bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intramolecular Hydroamidation of Alkenes Enabling Asymmetric Synthesis of β-Lactams via Unprecedented Mechanism of NiH Catalysis
Authors: Lyu Xiang , Seo Changhyeon , Faber Teresa , Kim Dongwook , Seo Sangwon , Chang Sukbok 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Synthetic methods for constructing enantioenriched β-lactams are highly valuable given the ubiquity of this privileged heterocyclic unit in bioactive compounds, most notably in antibiotics such as penicillins and carbapenems. Intramolecular hydroamidation of β,γ-unsaturated amides would provide a convenient means to reach this alluring chemical space, yet it remains limited due to the regioselectivity issue arising from the difficulty associated with the formation of strained four-membered rings. Here we describe a NiH-catalysed strategy that addresses this challenge through the use of readily accessible alkenyl dioxazolone derivatives. The reaction transcends the conventional NiH operation mode via an unprecedented mechanism initiated by N-activation, thus allowing for proximal C–N bond formation with excellent regioselectivity, regardless of the electronic properties of substituents. This mechanistic platform is also highly effective for the enantioselective intramolecular hydroamidation of alkenes, which represents the first example of such a type of processes that enables the access to enantioenriched β-lactams.
Soft Sensorized Physical Twin Enabling lab2field Transfer and Learning from Demonstration for Raspberry Harvesting
Authors: Junge Kai , Pires Catarina , Hughes Josie 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Robotic harvesting is challenging manipulation task as it requires dexterity and robustness to handle delicate crops that can show complex structure and variable form. A compounding challenge is that the research and development methodology currently relies upon extensive field testing, which is inefficient and can also only happen during the harvesting season. With an urgent need to develop robotic solutions for harvesting to avoid crops being left in the fields unpicked, we explore how the research methodology for harvesting robots can be accelerated by learning the required interactions with delicate crops through human demonstration. Specifically, we focus on raspberry harvesting, a fruit which is challenging to harvest due to its fragility, and also which has a very narrow harvesting window limiting field trials. We propose leveraging soft robotic technologies to create a physical twin of the harvesting environment. This twin is a sensorized physical and visual simulator of the real raspberry plant with tuneable mechanical properties. This physical twin can be used to develop and optimize the harvesting robot and associated controller through human demonstrations. Furthermore, the robot can autonomously harvest the sensorized physical twin repetitively and use its sensor feedback to update and optimize its control parameters to best imitate a human harvester. We hypothesize, that by closing the reality gap between our physical twin and real world raspberry plants, the ability to achieve direct lab2field transfer increases, such that zero or minimal trials and adaptations in the field area is required. When the fully lab trained robot was tested in the field without any modifications, a 80\% successful harvesting success rate was achieved. We conclude the robot performs successfully under conditions simulated by the physical twin, while it is limited by unmodeled environmental conditions. Using this approach we demonstrate a new methodology for robotic harvesting research.
Two-Level Systems in Nucleated and Non-Nucleated Epitaxial alpha-Tantalum films
Authors: Alegria Loren , Tennant Daniel , Chaves Kevin , Lee Jonathan , O'Kelley Sean , Rosen Yaniv , DuBois Jonathan 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Building usefully coherent superconducting quantum processors depends on reducing losses in their constituent materials.1 Tantalum, like niobium, has proven utility as the primary superconducting layer within highly coherent qubits.2,3 But, unlike Nb, high temperatures are typically used to stabilize the desirable body-centered-cubic phase, α-Ta, during thin film deposition. It has long been known that a thin Nb layer permits the room-temperature nucleation of α-Ta,4-6 although neither an epitaxial process nor few-photon microwave loss measurements have been reported for Nb-nucleated Ta films prior to this study. We compare resonators patterned from Ta films grown at high temperature (500 °C) and films nucleated at room temperature, in order to understand the impact of crystalline order on quantum coherence. In both cases, films grew with Al2O3 (001) || Ta (110) indicating that the epitaxial orientation is independent of temperature and is preserved across the Nb/Ta interface. We