bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bacteriological and Physicochemical Profiles of Soils in Selected Oil-Contaminated Sites in Yorla, Ogoni Land
Authors: Uzor Onyinyechi Stainless , Okpokwasili Gideon Chijioke , Agbagwa Ejiro Obakpororo 
Published: November 2020

Bacteriological and physicochemical properties of oil–polluted sites in Yorla, Ogoniland was studied. Soil samples were collected from three different points and analyzed for bacteriological and physicochemical characterization using standard methods. The total culturable heterotrophic bacteria (THC) counts from the polluted sites ranged from 7.2. *107to9.5*107cfu/g while the THC of the unpolluted sites ranged from 11.9 *107 to 12.9 *107cfu/g. Hydrocarbon utilizing bacterial (HUB) counts from the polluted sites ranged from 2.8 *106 to 3.3 * 106cfu/g while the hydrocarbon utilizing bacterial (HUB) counts of the unpolluted sites ranged from 1.1 *106to 1.5 *106.Bacteria obtained from the various sites were isolated using standard microbiological methods. Identification of isolates was carried out using 16S rRNA (Ribonucleic acid) gene amplification and sequencing. Electropherograms of generated sequences were inspected with Chromas Lite 2.0.1 software. Sequence identification was carried out using GenBank’s Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) algorithm of National Centre for Biotechnology and Information (NCBI). Sequence analysis revealed the presence of Acinetobacter venetianus , Bacillus cereus, Bacillus flexus, Bacillus thuringiensis, Acinetobacter junii, Shewanella sp., Lysinibacillus xylanilyticus and Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes, The physicochemical properties of the soil samples analyzed showed that the pH values of the polluted sites ranged from 7.86 to 9.16 while those of the unpolluted sites were 6.19 and 7.10. Total organic carbon (TOC) contents of the polluted sites ranged from 3.18% to 3.96% while the unpolluted sites TOC ranged from 3.00% -3.06%. Statistical analyses of the results were carried out using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-test analysis. This work revealed the presence of reasonable population of indigenous hydrocarbon-utilizing bacteria in oil-polluted sites in Yorla community which can be monitored and enhanced to improve their bioremediation abilities in the oil-polluted sites.
Stage Left, Stage Right – The Heavens & Hell: Embodied Meaning & Memory in Performance
Authors: Boyd Michael 
Published: November 2020

AbstractFormer Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company Michael Boyd proposes an analogy between the ‘thrust’ stage and the human brain. On the thrust stage, he suggests, the actor holds the centre of the auditorium, in creative tension with the complex ‘mind’ of a four‐dimensional space that demands and allows communication with, and between, a thousand different points of view.
Disembodied Worlds – Body, Brain and Architecture in the Digital Age: A Conversation with Psychobiologist Vittorio Gallese
Authors: Ritchie Ian 
Published: November 2020

AbstractGuest‐Editor Ian Ritchie has a conversation with Vittorio Gallese, Professor of Psychobiology at the University of Parma, Italy, whose research focuses on neurophysiology, cognitive neuroscience, social neuroscience and philosophy of mind. Gallese is one of the discoverers of mirror neurons. Here he describes how they relate to empathy and our understanding of ourselves and others.
Tension Causes Unfolding of Intracellular Vimentin Intermediate Filaments
Authors: Fleissner Frederik , Kumar Sachin , Klein Noreen , Wirth Daniel , Dhiman Ravi , Schneider Dirk , Bonn Mischa , Parekh Sapun H. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIntermediate filament (IF) proteins are a class of proteins that constitute different filamentous structures in mammalian cells. As such, IF proteins are part of the load‐bearing cytoskeleton and support the nuclear envelope. Molecular dynamics simulations show that IF proteins undergo secondary structural changes to compensate mechanical loads, which is confirmed by experimental in vitro studies on IF hydrogels. However, the structural response of intracellular IF to mechanical load is yet to be elucidated in cellulo. Here, in situ nonlinear Raman imaging combined with multivariate data analysis is used to quantify the intracellular secondary structure of the IF cytoskeletal protein vimentin under different states of cellular tension. It is found that cells under native cellular tension contain more unfolded vimentin than chemically or physically relaxed specimens. This indicates that the unfolding of IF proteins occurs intracellularly when sufficient forces are applied, suggesting that IF structures act as local force sensors in the cell to mark locations under large mechanical tension.
