bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Are social media users more satisfied with their life than non-users? A study on older Italians
Authors: Sala Emanuela , Cerati Gabriele , Gaia Alessandra
Published: April 2021

Despite older people's increasing use of social media (SM), there is relatively little research investigating the impact of SM use on wellbeing in the ageing population. This study investigates the relationship between SM use and life satisfaction, a key dimension of wellbeing, in three age groups. We focus on the Italian case, which is particularly relevant because Italy is one of the countries both with the highest incidence of older people and the lowest uptake of SM in Europe. Applying linear regression modelling techniques, we analyse data from the 2018 Multipurpose Survey – Aspects of Everyday Living, a large probability-based household survey. For two age groups, we find a positive relationship between SM use and life satisfaction which weakens after controlling for older people's demographic and socio-economic characteristics, health conditions and social network characteristics. Given the grey digital divide that still exists in some European countries, we conclude with a call for urgent interventions to remove the hurdles that prevent frail older people from enjoying the benefits of an active ageing, fully exploiting the potential of SM use.
Vocabulary production in toddlers from low-income immigrant families: evidence from children exposed to Romanian-Italian and Nigerian English-Italian
Authors: BARACHETTI Chiara , MAJORANO Marinella , ROSSI Germano , ANTOLINI Elena , ZERBATO Rosanna , LAVELLI Manuela
Published: April 2021

The relationship between first and second language in early vocabulary acquisition in bilingual children is still debated in the literature. This study compared the expressive vocabulary of 39 equivalently low-SES two-year-old bilingual children from immigrant families with different heritage languages (Romanian vs. Nigerian English) and the same majority language (Italian). Vocabulary size, vocabulary composition and translation equivalents (TEs) were assessed using the Italian/L1 versions of the CDI. Higher vocabulary in Italian than in the heritage language emerged in both groups. Moreover, Romanian-Italian-speaking children produced higher proportions of TEs than Nigerian English-Italian-speaking children, suggesting that L1-L2 phonological similarity facilitates the acquisition of cross-linguistic synonyms.
Effect of breast milk oral care in infants who underwent surgical correction of ventricular septal defect
Authors: Yu Xian-Rong , Lei Yu-Qing , Liu Jian-Feng , Wang Zeng-Chun , Cao Hua , Chen Qiang
Published: April 2021

Objective:

This study explored the clinical effect of employing breast milk oral care for infants who underwent surgical correction of ventricular septal defect.

Methods:

A prospective randomised controlled study was conducted in a provincial hospital between January, 2020 and July, 2020 in China. Patients were randomly divided into an intervention group (breast milk oral care, n = 28) and a control group (physiological saline oral care, n = 28). The intervention group was given oral nursing using breast milk for infants in the early post-operative period, and the control group was given oral nursing using physiological saline. Related clinical data were recorded and analysed.

Results:

There were no significant differences in age, gender, weight, operation time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, or aortic cross-clamping time between the two groups. Compared with the physiological saline oral care group, the mechanical ventilation duration, the length of ICU stay in the breast milk oral care group were significantly shorter. The time of start feeding and total enteral nutrition were significantly earlier in the intervention group than those in the control group. The incidence of post-operative pneumonia in the breast milk oral care group was 3.6%, which was significantly lower than that of the physiological saline oral care group.

Conclusion:

The use of breast milk for oral care in infants who underwent surgical correction of VSD can reduce the incidence of post-operative pneumonia and promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function.
Impact of Planetary Boundary Layer and Cloud Microphysics on the Sensitivity of Monsoon Precipitation Using a Gray‐Zone Regional Model
Authors: Taraphdar Sourav , Pauluis Olivier M.
Published: April 2021

This study explores how the Indian Summer Monsoon rainfall simulations are affected by the mathematical representations of the planetary boundary and microphysics parameterizations at a gray zone resolution. The monsoon is simulated with the Weather Research and Forecast model at a 9 km horizontal resolution over South–East Asia for three different years, chosen to represent early, normal, and delayed monsoon onset. Changing the boundary layer from a hybrid to a local scheme dramatically impacts the monsoon simulation, reducing around 40% in total rainfall. In contrast, changing the microphysics scheme has a less pronounced impact (5%) on the precipitation but still induces regional variations. To assess how physical parameterization changes affect South Asia's rainfall, we evaluate their impact on both the energy and moisture budgets over the subcontinent. It is revealed that local changes in evaporation do not directly drive changes in precipitation. Instead, changes in the regional distribution of the energy sources and sinks modify the atmospheric circulation, which affects the distribution of rainfall. In particular, the boundary layer changes can substantially increase the latent heat flux, strengthening the monsoon. In the tropics, overturning circulation that exports energy is tied to a net inflow of water. Thus, the intensification of the monsoonal circulation results in an enhanced water inflow and increased rainfall.
Seesaw Terrestrial Wetting and Drying Between Eastern and Western Australia
Authors: Chen Ajiao , Guan Huade , Batelaan Okke
Published: April 2021

