bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Root age influences failure location in grass species during mechanical testing
Authors: Boldrin David , Bengough Anthony Glyn , Lin Zijian , Loades Kenneth Wilhelmus
Published: January 2021

Aims

Root tensile tests are often rejected if failure location is outside the middle section of samples. This study aims to identify where and why failure occurs along a root axis, and hence to revisit current approaches to test-validity.

Methods

Roots from Festuca arundinacea; Lolium multiflorum; Lolium perenne were sampled from field-grown plants. Roots were tensile tested using a universal testing machine. Root samples were randomly allocated into two groups for testing. Group 1 roots were orientated with the older tissue closest to the top clamp, group 2 roots were orientated oppositely. Tensile strength, Young’s modulus and failure location were recorded for each sample.

Results

Lolium multiflorum roots were thinner and stronger than roots of Festuca arundinacea. Failure location in tensile tests depended significantly on tissue age with 75% of samples failing in the younger third of root tissue regardless of the root orientation in the testing frame. Only 7% of roots failed in the middle third of the sample.

Conclusions

Fibrous roots tested in tension were observed to consistently fail in the younger tissue along the root axis. Exclusion of samples which fail outside the middle region of the root axis needs re-evaluation for a range of species.
Nutrient stoichiometry of a plant-microbe-soil system in response to cover crop species and soil type
Authors: Bragazza Luca , Fontana Mario , Guillaume Thomas , Scow Kate M. , Sinaj Sokrat
Published: January 2021

Aims

The theory of ecological stoichiometry mostly builds on studies of natural terrestrial ecosystems, whereas only limited stoichiometry information is available in response to agronomic practices.

Methods

We designed a greenhouse experiment in order to disentangle the specific role of cover crop identity and soil characteristic in affecting nutrient stoichiometry of a plant-microbe-soil system.

Results

Nutrient ratios of cover crop biomass were species-specific and the growth rate explained, for most species considered, the stoichiometric differences in response to soil type. In contrast, the nutrient stoichiometry of soil microbes was more homeostatic and did not respond to either cover crop identity or soil type. Compared to bare soil, the presence of cover crop enhanced microbial phosphorus immobilization in the clay-rich soil, whereas it promoted microbial carbon biomass and microbial nitrogen immobilization in the sandy-rich soil. A greater microbial cumulative respiration in clay soils, where a higher microbial biomass C at the beginning of the incubation was observed, suggested a major role of soil type, compared to cover crop identity, in affecting microbial metabolism.

Conclusions

By understanding the stoichiometric constraints in the plant-microbe-soil system, our findings can help to implement agro-ecological practices by selecting appropriate cover crop species in relation to soil type in order, for example, to avoid nutrient limitation due to microbial nutrient immobilization.
How do Google searches for symptoms, news and unemployment interact during COVID-19? A Lotka–Volterra analysis of google trends data
Authors: Sotis Chiara
Published: January 2021

In this paper I exploit Google searches for the topics “symptoms”, “unemployment” and “news” as a proxy for how much attention people pay to the health and economic situation and the amount of news they consume, respectively. I then use an integrable nonautonomous Lotka–Volterra model to study the interactions among these searches in three U.S. States (Mississippi, Nevada and Utah), the District of Columbia and in the U.S. as a whole. I find that the results are very similar in all areas analyzed, and for different specifications of the model. Prior to the pandemic outbreak, the interactions among health searches, unemployment searches and news consumption are very weak, i.e. an increase in searches for one of these topics does not affect the amount of searches for the others. However, from around the beginning of the pandemic these interactions intensify greatly, suggesting that the pandemic has created a tight link between the health and economic situation and the amount of news people consume. I observe that from March 2020 unemployment predates searches for news and for symptoms. Consequently, whenever searches for unemployment increase, all the other searches decrease. Conversely, when searches for any of the other topics considered increase, searches for unemployment also increase. This underscores the importance of mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on unemployment to avoid that this issue swallows all others in the mind of the people.
Powers in arithmetic progressions
Authors: Hajdu Lajos , Tengely Szabolcs
Published: January 2021

We investigate the function $$P_{a,b;N}(\ell )$$

P

a
,
b
;
N

(
ℓ
)

describing the number of $$\ell $$
ℓ
-th powers among the first N terms of an arithmetic progression $$ax+b$$

a
x
+
b

. We completely describe the arithmetic progressions containing the most $$\ell $$
ℓ
-th powers asymptotically. Based on these results we formulate problems concerning the maximum of $$P_{a,b;N}(\ell )$$

P

a
,
b
;
N

(
ℓ
)

, and we give affirmative answers to these questions for certain small values of $$\ell $$
ℓ
and N.
Paediatric Cushing’s disease: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical management and outcome
Authors: Ferrigno Rosario , Hasenmajer Valeria , Caiulo Silvana , Minnetti Marianna , Mazzotta Paola , Storr Helen L , Isidori Andrea M , Grossman Ashley B , De Martino Maria Cristina , Savage Martin O
Published: January 2021