Surface‐Functionalized Self‐Standing Microdevices Exhibit Predictive Localization and Seamless Integration in 3D Neural Spheroids
Authors: Lecomte Aziliz , Giantomasi Lidia , Rancati Silvia , Boi Fabio , Angotzi Gian Nicola , Berdondini Luca 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBrain organoids is an exciting technology proposed to advance studies on human brain development, diseases, and possible therapies. Establishing and applying such models, however, is hindered by the lack of technologies to chronically monitor neural activity. A promising new approach comprising self‐standing biosensing microdevices capable of achieving seamless tissue integration during cell aggregation and culture. To date, there is little information on how to control the aggregation of such bioartificial 3D neural assemblies. Here, the growth of hybrid neurospheroids obtained by the aggregation of silicon sham microchips (100 × 100 × 50 μm3) with primary cortical cells is investigated. Results obtained via protein‐binding microchips with different molecules reveal that surface functionalization can tune the integration and final 3D location of self‐standing microdevices into neurospheroids. Morphological and functional characterization suggests that the presence of an integrated microdevice does not alter spheroid growth, cellular composition, nor functional development. Ultimately, cells and microdevices constituting such hybrid neurospheroids can be disaggregated for further single‐cell analysis, and quantifications confirm an unaltered ratio of neurons and glia. These results uncover the potential of surface‐engineered self‐standing microdevices to grow untethered 3D brain tissue models with inbuilt bioelectronic sensors at predefined sites.
Engineering Biofunctional Enzyme‐Mimics for Catalytic Therapeutics and Diagnostics
Authors: Tang Qing , Cao Sujiao , Ma Tian , Xiang Xi , Luo Hongrong , Borovskikh Pavel , Rodriguez Raul D. , Guo Quanyi , Qiu Li , Cheng Chong 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe applications of nanomaterial‐based enzyme‐mimics (Enz‐Ms) in biocatalytically therapeutic and diagnostic fields have attracted extensive attention. The regulation of the biocatalytic performances and biofunctionalities of Enz‐Ms are essential research objectives, including the rational design and synthesis of Enz‐Ms with desired biofunctional molecules and nanostructures, especially at the level of molecules and even single atoms. Here, this timely progress report provides pivotal advances and comments on recent researches on engineering biofunctional Enz‐Ms (BF/Enz‐Ms), particularly chemical synthesis, functionalization strategies, and integration of diverse enzyme‐mimetic catalytic activities of BF/Enz‐Ms. First, the definitions and catalogs of BF/Enz‐Ms are briefly introduced. Then, detailed comments and discussions are provided on the fabrication protocols, biocatalytic properties, and therapeutic/diagnostic applications of engineered BF/Enz‐Ms via hydrogels, nanogels, metal–organic frameworks, metal–polyphenol networks, covalent–organic frameworks, functional cell membranes, bioactive molecules and polymers, and composites. Finally, the future perspectives and challenges on BF/Enz‐Ms are outlined and thoroughly discussed. It is believed that this progress report will give a chemical and material overview on the state‐of‐the‐art designing principles of BF/Enz‐Ms, thus further promoting their future developments and prosperities for a wide range of applications.
