bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tuning the optoelectronic properties of hematite with rhodium doping for photoelectrochemical water splitting using density functional theory approach
Authors: Rauf Abdur , Adil Muhammad , Mian Shabeer Ahmad , Rahman Gul , Ahmed Ejaz , Mohy Ud Din Zia , Qun Wei
Published: January 2021

Hematite (Fe2O3) is one of the best candidates for photoelectrochemical water splitting due to its abundance and suitable bandgap. However, its efficiency is mostly impeded due to the intrinsically low conductivity and poor light absorption. In this study, we targeted this intrinsic behavior to investigate the thermodynamic stability, photoconductivity and optical properties of rhodium doped hematite using density functional theory. The calculated formation energy of pristine and rhodium doped hematite was − 4.47 eV and − 5.34 eV respectively, suggesting that the doped material is thermodynamically more stable. The DFT results established that the bandgap of doped hematite narrowed down to the lower edge (1.61 eV) in the visible region which enhanced the optical absorption and photoconductivity of the material. Moreover, doped hematite has the ability to absorb a broad spectrum (250–800) nm. The enhanced optical absorption boosted the photocurrent and incident photon to current efficiency. The calculated results also showed that the incorporation of rhodium in hematite induced a redshift in optical properties.
Peripheral blood neurotrophic factor levels in children with autism spectrum disorder: a meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Shu-Han , Shi Xiao-Jie , Fan Fang-Cheng , Cheng Yong
Published: January 2021

Increasing evidence suggests that abnormal regulation of neurotrophic factors is involved in the etiology and pathogenesis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). However, clinical data on neurotrophic factor levels in children with ASD were inconsistent. Therefore, we performed a systematic review of peripheral blood neurotrophic factors levels in children with ASD, and quantitatively summarized the clinical data of peripheral blood neurotrophic factors in ASD children and healthy controls. A systematic search of PubMed and Web of Science identified 31 studies with 2627 ASD children and 4418 healthy controls to be included in the meta-analysis. The results of random effect meta-analysis showed that the peripheral blood levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Hedges’ g = 0.302; 95% CI = 0.014 to 0.591; P = 0.040) , nerve growth factor (Hedges’ g = 0.395; 95% CI = 0.104 to 0.686; P = 0.008) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (Hedges’ g = 0.097; 95% CI = 0.018 to 0.175; P = 0.016) in children with ASD were significantly higher than that of healthy controls, whereas blood neurotrophin-3 (Hedges’ g =  − 0.795; 95% CI =  − 1.723 to 0.134; P = 0.093) and neurotrophin-4 (Hedges’ g = 0.182; 95% CI =  − 0.285 to 0.650; P = 0.445) levels did not show significant differences between cases and controls. Taken together, these results clarified circulating neurotrophic factor profile in children with ASD, strengthening clinical evidence of neurotrophic factor aberrations in children with ASD.
Comparing microfluidics and ultrasonication as formulation methods for developing hempseed oil nanoemulsions for oral delivery applications
Authors: Fathordoobady Farahnaz , Sannikova Natalia , Guo Yigong , Singh Anika , Kitts David D. , Pratap-Singh Anubhav
Published: January 2021

Emerging formulation technologies aimed to produce nanoemulsions with improved characteristics, such as stability are attractive endeavors; however, comparisons between competing technologies are lacking. In this study, two formulation techniques that employed ultrasound and microfluidic approaches, respectively, were examined for relative capacity to produce serviceable oil in water nanoemulsions, based on hempseed oil (HSO). The ultrasound method reached > 99.5% entrapment efficiency with nanoemulsions that had an average droplet size (Z-Ave) < 180 nm and polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.15 ± 0.04. Surfactant concentration (% w/v) was found to be a significant factor (p < 0.05) controlling the Z-Ave, PDI and zeta potential of these nanoparticles. On the other hand, the microfluidic approach produced smaller particles compared to ultrasonication, with good stability observed during storage at room temperature. The Z-Ave of < 62.0 nm was achieved for microfluidic nanoemulsions by adjusting the aqueous : organic flow rate ratio and total flow rate at 4:1 and 12 mL/min, respectively. Further analyses including a morphology examination, a simulated gastrointestinal release behavior study, transepithelial transport evaluations and a toxicity test, using a Caco2-cell model, were performed to assess the functionality of the prepared formulations. The results of this study conclude that both approaches of ultrasound and microfluidics have the capability to prepare an HSO-nanoemulsion formulation, with acceptable characteristics and stability for oral delivery applications.
Induction of defense-related enzymes and enhanced disease resistance in maize against Fusarium verticillioides by seed treatment with Jacaranda mimosifolia formulations
Authors: Naz Rabia , Bano Asghari , Nosheen Asia , Yasmin Humaira , Keyani Rumana , Shah Syed Tahir Abbas , Anwar Zahid , Roberts Thomas H.
Published: January 2021

