bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel variant of the Calvin–Benson cycle bypassing fructose bisphosphate
Authors: Ohta Jun
Published: March 2022

The Calvin–Benson cycle (CB cycle) is quantitatively the most important metabolic pathway for CO2 fixation. In the canonical CB cycle, fructose 6-phosphate (F6P), fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (FBP), sedoheptulose 7-phosphate (S7P), and sedoheptulose 1,7-bisphosphate (SBP) appear as essential intermediates, where F6P is formed from FBP by the fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) reaction, and S7P is formed from SBP by the sedoheptulose 1,7-bisphosphatase (SBPase) reaction. Although the involvement of SBP and SBPase in the canonical CB cycle is consistent with the reported dependency of photosynthetic carbon metabolism on SBPase, the involvement of FBP and FBPase is not completely consistent with the reported FBP- or FBPase-related findings such as, although with a diminished growth rate, an Arabidopsis mutant lacking FBPase grew photoautotrophically in soil. Here, we show a novel variant of the CB cycle involving SBP, SBPase, and transaldolase, but neither FBP nor FBPase. This novel variant, named the S7P-removing transaldolase variant, bypasses FBP. This variant explains the FBP- or FBPase-related findings more easily than the canonical CB cycle as well as the dependency of photosynthetic carbon metabolism on SBPase and further suggests that co-overexpression of SBPase and transaldolase can be a strategy for enhancing photosynthetic carbon metabolism, which is important for the global environment.
Design and test of intelligent inspection and monitoring system for cotton bale storage based on RFID
Authors: Zhang Weipeng , Zhao Bo , Yang Qizhi , Zhou Liming , Jiang Hanlu , Niu Kang , Ding Jian
Published: March 2022

To solve the inspection problems in cotton storage, as well as the need for environmental monitoring in the process of modern cotton bale storage, an intelligent inspection and temperature and humidity intelligent monitoring system based on RFID cotton bale was developed by adopting RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology, wireless temperature and humidity real-time monitoring technology and handheld terminal intelligent inspection technology. The system was composed of RFID positioning inspection module and temperature and humidity real-time monitoring and transmission module. The artificial neural network (ANN) based on the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm was used to process the monitoring data of the system by Gaussian filtering, and an accurate classification model of RSSI and label position was established. The test results showed that: Through the comparative analysis of the RFID indoor positioning algorithm, the positioning error of the PSO-ANN algorithm was small. In the actual cotton bale warehouse test, the relative error of positioning and monitoring for RFID cotton bale intelligent inspection and monitoring system was less than 6.7%, which effectively improved the working efficiency of inspection personnel and the security of cotton bale storage. The relative error of temperature and humidity was less than 8% and less than 7%, which could display the temperature and humidity information in real time and meet the real-time demand. This study improved the management personnel's effective positioning and inspection of the cotton bale, prevented the loss of cotton bale, reduced the deterioration probability of cotton bale, and effectively improved the storage management level of the cotton bale. It was of great practical significance to realize the networking, automation, and intelligence of cotton bale storage management.
Grasping learning, optimization, and knowledge transfer in the robotics field
Authors: Pozzi Luca , Gandolla Marta , Pura Filippo , Maccarini Marco , Pedrocchi Alessandra , Braghin Francesco , Piga Dario , Roveda Loris
Published: March 2022

Service robotics is a fast-developing sector, requiring embedded intelligence into robotic platforms to interact with the humans and the surrounding environment. One of the main challenges in the field is robust and versatile manipulation in everyday life activities. An appealing opportunity is to exploit compliant end-effectors to address the manipulation of deformable objects. However, the intrinsic compliance of such grippers results in increased difficulties in grasping control. Within the described context, this work addresses the problem of optimizing the grasping of deformable objects making use of a compliant, under-actuated, sensorless robotic hand. The main aim of the paper is, therefore, finding the best position and joint configuration for the mentioned robotic hand to grasp an unforeseen deformable object based on collected RGB image and partial point cloud. Due to the complex grasping dynamics, learning-from-simulations approaches (e.g., Reinforcement Learning) are not effective in the faced context. Thus, trial-and-error-based methodologies have to be exploited. In order to save resources, a samples-efficient approach has to be employed. Indeed, a Bayesian approach to address the optimization of the grasping strategy is proposed, enhancing it with transfer learning capabilities to exploit the acquired knowledge to grasp (partially) new objects. A PAL Robotics TIAGo (a mobile manipulator with a 7-degrees-of-freedom arm and an anthropomorphic underactuated compliant hand) has been used as a test platform, executing a pouring task while manipulating plastic (i.e., deformable) bottles. The sampling efficiency of the data-driven learning is shown, compared to an evenly spaced grid sampling of the input space. In addition, the generalization capability of the optimized model is tested (exploiting transfer learning) on a set of plastic bottles and other liquid containers, achieving a success rate of the 88%.
Distribution of water phase near the poles of the Moon from gravity aspects
Authors: Kletetschka Gunther , Klokočník Jaroslav , Hasson Nicholas , Kostelecký Jan , Bezděk Aleš , Karimi Kurosh
Published: March 2022

