bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From Bow Waves to Traveling Atmospheric Disturbances: Thermospheric Perturbations Along Solar Eclipse Trajectory
Authors: Yan Maodong , Dang Tong , Lei Jiuhou , Wang Wenbin , Zhang Shun‐Rong , Le Huijun
Published: March 2021

In this study, we investigate the characteristics of thermospheric perturbations triggered by a set of four solar eclipses, using the Thermosphere Ionosphere Electrodynamics General Circulation Model. Simulations show that temperature and horizontal wind perturbations have different wave rears but similar wavefronts, due to the coupling of energetic and dynamic processes. The perturbations are closely related to the eclipse trajectory, and their phase speed is modulated by the eclipse speed. As the eclipse shadow sweeps through the upper atmosphere, traveling atmospheric disturbances (TADs) are launched in the eclipse region and they, moving along with their moon shadow source, form bow wavefronts of thermospheric disturbances. The perturbations at a particular time are superimposed by preexisting waves and newly excited waves. With the termination of the eclipse near the sunset terminator, individual sequences are not any more organized along a specific alignment to form a bow wave. Instead, they evolve into freely propagating large‐scale TADs. The large‐scale TADs remain propagating in the direction perpendicular to the wavefronts, which is determined by history of the eclipse trajectory and thermospheric conditions. These conditions include specifically season and the latitudinal location of the eclipse trajectory.
Strain Accumulation and Release Rate in Canada: Implications for Long‐Term Crustal Deformation and Earthquake Hazards
Authors: Ojo Adebayo Oluwaseun , Kao Honn , Jiang Yan , Craymer Michael , Henton Joseph
Published: March 2021

To advance the understanding of crustal deformation and earthquake hazards in Canada, we analyze seismic and geodetic data sets and robustly estimate the crust strain accumulation and release rate by earthquakes. We find that less than 20% of the accumulated strain is released by earthquakes across the study area providing evidence for large‐scale aseismic deformation. We attribute this to glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) in eastern Canada, where predictions from the GIA model account for most of the observed discrepancy between the seismic and the geodetic moment rates. In western Canada, only a small percentage (<20%) of the discrepancy can be attributed to GIA‐related deformation. We suspect that this may reflect the inaccuracy of the GIA model to account for heterogeneity in Earth structure or indicate that the present‐day effect of GIA in western Canada is limited due to the fast response of the upper mantle to the deglaciation of the Cordillera Ice Sheet. At locations of previously identified seismic source zones, we speculate that the unreleased strain is been stored cumulatively in the crust and will be released as earthquakes in the future. The Gutenberg‐Richter model predicts, however, that the recurrence interval can vary significantly in Canada, ranging from decades near plate boundary zones in the west to thousands of years in the stable continental interior. Our attempt to quantify the GIA‐induced deformation provides the necessary first step for the integration of geodetic strain rates in seismic hazard analysis in Canada.
Trace Elements From Ocean‐Going Vessels in East Asia: Vanadium and Nickel Emissions and Their Impacts on Air Quality
Authors: Zhao Junri , Zhang Yan , Xu Haoran , Tao Shu , Wang Rong , Yu Qi , Chen Ying , Zou Zhong , Ma Weichun
Published: March 2021

Vanadium (V) and nickel (Ni) are considered the most abundant trace metals in ship exhaust burning heavy fuel oils. This study is the first attempt to estimate the impact of V and Ni from shipping on air quality in East Asia for the year 2015. In this study, emission inventories of V and Ni from shipping and land‐based sources were constructed and implemented into the revised aerosol module to simulate ambient V and Ni concentrations. Our results showed that ship emissions contributed the majority of vanadium and were important to nickel emissions in most coastal regions in East Asia, with the contributions exceeding 60% and approximately 40% in some regions, respectively. The simulated ambient V and Ni concentrations has been validated by the measurements, and the comparison revealed there was an obvious improvement (reducing the mean bias by 32%–63%) in the model performance of the V and Ni predictions after including shipping emissions. Our study filled the gaps of trace element contributions in coastal regions and implied that the impact of metals from shipping traffic on regional air quality is worthy of attention in East Asia. Although the International Maritime Organization (IMO) low‐sulfur fuel policy has been implemented since 2020, the impact of shipping traffic on trace metals with respect to regional air quality is still important given heavy fuel oils being in use.
Detection of Stage‐Discharge Rating Shifts Using Gaugings: A Recursive Segmentation Procedure Accounting for Observational and Model Uncertainties
Authors: Darienzo M. , Renard B. , Le Coz J. , Lang M.
Published: March 2021

The stage‐discharge rating curve is subject at many hydrometric stations to sudden changes (shifts) typically caused by morphogenic floods. We propose an original method for estimating shift times using the stage‐discharge observations, also known as gaugings. This method is based on a recursive segmentation procedure that accounts for both gaugings and rating curve uncertainties through a Bayesian framework. It starts with the estimation of a baseline rating curve using all available gaugings. Then it computes the residuals between the gaugings and this rating curve with uncertainties. It proceeds with the segmentation of the time series of residuals through a multi‐change point Bayesian estimation accounting for residuals uncertainties. Once the first set of shift times is identified, the same procedure is recursively applied to each sub‐period through a “top‐down” approach searching for all effective shifts. The proposed method is illustrated using the Ardèche River at Meyras in France (a typical hydrometric site subject to river bed degradation) and evaluated using several synthetic data sets for which the true shift times are known. The applications confirm the added value of the recursive segmentation compared with a “single‐pass” approach and highlight the importance of properly accounting for uncertainties in the segmented data. The recursive procedure effectively disentangles rating changes from observational and rating curve uncertainties.
Laboratory Investigations of Acoustic Anisotropy in Artificial Porous Rock With Aligned Fractures During Gas Hydrate Formation and Dissociation
Authors: Liu Shengbiao , Han Tongcheng , Fu Li‐Yun
Published: March 2021

