bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alpha‐Glucosidase Enzyme Immobilized Dextran‐Co Metal Nanoparticle Cryogel Composite Systems as Dual Catalyst with Enhanced Stability and Catalytic Activity
Authors: Demirci Sahin , Sahiner Nurettin 
Published: April 2023

AbstractHere, dextran (Dex) cryogels were prepared and used for the immobilization of α‐Glu enzyme via two different techniques of entrapment and covalent linking. The entrapment of α‐Glu enzyme within Dex cryogels (α‐GluE@Dex) during the synthesis process caused almost 70 % activity loss. On the other hand, the Dex cryogels with α‐Glu enzyme immobilized via covalent linking (α‐GluC@Dex) maintained 91±1.1 % activity and afforded 10 consecutive usages and could be stored at 25 °C for 10 days with more than 50 % activity. Moreover, we prepared Cobalt (Co) metal nanoparticle containing Dex‐Co cryogel composite to be used to immobilize the α‐Glu enzyme via covalent linking to attain an α‐GluC@Dex‐Co catalyst system with dual catalytic performance e. g., enzymatic and chemical reduction of the substrate and its’ by‐product for the first time. The prepared α‐GluC@Dex‐Co cryogels system was used for enzymatic hydrolysis of 4‐nitrophenyl‐α‐D‐glucopyranoside to glucose and 4‐nitrophenol, and then the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol to 4‐aminophenol catalyzed by the Co metal nanoparticles present as co‐catalyst within the cryogel network. The enzymatic activity of α‐GluC@Dex‐Co cryogels was calculated as 72±3.1 % and the cryogel reduced the enzymatic reaction by‐product of 4‐nitrophenol to 4‐aminophenol in 7 min in the presence of NaBH4.
Is core consistency a too conservative diagnostic?
Authors: Halberg Helene Fog Froriep , Bevilacqua Marta , Rinnan Åsmund 
Published: April 2023

AbstractFluorescence spectroscopy combined with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) has successfully been applied for the analysis of food and beverages containing numerous autofluorescent compounds. For the decomposition of such data, it is crucial to establish the PARAFAC model complexity. This is not a trivial matter, especially when the sample complexity increases. Diagnostics are available for assisting the choice of the number of PARAFAC components, such as the core consistency. In this short communication, we show that when it comes to real (complex) data, the core consistency is too conservative and other diagnostic tools must be taken into account. We emphasize that it is imperative to inspect the PARAFAC excitation and emission loadings and assess whether these are chemically meaningful.
In Vitro Selection and Characterization of a DNAzyme Probe for Diverse Pathogenic Strains of Clostridium difficile
Authors: Qian Shuwen , Chang Dingran , Gu Jimmy , Salena Bruno J. , Li Yingfu 
Published: April 2023

AbstractClostridium difficile frequently causes an infectious disease known as Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), and there is an urgent need for the development of more effective rapid diagnostic tests for CDI. Previously we have developed an RNA‐cleaving fluorogenic DNAzyme (RFD) probe, named RFD‐CD1, that is capable of detecting a specific strain of C. difficile but is too specific to recognize other pathogenic C. difficile strains. To overcome this issue, herein we report RFD‐CD2, another RFD that is not only highly specific to C. difficile but also capable of recognizing diverse pathogenic C. difficile strains. Extensive sequence and structure characterization establishes a pseudoknot structure and a significantly minimized sequence for RFD‐CD2. As a fluorescent sensor, RFD‐CD2 can detect C. difficile at a concentration as low as 100 CFU/mL, thus making this DNAzyme an attractive molecular probe for rapid diagnosis of CDI caused by diverse strains of C. difficile.
Sulfide‐Directed Ir‐Catalyzed Vinylic sp2 and Benzylic sp3 C−H Activation for the Construction of Sulfur‐Containing Medium‐Ring System
Authors: Shibata Takanori , Iwaki Takahiro , Marumo Haru , Ito Mamoru 
Published: April 2023

AbstractIr‐catalyzed transformations initiated by sulfur‐directed vinylic sp2 and benzylic sp3 C−H activation are disclosed that achieve the construction of sulfur‐containing seven‐ and eight‐membered systems. Allyl 2‐alkynylphenyl sulfides were transformed into dihydrobenzothiepines in 30–95 % yield, and 2‐alkynylaryl 2‐tolyl sulfides were converted into dibenzo[b,f]thiepines in 57–95 % yield along with double bond isomerization. In both reactions, the combination of Ir catalyst and sulfide moiety was a key to the facile cyclization.
