bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mo‐/Co‐N‐C Hybrid Nanosheets Oriented on Hierarchical Nanoporous Cu as Versatile Electrocatalysts for Efficient Water Splitting
Authors: Shi Hang , Dai Tian‐Yi , Wan Wu‐Bin , Wen Zi , Lang Xing‐You , Jiang Qing 
Published: April 2021

AbstractDesigning robust and cost‐effective electrocatalysts based on Earth‐abundant elements is crucial for large‐scale hydrogen production through electrochemical water splitting. Here, nitrogen‐doped carbon engrafted Mo2N/CoN hybrid nanosheets that are seamlessly oriented on hierarchical nanoporous Cu scaffold (Mo‐/Co‐N‐C/Cu), as highly efficient electrocatalysts for alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction are reported. The constituent heterostructured Mo2N/CoN nanosheets work as bifunctional electroactive sites for both water dissociation and adsorption/desorption of hydrogen intermediates while the nitrogen‐doped carbon bridges electron transfers between electroactive sites and interconnective Cu current collectors by making use of Mo‐/Co‐N‐C bonds and intimate C/Cu contacts at interfaces. As a consequence of unique architecture having electroactive sites to be sufficiently accessible, self‐supported nanoporous Mo‐/Co‐N‐C/Cu hybrid electrodes exhibit outstanding electrocatalysis in 1 m KOH, with a negligible onset overpotential and a low Tafel slope of 47 mV dec−1. They only take overpotential of as low as 230 mV to reach current density of 1000 mA cm−2. When coupled with their electro‐oxidized derivatives that mediate efficiently the oxygen evolution reaction, the alkaline water electrolyzer can achieve ≈100 mA cm−2 at 1.622 V in 1 m KOH electrolyte, ≈0.343 V lower than the device constructed with commercially available Pt/C and Ir/C nanocatalysts immobilized on nanoporous Cu electrodes.
The IDAES process modeling framework and model library—Flexibility for process simulation and optimization
Authors: Lee Andrew , Ghouse Jaffer H. , Eslick John C. , Laird Carl D. , Siirola John D. , Zamarripa Miguel A. , Gunter Dan , Shinn John H. , Dowling Alexander W. , Bhattacharyya Debangsu , Biegler Lorenz T. , Burgard Anthony P. , Miller David C. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractEnergy systems and manufacturing processes of the 21st century are becoming increasingly dynamic and interconnected, which require new capabilities to effectively model and optimize their design and operations. Such next generation computational tools must leverage state‐of‐the‐art techniques in optimization and be able to rapidly incorporate new advances. To address these requirements, we have developed the Institute for the Design of Advanced Energy Systems (IDAES) Integrated Platform, which builds on the strengths of both process simulators (model libraries) and algebraic modeling languages (advanced solvers). This paper specifically presents the IDAES Core Modeling Framework (IDAES‐CMF), along with a case study demonstrating the application of the framework to solve process optimization problems. Capabilities provided by this framework include a flexible, modifiable, open‐source platform for optimization of process flowsheets utilizing state‐of‐the‐art solvers and solution techniques, fully open and extensible libraries of dynamic unit operations models and thermophysical property models, and integrated support for superstructure‐based conceptual design and optimization under uncertainty.
Evaluation of a Redesigned Perioperative Specialty Elective to Address the Perioperative Nursing Shortage
Authors: Reuter Jessica , Spalla King Tara 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACTA lack of targeted perioperative academic preparation may have led to not enough nursing graduates entering and staying in the perioperative field. This deficit and a large portion of the workforce approaching retirement age have contributed to a perioperative nursing shortage. In collaboration with an associated medical center, a college of nursing in the midwestern United States offered and evaluated a redesigned perioperative elective for student nurses. After implementation, interviews and focus groups were used to determine the effect on the student nurses’ confidence, their progression through orientation after graduating and being hired into the perioperative department, and the perioperative department’s retention rates. Recently graduated nurses with perioperative educational experience have a better understanding of the role of a perioperative nurse. Increasing prelicensure student exposure to the perioperative clinical environment is associated with positive outcomes for the department, organization, nurses, and patients. Similar results in other specialties may be possible.
