bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring biological possibility through synthetic biology
Authors: Ijäs Tero , Koskinen Rami
Published: April 2021

This paper analyzes the notion of possibility in biology and demonstrates how synthetic biology can provide understanding on the modal dimension of biological systems. Among modal concepts, biological possibility has received surprisingly little explicit treatment in the philosophy of science. The aim of this paper is to argue for the importance of the notion of biological possibility by showing how it provides both a philosophically and biologically fruitful category as well as introducing a new practically grounded way for its assessment. More precisely, we argue that synthetic biology can provide tools to scientifically anchor reasoning about biological possibilities. Two prominent strategies for this are identified and analyzed: the designof functionally new-to-nature systems and the redesignof naturally occurring systems and their parts. These approaches allow synthetic biologists to explore systems that are not normally evolutionarily accessible and draw modal inferences that extend in scope beyond their token realizations. Subsequently, these results in synthetic biology can also be relevant for discussions on evolutionary contingency, providing new methods and insight to the study of various sources of unactualized possibilities in biology.
Water-based lubrication of niobium nitride
Authors: Miao Kaifei , Wang Jia , Zhao Qiang , Wang Kaiwen , Wen Mao , Zhang Kan
Published: April 2021

Water-based lubrication has attracted wide attention as an oil-free lubrication method owing to its greener and cleaner lubrication means. However, due to operating in the water environment, most moving parts would inevitably suffer from abrasion, rusting, and aging problems. Developing a novel solid-water composite system with ultra-low friction and wear will open new possibilities for innovative lubrication material research and development. Here, we first revealed the water-based lubrication behavior of a high-hardness niobium nitride coating (NbN). In a three-phase contact environment (water, air, and NbN), oxidation and hydrolytic reactions of NbN result in the formation of “colloidal solutions”, containing Nb2O5 colloidal particles between the tribo-pairs. Utilizing the double electric layer repulsion and weak shear action of the “colloidal solution”, NbN achieves ultra-low friction and wear; the corresponding values are as low as 0.058 and 1.79 × 10−10 mm3·N−1·m−1, respectively. In addition, other VB transition metal nitrides (VB TMNs) exhibit the same low friction feature as NbN in the three-phase contact environment; the friction coefficients are even lower than those in an oil-based environment. The water-based lubrication of VB TMNs provides a new reliable scheme for optimizing solid-water composite lubrication systems without additives and is expected to be applied in environments with high humidity or insufficient water coverage.
Subsidy strategy of sharing logistics platform
Authors: Cai Yingzhen , Bai Lan , Jiang Fan , Yin Shi
Published: April 2021

Sharing logistics platform can effectively realize the sharing of idle logistics resources and maximize the utility of logistics resources utilization by publishing and matching the supply and demand information of logistics resource. For sharing logistics platform, subsidy strategy plays a significant role in winning market competition. Therefore, how to establish an effective subsidy scheme is a burning issue. By analyzing the problems in the transaction orders of drivers and consignor on the sharing logistics platform, this paper estimates the subsidy strategy on the following three aspects: (1) establish a dynamic model of freight supply and demand matching according to the freight cost and determine the impact of different subsidy policies on the platform usage; (2) evaluate the solution of different subsidy policies to the matching problem of vehicles and goods, and determine the optimal subsidy scheme based on the evaluation results; (3) establish the subsidy model based on platform maximum benefit and social welfare optimization and analyze a practical case of "Huochebang" (a Sharing logistics platform). The analysis results show that the model constructed in this paper can be well applied to the subsidy problem of sharing logistics platform and assist the platform to establish the most suitable subsidy policy to achieve the optimal economic benefits.
Effect of bimodal powder blends on part density and melt pool fluctuation in laser powder bed fusion
Authors: Haferkamp Lukas , Liechti Simon , Spierings Adriaan , Wegener Konrad
Published: April 2021

The final part density in laser powder bed fusion is influenced by the powder particle size distribution. Too fine powders are not spreadable, and too coarse powders cause porosity. Powder blends, especially bimodal ones, can exhibit higher packing densities and changes in flowability compared to their monomodal constituents. These properties can influence final part density. Therefore, the influence of bimodal powder on final part density was investigated. Two gas atomized 316L (1.4404) powders with a D50 of 20.3 µm and 60.3 µm were blended at weight ratios of 3:1, 1:1, and 1:3, and the original and blended powders were processed. The results show that the final part porosity increases almost linearly with an increasing volume fraction of coarse powder. Furthermore, the final part density is independent of powder bulk density and flowability. Measurements of the top surface show that an increase of part porosity by coarse powder is caused by an increase in melt pool fluctuation, which in turn causes irregular solidified scan tracks. Additionally, the results show that the powder segregation during coating is stronger for the bimodal powder; however, no influence of the segregation on the part density could be found.
An obstacles avoidance method for serial manipulator based on reinforcement learning and Artificial Potential Field
Authors: Li Haoxuan , Gong Daoxiong , Yu Jianjun
Published: April 2021

