bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extensions of the SEIR model for the analysis of tailored social distancing and tracing approaches to cope with COVID-19
Authors: Grimm Veronika , Mengel Friederike , Schmidt Martin
Published: February 2021

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, governments worldwide face the challenge of designing tailored measures of epidemic control to provide reliable health protection while allowing societal and economic activity. In this paper, we propose an extension of the epidemiological SEIR model to enable a detailed analysis of commonly discussed tailored measures of epidemic control—among them group-specific protection and the use of tracing apps. We introduce groups into the SEIR model that may differ both in their underlying parameters as well as in their behavioral response to public health interventions. Moreover, we allow for different infectiousness parameters within and across groups, different asymptomatic, hospitalization, and lethality rates, as well as different take-up rates of tracing apps. We then examine predictions from these models for a variety of scenarios. Our results visualize the sharp trade-offs between different goals of epidemic control, namely a low death toll, avoiding overload of the health system, and a short duration of the epidemic. We show that a combination of tailored mechanisms, e.g., the protection of vulnerable groups together with a “trace & isolate” approach, can be effective in preventing a high death toll. Protection of vulnerable groups without further measures requires unrealistically strict isolation. A key insight is that high compliance is critical for the effectiveness of a “trace & isolate” approach. Our model allows to analyze the interplay of group-specific social distancing and tracing also beyond our case study in scenarios with a large number of groups reflecting, e.g., sectoral, regional, or age differentiation and group-specific behavioural responses.
The Michelangelo step: removing scalloping and tapering effects in high aspect ratio through silicon vias
Authors: Frasca Simone , Leghziel Rebecca C. , Arabadzhiev Ivo N. , Pasquier Benoît , Tomassi Grégoire F. M. , Carrara Sandro , Charbon Edoardo
Published: February 2021

We present here, for the first time, a fabrication technique that allows manufacturing scallop free,

non-tapered, high aspect ratio in through-silicon vias (TSVs) on silicon wafers. TSVs are among major technology players in modern high-volume manufacturing as they enable 3D chip integration. However, the usual standardized TSV fabrication process has to deal with scalloping, an imperfection in the sidewalls caused by the deep reactive ion etching. The presence of scalloping causes stress and field concentration in the dielectric barrier, thereby dramatically impacting the following TSV filling step, which is performed by means of electrochemical plating. So, we propose here a new scallop free and non-tapered approach to overcome this challenge by adding a new step to the standard TSV procedure exploiting the crystalline orientation of silicon wafers. Thank to this new step, that we called “Michelangelo”, we obtained an extremely well polishing of the TSV holes, by reaching atomic-level smoothness and a record aspect ratio of 28:1. The Michelangelo step will thus drastically reduce the footprint of 3D structures and will allow unprecedented efficiency in 3D chip integration.
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol inhibits invasion of HTR8/SVneo human extravillous trophoblast cells and negatively impacts mitochondrial function
Authors: Walker O’Llenecia S. , Gurm Harmeet , Sharma Reeti , Verma Navkiran , May Linda L. , Raha Sandeep
Published: February 2021

Prenatal cannabis use is a significant problem and poses important health risks for the developing fetus. The molecular mechanisms underlying these changes are not fully elucidated but are thought to be attributed to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main bioactive constituent of cannabis. It has been reported that THC may target the mitochondria in several tissue types, including placental tissue and trophoblast cell lines, and alter their function. In the present study, in response to 48-h THC treatment of the human extravillous trophoblast cell line HTR8/SVneo, we demonstrate that cell proliferation and invasion are significantly reduced. We further demonstrate THC-treatment elevated levels of cellular reactive oxygen species and markers of lipid damage. This was accompanied by evidence of increased mitochondrial fission. We also observed increased expression of cellular stress markers, HSP70 and HSP60, following exposure to THC. These effects were coincident with reduced mitochondrial respiratory function and a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential. Taken together, our results suggest that THC can induce mitochondrial dysfunction and reduce trophoblast invasion; outcomes that have been previously linked to poor placentation. We also demonstrate that these changes in HTR8/SVneo biology may be variably mediated by cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2.
The effect of continuity of care on medical costs in patients with chronic shoulder pain
Authors: Oh Ju-hyun , Jung Boyoung , Kim Eun-San , Kim Namkwen , Ha In-Hyuk
Published: February 2021

Unnecessary surgery could be prevented through continuity of care (COC). The present study aimed to investigate the relationships between COC, surgery and cost associated with chronic shoulder pain. We used the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service national patient sample (HIRA-NPS) in 2017. A total of 1717 patients were included. Bice–Boxerman Continuity of Care Index was used as the indicator for measuring the COC. Occurrence of surgery, associated costs, and direct medical costs were analysed. Logistic regression, a two-part model with recycled predictions and generalized linear model with gamma distribution were used. The majority of patients were 40–65 years old (high COC: 68.4%; low COC: 64.4%). The odds ratio (OR) for surgery was 0.41 in the high-COC group compared to the low COC group (95% CI, 0.20 to 0.84). Direct medical cost was 14.09% (95% CI, 8.12% to 19.66%) and 58.00% lower in surgery cost (95% CI, 57.95 to 58.05) in the high-COC group. Interaction with COC and shoulder impingement syndrome was significant lower in direct medical cost (15.05% [95% CI, 1.81% to 26.51%]). High COC was associated with low medical cost in patients diagnosed with chronic shoulder pain.
Metabolomic differences between critically Ill women and men
Authors: Chary Sowmya , Amrein Karin , Lasky-Su Jessica A. , Dobnig Harald , Christopher Kenneth B.
Published: February 2021

