bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immunomodulatory role of Parkinson’s disease 7 in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Lippai Rita , Veres-Székely Apor , Sziksz Erna , Iwakura Yoichiro , Pap Domonkos , Rokonay Réka , Szebeni Beáta , Lotz Gábor , Béres Nóra J. , Cseh Áron , Szabó Attila J. , Vannay Ádám
Published: July 2021

Recently the role of Parkinson’s disease 7 (PARK7) was studied in gastrointestinal diseases, however, the complex role of PARK7 in the intestinal inflammation is still not completely clear. Expression and localization of PARK7 were determined in the colon biopsies of children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), in the colon of dextran sodium sulphate (DSS) treated mice and in HT-29 colonic epithelial cells treated with interleukin (IL)-17, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Effect of PARK7 on the synthesis of IBD related cytokines was determined using PARK7 gene silenced HT-29 cells and 3,4,5-trimethoxy-N-(4-(8-methylimidazo(1,2-a)pyridine-2-yl)phenyl)benzamide (Comp23)—compound increasing PARK7 activity—treated mice with DSS-colitis. PARK7 expression was higher in the mucosa of children with Crohn’s disease compared to that of controls. While H2O2 and IL-17 treatment increased, LPS, TNF-α or TGF-β treatment decreased the PARK7 synthesis of HT-29 cells. PARK7 gene silencing influenced the synthesis of IL1B, IL6, TNFA and TGFB1 in vitro. Comp23 treatment attenuated the ex vivo permeability of colonic sacs, the clinical symptoms, and mucosal expression of Tgfb1, Il1b, Il6 and Il10 of DSS-treated mice. Our study revealed the role of PARK7 in the regulation of IBD-related inflammation in vitro and in vivo, suggesting its importance as a future therapeutic target.
Wood-inhabiting fungal responses to forest naturalness vary among morpho-groups
Authors: Jenna Purhonen , Nerea Abrego , Atte Komonen , Seppo Huhtinen , Heikki Kotiranta , Thomas Læssøe , Panu Halme
Published: July 2021

The general negative impact of forestry on wood-inhabiting fungal diversity is well recognized, yet the effect of forest naturalness is poorly disentangled among different fungal groups inhabiting dead wood of different tree species. We studied the relationship between forest naturalness, log characteristics and diversity of different fungal morpho-groups inhabiting large decaying logs of similar quality in spruce dominated boreal forests. We sampled all non-lichenized fruitbodies from birch, spruce, pine and aspen in 12 semi-natural forest sites of varying level of naturalness. The overall fungal community composition was mostly determined by host tree species. However, when assessing the relevance of the environmental variables separately for each tree species, the most important variable varied, naturalness being the most important explanatory variable for fungi inhabiting pine and aspen. More strikingly, the overall species richness increased as the forest naturalness increased, both at the site and log levels. At the site scale, the pattern was mostly driven by the discoid and pyrenoid morpho-groups inhabiting pine, whereas at the log scale, it was driven by pileate and resupinate morpho-groups inhabiting spruce. Although our study demonstrates that formerly managed protected forests serve as effective conservation areas for most wood-inhabiting fungal groups, it also shows that conservation planning and management should account for group- or host tree -specific responses.
Engineered mucoperiosteal scaffold for cleft palate regeneration towards the non-immunogenic transplantation
Authors: Rizzo M. I. , Tomao L. , Tedesco S. , Cajozzo M. , Esposito M. , De Stefanis C. , Ferranti A. M. , Mezzogori D. , Palmieri A. , Pozzato G. , Algeri M. , Locatelli F. , Leone L. , Zama M.
Published: July 2021

Cleft lip and palate (CL/P) is the most prevalent craniofacial birth defect in humans. None of the surgical procedures currently used for CL/P repair lead to definitive correction of hard palate bone interruption. Advances in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine aim to develop new strategies to restore palatal bone interruption by using tissue or organ-decellularized bioscaffolds seeded with host cells. Aim of this study was to set up a new natural scaffold deriving from a decellularized porcine mucoperiosteum, engineered by an innovative micro-perforation procedure based on Quantum Molecular Resonance (QMR) and then subjected to in vitro recellularization with human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs). Our results demonstrated the efficiency of decellularization treatment gaining a natural, non-immunogenic scaffold with preserved collagen microenvironment that displays a favorable support to hMSC engraftment, spreading and differentiation. Ultrastructural analysis showed that the micro-perforation procedure preserved the collagen mesh, increasing the osteoinductive potential for mesenchymal precursor cells. In conclusion, we developed a novel tissue engineering protocol to obtain a non-immunogenic mucoperiosteal scaffold suitable for allogenic transplantation and CL/P repair. The innovative micro-perforation procedure improving hMSC osteogenic differentiation potentially impacts for enhanced palatal bone regeneration leading to future clinical applications in humans.
Anisotropic distortion in the perceived orientation of stimuli on the arm
Authors: Kuroki Scinob
Published: July 2021

