bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Silicon Fertilization on Agro-Morphological Traits of Grand Naine Banana Grown in Typic Ustifluvent Soil
Authors: Arthi V. , Sriramachandrasekharan M. V. , Manivannan R. , Shakila Arumugam 
Published: February 2021

Aims: Banana is the fifth largest agricultural commodity in the world trade after cereals, sugar, coffee and cocoa and second largest fruit crop in the world. The main objective of the study is to know the performance of banana to silicon fertilization grown in typic ustifluvent soil.
Study Design: The experiment was conducted in randomized block design. The test crop banana var Grand Naine.
Place and Duration of Study: Rajagopalapuram village under Kuttallam taluk, Tamilnadu, India
Between July to October 2016
Methodology: The experiment consisted of ten treatments viz., T1-NPK (RDF), T2-NPK+Potassium silicate (FS)- 0.25%,T3-NPK+Potassium silicate (FS)-0.50%,T4-NPK+Potassium silicate (FS)-1.00%,T5-NPK+Potassium silicate (FS)-0.25%,T6 -NPK+ Potassium silicate (FS)-0.50%,T7­-NPK+ Potassium silicate (FS)-1.00%,T8-NPK+Potassium silicate (SA)-50kgha-1,T9-NPK + Potassium silicate (SA)-100 kg ha-1 and T10 -NPK + Potassium silicate (SA)-150 kg ha-1. T2 to T4 foliar spray was done at 3rd and 5th month and from T5 toT7, foliar spray was done at 3rd, 5th and 7th month. Growth, yield parameters and banana yield were recorded.
Results: The outcome was that soil application of silicon recorded higher growth and yield compared to foliar application. Pseudo stem height, Pseudo stem girth, LAI, chlorophyll content, sucker production and leaf dry matter weight, fruit characters viz., bunch weight and length, number of hands/ bunches, number of fingers / hands, total number of fingers/ bunches, finger weight, length and girth were highest with soil application of 50 kg Si ha-1. Similarly, foliar application of silicon at 1% applied at 3rd and 5th recorded the highest morphological and fruit characters compared to 0.25 and 0.5% Si. The highest fruit yield ((96.0 t ha-1) was noticed with 50 kg Si ha-1 followed by foliar spray of 1% Si applied at 3rd and 5th month (92.7 t ha-1).
Conclusion: It is concluded that soil application of 50 kg Si ha-1 through potassium silicate is best followed by foliar spray of 1.0% Si for realizing higher banana productivity.
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of an Emerging Therapy against COVID-19: Is Convalescent Plasma a Hidden Gem Not Yet Optimized?
Authors: Sarfraz Azza , Sarfraz Zouina , Razzack Aminah Abdul , Hathaway III Donald , Thevuthasan Sindhu , Singh-Makkar Sarabjot , Paul Trissa , Patel Gaurav , Sana Muhammad Khawar , Sarfraz Muzna , Richter Franz , Gonzalez Marcos A. Sanchez 
Published: February 2021

Background: An unprecedented global effort in identifying potentially viable and emerging drugs for effective treatment of the novel coronavirus disease (2019) is being made. Of the most promising candidate therapies, convalescent plasma (CP), albeit controversial, is approved for emergency use authorization (EUA) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The concept rests on passive immunity, achieved by administering plasma with high titers of neutralizing antibodies to reduce severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection and mortality. The aim of this paper is to assess the clinical improvement, patients’ discharge status and all-cause mortality in convalescent plasma versus standard of care COVID-19 patient groups.
Methods: Using PRISMA guidelines, a review was conducted from January, 2020, until October, 2020 employing keywords including “convalescent plasma”, “clinical improvement, “mortality”, “adverse events”, “viral load”, “dosing”, and survival.” Dichotomous data for all-cause mortality, patients’ discharge status, and clinical improvement at day 14 of treatment were meta-analyzed applying the Mantel-Haenszel (M-H) random effects model using Review Manager 5.4.
