bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photokinetics of Dacarbazine and Nifedipine under polychromatic light irradiation and their application as new reliable actinometers for the ultraviolet range
Authors: Maafi Mounir , Al-Qarni Mohammed Ahmed
Published: May 2022

The photokinetic behaviour of drugs driven by polychromatic light is an area of pharmaceutics that has not received a lot of attention. Most often, such photokinetic data is treated by thermal kinetic models (i.e., the classical 0th-, 1st- or 2nd-order equations). Such models were not analytically derived from the rate-laws of the photodegradation reactions. Polychromatic light kinetic modelling is hence of importance, as a means to providing adequate toolkits and metrics. This paper aims at proposing two reliable drug-actinometers useful for polychromatic UVA range. The general actinometric methodology offered here is also useful for any drugs/materials obeying a primary photoprocess where both reactant and photoproduct absorb the incident light, of the $$AB{(1\Phi )}_{{\varepsilon }_{B}\ne 0}$$

A
B

(
1
Φ
)

ε
B

≠
0

type. The present method has been consolidated by the η-order kinetics. This framework further demonstrated the lamp-specificity of actinometers. Overall, Dacarbazine and Nifedipine photodegradations obeyed η-order kinetics, and stand as effective actinometers that can be recommended for the ICH Q1b photostability testing.
Robust and scalable barcoding for massively parallel long-read sequencing
Authors: Ezpeleta Joaquín , Garcia Labari Ignacio , Villanova Gabriela Vanina , Bulacio Pilar , Lavista-Llanos Sofía , Posner Victoria , Krsticevic Flavia , Arranz Silvia , Tapia Elizabeth
Published: May 2022

Nucleic-acid barcoding is an enabling technique for many applications, but its use remains limited in emerging long-read sequencing technologies with intrinsically low raw accuracy. Here, we apply so-called NS-watermark barcodes, whose error correction capability was previously validated in silico, in a proof of concept where we synthesize 3840 NS-watermark barcodes and use them to asymmetrically tag and simultaneously sequence amplicons from two evolutionarily distant species (namelyBordetella pertussisandDrosophila mojavensis) on the ONT MinION platform. To our knowledge, this is the largest number of distinct, non-random tags ever sequenced in parallel and the first report of microarray-based synthesis as a source for large oligonucleotide pools for barcoding. We recovered the identity of more than 86% of the barcodes, with a crosstalk rate of 0.17% (i.e., one misassignment every 584 reads). This falls in the range of the index hopping rate of established, high-accuracy Illumina sequencing, despite the increased number of tags and the relatively low accuracy of both microarray-based synthesis and long-read sequencing. The robustness of NS-watermark barcodes, together with their scalable design and compatibility with low-cost massive synthesis, makes them promising for present and future sequencing applications requiring massive labeling, such as long-read single-cell RNA-Seq.
A non-canonical Raf function is required for dorsal–ventral patterning during Drosophila embryogenesis
Authors: Lusk Jay B. , Chua Ellora Hui Zhen , Kaur Prameet , Sung Isabelle Chiao Han , Lim Wen Kin , Lam Vanessa Yuk Man , Harmston Nathan , Tolwinski Nicholas S.
Published: May 2022

Proper embryonic development requires directional axes to pattern cells into embryonic structures. In Drosophila, spatially discrete expression of transcription factors determines the anterior to posterior organization of the early embryo, while the Toll and TGFβ signalling pathways determine the early dorsal to ventral pattern. Embryonic MAPK/ERK signaling contributes to both anterior to posterior patterning in the terminal regions and to dorsal to ventral patterning during oogenesis and embryonic stages. Here we describe a novel loss of function mutation in the Raf kinase gene, which leads to loss of ventral cell fates as seen through the loss of the ventral furrow, the absence of Dorsal/NFκB nuclear localization, the absence of mesoderm determinants Twist and Snail, and the expansion of TGFβ. Gene expression analysis showed cells adopting ectodermal fates much like loss of Toll signaling. Our results combine novel mutants, live imaging, optogenetics and transcriptomics to establish a novel role for Raf, that appears to be independent of the MAPK cascade, in embryonic patterning.
Assessing influences of climate change on highland barley productivity in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau during 1978–2017
Authors: Zhang Zemin , Lu Changhe
Published: May 2022

Grain production is becoming increasingly vulnerable to climate change globally. Highland barley (HB) is the most important cereal crop in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP), so assessing HB productivity and its response to climate change could help to understand the capacity of grain production and food security. This study simulated the potential yield of HB annually at 72 meteorological stations for 1978–2017 using the WOFOST model, and then analyzed the spatiotemporal changes of HB potential yield and climatic factors in the growing season. Further, the influence of climate change on HB potential yield was explored in different temperature zones (TZ). Results indicate that the annual average of HB potential yield ranged from 3.5 to 8.1 t/ha in the QTP, and it was averaged at 6.5 t/ha in TZ-3, higher than other zones. From 1978 to 2017, HB potential yield for the whole QTP decreased slightly by 2.1 kg/ha per year, and its change rates were 23.9, 10.1, − 15.9, − 23.8 and − 16.7 kg/ha/year from TZ-1 to TZ-5 (p < 0.05), respectively. In all zones, average (Tave), maximum (Tmax) and minimum temperature (Tmin) showed a significantly warming trend (p < 0.01), and Tmin increased by 0.53, 0.45, 0.44, 0.40 and 0.69 °C per decade, higher than that of Tave and Tmax. However, temperature diurnal range (TDR) and radiation (RA) showed a downward trend, and their decrease rates were far higher in TZ-5 and TZ-3. In TZ-1, ΔTDR was the critical factor to the change in HB potential yield, which would increase by 420.30 kg/ha for 1 °C increase of ΔTDR (p < 0.01). From TZ-2 to TZ-5, ΔRA was the critical factor, but the influence amplitude in terms of the elastic coefficient, decreased from 4.08 to 0.99 (p < 0.01). In addition, other factors such as ΔTmax in TZ-3 and ΔTmin in TZ-4 and TZ-5 also had an important influence on the potential yield. To improve the HB productivity in the QTP, suitable varieties should be developed and introduced to adapt the climate warming in different temperature zones. In addition, efforts are needed to adjust the strategies of fertilizers and irrigation applications.
Pollen-mediated transfer of herbicide resistance between johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) biotypes
Authors: Maity Aniruddha , Young Blake , Subramanian Nithya , Bagavathiannan Muthukumar
Published: May 2022

Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) is a troublesome weed in row crop production in the United States. Herbicide resistance is a growing concern in this species, with resistance to ACCase-, ALS-, and EPSPS-inhibitors already reported. Pollen-mediated gene flow (PMGF) is capable of spreading herbicide resistance, but the extent of PMGF has not yet been studied in johnsongrass. Field experiments were conducted in a Nelder-wheel design to quantify the distance and frequency of PMGF from ALS-inhibitor-resistant (AR) to -susceptible (AS) johnsongrass across three environments (summer 2018, fall 2018, and fall 2019). The AR biotype (pollen donor) was established at the center of the wheel (5-m diameter), and a naturally occurring johnsongrass (AS) infestation was utilized as the pollen recipient, in eight directions and at nine distances (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 35, 40, 45, and 50 m) within each direction. Seeds collected from the AS plants in each distance and direction were screened for survival to the ALS-inhibitor herbicide nicosulfuron (Accent Q) at 95 g ai ha−1under greenhouse conditions. The survivors (i.e. hybrids) were further confirmed based on the presence of the Trp574Leu mutation. At the closest distance of 5 m, PMGF was 9.6–16.2% across the directions and environments, which progressively declined to 0.8–1.2% at 50 m. The exponential decay model predicted 50% reduction in PMGF at 2.2 m and 90% reduction at 5.8 m from the pollen donor block. Results demonstrate that herbicide resistance can spread between adjacent field populations of johnsongrass through PMGF, which necessitates sound monitoring and management.
The biomechanical fundamentals of crosslink-augmentation in posterior spinal instrumentation
Authors: Cornaz Frédéric , Fasser Marie-Rosa , Snedeker Jess Gerrit , Spirig José Miguel , Farshad Mazda , Widmer Jonas
Published: May 2022

Posterior screw-rod constructs can be used to stabilize spinal segments; however, the stiffness is not absolute, and some motion can persist. While the effect of crosslink-augmentation has been evaluated in multiple studies, the fundamental explanation of their effectiveness has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to quantify the parameters “screw rotation” and “parallelogram deformation” in posterior instrumentations with and without crosslinks to analyze and explain their fundamental effect. Biomechanical testing of 15 posteriorly instrumented human spinal segments (Th10/11—L4/L5) was conducted in axial rotation, lateral bending, and flexion–extension with ± 7.5 Nm. Screw rotation and parallelogram deformation were compared for both configurations. Parallelogram deformation occurred predominantly during axial rotation (2.6°) and was reduced by 60% (−1.45°, p = 0.02) by the addition of a crosslink. Simultaneously, screw rotation (0.56°) was reduced by 48% (−0.27°, p = 0.02) in this loading condition. During lateral bending, 0.38° of parallelogram deformation and 1.44° of screw rotation was measured and no significant reduction was achieved by crosslink-augmentation (8%, −0.03°, −p = 0.3 and −13%, −0.19°, p = 0.7 respectively). During flexion–extension, parallelogram deformation was 0.4° and screw rotation was 0.39° and crosslink-augmentation had no significant effect on these values (−0.12°, −30%, p = 0.5 and −0°, −0%, p = 0.8 respectively). In axial rotation, crosslink-augmentation can reduce parallelogram deformation and with that, screw rotation. In lateral bending and flexion–extension parallelogram deformation is minimal and crosslink-augmentation has no significant effect. Since the relatively large screw rotation in lateral bending is not caused by parallelogram deformation, crosslink-augmentation is no adequate countermeasure. The fundamental understanding of the biomechanical effect of crosslink-augmentation helps better understand its potential and limitations in increasing construct stiffness.
A two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis of modifiable risk factors and intracranial aneurysms
Authors: Tian Danyang , Zhang Linjing , Zhuang Zhenhuang , Huang Tao , Fan Dongsheng
Published: May 2022

We aimed to investigate the causality between potentially modifiable risk factors and the risk of intracranial aneurysm. Genetic instruments for 51 modifiable factors and intracranial aneurysm data were obtained from recently published genome-wide association studies. We applied two-sample Mendelian randomization methods to investigate their causal relationships. Genetically predicted cigarettes per day, smoking initiation, systolic blood pressure, hypertension and body fat percentage were significantly associated with an increased risk of intracranial aneurysm [odds ratios (OR) 2.67, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.75–4.07, p = 5.36 × 10–6, OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.32–1.77, p = 9.58 × 10–9, OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02–1.08, p = 1.18 × 10–3, OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.19–2.28, p = 2.56 × 10–3 and OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.11–1.52, p = 1.33 × 10–3, respectively]. Type 2 diabetes mellitus was significantly associated with a decreased risk of intracranial aneurysm (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.83–0.95, p = 8.54 × 10–4). Body fat percentage was significantly associated with subarachnoid haemorrhage (p = 5.70 × 10–5). This study provided genetic evidence of causal effects of smoking, blood pressure, type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity on the risk of intracranial aneurysm.
Prominence of the training data preparation in geomagnetic storm prediction using deep neural networks
Authors: Cristoforetti M. , Battiston R. , Gobbi A. , Iuppa R. , Piersanti M.
Published: May 2022