Fractures can widely exist in hydrate‐bearing reservoirs and can give rise to anisotropic acoustic properties that play an important role in the accurate assessment of fractured reservoirs. However, the knowledge of the responses of acoustic anisotropy in fractured hydrate‐bearing reservoirs is still poorly understood. To obtain such understanding, we designed and implemented dedicated laboratory experiments to measure the anisotropic acoustic velocities in an artificial sandstone with aligned penny‐shaped fractures parallel to the layers during hydrate formation and dissociation at the confining pressures of 20 and 50 MPa, respectively. We showed that although the velocities at higher confining pressure were systematically greater, all the velocities at both confining pressures increased and decreased during hydrate formation and dissociation, respectively. We also showed that the velocities during hydrate formation were significantly higher than those during dissociation at hydrate saturation greater than 10%. It was found that all the velocities smoothly reduced with decreasing saturation during dissociation, while the varying velocities exhibited distinct increasing gradients during formation, where the compressional wave anisotropy reduced dramatically at saturation between 10% and 25%. Analyses of the experimental results suggested that the floating hydrate evolved to bridge the surfaces of fractures when hydrate saturation exceeded 10% during hydrate formation, and the bridging hydrate gradually transformed to floating in the pore system during dissociation. The results provide new insights into hydrate distribution and its effects on acoustic anisotropy in fractured reservoirs during hydrate formation and dissociation and will contribute to improving the accuracy of hydrate assessment in such reservoirs.
The adaptive transition of glioblastoma stem cells and its implications on treatments
Authors: Wang Zeyu , Zhang Hao , Xu Shengchao , Liu Zhixiong , Cheng Quan
Published: March 2021

Glioblastoma is the most malignant tumor occurring in the human central nervous system with overall median survival time <14.6 months. Current treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy cannot reach an optimal remission since tumor resistance to therapy remains a challenge. Glioblastoma stem cells are considered to be responsible for tumor resistance in treating glioblastoma. Previous studies reported two subtypes, proneural and mesenchymal, of glioblastoma stem cells manifesting different sensitivity to radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Mesenchymal glioblastoma stem cells, as well as tumor cells generate from which, showed resistance to radiochemotherapies. Besides, two metabolic patterns, glutamine or glucose dependent, of mesenchymal glioblastoma stem cells also manifested different sensitivity to radiochemotherapies. Glutamine dependent mesenchymal glioblastoma stem cells are more sensitive to radiotherapy than glucose-dependent ones. Therefore, the transition between proneural and mesenchymal subtypes, or between glutamine-dependent and glucose-dependent, might lead to tumor resistance to radiochemotherapies. Moreover, neural stem cells were also hypothesized to participate in glioblastoma stem cells mediated tumor resistance to radiochemotherapies. In this review, we summarized the basic characteristics, adaptive transition and implications of glioblastoma stem cells in glioblastoma therapy.
Plastic ingestion by freshwater turtles: a review and call to action
Authors: Clause Adam G. , Celestian Aaron J. , Pauly Gregory B.
Published: March 2021

Plastic pollution, and especially plastic ingestion by animals, is a serious global issue. This problem is well documented in marine systems, but it is relatively understudied in freshwater systems. For turtles, it is unknown how plastic ingestion compares between marine and non-marine species. We review the relevant turtle dietary literature, and find that plastic ingestion is reported for all 7 marine turtle species, but only 5 of 352 non-marine turtle species. In the last 10 years, despite marine turtles representing just 2% of all turtle species, almost 50% of relevant turtle dietary studies involved only marine turtles. These results suggest that the potential threat of plastic ingestion is poorly studied in non-marine turtles. We also examine plastic ingestion frequency in a freshwater turtle population, finding that 7.7% of 65 turtles had ingested plastic. However, plastic-resembling organic material would have inflated our frequency results up to 40% higher were it not for verification using Raman spectroscopy. Additionally, we showcase how non-native turtles can be used as a proxy for understanding the potential for plastic ingestion by co-occurring native turtles of conservation concern. We conclude with recommendations for how scientists studying non-marine turtles can improve the implementation, quality, and discoverability of plastic ingestion research.
Combined detection of CA15-3, CEA, and SF in serum and tissue of canine mammary gland tumor patients
Authors: Fan Yuying , Ren Xiaoli , Liu Xuesong , Shi Dongmei , Xu Enshuang , Wang Shuang , Liu Yun
Published: March 2021