Australia, the driest inhabited continent, is prone to natural disasters, such as droughts, floods, bushfires, and heatwaves. Strong climate variability causes recurring threats to water supply, agriculture, and the environment. Improving our insight into changes in hydroclimatic patterns is required to provide useful information for society. Previous studies mainly focused on the causes of extreme wet or dry events in specific periods and their impacts on agriculture and ecosystems. An understanding of long‐term spatio‐temporal patterns of wetting and drying in Australia is still lacking. Here we show, based on analyses of Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment satellite derived terrestrial water storage and extended datasets, that there are four consecutive periods of seesaw wetting and drying between eastern and western Australia in the past five decades. The seesaw phenomenon is characterized by eastern Australia gaining water, while western Australia is losing water, and vice versa. Strong La Niña induced continent‐wide wetting, resets this pattern, leaving each seesaw to last for 11 ± 5 years. We provide one possible mechanism related to vegetation response to climate variability and its feedback on hydrological processes to explain the seesaw pattern. The identified recurring seesaw pattern indicates that society would need to become more adaptive in managing forest, water, and disaster risks in the wake of a next strong La Niña induced continent‐wide wetting in Australia.
Reactivation of Magma Pathways: Insights From Field Observations, Geochronology, Geomechanical Tests, and Numerical Models
Authors: Thiele Samuel T. , Cruden Alexander R. , Zhang Xi , Micklethwaite Steven , Matchan Erin L.
Published: April 2021

Field observations and unmanned aerial vehicle surveys from Caldera Taburiente (La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain) show that pre‐existing dykes can capture and re‐direct younger ones to form multiple dyke composites. Chill margins suggest that the older dykes were solidified and cooled when this occurred. In one multiple dyke example, an 40Ar/39Ar age difference of 200 kyr was determined between co‐located dykes. Petrography and geomechanical measurements (ultrasonic pulse and Brazilian disc tests) show that a microscopic preferred alignment of plagioclase laths and sheet‐like structures formed by non‐randomly distributed vesicles give the solidified dykes anisotropic elastic moduli and fracture toughness. We hypothesize that this anisotropy led to the development of margin‐parallel joints within the dykes, during subsequent volcanic loading. Finite element models also suggest that the elastic contrast between solidified dykes and their host rock elevated and re‐oriented the stresses that governed subsequent dyke propagation. Thus, the margin‐parallel joints, combined with local concentration and rotation of stresses, favored the deflection of subsequent magma‐filled fractures by up to 60° to form the multiple dykes. At the edifice scale, the capture and deflection of active intrusions by older ones could change the organization of volcanic magma plumbing systems and cause unexpected propagation paths relative to the regional stress. We suggest that reactivation of older dykes by this mechanism gives the volcanic edifice a structural memory of past stress states, potentially encouraging the re‐use of older vents and deflecting intrusions along volcanic rift zones or toward shallow magma reservoirs.
Quantifying Diagenesis, Contributing Factors, and Resulting Isotopic Bias in Benthic Foraminifera Using the Foraminiferal Preservation Index: Implications for Geochemical Proxy Records
Authors: Poirier Robert K. , Gaetano Madison Q. , Acevedo Kimberly , Schaller Morgan F. , Raymo Maureen E. , Kozdon Reinhard
Published: April 2021

Geochemical records generated from the calcite tests of benthic foraminifera, especially those of the genera Cibicidoides and Uvigerina, provide the basis for proxy reconstructions of past climate. However, the extent to which benthic foraminifera are affected by postdepositional alteration is poorly constrained. Furthermore, how diagenesis may alter the geochemical composition of benthic foraminiferal tests, and thereby biasing a variety of proxy‐based climate records, is also poorly constrained. We present the Foraminiferal Preservation Index (FPI) as a new metric to quantify preservation quality based on objective, well‐defined criteria. The FPI is used to identify and quantify trends in diagenesis temporally, from late Pliocene to modern coretop samples (3.3–0 Ma), as well as spatially in the deep ocean. The FPI identifies the chemical composition of deep‐ocean water masses to be the primary driver of diagenesis through time, while also serving as a supplementary method of identifying periods of changing water mass influence at a given site. Additionally, we present stable isotope data (δ18O, δ13C) generated from individual Cibicidoides specimens of various preservation quality that demonstrate the likelihood of significant biasing in a variety of geochemical proxy records, especially those used to reconstruct past changes in ice volume and sea level. These single‐test data further demonstrate that when incorporating carefully selected tests of only the highest preservation quality, robust paleorecords can be generated.
Strike‐Slip Enables Subduction Initiation Beneath a Failed Rift: New Seismic Constraints From Puysegur Margin, New Zealand
Authors: Shuck Brandon , Van Avendonk Harm , Gulick Sean P. S. , Gurnis Michael , Sutherland Rupert , Stock Joann , Patel Jiten , Hightower Erin , Saustrup Steffen , Hess Thomas
Published: April 2021

Subduction initiation often takes advantage of previously weakened lithosphere and may preferentially nucleate along pre‐existing plate boundaries. To evaluate how past tectonic regimes and inherited lithospheric structure might lead to self‐sustaining subduction, we present an analysis of the Puysegur Trench, a young subduction zone with a rapidly evolving tectonic history. The Puysegur margin, south of New Zealand, has experienced a transformation from rifting to seafloor spreading to strike‐slip, and most recently to incipient subduction, all in the last ∼45 million years. Here we present deep‐penetrating multichannel reflection and ocean‐bottom seismometer tomographic images to document crustal structures along the margin. Our images reveal that the overriding Pacific Plate beneath the Solander Basin contains stretched continental crust with magmatic intrusions, which formed from Eocene‐Oligocene rifting between the Campbell and Challenger plateaus. Rifting was more advanced to the south, yet never proceeded to breakup and seafloor spreading in the Solander Basin as previously thought. Subsequent strike‐slip deformation translated continental crust northward causing an oblique collisional zone, with trailing ∼10 Myr old oceanic lithosphere. Incipient subduction transpired as oceanic lithosphere from the south forcibly underthrust the continent‐collision zone. We suggest that subduction initiation at the Puysegur Trench was assisted by inherited buoyancy contrasts and structural weaknesses that were imprinted into the lithosphere during earlier phases of continental rifting and strike‐slip along the plate boundary. The Puysegur margin demonstrates that forced nucleation along a strike‐slip boundary is a viable subduction initiation scenario and should be considered throughout Earth's history.
Late Quaternary Fault Slip Rate Within the Qilian Orogen, Insight Into the Deformation Kinematics for the NE Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Hu Xiaofei , Cao Xilin , Li Tao , Mao Junwei , Zhang Jian , He Xin , Zhang Ya'nan , Pan Baotian
Published: April 2021

