bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel GAN-based regression model for predicting frying oil deterioration
Authors: Ye Kai , Wang Zhenyu , Chen Pengyuan , Piao Yangheran , Zhang Kuan , Wang Shu , Jiang Xiaoming , Cui Xiaohui
Published: June 2022

Frying is a common food processing method because fried food is popular with consumers for its attractive colour and crisp taste. What’s concerning is that the complex physical and chemical reactions occurring during deep frying are harmful to the well-being of people. For this reason, researchers proposed various detecting methods to assess frying oil deterioration. Some studies design sensor probe, others utilize spectroscopic related methods. However, these methods all need the participating of professionals and expensive instruments. Some of the methods can only function on a fixed temperature. To fix the defects of the above models, in this study, we make use of recent advances in machine learning, specifically generative adversarial networks (GAN). We propose a GAN-based regression model to predict frying oil deterioration. First, we conduct deep frying experiments and record the values of indexes we choose under different temperature and frying time. After collecting the data, we build a GAN-based regression model and train it on the dataset. Finally, we test our model on the test set and analyze the experimental results. Our results suggest that the proposed model can predict frying oil deterioration without experiments. Our model can be applied to other regression problems in various research areas, including price forecasting, trend analysis and so on.
Assessment of image quality on color fundus retinal images using the automatic retinal image analysis
Authors: Shi Chuying , Lee Jack , Wang Gechun , Dou Xinyan , Yuan Fei , Zee Benny
Published: June 2022

Image quality assessment is essential for retinopathy detection on color fundus retinal image. However, most studies focused on the classification of good and poor quality without considering the different types of poor quality. This study developed an automatic retinal image analysis (ARIA) method, incorporating transfer net ResNet50 deep network with the automatic features generation approach to automatically assess image quality, and distinguish eye-abnormality-associated-poor-quality from artefact-associated-poor-quality on color fundus retinal images. A total of 2434 retinal images, including 1439 good quality and 995 poor quality (483 eye-abnormality-associated-poor-quality and 512 artefact-associated-poor-quality), were used for training, testing, and 10-ford cross-validation. We also analyzed the external validation with the clinical diagnosis of eye abnormality as the reference standard to evaluate the performance of the method. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for testing good quality against poor quality were 98.0%, 99.1%, and 98.6%, and for differentiating between eye-abnormality-associated-poor-quality and artefact-associated-poor-quality were 92.2%, 93.8%, and 93.0%, respectively. In external validation, our method achieved an area under the ROC curve of 0.997 for the overall quality classification and 0.915 for the classification of two types of poor quality. The proposed approach, ARIA, showed good performance in testing, 10-fold cross validation and external validation. This study provides a novel angle for image quality screening based on the different poor quality types and corresponding dealing methods. It suggested that the ARIA can be used as a screening tool in the preliminary stage of retinopathy grading by telemedicine or artificial intelligence analysis.
Multi-task learning to leverage partially annotated data for PPI interface prediction
Authors: Capel Henriette , Feenstra K. Anton , Abeln Sanne
Published: June 2022

Protein protein interactions (PPI) are crucial for protein functioning, nevertheless predicting residues in PPI interfaces from the protein sequence remains a challenging problem. In addition, structure-based functional annotations, such as the PPI interface annotations, are scarce: only for about one-third of all protein structures residue-based PPI interface annotations are available. If we want to use a deep learning strategy, we have to overcome the problem of limited data availability. Here we use a multi-task learning strategy that can handle missing data. We start with the multi-task model architecture, and adapted it to carefully handle missing data in the cost function. As related learning tasks we include prediction of secondary structure, solvent accessibility, and buried residue. Our results show that the multi-task learning strategy significantly outperforms single task approaches. Moreover, only the multi-task strategy is able to effectively learn over a dataset extended with structural feature data, without additional PPI annotations. The multi-task setup becomes even more important, if the fraction of PPI annotations becomes very small: the multi-task learner trained on only one-eighth of the PPI annotations—with data extension—reaches the same performances as the single-task learner on all PPI annotations. Thus, we show that the multi-task learning strategy can be beneficial for a small training dataset where the protein’s functional properties of interest are only partially annotated.
Theoretical study of metal-free catalytic for catalyzing CO-oxidation with a synergistic effect on P and N co-doped graphene
Authors: Hadsadee Sarinya , Jungsuttiwong Siriporn , Zhang Rui-Qin , Rungrotmongkol Thanyada
Published: June 2022

P and N co-doped graphene (PNxCy-G with x = 1, 2, 3 and y = 0, 1, 2) is designed to enhance graphene reactivity with a synergistic effect of the P and N atoms for the CO oxidation reaction, focusing on the influence of the N dopant concentration on graphene. The calculated results indicate that increasing two or three coordinated N to P can facilitate charge transfer from the surface onto O2 molecules. However, the adsorbed O2 molecule breaks apart on PN3-G surface, affecting CO oxidation performance. Furthermore, PN2C1-G exhibits excellent catalytic activity towards the oxidation of CO via the ER mechanism, which catalyzes CO oxidation with the rate-determining step of only 0.26 eV for the first and 0.25 eV for the second oxidation at 0 K. Additionally, the catalytic oxidation of PN2C1-G via Eley–Rideal mechanism prefers to occur at room temperature (298.15 K), with a rate-determining step of 0.77 eV. The reaction rates at 298.15 K is calculated to be 5.36 × 1016 mol s–1. The rate constants are obtained according to harmonic transition state theory, which could be supportive for catalytic oxidation of CO on the experiment.
Linking metabolites in eight bioactive forage species to their in vitro methane reduction potential across several cultivars and harvests
Authors: Verma Supriya , Wolffram Siegfried , Salminen Juha-Pekka , Hasler Mario , Susenbeth Andreas , Blank Ralf , Taube Friedhelm , Kluß Christof , Malisch Carsten Stefan
Published: June 2022

