bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low loss and high performance interconnection between standard single-mode fiber and antiresonant hollow-core fiber
Authors: Suslov Dmytro , Komanec Matěj , Numkam Fokoua Eric R. , Dousek Daniel , Zhong Ailing , Zvánovec Stanislav , Bradley Thomas D. , Poletti Francesco , Richardson David J. , Slavík Radan
Published: April 2021

We demonstrate halving the record-low loss of interconnection between a nested antiresonant nodeless type hollow-core fiber (NANF) and standard single-mode fiber (SMF). The achieved interconnection loss of 0.15 dB is only 0.07 dB above the theoretically-expected minimum loss. We also optimized the interconnection in terms of unwanted cross-coupling into the higher-order modes of the NANF. We achieved cross-coupling as low as −35 dB into the LP$$_{11}$$

11

mode (the lowest-loss higher-order mode and thus the most important to eliminate). With the help of simulations, we show that the measured LP$$_{11}$$

11

mode coupling is most likely limited by the slightly imperfect symmetry of the manufactured NANF. The coupling cross-talk into the highly-lossy LP$$_{02}$$

02

mode ($$>2000$$

>
2000

 dB/km in our fiber) was measured to be below −22 dB. Furthermore, we show experimentally that the anti-reflective coating applied to the interconnect interface reduces the insertion loss by 0.15 dB while simultaneously reducing the back-reflection below −40 dB over a 60 nm bandwidth. Finally, we also demonstrated an alternative mode-field adapter to adapt the mode-field size between SMF and NANF, based on thermally-expanded core fibers. This approach enabled us to achieve an interconnection loss of 0.21 dB and cross-coupling of −35 dB into the LP$$_{11}$$

11

mode.
The effect of control rods on the reactivity and flux distribution of BWR 4 bundle using MCNPX Code
Authors: Mustafa Sayed. Saeed.
Published: April 2021

This paper has three main objectives related to the neutronic and burnup analysis of the BWR (Boiling Water Reactor) Four-Lattice. The first objective is to provide partial validation of the MCNPX code for this lattice by comparing its results with Scale-5.1 results. Validation of the MCNPX to calculate effective multiplication factor and reactivity rod worth for the F-Lattice is provided. This is carried out in case of instantly removing the control blade and replacing it with a graphite moderator. Moreover, spatial neutron flux distributions using F-mesh card over the bundle and the control blade are investigated at inserting and withdrawing the B4C. The second objective is to perform parametric design studies of the F-Lattice. Areas of particular interest are the effect of increased or decreased blade width on the neutron flux throughout the bundle. It is found that the presence of carbon in the control blade at withdrawing the B4C makes the reactor supercritical, (K-eff = 1.22206). On the other hand, the use of B4C blade presents (K-eff = 0.93521). Consequently, the reactivity of 10% B4C thinner case is higher that of 10% B4C thicker. The simulation also showed that the B4C blade had an effective role in decreasing the thermal flux at the periphery of the bundle. This is contrast to the effect of carbon that moderates fast to thermal neutrons. The third part of this work aims at studying the burnup calculations using MCNPX code for 30 days burn with 1 day time step then for 20 months burn with 2 week time steps for the lattice. At the end of the work, it is very important to determine the most proper bundle model that achieves a prolonged fuel burn and flatting thermal flux distribution. For reaching this goal, three cases (B4C, 10% thinner of B4C and 10% thicker) are simulated by MCNPX code till 70 GWd/ton. It is found that the B4C and 10% thicker are the appropriate models that can satisfy the safety considerations of the Compact Modular Boiling Water Reactor.
Keeping an eye on the use of eye-lens weight as a universal indicator of age for European wild rabbits
Authors: Vaquerizas Patricia H. , Santoro Simone , Delibes-Mateos Miguel , Castro Francisca , Villafuerte Rafael
Published: April 2021

Accurate methods for age determination are critical to the knowledge of wildlife populations' age structure and, therefore, to their successful management. The reliability of age estimation may have profound economic and ecological consequences on the management of the European wild rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus, in its native and introduced range, where it is a keystone species and a major pest, respectively. As in other mammal species, European rabbits' age is often estimated using the Gompertz relationship between age and lens' weight. The growth rate formula has been developed based on data collected from European rabbits introduced in Australia, where a single subspecies (O. cuniculus cuniculus, Occ) is present. However, this curve has never been validated in the species native range, the Iberian Peninsula, where two subspecies (Occ, and O. c. algirus, Oca) coexist naturally. In this study, we tested the relationship between age and lens' weight using 173 Occ and 112 Oca wild rabbits that were surveyed in two experimental facilities in Spain. Our findings show that, in the native range, the published growth curve formula fits well Occ but not Oca data. Therefore, we recommend using the formula reported in this study to estimate the age of Oca (Lens dry weight = 240 × 10(−64.9/(Age+32))). This study supports Oca rabbits' distinctiveness revealed by previous studies, which suggests that management interventions should be applied to protect this subspecies whose distribution range is very narrow and whose populations seem to be declining. More broadly, our findings point to the importance of testing the suitability of growth curves defined for other species with different genetic forms as occurs in the European wild rabbit case.
Dietary obesity in mice is associated with lipid deposition and metabolic shifts in the lungs sharing features with the liver
Authors: Rautureau G. J. P. , Morio B. , Guibert S. , Lefevre C. , Perrier J. , Alves A. , Chauvin M. A. , Pinteur C. , Monet M. A. , Godet M. , Madec A. M. , Rieusset J. , Mey A. , Panthu Baptiste
Published: April 2021

