bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plant Steroids: Occurrence, Biological Significance, and Their Analysis
Authors: Gunaherath G. M. Kamal B. , Gunatilaka A. A. Leslie 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Plant steroids constitute a diverse group of natural products. Biosynthetically, they are derived from
S
‐squalene‐2,3‐epoxide via acetate‐mevalonate pathway. Among the plant steroids, phytosterols are ubiquitous in the plant kingdom and some of them are reported to possess hypocholesterolemic activity. Withanolides are a large group of steroidal lactones with various biological activities. Brassinosteroids are a small group of plant steroids classified as plant growth hormones. Phytoecdysteroids are polyhydroxylated plant steroids, many of which are known to exhibit anabolic effects with no undesirable side effects. Steroidal alkaloids are nitrogen‐containing plant steroids with an array of biological activities. It is noteworthy that trace amounts of cholesterol and mammalian steroidal hormones including progesterone have been detected in some plants. Analyses of plant steroids mainly utilize chromatographic methods such as
thin‐layer chromatography
(
TLC
),
high‐performance liquid chromatography
(
HPLC
),
ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography
(
UHPLC
), and
gas‐liquid chromatography
(
GLC
). In general,
photodiode array
(
PDA
),
evaporative light scattering
(
ELS
), and
fluorescence
(
FL
) detectors and
mass spectrometry
(
MS
) are commonly used for detection, quantification, and identification of plant steroids. UHPLC hyphenated with
tandem mass spectrometry
(
MS/MS
) has recently become the state‐of‐the‐art method of choice for the analysis of plant steroids, especially for the ones that are present in minor quantities such as brassinosteroids and phytoecdysteroids. Some less common techniques employed for the analyses of plant steroids are immunoassays and biological assays.
Stable Quasi‐2D Perovskite Solar Cells with Efficiency over 18% Enabled by Heat–Light Co‐Treatment
Authors: Lian Xiaomei , Wu Haotian , Zuo Lijian , Zhou Guanqing , Wen Xinbo , Zhang Yingzhu , Wu Gang , Xie Zengqi , Zhu Haiming , Chen Hongzheng 
Published: September 2020

Abstract2D perovskite solar cells (2D PVSCs) show good stability for commercialization. However, their power conversion efficiency (PCE) is relatively low. In this work, a post‐treatment strategy by simultaneously applying light and heat to quasi‐2D PVSCs, obtaining a record PCE of 18.24% is developed. It is found that heat‐treating PVSCs in the dark slightly increases the device performance over time at temperatures below 75 °C, whereas the performance deteriorates rapidly at temperatures above 100 °C. Upon illumination, the device efficiency is significantly improved, particularly when the thermal‐treatment temperature is increased to 100 °C. A comprehensive carrier dynamic study reveals that the enhanced performance can be attributed to the reduced quasi‐2D perovskite defect states and improved charge collection. In addition, this strategy enables better stability, and an unencapsulated device can retain 90% of its original PCE after 1340 h of direct exposure to air with a humidity of 50 ± 5%. Thus, the strategy paves the way for the commercialization of quasi‐2D PVSCs.
Yolk‐Shell Structured Nanoflowers Induced Intracellular Oxidative/Thermal Stress Damage for Cancer Treatment
Authors: Liu Miao‐Deng , Guo Deng‐Ke , Zeng Run‐Yao , Ye Jing‐Jie , Wang Shi‐Bo , Li Chu‐Xin , Sun Yun‐Xia , Cheng Si‐Xue , Zhang Xian‐Zheng 
Published: September 2020

AbstractCancer cells, with unique their metabolism, frequently exhibit a high level of redox homeostasis, which could be a feasible target for cancer treatment. Here, liquid metal (LM) nanoparticles are used as a template to guide the growth of yolk‐shell structured LM@MnO2 (LMN). With yolk‐shell structures, LMNs is applied to load with cinnamaldehyde (CA) (CLMN) and further coated with hyaluronic acid (HA) to construct the CA&LM@MnO2‐HA nanoflowers (CLMNF) for cancer targeted treatment. Owing to the urchin‐like structured shell, it is found that the obtained CLMNF particles rapidly deplete glutathione (GSH) and produce manganese ions, which further facilitate hydrogen peroxide converting into hydroxyl radical (·OH) for cancer cell killing. Accompanying the depletion of GSH, the balance of intracellular redox homeostasis tilts towards oxidation, resulting in amplified oxidative damage caused by CA, eventually, leading to the apoptosis of cancer cells. Combined with the remarkable near infrared (NIR) photothermal conversion properties, the novel structured CLMNF exhibits favorable inhibition of tumors in vivo, indicating that using nanoflowers to induce intracellular oxidative/thermal stress damage could be a promising strategy for anticancer treatment.
