bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Germplasm Conservation
Authors: Quazi Sameer , Golani Tanya , Martino Capuzzo Arnaud 
Published: April 2021

With the increase in risk of extinction of various plants, the trend has been shifted to employment of many biotechnological techniques for preservation of genetic resources of plant and is the area of research which needs to be revolutionized after a specific time period because it allows the production and selection of crop varieties with desirable characteristics during breeding process such as improved fuel, food and health facilities. Having an immense research in conservation of non-threatened species, there is a small collection of knowledge available for conservation of endangered ones. This chapter aims to highlight the various techniques in germplasm conservation of endangered or the species which are at extent of extinction and also the future directions in this field. In developing countries where most of agriculture depends upon food crops, the maintenance of genetic variation is of immense importance. On farm conservation provides the best example of preservation and evolution based on genetic variability which can occur ex-situ and in- situ environment in farms or gene bank. So, it presents the best option for conservation or maintenance of ecosystem and biodiversity which ensures survival of endangered species via germplasm. The most point to consider is that germplasm or genes have to be conserved instead of genotype. In situ conservation involves preservation of plant crops in the field condition in ecosystem where plant is adopted to grow in order to maintain self –sustaining process in natural ecosystem. Similarly ex-situ involve the collections of seed banks of genes collected from plant under natural conditions to produce desirable varieties or from tissue culture in laboratory also referred as in-vitro methodology. In –vitro techniques include cryopreservation which include freezing at much lower temperature than that of freezing point i.e. -196 °C in liquid nitrogen for preserving species which are near to extent of endangerment. Cold storage and storing at lower temperature provides best opportunity for protection against damage caused by rapid freezing. Germplasm exchange has become now a usual practice ensuring exchange of varieties between cultivated and wild types as for example in potatoes specie etc. DNA as well as gene or seed banks provide molecular sources for conservation at biotechnological level. The techniques of introgression and incorporation are basic approaches for germplasm conservation. So there is need to revolutionize and practice germplasm conservation for fulfilling future needs being aimed at conserving endangered or threatened species from conservation hotspots.
Herding and Stampeding: The Albatross of Mosquito/Malaria Control
Authors: S.O. Ugwu Francis 
Published: April 2021

Malaria is lingering globally with 3.3 billion people at risk of infection and 1.2 billion others classified as high risk. The economic burden caused by the disease and vectors is humongous globally. The epicenter is Sub-Sahara Africa which accounts for 92% of the annual death burden of 435,000 of which 61% are children of less than five years. Result of elimination activities are manifest in all other WHO regions except in Sub-Sahara Africa where efforts to control the disease/vector bear unsatisfactory testimony. This worst case scenario in the region is the handiwork of weak governments and institutions that appear to lead control strategies by showiness via information media; but in reality, they are part of the albatross that stampede the processes. Remedying the situation would require multi-tactics including arm-twisting relevant authorities in Africa by the international community and knowledge-based actions by private individuals and communities to stem the tide.
Student health behavior and academic performance
Authors: Reuter Peter R. , Forster Bridget L. 
Published: April 2021

Objective
To explore the association between health behaviors and habits of university students and academic achievement.

Participants
Six hundred fourteen undergraduate students at a state university in the United States.

Methods
Students were invited over a 2-year period to participate in an anonymous online survey that asked questions concerning a wide range of health behaviors and habits; participants were asked to report their current grade point average (GPA). Standard Least Squares Models were used to examine differences in self-reported GPA across the different health behaviors and habits, with individuals as replicates.

Results
The study found positive associations between breakfast consumption, physical activity, and strength training and self-reported GPA, and negative associations between the hours of sleep per night, hours worked per week, fast food and energy drinks consumption, and use of marijuana, alcohol and electronic vaping products.

Conclusions
While there is an association for some of the studied health behaviors and habits with self-reported GPA, the effect sizes for these health behaviors were low. The significant effect of vaping on GPA as well as the increased use reported in this study indicates that the topic should be explored further. Furthermore, students should be educated on the potential positive and negative effects of health behavior choices to help them make better choices.
NGScloud2: optimized bioinformatic analysis using Amazon Web Services
Authors: Mora-Márquez Fernando , Vázquez-Poletti José Luis , López de Heredia Unai 
Published: April 2021

Background
NGScloud was a bioinformatic system developed to perform de novo RNAseq analysis of non-model species by exploiting the cloud computing capabilities of Amazon Web Services. The rapid changes undergone in the way this cloud computing service operates, along with the continuous release of novel bioinformatic applications to analyze next generation sequencing data, have made the software obsolete. NGScloud2 is an enhanced and expanded version of NGScloud that permits the access to ad hoc cloud computing infrastructure, scaled according to the complexity of each experiment.

