bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adiposity and the role of diverse social supports: an observational, gender-sensitive study using the baseline Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging
Authors: Hosseini Zeinab , Safari Abdollah , Khan Nadia A , Veenstra Gerry , Conklin Annalijn I
Published: August 2021

Objective:

To quantify associations between four types of social support and measured adiposity among women and men.

Design:

The cross-sectional sample from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA, 2012–2015). Height, weight and waist circumference (WC) were clinically measured, and perceived availability of informational, tangible, emotional and belonging social supports was self-reported.

Setting:

Canada.

Participants:

28 779 adults aged 45–85 years from the CLSA.

Results:

All social support types were associated with WC and BMI among women but not among men. Women reporting the lowest informational support had significantly higher mean BMI (28·84 kg/m2 (95 % CI 28·63, 29·05)) and WC (90·81 cm (95 % CI 90·31, 91·30)) compared with women reporting maximum support (respectively, 28·09 kg/m2 (95 % CI 27·88, 28·30) and 88·92 cm (95 % CI 88·43, 89·4)). Women’s abdominal obesity was associated with low levels of informational, emotional and belonging support, and women’s general obesity with informational and emotional support. Notably, informational and emotional support were associated with both obesity outcomes independent of other supports among women. Only a low level of informational support was significantly independently associated with higher odds of obesity among men.

Conclusions:

Our study provides novel insights into gender-specific associations between different types of social support and adiposity. Prospective studies are needed to further investigate potential causality of these associations between the specific social supports and future weight status, especially among women.
Mutual aid organisations and their role in reducing food insecurity in Chicago’s urban communities during COVID-19
Authors: Lofton Saria , Kersten Marjorie , Simonovich Shannon D , Martin Akilah
Published: August 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted food security and food access in urban communities of colour. Loss of income, often associated with food insecurity, has affected Hispanic, Black, low-wage workers, single mothers and women of colour more than other groups of individuals. Mutual aid organisations have proliferated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, yet a description of the contributions of these organisations in addressing food insecurity has yet to be described in the literature to date. This article aims to describe the unique role and contributions of mutual aid organisations in addressing food insecurity and food access disparities in Chicago’s communities of colour during the COVID-19 pandemic. Local mutual aid organisations can function as hubs to feed urban communities while reducing food waste and building community. During the pandemic, mutual aid organisations in Chicago have distributed thousands of pounds of food to families and individuals. Mutual aid organisations provide short-term food security while engaging with community members to create a more equitable and sustainable food system. The development of robust mutual aid hubs facilitated unique opportunities for collaboration and expansion of infrastructure that may allow mutual aid organisations to address food access in their communities well into the future.
Progress in child stunting across the world from 1990 to 2015: testing the global convergence hypothesis
Authors: Balla Shalem , Goli Srinivas , Vedantam Srilakshmi , Rammohan Anu
Published: August 2021

Objective:

This study has two-fold objectives: first, to test the global convergence hypothesis in the progress of child stunting across 174 countries over the period 1990–2015; second, to identify factors determining the process of convergence or divergence.

Design:

The study design comprises macro-level cross-country analyses. Our empirical strategy uses parametric convergence models such as absolute and conditional β-convergence models, while non-parametric convergence models such as Kernel density plots serve as robustness checks.

Setting:

The study uses a global setting comprising child stunting information from 174 countries.

Participants:

The participants for this study are 174 countries. The information on child stunting prevalence for most countries is available from the UNICEF-WHO-WB Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Expanded Database (April-2019), while national-level surveys are used for those countries where UNICEF-WHO-WB Database is not available. The data for socio-economic variables are taken from the World Bank’s data bank (1990–2015).

Results:

Findings from the absolute β-convergence model estimates show that progress in child stunting has diverged over the entire period (1990–2015). However, the speed of divergence has reduced for the recent period (2010–2015). The conditional β-convergence model estimates show that cross-country heterogeneity in GDP per capita, poverty and health care expenditure are significant factors explaining divergence in child stunting.

Conclusions:

For replacing current divergence with convergence in child stunting worldwide, the study demonstrates the critical role of economic factors and public spending on health care to reduce child stunting, particularly in countries where progress is slow.
Effectiveness of a Continuity-of-Care Model to Reduce Youth Suicidality
Authors: Sale Elizabeth , Sandhu Amanpreet Singh , VonDras Shannon
Published: August 2021

Abstract. Background: Suicidal ideation and recent suicide attempts greatly increase the risk of suicide among youth. Many youth experiencing suicidality are not adequately connected to in-person treatment. Aims: This study aimed to determine the efficacy of a continuity-of-care approach in reducing suicide attempts, ideation, and related hospital and emergency department (ED) visits among youth at high risk for suicide. Method: Data on suicidal ideation, attempts, and related hospital and ED visits were collected over a 6-month period for youth under age 25 ( n = 376). One-way repeated measures ANOVA and Cochran's Q tests assessed change from intake at the 3- and 6-month follow-up. Results: Youth had significantly fewer suicide attempts and related hospital and ED visits at both 3- and 6-month timepoints. Suicidal ideation decreased to 52% from intake to 6-month follow-up. Limitations: This study lacked a comparison population to examine continuity-of-care versus treatment-as-usual. Furthermore, the study did not extend beyond 6 months, limiting the ability to assess the intervention's long-term effectiveness. Conclusion: This youth-focused continuity-of-care model reduced suicidal ideation and related behaviors. Further studies should utilize control groups to confirm the validity of these results.
Direct Integration of Numerous Dams and Reservoirs Outflow in Continental Scale Hydrologic Modeling
Authors: Tavakoly Ahmad A. , Gutenson Joseph L. , Lewis James W. , Follum Michael L. , Rajib Adnan , LaHatte William Clay , Hamilton Chase O.
Published: August 2021