Immobilization of multicopper oxidase from Pyrobaculum aerophilum onto an electrospun‐aligned single‐walled carbon nanotube surface via a carbon‐nanotube‐binding peptide for biocathode
Authors: Sakamoto Hiroaki , Futamura Rie , Fujiwara Ikuya , Meboso Taichi , Li Ning , Takamura Eiichiro , Satomura Takenori , Suye Shin‐ichiro 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBiofuel cells (BFCs) that produce electrical energy from organic resources through enzymatic reactions have been attracting significant attention. Owing to the high electrical conductivity of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), their modification on the electrode surface of a BFC is expected to increase the current, and their high specific surface area may be useful in increasing the power output. Previously, we constructed a biocathode by immobilizing multicopper oxidase from Pyrobaculum aerophilum (McoP) with a carbon nanotube binding peptide (CBP) sequence on the CNTs. This resulted in higher current densities than when using enzymes without CBP sequences. However, owing to the randomly stacked CNTs on the surface of the electrodes, their conductive properties were impaired and performance as biocathodes was poor. Herein, we constructed a biocathode in which single‐walled CNTs (SWCNTs) were oriented one‐dimensionally and McoP is immobilized on the surface of an SWNCT via CBP. The current density was successfully increased by two‐fold by orienting the CNTs and orienting and immobilizing McoP on their surfaces. This technology provides insights into the development of biodevices with controlled orientation of both the SWCNTs and enzymes immobilized on their surfaces.
A selective organosilica membrane for ethyl acetate dehydration by pervaporation
Authors: Raza Waseem , Jianhua Yang , Wang Jiaxuan , Saulat Hammad , Wang Lei , Lu Jingming , Zhang Yan 
Published: April 2021

AbstractOrganosilica bis(triethoxysilyl) ethane (BTESE) membranes were explored for pervaporation dehydration of binary and ternary mixtures of ethyl acetate (EA) by undiluted sol coating combined with flash firing. Three BTESE membranes (M1, M2, and M3) were fabricated on macroporous supports by varying BTESE concentrations (0.5, 2.5, and 5 wt% BTESE, respectively) in polymer sols. The membranes were characterized by DLS, SEM, FTIR, XRD, contact angle, AFM, and pervaporation performance to discuss the effect of the BTESE contents in the polymer sol on the formation and dehydration performance of resulting organosilica membranes. It was found that 5 wt% loading of BTESE led to a highly selective membrane for dehydration of EA/H2O mixture. Among the synthesized membranes, M3 delivered flux of 0.84 ± 0.05 kg.m−2.h−1 with a selectivity of >10,000 for EA/H2O mixture (98/2 wt%) at 60°C. The time course of pervaporation dehydration for the EA/H2O mixture (95/5 wt%) confirms the stability of BTESE membrane in the investigated time period of 120 h. Further, the membrane exhibited excellent selectivity larger than 10,000 for separation of ternary mixtures (90/2/8 wt%) of ethyl acetate/ethanol/water and n‐propyl acetate/isopropanol/water respectively, the composition of which is similar to the top product of the distillation column used in the industrial esterification process. The best separation performance and excellent acid stability of BTESE membranes in this study suggest that the simple synthesis protocol of undiluted sol coating and flash firing will provide a cost‐effective, quick, and efficient synthesis route for practical membrane based applications.
The potential of temporary shelters to increase survival of the endangered Mexican axolotl
Authors: Ramos Alejandra G. , Mena‐González Horacio , Zambrano Luis 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Amphibian populations worldwide are in decline. Proactive conservation techniques such as translocations into created and restored wetlands have gained popularity in recent years but may fail owing to high predation and low environmental adaptability.
The Mexican axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum), affected by rapid urbanization, is now possibly extinct in the wild despite millions living in captivity throughout the world.
The aim of this study was to explore whether ponds from an artificial wetland can function as temporary shelters for a viable population of axolotls that could be re‐introduced into their native ecosystem in Xochimilco once it is restored.
Egg‐laying and hatching of 11 unique axolotl pairs placed into reproductive enclosures and larval survival to 7 weeks and up to 12 months were examined. Physicochemical and biological parameters were estimated and compared among ponds.
The results from this study are encouraging as they suggest that two ponds have adequate conditions for axolotls to reproduce and for larvae and juveniles to survive.
