bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Retinal blood flow dysregulation precedes neural retinal dysfunction in type 2 diabetic mice
Authors: Hanaguri Junya , Yokota Harumasa , Watanabe Masahisa , Yamagami Satoru , Kushiyama Akifumi , Kuo Lih , Nagaoka Taiji
Published: September 2021

We investigated and compared the susceptibility of retinal blood flow regulation and neural function in mice developing type 2 diabetes. The longitudinal changes in retinal neuronal function and blood flow responses to a 10-min systemic hyperoxia and a 3-min flicker stimulation were evaluated every 2 weeks in diabetic db/db mice and nondiabetic controls (db/m) from age 8 to 20 weeks. The retinal blood flow and neural activity were assessed using laser speckle flowgraphy and electroretinography (ERG), respectively. The db/db mice had significantly higher blood glucose levels and body weight. The resting retinal blood flow was steady and comparable between two groups throughout the study. Hyperoxia elicited a consistent decrease, and flicker light an increase, in retinal blood flow in db/m mice independent of age. However, these flow responses were significantly diminished in db/db mice at 8 weeks old and then the mice became unresponsive to stimulations at 12 weeks. Subsequently, the ERG implicit time for oscillatory potential was significantly increased at 14 weeks of age while the a-wave and b-wave amplitudes and implicit times remained unchanged. The deficiencies of flow regulation and neurovascular coupling in the retina appear to precede neural dysfunction in the mouse with type 2 diabetes.
Speckle reduction in ultrasound endoscopy using refraction based elevational angular compounding
Authors: Afshari Parastoo , Zakian Christian , Bachmann Jeannine , Ntziachristos Vasilis
Published: September 2021

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is a safe, real-time diagnostic and therapeutic tool. Speckle noise, inherent to ultrasonography, degrades the diagnostic precision of EUS. Elevational angular compounding (EAC) can provide real-time speckle noise reduction; however, EAC has never been applied to EUS because current implementations require costly and bulky arrays and are incompatible with the tight spatial constraints of hollow organs. Here we develop a radial implementation of a refraction-based elevational angular compounding technique (REACT) for EUS and demonstrate for the first time spatial compounding in a radial endoscopy. The proposed implementation was investigated in cylindrical phantoms and demonstrated superior suppression of ultrasound speckle noise and up to a two-fold improvement in signal- and contrast- ratios, compared to standard image processing techniques and averaging. The effect of elevational angular deflection on image fidelity was further investigated in a phantom with lymph node-like structures to determine the optimum elevational angular width for high speckle reduction efficiency while maintaining image fidelity. This study introduces REACT as a potential compact and low-cost solution to impart current radial echo-endoscopes with spatial compounding, which could enable accurate identification and precise sizing of lymph nodes in staging of gastrointestinal tract cancers.
Compound climate extremes driving recent sub-continental tree mortality in northern Australia have no precedent in recent centuries
Authors: Allen Kathryn J. , Verdon-Kidd Danielle C. , Sippo James Z. , Baker Patrick J.
Published: September 2021

Compound climate extremes (CCEs) can have significant and persistent environmental impacts on ecosystems. However, knowledge of the occurrence of CCEs beyond the past ~ 50 years, and hence their ecological impacts, is limited. Here, we place the widespread 2015–16 mangrove dieback and the more recent 2020 inland native forest dieback events in northern Australia into a longer historical context using locally relevant palaeoclimate records. Over recent centuries, multiple occurrences of analogous antecedent and coincident climate conditions associated with the mangrove dieback event were identified in this compilation. However, rising sea level—a key antecedent condition—over the three decades prior to the mangrove dieback is unprecedented in the past 220 years. Similarly, dieback in inland forests and savannas was associated with a multi-decadal wetting trend followed by the longest and most intense drought conditions of the past 250 years, coupled with rising temperatures. While many ecological communities may have experienced CCEs in past centuries, the addition of new environmental stressors associated with varying aspects of global change may exceed their thresholds of resilience. Palaeoclimate compilations provide the much-needed longer term context to better assess frequency and changes in some types of CCEs and their environmental impacts.
PITX1 inhibits the growth and proliferation of melanoma cells through regulation of SOX family genes
Authors: Ohira Takahito , Nakagawa Suguru , Takeshita Jumpei , Aburatani Hiroyuki , Kugoh Hiroyuki
Published: September 2021

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive types of cancer wherein resistance to treatment prevails. Therefore, it is important to discover novel molecular targets of melanoma progression as potential treatments. Here we show that paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 1 (PITX1) plays a crucial role in the inhibition of melanoma progression through regulation of SRY-box transcription factors (SOX) gene family mRNA transcription. Overexpression of PITX1 in melanoma cell lines resulted in a reduction in cell proliferation and an increase in apoptosis. Additionally, analysis of protein levels revealed an antagonistic cross-regulation between SOX9 and SOX10. Interestingly, PITX1 binds to the SOX9 promoter region as a positive regulatory transcription factor; PITX1 mRNA expression levels were positively correlated with SOX9 expression, and negatively correlated with SOX10 expression in melanoma tissues. Furthermore, transcription of the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), survival-associated mitochondrial melanoma-specific oncogenic noncoding RNA (SAMMSON), was decreased in PITX1-overexpressing cells. Taken together, the findings in this study indicate that PITX1 may act as a negative regulatory factor in the development and progression of melanoma via direct targeting of the SOX signaling.
Radiomics-based model for predicting early recurrence of intrahepatic mass-forming cholangiocarcinoma after curative tumor resection
Authors: Zhu Yong , Mao Yingfan , Chen Jun , Qiu Yudong , Guan Yue , Wang Zhongqiu , He Jian
Published: September 2021