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the levels and clinical diagnosis value of CA15-3, CEA, and SF in canine mammary gland tumors (CMGTs). In this study, the levels of tissues/serum CA15-3, CEA, and SF in 178 CMGT patients or healthy dogs were determined by ELISA and qRT-PCR assay. CA15-3, CEA, and SF levels of the malignant tumor group were significantly higher than that of the benign tumor group and the healthy control group. In the malignant tumor group, CA15-3 held a sensitivity of 51.8%, a specificity of 93.9%, and an accuracy of 76.8%. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CEA were 44.6%, 84.1%, and 68.1% respectively. SF held a sensitivity of 62.5%, a specificity of 85.4%, and an accuracy of 76.1%. SF showed the highest sensitivity and CA15-3 showed the highest specificity. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the combined detection of the three biomarkers in malignant tumor groups were 80.4%, 78.0%, and 80.0%, respectively, therefore combined detection increased sensitivity and accuracy but decreased specificity. In conclusion, the combined detection of serum/tissue markers CA15-3, CEA, and SF may improve the detection sensitivity of CMGTs, providing reference value for clinical application.
Shear-mediated sol-gel transition of regenerated silk allows the formation of Janus-like microgels
Authors: Toprakcioglu Zenon , Knowles Tuomas P. J.
Published: March 2021

Microcapsules and microgels consisting of macromolecular networks have received increasing attention due to their biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. Protein microgels and in particular silk-based microcapsules have desirable properties due to their biocompatibility and lack of toxicity. Typically such structures formed through emulsion templating are spherical in geometry due to interfacial tension. However, approaches to synthesis particles with more complex and non-spherical geometries are sought due to their packing properties and cargo release characteristics. Here, we describe a droplet-microfluidic strategy for generating asymmetric tubular-like microgels from reconstituted silk fibroin; a major component of native silk. It was determined using fluorescence microscopy, that the shear stress within the microchannel promotes surface protein aggregation, resulting in the asymmetric morphology of the microgels. Moreover, the structural transition that the protein undergoes was confirmed using FTIR. Crucially, the core of the microgels remains liquid, while the surface has fully aggregated into a fibrillar network. Additionally, we show that microgel morphology could be controlled by varying the dispersed to continuous phase flow rates, while it was determined that the radius of curvature of the asymmetric microgels is correlated to the wall shear stress. By comparing the surface fluorescence intensity of the microgels as a function of radius of curvature, the effect of the shear stress on the amount of aggregation could be quantified. Finally, the potential use of these asymmetric microgels as carriers of cargo molecules is showcased. As the core of the microgel remains liquid but the shell has gelled, this approach is highly suitable for the storage of bio-active cargo molecules such as antibodies, making such a delivery system attractive in the context of biomedical and pharmaceutical applications.
Gestational intermittent hyperoxia rescues murine genetic congenital heart disease in part
Authors: Doll Cassandra F. , Pereira Natalia J. , Hashimi Mustafa S. , Grindrod Tabor J. , Alkassis Fariz F. , Cai Lawrence X. , Milovanovic Una , Sandino Adriana I. , Kasahara Hideko
Published: March 2021

Cardiac development is a dynamic process, temporally and spatially. When disturbed, it leads to congenital cardiac anomalies that affect approximately 1% of live births. Genetic variants in several loci lead to anomalies, with the transcription factor NKX2-5 being one of the largest. However, there are also non-genetic factors that influence cardiac malformations. We examined the hypothesis that hyperoxia may be beneficial and can rescue genetic cardiac anomalies induced by an Nkx2-5 mutation. Intermittent mild hyperoxia (40% PO2) was applied for 10 h per day to normal wild-type female mice mated with heterozygous Nkx2-5 mutant males from gestational day 8.5 to birth. Hyperoxia therapy reduced excessive trabeculation in Nkx2-5 mutant mice compared to normoxic conditions (ratio of trabecular layer relative to compact layer area, normoxia 1.84 ± 0.07 vs. hyperoxia 1.51 ± 0.04) and frequency of muscular ventricular septal defects per heart (1.53 ± 0.32 vs. 0.68 ± 0.15); however, the incidence of membranous ventricular septal defects in Nkx2-5 mutant hearts was not changed. Nkx2-5 mutant embryonic hearts showed defective coronary vessel organization, which was improved by intermittent mild hyperoxia. The results of our study showed that mild gestational hyperoxia therapy rescued genetic cardiac malformation induced by Nkx2-5 mutation in part.
Cathepsin B and D deficiency in the mouse pancreas induces impaired autophagy and chronic pancreatitis
Authors: Iwama Hideaki , Mehanna Sally , Imasaka Mai , Hashidume Shinsuke , Nishiura Hiroshi , Yamamura Ken-ichi , Suzuki Chigure , Uchiyama Yasuo , Hatano Etsuro , Ohmuraya Masaki
Published: March 2021

The major lysosomal proteases, Cathepsin B (CTSB), Cathepsin D (CTSD) and Cathepsin L (CTSL), are implicated in autophagic activity. To investigate the role of each cathepsin in the exocrine pancreas, we generated mice in which the pancreas was specifically deficient in Ctsb, Ctsd and Ctsl. Each of these gene knockout (KO) and Ctsb;Ctsl and Ctsd;Ctsl double-knockout (DKO) mice were almost normal. However, we found cytoplasmic degeneration in the pancreatic acinar cells of Ctsb;Ctsd DKO mice, similar to autophagy related 5 (Atg5) KO mice. LC3 and p62 (autophagy markers) showed remarkable accumulation and the numbers of autophagosomes and autolysosomes were increased in the pancreatic acinar cells of Ctsb;Ctsd DKO mice. Moreover, these Ctsb;Ctsd DKO mice also developed chronic pancreatitis (CP). Thus, we conclude that both Ctsb and Ctsd deficiency caused impaired autophagy in the pancreatic acinar cells, and induced CP in mice.
Experiments in modeling recent Indian fertility pattern
Authors: Srivastava Ujjaval , Singh Kaushalendra Kumar , Pandey Anjali , Narayan Neeraj
Published: March 2021

