bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chemical Constituents from the Stem Bark of Ficus thonningii and their Chemotaxonomic Significance
Authors: Hashim Ibrahim , Omosa Leonidah Kerubo , Onyari John Mmari , Maru Shital Mahindra , Mukavi Justus 
Published: October 2022

Background of the Study: Tropical plants of the Ficus genus (Moraceae) are among the earliest fruit trees that humans have cultivated. Since ancient times, many folk medicines have used species of this genus to treat a variety of ailments. Evidence from earlier investigations has shown these plants contain abundant secondary metabolites with a variety of structural properties and biological functions.
Place and Duration of Study: The research was carried out at the University of Nairobi (Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry) from January to June 2022.
Aim: The study focuses on isolating and identifying secondary metabolites from the stem bark of Ficus thonningii Blume found in Kenya and their chemotaxonomic significance.
Methodology: Dried powdered stem bark of Ficus thonningii was extracted by maceration at room temperature using CH2Cl2/CH3OH (1:1) to yield a crude extract which was fractionated in a chromatographic column (CC) using silica gel (60 – 120 mesh) as an adsorbent eluting with EtOAc/n-hexane followed by CH3OH/EtOAc. The fractions were purified using silica gel (70 – 230, 230 – 400 mesh) CC and chromatotron eluting with solvents of different polarity, as well as a crystallization technique. Structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated and identified using the spectroscopic method (NMR (1D and 2D)) and by comparison with reported literature data.
Results: Phytochemical investigation of the stem bark of Ficus thonningii afforded seven compounds, including yukovanol (1), 5,7,4′-trihydroxy-3′-(2-hydroxy-3-methyl-3-butenyl)isoflavone (2), cajanin (3), taxifolin (4), protocatechuic acid (5), saccharose (6), and stigmasterol (7). Compounds 1 - 3, 5 and 7 were not reported from F. thonningii until now. Further, compound 6 is being isolated from the genus Ficus for the first time.
Conclusion: The chemotaxonomic significance of the isolated phytochemicals demonstrates the taxonomic position of F. thonningii in the genus Ficus and explains its multiple ethnomedicinal applications.
Performance of Different Varieties of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) under Prayagraj Agro-climatic Condition
Authors: Prashanthi Chintha , Prasad Vipin M. , Topno Samir Ebson , Vani K. Leela , Singh Yash Kumar 
Published: October 2022

A study entitled “Performance of different varieties of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) under Prayagraj agro-climatic condition” was carried out at crop Vegetable Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj (Allahabad), U. P. during academic session 2021-22. The experiment consists of 7 Varieties in 3 replications. The result showed that there were significant differences found among all the varieties. Growth parameters viz. plant height, plant spread, no. of leaves/plant and leaf area were significantly higher in V1(GREEN MAGIC) their respected values are 59.26cm, 65.77cm, 20.33 and 207.33cm² whereas minimum in V7 (WALTHAM) 55.58cm, 63.22cm, 18.11 and 146.55cm² respectively. Yield parameters viz. head diameter, net curd weight, total curd weight, curd yield /plot(kg) and curd yield /hectare (tonnes) were higher in V1(GREEN MAGIC) their respected values are 25.67cm, 517.69grams, 592.49grams, 3.92kg and 21.80tonnes whereas minimum in V7 (WALTHAM) 318.28grams, 375.58grams, 2.58kg and 14.39tonnes respectively. Regarding quality parameters viz. TSS and Vitamin-C Content were significantly higher in V1 (GREEN MAGIC) (8.20 0B and 82.12 mg/100 g). And quality parameters of the crop were lower in V7 (WALTHAM). Further, it can be concluded that V1 (GREEN MAGIC) was the best Variety on the basis of growth, yield and quality parameters.
Candida Manassasensis Infection in Mass Mortality Case of Siberian Sturgeon Acipenser Baerii Fingerlings in the Republic of Korea: A Case Report
Authors: Kim Sang Wha , Han Se Jin , Giri Sib Sankar , Kim Sang Guen , Kwon Jun , Lee Sung Bin , Park Se Chang 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
With the growing demand for caviar products, sturgeon (family Acipenseridae) have become some of the most popular species in the aquaculture industry. Since sturgeon need more than 10 years to become sexually mature, protection against fatal diseases becomes particularly important in the industry. In March 2018, approximately 10% of Siberian Sturgeon Acipenser baerii fingerlings in a sturgeon hatchery in Jeolla Province, Republic of Korea, exhibited anorexia, abdominal distension, buoyancy loss, and abnormal behavior and eventually showed a 90% fatality rate. Twenty moribund fish were necropsied, and a distended stomach filled with gas was found in every case. A single colony dominated the intestinal lumen smear and was identified as Candida manassasensis by polymerase chain reaction targeting 18S ribosomal RNA. The same microorganism was also detected in the sturgeons' feed. Antifungal resistance was examined using the VITEK 2 system, and the isolate was susceptible to voriconazole, caspofungin, micafungin, and flucytosine. The environmental stress factor for this case was speculated as decreased water temperature. Since similar cases have been observed for many years, further research to optimize precise treatment and prevention methods is required.
Ultra‐High Speed, High‐Sensitivity Spin‐Cast MXene‐Semiconductor‐MXene Photodetectors
Authors: Montazeri Kiana , Currie Marc , Barsoum Michel W , Nabet Bahram 
Published: October 2022