Cushing’s disease (CD) is rare in paediatric practice but requires prompt investigation, diagnosis and therapy to prevent long-term complications. Key presenting features are a change in facial appearance, weight gain, growth failure, virilization, disturbed puberty and psychological disturbance. Close consultation with an adult endocrinology department is recommended regarding diagnosis and therapy. The incidence of CD, a form of ACTH-dependent Cushing’s syndrome (CS), is equal to approximately 5% of that seen in adults. The majority of ACTH-secreting adenomas are monoclonal and sporadic, although recent studies of pituitary tumours have shown links to several deubiquitination gene defects. Diagnosis requires confirmation of hypercortisolism followed by demonstration of ACTH-dependence. Identification of the corticotroph adenoma by pituitary MRI and/or bilateral inferior petrosal sampling for ACTH may contribute to localisation before pituitary surgery. Transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) with selective microadenomectomy is first-line therapy, followed by external pituitary irradiation if surgery is not curative. Medical therapy to suppress adrenal steroid synthesis is effective in the short-term and bilateral adrenalectomy should be considered in cases unfit for TSS or radiotherapy or when urgent remission is needed after unsuccessful surgery. TSS induces remission of hypercortisolism and improvement of symptoms in 70–100% of cases, particularly when performed by a surgeon with experience in children. Post-TSS complications include pituitary hormone deficiencies, sub-optimal catch-up growth, and persisting excess of BMI. Recurrence of hypercortisolism following remission is recognised but infrequent, being less common than in adult CD patients. With experienced specialist medical and surgical care, the overall prognosis is good. Early referral to an experienced endocrine centre is advised.
Molecular Simulations of Electrotunable Lubrication: Viscosity and Wall Slip in Aqueous Electrolytes
Authors: Seidl Christian , Hörmann Johannes L. , Pastewka Lars
Published: January 2021

We study the frictional response of water-lubricated gold electrodes subject to an electrostatic potential difference using molecular dynamics simulations. Contrary to previous studies on electrotunable lubrication that were carried out by fixing the charges, our simulations keep electrodes at fixed electrostatic potential using a variable charge method. For pure water and NaCl solutions, viscosity is independent of the polarization of the electrodes, but wall slip depends on the potential difference. Our findings are in agreement with previous analytical theories of how wall slip is affected by interatomic interactions. The simulations shed light on the role of electrode polarization for wall slip and illustrate a mechanism for controlling friction and nanoscale flow in simple aqueous lubricants.
The relationship between landscape features and domestic species on the occupancy of native mammals in urban forests
Authors: Soultan Alaaeldin , Attum Omar , Lahue Wade
Published: January 2021

Landscape features such as roads, hiking trails, and forest edge are prevalent features of urban forests. These features can negatively influence biodiversity through fragmentation and facilitate the penetration of invasive species, particularly predators such as domestic dogs and cats. This study examined how these landscape features affect the distribution of native and domestic mammals and how domestic species affect the occupancy and activity patterns of native mammals. To this end, we conducted camera trap surveys in forested urban and suburban parks in Indiana and Kentucky, USA, to record the presence of native species (deer, raccoons, coyote, and opossums) and non-native predators (domesticated cats and dogs) in relation to distance to nearest roads, hiking trails, and forest edge. We found negative correlations between proximity to roads, hiking trails, and forest edge and the occupancy of the native species with this effect extending up to 300 m. We also found evidence that the presence of dog and cat was negatively correlated with the occupancy for all native species. We recommend park management consider the impact of roads, hiking trails, and forest edge when designing parks and the enforcement of dog leash regulations for the conservation of large mammals in urban parks.
Quantum ontology without speculation
Authors: Egg Matthias
Published: January 2021

Existing proposals concerning the ontology of quantum mechanics (QM) either involve speculation that goes beyond the scientific evidence or abandon realism about large parts of QM. This paper proposes a way out of this dilemma, by showing that QM as it is formulated in standard textbooks allows for a much more substantive ontological commitment than is usually acknowledged. For this purpose, I defend a non-fundamentalist approach to ontology, which is then applied to various aspects of QM. In particular, I will defend realism about spin, which has been viewed as a particularly hard case for the ontology of QM.
The impact of the proposed rubber dam facilitated surface water irrigation on adjacent groundwater at Chapai Nawabganj district, Bangladesh
Authors: Paul Sondipon , Hasan Khairul
Published: January 2021

The dry season irrigation primarily depends on groundwater in Bangladesh. The over-abstraction, along with decreasing recharge, is depleting the groundwater resource across the country. Consequently, the government of Bangladesh is planning to switch from groundwater to surface water irrigation. In line with this, Bangladesh Water Development Board has proposed to construct a rubber dam on the Mohananda river at the Chapai Nawabganj district. This work investigated the impact of the proposed reservoir facilitated surface water irrigation on the adjacent groundwater in the study area. A coupled river–groundwater modeling technique was used to predict the long-term groundwater condition. Results showed that the groundwater lowering rate reduced to 50 mm/year inside the irrigation zone compared to 87 mm/year outside the zone. Also, the augmented surface water irrigation raised the groundwater over an area of 141 km2 and 242 km2 in 2029 relative to the base condition of 2013 and existing irrigation practice if continued, respectively. Besides, the raised groundwater resulted in a higher discharge from the aquifer to the river. The study concludes that increased surface water irrigation successfully lowered the groundwater declination rate, especially in the surface water irrigation zone.
TNF-α-Inhibition Improves the Biocompatibility of Porous Polyethylene Implants In Vivo
Authors: Hussain Timon , Gellrich Donata , Siemer Svenja , Reichel Christoph A. , Eckrich Jonas , Dietrich Dimo , Knauer Shirley K. , Stauber Roland H. , Strieth Sebastian
Published: January 2021

Background:

To improve the biocompatibility of porous polyethylene (PPE) implants and expand their application range for reconstructive surgery in poorly vascularized environments, implants were coated with tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) inhibitor Etanercept. While approved for systemic application, local application of the drug is a novel experimental approach. Microvascular and mechanical integration as well as parameters of inflammation were analyzedin vivo.

