bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early Cretaceous sea surface temperature evolution in subtropical shallow seas
Authors: Huck Stefan , Heimhofer Ulrich
Published: October 2021

Late Cretaceous sea surface temperatures (SST) are, amongst others, traditionally reconstructed by compiling oxygen isotope records of planktonic foraminifera obtained from globally distributed pelagic IODP drill cores. In contrast, the evolution of Early Cretaceous SSTs is essentially based on the organic TEX86 palaeothermometer, as oxygen-isotope data derived from well-preserved ‘glassy’ foraminifer calcite are currently lacking. In order to evaluate the extraordinary warm TEX86-derived SSTs of the Barremian to Aptian (130–123 Ma) subtropics, we present highly resolved sclerochemical profiles of pristine rudist bivalve shells from Tethyan and proto-North Atlantic shallow water carbonate platforms. An inverse correlation of seasonal ontogenetic variations in δ18Orudist and Mg/Ca ratios demonstrates the fidelity of oxygen isotopes as palaeotemperature proxy. The new data shows moderate mean annual SSTs (22–26 °C) for large parts of the Barremian and Aptian and transient warm pulses for the so-called Mid-Barremian Event and Oceanic Anoxic Event 1a (reaching mean annual SSTs of 28 to 30 °C). A positive shift in mean annual oxygen-isotope values (δ18O: ≤ − 0.3‰) coupled with invariant Mg/Ca ratios at the Barremian–Aptian boundary points to a significant net loss of 16O in Tethyan shallow-marine settings. As the positive oxygen-isotope rudist shell values are recorded immediately beneath a major superregional hiatal surface, they are interpreted to be related to a major cooling phase and potential glacio-eustatic sea-level lowering. Our new sclerochemical findings are in clear contrast to open ocean SST records based on TEX86, which indicate exceptionally warm Barremian to earliest Aptian subtropical oceans and weak meridional SST gradients.
Evaluation of at-home methods for N95 filtering facepiece respirator decontamination
Authors: Chen T. X. , Pinharanda A. , Steinemann N. A. , Yasuma-Mitobe K. , Lee E. , Hahn J. , Wu L. , Fanourakis S. , Peterka D. S. , Hillman E. M. C.
Published: October 2021

N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) are essential for the protection of healthcare professionals and other high-risk groups against Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19). In response to shortages in FFRs during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Food and Drug Administration issued an Emergency Use Authorization permitting FFR decontamination and reuse. However, although industrial decontamination services are available at some large institutions, FFR decontamination is not widely accessible. To be effective, FFR decontamination must (1) inactivate the virus; (2) preserve FFR integrity, specifically fit and filtering capability; and (3) be non-toxic and safe. Here we identify and test at-home heat-based methods for FFR decontamination that meet these requirements using common household appliances. Our results identify potential protocols for simple and accessible FFR decontamination, while also highlighting unsuitable methods that may jeopardize FFR integrity.
An adiabatic method to train binarized artificial neural networks
Authors: Zhao Yuansheng , Xiao Jiang
Published: October 2021

An artificial neural network consists of neurons and synapses. Neuron gives output based on its input according to non-linear activation functions such as the Sigmoid, Hyperbolic Tangent (Tanh), or Rectified Linear Unit (ReLU) functions, etc.. Synapses connect the neuron outputs to their inputs with tunable real-valued weights. The most resource-demanding operations in realizing such neural networks are the multiplication and accumulate (MAC) operations that compute the dot product between real-valued outputs from neurons and the synapses weights. The efficiency of neural networks can be drastically enhanced if the neuron outputs and/or the weights can be trained to take binary values $$\pm 1$$

±
1

only, for which the MAC can be replaced by the simple XNOR operations. In this paper, we demonstrate an adiabatic training method that can binarize the fully-connected neural networks and the convolutional neural networks without modifying the network structure and size. This adiabatic training method only requires very minimal changes in training algorithms, and is tested in the following four tasks: the recognition of hand-writing numbers using a usual fully-connected network, the cat-dog recognition and the audio recognition using convolutional neural networks, the image recognition with 10 classes (CIFAR-10) using ResNet-20 and VGG-Small networks. In all tasks, the performance of the binary neural networks trained by the adiabatic method are almost identical to the networks trained using the conventional ReLU or Sigmoid activations with real-valued activations and weights. This adiabatic method can be easily applied to binarize different types of networks, and will increase the computational efficiency considerably and greatly simplify the deployment of neural networks.
De novo super-early progeny in interspecific crosses Pisum sativum L. × P. fulvum Sibth. et Sm
Authors: Sari Hatice , Sari Duygu , Eker Tuba , Toker Cengiz
Published: October 2021

