bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vitamin‐D supplementation as an adjunct to standard treatment of asthma in children: A randomized controlled trial (ViDASTA Trial)
Authors: Thakur Chirag , Kumar Jogender , Kumar Prawin , Goyal Jagdish Prasad , Singh Kuldeep , Gupta Atul 
Published: February 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the role of vitamin D supplementation as an adjunct to standard treatment in childhood asthma.Study DesignIn this placebo‐controlled, blinded, randomized controlled trial, we enrolled 60 children aged 6 to 11 years with moderate persistent asthma and randomly assigned them into intervention (2000 IU per day of vitamin D) and placebo groups (n = 30 each). The primary outcome was asthma control as assessed by the childhood asthma control test (C‐ACT) scores at 12 weeks post‐randomization. The secondary outcomes were improvement in the forced expiration in 1 s (FEV1), fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), asthma exacerbations, use of systemic steroids, number of emergency visits, post‐intervention vitamin D levels, and adverse outcomes. We analyzed by intention to treat.ResultsThere was no significant difference between the C‐ACT score in the two groups (median [first–third quartile] scores were 25 [24–26] in both groups, p = 0.7). Also, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the FEV1, FeNO, number of exacerbations, emergency visits, hospital admissions, and adverse outcomes. However, the post‐intervention vitamin D levels (ng/ml) were significantly higher in the intervention group (35.5 vs. 18.8; p < 0.001). As compared to the baseline, both the groups showed better asthma control at 12 weeks post‐intervention, irrespective of the type of intervention.ConclusionVitamin‐D supplementation as an adjunct to standard treatment does not improve asthma control in children.
Sampling pollen beetle (Brassicogethes aeneus) pressure in oilseed rape: which method is best?
Authors: Seimandi‐Corda Gaëtan , Jenkins Todd , Cook Samantha M 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe pollen beetle (Brassicogethes aeneus) is the most abundant pest of oilseed rape in spring and is potentially one of the most damaging. Adults feed on the pollen within closed flower buds and the damage leads to bud abscission, resulting in podless stalks and yield reduction. Several methods are currently used to monitor the pressure of this insect, such as counting the numbers of adults on the plants, quantifying the number of buds damaged by the insect before flowering or counting the number of podless stalks before harvest. We conducted experiments to evaluate the robustness of these sampling methods and compared their results. We also describe how pollen beetles damage the plants to understand the limitations of methods based on damage estimation.RESULTSMethods based on adult abundance lack robustness. We observed that most of the damage to buds is caused by pollen beetles feeding on small buds (< 3 mm), and that this damage can be quantified later in the season, indicating that methods based on the count of podless stalks are robust. Different methods gave consistent results and quantification of the pressure on the primary raceme can be a good proxy for pressure on the whole plant.CONCLUSIONSStandardised methods for assessment of pollen beetle pressure will enable comparison of pest management strategies between different studies and facilitate the development of alternative control strategies for this pest.© 2021 Rothamsted Research.Pest Management Sciencepublished by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Laboratory and field studies supporting augmentation biological control of oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), using Trichogramma dendrolimi (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)
Authors: Zhang Jing , Tang Runxuan , Fang Haibo , Liu Xiaoxia , Michaud J P , Zhou Zuoyu , Zhang Qingwen , Li Zhen 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDOriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is a cosmopolitan pests of fruit trees in temperate regions. Control of G. molesta is challenging because larvae feed in concealed locations and have evolved resistance to many pesticides. We compared three commercially available species of Trichogramma for efficacy against G. molesta in the laboratory assays and tested releases of the promising species in a pear orchard.RESULTSLaboratory assays indicated that Trichogramma dendrolimi parasitized G. molesta at the highest rate. Parasitoids took