The obstacles avoidance of manipulator is a hot issue in the field of robot control. Artificial Potential Field Method (APFM) is a widely used obstacles avoidance path planning method, which has prominent advantages. However, APFM also has some shortcomings, which include the inefficiency of avoiding obstacles close to target or dynamic obstacles. In view of the shortcomings of APFM, Reinforcement Learning (RL) only needs an automatic learning model to continuously improve itself in the specified environment, which makes it capable of optimizing APFM theoretically. In this paper, we introduce an approach hybridizing RL and APFM to solve those problems. We define the concepts of Distance reinforcement factors (DRF) and Force reinforcement factors (FRF) to make RL and APFM integrated more effectively. We disassemble the reward function of RL into two parts through DRF and FRF, and make them activate in different situations to optimize APFM. Our method can obtain better obstacles avoidance performance through finding the optimal strategy by RL, and the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is verified by multiple sets of simulation experiments, comparative experiments and physical experiments in different types of obstacles. Our approach is superior to traditional APFM and the other improved APFM method in avoiding collisions and approaching obstacles avoidance. At the same time, physical experiments verify the practicality of the proposed algorithm.
FINDING THE LIMIT OF INCOMPLETENESS I
Authors: CHENG YONG
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we examine the limit of applicability of Gödel’s first incompleteness theorem ($\textsf {G1}$ for short). We first define the notion “$\textsf {G1}$ holds for the theory $T$”. This paper is motivated by the following question: can we find a theory with a minimal degree of interpretation for which $\textsf {G1}$ holds. To approach this question, we first examine the following question: is there a theory T such that Robinson’s $\mathbf {R}$ interprets T but T does not interpret $\mathbf {R}$ (i.e., T is weaker than $\mathbf {R}$ w.r.t. interpretation) and $\textsf {G1}$ holds for T? In this paper, we show that there are many such theories based on Jeřábek’s work using some model theory. We prove that for each recursively inseparable pair $\langle A,B\rangle $, we can construct a r.e. theory $U_{\langle A,B\rangle }$ such that $U_{\langle A,B\rangle }$ is weaker than $\mathbf {R}$ w.r.t. interpretation and $\textsf {G1}$ holds for $U_{\langle A,B\rangle }$. As a corollary, we answer a question from Albert Visser. Moreover, we prove that for any Turing degree $\mathbf {0}< \mathbf {d}<\mathbf {0}^{\prime }$, there is a theory T with Turing degree $\mathbf {d}$ such that $\textsf {G1}$ holds for T and T is weaker than $\mathbf {R}$ w.r.t. Turing reducibility. As a corollary, based on Shoenfield’s work using some recursion theory, we show that there is no theory with a minimal degree of Turing reducibility for which $\textsf {G1}$ holds.
ATTIS ON OGYGIA: CATULLUS’ CARMEN 63 AND THE ODYSSEY
Authors: Kozlowski Jan M.
Published: April 2021

Scholars have long noticed a similarity of motifs between Catullus’ Carmen 63 and the fifth book of the Odyssey, where the story of Odysseus’ captivity on Ogygia is narrated. A detailed analysis of the poems shows that Catullus wanted the reader to see in this Homeric episode a kind of matrix for the interpretation of Attis’ sojourn at Cybele. The discovery of this dependence casts a light on some of the hitherto proposed interpretations of Carmen 63.
Economies of Prestige and the Editorial Program Era: Literary Sociology and Tim Groenland's The Art of Editing
Authors: KING DANIEL ROBERT
Published: April 2021

Tim Groenland's The Art of Editing is an exciting new addition to the field of literary sociology, making a valuable contribution to a discipline which has seen a resurgence since the turn of the millennium. In his seminal early work in the field, John Sutherland traces the origins of this kind of publishing history to Robert Escarpit's Sociology of Literature (1958), which he describes as the beginning of “modern, serious work” in considering the effects of the literary marketplace on the fiction of a particular era. However, it is the first two decades of the twenty-first century that have seen the most significant growth in sociological studies of literary production, a trend that Alan Liu calls “the resurgent history of the book.” This is a “resurgence” that Liu argues has resulted in “restoring to view … vital nodes in the circuit” of literary production, including “editors, publishers, translators, booksellers,” and many others. This recent growth in scholarly interest in the production and circulation of literary texts includes other significant figures such as James F. English, Mark McGurl, John B. Thompson, Loren Glass, Paul Crosthwaite, and David D. Hall.
A piercing story: ingestion of a grill wire brush bristle
Authors: Chen R , Koh J , Zhao Y C , Pudel E
Published: April 2021

Background

This paper reports the dangers of an ingested metal wire bristle from a barbeque brush, which resulted in oesophageal perforation.

Case report

A 49-year-old gentleman presented to the emergency department with foreign body sensation and odynophagia after having consumed barbequed lamb for lunch. Computed tomography of the neck demonstrated a thin linear opacity near the thoracic inlet. The object could not be visualised on emergent rigid oesophagoscopy. Subsequent neck exploration enabled localisation of a retropharyngeal abscess and a thin wire bristle from a barbeque brush.

Conclusion

Always consider the utensils employed in food preparation as a differential in ingested foreign bodies. Thin wire objects have a high propensity to migrate and result in complications, hence urgent intervention is vital.
Imperialism, Buddhism and Islam in Siam: Exploring the Buddhist secular in the Nangsue Sadaeng Kitchanukit, 1867
Authors: Streicher Ruth
Published: April 2021

This article argues for understanding the reform of the Buddhist tradition in nineteenth-century Siam as a shift towards a secular conceptual grammar, and positions this shift within the dual imperial context of Siam. The binary conceptual structure that can be traced in the Nangsue Sadaeng Kitchanukit (Elaboration on major and minor matters, 1867) also included an opposition between Buddhism and Islam, documenting not only the epistemic marks of the Christian missionary encounter, but also the inner-political imperial context of Siam's hegemony over the Islamic sultanate of Patani.
Soft drinks and premiums with children’s meals marketed on the websites of the top restaurant chains worldwide
Authors: Batada Ameena , Thomas Audrey E
Published: April 2021

Objective:

To assess the frequency with which soft drinks and premiums are available with children’s meals marketed on the top restaurant chains’ websites worldwide.

