bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biosynthesis of Gold and Silver Nanoparticles and Its Applications
Authors: Afreen Anum 
Published: March 2021

The synthesis of nanoparticles is in the limelight in modern nanotechnology. Biosynthesis of nanoparticles by using different methods is currently under exploitation. Nanoparticles can be synthesized by Bacteria, Virus, Fungi, Algae and Plants. Biosynthesis of Nanoparticles is a simple process in which intracellular and extracellular extract of an organism is mix with a metal salt. Their optical properties are reported to be dependent on the size, which imparts different colors due to absorption in the visible region. Their reactivity, toughness and other properties are also dependent on their unique size, shape and structure. Due to these characteristics, they are suitable candidates for various commercial and domestic applications, which include catalysis, imaging, medical applications, energy-based research, and environmental applications. This review explains the various microorganisms like bacteria, algae, fungi; virus, plants and yeast involved in the synthesis of these Nanoparticles also elucidate the characterization of Nanoparticles and its applications.
Evaluation of the Practice of Building Survey for Maintenance of Public Building in South-East Nigeria
Authors: Chima Osuagwu Andrew , Ifeanyichukwu Nkeleme Emmanuel , Nnamdi Amafili Tochukwu , Chukwuemeka Ike Goodluck , Precious-favour Nzeneri Oluchukwu 
Published: March 2021

The maintenance of public building is evasive without a conscious practice of building surveying as it avails the maintenance personal insight that informs the building maintenance this The research evaluates the practice of building \surveying in South-East Nigeria and its impact in the maintenance of public buildings. It was pursuit through the use of a structured questionnaire. Public buildings within Abia, Enugu and Imo state of study were studied with the respondent drawn from the users and officials in charge of the maintenance of the building. A total of 390 questionnaires were administered with 314 returned giving a response rate of 80.5%. A random sampling technique was adopted and the data was analyzed using a computer based Software SPSS version 21. Result were presented using statistical tools Mean, Relative Importance Index (RII).The result revealed among others that there is no significant development in the condition of public buildings in South East states. In addition, the problems associates with building maintenance have significantly affected the building conditions in the study area. Proactive and well planned maintenance are recommended as against corrective measure commonly used. Prompt replacement of nonfunctional, aged or malfunctioning building parts. Government should ensure that most of the public buildings have a maintenance policy and there is an effective communication between the maintenance department and the building occupants. Government should ensure that there is a condition survey for the public building adopting the approach of the framework developed in this study.
Plant growth and rhizome shoots of Agave angustifolia in different substrates, with fertigation and benzylaminopurine
Authors: García Raquel Garnica- , Enríquez-del-Valle José Raymundo , Ortiz Gerardo Rodríguez , León Isabel Pérez , Calzada Ricardo Trejo , Morales Isidro 
Published: March 2021

The species Agave angustifolia can be propagated asexually with offshoots from rhizomes, bulbils from inflorescence, and through micropropagation to supply the growing demand for quality plant material for new plantations. In this investigation, Agave angustifolia plants of different initial sizes were evaluated for growth and emission of rhizome shoots, after 14 months under different conditions of substrate, fertigation and application of cytokinins. Bulbils were collected from inflorescences of plants at two sites and classified into two size categories: small (≤ 7 cm) and large (> 7 cm). The bulbils were cultured for 14 months in pots with substrates that were mixtures of sand (A), soil (S), and bovine manure (Bm) (%): 1) A + S (0.3: 0.7); 2) A + S + Bm (0.3: 0.525: 0.175); 3) A + S + Bm (0.3: 0.35: 0.35); 4) A + S + Bm (0.3: 0.175: 0.525). The plants in each substrate were separated into groups for application of different types of irrigation: 1) water; 2) 50% Steiner’s nutritive solution, SNS-50%; 3) SNS-50% + 25 mg L-1 of benzylaminopurine. The results show that the emission of rhizome offshoots was affected by the substrate, type of irrigation and provenance of the plants. The plants in substrates 3 and 4 formed 2.2 rhizome offshoots, which was more than plants in the other substrates. The plants irrigated with water, SNS-50%, and SNS-50% + benzylaminopurine formed 1.1, 1.6 and 1.9 rhizome offshoots, respectively.
Use of Modified Atmosphere Packaging to Manage Quality of Green Garlic Leaves during Cold Storage Period
Authors: Akan Selen , Horzum Özge 
Published: March 2021

