bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Boosting the performance of single-atom catalysts via external electric field polarization
Authors: Pan Yanghang , Wang Xinzhu , Zhang Weiyang , Tang Lingyu , Mu Zhangyan , Liu Cheng , Tian Bailin , Fei Muchun , Sun Yamei , Su Huanhuan , Gao Libo , Wang Peng , Duan Xiangfeng , Ma Jing , Ding Mengning
Published: June 2022

Single-atom catalysts represent a unique catalytic system with high atomic utilization and tunable reaction pathway. Despite current successes in their optimization and tailoring through structural and synthetic innovations, there is a lack of dynamic modulation approach for the single-atom catalysis. Inspired by the electrostatic interaction within specific natural enzymes, here we show the performance of model single-atom catalysts anchored on two-dimensional atomic crystals can be systematically and efficiently tuned by oriented external electric fields. Superior electrocatalytic performance have been achieved in single-atom catalysts under electrostatic modulations. Theoretical investigations suggest a universal “onsite electrostatic polarization” mechanism, in which electrostatic fields significantly polarize charge distributions at the single-atom sites and alter the kinetics of the rate determining steps, leading to boosted reaction performances. Such field-induced on-site polarization offers a unique strategy for simulating the catalytic processes in natural enzyme systems with quantitative, precise and dynamic external electric fields.
YAP inhibits ERα and ER+ breast cancer growth by disrupting a TEAD-ERα signaling axis
Authors: Li Xu , Zhuo Shu , Zhuang Ting , Cho Yong Suk , Wu Guojin , Liu Yuchen , Mu Kun , Zhang Kai , Su Peng , Yang Yingzi , Zhang Cheng Cheng , Zhu Jian , Jiang Jin
Published: June 2022

Hippo signaling restricts tissue growth by inhibiting the transcriptional effector YAP. Here we uncover a role of Hippo signaling and a tumor suppressor function of YAP in estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer. We find that inhibition of Hippo/MST1/2 or activation of YAP blocks the ERα transcriptional program and ER+ breast cancer growth. Mechanistically, the Hippo pathway transcription factor TEAD physically interacts with ERα to increase its promoter/enhancer occupancy whereas YAP inhibits ERα/TEAD interaction, decreases ERα occupancy on its target promoters/enhancers, and promotes ERα degradation by the proteasome. Furthermore, YAP inhibits hormone-independent transcription of ERα gene (ESR1). Consistently, high levels of YAP correlate with good prognosis of ER+ breast cancer patients. Finally, we find that pharmacological inhibition of Hippo/MST1/2 impeded tumor growth driven by hormone therapy resistant ERα mutants, suggesting that targeting the Hippo-YAP-TEAD signaling axis could be a potential therapeutical strategy to overcome endocrine therapy resistance conferred by ERα mutants.
Associations between polygenic risk, negative symptoms, and functional connectome topology during a working memory task in early-onset schizophrenia
Authors: Deng Mengjie , Liu Zhening , Zhang Wen , Wu Zhipeng , Cao Hengyi , Yang Jie , Palaniyappan Lena
Published: June 2022

Working memory (WM) deficit in schizophrenia is thought to arise from a widespread neural inefficiency. However, we do not know if this deficit results from the illness-related genetic risk and influence the symptom burden in various domains, especially in patients who have an early onset illness. We used graph theory to examine the topology of the functional connectome in 99 subjects (27 early-onset schizophrenia (EOS), 24 asymptomatic siblings, and 48 healthy subjects) during an n-back task, and calculated their polygenic risk score (PRS) for susceptibility to schizophrenia. Linear regression analysis was used to test associations of the PRS, clinical symptoms, altered connectomic properties, and WM accuracy in EOS. Indices of small-worldness and segregation were elevated in EOS during the WM task compared with the other two groups; these connectomic aberrations correlated with increased PRS and negative symptoms. In patients with higher polygenic risk, WM performance was lower only when both the connectomic aberrations and the burden of negative symptoms were higher. Negative symptoms had a stronger moderating role in this relationship. Our findings suggest that the aberrant connectomic topology is a feature of WM task performance in schizophrenia; this relates to higher polygenic risk score as well as higher burden of negative symptoms. The deleterious effects of polygenic risk on cognition are played out via its effects on the functional connectome, as well as negative symptoms.
A stromal Integrated Stress Response activates perivascular cancer-associated fibroblasts to drive angiogenesis and tumour progression
Authors: Verginadis Ioannis I. , Avgousti Harris , Monslow James , Skoufos Giorgos , Chinga Frank , Kim Kyle , Leli Nektaria Maria , Karagounis Ilias V. , Bell Brett I. , Velalopoulou Anastasia , Salinas Carlo Salas , Wu Victoria S. , Li Yang , Ye Jiangbin , Scott David A. , Osterman Andrei L. , Sengupta Arjun , Weljie Aalim , Huang Menggui , Zhang Duo , Fan Yi , Radaelli Enrico , Tobias John W. , Rambow Florian , Karras Panagiotis , Marine Jean-Christophe , Xu Xiaowei , Hatzigeorgiou Artemis G. , Ryeom Sandra , Diehl J. Alan , Fuchs Serge Y. , Puré Ellen , Koumenis Constantinos
Published: June 2022

