bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi-frequency impedance sensing for detection and sizing of DNA fragments
Authors: Sui Jianye , Gandotra Neeru , Xie Pengfei , Lin Zhongtian , Scharfe Curt , Javanmard Mehdi
Published: March 2021

Electronic biosensors for DNA detection typically utilize immobilized oligonucleotide probes on a signal transducer, which outputs an electronic signal when target molecules bind to probes. However, limitation in probe selectivity and variable levels of non-target material in complex biological samples can lead to nonspecific binding and reduced sensitivity. Here we introduce the integration of 2.8 μm paramagnetic beads with DNA fragments. We apply a custom-made microfluidic chip to detect DNA molecules bound to beads by measuring Impedance Peak Response (IPR) at multiple frequencies. Technical and analytical performance was evaluated using beads containing purified Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) products of different lengths (157, 300, 613 bp) with DNA concentration ranging from 0.039 amol to 7.8 fmol. Multi-frequency IPR correlated positively with DNA amounts and was used to calculate a DNA quantification score. The minimum DNA amount of a 300 bp fragment coupled on beads that could be robustly detected was 0.0039 fmol (1.54 fg or 4750 copies/bead). Additionally, our approach allowed distinguishing beads with similar molar concentration DNA fragments of different lengths. Using this impedance sensor, purified PCR products could be analyzed within ten minutes to determine DNA fragment length and quantity based on comparison to a known DNA standard.
Raman spectroscopy and artificial intelligence to predict the Bayesian probability of breast cancer
Authors: Kothari Ragini , Jones Veronica , Mena Dominique , Bermúdez Reyes Viviana , Shon Youkang , Smith Jennifer P. , Schmolze Daniel , Cha Philip D. , Lai Lily , Fong Yuman , Storrie-Lombardi Michael C.
Published: March 2021

This study addresses the core issue facing a surgical team during breast cancer surgery: quantitative prediction of tumor likelihood including estimates of prediction error. We have previously reported that a molecular probe, Laser Raman spectroscopy (LRS), can distinguish healthy and tumor tissue. We now report that combining LRS with two machine learning algorithms, unsupervised k-means and stochastic nonlinear neural networks (NN), provides rapid, quantitative, probabilistic tumor assessment with real-time error analysis. NNs were first trained on Raman spectra using human expert histopathology diagnostics as gold standard (74 spectra, 5 patients). K-means predictions using spectral data when compared to histopathology produced clustering models with 93.2–94.6% accuracy, 89.8–91.8% sensitivity, and 100% specificity. NNs trained on k-means predictions generated probabilities of correctness for the autonomous classification. Finally, the autonomous system characterized an extended dataset (203 spectra, 8 patients). Our results show that an increase in DNA|RNA signal intensity in the fingerprint region (600–1800 cm−1) and global loss of high wavenumber signal (2800–3200 cm−1) are particularly sensitive LRS warning signs of tumor. The stochastic nature of NNs made it possible to rapidly generate multiple models of target tissue classification and calculate the inherent error in the probabilistic estimates for each target.
Intra-arterial transplantation of stem cells in large animals as a minimally-invasive strategy for the treatment of disseminated neurodegeneration
Authors: Malysz-Cymborska Izabela , Golubczyk Dominika , Kalkowski Lukasz , Kwiatkowska Joanna , Zawadzki Michal , Głodek Joanna , Holak Piotr , Sanford Joanna , Milewska Kamila , Adamiak Zbigniew , Walczak Piotr , Janowski Miroslaw
Published: March 2021

Stem cell transplantation proved promising in animal models of neurological diseases; however, in conditions with disseminated pathology such as ALS, delivery of cells and their broad distribution is challenging. To address this problem, we explored intra-arterial (IA) delivery route, of stem cells. The goal of this study was to investigate the feasibility and safety of MRI-guided transplantation of glial restricted precursors (GRPs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in dogs suffering from ALS-like disease, degenerative myelopathy (DM). Canine GRP transplantation in dogs resulted in rather poor retention in the brain, so MSCs were used in subsequent experiments. To evaluate the safety of MSC intraarterial transplantation, naïve pigs (n = 3) were used as a pre-treatment control before transplantation in dogs. Cells were labeled with iron oxide nanoparticles. For IA transplantation a 1.2-French microcatheter was advanced into the middle cerebral artery under roadmap guidance. Then, the cells were transplanted under real-time MRI with the acquisition of dynamic T2*-weighted images. The procedure in pigs has proven to be safe and histopathology has demonstrated the successful and predictable placement of transplanted porcine MSCs. Transplantation of canine MSCs in DM dogs resulted in their accumulation in the brain. Interventional and follow-up MRI proved the procedure was feasible and safe. Analysis of gene expression after transplantation revealed a reduction of inflammatory factors, which may indicate a promising therapeutic strategy in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Effects of acute heat stress on protein expression and histone modification in the adrenal gland of male layer-type country chickens
Authors: Zheng Hao-Teng , Zhuang Zi-Xuan , Chen Chao-Jung , Liao Hsin-Yi , Chen Hung-Lin , Hsueh Huang-Chun , Chen Chih-Feng , Chen Shuen-Ei , Huang San-Yuan
Published: March 2021

