bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risky business in Georgia's wild birds: contact rates between wild birds and backyard chickens is influenced by supplemental feed
Authors: Ayala A. J. , Haas L. K. , Williams B. M. , Fink S. S. , Yabsley M. J. , Hernandez S. M.
Published: May 2022

Backyard chickens are increasingly popular, and their husbandry varies widely. How backyard chickens are housed may influence the accessibility of chicken feed and water to wild birds, and thus, the contact rates between both groups. Increased contacts have implications for pathogen transmission; for instance, Newcastle disease virus or avian influenza virus may be transmitted to and from backyard chickens from contaminated water or feed. Given this potentially increased pathogen risk to wild birds and backyard chickens, we examined which wild bird species are likely to encounter backyard chickens and their resources. We performed a supplemental feeding experiment followed by observations at three sites associated with backyard chickens in North Georgia, USA. At each site, we identified the species of wild birds that: (a) shared habitat with the chickens, (b) had a higher frequency of detection relative to other species and (c) encountered the coops. We identified 14 wild bird species that entered the coops to consume supplemental feed and were considered high-risk for pathogen transmission. Our results provide evidence that contact between wild birds and backyard chickens is frequent and more common than previously believed, which has crucial epidemiological implications for wildlife managers and backyard chicken owners.
Going Dutch: monetary policy in the Netherlands during the interwar gold standard, 1925–1936
Authors: Fliers Philip T. , Colvin Christopher L.
Published: May 2022

Our study of the day-to-day management of monetary policy in the Netherlands between 1925 and 1936 reveals that policy leaders and central bankers were both willing and able to deviate from the monetary policy paths set by other countries, all while remaining firmly within the gold bloc. The Netherlands wielded an independent monetary policy while remaining on gold thanks to its central bank's plentiful gold reserves. Central bankers quelled any speculation against the guilder by exploiting their domestic policy influence and international reputation to restrict capital mobility. However, maintaining pre-war parity until the collapse of the gold standard in September 1936 came at a cost. Our international comparisons and counterfactual analysis suggest that Dutch officials would have avoided a deepening of the Great Depression by leaving gold alongside the UK in 1931.
Psychological Stress = Physiological	Stress?
Authors: Becker Sara , Spinath Birgit , Ditzen Beate , Dörfler Tobias
Published: May 2022

Abstract. The present study analyzed experimentally the association between the experience of psychological stress and the physiological stress response of prospective teachers. The experienced stress was assessed by self-reported data. Cortisol concentrations via saliva samples reflected the physiological response. The results show no difference between the stress and the control group in the experience of psychological stress. However, the stress group had significantly increased cortisol concentrations compared to the control group. The study could not show any correlation between the two stress parameters. The results suggest that a stress response should be validated based not only on the experience of psychological stress but also on the physiological stress response. This is particularly crucial in light of the fact that the majority of studies concerning stress in teachers are limited to experiences of psychological stress so far. Due to this, the results may provide a first important contribution to a more comprehensive stress assessment for teachers.
The Effects of Surface Curvature and Temperature on Charge Transfer During Ice‐Ice Collisions
Authors: Turner G. J. , Stow C. D.
Published: May 2022

Repetitive collisions of sublimating ice surfaces, created by freezing liquid water, produced charge separation Q of a magnitude (pC) comparable to earlier results of vapor‐grown ice crystals repetitively collided in a saturated environment. Those results had been explained by a theory of charge distribution in a quasi‐liquid surface layer quasi‐liquid layer (QLL) mediated at the moment of impact by collisional melting. The present results are from long‐duration contacts (15 ms) with transfer of kinetic energy estimated to be a factor of 104 greater and charging rate 98% slower. They do not support an assumption in the proposed mechanism of collisional melting and are contrary to the basic assumptions of that theory: that significant Q occurs only in growing surfaces (i.e., in a supersaturated condition that implies the presence of liquid water) that were originally grown from vapor, and for which the contact is less than 1 ms. The results are opposite to a rule that in the case of differing surfaces (vapor‐grown and rimed), the greater sublimating surface would charge negatively. Here, for surfaces of frozen water, the surface further from equilibrium becomes positively charged. The results are not inconsistent with recent reports of simulations that suggest that the thickness of a QLL in sublimating surfaces may not be less than the equilibrium value. Apparently, for differing ice surfaces, Q is of the order of 1 fC, whereas for collisions of similar ices on metal substrates (whether both vapor‐deposited, or both frozen liquid water), Q is of the order of 1 pC.
Validity of Global Fog‐Day Trends Indicated by the Global Surface Summary of the Day (GSOD) Data Set
Authors: Lavigne Thomas , Liu Chuntao
Published: May 2022

It has long been understood that fog plays an important role in the atmospheric radiation budget and contributes to many transportation related fatalities and injuries. This study utilizes >8,000 Global Surface Summary of the Day (GSOD) ground stations to investigate trends observed in fog‐days over the past 44‐years, and to examine the validity of these trends under varying observational techniques. Results show strong large‐scale regional trends in the GSOD fog‐day data, with the United States (USA) and much of Europe observing ∼20–25% and ∼3–5% decreases respectively in fog‐day occurrence. However, when comparing fog‐day counts to simultaneous visibility, it is evident that several different fog‐day data collection techniques were used throughout the timeseries in many regions. For example, many stations in the USA made data collection changes in the mid 1990s, and again in the mid 2000s. To identify the artifacts from different data collection techniques, a simple method is developed to determine which stations indeed encountered at least one false deviation to the timeseries. After applying the methodology to all GSOD stations, 1,696 stations are identified as being potentially quality long‐term fog‐day stations. Utilizing these stations, more reliable regional trends can be derived over some specific regions. Spain, Australia, and China show statistically significant decreases in fog‐day occurrence. India and Japan show increases in fog day occurrence. Further analysis shows that the driving factors of fog such as temperature and moisture have changed regionally during the last four decades and could be linked to the long‐term regional fog‐day trends.
Assessing Water Infrastructure Investments in California
Authors: Cook Terri
Published: May 2022

