bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unravelling the antimicrobial action of antidepressants on gut commensal microbes
Authors: Ait Chait Yasmina , Mottawea Walid , Tompkins Thomas A. , Hammami Riadh
Published: October 2020

Over the past decade, there has been increasing evidence highlighting the implication of the gut microbiota in a variety of brain disorders such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia. Studies have shown that depression affects the stability of gut microbiota, but the impact of antidepressant treatments on microbiota structure and metabolism remains underexplored. In this study, we investigated the in vitro antimicrobial activity of antidepressants from different therapeutic classes against representative strains of human gut microbiota. Six different antidepressants: phenelzine, venlafaxine, desipramine, bupropion, aripiprazole and (S)-citalopram have been tested for their antimicrobial activity against 12 commensal bacterial strains using agar well diffusion, microbroth dilution method, and colony counting. The data revealed an important antimicrobial activity (bacteriostatic or bactericidal) of different antidepressants against the tested strains, with desipramine and aripiprazole being the most inhibitory. Strains affiliating to most dominant phyla of human microbiota such as Akkermansia muciniphila, Bifidobacterium animalis and Bacteroides fragilis were significantly altered, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranged from 75 to 800 μg/mL. A significant reduction in bacterial viability was observed, reaching 5 logs cycle reductions with tested MICs ranged from 400 to 600 μg/mL. Our findings demonstrate that gut microbiota could be altered in response to antidepressant drugs.
Linking structural and compositional changes in archaeological human bone collagen: an FTIR-ATR approach
Authors: Martínez Cortizas Antonio , López-Costas Olalla
Published: October 2020

Collagen is the main structural and most abundant protein in the human body, and it is routinely extracted and analysed in scientific archaeology. Its degree of preservation is, therefore, crucial and several approaches are used to determine it. Spectroscopic techniques provide a cost-effective, non-destructive method to investigate the molecular structure, especially when combined with multivariate statistics (chemometric approach). In this study, we used FTIR-ATR spectroscopy to characterise collagen extracted from skeletons recovered from necropoleis in NW Spain spanning from the Bronze Age to eighteenth century AD. Principal components analysis was performed on a selection of bands and structural equation models (SEM) were developed to relate the collagen quality indicators to collagen structural change. Four principal components represented: (i) Cp1, transformations of the backbone protein with a residual increase in proteoglycans; (ii) Cp2, protein transformations not accompanied by changes in proteoglycans abundance; (iii) Cp3, variations in aliphatic side chains and (iv) Cp4, absorption of the OH of carbohydrates and amide. Highly explanatory SEM models were obtained for the traditional collagen quality indicators (collagen yield, C, N, C:N), but no relationship was found between quality and δ13C and δ15N ratios. The observed decrease in C and N content and increase in C:N ratios is controlled by the degradation of protein backbone components and the relative preservation of carbon-rich compounds, proteoglycans and, to a lesser extent, aliphatic moieties. Our results suggest that FTIR-ATR is an ideal technique for collagen characterization/pre-screening for palaeodiet, mobility and radiocarbon research.
Development of a holistic urban heat island evaluation methodology
Authors: Sangiorgio Valentino , Fiorito Francesco , Santamouris Mattheos
Published: October 2020

Urban Heat Island (UHI) phenomenon concerns the development of higher ambient temperatures in urban districts compared to the surrounding rural areas. Several studies investigated the influence of individual parameters in the UHI phenomenon, on the other hand, an exhaustive study that quantifies the influence of each parameter in the resulting UHI is missing in the related literature. This paper proposes a new index aimed at quantifying the hazard of the absolute maximum UHI intensity in urban districts during the Summer season by taking all the parameters influencing the phenomenon into account. In addition, for the first time, the influence of each parameter has been quantified. City albedo and the presence of greenery represent the most important characteristics with an influence of 29% and 21%. Population density, width of streets, canyon orientation and building height has a medium influence of 12%, 10%, 9% and 8% respectively. The remaining parameters have an overall influence of 11%. These results are achieved by exploiting three synergistically related techniques: the Analytic Hierarchy Processes to analyse the parameters involved in the UHI phenomenon; a state-of-the-art technique to acquire a large set of data; and an optimization procedure involving a involving a Jackknife resampling approach to calibrate the index by exploiting the effective UHI intensity measured in a total of 41 urban districts and 35 European Cities.
Jasmonic acid and ERF family genes are involved in chilling sensitivity and seed browning of pepper fruit after harvest
Authors: Lee Jeong Gu , Yi Gibum , Seo Jieun , Kang Byoung-Cheorl , Choi Jeong Hee , Lee Eun Jin
Published: October 2020

Pepper (Capsicum annuumL.) fruit is sensitive to temperatures below 10 °C, which severely diminish fruit quality during cold chain distribution. Seed browning was a major chilling symptom in 36 genotypes ofC. annuumfruit screened after storage at 2 °C for 3 weeks. Among them, pepper fruits of chilling-insensitive ‘UZB-GJG-1999–51’ and -sensitive ‘C00562’ were treated at 2 °C for 0 or 24 h, respectively. Analyses of integrated transcriptome-metabolome and relative gene expression in seeds obtained from the two genotypes were conducted to identify key factors involved in the seed browning induced by chilling. The relative contents of branched-chain amino acids such as leucine, isoleucine, and valine were significantly increased after chilling. Transcriptome identification showed 3,140 differentially expressed genes (log twofold change > 1.0 and FDR-correctedpvalue < 0.05) affected by chilling between the two genotypes. Particularly, genes related to jasmonic acid synthesis and signaling were differentially expressed. A regulatory network of jasmonic acid synthesis and signaling, and regulation of ERF family genes might contribute to chilling response in pepper fruit. The results of this study may help facilitate further studies to develop chilling-insensitive peppers and could be a basis for improving postharvest fruit quality.
The level of antimicrobial resistance of sewage isolates is higher than that of river isolates in different Escherichia coli lineages
Authors: Ogura Yoshitoshi , Ueda Takuya , Nukazawa Kei , Hiroki Hayate , Xie Hui , Arimizu Yoko , Hayashi Tetsuya , Suzuki Yoshihiro
Published: October 2020