Bidirectional signalling between the tumour and stroma shapes tumour aggressiveness and metastasis. ATF4 is a major effector of the Integrated Stress Response, a homeostatic mechanism that couples cell growth and survival to bioenergetic demands. Using conditional knockout ATF4 mice, we show that global, or fibroblast-specific loss of host ATF4, results in deficient vascularization and a pronounced growth delay of syngeneic melanoma and pancreatic tumours. Single-cell transcriptomics of tumours grown in Atf4Δ/Δ mice uncovered a reduction in activation markers in perivascular cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Atf4Δ/Δ fibroblasts displayed significant defects in collagen biosynthesis and deposition and a reduced ability to support angiogenesis. Mechanistically, ATF4 regulates the expression of the Col1a1 gene and levels of glycine and proline, the major amino acids of collagen. Analyses of human melanoma and pancreatic tumours revealed a strong correlation between ATF4 and collagen levels. Our findings establish stromal ATF4 as a key driver of CAF functionality, malignant progression and metastasis.
Faulty autolysosome acidification in Alzheimer’s disease mouse models induces autophagic build-up of Aβ in neurons, yielding senile plaques
Authors: Lee Ju-Hyun , Yang Dun-Sheng , Goulbourne Chris N. , Im Eunju , Stavrides Philip , Pensalfini Anna , Chan Han , Bouchet-Marquis Cedric , Bleiwas Cynthia , Berg Martin J. , Huo Chunfeng , Peddy James , Pawlik Monika , Levy Efrat , Rao Mala , Staufenbiel Mathias , Nixon Ralph A.
Published: June 2022

Autophagy is markedly impaired in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Here we reveal unique autophagy dysregulation within neurons in five AD mouse models in vivo and identify its basis using a neuron-specific transgenic mRFP-eGFP-LC3 probe of autophagy and pH, multiplex confocal imaging and correlative light electron microscopy. Autolysosome acidification declines in neurons well before extracellular amyloid deposition, associated with markedly lowered vATPase activity and build-up of Aβ/APP-βCTF selectively within enlarged de-acidified autolysosomes. In more compromised yet still intact neurons, profuse Aβ-positive autophagic vacuoles (AVs) pack into large membrane blebs forming flower-like perikaryal rosettes. This unique pattern, termed PANTHOS (poisonous anthos (flower)), is also present in AD brains. Additional AVs coalesce into peri-nuclear networks of membrane tubules where fibrillar β-amyloid accumulates intraluminally. Lysosomal membrane permeabilization, cathepsin release and lysosomal cell death ensue, accompanied by microglial invasion. Quantitative analyses confirm that individual neurons exhibiting PANTHOS are the principal source of senile plaques in amyloid precursor protein AD models.
Two successive bidirectional leaders propagated in triggered lightning channel
Authors: Wang Junlin , Li Quanxin , Wang Jianguo , Cai Li , Su Rui , Zhou Mi , Fan Yadong
Published: June 2022

A stepped leader propagated along the previous return-stroke channel in triggered lightning. After the stepped leader decayed, the first bidirectional leader went through the process of initiation, propagation and dissipation. Then the second bidirectional leader initiated at the termination of the decayed first bidirectional leader and propagated toward the ground, generating the fourth return-stroke. The observations were synchronously performed through a high-speed camera and electromagnetic field measurements. The first bidirectional leader was characterized by similar average upward and downward velocities of 0.76 × 106 m/s and 0.67 × 106 m/s. The velocity of the upward positive leader of the first bidirectional leader was noticeably fluctuated, ranging 0.39 × 106–1.78 × 106 m/s. The second bidirectional leader was characterized by a sustainable propagating upward end with an average velocity of 1.82 × 106 m/s. The velocity fluctuation trend of the upward end depends on the neutralization amount of the residual negative charge and the positive charge in UPL.
Post-vaccination outcomes in association with four COVID-19 vaccines in the Kingdom of Bahrain
Authors: AlQahtani Manaf , Du Xing , Bhattacharyya Sujoy , Alawadi Abdulla , Al Mahmeed Hamad , Al Sayed Jaleela , Justman Jessica , El-Sadr Wafaa M. , Hidary Jack , Mukherjee Siddhartha
Published: June 2022

With the emergence of new SARS-Cov2 variants, critical questions have arisen about: (1) the effectiveness of the available COVID-19 vaccines developed to protect against the original Wuhan (wild type) variant and (2) the magnitude and clinical consequences of post-vaccination infections in the context of the Delta variant of SARS-Cov2. While some “real world” experiences with various vaccines have been reported, to our knowledge, few have examined comparative outcomes of various vaccines in one country as new SARS-CoV-2 variants have emerged. Here we present an analysis of COVID-19 related outcomes from a national database in Bahrain, a country with a total population of 1.51 million, where four vaccines were deployed (total vaccinated = 1,003,960 adults): AstraZeneca (AZ/Covishield), Pfizer/BioNtech, Sinopharm and Sputnik V. We compare the four vaccines, based on the following post-vaccination outcomes: SARS-CoV-2 infections, hospitalisations, ICU admissions and deaths, compared to unvaccinated individuals. We conclude that the four vaccines used in Bahrain were effective in significantly reducing all four COVID-19 related outcomes compared to unvaccinated individuals, prior to, and during the period when the Delta variant predominated in the country. However, compared to the three other vaccines, individuals vaccinated with Sinopharm vaccine had a higher risk of post-vaccination infections, hospitalisations and ICU admissions (e.g., 6.94%, 2.24%, 1.99% and 1.52% of COVID-19 cases of Sinopharm, Sputnik V, Pfizer and Covishield recipients, respectively, required hospitalisation versus 13.66% of COVID-19 cases among unvaccinated individuals); however, given the confounding factors, this needs to be confirmed by further studies. We find no evidence of biased selection for any vaccine, but note waning protection of the Pfizer/BioNtech vaccine during the January to June 2021 period in the age > 60 y cohort; however, this cannot be distinguished from the overall fall in hospitalisations overall. Our findings support the value of vaccination in preventing COVID-19 related outcomes, provide real world estimates on the outcomes and frequencies of post-vaccination infections for the four vaccines, which may inform vaccine selection in the context of the Delta variant across the globe.
Finite element analysis for ternary hybrid nanoparticles on thermal enhancement in pseudo-plastic liquid through porous stretching sheet
Authors: Sohail Muhammad , El-Zahar Essam R. , Mousa Abd Allah A. , Nazir Umar , Althobaiti Saad , Althobaiti Ali , Shah Nehad Ali , Chung Jae Dong
Published: June 2022