To investigate the ability of CT-based radiomics signature for pre-and postoperatively predicting the early recurrence of intrahepatic mass-forming cholangiocarcinoma (IMCC) and develop radiomics-based prediction models. Institutional review board approved this study. Clinicopathological characteristics, contrast-enhanced CT images, and radiomics features of 125 IMCC patients (35 with early recurrence and 90 with non-early recurrence) were retrospectively reviewed. In the training set of 92 patients, preoperative model, pathological model, and combined model were developed by multivariate logistic regression analysis to predict the early recurrence (≤ 6 months) of IMCC, and the prediction performance of different models were compared using the Delong test. The developed models were validated by assessing their prediction performance in test set of 33 patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified solitary, differentiation, energy- arterial phase (AP), inertia-AP, and percentile50th-portal venous phase (PV) to construct combined model for predicting early recurrence of IMCC [the area under the curve (AUC) = 0.917; 95% CI 0.840–0.965]. While the AUC of pathological model and preoperative model were 0.741 (95% CI 0.637–0.828) and 0.844 (95% CI 0.751–0.912), respectively. The AUC of the combined model was significantly higher than that of the preoperative model (p = 0.049) or pathological model (p = 0.002) in training set. In test set, the combined model also showed higher prediction performance. CT-based radiomics signature is a powerful predictor for early recurrence of IMCC. Preoperative model (constructed with homogeneity-AP and standard deviation-AP) and combined model (constructed with solitary, differentiation, energy-AP, inertia-AP, and percentile50th-PV) can improve the accuracy for pre-and postoperatively predicting the early recurrence of IMCC.
Hybrid derivative of cathelicidin and human beta defensin-2 against Gram-positive bacteria: A novel approach for the treatment of bacterial keratitis
Authors: Ting Darren Shu Jeng , Goh Eunice Tze Leng , Mayandi Venkatesh , Busoy Joanna M. F. , Aung Thet Tun , Periayah Mercy Halleluyah , Nubile Mario , Mastropasqua Leonardo , Said Dalia G. , Htoon Hla M. , Barathi Veluchamy Amutha , Beuerman Roger W. , Lakshminarayanan Rajamani , Mohammed Imran , Dua Harminder S.
Published: September 2021

Bacterial keratitis (BK) is a major cause of corneal blindness globally. This study aimed to develop a novel class of antimicrobial therapy, based on human-derived hybrid host defense peptides (HyHDPs), for treating BK. HyHDPs were rationally designed through combination of functional amino acids in parent HDPs, including LL-37 and human beta-defensin (HBD)-1 to -3. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and time-kill kinetics assay were performed to determine the concentration- and time-dependent antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity was evaluated against human corneal epithelial cells and erythrocytes. In vivo safety and efficacy of the most promising peptide was examined in the corneal wound healing and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC SA29213) keratitis murine models, respectively. A second-generation HyHDP (CaD23), based on rational hybridization of the middle residues of LL-37 and C-terminal of HBD-2, was developed and was shown to demonstrate good efficacy against methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant S. aureus [MIC = 12.5–25.0 μg/ml (5.2–10.4 μM)] and S. epidermidis [MIC = 12.5 μg/ml (5.2 μM)], and moderate efficacy against P. aeruginosa [MIC = 25-50 μg/ml (10.4–20.8 μM)]. CaD23 (at 25 μg/ml or 2× MIC) killed all the bacteria within 30 min, which was 8 times faster than amikacin (25 μg/ml or 20× MIC). After 10 consecutive passages, S. aureus (ATCC SA29213) did not develop any antimicrobial resistance (AMR) against CaD23 whereas it developed significant AMR (i.e. a 32-fold increase in MIC) against amikacin, a commonly used treatment for BK. Pre-clinical murine studies showed that CaD23 (0.5 mg/ml) achieved a median reduction of S. aureus bioburden by 94% (or 1.2 log10 CFU/ml) while not impeding corneal epithelial wound healing. In conclusion, rational hybridization of human-derived HDPs has led to generation of a potentially efficacious and safe topical antimicrobial agent for treating Gram-positive BK, with no/minimal risk of developing AMR.
Atypical for northern ungulates, energy metabolism is lowest during summer in female wild boars (Sus scrofa)
Authors: Ruf Thomas , Vetter Sebastian G. , Painer Johanna , Stalder Gabrielle , Bieber Claudia
Published: September 2021

Typically, large ungulates show a single seasonal peak of heart rate, a proxy of energy expenditure, in early summer. Different to other large ungulates, wild boar females had peak heart rates early in the year (at ~ April, 1), which likely indicates high costs of reproduction. This peak was followed by a trough over summer and a secondary summit in autumn/early winter, which coincided with the mast seeding of oak trees and the mating season. Wild boars counteracted the effects of cold temperatures by decreasing subcutaneous body temperature by peripheral vasoconstriction. They also passively gained solar radiation energy by basking in the sun. However, the shape of the seasonal rhythm in HR indicates that it was apparently not primarily caused by thermoregulatory costs but by the costs of reproduction. Wild boar farrow early in the year, visible in high HRs and sudden changes in intraperitoneal body temperature of females. Arguably, a prerequisite for this early reproduction as well as for high energy metabolism over winter is the broad variety of food consumed by this species, i.e., the omnivorous lifestyle. Extremely warm and dry summers, as experienced during the study years (2017, 2018), may increasingly become a bottleneck for food intake of wild boar.
Rapid MRSA detection via tandem mass spectrometry of the intact 80 kDa PBP2a resistance protein
Authors: Neil Jason R. , Verma Arvind , Kronewitter Scott R. , McGee William M. , Mullen Christopher , Viirtola Marjaana , Kotovuori Annika , Friedrich Herdis , Finell Johan , Rannisto Joni , Syka John E. P. , Stephenson James L.
Published: September 2021