Modelling is a well-established concept for understanding the typical shape and pattern of age-specific fertility. The distribution of India’s age-specific fertility rate (ASFR) is unimodal and positively skewed and is distinct from the ASFR of the developed countries. The existing models (P-K model, Gompertz model, Skew-normal model and G-P model considered here) that were developed, based on the experiences of the developed countries, failed to fit the single-year age-specific fertility pattern for India as a whole and for the six selected states. Our study has proposed four flexible models, to capture the diverse age pattern of fertility, observed in the Indian states. The proposed models were compared in three ways; among themselves, with the original models and with the popular Hadwiger model. The parameters of these proposed models were estimated through the Non-Linear Least Squares Method. To find the model with best fit, we used the corrected version of Akaike’s Information Criterion (AICc). Optimization of the four original models was successfully done. When the model was fitted to the empirical data of the 4th round of the National Family Health Survey conducted in 2015–2016, the results of this study showed that all the four proposed models outperform their corresponding original models and the Hadwiger model. When comparison among the proposed models was done, the Modified Gompertz Model provided the best fit for India, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. Whereas, the Modified P-K model gave the best fit for West Bengal, Tripura and Karnataka. The Modified G-P model is the most suitable model for Punjab. Although our proposed models illustrated the fitting of ASFR for India as a whole and the selected six states only, it provides an important tool for the policymakers and the government authorities to project fertility rates and to understand the fertility transitions in India and various other states.
The effect of daily life activities on intraocular pressure related variations in open-angle glaucoma
Authors: Gillmann Kevin , Weinreb Robert N. , Mansouri Kaweh
Published: March 2021

The recent advent of continuous intraocular pressure (IOP) telemetry has led to an increased awareness of the importance of IOP fluctuations, and theories have emerged that IOP variations could play as much a role in glaucoma progression as the mean level of IOP. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the direct effect of common daily activities on IOP-related profiles. Primary open-angle glaucoma and glaucoma suspect patients were prospectively enrolled from specialist clinics at the University of California San Diego (UCSD), USA. Patients were fitted with a SENSIMED Triggerfish (TF) contact lens sensor (CLS) and were instructed to return to their usual daily activities for 24 h. They were asked to record each specific activity or event in a diary. The protocol was repeated twice. The following events were recorded: “walking/cycling”, “resistance training”, “yoga/meditation”, and “emotional stress”. CLS measurements recorded 60-to-30 min prior to each event were used as a baseline reference, and all IOP-related fluctuations for 120 min after the start of each event were reported in relation to this reference. Forty relevant events from 22 CLS recordings in 14 patients were retrieved from the diaries. Walking/cycling (n = 10) caused a small but statistically significant elevation of the IOP-related profile during the activity (p = 0.018). Resistance training (n = 11) caused a persistent elevation of the IOP-related profile from the onset of the activity (p = 0.005) through 120 min after the activity was stopped (p = 0.007). Yoga/meditation (n = 4) caused a sustained drop in the IOP-related profiles through to 120 min, although this was not statistically significant (p > 0.380). Emotional stress (n = 13) was associated with a gradual elevation of the IOP-related profile from the start of the stressful stimulus. Both early and late variations were statistically significant (p = 0.038 and p = 0.021, respectively). The present study suggests that emotional stress and resistance training may be associated with persistent IOP-related profile elevation.
Free-standing, thin-film sensors for the trace detection of explosives
Authors: Ricci Peter P. , Gregory Otto J.
Published: March 2021

In a world focused on the development of cybersecurity, many densely populated areas and transportation hubs are still susceptible to terrorist attacks via improvised explosive devices (IEDs). These devices frequently employ a combination of peroxide based explosives as well as nitramines, nitrates, and nitroaromatics. Detection of these explosives can be challenging due to varying chemical composition and the extremely low vapor pressures exhibited by some explosive compounds. No electronic trace detection system currently exists that is capable of continuously monitoring both peroxide based explosives and certain nitrogen based explosives, or their precursors, in the vapor phase. Recently, we developed a thermodynamic sensor that can detect a multitude of explosives in the vapor phase at the parts-per-trillion (ppt) level. The sensors rely on the catalytic decomposition of the explosive and specific oxidation–reduction reactions between the energetic molecule and metal oxide catalyst; i.e. the heat effects associated with catalytic decomposition and redox reactions between the decomposition products and catalyst are measured. Improved sensor response and selectivity were achieved by fabricating free-standing, ultrathin film (1 µm thick) microheater sensors for this purpose. The fabrication method used here relies on the interdiffusion mechanics between a copper (Cu) adhesion layer and the palladium (Pd) microheater sensor. A detailed description of the fabrication process to produce a free-standing 1 µm thick sensor is presented.
Compost mixed fruits and vegetable waste biochar with ACC deaminase rhizobacteria can minimize lead stress in mint plants
Authors: Zafar-ul-Hye Muhammad , Tahzeeb-ul-Hassan Muhammad , Wahid Abdul , Danish Subhan , Khan Muhammad Jamil , Fahad Shah , Brtnicky Martin , Hussain Ghulam Sabir , Battaglia Martin Leonardo , Datta Rahul
Published: March 2021