Thermal performance can be enhanced due to the mixing of nanoparticles in base fluid. This research discusses the involvement of ternary hybrid nanoparticles in the mixture of pseudo-plastic fluid model past over a two dimensional porous stretching sheet. Modelling of energy equation is carried out in the presence of external heat source or sink and viscous dissipation. The flow presenting equations and derived in Cartesian coordinate system under usual boundary layer theory in the form of complex coupled partial differential equations (PDEs). The derived PDEs have been converted into corresponding ordinary differential equations (ODEs) with the engagement of suitable transformation. The engineers, scientists and mathematicians have great interest in the solution of differential equations because to understand the real physics of the problem. Here, finite element scheme has been used to approximate the solution of the converted problem. The contribution of several emerging parameters on solution have been displayed through graphs and discussed. It is recommended that the finite element method can be engaged to approximate the solution of nonlinear problems arising in modelling the problem in mathematical physics.
Serum bicarbonate levels and gait abnormalities in older adults: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Ho Jim Q. , Verghese Joe , Abramowitz Matthew K.
Published: June 2022

Metabolic acidosis is associated with impaired physical function in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and older adults. However, whether acidosis is associated with gait abnormalities has received little attention. In a cohort of 323 community-dwelling adults ≥ 65 years old who underwent quantitative gait analysis, we examined associations of serum bicarbonate with eight individual gait variables. After multivariable adjustment, participants in the lowest bicarbonate tertile (< 25 mEq/L) had 8.6 cm/s slower speed (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.2–13.9), 7.9 cm shorter stride length (95% CI 3.5–12.2), and 0.03 s longer double support time (95% CI 0.002–0.1) compared with those in the middle tertile (25–27 mEq/L). Furthermore, lower bicarbonate levels were associated with more severe gait abnormalities in a graded manner. After further adjustment for possible mediating factors, associations were attenuated but remained significant. Among participants with CKD, associations were of similar or greater magnitude compared with those without CKD. Factor analysis was performed to synthesize the individual gait variables into unifying domains: among the pace, rhythm, and variability domains, lower serum bicarbonate was associated with worse performance in pace. In sum, lower serum bicarbonate was independently associated with worse performance on several quantitative measures of gait among older adults.
Protogynous functional hermaphroditism in the North American annual killifish, Millerichthys robustus
Authors: Domínguez-Castanedo Omar , Valdez-Carbajal Sharon , Muñoz-Campos Tessy M. , Huber Jean H. , Reichard Martin
Published: June 2022

Sex change (sequential hermaphroditism) has evolved repeatedly in teleost fishes when demographic conditions mediate fundamentally different sex-specific returns for individuals of particular age and size. We investigated the conditions for potential sex change in an annual killifish (Millerichthys robustus) from temporary pools in Mexico. In natural populations, we detected adults with intersex colouration and gonads. Therefore, we experimentally tested whether this apparent sex change can be generated by manipulation of ecological and social conditions, rather than being caused by environmental disturbance. We demonstrated functional protogynous (female-to-male) sex change in 60% replicates, when groups of five females interacted and had a visual and olfactory cue of a male. Only one female changed sex in any given replicate. The sex change never occurred in isolated females. Protandrous (male-to-female) hermaphroditism was not recorded. We characterized gradual changes in behaviour, colouration and gonad structure during the sex change process. The first behavioural signs of sex change were observed after 23 days. Secondary males spawned successfully after 75 days. We discuss the adaptive potential of sex change in short-lived annual fishes through the seasonal decline of males, and during colonization of new habitats. This is the first observation of functional hermaphroditism in an annual killifish.
Financial concern reduces child directed speech in a socioeconomically diverse sample
Authors: Roby Erin , Scott Rose M.
Published: June 2022

Socioeconomic status predicts the quantity and nature of child-directed speech that parents produce. However, the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unclear. This study investigated whether the cognitive load imposed by resource scarcity suppresses parent talk by examining time-dependent variation in child-directed speech in a socioeconomically diverse sample. We predicted that child-directed speech would be lowest at the end of the month when Americans report the greatest financial strain. 166 parents and their 2.5 to 3-year-old children (80 female) participated in a picture-book activity; the number of utterances, word tokens, and word types used by parents were calculated. All three parent language measures were negatively correlated with the date of the month the activity took place, and this relationship did not vary with parental education. These findings suggest that above and beyond individual properties of parents, contextual factors such as financial concerns exert influence on how parents interact with their children.
The structure, function and expression analysis of the nodulin 26-like intrinsic protein subfamily of plant aquaporins in tomato
Authors: Zhang Yuxiang , Fei Shihong , Xu Yunmin , He Yong , Zhu Zhujun , Liu Yuanyuan
Published: June 2022