The adrenal gland responds to heat stress by epinephrine and glucocorticoid release to alleviate the adverse effects. This study investigated the effect of acute heat stress on the protein profile and histone modification in the adrenal gland of layer-type country chickens. A total of 192 roosters were subject to acute heat stress and thereafter classified into a resistant or susceptible group according to body temperature change. The iTRAQ analysis identified 80 differentially expressed proteins, in which the resistant group had a higher level of somatostatin and hydroxy-δ-5-steroid dehydrogenase but a lower parathymosin expression in accordance with the change of serum glucocorticoid levels. Histone modification analysis identified 115 histone markers. The susceptible group had a higher level of tri-methylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3) and showed a positive crosstalk with K36me and K37me in the H3 tails. The differential changes of body temperature projected in physiological regulation at the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis suggest the genetic heterogeneity in basic metabolic rate and efficiency for heat dissipation to acclimate to thermal stress and maintain body temperature homeostasis. The alteration of adrenal H3K27me3 level was associated with the endocrine function of adrenal gland and may contribute to the thermotolerance of chickens.
Puerarin enhances intestinal function in piglets infected with porcine epidemic diarrhea virus
Authors: Wu Mengjun , Yi Dan , Zhang Qian , Wu Tao , Yu Kui , Peng Meng , Wang Lei , Zhao Di , Hou Yongqing , Wu Guoyao
Published: March 2021

Puerarin has been reported to be an excellent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent, but the potential effect of puerarin on porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is unclear. This study aimed to determine whether puerarin could alleviate intestinal injury in piglets infected with PEDV. A PEDV (Yunnan province strain) infection model was applied to 7-day-old piglets at 104.5 TCID50 (50% tissue culture infectious dose). Piglets were orally administered with puerarin at the dosage of 0.5 mg/kg body weight from day 5 to day 9. On day 9 of the trial, piglets were inoculated orally with PEDV. Three days later, jugular vein blood and intestinal samples were collected. Results showed puerarin reduced morbidity of piglets infected with PEDV. In addition, puerarin reduced the activities of aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase, the ratio of serum aspartate aminotransferase to serum alanine aminotransferase, the number of white blood cells and neutrophils, and the plasma concentrations of interleukin-6, interleukin-8 and tumor necrosis factor-α, as well as protein abundances of heat shock protein-70 in PEDV-infected piglets. Moreover, puerarin increased D-xylose concentration but decreased intestinal fatty acid-binding protein concentration and diamine oxidase activity in the plasma of piglets infected with PEDV. Puerarin increased the activities of total superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase, while decreasing the activities of myeloperoxidase and concentration of hydrogen peroxide in both the intestine and plasma of PEDV-infected piglets. Puerarin decreased mRNA levels of glutathione S-transferase omega 2 but increased the levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2. Furthermore, puerarin increased the abundance of total eubacteria (16S rRNA), Enterococcus genus, Lactobacillus genus and Enterobacteriaceae family in the intestine, but reduced the abundance of Clostridium coccoides in the caecum. These data indicate puerarin improved intestinal function in piglets infected by PEDV and may be a promising supplement for the prevention of PEDV infection.
Scarcity of scale-free topology is universal across biochemical networks
Authors: Smith Harrison B. , Kim Hyunju , Walker Sara I.
Published: March 2021

Biochemical reactions underlie the functioning of all life. Like many examples of biology or technology, the complex set of interactions among molecules within cells and ecosystems poses a challenge for quantification within simple mathematical objects. A large body of research has indicated many real-world biological and technological systems, including biochemistry, can be described by power-law relationships between the numbers of nodes and edges, often described as “scale-free”. Recently, new statistical analyses have revealed true scale-free networks are rare. We provide a first application of these methods to data sampled from across two distinct levels of biological organization: individuals and ecosystems. We analyze a large ensemble of biochemical networks including networks generated from data of 785 metagenomes and 1082 genomes (sampled from the three domains of life). The results confirm no more than a few biochemical networks are any more than super-weakly scale-free. Additionally, we test the distinguishability of individual and ecosystem-level biochemical networks and show there is no sharp transition in the structure of biochemical networks across these levels of organization moving from individuals to ecosystems. This result holds across different network projections. Our results indicate that while biochemical networks are not scale-free, they nonetheless exhibit common structure across different levels of organization, independent of the projection chosen, suggestive of shared organizing principles across all biochemical networks.
Synchrony and multimodality in the timing of Atlantic salmon smolt migration in two Norwegian fjords
Authors: Bjerck Helge B. , Urke Henning A. , Haugen Thrond O. , Alfredsen Jo Arve , Ulvund John Birger , Kristensen Torstein
Published: March 2021

The timing of the smolt migration of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is a phenological trait increasingly important to the fitness of this species. Understanding when and how smolts migrate to the sea is crucial to understanding how salmon populations will be affected by both climate change and the elevated salmon lice concentrations produced by salmon farms. Here, acoustic telemetry was used to monitor the fjord migration of wild post-smolts from four rivers across two fjord systems in western Norway. Smolts began their migration throughout the month of May in all populations. Within-population, the timing of migration was multimodal with peaks in migration determined by the timing of spring floods. As a result, migrations were synchronized across populations with similar hydrology. There was little indication that the timing of migration had an impact on survival from the river mouth to the outer fjord. However, populations with longer fjord migrations experienced lower survival rates and had higher variance in fjord residency times. Explicit consideration of the multimodality inherent to the timing of smolt migration in these populations may help predict when smolts are in the fjord, as these modes seem predictable from available environmental data.
Single dose of a replication-defective vaccinia virus expressing Zika virus-like particles is protective in mice
Authors: Jasperse Brittany , O’Connell Caitlin M. , Wang Yuxiang , Verardi Paulo H.
Published: March 2021

