bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Idiosyncratic liver pigment alterations of five frog species in response to contrasting land use patterns in the Brazilian Cerrado
Authors: Franco-Belussi Lilian , Provete Diogo B. , Borges Rinneu E. , De Oliveira Classius , Santos Lia Raquel S. 
Published: August 2020

BackgroundChanges in land use trigger environmental changes that can lead to decreased biodiversity and species loss. The liver is an essential detoxification organ that reflects systemic physiological responses to environmental changes. Here, we tested whether contrasting land use patterns influence the amount of substances from the hepatic cellular catabolism and melanomacrophages (MMs) of five anuran species in the Brazilian Cerrado.MethodsWe collected the same five species of pond-dwelling frogs in one protected area and in an area with intense agricultural activity. We used routine histological and histochemical techniques to quantify the area occupied by lipofuscin, melanin, and hemosiderin in the liver of two frogsLeptodactylus fuscus,Physalaemus cuvieri, and three tree-frogsDendropsophus minutus,Scinax fuscomarginatus, andBoana albopunctata. We classified land use types in a buffer around each pond based on satellite images. We then used a double-constrained Correspondence Analysis, a recently developed ecological method to relate functional traits to environmental variables, to test the effect of each land use type on the area of each liver pigment.ResultsThere was an increase in the amount of melanin in environments with high proportion of agriculture, as well as variation in the amount of lipofuscin and hemosiderin. Liver pigments ofP. cuvieriandB. albopunctatavaried more strongly in response to land use types, suggesting they could be good indicator species. Therefore, the area of MMs in the liver and the metabolic products in their cytoplasm can be used as biomarkers of environmental changes in regions with intense agricultural activities. Our results add a new perspective to the influence of land use patterns on environmental health by highlighting the effect of environmental changes on internal morphological aspects of animals.
An analysis of Atrioventricular Canal Defect (AVCD) in Children in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria, West Africa
Authors: Tabansi P. N. , Otaigbe B. E. 
Published: August 2020

Aims: This was to determine the demographic and echocardiographic characteristics of AVCD patients and analyse the types of defect associated with the presence or absence of obvious phenotypic syndromes in children in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
Methodology: It is a prospective study of children with AVCD seen over a 5 years period. Data on age, gender, presence or absence of chromosomal/genetic syndrome, age at onset of symptoms and age at presentation to the hospital, parental age, echocardiographic description, and outcome were analysed.
Results: Eighty-one cases of AVCD were analyzed with a male to female ratio of 1.1:1. Age ranged from birth to five years with a Mean Age of 5.5 months and Mode 3 months. There were more non-syndromic patients 46(56.8%) compared to 35(43.2%) patients with features of chromosomal syndrome. Complete AVCD with a common atrioventricular valve was the commonest findings in syndromic and non-syndromic children. Transitional AVCD was seen only in syndromic patients. Non-syndromic patients had more complex additional cardiac anomalies.
Conclusion: That more than 50% of cases of AVCD seen were in non-syndromic children in the Niger Delta is worrisome because this is an oil exploratory region known for constant gas flaring and environmental pollutants.
Potential Ecological Risk of Swamps Sediments in Illegal Refineries Sites: A Case Study of Isoko South, Delta State, Nigeria
Authors: Akpomrere O. R. , Uguru H. 
Published: August 2020

This study was carried to determine the level of heavy metals toxicity in swampy forest of Isoko South, Delta State, Nigeria. Sediments samples were collected from nine spatial points, within the swampy forest of Enwhe community of Delta State, Nigeria. The study area contained clusters of illegal crude oil refineries, before they were destroyed by the Nigeria military, during the first quarter of 2020. A total area of 1 km2 of the swampy environment was covered in this study. Six toxic heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Cr, Cd, Pb, and Ni) contents, in the sediments were determined in accordance to international approved standards. The results revealed that the activities of the illegal refineries located in the study area, significantly increased the heavy metals toxicity in the sediments. When compared with the results obtained from a reference point, the concentrations of the heavy metals were significantly higher, across the study area. Within the study area, spatial points B and D sediments contained the highest heavy metals concentrations. In addition, the study revealed that contamination factor of the sediments ranged between moderate and high degree of heavy metals contamination. This portrayed the potential ecological risks of the illegal refineries activities, to the environment of the region. Therefore, if these illegal refineries activities are allowed to continue unabated, they will cause a serious ecological risk to the Niger Delta region ecosystems.
Prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among professional drivers: A systematic review
Authors: Joseph Leonard , Standen Miles , Paungmali Aatit , Kuisma Raija , Sitilertpisan Patraporn , Pirunsan Ubon 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Objectives
Professional drivers are at high risk of developing musculoskeletal pain (MSP) due to risk factors such as prolonged sitting, whole body vibration, awkward posture, and repetitive actions. This review investigates the reported prevalence of MSP among professional drivers.