Design:

Cross-sectional structured observational assessment of secondary information about top international restaurant chain children’s meals.

Setting:

Websites of top restaurant chains for 193 countries and five regions of the United Nations.

Participants:

Top restaurant chains (including McDonald’s, Subway, Burger King and KFC) across 193 countries. Children’s meal images and descriptions were reviewed to determine if the meal was marketed with a soft drink as a beverage option and whether the meal offered a premium.

Results:

Children’s meals were marketed online on restaurant websites by at least one of the four chains in a total of seventy eight of the 193 countries (40·4 %). Overall, 56·3 % of countries with any online children’s meal marketing by the four chains included at least one chain that marketed soft drinks and 92·3 % marketed premiums with the meal.

Conclusions:

Every region in the world includes marketing of children’s meals on the websites of the top restaurant chains. The high prevalence of premiums marketed online with children’s meals is of concern. Similarly, with over 50 % of countries with online children’s meal marketing having at least one chain that offers soft drinks as part of the meals, additional regulation and education may be warranted.
Spatial and Temporal Variability of Iodine in Aerosol
Authors: Gómez Martín Juan Carlos , Saiz‐Lopez Alfonso , Cuevas Carlos A. , Fernandez Rafael P. , Gilfedder Benjamin , Weller Rolf , Baker Alex R. , Droste Elise , Lai Senchao
Published: April 2021

In this work, we describe the compilation and homogenization of an extensive data set of aerosol iodine field observations in the period between 1963 and 2018 and we discuss its spatial and temporal dependences by comparison with CAM‐Chem model simulations. A close to linear relationship between soluble and total iodine in aerosol is found (∼80% aerosol iodine is soluble), which enables converting a large subset of measurements of soluble iodine into total iodine. The resulting data set shows a distinct latitudinal dependence, with an enhancement toward the Northern Hemisphere (NH) tropics and lower values toward the poles. This behavior, which has been predicted by atmospheric models to depend on the global distribution of the main oceanic iodine source (which in turn depends on the reaction of ozone with aqueous iodide on the sea water‐air interface, generating gas‐phase I2 and HOI), is confirmed here by field observations for the first time. Longitudinally, there is some indication of a wave‐one profile in the tropics, which peaks in the Atlantic and shows a minimum in the Pacific. New data from Antarctica show that the south polar seasonal variation of iodine in aerosol mirrors that observed previously in the Arctic, with two equinoctial maxima and the dominant maximum occurring in spring. While no clear seasonal variability is observed in NH middle latitudes, there is an indication of different seasonal cycles in the NH tropical Atlantic and Pacific. Long‐term trends cannot be unambiguously established as a result of inhomogeneous time and spatial coverage and analytical methods.
Endogenous hormones and risk of invasive breast cancer in pre- and post-menopausal women: findings from the UK Biobank
Authors: Tin Tin Sandar , Reeves Gillian K. , Key Timothy J.
Published: April 2021

Background

Some endogenous hormones have been associated with breast cancer risk, but the nature of these relationships is not fully understood.

Methods

UK Biobank was used. Hormone concentrations were measured in serum collected in 2006–2010, and in a repeat subsample (N ~ 5000) in 2012–13. Incident cancers were identified through data linkage. Cox regression models were used, and hazard ratios (HRs) corrected for regression dilution bias.

Results

Among 30,565 pre-menopausal and 133,294 post-menopausal women, 527 and 2,997, respectively, were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer during a median follow-up of 7.1 years. Cancer risk was positively associated with testosterone in post-menopausal women (HR per 0.5 nmol/L increment: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.14, 1.23) but not in pre-menopausal women (pheterogeneity = 0.03), and with IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1) (HR per 5 nmol/L increment: 1.18; 1.02, 1.35 (pre-menopausal) and 1.07; 1.01, 1.12 (post-menopausal); pheterogeneity = 0.2), and inversely associated with SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin) (HR per 30 nmol/L increment: 0.96; 0.79, 1.15 (pre-menopausal) and 0.89; 0.84, 0.94 (post-menopausal); pheterogeneity = 0.4). Oestradiol, assessed only in pre-menopausal women, was not associated with risk, but there were study limitations for this hormone.