Results: A total of 627 (23.9%) patients in the CP group and 1997 (76.1%) patients in the control group were pooled. The studies were conducted in the United States, China, Netherlands, and Iran. The CP group had a lower association to all-cause mortality as compared to the control group [OR: 0.69; CI: 0.50 to 0.96; P=0.03]. Patients who received CP had higher probability of discharge during the study course [OR: 1.87; CI: 1.1 to 3.18; P=0.02]. Bias was expected in the analysis due to the stratified of study designs included.
Conclusion: Convalescent plasma therapy may be an effective and vital tool with promising historical, current, and expected clinical trial evidence of metrics such as increased safety and reduction of all-cause mortality.
Advances and Challenges in Small‐Molecule DNA Aptamer Isolation, Characterization, and Sensor Development
Authors: Yu Haixiang , Alkhamis Obtin , Canoura Juan , Liu Yingzhu , Xiao Yi 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAptamers are short oligonucleotides isolated in vitro from randomized libraries that can bind to specific molecules with high affinity, and offer a number of advantages relative to antibodies as biorecognition elements in biosensors. However, it remains difficult and labor‐intensive to develop aptamer‐based sensors for small‐molecule detection. Here, we review the challenges and advances in the isolation and characterization of small‐molecule‐binding DNA aptamers and their use in sensors. First, we discuss in vitro methodologies for the isolation of aptamers, and provide guidance on selecting the appropriate strategy for generating aptamers with optimal binding properties for a given application. We next examine techniques for characterizing aptamer–target binding and structure. Afterwards, we discuss various small‐molecule sensing platforms based on original or engineered aptamers, and their detection applications. Finally, we conclude with a general workflow to develop aptamer‐based small‐molecule sensors for real‐world applications.
Construction of Highly Ordered Glyco‐Inside Nano‐Assemblies through RAFT Dispersion Polymerization of Galactose‐Decorated Monomer
Authors: Qiu Liang , Zhang Haoran , Bick Thomas , Martin Johannes , Wendler Petra , Böker Alexander , Glebe Ulrich , Xing Chengfen 
Published: February 2021

AbstractGlyco‐assemblies derived from amphiphilic sugar‐decorated block copolymers (ASBCs) have emerged prominently due to their wide application, for example, in biomedicine and as drug carriers. However, to efficiently construct these glyco‐assemblies is still a challenge. Herein, we report an efficient technology for the synthesis of glyco‐inside nano‐assemblies by utilizing RAFT polymerization of a galactose‐decorated methacrylate for polymerization‐induced self‐assembly (PISA). Using this approach, a series of highly ordered glyco‐inside nano‐assemblies containing intermediate morphologies were fabricated by adjusting the length of the hydrophobic glycoblock and the polymerization solids content. A specific morphology of complex vesicles was captured during the PISA process and the formation mechanism is explained by the morphology of its precursor and intermediate. Thus, this method establishes a powerful route to fabricate glyco‐assemblies with tunable morphologies and variable sizes, which is significant to enable the large‐scale fabrication and wide application of glyco‐assemblies.
Cobalt Diazo‐Compounds: From Nitrilimide to Isocyanoamide via a Diazomethanediide Fleeting Intermediate
Authors: Aghazada Sadig , Fehn Dominik , Heinemann Frank W. , Munz Dominik , Meyer Karsten 
Published: February 2021

AbstractLithium trimethylsilyldiazomethanide and a cobalt (II) precursor with an N‐anchored tris‐NHC (TIMENmes) ligand provide access to the cobalt nitrilimide 1. Complex 1 was structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffractometry (SC‐XRD) and its electronic structure was examined in detail, including EPR spectroscopy, SQUID magnetometry and computational analyses. The desilylation of the C‐(trimethylsilyl)nitrilimide reveals a transient complex with an elusive diazomethanediide ligand, which substitutes one of the mesitylene rings of the ancillary ligand through C−N bond cleavage. This transformation results in the cyclometalated cobalt(II) complex 2, featuring a rare isocyanoamido‐κ‐C ligand.
