bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The First Mongol Invasion of Europe: Goals and Results
Authors: MAIOROV ALEXANDER V.
Published: June 2021

This article establishes that the tümens which took part in Jebe and Sübedei's Raid to Europe were not merely conducting a reconnaissance mission, as it is usually described. The campaign was part of Chinggis Khan's conquering strategy aimed at the complete subjugation of the Kipchak and the conquest of the steppe territories not only in Asia but also in Europe. The task of implementing this strategic plan was given to Prince Jochi as the ruler of the western ulus of the Mongol Empire. Jochi was to bring his main military force to Europe while Sübedei, together with Jebe, advanced with their corps to defeat the Kipchak. The Grand Prince of Kiev and other princes of Southern Rus’, being allies and relatives of the Kipchak rulers, gave them military support. Therefore, the Mongols retaliated against the Rus’. After defeating the allied Rus’ and Kipchak forces at the Kalka River, the Mongols succeeded in crossing the Dnieper and went as far as Kiev. However, the refusal of Jochi to bring his main forces to assist the Mongol vanguard forces nullified the achievements and victories of Jebe and Sübedei. Jochi's reluctance to participate in the Western Campaign of 1221–23 was related to his conflicts with his younger brothers and Chinggis Khan himself, which, in its turn, brought about Jochi's loss of his former status in the empire, a severe illness and untimely death. As a result, Chinggis Khan had to reconsider his general conquest strategy; the conquest of Kipchak and Rus’ was postponed for one and a half decades.
Composition and Culture of Eating (CoCu) pregnancy: a new short questionnaire to evaluate diet composition and culture of eating during pregnancy
Authors: Spielau Ulrike , Vogel Mandy , Körner Antje , Kiess Wieland , Poulain Tanja
Published: June 2021

Objective:

The project aimed to validate a short questionnaire (CoCu pregnancy – Composition and Culture of Eating during pregnancy) and to investigate associations with age and socio-economic status (SES).

Design:

The questionnaire was developed according to the validated CoCu for children and adolescents containing a diet composition (fourteen items) and a culture of eating part (six items). A Nutritional Health Score (NHS) was calculated based on diet composition (–120 and +120, with higher scores indicating healthier diets). The validity was assessed by comparing answers in CoCu pregnancy with a FFQ. In a subsample (n97), we assessed the percentage of having chosen the same (or adjacent) response categories in the 24th and 36th week of pregnancy (wp).

Setting:

Data were collected within the LIFE Child study in Leipzig, Germany.

Participants:

We evaluated 430 questionnaires of pregnant women (24th wp).

Results:

The results indicated a healthy diet in the present sample (NHS at 24th wp = 49·74 (95 % CI 47·27, 52·22)). The analyses revealed significant positive correlations between CoCu and FFQ (rho ranging from 0·32 to 0·61). For each food item, >90 % of women had chosen the same (50–60 %) or adjacent response categories in the 24th and 36th wp. The analysis revealed associations of the NHS with age (β= 0·11,P= 0·027), SES (β= 0·21,P< 0·001), snacking(β= –0·24, P< 0·001) and media use (β= –0·18,P< 0·001).

Conclusions:

The questionnaire represents a useful tool for surveying the diets during pregnancy for research and clinical practice.
Meta-analysis and machine learning-augmented mixed effects cohort analysis of improved diets among 5847 medical trainees, providers and patients
Authors: Monlezun Dominique J , Carr Christopher , Niu Tianhua , Nordio Francesco , DeValle Nicole , Sarris Leah , Harlan Timothy
Published: June 2021

Objective:

We sought to produce the first meta-analysis (of medical trainee competency improvement in nutrition counseling) informing the first cohort study of patient diet improvement through medical trainees and providers counseling patients on nutrition.

Design:

(Part A) A systematic review and meta-analysis informing (Part B) the intervention analysed in the world’s largest prospective multi-centre cohort study on hands-on cooking and nutrition education for medical trainees, providers and patients.

Settings:

(A) Medical educational institutions. (B) Teaching kitchens.

Participants:

(A) Medical trainees. (B) Trainees, providers and patients.

Results:

(A) Of the 212 citations identified (n 1698 trainees), eleven studies met inclusion criteria. The overall effect size was 9·80 (95 % CI (7·15, 12·45) and 95 % CI (6·87, 13·85); P < 0·001), comparable with the machine learning (ML)-augmented results. The number needed to treat for the top performing high-quality study was 12. (B) The hands-on cooking and nutrition education curriculum from the top performing study were applied for medical trainees and providers who subsequently taught patients in the same curriculum (n 5847). The intervention compared with standard medical care and education alone significantly increased the odds of superior diets (high/medium v. low Mediterranean diet adherence) for residents/fellows most (OR 10·79, 95 % CI (4·94, 23·58); P < 0·001) followed by students (OR 9·62, 95 % CI (5·92, 15·63); P < 0·001), providers (OR 5·19, 95 % CI (3·23, 8·32), P < 0·001) and patients (OR 2·48, 95 % CI (1·38, 4·45); P = 0·002), results consistent with those from ML.

Conclusions:

The current study suggests that medical trainees and providers can improve patients’ diets with nutrition counseling in a manner that is clinically and cost effective and may simultaneously advance societal equity.
Higher-diet quality is associated with higher diet costs when eating at home and away from home: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005–2016
Authors: Conrad Zach , Reinhardt Sarah , Boehm Rebecca , McDowell Acree
Published: June 2021

Objectives:

To evaluate the association between diet quality and cost for foods purchased for consumption at home and away from home.

