bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of Farmer Organizations in the Reinforcement of the Economic Capacities of Farmers in Mezam Division, Cameroon
Authors: Mbangari Kenette Fru , Fonteh Mathias Fru , Fouepe Guillaume Hensel Fongang 
Published: April 2020

This study was carried out from February 2018 to June 2019 in Mezam Division-Cameroon, under the auspices of the Program for the Improvement of Competiveness of Family Agro-pastoral Farms (PCP-ACEFA) and the North West Farmers’ Organization (NOWEFOR). The objective of the study was to assess the role of FOs in the reinforcement of the economic capacities of farmers in the region. Secondary sources data were reviewed while primary source data were gotten directly from farmrs in the field. Two hundred and eighty (280) farmers’ members of these FOs were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire and 7 leaders were interviewed using an interview guide. In addition, direct observations were made. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS. The findings show that, 18.57% of the respondents who possessed agricultural equipments in their farms from the support of SOS Faim/EC, 17.14% as a result of MINADER support, 20% as a result of ACEFA support and 44.28% coming from the farmers own capital. Beneficiaries of the aid hired 30% of workerss compared to 12.8% the non beneficiaries. The contribution of FOs in the development of the economic capacities of farmers was overall positive as 48.57% of the beneficiary farmers had a higher income than non beneficiaries. The beneficiaries’ respective mean annual gross margin for market gardening (263, 863), poultry (375,343) and piggery (64,615) are statistically higher than that of non beneficiaries. Conclusively FOs are pivotal for famers in the development process and the strengthening of the economic capacities of farmers.
Reduced neurosteroid potentiation of GABAA receptors in epilepsy and depolarized hippocampal neurons
Authors: Joshi Suchitra , Roden William H. , Kapur Jaideep , Jansen Laura A. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractObjectiveNeurosteroids regulate neuronal excitability by potentiating γ‐aminobutyric acid type‐A receptors (GABARs). In animal models of temporal lobe epilepsy, the neurosteroid sensitivity of GABARs is diminished and GABAR subunit composition is altered. We tested whether similar changes occur in patients with epilepsy and if depolarization‐induced increases in neuronal activity can replicate this effect.MethodsWe determined GABAR α4 subunit expression in cortical tissue resected from pediatric epilepsy patients. Modulation of human GABARs by allopregnanolone and Ro15‐4513 was measured in Xenopus oocytes using whole‐cell patch clamp. To extend the findings obtained using tissue from epilepsy patients, we evaluated GABAR expression and modulation by allopregnanolone and Ro15‐4513 in cultured rat hippocampal neurons exposed to high extracellular potassium (HK) to increase neuronal activity.ResultsExpression of α4 subunits was increased in pediatric cortical epilepsy specimens encompassing multiple pathologies. The potentiation of GABA‐evoked currents by the neurosteroid allopregnanolone was decreased in Xenopus oocytes expressing GABARs isolated from epilepsy patients. Furthermore, receptors isolated from epilepsy but not control tissue were sensitive to potentiation by Ro15‐4513, indicating higher expression of α4βxγ2 subunit‐containing receptors. Correspondingly, increasing the activity of cultured rat hippocampal neurons reduced allopregnanolone potentiation of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs), increased modulation of tonic GABAR current by Ro15‐4513, upregulated the surface expression of α4 and γ2 subunits, and increased the colocalization of α4 and γ2 subunit immunoreactivity.InterpretationThese findings suggest that seizure activity‐induced upregulation of α4βxγ2 subunit‐containing GABARs could affect the anticonvulsant actions of neurosteroids.
The Chemistry and Promising Applications of Graphene and Porous Graphene Materials
Authors: Huang Haibo , Shi Haodong , Das Pratteek , Qin Jieqiong , Li Yaguang , Wang Xiao , Su Feng , Wen Pengchao , Li Suyuan , Lu Pengfei , Liu Fangyan , Li Yuejiao , Zhang Ying , Wang Yi , Wu Zhong‐Shuai , Cheng Hui‐Ming 
Published: April 2020

