bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proteolysis-targeting chimera against BCL-XL destroys tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cells
Authors: Kolb Ryan , De Umasankar , Khan Sajid , Luo Yuewan , Kim Myung-Chul , Yu Haijun , Wu Chaoyan , Mo Jiao , Zhang Xin , Zhang Peiyi , Zhang Xuan , Borcherding Nicholas , Koppel Daniel , Fu Yang-Xin , Zheng Song Guo , Avram Dorina , Zheng Guangrong , Zhou Daohong , Zhang Weizhou
Published: February 2021

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play an important role in maintaining immune homeostasis and, within tumors, their upregulation is common and promotes an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Therapeutic strategies that can eliminate Tregs in the tumor (i.e., therapies that do not run the risk of affecting normal tissues), are urgently needed for the development of cancer immunotherapies. Here we report our discovery of B-cell lymphoma extra-large (BCL-XL) as a potential molecular target of tumor-infiltrating (TI) Tregs. We show that pharmacological degradation of BCL-XL using a newly developed platelet-sparing BCL-XL Proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) induces the apoptosis of TI-Tregs and the activation of TI-CD8+ T cells. Moreover, these activities result in an effective suppression of syngeneic tumor growth in immunocompetent, but not in immunodeficient or CD8+ T cell-depleted mice. Notably, treatment with BCL-XL PROTAC does not cause detectable damage within several normal tissues or thrombocytopenia. These findings identify BCL-XL as a target in the elimination of TI-Tregs as a component of cancer immunotherapies, and that the BCL-XL-specific PROTAC has the potential to be developed as a therapeutic for cancer immunotherapy.
Generation, characterization, and manipulation of quantum correlations in electron beams
Authors: Asban Shahaf , García de Abajo F. Javier
Published: February 2021

Entanglement engineering plays a central role in quantum-enhanced technologies, with potential physical platforms that outperform their classical counterparts. However, free electrons remain largely unexplored despite their great capacity to encode and manipulate quantum information, due in part to the lack of a suitable theoretical framework. Here we link theoretical concepts from quantum information to available free-electron sources. Specifically, we consider the interactions among electrons propagating near the surface of a polariton-supporting medium and study the entanglement induced by pair-wise coupling. These correlations depend on the controlled interaction interval and the initial electron bandwidth. We show that long interaction times of broadband electrons extend their temporal coherence. This in turn is revealed through a widened Hong–Ou–Mandel peak and is associated with an increased entanglement entropy. We then introduce a discrete basis of electronic temporal modes and discriminate between them via coincidence detection with a shaped probe. This paves the way for ultrafast quantum information transfer by means of free electrons, rendering the large alphabet that they span in the time domain accessible.
Sulfur sequestration promotes multicellularity during nutrient limitation
Authors: Kelly Beth , Carrizo Gustavo E. , Edwards-Hicks Joy , Sanin David E. , Stanczak Michal A. , Priesnitz Chantal , Flachsmann Lea J. , Curtis Jonathan D. , Mittler Gerhard , Musa Yaarub , Becker Thomas , Buescher Joerg M. , Pearce Erika L.
Published: February 2021

The behaviour ofDictyostelium discoideumdepends on nutrients1. When sufficient food is present these amoebae exist in a unicellular state, but upon starvation they aggregate into a multicellular organism2,3. This biology makesD. discoideuman ideal model for investigating how fundamental metabolism commands cell differentiation and function. Here we show that reactive oxygen species—generated as a consequence of nutrient limitation—lead to the sequestration of cysteine in the antioxidant glutathione. This sequestration limits the use of the sulfur atom of cysteine in processes that contribute to mitochondrial metabolism and cellular proliferation, such as protein translation and the activity of enzymes that contain an iron–sulfur cluster. The regulated sequestration of sulfur maintainsD. discoideumin a nonproliferating state that paves the way for multicellular development. This mechanism of signalling through reactive oxygen species highlights oxygen and sulfur as simple signalling molecules that dictate cell fate in an early eukaryote, with implications for responses to nutrient fluctuations in multicellular eukaryotes.
Sex dependent effect of maternal e-nicotine on F1 Drosophila development and airways
Authors: El-Merhie Natalia , Krüger Arne , Uliczka Karin , Papenmeier Stephanie , Roeder Thomas , Rabe Klaus F. , Wagner Christina , Angstmann Hanna , Krauss-Etschmann Susanne
Published: February 2021

E-cigarettes are heavily advertised as healthier alternative to common tobacco cigarettes, leading more and more women to switch from regular cigarettes to ENDS (electronic nicotine delivery system) during pregnancy. While the noxious consequences of tobacco smoking during pregnancy on the offspring health are well-described, information on the long-term consequences due to maternal use of e-cigarettes do not exist so far. Therefore, we aimed to investigate how maternal e-nicotine influences offspring development from earliest life until adulthood. To this end, virgin female Drosophila melanogaster flies were exposed to nicotine vapor (8 µg nicotine) once per hour for a total of eight times. Following the last exposure, e-nicotine or sham exposed females were mated with non-exposed males. The F1-generation was then analyzed for viability, growth and airway structure. We demonstrate that maternal exposure to e-nicotine not only leads to reduced maternal fertility, but also negatively affects size and weight, as well as tracheal development of the F1-generation, lasting from embryonic stage until adulthood. These results not only underline the need for studies investigating the effects of maternal vaping on offspring health, but also propose our established model for analyzing molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways mediating these intergenerational changes.
Feasibility of reintroducing grassland megaherbivores, the greater one-horned rhinoceros, and swamp buffalo within their historic global range
Authors: Jhala Harshini Y. , Qureshi Qamar , Jhala Yadvendradev V. , Black Simon A.
Published: February 2021

