bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of increased levels of dietary α-linolenic acid on the n-3 PUFA bioavailability and oxidative stress in rat
Authors: Couëdelo Leslie , Buaud Benjamin , Abrous Hélène , Chamekh-Coelho Ikram , Majou Didier , Boué-Vaysse Carole
Published: June 2021

We investigated the impact of increased alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) dietary levels on its plasma bioavailability and its bioconversion in n-3 long chain poly unsaturated fatty acids during a 60-d kinetics and the oxidative stress potentially associated. Rats were submitted to a normolipidic diet providing 0, 3, 10 and 24% ALA of dietary lipids for 0, 15, 30 and 60 days. The lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress (nitric oxide (NO) contents and catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), gluthation peroxidase (GPx) activities) were studied in the liver and plasma. When the diet was deprived in n-3 PUFAs, ALA, (eicosanoic acid) EPA and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels decreased in all lipid fractions of plasma and in red blood cell (RBC) lipids. The addition of ALA in the diet linearly improves its bioavailability and its bioconversion in EPA (R²=0.98). By providing 10 to 24% ALA in dietary lipids (LA/ALA, 1·6 and 5·5 respectively), ALA and EPA were more broadly packaged in all lipid fractions (triglyceride (TAG), cholesterol ester (CE) and free fatty acids (FFA)) of plasma from 15 to 30 days timeframe. Only 3% ALA was sufficient to promote the maximal bioconversion of ALA in DHA in phospholipid (PL) and TAG fractions. Additionally, the improvement of ALA bioconversion in EPA and DHA did not impact the oxidative stress markers and limiting lipid peroxidation. To conclude, this study demonstrated that in rat, 10% ALA in the lipid diet for 15–30 days promotes its bioavailability and its bioconversion and allowed the greatest levels in plasma and RBCs.
THE ANTICIPATORY REASONABLE ADJUSTMENT DUTY: REMOVING THE BLOCKAGES?
Authors: Lawson Anna , Orchard Maria
Published: June 2021

The anticipatory reasonable adjustment duty, introduced by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and now found in the Equality Act 2010, has been hailed as an innovative and proactive tool for embedding disability equality in services and public functions. Despite important successes, the duty has had a surprisingly low profile in academic scholarship and has struggled to fulfil its practical potential. We seek to understand how this has happened, identifying a range of factors that may operate as blockages to the success of the duty. Whilst these factors are interrelated, we group them under three main headings – visibility, uncertainty and enforcement. We reflect critically on whether, and if so how, relevant blockages can be tackled to enable the duty to embed disability equality more effectively within services and public functions and whether new supplementary measures (particularly concerning accessibility) are also needed.
Optimal path crossing the orientation exclusion zone of a robot with offset wrist
Authors: Milenkovic Paul
Published: June 2021

An unexpected path reversal is discovered for a serial robot with an offset-axis wrist over a finite range of proximity to the wrist singularity. This is replicated by a kinematic model. A prior spherical-wrist method transits the singularity with limited joint rate and acceleration under a constant rate of tool traversal. Accurate position is maintained by controlling a small deviation in orientation. Extensions to the method for an offset wrist (1) find the least-maximum deviation, (2) identify and locate where a path reversal occurs, and (3) use this point to control step size in a high-order predictor-correction path following procedure.
Maternal mind-mindedness and communicative functions in free-play and mealtime contexts: Stability, continuity and relations with child language at 16 months
Authors: LONGOBARDI Emiddia , SPATARO Pietro , CALABRÒ Martina
Published: June 2021

The present study aimed at investigating the contextual stability, the contextual continuity and the concurrent associations between maternal measures (general language, communicative functions and mind-mindedness) and child measures (total number of word types and tokens) in two different contexts, free-play and mealtime. To this purpose, the interactions occurring between 25 mothers and their 16-month-old children in each context were video-recorded, transcribed and later coded for the selected measures. Significant contextual stability was observed in the mothers’ production of general language measures (total number of utterances, total number of words and MLU), in the children's production of word types and tokens, and in some communicative functions (Tutorial, Control and Asynchronous). No contextual stability was found for the mothers’ production of attuned mind-related comments. For continuity, both mothers and children produced more utterances and words in the free-play than in the mealtime context; the production of attuned mind-related comments and the use of the Control function were also more frequent in the free-play context. Lastly, the analysis of the concurrent correlations indicated that, especially in the mealtime context, the number of words produced by children was positively associated with the number of words produced by mothers and by their use of the Tutorial and Didactic functions, but negatively associated with their use of the Control function. The mothers’ production of attuned mind-related comments bore no relation with children's expressive language. Similarities and differences with previous findings are discussed.
Two decades of experience on ablation in children with Ebstein’s anomaly
Authors: Karagöz Tevfik , Ertuğrul İlker , Aypar Ebru , Adıgüzel Aydın , Aykan Hayrettin Hakan , Şahin Murat , Yıldırım Baştuhan Işıl , Alehan Dursun , Çeliker Alpay
Published: June 2021

Introduction:

Accessory pathways are commonly seen due to delamination of tricuspid valve leaflets. In addition to accessory pathways, an enlarged right atrium due to tricuspid regurgitation and incisional scars creates substrates for atrial re-entries and ectopic tachycardia. We sought to describe our experience with catheter ablation in children with Ebstein’s anomaly.