The direct interaction between large-scale interplanetary disturbances emitted from the Sun and the Earth’s magnetosphere can lead to geomagnetic storms representing the most severe space weather events. In general, the geomagnetic activity is measured by the Dst index. Consequently, its accurate prediction represents one of the main subjects in space weather studies. In this scenario, we try to predict the Dst index during quiet and disturbed geomagnetic conditions using the interplanetary magnetic field and the solar wind parameters. To accomplish this task, we analyzed the response of a newly developed neural network using interplanetary parameters as inputs. We strongly demonstrated that the training procedure strictly changes the capability of giving correct forecasting of stormy and disturbed geomagnetic periods. Indeed, the strategy proposed for creating datasets for training and validation plays a fundamental role in guaranteeing good performances of the proposed neural network architecture.
Impact of salivary and pancreatic amylase gene copy numbers on diabetes, obesity, and functional profiles of microbiome in Northern Japanese population
Authors: Hasegawa Takanori , Kakuta Masanori , Yamaguchi Rui , Sato Noriaki , Mikami Tatsuya , Murashita Koichi , Nakaji Shigeyuki , Itoh Ken , Imoto Seiya
Published: May 2022

Amylase genes reside in a structurally complex locus, and their copy numbers vary greatly, and several studies have reported their association with obesity. The mechanism of this effect was partially explained by changes in the oral and gut microbiome compositions; however, a detailed mechanism has been unclarified. In this study, we showed their association with diabetes in addition to obesity, and further discovered a plausible mechanism of this association based on the function of commensal bacteria. First, we confirmed that the amylase copy number in the population tends to be larger than that reported in other studies and that there is a positive association between obesity and diabetes (p = 1.89E–2 and 8.63E–3). Second, we identified that relative abundance of some genus level microbiome, Capnocytophaga, Dialister, and previously reported bacteria, were significantly associated with amylase copy numbers. Finally, through functional gene-set analysis using shotgun sequencing, we observed that the abundance of genes in the Acarbose pathway in the gut microbiome was significantly decreased with an increase in the amylase copy number (p-value = 5.80E–4). Our findings can partly explain the mechanism underlying obesity and diabetes in populations with high amylase copy numbers.
Prognostic significance of cachexia index in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treated with systemic chemotherapy
Authors: Goh Myung Ji , Kang Wonseok , Jeong Woo Kyoung , Sinn Dong Hyun , Gwak Geum-Youn , Paik Yong-Han , Choi Moon Seok , Lee Joon Hyeok , Koh Kwang Cheol , Paik Seung Woon
Published: May 2022

Cancer cachexia affects quality of life, response to chemotherapy, and survival in many advanced cancer patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of pretreatment cachexia index (CXI) in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with systematic chemotherapy. Patients with advanced HCC treated with lenvatinib therapy between October 2018 and October 2020 were retrospectively studied. The CXI was calculated as (L3 skeletal muscle index) × (serum albumin)/(neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio). The association with treatment response and early adverse events within the first two months of lenvatinib therapy was investigated. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method with log-rank test. Multivariable Cox regression was used to identify the predictors of survival. A total of 116 patients (median age: 60, male: 84.5% ) with calculated CXI. They divided into two groups: high CXI (≥ 53, n = 82) and low CXI (< 53, n = 34). Patients with low CXI had a significantly lower disease control rate (61.8% vs. 89.0%, p = 0.001) and a shorter median OS (8.0 [95% CI 6.2–9.8] vs. 12.3 [95% CI 10.1–14.4] months, p = 0.002) than those with high CXI. In multivariable analysis, low CXI was independently associated with shorter OS (HR: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.17–3.65, p = 0.01) and PFS (HR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.09–3.09, p = 0.02). Of note, during the first two months of lenvatinib therapy, anorexia (41.2% vs. 22.0%, p = 0.04) developed more frequently among patients with low CXI than those with high CXI. The CXI may be a clinically useful index for predicting poor treatment response and prognosis in patients with advanced HCC undergoing lenvatinib treatment.
Effect of drought on root exudates from Quercus petraea and enzymatic activity of soil
Authors: Staszel Karolina , Lasota Jarosław , Błońska Ewa
Published: May 2022

Root exudation is a key process that determines rhizosphere functions and plant-soil relationships. The present study was conducted with the objectives to (1) determine the root morphology of sessile oak seedlings in relation to drought, (2) assess root exudation and its response to drought, and (3) detect possible changes in the activity of soil enzymes in response to drought enhancement. In the experiment, sessile oak seedlings (Quercus petraea Matt.) were used, and two variants of substrate moisture (25% humidity—dry variant and 55% humidity—fresh variant) on which oaks grew were considered. Exudates were collected using a culture-based cuvette system. Results confirmed the importance of drought in shaping the morphology of roots and root carbon exudation of sessile oak. The oak roots in the dry variant responded with a higher increment in length. In the case of roots growing in higher humidity, a higher specific root area and specific root length were determined. Experimental evidence has demonstrated decreased root exudation under dry conditions, which can lead to a change in enzyme activity. In the study, enzyme activity decreased by 90% for β-D-cellobiosidase (CB), 50% for β-glucosidase (BG) and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), 20% for β-xylosidase (XYL) decreased by, and the activity of arylsulphatase (SP) and phosphatase (PH) decreased by 10%.
Optimization of chamfer masks using Farey sequences and kernel dimensionality
Authors: Maiseli Baraka Jacob
Published: May 2022

