bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrahigh-speed point scanning two-photon microscopy using high dynamic range silicon photomultipliers
Authors: Ching-Roa Vincent D. , Olson Eben M. , Ibrahim Sherrif F. , Torres Richard , Giacomelli Michael G.
Published: March 2021

Conventional two-photon microscopes use photomultiplier tubes, which enable high sensitivity but can detect relatively few photons per second, forcing longer pixel integration times and limiting maximum imaging rates. We introduce novel detection electronics using silicon photomultipliers that greatly extend dynamic range, enabling more than an order of magnitude increased photon detection rate as compared to state-of-the-art photomultiplier tubes. We demonstrate that this capability can dramatically improve both imaging rates and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in two-photon microscopy using human surgical specimens. Finally, to enable wider use of more advanced detection technology, we have formed the OpenSiPM project, which aims to provide open source detector designs for high-speed two-photon and confocal microscopy.
Accelerated crystal structure prediction of multi-elements random alloy using expandable features
Authors: Jin Taewon , Park Ina , Park Taesu , Park Jaesik , Shim Ji Hoon
Published: March 2021

Properties of solid-state materials depend on their crystal structures. In solid solution high entropy alloy (HEA), its mechanical properties such as strength and ductility depend on its phase. Therefore, the crystal structure prediction should be preceded to find new functional materials. Recently, the machine learning-based approach has been successfully applied to the prediction of structural phases. However, since about 80% of the data set is used as a training set in machine learning, it is well known that it requires vast cost for preparing a dataset of multi-element alloy as training. In this work, we develop an efficient approach to predicting the multi-element alloys' structural phases without preparing a large scale of the training dataset. We demonstrate that our method trained from binary alloy dataset can be applied to the multi-element alloys' crystal structure prediction by designing a transformation module from raw features to expandable form. Surprisingly, without involving the multi-element alloys in the training process, we obtain an accuracy, 80.56% for the phase of the multi-element alloy and 84.20% accuracy for the phase of HEA. It is comparable with the previous machine learning results. Besides, our approach saves at least three orders of magnitude computational cost for HEA by employing expandable features. We suggest that this accelerated approach can be applied to predicting various structural properties of multi-elements alloys that do not exist in the current structural database.
The food additive EDTA aggravates colitis and colon carcinogenesis in mouse models
Authors: Evstatiev Rayko , Cervenka Adam , Austerlitz Tina , Deim Gunther , Baumgartner Maximilian , Beer Andrea , Krnjic Anita , Gmainer Christina , Lang Michaela , Frick Adrian , Schachner Helga , Khare Vineeta , Gasche Christoph
Published: March 2021

Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of conditions with rising incidence caused by genetic and environmental factors including diet. The chelator ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) is widely used by the food and pharmaceutical industry among numerous other applications, leading to a considerable environmental exposure. Numerous safety studies in healthy animals have revealed no relevant toxicity by EDTA. Here we show that, in the presence of intestinal inflammation, EDTA is surprisingly capable of massively exacerbating inflammation and even inducing colorectal carcinogenesis at doses that are presumed to be safe. This toxicity is evident in two biologically different mouse models of inflammatory bowel disease, the AOM/DSS and the IL10−/− model. The mechanism of this effect may be attributed to disruption of intercellular contacts as demonstrated by in vivo confocal endomicroscopy, electron microscopy and cell culture studies. Our findings add EDTA to the list of food additives that might be detrimental in the presence of intestinal inflammation, but the toxicity of which may have been missed by regulatory safety testing procedures that utilize only healthy models. We conclude that the current use of EDTA especially in food and pharmaceuticals should be reconsidered. Moreover, we suggest that intestinal inflammatory models should be implemented in the testing of food additives to account for the exposure of this primary organ to environmental and dietary stress.
The association between gestational diabetes and ASD and ADHD: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Rowland Jennifer , Wilson Claire A.
Published: March 2021

There is growing evidence for a role of maternal diabetes in the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders. However, the specific association between gestational diabetes (GDM), as opposed to pre-gestational diabetes, has been poorly isolated. Thus the aim was to systematically review and meta-analyse literature pertaining to prevalence and risk for two neurodevelopmental disorders: autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), when exposed to GDM. PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PsycINFO and CINAHL were systematically searched for eligible literature, with forward and backward citation tracking. Screening for eligibility, risk of bias assessment and data extraction were performed by two independent reviewers. 18 studies measuring ASD and 15 measuring ADHD met inclusion criteria. On meta-analysis there was an increased risk of ASD (OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.22, 1.65) but not ADHD (OR 1.01; 95% CI 0.79, 1.28). We discuss potential mechanisms for these differing risks. Greater understanding of risk factors, including GDM, for these neurodevelopmental disorders and potential mechanisms may help inform strategies aimed at prevention of exposure to these adversities during pregnancy.
The incidence trends of liver cirrhosis caused by nonalcoholic steatohepatitis via the GBD study 2017
Authors: Zhai Mimi , Liu Zhide , Long Jianhai , Zhou Qingxiang , Yang Leping , Zhou Qin , Liu Sushun , Dai Yu
Published: March 2021