Gender imbalance in the productivity of funded projects: A study of the outputs of National Institutes of Health R01 grants
Authors: Wu Chaojiang , Yan Erjia , Zhu Yongjun , Li Kai 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis study examines the relationship between team's gender composition and outputs of funded projects using a large data set of National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01 grants and their associated publications between 1990 and 2017. This study finds that while the women investigators' presence in NIH grants is generally low, higher women investigator presence is on average related to slightly lower number of publications. This study finds empirically that women investigators elect to work in fields in which fewer publications per million‐dollar funding is the norm. For fields where women investigators are relatively well represented, they are as productive as men. The overall lower productivity of women investigators may be attributed to the low representation of women in high productivity fields dominated by men investigators. The findings shed light on possible reasons for gender disparity in grant productivity.
Characterization of a gene cluster containing four genes relevant to biosynthesis of inner core of lipopolysaccharide in Cronobacter sakazakii
Authors: Chen Shanshan , Chen Si , Wang Jianli , Zhan Yi , Wang Zhen , Fang Yu , Wang Xiaoyuan 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMany genes in the biosynthetic pathway of lipopolysaccharide in Cronobacter sakazakii have not been identified. In this study, we demonstrate that an operon containing four genes ESA_RS18945, ESA_RS18950, ESA_RS18955, and ESA_RS18960 is responsible for L‐glycero‐D‐mannoheptose addition on the inner core of lipopolysaccharide in C. sakazakii. The proteins encoded by these four genes are homologous to E. coli WaaQ, WaaC, WaaF, and WaaD. Lipopolysaccharide from the deletion mutants of ESA_RS18945, ESA_RS18950, ESA_RS18955, and ESA_RS18960 (named as △RS18945, △RS18950, △RS18955 and △RS18960, respectively) were analyzed by SDS‐PAGE. △RS18945 synthesized lipopolysaccharide with similar length to the wildtype BAA‐894, whereas △RS18950, △RS18955, and △RS18960 synthesized much shorter lipopolysaccharide. This suggests that the enzyme encoded by ESA_RS18945 might function as E. coli WaaQ on the sidechain of lipopolysaccharide. When E. coli WaaC, WaaF, and WaaD were overexpressed in △RS18950, △RS18955, and △RS18960, respectively, the full length of lipopolysaccharide was recovered. Mass spectrometry analysis indicates that △RS18950 and △RS18960 only synthesized Kdo2‐lipid A, confirming that enzymes encoded by ESA_RS18950 and ESA_RS18960 have similar functions to E. coli WaaC and WaaD, respectively. Hep‐Kdo2‐lipid A with a phosphoethanolamine was produced in △RS18955, suggesting that the enzyme encoded by ESA_RS18955 has similar function to E. coli WaaF.
Mandibular canal versus inferior alveolar canal: A Delphi study
Authors: Iwanaga Joe , Ibaragi Soichiro , Takeshita Yohei , Asaumi Junichi , Horner Keith , Gest Thomas R. , Tubbs R. Shane 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe general principles of anatomical terminology indicate that the “mandibular canal” should be named the “inferior alveolar canal” as it accommodates the inferior alveolar neurovascular bundles. Therefore, we performed a Delphi study to evaluate the current understanding and use of the terminology in different geographical regions and areas of expertise and to determine the appropriate terminology for this bony canal. A Delphi panel was formed and questions sent and answered via email about: field of expertise (anatomy, oral surgery/oral and maxillofacial (OMF) surgery, oral radiology/OMF radiology, plastic surgery, ENT surgery, or dentistry with the exception of oral/OMF surgery and oral/OMF radiology), years of experience in the field of expertise, country currently working in, “what is the name of the bony canal that contains the inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle,” and “what should the structure above be called, in general?” A total of 52 participants responded to the questionnaire. Half or more of the experts in anatomy, oral/OMF surgery, and ENT/plastic surgery considered “mandibular canal” to be the most appropriate name for this bony canal. In contrast, more than half of all experts in oral/OMF radiology and dentistry, that is, most fields of dentistry, considered “either mandibular canal or inferior alveolar canal” to be the appropriate name. The results of the Delphi study and general principles suggest that an alternative term for the “mandibular canal” should be “inferior alveolar canal.”