Exploratory modeling in California’s Central Valley indicates that evaluating the costs, benefits, and risks to individual providers is necessary to ensure the viability of future water projects.
Upregulation of the serine palmitoyltransferase subunit SPTLC2 by endoplasmic reticulum stress inhibits the hepatic insulin response
Authors: Kim Goon-Tae , Devi Shivani , Sharma Amitesh , Cho Kyung-Hee , Kim Su-Jung , Kim Bo-Rahm , Kwon Sang-Ho , Park Tae-Sik
Published: May 2022

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is induced by various conditions, such as inflammation and the presence of excess nutrients. Abnormal accumulation of unfolded proteins leads to the activation of a collective signaling cascade, termed the unfolded protein response (UPR). ER stress is reported to perturb hepatic insulin response metabolism while promoting insulin resistance. Here, we report that ER stress regulates the de novo biosynthesis of sphingolipids via the activation of serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT), a rate-limiting enzyme involved in the de novo biosynthesis of ceramides. We found that the expression levels of Sptlc1 and Sptlc2, the major SPT subunits, were upregulated and that the cellular concentrations of ceramide and dihydroceramide were elevated by acute ER stress inducers in primary hepatocytes and HepG2 cells. Sptlc2 was upregulated and ceramide levels were elevated by tunicamycin in the livers of C57BL/6J wild-type mice. Analysis of the Sptlc2 promoter demonstrated that the transcriptional activation of Sptlc2 was mediated by the spliced form of X-box binding protein 1 (sXBP1). Liver-specific Sptlc2 transgenic mice exhibited increased ceramide levels in the liver and elevated fasting glucose levels. The insulin response was reduced by the inhibition of the phosphorylation of insulin receptor β (IRβ). Collectively, these results demonstrate that ER stress induces activation of the de novo biosynthesis of ceramide and contributes to the progression of hepatic insulin resistance via the reduced phosphorylation of IRβ in hepatocytes.
Time-trends in human urinary concentrations of phthalates and substitutes DEHT and DINCH in Asian and North American countries (2009–2019)
Authors: Domínguez-Romero Elena , Komprdová Klára , Kalina Jiří , Bessems Jos , Karakitsios Spyros , Sarigiannis Dimosthenis A. , Scheringer Martin
Published: May 2022

Background

Many phthalates are environmental pollutants and toxic to humans. Following phthalate regulations, human exposure to phthalates has globally decreased with time in European countries, the US and Korea. Conversely, exposure to their substitutes DEHT and/or DINCH has increased. In other countries, including China, little is known on the time-trends in human exposure to these plasticizers.

Objective

We aimed to estimate time-trends in the urinary concentrations of phthalates, DEHT, and DINCH metabolites, in general population from non-European countries, in the last decade.

Methods

We compiled human biomonitoring (HBM) data from 123 studies worldwide in a database termed “PhthaLit”. We analyzed time-trends in the urinary concentrations of the excreted metabolites of various phthalates as well as DEHT and DINCH per metabolite, age group, and country/region, in 2009–2019. Additionally, we compared urinary metabolites levels between continents.

Results

We found solid time-trends in adults and/or children from the US, Canada, China and Taiwan. DEHP metabolites decreased in the US and Canada. Conversely in Asia, 5oxo- and 5OH-MEHP (DEHP metabolites) increased in Chinese children. For low-weight phthalates, the trends showed a mixed picture between metabolites and countries. Notably, MnBP (a DnBP metabolite) increased in China. The phthalate substitutes DEHT and DINCH markedly increased in the US.

Significance

We addressed the major question of time-trends in human exposure to phthalates and their substitutes and compared the results in different countries worldwide.

Impact

Phthalates account for more than 50% of the plasticizer world market. Because of their toxicity, some phthalates have been regulated. In turn, the consumption of non-phthalate substitutes, such as DEHT and DINCH, is growing. Currently, phthalates and their substitutes show high detection percentages in human urine. Concerning time-trends, several studies, mainly in Europe, show a global decrease in phthalate exposure, and an increase in the exposure to phthalate substitutes in the last decade. In this study, we address the important question of time-trends in human exposure to phthalates and their substitutes and compare the results in different countries worldwide.
The natural compound atraric acid suppresses androgen-regulated neo-angiogenesis of castration-resistant prostate cancer through angiopoietin 2
Authors: Ehsani Marzieh , Bartsch Sophie , Rasa Seyed Mohammad Mahdi , Dittmann Jessica , Pungsrinont Thanakorn , Neubert Laura , Huettner Soeren S. , Kotolloshi Roland , Schindler Katrin , Ahmad Aya , Mosig Alexander S. , Adam Lisa , Ori Alessandro , Neri Francesco , Berndt Alexander , Grimm Marc-Oliver , Baniahmad Aria
Published: May 2022

Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is an aggressive lethal form of prostate cancer (PCa). Atraric acid (AA) not only inhibits the wild-type androgen receptor (AR) but also those AR mutants that confer therapy resistance to other clinically used AR antagonists, indicating a different mode of AR antagonism. AA induces cellular senescence and inhibits CRPC tumour growth in in vivo xenograft mouse model associated with reduced neo-angiogenesis suggesting the repression of intratumoural neo-angiogenesis by AA. In line with this, the secretome of CRPC cells mediates neo-angiogenesis in an androgen-dependent manner, which is counteracted by AA. This was confirmed by two in vitro models using primary human endothelial cells. Transcriptome sequencing revealed upregulated angiogenic pathways by androgen, being however VEGF-independent, and pointing to the pro-angiogenic factor angiopoietin 2 (ANGPT2) as a key driver of neo-angiogenesis induced by androgens and repressed by AA. In agreement with this, AA treatment of native patient-derived PCa tumour samples ex vivo inhibits ANGPT2 expression. Mechanistically, in addition to AA, immune-depletion of ANGPT2 from secretome or blocking ANGPT2-receptors inhibits androgen-induced angiogenesis. Taken together, we reveal a VEGF-independent ANGPT2-mediated angiogenic pathway that is inhibited by AA leading to repression of androgen-regulated neo-angiogenesis.
Long non-coding RNA MAFG-AS1 promotes proliferation and metastasis of breast cancer by modulating STC2 pathway
Authors: Di Shihao , Bai Rumeng , Lu Die , Chen Chunni , Ma Tianshi , Zou Zigui , Zhang Zhihong
Published: May 2022

Breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide. A number of studies proposed that long non-coding RNA plays an essential role in the regulation of invasion and metastasis of various forms of malignancy, including lung cancer, gastric cancer, and bladder cancer. In this study, a long non-coding RNA(LncRNA) MAFG-AS1 was explored in detail to understand the significance in the etiology of breast cancer. The results indicated that expression of LncRNA MAFG-AS1 in the breast cancer tissues was significantly higher than the adjacent normal breast tissues and elevated expression level of LncRNA MAFG-AS1 was correlated to the larger tumor size, negative expression of ER, PR and lymph node metastasis. The potency of breast cancer proliferation, invasion, and metastasis was inhibited in the absence of LncRNA MAFG-AS1. Mechanically, LncRNA MAFG-AS1 was mainly located in the cytoplasm. The downstream target gene of LncRNA MAFG-AS1 was STC2 which might promote cell proliferation and metastasis in breast cancer and this study provides a new potential therapeutic target for breast cancer.
FAM126A interacted with ENO1 mediates proliferation and metastasis in pancreatic cancer via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway
Authors: Li Yongning , Li Ying , Luo Jun , Fu Xueqin , Liu Peng , Liu Songbai , Pan Yaozhen
Published: May 2022

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a common digestive system carcinoma with high mortality rate mostly due to aberrant growth and distant metastasis. Current researches demonstrated that Family Sequence Similarities (FAMs) have been involving in tumor development, and which subfamily has the function of promoting or inhibiting tumors and its in-depth molecular mechanism remains unclear. Based on the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA2), we observed that FAM126A is in high expressed level among PC tissues and contributes to worse progression of PC, which was validated by PC tissue microarray. Function assay indicated that overexpression of FAM126A accelerates PC cell proliferation, invasion and migration in vitro, as well as liver cancer metastasis in vivo. Further, we found that FAM126A induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), including the downregulation of E-cadherin epithelial marker expression, and the upregulation of N-cadherin, Vimentin, and Snail, mesenchymal marker expression. By co-localization and co-immunoprecipitation assays, we confirmed that FAM126A directly interacts with ENO1, which was a key activator of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Furthermore, ENO1 knockdown reversed cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of PC cells promoted by FAM126A overexpression in vitro and in vivo. In general, these results verified FAM126A is an oncogene interacting with ENO1 in PC by activating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
Contrasting influences of biogeophysical and biogeochemical impacts of historical land use on global economic inequality
Authors: Liu Shu , Wang Yong , Zhang Guang J. , Wei Linyi , Wang Bin , Yu Le
Published: May 2022

Climate change has significant implications for macro-economic growth. The impacts of greenhouse gases and anthropogenic aerosols on economies via altered annual mean temperature (AMT) have been studied. However, the economic impact of land-use and land-cover change (LULCC) is still unknown because it has both biogeochemical and biogeophysical impacts on temperature and the latter differs in latitudes and disturbed land surface types. In this work, based on multi-model simulations from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6, contrasting influences of biogeochemical and biogeophysical impacts of historical (1850–2014) LULCC on economies are found. Their combined effects on AMT result in warming in most countries, which harms developing economies in warm climates but benefits developed economies in cold climates. Thus, global economic inequality is increased. Besides the increased AMT by the combined effects, day-to-day temperature variability is enhanced in developing economies but reduced in developed economies, which further deteriorates global economic inequality.
Synchronization in electric power networks with inherent heterogeneity up to 100% inverter-based renewable generation
Authors: Sajadi Amirhossein , Kenyon Rick Wallace , Hodge Bri-Mathias
Published: May 2022

