bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toward Enhanced State of Charge Estimation of Lithium-ion Batteries Using Optimized Machine Learning Techniques
Authors: Hannan M. A. , Lipu M. S. Hossain , Hussain Aini , Ker Pin Jern , Mahlia T. M. I. , Mansor M. , Ayob Afida , Saad Mohamad H. , Dong Z. Y.
Published: March 2020

State of charge (SOC) is a crucial index used in the assessment of electric vehicle (EV) battery storage systems. Thus, SOC estimation of lithium-ion batteries has been widely investigated because of their fast charging, long-life cycle, and high energy density characteristics. However, precise SOC assessment of lithium-ion batteries remains challenging because of their varying characteristics under different working environments. Machine learning techniques have been widely used to design an advanced SOC estimation method without the information of battery chemical reactions, battery models, internal properties, and additional filters. Here, the capacity of optimized machine learning techniques are presented toward enhanced SOC estimation in terms of learning capability, accuracy, generalization performance, and convergence speed. We validate the proposed method through lithium-ion battery experiments, EV drive cycles, temperature, noise, and aging effects. We show that the proposed method outperforms several state-of-the-art approaches in terms of accuracy, adaptability, and robustness under diverse operating conditions.
Western diet induces severe nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, ductular reaction, and hepatic fibrosis in liver CGI-58 knockout mice
Authors: Yang Pan , Wang Youlin , Tang Weiqing , Sun Weiwei , Ma Yinyan , Lin Shu , Jing Jia , Jiang Long , Shi Hang , Song Zhiyuan , Yu Liqing
Published: March 2020

Humans and rodents with Comparative Gene Identification-58 (CGI-58) mutations manifest nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Here we show that liver CGI-58 knockout (LivKO) mice fed a Western diet rapidly develop advanced NAFLD, including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and hepatic fibrosis. After 14 weeks of diet challenge, starting at 6 weeks of age, LivKO mice showed increased inflammatory cell infiltration and proinflammatory gene expression in the liver, which was associated with elevated plasma levels of aminotransferases. Hepatic ductular reactions, pericellular fibrosis, and bridging fibrosis were observed only in the LivKO mice. Consistently, the KO mice had a significant increase in hepatic mRNAs for fibrogenic genes. In addition, LivKO mice displayed massive accumulation of lipid droplets (LDs) in hepatocytes. LDs were also observed in the cholangiocytes of the LivKO mice, but not the floxed controls. Four of the five LD coat proteins, including perilipins 2, 3, 4, and 5, were increased in the CGI-58 KO liver. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of CGI-58 in Huh7 human hepatoma cells induced LD deposition and perilipin expression, suggesting a cell autonomous effect. Our findings establish the Western diet-fed LivKO mice as an animal model of NASH and hepatic fibrosis. These animals may facilitate preclinical screening of therapeutic agents that counter against NAFLD progression.
Significance of depth of invasion determined by MRI in cT1N0 tongue squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Xu Chunmiao , Yuan Junhui , Kang Liuqing , Zhang Xiaoxian , Wang Lifeng , Chen Xuejun , Yao Qi , Li Hailiang
Published: March 2020

Depth of invasion (DOI) can be calculated preoperatively by MRI, and whether MRI-determined DOI can predict prognosis as well as whether it can be used as an indicator of neck dissection in cT1N0 tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) remains unknown. The main goal of the current study was to answer these unknowns. A total of 151 patients with surgically treated cT1N0 tongue SCC were retrospectively enrolled, and MRI-determined DOI was measured based on T1-weighted layers with a 3.0T scan. The Chi-square test was used to evaluate the association between clinical pathologic variables and neck lymph node metastasis, and the factors that were significant in the Chi-square test were then analyzed in a multivariate logistic regression analysis model to determine the independent predictors. The main study endpoints were locoregional control (LRC) and disease-specific survival (DSS), and the Kaplan-Meier method (log-rank test) was used to calculate the LRC and DSS rates. The factors that were significant in univariate analysis were then analyzed in the Cox model to determine the independent prognostic factors. A value of p < 0.05 was considered significant, and all statistical analyses were performed with SPSS 20.0. Occult neck lymph node metastasis was noted in 26 (17.2%) patients, and the ROC curve indicated that the optimal cutoff value of MRI-determined DOI was 7.5 mm for predicting neck lymph node metastasis, with a sensitivity of 86.9%. The factors of lymphovascular invasion, MRI-determined DOI, pathologic DOI, and pathologic tumor grade were significantly associated with the presence of neck lymph node metastasis in univariate analysis, and further logistic regression analysis confirmed the independence of lymphovascular invasion, MRI-determined DOI, and pathologic DOI in predicting neck lymph node metastasis. The 5-year LRC and DSS rates were 84% and 90%, respectively. Cox model analysis suggested the MRI-determined DOI was an independent prognostic factor for both LRC and DSS. Therefore, elective neck dissection is suggested if MRI-determined DOI is greater than 7.5 mm in cT1N0 tongue SCC, and MRI-determined DOI ≥ 7.5 mm indicates additional risk for disease recurrence and cancer-related death.
Characterization of pulmonary immune responses to hyperoxia by high-dimensional mass cytometry analyses
Authors: Hanidziar D. , Nakahori Y. , Cahill L. A. , Gallo D. , Keegan J. W. , Nguyen J. P. , Otterbein L. E. , Lederer J. A. , Robson S. C.
Published: March 2020