Aptamer Blocking Strategy Inhibits SARS‐CoV‐2 Virus Infection
Authors: Sun Miao , Liu Siwen , Wei Xinyu , Wan Shuang , Huang Mengjiao , Song Ting , Lu Yao , Weng Xiaonan , Lin Zhu , Chen Honglin , Song Yanling , Yang Chaoyong 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe COVID‐19 pandemic caused by SARS‐CoV‐2 is threating global health. Inhibiting interaction of the receptor‐binding domain of SARS‐CoV‐2 S protein (SRBD) and human ACE2 receptor is a promising treatment strategy. However, SARS‐CoV‐2 neutralizing antibodies are compromised by their risk of antibody‐dependent enhancement (ADE) and unfavorably large size for intranasal delivery. To avoid these limitations, we demonstrated an aptamer blocking strategy by engineering aptamers’ binding to the region on SRBD that directly mediates ACE2 receptor engagement, leading to block SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. With aptamer selection against SRBD and molecular docking, aptamer CoV2‐6 was identified and applied to prevent, compete with, and substitute ACE2 from binding to SRBD. CoV2‐6 was further shortened and engineered as a circular bivalent aptamer CoV2‐6C3 (cb‐CoV2‐6C3) to improve the stability, affinity, and inhibition efficacy. cb‐CoV2‐6C3 is stable in serum for more than 12 h and can be stored at room temperature for more than 14 days. Furthermore, cb‐CoV2‐6C3 binds to SRBD with high affinity (Kd=0.13 nM) and blocks authentic SARS‐CoV‐2 virus with an IC50 of 0.42 nM.
Fused Quinoidal Dithiophene‐Based Helicenes: Synthesis by Intramolecular Radical–Radical Coupling Reactions and Dynamics of Interconversion of Enantiomers
Authors: Li Guangwu , Matsuno Taisuke , Han Yi , Wu Shaofei , Zou Ya , Jiang Qing , Isobe Hiroyuki , Wu Jishan 
Published: February 2021

AbstractA series of fused quinoidal dithiophene‐based double and triple helicenes (1‐M,2‐M,2‐M‐Cl,3‐M,3‐M‐Cl) were synthesized by intramolecular radical–radical coupling followed by oxidative dehydrogenation reaction. These helical molecules show dynamic interconversion of enantiomers in solution as revealed by variable‐temperature NMR measurements, and the energy barriers are correlated to the substituents and topological structures. Notably, dynamic high performance liquid chromatography was used to quantitatively investigate the room‐temperature racemization process between the (P,P,M)‐ and (P,M,M)‐ enantiomers of the triple helical3‐M‐Cl, which gave an interconversion energy barrier in consistent with density functional theory calculations. Their optical and electrochemical properties are dependent on the fusion mode. Our studies provide both new synthetic strategy and new dynamic analytical method for helicenes with unique electronic structure.
Hydrogen‐Borrowing Alkylation of 1,2‐Amino Alcohols in the Synthesis of Enantioenriched γ‐Aminobutyric Acids
Authors: Hall Christopher J. J. , Goundry William R. F. , Donohoe Timothy J. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractFor the first time we have been able to employ enantiopure 1,2‐amino alcohols derived from abundant amino acids in C−C bond‐forming hydrogen‐borrowing alkylation reactions. These reactions are facilitated by the use of the aryl ketone Ph*COMe. Racemisation of the amine stereocentre during alkylation can be prevented by the use of sub‐stoichiometric base and protection of the nitrogen with a sterically hindered triphenylmethane (trityl) or benzyl group. The Ph* and trityl groups are readily cleaved in one pot to give γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) products as their HCl salts without further purification. Both steps may be performed in sequence without isolation of the hydrogen‐borrowing intermediate, removing the need for column chromatography.
