bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Green preparation and evaluation of the anti‐psoriatic activity of vesicular elastic nanocarriers of kojic acid from Aspergillus oryzae N12: Repurposing of a dermo‐cosmetic lead
Authors: Moussa Ashaimaa Y. , Abbas Haidy , Zewail Mariam , Gaafar Passent M. E. , Ibrahim Nehal 
Published: August 2024

AbstractPsoriasis is a skin disorder characterized by impaired epidermal differentiation that is regularly treated by systemic drugs with undesirable side effects. Based on its anti‐inflammatory, antiproliferative and anti‐melanoma attributes, the fungal metabolite kojic acid represents an attractive candidate for anti‐psoriatic research. The present work aims to investigate an efficient topical bio‐friendly vesicular system loaded with kojic acid isolated from Aspergillus oryzae as an alternative way for the management of psoriasis to avoid systemic toxicity. Kojic acid‐loaded spanlastics were prepared by ethanol injection technique, employing span 60 along with brij 35 and cremophor rh40 as edge activators, with the complete in vitro characterization of the developed nanoplatform. The selected formulation displayed a spherical morphology, an optimum particle size of 234.2 ± 1.65 nm, high entrapment efficiency (87.4% ± 0.84%) and significant sustained drug release compared with the drug solution. In vivo studies highlighted the superior relief of psoriasis symptoms and the ability to maintain healthy skin with the least changes in mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines, achieved by the developed nanoplatform compared to kojic acid solution. Moreover, the in vivo histopathological studies confirmed the safety of the topically applied spanlastics. In addition, the molecular mechanism was approached through in vitro assessment of cathepsin S and PDE‐4 inhibitory activities and in silico investigation of kojic acid docking in several anti‐psoriatic drug targets. Our results suggest that a topically applied vesicular system loaded with kojic acid could lead to an expansion in the dermo‐cosmetic use of kojic acid as a natural bio‐friendly alternative for systemic anti‐psoriatic drugs.
Zinc‐Catalyzed N‐Aroylation of Sulfoximines with Carboxylic Acids
Authors: Chen Ze‐Wei , Bai Rekha , Annamalai Pratheepkumar , Badsara Satpal Singh , Lee Chin‐Fa 
Published: August 2024

AbstractA zinc‐catalyzed C(sp2)−N dehydrative cross‐coupling between carboxylic acids and NH‐sulfoximines to afford N‐aroylated sulfoximines under mild reaction conditions is described. Various NH‐sulfoximines were coupled with readily available carboxylic acids to provide the corresponding N‐aroylated sulfoximines in good to excellent yields.
Modification of Lithium‐Rich Manganese Oxide Materials: Coating, Doping and Single Crystallization
Authors: Li Hui , Zhang Huijuan , Liang Ying , Chen Rong , Cao Yuliang 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe increasing demand for portable electronics, electric vehicles and energy storage devices has spurred enormous research efforts to develop high‐energy‐density advanced lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). Lithium‐rich manganese oxide (LRMO) is considered as one of the most promising cathode materials because of its high specific discharge capacity (>250 mAh g−1), low cost, and environmental friendliness, all of which are expected to propel the commercialization of lithium‐ion batteries. However, practical applications of LRMO are still limited by low coulombic efficiency, significant capacity and voltage decay, slow reaction kinetics, and poor rate performance. This review focus on recent advancements in the modification methods of LRMO materials, systematically summarizing surface coating with different physical properties (e. g., oxides, metal phosphates, metal fluorides, carbon, conductive polymers, lithium compound coatings, etc.), ion doping with different doping sites (Li sites, TM sites, O sites, etc.), and single crystal structures. Finally, the current states and issues, key challenges of the modification of LRMO are discussed, and the perspectives on the future development trend base on the viewpoint of the commercialization of LRMO are also provided.