use conventional low-power spectroscopy to measure two level system (TLS) loss, as well as an electric-field bias technique to measure the effective dipole moments of TLS in the surfaces of resonators. In our measurements, Nb-nucleated Ta resonators had greater loss tangent (1.5 ± 0.1 × 10-5) than nonnucleated (5 ± 1 × 10-6) in approximate proportion to defect densities as characterized by X-ray diffraction (0.27 ° vs 0.18 ° [110] reflection width) and electron microscopy (30 nm vs 70 nm domain size). The dependence of the loss tangent on domain size indicates that the development of more ordered Ta films is likely to lead to improvements in qubit coherence times.1,7 Moreover, lowtemperature α-Ta epitaxy may enable the growth of new, microstate-free heterostructures which would not withstand high temperature processing.8
An Enduring Enemy: Phylogenomics Reveals the History of Host Use in Mosquitoes
Authors: Soghigian John , Sither Charles , Justi Silvia , Morinaga Gen , Cassel Brian , Vitek Christopher , Livdahl Todd , Xia Siyang , Gloria-Soria Andrea , Powell Jeffrey , Zavortink Thomas , Hardy Christopher , Burkett-Cadena Nathan , Reeves Lawrence , Wilkerson Richard , Dunn Robert , Yeates David , Sallum Maria Anice , Byrd Brian , Trautwein Michelle , Linton Yvonne-Marie , Reiskind Michael , Wiegmann Brian 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Mosquitoes have profoundly affected human history and continue to threaten human health through the transmission of a diverse array of viruses and pathogens. Because mosquitoes are also highly diverse and globally widespread, their phylogeny has remained either little known or difficult to discern. Here, we used phylogenomic analysis of 709 orthologous nuclear gene sequences from 256 mosquito species to produce a strongly supported phylogeny that resolves the position of the major disease vector species and the major mosquito lineages. Our tree supports an origin of mosquitoes in the early Triassic (~217 mya) with species diversification and host-use patterns within major lineages coinciding in earth history both with major geologic events and with the diversification of vertebrate classes.
Image Quality Enhancement using CLAHlet RetiGaussian Filter for Maize Leaf Images
Authors: Handa Priyanka , Krishan Bal 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
In this world of digitization, most of the data is in the form of images acquired using camera. Image enhancement plays a vital role in the quality improvement of digital images. In this work, a combined approach based on the contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization (CLAHE) and Retinex algorithm is proposed. It is a wavelet based Retinex algorithm with adaptive histogram equalization and gaussian filter. First, image is enhanced using CLAHE, image is decomposed using Daubechies wavelet and then followed by the Retinex algorithm, which used low frequency components to enhance the image. Lastly, a gaussian filter is used to smoothen the image. The dataset of maize leaf disease is used for the analysis of quality enhancement and denoising. It is clear from the results that the proposed method improves the quality by reducing the noise of the maize leaf images. Theses refined images can be used for maize leaves disease detection and classification system to achieve high accuracy.
Flowering and Fruit-set in Cassava under Extended Red-Light Photoperiod Supplemented with Plant-Growth Regulators and Pruning
Authors: Baguma Julius K. , Mukasa Settumba B. , Nuwamanya Ephraim , Alicai Titus , Omongo Christopher , Hyde Peter T. , Setter Tim L. , Ochwo-Ssemakula Mildred , Esuma William , Kanaabi Michael , Iragaba Paula , Baguma Yona , Kawuki Robert S. 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background: Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is staple food and major source of calories for over 500 million people in sub-Saharan Africa. The crop is also a source of income for smallholder farmers, and has increasing potential for industrial utilization. However, breeding efforts to match the increasing demand of cassava are impeded by its inability to flower, delayed or unsynchronized flowering, low proportion of female flowers and high fruit abortions. To overcome these sexual reproductive bottlenecks, this study investigated the effectiveness of using red lights to extend the photoperiod (RLE), as a gateway to enhancing flowering and fruit set under field conditions.
Methods: Panels of cassava genotypes, with non- or late and early flowering response, 10 in each case, were subjected to RLE from dusk to dawn. RLE was further evaluated at low (LL), medium (ML) and high (HL) red light intensities, at ~ ≤ 0.5; 1.0 and 1.5PFD (Photon Flux Density) in µmol m-2 s-1 respectively. Additionally, the effect of a cytokinin and anti-ethylene as plant growth regulators (PGR) and pruning under RLE treatment were examined.
