bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chronic social defeat stress impairs goal-directed behavior through dysregulation of ventral hippocampal activity in male mice
Authors: Yoshida Keitaro , Drew Michael R. , Kono Anna , Mimura Masaru , Takata Norio , Tanaka Kenji F.
Published: March 2021

Chronic stress is a risk factor for a variety of psychiatric disorders, including depression. Although impairments to motivated behavior are a major symptom of clinical depression, little is known about the circuit mechanisms through which stress impairs motivation. Furthermore, research in animal models for depression has focused on impairments to hedonic aspects of motivation, whereas patient studies suggest that impairments to appetitive, goal-directed motivation contribute significantly to motivational impairments in depression. Here, we characterized goal-directed motivation in repeated social defeat stress (R-SDS), a well-established mouse model for depression in male mice. R-SDS impaired the ability to sustain and complete goal-directed behavior in a food-seeking operant lever-press task. Furthermore, stress-exposed mice segregated into susceptible and resilient subpopulations. Interestingly, susceptibility to stress-induced motivational impairments was unrelated to stress-induced social withdrawal, another prominent effect of R-SDS in mouse models. Based on evidence that ventral hippocampus (vHP) modulates sustainment of goal-directed behavior, we monitored vHP activity during the task using fiber photometry. Successful task completion was associated with suppression of ventral hippocampal neural activity. This suppression was diminished after R-SDS in stress-susceptible but not stress-resilient mice. The serotonin selective reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) escitalopram and ketamine both normalized vHP activity during the task and restored motivated behavior. Furthermore, optogenetic vHP inhibition was sufficient to restore motivated behavior after stress. These results identify vHP hyperactivity as a circuit mechanism of stress-induced impairments to goal-directed behavior and a putative biomarker that is sensitive to antidepressant treatments and that differentiates susceptible and resilient individuals.
Outcomes of phacoemulsification and endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation performed with dual blade ab interno trabeculectomy or trabecular micro-bypass stent insertion
Authors: Klug Emma , Chachanidze Marika , Nirappel Abraham , Chang Enchi K. , Hall Nathan , Chang Ta C. , Solá-Del Valle David
Published: March 2021

Background/Objective

To report the initial outcomes of phacoemulsification, endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation, and dual blade ab interno trabeculectomy (PEcK), and compare them to those of phacoemulsification, endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation, and trabecular micro-bypass stent insertion (ICE-1).

Subjects/Methods

Patients from January 2018 to December 2019 that underwent PEcK or ICE-1 at a tertiary referral centre were included in this retrospective comparative case series. Patients were excluded if they had additional concomitant procedures, less than 6 weeks (42 days) of follow-up or were not at least 18 years old. Intraocular pressure (IOP), number of glaucoma medications, and best-corrected visual acuity were collected preoperatively and postoperatively at 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional-hazards regression were conducted to elucidate any factors associated with survival time.

Results

The mean preoperative IOP was 18.3 ± 5.9 mmHg in the PEcK group (53 eyes) and 14.7 ± 4.3 mmHg in the ICE-1 group (23 eyes) (p = 0.004) on 3.3 ± 1.3 and 1.7 ± 0.93 glaucoma medications (p < 0.001), respectively. Twelve months postoperatively the mean IOP reduction was 5.1 ± 4.4 mmHg and 2.3 ± 4.0 mmHg (p = 0.08), and the mean medication reduction was 1.6 ± 1.5 and 0.97 ± 0.66 (p = 0.10), in the PEcK and ICE-1 groups, respectively. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis did not reveal any differences in treatment survival.

Conclusions

Both PEcK and ICE-1 provide clinically relevant reductions in IOP and glaucoma medication burden, however the PEcK procedure may confer greater reductions in IOP. The procedures did not differ with regard to Kaplan–Meier survival probability.
PbEIL1 acts upstream ofPbCysp1to regulate ovule senescence in seedless pear
Authors: Wang Huibin , Zhang Haiqi , Liang Fangfang , Cong Liu , Song Linyan , Li Xieyu , Zhai Rui , Yang Chengquan , Wang Zhigang , Ma Fengwang , Xu Lingfei
Published: March 2021

Numerous environmental and endogenous signals control the highly orchestrated and intricate process of plant senescence. Ethylene, a well-known inducer of senescence, has long been considered a key endogenous regulator of leaf and flower senescence, but the molecular mechanism of ethylene-induced ovule senescence has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we found that blockage of fertilization caused ovule abortion in the pear cultivar ‘1913’. According to transcriptome and phytohormone content data, ethylene biosynthesis was activated by pollination. At the same time, ethylene overaccumulated in ovules, where cells were sensitive to ethylene signals in the absence of fertilization. We identified a transcription factor in the ethylene signal response, ethylene-insensitive 3-like (EIL1), as a likely participant in ovule senescence. Overexpression of PbEIL1 in tomato caused precocious onset of ovule senescence. We further found that EIL1 could directly bind to the promoter of the SENESCENCE-ASSOCIATED CYSTEINE PROTEINASE 1 (PbCysp1) gene and act upstream of senescence. Yeast one-hybrid and dual-luciferase assays revealed the interaction of the transcription factor and the promoter DNA sequence and demonstrated that PbEIL1 enhanced the action of PbCysp1. Collectively, our results provide new insights into how ethylene promotes the progression of unfertilized ovule senescence.
Biosynthetic labeling with 3-O-propargylcaffeyl alcohol reveals in vivo cell-specific patterned lignification in loquat fruits during development and postharvest storage
Authors: Zhu Nan , Zhao Chenning , Wei Yuqing , Sun Chongde , Wu Di , Chen Kunsong
Published: March 2021