Prolonged exposure to hyperoxia has deleterious effects on the lung, provoking both inflammation and alveolar injury. The elements of hyperoxic injury, which result in high rates of lethality in experimental models, are thought to include multicellular immune responses. To characterize these alterations in immune cell populations, we performed time-of-flight mass cytometry (CyTOF) analysis of CD45-expressing immune cells in whole lung parenchyma and the bronchoalveolar space of mice, exposed to 48 hours of hyperoxia together with normoxic controls. At the tested time point, hyperoxia exposure resulted in decreased abundance of immunoregulatory populations (regulatory B cells, myeloid regulatory cells) in lung parenchyma and markedly decreased proliferation rates of myeloid regulatory cells, monocytes and alveolar macrophages. Additionally, hyperoxia caused a shift in the phenotype of alveolar macrophages, increasing proportion of cells with elevated CD68, CD44, CD11c, PD-L1, and CD205 expression levels. These changes occurred in the absence of histologically evident alveolar damage and abundance of neutrophils in the parenchyma or alveolar space did not change at these time points. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that pulmonary response to hyperoxia involves marked changes in specific subsets of myeloid and lymphoid populations. These findings have important implications for therapeutic targeting in acute lung injury.
Treatment Strategy for Petroclival Meningiomas Based on a Proposed Classification in a Study of 168 Cases
Authors: Zhao Zijin , Yuan Xianrui , Yuan Jian , Cai Li , Jiang Weixi , Xie Yuanyang , Wanggou Siyi , Zhang Chi , Tang Guodong , Li Haoyu , Peng Zefeng , Li Xuejun , Liu Qing
Published: March 2020

Petroclival meningiomas (PCMs) are regarded as one of the most formidable challenges in neurosurgery. We retrospectively assessed the surgical outcomes of PCMs based on a tumor classification to evaluate the long-term outcomes. A series of 168 patients with PCMs from July 1996 to January 2017. On the basis of the difference in the origin of dural attachment and patterns of growth, the PCMs were classified into 4 different types. The clinical characteristics, surgical record, and follow-up data of each type were reviewed. The study included 138 females (82.1%) with an average age of 49.9 ± 16.2 years. And 138 cases (82.1%) had developed neurological deficits preoperatively with the average tumor size of 44.0 ± 10.6 mm. Specific surgical approaches were applied depended on the tumor classification. Gross total resection (GTR) was achieved in 119 cases (70.8%) with the complications of 46 cases (27.7%). With a median follow-up of 86.5 months, there were 41 cases of recurrence/progress (25.7%) and 39 cases of morbidity (26.4%). Compared with the non-GTR group, the GTR significantly decreased the R/P rate (P = 0.001), prolonged the R/P-FS time (P = 0.032) and improved the follow-up neurological status (P = 0.026). Favorable outcomes and acceptable morbidity were achieved with the treatment strategy of the choice of specific approaches for each type. Meanwhile, the differences of each type in diverse clinical characteristic were verified. Individualized assessment and suitable approach choice should be based on the tumor classification to improved the GTR and quality of life for patients.
Evaluating the effects of smoking on the voice and subjective voice problems using a meta-analysis approach
Authors: Byeon Haewon , Cha Seulki
Published: March 2020

The objectives of this study were to identify the effects of smoking on the voice of smokers and present the baseline data for establishing the basis for preventing voice disorders. This study was evaluated using a meta-analysis from studies published between Jan 1, 2000, and Nov 15, 2018. As a result, the final meta-analysis was conducted using nine papers. The standard mean difference was analyzed after dividing the effects of smoking on voice into the pitch (F0), sound quality (jitter, shimmer, and noise to harmonic ratio; NHR), Maximum Phonation Time (MPT), and subjective voice problem. The results showed that there was a significant difference in F0 and MPT. On the other hand, the jitter, shimmer, NHR, and Voice Handicap Index (VHI) had different mean effect size but they were not significantly different. The analysis by sub-function of VHI results showed that the mean effect size was significantly different only in VHI-P (Physical). This study evaluated the effects of smoking on voice using meta-analysis. It was confirmed that smoking had significant and moderate effects on the F0 of voice, MPT, VHI, and physical functions. It is necessary for future meta-analysis studies to conduct randomized controlled experiments or longitudinal studies to confirm the effect sizes of variables.
Mineralogy and Stable Isotopes of Tetradymite from the Dashuigou Tellurium Deposit, Tibet Plateau, Southwest China
Authors: Yin Jianzhao , Shi Hongyun
Published: March 2020

Due to the very limited quantity of associated tetradymite, both mineralogical and geochemical research on tetradymite is scarce and incomplete. By taking advantage of the discovery of the Dashuigou tellurium deposit in Tibet Plateau, the authors conducted mineralogical studies on tetradymite. The authors present new mineralogical data including reflectance, micro-pressure hardness, chemical compositions focusing on its chemical formula Bi2.00Te1.89S0.95~1.00, unit cell parameters (a = 4.239 Å, c = 29.595 Å) and lattice parameters (a = 10.172 Å, v = 154.391 Å3), pyroelectricity (N type), and stable isotopes including sulfur and lead. The authors find that: δ34S‰ of tetradymite varies between −0.5~2.1 with a 15-sample average of 0.56, similar to that of meteorites and rocks from the mantle, indicating that the sulfur is from the mantle; lead isotopes of the tetradymite formed in the late metallogenic epoch is different from that of both pyrite and pyrrhotite formed in the early metallogenic epoch, further indicating that the three minerals formed in different metallogenic epochs; lead isotope compositions reveal that tellurium ore bodies emplaced in a quick process mainly in the form of ore magma; lead of the deposit is primarily from the mantle with some captured from the Earth’s crust. These findings help fill in large gaps of information for the mineral tetradymite.
High prevalence of Clostridiodes diffiicle PCR ribotypes 001 and 126 in Iran
Authors: Baghani Akram , Mesdaghinia Alireza , Kuijper Ed. J. , Aliramezani Amir , Talebi Malihe , Douraghi Masoumeh
Published: March 2020