Various kinematic models have been proposed to explain the growth process of wide compressive orogens, and the deformation rate within the entire range of the orogen (rather than that of the leading‐edge fault) provides valuable information for model evaluation. Within the Qilian Orogen, between the central and northern Qilian Shan mountain in China, we studied the deformation of a series of Quaternary fluvial terraces across the North Tuolai Shan Fault (NTF), including optically stimulated luminescence dating of terrace ages. The results show that the six levels of terraces (T6 to T1) were formed at 58.4 ± 4.4 ka, 53 ± 5 ka, 46 ± 5 ka, 38 ± 5 ka, 23.2 ± 1.8 ka, and 4.8 ± 0.4 ka, respectively. Field investigations revealed that these terrace surfaces are faulted and folded by the NTF. Based on the deformation and ages of the terraces across the fault, the vertical slip rate is estimated as 1.5 ± 0.1 mm/yr, and the shortening rate is 0.9 ± 0.1 mm/yr, with a fault dip of 58°–60°. This deformation rate is similar to rates determined along the leading‐edge fault in the northern Qilian Shan and along the fault in the southern Qilian Shan. The widely distributed shortening across the ∼300‐km‐wide Qilian Orogen supports the kinematics of distributed upper crustal shortening across the Qilian Orogen, with a ductile lower crust, rather than a large, gradually propagating crustal‐scale deformation wedge.
Altered network and rescue of human neurons derived from individuals with early-onset genetic epilepsy
Authors: Negraes Priscilla D. , Trujillo Cleber A. , Yu Nam-Kyung , Wu Wei , Yao Hang , Liang Nicholas , Lautz Jonathan D. , Kwok Ellius , McClatchy Daniel , Diedrich Jolene , de Bartolome Salvador Martinez , Truong Justin , Szeto Ryan , Tran Timothy , Herai Roberto H. , Smith Stephen E. P. , Haddad Gabriel G. , Yates John R. , Muotri Alysson R.
Published: April 2021

Early-onset epileptic encephalopathies are severe disorders often associated with specific genetic mutations. In this context, the CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by early-onset seizures, intellectual delay, and motor dysfunction. Although crucial for proper brain development, the precise targets of CDKL5 and its relation to patients’ symptoms are still unknown. Here, induced pluripotent stem cells derived from individuals deficient in CDKL5 protein were used to generate neural cells. Proteomic and phosphoproteomic approaches revealed disruption of several pathways, including microtubule-based processes and cytoskeleton organization. While CDD-derived neural progenitor cells have proliferation defects, neurons showed morphological alterations and compromised glutamatergic synaptogenesis. Moreover, the electrical activity of CDD cortical neurons revealed hyperexcitability during development, leading to an overly synchronized network. Many parameters of this hyperactive network were rescued by lead compounds selected from a human high-throughput drug screening platform. Our results enlighten cellular, molecular, and neural network mechanisms of genetic epilepsy that could ultimately promote novel therapeutic opportunities for patients.
Synergistic action of phage phiIPLA-RODI and lytic protein CHAPSH3b: a combination strategy to target Staphylococcus aureus biofilms
Authors: Duarte Ana Catarina , Fernández Lucía , De Maesschalck Vincent , Gutiérrez Diana , Campelo Ana Belén , Briers Yves , Lavigne Rob , Rodríguez Ana , García Pilar
Published: April 2021

Staphylococcus aureus is considered a priority pathogen due to its increasing acquisition of antibiotic resistance determinants. Additionally, this microbe has the ability to form recalcitrant biofilms on different biotic and inert surfaces. In this context, bacteriophages and their derived lytic proteins may be a forward-looking strategy to help combat staphylococcal biofilms. However, these antimicrobials exhibit individual limitations that may be overcome by combining them with other compounds. This work investigates the combination of a phage-derived lytic protein, CHAPSH3b, and the virulent bacteriophage phiIPLA-RODI. The obtained results show the synergy between both antimicrobials for the treatment of 24-h-old S. aureus biofilms, with greater reductions in viable cell counts observed when phage and lysin are applied together compared to the individual treatments. Time-kill curves and confocal microscopy revealed that the fast antibacterial action of CHAPSH3b reduces the population up to 7 hours after initial exposure, which is subsequently followed by phage predation, limiting regrowth of the bacterial population. Moreover, at least 90% of bacteriophage insensitive mutants are susceptible to the lytic protein. Therefore, CHAPSH3b might help curtail the development of phage resistance during treatment. The combination of the lysin and phiIPLA-RODI also showed promising results in an ex vivo pig skin model of wound infection. Overall, the results of this study demonstrate that the combination of phage-derived lytic proteins and bacteriophages can be a viable strategy to develop improved antibiofilm products.
Path-encoded high-dimensional quantum communication over a 2-km multicore fiber
Authors: Da Lio Beatrice , Cozzolino Daniele , Biagi Nicola , Ding Yunhong , Rottwitt Karsten , Zavatta Alessandro , Bacco Davide , Oxenløwe Leif K.
Published: April 2021