Conclusions

This study confirms associations of testosterone, IGF-1 and SHBG with breast cancer risk, with heterogeneity by menopausal status for testosterone.
Lipopolysaccharides induce a RAGE-mediated sensitization of sensory neurons and fluid hypersecretion in the upper airways
Authors: Nair Manoj , Jagadeeshan Santosh , Katselis George , Luan Xiaojie , Momeni Zeinab , Henao-Romero Nicolas , Chumala Paulos , Tam Julian S. , Yamamoto Yasuhiko , Ianowski Juan P. , Campanucci Verónica A.
Published: April 2021

Thoracic dorsal root ganglia (tDRG) contribute to fluid secretion in the upper airways. Inflammation potentiates DRG responses, but the mechanisms remain under investigation. The receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) underlies potentiation of DRG responses in pain pathologies; however, its role in other sensory modalities is less understood. We hypothesize that RAGE contributes to electrophysiological and biochemical changes in tDRGs during inflammation. We used tDRGs and tracheas from wild types (WT), RAGE knock-out (RAGE-KO), and with the RAGE antagonist FPS-ZM1, and exposed them to lipopolysaccharides (LPS). We studied: capsaicin (CAP)-evoked currents and action potentials (AP), tracheal submucosal gland secretion, RAGE expression and downstream pathways. In WT neurons, LPS increased CAP-evoked currents and AP generation, and it caused submucosal gland hypersecretion in tracheas from WT mice exposed to LPS. In contrast, LPS had no effect on tDRG excitability or gland secretion in RAGE-KO mice or mice treated with FPS-ZM1. LPS upregulated full-length RAGE (encoded by Tv1-RAGE) and downregulated a soluble (sRAGE) splice variant (encoded byMmusRAGEv4) in tDRG neurons. These data suggest that sensitization of tDRG neurons contributes to hypersecretion in the upper airways during inflammation. And at least two RAGE variants may be involved in these effects of LPS.
A platysomid occurrence from the Tournaisian of Nova Scotia
Authors: Wilson Conrad D. , Mansky Chris F. , Anderson Jason S.
Published: April 2021

The Hangenberg extinction has been hypothesized as a first order event in vertebrate evolution; however, information on the earliest Carboniferous vertebrate fauna, crucial in evaluating biodiversity changes, is scarce. Post-extinction recovery has been suggested as the driver of ray-finned fish (actinopterygian) richness increase and differentiation in the Carboniferous. Under this model, actinopterygian postcranial morphology differentiates in the second stage of their radiation. Here, we report on a platysomid occurrence from the Tournaisian of Nova Scotia, Canada. Despite long-standing taxonomic issues with deep-bodied actinopterygians, this specimen represents the earliest known occurrence of one such fish. Its presence in the earliest Carboniferous indicates that actinopterygians were already postcranially differentiated in the aftermath of the Hangenberg. Moreover, this specimen suggests that earliest Carboniferous actinopterygians used multiple locomotory modes; recent data from later Carboniferous taxa suggest that actinopterygian locomotory modes proliferated throughout the Carboniferous. Taken together, these data suggest that early Carboniferous actinopterygians were morphologically, ecologically, and functionally diverse.
Experimental demonstration of spectral domain computational ghost imaging
Authors: Ryczkowski Piotr , Amiot Caroline G. , Dudley John M. , Genty Goëry
Published: April 2021

We demonstrate computational spectral-domain ghost imaging by encoding complementary Fourier patterns directly onto the spectrum of a superluminescent laser diode using a programmable spectral filter. Spectral encoding before the object enables uniform spectral illumination across the beam profile, removing the need for light collection optics and yielding increased signal-to-noise ratio. In addition, the use of complementary Fourier patterns allows reduction of deleterious of parasitic light effects. As a proof-of-concept, we measure the wavelength-dependent transmission of a Michelson interferometer and a wavelength-division multiplexer. Our results open new perspectives for remote broadband spectral measurements.
Congolius, a new genus of African reed frog endemic to the central Congo: A potential case of convergent evolution
Authors: Nečas Tadeáš , Badjedjea Gabriel , Vopálenský Michal , Gvoždík Václav
Published: April 2021

The reed frog genus Hyperolius (Afrobatrachia, Hyperoliidae) is a speciose genus containing over 140 species of mostly small to medium-sized frogs distributed in sub-Saharan Africa. Its high level of colour polymorphism, together with in anurans relatively rare sexual dichromatism, make systematic studies more difficult. As a result, the knowledge of the diversity and taxonomy of this genus is still limited. Hyperolius robustus known only from a handful of localities in rain forests of the central Congo Basin is one of the least known species. Here, we have used molecular methods for the first time to study the phylogenetic position of this taxon, accompanied by an analysis of phenotype based on external (morphometric) and internal (osteological) morphological characters. Our phylogenetic results undoubtedly placed H. robustus out of Hyperolius into a common clade with sympatric Cryptothylax and West African Morerella. To prevent the uncovered paraphyly, we place H. robustus into a new genus, Congolius. The review of all available data suggests that the new genus is endemic to the central Congolian lowland rain forests. The analysis of phenotype underlined morphological similarity of the new genus to some Hyperolius species. This uniformity of body shape (including cranial shape) indicates that the two genera have either retained ancestral morphology or evolved through convergent evolution under similar ecological pressures in the African rain forests.
Microscale sensor solution for data collection from fibre-matrix interfaces
Authors: Dsouza Royson , Antunes Paulo , Kakkonen Markus , Tanhuanpää Olli , Laurikainen Pekka , Javanshour Farzin , Kallio Pasi , Kanerva Mikko
Published: April 2021