Mechanoreceptors on the skin are heterogeneously distributed, and the sampling of neural signals in the brain can vary depending on the part of the body. Therefore, it can be challenging for the brain to consistently represent stimuli applied to different body sites. Here, we report an example of a regional perceptual distortion of the tactile space. We used a piezoelectric braille display to examine shape perception on the volar surface of the arm and to compare it to that on the palm. We found that the orientation of perceived stimuli on the arm was distorted in certain areas. In particular, an inwardly-inclined line shape was perceived as being more inwardly-inclined than it actually was. On the other hand, an outwardly-inclined line was perceived accurately. When the same stimuli were applied to the palm, this anisotropic bias was not observed. We also found that changing the posture of the arm changed the angle at which this anisotropic distortion occurred, suggesting the influence of the skin frame of reference on this illusion. This study showed a clear example of how the representation of even simple stimuli is complexly distinct when the stimuli are applied to different body sites.
Comprehensive exposure assessments from the viewpoint of health in a unique high natural background radiation area, Mamuju, Indonesia
Authors: Nugraha Eka Djatnika , Hosoda Masahiro , Kusdiana  , Untara  , Mellawati June , Nurokhim  , Tamakuma Yuki , Ikram Abarrul , Syaifudin Mukh , Yamada Ryohei , Akata Naofumi , Sasaki Michiya , Furukawa Masahide , Yoshinaga Shinji , Yamaguchi Masaru , Miura Tomisato , Kashiwakura Ikuo , Tokonami Shinji
Published: July 2021

Mamuju is one of the regions in Indonesia which retains natural conditions but has relatively high exposure to natural radiation. The goals of the present study were to characterize exposure of the entire Mamuju region as a high natural background radiation area (HNBRA) and to assess the existing exposure as a means for radiation protection of the public and the environment. A cross-sectional study method was used with cluster sampling areas by measuring all parameters that contribute to external and internal radiation exposures. It was determined that Mamuju was a unique HNBRA with the annual effective dose between 17 and 115 mSv, with an average of 32 mSv. The lifetime cumulative dose calculation suggested that Mamuju residents could receive as much as 2.2 Sv on average which is much higher than the average dose of atomic bomb survivors for which risks of cancer and non-cancer diseases are demonstrated. The study results are new scientific data allowing better understanding of health effects related to chronic low-dose-rate radiation exposure and they can be used as the main input in a future epidemiology study.
Design and fabrication of recombinant reflectin-based multilayer reflectors: bio-design engineering and photoisomerism induced wavelength modulation
Authors: Wolde-Michael Emmanuel , Roberts Aled D. , Heyes Derren J. , Dumanli Ahu G. , Blaker Jonny J. , Takano Eriko , Scrutton Nigel S.
Published: July 2021

The remarkable camouflage capabilities of cephalopods have inspired many to develop dynamic optical materials which exploit certain design principles and/or material properties from cephalopod dermal cells. Here, the angle-dependent optical properties of various single-layer reflectin thin-films on Si wafers are characterized within the UV–Vis–NIR regions. Following this, initial efforts to design, fabricate, and optically characterize a bio-inspired reflectin-based multilayer reflector is described, which was found to conserve the optical properties of single layer films but exhibit reduced angle-dependent visible reflectivity. Finally, we report the integration of phytochrome visible light-induced isomerism into reflectin-based films, which was found to subtly modulate reflectin thin-film reflectivity.
The effect of stretch–shortening magnitude and muscle–tendon unit length on performance enhancement in a stretch–shortening cycle
Authors: Groeber Martin , Stafilidis Savvas , Baca Arnold
Published: July 2021

Stretch-induced residual force enhancement (rFE) is associated with increased performance in a stretch–shortening cycle (SSC). Although the influence of different range of motions and muscle–tendon unit lengths has been investigated in pure stretch-hold experiments in vivo, the contribution to a SSC movement in human muscles remains unclear. In two sessions, 25 healthy participants performed isometric reference (ISO), shortening hold (SHO) and SSC contractions on an isokinetic dynamometer. We measured the net knee-joint torque, rotational mechanical work, knee kinematics and fascicle behavior (m. vastus lateralis) of the upper right leg.
In session 1 the SHO- and SSC-magnitude was changed respectively (SHO: 50°–20°, 80°–20° and 110°–20°; SSC: 20°–50°–20°, 20°–80°–20° and 20°–110°–20°) and in session 2 the muscle–tendon unit length (SHO: 50°–20°, 80°–50° and 110°–80°; SSC: 20°–50°–20°, 50°–80°–50° and 80°–110°–80°; straight leg = 0°). In both sessions, rotational work was significantly (p < 0.05) increased in the SSC compared to the SHO contractions (in the range of 8.1–17.9%). No significant difference of joint torque was found in the steady-state for all SSC-magnitudes compared to the corresponding SHO contractions in session 1. In session 2, we found only significantly (p < 0.05) less depressed joint torque in the SSC at the longest muscle–tendon unit length compared to the corresponding SHO condition, without any differences in knee kinematics and fascicle behavior. Therefore, the physiological relevance of rFE might be particularly important for movements at greater muscle–tendon unit lengths.
The role of leptospiremia and specific immune response in severe leptospirosis
Authors: Limothai Umaporn , Lumlertgul Nuttha , Sirivongrangson Phatadon , Kulvichit Win , Tachaboon Sasipha , Dinhuzen Janejira , Chaisuriyong Watchadaporn , Peerapornratana Sadudee , Chirathaworn Chintana , Praditpornsilpa Kearkiat , Eiam-Ong Somchai , Tungsanga Kriang , Srisawat Nattachai
Published: July 2021