Fusarium verticillioidesis an important fungal pathogen of maize, causing stalk rot and severely affecting crop production. The aim of this study was to characterize the protective effects of formulations based onJacaranda mimosifolialeaf extracts againstF. verticillioidesin maize.We compared different seed treatments comprisingJ. mimosifoliaextracts, chemical fungicide (mefenoxam) and salicylic acid to modulate the defense system of maize host plants. Both aqueous and methanolic leaf extracts ofJ. mimosifolia(1.2% w/v) resulted in 96–97% inhibition of mycelial growth ofF. verticillioides. While a full-dose (1.2%) extract ofJ. mimosifoliaprovided significant protective effects on maize plants compared to the inoculated control, a half-dose (0.6% w/v) application ofJ. mimosifoliain combination with half-strength mefenoxam was the most effective treatment in reducing stalk rot disease in pot and field experiments. The same seed treatment significantly upregulated the expression of genes in the leaves encoding chitinase, glucanase, lipid transfer protein, and pathogenesis-related proteins PR-1, PR-5 and PR-10, 72 h after inoculation. This treatment also induced the activities of peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, protease, acid invertase, chitinase and phenylalanine ammonia lyase. We conclude that seed pre-treatment withJ. mimosifoliaextract with half-strength chemical mefenoxam is a promising approach for the management of stalk rot in maize.
An experimental pig model with outer retinal degeneration induced by temporary intravitreal loading of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea during vitrectomy
Authors: Choi Kwang-Eon , Anh Vu Thi Que , Kim Jee Taek , Yun Cheolmin , Cha Seongkwang , Ahn Jungryul , Goo Yong Sook , Kim Seong-Woo
Published: January 2021

We aimed to develop an outer retinal degeneration pig model induced by temporary intravitreal loading of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) during vitrectomy. In a preliminary experiment involving 5 mini-pig cases to determine the appropriate concentration of MNU, the vitreous cavity of each eye was filled with 4, 8, 10, 12, or 16 mg/mL MNU for 10 min, which was then replaced with a balanced salt solution. Multimodal examinations including spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) images and full-field electroretinography (ffERG) were obtained at baseline and week 2, week 6, and week 12. The retinal degeneration was classified according to the amplitudes of a dark adaptive (DA) 10.0 a-wave amplitude. The degree of moderate retinal degeneration was defined as DA 10.0 a-wave amplitude ≥ 10% and < 60% of baseline amplitude. The degree of severe degeneration was defined as DA 10.0 a-wave amplitude < 10% of baseline amplitude, noise, or flat signal. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry were performed at week 12. The main experiments were conducted first with 10 cases of 5 mg/mL and later with 13 cases of 10 mg/mL. In the preliminary experiment, degree of outer retinal degeneration increased with MNU concentration. Use of 4, 8, 10, 12, and 16 mg/mL MNU showed no, moderate, severe, severe, and atrophic changes, respectively. In the main experiments, there were 9 cases of moderate retinal degeneration and 1 case of severe degeneration in 5 mg/mL MNU group. Two cases of moderate degeneration and 11 of severe degeneration were recorded in 10 mg/mL group. Mean thickness of total retina, inner nuclear layer, and outer nuclear layer decreased at week 2 in both groups. The mean amplitudes on ffERG decreased at week 2. The ffERG and OCT findings did not change from week 2 to week 6 or week 12. The results of staining supported those of ffERG and OCT. Temporal MNU loading in a vitrectomized pig-eye model induced customized outer retinal degeneration with changing the concentration of MNU.
Identification of the atypical cadherin FAT1 as a novel glypican-3 interacting protein in liver cancer cells
Authors: Meng Panpan , Zhang Yi-Fan , Zhang Wangli , Chen Xin , Xu Tong , Hu Sheng , Liang Xinjun , Feng Mingqian , Yang Xiaoqing , Ho Mitchell
Published: January 2021

Glypican-3 (GPC3) is a cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycan that is being evaluated as an emerging therapeutic target in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). GPC3 has been shown to interact with several extracellular signaling molecules, including Wnt, HGF, and Hedgehog. Here, we reported a cell surface transmembrane protein (FAT1) as a new GPC3 interacting protein. The GPC3 binding region on FAT1 was initially mapped to the C-terminal region (Q14517, residues 3662-4181), which covered a putative receptor tyrosine phosphatase (RTP)-like domain, a Laminin G-like domain, and five EGF-like domains. Fine mapping by ELISA and flow cytometry showed that the last four EGF-like domains (residues 4013-4181) contained a specific GPC3 binding site, whereas the RTP domain (residues 3662-3788) and the downstream Laminin G-2nd EGF-like region (residues 3829-4050) had non-specific GPC3 binding. In support of their interaction, GPC3 and FAT1 behaved concomitantly or at a similar pattern, e.g. having elevated expression in HCC cells, being up-regulated under hypoxia conditions, and being able to regulate the expression of EMT-related genes Snail, Vimentin, and E-Cadherin and promoting HCC cell migration. Taken together, our study provides the initial evidence for the novel mechanism of GPC3 and FAT1 in promoting HCC cell migration.
Role of dislocations in nitride laser diodes with different indium content
Authors: Bojarska-Cieślińska Agata , Marona Łucja , Smalc-Koziorowska Julita , Grzanka Szymon , Weyher Jan , Schiavon Dario , Perlin Piotr
Published: January 2021