Molecular Assembly and Gelating Behavior of (l)‐Alanine Derivatives
Authors: Soeta Takahiro , Kurobe Shota , Nirei Yutaro , Kurokawa Naoto , Wei Weilin , Yurtsever Ayhan , Fukuma Takeshi , Ukaji Yutaka 
Published: April 2023

AbstractIn this study, a low‐molecular‐weight organogelator derived from (l)‐amino acids was designed and synthesized. Gelation assays using (l)‐amino acid derivatives were performed to confirm the gelation ability, which was found to be high in several compounds. The (l)‐alanine derivatives were determined to be excellent gelators, forming good gels even when smaller amounts were added. These results led to a library of amino acid‐derived organogelators. In addition, the thermal properties of the (l)‐alanine derivatives with high gelation performance were measured. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements revealed that the thermal stability of the gels could be controlled by changing the gelator concentration. The surface states of the obtained gels were observed by field‐emission scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy measurements, which confirmed the structure of the self‐molecular aggregates. Self‐molecular aggregates were observed to be helical or sheet‐like, and the gels were constructed by forming aggregates by self‐molecular recognition.
Protocell Self‐Assembly Driven by Sodium Trimetaphosphate
Authors: Chen Yuyan , Yan Lijie , Chi Yangyang , Liu Yan , Zhao Yufen 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe co‐evolution of peptide formation and membrane self‐assembly is considered an essential step in the origin of life. However, more research is required on both processes, particularly on the interaction between prebiotic simple fatty‐acid membranes and peptide synthesis. In this study, the sodium trimetaphosphate (P3m)‐activated peptide formation reaction of phenylalanine (Phe) in an alkaline decanoic acid‐decanol vesicle system was systematically investigated. The experimental results showed that peptide formation could competitively occur with N‐acyl amino acid (NAA) formation. NAA formation did not follow the traditional P3m‐activated peptide formation reaction involving the intermediate cyclic acylphosphoramidate (CAPA). Decanoic acid was activated by P3m to form a mixed anhydride, which then reacted with an amino acid to form the amide NAA. As a kind of membrane‐forming amphiphile, NAA can form vesicles independently and reduce the critical vesicle concentration of the fatty‐acid vesicles. Moreover, 11 other representative amino acids, namely alanine (Ala), aspartic acid (Asp), glutamic acid (Glu), glycine (Gly), isoleucine (Ile), leucine (Leu), proline (Pro), serine (Ser), threonine (Thr), valine (Val), and arginine (Arg), were selected for investigation. All of them reacted with decanoic acid to form NAA via the activation effect of P3m. The abovementioned mechanism involving P3m‐activated carboxylic acid has not been reported in the literature. Our experimental results indicate that the participation of decanoic acid in the P3m activation‐based peptide formation reaction system plays a significant role in the emergence of functionalized protocells. The P3m activation effect can provide diversified raw membrane materials to form and stabilize protocell membranes; moreover, the small peptides, such as Phe‐Leu, formed in the same reaction system can induce the amplification of primitive cells. This implies that synergistic symbiosis between membrane and peptide can be realized via the P3m activation effect.
Viscous, Hofmeister Effect‐Enhanced Macromolecular Adhesives for Effective Bonding in Seawater
Authors: Sun Peng , Wang Qingxi , Wang Yongyu , Yuan Xubo , Zhao Jin , Long Lixia , Li Sidi , Hou Xin 
Published: April 2023

AbstractDeployment of adhesives in natural seawater to in situ bonds is urgently needed in engineering fields. However, stable adhesion in natural seawater remains a challenge due to the turbulent environment and high ion concentration. Herein, we reported a viscous, macromolecular underwater adhesive enhanced by Hofmeister effect (EHUA) for practical application in dynamic seawater. EHUA was synthesized via a facile one‐step copolymerization. After transferred into seawater, the solvent of EHUA was exchanged to seawater, and thereby hydrogen bonds inside the adhesive were activated and enhanced by Hofmeister effect. We demonstrated EHUA can adhere on the surface in turbulent seawater, and the adhesive strength could reach 1.691 MPa. In addition, the adhesives also exhibited long‐term storage stability and convenient recyclability. These fascinating properties enable adhesives to seal leaky pipelines, repair damaged ships and construct buildings in turbulent seawater. This work may open an avenue for the design of adhesives for seawater environments.