Treatment of antibiotic-resistant infections is dependent on the detection of specific bacterial genes or proteins in clinical assays. Identification of methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) is often accomplished through the detection of penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a). With greater dependence on mass spectrometry (MS)-based bacterial identification, complementary efforts to detect resistance have been hindered by the complexity of those proteins responsible. Initial characterization of PBP2a indicates the presence of glycan modifications. To simplify detection, we demonstrate a proof-of-concept tandem MS approach involving the generation of N-terminal PBP2a peptide-like fragments and detection of unique product ions during top-down proteomic sample analyses. This approach was implemented for two PBP2a variants, PBP2amecAand PBP2amecC, and was accurate across a representative panel of MRSA strains with different genetic backgrounds. Additionally, PBP2amecAwas successfully detected from clinical isolates using a five-minute liquid chromatographic separation and implementation of this MS detection strategy. Our results highlight the capability of direct MS-based resistance marker detection and potential advantages for implementing these approaches in clinical diagnostics.
Porphyromonas gingivalis induces entero-hepatic metabolic derangements with alteration of gut microbiota in a type 2 diabetes mouse model
Authors: Kashiwagi Yoichiro , Aburaya Shunsuke , Sugiyama Naoyuki , Narukawa Yuki , Sakamoto Yuta , Takahashi Masatomo , Uemura Hayato , Yamashita Rentaro , Tominaga Shotaro , Hayashi Satoko , Nozaki Takenori , Yamada Satoru , Izumi Yoshihiro , Kashiwagi Atsunori , Bamba Takeshi , Ishihama Yasushi , Murakami Shinya
Published: September 2021

Periodontal infection induces systemic inflammation; therefore, aggravating diabetes. Orally administered periodontal pathogens may directly alter the gut microbiota. We orally treated obese db/db diabetes mice using Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg). We screened for Pg-specific peptides in the intestinal fecal specimens and examined whether Pg localization influenced the intestinal microbiota profile, in turn altering the levels of the gut metabolites. We evaluated whether the deterioration in fasting hyperglycemia was related to the changes in the intrahepatic glucose metabolism, using proteome and metabolome analyses. Oral Pg treatment aggravated both fasting and postprandial hyperglycemia (P < 0.05), with a significant (P < 0.01) increase in dental alveolar bone resorption. Pg-specific peptides were identified in fecal specimens following oral Pg treatment. The intestinal Pg profoundly altered the gut microbiome profiles at the phylum, family, and genus levels; Prevotella exhibited the largest increase in abundance. In addition, Pg-treatment significantly altered intestinal metabolite levels. Fasting hyperglycemia was associated with the increase in the levels of gluconeogenesis-related enzymes and metabolites without changes in the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and insulin resistance. Oral Pg administration induced gut microbiota changes, leading to entero-hepatic metabolic derangements, thus aggravating hyperglycemia in an obese type 2 diabetes mouse model.
Facilitation of object encoding in infants by the observation of giving
Authors: Tatone Denis , Hernik Mikołaj , Csibra Gergely
Published: September 2021

We propose that humans are prepared to interpret giving as a diagnostic cue of reciprocal–exchange relations from infancy. A prediction following from this hypothesis is that infants will represent the identity of an object they see being given, because this information is critical for evaluating potential future reciprocation. Across three looking-time experiments we tested whether the observation of a transfer action induces 12-month-olds to encode the identity of a single object handled by an agent. We found that infants encoded the object identity when the agent gave the object (Experiment 1), but not when she took it (Experiment 2), despite being able to represent the goal of both actions (Experiments 1 and 3). Consistent with our hypothesis, these results suggest that the infants’ representation of giving comprises information necessary for comparing the value of transferred goods across sharing episodes.
Biomolecular simulation based machine learning models accurately predict sites of tolerability to the unnatural amino acid acridonylalanine
Authors: Giannakoulias Sam , Shringari Sumant R. , Ferrie John J. , Petersson E. James
Published: September 2021

The incorporation of unnatural amino acids (Uaas) has provided an avenue for novel chemistries to be explored in biological systems. However, the successful application of Uaas is often hampered by site-specific impacts on protein yield and solubility. Although previous efforts to identify features which accurately capture these site-specific effects have been unsuccessful, we have developed a set of novel Rosetta Custom Score Functions and alternative Empirical Score Functions that accurately predict the effects of acridon-2-yl-alanine (Acd) incorporation on protein yield and solubility. Acd-containing mutants were simulated in PyRosetta, and machine learning (ML) was performed using either the decomposed values of the Rosetta energy function, or changes in residue contacts and bioinformatics. Using these feature sets, which represent Rosetta score function specific and bioinformatics-derived terms, ML models were trained to predict highly abstract experimental parameters such as mutant protein yield and solubility and displayed robust performance on well-balanced holdouts. Model feature importance analyses demonstrated that terms corresponding to hydrophobic interactions, desolvation, and amino acid angle preferences played a pivotal role in predicting tolerance of mutation to Acd. Overall, this work provides evidence that the application of ML to features extracted from simulated structural models allow for the accurate prediction of diverse and abstract biological phenomena, beyond the predictivity of traditional modeling and simulation approaches.
Purkinje cells located in the adult zebrafish valvula cerebelli exhibit variable functional responses
Authors: Chang Weipang , Pedroni Andrea , Köster Reinhard W. , Giacomello Stefania , Ampatzis Konstantinos
Published: September 2021