In this work we investigate the role of threading dislocations in nitride light emitters with different indium composition. We compare the properties of laser diodes grown on the low defect density GaN substrate with their counterparts grown on sapphire substrate in the same epitaxial process. All structures were produced by metalorganic vapour phase epitaxy and emit light in the range 383–477 nm. We observe that intensity of electroluminescence is strong in the whole spectral region for devices grown on GaN, but decreases rapidly for the devices on sapphire and emitting at wavelength shorter than 420 nm. We interpret this behaviour in terms of increasing importance of dislocation related nonradiative recombination for low indium content structures. Our studies show that edge dislocations are the main source of nonradiative recombination. We observe that long wavelength emitting structures are characterized by higher average light intensity in cathodoluminescence and better thermal stability. These findings indicate that diffusion path of carriers in these samples is shorter, limiting the amount of carriers reaching nonradiative recombination centers. According to TEM images only mixed dislocations open into the V-pits, usually above the multi quantum wells thus not influencing directly the emission.
Host mitochondrial transcriptome response to SARS-CoV-2 in multiple cell models and clinical samples
Authors: Miller Brendan , Silverstein Ana , Flores Melanie , Cao Kevin , Kumagai Hiroshi , Mehta Hemal H. , Yen Kelvin , Kim Su- Jeong , Cohen Pinchas
Published: January 2021

SARS-CoV-2 induces a muted innate immune response compared to other respiratory viruses. Mitochondrial dynamics might partially mediate this effect of SARS-CoV-2 on innate immunity. Polypeptides encoded by open reading frames of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 have been shown to localize to mitochondria and disrupt Mitochondrial Antiviral Signaling (MAVS) protein signaling. Therefore, we hypothesized that SARS-CoV-2 would distinctly regulate the mitochondrial transcriptome. We analyzed multiple publicly available RNASeq data derived from primary cells, cell lines, and clinical samples (i.e., BALF and lung). We report that SARS-CoV-2 did not dramatically regulate (1) mtDNA-encoded gene expression or (2) MAVS expression, and (3) SARS-CoV-2 downregulated nuclear-encoded mitochondrial (NEM) genes related to cellular respiration and Complex I.
Chemical–physical and dynamical–mechanical characterization on Spartium junceum L. cellulosic fiber treated with softener agents: a preliminary investigation
Authors: Corrente Giuseppina Anna , Scarpelli Francesca , Caputo Paolino , Rossi Cesare Oliviero , Crispini Alessandra , Chidichimo Giuseppe , Beneduci Amerigo
Published: January 2021

Long cellulose fiber (10–30 cm), extracted from Spartium junceum, was chemically treated with different softening agents with the aim to improve its textile applicability. A preliminary sensory evaluation of the treated fibers revealed an evident, though qualitative, improvement of the fiber softness. The effects of the softening agents on the fiber was evaluated quantitatively, by means of macroscopic measurements of the wettability, viscoelasticity, and thermal (thermal gravimetry) properties. Moreover, the effects of the softening treatments on the microscopic structure of the fiber and on its properties at a molecular level, were studied by optical and scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. The macroscopic analysis showed that the softeners used increases the hydrophilicity and water wettability of the cellulose fiber with respect to the raw one. Moreover, the dynamical mechanical analysis on sample yarns showed that the softeners increase the interfiber frictional forces. A linear correlation between the interfiber friction and the increase of hydrophilicity and fiber wettability was shown. The treated fiber exhibits a more homogeneous thermal behaviour, due to more homogeneous structural features, since the thermal-induced cellulose fibrils depolimerization undergoes a marked temperature range contraction. These data can be well related with those obtained by microscopy analysis, showing that the fiber surface, after the treatment, appears thinner and less rough, as well as with the XRD analysis, which shows that softeners induce a significant decrease of the fiber crystallinity.
Different characteristics of infants diagnosed with congenital choledochal malformation prenatally or postnatally
Authors: Chen Wei , Geng Jia , Tan Ya-lan , Zhao Lian , Jia Hui-hui , Guo Wan-liang
Published: January 2021

The general condition, clinical and pathological characteristics, and treatment regimens of patients prenatally and postnatally diagnosed with congenital choledochal malformation (CM) were analyzed in order to investigate the clinical significance of early diagnosis, treatment, and intervention in CM. We retrospectively analyzed 33 children who were admitted to the Children’s Hospital of Soochow University between 1 March 2010 and 31 May 2019, and their diagnosis of CM was confirmed by radiological, surgical and pathological findings. All the patients were under 36 months of age. The patients were divided into prenatally diagnosed and postnatally diagnosed groups. There were 16 and 17 CM patients in the prenatally and postnatally diagnosed groups, respectively, with a preponderance of females in both groups. Compared with the prenatally diagnosed group, the postnatally diagnosed group had a higher incidence of abdominal pain and vomiting (p < 0.05) and higher AST, GGT, and TB levels (p < 0.05). Although postoperative histopathological examination showed inflammation in both groups, congestion in the cyst walls and fibrous tissue hyperplasia were more significant in the postnatally diagnosed group (p < 0.05). In addition, operation time, length of time required to resume a normal diet after surgery, and total length of hospitalization differed between the 2 groups (p < 0.05), with the prenatally diagnosed group having a relatively longer operation time and taking longer to resume a normal diet after surgery. However, the total length of hospitalization in the prenatally diagnosed group was shorter than that in the postnatally diagnosed group. Compared with prenatally diagnosed CM patients, more symptoms, greater severity of symptoms, and more time to recovery after surgery were observed in postnatally diagnosed CM patients.
Effect of amblyopia treatment on macular microvasculature in children with anisometropic amblyopia using optical coherence tomographic angiography
Authors: Zhang Tengyue , Xie Shiyong , Liu Yangchen , Xue Caihong , Zhang Wei
Published: January 2021