Results: RLE stimulated earlier flower initiation in all genotypes, by up to 2 months in the late-flowering genotypes. Height and number of nodes at first branching, particularly in the late-flowering genotypes were also reduced, by over 50%. Number and proportion of pistillate flowers more than doubled, while number of fruits and seeds also increased. Number of branching levels during the crop season also increased by about three. Earlier flowering in many genotypes was most elicited at LL to ML intensities. Additive effects on flower numbers were detected between RLE, PGR and pruning applications. PGR and pruning treatments further increased number and proportion of pistillate flowers and fruits. Plants subjected to PGR and pruning, developed bisexual flowers and exhibited feminization of staminate flowers. Pruning at first branching resulted in higher pistillate flower induction than at second branching.
Conclusions: These results indicate that RLE improves flowering in cassava, and its effectiveness is enhanced when PGR and pruning are applied. Thus, deployment of these technologies in breeding programs could significantly enhance cassava hybridizations and thus cassava breeding efficiency and impact.
A novel approach to estimate the impact of health workforce investments on health outcomes through increased coverage of HIV, TB and malaria services
Authors: Bruckner Tim Allen , Lin Tracy K , Liu Jenny , Ajuebor Onyema , Bornemisza Olga , Diallo Khassoum , Cometto Giorgio 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background: Globally, HIV, TB and malaria account for an estimated three million deaths annually. The Global Fund partnered with the World Health Organization to assist countries with health workforce planning in these areas through the development of an integrated health workforce investment impact tool. Our study illustrates the development of a user-friendly tool (with two MS Excel calculator subcomponents) that computes associations between human resources for health (HRH) investment inputs and reduced morbidity and mortality from HIV, TB, and malaria via increased coverage of effective treatment services.
Methods: We retrieved from the peer-reviewed literature quantitative estimates of the relation among HRH inputs and HRH employment and productivity. We converted these values to additional full-time-equivalent doctors, nurses and midwives (DNMs). We used log-linear regression to estimate the relation between DNMs and treatment service coverage outcomes for HIV, TB, and malaria. We then retrieved treatment effectiveness parameters from the literature to calculate lives saved due to expanded treatment coverage for HIV, TB, and malaria. After integrating these estimates into the tool, we piloted it in four countries.
Results: In most countries with a considerable burden of HIV, TB, and malaria, the health workforce investments include a mix of pre-service training, full remuneration of new hires, various forms of incentives and in-service training. These investments were associated with elevated HIV, TB and malaria treatment service coverage and additional lives saved. The country case studies we developed in addition, indicate the feasibility and utility of the tool for a variety of international and local actors interested in HRH planning.
Conclusions: The modelled estimates developed for illustrative purposes and tested through country case studies suggest that HRH investments result in lives saved across HIV, TB, and malaria. Further, findings show that attainment of high targets of specific treatment coverage indicators would require a substantially greater health workforce than what is currently available in most LMICs. The open access tool can assist significantly with future HRH planning efforts, particularly in LMICs.
Performance of different colorectal cancer screening strategies: a long-term passive follow-up population-based screening program in Beijing, China
Authors: Zhang Xi , Yang Lei , Liu Shuo , Li Huichao , Li Qingyu , Li Haoxin , Wang Ning , Ji Jiafu 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
We aimed to assess the performance of the risk assessment questionnaire and fecal immunochemical test (FIT) in a population-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening program to provide timely evidence for tailored screening strategies in China.
Methods
This analysis was conducted using data from Beijing Cancer Screening Prospective Cohort Study (BCSPCS). A risk assessment questionnaire and FIT were selected as the primary screening methods, and participants with any positive results were referred to undergo a diagnostic colonoscopy.