Methods:

PPE implants were coated with Etanercept and extracellular matrix (ECM) components prior to implantation into dorsal skinfold chambers of C57BL/6 mice. Fluorescence microscopy analyses of angiogenesis and local inflammatory response were thrice performedin vivoover a period of 14 days to assess tissue integration and biocompatibility. Uncoated implants and ECM-coated implants served as controls.

Results:

TNFα inhibition with Etanercept led to a reduced local inflammatory response: leukocyte-endothelial cell adherence was significantly lowered compared to both control groups (n = 6/group) on days 3 and 14, where the lowest values were reached: 3573.88 leukocytes/mm-2 ± 880.16 (uncoated implants) vs. 3939.09 mm-2 ± 623.34 (Matrigel only) vs. 637.98 mm-2 + 176.85 (Matrigel and Etanercept). Implant-coating with Matrigel alone and Matrigel and Etanercept led to significantly higher vessel densities 7 and 14 days vs. 3 days after implantation and compared to uncoated implants. Mechanical implant integration as measured by dynamic breaking strength did not differ after 14 days.

Conclusion:

Our data show a reduced local inflammatory response to PPE implants after immunomodulatory coating with Etanerceptin vivo, suggesting improved biocompatibility. Application of this tissue engineering approach is therefore warranted in models of a compromised host environment.
Resistance Exercise in Prostate Cancer Patients: a Short Review
Authors: Zdravkovic Andrej , Hasenoehrl Timothy , Crevenna Richard
Published: January 2021

Purpose of Review

The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of recent findings concerning the utilization of resistance exercise (RE) in prostate cancer (PCa), in particular as pertaining to the management of cancer therapy side effects.

Recent Findings

As of late, studies investigating the effects of RE in PCa patients have found positive effects on muscle strength, body composition, physical functioning, quality of life, and fatigue. The combination of RE and impact training appears to decrease the loss of bone mineral density. RE seems to be well accepted and tolerated, even by patients with bone metastatic disease, although a modification of the RE prescription is often necessary.

In PCa patients, RE has been well-researched and the data are clear that it is beneficial in multiple ways. Future directions should look at the long-term effects of RE, including mortality and relapse, as well as implementation of exercise programs.
CuO/CuxS composites fabrication and their thermoelectric properties
Authors: Mulla Rafiq , Rabinal M. K.
Published: January 2021

Herein, copper oxide/copper sulfide (CuO/CuxS) composites have been prepared by treating CuO with thiourea by an aqueous hydrothermal route and their thermoelectric properties are studied. The electrical conductivity is improved with the increase in thiourea content, as a result, thermoelectric power factor increased from 10–4 to 101 µW m−1 K−2, and thermal conductivity of the CuO is also found to decrease with thiourea treatment. A detailed analysis indicated that these changes are due to the formation of copper sulfide (CuxS) in the CuO compound; a small fraction of electrically good conducting CuxS in the bulk CuO has produced composites with better electrical conductivity. These low-cost and non-toxic materials can be useful in thermoelectric energy conversion applications.
Acute kidney injury and its outcomes in melioidosis
Authors: Prabhu Ravindra Attur , Shaw Tushar , Rao Indu Ramachandra , Kalwaje Eshwara Vandana , Nagaraju Shankar Prasad , Shenoy Srinivas Vinayak , Mukhopadhyay Chiranjay
Published: January 2021

Background

Melioidosis is a potentially fatal tropical infection caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei. Kidney involvement is possible, but has not been well described.

Aim

This study aimed to assess the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) and its outcomes in melioidosis.

Methods

A retrospective observational cohort study was performed. Case records of consecutive patients with culture-confirmed melioidosis, observed from January 1st, 2012 through December 31st, 2019 were analysed for demographics, presence of comorbidities, including chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetes mellitus (DM), and presence of bacteraemia, sepsis, shock, AKI, and urinary abnormalities. The outcomes we studied were: mortality, need for hospitalisation in an intensive care unit (ICU), duration of hospitalization. We then compared the outcomes between patients with and without AKI.

Results

Of 164 patients, AKI was observed in 59 (35.98%), and haemodialysis was required in eight (13.56%). In the univariate analysis, AKI was associated with CKD (OR 5.83; CI 1.140–29.90, P = 0.03), bacteraemia (OR 8.82; CI 3.67–21.22, P < 0.001) and shock (OR 3.75; CI 1.63–8.65, P = 0.04). In the multivariate analysis, CKD (adjusted OR 10.68; 95% CI 1.66–68.77; P = 0.013) and bacteraemia (adjusted OR 8.22; 95% CI 3.15–21.47, P < 0.001) predicted AKI. AKI was associated with a greater need for ICU care (37.3% vs. 13.3%, P = 0.001), and mortality (32.2% vs. 5.7%, P < 0.001). Mortality increased with increasing AKI stage, i.e. stage 1 (OR 3.52, CI 0.9–13.7, P = 0.07), stage 2 (OR 6.79, CI 1.92–24, P = 0.002) and stage 3 (OR 17.8, CI 5.05–62.8, P < 0.001), however kidney function recovered in survivors. Hyponatremia was observed in 138 patients (84.15%) and isolated urinary abnormalities were seen in 31(18.9%).