The current that came in from the electric field – new experiments in bipolar electro‐chemistry for schools and universities
Authors: Quarthal Dominik , Oberle Maria‐Katharina , Oetken Marco 
Published: April 2023

AbstractIm folgenden Beitrag wird zunächst auf die Aktualität bzw. die Wichtigkeit der bipolaren Elektrochemie in der Wissenschaft und die damit verbundene Schulrelevanz eingegangen. Im Anschluss daran soll ein für die Schule geeigneter Erklärungsansatz zu diesem Themenfeld und dazu passende Schlüsselexperimente rund um die bipolare Elektrochemie präsentiert werden.
Design of a functionally graded porous uncemented acetabular component: Influence of polar gradation
Authors: Saviour Ceby Mullakkara , Gupta Sanjay 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe functionally graded porous metal‐backed (FGPMB) acetabular component has the potential to minimize strain‐shielding induced bone resorption, caused by stiffness mismatch of implant and host bone. This study is aimed at a novel design of FGPMB acetabular component, which is based on numerical investigations of the mechanical behavior of acetabular components with regard to common failure scenarios, considering various daily activities and implant‐bone interface conditions. Both radial and polar functional gradations were implemented, and the effects of the polar gradation exponent on the failure criteria were evaluated. The relationships between porosity and orthotropic mechanical properties of a tetrahedron‐based unit cell were obtained using a numerical homogenization method. Strain‐shielding in cancellous bone was relatively lesser for the FGPMB than solid metal‐backing. Few nodes around the rim were susceptible to implant‐bone interfacial debonding, irrespective of the polar gradation exponent. Although the most favorable bone remodeling predictions were obtained for a polar gradation exponent of 0.1, a sudden change in the porosity was observed near the rim of FGPMB. Bone remodeling patterns were similar for polar gradation exponent of 5.0 and solid metal‐backing. Moreover, the volumetric wear was maximum and minimum for polar gradation exponents of 0.1 and 5, respectively. Furthermore, the micromotions of different polar gradation exponents were within a range (20–40 μm) that might facilitate bone ingrowth. Considering common failure mechanisms, the FGPMB having polar gradation exponents in the range of 0.1–0.5 appeared to be a viable alternative to the solid acetabular component, within which a gradation exponent of 0.25 seemed the most appropriate design parameter.
Clinical significance of long non‐coding RNA ZEB2‐AS1 and EMT‐related markers in ductal and lobular breast cancer
Authors: Zarei Mahboobeh , Malekzadeh Kianoosh , Omidi Mahmoud , Mousavi Pegah 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundBreast cancer is considered the most prevalent type of cancer in women and accounts for a high rate of death. A body of research has demonstrated that lncRNAs have a regulatory function in human diseases, especially cancers. ZEB2‐AS1 is known as an oncogenic lncRNA in various types of cancers, and its deregulation may contribute to cancer development and progression. Therefore, we aimed to reveal the association of ZEB2‐AS1 expression with epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers, as a hallmark of cancer progression, in a clinical setting.MethodsA recent study suggested that ZEB2‐AS1 is significantly involved in EMT. Here we intended to explore the roles of lncRNA ZEB2‐AS1 in breast cancer (BC) using bioinformatics tools and laboratory settings. We first evaluated the expression of ZEB2‐AS1 mRNA in tumor and healthy control tissues by lnCAR database. Furthermore, ZEB2‐AS1 expression level, ZEB2, E‐cadherin, and vimentin was measured via qRT‐PCR in 30 paired ductal and lobular carcinoma tissues from breast cancer patients and the normal adjacent ones. The correlation between the lncRNA ZEB2‐AS1 expression and clinicopathological characteristics of the breast cancer patients was evaluated.ResultsZEB2‐AS1 showed an upregulation in breast cancer tissues (p = .04) compared to normal adjacent samples. In addition, its level was higher in breast cancer patients with advanced Stages (III & IV) (n = 18) compared to early Stages (I & II) (n = 12) (p = .04). Moreover, ZEB2 (p = .01) and vimentin (p = .02) expression were upregulated in the BC sample, but the expression level of E‐cadherin (p = .02) was downregulated when compared with the adjacent normal tissues. By comparison of the expression of EMT‐markers between different stages of breast cancer, overexpression of ZEB2 (p = .04) and vimentin (p = .04) and down expression of E‐cadherin (p = .03) was observed in advance stages.ConclusionsCollectively, our findings suggest that ZEB2‐AS1 expression is significantly upregulated in tumor tissues, especially in advanced stages and ZEB2‐AS1 is associated with the aggressiveness of tumors by functioning as putative oncogenic lncRNA. In addition, a combination of ZEB2‐AS1 and these EMT markers in breast cancer potentiates these genes as biomarkers for tumor progression.