The dissemination of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in environmental water is an emerging concern in medical and industrial settings. Here, we analysed the antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli isolates from river water and sewage by the use of a combined experimental phenotypic and whole-genome-based genetic approach. Among the 283 tested strains, 52 were phenotypically resistant to one or more antimicrobial agents. The E. coli isolates from the river and sewage samples were phylogenetically indistinguishable, and the antimicrobial-resistant strains were dispersedly distributed in a whole-genome-based phylogenetic tree. The prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant strains as well as the number of antimicrobials to which they were resistant were higher in sewage samples than in river samples. Antimicrobial resistance genes were more frequently detected in strains from sewage samples than in those from river samples. We also found that 16 river isolates that were classified as Escherichia cryptic clade V were susceptible to all the antimicrobials tested and were negative for antimicrobial resistance genes. Our results suggest that E. coli strains may acquire antimicrobial resistance genes more frequently and/or antimicrobial-resistant E. coli strains may have higher rates of accumulation and positive selection in sewage than in rivers, irrespective of their phylogenetic distribution.
Fano resonance based defected 1D phononic crystal for highly sensitive gas sensing applications
Authors: Zaki Shrouk E. , Mehaney Ahmed , Hassanein Hekmat M. , Aly Arafa H.
Published: October 2020

The defected acoustic band gap materials are promising a new generation of sensing technology based on layered cavities. We introduced a novel 1D defected phononic crystal (1D-DPC) as a high-sensitive gas sensor based on the Fano resonance transmitted window. Our designed (Lead–Epoxy) 1D-DPC multilayer has filled with a defect layer with different gases at different temperatures. In this study, Fano resonance—based acoustic band gap engineering has used to detect several gases such as O2, CO2, NH3, and CH4. For the first time, Fano resonance peaks appeared in the proposed gas sensor structures which attributed to high sensitivity, Q-factor, and figure-of-merit values for all gases. Also, the relation between the Fano resonance frequency and acoustic properties of gases at different temperatures has been studied in detail. The effect of the damping rate on the sensitivity of the gas sensor shows a linear behavior for CO2, O2, and NH3. Further, we introduced the effect of temperature on the damping rate of the incident waves inside the 1D-DPC gas sensor. The highest sensitivity and figure of merit were obtained for O2 of 292 MHz/(kg/m3) and 647 m3/Kg, respectively. While the highest figure-of-merit value of 60 °C−1 at 30 °C was attributed to O2. The transfer matrix method is used for calculating the transmission coefficient of the incident acoustic wave. We believe that the proposed sensor can be experimentally implemented.
Mechanism of the enhanced coercivity for the dual-main-phase Ce–Fe–B magnet
Authors: Han Rui , Chen Hongsheng , Zhou Dong , Shi Xiaoning , Xu Jiyuan , Dong Shengzhi , Zhu Minggang , Li Wei
Published: October 2020

The high coercivity of Nd–Fe–B magnets can also be obtained in the Ce–Fe–B magnets fabricated via the dual-main-phase (DMP) method in which the high abundance Ce was used to substitute Nd(Pr). The inhomogeneous distributions of the matrix grains in the DMP magnet play a key role in the enhanced magnetic performance. Compared with the single-phase magnet, more grain boundary phases encapsulating the matrix 2:14:1 grain are formed in the DMP magnet, which reduce the exchange coupling between adjacent magnetic grains. The switching field distribution and the interaction field distribution of the Ce–Fe–B magnets were determined by the first-order-reversal curves (FORC). The switching field peaks around 6 kOe, 11 kOe and 12 kOe in the FORC distribution indicate that three major reversal components coexist for the DMP magnet. The overlapp of the second and third switching field peaks reveals the presence of a pinning interaction within individual magnetic grains with a core–shell structure, which further improve the coercivity of the magnet.
Detection and quantification of exhaled volatile organic compounds in mechanically ventilated patients – comparison of two sampling methods
Authors: van Oort Pouline M. P. , White Iain R. , Ahmed Waqar , Johnson Craig , Bannard-Smith Jonathan , Felton Timothy , Bos Lieuwe D. , Goodacre Royston , Dark Paul , Fowler Stephen J.
Published: October 2020

Exhaled breath analysis is a promising new diagnostic tool, but currently no standardised method for sampling is available in mechanically ventilated patients. We identified potential sources of bias as illustrated in this figure.
A cerium-based fluorescent nanosensor for highly specific detection of glutathione over cysteine and homocysteine
Authors: Wang Tianlin , Tao Zhanhui , Qu Chi , Wang Shuo , Liu Yaqing
Published: October 2020

A green synthesis of a novel Ce-based nanomaterial with fluorescence activity for highly sensitive and specific GSH detection.
A new method for microplastic extraction from fish guts assisted by chemical dissolution
Authors: Wang Zhong-Min , Parashar Mahima , Ghosal Sutapa , Wagner Jeff
Published: October 2020