Conclusions

AKI is frequent in melioidosis and occurred in 35.9% of our cases. Hyponatremia is likewise common. AKI was predicted by bacteraemia and CKD, and was associated with higher mortality and need for ICU care; however kidney function recovery was observed in survivors.

Graphic abstract
Attention neural collaboration filtering based on GRU for recommender systems
Authors: Xia Hongbin , Luo Yang , Liu Yuan
Published: January 2021

The collaborative filtering method is widely used in the traditional recommendation system. The collaborative filtering method based on matrix factorization treats the user’s preference for the item as a linear combination of the user and the item latent vectors, and cannot learn a deeper feature representation. In addition, the cold start and data sparsity remain major problems for collaborative filtering. To tackle these problems, some scholars have proposed to use deep neural network to extract text information, but did not consider the impact of long-distance dependent information and key information on their models. In this paper, we propose a neural collaborative filtering recommender method that integrates user and item auxiliary information. This method fully integrates user-item rating information, user assistance information and item text assistance information for feature extraction. First, Stacked Denoising Auto Encoder is used to extract user features, and Gated Recurrent Unit with auxiliary information is used to extract items’ latent vectors, respectively. The attention mechanism is used to learn key information when extracting text features. Second, the latent vectors learned by deep learning techniques are used in multi-layer nonlinear networks to learn more abstract and deeper feature representations to predict user preferences. According to the verification results on the MovieLens data set, the proposed model outperforms other traditional approaches and deep learning models making it state of the art.
SIRT7–SREBP1 restrains cancer cell metabolic reprogramming by upregulating IDH1
Authors: Su Fengting , Tang Xiaolong , Li Guo , Koeberle Andreas , Liu Baohua
Published: January 2021

SIRT7 plays critical roles in tumorigenesis and tumor progression; however, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we aimed to identify downstream targets of SIRT7 to help delineate its precise function. In this study, we demonstrate that SIRT7 is essential to regulate IDH1 expression in various cancer cell types. Interestingly, both SIRT7 and IDH1 levels are downregulated in breast cancer lung metastases and are useful for predicting disease progression and prognosis. Mechanistically, SIRT7 enhancesIDH1transcription, and this process is mediated by SREBP1.SIRT7insufficiency reduces cellular α-ketoglutarate, a metabolite product of IDH1, and suppresses lipogenesis and gluconeogenesis. Moreover, α-ketoglutarate decline increases HIF1α protein levels and, thus, promotes glycolysis. This effect permits cancer cells to facilitate Warburg effect and undergo fast proliferation. Overall, the SIRT7–IDH1 axis regulates cancer cell metabolic reprogramming and, thus, might serve as a point of therapeutic intervention.
The influence of regional Italian images on consumer behaviour: a study of consumers in Germany
Authors: Fauser Simon , Agola David
Published: January 2021

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of regional images of Italy on the purchase probability of wine. Instead of regarding country image as a homogeneous national construct, this article focuses on revealing regional differences in Italian country image and investigating whether they are related with purchase probability. Moreover, several scholars state, that the development of larger regional brands can improve consumer choice especially for the product wine. In the light of growing global competition from ‘New World’ wine countries and simultaneously decreasing competitivity of the main European wine-producing countries (including Italy), the possibility to actively shape the development of regional brands and thereby potentially strengthening the competitive advantage within the European Union and on a global level, seems to offer an adequate approach to maintain the leading role of Italian wine producers in European and international trade. Therefore, this study aims to test, whether using larger regions (and not specific wine regions) as origin information for wine is applicable and improving consumer choice. The empirical framework was tested on a random sample of consumers living in Germany and comprises (a) the description of image differences between Northern and Southern Italy, (b) measuring the influence of regional indication of origin on purchase probability, (c) determining the predictive value of image components for purchase probability, and (d) the investigation of moderation effects of country knowledge on the results. Data from 388 respondents were analysed using multiple linear regression and pairedttest. Results show significant image differences, which affects purchase probability. It is shown that the image of Southern Italy does not provide respondents with a suitable decision-making heuristic for buying wine. Furthermore, country knowledge negatively influences the predictive value of the measured regional image for purchase probability. As the predictive value of Southern Italian image does not contribute to the explanation of purchase probability, the present work corroborates the hypothesis of region-specific tendencies in the relationship between regional Italian image and consumer behaviour. Thus, this work provides a fundamental understanding of the regional composition of the Italian country image. It therefore serves practitioners as a decisional basis for the utilization of origin-related product information.
Observations by DEMETER of Man‐Made MF Waves Escaping From the Ionosphere
Authors: Parrot M.
Published: January 2021

