bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reductive Coupling Synthesis of a Soluble Poly(9,10-anthrylene ethynylene)
Authors: Geisler Isabell , Forster Michael , Misimi Bujamin , Schedlbauer Jakob , Riedl Thomas , Lupton John M. , Scherf Ullrich
Published: April 2021

A fully soluble poly(9,10-anthrylene ethynylene), poly[2,6-(2-octyldecyl)-9,10-anthrylene ethynylene] PAAE, with moderate degrees of polymerization Pn
of ca. 10 is generated in a reductive, dehalogenative homocoupling scheme, starting from a 2,6-dialkylated 9,10-bis(dibromomethylene)-9,10-dihydroanthracene monomer and n-BuLi/CuCN as the reducing agent. PAAE shows surprisingly broad and unstructured absorption and photoluminescence emission bands with peaks at 506 nm and 611 nm, respectively, both in chloroform solution. The long absorption tail ranging into the 600–700 nm region and the large Stokes shift points to a high degree of geometrical disorder in the arrangement of the 9,10-anthrylene chromophores along the distorted polymer backbone. This disorder is borne out in the unusually strong wavelength dependence of fluorescence depolarisation, both with regards to the excitation and the emission wavelengths. Picosecond fluorescence depolarisation spectroscopy provides clear evidence for the presence of orthogonal transition dipole moments, presumably arising from the off-axis transition of the anthracene unit and the on-axis transition of the polymer backbone. Intramolecular energy relaxation then gives rise to the observed fluorescence depolarization dynamics.
Synthesis and Self-Assembly Behavior of Double Ullazine-Based Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Authors: Richter Marcus , Borkowski Michal , Fu Yubin , Dmitrieva Evgenia , Popov Alexey , Ma Ji , Marszalek Tomasz , Pisula Wojciech , Feng Xinliang
Published: April 2021

Polycyclic aromatic azomethine ylides (PAMY, 1) are versatile building blocks for the bottom-up synthesis of nitrogen-containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (N-PAHs). Although the chemistry of PAMY was already established few years ago, the cycloaddition of a double PAMY building block has not been reported so far. In this work, we demonstrate the first cycloaddition of a PAMY-dimer (6), which opens the access to three different alkyl ester-substituted N-PAHs with a laterally extended double ullazine scaffold (DU-1, DU-2 and DU-3). Interestingly, the cyclic voltammetry of DU-1–3 exhibited three reversible oxidation waves, which confirmed the electron-rich nature of the double ullazine scaffold. Furthermore, in situ spectroelectrochemistry study of ethylhexyl ester-substituted DU-3 revealed the formation of different cationic species with new absorption bands up to 1689 nm. Additionally, the influence of the attached substituents on the film formation and supramolecular organization in the thin films was investigated by polarized optical microscopy and grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering.
Influence of the Location of Electron-Donating 3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) Moiety in the A–π–D–π–A Type Conjugated Molecules on the Optoelectronic Properties and Photovoltaic Performances
Authors: Wang Lilei , Zhang Ying , Guan Xiang , Gao Wei , Lin Yi , Luo Qun , Tan Hongwei , Yang Hai-Bo , Ma Chang-Qi
Published: April 2021

A–π–D–π–A type conjugated small molecules play an indispensable role in organic photovoltaics. Understanding the relationship between the molecular structure and performance is a fundamental question for the further rational design of high-performance organic materials. To red-shift the absorption spectrum of benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophene (BDT) based A–π–D–π–A type compounds, an electron-donating 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) moiety was introduced into the π-conjugation bridge unit. Two new compounds with EDOT next to the central BDT core (COOP-2HT-EDOT-BDT) or next to the terminal electron acceptor unit (COOP-EDOT-2HT-BDT) were synthesized and characterized. The compound COOP-2HT-EDOT-BDT showed higher molar extinction coefficient (εabs
max = 1.06 × 105 L mol−1 cm−1), lower optical band gap (E
g = 1.56 eV) and high HOMO energy level (E
HOMO = −5.08 eV) than COOP-EDOT-2HT-BDT (εabs
max = 0.96 × 105 L mol−1 cm−1, E
g = 1.71 eV, E
HOMO = −5.26 eV), which is attributed to the intensive interaction between the EDOT unit and the HOMO orbital, as confirmed by the theoretical calculation results. However, the higher power conversion efficiency of 3.58% was achieved for the COOP-EDOT-2HT-BDT:PC61BM-based solar cells, demonstrating that the electron-donating EDOT unit adjacent to the electron-withdrawing end-capped group (COOP) is a better way to achieve high-performance photovoltaic materials.
Mapping the Side-Chain Length of Small-Molecule Acceptors towards the Optimal Hierarchical Morphology in Ternary Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Zhou Zichun , Xu Shengjie , Zhu Xiaozhang
Published: April 2021