Purkinje cells are critically involved in processing the cerebellar functions by shaping and coordinating commands that they receive. Here, we demonstrate experimentally that in the adult zebrafish valvular part of the cerebellum, the Purkinje cells exhibited variable firing and functional responses and allowed the categorization into three firing classes. Compared with the Purkinje cells in the corpus cerebelli, the valvular Purkinje cells receive weak and occasional input from the inferior olive and are not active during locomotion. Together, our findings expand further the regional functional differences of the Purkinje cell population and expose their non-locomotor functionality.
A deep transfer learning approach for wearable sleep stage classification with photoplethysmography
Authors: Radha Mustafa , Fonseca Pedro , Moreau Arnaud , Ross Marco , Cerny Andreas , Anderer Peter , Long Xi , Aarts Ronald M.
Published: September 2021

Unobtrusive home sleep monitoring using wrist-worn wearable photoplethysmography (PPG) could open the way for better sleep disorder screening and health monitoring. However, PPG is rarely included in large sleep studies with gold-standard sleep annotation from polysomnography. Therefore, training data-intensive state-of-the-art deep neural networks is challenging. In this work a deep recurrent neural network is first trained using a large sleep data set with electrocardiogram (ECG) data (292 participants, 584 recordings) to perform 4-class sleep stage classification (wake, rapid-eye-movement, N1/N2, and N3). A small part of its weights is adapted to a smaller, newer PPG data set (60 healthy participants, 101 recordings) through three variations of transfer learning. Best results (Cohen’s kappa of 0.65 ± 0.11, accuracy of 76.36 ± 7.57%) were achieved with the domain and decision combined transfer learning strategy, significantly outperforming the PPG-trained and ECG-trained baselines. This performance for PPG-based 4-class sleep stage classification is unprecedented in literature, bringing home sleep stage monitoring closer to clinical use. The work demonstrates the merit of transfer learning in developing reliable methods for new sensor technologies by reusing similar, older non-wearable data sets. Further study should evaluate our approach in patients with sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnoea.
Explainable artificial intelligence based analysis for interpreting infant fNIRS data in developmental cognitive neuroscience
Authors: Andreu-Perez Javier , Emberson Lauren L. , Kiani Mehrin , Filippetti Maria Laura , Hagras Hani , Rigato Silvia
Published: September 2021

In the last decades, non-invasive and portable neuroimaging techniques, such as functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), have allowed researchers to study the mechanisms underlying the functional cognitive development of the human brain, thus furthering the potential of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience (DCN). However, the traditional paradigms used for the analysis of infant fNIRS data are still quite limited. Here, we introduce a multivariate pattern analysis for fNIRS data, xMVPA, that is powered by eXplainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI). The proposed approach is exemplified in a study that investigates visual and auditory processing in six-month-old infants. xMVPA not only identified patterns of cortical interactions, which confirmed the existent literature; in the form of conceptual linguistic representations, it also provided evidence for brain networks engaged in the processing of visual and auditory stimuli that were previously overlooked by other methods, while demonstrating similar statistical performance.
Nrf2 activation does not affect adenoma development in a mouse model of colorectal cancer
Authors: Knatko Elena V. , Castro Cecilia , Higgins Maureen , Zhang Ying , Honda Tadashi , Henderson Colin J. , Wolf C. Roland , Griffin Julian L. , Dinkova-Kostova Albena T.
Published: September 2021

Transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its main negative regulator, Kelch-like ECH associated protein 1 (Keap1), are at the interface between redox and intermediary metabolism. Nrf2 activation is protective in models of human disease and has benefits in clinical trials. Consequently, the Keap1/Nrf2 protein complex is a drug target. However, in cancer Nrf2 plays a dual role, raising concerns that Nrf2 activators may promote growth of early neoplasms. To address this concern, we examined the role of Nrf2 in development of colorectal adenomas by employing genetic, pharmacological, and metabolomic approaches. We found that colorectal adenomas that form in Gstp−/−: ApcMin/+ mice are characterized by altered one-carbon metabolism and that genetic activation, but not disruption of Nrf2, enhances these metabolic alterations. However, this enhancement is modest compared to the magnitude of metabolic differences between tumor and peri-tumoral tissues, suggesting that the metabolic changes conferred by Nrf2 activation may have little contribution to the early stages of carcinogenesis. Indeed, neither genetic (by Keap1 knockdown) nor pharmacological Nrf2 activation, nor its disruption, affected colorectal adenoma formation in this model. We conclude that pharmacological Nrf2 activation is unlikely to impact the early stages of development of colorectal cancer.
Electrochemical topological transformation of polysiloxanes
Authors: Oka Minami , Honda Satoshi
Published: September 2021

Coupling reactions between polymers are an important class of chemical modifications for changing, enhancing, and tuning the properties of polymeric materials. In particular, transformation of polymer topologies based on efficient, facile and less wasted coupling reactions remains a significant challenge. Here, we report coupling reactions based on electrochemical oxidation of 2,4,5-triphenylimidazole into a 2,4,5-triphenylimidazolyl radical and its spontaneous dimerization into hexaarylbiimidazole. Based on this chemistry, electrochemical topological transformation (ETT) and electrochemical chain extension have been realized with siloxane-based oligomers and polymers. Moreover, this approach enables one step ETT of star-shaped poly(dimethyl siloxane)s (PDMSs) into network PDMSs, running in an ionic liquid solvent and requiring no purification steps.
Modulation of ocean acidification by decadal climate variability in the Gulf of Alaska
Authors: Hauri Claudine , Pagès Rémi , McDonnell Andrew M. P. , Stuecker Malte F. , Danielson Seth L. , Hedstrom Katherine , Irving Brita , Schultz Cristina , Doney Scott C.
Published: September 2021