An in vitro Hohenheim gas test was conducted to analyze the fermentation end-products from 17 cultivars of eight polyphenol containing forage species. The polyphenol composition and proanthocyanidin (PA) structural features of all the cultivars were analyzed with UPLC-MS/MS in leaves of vegetative or generative plants. The samples were incubated with and without polyethylene glycol (PEG, a tannin-binding agent) to separate the tannin-effect on methane (CH4, ml/200 mg DM) production from that of forage quality. Sulla and big trefoil, two particularly PA rich species, were found to have the highest CH4 reduction potential of up to 47% when compared to the samples without PEG. However, concomitant reduction in gas production (GP, ml/200 mg DM) of up to 44% was also observed. An increase in both GP and CH4 production under PEG treatments, confirms the role of tannins in CH4 reduction. Moreover, PA structural features and concentration were found to be an important source of variation for CH4 production from PA containing species. Despite having low polyphenol concentrations, chicory and plantain were found to reduce CH4 production without reducing GP. Additionally, interspecies variability was found to be higher than intraspecies variability, and these results were consistent across growth stages, indicating the findings’ representativeness.
Selectively biased tri-terminal vertically-integrated memristor configuration
Authors: Manouras Vasileios , Stathopoulos Spyros , Serb Alex , Prodromakis Themis
Published: June 2022

Memristors, when utilized as electronic components in circuits, can offer opportunities for the implementation of novel reconfigurable electronics. While they have been used in large arrays, studies in ensembles of devices are comparatively limited. Here we propose a vertically stacked memristor configuration with a shared middle electrode. We study the compound resistive states presented by the combined in-series devices and we alter them either by controlling each device separately, or by altering the full configuration, which depends on selective usage of the middle floating electrode. The shared middle electrode enables a rare look into the combined system, which is not normally available in vertically stacked devices. In the course of this study, it was found that separate switching of individual devices carries over its effects to the Complete device (albeit non-linearly), enabling increased resistive state range, which leads to a larger number of distinguishable states (above SNR variance limits) and hence enhanced device memory. Additionally, by applying a switching stimulus to the external electrodes it is possible to switch both devices simultaneously, making the entire configuration a voltage divider with individual memristive components. Through usage of this type of configuration and by taking advantage of the voltage division, it is possible to surge-protect fragile devices, while it was also found that simultaneous reset of stacked devices is possible, significantly reducing the required reset time in larger arrays.
Worsening hearing was associated with higher β-amyloid and tau burden in age-related hearing loss
Authors: Zheng Mengmeng , Yan Jiangyu , Hao Wenjuan , Ren Yuan , Zhou Ming , Wang Yunzhi , Wang Kai
Published: June 2022

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) represents the frequently occurring disability that affects the elderly worldwide. The recent evidence has calculated ARHL to be most potential risk factor to predict dementia. β-amyloid plaques and tau accumulation in brain are hallmarks pathologic feature of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which is a leading cause resulting in dementia. However, the potential mechanistic associations between ARHL and dementia remains unknown. We performed the present cross-sectional cohort study by enrolling 72 patients from research on hearing as well as the pathologic hallmarks of AD in brain. The exposure of hearing was measured by either word recognition score or mean pure-tone of the superior ear. The brain β-amyloid and tau standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) were measured by positron emission tomography (PET). The covariates included gender, age, cardiovascular disease, education and hearing aid use. To analyze the association between hearing and β-amyloid/tau, linear regression was used and adjusted for potentially confounding covariates. Our data showed that the mean age was 67.1 ± 2.9 years. After adjusted for all the covariates, SUVR of β-amyloid showed an increase of 0.028 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.004–0.061; P = 0.026], while that of tau exhibited an increase of 0.026 (95% CI 0.003–0.056; P = 0.033) per mean pure-tone increase by 10 dB (worsening). Likewise, per mean word-recognition score increase by 10%, the SUVR of β-amyloid showed an increase of 0.060 (95% CI 0.008–0.113; P = 0.023), while that of tau exhibited an increase of 0.059 (95% CI 0.009–0.111; P = 0.031). Taken together, our data demonstrates that hearing worsening was related to the increased burdens of β-amyloid as well as tau detected by PET, which were the AD pathological markers.
The impact of alternative energy technology investment on environment and food security in northern Ethiopia
Authors: Tofu Daniel Assefa , Wolka Kebede , Woldeamanuel Teshale
Published: June 2022

