bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spring‐Fall Asymmetry in VLF Amplitudes Recorded in the North Atlantic Region: The Fall‐Effect
Authors: Macotela E. L. , Clilverd M. , Renkwitz T. , Chau J. , Manninen J. , Banyś D.
Published: July 2021

A spring‐fall asymmetry is observed in daytime amplitude values of very low frequency (VLF) radio wave signals propagating over the North Atlantic during 2011–2019. We explore the processes behind this asymmetry by comparing against mesospheric mean temperatures and the semidiurnal solar tide (S2) in mesospheric winds. The solar radiation influence on VLF subionospheric propagation was removed from the daytime VLF amplitude values, isolating the fall‐effect. Similarly, the symmetric background level was removed from mesospheric mean temperatures undertaking comparable analysis. During fall, all three analyzed parameters experience significant deviation from their background levels. The VLF amplitude variation during spring is explained by the seasonal variation in solar illumination conditions, while the fall‐effect can be interpreted as a mean zonal wind reversal associated with both a S2 enhancement, and temperature reductions. Decreases in temperature can produce decreases in collision frequency, reducing VLF signal absorption, driving the observed VLF asymmetry.
Natural Radiation Shielding on Mars Measured With the MSL/RAD Instrument
Authors: Ehresmann B. , Hassler D. M. , Zeitlin C. , Guo J. , Wimmer‐Schweingruber R. F. , Khaksari S. , Loeffler S.
Published: July 2021

Protecting astronauts from the effects of space radiation remains one major stepping stone for the exploration of Mars. Long‐term exposure to radiation can lead to severe health effects and affects allowable mission duration. Mission designs for Mars include the use of radiation shelters that provide additional mass to surround the astronauts. This leads to incoming radiation losing energy through ionization processes. This is important during solar energetic particle events when solar protons can reach the surface with high intensities. Additionally, shelters provide a long‐term reduction of the exposure to galactic cosmic rays. As mass is an important time and cost factor in space travel, using natural sheltering already on Mars is a desirable option. One candidate is to use subterranean lava tubes that provide shelter from the radiation from above. Other options include craters, cliff walls, or rock overhangs. Here, we present the first in situ measurements of radiation sheltering by natural environments on the surface of Mars. The data were acquired with the Radiation Assessment Detector (RAD) on board the Curiosity rover in Gale crater on Mars. We show measurements from when Curiosity was parked close to Butte M12 in the Murray Buttes formation, which blocked out 19% of the surrounding sky view. During this time, from Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) sol 1456–1467, we find a decrease of 4% in the expected dose rate, and a decrease of 7.5% in the neutral particle environment. This proof of principle is an important step to validate plans to use natural sheltering on Mars.
New Detailed Modeling of GICs in the Spanish Power Transmission Grid
Authors: Torta J. M. , Marsal S. , Ledo J. , Queralt P. , Canillas‐Pérez V. , Piña‐Varas P. , Curto J. J. , Marcuello A. , Martí A.
Published: July 2021

The threat of Geomagnetically Induced Currents (GICs) driven by severe Space Weather looms over technological systems such as power grids. Assessing their vulnerability is thus vital to avoid damages or even disruption of the electrical power supply. This endeavor, however, entails an interdisciplinary approach, ranging from the characterization of the geoelectrical structure of the Earth beneath and around the area of interest, or the modeling of the power network from its parameters and topology, and including the validation of the modeling process by means of (direct or indirect) GIC flow measurements. In this paper, we summarize our current achievements focused on mainland Spain, concentrating on the improvements reached after going from a homogeneous Earth's resistivity to an alternative 3D electrical resistivity distribution approach to geoelectric field computation, which is still in progress because new empirical impedance tensors are needed, mainly at sites in the west of the Iberian Peninsula. The second major achievement has come from the addition of the 220 kV level to the network model. The overall improvement has been validated against real GIC data in one area of the country. The new vulnerability maps show that in some nodes the predicted GIC has been substantially reduced by the sum of both effects. The assessment has been carried out down to the level of the individual windings of each transformer, and examples of the estimated GIC flow are given for substations with numerous power transmission lines converging to them at diverse orientations.
Antibody responses after first and second Covid-19 vaccination in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Authors: Parry H. , McIlroy G. , Bruton R. , Ali M. , Stephens C. , Damery S. , Otter A. , McSkeane T. , Rolfe H. , Faustini S. , Wall N. , Hillmen P. , Pratt G. , Paneesha S. , Zuo J. , Richter A. , Moss P.
Published: July 2021

B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is associated with immunosuppression and patients are at increased clinical risk following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Covid-19 vaccines offer the potential for protection against severe infection but relatively little is known regarding the profile of the antibody response following first or second vaccination. We studied spike-specific antibody responses following first and/or second Covid-19 vaccination in 299 patients with CLL compared with healthy donors. 286 patients underwent extended interval (10–12 week) vaccination. 154 patients received the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine and 145 patients received ChAdOx1. Blood samples were taken either by venepuncture or as dried blood spots on filter paper. Spike-specific antibody responses were detectable in 34% of patients with CLL after one vaccine (n = 267) compared to 94% in healthy donors with antibody titres 104-fold lower in the patient group. Antibody responses increased to 75% after second vaccine (n = 55), compared to 100% in healthy donors, although titres remained lower. Multivariate analysis showed that current treatment with BTK inhibitors or IgA deficiency were independently associated with failure to generate an antibody response after the second vaccine. This work supports the need for optimisation of vaccination strategy in patients with CLL including the potential utility of booster vaccines.
Correlative multi-scale cryo-imaging unveils SARS-CoV-2 assembly and egress
Authors: Mendonça Luiza , Howe Andrew , Gilchrist James B. , Sheng Yuewen , Sun Dapeng , Knight Michael L. , Zanetti-Domingues Laura C. , Bateman Benji , Krebs Anna-Sophia , Chen Long , Radecke Julika , Li Vivian D. , Ni Tao , Kounatidis Ilias , Koronfel Mohamed A. , Szynkiewicz Marta , Harkiolaki Maria , Martin-Fernandez Marisa L. , James William , Zhang Peijun
Published: July 2021