A new protocol for the extraction of microplastic is proposed and demonstrated which combines dissection with chemical dissolution in order to estimate microplastic contamination in fish or other samples with significant biomass.
Profiling of post-translational modifications by chemical and computational proteomics
Authors: Yang Fan , Wang Chu
Published: October 2020

We summarized the recent developments of chemical and computational proteomic strategies to delineate the global landscapes of cellular functional PTMs and provided outlooks on the future directions of the field.
Ln3+-Triggered self-assembly of a heterotrimer collagen mimetic peptide into luminescent nanofibers
Authors: Sun Xiuxia , Li Wenhua , Yu Jingyuan , Luo Liting , Wang Jie , Xiao Jianxi
Published: October 2020

A heterotrimer collagen mimetic peptide has been constructed to self-assemble to form distinct nanofibers with the trigger of lanthanide ions.
A new technique for determining the refractive index of ices at cryogenic temperatures
Authors: Stubbing James W. , McCoustra Martin R. S. , Brown Wendy A.
Published: October 2020

We present novel refractive index measurements for astrochemically relevant amorphous and crystalline ices using a newly developed reflection–absorption UV/visible spectrometer.
Impact of oxetane incorporation on the structure and stability of alpha-helical peptides
Authors: Jayawant Eleanor S. , Beadle Jonathan D. , Wilkening Ina , Raubo Piotr , Shipman Michael , Notman Rebecca , Dixon Ann M.
Published: October 2020

Here we reveal the tolerance of oxetane modification within alpha helical peptides using a combined molecular dynamics and experimental biophysics approach.
Protocol for optically pumping AlH+ to a pure quantum state
Authors: Huang Panpan , Kain Schuyler , de Oliveira-Filho Antonio G. S. , Odom Brian C.
Published: October 2020

Three laser fields drive the population of AlH+ to a single hyperfine state.
Electronic properties of Janus MXY/graphene (M = Mo, W; X ≠ Y = S, Se) van der Waals structures: a first-principles study
Authors: Yu Shiqiang , Wei Wei , Li Fengping , Huang Baibiao , Dai Ying
Published: October 2020

The intrinsic dipole moment is a crucial factor for the interlayer band alignment and the contact nature.
Optical spectra of organic dyes in condensed phases: the role of the medium polarizability
Authors: Phan Huu D. K. Andrea , Sissa Cristina , Terenziani Francesca , Painelli Anna
Published: October 2020

An effective model is presented to account for the effects of the medium electronic polarizability on spectral properties and on symmetry-breaking phenomena in charge-transfer dyes.
Magnetic and vibrational properties of small chromium clusters on the Cu(111) surface
Authors: Borisova S. D. , Eremeev S. V. , Rusina G. G. , Chulkov E. V.
Published: October 2020

The structure and magnetic properties of small Cr clusters adsorbed on the Cu(111) surface have been investigated using DFT theory and their vibrational properties have been calculated using tight-binding second moment approximation interatomic interaction potentials.
A cyclometalated Ir(iii)–NHC complex as a recyclable catalyst for acceptorless dehydrogenation of alcohols to carboxylic acids
Authors: Borah Dhrubajit , Saha Biswajit , Sarma Bipul , Das Pankaj
Published: October 2020

The first example of delineating the efficacy of cyclometalated Ir NHC complexes in acceptorless dehydrogenation of alcohols to acids reported.
Thermally robust and valence-variation-induced white-light emission of a novel stannate phosphor Sr3Al10SnO20:Dy3+: crystal structure, luminescence property, and mechanism investigation
Authors: Xin Shuangyu , Gao Miao , Ma Jialing , Dai Heng , Zhu Ge
Published: October 2020

Structure, luminescence property, and mechanism investigation of a valence-variation-induced tunable white-light emission of a novel stannate phosphor with robust thermal stability.
Acceptorless dehydrogenative coupling with Ru-based catalysts for the synthesis of N-heteroaromatic compounds
Authors: Zhang Jing , Guo Bin , Young David James , Li Hong-Xi
Published: October 2020

A summary of recently developed ruthenium catalysts for the synthesis of N-heteroaromatic compounds via acceptorless dehydrogenative coupling (ADC) and the related auto-transfer-hydrogenative (ATH) reaction.
Reaction of GaIIIClPc, SnIVCl2TPP and BIIIClSubPc with cyanide anions: reduction of macrocycles vs. formation of cyano-containing macrocyclic anions
Authors: Konarev Dmitri V. , Kuzmin Alexey V. , Shestakov Alexander F. , Rompanen Ivan A. , Lyubovskaya Rimma N.
Published: October 2020

Reaction of GaIIIClPc (phthalocyanine), SnIVCl2TPP (tetraphenylporphyrin) and BIIIClSubPc (subphthalocyanine) with KCN in the presence of cryptand[2.2.2] yields crystalline salts with reduced Pc·3− or single and double addition of CN−.
Effect of punicalagin on multiple targets in streptozotocin/high-fat diet-induced diabetic mice
Authors: Jin Dan , Zhang Baiyu , Li Qiaoling , Tu Jingjing , Zhou Benhong
Published: October 2020