longer to oviposit in older host eggs, and fewer eggs were parasitized when they were more than 3 days old. Field tests produced ca 60% cumulative parasitism of sentinel G. molesta eggs with one release of Trichogramma dendrolimi, with most parasitism occurring within 24 h. Female wasps dispersed up to 12 m from release points with a bias toward upwind movement.CONCLUSIONWe calculated that, for each generation of G. molesta, 900 000 wasps per hectare, in three releases 3 days apart, each distributed among release points 10 m apart, would reduce fruit damage by half in an orchard where 50% of fruit would otherwise be damaged. Although augmentation of Trichogramma dendrolimi is a viable tactic for reducing G. molesta populations and fruit damage, it will require integration with other compatible control tactics in order to provide commercially acceptable levels of control in orchards experiencing significant pest pressure.© 2021 Society of Chemical Industry
Discovery, SAR, and putative mode of action of N‐benzyl‐2‐methoxybenzamides as potential bleaching herbicides
Authors: Zhang Huixia , Wang Jinbo , Ji Zhenmeng , Sun Xinlin , Tian Qizhen , Wei Shaopeng , Ji Zhiqin 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDHerbicides acting on biosynthesis of plant pigments have contributed greatly to weed control in recent years. In our previous studies, 2‐methoxybenzamides were discovered as a novel type of lead compound for the development of bleaching herbicides.RESULTSA total of 67 benzamide analogues were synthesized and evaluated for herbicidal activity. The structure–activity relationship (SAR) revealed that a methoxyl substitution at the 2‐position of the benzoyl moiety is essential for the herbicidal activity of benzamide derivatives, and introduction of small substituents at the meta‐ or para‐position of the benzylamine moiety is also beneficial. Compounds 4, 43 and 44 showed 100% inhibition against Abutilon theophrasti and Amaranthus retroflexus at an application rate of 150 g a.i. ha−1.CONCLUSIONThe relationship between the structure and herbicidal activity of 2‐methoxybenzamides was discussed intensively. Compounds 4, 43 and 44 may serve as novel candidates with a bleaching effect.© 2021 Society of Chemical Industry
Variation in the Holton–Tan effect by longitude
Authors: Elsbury Dillon , Peings Yannick , Magnusdottir Gudrun 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe teleconnection between the Quasi‐Biennial Oscillation (QBO) and the boreal winter polar vortex, the Holton–Tan effect, is analyzed in the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM) with a focus on how stationary wave propagation varies by QBO phase. These signals are difficult to isolate in reanalyses because of large internal variability in short observational records, especially when decomposing the data by QBO phase. A 1,500‐year ensemble is leveraged by defining the QBO index at five different isobars between 10 and 70 hPa. The Holton–Tan effect is a robust part of the atmospheric response to the QBO in WACCM with warming of the polar stratosphere during easterly QBO (QBOE). A nudging technique is used to reduce polar stratospheric variability in one simulation. This enables isolation of the impact of the QBO on the atmosphere in the absence of a polar stratospheric response to the QBO: referred to as the “direct effect” and the polar stratospheric response, “indirect effect.” This simulation reveals that the polar stratospheric warming during QBOE pushes the tropospheric jet equatorward, opposing the poleward shift of the jet by the QBOE, especially over the North Pacific. The Holton–Tan effect varies over longitude. The QBO induces stronger planetary wave forcing to the mean flow in the extratropical lower stratosphere between Indonesia and Alaska. The North Pacific polar stratosphere responds to this before other longitudes. What follows is a shift in the position of the polar vortex toward Eurasia (North America) during easterly (westerly) QBO. This initiates downstream planetary wave responses over North America, the North Atlantic, and Siberia. This spatiotemporal evolution is found in transient simulations in which QBO nudging is “switched on.” The North Pacific lower stratosphere seems more intrinsically linked to the QBO while other longitudes appear more dependent on the mutual interaction between the QBO and polar stratosphere.
Isotope ratio infrared spectroscopy analysis of water samples without memory effects
Authors: de Graaf Stefan , Vonhof Hubert B. , Levy Elan J. , Markowska Monika , Haug Gerald H. 