Earliness in crop plants has a crucial role in avoiding the stress of drought and heat, which are the most important challenging stressors in crop production and are predicted to increase in the near future due to global warming. Furthermore, it provides a guarantee of vegetable production in the short growing season of agricultural lands in the northern hemisphere and at high altitudes. The growing human population needs super early plant cultivars for these agricultural lands to meet future global demands. This study examined de novo super-early progeny, referred to as much earlier than that of the earlier parent, which flowered in 13–17 days and pod setting in 18–29 days after germination, discovered in F2 and studied up to F5 derived from interspecific crosses between garden pea (P. sativum L.) and the most distant relative of pea (P. fulvum Sibth. et Sm.). De novo super-early progeny were found to be earlier by about one month than P. sativum and two months than P. fulvum under short day conditions in the F5 population. In respect of days to flowering and pod setting, de novo super-early progeny had a relatively high level of narrow sense heritability (h2 = 82% and 80%, respectively), indicating that the selections for earliness in segregating populations was effective for improvement of extreme early maturing varieties. De novo super-early progeny could be grown under heat stress conditions due to the escape ability. Vegetable types were not only high yielding but also free of any known undesirable traits from the wild species, such as pod dehiscence and non-uniform maturity. It could be considered complementary to “speed breeding”, possibly obtaining more than six generations per year in a suitable climate chamber. Not only de novo super-early progeny but also transgressive segregation for agro-morphological traits can be created via interspecific crosses between P. sativum and P. fulvum, a precious unopened treasure in the second gene pool. Useful progeny obtained from crossing wild species with cultivated species reveal the importance of wild species.
Tocilizumab reduces COVID-19 mortality and pathology in a dose and timing-dependent fashion: a multi-centric study
Authors: Durán-Méndez Alejandro , Aguilar-Arroyo Alma Delia , Vivanco-Gómez Emiliano , Nieto-Ortega Eduardo , Pérez-Ortega Daniela , Jiménez-Pérez Cristian , Hernández-Skewes Karla Y. , Montiel-Bravo Guillermo , Roque-Reyes Oscar J. , Romero-Lechuga Fernanda , Medina-Santos Diana , Oriana-Román Perla , Flores-Hernández Jorge Rafael , Méndez-Coca Juan Daniel , Montaño-Olmos Daniela , Farfán-Lazos Karla Cecilia , Tobón-Cubillos Miranda , Viveros-Hernández América , Sevilla-Castillo Fernando , Hernández-Romero Ángel Raúl , Ortega-Rodríguez Shannat , Jardínez-Vera Aldo Christiaan , Solís-González María Antonieta , de la Medina Antonio Ramos , Pérez-Maldonado Laura Martínez , Lagunes-Lara Elizabeth , Cova-Bonilla Miguel , Peón Alberto N.
Published: October 2021

Life-threatening COVID-19 is associated with strong inflammation, where an IL-6-driven cytokine storm appears to be a cornerstone for enhanced pathology. Nonetheless, the specific inhibition of such pathway has shown mixed outcomes. This could be due to variations in the dose of tocilizumab used, the stage in which the drug is administered or the severity of disease presentation. Thus, we performed a retrospective multicentric study in 140 patients with moderate to critical COVID-19, 79 of which received tocilizumab in variable standard doses (< 400 mg, 400–800 mg or > 800 mg), either at the viral (1–7 days post-symptom onset), early inflammatory (8–15) or late inflammatory (16 or more) stages, and compared it with standard treated patients. Mortality, reduced respiratory support requirements and pathology markers were measured. Tocilizumab significantly reduced the respiratory support requirements (OR 2.71, CI 1.37–4.85 at 95%) and inflammatory markers (OR 4.82, CI 1.4–15.8) of all patients, but mortality was only reduced (4.1% vs 25.7%, p = 0.03) when the drug was administered at the early inflammatory stage and in doses ranging 400–800 mg in severely-ill patients. Despite the apparent inability of Tocilizumab to prevent the progression of COVID-19 into a critical presentation, severely-ill patients may be benefited by its use in the early inflammatory stage and moderate doses.
Diffusion adaptive filtering algorithm based on the Fair cost function
Authors: Guan Sihai , Cheng Qing , Zhao Yong , Biswal Bharat
Published: October 2021

To better perform distributed estimation, this paper, by combining the Fair cost function and adapt-then-combine scheme at all distributed network nodes, a novel diffusion adaptive estimation algorithm is proposed from an M-estimator perspective, which is called the diffusion Fair (DFair) adaptive filtering algorithm. The stability of the mean estimation error and the computational complexity of the DFair are theoretically analyzed. Compared with the robust diffusion LMS (RDLMS), diffusion Normalized Least Mean M-estimate (DNLMM), diffusion generalized correntropy logarithmic difference (DGCLD), and diffusion probabilistic least mean square (DPLMS) algorithms, the simulation experiment results show that the DFair algorithm is more robust to input signals and impulsive interference. In conclusion, Theoretical analysis and simulation results show that the DFair algorithm performs better when estimating an unknown linear system in the changeable impulsive interference environments.
Mobilisation of Al, Fe, and DOM from topsoil during simulated early Podzol development and subsequent DOM adsorption on model minerals
Authors: Krettek Agnes , Rennert Thilo
Published: October 2021

Podzols are characterised by mobilisation of metals, particularly Al and Fe, and dissolved organic matter (DOM) in topsoil horizons, and by immobilisation in subsoil horizons. We mimicked element mobilisation during early podzolisation by irrigating the AE horizon of a Dystric Arenosol with acetic acid at different flow velocities and applying flow interruptions to study rate-limited release in experiments with soil cylinders. We used eluates in batch experiments with goethite and Al-saturated montmorillonite to investigate DOM reactivity towards minerals. Both the flow velocity and flow interruptions affected element release, pointing to chemical non-equilibrium of release and to particles, containing Fe and OM mobilised at larger flow velocity, characteristic of heavy rain or snowmelt. Based on chemical extractions, the source of mobilised Al and Fe, the vast majority of which was complexed by DOM, was no oxide phase, but rather organic. Rate limitation also affected the composition of DOM released. Carboxyl and phenolic species were the most important species adsorbed by both minerals. However, DOM composition affected the extent of DOM adsorption on goethite more distinctly than that on montmorillonite. Our findings evidence that the intensity of soil percolation affects quantitative and qualitative element release during early podzolisation and adsorptive DOM retention in subsoil horizons.
Effects of cigarette smoke on Haemophilus influenzae-induced otitis media in a rat model
Authors: Choi Sung-Won , Choi Sunmi , Kang Eun-Jin , Lee Hyun Min , Oh Se-Joon , Lee Il-Woo , Lee Hwan Ho , Kong Soo-Keun
Published: October 2021

Exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) is a factor that could delay or worsen the recovery of otitis media (OM) by causing inflammatory swelling of the Eustachian tube (ET). However, despite the suggested relationship, little is known about the association between OM and CS. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effects of CS on the development, progression, and recovery of OM, as well as the histological and molecular changes caused by CS exposure, by using a rat model of OM infected with non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi). Eighty Sprague–Dawley rats with normal middle ears (MEs) were divided into four groups (n = 20 rats/group): control, CS, OM, and CS + OM. The CS and CS + OM groups were exposed to CS for 2 weeks. The inflammatory reaction to NTHi was more intense and lasted longer in the CS + OM group than in the other groups. Goblet cell proliferation and mucus secretion in the ET were more significant in the CS and CS + OM groups than in the other groups. These findings suggested that because CS directly affects the ET and ME mucosa, bacterial OM can become more severe and may resolve more slowly in the presence of CS exposure rather than in its absence.
Astrocytic microdomains from mouse cortex gain molecular control over long-term information storage and memory retention
Authors: Vignoli Beatrice , Sansevero Gabriele , Sasi Manju , Rimondini Roberto , Blum Robert , Bonaldo Valerio , Biasini Emiliano , Santi Spartaco , Berardi Nicoletta , Lu Bai , Canossa Marco
Published: October 2021

Memory consolidation requires astrocytic microdomains for protein recycling; but whether this lays a mechanistic foundation for long-term information storage remains enigmatic. Here we demonstrate that persistent synaptic strengthening invited astrocytic microdomains to convert initially internalized (pro)-brain-derived neurotrophic factor (proBDNF) into active prodomain (BDNFpro) and mature BDNF (mBDNF) for synaptic re-use. While mBDNF activates TrkB, we uncovered a previously unsuspected function for the cleaved BDNFpro, which increases TrkB/SorCS2 receptor complex at post-synaptic sites. Astrocytic BDNFpro release reinforced TrkB phosphorylation to sustain long-term synaptic potentiation and to retain memory in the novel object recognition behavioral test. Thus, the switch from one inactive state to a multi-functional one of the proBDNF provides post-synaptic changes that survive the initial activation. This molecular asset confines local information storage in astrocytic microdomains to selectively support memory circuits.
A glycan-based plasmonic sensor for prostate cancer diagnosis
Authors: Lamarre Mathieu , Tremblay Thomas , Bansept Marc-Antoine , Robitaille Karine , Fradet Vincent , Giguère Denis , Boudreau Denis
Published: October 2021

Sweet diagnosis: Synthetic Tn antigen immobilized on a surface plasmon resonance sensor can successfully discriminate blood serum samples from prostate cancer-free and prostate cancer patients.
Translational biophotonics with Raman imaging: clinical applications and beyond
Authors: Pence Isaac J. , Evans Conor L.
Published: October 2021

The technological developments of high-speed spontaneous and coherent Raman scattering based imaging for translational applications including surgical guidance, histopathology, and pathophysiological monitoring.
Multi-layered polymer cantilever integrated with full-bridge strain sensor to enhance force sensitivity in cardiac contractility measurement
Authors: Kim Dong-Su , Jeong Yun-Jin , Park Jongsung , Shanmugasundaram Arunkumar , Lee Dong-Weon
Published: October 2021

In this study, we developed a multi-layered functional cantilever for real-time force measurement of cardiomyocytes in cell culture media.
Molecular and nano structures of chiral PEDOT derivatives influence the enantiorecognition of biomolecules. In silico analysis of chiral recognition
Authors: Aerathupalathu Janardhanan Jayakrishnan , Valaboju Anusha , Dhawan Udesh , Mansoure Tharwat Hassan , Yan Ching-Cher Sanders , Yang Chou-Hsun , Gautam Bhaskarchand , Hsu Chao-Ping , Yu Hsiao-hua
Published: October 2021

The synergistic effects of the chirality (molecular structure) and surface morphology (nanostructure) of a newly designed sensing platform having PEDOT-OH with R/S chirality designed for the stereoselective recognition of biomolecules.
A universal strategy for the incorporation of internal standards into SERS substrates to improve the reproducibility of Raman signals
Authors: Lin Bingyong , Yao Yuanyuan , Wang Yueliang , Kannan Palanisamy , Chen Lifen , Guo Longhua
Published: October 2021

This scheme shows the comparison of Au NBP SERS substrates in the presence and absence of ISs. The reproducibility of the signals of the IS-modified SERS substrate was improved significantly.
Forensic electrochemical presumptive blood test based on the voltammetric behaviour of methylene blue and whole blood
Authors: Cook Sarah , Honeychurch Kevin C.
Published: October 2021

The ability to identify the presence of blood residues is important in a number of fields, such as in the forensic and archaeological sciences.
Ratiometric electrochemical sensor for bisphenol A detection using a glassy carbon electrode modified with a poly(toluidine blue)/gold nanoparticle composite
Authors: Sun Zhiyuan , Xiao Qin , Tang Jingjing , Zhuang Qianfen , Wang Yong
Published: October 2021

A ratiometric electrochemical sensor is developed for the detection of bisphenol A (BPA) based on a poly(toluidine blue)/gold nanoparticle composite modified glassy carbon electrode (PTB/AuNP/GCE).
Predicting the impact sensitivity of a polymorphic high explosive: the curious case of FOX-7
Authors: Michalchuk Adam A. L. , Rudić Svemir , Pulham Colin R. , Morrison Carole A.
Published: October 2021