Type 2 diabetes has a series of metabolic aberrations accompanied by chronic hyperglycemia, along with various comorbidities.
2-Hydroxyimino-6-aza-pyrimidine nucleosides: synthesis, DFT calculations, and antiviral evaluations
Authors: Abou-Elkhair Reham A. I. , Wasfy Abdalla A. , Mao Song , Du Jinxi , Eladl Sobhy , Metwally Kamel , Hassan Abdalla E. A. , Sheng Jia
Published: October 2020

Synthesis, DFT calculations, and antiviral evaluation of a series of novel 2-hydroxyimino-6-aza-pyrimidine ribonucleosides is reported. The hydrogen bonding between theC2N–OH moiety andN3–H and/orN3moieties shapes the pyrimidine nucleoside as purine.
A fluorescent probe based on novel fused four ring quinoxalinamine for palladium detection and bio-imaging
Authors: Zhang Yong , Yang Min , Ji Min
Published: October 2020

An “off–on” fluorescent probe was designed to detect palladium of all the typical oxidation states (0, +2, +4) without additional additives.
Ultrafine Bi–Sn nanoparticles decorated on carbon aerogels for electrochemical simultaneous determination of dopamine (neurotransmitter) and clozapine (antipsychotic drug)
Authors: Veerakumar Pitchaimani , Manavalan Shaktivel , Chen Shen-Ming , Pandikumar Alagarsamy , Lin King-Chuen
Published: October 2020

Electrochemical determination of dopamine (DA) and clozapine (CLZ) in real samples is demonstrated using Bi–Sn NP/CAG nanocomposite.
Burchellin and its stereoisomers: total synthesis, structural elucidation and antiviral activity
Authors: Wang Ru-Bing , Ren Xiao-Dong , He Jie , Zhu Shan-Shan , Xie Hui-Ru , Su Guo-Zhu , Ma Shuang-Gang , Yu Shi-Shan
Published: October 2020

A tandem ester hydrolysis/oxy–Cope rearrangement/methylation to divergently access the enantiomers of burchellin as well as those of its 1′-epi-diastereoisomer.
A novel and efficient approach to obtain lignin-based polyols with potential industrial applications
Authors: Perez-Arce Jonatan , Centeno-Pedrazo Ander , Labidi Jalel , Ochoa-Gómez José R. , Garcia-Suarez Eduardo J.
Published: October 2020

Current work is paving the way to manufacture, by new benign route, lignin-based polyols families with application in biopolymers synthesis.
Mussel-inspiredcapsules toward reaction-triggered cargo release
Authors: Sun Yiying , Shi Jiafu , Cai Ziyi , Wu Yizhou , Li Weiran , Huo Qian , Jiang Zhongyi
Published: October 2020

A reaction-triggered controlled release system based on enzyme-encased capsules is constructed through mussel-inspired chemistry, where the oxidation of glucose by glucose oxidase lowers the local pH value, causing the breakage of the CN bond in the capsule and the release of insulin.
Supramolecular control of unidirectional rotary motion in a sterically overcrowded photoswitchable receptor
Authors: Sheng Jinyu , Crespi Stefano , Feringa Ben L. , Wezenberg Sander J.
Published: October 2020

The induction of unidirectional rotary motion in an achiral, sterically overcrowded, photoswitchable receptor by binding of a chiral guest molecule is unequivocally established.
More than one way to bind to cholesterol: atypical variants of membrane-binding domain of perfringolysin O selected by ribosome display
Authors: Šakanović Aleksandra , Kranjc Nace , Omersa Neža , Podobnik Marjetka , Anderluh Gregor
Published: October 2020

By using developed ribosomal display, we discovered variants of perfringolysin O, a pore forming toxin from bacteriaClostridium perfringens, with non-conserved amino acid substitutions at regions crucial for cholesterol recognition.
Interactions, electronic and optical properties of nanographene–peptide complexes: a theoretical study
Authors: Srivastava Ruby
Published: October 2020

We studied interactions of planar phenylalanine, tryptophan, tyrosine; amide asparagine and glutamine; arginine side-chains, charged histidine and charged lysine side-chains on a nanographene surface by density functional theory and time dependent density functional theory.
Ligand-protected gold/silver superatoms: current status and emerging trends
Authors: Hirai Haru , Ito Shun , Takano Shinjiro , Koyasu Kiichirou , Tsukuda Tatsuya
Published: October 2020

This perspective summarizes the current status and emerging trends in synthesis and characterization of ligand-protected gold/silver superatoms.
Correlated motion and mechanical gearing in amphidynamic crystalline molecular machines
Authors: Liepuoniute Ieva , Jellen Marcus J. , Garcia-Garibay Miguel A.
Published: October 2020

Here we highlight recent efforts towards the development of molecular gears in the solid state and the role that molecular gearing and correlated motions may play in the function of crystalline molecular machines.
A dendritic Sb2Se3/In2S3heterojunction nanorod array photocathode decorated with a MoSxcatalyst for efficient solar hydrogen evolution
Authors: Liu Chang , Liu Tao , Li Yingzheng , Zhao Ziqi , Zhou Dinghua , Li Wenlong , Zhao Yilong , Yang Hao , Sun Licheng , Li Fusheng , Li Zhiqiang
Published: October 2020

Sb2Se3nanorod arrays were modified with an n-type In2S3layer and a layer of molybdenum sulfide catalyst to form p–n heterojunction photocathodes. A photocurrent of −27 mA cm−2with a solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency of 2.6% can be obtained.
The circadian rhythm and core gene Period2 regulate the chemotherapy effect and multidrug resistance of ovarian cancer through the PI3K signaling pathway
Authors: Wang Zhaoxia , Wang Honghong , Guo Hongrui , Li Fengyan , Wu Weiwei , Zhang Sanyuan , Wang Tong
Published: October 2020