DEMETER was a low altitude satellite on a polar and circular orbit devoted to the study of ionospheric perturbations in relation with seismic activity. Its scientific payload with waves and plasma measurements also allows to study man‐made waves. The aim of this paper is to check the conditions of apparition of these man‐made waves in the MF range (300 kHz, 3 MHz). These waves normally propagate in the Earth‐ionosphere waveguide, but it is shown that they can escape above the ionosphere when there is a decrease in the electron density. This meanly occurs at the ionospheric troughs when they are close to inhabited areas, but also above the South Atlantic Anomaly and when the magnetic activity is high.
Reindeer Have to Eat Up to Survive the Winter
Authors: Dzombak Becca
Published: January 2021

Arctic biologists use 25 years of data to find that warmer autumns might be enough to increase the odds of reindeer’s winter survival on Svalbard.
What a New Executive Order Means for Curbing Methane Emissions
Authors: Pardikar Rishika
Published: January 2021

Biden’s executive order calling for consideration of new methane regulations comes on the heels of a new global analysis of the fuel’s impact on climate change.
Early bilirubinemia after allogeneic stem cell transplantation—an endothelial complication
Authors: Dai Hao , Penack Olaf , Radujkovic Aleksandar , Schult David , Majer-Lauterbach Joshua , Blau Igor Wolfgang , Bullinger Lars , Jiang Sihe , Müller-Tidow Carsten , Dreger Peter , Luft Thomas
Published: January 2021

Hyperbilirubinemia occurs frequently after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Causes include primary liver damage and endothelial complications as major contributors. Here, we have investigated the impact of early bilirubinemia (EB) on posttransplant outcomes. Maximum total bilirubin levels (days 0–28) were categorized using maximally selected log rank statistics to identify a cut off for the endpoint non-relapse mortality (NRM) in a training cohort of 873 patients. EB above this cut off was correlated with NRM and overall survival (OS) and with pre- and posttransplant Angiopoietin-2, interleukin (IL)18, CXCL8 and suppressor of tumorigenicity-2 (ST2) serum levels, and the endothelial activation and stress index (EASIX). Clinical correlations were validated in a sample of 388 patients transplanted in an independent institution. The EB cut off was determined at 3.6 mg/dL (61.6 µM). EB predicted OS (HR 1.60, 95% CI 1.21–2.12, p < 0.001), and NRM (CSHR 2.14; 1.28–3.56, p = 0.004), also independent of typical endothelial complications such as veno-occlusive disease, refractory acute graft-versus-host disease, or transplant-associated microangiopathy. However, EB correlated with high Angiopoietin-2, EASIX-pre and EASIX-day 0, as well as increased levels of posttransplant CXCL8, IL18, and ST2. In summary, EB indicates a poor prognosis. The association of EB with endothelial biomarkers suggests an endothelial pathomechanism also for this posttransplant complication.
3.17% efficient Cu2ZnSnS4–BiVO4 integrated tandem cell for standalone overall solar water splitting
Authors: Huang Dingwang , Wang Kang , Li Lintao , Feng Kuang , An Na , Ikeda Shigeru , Kuang Yongbo , Ng Yunhau , Jiang Feng
Published: January 2021

3.17% efficient Cu2ZnSnS4–BiVO4 integrated tandem cell and a large scale 5 × 5 cm integrated CZTS–BiVO4 tandem device for standalone overall solar water splitting was assembled for the first time.
Puerarin from Pueraria lobata alleviates the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome-diarrhea
Authors: Wang Qiang-Song , Wang Yi-Lun , Zhang Wen-Yan , Li Kuang-Dai , Luo Xiong-Fei , Cui Yuan-Lu
Published: January 2021

Puerarin alleviates the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome-diarrhea in rats.
Universal strategy using environment-friendly inorganic compounds for the preparation of porous carbon nitride for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production and environmental remediation
Authors: Wang Jianhai , Zhang Yuanjian , Shen Yuesong
Published: January 2021

In this work, a facile strategy is proposed for the preparation of efficient porous CN for photocatalytic hydrogen production and environmental remediation.
Revising the formation and electronic properties in flavylium derivatives. A theoretical tandem towards optimized DSSCs
Authors: Linares-Flores Cristian , Guajardo-Maturana Raul , Tirapegui Cristian , Velasquez Luis , Arratia-Perez Ramiro , Schott Eduardo
Published: January 2021

A study of benzopyrylium derivatives obtained from a luminescent precursor, including the optical pathway, bonding analysis, and transmission properties, toward green energy applications.
Unravelling the visible light-assisted catalytic prowess of an n–n type In2S3/CeO2 Z-scheme heterojunction towards organic and inorganic water pollution mitigation
Authors: Murugalakshmi M. , Jones B. Filip , Mamba G. , Maruthamani D. , Muthuraj V.
Published: January 2021

The exploitation of visible light active photocatalysts for the removal of various pollutants has been given tremendous consideration in water and wastewater treatment.
N-Doped porous biocarbon materials derived from soya peptone as efficient electrocatalysts for the ORR
Authors: Liang Song , Wang Zhi-Da , Guo Zhong-Feng , Chen Xin-Yu , Li Si-Qi , Wang Bing-Di , Lu Guo-Long , Sun Hang , Liu Zhen-Ning , Zang Hong-Ying
Published: January 2021