Using multiple light-absorbing materials to realize a broader and better absorption spectrum in multi-component organic photovoltaics has achieved significant success to obtain high power conversion efficiency. Meanwhile, the good materials combinations with matched electronic structure and proper blend morphology for charge generation and transport are of primary importance for implementation of the multi-component strategy. Hierarchical morphology has been clearly demonstrated to improve all performance parameters in ternary organic photovoltaics but shows strong dependence on the molecular structures. Here we develop four small-molecule electron acceptors with different alkyl chain lengths to find the optimal solution of alkyl chain towards the defined hierarchical morphology and carry out a clear and comprehensive investigation of the alkyl chain length effects on the structure–morphology–device performance relationships in ternary blends. There is a positive correlation between the power conversion efficiencies of the four ternary systems and their short-circuit current density parameters, manifesting the significance of distinguishing optimal alkyl side chain length of small-molecule electron acceptors for defined hierarchical morphology to afford efficient carrier generation. The non-optimal side chains would retard the BTR crystallization and make the PC71BM domain sizes incontrollable, leading to a morphology without a defined hierarchy. Such a detailed mapping of the alkyl side chain length of small-molecule electron acceptors provides new insight into the materials combinations for the next-step high-performance multi-component organic photovoltaics.
Treatment-Dose LMWH versus Prophylactic/Intermediate Dose Heparins in High-Risk COVID-19 Inpatients: Rationale and Design of the HEP-COVID Trial
Authors: Goldin Mark , Giannis Dimitrios , Diab Wassim , Wang Janice , Khanijo Sameer , Sharifova Gulru , Cohen Marc , Lund Jeet M. , Mignatti Andrea , Gianos Eugenia , Tafur Alfonso , Lewis Paul A. , Cohoon Kevin , Kittelson John M. , Lesser Martin L. , Sison Cristina P. , Rahman Husneara , Ochani Kanta , Hiatt William R. , Dale Rita A. , Anderson Victoria E. , Bonaca Marc , Halperin Jonathan L. , Weitz Jeffrey I. , Spyropoulos Alex C.
Published: April 2021

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with significant risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), arterial thromboembolism (ATE), and mortality particularly among hospitalized patients with critical illness and elevated D-dimer (Dd) levels. Conflicting data have yet to elucidate optimal thromboprophylaxis dosing. HEP-COVID (NCT04401293) is a phase 3, multicenter, pragmatic, prospective, randomized, pseudo-blinded, active control trial to evaluate efficacy and safety of therapeutic-dose low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) versus prophylactic-/intermediate-dose LMWH or unfractionated heparin (UFH) for prevention of a primary efficacy composite outcome of VTE, ATE, and all-cause mortality 30 ± 2 days post-enrollment. Eligible patients have COVID-19 diagnosis by nasal swab or serologic testing, requirement for supplemental oxygen per investigator judgment, and Dd >4 × upper limit of normal (ULN) or sepsis-induced coagulopathy score ≥4. Subjects are randomized to enoxaparin 1 mg/kg subcutaneous (SQ)/two times a day (BID) (creatinine clearance [CrCl] ≥ 30 mL/min) or 0.5 mg/kg (CrCl 15–30 mL/min) versus local institutional prophylactic regimens including (1) UFH up to 22,500 IU (international unit) daily (divided BID or three times a day), (2) enoxaparin 30 and 40 mg SQ QD (once daily) or BID, or (3) dalteparin 2,500 IU or 5,000 IU QD. The principal safety outcome is major bleeding. Events are adjudicated locally. Based on expected 40% relative risk reduction with treatment-dose compared with prophylactic-dose prophylaxis, 308 subjects will be enrolled (assuming 20% drop-out) to achieve 80% power. Distinguishing design features include an enriched population for the composite endpoint anchored on Dd >4 × ULN, stratification by intensive care unit (ICU) versus non-ICU, and the ability to capture asymptomatic proximal deep venous thrombosis via screening ultrasonography prior to discharge.
Corpus Callosum Involvement as Extrahepatic Manifestation of Hepatitis E Virus: An Uncommon Entity
Authors: Singla Monika , Bansal Parth , Sajja Venkatesh , Dev Kapil
Published: April 2021

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a common cause of acute hepatitis worldwide. HEV infection is not limited only to liver but has various extrahepatic manifestations. Virus can affect various organs like pancreas, lymph nodes, hematological system, kidneys, spleen, central, and peripheral nervous system. We hereby present a case of 19-year-old patient with interesting finding on magnetic resonance imaging brain-related with hepatitis E.
Electroclinical Improvement in a Patient with Ring Chromosome 20 Syndrome Treated with Zonisamide: A Case Report
Authors: Parravicini Stefano , Pasca Ludovica , Zanaboni Martina Paola , Varesio Costanza , Rognone Elisa , Totaro Martina , Gana Simone , Rossi Elena , De Giorgis Valentina
Published: April 2021

Ring chromosome 20 or r(20) syndrome is a rare chromosomal disorder, mainly characterized by childhood-onset drug-resistant epilepsy with typical electroencephalographic findings, followed by mild to severe cognitive-behavioral decline. Recent studies support a possible role of the dopaminergic system in the epileptogenesis of this syndrome. We report the case of a 13-year-old female with mosaic r(20) who showed typical disease onset and evolution and a remarkable electroclinical improvement with zonisamide. Epilepsy related to r(20) is often medically intractable. When valproate and lamotrigine are not effective, zonisamide could be further investigated as a therapeutic option, since it acts as antifocal and it has a potential role in the prevention of dopamine depletion.
The Use of Antifactor Xa Assays in a Comprehensive Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Anticoagulation Protocol is Associated with Increased Survival and Significant Blood Product Cost-Savings
Authors: Sood Shawn B. , Walker Louisa Anne , Ramanujam Rangaraj , Hardison Daphne , Andrews Jennifer , Smith Andrew H. , Bridges Brian C.
Published: April 2021