Background: Ovarian cancer is the most lethal cancer in the female reproductive system. It has been shown that ‘time chemotherapy’ of ovarian cancer has an important impact on the chemotherapy effect and prognosis of patients, but the specific mechanism is not known. Methods: We designed a case–control study in strict accordance with epidemiological principles. We collected resection samples of ovarian cancer patients who worked night-shifts and those who did not, and analyzed the differences in protein expression. Through construction of a normal/circadian-rhythm disorder model of ovarian cancer in nude mice, we explored the molecular mechanism of a ‘biological clock’ rhythm on treatment of ovarian cancer. Results: Expression of interleukin (IL)-6, programmed cell death receptor-1 (PD-1) and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) increased, and expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, Period 1 (Per1) and Period 2 (Per2) decreased in the night-shift group. Methylation of CpG islands in the promoter of Per2 could result in its decreased expression in SKOV3/DDP (Cisplatin) cells. Dysrhythmia of the circadian clock: (i) had a negative effect on the chemotherapy effect against ovarian cancer; (ii) affected expression of immune factors and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway. Conclusion: The Per2 gene can affect the drug resistance of ovarian cancer by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and then acting on its downstream drug-resistance factors, thereby providing a new target for ovarian cancer treatment.
Mapping the stellar age of the Milky Way bulge with the VVV
Authors: Surot F. , Valenti E. , Gonzalez O. A. , Zoccali M. , Sökmen E. , Hidalgo S. L. , Minniti D.
Published: October 2020

Context. A detailed study of the Galactic bulge stellar population necessarily requires an accurate representation of the interstellar extinction, particularly toward the Galactic plane and center, where severe and differential reddening is expected to vary on sub-arcmin scales. Although recent infrared surveys have addressed this problem by providing extinction maps across the whole Galactic bulge area, dereddened color-magnitude diagrams near the plane and center appear systematically undercorrected, prompting the need for higher resolution. These undercorrections affect any stellar study sensitive to color (e.g., star formation history analyses via color-magnitude diagram fitting), either making them inaccurate or limiting them to small and relatively stable extinction windows where this value is low and better constrained.

Aims. This study is aimed at providing a high-resolution (2 arcmin to ∼10 arcsec) color excess map for the VVV bulge area in J − Ks color.

Methods. We used the MW-BULGE-PSFPHOT catalogs, sampling ∼300 deg2 across the Galactic bulge (|l| < 10° and −10° < b <  5°) to isolate a sample of red clump and red giant branch stars, for which we calculated the average J − Ks color in a fine spatial grid in (l, b) space.

Results. We obtained an E(J − Ks) map spanning the VVV bulge area of roughly 300 deg2, with the equivalent of a resolution between ∼1 arcmin for bulge outskirts (l <  6°) to below 20 arcsec within the central |l| < 1°, and below 10 arcsec for the innermost area (|l| < 1° and |b| < 3°).
Production of asari (Manila) clams, Ruditapes philippinarum, during the period of harvest decrease in the 2000s in the Banzu tidal area, Tokyo Bay
Authors: Toba Mitsuharu , Kakino Jun , Tada Kazuo , Kobayashi Yutaka , Tsuchie Hideharu
Published: October 2020

In Tokyo Bay, the harvestable quantity of asari (Manila) clams Ruditapes philippinarum has been decreasing since the late 1990s. We conducted a field investigation on clam density in the Banzu culture area from April 1988 to December 2014 and collected records spanning January 1986 to September 2017 from relevant fisheries cooperative associations to clarify the relationship between the temporal variation in stock abundance and the production activities of fishermen. The yearly variation in clam abundance over the study period was marked by larger decreases in the numbers of larger clams. A large quantity of juvenile clams, beyond the biological productivity of the culture area, may have been introduced as seed stock in the late 1980s despite the high level of harvestable stock. The declines in harvested quantity began in the late 1990s and may have been caused by decreases in harvestable stock despite the continuous addition of seed stock clams. The harvested quantity is likely to be significantly dependent upon the wild clam population, even within the culture area, as the harvestable quantity was not correlated with the quantity of seed stock introduced during the study period. These declines in harvested quantity may have resulted from a decreasing number of operating harvesters due to the low level of harvestable stock and consequently reduced profitability. Two findings were emphasized. A certain management style, based on predictions of the contributions of wild and introduced clams to future stock biomass, is essential for economically-feasible culturing. In areas with less harvestable stock, actions should be taken to maintain the incomes of harvesters while avoiding overexploitation, even if the total harvest quantity decreases.
On the numerical solution of nonlinear eigenvalue problems for the Monge-Ampère operator
Authors: Glowinski Roland , Leung Shingyu , Liu Hao , Qian Jianliang
Published: October 2020

In this article, we report the results we obtained when investigating the numerical solution of some nonlinear eigenvalue problems for the Monge-Ampère operatorv→ detD2v. The methodology we employ relies on the following ingredients: (i) a divergence formulation of the eigenvalue problems under consideration. (ii) The time discretization by operator-splitting of an initial value problem (a kind of gradient flow) associated with each eigenvalue problem. (iii) A finite element approximation relying on spaces of continuous piecewise affine functions. To validate the above methodology, we applied it to the solution of problems with known exact solutions: The results we obtained suggest convergence to the exact solution when the space discretization steph→ 0. We considered also test problems with no known exact solutions.
Impact of RbF-PDT on Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells with CdS and Zn(O,S) buffer layers
Authors: Kanevce Ana , Paetel Stefan , Hariskos Dimitrios , Magorian Friedlmeier Theresa
Published: October 2020