Metabolism differs in women and men at homeostasis. Critically ill patients have profound dysregulation of homeostasis and metabolism. It is not clear if the metabolic response to critical illness differs in women compared to men. Such sex-specific differences in illness response would have consequences for personalized medicine. Our aim was to determine the sex-specific metabolomic response to early critical illness. We performed a post-hoc metabolomics study of the VITdAL-ICU trial where subjects received high dose vitamin D3or placebo. Using mixed-effects modeling, we studied sex-specific changes in metabolites over time adjusted for age, Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, admission diagnosis, day 0 25-hydroxyvitamin D level, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D response to intervention. In women, multiple members of the sphingomyelin and lysophospholipid metabolite classes had significantly positive Bonferroni corrected associations over time compared to men. Further, multiple representatives of the acylcarnitine, androgenic steroid, bile acid, nucleotide and amino acid metabolite classes had significantly negative Bonferroni corrected associations over time compared to men. Gaussian graphical model analyses revealed sex-specific functional modules. Our findings show that robust and coordinated sex-specific metabolite differences exist early in critical illness.
Gene expression patterns in shoots of Camelina sativa with enhanced salinity tolerance provided by plant growth promoting bacteria producing 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase or expression of the corresponding acdS gene
Authors: Heydarian Zohreh , Gruber Margaret , Coutu Cathy , Glick Bernard R. , Hegedus Dwayne D.
Published: February 2021

Growth of plants in soil inoculated with plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) producing 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase or expression of the correspondingacdSgene in transgenic lines reduces the decline in shoot length, shoot weight and photosynthetic capacity triggered by salt stress inCamelina sativa. Reducing the levels of ethylene attenuated the salt stress response as inferred from decreases in the expression of genes involved in development, senescence, chlorosis and leaf abscission that are highly induced by salt to levels that may otherwise have a negative effect on plant growth and productivity. Growing plants in soil treated withPseudomonas migulae8R6 negatively affected ethylene signaling, auxin and JA biosynthesis and signalling, but had a positive effect on the regulation of genes involved in GA signaling. In plants expressingacdS, the expression of the genes involved in auxin signalling was positively affected, while the expression of genes involved in cytokinin degradation and ethylene biosynthesis were negatively affected. Moreover, fine-tuning of ABA signaling appears to result from the application of ACC deaminase in response to salt treatment. Moderate expression ofacdSunder the control of the root specificrolDpromoter or growing plants in soil treated withP. migulae8R6 were more effective in reducing the expression of the genes involved in ethylene production and/or signaling than expression ofacdSunder the more active Cauliflower Mosaic Virus35Spromoter.
Author Correction: Mapping the genetic basis of diabetes mellitus in the Australian Burmese cat (Felis catus)
Authors: Samaha Georgina , Wade Claire M. , Beatty Julia , Lyons Leslie A. , Fleeman Linda M. , Haase Bianca
Published: February 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Nondominant hand computer mouse training and the bilateral transfer effect to the dominant hand
Authors: Schweiger Drew , Stone Richard , Genschel Ulrike
Published: February 2021

This study explored the effects of training computer mouse use in the nondominant hand on clicking performance of the dominant and nondominant hands. Computer mouse use is a daily operation in the workplace and requires minute hand and wrist movements developed and refined through practice and training for many years. Our study had eleven right-handed computer mouse users train their nondominant hand for 15 min a day, five days per week, for six weeks. This study found improved performance with the computer mouse in the dominant hand following nondominant hand training because of the bilateral transfer effect of training. Additionally, our study showed that the nondominant hand is capable of learning the complex movements that our dominant hand has trained for many years. Last, our research showed that nondominant hand performance decreases when the skill is not trained for over a year, but the performance is significantly higher than that prior to the original training and can be rapidly relearned. Overall, training the nondominant hand on the computer mouse will allow for improved performance in industry while allowing safer, sustainable, and more achievable work in a multitude of economies.
3D spheroid models of paediatric SHH medulloblastoma mimic tumour biology, drug response and metastatic dissemination
Authors: Roper Sophie J. , Linke Franziska , Scotting Paul J. , Coyle Beth
Published: February 2021

Studying medulloblastoma, the most common malignant paediatric brain tumour, requires simple yet realistic in vitro models. In this study, we optimised a robust, reliable, three-dimensional (3D) culture method for medulloblastoma able to recapitulate the spatial conformation, cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions that exist in vivo and in patient tumours. We show that, when grown under the same stem cell enriching conditions, SHH subgroup medulloblastoma cell lines established tight, highly reproducible 3D spheroids that could be maintained for weeks in culture and formed pathophysiological oxygen gradients. 3D spheroid culture also increased resistance to standard-of-care chemotherapeutic drugs compared to 2D monolayer culture. We exemplify how this model can enhance in vitro therapeutic screening approaches through dual-inhibitor studies and continual monitoring of drug response. Next, we investigated the initial stages of metastatic dissemination using brain-specific hyaluronan hydrogel matrices. RNA sequencing revealed downregulation of cell cycle genes and upregulation of cell movement genes and key fibronectin interactions in migrating cells. Analyses of these upregulated genes in patients showed that their expression correlated with early relapse and overall poor prognosis. Our 3D spheroid model is a significant improvement over current in vitro techniques, providing the medulloblastoma research community with a well-characterised and functionally relevant culture method.
Association between neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio change during living donor liver transplantation and graft survival
Authors: Park Jungchan , Lee Seung-Hwa , Gwak Mi Sook , Ko Justin Sangwook , Han Sangbin , Choi Gyu-Seong , Joh Jae Won , Kim Jongman , Kim Gaab Soo
Published: February 2021