High lead (Pb) concentration in soils is becoming a severe threat to human health. It also deteriorates plants, growth, yield and quality of food. Although the use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), biochar and compost can be effective environment-friendly amendments for decreasing Pb stress in crop plants, the impacts of their simultaneous co-application has not been well documented. Thus current study was carried, was conducted to investigate the role of rhizobacteria and compost mixed biochar (CB) under Pb stress on selected soil properties and agronomic parameters in mint (Mentha piperitaL.) plants. To this end, six treatments were studied:Alcaligenes faecalis,Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, CB, PGPR1 + CB, PGPR2 + CB and control. Results showed that the applicationA. faecalis + CB significantly decreased soil pH and EC over control. However, OM, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium concentration were significantly improved in the soil whereA. faecalis + CB was applied over control. TheA. faecalis + CB treatment significantly improved mint plant root dry weight (58%), leaves dry weight (32%), chlorophyll (37%), and N (46%), P (39%) and K (63%) leave concentration, while also decreasing the leaves Pb uptake by 13.5% when compared to the unamended control. In conclusion,A. faecalis + CB has a greater potential to improve overall soil quality, fertility and mint plant productivity under high Pb soil concentration compared to the sole application of CB andA. faecalis.
HiCancer: accurate and complete cancer genome phasing with Hi-C reads
Authors: Pan Weihua , Gong Desheng , Sun Da , Luo Haohui
Published: March 2021

Due to the high complexity of cancer genome, it is too difficult to generate complete cancer genome map which contains the sequence of every DNA molecule until now. Nevertheless, phasing each chromosome in cancer genome into two haplotypes according to germline mutations provides a suboptimal solution to understand cancer genome. However, phasing cancer genome is also a challenging problem, due to the limit in experimental and computational technologies. Hi-C data is widely used in phasing in recent years due to its long-range linkage information and provides an opportunity for solving the problem of phasing cancer genome. The existing Hi-C based phasing methods can not be applied to cancer genome directly, because the somatic mutations in cancer genome such as somatic SNPs, copy number variations and structural variations greatly reduce the correctness and completeness. Here, we propose a new Hi-C based pipeline for phasing cancer genome called HiCancer. HiCancer solves different kinds of somatic mutations and variations, and take advantage of allelic copy number imbalance and linkage disequilibrium to improve the correctness and completeness of phasing. According to our experiments in K562 and KBM-7 cell lines, HiCancer is able to generate very high-quality chromosome-level haplotypes for cancer genome with only Hi-C data.
Coastal road mortality of land crab during spawning migration
Authors: Ryu Mi , Kim Jae Geun
Published: March 2021

Land crabs are threatened by ocean sprawl even though they act as keystone consumers in coastal forest. Female land crabs must migrate to the sea annually to release larvae. However, they face the risk of road mortality which reduces ecological connectivity. We investigated the spawning migration rhythm and the roadkill of land crab. Migrating crabs and roadkilled crabs were recorded on coastal roads in South Korea from July 28 to August 27 in 2018. Female land crabs mainly released zoeae during spring tide. The number of roadkilled crabs also synchronized with migration peak. A majority (95%) of 739 roadkilled carcasses were female crabs. As a result, the female crabs accounted only 29.6% of the population which can lead to a population decline. The roadkill density was the highest in a residential area without cement guardrails. These results suggest the mitigation actions for land crab roadkill. Among them, prohibiting vehicular traffic between sunset and midnight during spring tides in the breeding season should increase the viability of the population.
Clinical outcomes of T4a papillary thyroid cancer with recurrent laryngeal nerve involvement: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Na Han-Seul , Kwon Hyun-Keun , Shin Sung-Chan , Cheon Yong-Il , Seo Myeonggu , Lee Jin-Choon , Sung Eui-Suk , Lee Minhyung , Kim In-Joo , Kim Bo Hyun , Lee Byung-Joo
Published: March 2021

Preoperative vocal cord palsy (VCP) may indicate locally invasive papillary thyroid cancer (PTC); using this relationship, we evaluated the clinical outcomes and risk factors for recurrence in post-thyroidectomy T4a PTC patients with recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) involvement. We retrospectively investigated thyroidectomy patients, recorded their clinical factors, recurrence rate, and pathological findings, and analysed the relationship between recurrence rate and clinical factors. Of 72 patients, 37 (51%) had preoperative VCP and 35 (49%) had normal preoperative vocal cord movement with confirmed intraoperative RLN invasion. Tracheal and esophageal invasion was observed in 13 (18%) and 15 (21%) patients, respectively. Thyroid cancer recurred in 18 (25%) patients over 58 months, resulting in 2 (3%) deaths. Recurrence was not associated with surgical extent, organ invasion, enlarged tumour size, or lymph node infiltration (p > 0.05). The recurrence rate was significantly higher in patients with positive resection margins (p < 0.05). T4a PTC patients with RLN involvement showed a poor prognosis. The recurrence rate was not affected by preoperative VCP, intraoperative detection of RLN invasion, nerve resection, nerve preservation by shaving, lymph node metastasis, or tracheal or esophageal invasion. The most important prognostic factor for recurrence was a positive resection margin.
A potential cephalopod from the early Cambrian of eastern Newfoundland, Canada
Authors: Hildenbrand Anne , Austermann Gregor , Fuchs Dirk , Bengtson Peter , Stinnesbeck Wolfgang
Published: March 2021