Especially the applications of fibrous composites in miniature products, dental and other medical applications require accurate data of microscale mechanics. The characterization of adhesion between single filament and picoliter-scale polymer matrix usually relies on the experiments using so-called microbond (MB) testing. The traditional MB test systems provide unitary data output (i.e., converted force) which is enigmatic in resolving the fracture parameters of multi-mode interface cracks. As a fundamental basis, the momentary reaction force and respective local strain at the location of a non-ambiguous gradient are needed for a mechanical analysis. In this paper, a monolithic compliant based structure with an integrated Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensor is developed and analysed. The stiffness of the compliant structure is estimated by using mathematical and finite element (FE) models. Qualification experiments are carried out to confirm the functional performance: MB testing of synthetic (carbon and glass) and natural (flax) single filaments are successfully performed. Quasi-static and dynamic analysis of the MB testing is carried out by using the FE method to interpret the response of the compliant structure. The developed strain-sensing CBPM-FBG holder shows excellent sensitivity during the MB tests for both synthetic and natural filaments, even at a low filament diameters as low as $$7\,\upmu \hbox {m}$$

7

μ
m

, making the monolithic compliant structure the first instrument capable of force-strain data output for bonded filament-droplet specimens.
Data valuation for medical imaging using Shapley value and application to a large-scale chest X-ray dataset
Authors: Tang Siyi , Ghorbani Amirata , Yamashita Rikiya , Rehman Sameer , Dunnmon Jared A. , Zou James , Rubin Daniel L.
Published: April 2021

The reliability of machine learning models can be compromised when trained on low quality data. Many large-scale medical imaging datasets contain low quality labels extracted from sources such as medical reports. Moreover, images within a dataset may have heterogeneous quality due to artifacts and biases arising from equipment or measurement errors. Therefore, algorithms that can automatically identify low quality data are highly desired. In this study, we used data Shapley, a data valuation metric, to quantify the value of training data to the performance of a pneumonia detection algorithm in a large chest X-ray dataset. We characterized the effectiveness of data Shapley in identifying low quality versus valuable data for pneumonia detection. We found that removing training data with high Shapley values decreased the pneumonia detection performance, whereas removing data with low Shapley values improved the model performance. Furthermore, there were more mislabeled examples in low Shapley value data and more true pneumonia cases in high Shapley value data. Our results suggest that low Shapley value indicates mislabeled or poor quality images, whereas high Shapley value indicates data that are valuable for pneumonia detection. Our method can serve as a framework for using data Shapley to denoise large-scale medical imaging datasets.
Femtosecond laser induced thermophoretic writing of waveguides in silicate glass
Authors: Macias-Montero Manuel , Muñoz Francisco , Sotillo Belén , del Hoyo Jesús , Ariza Rocío , Fernandez Paloma , Siegel Jan , Solis Javier
Published: April 2021

Here in, the fs-laser induced thermophoretic writing of microstructures in ad-hoc compositionally designed silicate glasses and their application as infrared optical waveguides is reported. The glass modification mechanism mimics the elemental thermal diffusion occurring in basaltic liquids at the Earth’s mantle, but in a much shorter time scale (108 times faster) and over a well-defined micrometric volume. The precise addition of BaO, Na2O and K2O to the silicate glass enables the creation of positive refractive index contrast upon fs-laser irradiation. The influence of the focal volume and the induced temperature gradient is thoroughly analyzed, leading to a variety of structures with refractive index contrasts as high as 2.5 × 10–2. Two independent methods, namely near field measurements and electronic polarizability analysis, confirm the magnitude of the refractive index on the modified regions. Additionally, the functionality of the microstructures as waveguides is further optimized by lowering their propagation losses, enabling their implementation in a wide range of photonic devices.
Scopolamine promotes neuroinflammation and delirium-like neuropsychiatric disorder in mice
Authors: Cheon So Yeong , Koo Bon-Nyeo , Kim So Yeon , Kam Eun Hee , Nam Junhyun , Kim Eun Jung
Published: April 2021

Postoperative delirium is a common neuropsychiatric syndrome resulting a high postsurgical mortality rate and decline in postdischarge function. Extensive research has been performed on both human and animal delirium-like models due to their clinical significance, focusing on systematic inflammation and consequent neuroinflammation playing a key role in the pathogenesis of postoperative cognitive dysfunctions. Since animal models are widely utilized for pathophysiological study of neuropsychiatric disorders, this study aimed at examining the validity of the scopolamine-induced delirium-like mice model with respect to the neuroinflammatory hypothesis of delirium. Male C57BL/6 mice were treated with intraperitoneal scopolamine (2 mg/kg). Neurobehavioral tests were performed to evaluate the changes in cognitive functions, including learning and memory, and the level of anxiety after surgery or scopolamine treatment. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-18, and TNF-α) and inflammasome components (NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1) in different brain regions were measured. Gene expression profiles were also examined using whole-genome RNA sequencing analyses to compare gene expression patterns of different mice models. Scopolamine treatment showed significant increase in the level of anxiety and impairments in memory and cognitive function associated with increased level of pro-inflammatory cytokines and NLRP3 inflammasome components. Genetic analysis confirmed the different expression patterns of genes involved in immune response and inflammation and those related with the development of the nervous system in both surgery and scopolamine-induced mice models. The scopolamine-induced delirium-like mice model successfully showed that analogous neuropsychiatric changes coincides with the neuroinflammatory hypothesis for pathogenesis of delirium.
The mechanism of TiaoGanYiPi formula for treating chronic hepatitis B by network pharmacology and molecular docking verification
Authors: Cao Xu , Zao Xiaobin , Xue Baiquan , Chen Hening , Zhang Jiaxin , Li Shuo , Li Xiaobin , Zhu Shun , Guo Rui , Li Xiaoke , Ye Yong’an
Published: April 2021

