bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gait speed in clinical and daily living assessments in Parkinson’s disease patients: performance versus capacity
Authors: Atrsaei Arash , Corrà Marta Francisca , Dadashi Farzin , Vila-Chã Nuno , Maia Luis , Mariani Benoit , Maetzler Walter , Aminian Kamiar
Published: March 2021

Gait speed often referred as the sixth vital sign is the most powerful biomarker of mobility. While a clinical setting allows the estimation of gait speed under controlled conditions that present functional capacity, gait speed in real-life conditions provides the actual performance of the patient. The goal of this study was to investigate objectively under what conditions during daily activities, patients perform as well as or better than in the clinic. To this end, we recruited 27 Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients and measured their gait speed by inertial measurement units through several walking tests in the clinic as well as their daily activities at home. By fitting a bimodal Gaussian model to their gait speed distribution, we found that on average, patients had similar modes in the clinic and during daily activities. Furthermore, we observed that the number of medication doses taken throughout the day had a moderate correlation with the difference between clinic and home. Performing a cycle-by-cycle analysis on gait speed during the home assessment, overall only about 3% of the strides had equal or greater gait speeds than the patients’ capacity in the clinic. These strides were during long walking bouts (>1 min) and happened before noon, around 26 min after medication intake, reaching their maximum occurrence probability 3 h after Levodopa intake. These results open the possibility of better control of medication intake in PD by considering both functional capacity and continuous monitoring of gait speed during real-life conditions.
Proximity to a critical point driven by electronic entropy in URu2Si2
Authors: Harrison Neil , Kushwaha Satya K. , Chan Mun K. , Jaime Marcelo
Published: March 2021

The strongly correlated actinide metal URu2Si2 exhibits a mean field-like second order phase transition at To ≈ 17 K, yet lacks definitive signatures of a broken symmetry. Meanwhile, various experiments have also shown the electronic energy gap to closely resemble that resulting from hybridization between conduction electron and 5f-electron states. We argue here, using thermodynamic measurements, that the above seemingly incompatible observations can be jointly understood by way of proximity to an entropy-driven critical point, in which the latent heat of a valence-type electronic instability is quenched by thermal excitations across a gap, driving the transition second order. Salient features of such a transition include a robust gap spanning highly degenerate features in the electronic density of states, that is weakly (if at all) suppressed by temperature on approaching To, and an elliptical phase boundary in magnetic field and temperature that is Pauli paramagnetically limited at its critical magnetic field.
TP63 basal cells are indispensable during endoderm differentiation into proximal airway cells on acellular lung scaffolds
Authors: Bilodeau Claudia , Shojaie Sharareh , Goltsis Olivia , Wang Jinxia , Luo Daochun , Ackerley Cameron , M Rogers Ian , Cox Brian , Post Martin
Published: March 2021

The use of decellularized whole-organ scaffolds for bioengineering of organs is a promising avenue to circumvent the shortage of donor organs for transplantation. However, recellularization of acellular scaffolds from multicellular organs like the lung with a variety of different cell types remains a challenge. Multipotent cells could be an ideal cell source for recellularization. Here we investigated the hierarchical differentiation process of multipotent ES-derived endoderm cells into proximal airway epithelial cells on acellular lung scaffolds. The first cells to emerge on the scaffolds were TP63+ cells, followed by TP63+/KRT5+ basal cells, and finally multi-ciliated and secretory airway epithelial cells. TP63+/KRT5+ basal cells on the scaffolds simultaneously expressed KRT14, like basal cells involved in airway repair after injury. Removal of TP63 by CRISPR/Cas9 in the ES cells halted basal and airway cell differentiation on the scaffolds. These findings suggest that differentiation of ES-derived endoderm cells into airway cells on decellularized lung scaffolds proceeds via TP63+ basal cell progenitors and tracks a regenerative repair pathway. Understanding the process of differentiation is key for choosing the cell source for repopulation of a decellularized organ scaffold. Our data support the use of airway basal cells for repopulating the airway side of an acellular lung scaffold.
A novel methodology for epidemic risk assessment of COVID-19 outbreak
Authors: Pluchino A. , Biondo A. E. , Giuffrida N. , Inturri G. , Latora V. , Le Moli R. , Rapisarda A. , Russo G. , Zappalà C.
Published: March 2021

We propose a novel data-driven framework for assessing the a-priori epidemic risk of a geographical area and for identifying high-risk areas within a country. Our risk index is evaluated as a function of three different components: the hazard of the disease, the exposure of the area and the vulnerability of its inhabitants. As an application, we discuss the case of COVID-19 outbreak in Italy. We characterize each of the twenty Italian regions by using available historical data on air pollution, human mobility, winter temperature, housing concentration, health care density, population size and age. We find that the epidemic risk is higher in some of the Northern regions with respect to Central and Southern Italy. The corresponding risk index shows correlations with the available official data on the number of infected individuals, patients in intensive care and deceased patients, and can help explaining why regions such as Lombardia, Emilia-Romagna, Piemonte and Veneto have suffered much more than the rest of the country. Although the COVID-19 outbreak started in both North (Lombardia) and Central Italy (Lazio) almost at the same time, when the first cases were officially certified at the beginning of 2020, the disease has spread faster and with heavier consequences in regions with higher epidemic risk. Our framework can be extended and tested on other epidemic data, such as those on seasonal flu, and applied to other countries. We also present a policy model connected with our methodology, which might help policy-makers to take informed decisions.
A randomized controlled trial on the effects induced by robot-assisted and usual-care rehabilitation on upper limb muscle synergies in post-stroke subjects
Authors: Lencioni T. , Fornia L. , Bowman T. , Marzegan A. , Caronni A. , Turolla A. , Jonsdottir J. , Carpinella I. , Ferrarin M.
Published: March 2021