Although an early Cambrian origin of cephalopods has been suggested by molecular studies, no unequivocal fossil evidence has yet been presented. Septate shells collected from shallow-marine limestone of the lower Cambrian (upper Terreneuvian, c. 522 Ma) Bonavista Formation of southeastern Newfoundland, Canada, are here interpreted as straight, elongate conical cephalopod phragmocones. The material documented here may push the origin of cephalopods back in time by about 30 Ma to an unexpected early stage of the Cambrian biotic radiation of metazoans, i.e. before the first occurrence of euarthropods.
Identification of a missense variant in SPDL1 associated with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Dhindsa Ryan S. , Mattsson Johan , Nag Abhishek , Wang Quanli , Wain Louise V. , Allen Richard , Wigmore Eleanor M. , Ibanez Kristina , Vitsios Dimitrios , Deevi Sri V. V. , Wasilewski Sebastian , Karlsson Maria , Lassi Glenda , Olsson Henric , Muthas Daniel , Monkley Susan , Mackay Alex , Murray Lynne , Young Simon , Haefliger Carolina ,   FinnGen Consortium, Maher Toby M. , Belvisi Maria G. , Jenkins Gisli , Molyneaux Philip L. , Platt Adam , Petrovski Slavé
Published: March 2021

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal disorder characterised by progressive, destructive lung scarring. Despite substantial progress, the genetic determinants of this disease remain incompletely defined. Using whole genome and whole exome sequencing data from 752 individuals with sporadic IPF and 119,055 UK Biobank controls, we performed a variant-level exome-wide association study (ExWAS) and gene-level collapsing analyses. Our variant-level analysis revealed a novel association between a rare missense variant in SPDL1 and IPF (NM_017785.5:g.169588475 G > A p.Arg20Gln; p = 2.4 × 10−7, odds ratio = 2.87, 95% confidence interval: 2.03–4.07). This signal was independently replicated in the FinnGen cohort, which contains 1028 cases and 196,986 controls (combined p = 2.2 × 10−20), firmly associating this variant as an IPF risk allele. SPDL1 encodes Spindly, a protein involved in mitotic checkpoint signalling during cell division that has not been previously described in fibrosis. To the best of our knowledge, these results highlight a novel mechanism underlying IPF, providing the potential for new therapeutic discoveries in a disease of great unmet need.
Thin film molecularly imprinted polymer (TF-MIP), a selective and single-use extraction device for high-throughput analysis of biological samples
Authors: Shahhoseini Fereshteh , Langille Evan A. , Azizi Ali , Bottaro Christina S.
Published: March 2021

A thin film molecularly imprinted polymer (TF-MIP) is developed for isolation of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). This single use microextraction device is applied for selective and high-throughput extraction of TCAs from biological matrices.
Copper-catalyzed domino synthesis of multi-substituted benzo[b]thiophene through radical cyclization using xanthate as a sulfur surrogate
Authors: Sundaravelu Nallappan , Singha Tushar , Nandy Anuradha , Sekar Govindasamy
Published: March 2021

Cu-catalyzed domino synthesis of multi-substituted benzo[b]thiophene via radical cyclization of 2-iodophenyl ketones has been developed using xanthate as a sulfur surrogate. Furthermore, it was extended for the synthesis of Lupinalbin analogues.
Expanding carbon capture capacity: uncovering additional CO2 adsorption sites in imine-linked porous organic cages
Authors: Li Zezhong John , Srebnik Simcha
Published: March 2021

Three types of CO2 adsorption sites are identified for a 15-crown-5 ether-substituted porous organic cage. Each CO2 molecule in the image represents a possible adsorption site, with the numerals corresponding to the site type.
Structural insights into the recognition of DNA defects by small molecules
Authors: Dayanidhi P. David , Vaidyanathan V. G.
Published: March 2021

In this review, we have underlined the application of transition metal chemistry in biological systems.
Self-decontaminating nanofibrous filters for efficient particulate matter removal and airborne bacteria inactivation
Authors: Zhu Zan , Zhang Yu , Bao Liang , Chen Jianping , Duan Shun , Chen Sheng-Chieh , Xu Ping , Wang Wei-Ning
Published: March 2021

With the increased hospital-acquired infections caused by bio-contaminated surfaces, the requirement for a safer and more efficient antibacterial strategy in designing personal protective equipment such as N95 respirators is rising with urgency.
Nanoemulsion fluorescent inks for anti-counterfeiting encryption with dual-mode, full-color, and long-term stability
Authors: Wu Wenna , Liu Huizhong , Yuan Jin , Zhang Zhuo , Wang Ling , Dong Shuli , Hao Jingcheng
Published: March 2021

A kind of dual-mode luminescence, full-color display, long-term stable fluorescence anti-counterfeiting aqueous ink based on an oil-in-water nanoemulsion was prepared. It can achieve information anti-counterfeiting and encryption.
A supramolecular single-site photocatalyst based on multi-to-one Förster resonance energy transfer
Authors: Ji Yi , Zuo Quan , Chen Chuanshuang , Liu Yannan , Mai Yiyong , Zhou Yongfeng
Published: March 2021

A multi-to-one supramolecular photocatalyst with multiple graphene quantum dot antennas onto a single-Pt-site porphyrin catalytic center is fabricated for water splitting.
Reticular synthesis of two anionic Zn(ii)-MOFs for organic dye adsorption/separation and lanthanide ion sensitization
Authors: Zhang Hao , Geng Wu-Yue , Luo Yu-Hui , Ding Zi-Jun , Wang Zhi-Xuan , Xie A.-Di , Zhang Dong-En
Published: March 2021