Uptake of anthropogenic carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by the surface ocean is leading to global ocean acidification, but regional variations in ocean circulation and mixing can dampen or accelerate apparent acidification rates. Here we use a regional ocean model simulation for the years 1980 to 2013 and observational data to investigate how ocean fluctuations impact acidification rates in surface waters of the Gulf of Alaska. We find that large-scale atmospheric forcing influenced local winds and upwelling strength, which in turn affected ocean acidification rate. Specifically, variability in local wind stress curl depressed sea surface height in the subpolar gyre over decade-long intervals, which increased upwelling of nitrate- and dissolved inorganic carbon-rich waters and enhanced apparent ocean acidification rates. We define this sea surface height variability as the Northern Gulf of Alaska Oscillation and suggest that it can cause extreme acidification events that are detrimental to ecosystem health and fisheries.
Development and validation of a multi-residue method for the simultaneous analysis of brominated and organophosphate flame retardants, organochlorine pesticides, and polycyclic aromatic compounds in household dust
Authors: Zhang Wenrui , Wang Yonghui , Hao Meilu , Kong Biao , Liang Peng , Yang Yan , Ma Shengtao
Published: September 2021

A multi-residue analysis of 20 organochlorine pesticides, 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, 8 polybrominated diphenyl ethers, 3 hexabromocyclododecane, 8 synthetic musks , and 7 organophosphate esters in indoor dusts was developed and evaluated.
Pressure and temperature dependences of the canting angle and increase in the magnetic ordering temperature, Tc(P), for the weak ferromagnet Li+[TCNE]˙− (TCNE = tetracyanoethylene)
Authors: Davidson Royce A. , Miller Joel S.
Published: September 2021

Li[TCNE] is a weak ferromagnet whose canting angle, α, as a function of temperature and pressure, α(T) and α(P), have similar but unexpected dependencies that are attributed to a competition between the intra- and interlayer C⋯N interlattice.
Enhanced stability and controlled gastrointestinal digestion of β-carotene loaded Pickering emulsions with particle–particle complex interfaces
Authors: Wei Yang , Zhang Liang , Liao Wenyan , Mao Like , Zhang Mengke , Guo Xiaodong , Huang Cancan , Han Haizhen , Mackie Alan , Gao Yanxiang
Published: September 2021

We used large, rigid, and hydrophilic zein-propylene glycol alginate composite particles (ZPCPs) and small, soft, and hydrophobic whey protein microgel (WPM) particles to synergistically stabilize a Pickering emulsion for delivery of β-carotene.
Pharmacokinetic and excretion study of Aronia melanocarpa anthocyanins bound to amylopectin nanoparticles and their main metabolites using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Tong Yuqi , Ma Yan , Kong Yanwen , Deng Haotian , Wan Meizhi , Tan Chang , Wang Mingyue , Li Li , Meng Xianjun
Published: September 2021

Anthocyanins of Aronia melanocarpa are known for their therapeutic properties; however, they are unstable and easily degrade in the environment and in vivo.
Rational design and controllable synthesis of polymer aerogel-based single-atom catalysts with high loading
Authors: Chen Zhi , Zhang Shu , Yang Jian , Chen Cheng , Song Yaochen , Xu Caili , Wu Mengqiang , Liao Jiaxuan
Published: September 2021

Recently, single-atom catalysts (SACs) are of great interest in the field of catalysis.
Visible light active Zr- and N-doped TiO2 coupled g-C3N4 heterojunction nanosheets as a photocatalyst for the degradation of bromoxynil and Rh B along with the H2 evolution process
Authors: Pahi Souman , Sahu Sumanta , Singh Satish Kumar , Behera Abhijit , Patel Raj Kishore
Published: September 2021

The light harvesting abilities of TiO2 has been drastically increased by creating a defect level with doping using zirconium (Zr) and nitrogen (N).
A multimodal strategy of Fe3O4@ZIF-8/GOx@MnO2hybrid nanozymeviaTME modulation for tumor therapy
Authors: Zhang Yu , Yang Yifeng , Shi Jinsheng , Wang Lili
Published: September 2021

TME-responsive FZGM hybrid as a nanozyme to the trigger cascade catalytic reaction for cancer therapy.
A Cr-FeOOH@Ni–P/NF binder-free electrode as an excellent oxygen evolution reaction electrocatalyst
Authors: Xu Siran , Du Yeshuang , Yu Xin , Wang Zhe , Cheng Xiaohong , Liu Qian , Luo Yonglan , Sun Xuping , Wu Qi
Published: September 2021

The refinement of Cr-FeOOH@Ni–P/NF nanoparticles on a three-dimensional electrode is successfully achieved, thereby exhibiting unprecedented electrocatalytic OER performance and robust stability.
A novel battery separator coated by a europium oxide/carbon nanocomposite enhances the performance of lithium sulfur batteries
Authors: Peng Lin , Yu Zhanjiang , Zhang Mingkun , Zhen Shunying , Shen Junhao , Chang Yu , Wang Yi , Deng Yuanfu , Li Aiju
Published: September 2021