Clostridium difficile is a leading causative agent of hospital-acquired and community-acquired diarrhea in human. This study aims to characterize the predominant C. difficile strains, RT001 and 126, circulating in Iranian hospitals in relation to resistant phenotypes, the antibiotic resistance genes, and their genetic relatedness. A total number of 735 faecal specimens were collected from patients suspected of CDI in Tehran hospitals. Typing and subtyping of the strains were performed using CE-PCR ribotyping and MLVA, respectively, followed by PCR assays for ARGs and indicators of Tns. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of five antibiotics were determined by MIC Test Strips. Among 65 strains recovered from CDI patients, RT001 (32.3%) and RT126 (9.2%) were found as the most frequent ribotypes, and 64 MLVA types were identified. Using MLVA, RT001 and RT126 were subtyped into 6 and 4 groups, respectively. The vanA, nim, tetM, gyrA, gyrB genes were detected in 24.6%, 0%, 89.2%, 95.3%, and 92.3% of the strains, respectively. The indicators of Tns including vanHAX, tndX, and int were found in 0%, 3% and 29.2% of the strains, respectively. The most common amino acid (AA) alterations of GyrA and GyrB were related to substitutions of Thr82 → Val and Ser366 → Val, respectively. Resistance rate to metronidazole, vancomycin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, and moxifloxacin was 81.5%, 30.7%, 85%, 79%, and 74%, respectively. This study, for the first time revealed the subtypes of circulating RT001 and RT126 in Iran. It is of importance that the majority of the strains belonging to RT001 were multidrug resistant (MDR). This study also pointed to the intra-hospital dissemination of the strains belonging to RT001 and RT126 for short and long periods, respectively, using MLVA. The most important resistance phenotypes observed in this study was vancomycin-resistant phenotypes. Resistance to metronidazole was also high and highlights the need to determine its resistance mechanisms in the future studies.
Superconductivity in a uranium containing high entropy alloy
Authors: Nelson W. L. , Chemey A. T. , Hertz M. , Choi E. , Graf D. E. , Latturner S. , Albrecht-Schmitt T. E. , Wei K. , Baumbach R. E.
Published: March 2020

High entropy alloys (HEA) are an unusual class of materials where mixtures of elements are stochastically arrayed on a simple crystalline lattice. These systems exhibit remarkable functionality, often along several distinct axes: e.g., the examples [TaNb]1-x(TiZrHf)x are high strength and damage resistant refractory metals that also exhibit superconductivity with large upper critical fields. Here we report the discovery of an f-electron containing HEA, [TaNb]0.31(TiUHf)0.69, which is the first to include an actinide ion. Similar to the Zr-analogue, this material crystallizes in a body-centered cubic lattice with the lattice constant a = 3.41(1) Å and exhibits phonon mediated superconductivity with a transition temperatures Tc ≈ 3.2 K and upper critical fields Hc2 ≈ 6.4 T. These results expand this class of materials to include actinide elements, shows that superconductivity is robust in this sub-group, and opens the path towards leveraging HEAs as functional waste forms for a variety of radioisotopes.
Synergic pro-apoptotic effects of Ferulic Acid and nanostructured lipid carrier in glioblastoma cells assessed through molecular and Delayed Luminescence studies
Authors: Grasso Rosaria , Dell’Albani Paola , Carbone Claudia , Spatuzza Michela , Bonfanti Roberta , Sposito Giovanni , Puglisi Giovanni , Musumeci Francesco , Scordino Agata , Campisi Agata
Published: March 2020

Herein, we assessed the effect of Ferulic Acid (FA), a natural antioxidant with anti-cancer effect, on the human glioblastoma cells through molecular and Delayed Luminescence (DL) studies. DL, a phenomenon of ultra-week emission of optical photons, was used to monitor mitochondrial assessment. The effect of FA loaded in nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) was also assessed. To validate NLCs as a drug delivery system for glioblastoma treatment, particular attention was focused on their effect. We found that free FA induced a significant decrease in c-Myc and Bcl-2 expression levels accompanied by the apoptotic pathway activation. Blank NLCs, even if they did not induce cytotoxicity and caspase-3 cleavage, decreased Bcl-2, ERK1/2, c-Myc expression levels activating PARP-1 cleavage. The changes in DL intensity and kinetics highlighted a possible effect of nanoparticle matrix on mitochondria, through the involvement of the NADH pool and ROS production that, in turn, activates ERK1/2 pathways. All the effects on protein expression levels and on the activation of apoptotic pathway appeared more evident when the cells were exposed to FA loaded in NLCs. We demonstrated that the observed effects are due to a synergic pro-apoptotic influence exerted by FA, whose bio-availability increases in the glioblastoma cells, and NLCs formulation.
Higher admission rates and in-hospital mortality for acute type A aortic dissection during Influenza season: a single center experience
Authors: Ashur Carmel , Norton Elizabeth , Farhat Linda , Conlon Anna , Willer Cristen , Froehlich James B. , Pinsky David J. , Kim Karen M. , Fukuhara Shinichi , Deeb Michael G. , Patel Himanshu , Eagle Kim A. , Yang Bo , Hofmann Bowman Marion A.
Published: March 2020