Moral exemplars and moral disillusionment. How the perception of Poles' behavior during the Holocaust shapes current Polish‐Israeli conflicted relations?
Authors: Babińska Maria , Bilewicz Michał 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe moral exemplars model of reconciliation (Cehajic‐Clancy & Bilewicz, 2021) proposes that through focusing on the moral behavior during the genocide, the descendants of perpetrators, bystanders, and victims could become more willing to reconcile and engage in intergroup contact. In the present article we aim to test the boundary effects of such approach by analyzing the usage of moral exemplars argument in the Polish‐Israeli conflict over the history of the Holocaust. In two studies, we tested whether Poles' and Israeli's estimations of moral behavior and emotions (vs. immoral ones) during the Holocaust are related to their attitudes towards contemporary counterparts. The studies confirmed that higher estimations of moral behavior during the Holocaust were related to more positive attitudes of Israelis towards Poles but not of Poles towards Israelis. On the contrary, higher estimations of such moral behavior among Poles were positively related to secondary antisemitism and harsh criticism of the current role of Israel in the Middle Eastern conflict. The results of our studies suggest that the moral exemplars‐based model of reconciliation should be carefully applied to the contexts in which historical perpetrators and bystanders aim at whitewashing their histories.
Towards a framework for corporate disclosure of circular economy: Company perspectives and recommendations
Authors: Opferkuch Katelin , Walker Anna M. , Roos Lindgreen Erik , Caeiro Sandra , Salomone Roberta , Ramos Tomás B. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractCircular economy (CE) is becoming an increasingly mandatory material issue within corporate sustainability reporting, however, what remains unaddressed within literature are the perspectives and capacities of the companies which must soon adapt to meet the evolving reporting requirements. This research aims to capture insights from companies engaged with CE in order to develop recommendations that support the integration of CE within corporate sustainability reports. To do this, a series of semi‐structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with companies operating in Italy or the Netherlands, not limited by sector. The results provide a list of challenges experienced‐ and benefits gained‐ by companies from externally communicating CE. Companies are urged to consider not only risks associated with staying in the linear economy but also those associated with the implementation of new circular practices, to communicate potential sustainability trade‐offs and reduce potential claims of CE‐related greenwashing. Practical recommendations are offered for developing targets and indicators for CE as well as identifying and reporting CE‐specific risks and opportunities.
Do environmental and economic performance go hand in hand? An industrial analysis of European Union companies with the non‐parametric data envelopment analysis method
Authors: Janicka Małgorzata , Sajnóg Artur 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe aim of the study is a cross‐industry, comparative assessment of the environmental and economic performance of companies listed on the regulated markets of the European Union. The research covers 10 industries between 2011 and 2020 using data from the Refinitiv Eikon database. The initial research sample covered almost 21,000 public companies listed on 27 European stock exchanges. We assumed that enterprises with above‐average environmental efficiency in a given industry are also highly economically effective. To test effectiveness, we used the non‐parametric data envelopment analysis method. The analysis was conducted with efficiency measures oriented at minimizing inputs and constant return to scale (CRS model). The model includes two economic results (the company's profitability and market value) and selected inputs that reflect the company's environmental performance (energy consumption, water consumption, waste production and CO2 emissions). We found that, contrary to assumptions, companies with a high environmental index do not necessarily achieve the highest economic performance, and differences across industries exist.