Green garlic leaves are consumed as fresh and cooked in Turkey and in some part of the world such as Asia, America and Africa. This crop could be considered as a promising export product in Turkey’s exportation volume. For this reason, we investigated how different package materials such as low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and closed polypropylene transparent boxes (CPTB) maintain some quality parameters of green garlic (Allim sativum L.) leaves. For that purpose, garlic leaves were stored at 10 °C and 80±5% relative humidity for 12 days after cutting, pre-cooling and packaging. Weight loss (WL), soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), chlorophyll content as SPAD reading, visual quality (VQ), color, total phenolic content (TPC) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured at 3, 6, 9 and 12 days during storage period. Our results indicated that both packaging materials significantly maintained (P ≤ 0.05) WL, TA, chlorophyll content, VQ and TPC compared to controls (unpacked samples). Pearson Correlation tests showed that WL, color (L*, b*), TA and TAC could be used as marker to determine storage life of green garlic leaves. In addition, CPTB package is more effective in maintaining quality of green garlic leaves during cold storage.
Cognitive Problems and Their Clinical Assessment in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Contrasting Patient and Provider Views
Authors: Vandenberg Ann E. , Drenkard Cristina , Goldstein Felicia C. , Dunlop‐Thomas Charmayne , Lim S. Sam , Bowling C. Barrett , Plantinga Laura C. 
Published: March 2021

ObjectiveSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex chronic disease associated with reduced cognitive functioning. Patients with SLE report cognitive symptoms, but cognitive assessment is not routine in SLE and little is known about day‐to‐day cognitive problems and their effect on disease management. As part of a pilot exploring the use of a cognitive functioning report prototype for shared decision‐making in clinical encounters (the Approaches to Positive Patient‐Centered Experiences of Aging in Lupus [APPEAL] Study), we investigated the relevance of cognitive assessments performed using the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Toolbox among patients with SLE.MethodsWe conducted 4 focus groups, 2 with SLE patients (n = 18) and 2 with lupus providers (physicians and nurses; n = 9), addressing cognitive issues and interest in communicating about cognition. We compared how NIH Toolbox cognitive domains (episodic memory, working memory, processing speed, attention and inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility) matched with patient‐ and provider‐identified cognitive problems and needs.ResultsPatients identified all NIH domains with rich experiential examples; providers identified fewer domains and offered less detail. An unanticipated additional domain was prospective memory (i.e., problems with remembering future actions). Use of technologic aids (e.g., smart phone alerts) was mentioned by some patients, but not providers, and represent a potential opportunity for medical care. All participants expressed interest in discussing cognition in clinic.ConclusionCognitive assessment using the NIH Cognitive Toolbox is relevant to this population, with the possible addition of a prospective memory assessment. Cognitive problems and indications of communication gaps suggest the appropriateness of more clinical communication about cognition in the SLE population.
Full and reduced‐order H∞ filtering of Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy time‐varying delay systems: Input–output approach
Authors: El Aiss Hicham , Zoulagh Taha , El Hajjaji Ahmed , Hmamed Abdelaziz 
Published: March 2021

SummaryThis article addresses the issue of delay‐dependent H∞ filtering design for TakagiŮSugeno fuzzy time‐varying delay systems using the input–output approach. A three‐term approximation model has been used to transform the original system into two interconnected subsystems. Since the nonquadratic Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional requires to deal with the membership function's (MF) time derivative, upper‐bound inequalities have been added to the obtained conditions. Based on the scaled small gain theorem, nonquadratic Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional approach and considering the bounds of the MF time‐derivative, the H∞ full‐ and reduced‐order filters are designed and then formulated in terms of linear matrix inequalities. Finally, illustrative examples are presented to demonstrate the validity of the proposed methods.
Pillar[5]arene‐Modified Gold Nanorods as Nanocarriers for Multi‐Modal Imaging‐Guided Synergistic Photodynamic‐Photothermal Therapy
Authors: Song Nan , Zhang Zhijun , Liu Peiying , Dai Dihua , Chen Chao , Li Youmei , Wang Lei , Han Ting , Yang Ying‐Wei , Wang Dong , Tang Ben Zhong 
Published: March 2021