We augmented our standard extracorporeal membrane oxygenation laboratory protocol to include antifactor Xa assays, thromboelastography, and antithrombin measurements. We performed a retrospective chart review to determine outcomes for patients placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) prior to and after the initiation of our anticoagulation laboratory protocol. A total of 663 consecutive ECMO runs were evaluated from January 1, 2007 to June 30, 2018. Of these patients, 252 were on ECMO prior to initiation of the anticoagulation laboratory protocol on September 1, 2011, and 411 patients were on ECMO after initiation of the protocol. There were no major changes to our extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuit or changes to our transfusion threshold during this continuous study period. Transfusion utilization data revealed statistically significant decreases in almost all blood components, and a savings in blood component inflation-adjusted acquisition costs of 31% bringing total blood product cost-savings to $309,905 per year. In addition, there was an increase in survival to hospital discharge from 45 to 56% associated with the initiation of the protocol (p = 0.004). Our data indicate that implementation of a standardized ECMO anticoagulation protocol, which titrates unfractionated heparin infusions based on antifactor Xa assays, is associated with reduced blood product utilization, significant blood product cost savings, and increased patient survival. Future prospective evaluation is needed to establish an antifactor Xa assay-driven ECMO anticoagulation strategy as both clinically superior and cost-effective.
Delayed Cord Clamping in Infants of Diabetic Mothers: Laboratory and Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Abdelmaksoud Shaimaa Reda , Abdelraziq Heba Elsayed , khashaba Rana Atef , Diab Aliaa Mohamed
Published: April 2021

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of delayed cord clamping (DCC) and early cord clamping (ECC) on venous hematocrit (htc) and clinical outcomes in infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs). This prospective randomized study included 157 term IDMs. The umbilical cords of these infants were clamped at least 60 seconds in group I (DCC group, n = 79) and as soon as possible after birth in group II (ECC group, n = 78). The two groups were compared regarding neonatal venous htc levels, hypoglycemia rates, jaundice requiring phototherapy, respiratory distress, and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Hematocrit levels were significantly higher in the DCC group, both at 6 and 24 hours postnatally (p = 0.039 and 0.01), respectively. Polycythemia frequency was higher in DCC than the ECC group, but no patient in either group needed partial exchange transfusion (PET). Rates of jaundice were significantly higher in the DCC group (p = 0.028), but there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding jaundice requiring phototherapy (p = 0.681). There were no differences between the groups regarding hypoglycemia rates, need for glucose infusion, or respiratory distress. The incidence of admission to NICU was lower in the DCC group (p = 0.005). Early clamping was a significant predictor for increased risk of NICU admission. DCC increased polycythemia and jaundice rates but did not increase the need for PET or phototherapy. Also, DCC reduced the severity of respiratory distress and the subsequent need for NICU admission.
Extensive Cerebral Cortical Involvement in Aquaporin 4 Antibody Positive Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Ramineni Kiran Kumar , Jakkani Ravi Kanth , Ismail Shaik , Malla Ramakrishna
Published: April 2021

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSDs) usually manifest with features of long-segment myelitis and/or optic neuritis. Area postrema involvement presents with nausea, vomiting, and intractable hiccups. Cerebral cortical involvement is a relatively uncommon phenomenon. This report describes an interesting case of aquaporin 4 antibody positive NMOSD with extensive cerebral cortical involvement in addition to area postrema and cervicomedullary lesions observed on magnetic resonance imaging. Following immunosuppressive therapy, good clinical response and near-complete resolution of brain imaging abnormalities were observed.
Bactericidal surfaces: An emerging 21st-century ultra-precision manufacturing and materials puzzle
Authors: Larrañaga-Altuna Mikel , Zabala Alaitz , Llavori Iñigo , Pearce Oliver , Nguyen Dinh T. , Caro Jaume , Mescheder Holger , Endrino Jose L , Goel Gaurav , Ayre Wayne Nishio , Seenivasagam Rajkumar Kottayasamy , Tripathy Debendra Kumar , Armstrong Joe , Goel Saurav
Published: April 2021