The Chinese herbal formula TiaoGanYiPi (TGYP) showed effective against chronic hepatitis B (CHB) caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Hence, we aimed to clarify the mechanisms and potential targets between TGYP and CHB. The active compounds and related putative targets of TGYP, and disease targets of CHB were obtained from the public databases. The key targets between TGYP and CHB were identified through the network construction and module analysis. The expression of the key targets was detected in Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset and normal hepatocyte cell line LO2. We first obtained 11 key targets which were predominantly enriched in the Cancer, Cell cycle and HBV-related pathways. And the expression of the key targets was related to HBV infection and liver inflammation verified in GSE83148 database. Furthermore, the results of real-time quantitative PCR and CCK-8 assay indicated that TGYP could regulate the expression of key targets including CCNA2, ABL1, CDK4, CDKN1A, IGFR and MAP2K1, and promote proliferation of LO2 cells. In coclusion, we identified the active compounds and key targets btween TGYP and CHB, and found that the TGYP might exhibite curative effect on CHB via promoting hepatocyte proliferation and inhibiting the liver inflammatory processes.
Effectiveness of antimicrobial prophylaxis at 30 versus 60 min before cesarean delivery
Authors: Rubin Hadas , Rom Eyal , Wattad Malak , Seh Khadeje , Levy Natanel , Jehassi Ayellet , Romano Shabtai , Salim Raed
Published: April 2021

This study aimed to examine the effect of antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) given within 30 compared to 30–60 min before skin incision on the incidence of infectious morbidity after cesarean delivery (CD). A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a single institution on data between 2014 and 2018. Women who delivered by CD were divided into two groups according to AP timing before skin incision: group 1 within 30 min, and group 2 from 30 to 60 min. The primary outcome was the incidence of any infectious morbidity. Overall, 2989 women were eligible: 2791 in group 1 and 198 in group 2. The primary composite outcome occurred in 125 women (4.48%) in group 1 and 8 women (4.04%) in group 2 (OR, 1.11; 95% CI 0.54–2.31; P = 0.77). The rate of surgical site infection only, was 1.08% in group 1 and 0.51% in group 2 (OR, 2.13; 95% CI 0.29–15.70; P = 0.72). The incidence was comparable between the groups in a separate sub-analysis restricted to laboring CDs and obese women. The rate of infectious morbidity was similar among women who received AP within 30 min and from 30 to 60 min before skin incision.
Effects of muscarinic and nicotinic receptors on contextual modulation in macaque area V1
Authors: Herrero Jose L. , Thiele Alexander
Published: April 2021

Context affects the salience and visibility of image elements in visual scenes. Collinear flankers can enhance or decrease the perceptual and neuronal sensitivity to flanked stimuli. These effects are mediated through lateral interactions between neurons in the primary visual cortex (area V1), in conjunction with feedback from higher visual areas. The strength of lateral interactions is affected by cholinergic neuromodulation. Blockade of muscarinic receptors should increase the strength of lateral intracortical interactions, while nicotinic blockade should reduce thalamocortical feed-forward drive. Here we test this proposal through local iontophoretic application of the muscarinic receptor antagonist scopolamine and the nicotinic receptor antagonist mecamylamine, while recording single cells in parafoveal representations in awake fixating macaque V1. Collinear flankers generally reduced neuronal contrast sensitivity. Muscarinic and nicotinic receptor blockade equally reduced neuronal contrast sensitivity. Contrary to our hypothesis, flanker interactions were not systematically affected by either receptor blockade.
Cues from human atrial extracellular matrix enrich the atrial differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes
Authors: Mesquita Fernanda C. P. , Morrissey Jacquelynn , Lee Po-Feng , Monnerat Gustavo , Xi Yutao , Andersson Helen , Nogueira Fabio C. S. , Domont Gilberto B. , Sampaio Luiz C. , Hochman-Mendez Camila , Taylor Doris A.
Published: April 2021

Decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) from human atria preserves key native components that directed the cardiac differentiation of hiPSCs to an atrial-like phenotype, yielding a twofold increase of functional atrial-like cells.
Binary structure and dynamics of the hydrogen bonds in the hydration shells of ions
Authors: Zeng Yonghui , Jia Yunzhe , Yan Tianying , Zhuang Wei
Published: April 2021

Ion-specific effects of cations (Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+) and anions (F−, Cl−) on the hydrogen bond structure and dynamics of the coordination waters in the hydration shells have been studied using molecular dynamics simulations.
Self-assembled fibrinogen–fibronectin hybrid protein nanofibers with medium-sensitive stability
Authors: Scheuer Karl , Helbing Christian , Firkowska-Boden Izabela , Jandt Klaus D.
Published: April 2021

Hybrid protein nanofibers (hPNFs) have been identified as promising nano building blocks for numerous applications in nanomedicine and tissue engineering.
Colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals: synthesis, optical nonlinearity, and related device applications
Authors: Li Min , Wang Cong , Wang Lude , Zhang Han
Published: April 2021

This review provides the recent advances of colloidal semiconductor NCs in nonlinear optics and ultrafast photonics. Synthesis, third-order NLO properties, and related nonlinear photonic device applications of several NCs are discussed.
Detection of targeted bacteria species on filtration membranes
Authors: Schwaminger Sebastian , Rottmueller Marina E. , Fischl Ramona , Kalali Behnam , Berensmeier Sonja
Published: April 2021