Since the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, there have been intense structural studies on purified viral components and inactivated viruses. However, structural and ultrastructural evidence on how the SARS-CoV-2 infection progresses in the native cellular context is scarce, and there is a lack of comprehensive knowledge on the SARS-CoV-2 replicative cycle. To correlate cytopathic events induced by SARS-CoV-2 with virus replication processes in frozen-hydrated cells, we established a unique multi-modal, multi-scale cryo-correlative platform to image SARS-CoV-2 infection in Vero cells. This platform combines serial cryoFIB/SEM volume imaging and soft X-ray cryo-tomography with cell lamellae-based cryo-electron tomography (cryoET) and subtomogram averaging. Here we report critical SARS-CoV-2 structural events – e.g. viral RNA transport portals, virus assembly intermediates, virus egress pathway, and native virus spike structures, in the context of whole-cell volumes revealing drastic cytppathic changes. This integrated approach allows a holistic view of SARS-CoV-2 infection, from the whole cell to individual molecules.
Semiconductor thermionics for next generation solar cells: photon enhanced or pure thermionic?
Authors: Rahman Ehsanur , Nojeh Alireza
Published: July 2021

Semiconductors have been used in solar energy conversion for decades based on the photovoltaic effect. An important challenge of photovoltaics is the undesired heat generated within the device. An alternative approach is thermionics, which uses the thermal excitation of electrons from an emitter to a collector across a vacuum gap. If the emitter is a p-type semiconductor, the photogeneration-induced quasi-Fermi level splitting can reduce the effective barrier for electron emission—a mechanism used by a photon enhanced thermionic emission device. Here, we evaluate the prospects of this alternative solar conversion technology considering different semiconductor materials and thermionic device configurations. We also reveal that whether such a device operates in the photon enhanced or purely thermionic mode, depends on the complex interplay among materials properties, device physics and solar concentration level.
Microglia modulate stable wakefulness via the thalamic reticular nucleus in mice
Authors: Liu Hanxiao , Wang Xinxing , Chen Lu , Chen Liang , Tsirka Stella E. , Ge Shaoyu , Xiong Qiaojie
Published: July 2021

Microglia are important for brain homeostasis and immunity, but their role in regulating vigilance remains unclear. We employed genetic, physiological, and metabolomic methods to examine microglial involvement in the regulation of wakefulness and sleep. Microglial depletion decreased stable nighttime wakefulness in mice by increasing transitions between wakefulness and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. Metabolomic analysis revealed that the sleep-wake behavior closely correlated with diurnal variation of the brain ceramide, which disappeared in microglia-depleted mice. Ceramide preferentially influenced microglia in the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN), and local depletion of TRN microglia produced similar impaired wakefulness. Chemogenetic manipulations of anterior TRN neurons showed that they regulated transitions between wakefulness and NREM sleep. Their firing capacity was suppressed by both microglial depletion and added ceramide. In microglia-depleted mice, activating anterior TRN neurons or inhibiting ceramide production both restored stable wakefulness. These findings demonstrate that microglia can modulate stable wakefulness through anterior TRN neurons via ceramide signaling.
17O-EPR determination of the structure and dynamics of copper single-metal sites in zeolites
Authors: Bruzzese Paolo Cleto , Salvadori Enrico , Jäger Stefan , Hartmann Martin , Civalleri Bartolomeo , Pöppl Andreas , Chiesa Mario
Published: July 2021

The bonding of copper ions to lattice oxygens dictates the activity and selectivity of copper exchanged zeolites. By 17O isotopic labelling of the zeolite framework, in conjunction with advanced EPR methodologies and DFT modelling, we determine the local structure of single site CuII species, we quantify the covalency of the metal-framework bond and we assess how this scenario is modified by the presence of solvating H216O or H217O molecules. This enables to follow the migration of CuII species as a function of hydration conditions, providing evidence for a reversible transfer pathway within the zeolite cage as a function of the water pressure. The results presented in this paper establish 17O EPR as a versatile tool for characterizing metal-oxide interactions in open-shell systems.
Unidirectional ion transport in nanoporous carbon membranes with a hierarchical pore architecture
Authors: Chen Lu , Tu Bin , Lu Xubin , Li Fan , Jiang Lei , Antonietti Markus , Xiao Kai
Published: July 2021