The nodulin 26-like intrinsic protein (NIP) family belonging to a group of aquaporin proteins is unique to plants. NIPs have a wide of transport activities and are involved in developmental processes and stress tolerance. The well reported Lsi1 and Lsi6 belonging to NIP III were characterized as Si transporters. However, except Lsi1 and Lsi6, most NIPs remain unknown. Here, we identified 43 putative aquaporins in tomato. We found there are 12 NIPs, including 8 NIP I proteins, 3 NIP II proteins, and 1 NIP III protein among the 43 aquaporins. Also, there are two Si efflux transporters SlLsi2-1 and SlLsi2-2 identified by using Lsi2 proteins from other species. By analysing the phylogenetic relationships, conserved residues and expression patterns, we propose that three NIP I members (SlNIP-2, SlNIP-3 and SlNIP-11) may transport water, ammonia, urea, and boric acid, and contribute to pollen development. Three NIP II proteins (SlNIP-7, SlNIP-9 and SlNIP-12) may be boric acid facilitators, and affect plant growth and anther development. Overall, the study provides valuable candidates of Si transporters and other NIP proteins to further explore their roles in uptake and transport for silicon, boron, and other substrates in tomato.
Methanol fixed feeder layers altered the pluripotency and metabolism of bovine pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Xu Wenqiang , Hao Ruifeng , Wang Jing , Gao Lingna , Han Xuejie , Li Chen , Fang Shu , Zhang Hui , Li Xueling
Published: June 2022

The pluripotency maintenance of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) requires the suitable microenvironment, which commonly provided by feeder layers. However, the preparation of feeder layers is time consuming and labor exhaustive, and the feeder cells treated with mitomycin C or γ-ray irradiation bring heterologous contamination. In this study, mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) were treated by methanol to generate chemical fixed feeder cells, and bovine embryonic stem cells F7 (bESC-F7) cultured on this feeder layer. Then the pluripotency and metabolism of bESC-F7 cultured on methanol-fixed MEFs (MT-MEFs) named MT-F7 was compared with mitomycin C treated MEFs (MC-MEFs). The results showed that bESC-F7 formed alkaline phosphatase positive colonies on MT-MEFs, the relative expression of pluripotent markers of these cells was different from the bESCs cultured on the MC-MEFs (MC-F7). The long-term cultured MT-F7 formed embryoid bodies, showed the ability to differentiate into three germ layers similar to MC-F7. The analyses of RNA-seq data showed that MT-MEFs lead bESCs to novel steady expression patterns of genes regulating pluripotency and metabolism. Furthermore, the bovine expanded pluripotent stem cells (bEPSCs) cultured on MT-MEFs formed classical colonies, maintained pluripotency, and elevated metabolism. In conclusion, MT-MEFs were efficient feeder layer that maintain the distinctive pluripotency and metabolism of PSCs.
Effects of mesoscale eddies on intraseasonal variability of intermediate water east of Taiwan
Authors: Ren Qiang , Yu Fei , Nan Feng , Li Yuanlong , Wang Jianfeng , Liu Yansong , Chen Zifei
Published: June 2022

The intraseasonal variability of the intermediate water (IW) and its characteristics east of Taiwan are studied utilizing 17 months of long-term, continuous and synchronous measurements of temperature, salinity and current from mooring sites deployed at 122° E/23° N from January 2016 to May 2017. Direct measurements revealed water masses east of Taiwan alternately show complete South China Sea Intermediate Water or North Pacific Intermediate Water (NPIW) characteristics, mostly in a mixed state, with NPIW dominating 70% of the time. For the first time, it is demonstrated that the variation of IW with periods of ~ 80 days is mainly related to mesoscale eddies. Anticyclonic (cyclonic) eddies corresponding to an increase (decrease) in temperature and salinity in the intermediate layer. Further mechanism analysis indicates the vertical motion of the water mass inside the eddies is one of the reasons for the thermohaline change in the intermedaiter layer. In addition, the anticyclonic eddies may increase the salinity concentration gradient across the Luzon Strait, and the enhanced advection is favorable to the outflow of water masses in the South China Sea. When the cyclonic eddies acts on the eastern part of Taiwan, the influence of the northward advection is weakened and the southward flow on its left side is more favorable to the transport of NPIW.
Quantum coherence on selectivity and transport of ion channels
Authors: Seifi Mina , Soltanmanesh Ali , Shafiee Afshin
Published: June 2022