Energy is a key factor in the economic development. Currently, however, millions of people across the world suffer from energy poverty, having little or no access to energy for cooking, lighting, heating, cooling, or using information and communication technologies. Objective of this study was to investigate the domestic energy sources for households and the impact of biomass use as a source of energy on the environment and food insecurity in the drought-affected northern highlands of Ethiopia. A total of 398 household heads were interviewed using a structured questionnaire, whereas 16 focus group discussions and 12 key informant interviews were conducted. Descriptive data analysis techniques were used to analyze quantitative data while content analysis methods were used to analyze qualitative data. The use of traditional biomass fuels such as firewood, charcoal, crop residue, animal dung, and biomass residue that can be combusted were prevalent in the area, which aggravated the degradation of agricultural lands. As commented by the majority of respondents, the move towards the adoption of modern energy sources was not common due to finance (98%), access (97%), durability (97%) and lack of awareness (93%). The findings showed that land degradation has been severe to the extent that no grain yield can be collected from crop production. As a result, people were exposed to both chronic and transitory food insecurity, and hence the majority of people make their living on food aid. In food-insecure areas, relying on biomass energy could increase land degradation or retard the speed of land restoration, which adversely affects agricultural production and food security. Investing in alternative energy technologies can improve the environment, food security, and people’s health.
Utility of targeted next generation sequencing for inborn errors of immunity at a tertiary care centre in North India
Authors: Rawat Amit , Sharma Madhubala , Vignesh Pandiarajan , Jindal Ankur Kumar , Suri Deepti , Das Jhumki , Joshi Vibhu , Tyagi Rahul , Sharma Jyoti , Kaur Gurjit , Lau Yu-Lung , Imai Kohsuke , Nonoyama Shigeaki , Lenardo Michael , Singh Surjit
Published: June 2022

Inborn errors of immunity (IEI) are a heterogeneous group of monogenic disorders that include primary immunodeficiency’s and other disorders affecting different aspects of the immune system. Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) is an essential tool to diagnose IEI. We report our 3-year experience in setting up facilities for NGS for diagnosis of IEI in Chandigarh, North India. We used a targeted, customized gene panel of 44 genes known to result in IEI. Variant analysis was done using Ion Reporter software. The in-house NGS has enabled us to offer genetic diagnoses to patients with IEI at minimal costs. Of 121 patients who were included pathogenic variants were identified in 77 patients. These included patients with Chronic Granulomatous Disease, Severe Combined Immune Deficiency, leukocyte adhesion defect, X-linked agammaglobulinemia, Ataxia Telangiectasia, Hyper-IgE syndrome, Wiskott Aldrich syndrome, Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial diseases, Hyper-IgM syndrome, autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome, and GATA-2 deficiency. This manuscript discusses the challenges encountered while setting up and running targeted NGS for IEI in our unit. Genetic diagnosis has helped our patients with IEI in genetic counselling, prenatal diagnosis, and accessing appropriate therapeutic options.
Common and distinctive genomic features of Klebsiella pneumoniae thriving in the natural environment or in clinical settings
Authors: Rocha Jaqueline , Henriques Isabel , Gomila Margarita , Manaia Célia M.
Published: June 2022

The Klebsiella pneumoniae complex is comprised of ubiquitous bacteria that can be found in soils, plants or water, and as humans’ opportunistic pathogens. This study aimed at inferring common and distinctive features in clinical and environmental K. pneumoniae. Whole genome sequences of members of the K. pneumoniae complex (including K. variicola, n = 6; and K. quasipneumoniae, n = 7), of clinical (n = 78) and environmental (n = 61) origin from 21 countries were accessed from the GenBank. These genomes were compared based on phylogeny, pangenome and selected clinically relevant traits. Phylogenetic analysis based on 2704 genes of the core genome showed close relatedness between clinical and environmental strains, in agreement with the multi-locus sequence typing. Eight out of the 62 sequence types (STs) identified, included both clinical and environmental genomes (ST11, ST14, ST15, ST37, ST45, ST147, ST348, ST437). Pangenome-wide association studies did not evidence significant differences between clinical and environmental genomes. However, the genomes of clinical isolates presented significantly more exclusive genes related to antibiotic resistance/plasmids, while the environmental isolates yielded significantly higher allelic diversity of genes related with functions such as efflux or oxidative stress. The study suggests that K. pneumoniae can circulate among the natural environment and clinical settings, probably under distinct adaptation pressures.
A functional definition to distinguish ponds from lakes and wetlands
Authors: Richardson David C. , Holgerson Meredith A. , Farragher Matthew J. , Hoffman Kathryn K. , King Katelyn B. S. , Alfonso María B. , Andersen Mikkel R. , Cheruveil Kendra Spence , Coleman Kristen A. , Farruggia Mary Jade , Fernandez Rocio Luz , Hondula Kelly L. , López Moreira Mazacotte Gregorio A. , Paul Katherine , Peierls Benjamin L. , Rabaey Joseph S. , Sadro Steven , Sánchez María Laura , Smyth Robyn L. , Sweetman Jon N.
Published: June 2022

Ponds are often identified by their small size and shallow depths, but the lack of a universal evidence-based definition hampers science and weakens legal protection. Here, we compile existing pond definitions, compare ecosystem metrics (e.g., metabolism, nutrient concentrations, and gas fluxes) among ponds, wetlands, and lakes, and propose an evidence-based pond definition. Compiled definitions often mentioned surface area and depth, but were largely qualitative and variable. Government legislation rarely defined ponds, despite commonly using the term. Ponds, as defined in published studies, varied in origin and hydroperiod and were often distinct from lakes and wetlands in water chemistry. We also compared how ecosystem metrics related to three variables often seen in waterbody definitions: waterbody size, maximum depth, and emergent vegetation cover. Most ecosystem metrics (e.g., water chemistry, gas fluxes, and metabolism) exhibited nonlinear relationships with these variables, with average threshold changes at 3.7 ± 1.8 ha (median: 1.5 ha) in surface area, 5.8 ± 2.5 m (median: 5.2 m) in depth, and 13.4 ± 6.3% (median: 8.2%) emergent vegetation cover. We use this evidence and prior definitions to define ponds as waterbodies that are small (< 5 ha), shallow (< 5 m), with < 30% emergent vegetation and we highlight areas for further study near these boundaries. This definition will inform the science, policy, and management of globally abundant and ecologically significant pond ecosystems.
A comparison of Chinese multicenter breast cancer database and SEER database
Authors: Niu Yingjie , Zhang Fan , Chen Dong , Ye Guolin , Li Yong , Zha Yong , Chen Wenlin , Liu Dequan , Liao Xiaoming , Huang Qinghua , Tang Wei , Cai Gengxi , Guo Rong , Li Hongyang , Tang Shicong
Published: June 2022