Despite the recent developments in continental‐scale streamflow and flood inundation modeling frameworks, effects of time‐specific and spatially explicit storage‐release dynamics of numerous dams and reservoirs remain underexplored. This paper fills this knowledge gap by directly inserting operational daily flow release data at 175 dam locations into a streamflow simulation of ∼1.2 million river reaches in the Mississippi River Basin (MRB), and therefore quantifying the effect of these regulations on streamflow and flood inundation extents. Using a streamflow routing model called the Routing Application for Parallel computatIon of Discharge (RAPID) and flood inundation mapping model called AutoRoute, two simulation scenarios were constructed respectively including and excluding the daily flow releases from those dams and reservoirs for a 10‐year period (2005–2014). Flood inundation maps were simulated for peak flow conditions at a ∼10‐m hyper spatial resolution. Kling‐Gupta efficiency (KGE) values show that streamflow model performance considerably improved when reservoirs were included in the modeled system, varying from 2% in the eastern region to 380% in the drier western region. Despite small variation of streamflow model improvement with reservoir release inclusion in the eastern region of the basin, the flow model was able to better capture observed peak flows. For a 1% change in streamflow, we observe a 0.8% change in estimated flood inundation. Comparisons to three observed flood events in the MRB demonstrate that the flood inundation estimates improve when percent change in streamflow is relatively high. Overall, inclusion of reservoir release resulted in substantial improvement in continental‐scale streamflow and flood inundation mapping.
Simultaneous Analysis of Seismic Velocity and Electrical Conductivity in the Crust and the Uppermost Mantle: A Forward Model and Inversion Test Based on Grid Search
Authors: Iwamori Hikaru , Ueki Kenta , Hoshide Takashi , Sakuma Hiroshi , Ichiki Masahiro , Watanabe Tohru , Nakamura Michihiko , Nakamura Hitomi , Nishizawa Tatsuji , Nakao Atsushi , Ogawa Yasuo , Kuwatani Tatsu , Nagata Kenji , Okada Tomomi , Takahashi Eiichi
Published: August 2021

This study presents a forward model to quantify the P‐wave velocity (VP), S‐wave velocity (VS), and electrical conductivity (σ) of the solid‐liquid mixtures for a given set of pressure, temperature, lithology, liquid phase (aqueous fluid or melt), liquid fraction, and geometrical parameters in relation to the aspect ratio and connectivity of the liquid phase. This is based on previous experimental and theoretical studies on seismic velocity and electrical conductivity of solid rocks and liquid phases. A total of 78 lithologies, an aqueous fluid with NaCl (∼0–10 wt.%), and mafic to felsic melt appropriate for the crust and the uppermost mantle conditions were described in terms of VP, VS, and σ, as per previous experimental measurements and molecular dynamics simulation. This forward model is provided as a Windows executable program, and generates synthetic VP, VS, and σ, referring to the seismic velocities and electrical conductivity observed in the northeast Japan arc. After generation of the synthetic VP, VS, and σ, the original lithology and liquid parameters (phase, fraction, aspect ratio, and connectivity) were searched by implementing the grid search algorithm to map the misfit over the broad parameter space. The mapping shows the presence of a global misfit minimum around the optimized solution and the possibility of resolving the lithology and the liquid phase parameters based on the observed VP, VS, and σ by using the forward model presented in this study.
Secondary Impact Burial and Excavation Gardening on the Moon and the Depth to Ice in Permanent Shadow
Authors: Costello Emily S. , Ghent Rebecca R. , Lucey Paul G.
Published: August 2021

Impact gardening is a mixture of excavation by impacts and burial under continuous proximal ejecta. An existing analytical model describes the rate at which impacts excavate material on the Moon (Gault et al., 1974; Costello et al., 2018, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2018.05.023; Costello et al., 2020, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019je006172). We expand the model to include a treatment of burial under proximal ejecta. Using the models for excavation and burial, we explore the effects of impacts in the evolution of the lunar surface over the last few billion years. We find that excavation of material by gardening outpaces burial in all reasonable ejecta coverage test scenarios. Thus, gardening does not act as a shield for ice in permanent shadow. However, gardening fails to eradicate the surface expression of compositional contrasts, such as those associated with pyroclastic deposits and compositional rays, which are not vulnerable to removal by thermal or ionization processes. Explorers seeking ice at the lunar poles should not expect regions of permanent shadow to have pure ice within the top 1–10 m because that ice will have been disrupted by gardening.
PHF6 and JAK3 mutations cooperate to drive T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia progression
Authors: Yuan Shengnan , Wang Xiaomin , Hou Shuaibing , Guo Tengxiao , Lan Yanjie , Yang Shuang , Zhao Fei , Gao Juan , Wang Yuxia , Chu Yajing , Shi Jun , Cheng Tao , Yuan Weiping
Published: August 2021

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a malignant hematologic disease caused by gene mutations in T-cell progenitors. As an important epigenetic regulator, PHF6 mutations frequently coexist with JAK3 mutations in T-ALL patients. However, the role(s) of PHF6 mutations in JAK3-driven leukemia remain unclear. Here, the cooperation between JAK3 activation and PHF6 inactivation is examined in leukemia patients and in mice models. We found that the average survival time is shorter in patients with JAK/STAT and PHF6 comutation than that in other patients, suggesting a potential role of PHF6 in leukemia progression. We subsequently found that Phf6 deficiency promotes JAK3M511I-induced T-ALL progression in mice by inhibiting the Bai1-Mdm2-P53 signaling pathway, which is independent of the JAK3/STAT5 signaling pathway. Furthermore, combination therapy with a JAK3 inhibitor (tofacitinib) and a MDM2 inhibitor (idasanutlin) reduces the Phf6 KO and JAK3M511I leukemia burden in vivo. Taken together, our study suggests that combined treatment with JAK3 and MDM2 inhibitors may potentially increase the drug benefit for T-ALL patients with PHF6 and JAK3 comutation.
Genome-driven elucidation of phage-host interplay and impact of phage resistance evolution on bacterial fitness
Authors: Markwitz Pawel , Lood Cédric , Olszak Tomasz , van Noort Vera , Lavigne Rob , Drulis-Kawa Zuzanna
Published: August 2021