Recently, it has been suggested that ion channel selectivity filter may exhibit quantum coherence, which may be appropriate to explain ion selection and conduction processes. Potassium channels play a vital role in many physiological processes. One of their main physiological functions is the efficient and highly selective transfer of K+ ions through the membranes into the cells. To do this, ion channels must be highly selective, allowing only certain ions to pass through the membrane, while preventing the others. The present research is an attempt to investigate the relationship between hopping rate and maintaining coherence in ion channels. Using the Lindblad equation to describe a three-level system, the results in different quantum regimes are examined. We studied the distillable coherence and the second order coherence function of the system. The oscillation of distillable coherence from zero, after the decoherence time, and also the behavior of the coherence function clearly show the point that the system is coherent in ion channels with high throughput rates.
Reduction of environmental chemicals, toxicity and particulate matter in wet scrubber device to achieve zero emissions
Authors: Ramaswamy Krishnaraj , Jule Leta Tesfaye , N Nagaprasad , Subramanian Kumaran , R Shanmugam , L Priyanka Dwarampudi , Seenivasan Venkatesh
Published: June 2022

The fine particles generated by the foundry industry are present in the atmosphere; they have an impact on the climate because of their influence on atmospheric radioactive phenomena. As a result of this scenario, there is a rising amount of legislation restricting the emission of pollutants from foundry industries and related businesses. In response to this situation, many researchers have concentrated on end-of-pipe technologies, one of which is the wet scrubber, which is a device that is primarily used in foundries to control pollution and is one of the devices that has been incorporated. The disadvantage of using this wet scrubber, on the other hand, is that it contributes to secondary pollution when it is used. In order to combat secondary pollution, a model of an enhanced wet scrubber system that incorporates a multi-sand filtering technology was developed. The performance of this redesigned wet scrubber system was evaluated with the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software. In CFD, the Reynolds stress model was applied for simulation. The pressure magnitudes and velocity magnitudes are obtained by this simulation. The volume fraction of the dust was evaluated through the DPM approach. Because of the introduction of the filtration tank's computation, it was discovered that successful filtration was accomplished using sand filters, meaning that environmental chemicals and particles were totally filtered from 0.17 kg at the entrance to zero kg of particles at the outflow.
The impact of the suppression of highly connected protein interactions on the corona virus infection
Authors: Torres Felipe , Kiwi Miguel , Schuller Ivan K.
Published: June 2022

Several highly effective Covid-19 vaccines are in emergency use, although more-infectious coronavirus strains, could delay the end of the pandemic even further. Because of this, it is highly desirable to develop fast antiviral drug treatments to accelerate the lasting immunity against the virus. From a theoretical perspective, computational approaches are useful tools for antiviral drug development based on the data analysis of gene expression, chemical structure, molecular pathway, and protein interaction mapping. This work studies the structural stability of virus–host interactome networks based on the graphical representation of virus–host protein interactions as vertices or nodes connected by commonly shared proteins. These graphical network visualization methods are analogous to those use in the design of artificial neural networks in neuromorphic computing. In standard protein-node-based network representation, virus–host interaction merges with virus–protein and host–protein networks, introducing redundant links associated with the internal virus and host networks. On the contrary, our approach provides a direct geometrical representation of viral infection structure and allows the effective and fast detection of the structural robustness of the virus–host network through proteins removal. This method was validated by applying it to H1N1 and HIV viruses, in which we were able to pinpoint the changes in the Interactome Network produced by known vaccines. The application of this method to the SARS-CoV-2 virus–host protein interactome implies that nonstructural proteins nsp4, nsp12, nsp16, the nuclear pore membrane glycoprotein NUP210, and ubiquitin specific peptidase USP54 play a crucial role in the viral infection, and their removal may provide an efficient therapy. This method may be extended to any new mutations or other viruses for which the Interactome Network is experimentally determined. Since time is of the essence, because of the impact of more-infectious strains on controlling the spread of the virus, this method may be a useful tool for novel antiviral therapies.
Topological design of strain sensing nanocomposites
Authors: Wang Long , Chiang Wei-Hung , Loh Kenneth J.
Published: June 2022

High-performance piezoresistive nanocomposites have attracted extensive attention because of their significant potential as next-generation sensing devices for a broad range of applications, such as monitoring structural integrity and human performance. While various piezoresistive nanocomposites have been successfully developed using different material compositions and manufacturing techniques, current development procedures typically involve empirical trial and error that can be laborious, inefficient, and, most importantly, unpredictable. Therefore, this paper proposed and validated a topological design-based methodology to strategically manipulate the piezoresistive effect of nanocomposites to achieve a wide range of strain sensitivities without changing the material system. In particular, patterned nanocomposite thin films with stress-concentrating and stress-releasing topologies were designed. The strain sensing properties of the different topology nanocomposites were characterized and compared via electromechanical experiments. Those results were compared to both linear and nonlinear piezoresistive material model numerical simulations. Both the experimental and simulation results indicated that the stress-concentrating topologies could enhance strain sensitivity, whereas the stress-releasing topologies could significantly suppress bulk film piezoresistivity.
Mycobiota composition and changes across pregnancy in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)
Authors: Ferrocino Ilario , Ponzo Valentina , Pellegrini Marianna , Goitre Ilaria , Papurello Matteo , Franciosa Irene , D’Eusebio Chiara , Ghigo Ezio , Cocolin Luca , Bo Simona
Published: June 2022