Reintroduction of endangered species is an effective and increasingly important conservation strategy once threats have been addressed. The greater one-horned rhinoceros and swamp buffalo have declined through historic hunting and habitat loss. We identify and evaluate available habitat across their historic range (India, Nepal, and Bhutan) for reintroducing viable populations. We used Species Distribution Models in Maxent to identify potential habitats and evaluated model-identified sites through field visits, interviews of wildlife managers, literature, and population-habitat viability analysis. We prioritize sites based on size, quality, protection, management effectiveness, biotic pressures, and potential of conflict with communities. Our results suggest that populations greater than 50 for rhinoceros and 100 for buffalo were less susceptible to extinction, and could withstand some poaching, especially if supplemented or managed as a metapopulation. We note some reluctance by managers to reintroduce rhinoceros due to high costs associated with subsequent protection. Our analysis subsequently prioritised Corbett and Valmiki, for rhino reintroduction and transboundary complexes of Chitwan-Parsa-Valmiki and Dudhwa-Pilibhit-Shuklaphanta-Bardia for buffalo reintroductions. Establishing new safety-nets and supplementing existing populations of these megaherbivores would ensure their continued survival and harness their beneficial effect on ecosystems and conspecifics like pygmy hog, hispid hare, swamp deer, hog deer, and Bengal florican.
Using noise to augment synchronization among oscillators
Authors: Vaidya Jaykumar , Bashar Mohammad Khairul , Shukla Nikhil
Published: February 2021

Noise is expected to play an important role in the dynamics of analog systems such as coupled oscillators which have recently been explored as a hardware platform for application in computing. In this work, we experimentally investigate the effect of noise on the synchronization of relaxation oscillators and their computational properties. Specifically, in contrast to its typically expected adverse effect, we first demonstrate that a common white noise input induces frequency locking among uncoupled oscillators. Experiments show that the minimum noise voltage required to induce frequency locking increases linearly with the amplitude of the oscillator output whereas it decreases with increasing number of oscillators. Further, our work reveals that in a coupled system of oscillators—relevant to solving computational problems such as graph coloring, the injection of white noise helps reduce the minimum required capacitive coupling strength. With the injection of noise, the coupled system demonstrates frequency locking along with the desired phase-based computational properties at 5 × lower coupling strength than that required when no external noise is introduced. Consequently, this can reduce the footprint of the coupling element and the corresponding area-intensive coupling architecture. Our work shows that noise can be utilized as an effective knob to optimize the implementation of coupled oscillator-based computing platforms.
Exercise improves the quality of slow-wave sleep by increasing slow-wave stability
Authors: Park Insung , Díaz Javier , Matsumoto Sumire , Iwayama Kaito , Nabekura Yoshiharu , Ogata Hitomi , Kayaba Momoko , Aoyagi Atsushi , Yajima Katsuhiko , Satoh Makoto , Tokuyama Kumpei , Vogt Kaspar E.
Published: February 2021

Exercise can improve sleep by reducing sleep latency and increasing slow-wave sleep (SWS). Some studies, however, report adverse effects of exercise on sleep architecture, possibly due to a wide variety of experimental conditions used. We examined the effect of exercise on quality of sleep using standardized exercise parameters and novel analytical methods. In a cross-over intervention study we examined the effect of 60 min of vigorous exercise at 60% $$\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2}$$

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max on the metabolic state, assessed by core body temperature and indirect calorimetry, and on sleep quality during subsequent sleep, assessed by self-reported quality of sleep and polysomnography. In a novel approach, envelope analysis was performed to assess SWS stability. Exercise increased energy expenditure throughout the following sleep phase. The subjective assessment of sleep quality was not improved by exercise. Polysomnography revealed a shorter rapid eye movement latency and reduced time spent in SWS. Detailed analysis of the sleep electro-encephalogram showed significantly increased delta power in SWS (N3) together with increased SWS stability in early sleep phases, based on delta wave envelope analysis. Although vigorous exercise does not lead to a subjective improvement in sleep quality, sleep function is improved on the basis of its effect on objective EEG parameters.
Thoracic shape changes in newborns due to their position
Authors: de Gelidi Serena , Bardill Andy , Seifnaraghi Nima , Wu Yu , Demosthenous Andreas , Rahtu Marika , Kallio Merja , Bayford Richard
Published: February 2021

The highly compliant nature of the neonatal chest wall is known to clinicians. However, its morphological changes have never been characterized and are especially important for a customised monitoring of respiratory diseases. Here, we show that a device applied on newborns can trace their chest boundary without the use of radiation. Such technology, which is easy to sanitise between patients, works like a smart measurement tape drawing also a digital cross section of the chest. We also show that in neonates the supine position generates a significantly different cross section compared to the lateral ones. Lastly, an unprecedented comparison between a premature neonate and a child is reported.
The comparison of pancreatic and hepatic steatosis in healthy liver donor candidates
Authors: Koyuncu Sokmen Bedriye , Sahin Tolga , Oral Alihan , Kocak Erdem , Inan Nagihan
Published: February 2021