Methods and results:

During the study period, of 89 patients diagnosed with Ebstein’s anomaly, 26 (30.9%) of them who underwent 33 ablation procedures were included in the study. Accessory pathways were observed in the majority of procedures (n = 27), whereas atrial flutter was observed in five, atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia in five, and atrial tachycardia in two procedures. Accessory pathways were commonly localised in the right posteroseptal (n = 10 patients), right posterolateral (n = 14 patients), septal (n = two patients), and left posteroseptal (n = one patient) areas. Multiple accessory pathways and coexistent arrhythmia were observed in six procedures. All ablation attempts related to the accessory pathways were successful, but recurrence was observed in five (19%) of the ablations. Ablation for atrial flutter was performed in five patients; two of them were ablated successfully. One of the atrial tachycardia cases was ablated successfully.

Conclusions:

Ablation in patients with Ebstein’s anomaly is challenging, and due to nature of the disease, it is not a rare occasion in this group of patients. Ablation of accessory pathways has high success, but also relatively high recurrence rates, whereas ablation of atrial arrhythmias has lower success rates, especially in operated patients.
Effect of a theory-based educational intervention for enhancing nutrition and physical activity among Iranian women: a randomised control trial
Authors: Vahedian Shahroodi Mohammad , Tavakoly Sany Seyedeh Belin , Hosseini Khaboshan Zahra , Esmaeily Habibollah , Jafari Alireza , Tajfard Mohammad
Published: June 2021

Objective:

The relative contribution of health promotion models (HPM) to improve health-related behaviours in intervention programmes is still limited. Here, we tested whether Pender’s HPM operationalised in the educational intervention was effective to modify nutrition and physical activity (PA) behaviours among Iranian women.

Design:

A randomised controlled field trial evaluating the efficacy of an educational intervention based on Pender’s HPM to improve PA and nutrition behaviours from August 2016 to October 2016. R version 3.0.2 and SPSS version 16 were used to conduct multiple statistical analyses.

Setting:

Ten public healthcare centres in Bojnourd, Iran were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. The experimental group received the full intervention programme, which included nine 4-h training sessions and consulting support via phone contact and social media group. The control group did not receive any intervention.

Participants:

Women aged 4–6 years (n 202) were randomised to intervention (n 102) and control conditions (n 100) and completed baseline and 3-month follow-up.

Results:

In the experimental group, the intervention programme had a significant effect (P < 0·05) on all construct of Pender’s HPM and behaviour outcome, and the estimates for prior behaviours, self-efficacy, interpersonal influences, feeling, perceived benefits and barriers, commitment and behaviour outcomes in the intervention group were 0·72 (95 % CI 0·31, 0·98), 0·54 (95 % CI 0·27, 0·71), 0·74 (95 % CI 0·27, 0·91), 0·52 (95 % CI 0·19, 0·75), 0·62 (95 % CI 0·22, 0·91), 0·63 (95 % CI 0·30, 0·86) and 0·56 (95 % CI 0·37, 0·85), respectively.

Conclusions:

Educational intervention based on Pender’s HPM was feasible and highly acceptable to modify PA and nutrition behaviours in the women population.
The prevalence of hazardous and harmful drinking in the UK Police Service, and their co-occurrence with job strain and mental health problems
Authors: Irizar P. , Gage S. H. , Field M. , Fallon V. , Goodwin L.
Published: June 2021

Aims

Due to the stressful nature of policing, police employees are at risk of mental health problems and problematic alcohol use. We aim to determine the prevalence of hazardous and harmful alcohol use in the UK Police Service, and to explore the associations with job strain and mental health problems.

Methods

Cross-sectional data from the Airwave Health Monitoring Study (N= 40 986) included measures of alcohol consumption (total units in past week), mental health (depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD]) and job strain. The associations between mental health and job strain with alcohol consumption (i.e. abstinence, low-risk [<14 units per week, reference group], hazardous [>14 to 35 units for women, >14 to 50 units for men], harmful [>35 units for women, >50 units for men]), were analysed using multinomial logistic regressions, adjusting for potential confounders (i.e. age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, children under 18, income and smoking status).

Results

A total of 32.6% of police employees reported hazardous drinking, with 3.0% drinking at harmful levels. Compared to those without a mental health problem, police employees with depression, anxiety or PTSD were twice as likely to be harmful drinkers and were also 1.3 times more likely to report abstinence. Those reporting low strain (reference group) were more likely to drink hazardously compared to those reporting high strain, which was statistically moderated by mental health. When the sample was stratified by mental health status, the association between low strain (compared to all other categories) and hazardous drinking, was significant only in those without a mental health problem.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that police employees may be an occupational group at risk of alcohol harm, with one-third drinking hazardously. The J-shaped relationship between mental health and alcohol use highlights a need for an integration of mental health and alcohol services, tailored for the UK Police Service.
Magnetic Surveys With Unmanned Aerial Systems: Software for Assessing and Comparing the Accuracy of Different Sensor Systems, Suspension Designs and Compensation Methods
Authors: Kaub Leon , Keller Gordon , Bouligand Claire , Glen Jonathan M. G.
Published: June 2021