There are different characteristics of BC in developing countries and developed countries. We intended to study the factors which influence the survival and prognosis of BC between southern China and the United States. (a) To study the two groups BC patients in southern China from 2001 to 2016 and SEER database from 1975 to 2016. (b) To register, collect and analyze the clinicopathological features and treatment information. Our study found that there are significant differences in tumor size, positive lymph node status and KI-67 between southern China and SEER cohort (P < 0.000). The positive lymph node status may be one of the causes of difference of morbidity and mortality of BC patients in China. Furthermore, the differences in treatment methods may also account for the differences between China and seer databases.
Rice straw structure changes following green pretreatment with petha wastewater for economically viable bioethanol production
Authors: Kumari Dolly , Singh Radhika
Published: June 2022

Energy efficient and environment friendly pretreatment processes for the production of biofuel have remained elusive and the research is further compounded by the high cost of processing lignocellulosic biomass—an essential factor for producing sustainable biofuels. In the last few decades, a number of pretreatment methods have been proposed, specifically chemical pretreatments but are either expensive or harmful to the environment. To address this urgent need, we propose a green pretreatment method that utilises the highly alkaline by-product, petha wastewater to pretreat the lignocellulosic waste rice straw (RS). The effectiveness of the pretreatment was analysed by monitoring both enhanced cellulose content and reducing sugar yield along with removal of hemicellulose and lignin. We found that PWW pretreatment yielded five times more reducing sugar than native RS with 10.12% increment in cellulose content. SEM and EDX studies further revealed that our process enhanced surface roughness and carbon content (from 32.19% increased to 41.59% and 41.66% for A and D, respectively) along with reduction in silica content (from 8.68% in RS to 4.30% and 7.72% for A and D, respectively). XRD and FTIR analyses indicate crystallinity index (CI) and alteration in lignocellulosic structure of RS, respectively. Decrease in CI was about 43.4% in A whereas only 4.5% in D as compared to native RS (CI 54.55%). Thereby we found PWW to be better substitute of an alkali for pretreatment of RS with negligible environmental impacts.
Single-scan volumetric imaging throughout thick tissue specimens by one-touch installable light-needle creating device
Authors: Chang Ching-Pu , Otomo Kohei , Kozawa Yuichi , Ishii Hirokazu , Yamasaki Miwako , Watanabe Masahiko , Sato Shunichi , Enoki Ryosuke , Nemoto Tomomi
Published: June 2022

Biological tissues and their networks frequently change dynamically across large volumes. Understanding network operations requires monitoring their activities in three dimensions (3D) with single-cell resolution. Several researchers have proposed various volumetric imaging technologies. However, most technologies require large-scale and complicated optical setups, as well as deep expertise for microscopic technologies, resulting in a high threshold for biologists. In this study, we propose an easy-to-use light-needle creating device for conventional two-photon microscopy systems. By only installing the device in one position for a filter cube that conventional fluorescent microscopes have, single scanning of the excitation laser light beam excited fluorophores throughout over 200 μm thickness specimens simultaneously. Furthermore, the developed microscopy system successfully demonstrated single-scan visualization of the 3D structure of transparent YFP-expressing brain slices. Finally, in acute mouse cortical slices with a thickness of approximately 250 μm, we detected calcium activities with 7.5 Hz temporal resolution in the neuronal population.
Malleability of time through progress bars and throbbers
Authors: Ziat Mounia , Saoud Wafa , Prychitko Sonja , Servos Philip , Grondin Simon
Published: June 2022

Compared to a stationary pattern, a moving pattern dilates the perception of time. However, when it comes to comparing only moving stimulus, the exact dilation effects are less clear. The time dilation may be attributed to either speed of motion, temporal and spatial frequency, stimulus complexity, or the number of changes in the stimulus pattern. In the present study, we used progress bars and throbbers for inducing impressions of fast and slow “apparent” motions while the speed of motion and distance covered was actually equivalent across all conditions. The results indicate that higher number of steps produced the impression of a faster progression leading to an underestimation of time, whereas a progression in large fewer steps, produced slower apparent progression, creating the illusion of dilated time. We suggest that the perception of time depends on the nature of the stimulus rather than the speed of motion or the distance covered by the stimulus.
Nonlinear mode saturation in a U-shaped micro-resonator
Authors: Rocha Rodrigo T. , Younis Mohammad I.
Published: June 2022

