bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhanced Evanescent Field Coupling of Smart Particles in Tubular Optical Microcavity for Sensing Application
Authors: Yang Shuo , Wang Yunqi , Kong Ye , Huang Gaoshan , Zhao Zhe , Wang Yang , Xu Borui , Cui Jizhai , Mei Yongfeng 
Published: December 2021

AbstractWhispering‐gallery mode (WGM) optical microcavity with enhanced evanescent field is one of the most perfect systems to study light–matter interaction. Unique sensing devices and potential applications with excellent performance can be expected by integrating smart particles into the microcavity, such as small mode volume and high sensitivity. Here, it is demonstrated that rolled‐up tubular optical microcavity decorated with palladium (Pd) nanoparticles (NPs) is capable for hydrogen (H2) sensing. Such microtube with subwavelength wall thickness exhibits enhanced sensing performance, e.g., detection limit of 1000 parts per million (ppm) and sensitivity in the order of 10−5 nm ppm−1, due to strong coupling in the evanescent field. Experiments and simulations are compared and guided the optimization for high figures of merit. The approach proves a unique route to couple smart particles with rolled‐up WGM microcavity for gas sensing, which have great application potentials in the field of nanophotonics and smart sensors.
Two GiantCalixarene‐LikePolyoxoniobate Nanocups {Cu12Nb120} and {Cd16Nb128} Built from Mixed Macrocyclic Cluster Motifs
Authors: Zhu Zeng‐Kui , Zhang Jing , Cong Yu‐Chen , Ge Rui , Li Zhong , Li Xin‐Xiong , Zheng Shou‐Tian 
Published: December 2021

AbstractCup‐shaped molecules are of great interest due to their appealing architectures and properties. Compared with widely studied calixarenes, polyoxometalate‐based cup‐shaped molecules currently remain a virgin land waiting for exploration. In this work, we report the first discovery of two giant cup‐shaped inorganic–organic hybrid polyoxoniobates (PONbs) of {Cu12Nb120} and {Cd16Nb128}. The former integrates three tricyclic Nb24clusters and a hexacyclic Nb48cluster into a cup‐shaped molecule via a Cu12metallacalixarene, while the latter unifies two tricyclic Nb24clusters and a brand‐new pentacyclic Nb40cluster into another cup‐shaped molecule via a hybrid Cd16unit. With 132 and 144 metal centers, {Cu12Nb120} and {Cd16Nb128} show the largest two inorganic–organic hybrid PONbs known to date.
Configurationally Chiral SuFEx‐Based Polymers
Authors: Liang Dong‐Dong , Pujari Sidharam P. , Subramaniam Muthusamy , Besten Maarten , Zuilhof Han 
Published: December 2021

AbstractNovel methods to make synthetic chiral polymers are highly desirable given their potential in a rapidly increasing number of bio‐inspired applications. The enantiospecific sulfur–fluorine exchange (SuFEx) reaction of chiral di‐sulfonimidoyl fluorides (di‐SFs) with diphenols, was used to produce high‐molecular‐weight chiral polymers with configurational backbone chirality. The resulting new class of polymers, polysulfonimidates, can be efficiently produced via this step‐growth mechanism for a wide range of di‐SFs and diphenols, yielding MnPS up to 283 kDa with a typical dispersity Đ around 1.6. The optical activity of the resulting chiral polymers is largely due to the intrinsic asymmetry of the S atoms (configurational chirality). Finally, the enantiospecificity (ee>98 %) of the polymerization reaction was demonstrated by the degradation of a disulfide‐containing polysulfonimidate. This novel route towards configurational main‐chain chirality opens up new approaches towards tailor‐made chiral polymers with precisely defined properties.
Determining the amount of ‘green’ coke generated when co‐processing lipids commercially by fluid catalytic cracking
Authors: Su Jianping , Cao Liang , Lee Gary , Gopaluni Bhushan , O'Connor Don , van Dyk Susan , Pinchuk Robert , Saddler Jack 
Published: December 2021