Progress made by materials scientists in recent years has greatly helped the field of ultra-precision manufacturing. Ranging from healthcare to electronics components, phenomena such as twinning, dislocation nucleation, and high-pressure phase transformation have helped to exploit plasticity across a wide range of metallic and semiconductor materials. One current problem at the forefront of the healthcare sector that can benefit from these advances is that of bacterial infections in implanted prosthetic devices. The treatment of implant infections is often complicated by the growth of bacterial biofilms on implant surfaces, which form a barrier that effectively protects the infecting organisms from host immune defenses and exogenous antibiotics. Further surgery is usually required to disrupt the biofilm, or to remove the implant altogether to permit antibiotics to clear the infection, incurring considerable cost and healthcare burdens. In this review, we focus on elucidating aspects of bactericidal surfaces inspired by the biological world to inform the design of implant surface treatments that will suppress bacterial colonization. Alongside manufacturing and materials related challenges, the review identifies the most promising natural bactericidal surfaces and provides representative models of their structure, highlighting the importance of the critical slope presented by these surfaces. The scalable production of these complex hierarchical structures on freeform metallic implant surfaces has remained a scientific challenge to date and, as identified by this review, is one of the many 21st-century puzzles to be addressed by the field of applied physics.
Modeling aerosol cloud aerodynamics during human coughing, talking, and breathing actions
Authors: Hossain Mamdud , Faisal Nadimul Haque
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we investigate the aerosol cloud flow physics during three respiratory actions by humans (such as coughing, talking, and breathing). With given variables (i.e., velocity, duration, particle size and number of particles, and ambient conditions), the standoff safe distance during coughing, talking, and breathing should be the distance where virus-laden droplets and aerosols do not have significant transmission to another person. However, at a critical distance, the aerosol cloud flux can still be extremely high, which can immediately raise the transmission in a localized area to another person during a static condition. In this study, computational fluid dynamics analysis of selective respiratory actions has been carried out to investigate the effect of the standoff distance and assess the importance of social distancing in indoor places. The prediction of the aerosol transport due to flow generated from coughing, talking, and breathing was obtained by applying the Eulerian–Lagrangian approach. From the simulation results, it can be concluded that the aerosols released due to continuous talking travel a similar distance to that released due to sudden coughing. On the other hand, aerosols exhaled from breathing do not travel a long distance but float in air for a long time.
Influence of pressure on spectral broadening of femtosecond laser pulses in air
Authors: Zhang He , Zhang Yun , Lin Shuang , Zhang Yunfeng , Chen Anmin , Jiang Yuanfei , Li Suyu , Jin Mingxing
Published: April 2021

Spectral broadening is an important nonlinear effect during the interaction of intense femtosecond laser pulses with air. In this paper, we experimentally study the dependence of spectral broadening on pressure and pulse energy. It is found that increasing both pressure and pulse energy can enhance the spectral intensity, while only increasing pressure leads to obvious blue shift of spectra, and the pulse energy has little effect on it. To get a better insight of the mechanism of spectral broadening, the numerical simulation relating the instantaneous frequency to the time dependent pulse intensity and time dependent plasma density in air is carried out. The results indicate that the plasma generation induced self-phase modulation which is related to the pressure plays an important role in blue shift of spectrum. Besides the transmission of the laser pulse is measured and decreases with pressure. It proves that the energy transfer of the laser pulse is promoted by pressure. This study will be helpful to understand a deeper physical mechanism of femtosecond filament induced supercontinnum generation in air.
Tuning the analog synaptic properties of forming free SiO2 memristors by material engineering
Authors: Bousoulas P. , Sakellaropoulos D. , Tsoukalas D.
Published: April 2021

The development of alternative brain-inspired neuromorphic computing architectures is anticipated to play a key role in addressing the strict requirements of the artificial intelligence era. In order to obtain a high degree of learning accuracy within an artificial neural network (ANN) that operates with the backpropagation algorithm, a highly symmetric synaptic weight distribution is desired. Along these lines, we present here a detailed device engineering approach that enables analog synaptic properties in completely forming free SiO2-conductive bridge memories. This is achieved by either incorporating a dense layer of Pt nanoparticles as a bottom electrode or fabricating bilayer structures using a second switching layer of VOx. Interestingly, compared with the reference sample that manifests both threshold and bipolar switching modes, the Pt NC sample exhibits only the threshold switching pattern, whereas the bilayer configuration operates only under the bipolar switching mode, as illustrated by direct current measurements. These characteristics have a direct, while different impact, on the conductance modulation pattern and determine the analog nature of the synaptic weight distribution. Valuable insights regarding the origin of these effects and, in particular, of the symmetric and linear conductance modulation processes are gained through the implementation of a self-consistent numerical model that takes into account both the impact of the electrodes' thermal conductivity on the switching pattern and the different diffusion barriers for silver ion migration. Our approach provides useful guidelines toward the realization of high yield ANNs with biological-like dynamic behavior by controlling the conducting filament growth mechanism.
Breathing, virus transmission, and social distancing—An experimental visualization study
Authors: Arumuru Venugopal , Pasa Jangyadatta , Samantaray Sidhartha Sankar , Varma Vaibhavsingh Surendrasingh
Published: April 2021

With the outbreak of COVID-19 in many countries, public awareness related to the droplet mode of virus transmission is well documented and communicated. With a large spike in COVID-19 positive cases and the mortality rate, most of the general public are following preventive measures such as wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, and frequent hand washing. However, recently, it has been reported that the virus may also transmit through aerosolized particles of diameter <10 µm. The majority of the past research focuses on understanding droplet generation and transport through the most violent spasmodic expiration: coughing and sneezing. However, “breathing,” the most common phenomenon, is scarcely studied as a virus transmission source. In the present study, we report an experimental visualization of the droplet’s transport through breathing to quantify the reach of a typical breath for various exhale to inhale ratios. The efficacy of various standard (surgical, five-layered, and N95) and non-standard (homemade) protective measures such as face masks and face shields is also evaluated. An exhaled breath at E:I = 1:1 can travel up to 4 ft in 5 s; however, this reach reduces to 3 ft for E:I = 1:2. Two-layer homemade and commercial cotton masks are unable to completely impede the leakage of the droplet in the forward direction. A combination of a two-layer mask and face shield is also not effective in preventing the leakage and diffusion of the droplets. The surgical mask alone is not recommended during normal conversations as the leakage of the droplets is noticeable. A commercial N95 mask completely impedes the leakage of the droplets in the forward direction. However, the leakage of the droplets from the gaps between the mask and the nose is observed to be significant. A commercial five-layered mask is observed to be the most effective preservative measure with minimum leakage of the droplets.
overexpression enhances tolerance to diverse abiotic stresses by inhibiting cell membrane damage and enhancing ROS scavenging capacity in transgenic rice
Authors: Wang Zhaodan , Zhang Qian , Qin Juan , Xiao Guosheng , Zhu Shanshan , Hu Tingzhang
Published: April 2021

Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins are involved in diverse abiotic stresses tolerance in many different organisms. Our previous studies have shown that the heterologous expression of OsLEA1a interfered with the resistance of Escherichia coli to abiotic stresses. However, in the present study, based on growth status and physiological indices of rice plant, the overexpression of OsLEA1a in rice conferred increased resistance to abiotic stresses compared with the wild-type (WT) plants. Before applying abiotic stresses, there were no significant differences in physiological indices of rice seedlings. After NaCl, sorbitol, CuSO4 and H2O2 stresses, the transgenic lines had lower relative electrical conductivity, malondialdehyde and lipid peroxidation, greater the contents of proline, soluble sugar and glutathione, and higher the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase than the WT plants. The results indicate that the OsLEA1a gene is involved in the protective response of plants to various abiotic stresses by inhibiting cell membrane damage and enhancing reactive oxygen species scavenging capacity. It was speculated that post-translational modification causes OsLEA1a functional differences in E. coli and rice. The present study shows that OsLEA1a could be a useful candidate gene for engineering abiotic stress tolerance in cultivated plants.
Overexpression of
Authors: Zhou Feng-Yan , Yu Qin , Zhang Yong , Han Yun-Jing , Yao Chuan-Chun
Published: April 2021

Herbicides are the major tool for controlling large populations of yield depleting weeds. However, over-reliance on herbicides has resulted in weed adaptation and herbicide resistance. In recent years, early flowering weed species related to herbicide resistance is emerging, which may cause seed loss before crop harvest, creating a new problem for non-chemical weed management. In this study, a homologue gene of AGAMOUS sub-family (referred to as PfAG5) of the MADS-box family was cloned from plants of an early flowering Polypogon fugax Nees ex Steud. population resistant to the ACCase inhibitor herbicide (clodinafop-propargyl). The PfAG5 gene was functionally characterised in Arabidopsis thaliana L. Overexpression of the PfAG5 gene in Arabidopsis resulted in early flowering, abnormal flowers (e.g. small petals), short plants and reduced seed set, compared with the wild type. The expression of the PfAG5 gene was high in leaves and flowers, but low in pods in transgenic Arabidopsis. The PfAG5 gene was expressed earlier and higher in the resistant (R) than the susceptible (S) P. fugax plants. Furthermore, one protein (FRIGIDA-like) with relevance to flowering time regulation and interacts with PfAG5 in resistant (R) P. fugax was identified by the yeast two-hybrid and pull-down assays. These results suggest that the PfAG5 gene is involved in modulating early flowering in P. fugax.
DNA metabarcoding reveals multiple co-occurring species in
Authors: Muhammad Buhari Lawan , Sin Yongsik , Ki Jang-Seu
Published: April 2021

Spring diatom blooms dominate the annual cycle of phytoplankton abundance in temperate freshwater systems. Many researchers have questioned whether severe blooms are attributable to a single species and warrant the identification of similar, concurrently occurring organisms. Here, we investigated spring diatom blooms in a temperate freshwater system (Yeongsan River, South Korea) that is thought to predominantly include the diatom Stephanodiscus hantzschii. Water samples were collected from four different sites during the blooms that occurred in March 2015. We analysed physicochemical and biological parameters and examined the species composition of the spring blooms using DNA metabarcoding via pyrosequencing. Our results revealed that several diatom species co-occurred during the blooms: Cyclotella sp. was the most frequently detected, followed by Cyclostephanos dubius and Discostella sp., whereas Stephanodiscus was only detected at two stations with low occurrence. These results suggest the coexistence of many diatoms during spring blooms in the Yeongsan River; however, Cyclotella sp. was responsible for the spring bloom attributed to S. hantzschii. DNA metabarcoding can be a useful tool for resolving species identities in spring diatom blooms in temperate freshwater systems. In addition, the co-occurrence of similar species should be considered when implementing efforts to monitor and control spring blooms.
Corrigendum to: Early growing season immobilisation affects post-tillering wheat nitrogen uptake from crop stubble and 15N fertiliser in a sandy soil
Authors: Muschietti Piana Pilar , McBeath Therese Marie , McNeill Ann Marie , Cipriotti Pablo Ariel , Gupta Vadakattu
Published: April 2021