Engineering Materials for Electrochemical Sweat Sensing
Authors: Wang Zhengyun , Shin Jihoon , Park Jin‐Ho , Lee Hakho , Kim Dong‐Hwan , Liu Hongfang 
Published: November 2020

AbstractHuman sweat contains vast physiological information, which has been a promising resource for on‐body and real‐time health monitoring. Wearable sweat sensors have recently attracted an ever‐increasing interest due to their promising capabilities for continuously tracking changes in health status. However, the commercialization of sweat sensors is seriously hindered by drawbacks of materials including high manufacturing and consumables costs, complex integration technology, as well as limited electrochemical signal transduction. In this review, sweat sensing principles are elaborately interpreted, and the latest advances in functional materials for biomarkers sensing in sweat are systematically summarized. Subsequently, the complex structure–activity relationships between various functional materials and sensing capabilities are further elucidated by coupling chemical structures, geometrics, electrochemical properties, and approaches for materials manufacturing. Furthermore, the integration of each component into sensing device for sweat detection and analysis is also discussed. Finally, challenges and opportunities for wearable sweat sensors are delineated in the development of future personalized and predictive healthcare.
Preferred Growth Direction by PbS Nanoplatelets Preserves Perovskite Infrared Light Harvesting for Stable, Reproducible, and Efficient Solar Cells
Authors: Sánchez‐Godoy Humberto Emmanuel , Erazo Eider Ansisar , Gualdrón‐Reyes Andrés Fabián , Khan Ali Hossain , Agouram Said , Barea Eva Maria , Rodriguez Rubén Arturo , Zarazúa Isaac , Ortiz Pablo , Cortés María Teresa , Muñoz‐Sanjosé Vicente , Moreels Iwan , Masi Sofia , Mora‐Seró Iván 
Published: November 2020

AbstractFormamidinium‐based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) present the maximum theoretical efficiency of the lead perovskite family. However, formamidinium perovskite exhibits significant degradation in air. The surface chemistry of PbS has been used to improve the formamidinium black phase stability. Here, the use of PbS nanoplatelets with (100) preferential crystal orientation is reported, to potentiate the repercussion on the crystal growth of perovskite grains and to improve the stability of the material and consequently of the solar cells. As a result, a vertical growth of perovskite grains, a stable current density of 23 mA cm−2, and a stable incident photon to current efficiency in the infrared region of the spectrum for 4 months is obtained, one of the best stability achievements for planar PSCs. Moreover, a better reproducibility than the control device, by optimizing the PbS concentration in the perovskite matrix, is achieved. These outcomes validate the synergistic use of PbS nanoplatelets to improve formamidinium long‐term stability and performance reproducibility, and pave the way for using metastable perovskite active phases preserving their light harvesting capability.
Plant‐to‐plant biomass and yield variability in corn–soybean rotations under three tillage regimes
Authors: O'Brien Peter L. , Hatfield Jerry L. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAgronomic management practices have the potential to affect plant‐to‐plant variability of biomass accumulation and grain production. However, the relationship between the variability of crop production per plant (i.e., grain weight) and crop production per unit area (i.e., grain yield) is inconsistent because high variability in grain weight has been linked with lower yields in some instances but not others. The objective of this experiment was to investigate plant‐to‐plant variability of biomass accumulation and grain production at three developmental stages in corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean (Glycine max [Merr.] L.) rotations under conventional tillage, strip tillage, and no tillage. Plant‐to‐plant biomass variability, as measured by the coefficient of variation (CV) of crop biomass at three phenological stages, decreased throughout the growing season in corn but increased in soybean; these trends did not differ among tillage systems but did change among the 4 yr of the experiment. The CV of grain weight per corn plant was higher in no‐till for two of the study years, suggesting an interaction between tillage and weather patterns that affects variability. Overall, mean grain weight per plant increased as CV of grain weight decreased in corn but not in soybean. This finding suggests that corn yields were maximized when all individual plants were producing relatively similar amounts of grain, whereas this relationship was not present in soybean. The findings of this study indicate that tillage practices do not consistently affect plant‐to‐plant variability of biomass or grain production and must be understood in context of weather conditions and other agronomic management practices.