Legionella pneumophila cells have been enriched by filtration and detected with fluorescence-labelled antibodies on the membrane.
CompassR-guided recombination unlocks design principles to stabilize lipases in ILs with minimal experimental efforts
Authors: Cui Haiyang , Pramanik Subrata , Jaeger Karl-Erich , Davari Mehdi D. , Schwaneberg Ulrich
Published: April 2021

CompassR-guided recombination proved that intrinsic lipase stability and strengthening of hydration shells of enzymes to keep them intact are two synergistic design principles to preserve enzymatic activity in ionic liquids.
Pulsed electric field-assisted overlimiting current enhancement through a perm-selective membrane
Authors: Kwon Soonhyun , Lee Hyomin , Kim Sung Jae
Published: April 2021

We presented in operando visualization and rigorous numerical study for the overlimiting current density enhancement using a pulsed electric field.
Synthesis and photophysical properties of a new tetraphenylethylene-o-carborane-based star-shaped molecule
Authors: Li Xiang , Zhou Qin , Zhu Miao , Chen Wei , Wang Beibei , Sha Ye , Yan Hong
Published: April 2021

A novel TPE-o-carborane-based star-shaped molecule with a triphenylamine core was synthesized. In the solid state, the absolute luminescent quantum yield of this dendrimer can be improved to 62%.
Fluorescence characteristics of dissolved organic matter during anaerobic digestion of oil crop straw inoculated with rumen liquid
Authors: Su Lianghu , Chen Mei , Wang Saier , Ji Rongting , Liu Chenwei , Lu Xueqin , Zhen Guangyin , Zhang Longjiang
Published: April 2021

Characterizing DOM during the anaerobic digestion process of crop straw by EEM-PARAFAC, fluorescence indices and Stokes shift.
Synthesis of the pentasaccharide repeating unit fromRuminococcus gnavusand measurement of its inflammatory properties
Authors: Haynie Teron , Gubler Shawn , Drees Christoph , Heaton Tanner , Mitton Tanner , Gleave Quinn , Bendelac Albert , Deng Shenglou , Savage Paul B.
Published: April 2021

The roles played by the gut microbiome in human health are increasingly recognized, and the prevalence of specific microorganisms has been correlated with different diseases.
Bromotrimethylsilane as a selective reagent for the synthesis of bromohydrins
Authors: Giomi Donatella , Salvini Antonella , Ceccarelli Jacopo , Brandi Alberto
Published: April 2021

Glycerol, a by-product of biodiesel production, can be efficiently converted into α-monobromohydrin or α,γ-dibromohydrin with trimethylsilyl bromide (TMSBr), in solvent-free and mild reaction conditions.
Tailoring of a catalyst La0.8Ce0.1Ni0.4Ti0.6O3−δ interlayer via in situ exsolution for a catalytic membrane reactor
Authors: Luo Ping , Xu Zhi , Zheng Qiankun , Tan Jinkun , Zhang Zhicheng , Liu Zhengkun , Zhang Guangru , Jin Wanqin
Published: April 2021

Tailored nickel nanoparticles on La0.8Ce0.1Ni0.4Ti0.6O3−δ surfaces were prepared by in situ exsolution and used in the Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ catalytic membrane reactor for high-efficient partial oxidation of methane.
In situ chemical oxidation: peroxide or persulfate coupled with membrane technology for wastewater treatment
Authors: Yan Huchuan , Lai Cui , Wang Dongbo , Liu Shiyu , Li Xiaopei , Zhou Xuerong , Yi Huan , Li Bisheng , Zhang Mingming , Li Ling , Liu Xigui , Qin Lei , Fu Yukui
Published: April 2021

Three membrane-coupled PS/H2O2-based ISCO processes for wastewater treatment are fully summarized for the first time and their main challenges are discussed, providing important directions for their practical industrial applications in the future.
Porosity induced rigidochromism in platinum(ii) terpyridyl luminophores immobilized at silica composites
Authors: Norton Amie E. , Zanoni Kassio P. S. , Dourges Marie-Anne , Ravaro Leandro P. , Abdolmaleki Mahmood K. , de Camargo Andrea S. S. , Toupance Thierry , Connick William B. , Chatterjee Sayandev
Published: April 2021

This work explores a methodology where immobilization of square planar platinum(ii) terpyridyl luminophores onto meso/microporous silica alters the Pt(ii) electronic structure, inducing a rigidochromic behavior that is dictated by the silica porosity.
Identified a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 6 serve as a novel gastric cancer prognostic biomarker by bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Zhu Ya-zhen , Liu Yi , Liao Xi-wen , Luo Shan-shan
Published: April 2021

Objective: We aimed to explore the prognostic value of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS) genes in gastric cancer (GC). Methods: The RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) expression data for 351 GC patients and other relevant clinical data were acquired from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Survival analysis and a genome-wide gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were performed to define the underlying molecular value of the ADAMTS genes in GC development. Besides, qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were all employed to validate the relationship between the expression of these genes and GC patient prognosis. Results: The Log rank test with both Cox regression and Kaplan–Meier survival analyses showed that ADAMTS6 expression profile correlated with the GC patients clinical outcome. Patients with a high expression of ADAMTS6 were associated with poor overall survival (OS). Comprehensive survival analysis of the ADAMTS genes suggests that ADAMTS6 might be an independent predictive factor for the OS in patients with GC. Besides, GSEA demonstrated that ADAMTS6 might be involved in multiple biological processes and pathways, such as the vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS), tumor protein P53, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), cadherin (CDH1) or tumor necrosis factor (TNF) pathways. It was also confirmed by immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR that ADAMTS6 is highly expressed in GC, which may be related to the prognosis of GC patients. Conclusion: In summary, our study demonstrated that ADAMTS6 gene could be used as a potential molecular marker for GC prognosis.
Regulation of MST complexes and activity via SARAH domain modifications
Authors: Karchugina Sofiia , Benton Dorothy , Chernoff Jonathan
Published: April 2021

