bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Single Photon Emitters Coupled to Plasmonic Waveguides: A Review
Authors: Kumar Shailesh , Bozhevolnyi Sergey I. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractDuring the last two decades, many research groups have demonstrated coupling of single photon emitters to plasmonic waveguides, promising very high emission enhancements, for applications in quantum technologies. In this review, recent developments within this important research topic are discussed. Different plasmonic waveguide–quantum emitter configurations are compared from the application viewpoint by utilizing a figure‐of‐merit (FOM) reflecting the emission enhancement, coupling efficiency, and radiation loss. The experimental methods applied to obtain the coupled systems with high FOMs are described. Configurations that are exploited for reinforcing the coupling efficiency, i.e., the efficiency of funneling the emitted radiation into a plasmonic waveguide, are also considered as well as the scalability potential of various waveguide platforms. A recent experiment, in which enhanced light–matter interaction in a plasmonic waveguide is taken advantage of, resulting in the demonstration of non‐linearity at the single emitter level, is discussed.
Development of a simple and reliable method for α‐amanitin detection in rat plasma and its application to a toxicokinetic study
Authors: Mao Zhengsheng , Yu Youjia , Sun Hao , Cao Yue , Jiang Qiaoyan , Chu Chunyan , Sun Yang , Huang Shuainan , Zhang Jinsong , Chen Feng 
Published: September 2021

Rationaleα‐Amanitin is a highly toxic peptide widely found in species of poisonous mushrooms. The matrix effect has been a major obstacle for accurate determination of α‐amanitin in plasma samples by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). In this study, the strategy to eliminate the matrix effect of α‐amanitin with a one‐step dilution approach after deproteinization was applied.MethodsRat plasma samples were processed by protein precipitation with methanol followed by a nine‐fold dilution with pure water. The matrix effect value of α‐amanitin was 19.7%–22.2% by protein precipitation and then changed to 87.5%–88.7% after dilution. α‐Amanitin and the internal standard (roxithromycin) were analyzed on an ACQUITY UPLC® BEH C18 (50 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) column within 3.0 min by gradient elution.ResultsThe linear ranges were 0.90–600 ng/mL with a correlation coefficient r >0.9958. A lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) of 0.90 ng/mL was achieved using only 50 μL of rat plasma. The intra‐ and inter‐day precisions for the analyte ranged from 3.2% to 7.5% and 3.1% to 7.1%, respectively, and the accuracy ranged from −5.3% to −8.0%.ConclusionsThe matrix effect of α‐amanitin was reduced by sample dilution after plasma deproteinization. A reliable LC/MS/MS method for the determination of α‐amanitin in rat plasma was developed. This method was successfully applied for a toxicokinetic study of rats after intravenous injection of α‐amanitin with a subacute toxicity dose at 0.10 mg/kg.
Bulk density, particle density, and porosity of two species of Sphagnum: Variability in measurement techniques and spatial distribution
Authors: Whittington Pete , Koiter Alexander , Watts Dia , Brewer Alyssa , Golubev Vitaly 
Published: September 2021

AbstractPeatlands store more carbon than the world's forests combined, despite covering only 3% of Earth's surface. Governing the sequestration of carbon are biogeochemical processes which are controlled largely by hydrology, which is influenced by the physical properties of the soils, such as bulk density, particle density, and porosity. Reliable values for these properties for peat can be found in the literature; however, values for Sphagnum litter, particularly particle density, are often not measured or reported. The values that do exist for Sphagnum litter rarely report the depth or any spatial differences within the peatland that might exist. Particle density of soil organic material (i.e., humus) is often assumed to be 1.4 g cm–3 and is used for litter. We sampled numerous hummocks of S. capillifolium (Ehrh.) Hedw. and S. magellanicum Brid. (now either S. divinum Flatberg & Hassel or S. medium Limpr.) at a midlatitude continental peatland and determined the bulk density, particle density, and porosity at 5‐cm intervals from the surface to 25‐cm depth. Bulk density and porosity values were similar to values reported in the literature; difference between species and location within the peatland were observed, with the largest difference being found between Sphagnum growing in open and treed areas. Particle density, however, averaged 0.75 g cm–3, or nearly half that of the assumed value from the literature, suggesting strongly that assuming 1.4 g cm–3 is incorrect for Sphagnum litter and that peatland practitioners should use a locally obtained value, or 0.75 g cm–3 instead.