Muscle synergies are hypothesized to reflect connections among motoneurons in the spinal cord activated by central commands and sensory feedback. Robotic rehabilitation of upper limb in post-stroke subjects has shown promising results in terms of improvement of arm function and motor control achieved by reassembling muscle synergies into a set more similar to that of healthy people. However, in stroke survivors the potentially neurophysiological changes induced by robot-mediated learning versus usual care have not yet been investigated. We quantified upper limb motor deficits and the changes induced by rehabilitation in 32 post-stroke subjects through the movement analysis of two virtual untrained tasks of object placing and pronation. The sample analyzed in this study is part of a larger bi-center study and included all subjects who underwent kinematic analysis and were randomized into robot and usual care groups. Post-stroke subjects who followed robotic rehabilitation showed larger improvements in axial-to-proximal muscle synergies with respect to those who underwent usual care. This was associated to a significant improvement of the proximal kinematics. Both treatments had negative effects in muscle synergies controlling the distal district. This study supports the definition of new rehabilitative treatments for improving the neurophysiological recovery after stroke.
In vitro and in vivo inhibition of malaria parasite infection by monoclonal antibodies against Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (CSP)
Authors: Livingstone Merricka C. , Bitzer Alexis A. , Giri Alish , Luo Kun , Sankhala Rajeshwer S. , Choe Misook , Zou Xiaoyan , Dennison S. Moses , Li Yuanzhang , Washington William , Ngauy Viseth , Tomaras Georgia D. , Joyce M. Gordon , Batchelor Adrian H. , Dutta Sheetij
Published: March 2021

Plasmodium falciparum malaria contributes to a significant global disease burden. Circumsporozoite protein (CSP), the most abundant sporozoite stage antigen, is a prime vaccine candidate. Inhibitory monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against CSP map to either a short junctional sequence or the central (NPNA)n repeat region. We compared in vitro and in vivo activities of six CSP-specific mAbs derived from human recipients of a recombinant CSP vaccine RTS,S/AS01 (mAbs 317 and 311); an irradiated whole sporozoite vaccine PfSPZ (mAbs CIS43 and MGG4); or individuals exposed to malaria (mAbs 580 and 663). RTS,S mAb 317 that specifically binds the (NPNA)n epitope, had the highest affinity and it elicited the best sterile protection in mice. The most potent inhibitor of sporozoite invasion in vitro was mAb CIS43 which shows dual-specific binding to the junctional sequence and (NPNA)n. In vivo mouse protection was associated with the mAb reactivity to the NANPx6 peptide, the in vitro inhibition of sporozoite invasion activity, and kinetic parameters measured using intact mAbs or their Fab fragments. Buried surface area between mAb and its target epitope was also associated with in vivo protection. Association and disconnects between in vitro and in vivo readouts has important implications for the design and down-selection of the next generation of CSP based interventions.
The association between body mass index and recovery from post-traumatic stress disorder after the nuclear accident in Fukushima
Authors: Nagai Masato , Ohira Tetsuya , Maeda Masaharu , Yasumura Seiji , Miura Itaru , Itagaki Shuntaro , Harigane Mayumi , Takase Kanae , Yabe Hirooki , Sakai Akira , Kamiya Kenji
Published: March 2021

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and obesity share common risk factors; however, the effect of obesity on recovery from PTSD has not been assessed. We examined the association between body mass index (BMI) and recovery from PTSD after the Great East Japan Earthquake. We analyzed 4356 men and women with probable PTSD aged ≥ 16 years who were living in evacuation zones owing to the radiation accident in Fukushima, Japan. Recovery from probable PTSD was defined as Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-specific scores < 44. Using Poisson regression with robust error variance adjusted for confounders, we compared the prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for this outcome in 2013 and 2014. Compared with point estimates for normal weight (BMI: 18.5–24.9 kg/m2), especially in 2013, those for underweight (BMI: < 18.5 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI: ≥ 30.0 kg/m2) tended to slightly increase and decrease, respectively, for recovery from probable PTSD. The multivariate-adjusted PRs (95% CIs) for underweight and obesity were 1.08 (0.88–1.33) and 0.85 (0.68–1.06), respectively, in 2013 and 1.02 (0.82–1.26) and 0.87 (0.69–1.09), respectively, in 2014. The results of the present study showed that obesity may be a useful predictor for probable PTSD recovery. Obese victims with PTSD would require more intensive support and careful follow-up for recovery.
Population imaging discrepancies between a genetically-encoded calcium indicator (GECI) versus a genetically-encoded voltage indicator (GEVI)
Authors: Zhu Mei Hong , Jang Jinyoung , Milosevic Milena M. , Antic Srdjan D.
Published: March 2021