Published: February 2021

RationaleSince their introduction more than a decade ago, isotope ratio infrared spectroscopy (IRIS) systems have rapidly become the standard for oxygen (δ18O) and hydrogen (δ2H) isotope analysis of water samples. An important disadvantage of IRIS systems is the well‐documented sample‐to‐sample memory effect, which requires each sample to be analyzed multiple times before the desired accuracy is reached, lengthening analysis times and driving up the costs of analyses.MethodsWe present an adapted set‐up and calculation protocol for fully automated analysis of water samples using a Picarro L2140‐i cavity ring‐down spectroscopy instrument. The adaptation removes memory effects by use of a continuously moisturized nitrogen carrier gas. Water samples of 0.5 μL are measured on top of the water vapor background, after which isotope ratios are calculated by subtraction of the background from the sample peaks.ResultsWith this new technique, single injections of water samples have internal precisions (1σ) below 0.05‰ for δ18O values and 0.1‰ for δ2H values, regardless of the isotope ratio of the previous sample. Precision is worse, however, when the isotope difference between the sample and background water is too large (i.e., exceeding approximately 9‰ for δ18O values and 70‰ for δ2H values). Isotope ratios show negligible drift across the four weeks within which the experiments were performed. The single‐injection 1σ precision for 17O excess (Δ′17O) determined with this method is 60 per meg.ConclusionsOur experiments demonstrate that by removing sample‐to‐sample memory effects with a moisturized carrier gas, the time for measurement of δ18O and δ2H values using an IRIS system can be reduced markedly without compromising the analytical precision and accuracy. Thorough replication is needed to achieve sufficiently low uncertainties for Δ′17O.
The influence of the amino group in 3‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole corrosion inhibitor on the interface properties for brass studied by ToF‐SIMS
Authors: Finšgar Matjaž 
Published: February 2021

RationaleThe detailed surface analysis of corrosion inhibitor surface layers by the application of 1,2,4‐triazole (TRI) and 3‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole (3‐AT) compounds adsorbed from a 3 wt. % NaCl solution on the brass surface was performed by time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS). The results obtained were additionally supported by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements.MethodsThe description of the corrosion inhibitor surface layers was elaborated by using ToF‐SIMS and molecular‐specific signals. Characteristic molecular‐specific signals were used to perform 2D ToF‐SIMS imaging and cooling/heating experiment associated with ToF‐SIMS measurements. A detailed surface analysis using high‐resolution angle‐resolved XPS and gas cluster ion beam sputtering in combination with XPS measurements was also carried out.ResultsOrganometallic complexes were formed after the corrosion process of brass with the release of Cu and Zn ions that subsequently connect with TRI or 3‐AT. Using ToF‐SIMS, possible spectral interferences of the organometallic species were considered due to the presence of different organometallic compounds composed of the two main Cu and Zn isotopes, that is, 63Cu and 65Cu and 64Zn and 66Zn. Using the molecular‐specific signals, 2D imaging was performed, which showed a different distribution of different species on the brass surface. In addition, a ToF‐SIMS experiment on thermal stability showed that most of the TRI‐ and 3‐AT‐related species desorb from the brass surface at 460 °C and 405 °C, respectively.ConclusionsToF‐SIMS analysis confirmed the formation of Cu/Zn‐ or Cu2‐inhibitor organometallic complexes, whereas the formation of Zn2‐inhibitor organometallic complexes on the brass surface was not confirmed. ToF‐SIMS imaging showed complete coverage of the brass surface with different Cu/Zn‐ or Cu2‐inhibitor organometallic complexes. The high thermal stability of the corrosion inhibitor surface layers was confirmed by ToF‐SIMS.
Collaboration for organizational sustainability limits to growth: Developing a factors, benefits, and challenges framework
Authors: Lozano Rodrigo , Barreiro‐Gen Maria , Zafar Afnan 
Published: February 2021

AbstractCollaboration plays a key role in the contribution of organizations (civil society, corporate, and public sector ones) to sustainability; nonetheless, there has been limited research on collaboration elements, benefits, and challenges. A survey was developed for investigating collaboration for organizational sustainability (through elements, benefits, and challenges), to which 253 full responses were obtained. The survey responses were analyzed using Friedman tests, correlations, and multivariate statistical analyses. The results provide insights into the rankings of the elements, benefits, and challenges. The multivariate statistical analyses show that when organizations increase their collaboration on two element factors (business‐oriented and society‐oriented), there will be both benefits and challenges. The optimal solution to collaboration for organizational sustainability is where the factors are balanced in such a way that there are sufficient benefits but fewer challenges. If collaboration is unbridled, then the challenges will outweigh the benefits, thus there are limits to the implementation and growth of collaboration. From the analyses, the research proposes the “Organizational sustainability collaboration” framework dependent on the factors, the benefits, and the challenges obtained from collaborating, which can help organizations understand and better collaborate, so that benefits are maximized, and the challenges curtailed.