Impact sensitivity measurements cause a polymorphic transformation in FOX-7, raising questions about testing of polymorphic energetic materials.
Fluorescent probes for imaging bioactive species in subcellular organelles
Authors: Pramanik Sumit Kumar , Das Amitva
Published: October 2021

Luminescent molecular probes and nanoscale materials have become important tools in biosensing and bioimaging applications because of their high sensitivity, fast response, specificity, and methodological simplicity.
Immobilisation and flow chemistry: tools for implementing biocatalysis
Authors: Coloma José , Guiavarc’h Yann , Hagedoorn Peter-Leon , Hanefeld Ulf
Published: October 2021

The application of immobilised enzymes in flow allows for process intensification, reduced reactor volumes and improved safety.
Flexible thiourea linked covalent organic frameworks
Authors: Ma Baiwei , Li Chunzhi , Zhang Lin , Zhai Lipeng , Hu Fujia , Xu Yimeng , Qiao Huijie , Wang Zhuo , Ai Wenying , Mi Liwei
Published: October 2021

Exploring covalent organic frameworks with new linkages is regarded as an efficient method to modulate the corresponding properties, and a new linkage is essential to the progress of this field.
A first-principles study of two-dimensional NbSe2H/g-ZnO van der Waals heterostructures as a water splitting photocatalyst
Authors: Yeoh K. H. , Chew K.-H. , Yoon T. L. , Chang Y. H. R. , Ong D. S.
Published: October 2021

We propose 2D NbSe2H/g-ZnO vdW  type-II heterostructure as a promising photocatalytic material for water splitting.
Revealing scenarios of interzeolite conversion from FAU to AEI through the variation of starting materials
Authors: Liu Zhendong , Chokkalingam Anand , Miyagi Shoko , Yoshioka Masato , Ishikawa Tomoya , Yamada Hiroki , Ohara Koji , Tsunoji Nao , Naraki Yusuke , Sano Tsuneji , Okubo Tatsuya , Wakihara Toru
Published: October 2021

A prior dealumination was proven effective to modify the structure of the initial FAU and consequently facilitate its conversion to the AEI. Based on the obtained results, we proposed a scheme of the interzeolite conversion from FAU to AEI.
Local orientation of chains at crystal/amorphous interfaces buried in isotactic polypropylene thin films
Authors: Kawaguchi Daisuke , Yamamoto Kentaro , Abe Tatsuki , Jiang Naisheng , Koga Tadanori , Yamamoto Satoru , Tanaka Keiji
Published: October 2021

The preferential orientation of the crystalline lamellae for isotactic polypropylene in spin-coated films was examined by grazing incidence of wide-angle X-ray diffraction in conjunction with sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy.
Luteolin stimulates the NGF-induced neurite outgrowth in cultured PC12 cells through binding with NGF and potentiating its receptor signaling
Authors: Xiong Gao Alex , Xia Tracy Chen-Xi , Shing-Hung Mak Marvin , Kin-Leung Kwan Kenneth , Zhong-Yu Zheng Brody , Xiao Jian , Dong Tina Ting-Xia , Tsim Karl Wah-Keung
Published: October 2021

Luteolin binds with NGF and enhances its receptor signaling.
Design of bio-based organic phase change materials containing a “safety valve”
Authors: Wuliu Yishun , Liu Jingkai , Zhang Liyue , Wang Shuaipeng , Liu Yuejun , Feng Jianxiang , Liu Xiaoqing
Published: October 2021

The concept and function of oxazine ring's “safety valve” for safer PCMs have been proposed and verified.
High-precision analysis of potassium isotopes by MC-ICP-MS without collision cell using cool plasma technique in low-resolution mode
Authors: Gu Hai-Ou , Sun He
Published: October 2021

A practical method to measure K isotopes with MC-ICP-MS without a collision cell in low-resolution mode.
Synchronous detection of heavy metal ions in aqueous solution by gold nanoparticle surface-enhanced laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy
Authors: Yao Yaqian , He Fan , Lin Qingyu , Tian Yonghui , Zhang Tianlong , Xu Boping , Qi Xinyuan , Duan Yixiang
Published: October 2021

Heavy metal ion-induced water pollution has become a severe environmental problem in the world.
Photocatalytic reduction of CO2by halide perovskites: recent advances and future perspectives
Authors: Raza Muhammad Ali , Li Feng , Que Meidan , Zhu Liangliang , Chen Xi
Published: October 2021

A systematic review of halide perovskites as photocatalysts concerning the photoreduction mechanism, reductants and products, structures and performances, as well as the exploration efforts on their composites for further improvements.
Indoor light-harvesting dye-sensitized solar cells surpassing 30% efficiency without co-sensitizers
Authors: Haridas Reethu , Velore Jayadev , Pradhan Sourava Chandra , Vindhyasarumi Asarikal , Yoosaf Karuvath , Soman Suraj , Unni K. N. Narayanan , Ajayaghosh Ayyappanpillai
Published: October 2021

Exceptional overlap of dye absorption with indoor light spectra, achieving 30.24% efficiency devoid of co-sensitizers and realizing the self-powered operation of IoT devices.
Radii-dependent self-assembly polynuclear lanthanide complexes as catalysts for CO2 transformation into cyclic carbonates
Authors: Chen Changjuan , Zhang Aijiang
Published: October 2021

A series of lanthanide complexes with structural variation from a dinuclear to pentanuclear structure are found to be dependent on the radii of Ln3+ ions, and show high catalytic performance to obtain cyclic carbonates under solvent-free conditions.
Hierarchical WO3 microflowers with tailored oxygen vacancies for boosting photocatalytic dye degradation
Authors: Qiu Jianqiang , Xu Fengxia , Jin Bei , Sun Yangang , Wang Jinguo
Published: October 2021