Zika virus (ZIKV), a flavivirus transmitted primarily by infected mosquitos, can cause neurological symptoms such as Guillian–Barré syndrome and microcephaly. We developed several vaccinia virus (VACV) vaccine candidates for ZIKV based on replication-inducible VACVs (vINDs) expressing ZIKV pre-membrane (prM) and envelope (E) proteins (vIND-ZIKVs). These vIND-ZIKVs contain elements of the tetracycline operon and replicate only in the presence of tetracyclines. The pool of vaccine candidates was narrowed to one vIND-ZIKV containing a novel mutation in the signal peptide of prM that led to higher expression and secretion of E and production of virus-like particles, which was then tested for safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy in mice. vIND-ZIKV grows to high titers in vitro in the presence of doxycycline (DOX) but is replication-defective in vivo in the absence of DOX, causing no weight loss in mice. C57BL/6 mice vaccinated once with vIND-ZIKV in the absence of DOX (as a replication-defective virus) developed robust levels of E-peptide-specific IFN-γ-secreting splenocytes and anti-E IgG titers, with modest levels of serum-neutralizing antibodies. Vaccinated mice treated with anti-IFNAR1 antibody were completely protected from ZIKV viremia post-challenge after a single dose of vIND-ZIKV. Furthermore, mice with prior immunity to VACV developed moderate anti-E IgG titers that increased after booster vaccination, and were protected from viremia only after two vaccinations with vIND-ZIKV.
Crystal structure of RahU, an aegerolysin protein from the human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and its interaction with membrane ceramide phosphorylethanolamine
Authors: Kočar Eva , Lenarčič Tea , Hodnik Vesna , Panevska Anastasija , Huang Yunjie , Bajc Gregor , Kostanjšek Rok , Naren Anjaparavanda P. , Maček Peter , Anderluh Gregor , Sepčić Kristina , Podobnik Marjetka , Butala Matej
Published: March 2021

Aegerolysins are proteins produced by bacteria, fungi, plants and protozoa. The most studied fungal aegerolysins share a common property of interacting with membranes enriched with cholesterol in combination with either sphingomyelin or ceramide phosphorylethanolamine (CPE), major sphingolipids in the cell membranes of vertebrates and invertebrates, respectively. However, genome analyses show a particularly high frequency of aegerolysin genes in bacteria, including the pathogenic genera Pseudomonas and Vibrio; these are human pathogens of high clinical relevance and can thrive in a variety of other species. The knowledge on bacterial aegerolysin-lipid interactions is scarce. We show that Pseudomonas aeruginosa aegerolysin RahU interacts with CPE, but not with sphingomyelin-enriched artificial membranes, and that RahU interacts with the insect cell line producing CPE. We report crystal structures of RahU alone and in complex with tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris), which, like the phosphorylethanolamine head group of CPE, contains a primary amine. The RahU structures reveal that the two loops proximal to the amino terminus form a cavity that accommodates Tris, and that the flexibility of these two loops is important for this interaction. We show that Tris interferes with CPE-enriched membranes for binding to RahU, implying on the importance of the ligand cavity between the loops and its proximity in RahU membrane interaction. We further support this by studying the interaction of single amino acid substitution mutants of RahU with the CPE-enriched membranes. Our results thus represent a starting point for a better understanding of the role of P. aeruginosa RahU, and possibly other bacterial aegerolysins, in bacterial interactions with other organisms.
Hericium erinaceus mycelium and its small bioactive compounds promote oligodendrocyte maturation with an increase in myelin basic protein
Authors: Huang Hui-Ting , Ho Chia-Hsin , Sung Hsin-Yu , Lee Li-Ya , Chen Wan-Ping , Chen Yu-Wen , Chen Chin-Chu , Yang Chung-Shi , Tzeng Shun-Fen
Published: March 2021

Oligodendrocytes (OLs), myelin-producing glia in the central nervous system (CNS), produce a myelin extension that enwraps axons to facilitate action potential propagation. An effective approach to induce oligodendrogenesis and myelination is important to foster CNS development and promote myelin repair in neurological diseases.Hericium(H.)erinaceus, an edible and culinary-medicinal mushroom, has been characterized as having neuroprotective activities. However, its effect on OL differentiation has not yet been uncovered. In this study using oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) cultures and an ex vivo cerebellar slice system, we found that the extract fromH. erinaceusmycelium (HEM) not only promoted the differentiation of OPCs to OLs in the differentiation medium, but also increased the level of myelin basic protein (MBP) on neuronal fibers. Moreover, daily oral administration of HEM into neonatal rat pups for 7 days enhanced MBP expression and OLs in the corpus callosum of the postnatal rat brain. The effect of HEM-derived bioactive compounds, the diterpenoid xylosides erinacine A (HeA) and HeC and a sesterterpene with 5 isoprene units called HeS, were further evaluated. The results showed that HeA and HeS more potently stimulated MBP expression in OLs and increased the number of OLs. Moreover, overlap between MBP immunoreactivity and neuronal fibers in cultured cerebellar tissue slices was significantly increased in the presence of HeA and HeS. In summary, our findings indicate that HEM extract and its ingredients HeA and HeS display promising functional effects and promote OL maturation, providing insights into their potential for myelination in neurodevelopmental disorders.
Machine learning estimation of tissue optical properties
Authors: Hokr Brett H. , Bixler Joel N.
Published: March 2021