Global Navigation Satellite Systems Spoofing Detection through measured Autocorrelation Function Shape Distortion
Authors: Khan Abdul Malik , Ahmad Attiq 
Published: September 2021

SummaryWith the expansion in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) constellations and emerging applications utilizing GNSS systems, the issue of detection of interference is evolving as a growing concern in the satellite navigation user community. Threats for GNSS users can be classified as unintentional interference, jamming, and spoofing. Spoofing is more harmful among them because the target receiver might not be aware of the attack and, as a consequence, generate misleading position information. Spoofing attacks are classified as simplistic, intermediate, and sophisticated depending on their complexity of implementation. We focused primarily on the detection of intermediate spoofing attacks by measuring shape distortion (SD) through multiple correlators that cover multiple chips around the prompt tracking point. The SD metric compares the measured and typical values of the autocorrelation function and decides on the spoofing using a noise variance based threshold. The proposed SD metric is found to be very effective in detecting the spoofing attack during the pull‐off phase of the attack. The method is verified through simulations, synthetic spoofing data, and the TEXBAT data shared by the University of Texas, Austin. Different formulations of the proposed method are compared to provide an optimal number of correlator taps in each channel.
Discovery of Easily Synthesizable 4, 4‐Dimethylimidazolidin‐2‐ones as Potent Androgen Receptor Antagonists for Prostate Cancer
Authors: Yaragani Muralikrishna , Yadlapalli Prasad , Raghavan Sriram , Thota Giridhar , Basaveswara Rao Mandava Venkata , Vikram Singh Ravindra , Prasad Kottapalli Rajasekhara , Saravanan Chinnusamy 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAndrogen deprivation therapy (ADT), also known as suppression of androgen activity, is a first‐line treatment option for patients with prostate cancer (PC). ADT became ineffective after several years of treatment due to the development of castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), which resulted in more deaths in PC patients, but it is still androgen receptor (AR) dependent. Under these conditions, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved enzalutamide for the treatment of patients with metastatic CRPC (mCRPC) and, more recently, nonmetastatic CRPC (nmCRPC). Despite the fact that this drug has extended overall and progression‐free survival in a wide range of CRPC patients, more research is needed to better understand the mechanisms of resistance challenges and analogues chemical lead structures as next generation AR antagonists. In this regard, we discovered simple and easily synthesizable new pharmacophore, 4,4‐dimethylimidazolidin‐2‐one, based derivatives MDV1‐MDV8 for potent AR antagonists; here, the thiohydantoin pharmacophore in enzalutamide is replaced by 4,4‐dimethylimidazolidin‐2‐one. The antiproliferative activities of these molecules have been assessed against androgen dependent PC cell line (LNCaP). The structure‐activity relationship of these molecules, as well as their relationship with enzalutamide, is investigated. Among the reported molecules, MDV4 showed significantly improved in vitro activity with the IC50 value of 780.85 nM.
Design and Synthesis of Bioinspired Benzocoumarin‐Chalcones Chimeras as Potential Anti‐Breast Cancer Agents
Authors: Saquib Mohammad , Baig Mohammad Hassan , Khan Mohammad Faheem , Azmi Sarfuddin , Khatoon Shahnaaz , Rawat Arun Kumar , Dong Jae June , Asad Mohammad , Arshad Md. , Hussain Mohd Kamil 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe design and synthesis of a library of natural product inspired benzocoumarin‐chalcones chimeras, as potent and selective, novel, anti‐breast cancer scaffold, is reported herein. Twenty‐one new chimeric molecules, 25–45, were synthesized through an efficient protocol involving the Horner‐Wadsworth‐Emmons‐olefination of β‐aryl‐β‐ketophosphonates with 4‐formyl‐2H‐benzo[h]chromen‐2‐ones as the key step, and evaluated for anti‐proliferative activity against a panel of four breast cancer and related cell lines viz. MDA‐MB‐231 (ER‐ve), MCF‐7 (ER+ve), Ishikawa (endometrial cancer) and Hela (cervical cancer). The synthesized molecules showed in vitro anti‐proliferative activity in a range of 7.42 to 74.68 μM (IC50). Compounds 33 and 34 showed very good activity, with 34 exhibiting better activity than the standard drugs, tamoxifen and raloxifene. Interestingly, none of the compounds showed cytotoxity against the normal human cell line. To identify the possible targets of the active compounds, molecular docking analysis was conducted to correlate their interaction with the ERα and ERβ receptors. From among the active compounds the docked conformations of 34, at the ERα and ERβ active sites, showed that it fits most favorably in the ligand binding space and shows hydrophobic interactions with the salient residues. Based on the above findings, 34 was identified as a lead molecule for development of more potent anti‐breast cancer agents.