Leptospirosis can cause a high mortality rate, especially in severe cases. This multicenter cross-sectional study aimed to examine both host and pathogen factors that might contribute to the disease severity. A total of 217 leptospirosis patients were recruited and divided into two groups of non-severe and severe. Severe leptospirosis was defined by a modified sequential organ failure assessment (mSOFA) score of more than two or needed for mechanical ventilation support or had pulmonary hemorrhage or death. We found that leptospiremia, plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (pNGAL), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) at the first day of enrollment (day 1) and microscopic agglutination test (MAT) titer at 7 days after enrollment (days 7) were significantly higher in the severe group than in the non-severe group. After adjustment for age, gender, and the days of fever, there were statistically significant associations of baseline leptospiremia level (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.23–2.34, p = 0.001), pNGAL (OR 9.46, 95% CI 4.20–21.33, p < 0.001), and IL-6 (OR 2.82, 95% CI 1.96–4.07, p < 0.001) with the severity. In conclusion, a high leptospiremia, pNGAL, and IL-6 level at baseline were associated with severe leptospirosis.
Coral larval settlement preferences linked to crustose coralline algae with distinct chemical and microbial signatures
Authors: Jorissen Hendrikje , Galand Pierre E. , Bonnard Isabelle , Meiling Sonora , Raviglione Delphine , Meistertzheim Anne-Leila , Hédouin Laetitia , Banaigs Bernard , Payri Claude E. , Nugues Maggy M.
Published: July 2021

The resilience of coral reefs is dependent on the ability of corals to settle after disturbances. While crustose coralline algae (CCA) are considered important substrates for coral settlement, it remains unclear whether coral larvae respond to CCA metabolites and microbial cues when selecting sites for attachment and metamorphosis. This study tested the settlement preferences of an abundant coral species (Acropora cytherea) against six different CCA species from three habitats (exposed, subcryptic and cryptic), and compared these preferences with the metabolome and microbiome characterizing the CCA. While all CCA species induced settlement, only one species (Titanoderma prototypum) significantly promoted settlement on the CCA surface, rather than on nearby dead coral or plastic surfaces. This species had a very distinct bacterial community and metabolomic fingerprint. Furthermore, coral settlement rates and the CCA microbiome and metabolome were specific to the CCA preferred habitat, suggesting that microbes and/or chemicals serve as environmental indicators for coral larvae. Several amplicon sequence variants and two lipid classes—glycoglycerolipids and betaine lipids—present in T. prototypum were identified as potential omic cues influencing coral settlement. These results support that the distinct microbiome and metabolome of T. prototypum may promote the settlement and attachment of coral larvae.
Cellular senescence promotes endothelial activation through epigenetic alteration, and consequently accelerates atherosclerosis
Authors: Honda Sakiko , Ikeda Koji , Urata Ryota , Yamazaki Ekura , Emoto Noriaki , Matoba Satoaki
Published: July 2021

Senescent vascular cells are detected in atherosclerotic lesion, and its involvement in the development of atherosclerosis has been revealed; however, whether and the mechanism by which endothelial cell (EC) senescence is causally implicated in atherosclerosis remains unclear. We here investigate a role of EC senescence in atherosclerosis by utilizing EC-specific progeroid mice that overexpress the dominant negative form of telomeric repeat-binding factor 2 under the control of the Tie2 or vascular endothelial cadherin promoter. EC-specific progeria accelerated atherosclerosis in mice with target deletion of ApoE. Mechanistically, senescent ECs were markedly sensitive for inflammation-mediated VCAM-1 induction, leading to enhanced monocyte adhesion. Inhibition of NF-κB signaling abolished the enhanced inflammatory responses in senescent ECs, while NF-κB nuclear translocation in response to TNF-α were similar between young and senescent ECs. We found a higher association of VCAM-1 gene with active histone H3 trimethylated on lysine 4, leading to increased NF-κB accessibility in senescent ECs. Our data revealed that EC cellular senescence causes endothelial hyper-inflammability through epigenetic alteration, which consequently accelerates atherosclerosis. Therefore, EC senescence is a promising therapeutic target for the prevention and/or treatment of atherosclerotic disease in elderly population.
A comprehensive transferability evaluation of U-Net and ResU-Net for landslide detection from Sentinel-2 data (case study areas from Taiwan, China, and Japan)
Authors: Ghorbanzadeh Omid , Crivellari Alessandro , Ghamisi Pedram , Shahabi Hejar , Blaschke Thomas
Published: July 2021

Earthquakes and heavy rainfalls are the two leading causes of landslides around the world. Since they often occur across large areas, landslide detection requires rapid and reliable automatic detection approaches. Currently, deep learning (DL) approaches, especially different convolutional neural network and fully convolutional network (FCN) algorithms, are reliably achieving cutting-edge accuracies in automatic landslide detection. However, these successful applications of various DL approaches have thus far been based on very high resolution satellite images (e.g., GeoEye and WorldView), making it easier to achieve such high detection performances. In this study, we use freely available Sentinel-2 data and ALOS digital elevation model to investigate the application of two well-known FCN algorithms, namely the U-Net and residual U-Net (or so-called ResU-Net), for landslide detection. To our knowledge, this is the first application of FCN for landslide detection only from freely available data. We adapt the algorithms to the specific aim of landslide detection, then train and test with data from three different case study areas located in Western Taitung County (Taiwan), Shuzheng Valley (China), and Eastern Iburi (Japan). We characterize three different window size sample patches to train the algorithms. Our results also contain a comprehensive transferability assessment achieved through different training and testing scenarios in the three case studies. The highest f1-score value of 73.32% was obtained by ResU-Net, trained with a dataset from Japan, and tested on China’s holdout testing area using the sample patch size of 64 × 64 pixels.
W27 IgA suppresses growth of Escherichia in an in vitro model of the human intestinal microbiota
Authors: Sasaki Kengo , Mori Tomoyuki , Hoshi Namiko , Sasaki Daisuke , Inoue Jun , Shinkura Reiko , Kondo Akihiko
Published: July 2021