Our Moon periodically moves through the magnetic tail of the Earth that contains terrestrial ions of hydrogen and oxygen. A possible density contrast might have been discovered that could be consistent with the presence of water phase of potential terrestrial origin. Using novel gravity aspects (descriptors) derived from harmonic potential coefficients of gravity field of the Moon, we discovered gravity strike angle anomalies that point to water phase locations in the polar regions of the Moon. Our analysis suggests that impact cratering processes were responsible for specific pore space network that were subsequently filled with the water phase filling volumes of permafrost in the lunar subsurface. In this work, we suggest the accumulation of up to ~ 3000 km3 of terrestrial water phase (Earth’s atmospheric escape) now filling the pore spaced regolith, portion of which is distributed along impact zones of the polar regions of the Moon. These unique locations serve as potential resource utilization sites for future landing exploration and habitats (e.g., NASA Artemis Plan objectives).
Spirometry has added value over electrodermal activity as a physiological marker of mental load in male subjects
Authors: Neukirchen Tobias , Stork Moritz , Hoppe Matthias W. , Vorstius Christian
Published: March 2022

The objective distinction of different types of mental demands as well as their intensity is relevant for research and practical application but poses a challenge for established physiological methods. We investigated whether respiratory gases (oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide output) are suitable to distinguish between emotional stress and cognitive load. To this end, we compared the application of spirometry with an established procedure, namely electrodermal activity (EDA). Our results indicate that electrodermal activity shows a strong responsivity to emotional stress induction, which was highly correlated with its responsivity to cognitive load. Respiratory gases were both sensitive and specific to cognitive load and had the advantage of being predictive for cognitive performance as well as self-reported emotional state. These results support the notion that respiratory gases are a valuable complement to common physiological procedures in the detection and discrimination of different mental demands.
Research on integrated simulation platform for urban traffic control connecting simulation and practice
Authors: Zhang Lili , Zhao Qi , Yu Pei , Li Jing , Yao Di , Wang Xinzhe , Wang Li , Zhang Lingyu
Published: March 2022

Though effective in theoretical simulation, the established traffic control models and optimization algorithms will result in model mismatch or even control strategy failure in actual application. However, they are commonly adopted in traffic signal control research, resulting in the unavailability of many exceptional control algorithms in practice. Simulation should function as a bridge between theoretical research and actual application, allowing the gap between the two to be communicated and made up for. However, an effective connection between the two has yet to be established to enable simulation methods in existing traffic control research. To this end, we designed and developed a simulation platform for "Online Application—HILS (Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation)—Practice" integration over traffic signal control. In this paper, the architecture and characteristics of the integrated simulation platform were described. Besides, the function of each module of the platform was detailed, followed by listing simulation examples for six complex scenarios, with the active control scenario being selected for simulation comparison analysis. The findings demonstrated extensive road network simulation with the integrated simulation platform, multidimensional control variables, control strategies with support, as well as stable and reliable operation. It can be used to verify several sorts of traffic control simulation with variable dimensions.
Rapid DNA visual detection of polymicrobial bloodstream infection using filter paper
Authors: Song Yajing , Gyarmati Peter
Published: March 2022

Bloodstream infection (BSI) is a major complication in patients with cancers due to therapy-induced neutropenia and underlying conditions, which increases hospitalization time and mortality rate. Targeted and timely antimicrobial management is crucial to save the patients’ lives and reduce the social and economic burdens. Blood culture is a routine clinical diagnostic method of BSI with a long turnaround time, and generally identifies monomicrobial BSI. Thus, polymicrobial BSI often goes undetected although it occurs more frequently in these patients and results in more severe outcomes compared to monomicrobial BSI. In this work, we apply glutaric anhydride, N-hydroxysuccinimide and N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide to fabricate a functional surface on cellulose filter paper. Targeting three pathogens (Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and human cytomegalovirus) commonly occurring in BSI in neutropenic patients, we demonstrate rapid and accurate triplex pathogen DNA detection using the functionalized paper. All three pathogen DNA was identified in 1–5 min with a detection limit of 0.1–0.5 ng/µL. The developed test tool has the potential to provide rapid polymicrobial BSI diagnosis in support of timely, accurate antimicrobial treatment, and could be integrated into an automatic sample-to-result portable equipment.
In-vivo functional and structural retinal imaging using multiwavelength photoacoustic remote sensing microscopy
Authors: Hosseinaee Zohreh , Pellegrino Nicholas , Abbasi Nima , Amiri Tara , Simmons James A. Tummon , Fieguth Paul , Haji Reza Parsin
Published: March 2022

Many important eye diseases as well as systemic disorders manifest themselves in the retina. Retinal imaging technologies are rapidly growing and can provide ever-increasing amounts of information about the structure, function, and molecular composition of retinal tissue in-vivo. Photoacoustic remote sensing (PARS) is a novel imaging modality based on all-optical detection of photoacoustic signals, which makes it suitable for a wide range of medical applications. In this study, PARS is applied for in-vivo imaging of the retina and estimating oxygen saturation in the retinal vasculature. To our knowledge, this is the first time that a non-contact photoacoustic imaging technique is applied for in-vivo imaging of the retina. Here, optical coherence tomography is also used as a well-established retinal imaging technique to navigate the PARS imaging beams and demonstrate the capabilities of the optical imaging setup. The system is applied for in-vivo imaging of both microanatomy and the microvasculature of the retina. The developed system has the potential to advance the understanding of the ocular environment and to help in monitoring of ophthalmic diseases.
Operational parameters optimization for remediation of crude oil-polluted water in floating treatment wetlands using response surface methodology
Authors: Rehman Khadeeja , Arslan Muhammad , Müller Jochen A. , Saeed Muhammad , Anwar Samina , Islam Ejazul , Imran Asma , Amin Imran , Mustafa Tanveer , Iqbal Samina , Afzal Muhammad
Published: March 2022