Farey sequences have captured the attention of several researchers because of their wide applications in polygonal approximation, generation of Ford circles, and shape analysis. In this work, we extend the applications of these sequences to optimize chamfer masks for computation of distance maps in images. Compared with previous methods, the proposed method can more effectively generate optimal weights from larger chamfer masks without considering multiple and rather complex defining variables of the masks. Furthermore, our work demonstrates the relationship between size of the chamfer kernel, Farey sequence, and optimal weights of the chamfer mask. This interesting relationship, which may be useful in various image processing and computer vision tasks, has never been revealed by any other previous study. Results from the current research may advance our understanding on the applications of Farey sequences in computational geometry and vision-related tasks. To allow reproducibility of the results, implementation codes and datasets can be accessed in the public repository athttps://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/71652-optimization-of-chamfer-masks.
Bilateral subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation for refractory isolated cervical dystonia
Authors: Yin Feng , Zhao Mingming , Yan Xin , Li Tong , Chen Hui , Li Jianguang , Cao Shouming , Guo Hui , Liu Shuang
Published: May 2022

Subthalamic nucleus (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been proven to be an alternative target choice for refractory isolated cervical dystonia (CD). However, assessments of its short and long-term safety, efficacy, and sustained effectiveness have been limited to few reports. Here, we evaluated nine consecutive refractory isolated CD patients who underwent bilateral STN DBS and accepted to short and long-term follow-up in this retrospective study. Seven time points were used to see the Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (TWSTRS) scores (pre-operation [baseline], 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 months post-operation and last follow-up) to assess improvement of dystonic symptoms. The 36-item Short-Form General Health Survey (SF-36) scores obtained at pre-operation and last follow-up to assess the changes in quality of life. All patients tolerated surgery well and acquired observable clinical benefits from STN DBS therapy. All patients achieved a considerable improvement in quality of life at the last follow-up. The hardware-related adverse events can be tolerated and the stimulation-related adverse events can be ameliorated by programming. Our data support the idea that bilateral STN DBS is a safety and effective method for the treatment of refractory isolated CD, with persistent and remarkable improvement in both movement and quality of life.
The prevalence of acute stress disorder after acute myocardial infarction and its psychosocial risk factors among young and middle-aged patients
Authors: Wu Minjuan , Wang Wenqin , Zhang Xingwei , Li Junhua
Published: May 2022

Young and middle-aged people are vulnerable to developing acute stress disorder (ASD) following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study aims to explore the factors that contribute to ASD in young and middle-aged AMI patients. 190 AMI patients aged 18 to 60 years were enrolled in this study. We assessed the association between ASD and demographic data, adult attachment, and social support. This study examined a total of 190 young and middle-aged people. Among them, 65 participants were diagnosed with ASD, representing a 34.21% positive rate. Multivariate stepwise regression showed that adult attachment, infarct-related artery, social support, in-hospital complications are the main factors affecting ASD. Path analysis showed that social support had mediated the relationship between adult attachment and ASD. The incidence of ASD in young and middle-aged patients with AMI is high. Social support plays an important role in adult attachment and ASD relationships. Adult attachment and social support should be incorporated into post-traumatic cardiac rehabilitation to help patients cope with traumatic occurrences.
Prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms in ulcerative colitis patients in Jordan and its relationship to patient-reported disease activity
Authors: Abu Sneineh Awni , Haj Ali Sara , Al-Masri Ahmad , Diab Amr , Aldweik Farah , Darweesh Mohammad , Qaisi Mohammad , Alshakhatreh Osama , Tamimi Tarek , Rayyan Yaser , Banimustafa Radwan , Sablaban Ibrahim
Published: May 2022

Inflammatory bowel disease is associated with higher rates of anxiety and depression compared to the general population. We aimed to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among patients with ulcerative colitis and correlation to disease activity. In this cross-sectional study, we collected data from 70 consecutive ulcerative colitis patients over one year at our inflammatory bowel disease outpatient clinic through an interview and a questionnaire containing patient demographics and disease characteristics. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were characterized using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 questionnaire and Patient Health Questionnaire-9, respectively, with ulcerative colitis disease severity assessed by the Partial Mayo scoring system. The majority of our patients were females (68.6%) and the mean age was 39.3 years. Rates of anxiety and depressive symptoms among ulcerative colitis patients were 65.7% and 58.6%, respectively. Depressive symptoms were significantly associated with patient-reported disease activity (r = 0.361; p = 0.010). Significant percentages of ulcerative colitis patients were appreciated to have anxiety and depressive symptoms, and there was a correlation between patient-reported disease activity and depressive symptoms. At this high rate of prevalence, it is justified to screen patients for the presence of psychiatric comorbidities.
Carbocation chemistry confined in zeolites: spectroscopic and theoretical characterizations
Authors: Chen Wei , Yi Xianfeng , Liu Zhiqiang , Tang Xiaomin , Zheng Anmin
Published: May 2022

Carbocations are the most common intermediates or transition states of zeolite-catalyzed reactions, and the formation, fate, and catalytic effect of these carbocations in zeolites were demonstrated by theoretical and experimental characterizations.
Unveiling the phytochemical nature of acorns: the relevance of dehusking
Authors: Castro Luís M. G. , Ribeiro Tânia B. , Alexandre Elisabete M. C. , Saraiva Jorge A. , Pintado Manuela
Published: May 2022

The dehusking effect on acorn polyphenols revelled that regarding the bound fraction, the polyphenol, flavonoid, and gallic acid contents increased for all species, when dehusked by both methods, increasing also the antioxidant activity.
A coumarin coupled tetraphenylethylene based multi-targeted AIEgen for cyanide ion and nitro explosive detection, and cellular imaging
Authors: Naik Viraj G. , Hiremath Sharanabasava D. , Thakuri Ankit , Hemmadi Vijay , Biswas Malabika , Banerjee Mainak , Chatterjee Amrita
Published: May 2022