When considering the interactions between bacteriophages and their host, the issue of phage-resistance emergence is a key element in understanding the ecological impact of phages on the bacterial population. It is also an essential parameter for the implementation of phage therapy to combat antibiotic-resistant pathogens. This study investigates the phenotypic and genetic responses of five Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains (PAO1, A5803, AA43, CHA, and PAK) to the infection by seven phages with distinct evolutionary backgrounds and recognised receptors (LPS/T4P). Emerging phage-insensitivity was generally accompanied by self and cross-resistance mechanisms. Significant differences were observed between the reference PAO1 responses compared to other clinical representatives. LPS-dependent phage infections in clinical strains selected for mutations in the “global regulatory” and “other” genes, rather than in the LPS-synthesis clusters detected in PAO1 clones. Reduced fitness, as proxied by the growth rate, was correlated with large deletion (20–500 kbp) and phage carrier state. Multi-phage resistance was significantly correlated with a reduced growth rate but only in the PAO1 population. In addition, we observed that the presence of prophages decreased the lytic phage maintenance seemingly protecting the host against carrier state and occasional lytic phage propagation, thus preventing a significant reduction in bacterial growth rate.
CO2, nitrogen deposition and a discontinuous climate response drive water use efficiency in global forests
Authors: Adams Mark A. , Buckley Thomas N. , Binkley Dan , Neumann Mathias , Turnbull Tarryn L.
Published: August 2021

Reduced stomatal conductance is a common plant response to rising atmospheric CO2 and increases water use efficiency (W). At the leaf-scale, W depends on water and nitrogen availability in addition to atmospheric CO2. In hydroclimate models W is a key driver of rainfall, droughts, and streamflow extremes. We used global climate data to derive Aridity Indices (AI) for forests over the period 1965–2015 and synthesised those with data for nitrogen deposition and W derived from stable isotopes in tree rings. AI and atmospheric CO2 account for most of the variance in W of trees across the globe, while cumulative nitrogen deposition has a significant effect only in regions without strong legacies of atmospheric pollution. The relation of aridity and W displays a clear discontinuity. W and AI are strongly related below a threshold value of AI ≈ 1 but are not related where AI > 1. Tree ring data emphasise that effective demarcation of water-limited from non-water-limited behaviour of stomata is critical to improving hydrological models that operate at regional to global scales.
Machine learning dismantling and early-warning signals of disintegration in complex systems
Authors: Grassia Marco , De Domenico Manlio , Mangioni Giuseppe
Published: August 2021

From physics to engineering, biology and social science, natural and artificial systems are characterized by interconnected topologies whose features – e.g., heterogeneous connectivity, mesoscale organization, hierarchy – affect their robustness to external perturbations, such as targeted attacks to their units. Identifying the minimal set of units to attack to disintegrate a complex network, i.e. network dismantling, is a computationally challenging (NP-hard) problem which is usually attacked with heuristics. Here, we show that a machine trained to dismantle relatively small systems is able to identify higher-order topological patterns, allowing to disintegrate large-scale social, infrastructural and technological networks more efficiently than human-based heuristics. Remarkably, the machine assesses the probability that next attacks will disintegrate the system, providing a quantitative method to quantify systemic risk and detect early-warning signals of system’s collapse. This demonstrates that machine-assisted analysis can be effectively used for policy and decision-making to better quantify the fragility of complex systems and their response to shocks.
Triplon current generation in solids
Authors: Chen Yao , Sato Masahiro , Tang Yifei , Shiomi Yuki , Oyanagi Koichi , Masuda Takatsugu , Nambu Yusuke , Fujita Masaki , Saitoh Eiji
Published: August 2021

A triplon refers to a fictitious particle that carries angular momentum S=1 corresponding to the elementary excitation in a broad class of quantum dimerized spin systems. Such systems without magnetic order have long been studied as a testing ground for quantum properties of spins. Although triplons have been found to play a central role in thermal and magnetic properties in dimerized magnets with singlet correlation, a spin angular momentum flow carried by triplons, a triplon current, has not been detected yet. Here we report spin Seebeck effects induced by a triplon current: triplon spin Seebeck effect, using a spin-Peierls system CuGeO3. The result shows that the heating-driven triplon transport induces spin current whose sign is positive, opposite to the spin-wave cases in magnets. The triplon spin Seebeck effect persists far below the spin-Peierls transition temperature, being consistent with a theoretical calculation for triplon spin Seebeck effects.
Mechanochemical transformation of planar polyarenes to curved fused-ring systems
Authors: Yong Teoh , Báti Gábor , García Felipe , Stuparu Mihaiela C.
Published: August 2021