A typical problem for magnetic surveys with small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) is the heading error caused by undesired magnetic signals that originate from the aircraft. This can be addressed by suspending the magnetometers on sufficiently long tethers. However, tethered payloads require skilled pilots and are difficult to fly safely. Alternatively, the magnetometer can be fixed on the aircraft. In this case, aircraft magnetic signals are removed from the recordings with a process referred to as magnetic compensation, which requires parameters estimated from calibration flights flown in an area with magnetically low‐gradients prior to the survey. We present open‐source software fully written in Python to process data and compute compensations for two fundamentally different magnetometer systems (scalar and vector). We used the software to compare the precision of two commercially available systems by flying dense grid patterns over a 135 × 150 m area using different suspension configurations. The accuracy of the magnetic recordings is assessed using both standard deviations of the calibration pattern and tie‐line cross‐over differences from the survey. After compensation, the vector magnetometer provides the lowest heading error. However, the magnetic field intensity recovered with this system is relative and needs to be adjusted with absolute data if absolute intensity values are needed. Overall, the highest accuracy of all suspension configurations tested was obtained by fixing the magnetometer 0.5 m below the sUAS onto a self‐built carbon‐fiber frame, which also offered greater stability and allowed fully autonomous flights in a wide range of conditions.
Quantifying Periodic Variations in Hotspot Melt Production
Authors: Morrow T. A. , Mittelstaedt E. L.
Published: June 2021

Fluctuations in estimated mantle plume melt production rates suggest complex dynamics in the upper mantle including changes in plume upwelling, compositional heterogeneity within plume stems, entrainment of anomalous mantle, or other processes. Despite the implications for mantle dynamics, differences between previous studies including the methods, study areas, and types of melt volumes estimated, limit inter‐hotspot comparisons and assessment of global variability. Here, we use a consistent methodology to calculate igneous melt production through time across a suite of 12 hotspot chains located in the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Ocean basins. Using global data sets of topography, gravity, sediment cover, and seafloor age along with spectral methods for calculating elastic plate flexure and gravity anomalies, we estimate the total volume of igneous material at each hotspot in three components: (a) volcanic edifices, (b) flexural infill, and (c) intrusions (underplating) within the upper mantle and lower crust. Results indicate time‐averaged melt production rates across all studied hotspots range from 3.44 m3 s−1 (Cobb) to 14.75 m3 s−1 (Kerguelen), with underplating making up the largest component. Through time, melt production rates vary from 0.1 to 2.5 times average values with statistically significant periodic fluctuations of 1.1–71.5 Myr. Spectral analysis of estimated melt volumes shows total melt production varies periodically at all 12 hotspots. Excepting Galápagos, the studied hotspots exhibit multiple periodicities of melt production variability, implying complex dynamic, thermal, and/or chemical processes within the plume conduit. Moreover, we find several groups of hotspots exhibiting similar periods of melt production variability.
Tumor-on-a-chip: from bioinspired design to biomedical application
Authors: Liu Xingxing , Fang Jiaru , Huang Shuang , Wu Xiaoxue , Xie Xi , Wang Ji , Liu Fanmao , Zhang Meng , Peng Zhenwei , Hu Ning
Published: June 2021

Cancer is one of the leading causes of human death, despite enormous efforts to explore cancer biology and develop anticancer therapies. The main challenges in cancer research are establishing an efficient tumor microenvironment in vitro and exploring efficient means for screening anticancer drugs to reveal the nature of cancer and develop treatments. The tumor microenvironment possesses human-specific biophysical and biochemical factors that are difficult to recapitulate in conventional in vitro planar cell models and in vivo animal models. Therefore, model limitations have hindered the translation of basic research findings to clinical applications. In this review, we introduce the recent progress in tumor-on-a-chip devices for cancer biology research, medicine assessment, and biomedical applications in detail. The emerging tumor-on-a-chip platforms integrating 3D cell culture, microfluidic technology, and tissue engineering have successfully mimicked the pivotal structural and functional characteristics of the in vivo tumor microenvironment. The recent advances in tumor-on-a-chip platforms for cancer biology studies and biomedical applications are detailed and analyzed in this review. This review should be valuable for further understanding the mechanisms of the tumor evolution process, screening anticancer drugs, and developing cancer therapies, and it addresses the challenges and potential opportunities in predicting drug screening and cancer treatment.
FURIN and placental syncytialisation: a cautionary tale
Authors: Morosin Saije K. , Delforce Sarah J. , Corbisier de Meaultsart Celine , Lumbers Eugenie R. , Pringle Kirsty G.
Published: June 2021

FURIN is a pro-protein convertase previously shown to be important for placental syncytialisation (Zhou et al. [1]), a process of cell fusion whereby placental cytotrophoblast cells fuse to form a multinucleated syncytium. This finding has been broadly accepted however, we have evidence suggesting the contrary. Spontaneously syncytialising term primary human trophoblast cells and BeWo choriocarcinoma cells were treated with either FURIN siRNA or negative control siRNA or the protease inhibitor, DEC-RVKR-CMK, or vehicle. Cells were then left to either spontaneously syncytialise (primary trophoblasts) or were induced to syncytialise with forskolin (BeWo). Effects on syncytialisation were measured by determining human chorionic gonadotrophin secretion and E-cadherin protein levels. We showed that FURIN is not important for syncytialisation in either cell type. However, in primary trophoblasts another protease also inhibited by DEC-RVKR-CMK, may be involved. Our results directly contrast with those published by Zhou et al. Zhou et al. however, used first trimester villous explants to study syncytialisation, and we used term primary trophoblasts. Therefore, we suggest that FURIN may be involved in syncytialisation of first trimester trophoblasts, but not term trophoblasts. What is more concerning is that our results using BeWo cells do not agree with their results, even though for the most part, we used the same experimental design. It is unclear why these experiments yielded different results, however we wanted to draw attention to simple differences in measuring syncytialisation or flaws in method reporting (including omission of cell line source and passage numbers, siRNA concentration and protein molecular weights) and choice of immunoblot loading controls, that could impact on experimental outcomes. Our study shows that careful reporting of methods by authors and thorough scrutiny by referees are vital. Furthermore, a universal benchmark for measuring syncytialisation is required so that various studies of syncytialisation can be validated.
Intraoperative choroidal detachment during small-gauge vitrectomy: analysis of causes, anatomic, and visual outcomes
Authors: Zhang Ting , Wei Yantao , Zhang Zhaotian , Chi Wei , Feng Lujia , Xiang Wu , Wang Li , Fang Dong , Shi Yunhong , Zhang Shaochong
Published: June 2021