Design:

Cross-sectional analysis. Multivariable linear regression models evaluated the association between diet quality and cost for all food, food at home (FAH) and food away from home (FAFH).

Setting:

Daily food intake data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005–2016). Food prices were derived using data from multiple, publicly available databases. Diet quality was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index-2015 and the Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010.

Participants:

30 564 individuals ≥20 years with complete and reliable dietary data.

Results:

Mean per capita daily diet cost was $14·19 (95 % CI (13·91, 14·48)), including $6·92 (95 % CI (6·73, 7·10)) for FAH and $7·28 (95 % CI (7·05, 7·50)) for FAFH. Diet quality was higher for FAH compared to FAFH (P < 0·001). Higher diet quality was associated with higher food costs overall, FAH and FAFH (P < 0·001 for all comparisons).

Conclusions:

These findings demonstrate that higher diet quality is associated with higher costs for all food, FAH and FAFH. This research provides policymakers, public health professionals and clinicians with information needed to support healthy eating habits. These findings are particularly relevant to contemporary health and economic concerns that have worsened because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nitrite Cycle Indicated by Dual Isotopes in the Northern South China Sea
Authors: Chen Yangjun , Bardhan Pratirupa , Zhao Xiufeng , Zheng Mingfang , Qiu Yushen , Chen Min
Published: June 2021

As the world's largest marginal sea, biogeochemical cycling of nitrite (NO2−) in the South China Sea (SCS) is still unclear. NO2− concentration generally shows a peak at or near the base of the sunlit euphotic zone, which is called primary NO2− maximum (PNM). The PNM appears widely in the SCS, but its formation mechanism has not yet been realized. In this study, the dual isotopes of NO2− are used for the first time to explore the NO2− cycle and PNM formation in the northern SCS (NSCS). We propose that the formation of the PNM in the NSCS is mainly driven by ammonia (NH3) oxidation. A steady‐state model is used to estimate the biogeochemical cycling rates of NO2− in the NSCS. Our results show that both the oxidation rate of NH3 and the assimilation rate of NO2− are significantly reduced from the shelf to the basin. Notably, the role of NO2− oxidation in the basin is not negligible, although the assimilation of NO2− mainly represents the fate of NO2− in the NSCS. The residence time of NO2− implies that the cycle of NO2− is dynamic and the PNM is an active signal in the NSCS. Our results further demonstrate the importance of NH3 oxidation in the formation of PNM in the marginal sea, which can be applied in global marginal seas to gain a deeper understanding of marine nitrogen (N) cycle.
Drivers of Hot Spots and Hot Moments of Denitrification in Agricultural Systems
Authors: Weitzman Julie N. , Groffman Peter M. , Adler Paul R. , Dell Curtis J. , Johnson Frank E. , Lerch Robert N. , Strickland Timothy C.
Published: June 2021

Denitrification, the most poorly understood process in the nitrogen (N) cycle, is of great interest as it can significantly reduce pools of reactive N and act as a source of the potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O). A particular study challenge is that small areas (hot spots) and brief periods (hot moments) of denitrification frequently account for a high percentage of N gas flux activity. Our study utilized sites within the U.S. Department of Agriculture Long‐Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) Network to understand the importance of potential drivers of such hot spots and hot moments of denitrification in agricultural systems. We quantified in situ denitrification rates in intact soil cores from three LTAR sites – Upper Chesapeake Bay (UCB), PA, Central Mississippi River Basin (CMRB), MO, and Gulf Atlantic Coastal Plain (GACP), GA – by directly measuring dinitrogen (N2) and N2O production via the Nitrogen‐Free Air Recirculation Method (N‐FARM). Each site provided an opportunity to study a different potential driver of denitrification: landscape‐scale topography (UCB), soil confining layers (CMRB), and ecosystem‐scale climate (e.g., drying‐rewetting events; GACP). At the UCB site, wetter, low topographic positions released a higher proportion of N2:N2O, suggesting that N removal does not result in increased greenhouse emissions. Results at the CMRB site show evidence that confining features, like hard clays, could drive denitrification hot spots. Similarly, such features at the GACP site could drive denitrification hot spots (at depth) and hot moments (drying‐rewetting). These results suggest that denitrification is a significant sink for excess agricultural N at multiple scales, which may inform management decisions in the future.
Coordinated Science Support for Sea‐Level Data and Services in the United States
Authors: Hamlington B. D. , Osler M. , Vinogradova N. , Sweet W. V.
Published: June 2021

In this commentary, we focus on the basic‐science foundation that supports sea‐level decision‐making. Specifically, we discuss the role that U.S. federal science‐producing agencies National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) can play in supporting ongoing and future sea‐level adaptation efforts. We discuss current challenges in the work that NASA and NOAA are doing in this area, highlight how these challenges impact stakeholders, and then detail how improved coordination between NASA and NOAA can ultimately benefit stakeholders. While focused on the U.S. we contrast this to the state of play in other parts of the world and identify challenges and considerations that may be relevant for other agencies and countries across the globe.
Heatwaves in Southeast Asia and Their Changes in a Warmer World
Authors: Dong Zizhen , Wang Lin , Sun Ying , Hu Ting , Limsakul Atsamon , Singhruck Patama , Pimonsree Sittichai
Published: June 2021