Addition of an audience response system in a biomedical science course improves learning environment and student performance
Authors: Parikh Neha , Hansen‐Kiss Emily , Fakhouri Walid , Holland Julian N. , Henson Harold , Halpin Richard 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe effectiveness of incorporating an audience response system (ARS) in improving the learning environment and student performance was assessed in a didactic biomedical science course at a large US dental school. Instructors and students were surveyed for their experiences of using Top Hat‐based ARS in a multi‐disciplinary biomedical science course. Average exam scores and grade distribution for challenging sections on immunology and developmental biology were compared before and after incorporating ARS. Pearson's chi‐squared test, likelihood ratio test, Student's t‐test and Fisher's exact test using beta regression model were used to assess statistical significance (p < 0.05). Student survey results with 78% (82/105) response rate, indicated that incorporating ARS improved student engagement, reinforced lecture material, and prepared them better for exams (p < 0.0001). Sixty seven percent of student respondents recommended continued integration of ARS questions in lectures (p < 0.0001). Although faculty survey data (n = 5, 100% response rate) were not statistically significant, the majority of faculty agreed that real‐time feedback through ARS allowed them to appropriately pace lecture delivery and restructure forthcoming material. The average exam scores and grade distribution for challenging sections showed modest improvement after incorporation of ARS (p < 0.05). There was no significant correlation between final course grades and ARS grades for participation or correctness. Incorporating the ARS in a multi‐disciplinary biomedical science course is perceived by faculty and students as an effective instructional approach that improves the learning environment, teaching strategies, and student performance.
Facile Synthesis of Ln‐Doped Hydrogen‐Bonded Organic Frameworks with Rare‐Earth‐Characteristic Long Persistent Luminescence
Authors: Wang Zheng , Pan Jun‐Jie , Chen Xin‐Qi , Li Meng‐Yang , Wang Shi‐Cheng 
Published: August 2024

AbstractTunable luminescence‐assisted information storage and encryption holds increasing significance in today's society. A promising approach to incorporating the benefits of both organic long persistent luminescent (LPL) materials and rare‐earth (RE) luminescence lies in utilizing organic host materials to sensitize RE luminescence, as well as employing Förster resonance energy transfer from hydrogen‐bonded organic framework (HOF) phosphorescence to RE compound luminescence. This work introduces a one‐pot, in situ pyrolytic condensation method, achieved through high‐temperature melting calcination, to synthesize lanthanide ion‐doped HOF materials. This method circumvents the drawback of molecular triplet energy annihilation, enabling the creation of organic LPL materials with RE characteristics. The HOF material serves as the host, exhibiting blue phosphorescence and cyan LPL. By fine‐tuning the doping amount, the composite material U‐Tb‐100 achieves green LPL with a luminescent quantum yield of 56.4 %, and an LPL duration of approximately 2–3 s, demonstrating tunable persistence. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, spectral analysis, and theoretical calculation unveil that U‐Tb‐100 exhibits exceptional quantum yield and long‐lived luminescence primarily due to the efficient sensitization of U monomer to RE ions and the PRET process between U and RE complexes. This ingenious strategy not only expands the repertoire of HOF materials but also facilitates the design of multifunctional LPL materials.
Online Water Content Determination in Wood Chips Using a Microwave Sensor
Authors: Endriss Felix , Saur Gerrit , Thorwarth Harald 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe water content is an essential parameter for assessing the quality of solid biofuels. In terms of economic, technical and environmental aspects a continuous determination of the solid fuel water content is sought. This article investigates the use of microwave technology for the continuous measurement of fuel water content. For this purpose, a microwave sensor was evaluated with five different types of wood chips (forest residues, beech, pine, and ash). The results of the online measurements showed a strong correlation with the reference method r < 0.9 for most materials. This means that continuous water content determination of wood fuels using microwave technology is fundamentally possible.
Electroactive and Self‐healing Polyurethane Doped Tin Oxide Interlayers for Efficient Organic Solar Cells†
Authors: Wang Xu , Tian Jing , You Zuhao , Lei Le , Ge Aokang , Liu Yao 
Published: August 2024

Comprehensive SummaryTin oxide (SnO2) has been widely used as an electron transport layer (ETL) in optoelectronic devices. However, there are numerous surface or bulk defects in SnO2, working as charge recombination centers to degrade device. Here, an electroactive and self‐healing polyurethane (PHNN) was designed by integrating conjugated unit – naphthalene diimide (NDI) into a typical polyurethane backbone. Numerous hydrogen bonds and π interactions in PHNN work as non‐covalent interactions to endow this polymer with superior self‐healing properties. PHNN contains lots of aliphatic amine and carbonyl groups, which effectively passivate the defects in SnO2. The π stacking of NDI units will facilitate electron delocalization, endowing PHNN with electrical activity compared with traditional polyurethane. Doping SnO2 with PHNN can improve the conductivity and reduce the work function of SnO2 layer, which is conducive to efficient charge extraction and transport. Using PHNN doped SnO2 as ETL for PM6: Y6 and PM6: BTP‐eC9 based inverted organic solar cells can achieve a high efficiency of 17.16% and 17.51%, respectively. Devices containing doped SnO2 ETL show significantly improved efficiency and stability. Thus, the electroactive polyurethane doped SnO2 interlayers show high performance interfacial modification to align energy‐levels in solar cell devices, which have promising applications in organic electronics.