Dynamic, in vivo measurement of the optical properties of biological tissues is still an elusive and critically important problem. Here we develop a technique for inverting a Monte Carlo simulation to extract tissue optical properties from the statistical moments of the spatio-temporal response of the tissue by training a 5-layer fully connected neural network. We demonstrate the accuracy of the method across a very wide parameter space on a single homogeneous layer tissue model and demonstrate that the method is insensitive to parameter selection of the neural network model itself. Finally, we propose an experimental setup capable of measuring the required information in real time in an in vivo environment and demonstrate proof-of-concept level experimental results.
Resilience of the topological phases to frustration
Authors: Marić Vanja , Franchini Fabio , Kuić Domagoj , Giampaolo Salvatore Marco
Published: March 2021

Recently it was highlighted that one-dimensional antiferromagnetic spin models with frustrated boundary conditions, i.e. periodic boundary conditions in a ring with an odd number of elements, may show very peculiar behavior. Indeed the presence of frustrated boundary conditions can destroy the local magnetic orders presented by the models when different boundary conditions are taken into account and induce novel phase transitions. Motivated by these results, we analyze the effects of the introduction of frustrated boundary conditions on several models supporting (symmetry protected) topological orders, and compare our results with the ones obtained with different boundary conditions. None of the topological order phases analyzed are altered by this change. This observation leads naturally to the conjecture that topological phases of one-dimensional systems are in general not affected by topological frustration.
A hierarchical regulatory network analysis of the vitamin D induced transcriptome reveals novel regulators and complete VDR dependency in monocytes
Authors: Warwick Timothy , Schulz Marcel H. , Günther Stefan , Gilsbach Ralf , Neme Antonio , Carlberg Carsten , Brandes Ralf P. , Seuter Sabine
Published: March 2021

The transcription factor vitamin D receptor (VDR) is the high affinity nuclear target of the biologically active form of vitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3). In order to identify pure genomic transcriptional effects of 1,25(OH)2D3, we used VDR cistrome, transcriptome and open chromatin data, obtained from the human monocytic cell line THP-1, for a novel hierarchical analysis applying three bioinformatics approaches. We predicted 75.6% of all early 1,25(OH)2D3-responding (2.5 or 4 h) and 57.4% of the late differentially expressed genes (24 h) to be primary VDR target genes. VDR knockout led to a complete loss of 1,25(OH)2D3–induced genome-wide gene regulation. Thus, there was no indication of any VDR-independent non-genomic actions of 1,25(OH)2D3 modulating its transcriptional response. Among the predicted primary VDR target genes, 47 were coding for transcription factors and thus may mediate secondary 1,25(OH)2D3 responses. CEBPA and ETS1 ChIP-seq data and RNA-seq following CEBPA knockdown were used to validate the predicted regulation of secondary vitamin D target genes by both transcription factors. In conclusion, a directional network containing 47 partly novel primary VDR target transcription factors describes secondary responses in a highly complex vitamin D signaling cascade. The central transcription factor VDR is indispensable for all transcriptome-wide effects of the nuclear hormone.
Bacterial lipopolysaccharide is associated with stroke
Authors: Hakoupian Marisa , Ferino Eva , Jickling Glen C. , Amini Hajar , Stamova Boryana , Ander Bradley P. , Alomar Noor , Sharp Frank R. , Zhan Xinhua
Published: March 2021

We aimed to determine if plasma levels of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA) are associated with different causes of stroke and correlate with C-reactive protein (CRP), LPS-binding protein (LBP), and the NIH stroke scale (NIHSS). Ischemic stroke (cardioembolic (CE), large artery atherosclerosis (LAA), small vessel occlusion (SVO)), intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), transient ischemic attack (TIA) and control subjects were compared (n = 205). Plasma LPS, LTA, CRP, and LBP levels were quantified by ELISA. LPS and CRP levels were elevated in ischemic strokes (CE, LAA, SVO) and ICH compared to controls. LBP levels were elevated in ischemic strokes (CE, LAA) and ICH. LTA levels were increased in SVO stroke compared to TIA but not controls. LPS levels correlated with CRP and LBP levels in stroke and TIA. LPS, LBP and CRP levels positively correlated with the NIHSS and WBC count but negatively correlated with total cholesterol. Plasma LPS and LBP associate with major causes of ischemic stroke and with ICH, whereas LPS/LBP do not associate with TIAs. LTA only associated with SVO stroke. LPS positively correlated with CRP, LBP, and WBC but negatively correlated with cholesterol. Higher LPS levels were associated with worse stroke outcomes.
Haze of glue determines preference of western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) for yellow or blue traps
Authors: van Tol Robert W. H. M. , Tom Jolanda , Roher Monika , Schreurs Anne , van Dooremalen Coby
Published: March 2021