The transport of fluids in channels with diameter of 1-2 nm exhibits many anomalous features due to the interplay of several genuinely interfacial effects. Quasi-unidirectional ion transport, reminiscent of the behavior of membrane pores in biological cells, is one phenomenon that has attracted a lot of attention in recent years, e.g., for realizing diodes for ion-conduction based electronics. Although ion rectification has been demonstrated in many asymmetric artificial nanopores, it always fails in the high-concentration range, and operates in either acidic or alkaline electrolytes but never over the whole pH range. Here we report a hierarchical pore architecture carbon membrane with a pore size gradient from 60 nm to 1.4 nm, which enables high ionic rectification ratios up to 104 in different environments including high concentration neutral (3 M KCl), acidic (1 M HCl), and alkaline (1 M NaOH) electrolytes, resulting from the asymmetric energy barriers for ions transport in two directions. Additionally, light irradiation as an external energy source can reduce the energy barriers to promote ions transport bidirectionally. The anomalous ion transport together with the robust nanoporous carbon structure may find applications in membrane filtration, water desalination, and fuel cell membranes.
PE38-based gene therapy of HER2-positive breast cancer stem cells via VHH-redirected polyamidoamine dendrimers
Authors: Moradian Cobra , Rahbarizadeh Fatemeh
Published: July 2021

Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) resist conventional treatments and cause tumor recurrence. Almost 25% of breast cancers overexpress human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2). Here we developed a novel multi-targeted nanosystem to specifically eradicate HER2+BCSCs. Plasmids containing CXCR1 promoter, PE38 toxin, and 5′UTR of the basic fibroblast growth factor-2 (bFGF 5'UTR) were constructed. Polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers functionalized with anti-HER2 VHHs were used for plasmid delivery. Stem cell proportion of MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-231/HER2+and MCF-10A were evaluated by mammosphere formation assay. Hanging drop technique was used to produce spheroids. The uptake, gene expression, and killing efficacy of the multi-targeted nanosystem were evaluated in both monolayer and spheroid culture. MDA-MB-231/HER2+had higher ability to form mammosphere compared to MCF-10A. Our multi-targeted nanosystem efficiently inhibited the mammosphere formation of MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-231/HER2+cells, while it was unable to prevent the mammosphere formation of MCF-10A. In the hanging drop culture, MDA-MB-231/HER+generated compact well-rounded spheroids, while MCF-10A failed to form compact cellular masses. The multi-targeted nanosystem showed much better uptake, higher PE38 expression, and subsequent cell death in MDA-MB-231/HER2+compared to MCF-10A. However, the efficacy of our targeted toxin gene therapy was lower in MDA-MB-231/HER2+spheroids compared with that in the monolayer culture. the combination of the cell surface, transcriptional, and translational targeting increased the stringency of the treatment.
In vivo MRI evaluation of early postnatal development in normal and impaired rat eyes
Authors: Au Jeannie M. , Kancherla Swarupa , Hamade Malack , Mendoza Monica , Chan Kevin C.
Published: July 2021

This study employed in vivo 7-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate the postnatal ocular growth patterns under normal development or neonatal impairments in Sprague–Dawley rats. Using T2-weighted imaging on healthy rats from postnatal day (P) 1 (newborn) to P60 (adult), the volumes of the anterior chamber and posterior chamber (ACPC), lens, and vitreous humor increased logistically with ACPC expanding by 33-fold and the others by fivefold. Intravitreal potassium dichromate injection at P1, P7, and P14 led to T1-weighted signal enhancement in the developing retina by 188–289%. Upon unilateral hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy at P7, monocular deprivation at P15, and monocular enucleation at P1, T2-weighted imaging of the adult rats showed decreased ocular volumes to different extents. In summary, in vivo high-field MRI allows for non-invasive evaluation of early postnatal development in the normal and impaired rat eyes. Chromium-enhanced MRI appeared effective in examining the developing retina before natural eyelid opening at P14 with relevance to lipid metabolism. The reduced ocular volumes upon neonatal visual impairments provided evidence to the emerging problems of why some impaired visual outcomes cannot be solely predicted by neurological assessments and suggested the need to look into both the eye and the brain under such conditions.
Spontaneously formed gradient chemical compositional structures of niobium doped titanium dioxide nanoparticles enhance ultraviolet- and visible-light photocatalytic performance
Authors: Tarutani Naoki , Kato Ryuma , Uchikoshi Tetsuo , Ishigaki Takamasa
Published: July 2021

Semiconductor photocatalysts showing excellent performance under irradiation of both ultraviolet (UV)- and visible (VIS)-light are highly demanded towards realization of sustainable energy systems. TiO2 is one of the most common photocatalysts and has been widely investigated as candidate showing UV/VIS responsive performance. In this study, we report synthesis of Nb doped TiO2 by environmentally benign mechanochemical reaction. Nb atoms were successfully incorporated into TiO2 lattice by applying mechanical energy. As synthesized Nb doped TiO2 were metastable phase and formed chemical compositional gradient structure of poorly Nb doped TiO2 core and highly Nb doped TiO2 surface after high temperature heat treatment. It was found that formed gradient chemical compositional heterojunctions effectively enhanced photocatalytic performance of Nb doped TiO2 under both of UV- and VIS-light irradiation, which is different trend compared with Nb doped TiO2 prepared through conventional methods. The approach shown here will be employed for versatile systems because of simple and environmentally benign process.
Author Correction: Inferring ecosystem networks as information flows
Authors: Li Jie , Convertino Matteo
Published: July 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Validation of nasospheroids to assay CFTR functionality and modulator responses in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Calucho Maite , Gartner Silvia , Barranco Paula , Fernández-Álvarez Paula , Pérez Raquel García , Tizzano Eduardo F.
Published: July 2021