Eu2O3 with oxygen-vacancy defects and porous carbon skeleton could provide active sites for catalyzing polysulfide conversion and polysulfide trapping.
Star-shaped colloidal PbS nanocrystals: structural evolution and growth mechanism
Authors: Abu-Hariri Azhar , Budniak Adam K. , Horani Faris , Lifshitz Efrat
Published: September 2021

Tailoring of branched structures in the shape of stars based on PbS semiconductor, revealing the reaction mechanism and controlling factors that dictate their morphology and associated optical properties.
Enhancing the chloramphenicol sensing performance of Cu–MoS2 nanocomposite-based electrochemical nanosensors: roles of phase composition and copper loading amount
Authors: Anh Nguyen Tuan , Dinh Ngo Xuan , Pham Tuyet Nhung , Vinh Le Khanh , Tung Le Minh , Le Anh-Tuan
Published: September 2021

In this work, we clarify the roles of phase composition and copper loading amount on the CAP sensing performance of Cu–MoS2 nanocomposite-based electrochemical nanosensors.
Correction: An indenocarbazole-based host material for solution processable green phosphorescent organic light emitting diodes
Authors: Park Eun Young , Lee Da Hwan , Le Thi Na , Shin Chol-Min , Lee Jihoon , Suh Min Chul
Published: September 2021

Correction for ‘An indenocarbazole-based host material for solution processable green phosphorescent organic light emitting diodes’ by Eun Young Park et al., RSC Adv., 2021, 11, 29115–29123. DOI: 10.1039/D1RA04855D.
Considerations of sample size in chemistry education research: numbers do count but context matters more!
Authors: Lawrie Gwendolyn
Published: September 2021

A question which often arises for chemistry education researchers, and is also frequently raised by reviewers of Chemistry Education Research and Practice (CERP) articles, is whether a research data sample size (N) is big enough? However, the answer to this question is more complicated than a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’! In fact, there is substantial discussion of this issue within research literature which can make it even harder for a researcher to decide.
Electric polarizability of metallodielectric Janus particles in electrolyte solutions
Authors: Behdani Behrouz , Wang Kun , Silvera Batista Carlos A.
Published: September 2021

Experiments and transport analysis describe the electric polarizability of JPs in a wide range of frequencies.
Underwater TDOA/AOA joint localization algorithm based on hybrid invasive weed optimization algorithm
Authors: Zhang Zhenkai , Lin Yunhang , Jin Biao
Published: September 2021

In order to achieve precise localization in the underwater environment, an underwater localization method based on hybrid invasive weed algorithm is proposed. First, considering the insufficient local search capability of the invasive weed algorithm, the salp swarm algorithm is used to pre‐process the initial population, the position and velocity update formulas are employed to further improve the search depth, and the hybrid invasive weed algorithm is obtained. Then, the localization error is designed as the objective function to obtain the initial value of the source, and a new localization model is built using the initial values and interference parameters. Finally, an improved two‐step weighted least square method is used to obtain the precise location of the source. The performance of the algorithm is also verified by comparisons with Cramer‐Rao Lower Bound. Simulation experiments show that the proposed algorithm has better localization accuracy than other classic methods.
Symmetric mean and directional contour pattern for texture classification
Authors: Dong Yongsheng , Zheng Boshi , Liu Hong , Zhang Zhiyong , Fu Zhumu
Published: September 2021

In this letter, we propose a simple yet effective texture descriptor, symmetric mean and directional contour pattern (SMDCP), for texture classification. In particular, first the robust symmetric mean pattern (RSMP) that extracts the sign and amplitude information of the local difference through the neighbourhood average in a new scheme of encoding to further enhance the robustness to noise is constructed. Then a local directional and contour pattern (LDCP) to represent the contour information and direction information of adjacent sampling points is extracted. By concatenating the RSMP and LDCP, a robust and effective texture descriptor (SMDCP) for classification is built. Experimental results reveal that the proposed method obtains significant performance and high discrimination in comparison with 10 representative approaches.
A novel DOA estimation method for uncorrelated and coherent signals via compressed sensing in sparse arrays
Authors: Han Peng , Xu Haiyun , Cui Weijia , Zhang Yankui , Ba Bin
Published: September 2021

When there is the coexistence of uncorrelated and coherent signals in sparse arrays, the conventional algorithms using coarray are fail. In order to solve this problem, the letter proposes a novel method based on compressed sensing. Firstly, the authors vectorize the covariance matrix and establish a sparse representation model through constructing a two‐dimensional redundant dictionary. Then, the authors use an improved orthogonal matching pursuit algorithm for off‐grid sources to recover the sparse vector. Through analysing location of non‐zero elements in sparse vector, the direction‐of‐arrivals of both uncorrelated and coherent signals can be obtained. The proposed method has no strict limitation by the structure of the existing sparse arrays. Moreover, it makes full use of vectorized data and can estimate more number of signals than that of sensors. Numerical experiments prove the effectiveness and favourable performance of the proposed method.
One‐step synthesis of Cu/N co‐doped TiO2 nanocomposites with enhanced photocatalytic activities under visible‐light irradiation
Authors: Li Dayu , Liang Zhongyang , Zhang Wentao , Zhang Chao
Published: September 2021