The application of floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) is an innovative nature-based solution for the remediation of polluted water. The rational improvement of water treatment via FTWs is typically based on multifactorial experiments which are labor-intensive and time-consuming. Here, we used the response surface methodology (RSM) for the optimization of FTW’s operational parameters for the remediation of water polluted by crude oil. The central composite design (CCD) of RSM was used to generate the experimental layout for testing the effect of the variables hydrocarbon, nutrient, and surfactant concentrations, aeration, and retention time on the hydrocarbon removal in 50 different FTW test systems planted with the common reed, Phragmites australis. The results from these FTW were used to formulate a mathematical model in which the computational data strongly correlated with the experimental results. The operational parameters were further optimized via modeling prediction plus experimental validation in test FTW systems. In the FTW with optimized parameters, there was a 95% attenuation of the hydrocarbon concentration, which was very close to the 98% attenuation predicted by the model. The cost-effectiveness ratio showed a reduction of the treatment cost up to $0.048/liter of wastewater. The approach showed that RSM is a useful strategy for designing FTW experiments and optimizing operational parameters.
Numerical solution for circular tunnel excavated in strain-softening rock masses considering damaged zone
Authors: Li Jinwang , Shen Caihua , He Xiufeng , Zheng Xiangtian , Yuan Jiaojiao
Published: March 2022

Despite the extensive investigation on the stress and displacement distributions in tunnels, few have considered the influences of the damaged zone around a tunnel on the strength and stiffness parameters of the surrounding rock, including the gradual variation in the damaged factor D and dimensionless damaged radius $$\rho^{{\text{d}}}$$

ρ
d

, under the effect of excavation disturbance. In this paper, a numerical solution is presented for the stresses and displacement of a circular tunnel excavated in a Hoek–Brown rock mass considering the progressive destruction of the damaged zone. First, the results obtained using the proposed algorithm are compared with those obtained using other numerical solutions, demonstrating a high degree of accuracy through some examples. Second, the influences of the damaged factor $$D$$
D
and dimensionless damaged radius $$\rho^{d}$$

ρ
d

on the stresses, radial displacement, plastic radii, and ground response curve are investigated. The results show that, as the damaged factor D increases, the radial displacement and plastic radius increase, whereas the tangential stress decreases. Both the plastic radius and displacement decrease with decreasing $$\rho^{{\text{d}}}$$

ρ
d

. This shows that the damaged factor D has a significant effect on tunnel convergence.
Optimizing the sensitivity and resolution of hyaluronan analysis with solid-state nanopores
Authors: Rivas Felipe , DeAngelis Paul L. , Rahbar Elaheh , Hall Adam R.
Published: March 2022

Hyaluronan (HA) is an essential carbohydrate in vertebrates that is a potentially robust bioindicator due to its critical roles in diverse physiological functions in health and disease. The intricate size-dependent function that exists for HA and its low abundance in most biological fluids have highlighted the need for sensitive technologies to provide accurate and quantitative assessments of polysaccharide molecular weight and concentration. We have demonstrated that solid state (SS-) nanopore technology can be exploited for this purpose, given its molecular sensitivity and analytical capacity, but there remains a need to further understand the impacts of experimental variables on the SS-nanopore signal for optimal interpretation of results. Here, we use model quasi-monodisperse HA polymers to determine the dependence of HA signal characteristics on a range of SS-nanopore measurement conditions, including applied voltage, pore diameter, and ionic buffer asymmetry. Our results identify important factors for improving the signal-to-noise ratio, resolution, and sensitivity of HA analysis with SS-nanopores.
Potassium permanganate dye removal from synthetic wastewater using a novel, low-cost adsorbent, modified from the powder of Foeniculum vulgare seeds
Authors: Bani-Atta Suhair. A.
Published: March 2022

In this study, Seeds powder of Foeniculum vulgare was used to prepare a novel adsorbent, the modification of the prepared adsorbent was done by each of ZnCl2, oxalic acid, and CuS, all samples have been characterized by different techniques and examined for Potassium permanganate (KMnO4) adsorption. Among the four modified and unmodified adsorbents, the sample modified by oxalic acid has the highest percentage removal for KMnO4 adsorption (%R = 89.36). The impact of KMnO4 concentration, adsorbent dose, contact temperature, contact time, and solution pH on the adsorption performance was also investigated. The experimental data of this adsorption was analyzed by different kinetic and isotherm models. As Constants of thermodynamic ΔG°, ΔH°, and ΔS° have been also evaluated. Surface area, pore volume, and pore size of the modified oxalic acid F. vulgare seeds powder adsorbent were determined as 0.6806 m2 g−1, 0.00215 cm3 g−1, and 522.063 Å, as pHZPC also was stated to be 7.2. The R2 values obtained from applying different isotherm and kinetic models (0.999 and 0.996) showed that the adsorption performance of KMnO4 follows the Langmuir and Pseudo 2nd order models. Furthermore, high adsorption capacities of 1111.11, 1250.00, and 1428.57 mg g−1 were achieved at three temperatures that were used in this study. Constants of thermodynamic ΔG°, ΔH°, and ΔS° values indicate chemical and spontaneous adsorption at the adsorbent surface. Therefore, the modified adsorbent can be used to remove KMnO4 dye from pollutant water samples.
Factors related to the location of pigment epithelial detachment in central serous chorioretinopathy
Authors: Kim Young Ho , Kang Edward , Oh Jaeryung
Published: March 2022