The gut mycobiota has never been studied either during pregnancy or in patients with gestational diabetes (GDM). This study aimed to analyze the fecal mycobiota of GDM patients during the second (T2) and third (T3) trimester of pregnancy and to compare it with the mycobiota of pregnant normoglycemic women (controls). Forty-one GDM patients and 121 normoglycemic women were studied. GDM mycobiota was composed almost exclusively by the Ascomycota phylum; Basidiomicota accounted for 43% of the relative frequency of the controls. Kluyveromyces (p < 0.001), Metschnikowia (p < 0.001), and Pichia (p < 0.001) showed a significantly higher frequency in GDM patients, while Saccharomyces (p = 0.019), were more prevalent in controls. From T2 to T3, a reduction in fungal alpha diversity was found in GDM patients, with an increase of the relative frequency of Candida, and the reduction of some pro-inflammatory taxa. Many associations between fungi and foods and nutrients were detected. Finally, several fungi and bacteria showed competition or co-occurrence. Patients with GDM showed a predominance of fungal taxa with potential inflammatory effects when compared to normoglycemic pregnant women, with a marked shift in their mycobiota during pregnancy, and complex bacteria-fungi interactions.
Coral fluorescence: a prey-lure in deep habitats
Authors: Ben-Zvi Or , Lindemann Yoav , Eyal Gal , Loya Yossi
Published: June 2022

Fluorescence is highly prevalent in reef-building corals, nevertheless its biological role is still under ongoing debate. This feature of corals was previously suggested to primarily screen harmful radiation or facilitate coral photosynthesis. In mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs; 30-150 m depth) corals experience a limited, blue-shifted light environment. Consequently, in contrast to their shallow conspecifics, they might not be able to rely on photosynthates from their photosymbionts as their main energy source. Here, we experimentally test an alternative hypothesis for coral fluorescence: a prey-lure mechanism for plankton. We show that plankton exhibit preferential swimming towards green fluorescent cues and that compared to other morphs, higher predation rates are recorded in a green fluorescing morph of the mesophotic coral Euphyllia paradivisa. The evidence provided here - that plankton are actively attracted to fluorescent signals - indicates the significant role of fluorescence in amplifying the nutritional sink adjacent to coral reefs.
Liquid-liquid phase separation reduces radiative absorption by aged black carbon aerosols
Authors: Zhang Jian , Wang Yuanyuan , Teng Xiaomi , Liu Lei , Xu Yisheng , Ren Lihong , Shi Zongbo , Zhang Yue , Jiang Jingkun , Liu Dantong , Hu Min , Shao Longyi , Chen Jianmin , Martin Scot T. , Zhang Xiaoye , Li Weijun
Published: June 2022

Black carbon aerosols absorb radiation and their absorptive strength is influenced by particle mixing structures and coating compositions. Liquid-liquid phase separation can move black carbon to organic particle coatings which affects absorptive capacity, but it is unclear which conditions favour this redistribution. Here we combine field observations, laboratory experiments, and transmission electron microscopy to demonstrate that liquid-liquid phase separation redistributes black carbon from inorganic particle cores to organic coatings under a wide range of relative humidity. We find that the ratio of organic coating thickness to black carbon size influences the redistribution. When the ratio is lower than 0.12, over 90% of black carbon is inside inorganic salt cores. However, when the ratio exceeds 0.24, most black carbon is redistributed to organic coatings, due to a change in its affinity for inorganic and organic phases. Using an optical calculation model, we estimate that black carbon redistribution reduces the absorption enhancement effect by 28–34%. We suggest that climate models assuming a core-shell particle structure probably overestimate radiative absorption of black carbon aerosols by approximately 18%.
Generative aptamer discovery using RaptGen
Authors: Iwano Natsuki , Adachi Tatsuo , Aoki Kazuteru , Nakamura Yoshikazu , Hamada Michiaki
Published: June 2022

Nucleic acid aptamers are generated by an in vitro molecular evolution method known as systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). Various candidates are limited by actual sequencing data from an experiment. Here we developed RaptGen, which is a variational autoencoder for in silico aptamer generation. RaptGen exploits a profile hidden Markov model decoder to represent motif sequences effectively. We showed that RaptGen embedded simulation sequence data into low-dimensional latent space on the basis of motif information. We also performed sequence embedding using two independent SELEX datasets. RaptGen successfully generated aptamers from the latent space even though they were not included in high-throughput sequencing. RaptGen could also generate a truncated aptamer with a short learning model. We demonstrated that RaptGen could be applied to activity-guided aptamer generation according to Bayesian optimization. We concluded that a generative method by RaptGen and latent representation are useful for aptamer discovery.
From vesicles toward protocells and minimal cells
Authors: Imai Masayuki , Sakuma Yuka , Kurisu Minoru , Walde Peter
Published: June 2022

Living systems are generally thought to have emerged from inorganic and organic compounds through the formation of compartments (molecular assemblies such as vesicles) and “information molecules” in processes driven by metabolic reaction networks.
Structural characterization and analysis of different epimers of neutral glycosphingolipid LcGg4 by ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry
Authors: Gao Tianqi , Lott Aneirin A. , Huang Fanran , Rohokale Rajendra , Li Qingjiang , Olivos Hernando J. , Chen Sixue , Guo Zhongwu
Published: June 2022

LcGg4, a neutral glycosphingolipid (GSL) and cancer antigen, its epimers GalNAc-LcGg4 and GlcNAc-LcGg4, and three lipid forms of GalNAc-LcGg4 were studied by mass spectrometry (MS).
Photocatalytic 1,2-oxo-alkylation reaction of styrenes with diazoacetates
Authors: Li Fang , Zhu Siqi , Koenigs Rene M.
Published: June 2022