Lignification is a major cell wall modification that often results in the formation of sophisticated subcellular patterns during plant development or in response to environmental stresses. Precise localization of the spatiotemporal deposition of lignin is of great importance for revealing the lignification regulatory mechanism of individual cells. In loquat fruits, lignification typically increases the flesh lignin content and firmness, reducing their edibility and processing quality. However, the precise localization of the spatiotemporal active zones of lignification inside loquat fruit flesh remains poorly understood, and little is known about the contribution of patterned lignification to cell wall structure dynamics and the subsequent fruit-quality deterioration. Here, we performed an emerging bioorthogonal chemistry imaging technique to trace the in vivo patterned lignification dynamics in cells of loquat fruit flesh during development and storage. In developing fruits, lignified cells (LCs) and vascular bundles (VBs) were the zones of active lignification, and ring-like LCs deposited lignin at both the inner wall layer and the outer periphery sides. The domino effect of the generation of LCs was preliminarily visualized. In mature fruits, the newly formed lignin in the flesh of fruits during storage was specifically deposited in the corners and middle lamellae of parenchyma cells surrounding the VBs, resulting in the development of a reticular structure. Based on the findings, distinct spatiotemporal patterned lignification modes for different flesh cells in loquat fruits were proposed. These findings provide loquat lignification dynamics together with spatiotemporal data that can improve our understanding of the lignification process in planta.
The chromosome-level genome of dragon fruit reveals whole-genome duplication and chromosomal co-localization of betacyanin biosynthetic genes
Authors: Zheng Jinfang , Meinhardt Lyndel W. , Goenaga Ricardo , Zhang Dapeng , Yin Yanbin
Published: March 2021

Dragon fruits are tropical fruits economically important for agricultural industries. As members of the family ofCactaceae, they have evolved to adapt to the arid environment. Here we report the draft genome ofHylocereus undatus, commercially known as the white-fleshed dragon fruit. The chromosomal level genome assembly contains 11 longest scaffolds corresponding to the 11 chromosomes ofH. undatus. Genome annotation ofH. undatusfound ~29,000 protein-coding genes, similar toCarnegiea gigantea(saguaro). Whole-genome duplication (WGD) analysis revealed a WGD event in the last common ancestor ofCactaceaefollowed by extensive genome rearrangements. The divergence time betweenH. undatusandC. giganteawas estimated to be 9.18 MYA. Functional enrichment analysis of orthologous gene clusters (OGCs) in sixCactaceaeplants found significantly enriched OGCs in drought resistance. Fruit flavor-related functions were overrepresented in OGCs that are significantly expanded inH. undatus. TheH. undatusdraft genome also enabled the discovery of carbohydrate and plant cell wall-related functional enrichment in dragon fruits treated with trypsin for a longer storage time. Lastly, genes of the betacyanin (a red-violet pigment and antioxidant with a very high concentration in dragon fruits) biosynthetic pathway were found to be co-localized on a 12 Mb region of one chromosome. The consequence may be a higher efficiency of betacyanin biosynthesis, which will need experimental validation in the future. TheH. undatusdraft genome will be a great resource to study various cactus plants.
Evolution and universality of two-stage Kondo effect in single manganese phthalocyanine molecule transistors
Authors: Guo Xiao , Zhu Qiuhao , Zhou Liyan , Yu Wei , Lu Wengang , Liang Wenjie
Published: March 2021

The Kondo effect offers an important paradigm to understand strongly correlated many-body physics. Although under intensive study, some of the important properties of the Kondo effect, in systems where both itinerant coupling and localized coupling play significant roles, are still elusive. Here we report the evolution and universality of the two-stage Kondo effect, the simplest form where both couplings are important using single molecule transistor devices incorporating Manganese phthalocyanine molecules. The Kondo temperature T* of the two-stage Kondo effect evolves linearly against effective interaction of involved two spins. Observed Kondo resonance shows universal quadratic dependence with all adjustable parameters: temperature, magnetic field and biased voltages. The difference in nonequilibrium conductance of two-stage Kondo effect to spin 1/2 Kondo effect is also identified. Messages learned in this study fill in directive experimental evidence of the evolution of two-stage Kondo resonance near a quantum phase transition point, and help in understanding sophisticated molecular electron spectroscopy in a strong correlation regime.
Near quantitative synthesis of urea macrocycles enabled by bulky N-substituent
Authors: Yang Yingfeng , Ying Hanze , Li Zhixia , Wang Jiang , Chen Yingying , Luo Binbin , Gray Danielle L. , Ferguson Andrew , Chen Qian , Z Y. , Cheng Jianjun
Published: March 2021

Macrocycles are unique molecular structures extensively used in the design of catalysts, therapeutics and supramolecular assemblies. Among all reactions reported to date, systems that can produce macrocycles in high yield under high reaction concentrations are rare. Here we report the use of dynamic hindered urea bond (HUB) for the construction of urea macrocycles with very high efficiency. Mixing of equal molar diisocyanate and hindered diamine leads to formation of macrocycles with discrete structures in nearly quantitative yields under high concentration of reactants. The bulky N-tert-butyl plays key roles to facilitate the formation of macrocycles, providing not only the kinetic control due to the formation of the cyclization-promoting cis C = O/tert-butyl conformation, but also possibly the thermodynamic stabilization of macrocycles with weak association interactions. The bulky N-tert-butyl can be readily removed by acid to eliminate the dynamicity of HUB and stabilize the macrocycle structures.
Whole-brain tissue mapping toolkit using large-scale highly multiplexed immunofluorescence imaging and deep neural networks
Authors: Maric Dragan , Jahanipour Jahandar , Li Xiaoyang Rebecca , Singh Aditi , Mobiny Aryan , Van Nguyen Hien , Sedlock Andrea , Grama Kedar , Roysam Badrinath
Published: March 2021