Two new pillar-layered anionic microporous Zn(ii)-MOFs have been reticularly synthesized and developed as multifunctional materials for adsorption and separation of organic dyes and sensitization of rare earth ions.
Characterizing the lone pair⋯π–hole interaction in complexes of ammonia with perfluorinated arenes
Authors: Li Weixing , Usabiaga Imanol , Calabrese Camilla , Evangelisti Luca , Maris Assimo , Favero Laura B. , Melandri Sonia
Published: March 2021

Stronger and more flexible lone pair⋯π–hole interaction of ammonia with respect to water in complexes with perfluorinated arenes.
Helical carbon nanofibers modified with Fe2O3 as a high performance anode material for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Qing Ting , Liu Naiqiang , Jin Yongzhong , Chen Ge , Min Dang
Published: March 2021

Fe2O3/HCNFs were successfully prepared by a chemical liquid deposition (CLPD) method. Within the hybrid composite, the HCNFs and Fe2O3 show a synergistic effect to improve the coulombic efficiency and specific capacity.
Zn(H2C3N3O3)2·3H2O: the first single-d10transition metal based ultraviolet hydroisocyanurate crystal with large birefringence
Authors: Wang Dandan , Zhang Xinyuan , Liang Fei , Hu Zhanggui , Wu Yicheng
Published: March 2021

The first single-d10transition metal hydroisocyanurate crystal was designed and synthesized successfully with large band gaps and optical anisotropy.
Unveiling the multiscale morphology of chemically stabilized proton exchange membranes for fuel cells by means of Fourier and real space studies
Authors: Huynh Natacha , Cosas Fernandes João Paulo , Mareau Vincent H. , Gonon Laurent , Pouget Stéphanie , Jouneau Pierre-Henri , Porcar Lionel , Mendil-Jakani Hakima
Published: March 2021

Deciphering the multiscale morphology of a new generation of hybrid membranes for PEMFC applications showing promising performances and durability.
Plasmon-induced ultrafast charge transfer in single-particulate Cu1.94S–ZnS nanoheterostructures
Authors: Guo Xueyi , Liu Sheng , Wang Weijia , Li Chongyao , Yang Ying , Tian Qinghua , Liu Yong
Published: March 2021

Recombination centers generated from structural and interfacial defects in nanoheterostructures (NHs) prevent effective photo-induced charge transfer and have blocked the advance of many photoresponsive applications.
Wavelength dependent photochemistry of BODIPY–phenols and their applications in the fluorescent labeling of proteins
Authors: Zlatić Katarina , Cindrić Matej , Antol Ivana , Uzelac Lidija , Mihaljević Branka , Kralj Marijeta , Basarić Nikola
Published: March 2021

The molecules undergo wavelength dependent photochemistry, since photodeamination to QMs takes place only upon excitation to higher excited singlet states, showing unusual anti-Kasha photochemical reactivity.
Homoleptic tris(6,6′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine) rare earth metal complexes
Authors: Xiao Yuyuan , Sun Rong , Liang Jiefeng , Fang Yuhui , Liu Zheng , Jiang Shangda , Wang Bingwu , Gao Song , Huang Wenliang
Published: March 2021

Homoleptic tris(bipy) rare earth metal complexes were synthesized and structurally characterized. While two parallel bipy radical anions were strongly antiferromagnetically coupled, the remaining bipy radical anion hosted most spin densities.
Membrane-coated 3D architectures for bottom-up synthetic biology
Authors: Eto Hiromune , Franquelim Henri G. , Heymann Michael , Schwille Petra
Published: March 2021

This paper outlines a robust method to template biological membranes in 3D geometries using micron-scale 3D printing. Dynamic protein systems were reconstituted in vitro and their self-organization was observed in response to the 3D geometry.
Identification of pivotal genes associated with the prognosis of gastric carcinoma through integrated analysis
Authors: Ma Zhenchao , Xu Jianwei , Ru Lixin , Zhu Weihua
Published: March 2021

Purpose: Detecting and diagnosing gastric cancer (GC) during its early period remains greatly difficult. Our analysis was performed to detect core genes correlated with GC and explore their prognostic values.

Methods: Microarray datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) (GSE54129) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) datasets were applied for common differentially co-expressed genes using differential gene expression analysis and Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA). Functional enrichment analysis and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis of differentially co-expressed genes were performed. We identified hub genes via the CytoHubba plugin. Prognostic values of hub genes were explored. Afterward, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was used to analyze survival-related hub genes. Finally, the tumor-infiltrating immune cell (TIC) abundance profiles were estimated.

Results: Sixty common differentially co-expressed genes were found. Functional enrichment analysis implied that cell–cell junction organization and cell adhesion molecules were primarily enriched. Hub genes were identified using the degree, edge percolated component (EPC), maximal clique centrality (MCC), and maximum neighborhood component (MNC) algorithms, and serpin family E member 1 (SERPINE1) was highly associated with the prognosis of GC patients. Moreover, GSEA demonstrated that extracellular matrix (ECM) receptor interactions and pathways in cancers were correlated with SERPINE1 expression. CIBERSORT analysis of the proportion of TICs suggested that CD8+ T cell and T-cell regulation were negatively associated with SERPINE1 expression, showing that SERPINE1 may inhibit the immune-dominant status of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in GC.