To measure the retinal microvascular density in patients with anisometropic amblyopia using optical coherence tomographic angiography (OCTA) and to evaluate the effects of successful amblyopia treatment on microvasculature in retina. 59 children (5–12 years old) including 22 newly diagnosed unilateral anisometropic amblyopia, 16 recovered unilateral anisometropic amblyopia, and 21 control children were imaged with OCTA using 6 × 6-mm macular scan pattern. Vessel densities of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP), the deep capillary plexus (DCP), and the overall macular thickness were acquired and compared among the three groups. After adjustment for axial length, the amblyopia group showed lower macular vessel density in the SCP (P = 0.005) and in the DCP (P = 0.004) compared with that of the control group. However, for the recovered amblyopia group, no difference of vessel density was found when compared with the control group in both the SCP (P = 0.548) and the DCP (P = 0.124). No difference of the mean macular thickness was found among three groups (P ≥ 0.15). Children with anisometropic amblyopia have reduced macular vessel density in OCTA, while no difference of macular vessel density was found between the recovered amblyopic and control eyes. Macular thickness showed no difference in anisometropic amblyopia and remained unchanged after amblyopic treatment.
Fibrillar pharmacology of functionalized nanocellulose
Authors: Wong Sam , Alidori Simone , Mello Barbara P. , Almeida Bryan Aristega , Ulmert David , Brendel Matthew B. , Scheinberg David A. , McDevitt Michael R.
Published: January 2021

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) are linear organic nanomaterials derived from an abundant naturally occurring biopolymer resource. Strategic modification of the primary and secondary hydroxyl groups on the CNC introduces amine and iodine group substitution, respectively. The amine groups (0.285 mmol of amine per gram of functionalized CNC (fCNC)) are further reacted with radiometal loaded-chelates or fluorescent dyes as tracers to evaluate the pharmacokinetic profile of the fCNC in vivo. In this way, these nanoscale macromolecules can be covalently functionalized and yield water-soluble and biocompatible fibrillar nanoplatforms for gene, drug and radionuclide delivery in vivo. Transmission electron microscopy of fCNC reveals a length of 162.4 ± 16.3 nm, diameter of 11.2 ± 1.52 nm and aspect ratio of 16.4 ± 1.94 per particle (mean ± SEM) and is confirmed using atomic force microscopy. Size exclusion chromatography of macromolecular fCNC describes a fibrillar molecular behavior as evidenced by retention times typical of late eluting small molecules and functionalized carbon nanotubes. In vivo, greater than 50% of intravenously injected radiolabeled fCNC is excreted in the urine within 1 h post administration and is consistent with the pharmacological profile observed for other rigid, high aspect ratio macromolecules. Tissue distribution of fCNC shows accumulation in kidneys, liver, and spleen (14.6 ± 6.0; 6.1 ± 2.6; and 7.7 ± 1.4% of the injected activity per gram of tissue, respectively) at 72 h post-administration. Confocal fluorescence microscopy reveals cell-specific accumulation in these target tissue sinks. In summary, our findings suggest that functionalized nanocellulose can be used as a potential drug delivery platform for the kidneys.
Dynamical behaviour of ultrathin [CoFeB (tCoFeB)/Pd] films with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy
Authors: Silva Ana S. , Sá Simão P. , Bunyaev Sergey A. , Garcia Carlos , Sola Iñigo J. , Kakazei Gleb N. , Crespo Helder , Navas David
Published: January 2021

CoFeB-based ultrathin films with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy are promising for different emerging technological applications such as nonvolatile memories with low power consumption and high-speed performance. In this work, the dynamical properties of [CoFeB (tCoFeB)/Pd (10 Å)]5 multilayered ultrathin films (1 Å ≤ tCoFeB ≤ 5 Å) are studied by using two complementary methods: time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect and broadband ferromagnetic resonance. The perpendicular magnetization is confirmed for multilayers with tCoFeB ≤ 4 Å. The effective perpendicular magnetic anisotropy reaches a clear maximum at tCoFeB = 3 Å. Further increase of CoFeB layer thickness reduces the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and the magnetization became in-plane oriented for tCoFeB ≥ 5 Å. This behaviour is explained by considering competing contributions from surface and magnetoelastic anisotropies. It was also found that the effective damping parameter αeff decreases with CoFeB layer thickness and for tCoFeB = 4 Å reaches a value of ~ 0.019 that is suitable for microwave applications.
Pressure and temperature predictions of Al2O3/water nanofluid flow in a porous pipe for different nanoparticles volume fractions: combination of CFD and ACOFIS
Authors: Babanezhad Meisam , Behroyan Iman , Marjani Azam , Shirazian Saeed
Published: January 2021

Artificial intelligence (AI) techniques have illustrated significant roles in finding general patterns of CFD (Computational fluid dynamics) results. This study is conducted to develop combination of the ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithm with the fuzzy inference system (ACOFIS) for learning the CFD results of a physical case study. This binary join of the ACOFIS and CFD was used for pressure and temperature predictions of Al2O3/water nanofluid flow in a heated porous pipe. The intelligence of ACOFIS is investigated for different input numbers and pheromone effects, as the ant colony tuning parameter. The results showed that the intelligence of the ACOFIS could be found for three inputs (x and y nodes coordinates and nanoparticles fraction) and the pheromone effect of 0.1. At the system intelligence, the ACOFIS could predict the pressure and temperature of the nanofluid on any values of the nanoparticles fraction between 0.5 and 2%. Comparing the ANFIS and the ACOFIS, it was shown that both methods could reach the same accuracy in predictions of the nanofluid pressure and temperature. The root mean square error (RMSE) of the ACOFIS (~ 1.3) was a little more than that of the ANFIS (~ 0.03), while the total process time of the ANFIS (~ 213 s) was a bit more than that of the ACOFIS (~ 198 s). The AI algorithms process time (less than 4 min) shows their ability in the reduction of CFD modeling calculations and expenses.
Nucleation pathways in barium silicate glasses
Authors: McKenzie Matthew E. , Deng Binghui , Van Hoesen D. C. , Xia Xinsheng , Baker David E. , Rezikyan Aram , Youngman Randall E. , Kelton K. F.
Published: January 2021