Genetically-encoded calcium indicators (GECIs) are essential for studying brain function, while voltage indicators (GEVIs) are slowly permeating neuroscience. Fundamentally, GECI and GEVI measure different things, but both are advertised as reporters of “neuronal activity”. We quantified the similarities and differences between calcium and voltage imaging modalities, in the context of population activity (without single-cell resolution) in brain slices. GECI optical signals showed 8–20 times better SNR than GEVI signals, but GECI signals attenuated more with distance from the stimulation site. We show the exact temporal discrepancy between calcium and voltage imaging modalities, and discuss the misleading aspects of GECI imaging. For example, population voltage signals already repolarized to the baseline (~ disappeared), while the GECI signals were still near maximum. The region-to-region propagation latencies, easily captured by GEVI imaging, are blurred in GECI imaging. Temporal summation of GECI signals is highly exaggerated, causing uniform voltage events produced by neuronal populations to appear with highly variable amplitudes in GECI population traces. Relative signal amplitudes in GECI recordings are thus misleading. In simultaneous recordings from multiple sites, the compound EPSP signals in cortical neuropil (population signals) are less distorted by GEVIs than by GECIs.
Variability in mRNA translation: a random matrix theory approach
Authors: Margaliot Michael , Huleihel Wasim , Tuller Tamir
Published: March 2021

The rate of mRNA translation depends on the initiation, elongation, and termination rates of ribosomes along the mRNA. These rates depend on many “local” factors like the abundance of free ribosomes and tRNA molecules in the vicinity of the mRNA molecule. All these factors are stochastic and their experimental measurements are also noisy. An important question is how protein production in the cell is affected by this considerable variability. We develop a new theoretical framework for addressing this question by modeling the rates as identically and independently distributed random variables and using tools from random matrix theory to analyze the steady-state production rate. The analysis reveals a principle of universality: the average protein production rate depends only on the of the set of possible values that the random variable may attain. This explains how total protein production can be stabilized despite the overwhelming stochasticticity underlying cellular processes.
A robot-aided visuomotor wrist training induces gains in proprioceptive and movement accuracy in the contralateral wrist
Authors: Wang Yizhao , Zhu Huiying , Elangovan Naveen , Cappello Leonardo , Sandini Giulio , Masia Lorenzo , Konczak Jürgen
Published: March 2021

Proprioceptive training is a neurorehabilitation approach known to improve proprioceptive acuity and motor performance of a joint/limb system. Here, we examined if such learning transfers to the contralateral joints. Using a robotic exoskeleton, 15 healthy, right-handed adults (18–35 years) trained a visuomotor task that required making increasingly small wrist movements challenging proprioceptive function. Wrist position sense just-noticeable-difference thresholds (JND) and spatial movement accuracy error (MAE) in a wrist-pointing task that was not trained were assessed before and immediately as well as 24 h after training. The main results are: first, training reduced JND thresholds (− 27%) and MAE (− 33%) in the trained right wrist. Sensory and motor gains were observable 24 h after training. Second, in the untrained left wrist, mean JND significantly decreased (− 32%) at posttest. However, at retention the effect was no longer significant. Third, motor error at the untrained wrist declined slowly. Gains were not significant at posttest, but MAE was significantly reduced (− 27%) at retention. This study provides first evidence that proprioceptive-focused visuomotor training can induce proprioceptive and motor gains not only in the trained joint but also in the contralateral, homologous joint. We discuss the possible neurophysiological mechanism behind such sensorimotor transfer and its implications for neurorehabilitation.
Associations between dog keeping and indoor dust microbiota
Authors: Mäki Jenni M. , Kirjavainen Pirkka V. , Täubel Martin , Piippo-Savolainen Eija , Backman Katri , Hyvärinen Anne , Tuoresmäki Pauli , Jayaprakash Balamuralikrishna , Heinrich Joachim , Herberth Gunda , Standl Marie , Pekkanen Juha , Karvonen Anne M.
Published: March 2021

Living with dogs appears to protect against allergic diseases and airway infections, an effect possibly linked with immunomodulation by microbial exposures associated with dogs. The aim of this study was to characterize the influence of dog ownership on house dust microbiota composition. The bacterial and fungal microbiota was characterized with Illumina MiSeq sequencing from floor dust samples collected from homes in a Finnish rural-suburban (LUKAS2, N = 182) birth cohort, and the results were replicated in a German urban (LISA, N = 284) birth cohort. Human associated bacteria variable was created by summing up the relative abundances of five bacterial taxa. Bacterial richness, Shannon index and the relative abundances of seven bacterial genera, mostly within the phyla Proteobacteria and Firmicutes, were significantly higher in the dog than in the non-dog homes, whereas the relative abundance of human associated bacteria was lower. The results were largely replicated in LISA. Fungal microbiota richness and abundance of Leucosporidiella genus were higher in dog homes in LUKAS2 and the latter association replicated in LISA. Our study confirms that dog ownership is reproducibly associated with increased bacterial richness and diversity in house dust and identifies specific dog ownership-associated genera. Dogs appeared to have more limited influence on the fungal than bacterial indoor microbiota.
Random and combinatorial mutagenesis for improved total production of secretory target protein in Escherichia coli
Authors: Gonzalez-Perez David , Ratcliffe James , Tan Shu Khan , Wong Mary Chen May , Yee Yi Pei , Nyabadza Natsai , Xu Jian-He , Wong Tuck Seng , Tee Kang Lan
Published: March 2021

