christoph , Endo Satoshi , Yamamoto Hiroshi , Watanabe Haruna
Published: August 2022

Understanding the changes in the temporal and spatial concentrations of chemical substances in sediment toxicity tests facilitates interpretation of their toxicity and accumulation in benthic organisms because benthic organisms are affected by chemicals via multiple exposure pathways. However, such investigations using chronic sediment toxicity tests have rarely been performed. To examine the concentration profiles of a hydrophobic organic chemical using chronic spiked-sediment toxicity tests, we performed 28-day sediment toxicity tests of fluoranthene with a freshwater amphipod, Hyalella azteca, using a semi-flow-through system and compared the results with those of 10-day tests. In these experiments, we measured various types of fluoranthene concentrations over the test periods: total dissolved (Cdiss) and freely dissolved (Cfree) concentrations in overlying water and porewater as well as sediment concentrations. We also examined which concentration correlated with the amphipod bioconcentration factor (BCF). We found that both overlying water and porewater Cfree did not differ significantly on days 10 and 28. Sediment concentrations remained almost stable for 28 days, whereas Cdiss in overlying water varied temporally. These results suggest that the 28-day test provides almost constant concentrations of fluoranthene, particularly in porewater, even in a semi-flow-through system. In addition, the comparison of BCF of fluoranthene on day 10 in the present study with that obtained from water-only tests reported in the literature suggested that Cfree in pore water was the most representative indicator of bioaccumulation in H. azteca. Our findings support the possible use of a water-exchange system in chronic spiked-sediment toxicity tests of hydrophobic organic chemicals. However, further studies using sediments and chemicals with different properties are warranted to generalize the findings of the present study. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:2679–2687. © 2022 SETAC