Nucleation is generally viewed as a structural fluctuation that passes a critical size to eventually become a stable emerging new phase. However, this concept leaves out many details, such as changes in cluster composition and competing pathways to the new phase. In this work, both experimental and computer modeling studies are used to understand the cluster composition and pathways. Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics approaches are used to analyze the thermodynamic and kinetic contributions to the nucleation landscape in barium silicate glasses. Experimental techniques examine the resulting polycrystals that form. Both the modeling and experimental data indicate that a silica rich core plays a dominant role in the nucleation process.
Copper oxide-based cathode for direct NADPH regeneration
Authors: Kadowaki J. T. , Jones T. H. , Sengupta A. , Gopalan V. , Subramaniam V. V.
Published: January 2021

Nearly a fourth of all enzymatic activities is attributable to oxidoreductases, and the redox reactions supported by this vast catalytic repertoire sustain cellular metabolism. In many biological processes, reduction depends on hydride transfer from either reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) or its phosphorylated derivative (NADPH). Despite longstanding efforts to regenerate NADPH by various methods and harness it to support chemoenzymatic synthesis strategies, the lack of product purity has been a major deterrent. Here, we demonstrate that a nanostructured heterolayer Ni–Cu2O–Cu cathode formed by a photoelectrochemical process has unexpected efficiency in direct electrochemical regeneration of NADPH from NADP+. Remarkably, two-thirds of NADP+ was converted to NADPH with no measurable production of the inactive (NADP)2 dimer and at the lowest reported overpotential [− 0.75 V versus Ag/AgCl (3 M NaCl) reference]. Sputtering of nickel on the copper-oxide electrode nucleated an unexpected surface morphology that was critical for high product selectivity. Our results should motivate design of integrated electrolyzer platforms that deploy this heterogeneous catalyst for direct electrochemical regeneration of NADH/NADPH, which is central to design of next-generation biofuel fermentation strategies, biological solar converters, energy-storage devices, and artificial photosynthesis.
Qualitative speed-accuracy tradeoff effects that cannot be explained by the diffusion model under the selective influence assumption
Authors: Rafiei Farshad , Rahnev Dobromir
Published: January 2021

It is often thought that the diffusion model explains all effects related to the speed-accuracy tradeoff (SAT) but this has previously been examined with only a few SAT conditions or only a few subjects. Here we collected data from 20 subjects who performed a perceptual discrimination task with five different difficulty levels and five different SAT conditions (5000 trials/subject). We found that the five SAT conditions produced robustly U-shaped curves for (i) the difference between error and correct response times (RTs), (ii) the ratio of the standard deviation and mean of the RT distributions, and (iii) the skewness of the RT distributions. Critically, the diffusion model where only drift rate varies with contrast and only boundary varies with SAT could not account for any of the three U-shaped curves. Further, allowing all parameters to vary across conditions revealed that both the SAT and difficulty manipulations resulted in substantial modulations in every model parameter, while still providing imperfect fits to the data. These findings demonstrate that the diffusion model cannot fully explain the effects of SAT and establishes three robust but challenging effects that models of SAT should account for.
Respiratory chain components are required for peptidoglycan recognition protein-induced thiol depletion and killing in Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli
Authors: Yang Chun-Kai , Kashyap Des R. , Kowalczyk Dominik A. , Rudner David Z. , Wang Xindan , Gupta Dipika , Dziarski Roman
Published: January 2021

Mammalian peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs or PGLYRPs) kill bacteria through induction of synergistic oxidative, thiol, and metal stress. Tn-seq screening of Bacillus subtilis transposon insertion library revealed that mutants in the shikimate pathway of chorismate synthesis had high survival following PGLYRP4 treatment. Deletion mutants for these genes had decreased amounts of menaquinone (MK), increased resistance to killing, and attenuated depletion of thiols following PGLYRP4 treatment. These effects were reversed by MK or reproduced by inhibiting MK synthesis. Deletion of cytochrome aa3-600 or NADH dehydrogenase (NDH) genes also increased B. subtilis resistance to PGLYRP4-induced killing and attenuated thiol depletion. PGLYRP4 treatment also inhibited B. subtilis respiration. Similarly in Escherichia coli, deletion of ubiquinone (UQ) synthesis, formate dehydrogenases (FDH), NDH-1, or cytochrome bd-I genes attenuated PGLYRP4-induced thiol depletion. PGLYRP4-induced low level of cytoplasmic membrane depolarization in B. subtilis and E. coli was likely not responsible for thiol depletion. Thus, our results show that the respiratory electron transport chain components, cytochrome aa3-600, MK, and NDH in B. subtilis, and cytochrome bd-I, UQ, FDH-O, and NDH-1 in E. coli, are required for both PGLYRP4-induced killing and thiol depletion and indicate conservation of the PGLYRP4-induced thiol depletion and killing mechanisms in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
Adsorption of Cr(VI), Ni(II), Fe(II) and Cd(II) ions by KIAgNPs decorated MWCNTs in a batch and fixed bed process
Authors: Egbosiuba Titus Chinedu , Abdulkareem Ambali Saka , Kovo Abdulsalami Sanni , Afolabi Eyitayo Amos , Tijani Jimoh Oladejo , Bankole Mercy Temitope , Bo Shufeng , Roos Wiets Daniel
Published: January 2021