In a wind tunnel we compared the colour preference for western flower thrips to four types of colour plates (clear, white, blue and yellow) applied with two types of glue (diffuse Stikem versus clear D41). Further the results for blue and yellow preference were validated in two greenhouses. In the wind tunnel, we found a clear preference of yellow over blue when a clear glue (D41) was used. However, with a more diffuse (whitish) glue (Stikem) the preference for yellow over blue disappeared, whereby the attraction to yellow decreased (58%) while the attraction to blue increased (65%). In the greenhouses, we found similar effects as in the wind tunnel with a decrease in attraction to yellow (35%) and increase in attraction to blue (32%) for Stikem compared to D41. Light measurements showed an increase of 18% of blue, 21% of violet light, 8% of yellow and 9% of green light reflected on the yellow Stikem trap versus the yellow D41 trap. On blue plates there was only 4% increase of blue light, 8% decrease of yellow light reflected when Stikem glue was used compared to D41 glue. It is not yet clear if the change of light reflection ratio blue/yellow caused by the glue type plays a role in the change of attraction. The reflective properties of glue are so far an unknown factor in colour choice and may explain partially the different results on colour preference. A small review on thrips colour preference is discussed to determine possible other factors of influence on colour choice.
Theory of nonvolatile resistive switching in monolayer molybdenum disulfide with passive electrodes
Authors: Mitra Sanchali , Kabiraj Arnab , Mahapatra Santanu
Published: March 2021

Resistive-memory devices promise to revolutionize modern computer architecture eliminating the data-shuttling bottleneck between the memory and processing unit. Recent years have seen a surge of experimental demonstrations of such devices built upon two-dimensional materials based metal–insulator–metal structures. However, the fundamental mechanism of nonvolatile resistive switching has remained elusive. Here, we conduct reactive molecular dynamics simulations for a sulfur vacancy inhabited monolayer molybdenum disulfide-based device with inert electrode systems to gain insight into such phenomena. We observe that with the application of a suitable electric field, at the vacancy positions, the sulfur atom from the other plane pops and gets arrested in the plane of the molybdenum atoms. Rigorous first principles based calculations surprisingly reveal localized metallic states (virtual filament) and stronger chemical bonding for this new atomic arrangement, explaining the nonvolatile resistive switching. We further observe that localized Joule heating plays a crucial role in restoring the popped sulfur atom to its original position. The proposed theory, which delineates both unipolar and bipolar switching, may provide useful guidelines for designing high-performance resistive-memory-based computing architecture.
Developing a systematic method for extraction of microplastics in soils
Authors: Radford Freya , Zapata-Restrepo Lina M. , Horton Alice A. , Hudson Malcolm D. , Shaw Peter J. , Williams Ian D.
Published: March 2021

Microplastic extraction efficency from soil depends on soil compostion.
Effect of processing on oat β-glucan viscosity, postprandial glycemic response and subjective measures of appetite
Authors: Ames Nancy , Malunga Lovemore Nkhata , Mollard Rebecca , Johnson Jodee , Chu YiFang , Thandapilly Sijo Joseph
Published: March 2021

Increasing the β-glucan viscosity of the oat products by changing the processing parameters may not be adequate in bringing out physiologically relevant effects on glycemic response in humans.
Achieving realistic gastric emptying curve in an advanced dynamic in vitro human digestion system: experiences with cheese—a difficult to empty material
Authors: Peng Zhen , Wu Peng , Wang Jingjing , Dupont Didier , Menard Oliva , Jeantet Romain , Chen Xiao Dong
Published: March 2021

The current work is novel as the first to report the detailed mechanisms illustrating how the consistent gastric emptying for a difficult emptying material-solid cheese was achieved in an advanced novel dynamic in vitro human gastric system.
Femtomolar determination of an ovarian cancer biomarker (miR-200a) in blood plasma using a label free electrochemical biosensor based onl-cysteine functionalized ZnS quantum dots
Authors: Moazampour Mahboobe , Zare Hamid R. , Shekari Zahra
Published: March 2021

Schematic representation of the label free electrochemical genosensor fabrication for detecting miRNA (miR-200a).
Two-dimensional Weyl points and nodal lines in pentagonal materials and their optical response
Authors: Bravo Sergio , Pacheco M. , Nuñez V. , Correa J. D. , Chico Leonor
Published: March 2021

A symmetry analysis combined with first-principles calculations of two-dimensional pentagonal materials (PdSeTe, PdSeS, InP5 and GeBi2) based on the Cairo tiling reveal nontrivial spin textures, nodal lines and Weyl points.
Thermo-enhanced upconversion luminescence in inert-core/active-shell UCNPs: the inert core matters
Authors: Zhou Youhui , Cheng Yao , Xu Ju , Lin Hang , Wang Yuansheng
Published: March 2021

The thermal alleviation of surface quenching associated with size-dependent thermal expansion coefficient gives rise to the core-size-dependent abnormal luminescence thermal behavior in the inert-core/active-shell upconversion nanoparticles.
TiO2/Ti3C2 intercalated with g-C3N4 nanosheets as 3D/2D ternary heterojunctions photocatalyst for the enhanced photocatalytic reduction of nitrate with high N2 selectivity in aqueous solution
Authors: Zheng Rui , Li Chunhu , Huang Kelei , Guan Ying , Sun Bo , Wang Wentai , Wang Liang , Bian Junjie
Published: March 2021

TiO2/Ti3C2 intercalated with g-C3N4 nanosheets as 3D/2D ternary heterojunctions photocatalyst was fabricated. Its performance of photocatalytic nitrate reduction was enhanced with Z-scheme heterojunction under irradiation.
A novel one-pot synthesis of flavones
Authors: Chang Meng-Yang , Tsai Min-Chen , Lin Chun-Yi
Published: March 2021