The availability of a simple, robust and non-invasive in vitro airway model would be useful to study the functionality of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) protein and to personalize modulator therapy for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Our aim was to validate a CFTR functional study using nasospheroids, a patient-derived nasal cell 3D-culture. We performed live-cell experiments in nasospheroids obtained from wild-type individuals and CF patients with different genotypes and phenotypes. We extended the existing method and expanded the analysis to upgrade measurements of CFTR activity using forskolin-induced shrinking. We also tested modulator drugs in CF samples. Immobilizing suspended-nasospheroids provided a high number of samples for live-cell imaging. The diversity observed in basal sizes of nasospheroids did not affect the functional analysis of CFTR. Statistical analysis with our method was simple, making this protocol easy to reproduce. Moreover, we implemented the measurement of inner fluid reservoir areas to further differentiate CFTR functionality. In summary, this rapid methodology is helpful to analyse response to modulators in CF samples to allow individualized treatment for CF patients.
Over 30% efficiency bifacial 4-terminal perovskite-heterojunction silicon tandem solar cells with spectral albedo
Authors: Kim Sangho , Trinh Thanh Thuy , Park Jinjoo , Pham Duy Phong , Lee Sunhwa , Do Huy Binh , Dang Nam Nguyen , Dao Vinh-Ai , Kim Joondong , Yi Junsin
Published: July 2021

We developed and designed a bifacial four-terminal perovskite (PVK)/crystalline silicon (c-Si) heterojunction (HJ) tandem solar cell configuration albedo reflection in which the c-Si HJ bottom sub-cell absorbs the solar spectrum from both the front and rear sides (reflected light from the background such as green grass, white sand, red brick, roofing shingle, snow, etc.). Using the albedo reflection and the subsequent short-circuit current density, the conversion efficiency of the PVK-filtered c-Si HJ bottom sub-cell was improved regardless of the PVK top sub-cell properties. This approach achieved a conversion efficiency exceeding 30%, which is higher than those of both the top and bottom sub-cells. Notably, this efficiency is also greater than the Schockley–Quiesser limit of the c-Si solar cell (approximately 29.43%). The proposed approach has the potential to lower industrial solar cell production costs in the near future.
Activation of transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 protects articular cartilage against inflammatory responses via CaMKK/AMPK/NF-κB signaling pathway
Authors: Hattori Kyosuke , Takahashi Nobunori , Terabe Kenya , Ohashi Yoshifumi , Kishimoto Kenji , Yokota Yutaka , Suzuki Mochihito , Kojima Toshihisa , Imagama Shiro
Published: July 2021

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) plays an important role in chondrocytes via Ca2+ signaling. However, its role in the progression of osteoarthritis is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of TRPV4 activation on articular cartilage and chondrocytes stimulated with interleukin (IL)-1β. Bovine and human articular chondrocytes were stimulated with various agents, including IL-1β, GSK1016790A (GSK101; a TRPV4 agonist), Compound C (an AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) inhibitor), and STO-609 (a calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase (CaMKK) inhibitor), and were processed for Western blot analysis and real-time PCR. The dimethylmethylene blue (DMMB) assay and Safranin O staining were also performed. GSK101 reversed the IL-1β-induced increase in expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13 and decrease in expression of aggrecan. GSK101 also decreased proteoglycan release in the DMMB assay and retained Safranin O staining of articular cartilage tissue. Furthermore, GSK101 increased AMPK phosphorylation and decreased IL-1β-induced nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) phosphorylation. Compound C and STO-609 reversed the suppressive effects of GSK101 on NF-κB activation and MMP-13 expression. In conclusion, TRPV4 activation had chondroprotective effects on articular cartilage stimulated with IL-1β by activating CaMKK/AMPK and suppressing the NF-κB pathway. TRPV4 activators may offer a promising therapeutic option for preventing the progression of osteoarthritis.
Verloren negatively regulates the expression of IMD pathway dependent antimicrobial peptides in Drosophila
Authors: Prakash Pragya , Roychowdhury-Sinha Arghyashree , Goto Akira
Published: July 2021

Drosophila immune deficiency (IMD) pathway is similar to the human tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) signaling pathway and is preferentially activated by Gram-negative bacterial infection. Recent studies highlighted the importance of IMD pathway regulation as it is tightly controlled by numbers of negative regulators at multiple levels. Here, we report a new negative regulator of the IMD pathway, Verloren (Velo). Silencing of Velo led to constitutive expression of the IMD pathway dependent antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), and Escherichia coli stimulation further enhanced the AMP expression. Epistatic analysis indicated that Velo knock-down mediated AMP upregulation is dependent on the canonical members of the IMD pathway. The immune fluorescent study using overexpression constructs revealed that Velo resides both in the nucleus and cytoplasm, but the majority (~ 75%) is localized in the nucleus. We also observed from in vivo analysis that Velo knock-down flies exhibit significant upregulation of the AMP expression and reduced bacterial load. Survival experiments showed that Velo knock-down flies have a short lifespan and are susceptible to the infection of pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria, P. aeruginosa. Taken together, these data suggest that Velo is an additional new negative regulator of the IMD pathway, possibly acting in both the nucleus and cytoplasm.
Transperineal ultrasound shear-wave elastography is a reliable tool for assessment of the elastic properties of the levator ani muscle in women
Authors: Gachon Bertrand , Fritel Xavier , Pierre Fabrice , Nordez Antoine
Published: July 2021