Saturation is an intriguing phenomenon that has captured the attention of scientists since the time of Froude when he reported it for ship motion in the mid of the nineteenth century. This work presents the demonstration and a comprehensive study of the nonlinear saturation phenomenon on a compound micromachined structure of U-shape (micro portal frame). The frame is designed and fabricated as a multi-input and multi-output device for actuating the 1st (sway) and 2nd (symmetric) in-plane vibration modes. Geometric nonlinearities along with the softening effect of the electrostatic force present the necessary conditions for the activation of a 2:1 internal (auto-parametric) resonance between the 1st and 2nd modes. Experimental data complemented with analytical simulations are obtained showing the internal resonance and the saturation phenomenon. These results are promising for further exploration of such compound structures and for further in-depth studies of the saturation phenomenon on a variety of other systems and applications.
Silencing of multiple target genes via ingestion of dsRNA and PMRi affects development and survival in Helicoverpa armigera
Authors: Sharif Muhammad Nauman , Iqbal Muhammad Shahzad , Alam Rukkaya , Awan Mudassar Fareed , Tariq Muhammad , Ali Qurban , Nasir Idrees Ahmad
Published: June 2022

RNA interference (RNAi) triggered by exogenous double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is a powerful tool to knockdown genetic targets crucial for the growth and development of agriculturally important insect pests. Helicoverpa armigera is a pest feeding on more than 30 economically important crops worldwide and a major threat. Resistance to insecticides and Bt toxins has been gradually increasing in the field. RNAi-mediated knockdown of H. armigera genes by producing dsRNAs homologous to genetic targets in bacteria and plants has a high potential for insect management to decrease agricultural loss. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE), ecdysone receptor (EcR) and v-ATPase-A (vAA) genes were selected as genetic targets. Fragments comprising a coding sequence of < 500 bp were cloned into the L4440 vector for dsRNA production in bacteria and in a TRV-VIGS vector in antisense orientation for transient expression of dsRNA in Solanum tuberosum leaves. After ingesting bacterial-expressed dsRNA, the mRNA levels of the target genes were significantly reduced, leading to mortality and abnormal development in larva of H. armigera. Furthermore, the S. tuberosum plants transformed with TRV-VIGS expressing AChE exhibited higher mortality > 68% than the control plants 17%, recorded ten days post-feeding and significant resistance in transgenic (transient) plants was observed. Moreover, larval lethality and molting defects were observed in larva fed on potato plants expressing dsRNA specific to EcR. Analysis of transcript levels by quantitative RT–PCR revealed that larval mortality was attributable to the knockdown of genetic targets by RNAi. The results demonstrated that down-regulation of H. armigera genes involved in ATP hydrolysis, transcriptional stimulation of development genes and neural conduction has aptitude as a bioinsecticide to control H. armigera population sizes and therefore decreases crop loss.
The functions of a reservoir offset voltage applied to physically defined p-channel Si quantum dots
Authors: Nishiyama Shimpei , Kato Kimihiko , Kobayashi Mizuki , Mizokuchi Raisei , Mori Takahiro , Kodera Tetsuo
Published: June 2022

We propose and define a reservoir offset voltage as a voltage commonly applied to both reservoirs of a quantum dot and study the functions in p-channel Si quantum dots. By the reservoir offset voltage, the electrochemical potential of the quantum dot can be modulated. In addition, when quantum dots in different channels are capacitively coupled, the reservoir offset voltage of one of the QDs can work as a gate voltage for the others. Our results show that the technique will lead to reduction of the number of gate electrodes, which is advantageous for future qubit integration.
Antiperistaltic effect and safety of l-menthol for esophagogastroduodenoscopy in the elderly with contraindication to hyoscine-N-butylbromide
Authors: Yang Tsung-Chieh , Chen Ping-Hsien , Hou Ming-Chih , Peng Li-Ning , Lin Ming-Hsien , Chen Liang-Kung , Huang Yi-Hsiang
Published: June 2022

Hyoscine-N-butylbromide (HBB) is the most used antiperistaltic agent during esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). However, almost half of the elderly have a contraindication to HBB. We aimed to evaluate l-menthol’s antiperistaltic effect and safety for EGD in the elderly with contraindication to HBB. This prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study screened 86 elderly patients (≥ 65 years old) scheduled to undergo EGD, and 52 of them with contraindication to HBB were enrolled. The participants were randomized to receive l-menthol (n = 26) or a placebo (n = 26), which was locally sprayed on the gastric antrum endoscopically. The proportion of patients with no or mild peristalsis after medication and at the end of EGD was significantly higher in the l-menthol group (76.9%) than in the placebo group (11.5%, p < 0.001). l-Menthol administration significantly reduced peristaltic grade, improved contraction parameters, and eased intragastric examination relative to the placebo (p < 0.001, respectively). Hemodynamic changes, adverse events, and discomfort levels of patients were similar between the two groups. l-Menthol is an effective and safe alternative antiperistaltic medication for EGD in elderly patients with contraindication to HBB. Further large, randomized trials are required to clarify whether l-menthol can lead to better detection yield in the elderly.