Quantum key distribution (QKD) protocols based on high-dimensional quantum states have shown the route to increase the key rate generation while benefiting of enhanced error tolerance, thus overcoming the limitations of two-dimensional QKD protocols. Nonetheless, the reliable transmission through fiber links of high-dimensional quantum states remains an open challenge that must be addressed to boost their application. Here, we demonstrate the reliable transmission over a 2-km-long multicore fiber of path-encoded high-dimensional quantum states. Leveraging on a phase-locked loop system, a stable interferometric detection is guaranteed, allowing for low error rates and the generation of 6.3 Mbit/s of a secret key rate.
Vaccine-induced, but not natural immunity, against the Streptococcal inhibitor of complement protects against invasive disease
Authors: Tan Lionel K. K. , Reglinski Mark , Teo Daryl , Reza Nada , Lamb Lucy E. M. , Nageshwaran Vaitehi , Turner Claire E. , Wikstrom Mats , Frick Inga-Maria , Bjorck Lars , Sriskandan Shiranee
Published: April 2021

Highly pathogenic emm1 Streptococcus pyogenes strains secrete the multidomain Streptococcal inhibitor of complement (SIC) that binds and inactivates components of the innate immune response. We aimed to determine if naturally occurring or vaccine-induced antibodies to SIC are protective against invasive S. pyogenes infection. Immunisation with full-length SIC protected mice against systemic bacterial dissemination following intranasal or intramuscular infection with emm1 S. pyogenes. Vaccine-induced rabbit anti-SIC antibodies, but not naturally occurring human anti-SIC antibodies, enhanced bacterial clearance in an ex vivo whole-blood assay. SIC vaccination of both mice and rabbits resulted in antibody recognition of all domains of SIC, whereas naturally occurring human anti-SIC antibodies recognised the proline-rich region of SIC only. We, therefore, propose a model whereby natural infection with S. pyogenes generates non-protective antibodies against the proline-rich region of SIC, while vaccination with full-length SIC permits the development of protective antibodies against all SIC domains.
Thermal and mechanical characterization of high performance polymer fabrics for applications in wearable devices
Authors: Candadai Aaditya A. , Nadler Emily J. , Burke Jack S. , Weibel Justin A. , Marconnet Amy M.
Published: April 2021

With advances in flexible and wearable device technology, thermal regulation will become increasingly important. Fabrics and substrates used for such applications will be required to effectively spread any heat generated in the devices to ensure user comfort and safety, while also preventing overheating of the electronic components. Commercial fabrics consisting of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) fibers are currently used in personal body armor and sports gear owing to their high strength, durability, and abrasion resistance. In addition to superior mechanical properties, UHMW-PE fibers exhibit very high axial thermal conductivity due to a high degree of polymer chain orientation. However, these materials have not been widely explored for thermal management applications in flexible and wearable devices. Assessment of their suitability for such applications requires characterization of the thermal and mechanical properties of UHMW-PE in the fabric form that will ultimately be used to construct heat spreading materials. Here, we use advanced techniques to characterize the thermal and mechanical properties of UHMW-PE fabrics, as well as other conventional flexible materials and fabrics. An infrared microscopy-based approach measures the effective in-plane thermal conductivity, while an ASTM-based bend testing method quantifies the bending stiffness. We also characterize the effective thermal behavior of fabrics when subjected to creasing and thermal annealing to assess their reliability for relevant practical engineering applications. Fabrics consisting of UHMW-PE fibers have significantly higher thermal conductivities than the benchmark conventional materials while possessing good mechanical flexibility, thereby showcasing great potential as substrates for flexible and wearable heat spreading application.
Anandamide alters the membrane properties, halts the cell division and prevents drug efflux in multidrug resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Banerjee Shreya , Sionov Ronit Vogt , Feldman Mark , Smoum Reem , Mechoulam Raphael , Steinberg Doron
Published: April 2021

Antibiotic resistance is a serious public health problem throughout the world. Overcoming methicillin and multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA/MDRSA) infections has become a challenge and there is an urgent need for new therapeutic approaches. We have previously demonstrated that the endocannabinoid Anandamide (AEA) can sensitize MRSA to antibiotics. Here we have studied the mechanism of action using a MDRSA clinical isolate that are sensitized by AEA to methicillin and norfloxacin. We found that AEA treatment halts the growth of both antibiotic-sensitive and antibiotic-resistant S. aureus. The AEA-treated bacteria become elongated and the membranes become ruffled with many protrusions. AEA treatment also leads to an increase in the percentage of bacteria having a complete septum, suggesting that the cell division is halted at this stage. The latter is supported by cell cycle analysis that shows an accumulation of bacteria in the G2/M phase after AEA treatment. We further observed that AEA causes a dose-dependent membrane depolarization that is partly relieved upon time. Nile red staining of the bacterial membranes indicates that AEA alters the membrane structures. Importantly, 4′-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) accumulation assay and ethidium bromide efflux (EtBr) assay unveiled that AEA leads to a dose-dependent drug accumulation by inhibiting drug efflux. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that AEA interferes with cell division, alters the membrane properties of MDRSA, and leads to increased intracellular drug retention, which can contribute to the sensitization of MDRSA to antibiotics.
New lineages of photobionts in Bolivian lichens expand our knowledge on habitat preferences and distribution of Asterochloris algae
Authors: Kosecka Magdalena , Guzow-Krzemińska Beata , Černajová Ivana , Škaloud Pavel , Jabłońska Agnieszka , Kukwa Martin
Published: April 2021