The synchronized operation of power generators is the foundation of electric power network stability and a key to the prevention of undesired power outages and blackouts. Here, we derive the conditions that guarantee synchronization in power networks with inherent generator heterogeneity when subjected to small perturbations, and perform a parametric sensitivity analysis to understand synchronization with varied types of generators. As inverter-based resources, which are the primary interfacing technology for many renewable sources of energy, have supplanted synchronous generators in ever growing numbers, the center of attention on associated integration challenges have resided primarily on the role of declining system inertia. Our results instead highlight the critical role of generator damping in achieving a stable state of synchronization. Additionally, we report the feasibility of operating interconnected electric grids with up to 100% power contribution from inverter-based renewable generation technologies. Our study has important implications as it sets the basis for the development of advanced control architectures and grid optimization methods that ensure synchronization and further pave the path towards the decarbonization of the electric power sector.
PICASSO allows ultra-multiplexed fluorescence imaging of spatially overlapping proteins without reference spectra measurements
Authors: Seo Junyoung , Sim Yeonbo , Kim Jeewon , Kim Hyunwoo , Cho In , Nam Hoyeon , Yoon Young-Gyu , Chang Jae-Byum
Published: May 2022

Ultra-multiplexed fluorescence imaging requires the use of spectrally overlapping fluorophores to label proteins and then to unmix the images of the fluorophores. However, doing this remains a challenge, especially in highly heterogeneous specimens, such as the brain, owing to the high degree of variation in the emission spectra of fluorophores in such specimens. Here, we propose PICASSO, which enables more than 15-color imaging of spatially overlapping proteins in a single imaging round without using any reference emission spectra. PICASSO requires an equal number of images and fluorophores, which enables such advanced multiplexed imaging, even with bandpass filter-based microscopy. We show that PICASSO can be used to achieve strong multiplexing capability in diverse applications. By combining PICASSO with cyclic immunofluorescence staining, we achieve 45-color imaging of the mouse brain in three cycles. PICASSO provides a tool for multiplexed imaging with high accessibility and accuracy for a broad range of researchers.
Systematic characterization of gene function in the photosynthetic alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Fauser Friedrich , Vilarrasa-Blasi Josep , Onishi Masayuki , Ramundo Silvia , Patena Weronika , Millican Matthew , Osaki Jacqueline , Philp Charlotte , Nemeth Matthew , Salomé Patrice A. , Li Xiaobo , Wakao Setsuko , Kim Rick G. , Kaye Yuval , Grossman Arthur R. , Niyogi Krishna K. , Merchant Sabeeha S. , Cutler Sean R. , Walter Peter , Dinneny José R. , Jonikas Martin C. , Jinkerson Robert E.
Published: May 2022

Most genes in photosynthetic organisms remain functionally uncharacterized. Here, using a barcoded mutant library of the model eukaryotic algaChlamydomonas reinhardtii, we determined the phenotypes of more than 58,000 mutants under more than 121 different environmental growth conditions and chemical treatments. A total of 59% of genes are represented by at least one mutant that showed a phenotype, providing clues to the functions of thousands of genes. Mutant phenotypic profiles place uncharacterized genes into functional pathways such as DNA repair, photosynthesis, the CO2-concentrating mechanism and ciliogenesis. We illustrate the value of this resource by validating phenotypes and gene functions, including three new components of an actin cytoskeleton defense pathway. The data also inform phenotype discovery in land plants; mutants inArabidopsis thalianagenes exhibit phenotypes similar to those we observed in theirChlamydomonashomologs. We anticipate that this resource will guide the functional characterization of genes across the tree of life.
Climate change and modernization drive structural realignments in European grain production
Authors: Pinke Z. , Decsi B. , Jámbor A. , Kardos M. K. , Kern Z. , Kozma Z. , Ács T.
Published: May 2022

Charting the long-term trends in European wheat and maize yields and harvested areas and the relation of yields to climatic and economic drivers, two profound spatial processes become apparent. One consequence of the relatively late modernization of Eastern Europe has been to shift the focus of grain production from West to East. The warming trend prevailing over the past decades in the summer and winter seasons has been accompanied by a South to North shift in the harvested areas. The combination of these two processes has meant that the north-eastern sector of the European grain chessboard has emerged as the main beneficiary. There, the relatively low sensitivity of cereals to climatic change plus high economic growth rates have been accompanied by the most dynamic increases in cereal yields on the continent. As a result, a modern version of the 3000 year-old grain distribution system of the Ancient World is being restored before our eyes. One noteworthy finding is that increasing January–March temperatures have had a significant positive impact on wheat yields from Northern to South-Eastern Europe, and this is, at least in part, compensating for the negative impact of summer warming.
Non-circularly shaped conical diffraction
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad Waqar , Marsal Nicolas , Montemezzani Germano
Published: May 2022

Waves with tailored shape and vectorial non-homogeneous polarization are of much interest due to the many prospects for relevant applications in the classical and quantum domains. Such vector beams can be generated naturally via conical diffraction in optically biaxial crystals. The recent strongly revived attention to this phenomenon is motivated by modern applications such as optical trapping, polarimetry or super-resolution imaging, partly enabled by new configurations increasing the beam complexity, like those with several crystals in cascade. However, up to now all beams generated by conical diffraction conserve at their sharpest plane the underlying circular shape connected with the planar section of light cones. Here we show that a proper manipulation in wave-vector space within a conical diffraction cascade produces vector beams with highly peculiar non-circular forms, leading to an interesting and reconfigurable platform for easily shaping all structured wave properties, increasing complexity and information content. The experimental observations are confirmed by numerical integration of a paraxial model incorporating the effects of the wave-vector space manipulation.
Rabies prevention practices and associated factors among household heads in Bure Zuria district, North West Ethiopia
Authors: Wolelaw Gedamu Ayalew , Yalew Worku Awoke , Azene Abebaw Gedef , Wassie Gizachew Tadesse
Published: May 2022