A non-noble metal oxygen reduction catalyst was designed and fabricated via a facile carbonization of soya peptone and ZnCl2.
Hybrid multimodal contrast agent for multiscale in vivo investigation of neuroinflammation
Authors: Karpati Szilvia , Hubert Violaine , Hristovska Inès , Lerouge Frédéric , Chaput Frédéric , Bretonnière Yann , Andraud Chantal , Banyasz Akos , Micouin Guillaume , Monteil Maëlle , Lecouvey Marc , Mercey-Ressejac Marion , Dey Arindam K. , Marche Patrice N. , Lindgren Mikael , Pascual Olivier , Wiart Marlène , Parola Stephane
Published: January 2021

Hybrid nanoprobe specifically designed to use as a contrast agent targeting phagocytic cells in an animal model of ischemic stroke and imaging using MRI, intravital two-photon microscopy and phase contrast X-rays imaging.
Influence of zinc oxide nanoparticles on anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge and microbial communities
Authors: Wang Shutao , Chen Lingbo , Yang Hao , Liu Zhisheng
Published: January 2021

The influence of long-term exposure of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) to waste activated sludge on anaerobic digestion and microbial communities was studied.
The effect of guest cations on proton conduction of LTA zeolite
Authors: Shi Huaizhong , Zhang Jiani , Li Jiyang
Published: January 2021

The as-synthesized NaA zeolite with the proton conductivity of 9.12 × 10−3 S cm−1 (80 °C, 100% RH) can show unique cations effects on proton conduction property with different guest cations substituted (e.g. Li+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+ and Sr2+).
The influence of the shape and configuration of sensitizer molecules on the efficiency of DSSCs: a theoretical insight
Authors: Krishnan S. , Senthilkumar K.
Published: January 2021

Numerous studies have reported that the shape of a sensitizer matters for DSSC performance, while the present study investigates why and how it matters.
Recent progress in ‘water-in-salt’ and ‘water-in-salt’-hybrid-electrolyte-based high voltage rechargeable batteries
Authors: Kulkarni Pranav , Ghosh Debasis , Balakrishna R. Geetha
Published: January 2021

This review presents recent advancements in high-voltage rechargeable aqueous batteries employing water-in-salt and modified water-in-salt electrolytes.
Recent advances in carbon-shell-based nanostructures for advanced Li/Na metal batteries
Authors: Wang Bingyan , Xu Tingting , Huang Shaozhuan , Kong Dezhi , Li Xinjian , Wang Ye
Published: January 2021

This review summarizes the recent advances and development of various carbon shell-based nanostructures for lithium/sodium metal batteries.
Co3O4@PEI/Ti3C2Tx MXene nanocomposites for a highly sensitive NOx gas sensor with a low detection limit
Authors: Sun Baihe , Lv He , Liu Zhuo , Wang Jue , Bai Xue , Zhang Yang , Chen Junkun , Kan Kan , Shi Keying
Published: January 2021

The CoPM-24 gas sensor material showed an excellent gas sensing performance to nitrogen oxides, that mainly attributed to their excellent adsorption property and unique heterostructure.
Raspberry-like mesoporous Co-doped TiO2 nanospheres for a high-performance formaldehyde gas sensor
Authors: Rong Qian , Li Yuan , Hao Shiqiang , Cai Songting , Wolverton Chris , Dravid Vinayak P. , Zhai Tianyou , Liu Qingju
Published: January 2021

The detection of formaldehyde is closely related to human's daily life.
Access to thermally robust and abrasion resistant antimicrobial plastics: synthesis of UV-curable phosphonium small molecule coatings and extrudable additives
Authors: Bedard Joseph , Caschera Alexander , Foucher Daniel A.
Published: January 2021

Thermally robust UV-curable phosphoniums can be utilized as chemically bound surface coatings or as additives in extruded plastics to create an antimicrobial shield on high contact surfaces.
CaAlSiN3:Eu2+/Lu3Al5O12:Ce3+ phosphor-in-glass film with high luminous efficiency and CRI for laser diode lighting
Authors: Liu Zehua , Hu Pan , Jiang Hangjie , Sun Peng , Liu Yongfu , Luo Zhaohua , Xu Jingtao , Huang Zhengren , Jiang Jun
Published: January 2021

To enhance luminous performance, a suitable glass powder was selected to fabricate composite PiFs of CASN and LuAG. On excitation by a blue LD, broad emission spectra (FWHM = 190–175 nm) and high-quality white lighting (CRI = 88) are obtained.
Competition between (18, 18) and (18, 16) configurations in Ni2(CO)5: An isomerization energy decomposition analysis
Authors: Liu Zhi-ling , Bai Yan , Li Ya , He Jing , Lin Qing-yang , Zhang Fu-qiang , Wu Hai-shun , Jia Jian-feng
Published: January 2021

The potential energy landscape of the neutral Ni2(CO)5 complex was re-examined. A new C2v structure with double bridging carbonyls is found to compete with the previously proposed triply carbonyl-bridged D3h isomer for the global minimum of Ni2(CO)5. Despite that the tri-bridged isomer possesses the more favored (18, 18) configuration, where both metal centers satisfy the 18-electron rule, the neutral Ni2(CO)5 complex prefers the di-bridged geometry with (18, 16) configuration. The isomerization energy decomposition analysis reveals that the structural preference is a consequence of the maximization of electrostatic and orbital interactions.
Huge tunneling magnetoresistance in magnetic tunnel junction with Heusler alloy Co2MnSi electrodes
Authors: Hu Yu-jie , Huang Jing , Wang Jia-ning , Li Qun-xiang
Published: January 2021