Obesity is associated with both chronic and acute respiratory illnesses, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or increased susceptibility to infectious diseases. Anatomical but also systemic and local metabolic alterations are proposed contributors to the pathophysiology of lung diseases in the context of obesity. To bring perspective to this discussion, we used NMR to compare the obesity-associated metabolomic profiles of the lung with those of the liver, heart, skeletal muscles, kidneys, brain and serum from male C57Bl/6J mice fed with a high-fat and high-sucrose (HFHSD) diet vs. standard (SD) chow for 14 weeks. Our results showed that the lung was the second most affected organ after the liver, and that the two organs shared reduced one-carbon (1C) metabolism and increased lipid accumulation. Altered 1C metabolism was found in all organs and in the serum, but serine levels were increased only in the lung of HFHSD compared to SD. Lastly, tricarboxylic acid (TCA)-derived metabolites were specifically and oppositely regulated in the serum and kidneys but not in other organs. Collectively, our data highlighted that HFHSD induced specific metabolic changes in all organs, the lung being the second most affected organ, the main alterations affecting metabolite concentrations of the 1C pathway and, to a minor extend, TCA. The absolute metabolite quantification performed in this study reveals some metabolic specificities affecting both the liver and the lung, that may reveal common metabolic determinants to the ongoing pathological process.
Plasma level and expression of visfatin in the porcine hypothalamus during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy
Authors: Kaminski Tadeusz , Kiezun Marta , Zaobidna Ewa , Dobrzyn Kamil , Wasilewska Barbara , Mlyczynska Ewa , Rytelewska Edyta , Kisielewska Katarzyna , Gudelska Marlena , Bors Kinga , Kopij Grzegorz , Szymanska Karolina , Kaminska Barbara , Rak Agnieszka , Smolinska Nina
Published: April 2021

Visfatin appears to be an energy sensor involved in the regulation of female fertility, which creates a hormonal link integrating the control of energy homeostasis and reproduction. This study evaluates the expression levels of visfatin gene and protein in selected areas of the porcine hypothalamus responsible for gonadotropin-releasing hormone synthesis: the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) and preoptic area (POA), and visfatin concentrations in the blood plasma. The tissue samples were harvested from gilts on days 2–3, 10–12, 14–16, and 17–19 of the estrous cycle, and on days 10–11, 12–13, 15–16, 27–28 of pregnancy. Visfatin was localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus of cells creating both studied hypothalamic structures. The study demonstrated that visfatin gene and protein expression in MBH and POA depends on hormonal status related to the phase of the estrous cycle or early pregnancy. Blood plasma concentrations of visfatin during the estrous cycle were higher on days 2–3 in relation to other studied phases of the cycle, while during early pregnancy, the highest visfatin contents were observed on days 12–13. This study demonstrated visfatin expression in the porcine hypothalamus and its dependence on the hormonal milieu related to the estrous cycle and early pregnancy.
Keeping in time with social and non-social stimuli: Synchronisation with auditory, visual, and audio-visual cues
Authors: Honisch Juliane J. , Mane Prasannajeet , Golan Ofer , Chakrabarti Bhismadev
Published: April 2021

Everyday social interactions require us to closely monitor, predict, and synchronise our movements with those of an interacting partner. Experimental studies of social synchrony typically examine the social-cognitive outcomes associated with synchrony, such as affiliation. On the other hand, research on the sensorimotor aspects of synchronisation generally uses non-social stimuli (e.g. a moving dot). To date, the differences in sensorimotor aspects of synchronisation to social compared to non-social stimuli remain largely unknown. The present study aims to address this gap using a verbal response paradigm where participants were asked to synchronise a ‘ba’ response in time with social and non-social stimuli, which were presented auditorily, visually, or audio-visually combined. For social stimuli a video/audio recording of an actor performing the same verbal ‘ba’ response was presented, whereas for non-social stimuli a moving dot, an auditory metronome or both combined were presented. The impact of autistic traits on participants’ synchronisation performance was examined using the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ). Our results revealed more accurate synchronisation for social compared to non-social stimuli, suggesting that greater familiarity with and motivation in attending to social stimuli may enhance our ability to better predict and synchronise with them. Individuals with fewer autistic traits demonstrated greater social learning, as indexed through an improvement in synchronisation performance to social vs non-social stimuli across the experiment.
C subunit of the ATP synthase is an amyloidogenic calcium dependent channel-forming peptide with possible implications in mitochondrial permeability transition
Authors: Amodeo Giuseppe Federico , Lee Brenda Yasie , Krilyuk Natalya , Filice Carina Teresa , Valyuk Denis , Otzen Daniel Erik , Noskov Sergey , Leonenko Zoya , Pavlov Evgeny V.
Published: April 2021

The c subunit is an inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) protein encoded by three nuclear genes. Best known as an integral part of the F0 complex of the ATP synthase, the c subunit is also present in other cytoplasmic compartments in ceroid lipofuscinoses. Under physiological conditions, this 75 residue-long peptide folds into an α-helical hairpin and forms oligomers spanning the lipid bilayer. In addition to its physiological role, the c subunit has been proposed as a key participant in stress-induced IMM permeabilization by the mechanism of calcium-induced permeability transition. However, the molecular mechanism of the c subunit participation in IMM permeabilization is not completely understood. Here we used fluorescence spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and black lipid membrane methods to gain insights into the structural and functional properties of unmodified c subunit protein that might make it relevant to mitochondrial toxicity. We discovered that c subunit is an amyloidogenic peptide that can spontaneously fold into β-sheets and self-assemble into fibrils and oligomers in a Ca2+-dependent manner. C subunit oligomers exhibited ion channel activity in lipid membranes. We propose that the toxic effects of c subunit might be linked to its amyloidogenic properties and are driven by mechanisms similar to those of neurodegenerative polypeptides such as Aβ and α-synuclein.
An asymmetric flow-focusing droplet generator promotes rapid mixing of reagents
Authors: Belousov K. I. , Filatov N. A. , Kukhtevich I. V. , Kantsler V. , Evstrapov A. A. , Bukatin A. S.
Published: April 2021