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and pancreatic steatosis (PS) in patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD. 228 patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD patients who admitted to the Faculty of Medicine of Demiroglu Bilim University between 2004 and 2019 were included in the study. Demographic, laboratory, histological and radiological findings of the patients were recorded retrospectively. Hepatosteatosis (HS) levels were measured by both CT and biopsy, while PS levels were measured by 3 different CT-based techniques. 89 (39%) of the patients were female and 139 (61%) were male. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 27.2 ± 4.0. Biochemical parameters were within normal limits. Liver biopsy showed a significant correlation with HS grade on CT scan (p < 0.001). When CT findings were compared, a significant correlation was found between PS and HS (p < 0.05), but there was no correlation between the HS level in biopsy and the pancreatic adiposity on CT (p > 0.05). Our study was the first to compare biopsy-proven NAFLD and PS, and no correlation was found between biopsy-proven NAFLD and PS.
Characterization of ultrasound-mediated delivery of trastuzumab to normal and pathologic spinal cord tissue
Authors: Smith Paige , Ogrodnik Natalia , Satkunarajah Janani , O’Reilly Meaghan A.
Published: February 2021

Extensive studies on focused ultrasound (FUS)-mediated drug delivery through the blood–brain barrier have been published, yet little work has been published on FUS-mediated drug delivery through the blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB). This work aims to quantify the delivery of the monoclonal antibody trastuzumab to rat spinal cord tissue and characterize its distribution within a model of leptomeningeal metastases. 10 healthy Sprague–Dawley rats were treated with FUS + trastuzumab and sacrificed at 2-h or 24-h post-FUS. A human IgG ELISA (Abcam) was used to measure trastuzumab concentration and a 12 ± fivefold increase was seen in treated tissue over control tissue at 2 h versus no increase at 24 h. Three athymic nude rats were inoculated with MDA-MB-231-H2N HER2 + breast cancer cells between the meninges in the thoracic region of the spinal cord and treated with FUS + trastuzumab. Immunohistochemistry was performed to visualize trastuzumab delivery, and semi-quantitative analysis revealed similar or more intense staining in tumor tissue compared to healthy tissue suggesting a comparable or greater concentration of trastuzumab was achieved. FUS can increase the permeability of the BSCB, improving drug delivery to specifically targeted regions of healthy and pathologic tissue in the spinal cord. The achieved concentrations within the healthy tissue are comparable to those reported in the brain.
Mutations introduced in susceptibility genes through CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing confer increased late blight resistance in potatoes
Authors: Kieu Nam Phuong , Lenman Marit , Wang Eu Sheng , Petersen Bent Larsen , Andreasson Erik
Published: February 2021

The use of pathogen-resistant cultivars is expected to increase yield and decrease fungicide use in agriculture. However, in potato breeding, increased resistance obtained via resistance genes (R-genes) is hampered because R-gene(s) are often specific for a pathogen race and can be quickly overcome by the evolution of the pathogen. In parallel, susceptibility genes (S-genes) are important for pathogenesis, and loss of S-gene function confers increased resistance in several plants, such as rice, wheat, citrus and tomatoes. In this article, we present the mutation and screening of seven putative S-genes in potatoes, including two DMR6 potato homologues. Using a CRISPR/Cas9 system, which conferred co-expression of two guide RNAs, tetra-allelic deletion mutants were generated and resistance against late blight was assayed in the plants. Functional knockouts of StDND1, StCHL1, and DMG400000582 (StDMR6-1) generated potatoes with increased resistance against late blight. Plants mutated in StDND1 showed pleiotropic effects, whereas StDMR6-1 and StCHL1 mutated plants did not exhibit any growth phenotype, making them good candidates for further agricultural studies. Additionally, we showed that DMG401026923 (here denoted StDMR6-2) knockout mutants did not demonstrate any increased late blight resistance, but exhibited a growth phenotype, indicating that StDMR6-1 and StDMR6-2 have different functions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the mutation and screening of putative S-genes in potatoes, including two DMR6 potato homologues.
The effect of ivermectin alone and in combination with cobicistat or elacridar in experimental Schistosoma mansoni infection in mice
Authors: Vicente Belén , López-Abán Julio , Chaccour Juliane , Hernández-Goenaga Juan , Nicolas Patricia , Fernández-Soto Pedro , Muro Antonio , Chaccour Carlos
Published: February 2021

Schistosoma mansoni is less susceptible to the antiparasitic drug ivermectin than other helminths. By inhibiting the P-glycoprotein or cytochrome P450 3A in mice host or parasites in a murine model, we aimed at increasing the sensitivity of S. mansoni to the drug and thus preventing infection. We assigned 124 BALB/c mice to no treatment, treatment with ivermectin only or a combination of ivermectin with either cobicistat or elacridar once daily for three days before infecting them with 150 S. mansoni cercariae each. The assignment was done by batches without an explicit randomization code. Toxicity was monitored. At eight weeks post-infection, mice were euthanized. We determined number of eggs in intestine and liver, adult worms in portal and mesenteric veins. Disease was assessed by counting granulomas/cm2 of liver and studying organ weight indices and total weight. IgG levels in serum were also considered. No difference between groups treated with ivermectin only or in combination with cobicistat or elacridar compared with untreated, infected controls. Most mice treated with ivermectin and elacridar suffered severe neurological toxicity. In conclusion, systemic treatment with ivermectin, even in the presence of pharmacological inhibition of P-glycoprotein or cytochrome P450 3A, did not result in effective prophylaxis for S. mansoni infection in an experimental murine model.
Artificial testis: a testicular tissue extracellular matrix as a potential bio-ink for 3D printing
Authors: Bashiri Zahra , Amiri Iraj , Gholipourmalekabadi Mazaher , Falak Reza , Asgari Hamidreza , Maki Chad B. , Moghaddaszadeh Ali , Koruji Morteza
Published: February 2021