Alkali-fluoride post-deposition treatments (PDTs) of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) absorbers have repeatedly resulted in device efficiency improvements, observed mainly due to an open-circuit voltage (Voc) enhancement. Replacement of the CdS buffer layer with a higher band gap alternative can increase the short-circuit current density (Jsc) and also eliminate the use of Cd. In many alternative-buffer attempts, however, the Jsc gain was accompanied by a Voc loss, resulting in some degree of performance loss. In order to better understand the impact of RbF-PDT, we analyze a combination of experimental devices produced in the same in-line CIGS run with and without RbF-PDT in combination with chemical-bath-deposited CdS and Zn(O,S) buffers. Low-temperature current–voltage curves indicate a difference in Rb impact on the CIGS/CdS and CIGS/Zn(O,S) p-n junctions. For example, the diode-current barrier which creates a rollover often observed in RbF-treated CIGS/CdS current–voltage curves is significantly reduced for the CIGS/Zn(O,S) junction. Although the RbF-PDT had a positive impact on both junction partner combinations, the CIGS/Zn(O,S) devices' Voc and fill factor (FF) benefited stronger from the RbF treatment. As a result, in our samples, the Jsc and FF gain balanced the Voc loss, thus reducing the efficiency difference between cells with CdS and Zn(O,S) buffers.
Schwere Nahrungsmittelallergie: Können Biologika helfen?
Authors: vom Hove Maike , Prenzel Freerk
Published: October 2020

Omalizumab ist das bisher am meisten untersuchte Biologikum bei Nahrungsmittelallergie. Bisherige Studien und Fallberichte sprechen für eine protektive Wirkung von Omalizumab bei schwerer Nahrungsmittelallergie mit rezidivierenden Anaphylaxien nach akzidenteller Ingestion der Allergene. Eine Hinzunahme von Omalizumab zur oralen Toleranzinduktion kann die Nebenwirkungen vermindern, die vertragene Allergenmenge erhöhen und die Zeit bis zum Erreichen der Erhaltungsdosis reduzieren. Ob dieser Effekt auch ohne eine kontinuierliche Gabe von langfristiger Dauer ist, müssen weitere Untersuchungen zeigen.
The National Endoscopy Database (NED) Automated Performance Reports to Improve Quality Outcomes Trial (APRIQOT) randomized controlled trial design
Authors: Catlow Jamie , Sharp Linda , Kasim Adetayo , Lu Liya , Brookes Matthew , Lee Tom , McCarthy Stephen , Gray Joanne , Sniehotta Falko , Deane Jill , Rutter Matt
Published: October 2020

Background and study aims Colonoscopists with low polyp detection have higher post colonoscopy colorectal cancer incidence and mortality rates. The United Kingdom’s National Endoscopy Database (NED) automatically captures patient level data in real time and provides endoscopy key performance indicators (KPI) at a national, endoscopy center, and individual level. Using an electronic behavior change intervention, the primary objective of this study is to assess if automated feedback of endoscopist and endoscopy center-level optimal procedure-adjusted detection KPI (opadKPI) improves polyp detection performance.

Methods This multicenter, prospective, cluster-randomized controlled trial is randomizing NHS endoscopy centres to either intervention or control. The intervention is targeted at independent colonoscopists and each center’s endoscopy lead. The intervention reports are evidence-based from endoscopist qualitative interviews and informed by psychological theories of behavior. NED automatically creates monthly reports providing an opadKPI, using mean number of polyps, and an action plan. The primary outcome is opadKPI comparing endoscopists in intervention and control centers at 9 months. Secondary outcomes include other KPI and proximal detection measures at 9 and 12 months. A nested histological validation study will correlate opadKPI to adenoma detection rate at the center level. A cost-effectiveness and budget impact analysis will be undertaken.

Conclusion If the intervention is efficacious and cost-effective, we will showcase the potential of this learning health system, which can be implemented at local and national levels to improve colonoscopy quality, and demonstrate that an automated system that collects, analyses, and disseminates real-time clinical data can deliver evidence- and theory-informed feedback.
Comparison of the Remineralizing Effect of Brushing with Aloe vera versus Fluoride Toothpaste
Authors: Al Haddad Teresa , Khoury Elie , Farhat Mchayleh Nada
Published: October 2020

Objectives The aim of the present in vitro study is to compare the remineralization brushing effect of three toothpastes and Aloe vera (AV) gel.

Materials and Methods Forty sound extracted teeth were placed in a demineralizing solution for 4 days and randomly assigned to four groups: group A: 1,450-ppm fluoride toothpaste; group B: AV nonfluoridated toothpaste; group C: AV 1,000-ppm fluoridated toothpaste; and group D: AV gel. A 3-minute pH cycling was performed twice a day for each group for 12 days. Specimens were analyzed before and after by scanning electron microscope—energy dispersive X-ray.

Statistical Analysis The outcomes were analyzed by Kolmogorov–Smirnov’s tests, repeated-measures analyses of variance followed by univariate analyses, and Bonferroni’s multiple comparisons tests to compare the calcium-to-phosphorus (Ca:P) ratio within time among toothpaste groups.