A one-pot facile route for the BiCl3/RuCl3-mediated synthesis of functionalized flavones is described, including: (i) ortho-acylation of phenols with cinnamoyl chlorides, and (ii) cyclodehydrogenation of the resulting o-hydroxychalcones.
Micellization of a starch–poly(1,4-butylene succinate) nano-hybrid for enhanced energy storage
Authors: Saliu O. D. , Mamo M. A. , Ndungu P. G. , Ramontja J.
Published: March 2021

In this work, we report on a reverse micellization approach to prepare uncarbonized starch and poly(1,4-butylene succinate) hybrids with exceptional charge storage performance.
Exceptionally fast radiative decay of a dinuclear platinum complex through thermally activated delayed fluorescence
Authors: Pander Piotr , Daniels Ruth , Zaytsev Andrey V. , Horn Ashleigh , Sil Amit , Penfold Thomas J. , Williams J. A. Gareth , Kozhevnikov Valery N. , Dias Fernando B.
Published: March 2021

Efficient thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) in a brightly luminescent diplatinum(ii) complex results in significant enhancement of the radiative decay rate.
Amino acid ionic liquids as efficient catalysts for CO2 capture and chemical conversion with epoxides under metal/halogen/cocatalyst/solvent-free conditions
Authors: Qu Ye , Lan Jianwen , Chen Yanglin , Sun Jianmin
Published: March 2021

Biocompatible amino acid ionic liquids (AAILs) were synthesized and efficiently applied in CO2 capture and catalysis for the coupling reaction of CO2 with epoxides under halogen-, cocatalyst- and organic solvent-free conditions.
The band engineering of 2D-hybridized PCN-Sb2MoO6-Bi2O3 nanomaterials with dual Z-scheme heterojunction for enhanced photocatalytic water splitting without sacrificial agents
Authors: Zhang Nan , Liu Tongyao , Zhao Fei , Zhang Xiaochen , Wang Yuhua
Published: March 2021

2D Sb2MoO6 was designed as a Z-scheme heterojunction in the construction of the 2D hybridized g-C3N4/Sb2MoO6/Bi2O3 dual Z-scheme structure.
Prediction model of random forest for the risk of hyperuricemia in a Chinese basic health checkup test
Authors: Gao Yuhan , Jia Shichong , Li Dihua , Huang Chao , Meng Zhaowei , Wang Yan , Yu Mei , Xu Tianyi , Liu Ming , Sun Jinhong , Jia Qiyu , Zhang Qing , Gao Ying , Song Kun , Wang Xing , Fan Yaguang
Published: March 2021

Objectives: The present study aimed to develop a random forest (RF) based prediction model for hyperuricemia (HUA) and compare its performance with the conventional logistic regression (LR) model. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 91,690 participants (14,032 with HUA, 77,658 without HUA). We constructed a RF-based prediction model in the training sets and evaluated it in the validation sets. Performance of the RF model was compared with the LR model by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: The sensitivity and specificity of the RF models were 0.702 and 0.650 in males, 0.767 and 0.721 in females. The positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 0.372 and 0.881 in males, 0.159 and 0.978 in females. AUC of the RF models was 0.739 (0.728–0.750) in males and 0.818 (0.799–0.837) in females. AUC of the LR models were 0.730 (0.718–0.741) for males and 0.815 (0.795–0.835) for females. The predictive power of RF was slightly higher than that of LR, but was not statistically significant in females (Delong tests, P=0.0015 for males, P=0.5415 for females). Conclusion: Compared with LR, the good performance in HUA status prediction and the tolerance of features associations or interactions showed great potential of RF in further application. A prospective cohort is necessary for HUA developing prediction. People with high risk factors should be encouraged to actively control to reduce the probability of developing HUA.
Convex model predictive control for collision avoidance
Authors: Raković Saša V. , Zhang Sixing , Dai Li , Hao Yanye , Xia Yuanqing
Published: March 2021

This manuscript proposes a model predictive control for collision avoidance for the regulation problem of deterministic linear systems, which provides a priori guarantees of strong system theoretic properties, such as positive invariance and asymptotic stability, and high computational efficiency. Notion of safe distance sets is introduced, and also utilized as a novel approach to ensure collision avoidance via suitably defined convex constraints. The proposed convex model predictive control for collision avoidance is obtained by employing interactive strategic‐tactical structure for overall decision‐making. The strategic stage of the overall algorithm employs direct algebraic manipulations in order to construct safe distance sets that ensure collision avoidance. The tactical stage of the overall algorithm employs strictly convex quadratic programs for the optimization of local finite horizon predicted control processes. The dynamically compatible interaction of strategic and tactical stages of the overall algorithm is ensured by construction, which guarantees structural and computational benefits. These novel and unique features effectively enable both real time implementation and real life utilization of model predictive control for collision avoidance.
Dithering‐based real‐time control of cascaded silicon photonic devices by means of non‐invasive detectors
Authors: Zanetto Francesco , Grimaldi Vittorio , Toso Fabio , Guglielmi Emanuele , Milanizadeh Maziyar , Aguiar Douglas , Moralis‐Pegios Miltiadis , Pitris Stelios , Alexoudi Theoni , Morichetti Francesco , Melloni Andrea , Ferrari Giorgio , Sampietro Marco
Published: March 2021