Methods
An electronic search of Medline (1946 + via OvidSP), Embase (1974 + OvidSP), CINAHL (1982+), AMED, PubMed, and Web of Science from 1990 to July 2019 was performed. Methodological quality of studies was assessed using three quality assessment tools for cross-sectional, case-control, and prospective cohort studies. The prevalence of MSP was reported using descriptive analysis.

Results
A total of 56 studies conducted in 23 different countries across a total of 14 types of occupational transport were reviewed. Data of a total pooled population of 18 882 professional drivers were analyzed for MSP. The prevalence of MSP ranged between 43.1% and 93%. The low back was the most frequently reported body region for MSP with a meta-prevalence rate of 53% (N = 9998). Neck, shoulder, and upper back were the other common regions with high prevalence.

Conclusion
There is a high prevalence of MSP in professional drivers and low back was the most frequently reported body region, followed by neck, upper back, shoulder, knee, hip/thigh, wrist, ankle, and elbow. MSP is complicated in nature and therefore in-depth exploration of causal relationships between MSP and risk factors is necessary so that appropriate healthcare programs can be initiated to prevent and treat MSP effectively.
Extremely Rapid Self‐Healable and Recyclable Supramolecular Materials through Planetary Ball Milling and Host–Guest Interactions
Authors: Park Junsu , Murayama Shunsuke , Osaki Motofumi , Yamaguchi Hiroyasu , Harada Akira , Matsuba Go , Takashima Yoshinori 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe host–guest interaction as noncovalent bonds can make polymeric materials tough and flexible based on the reversibility property, which is a promising approach to extend the lifetime of polymeric materials. Supramolecular materials with cyclodextrin and adamantane are prepared by mixing host polymers and guest polymers by planetary ball milling. The toughness of the supramolecular materials prepared by ball milling is approximately 2 to 5 times higher than that of supramolecular materials prepared by casting, which is the conventional method. The materials maintain their mechanical properties during repeated ball milling treatments. They are also applicable as self‐healable bulk materials and coatings, and they retain the transparency of the substrate. Moreover, fractured pieces of the materials can be re‐adhered within 10 min. Dynamic mechanical analysis, thermal property measurements, small‐angle X‐ray scattering, and microscopy observations reveal these behaviors in detail. Scars formed on the coating disappear within a few seconds at 60 °C. At the same time, the coating shows scratch resistance due to its good mechanical properties. The ball milling method mixes the host polymer and guest polymer at the nano level to achieve the self‐healing and recycling properties.
A Multifunctional Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based on Conveyor Belt Structure for High‐Precision Vortex Detection
Authors: Yang Huake , Hu Jie , Yang Hongmei , Liu Wenlin , Wang Zhao , Zeng Qixuan , Li Qianying , Zhang Dazhi , Xi Yi , Wang Zhong Lin 
Published: August 2020

AbstractVortex is one of the most common natural phenomena. However, its monitoring and measurement has always been difficult in both research and water conservancy projects. A multifunctional device is designed to detect the vortex based on the capability of a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), utilizing the relative motion principle of a conveyor transmission structure that is driven by the relative motion of upper and lower parts to generate electrical signals. The TENG based on a conveyor belt structure (CB‐TENG) having three electrodes can monitor the vortex in real time and measure the rotating speed of the vortex. The output time domain of different electrodes corresponds to different rotation directions; therefore, the vortex direction can be determined according to electrical signal characteristics. Additionally, the wheel speed sensor (accuracy up to 98.11%) and wind speed sensor based on CB‐TENG are fabricated and tested, which proves the feasibility and high efficiency of the scheme and demonstrates the wide application of CB‐TENG.
Low Amplified Spontaneous Emission and Lasing Thresholds from Hybrids of Fluorenes and Vinylphenylcarbazole
Authors: Shukla Atul , Mai Van T. N. , Senevirathne A. M. Chathuranganie , Allison Ilene , McGregor Sarah K. M. , Lepage Romain J. , Wood Michael , Matsushima Toshinori , Moore Evan G. , Krenske Elizabeth H. , Sandanayaka Atula S. D. , Adachi Chihaya , Namdas Ebinazar B. , Lo Shih‐Chun 
Published: August 2020