We studied the biodiversity of Asterochloris photobionts found in Bolivian lichens to better understand their global spatial distribution and adaptation strategies in the context of a worldwide phylogeny of the genus. Based on nuclear ITS rDNA, the chloroplast rbcL gene and the actin type I gene we reconstructed a phylogenetic tree that recovered nine new Asterochloris lineages, while 32 Bolivian photobiont samples were assigned to 12 previously recognized Asterochloris lineages. We also show that some previously discovered Asterochloris photobiont species and lineages may occur in a broader spectrum of climatic conditions, and mycobiont species and photobionts may show different preferences along an altitude gradient. To reveal general patterns of of mycobiont specificity towards the photobiont in Asterochloris, we tested the influence of climate, altitude, geographical distance and effects of symbiotic partner (mycobiont) at the species level of three genera of lichen forming fungi: Stereocaulon, Cladonia and Lepraria. Further, we compared the specificity of mycobionts towards Asterochloris photobionts in cosmopolitan, Neotropical, and Pantropical lichen forming fungi. Interestingly, cosmopolitan species showed the lowest specificity to their photobionts, but also the lowest haplotype diversity. Neotropical and Paleotropical mycobionts, however, were more specific.
Deep learning can accelerate and quantify simulated localized correlated spectroscopy
Authors: Iqbal Zohaib , Nguyen Dan , Thomas Michael Albert , Jiang Steve
Published: April 2021

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) allows for the determination of atomic structures and concentrations of different chemicals in a biochemical sample of interest. MRS is used in vivo clinically to aid in the diagnosis of several pathologies that affect metabolic pathways in the body. Typically, this experiment produces a one dimensional (1D) 1H spectrum containing several peaks that are well associated with biochemicals, or metabolites. However, since many of these peaks overlap, distinguishing chemicals with similar atomic structures becomes much more challenging. One technique capable of overcoming this issue is the localized correlated spectroscopy (L-COSY) experiment, which acquires a second spectral dimension and spreads overlapping signal across this second dimension. Unfortunately, the acquisition of a two dimensional (2D) spectroscopy experiment is extremely time consuming. Furthermore, quantitation of a 2D spectrum is more complex. Recently, artificial intelligence has emerged in the field of medicine as a powerful force capable of diagnosing disease, aiding in treatment, and even predicting treatment outcome. In this study, we utilize deep learning to: (1) accelerate the L-COSY experiment and (2) quantify L-COSY spectra. All training and testing samples were produced using simulated metabolite spectra for chemicals found in the human body. We demonstrate that our deep learning model greatly outperforms compressed sensing based reconstruction of L-COSY spectra at higher acceleration factors. Specifically, at four-fold acceleration, our method has less than 5% normalized mean squared error, whereas compressed sensing yields 20% normalized mean squared error. We also show that at low SNR (25% noise compared to maximum signal), our deep learning model has less than 8% normalized mean squared error for quantitation of L-COSY spectra. These pilot simulation results appear promising and may help improve the efficiency and accuracy of L-COSY experiments in the future.
Racial disparities in COVID-19 outcomes exist despite comparable Elixhauser comorbidity indices between Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Whites
Authors: Qeadan Fares , VanSant-Webb Elizabeth , Tingey Benjamin , Rogers Tiana N. , Brooks Ellen , Mensah Nana A. , Winkfield Karen M. , Saeed Ali I. , English Kevin , Rogers Charles R.
Published: April 2021

Factors contributing to racial inequities in outcomes from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remain poorly understood. We compared by race the risk of 4 COVID-19 health outcomes––maximum length of hospital stay (LOS), invasive ventilation, hospitalization exceeding 24 h, and death––stratified by Elixhauser comorbidity index (ECI) ranking. Outcomes and ECI scores were constructed from retrospective data obtained from the Cerner COVID-19 De-Identified Data cohort. We hypothesized that racial disparities in COVID-19 outcomes would exist despite comparable ECI scores among non-Hispanic (NH) Blacks, Hispanics, American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs), and NH Whites. Compared with NH Whites, NH Blacks had longer hospital LOS, higher rates of ventilator dependence, and a higher mortality rate; AI/ANs, higher odds of hospitalization for ECI = 0 but lower for ECI ≥ 5, longer LOS for ECI = 0, a higher risk of death across all ECI categories except ECI ≥ 5, and higher odds of ventilator dependence; Hispanics, a lower risk of death across all ECI categories except ECI = 0, lower odds of hospitalization, shorter LOS for ECI ≥ 5, and higher odds of ventilator dependence for ECI = 0 but lower for ECI = 1–4. Our findings contest arguments that higher comorbidity levels explain elevated COVID-19 death rates among NH Blacks and AI/ANs compared with Hispanics and NH Whites.
ExoSTING, an extracellular vesicle loaded with STING agonists, promotes tumor immune surveillance
Authors: Jang Su Chul , Economides Kyriakos D. , Moniz Raymond J. , Sia Chang Ling , Lewis Nuruddeen , McCoy Christine , Zi Tong , Zhang Kelvin , Harrison Rane A. , Lim Joanne , Dey Joyoti , Grenley Marc , Kirwin Katherine , Ross Nikki L. , Bourdeau Raymond , Villiger-Oberbek Agata , Estes Scott , Xu Ke , Sanchez-Salazar Jorge , Dooley Kevin , Dahlberg William K. , Williams Douglas E. , Sathyanarayanan Sriram
Published: April 2021