Preoperative neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), has shown a predictive value in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). However, the change in the NLR during LDLT has not been fully investigated. We aimed to compare graft survival between the NLR increase and decrease during LDLT. From June 1997 to April 2019, we identified 1292 adult LDLT recipients with intraoperative NLR change. The recipients were divided according to NLR change: 103 (8.0%) in the decrease group and 1189 (92.0%) in the increase group. The primary outcome was graft failure in the first year. In addition, variables associated with NLR change during LDLT were evaluated. During 1-year follow-up, graft failure was significantly higher in the decrease group (22.3% vs. 9.1%; hazard ratio 1.87; 95% confidence interval 1.10–3.18; p = 0.02), but postoperative complications did not differ between two groups. This finding was consistent for the overall follow-up. Variables associated with NLR decrease included preoperative NLR > 4, model for end-stage liver disease score, intraoperative inotropic infusion and red blood cell transfusion, and operative duration. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator model yielded similar results. NLR decrease during LDLT appeared to be independently associated with graft survival. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings.
Do as AI say: susceptibility in deployment of clinical decision-aids
Authors: Gaube Susanne , Suresh Harini , Raue Martina , Merritt Alexander , Berkowitz Seth J. , Lermer Eva , Coughlin Joseph F. , Guttag John V. , Colak Errol , Ghassemi Marzyeh
Published: February 2021

Artificial intelligence (AI) models for decision support have been developed for clinical settings such as radiology, but little work evaluates the potential impact of such systems. In this study, physicians received chest X-rays and diagnostic advice, some of which was inaccurate, and were asked to evaluate advice quality and make diagnoses. All advice was generated by human experts, but some was labeled as coming from an AI system. As a group, radiologists rated advice as lower quality when it appeared to come from an AI system; physicians with less task-expertise did not. Diagnostic accuracy was significantly worse when participants received inaccurate advice, regardless of the purported source. This work raises important considerations for how advice, AI and non-AI, should be deployed in clinical environments.
Development of an α-synuclein knockdown peptide and evaluation of its efficacy in Parkinson’s disease models
Authors: Jin Jack Wuyang , Fan Xuelai , del Cid-Pellitero Esther , Liu Xing-Xing , Zhou Limin , Dai Chunfang , Gibbs Ebrima , He Wenting , Li Hongjie , Wu Xiaobin , Hill Austin , Leavitt Blair R. , Cashman Neil , Liu Lidong , Lu Jie , Durcan Thomas M. , Dong Zhifang , Fon Edward A. , Wang Yu Tian
Published: February 2021

Convincing evidence supports the premise that reducing α-synuclein levels may be an effective therapy for Parkinson’s disease (PD); however, there has been lack of a clinically applicable α-synuclein reducing therapeutic strategy. This study was undertaken to develop a blood-brain barrier and plasma membrane-permeable α-synuclein knockdown peptide, Tat-βsyn-degron, that may have therapeutic potential. The peptide effectively reduced the level of α-synuclein via proteasomal degradation both in cell cultures and in animals. Tat-βsyn-degron decreased α-synuclein aggregates and microglial activation in an α-synuclein pre-formed fibril model of spreading synucleinopathy in transgenic mice overexpressing human A53T α-synuclein. Moreover, Tat-βsyn-degron reduced α-synuclein levels and significantly decreased the parkinsonian toxin-induced neuronal damage and motor impairment in a mouse toxicity model of PD. These results show the promising efficacy of Tat-βsyn-degron in two different animal models of PD and suggest its potential use as an effective PD therapeutic that directly targets the disease-causing process.
RSPO4-CRISPR alleviates liver injury and restores gut microbiota in a rat model of liver fibrosis
Authors: Yu Linghua , Wang Linlin , Wu Xiaojun , Yi Huixing
Published: February 2021

Wnt signaling dysfunction and gut dysbiosis may lead to liver fibrosis, yet the underlying mechanisms are not well elucidated. This study demonstrated the role of RSPO4, a Wnt signaling agonist, in liver fibrogenesis and its impact on the gut microbiome. RSPO4 gene in CCl4-induced fibrotic-liver rats was knockout by Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) system, with healthy rats served as the control. Tissue samples and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) isolated from rats were examined for curative effect of RSPO4-CRISPR treatment. Fecal sample were collected and analyzed with 16 S rRNA sequencing. We found RSPO4-CRISPR relieved liver fibrosis in rats and reversed HSC activation. Further, results showed RSPO4-CRISPR tended to restore the microflora composition. Significance species between groups were identified. Bacteroides and Escherichia-Shigella were the key microbes in the model and negative group, whereas Lactobacillus, Romboutsia, and Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group were abundant in the control. Notably, Bacteroidales S24-7 group and Ruminococcaceae UCG-005 were the significantly enriched in CRISPR group. We show that the microbiome of rats treated with RSPO4-CRISPR presents a trend towards the restoration of the original condition. Our findings pave a new way to evaluate the curative effect of liver fibrosis treatment.
Engineering multifunctional bactericidal nanofibers for abdominal hernia repair
Authors: Afewerki Samson , Bassous Nicole , Harb Samarah Vargas , Corat Marcus Alexandre F. , Maharjan Sushila , Ruiz-Esparza Guillermo U. , de Paula Mirian M. M. , Webster Thomas J. , Tim Carla Roberta , Viana Bartolomeu Cruz , Wang Danquan , Wang Xichi , Marciano Fernanda Roberta , Lobo Anderson Oliveira
Published: February 2021