Three elements of the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway — MST1/2, SAV1, and RASSF1–6 — share in common a C-terminal interaction motif termed the SARAH domain. Proteins containing this domain are capable of self-association as homodimers and also of trans-association with other SARAH domain containing proteins as well as selected additional proteins that lack this domain. Recently, the association of MST1/2 with itself or with other proteins has been shown to be regulated by phosphorylation at sites near or within the SARAH domain. In this review, we focus on recent findings regarding the regulation of such MST1/2 interactions, with an emphasis on the effects of these events on Hippo pathway activity.
Biochemistry: one molecule at a time
Authors: Gruszka Dominika T.
Published: April 2021

Biological processes are orchestrated by complex networks of molecules. Conventional approaches for studying the action of biomolecules operate on a population level, averaging out any inhomogeneities within the ensemble. Investigating one biological macromolecule at a time allows researchers to directly probe individual behaviours, and thus characterise the intrinsic molecular heterogeneity of the system. Single-molecule methods have unravelled unexpected modes of action for many seemingly well-characterised biomolecules and often proved instrumental in understanding the intricate mechanistic basis of biological processes. This collection of reviews aims to showcase how single-molecule techniques can be used to address important biological questions and to inspire biochemists to ‘zoom in’ to the population and probe individual molecular behaviours, beyond the ensemble average. Furthermore, this issue of Essays in Biochemistry is the very first written and edited entirely by early career researchers, and so it also highlights the strength, diversity and excellence of the younger generation single-molecule scientists who drive this exciting field of research forward.
A practical building energy consumption anomaly detection method based on parameter adaptive setting DBSCAN
Authors: Yao Gang , Guo Chen , Ge Quanbo , Ait‐Ahmed Mourad
Published: April 2021

In order to realize the Building Energy Consumption Anomaly Detection (BECAD) for the green building assessment, the Density‐Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN) is adopted for data clustering. To deal with the parameter setting difficulty of the DBSCAN, a practical parameter adaptive setting method is proposed. The presented method determines values of the DBSCAN parameters, MinPts and ε, according to four distribution characteristics (average data distance, data local densities, cosine similarity, and equivalent space radius) of data, and does not need prior knowledge of the datasets. Furthermore, parameter values determined by the proposed method can improve the clustering effect of the DBSCAN on datasets with various data densities. After testing the proposed method with open datasets, DBSCAN with the parameter adaptive setting method is applied to the BECAD. Experiment results show that identified building energy utilization patterns and abnormal buildings are reasonable and the results can offer the management departments a clear understanding of building energy consumption patterns, as well as decision supports to make subsequent improvement measures.
Periphere Nervenrekonstruktion – Diagnostik als Grundlage der Entscheidungsfindung – Bericht des Consensus-Workshops im Rahmen der 35. Jahrestagung der Deutschsprachigen Gemeinschaft für Mikrochirurgie der peripheren Nerven und Gefäße (DAM)
Authors: Radtke Christine , Bendszus Martin , Lindenblatt Nicole , Freystätter Christian , Aszmann Oskar , Schiller Andreas , Liodaki Maria-Erini , Giovanoli Pietro
Published: April 2021

Im Frühstadium von Nervenläsionen stellt die klinische Differenzierung zwischen Neurapraxie, Axonotmesis und Neurotmesis oftmals eine große Herausforderung dar. Vor allem im Frühstadium von Nervenläsionen ist eine korrekte Klassifizierung des Schädigungstyps jedoch von essenzieller Bedeutung, da hiermit das therapeutische Konzept, insbesondere das operative Vorgehen und damit die Prognose, maßgebend bestimmt werden. Neben einer ausführlichen klinischen Statuierung und Anamneseerhebung bedarf es zur Präzisierung der Diagnose den Einsatz ergänzender elektrophysiologischer (funktioneller) und/oder bildgebender Untersuchungen. Eine elektrophysiologische Diagnostik kann hierbei Auskunft über Lokalisation, Schweregrad, Verlauf, Schädigungstyp und einer beginnenden oder stattgehabten Reinnervation geben. Präoperativ sollten hinsichtlich der funktionellen Diagnostik eine Neurografie, Nadel-Elektromyografie (EMG) und ggf. evozierte Potentiale (EP) und bildgebend eine Nervensonografie oder Magnetresonanztomografie (MRT) durchgeführt werden. Ergänzend kann eine EMG auch intraoperativ erfolgen.
Wie eine umsorgende Mutter
Authors: Koppold Anna
Published: April 2021

Das Mutterkraut (Tanacetum parthenium L.) ist eine bewährte Heilpflanze bei Kopfschmerzen; in der Volksheilkunde wird sie bei Fieber und als Frauenheilpflanze eingesetzt.