A summary of the study design showing the extraction of extracellular matrix of testicular tissue and the printing of hydrogel scaffolds and the interaction of testicular cells on three-dimensional scaffolds.
Hybrid nanoreceptors for high sensitivity detection of small molecules by NMR chemosensing
Authors: De Biasi Federico , Rosa-Gastaldo Daniele , Mancin Fabrizio , Rastrelli Federico
Published: February 2021

Self-assembled gold nanoparticles onto colloidal silica nanoparticles exhibited higher magnetization transfer efficiencies in NMR chemosensing experiments, allowing the detection of analytes as low as 10 μM.
Recent advances in nanomaterial-based augmented sonodynamic therapy of cancer
Authors: Um Wooram , E. K. Pramod Kumar , Lee Jeongjin , Kim Chan Ho , You Dong Gil , Park Jae Hyung
Published: February 2021

This review focuses on recent advances in augmented sonodynamic therapy (SDT) using engineered nanomaterials, and the mechanism of SDT for discussing future perspectives.
Graphite carbon nitride doped with a benzene ring for enhanced photocatalytic H2 evolution
Authors: Yuan Hai Yang , Bai Jing Yang , Xu Beibei , Li Xin Yan , Xiao Shi Yang , Liu Peng Fei , Wang Xue Lu , Yang Hua Gui
Published: February 2021

g-C3N4 doped with a benzene ring was synthesized by one-step polycondensation, exhibiting accelerated charge separation and transfer abilities.
Two-photon induced isomerization through a cyaninic molecular antenna in azo compounds
Authors: Villatoro Emmanuel , Muñoz-Rugeles Leonardo , Durán-Hernández Jesús , Salcido-Santacruz Bernardo , Esturau-Escofet Nuria , López-Cortés Jose G. , Ortega-Alfaro M. Carmen , Peón Jorge
Published: February 2021

Upon two photon excitation, energy migration from the antenna-localized second singlet excited state to the stilbenyl-azopyrrole section allows for efficient indirect excitation and phototransformation of this actuator.
Synthesis and supramolecular organization of the iodide and triiodides of a polycyclic adamantane-based diammonium cation: the effects of hydrogen bonds and weak I⋯I interactions
Authors: Mezentsev-Cherkes Ivan A. , Shestimerova Tatiana A. , Medved'ko Aleksei V. , Kalinin Mikhail A. , Kuznetsov Alexey N. , Wei Zheng , Dikarev Evgeny V. , Vatsadze Sergey Z. , Shevelkov Andrei V.
Published: February 2021

Adamantane-like divalent building blocks and iodide or polyiodide anions combine into supramolecular architectures with the help of various noncovalent forces ranging from strong hydrogen bonds to secondary and weak I⋯I interactions.
Alkyl-substituted bis(4-((9H-fluoren-9-ylidene)methyl)phenyl)thiophenes: weakening of intermolecular interactions and additive-assisted crystallization
Authors: Sonina Alina A. , Becker Christina S. , Kuimov Anatoly D. , Shundrina Inna K. , Komarov Vladislav Yu. , Kazantsev Maxim S.
Published: February 2021

Effect of alkyl substituents and an additive on crystallization and intermolecular interactions of bis(4-((9H-fluoren-9-ylidene)methyl)phenyl)thiophenes is revealed.
Density matrix and purity evolution in dissipative two-level systems: I. Theory and path integral results for tunneling dynamics
Authors: Chatterjee Sambarta , Makri Nancy
Published: February 2021

The time evolution of the purity (the trace of the square of the reduced density matrix) and von Neumann entropy in a symmetric two-level system coupled to a dissipative harmonic bath is investigated through analytical arguments and accurate path integral calculations on simple models and the singly excited bacteriochlorophyll dimer.
Local spin and open quantum systems: clarifying misconceptions, unifying approaches
Authors: Martín Pendás A. , Francisco E.
Published: February 2021

The theory of open quantum systems (OQSs) is applied to partition the squared spin operator into fragment (local spin) and interfragment (spin-coupling) contributions in a molecular system.
Fingerprint region of the formic acid dimer: variational vibrational computations in curvilinear coordinates
Authors: Martín Santa Daría Alberto , Avila Gustavo , Mátyus Edit
Published: February 2021

Curvilinear kinetic energy models are developed for variational nuclear motion computations including the inter- and the low-frequency intra-molecular degrees of freedom of the formic acid dimer.
Electrocatalysis for CO2conversion: from fundamentals to value-added products
Authors: Wang Genxiang , Chen Junxiang , Ding Yichun , Cai Pingwei , Yi Luocai , Li Yan , Tu Chaoyang , Hou Yang , Wen Zhenhai , Dai Liming
Published: February 2021

This timely and comprehensive review mainly summarizes advances in heterogeneous electroreduction of CO2: from fundamentals to value-added products.
Status and prospects of the decentralised valorisation of natural gas into energy and energy carriers
Authors: Zichittella Guido , Pérez-Ramírez Javier
Published: February 2021

We critically review the recent advances in process, reactor, and catalyst design that enable process miniaturisation for decentralised natural gas upgrading into electricity, liquefied natural gas, fuels and chemicals.
A techno-economic case for volatile fatty acid production for increased sustainability in the wastewater treatment industry
Authors: Veluswamy G. K. , Shah K. , Ball A. S. , Guwy A. J. , Dinsdale R. M.
Published: February 2021