Our main objective was to assess the intraoperator intersession reproducibility of transperineal ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) to measure the levator ani muscle (LAM) elastic properties. Secondary objective was to compare reproducibility when considering the mean of three consecutives measurements versus one. In this prospective study involving non-pregnant nulliparous women, two visits were planned, with a measurement of the shear modulus (SM) on the right LAM at rest, during Valsalva maneuver and maximal contraction. Assessments were done with a transperineal approach, using an AIXPLORER device with a linear SL 18–5 (5-18 MHz) probe. For each condition, 3 consecutive measures were performed at each visit. The mean of the three measures, then the first one, were considered for the reproducibility by calculating intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and coefficient of variation (CV). Twenty women were included. Reproducibility was excellent when considering the mean of the 3 measures at rest (ICC = 0.90; CV = 15.7%) and Valsalva maneuver (ICC = 0.94; CV = 10.6%), or the first of the three measures at rest (ICC = 0.87; CV = 18.6%) and Valsalva maneuver (ICC = 0.84; CV = 19.9%). Reproducibility was fair for measurement during contraction. Transperineal ultrasound SWE is a reliable tool to investigate LAM elastic properties at rest and during Valsalva maneuver.
Rates of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and vaccination impact the fate of vaccine-resistant strains
Authors: Rella Simon A. , Kulikova Yuliya A. , Dermitzakis Emmanouil T. , Kondrashov Fyodor A.
Published: July 2021

Vaccines are thought to be the best available solution for controlling the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. However, the emergence of vaccine-resistant strains may come too rapidly for current vaccine developments to alleviate the health, economic and social consequences of the pandemic. To quantify and characterize the risk of such a scenario, we created a SIR-derived model with initial stochastic dynamics of the vaccine-resistant strain to study the probability of its emergence and establishment. Using parameters realistically resembling SARS-CoV-2 transmission, we model a wave-like pattern of the pandemic and consider the impact of the rate of vaccination and the strength of non-pharmaceutical intervention measures on the probability of emergence of a resistant strain. As expected, we found that a fast rate of vaccination decreases the probability of emergence of a resistant strain. Counterintuitively, when a relaxation of non-pharmaceutical interventions happened at a time when most individuals of the population have already been vaccinated the probability of emergence of a resistant strain was greatly increased. Consequently, we show that a period of transmission reduction close to the end of the vaccination campaign can substantially reduce the probability of resistant strain establishment. Our results suggest that policymakers and individuals should consider maintaining non-pharmaceutical interventions and transmission-reducing behaviours throughout the entire vaccination period.
Shape effect of cerium oxide nanoparticles on mild traumatic brain injury
Authors: Youn Dong Hyuk , Tran Ngoc Minh , Kim Bong Jun , Kim Youngmi , Jeon Jin Pyeong , Yoo Hyojong
Published: July 2021

The catalytic performance and therapeutic effect of nanoparticles varies with shape. Here, we investigated and compared the therapeutic outcomes of ceria nanospheres (Ceria NSs) and ceria nanorods (Ceria NRs) in an in vivo study of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). In vivo TBI was induced in a mouse model of open head injury using a stereotaxic impactor. Outcomes including cytoprotective effects, cognitive function, and cerebral edema were investigated after retro-orbital injection of 11.6 mM of ceria nanoparticles. Ceria nanoparticles significantly reduced fluoro-jade B (FJB)-positive cells and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells, and restored mRNA levels of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and SOD2. They also decreased the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression compared with the untreated control group. Comparing the two nanomaterials, Ceria NRs showed less stable and high-energy (100) and (110) planes, which increased the number of active sites. The Ce3+/Ce4+ molar ratio of Ceria NRs (0.40) was greater than that of Ceria NSs (0.27). Ceria NRs (0.059 ± 0.021) appeared to exhibit better anti-inflammatory effect than Ceria NSs (0.133 ± 0.024), but the effect was statistically insignificant (p = 0.190). Ceria nanoparticles also improved cognitive impairment following mTBI compared with the control group, but the effect did not differ significantly according to the nanoshape. However, Ceria NRs (70.1 ± 0.5%) significantly decreased brain water content compared with Ceria NSs (73.7 ± 0.4%; p = 0.0015), indicating a more effective reduction in brain edema (p = 0.0015). Compared with Ceria NSs, the Ceria NRs are more effective in alleviating cerebral edema following in vivo mTBI.
The effect of video-instructed versus audio-instructed dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation on patient outcomes following out of hospital cardiac arrest in Seoul
Authors: Lee Hee Soon , You Kicheol , Jeon Jin Pyeong , Kim Chulho , Kim Sungeun
Published: July 2021

We aimed to investigate whether video-instructed dispatcher-assisted (DA)-cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) improved neurologic recovery and survival to discharge compared to audio-instructed DA-CPR in adult out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients in a metropolitan city with sufficient experience and facilities. A retrospective cohort study was conducted for adult bystander-witnessed OHCA patients administered DA-CPR due to presumed cardiac etiology between January 1, 2018 and October 31, 2019 in Seoul, Korea. The primary and secondary outcomes were the differences in favorable neurologic outcome and survival to discharge rates in adult OHCA patients in the two instruction groups. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the outcome predictors after DA-CPR. A total of 2109 adult OHCA patients with DA-CPR were enrolled. Numbers of elderly patients in audio instruction and video instruction were 1260 (73.2%) and 214 (55.3%), respectively. Elderly patients and those outside the home or medical facility were more likely to receive video instruction. Favorable neurologic outcome was observed more in patients who received video-instructed DA-CPR (n = 75, 19.4%) than in patients who received audio-instructed DA-CPR (n = 117, 6.8%). The survival to discharge rate was also higher in video-instructed DA-CPR (n = 105, 27.1%) than in audio-instructed DA-CPR (n = 211, 12.3%). Video-instructed DA-CPR was significantly associated with neurologic recovery (aOR = 2.11, 95% CI 1.48–3.01) and survival to discharge (aOR = 1.81, 95% CI 1.33–2.46) compared to audio-instructed DA-CPR in adult OHCA patients after adjusting for age, gender, underlying diseases and CPR location. Video-instructed DA-CPR was associated with favorable outcomes in adult patients with OHCA in a metropolitan city equipped with sufficient experience and facilities.
The influence of visual supports and motivation on motor performance of the MABC-2 for Chinese school-aged children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Hu Xiaoyi , Wang Hui , Han Zhuo Rachel , Zhao Yu , Ke Li
Published: July 2021