The engineering of multifunctional surgical bactericidal nanofibers with inherent suitable mechanical and biological properties, through facile and cheap fabrication technology, is a great challenge. Moreover, hernia, which is when organ is pushed through an opening in the muscle or adjacent tissue due to damage of tissue structure or function, is a dire clinical challenge that currently needs surgery for recovery. Nevertheless, post-surgical hernia complications, like infection, fibrosis, tissue adhesions, scaffold rejection, inflammation, and recurrence still remain important clinical problems. Herein, through an integrated electrospinning, plasma treatment and direct surface modification strategy, multifunctional bactericidal nanofibers were engineered showing optimal properties for hernia repair. The nanofibers displayed good bactericidal activity, low inflammatory response, good biodegradation, as well as optimal collagen-, stress fiber- and blood vessel formation and associated tissue ingrowth in vivo. The disclosed engineering strategy serves as a prominent platform for the design of other multifunctional materials for various biomedical challenges.
Critical thickness for the emergence of Weyl features in Co3Sn2S2 thin films
Authors: Ikeda Junya , Fujiwara Kohei , Shiogai Junichi , Seki Takeshi , Nomura Kentaro , Takanashi Koki , Tsukazaki Atsushi
Published: February 2021

Magnetic Weyl semimetals are quantum phases of matter arising from the interplay of linearly dispersive bands, spin-orbit coupling, and time reversal symmetry breaking. This can be realised, for example, in Co3Sn2S2, based on a cobalt kagome lattice and characterised by intriguing phenomena such as large anomalous Hall effect, Nernst effect, and water oxidation. Here, we attempt to determine the robustness of the twofold necessary conditions for the emergence of the magnetic Weyl semimetal phase in Co3Sn2S2 ultrathin films. Except for two-dimensional layered materials, a reduction of thickness generally makes it difficult to develop topological character and ferromagnetic long-range order. In Co3Sn2S2 films, while ferromagnetic ordering appears robustly even in average thicknesses of one or two unit cells with island-like polycrystalline domains, the anomalous Hall conductivity appears only above a critical thickness of approximately 10 nm. The emergence of surface conduction and large anomalous Hall effect implies the distinct contribution of Weyl nodes and their Berry curvature. These findings reveal an exotic feature of Weyl physics in thin-film based superstructures as well as a potential for future applications in electronic devices.
Summertime low clouds mediate the impact of the large-scale circulation on Arctic sea ice
Authors: Huang Yiyi , Ding Qinghua , Dong Xiquan , Xi Baike , Baxter Ian
Published: February 2021

The rapid Arctic sea ice retreat in the early 21st century is believed to be driven by several dynamic and thermodynamic feedbacks, such as ice-albedo feedback and water vapor feedback. However, the role of clouds in these feedbacks remains unclear since the causality between clouds and these processes is complex. Here, we use NASA CERES satellite products and NCAR CESM model simulations to suggest that summertime low clouds have played an important role in driving sea ice melt by amplifying the adiabatic warming induced by a stronger anticyclonic circulation aloft. The upper-level high pressure regulates low clouds through stronger downward motion and increasing lower troposphere relative humidity. The increased low clouds favor more sea ice melt via emitting stronger longwave radiation. Then decreased surface albedo triggers a positive ice-albedo feedback, which further enhances sea ice melt. Considering the importance of summertime low clouds, accurate simulation of this process is a prerequisite for climate models to produce reliable future projections of Arctic sea ice.
Carboxylated polyamidoamine dendron-bearing lipid-based assemblies for precise control of intracellular fate of cargo and induction of antigen-specific immune responses
Authors: Yuba Eiji , Sugahara Yoshikatsu , Yoshizaki Yuta , Shimizu Takeyuki , Kasai Michiyuki , Udaka Keiko , Kono Kenji
Published: February 2021

Carboxylated polyamidoamine dendron lipid-containing liposomes induced precisely controlled content release within intracellular organelles, which induced antigen-specific cellular and humoral immune responses, leading to antitumor effects.
Engineering of biofilms with a glycosylation circuit for biomaterial applications
Authors: Sahin Kehribar Ebru , Isilak Musa Efe , Bozkurt Eray Ulas , Adamcik Jozef , Mezzenga Raffaele , Seker Urartu Ozgur Safak
Published: February 2021

Glycosylation can be a promising tool for engineering protein-based biomaterials specifically regarding adhesion.
Metal–ligand cooperative transformation of alkyl azide to isocyanate occurring at a Co–Si moiety
Authors: So Jongho , Kim Seji , Cho Kyung-Bin , Lee Yunho
Published: February 2021

At a cobalt(i)-silyl moiety, a nitrene group was inserted into the Co–Si bond and extracted upon carbonylation to generate AdNCO.
Experimental and theoretical study of the reactivity of a series of epoxides with chlorine atoms at 298 K
Authors: Tovar Carmen M. , Haack Alexander , Barnes Ian , Bejan Iustinian Gabriel , Wiesen Peter
Published: February 2021

Many aspects of the chemical properties of epoxides have been studied so far. However, the geometrical characteristics of this kind of compound could have some implications on the reactivity trends and elucidation of reaction mechanisms. This is a proposal from a theoretical and experimental point of view.
Aerobic α-hydroxylation of 2-Me-1-tetralone in 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium ionic liquids
Authors: Wang Yongtao , Wen Zeyu , Zhang Yue , Wang Xinyu , Yao Jia , Li Haoran
Published: February 2021