A coumarin coupled tetraphenylethylene based AIEgen (TPE-Lac) with an intense greenish-yellow emission has been synthesized and utilized for multipurpose sensing and imaging applications.
Point-of-care detection of sevoflurane anesthetics in exhaled breath using a miniature TOFMS for diagnosis of postoperative agitation symptoms in children
Authors: Liu Bing , Tang Wenxi , Li Hang , Liu Ruidong , Dong Fengshuo , Guo Yingzhe , Li Jianjun , Hou Keyong
Published: May 2022

A miniature TOFMS with MEPEI has been developed for POC diagnosis of postoperative agitation symptoms, and can analyze sevoflurane by direct sampling. The risk is high when the sevoflurane in the exhaled breath is higher than 500 ppmv.
Activatable molecular rotor based on bithiophene quinolinium toward viscosity detection in liquids
Authors: Xu Lingfeng , Zhao Jingyi , Xiong Fangzhi , Huang Yanrong , Sui Yan
Published: May 2022

An activatable molecular rotor with a typical twisted intramolecular-charge transfer feature was designed for viscosity inspection in liquids.
Iodous acid – a more efficient nucleation precursor than iodic acid
Authors: Zhang Shaobing , Li Shuning , Ning An , Liu Ling , Zhang Xiuhui
Published: May 2022

In comparison with iodic acid, iodous acid is a potentially important nucleation precursor in marine regions.
Effects of self-hydrogen bonding among formamide molecules on the UCST-type liquid–liquid phase separation of binary solutions with imidazolium-based ionic liquid, [Cnmim][TFSI], studied by NMR, IR, MD simulations, and SANS
Authors: Kawano Masahiro , Tashiro Atsuya , Imamura Yuki , Yamada Moeno , Sadakane Koichiro , Iwase Hiroki , Matsugami Masaru , Marekha Bogdan A. , Idrissi Abdenacer , Takamuku Toshiyuki
Published: May 2022

The UCST of phase separation for imidazolium-based ionic liquids [Cnmim][TFSI] and formamide (FA) binary solutions increases with elongation of the alkyl chain lengthn. This is opposite to previous 1,4-dioxane solutions.
Lower degree of dissociation of pyruvic acid at water surfaces than in bulk
Authors: Lesnicki Dominika , Wank Veronika , Cyran Jenée D. , Backus Ellen H. G. , Sulpizi Marialore
Published: May 2022

Understanding the acid/base behavior of environmentally relevant organic acids is of key relevance for accurate climate modelling.
Photoinduced Jahn–Teller switch in Mn(iii) terpyridine complexes
Authors: Barlow Kyle , Eng Julien , Ivalo Iona , Coletta Marco , Brechin Euan K. , Penfold Thomas J. , Johansson J. Olof
Published: May 2022

Ultrafast transient absorption spectra were recorded for [Mn(terpy)X3], where X = Cl, F, and N3, to explore photoinduced switching from axial to equatorial Jahn–Teller (JT) distortion.
Characterization of single fungal aerosol particles in a reactive atmospheric environment using time-resolved optical trapping-Raman spectroscopy (OT-RS)
Authors: Ai Yukai , Wang Chuji , Pan Yong-Le , Videen Gorden
Published: May 2022

We applied a time-resolved, optical trapping-Raman spectroscopy (OT-RS) technique to characterize single, trapped bioaerosol particles under well-controlled reactive conditions that mimic the native state of particles in the atmosphere.
Emerging investigator series: aqueous-phase processing of atmospheric aerosol influences dissolution kinetics of metal ions in an urban background site in the Po Valley
Authors: Giorio Chiara , D'Aronco Sara , Di Marco Valerio , Badocco Denis , Battaglia Francesco , Soldà Lidia , Pastore Paolo , Tapparo Andrea
Published: May 2022

Fog processing of atmospheric aerosol enhances the solubility and the dissolution kinetics of particle-bound metal ions.
A low-temperature operated in situ synthesis of TiC-modified carbon nanotubes with enhanced thermal stability and electrochemical properties
Authors: Du Huanhuan , Wang Yurong , Xiao Dongyang , Zhang Yili , Hu Fangjing , Sun Leimeng
Published: May 2022

A low-temperature operated in situ synthesis of TiC-modified CNTs is demonstrated to improve the thermal stability and electrochemical properties of CNTs.
A two-dimensional zeolitic imidazolate framework loaded with an acrylate-substituted oxoiron cluster as an efficient electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Xiao Zhuojie , Xu Feng
Published: May 2022

An acrylate-substituted oxoiron cluster {Fe28} has been loaded with 2D ZIF-L, which exhibits a superior OER performance.
Progress in the use of organic potassium salts for the synthesis of porous carbon nanomaterials: microstructure engineering for advanced supercapacitors
Authors: Zhang Qian , Yan Bing , Feng Li , Zheng Jiaojiao , You Bo , Chen Jiayun , Zhao Xin , Zhang Chunmei , Jiang Shaohua , He Shuijian
Published: May 2022

Multifunctional organic potassium salts in the synthesis of porous carbon nanomaterials are elucidated and constructive viewpoints are provided for the cost-effective and molecular level engineering of porous carbon nanomaterials for supercapacitors.
Transition-metal-catalyzed one-pot selenylation of electrophilic arylating agents using triphenyltin chloride/Se as a phenylselenating agent
Authors: Shirvandi Zeinab , Atashkar Bahareh , Zolfigol Mohammad Ali , Rostami Amin
Published: May 2022