AbstractGraphene and graphene oxide (GO), as wonder materials, have penetrated nearly every field of research. One of their most attractive features is the functionality and assembly of graphene or GO, in which they can be considered to be chemically functionalized building blocks for creating unconventional porous graphene materials (PGMs) that not only combine the merits of both porous materials and graphene, but also have major advantages over other porous carbons for specific applications. The chemistry and approaches for functionalizing graphene and GO are first introduced, and typical procedures for pore creation (e.g., in‐plane pores, 2D laminar pores, and 3D interconnected pore assemblies), self‐assembly, and tailoring mechanisms for PGMs to highlight the significance of precise control over the pore morphology and pore size are summarized. Because of their unique pore structures, with different morphologies and intriguing properties, PGMs serve as key components in a variety of applications such as energy storage, electrocatalysis, and molecular separation. Finally, the challenges relating to PGMs from the understanding of chemical self‐assembly to specific applications are discussed, and promising solutions on how to tackle them are presented. This provides an insightful outlook for the future development of the chemistry and applications of PGMs.
Engineering a Therapy‐Induced “Immunogenic Cancer Cell Death” Amplifier to Boost Systemic Tumor Elimination
Authors: Li Bei , Hao Guanyu , Sun Bing , Gu Zi , Xu Zhi Ping 
Published: April 2020

AbstractImmunogenic cancer cell death (ICD) is drawing worldwide attention as it allows dying cancer cells to regulate the host's anti‐tumor immune system and awaken immunosurveillance. Thus, effectively activating therapy‐induced ICD is of great clinical significance to raise systemic anti‐tumor immunity and eradicate post‐treatment/abscopal cancer tissues. Enhanced cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in cancer therapy has been positively correlated to ICD induction, which inspires design of a therapy‐induced ICD amplifier. The nanohybrid amplifier (FeOOH@STA/Cu‐LDH) is devised based on Cu‐containing layered double hydroxide (Cu‐LDH), incorporating ROS inducer (FeOOH nanodots), ROS generation booster (Cu‐LDH for photothermal therapy), and heat shock protein inhibitor (STA). Treating 4T1 tumor cells with this amplifier translocates calreticulins (CRT, one of main ICD signals) on the surface of dying cancer cells, which achieves the maximum at fever‐type temperature (40–42 °C). To demonstrate immunotherapeutic efficacy of this nanohybrid, 4T1 tumor‐bearing mouse model is established with primary and abscopal tumors. Significantly, only one treatment with the ICD amplifier eradicates the primary tumor and inhibits the abscopal tumor growth upon fever‐type heating and induces more cytotoxic T lymphocytes in abscopal tumors and spleens after treatment for 1 week. This research thus provides a new insight into nanomaterial‐mediated tumor immunotherapy.
Directing Arrowhead Nanorod Dimers for MicroRNA In Situ Raman Detection in Living Cells
Authors: Li Chen , Li Si , Qu Aihua , Kuang Hua , Xu Liguang , Xu Chuanlai 
Published: April 2020

AbstractDirected self‐assembled nanomaterials with biological applications have attracted great interest. Here, arrowhead gold nanorod (NR) dimers with side‐by‐side and end‐to‐end motifs (known as AHSBS and AHETE dimers, respectively) presented based on selective modification of arrowhead NRs with DNA and polyethylene glycol, possessing intense surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) signals, are assembled for in situ intracellular microRNA detection. The arrowhead NR dimers are capable of recognizing target microRNA in a sequence‐specific manner as Raman signals significantly enhanced within dimers with both motifs. Following recognition, the dimers gradually disassemble, resulting in decreased SERS signals to achieve effective in situ Raman imaging and quantify the detection of target microRNA. The SERS intensity shows a linear relationship with intracellular target microRNA and a limit of detection of 0.011 amol ngRNA−1 for the AHETE dimer and 0.023 amol ngRNA−1 for the AHSBS dimer, respectively. The sensitivity for AHETE dimers is ≈2.1 times higher than that for AHSBS dimers, which is attributed to the small quantity of recognized molecules and stronger electrical enhancement, which causes greater SERS signals in the AHETE dimers. This approach opens up a new avenue for directed nanomaterials assembly and biological detection in living cells.
Metal–Organic Frameworks as a Versatile Platform for Proton Conductors
Authors: Ye Yingxiang , Gong Lingshan , Xiang Shengchang , Zhang Zhangjing , Chen Banglin 
Published: April 2020