AbstractSupramolecular approaches have opened up vast possibilities to construct versatile materials, especially those with stimuli‐responsiveness and integrated functionalities of multi‐modal diagnosis and synergistic therapeutics. In this study, a hybrid theranostic nanosystem named TTPY‐Py⊂CP5@AuNR is constructed via facile host–guest interactions, where TTPY‐Py is a photosensitizer with aggregation‐induced emission and CP5@AuNR represents the carboxylatopillar[5]arene (CP5)‐modified Au nanorods. TTPY‐Py⊂CP5@AuNR integrates the respective advantages of TTPY‐Py and CP5@AuNR such as the high performance of reactive oxygen species generation and photothermal conversion, and meanwhile shows fluorescence responses to both temperature and pH stimuli. The successful modification of CP5 macrocycles on AuNRs surfaces can eliminate the cytotoxicity of AuNRs and enable them to serve as the nanocarrier of TTPY‐Py for further theranostic applications. Significantly, in vitro and in vivo evaluations demonstrate that this supramolecular nanotheranostic system possesses multiple modalities including intensive fluorescence imaging (FLI), photoacoustic imaging (PAI), efficient photodynamic therapy (PDT), and photothermal therapy (PTT), indicating its great potential for FLI‐PAI imaging‐guided synergistic PDT‐PTT therapy. Moreover, TTPY‐Py can be released upon activation by the acidic environment of lysosomes and then specifically light up mitochondria. This study demonstrates a new strategy for the design of versatile nanotheranostics for accurate tumor imaging and cancer therapies.
Molecular Origin of Strain‐Induced Chain Alignment in PDPP‐Based Semiconducting Polymeric Thin Films
Authors: Zhang Song , Alesadi Amirhadi , Mason Gage T. , Chen Kai‐Lin , Freychet Guillaume , Galuska Luke , Cheng Yu‐Hsuan , St. Onge P. Blake J. , Ocheje Michael U. , Ma Guorong , Qian Zhiyuan , Dhakal Sujata , Ahmad Zachary , Wang Cheng , Chiu Yu‐Cheng , Rondeau‐Gagné Simon , Xia Wenjie , Gu Xiaodan 
Published: March 2021

AbstractDonor–acceptor (D–A) type semiconducting polymers have shown great potential for the application of deformable and stretchable electronics in recent decades. However, due to their heterogeneous structure with rigid backbones and long solubilizing side chains, the fundamental understanding of their molecular picture upon mechanical deformation still lacks investigation. Here, the molecular orientation of diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP)‐based D–A polymer thin films is probed under tensile deformation via both experimental measurements and molecular modeling. The detailed morphological analysis demonstrates highly aligned polymer crystallites upon deformation, while the degree of backbone alignment is limited within the crystalline domain. Besides, the aromatic ring on polymer backbones rotates parallel to the strain direction despite the relatively low overall chain anisotropy. The effect of side‐chain length on the DPP chain alignment is observed to be less noticeable. These observations are distinct from traditional linear‐chain semicrystalline polymers like polyethylene due to distinct characteristics of backbone/side‐chain combination and the crystallographic characteristics in DPP polymers. Furthermore, a stable and isotropic charge carrier mobility is obtained from fabricated organic field‐effect transistors. This study deconvolutes the alignment of different components within the thin‐film microstructure and highlights that crystallite rotation and chain slippage are the primary deformation mechanisms for semiconducting polymers.
Hydrogel‐Guided, rAAV‐Mediated IGF‐I Overexpression Enables Long‐Term Cartilage Repair and Protection against Perifocal Osteoarthritis in a Large‐Animal Full‐Thickness Chondral Defect Model at One Year In Vivo
Authors: Maihöfer Johanna , Madry Henning , Rey‐Rico Ana , Venkatesan Jagadeesh K. , Goebel Lars , Schmitt Gertrud , Speicher‐Mentges Susanne , Cai Xiaoyu , Meng Weikun , Zurakowski David , Menger Michael D. , Laschke Matthias W. , Cucchiarini Magali 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe regeneration of focal articular cartilage defects is complicated by the reduced quality of the repair tissue and the potential development of perifocal osteoarthritis (OA). Biomaterial‐guided gene therapy may enhance cartilage repair by controlling the release of therapeutic sequences in a spatiotemporal manner. Here, the benefits of delivering a recombinant adeno‐associated virus (rAAV) vector coding for the human insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I) via an alginate hydrogel (IGF‐I/AlgPH155) to enhance repair of full‐thickness chondral defects following microfracture surgery after one year in minipigs versus control (lacZ/AlgPH155) treatment are reported. Sustained IGF‐I overexpression is significantly achieved in the repair tissue of defects treated with IGF‐I/AlgPH155 versus those receiving lacZ/AlgPH155 for one year and in the cartilage surrounding the defects. Administration of IGF‐I/AlgPH155 significantly improves parameters of cartilage repair at one year relative to lacZ/AlgPH155 (semiquantitative total histological score, cell densities, matrix deposition) without deleterious or immune reactions. Remarkably, delivery of IGF‐I/AlgPH155 also significantly reduces perifocal OA and inflammation after one year versus lacZ/AlgPH155 treatment. Biomaterial‐guided rAAV gene transfer represents a valuable clinical approach to promote cartilage repair and to protect against OA.
Moisture‐Triggered Self‐Healing Flexible Perovskite Photodetectors with Excellent Mechanical Stability
Authors: Wang Meng , Sun Haoxuan , Cao Fengren , Tian Wei , Li Liang 
Published: March 2021