Triggering events for acute aortic dissections are incompletely understood. We sought to investigate whether there is an association between admission for acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) to the University of Michigan Medical Center and the reported annual influenza activity by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. From 1996–2019 we had 758 patients admitted for ATAAD with 3.1 admissions per month during November-March and 2.5 admissions per month during April-October (p = 0.01). Influenza reporting data by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services became available in 2009. ATAAD admissions for the period 2009–2019 (n = 455) were 4.8 cases/month during peak influenza months compared to 3.5 cases/month during non-peak influenza months (p = 0.001). ATAAD patients admitted during influenza season had increased in-hospital mortality (11.0% vs. 5.8%, p = 0.024) and increased 30-day mortality (9.7 vs. 5.4%, p = 0.048). The results point to higher admission rates for ATAAD during months with above average influenza rates. Future studies need to investigate whether influenza virus infection affects susceptibility for aortic dissection, and whether this risk can be attenuated with the annual influenza vaccine in this patient population.
Author Correction: Artificial neural network analysis of the oxygen saturation signal enables accurate diagnostics of sleep apnea
Authors: Nikkonen Sami , Afara Isaac O. , Leppänen Timo , Töyräs Juha
Published: March 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations correlate with declining nutritional status of European forests
Authors: Penuelas Josep , Fernández-Martínez Marcos , Vallicrosa Helena , Maspons Joan , Zuccarini Paolo , Carnicer Jofre , Sanders Tanja G. M. , Krüger Inken , Obersteiner Michael , Janssens Ivan A. , Ciais Philippe , Sardans Jordi
Published: March 2020

The drivers of global change, including increases in atmospheric CO2concentrations, N and S deposition, and climate change, likely affect the nutritional status of forests. Here we show forest foliar concentrations of N, P, K, S and Mg decreased significantly in Europe by 5%, 11%, 8%, 6% and 7%, respectively during the last three decades. The decrease in nutritional status was especially large in Mediterranean and temperate forests. Increasing atmospheric CO2concentration was well correlated with the decreases in N, P, K, Mg, S concentrations and the increase of N:P ratio. Regional analyses indicated that increases in some foliar nutrient concentrations such as N, S and Ca in northern Europe occurred associated with increasingly favourable conditions of mean annual precipitation and temperature. Crucial changes in forest health, structure, functioning and services, including negative feedbacks on C capture can be expected if these trends are not reversed.
Engineering of an enhanced synthetic Notch receptor by reducing ligand-independent activation
Authors: Yang Zi-jie , Yu Zi-yan , Cai Yi-ming , Du Rong-rong , Cai Liang
Published: March 2020

Notch signaling is highly conserved in most animals and plays critical roles during neurogenesis as well as embryonic development. Synthetic Notch-based systems, modeled from Notch receptors, have been developed to sense and respond to a specific extracellular signal. Recent advancement of synNotch has shown promise for future use in cellular engineering to treat cancers. However, synNotch from Morsut et al. (2016) has a high level of ligand-independent activation, which limits its application. Here we show that adding an intracellular hydrophobic sequence (QHGQLWF, named as RAM7) present in native Notch, significantly reduced ligand-independent activation. Our enhanced synthetic Notch receptor (esNotch) demonstrates up to a 14.6-fold reduction in ligand-independent activation, without affecting its antigen-induced activation efficiency. Our work improves a previously reported transmembrane receptor and provides a powerful tool to develop better transmembrane signaling transduction modules for further advancement of eukaryotic synthetic biology.
Deep splicing plasticity of the human adenovirus type 5 transcriptome drives virus evolution
Authors: Donovan-Banfield I’ah , Turnell Andrew S. , Hiscox Julian A. , Leppard Keith N. , Matthews David A.
Published: March 2020

Viral genomes have high gene densities and complex transcription strategies rendering transcriptome analysis through short-read RNA-seq approaches problematic. Adenovirus transcription and splicing is especially complex. We used long-read direct RNA sequencing to study adenovirus transcription and splicing during infection. This revealed a previously unappreciated complexity of alternative splicing and potential for secondary initiating codon usage. Moreover, we find that most viral transcripts tend to shorten polyadenylation lengths as infection progresses. Development of an open reading frame centric bioinformatics analysis pipeline provided a deeper quantitative and qualitative understanding of adenovirus’s genetic potential. Across the viral genome adenovirus makes multiple distinctly spliced transcripts that code for the same protein. Over 11,000 different splicing patterns were recorded across the viral genome, most occurring at low levels. This low-level use of alternative splicing patterns potentially enables the virus to maximise its coding potential over evolutionary timescales.
Cholesteryl α-D-glucoside 6-acyltransferase enhances the adhesion of Helicobacter pylori to gastric epithelium
Authors: Jan Hau-Ming , Chen Yi-Chi , Yang Tsai-Chen , Ong Lih-Lih , Chang Chia-Chen , Muthusamy Sasikala , Abera Andualem Bahiru , Wu Ming-Shiang , Gervay-Hague Jacquelyn , Mong Kwok-Kong Tony , Lin Chun-Hung
Published: March 2020