We report on the photocatalytic 1,2-difunctionalization reaction of styrenes with acceptor-only diazoalkanes.
Catalytic asymmetric inverse-electron-demand aza-Diels–Alder reaction of 1,3-diazadienes with 3-vinylindoles
Authors: Miao Yu-Hang , Hua Yuan-Zhao , Gao Hao-Jie , Mo Nan-Nan , Wang Min-Can , Mei Guang-Jian
Published: June 2022

A facile chiral phosphoric-acid catalyzed asymmetric inverse-electron-demand aza-Diels–Alder reaction of 1,3-diazadienes with 3-vinylindoles was established.
Peculiarities of the formation, structural and morphological properties of zinc whitlockite (Ca18Zn2(HPO4)2(PO4)12) synthesized via a phase transformation process under hydrothermal conditions
Authors: Kizalaite Agne , Klimavicius Vytautas , Versockiene Justina , Lastauskiene Egle , Murauskas Tomas , Skaudzius Ramunas , Yokoi Taishi , Kawashita Masakazu , Goto Tomoyo , Sekino Tohru , Zarkov Aleksej
Published: June 2022

In the present work, the formation of zinc whitlockite via a dissolution–precipitation process was investigated in detail. The influence of medium pH, reaction time, temperature and concentration of precursors on the formation of the material was studied.
Coffee peel extracts ameliorate non-alcoholic fatty liver diseaseviaa fibroblast growth factor 21–adiponectin signaling pathway
Authors: Fan Zekai , Wang Chong , Yang Ting , Gao Tianlin , Wang Dan , Zhao Xiaoyan , Guo Xiaofei , Li Duo
Published: June 2022

Coffee peel (CP) contains abundant phytochemicals which might prevent non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Concepts and principles of self-n-doping in perylene diimide chromophores for applications in biochemistry, energy harvesting, energy storage, and catalysis
Authors: Powell Daniel , Whittaker-Brooks Luisa
Published: June 2022

Self-doping is an essential method of increasing carrier concentrations in organic electronics that eliminates the need to tailor host—dopant miscibility, a necessary step when employing molecular dopants.
Effective removal of Cd(ii) by sludge biochar supported nanoscale zero-valent iron from aqueous solution: characterization, adsorption properties and mechanism
Authors: Dai Liang , Han Tao , Ma Gui , Tian Xia , Meng Kai , Lei Zhenle , Ren Jun
Published: June 2022

Nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) has a high chemical reactivity for heavy metals, but it forms aggregates easily.
Electrodeposited Sn–Cu@Sn dendrites for selective electrochemical CO2 reduction to formic acid
Authors: Lim Jinkyu , Garcia-Esparza Angel T. , Lee Jae Won , Kang Gihun , Shin Sangyong , Jeon Sun Seo , Lee Hyunjoo
Published: June 2022

Electrodeposited Sn–Cu@Sn dendrites have enhanced selectivity for CO2 reduction to formic acid on a gas diffusion electrode.
Photoinduced radical cascade cyclization of acetylenic acid esters with oxime esters to access cyanalkylated coumarins
Authors: Yang Xiao , Xia Yanping , Tong Jinghui , Ouyang Lu , Lai Yinlong , Luo Renshi , Liao Jianhua
Published: June 2022

Cyanalkylated coumarins via photo-induced radical cascade cyclization of acetylenic acid ester with oxime esters. Experiments evidenced this protocol was accomplished via a radical addition/5-exo spirocyclization/1, 2-ester migration process.
Carbon dioxide reduction by an Al–O–P frustrated Lewis pair
Authors: Wickemeyer Lucas , Aders Niklas , Mix Andreas , Neumann Beate , Stammler Hans-Georg , Cabrera-Trujillo Jorge J. , Fernández Israel , Mitzel Norbert W.
Published: June 2022

Addition vs. reduction: the geminal FLP Bis2Al–O–PtBu2 can reversibly bind molecular hydrogen, it reacts with CO2 to give an adduct, and its hydrogen adduct reduces CO2 to an adduct of formic acid.
Light-driven molecular motors embedded in covalent organic frameworks
Authors: Stähler Cosima , Grunenberg Lars , Terban Maxwell W. , Browne Wesley R. , Doellerer Daniel , Kathan Michael , Etter Martin , Lotsch Bettina V. , Feringa Ben L. , Krause Simon
Published: June 2022

The synthesis of a light-driven molecular motor and its incorporation into a series of imine-based polymers and covalent organic frameworks is presented and criteria for the spectroscopic probing of molecular dynamics in porous solids are discussed.
Separation of pyrrolidine from tetrahydrofuran by using pillar[6]arene-based nonporous adaptive crystals
Authors: Cao Jiajun , Wu Yitao , Li Qi , Zhu Weijie , Wang Zeju , Liu Yang , Jie Kecheng , Zhu Huangtianzhi , Huang Feihe
Published: June 2022

Here we offer a rapid and energy-saving method for adsorptive separation of pyrrolidine and tetrahydrofuran by using nonporous adaptive crystals of per-ethyl pillar[6]arene.
Magnetic effect on equilibrium tides and its influence on the orbital evolution of binary systems
Authors: Wei Xing
Published: June 2022