Methane, the final product of methanogenesis during anaerobic digestion is a low value product (0.1 $ per m3).
Enhancing the multi-functional properties of renewable lignin carbon fibers via defining the structure–property relationship using different biomass feedstocks
Authors: Li Qiang , Hu Cheng , Li Mengjie , Truong Phuc , Li Jinghao , Lin Hao-Sheng , Naik Mandar T. , Xiang Sisi , Jackson Brian E. , Kuo Winson , Wu Wenhao , Pu Yunqiao , Ragauskas Arthur J. , Yuan Joshua S.
Published: February 2021

Lignin from different biomass feedstock has been explored to make quality carbon fiber. The mechanistic study revealed the β-O-4 linkages of lignin linearly correlated to both mechanical and electroconductive performance of carbon fibers.
The synthesis of a UCST-type zwitterionic polymer for the efficient recycling of cellulase at room temperature
Authors: Li Feiyun , Qin Feiyang , Pang Yuxia , Lou Hongming , Cai Cheng , Liu Weifeng , Qian Yong , Qiu Xueqing
Published: February 2021

Cellulase was recycled by adding UCST-type PSPE in lignocellulosic biorefineries, and the process is sustainable without consuming acid and alkali.
Multivariant ligands stabilize anionic solvent-oriented α-CsPbX3nanocrystals at room temperature
Authors: Luo Yanqing , Tan Tao , Wang Sen , Pang Ran , Jiang Lihong , Li Da , Feng Jing , Zhang Hongjie , Zhang Su , Li Chengyu
Published: February 2021

A self-assembly method is proposed for cubic phase CsPbX3nanocrystals under ambient conditions. Long-term stability and high quantum efficiency are maintainedvialigand evolution from paired X type ligands to hybrid L–X type ligands.
First-principles molecular dynamics study on the surface chemistry and nanotribological properties of MgAl layered double hydroxides
Authors: Tran Nam V. , Tieu A. Kiet , Zhu Hongtao
Published: February 2021

Friction reduction mechanism of layered double hydroxides (LDHs).
Zn(OTf)2-catalyzed hydroamination of ynamides with aromatic amines
Authors: Chen Zhuo , Nie Xiao-Di , Sun Jian-Ting , Yang Ai-Mei , Wei Bang-Guo
Published: February 2021

The Zn(OTf)2-catalyzed hydroamination of ynamides 2a–2l with aromatic amines 1a–1r was developed.
NH4V4O10 nanobelts vertically grown on 3D TiN nanotube arrays as high-performance electrode materials of supercapacitors
Authors: Lin Yihan , Li Jianyu , Ren Peng , Yang Xiuchun
Published: February 2021

NH4V4O10 nanobelts were synthesized and decorated into TiN nanotube arrays as supercapacitor electrode with a specific capacitance of 749.0 F g−1 at 5 mV s−1 and a capacity retention of 85.7% after 200 cycles.
Three-dimensional tellurium and nitrogen Co-doped mesoporous carbons for high performance supercapacitors
Authors: Kim Chang Ki , Ji Jung-Min , Aftabuzzaman M. , Kim Hwan Kyu
Published: February 2021

The incorporation of the Te element into nitrogen-doped carbon-based nanomaterials is a good strategy to improve the capacitive performance of carbon materials and the incorporation of two types of atoms improves the overall capacitive performance of the materials due to a synergetic effect.
Carbon-coated SnO2 riveted on a reduced graphene oxide composite (C@SnO2/RGO) as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Dai Yao , Li Fu , Fu Yuan-Xiang , Mo Dong-Chuan , Lyu Shu-Shen
Published: February 2021

The combined action of GO and glucose makes the SnO2 dispersed uniformly. The synergistic effect of the unique double-carbon structure can effectively improve the electrical conductivity of the SnO2 and strengthen lithium storage capability.
Hygroscopic growth of simulated lung fluid aerosol particles under ambient environmental conditions
Authors: Davies James F. , Price Chelsea L. , Choczynski Jack , Kohli Ravleen Kaur
Published: February 2021

The hygroscopicity of simulated lung fluid particles is reported. Efflorescence and deliquescence transitions were measured, and phase hysteresis was observed. A multiphase particle is predicted to form under dry and low RH conditions.
Asymmetric catalytic [4+3] cycloaddition of ortho-quinone methides with oxiranes
Authors: Tan Qingfa , Yu Han , Luo Yao , Chang Fenzhen , Liu Xiaohua , Zhou Yuqiao , Feng Xiaoming
Published: February 2021

A chiral N,N′-dioxide/Tb(OTf)3 complex catalyzed diastereo- and enantioselective [4+3] cycloaddition of ortho-quinone methides with oxiranes has been described in this study.
Investigation of second-order nonlinear optical responses in a series of V-shaped binuclear platinum(ii) complexes
Authors: Durand Raphaël J. , Achelle Sylvain , Robin-Le Guen Françoise , Caytan Elsa , Le Poul Nicolas , Barsella Alberto , Guevara Level Patricia , Jacquemin Denis , Gauthier Sébastien
Published: February 2021

A new series of V-shaped binuclear platinum(ii) complexes were synthesized and characterized that display attractive second-order NLO properties.
Construction of a PPIL@COF core–shell composite with enhanced catalytic activity for CO2 conversion
Authors: Du Yi-Ran , Ding Guang-Rong , Wang Yao-Feng , Xu Bao-Hua , Zhang Suo-Jiang
Published: February 2021

