bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Small RNA sequencing evaluation of renal microRNA biomarkers in dogs with X-linked hereditary nephropathy
Authors: Chu Candice P. , Liu Shiguang , Song Wenping , Xu Ethan Y. , Nabity Mary B.
Published: August 2021

Dogs with X-linked hereditary nephropathy (XLHN) are an animal model for Alport syndrome in humans and progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD). Using mRNA sequencing (mRNA-seq), we have characterized the gene expression profile affecting the progression of XLHN; however, the microRNA (miRNA, miR) expression remains unknown. With small RNA-seq and quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR), we used 3 small RNA-seq analysis tools (QIAGEN OmicSoft Studio, miRDeep2, and CPSS 2.0) to profile differentially expressed renal miRNAs, top-ranked miRNA target genes, and enriched biological processes and pathways in CKD progression. Twenty-three kidney biopsies were collected from 5 dogs with XLHN and 4 age-matched, unaffected littermates at 3 clinical time points (T1: onset of proteinuria, T2: onset of azotemia, and T3: advanced azotemia). We identified up to 23 differentially expressed miRNAs at each clinical time point. Five miRNAs (miR-21, miR-146b, miR-802, miR-142, miR-147) were consistently upregulated in affected dogs. We identified miR-186 and miR-26b as effective reference miRNAs for qRT-PCR. This study applied small RNA-seq to identify differentially expressed miRNAs that might regulate critical pathways contributing to CKD progression in dogs with XLHN.
Relationship between arm-to-leg and limbs-to-trunk body composition ratio and cardiovascular disease risk factors
Authors: Jung Sunmi , Park Jihyun , Seo Young-Gyun
Published: August 2021

We aimed to analyze the relationship of the distribution of body fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) in the limbs and trunk with the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors (CVD-RF). In total, 13,032 adults were selected from the KNHANES (2008–2011). The prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome (MetS) according to the arm-to-leg ratio and limbs-to-trunk ratio for FM and FFM was compared, respectively. The higher the arm-to-leg FM ratio, the higher the prevalence of CVD-RF (DM-male-OR 7.04, 95% CI 4.22–11.74; DM-female-OR 10.57, 95% CI 5.80–19.26; MetS-male-OR 4.47, 95% CI 3.41- 5.86; MetS-female-OR 8.73, 95% CI 6.38–11.95). The higher the limbs-to-trunk FM ratio (DM-male-OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.07–0.21; DM-female-OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.06–0.23; MetS-male-OR 0.06, 95% CI 0.04–0.08; MetS-female-OR 0.02, 95% CI 0.01–0.04), the higher the limbs-to-trunk FFM ratio (DM-male-OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.11–0.31; DM-female-OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.30–0.70; MetS-male-OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.31–0.50; MetS-female-OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.50–0.78), and the higher the arm-to-leg FFM ratio (MetS-male-OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.59–0.94; MetS-female-OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.58–0.92), the lower the prevalence of CVD-RF. The higher the FM of the legs compared to the arms, FFM of the arms compared to the legs, and FM or FFM of the limbs compared to the trunk, the lower the prevalence of CVD-RF.
Nitrogen species specific phosphorus mineralization in temperate floodplain soils
Authors: Arenberg Mary R. , Arai Yuji
Published: August 2021

As an essential component of enzymes, higher N availability from agricultural runoff to forest soils may boost the activity of phosphatase, increasing the bioavailability of phosphate. The objective of this study was to evaluate P mineralization rates in temperate floodplain soils as a function of inorganic N species (i.e., ammonium and nitrate) and amendment rate (1.5–3.5 g N kg−1). Accordingly, the soil was amended with nitrate and ammonium, and P dynamics were monitored during a 40-day incubation. The addition of ammonium significantly boosted acid and alkaline phosphatase activity by 1.39 and 1.44 µmolp-nitrophenol P (pNP) g−1 h−1, respectively. The degree of increase was positively correlated with the amendment rate. Likewise, the P mineralization rate increased by 0.27 mg P kg−1in the 3.5 g N kg−1ammonium treatment.31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic analysis further supported the reduction in organic orthophosphate diesters on day 30. Meanwhile, the addition of nitrate promoted P mineralization to a lesser degree but did not increase phosphatase activity. While floodplain soils have great potential to sequester anthropogenic P, high availability of inorganic N, especially ammonium, could promote P mineralization, potentially increasing P fertility and/or reducing P the sequestration capacity of floodplain soils.
Cardiac troponin I and the risk of cardiovascular or non-cardiovascular death in patients visiting the emergency department
Authors: Park Jong Eun , Song Minseok , Kim Taerim , Lee Gun Tak , Hwang Sung Yeon , Yoon Hee , Cha Won Chul , Shin Tae Gun , Sim Min Sub , Jo Ik Joon , Lee Seung-Hwa , Park Hyung-Doo , Choi Jin-Ho
Published: August 2021