AbstractA simple room‐temperature process of depositing MXene on a III‐V structure with embedded 2D electron gas (2DEG) is used, which results in a large area, , photodetector (PD) device that greatly outperforms vacuum deposited Ti/Au metal‐semiconductor‐metal (MSM) PD's. By co‐optimizing properties of 2D MXene contacts and the III‐V material heterojunctions, this device sets new operating records with responsivity up to 1.04 A W‐1 at low optical powers, corresponding to >230% internal quantum efficiency, dark current of 50 , >105.6‐dB dynamic range, and 25–150 ps response time, which improves the previous MXene‐Semiconductor‐MXene responsivity by >2.7 times and is 7 × 103 –−106 times faster compared to other MXene‐based PDs. This is achieved by enhancing the Schottky barrier height by forming a Van der Waals (vdW) heterojunction between a wide bandgap AlGaAs surface layer and spin coated Ti3C2Tz electrodes. A layered architecture transports the optically generated electrons to a 2DEG channel at the GaAs/AlGaAs heterointerface, where they are rapidly collected. The landscaped electric field pushes the slow holes to an underlying low temperature‐grown GaAs (LT‐GaAs) region where they recombine. The proposed Schottky‐2DEG Photoconductor‐Schottky model for device operation shows how this device circumvents the canonical limitations of gain‐bandwidth product, and carrier transit time, while replacing the need for vacuum deposition of gold or other precious metals.
Light‐Programmable Nanocomposite Hydrogel for State‐Switchable Wound Healing Promotion and Bacterial Infection Elimination
Authors: Zhang Zhekun , Xie Juning , Xing Jun , Li Changhao , Wong Tak Man , Yu Hui , Li Yuanxing , Yang Fabang , Tian Yu , Zhang Huan , Li Wei , Ning Chengyun , Wang Xiaolan , Yu Peng 
Published: October 2022