B‐Cu‐Zn Gas Diffusion Electrodes for CO2 Electroreduction to C2+ Products at High Current Densities
Authors: Song Yanfang , Junqueira João R. C. , Sikdar Nivedita , Öhl Denis , Dieckhöfer Stefan , Quast Thomas , Seisel Sabine , Masa Justus , Andronescu Corina , Schuhmann Wolfgang 
Published: February 2021

AbstractElectroreduction of CO2 to multi‐carbon products has attracted considerable attention as it provides an avenue to high‐density renewable energy storage. However, the selectivity and stability under high current densities are rarely reported. Herein, B‐doped Cu (B‐Cu) and B‐Cu‐Zn gas diffusion electrodes (GDE) were developed for highly selective and stable CO2 conversion to C2+ products at industrially relevant current densities. The B‐Cu GDE exhibited a high Faradaic efficiency of 79 % for C2+ products formation at a current density of −200 mA cm−2 and a potential of −0.45 V vs. RHE. The long‐term stability for C2+ formation was substantially improved by incorporating an optimal amount of Zn. Operando Raman spectra confirm the retained Cu+ species under CO2 reduction conditions and the lower overpotential for *OCO formation upon incorporation of Zn, which lead to the excellent conversion of CO2 to C2+ products on B‐Cu‐Zn GDEs.
Photo‐Mediated Intermolecular Coupling of Alkenes with Ketones via Acyloxy Nitroso Compounds
Authors: Zheng Danqing , Plöger Stefanie , Daniliuc Constantin G. , Studer Armido 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAn atom‐economic intermolecular radical addition reaction of acyloxy nitroso compounds to electron‐deficient alkenes mediated by visible light is reported. The starting nitroso derivatives are readily prepared by oxidation of the corresponding oximes prepared from ketones and the overall transformation represents an oxidative coupling of a ketone with a Michael acceptor. The cascade proceeds smoothly under mild conditions, providing a series of valuable functionalized oximes in moderate to good yields. Mechanistic studies suggest that these cascades proceed via addition/coupling processes that are controlled by the persistent radical effect (PRE) with NO acting as the persistent species.
Temperature memory effect from below glass transition to up to melting range in an ethylene‐vinyl acetate copolymer
Authors: Wang Tao Xi , Song Lei Peng , Geng Yun Hui , Shen Xing 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn this paper, the temperature memory effect (TME) in a commercial ethylene‐vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) is characterized via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) tests. Three temperatures, which are 35, 60, and 85°C representing temperatures below glass transition (Tg), within Tg and within melting (Tm), respectively, are included for the investigation. It is found that TME in polymers is not as reported to be limited at around either Tg or Tm only, the effective temperature range for TME could be actually much wider that covers from below Tg to up to Tm. In addition, it is concluded that higher heating stop temperature (Ts) erases the memory of previous lower ones in this EVA. Hysteresis (described by ΔT) between the temperature of turning points (Tts) and their corresponding Tss is always observable. However, the ΔT decreases at higher Ts.
N‐dodecylated chitosan/graphene oxide composite cryogel for hemostasis and antibacterial treatment
Authors: Qiu Yixuan , Dong Yanliang , Zhao Shuyue , Zhang Jianhua , Huang Pingsheng , Wang Weiwei , Dong Anjie , Deng Liandong 
Published: February 2021

AbstractUncontrolled massive bleeding remains a global issue, which requires an exigent response for safe and efficient hemostat. However, most of hemostats without antimicrobial property could trigger serious bacterial infection problem. Herein, a composite cryogel was synthesized by double bond N‐dodecylated chitosan (DCSG) and graphene oxide (GO). The cryogel (DCSG/GO) with macroporous structure exhibited high‐fluid adsorption ability, excellent mechanical property, and fluid‐triggered shape recovery performance. Moreover, the in vitro blood coagulation experiments proved that DCSG/GO5% possessed better coagulation efficiency than medical gelatin sponge. And the DCSG/GO5% cryogel exhibited more erythrocyte and platelets activation. Besides, the cryogel had excellent near‐infrared (NIR)‐assisted photothermal antibacterial activity against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and killed 99% of them after 20 min NIR irradiation. In addition, the vitro hemolysis and cytotoxicity results proved the well biocompatibility of cryogel. Therefore, the biocompatible DCSG/GO cryogel has great potential application prospect in clinical hemorrhage control and anti‐infection treatment.