In semiarid sandy soil environments there is a dual challenge of carbon and nitrogen (N) limitation that needs to be managed to ensure timely supply of N to crops. Management of N inputs to soil using combinations of legume stubble addition and fertiliser N in cereal systems is essential to meet crop demand and maintain N in soil organic matter. The aim of this study was to assess soil mineral and biological N pools that influence N supply and N uptake of wheat at early growth stages. The recovery of 15N-labelled fertiliser by wheat was evaluated using a factorial combination of either wheat, lupin or no stubble incorporated with or without 15N fertiliser in a sandy soil system. Soil and plant samples were collected at sowing, tillering, first node and booting to monitor changes in N pools and 15N uptake by the wheat. Crop stubble incorporation one week before sowing increased biological N pools in the surface soil (0–10 cm). Early N immobilisation (sowing–tillering) in all the treatments without 15N fertiliser may have limited N availability for wheat uptake in the subsequent period (tillering–first node), when fertiliser N appeared critical to maximise N supply for plant requirements. Up to 38% of the 15N fertiliser applied at sowing was incorporated into the soil microbial biomass pool, so that fertiliser N was critical to relieve short-term inherent N limitations for both plant and microbial growth, and to supply the longer-term biological pools (microbial biomass) to support subsequent mineralisation potential. Reducing the energy limitation to the microbial pool through inputs of carbon from stubble was also critical to ensure fertiliser N supplied sufficient N to satisfy plant demand later in the growing period. These results have implications for management decisions on semiarid sandy soil systems that aim to synchronise N from inputs of legume stubbles and fertiliser with crop N demand during early growth stages of wheat.
Uncovering the dosage-dependent roles of Arid1a in gastric tumorigenesis for combinatorial drug therapy
Authors: Loe Adrian Kwan Ho , Francis Roshane , Seo Jieun , Du Lutao , Wang Yunshan , Kim Ji-Eun , Hakim Shaheed W. , Kim Jung-Eun , He Housheng Hansen , Guo Haiyang , Kim Tae-Hee
Published: April 2021

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common deadly cancers in the world. Although patient genomic data have identified AT-rich interaction domain 1A (ARID1A), a key chromatin remodeling complex subunit, as the second most frequently mutated gene after TP53, its in vivo role and relationship to TP53 in gastric tumorigenesis remains unclear. Establishing a novel mouse model that reflects the ARID1A heterozygous mutations found in the majority of human GC cases, we demonstrated that Arid1a heterozygosity facilitates tumor progression through a global loss of enhancers and subsequent suppression of the p53 and apoptosis pathways. Moreover, mouse genetic and single-cell analyses demonstrated that the homozygous deletion of Arid1a confers a competitive disadvantage through the activation of the p53 pathway, highlighting its distinct dosage-dependent roles. Using this unique vulnerability of Arid1a mutated GC cells, our combined treatment with the epigenetic inhibitor, TP064, and the p53 agonist, Nutlin-3, inhibited growth of Arid1a heterozygous tumor organoids, providing a novel therapeutic option for GC.
Regnase-1 is essential for B cell homeostasis to prevent immunopathology
Authors: Bhat Numana , Virgen-Slane Richard , Ramezani-Rad Parham , Leung Charlotte R. , Chen Cindi , Balsells Daniel , Shukla Ashima , Kao Elaine , Apgar John R. , Fu Mingui , Ware Carl F. , Rickert Robert C.
Published: April 2021

Regnase-1 is an emerging regulator of immune responses with essential roles in the posttranscriptional control of immune cell activation. Regnase-1 is expressed in B cells; however, its B cell–specific functions remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that Regnase-1 prevents severe autoimmune pathology and show its essential role in maintaining B cell homeostasis. Using Cre driver mice for ablation of Regnase-1 at various stages of B cell development, we demonstrate that loss of Regnase-1 leads to aberrant B cell activation and differentiation, resulting in systemic autoimmunity and early morbidity. The basis of these findings was informed by gene expression data revealing a regulatory role for Regnase-1 in the suppression of a transcriptional program that promotes B cell activation, survival, and differentiation. Overall, our study shows that Regnase-1 exerts critical control of B cell activation, which is required for prevention of immunopathology.
Analysis of coil constant of triaxial uniform coils in Mn–Zn ferrite magnetic shields
Authors: Ma Danyue , Lu Jixi , Xiujie Fang , Wang Kun , Jing Wang , Zhang Ning , Chen Huanjian , Ding Ming , Han Bangcheng
Published: April 2021

Triaxial uniform coils housed in magnetic shields are extensively used in atomic sensors. The coil constant can be affected by the magnetic shield that imposes a ferromagnetic boundary. This study numerically and experimentally analyzes the coil constant dependence on the Mn–Zn ferrite magnetic shield thickness, aspect ratio, air gaps between the magnetic annuli, and the distance from the coils. Results show that the radial coil constant (saddle-shaped coil) only depends upon the distance between the coil and the magnetic shield. The axial coil constant (Lee–Whiting coil) depends on the aspect ratio, distance between the coil and the magnetic shield, and air gap width between the magnetic annuli. The axial coil constant is linearly related to the air gap. When the thickness of the magnetic shield is greater than 2 mm, the radial and axial coil constants are independent of the shield thickness. The difference between the simulated and measured values is only 3.9%. The numerical calculation accuracy was verified by experimental measurements. This study can aid in the design and research of coils in the ferrite magnetic shield in atomic sensors.
Solution process manufacture of a simple, multifunctional flexible sensor based on capacitance measurement
Authors: Choi Kwang Wook , Shin Cheol , Jun Sungwoo , Park Soo Jong , Hwang Yooji , Kwak Jin Ho , Park Young Wook , Kim Jong-Woong , Ju Byeong-Kwon
Published: April 2021