The porous poly(ionic liquid)-covalent organic framework (PPIL@COF) hybrids with core–shell structure were synthesized through surface modification of amino-functionalized PPIL and the interfacial growth with triazine-based TPT-DHTP-COF.
The acoustic droplet printing of functional tumor microenvironments
Authors: Chen Keke , Jiang Erhui , Wei Xiaoyun , Xia Yu , Wu Zezheng , Gong Zhiyi , Shang Zhengjun , Guo Shishang
Published: February 2021

An acoustic droplet printing method is reported that enables high-concentration cells or spheroids to be printed with superior cell viability, allowing the creation of functional tumor microenvironments.
Two-dimensional or passivation treatment: the effect of hexylammonium post deposition treatment on 3D halide perovskite-based solar cells
Authors: Rahmany Stav , Etgar Lioz
Published: February 2021

Hexylammonium iodide post deposition treatment forms a passivation layer on top of the 3D perovskite which enhance the device efficiency.
g-C3N4@Ce-MOF Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalyzed cascade aerobic oxidative functionalization of styrene
Authors: Karimia Meghdad , Sadeghia Samira , Gavinehroudi Reza Ghahremani , Mohebali Haleh , Mahjoub Alireza , Heydari Akbar
Published: February 2021

A unique composite of the cerium-based metal–organic framework (Ce-UiO-66) modified with graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets (g-C3N4) has been synthesized. The g-C3N4@Ce-MOF as a photocatalyst was employed in photocatalytic aerobic oxidative Hantzsch pyridine synthesis of styrene.
Discrete unusual mixed-bridged trinuclear CoIII2CoII and pentanuclear NiII coordination complexes supported by a phenolate-based ligand: theoretical and experimental magneto-structural study
Authors: Richa  , Rathnam Muni , Kumar Akhilesh , Verma Indresh , Kłak Julia , Cano Joan , Mota Antonio J. , Rajput Amit , Arora Himanshu
Published: February 2021

We report a combined computational and experimental magnetostructural correlation in trinuclear mixed valence cobalt and pentanuclear nickel complexes.
Cooperativity in supported metal single atom catalysis
Authors: Serp Philippe
Published: February 2021

Cooperativity in single atom catalysis greatly exceeds the (important) metal–support interaction, and other types of synergies (with a nanoparticle – NP, a second SA – SA2, or a ligand/heteroatom – X) are described in this mini-review.
Chemistry and biology of spiroacetals from myxobacteria
Authors: Ricca Michael , Rizzacasa Mark A.
Published: February 2021

This review details the isolation, biosynthesis, biological activity and synthesis of spiroacetals from the myxobacterium Sorangium cellulosum.
Ruthenium(ii)-catalyzed decarbonylative and decarboxylative coupling of isatoic anhydrides with salicylaldehydes: access to aryl 2-aminobenzoates
Authors: Bora Bidisha R. , Prakash Rashmi , Sultana Sabera , Gogoi Sanjib
Published: February 2021

Decarbonylative and decarboxylative coupling reactions of salicylaldehydes with isatoic anhydrides afford aryl 2-aminobenzoates.
Recent approaches towards one-carbon homologation–functionalization of aldehydes
Authors: Sebastian Sharol , Monika  , Khatana Anil Kumar , Yadav Eqvinshi , Gupta Manoj K.
Published: February 2021

This review describes the methods of homologation and functionalization of aldehydes by one carbon unit which are the most fundamental and attractive synthetic transformations in organic synthesis.
Kinetic effects of molecular clustering and solvation by extended networks in zeolite acid catalysis
Authors: Bates Jason S. , Gounder Rajamani
Published: February 2021

“Solvent effects” at interfaces in heterogeneous catalysts are described by transition state theory treatments that identify kinetic regimes associated with molecular clustering and the solvation of such clusters by extended molecular networks.
Aggregation-free and high stability core–shell polymer nanoparticles with high fullerene loading capacity, variable fullerene type, and compatibility towards biological conditions
Authors: Eom Taejun , Barát Viktor , Khan Anzar , Stuparu Mihaiela C.
Published: February 2021

A polymer nanoparticle approach to biorelevant and robust fullerene nanoparticles is presented.
Combinatorial microneedle patch with tunable release kinetics and dual fast-deep/sustained release capabilities
Authors: Lopez-Ramirez Miguel Angel , Kupor Daniel , Marchiori Leonardo , Soto Fernando , Rueda Ricardo , Reynoso Maria , Narra Lakshmi Rekha , Chakravarthy Krishnan , Wang Joseph
Published: February 2021

This manuscript introduces a combinatorial microneedle patch with variable dissolution rate and tunable release in a single application; it delivers payloads in minutes while simultaneously deliver dosages from weeks to months with constant release.
Whole-body metabolic fate of branched-chain amino acids
Authors: Blair Megan C. , Neinast Michael D. , Arany Zoltan
Published: February 2021

Oxidation of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) is tightly regulated in mammals. We review here the distribution and regulation of whole-body BCAA oxidation. Phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of the rate-limiting enzyme, branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase complex directly regulates BCAA oxidation, and various other indirect mechanisms of regulation also exist. Most tissues throughout the body are capable of BCAA oxidation, and the flux of oxidative BCAA disposal in each tissue is influenced by three key factors: 1. tissue-specific preference for BCAA oxidation relative to other fuels, 2. the overall oxidative activity of mitochondria within a tissue, and 3. total tissue mass. Perturbations in BCAA oxidation have been implicated in many disease contexts, underscoring the importance of BCAA homeostasis in overall health.
Knowing and combating the enemy: a brief review on SARS-CoV-2 and computational approaches applied to the discovery of drug candidates
Authors: Serafim Mateus S.M. , Gertrudes Jadson C. , Costa Débora M.A. , Oliveira Patricia R. , Maltarollo Vinicius G. , Honorio Kathia M.
Published: February 2021