Helicobacter pylori, the most common etiologic agent of gastric diseases including gastric cancer, is auxotrophic for cholesterol and has to hijack it from gastric epithelia. Upon uptake, the bacteria convert cholesterol to cholesteryl 6′-O-acyl-α-D-glucopyranoside (CAG) to promote lipid raft clustering in the host cell membranes. However, how CAG appears in the host to exert the pathogenesis still remains ambiguous. Herein we identified hp0499 to be the gene of cholesteryl α-D-glucopyranoside acyltransferase (CGAT). Together with cholesteryl glucosyltransferase (catalyzing the prior step), CGAT is secreted via outer membrane vesicles to the host cells for direct synthesis of CAG. This significantly enhances lipid rafts clustering, gathers adhesion molecules (including Lewis antigens and integrins α5, β1), and promotes more bacterial adhesion. Furthermore, the clinically used drug amiodarone was shown as a potent inhibitor of CGAT to effectively reduce the bacterial adhesion, indicating that CGAT is a potential target of therapeutic intervention.
Palladium-catalyzed cascade reactions of enynones and isocyanides: access towards functionalized ketenimine and its application
Authors: Huang Jie , Li Feng , Cui Lei , Su Shikuan , Jia Xueshun , Li Jian
Published: March 2020

Palladium-catalyzed cascade reactions of enynones and isocyanides have been disclosed, which enable the synthesis of furan-incorporated ketenimines.
Competitive adsorption of naphthalene and phenanthrene on walnut shell based activated carbon and the verification via theoretical calculation
Authors: Wu Zhansheng , Sun Zhonghai , Liu Pengyun , Li Qing , Yang Renpeng , Yang Xia
Published: March 2020

Walnut shell based activated carbon (WAC) was prepared via microwave-assisted KOH activation.
Self-assembly of an organometallic Fe9O6 cluster from aerobic oxidation of (tmeda)Fe(CH2tBu)2
Authors: Kephart Jonathan A. , Hecht Zachary , Livesay Brooke N. , Bhowmick Indrani , Shores Matthew P. , Popescu V. Codrina , Arulsamy Navamoney , Hulley Elliott B.
Published: March 2020

Aerobic oxidation of (tmeda)Fe(CH2tBu)2 in toluene or THF solution leads to the self-assembly of a magic-sized all-ferrous oxide cluster containing the Fe9O6 subunit and bearing organometallic and diamine ligands.
Zinc sulfide nanoparticle-decorated fibre mesh to enable localized H2S-amplified chemotherapy
Authors: Wang Gang , Cen Dong , Ren Zhaohui , Wang Yifan , Cai Xiujun , Chen Xiaohui , Li Xiang , Best Serena , Han Gaorong
Published: March 2020

ZnS nanoparticle-decorated silica fibres, with hierarchical microstructure, were synthesized and implanted to enable sufficient on-site drug dosage and intracellular H2S for localized synergistic tumour therapy.
Modulation of crystal water in cobalt phosphate for promoted water oxidation
Authors: Qi Jindi , Xie Junfeng , Wei Zimeng , Lou Shanshan , Hao Pin , Lei Fengcai , Tang Bo
Published: March 2020

Cobalt phosphate tetrahydrate was identified as the optimal Co-Pi phase for electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction.
In situgenerated nanozyme-initiated cascade reaction for amplified surface plasmon resonance sensing
Authors: Wang Xin , Lv Wenxin , Wu Jiahui , Li Haiyin , Li Feng
Published: March 2020

A novel nanozyme-amplified surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor was successfully developed based on target-inducedin situgeneration of AuNPs and a AuNP-guided cascade amplification reaction, with Hg2+as the target analyte.
Effect of dilution in a hydrothermal process and post-synthetic annealing on the tailoring of hierarchical ZnO nanostructures
Authors: Thakur Smriti , Mandal Sanjay K.
Published: March 2020

Morphology transformation and dimensionality change as a result of dilution and post-synthetic annealing are reported.
Boosting the activity of transition metal carbides towards methane activation by nanostructuring
Authors: Figueras Marc , Gutiérrez Ramón A. , Prats Hector , Viñes Francesc , Ramírez Pedro J. , Illas Francesc , Rodriguez José A.
Published: March 2020

Molybdenum carbide breaks methane by going nano.
Boric acid treated HZSM-5 for improved catalyst activity in non-oxidative methane dehydroaromatization
Authors: Balyan Sonit , Haider M. Ali , Khan Tuhin S. , Pant K. K.
Published: March 2020

The dehydroaromatization (DHA) reaction of methane under non-oxidative conditions is carried out over a molybdenum catalyst supported on HZSM-5 and boric acid (BA) treated HZSM-5 at 700 °C and atmospheric pressure.
New protective ligands for atomically precise silver nanoclusters
Authors: Luo Geng-Geng , Guo Qi-Lin , Wang Zhi , Sun Cun-Fa , Lin Jin-Qing , Sun Di
Published: March 2020

New-type protecting ligands beyond the conventional ones are beginning to be introduced in stabilizing new silver NCs.
Rigid, yet flexible: formation of unprecedented silver MB-DIPY dimers with orthogonal chromophore geometry
Authors: Zatsikha Yuriy V. , Shamova Liliya I. , Blesener Tanner S. , Herbert David E. , Nemykin Victor N.
Published: March 2020

Unprecedented for BODIPY/DIPY and aza-BODIPY/azaDIPY chemistry, MB-DIPY2Ag2dimers with a twisted chromophore geometry were prepared and characterized by spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and DFT calculations.
Landfill leachate contributes per-/poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and pharmaceuticals to municipal wastewater
Authors: Masoner Jason R. , Kolpin Dana W. , Cozzarelli Isabelle M. , Smalling Kelly L. , Bolyard Stephanie C. , Field Jennifer A. , Furlong Edward T. , Gray James L. , Lozinski Duncan , Reinhart Debra , Rodowa Alix , Bradley Paul M.
Published: March 2020