Assessing the role of the aquatic Natura 2000 network to protect both freshwater European species of community interest and threatened species in a Mediterranean region
Authors: Sánchez‐Fernández David , Baquero Rocío A. , Velasco Luis , Aranda Antonio , Nicola Graciela G. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

The European Natura 2000 (N2K) network of protected areas stands out as the main conservation strategy in the European Union to preserve biodiversity under the auspices of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
The management of N2K sites is mainly focused on protecting the biological elements as Special Areas of Conservation for habitats or species listed in the European Habitats Directive, or as Special Protection Areas for birds listed in the European Birds Directive for which the site was designated. It seems urgent, therefore, to discriminate which N2K sites are really providing effective protection for aquatic biodiversity.
Although the main objective of N2K is to protect species listed in the Birds and Habitats Directives, the conservation status of threatened species included in the European Red List of the IUCN must also be a concern for the European Union.
Focusing on Central Spain as a case study, the aim of this work was to evaluate how far aquatic N2K (i.e. N2K sites designated for the occurrence of freshwater elements) is effective in protecting both those aquatic species in the Directives [referred to here as Species of Community Importance (SCI) and threatened species (TS)].
Most of the N2K sites in the study area have been designated using aquatic elements, which means that N2K could theoretically provide appropriate mechanisms to preserve aquatic biodiversity. However, N2K provides a low percentage of overlap with some of the hotspots identified for both TS and SCI. Surprisingly, TS are in general similarly or even better represented than SCI by N2K.
N2K may provide good coverage for aquatic biodiversity, mainly by acting as an umbrella for other species, but it could be improved by addressing some spatial gaps, thereby making it more relevant to current challenges such as climate change and other human impacts.
Retinoic Acid Receptor–Related Orphan Nuclear Receptor γt Licenses the Differentiation and Function of a Unique Subset of Follicular Helper T Cells in Response to Immunogenic Self‐DNA in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Wen Zhenke , Xu Lin , Xu Wei , Xiong Sidong 
Published: February 2021

ObjectiveAccumulating studies have identified self‐DNA as driving IgG anti–double‐stranded DNA (anti‐dsDNA) in lupus, though the underpinning mechanisms of this process remain largely undefined. Here, we explored the activity of transcription factor retinoic acid receptor–related orphan nuclear receptor γt (RORγt) in the differentiation and function of self‐DNA–specific follicular helper T (Tfh) cells in lupus.MethodsB6, TCRα–/–, CD4–/–, RORγtfl/flCD4Cre, RORγt+/+CD4Cre, Bcl‐6fl/flCD4Cre, Bcl‐6+/+CD4Cre, IL‐17–/–, and ICOS–/– mice were immunized with normal self‐DNA, immunogenic self‐DNA, and pathogen DNA to induce the production of Tfh cells and IgG anti‐dsDNA. Tfh cells with or without interleukin‐17 (IL‐17) were evaluated for their role in supporting the generation of IgG. NSG mice were reconstituted with immune cells and circulating DNA from human subjects for translational studies. IL‐17–positive Tfh cells were analyzed for their correlation with IgG anti‐dsDNA levels as well as their response to circulating self‐DNA in lupus patients.ResultsUnlike normal self‐DNA, immunogenic self‐DNA and pathogen DNA efficiently induced IgG responses. Immunogenic self‐DNA induced IgG in a CD4+ T cell–dependent manner, which was abrogated by RORγt deficiency. In contrast, RORγt was not required for the generation of pathogen DNA–induced IgG. Further analyses identified RORγt as essential for the differentiation and function of Tfh cells in response to immunogenic self‐DNA, assigning IL‐17 as a feature cytokine. These IL‐17–positive Tfh cells functioned independent of inducible costimulator (ICOS), critically supporting IgG generation. Targeting immunogenic self‐DNA–specific Tfh cells by RORγ knockdown and IL‐17 blockade ameliorated IgG response and lupus nephritis in a humanized mouse model. The presence of IL‐17–positive Tfh cells was associated with IgG anti‐dsDNA levels and were expanded by circulating immunogenic self‐DNA in lupus patients.ConclusionImmunogenic self‐DNA instructs ICOS‐dispensable IL‐17–positive Tfh cells via RORγt to produce an IgG anti‐dsDNA response. As such, IL‐17–positive Tfh cells are a promising therapeutic target for lupus patients.