The efficient removal of toxic metals ions from chemical industry wastewater is considered problematic due to the existence of pollutants as mixtures in the aqueous matrix, thus development of advanced and effective treatment method has been identified as a panacea to the lingering problems of heavy metal pollution. In this study, KIAgNPs decorated MWCNTs nano adsorbent was developed using combination of green chemistry protocol and chemical vapor deposition techniques and subsequently characterized using UV–Vis, HRTEM, HRSEM, XRD, FTIR and XPS. The adsorptive efficiency of MWCNTs-KIAgNPs for the removal of Cr(VI), Ni(II), Fe(II), Cd(II) and physico-chemical parameters like pH, TDS, COD, BOD, nitrates, sulphates, chlorides and phosphates from chemical industrial wastewater was examined in both batch and fixed bed systems. The result exhibited successful deposition of KIAgNPs on the surface of MWCNTs as confirmed by the microstructures, morphology, crystalline nature, functional groups and elemental characteristics of the MWCNTs-KIAgNPs. Optimum batch adsorption parameters include; pH (3 for Cr(VI) and 6 for Ni(II), Fe(II) and Cd(II) ions), contact time (60 min), adsorbent dosage (40 mg) and temperature (318 K). The binding capacities were obtained as follows; Cr6+ (229.540 mg/g), Ni2+ (174.784 mg/g), Fe2+ (149.552) and Cd2+ (121.026 mg/g), respectively. Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second order kinetic model best described the experimental data in batch adsorption, while the thermodynamic parameters validated the chemisorption and endothermic nature of the adsorption process. In continuous adsorption, the metal ions were effectively removed at low metal influent concentration, low flow rate and high bed depth, whereby the experimental data were designated by Thomas model. The high physico-chemical parameters in the wastewater were successfully treated in both batch and fixed bed systems to fall within WHO permissible concentrations. The adsorption/desorption study illustrated over 80% metal removal by MWCNTs-KIAgNPs even after 8th adsorption cycle. This study demonstrated excellent performance of MWCNTs-KIAgNPs for chemical industry wastewater treatment.
Engineering a reporter cell line to mimic the high oligomannose presenting surface immunoglobulin of follicular lymphoma B cells
Authors: Lim Butaek , Kydd LeNaiya , Jaworski Justyn
Published: January 2021

Subtypes of B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, including follicular lymphomas, have shown a unique high oligomannose presentation on their immunoglobulins that will interact with natural receptors of the innate immunity, reportedly causing stimulation and proliferation. From deep sequencing of the variable heavy and light chain sequences of follicular lymphoma involved tissue sections, we identified the consensus variable sequences possessing glycosylation sites at the complementarity determining region. Using this information, we developed a cell line, referred to here as BZ, which displays the consensus variable segments as part of a surface antibody (IgM) and confirmed its presentation of high oligomannose on the heavy chain both in vitro and in vivo. An mCherry expressing variant provided a reporter cell line displaying the high oligomannose surface biomarker while affording clear fluorescent signals for FACS screening as well as for fluorescent in vivo imaging of ectopic xenograft tumors. In developing this reporter cell line that displays the biomarker glycan of follicular lymphoma, we provide a tool that may be used for future screening and validation of receptive moieties for selectively binding high oligomannose for development of targeted diagnostics or therapeutics to such B cell malignancies that display this unique glycan.
An improved time reversal mirror based on standard linear frequency modulation waveform
Authors: Wang Yongkang , Zhang Han , Li Huiling , Zheng Jianfeng , Guo Liang
Published: January 2021

Time reversal mirror (TRM) technology is the adaptive focusing method evolved from the phase conjugate method in optics. Conventional incentive method in TRM technology is a narrow pulse signal with a high bandwidth. In this paper, the autocorrelation property of the TRM was proved from the time-reversal symmetry of the wave equation. The linear frequency modulation (LFM) signal is adopted as the exciting signal in the TRM, which gives the dual autocorrelation function waveform, including the exciting signal and transport channel response. Theoretical results show that the peak value of the transducer array’s focusing signal is determined by the pulse width of the LFM signal and the number of array elements. In addition, the adaptive filtering deconvolution method is used to precisely regulate the input signal to ensure that the final detecting signal is the expected LFM waveform, which eliminates the effect of the transport channel and enhances matched filtering effects. The results hold great theoretical significances for the development of TRM technology in ultrasonic detection.
High planting density induces the expression of GA3-oxidase in leaves and GA mediated stem elongation in bioenergy sorghum
Authors: Yu Ka Man Jasmine , McKinley Brian , Rooney William L. , Mullet John E.
Published: January 2021