The prognostic implication of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) values for the determination of the magnitude or duration of cause-specific death risk is limited. We included consecutive patients with maximal cTnI values within 24 h of their emergency department visits. Multivariate analyses using variables selected by the Bayesian information criterion were performed to investigate the impact of cTnI on the event rate, time-dependent risk, and dose-dependent risk of cardiovascular or non-cardiovascular death within 360 days. There were 5472 (14.9%) all-cause deaths including 881 (2.4%) cardiovascular deaths and 4591 (12.5%) non-cardiovascular deaths. In patients with positive cTnI, defined as the ≥ 99th percentile of the upper normal limit, the cumulative risk of cardiac and non-cardiac death was 4.4- and 1.4-fold higher, respectively, than that of negative cTnI, respectively. In the competing risk analysis, positive cTnI was linked to 2.4- and 1.2-fold higher risks of cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular death, respectively. The cTnI value showed a positive relationship with the risk of both cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular deaths. In the time-dependent risk analysis, the excess risk of cardiovascular death was mostly evident in the first few weeks. Higher cTnI value was associated with an increased risk of both cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular death, especially which was in the early period.
Treatment with atrial natriuretic peptide induces adipose tissue browning and exerts thermogenic actions in vivo
Authors: Kimura Haruka , Nagoshi Tomohisa , Oi Yuhei , Yoshii Akira , Tanaka Yoshiro , Takahashi Hirotake , Kashiwagi Yusuke , Tanaka Toshikazu D. , Yoshimura Michihiro
Published: August 2021

Increasing evidence suggests natriuretic peptides (NPs) coordinate inter-organ metabolic crosstalk with adipose tissues and play a critical role in energy metabolism. We recently reported A-type NP (ANP) raises intracellular temperature in cultured adipocytes in a low-temperature-sensitive manner. We herein investigated whether exogenous ANP-treatment exerts a significant impact on adipose tissues in vivo. Mice fed a high-fat-diet (HFD) or normal-fat-diet (NFD) for 13 weeks were treated with or without ANP infusion subcutaneously for another 3 weeks. ANP-treatment significantly ameliorated HFD-induced insulin resistance. HFD increased brown adipose tissue (BAT) cell size with the accumulation of lipid droplets (whitening), which was suppressed by ANP-treatment (re-browning). Furthermore, HFD induced enlarged lipid droplets in inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT), crown-like structures in epididymal WAT, and hepatic steatosis, all of which were substantially attenuated by ANP-treatment. Likewise, ANP-treatment markedly increased UCP1 expression, a specific marker of BAT, in iWAT (browning). ANP also further increased UCP1 expression in BAT with NFD. Accordingly, cold tolerance test demonstrated ANP-treated mice were tolerant to cold exposure. In summary, exogenous ANP administration ameliorates HFD-induced insulin resistance by attenuating hepatic steatosis and by inducing adipose tissue browning (activation of the adipose tissue thermogenic program), leading to in vivo thermogenesis during cold exposure.
Frontal increase of beta modulation during the practice of a motor task is enhanced by visuomotor learning
Authors: Tatti E. , Ferraioli F. , Peter J. , Alalade T. , Nelson A. B. , Ricci S. , Quartarone A. , Ghilardi M. F.
Published: August 2021