Mapping biological processes in brain tissues requires piecing together numerous histological observations of multiple tissue samples. We present a direct method that generates readouts for a comprehensive panel of biomarkers from serial whole-brain slices, characterizing all major brain cell types, at scales ranging from subcellular compartments, individual cells, local multi-cellular niches, to whole-brain regions from each slice. We use iterative cycles of optimized 10-plex immunostaining with 10-color epifluorescence imaging to accumulate highly enriched image datasets from individual whole-brain slices, from which seamless signal-corrected mosaics are reconstructed. Specific fluorescent signals of interest are isolated computationally, rejecting autofluorescence, imaging noise, cross-channel bleed-through, and cross-labeling. Reliable large-scale cell detection and segmentation are achieved using deep neural networks. Cell phenotyping is performed by analyzing unique biomarker combinations over appropriate subcellular compartments. This approach can accelerate pre-clinical drug evaluation and system-level brain histology studies by simultaneously profiling multiple biological processes in their native anatomical context.
Rise and fall of Landau’s quasiparticles while approaching the Mott transition
Authors: Pustogow Andrej , Saito Yohei , Löhle Anja , Sanz Alonso Miriam , Kawamoto Atsushi , Dobrosavljević Vladimir , Dressel Martin , Fratini Simone
Published: March 2021

Landau suggested that the low-temperature properties of metals can be understood in terms of long-lived quasiparticles with all complex interactions included in Fermi-liquid parameters, such as the effective mass m⋆. Despite its wide applicability, electronic transport in bad or strange metals and unconventional superconductors is controversially discussed towards a possible collapse of the quasiparticle concept. Here we explore the electrodynamic response of correlated metals at half filling for varying correlation strength upon approaching a Mott insulator. We reveal persistent Fermi-liquid behavior with pronounced quadratic dependences of the optical scattering rate on temperature and frequency, along with a puzzling elastic contribution to relaxation. The strong increase of the resistivity beyond the Ioffe–Regel–Mott limit is accompanied by a ‘displaced Drude peak’ in the optical conductivity. Our results, supported by a theoretical model for the optical response, demonstrate the emergence of a bad metal from resilient quasiparticles that are subject to dynamical localization and dissolve near the Mott transition.
Metamaterial assisted illumination nanoscopy via random super-resolution speckles
Authors: Lee Yeon Ui , Zhao Junxiang , Ma Qian , Khorashad Larousse Khosravi , Posner Clara , Li Guangru , Wisna G. Bimananda M. , Burns Zachary , Zhang Jin , Liu Zhaowei
Published: March 2021

Structured illumination microscopy (SIM) is one of the most powerful and versatile optical super-resolution techniques. Compared with other super-resolution methods, SIM has shown its unique advantages in wide-field imaging with high temporal resolution and low photon damage. However, traditional SIM only has about 2 times spatial resolution improvement compared to the diffraction limit. In this work, we propose and experimentally demonstrate an easily-implemented, low-cost method to extend the resolution of SIM, named speckle metamaterial-assisted illumination nanoscopy (speckle-MAIN). A metamaterial structure is introduced to generate speckle-like sub-diffraction-limit illumination patterns in the near field with improved spatial frequency. Such patterns, similar to traditional SIM, are then used to excite objects on top of the surface. We demonstrate that speckle-MAIN can bring the resolution down to 40 nm and beyond. Speckle-MAIN represents a new route for super-resolution, which may lead to important applications in bio-imaging and surface characterization.
Versatility in acyltransferase activity completes chicoric acid biosynthesis in purple coneflower
Authors: Fu Rao , Zhang Pingyu , Jin Ge , Wang Lianglei , Qi Shiqian , Cao Yang , Martin Cathie , Zhang Yang
Published: March 2021

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea(L.) Moench) is a popular native North American herbal plant. Its major bioactive compound, chicoric acid, is reported to have various potential physiological functions, but little is known about its biosynthesis. Here, taking an activity-guided approach, we identify two cytosolic BAHD acyltransferases that form two intermediates, caftaric acid and chlorogenic acid. Surprisingly, a unique serine carboxypeptidase-like acyltransferase uses chlorogenic acid as its acyl donor and caftaric acid as its acyl acceptor to produce chicoric acid in vacuoles, which has evolved its acyl donor specificity from the better-known 1-O-β-D-glucose esters typical for this specific type of acyltransferase to chlorogenic acid. This unusual pathway seems unique toEchinaceaspecies suggesting convergent evolution of chicoric acid biosynthesis. Using these identified acyltransferases, we have reconstituted chicoric acid biosynthesis in tobacco. Our results emphasize the flexibility of acyltransferases and their roles in the evolution of specialized metabolism in plants.
The flight of the hornbill: drift and diffusion in arboreal avian movement
Authors: Vikrant Ankit , Balakrishnan Janaki , Naniwadekar Rohit , Datta Aparajita
Published: March 2021