Conventional sensors are rigid, involve complex processes and structures, and one sensor can detect only one type of stimulus. The manufacturing costs of such devices are high owing to the use of vacuum processes for the formation of thin films and electrodes and the complicated fabrication processes required to construct multiple layers. In addition, the multiple-layer design increases the risk of peeling due to mechanical movement. In this study, to solve the aforementioned problems, a simple two-layer multi-sensor has been fabricated using a non-vacuum solution process. The sensor consists of a light absorption layer comprising polyvinyl butyral and semiconductor particles and a top layer comprising two spiral-shaped Ag nanowire electrodes. The sensor experiences minimal damage by external adhesives and has a light-sensitive optical response at 420 nm and at 1.2 mW cm−2. Herein, the capacitance of the sensor applied to the two-electrode structure was determined, along with the light sensitivity and change in noise with frequency. We believe that the proposed multi-sensor can be applied in a wide range of fields because it can act as a touch sensor and light sensor.
Locating line and node disturbances in networks of diffusively coupled dynamical agents
Authors: Delabays Robin , Pagnier Laurent , Tyloo Melvyn
Published: April 2021

A wide variety of natural and human-made systems consist of a large set of dynamical units coupled into a complex structure. Breakdown of such systems can have a dramatic impact, as in the case of neurons in the brain or lines in an electric grid, to name but a few. Preventing such catastrophic events requires in particular to be able to detect and locate the source of disturbances as fast as possible. We propose a simple method to identify and locate disturbances in networks of coupled dynamical agents, relying only on time series measurements and on the knowledge of the (possibly Kron-reduced) network structure. The strength and the appeal of the present approach lies in its simplicity paired with the ability to precisely locate disturbances and even to differentiate between line and node disturbances. If we have access to measurement at only a subset of nodes, our method is still able to identify the location of the disturbance if the disturbed nodes are measured. If not, we manage to identify the region of the network where the disturbance occurs.
Kilobyte Cosmic Birefringence from ALP domain walls
Authors: Takahashi Fuminobu , Yin Wen
Published: April 2021

ALP domain walls without strings may be formed in the early Universe. We point out that
such ALP domain walls lead to both isotropic and anisotropic birefringence
of cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization, which reflects spatial configuration of the domain walls at the recombination.
The polarization plane of the CMB photon coming from each domain is either not rotated at all or rotated by a fixed angle. For domain walls following the scaling solution,
the cosmic birefringence of CMB is characterized by
2
N
, i.e. N-bit, of information with N =
𝒪(103-4)
being equal to the number of domains at the last scattering surface,
and thus the name, kilobyte cosmic birefringence.
The magnitude of the isotropic birefringence is consistent with the recently reported value, while the anisotropic one is determined by the structure of domains at the last scattering surface. The predicted cosmic birefringence is universal over a wide range of the ALP mass and coupling to photons. The detection
of both signals will be a smoking-gun evidence for the ALP domain walls without strings.
Combining strong and weak lensing estimates in the Cosmos field
Authors: Kuhn Felix Arjun , Birrer Simon , Bruderer Claudio , Amara Adam , Refregier Alexandre
Published: April 2021

We present a combined cosmic shear analysis of the modeling
of line-of-sight distortions on strongly lensed extended arcs and
galaxy shape measurements in the COSMOS field. We develop a
framework to predict the covariance of strong lensing and galaxy
shape measurements of cosmic shear on the basis of the small scale
matter power-spectrum. The weak lensing measurement is performed
using data from the COSMOS survey calibrated with a cloning scheme
using the Ultra Fast Image Generator UFig [1].
The strong lensing analysis is performed by forward modeling the
lensing arcs with a main lensing deflector and external shear
components from the same Hubble Space Telescope imaging
data set. With a sample of three strong lensing shear measurements
we present a 2-sigma detection of the cross-correlation signal
between the two complementary measurements of cosmic shear along the
identical line of sight. With large samples of lenses available with
the next generation ground and space based observatories, the
covariance of the signal of the two probes with large samples of
lenses allows for systematic checks, cross-calibration of either of
the two measurement and the measurement of the small scale shear
power-spectrum.
Inflaton oscillations and post-inflationary reheating
Authors: Garcia Marcos A.G. , Kaneta Kunio , Mambrini Yann , Olive Keith A.
Published: April 2021

We analyze in detail the perturbative decay of the inflaton
oscillating about a generic form of its potential V(ϕ) =
ϕ
k
, taking into account the effects of non-instantaneous
reheating. We show that evolution of the temperature as a function
of the cosmological scale factor depends on the spin statistics of
the final state decay products when k > 2. We also include the
inflaton-induced mass of the final states leading to either
kinematic suppression or enhancement if the final states are
fermionic or bosonic respectively. We compute the maximum
temperature reached after inflation, the subsequent evolution of the
temperature and the final reheat temperature. We apply our results
to the computation of the dark matter abundance through thermal
scattering during reheating. We also provide an example based on
supersymmetry for the coupling of the inflaton to matter.
Integrability, multi-soliton and rational solutions, and dynamical analysis for a relativistic Toda lattice system with one perturbation parameter
Authors: Qin Meng-Li , Wen Xiao-Yong , Yuan Cui-Lian
Published: April 2021