Recent Progress in Nanolaser Technology
Authors: Jeong Kwang‐Yong , Hwang Min‐Soo , Kim Jungkil , Park Jin‐Sung , Lee Jung Min , Park Hong‐Gyu 
Published: September 2020

AbstractNanolasers are key elements in the implementation of optical integrated circuits owing to their low lasing thresholds, high energy efficiencies, and high modulation speeds. With the development of semiconductor wafer growth and nanofabrication techniques, various types of wavelength‐scale and subwavelength‐scale nanolasers have been proposed. For example, photonic crystal lasers and plasmonic lasers based on the feedback mechanisms of the photonic bandgap and surface plasmon polaritons, respectively, have been successfully demonstrated. More recently, nanolasers employing new mechanisms of light confinement, including parity–time symmetry lasers, photonic topological insulator lasers, and bound states in the continuum lasers, have been developed. Here, the operational mechanisms, optical characterizations, and practical applications of these nanolasers based on recent research results are outlined. Their scientific and engineering challenges are also discussed.
Langerhans cell histiocytosis in a young patient with Pitt–Hopkins syndrome
Authors: Macchiaiolo Marina , Panfili Filippo Maria , Gonfiantini Michaela Veronika , Mastrogiorgio Gerarda , Buonuomo Paola Sabrina , Gaspari Stefania , Longo Daniela , Zollino Marcella , Bartuli Andrea 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPitt–Hopkins syndrome (PTHS, MIM #610954) is a rare neurodevelopmental disease characterized by the association of intellectual disability, characteristic facial gestalt and episodes of abnormal and irregular breathing. PTHS is due to heterozygous loss‐of‐function variants in the TCF4 gene (transcription factor 4, MIM #602272) encoding for a basic helix–loop–helix transcription factor. TCF4 is highly expressed during early development of the nervous system, and it is involved in cellular differentiation and proliferation. Since the first clinical description in 1978, less than 200 PTHS patients have been described. A comprehensive phenotype, especially regarding cancer predisposition, is not yet well defined. We report the case of a 7‐year‐old boy affected by PTHS with a 4‐week history of progressive swelling of the frontal bones diagnosed with Langerhans cell histiocytosis.
The expanding spectrum of NFIB‐associated phenotypes in a diverse patient population—A report of two new patients
Authors: Barrus Kathleen , Rego Shannon , Yip Tiffany , Martin Pierre‐Marie , Glen Orit A. , Van Ziffle Jessica , Slavotinek Anne M. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractNFIB (Nuclear Factor I B) haploinsufficiency has recently been identified as a cause of intellectual disability and macrocephaly. Here we describe two patients with pathogenic variants in NFIB. The first is a 6‐year‐old Latino male with developmental delays, mild hypotonia, facial anomalies, and brain magnetic resonance imaging findings comprising mild thinning of the corpus callosum, with more marked thinning of the splenium and blunting of the rostrum and cavum septum pellucidum. Exome sequencing identified a previously described de novo variant in NFIB, c.265C>T, predicting p.Arg89Ter. The second is a 5‐year‐old Latino male with developmental delays, hypotonia, dysmorphic features, a preauricular tag and pit, a small ventricular septal defect, and brain magnetic resonance imaging findings including a dysmorphic corpus callosum and a small posterior fossa. A single nucleotide polymorphism microarray identified a 92 kb interstitial deletion at 9p23 including several exons of NFIB and no other known genes. Our two patients add to the knowledge of this rare condition through our addition of new brain MRI findings and dysmorphic features. Additionally, these are the first known Latino patients to be described with NFIB haploinsufficiency, expanding our understanding of the associated facial features in diverse populations. Further data are needed to determine genotype–phenotype relationships for NFIB.