Advancing water absorption capacity in hard winter wheat using a multivariate genomic prediction approach
Authors: Wondifraw Meseret , Winn Zachary J. , Haley Scott D. , Stromberger John A. , Hudson‐Arns Emily , Mason R. Esten 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe water absorption capacity (WAC) of hard wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) flour affects end‐use quality characteristics, including loaf volume, bread yield, and shelf life. However, improving WAC through phenotypic selection is challenging. Phenotyping for WAC is time consuming and, as such, is often limited to evaluation in the latter stages of the breeding process, resulting in the retention of suboptimal lines longer than desired. This study investigates the potential of univariate and multivariate genomic predictions as an alternative to phenotypic selection for improving WAC. A total of 497 hard winter wheat genotypes were evaluated in multi‐environment advanced yield and elite trials over 8 years (2014–2021). Phenotyping for WAC was done via the solvent retention capacity (SRC) using water as a solvent (SRC‐W). Traits that exhibited a significant correlation (r ≥ 0.3) with SRC‐W and were evaluated earlier than SRC‐W were included in the multivariate genomic prediction models. Kernel hardness and diameter were obtained using the single kernel characterization system (SKCS), and break flour yield and total flour yield (T‐Flour) were included. Cross‐validation showed the mean univariate genomic prediction accuracy of SRC to be r = 0.69 ± 0.005, while bivariate and multivariate models showed an improved prediction accuracy of r = 0.82 ± 0.003. Forward validation showed a prediction accuracy up to r = 0.81 for a multivariate model that included SRC‐W + All traits (SRC‐W, Diameter, SKCS hardness and diameter, F‐Flour, and T‐Flour). These results suggest that incorporating correlated traits into genomic prediction models can improve early‐generation prediction accuracy.
Evaluating tiafenacil and tolpyralate for weed control and basal foliage removal in hops
Authors: Hill Ryan J. , King David R. , Moretti Marcelo L. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIn an effort to find alternatives to paraquat for weed control and basal foliage removal in hops (Hummus lupulus L.), due to regulatory and safety concerns, a study was conducted across Oregon and Washington in 2020 and 2021. The study compared the efficacy of tiafenacil and tolpyralate against a nontreated control and carfentrazone. Applications were made early when hops were 2‐ to 3‐m tall (early), and at over 4 m (late). Tiafenacil showed 55%–85% effectiveness in basal foliage control, slightly higher than carfentrazone, and did not cause crop injury. Tiafenacil at 50 and 100 g a.i. ha−1 controlled Lolium multiflorum (Lam.) Husnot (63%). The mixture of tiafenacil and tolpyralate controlled 80% of L. multiflorum, Cirsium arvense L., and Bassia Scoparia (L.) A.J. Scott. In all cases, control was followed by weed regrowth. No signs of crop injury were observed in any of the studies with tiafenacil. Early applications of tiafenacil reduced yield between 0% and 40% relative to the nontreated control. Late applications of tolpyralate and tiafenacil did not significantly reduce yield. Tolpyralate was as effective as carfentrazone for weed control and basal foliage removal. Early applications of tolpyralate reduced plant height and yield relative to the nontreated control and consistently induced phytochemical injury. Tolpyralate yield reductions ranged from 0% to 84% relative to the nontreated control, depending on the trial. A mixture of tolpyralate and tiafenacil was the most effective treatment tested. We conclude that both tiafenacil and tolpyralate are safe for sucker applications in hops, but careful timing is needed to reduce the risk of injury with tolpyralate. The mixture of tiafenacil and tolpyralate can improve weed control comparable to available options.