Capturing movement of animals in mathematical models has long been a keenly pursued direction of research1. Any good model of animal movement is built upon information about the animal’s environment and the available resources including whether prey is in abundance or scarce, densely distributed or sparse2. Such an approach could enable the identification of certain quantities or measures from the model that are species-specific characteristics. We propose here a mechanistic model to describe the movement of two species of Asian hornbills in a resource-abundant heterogenous landscape which includes degraded forests and human settlements. Hornbill telemetry data was used to this end. The birds show a bias both towards features of attraction such as nesting and roosting sites as well as possible bias away from points of repulsion such as human presence. These biases are accounted for with suitable potentials. The spatial patterns of movement are analyzed using the Fokker–Planck equation, which helps explain the variation in movement of different individuals. Search times to target locations were calculated using first passage time equations dual to the Fokker–Planck equations. We also find that the diffusion coefficients are larger for breeding birds than for non-breeding ones—a manifestation of repeated switching of directions to move back to the nest from foraging sites. The degree of directedness towards nests and roosts is captured by the drift coefficients. Non-breeding hornbills show similar values of the ratio of the two coefficients irrespective of the fact that their movement data is available from different seasons. Therefore, the ratio of drift to diffusion coefficients is indicative of an individual’s breeding status, as seen from available data. It could possibly also characterize different species. For all individuals, first passage times increase with proximity to human settlements, in agreement with the premise that anthropogenic activities close to nesting/roosting sites are not desirable.
Identification of an alpha-1 antitrypsin variant with enhanced specificity for factor XIa by phage display, bacterial expression, and combinatorial mutagenesis
Authors: Bhakta Varsha , Hamada Mostafa , Nouanesengsy Amy , Lapierre Jessica , Perruzza Darian L. , Sheffield William P.
Published: March 2021

Coagulation Factor XIa (FXIa) is an emerging target for antithrombotic agent development. The M358R variant of the serpin alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) inhibits both FXIa and other proteases. Our aim was to enhance the specificity of AAT M358R for FXIa. We randomized two AAT M358R phage display libraries at reactive centre loop positions P13-P8 and P7-P3 and biopanned them with FXIa. A bacterial expression library randomized at P2′-P3′ was also probed. Resulting novel variants were expressed as recombinant proteins in E. coli and their kinetics of FXIa inhibition determined. The most potent FXIa-inhibitory motifs were: P13-P8, HASTGQ; P7-P3, CLEVE; and P2-P3′, PRSTE (respectively, novel residues bolded). Selectivity for FXIa over thrombin was increased up to 34-fold versus AAT M358R for these single motif variants. Combining CLEVE and PRSTE motifs in AAT-RC increased FXIa selectivity for thrombin, factors XIIa, Xa, activated protein C, and kallikrein by 279-, 143-, 63-, 58-, and 36-fold, respectively, versus AAT M358R. AAT-RC lengthened human plasma clotting times less than AAT M358R. AAT-RC rapidly and selectively inhibits FXIa and is worthy of testing in vivo. AAT specificity can be focused on one target protease by selection in phage and bacterial systems coupled with combinatorial mutagenesis.
Principles of adaptive element spacing in linear array antennas
Authors: Mitha Tanzeela , Pour Maria
Published: March 2021

A novel approach to linear array antennas with adaptive inter-element spacing is presented for the first time. The main idea is based upon electronically displacing the phase center location of the antenna elements, which determine their relative coordinates in the array configuration. This is realized by employing dual-mode microstrip patch antennas as a constitutive element, whose phase center location can be displaced from its physical center by simultaneously exciting two modes. The direction and the amount of displacement is controlled by the amplitude and phase of the modes at the element level. This in turn facilitates reconfiguring the inter-element spacing at the array level. For instance, a uniformly-spaced array could be electronically transformed into a non-uniform one without any mechanical means. The proposed idea is demonstrated in two- and three-element linear antenna arrays. The technique has the potential to control the radiation characteristics such as sidelobe levels, position of the nulls, and the beamwidths in small arrays, which are useful for adaptively controlling the array performance in emerging wireless communication systems and radars.
Screening pregnant women in a high-risk population with WHO-2013 or NICE diagnostic criteria does not affect the prevalence of gestational diabetes
Authors: Bashir Mohammed , Ibrahim Ibrahim , Eltaher Fatin , Beer Stephen , Baagar Khaled , Aboulfotouh Mahmoud , Konje Justin C. , Abou-Samra Abdul-Badi
Published: March 2021