Signal peptides and secretory carrier proteins are commonly used to secrete heterologous recombinant protein in Gram-negative bacteria. The Escherichia coli osmotically-inducible protein Y (OsmY) is a carrier protein that secretes a target protein extracellularly, and we have previously applied it in the Bacterial Extracellular Protein Secretion System (BENNY) to accelerate directed evolution. In this study, we reported the first application of random and combinatorial mutagenesis on a carrier protein to enhance total secretory target protein production. After one round of random mutagenesis followed by combining the mutations found, OsmY(M3) (L6P, V43A, S154R, V191E) was identified as the best carrier protein. OsmY(M3) produced 3.1 ± 0.3 fold and 2.9 ± 0.8 fold more secretory Tfu0937 β-glucosidase than its wildtype counterpart in E. coli strains BL21(DE3) and C41(DE3), respectively. OsmY(M3) also produced more secretory Tfu0937 at different cultivation temperatures (37 °C, 30 °C and 25 °C) compared to the wildtype. Subcellular fractionation of the expressed protein confirmed the essential role of OsmY in protein secretion. Up to 80.8 ± 12.2% of total soluble protein was secreted after 15 h of cultivation. When fused to a red fluorescent protein or a lipase from Bacillus subtillis, OsmY(M3) also produced more secretory protein compared to the wildtype. In this study, OsmY(M3) variant improved the extracellular production of three proteins originating from diverse organisms and with diverse properties, clearly demonstrating its wide-ranging applications. The use of random and combinatorial mutagenesis on the carrier protein demonstrated in this work can also be further extended to evolve other signal peptides or carrier proteins for secretory protein production in E. coli.
Association of maternal gut microbiota and plasma metabolism with congenital heart disease in offspring: a multi-omic analysis
Authors: Wang Tingting , Chen Lizhang , Huang Peng , Yang Tubao , Zhang Senmao , Zhao Lijuan , Chen Letao , Ye Ziwei , Luo Liu , Qin Jiabi
Published: March 2021

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common congenital disorder diagnosed in newborns. Although lots of related studies have been published, yet the pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated. A growing body of evidence indicates perturbations of the gut microbiota may contribute in a significant way to the development of obesity and diabetes. Given that maternal obesity and diabetes are well-known risk factors for CHD, maternal gut microbiota may be considered as one of the environmental factors involved in the pathogenesis of CHD. The object of this study is to explore the association between maternal gut microbiota and risk of congenital heart disease (CHD) in offspring, as well as the possible mechanisms linking gut microbiota and disease risk. A case–control study was conducted in mothers of infants with CHD (n = 101) and mothers of infants without CHD (n = 95). By applying 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metabolic approaches to 196 stool and plasma samples, we determined microbiome and metabolome profiles in mothers of infants with CHD and controls, and their association with risk of CHD in offspring. The gut microbiome of mothers of infants with CHD was characterized with lower alpha-diversity and distinct overall microbial composition compared with mothers of infants without CHD. A distinct different metabolic profile was found between mothers of infants with CHD and controls. After controlling for the possible confounders, thirty-four bacterial genera and fifty-three plasma metabolites showed distinct abundances between the two groups. The results of the Spearman correlation analyses revealed a great number of significant correlations between the abundant bacterial genera and differentially expressed metabolites. In particular, the genusBifidobacteriumandStreptococcusshowed comparable moderate positive correlations with a range of metabolites that involved in lipid metabolism pathway. Our findings suggest that perturbations of maternal gut microbiota and plasma metabolites may be associated with risk of CHD in offspring, and co-variation between microbiota and metabolites may play a part in the linkage between gut microbiota and risk of CHD in offspring.
Investigation of the relationships between the alveograph parameters
Authors: Jødal Anne-Sophie Schou , Larsen Kim Lambertsen
Published: March 2021

Alveograph analysis is an established method for flour characterisation, and several alveograph parameters have been introduced over the years. Typically, ten parameters are found for every analysis from the air pressure curve in the modern versions of the alveograph, but the relationships between the parameters and their potential redundancy are not well described in the literature. In this work, an overview of the parameters is provided, including how they are found and what they may represent, and the integral relationship between the parameters was investigated using Pearson correlation analysis of the parameters from 532 pressure curves. The parameters G (swelling index), Dmax (maximum of first derivative), SH (strain hardening index) and K (strength coefficient) exhibited very strong correlations with other alveograph parameters (r > 0.97), and these parameters do therefore not provide additional information. The parameters P (maximum overpressure), L (abscissa at rupture), W (deformation energy), P/L (configuration ratio), Ie (elasticity index) and Dmin (minimum of first derivative) on the other hand, represent a relatively basic set of parameters that uniquely characterises various parts of the pressure curves and thus the dough rheology/physics during dough inflation. Nevertheless, even between this basic set of parameters relatively strong correlations were found, signifying that they are interrelated, as they all are affected by changes in the dough constituents.
Predictive and prognostic transcriptomic biomarkers in soft tissue sarcomas
Authors: Merry Eve , Thway Khin , Jones Robin L. , Huang Paul H.
Published: March 2021