AbstractOrganic semiconductor dyes have attracted high interest as laser gain media owing to their judicious features of solution processability, lightweight, high mechanical flexibility, high wavelength‐tunability, and low‐cost manufacture. In this work, fluorene‐carbazolylstyryl hybrids are reported, SFCz and BSTFCz, as new solution processable organic semiconductor laser dyes to show high molar extinction coefficients (up to 1.98 × 105 dm3 mol−1 cm−1), high photoluminescence quantum yields (up to 81 ± 4%), high radiative decay constants (up to 1.24 × 109 s−1), and low film amplified spontaneous emission thresholds (down to 0.70 µJ cm−2). By using mixed‐order distributed feedback laser structures, extremely low lasing threshold of 0.5 µJ cm−2 is achieved. To elucidate their electroluminescent properties, simple solution‐processed organic light‐emitting diodes based on the new materials are fabricated to show good external quantum efficiencies (2%) and high brightness (≈2800 cd m−2). The results indicate the ease in material synthesis and fabrication enabling solution‐processed low‐threshold lasing toward future injection laser.
Synthesis of Decahydrocyclobuta[cd]indene Skeletons: Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed Hydroarylation and Relay Thiophene‐Promoted Intramolecular [2+2] Cycloaddition
Authors: Gao Dingding , Wang Feng , Liu Xing‐Yu , Feng Kai‐Rui , Zhao Jia‐Ying , Wang Yu‐Hui , Yang Xiao‐Di , Tian Ping , Lin Guo‐Qiang 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe preparation of decahydrocyclobuta[cd]indene skeleton was accomplished through rhodium(III)‐catalyzed hydroarylation and relay thiophene‐promoted intramolecular [2+2] cycloaddition. This tandem reaction exhibited broad substrate scope (24 examples) and good functional group compatibility. Control experiments revealed the important role of sulfur (S) heteroatom, thus a tentative mechanism with thiophene‐promoted double Michael additions was proposed to explain this formal [2+2] cycloaddition. Moreover, the resulting polycyclic products displayed potent anti‐cancer activities against breast cancer cell lines MDA‐MB‐468.magnified image
One‐Pot Access to Sulfonyl 2‐Arylnaphthalenes via Wacker Oxidation of Sulfonyl o‐Allylchalcones
Authors: Hsueh Nai‐Chen , Tsai Min‐Chen , Chang Meng‐Yang 
Published: August 2020

AbstractUnder the oxygen atmosphere conditions, PdCl2/CuCl2‐mediated one‐pot Wacker‐type decarboxylative benzannulation of sulfonyl o‐allylchalcones provides sulfonyl naphthalenes and carboxylic acids in MeOH at reflux. A plausible mechanism is proposed and discussed herein. This high‐yield protocol provides a highly effective intramolecular ring‐closure via one carbon‐carbon double bond (C=C) formation.magnified image
Progress and Perspectives Beyond Traditional RAFT Polymerization
Authors: Nothling Mitchell D. , Fu Qiang , Reyhani Amin , Allison‐Logan Stephanie , Jung Kenward , Zhu Jian , Kamigaito Masami , Boyer Cyrille , Qiao Greg G. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe development of advanced materials based on well‐defined polymeric architectures is proving to be a highly prosperous research direction across both industry and academia. Controlled radical polymerization techniques are receiving unprecedented attention, with reversible‐deactivation chain growth procedures now routinely leveraged to prepare exquisitely precise polymer products. Reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization is a powerful protocol within this domain, where the unique chemistry of thiocarbonylthio (TCT) compounds can be harnessed to control radical chain growth of vinyl polymers. With the intense recent focus on RAFT, new strategies for initiation and external control have emerged that are paving the way for preparing well‐defined polymers for demanding applications. In this work, the cutting‐edge innovations in RAFT that are opening up this technique to a broader suite of materials researchers are explored. Emerging strategies for activating TCTs are surveyed, which are providing access into traditionally challenging environments for reversible‐deactivation radical polymerization. The latest advances and future perspectives in applying RAFT‐derived polymers are also shared, with the goal to convey the rich potential of RAFT for an ever‐expanding range of high‐performance applications.
Synergistic Effect of Plasmonic Gold Nanoparticles Decorated Carbon Nanotubes in Quantum Dots/TiO2 for Optoelectronic Devices
Authors: Selopal Gurpreet Singh , Mohammadnezhad Mahyar , Besteiro Lucas V. , Cavuslar Ozge , Liu Jiabin , Zhang Hui , Navarro‐Pardo Fabiola , Liu Guiju , Wang Maorong , Durmusoglu Emek G. , Acar Havva Yagci , Sun Shuhui , Zhao Haiguang , Wang Zhiming M. , Rosei Federico 
Published: August 2020