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has rapidly become the most common cause of chronic liver diseases. We aimed to explore the incidence and distribution characteristics of NASH by sex, region and sociodemographic index (SDI). We collected data, including sex and region, on NASH-related liver cirrhosis from the 2017 GBD study. The age-standardized incidence rates (ASRs) and estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) were used to estimate the incidence trend and distribution characteristics. Globally, the incidence of liver cirrhosis caused by NASH increased from 178,430 cases in 1990 to 367,780 cases in 2017, an increase of approximately 105.56%. The ASR of NASH increased by an average of 1.35% per year (95% CI 1.28–1.42). Meanwhile, large differences in the ASR and the EAPC were observed across regions. The middle-high SDI region had the highest increase among all five SDI regions, followed by middle SDI region. In addition, Eastern Europe, Andean Latin America and Central Asia showed a more significant growth trend of ASR. In contrast, the high SDI region demonstrated the slowest increasing trend of ASR, and the high-income Asia Pacific demonstrated a decreasing trend among the 21 regions. Liver cirrhosis has caused a huge and rising health burden in many countries and regions. In addition, with the growth of obesity, population and aging, NASH might replace viral hepatitis as the most important cause of liver cirrhosis in the near future. Therefore, appropriate interventions are needed in coming decades to realize early diagnosis and prevention of NASH-related liver cirrhosis.
Persistent bone impairment despite long-term control of hyperprolactinemia and hypogonadism in men and women with prolactinomas
Authors: Andereggen Lukas , Frey Janine , Andres Robert H. , Luedi Markus M. , Widmer Hans Rudolf , Beck Jürgen , Mariani Luigi , Christ Emanuel
Published: March 2021

While prolactinoma patients have high bone turnover, current data are inconclusive when it comes to determining whether correction of hyperprolactinemia and associated hypogandism improves osteodensitometric data in men and women over the long term. In a large cohort of including 40 men and 60 women, we studied the long-term impact of prolactinoma treatment on bone mineral density (BMD) in men versus women, assessed adverse effects of a primary surgical or medical approach, and evaluated data for risk factors for impaired BMD at last follow-up using multivariate regression analyses. Median duration of follow-up was 79 months (range 13–408 months). Our data indicate that the prevalence of impaired BMD remained significantly higher in men (37%) than in women (7%, p < 0.001), despite the fact that hyperprolactinemia and hypogonadism are under control in the majority of men. We found that persistent hyperprolactinemia and male sex were independent risk factors for long-term bone impairment. Currently, osteoporosis prevention and treatment focus primarily on women, yet special attention to bone loss in men with prolactinomas is advised. Bone impairment as “end organ” reflects the full range of the disease and could become a surrogate marker for the severity of long-lasting hyperprolactinemia and associated hypogonadism.
Exploratory classification of clinical phenotypes in Japanese patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis using cluster analysis
Authors: Watanabe Haruki , Sada Ken-ei , Harigai Masayoshi , Amano Koichi , Dobashi Hiroaki , Takasaki Yoshinari , Fujimoto Shouichi , Atsumi Tatsuya , Yamagata Kunihiro , Homma Sakae , Arimura Yoshihiro , Makino Hirofumi ,   Research Committee of Intractable Vasculitis Syndrome (JPVAS),   Research Committee of Intractable Renal Disease of the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare of Japan
Published: March 2021

A novel patient cluster in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) may be identified in Japan. We performed multiple correspondence and cluster analysis regarding 427 clinically diagnosed AAV patients excluding eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. Model 1 included the ANCA phenotype, items of the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score, and interstitial lung disease; model 2 included serum creatinine (s-Cr) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels with model 1 components. In seven clusters determined in model 1, the ANCA-negative (n = 8) and proteinase 3-ANCA-positive (n = 41) groups emerged as two distinct clusters. The other five myeloperoxidase-ANCA-positive clusters were characterized by ear, nose, and throat (ENT) (n = 47); cutaneous (n = 36); renal (n = 256), non-renal (n = 33); and both ENT and cutaneous symptoms (n = 6). Four clusters in model 2 were characterized by myeloperoxidase-ANCA negativity (n = 42), without s-Cr elevation (< 1.3 mg/dL) (n = 157), s-Cr elevation (≥ 1.3 mg/dL) with high CRP (> 10 mg/dL) (n = 71), or s-Cr elevation (≥ 1.3 mg/dL) without high CRP (≤ 10 mg/dL) (n = 157). Overall, renal, and relapse-free survival rates were significantly different across the four clusters in model 2. ENT, cutaneous, and renal symptoms may be useful in characterization of Japanese AAV patients with myeloperoxidase-ANCA. The combination of s-Cr and CRP levels may be predictive of prognosis.
Polymorphisms of the matrix metalloproteinase genes are associated with essential hypertension in a Caucasian population of Central Russia
Authors: Moskalenko Maria , Ponomarenko Irina , Reshetnikov Evgeny , Dvornyk Volodymyr , Churnosov Mikhail
Published: March 2021

This study aimed to determine possible association of eight polymorphisms of seven MMP genes with essential hypertension (EH) in a Caucasian population of Central Russia. Eight SNPs of the MMP1, MMP2, MMP3, MMP7, MMP8, MMP9, and MMP12 genes and their gene–gene (epistatic) interactions were analyzed for association with EH in a cohort of 939 patients and 466 controls using logistic regression and assuming additive, recessive, and dominant genetic models. The functional significance of the polymorphisms associated with EH and 114 variants linked to them (r2 ≥ 0.8) was analyzed in silico. Allele G of rs11568818 MMP7 was associated with EH according to all three genetic models (OR = 0.58–0.70, pperm = 0.01–0.03). The above eight SNPs were associated with the disorder within 12 most significant epistatic models (OR = 1.49–1.93, pperm < 0.02). Loci rs1320632 MMP8 and rs11568818 MMP7 contributed to the largest number of the models (12 and 10, respectively). The EH-associated loci and 114 SNPs linked to them had non-synonymous, regulatory, and eQTL significance for 15 genes, which contributed to the pathways related to metalloendopeptidase activity, collagen degradation, and extracellular matrix disassembly. In summary, eight studied SNPs of MMPs genes were associated with EH in the Caucasian population of Central Russia.
Neuron-specific spinal cord translatomes reveal a neuropeptide code for mouse dorsal horn excitatory neurons
Authors: Das Gupta Rebecca Rani , Scheurer Louis , Pelczar Pawel , Wildner Hendrik , Zeilhofer Hanns Ulrich
Published: March 2021