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are rare and heterogeneous tumours comprising over 80 different histological subtypes. Treatment options remain limited in advanced STS with high rates of recurrence following resection of localised disease. Prognostication in clinical practice relies predominantly on histological grading systems as well as sarcoma nomograms. Rapid developments in gene expression profiling technologies presented opportunities for applications in sarcoma. Molecular profiling of sarcomas has improved our understanding of the cancer biology of these rare cancers and identified potential novel therapeutic targets. In particular, transcriptomic signatures could play a role in risk classification in sarcoma to aid prognostication. Unlike other solid and haematological malignancies, transcriptomic signatures have not yet reached routine clinical use in sarcomas. Herein, we evaluate early developments in gene expression profiling in sarcomas that laid the foundations for transcriptomic signature development. We discuss the development and clinical evaluation of key transcriptomic biomarker signatures in sarcomas, including Complexity INdex in SARComas (CINSARC), Genomic Grade Index, and hypoxia-associated signatures. Prospective validation of these transcriptomic signatures is required, and prospective trials are in progress to evaluate reliability for clinical application. We anticipate that integration of these gene expression signatures alongside existing prognosticators and other Omics methodologies, including proteomics and DNA methylation analysis, could improve the identification of ‘high-risk’ patients who would benefit from more aggressive or selective treatment strategies. Moving forward, the incorporation of these transcriptomic prognostication signatures in clinical practice will undoubtedly advance precision medicine in the routine clinical management of sarcoma patients.
Research progress on the potential delaying skin aging effect and mechanism of tea for oral and external use
Authors: Feng Meiyan , Zheng Xin , Wan Juan , Pan Wenjing , Xie Xinya , Hu Baozhu , Wang Yingzi , Wen Haitao , Cai Shuxian
Published: March 2021

Tea for oral and external use can anti-UV, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, inhibit the aging of extracellular matrix, balance intestinal and skin microorganisms, improve mood and sleep, and fundamentally make the skin healthy and natural aging.
Phycocyanobilin is the molecule responsible for the nephroprotective action of phycocyanin in acute kidney injury caused by mercury
Authors: Garcia-Pliego Erick , Franco-Colin Margarita , Rojas-Franco Plácido , Blas-Valdivia Vanessa , Serrano-Contreras Jose Ivan , Pentón-Rol Giselle , Cano-Europa Edgar
Published: March 2021

C-Phycocyanin (CPC) exerts therapeutic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory actions.
Cardamonin protects nucleus pulposus cells against IL-1β-induced inflammation and catabolismviaNrf2/NF-κB axis
Authors: Xie Chenglong , Ma Haiwei , Shi Yifeng , Li Junli , Wu Hongqiang , Wang Ben , Shao Zhenxuan , Huang Chongan , Chen Jiaoxiang , Sun Liaojun , Zhou Yifei , Tian Naifeng , Wu Yaosen , Gao Weiyang , Wu Aimin , Wang Xiangyang , Zhang Xiaolei
Published: March 2021

IL-1β promotes inflammatory response and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation through NF-κB signaling pathway; while cardamonin attenuates the inflammatory response and ECM degradation by suppressing NF-κB signaling pathwayviaNrf2/HO-1 axis.
Nano-bio interface between human plasma and niosomes with different formulations indicates protein corona patterns for nanoparticle cell targeting and uptake
Authors: Imperlini Esther , Celia Christian , Cevenini Armando , Mandola Annalisa , Raia Maddalena , Fresta Massimo , Orrù Stefania , Di Marzio Luisa , Salvatore Francesco
Published: March 2021

Polysorbate effects on nano-bio interactions: niosome (NIO) formulations containing Tween 20 and 21 (TW20/21) and cholesterol are promising drug delivery systems.
Is centrifugal ultrafiltration a robust method for determining encapsulation efficiency of pesticide nanoformulations?
Authors: López-Cabeza Rocío , Kah Melanie , Grillo Renato , Bílková Zuzana , Hofman Jakub
Published: March 2021

Encapsulation efficiency of nanoformulated pesticides is often determined by centrifugal ultrafiltration.
Mechanically tough yet self-healing transparent conductive elastomers obtained using a synergic dual cross-linking strategy
Authors: Zhang Qiankun , Chen Guangxue , Li Ren'ai , Lin Liang , He Minghui
Published: March 2021

A tough yet self-healing transparent conductive elastomer was synthesized by introducing Al(iii)-carboxyl complexes into photo-polymerizable deep eutectic solvent (PDES).
Antibody- and aptamer-based competitive fluorescence polarization/anisotropy assays for ochratoxin A with tetramethylrhodamine-labeled ochratoxin A
Authors: Li Yapiao , Zhao Qiang
Published: March 2021

Competitive fluorescence anisotropy assays of ochratoxin A (OTA) using a tetramethylrhodamine (TMR)-labeled OTA probe and the affinity ligands (antibody or aptamer).
Synthesis and characterization of a pH-responsive mesalazine-polynorbornene supramolecular assembly
Authors: Farkas Vajk , Turczel Gábor , Deme János , Domján Attila , Trif László , Mirzaei Anvar , Vu Hai Dang , Nagyházi Márton , Kéki Sándor , Huszthy Péter , Tuba Róbert
Published: March 2021

A pH-responsive mesalazine (anti-inflammatory drug for Crohn's disease)–crown ether and perfluoro tert-butyl functionalized polynorbornene supramolecular assembly has been prepared for targeted drug delivery.
Robust magnetic anisotropy of a monolayer of hexacoordinate Fe(ii) complexes assembled on Cu(111)
Authors: Kelai Massine , Cahier Benjamin , Atanasov Mihail , Neese Frank , Tong Yongfeng , Zhang Luqiong , Bellec Amandine , Iasco Olga , Rivière Eric , Guillot Régis , Chacon Cyril , Girard Yann , Lagoute Jérôme , Rousset Sylvie , Repain Vincent , Otero Edwige , Arrio Marie-Anne , Sainctavit Philippe , Barra Anne-Laure , Boillot Marie-Laure , Mallah Talal
Published: March 2021