AbstractCo‐processing biogenic feedstocks in oil refineries will reduce the greenhouse gas emissions normally associated with fossil‐derived transportation fuels. The fluid catalytic cracker (FCC) within a refinery is a robust processing unit and will probably be a preferred insertion point if biocrudes, produced by the liquefaction of biomass, are co‐processed within a refinery. Fluid catalytic cracking results in a wide range of intermediate products which can be upgraded to gasoline, diesel, heavy fuel oil and liquified petroleum gas blendstocks. Coke is also produced and provides heating for feedstocks, the endothermic catalytic cracking reactions and the regeneration of the FCC catalyst. However, coke combustion also generates carbon dioxide and is a significant source of refinery greenhouse gas emissions. As detailed here, the continuous nature of the process makes the physical evaluation of any biogenic coke fraction, via methods such as C14 isotope analysis, quite challenging. However, quantifying the stack gases provides one way of assessing the renewable content of the carbon dioxide derived from coke combustion. The hourly data from 1 year of commercial operation was assessed using linear and Bayesian ridge regression to quantify the burning coefficient of the coke when co‐processing lipids at the FCC. When a bootstrap method was used to reduce the uncertainties of the coefficients, this allowed us to quantify the renewable (green) fraction of the coke component, indicating the reduction in carbon dioxide emissions when commercially co‐processing biogenic feedstocks. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Predicting T‐cell quality during manufacturing through an artificial intelligence‐based integrative multiomics analytical platform
Authors: Odeh‐Couvertier Valerie Y. , Dwarshuis Nathan J. , Colonna Maxwell B. , Levine Bruce L. , Edison Arthur S. , Kotanchek Theresa , Roy Krishnendu , Torres‐Garcia Wandaliz 
Published: December 2021

AbstractLarge‐scale, reproducible manufacturing of therapeutic cells with consistently high quality is vital for translation to clinically effective and widely accessible cell therapies. However, the biological and logistical complexity of manufacturing a living product, including challenges associated with their inherent variability and uncertainties of process parameters, currently make it difficult to achieve predictable cell‐product quality. Using a degradable microscaffold‐based T‐cell process, we developed an artificial intelligence (AI)‐driven experimental‐computational platform to identify a set of critical process parameters and critical quality attributes from heterogeneous, high‐dimensional, time‐dependent multiomics data, measurable during early stages of manufacturing and predictive of end‐of‐manufacturing product quality. Sequential, design‐of‐experiment‐based studies, coupled with an agnostic machine‐learning framework, were used to extract feature combinations from early in‐culture media assessment that were highly predictive of the end‐product CD4/CD8 ratio and total live CD4+ and CD8+ naïve and central memory T cells (CD63L+CCR7+). Our results demonstrate a broadly applicable platform tool to predict end‐product quality and composition from early time point in‐process measurements during therapeutic cell manufacturing.
Fatty Acyl Sulfonyl Fluoride as an Activity‐Based Probe for Profiling Fatty Acid‐Associated Proteins in Living Cells
Authors: Zhang Dong , Lu Minghao , Chen Chengjie , Xu Yaxin , Peng Tao 
Published: December 2021

AbstractFatty acids play fundamental structural, metabolic, functional, and signaling roles in all biological systems. Altered fatty acid levels and metabolism have been associated with many pathological conditions. Chemical probes have greatly facilitated biological studies on fatty acids. Herein, we report the development and characterization of an alkynyl‐functionalized long‐chain fatty acid‐based sulfonyl fluoride probe for covalent labelling, enrichment, and identification of fatty acid‐associated proteins in living cells. Our quantitative chemical proteomics show that this sulfonyl fluoride probe targets diverse classes of fatty acid‐associated proteins including many metabolic serine hydrolases that are known to be involved in fatty acid metabolism and modification. We further validate that the probe covalently modifies the catalytically or functionally essential serine or tyrosine residues of its target proteins and enables evaluation of their inhibitors. The sulfonyl fluoride‐based chemical probe thus represents a new tool for profiling the expression and activity of fatty acid‐associated proteins in living cells.
Stem cells technology as a platform for generating reproductive system organoids and treatment of infertility‐related diseases
Authors: Jahanbani Yalda , Shafiee Samira , Davaran Soodabeh , Roshangar Leila , Ahmadian Elham , Eftekhari Aziz , Dolati Sanam , Yousefi Mehdi 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIn recent years, stem cells have known as a helpful biological tool for the accurate diagnosis, treatment and recognition of diseases. Using stem cells as biomarkers have presented high potential in the early detection of many diseases. Another advancement in stem cell technology includes stem cell derived organoids model that could be a promising platform for diagnosis and modeling different diseases. Furthermore, therapeutic capabilities of stem cell therapy have increased hope in the face of different disability managements. All of these technologies are also widely used in reproductive related diseases especially in today's world that many couples encounter infertility problems. However, with the aid of numerous improvements in the treatment of infertility, over 80% of couples who dreamed of having children could now have children. Due to the fact that infertility has many negative effects on personal and social lives of young couples, many researchers have focused on the treatment of male and female reproductive system abnormalities with different types of stem cells, including embryonic stem cells, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and umbilical cord‐derived MSCs. Also, design and formation of reproductive system organoids provide a fascinating window into disease modeling, drug screening, personalized therapy, and regeneration medicine. Utilizing these techniques to study, model and treat the infertility‐related diseases has drawn attention of many scientists. This review explains different applications of stem cells in generating reproductive system organoids and stem cell‐based therapies for male and female infertility related diseases treatment.
Cancer case trends following the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic: A community‐based observational study with extended follow‐up
Authors: Drescher Charles W. , Bograd Adam J. , Chang Shu‐Ching , Weerasinghe Roshanthi K. , Vita Ann , Bell R. Bryan 
Published: December 2021