Cyclic dinucleotide (CDN) agonists of the STimulator of InterferoN Genes (STING) pathway have shown immune activation and tumor clearance in pre-clinical models. However, CDNs administered intratumorally also promote STING activation leading to direct cytotoxicity of many cell types in the tumor microenvironment (TME), systemic inflammation due to rapid tumor extravasation of the CDN, and immune ablation in the TME. These result in a failure to establish immunological memory. ExoSTING, an engineered extracellular vesicle (EV) exogenously loaded with CDN, enhances the potency of CDN and preferentially activates antigen presenting cells in the TME. Following intratumoral injection, exoSTING was retained within the tumor, enhanced local Th1 responses and recruitment of CD8+ T cells, and generated systemic anti-tumor immunity to the tumor. ExoSTING at therapeutically active doses did not induce systemic inflammatory cytokines, resulting in an enhanced therapeutic window. ExoSTING is a novel, differentiated therapeutic candidate that leverages the natural biology of EVs to enhance the activity of CDNs.
Increased expression of peptides from non-coding genes in cancer proteomics datasets suggests potential tumor neoantigens
Authors: Xiang Rong , Ma Leyao , Yang Mingyu , Zheng Zetian , Chen Xiaofang , Jia Fujian , Xie Fanfan , Zhou Yiming , Li Fuqiang , Wu Kui , Zhu Yafeng
Published: April 2021

Neoantigen-based immunotherapy has yielded promising results in clinical trials. However, it is limited to tumor-specific mutations, and is often tailored to individual patients. Identifying suitable tumor-specific antigens is still a major challenge. Previous proteogenomics studies have identified peptides encoded by predicted non-coding sequences in human genome. To investigate whether tumors express specific peptides encoded by non-coding genes, we analyzed published proteomics data from five cancer types including 933 tumor samples and 275 matched normal samples and compared these to data from 31 different healthy human tissues. Our results reveal that many predicted non-coding genes such as DGCR9 and RHOXF1P3 encode peptides that are overexpressed in tumors compared to normal controls. Furthermore, from the non-coding genes-encoded peptides specifically detected in cancers, we predict a large number of “dark antigens” (neoantigens from non-coding genomic regions), which may provide an alternative source of neoantigens beyond standard tumor specific mutations.
Frequency microcomb stabilization via dual-microwave control
Authors: Vinod Abhinav Kumar , Huang Shu-Wei , Yang Jinghui , Yu Mingbin , Kwong Dim-Lee , Wong Chee Wei
Published: April 2021

Optical frequency comb technology has been the cornerstone for scientific breakthroughs in precision metrology. In particular, the unique phase-coherent link between microwave and optical frequencies solves the long-standing puzzle of precision optical frequency synthesis. While the current bulk mode-locked laser frequency comb has had great success in extending the scientific frontier, its use in real-world applications beyond the laboratory setting remains an unsolved challenge due to the relatively large size, weight and power consumption. Recently microresonator-based frequency combs have emerged as a candidate solution with chip-scale implementation and scalability. The wider-system precision control and stabilization approaches for frequency microcombs, however, requires external nonlinear processes and multiple peripherals which constrain their application space. Here we demonstrate an internal phase-stabilized frequency microcomb that does not require nonlinear second-third harmonic generation nor optical external frequency references. We demonstrate that the optical frequency can be stabilized by control of two internally accessible parameters: an intrinsic comb offset ξ and the comb spacing frep. Both parameters are phase-locked to microwave references, with phase noise residuals of 55 and 20 mrad respectively, and the resulting comb-to-comb optical frequency uncertainty is 80 mHz or less. Out-of-loop measurements confirm good coherence and stability across the comb, with measured optical frequency instability of 2 × 10−11 at 20-second gate time. Our measurements are supported by analytical theory including the cavity-induced modulation instability. We further describe an application of our technique in the generation of low noise microwaves and demonstrate noise suppression of the repetition rate below the microwave stabilization limit achieved.
Acoustic Willis meta-atom beyond the bounds of passivity and reciprocity
Authors: Cho Choonlae , Wen Xinhua , Park Namkyoo , Li Jensen
Published: April 2021

Willis metamaterial enables exotic manipulations of acoustic waves with a precise combination of bulk modulus, mass density, and Willis parameters. While the realization of unrestricted and completely decoupled constitutive parameters would extend the horizon of future applications, the restriction of passivity and reciprocity dictate a hard bound in the values of achievable polarizabilities and correlations between them. Here, we break the bound of passivity and reciprocity by instituting a basis and independent kernel for each constitutive polarization in a virtualized metamaterial platform, active metamaterials realizing artificial polarization with the digital convolution. We demonstrate decoupled control of all four constitutive parameters in a nonreciprocal regime, at the same time achieving values of polarizabilities beyond the passivity limit. Broadband, flat-response nonreciprocal Willis coupling is also demonstrated with analytically designed causal frequency dispersion. Our approach will be useful for nonreciprocal wave manipulation and communication for broadband operation.
A DNA small molecular probe with increasing K+ concentration promoted selectivity
Authors: Gong Ya-Ping , Yang Jian , Fang Ji-Wang , Li Qian , Yu Zhi-Yong , Guan Aijiao , Gong Han-Yuan
Published: April 2021

DNA small molecular probe study was considered as a promising approach to achieve DNA related disease diagnosis.
Leveraging the thermoresponsiveness of fluorinated poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) copolymers as a sensing tool for perfluorooctane sulfonate
Authors: Savage Dustin T. , Hilt J. Zach , Dziubla Thomas D.
Published: April 2021