The C–Se bond formation via the cleavage of C–O, C–N, and C–X bonds using triphenyltin chloride/Se (phenylselenating agent) is described.
Polybutylene succinate, a potential bio-degradable polymer: synthesis, copolymerization and bio-degradation
Authors: Savitha K. S. , Ravji Paghadar Bharatkumar , Senthil Kumar M. , Jagadish R. L.
Published: May 2022

Biodegradable polymers are advantageous over non-biodegradable polymers in terms of degradation. Fabrication of bio-based polymers to mimic petroleum-based polymers, is believed to be an effective way to overcome the white pollution.
Lanthanide-MOFs as multifunctional luminescent sensors
Authors: Wang Sibo , Sun Bo , Su Zhongmin , Hong Guohui , Li Xiao , Liu Yanling , Pan Qingqing , Sun Jing
Published: May 2022

Eu-MOF and Tb-MOF can be used as multi-response fluorescent sensors. Meanwhile, dual emission luminescent thermometer films were successfully prepared by Eu and Tb doping, which manifests excellent temperature sensing performance.
Protonation-induced charge transfer and polaron formation in organic semiconductors doped by Lewis acids
Authors: Bauch Fabian , Dong Chuan-Ding , Schumacher Stefan
Published: May 2022

Lewis-acid doping of organic semiconductors (OSCs) opens up new ways of p-type doping and has recently become of significant interest.
A mononuclear nine-coordinated Dy(iii) complex exhibiting field-induced single-ion magnetism behaviour
Authors: Hu Biao , Xi Jing , Cen Peipei , Guo Yan , Ding Yi , Qin Yuanyuan , Zhang Yi-Quan , Liu Xiangyu
Published: May 2022

Reaction of Dy(iii) ion with tridentate acylhydrazone ligand leads to a field-induced Dy(iii) SIM, of which the magneto-structural correlation is elucidated by the magnetic and theoretical studies.
Mechanofluorochromism of (D–π–)2A-type azine-based fluorescent dyes
Authors: Takemura Kosuke , Imato Keiichi , Ooyama Yousuke
Published: May 2022

Bathochromic or hypsochromic shift-type mechanofluorochromism (b-MFC of h-MFC) was found for (D–π–)2A-type azine-based fluorescent dyes: grinding of the recrystallized dyes induced bathochromic or hypsochromic shifts of the fluorescence bands.
Unique orientation of 1D and 2D nanoparticle assemblies confined in smectic topological defects
Authors: Jeridi Haifa , Niyonzima Jean de Dieu , Sakr Charbel , Missaoui Amine , Shahini Sharif , Vlad Alina , Coati Alessandro , Goubet Nicolas , Royer Sébastien , Vickridge Ian , Goldmann Michel , Constantin Doru , Garreau Yves , Babonneau David , Croset Bernard , Gallas Bruno , Lhuillier Emmanuel , Lacaze Emmanuelle
Published: May 2022

We study the interactions between NPs and liquid crystal smectic topological defects that can ultimately lead to unique NP orientations.
Surface ligands influence the selectivity of cation uptake in polyoxovanadate–alkoxide clusters
Authors: Garwick Rachel E. , Schreiber Eric , Brennessel William W. , McKone James R. , Matson Ellen M.
Published: May 2022

Surface modification of polyoxovanadate–alkoxide clusters influences selectivity for Li+ in electrochemically induced cation uptake.
A tough organohydrogel-based multiresponsive sensor for a triboelectric nanogenerator and supercapacitor toward wearable intelligent devices
Authors: Hu Kui , Zhao Zhipeng , Wang Yingyue , Yu Longhuo , Liu Kai , Wu Hui , Huang Liulian , Chen Lihui , Ni Yonghao
Published: May 2022

Tough organohydrogel-based devices were developed by incorporating graphene oxide-functionalized MXene nanosheets into a polyvinyl alcohol matrix.
Organic electrolyte design for practical potassium-ion batteries
Authors: Mao Jianfeng , Wang Caoyu , Lyu Yanqiu , Zhang Ruizhi , Wang Yanyan , Liu Sailin , Wang Zhijie , Zhang Shilin , Guo Zaiping
Published: May 2022

In this review, recent electrolyte design strategies and progress are given, along with the discussion of relative key features and properties, as well as the practical design and considerations.
Li nucleation on the graphite anode under potential control in Li-ion batteries
Authors: Bhandari Arihant , Peng Chao , Dziedzic Jacek , Owen John R. , Kramer Denis , Skylaris Chris-Kriton
Published: May 2022

Li nucleation on graphite anode probed using large-scale grand-canonical density functional theory simulations in electrolyte environment under applied voltage in Li-ion batteries.
Unraveling the modified regulation of ternary substitution on Na3V2(PO4)3 for sodium ion batteries
Authors: Sun Shiqi , Chen Yanjun , Bai Qiang , Huang Que , Liu Changcheng , He Shengnan , Yang Yaxiong , Wang Yanzhong , Guo Li
Published: May 2022

The emergence of three-dimensional Na3V2(PO4)3 (NVP) has attracted a lot of attention due to its high reversible capacity and long voltage platform.
Progressively stimulating carrier motion over transient metal chalcogenide quantum dots towards solar-to-hydrogen conversion
Authors: Zhu Shi-Cheng , Wang Zi-Chen , Tang Bo , Liang Hao , Liu Bi-Jian , Li Shen , Chen Zhixin , Cheng Nian-Cai , Xiao Fang-Xing
Published: May 2022

Metal ion doping and MXene encapsulation for stimulating electron-withdrawing effect are harnessed to boost charge separation towards solar-to-hydrogen conversion.
One-stepin situdeposition of phytic acid–metal coordination complexes for combinedPorphyromonas gingivalisinfection prevention and osteogenic induction
Authors: Gan Ning , Qin Wei , Zhang Chunlei , Jiao Ting
Published: May 2022