Leveraging deep learning for dollar spot detection and quantification in turfgrass
Authors: Kitchin Elisabeth C. A. , Sneed Henry J. , McCall David S. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThis study evaluates the effectiveness of fine‐tuning a semantic segmentation model to identify and quantify dollar spot in turfgrasses, the most extensively managed and researched disease of turfgrasses worldwide. Using the DeepLabV3+ model, recognized for its capability to segment complex shapes and integrate multi‐scale contextual information, the research leveraged a diverse dataset comprising various turfgrass species, disease stages, and lighting conditions to ensure robust model training. The trained model is able to identify and segment disease instances accurately and precisely, and the results indicate the potential for model‐based assessment to outperform traditional visual assessment methods in speed, accuracy, and consistency. The development of deep learning models on extensive datasets like ImageNet requires significant computational resources. However, by fine‐tuning a pretrained semantic segmentation model, we adapted it for disease segmentation using only a standard personal computer's graphics processing unit. This approach not only conserves resources but also highlights the practicality of deploying advanced deep learning applications in turfgrass pathology with limited computational capacity. The proposed model provides a new tool for turfgrass researchers and professionals to rapidly and accurately quantify this important disease under real‐world growing conditions. Additionally, the findings suggest the potential to apply deep learning algorithms to other turfgrass diseases to support data‐driven decisions. This could enhance disease management practices and improve decision‐making processes for fungicidal treatments, thereby improving the economic and environmental sustainability of turfgrass management.
Aromatic Polymethacrylates from Lignin‐Based Feedstock: Synthesis, Thermal Properties, Life‐Cycle Assessment and Toxicity
Authors: Sedrik Rauno , Bonjour Olivier , de Souza Nariê Rinke Dias , Ismagilova Alina , Tamsalu Iris , Kisand Veljo , Cherubini Francesco , Jannasch Patric , Vares Lauri 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThere is currently a great need for rigid, high‐performance and processable bio‐based polymers and plastics as alternatives to the fossil‐based materials used today. Here, we report on the straightforward synthesis and polymerization of lignin‐derived methacrylate monomers based on the methyl esters of 4‐hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, and syringic acid, respectively. The corresponding homopolymethacrylates exhibit high glass transition temperatures (Tgs) at 106, 128, and 197 °C, respectively. Rheological properties and thermal stability up to at least 277 °C indicate that these polymers are melt‐processable. In addition, copolymers with methyl methacrylate are prepared to further vary and tune the polymer properties. An integrated ex‐ante and prospective life‐cycle assessment of key environmental impact parameters indicates similar or only slightly higher values compared to well‐established fossil‐based methyl methacrylate. Moreover, the toxicity towards human HeLa cell lines compares well with that of poly(methyl methacrylate). Hence, the potential availability of lignin‐derived acids, combined with the straightforward and potentially upscalable monomer synthesis, make these rigid polymers appealing alternatives towards bio‐based high‐Tg thermoplastic materials with low toxicity.
Small Molecule π–π Stacking Promotes Efficient Photoelectrocatalytic Splitting of Aqueous Hydrogen Production from Polyaniline
Authors: Nie Weixing , Ruan Mengnan , Wang Chengyi , Liu Zhifeng 
Published: August 2024

AbstractPhotoelectrocatalysis efficiency depends on light absorption and the effective use of photogenerated carriers but is often limited by inefficient charge transfer and catalytic surface reactivity. In this study, π–π stacking of polar small molecules on aromatic ring‐rich polyaniline (PANI) was carried out to improve its photoelectrocatalytic splitting of water for hydrogen production. Detailed photoelectrochemical experiments and density‐functional theory (DFT) calculations show that small molecules of p‐aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and PANI have the best π–π stacking (compared to p‐toluenesulfonic acid (PTA)), which promotes the separation of carriers on the PANI surface. In addition, the polar effect of the small molecules also improves the reactivity of the PANI surface and also reduces the potential barrier for H2 evolution. The current density of PANI‐PABA reached −0.12 mA/cm2 (1.23 V vs. RHE) 2.53 times higher than that of pure PANI in linear voltammetric scanning tests under light. This strategy of introducing polar small molecules into organocatalysts via π–π stacking will provide new ideas for the preparation of efficient organic photoelectrocatalysis.