There are currently several diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes (GDM). Both the WHO -2013 and NICE diagnose GDM based on a single step 75 g OGT; however; each uses different glucose thresholds. Previous studies have shown that the prevalence of GDM using the NICE criteria (GDM-N) is lower than that using the WHO-2013 criteria (GDM-W). Qatar has national diabetes in pregnancy program in which all pregnant women undergo OGTT screening using the WHO-2013 criteria. This study aims to define the prevalence of GDM using both criteria in a high-risk population. This retrospective study included 2000 women who underwent a 75 g (OGTT) between Jan 2016 and Apr 2016 and excluded patients with known pre-conception diabetes, multiple pregnancy, and those who did not complete the OGTT. We then classified the women into GDM-W positive, GDM-N positive but GDM-W negative, and normal glucose tolerance (NGT) population. A total of 1481 women (74%) had NGT using the NICE or the WHO-2013 criteria. The number of patients who met both criteria was 279 subjects (14%) with a good agreement (Kappa coefficient 0.67, p < 0.001). The NICE and the WHO-2013 criteria were discordant in 240 subjects (12% of the cohort); 6.7% met the WHO -2013 criteria only and only 5.3% met the NICE criteria. The frequency of pre-eclampsia, pre-term delivery, Caesarean-section, LGA and neonatal ICU admissions were significantly increased in the GDM-W group. However, the GDM-N positive but GDM-W negative had no increased risk of maternal or fetal complications apart from pregnancy-induced hypertension. The WHO-2013 and the NICE criteria classified a similar proportion of pregnant women, 21.5% and 20.1%, respectively, as having GDM; however, they were concordant in only 14% of the cases. Women who are GDM-N positive but GDM-W negative are not at increased risk of maternal and fetal pregnancy complications, except for pregnancy-induced hypertension. As the NICE criteria are more specific to the UK population, we would recommend the use of the WHO-2013 criteria to diagnose GDM in the MENA region and possibly other regions that do not have the same set-up as the UK.
Superior visible light antimicrobial performance of facet engineered cobalt doped TiO2 mesocrystals in pathogenic bacterium and fungi
Authors: El-Shazly Ayat N. , El-Sayyad Gharieb S. , Hegazy Aiat H. , Hamza Mahmoud A. , Fathy Rasha M. , El Shenawy E. T. , Allam Nageh K.
Published: March 2021

Pristine and Co-doped TiO2 mesocrystals have been synthesized via a simple sol–gel method and their antimicrobial activity has been investigated. The antimicrobial performance was evaluated in terms of zone of inhibition, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), antibiofilm activity, and effect of UV illumination in liquid media. The Co-doped TiO2 mesocrystals showed very promising MIC of 0.390 μg/mL and 0.781 μg/mL for P. mirabilis and P. mirabilis, respectively. Additionally, the material showed an MIC of 12.5 μg/mL against C. albicans, suggesting its use as antifungal agent. Upon the addition of 10.0 µg/mL of Co-doped TiO2 mesocrystals, the biofilm inhibition% reaches 84.43% for P. aeruginosa, 78.58% for P. mirabilis, and 77.81% for S. typhi, which can be ascribed to the created active oxygen species that decompose the tested microbial cells upon illumination. Thus the fabricated Co-doped TiO2 mesocrystals exhibit sufficient antimicrobial features under visible light, qualifying them for use as antimicrobial agents against pathogenic bacteria and fungi and subsequently inhibit their hazardous effects.
Reusability and stability of a novel ternary (Co–Cd–Fe)-LDH/PbI2 photoelectrocatalytst for solar hydrogen production
Authors: Mohamed Fatma , Bhnsawy Nour , Shaban Mohamed
Published: March 2021

The design of highly active and cost-effective photoelectrocatalysts for effective hydrogen generation becomes a mandatory issue due to the demands on sustainable solar fuels. Herein a novel ternary Co–Cd–Fe LDH/PbI2 nanocomposite (T-LDH/PbI2NC) was fabricated by combining strategies of doping and in-situ loading of ternary Co–Cd–Fe LDH. The morphological, structural, and optical properties of PbI2, T-LDH, and T-LDH/PbI2 NC were studied by different techniques. LDH narrows the bandgap of the nanocomposite to 2.53 eV which prolongs the lifetime of the photo-induced electrons. Subsequently, the use of T-LDH/PbI2 NC improves the photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) H2 production rate. T-LDH/PbI2 NC shows a catalytic H2 production rate of 107.53 mmol h−1 cm−2 with IPCE% of 83.8% for 307 nm and 67.3% for 508 nm. The ABPE% reaches its supreme of 4.24% for − 0.58 V and 5.41% for − 0.97 V, these values are the highest values yet for LDH-based photocatalysts. The influences of the operating temperature and monochromatic illumination on the PEC performance were studied. Also, the electrochemical surface area, thermodynamic parameters, and Tafe slopes are calculated to label the hydrogen evolution mechanism. Moreover, the stability and reusability of the T-LDH/PbI2 NC photoelectrode were investigated. This work not only illustrated a simplistic and accessible way to produce a new category of highly efficient photocatalysts compared to the previously reported LDH-based PEC catalysts but also demonstrates a new point of view for improving PEC performance towards industrial water splitting under sunlight irradiation.
The association between continuity of care and surgery in lumbar disc herniation patients
Authors: Kim Eun-San , Kim Chang-yup
Published: March 2021

Continuity of care is a core dimension of high-quality care in the management of disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between continuity of care and lumbar surgery in patients with moderate disc herniation. The Korean National Sample Cohort was used. The target population consisted of patients who have had disc herniation more than 6 months and didn’t get surgery and red flag signs within 6 months from onset. The population was enrolled from 2004 to 2013. The Bice-Boxerman Continuity of Care was used in measuring continuity of care. The marginal structural model with time dependent survival analysis was used. In total, 29,061 patients were enrolled in the cohort. High level of continuity of care was associated with a lower risk of lumbar surgery (HR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.20–0.27). When the index was calculated only with outpatient visits to primary care with related specialty, the HR was 0.49 (95% CI: 0.43–0.57). In exploratory analysis, patients with lumbar stenosis and spondylolisthesis had higher risk of having a low level of continuity of care. These results indicate that continuity of care is associated with lower rates of lumbar surgery in patients with moderate disc herniation.
An ab-initio study on structural, elastic, electronic, bonding, thermal, and optical properties of topological Weyl semimetal TaX (X = P, As)
Authors: Naher M. I. , Naqib S. H.
Published: March 2021