Based on the observational dataset SA‐OBS and model outputs from the Community Earth System Model Large Ensemble project, this study investigates heatwaves in Southeast Asia in the current and future warmer climate. A heatwave is detected when the daily maximum temperature exceeds the 90th percentile threshold at each grid for at least three consecutive days. Three characteristics describing the frequency, duration, and amplitude of heatwaves are examined, including the sum of heatwave days per year (HWF) satisfying the heatwave definition, the length of the longest yearly heatwave event (HWD), and the hottest amplitude of the hottest yearly heatwave event (HWA). Results indicate that increased global warming is associated with substantial changes in heatwave characteristics over Southeast Asia, with more frequent heatwaves, longer heatwave duration, and higher extreme temperatures. The increase in HWA has a linear growth against global warming levels with distinct regional differences between the Maritime Continent and the Indochina Peninsula due to their different heat content of lower atmospheric boundaries. In contrast, those in HWF and HWD have nonlinear growth characteristics. The projected warmer future tends to be associated with a higher risk ratio value with the occurrence of rarer extreme heatwaves relative to the current climate. These results reiterate the potential risks of extreme regional heatwaves if global warming is unrestricted.
Strong MARSIS Radar Reflections From the Base of Martian South Polar Cap May Be Due to Conductive Ice or Minerals
Authors: Bierson C. J. , Tulaczyk S. , Courville S. W. , Putzig N. E.
Published: June 2021

Recent results from the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding (MARSIS) instrument have been interpreted as evidence of subsurface brine pooled beneath 1.3 km‐thick South Polar Layered Deposit (SPLD). This interpretation is based on the assumption that the regionally high strength of MARSIS radar reflections from the base of the ice cap is due to a strong contrast in dielectric permittivity across the basal interface. Here, we demonstrate that the high‐power reflections could instead be the result of a contrast in electric conductivity. While not explicitly excluding a liquid brine, our results open new potential explanations for the observed strong radar reflections, some of which do not require liquid brine beneath SPLD. Potential basal materials with suitably high conductivity include clays, metal‐bearing minerals, or saline ice.
A Little Data Goes a Long Way: Automating Seismic Phase Arrival Picking at Nabro Volcano With Transfer Learning
Authors: Lapins Sacha , Goitom Berhe , Kendall J‐Michael , Werner Maximilian J. , Cashman Katharine V. , Hammond James O. S.
Published: June 2021

Supervised deep learning models have become a popular choice for seismic phase arrival detection. However, they do not always perform well on out‐of‐distribution data and require large training sets to aid generalization and prevent overfitting. This can present issues when using these models in new monitoring settings. In this work, we develop a deep learning model for automating phase arrival detection at Nabro volcano using a limited amount of training data (2,498 event waveforms recorded over 35 days) through a process known as transfer learning. We use the feature extraction layers of an existing, extensively trained seismic phase picking model to form the base of a new all‐convolutional model, which we call U‐GPD. We demonstrate that transfer learning reduces overfitting and model error relative to training the same model from scratch, particularly for small training sets (e.g., 500 waveforms). The new U‐GPD model achieves greater classification accuracy and smaller arrival time residuals than off‐the‐shelf applications of two existing, extensively‐trained baseline models for a test set of 800 event and noise waveforms from Nabro volcano. When applied to 14 months of continuous Nabro data, the new U‐GPD model detects 31,387 events with at least four P‐wave arrivals and one S‐wave arrival, which is more than the original base model (26,808 events) and our existing manual catalog (2,926 events), with smaller location errors. The new model is also more efficient when applied as a sliding window, processing 14 months of data from seven stations in less than 4 h on a single graphics processing unit.
Characteristics of Streaky Thermal Footprints on Wind Waves
Authors: Lu Guan‐hung , Tsai Wu‐ting , Garbe Christoph , Jähne Bernd
Published: June 2021

Coherent vortices in the aqueous surface layer beneath wind waves manifest themselves by inducing elongated high‐speed streaks on the interface. Analyses of thermal images taken in the wind‐wave flume reveal that the mean streak spacing scaled by the viscous length, , depends strongly on the wind‐wave condition. This contradicts the wall‐bounded turbulent flow in which the scaled mean streak spacing approaches a canonical value, . Comparative numerical simulations of shear flow bounded by flat and wavy surfaces are conducted to explain the variation. In the low‐wind range with insignificant surface waves, ; the reduction of is attributed to the insufficient shear rate to form the elongated streaks. For the moderate‐wind range in which surface waves become pronounced but remain to be unbroken, is still less than 100. Analysis of the vorticity transport in the simulated wavy flows reveals that the presence of non‐breaking waves enhances the formation of quasi‐streamwise vortices and the surface streaks. For the high‐wind range, surface waves break and the breakers wipe out the streaks. The streaks quickly reestablish in the wake of the breaker with mean spacing but are destructed again by the following breaker.
Stable Carbon Isotope Depletions in Lipid Biomarkers Suggest Subsurface Carbon Fixation in Lava Caves
Authors: Selensky Matthew J. , Masterson Andrew L. , Blank Jennifer G. , Lee Sohyun C. , Osburn Magdalena R.
Published: June 2021