The tris pyrazolyl borate ligand imposes a rigid scaffold around Fe(ii) ensuring a robust magnetic anisotropy when the molecules assembled as monolayers suffer from the dissymmetric environment of the substrate/vacuum interface.
The effect of pH and transition metal ions on cysteine-assisted gold aggregation for a distinct colorimetric response
Authors: Thuy Nguyen Trang Thi , Han Olivia A. , Lim Eun Bi , Haam Seungjoo , Park Joon-Seo , Lee Sang-Wha
Published: March 2021

Divalent transition metal ions facilitated the aggregation of gold nanoparticles: Fe2+ < Ni2+ < Zn2+ < Co2+ ≪ Mn2+ < Cu2+ at pH 7. The optimized AuNPs-Cu2+ system produced the progressive color change upon the addition of cysteine (0.2–2.0 μM).
Hybrid structure of MWCNT/ferrite and GO incorporated composites for microwave shielding properties and their practical applications
Authors: Kumar Sumit , Walia Rajan , Kumar Ashwani , Verma Vivek
Published: March 2021

To eliminate the increasing adverse effects of electromagnetic pollution in everyday life, the shielding abilities of ferrite nanoparticles, multiwalled carbon nanotubes, and graphene oxide based hybrid composites have been investigated.
Reversible metathesis of ammonia in an acyclic germylene–Ni0 complex
Authors: Keil Philip M. , Szilvási Tibor , Hadlington Terrance J.
Published: March 2021

Chelating single-centre ambiphile ligands based upon low-coordinate, acyclic germylenes have been developed, remaining highly Lewis acidic even when bound to Ni0, remarkably allowing for the reversible metathesis of the N–H bonds in ammonia at GeII.
Photoactive electron donor–acceptor complex platform for Ni-mediated C(sp3)–C(sp2) bond formation
Authors: Kammer Lisa Marie , Badir Shorouk O. , Hu Ren-Ming , Molander Gary A.
Published: March 2021

This works demonstrates the implementation of an electron donor–acceptor (EDA) complex platform toward Ni-catalyzed C(sp3)–C(sp2) bond formation, circumventing the need for exogenous photocatalysts, additives, and stoichiometric metal reductants.
Minimization of ion transport resistance: diblock copolymer micelle derived nitrogen-doped hierarchically porous carbon spheres for superior rate and power Zn-ion capacitors
Authors: Huang Jun , Wang Li , Peng Zhongyou , Peng Mengke , Li Longbin , Tang Xiannong , Xu Yazhou , Tan Licheng , Yuan Kai , Chen Yiwang
Published: March 2021

N-doped hierarchically porous carbon spheres are fabricated for Zn-ion capacitors, and they possess isotropic Zn2+diffusion routes and abundant active sites, resulting in minimized transport resistance for fast Zn2+storage and high capacity.
Thermal flows in fractured porous media
Authors: Gruais Isabelle , Poliševski Dan
Published: March 2021

We consider the thermal flow problem occuring in a fractured porous medium. The incompressible filtration flow in the porous matrix and the viscous flow in the fractures obey the Boussinesq approximation of Darcy-Forchheimer law and respectively, the Stokes system. They are coupled by the Saffman’s variant of the Beavers–Joseph condition. Existence and uniqueness properties are presented. The use of the energy norm in describing the Darcy-Forchheimer law proves to be appropriate. In theε-periodic framework, we find the two-scale homogenized system which governs their asymptotic behaviours whenε→ 0 and the Forchheimer effect vanishes. The limit problem is mainly a model of two coupled thermal flows, neither of them being incompressible.
Method for reducing waveform distortion by increasing damping strength for electromagnetic vibrators
Authors: Zhang Lu , Qiu Yuntao , Chen Liang , Zhang Ning , Liu Xikai , Liu Xiangdong
Published: March 2021

Voice coil motors are frequently used as force drivers in electromagnetic vibrators. As a constant current is applied, the generated driving force is not constant but varies with displacement due to the inhomogeneous magnetic field within the stroke range. When a sinusoidal current is applied to the voice coil motors, the above effect can lead to a severe waveform distortion on the output acceleration. In order to find an effective method to reduce it, a general nonlinear dynamic model has been established and analyzed with a focus on the effect of the damping strength of the vibrator on the waveform distortion. The numerical calculations show that the waveform distortion can be efficiently reduced by increasing the damping strength under various working conditions. Based on these results, an eddy current damper (ECD) was designed with a maximized damping coefficient and applied to our home-made vibrator. Once the ECD is incorporated, the waveform distortion of the output acceleration is significantly reduced, which validates our modeling.
Self-referenced plasmonic biosensor with gold grating on thin gold film
Authors: Su Yue , Geng Zhaoxin , Lv Xiaoqing , Fang Weihao , Wang Shicai , Ma Zhengtai , Pei Weihua
Published: March 2021