W27 monoclonal immunoglobulin A (IgA) suppresses pathogenic Escherichia coli cell growth; however, its effect on the human intestine remains unclear. We aimed to determine how W27 IgA affects the human colonic microbiota using the in vitro microbiota model. This model was established using fecal samples collected from 12 healthy volunteers; after anaerobic cultivation, each model was found to retain the genera found in the original human fecal samples. After pre-incubating W27 IgA with the respective fecal sample under aerobic conditions, the mixture of W27 IgA (final concentration, 0.5 μg/mL) and each fecal sample was added to the in vitro microbiota model and cultured under anaerobic conditions. Next-generation sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene revealed that W27 IgA significantly decreased the relative abundance of bacteria related to the genus Escherichia in the model. Additionally, at a final concentration of 5 μg/mL, W27 IgA delayed growth in the pure culture of Escherichia coli isolated from human fecal samples. Our study thus revealed the suppressive effect of W27 IgA on the genus Escherichia at relatively low-concentrations and the usefulness of an in vitro microbiota model to evaluate the effect of IgA as a gut microbiota regulator.
Cocaine self-administration induces sex-dependent protein expression in the nucleus accumbens
Authors: López Alberto J. , Johnson Amy R. , Euston Tanner J. , Wilson Rashaun , Nolan Suzanne O. , Brady Lillian J. , Thibeault Kimberly C. , Kelly Shannon J. , Kondev Veronika , Melugin Patrick , Kutlu M. Gunes , Chuang Emily , Lam TuKiet T. , Kiraly Drew D. , Calipari Erin S.
Published: July 2021

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a chronic neuropsychiatric condition characterized by long-lasting alterations in the neural circuitry regulating reward and motivation. Substantial work has focused on characterizing the molecular substrates that underlie these persistent changes in neural function and behavior. However, this work has overwhelmingly focused on male subjects, despite mounting clinical and preclinical evidence that females demonstrate dissimilar progression to SUD and responsivity to stimulant drugs of abuse, such as cocaine. Here, we show that sex is a critical biological variable that defines drug-induced plasticity in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Using quantitative mass spectrometry, we assessed the protein expression patterns induced by cocaine self-administration and demonstrated unique molecular profiles between males and females. We show that 1. Cocaine self-administration induces non-overlapping protein expression patterns in significantly regulated proteins in males and females and 2. Critically, cocaine-induced protein regulation differentially interacts with sex to eliminate basal sexual dimorphisms in the proteome. Finally, eliminating these baseline differences in the proteome is concomitant with the elimination of sex differences in behavior for non-drug rewards. Together, these data suggest that cocaine administration is capable of rewriting basal proteomic function and reward-associated behaviors.
NetSquid, a NETwork Simulator for QUantum Information using Discrete events
Authors: Coopmans Tim , Knegjens Robert , Dahlberg Axel , Maier David , Nijsten Loek , de Oliveira Filho Julio , Papendrecht Martijn , Rabbie Julian , Rozpędek Filip , Skrzypczyk Matthew , Wubben Leon , de Jong Walter , Podareanu Damian , Torres-Knoop Ariana , Elkouss David , Wehner Stephanie
Published: July 2021

In order to bring quantum networks into the real world, we would like to determine the requirements of quantum network protocols including the underlying quantum hardware. Because detailed architecture proposals are generally too complex for mathematical analysis, it is natural to employ numerical simulation. Here we introduce NetSquid, the NETwork Simulator for QUantum Information using Discrete events, a discrete-event based platform for simulating all aspects of quantum networks and modular quantum computing systems, ranging from the physical layer and its control plane up to the application level. We study several use cases to showcase NetSquid’s power, including detailed physical layer simulations of repeater chains based on nitrogen vacancy centres in diamond as well as atomic ensembles. We also study the control plane of a quantum switch beyond its analytically known regime, and showcase NetSquid’s ability to investigate large networks by simulating entanglement distribution over a chain of up to one thousand nodes.
Observation of a giant mass enhancement in the ultrafast electron dynamics of a topological semimetal
Authors: Clark Oliver J. , Freyse Friedrich , Aguilera Irene , Frolov Alexander S. , Ionov Andrey M. , Bozhko Sergey I. , Yashina Lada V. , Sánchez-Barriga Jaime
Published: July 2021

Topological phases of matter offer exciting possibilities to realize lossless charge and spin information transport on ultrafast time scales. However, this requires detailed knowledge of their nonequilibrium properties. Here, we employ time-, spin- and angle-resolved photoemission to investigate the ultrafast response of the Sb(111) spin-polarized surface state to femtosecond-laser excitation. The surface state exhibits a giant mass enhancement which is observed as a kink structure in its energy-momentum dispersion above the Fermi level. The kink structure, originating from the direct coupling of the surface state to the bulk continuum, is characterized by an abrupt change in the group velocity by ~70%, in agreement with our GW-based band structure calculations. Our observation of this connectivity in the transiently occupied band structure enables the unambiguous experimental verification of the topological nature of the surface state. The influence of bulk-surface coupling is further confirmed by our measurements of the electron dynamics, which show that bulk and surface states behave as a single thermalizing electronic population with distinct contributions from low-k electron-electron and high-k electron-phonon scatterings. These findings are important for future applications of topological semimetals and their excitations in ultrafast spintronics.
Orthogonal coiled coils enable rapid covalent labelling of two distinct membrane proteins with peptide nucleic acid barcodes
Authors: Gavins Georgina C. , Gröger Katharina , Reimann Marc , Bartoschek Michael D. , Bultmann Sebastian , Seitz Oliver
Published: July 2021

A pair of orthogonal coiled coils templates highly specific live cell bioconjugation of two different proteins. PNA tagging and hybridisation with fluorophore–DNA reporters enables rapid dual receptor internalisation analysis of EGFR and ErbB2.
Synthesis of porphyrin-incorporating covalent organic frameworks for sonodynamic therapy
Authors: Liu Sainan , Zhou Ying , Hu Chunling , Cai Lihan , Liu Zhendong , Pang Maolin
Published: July 2021