Hierarchical WO3 microflowers with tailored surface oxygen vacancies show a remarkably boosted activity toward visible-light-driven photocatalytic dye degradation.
9-Arylacenaphtho[1,2-b]quinoxalines via Suzuki coupling reaction as cancer therapeutic and cellular imaging agents
Authors: Babu Lavanya Thilak , Paira Priyankar
Published: October 2021

A series of 9-arylacenaphtho[1,2-b]quinoxaline analogues have been synthesized via a Suzuki coupling reaction in a one pot sequence. These are capable of imaging, as well as terminating, cancer cells in the human body.
Non-peptide secondary metabolites from poisonous mushrooms: overview of chemistry, bioactivity, and biosynthesis
Authors: Lee Seulah , Yu Jae Sik , Lee Seoung Rak , Kim Ki Hyun
Published: October 2021

This review provides an overview of the current information on non-peptide secondary metabolites from poisonous mushrooms, focusing on their chemistry, bioactivity, and biosynthesis, highlighting their potential for drug development.
Vacancy defect engineering of BiVO4photoanodes for photoelectrochemical water splitting
Authors: Wang Songcan , Wang Xin , Liu Boyan , Guo Zhaochen , Ostrikov Kostya (Ken) , Wang Lianzhou , Huang Wei
Published: October 2021

Vacancy defect engineering of BiVO4photoanodes including the generation of oxygen vacancies, vanadium vacancies, and bismuth vacancies can tune the electronic structure, promote charge separation, and increase surface photoreaction kinetics.
Alkoxysulfenylation of alkenes: development and recent advances
Authors: Cao Yan , Soleimani-Amiri Somayeh , Ahmadi Roya , Issakhov Alibek , Ebadi Abdol Ghaffar , Vessally Esmail
Published: October 2021

The vicinal difunctionalization of carbon–carbon double bonds represents one of the most powerful and effective strategies in a one-pot process.
Fluorescent films based on PVDF doped with carbon dots for evaluation of UVA protection of sunscreens and fabrication of cool white LEDs
Authors: Hernández-Rivera Daniel , Torres-Landa Simei Darinel , Rangel-Ayala Miriam , Agarwal Vivechana
Published: October 2021

Fluorescence of reusable films fabricated with PVDF and carbon dots is used to evaluate UVA protection of sunscreens.
Recent progress in the use of diaziridine-based sweetener derivatives to elucidate the chemoreception mechanism of the sweet taste receptor
Authors: Hashimoto Makoto , Nakagita Tomoya , Misaka Takumi
Published: October 2021

The review summarized recent progress for the elucidation of the chemoreception mechanism of sweet taste receptor–sweetener interactions with photoaffinity labeling.
Biomedical nanobubbles and opportunities for microfluidics
Authors: Paknahad Ali A. , Kerr Liam , Wong Daniel A. , Kolios Michael C. , Tsai Scott S. H.
Published: October 2021

The use of bulk nanobubbles in biomedicine is increasing in recent years. This translates into new opportunities for microfluidics, which may enable the generation of higher quality nanobubbles that lead to advances in diagnostics and therapeutics.
Enhanced sorption of the UV filter 4-methylbenzylidene camphor on aged PET microplastics from both experimental and theoretical perspectives
Authors: Shih Chun-Yu , Wang Yu-Hsiang , Chen Yi-Ju , Chen Hsin-An , Lin Angela Yu-Chen
Published: October 2021

The enhanced sorption behavior of aged polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics with 4-methylbenzylidene-camphor (4MBC) via hydrogen bonding is investigated through both experimental and theoretical methods.
A thermoreversible crosslinking hot-melt adhesive: reversibility and performance
Authors: Xiangjun Wang , Li Xinzhong , Lin Qi , Xia Jianrong , Xue Hanyu
Published: October 2021

The need to improve the environmental friendliness and achieve the recycling of resins is an ongoing process for hot-melt adhesive technology.
Negative ion formation and fragmentation upon dissociative electron attachment to the nicotinamide molecule
Authors: Ziegler Patrick , Pelc Andrzej , Arthur-Baidoo Eugene , Ameixa Joao , Ončák Milan , Denifl Stephan
Published: October 2021

In this study we show that the biologically relevant nicotinamide molecule dissociates into a variety of fragment anions upon electron attachment. The pyridine ring remains intact in all the dissociation reactions observedviamass spectrometry.
Luminescence and energy transfer of warm white-emitting phosphor Mg2Y2Al2Si2O12:Dy3+,Eu3+ for white LEDs
Authors: Zhu Zizhong , Tao Chunjing , Wang Zhijun , Yang Zhiping , Li Panlai
Published: October 2021

MYAS:xDy3+,yEu3+ can produce warm white light with CIE chromaticity coordinates of (0.4071, 0.3944) and relative color temperature of 3500 K.
Femtosecond-scale all-optical switching in oxyfluorogallate glass induced by nonlinear multiphoton absorption
Authors: Li Qisong , Yuan Xinqiang , Jiang Xiongwei , Wang Jun , Liu Yi , Zhang Long
Published: October 2021

Ultrafast all-optical switching based on oxyfluorogallate glass induced by nonlinear multiphoton absorption is reported and the ultrafast response time ∼350 fs is achieved by the femtosecond laser pump and probe technology.
Highly efficient heterogeneous photo-Fenton BiOCl/MIL-100(Fe) nanoscaled hybrid catalysts prepared by green one-step coprecipitation for degradation of organic contaminants
Authors: Wu Doufeng , Jiang Jiantang , Tian Nini , Wang Mei , Huang Jing , Yu Deyou , Wu Minghua , Ni Huagang , Ye Peng
Published: October 2021