The aerobic α-hydroxylation of 2-Me-1-tetralone was investigated in imidazol-based ionic liquids (ILs), where the mesoscopic structure of ILs was found crucial for the reaction rate.
Influence of the MACl additive on grain boundaries, trap-state properties, and charge dynamics in perovskite solar cells
Authors: Guo Yanru , Yuan Shuai , Zhu Dongping , Yu Man , Wang Hao-Yi , Lin Jun , Wang Yi , Qin Yujun , Zhang Jian-Ping , Ai Xi-Cheng
Published: February 2021

A large-grained perovskite induced by MACl with effectively passivated deep-level traps at grain boundaries is systematically studied via transient dynamics measurements.
Modulating the water oxidation catalytic activity of iridium complexes by functionalizing the Cp*-ancillary ligand: hints on the nature of the active species
Authors: Gatto Giordano , De Palo Alice , Carrasco Ana C. , Pizarro Ana M. , Zacchini Stefano , Pampaloni Guido , Marchetti Fabio , Macchioni Alceo
Published: February 2021

A comparative study on the behavior of a series of iridium dimeric WOCs with modified Cp* ligands reveals the key role played by the variable substituent.
Formation of V6O11@Ni(OH)2/NiOOH hollow double-shell nanoflowers for the excellent cycle stability of supercapacitors
Authors: Zhang Qi , Zang Qian , Shi Qiqi , Xiao Zhenyu , Wang Kun-Peng , Zong Lingbo , Wang Lei
Published: February 2021

The rational design of multi-shelled hollow structured electrode materials is of great importance and has met with fundamental challenges in recent years.
Transformation of various multicenter bondings within bicapped-square antiprismatic motifs: Z-rearrangement
Authors: Bakardjiev Mario , Holub Josef , Růžičková Zdeňka , Růžička Aleš , Fanfrlík Jindřich , Štíbr Bohumil , McKee Michael L. , Hnyk Drahomír
Published: February 2021

Mutual rearrangements in the whole series of bicapped-square antiprismatic closo-C2B8H10 are reported. High-quality computations and experimentally observed thermal rearrangements disprove the earlier postulated dsd (diamond-square-diamond) scheme for these isomerizations.
Zn3V3O8/NC hybrid microspheres self-assembled by layered porous nanosheets as a superior anode material for lithium/sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Liu Jinzhe , Zhang Peilin , Wang Weiwei , Zhou Chencheng , Zhou Jiaojiao , Wu Jing , Li Kuang , Lei Yuchen , Chen Luyang
Published: February 2021

Composite Zn3V3O8/N-doped carbon (Zn3V3O8/NC) microspheres with the construction of abundant porous nanosheets, synthesized by a facile self-assembly and template method, exhibit excellent electrochemical performance as an anode for LIBs and SIBs.
Naphthalene dianhydride organic anode for a ‘rocking-chair’ zinc–proton hybrid ion battery
Authors: Ghosh Meena , Vijayakumar Vidyanand , Kurian Maria , Dilwale Swati , Kurungot Sreekumar
Published: February 2021

The electrochemical behavior of 1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (NTCDA) for the reversible insertion/extraction of Zn2+ and H+ ions in MnO2||NTCDA zinc–proton hybrid ion batteries.
In vitrodynamic gastric digestion of soya protein/milk protein blended beverages: influence of protein composition and co-processing
Authors: Wegrzyn Teresa Francis , Acevedo-Fani Alejandra , Loveday Simon M. , Singh Harjinder
Published: February 2021

The gastric digestion behaviours of blended protein beverages containing different ratios of casein, whey protein and soya protein that were heat-treated at 60 °C or 80 °C were investigated using anin vitrodynamic human gastric simulator.
Carboxylic acids as anchoring components on aluminum oxide for the alignment relay technique of single-walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Snowdon Monika R. , Wang Shirley , Mashmoushi Nour , Hopkins Scott W. , Schipper Derek J.
Published: February 2021

We illustrate using a carboxylic acid anchoring component in the Alignment Relay Technique on silica and alumina surfaces. We present theoretical calculations on the interactions between the iptycenes' various pockets and the carbon nanotubes.
Unexpected phenomenon in a conventional system: synthesis of raspberry-like hollow periodic mesoporous organosilica with controlled structure in one continuous step
Authors: Wang Chao , Sang Guolong , Rong Yedong , Zhang Boran , Zhao Yi , Yang Jinlong
Published: February 2021

We put forward a facile method to fabricate raspberry-like hollow PMO with tunable morphology, derived from an interesting phenomenon in preparing conventional PMO.
A cascaded enzyme-loaded Fe–hemoporfin framework for synergistic sonodynamic-starvation therapy of tumors
Authors: Wen Mei , Shen Jiayue , Wang Zhaojie , Guo Honghua , Geng Peng , Yu Nuo , Li Maoquan , Zhang Haijun , Zhu Meifang , Chen Zhigang
Published: February 2021

The FeHF–GOx/CAT system exhibited synergistic SDT–starvation therapy and achieved high therapeutic efficiency for cancer cells.
Two-dimensional quasi-nanosheets enabled by coordination-driving deposition and sequential etching
Authors: Liu Peiying , Gao Boxu , Wang Cancan , Pan Shaoxue , Zhai Zhimin , Wu Tianqi , Liu Yicheng , Zhang Jiajia , Lu Hongbin
Published: February 2021