AbstractMetal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are an intriguing type of crystalline porous materials that can be readily built from metal ions or clusters and organic linkers. Recently, MOF materials, featuring high surface areas, rich structural tunability, and functional pore surfaces, which can accommodate a variety of guest molecules as proton carriers and to systemically regulate the proton concentration and mobility within the available space, have attracted tremendous attention for their roles as solid electrolytes in fuel cells. Recent advances in MOFs as a versatile platform for proton conduction in the field of humidity condition proton‐conduction, anhydrous atmosphere proton‐conduction, single‐crystal proton‐conduction, and including MOF‐based membranes for fuel cells, are summarized and highlighted. Furthermore, the challenges, future trends, and prospects of MOF materials for solid electrolytes are also discussed.
Pd‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Substitution Annulation Using Enolizable Ketimines as Nucleophiles: An Alternative Approach to Chiral Tetrahydroindoles
Authors: Xu Kai , Ye Jianxun , Liu Hao , Shen Jiefeng , Liu Delong , Zhang Wanbin 
Published: April 2020

AbstractA synthesis of chiral tetrahydroindoles has been developed via a Pd‐catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution annulation using unstable enolizable ketimines as nucleophiles and our previously developed tBu‐RuPHOX as a chiral ligand. The reaction proceeds via an asymmetric desymmetrization of the meso‐diacetatecycloalkenes, providing the desired chiral tetrahydroindoles in moderate to good yields and with up to 96% ee. The annulation reaction could be performed on a gram‐scale in high yields and the resulting products can be transformed to several types of N‐hetereobicyclic derivatives. In addition, a chiral cis‐perhydroindolic acid derivative was also readily synthesized starting from a prepared chiral tetrahydroindole.magnified image
Ultrafine Co3Se4 Nanoparticles in Nitrogen‐Doped 3D Carbon Matrix for High‐Stable and Long‐Cycle‐Life Lithium Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Cai Dong , Liu Bingke , Zhu Dehua , Chen Duo , Lu Mengjie , Cao Junming , Wang Yanhu , Huang Wenhao , Shao Yong , Tu Haoran , Han Wei 
Published: April 2020

AbstractLithium–sulfur batteries are a promising high energy output solution for substitution of traditional lithium ion batteries. In recent times research in this field has stepped into the exploration of practical applications. However, their applications are impeded by cycling stability and short life‐span mainly due to the notorious polysulfide shuttle effect. In this work, a multifunctional sulfur host fabricated by grafting highly conductive Co3Se4 nanoparticles onto the surface of an N‐doped 3D carbon matrix to inhibit the polysulfide shuttle and improve the sulfur utilization is proposed. By regulating the carbon matrix and the Co3Se4 distribution, N‐CN‐750@Co3Se4‐0.1 m with abundant polar sites is experimentally and theoretically shown to be a good LiPSs absorbent and a sulfur conversion accelerator. The S/N‐CN‐750@Co3Se4‐0.1 m cathode shows excellent sulfur utilization, rate performance, and cyclic durability. A prolonged cycling test of the as‐fabricated S/N‐CN‐750@Co3Se4‐0.1 m cathode is carried out at 0.2 C for more than 5 months which delivers a high initial capacity of 1150.3 mAh g−1 and retains 531.0 mAh g−1 after 800 cycles with an ultralow capacity reduction of 0.067% per cycle, maintaining Coulombic efficiency of more than 99.3%. The reaction details are characterized and analyzed by ex situ measurements. This work highly emphasizes the potential capabilities of transition‐metal selenides in lithium–sulfur batteries.
Risk of invasive fungal infections in patients with high‐risk MDS and AML receiving hypomethylating agents
Authors: Kim Gee Youn (Geeny) , Burns Jonathan , Freyer Craig W. , Hamilton Keith W. , Frey Noelle V. , Gill Saar I. , Hexner Elizabeth O. , Luger Selina M. , Mangan James K. , Martin Mary E. , McCurdy Shannon R. , Perl Alexander E. , Porter David L. , Schuster Mindy G. , Stadtmauer Edward A. , Loren Alison W. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractInvasive fungal infections (IFI) are a significant source of morbidity and mortality for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Given the heterogeneity of the population receiving hypomethylating agents (HMA), it is difficult for clinicians to accurately assess their patients' risk of infection. Literature on the incidence of IFI following HMA is limited to several studies of azacitidine. The primary objective of this retrospective study was to establish the incidence of IFI in HMA treated AML/MDS patients at a large U.S. comprehensive cancer center. Secondary objectives included comparing incidence of IFI among pre‐specified subgroups to identify potential risk factors for IFI. Two hundred three patients with AML, intermediate to very high risk MDS or chronic myelomonocytic leukemia who received at least two cycles of HMA were included. The incidence of IFI, as defined by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer / Invasive Fungal Infections Cooperative Group criteria, was 9.6%, with 20 IFI diagnosed following HMA (three proven, four probable, 13 possible). Among the proven cases of IFI, molds included Scedosporium and Fusarium spp. Eleven patients who developed IFIs were neutropenic upon initiating HMA. The majority (17/20) of infections occurred during the first four cycles. Given this incidence, mold‐active prophylaxis can be considered in patients who are neutropenic at the start of therapy.
Musculoskeletal abnormalities in a large international cohort of boys with 49,XXXXY
Authors: Tosi Laura , Mitchell Francie , Porter Grace F. , Ruland Leigh , Gropman Andrea , Lasutschinkow Patricia C. , Tran Selena L. , Rajah Elmer N. , Gillies Austin P. , Hendrie Patricia , Peret Rick , Sadeghin Teresa , Samango‐Sprouse Carole A. 
Published: April 2020