AbstractFlexible devices are urgently required to meet the demands of next‐generation optoelectronic devices and metal halide perovskites are proven to be suitable materials for realizing flexible photovoltaic devices. However, the tolerance to moisture corrosion and repeated mechanical bending remains a critical challenge for flexible perovskite devices. Herein, a self‐healing formamidinium lead iodide (FAPbI3) film is fabricated to cure mechanical damage by absorbing moisture from the surrounding environment. A poly(vinyl alcohol) microscaffold is designed not only to stabilize the black phase of the FAPbI3 film but also to endow it with self‐healing ability in a humid environment. The photodetector based on a self‐healing film exhibits a high responsivity of 11.3 A W−1 and recovers to over 90% of the initial responsivity after the self‐healing process. This work provides an effective self‐healing strategy to stabilize the operation of flexible perovskite devices under normal high‐humidity environmental conditions.
A Dimension Reduction Approach for Energy Landscape: Identifying Intermediate States in Metabolism‐EMT Network
Authors: Kang Xin , Li Chunhe 
Published: March 2021

AbstractDimension reduction is a challenging problem in complex dynamical systems. Here, a dimension reduction approach of landscape (DRL) for complex dynamical systems is proposed, by mapping a high‐dimensional system on a low‐dimensional energy landscape. The DRL approach is applied to three biological networks, which validates that new reduced dimensions preserve the major information of stability and transition of original high‐dimensional systems. The consistency of barrier heights calculated from the low‐dimensional landscape and transition actions calculated from the high‐dimensional system further shows that the landscape after dimension reduction can quantify the global stability of the system. The epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and abnormal metabolism are two hallmarks of cancer. With the DRL approach, a quadrastable landscape for metabolism‐EMT network is identified, including epithelial (E), abnormal metabolic (A), hybrid E/M (H), and mesenchymal (M) cell states. The quantified energy landscape and kinetic transition paths suggest that for the EMT process, the cells at E state need to first change their metabolism, then enter the M state. The work proposes a general framework for the dimension reduction of a stochastic dynamical system, and advances the mechanistic understanding of the underlying relationship between EMT and cellular metabolism.
High‐Voltage Potassium Ion Micro‐Supercapacitors with Extraordinary Volumetric Energy Density for Wearable Pressure Sensor System
Authors: Zheng Shuanghao , Ma Jiaxin , Fang Kaixin , Li Shiwen , Qin Jieqiong , Li Yaguang , Wang Jiemin , Zhang Liangzhu , Zhou Feng , Liu Fangyan , Wang Kai , Wu Zhong‐Shuai 
Published: March 2021