The spinal dorsal horn harbors a sophisticated and heterogeneous network of excitatory and inhibitory neurons that process peripheral signals encoding different sensory modalities. Although it has long been recognized that this network is crucial both for the separation and the integration of sensory signals of different modalities, a systematic unbiased approach to the use of specific neuromodulatory systems is still missing. Here, we have used the translating ribosome affinity purification (TRAP) technique to map the translatomes of excitatory glutamatergic (vGluT2+) and inhibitory GABA and/or glycinergic (vGAT+ or Gad67+) neurons of the mouse spinal cord. Our analyses demonstrate that inhibitory and excitatory neurons are not only set apart, as expected, by the expression of genes related to the production, release or re-uptake of their principal neurotransmitters and by genes encoding for transcription factors, but also by a differential engagement of neuromodulator, especially neuropeptide, signaling pathways. Subsequent multiplex in situ hybridization revealed eleven neuropeptide genes that are strongly enriched in excitatory dorsal horn neurons and display largely non-overlapping expression patterns closely adhering to the laminar and presumably also functional organization of the spinal cord grey matter.
High resolution biologging of breaching by the world’s second largest shark species
Authors: Rudd Jessica L. , Exeter Owen M. , Hall Jackie , Hall Graham , Henderson Suzanne M. , Kerry Christopher , Witt Matthew J. , Hawkes Lucy A.
Published: March 2021

Basking sharks, the world’s second largest fish, are endangered globally following two centuries of large-scale exploitation for their oily livers. In the northeast Atlantic, they seasonally gather in key sites, including the western Scottish Isles, where they feed on plankton, but their breeding grounds are currently completely unknown. Using high-resolution three-axis accelerometry and depth logging, we present the first direct records of breaching by basking sharks over 41 days. We show that basking sharks breach both during the night and day, starting at approximately 20 m depth and can breach multiple times in short succession. We also present early evidence of potential lateralisation in basking sharks. Given the energetic nature of breaching, it should have an important biological function, but this remains unclear.
Hepatic lymphocytes involved in the pathogenesis of pediatric and adult non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Cairoli Victoria , De Matteo Elena , Rios Daniela , Lezama Carol , Galoppo Marcela , Casciato Paola , Mullen Eduardo , Giadans Cecilia , Bertot Gustavo , Preciado María Victoria , Valva Pamela
Published: March 2021

The immune response is critical in NAFLD pathogenesis, but the liver infiltrate’s composition and the role of each T cell population is still up for debate. To characterize liver pathogenesis in pediatric and adult cases, frequency and localization of immune cell populations [Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes (CD8+), T helper Lymphocytes (CD4+), Regulatory T lymphocytes (Foxp3+) and Th17 (IL-17A+)] were evaluated. In portal/periportal (P/P) tracts, both age groups displayed a similar proportion of CD8+ and CD4+ lymphocytes. However, comparable Foxp3+ and IL-17A+ cell frequencies were observed in pediatric cases, meanwhile, in adults Foxp3+ was higher than IL-17A+ cells. Interestingly, IL-17A+ lymphocytes seemed to be nearly exclusive of P/P area in both age groups. In intralobular areas, both pediatric and adult cases showed CD8+ lymphocytes predominance with lower frequencies of CD4+ lymphocytes followed by Foxp3+ . Severe inflammation was associated with higher intralobular Foxp3+ lymphocytes (p = 0.026) in children, and lower P/P Foxp3+ and higher IL-17A+ lymphocytes in adults. All cases with fibrosis ≥ 2 displayed P/P low Foxp3+ and high IL-17A+ lymphocyte counts. Pediatric cases with worse steatosis showed high P/P CD4+ (p = 0.023) and intralobular CD8+ (p = 0.027) and CD4+ cells (p = 0.012). In NAFLD cases, the lymphocyte liver infiltrate composition differs between histological areas. Treg and Th17 balance seems to condition damage progression, denoting their important role in pathogenesis.
GFAT and PFK genes show contrasting regulation of chitin metabolism in Nilaparvata lugens
Authors: Xu Cai-Di , Liu Yong-Kang , Qiu Ling-Yu , Wang Sha-Sha , Pan Bi-Ying , Li Yan , Wang Shi-Gui , Tang Bin
Published: March 2021