Lava caves, formed through basaltic volcanism, are accessible conduits into the shallow subsurface and the microbial life residing there. While evidence for this life is widespread, the level of dependence of these microbial communities on surface inputs, especially that of organic carbon (OC), is a persistent knowledge gap, with relevance to both terrestrial biogeochemistry and the characterization of lava caves as Mars analog environments. Here, we explore carbon cycling processes within lava caves at Lava Beds National Monument, CA. We interrogate a range of cave features and surface soils, characterizing the isotopic composition (δ13C) of bulk organic and inorganic phases, followed by organic geochemical analysis of the distribution and δ13C signatures of fatty acids derived from intact polar lipids (IPLs). From these data, we estimate the carbon sources of different sample types, finding that surface soils and mineral‐rich speleothems incorporate plant‐derived biomass (δ13CVPDB ∼ −30‰), whereas biofilms are dominated by strongly 13C‐depleted lipids (minimum δ13CVPDB −45.4‰) specific to bacteria, requiring a significant proportion of their biomass to derive from in situ fixation of inorganic carbon from previously respired OC. Based on the prevalence and abundance of these 13C‐depleted lipids, we conclude that biofilms here are fueled by in situ chemolithoautotrophy, despite relatively high concentrations of dissolved OC in colocated cave waters. This unexpected metabolic potential mirrors that found in other deep subsurface biospheres and has significant positive implications for the potential microbial habitability of the Martian subsurface.
Comparison of Nighttime With Daytime Evapotranspiration Responses to Environmental Controls Across Temporal Scales Along a Climate Gradient
Authors: Han Qiong , Wang Tiejun , Wang Lichun , Smettem Keith , Mai Mai , Chen Xi
Published: June 2021

Understanding daytime (ETD) and nighttime (ETN) evapotranspiration is critical for accurately evaluating terrestrial water and carbon cycles. However, unlike ETD, the factors influencing ETN remain poorly understood. Here, long‐term ETD and ETN data from five FLUXNET sites along a climate gradient in Northern Australia were analyzed to compare their responses to environmental drivers at different temporal scales. We found that (a) across the sites, mean annual ETN/ETD (/) ranged between 5.1% and 11.7%, which was mainly determined by variations. Particularly, vegetation and meteorological variables mostly controlled , while was largely related to air temperature and net radiation (Rn) due to lower nighttime atmospheric water demands; (b) At individual sites, ETD and ETN exhibited higher correlations with meteorological and vegetation variables at monthly timescales than at annual timescales. Monthly ETD and ETN were also strongly coupled, especially under drier climatic conditions. At daily timescales, leaf area index and soil water content (SWC) controlled ETD with SWC being more important at drier sites; whereas, SWC was the dominant factor controlling ETN. At half‐hourly timescales, the boosted regression tree method quantitively showed that ETD and ETN were controlled by Rn and SWC, respectively. Overall, the results showed that ETN was less responsive to environmental variables, illustrating that ETD and ETN responded differently to diverse climate regimes and ecosystems at varying temporal scales. These findings provide a critical evaluation for contrasting ETD and ETN interactions in constantly changing environments, which has important implications for ecosystem water balance and land surface processes modeling.
Biomechanical and biological responses of periodontium in orthodontic tooth movement: up-date in a new decade
Authors: Li Yuan , Zhan Qi , Bao Minyue , Yi Jianru , Li Yu
Published: June 2021

Nowadays, orthodontic treatment has become increasingly popular. However, the biological mechanisms of orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) have not been fully elucidated. We were aiming to summarize the evidences regarding the mechanisms of OTM. Firstly, we introduced the research models as a basis for further discussion of mechanisms. Secondly, we proposed a new hypothesis regarding the primary roles of periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) and osteocytes involved in OTM mechanisms and summarized the biomechanical and biological responses of the periodontium in OTM through four steps, basically in OTM temporal sequences, as follows: (1) Extracellular mechanobiology of periodontium: biological, mechanical, and material changes of acellular components in periodontium under orthodontic forces were introduced. (2) Cell strain: the sensing, transduction, and regulation of mechanical stimuli in PDLCs and osteocytes. (3) Cell activation and differentiation: the activation and differentiation mechanisms of osteoblast and osteoclast, the force-induced sterile inflammation, and the communication networks consisting of sensors and effectors. (4) Tissue remodeling: the remodeling of bone and periodontal ligament (PDL) in the compression side and tension side responding to mechanical stimuli and root resorption. Lastly, we talked about the clinical implications of the updated OTM mechanisms, regarding optimal orthodontic force (OOF), acceleration of OTM, and prevention of root resorption.
Inflammation, epigenetics, and metabolism converge to cell senescence and ageing: the regulation and intervention
Authors: Zhu Xudong , Chen Zhiyang , Shen Weiyan , Huang Gang , Sedivy John M. , Wang Hu , Ju Zhenyu
Published: June 2021

Remarkable progress in ageing research has been achieved over the past decades. General perceptions and experimental evidence pinpoint that the decline of physical function often initiates by cell senescence and organ ageing. Epigenetic dynamics and immunometabolic reprogramming link to the alterations of cellular response to intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli, representing current hotspots as they not only (re-)shape the individual cell identity, but also involve in cell fate decision. This review focuses on the present findings and emerging concepts in epigenetic, inflammatory, and metabolic regulations and the consequences of the ageing process. Potential therapeutic interventions targeting cell senescence and regulatory mechanisms, using state-of-the-art techniques are also discussed.
Ki-67 gene expression
Authors: Uxa Sigrid , Castillo-Binder Paola , Kohler Robin , Stangner Konstanze , Müller Gerd A. , Engeland Kurt
Published: June 2021