Design, Synthesis and Antitumoral Activity of New O‐Alkylamidoximes
Authors: Oliveira Romário Jonas , Santos Cosme Silva , Caiana Rodrigo Ribeiro Alves , Farias Kleber Juvenal Silva , de Almeida Júnior Renato Ferreira , Machado Paula Renata Lima , Soares‐Paulino Antônio Augusto , Menezes Paulo Henrique , Freitas Juliano Carlo Rufino 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAmong poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerases (PARPs), PARP‐1 has emerged as a target in cancer therapy. The present work was aimed to design and synthesize O‐alkylaryl amidoximes as a new antiproliferative agents. The target compounds were designed through the study of molecular docking against the PARP‐1 and synthesized from commercially available starting materials in good yields under mild conditions and easy to perform reactions. The synthesized compounds exhibited in vitro antineoplastic activity (0.32–27.8 mM) against MCF‐7 and Caco‐2 cells, and one of them exhibited selective toxicity when tested against VERO cells. These compounds can be considered good candidates for the next stages in the development of new antiproliferative drugs.
Organomagnesium Crown Ethers and Their Binding Affinities with Li+, Na+, K+, Be2+, Mg2+, and Ca2+ Ions – A Theoretical Study
Authors: Roy Saikat , Thirumoorthy Krishnan , Padidela Uday Kumar , Vairaprakash Pothiappan , Anoop Anakuthil , Thimmakondu Venkatesan S. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractNovel organomagnesium crown ether molecules have been computationally characterized using density functional theory (DFT). Monomer units of MgC6 are used as building blocks. Isomers of MgC6H2 have been extensively explored using both DFT and coupled‐cluster methods in the past by some of us. It had been concluded that the seven‐membered ring isomer, 1‐magnesacyclohept‐4‐en‐2,6‐diyne, was the thermodynamically most stable molecule at all levels. Thus, the latter has been used as the building block for designing new organomagnesium crown ethers. Both alkali (Li+, Na+, and K+) and alkaline‐earth (Be2+, Mg2+, and Ca2+) metal ions selective complexes have been theoretically identified. Theoretical binding energies (▵E at 0 K) and thermally corrected Gibbs free energies (▵G at 298.15 K) have been computed for these molecules with MgC6‐6‐crown‐2, MgC6‐9‐crown‐3, and MgC6‐12‐crown‐4 hosts. Higher binding affinity values obtained for Be2+ indicate that these new crown ether molecules could effectively be used for Be2+ encapsulation.
2,6‐Pyridinedicarboxylic Acid (PDCA) Catalyzed Improved Synthetic Approach for 1‐Amidoalkyl Naphthols, Dihydropyrimidin‐2(1H)‐ones and Bis‐indoles
Authors: Govindhan Chinnasamy , Nagarajan Panneer Selvam 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAn efficient and simple method for the synthesis of various amidoalkyl‐2‐naphthols, dihydropyrimidin‐2(1H)‐ones (DHPM) and bis‐indoles has been developed using 2,6‐pyridine dicarboxylic acid (PDCA), as an organocatalyst. All the reactions were performed through a one‐pot multicomponent strategy. Reactants of the corresponding reaction were mixed in a single pot along with PDCA catalyst and suitable temperature and duration, yielded the corresponding products in moderate to excellent yield. The proposed method offers various advantages like shorter reaction time, operational simplicity, metal‐free, readily accessible catalyst, no column chromatographic method, a cost‐effective and acceptance of a wide range of substrates and good yields.