Glutamine:fructose-6-phosphate aminotransferase (GFAT) and phosphofructokinase (PFK) are enzymes related to chitin metabolism. RNA interference (RNAi) technology was used to explore the role of these two enzyme genes in chitin metabolism. In this study, we found that GFAT and PFK were highly expressed in the wing bud of Nilaparvata lugens and were increased significantly during molting. RNAi of GFAT and PFK both caused severe malformation rates and mortality rates in N. lugens. GFAT inhibition also downregulated GFAT, GNPNA, PGM1, PGM2, UAP, CHS1, CHS1a, CHS1b, Cht1-10, and ENGase. PFK inhibition significantly downregulated GFAT; upregulated GNPNA, PGM2, UAP, Cht2-4, Cht6-7 at 48 h and then downregulated them at 72 h; upregulated Cht5, Cht8, Cht10, and ENGase; downregulated Cht9 at 48 h and then upregulated it at 72 h; and upregulated CHS1, CHS1a, and CHS1b. In conclusion, GFAT and PFK regulated chitin degradation and remodeling by regulating the expression of genes related to the chitin metabolism and exert opposite effects on these genes. These results may be beneficial to develop new chitin synthesis inhibitors for pest control.
Antioxidant properties and inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme by highly active peptides from wheat gluten
Authors: Liu Wen-Ying , Zhang Jiang-Tao , Miyakawa Takuya , Li Guo-Ming , Gu Rui-Zeng , Tanokura Masaru
Published: March 2021

This study aimed to focus on the high-value utilization of raw wheat gluten by determining the potent antioxidant peptides and angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides from wheat gluten oligopeptides (WOP). WOP were analyzed for in vitro antioxidant activity and inhibition of ACE, and the identification of active peptides was performed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Quantitative analysis was performed for highly active peptides. Five potent antioxidant peptides, Leu-Tyr, Pro-Tyr, Tyr-Gln, Ala-Pro-Ser-Tyr and Arg-Gly-Gly-Tyr (6.07 ± 0.38, 7.28 ± 0.29, 11.18 ± 1.02, 5.93 ± 0.20 and 9.04 ± 0.47 mmol 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid (Trolox) equivalent/g sample, respectively), and five potent ACE inhibitory peptides, Leu-Tyr, Leu-Val-Ser, Tyr-Gln, Ala-Pro-Ser-Tyr and Arg-Gly-Gly-Tyr (half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values = 0.31 ± 0.02, 0.60 ± 0.03, 2.00 ± 0.13, 1.47 ± 0.08 and 1.48 ± 0.11 mmol/L, respectively), were observed. The contents of Leu-Tyr, Pro-Tyr, Tyr-Gln, Ala-Pro-Ser-Tyr, Arg-Gly-Gly-Tyr, and Leu-Val-Ser were 155.04 ± 8.36, 2.08 ± 0.12, 1.95 ± 0.06, 22.70 ± 1.35, 0.25 ± 0.01, and 53.01 ± 2.73 μg/g, respectively, in the WOP. Pro-Tyr, Tyr-Gln, Ala-Pro-Ser-Tyr, Arg-Gly-Gly-Tyr, and Leu-Val-Ser are novel antioxidative/ACE inhibitory peptides that have not been previously reported. The results suggest that WOP could potentially be applied in the food industry as a functional additive.
Associations of serum short-chain fatty acids with circulating immune cells and serum biomarkers in patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Trend Stephanie , Leffler Jonatan , Jones Anderson P. , Cha Lilian , Gorman Shelley , Brown David A. , Breit Samuel N. , Kermode Allan G. , French Martyn A. , Ward Natalie C. , Hart Prue H.
Published: March 2021

Altered composition of gut bacteria and changes to the production of their bioactive metabolites, the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), have been implicated in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the immunomodulatory actions of SCFAs and intermediaries in their ability to influence MS pathogenesis are uncertain. In this study, levels of serum SCFAs were correlated with immune cell abundance and phenotype as well as with other relevant serum factors in blood samples taken at first presentation of Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS; an early form of MS) or MS and compared to healthy controls. There was a small but significant reduction in propionate levels in the serum of patients with CIS or MS compared with healthy controls. The frequencies of circulating T follicular regulatory cells and T follicular helper cells were significantly positively correlated with serum levels of propionate. Levels of butyrate associated positively with frequencies of IL-10-producing B-cells and negatively with frequencies of class-switched memory B-cells. TNF production by polyclonally-activated B-cells correlated negatively with acetate levels. Levels of serum SCFAs associated with changes in circulating immune cells and biomarkers implicated in the development of MS.
Intermediary conformations linked to the directionality of the aminoacylation pathway of nonribosomal peptide synthetases
Authors: Mayerthaler Florian , Feldberg Anna-Lena , Alfermann Jonas , Sun Xun , Steinchen Wieland , Yang Haw , Mootz Henning D.
Published: March 2021

In-solution analysis of conformational changes of NRPS adenylation and peptidyl-carrier protein domains under catalytic conditions reveals a new intermediary conformation.
Li–air battery and ORR activity of nanocarbons produced with good synthesis rate by solution plasma process
Authors: Islam Md. Zahidul , Watthanaphanit Anyarat , Chae Sangwoo , Saito Nagahiro
Published: March 2021

Nanocarbons were successfully synthesized from benzene (BZ), nitro-benzene (BZ-NO2) and aniline (BZ-NH2) by solution plasma process (SPP).
A synaptic memristor based on two-dimensional layered WSe2 nanosheets with short- and long-term plasticity
Authors: Luo Songwen , Liao Kanghong , Lei Peixian , Jiang Ting , Chen Siyi , Xie Qin , Luo Wenbo , Huang Wen , Yuan Shuoguo , Jie Wenjing , Hao Jianhua
Published: March 2021

Memristors based on chemical-vapor-deposited triangular WSe2 nanosheets exhibit bipolar nonvolatile resistive switching behaviors and synaptic functions of short- and long-term plasticity, suggesting applications in mimicking biological synapses.
O,N-Codoped 3D graphene hollow sphere derived from metal–organic frameworks as oxygen reduction reaction electrocatalysts for Zn-air batteries
Authors: Song Ruili , Cao Xiaoting , Xu Jiang , Zhou Xiaoshuang , Wang Xi , Yuan Ningyi , Ding Jianning
Published: March 2021