Ki-67 serves as a prominent cancer marker. We describe how expression of the MKI67 gene coding for Ki-67 is controlled during the cell cycle. MKI67 mRNA and Ki-67 protein are maximally expressed in G2 phase and mitosis. Expression is dependent on two CHR elements and one CDE site in the MKI67 promoter. DREAM transcriptional repressor complexes bind to both CHR sites and downregulate the expression in G0/G1 cells. Upregulation of MKI67 transcription coincides with binding of B-MYB-MuvB and FOXM1-MuvB complexes from S phase into G2/M. Importantly, binding of B-MYB to the two CHR elements correlates with loss of CHR-dependent MKI67 promoter activation in B-MYB-knockdown experiments. In knockout cell models, we find that DREAM/MuvB-dependent transcriptional control cooperates with the RB Retinoblastoma tumor suppressor. Furthermore, the p53 tumor suppressor indirectly downregulates transcription of the MKI67 gene. This repression by p53 requires p21/CDKN1A. These results are consistent with a model in which DREAM, B-MYB-MuvB, and FOXM1-MuvB together with RB cooperate in cell cycle-dependent transcription and in transcriptional repression following p53 activation. In conclusion, we present mechanisms how MKI67 gene expression followed by Ki-67 protein synthesis is controlled during the cell cycle and upon induction of DNA damage, as well as upon p53 activation.
Novel tool to quantify with single-cell resolution the number of incoming AAV genomes co-expressed in the mouse nervous system
Authors: Maturana Carola J. , Verpeut Jessica L. , Kooshkbaghi Mahdi , Engel Esteban A.
Published: June 2021

Adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors are an established and safe gene delivery tool to target the nervous system. However, the payload capacity of <4.9 kb limits the transfer of large or multiple genes. Oversized payloads could be delivered by fragmenting the transgenes into separate AAV capsids that are then mixed. This strategy could increase the AAV cargo capacity to treat monogenic, polygenic diseases and comorbidities only if controlled co-expression of multiple AAV capsids is achieved on each transduced cell. We developed a tool to quantify the number of incoming AAV genomes that are co-expressed in the nervous system with single-cell resolution. By using an isogenic mix of three AAVs each expressing single fluorescent reporters, we determined that expression of much greater than 31 AAV genomes per neuron in vitro and 20 genomes per neuron in vivo is obtained across different brain regions including anterior cingulate, prefrontal, somatomotor and somatosensory cortex areas, and cerebellar lobule VI. Our results demonstrate that multiple AAV vectors containing different transgenes or transgene fragments, can efficiently co-express in the same neuron. This tool can be used to design and improve AAV-based interrogation of neuronal circuits, map brain connectivity, and treat genetic diseases affecting the nervous system.
Assessing the impact of aging and blood pressure on dermal microvasculature by reactive hyperemia optical coherence tomography angiography
Authors: Wang-Evers Michael , Casper Malte J. , Glahn Joshua , Luo Tuanlian , Doyle Abigail E. , Karasik Daniel , Kim Anne C. , Phothong Weeranut , Nathan Neera R. , Heesakker Tammy , Kositratna Garuna , Manstein Dieter
Published: June 2021

Visualization and quantification of the skin microvasculature are important for studying the health of the human microcirculation. We correlated structural and pathophysiological changes of the dermal capillary-level microvasculature with age and blood pressure by using the reactive hyperemia optical coherence tomography angiography (RH-OCT-A) technique and evaluated both conventional OCT-A and the RH-OCT-A method as non-invasive imaging alternatives to histopathology. This observational pilot study acquired OCT-A and RH-OCT-A images of the dermal microvasculature of 13 young and 12 old healthy Caucasian female subjects. Two skin biopsies were collected per subject for histological analysis. The dermal microvasculature in OCT-A, RH-OCT-A, and histological images were automatically quantified and significant indications of vessel rarefaction in both old subjects and subjects with high blood pressure were observed by RH-OCT-A and histopathology. We showed that an increase in dermal microvasculature perfusion in response to reactive hyperemia was significantly lower in high blood pressure subjects compared to normal blood pressure subjects (117% vs. 229%). These results demonstrate that RH-OCT-A imaging holds functional information of the microvasculature with respect to physiological factors such as age and blood pressure that may help to monitor early disease progression and assess overall vascular health. Additionally, our results suggest that RH-OCT-A images may serve as a non-invasive alternative to histopathology for vascular analysis.
Baseline quantitative HBcAb strongly predicts undetectable HBV DNA and RNA in chronic hepatitis B patients treated with entecavir for 10 years
Authors: Zhang Xi , An Xiaocui , Shi Lei , Yang Xueliang , Chen Yunru , Liu Xiaojing , Li Jianzhou , Ye Feng , Lin Shumei
Published: June 2021

The predictive effect of quantitative anti-hepatitis B core on double-negative HBV DNA and RNA remains unstudied. We observed dynamic changes in this measure in chronic hepatitis B patients receiving entecavir for 10 years, evaluating its predictive value for double-negative HBV DNA and RNA. Twenty-seven chronic hepatitis B patients treated with entecavir for 10 years were enrolled in this study. Liver function, quantitative anti-hepatitis B core, hepatitis B surface and e antigens, HBV DNA and RNA were measured at baseline and each follow-up. Virological response was defined as double-negative HBV DNA and RNA; serological response was defined as hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion. After antiviral therapy, quantitative anti-hepatitis B core showed an overall downward trend. Patients with virological response had significantly higher quantitative anti-hepatitis B core levels than those without virological response at baseline. Patients with serological response also had higher quantitative anti-hepatitis B core levels than those without serological response at baseline and week 24. Baseline quantitative anti-hepatitis B core level was the only independent predictor for virological and serological responses. Baseline quantitative anti-hepatitis B core level was powerfully predictive of double-negative HBV DNA and RNA in chronic hepatitis B patients receiving long-term entecavir therapy.
Potential of cold plasma to control Callosobruchus chinensis (Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) in chickpea cultivars during four year storage
Authors: Pathan F. L. , Deshmukh R. R. , Annapure U. S.
Published: June 2021