AbstractHere, a facile approach to enhance the performance of solar‐driven photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is described by means of the synergistic effects of a hybrid network of plasmonic Au nanoparticles (NPs) decorated on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The device based on TiO2–Au:CNTs hybrid network sensitized with colloidal CdSe/(CdSexS1−x)5/(CdS)1 core/alloyed shell quantum dots (QDs) yields a saturated photocurrent density of 16.10 ± 0.10 mA cm−2 [at 1.0 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE)] under 1 sun illumination (AM 1.5G, 100 mW cm−2), which is ≈26% higher than the control device. The in‐depth mechanism behind this significant improvement is revealed through a combined experimental and theoretical analysis for QDs/TiO2–Au:CNTs hybrid network and demonstrates the multifaceted impact of plasmonic Au NPs and CNTs: i) hot‐electron injection from Au NPs into CNTs and TiO2; ii) near‐field enhancement of the QDs absorption and carrier generation/separation processes by the plasmonic Au NPs; iii) enhanced photoinjected electron transport due to the highly directional pathways offered by CNTs. These results provide fundamental insights on the properties of QDs/TiO2–Au:CNTs hybrid network, and highlights the possibility to improve the performance of other solar technologies.
Effects of prescribed fire on soil properties in a pine rockland ecosystem
Authors: Freidenreich Ariel , Harris Brittany , Dattamudi Sanku , Betancourt Eric , Reis Mariana Santos , Jayachandran Krishnaswamy 
Published: August 2020

AbstractWe investigated the impact of a single prescribed fire on soil properties of a pine rockland (PR) ecosystem (South Florida, USA) that had never been burned since establishment in 1978. Soil samples were collected before the prescribed fire (T0) and 1 wk (T1), 4 wk (T4), and 10 wk (T10) postburn and analyzed for chemical characteristics (pH, C, N, P, organic matter) and culturable bacterial and fungal cells. Soil organic matter showed a significant decrease after the burn as a result of fuel combustion. However, a significant increase in soil fungal and bacterial communities in postburn samples was observed, possibly resulting from higher P, N, and micronutrient availability in the soil after burning. Our study indicates that culturable soil microbes can respond to even small and undetectable soil chemical changes. This case study suggests that fast‐growing soil microbes respond more rapidly than chemical properties to a prescribed burn and may have an impact on recovering of native vegetation communities.
Hyperphosphatasia with mental retardation syndrome type 4 in three unrelated South African patients
Authors: Bezuidenhout Heidre , Bayley Samantha , Smit Liani , Kinnear Craig , Möller Marlo , Uren Caitlin , Urban Michael F. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractHyperphosphatasia with mental retardation syndrome (HPMRS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by pathogenic variants in genes involved in glycosylphosphatidylinositol metabolism that result in a similar phenotype. We describe the first three patients with HPMRS from sub‐Saharan Africa. Detection was assisted by Face2Gene phenotype matching and confirmed by the presence of elevated serum alkaline phosphatase. All three patients had severe intellectual disability, absent speech, hypotonia and palatal abnormality (cleft palate in two, very high‐arched palate in one), no or minimal brachytelephalangy, and high serum alkaline phosphatase levels. Additional findings included seizures in two, and brain imaging abnormalities in two. In all three patients HPMRS was a top‐20 gestalt match using Face2Gene. The overall phenotype is consistent with descriptions in the literature of HPMRS type 4, although not specific to it. Whole exome sequencing in the index patient and his mother detected a candidate variant in a homozygous state in the index patient (PGAP3:c.557G>C, p.Arg186Thr) and heterozygous in the mother. Further variant interpretation indicated pathogenicity. Sanger sequencing of another two patients identified the same homozygous, pathogenic variant, confirming a diagnosis of HPMRS type 4. The shared homozygous variant in apparently unrelated families, and in the absence of consanguinity, suggests the possibility of genetic drift due to a population bottleneck effect, and further research is recommended.
Diastereoselective Synthesis of Spiro[indoline‐3,7′‐pyrrolo[1,2‐a]azepines] via Sequential [3+2] Cycloaddition and Ring Expansion Reaction
Authors: Wu Wen‐Tao , Han Ying , Sun Jing , Yan Chao‐Guo 
Published: August 2020