Metal-free 3D hollow spherical O and N dual-doped graphene framework composites (O,N-graphene) have an average diameter of about 4 μm and specific surface area as high as 1801.4 m2 g−1.
Defining and navigating macrocycle chemical space
Authors: Viarengo-Baker Lauren A. , Brown Lauren E. , Rzepiela Anna A. , Whitty Adrian
Published: March 2021

Macrocyclic compounds (MCs) are of high interest for inhibition of challenging drug targets, but existing oral MC drugs occupy regions of chemical space that are not well sampled by many available synthetic MC chemotypes.
A generator of peroxynitrite activatable with red light
Authors: Parisi Cristina , Failla Mariacristina , Fraix Aurore , Menilli Luca , Moret Francesca , Reddi Elena , Rolando Barbara , Spyrakis Francesca , Lazzarato Loretta , Fruttero Roberta , Gasco Alberto , Sortino Salvatore
Published: March 2021

Excitation of a molecular hybrid with highly biocompatible red light generates cytotoxic peroxynitrite, produces red fluorescence useful for cell tracking and induces remarkable cancer cell death at very low concentrations and very low light doses.
Highly porous melamine-formaldehyde monoliths with controlled hierarchical porosity toward application as a metal scavenger
Authors: Nakanishi Yuki , Hara Yosuke , Miyamoto Riichi , Nakanishi Kazuki , Kanamori Kazuyoshi
Published: March 2021

Hierarchically porous melamine-formaldehyde monoliths were prepared via sol–gel accompanied by phase separation, followed by a hydrothermal process. The obtained monoliths showed efficient adsorption of precious metal ions.
Eugenol micro-emulsion reinforced with silver nanocomposite electrospun mats for wound dressing strategies
Authors: Sethuram Lakshimipriya , Thomas John , Mukherjee Amitava , Chandrasekaran Natarajan
Published: March 2021

The fabricated eugenol microemulsion based silver nanoparticle nanofibers with effective antibacterial efficacy provide a suitable wound dressing strategy to develop an ideal skin tissue scaffold for the treatment of cut wounds in clinical practice.
A review of recent progress in polymeric electrospun nanofiber membranes in addressing safe water global issues
Authors: T. M. Subrahmanya , Arshad Ahmad Bin , Lin Po Ting , Widakdo Januar , H. K. Makari , Austria Hannah Faye M. , Hu Chien-Chieh , Lai Juin-Yih , Hung Wei-Song
Published: March 2021

This review provides an overview of recent advances and developments in electrospinning technology and the recent progress and applications of electrospun nanofiber membranes to expel various pollutants from water.
Predissociation resonances and accurateab initiocalculations of dication HF2+
Authors: Liu Dong , Li Rui , Ren Juan , Cheng Yongjun , Yan Bing , Wu Yong , Wang Jian Guo , Zhang Song Bin
Published: March 2021

Highly accurate adiabatic potential curves of the 36 electronic states of the HF2+dication by MRCI calculations. Panels (a), (b) and (c) correspond to the 16 singlet, 15 triplet and 4 quintet states, respectively. The nine bound states are highlighted and given in panel (d).
Recent developments in microreactor technology for biocatalysis applications
Authors: Brás Eduardo J. S. , Chu Virginia , Conde João Pedro , Fernandes Pedro
Published: March 2021

Through the use of microfluidics technology, one can severely accelerate the development and optimization of biocatalytic processes. In this work, the authors present a comprehensive review of the recent advances in the field.
An unexpected P-cluster like intermediate en route to the nitrogenase FeMo-co
Authors: Jenner Leon P. , Cherrier Mickael V. , Amara Patricia , Rubio Luis M. , Nicolet Yvain
Published: March 2021

The K-cluster of NifB as a key intermediate in the synthesis of the nitrogenase active site supports [Fe4S4] cluster fusion occurs before carbide and sulfide insertion and displays ligand spatial arrangement reminiscent to that of the P-cluster.
Optimised power harvesting by controlling the pressure applied to molecular junctions
Authors: Wang Xintai , Ismael Ali , Almutlg Ahmad , Alshammari Majed , Al-Jobory Alaa , Alshehab Abdullah , Bennett Troy L. R. , Wilkinson Luke A. , Cohen Lesley F. , Long Nicholas J. , Robinson Benjamin J. , Lambert Colin
Published: March 2021

A major potential advantage of creating thermoelectric devices using self-assembled molecular layers is their mechanical flexibility.
Triple functionalization of carved N-doped carbon nanoboxes with synergistic trimetallic sulphide for high performance lithium–sulphur batteries
Authors: Wu Yen-Ju , Chen Cheng-Hao , Lin Shin-Hong , Huang Chun-Lung , Yeh Yong-Xian , Tan Jia-Yu , Su Jing-Ting , Hsieh Cheng-Ting , Lu Shih-Yuan
Published: March 2021

A carved N-doped carbon nanobox structure triply functionalized with an FeCoNi trimetallic sulphide was developed as a high performance sulphur host for lithium sulphur batteries.
Understanding trends in the activity and selectivity of bi-atom catalysts for the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide
Authors: Li Fuhua , Tang Qing
Published: March 2021

A theoretical understanding of the scaling relations, activity, and selectivity of homonuclear and heteronuclear N-coordinated di-atom centers for catalyzing CO2 electroreduction is presented.
Correction: A polydopamine-coated LAPONITE®-stabilized iron oxide nanoplatform for targeted multimodal imaging-guided photothermal cancer therapy
Authors: Liu Mengxue , Zhang Jiulong , Li Xin , Cai Chao , Cao Xueyan , Shi Xiangyang , Guo Rui
Published: March 2021