Cold plasma has proven itself as a promising method of food preservation by controlling food spoilage bacteria at very low temperatures. It is showing potential for insect control. Synthetic pesticides are mostly used to control Callosobruchus chinensis L. (Chrysomelidae: Coleoptera) to which it has developed resistance. The prospective potential of cold plasma treatment to control pulse beetle infestation of chickpea in the storage for about four years of plasma treatment was studied. The four chickpea cultivars were treated with cold plasma at different power 40, 50, and 60 W each for 10, 15, 20 min. Plasma treated and untreated chickpeas were stored in an airtight ziplock pouch. At regular intervals, the grains were observed for infestation. It was found most effective in controlling the pulse beetle infestation of treated chickpea samples. While plasma untreated chickpeas were attacked and damaged mostly by pulse beetle within the first quarter of the storage study. To avoid the problems created by the use of pesticides cold plasma treatment is found to be the best alternative in the protection of chickpea invasion by pulse beetle during a longer storage period. The findings in the present research may be used for the preparation of legumes which may also soak and cook faster like quick-cooking legumes and preserved for years without invasion of pulse beetle.
Occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica in municipal household waste collection and road cleaning workers
Authors: Kim Boowook , Kim Eunyoung , Cha Wonseok , Shin Jungah , Choi Byung-Soon , Kim Daeho , Kim Miyeon , Kang Wonyang , Choi Sungwon
Published: June 2021

Despite the increase in the number of cases among South Korean sanitation workers, lung cancer as a result of exposure to occupational carcinogen has not been sufficiently investigated. This study aimed to identify exposure levels of sanitation workers to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) for various tasks and factors that affect individual RCS exposure. Exposure to RCS was assessed for 90 sanitation workers from seven companies. The obtained geometric mean value of the RCS was 2.6 µg m–3, which is a similar level to recommendations set by California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment's Recommended Exposure Limit. Meanwhile, coal briquette ash (CBA) collectors exhibited the highest RCS concentration (24 µg m–3), followed by road cleaning workers who used a blower, municipal household waste collectors, sweepers, and drivers (p < 0.05). Additionally, when the ANOVA was conducted, statistically significant differences were observed in RCS concentrations among various factors such as job task, season, employment type and city scale. Our study confirmed that sanitation workers who work outdoors could be exposed to RCS. Due to the possibility of exposure to high RCS concentrations, special attention should be paid to the collection of used CBA and road cleaning involving the use of a blower.
The precise determination of the window of implantation significantly improves ART outcomes
Authors: Enciso M. , Aizpurua J. , Rodríguez-Estrada B. , Jurado I. , Ferrández-Rives M. , Rodríguez E. , Pérez-Larrea E. , Climent A. B. , Marron K. , Sarasa J.
Published: June 2021

The human endometrium is receptive to the embryo for a specific period of time known as the window of implantation (WOI). During this period, the endometrium shows a specific gene expression profile suitable for endometrial function evaluation. ER Map is a molecular tool able to accurately predict endometrial receptivity status by transcriptomic analysis. In this retrospective study, including 2256 subfertile patients undergoing ART treatment, the clinical value of precise WOI determination is studied in detail. Results obtained when single embryo transfers (sET) were scheduled either within the WOI timeframe as established by ER Map, or deviating from this WOI, are assessed and compared. Data obtained showed that 34.18% (771/2256) of patients had a displaced WOI. Analysis of ART outcomes showed significantly higher pregnancy rates in transfers scheduled within the WOI predicted compared to transfers that deviated more than 12h from this WOI (44.35% vs 23.08%, p < 0.001). The deviation from the WOI had also an impact on the progression of pregnancy, with a significant increase in pregnancy loss (~ twofold) observed in transfers that deviated more than 12h from the WOI predicted. These results indicate that the precise determination of the WOI and personalised embryo transfer can significantly improve clinical outcomes.
Early pandemic COVID-19 case growth rates increase with city size
Authors: Stier Andrew J. , Berman Marc G. , Bettencourt Luís M. A.
Published: June 2021

The current outbreak of COVID-19 poses an unprecedented global health and economic threat to interconnected human societies. Strategies for controlling the outbreak rely on social distancing and face covering measures which largely disconnect the social network fabric of cities. We demonstrate that early in the US outbreak, COVID-19 spread faster on average in larger cities and discuss the implications of these observations, emphasizing the need for faster responses to novel infectious diseases in larger cities.
Graphitic Carbon Nitride-based Chemiluminescent and Electrochemiluminescent Sensors
Authors: Mostafa Islam M. , Du Fangxin , Xu Guobao
Published: June 2021

Over the past few decades, there has been a huge advancement in the fabrication and synthetic pathways of nanomaterials and their application as sensitive and specific biosensors for sensing a diversity of samples (for instance metal ions, DNA, biomarkers, and metabolites). Currently, one of the most important nanostructures in the field of biosensors is graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), because of its amazing optical as well as electronic features. g-C3N4-based biosensors, as an important area of investigation in the field of analytical chemistry, provide an excellent way for detection of a target analyte with the advantages of simple and available instrumentation, good sensitivity and acceptable controllability. In this chapter, we discuss current research of the preparation pathways and characterization of g-C3N4 as well as g-C3N4-based chemiluminescence (CL) and electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensors. Also, we summarize the CL and ECL sensing applications with different examples; for instance, the detection of metal ions and inorganic anions, biomolecules, nucleic acids, biomarkers, proteins, and cell-related determination, enzyme activity, pharmaceutical active ingredients, pesticides, and others. Lastly, the outlook and prospects for future work are also discussed to establish more developed g-C3N4-based CL and ECL biosensors.
Hybrid Graphitic Carbon Nitride (gCN)-based Devices for Energy Storage and Production
Authors: Zagho Moustafa M. , Ibrahim Yasseen S. , Elzatahry Ahmed A.
Published: June 2021