Movement is accompanied by beta power changes over frontal and sensorimotor regions: a decrease during movement (event-related desynchronization, ERD), followed by an increase (event-related synchronization, ERS) after the movement end. We previously found that enhancements of beta modulation (from ERD to ERS) during a reaching test (mov) occur over frontal and left sensorimotor regions after practice in a visuo-motor adaptation task (ROT) but not after visual learning practice. Thus, these enhancements may reflect local cumulative effects of motor learning. Here we verified whether they are triggered by the learning component inherent in ROT or simply by motor practice in a reaching task without such learning (MOT). We found that beta modulation during mov increased over frontal and left areas after three-hour practice of either ROT or MOT. However, the frontal increase was greater after ROT, while the increase over the left area was similar after the two tasks. These findings confirm that motor practice leaves local traces in beta power during a subsequent motor test. As they occur after motor tasks with and without learning, these traces likely express the cost of processes necessary for both usage and engagement of long-term potentiation mechanisms necessary for the learning required by ROT.
An integrated pore size distribution measurement method of small angle neutron scattering and mercury intrusion capillary pressure
Authors: Shen Rui , Zhang Xiaoyi , Ke Yubin , Xiong Wei , Guo Hekun , Liu Guanghao , Zhou Hongtao , Yang Hang
Published: August 2021

Small-angle neutron scattering and high-pressure mercury intrusion capillary pressure testing are integrated to analyze the pore size distribution of the broad sense shale oil reservoir samples of the Permian Lucaogou Formation in the Jimsar Sag, Junggar Basin, China. The results show that, compared with the measurement method integrating gas adsorption and mercury intrusion, combination of small-angle neutron scattering and mercury intrusion can more accurately characterize full-scale pore size distribution. The full-scale pore size distribution curve of the rock samples in the study area includes two types: the declining type and submicron pore-dominated type. The declining type is mainly found with silty mudstone and dolomitic mudstone, and most of its pores are smaller than 80 nm. Silt-fine sandstones and dolarenite are mostly of the submicron pores-dominated type, with most pores smaller than 500 nm. They also present large specific pore volumes and average pore diameters of macropores and are the favorable lithogenous facies for development of high-quality reservoirs.
Opportunities of combinatorial thin film materials design for the sustainable development of magnesium-based alloys
Authors: Hans Marcus , Keuter Philipp , Saksena Aparna , Sälker Janis A. , Momma Markus , Springer Hauke , Nowak Jakub , Zander Daniela , Primetzhofer Daniel , Schneider Jochen M.
Published: August 2021

Magnesium-based lightweight structural materials exhibit potential for energy savings. However, the state-of-the-art quest for novel compositions with improved properties through conventional bulk metallurgy is time, energy, and material intensive. Here, the opportunities provided by combinatorial thin film materials design for the sustainable development of magnesium alloys are evaluated. To characterise the impurity level of (Mg,Ca) solid solution thin films within grains and grain boundaries, scanning transmission electron microscopy and atom probe tomography are correlatively employed. It is demonstrated that control of the microstructure enables impurity levels similar to bulk-processed alloys. In order to substantially reduce time, energy, and material requirements for the sustainable development of magnesium alloys, we propose a three-stage materials design strategy: (1) Efficient and systematic investigation of composition-dependent phase formation by combinatorial film growth. (2) Correlation of microstructural features and mechanical properties for selected composition ranges by rapid alloy prototyping. (3) Establishment of synthesis–microstructure–property relationships by conventional bulk metallurgy.
TRPA1 triggers hyperalgesia and inflammation after tooth bleaching
Authors: Chen Chang , Huang Xiansheng , Zhu Wenqiang , Ding Chen , Huang Piaopiao , Li Rong
Published: August 2021

Hyperalgesia has become a major problem restricting the clinical application of tooth bleaching. We hypothesized that transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), a pain conduction tunnel, plays a role in tooth hyperalgesia and inflammation after bleaching. Dental pulp stem cells were seeded on the dentin side of the disc, which was cut from the premolar buccal tissue, with 15% (90 min) or 40% (3 × 15 min) bleaching gel applied on the enamel side, and treated with or without a TRPA1 inhibitor. The bleaching gel stimulated intracellular reactive oxygen species, Ca2+, ATP, and extracellular ATP in a dose-dependent manner, and increased the mRNA and protein levels of hyperalgesia (TRPA1 and PANX1) and inflammation (TNFα and IL6) factors. This increment was adversely affected by TRPA1 inhibitor. In animal study, the protein levels of TRPA1 (P = 0.0006), PANX1 (P < 0.0001), and proliferation factors [PCNA (P < 0.0001) and Caspase 3 (P = 0.0066)] increased significantly after treated rat incisors with 15% and 40% bleaching gels as detected by immunohistochemistry. These results show that TRPA1 plays a critical role in sensitivity and inflammation after tooth bleaching, providing a solid foundation for further research on reducing the complications of tooth bleaching.
Kallistatin limits abdominal aortic aneurysm by attenuating generation of reactive oxygen species and apoptosis
Authors: Krishna Smriti Murali , Li Jiaze , Wang Yutang , Moran Corey S. , Trollope Alexandra , Huynh Pacific , Jose Roby , Biros Erik , Ma Jianxing , Golledge Jonathan
Published: August 2021