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has impacted health care delivery worldwide. Cancer is a leading cause of death, and the impact of the pandemic on cancer diagnoses is an important public health concern.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study retrospectively analyzed the electronic medical records of 80,138 cancer patients diagnosed between January 1, 2019, and May 31, 2021. Outcome measures included weekly number of new cancer cases and trends in weekly cancer cases, before and after the pandemic; patient demographics; and positive COVID‐19 test rates.ResultsBeginning March 4, 2020, defined as the onset of the pandemic, weekly cancer cases declined precipitously (–110.0 cases per week [95% confidence interval, −190.2 to −29.8]) for 4 weeks, followed by a moderate recovery (+23.7 cases per week [9.1 to 38.4]) of 10 weeks duration. Thereafter, weekly cancer cases trended slowly back toward pre‐COVID‐19 baseline levels. Following the pandemic onset, there was a cumulative year‐over‐year decline in cancer cases overall of 7.3%, including a 20.2%, 14.3%, and 12.8% decline in nonmelanoma skin cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer, respectively. Changes in case volumes were accompanied by variations in patient characteristics, including region, age, gender, race, insurance coverage, and COVID‐19 positive test rates (P < .01 for all). Among patients tested for COVID‐19, 5.3% had a positive result.ConclusionsThe data in this study demonstrate a substantial reduction in cancer diagnoses following the onset of COVID‐19, which appear to reach expected pre‐COVID norms 12 months later. The largest reduction was noted among cancers that are typically screen‐detected or identified as part of a routine wellness examination.
Interleukin‐2‐inducible T‐cell kinase (Itk) signaling regulates potent noncanonical regulatory T cells
Authors: Mammadli Mahinbanu , Harris Rebecca , Suo Liye , May Adriana , Gentile Teresa , Waickman Adam T. , Bah Alaji , August Avery , Nurmemmedov Elmar , Karimi Mobin 
Published: December 2021