Since the emergence of the new severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) at the end of December 2019 in China, and with the urge of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there have been huge efforts of many research teams and governmental institutions worldwide to mitigate the current scenario. Reaching more than 1,377,000 deaths in the world and still with a growing number of infections, SARS-CoV-2 remains a critical issue for global health and economic systems, with an urgency for available therapeutic options. In this scenario, as drug repurposing and discovery remains a challenge, computer-aided drug design (CADD) approaches, including machine learning (ML) techniques, can be useful tools to the design and discovery of novel potential antiviral inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2. In this work, we describe and review the current knowledge on this virus and the pandemic, the latest strategies and computational approaches applied to search for treatment options, as well as the challenges to overcome COVID-19.
Blue light insertion at night is involved in sleep and arousal-promoting response delays and depressive-like emotion in mice
Authors: Wu Fan , Wu Shuo , Gui Qiuqi , Tang Kaixin , Xu Qiqi , Tao Yue , Chen Meixuan , Cheng Juan , Wang Liecheng , Zhang Lesha
Published: February 2021

Light plays a direct crucial role in the switch between sleep and arousal and the regulation of physiology and behaviour, such as circadian rhythms and emotional change. Artificial lights, which are different from natural light sources with a continuous light spectrum, are composed of three single-colour lights and are increasingly applied in modern society. However, in vivo research on the mechanisms of blue light-regulated sleep and arousal is still insufficient. In this work, we detected the effects of inserting white or blue light for 1 h during the dark period on the wheel-running activity and sucrose preference of C57 mice. The results showed that blue light could induce delays in sleep and arousal-promoting responses. Furthermore, this lighting pattern, including blue light alone, induced depressive-like emotions. The c-fos expression in the blue light group was significantly higher in the arcuate hypothalamic nucleus (Arc) and significantly lower in the cingulate cortex (Cg) and anterior part of the paraventricular thalamic nucleus (PVA) than in the white light group. Compared with the white light group, the phospho-ERK expression in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN) and PVA was lower in the blue light group. These molecular changes indicated that certain brain regions are involved in blue light-induced response processes. This study may provide useful information to explore the specific mechanism of special light-regulated physiological function.
Aidi injection, a traditional Chinese biomedical preparation for gynecologic tumors: a systematic review and PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis
Authors: Li Xue , Xiao Chengming , Qu Kai
Published: February 2021

Aidi injection (ADI), a traditional Chinese biomedical preparation, is a promising adjuvant therapy for gynecologic tumors (GTs), including cervical cancer (CC), endometrial cancer (EC), and ovarian cancer (OC). Although studies have reported positively on ADI therapy, its exact effects and safety in GT patients remain controversial. Therefore, a wide-ranging systematic search of electronic databases was performed for this meta-analysis. Data from 38 trials including 3309 GT patients were analyzed. The results indicated that the combination of conventional treatment and ADI markedly improved the patients’ overall response rate (P<0.00001), disease control rate (P<0.00001), and quality of life (P<0.05) compared with conventional treatment alone. Furthermore, patient immunity was enhanced with combined treatment, as indicated by significantly increased percentages of CD3+ (P=0.005) and CD4+ (P<0.00001) and increased CD4+/CD8+ ratio (P=0.001). Most of the adverse events caused by radiochemotherapy such as gastrointestinal issues, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and hepatotoxicity, (P<0.05 for all) were significantly alleviated when ADI was used in the GT patients. However, other adverse events such as nephrotoxicity, diarrhea, alopecia, and neurotoxicity did not significantly differ between the two groups. Overall, these results suggest that the combination of conventional and ADI treatment is more effective than conventional treatment alone.
Joint energy and reserve market design with explicit consideration on frequency quality
Authors: Ma Jin , Summers Kate , Wen Fushuan
Published: February 2021

Energy and reserve markets are two important market components in the deregulated power industry. Energy markets provide a platform for generating companies, retailers, and big energy consumers to centrally trade electricity. However, owing to the varying renewable power generation, load variation and unexpected contingencies, energy supply and consumption always embody high uncertainties. Furthermore, due to the lack of low‐cost, large‐capacity energy storage devices, an instant balance between the generation and load is required under these uncertainties. Therefore, the reserve market is set up to address the balance‐disruptive uncertainties intrinsic to the power grid. Although this combined market design reduces the risk of the possible imbalance in energy supply and consumption, it does not guarantee that the frequency of the grid is satisfactory, even in the normal operation. This study analyzes the insufficiency of the energy and reserve market design in addressing frequency quality problems by exploring the root causes for the deteriorating frequency quality in the Australian National Electricity Market. A novel framework that incorporates the frequency quality, control capacity, and control cost to achieve the desired frequency quality is then presented. Case studies through a simple power system and the IEEE 30‐bus system demonstrate the efficacy of the presented methods.
Capacity configuration optimization of standalone multi‐energy hub considering electricity, heat and hydrogen uncertainty
Authors: Hou Hui , Liu Peng , Xiao Zhenfeng , Deng Xiangtian , Huang Liang , Zhang Ruiming , Xie Changjun
Published: February 2021