Nowadays droplet microfluidics is widely used to perform high throughput assays and for the synthesis of micro- and nanoparticles. These applications usually require packaging several reagents into droplets and their mixing to start a biochemical reaction. For rapid mixing microfluidic devices usually require additional functional elements that make their designs more complex. Here we perform a series of 2D numerical simulations, followed by experimental studies, and introduce a novel asymmetric flow-focusing droplet generator, which enhances mixing during droplet formation due to a 2D or 3D asymmetric vortex, located in the droplet formation area of the microfluidic device. Our results suggest that 2D numerical simulations can be used for qualitative analysis of two-phase flows and droplet generation process in quasi-two-dimensional devices, while the relative simplicity of such simulations allows them to be easily applied to fairly complicated microfluidic geometries. Mixing inside droplets formed in the asymmetric generator occurs up to six times faster than in a conventional symmetric one. The best mixing efficiency is achieved in a specific range of droplet volumes, which can be changed by scaling the geometry of the device. Thus, the droplet generator suggested here can significantly simplify designs of microfluidic devices because it enables both the droplet formation and fast mixing of the reagents within droplets. Moreover, it can be used to precisely estimate reaction kinetics.
Delayed-matching-to-position working memory in mice relies on NMDA-receptors in prefrontal pyramidal cells
Authors: Kilonzo Kasyoka , van der Veen Bastiaan , Teutsch Jasper , Schulz Stefanie , Kapanaiah Sampath K. T. , Liss Birgit , Kätzel Dennis
Published: April 2021

A hypofunction of N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptors (NMDARs) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia by clinical and rodent studies. However, to what extent NMDAR-hypofunction in distinct cell-types across the brain causes different symptoms of this disease is largely unknown. One pharmaco-resistant core symptom of schizophrenia is impaired working memory (WM). NMDARs have been suggested to mediate sustained firing in excitatory neurons of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) that might underlie WM storage. However, if NMDAR-hypofunction in prefrontal excitatory neurons may indeed entail WM impairments is unknown. We here investigated this question in mice, in which NMDARs were genetically-ablated in PFC excitatory cells. This cell type-selective NMDAR-hypofunction caused a specific deficit in a delayed-matching-to-position (DMTP) 5-choice-based operant WM task. In contrast, T-maze rewarded alternation and several psychological functions including attention, spatial short-term habituation, novelty-processing, motivation, sociability, impulsivity, and hedonic valuation remained unimpaired at the level of GluN1-hypofunction caused by our manipulation. Our data suggest that a hypofunction of NMDARs in prefrontal excitatory neurons may indeed cause WM impairments, but are possibly not accounting for most other deficits in schizophrenia.
Genome wide association study of the whiteness and colour related traits of flour and dough sheets in common wheat
Authors: Ji Mengqi , Fang Wenqi , Li Wenshu , Zhao Yunzhe , Guo Yingxin , Wang Wei , Chen Guangfeng , Tian Jichun , Deng Zhiying
Published: April 2021

Flour whiteness and colour are important factors that influence the quality of wheat flour and end-use products. In this study, a genome wide association study focusing on flour and dough sheet colour using a high density genetic map constructed with 90K single nucleotide polymorphism arrays in a panel of 205 elite winter wheat accessions was conducted in two different locations in 2 years. Eighty-six significant marker-trait associations (MTAs) were detected for flour whiteness and the brightness index (L* value), the redness index (a* value), and the yellowness index (b* value) of flour and dough sheets (P < 10–4) on homologous group 1, 2, 5 and 7, and chromosomes 3A, 3B, 4A, 6A and 6B. Four, three, eleven, eleven MTAs for the flour whiteness, L* value, a* value, b* value, and one MTA for the dough sheet L* value were identified in more than one environment. Based on MATs, some important new candidate genes were identified. Of these, two candidate genes, TraesCS5D01G004300 and Gsp-1D, for BS00000020_51 were found in wheat, relating to grain hardness. Other candidate genes were associated with proteins, the fatty acid biosynthetic process, the ketone body biosynthetic process, etc.
Prenatal diagnosis of exomphalos and prediction of outcome
Authors: Nitzsche K. , Fitze G. , Rüdiger M. , Wimberger P. , Birdir C.
Published: April 2021

The aim of this study was to detect a parameter for predicting prenatal complications or postnatal surgical options after detecting a fetal exomphalos. This was a retrospective analysis of prenatal diagnosis and outcome of fetuses with 41 cases of exomphalos in between 2007 and 2017, considering the measurement of ratios. The 41 fetuses with exomphalos were examined, 34 cases (82.9%) with karyotyping and 16 cases (39%) with an abnormal karyotype. Outcome of 39 cases showed 6 abortions (15.4%), 15 terminations (38.5%), an intrauterine fetal death (2.5%) and 17 alive babies (43.6%), which were grouped in two: small exomphalos (n = 6, 35.3%) and big exomphalos (n = 11, 64.7%). Maximal diameter of exomphalos/abdomen circumference-ratio (EDmax/AC-ratio) with a cut-off of 0.24 showed a better predictive value of postnatal primary closure. Exomphalos is correlated with abnormal karyotype. EDmax/AC-ratio gives the best prediction for postnatal primary closure of the defect.
Biochar and compost enhance soil quality and growth of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) under saline conditions
Authors: Liu Di , Ding Zheli , Ali Esmat F. , Kheir Ahmed M. S. , Eissa Mamdouh A. , Ibrahim Omer H. M.
Published: April 2021