Porphyrin-incorporating covalent organic frameworks synthesized at room temperature showed excellent sonodynamic effects.
The formation of cage phosphoranes and their rearrangements in the reactions of substituted 2-(3-oxo-3-phenyl)ethoxybenzo[d]-1,3,2-dioxaphospholes with perfluorodiacetyl
Authors: Mironov Vladimir F. , Dimukhametov Mudaris N. , Ivkova Gulnara A. , Khayarov Khasan R. , Islamov Daut R. , Litvinov Igor A.
Published: July 2021

Unexpected Kukhtin–Ramirez reaction mechanism of compound I with perfluorodiacetyl was found. The process proceeded via the [4+4]-cycloaddition forming cage species II, which further rearranged through spirophosphorane III into cage phosphorane IV.
The CH(X2Π) + H2O reaction: two transition state kinetics
Authors: Nguyen Thanh Lam , Peeters Jozef
Published: July 2021

Reaction rate coefficients are calculated using the SCTST/2DME approach based on a high accuracy PES obtained with HEAT protocol.
Standardizing data reporting in the research community to enhance the utility of open data for SARS-CoV-2 wastewater surveillance
Authors: McClary-Gutierrez Jill S. , Aanderud Zachary T. , Al-faliti Mitham , Duvallet Claire , Gonzalez Raul , Guzman Joe , Holm Rochelle H. , Jahne Michael A. , Kantor Rose S. , Katsivelis Panagis , Kuhn Katrin Gaardbo , Langan Laura M. , Mansfeldt Cresten , McLellan Sandra L. , Mendoza Grijalva Lorelay M. , Murnane Kevin S. , Naughton Colleen C. , Packman Aaron I. , Paraskevopoulos Sotirios , Radniecki Tyler S. , Roman Fernando A. , Shrestha Abhilasha , Stadler Lauren B. , Steele Joshua A. , Swalla Brian M. , Vikesland Peter , Wartell Brian , Wilusz Carol J. , Wong Judith Chui Ching , Boehm Alexandria B. , Halden Rolf U. , Bibby Kyle , Delgado Vela Jeseth
Published: July 2021

We propose a minimum set of meta-information to accompany the reporting of SARS-CoV-2 occurrence in wastewater for improved data interpretation.
The phosphoproteome of rice leaves responds to water and nitrogen supply
Authors: Hamzelou Sara , Melino Vanessa J. , Plett Darren C. , Kamath Karthik Shantharam , Nawrocki Arkadiusz , Larsen Martin R. , Atwell Brian J. , Haynes Paul A.
Published: July 2021

Quantitative phosphoproteomic analysis of rice plants grown with different levels of water supply and nitrogen supplementation revealed changes in phosphorylation of proteins involved in membrane transport, RNA processing and carbohydrate metabolism.
Gold nanoplasmonic particles in tunable porous silicon 3D scaffolds for ultra-low concentration detection by SERS
Authors: Wu Rihan , Jin Qihao , Storey Catherine , Collins Jack , Gomard Guillaume , Lemmer Uli , Canham Leigh , Kling Rainer , Kaplan Andrey
Published: July 2021

A new 3D composite substrate for on-chip surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy made of nanoporous silicon with embedded gold plasmonic nanoparticles – demonstration of 109enhancement factor.
Phase-dependent electrocatalytic activity of colloidally synthesized WP and α-WP2 electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Nkabinde Siyabonga S. , Mwonga Patrick V. , Mpelane Siyasanga , Ndala Zakhele B. , Kolokoto Tshwarela , Shumbula Ndivhuwo P. , Nchoe Obakeng , Maphanga Rapela R. , Ozoemena Kenneth I. , Mubiayi Kalenga P. , Moloto Nosipho
Published: July 2021

Transition metal phosphides (TMPs) have emerged as efficient non-noble electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).
Nickel and cobalt transfigured natural clay: a green catalyst for low-temperature catalytic soot oxidation
Authors: Laishram Devika , Krishnapriya R. , Saini Bhagirath , Gupta Unnati , Soni Vineet K. , Sharma Rakesh K.
Published: July 2021

Modified 'natural clay' with Ni and Co nanoparticles explored as efficient catalyst for low-temperature soot oxidation activity studies.
N-Doped carbon-coated Co2P-supported Au nanocomposite as the anode catalyst for borohydride electrooxidation
Authors: Yi Lanhua , Peng Xiaoqin , Meng Yuan , Ding Yonglan , Wang Xianyou , Lu Yebo
Published: July 2021

Au(50)Co2P@NC(50)/C nanoparticle composite electrocatalyst combines the lower content of noble metal and much higher catalytic activity for BH4− electrooxidation.
Superhydrophobic, superamphiphobic and SLIPS materials as anti-corrosion and anti-biofouling barriers
Authors: Zhang Binbin , Xu Weichen
Published: July 2021

Multifunctional interfacial materials with special wettability including superhydrophobic, superamphiphobic, and SLIPS exhibited promising potentials for corrosion and biofouling resistance.
Calixarene-decorated liposomes for intracellular cargo delivery
Authors: Morbioli Ilaria , Casnati Alessandro , Esko Jeffrey D. , Tor Yitzhak , Sansone Francesco
Published: July 2021

Liposomes equipped at the outer membrane with positively charged calixarenes show improved efficiency in cargo delivery. This is facilitated by the interaction between the macrocycle units and heparan sulfate proteoglycans surrounding the cell.
New antimicrobial self-assembling short lipopeptides
Authors: Vicente-García César , Colomer Ignacio
Published: July 2021