Metabolomic and Pathway Changes in Large‐Leaf, Middle‐Leaf and Small‐Leaf Cultivars of Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze var. niaowangensis
Authors: Wang Chunbo , Lyu Hui , Guo Zhiyou 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAs an economically important crop, tea is widely cultivated in more than 50 countries and has numerous health benefits. Metabolomics has considerable advantages in the analysis of small molecules and has been widely used in tea science. We applied a metabolomic method to evaluate the dynamic changes in metabolites and pathways in the large‐, middle‐ and small‐leaf cultivars of Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze var. niaowangensis grown in the same area from Yunwu Mountain. The results indicate that flavonoid biosynthesis, stilbenoid, diarylheptanoid and gingerol biosynthesis, citrate cycle (TCA cycle), and propanoate metabolism may play important roles in the differences among cultivars. The levels of tea polyphenols, flavonoids and amino acids may impact the sensory properties of teas of different cultivars. Our results may help to elucidate the mechanism underlying the difference in tea quality and offer references for the breeding of high‐quality tea cultivars.
Pt(IV) Anticancer Prodrugs – A Tale of Mice and Men
Authors: Gibson Dan 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWe would like to be able to design Pt(IV) prodrugs that can overcome resistance and minimize side effects. Unlike with the early exploration of Pt(II) anticancer agents where clear structure‐activity relationships were defined, even after more than two decades of research on Pt(IV) prodrugs, there is no roadmap that can point us to the holy grail. Despite many excellent rational endeavors, we still have not found the “right” two axial ligands to append to the Pt(IV) derivatives of platinum(II) drugs that will “make platinum great again”. So far this proved elusive, indicating that the design of Pt(IV) prodrugs is a difficult and frustrating task. Despite our better understanding of the biological processes and availability of advanced technologies, even our sophisticated rational plans often leave us disappointed and frustrated because at the end of the day, we are not able to outsmart the cancer cells or the mice, and just like Rosenberg, we might need to be rescued by serendipity.
Lithium‐Salt Controlled Electrolyte and Flower‐Like Cobalt Sulfide Cathode for High‐Performance Magnesium Lithium Dual Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhang Xu , Xu Hao , Yang Jisheng , Zhu Yuxiao , Lu Chong , Zhang Kemin , Weng Guoming , Zou Jianxin 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMagnesium lithium dual ion batteries (MLIBs) possess the advantages of Mg anodes with low dendrite formation tendency, high volumetric capacity and abundant resources. The fast reaction kinetics of Li+ ions for the whole electrochemical redox processes contribute to provide high reversible capacity and long cycle life. In this study, we propose one type of MLIBs coupled with Mg anodes, flower‐like cobalt sulfide (CoS) cathodes, all‐phenyl complex (APC) and lithium chloride dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (THF) derived APC‐x LiCl/THF (x=0–0.8 mol L−1) electrolytes. By virtue of APC‐0.8 LiCl/THF electrolyte, the capacity of MLIB increases gradually to a high capacity of 507 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 and maintains a reversible capacity of 219 mAh g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 after 500 cycles. More significantly, Mg2+ and Li+ ions co‐conversion mechanism on the CoS cathodes is demonstrated for MLIBs. The systems studied here may offer insights in the design of MLIBs.
Certified corporate social responsibility? The current state of certified and decertified B Corps
Authors: Kim Yeuseung 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn the age of accountability, companies are asked to communicate the social impact of their operations. Assessed by a nonprofit organization, B Lab, the B Impact Assessment (BIA) score is a rapidly growing third‐party evaluation for for‐profit companies. Using the publicly available 4061 company data provided by B Lab that spans across from 2007 to early 2020, this study provides the current state of the certified and decertified B Corps. The results show that the majority of the companies revisited the BIA every 2 years to recertify. Companies were likely to recertify especially after the third recertification, suggesting that earning the B Corp status can become routinized. The current study shows that the average attrition rate over the entire history of B Corps is 23.7% and the majority of the decertified operate with less than 10 employees. The currently certified companies had a higher overall BIA score than the decertified companies. However, other differences were not apparent.