In recent days, study of topological Weyl semimetals have become an active branch of physics and materials science because they led to realization of the Weyl fermions and exhibited protected Fermi arc surface states. Therefore, topological Weyl semimetals TaX (X = P, As) are important electronic systems to investigate both from the point of view of fundamental physics and potential applications. In this work, we have studied the structural, elastic, mechanical, electronic, bonding, acoustic, thermal and optical properties of TaX (X = P, As) in detail via first-principles method using the density functional theory. A comprehensive study of elastic constants and moduli shows that both TaP and TaAs possesses low to medium level of elastic anisotropy (depending on the measure), reasonably good machinability, mixed bonding characteristics with ionic and covalent contributions, brittle nature and relatively high Vickers hardness with a low Debye temperature and melting temperature. The minimum thermal conductivities and anisotropies of TaX (X = P, As) are calculated. Bond population analysis supports the bonding nature as predicted by the elastic parameters. The bulk electronic band structure calculations reveal clear semi-metallic features with quasi-linear energy dispersions in certain sections of the Brillouin zone near the Fermi level. A pseudogap in the electronic energy density of states at the Fermi level separating the bonding and the antibonding states indicates significant electronic stability of tetragonal TaX (X = P, As).The reflectivity spectra show almost non-selective behavior over a wide range of photon energy encompassing visible to mid-ultraviolet regions. High reflectivity over wide spectral range makes TaX suitable as reflecting coating. TaX (X = P, As) are very efficient absorber of ultraviolet radiation. Both the compounds are moderately optically anisotropic owing to the anisotropic nature of the electronic band structure. The refractive indices are very high in the infrared to visible range. All the energy dependent optical parameters show metallic features and are in complete accord with the underlying bulk electronic density of states calculations.
Publisher Correction: Effect of V2O5 B-site substitution on the microstructure, Raman spectrum, and dielectric properties of SrBi2Ta2O9 ceramics
Authors: Wu Chia‑Ching , Yang Cheng‑Fu
Published: March 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Molecular characterization of Fe-acquisition genes causing decreased Fe uptake and photosynthetic inefficiency in Fe-deficient sunflower
Authors: Kabir Ahmad Humayan , Tahura Sharaban , Elseehy Mona M. , El-Shehawi Ahmed M.
Published: March 2021

Iron (Fe) deficiency in plants hinders growth and yield. Thus, this study aims to elucidate the responses and molecular characterization of genes in Fe-deficient sunflower. The study was conducted on 14 days-old sunflower plants cultivated in hydroponic culture under Fe-sufficient and Fe-deficient conditions. The Fe-starved sunflower showed substantial decrease in plant biomass, SPAD score, quantum yield efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm), photosynthetic performance index (Pi_ABS). Further, Fe shortage reduced Fe and Zn concentrations in roots and shoots, accompanied by a marked decrease of HaNramp1 and HaZIP1 expression in roots, suggesting the association of Zn status contributing to photosynthetic inefficiency in sunflower. The ferric chelate reductase (FCR) activity, along with HaFRO2 and HaIRT1 transcripts, were constitutively expressed, suggesting that sunflower plants can regulate FCR activity, although the lack of bioavailable Fe in the rhizosphere strongly corresponds to the limited Fe uptake in sunflower. The substantial increase of proton extrusion in roots and the localization of Fe-related genes in the plasma membrane are also evident in sunflower as common responses to Fe-deficiency by this Strategy I plant species. Analysis showed that three motifs of Fe-related proteins were linked to the ZIP zinc transporter. The interactome map revealed the close partnership of these Fe-related genes in addition to FRU gene encoding putative transcription factor linked to Fe uptake response. The cis-regulatory analysis of promoter suggested the involvement of auxin, salicylic acid, and methyl jasmonate-responsive elements in the regulatory process in response to Fe deficiency. These findings may be beneficial to develop Fe-efficient sunflower plants through breeding or genome editing approaches.
The acute effects of whole body vibration stimulus warm-up on skill-related physical capabilities in volleyball players
Authors: Wu Chung-Cheng , Wang Min-Hsien , Chang Chi-Yao , Hung Min-Hao , Wang Hsin-Huan , Chen Ke-Chou , Ger Tzong-Rong , Lin Kuo-Chuan
Published: March 2021

Whole body vibration (WBV) has been suggested to improve athletes’ neuromuscular strength and power. This study investigated the effect of single WBV stimulation on volleyball-specific performance. The participants were 20 elite male volleyball players who performed a 1-min warm-up exercise on a vibration platform at a frequency of 30 Hz and peak-to-peak displacement of 2 mm. After the warm-up exercise, the participants performed a blocking agility test (BAT), 10-m sprinting test, agility T-test, and counter movement jump test. We compared the participants’ performance at four time points (Pretest, Post 0, Post 1, and Post 2). The results revealed that the participants’ BAT performance and maximum rate of force development improved significantly 1 min after the vibration stimulation (p < 0.01). The WBV (frequency of 30-Hz, peak-to-peak displacement of 2 mm) intervention significantly improved the volleyball-specific defensive performance and speed strength of the participants. Accordingly, by undergoing WBV as a form of warm-up exercise, the technique and physical fitness of volleyball players can be improved.
Hydroxido supported and differently networked octanuclear Ni6Ln2 [Ln = GdIII and DyIII] complexes: structural variation, magnetic properties and theoretical insights
Authors: Bhanja Avik , Smythe Lucy , Herchel Radovan , Nemec Ivan , Murrie Mark , Ray Debashis
Published: March 2021