Methods
NGScloud2 presents major technical improvements, such as the possibility of running spot instances and the most updated AWS instances types, that can lead to significant cost savings. As compared to its initial implementation, this improved version updates and includes common applications for de novo RNAseq analysis, and incorporates tools to operate workflows of bioinformatic analysis of reference-based RNAseq, RADseq and functional annotation. NGScloud2 optimizes the access to Amazon’s large computing infrastructures to easily run popular bioinformatic software applications, otherwise inaccessible to non-specialized users lacking suitable hardware infrastructures.

Results
The correct performance of the pipelines for de novo RNAseq, reference-based RNAseq, RADseq and functional annotation was tested with real experimental data, providing workflow performance estimates and tips to make optimal use of NGScloud2. Further, we provide a qualitative comparison of NGScloud2 vs. the Galaxy framework. NGScloud2 code, instructions for software installation and use are available at https://github.com/GGFHF/NGScloud2. NGScloud2 includes a companion package, NGShelper that contains Python utilities to post-process the output of the pipelines for downstream analysis at https://github.com/GGFHF/NGShelper.
Exploring perceptions of alcohol use in two Indian states: A qualitative study from Delhi and Haryana, India
Authors: Arora Monika , Tewari Abha , Bassi Shalini , Chauhan Kavita , Bhasin Shikha , Bakshi Ann-Sofie , Andréasson Sven 
Published: April 2021

Arora, M., Tewari, A., Bassi, S., Chauhan, K., Bhasin, S., Bakshi, A., & Andréasson, S. (2017). Exploring perceptions of alcohol use in two Indian states: A qualitative study from Delhi and Haryana, India. The International Journal Of Alcohol And Drug Research, 6(1), 1-6. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.v6i1.238Aims: To explore perceptions and determinants influencing alcohol consumption, with a view to inform development of suitable policies to control alcohol consumption.Methodology: Focus group discussions (FGDs) (n=24) were conducted in two Indian states among the rural Haryana (n=8 FGDs; 58 participants) and urban Delhi (n=16 FGDs; 113 participants) populations. Purposive sampling was used to recruit the participants, who were from high and low socioeconomic status (SES) groups and in the age group of 18–58 years.Results: Different factors influence alcohol consumption in high and low SES groups. The age of initiation is now as low as 10–12 years, attributable to the recent trend of increased accessibility. The participants agreed that alcohol consumption has now become a more acceptable part of daily living, whereas earlier it was limited to special occasions and festivals. This has contributed to an increase in drinking. Drinking among women was earlier a taboo, but now women (mainly of high SES), are often seen drinking at social gatherings. The respondents mentioned weak enforcement of regulatory policies related to alcohol consumption and sales.Conclusions: A shift in attitudes was observed towards drinking. Drinking is increasingly seen as a part of daily life. The availability of alcohol is perceived to be increasing and restrictions on sale are not effectively enforced. There is an urgent need to re-evaluate the alcohol policy from a public health perspective in India.
Smart Doppler Cloak Operating in Broad Band and Full Polarizations
Authors: Zhang Xin Ge , Sun Ya Lun , Yu Qian , Cheng Qiang , Jiang Wei Xiang , Qiu Cheng‐Wei , Cui Tie Jun 
Published: April 2021