β‐Ketoenamine Porous Organic Polymers for High‐Efficiency Carbon Dioxide Adsorption and Separation
Authors: Zong Lina , Li Xiangyu , Cai Peiyu , Zhou Hong‐Cai , Huang Ning 
Published: August 2024

AbstractTo mitigate the greenhouse effect, a number of porous organic polymers (POPs) has been developed for carbon capture. Considering the permanent quadrupole of symmetrical CO2 molecules, the integration of electron‐rich groups into POPs is a feasible way to enhance the dipole‐quadrupole interactions between host and guest. To comprehensively explore the effect of pore environment, including specific surface area, pore size, and number of heteroatoms, on carbon dioxide adsorption capacity, we synthesized a series of microporous POPs with different content of β‐ketoenamine structures via Schiff‐base condensation reactions. These materials exhibit high BET specific surface areas, high stability, and excellent CO2 adsorption capacity. It is worth mentioning that the CO2 adsorption capacity and CO2/N2 selectivity of TAPPy‐TFP reaches 3.87 mmol g−1 and 27. This work demonstrates that the introduction of β‐ketoenamine sites directly through condensation reaction is an effective strategy to improve the carbon dioxide adsorption performance of carbon dioxide.
Enhanced adaptive data rate strategies for energy‐efficient Internet of Things communication in LoRaWAN
Authors: Ali Lodhi Muhammad , Wang Lei , Mahmood Khalid , Farhad Arshad , Chen Jenhui , Kumari Saru 
Published: August 2024

SummaryThe long‐range wide area network (LoRaWAN) is a standard for the Internet of Things (IoT) because it has low cost, long range, not energy‐intensive, and capable of supporting massive end devices (EDs). The adaptive data rate (ADR) adjusts parameters at both EDs and the network server (NS). This includes modifying the transmission spreading factor (SF) and transmit power (TP) to minimize packet errors and optimize transmission performance at the NS. The ADR managed by NS aims to provide reliable and energy‐efficient resources (e.g., SF and TP) to EDs by monitoring the packets received from the EDs. However, since the channel condition changes rapidly in LoRaWAN due to mobility, the existing ADR algorithm is unsuitable and results in a significant amount of packet loss and retransmissions causing an increase in energy consumption. In this paper, we enhance the ADR by introducing Kalman filter‐based ADR (KF‐ADR) and moving median‐based ADR (Median‐ADR), which estimate the optimal SNR by considering the mobility later used to assign the SF and TP to EDs. The simulation results showed that the proposed techniques outperform the legacy ADRs in terms of convergence period, energy consumption, and packet success ratio.
Diphenyl urea‐benzylidene acetohydrazide hybrids as fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 inhibitors and anticancer agents
Authors: Abdel‐Mohsen Heba T. , Nageeb Amira M. , Ghannam Iman A. Y. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractMolecular hybridization between diphenyl urea and benzylidene acetohydrazide was adopted for the design of a new series of FGFR‐1 targeting cancer. The designed series was synthesized and submitted to NCI‐USA to be screened for their growth inhibitory activity on NCI cancer cell lines. Some of the synthesized hybrids displayed promising growth inhibitory activity on NCI cancer cell lines with a mean GI% between 70.39% and a lethal effect. Compounds 9a, 9i, 9j, and 9n‐p were further selected for a five‐dose assay and all the tested candidates showed promising antiproliferative activity with GI50 reaching the submicromolar range. Encouraged by the potent activity of 9a on colon cancer on the one hand and the well‐known overexpression of FGFR‐1 in it on the other hand, it was further selected as a representative example to be evaluated for its mechanism on the cell cycle and apoptosis of HCT116 cell line. Interestingly, 9a was found to pause the cell cycle of the HCT116 cell line at the G1 phase and induced late apoptosis. In parallel, all the synthesized hybrids 9a‐p were examined for their potential to inhibit FGFR‐1 at 10 µM. Compounds 9a, 9g, 9h, and 9p were found to have potent inhibitory activity with % inhibition = 63.04%, 58.31%, 60.87% and 79.84%, respectively. Molecular docking simulation of 9a in the binding pocket of FGFR‐1 confirms its capability to achieve the characteristic interactions of the type II FGFR‐1 inhibitors. Exploration of the ADME properties of 9a‐p by SwissADME web tool proved their satisfactory physicochemical properties for the discovery of new anticancer hits.