The increasing demand for energy and the reducing supply of conventional energy storage devices have inspired interest to design environmentally-friendly, abundant, and cheap materials for energy storage applications. Graphitic carbon nitride (gCN)-based hybrids have attracted research efforts due to their attractive properties, structures, and performance. In this respect, this chapter addresses the different hybrid gCN-based devices for energy storage applications. The supercapacitance efficiency of gCNs can be improved by incorporating carbon-based materials, metal oxides/hydroxides, or metal sulfides, which increase the surface area and active sites and facilitate the faradaic reaction. The pulverization and aggregation of electrodes and relatively low electrical conductivity demonstrate the major challenges for Li+ storage applications using gCNs. This chapter highlights the recent advances in the rational design of gCN-based devices for energy production and storage applications. This includes fabrication of gCN-hybrids with carbon materials, metal oxides, and metal sulfides for Li-ion batteries (LIBs), Li–S batteries (LSBs), and supercapacitors. The current challenges and future perspectives on gCN-based energy production devices are also discussed.
Emerging Applications for Graphitic Carbon Nitride-based Materials: CO2 Reduction as a Case Study
Authors: El-Sayed Hany A.
Published: June 2021

Capturing CO2 from the atmosphere and using it for the high-output synthesis of chemicals has great potential for various industrial applications. CO2 emission has increased by 45% since the industrial revolution in the 18th century, which has had a negative impact on the climate through the greenhouse effect. Therefore, there has been great interest in CO2 photocatalysis and photocatalysts in the last few decades. Several photocatalytic systems have been investigated for the reduction of CO2, among these, graphitic carbon nitride (gCN) is emerging as a highly promising semiconductor for the photocatalytic removal of CO2 due to its high chemical stability and unique band structure. This chapter summarizes the synthesis and basic properties of gCN-based photocatalysts and their applications and limitations in CO2 photocatalysis.
Interfacially-adsorbed particles enhance the self-propulsion of oil droplets in aqueous surfactant
Authors: Cheon Seong Ik , Silva Leonardo Batista Capaverde , Khair Aditya S. , Zarzar Lauren D.
Published: June 2021

The adsorption of solid particles on the surface of solubilizing oil droplets can significantly enhance the droplets’ self-propulsion speeds.
ViscY NMR experiments in phosphoric acid as a viscous solvent for individualization of small molecules within mixtures by spin diffusion
Authors: Pedinielli Francois , Leroy Ritchy , Martinez Agathe , Nuzillard Jean-Marc , Lameiras Pedro
Published: June 2021

A viscous phosphoric acid solution was used for the first time to access individual NMR spectra of mixture components by using ViscY NMR experiments under spin diffusion conditions.
Cooperativity of Cu and Pd active sites in CuPd aerogels enhances nitrate electroreduction to ammonia
Authors: Xu You , Ren Kaili , Ren Tianlun , Wang Mingzhen , Liu Mengying , Wang Ziqiang , Li Xiaonian , Wang Liang , Wang Hongjing
Published: June 2021

The cooperativity of Cu and Pd active sites in CuPd aerogels improves the electrochemical nitrate-to-ammonia activity.
Free-standing membranes from the chemical exfoliation of mesoporous amorphous titania thin film
Authors: Malgras Victor , Matsushita Yoshitaka , Henzie Joel , Sugahara Yoshiyuki , Yamauchi Yusuke
Published: June 2021

A method to exfoliate pre-crystallized mesoporous TiO2 thin films in alkaline solutions, preserving the ordered structure.
The facet effect of ceria nanoparticles on platinum dispersion and catalytic activity of methanol partial oxidation
Authors: Reddy Kasala Prabhakar , Choi Hanseul , Kim Daeho , Choi Minkee , Ryoo Ryong , Park Jeong Young
Published: June 2021

The effect of platinum-supported nano-shaped ceria catalysts on methanol partial oxidation and methyl formate product selectivity has been investigated.
Recent advances in palladium-catalyzed (hetero)annulation of CC bonds with ambiphilic organo(pseudo)halides
Authors: Ni Hui-Qi , Cooper Phillippa , Engle Keary M.
Published: June 2021

Palladium has proven to be effective in catalyzing the (hetero)annulation of CC bonds with ambiphilic organo(pseudo)halides, as summarized in this Feature Article.
Etching and polymerization reactions of alkoxythiophenes in HKUST-1: choosing between filled and core–shell MOF/polymer composite structures
Authors: James William , Sullivan Colette M. , Marshall Nicholas
Published: June 2021

Neat alkoxythiophenes react with MOF HKUST-1 to form a core–shell composite where the HKUST-1 surface is coated with conjugated polymer, while hexane solutions of thiophenes form a filled composite with polythiophene inside MOF pores.
Crystallographic orientation and strain distribution in AlN seeds grown on 6H–SiC substrates by the PVT method
Authors: Yao Xiaogang , Wang Guodong , Tu Huayao , Liu Shengfu , Yang Mingzhi , Kong Zhen , Shao Yongliang , Wu Yongzhong , Hao Xiaopeng
Published: June 2021