Results Following remineralization, the Ca:P ratio increased in all groups. The difference of the Ca:P ratio was not significant between groups C, D, and A. The mean ratio was significantly lower in group B (p-value = 0.026).

Conclusions The AV gel demonstrated a remineralization capacity equal to that of the 1,450-ppm fluoride toothpaste. In contrast, fluoride-free AV toothpaste showed a lower remineralization efficiency. Further studies are required to understand its mechanism.
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Emicizumab in Persons with Hemophilia A with Factor VIII Inhibitors: HAVEN 1 Study
Authors: Schmitt Christophe , Adamkewicz Joanne I. , Xu Jin , Petry Claire , Catalani Olivier , Young Guy , Negrier Claude , Callaghan Michael U. , Levy Gallia G.
Published: October 2020

Emicizumab, a bispecific monoclonal antibody, bridges activated factor IX (FIXa) and FX, replacing the function of missing FVIIIa to restore effective hemostasis in persons with hemophilia A (PwHA). Here we assess pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) biomarkers in PwHA with FVIII inhibitors in the Phase III HAVEN 1 study (NCT02622321). Blood samples from 112 PwHA receiving 1.5 mg/kg once-weekly subcutaneous emicizumab were analyzed at central laboratories. Emicizumab concentrations for PK analysis were measured via validated immunoassay. PD effects were assessed using FVIII chromogenic activity assay containing human factors (Hyphen Biophen FVIII:C), and by FXIa-triggered thrombin generation (TG). Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin time (PT), antigen levels of FIX and FX, fibrinogen, D-dimer, and prothrombin fragment 1.2 (PF1.2) levels were determined. Emicizumab trough concentrations ≥ 50 µg/mL were maintained throughout the study. FVIII-like activity and TG (peak height) correlated with emicizumab concentrations and remained above 20 U/dL and 100 nM, respectively, with a weekly maintenance dose, theoretically converting persons with severe hemophilia A to a mild disease phenotype. aPTT was normalized at subtherapeutic concentrations of emicizumab. Plasma concentrations of target antigens FIX and FX were not significantly affected by emicizumab treatment; nor were fibrinogen, PT (international normalized ratio), D-dimer, or PF1.2. The PK profile of once-weekly emicizumab in HAVEN 1 provides sustained therapeutic plasma levels, consistent with population PK models. Both the PK profile and the PD and safety biomarkers are consistent with the established efficacy of emicizumab prophylaxis in PwHA with FVIII inhibitors.
Correlation between Dentoalveolar Heights and Vertical Skeletal Patterns in Class I Malocclusion in Ethnic Javanese
Authors: Ardani I. Gusti Aju Wahju , Pratiknjo Ike Sesaria , Djaharu’ddin Irwadi
Published: October 2020

Objectives Vertical proportions of the face are important determining factors for diagnosis and planning appropriate orthodontic treatment. Orthodontic patients have different vertical and sagittal skeletal discrepancies, as well as associated varying degrees of dentoalveolar compensations. Dentoalveolar is a functional component of the jaw; it plays a role in occlusal dynamics and forms sagittal and vertical maxilla–mandibula relationships. This study aims to analyze the relationship between dentoalveolar heights and several vertical skeletal patterns in patients with Class I malocclusion in ethnic Javanese.

Materials and Methods The sample consisted of lateral cephalograms of 75 patients (18 samples were male, and 57 were female). Determined by inclusion and exclusion criteria, the participants were selected from an initial sample of 196 patients with skeletal Class I malocclusion (sella–nasion–A and B [ANB] = 1–4 degrees). Cephalometric analysis was performed using OrthoVision2017 digital software. This analysis measured upper anterior dental height (UADH), upper posterior dental height (UPDH), lower anterior dental height (LADH), lower posterior dental height (LPDH), ANB angle, sella–nasion and mandibular plane (SN-MP), sella–nasion and palatal plane (SN-PP), palatal plane and mandibular plane (PP-MP), Frankfort horizontal plane and mandibular plane (FH-MP), sella to gonion (S-Go), articulare to gonion (Ar-Go), nasion to menton (N-Me), nasion to anterior nasal spine (N-ANS), and anterior nasal spine to menton (ANS-Me). Pearson correlation test was used to assess correlations among all variables (p < 0.05).

Results Significant correlations were observed between dentoalveolar heights and SN-MP, S-Go, Ar-Go, N-Me, and ANS-Me (p < 0.05).

Conclusions Patients with Class I malocclusion in ethnic Javanese exhibit a significant correlation between dentoalveolar and vertical skeletal patterns. UPDH and/or LPDH have a significantly positive correlation with SN-MP, S-Go, Ar-Go, N-Me, and ANS-Me. The orthodontic correction of the decreased or increased facial height included either the extrusion or intrusion of the anterior or posterior teeth in different ways.
The structure and collective oscillations of electron systems consisting of several chains
Authors: Syvokon V. E. , Sokolova E. S. , Sokolov S. S.
Published: October 2020

The collective properties of surface electron systems consisting of several lines of charges are considered. To simulate the system, its characteristic frequencies of oscillations are found by applying Fourier analysis to the average coordinates of particles along and across the lines. The frequencies are compared with the theoretically obtained dispersion laws of plasma modes, calculated according to the equations of motion for small displacements of electrons from equilibrium. The dispersion laws of collective oscillations are calculated for two-, three-, and four-chain systems of electrons, and in the latter case, configurations with both identical and different distances between the charge lines are examined. There is good agreement between the simulation results and the frequency values that follow from the dispersion laws.
Combined resonance in quasi-two-dimensional conductors
Authors: Stepanenko D. I.
Published: October 2020