Surface plasmon resonance sensors based on grating coupling exhibiting two resonant wavelengths are less observed because usually thick metal films are used. In this paper, we propose gold gratings on a gold film with two narrow reflection dips. One is sensitive to the refractive index (RI) of the cover media with a sensitivity of 720 nm/RIU. However, the other is sensitive to the RI of the substrate, and hence, it can be used as a reference dip. This self-referenced sensor significantly reduces the error contributions of the light intensity fluctuations and temperature variation. Moreover, the electric field is stronger with less decay length than that of gold gratings without gold film. Therefore, gold gratings with a gold film are more suitable to be a biosensor. Besides, we also investigate the structure parameters (the thickness of the gold film, the thickness and width of gold gratings, and the RI of the substrate) on the reflection spectra.
The effects of pre-equilibrium emission and secondary decay on the determination of freeze-out volume at intermediate energies *
Authors: Duan Hui-Xiao , Zhang Dong-Hai , Zhang Fan , Wu Hai-Shun
Published: March 2021

The effects of pre-equilibrium emission and secondary decay on the determination of the freeze-out volume are investigated using the isospin-dependent quantum molecular dynamics model accompanied by the statistical decay model GEMINI. Small-mass projectiles and large-mass targets with central collisions are studied at intermediate energies. It is revealed that the proton yields of pre-equilibrium emission are smaller than those of secondary decay. However, the determination of the freeze-out volume from the proton yields is more easily affected by pre-equilibrium emission. Moreover, the percentage of proton yields in the freeze-out stage is found to be approximately 50%.
Application of microbial huff and puff technology in enhancing oil recovery in Weixing oilfield
Authors: Yuting Gao
Published: March 2021

After a long term of water flooding, the near well area of Weixing oilfield was blocked by a large amount of colloids, asphaltenes and waxes, resulting in a decline in oil well production. It is urgent to explore new technologies to slow the decline of production and increase the production per well. The results of microbial reservoir adaptability evaluation show that the microbial huff and puff test is suitable for Weixing oilfield. 5 pilot test Wells were selected under the well selection principle, and the compatibility of bacillus subtilis SL-2 with native reservoir bacteria and the emulsifying effect on crude oil were evaluated. The corresponding huff and puff scheme is designed according to the production status, pay-zone thickness, treatment radius and porosity. After microbial huff and puff, the daily liquid production increased from 28.2 t/d to 63.4 t/d, the oil production increased from 9.7 t/d to 25.0 t/d. Throughput is valid for 240 days, the cumulative oil production of five wells was2048 t, and the economic benefit was good. After resuming production, the bacterial concentration of the produced liquid rose significantly to more than 107 cfu/mL, indicating that the injected microbial strain grew well in the target reservoir and had good oil-increasing potential.
Study of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in the land of mangrove sediments in ecotourism area Wonorejo Surabaya and coastal area of Jenu Tuban
Authors: Pradipta N , Alamsjah M A , Masithah E D
Published: March 2021

The mangrove forest is one of the wealth of natural resources in Indonesia. Based on data from the Ministry of Environment in 2006 that the Indonesian mangrove forest area reached 4.3 million hectares. Nutrient element N (nitrogen) and P (phosphorus) is an element that affect the growth of mangroves. The element nitrogen affect amount of photosynthesis that occurs in mangrove. Low uptake of phosphorus can cause plant tissue volume becomes smaller and the leaf color becomes darker. This study aims to measure the concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus in soil sediments obtained from the mangrove Ecotourism Wonorejo Surabaya and coastal Jenu Tuban. This research uses descriptive method through field surveys by sampling. Sampling was carried out at six points in each region. The results of this study showed that the highest nitrogen content was at the point A4 coastal areas Jenu Tuban is 40.86%, while the lowest nitrogen content is at the point B3 Ecotourism Mangrove Wonorejo Surabaya is 31.55%. Phosphorous levels are at their highest A6 coastal areas Jenu Tuban is 0.043 ppm, while the phosphorus content is in the lowest point of the region B3 Ecotourism Mangrove Wonorejo Surabaya is 0,021 ppm.
Visualizing UML’s Sequence and Class Diagrams Using Graph-Based Clusters
Authors: Sharma Nakul , Yalla Prasanth
Published: March 2021

The paper discusses the creation of UML diagram based recommendation system using java and class files as the input. The existing systems do not make use of techniques available in text-mining for creating UML diagrams. The overall methodology makes use of keyphrase extraction, contextual similarity calculation, and graph-based clusters in creating UML diagrams. The existing systems survey of state-of-art UML diagram generation techniques and keyphrase extraction survey is also provided. A comparative analysis of the existing tools for generating UML-diagrams is also provided. The recommendation system generated is useful to maintenance engineers and software developers.
Dielectric properties of solid solutions in a PFN-based system
Authors: Glazunova E V , Verbenko I A , Shilkina l A , Nagaenko A V , Reznichenko L A
Published: March 2021

The results of X-ray diffraction analysis of the solid solutions in the (1-x)Pb(Fe1/2Nb1/2)O3–xPb(Fe2/3W1/3)O3 systems with x = 0.0÷0.5, investigating their microstructure and measurements of dielectric characteristics are presented in this paper. The critical influence of Pb(Fe2/3Wy1/3)O3 on the crystallization of solid solutions and the nature of grain boundaries is established. A sintering mechanism of the solid solutions is defined. Correlations between the dynamics of the crystalline and grain structures and the dielectric properties of investigating solid solutions are established.
Reasons for discontinuing oral anticoagulation therapy for atrial fibrillation: a systematic review
Authors: Buck Jackie , Fromings Hill Julia , Martin Alison , Springate Cassandra , Ghosh Bikramaditya , Ashton Rachel , Lee Gerry , Orlowski Andrzei
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and can lead to significant comorbidities and mortality. Persistence with oral anticoagulation (OAC) is crucial to prevent stroke but rates of discontinuation are high. This systematic review explored underlying reasons for OAC discontinuation.