AlN crystal is prepared on 6H–SiC substrate by PVT method, the growth pattern is [0001]AlN‖[0001]6H–SiC and [101̄0]AlN‖[101̄0]6H–SiC and the stress in AlN layer decreases with the increase of thickness.
Transmembrane penetration mechanism of cyclic pollutants inspected by molecular dynamics and metadynamics: the case of morpholine, phenol, 1,4-dioxane and oxane
Authors: Rózsa Zsófia Borbála , Szőri-Dorogházi Emma , Viskolcz Béla , Szőri Milán
Published: June 2021

NSO-HETs, 1,4-dioxane, oxane, phenol and morpholine can penetrate biomembranes and alter their structure, resulting in an easier permeation of additional molecules.
The complex between molecular oxygen and an organic molecule: modeling optical transitions to the intermolecular charge-transfer state
Authors: Thorning Frederik , Strunge Kris , Jensen Frank , Ogilby Peter R.
Published: June 2021

Both inter- and intra-molecular transitions in the oxygen-toluene collision complex can be modeled using molecular dynamics simulations and response methods.
Evaluating the nature of the vertical excited states of fused-ring electron acceptors using TD-DFT and density-based charge transfer
Authors: Ali Amjad , Rafiq Muhammad Imran , Zhou Baojing , Tang Weihua
Published: June 2021

Fused-ring electron acceptors (FREAs) are efficient acceptors for organic solar cells. The DFT, its time-dependent version (TD-DFT) and an intra-molecular charge transfer index are employed to evaluate the nature of the excited states of FREAs.
How the hydroxylation state of the (110)-rutile TiO2 surface governs its electric double layer properties
Authors: Groh Sebastien , Saßnick Holger , Ruiz Victor G. , Dzubiella Joachim
Published: June 2021

The hydroxylation state of an oxide surface is a central property of its solid/liquid interface and its corresponding electrical double layer.
Metal-free regioselective bromination of imidazo-heteroarenes: the dual role of an organic bromide salt in electrocatalysis
Authors: Sen Partha Pratim , Roy Vishal Jyoti , Raha Roy Sudipta
Published: June 2021

This paper presents an organo-electrocatalysis method which demonstrates the dual role of an organic bromide salt as a brominating agent and as an electrolyte for the regioselective bromination of imidazo heteroaromatic motifs.
Evaluation of novel paclitaxel-loaded NO-donating polymeric micelles for an improved therapy for gastroenteric tumor
Authors: Li Huilan , Fang Yuanying , Li Xiang , Tu Liangxing , Xu Guoliang , Jin Yi , Liu Ronghua , Yang Zunhua
Published: June 2021

A NO-releasing polymer (mPEG-PLA-NO) is developed as a micellar nanoparticle delivery system for the carrier of antitumor drug paclitaxel.
Covalent anchoring of N-hydroxyphthalimide on silica via robust imide bonds as a reusable catalyst for the selective aerobic oxidation of ethylbenzene to acetophenone
Authors: Shi Guojun , Feng Ya , Xu Sihao , Lu Qiuting , Liang Yuxin , Yuan Enxian , Ji Lijun
Published: June 2021

N-Hydroxyphthalimide is anchored on commercial silica by robust imide bonds, and the synthesized N-oxyl catalysts exhibit excellent activity, selectivity and reusability for the aerobic oxidation of ethylbenzene to acetophenone.
Probing the formation and optical properties of Ti3+–TiO2 with (001) exposed crystal facet by ethanol-assisted fluorination
Authors: Wang Jian , Lin Wei , Zhou Shulan , Li Zheng , Hu Hao , Tao Yinglong , Zhou Shijian , Zhao Xian , Kong Yan
Published: June 2021

(001)-faceted TiO2 with Ti3+ defects that are exclusively embedded in the bulk lattice near the surface was synthesized.
N,P co-doped microporous carbon as a metal-free catalyst for the selective oxidation of alcohols by air in water
Authors: Xing Chen , Zhang Yan , Gao Yang , Kang Yijun , Zhang Shiguo
Published: June 2021

NPMCs are fabricated from one-step pyrolysis of an aerogel precursor derived from direct polymerization ofp-phenylenediamine with phytic acid, which can be used as metal-free catalysts for highly selective oxidation of alcohols by air in water.
An electrochemical method for the sensitive and rapid sensing of Sudan I in food based on Ni–Fe bimetal organic frameworks
Authors: Li Xueyan , Sun Xiuxiu , Zhou Ani , Zhu Zichun , Li Maoguo
Published: June 2021

A Ni–Fe bimetal organic framework-modified electrode was constructed for the sensitive and rapid sensing of Sudan I in food.
Highly stable silver–platinum core–shell nanowires for H2O2 detection
Authors: Koylan Serkan , Tunca Sensu , Polat Gokhan , Durukan Mete Batuhan , Kim Dongkwan , Kalay Yunus Eren , Ko Seung Hwan , Unalan Husnu Emrah
Published: June 2021

A conformal Pt shell was deposited onto Ag NWs by a simple solution based method. The stability of Ag–Pt core–shell NW networks were systematically investigated. Highly stable Ag–Pt core–shell NWs were utilized for the detection of H2O2.
Expression of concern: Systematic investigation on the intracellular trafficking network of polymeric nanoparticles
Authors: Mühlberg Michaela
Published: June 2021

Expression of concern for ‘Systematic investigation on the intracellular trafficking network of polymeric nanoparticles’ by Jinxie Zhang et al., Nanoscale, 2017, 9, 3269–3282, DOI: 10.1039/C7NR00532F.