Short lipopeptides, that self-assemble into supramolecular structures, show antimicrobial activity.
High conductivity and alkaline stability of anion exchange membranes containing multiple flexible side-chain piperidinium ions
Authors: Tao Zhengwang , Wang Chenyi , Zhao Xiaoyan , Li Jian , Ren Qiang
Published: July 2021

Densely side-chain type anion exchange membranes: Eight flexible piperidinium ions are incorporated in the repeating unit of AEMs, which is conducive to improving their properties, especially for the conductivity and alkaline stability.
Biofabricated platinum nanoparticles: therapeutic evaluation as a potential nanodrug against breast cancer cells and drug-resistant bacteria
Authors: Manzoor Saliha , Bashir Dar Junaid , Imtiyaz Khalid , Rizvi M. Moshahid A. , Ahamad Irshad , Fatma Tasneem , Agarwal Nidhi Bharal , Arora Indu , Samim Mohammed
Published: July 2021

The present study involves the green synthesis of platinum nanoparticles and their application as anticancer and antibacterial agents.
Organic and inorganic mixed phase modification of a silver surface for functionalization with biomolecules and stabilization of electromotive force
Authors: Tabata Miyuki , Kataoka-Hamai Chiho , Nogami Kozue , Tsuya Daiju , Goda Tatsuro , Matsumoto Akira , Miyahara Yuji
Published: July 2021

The organic and inorganic mixed phase modification of a silver surface is proposed for solid-state potentiometric biosensors.
Physical and photocatalytic properties of sprayed Dy doped ZnO thin films under sunlight irradiation for degrading methylene blue
Authors: El Fidha G. , Bitri N. , Chaabouni F. , Acosta S. , Güell F. , Bittencourt C. , Casanova-Chafer J. , Llobet E.
Published: July 2021

Dysprosium-doped zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films prepared through spray pyrolysis show outstanding photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methylene blue.
Interfacial co-polymerization derived nitrogen-doped carbon enables high-performance carbon felt for vanadium flow batteries
Authors: Zhang Kaiyue , Yan Chuanwei , Tang Ao
Published: July 2021

Nitrogen-doped carbon felt has exhibited great promise in enhancing the cycling performance and lifespan of vanadium flow batteries (VFBs).
Acetylene-linked conjugated polymers for sacrificial photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from water
Authors: Liu Lunjie , Kochman Michał A. , Xu Yongjie , Zwijnenburg Martijn A. , Cooper Andrew I. , Sprick Reiner Sebastian
Published: July 2021

Acetylene-linked conjugated organic polymers have shown potential as photocatalysts for hydrogen production from water and their performance was studied by varying building blocks systematically.
Coralloid Au enables high-performance Zn–CO2 battery and self-driven CO production
Authors: Gao Sanshuang , Jin Mengmeng , Sun Jiaqiang , Liu Xijun , Zhang Shusheng , Li Hongyi , Luo Jun , Sun Xuping
Published: July 2021

Coralloid Au is reported as an efficient and stable electrocatalyst for catalyzing membrane electrode assembly with 94.2% FECO, Zn–CO2 battery with 0.7 mW cm−2 power density and self-driven CO2 electrolysis with 0.44 ml h−1 CO productivity.
The excellent biocompatibility and negligible immune response of the titanium heterometallic MOF MUV-10
Authors: Lázaro Isabel Abánades , Rodrigo-Muñoz Jose M. , Sastre Beatriz , Ángel María Romero , Martí-Gastaldo Carlos , del Pozo Victoria
Published: July 2021

MUV-10 exhibits slow physiological degradation kinetics, good dispersibility, high biomolecular loading and excellent immune system biocompatibility.
Extremely fast triplet formation by charge recombination in a Nile Red/fullerene flexible dyad
Authors: Faroldi Federica , Bardi Brunella , Tosi Irene , Doria Sandra , Isopi Jacopo , Baldini Laura , Di Donato Mariangela , Marcaccio Massimo , Sansone Francesco , Terenziani Francesca
Published: July 2021

Fast and efficient triplet formation via charge separation followed by radical pair intersystem crossing is reported in a calixarene-based donor/acceptor dyad.
The role of dinuclearity in promoting thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) in cyclometallated, N^C^N-coordinated platinum(ii) complexes
Authors: Pander Piotr , Zaytsev Andrey V. , Sil Amit , Williams J. A. Gareth , Lanoe Pierre-Henri , Kozhevnikov Valery N. , Dias Fernando B.
Published: July 2021

Dinuclear structure of platinum(ii) complexes favours thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF).
A microfluidic array device for single cell capture and intracellular Ca2+ response analysis induced by dynamic biochemical stimulus
Authors: Wei Wenbo , Zhang Miao , Xu Zhongyuan , Li Weifeng , Cheng Lixin , Cao Hongbao , Ma Min , Chen Zongzheng
Published: July 2021