Pigment epithelial detachment (PED) is common in eyes with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), and choroidal neovascularisation (CNV), which is almost always associated with PED, is found in a higher proportion than previously expected. Using en-face optical coherence tomography, this retrospective study aimed to investigate the PED location in relation to various geometric landmarks including the foveal centre (FC), greatest choroidal thickness (GCT) point and optic disc centre. In a total of 98 eyes, the distance from the FC to PED centroid was correlated with the ratio of GCT to subfoveal choroidal thickness (r = 0.278, P = 0.006) and the distance from the FC to GCT point (r = 0.371, P < 0.001). Eyes with CNV had a shorter distance between the PED centroid and FC (700 ± 439 μm) than those without (1191 ± 964 μm, P = 0.001). Analysis of covariance showed that the distance from the FC to the PED centroid was significantly correlated with the distance from the FC to the GCT point (P = 0.009) and the PED group with and without CNV (P = 0.020). This result suggests that the development of complicated PED with CNV can be related to both choroidal vascular abnormalities and retinal pigment epithelial insufficiency.
Exploring interactions between maturity status and playing time with fluctuations in physical fitness and hormonal markers in youth soccer players
Authors: Eskandarifard Ebrahim , Nobari Hadi , Sogut Mustafa , Clemente Filipe Manuel , Figueiredo António José
Published: March 2022

The purpose of this study was to determine the differences in functional capacities and hormonal indices according to biological maturity and seasonal playing time status in young soccer players. Twenty-three male under-15 players (14.6 ± 0.2 years) were divided into two groups, based on their maturity status and seasonal playing time. They were measured for anthropometrics, Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 1 (YYIR1), seven repeated sprint test (7RST), countermovement jump (CMJ), skeletal age, growth hormone, and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) level. Age at peak height velocity (APHV) was determined to estimate the maturity timing. The results revealed that players who advanced in maturation were significantly heavier (p = 0.029) and had higher values in skeletal age (p < 0.001), sitting height (p = 0.005), CMJ (p = 0.038), and IGF-1 (p = 0.013). Players given greater playing time exhibited significantly lower fatigue index (p = 0.012), but higher CMJ (p = 0.003) and IGF-1 (p = 0.001) values. The overall results highlighted that early-maturing players and players with greater playing time obtained higher values in both CMJ and IGF-1. The findings may provide an insight on the coaches’ evaluation of players and on the possible factors that may affect the future playing status of young male soccer players.
A case study of petrophysical rock typing and permeability prediction using machine learning in a heterogenous carbonate reservoir in Iran
Authors: Mohammadian Erfan , Kheirollahi Mahdi , Liu Bo , Ostadhassan Mehdi , Sabet Maziyar
Published: March 2022

Petrophysical rock typing (PRT) and permeability prediction are of great significance for various disciplines of oil and gas industry. This study offers a novel, explainable data-driven approach to enhance the accuracy of petrophysical rock typing via a combination of supervised and unsupervised machine learning methods. 128 core data, including porosity, permeability, connate water saturation (Swc), and radius of pore throats at 35% mercury injection (R35) were obtained from a heterogeneous carbonate reservoir in Iran and used to train a supervised machine learning algorithm called Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB). The algorithm output was a modified formation zone index (FZIM*), which was used to accurately estimate permeability (R2 = 0.97) and R35 (R2 = 0.95). Moreover, FZIM* was combined with an unsupervised machine learning algorithm (K-means clustering) to find the optimum number of PRTs. 4 petrophysical rock types (PRTs) were identified via this method, and the range of their properties was discussed. Lastly, shapely values and parameter importance analysis were conducted to explain the correlation between each input parameter and the output and the contribution of each parameter on the value of FZIM*. Permeability and R35 were found to be most influential parameters, where Swc had the lowest impact on FZIM*.
Self-assembly growth of electrolytic silver dendrites
Authors: Tsai Wen-Chieh , Lin Kwang-Lung
Published: March 2022

The atomic level assembly of silver dendrite has never been disclosed despite the numerous studies published on fractal dendrite structures. We report for the first time an HRTEM investigation of the formation of atomic embryos (< 5 nm) and the self-assembly of atoms on an atomic plane of the tip of a dendrite arm. The mechanism of dendrite formation proceeds via the sequence of amorphous embryos aggregates (5–10 nm), nuclei, crystallites (10–20 nm), dendritelets (50–100 nm) and submicron dendrite protypes. The atomic plane is an entirely atomic-level zig-zag structure with d-spacing kink steps. The zig-zag structure triggers the self-assembly of atoms and thus directional growth to produce a dendrite arm with a high aspect ratio.
Positive selection acts on regulatory genetic variants in populations of European ancestry that affect ALDH2 gene expression
Authors: Schaschl Helmut , Göllner Tobias , Morris David L.
Published: March 2022