Introduction

To investigate the incidence and causes of intraoperative choroidal detachment (CD) during small-gauge vitrectomy, as well as the anatomic and visual outcomes.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 1026 consecutive patients who underwent small-gauge vitrectomy from June 2017 to December 2018 at Zhongshan Ophthalmic Centre, Guangzhou, China. Data on the presence, location, and extent of intraoperative CD and its relationship to the infusion cannula were collected. Patient demographic characteristics and postoperative anatomic and visual outcomes were also assessed.

Results

A total of six cases were found to have intraoperative CD, including two with serous CD, three with limited haemorrhagic CD, and one with CD caused by inadvertent perfusion of gas during air/fluid exchange. Retraction of the infusion cannula and acute ocular hypotony were found to be the main causes of intraoperative CD in five out of the six cases. The best-corrected visual acuity of all cases significantly improved after the surgery.

Conclusion

The incidence of intraoperative CD during small-gauge vitrectomy is low; the predominant causes are retraction of the infusion cannula and acute ocular hypotony. Immediate awareness and timely closure of the incision may contribute to a better surgical prognosis.
Phenotypic manifestation of α-synuclein strains derived from Parkinson’s disease and multiple system atrophy in human dopaminergic neurons
Authors: Tanudjojo Benedict , Shaikh Samiha S. , Fenyi Alexis , Bousset Luc , Agarwal Devika , Marsh Jade , Zois Christos , Heman-Ackah Sabrina , Fischer Roman , Sims David , Melki Ronald , Tofaris George K.
Published: June 2021

α-Synuclein is critical in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease and related disorders, yet it remains unclear how its aggregation causes degeneration of human dopaminergic neurons. In this study, we induced α-synuclein aggregation in human iPSC-derived dopaminergic neurons using fibrils generated de novo or amplified in the presence of brain homogenates from Parkinson’s disease or multiple system atrophy. Increased α-synuclein monomer levels promote seeded aggregation in a dose and time-dependent manner, which is associated with a further increase in α-synuclein gene expression. Progressive neuronal death is observed with brain-amplified fibrils and reversed by reduction of intraneuronal α-synuclein abundance. We identified 56 proteins differentially interacting with aggregates triggered by brain-amplified fibrils, including evasion of Parkinson’s disease-associated deglycase DJ-1. Knockout of DJ-1 in iPSC-derived dopaminergic neurons enhance fibril-induced aggregation and neuronal death. Taken together, our results show that the toxicity of α-synuclein strains depends on aggregate burden, which is determined by monomer levels and conformation which dictates differential interactomes. Our study demonstrates how Parkinson’s disease-associated genes influence the phenotypic manifestation of strains in human neurons.
ERRγ enhances cardiac maturation with T-tubule formation in human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes
Authors: Miki Kenji , Deguchi Kohei , Nakanishi-Koakutsu Misato , Lucena-Cacace Antonio , Kondo Shigeru , Fujiwara Yuya , Hatani Takeshi , Sasaki Masako , Naka Yuki , Okubo Chikako , Narita Megumi , Takei Ikue , Napier Stephanie C. , Sugo Tsukasa , Imaichi Sachiko , Monjo Taku , Ando Tatsuya , Tamura Norihisa , Imahashi Kenichi , Nishimoto Tomoyuki , Yoshida Yoshinori
Published: June 2021

One of the earliest maturation steps in cardiomyocytes (CMs) is the sarcomere protein isoform switch between TNNI1 and TNNI3 (fetal and neonatal/adult troponin I). Here, we generate human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) carrying a TNNI1EmGFP and TNNI3mCherry double reporter to monitor and isolate mature sub-populations during cardiac differentiation. Extensive drug screening identifies two compounds, an estrogen-related receptor gamma (ERRγ) agonist and an S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 inhibitor, that enhances cardiac maturation and a significant change to TNNI3 expression. Expression, morphological, functional, and molecular analyses indicate that hiPSC-CMs treated with the ERRγ agonist show a larger cell size, longer sarcomere length, the presence of transverse tubules, and enhanced metabolic function and contractile and electrical properties. Here, we show that ERRγ-treated hiPSC-CMs have a mature cellular property consistent with neonatal CMs and are useful for disease modeling and regenerative medicine.
Engineered ACE2 receptor therapy overcomes mutational escape of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Higuchi Yusuke , Suzuki Tatsuya , Arimori Takao , Ikemura Nariko , Mihara Emiko , Kirita Yuhei , Ohgitani Eriko , Mazda Osam , Motooka Daisuke , Nakamura Shota , Sakai Yusuke , Itoh Yumi , Sugihara Fuminori , Matsuura Yoshiharu , Matoba Satoaki , Okamoto Toru , Takagi Junichi , Hoshino Atsushi
Published: June 2021