A microfluidic array was constructed for trapping single cell and loading identical dynamic biochemical stimulation for gain a better understanding of Ca2+ signaling at single cell resolution in the present study. This microfluidic array consists of multiple radially aligned flow channels with equal intersection angles, which was designed by a combination of stagnation point flow and physical barrier. Numerical simulation results and trajectory analysis have shown the effectiveness of this single cell trapping device. Fluorescent experiment results demonstrated the effects of flow rate and frequency of dynamic stimulus on the profiles of biochemical concentration which exposed on captured cells. In this microarray, the captured single cells in each trapping channels were able to receive identical extracellular dynamic biochemical stimuli which being transmitted from the entrance in the middle of the microfluidic array. Besides, after loading dynamic Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) stimulation on captured cells by this device, consistent average intracellular Ca2+ dynamics phase and cellular heterogeneity were observed in captured single K562 cells. Furthermore, this device is able to be used for investigating cellular respond on single cell resolution to temporally varying environments by modulating the stimulation signal in terms of concentration, pattern, and duration of exposure.
Acoustic Variability in the Healthy Female Voice Within and Across Days: How Much and Why?
Authors: Pierce Jenny L. , Tanner Kristine , Merrill Ray M. , Shnowske Lauren , Roy Nelson
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The aims of this study were (1) to quantify variability in voice production (as measured acoustically) within and across consecutive days in vocally healthy female speakers, (2) to identify which acoustic measures are sensitive to this variability, and (3) to identify participant characteristics related to such voice variability.

Method

Participants included 45 young women with normal voices who were stratified by age, specifically 18–23, 24–29, and 30–35 years. Following an initial acoustic and auditory-perceptual voice assessment, participants performed standardized field voice recordings 3 times daily across a 7-day period. Acoustic analyses involved 32 cepstral-, spectral-, and time-based measures of connected speech and sustained vowels. Relationships among acoustic data and select demographic, health, and lifestyle (i.e., participant-based) factors were also examined.

Results

Significant time-of-day effects were observed for acoustic analyses within speakers (
p
< .05), with voices generally being worse in the morning. No significant differences were observed across consecutive days. Variations in voice production were associated with several participant factors, including improved voice with increased voice use; self-perceived poor voice function, minimal or no alcohol consumption, and extroverted personality; and worse voice with regular or current menstruation, depression, and anxiety.

Conclusions

This acoustic study provides essential information regarding the nature and extent to which healthy voices vary throughout the day and week. Participant-based factors that were associated with improved voice over time included increased voice use, self-perceived poor voice function, minimal or no alcohol consumption, and extroverted personality. Factors associated with worse voice production over time included regular or current menstruation, and depression and anxiety.
Attending to the Teacher in the Teaching: Prioritizing Faculty Well-Being
Authors: Roos Brianne H. , Borkoski Carey C.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this review article is to examine the well-being of faculty in higher education. Success in academia depends on productivity in research, teaching, and service to the university, and the workload model that excludes attention to the welfare of faculty members themselves contributes to stress and burnout. Importantly, student success and well-being is influenced largely by their faculty members, whose ability to inspire and lead depends on their own well-being. This review article underscores the importance of attending to the well-being of the people behind the productivity in higher education.

Method

This study is a narrative review of the literature about faculty well-being in higher education. The history of well-being in the workplace and academia, concepts of stress and well-being in higher education faculty, and evidence-based strategies to promote and cultivate faculty well-being were explored in the literature using electronic sources.

Conclusions

Faculty feel overburdened and pressured to work constantly to meet the demands of academia, and they strive for work–life balance. Faculty report stress and burnout related to excessively high expectations, financial pressures to obtain research funding, limited time to manage their workload, and a belief that individual progress is never sufficient. Faculty well-being is important for the individual and in support of scholarship and student outcomes. This article concludes with strategies to improve faculty well-being that incorporate an intentional focus on faculty members themselves, prioritize a community of well-being, and implement continuous high-quality professional learning.
Fuzzy‐based frequency security evaluation of wind‐integrated power systems
Authors: Steinkohl Joachim , Peyghami Saeed , Wang Xiongfei , Davari Pooya , Blaabjerg Frede
Published: July 2021

The transition to renewable energy‐based power systems is fast progressing. One of the main challenges in keeping a power system with high operational reliability is to maintain the system frequency. As synchronous generator units are being replaced with power‐electronic converters, the rotating mass and the system inertia are decreasing. Virtual synchronous machine (VSM) control is a modern control technique that aims to compensate for the reduction in inertia. The usage of power electronic‐based converter units equipped with VSM control has to be managed and scheduled by system operators. An assessment of the operational frequency reliability is used to evaluate different service usages. A method is proposed that allows the comparison of different frequency management strategies. The proposed method uses fuzzy logic to evaluate the system risk for abnormal frequency and the system effort in the form of frequency control usage. This allows to quickly compare different frequency management strategies whilst keeping in mind many different reliability indices. The proposed method is validated with a modified IEEE Reliability Test System with integrated wind power capacity.
A novel SiC trench MOSFET with integrated Schottky barrier diode for improved reverse recovery charge and switching loss
Authors: Liu Sicheng , Tang Xiaoyan , Song Qingwen , Wang Yuehu , Bai Ruijie , Zhang Yimen , Zhang Yuming
Published: July 2021

In this paper, a novel silicon carbide (SiC) trench metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) with improved reverse recovery charge and switching energy loss is proposed and investigated utilising ISE‐TCAD simulations. The proposed structure features an integrated Schottky barrier diode on one side‐wall of the trench below the P‐base region, and an inserted thicker oxide layer between the polysilicon gate and source metal on one side‐wall of the trench. The simulation results show that compared with Infineon's CoolSiC™ Trench MOSFET, the proposed device decreases the gate charge Qg by 29.2%, leading to significantly improved figures of merit (Ron,sp × Qg). The reverse recovery charge Qrr and peak reverse recovery current (IRRM) are reduced by 64.1% and 66.0%, respectively. Meanwhile, the total switching energy loss decreases 36.7% for the dynamic performance.
Formation of an ultra-diffuse galaxy in the stellar filaments of NGC 3314A: Caught in the act?
Authors: Iodice Enrichetta , La Marca Antonio , Hilker Michael , Cantiello Michele , D’Ago Giuseppe , Gullieuszik Marco , Rejkuba Marina , Arnaboldi Magda , Spavone Marilena , Spiniello Chiara , Forbes Duncan A. , Greggio Laura , Rampazzo Roberto , Mieske Steffen , Paolillo Maurizio , Schipani Pietro
Published: July 2021