Rabies is a zoonotic viral disease that can occur in all warm blooded animals including humans. Vaccinating dogs can protect people from contracting rabies. Despite the availability of effective human and animal rabies vaccines, rabies prevention and control efforts are inadequate. The aim of the study was to determine the level of rabies prevention practices and associated factors among household heads in Bure Zuria district, North-west Ethiopia. Community based cross-sectional study was conducted at Bure Zuria from June 1 to 30, 2020. A total of 609 participants were selected using simple random sampling technique. Simple and multiple binary logistic regressions were applied to identify associated factors of rabies prevention practices. Of 609 participants, 413 (67.8%) were male and 289 (47.5%) were 30–45 years old. The level of good prevention practices of rabies at Bure Zuria district was 43.3%. Being males (AOR = 2.69 (1.72–4.22)), age group 18–29 years (AOR = 2.70 (1.20–6.10)), ever bitten by dog, (AOR = 2.40 (1.56–3.68)), got training (AOR = 1.70 (1.08–2.68)), had dog (AOR = 2.92 (1.62–5.26)), with good knowledge AOR (95% CI) = 3.42 (2.19–5.32), with good attitude AOR (95% CI) = 1.78 (1.16–2.73) and have 1001–2000 AOR (95% CI) = 2.29 (1.39–3.79) and > 2000 AOR (95% CI) = 2.02 (1.28–3.18)) monthly income were more likely to have good prevention practices of rabies. In this study, we found that the level of good prevention practices of rabies was low in Bure Zuria district. Therefore; awareness creation trainings and multi-sectoral collaborations to prevent rabies are needed in the district, zone and at large region level.
Green synthesis of bimetallic Ag/ZnO@Biohar nanocomposite for photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline, antibacterial and antioxidant activities
Authors: Hosny Mohamed , Fawzy Manal , Eltaweil Abdelazeem S.
Published: May 2022

In this work, a simple and green synthesis procedure for phytofabrication Zinc oxide-silver supported biochar nanocomposite (Ag/ZnO@BC) via Persicaria salicifolia biomass is investigated for the first time to uphold numerous green chemistry such as less hazardous chemical syntheses. XRD technique showed the crystal structure of the phytosynthesized Ag/ZnO@BC, whereas UV–visible spectroscopy, FT-IR, SEM, EDX, TEM, and XPS analyses indicated the successful biosynthesis of the nanocomposite. Testing the photocatalytic potential of this novel nanocomposite in the removal of TC under different conditions unraveled its powerful photodegradation efficiency that reached 70.3% under the optimum reaction conditions: TC concentration; 50 ppm, pH; 6, a dose of Ag/ZnO@BC; 0.01 g, temperature; 25 °C, and H2O2 concentration; 100 mM. The reusability of Ag/ZnO@BC was evident as it reached 53% after six cycles of regeneration. Ag/ZnO@BC was also shown to be a potent antimicrobial agent against Klebsiella pneumonia as well as a promising antioxidant material. Therefore, the current work presented a novel nanocomposite that could be efficiently employed in various environmental and medical applications.
Application of pulse-modulated radio-frequency atmospheric pressure glow discharge for degradation of doxycycline from a flowing liquid solution
Authors: Dzimitrowicz Anna , Caban Magda , Terefinko Dominik , Pohl Pawel , Jamroz Piotr , Babinska Weronika , Cyganowski Piotr , Stepnowski Piotr , Lojkowska Ewa , Sledz Wojciech , Motyka-Pomagruk Agata
Published: May 2022

Doxycycline (DOX), an antibiotic commonly used in medicine and veterinary, is frequently detected in natural waterways. Exposition of bacteria to DOX residuals poses a selective pressure leading to a common occurrence of DOX-resistance genetic determinants among microorganisms, including virulent human pathogens. In view of diminishment of the available therapeutic options, we developed a continuous-flow reaction-discharge system generating pulse-modulated radio-frequency atmospheric pressure glow discharge (pm-rf-APGD) intended for DOX removal from liquid solutions. A Design of Experiment and a Response Surface Methodology were implemented in the optimisation procedure. The removal efficiency of DOX equalling 79 ± 4.5% and the resultant degradation products were identified by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Diode Array Detection, Liquid Chromatography Quadruple Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry, Ultraperformance Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry, total organic carbon, total nitrogen, Attenuated Total Reflectance Furrier Transform–Infrared, and UV/Vis-based methods. The pm-rf-APGD-treated DOX solution due to the generated Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species either lost its antimicrobial properties towards Escherichia coli ATCC25922 or significantly decreased biocidal activities by 37% and 29% in relation to Staphylococcus haemolyticus ATCC29970 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25904, respectively. Future implementation of this efficient and eco-friendly antibiotic-degradation technology into wastewater purification systems is predicted.
Ambient mass spectrometry for rapid authentication of milk from Alpine or lowland forage
Authors: Tata Alessandra , Massaro Andrea , Riuzzi Giorgia , Lanza Ilaria , Bragolusi Marco , Negro Alessandro , Novelli Enrico , Piro Roberto , Gottardo Flaviana , Segato Severino
Published: May 2022