AbstractRegulatory T cells (Tregs) play an important role in controlling autoimmunity and limiting tissue damage and inflammation. IL2‐inducible T cell kinase (Itk) is part of the Tec family of tyrosine kinases and is a critical component of T cell receptor mediated signaling. Here, we showed that either genetic ablation of Itk signaling or inhibition of Itk signaling pathways resulted in increased frequency of “noncanonical” CD4+CD25−FOXP3+ Tregs (ncTregs), as well as of “canonical” CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Tregs (canTregs). Using in vivo models, we showed that ncTregs can avert the formation of acute graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD), in part by reducing conventional T cell proliferation, proinflammatory cytokine production, and tissue damage. This reduction in GVHD occurred without disruption of graft‐versus‐leukaemia (GVL) effects. RNA sequencing revealed that a number of effector, cell adhesion, and migration molecules were upregulated in Itk–/− ncTregs. Furthermore, disrupting the SLP76: ITK interaction using a specific peptide inhibitor led to enhanced Treg development in both mouse and primary human cells. This peptide inhibitor also significantly reduced inflammatory cytokine production in primary GVHD patient samples and mouse T cells without causing cell death or apoptosis. We provide evidence that specifically targeting Itk signaling could be a therapeutic strategy to treat autoimmune disorders.
Microbiomes in Canidae
Authors: Biles Tyler L. , Beck Harald , Masters Brian S. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBecause of their range expansion across North America, coyotes (Canis latrans) now occur sympatrically with numerous other predator species, including red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). This raises several interesting ecological questions, including if and how sympatry affects the diet and gut microbiomes of coyotes and red foxes. We examined the gut microbiomes of sympatric populations of coyotes and red foxes within two different National Parks in Virginia, USA, that differ in land use, vegetation, and anthropogenic disturbance: Prince William Forest Park (PRWI) and Manassas National Battlefield Park (MANA). From 2012 to 2017, scat samples from PRWI and MANA were collected and analyzed. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of a region of the mitochondrial cytochrome‐b gene followed by restriction enzyme digestion of the PCR product was used to determine the origin of each scat sample. Next‐Generation DNA sequencing of a hypervariable 16S rRNA gene region was used to determine gut microbiome information about the scat samples. There was no evidence for a difference between the gut microbiomes of red foxes in either location, or for a difference between the gut microbiomes of red foxes at either location and coyotes at the location with lower human disturbance, PRWI. However, the gut microbiomes of coyotes at the location with higher anthropogenic disturbances, MANA, revealed a marked change from those found in red foxes at either location and from those in coyotes at the location with lower disturbances. The gut microbiomes of coyotes subjected to greater human impact may provide evidence of dysbiosis, indicative of increased physiological stress and reduced health. We discuss our observations in the context of understanding anthropogenic impacts on coyote and red fox interactions. Our results suggest that physiological stress in the form of human disturbance may play an important role in the composition of the gut microbiome of coyotes, which can affect their overall health.
Functional traits of alpine plant communities show long‐term resistance to changing herbivore densities
Authors: Vuorinen Katariina E. M. , Austrheim Gunnar , Mysterud Atle , Gya Ragnhild , Vandvik Vigdis , Grytnes John‐Arvid , Speed James D. M. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractHerbivores shape vegetation by suppressing certain plant species while benefitting others. By thus modifying plant species functional composition, herbivores affect carbon cycling, albedo, vegetation structure and species' interactions. These effects have been suggested to be able to counteract the effects of increasing temperatures on vegetation in alpine environments. Managing the dominant large ungulates in these ecosystems could thus provide a tool to mitigate climate change effects. However, it is possible that legacy effects of past grazing will dampen ungulate impacts on vegetation. We shed a light on this topic by investigating the short‐ and long‐term effects of varying sheep densities on the plant trait composition in the Norwegian alpine tundra with centuries‐long of intensive grazing history. In the first part of our study, we quantified the effects of sheep on the plant community functional trait composition at different elevations and under moderate and low productivity in. We combined data from two long‐term (14 and 19 yr) sheep fence experiments and showed that differences in sheep densities did not affect plant trait composition, irrespective of productivity. However, in the second part of our study, we showed that the plant trait composition in mainland (that has been grazed for centuries) differed from vegetation on islands which have been herbivore‐free. Taken together, these results suggest that sheep have an effect on the alpine plant communities on historical time scales covering centuries, but that the resulting sheep grazing resistant/tolerant communities may not respond to shorter‐term (14 and 19 yr) changes in sheep densities, that is, at temporal scales relevant for ecosystem management. Furthermore, we showed that the plant trait composition at the site with low productivity had gone through a temporal trait change independent of sheep treatment, potentially due to increased temperatures and precipitation, suggesting that sheep may not be able to counteract climatic impacts in the areas with centuries‐long grazing history.
Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Boron‐Containing Macrocyclic Polyamine Dimers and Their Zinc(II) Complexes for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy
Authors: Ueda Hiroki , Suzuki Minoru , Sakurai Yoshinori , Tanaka Tomohiro , Aoki Shin 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBoron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is considered to have potential for cancer therapy based on the nuclear reaction between boron (10B) atoms and thermal neutrons, yielding 4He2+ (α) and 7Li3+ ions. These heavy particles induce the destruction of biomolecules within short path length of 5–9 μm, resulting in a limited cytotoxic effect to 10B‐containing cells. Herein, we report on the design and synthesis of DNA‐targeting BNCT agents equipped with homo‐ and hetero‐dimeric macrocyclic polyamine units and their Zn2+ complexes. It was hypothesized that the dizinc(II) complexes of these ligands would recognize two adjacent thymidines (thymidyl(3'–5')thymidine), resulting in an efficient contact with DNA and an efficient breakdown of DNA upon thermal neutron irradiation. To test this hypothesis, we performed a DNA interaction study and a biological evaluation such as cytotoxicity and intracellular uptake activity using cancer and normal cells. BNCT experiments utilizing the corresponding 10B‐enriched compounds were also conducted.
A survey of recent progress on novel catalytic materials with precise crystalline structures for oxidation/hydrogenation of key biomass platform chemicals
Authors: Yang Dan , Liu Xuan , Zhao Wanna , Yan Qian , Song Fei , Wang Tianci , Dai Yihu , Wan Xiaoyue , Zhou Chunmei , Yang Yanhui 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIn the global attempt to reduce carbon footprint toward sustainability, the chemical and petrochemical industry faces the problem to replace the fossil feedstock with renewable resources, reduce energy consumption and to intensify and integrate the processes to be more carbon efficient. Biomass containing plentiful and renewable carbon resources is regarded to be a desired alternative for fossil fuel. Recently, research community has paid remarkable attention to develop the catalytic processes to produce fuels and chemicals from lignocellulosic biomass. This review surveys the recent advances of several representative novel catalytic materials with precise crystalline structures for key biomass platform chemicals (glucose, levulinic acid, 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural, and furfural) conversion processes, including oxidation, hydrogenation, and cascade reactions. The mechanistic reaction pathways are discussed, as well as the active sites and catalyst design. Additionally, the challenges and opportunities in this particular area is projected and shared with the community.image
Nonlinear seismic performance study of D‐type self‐centering eccentric braced frames with sliding rocking link beams
Authors: Rezvan Pooya , Zhang Yunfeng 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThis paper presents a nonlinear numerical simulation study of the D‐type self‐centering eccentric braced frame system with a sliding rocking link beam (SCEBF‐SRL) to overcome the beam‐growth problem. The re‐centering capability of such SCEBF‐SRLs is enabled by post‐tensioned (PT) steel‐stranded cables. Replaceable hysteretic dampers termed RHD are used as seismic fuse devices for energy dissipation, while the friction force due to the relative movement of the sliding rocking link beam inside the column corbels would also contribute to the energy dissipation capacity of the system. Analytical load versus displacement relationships of an SCEBF‐SRL module frame were formulated and cross‐validated with nonlinear finite element (FE) analysis results. The seismic performance of the proposed system was studied through nonlinear static and dynamic analysis of three‐ and six‐story prototype SCEBF‐SRL buildings. A set of twenty‐two far‐field ground motions from the FEMA P695 database was adopted for nonlinear dynamic analysis (NDA). NDA results revealed that the ensemble median of the maximum inter‐story drift ratios (IDRs) of both SCEBF‐SRL prototypes were less than 1.4% and 2.0% at the design basis earthquake (DBE) and the risk‐targeted maximum considered earthquake (MCER) levels, respectively. Additionally, both SCEBF‐SRL buildings fully re‐centered themselves at MCER with negligibly small residual drift (<0.01%). The parametric study results suggest that with an energy dissipation ratio, between 25% and 60% and a minimum stiffness ratio of 5%, the ensemble median of the maximum IDR of the considered prototype building could be made less than 1.5% and 2.3% at DBE and MCER levels, respectively.
Ensuring optimal ventilation of calf buildings
Authors: Halbach Courtney , Robertson Jamie 
Published: December 2021

Background: There has been considerable change over the past 10 years in the perceived value of beef and dairy calves, with potential for improvement to animal health and farm financial sustainability. One of the main calf health issues is respiratory disease, with multifactorial aspects that all require attention in order to produce healthy calves. Poor ventilation is often cited as a contributing factor to respiratory problems on specific farms, but it is seldom described in an objective manner that would facilitate providing an effective solution.Aim of the article: This article outlines the importance of fresh air in calf houses on calf health, with specific focus on natural ventilation, stack effect and positive pressure tube ventilation.