AbstractInvisibility cloaks, a class of attractive devices that can hide objects from external observers, have become practical reality owing to the advent of metamaterials. In previous cloaking schemes, almost all demonstrated cloaks are time‐invariant and are investigated in the system that is motionless, and hence they are limited to hide stationary objects. In addition, the current cloaks are typically static or require manual operation to achieve dynamic cloaking. Here, a smart Doppler cloak operating in broadband and full polarizations is reported, which consists of a time‐modulated reflective metasurface and a sensing‐feedback time‐varying electronic control system. Experimental results show that the smart Doppler cloak is able to respond self‐adaptively and rapidly to the ever‐changing velocity of moving objects and then cancel different Doppler shifts in real time, without any human intervention. Moreover, the wideband and polarization‐insensitive features enable the cloak to be more robust and practical. To illustrate the capabilities of the proposed approach, the smart Doppler cloak is measured in three scenarios with two different groups of linearly‐polarized incidences at 3.3 and 4.9 GHz, and one group circularly‐polarized incidences at 6.0 GHz, respectively.
Robust Photon Transmission in Nonlinear Parity–Time‐Symmetric Cavities
Authors: Gong Ling‐Pu , Zhang Rui , Chen Xing‐Sen , Tan Yin , Zhang Yu‐Yu 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPhoton transfer in the nonlinear parity–time (PT)‐symmetry system of coupled cavities, which contains nonlinear gain and loss dependent on the intracavity photons, is explored. An analysis based on quantum Langevin equations is presented to study damping dynamics of the conventional scheme, which results in an optimal efficiency by tuning the input frequency dependent on the coupling strength. In the nonlinear PT‐symmetric scheme, it is found that the nonlinear gain saturation can cause the system to reach the steady state that still contains the PT symmetry, and the steady‐state eigenfrequencies self‐adjust to the nonlinear gain saturation for an optimal transfer efficiency. As a consequence, the photons transfer efficiency obtained is robust independent on the coupling strength, which improves the results of the conventional scheme. Meanwhile, the saturated gain in the weak coupling regime does not match the loss in the steady state, exhibiting an appearance of a spontaneous PT symmetry‐breaking. The corresponding transfer efficiency in the PT‐broken regime decreases dependent on the coupling strength. This scheme provides a theoretical proposal to simulate photon transfer in cavities for achieving a robust efficiency.
Enantioselective Synthesis of Axially Chiral Benzothiophene/Benzofuran‐Fused Biaryls by N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Catalyzed Arene Formation
Authors: Zhang Chun‐Lin , Gao Yuan‐Yuan , Wang Hai‐Ying , Zhou Bang‐An , Ye Song 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAxially chiral biaryl scaffolds are prevalent in natural products, chiral ligands, and organocatalysts. However, N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalyzed de novo construction of an aromatic ring with concomitant axial chirality induction for the synthesis of biaryl atropisomers is far less developed, and the efficient synthesis of axially chiral tetra‐ortho‐substituted biaryls remains an unsolved problem under NHC catalysis. Reported here is an NHC‐catalyzed de novo synthesis of axially chiral benzothiophene/benzofuran‐fused biaryls from enals and 2‐benzyl‐benzothiophene/benzofuran‐3‐carbaldehydes through a [2+4] annulation, decarboxylation, and oxidative aromatization cascade with central‐to‐axial chirality conversion. The developed method provides efficient and general access to novel axially chiral benzothiophene/benzofuran‐fused biaryls in high enantioselectivities and works well for the synthesis of tetra‐ortho‐substituted biaryls.
Electron Beam Irradiation‐Induced Formation of Defect‐Rich Zeolites under Ambient Condition within Minutes
Authors: Chen Junchang , Zhang Mingxing , Shu Jie , Yuan Mengjia , Yan Wenfu , Bai Pu , He Linwei , Shen Nannan , Gong Shicheng , Zhang Duo , Li Jiong , Hu Jiangtao , Li Rong , Wu Guozhong , Chai Zhifang , Yu Jihong , Wang Shuao 
Published: April 2021