Conclusions: Our analysis shows that SERPINE1 is closely correlated with the tumorigenesis and progression of GC. Furthermore, SERPINE1 acts as a candidate therapeutic target and prognostic biomarker of GC.
Toddlers' Early Communicative Skills as Assessed by the Short Form Version of the Estonian MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory II
Authors: Urm Ada , Tulviste Tiia
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of the current study is to develop a valid and reliable screening tool to identify children with risk of developing language difficulties for Estonian-speaking 2- to 3-year-old children.

Method

Nine hundred ninety parents of children ages 1;8–3;1 (years;months) filled in the Estonian MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory II (ECDI-II SF)—containing a 100-word vocabulary checklist, questions about decontextualized language use, and sentence production. A subset of parents filled in the long form of the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory: Words and Sentences (
n
= 131). We examined the results of 31 children with language problems on the ECDI-II SF to assess the accuracy of the instrument.

Results

The concordance of scores on the ECDI-II long form and ECDI-II SF is high. Toddlers' results on the ECDI-II SF are related to their gender, with girls outscoring boys on the expressive vocabulary and sentence complexity subscales. We also found that children of highly educated mothers outperform others in the acquisition of grammatical skills. The sensitivity and specificity of the ECDI-II SF vocabulary section supported the implementation of this screening tool in order to identify toddlers with difficulties in their language development.

Conclusions

ECDI-II SF vocabulary scores are the most informative for determining whether a 2- or 3-year-old is following typical developmental patterns or should be referred to a speech and language specialist for a direct assessment. We provide a discussion on early language screening process and its implications for public health policies.
J-PLUS: The star formation main sequence and rate density at d  ≲  75 Mpc
Authors: Vilella-Rojo G. , Logroño-García R. , López-Sanjuan C. , Viironen K. , Varela J. , Moles M. , Cenarro A. J. , Cristóbal-Hornillos D. , Ederoclite A. , Hernández-Monteagudo C. , Marín-Franch A. , Vázquez Ramió H. , Galbany L. , González Delgado R. M. , Hernán-Caballero A. , Lumbreras-Calle A. , Sánchez-Blázquez P. , Sobral D. , Vílchez J. M. , Alcaniz J. , Angulo R. E. , Dupke R. A. , Sodré L.
Published: March 2021

Aims. Our goal is to estimate the star formation main sequence (SFMS) and the star formation rate density (SFRD) at z ≤ 0.017 (d ≲ 75 Mpc) using the Javalambre Photometric Local Universe Survey (J-PLUS) first data release, that probes 897.4 deg2 with twelve optical bands.

Methods. We extract the Hα emission flux of 805 local galaxies from the J-PLUS filter J0660, being the continuum level estimated with the other eleven J-PLUS bands, and the dust attenuation and nitrogen contamination corrected with empirical relations. Stellar masses (M⋆), Hα luminosities (LHα), and star formation rates (SFRs) were estimated by accounting for parameters covariances. Our sample comprises 689 blue galaxies and 67 red galaxies, classified in the (u − g) vs. (g − z) color–color diagram, plus 49 AGN.

Results. The SFMS is explored at log M⋆ ≳ 8 and it is clearly defined by the blue galaxies, with the red galaxies located below them. The SFMS is described as log SFR = 0.83log M⋆ − 8.44. We find a good agreement with previous estimations of the SFMS, especially those based on integral field spectroscopy. The Hα luminosity function of the AGN-free sample is well described by a Schechter function with log LHα∗ = 41.34, log ϕ* = −2.43, and α = −1.25. Our measurements provide a lower characteristic luminosity than several previous studies in the literature.

Conclusions. The derived star formation rate density at d ≲ 75 Mpc is log ρSFR = −2.10 ± 0.11, with red galaxies accounting for 15% of the SFRD. Our value is lower than previous estimations at similar redshift, and provides a local reference for evolutionary studies regarding the star formation history of the Universe.
TMC-1, the starless core sulfur factory: Discovery of NCS, HCCS, H2CCS, H2CCCS, and C4S and detection of C5S
Authors: Cernicharo J. , Cabezas C. , Agúndez M. , Tercero B. , Pardo J. R. , Marcelino N. , Gallego J. D. , Tercero F. , López-Pérez J. A. , de Vicente P.
Published: March 2021

We report the detection of the sulfur-bearing species NCS, HCCS, H2CCS, H2CCCS, and C4S for the first time in space. These molecules were found towards TMC-1 through the observation of several lines for each species. We also report the detection of C5S for the first time in a cold cloud through the observation of five lines in the 31–50 GHz range. The derived column densities are N(NCS) = (7.8 ± 0.6)  ×  1011 cm−2, N(HCCS) = (6.8 ± 0.6)  ×  1011 cm−2, N(H2CCS) = (7.8 ± 0.8)  ×  1011 cm−2, N(H2CCCS) = (3.7 ± 0.4) × 1011 cm−2, N(C4S) = (3.8 ± 0.4) × 1010 cm−2, and N(C5S) = (5.0 ± 1.0) × 1010 cm−2. The observed abundance ratio between C3S and C4S is 340, that is to say a factor of approximately one hundred larger than the corresponding value for CCS and C3S. The observational results are compared with a state-of-the-art chemical model, which is only partially successful in reproducing the observed abundances. These detections underline the need to improve chemical networks dealing with S-bearing species.