The transformation of planar aromatic molecules into π-extended non-planar structures is a challenging task and has not been realized by mechanochemistry before. Here we report that mechanochemical forces can successfully transform a planar polyarene into a curved geometry by creating new C-C bonds along the rim of the molecular structure. In doing so, mechanochemistry does not require inert conditions or organic solvents and provide better yields within shorter reaction times. This is illustrated in a 20-minute synthesis of corannulene, a fragment of fullerene C60, in 66% yield through ball milling of planar tetrabromomethylfluoranthene precursor under ambient conditions. Traditional solution and gas-phase synthetic pathways do not compete with the practicality and efficiency offered by the mechanochemical synthesis, which now opens up a new reaction space for inducing curvature at a molecular level.
P2Y12 receptor blockers are anti-inflammatory drugs inhibiting both circulating monocytes and macrophages including THP-1 cells
Authors: Siegel Patrick M. , Sander Laura , Fricke Alba , Stamm Johannes , Wang Xiaowei , Sharma Prerna , Bassler Nicole , Ying Ya-Lan , Olivier Christoph B. , Eisenhardt Steffen U. , Bode Christoph , Ahrens Ingo , Diehl Philipp , Peter Karlheinz
Published: August 2021

P2Y12 blockade improves patient outcomes after myocardial infarction. As well as antithrombotic effects, anti-inflammatory effects may contribute to this beneficial clinical outcome. Here we aimed to identify potential anti-inflammatory effects of P2Y12 receptor blockers on monocytes and macrophages. Using flow cytometry, migration assays, flow chambers and RNA microarrays, we investigated the effects of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and P2Y12 receptor blockers on blood monocytes, THP-1 monocytes and THP-1 monocytes after differentiation to macrophages. P2Y12 -expressing platelets can form aggregates with monocytes in circulating blood. Mediated by platelets, ADP results in activation of the integrin receptor Mac-1 on blood monocytes, as detected by the conformation-specific single-chain antibody MAN-1. Via the same association with platelets, THP-1 monocyte adhesion to the endothelial intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) is induced by ADP. P2Y12 receptor blockers prevent these ADP effects on monocytes. Interestingly, in contrast to THP-1 monocytes, THP-1 monocytes, after differentiation to macrophages, directly expressed the P2Y12 receptor and consequently ADP was found to be a potent chemoattractant. Again, P2Y12 receptor blockers antagonised this effect. Accordingly, stimulation of THP-1 macrophages with ADP caused a substantial change in gene expression pattern and upregulation of several genes associated with inflammation and atherogenesis. These data establish novel anti-inflammatory effects of P2Y12 receptor blockers on monocytes and macrophages, which are expected to contribute to cardiovascular risk reduction.
Body size dependent dispersal influences stability in heterogeneous metacommunities
Authors: Anderson Kurt E. , Fahimipour Ashkaan K.
Published: August 2021

Body size affects key biological processes across the tree of life, with particular importance for food web dynamics and stability. Traits influencing movement capabilities depend strongly on body size, yet the effects of allometrically-structured dispersal on food web stability are less well understood than other demographic processes. Here we study the stability properties of spatially-arranged model food webs in which larger bodied species occupy higher trophic positions, while species’ body sizes also determine the rates at which they traverse spatial networks of heterogeneous habitat patches. Our analysis shows an apparent stabilizing effect of positive dispersal rate scaling with body size compared to negative scaling relationships or uniform dispersal. However, as the global coupling strength among patches increases, the benefits of positive body size-dispersal scaling disappear. A permutational analysis shows that breaking allometric dispersal hierarchies while preserving dispersal rate distributions rarely alters qualitative aspects of metacommunity stability. Taken together, these results suggest that the oft-predicted stabilizing effects of large mobile predators may, for some dimensions of ecological stability, be attributed to increased patch coupling per se, and not necessarily coupling by top trophic levels in particular.
Histogram-derived modified thresholds for coronary artery calcium scoring with lower tube voltage
Authors: Kim Sungwon , Lee Chan Joo , Han Kyunghwa , Lee Kye Ho , Lee Hye-Jeong , Park Sungha
Published: August 2021

We aimed to determine the proper modified thresholds for detecting and weighting CAC scores at 100 kV through histogram matching in comparison with 120 kV as a standard reference. From the training set (680 participants), modified thresholds at 100 kV were obtained through histogram matching of calcium pixels to 120 kV. From the validation set (213 participants), a standard CAC score at 120 kV, and modified CAC score at 100 kV using modified thresholds were compare through the paired t test and the Bland–Altman plot. Agreement for risk categories (no, minimal, mild, moderate, and severe) was evaluated using kappa statistics. Radiation doses were also compared. For the validation set, there was no significant difference between standard (median, 18.7; IQR, 0.0–207.0) and modified (median, 17.3; IQR, 0.0–220.9) CAC scores (P = 0.689). A small bias was achieved (0.74) with 95% limits of agreement from − 52.35 to 53.83. Agreements for risk categories were excellent (κ = 0.994). The mean dose-length-product of 100-kV scanning (30.1 ± 0.8 mGy * cm) was significantly decreased compared to 120-kV scanning (42.9 ± 0.6 mGy * cm) (P < 0.001). Histogram-derived modified thresholds at 100 kV can enable accurate CAC scoring while reducing radiation exposure.
Biochar and urease inhibitor mitigate NH3 and N2O emissions and improve wheat yield in a urea fertilized alkaline soil
Authors: Dawar Khadim , Fahad Shah , Jahangir M. M. R. , Munir Iqbal , Alam Syed Sartaj , Khan Shah Alam , Mian Ishaq Ahmad , Datta Rahul , Saud Shah , Banout Jan , Adnan Muhammad , Ahmad Muhammad Nauman , Khan Aamir , Dewil Raf , Habib-ur-Rahman Muhammad , Ansari Mohammad Javed , Danish Subhan
Published: August 2021