Results
From 2015 to 2020, 148,636 Beijing residents aged 40–69 years were invited from designated communities, with 147,807 finishing the risk assessment questionnaire and 115,606 (78.2%) completing the FIT. Among the 42,969 (29.1%) high-risk CRC participants, 23,824 (55.4%) underwent colonoscopy. One year after enrollment, all subjects were linked to the Beijing Cancer Registry (BCR) database and 241 cases of CRC were confirmed. The CRC incidence rate was 58.2/100,000 for the low-risk arm and 418.9/100,000 for the high-risk arm. For participants who underwent colonoscopy, 91 CRC cases were detected, with a detection rate of 91.9% and 63.7% of them were early-stage cases. Furthermore, the sensitivities of utilizing the risk assessment questionnaire alone, FIT alone, combined risk assessment questionnaire and FIT were 75.7%, 50.1%, and 95.1%, and the specificities were 75.3%, 87.3%, and 70.7%, respectively. Additionally, the costs of each CRC or advanced adenoma detected by the above three strategies were $2623.9, $2692.2, and $2794.6, respectively.
Conclusion
The Beijing CRC screening program can effectively detect early-onset CRC; however, the compliance with colonoscopy still needs to be improved.
Molecular Epidemiology and Risk Analysis for Asymptomatic Infection with Feline Enteric Coronavirus in Domestic and Stray Cats in Japan
Authors: Kumano Hitomi , Nakagawa Keisuke 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Feline coronavirus is classified into two coronaviruses: feline enteric coronavirus (FECoV) and feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) virus (FIPV), which cause mild diarrhea and deadly peritonitis in cats, respectively. Since FIPV arises by mutation(s) in FECoV, a survey of FECoV infection in cats is needed to provide fundamental information for prevention of FIP. FECoV also causes subclinical infection; therefore, asymptomatic cats may play a role as a reservoir and transmitter of FECoV. However, there is limited information on the prevalence of FECoV and information from risk analysis of asymptomatic FECoV infection in healthy cats. We conducted a molecular survey of FECoV in normal feces from healthy domestic and stray cats by using nested RT-PCR targeting the FECoV S gene. Interestingly, the RT-PCR-positive rate in domestic cats (35.5%) was significantly higher than that in stray cats (15.9%). Our risk analysis revealed that age less than 1 year and keeping cats indoors are risk factors of asymptomatic FECoV infection. Furthermore, a phylogenetic tree based on partial FECoV S genes suggested transmission of FECoV between domestic cats and stray cats. Our data will contribute to a better understanding of the ecology of FECoV in healthy cats for prevention of FIP.
The long-non coding RNA HOTAIR as site specific regulator of inflammation in chronic arthritis
Authors: elhai Muriel , Micheroli Raphael , Houtman Miranda , Mirrahimi Masoumeh , Moser Larissa , Pauli Chantal , Bürki Kristina , Laimbacher Andrea , Kania Gabriela , Klein Kerstin , Schätzle Philipp , Bertoncelj Mojca Frank , Edalat Sam , Sakkou Maria , Kollias George , Armaka Marietta , Distler Oliver , Ospelt Caroline 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Most forms of arthritis, have a distinctive topographical pattern of joint involvement. Beyond these differences among diseases, there are also differences in phenotype and response to treatment between joints of the same type of arthritis, suggesting that molecular mechanisms may differ depending on joint location. Here we show that there are joint-specific molecular and tissue changes in the synovium and in local stromal cells (synovial fibroblasts;SF). The long non-coding RNA HOTAIR, expressed only in lower extremities SF, regulates much of this site-specific gene expression in SF. Downregulation of HOTAIR after TNF stimulation regulated relevant inflammatory pathways by epigenetic and transcriptional mechanisms and modified the migratory function of SF, decreased SF-mediated osteoclastogenesis, and increased the attraction of B cells by SF. Since site-specific expression of HOTAIR was also measured in the skin, spine and gastrointestinal tract, we propose HOTAIR as important epigenetic factor that modulates site-specific phenotypes of chronic inflammation.
Two-Step Electrochemical Au Nanoparticle Formation in Polyaniline
Authors: Zhao Bin , Becker Hans-Werner , Gutsch Sebastian 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Insertion of Au nanoparticles (NPs) in polyaniline (PANI) is investigated using a two-step electrochemical process. In the first step, tetrachloroaurate anions (AuCl4−) are attached on the protonated imine sites of PANI while holding the potential at + 0.8 V vs. Ag/AgCl. The applied electrochemical potential prevents any reduction of the PANI/AuCl4− complex. After rinsing of excess AuCl4−, a controlled reduction is carried out via cyclic voltammetry (CV). We demonstrate that the reduction leads to a nucleation and growth of Au NPs whose density and size dispersion depend on the Au loading in PANI. Adding more deposition cycles increases the Au NP density and size. We further use Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) to quantify the Au uptake in PANI. We also find that the Au distribution is initially homogeneous across the PANI layer whereas the increasing number of deposition cycles leads to a surface segregation of Au. We propose a two-step growth model based on our experimental results. Finally, we discuss the results with respect to the formation of atomic Au clusters reported previously using the same deposition method.