Metabolomics approaches, such as direct analysis in real time-high resolution mass spectrometry (DART-HRMS), allow characterising many polar and non-polar compounds useful as authentication biomarkers of dairy chains. By using both a partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and a linear discriminant analysis (LDA), this study aimed to assess the capability of DART-HRMS, coupled with a low-level data fusion, discriminate among milk samples from lowland (silages vs. hay) and Alpine (grazing; APS) systems and identify the most informative biomarkers associated with the main dietary forage. As confirmed also by the LDA performed against the test set, DART-HRMS analysis provided an accurate discrimination of Alpine samples; meanwhile, there was a limited capacity to correctly recognise silage- vs. hay-milks. Supervised multivariate statistics followed by metabolomics hierarchical cluster analysis allowed extrapolating the most significant metabolites. Lowland milk was characterised by a pool of energetic compounds, ketoacid derivates, amines and organic acids. Seven informative DART-HRMS molecular features, mainly monoacylglycerols, could strongly explain the metabolomic variation of Alpine grazing milk and contributed to its classification. The misclassification between the two lowland groups confirmed that the intensive dairy systems would be characterised by a small variation in milk composition.
Discrimination of secondary hypsarrhythmias to Zika virus congenital syndrome and west syndrome based on joint moments and entropy measurements
Authors: Rocha Priscila Lima , Silva Washington Luis Santos , da Silva Sousa Patrícia , da Silva Antônio Augusto Moura , Barros Allan Kardec
Published: May 2022

Hypsarrhythmia is a specific chaotic morphology, present in the interictal period of the electroencephalogram (EEG) signal in patients with West Syndrome (WS), a severe form of childhood epilepsy and that, recently, was also identified in the examinations of patients with Zika Virus Congenital Syndrome (ZVCS). This innovative work proposes the development of a computational methodology for analysis and differentiation, based on the time-frequency domain, between the chaotic pattern of WS and ZVCS hypsarrhythmia. The EEG signal time-frequency analysis is carried out from the Continuous Wavelet Transform (CWT). Four joint moments—joint mean—$$\mu _{(t,f)}$$

μ

(
t
,
f
)

, joint variance—$$\sigma _{(t,f)}^2$$

σ

(
t
,
f
)

2

, joint skewness—$$\lambda _{(t,f)}$$

λ

(
t
,
f
)

, and joint kurtosis—$$\kappa _{(t,f)}$$

κ

(
t
,
f
)

—and four entropy measurements—Shannon, Log Energy, Norm, and Sure—are obtained from the CWT to compose the representative feature vector of the EEG hypsarrhythmic signals under analysis. The performance of eight classical types of machine learning algorithms are verified in classification using the k-fold cross validation and leave-one-patient-out cross validation methods. Discrimination results provided 78.08% accuracy, 85.55% sensitivity, 73.21% specificity, and AUC = 0.89 for the ANN classifier.
Quantitative and qualitative analysis of pulmonary arterial hypertension fibrosis using wide-field second harmonic generation microscopy
Authors: Padrez Yaraslau , Golubewa Lena , Kulahava Tatsiana , Vladimirskaja Tatyana , Semenkova Galina , Adzerikho Igor , Yatsevich Olga , Amaegberi Nadezda , Karpicz Renata , Svirko Yuri , Kuzhir Polina , Rutkauskas Danielis
Published: May 2022

We demonstrated that wide-field second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy of lung tissue in combination with quantitative analysis of SHG images is a powerful tool for fast and label-free visualization of the fibrosis pathogenesis in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Statistical analysis of the SHG images revealed changes of the collagen content and morphology in the lung tissue during the monocrotaline-induced PAH progression in rats. First order statistics disclosed the dependence of the collagen overproduction on time, the second order statistics indicated tightening of collagen fiber network around blood vessels and their spreading into the alveolar region. Fourier analysis revealed that enhancement of the fiber orientation in the collagen network with PAH progression was followed with its subsequent reduction at the terminating phase of the disease. Proposed approach has potential for assessing pulmonary fibrosis in interstitial lung disease, after lung(s) transplantation, cancer, etc.
Evaluation of an artificial intelligence-based medical device for diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Megerian Jonathan T. , Dey Sangeeta , Melmed Raun D. , Coury Daniel L. , Lerner Marc , Nicholls Christopher J. , Sohl Kristin , Rouhbakhsh Rambod , Narasimhan Anandhi , Romain Jonathan , Golla Sailaja , Shareef Safiullah , Ostrovsky Andrey , Shannon Jennifer , Kraft Colleen , Liu-Mayo Stuart , Abbas Halim , Gal-Szabo Diana E. , Wall Dennis P. , Taraman Sharief
Published: May 2022

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be reliably diagnosed at 18 months, yet significant diagnostic delays persist in the United States. This double-blinded, multi-site, prospective, active comparator cohort study tested the accuracy of an artificial intelligence-based Software as a Medical Device designed to aid primary care healthcare providers (HCPs) in diagnosing ASD. The Device combines behavioral features from three distinct inputs (a caregiver questionnaire, analysis of two short home videos, and an HCP questionnaire) in a gradient boosted decision tree machine learning algorithm to produce either an ASD positive, ASD negative, or indeterminate output. This study compared Device outputs to diagnostic agreement by two or more independent specialists in a cohort of 18–72-month-olds with developmental delay concerns (425 study completers, 36% female, 29% ASD prevalence). Device output PPV for all study completers was 80.8% (95% confidence intervals (CI), 70.3%–88.8%) and NPV was 98.3% (90.6%–100%). For the 31.8% of participants who received a determinate output (ASD positive or negative) Device sensitivity was 98.4% (91.6%–100%) and specificity was 78.9% (67.6%–87.7%). The Device’s indeterminate output acts as a risk control measure when inputs are insufficiently granular to make a determinate recommendation with confidence. If this risk control measure were removed, the sensitivity for all study completers would fall to 51.6% (63/122) (95% CI 42.4%, 60.8%), and specificity would fall to 18.5% (56/303) (95% CI 14.3%, 23.3%). Among participants for whom the Device abstained from providing a result, specialists identified that 91% had one or more complex neurodevelopmental disorders. No significant differences in Device performance were found across participants’ sex, race/ethnicity, income, or education level. For nearly a third of this primary care sample, the Device enabled timely diagnostic evaluation with a high degree of accuracy. The Device shows promise to significantly increase the number of children able to be diagnosed with ASD in a primary care setting, potentially facilitating earlier intervention and more efficient use of specialist resources.
Functional role of the Frizzled linker domain in the Wnt signaling pathway
Authors: Ko Seung-Bum , Mihara Emiko , Park Yedarm , Roh Kyeonghwan , Kang Chanhee , Takagi Junichi , Bang Injin , Choi Hee-Jung
Published: May 2022