AbstractSpiro[indoline‐3,7′‐pyrrolo[1,2‐a]azepines] were conveniently synthesized in satisfactory yields and with high diastereoselectivity from three‐component reaction of L‐proline, isatins and chalcones and sequential reaction with dimethyl but‐2‐ynedioate or methyl propiolate in refluxing methanol. The ferrocenyl‐chalcones and dibenzylideneacetones were also successfully used in this one‐pot two‐step reaction to give novel ferrocenyl and styryl‐substituted spiro compounds. The reaction mechanism included domino [3+2] cycloadddtition reaction of azomethine ylide with chalcone and ring‐expansion reaction of in situ generated spiro[indoline‐3,3′‐pyrrolizine] with electron‐deficient alkynes.
Achieving Ultrahigh Molecular Weights with Diverse Architectures for Unconjugated Monomers through Oxygen‐Tolerant Photoenzymatic RAFT Polymerization
Authors: Li Ruoyu , An Zesheng 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAchieving well‐defined polymers with ultrahigh molecular weight (UHMW) is an enduring pursuit in the field of reversible deactivation radical polymerization. Synthetic protocols have been successfully developed to achieve UHMWs with low dispersities exclusively from conjugated monomers while no polymerization of unconjugated monomers has provided the same level of control. Herein, an oxygen‐tolerant photoenzymatic RAFT (reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer) polymerization was exploited to tackle this challenge for unconjugated monomers at 10 °C, enabling facile synthesis of well‐defined, linear and star polymers with near‐quantitative conversions, unprecedented UHMWs and low dispersities. The exquisite level of control over composition, MW and architecture, coupled with operational ease, mild conditions and environmental friendliness, broadens the monomer scope to include unconjugated monomers, and to achieve previously inaccessible low‐dispersity UHMWs.
Ultrafast Semi‐Solid Processing of Highly Durable ZIF‐8 Membranes for Propylene/Propane Separation
Authors: Ma Qiang , Mo Kai , Gao Shushu , Xie Yafang , Wang Jinzhao , Jin Hua , Feldhoff Armin , Xu Shutao , Lin Jerry Y. S. , Li Yanshuo 
Published: August 2020

AbstractZIF‐8 membranes have emerged as the most promising candidate for propylene/propane (C3H6/C3H8) separation through its precise molecular sieving characteristics. The poor reproducibility and durability, and high cost, thus far hinder the scalable synthesis and industrial application of ZIF‐8 membranes. Herein, we report a semi‐solid process featuring ultrafast and high‐yield synthesis, and outstanding scalability for reproducible fabrication of ZIF‐8 membranes. The membranes show excellent C3H6/C3H8 separation performance in a wide temperature and pressure range, and remarkable stability over 6 months. The ZIF‐8 membrane features dimethylacetamide entrapped ZIF‐8 crystals retaining the same diffusion characteristics but offering enhanced adsorptive selectivity for C3H6/C3H8. The ZIF‐8 membrane was prepared on a commercial flat‐sheet ceramic substrate. A prototypical plate‐and‐frame membrane module with an effective membrane area of about 300 cm2 was used for efficient C3H6/C3H8 separation.
Sequential Chiral Induction and Regulator‐Assisted Chiral Memory of Pillar[5]arenes
Authors: Fa Shixin , Egami Kouichi , Adachi Keisuke , Kato Kenichi , Ogoshi Tomoki 
Published: August 2020

AbstractChirality transfer is widely observed in life processes, and many artificial chiral transfer systems have been developed. In these systems, chiral information is transferred from chiral inducers to chiral acceptors by a direct chiral induction process and a direct chiral memorization process. We have developed ternary nondirect chiral transfer systems based on pillar[5]arenes, in which a third factor was introduced as a regulator. The planar chirality of an acceptor was induced and memorized by a chiral inducer with precise control by a regulator. In the chiral induction period, the feed sequence of the chiral inducer and regulator affected the chiral induction behavior of the chiral acceptor. The chiral memory ability of the acceptor was substantially improved by the combined action of the chiral inducer and regulator.