Influence of Fluorinated Components on Perovskite Solar Cells Performance and Stability
Authors: Ouedraogo Nabonswende Aida Nadege , Yan Hui , Han Chang Bao , Zhang Yongzhe 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSeveral valuable scientific investigations have been conducted these last few years in materials design and device engineering for perovskite solar cells (PSCs) to make them competitive compared to traditional silicon‐based photovoltaic technologies. Consequently, high power conversion efficiency beyond 25% is nowadays reported. However, their long‐term stability remains a significant challenge to overcome. Herein, the influence of fluorinated compounds on each layer of PSCs devices and their impact on the resulted device performances and stability is spotlighted. The fluorinated compounds exhibit attractive properties due to their very high electronegativity attributed to the fluorine atom, and their strong hydrophobicity. Thus, the introduction of these compounds is found to be a successful strategy to positively suppress the surface trap states, enhancing charge collection and reducing interfacial charge recombination. Besides, a better film quality and better energy level alignment is obtained, resulting in the improvement of device photovoltaic parameters such as the open‐circuit voltage (Voc), short‐circuit current (Jsc), and fill factor (FF), and then, the device's overall power conversion efficiency (PCE). Their long‐term stability is also found to further be improved.
Templating Synthesis of Metal–Organic Framework Nanofiber Aerogels and Their Derived Hollow Porous Carbon Nanofibers for Energy Storage and Conversion
Authors: Zhang Wang , Cai Guorui , Wu Rui , He Zhen , Yao Hong‐Bin , Jiang Hai‐Long , Yu Shu‐Hong 
Published: February 2021

AbstractA kind of metal–organic framework (MOF) aerogels are synthesized by the self‐assembly of uniform and monodisperse MOF nanofibers. Such MOF nanofiber aerogels as carbon precursors can effectively avoid the aggregation of nanofibers during calcination, resulting in the formation of well‐dispersed hollow porous carbon nanofibers (HPCNs). Moreover, HPCNs with well‐dispersion are investigated as sulfur host materials for Li–S batteries and electrocatalysts for cathode oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). On the one hand, HPCNs act as hosts for the encapsulation of sulfur into their hierarchical micro‐ and mesopores as well as hollow nanostructures. The obtained sulfur cathode exhibits excellent electrochemical features, good cycling stability and high coulombic efficiency. On the other hand, HPCNs exhibit better electrocatalytic activity than aggregated counterparts for ORR. Furthermore, a highly active single atom electrocatalyst can be prepared by the carbonization of bimetallic MOF nanofiber aerogels. The results indicate that well‐dispersed HPCNs show enhanced electrochemical properties in contrast to their aggregated counterparts, suggesting that the dispersion situation of nanomaterials significantly influence their final performance. The present concept of employing MOF nanofiber aerogels as precursors will provide a new strategy to the design of MOF‐derived nanomaterials with well‐dispersion for their applications in energy storage and conversion.