Abstract49,XXXXY is the rarest X and Y chromosomal variation, with an incidence of 1 in 80,000–100,000 live male births and has been associated with numerous musculoskeletal abnormalities. Data was collected from an international cohort of boys with 49,XXXXY over 10 years. Children were evaluated by a multidisciplinary team consisting of a pediatric orthopedist, a neurogeneticist, a neurodevelopmentalist, and two physical therapists. Increased rates of torticollis (32.4%), hamstring tightness (42%), radioulnar synostosis (67.6%), pes planus (65.2%), and other foot abnormalities (86.9%) were observed. Several anomalies increased with age, specifically hamstring tightness, kyphosis, and scoliosis. The elucidation of the orthopedic profile of this population is necessary in order to provide healthcare providers with current medical information. This research further supports the necessity for the comprehensive multidisciplinary treatment of boys with 49,XXXXY.
Magnetically recoverable Ni@CuI hybrid nanocatalysts affording spiropyrroline heterocycles from ketoximes and alkenes
Authors: Gulati Upasana , Rajesh U. Chinna , Rawat Diwan S. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe design of magnetic hybrid nanomaterials for cooperative activation of diverse functional groups drives future nanocatalysis toward green and sustainable multi‐component organic synthesis. Here, we report the synthesis of unique Ni@CuI hybrid nanocatalysts by oxidation of the Cu0 surface in Ni@Cu core‐shell precursor using an ethanolic I2 solution. The morphological (scanning electron microscopy and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy) and structural (powder X‐ray diffraction and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy) characterizations conform the formation of Ni0 and CuI hybrid nanocatalysts. These are efficient catalysts for the activation of oxime and olefin substrates to afford spiropyrrolines in a short time and excellent yields under green reaction conditions. The control experiments delineate the role of Cu sites as redox (I–III) triggered cleavage of N−O bond (oximes) and Ni0 sites adsorb the olefin (C=C) which is proximity to the Cu‐enamide intermediate to enhance the intermolecular cyclization lead to spiropyrrolines. The robustness of Ni@CuI hybrid nanocatalyst is demonstrated over five cycles without loss in its turnover and structural integrity, which follows ideal green chemistry metrics.
Assessment of nutritional stress in famine burials using stable isotope analysis
Authors: Walter Brittany S. , DeWitte Sharon N. , Dupras Tosha , Beaumont Julia 
Published: April 2020