AbstractTo cate for the rapid development of flexible, wearable and implantable microelectronics, the miniaturized and integrated energy storage devices with mechanically robust properties, high voltage, and highly compatible integration are in extreme demand. Here, potassium ion micro‐supercapacitors (KIMSCs) are rationally designed by applying MXene‐derived potassium titanate (KTO) nanorods anode and porous activated graphene (AG) cathode to power the sensitively integrated pressure sensing system. Benefiting from the advanced nanostructure of KTO nanorods, it offers a high potassium ion storage capacity of 145 mAh g−1. Notably, the constructed KIMSCs exhibit a large operating voltage window of 3.8 V, outperforming the previously reported micro‐supercapacitors. Furthermore, an extraordinary volumetric energy density of 34.1 mWh cm−3 is achieved for KIMSCs with robust rate capability and remarkable capacitance retention, due to the dominated capacitive mechanism and tiny volume change of reversible intercalation/deintercalation of K cations in KTO and adsorption/desorption of bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide anions on AG. More importantly, a KIMSC compatibly integrated with a wireless pressure sensor on a flexible substrate can monitor body movement. Therefore, this work not only provides insight on designing high‐performance KIMSCs, but also presents a blueprint for KIMSCs powered flexible electronics.
Weather effects on U.S. cow‐calf production: A long‐term panel analysis
Authors: Patalee Buddhika , Tonsor Glynn T. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractExtreme weather events can significantly affect beef cow production. For example, unfavorable weather conditions deteriorate pasture quality and reduce pasture growth, forcing livestock producers to use high‐cost alternative feedstuffs, which consequently increases production costs. Extreme weather may also reduce overall animal performance, including decreased feed gain efficiency, and breeding performance. By exploiting seasonal weather changes and using 67 years of state‐level beef cow inventories, we estimate the impact of weather on cow‐calf production throughout 25 states in the United States. Results suggest that the U.S. cow‐calf industry is sensitive to changes in seasonal temperature. Results of an out‐of‐sample prediction using rolling window assessments prove that adding seasonal weather information to the forecasting model improves the prediction accuracy of state‐level beef cow inventories. Investigating the effects of seasonal temperature and precipitation on cow‐calf production will enhance the management and future production planning. [EconLit Citations: Q11].
A price premium for the farmer‐owned label? A choice experiment with milk consumers in the Netherlands
Authors: Grashuis Jasper 
Published: March 2021

AbstractOrganized milk producers may use marketing mechanisms in response to price and policy variability. While adopted by numerous milk producer co‐operatives across the world, the farmer‐owned label is not yet used in the Dutch consumer marketplace. We estimate the viability of the farmer‐owned label in the Netherlands with a branded choice experiment. We observe a significant and positive willingness‐to‐pay for the farmer‐owned label, but only given the disclosure of additional information in terms of profit allocation to farmers as opposed to investors. Further variation in the willingness‐to‐pay across attributes is indicative of its complex position in the crowded landscape of marketing mechanisms. [EconLit Citations: C25, D83, D91, Q13].
Earlier spring reduces potential for gene flow via reduced flowering synchrony across an elevational gradient
Authors: Rivest Sébastien , Lajoie Geneviève , Watts David A. , Vellend Mark 
Published: March 2021

PremiseOne of the best‐documented ecological responses to climate warming involves temporal shifts of phenological events. However, we lack an understanding of how phenological responses to climate change vary among populations of the same species. Such variability has the potential to affect flowering synchrony among populations and hence the potential for gene flow.MethodsTo test whether an earlier start of the growing season affects the potential for gene flow among populations, we quantified the distributions of flowering times of two spring‐flowering plants (Trillium erectum and Erythronium americanum) over 6 years along an elevational gradient. We developed a novel model‐based metric of potential gene flow between pairs of populations to quantify the potential for pollen‐mediated gene flow based on flowering phenology.ResultsEarlier onset of spring led to greater separation of peak flowering dates across the elevational gradient for both species investigated, but was only associated with a reduction in potential gene flow in T. erectum, not E. americanum.ConclusionsOur study suggests that climate change could decrease gene flow via phenological separation among populations along climatic gradients. We also provide a novel method for quantifying potential pollen‐mediated gene flow using data on flowering phenology, based on a quantitative, more biologically interpretable model than other available metrics.
Allenylidene Induced 1,2‐Metalate Rearrangement of Indole‐Boronates: Diastereoselective Access to Highly Substituted Indolines
Authors: Simlandy Amit Kumar , Brown M. Kevin 
Published: March 2021

AbstractA process to achieve 1,2‐metalate rearrangements of indole boronate as a way to access substituted indolines in high diastereoselectivities is presented. The reaction involves the generation of a Cu–allenylidene, which is sufficiently electrophilic to induce the 1,2‐metalate rearrangement. The scope of the reaction is evaluated as well as further transformations of the product.