Stepped enhancement of CO2 adsorption and separation in IL‐ZIF‐IL composites with shell‐interlayer‐core structure
Authors: Han Guopeng , Yu Na , Liu Dahuan , Yu Guangren , Chen Xiaochun , Zhong Chongli 
Published: November 2020

AbstractDevelopment of materials with excellent separation performance remains an ongoing challenge in separation science and technology. Herein, a novel strategy was proposed to gradually enhance gas separation performance in micro/nano‐materials, by constructing a shell‐interlayer‐core structure using ionic liquid (triethylenetetramine lactate, [TETA]L) and zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF‐8). Such structure includes outer [TETA]L shell, interlayer of ZIF‐8, and inner [TETA]L core, endowing the composite with more evident molecular sieving separation for CO2 mixtures than the reported materials. A high CO2 adsorption amount (1.53 mmol/g at 298 K and 1.0 bar) is maintained, while the uptakes for CH4 and N2 are very low. Corresponding ideal adsorbed solution theory selectivities are 260–1,990 and 1,688–5,572 for CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2 mixtures at the range of tested pressures. In addition, the separation performance can be controlled by varying the shell‐interlayer‐core structure with IL inside, outside or on both sides of ZIF‐8 and the thickness of outer shell.
COVID‐19 complications on the digestive system and liver: A current clinical and pathophysiological approach
Authors: Abdel‐Moneim Adel 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic is a public health threat impacting people all over the world. Although severe acute respiratory coronavirus syndrome (SARS‐CoV‐2) was identified as a virus for the respiratory system, it might be responsible for the digestive symptoms associated with COVID‐19. Common gastrointestinal symptoms in COVID‐19 patients are anorexia, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, in addition to abnormal levels of liver enzymes. While the diagnosis of SARS‐CoV‐2 based essentially on respiratory samples, fecal SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA‐analysis can be used as a diagnostic test. In the current COVID‐19 pandemic, 10% to 50% of patients reported hepatic‐gastrointestinal manifestations, especially those with severe illness. Although the gastrointestinal infection is not completely understood, the tissue injury may be due to the direct cytopathic effect of SARS‐CoV‐2, which can invade through the angiotensin conversion enzyme‐2 (ACE2) receptor. Notably, ACE2 receptor expression has been identified in the gastrointestinal tract and cholangiocytes of the liver. Also, COVID‐19 gastrointestinal influence may be multifactorial and related to the cytokine storm, drug‐induced liver injury, and ischemic hypoxic reperfusion that cause multi‐organ injury. This brief review summarizes the available data on the liver and gastrointestinal complications induced by SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, focusing mainly on the mechanisms of pathogenicity.
Janus‐faced race: Is race biological, social, or mythical?
Authors: Hochman Adam 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAs belief in the reality of race as a biological category among U.S. anthropologists has fallen, belief in the reality of race as a social category has risen in its place. The view that race simply does not exist—that it is a myth—is treated with suspicion. While racial classification is linked to many of the worst evils of recent history, it is now widely believed to be necessary to fight back against racism. In this article, I argue that race is indeed a biological fiction, but I critique the claim that race is socially real. I defend a form of anti‐realist reconstructionism about race, which says that there are no races, only racialized groups—groups mistakenly believed to be races. I argue that this is the most attractive position about race from a metaphysical perspective, and that it is also the position most conductive to public understanding and social justice.
Failure to demonstrate efficacy of aducanumab: An analysis of the EMERGE and ENGAGE trials as reported by Biogen, December 2019
Authors: Knopman David S. , Jones David T. , Greicius Michael D. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAducanumab recently underwent two large phase III clinical trials that were stopped prematurely by the sponsor Biogen. One trial was trending positive while the other showed no benefits from aducanumab. Post hoc analyses led the sponsor to assert that there was a sufficient efficacy signal to justify a new drug application as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease. The sponsor claimed that subsets of participants receiving sufficiently high doses of aducanumab demonstrated benefits in both trials. In contrast, we identified alternative accounts for the apparent drug benefits in post hoc subgroups that are unrelated to dose effects. Biomarker data were consistent with target engagement, but no evidence was presented to correlate biomarker changes to cognitive benefits. Our analysis supports the conduct of a third, phase III trial with high‐dose aducanumab. Aducanumab's efficacy as a treatment for the cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease cannot be proven by clinical trials with divergent outcomes.