AbstractObjectivesWe compared δ15N and δ13C values from bone and dentine collagen profiles of individuals interred in famine‐related and attritional burials to evaluate whether individuals in medieval London who experienced nutritional stress exhibit enriched nitrogen in bone and tooth tissue. Dentine profiles were evaluated to identify patterns that may be indicative of famine during childhood and were compared with the age of enamel hypoplasia (EH) formation to assess whether isotopic patterns of undernutrition coincide with the timing of physiological stress.Materials and Methodsδ15N and δ13C isotope ratios of bone collagen were obtained from individuals (n = 128) interred in attritional and famine burials from a medieval London cemetery (c. 1120–1539). Temporal sequences of δ15N and δ13C isotope profiles for incrementally forming dentine collagen were obtained from a subset of these individuals (n = 21).ResultsResults indicate that individuals from attritional graves exhibit significantly higher δ15N values but no significant differences were found between burial types for the sexes. Analyses of dentine profiles reveal that a lower proportion of famine burials exhibit stable dentine profiles and that several exhibit a pattern of opposing covariance between δ15N and δ13C. EH were also observed to have formed during or after the opposing covariance pattern for some individuals.ConclusionsThe results of this study may reflect differences in diet between burial types rather than nutritional stress. Though nutritional stress could not be definitively identified using bone and dentine collagen, the results from dentine analysis support previous observations of biochemical patterns associated with nutritional stress during childhood.
Pillararene Host–Guest Complexation Induced Chirality Amplification: A New Way to Detect Cryptochiral Compounds
Authors: Zhu Huangtianzhi , Li Qi , Gao Zongchun , Wang Hongliang , Shi Bingbing , Wu Yitao , Shangguan Liqing , Hong Xin , Wang Feng , Huang Feihe 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe contradiction between the rising demands of optical chirality sensing and the failure in chiral detection of cryptochiral compounds encourages researchers to find new methods for chirality amplification. Inspired by planar chirality and the host–guest recognition of pillararenes, we establish a new concept for amplifying CD signals of cryptochiral molecules by pillararene host–guest complexation induced chirality amplification. The planar chirality of pillararenes is induced and stabilized in the presence of the chiral guest, which makes the cryptochiral molecule detectable by CD spectroscopy. Several chiral guests are selected in these experiments and the mechanism of chiral amplification is studied with a non‐rotatable pillararene derivative and density functional theory calculations. We believe this work affords deeper understanding of chirality and provides a new perspective for chiral sensing.
Enantioselective Pallada‐Electrocatalyzed C−H Activation by Transient Directing Groups: Expedient Access to Helicenes
Authors: Dhawa Uttam , Tian Cong , Wdowik Tomasz , Oliveira João C. A. , Hao Jiping , Ackermann Lutz 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAsymmetric pallada‐electrocatalyzed C−H olefinations were achieved through the synergistic cooperation with transient directing groups. The electrochemical, atroposelective C−H activations were realized with high position‐, diastereo‐, and enantio‐control under mild reaction conditions to obtain highly enantiomerically‐enriched biaryls and fluorinated N−C axially chiral scaffolds. Our strategy provided expedient access to, among others, novel chiral BINOLs, dicarboxylic acids and helicenes of value to asymmetric catalysis. Mechanistic studies by experiments and computation provided key insights into the catalyst's mode of action.
The influence of MWCNT and hybrid (MWCNT/nanoclay) fillers on performance of EPDM‐CIIR blends in nuclear applications: Mechanical, hydrocarbon transport, and gamma‐radiation aging characteristics
Authors: Neelesh Ashok , Vidhyashree Sakthivel , Meera Balachandran 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBlends of EPDM and chlorobutyl (CIIR) rubbers are used in nuclear plants where they have to withstand the combined effect of radiation and hydrocarbon aging. To improve their mechanical properties as well as hydrocarbon and gamma radiation resistance, the blends are reinforced with 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 phr of MWCNT. The increase in mechanical properties was highest for 1.5 phr MWCNT with 69% increase in tensile strength. The improvement in properties was correlated to MWCNT dispersion and filler–polymer interactions, which were confirmed by TEM and FTIR analysis. Hydrocarbon transport coefficients decreased on addition of MWCNT. The nanocomposites were exposed to 0.5, 1, and 2 MGy cumulative doses of gamma radiation. Depending on the radiation dose, crosslinking and/or chain scission occurred causes changes in physical properties. MWCNT reinforcement reduced the magnitude of changes in mechanical and transport properties after γ‐irradiation. ESR and FTIR spectra provided qualitative information on free radical formation and chemical changes due to γ‐rays exposure. To further enhance the properties, hybrid nanocomposites with 1.5 phr MWCNT and varying nanoclay contents (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 5 phr) were prepared. Due to synergism between MWCNT and nanoclay, the hybrid composites had superior properties with hybrid containing 5 phr nanoclay giving 98% increase in tensile strength.