We propose a coordination-driving deposition and sequential etching strategy to confine growth of metal ions in the in situ formed carbon nitride layers, which can be exfoliated into porous nanosheets to generate holey N-doped metal oxide nanosheets.
Copper-catalyzed four-component reaction of alkenes, Togni's reagent, amines and CO2: stereoselective synthesis of (Z)-enol carbamates
Authors: Wang Lu , Wang Pan , Guo Tianzuo , Xiong Wenfang , Kang Bangxiong , Qi Chaorong , Luo Gen , Luo Yi , Jiang Huanfeng
Published: February 2021

A copper-catalyzed four-component reaction of alkenes, Togni's reagent, amines and CO2was disclosed, providing an efficient and straightforward access to a range of stereodefined (Z)-enol carbamates.
Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of N-substituted tetrahydroquinoxalines via regioselective Heyns rearrangement and stereoselective transfer hydrogenation in one pot
Authors: Huang Jin , Li Guang-xun , Yang Gao-feng , Fu Ding-qiang , Nie Xiao-kang , Cui Xin , Zhao Jin-zhong , Tang Zhuo
Published: February 2021

N-Substituted tetrahydroquinoxalines were step-economically obtained in good yield and ee with readily available substrates.
Asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-xestoquinone and (+)-adociaquinones A and B
Authors: Lu Xiao-Long , Qiu Yuanyou , Yang Baochao , He Haibing , Gao Shuanhu
Published: February 2021

The asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-xestoquinone and (+)-adociaquinones A and B was achieved in 6–7 steps using an easily accessible meso-cyclohexadienone derivative.
How ambient conditions affect the Leidenfrost temperature
Authors: van Limbeek Michiel A. J. , Ramírez-Soto Olinka , Prosperetti Andrea , Lohse Detlef
Published: February 2021

We study how ambient conditions change the Leidenfrost temperature (TL) and the metastability range below TL.
A trade-off between antifouling and the electrochemical stabilities of PEDOTs
Authors: Zhang Ya-Qiong , Lin Hsing-An , Pan Qi-Chao , Qian Si-Hao , Zhang Shou-Yan , Zhuang Ao , Zhang Shu-Hua , Qiu Gao , Cieplak Maciej , Sharma Piyush S. , Zhang Yaopeng , Zhao Haichao , Zhu Bo
Published: February 2021

Strong nonspecific protein/cell adhesion on conducting polymer (CP)-based bioelectronic devices can cause an increase in the impedance or the malfunction of the devices.
Surface plasmon resonance biosensor for the detection of phenylethanolamine A in swine urine
Authors: Fan Sufang , Li Chunsheng , Ma Junmei , Meng Zhijuan , Zhao Limin , Zhang Yan
Published: February 2021

In this experiment, Au-NP sensor chip was prepared and used in the determination of phenylethanolamine A (PEA) in surface plasmon resonance (SPR).
Stuffed pumpkins: mechanochemical synthesis of host–guest complexes with cucurbit[7]uril
Authors: Dračínský Martin , Hurtado Carina Santos , Masson Eric , Kaleta Jiří
Published: February 2021

Mechanochemical synthesis represents a new path towards unique types of cucurbit[n]uril/guest inclusion complexes that are not accessible due to limited solubility of the individual components.
Small molecule-induced trinucleotide repeat contractions during in vitro DNA synthesis
Authors: Dohno Chikara , Hagihara Masaki , Binti Mohd Zaifuddin Nursakinah , Nihei Mizuki , Saito Kaoru , Nakatani Kazuhiko
Published: February 2021

A CAG repeat binding molecule, NA, induced efficient repeat contractions during DNA polymerase-mediated primer extension through a CAG repeat template.
PdII insertion-triggered meso-carbon extrusion of N-fused pentaphyrin to form N-fused sapphyrin PdII complexes
Authors: Nakai Akito , Yoneda Tomoki , Tanaka Takayuki , Osuka Atsuhiro
Published: February 2021

meso-Carbon extrusion reaction was found in the N-fused [22]pentaphyrin(1.1.1.1.1) scaffold upon PdII insertion to give N-fused [22]pentaphyrin(1.1.1.1.0) (i.e. [22]sapphyrin) PdII complexes.
Geometrical design of a crystal growth system guided by a machine learning algorithm
Authors: Yu Wancheng , Zhu Can , Tsunooka Yosuke , Huang Wei , Dang Yifan , Kutsukake Kentaro , Harada Shunta , Tagawa Miho , Ujihara Toru
Published: February 2021

This study proposes a new high-speed method for designing crystal growth systems. It is capable of optimizing large numbers of parameters simultaneously which is difficult for traditional experimental and computational techniques.
Mineral carbonation for serpentine mitigation in nickel processing: a step towards industrial carbon capture and storage
Authors: Khan Shaihroz , Wani Omar Bashir , Shoaib Mohammad , Forster John , Sodhi Rana N. , Boucher Darryel , Bobicki Erin R.
Published: February 2021

We incorporate the carbonation of ultramafic ore followed by froth-flotation to enhance nickel recovery in the beneficiation stage, instead of the traditional froth-flotation step for nickel processing.
Metal organic framework derived porous carbon materials excel as an excellent platform for high-performance packaged supercapacitors
Authors: Chu Xianyu , Meng Fanling , Deng Ting , Zhang Wei
Published: February 2021