Transcription Factor Based Small‐Molecule Sensing with a Rapid Cell Phone Enabled Fluorescent Bead Assay
Authors: Chern Margaret , Garden Padric M. , Baer R C. , Galagan James E. , Dennis Allison M. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractRecently, allosteric transcription factors (TFs) were identified as a novel class of biorecognition elements for in vitro sensing, whereby an indicator of the differential binding affinity between a TF and its cognate DNA exhibits dose‐dependent responsivity to an analyte. Described is a modular bead‐based biosensor design that can be applied to such TF‐DNA‐analyte systems. DNA‐functionalized beads enable efficient mixing and spatial separation, while TF‐labeled semiconductor quantum dots serve as bright fluorescent indicators of the TF‐DNA bound (on bead) and unbound states. The prototype sensor for derivatives of the antibiotic tetracycline exhibits nanomolar sensitivity with visual detection of bead fluorescence. Facile changes to the sensor enable sensor response tuning without necessitating changes to the biomolecular affinities. Assay components self‐assemble, and readout by eye or digital camera is possible within 5 minutes of analyte addition, making sensor use facile, rapid, and instrument‐free.
Size‐Dependent Activity and Selectivity of Atomic‐Level Copper Nanoclusters during CO/CO2 Electroreduction
Authors: Rong Weifeng , Zou Haiyuan , Zang Wenjie , Xi Shibo , Wei Shuting , Long Baihua , Hu Junhui , Ji Yongfei , Duan Lele 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAs a favorite descriptor, the size effect of Cu‐based catalysts has been regularly utilized for activity and selectivity regulation toward CO2/CO electroreduction reactions (CO2/CORR). However, little progress has been made in regulating the size of Cu nanoclusters at the atomic level. Herein, the size‐gradient Cu catalysts from single atoms (SAs) to subnanometric clusters (SCs, 0.5–1 nm) to nanoclusters (NCs, 1–1.5 nm) on graphdiyne matrix are readily prepared via an acetylenic‐bond‐directed site‐trapping approach. Electrocatalytic measurements show a significant size effect in both the activity and selectivity toward CO2/CORR. Increasing the size of Cu nanoclusters will improve catalytic activity and selectivity toward C2+ productions in CORR. A high C2+ conversion rate of 312 mA cm−2 with the Faradaic efficiency of 91.2 % are achieved at −1.0 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) over Cu NCs. The activity/selectivity‐size relations provide a clear understanding of mechanisms in the CO2/CORR at the atomic level.
Double‐Layered Supramolecular Prisms Self‐Assembled by Geometrically Non‐equivalent Tetratopic Subunits
Authors: Wang Heng , Zhou Li‐Peng , Zheng Yu , Wang Kun , Song Bo , Yan Xuzhou , Wojtas Lukasz , Wang Xu‐Qing , Jiang Xin , Wang Ming , Sun Qing‐Fu , Xu Bingqian , Yang Hai‐Bo , Sue Andrew C.‐H. , Chan Yi‐Tsu , Sessler Jonathan L. , Jiao Yang , Stang Peter J. , Li Xiaopeng 
Published: September 2020

AbstractSupramolecular cages/vesicles in biology display sophisticated structures and functions by utilizing a few types of protein subunit quasi‐equivalently at distinct geometrical locations. However, synthetic supramolecular cages still lack comparable complexity to reach the high levels of functionality found in natural systems. Herein we report the self‐assembly of giant pentagonal supramolecular prisms (molecular weight >50 kDa) with tetratopic pyridinyl subunits serving different geometrical roles within the structures, and their packing into a novel superstructure with unexpected three‐fold rotational symmetry in a single two‐dimensional layer of crystalline state. The formation of these complicated structures is controlled by both the predetermined angles of the ligands and the mismatched structural tensions created from the multi‐layered geometry of the building blocks. Such a self‐assembly strategy is extensively used by viruses to increase the volume and complexity of capsids and would provide a new approach to construct highly sophisticated supramolecular architectures.