Correction for ‘A polydopamine-coated LAPONITE®-stabilized iron oxide nanoplatform for targeted multimodal imaging-guided photothermal cancer therapy’ by Mengxue Liu et al., J. Mater. Chem. B, 2019, 7, 3856–3864, DOI: 10.1039/c9tb00398c.
Visual and dual-fluorescence homogeneous sensor for the detection of pyrophosphatase in clinical hyperthyroidism samples based on selective recognition of CdTe QDs and coordination polymerization of Ce3+
Authors: Chen Piaopiao , Qu Runlian , Peng Wu , Wang Xiu , Huang Ke , He Yaqin , Zhang Xialin , Meng Yanming , Liu Tangyuheng , Chen Jie , Xie Yi , Huang Jin , Hu Qian , Geng Jia , Ying Binwu
Published: March 2021

A visual / dual fluorescent strategy based on selective recognition of QDs and coordination polymerization of Ce3+ was developed for pyrophosphatase detection.
Development and prospect of direct‐current circuit breaker in China
Authors: Chen Weijiang , Zeng Rong , He Junjia , Wu Yi , Wei Xiaoguang , Fang Taixun , Yu Zhanqing , Yuan Zhao , Wu Yifei , Zhou Wandi , Yang Bing , Qu Lu
Published: March 2021

The direct‐current circuit breaker (DCCB) is the most ideal choice for DC fault isolation in DC grids. Despite a late start, China's research and development on the DCCB have made outstanding achievements. This article provides a brief glance of current China's DCCB development status. It begins by sorting out the technical route according to the topology of DCCB. Then it systematically summarises both mechanical and hybrid DCCBs with focussing on the aspects of topology structure and principle, key technology and characteristics, prototype development and application. It is apparent that Chinese scientists and engineers confronted the worldwide problem of large capacity DC breaking, and put forward a comprehensive solution which consists of an innovative topology structure based on coupled negative voltage circuit, breaking throughs on the key technologies such as highly controllable and reliable fault current commutation, millisecond‐level ultra‐fast and efficient electromagnetic repulsion mechanism, high tolerance and high stability power electronic switch, low residual voltage and fast response energy consumption device, etc. The article states that the world's first set of hybrid high‐voltage (HV) DCCB, and the first set of mechanical HV DCCB have been developed. These DCCBs will soon be deployed to the DC grids which have the highest voltage levels therefore require the strongest breaking capacity. These achievements are leading the world in the development and application of DCCB. The article also discusses the overall development trends of DCCB in the areas of new topologies, key technological breakthroughs and application scenarios, etc. These discussions serve as references for DCCB's future technological advancement and its ever‐expanding applications.
Online variational inference on finite multivariate Beta mixture models for medical applications
Authors: Manouchehri Narges , Kalra Meeta , Bouguila Nizar
Published: March 2021

Technological advances led to the generation of large scale complex data. Thus, extraction and retrieval of information to automatically discover latent pattern have been largely studied in the various domains of science and technology. Consequently, machine learning experienced tremendous development and various statistical approaches have been suggested. In particular, data clustering has received a lot of attention. Finite mixture models have been revealed to be one of the flexible and popular approaches in data clustering. Considering mixture models, three crucial aspects should be addressed. The first issue is choosing a distribution which is flexible enough to fit the data. In this paper, a model based on multivariate Beta distributions is proposed. The two other challenges in mixture models are estimation of model's parameters and model complexity. To tackle these challenges, variational inference techniques demonstrated considerable robustness. In this paper, two methods are studied, namely, batch and online variational inferences and the models are evaluated on four medical applications including image segmentation of colorectal cancer, multi‐class colon tissue analysis, digital imaging in skin lesion diagnosis and computer aid detection of Malaria.
SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 – aktualisierte Empfehlungen zu Diagnostik und Therapie
Authors: Bein Berthold , Bachmann Martin , Huggett Susanne , Wegermann Petra
Published: March 2021

Dieser Übersichtsartikel ist als praktische Handreichung für alle gedacht, die COVID-19-Patienten behandeln, und fasst das derzeit verfügbare Wissen zu Diagnostik und Therapie zusammen. Zusätzlich werden auch neue und experimentelle Therapien bewertet.
Conduction band offset-dependent induced threshold voltage shifts in a-InGaZnO TFTs under positive bias illumination stress
Authors: Kim Hyojung , Kim Soonkon , Yoo Jongmin , Oh Changyong , Kim Bosung , Hwang Hyuncheol , Park Jungmin , Choi Pyungho , Song Jangkun , Im Kiju , Choi Byoungdeog
Published: March 2021

In this paper, the dependence of threshold voltage (Vth) changes to amorphous-indium gallium zinc oxide (a-IGZO) thin film transistors (TFTs) under positive bias light illumination (PBIS) on the height of the conduction band offset was studied. Using SiO2, HfO2, and Al2O3 as gate dielectrics, three different types of a-IGZO TFTs were used in the experiment. Electrical parameters and the density of states of each TFT were measured. Of the devices studied, the interface characteristics between the a-IGZO and the gate dielectric were the best using SiO2 and the worst using Al2O3. HfO2 had the smallest conduction band offsets (CBO) of 2.26 eV. We also performed PBS and PBIS evaluation to confirm the stability of TFTs. The Vth shift in the three samples was insignificant under PBS, but the Vth shifts occurred under PBIS in the order of HfO2, Al2O3, and SiO2. The interfacial characteristics of a-IGZO and the dielectric did not change after PBIS in all three devices; the lower the CBO height, the greater the Vth shift after PBIS. The predominant cause of the Vth shift under PBIS is the accumulation of injected photoelectrons that have sufficient energy to tunnel the CBO barrier into the gate dielectric by positive gate bias.
Study of spin mixing conductance of single oriented Pt in Pt/Ni81Fe19 heterostructure by spin pumping
Authors: You Yunfeng , Sakimura Hiroto , Harumoto Takashi , Nakamura Yoshio , Shi Ji , Song Cheng , Pan Feng , Ando Kazuya
Published: March 2021