The influences of including visual supports and strategies to increase motivation for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in motor assessments were examined. 97 children with ASD and 117 age-matched typically developing (TD) children performed the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition (MABC-2) under traditional, visual support, motivation, and visual support plus motivation protocols. Results showed that children with ASD elicited lower MABC-2 scores than TD children. Moreover, in children with ASD, the visual support protocol, but not the motivation protocol, produced higher scores on ball and balance skills than the traditional protocol. These findings indicated that children with ASD were developmentally delayed in motor skills; however, their performance may be improved by including visual supports in motor assessments.
Telomere associated gene expression as well as TERT protein level and telomerase activity are altered in the ovarian follicles of aged mice
Authors: Kosebent Esra Gozde , Ozturk Saffet
Published: July 2021

Telomeres cap the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes to maintain genomic stability and integrity during an organism’s lifespan. The length of telomeres inevitably shortens due to DNA replication, genotoxic agents, and biological aging. A limited number of cell types, e.g., stem cells, germline cells, and early embryos can elongate shortened telomeres via the enzymatic action of telomerase, which is composed of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and telomerase RNA component (Terc). Additionally, telomere-associated proteins including telomeric repeat binding factor 1 (TRF1) and 2 (TRF2), as well as protection of telomeres 1a (POT1a), bind to telomeres to maintain their structural integrity and length. During ovarian aging in mammals, telomeres progressively shorten, accompanied by fertility loss; however, the molecular mechanism underlying this attrition during follicle development remains unclear. In this study, the primary, secondary, preantral, and antral follicles were obtained either from 6-week-old adult (n = 19) or 52-week-old aged (n = 12) mice. We revealed that the Tert, Terc, Trf1, Trf2, and Pot1a gene expression (P < 0.001) and TERT protein (P < 0.01) levels significantly decreased in certain ovarian follicles of the aged group when compared to those of the adult group. Also, telomerase activity exhibited remarkable changes in the follicles of both groups. Consequently, altered telomere-associated gene expression and reduced TERT protein levels in the follicles of aged mice may be a determinant of telomere shortening during ovarian aging, and infertility appearing in the later decades of reproductive lifespan. Further investigations are required to determine the molecular mechanisms underlying these alterations in the follicles during ovarian aging.
Towards communication in a curved spacetime geometry
Authors: Exirifard Qasem , Culf Eric , Karimi Ebrahim
Published: July 2021

The current race in quantum communication – endeavouring to establish a global quantum network – must account for special and general relativistic effects. The well-studied general relativistic effects include Shapiro time-delay, gravitational lensing, and frame dragging which all are due to how a mass distribution alters geodesics. Here, we report how the curvature of spacetime geometry affects the propagation of information carriers along an arbitrary geodesic. An explicit expression for the distortion onto the carrier wavefunction in terms of the Riemann curvature is obtained. Furthermore, we investigate this distortion for anti de Sitter and Schwarzschild geometries. For instance, the spacetime curvature causes a 0.10 radian phase-shift for communication between Earth and the International Space Station on a monochromatic laser beam and quadrupole astigmatism; can cause a 12.2% cross-talk between structured modes traversing through the solar system. Our finding shows that this gravitational distortion is significant, and it needs to be either pre- or post-corrected at the sender or receiver to retrieve the information.
A highly reproducible SERS sensor based on an Au nanoparticles/graphene oxide hybrid nanocomposite for label-free quantitative detection of antibiotics
Authors: Wang Yan , Chen Huacai , Jiang Li
Published: July 2021

Au nanoparticles/graphene oxide hybrid nanocomposites were prepared as a uniform and repeatable SERS sensor for multi-sample detection of antibiotics.
Reversing Lewis acidity from bismuth to antimony
Authors: Sharma Deepti , Balasubramaniam Selvakumar , Kumar Sandeep , Jemmis Eluvathingal D. , Venugopal Ajay
Published: July 2021

Investigations on the boundaries between the neutral and cationic models of (Mesityl)2EX (E = Sb, Bi and X = Cl−, OTf−) have facilitated reversing the Lewis acidity from bismuth to antimony.
Intrinsic volumetric negative thermal expansion in the “rigid” calcium squarate
Authors: Liu Zhanning , Wang Zhe , Sun Daofeng , Xing Xianran
Published: July 2021

A strong volumetric negative thermal expansion was found to exist in a rigid MOF without carboxylate like buffering units.
Base-catalysed 18F-labelling of trifluoromethyl ketones. Application to the synthesis of 18F-labelled neutrophil elastase inhibitors
Authors: Meyer Denise N. , Cortés González Miguel A. , Jiang Xingguo , Johansson-Holm Linus , Pourghasemi Lati Monireh , Elgland Mathias , Nordeman Patrik , Antoni Gunnar , Szabó Kálmán J.
Published: July 2021