Real‐time control of multiple cascaded devices is a key requirement for the development of complex silicon photonic circuits performing new sophisticated optical functionalities. This article describes how the dithering technique can be leveraged in combination with non‐invasive light probes to independently control the working point of many photonic components. The standard technique is extended by introducing the concept of orthogonal dithering signals to simultaneously discriminate the effect of different actuators, while the idea of frequency re‐use is discussed to limit the complexity of control systems in cascaded architectures. After a careful analysis of the problem, the article presents an automated feedback strategy to tune and lock photonic devices in the maxima/minima of their transfer functions with given response speed and sensitivity. The trade‐offs of this approach are discussed in detail to provide guidelines for the design of the feedback loop. Experimental demonstrations on a mesh of Mach‐Zehnder interferometers and on cascaded ring resonators are discussed to validate the proposed control architecture in different scenarios and applications.
Torque analytical model and self‐decoupling characteristics analysis of a bearingless switched reluctance motor
Authors: Cui Ruizhen , Hao Yi , Wang Xilian , Fang Xinyu , Huang Zhuliang
Published: March 2021

In this paper, a bearingless switched reluctance motor (BRSM) with sharing suspension windings, which simplifies the winding structure and reduces the complexity of the control circuit, is analysed. A torque analytical model is derived using the Maxwell stress tensor method, which provides better results, compared with the linear model in the magnetic saturated conditions. A finite element analysis (FEA) model of the prototype is built and used for comparison with the torque analytical model. The results show that the torque analytical model provides accurate results in the entire magnetic saturation region, which verify the feasibility of this model. In addition, the self‐decoupling characteristics of this type of motor are illustrated using analytical model analysis, FEA and experimental analysis. The results indicate that BSRMs with sharing suspension windings can be flexibly controlled without using complex self‐decoupling algorithms of conventional BSRMs. The presented work provides a theoretical basis for the control strategy.
Performance assessment of a novel power generation system
Authors: Ganesh Narayanan Shankar , Maheswari Gunasekaran Uma , Srinivas Tangellapalli , Reddy Bale Viswanadha
Published: March 2021

This paper introduces a novel power generation system using solar energy as a heat source. The proposed cycle incorporates heat sources from two solar collectors for the effective utilisation of heat energy. To aid the performance of the proposed system, the turbine flow rate is increased with the specific heater arrangements. Energy and exergy balances of the novel system were generated using Python software. The investigation of the present system was evaluated with high sink temperature. Turbine inlet concentration, turbine inlet pressure, HE4 outlet temperature from the turbine, condenser concentration of ammonia, isentropic efficiency of the turbine and pressure ratio are the design variables considered for the exergy and thermoeconomic investigation. The energy and exergy analyses resulted in suitable design variables to optimise the performance. The optimum Kalina cycle efficiency, solar plant efficiency, exergy efficiency and network output were determined to be 18.51%, 8.28%, 34.51% and 295.24 kW, respectively. Among the components involved in the system, the mixers account for the highest exergy destruction followed by the turbine. The cycle performance can be improved by reducing the exergy destruction rate. The thermal efficiency is maximised by the turbine inlet pressure and temperature. Moreover, a higher relative cost difference has resulted in heat exchanger 5 and pump 2.
Analysis of virtual inductances on the stability of the voltage control loops for LC‐filtered voltage‐controlled voltage‐source inverters in microgrids
Authors: Wang Kai , Yuan Xibo , Zhang Yonglei , Li Xiaoqiang , Geng Yiwen , Wu Xiaojie
Published: March 2021

Voltage‐controlled voltage‐source inverters (VVSIs) have been widely used in microgrids. Typically, LC filters are adopted by the VVSIs to improve the quality of the output voltage. Resonances of the LC filters that may cause oscillations to the VVSIs can be damped by well‐designed voltage controllers. However, the virtual inductance (VI) that is widely applied to improve power sharing between VVSIs will reduce the stability margin of the voltage control loop and introduce new oscillations on the LC filters even if the well‐designed voltage controllers have been used, which has not been reported in the literature. Furthermore, since the VI will introduce a cross‐coupling into the system, the conventional methods for analyzing the resonances of the LC‐filtered VVSIs cannot be used for analyzing the oscillations caused by the VI. Therefore, the stability of the LC‐filtered VVSI with the VI is investigated based on a new model proposed in this paper. Besides, to enhance the stability of the VVSI, the application of a low‐pass filter or a band‐pass filter in the VI is studied. Moreover, when connecting the VVSIs, the effects of the line impedance on the stability of the VVSIs while using the VI are investigated. Finally, simulation and experimental results have been provided, which verifies the correctness of the analysis in this paper.
Partial discharge observation of a complex insulation structure model and residual space charge characteristics investigation under repeated lightning impulses
Authors: Lu Li , Ichimura Satoshi , Rokunohe Toshiaki
Published: March 2021

In this research, the authors concentrated on a rarely studied part in the power transformer's insulation structure: the connection part of radial and axial spacers. An experimental model was constructed to simulate this part. It was experimentally observed that the partial discharge starting in the oil gap created by the axial and radial spacers. Characteristics of the abovementioned partial discharge under repeated lightning impulses were also investigated. A longer interval time seemed to accelerate the insulation property deterioration of the constructed model, which is contrary to those reported in other studies. It was because that the partial discharge occurrence was prevented by the residual space charge at the surface of oil/insulation if the time interval of the repeated impulses was not long enough. Therefore, it is proposed that a long enough interval time or a polarity test is expected in the factory test to exclude the influence of the residual space charge and understand the real insulation property of power transformers.
Nodal dynamic charging price formulation for electric vehicle through the Stackelberg game considering grid congestion
Authors: Zhang Qian , Sun Tao , Ding Zhuwei , Li Chunyan
Published: March 2021