The swelling response of fluorinated poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) exposed to perfluoroalkyl acids was assessed to identify the contaminants’ presence in solution. Adding fluorinated comonomers heightened the gels’ responsivity to fluorocontaminants.
A new near-infrared phosphorescent iridium(iii) complex conjugated to a xanthene dye for mitochondria-targeted photodynamic therapy
Authors: Wu Yongquan , Wu Jie , Wong Wai-Yeung
Published: April 2021

A novel near-infrared phosphorescent iridium(iii) complex was developed for cell mitochondria-targeted imaging and photodynamic therapy in vivo.
Regio- and diastereoselective synthesis of trans-3,4-diaryldihydrocoumarins via metal-free [4+2] annulation of ynamides with o-hydroxybenzyl alcohols
Authors: Luo Wen-Feng , Ye Long-Wu , Li Long , Qian Peng-Cheng
Published: April 2021

An efficient regio- and diastereoselective method for the construction of valuable trans-3,4-diaryldihydrocoumarins via metal-free formal [4+2] annulation of ynamides with o-hydroxybenzyl alcohols has been developed.
A tumor-targeted near-infrared fluorescent probe for HNO and its application to the real-time monitoring of HNO release in vivo
Authors: Chai Ziyin , Liu Diankai , Li Xiaoyi , Zhao Yanyan , Shi Wen , Li Xiaohua , Ma Huimin
Published: April 2021

A tumor-targeted near-infrared fluorescent probe has been developed for monitoring the intratumoral release of HNO from its donors in vivo.
Laser ablation of pristine Fe foil for constructing a layer-by-layer SiO2/Fe2O3/Fe integrated anode for high cycling-stability lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Zhang Zhongyuan , Yang Chen , Fang Canfeng , Yang Wenfei , Zhang Xue , Rong Zhiguo , Li Xiyang , Jung Youngguan , Lu Jing , Dong Xinglong
Published: April 2021

An integrated SiO2/Fe2O3/Fe anode is fabricated by a laser ablation technique, traced by on-line optical emission spectroscopy (OES) diagnosis. The integrated structure together with the SiO2 coating layer greatly improves the cycling stability.
The O K−2V spectrum of CO: the influence of the second core-hole
Authors: Koulentianos D. , Carniato S. , Püttner R. , Martins J. B. , Travnikova O. , Marchenko T. , Journel L. , Guillemin R. , Ismail I. , Céolin D. , Piancastelli M. N. , Feifel R. , Simon M.
Published: April 2021

A K−2V photoelectron spectrum of the CO molecule, showing several core-ionized core-excited states, has been recorded and the different spectral features have been interpreted in terms of their direct or conjugate nature.
Non-uniform sampling in pulse dipolar spectroscopy by EPR: the redistribution of noise and the optimization of data acquisition
Authors: Matveeva Anna G. , Syryamina Victoria N. , Nekrasov Vyacheslav M. , Bowman Michael K.
Published: April 2021

Non-uniform schemes for collection of pulse dipole spectroscopy data can decrease and redistribute noise in the distance spectrum for increased sensitivity and throughput.
Interactions between butterfly-like prismatic dislocation loop pairs and planar defects in Ni3Al
Authors: Zhang Zhiwei , Fu Qiang , Wang Jun , Yang Rong , Xiao Pan , Ke Fujiu , Lu Chunsheng
Published: April 2021

Understanding the interactions between planar defects and complex dislocation structures in a material is of great significance to simplify its design.
Identification and electronic characterization of four cyclodehydrogenation products of H2TPP molecules on Au(111)
Authors: Lu Jianchen , Da Binbin , Xiong Wei , Du Renjun , Hao Zhenliang , Ruan Zilin , Zhang Yong , Sun Shijie , Gao Lei , Cai Jinming
Published: April 2021

We obtained bond-resolved nc-AFM images of four cyclodehydrogenation products of H2TPP molecules on Au(111).
Encapsulating aluminum nanoparticles into carbon nanotubes for combustion: a molecular dynamics study
Authors: Song Liang , Zhao Feng-Qi , Xu Si-Yu , Ju Xue-Hai
Published: April 2021

The self-assembly mechanism of ANPs and CNTs was demonstrated. The structural evolution of the CNT/ANP composite in oxidation was elaborated by ReaxFF.
Caged-electron states and split-electron states in the endohedral alkali C60
Authors: Yang Yi-Fan , Cederbaum Lorenz S.
Published: April 2021

The low-lying electronic states of neutral X@C60 (X = Li, Na, K, Rb) have been computed and analyzed by employing state-of-the-art high level many-electron methods.
First-principles study of a 2-dimensional C-silicyne monolayer as a promising anode in Na/K ion secondary batteries
Authors: Yadav Neha , Chakraborty Brahmananda , Dhilip Kumar T. J.
Published: April 2021

The effectiveness of the C-silicyne monolayer as an anode material in the next generation non-Li ion batteries is validated by high storage capacity and working voltage range.
Understanding the hierarchical behavior of Bi2WO6 with enhanced photocatalytic nitrogen fixation activity
Authors: Bao Liang , Yuan Yong-jun , Zhang Huaiwei , Zhang Xuefeng , Xu Gang
Published: April 2021

The hierarchical Bi2WO6 nanostructures exhibit an excellent photocatalytic nitrogen fixation rate due to chemisorption on the hierarchical structures and enhanced surface oxygen vacancies (OVs).
Hydrogen bond-induced abrupt spin crossover behaviour in 1-D cobalt(ii) complexes – the key role of solvate water molecules
Authors: Zenno Hikaru , Kobayashi Fumiya , Nakamura Masaaki , Sekine Yoshihiro , Lindoy Leonard F. , Hayami Shinya
Published: April 2021