Field‐programmable gate array‐based design for real‐time computation of ensemble empirical mode decomposition
Authors: Das Kaushik , Nath Pradhan Sambhu 
Published: April 2021

SummaryEmpirical mode decomposition (EMD) is considered as a suitable method when the signal to be analyzed is nonlinear or nonstationary in nature. But, EMD suffers from a problem known as mode mixing. To, reduce this problem, ensemble EMD (EEMD) was proposed. In this paper, we have presented a fast field‐programmable gate array (FPGA)‐based design for EEMD. Where calculation of output can be done in a parallel manner for different realizations. The design has a comparatively less execution time, and the execution time of the proposed EEMD design is even less than some state‐of‐the‐art EMD‐based design, although the architecture of EEMD is more complex, when compared with the EMD design. In this work, we have also performed an FPGA implementation of the EMD algorithm. The root mean square error (RMSE) and the correlation values of the intrinsic mode function (IMFs) obtained from the proposed EMD and EEMD designs are compared. The proposed FPGA‐based architecture of the EEMD algorithm is designed using Verilog‐hardware description language (HDL) and implemented on a Kintex‐7 FPGA. The EEMD architecture consists of cubic Hermite spline interpolation (CHSI) and cubic spline interpolation (CSI) for the envelope generation.
Thoughts on the evolution and ecological niche of diatoms
Authors: Behrenfeld Michael J. , Halsey Kimberly H. , Boss Emmanuel , Karp‐Boss Lee , Milligan Allen J. , Peers Graham 
Published: April 2021

AbstractDiatoms are the most recent major algal lineage added to the geological record, appearing more than 200 million years ago. They are stramenopile protists resulting from a secondary endosymbiotic event that yielded the only photosynthetic protistan lineage expressing external siliceous cell wall structures called frustules. Many diatoms also have large internal vacuoles, and a common assumption in the literature is that success of the diatoms is largely attributable to these two morphological inventions: the frustule for defense and vacuole for luxury nutrient uptake. Here, we revisit the evolution of these inventions, propose sequential steps in frustule development, replace luxury nutrient uptake with predator defense and buoyancy control as the driver of vacuole expansion, and suggest that perhaps the greatest significance of the frustule for diatom evolution is the secondary consequence of enhancing sexual reproduction. In this synthesis, we emphasize a distinction between the “general” success of diatoms and the success of “bloom‐forming” species, as the physiological and morphological drivers of these successes differ. Importantly, the bloom‐forming species are responsible for the major role of diatoms in aquatic biogeochemical cycles. The bloom‐forming habit we ascribe to specific physiological attributes that, at their core, revolve around influencing the balance between diatom growth and losses to predators. We propose that these physiological adaptations are linked to size‐dependent maximum division rates in bloom‐forming diatoms, because of size scaling of predator–prey interactions. The existence of these bloom‐forming species yields an apparent allometric relationship that has previously been interpreted in terms of nutrient acquisition. Our analysis yields insights into species successions during blooms, considers the fundamental benefit of blooming (and subsequent sinking) from a reproductive standpoint, and provides some reinterpretation of diatoms success over geologic time and in the modern ocean.
Assessing the Toxicity of Mine-Water Mixtures and the Effectiveness of Water Quality Guideline Values in Protecting Local Aquatic Species
Authors: Trenfield Melanie A. , Pease Ceiwen J. , Walker Samantha L. , Markich Scott J. , Humphrey Chris L. , van Dam Rick A. , Harford Andrew J. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Six tropical freshwater species were used to assess the toxicity of mine waters from a uranium mine adjacent to a World Heritage area in northern Australia. Key contaminants of potential concern for the mine were U, Mg, Mn, and total ammonia nitrogen (TAN). Direct toxicity assessments were carried out to assess whether the established site-specific guideline values for individual contaminants would be protective with the contaminants occurring as mixtures. Metal speciation was calculated for contaminants to determine which were the major contributors of toxicity, with 84 to 96% of Mg predicted in the free-ion form as Mg2+, and 76 to 92% of Mn predicted as Mn2+. Uranium, Al, and Cu were predicted to be strongly bound to fulvic acid. Uranium, Mg, Mn, and Cu were incorporated into concentration addition or independent action mixture toxicity models to compare the observed toxicity in each of the waters with predicted toxicity. For &gt;90% of the data, mine-water toxicity was less than predicted by the concentration addition model. Instances where toxicity was greater than predicted were accompanied by exceedances of individual metal guideline values in all but one case (i.e., a Mg concentration within 10% of the guideline value). This indicates that existing individual water quality guideline values for U, Mg, Mn, and TAN would adequately protect ecosystems downstream of the mine. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:2334–2346. © 2021 Commonwealth of Australia. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry © 2021 SETAC
Abstract
The toxicity of contaminants in mine-water mixtures to a suite of tropical freshwater species. FA = fulvic acid.