Soil amendments may increase the slate tolerance of plants consequently; it may increase the opportunity of using saline water in agricultural production. In the present pot trial, the effects of biochar (BIC) and compost (COM) on roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) irrigated with saline water (EC = 7.50 dS m−1) was studied. Roselle plants were amended with biochar (BIC1 and BIC2) or compost (COM1 and COM2) at rates of 1 and 2% (w/w), as well as by a mixture of the two amendments (BIC1+). The experiment included a control soil without any amendments. Biochar and compost significantly enhanced the soil quality and nutrients availability under saline irrigation. Compost and biochar improved the degree of soil aggregation, total soil porosity and soil microbial biomass. BIC1 + COM1 increased the soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen over the individual application of each amendments and control soil. BIC1 + COM1 increased the activity of dehydrogenase and phosphatase enzymes. Growth of roselle plants including: plant height, shoot fresh and dry weight, and chlorophyll were significantly responded to the added amendments. The maximum sepal’s yield was achieved from the combined application of compost and biochar. All the investigated treatments caused remarkable increases in the total flavonol and anthocyanin. BIC1 + COM1 increased the total anthocyanin and flavonol by 29 and 17% above the control. Despite the notable improvement in soil and roselle quality as a result of the single addition of compost or biochar, there is a clear superiority due to mixing the two amendments. It can be concluded that mixing of biochar and compost is recommended for roselle plants irrigated with saline water.
Peritrophic matrix-degrading proteins are dispensable virulence factors in a virulent Melissococcus plutonius strain
Authors: Nakamura Keiko , Okumura Kayo , Harada Mariko , Okamoto Mariko , Okura Masatoshi , Takamatsu Daisuke
Published: April 2021

European foulbrood (EFB) caused by Melissococcus plutonius is a major bacterial disease of honey bees. Strains of the causative agent exhibit genetic heterogeneity, and the degree of virulence varies among strains. In bee larvae orally infected with the highly virulent strains, ingested bacterial cells colonize the larval midgut and proliferate within the sac of the peritrophic matrix (PM), a barrier lining the midgut epithelium. However, the barrier is degraded during the course of infection, and M. plutonius cells eventually directly interact with the midgut epithelium. As M. plutonius possesses genes encoding putative PM-degrading proteins (enhancin, a chitin-binding domain-containing protein and endo-α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase), we constructed PM-degrading protein gene-knockout mutants from a highly virulent M. plutonius strain and investigated their role in the pathogenesis of EFB. In larvae infected with the triple-knockout mutant, which has no PM-degrading protein genes, M. plutonius that proliferated in the larval midguts was confined to the sac of the PM. However, the midgut epithelial cells degenerated over time, and the mutant killed approximately 70–80% of bee brood, suggesting that although the PM-degrading proteins are involved in the penetration of the PM by M. plutonius, they are not indispensable virulence factors in the highly virulent M. plutonius strain.
Direct growth of orthorhombic Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 thin films for hysteresis-free MoS2 negative capacitance field-effect transistors
Authors: Cho Hae Won , Pujar Pavan , Choi Minsu , Kang Seunghun , Hong Seongin , Park Junwoo , Baek Seungho , Kim Yunseok , Lee Jaichan , Kim Sunkook
Published: April 2021

Herein, the direct growth of polar orthorhombic phase in Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 (HZO) thin films is reported using Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD). The growth of HZO onto a preheated (700 °C) silicon substrate mimics the rapid thermal annealing, which allows the formation of smaller crystallites (~9.7 nm) with large surface energy leading to the stabilization of metastable orthorhombic phase. Unlike atomic layer deposition (ALD) of HZO, PLD is more advantageous for depositing highly crystalline thin films through optimized parameters, such as laser fluence and background gas pressure. Further, the PLD-HZO is integrated with HfO2 dielectric and the resulting gate stacks have been used in the bottom gate FET architecture-‘Si//PLD-HZO/HfO2/MoS2//Ti/Au’. The NCFETs have yielded a sub-thermionic subthreshold swing (SSfor = 33.03 ± 8.7 mV/dec. and SSrev = 36.4 ± 7.7 mV/dec.) and a negligible hysteresis (~28 mV), which is capable in realizing low power integrated digital/analog circuits.
AI-based analysis of CT images for rapid triage of COVID-19 patients
Authors: Xu Qinmei , Zhan Xianghao , Zhou Zhen , Li Yiheng , Xie Peiyi , Zhang Shu , Li Xiuli , Yu Yizhou , Zhou Changsheng , Zhang Longjiang , Gevaert Olivier , Lu Guangming
Published: April 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic overwhelms the medical resources in the stressed intensive care unit (ICU) capacity and the shortage of mechanical ventilation (MV). We performed CT-based analysis combined with electronic health records and clinical laboratory results on Cohort 1 (n = 1662 from 17 hospitals) with prognostic estimation for the rapid stratification of PCR confirmed COVID-19 patients. These models, validated on Cohort 2 (n = 700) and Cohort 3 (n = 662) constructed from nine external hospitals, achieved satisfying performance for predicting ICU, MV, and death of COVID-19 patients (AUROC 0.916, 0.919, and 0.853), even on events happened two days later after admission (AUROC 0.919, 0.943, and 0.856). Both clinical and image features showed complementary roles in prediction and provided accurate estimates to the time of progression (p < 0.001). Our findings are valuable for optimizing the use of medical resources in the COVID-19 pandemic. The models are available here:https://github.com/terryli710/COVID_19_Rapid_Triage_Risk_Predictor.
Lepidopteran wing scales contain abundant cross-linked film-forming histidine-rich cuticular proteins
Authors: Liu Jianqiu , Chen Zhiwei , Xiao Yingdan , Asano Tsunaki , Li Shenglong , Peng Li , Chen Enxiang , Zhang Jiwei , Li Wanshun , Zhang Yan , Tong Xiaoling , Kadono-Okuda Keiko , Zhao Ping , He Ningjia , Arunkumar Kallare P. , Gopinathan Karumathil P. , Xia Qingyou , Willis Judith H. , Goldsmith Marian R. , Mita Kazuei
Published: April 2021