This study proposed a one-step method for surface modification of dental implant, which showed excellent antibacterial effects, as well as improved osteogenic activities from osteogenic induction of cells andin situmineralization of hydroxyapatite.
Lithium intercalation mechanisms and critical role of multi-doping in LiFexMn2−x−yTiyO4 as high-capacity cathode material for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Callegari D. , Coduri M. , Fracchia M. , Ghigna P. , Braglia L. , Anselmi Tamburini U. , Quartarone E.
Published: May 2022

Novel dual-doping strategy for LMO based on partial substitution of Mn with Fe and Ti to design new CAMs for high-capacity cathodes. The cation disordering substitution of Mn allows cycling in a wide V range, higher capacity and improved stability.
High mobility n-type organic semiconductors with tunable exciton dynamics toward photo-stable and photo-sensitive transistors
Authors: Yu Li , Hu Yongxu , Li Jie , Wang Zhongwu , Zhang Haoquan , Huang Yinan , Lou Yunpeng , Sun Yajing , Lu Xueying , Liu Huapeng , Zheng Yingshuang , Wang Shuguang , Chen Xiaosong , Ji Deyang , Li Liqiang , Hu Wenping
Published: May 2022

High mobility n-type organic semiconductors with photo-stable and photo-sensitive characteristics.
Multiple-boron–nitrogen (multi-BN) doped π-conjugated systems for optoelectronics
Authors: Chen Xiaobin , Tan Dehui , Yang Deng-Tao
Published: May 2022

This review covers recent advances in multiple boron–nitrogen doped π-conjugated systems including their synthetic strategies and applications in optoelectronic devices.
The effects of the side-chain length of non-fullerene acceptors on their performance in all-small-molecule organic solar cells
Authors: Huang Fangfang , Meng Lingxian , Jiang Changzun , Liang Huazhe , Yang Yang , Wang Jian , Wan Xiangjian , Li Chenxi , Yao Zhaoyang , Chen Yongsheng
Published: May 2022

A series of acceptor–donor–acceptor type non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs), FCn-2Cl, with gradient substitution lengths of side chains (SCs) on molecular backbones, have been designed and synthesized for all-small-molecule organic solar cells (ASM-OSCs).
A 1D:2D structured AgNW:MXene composite transparent electrode with high mechanical robustness for flexible photovoltaics
Authors: Chen Weipeng , Zhang Ruijia , Yang Xia , Wang Hongyu , Yang Hanjun , Hu Xiaotian , Zhang Shaohua
Published: May 2022

MXene nanosheets weld the wire–wire junctions of a AgNW network to improve the FTE performance, and flexible PSCs and OPVs based on AgNW:MXene FTE exhibit a champion PCE of 20.22% and 16.03%, respectively.
Mg(H2O)6[(IO2(OH))2(IO3)]2: a new iodate with a very large band gap and optical anisotropy
Authors: Li Yang , Ok Kang Min
Published: May 2022

Centimeter-sized crystals of an iodate with a very large ultraviolet cutoff edge and optical anisotropy were discovered.
Persistent vascular congestion in male spontaneously hypertensive rats contributes to delayed recovery of renal function following renal ischemia perfusion compared with females
Authors: Mohamed Riyaz , Crislip Gene R. , McLarnon Sarah , Wei Qingqing , O’Connor Paul M. , Sullivan Jennifer C.
Published: May 2022

Acute kidney injury (AKI) due to ischemia is a serious and frequent clinical complication with mortality rates as high as 80%. Vascular congestion in the renal outer medulla occurs early after ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury, and congestion has been linked to worsened outcomes following IR. There is evidence implicating both male sex and preexisting hypertension as risk factors for poor outcomes following IR. The present study tested the hypothesis that male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) have greater vascular congestion and impaired renal recovery following renal IR vs. female SHR and normotensive male Sprague-Dawley rats (SD). Thirteen-week-old male and female SHR and SD were subjected to sham surgery or 30 min of warm bilateral ischemia followed by reperfusion. Rats were euthanized 24 h or 7 days post-IR. IR increased renal injury in all groups vs. sham controls at 24 h. At 7 days post-IR, injury remained elevated only in male SHR. Histological examination of SD and SHR kidneys 24 h post-IR showed vascular congestion in males and females. Vascular congestion was sustained only in male SHR 7 days post-IR. To assess the role of vascular congestion on impaired recovery following IR, additional male and female SHR were pretreated with heparin (200 U/kg) prior to IR. Heparin pretreatment reduced IR-induced vascular congestion and improved renal function in male SHR 7 days post-IR. Interestingly, preventing increases in blood pressure (BP) in male SHR did not alter sustained vascular congestion. Our data demonstrate that IR-induced vascular congestion is a major driving factor for impaired renal recovery in male SHR.
Online Assessment of Speech Perception and Auditory Spectrotemporal Processing in Spanish–English Bilinguals
Authors: Hisagi Miwako , Baker Melissa , Alvarado Elizabeth , Shafiro Valeriy
Published: May 2022

Purpose:

There is limited access to audiology services for the growing population of Spanish–English bilinguals in the United States. Online auditory testing can potentially provide a cost-effective alternative to in-person visits. However, even for bilinguals with high English proficiency, age of English acquisition may affect speech perception accuracy. This study used a comprehensive test battery to assess speech perception and spectrotemporal processing abilities in Spanish–English bilinguals and to evaluate susceptibility of different tests to effects of native language.

Method:

The online battery comprised three tests of speech in quiet (vowel and consonant identification and words in sentences), four tests of speech perception in noise (two for intelligibility and two for comprehension), and three tests of spectrotemporal processing (two tests of stochastically modulated pattern discrimination and one test of spectral resolution). Participants were 28 adult Spanish–English bilinguals whose English acquisition began either early (≤ 6 years old) or late (≥ 7 years old) and 18 English monolingual speakers.