This review systematically sums up the design principles and strategies for MOF precursors and discusses the relationship between MOF precursors and the target porous carbon for the accurate architecture of high-performance supercapacitors.
π-Extended dibenzo[g,p]chrysenes
Authors: Hossain Mohammad Mosharraf , Mirzaei M. Saeed , Lindeman Sergey V. , Mirzaei Saber , Rathore Rajendra
Published: February 2021

Two different series of π-extended dibenzo[g,p]chrysenes are synthesized. The experimental and DFT data showed the significant effects of both position and substituent on the optoelectronic and charge delocalization behavior.
Gold(i)-catalyzed redox transformation of o-nitroalkynes with indoles for the synthesis of 2,3′-biindole derivatives
Authors: Zhou Su , Liu Qianqian , Bao Ming , Huang Jie , Wang Junjian , Hu Wenhao , Xu Xinfang
Published: February 2021

A gold(i)-catalyzed cascade reaction of o-nitroalkynes with indoles has been reported for the rapid assembly of 2-indolyl indolone N-oxides, which exhibit high anticancer potency against SCLC cells.
A new deep hole-trapping site for water splitting on the rutile TiO2(110) surface
Authors: Zhou He , Zhang Xiao , Zhang Jie , Ma Huizhong , Jin Fan , Ma Yuchen
Published: February 2021

A proposed mechanism for photocatalytic water splitting on the rutile TiO2(110) surface.
A meta-analysis reveals the effectiveness of probiotics and prebiotics against respiratory viral infection
Authors: Wang Fangyan , Pan Binhui , Xu Sheng , Xu Zhihua , Zhang Tiaotiao , Zhang Qihao , Bao Yifan , Wang Yingwei , Zhang Jiamin , Xu Changlong , Xue Xiangyang
Published: February 2021

Experimental experience suggests that microbial agents including probiotics and prebiotics (representative microbial agents) play a critical role in defending against respiratory virus infection. We aim to systematically examine these agents’ effect on respiratory viral infection and encourage research into clinical applications. An electronic literature search was conducted from published data with a combination of a microbial agents search component containing synonyms for microbial agents-related terms and a customized search component for respiratory virus infection. Hazard ratio (HR), risk ratio (RR) and standard deviation (SD) were employed as effect estimates. In 45 preclinical studies, the mortality rates decreased in the respiratory viral infection models that included prebiotics or prebiotics as interventions (HR: 0.70; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.56–0.87; P=0.002). There was a significant decrease in viral load due to improved gut microbiota (SD: −1.22; 95% CI: −1.50 to −0.94; P<0.001). Concentrations of interferon (IFN)-α (SD: 1.05; 95% CI: 0.33–1.77; P=0.004), IFN-γ (SD: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.01–1.65; P=0.05) and interleukin (IL)-12 (SD: 2.42; 95% CI: 0.32–4.52; P=0.02), IL-1β (SD: 0.01; 95% CI: −0.37 to 0.40; P=0.94) increased, whereas those of TNF-α (SD: −0.58; 95% CI: −1.59 to 0.43; P=0.26) and IL-6 (SD: −0.59; 95% CI: −1.24 to 0.07; P=0.08) decreased. Six clinical studies had lower symptom scores (SD: −0.09; 95% CI: −0.44 to 0.26; P=0.61) and less incidence of infection (RR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.64–1.01; P=0.06). Our research indicates that probiotics and prebiotics pose a defensive possibility on respiratory viral infection and may encourage the clinical application.
Platelets: the peripheral donor of mitochondria for diabetes-induced cognitive impairment
Authors: Amin Shaimaa Nasr
Published: February 2021

This commentary highlights the research entitled: Transplantation of platelet-derived mitochondria alleviates cognitive impairment and mitochondrial dysfunction in db/db mice, presented by Ma et al. appearing in Clinical Science (2020) 134(16), https://doi.org/10.1042/CS20200530. The authors evaluated the effect of xenograft transplantation of mitochondria isolated from peripheral blood platelets in an animal model of type II diabetes and evaluated the effects of transplantation on diabetes-associated cognitive impairment (DACI). They showed cognitive and molecular improvement in response to mitochondrial transplantation to db/db mice brains. Besides, they showed better internalization of the transplanted mitochondria into the diseased animals’ hippocampal cells compared with the healthy normal control.
RETRACTED: A viability study using conceptual models for last mile drone logistics operations in populated urban cities of India
Authors: Gabani Parth Rameshbhai , Gala Umang Bipin , Narwane Vaibhav S. , Raut Rakesh D. , Govindarajan Usharani Hareesh , Narkhede Balkrishna E.
Published: February 2021

Emerging Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technologies have been under spotlight worldwide due to a promising spectrum of applications. Despite interesting use‐cases receiving worldwide media attention, drones are expected to have their most significant impact on supply chain and logistics systems in highly populated urban cities once the regulations for commercial purposes are lifted. This article proposes two models of drone‐delivery technology that can serve as a potential replacement in the Indian truck‐delivery system. First, a drone–truck hybrid delivery model is proposed with trucks carrying multiple drones. Second, a stand‐alone drone‐delivery model is proposed with separate charging infrastructural facilities at specific points. The two proposed models' findings present the advantages of significantly reducing carbon emissions, delivery costs, and time compared to truck‐based delivery. The hybrid drone–truck model eliminates the need for separate charging facilities saving initial infrastructural costs. In contrast, the stand‐alone drone model utilizes the current warehouse location facilities with charging stations on specific points for ease of adoption. This research presents initial viability suggesting that the drone technology can solve the current operational challenges in India's urban cities. Furthermore, vital factors are discussed to enable stakeholders to select a model for drone logistics systems planning and experimentations.
Analytical model for slotted stator brushless surface inset permanent magnet machines using virtual current theory
Authors: Faradonbeh Vahid Zamani , Rahideh Akbar , Arab Markadeh Gholamreza
Published: February 2021