Clinical trial registration: The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04593836).
Psychometric properties of the emotional processing scale in individuals with psychiatric symptoms and the development of a brief 15-item version
Authors: Maroti Daniel , Axelsson Erland , Ljótsson Brjánn , Andersson Gerhard , Lumley Mark A. , Johansson Robert
Published: June 2022

The 25-item Emotional Processing Scale (EPS) can be used with clinical populations, but there is little research on its psychometric properties (factor structure, test–retest reliability, and validity) in individuals with psychiatric symptoms. We administered the EPS-25 to a large sample of people (N = 512) with elevated psychiatric symptoms. We used confirmatory factor analysis to evaluate three a priori models from previous research and then evaluated discriminant and convergent validity against measures of alexithymia (Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20), depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionaire-9), and anxiety symptoms (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7). None of the a priori models achieved acceptable fit, and subsequent exploratory factor analysis did not yield a clear factor solution for the 25 items. A 5-factor model did, however, achieve acceptable fit when we retained only 15 items, and this solution was replicated in a validation sample. Convergent and discriminant validity for this revised version, the EPS-15, was r = − 0.19 to 0.46 vs. TAS-20, r = 0.07− 0.25 vs. PHQ-9, and r = 0.29− 0.57 vs. GAD-7. Test–retest reliability was acceptable (ICC = 0.73). This study strengthens the case for the reliability and validity of the 5-factor structure of the EPS but suggest that only 15 items should be retained. Future studies should further examine the reliability and validity of the EPS-15.
A diurnal story of Δ17O($$\rm{NO}_{3}^{-}$$) in urban Nanjing and its implication for nitrate aerosol formation
Authors: Zhang Yan-Lin , Zhang Wenqi , Fan Mei-Yi , Li Jianghanyang , Fang Huan , Cao Fang , Lin Yu-Chi , Wilkins Benjamin Paul , Liu Xiaoyan , Bao Mengying , Hong Yihang , Michalski Greg
Published: June 2022

Inorganic nitrate production is critical in atmospheric chemistry that reflects the oxidation capacity and the acidity of the atmosphere. Here we use the oxygen anomaly of nitrate (Δ17O($$\rm{NO}_{3}^{-}$$NO3−)) in high-time-resolved (3 h) aerosols to explore the chemical mechanisms of nitrate evolution in fine particles during the winter in Nanjing, a megacity of China. The continuous Δ17O($$\rm{NO}_{3}^{-}$$NO3−) observation suggested the dominance of nocturnal chemistry (NO3 + HC/H2O and N2O5 + H2O/Cl−) in nitrate formation in the wintertime. Significant diurnal variations of nitrate formation pathways were found. The contribution of nocturnal chemistry increased at night and peaked (72%) at midnight. Particularly, nocturnal pathways became more important for the formation of nitrate in the process of air pollution aggravation. In contrast, the contribution of daytime chemistry (NO2 + OH/H2O) increased with the sunrise and showed a highest fraction (48%) around noon. The hydrolysis of N2O5on particle surfaces played an important role in the daytime nitrate production on haze days. In addition, the reaction of NO2with OH radicals was found to dominate the nitrate production after nitrate chemistry was reset by the precipitation events. These results suggest the importance of high-time-resolved observations of Δ17O($$\rm{NO}_{3}^{-}$$NO3−) for exploring dynamic variations in reactive nitrogen chemistry.
Small extracellular vesicle PD-L1 in cancer: the knowns and unknowns
Authors: Yu Zi-Li , Liu Jin-Yuan , Chen Gang
Published: June 2022

According to the conventional wisdom, programmed death protein 1 ligand (PD-L1)-mediated immunosuppression was based on the physical contact between tumor cells and T cells in the tumor microenvironment. Recent studies demonstrated that PD-L1 was also highly expressed on the surface of tumor cell-derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs). PD-L1 on sEVs, which could also directly bind to PD-1 on T cells, has a vital function in immunosuppression and immunotherapy resistance. Due to the heterogeneity and dynamic changes of PD-L1 expression on tumor cells, developing sEV PD-L1 as a predictive biomarker for the clinical responses to immunotherapy could be an attractive option. In this review, we summarized and discussed the latest researches and advancements on sEV PD-L1, including the biogenesis and secretion mechanisms, isolation and detection strategies, as well as the biological functions of sEV PD-L1. In the meantime, we highlighted the application potential of sEV PD-L1 as diagnostic and prognostic markers in tumor, especially for predicting the clinical responses to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapies. In particular, with the gradual deepening of the studies, challenges and problems regarding the further understanding and application of sEV PD-L1 have begun to emerge. Based on the current research status, we summarized the potential challenges and possible solutions, and prospected several key directions for future studies of sEV PD-L1. Collectively, by highlighting the important knowns and unknowns of sEV PD-L1, our present review would help to light the way forward for the field of sEV PD-L1 and to avoid unnecessary blindness and detours.
Spontaneous pauses in firing of external pallidum neurons are associated with exploratory behavior
Authors: Kaplan Alexander , Mizrahi-Kliger Aviv D. , Rappel Pnina , Iskhakova Liliya , Fonar Gennadiy , Israel Zvi , Bergman Hagai
Published: June 2022

Spontaneous pauses in firing are the hallmark of external pallidum (GPe) neurons. However, the role of GPe pauses in the basal ganglia network remains unknown. Pupil size and saccadic eye movements have been linked to attention and exploration. Here, we recorded GPe spiking activity and the corresponding pupil sizes and eye positions in non-human primates. We show that pauses, rather than the GPe discharge rate per se, were associated with dilated pupils. In addition, following pause initiation there was a considerable increase in the rate of spontaneous saccades. These results suggest that pauses are a powerful mechanism by which the GPe may influence basal ganglia downstream structures and play a role in exploratory behavior.
Considering hormone-sensitive cancers as a single disease in the UK biobank reveals shared aetiology
Authors: Ahmed Muktar , Mäkinen Ville-Petteri , Mulugeta Anwar , Shin Jisu , Boyle Terry , Hyppönen Elina , Lee Sang Hong
Published: June 2022