Structure Engineering of Yolk–Shell Magnetic Mesoporous Silica Microspheres with Broccoli‐Like Morphology for Efficient Catalysis and Enhanced Cellular Uptake
Authors: Pan Panpan , Yue Qin , Yang Xuanyu , Ren Yuan , Alharthi Fahad A. , Alghamdi Abdulaziz , Su Jiacan , Deng Yonghui 
Published: February 2021

AbstractYolk–shell magnetic mesoporous microspheres exhibit potential applications in biomedicine, bioseparation, and catalysis. Most previous reports focus on establishing various interface assembly strategies to construct yolk–shell mesoporous structures, while little work has been done to control their surface topology and study their relevant applications. Herein, a unique kind of broccoli‐like yolk–shell magnetic mesoporous silica (YS‐BMM) microsphere is fabricated through a surfactant‐free kinetic controlled interface assembly strategy. The obtained YS‐BMM microspheres possess a well‐defined structure consisting of a magnetic core, middle void, mesoporous silica shell with tunable surface roughness, large superparamagnetism (36.4 emu g−1), high specific surface area (174 m2 g−1), and large mesopores of 10.9 nm. Thanks to these merits and properties, the YS‐BMM microspheres are demonstrated to be an ideal support for immobilization of ultrafine Pt nanoparticles (≈3.7 nm) and serve as superior nanocatalysts for hydrogenation of 4‐nitrophenol with yield of over 90% and good magnetic recyclability. Furthermore, YS‐BMM microspheres show excellent biocompatibility and can be easily phagocytosed by osteoclasts, revealing a potential candidate in sustained drug release in orthopedic disease therapy.
In Situ Resistive Switching Effect Scrutinization on Co‐Designed Graphene Sensor
Authors: Xiong Feng , Wang Zegao , Bøjesen Espen Drath , Xiong Xuya , Zhu Zhihong , Dong Mingdong 
Published: February 2021

AbstractResistive switching (RS), an electric property based on the forming and rupture of conductive filaments in metal‐insulator‐metal structures, has attracted intensive attention due to its potential application in next generation energy‐efficient and area‐efficient memory devices. In situ studies of the RS effect are urgently needed for its mechanism understanding and memristive performance improvement. Here investigations of both the RS effect as well as the gate tunable conductance quantization effect are realized by co‐designing an Ag/SiO2 based memory structure on a graphene local sensor. This design enables self‐monitoring of the working states of the memristor in real‐time by virtue of the graphene sensor. These findings pave the way for further investigations of on‐chip electronics and quantum physics.
Silicon Suboxides as Driving Force for Efficient Light‐Enhanced Hydrogen Generation on Silicon Nanowires
Authors: Ming Tingsen , Turishchev Sergey , Schleusener Alexander , Parinova Elena , Koyuda Dmitry , Chuvenkova Olga , Schulz Martin , Dietzek Benjamin , Sivakov Vladimir 
Published: February 2021

AbstractEfficient light‐stimulated hydrogen generation from top–down produced highly doped n‐type silicon nanowires (SiNWs) with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in water‐containing medium under white light irradiation is reported. It is observed that SiNWs with AgNPs generate at least 2.5 times more hydrogen than SiNWs without AgNPs. The authors’ results, based on vibrational, UV–vis, and X‐ray spectroscopy studies, strongly suggest that the sidewalls of the SiNWs are covered by silicon suboxides, by up to a thickness of 120 nm, with wide bandgap semiconductor properties that are similar to those of titanium dioxide and remain stable during hydrogen evolution in a water‐containing medium for at least 3 h of irradiation. Based on synchrotron studies, it is found that the increase in the silicon bandgap is related to the energetically beneficial position of the valence band in nanostructured silicon, which renders these promising structures for efficient hydrogen generation.
A Protective Layer for Lithium Metal Anode: Why and How
Authors: Han Zhiyuan , Zhang Chen , Lin Qiaowei , Zhang Yunbo , Deng Yaqian , Han Junwei , Wu Dingcai , Kang Feiyu , Yang Quan‐Hong , Lv Wei 
Published: February 2021

AbstractLithium metal is the most promising candidate anode material for high energy density batteries, but its high activity and severe dendrite growth lead to safety concerns and limit its practical use. Constructing a protective layer (PL) on the lithium surface to avoid the side reactions and stabilize the electrode‐electrolyte interface is an effective approach to solve these problems. In this review, the recent progress on PLs is summarized, and their desired properties and design principles are discussed from the aspects of materials selection and the corresponding fabrication methods. Advanced PLs with different properties are then highlighted, including a self‐adjusting feature to increase structural integrity, the synergistic effect of organic and inorganic hybrids to improve mechanical properties and ionic conductivity, the use of embedded groups and ion diffusion channels to regulate ion distribution and flux, and a protective barrier to suppress corrosion from humid air or water. Finally, the remaining challenges and the possible solutions for PL design in future studies are proposed.