SARS-CoV-2 has mutated during the global pandemic leading to viral adaptation to medications and vaccinations. Here we describe an engineered human virus receptor, ACE2, by mutagenesis and screening for binding to the receptor binding domain (RBD). Three cycles of random mutagenesis and cell sorting achieved sub-nanomolar affinity to RBD. Our structural data show that the enhanced affinity comes from better hydrophobic packing and hydrogen-bonding geometry at the interface. Additional disulfide mutations caused the fixing of a closed ACE2 conformation to avoid off-target effects of protease activity, and also improved structural stability. Our engineered ACE2 neutralized SARS-CoV-2 at a 100-fold lower concentration than wild type; we also report that no escape mutants emerged in the co-incubation after 15 passages. Therapeutic administration of engineered ACE2 protected hamsters from SARS-CoV-2 infection, decreased lung virus titers and pathology. Our results provide evidence of a therapeutic potential of engineered ACE2.
Phylogenomic analysis reveals persistence of gonococcal strains with reduced-susceptibility to extended-spectrum cephalosporins and mosaic penA-34
Authors: Thomas Jesse C. , Joseph Sandeep J. , Cartee John C. , Pham Cau D. , Schmerer Matthew W. , Schlanger Karen , St. Cyr Sancta B. , Kersh Ellen N. , Raphael Brian H. ,   the Antimicrobial Resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae Working Group, Dominguez Cathy , Patel Ami , Loomis Jillian , Hun Sopheay , Ruiz Ryan , Talosig Nicole , Hua Chi , Zhang Jenny , Oh Bonnie , Leavitt John , Moore Christina , Perry Zach
Published: June 2021

The recent emergence of strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae associated with treatment failures to ceftriaxone, the foundation of current treatment options, has raised concerns over a future of untreatable gonorrhea. Current global data on gonococcal strains suggest that several lineages, predominately characterized by mosaic penA alleles, are associated with elevated minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to extended spectrum cephalosporins (ESCs). Here we report on whole genome sequences of 813 N. gonorrhoeae isolates collected through the Gonococcal Isolate Surveillance Project in the United States. Phylogenomic analysis revealed that one persisting lineage (Clade A, multi-locus sequence type [MLST] ST1901) with mosaic penA-34 alleles, contained the majority of isolates with elevated MICs to ESCs. We provide evidence that an ancestor to the globally circulating MLST ST1901 clones potentially emerged around the early to mid-20th century (1944, credibility intervals [CI]: 1935–1953), predating the introduction of cephalosporins, but coinciding with the use of penicillin. Such results indicate that drugs with novel mechanisms of action are needed as these strains continue to persist and disseminate globally.
Quasi-graphitic carbon shell-induced Cu confinement promotes electrocatalytic CO2 reduction toward C2+ products
Authors: Kim Ji-Yong , Hong Deokgi , Lee Jae-Chan , Kim Hyoung Gyun , Lee Sungwoo , Shin Sangyong , Kim Beomil , Lee Hyunjoo , Kim Miyoung , Oh Jihun , Lee Gun-Do , Nam Dae-Hyun , Joo Young-Chang
Published: June 2021

For steady electroconversion to value-added chemical products with high efficiency, electrocatalyst reconstruction during electrochemical reactions is a critical issue in catalyst design strategies. Here, we report a reconstruction-immunized catalyst system in which Cu nanoparticles are protected by a quasi-graphitic C shell. This C shell epitaxially grew on Cu with quasi-graphitic bonding via a gas–solid reaction governed by the CO (g) - CO2 (g) - C (s) equilibrium. The quasi-graphitic C shell-coated Cu was stable during the CO2 reduction reaction and provided a platform for rational material design. C2+ product selectivity could be additionally improved by doping p-block elements. These elements modulated the electronic structure of the Cu surface and its binding properties, which can affect the intermediate binding and CO dimerization barrier. B-modified Cu attained a 68.1% Faradaic efficiency for C2H4 at −0.55 V (vs RHE) and a C2H4 cathodic power conversion efficiency of 44.0%. In the case of N-modified Cu, an improved C2+ selectivity of 82.3% at a partial current density of 329.2 mA/cm2 was acquired. Quasi-graphitic C shells, which enable surface stabilization and inner element doping, can realize stable CO2-to-C2H4 conversion over 180 h and allow practical application of electrocatalysts for renewable energy conversion.
Phenotypic and genomic hallmarks of a novel, potentially pathogenic rapidly growing Mycobacterium species related to the Mycobacterium fortuitum complex
Authors: Gharbi Reem , Khanna Varun , Frigui Wafa , Mhenni Besma , Brosch Roland , Mardassi Helmi
Published: June 2021