In this study, we explored the role of biochar (BC) and/or urease inhibitor (UI) in mitigating ammonia (NH3) and nitrous oxide (N2O) discharge from urea fertilized wheat cultivated fields in Pakistan (34.01°N, 71.71°E). The experiment included five treatments [control, urea (150 kg N ha−1), BC (10 Mg ha−1), urea + BC and urea + BC + UI (1 L ton−1)], which were all repeated four times and were carried out in a randomized complete block design. Urea supplementation along with BC and BC + UI reduced soil NH3 emissions by 27% and 69%, respectively, compared to sole urea application. Nitrous oxide emissions from urea fertilized plots were also reduced by 24% and 53% applying BC and BC + UI, respectively, compared to urea alone. Application of BC with urea improved the grain yield, shoot biomass, and total N uptake of wheat by 13%, 24%, and 12%, respectively, compared to urea alone. Moreover, UI further promoted biomass and grain yield, and N assimilation in wheat by 38%, 22% and 27%, respectively, over sole urea application. In conclusion, application of BC and/or UI can mitigate NH3 and N2O emissions from urea fertilized soil, improve N use efficiency (NUE) and overall crop productivity.
A structural property for reduction of biochemical networks
Authors: Küken Anika , Wendering Philipp , Langary Damoun , Nikoloski Zoran
Published: August 2021

Large-scale biochemical models are of increasing sizes due to the consideration of interacting organisms and tissues. Model reduction approaches that preserve the flux phenotypes can simplify the analysis and predictions of steady-state metabolic phenotypes. However, existing approaches either restrict functionality of reduced models or do not lead to significant decreases in the number of modelled metabolites. Here, we introduce an approach for model reduction based on the structural property of balancing of complexes that preserves the steady-state fluxes supported by the network and can be efficiently determined at genome scale. Using two large-scale mass-action kinetic models of Escherichia coli, we show that our approach results in a substantial reduction of 99% of metabolites. Applications to genome-scale metabolic models across kingdoms of life result in up to 55% and 85% reduction in the number of metabolites when arbitrary and mass-action kinetics is assumed, respectively. We also show that predictions of the specific growth rate from the reduced models match those based on the original models. Since steady-state flux phenotypes from the original model are preserved in the reduced, the approach paves the way for analysing other metabolic phenotypes in large-scale biochemical networks.
Serum soluble (pro)renin receptor level as a prognostic factor in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis
Authors: Amari Yoshifumi , Morimoto Satoshi , Suda Chikahito , Iida Takeshi , Okuda Hidenobu , Yurugi Takatomi , Oyama Yasuo , Aoyama Naoki , Nakajima Fumitaka , Ichihara Atsuhiro
Published: August 2021

The (pro)renin receptor [(P)RR)] is a multifunctional protein that is cleaved to generate the soluble (P)RR [s(P)RR], reflecting the status of the tissue renin-angiotensin system and/or activity of the (P)RR. The serum s(P)RR level is associated with arteriosclerosis, independent of other risk factors, in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). This study was conducted to investigate whether the s(P)RR level was associated with new-onset cardiovascular events or malignant diseases and poor prognosis in patients undergoing HD. Overall, 258 patients [70 (61–76) years, 146 males] undergoing maintenance HD were prospectively followed up for 60 months. We investigated the relationships between s(P)RR levels and new-onset cardiovascular events/ malignant diseases and mortality during the follow-up period using Cox proportional hazard analyses. The cumulative incidence of new-onset cardiovascular events (P = 0.009) and deaths (P < 0.001), but not of malignant diseases, was significantly greater in patients with higher serum s(P)RR level (≥ 29.8 ng/ml) than in those with lower s(P)RR level (< 29.8 ng/ml). A high serum s(P)RR level was independently correlated with cardiovascular mortality (95% CI 1.001–1.083, P = 0.046). The serum s(P)RR level was associated with cardiovascular events and mortality, thus qualifying as a biomarker for identifying patients requiring intensive care.
Predicting hosts based on early SARS-CoV-2 samples and analyzing the 2020 pandemic
Authors: Guo Qian , Li Mo , Wang Chunhui , Guo Jinyuan , Jiang Xiaoqing , Tan Jie , Wu Shufang , Wang Peihong , Xiao Tingting , Zhou Man , Fang Zhencheng , Xiao Yonghong , Zhu Huaiqiu
Published: August 2021

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has raised concerns in the identification of the hosts of the virus since the early stages of the outbreak. To address this problem, we proposed a deep learning method, DeepHoF, based on extracting viral genomic features automatically, to predict the host likelihood scores on five host types, including plant, germ, invertebrate, non-human vertebrate and human, for novel viruses. DeepHoF made up for the lack of an accurate tool, reaching a satisfactory AUC of 0.975 in the five-classification, and could make a reliable prediction for the novel viruses without close neighbors in phylogeny. Additionally, to fill the gap in the efficient inference of host species for SARS-CoV-2 using existing tools, we conducted a deep analysis on the host likelihood profile calculated by DeepHoF. Using the isolates sequenced in the earliest stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, we inferred that minks, bats, dogs and cats were potential hosts of SARS-CoV-2, while minks might be one of the most noteworthy hosts. Several genes of SARS-CoV-2 demonstrated their significance in determining the host range. Furthermore, a large-scale genome analysis, based on DeepHoF’s computation for the later pandemic in 2020, disclosed the uniformity of host range among SARS-CoV-2 samples and the strong association of SARS-CoV-2 between humans and minks.
Improvement of structural efficiency in metals by the control of topological arrangements in ultrafine and coarse grains
Authors: Shokry Abdallah , Ahadi Aylin , Ståhle Per , Orlov Dmytro
Published: August 2021