A new method for the fluorine-18 labelling of trifluoromethyl ketones has been developed.
Low-defect K2Mn[Fe(CN)6]-reduced graphene oxide composite for high-performance potassium-ion batteries
Authors: Zhang Juan , Deng Leqing , Feng Meiying , Zeng Liang , Hu Miao , Zhu Yujie
Published: July 2021

A low-defect K2Mn[Fe(CN)6]-reduced graphene oxide composite cathode is shown to demonstrate excellent cycling stability, rate capability, and air stability for potassium-ion batteries.
A template-free synthesis of mesoporous SrTiO3 single crystals
Authors: Zhu Ji Ping , Wu Xue Feng , Yang Xiao Hua , Liu Peng Fei , Dai Sheng , Yang Hua Gui
Published: July 2021

Well-defined mesoporous SrTiO3 single crystals were fabricated via a template-free method, undergoing a reversed crystal growth, which crystallize from the external and then proceed gradually inwards.
1-Alkyl-3-methylimidazolium cation binding preferences in hexafluorophosphate ionic liquid clusters determined using competitive TCID measurements and theoretical calculations
Authors: Roy H. A. , Rodgers M. T.
Published: July 2021

The nature, absolute strength, and order of binding among 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium cations, [Cnmim]+forn= 2–8, to the hexafluorophosphate anion [PF6]−are definitively establishedviasynergistic competitive TCID and computational approaches.
Multicolour lanthanide(iii) porous 1D coordination polymers: tunable wide spectrum emission and efficient CuII sensing
Authors: Karmakar Sanchita , Ghosh Adrija , Prasad Komal , Rahimi Faruk Ahamed , Rambabu Darsi , Haldar Ritesh , Maji Tapas Kumar
Published: July 2021

Five isostructural 1D porous coordination polymers (PCPs) with a general formula of {[M(L)(DMF)(H2O)]·1.5H2O}n [M = TbIII (1), EuIII (2), YbIII (3), NdIII (4) and ErIII (5)] have been synthesized using a flexible tripodal organic linker (L) and characterized.
Quantification of heterogeneous, irreversible lithium plating in extreme fast charging of lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Paul Partha P. , Thampy Vivek , Cao Chuntian , Steinrück Hans-Georg , Tanim Tanvir R. , Dunlop Alison R. , Dufek Eric J. , Trask Stephen E. , Jansen Andrew N. , Toney Michael F. , Nelson Weker Johanna
Published: July 2021

Realization of extreme fast charging (XFC, ≤15 minutes) of lithium-ion batteries is imperative for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.
Formamidine disulfide oxidant as a localised electron scavenger for >20% perovskite solar cell modules
Authors: Zhu Jun , Park Seulyoung , Gong Oh Yeong , Sohn ChangHwun , Li Zijia , Zhang Zhenru , Jo Bonghyun , Kim Wooyul , Han Gill Sang , Kim Dong Hoe , Ahn Tae Kyu , Lee Jaichan , Jung Hyun Suk
Published: July 2021

A large FAS2+ ion in FAPbI3 scavenges localized electrons in defects, leading to perovskite solar cell module with remarkable performance values of 18.76% (25.74 cm2) and 15.87% (65.22 cm2), respectively.
Polyvinyl chloride in consumer and environmental plastics, with a particular focus on metal-based additives
Authors: Turner Andrew , Filella Montserrat
Published: July 2021

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is one of the most widely used thermoplastics but is also a material of concern because of the generation and release of harmful chemicals during its life cycle.
Neuroprotective effects of macamide from maca (Lepidium meyeniiWalp.) on corticosterone-induced hippocampal impairments through its anti-inflammatory, neurotrophic, and synaptic protection properties
Authors: Yu Zejun , Li Dong , Zhai Shengbing , Xu Hang , Liu Hao , Ao Mingzhang , Zhao Chunfang , Jin Wenwen , Yu Longjiang
Published: July 2021

The present study aims to investigate the protective effects ofN-(3-methoxybenzyl)-(9Z,12Z,15Z)-octadecatrienamide (M 18:3) on corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity.
The enrichment of honey withAronia melanocarpafruits enhances itsin vitroandin vivoantioxidant potential and intensifies its antibacterial and antiviral properties
Authors: Miłek Michał , Grabek-Lejko Dorota , Stępień Karolina , Sidor Ewelina , Mołoń Mateusz , Dżugan Małgorzata
Published: July 2021

Rape honey with the addition ofAronia melanocarpadried fruits is a new product, enriched with additional bioactive compounds, with increased antioxidant potential and enhanced antibacterial and antiviral activity.
Integration of acetic acid catalysis with one-pot protic ionic liquid configuration to achieve high-efficient biorefinery of poplar biomass
Authors: Huang Kaixuan , Mohan Mood , George Anthe , Simmons Blake A. , Xu Yong , Gladden John M.
Published: July 2021

An integrated acetic acid based one-pot protic ionic liquid pretreatment and saccharification enables the near full conversion of poplar polysaccharides.
Determination of trace elements in polymers using fsLA-ICP-MS with internal standardization by carbon
Authors: Makino Yoshiki , Nakazato Tetsuya
Published: July 2021

We reported the fsLA-ICP-MS analysis of 5 types of polymer CRMs including hydrocarbon-based and containing heteroatoms to demonstrate the performance of internal standardization by 13C.
Understanding and improving FDM 3D printing to fabricate high-resolution and optically transparent microfluidic devices
Authors: Quero Reverson Fernandes , Domingos da Silveira Géssica , Fracassi da Silva José Alberto , Jesus Dosil Pereira de
Published: July 2021