Thermochromic Color Switching to Temperature Controlled Volatile Memory and Counter Operations with Metal–Organic Complexes and Hybrid Gels
Authors: Nirmala Anjali , Mukkatt Indulekha , Shankar Sreejith , Ajayaghosh Ayyappanpillai 
Published: September 2020

AbstractTemperature is often not considered as a precision stimulus for artificial chemical systems in contrast to the host–guest interactions related to many natural processes. Similarly, mimicking multi‐state volatile memory operations using a single molecular system with temperature as a precision stimulus is highly laborious. Here we demonstrate how a mixture of iron(II) chloride and bipyridine can be used as a reversible color‐to‐colorless thermochromic switch and logic operators. The generality of the approach was illustrated using CoII and NiII salts that resulted in color‐to‐color transitions. DMSO gels of these systems, exhibited reversible opaque‐transparency switching. More importantly, optically readable multi‐state volatile memory with temperature as a precision input has been demonstrated. The stored data is volatile and is lost instantaneously upon withdrawal or change of temperature. Simultaneous read‐out at multiple wavelengths results in single‐input/multi‐output sequential logic operations such as data accumulators (counters) leading to volatile memory states. The present system provides access to thermoresponsive materials wherein temperature can be used as a precision stimulus.
Beware of changes: Conservation of Indo‐Pacific humpback dolphins in disturbed habitats
Authors: Huang Shiang‐Lin , Wu Haiping , Wang Xianyan , Peng Chongwei , Wang Chun‐Chieh 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Protecting critical habitats of the Indo‐Pacific humpback dolphin, Sousa chinensis, is a hot topic of discussion for marine biodiversity conservation in China and many Southeast Asian countries. In practice, sound habitat protection action (HPA) planning often suffers from information gaps in macroscopic habitat configurations and changes in the habitat conditions of humpback dolphins.
Recent publications in the journal Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems (AQC) have served to advance humpback dolphin conservation in Chinese waters by resolving such habitat configurations and indicating significant changes in distribution patterns and habitat characteristics under intense coastal anthropogenic activity.
We highlight an integrative research framework to investigate habitat configuration and long‐term habitat changes when planning a holistic HPA programme for humpback dolphins. When constructing habitat configuration baselines, field surveys should be designed and conducted in a systematic manner to ensure survey efforts cover diverse environments equally, in either a spatially stratified or gridded pattern, to minimize potential spatial sampling biases. Long‐term habitat changes can be revealed by comparing satellite images from different decades. Changes in habitat preferences and habitat characteristics can be explored through questionnaire surveys on local ecological knowledge, associating historical occurrences with coastline features and projecting historical habitat configuration by species distribution modelling exercises.
A lack of good communication and sharing of information between research and management sectors can still be an obstacle to the implementation of sound conservation practices, however, even though there is robust scientific evidence to fill knowledge gaps in distribution and habitat baselines. We have addressed the need to establish a mechanism to improve and streamline information sharing between research teams, management sectors, and stakeholder groups.
Putting publication into practice: A summary of the impact of selected articles published in Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems
Authors: Boon Philip J. , Baxter John M. 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

This article introduces a special issue of Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems (AQC) whose contributions demonstrate examples of the practical impact of the authors' previous AQC articles on the conservation of aquatic ecosystems.
The submitting authors of all articles published in AQC since 2009 were invited to express their interest in writing an article for the special issue. The 20 articles selected for publication discuss 33 AQC articles published from 2004 to 2019, spanning a wide range of geographical locations, habitat types, species groups, and impacts on aquatic conservation.
The two impacts reported most frequently are ‘Undertaking practical management of habitats and species’ and ‘Establishing partnerships’, closely followed by ‘Restoring habitats/reintroducing or translocating species’. Many authors demonstrate the importance of their articles in raising awareness across an extensive range of organizations.
Some impacts occur soon after publication (e.g. introduction of conservation guidelines), whereas others (e.g. influencing policy) take far longer. Authors report a wide range of methods for disseminating research results appropriate for different audiences, such as technical handbooks, seminars, magazine articles, media broadcasts, and field workshops.