Improvement of structural efficiency in various materials is critically important for sustainable society development and the efficient use of natural resources. Recently, a lot of attention in science and engineering has been attracted to heterogeneous-structure materials because of high structural efficiency. However, strategies for the efficient design of heterogenous structures are still in their infancy therefore demanding extensive exploration. In this work, two-dimensional finite-element models for pure nickel with bimodal distributions of grain sizes having ‘harmonic’ and ‘random’ spatial topological arrangements of coarse and ultrafine-grain areas are developed. The bimodal random-structure material shows heterogeneities in stress–strain distributions at all scale levels developing immediately upon loading, which leads to developing concentrations of strain and premature global plastic instability. The bimodal harmonic-structure material demonstrates strength and ductility significantly exceeding those in the bimodal random-structure as well as expectations from a rule of mixtures. The strain hardening rates also significantly exceed those in homogeneous materials while being primarily controlled by coarse-grain phase at the early, by ultrafine-grain at the later and by their compatible straining at the intermediate stages of loading. The study emphasises the importance of topological ultrafine-/coarse-grain distributions, and the continuity of the ultrafine-grain skeleton in particular.
Fabrication of a honeycomb-like bimetallic SERS substrate for the detection of triphenyltin chloride
Authors: Jiang Shan , Chang Lin , Luo Jie , Zhang Jianfa , Liu Xiaohong , Lee Chong-Yew , Zhang Wei
Published: August 2021

We fabricated a novel honeycomb-like bimetallic SERS substrate. It demonstrates extremely strong SERS enhanced performance owing to its bimetallic electromagnetic field coupling, which enables the high-sensitivity detection of TPhT.
Dual-sensitive dual-prodrug nanoparticles with light-controlled endo/lysosomal escape for synergistic photoactivated chemotherapy
Authors: Lu Hongtong , He Shasha , Zhang Qingfei , Li Xiaoyuan , Xie Zhigang , Wang Zigui , Qi Yanxin , Huang Yubin
Published: August 2021

The dual-sensitive dual-prodrug nanoparticles (DDNPs) with light-controlled drug-release on demand and endo/lysosomal escape for synergistic photoactivated chemotherapy.
Photocatalytic oxidation of NO on reduction type semiconductor photocatalysts: effect of metallic Bi on CdS nanorods
Authors: Li Ruina , Ou Xiaoyu , Zhang Li , Qi Zheng , Wu Xiaofeng , Lu Chunshan , Fan Jiajie , Lv Kangle
Published: August 2021

We report the first use of a reduction type semiconductor photocatalyst CdS for the visible light photocatalytic oxidation of NO, and in situ growth of metallic Bi can stimulate the production of ˙O2− and 1O2, which greatly enhances the oxidation of NO.
A novel 18F-labeled clickable substrate for targeted imaging of SNAP-tag expressing cells by PET in vivo
Authors: Depke Dominic Alexej , Konken Christian Paul , Rösner Lukas , Hermann Sven , Schäfers Michael , Rentmeister Andrea
Published: August 2021

In this work, high-contrast PET imaging of subcutaneous SNAP-tag expressing tumor xenografts is achieved by bioorthogonal covalent targeting with a novel 18F-based radioligand in vivo.
A strongly Lewis-acidic and fluorescent borenium cation supported by a tridentate formazanate ligand
Authors: Katzman Benjamin D. , Maar Ryan R. , Cappello Daniela , Sattler Madeleine O. , Boyle Paul D. , Staroverov Viktor N. , Gilroy Joe B.
Published: August 2021

A fluorescent, strongly Lewis-acidic borenium cation (Gutmann–Beckett acceptor number >100) was created using a tridentate formazanate ligand. This cation shows a potential utility as a colourimetric reactivity probe.
Photoredox relay-catalyzed gem-difluoroallylation of alkyl iodides
Authors: Guo Yuanqiang , Cao Yunpeng , Song Hongjian , Liu Yuxiu , Wang Qingmin
Published: August 2021

Relay catalysis using a combination of Mn2(CO)10 and an Iridium-based photocatalyst is reported. A broad scope of alkyl iodides was transformed into the corresponding gem-difluoroalkenes via C(sp3)–C(sp3) bond construction.
A simple derivation of the shell polarizability formula and investigation of the plasmonic behavior of aluminum nanoshells with the Mie theory
Authors: Huang Chuanfu , Zhang Heng
Published: August 2021

Shell polarizability is derived in detail to clarify this formula, which is not uniform in popular monographs. Different from a previous study, new surface plasmon resonances of aluminum metal nanoshells are obtained based on the Mie theory.
Enhancing the Curie temperature of two-dimensional monolayer CrI3 by introducing I-vacancies and interstitial H-atoms
Authors: Su Wenxia , Zhang Zhengming , Cao Qingqi , Wang Dunhui , Lu Haiming , Mi Wenbo , Du Youwei
Published: August 2021

Enhancing the Curie temperature of monolayer CrI3 by introducing I-vacancies and interstitial H-atoms.
Facet effect of Bi5O7I nanocrystals on selective oxidation of benzylamine under visible light
Authors: Wang Fanping , Han Xu , Jia Zhenqi , Li Yaping , Zhang Tianyu , Han Aijuan , Liu Junfeng
Published: August 2021

Boosting photocatalytic activity in benzylamine oxidation was found for Bi5O7I with a (010) facet through facet engineering.
An electron-deficient naphthalene diimide-based metal–organic framework for detecting electron-rich molecules through photo-/chemo-induced chromism
Authors: Gao Bohong , Hao Pengfei , Li Gao-Peng , Shen Junju , Fu Yunlong
Published: August 2021

An electron-deficient naphthalene diimide-based MOF can be potentially used for the visual detection of electron-rich molecules, especially n-butylamine (n-BUA).
One-pot solvent-free extraction and formulation of lipophilic natural products: from curcuma to dried formulations of curcumin
Authors: Dall'armellina Alice , Letan Mathias , Duval Charles , Contino-Pépin Christiane
Published: August 2021