Inflammation, vascular smooth muscle cell apoptosis and oxidative stress are believed to play important roles in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) pathogenesis. Human kallistatin (KAL; gene SERPINA4) is a serine proteinase inhibitor previously shown to inhibit inflammation, apoptosis and oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of KAL in AAA through studies in experimental mouse models and patients. Serum KAL concentration was negatively associated with the diagnosis and growth of human AAA. Transgenic overexpression of the human KAL gene (KS-Tg) or administration of recombinant human KAL (rhKAL) inhibited AAA in the calcium phosphate (CaPO4) and subcutaneous angiotensin II (AngII) infusion mouse models. Upregulation of KAL in both models resulted in reduction in the severity of aortic elastin degradation, reduced markers of oxidative stress and less vascular smooth muscle apoptosis within the aorta. Administration of rhKAL to vascular smooth muscle cells incubated in the presence of AngII or in human AAA thrombus-conditioned media reduced apoptosis and downregulated markers of oxidative stress. These effects of KAL were associated with upregulation of Sirtuin 1 activity within the aortas of both KS-Tg mice and rodents receiving rhKAL. These results suggest KAL-Sirtuin 1 signalling limits aortic wall remodelling and aneurysm development through reductions in oxidative stress and vascular smooth muscle cell apoptosis. Upregulating KAL may be a novel therapeutic strategy for AAA.
Effect of endometrial preparation protocols on the risk of ectopic pregnancy for frozen embryo transfer
Authors: Jwa Seung Chik , Takamura Masashi , Kuwahara Akira , Kajihara Takeshi , Ishihara Osamu
Published: August 2021

Studies have consistently reported a significantly reduced incidence of ectopic pregnancy (EP) for frozen-thawed embryo transfer (ET) cycles compared with fresh cycles. However, only a few studies reported an association between endometrial preparation protocols on EP and results were conflicting. A registry-based retrospective cohort study of 153,354 clinical pregnancies following frozen single ETs between 2014 and 2017 were conducted, of which 792 cases of EP (0.52%) were reported. Blastocyst embryo transfers accounted for 87% of the total sample and were significantly associated with a decreased risk for EP compared with early cleavage ET (0.90% vs. 0.46%, adjusted OR = 0.50, 95% CI, 0.41 to 0.60). Compared with natural cycles, hormone replacement cycles (HRC) demonstrated a similar risk for EP (0.53% vs. 0.47%, adjusted OR = 1.12, 95% CI, 0.89 to 1.42). Subgroup analysis with or without tubal factor infertility and early cleavage/blastocyst ETs demonstrated similar non-significant associations. Endometrial preparation protocols using clomiphene (CC) were associated with a significantly increased risk for EP (1.12%, adjusted OR = 2.34; 95% CI, 1.38 to 3.98). These findings suggest that HRC and natural cycles had a similar risk for EP. Endometrial preparation using CC was associated with an increased risk of EP in frozen embryo transfer cycles.
Hypergravity-induced malfunction was moderated by the regulation of NMDA receptors in the vestibular nucleus
Authors: Kim Gyutae , Kim Kyu-Sung
Published: August 2021

Gravity alteration is one of the critical environmental factors in the space, causing various abnormal behaviors related with the malfunctioned vestibular system. Due to the high plastic responses in the central vestibular system, the behavioral failures were resolved in a short period of time (in approx. 72 h). However, the plastic neurotransmission underlying the functional recovery is still elusive. To understand the neurotransmitter-induced plasticity under hypergravity, the extracellular single neuronal recording and the immunohistochemistry were conducted in the vestibular nucleus (VN). The animals were grouped as control, 24-h, 72-h, and 15-day exposing to 4G-hypergravity, and each group had two subgroups based on the origins of neuronal responses, such as canal and otolith. The averaged firing rates in VN showed no significant difference in the subgroups (canal-related: p > 0.105, otolith-related: p > 0.138). Meanwhile, the number of NMDAr was significantly changed by the exposing duration to hypergravity. The NMDAr decreased in 24 h (p = 1.048 × 10–9), and it was retrieved in 72 h and 15 days (p < 4.245 × 10–5). Apparently, the reduction and the retrieval in the number of NMDAr were synchronized with the generation and recovery of the abnormal behaviors. Thus, the plasticity to resolve the hypergravity-induced malfunctional behaviors was conducted by regulating the number of NMDAr.
Compressed sensing in the far-field of the spatial light modulator in high noise conditions
Authors: Kallepalli Akhil , Innes John , Padgett Miles J.
Published: August 2021