The spin mixing conductance g↑↓ of a ferromagnetic and a nonmagnetic (NM) layer characterizes the transport efficiency of spin current through the interface. Exploration of the relationship between g↑↓ and structural parameters such as the lattice orientation of the NM layer is critical to design effective spintronics devices. Here, the spin mixing conductance of two types of single oriented Pt and Ni81Fe19 (Py) was studied experimentally, with the method of spin pumping. The obtained g↑↓ for Pt (100)/Py and Pt (111)/Py bilayers is 8.6 ± 0.9 nm−2 and 10.8 ± 1.6 nm−2, respectively, revealing the fact that the crystalline orientation of the metallic NM layer has no prominent impact on g↑↓, which is consistent with the theoretical prediction.
Structural and electrical properties of lithium substituted niobo vanadate glasses doped with nickel ferrite
Authors: Hailemariam Belay G. , Honnavar Gajanan V. , I Mohamed Irfan , Keralapura Ramesh
Published: March 2021

This article reports on the impedance spectroscopic study of lithium substituted niobo vanadate glasses and their nickel ferrite doped counterparts using Cole–Cole (Nyquist) plots and electrical conductivity analysis. The glass samples were prepared using the melt quenching technique. Differential scanning calorimetry and x-ray diffractometry were used to determine the thermal properties and the amorphous nature of the glass samples, respectively. Using impedance spectroscopy, the nature and extent of inhomogeneity were investigated and correlated with transport properties in the glasses at different temperature ranges (120–240 °C). Equivalent circuit analysis was adopted to study the glass materials further. The introduction of a constant phase element (Q) in a modified RQ circuit describes the Cole–Cole plot well, which accounts for the frequency dependence of dielectric response. The electrical conductivity analysis is performed using Jonscher’s law and Arrhenius plots. The exponent “n” was found to be a decreasing function of temperature. The DC part of the electrical conductivity is analyzed on the basis of alkali ion distance and alkali-oxygen distance. The activation energy estimated by the Arrhenius equation is found to decrease from 0.54 to 0.39 eV as lithium content increases. The estimated mobility of lithium ions was found to decrease as the lithium content increases in both doped and undoped cases.
Composition optimization of InAsxSb1−x/AlyIn1−ySb quantum wells for Hall sensors with high sensitivity and high thermal stability
Authors: Manago Takashi , Kasahara Kenji , Shibasaki Ichiro
Published: March 2021

The band diagrams of InAsxSb1−x/AlyIn1−ySb quantum wells (QWs) were calculated covering a wide range of compositions of x and y. Various combinations of active (InAsxSb1−x) and barrier (AlyIn1−ySb) layers were investigated to optimize the Hall elements with high sensitivity and high thermal stability. For high sensitivity, x of 0.1–0.6 is desirable due to the band bowing effect to realize lower bandgaps compared with that of InSb in the active layer. Under the lattice matched conditions (y ∼ 1.22x), the QWs are type II QWs and the bottom of the conduction band is always lower than the Fermi level. Therefore, the QWs with x of 0.6 show large sheet carriers of 4.1 × 1011 cm−2 for 4.2 K without intentional doping, which contributes to the reduction in the temperature dependence of the transport properties. The barrier height monotonously increases with increasing y, and accordingly, the penetration depth of the wave function probability inside the barrier decreases. Under the lattice matched condition, the penetration depth drops significantly toward x = 0.4 (corresponding y ∼ 0.5) and then decreases slowly. Thus, x ≥ 0.4 (y ≥ 0.5) is preferable for a strong confinement effect, which could reduce interface scattering and, as a result, improve the electron mobility. Judging from these results, the optimized composition of the InAsxSb1−x/AlyIn1−ySb QW is x = 0.4–0.6 (under the lattice matched condition, corresponding y = 0.5–0.7).
Predicting transcriptional responses to cold stress across plant species
Authors: Meng Xiaoxi , Liang Zhikai , Dai Xiuru , Zhang Yang , Mahboub Samira , Ngu Daniel W. , Roston Rebecca L. , Schnable James C.
Published: March 2021

Significance

The same gene is often regulated differently in response to stress in even closely related plant species. Directly measuring stress-responsive gene expression can be financially and logistically challenging in nonmodel species. Here, we show that models trained using data on which genes respond to cold in one species can predict which genes will respond to cold in related species, even when the training and target species vary in their degree of tolerance to cold. The prediction models we used require only genomic sequence and gene models. As a result, data from well-studied model species may be used to predict which genes will respond to stress in less-studied species with sequenced genomes.
Making sense of morphology
Authors: Ackerman Farrell
Published: March 2021