Hormone-related cancers, including cancers of the breast, prostate, ovaries, uterine, and thyroid, globally contribute to the majority of cancer incidence. We hypothesize that hormone-sensitive cancers share common genetic risk factors that have rarely been investigated by previous genomic studies of site-specific cancers. Here, we show that considering hormone-sensitive cancers as a single disease in the UK Biobank reveals shared genetic aetiology. We observe that a significant proportion of variance in disease liability is explained by the genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), i.e., SNP-based heritability on the liability scale is estimated as 10.06% (SE 0.70%). Moreover, we find 55 genome-wide significant SNPs for the disease, using a genome-wide association study. Pair-wise analysis also estimates positive genetic correlations between some pairs of hormone-sensitive cancers although they are not statistically significant. Our finding suggests that heritable genetic factors may be a key driver in the mechanism of carcinogenesis shared by hormone-sensitive cancers.
Recent marine heatwaves in the North Pacific warming pool can be attributed to rising atmospheric levels of greenhouse gases
Authors: Barkhordarian Armineh , Nielsen David Marcolino , Baehr Johanna
Published: June 2022

Over the last decade, the northeast Pacific experienced marine heatwaves that caused devastating marine ecological impacts with socioeconomic implications. Here we use two different attribution methods and show that forcing by elevated greenhouse gases levels has virtually certainly caused the multi-year persistent 2019–2021 marine heatwave. There is less than 1% chance that the 2019–2021 event with ~3 years duration and 1.6 ∘C intensity could have happened in the absence of greenhouse gases forcing. We further discover that the recent marine heatwaves are co-located with a systematically-forced outstanding warming pool, which we attribute to forcing by elevated greenhouse gases levels and the recent industrial aerosol-load decrease. The here-detected Pacific long-term warming pool is associated with a strengthening ridge of high-pressure system, which has recently emerged from the natural variability of climate system, indicating that they will provide favorable conditions over the northeast Pacific for even more severe marine heatwave events in the future.
Poly-l-lysine derivative-coated black phosphorus as a nanoplatform for photothermal chemotherapy to enhance anti-tumor efficiency
Authors: Li Anning , Wang Siqi , Zhang Zhiqiang , Xu Na , Ling Guixia , Zhang Peng
Published: June 2022

A novel and smart-responsive drug delivery system was developed based on black phosphorus nanosheets and disulfide bonds to modify PLL (PLL-SS@DOX-BP) for chemo-photothermal therapy.
Combination of tumor vessel normalization and immune checkpoint blockade for breast cancer treatment via multifunctional nanocomplexes
Authors: Zeng Yingping , Yu Tong , Zhang Shufen , Song Guangtao , Meng Tingting , Yuan Hong , Hu Fuqiang
Published: June 2022

Nanocomplexes which can accurately deliver drugs to tumor tissues and release different drugs at different sites with different rates were prepared to combine tumor vessel normalization with immune checkpoint blockade.
Au-nanorod-modified PCN-222(Cu) for H2 evolution from HCOOH dehydrogenation by photothermally enhanced photocatalysis
Authors: Wang Yao , Wang Xiaohua , Lu Haiyue , Gu Zhizhi , Chen Liyong
Published: June 2022

Formic acid molecules, which can be produced by reducing CO2, are considered to be liquid organic hydrogen carriers.
High quantum yield photochemical water oxidation using a water-soluble cobalt phthalocyanine as a homogenous catalyst
Authors: Nakazono Takashi , Amino Nagisa , Matsuda Risa , Sugawara Daichi , Wada Tohru
Published: June 2022

A water-soluble cobalt phthalocyanine complex with sulfonate groups (CoPcTS) serves as an effective homogenous catalyst for photochemical water oxidation using a [Ru(bpy)3]2+/S2O82−photosystem.
A label-free and self-circulated fluorescent biosensor for sensitive detection of ten-eleven translocation 1 in cancer cells
Authors: Liu Wen-jing , Zhang Xinyi , Hu Juan , Zhang Chun-yang
Published: June 2022

We develop a label-free and self-circulated fluorescent biosensor to sensitively detect ten-eleven translocation 1 (TET1) activity in cancer cells.
Effect of hydrogen bonds and π⋯π interactions on the crystallization of phenyl-perfluorophenyl amides: understanding the self-organization of a cocrystal
Authors: Pagliari Anderson B. , Meyer Alexandre R. , Solner Vanessa B. , Rosa Jéssica M. L. , Hörner Manfredo , Bonacorso Helio G. , Zanatta Nilo , Martins Marcos A. P.
Published: June 2022

Crystallization mechanisms were proposed to investigate hydrogen bond and aromatic donor–acceptor interactions in a series of phenyl–perfluorophenyl amides. The modulation of NH⋯OC bonds and aryl complementarity drove a new cocrystal growth.
Role of chemistry in bio-inspired liquid wettability
Authors: Shome Arpita , Das Avijit , Borbora Angana , Dhar Manideepa , Manna Uttam
Published: June 2022

Different bio-inspired liquid wettability are derived through modulation of chemistry and topography—but the chemical modulation process emerged as a superior approach for embedding desired wettability and other relevant physical properties.
Synthesis of ZSM-48 zeolites and their catalytic performance: a review
Authors: Zhang Miao , Long Houang , Fan Dong , Wang Linying , Wang Quanyi , Chen Yujing , Sun Libo , Qi Caixia
Published: June 2022