Solvent derived hydroxido bridge driven Ni6Ln2 [Ln = GdIII (1) and DyIII (2)] coordination aggregates of two different types has been synthesized. Magnetic susceptibility study confirms field induced slow relaxation of magnetization for Ni6Dy2.
Polymer-infiltrated nanoplatelet films with nacre-like structure via flow coating and capillary rise infiltration (CaRI)
Authors: Qiang Yiwei , Turner Kevin T. , Lee Daeyeon
Published: March 2021

A facile and scalable approach to fabricate mechanically robust polymer nanocomposite films is developed based on capillary rise infiltration of polymer into highly oriented, densely packed nanoplatelet films.
An all-solid-state potentiometric sensor modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) for silicate assessment and water-quality testing
Authors: Amr Abd El-Galil E. , Kamel Ayman H. , Al-Omar Mohamed A. , Elsayed Elsayed A. , Sayed Ahmed Y. A. , Abd-Rabboh Hisham S. M.
Published: March 2021

A simple and cost-effective approach is proposed for silicate ion determination.
Accelerated five-component spiro-pyrrolidine construction at the air–liquid interface
Authors: Kuai Dacheng , Cheng Heyong , Kuan Kai-Yuan , Yan Xin
Published: March 2021

Acceleration of a five-component spiro-pyrrolidine construction can be achieved in microdroplets and thin films. Hydrogen bonding can significantly flatten the energy barrier at the air–liquid interface.
Capturing protein droplets: label-free visualization and detection of protein liquid–liquid phase separation with an aggregation-induced emission fluorogen
Authors: Liang Chu-Qiao , Wang Lin , Luo Yun-Yi , Li Qian-Qian , Li Yan-Mei
Published: March 2021

Methods for visualizing label-free protein liquid–liquid phase separation and measuring the viscosity of the protein condensed phase are developed.
Folding of phosphodiester-linked donor–acceptor oligomers into supramolecular nanotubes in water
Authors: Pérez de Carvasal Kévan , Aissaoui Nesrine , Vergoten Gérard , Bellot Gaëtan , Vasseur Jean-Jacques , Smietana Michael , Morvan François
Published: March 2021

Water soluble foldamers, synthesized by DNA synthesis with dialkoxynaphthalene and naphthalene-tetracarboxylic diimide blocks, formed supramolecular nanotubes in water.
Sluggish anion transport provides good kinetic stability to the anhydrous anti-perovskite solid electrolyte Li3OCl
Authors: Serejo J. A. S. , Pereira J. S. , Mouta R. , Rego L. G. C.
Published: March 2021

Li3OCl, thermodynamically stable only above ∼480 K, is calculated here to be kinetically stabilized below 400–450 K due to sluggish anion transport, rationalizing why its thermodynamically predicted decomposition below ∼480 K is not observed.
Twisted BODIPY derivative: intersystem crossing, electron spin polarization and application as a novel photodynamic therapy reagent
Authors: Dong Yu , Kumar Prashant , Maity Partha , Kurganskii Ivan , Li Shujing , Elmali Ayhan , Zhao Jianzhang , Escudero Daniel , Wu Huijian , Karatay Ahmet , Mohammed Omar F. , Fedin Matvey
Published: March 2021

A twisted BODIPY shows efficient intersystem crossing (triplet state quantum yield: 45%) and delocalized long-lived triplet state (lifetime: 4.5 ms).
Ethylene oligomerisation chromium catalysts with unsymmetrical PCNP ligands
Authors: Blann Kevin , Bollmann Annette , Brown Gavin M. , Dixon John T. , Elsegood Mark R. J. , Raw Christopher R. , Smith Martin B. , Tenza Kenny , Willemse J. Alexander , Zweni Pumza
Published: March 2021

PCNP diphosphines, in conjunction with Cr(acac)3, are excellent ethylene oligomerisation catalysts with high activity and selectivity towards both 1-hexene and 1-octene formation.
One-pot synthesis of cobalt complexes with 2,6-bis(arylimino)phenoxyl/phenthioxyl ligands and catalysis on isoprene polymerization
Authors: Chen Xue-Meng , Huang Li-Cheng , Gao Wei
Published: March 2021

Several cobalt complexes supported by 2,6-bis(arylimino)phenoxyl/phenthioxyl ligands κ2N,X-Ar[NXN]CoCl(THF) were synthesized by direct oxygen(sulfur) insertion into the C–Co bond of the mixed-valence cobalt complexes {κ2C,N,η6-Ar[NCN]Co-κN-CoCl(μ-Cl)}2.
Water-assisted spin-flop antiferromagnetic behaviour of hydrophobic Cu-based metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Inamdar Arif I. , Sainbileg Batjargal , Kamal Saqib , Bayikadi Khasim Saheb , Sankar Raman , Luo Tzuoo Tsair , Hayashi Michitoshi , Chiang Ming-Hsi , Lu Kuang-Lieh
Published: March 2021

Water-assisted spin-flop antiferromagnetic to antiferromagnetic transformation in a highly hydrophobic Cu-based MOF is observed.
Sustainable plasma-catalytic bubbles for hydrogen peroxide synthesis
Authors: Zhou Renwu , Zhang Tianqi , Zhou Rusen , Wang Sen , Mei Danhua , Mai-Prochnow Anne , Weerasinghe Janith , Fang Zhi , Ostrikov Kostya (Ken) , Cullen Patrick J.
Published: March 2021

This work demonstrates the plasma-bubble as an energy efficient and sustainable approach for green and decentralised H2O2production.
Molecular level insights into the direct health impacts of some organic aerosol components
Authors: Keshavarz Fatemeh
Published: March 2021