ALDH2 is a key enzyme in alcohol metabolism that protects cells from acetaldehyde toxicity. Using iHS, iSAFE and FST statistics, we identified regulatory acting variants affecting ALDH2 gene expression under positive selection in populations of European ancestry. Several SNPs (rs3184504, rs4766578, rs10774625, rs597808, rs653178, rs847892, rs2013002) that function as eQTLs for ALDH2 in various tissues showed evidence of strong positive selection. Very large pairwise FST values indicated high genetic differentiation at these loci between populations of European ancestry and populations of other global ancestries. Estimating the timing of positive selection on the beneficial alleles suggests that these variants were recently adapted approximately 3000–3700 years ago. The derived beneficial alleles are in complete linkage disequilibrium with the derived ALDH2 promoter variant rs886205, which is associated with higher transcriptional activity. The SNPs rs4766578 and rs847892 are located in binding sequences for the transcription factor HNF4A, which is an important regulatory element of ALDH2 gene expression. In contrast to the missense variant ALDH2 rs671 (ALDH2*2), which is common only in East Asian populations and is associated with greatly reduced enzyme activity and alcohol intolerance, the beneficial alleles of the regulatory variants identified in this study are associated with increased expression of ALDH2. This suggests adaptation of Europeans to higher alcohol consumption.
Learning accurate personalized survival models for predicting hospital discharge and mortality of COVID-19 patients
Authors: Kumar Neeraj , Qi Shi-ang , Kuan Li-Hao , Sun Weijie , Zhang Jianfei , Greiner Russell
Published: March 2022

Since it emerged in December of 2019, COVID-19 has placed a huge burden on medical care in countries throughout the world, as it led to a huge number of hospitalizations and mortalities. Many medical centers were overloaded, as their intensive care units and auxiliary protection resources proved insufficient, which made the effective allocation of medical resources an urgent matter. This study describes learned survival prediction models that could help medical professionals make effective decisions regarding patient triage and resource allocation. We created multiple data subsets from a publicly available COVID-19 epidemiological dataset to evaluate the effectiveness of various combinations of covariates—age, sex, geographic location, and chronic disease status—in learning survival models (here, “Individual Survival Distributions”; ISDs) for hospital discharge and also for death events. We then supplemented our datasets with demographic and economic information to obtain potentially more accurate survival models. Our extensive experiments compared several ISD models, using various measures. These results show that the “gradient boosting Cox machine” algorithm outperformed the competing techniques, in terms of these performance evaluation metrics, for predicting both an individual’s likelihood of hospital discharge and COVID-19 mortality. Our curated datasets and code base are available at our Github repository for reproducing the results reported in this paper and for supporting future research.
Integrative analysis reveals the functional implications and clinical relevance of pyroptosis in low-grade glioma
Authors: Shen Lin , Li Yanyan , Li Na , Zhao Yajie , Zhou Qin , Shen Liangfang , Li Zhanzhan
Published: March 2022

Using the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (training dataset) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (validation dataset), we found that low-grade gliomas can be divided into two molecular subclasses based on 30 pyroptosis genes. Cluster 1 presented higher immune cell and immune function scores and poorer prognosis than Cluster 2. We established a prognostic model based on 10 pyroptosis genes; the model could predict overall survival in glioma and was well validated in an independent dataset. The high-risk group had relatively higher immune cell and immune function scores and lower DNA methylation levels in pyroptosis genes than the low-risk group. There were no marked differences in pyroptosis gene alterations between the high- and low-risk groups. The competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory network uncovered the lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA regulation patterns of the different risk groups in low-grade glioma. Five pairs of target genes and drugs were identified. In vitro, CASP8 silencing inhibited the migration and invasion of glioma cells. The expression of pyroptosis genes can reflect the molecular biological and clinical features of low-grade glioma subclasses. The developed prognostic model can predict overall survival and distinguish molecular alterations in patients. Our integrated analyses could provide valuable guidelines for improving risk management and therapy for low-grade glioma patients.
Clinical characteristics and pachychoroid incidence in Japanese patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Matsumoto Hidetaka , Hoshino Junki , Mukai Ryo , Nakamura Kosuke , Kishi Shoji , Akiyama Hideo
Published: March 2022