Widespread disposal of landfill leachate to municipal sewer in the US calls for improved understanding of the relative organic-chemical contributions to the WWTP waste stream and associated surface-water discharge to receptors in the environment.
Purification, characterization and molecular cloning of a dicaffeoylquinic acid-hydrolyzing esterase from human-derived Lactobacillus fermentum LF-12
Authors: Liu Yujin , Xie Minhao , Wan Peng , Chen Guijie , Chen Chunxu , Chen Dan , Yu Shijie , Zeng Xiaoxiong , Sun Yi
Published: March 2020

Dicaffeoylquinic acids (DiCQAs), the main components of kudingcha made from the leaves of Ilex kudingcha, could be transformed by gut microbiota.
Dendritic growth in a two-dimensional smectic E freely suspended film
Authors: Yoon Dong Ki , Zhu Chenhui , Kim Yun Ho , Shen Yongquang , Jung Hee-Tae , Clark Noel A.
Published: March 2020

The dendritic growth is observed in a freely suspended film of the SmE LC phase, following universal growth law of the L(t) ∼ tn, here n is ∼0.66.
Identification and determination of selenocysteine, selenosugar, and other selenometabolites in turkey liver
Authors: Katarzyna Bierla , Taylor Rachel M , Szpunar Joanna , Lobinski Ryszard , Sunde Roger A
Published: March 2020

Liver and other tissues accumulate selenium (Se) when animals are supplemented with high dietary Se as inorganic Se. To further study selenometabolites in Se-deficient, Se-adequate, and high-Se liver, turkey poults were fed 0, 0.4, and 5 μg Se g−1 diet as Na2SeO3 (Se(iv)) in a Se-deficient (0.005 μg Se g−1) diet for 28 days, and the effects of Se status determined using HPLC-ICP-MS and HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. No selenomethionine (SeMet) was detected in liver in turkeys fed either this true Se-deficient diet or supplemented with inorganic Se, showing that turkeys cannot synthesize SeMet de novo from inorganic Se. Selenocysteine (Sec) was also below the level of detection in Se-deficient liver, as expected in animals with negligible selenoprotein levels. Sec content in high Se liver only doubled as compared to Se-adequate liver, indicating that the 6-fold increase in liver Se was not due to increases in selenoproteins. What increased dramatically in high Se liver were low molecular weight (MW) selenometabolites: glutathione-, cysteine- and methyl-conjugates of the selenosugar, seleno-N-acetyl galactosamine (SeGalNac). Substantial Se in Se-adequate liver was present as selenosugars decorating general proteins via mixed-disulfide bonds. In high-Se liver, these “selenosugar-decorated” proteins comprised ∼50% of the Se in the water-soluble fraction, in addition to low MW selenometabolites. In summary, more Se is present as the selenosugar moiety in Se-adequate liver, mostly decorating general proteins, than is present as Sec in selenoproteins. With high Se supplementation, increased selenosugar formation occurs, further increasing selenosugar-decorated proteins, but also increasing selenosugar linked to low MW thiols.
Alkyne benzannulations in the preparation of contorted nanographenes
Authors: Magiera Kelsie M. , Aryal Vivek , Chalifoux Wesley A.
Published: March 2020

This review discusses the advances in synthesis of contorted nanographenes via alkyne benzannulation reactions.
Organocatalytic asymmetric cascade 1,6-addition/hemiketalization/retro-Henry reaction of ortho-hydroxyphenyl-substituted p-QMs with α-nitroketones
Authors: Zhou Jing , Bai Li-Juan , Liang Guo-Juan , Xu Qi-Gui , Zhou Li-Ping , Zhou Hui
Published: March 2020

Novel organocatalytic asymmetric cascade 1,6-addition/hemiketalization/retro-Henry reaction is developed to give new chiral 2-(1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl)phenols with good yields and excellent enantioselectivities under mild reaction conditions.
Smart regioselectivity towards mono 6-hydroxyl α-cyclodextrin amphiphilic derivatives
Authors: Cui Yanli , Mao Yangyi , Mao Jianwei , Zhang Yongmin
Published: March 2020

A smart regioselective CD modification is described. For mono 6-hydroxyl and penta-alkyl coexistence on the primary face of α-CD, no additional catalysis or enzyme process are needed, just via adjustment of the ratio of alkali to alkylation agent.
The differential effects of endogenous cathepsin and microorganisms on changes in the texture and flavor substances of grouper (Epinephelus coioides) fillets
Authors: Zhang Xicai , Xie Jing
Published: March 2020

This study reveals the different effects of endogenous proteases and microorganisms on the texture and flavor of grouper muscles.
A minimal coarse-grained model for the low-frequency normal mode analysis of icosahedral viral capsids
Authors: Martín-Bravo M. , Gomez Llorente J. M. , Hernández-Rojas J.
Published: March 2020

A minimal coarse-grained model unveils relevant structural properties of icosahedral viral capsids when fitted to reproduce their low-frequency normal-mode spectrum.
Targeting BMP signaling in the bone marrow microenvironment of myeloid leukemia
Authors: Lefort Sylvain , Maguer-Satta Véronique
Published: March 2020