Quantum chemistry and biomodeling indicate that the studied organic aerosol components cannot directly cause oxidative stress or mutagenicity/carcinogenicity.
Sc(OTf)3 catalyzed [3 + 2]-annulation reaction of donor–acceptor aziridines with methylene exo-glycals: synthesis of chiral carbohydrate-spiro-heterocycles
Authors: Zhang Jie-Hui , Pan Cheng-Lin , Zhang Huan-Huan , Xu Peng-Fei , Luo Yong-Chun
Published: March 2021

A Sc(OTf)3 catalyzed [3 + 2]-annulation reaction between D–A N-tosyl aziridines and methylene exo-glycals was developed for the synthesis of carbohydrate-spiro-heterocycles.
Accurate detection method of pig's temperature based on non‐point source thermal infrared image
Authors: Zhang Zaiqin , Wang Hao , Liu Tonghai , Wang Yueqiang , Zhang Hang , Yuan Feiyan , Yang Xue , Xu Shunlai , Meng Yuhuan
Published: March 2021

Body temperature measurement is a very important task in the sow breeding process. The authors used an infrared camera to detect the temperature of the body surface of the sows, relying on calculating the average of the infrared image temperature in the ear root region. Based on the grayscale value of the target image of the infrared image and the corresponding temperature value of 180 infrared images, a G‐T (Gray‐Temperature) model was established by linear least squares method, which achieved temperature inversion of each pixel of the target pig. For the different growth stages and different breeds of sows, the R‐square of the all established models is greater than 0.95. The average relative error of the model inversion of the body temperature was only 0.076977%. This means that the body temperature of the sows could be detected without relying on the software. Based on the G‐T model, the authors design a kind of sow's ear root recognition and body surface temperature detection algorithm for different sow population scenarios.
Analytical field model of segmented Halbach array permanent magnet machines considering iron nonlinearity
Authors: Zhang Heshan , Yang Minglei , Zhang Yu , Tuo Jiying , Luo Shuang , Xu Jin
Published: March 2021

The permeability of the iron is usually assumed to be infinite by the linear subdomain technique, leading to the neglect of magnet saturation. This study presents an analytical model of a segmented Halbach array permanent magnet machine by considering the iron B‐H curve and saturation effects. Firstly, the entire field problem is divided into six regions in the radial direction according to the excitation source. Then, Poisson's and Laplace's equations are solved in each region to obtain the magnetic vector potential. Specifically, in our approach, the teeth and slots' permeability variation is solved by Cauchy's product theorem. An iterative algorithm incorporates the nonlinearity of the iron. Subsequently, the electromagnetic performance, such as air‐gap magnetic flux density, electromagnetic torque, and unbalanced magnetic force, is predicted by the analytical method. The analytical results are shown in line with those obtained from finite element analysis, and a prototype was fabricated to further verify the accuracy of the analytical method. Besides, the proposed method can also be used to evaluate the performance of the Halbach array machines with any number of segmented magnets.
Localisation algorithm for security access control in railway communications
Authors: Li Jing , Wu Hao
Published: March 2021

With the dense deployment and wide applications of the Internet of Things in railway systems, the location‐based security access control scheme is becoming increasingly important. In this study, the received signal strength (RSS) and channel state information (CSI) in railway communications are measured by AR9344 network interface card. Then, based on the measurement data, the authors propose trajectory‐based, neural network‐based (NN‐based) and ray tracing‐based (RT‐based) localisation algorithms, serving for location‐based security access control. Specifically, the trajectory‐based algorithm combined with trajectory simulation, movement detection and dynamic time warping algorithms, realises passengers enter/exit pattern detection. The NN‐based algorithm leverages back‐propagation network (BPN) and constructs training sets with measurement‐based RSS and CSI, finishing accurate localisation. Besides, they evaluate the algorithm performance under different layers of BPN. RT‐based localisation algorithm combines measurement data and simulation analysis, leveraging simulated‐based multiple‐input multiple‐output received power and delay spread to realise lightweight localisation. After evaluation, the RT‐based algorithm can achieve the highest accuracy of localisation, up to 99.9% and is designed to be straightforward for integration with commercial access points and deployment to railway communications.
An agile vehicle‐based dynamic user equilibrium scheme for urban traffic signal control
Authors: Liu Wei‐Li , Gong Yue‐Jiao , Chen Wei‐Neng , Zhang Jun , Dou Zhi
Published: March 2021

Traffic Signal Control (TSC) is a fundamental task in modern intelligent transport systems. TSC is often formulated as a bi‐level optimization problem, comprised by the signal timing at the upper level and the Dynamic User Equilibrium (DUE) traffic assignment at the lower level. Since DUE is non‐convex, existing methods either formulate approximation models or adopt traffic simulators. However, approximation models may oversimplify the practical situations, while traffic simulators are usually time‐consuming. This paper formulates a vehicle‐based DUE (vDUE) model and proposes an agile method that can simultaneously maintain the computational simplicity and the traffic dynamics for the traffic assignment. Further, an agile TSC system is built by combining the vDUE at the lower level for the traffic assignment with an adaptive differential evolution algorithm at the upper level for the signal timing optimization. To enhance the effectiveness of optimization, the TSC problem formulation is also improved to make it better characterize the practical requirements. In the experiments undertaken, comparisons of different TSC methods are carried out on both real‐world and synthetic transportation networks. The experimental results validate the effectiveness of the proposed agile TSC system in various traffic situations.