Theoretical and experimental studies showed that FDM 3D printers can be optimized to fabricate microfluidic devices with high resolution and transparency.
Detecting triplet states in opto-electronic and photovoltaic materials and devices by transient optically detected magnetic resonance
Authors: Grüne Jeannine , Dyakonov Vladimir , Sperlich Andreas
Published: July 2021

We present a transient ODMR technique to detect and distinguish triplet states in opto-electronic and photovoltaic materials and devices.
Radio frequency heating and material processing using carbon susceptors
Authors: Vashisth Aniruddh , Upama Shegufta T. , Anas Muhammad , Oh Ju-Hyun , Patil Nutan , Green Micah J.
Published: July 2021

This mini-review presents the science and applications of rapid heating of carbonaceous materials using radio frequency fields (1–200 MHz).
Three-dimensional superhydrophilic polyvinyl alcohol–formaldehyde composite sponges with suitable pore sizes for high efficiency emulsion separation
Authors: Sha Di , Zheng Run , Wang Baolong , Shi Kai , Yang Xu , Liu Xue , Liu Zhi , Ji Xiangling
Published: July 2021

PVA/PVF and PVA–COOH/PVF composite sponges with excellent emulsion separation performance.
The synergistic effect of rigid and flexible substituents on insertion polymerization with α-diimine nickel and palladium catalysts
Authors: Hai Zijuan , Lu Zhou , Li Shuaikang , Cao Zhong-Yan , Dai Shengyu
Published: July 2021

The introduction of flexible cycloalkyl groups greatly enhanced the chain growth in the Ni(ii) catalytic system and facilitated the insertion of polar monomers in the Pd(ii) catalytic system.
Csp–Cspbond cleavage and fragment coupling: a transition metal-free “extrusion and recombination” approach towards synthesis of 1,2-diketones
Authors: Gujjarappa Raghuram , Vodnala Nagaraju , Kandpal Ashish , Roy Lisa , Gupta Sreya , Malakar Chandi C.
Published: July 2021

A metal-free strategy for C–C bond activation of 1,3-diynes has been establishedviaan “extrusion and recombination” approach to derive structurally important 1,2-diketones in good yields with excellent selectivity.
NaI/TBHP-promoted reaction of indole-2-thiones with arylsulfonyl hydrazides: construction of achiral axial 3,3′-biindole-2,2′-dibenzenesulfonothioate derivatives
Authors: Xu Lin , Xu Pei , Zhu Yi-Ming , Rao Weidong , Wang Shun-Yi
Published: July 2021

A new method for the synthesis of achiral axial 3,3′-biindole-2,2′-dibenzenesulfonothioate derivatives from indole-2-thiones with arylsulfonyl hydrazides promoted by NaI/TBHP is disclosed.
Factor analysis of the influence of environmental conditions on VOC emissions from medium density fibreboard and the correlation of the factors with fitting parameters
Authors: Shao Huiqi , Ren Yifan , Zhang Yan , Wu Chuandong , Li Wenhui , Liu Jiemin
Published: July 2021

RH has positive effects on the initial VOC emissions and ACR has negative effects on VOC emissions. a1 has a power relationship with ACR and a polynomial relationship with RH and b1 has a polynomial relationship with both ACR and RH.
“Kill-release” antibacterial polysaccharides multilayer coating based therapeutic contact lens for effective bacterial keratitis treatment
Authors: Wang Rui , Lu Duoduo , Wang Hui , Zou Haoyu , Bai Ting , Feng Chulei , Lin Quankui
Published: July 2021

Therapeutic contact lenses fabricated by polysaccharides multilayer surface modification, shows “kill-release” antibacterial performance, can serve as an effective treatment for bacterial keratitis.
RNA-binding proteins modulate drug sensitivity of cancer cells
Authors: Rogoyski Oliver , Gerber André P.
Published: July 2021

As our understanding of the complex network of regulatory pathways for gene expression continues to grow, avenues of investigation for how these new findings can be utilised in therapeutics are emerging. The recent growth of interest in the RNA binding protein (RBP) interactome has revealed it to be rich in targets linked to, and causative of diseases. While this is, in and of itself, very interesting, evidence is also beginning to arise for how the RBP interactome can act to modulate the response of diseases to existing therapeutic treatments, especially in cancers. Here we highlight this topic, providing examples of work that exemplifies such modulation of chemotherapeutic sensitivity.
Lyapunov optimization machine learning resource allocation approach for uplink underlaid D2D communication in 5G networks
Authors: Pandey Krishna , Arya Rajeev
Published: July 2021

Device‐to‐device (D2D) communication plays a vital role in communication technologies with resource management and power control, which are the major issues for researchers in the era of 2020. In 5G networks, machine learning algorithms play a crucial role to manage these issues. In the proposed work, the problem is formulated for the uplink underlaid model of D2D communication. The Lyapunov optimization technique is utilized with a combination of machine learning techniques for resource allocation in D2D communication. First, the maximization of uplink and overall system capacity is formulated with resource management, which guarantees the signal to interference noise ratio for the D2D users. The optimization is a mixed integer non‐linear problem which uses the Lyapunov optimization method to optimize the bit error rate value and iterative algorithm to optimize the power value with different constraints. After attaining the optimized value, the support vector machine technique is utilized to ensure the spectral efficiency of an overall system in autonomous mode. Simulation results show that the proposed method provides higher reliability and power efficiency with higher system capacity in comparison to prevailing technologies.