AbstractDeveloping an ideal wound dressing that not only accelerates wound healing but also eliminates potential bacterial infections remains a difficult balancing act. This work reports the design of a light‐programmable sodium alginate nanocomposite hydrogel loaded with BiOCl/polypyrrole (BOC/PPy) nanosheets for state‐switchable wound healing promotion and bacterial infection elimination remotely. The nanocomposite hydrogel possesses programmable photoelectric or photothermal conversion due to the expanded light absorption range, optimized electron transmission interface, promoted photo‐generated charge separation, and transfer of the BOC/PPy nanosheets. Under white light irradiation state, the nanocomposite hydrogel induces human umbilical vein endothelial cells migration and angiogenesis, and accelerates the healing efficiency of mouse skin in vivo. Under near‐infrared light irradiation state, the nanocomposite hydrogel presents superior antibacterial capability in vitro, and reaches an antibacterial rate of 99.1% for Staphylococcus aureus infected skin wound in vivo. This light‐programmable nanocomposite hydrogel provides an on‐demand resolution of biological state‐switching to balance wound healing and elimination of bacterial infection.
The Use of Exchange Coupled Atom Qubits as Atomic‐Scale Magnetic Field Sensors
Authors: Kranz Ludwik , Gorman Samuel K. , Thorgrimsson Brandur , Monir Serajum , He Yu , Keith Daniel , Charde Keshavi , Keizer Joris G. , Rahman Rajib , Simmons Michelle Y. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractPhosphorus atoms in silicon offer a rich quantum computing platform where both nuclear and electron spins can be used to store and process quantum information. While individual control of electron and nuclear spins has been demonstrated, the interplay between them during qubit operations has been largely unexplored. This study investigates the use of exchange‐based operation between donor bound electron spins to probe the local magnetic fields experienced by the qubits with exquisite precision at the atomic scale. To achieve this, coherent exchange oscillations are performed between two electron spin qubits, where the left and right qubits are hosted by three and two phosphorus donors, respectively. The frequency spectrum of exchange oscillations shows quantized changes in the local magnetic fields at the qubit sites, corresponding to the different hyperfine coupling between the electron and each of the qubit‐hosting nuclear spins. This ability to sense the hyperfine fields of individual nuclear spins using the exchange interaction constitutes a unique metrology technique, which reveals the exact crystallographic arrangements of the phosphorus atoms in the silicon crystal for each qubit. The detailed knowledge obtained of the local magnetic environment can then be used to engineer hyperfine fields in multi‐donor qubits for high‐fidelity two‐qubit gates.
Zinc‐Assisted Cobalt Ditelluride Polyhedra Inducing Lattice Strain to Endow Efficient Adsorption‐Catalysis for High‐Energy Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Wang Bin , Wang Lu , Ding Dong , Zhai Yanjun , Wang Fengbo , Jing Zhongxin , Yang Xiaofan , Kong Yueyue , Qian Yitai , Xu Liqiang 
Published: October 2022

AbstractDeveloping a conductive catalyst with high catalytic activity is considered to be an effective strategy for improving cathode kinetics of lithium–sulfur batteries, especially at large current density and with lean electrolytes. Lattice‐strain engineering has been a strategy to tune the local structure of catalysts and to help understand the structure–activity relationship between strain and catalyst performance. Here, Co0.9Zn0.1Te2@NC is constructed after zinc atoms are uniformly doped into the CoTe2 lattice. The experimental/theoretical results indicate that a change of the coordination environment for the cobalt atom by the lattice strain modulates the d‐band center with more electrons occupied in antibonding orbitals, thus balancing the adsorption of polysulfides and the intrinsic catalytic effect, thereby activating the intrinsic activity of the catalyst. Benefiting from the merits, with only 4 wt% dosages of catalyst in the cathode, an initial discharge capacity of 1030 mAh g−1 can be achieved at 1 C and stable cycling performances are achieved for 1500/2500 cycles at 1 C/2 C. Upon sulfur loading of 7.7 mg cm−2, the areal capacity can reach 12.8 mAh cm−2. This work provides a guiding methodology for the design of catalytic materials and refinement of adsorption‐catalysis strategies for the rational design of cathode in lithium–sulfur batteries.
Bioinspired Chiral Template Guided Mineralization for Biophotonic Structural Materials
Authors: Xiong Rui , Wu Wanlin , Lu Canhui , Cölfen Helmut 
Published: October 2022

AbstractNature provides numerous biomineral design inspirations for constructing structural materials with desired functionalities. However, large‐scale production of damage‐tolerant Bouligand structural materials with biologically comparable photonics remains a longstanding challenge. Here, an efficient and scalable artificial molting strategy, based on self‐assembly of cellulose nanocrystals and subsequent mineralization of amorphous calcium carbonate, is developed to produce biomimetic materials with an exceptional combination of mechanical and photonic properties that are usually mutually exclusive in synthetic materials. These biomimetic composites exhibit tunable mechanics from “strong and flexible”, which exceeds the benchmark of natural chiral materials, to “stiff and hard”, which is comparable to natural and synthetic counterparts. Especially, the biomimetic composites possess ultrahigh stiffness of 2 GPa in their fully water‐swollen state—a value well beyond hydrated crab exoskeleton, cartilage, tendon, and stiffest synthetic hydrogels, combined with exceptional strength and resilience. Additionally, these composites are distinguished by the tunable chiral structural color and water‐triggered switchable photonics that are absent in most artificial mineralized materials, as well as unique hydroplastic properties. This study opens the door for a scalable synthesis of resilient biophotonic structural materials in practical bulk form.
4D Biofabrication of T‐Shaped Vascular Bifurcation
Authors: Kitana Waseem , Apsite Indra , Hazur Jonas , Boccaccini Aldo R. , Ionov Leonid 
Published: October 2022