The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) pathway regulates the fate and proliferation of normal hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) as well as interactions with their niche. While BMP2 and BMP4 promote HSC differentiation, only BMP4 maintains HSC pool and favors interactions with their niche. In myeloid leukemia, we have identified intrinsic and extrinsic dysregulations of the BMP pathway in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) and Acute Myeloid leukemia (AML) responsible for leukemic stem cells (LSC) survival. In AML, BMP pathway alterations sustain and promote resistant immature-like leukemic cells by activating a new signaling cascade. Binding of BMP4 to BMPR1A leads to ΔNp73 expression, which in turn induces NANOG, altogether associated with a poor patient's prognosis. Despite efficient targeted therapies, like Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKI) in CML, many patients retain LSCs. Our laboratory demonstrated that the BMP pathway sustains a permanent pool of LSCs expressing high levels of BMPR1B receptor, that evolve upon treatment to progressively implement a BMP4 autocrine loop, leading to TKI-resistant cells. Single cell RNA-Seq analysis of TKI-persisting LSCs showed a co-enrichment of BMP with Jak2-signaling, quiescence and stem cell (SC) signatures. Using a new model of persisting LSCs, we recently demonstrated that BMPR1B+ cells display co-activated Smad1/5/8 and Stat3 pathways and could be targeted by blocking BMPR1B/Jak2 signal. Lastly, a specific BMPR1B inhibitor impaired BMP4-mediated LSC protection against TKIs. Altogether, data based on various studies including ours, indicate that BMP targeting could eliminate leukemic cells within a protective bone marrow microenvironment to efficiently impact residual resistance or persistence of LSCs in myeloid leukemia.
Melanocortin therapy ameliorates podocytopathy and proteinuria in experimental focal segmental glomerulosclerosis involving a podocyte specific non-MC1R-mediated melanocortinergic signaling
Authors: Qiao Yingjin , Wang Pei , Chang Mingyang , Chen Bohan , Ge Yan , Malhotra Deepak K. , Dworkin Lance D. , Gong Rujun
Published: March 2020

The clinical effectiveness of adrenocorticotropin in inducing remission of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome points to a steroidogenic-independent anti-proteinuric activity of melanocortins. However, which melanocortin receptors (MCR) convey this beneficial effect and if systemic or podocyte-specific mechanisms are involved remain uncertain. In vivo, wild-type (WT) mice developed heavy proteinuria and kidney dysfunction following Adriamycin insult, concomitant with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and podocytopathy, marked by loss of podocin and synaptopodin, podocytopenia and extensive foot process effacement on electron microscopy. All these pathologic findings were prominently attenuated by NDP-MSH, a potent non-steroidogenic pan-MCR agonist. Surprisingly, MC1R deficiency in MC1R-null mice barely affected the severity of Adriamycin-elicited injury. Moreover, the beneficial effect of NDP-MSH was completely preserved in MC1R-null mice, suggesting that MC1R is likely non-essential for the protective action. A direct podocyte effect seems to contribute to the beneficial effect of NDP-MSH, because Adriamycin-inflicted cytopathic signs in primary podocytes prepared from WT mice were all mitigated by NDP-MSH, including apoptosis, loss of podocyte markers, de novo expression of the podocyte injury marker desmin, actin cytoskeleton derangement and podocyte hypermotility. Consistent with in vivo findings, the podoprotective activity of NDP-MSH was fully preserved in MC1R-null podocytes. Mechanistically, MC1R expression was predominantly distributed to glomerular endothelial cells in glomeruli but negligibly noted in podocytes in vivo and in vitro, suggesting that MC1R signaling is unlikely involved in direct podocyte protection. Ergo, melanocortin therapy protects against podocyte injury and ameliorates proteinuria and glomerulopathy in experimental FSGS, at least in part, via a podocyte-specific non-MC1R-mediated melanocortinergic signaling.
Soluble angiotensin-converting enzyme 2: a potential approach for coronavirus infection therapy?
Authors: Batlle Daniel , Wysocki Jan , Satchell Karla
Published: March 2020

A new coronavirus, referred to as SARS-CoV-2, is responsible for the recent outbreak of severe respiratory disease. This outbreak first detected in Wuhan, China in December 2019, has spread to other regions of China and to 25 other countries as of January, 2020. It has been known since the 2003 SARS epidemic that the receptor critical for SARS-CoV entry into host cells is the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). The S1 domain of the spike protein of SARS-CoV attaches the virus to its cellular receptor ACE2 on the host cells. We thought that it is timely to explain the connection between the SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, ACE2 and the rationale for soluble ACE2 as a potential therapy.
Flexible bandwidth reduction technique for envelope tracking using low‐pass finite impulse response filters
Authors: Chen P. , Alsahali S. , Alt A. , Wang G. , Casbon M.A. , Lees J. , Tasker P.J.
Published: March 2020

In this Letter, low‐pass finite impulse response filters are proposed to flexibly reduce the envelope bandwidth (BW) requirements for envelope tracking (ET) supply modulators. A second‐order power ET (PET) approach is used as a comparative study, and a ‘design zone’ for shaping function coefficients is identified for the first time. Proposed 20 and 10 MHz low‐pass filters (LPFs) are used to reduce the effective envelope BW in response to a 20 MHz long‐term evolution signal applied to a 10 W power amplifier (PA). Experimental results verify that in comparison with PET, the proposed LPF method has the benefit of allowing arbitrary BW reduction and is compatible with the use of customised shaping functions. It is also shown that significant memory effects can be introduced when the effective envelope BW is reduced to less than the RF BW. To investigate the linearisability of the ET PA, the linearity before and after digital pre‐distortion is also measured.
Extraction of Doppler signature of micro‐to‐macro rotations/motions using continuous wave radar‐assisted measurement system
Authors: Kumawat Harish C. , Bazil Raj Arockia
Published: March 2020