Scales are symbolic characteristic of Lepidoptera; however, nothing is known about the contribution of cuticular proteins (CPs) to the complex patterning of lepidopteran scales. This is because scales are resistant to solubilization, thus hindering molecular studies. Here we succeeded in dissolving developing wing scales from Bombyx mori, allowing analysis of their protein composition. We identified a distinctive class of histidine rich (His-rich) CPs (6%–45%) from developing lepidopteran scales by LC-MS/MS. Functional studies using RNAi revealed CPs with different histidine content play distinct and critical roles in constructing the microstructure of the scale surface. Moreover, we successfully synthesized films in vitro by crosslinking a 45% His-rich CP (BmorCPR152) with laccase2 using N-acetyl- dopamine or N-β-alanyl-dopamine as the substrate. This molecular study of scales provides fundamental information about how such a fine microstructure is constructed and insights into the potential application of CPs as new biomaterials.
Environmental connectivity controls diversity in soil microbial communities
Authors: Dubey Manupriyam , Hadadi Noushin , Pelet Serge , Carraro Nicolas , Johnson David R. , van der Meer Jan R.
Published: April 2021

Interspecific interactions are thought to govern the stability and functioning of microbial communities, but the influence of the spatial environment and its structural connectivity on the potential of such interactions to unfold remain largely unknown. Here we studied the effects on community growth and microbial diversity as a function of environmental connectivity, where we define environmental connectivity as the degree of habitat fragmentation preventing microbial cells from living together. We quantitatively compared growth of a naturally-derived high microbial diversity community from soil in a completely mixed liquid suspension (high connectivity) to growth in a massively fragmented and poorly connected environment (low connectivity). The low connectivity environment consisted of homogenously-sized miniature agarose beads containing random single or paired founder cells. We found that overall community growth was the same in both environments, but the low connectivity environment dramatically reduced global community-level diversity compared to the high connectivity environment. Experimental observations were supported by community growth modeling. The model predicts a loss of diversity in the low connectivity environment as a result of negative interspecific interactions becoming more dominant at small founder species numbers. Counterintuitively for the low connectivity environment, growth of isolated single genotypes was less productive than that of random founder genotype cell pairs, suggesting that the community as a whole profited from emerging positive interspecific interactions. Our work demonstrates the importance of environmental connectivity for growth of natural soil microbial communities, which aids future efforts to intervene in or restore community composition to achieve engineering and biotechnological objectives.
Structure and assembly of double-headed Sendai virus nucleocapsids
Authors: Zhang Na , Shan Hong , Liu Mingdong , Li Tianhao , Luo Rui , Yang Liuyan , Qi Lei , Chu Xiaofeng , Su Xin , Wang Rui , Liu Yunhui , Sun Wenzhi , Shen Qing-Tao
Published: April 2021

Paramyxoviruses, including the mumps virus, measles virus, Nipah virus and Sendai virus (SeV), have non-segmented single-stranded negative-sense RNA genomes which are encapsidated by nucleoproteins into helical nucleocapsids. Here, we reported a double-headed SeV nucleocapsid assembled in a tail-to-tail manner, and resolved its helical stems and clam-shaped joint at the respective resolutions of 2.9 and 3.9 Å, via cryo-electron microscopy. Our structures offer important insights into the mechanism of the helical polymerization, in particular via an unnoticed exchange of a N-terminal hole formed by three loops of nucleoproteins, and unveil the clam-shaped joint in a hyper-closed state for nucleocapsid dimerization. Direct visualization of the loop from the disordered C-terminal tail provides structural evidence that C-terminal tail is correlated to the curvature of nucleocapsid and links nucleocapsid condensation and genome replication and transcription with different assembly forms.
Doxorubicin and PD-L1 siRNA co-delivery with stem cell membrane-coated polydopamine nanoparticles for the targeted chemoimmunotherapy of PCa bone metastases
Authors: Mu Xupeng , Zhang Meng , Wei Anhui , Yin Fei , Wang Yan , Hu Kebang , Jiang Jinlan
Published: April 2021

Polydopamine nanoparticles camouflaged with stem cell membranes could effectively target tumor sites and showed excellent performance in synergistic chemoimmunotherapy for PCa bone metastases.
Inorganic nanohybrids combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria hiding within human macrophages
Authors: Matter Martin T. , Doppegieter Meagan , Gogos Alexander , Keevend Kerda , Ren Qun , Herrmann Inge K.
Published: April 2021

Ceria/bioglass nanohybrids significantly reduce bacterial survival inside human cells without harming the latter and overcome major shortcomings of conventional antibiotics.
Wavelength-dependent laser-induced dynamic nano-annealing of single plasmonic antennas
Authors: Zhou Shuang , Wang Zhong , Dong Chenyu , Bian Jie , Zhang Weihua
Published: April 2021

We studied the wavelength-dependent laser-induced dynamic annealing of single plasmonic nano-antennas and found the novel phenomena including self-accelerated melting and oscillations powered by the optical forces and photophoretic forces.
Vicinal halo-trifluoromethylation of alkenes
Authors: Kareem Rzgar Tawfeeq , Azizi Bayan , Asnaashariisfahani Manzarbanou , Ebadi Abdolghaffar , Vessally Esmail
Published: April 2021