Single-pixel imaging techniques as an alternative to focal-plane detector arrays are being widely investigated. The interest in these single-pixel techniques is partly their compatibility with compressed sensing but also their applicability to spectral regions where focal planes arrays are simply not obtainable. Here, we show how a phased-array modulator source can be used to create Hadamard intensity patterns in the far-field, thereby enabling single-pixel imaging. Further, we successfully illustrate an implementation of compressed sensing for image reconstruction in conditions of high noise. In combination, this robust technique could be applied to any spectral region where spatial light phase modulators or phased-array sources are available.
A pH-sensitive nanocarrier based on BSA-stabilized graphene-chitosan nanocomposite for sustained and prolonged release of anticancer agents
Authors: Gooneh-Farahani Sahar , Naghib Seyed Morteza , Naimi-Jamal M. Reza , Seyfoori Amir
Published: August 2021

Smart nanomaterials with stimuli-responsive behavior are considered as promising platform for various drug delivery applications. Regarding their specific conditions, such as acidic pH, drug carriers to treatment of tumor microenvironment need some criteria to enhance drug delivery efficiency. In this study, for the first time, pH-sensitive BSA-stabilized graphene (BSG)/chitosan nanocomposites were synthesized through electrostatic interactions between the positively charged chitosan nanoparticles and negatively charged BSG and used for Doxorubicin (DOX) encapsulation as a general anticancer drug. Physicochemical characterization of the nanocomposites with different concentrations of BSG (0.5, 2, and 5wt%) showed effective decoration of chitosan nanoparticles on BSG. Comparing DOX release behavior from the nanocomposites and free BSG-chitosan nanoparticles were evaluated at two pHs of 7.4 and 4.5 in 28 days. It was shown that the presence of BSG significantly reduced the burst release observed in chitosan nanoparticles. The nanocomposite of 2wt% BSG was selected as the optimal nanocomposite with a release of 84% in 28 days and with the most uniform release in 24 h. Furthermore, the fitting of release data with four models including zero-order, first-order, Higuchi, and Korsmeyer-Peppas indicated that the addition of BSG changed the release mechanism of the drug, enabling uniform release for the optimal nanocomposite in first 24 h, compared to that for pure chitosan nanoparticles. This behavior was proved using metabolic activity assay of the SKBR-3 breast cancer cell spheroids exposed to DOX release supernatant at different time intervals. It was also demonstrated that DOX released from the nanocomposite had a significant effect on the suppression of cancer cell proliferation at acidic pH.
Evaluation of transverse maxillary growth on cone-beam computed tomography images
Authors: Seubert Brandon J. , Gaalaas Laurence , Larson Brent E. , Grünheid Thorsten
Published: August 2021

This study aimed at quantifying the annual transverse growth of the maxilla using skeletal landmarks in three different regions on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. CBCT scans taken before and after orthodontic treatment of 100 child and adolescent patients (50 male, 50 female) without maxillary transverse deficiencies were used to determine the transverse linear distances between the greater palatine foramina (GPFd), the lateral walls of the nasal cavity (NCd), and the infraorbital foramina (IOFd). We found that all distances increased significantly with growth in both genders (p < 0.001). The overall average annual change was 0.5 mm for GPFd, 0.3 mm for NCd, and 0.7 mm for IOFd. Males generally had greater annual changes than females for GPFd and IOFd, but not NCd. There were weak, statistically not significant (p > 0.05) correlations between patient age and the annual changes in GPFd, NCd, and IOFd. These results suggest that the positions of the greater palatine foramina, the lateral walls of the nasal cavity, and the infraorbital foramina change consistently with maxillary transverse growth. Clinicians can use the growth rates as population averages to more confidently estimate the amount of skeletal transverse deficiency or evaluate the long-term effects of maxillary expansion treatment.
Surface enhanced Raman scattering for the multiplexed detection of pathogenic microorganisms: towards point-of-use applications
Authors: Berry Matthew E. , Kearns Hayleigh , Graham Duncan , Faulds Karen
Published: August 2021