Previously, we have identified a putative novel rapidly growing Mycobacterium species, referred to as TNTM28, recovered from the sputum of an apparently immunocompetent young man with an underlying pulmonary disease. Here we provide a thorough characterization of TNTM28 genome sequence, which consists of one chromosome of 5,526,191 bp with a 67.3% G + C content, and a total of 5193 predicted coding sequences. Phylogenomic analyses revealed a deep-rooting relationship to the Mycobacterium fortuitum complex, thus suggesting a new taxonomic entity. TNTM28 was predicted to be a human pathogen with a probability of 0.804, reflecting the identification of several virulence factors, including export systems (Sec, Tat, and ESX), a nearly complete set of Mce proteins, toxin-antitoxins systems, and an extended range of other genes involved in intramacrophage replication and persistence (hspX, ahpC, sodA, sodC, katG, mgtC, ClpR, virS, etc.), some of which had likely been acquired through horizontal gene transfer. Such an arsenal of potential virulence factors, along with an almost intact ESX-1 locus, might have significantly contributed to TNTM28 pathogenicity, as witnessed by its ability to replicate efficiently in macrophages. Overall, the identification of this new species as a potential human pathogen will help to broaden our understanding of mycobacterial pathogenesis.
Factors associated with prognostic or treatment outcomes in HIV/AIDS patients with and without hypertension in Eswatini
Authors: Dlamini Sabelo Bonginkosi , Dahms Hans-Uwe , Wu Ming-Tsang
Published: June 2021

Non-communicable diseases are increasing faster in HIV/AIDS patients than in the general population. We studied the association between hypertension and other possible confounding factors on viral load and CD4-cell counts in hypertensive and non-hypertensive HIV/AIDS patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) at a large hospital in Eswatini over a 4-year period. We performed a retrospective longitudinal review of the medical records of 560 ART patients divided into non-hypertension and hypertension groups (n = 325 and n = 235) from July 27 to September 8, 2018. Generalized Estimated Equation was used to analyze the longitudinal data. Hypertensive patients were more likely to have improved CD4-cell counts than non-hypertensive patients (OR = 1.83, [1.37–2.44]). ART patients with hypertension were more likely to have detectable viral loads, though not significant (OR = 1.37 [0.77–2.43]). In non-hypertensive patients, second line ART was significantly associated with viral load (OR = 8.61 [2.93–25.34]) and adverse side effects (OR = 3.50 [1.06–11.54]), while isoniazid preventive therapy was significantly associated with CD4-cell counts (OR = 1.68 [1.16–2.45]). In hypertensive patients, factors associated with viral load were WHO HIV stage (OR = 2.84 [1.03–7.85]) and adherence (OR = 8.08 [1.33–49.04]). In both groups, CD4-cell counts significantly and steadily increased over time (p-value < 0.001). Results show a significant association between hypertension and CD4 cell counts but not viral load. In ART patients with and without hypertension, the factors associated with prognostic markers were different. More attention may need to be paid to ART patients with well controlled HIV status to monitoring and controlling of hypertension status.
Association between household air pollution and child mortality in Myanmar using a multilevel mixed-effects Poisson regression with robust variance
Authors: Rana Juwel , Islam Rakibul M. , Khan Md Nuruzzaman , Aliani Razia , Oulhote Youssef
Published: June 2021

Household air pollution (HAP) from solid fuel use (SFU) for cooking is a major public health threat for women and children in low and middle-income countries. This study investigated the associations between HAP and neonatal, infant, and under-five child mortality in Myanmar. The study consisted of 3249 sample of under-five children in the households from the first Myanmar Demographic and Health Survey 2016. Fuel types and levels of exposure to SFU (no, moderate and high) were proxies for HAP. We estimated covariate-adjusted relative risks (aRR) of neonatal, infant, and under-five child mortality with 95% confidence intervals, accounting for the survey design. The prevalence of SFU was 79.0%. The neonatal, infant, and under-five child mortality rates were 26, 45, and 49 per 1000 live births, respectively. The risks of infant (aRR 2.02; 95% CI 1.01–4.05; p-value = 0.048) and under-five mortality (aRR 2.16; 95% CI 1.07–4.36; p-value = 0.031), but not neonatal mortality, were higher among children from households with SFU compared to children from households using clean fuel. Likewise, children highly exposed to HAP had higher risks of mortality than unexposed children. HAP increases the risks of infant and under-five child mortality in Myanmar, which could be reduced by increasing access to clean cookstoves and fuels.
Domain knowledge integration into deep learning for typhoon intensity classification
Authors: Higa Maiki , Tanahara Shinya , Adachi Yoshitaka , Ishiki Natsumi , Nakama Shin , Yamada Hiroyuki , Ito Kosuke , Kitamoto Asanobu , Miyata Ryota
Published: June 2021

In this report, we propose a deep learning technique for high-accuracy estimation of the intensity class of a typhoon from a single satellite image, by incorporating meteorological domain knowledge. By using the Visual Geometric Group’s model, VGG-16, with images preprocessed with fisheye distortion, which enhances a typhoon’s eye, eyewall, and cloud distribution, we achieved much higher classification accuracy than that of a previous study, even with sequential-split validation. Through comparison of t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE) plots for the feature maps of VGG with the original satellite images, we also verified that the fisheye preprocessing facilitated cluster formation, suggesting that our model could successfully extract image features related to the typhoon intensity class. Moreover, gradient-weighted class activation mapping (Grad-CAM) was applied to highlight the eye and the cloud distributions surrounding the eye, which are important regions for intensity classification; the results suggest that our model qualitatively gained a viewpoint similar to that of domain experts. A series of analyses revealed that the data-driven approach using only deep learning has limitations, and the integration of domain knowledge could bring new breakthroughs.
MRI-derived radiomics model for baseline prediction of prostate cancer progression on active surveillance
Authors: Sushentsev Nikita , Rundo Leonardo , Blyuss Oleg , Gnanapragasam Vincent J. , Sala Evis , Barrett Tristan
Published: June 2021