Abstract4D Biofabrication – a pioneering biofabrication technique – involves the automated fabrication of 3D constructs that are dynamic and show shape‐transformation capability. Although current 4D biofabrication methods are highly promising for the fabrication of vascular elements such as tubes, the fabrication of tubular junctions is still highly challenging. Here, for the first time, a 4D biofabrication‐based concept for the fabrication of a T‐shaped vascular bifurcation using 3D printed shape‐changing layers based on a mathematical model is reported. The formation of tubular structures with various diameters is achieved by precisely controlling the parameters (e.g. crosslinking time). Consequently, the 3D printed films show self‐transformation into a T‐junction upon immersion in water with a diameter of a few millimeters. Perfusion of the tubular T‐junction with an aqueous medium simulating blood flow through vessels shows minimal leakages with a maximum flow velocity of 0.11 m s–1. Furthermore, human umbilical vein endothelial cells seeded on the inner surface of the plain T‐junction show outstanding growth properties and excellent cell viability. The achieved diameters are comparable to the native blood vessels, which is still a challenge in 3D biofabrication. This approach paves the way for the fabrication of fully automatic self‐actuated vascular bifurcations as vascular grafts.
Printing Convertible Microstructures into Elastomer Matrix for Multiliquids Adaptive Information Encryption
Authors: Li Boya , Ni Haisong , Cai Gao , Sha Wenjing , Wang Yangxin , Zhao Huaixia , Cui Jiaxi 
Published: October 2022

AbstractAdaptive optical performance based on convertible microstructures is very useful for information encryption. However, the facile patterning of microstructures in reliable manner and the unclonable coding are still major challenges. The direct 3D printing of water droplets is reported as templates to polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) precursor, followed by water evaporation in curing, which introduces convertible microcrease in the elastomeric matrix. The samples show optical response to liquids with the conversion of inner creases to ponds or cavities. The stochastic array of the resulted microstructures ensures the unclonability of the codes. Water‐responsive fluorescence emission is observed when a hydrosoluble dye is added to the microstructures, further enhancing the encryption safe level. Besides, the high stability of the PDMS matrix to ultraviolet irradiation and extreme temperature environment endows the material large application potentials in varied fields. This research provides a potential solution for facile, tough, and fundamentally safe information encryption.
LixAg1–xGaSe2: Interplay Between Lithium and Silver in Mid‐Infrared Nonlinear Optical Chalcogenides
Authors: Isaenko L. , Dong Linfeng , Kurus A. , Lin Zheshuai , Yelisseyev A. , Lobanov S. , Molokeev M. , Korzhneva K. , Goloshumova A. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractAgGaSe2 and LiGaSe2 are two famous mid‐infrared nonlinear optical (NLO) materials with similar chemical formula but different structural symmetry. The former material has relatively larger NLO effect and birefringence but rather small energy band gap, while the latter is the opposite. Aiming at achieving a good balance of NLO properties, here the substitution between silver and lithium ions on the evolution of structural and optical properties in a new series of LixAg1–xGaSe2 crystals is systematically investigated. It reveals that, with the increase of Li content, LixAg1–xGaSe2 almost keeps the same tetragonal symmetry with AgGaSe2 until x ≈ 0.9. The NLO effects and birefringence values vary with respect to x with the largest variation at x = 0.8–0.9. The optimal combination of birefringence (0.03–0.025) and nonlinear parameters (26–30 pm V−1) is achieved at x = 0.4–0.5. As the energy band gap increases with the increase of x, the maximal value of 2.2 eV for chalcopyrite structure suggests that the laser‐induced damage threshold of LixAg1–xGaSe2 would be as large as five‐fold of AgGaSe2. This study provides a good example to show that the rational substitution between Li and Ag can significantly improve the balance of NLO properties in chalcogenides.
A High Potential, Low Capacity Fade Rate Iron Complex Posolyte for Aqueous Organic Flow Batteries
Authors: Gao Jinxu , Amini Kiana , George Thomas Y. , Jing Yan , Tsukamoto Tatsuhiro , Xi Dawei , Gordon Roy G. , Aziz Michael J. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractAn iron complex, tris(4,4′‐bis(hydroxymethyl)‐2,2′‐bipyridine) iron dichloride is reported, which operates at near‐neutral pH with a redox potential of 0.985 V versus SHE. This high potential compound is employed in the posolyte of an aqueous flow battery, paired with bis(3‐trimethylammonio)propyl viologen tetrachloride in the negolyte, exhibiting an open‐circuit voltage of 1.3 V at near‐neutral pH. It demonstrates excellent cycling performance with a low temporal capacity fade rate of 0.07% per day over 35 days of cycling. The extended cycling lifetime is the result of low permeability and improved structural stability of the newly developed iron complex compared to that of the iron tris(bipyridine) complex. The combination of high redox potential and low capacity fade rate compares favorably with those of all previously demonstrated organic and organometallic aqueous posolytes. Extensive investigation into the possible degradation mechanisms, including post‐mortem chemical and electrochemical analyses, indicates that stepwise ligand dissociations of the iron complex are responsible for the reported capacity loss during cell cycling. This investigation provides unprecedented insight to guide further improvements of such metalorganic compounds for energy storage and conversion applications.
ERI1: A case report of an autosomal recessive syndrome associated with developmental delay and distal limb abnormalities
Authors: Hoxha Valbona , Aliu Ermal 
Published: October 2022