Results:

Significant differences were found in six of the 10 tests. The differences were most pronounced for vowel perception in quiet, speech-in-noise test, and two tests of speech comprehension in noise. Late bilinguals consistently scored lower than native English speakers or early bilinguals. In contrast, no differences between groups were observed for digits-in-noise or three tests of spectrotemporal processing abilities.

Conclusion:

The findings suggest initial feasibility of online assessment in this population and can inform selection of tests for auditory assessment of Spanish–English bilinguals.
Mentoring a Voice-Specialized Clinical Fellowship
Authors: Braden Maia Nystrum
Published: May 2022

Purpose:

The purpose of this clinical focus article was to describe the experiences and recommended components of clinical fellow mentorship in voice and upper airway disorders.

Method:

Information is provided on the pathway to mentorship taken by this writer. Recommendations taken from the literature and the writer's experience in mentorship are provided. Skills in supervision, collaboration, and communication between mentor and fellow are highlighted.

Conclusion:

Clear communication and expectations, individualized supervision and feedback, and the knowledge and skills of the mentor are essential in training clinicians in the specialized area of voice and upper airway disorders.
Polarimetric investigation of selected cloud compositions in exoplanetary atmospheres
Authors: Lietzow M. , Wolf S.
Published: May 2022

Aims. We investigated the impact of selected cloud condensates in exoplanetary atmospheres on the polarization of scattered stellar radiation.

Methods. We considered a selection of 25 cloud condensates that are expected to be present in extrasolar planetary atmospheres. Using the three-dimensional Monte Carlo radiative transfer code POLARIS and assuming Mie scattering theory, we calculated and studied the net polarization of scattered radiation as a function of planetary phase angle at optical to near-infrared wavelengths (0.3 μm to 1 μm).

Results. In addition to the well-known characteristics in the state of polarization, such as the rainbow determined by the real part of the refractive index, the behavior of the underlying imaginary part of the refractive index causes an increase or decrease in the degree of polarization and a change of sign in the polarization at a characteristic wavelength. In contrast to Al2O3 and MgFeSiO4, clouds composed of SiO, MnS, Na2S, or ZnS produce a rapidly decreasing degree of polarization with increasing wavelength in the context of an exoplanetary atmosphere. Furthermore, the sign of the polarization changes at a wavelength of about 0.5 μm to 0.6 μm, depending on the specific cloud condensate. The resulting net polarization is mainly positive for cloud compositions with large imaginary parts of the refractive index, such as Fe, FeS, and FeO. In addition, for Fe and FeS clouds, the maximum degree of polarization at long wavelengths is shifted to larger phase angles than for FeO.

Conclusions. We found that most of these cloud condensates, such as chlorides, sulfides, or silicates, are distinguishable from each other due to their unique wavelength-dependent complex refractive index. In particular, an increase or decrease of the net polarization as a function of wavelength and a change of sign in the polarization at specific wavelengths are important features for characterizing cloud compositions in exoplanetary atmospheres.
A new low-luminosity globular cluster discovered in the Milky Way with the VVVX survey
Authors: Garro E. R. , Minniti D. , Gómez M. , Fernández-Trincado J. G. , Alonso-García J. , Hempel M. , Zelada Bacigalupo R.
Published: May 2022

Context. The VISTA Variables in the Via Láctea Extended Survey (VVVX) allows us to probe previously unexplored regions of the inner Milky Way (MW), especially those that are affected by stellar crowding and strong extinction.

Aims. Our long-term goal is to identify new star clusters and investigate them to reveal their true nature. In particular, we are looking for new candidate globular clusters (GCs) located in the Galactic bulge and disk, with the aim of completing the census of the MW GC system.

Methods. We searched and characterised new GCs, using a combination of the near-infrared (IR) VVVX survey and Two Micron All Sky survey (2MASS) datasets, and the optical Gaia Early Data Release 3 (EDR3) photometry and its precise proper motions (PMs).

Results. We report the discovery of a new Galactic GC, named Garro 02, situated at RA = 18:05:51.1, Dec = −17:42:02 and l = 12.°042, b = +1.°656. Performing a PM-decontamination procedure, we built a final catalogue with all cluster members, on which we performed a photometric analysis. We calculated a reddening of E(J − Ks) = 1.07 ± 0.06 mag and extinction of AKs = 0.79 ± 0.04 mag in the near-IR; while E(BP − RP) = 2.40 ± 0.01 mag and AG = 4.80 ± 0.02 mag in optical passbands. Its heliocentric distance is D = 5.6 ± 0.8 kpc, which places Garro 02 at a Galactocentric distance of RG = 2.9 kpc and Z = 0.006 kpc above the Galactic plane. We also estimated the metallicity and age by comparison with known GCs and by fitting PARSEC isochrones, finding [Fe/H] = −1.30 ± 0.2 dex and age = 12 ± 2 Gyr. We derived the mean cluster PM of (µα*,µδ) = (−6.07 ± 0.62, −6.15 ± 0.75) mas yr−1. We calculated the cluster luminosity in the near-IR of MKs = −7.52 ± 1.23 mag, which is equivalent to MV = −5.44 mag. The core and tidal radii from the radial density profile are rc = 1.25 ± 0.27 arcmin (2.07 pc) and rt = 7.13 ± 3.83 arcmin (11.82 pc), respectively.

Conclusions. We confirm Garro 02 as a new genuine Galactic GC, located in the MW bulge. It is a low-luminosity, metal-poor, and old GC, and it is a lucky survivor of the strong dynamical processes that occurred during the MW’s entire life.