In the standard theory of equilibrium tides, hydrodynamic turbulence is considered. In this paper we study the effect of magnetic fields on equilibrium tides. We find that the turbulent Ohmic dissipation associated with a tidal flow is much stronger than the turbulent viscous dissipation such that a magnetic field can greatly speed up the tidal evolution of a binary system. We then apply the theory to three binary systems: the orbital migration of 51 Pegasi b, the orbital decay of WASP-12b, and the circularization of close binary stars. Theoretical predictions are in good agreement with observations, which cannot be clearly interpreted with hydrodynamic equilibrium tides.
A linear finite-difference scheme for approximating randers distances on cartesian grids
Authors: Bonnans J. Frédéric , Bonnet Guillaume , Mirebeau Jean-Marie
Published: June 2022

Randers distances are an asymmetric generalization of Riemannian distances, and arise in optimal control problems subject to a drift term, among other applications. We show that Randers eikonal equation can be approximated by a logarithmic transformation of an anisotropic second order linear equation, generalizing Varadhan’s formula for Riemannian manifolds. Based on this observation, we establish the convergence of a numerical method for computing Randers distances, from point sources or from a domain’s boundary, on Cartesian grids of dimension 2 and 3, which is consistent at order 2/3, and uses tools from low-dimensional algorithmic geometry for best efficiency. We also propose a numerical method for optimal transport problems whose cost is a Randers distance, exploiting the linear structure of our discretization and generalizing previous works in the Riemannian case. Numerical experiments illustrate our results.
Congestion and non-congestion areas: identify and measure congestion in DEA
Authors: Moosavi Seyed Rahim , Valami Hadi Bagherzadeh
Published: June 2022

Detecting the weak and strong congestion statuses of decision-making units (DMUs) and measuring them via data envelopment analysis (DEA) is an important issue that has been discussed in several studies and with different views. The efficiency frontier is a concept derived from the underlying production possibility set (PPS), and the congestion concept is related to them. Still, researchers have defined congestion for each DMU in many previous studies and ignored that congestion is linked with the underlying production technology. In the congestion measurement matter, this paper presents two new insights into a congestion area and non-congestion area for production technology and two new mathematical definitions of congestion based on the PPS properties and detecting the weak and strong congestion status of DMUs (CSOD). We prove our definitions are equal to the original definition of congestion. First, we describe the congestion and non-congestion areas based on the PPS; then provide full details of how to measure congestion built on these new insights. Our approaches are very accurate and fast to calculate; they are theoretically elementary and efficient in performance. Our proposed methods can deal with both non-negative and negative data. Finally, an empirical example is provided to illustrate our approaches.
Differenzialdiagnose der zervikalen Myelitis
Authors: Weidauer Stefan , Arendt Christophe
Published: June 2022

Die breite Differenzialdiagnose intradural bedingter zervikaler Myelopathien umfasst neben entzündlichen und infektiösen Ursachen auch vaskuläre, metabolische, neoplastische und hereditär degenerative Erkrankungen. Die spinale Bildgebung hat daher auch im Hinblick auf eine frühzeitige und zielgerichtete Therapie eine zentrale Stellung. In dieser Übersichtsarbeit werden typische Krankheitsbilder und Differenzialdiagnosen dargestellt.
Koronare CT in der klinischen Praxis: Indikation, Patientenmanagement, Befundung
Authors: Langenbach Marcel C. , Foldyna Borek , Maintz David , Nähle Class P.
Published: June 2022

Nicht zuletzt basierend auf der 2019er-ESC-Leitlinie des chronischen Koronarsyndroms hat die koronare CT als nicht invasives Verfahren in der Diagnostik einer obstruktiven koronaren
Herzerkrankung zunehmenden Stellenwert in der klinischen Praxis erlangt. Die Grundlagen, Indikationsstellung wie auch Durchführung und Befundung der koronaren CT – Themen dieses Beitrags –
sind daher wichtig wie nie in der täglichen Routine.
Immune Thrombocytopenia: Characteristics of the Population and Treatment Methods—One-Center Experience
Authors: Lebowa Weronika , Zdziarska Joanna , Sacha Tomasz
Published: June 2022

Background Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a disease with variable clinical presentation, requiring different treatment lines.

Aim The study aimed to characterize a group of ITP patients in terms of clinical picture and disease treatment, as well as to present the current standard of care of ITP in Poland, in the context of local and international guidelines.

Materials and Methods The study included adult patients diagnosed with ITP, treated at the Department of Haematology of the Jagiellonian University Hospital in Krakow from January 2006 to January 2021. Patient characteristics, clinical manifestation of ITP, and treatment methods were analyzed.

Results A total of 245 ITP patients were included. 57.1% of them were asymptomatic at diagnosis. Most common symptoms were thrombocytopenic purpura (68.2%), followed by epistaxis (34.7%) and gum bleeds (19.2%). Life-threatening bleedings were noted in three cases (1.2%). 23.2% of patients did not require treatment. Prednisone was the most commonly used first-line therapy (75.5% of patients). Treatment with eltrombopag and romiplostim was used in 40.4 and 8.5% of patients requiring second-line therapy, respectively. 14.3% of all patients ultimately underwent splenectomy, including 51.5% of those who needed second-line treatment. The initial response rate was 74.3%; however, post-splenectomy relapses occurred in 22.9% of patients.

Conclusions ITP is a disease of mild clinical course, often asymptomatic. Chronic disease often requires multiple treatment lines and balancing between bleeding risk and treatment toxicity, based on individual risk–benefit assessment. Local access restrictions to thrombopoietin receptor agonists determined the treatment strategy.