Nearly half of patients with prostate cancer (PCa) harbour low- or intermediate-risk disease considered suitable for active surveillance (AS). However, up to 44% of patients discontinue AS within the first five years, highlighting the unmet clinical need for robust baseline risk-stratification tools that enable timely and accurate prediction of tumour progression. In this proof-of-concept study, we sought to investigate the added value of MRI-derived radiomic features to standard-of-care clinical parameters for improving baseline prediction of PCa progression in AS patients. Tumour T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) and apparent diffusion coefficient radiomic features were extracted, with rigorous calibration and pre-processing methods applied to select the most robust features for predictive modelling. Following leave-one-out cross-validation, the addition of T2WI-derived radiomic features to clinical variables alone improved the area under the ROC curve for predicting progression from 0.61 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.481–0.743) to 0.75 (95% CI 0.64–0.86). These exploratory findings demonstrate the potential benefit of MRI-derived radiomics to add incremental benefit to clinical data only models in the baseline prediction of PCa progression on AS, paving the way for future multicentre studies validating the proposed model and evaluating its impact on clinical outcomes.
An ultra-wide scanner for large-area high-speed atomic force microscopy with megapixel resolution
Authors: Marchesi Arin , Umeda Kenichi , Komekawa Takumi , Matsubara Takeru , Flechsig Holger , Ando Toshio , Watanabe Shinji , Kodera Noriyuki , Franz Clemens M.
Published: June 2021

High-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) is a powerful tool for visualizing the dynamics of individual biomolecules. However, in single-molecule HS-AFM imaging applications, x,y-scanner ranges are typically restricted to a few hundred nanometers, preventing overview observation of larger molecular assemblies, such as 2-dimensional protein crystal growth or fibrillar aggregation. Previous advances in scanner design using mechanical amplification of the piezo-driven x,y-positioning system have extended the size of HS-AFM image frames to several tens of micrometer, but these large scanners may suffer from mechanical instabilities at high scan speeds and only record images with limited pixel numbers and comparatively low lateral resolutions (> 20–100 nm/pixel), complicating single-molecule analysis. Thus, AFM systems able to image large sample areas at high speeds and with nanometer resolution have still been missing. Here, we describe a HS-AFM sample-scanner system able to record large topographic images (≤ 36 × 36 µm2) containing up to 16 megapixels, providing molecular resolution throughout the image frame. Despite its large size, the flexure-based scanner features a high resonance frequency (> 2 kHz) and delivers stable operation even at high scans speeds of up to 7.2 mm/s, minimizing the time required for recording megapixel scans. We furthermore demonstrate that operating this high-speed scanner in time-lapse mode can simultaneously identify areas of spontaneous 2-dimensional Annexin A5 crystal growth, resolve the angular orientation of large crystalline domains, and even detect rare crystal lattice defects, all without changing scan frame size or resolution. Dynamic processes first identified from overview scans can then be further imaged at increased frame rates in reduced scan areas after switching to conventional HS-AFM scanning. The added ability to collect large-area, high-resolution images of complex samples within biological-relevant time frames extends the capabilities of HS-AFM from single-molecule imaging to the study of large dynamic molecular arrays. Moreover, large-area HS-AFM scanning can generate detailed structural data sets from a single scan, aiding the quantitative analysis of structurally heterogenous samples, including cellular surfaces.
Miniaturized tri-notched wideband bandpass filter with ultrawide upper stopband suppression
Authors: Wang Chen-Hao , Shi Xiao-Min
Published: June 2021

Stepped impedance resonator (SIR) and its derivative resonators are widely used in the design of microwave filters. However, many spurious modes will be introduced into the stopband, resulting in lower upper stopband suppression and performance degradation. Based on the principle of slit line, a method to enhance the upper stopband suppression is proposed and verified by a miniaturized tri-notched wideband bandpass filter based on stub loaded ring resonator (SLRR) and shorted-stub loaded SIR (SSLSIR). The wideband is formed by coupling SLRR and interdigital lines, which has a rectangular DGS on the back of the substrate. Three notched bands with controllable positions in the passband can be produced by inserting two different SSLSIRs inside and outside the SLRR. Four slit lines are loaded on the low impedance stub of SSLSIR to adjust the high-order modes close to the transmission zeros (TZs). The operating frequency of the filter is 2.2–7.6 GHz, and the three notched bands are located at 2.97 GHz, 5.75 GHz and 6.46 GHz, respectively. The measurement results show that the − 20 dB enhanced upper stopband of the filter can reach 32 GHz, which proves that the filter has the characteristic of ultrawide upper stopband suppression while keeping the miniaturization.
Monitoring abundance of aggregated animals (Florida manatees) using an unmanned aerial system (UAS)
Authors: Edwards Holly H. , Hostetler Jeffrey A. , Stith Bradley M. , Martin Julien
Published: June 2021