A novel dual green extraction and encapsulation of liposoluble natural products is proposed and successfully applied to curcumin.
Confined synthesis of BiVO4 nanodot and ZnO cluster co-decorated 3DOM TiO2 for formic acid production from the xylan-based hemicellulose photorefinery
Authors: Zhao Heng , Yu Xinti , Hu Guichun , Zhong Na , Hu Zhi-Yi , Larter Steve , Li Yu , Kibria Md Golam , Hu Jinguang
Published: August 2021

The as-fabricated photocatalyst shows the ability to break down xylan-based hemicellulose to formic acid.
Microfluidic mass transfer of CO2 at elevated pressures: implications for carbon storage in deep saline aquifers
Authors: Ho Tsai-Hsing Martin , Yang Junyi , Tsai Peichun Amy
Published: August 2021

Carbon capture and storage in deep saline aquifers is a promising technology to mitigate anthropologically emitted CO2. Our high-pressure microfluidics can help assess the relevant time-scale and CO2 mass transfer in different reservoir conditions.
Point of care whole blood microfluidics for detecting and managing thrombotic and bleeding risks
Authors: Diamond Scott L. , Rossi Jason M.
Published: August 2021

Microfluidic techniques for the studying hemostatic processes have enabled research into disease, drug action, and biophysical phenomena. Refinement of these techniques from “chip in a lab” to “point-of-care” will enable improved clinical testing.
Rapid degradation behavior of encapsulated perovskite solar cells under light, bias voltage or heat fields
Authors: Zhang Xiaobo , Chen Xiaoqing , Chen Yichuan , Nadege Ouedraogo Nabonswende Aida , Li Jingjie , Bao Xiulong , Han Chang Bao , Shirai Yasuhiro , Zhang Yongzhe , Yan Hui
Published: August 2021

The dominant mechanisms of the degradation are different. (a) The electric field affects the spatial distribution of mobile ions; (b) the light field changes the mobile ion densities and drives the ion migration; (c) the heat field results in material decomposition.
A quinoline–benzothiazole hybrid as the first near-infrared fluorescent probe for transthyretin
Authors: Liu Jinsheng , Xiong Yinghong , Huang Yanan , Zhu Xinyin , Liu Yu , Zhang Lei , Yan Jinwu
Published: August 2021

A quinoline-benzothiazole hybrid was rationally developed as the first NIR fluorescent probe for detecting transthyretin.
Investigation of supramolecular interaction of quercetin with N,N-dimethylamine-functionalized p-sulfonated calix[4,8]arenes using molecular modeling and their in vitro cytotoxic response towards selected cancer cells
Authors: Oguz Mehmet , Dogan Berna , Durdagi Serdar , Bhatti Asif Ali , Karakurt Serdar , Yilmaz Mustafa
Published: August 2021

Although quercetin is an effective bioactive compound preventing the progress of several human cancers, its impact is reduced due to low bioavailability.
The influence of ZnO loading amount on the photocatalytic performance of Fe3O4@SiO2@ZnO–Ag composites toward the degradation of organic pollutants and hydrogen evolution
Authors: Wang Jian , Zhong Junlin , Yang Jinghai , Qu Xin , Zhang Yukai , Gao Ming , Cao Jian , Liu Xiaoyan , Zhang Qi , Lang Jihui , Yang Lili
Published: August 2021

Magnetically reusable Fe3O4@SiO2@ZnO-Ag with well-designed core-shell structure, controllable ZnO loading amount and excellent photocatalytic ability toward organic pollutants degradation and hydrogen evolution were synthesized.
Synthesis of a novel hedgehog-shaped Bi2S3 nanostructure for a sensitive electrochemical glucose biosensor
Authors: Shi Feng , Xue Yadong , Hong Letian , Cao Jiawen , Li Juan , Jiang Min , Hu Xiaoya , Yang Zhanjun , Shen Ming
Published: August 2021

A novel hedgehog-shaped Bi2S3 nanostructure was synthesized using a simple hydrothermal route with a composite soft template and further used to construct a sensitive glucose biosensor.
Theoretical investigations of novel Janus Pb2SSe monolayer as a potential multifunctional material for piezoelectric, photovoltaic, and thermoelectric applications
Authors: Zhang Fusheng , Qiu Jian , Guo Haojie , Wu Lingmei , Zhu Bao , Zheng Kai , Li Hui , Wang Zeping , Chen Xianping , Yu Jiabing
Published: August 2021

Two-dimensional Janus Pb2SSe monolayer, due to its unique antisymmetric structure as well as excellent electronic, optical and piezoelectric properties, exhibit great prospects in multifunctional energy applications.
C–H activation reactions of nitroarenes: current status and outlook
Authors: Sengupta Saumitra , Das Parthasarathi
Published: August 2021

The current landscape of nitro group directed C–H activation reactions of (hetero)arenes is reviewed.
Nickel-catalyzed remote hydrosilylation of unconjugated enones with bulky triphenylsilane
Authors: Chen Xue , Wang Zhen , Zhou Jinyong , Liu Yunkui , Jin Hongwei , Zhou Bingwei
Published: August 2021

Nickel-catalyzed remote hydrosilylation of unconjugated enones involving a “chain walking” process enables the synthesis ofZ-silyl enol ethers as major isomers.
Strategies of perovskite mechanical stability for flexible photovoltaics
Authors: Shi Yi-Ran , Chen Chun-Hao , Lou Yan-Hui , Wang Zhao-Kui
Published: August 2021