Magnetic tunnel junction with a large tunneling magnetoresistance has attracted great attention due to its importance in the spintronics applications. By performing extensive density functional theory calculations combined with the nonequilibrium Green’s function method, we explore the spin-dependent transport properties of a magnetic tunnel junction, in which a non-polar SrTiO3 barrier layer is sandwiched between two Heusler alloy Co2MnSi electrodes. Theoretical results clearly reveal that the near perfect spin-filtering effect appears in the parallel magnetization configuration. The transmission coefficient in the parallel magnetization configuration at the Fermi level is several orders of magnitude larger than that in the antiparallel magnetization configuration, resulting in a huge tunneling magnetoresistance (i.e. > 106), which originates from the coherent spin-polarized tunneling, due to the half-metallic nature of Co2MnSi electrodes and the significant spin-polarization of the interfacial Ti 3d orbital.
H-atom transfer reaction of photoinduced excited triplet duroquinone with tryptophan and tyrosine in acetonitrile-water and ethylene glycol-water homogeneous solutions
Authors: Yang Cheng , Zhu Mei-rou , Gong Xian-ling , Gao Ai-ying , Xu Xin-sheng
Published: January 2021

Laser flash photolysis was used to investigate the photoinduced reactions of excited triplet bioquinone molecule duroquinone (DQ) with tryptophan (Trp) and tyrosine (Tyr) in acetonitrile-water (MeCN-H2O) and ethylene glycol-water (EG-H2O) solutions. The reaction mechanisms were analyzed and the reaction rate constants were measured based on Stern-Volmer equation. The H-atom transfer reaction from Trp (Tyr) to 3DQ* is dominant after the formation of 3DQ* during the laser photolysis. For DQ and Trp in MeCN-H2O and EG-H2O solutions, 3DQ* captures H-atom from Trp to generate duroquinone neutral radical DQH•, carbon-centered tryptophan neutral radical Trp•/NH and nitrogen-centered tryptophan neutral radical Trp/N•. For DQ and Tyr in MeCN-H2O and EG-H2O solutions, 3DQ* captures H-atom from Tyr to generate duroquinone neutral radical DQH• and tyrosine neutral radical Tyr/O•. The H-atom transfer reaction rate constant of 3DQ* with Trp (Tyr) is on the level of 109 L·mol−1·s−1, nearly controlled by diffusion. The reaction rate constant of 3DQ* with Trp (Tyr) in MeCN/H2O solution is larger than that in EG/H2O solution, which agrees with Stokes-Einstein relationship qualitatively.
Choice of force fields and water models for sampling solution conformations of bacteriophage T4 lysozyme
Authors: Du Xin-zheng , Hua Xin-fan , Zhang Zhi-yong
Published: January 2021

A protein may exist as an ensemble of different conformations in solution, which cannot be represented by a single static structure. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation has become a useful tool for sampling protein conformations in solution, but force fields and water models are important issues. This work presents a case study of the bacteriophage T4 lysozyme (T4L). We have found that MD simulations using a classic AMBER99SB force field and TIP4P water model cannot well describe hinge-bending domain motion of the wild-type T4L at the timescale of one microsecond. Other combinations, such as a residue-specific force field called RSFF2+ and a dispersion-corrected water model TIP4P-D, are able to sample reasonable solution conformations of T4L, which are in good agreement with experimental data. This primary study may provide candidates of force fields and water models for further investigating conformational transition of T4L.
Expanded porphyrin nanosheet for metal-free photocatalytic water splitting using visible light
Authors: Li Xiu-ling , Zhang Bao-di
Published: January 2021

Photocatalytic water splitting to generate hydrogen gas is an ideal solution for environmental pollution and unsustainable energy issues. In the past few decades, many efforts have been made to increase the efficiency of hydrogen production. One of the most important ways is to achieve light absorption in the visible range to improve the conversion efficiency of solar energy into chemical energy, but it still presents great challenges. We here predicted a novel organic film, which can be obtained by polymerizing HTAP molecules, as an ideal material for photocatalytic water splitting. Based on first-principles calculations and Born-Oppenheimer quantum molecular dynamic simulations, the metal-free two-dimensional nanomaterial has been proven to be structurally stable, with a direct band gap of 2.12 eV, which satisfies the requirement of light absorption in the visible range. More importantly, the conduction bands and valence bands completely engulf the redox potentials of water, making the film be a promising photocatalyst for water splitting. This construction method through the topological periodicity of organic molecules provides a design scheme for the photocatalyst for water splitting.
CLUE: exact maximal reduction of kinetic models by constrained lumping of differential equations
Authors: Ovchinnikov Alexey , Pérez Verona Isabel , Pogudin Gleb , Tribastone Mirco
Published: January 2021

Motivation

Detailed mechanistic models of biological processes can pose significant challenges for analysis and parameter estimations due to the large number of equations used to track the dynamics of all distinct configurations in which each involved biochemical species can be found. Model reduction can help tame such complexity by providing a lower-dimensional model in which each macro-variable can be directly related to the original variables.