The Wnt signaling pathway plays a critical role in the developmental and physiological processes of metazoans. We previously reported that the Frizzled4 (FZD4) linker domain plays an important role in Norrin binding and signaling. However, the question remains whether the FZD linker contributes to Wnt signaling in general. Here, we show that the FZD linker is involved in Wnt binding and affects downstream Wnt signaling. A FZD4 chimera, in which the linker was swapped with that of the non-canonical receptor FZD6, impairs the binding with WNT3A and suppresses the recruitment of LRP6 and Disheveled, resulting in reduced canonical signaling. A similar effect was observed for non-canonical signaling. A FZD6 chimera containing the FZD1 linker showed reduced WNT5A binding and impaired signaling in ERK, JNK, and AKT mediated pathways. Altogether, our results suggest that the FZD linker plays an important role in specific Wnt binding and intracellular Wnt signaling.
The gut efflux pump MRP-1 exports oxidized glutathione as a danger signal that stimulates behavioral immunity and aversive learning
Authors: Lalsiamthara Jonathan , Aballay Alejandro
Published: May 2022

Innate immune surveillance, which monitors the presence of potentially harmful microorganisms and the perturbations of host physiology that occur in response to infections, is critical to distinguish pathogens from beneficial microbes. Here, we show that multidrug resistance-associated protein-1 (MRP-1) functions in the basolateral membrane of intestinal cells to transport byproducts of cellular redox reactions to control both molecular and behavioral immunity in Caenorhabditis elegans. Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection disrupts glutathione homeostasis, leading to the excess production of the MRP-1 substrate, oxidized glutathione (GSSG). Extracellular GSSG triggers pathogen avoidance behavior and primes naïve C. elegans to induce aversive learning behavior via neural NMDA class glutamate receptor-1 (NMR-1). Our results indicate that MRP-1 transports GSSG, which acts as a danger signal capable of warning C. elegans of changes in intestinal homeostasis, thereby initiating a gut neural signal that elicits an appropriate host defense response.
Challenges in the use of sortase and other peptide ligases for site-specific protein modification
Authors: Morgan Holly E. , Turnbull W. Bruce , Webb Michael E.
Published: May 2022

We highlight chemical and biochemical strategies taken to optimise peptide and protein modification using peptide ligases.
Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of the dry reforming of methane catalyzed by the Ru (0001) surface based on density functional theory calculations
Authors: Díaz López Estefanía , Comas-Vives Aleix
Published: May 2022

This study shows the main pathways for the DRM reaction and the competitive RWGS reaction upon changing reaction conditions, displaying the importance of including lateral–lateral interactions to describe the reaction in agreement with the experiment.
Doxorubicin delivery performance of superparamagnetic carbon multi-core shell nanoparticles: pH dependence, stability and kinetic insight
Authors: Silva Adriano Santos , Diaz de Tuesta Jose Luis , Sayuri Berberich Thais , Delezuk Inglez Simone , Bertão Ana Raquel , Çaha Ihsan , Deepak Francis Leonard , Bañobre-López Manuel , Gomes Helder Teixeira
Published: May 2022

Multi-core shell nanoparticles reach a doxorubicin (DOX) loading capacity of 936 μg mg−1 and DOX release values of 8.3 to 76% from pH 7.4 to 4.5. Kinetic models were able to predict pH-dependent path drug release.
Simultaneous quantification of marine neutral neoagaro-oligosaccharides and agar-oligosaccharides by the UHPLC-MS/MS method: application to the intestinal transport study by using the Caco-2 cell monolayer
Authors: Liu Guilin , Duan Yunhai , Yang Shuang , Yu Mingming , Lv Zhihua
Published: May 2022

A sensitive and robust UHPLC-MS/MS method was established for the first time to simultaneously quantify marine neutral neoagaro-oligosaccharides (NAOS) and agar-oligosaccharides (AOS) with different degrees of polymerization (DP) in Hanks' balanced salt solution (HBSS).
[4 + 2] and [2 + 4] cycloaddition reactions on single- and double-stranded DNA: a dual-reactive nucleoside
Authors: Bujalska Anna , Basran Kaleena , Luedtke Nathan W.
Published: May 2022

Dual fluorogenic reactivity of DNA containing a 1,3-butadiene unit: inverse-electron demand [2 + 4] cycloaddition occurs upon addition of a tetrazine, whereas normal-electron demand [4 + 2] cycloaddition takes place upon addition of a maleimide.
Tuneable helices of plasmonic nanoparticles using liquid crystal templates: molecular dynamics investigation of an unusual odd–even effect in liquid crystalline dimers
Authors: Pawlak Mateusz , Bagiński Maciej , Llombart Pablo , Beutel Dominik , González-Rubio Guillermo , Górecka Ewa , Rockstuhl Carsten , Mieczkowski Józef , Pociecha Damian , Lewandowski Wiktor
Published: May 2022