In this review we discuss surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) based techniques for the multiplexed detection of pathogenic microorganisms and their transition into point-of-use detection technologies in the field.
Point-of-care testing of melamineviagas pressure readout using polythymine-coated Au@Pt nanoparticles through specific triple hydrogen-bonding recognition
Authors: Li Ling , Deng Hanwen , Zhao Zhongshuai , Liu Zhongde
Published: August 2021

On the basis of the target-responsive aggregation occurrence of Au@PtNPs, a pressure-based signaling strategy was developed for highly sensitive and specific melamine detection not only in laboratory but also in point-of-care (POC) settings.
Load-bearing hydrogels ionically reinforced through competitive ligand exchanges
Authors: Hirsch Matteo , Steinacher Mathias , Zhao Ran , Amstad Esther
Published: August 2021

We introduce a competitive ligand-mediated approach to selectively and reversibly reinforce metal-coordinated hydrogels. This technique enables non-linear compositional changes for the fabrication of core–shell structures or flexible joints.
Experimental and theoretical studies on glucose conversion in ethanol solution to 5-ethoxymethylfurfural and ethyl levulinate catalyzed by a Brønsted acid
Authors: Wang Shijie , Chen Yihang , Jia Yu , Xu Guizhuan , Chang Chun , Guo Qianhui , Tao Hongge , Zou Caihong , Li Kai
Published: August 2021

DFT calculations combined with experiments were used to discover the mechanism and reaction pathway of the glucose alcoholysis reaction.
Manipulating the solubility properties of polymer donors for high-performance layer-by-layer processed organic solar cells
Authors: Ning Haijun , Jiang Qiuju , Han Pengwei , Lin Man , Zhang Gongya , Chen Jinming , Chen Hui , Zeng Shuyi , Gao Jinping , Liu Jiangang , He Feng , Wu Qinghe
Published: August 2021

This study demonstrates that the solubility properties of polymer donors are vitally important for layer-by-layer processed organic solar cells. Manipulating the solubility of an NTI-based polymer donor enables 17.59% efficiency for a PNTB6-Cl:N3 based device.
Oxygen vacancy engineered unsaturated coordination in cobalt carbonate hydroxide nanowires enables highly selective photocatalytic CO2 reduction
Authors: Liu Huanhuan , Zhang Fu , Wang Haifei , Xue Jierui , Guo Yiming , Qian Qizhu , Zhang Genqiang
Published: August 2021

The unsaturated coordinated cobalt centers of Vo-CCO NWs as active sites were manufactured by the self-photoetching approach, which can preferably adsorb and activate CO2 molecules, effectively inhibiting hydrogen evolution.
Engineering PtCu nanoparticles for a highly efficient methanol electro-oxidation reaction
Authors: Yao Pengfei , Cao Jing , Ruan Mingbo , Song Ping , Gong Xue , Han Ce , Xu Weilin
Published: August 2021

A facile one-pot strategy is reported for the synthesis of carbon-supported PtCu alloy nanoparticles with Pt-rich surfaces for a highly efficient methanol electro-oxidation reaction. Cu downshifts the d-band center of Pt and improves the CO tolerance
Detoxification of heterocyclic aromatic amines from grilled meat using a PEITC-rich vegetable sauce: a randomized crossover controlled trial
Authors: Kaewsit Nitipon , Winuprasith Thunnalin , Trachootham Dunyaporn
Published: August 2021

Intake of grilled meat with a PEITC-rich vegetable sauce promotes detoxification of heterocyclic aromatic amines.
Product selective reaction controlled by the combination of palladium nanoparticles, continuous microwave irradiation, and a co-existing solid; ligand-free Buchwald–Hartwig aminationvs.aryne amination
Authors: Yamada Makito , Ohta Ryousuke , Harada Kazuo , Takehara Tsunayoshi , Haneoka Hitoshi , Murakami Yosuke , Suzuki Takeyuki , Ohki Yuuta , Takahashi Naoyuki , Akiyama Toshiki , Sirimangkalakitti Natchanun , Sako Makoto , Murai Kenichi , Arai Masayoshi , Arisawa Mitsuhiro
Published: August 2021