Imperfect detection is an important problem when counting wildlife, but new technologies such as unmanned aerial systems (UAS) can help overcome this obstacle. We used data collected by a UAS and a Bayesian closed capture-mark-recapture model to estimate abundance and distribution while accounting for imperfect detection of aggregated Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) at thermal refuges to assess use of current and new warmwater sources in winter. Our UAS hovered for 10 min and recorded 4 K video over sites in Collier County, FL. Open-source software was used to create recapture histories for 10- and 6-min time periods. Mean estimates of probability of detection for 1-min intervals at each canal varied by survey and ranged between 0.05 and 0.92. Overall, detection probability for sites varied between 0.62 and 1.00 across surveys and length of video (6 and 10 min). Abundance varied by survey and location, and estimates indicated that distribution changed over time, with use of the novel source of warmwater increasing over time. The highest cumulative estimate occurred in the coldest winter, 2018 (N = 158, CI 141–190). Methods here reduced survey costs, increased safety and obtained rigorous abundance estimates at aggregation sites previously too difficult to monitor.
Effect of nonionic and amphoteric surfactants on salivary pellicles reconstituted in vitro
Authors: Boyd Hannah , Gonzalez-Martinez Juan F. , Welbourn Rebecca J. L. , Ma Kun , Li Peixun , Gutfreund Philipp , Klechikov Alexey , Arnebrant Thomas , Barker Robert , Sotres Javier
Published: June 2021

Surfactants are important components of oral care products. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is the most common because of its foaming properties, taste and low cost. However, the use of ionic surfactants, especially SDS, is related to several oral mucosa conditions. Thus, there is a high interest in using non-ionic and amphoteric surfactants as they are less irritant. To better understand the performance of these surfactants in oral care products, we investigated their interaction with salivary pellicles i.e., the proteinaceous films that cover surfaces exposed to saliva. Specifically, we focused on pentaethylene glycol monododecyl ether (C12E5) and cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) as model nonionic and amphoteric surfactants respectively, and investigated their interaction with reconstituted salivary pellicles with various surface techniques: Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation, Ellipsometry, Force Spectroscopy and Neutron Reflectometry. Both C12E5 and CAPB were gentler on pellicles than SDS, removing a lower amount. However, their interaction with pellicles differed. Our work indicates that CAPB would mainly interact with the mucin components of pellicles, leading to collapse and dehydration. In contrast, exposure to C12E5 had a minimal effect on the pellicles, mainly resulting in the replacement/solubilisation of some of the components anchoring pellicles to their substrate.
Factors affecting hallucinations in patients with delirium
Authors: Tachibana Masako , Inada Toshiya , Ichida Masaru , Ozaki Norio
Published: June 2021

Delirium develops through a multifactorial process and include multiple subtypes with different pathological factors. To refine the treatment and care for delirium, a more detailed examination of these subtypes is needed. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the factors affecting delirium in cases in which hallucinations are conspicuous. In total, 602 delirium cases referred to the psychiatry department at a general hospital between May 2015 and August 2020 were enrolled. The Delirium Rating Scale-revised-98 was used to assess perceptual disturbances and hallucinations in patients with delirium. Multiple regression analysis was applied to determine whether individual factors were associated with the hallucinations. A total of 156 patients with delirium (25.9%) experienced hallucinations, with visual hallucinations being the most common subtype. Alcohol drinking (p < 0.0005), benzodiazepine withdrawal (p = 0.004), and the use of angiotensin II receptor blockers (p = 0.007) or dopamine receptor agonists (p = 0.014) were found to be significantly associated with hallucinations in patients with delirium. The four factors detected in this study could all be reversible contributing factors derived from the use of or withdrawal from exogenous substances.
Tunable microstructures of ultralong organic phosphorescence materials
Authors: Liu Kun , Huang Kaiwei , Lv Anqi , Ye Wenpeng , Yang Yijun , Shen Kang , Zhi Jiahuan , Wang He , Zhang Renxiang , Wang Jiamin , Ma Huili , Shi Huifang , Yao Wei , An Zhongfu , Huang Wei
Published: June 2021

We prepared a series of organic microstructures with ultralong phosphorescence by altering the concentration, which displayed different phosphorescence efficiencies (19.12–32.95%) due to their different molecular conformations.
Visualising structural modification of patterned graphene nanoribbons using tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Su Weitao , Esfandiar Ali , Lancry Ophélie , Shao Jiaqi , Kumar Naresh , Chaigneau Marc
Published: June 2021

Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy reveals structural and chemical modification of patterned graphene nanoribbons fabricated using electron beam lithography.
Room-temperature reduction of sulfur hexafluoride with metal phosphides
Authors: Huchenski Blake S. N. , Speed Alexander W. H.
Published: June 2021

Upon treatment with sulfur hexafluoride, alkali metal diphenyl or dicyclohexyl phosphides are oxidized within seconds to tetraphenyl or tetracyclohexyl diphosphines. This is a rare example of reactivity of sulfur hexafluoride at ambient temperature.
3D-PLA-experimental set up to display the electrical background of the so-called geometric factor of electrokinetic cells
Authors: Romero-Guzmán Daniel , Gallardo-Moreno Amparo M. , González-Martín M. Luisa
Published: June 2021

The so-called L/S geometrical factor has an electrical background. This can lead to changes in zeta potential of the material up to 80% working with different configurations of the electrokinetic cell.
Sign flipping of spontaneous polarization in vapour-deposited films of small polar organic molecules
Authors: Tourlakis Georgios M. , Adamopoulos Sotirios Alexandros T. , Gavra Irini K. , Milpanis Alexandros A. , Tsagri Liveria F. , Pachygianni Aikaterini Sofia G. , Chatzikokolis Stylianos S. , Tsekouras Athanassios A.
Published: June 2021

Film voltage varies in sign and magnitude depending on substrate temperature and compound.