AbstractERI1 is an evolutionary conserved 3′–5′ exonuclease with an important function in multiple RNA processing pathways. Although the molecular mechanisms in which ERI1 is involved have been studied extensively in model organisms, the pathology associated with ERI1 variants in humans has remained elusive because no case has been reported so far. Here, we present a case of a female patient with a homozygous nonsense variant in ERI1 gene. The patient exhibits mild intellectual disability, eyelid ptosis, and anomalies in her hands and feet (brachydactyly, clinodactyly, dysplastic/short nail of halluces, brachytelephalangy, short metacarpals, and toe syndactyly). This case report is the first of its kind and is invaluable for understanding ERI1 pathology in humans.
Human primary muscle stem cells regenerate injured urethral sphincter in athymic rats
Authors: Bekele Biniam M. , Schöwel‐Wolf Verena , Kieshauer Janine , Marg Andreas , Busjahn Andreas , Davis Sarah , Nugent Gayle , Ebert Anne‐Karoline , Spuler Simone 
Published: October 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of the study was to demonstrate the efficacy of human muscle stem cells (MuSCs) isolated using innovative technology in restoring internal urinary sphincter function in a preclinical animal model.MethodsColonies of pure human MuSCs were obtained from muscle biopsy specimens. Athymic rats were subjected to internal urethral sphincter damage by electrocauterization. Five days after injury, 2 × 105 muscle stem cells or medium as control were injected into the area of sphincter damage (n = 5 in each group). Peak bladder pressure and rise in pressure were chosen as outcome measures. To repeatedly obtain the necessary pressure values, telemetry sensors had been implanted into the rat bladders 10 days prior to injury.ResultsThere was a highly significant improvement in the ability to build up peak pressure as well as a pressure rise in animals that had received muscle stem cells as compared to control (p = 0.007) 3 weeks after the cells had been injected. Only minimal histologic evidence of scarring was observed in treated rats.ConclusionPrimary human muscle stem cells obtained using innovative technology functionally restore internal urethral sphincter function after injury. Translation into use in clinical settings is foreseeable.
Novel functional material incorporating flexirubin‐type pigment in polyvinyl alcohol_kefiran/polycaprolactone nanofibers
Authors: Amorim Lúcia F. A. , Fangueiro Raul , Gouveia Isabel C. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractIn this study, needleless electrospinning technology was used to obtain flexirubin (F)‐loaded polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)_kefiran (KF)/polycaprolactone (PCL) electrospun nanofibers. The SEM images of PVA_KF_ F and PCL_F nanofibers displayed beadless morphology with average diameters of 211.90 ± 96.08 and 1610.71 ± 996.68 nm, respectively. FTIR‐ATR analysis revealed increased intensity at specific wavelengths, after pigment incorporation. The high porosity exhibited by each layer and the mechanical properties of the double‐layered nanofibrous material remained unaffected after flexirubin‐type pigment incorporation. In addition, PVA_KF_F/PCL_F nanofibers showed antioxidant activity of 41.03 ± 0.29%, evaluated by the scavenging of the ABTS radical as well as the ability to reduce enzymatic browning of apple slices. Thus, we believe that the fabricated PVA_KF_F/PCL_F double‐layered material can be considered for application in active food packaging systems.