The stems of bioenergy sorghum hybrids at harvest are > 4 m long, contain > 40 internodes and account for ~ 80% of harvested biomass. In this study, bioenergy sorghum hybrids were grown at four planting densities (~ 20,000 to 132,000 plants/ha) under field conditions for 60 days to investigate the impact shading has on stem growth and biomass accumulation. Increased planting density induced a > 2-fold increase in sorghum internode length and a ~ 22% decrease in stem diameter, a typical shade avoidance response. Shade-induced internode elongation was due to an increase in cell length and number of cells spanning the length of internodes.SbGA3ox2(Sobic.003G045900), a gene encoding the last step in GA biosynthesis, was expressed ~ 20-fold higher in leaf collar tissue of developing phytomers in plants grown at high vs. low density. Application of GA3 to bioenergy sorghum increased plant height, stem internode length, cell length and the number of cells spanning internodes. Prior research showed that sorghum plants lacking phytochrome B, a key photoreceptor involved in shade signaling, accumulated more GA1 and displayed shade avoidance phenotypes. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that increasing planting density induces expression ofGA3-oxidasein leaf collar tissue, increasing synthesis of GA that stimulates internode elongation.
Aberrant aggressive behavior in a mouse model of Angelman syndrome
Authors: Simchi Lilach , Kaphzan Hanoch
Published: January 2021

Angelman syndrome (AS) is a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder due to the absence of the E3-ligase protein, UBE3A. Inappropriate social interactions, usually hyper-sociability, is a part of that syndrome. In addition, clinical surveys and case reports describe aggressive behavior in AS individuals as a severe difficulty for caretakers. A mouse model for AS recapitulates most of the human AS phenotypes. However, very few studies utilized this mouse model for investigating affiliative social behavior, and not even a single study examined aggressive behavior. Hence, the aim of the herein study was to examine affiliative and aggressive social behavior. For that, we utilized a battery of behavioral paradigms, and performed detailed analyses of these behaviors. AS mice exhibited a unique characteristic of reduced habituation towards a social stimulus in comparison to their wild-type (WT) littermates. However, overall there were no additional marked differences in affiliative social behavior. In contrast to the mild changes in affiliative behavior, there was a striking enhanced aggression in the AS mice compared to their WT littermates. The herein findings emphasize the use of AS mouse model in characterizing and measuring inappropriate aggressive behavior, and suggests these as tools for investigating therapeutic interventions aimed at attenuating aggressive behavior.
A randomized controlled trial of comparative effectiveness between the 2 dose and 3 dose regimens of hepatitis a vaccine in kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Prasoppokakorn Thaninee , Vanichanan Jakapat , Chaiteerakij Roongruedee , Jutivorakool Kamonwan , Udomkarnjananun Suwasin , Pongpirul Krit , Taesombat Wipusit , Wattanatorn Salin , Avihingsanon Yingyos , Tungsanga Kriang , Eiam-Ong Somchai , Praditpornsilpa Kearkiat , Townamchai Natavudh
Published: January 2021

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is able to cause a spectrum of illnesses ranging from no symptom to fulminant hepatitis which may lead to acute kidney injury. Although hepatitis A vaccine is recommended in non-immune solid organ transplant recipients who live in or travel to endemic areas, the standard 2-dose vaccination regimen demonstrated less favorable immunogenicity among these population. The 3-dose regimen showed higher response rate and immune durability in patients with human immunodeficiency virus. However, this strategy has never been studied in solid organ transplant recipients. A single-center, open-labeled, computer-based randomized controlled trial (RCT) with a 2:1 allocation ratio was conducted from August 2017 to December 2018. The study compared the seroconversion rate after receiving 2- or 3-dose regimen of hepatitis A vaccine at 0, 6 and 0, 1, 6 months, respectively, in non-immune kidney transplant recipients. A total of 401 adult kidney transplant recipients were screened for anti-HAV IgG and 285 subjects had positive results so the seroprevalence was 71.1%. Of 116 seronegative recipients, 93 (80.2%) completed vaccination; 60 and 33 participants completed 2- and 3-dose vaccination, respectively. The baseline characteristics were comparable between both groups. The seroconversion rate at 1 month after vaccination was 51.7% in the standard 2-dose regimen and 48.5% in the 3-dose regimen (p = 0.769). Overall, the seroconversion rate appeared to be associated with high estimated glomerular infiltration rate, high serum albumin, and low intensity immunosuppressive regimen. Seroconversion rate after hepatitis A vaccination in kidney transplant recipients was less favorable than healthy population. Three-dose regimen did not show superior benefit over the standard 2-dose regimen. Other strategies of immunization may increase immunogenicity among kidney transplant recipients.
Development of hematopoietic syndrome mice model for localized radiation exposure
Authors: Yashavarddhan M. H. , Sharma Ajay Kumar , Chaudhary Pankaj , Bajaj Sania , Singh Sukhvir , Shukla Sandeep Kumar
Published: January 2021