Both trifluoromethyl and halide groups are widely found in medicinally and pharmaceutically important compounds and, moreover, organohalides are commonly used as versatile intermediates in synthetic organic chemistry.
The fabrication of a novel polyacrylonitrile/reduced graphene oxide-amino-halloysite/bimetallic metal–organic framework electrospun nanofiber adsorbent for the ultrasonic-assisted thin-film microextraction of fatty acid methyl esters in dairy products with gas chromatography-flame ionization detection
Authors: Mirzajani R. , Kardani F. , Ramezani Z.
Published: April 2021

Electrospun polyacrylonitrile/reduced graphene oxide-amino-halloysite/bimetallic metal–organic framework nanofiber film was synthesized and successfully applied to the ultrasonic-assisted thin-film microextraction (UA-TFME) of fatty acid methyl esters from dairy products.
Facile synthesis of Ni/NiO nanocomposites: the effect of Ni content in NiO upon the oxygen evolution reaction within alkaline media
Authors: N. Srinivasa , Hughes Jack P. , Adarakatti Prashanth S. , C. Manjunatha , Rowley-Neale Samuel J. , S. Ashoka , Banks Craig E.
Published: April 2021

We present the facile synthesis of Ni/NiO nanocomposites,viaa solution combustion methodology, where the composition of metallic Ni within NiO is controlled by varying the annealing time, from 4 minutes up to 8 hours.
Suppressed Mn2+ doping in organometal halide perovskite nanocrystals by formation of two-dimensional (CH3NH3)2MnCl4
Authors: Sihn Moon Ryul , Kirakosyan Artavazd , Jeon Min-Gi , Choi Jihoon
Published: April 2021

Formation of the additional 2-D (MA)2MnCl4 phase suppresses the efficient Mn2+ doping into halide perovskite structures during the reprecipitation process.
First chiral fluorinated lead vanadate selenite Pb2(V2O4F)(VO2)(SeO3)3with five asymmetric motifs and large optical properties
Authors: Lin Lin , Jiang Xingxing , Wu Chao , Lin Zheshuai , Huang Zhipeng , Humphrey Mark G. , Zhang Chi
Published: April 2021

The first fluorinated lead vanadate selenite Pb2(V2O4F)(VO2)(SeO3)3was successfully synthesized, featuring a unique three-dimensional open framework structure composed of five kinds of second-order Jahn–Teller susceptible asymmetric motifs.
Scalable and controllable fabrication of CNTs improved yolk-shelled Si anodes with advanced in operando mechanical quantification
Authors: Zhang Lei , Huang Qianwei , Liao Xiaozhou , Dou Yuhai , Liu Porun , Al-Mamun Mohammad , Wang Yun , Zhang Shanqing , Zhao Shenlong , Wang Dan , Meng Guowen , Zhao Huijun
Published: April 2021

Scalable and controllable fabrication of CNT-supported yolk-shelled Si/C anodes with advanced in operando mechanical quantification using a new electrochemical transmission electron microscope measurement system.
Evaluation of the anti-rheumatic properties of thymol using carbon dots as nanocarriers on FCA induced arthritic rats
Authors: Murugesan Selvakumar , Srinivasan Venkatesan , Lakshmanan Dinesh Kumar , Venkateswaran Meenakshi R. , Jayabal Sasidharan , Muthukumar Nadar M. S. A. , Kathiravan Arunkumar , Asha Jhonsi Mariadoss , Thilagar Sivasudha , Periyasamy Sureshkumar
Published: April 2021

The anti-rheumatic properties of thymol conjugated carbon dots.
Comprehensive overview of biased pharmacology at the opioid receptors: biased ligands and bias factors
Authors: De Neve Jolien , Barlow Thomas M. A. , Tourwé Dirk , Bihel Frédéric , Simonin Frédéric , Ballet Steven
Published: April 2021

The discovery of G protein-biased ligands will impact both drug design and medicine. This review gives a comprehensive overview of biased ligands of the opioid family of receptors and their calculated bias factors.
Harnessing subcellular-resolved organ distribution of cationic copolymer-functionalized fluorescent nanodiamonds for optimal delivery of active siRNA to a xenografted tumor in mice
Authors: Claveau Sandra , Kindermann Marek , Papine Alexandre , Díaz-Riascos Zamira V. , Délen Xavier , Georges Patrick , López-Alemany Roser , Tirado Òscar Martínez , Bertrand Jean-Rémi , Abasolo Ibane , Cigler Petr , Treussart François
Published: April 2021

An automated high-resolution and sensitivity quantification of the organ and tumor distribution of fluorescent nanodiamonds injected in mice is presented.
Optically superior fluorescent probes for selective imaging of cells, tumors, and reactive chemical species
Authors: Saini Abhishek , Singh Jyoti , Kumar Sonu
Published: April 2021

Fluorescent probes with superior optical properties have been summarized along with the mechanisms used for their development and the challenges faced in their synthesis.
An effective strategy for preparing nickel nanoparticles encapsulated in polymer matrix-derived carbon shell with high catalytic activity and long-term durability toward urea electro-oxidation
Authors: Luong Quang Thien , Kang Sun Young , Lee Dohyeon , Song Jihyeok , Karuppannan Mohanraju , Cho Yong-Hun , Kwon Oh Joong
Published: April 2021

A promising route has been employed to prepare nickel nanoparticles encapsulated by carbon shell with enhanced catalytic activity and durability for electro-oxidation of urea.
Pd(ii)-Catalyzed enantioconvergent twofold C–H annulation to access atropisomeric aldehydes: a platform for diversity-oriented-synthesis
Authors: Zhang Jitan , Xu Qiaoqiao , Fan Jian , Zhou Lan , Liu Nannan , Zhu Li , Wu Jiaping , Xie Meihua
Published: April 2021