In this research, a one‐step hydrothermal method is used to prepare Cu‐doped, N‐doped and Cu/N co‐doped titanium dioxide (TiO2) composites, and the doping effects on the structures, absorption and photocatalytic performance are investigated. All the products are in anatase structure. The substitution of Cu atoms in TiO2 and distribution of N in the crystal lattice have been identified by X‐ray diffraction, which lead to the decrease of grain size. Hollow micro‐nanospheres of Cu‐TiO2 samples, which make them have strong dark adsorption properties, can be observed. Cu/N co‐doped samples exhibit the maximum light absorption in the visible light region, and a red‐shift which is responsible for narrow band gap energy owing to the presence of N‐atoms and Cu‐atoms in the TiO2 lattice. The synergistic effect of Cu and N results in the enhanced photocatalytic activity for degradation of methyl orange under visible light irradiation.
A passive compensator for imbalances in current sharing of parallel‐siC MOSFETs based on planar transformer
Authors: Delzendeh Sarfejo Mahdi , Allahyari Hesamodin , Bahrami Hamid , Afifi Ahmad , Latif Zadeh Mohammad Ali , Yavari Ehya , Ghavidel Jalise Mahdi
Published: September 2021

SiCMOSFETs are widely employed in power converters due to their high switching speed and low switching loss. However, their low current rating due to the limited active area restricts their high power applications. To apply SiC MOSFETs in high power applications, providing parallel connection is an inevitable choice. To tackle the challenge of imbalanced current sharing problem between parallel SiC MOSFETs, a new passive compensator based on planar transformer (PT) is proposed here. Compared with the conventional transformer compensators, parasitic elements are adjustable and predictable in PT compensators, which is especially important for mass production aims. After explaining the concept of the physical operation of the PT compensator, the whole parasitic elements of the PT compensator are formulated. Based on estimated parasitic elements and using the finite element method (FEM), an optimum PT structure is extracted for imbalances in current sharing of parallel SiC MOSFETs. Afterward, the PT design is discussed in detail and then, a boost converter is constructed. Finally, the experimental results are presented to verify the reliability, accuracy, and effectiveness of the theoretical results.
Radiopraxis
Authors: Forsting Michael
Published: September 2021

Liebe Leserinnen und Leser

vor Ihnen liegt die dritte Ausgabe von Radiopraxis für das Jahr 2021. Sie
bekommen das Heft im September, ich schreibe das Editorial aber schon im Juli.
Gerade steigt die Zahl der Corona-Infektionen in Deutschland wieder an und ich
drücke uns allen die Daumen, dass die Impfungen verhindern
können, dass wieder viele Patientinnen und Patienten auf unseren
Intensivstationen versorgt werden müssen. Wenn meine Hoffnungen sich
erfüllen, können Sie dieses Heft wahrscheinlich in einer wieder
fast normalisierten Welt lesen.
Automatische Erkennung von epilepsietypischen Potenzialen und Anfällen im EEG
Authors: Baumgartner Christoph , Hafner Sebastian , Koren Johannes P.
Published: September 2021

Die Elektroenzephalografie (EEG) ist der wichtigste apparative Eckpfeiler in der Diagnostik und Therapieführung bei Epilepsien. Die visuelle EEG-Befundung stellt dabei nach wie vor den Goldstandard dar. Automatische computerunterstützte Methoden zur Detektion und Quantifizierung von interiktalen epilepsietypischen Potenzialen und Anfällen unterstützen eine zeitsparende, objektive, rasch und jederzeit verfügbare quantitative EEG-Befundung
Verhärtet – Hypothesen zur Entstehung von Triggerpunkten
Authors: Mense Siegfried
Published: September 2021

Noch immer wird zur Pathophysiologie von Triggerpunkten viel geforscht. Dass eine Energiekrise bei der Entstehung eine wichtige Rolle spielt, haben Studien bestätigt. Neuere Erkenntnisse ergänzen dieses Modell.
Jugend im Lockdown: Viele junge Menschen leiden psychisch
Authors: Nissen Hilke
Published: September 2021

Corona hat die Welt von Kindern und Jugendlichen verändert: Plötzlich gab es keine feste Tagesstruktur mehr, keinen Schulhof, keinen Sportverein, kein Jugendzentrum, keine Treffen mit Freunden. Das hat bei einem Teil der Kinder und Jugendlichen psychische Belastungen verstärkt. Das macht sich auch in psychiatrischen Kliniken und Einrichtungen bemerkbar.
Surface step edge-assisted monolayer epitaxy of α-antimonene on SnSe2 substrate
Authors: Niu Yue-Ying , Wang Chen-Rui , Yuan Qian-Qian , Xue Cheng-Long , Dou Li-Guo , Lv Yang-Yang , Chen Yanbin , Li Shao-Chun
Published: September 2021

We demonstrate a strategy of van der Waals (vdW) epitaxy assisted by surface step edges. Different from the usual vdW epitaxy where the growth is initiated by the vdW interactions with the substrate, the step edge-assisted epitaxy is most likely initiated by the formation of a strong valence bond at the periphery of surface step edges, thus allowing for the growth of strained vdW monolayers. With this strategy, we have successfully grown the α-antimonene monolayer with a puckered honeycomb lattice on the SnSe2 substrate with a high density of surface step edges, thus forming a horizontal heterostructure. This study paves a way toward tuning the morphology and properties of epitaxial vdW materials via a strong valence bond at the boundary between the epilayer and substrate.
A study of the effects of a thermally evaporated nanoscale CsBr layer on the optoelectronic properties and stability of formamidinium-rich perovskite solar cells
Authors: Koech Richard K. , Ichwani Reisya , Martin Julia L. , Oyewole Deborah O. , Oyelade Omolara V. , Olanrewaju Yusuf A. , Sanni Dahiru M. , Adeniji Sharafadeen A. , Grimm Ronald L. , Bello Abdulhakeem , Oyewole Oluwaseun K. , Ntsoenzok Esidor , Soboyejo Winston O.
Published: September 2021