An excellent heterojunction structure is vital for the improvement of photocatalytic performance.
A combined computational and experimental study of methane activation during oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) by surface metal oxide catalysts
Authors: Kiani Daniyal , Sourav Sagar , Wachs Israel E. , Baltrusaitis Jonas
Published: October 2021

The experimentally validated computational models developed herein, for the first time, show that Mn-promotion does not necessarily enhance the activity of the surface Na2WO4 catalytic active sites for CH4 heterolytic dissociation during OCM.
Synthesis-enabled exploration of chiral and polar multivalent quaternary sulfides
Authors: Akopov Georgiy , Hewage Nethmi W. , Yox Philip , Viswanathan Gayatri , Lee Shannon J. , Hulsebosch Liam P. , Cady Sarah D. , Paterson Alexander L. , Perras Frédéric A. , Xu Wenqian , Wu Kui , Mudryk Yaroslav , Kovnir Kirill
Published: October 2021

Synthesis from atomically-mixed precursors opens up a phase space to hundreds of chiral and polar sulfide semiconductors with almost any transition metal in variable oxidation states.
Interfacially compatibilized PI/PDMS blends with reduced octadecylamine-functionalized graphene oxide: morphological and rheological properties
Authors: Nasrollah Gavgani Jaber , Goharpey Fatemeh , Velankar Sachin
Published: October 2021

Interfacial compatibilization effect of reduced octadecylamine-functionalized graphene oxide on the morphological and rheological properties of immiscible homopolymer blends.
An unprecedented quinoid–donor–acceptor strategy to boost the carrier mobilities of semiconducting polymers for organic field-effect transistors
Authors: Liu Cheng , Liu Xuncheng , Zheng Guohui , Gong Xiu , Yang Chen , Liu Haizhen , Zhang Lianjie , Anderson Christopher L. , He Bo , Xie Lan , Zheng Rongzong , Liang Huanhuan , Zhou Quanfeng , Zhang Zesheng , Chen Junwu , Liu Yi
Published: October 2021

A novel quinoid–donor–acceptor strategy to design a quinoidal–aromatic conjugated polymer PAQM-BT is established. A hole mobility of up to 5.10 cm2 V−1 s−1 in OFETs is realized, which is among the highest values for quinoidal–aromatic polymers.
Progress in morphology control from fullerene to nonfullerene acceptors for scalable high-performance organic photovoltaics
Authors: Yoon Seongwon , Shin Eul-Yong , Cho Nam-Kwang , Park Sungmin , Woo Han Young , Son Hae Jung
Published: October 2021

This article reviews the mechanisms of morphology evolution of bulk heterojunction (BHJ) films, recent research progress for morphology control of nonfullerene-based BHJs, and coating techniques for producing scalable BHJs.
A conductive polyacrylamide hydrogel enabled by dispersion-enhanced MXene@chitosan assembly for highly stretchable and sensitive wearable skin
Authors: Liu Yaqing , Xu Daren , Ding Yi , Lv Xiaoxiao , Huang Tingting , Yuan Bolei , Jiang Lin , Sun Xueying , Yao Yuanqing , Tang Jun
Published: October 2021

The DEMH exhibits excellent conductivity, sensibility and antibacterial activity simultaneously.
Donor–acceptor materials exhibiting deep blue emission and thermally activated delayed fluorescence with tris(triazolo)triazine
Authors: Hojo Ryoga , Mayder Don M. , Hudson Zachary M.
Published: October 2021

Five emitters with the tris(triazolo)triazine acceptor core are reported, with emission from deep blue to green. These emitters show promising thermally activated delayed fluorescence and/or two-photon fluorescence properties.
Cr3+-activated Na3X2Li3F12 (X = Al, Ga, or In) garnet phosphors with broadband NIR emission and high luminescence efficiency for potential biomedical application
Authors: Nie Wendong , Li Yan , Zuo Jiaxing , Kong Yankui , Zou Wanfang , Chen Guang , Peng Jiaqing , Du Fu , Han Lei , Ye Xinyu
Published: October 2021

We report three isotypic garnet Na3X2Li3F12 (X = Al, Ga, or In) phosphors with intense and stable NIR luminescence. They have great application potential in the biomedical field.
Soft gold nanowire sponges for strain-insensitive conductors, wearable energy storage and catalytic converters
Authors: Lin Fenge , Wang Kaixuan , An Tiance , Zhu Bowen , Ling Yunzhi , Gong Shu , Liu Siyuan , Cheng Wenlong
Published: October 2021

We present a solution-based strategy to fabricate a gold nanowire sponge. This gold sponge is a multifunctional smart material, which can serve as a strain-insensitive conductor, a deformable supercapacitor and a recyclable 3D porous catalyst.
A novel prognostic immunoscore based on The Cancer Genome Atlas to predict overall survival in colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Tang Zuxiong , Wu Yufan , Sun Ding , Xue Xiaofeng , Qin Lei
Published: October 2021