One‐Step Method for Alicyclic Ring‐Fused Pyrimidine‐2,4‐diones
Authors: Chaika Nikita , Shvydenko Kostiantyn , Shvydenko Tetiana , Nazarenko Kostiantyn , Kostyuk Aleksandr 
Published: September 2021

AbstractOne‐step method for the synthesis of alicyclic ring‐fused pyrimidine‐2,4‐diones is proposed. The method is based on the reaction of cyclic imidates with carbonylaminopropionic acid derivatives using an excess cyclic imidate as a base. It was shown that the first step is the condensation of a cyclic imidate and a carbonylaminopropionic acid derivative via an active methylene group. Various derivatives of alicyclic ring‐fused pyrimidine‐2,4‐diones bearing at the C5 position of the starting pyrimidine ring hydrogen, carboxylic, nitrile, methoxycarbonyl, and bromo groups were prepared. It was shown that methylation proceeded readily affording 3‐methyl‐5‐bromo‐ alicyclic ring‐fused pyrimidine‐2,4‐diones in good yield.
Visualization of Bubble Nucleation and Growth Confined in 2D Flakes
Authors: Zhang Zhouyang , Qiang Jun , Wang Shensong , Xu Ming , Gan Min , Rao Zhenggang , Tian Tingfang , Ke Shanming , Zhou Yangbo , Hu Yongming , Leung Chi Wah , Mak Chee Leung , Fei Linfeng 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe nucleation and growth of bubbles within a solid matrix is a ubiquitous phenomenon that affects many natural and synthetic processes. However, such a bubbling process is almost “invisible” to common characterization methods because it has an intrinsically multiphased nature and occurs on very short time/length scales. Using in situ transmission electron microscopy to explore the decomposition of a solid precursor that emits gaseous byproducts, the direct observation of a complete nanoscale bubbling process confined in ultrathin 2D flakes is presented here. This result suggests a three‐step pathway for bubble formation in the confined environment: void formation via spinodal decomposition, bubble nucleation from the spherization of voids, and bubble growth by coalescence. Furthermore, the systematic kinetics analysis based on COMSOL simulations shows that bubble growth is actually achieved by developing metastable or unstable necks between neighboring bubbles before coalescing into one. This thorough understanding of the bubbling mechanism in a confined geometry has implications for refining modern nucleation theories and controlling bubble‐related processes in the fabrication of advanced materials (i.e., topological porous materials).
Nanowelding in Whole‐Lifetime Bottom‐Up Manufacturing: From Assembly to Service
Authors: Li Peifeng , Kang Zhuo , Rao Feng , Lu Yang , Zhang Yue 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe continuous miniaturization of microelectronics is pushing the transformation of nanomanufacturing modes from top‐down to bottom‐up. Bottom‐up manufacturing is essentially the way of assembling nanostructures from atoms, clusters, quantum dots, etc. The assembly process relies on nanowelding which also existed in the synthesis process of nanostructures, construction and repair of nanonetworks, interconnects, integrated circuits, and nanodevices. First, many kinds of novel nanomaterials and nanostructures from 0D to 1D, and even 2D are synthesized by nanowelding. Second, the connection of nanostructures and interfaces between metal/semiconductor‐metal/semiconductor is realized through low‐temperature heat‐assisted nanowelding, mechanical‐assisted nanowelding, or cold welding. Finally, 2D and 3D interconnects, flexible transparent electrodes, integrated circuits, and nanodevices are constructed, functioned, or self‐healed by nanowelding. All of the three nanomanufacturing stages follow the rule of “oriented attachment” mechanisms. Thus, the whole‐lifetime bottom‐up manufacturing process from the synthesis and connection of nanostructures to the construction and service of nanodevices can be organically integrated by nanowelding. The authors hope this review can bring some new perspective in future semiconductor industrialization development in the expansion of multi‐material systems, technology pathway for the refined design, controlled synthesis and in situ characterization of complex nanostructures, and the strategies to develop and repair novel nanodevices in service.