Computational Quantum Chemistry Insights into the Mechanism of VO2+ Reduction on Graphene‐Based Electrodes
Authors: Bachman Ridge M. , Radovic Ljubisa R. , Hall Derek M. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe identity of active sites for redox reactions within vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) isstill controversial despite decades of research into the matter. Here, we use density functional theory to examine the premise of selected surface functional groups as active sites and provide mechanistic insights into the reaction pathway for the positive electrode reaction. The adsorption of electroactive species on phenol and carbene‐like edge carbon sites was compared using model aromatic clusters. Phenol groups were not favorable sites for the chemisorption of VO2+ in either V‐down or O‐down approach In contrast, carbene‐like edge carbon sites readily adsorbed VO2+ via an oxygen‐down approach, mimicking gas‐phase CO2 adsorption mechanisms. Subsequent steps to complete the reaction pathway are a series of proton adsorptions and reaction products desorption. The rate‐determining step for a reaction pathway using an edge site is VO2+ desorption step with a Gibbs energy of activation of +84 kcal mol−1.
A novel LC‐based bipolar pulsed power supply for dielectric barrier discharge excimer lamps
Authors: Tang Xiongmin , Chen Yongquan , Jiang Tianhong , Lin Zhihong , Zhou Zexin , Zhao Zihao , Xie Haoyuan 
Published: April 2023

SummaryAn excitation voltage with a high rising rate, falling rate, and idle time simultaneously is beneficial to taking advantage of the potential of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) loads. However, how to generate this kind of excitation voltage with a simple structure is rarely researched. To address the issue, a novel LC‐based bipolar high‐voltage pulsed power supply is proposed in this paper. The proposed power supply is comprised of an inductance, two capacitances, a step‐up transformer, and two power switches sharing the same ground. By planning the switch sequence of the two power switches, a resonant stage and an idle stage are formed. The resonant stage is used to generate a bipolar pulse excitation voltage on DBD excimer lamps and an idle time in the excitation voltage is generated in the idle stage. The characteristics and the parameters design of the proposed power supply are studied by theoretical analysis. To verify the feasibility of the proposed power supply, an experimental setup is built with a DBD‐type excimer lamp. The experimental results show that the power supply not only better takes advantage of the potential of DBD excimer lamps, but also there is a fine luminous regulation feature for the excimer lamp. Besides these characteristics, the proposed power supply has several other benefits, such as good adaptability to different DBD‐type excimer lamps, a small number of components, and high efficiency.
Maternal antibiotic exposure increases total islet number and volume in the neonatal pancreas and reduces HbA1c and insulitis in adult female non‐obese diabetic mice
Authors: Hansen Camilla Hartmann Friis , Haupt‐Jorgensen Martin , Buschard Karsten , Pakkenberg Bente , Krych Lukasz , Hansen Axel Kornerup 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundEarly antibiotic treatment changes susceptibility to disease in rodent models for type 1 diabetes, but the impact that gestational antibiotics may have on pancreatic embryogenesis and β cell function later in life is still unknown.MethodsOur aim was to determine whether gestational antibiotics could change islet neogenesis and function in female non‐obese diabetic mouse offspring. Stereology of pancreatic islets and insulin measurements were therefore applied to 2‐week‐old pups from mothers either exposed or not to a broad‐spectrum cocktail of ampicillin (1 g/L), vancomycin (0.5 g/L) and neomycin (1 g/L) during pregnancy. The degree of insulitis, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), serum cytokines and endotoxin, fasting glucose and insulin, and glucose tolerance were tested in the prediabetic pups later in life. Inflammatory and glycaemic measurements were made on the breeding females, and the gut microbiota was analysed by 16S sequencing in both the mothers and pups.ResultsAntibiotics depleted the maternal microbiome and perturbed the normal gut colonisation trajectory in the pups. While Akkermansia and Rikenellaceae were later enriched in the treated pups, Bacteroides failed to colonise post‐treatment. Antibiotic treatment reduced blood glucose in the mothers, weight of the pups, and HbA1c and insulitis in the adult offspring and increased anti‐inflammatory CD4+ natural killer T cells. This was preceded by more than 50% increase in total islet number and volume, and increased insulin levels in postnatal life. No changes were observed in their homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) and β cell function (HOMA‐β), serum endotoxin or cytokine levels later in life, but the glucose tolerance response was altered in the treated offspring, which suggested an improvement in β cell exhaustion that may have left the islets less vulnerable to destruction.ConclusionOur study highlights the importance of considering maternal microbiota‐modulating factors as determinants that may mitigate or aggravate diabetes via changes in islet maturation and β cell function in perinatal life.