Results

We present CLUE, an algorithm for exact model reduction of systems of polynomial differential equations by constrained linear lumping. It computes the smallest dimensional reduction as a linear mapping of the state space such that the reduced model preserves the dynamics of user-specified linear combinations of the original variables. Even though CLUE works with non-linear differential equations, it is based on linear algebra tools, which makes it applicable to high-dimensional models. Using case studies from the literature, we show how CLUE can substantially lower model dimensionality and help extract biologically intelligible insights from the reduction.

Availability and implementation

An implementation of the algorithm and relevant resources to replicate the experiments herein reported are freely available for download at https://github.com/pogudingleb/CLUE.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Snake-like calls in breeding tits
Authors: Møller Anders Pape , Gil Diego , Liang Wei
Published: January 2021

Hole-nesting tits belonging to the family Paridae produce a hissing display that resembles the exhalatory hiss of a snake. When a predatory animal enters the nest hole of a tit, tits often hiss vigorously, while lunging their head forward and shaking their wings and tail, until the intruder retreats. We assessed the acoustic similarity between such hiss calls from 6 species of tits, snake hisses, and tit syllables used in alarm vocalizations, as well as white noise as a control. Tit hiss calls showed a high degree of similarity with snake hisses from 3 different snake families. Tit hisses had lower similarity to syllable alarm calls, suggesting convergence of tit hisses in their spectral structure. Hiss calls would only be effective in protecting nest boxes if nest predators responded to these calls. In order to test this hypothesis, we trained individual Swinhoe’s striped squirrels, Tamiops swinhoei hainanus, a common predator of egg and nestling tits, to feed at feeders in proximity to nest boxes. We compared the aversive response of squirrels to tit’s hiss calls and white noise, presented in random order. Squirrels showed a higher degree of avoidance of feeders when hiss calls were played back than when white noise was presented. In conclusion, our study suggests that hole-nesting birds have evolved convergent snake-like hiss calls, and that predators avoid to prey on the contents of nest boxes from which snake-like hisses emerge.
Endocuticle is involved in caste differentiation of the lower termite
Authors: Ye Chenxu , Song Zhuanzhuan , Wu Taoyu , Zhang Wenxiu , Saba Noor us , Xing Lianxi , Su Xiaohong
Published: January 2021

Caste differentiation in termites is one of the most conspicuous examples of facultative polyphenism in animals. It is clear that specific cuticular formation occurs in hard exocuticles during caste differentiation. However, the developmental pattern of the soft endocuticle in the differentiation pathways of castes is unknown. To reveal whether the endocuticle is involved in caste differentiation, we compared the exocuticle and endocuticle thickness of individuals in 2 pathways (nymph line and worker line) of caste differentiation in the termite Reticulitermes aculabialis. The endocuticle protein genes were identified by transcriptome analysis and the expression patterns of these genes were confirmed in caste differentiation. We found that the endocuticle structure showed dynamic changes in 2 pathways, and the first difference in endocuticle structure occurred after larvae differentiation bifurcated into workers and nymphs. The thinning of the endocuticle was a significant event from nymphs developing into alates with the thickest exocuticle and thinnest endocuticle. The thickest endocuticle layers were found in the heads of the workers and the ultrastructure of the endocuticle in the heads was more complex than that in the thorax–abdomens. Six endocuticle protein genes were identified and annotated as endocuticle structural glycoproteins SgAbd-2, SgAbd-9, and Abd-5. The expression levels of endocuticle protein genes changed dramatically during caste development and the expression levels in neotenic reproductives (secondary reproductives) were significantly higher than those in alates (primary reproductives). These results reveal the roles of endocuticles in caste differentiation and adaptation to the environment.
Influence of lighting environment on social preferences in sticklebacks from two different photic habitats. I. mate preferences of wild-caught females
Authors: Hiermes Meike , Reher Stephanie , Rick Ingolf P , Bakker Theo C M
Published: January 2021

Ultraviolet (UV) A signals (320–400 nm) are important in mate choice in numerous species. The sensitivity for UV signals is not only assumed to be costly, but also expected to be a function of the prevailing ecological conditions. Generally, those signals are favored by selection that efficiently reach the receiver. A decisive factor for color signaling is the lighting environment, especially in aquatic habitats, as the visibility of signals, and thus costs and benefits, are instantaneously influenced by it. Although ecological aspects of color signal evolution are relatively well-studied, there is little data on specific effects of environmental UV-light conditions on signaling at these shorter wavelengths. We studied wild-caught gravid female 3-spined sticklebacks Gasterosteus aculeatus of 2 photic habitat types (tea-stained and clear-water lakes), possessing great variation in their UV transmission. In 2 treatments, tea-stained and clear-water, preferences for males viewed under UV-present (UV+) and UV-absent (UV–) conditions were tested. A preference for males under UV+ conditions was found for females from both habitat types, thus stressing the significance of UV signals in stickleback’s mate choice decisions. However, females from both habitat types showed the most pronounced preferences for males under UV+ conditions under clear-water test conditions. Moreover, reflectance measurements revealed that the carotenoid-based orange-red breeding coloration in wild-caught males of both habitat types differed significantly in color intensity (higher in clear-water males) and hue (more red shifted in clear-water males) while no significant differences in UV coloration were found. The differential reflection patterns in longer wavelengths suggest that sticklebacks of both habitat types have adapted to the respective water conditions. Adaptations of UV signals in a sexual context to ambient light conditions in both behavior and coloration seem less evident.