Effect of long-chain silane on mechanical properties of experimental resin composites
Authors: Yon Madeline Jun Yu , Matinlinna Jukka Pekka , Tsoi James Kit Hon , Vallittu Pekka Kalevi , Lassila Lippo Veli Juhana 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Purpose
To investigate mechanical properties of experimental resin composites contain 8-methacryloxyoctyltrimethoxysilane (MOS) and a commonly used silane, 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPS).
Materials and methods
MOS and MPS were hydrolysed in 95vol% ethanol solution at pH 4 for 1h before silanisation of SiO2-based bioactive glass powder fillers (Ø 1.0µm, Schott, Germany) at 3, 6, 9 and 12wt% of silane. After drying in a vacuum oven (80°C, 5kPa, 2h) they were mixed with a monomer mixture of urethane dimethacrylate and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate in a 70:30 weight ratio, camphorquinone 0.7wt% and 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate 0.7wt% to produce eight experimental groups of resin composites with a filler load of 72.7wt%. After photopolymerisation for 25 min and post-curing at room temperature (24h), uniform rectangular beams were cut out for the three-point bending test (2mm × 2mm × 25mm, n = 8). The surface Vickers microhardness (VHN) test (press-load 2.94N for 10s, n = 6; Duramin 5, Struers) was performed before observation under 3-D optical microscopy. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA followed by the Tukey post hoc test (p < 0.05).
Results
ANOVA revealed that both silane type and concentration significantly affected flexural modulus (p < 0.001), flexural strength (p = 0.001) and microhardness (p < 0.001). Resin composites containing MOS exhibited lower flexural modulus but higher strength at a lower concentration than MPS. MOS resin composites exhibited lower surface microhardness than MPS with the corresponding silane content.
Conclusion
Long chain silane may confer better mechanical properties, particularly a higher flexural strength to experimental composites compared with the current gold standard of MPS at a suitable concentration.
Removal of Rifaximin from Pharmaceutical Wastewater: NiFe2O4/GO Nanocomposite as an Efficient Adsorbent
Authors: Malmir Maryam , Shemirani Farzaneh 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Rifaximin is a widely utilized antibiotic in health care centers and hospitals. However, its elimination from wastewater, which prevents health damages, has not been reported so far. In this work, for the first time, a nanocomposite, NiFe2O4/GO, was employed as an adsorbent to remove Rifaximin from an aqueous solution. After synthesis, the XRD, FT-IR, SEM, and VSM techniques were used to confirm the structure of NiFe2O4/GO. We applied response surface methodology to explore the effects of the NiFe2O4/GO and Rifaximin concentrations, as well as solution pH and contact time, on the process performance. We obtained a high coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.994) and satisfactory predictions from the regression model. We obtained the most favorable adsorption rate (93.39%) at a pH of 4.07, a contact time of 5.5 minutes, an adsorbent concentration of 3147.57 mg/L, and a Rifaximin concentration of 68.50 mg/L. The isotherm studies revealed that the adsorption obeys the Freundlich isotherm with a maximum adsorption capacity of 30.12 mg/g for NiFe2O4/GO at 30°C. Thanks to the calculated thermodynamic parameters, it is declared that the process is spontaneous, and the formation of hydrogen bonds and Van der Waals interactions are the dominant interaction terms between the NiFe2O4/GO and Rifaximin. Moreover, the composite maintained an 85.45% removal rate after 4 cycles of regeneration. A removal rate of 89.45% was obtained for effluent from a local pharmaceutical company, representing good efficiency of the adsorbent. In conclusion, NiFe2O4/GO is shown to be a suitable adsorbent for the elimination of Rifaximin from wastewater.