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is highly prevalent worldwide. The relationship between the infiltration of immunocytes in CRC and clinical outcome has been investigated in recent years. The present study aims to construct a new prognostic signature using an immunocyte panel. Our novel prognostic immunoscore included 13 types of immunocytes, which were identified by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO)-Cox regression. The time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and Kaplan–Meier survival estimates were applied to evaluate the prognostic ability. Compared with the signature based on a single immune marker (i.e., CD8 mRNA expression and CD8+ expressing T cells), the novel prognostic immunoscore possessed better specificity and sensitivity of prognosis (area under the curves (AUCs) are 0.852, 0.856, and 0.774 for 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival times, respectively). Significant differences were identified between the high and low immunoscore groups in overall survival and disease-free survival in training and validation cohorts. Combining the immunoscore with clinical information may provide a more accurate prognosis for CRC. The immunoscore can identify patients with poor outcomes in the high Tumor Mutational Burden (TMB) group, who may benefit the most from immunotherapy. The immunoscore was also closely related to two immune checkpoints (i.e., PD-L1 and PD-1, r = 0.3087 and r = 0.3341, respectively). Collectively, our study demonstrates that the novel prognostic immunoscore reported here may be useful in distinguishing different prognoses and may improve the clinical management of patients with CRC.
Detections of solar-like oscillations in dwarfs and subgiants with Kepler DR25 short-cadence data
Authors: Mathur S. , García R. A. , Breton S. , Santos A. R. G. , Mosser B. , Huber D. , Sayeed M. , Bugnet L. , Chontos A.
Published: October 2021

During the survey phase of the Kepler mission, several thousand stars were observed in short cadence, allowing for the detection of solar-like oscillations in more than 500 main-sequence and subgiant stars. These detections showed the power of asteroseismology in determining fundamental stellar parameters. However, the Kepler Science Office discovered an issue in the calibration that affected half of the store of short-cadence data, leading to a new data release (DR25) with corrections on the light curves. In this work, we re-analyzed the one-month time series of the Kepler survey phase to search for solar-like oscillations that might have been missed when using the previous data release. We studied the seismic parameters of 99 stars, among which there are 46 targets with new reported solar-like oscillations, increasing, by around 8%, the known sample of solar-like stars with an asteroseismic analysis of the short-cadence data from this mission. The majority of these stars have mid- to high-resolution spectroscopy publicly available with the LAMOST and APOGEE surveys, respectively, as well as precise Gaia parallaxes. We computed the masses and radii using seismic scaling relations and we find that this new sample features massive stars (above 1.2 M⊙ and up to 2 M⊙) and subgiants. We determined the granulation parameters and amplitude of the modes, which agree with the scaling relations derived for dwarfs and subgiants. The stars studied here are slightly fainter than the previously known sample of main-sequence and subgiants with asteroseismic detections. We also studied the surface rotation and magnetic activity levels of those stars. Our sample of 99 stars has similar levels of activity compared to the previously known sample and is in the same range as the Sun between the minimum and maximum of its activity cycle. We find that for seven stars, a possible blend could be the reason for the non-detection with the early data release. Finally, we compared the radii obtained from the scaling relations with the Gaia ones and we find that the Gaia radii are overestimated by 4.4%, on average, compared to the seismic radii, with a scatter of 12.3% and a decreasing trend according to the evolutionary stage. In addition, for homogeneity purposes, we re-analyzed the DR25 of the main-sequence and subgiant stars with solar-like oscillations that were previously detected and, as a result, we provide the global seismic parameters for a total of 525 stars.
Problems of phytoimmunity of grain crops in the Euro-Northeast of the Russian Federation and ways their solution
Authors: Sheshegova Tatyana , Shchekleina Lucia
Published: October 2021

Breeding of grain crops for phytoimmunity in the FSBSU FASC of the Northeast is carried out in the conditions of natural and artificial epiphytotics. Every year, more than 1000 samples of winter rye, spring soft wheat, barley and oats of their own breeding and from the VIR collection are studied. In winter rye, studies are conducted on snow mold, root rot, powdery mildew, brown and stem rust, septoria blight, fusarium head blight, and ergot; in spring wheat – on root rot, septoria blight, fusarium head blight, powdery mildew, brown rust, loose smut; in barley – on root rot, net, dark brown blotch and stripe disease, loose smut; in oats - on red-brown blotch, root rot, crown rust, panicle fusarium and loose smut. Resistant samples detected on infectious backgrounds will be included in the breeding process as sources of the trait. With the participation of source genes, new varieties of winter rye were created, Snezhana, Grefinya, and others, which are being studied at different breeding stages. Long-term studies (2014-2020) on infectious and provocative backgrounds among the breeding material of the FASC of the Northeast and collection samples of spring soft wheat, oats, barley revealed sources of nonspecific resistance (6-9 points). They are used in crossbreeding programs with the best varieties to obtain high-yielding and resistant to biotic stressors hybrids that are being studied at different breeding stages.
Analysis of the genetic diversity of Russian common oat varieties using alleles of avenin-coding loci
Authors: Lyubimova A.V. , Eremin D.I. , Loskutov I.G. , Levshtanov S.A. , Trifuntova I.B.
Published: October 2021

Alleles of avenin-coding loci were identified in 24 varieties of common oat origin from 6 different breeding centers of the Russian Federation. It was found that 33% of the studied varieties are homogeneous. Heterogeneous varieties contain from 2 to 10 biotypes. The analysis revealed 67 different genotypes, ten of which are found in the spectra of several varieties at once. Despite the presence of matching genotypes, all the studied varieties differ in the genetic formulas of avenin, the number and frequency of occurrence of biotypes. This makes it possible to effectively identify and distinguish oat varieties sown by Russian breeding using the method of prolamin electrophoresis. The analyzed groups of varieties are characterized by high values of genetic (0.54-0.79) and intra-population diversity, which indicates the stability of populations. The exception is varieties originating from the Irkutsk region, low values of genetic and intra-population diversity in the population of which may indicate the process of genetic erosion. Analysis of the frequency distribution of alleles of avenin-coding loci does not allow to determine whether oat varieties belong to certain breeding centers, which is associated with the introduction of the same genotypes into the breeding programs of different regions.
A new variety of spring soft wheat aist-45 as a result of a wide environmental test
Authors: Filippova E.A. , Maltseva L.T. , Bannikova N.Yu. , Drobot I.A. , Kataeva N.V.
Published: October 2021