Carbon Dot−NaCl Crystals for White‐Light Generation and Fabry‐Perot Lasing
Authors: Prakash Swayam , Sahu Saugata , Bhattacharya Shubhayan , Bisht Prem B. , Mishra Ashok Kumar 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPhosphor materials with broad spectral range and an average emission lifetime (20 μs) have been achieved from carbon dots (CDs)−NaCl crystals. A one‐pot synthesis pathway has been developed for CDs−NaCl crystals formation at room temperature. Precursor for CDs materials was screened at room temperature by oxidation methodology from different simple sugar molecules. CDs (size less than 10 nm) prepared from the fructose sugar exhibit most intense emission. Utilizing ripe banana peel (contains ∼27% of fructose) as a precursor for the carbon dot formation, white‐light emission with a CIE index of (0.29, 0.34) has been achieved from the single source with CDs−NaCl crystals upon excitation at 430 nm. The crystals also function as Fabry‐Perot (F−P) mode resonator for lasing, with a laser threshold value of 0.9 mW and a resonating Q‐factor of 207. These results outline a new approach for realizing F−P lasing and white light emission from a non‐toxic green source with a quick, facile and low‐cost synthesis procedure.
Penicillium fellutanum lipase as a green and ecofriendly biocatalyst for depolymerization of poly (ɛ‐caprolactone): Biochemical, kinetic, and thermodynamic investigations
Authors: Amin Misbah , Bhatti Haq Nawaz , Nawaz Sadia , Bilal Muhammad 
Published: February 2021

AbstractMicrobial lipases hold a prominent position in biocatalysis by their capability to mediate reactions in aqueous and nonaqueous media. Herein, a lipase from Penicillium fellutanum was biochemically characterized and investigated its potential to degrade poly (ɛ‐caprolactone) (PCL). The lipase exhibited stability over a broad pH spectrum and performed best at pH 8.5 and 45 °C. The activation energy was determined to be 66.37 kJ/mol by Arrhenius plot, whereas Km and Vmax for pNPP hydrolysis were 0.75 mM and 83.33 μmol/mL/Min, respectively. A rise in temperature reduced the Gibbs free energy, whereas the enthalpy of thermal unfolding (∆H*) remains the same up to 54 °C following a modest decline at 61 °C. The entropy (∆S*) of the enzyme demonstrated an increasing trend up to 54 °C and dropped at 61 °C. Lipase retained stability by incubation with various industrially relevant organic solvents (benzene, hexanol, ether, and acetone). However, exposure to urea and guanidine hydrochloride influenced its catalytic activity to different extents. Under optimal operating conditions, lipase catalyzed the excellent degradation of PCL film degradation leading to 66% weight loss, increased surface erosion, and crystallinity. Fourier‐transform infrared spectrometry, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy studies monitored the weight loss after enzymatic hydrolysis. The findings indicate that P. fellutanum lipase would be a prospective biocatalytic system for polyesters depolymerization and environmental remediation.