The VEGAS imaging survey of the Hydra I cluster has revealed an extended network of stellar filaments to the south-west of the spiral galaxy NGC 3314A. Within these filaments, at a projected distance of ∼40 kpc from the galaxy, we discover an ultra-diffuse galaxy (UDG) with a central surface brightness of μ0, g ∼ 26 mag arcsec−2 and effective radius Re ∼ 3.8 kpc. This UDG, named UDG 32, is one of the faintest and most diffuse low-surface-brightness galaxies in the Hydra I cluster. Based on the available data, we cannot exclude that this object is just seen in projection on top of the stellar filaments and is thus instead a foreground or background UDG in the cluster. However, the clear spatial coincidence of UDG 32 with the stellar filaments of NGC 3314A suggests that it might have formed from the material in the filaments, becoming a detached, gravitationally bound system. In this scenario, the origin of UDG 32 depends on the nature of the stellar filaments in NGC 3314A, which is still unknown. The stellar filaments could result from ram-pressure stripping or have a tidal origin. In this letter we focus on the comparison of the observed properties of the stellar filaments and of UDG 32 and speculate on their possible origin. The relatively red colour (g − r = 0.54 ± 0.14 mag) of the UDG, similar to that of the disk in NGC 3314A, combined with an age older than 1 Gyr and the possible presence of a few compact stellar systems, points towards a tidal formation scenario.
Low temperature heterogeneous dynamics in the commensurate
ground state of sulfur quasi4 D compounds (TMTTF)2Br
and (TMTTF)2PF6
Authors: Lasjaunias J. C. , Biljakovic K. , Staresinic D. , Monceau P.
Published: July 2021

We report on a study of the slow dynamics of the heat relaxation at very low temperature (T≤1 K) in the
nominally commensurate ground states of the sulfide compounds (TMTTF)2Br and (TMTTF)2PF6,
commensurate
SDW - or antifernomagnetic - and spin-Peierls, respectively. For both systems, the long-time dynamics at
equilibrium shows a bimodal character, which can be analysed by slow and fast gaussian distributions $g(\log\tau )$,
separated by one decade in time, which can originate from defects of commensurability.
Studies of the dynamics in charge-density-wave systems
using inelastic X-ray scattering with meV-energy-resolution
Authors: Requardt H. , Lorenzo J. E. , Danneau R. , Currat R. , Monceau P.
Published: July 2021

We report measurements of the dynamics of the charge-density-wave systems K0.3MoO3 and NbSe3
applying the quite recent technique of meV-resolution inelastic X-ray scattering (IXS). In K0.3MoO3, serving as a
test-case with existing reference results from neutron scattering, the very steep slope of the phason dispersion has
been reproduced by IXS together with a very good agreement for the observed “phason velocity": 26$km/sec$ (IXS)
$vs.$ 23$km/sec$ (neutrons). In NbSe3, where IXS allows for dispersion studies on thin whiskers, the longitudinal
acoustic and one transverse acoustic (TA1) branch propagating along the NbSe3-chain direction have been
determined at room temperature. Low temperature TA1-data have been taken around the upper-CDW satellite
position (0, 0.241, 0) at temperatures down to below the upper Peierls transition (Tp=145K). The low temperature
results indicate the absence of a Kohn anomaly, in contrast to the CDW-related dynamics observed in K0.3MoO3 and
KCP, but similar as in (TaSe4)2I.
Angle-resolved study of density waves, superconductivity
and pseudogap in two dimensions
Authors: Zanchi D.
Published: July 2021

Weakly correlated electrons on a square lattice are studied by angle-resolved functional
renormalization group. Upon renormalization the interaction starts to depend on monienta and
has pole-like solutions near the doping-dependent critical scale. Near half-filling this critical scale
is the pseudogap temperature T*. In the overdoped regime the critical scale is the mean-field like
critical temperature for d-wave superconductivity.
Unusual 2 k CDW state with enhanced charge ordering
in P-(BEDT-TTF) AsF and PF6
Authors: Nogami Y. , Mori T.
Published: July 2021

X-ray superstructure analyses of the $2k_{\rm F}$ CDW states for two-dimensional organic compounds
β-(BEDT-TTF)2PF6 and AsF6 were presented Molecular ionicity of BEDT-TTF was evaluated with both
intramolecular bond lengths and molecular shape. Strong bending of quasi-neutd BEDT-TTF molecules
coupled with the enhanced amplitude of charge modulation was observed Conformational ordering of the
terminal ethylenes of BEDT-TTF molecules anddmeriiation between quasi-ionic BEJYI-TTF molecules were
also observed These characteristic indicates this CDW is not Peierls-Frohlich type but mupled with the
internal degree of the molecular shape and possibly the intersite Coulomb repulsion.
Charge density wave formation in the low-temperature-tetragonal
phase of cuprates
Authors: Morais Smith C. , Hasselmann N. , Castro Neto A. H.
Published: July 2021

We calculate the influence of transverse fluctuations on the longitudinal dynamics in the
striped phase of cuprates by using the bosonization technique. We find that a charge density
wave instability can arise if the stripe is quarter filled and the underlying lattice potential has a
zig-zag symmetry. Our results shed light on the as yet not understood connection between the
formation of a low temperature tetragonal phase and the subsequent appearance of charge
order in high-Tc cuprates.