Current models to study the hematopoietic syndrome largely rely on the uniform whole-body exposures. However, in the radio-nuclear accidents or terrorist events, exposure can be non-uniform. The data available on the non-uniform exposures is limited. Thus, we have developed a mice model for studying the hematopoietic syndrome in the non-uniform or partial body exposure scenarios using the localized cobalt60 gamma radiation exposure. Femur region of Strain ‘A’ male mice was exposed to doses ranging from 7 to 20 Gy. The 30 day survival assay showed 19 Gy as LD100 and 17 Gy as LD50. We measured an array of cytokines and important stem cell markers such as IFN-γ, IL-3, IL-6, GM-CSF, TNF-α, G-CSF, IL-1α, IL-1β, CD 34 and Sca 1. We found significant changes in IL-6, GM-CSF, TNF-α, G-CSF, and IL-1β levels compared to untreated groups and amplified levels of CD 34 and Sca 1 positive population in the irradiated mice compared to the untreated controls. Overall, we have developed a mouse model of the hematopoietic acute radiation syndrome that might be useful for understanding of the non-uniform body exposure scenarios. This may also be helpful in the screening of drugs intended for individuals suffering from radiation induced hematopoietic syndrome.
Targeting mTOR and DNA repair pathways in residual triple negative breast cancer post neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Anand Kartik , Patel Tejal , Niravath Polly , Rodriguez Angel , Darcourt Jorge , Belcheva Anna , Boone Toniva , Ensor Joe , Chang Jenny
Published: January 2021

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients who do not achieve pathologic complete response post neoadjuvant chemotherapy have a poor prognosis. Alteration in PI3K/mTOR plus DNA repair pathways are some of the major mechanisms of chemotherapy resistance. We designed an open-label phase II clinical trial to evaluate if the combination of everolimus (mTOR inhibitor) plus cisplatin (interferes with DNA function) will improve the rate of pathologic response, as assessed by residual cancer burden (RCB). Twenty-four Stage II/III TNBC patients with residual cancer > 1 cm post neoadjuvant anthracycline and taxane-based chemotherapy were enrolled. Patients received everolimus daily orally at 10 mg for 12 weeks and cisplatin IV at 20 mg/m2 weekly for 4 cycles (21-day cycle), until definitive surgery. The primary endpoint was the rate of RCB-0-I at the surgery. The median age of the whole cohort was 50.1 years, with 66.7% non-Hispanic Caucasians. Of the 24 patients enrolled, 22 were included in the efficacy analysis. Twenty-one patients underwent definitive surgery while one patient developed distant metastasis. Five patients had RCB-I at surgery, a response rate of 23% (5/22). Patients with germline PALB2 mutation or somatic PI3KCA mutation had a pathologic response, achieving RCB-I at the surgery. Three patients had metaplastic histology achieving RCB-I at the surgery. Estimated OS at 1 year was 100% in the RCB-I group vs. 76.5% in others, which was not statistically significant due to the small sample size. Certain cohorts including PALB2 germline mutation carrier and somatic PI3KCA mutations warrant further investigation.

Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT01931163. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01931163.
FAK regulates IL-33 expression by controlling chromatin accessibility at c-Jun motifs
Authors: Griffith Billie G. C. , Upstill-Goddard Rosanna , Brunton Holly , Grimes Graeme R. , Biankin Andrew V. , Serrels Bryan , Byron Adam , Frame Margaret C.
Published: January 2021

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) localizes to focal adhesions and is overexpressed in many cancers. FAK can also translocate to the nucleus, where it binds to, and regulates, several transcription factors, including MBD2, p53 and IL-33, to control gene expression by unknown mechanisms. We have used ATAC-seq to reveal that FAK controls chromatin accessibility at a subset of regulated genes. Integration of ATAC-seq and RNA-seq data showed that FAK-dependent chromatin accessibility is linked to differential gene expression, including of the FAK-regulated cytokine and transcriptional regulator interleukin-33 (Il33), which controls anti-tumor immunity. Analysis of the accessibility peaks on theIl33gene promoter/enhancer regions revealed sequences for several transcription factors, including ETS and AP-1 motifs, and we show that c-Jun, a component of AP-1, regulatesIl33gene expression by binding to its enhancer in a FAK kinase-dependent manner. This work provides the first demonstration that FAK controls transcription via chromatin accessibility, identifying a novel mechanism by which nuclear FAK regulates biologically important gene expression.
Drivers use active gaze to monitor waypoints during automated driving
Authors: Mole Callum , Pekkanen Jami , Sheppard William E. A. , Markkula Gustav , Wilkie Richard M.
Published: January 2021

Automated vehicles (AVs) will change the role of the driver, from actively controlling the vehicle to primarily monitoring it. Removing the driver from the control loop could fundamentally change the way that drivers sample visual information from the scene, and in particular, alter the gaze patterns generated when under AV control. To better understand how automation affects gaze patterns this experiment used tightly controlled experimental conditions with a series of transitions from ‘Manual’ control to ‘Automated’ vehicle control. Automated trials were produced using either a ‘Replay’ of the driver’s own steering trajectories or standard ‘Stock’ trials that were identical for all participants. Gaze patterns produced during Manual and Automated conditions were recorded and compared. Overall the gaze patterns across conditions were very similar, but detailed analysis shows that drivers looked slightly further ahead (increased gaze time headway) during Automation with only small differences between Stock and Replay trials. A novel mixture modelling method decomposed gaze patterns into two distinct categories and revealed that the gaze time headway increased during Automation. Further analyses revealed that while there was a general shift to look further ahead (and fixate the bend entry earlier) when under automated vehicle control, similar waypoint-tracking gaze patterns were produced during Manual driving and Automation. The consistency of gaze patterns across driving modes suggests that active-gaze models (developed for manual driving) might be useful for monitoring driver engagement during Automated driving, with deviations in gaze behaviour from what would be expected during manual control potentially indicating that a driver is not closely monitoring the automated system.