Liquid crystalline (LC) dimers formed helical nanofilaments depending on the parity of the alkyl linker, revealing an unusual odd–even effect. Doping LC with Au nanoparticles evidenced that helical pitch was regulated by the length of the linker.
A multifunctional nanoprobe for real-time SERS monitoring of invasion ability affected by photodynamic therapy
Authors: Li Jia , Tian Yang , Zheng Tingting
Published: May 2022

A multifunctional nanoprobe based on g-C3N4 nanosheets was developed for real-time monitoring of the invasion ability affected by photodynamic therapy.
The catenation of a singlet diradical dication and modulation of diradical character by metal coordination
Authors: Li Ke , Feng Zhongtao , Ruan Huapeng , Sun Quanchun , Zhao Yue , Wang Xinping
Published: May 2022

The bis(triarylamine) diradical dication can form a zigzag configurable one-dimensional magnetic chain bridging through silver cations and thus the diradical character was modulated by the Lewis acid–base coordination effect.
Identification of mercaptoacetamide-based HDAC6 inhibitors via a lean inhibitor strategy: screening, synthesis, and biological evaluation
Authors: Geurs Silke , Clarisse Dorien , Baele Freya , Franceus Jorick , Desmet Tom , De Bosscher Karolien , D'hooghe Matthias
Published: May 2022

I want to zinc to the bottom with you. Potent mercaptoacetamide HDAC6 inhibitors for therapeutic applications beyond oncology.
Multi-pathway inducing ferroptosis by MnO2-based nanodrugs for targeted cancer therapy
Authors: Fan Shuhua , Yang Qiangqiang , Song Qianna , Hong Min , Liu Xiaoyan , Chen Haobin , Wang Juan , Li Chuan , Cheng Shuang
Published: May 2022

Schematic illustration of the strategy to construct the Tf–DHA–ASO–MnO2 nanodrug and the principle of targeted cancer therapy.
Computational vibrational spectroscopy of molecule–surface interactions: what is still difficult and what can be done about it
Authors: Manzhos Sergei , Ihara Manabu
Published: May 2022

Anharmonic effects are important in adsorbed molecules even as harmonic calculations continue to dominate computed vibrational spectra in applications. We consider perspectives of application of anharmonic methods to adsorbed molecules.
Photo-induced force microscopy (PiFM) – principles and implementations
Authors: Sifat Abid Anjum , Jahng Junghoon , Potma Eric O.
Published: May 2022

In photo-induced force microscopy (PiFM), a sharp atomic tip is illuminated by a tightly focused laser beam and the photo-induced force is measured through the changes in the oscillatory motion of the cantilever.
Dietary soybeans worsen dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis by disrupting intestinal ecology
Authors: Chen Kaiyang , Gao Congcong , Tang Ming , Dong Qinchen , Wang Ningyu , Man Shuli , Lu Fuping , Wang Haikuan
Published: May 2022

In this study, soybean carbohydrates worsened DSS-induced colitis by affecting the macrophage activity, and the exacerbation of colitis depended on the intestinal ecosystem.
Retraction: Metal-free green synthesis of aryl amines in magnetized distilled water: experimental aspects and molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Rowan Michael A.
Published: May 2022

Retraction of ‘Metal-free green synthesis of aryl amines in magnetized distilled water: experimental aspects and molecular dynamics simulation’ by Mohammad Bakherad et al., Green Chem., 2022, https://doi.org/10.1039/d0gc01329c.
Mass-shift mode to quantify low level129I in environmental samples by ICP-MS/MS
Authors: Coralie Carrier , Azza Habibi , Michelle Agarande , Celine Augeray , Didier Bourles , Denis Maro , Lucilla Benedetti
Published: May 2022

Mass shift measurement mode in ICP-MS/MS was used for the first time to improve the limit of detection of129I and129I/127I.
Synthesis of amorphous carbon functionalized Fe3O4 nanoparticles as a smart nanosorbent for organic dyes removal
Authors: Tran Hoang Vinh , Thi Kim Do Oanh , Nguyen Nghia Duc , Huynh Chinh Dang
Published: May 2022

Illustration of process for synthesis of carbon coated Fe3O4 (CCF) nanocomposites and their application as nanosorbents with recoverability and regenerability for the sorption of organic dyes.
Efficient performance optimization of natural graphite enabled by hydrothermal modification with Mg(NO3)2
Authors: Wang Wen-Jing , Huang Meng , Zhu Hui-Ling , Liu Wei , Qi Yong-Xin , Li Tao , Bai Yu-Jun
Published: May 2022

Natural graphite (NG) as the anode material of Li-ion batteries (LIBs) exhibits inferior rate performance and cyclability, affecting its application in high-performance LIBs.
A novel near-infrared fluorescent probe for the detection of sulfur dioxide derivatives and its application in biological imaging
Authors: Wei Wanheng , Liu Wenjie , Zhang Hongyan , Li Zhanxian , Yu Mingming
Published: May 2022

HBQI can effectively detect HSO3− and has good photostability, selectivity and anti-interference ability. The reaction was completed in about 1 min.
Non-enzymatic electrochemical sensor based on an AuNPs/Cu-N-C composite for efficient nitrite sensing in sausage samples
Authors: Liu Xiaonan , Zhang Tingting , Li Xiangyang , Ai Shiyun , Zhou Shuang
Published: May 2022

The designed AuNPs/Cu-N-C nitrite sensor exhibits superior electrochemical performance and significantly decreased the oxidation potential to 0.75 V.