The assessment of a new variety of spring soft wheat Aist 45 was given based on the analysis data of yield, plasticity, grain quality, and disease resistance. The studies were carried out at the Kurgan Scientific Research Institute of Agriculture, a branch of the Ural Federal Research Center of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. A test in breeding nurseries (2011-2020) showed an excess of yield over mid-season and mid-late standards (4.4 and 2.8 cwt/ha). In the ecological test under the KASIB (Kazakstan-Siberian network for improving spring wheat) program of 52 varieties in 16 points of Russia and Kazakhstan (2017-2018), Aist 45 variety had a high rating in terms of yield; according to the results of technological analysis, it showed good potential in the content of protein (15.7-16, 3%) and gluten in grain (31.6-32.4%), attributed to valuable wheat. When evaluated for resistance to brown rust against an artificial background in the seedling phase, Aist 45 was assigned to the resistant type (VIZR and VNIIF). Against the infectious background of the RIBSP of South Kazakhstan, the variety showed resistance to septoriosis and pyrenophorosis. Susceptible to dust brand. The variety is capable of forming a stable yield in drought stress conditions and epiphytotic development of brown and stem rust.
The source material of soft spring wheat for improving the quality of grain and resistance to lodging
Authors: Novokhatan V.V. , Zuev E.V. , Shelomentseva T.V. , Leonova T.A.
Published: October 2021

The Northern Trans-Urals is a region of intensive agriculture that needs high-yielding varieties that are resistant to lodging and a-biotic environmental factors, forming high-quality grain. In this respect, as a starting material for breeding, Canadian varieties with good technological indicators of grain and Norwegian varieties with high resistance to lodging and well-expressed economic and valuable characteristics are of interest. An important indicator when creating wheat varieties is the resistance to pre-harvest germination of grain on the root. The conjugacy of this feature with the yield is high and is expressed negatively - r = -0.922. Among the studied cultivars, Demonstrant (Norway) and 5603HR (Canada) stand out for their resistance to grain germination in the ear. Norwegian varieties are characterized by multi-grain ear, fine grain and compacted ear. Marker traits of drought resistance – the length of the upper internode and the removal of the ear, are better expressed in the standard of Omskaya 36, varieties of local selection and varietals - Laban and GN 06600 (Norway). In arid conditions, these varieties have a more pronounced yield. The best in this respect is Kazakhstan one - Astana (2.27 t/ha). The intensity was highlighted by the variety - GN 06600 (Norway) - 5.05 t/ha. The revealed conjugate relationships in the studied traits allow to purposefully conduct breeding work.
Fungicidal and antistress properties of the preparation based on triterpene acids on spring barley
Authors: Korotky V.P. , Smolin N.V. , Nikolsky A.N. , Ryzhov V.A. , Korotky I.V.
Published: October 2021

The most effective concentration range of the studied preparation synthesized on the basis of triterpene acids is in the range of 0.01-0.005 %. In the conditions of water-salt stress, the studied preparation increased laboratory germination of seeds, length of seedling and root of spring barley compared with the control variant. At a concentration of 0.01-0.005 %, the preparation reduced the intensity of the pathogenic complex development on the seed material of spring barley, but was significantly inferior in effectiveness to the synthetic protectant. At the same time, unlike a fungicide, the preparation did not have a depressing effect on the development of barley in the initial stages of ontogenesis.
Research and implementation of innovative technologies for the use of composite polymer materials to protect the root systems of seedlings from desiccation and increase their establishment
Authors: Kopytkov V.V. , Dorzhsuren Ch. , Tairbergenov Yu.A.
Published: October 2021

In the presented materials, the physicochemical properties of composite polymer materials for protecting the root systems of forest seedlings from desiccation are studied. The conducted studies on the production of composite polymer materials allowed to establish their optimal ratios: the sodium salt carboxymethyl cellulose from 4 active substance wt.%, as target additives contains potassium chloride from 6.0 to 9.0 wt.% and ammonium nitrate from 0.004 to 0.006 wt.%. This ratio of target additives corresponds to the optimal relative viscosity of the composite polymer material equal to 170-175 s. Treatment of the root systems of seedlings with a composite polymer material allows not only to prevent desiccation, increase their establishment on the planting area, but also to reduce mechanical damage during transportation and forest planting.
Evaluation of the effectiveness of potato improvement in in vitro culture on optimized nutrient media
Authors: Gneusheva I.A. , Gavrilova A.Yu. , Gagarina I.N. , Gorkova I.V. , Solokhina I.Yu.
Published: October 2021

Studies have been conducted on the use of an optimized Murashige-Scoog nutrient medium to obtain healthy seeds of promising potato varieties. It was found that the use of agarized modified Murashige-Scoog nutrient medium with the addition of exometabolites of fungi of the genus Trichoderma lixii 1.5 mg/l with antimicrobial properties and the antiviral drug “Cycloferon” in a concentration of 0.01% contributes to an increase in the number of virus-free potato regenerants when the method of apical meristems and in vitro improvement is used together. The effectiveness of using the modified medium is confirmed by the following criteria: active growth of test tube potato micro-plants, which is expressed in optimal morphometric indicators on the example of the potato variety “Rosara”; the size of the isolated meristems is 10 mm, which contributes to the output of healthy plants; the survival rate of regenerating plants. It is shown that when using the modified medium, an average of 35-50% of regenerating plants were obtained, depending on the potato variety, free from M, S viruses.