A two‐dimensional analytical model is presented for predicting the air‐gap magnetic flux density due to the permanent magnet (PM) and armature currents in brushless surface inset PM (BSIPM) machines. The virtual current theory is used to model the effects of the stator slots and rotor grooves. In this approach, the BSIPM machine is initially modelled as a machine without any stator slot and rotor groove, and the rotor groove and stator slot effects are modelled by a set of surface currents. By extracting the governing Laplace and Poisson equations and applying the boundary conditions, the magnetic flux density due to the PM and armature current is obtained in different parts of the machine. The accuracy of the proposed analytical model is confirmed by comparing its results with those of the finite‐element method and experimental results. The proposed model is also compared with the subdomain analytical model in terms of computational speed and accuracy.
Automated detection of multiple structural changes of diabetic macular oedema in SDOCT retinal images through transfer learning in CNNs
Authors: Padmasini Natarajan , Umamaheswari Rengasamy
Published: February 2021

Diabetic Maculopathy, the major cause of vision loss, occurs due to uncontrolled diabetes. This affects the retinal layers of the eye causing bleeding of vessels, which results in Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), macular detachment etc., Basically three structural changes are involved in DME viz., Cystoid Macular Edema (CME), Serous Macular Detachment (SMD) and Intra Retinal Fluid (IRF). These changes may also coexist with each other such as CME with SMD or CME with IRF etc. In this work, the retinal images acquired through Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SDOCT) imaging modality, which would provide high level of precision and resolution of the retinal layers are utilized. An automated algorithm to detect and differentiate seven types of DME based on deep learning is implemented using transfer learning on three Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), ResNet 50, VGGNet and AlexNet. In detection of DME, ResNet 50 performs excellently well, when compared with Alexnet and VGGNet, because of its depth and skip connection features. The average values of the statistical parameters such as accuracy (0.993), F1 score (0.975), Mathews Correlation Coefficient(MCC)(0.972) of ResNet are high when compared to that of AlexNet and VGGNet
Defect detection of printed circuit board based on lightweight deep convolution network
Authors: Shen Jiaquan , Liu Ningzhong , Sun Han
Published: February 2021

With the rapid development of the electronic industry, the defect detection of printed circuit board (PCB) components is becoming more and more important. The types of PCB components are diverse and accompanied by complex character information, which is difficult to identify. The traditional detection method is inefficient, and it is unable to effectively perform the diversified category detection of PCB components and character recognition in complex scenes. The deep convolutional neural network has obvious advantages in object detection and character recognition, which can be used to implement a PCB component defect detection system. In this study, the authors have established a lightweight PCB type detection model called LD‐PCB, which can perform real‐time detection while improving detection accuracy. In addition, in the character detection of PCB, they have established a fast and robust character recognition model, called CR‐PCB. This model can effectively improve the accuracy of irregular character recognition. Finally, they established and published a dataset of PCB components, and combined with LD‐PCB and CR‐PCB to realise the PCB defect detection system. This system can realise the functions of defect detection, wrong insertion, missing insertion, and character recognition in industrial PCB production. The results show that the method proposed in this study can effectively detect defects on PCB components.
Comprehensive evaluation of image enhancement for unsupervised image description and matching
Authors: Lecca Michela , Torresani Alessandro , Remondino Fabio
Published: February 2021

The performance of an image enhancer is usually evaluated either perceptually or functionally. The perceptual evaluation is carried out from a human perspective, i.e. by considering features related to human perception of image content and details. The functional evaluation is made instead from a machine perspective, i.e. by judging the enhancer effects with a specific machine application. his work proposes a comprehensive, empirical evaluation accounting for both perceptual and functional aspects. Precisely, 13 enhancers lowering undesired illumination effects are considered within the keypoint based image description and matching task, which is relevant to many computer vision fields. Each enhancer is first evaluated perceptually, then it is employed as a pre‐processing step of the popular algorithms SIFT and ORB and judged by measuring how its use influences the performance of these algorithms. his study, conducted on a freely available data set, shows that the enhancement generally improves the perceptual features of the input image as well as the SIFT and ORB performance. More importantly, it reveals the existence of a correlation among some of their perceptual and functional measures. In this way, this work contributes to promote a more aware use of enhancement techniques within the mage description and matching task.
Multi‐model adaptive predictive control for path following of autonomous vehicles
Authors: Liang Yixiao , Li Yinong , Khajepour Amir , Zheng Ling
Published: February 2021

The uncertainties in tire cornering stiffness can degrade the path following the performance of autonomous vehicles, especially in low adhesive conditions, to deal with this problem, a novel multi‐model adaptive predictive control is proposed in this study. Firstly, a model predictive path following controller is designed based on a combined model of vehicle dynamics and road‐related kinematics relationship. Then, to deal with the model uncertainties, the multiple model adaptive theory is introduced, and the recursive least adaptive law is proposed with its convergence proved by Lyapunov theory. Finally, the multiple‐model adaptive law is combined with the proposed model predictive control by a convex polytope of tire cornering stiffness. In this way, the proposed algorithm can be adaptive to the uncertainties of tire cornering stiffness. Simulation results show the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed method to the uncertainties of the tire cornering stiffness resulting in an excellent performance in any road condition without introducing conservativeness.