The magnetic properties and structural aspects of 1-D Co(ii) complexes, [Co(pyterpy)Cl2]·2H2O (pyterpy: 4′-(4′′′-pyridyl)-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine) and [Co(pyethyterpy)Cl2] (pyethyterpy: 4′-((4′′′-pyridyl)ethynyl)-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine) are reported.
Steps towards sustainable solid phase peptide synthesis: use and recovery of N-octyl pyrrolidone
Authors: Martelli Giulia , Cantelmi Paolo , Tolomelli Alessandra , Corbisiero Dario , Mattellone Alexia , Ricci Antonio , Fantoni Tommaso , Cabri Walter , Vacondio Federica , Ferlenghi Francesca , Mor Marco , Ferrazzano Lucia
Published: April 2021

A green protocol for SPPS allows the recovery and recycling of solvents and bases from the process waste mixture.
Boron carbonitride photocatalysts for direct decarboxylation: the construction of C(sp3)–N or C(sp3)–C(sp2) bonds with visible light
Authors: Shi Jiale , Yuan Tao , Wang Rong , Zheng Meifang , Wang Xinchen
Published: April 2021

An efficient protocol was established for the direct decarboxylative N–H or C(sp2)–H functionalization of acids via using metal-free heterogeneous ceramic boron carbonitride (BCN) photocatalysts.
A truly bio-based benzoxazine derived from three natural reactants obtained under environmentally friendly conditions and its polymer properties
Authors: Machado Irlaine , Hsieh Isabel , Rachita Eric , Salum Maria L. , Iguchi Daniela , Pogharian Nicholas , Pellot Analisa , Froimowicz Pablo , Calado Veronica , Ishida Hatsuo
Published: April 2021

The majority of the published bio-based benzoxazine research has focused almost exclusively on different phenolic and amine compounds, while the aldehyde portion of the oxazine ring remains the same.
Visible light-mediated synthesis of amides from carboxylic acids and amine-boranes
Authors: Miao Yu-Qi , Kang Jia-Xin , Ma Yan-Na , Chen Xuenian
Published: April 2021

A practical method for the amidation reaction between carboxylic acids and amines was developed, for the first time, through a visible light-mediated photoredox deoxygenation at room temperature.
Crystalline borophene quantum dots and their derivative boron nanospheres
Authors: Wang Huiqi , An Duo , Wang Mei , Sun Liwen , Li Ying , Li Hairu , Li Ning , Hu Shengliang , He Yan-Bing
Published: April 2021

An efficient strategy was proposed to prepare crystalline borophene quantum dots with two-photo fluorescence and their derivative boron nanospheres.
Light-activated quantum dot potentiation of antibiotics to treat drug-resistant bacterial biofilms
Authors: Stamo Dana F. , Nagpal Prashant , Chatterjee Anushree
Published: April 2021

CdTe-2.4 eV quantum dots (QDs) show excellent efficacy due to their tunability and photo-potentiation for sterilizing drug-resistant planktonic cultures without harming mammalian cells but this QD fabrication has not been tested against biofilms.
Detection of lipase activity in human serum based on a ratiometric fluorescent probe
Authors: Luo Jiajie , Zhang Hongyi , Guan Jialiang , An Baoshuai , Peng Junli , Zhu Wei , Wei Ningning , Zhang Yanru
Published: April 2021

CARA can monitor lipase activity through hydrolyzing the ester bond to interrupt the FRET process.
Nitrogen-doped multi-channel carbon nanofibers incorporated with nickel nanoparticles as a multifunctional modification layer of the separator for ultra stable Li–S batteries
Authors: Wang Zhikang , Cao Guiqiang , Bi Da , Tan Tianxiong , Lai Qingxue , Liang Yanyu
Published: April 2021

This work provided insight into the mechanism of the reversible conversion of LiPSs and the construction of ultra-stable Li–S batteries.
Studies on a catalytic version of the Matteson asymmetric homologation reaction
Authors: Smith Keith , Saleh Basil A. , Alshammari Mohammed B. , El-Hiti Gamal A. , Elliott Mark C.
Published: April 2021

Both Li and Yb complexes of a bis(oxazoline) ligand can induce asymmetry but the nature of Yb(OTf)3 is significant for its performance.
Remote asymmetric conjugate addition catalyzed by a bifunctional spiro-pyrrolidine-derived thiourea catalyst
Authors: Xu Ming-Hui , Yuan Yong-Hai , Liang Dong-Dong , Zhang Xiao-Ming , Zhang Fu-Min , Tu Yong-Qiang , Ma Ai-Jun , Zhang Kun , Peng Jin-Bao
Published: April 2021

A novel spiro-pyrrolidine (SPD)-derived bifunctional thiourea catalyst has been developed and used in a stereoselective conjugate addition of furfurals to β,γ-unsaturated α-ketoesters.
The preparation of three-dimensional flower-like TiO2/TiOF2 photocatalyst and its efficient degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride
Authors: Hou Chentao , Liu Huayang , Li Yijie
Published: April 2021

The efficient photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride by three-dimensional flower-like TiO2/TiOF2.
Retraction: Spectrin-like domain 2 of DRP2 serves as a novel binding region for the NLS2 and 3 sub-domains of L-periaxin
Authors: Yang Yan , Shi YaWei
Published: April 2021

Retraction of ‘Spectrin-like domain 2 of DRP2 serves as a novel binding region for the NLS2 and 3 sub-domains of L-periaxin’ by Yan Yang et al., RSC Adv., 2015, 5, 84356–84366, DOI: 10.1039/C5RA12703C.