The disordered charging of electric vehicles (EVs) may result in transmission congestion during the peak load period; therefore, a nodal dynamic charging price (NDCP) strategy is proposed to schedule the charging activity of regional electric vehicle agents (REVAs) to manage congestion. REVA is responsible for meeting the charging demand of users at a minimum charging cost, while the grid aims at minimising the congestion management cost and regulates the charging price of different nodes. The Stackelberg game theory is used to model the negotiation process of charging price, and the congestion contribution index is proposed to determine the congestion cost that the user side should be allocated. The proposed approach is implemented on a modified IEEE 30 bus system, and the results show that the congestion caused by EVs is reduced effectively, while the charging cost and congestion cost are also optimised.
Die wunderbare Welt der Nervenheilanstalt – der Einstieg
Authors: Schupp Tobias
Published: March 2021

Erinnern Sie sich noch an Ihre Anfänge in der Psychiatrie? Wir wollten von psychiatrisch Pflegenden wissen, wie der erste Kontakt mit dem Team und den Patienten war, was sie am meisten interessiert, berührt oder auch befremdet hat und wo sie ihre Aufgaben sehen. Dieses Mal berichtet ein 40-jähriger Pflegender, der vor 12 Jahren erste Eindrücke in der Psychiatrie gesammelt hat.
Wie viel Recovery steckt in der therapeutischen Theaterarbeit?
Authors: Kaltwasser Björn
Published: March 2021

Gewohnte Bahnen verlassen und spielerisch neue Möglichkeiten ausprobieren – im geschützten Raum der therapeutischen Theaterarbeit ist das möglich. Wie Patienten dadurch Hoffnung und Individualität erleben und welche Parallelen es zum Recovery-Ansatz gibt, verdeutlicht unser Autor anhand von zwei Fallbeispielen.
Qualitätsmanagement in der psychiatrischen Pflege
Authors: Schmidt Simone
Published: March 2021

Um Patienten bestmöglich versorgen zu können, sollte die Pflegequalität in der Psychiatrie regelmäßig evaluiert und aktualisiert werden. Welche Instrumente und Kompetenzen für ein effektives Qualitätsmanagement erforderlich sind, erläutert unsere Autorin.
Assertive CommunityTreatment: moderne Versorgungsformen und neue Rollenprofile für die psychiatrische Pflege
Authors: Kuntz Anja , Vater Ingmar
Published: March 2021

Um Menschen mit schweren psychischen Erkrankungen sektorübergreifend und bedürfnisorientiert behandeln zu können, bietet das Pfalzklinikum eine ambulant aufsuchende Behandlung an: das Assertive Community Treatment. Wie dieses flexible, gemeindepsychiatrische Angebot umgesetzt wird, schildern unsere Autoren.
Assessing the risk of COVID-19 transmission in public restrooms
Authors: Yiu Yuen
Published: March 2021

Researchers quantify the generation and accumulation of aerosolized droplets in a public restroom from toilet flushing.
Indirect-direct band gap transition driven by strain in semiconducting Cu2Se monolayer
Authors: Du Renjun , Liu Liming , Shangguan Wei , Cai Jinming , Dai Jianqing , Gao Lei , Yan Cuixia
Published: March 2021

Cu2Se monolayer (ML) synthesized experimentally is a member of transition metal chalcogenides materials, which has attracted significant attention due to its diversity and unique properties. However, the feature of an indirect band gap of Cu2Se ML in the low-temperature phase limits its’ application in electronics devices. Our study results based on the first principle calculations show that indirect-direct band gap transitions can occur in Cu2Se ML under appropriate uniaxial or biaxial strains. The band gap of Cu2Se ML is controllable due to the different responses of the edge-states near the Fermi level to the strain. The phonon dispersion suggests that the semiconducting Cu2Se ML can maintain dynamic stability in a wide range of strains. With the tunable electronic structure, semiconducting Cu2Se ML would become a promising candidate for electronic devices.
Surface radiation characteristics of the Ali area, Northern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Ge Wang , Lin Han , Xinying Tang
Published: March 2021

This study analyses the diurnal seasonal mean and the seasonal and annual variation in the radiation budget at the Ali Meteorological Bureau observation station in the northern Tibetan Plateau for 2019. The results indicate that the daily average variation in incidental shortwave and reflected radiation across all seasons in the Ali area had typical unimodal symmetry. The average daily variation in incidental shortwave radiation was in phase with reflected radiation, but the amplitude of the incidental shortwave radiation was greater than that of reflected radiation. The daily amplitude, daily average, and monthly average upwelling longwave radiation were greater than those for downwelling radiation, and the diurnal cycle of downwelling atmospheric radiation lagged behind that of upwelling longwave radiation. The daily amplitude of surface net radiation in winter in the Ali area was less than in other seasons, as expected, and the seasonal transformation had a great impact on the net radiation for this region. The net radiative energy at the surface was highest in late spring and early summer, which played a decisive role in the formation of terrestrial and atmospheric heating.