Incorporation of cesium (Cs) into the perovskite layer has become a good strategy to boost the stability and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, a suitable and scalable method of Cs incorporation in a perovskite film that does not cause a significant increase in the optical bandgap is needed. In this paper, we introduce a thin layer of CsBr into a formamidinium (FA)-rich mixed halide perovskite film using the thermal evaporation technique. The effects of the thickness of the CsBr layer on the microstructural, structural, and optoelectronic properties and surface chemical states of the perovskite film are then studied. The results indicate that the CsBr layer thickness is able to tune the microstructural and optoelectronic properties of the perovskite film. Planar PSCs fabricated with different thicknesses of CsBr layers in the perovskite absorber exhibited different photovoltaic performance characteristics. The CsBr-modified PSC device with a 50 nm layer of CsBr in the perovskite layer showed a better PCE of 16.19% ± 0.17%, which was about 15% higher than that of the control device, and was able to retain nearly 70% of its initial PCE value after 120 days of storage in an unencapsulated state.
Long-term monitoring of nest boxes and nest logs in a tree-hollow depleted box–ironbark forest in north-eastern Victoria
Authors: Quin Bruce R. , Goldingay Ross L. , Quin Darren G. , Collins Eileen , Bartlett Neville , Jerome Richard , Murnane Tony , Marsh Tony , Jessup Scott
Published: September 2021

Forest and woodland areas that have suffered historic degradation of habitat are likely to have reduced populations of tree-hollow dependent wildlife. We investigated the frequency of use of small-entry nest boxes installed 3 m high and vertical nest logs installed 1–3 m high, over 10–30 years in box–ironbark forest in north-east Victoria. Mammals were the dominant users of the nest boxes. Squirrel gliders and sugar gliders collectively used >75% of boxes and brush-tailed phascogales used >30% of boxes. Birds used the nest boxes on just two occasions. Brown treecreepers were the dominant users of the nest logs, with 48 breeding events across 30% of 105 nest logs. Turquoise parrots bred in the logs on five occasions. Gliders used 31% and phascogales 16% of the nest logs. These mammals were directly observed more frequently in the nest boxes than in the nest logs. Our findings show that mammals and birds preferred morphologically different hollows. Further research into the influence of different artificial hollow design elements is required. Nest boxes and nest logs required infrequent maintenance that was easily sustained over time. Our results suggest that tree-hollow dependent wildlife can benefit from restoration of their breeding and shelter sites.
Annexin A1 attenuates cardiac diastolic dysfunction in mice with inflammatory arthritis
Authors: Chen Jianmin , Norling Lucy V. , Garrido Mesa Jose , Silva Marina De Paula , Burton Sophie E. , Reutelingsperger Chris , Perretti Mauro , Cooper Dianne
Published: September 2021

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) carries a twofold increased incidence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, accompanied by diastolic dysfunction, which can lead to death. The causes of diastolic dysfunction are unknown, and there are currently no well-characterized animal models for studying these mechanisms. Current medications for RA do not have marked beneficial cardio-protective effects. K/BxN F1 progeny and KRN control mice were analyzed over time for arthritis development, monitoring left ventricular diastolic and systolic function using echocardiography. Excised hearts were analyzed by flow cytometry, qPCR, and histology. In pharmacological experiments, K/BxN F1 mice were treated with human recombinant AnxA1 (hrAnxA1, 1 μg/mouse) or vehicle daily. K/BxN F1 mice exhibited fully developed arthritis with normal cardiac function at 4 wk; however, by week 8, all mice displayed left ventricular diastolic dysfunction with preserved ejection fraction. This dysfunction was associated with cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial inflammation and fibrosis, and inflammatory markers. Daily treatment of K/BxN F1 mice with hrAnxA1 from weeks 4 to 8 halted progression of the diastolic dysfunction. The treatment reduced cardiac transcripts of proinflammatory cytokines and profibrotic markers. At the cellular level, hrAnxA1 decreased activated T cells and increased MHC II
low
macrophage infiltration in K/BxN F1 hearts. Similar effects were obtained when hrAnxA1 was administered from week 8 to week 15. We describe an animal model of inflammatory arthritis that recapitulates the cardiomyopathy of RA. Treatment with hrAnxA1 after disease onset corrected the diastolic dysfunction through modulation of both fibroblast and inflammatory cell phenotype within the heart.
Assisted gene flow using cryopreserved sperm in critically endangered coral
Authors: Hagedorn Mary , Page Christopher A. , O’Neil Keri L. , Flores Daisy M. , Tichy Lucas , Conn Trinity , Chamberland Valérie F. , Lager Claire , Zuchowicz Nikolas , Lohr Kathryn , Blackburn Harvey , Vardi Tali , Moore Jennifer , Moore Tom , Baums Iliana B. , Vermeij Mark J. A. , Marhaver Kristen L.
Published: September 2021

Significance

Global change threatens the genetic diversity of economically important and foundational ecosystem-building species such as corals. We tested whether cryopreserved coral sperm could be used to transfer genetic diversity among genetically isolated populations of the critically endangered Caribbean elkhorn coral,
Acropora palmata
. Here we report successful assisted gene flow (AGF) in corals using cryopreserved sperm, yielding the largest living wildlife population ever created from cryopreserved cells. Furthermore, we produced direct evidence that genetically distinct populations of Caribbean coral can interbreed. Thus, we demonstrated that sperm cryopreservation can enable efficient, large-scale AGF in corals. This form of assisted genetic migration can enhance genetic diversity and help critically endangered species adapt to local environments in the face of rapid global change.