The phenotypes of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) are recognized as differing between Caucasian and Asian patients. Pachychoroid is thought to be more prevalent in Asians than in Caucasians, and may be involved in the development of nAMD in Asian patients. Therefore, we investigated the clinical characteristics and pachychoroid incidence in Japanese patients with nAMD. We retrospectively analyzed 385 eyes of 370 consecutive Japanese patients with treatment naïve nAMD. According to the nAMD nomenclature, type 1 macular neovascularization (MNV) was observed in 132 eyes (34.3%), polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in 137 (35.6%), mixed type 1 and type 2 MNV in 32 (8.3%), type 2 MNV in 43 (11.2%), and type 3 MNV in 41 (10.6%). Pachychoroid was seen in 58.3% of type 1 MNV, 75.2% of PCV, 34.4% of mixed type 1 and type 2 MNV, 14.0% of type 2 MNV, and 0% of type 3 MNV. Compared to nAMD patients without pachychoroid (188 eyes), those who had nAMD with pachychoroid (197 eyes) were significantly younger, had a higher proportion of males, greater central choroidal thickness, and a higher frequency of macular vortex vein anastomoses (all P < 0.001). Furthermore, drusen subtypes differed significantly between the two groups (P < 0.001). These results suggest that most Japanese nAMD patients might have type 1 MNV or PCV. Moreover, in approximately half of patients, nAMD might be associated with pachychoroid, and choroidal congestion may be involved in the development of MNV in these cases.
Patterning of graphene using wet etching with hypochlorite and UV light
Authors: Zhang Minfang , Yang Mei , Okigawa Yuki , Yamada Takatoshi , Nakajima Hideaki , Iizumi Yoko , Okazaki Toshiya
Published: March 2022

Graphene patterning via etching is important for enhancing or controling the properties of devices and supporting their applications in micro- and nano-electronic fields. Herein, we present a simple, low-cost, and scalable wet etching method for graphene patterning. The technique uses hypochlorite solution combined with ultraviolet light irradiation to rapidly remove unwanted graphene areas from the substrate. Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and optical microscopy results showed that well-patterned graphene with micrometer scale regions was successfully prepared. Furthermore, graphene field effect transistor arrays were fabricated, and the obtained devices exhibited good current–voltage characteristics, with maximum mobility of ~ 1600 cm2/Vs, confirming the feasibility of the developed technique.
Unusually large exciton binding energy in multilayered 2H-MoTe2
Authors: Jung Eilho , Park Jin Cheol , Seo Yu-Seong , Kim Ji-Hee , Hwang Jungseek , Lee Young Hee
Published: March 2022

Although large exciton binding energies of typically 0.6–1.0 eV are observed for monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) owing to strong Coulomb interaction, multilayered TMDs yield relatively low exciton binding energies owing to increased dielectric screening. Recently, the ideal carrier-multiplication threshold energy of twice the bandgap has been realized in multilayered semiconducting 2H-MoTe2 with a conversion efficiency of 99%, which suggests strong Coulomb interaction. However, the origin of strong Coulomb interaction in multilayered 2H-MoTe2, including the exciton binding energy, has not been elucidated to date. In this study, unusually large exciton binding energy is observed through optical spectroscopy conducted on CVD-grown 2H-MoTe2. To extract exciton binding energy, the optical conductivity is fitted using the Lorentz model to describe the exciton peaks and the Tauc–Lorentz model to describe the indirect and direct bandgaps. The exciton binding energy of 4 nm thick multilayered 2H-MoTe2 is approximately 300 meV, which is unusually large by one order of magnitude when compared with other multilayered TMD semiconductors such as 2H-MoS2 or 2H-MoSe2. This finding is interpreted in terms of small exciton radius based on the 2D Rydberg model. The exciton radius of multilayered 2H-MoTe2 resembles that of monolayer 2H-MoTe2, whereas those of multilayered 2H-MoS2 and 2H-MoSe2 are large when compared with monolayer 2H-MoS2 and 2H-MoSe2. From the large exciton binding energy in multilayered 2H-MoTe2, it is expected to realize the future applications such as room-temperature and high-temperature polariton lasing.
Colonic diverticulitis location is a risk factor for recurrence: a multicenter, retrospective cohort study in Asian patients
Authors: Sung Chih-Wei , Liu Kao-Lang , Wang Hsiu-Po , Chen I.-Chung , Huang Edward Pei-Chuan , Lien Wan-Ching , Huang Chien-Hua
Published: March 2022

Evidence regarding the recurrence of diverticulitis is limited in Asian patients. This study aims to investigate recurrence rates and identify predictive factors for the recurrence of diverticulitis following successful nonoperative treatment in Asian patients. A multicenter, retrospective cohort study was conducted between 2012 and 2018. Adult patients with computed tomography (CT)-proven colonic diverticulitis were included. The primary outcome was the recurrence of diverticulitis, which was defined as another episode of occurrence of the infection after index hospital stay. Cumulative recurrence rates were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Cox regression models were employed to identify parameters that significantly and independently predicted recurrence. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. A total of 929 patients were included. Diverticulitis in the cecum/ascending occurred in 675 (72.6%) patients. The average follow-up period was 651 days. Recurrence was observed in 115 (12.4%) patients and most significantly observed in patients with sigmoid diverticulitis (HR, 2.24; 95% CIs 1.59–3.97), followed by those with descending colon diverticulitis (HR, 1.92; 95% CIs 1.17–3.25). Although most of the Asian patients had right-sided colonic diverticulitis, those with sigmoid diverticulitis had the highest risk of recurrence.
Experimental evidence for the impact of soil viruses on carbon cycling during surface plant litter decomposition
Authors: Albright Michaeline B N , Gallegos-Graves La Verne , Feeser Kelli L , Montoya Kyana , Emerson Joanne B , Shakya Migun , Dunbar John
Published: March 2022