AbstractZeolites are a well‐known family of microporous aluminosilicate crystals with a wide range of applications. Their industrial synthetic method under hydrothermal condition requires elevated temperature and long crystallization time and is therefore quite energy‐consuming. Herein, we utilize high‐energy electron beam irradiation generated by an industrial accelerator as a distinct type of energy source to activate the formation reaction of Na‐A zeolite. The initial efforts afford an attractive reaction process that can be achieved under ambient conditions and completed within minutes with almost quantitative yield, leading to notable energy saving of one order of magnitude compared to the hydrothermal reaction. More importantly, electron beam irradiation simultaneously exhibits an etching effect during the formation of zeolite generating a series of crystal defects and additional pore windows that can be controlled by irradiation dose. These observations give rise to significantly enhanced surface area and heavy metal removal capabilities in comparison with Na‐A zeolite synthesized hydrothermally. Finally, we show that this method can be applied to many other types of zeolites.
Origins of Endo Selectivity in Diels–Alder Reactions of Cyclic Allene Dienophiles
Authors: Ramirez Melissa , Svatunek Dennis , Liu Fang , Garg Neil K. , Houk Kendall N. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractStrained cyclic allenes, first discovered in 1966 by Wittig and co‐workers, have recently emerged as valuable synthetic building blocks. Previous experimental investigations, and computations reported here, demonstrate that the Diels–Alder reactions of furans and pyrroles with 1,2‐cyclohexadiene and oxa‐ and azaheterocyclic analogs proceed with endo selectivity. This endo selectivity gives the adduct with the allylic saturated carbon of the cyclic allene endo to the diene carbons. The selectivity is very general and useful in synthetic applications. Our computational study establishes the origins of this endo selectivity. We analyze the helical frontier molecular orbitals of strained cyclic allenes and show how secondary orbital and electrostatic effects influence stereoselectivity. The LUMO of carbon‐3 of the allene (C‐3 is not involved in primary orbital interactions) interacts in a stabilizing fashion with the HOMO of the diene in such a way that the carbon of the cyclic allene attached to C‐1 favors the endo position in the transition state. The furan LUMO, allene HOMO interaction reinforces this preference. These mechanistic studies are expected to prompt the further use of long‐avoided strained cyclic allenes in chemical synthesis.
The Origin of Catalytic Benzylic C−H Oxidation over a Redox‐Active Metal–Organic Framework
Authors: Kimberley Louis , Sheveleva Alena M. , Li Jiangnan , Carter Joseph H. , Kang Xinchen , Smith Gemma L. , Han Xue , Day Sarah J. , Tang Chiu C. , Tuna Floriana , McInnes Eric J. L. , Yang Sihai , Schröder Martin 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSelective oxidation of benzylic C−H compounds to ketones is important for the production of a wide range of fine chemicals, and is often achieved using toxic or precious metal catalysts. Herein, we report the efficient oxidation of benzylic C−H groups in a broad range of substrates under mild conditions over a robust metal–organic framework material, MFM‐170, incorporating redox‐active [Cu2II(O2CR)4] paddlewheel nodes. A comprehensive investigation employing electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and synchrotron X‐ray diffraction has identified the critical role of the paddlewheel moiety in activating the oxidant tBuOOH (tert‐butyl hydroperoxide) via partial reduction to [CuIICuI(O2CR)4] species.
A Pair of Cobalt(III/IV) Terminal Imido Complexes
Authors: Mao Weiqing , Fehn Dominik , Heinemann Frank W. , Scheurer Andreas , Munz Dominik , Meyer Karsten 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe reaction of the cobalt(I) complex [(TIMMNmes)CoI](BPh4) (2) (TIMMNmes=tris‐[2‐(3‐mesitylimidazolin‐2‐ylidene)methyl]amine) with 1‐adamantylazide yields the cobalt(III) imido complex [(TIMMNmes)CoIII(NAd)](BPh4) (3) with concomitant release of dinitrogen. The N‐anchor in diamagnetic 3 features an unusual, planar tertiary amine, which results from repulsive electrostatic interaction with the filled d(z2)‐orbital of the cobalt ion and negative hyperconjugation with the neighboring methylene groups. One‐electron oxidation of 3 with [FeCp2](OTf) provides access to the rare, high‐valent cobalt(IV) imido complex [(TIMMNmes)CoIV(NAd)](OTf)2 (4). Despite a half‐life of less than 1 h at room temperature, 4 could be isolated at low temperatures in analytically pure form. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffractometry and EPR spectroscopy corroborate the molecular structure and the d5 low‐spin, S=
, electron configuration. A computational analysis of 4 suggests high covalency within the CoIV=NAd bond with non‐negligible spin density located at the imido moiety, which translates into substantial triplet nitrene character.
Hydrogen peroxide‐producing electrochemical bandage controlled by a wearable potentiostat for treatment of wound infections
Authors: Mohamed Abdelrhman , Anoy MD Monzurul Islam , Tibbits Gretchen , Raval Yash S. , Flurin Laure , Greenwood‐Quaintance Kerryl E. , Patel Robin , Beyenal Haluk 
Published: April 2021