To assess whether ‘conventional’ measures of impact match authors' perceptions, three metrics were calculated for the 33 AQC articles discussed in this issue: the number of citations, the number of downloads, and the Altmetric Attention Score. These metrics were not significantly higher for the 33 articles than the corresponding median metrics of the articles in the issues in which the 33 were published.
The goal of AQC is to continue to encourage scientists to recognize and promote the application of their research to practical conservation and management. Given the growing threats to aquatic ecosystems, much remains to be done to make this process even more effective.
Preliminary evidence for differential effects of integral and incidental emotions on risk perception and behavioral intentions: A meta‐analysis of eight experiments
Authors: Ferrer Rebecca A. , Ellis Erin M. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractJudgment and decision‐making research often examines effects of emotion unrelated (i.e., incidental) to the decision when research questions center on emotion related (i.e., integral) to the decision, with a theory‐based assumption that the two types of emotion have equivalent influence. Experimentally targeting incidental emotion can overcome practical and ethical challenges that preclude manipulating integral emotion, particularly in medical contexts; however, the validity of the assumption that integral and incidental emotions have interchangeable influences on judgments and decisions, such as risk perceptions and behavioral intentions, has not been systematically examined. In a pre‐registered meta‐analysis of eight experiments (n = 5,336), we examined whether incidental fear and anger influenced risk perceptions and intentions similarly to integral fear and anger. To ensure the quality and intensity of the emotional experience remained constant across conditions, we rendered emotion integral or incidental to the threat by varying the type of outcomes assessed (matched or unmatched to the emotion induction). Results provide preliminary evidence that integral and incidental influences can differ. Most notably, incidental anger decreased risk perceptions, whereas integral anger increased them. Moreover, even when the direction of the effect of integral and incidental emotions was similar, the magnitude of the integral effect was larger. These findings suggest that the common practice of manipulating incidental emotions and generalizing findings to integral emotions may not be advisable, and as such, future work is needed to identify the specific features of the incidental and integral emotional experience that contribute to similarities and differences in their influence.
Genetic variation associated with childhood and adult stature and risk of MYCN‐amplified neuroblastoma
Authors: Semmes Eleanor C. , Shen Erica , Cohen Jennifer L. , Zhang Chenan , Wei Qingyi , Hurst Jillian H. , Walsh Kyle M. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundNeuroblastoma is the most common pediatric solid tumor. MYCN‐amplification is an important negative prognostic indicator and inherited genetic contributions to risk are incompletely understood. Genetic determinants of stature increase risk of several adult and childhood cancers, but have not been studied in neuroblastoma despite elevated neuroblastoma incidence in children with congenital overgrowth syndromes.MethodsWe investigated the association between genetic determinants of height and neuroblastoma risk in 1538 neuroblastoma cases, stratified by MYCN‐amplification status, and compared to 3390 European‐ancestry controls using polygenic scores for birth length (five variants), childhood height (six variants), and adult height (413 variants). We further examined the UK Biobank to evaluate the association of known neuroblastoma risk loci and stature.ResultsAn increase in the polygenic score for childhood stature, corresponding to a ~0.5 cm increase in pre‐pubertal height, was associated with greater risk of MYCN‐amplified neuroblastoma (OR = 1.14, P = .047). An increase in the polygenic score for adult stature, corresponding to a ~1.7 cm increase in adult height attainment, was associated with decreased risk of MYCN‐amplified neuroblastoma (OR = 0.87, P = .047). These associations persisted in case‐case analyses comparing MYCN‐amplified to MYCN‐unamplified neuroblastoma. No polygenic height scores were associated with MYCN‐unamplified neuroblastoma risk. Previously identified genome‐wide association study hits for neuroblastoma (N = 10) were significantly enriched for association with both childhood (P = 4.0 × 10−3) and adult height (P = 8.9 × 10−3) in >250 000 UK Biobank study participants.ConclusionsGenetic propensity to taller childhood height and shorter adult height were associated with MYCN‐amplified neuroblastoma risk, suggesting that biological pathways affecting growth trajectories and pubertal timing may contribute to MYCN‐amplified neuroblastoma etiology.