The first Pd(ii)-catalyzed atroposelective dual C–H annulative strategy for diverse synthesis of functionalized axially chiral biaryls was developed.
Application of a blast furnace slag carrier catalyst in flue gas denitration and sulfur resistance
Authors: Lei Zhang , Xi Lu , Lingbo Qi , Hao Shu , Yang Jia , Zhang Lei , Yao Yan , Fang Bai
Published: April 2021

It is an urgent need to develop a new catalyst with high efficiency and low cost.
Escherichia colitemplated iron oxide biomineralization under oscillation
Authors: He Panpan , Guo Junhui , Lei Liwen , Jiang Jiafeng , Li Qichang , Hu Zhiyi , Su Baolian , Fu Zhengyi , Xie Hao
Published: April 2021

Iron biomineralization onEscherichia colisurface under oscillation was attempted and produced iron biominerals with acicular and banded morphology as well as photocatalytic and electrocatalytic activities.
Demonstration of pH-controlled DNA–surfactant manipulation for biomolecules
Authors: Li Na , Liao Zijuan , He Shupeng , Chen Xiao , Huang Shenhao , Wang Yanwei , Yang Guangcan
Published: April 2021

The cyclic process of the DNA extension–time curve measured by magnetic tweezers in releasing and stretching processes with different concentrations of DDAO.
Novel piperidinium-based ionic liquid as electrolyte additive for high voltage lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Zhang Wenlin , Ma Qingcha , Liu Xuejiao , Yang Shuangcheng , Yu Fengshou
Published: April 2021

Cells with 5 wt%, 10 wt%, and 15 wt% PP1, CNFSI addition exhibit higher initial discharge capacities than the cell with blank electrolyte. The addition of IL with suitable amount significantly increases the cycle performance..
Chlorophylls in thin-film photovoltaic cells, a critical review
Authors: Koifman O. I. , Stuzhin P. A. , Travkin V. V. , Pakhomov G. L.
Published: April 2021

Self-assembly and electrical properties of chlorophyll-type dyes are reviewed with emphasis on their potential applications in thin-film solar cells.
Tailoring spintronic and opto-electronic characteristics of bilayer AlN through MnOx clusters intercalation; an ab initio study
Authors: Ahmed Irfan , Shuai Yong , Rafique Muhammad , Mahar Mukhtiar Ahmed , Larik Abdul Sattar
Published: April 2021

Atomic structure of MnOx cluster intercalated bilayer AlN systems (side view), showing N–Al bond length and interlayer distance in Å, accordingly.
Ghatti gum-base graft copolymer: a plausible platform for pH-controlled delivery of antidiabetic drugs
Authors: Bhosale Rohit R. , Osmani Riyaz Ali M. , Abu Lila Amr S. , Khafagy El-Sayed , Arab Hany H. , Gowda Devegowda V. , Rahamathulla Mohamed , Hani Umme , Adnan Mohd , Gangadharappa Hosahalli V.
Published: April 2021

In the present study, we aimed to develop a novel pH-sensitive polymeric delivery system (GG-g-PMMA) for antidiabetic therapyviagrafting ghatti gum (GG) with methyl methacrylate (MMA) chains.
Understanding the ionic activity and conductivity value differences between random copolymer electrolytes and block copolymer electrolytes of the same chemistry
Authors: Ramos-Garcés Mario V. , Li Ke , Lei Qi , Bhattacharya Deepra , Kole Subarna , Zhang Qingteng , Strzalka Joseph , Angelopoulou Polyxeni P. , Sakellariou Georgios , Kumar Revati , Arges Christopher G.
Published: April 2021

Random copolymer electrolytes have better permselectivity but lower ionic conductivity than block copolymer electrolytes of the same repeat unit chemistry.
Competing HB acceptors: an extensive NMR investigations corroborated by single crystal XRD and DFT calculations
Authors: Tiwari Surbhi , Arya Neeru , Mishra Sandeep Kumar , Suryaprakash N.
Published: April 2021

A series of N-benzoylanthranilamide derivatives have been synthesized with the substitution of competitive HB acceptors and investigated by NMR spectroscopy and single crystal XRD.
Cation-based approach to morphological diversity of diphenylalanine dipeptide structures
Authors: Erdoğan Hakan
Published: April 2021

Different approaches are taken in order to examine the self-assembly processes of dipeptide structures.
Advanced electrode materials for nonaqueous calcium rechargeable batteries
Authors: Chen Chunhong , Shi Fangyi , Xu Zheng-Long
Published: April 2021

The recent advances in anode and cathode materials combined with the compatibility of electrolytes are systematically reviewed for calcium (Ca)-based rechargeable batteries, focusing on their cell design, battery performance, characterization and future opportunities.
Drastic enhancement of carbon dioxide adsorption in fluoroalkyl-modified poly(allylamine)
Authors: Koutsianos Athanasios , Hamdy Louise B. , Yoo Chun-Jae , Lee Jason J. , Taddei Marco , Urban-Klaehn Jagoda M. , Dryzek Jerzy , Jones Christopher W. , Barron Andrew R. , Andreoli Enrico
Published: April 2021

Aminopolymer functionalization with fluoroalkyl chains and resulting void volume afford 4.1-fold increase in amine efficiency and 2.8-fold increase in CO2 capture capacity in the fluorinated material.
A phase-convertible fast ionic conductor with a monolithic plastic crystalline host
Authors: Lee Seongsoo , Moon Janghyuk , Bintang His Muhammad , Shin Sunghee , Jung Hun-Gi , Yu Seung-Ho , Oh Si Hyoung , Whang Dongmok , Lim Hee-Dae
Published: April 2021