To date, the potential impact of viral communities on biogeochemical cycles in soil has largely been inferred from correlational evidence, such as virus-driven changes in microbial abundances, viral auxiliary metabolic genes, and links with soil physiochemical properties. To more directly test the impact of soil viruses on carbon cycling during plant litter decomposition, we added concentrated viral community suspensions to complex litter decomposer communities in 40-day microcosm experiments. Microbial communities from two New Mexico alpine soils, Pajarito (PJ) and Santa Fe (SF), were inoculated onto grass litter on sand, and three treatments were applied in triplicate to each set of microcosms: addition of buffer (no added virus), live virus (+virus), or killed-virus (+killed-virus) fractions extracted from the same soil. Significant differences in respiration were observed between the +virus and +killed-virus treatments in the PJ, but not the SF microcosms. Bacterial and fungal community composition differed significantly by treatment in both PJ and SF microcosms. Combining data across both soils, viral addition altered links between bacterial and fungal diversity, dissolved organic carbon and total nitrogen. Overall, we demonstrate that increasing viral pressure in complex microbial communities can impact terrestrial biogeochemical cycling but is context-dependent.
Influence of a series of pyridine ligands on the structure and photophysical properties of Cd(ii) complexes
Authors: Ejarque Daniel , Calvet Teresa , Font-Bardia Mercè , Pons Josefina
Published: March 2022

Five Cd(ii) complexes based on α-acetamidocinnamic acid (HACA) and a set of N,N^N and N^N^N-pyridine (dPy) yield complexes with diverse nuclearities and enhanced quantum yields, benefiting from the chelation enhanced effect (CHEF) of dPy.
Molecular properties and excited state van der Waals potentials in the NO A2Σ+ + O2 XΣg− collision complex
Authors: Soulié Clément , Paterson Martin J.
Published: March 2022

After tuning our computational setup to properly represent NO X2Π, NO A2Σ+, and O2 X3Σg− molecular properties, we characterize the NO A2Σ+ + O2 X3Σg− van der Waals (vdW) Potential Energy Surface (PES) with CCSD(T) and CASSCF/CASPT2 calculations.
Zeolite nanosheets for catalysis
Authors: Wang Xiangyu , Ma Ye , Wu Qinming , Wen Yiqiang , Xiao Feng-Shou
Published: March 2022

This tutorial review briefly summarizes the recent progress in the synthetic strategies of zeolite nanosheets and their relevant catalytic applications.
Monitoring SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater during New York City's second wave of COVID-19: sewershed-level trends and relationships to publicly available clinical testing data
Authors: Hoar Catherine , Chauvin Francoise , Clare Alexander , McGibbon Hope , Castro Esmeraldo , Patinella Samantha , Katehis Dimitrios , Dennehy John J. , Trujillo Monica , Smyth Davida S. , Silverman Andrea I.
Published: March 2022

SARS-CoV-2 viral loads in New York City were significantly correlated with clinical case rates in corresponding sewersheds.
Feature tracking microfluidic analysis reveals differential roles of viscosity and friction in sickle cell blood
Authors: Szafraniec Hannah M. , Valdez José M. , Iffrig Elizabeth , Lam Wilbur A. , Higgins John M. , Pearce Philip , Wood David K.
Published: March 2022

We present a method that combines microfluidic systems and object-tracking computational technologies to evaluate the contributions of effective viscosity and wall friction to the overall resistance in blood from patients with sickle cell disease.
Spin defects in hexagonal boron nitride for strain sensing on nanopillar arrays
Authors: Yang Tieshan , Mendelson Noah , Li Chi , Gottscholl Andreas , Scott John , Kianinia Mehran , Dyakonov Vladimir , Toth Milos , Aharonovich Igor
Published: March 2022

Successful integration of spin defects in hBN on SiO2 nanopillars, which leads to enhanced PL and better ODMR contrast. Also, the spin defects provide useful information about the strain fields associated with the hBN at the nanopillar sites.
Mechanically exfoliated graphite paper with layered microstructures for enhancing flexible electrochemical energy storage
Authors: Zhou Haihan , Liu Yuqin , Ren Mengyao , Zhai Hua-Jin
Published: March 2022

This work fabricates mechanically exfoliated graphite paper with layered microstructures, which not only ensures the high flexibility of the resulting electrochemical capacitor, but substantially boosts its electrochemical properties.
HPTLC screening of saccharin in beverages by densitometry quantification and SERS confirmation
Authors: Chen Qifei , Hou Huaming , Zheng Dan , Xu Xueming , Xi Xingjun , Chen Yisheng
Published: March 2022

As a widely used artificially synthesized sweetener, saccharin faced numerous disputes associated with food safety.
Supramolecular self-assembly mediated aggregation-induced emission of fluorene-derived cyanostilbenes: multifunctional probes for live cell-imaging
Authors: Gouthaman Siddan , Jayaraj Anjitha , Sugunalakshmi Madurai , Sivaraman Gandhi , P Chinna Ayya Swamy
Published: March 2022

The discovery of aggregation-induced emission (AIE), whereby luminogen aggregation enhances the light-emission efficiency offers, a new avenue for the exploration of practically beneficial luminescent materials.
A self-ratiometric and selective electrochemical sensor for the detection of tyrosinase in mouse brain homogenate
Authors: Xu Yumei , Hu Bing , Cui Yanjun , Li Li , Nian Fang , Zhang Zhixia
Published: March 2022