Europium Doped Silicon Quantum Dot As a Novel FRET Based Dual Detection Probe: Sensitive Detection of Tetracycline, Zinc, and Cadmium
Authors: Zhou Jialing , Zhao Ruoxi , Liu Shikai , Feng lili , Li Wenting , He Fei , Gai Shili , Yang Piaoping 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe imbalance of Zn2+/Cd2+ in the human body can lead to many serious diseases due to the overuse of antibiotics and deposition in animal products. Developing a functional material for detecting is challenging and in demand. Herein, silicon quantum dots (SiQDs) are designed as a functional platform for the detection of tetracycline and Zn2+/Cd2+. The COOH functionalized SiQDs with the emission wavelength of 450 nm are chelated with Eu(NO3)3 to form SiQDs‐Eu3+ ratio fluorescent probes, which can be used to detect tetracycline (TCs) and Zn2+/Cd2+ by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) principle sequentially. The fluorescent probe showed good linearity between ion concentration and fluorescence enhancement. The detection limit of TCs and Zn2+/Cd2+ are 0.2 × 10−6 m and 3 × 10−6 m, respectively, when the pH of the solution is 7.4. In addition, the synthesized SiQDs‐Eu3+ exhibited good stability (from 94.9% to 103.1%). The relative standard deviations (RSD, n = 10) of human serum and urine were both less than 3%. Therefore, the SiQDs‐Eu3+ ratio fluorescence probe will provide a good application prospect in actual sample detection.
ZnIn2S4‐Based Photocatalysts for Energy and Environmental Applications
Authors: Yang Ruijie , Mei Liang , Fan Yingying , Zhang Qingyong , Zhu Rongshu , Amal Rose , Yin Zongyou , Zeng Zhiyuan 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAs a fascinating visible‐light‐responsive photocatalyst, zinc indium sulfide (ZnIn2S4) has attracted extensive interdisciplinary interest and is expected to become a new research hotspot in the near future, due to its nontoxicity, suitable band gap, high physicochemical stability and durability, ease of synthesis, and appealing catalytic activity. This review provides an overview on the recent advances in ZnIn2S4‐based photocatalysts. First, the crystal structures and band structures of ZnIn2S4 are briefly introduced. Then, various modulation strategies of ZnIn2S4 are outlined for better photocatalytic performance, which includes morphology and structure engineering, vacancy engineering, doping engineering, hydrogenation engineering, and the construction of ZnIn2S4‐based composites. Thereafter, the potential applications in the energy and environmental area of ZnIn2S4‐based photocatalysts are summarized. Finally, some personal perspectives about the promises and prospects of this emerging material are provided.
Impact of the Acidified Hydroethanolic Solution on the Physicochemical Properties of Starch Nanoparticles Produced by Anti‐Solvent Precipitation
Authors: dos Santos Alves Maria Jaízia , Calvo Torres de Freitas Pedro Marino , Monteiro Alcilene Rodrigues , Ayala Valencia Germán 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThis study aimed to understand the effect of the acidified hydroethanolic solution (AHS) with different ethanol concentrations (50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, and 96%) on the physicochemical properties of potato and cassava starch nanoparticles (NPs) obtained by anti‐solvent precipitation (AP). The recovery efficiency (RE) is investigated, and the starch NPs are characterized by particle size, surface charge, chemical bonds, crystalline structure, thermal properties, moisture content, water activity, solubility in water, and swelling factor. The best potato and cassava starch NPs are added in gelatin gummies and they are studied by texture profile analysis. The starch NPs have particle size lower than 1000 nm and V‐type crystalline structure. Furthermore, these nanomaterials showed high solubility values in water at 30 and 90 °C. In general, the ethanol concentration used in the AHS altered the RE, particle size, and surface charge of nanoparticles. Texture properties of gelatin gummies containing starch NPs are similar when compared with those gummies manufactured with native starches. The starch NPs could be used to substitute native starches in gelatin gummies. This research reports for the first‐time information regarding the food application of starch NPs, being that these nanomaterials could be used in food productssensitive to heating.
Effect of modified clay treated crumb rubber and silica fume on the properties of concrete
Authors: Nagarajan Chellakavitha , Shanmugasundaram Prabavathy 
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACTThe stacking of worn out tyres on the environment is the major concern in the world due its non‐biodegradable nature. Environmental issues related with disposal of rubber and also the mining of river sand could be minimized by using crumb rubber as fine aggregate. The objective of the article is to strengthen the interfacial bonding of crumb rubber with cement paste using modified clay for counteracting the strength reduction of rubberized concrete. The microstructure of rubber was examined to study the effectiveness of modified clay treatment of rubber using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The cement was partially replaced with silica fume (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) and GGBS (30%). The properties of concrete such as workability, unit weight, compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength, and impact strength were studied. The results showed that the inclusion of modified clay treated rubber with silica fume exhibited a low strength reduction of 0.45% compared with control mix which makes the rubberized concrete suitable for the structural elements.