We present a fast Mg2+-ion conductor with a monolithic plastic crystalline host. Also, conformal contact with a solid electrode can be achieved by using the reversible phase transition of succinonitrile through simple heating and cooling processes.
Structure-induced partial phase transformation endows hollow TiO2/TiN heterostructure fibers stacked with nanosheet arrays with extraordinary sodium storage performance
Authors: Xue Pan , Li Qiulong , Gong Wenbin , Sun Zhongti , Wang Han , Zhu Kaiping , Guo Can , Hong Guo , Xu Weigao , Sun Jingyu , Yao Yagang , Liu Zhongfan
Published: April 2021

The construction of a heterointerface by structure-induced partial phase transformation is an effective strategy to synchronously boost conductivity and regulate the ion diffusion kinetics of TiO2 considered as an anode material for SIBs.
Properties and applications of copper halide-chalcogenoether and -chalcogenone networks and functional materials
Authors: Schlachter Adrien , Harvey Pierre D.
Published: April 2021

Copper(i) halides form, with chalcogenoethers and chalcogenones, 0–3D coordination materials containing CuxXxEy clusters (E = S, Se, Te; X = Cl, Br, I; x = 2–8), and exhibit rich properties and applications.
Simultaneous realization of highly efficient electromagnetic interference shielding and human motion detection in carbon fiber felt decorated with silver nanowires and thermoplastic polyurethane
Authors: Guo Zhengzheng , Ren Penggang , Zhang Zengping , Dai Zhong , Hui Kaidi , Yan Huanhuan , Jin Yanling , Gao Jiefeng , Ren Fang
Published: April 2021

A multifunctional CFF decorated with AgNWs and TPU (TPU-coated AgNWs@CFF) with ultra-high EMI shielding performance and flexible sensing for human motions was successfully fabricated through a facile and scalable dipping–drying method.
The regulatory effect of triphenylphosphine oxide on perovskites for morphological and radiative improvement
Authors: Jiang Danyang , Jiang Tao , Tian Yuee , Wen Kaichuan , Duan Chunbo , Wang Nana , Li Qiang , Wang Jianpu , Xu Hui
Published: April 2021

The influence of a triphenylphosphine oxide (TPPO) additive on the morphology and emission of FAPbBr3 perovskites is investigated by transient and temperature-dependent emission spectra, which indicates the defect passivation through P=O coordination.
Comparative genomics in the search for conserved long noncoding RNAs
Authors: Szcześniak Michał Wojciech , Kubiak Magdalena Regina , Wanowska Elżbieta , Makałowska Izabela
Published: April 2021

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as prominent regulators of gene expression in eukaryotes. The identification of lncRNA orthologs is essential in efforts to decipher their roles across model organisms, as homologous genes tend to have similar molecular and biological functions. The relatively high sequence plasticity of lncRNA genes compared with protein-coding genes, makes the identification of their orthologs a challenging task. This is why comparative genomics of lncRNAs requires the development of specific and, sometimes, complex approaches. Here, we briefly review current advancements and challenges associated with four levels of lncRNA conservation: genomic sequences, splicing signals, secondary structures and syntenic transcription.
Comprehension of
Welcher
-Questions in German-Speaking Children With and Without Developmental Language Disorder
Authors: Roesch Anne Dorothée , Chondrogianni Vasiliki
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This study examined whether monolingual German-speaking preschool children with developmental language disorder (DLD) were facilitated by the presence of case-marking cues in their interpretation of German subject and object
welcher
(“which”)-questions, as reported for their typically developing peers. We also examined whether knowledge of case-marking and/or phonological working memory modulated children's ability to revise early assigned interpretations of ambiguous questions.

Method

Sixty-three monolingual German-speaking children with and without DLD aged between 4;0 and 5;11 (years;months) participated in an offline picture selection task targeting the comprehension of
welcher
-questions in German. We manipulated question type (subject, object), case-marking transparency, and case-marking position within the question (sentence-initial/-final).

Results

The typically developing children outperformed the children with DLD across conditions, and all children performed better on subject than on object
wh
-questions. Transparent and early cues elicited higher accuracy than late-arriving cues. For the DLD children, their working memory capacity explained their inability to revise early assigned interpretations to ambiguous questions, whereas their knowledge of case did not.

Conclusions

The results suggest that disambiguating morphosyntactic cues can only partly facilitate comprehension of German
welcher
-questions in children with DLD, whose poor phonological working memory rather than their knowledge of case-marking mediates performance on these structures.
Multi‐modal broad learning for material recognition
Authors: Wang Zhaoxin , Liu Huaping , Xu Xinying , Sun Fuchun
Published: April 2021

Material recognition plays an important role in the interaction between robots and the external environment. For example, household service robots need to replace humans in the home environment to complete housework, so they need to interact with daily necessities and obtain their material performance. Images provide rich visual information about objects; however, it is often difficult to apply when objects are not visually distinct. In addition, tactile signals can be used to capture multiple characteristics of objects, such as texture, roughness, softness, and friction, which provides another crucial way for perception. How to effectively integrate multi‐modal information is an urgent problem to be addressed. Therefore, a multi‐modal material recognition framework CFBRL‐KCCA for target recognition tasks is proposed in the paper. The preliminary features of each model are extracted by cascading broad learning, which is combined with the kernel canonical correlation learning, considering the differences among different models of heterogeneous data. Finally, the open dataset of household objects is evaluated. The results demonstrate that the proposed fusion algorithm provides an effective strategy for material recognition.