An electrochemical method for selectively sensing and accurately quantifying tyrosinase in mouse brain homogenate is reported.
Improving the robustness of a catalyzed hairpin assembly with a three-arm nanostructure for nonenzymatic signal amplification
Authors: Kim Eunjoo , Xu Jiaxin , Kim Jinah , Chun Honggu
Published: March 2022

A nonenzymatic and isothermal signal amplification was performed by a 3-arm structure based on a catalyzed hairpin DNA assembly (3-CHA). By suppressing the leakage pathway, the sensitivity (<30 pM LOD) and selectivity of the 3-CHA were improved.
A critical comparison between an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QqQ-MS) method and an enzyme assay for anti-cholinesterase pesticide residue detection in cereal matrices
Authors: Tsagkaris A. S. , Uttl L. , Dzuman Z. , Pulkrabova J. , Hajslova J.
Published: March 2022

Critical comparison of two in-house analytical methods based on different principles for the detection of pesticide residues in cereals.
Atroposelective construction of axially chiral enamides via N-allylic alkylation
Authors: Zhou Qian-Yi , Li Xin
Published: March 2022

Herein, we report the catalytic asymmetric synthesis of a unique family of axially chiral enamides in good yields with excellent enantioselectivities under mild conditions.
Neutron reflection and the thermodynamics of the air–water interface
Authors: Penfold Jeffrey , Thomas Robert K.
Published: March 2022

Neutron reflection measures the surface composition of mixtures and quantifies their interactions. The illustration shows the behaviour of an ionic-zwitterion surfactant mixture and a possible configuration of the molecules at the surface.
Defects of thin CaO(001) on Mo(001): an EPR spectroscopic perspective
Authors: Richter Nina F. , Risse Thomas
Published: March 2022

Paramagnetic defects of thin CaO(001)/Mo(001) films are characterized by EPR spectroscopy under ultrahigh vacuum conditions.
Synthesis of β-hydroxysulfides via visible-light-driven and EDA complex-promoted hydroxysulfenylation of styrenes with heterocyclic thiols in EtOH under photocatalyst-free conditions
Authors: Chen Ziren , Xue Fei , Liu Tianxiang , Wang Bin , Zhang Yonghong , Jin Weiwei , Xia Yu , Liu Chenjiang
Published: March 2022

A convenient, environmentally friendly, visible-light-driven and EDA complex-promoted direct hydroxysulfenylation of styrenes under photocatalyst- and transition metal-free has been developed with O2 as the oxygen source and EtOH as the solvent.
Preparation and characterization of new sulfate reference materials for Δ17O analysis
Authors: Su Guangming , Yang Qichao , Tian Yourong , Ma Tianming , Geng Lei
Published: March 2022

Making O-17 enriched sulfate standards to study climate and environmental impacts of atmospheric sulfate.
NiCoP modified lead-free double perovskite Cs2AgBiBr6 for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen generation
Authors: Huang Qiao , Guo Yanmei , Chen Jinxi , Lou Yongbing , Zhao Yixin
Published: March 2022

A NiCoP/Cs2AgBiBr6 composite was successfully synthesised via electrostatic coupling to achieve a hydrogen generation rate of 12.5%, which was ∼88 times higher than that of pure Cs2AgBiBr6.
Acquiring structural and mechanical information of a fibrous network through deep learning
Authors: Yang Shuo , Zhao Chenxi , Ren Jing , Zheng Ke , Shao Zhengzhong , Ling Shengjie
Published: March 2022

A fibrous network-deep learning system (FN-DLS) was developed to extract fibrous network structure information from noisy atomic force microscopy images. FN-DLS can accurately assess the structural and mechanical characteristics of fibrous networks.
Radical copolymerization kinetics of N-tert-butyl acrylamide and methyl acrylate in polar media
Authors: Refai Ibrahim , Agboluaje Maryam , Hutchinson Robin A.
Published: March 2022

Methyl acrylate/N-tert-butyl acrylamide solution radical copolymerization kinetics is well-represented by the terminal model in ethanol-rich mixtures with water, provided that the influence of solvent on homopropagation kinetics is considered.
Templated synthesis of microparticles with carbonaceous skeletal structures using polymer cubosomes as templates
Authors: Song Jeongeun , Choi Subin , Lim Jongwoo , Kim Kyoung Taek
Published: March 2022

Polymer cubosomes can be applied as templates for various mesoporous materials. By using polymer cubosomes, we have synthesized carbonaceous microparticles, which possess crystalline internal networks and exhibit electrochemical properties.
State- and water repellency-controllable molecular glass of pillar[5]arenes with fluoroalkyl groups by guest vapors
Authors: Onishi Katsuto , Ohtani Shunsuke , Kato Kenichi , Fa Shixin , Sakata Yoko , Akine Shigehisa , Ogasawara Moe , Asakawa Hitoshi , Nagano Shusaku , Takashima Yoshinori , Mizuno Motohiro , Ogoshi Tomoki
Published: March 2022

Pillar[5]arenes with C2F5 substituents showed reversible amorphous–crystal transitions by uptake and release of n-alkane vapors. The amorphous–crystal transitions triggered macroscopic property change such as water repellency.