This review summarized the different strategies of enhancing the perovskite mechanical stability, and we mainly describe from three aspects: mechanical stability of perovskite layer, interface engineering and engineering on other functional layers.
H2O2 self-providing synergistic chemodynamic/photothermal therapy using graphene oxide supported zero valence iron nanoparticles
Authors: Xu Miao , Li Qin , Xiang Yi , Yuan Shanshan , Wu Yihan , Zhang Jing , Liu Jinliang , Zhu Xiaohui , Zhang Yong
Published: August 2021

A H2O2 self-providing therapeutic nanoplatform is reported to achieve enhanced chemodynamic/photothermal therapy.
Synthesis of covalent bonding MWCNT-oligoethylene linezolid conjugates and their antibacterial activity against bacterial strains
Authors: Alatorre-Barajas José A. , Alcántar-Zavala Eleazar , Gil-Rivas M. Graciela , Estrada-Zavala Edgar , Ochoa-Terán Adrián , Gochi-Ponce Y. , Montes-Ávila Julio , Cabrera Alberto , Trujillo-Navarrete Balter , Rivera-Lugo Yazmin Yorely , Alonso-Núñez Gabriel , Reynoso-Soto Edgar A. , Medina-Franco J. L.
Published: August 2021

New MWCNTs amino-oligoethylene linezolid conjugates having outstanding activity against Gram negative strains.
Synthesis of xanthohumol and xanthohumol-d3 from naringenin
Authors: Andrusiak Joanna , Mylkie Kinga , Wysocka Małgorzata , Ścianowski Jacek , Wolan Andrzej , Budny Marcin
Published: August 2021

A six-step synthesis of xanthohumol and its d3-derivative from easily accessible naringenin is reported.
Fabrication and characterization of structurally stable pH-responsive polymeric vesicles by polymerization-induced self-assembly
Authors: Zhang Fen , Niu Yanling , Li Yantao , Yao Qian , Chen Xiaoqi , Zhou Haijun , Zhou Mengmeng , Xiao Jijun
Published: August 2021

Smart polymeric vesicles with both tertiary amine and epoxy functional groups were fabricated for the first time via a reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer dispersion polymerization approach.
The kinetics and mechanism of H2O2 decomposition at the U3O8 surface in bicarbonate solution
Authors: McGrady John , Kumagai Yuta , Watanabe Masayuki , Kirishima Akira , Akiyama Daisuke , Kitamura Akira , Kimuro Shingo
Published: August 2021

A transition from catalytic to oxidative H2O2 decomposition on U3O8 was observed with NaHCO3 with significant implications for uranium dissolution.
Palladium-catalyzed C–H glycosylation and retro Diels–Alder tandem reaction via structurally modified norbornadienes (smNBDs)
Authors: An Yang , Zhang Bo-Sheng , Ding Ya-Nan , Zhang Zhe , Gou Xue-Ya , Li Xue-Song , Wang Xiaolei , Li Yuke , Liang Yong-Min
Published: August 2021

This report describes palladium-catalyzed C–H glycosylation and retro Diels–Alder tandem reaction via structurally modified norbornadienes (smNBDs).
On the yielding of a point-defect-rich model crystal under shear: insights from molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Shrivastav Gaurav P. , Kahl Gerhard
Published: August 2021

The yielding of cluster crystals under shear is primarily governed by the deformation of the underlying (FCC) crystalline structure.
Role of steric repulsions on the precipitation kinetics and the structure of calcium-silicate-hydrate gels
Authors: Yadav Ashish , Krishnan N. M. Anoop
Published: August 2021

Developed repulsive bump potential to simulate the steric repulsion conditions in C-S-H gels.
Thermodynamic non-ideality in charge regulation of weak polyelectrolytes
Authors: Gallegos Alejandro , Ong Gary M. C. , Wu Jianzhong
Published: August 2021

Incorporation of classical density functional theory with the site-binding model allows for the prediction of the solution effects on the ionization of weak polyelectrolytes.
Dopant-induced cationic bivalency in hierarchical antimony-doped tin oxide nano-particles for room-temperature SO2sensing
Authors: Chakraborty Nirman , Ghose Pradeepta Kumar , Rudra Pratyasha , Das Sagnik , Saha Debdulal , Mishra Ajay K. , Sanyal Ambarish , Mondal Swastik
Published: August 2021

Antimony doping in tin oxide triggered generation of tin bivalency and it is the variation in ratio of 2+ and 4+ states of tin that determines the efficiency of room temperature SO2sensing.
Flexible and hollow polypyrrole foam with high loading of metal–organic framework nanowires for wearable supercapacitors
Authors: Yue Ting , Douka Abdoulkader Ibro , Qi Kai , Qiu Yubing , Guo Xingpeng , Xia Bao Yu
Published: August 2021

Hybrid architecture of polypyrrole hollow foam with high loading of metal–organic framework nanowires for wearable supercapacitors.
Steric effect induces CO electroreduction to CH4 on Cu–Au alloys
Authors: Guan Anxiang , Wang Qihao , Ji Yali , Li Si , Yang Chao , Qian Linping , Zhang Lijuan , Wu Limin , Zheng Gengfeng
Published: August 2021

The electrocatalytic reduction of carbon monoxide (CO) is an emerging direction with new catalyst structures, among which the bimetallic component catalysts feature both functional diversity and high-density of active sites.
Evolution of ferroelectric domains in methylammonium lead iodide and correlation with the performance of perovskite solar cells
Authors: Leonhard Tobias , Röhm Holger , Altermann Fabian J. , Hoffmann Michael J. , Colsmann Alexander
Published: August 2021

The microscopic analysis of MAPbI3 elucidates the evolution of ferroelectric polarization and its impact on the performance of perovskite solar cells.