Standalone multi‐energy hub is the next frontier of electric grid modernization. It is vital to optimize the standalone multi‐energy hub capacity configuration to enhance the hub reliability, economic efficiency, and sustainability. Therefore, this paper proposes a novel multi‐objective capacity configuration model for standalone multi‐energy hub considering electricity, heat and hydrogen energy uncertainty. First, the standalone multi‐energy hub model with electricity, heat, and hydrogen energy is established. It takes into account photovoltaic generators, wind generation, combined heat and power units, power to gas, gas boiler and hydrogen storage tank to meet the electrical, thermal and hydrogen energy demands. At the same time, in order to solve the influence of uncertainty on hub capacity configuration, the typical source‐load scenarios are established considering the uncertainty of wind speed, solar radiation and energy demands. On this basis, the objective functions and constraints of the capacity configuration model are presented. The improved hybrid multi‐objective particle swarm optimization algorithm and fuzzy membership function are used to solve the model. Finally, case studies verified the effectiveness and rationality of the proposed model.
Survey on mixed impulse and Gaussian denoising filters
Authors: Mafi Mehdi , Izquierdo Walter , Cabrerizo Mercedes , Barreto Armando , Andrian Jean , David Rishe Naphtali , Adjouadi Malek
Published: February 2021

This study presents a comprehensive survey on mixed impulse and Gaussian denoising filters which are applied to an image in order to gauge the effects of this type of noise combination and to then determine optimal ways that can overcome such effects. The random noise model considered in this survey is the combined effect of impulse (salt and pepper) and Gaussian noise. After describing the noise models, the denoising filters which are applied to the images are classified and explained according to their design structure, the type of filters they use, the noise level they could overcome, and the limitations they face. This survey covers all related denoising methods and provides an assessment of the strengths and practical limitations of the different classes of denoising filters.
Novel superpixel‐based algorithm for segmenting lung images via convolutional neural network and random forest
Authors: Liu Caixia , Pang Mingyong , Zhao Ruibin
Published: February 2021

Accurately segmenting lungs from CT images is a fundamental step for quantitative analysis of lung diseases. However, it is still a challenging task because of some interferential factors, such as juxta‐pleural nodules, pulmonary inflammation, as well as individual anatomical varieties. In this study, with the combination of a superpixel approach and a hybrid model composed of convolutional neural network and random forest (CNN‐RF), the authors propose a novel algorithm to segment lungs from CT images in an automatic and accurate fashion. The authors' lung segmentation covers three main stages: image preprocessing, lung segmenting and segmentation refining. A lung CT image denoised with a fractional‐order grey similarity approach is first segmented to a set of superpixels, and the CNN‐RF model is then employed to classify the superpixels and identify lungs from the CT image. The segmentation result is further refined by separating the left and right lungs, eliminating trachea, and correcting lung contours. Experiments show that their algorithm can generate more accurate lung segmentation results with 94.98% Jaccard's index and 97.99% Dice similarity coefficient, compared with ground truths, and it achieved better results compared with several feature‐based machine learning techniques and current methods on lung segmentation.
Evaluation criterion of underwater object clustering segmentation with pulse‐coupled neural network
Authors: Wang Xingmei , Li Qiming , Yu Yue , Xu Yichao
Published: February 2021

The success of clustering algorithms in object segmentation depends on the quality of the evaluation criterion. However, sonar images are seriously affected by noise. Most of the existing evaluation criteria such as the Davies Bouldin (DB) criterion only considers their pixel value, and sonar image information extraction is not sufficient. As a result, they fail to achieve good underwater object segmentation results. To overcome this problem, this study proposes an improved DB criterion with pulse ‐coupled neural network (PCNN), which is called the DB‐PCNN. In the calculation process of DB‐PCNN, the role of internal activity items in PCNN is considered, which can make better use of pixel information in adjacent space on the sonar image. The experimental results show that DB‐PCNN can further improve the accuracy of underwater object segmentation and has certain adaptability to different optimisation frameworks.
SAR image denoising based on multifractal feature analysis and TV regularisation
Authors: Maji Suman Kumar , Thakur Ramesh Kumar , Yahia Hussein M.
Published: February 2021

A new denoising technique is proposed in this study for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images corrupted by speckle noise. The authors method extract informative features from a noisy speckled image, and then a denoised version of this image is estimated from the informative gradients, which are restricted to the features of this image. The technique of extracting features is designed on the framework of multifractal formalism followed by a reconstruction technique for the informative gradients based on the total variational (TV) regularisation framework. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach is able to retain the finer details of the original image while removing noise. The superiority of the proposed approach is manifested qualitatively and quantitatively on comparing with state‐of‐the‐art denoising techniques.
EKFPnP: extended Kalman filter for camera pose estimation in a sequence of images
Authors: Mehralian Mohammad Amin , Soryani Mohsen
Published: February 2021

In real‐world applications the perspective‐n‐point (PnP) problem should generally be applied to a sequence of images which a set of drift‐prone features are tracked over time. In this study, the authors consider both the temporal dependency of camera poses and the uncertainty of features for the vision‐only sequential camera pose estimation. Using the extended Kalman filter (EKF), a priori estimate of the camera pose is calculated from the camera motion model and then it is corrected by minimising the reprojection error of the reference points. Applying probabilistic approach also provides the covariance of the pose parameters which helps to measure the reliability of the estimated parameters. Experimental results, using both synthetic and real data, demonstrate that the proposed method improves the robustness of the camera pose estimation, in the presence of tracking error and feature matching outliers, compared to the state of the art.