Under investigation in this paper is a relativistic Toda lattice system with one perturbation parameter α abbreviated as RTL_(α) system by Suris, which may describe the motions of particles in lattices interacting through an exponential interaction force. First of all, an integrable lattice hierarchy associated with an RTL_(α) system is constructed, from which some relevant integrable properties such as Hamiltonian structures, Liouville integrability and conservation laws are investigated. Secondly, the discrete generalized (m, 2N − m)-fold Darboux transformation is constructed to derive multi-soliton solutions, higher-order rational and semi-rational solutions, and their mixed solutions of an RTL_(α) system. The soliton elastic interactions and details of rational solutions are analyzed via the graphics and asymptotic analysis. Finally, soliton dynamical evolutions are investigated via numerical simulations, showing that a small noise has very little effect on the soliton propagation. These results may provide new insight into nonlinear lattice dynamics described by RTL_(α) system.
In-plane oriented CH3NH3PbI3 nanowire suppression of the interface electron transfer to PCBM*
Authors: Wang Tao , Yu Zhao-Hui , Huang Hao , Kong Wei-Guang , Dang Wei , Zhao Xiao-Hui
Published: April 2021

One-dimensional nanowire is an important candidate for lead-halide perovskite-based photonic detectors and solar cells. Its surface population, diameter, and growth direction, etc., are critical for device performance. In this research, we carried out a detailed study on electron transfer process at the interface of nanowire CH3NH3PbI3(N-MAPbI3)/Phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl-ester synonym (PCBM), as well as the interface of compact CH3NH3PbI3(C-MAPbI3)/PCBM by transient absorption spectroscopy. By comparing the carrier recombination dynamics of N-MAPbI3, N-MAPbI3/PCBM, C-MAPbI3, and C-MAPbI3/PCBM from picosecond (ps) to hundred nanosecond (ns) time scale, it is demonstrated that electron transfer at N-MAPbI3/PCBM interface is less efficient than that at C-MAPbI3/PCBM interface. In addition, electron transfer efficiency at C-MAPbI3/PCBM interface was found to be excitation density-dependent, and it reduces with photo-generation carrier concentration increasing in a range from 1.0 × 1018 cm−3–4.0 × 1018 cm−3. Hot electron transfer, which leads to acceleration of electron transfer between the interfaces, was also visualized as carrier concentration increases from 1.0 × 1018 cm−3–2.2 × 1018 cm−3.
Physical generation of random numbers using an asymmetrical Boolean network*
Authors: Liu Hai-Fang , Wang Yun-Cai , Sang Lu-Xiao , Zhang Jian-Guo
Published: April 2021

Autonomous Boolean networks (ABNs) have been successfully applied to the generation of random number due to their complex nonlinear dynamics and convenient on-chip integration. Most of the ABNs used for random number generators show a symmetric topology, despite their oscillations dependent on the inconsistency of time delays along links. To address this issue, we suggest an asymmetrical autonomous Boolean network (aABN) and show numerically that it provides large amplitude oscillations by using equal time delays along links and the same logical gates. Experimental results show that the chaotic features of aABN are comparable to those of symmetric ABNs despite their being made of fewer nodes. Finally, we put forward a random number generator based on aABN and show that it generates the random numbers passing the NIST test suite at 100 Mbits/s. The unpredictability of the random numbers is analyzed by restarting the random number generator repeatedly. The aABN may replace symmetrical ABNs in many applications using fewer nodes and, in turn, reducing power consumption.
A machine-learning algorithm correctly classifies cortical evoked potentials from both visual stimulation and electrical stimulation of the optic nerve
Authors: Gaillet Vivien , Borda Eleonora , Zollinger Elodie Geneviève , Ghezzi Diego
Published: April 2021

Objective. Optic nerve’s intraneural stimulation is an emerging neuroprosthetic approach to provide artificial vision to totally blind patients. An open question is the possibility to evoke individual non-overlapping phosphenes via selective intraneural optic nerve stimulation. To begin answering this question, first, we aim at showing in preclinical experiments with animals that each intraneural electrode could evoke a distinguishable activity pattern in the primary visual cortex. Approach. We performed both patterned visual stimulation and patterned electrical stimulation in healthy rabbits while recording evoked cortical activity with an electrocorticogram array in the primary visual cortex. Electrical stimulation was delivered to the optic nerve with the intraneural array OpticSELINE. We used a support vector machine algorithm paired to a linear regression model to classify cortical responses originating from visual stimuli located in different portions of the visual field and electrical stimuli from the different electrodes of the OpticSELINE. Main results. Cortical activity induced by visual and electrical stimulation could be classified with nearly 100% accuracy relative to the specific location in the visual field or electrode in the array from which it originated. For visual stimulation, the accuracy increased with the separation of the stimuli and reached 100% for separation higher than 7°. For electrical stimulation, at low current amplitudes, the accuracy increased with the distance between electrodes, while at higher current amplitudes, the accuracy was nearly 100% already for the shortest separation. Significance. Optic nerve’s intraneural stimulation with the OpticSELINE induced discernible cortical activity patterns. These results represent a necessary condition for an optic nerve prosthesis to deliver vision with non-overlapping phosphene. However, clinical investigations will be required to assess the translation of these results into perceptual phenomena.