Methods

A systematic review was undertaken to identify studies that reported factors influencing discontinuation of OAC in AF, in 11 databases, grey literature and backwards citations from eligible studies published between 2000 and 2019. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts and papers against inclusion criteria and extracted data. Study quality was appraised using Gough’s weight of evidence framework. Data were synthesised narratively.

Results

Of 6,619 sources identified, 10 full studies and 2 abstracts met the inclusion criteria. Overall, these provided moderate appropriateness to answer the review question. Four reported clinical registry data, six were retrospective reviews of patients’ medical records and two studies reported interviews and surveys. Nine studies evaluated outcomes relating to dabigatran and/or warfarin and three included rivaroxaban (n = 3), apixaban (n = 3) and edoxaban (n = 1). Bleeding complications and gastrointestinal events were the most common factors associated with discontinuation, followed by frailty and risk of falling. Patients’ perspectives were seldom specifically assessed. Influence of family carers in decisions regarding OAC discontinuation was not examined.

Conclusion

The available evidence is derived from heterogeneous studies with few relevant data for the newer direct oral anticoagulants. Reasons underpinning decision-making to discontinue OAC from the perspective of patients, family carers and clinicians is poorly understood.
Epidemiology and Risk Factors for Healthcare-Associated Viral Infections in Children
Authors: Hanley Samantha , Odeniyi Folasade , Feemster Kristen , Coffin Susan E , Sammons Julia S
Published: March 2021

Background

Healthcare-associated viral infections (HA-VIs) are common in hospitalized children and are increasingly recognized as a cause of preventable harm; however, the epidemiology and modifiable risk factors for pediatric HA-VIs are poorly understood.

Methods

We performed a retrospective case-control study to identify risk factors and outcomes associated with pediatric HA-VIs at a quaternary care children’s hospital. HA-VI surveillance was performed hospital-wide using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) definitions. We abstracted data from the electronic medical record and conducted semi-structured interviews with patient caregivers to identify potential exposures 4 days before the HA-VI onset.

Results

During the 20-month study period, we identified 143 eligible patients with HA-VIs and enrolled 64 matched case-control pairs. In total, 79 viruses were identified among 64 case patients. During the exposure period, case, as compared with control, patients were more frequently exposed to a sick visitor (odds ratio = 5.19; P = .05). During the 7 days after the HA-VI onset, case, as compared with control, patients had a greater length of antibacterial therapy per patient-days (mean 411 vs 159) as well as greater days of antibacterial therapy per patient-days (mean 665 vs 247).

Conclusions

The results of this study show that exposure to a sick visitor is a potentially modifiable risk factor for pediatric HA-VIs. Hospitalized children with HA-VIs also have increased exposure to antibacterial agents when compared with matched controls. Our findings suggest that hospital policies may need to be revised, with emphasis on visitor screening and partnership with families, to reduce the incidence of pediatric HA-VIs during hospitalization.
EU Competition Law and Economics
Authors: Geradin Damien , Layne-Farrar Anne , Petit Nicolas
Published: March 2021

This EU competition law treatise fully integrates economic reasoning in its treatment of the decisional practice of the European Commission and the case-law of the European Court of Justice. Since the European Commission's move to a “more economic approach” to competition law reasoning and decisional practice, the use of economic argument in competition law cases has become a stricter requirement. Many national competition authorities are also increasingly moving away from a legalistic analysis of a firm's conduct to an effect-based analysis of such conduct, indeed most competition cases today involve teams composed of lawyers and industrial organisation economists. Ensuring an integrated approach to legal and economic analysis, the book contains economic reasoning throughout in accessible form, and, more pertinently for practitioners, examines economics in the light of how it is used and put to effect in the courts and decision-making institutions of the EU. A general introductory section sets EU competition law in its historical context. The second chapter goes on to explore the economic foundations of EU competition law. What follows is an integrated treatment of each of the core substantive areas of EU competition law, including Article 101 TFEU, Article 102 TFEU, mergers, cartels and other horizontal agreements, vertical restraints, and technology transfer agreements.
Scope of Application of International Humanitarian Law
Authors: Fleck Dieter
Published: March 2021

This chapter addresses the scope of application of international humanitarian law. International humanitarian law regulates, and as a rule applies in times of, armed conflicts. Accordingly, it is also referred to as the law of armed conflict or jus in bello. The three interchangeable terms denote the only branch of public international law that is specifically designed to strike a balance during armed conflicts between preserving humanitarian values, on the one hand, and considerations of military necessity, on the other by protecting those who do not or no longer directly participate in hostilities and by limiting the right of parties to the conflict to use armed force only to the amount necessary to achieve the aim of the conflict, which is to weaken the military potential of the enemy. While international humanitarian law specifically regulates situations of armed conflicts, it does not automatically supersede all other areas of public international law in the event of an armed conflict. The chapter then focuses on the law enforcement aspects, the continued relevance of rules of international law of peace during armed conflict, and the relevance of humanitarian law in peacetime and post-conflict military operations.