The synthesis and catalytic performances of ZSM-48 were summarized. ZSM-48 was mainly applied in cracking reactions, shape selective reaction, methanol to hydrocarbons and showed excellent catalytic performance in hydroisomerization reaction.
A lanthanide–tellurium heterometal encapsulated sandwich-type heteropolyoxoniobate with a 3D pcu-type hydrogen-bonded network
Authors: Lai Rong-Da , Feng Hui-Lin , Sun Yan-Qiong , Li Xin-Xiong , Zheng Shou-Tian
Published: June 2022

A 3D Eu-incorporated niobictellurate supramolecular framework with pcu topology is constructed from a sandwich-type cluster [Ln(H2O)3Te6Nb18O64(OH)4]15− and copper–amine complexes with proton conduction and water vapor adsorption properties.
Bis(catecholato)germane: an effective catalyst for Friedel–Crafts alkylation reaction
Authors: Basu Debayan , Nayek Hari Pada
Published: June 2022

Bis(catecholato)germane, a main group catalyst, showed excellent catalytic activities towards Friedel–Crafts alkylation reaction of indole with aldehydes and β-nitrostyrene derivatives with a yield of the product up to 95% and 96%, respectively.
Development and calibration of an integrative passive sampler for monitoring vinyl chloride monomer in drinking water networks
Authors: Alembik L. , Mazzella N. , Hemion T. , Husson A. , Le Gat Y. , Gilbert D.
Published: June 2022

This paper evaluates the applicability of a new sampling device for monitoring vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) in drinking water networks.
Highly regioselective surface acetylation of cellulose and shaped cellulose constructs in the gas-phase
Authors: Koso Tetyana , Beaumont Marco , Tardy Blaise L. , Rico del Cerro Daniel , Eyley Samuel , Thielemans Wim , Rojas Orlando J. , Kilpeläinen Ilkka , King Alistair W. T.
Published: June 2022

Gas-phase acetylation of celluloses is shown to be highly regioselective for 6-OH and confinement of the reaction to the surface.
Speciation of copper in human serum using conjoint liquid chromatography on short-bed monolithic disks with UV and post column ID-ICP-MS detection
Authors: Marković Katarina , Cemazar Maja , Sersa Gregor , Milačič Radmila , Ščančar Janez
Published: June 2022

A new method based on conjoint liquid chromatography with post-column ID-ICP-MS detection was developed for the speciation of Cu in human serum. Cu ceruloplasmin (Cu-Cp) is suggested as a potential biomarker in cancer diagnosis.
Centrifugal disc liquid reciprocation flow considerations for antibody binding to COVID antigen array during microfluidic integration
Authors: Hwu Alexander T. , Madadelahi Masoud , Nakajima Rie , Shamloo Ehsan , Perebikovsky Alexandra , Kido Horacio , Jain Aarti , Jasinskas Algis , Prange Shawna , Felgner Philip , Madou Marc
Published: June 2022

Investigating fluid flow behavior during different acceleration and deceleration ramp rates for immunoassays.
All-printed point-of-care immunosensing biochip for one drop blood diagnostics
Authors: Chi Jimei , Wu Yuanbin , Qin Feifei , Su Meng , Cheng Nan , Zhang Jiabing , Li Chunbao , Lian Zewei , Yang Xu , Cheng Lijun , Xie Hongfei , Wang Huadong , Zhang Zeying , Carmeliet Jan , Song Yanlin
Published: June 2022

An all-printed nanophotonic biochip is demonstrated for fast and easy-to-use quantitative detection of cardiac biomarkers. One drop of blood allows specific detection in 10 min. This is a potential platform for portable clinical diagnostics and home medical monitoring.
Dependence of defect structure on In concentration in InGaN epilayers grown on AlN/Si(111) substrate
Authors: Chowdhury Arun Malla , Singh Deependra Kumar , Roul Basanta , Nanda K. K. , Krupanidhi S. B.
Published: June 2022

InGaN epilayers with different indium concentrations have been grown on 100-nm-thick AlN/n-Si(111) template using plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy.
Application of transfer learning to predict diffusion properties in metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Lim Yunsung , Kim Jihan
Published: June 2022

The knowledge leveraged from adsorption property can be used to induce enhancements in the prediction of diffusion property within metal–organic frameworks.
Universal control of proton concentration using an electrochemically generated acid compatible with miniaturization
Authors: El-Maiss Janwa , Balakrishnan Divya , García César Pascual
Published: June 2022

Controlling locally produced acidity in miniaturized spaces is of high importance to manage simultaneous chemical reactions.
The steric hindrance effect of bulky groups on the formation of columnar superlattices and optoelectronic properties of triphenylene-based discotic liquid crystals
Authors: Wei Chenhui , Zhao Xinyue , Zhang Ao , Wang Mengfei , Zhang Xinran , Zhang Maoxin , Wang Jianchuang , Fang Yi , Wu Hao , Zhang Chunxiu
Published: June 2022

Molecular conformations and electrostatic potential isosurfaces of 2- and 3,6-position bulky group substituted triphenylene discotic carboxylic esters calculated using the Gaussian 09 package.
g-PAN/g-C3N4 encapsulated Cu nanoparticles with photocatalytic properties and high stability prepared using a two-step sintering method
Authors: Sun Nan , Jing Yuhan , Zhang Yong , Li Xinru , Bai Yaoning , Yan Yuwei , Ouyang Taoyuan , Tan Honglin , Cai Xiaoming , Cai Jinming
Published: June 2022

Cu@g-PAN/g-C3N4 exhibits excellent stability and excellent photocatalytic performance. The incorporation of g-C3N4 broadens the light absorption range.