A theoretical investigation of the combined resonance of interlayer conductivity and spin magnetization, in conductors with quasi-two-dimensional electronic energy spectra. Analytical expressions are obtained for the surface impedance, magnetic susceptibility, and the resonance interlayer conductivity component caused by Rashba–Dresselhaus spin-orbit interaction, with allowance for spatial dispersion.
Plastic deformation of micrograined magnesium alloy AZ31 at low temperatures
Authors: Isaev N. V. , Zabrodin P. A.
Published: October 2020

The features of the plastic deformation of a micrograined magnesium alloy AZ31 under tension in the temperature range 4.2–295 K were studied. The samples were deformed in two structural states: the initial (after eight passes of equal channel angular pressing, 8ECAP) and annealed (after isothermal annealing at 573 K) states. In both cases, with decreasing temperature, an increase in the yield strength, strain hardening coefficient, and a decrease in ductility were observed. The dependence of the hardening coefficient of the deformation is nonmonotonic compared to the initial one, which is explained by an increase in twinning activity due to an increase in grain size upon annealing. The low Hall–Petch parameters for the yield strength at room temperature indicate a high activity of the basal slip of the dislocations, due to the mixed texture that forms after 8ECAP and does not change radically upon annealing. The yield strength of the studied polycrystals is determined by the thermofluctuation motion of mainly basal dislocations. The empirical parameters of this motion in the temperature range 4.2–295 K, obtained from the analysis of the temperature dependences of the yield strength and activation volume, correspond to the mechanism of interaction of dislocations with local obstacles formed by impurity atoms and forest dislocations.
Multiresolution analysis of information flows from international carbon trading market to the clean energy stock market
Authors: Gao Anna , Sun Mei , Han Dun , Shen Chunyu
Published: October 2020

This paper introduced a novel method to investigate the information flows from the international carbon trading market to the market for renewable energy stocks. The method combined the advantages of wavelet decomposition, transfer entropy, and complex network, which defined multiscale, directional, and dynamic flows of information. This analysis selected the daily futures prices of the EUA futures and the daily spot prices of the S&P Global Clean Energy Index (S&P GCE) as sample data and decomposed the bivariate time series into seven sequences for various time–frequency domains by maximal overlap discrete wavelet transform. Transfer entropy has been used to measure the process of transmission of information from the carbon trading market to the renewable energy stock market. The transfer entropies were transformed into four symbols and constructed directed and weighted complex networks of the transfer entropy fluctuation mode sequence in different time–frequency domains according to the concept of coarse graining. The findings showed that the carbon market information flows to the renewable energy stock market varied at different scales. In the short to medium term (2–16 days), there were a lot of information flows from EUA to S&P GCE. The information flow of EUA to S&P GCE is the most stable at scale d2 (4–8 days), but the volatility of the carbon market has not affected the clean energy market at scales d5–d6 (32–128 days). These findings provided the requisite reference for investors in carbon finance and policy-makers who support clean energy production.
Au–Pd core–shell nanoparticle film for optical detection of hydrogen gas
Authors: Boubiche Nacer , Cibaka-Ndaya Cynthia , Brioude Arnaud , Javahiraly Nicolas
Published: October 2020

Hydrogen use, as a clean and almost infinite energy source, has an economic impact in many industries. The problem is that this gas cannot be used like any gas because of its explosiveness at 4% in the air, hence the need to know its concentration any time for security reasons. The permanent detection of hydrogen leaks is essential to monitor and to control the hydrogen concentration to prevent any possible risk. In our current research, we have developed hydrogen ultrasensitive sensors by depositing a thin film of Au–Pd core–shell nanoparticles (NPs) on a transparent glass substrate in order to detect hydrogen in its gaseous form. The colloidal Au–Pd core–shell NPs were synthesized according to a multi-reduction step method. The structural characterizations, the nature, and the density of Au–Pd core–shell NPs have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The morphology, size, and structure of Au–Pd core–shell NPs can be controlled under synthesis conditions. The size of the core–shell studied in this work is 13 nm for gold NP diameter and 0 nm–2.3 nm for palladium thicknesses. The physical properties of NPs, such as the optical absorbance response under hydrogen, strongly depend on the nature of the shell and the ratio between the core and the shell. At different hydrogen concentrations ranging from 1% to 4%, the optical response changes in the position of the surface plasmon resonance peak on the absorbance spectrum after the first loading/unloading hydrogen cycle.
Oxygen precipitation in Ge-doped Czochralski-silicon at 900 °C investigated by in situ high energy x-ray diffraction
Authors: Li Zhen , Will Johannes , Yang Deren
Published: October 2020

In this study, we compare the real-time oxygen (O) precipitation kinetics of heavily germanium (Ge)-doped Czochralski-silicon (Cz-Si) at 900 °C—under different pre-annealing conditions—with those of undoped Cz-Si. We follow in situ the evolution of the Bragg intensity in Laue transmission geometry at elevated temperature and identify both diffusion-driven growth and Ostwald ripening of the O precipitates. We build on our past results, where we observed that although Ge-doping at 800 °C facilitates grown-in precipitates, it has no influence on the nucleation rate. Our present results indicate that within a diffusion-driven growth model, Ge-doping influences the nucleation rate at 650 °C and has no impact at 450 °C. These results shed further light on the origin of various thermal historical effects in Cz-Si samples with high levels of Ge doping.