Phase Diagrams of Periodically Driven Spin–Orbit Coupled 87Rb and 23Na Bose–Einstein Condensates
Authors: Lin Zhi 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe phase boundaries of periodically driven spin–orbit coupled BECs with effective two‐body interactions are analytically calculated by using variational method. The phase diagrams of periodically driven and systems present distinguished features from undriven systems, respectively. For the BECs, the critical density (density at quantum tricritical point) will be dramatically reduced in some parameter regions, and the prospect of observing this intriguing quantum tricritical point is greatly enlarged. Moreover, a series of quantum tricritical points emerge quasi‐periodically when increasing the Raman coupling strength with fixed density. In the BECs, two hyperfine states of atoms can be miscible within the suitable regions of driving parameter space. As a result, systems will stay in the stripe phase with small Raman frequency at typical density, which expands the region of stripe phase in the phase diagram. In addition, an absence of quantum tricritical point in such system is observed, which is very unlike systems.
A modified oil‐soluble polyether used as multifunctional ashless additives with enhanced lubricating and corrosion protection performance
Authors: Zhou Chen , Tan Li , Hu Wenjing , Li Jiusheng 
Published: November 2020

AbstractA novel oil soluble polyether derivative (OSPSA) was synthesized by the mono‐esterification of oil soluble polyether (OSP) with succinic anhydride (SA). The product was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, gel permeation chromatography, thermogravimetry, and acid value. The friction test results indicate that OSPSA exhibited obvious improvement on the friction reduction (by 35.7%) and anti‐wear performance (by 50.3%) comparing with the base oil. Additionally, OSPSA was also found to display excellent anticorrosion properties. OSPSA can be used as multifunctional ashless additive to provide excellent lubricity and corrosion protection properties. It can be speculated from the electrochemical experiments that the corrosion inhibition performance of OSPSA is mainly controlled by anode and the corrosion inhibition efficiency can reach 82.9%.
Behavior of epoxy resin filled with nano‐SiO2 treated with a Eugenol epoxy silane
Authors: Zheng Jieyuan , Zhang Xianwei , Cao Jun , Chen Rui , Aziz Tariq , Fan Hong , Bittencourt Carla 
Published: November 2020

AbstractHarvesting biobased silane coupling agent to enhance the connection between fillers and epoxy matrix is vital to achieve sustainable and environmentally friendly products. In this work, a eugenol based epoxy silane‐coupling agent with high purity was prepared and used for the surface modification of nano‐sized silica particles. The surface structure composition and physical properties of the modified nano‐SiO2 were characterized through nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transferred infrared spectrometer, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermal gravimetric analyzer. An epoxy nanocomposite was subsequently prepared by incorporating the resulting modified nano‐SiO2 as an enhancing filler. The nanocomposites glass transition temperature, the morphology of fracture surface, dynamic mechanical properties, and thermostability were investigated. Results showed that the eugenol epoxy silane‐coupling agent bearing a long chain structure of benzene ring in the molecular structure could improve the compatibility of silica fillers with epoxy resin and contribute to a better dispersion state in the matrix, thus enhancing the overall performance of epoxy‐cured products.
Single‐stage optical formation of planar light‐guides in a layer of photopolymerizable composition
Authors: Mensov Sergey N. , Polushtaytsev Yuri V. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe possibility of one‐stage formation of planar light‐guiding structures from photopolymerizable compositions with a neutral component by the photolithographic method is investigated. It is shown that the required profile of the refractive index in the light‐guide, which is a polymeric core surrounded by a low‐refracting damper of the same material with a higher concentration of the neutral component, can be formed due to diffusion processes stimulated by nonuniform distribution of actinic radiation intensity. The results of numerical modeling and experiments on the optical formation of stable light‐guiding 2D‐structures with a volume distribution of the refractive index in the polymer layer are presented.