AbstractChronic wound infections caused by biofilm‐forming microorganisms represent a major burden to healthcare systems. Treatment of chronic wound infections using conventional antibiotics is often ineffective due to the presence of bacteria with acquired antibiotic resistance and biofilm‐associated antibiotic tolerance. We previously developed an electrochemical scaffold that generates hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at low concentrations in the vicinity of biofilms. The goal of this study was to transition our electrochemical scaffold into an H2O2‐generating electrochemical bandage (e‐bandage) that can be used in vivo. The developed e‐bandage uses a xanthan gum‐based hydrogel to maintain electrolytic conductivity between e‐bandage electrodes and biofilms. The e‐bandage is controlled using a lightweight, battery‐powered wearable potentiostat suitable for use in animal experiments. We show that e‐bandage treatment reduced colony‐forming units of Acinetobacter buamannii biofilms (treatment vs. control) in 12 h (7.32 ± 1.70 vs. 9.73 ± 0.09 log10[CFU/cm2]) and 24 h (4.10 ± 12.64 vs. 9.78 ± 0.08 log10[CFU/cm2]) treatments, with 48 h treatment reducing viable cells below the limit of detection of quantitative and broth cultures. The developed H2O2‐generating e‐bandage was effective against in vitro A. baumannii biofilms and should be further evaluated and developed as a potential alternative to topical antibiotic treatment of wound infections.
Expanding the Substrate Scope of Nitrating Cytochrome P450 TxtE by Active Site Engineering of a Reductase Fusion
Authors: Saroay Rakesh , Roiban Gheorghe‐Doru , Alkhalaf Lona M. , Challis Gregory L. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAromatic nitration reactions are a cornerstone of organic chemistry, but are challenging to scale due to corrosive reagents and elevated temperatures. The cytochrome P450 TxtE nitrates the indole 4‐position of l‐tryptophan at room temperature using NO, O2 and NADPH, and has potential to be developed into a useful aromatic nitration biocatalyst. However, its narrow substrate scope (requiring both the α‐amino acid and indole functionalities) have hindered this. Screening of an R59 mutant library of a TxtE‐reductase fusion protein identified a variant (R59C) that nitrates tryptamine, which is not accepted by native TxtE. This variant exhibits a broader substrate scope than the wild type enzyme and is able to nitrate a range of tryptamine analogues, with significant alterations to the aromatic and aminoethyl moieties.
Long‐term outcomes of self‐expanding versus balloon‐expandable transcatheter aortic valves: Insights from the OBSERVANT study
Authors: Costa Giuliano , D'Errigo Paola , Rosato Stefano , Valvo Roberto , Biancari Fausto , Tamburino Corrado , Cerza Francesco , Cicala Stefano Domenico , Seccareccia Fulvia , Barbanti Marco ,   for the OBSERVANT Research Group
Published: April 2021

AbstractObjectivesTo compare clinical outcomes of balloon‐expandable (BE) and self‐expanding (SE) transcatheter aortic valves (TAVs) up to 5 years.BackgroundTo date, no robust, comparative data of BE and SE TAVs at long‐term are available.MethodsWe considered a total of 1,440 patients enrolled in the multicenter OBSERVANT study and undergoing transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TF‐TAVI) with either supra‐annular SE (n = 830, 57.6%) and intra‐annular BE (n = 610, 42.4%) valves. Clinical outcomes of the two groups were compared after adjustment using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) and confirmed by sensitivity analysis with propensity score matching.ResultsPatients receiving SE valve showed a higher all‐cause mortality at 5 years (Kaplan–Meier estimates 52.3% vs. 47.7%; Hazard ratio [HR] 1.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.38, p = .04). Landmark analyses showed that there was a not statistically significant reversal of risk excess against the BE group starting from 3 years after TAVI (3–5 years HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.76–1.25, p = .86). Post‐procedural, moderate/severe paravalvular regurgitation (PVR)(HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.14–1.87; p < .01) and acute kidney injury (AKI)(HR 3.89, 95% CI 2.47–6.38; p < .01) showed to be independent predictors of 5‐year all‐cause mortality in multivariable analysis.ConclusionsConsidering the intrinsic limitations of the OBSERVANT study, we found that patients undergoing TF‐TAVI with a supra‐annular SE valve had a higher all‐cause mortality compared to those receiving an intra‐annular BE valve at 5 years. A late catch up phenomenon of patients receiving the BE valve was observed beyond 3 years. Post‐procedural moderate/severe PVR seems to play a crucial role in determining this finding. Comparative studies of new generation devices with longer follow‐up are needed to evaluate the benefit of each specific TAV type.