Aronoff
(2016) argues for the value of interpreting different
approaches to the analysis of morphology as reflecting the
sensibilities of foxes and hedgehogs as characterized in Berlin (1997). It is argued
that Berlin also provides a way to go beyond these oppositional
sensibilities and the morphological theories they develop by
exploring a complex systems perspective on morphological
organization of the sort adumbrated by certain late 19th century and
early 20th century linguists: systems that arise from the dynamic
co-activity of surprisingly many factors. The kind of view they
envisioned is now quantitatively and computationally practicable and
can benefit from research on complex behaviors within the
developmental sciences. A view of this sort is motivated by two
types of empirical evidence, one concerning implicative paradigm
organization in Māori and Baale, the other concerning the dynamic
relation between diachrony and synchrony as attested in Mari and
Beserman Udmurt.
Leaving the stem by itself
Authors: Bonami Olivier , Beniamine Sacha
Published: March 2021

Stem allomorphy plays a central role in the
recent history of morphology, in no small part thanks to a research
program initiated by Aronoff
(1994). Yet, there is no agreed upon way of deciding
whether some bit of form should be considered a proper part of a
stem allomorph or an independent exponent. We explore the
possibility of just doing away with the notion of stem allomorphy in
inflection. We use computational methods to identify within each
word a sequence of strings that do not take part in any alternation
within that word’s paradigm. We then discuss the relationship of
such sequences to the classical notion of a stem, and argue that
discontinuous stems are both conceptually and empirically more
satisfactory.
Competition in comparatives
Authors: Thornton Anna M.
Published: March 2021

This chapter provides an initial exploration of
the phenomenon of competition in comparatives in Romance languages.
Latin had both synthetic and periphrastic comparatives, whose
distribution was phonologically conditioned. Romance languages have
generalized the periphrastic construction to all adjectives, but
have also often inherited continuants of all or some of the four
synthetic suppletive comparatives melior “better”,
peior “worse”, māior “bigger”,
minor “smaller”. Therefore, in the evolution
from Latin to Romance languages, the stage is set for competition
between synthetic and analytic constructions, such as Italian
migliore vs. più buono
“better”. This chapter discusses the solutions found in different
Romance languages, as explained in descriptive grammars and other
works. These solutions span from extinction of the synthetic
suppletive forms altogether, to blocking of the analytic
construction when the synthetic one is available, to overabundance
between synthetic and analytic forms, to the creation of niches in
which the two constructions distribute differentially. A
corpus-based pilot study of Italian suggests a fruitful way to
uncover such niches.
A-prefixing in the ex-slave narratives
Authors: Rees-Miller Janie
Published: March 2021

The speech of elderly African-Americans
collected in the ex-slave narratives during the 1930s can enhance
our understanding of both form and meaning of a-prefixing. Drawing
on a selection of interviews that includes approximately 400 tokens
of a-prefixing from over 100 individuals, this study will examine
the types of words on which a-prefixing occurs, the phonological
constraints on it, and the morpho-syntactic patterns in which it is
more likely. From these interviews we can infer a semantic meaning
of intensification for a-prefixing, especially in narrative contexts
involving emotionally-charged events. This semantic meaning of
a-prefixing may be related to the development of the
progressive.
Persistent innovations and historical conspiracies as reanalysis and extension
Authors: Burns Roslyn
Published: March 2021

This article explores temporally extended innovations as a form of phonological reanalysis and extension. Polabian (West Slavic) exhibits multiple dissimilatory innovations that target the reflexes of Late Common Slavic (LCS) *v/w. In this paper, I propose that the outputs of syllable structure changes in early West Slavic were reinterpreted as restrictions on the distribution of [w], thus introducing dissimilation to the language. The new grammar was not able to stop other innovations from occurring (prophylaxis) and instead restructured intermediate outputs from subsequent innovations into an acceptable phonetic form (repair) thereby extending dissimilation to new items. I demonstrate that (a) outputs of an earlier onset epenthesis grammar conform to the surface-true generalizations enforced by the reanalyzed dissimilation grammar and (b) a single grammar can account for both the dissimilation which developed during the West Slavic period and subsequent extensions which occurred after Polabian was fully differentiated from its relatives.
Correlation functions of non-Markovian systems out of equilibrium: analytical expressions beyond single-exponential memory
Authors: Doerries Timo J , Loos Sarah A M , Klapp Sabine H L
Published: March 2021

This paper is concerned with correlation functions of stochastic systems with memory, a prominent example being a molecule or colloid moving through a complex (e.g. viscoelastic) fluid environment. Analytical investigations of such systems based on non-Markovian stochastic equations are notoriously difficult. A common approximation is that of a single-exponential memory, corresponding to the introduction of one auxiliary variable coupled to the Markovian dynamics of the main variable. As a generalization, we here investigate a class of ‘toy’ models with altogether three degrees of freedom, giving rise to more complex forms of memory. Specifically, we consider, mainly on an analytical basis, the under- and overdamped motion of a colloidal particle coupled linearly to two auxiliary variables, where the coupling between variables can be either reciprocal or non-reciprocal. Projecting out the auxiliary variables, we obtain non-Markovian Langevin equations with friction kernels and colored noise, whose structure is similar to that of a generalized Langevin equation. For the present systems, however, the non-Markovian equations may violate the fluctuation–dissipation relation as well as detailed balance, indicating that the systems are out of equilibrium. We then study systematically the connection between the coupling topology of the underlying Markovian system and various autocorrelation functions. We demonstrate that already two auxiliary variables can generate surprisingly complex (e.g. non-monotonic or oscillatory) memory and correlation functions. Finally, we show that a minimal overdamped model with two auxiliary variables and suitable non-reciprocal coupling yields correlation functions resembling those describing hydrodynamic backflow in an optical trap.