Mechanical–structural vibration and/or rotational parts of the targets will induce micro‐Doppler frequency in addition to the main Doppler components. In the today's military era, detections, measurements and decision making have to be made after the thorough analysis of main and micro‐Doppler signatures of the targets to get their full profile particularly for defence applications. In addition, few of the low radar cross‐section targets can be detected only by extracting and processing the micro‐Doppler signatures corresponding to the rotations of their propellant rotor blades. Therefore, experimental studies to measure the micro‐to‐macro rotation/motion generated Doppler frequency and performing its associated measurements become significant. The authors built a C‐band (5.3 GHz) continuous wave radar and used it to measure the Doppler frequency generated by micro‐to‐macro rotations/motions. The detection and measurement accuracy of the developed radar is assessed by series of different open‐environment experimental case studies: revolution per minute measurement of rotating blades, separation of multiple rotating blades, oscillation per minute measurement of a swinging pendulum, detection of approaching/receding motion and the Doppler signature extraction of walking/jogging/cycling person. All these measurement values are validated against the standard master instrument readings and theoretical calculations. Finally, the limitations of this system and required near‐future research works to enhance its performance are listed.
Portable microcontroller‐based electrostimulation system for nerve conduction studies
Authors: Cossul Sandra , Rettore Andreis Felipe , Favretto Mateus André , de Castro Antonio Afrânio , Marques Jefferson Luiz Brum
Published: March 2020

Despite nerve conduction study (NCS) being an established procedure in the evaluation of neuromuscular disorders, its utility has been restrained by commercially available products or approaches presented in the literature that are either costly, physically large, dependent on specialised medical personnel to operate or targeted to specific conditions, evaluating only one or two nerves. Therefore, the objective of this work was to develop a point‐of‐care device for NCS that can be used to evaluate several nerves, yet is still portable, low‐cost and easy to operate. The developed device is composed of three modules: (i) controller module and graphical user interface, responsible for system synchronisation and configuration, data management, graphical visualisation of the evoked action potential and stimulus voltage feedback (maximum error of 3.92%); (ii) stimulation module, which operates in a constant voltage mode and delivers a monophasic stimulus pulse with amplitudes between 0.84 and 230 V, with a discrete increment of 2.32 ± 0.64 V (mean ± SD) and duration of 100 or 200 µs; and (iii) data acquisition module, based on the ADS1298 front‐end that records the evoked action potentials after the stimulus, with a sample rate of 16 or 32 kHz, 24‐bit resolution and selectable voltage gain of 1 up to 12. Results demonstrated that the system could reliably deliver stimulation pulses through different loads (100 Ω, 1 kΩ and 10 kΩ) and accurately record data through frequencies of 10 Hz up to 10 kHz. Additionally, NCS of the ulnar motor nerve in a sample of healthy individuals showed that the device could effectively activate a peripheral nerve and record compound action potentials within normal limits established by the literature.
Statistical correlation technique for transient signal analysis during impulse testing of transformers
Authors: Garg Ankita , Sharma Tapan , Jain Apurti , Velandy Jeyabalan
Published: March 2020

The reliable technique for identification of winding insulation faults in a transformer is necessary for a testing engineer during impulse test. In this study, a statistical correlation technique is proposed to estimate the ‘best correlation’ between transient signals for passed (withstood the impulse voltage) or failed (not withstood) conditions of the insulations. In this study, normalised reduced impulse voltage is considered initially as a reference signal. The next successive impulse test sequences due to rated test voltage are correlated as a test signal with a reference signal using a proposed technique. It makes a ‘good correlation value along with its directions’ between the reference signal and test signal based on measured the applied impulse voltage waveshape and its winding response. The fundamentals of the correlation coefficient, curve fitting techniques, conditional variance, normalisation and time delay index are integrated effectively to predict the characteristics (degree/magnitude and direction) of correlation between the signals. 2.5‐MVA 11/0.433 kV (distribution transformer), 0.3‐MVA 34.5/0.415 kV (earthing transformer) and 250‐MVA 500/275/33 kV (power transformer) are effectively utilised to validate proposed technique. The advantage of the proposed technique is validated with partial discharge detection in windings due to an impulse voltage application using an 11 kV single‐layer winding.
Study on fluid model of disconnector arc applied in very fast transient overvoltage
Authors: Hao Sha , Xu Jianyuan , Lin Xin
Published: March 2020

The essence of the mathematical model of disconnectors’ multiple reignition arc is the repeated breakdowns of SF6. In this study, the kinetic properties of microparticles are studies based on the streamer discharge theory, and a fluid arc mathematical model applied in centimetre clearance is established. Ultra‐High Voltage (UHV) disconnector manufactured by Pingao Electric Co. Ltd of Henan Province is selected as the object and the resistance change process of contact clearance multiple reignition arc is simulated by finite difference method‐finite element method‐flux corrected transport self‐programming in MATLAB based on the chamber structure and operating characteristics. UHV gas‐insulated switchgear very fast transient overvoltage (VFTO) test platform is built to gain the characteristics of VFTO waveforms generated by the disconnector's operation. Compared with simulation results, the test data shows that the fluid arc mathematical model can scientifically explain the dynamic development process of microparticles in the contact clearance and the calculation results are consistent with the test data. In addition, the arc fluid mathematical model combines the structure and operating characteristics of the switch with the development process of microparticles, which can better guide the design of the switch, and provide a theoretical basis for the suppression of VFTO with the disconnector itself.