We have developed a continuous microwave irradiation-assisted Buchwald–Hartwig amination using our original Pd nanoparticle catalyst with a copper plate as a co-existing metal solid.
Abrasion tolerant, non-stretchable and super-water-repellent conductive & ultrasensitive pattern for identifying slow, fast, weak and strong human motions under diverse conditions
Authors: Das Supriya , Singh Rajan , Das Avijit , Bag Sudipta , Paily Roy P. , Manna Uttam
Published: August 2021

Here, an extremely water-repellent, abrasion tolerant and low-strain based motions/expressions detecting pattern interface having ultra-sensitivity (∼18 300 for applied strain of 0.2%) has been introduced through strategic use of 1,4-conjugate addition reaction.
Controlling the thermal switching in upconverting nanoparticles through surface chemistry
Authors: Martínez Eduardo D. , García-Flores Alí F. , Carneiro Neto Albano N. , Brites Carlos D. S. , Carlos Luís D. , Urbano Ricardo R. , Rettori Carlos
Published: August 2021

The surface chemistry of upconversion nanoparticles can effectively control the quenching effect of water molecules affecting the thermal dynamics of luminescence.
Armored colloidal photonic crystals for solar evaporation
Authors: Wang Jia-Wei , Wu Xingjiang , Yu Xiao-Qing , Guo Min , Zhao Jin , Zhu Liangliang , Chen Su
Published: August 2021

New core–shell P(St-AA)@PPy colloidal nanoparticles are developed by in situ chemically coupling PPy to P(St-AA) via droplet microfluidic technology, which enables the construction of CPC films towards solar evaporation.
Ultrasound augments on-demand breast tumor radiosensitization and apoptosis through a tri-responsive combinatorial delivery theranostic platform
Authors: Bhardwaj Prateek , Goda Jayant Sastri , Pai Venkatesh , Chaudhari Pradip , Mohanty Bhabani , Pai Trupti , Vishwakarma Komal , Thorat Rahul , Wadasadawala Tabassum , Banerjee Rinti
Published: August 2021

Ultrasound enhances the on-demand synergistic delivery of curcumin and paclitaxel during neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in orthotopic mouse model of triple negative breast cancer.
Velocity control of protein translocation through a nanopore by tuning the fraction of benzenoid residues
Authors: Si Wei , Yang Haojie , Wu Gensheng , Zhang Yin , Sha Jingjie
Published: August 2021

Due to the strong interaction between the benzenoid residues and the MoS2membrane, the velocity of protein translocation through the MoS2nanopore is well controlled by tuning the fraction of benzenoid residues of the peptide.
Transformable fluorescent nanoparticles (TFNs) of amphiphilic block copolymers for visual detection of aromatic amines in water
Authors: Cui Yuhan , Zhou Yusheng , Liang Guodong
Published: August 2021

A kind of novel transformable fluorescent nanoparticle made of block copolymers is constructed for the sensitive detection of aromatic amines in water.
Generation of azolium dienolates as versatile nucleophilic synthonsvia N-heterocyclic carbene catalysis
Authors: Gao Jian , Feng Jie , Du Ding
Published: August 2021

The recent advances inN-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed generation of azolium dienolates from different precursors and their synthetic applications for the construction of various valuable molecules are summarized comprehensively in this review.
Recent advances in biological nanopores for nanopore sequencing, sensing and comparison of functional variations in MspA mutants
Authors: Bhatti Huma , Jawed Rohil , Ali Irshad , Iqbal Khurshid , Han Yan , Lu Zuhong , Liu Quanjun
Published: August 2021

Future of nanopore DNA sequencing: schematic illustration shows the future of nanopore DNA sequencing by using a customized biological nanopore with appropriate fabrication.
NIR-triggered upconversion nanoparticles@thermo-sensitive liposome hybrid theranostic nanoplatform for controlled drug delivery
Authors: Yu Yibin , Huang Yida , Feng Wanqian , Yang Mei , Shao Baiqi , Li Jingjing , Ye Fangfu
Published: August 2021

A novel hybrid photothermal theranostic nanoplatform UCNPs@Bi@SiO2@GE HP-lips is developed. Upon NIR irradiation, the nanoplatform could photothermally trigger controlled drug release and present bright upconversion luminescence.
Multi-functional porous organic polymers for highly-efficient solid-phase extraction of β-agonists and β-blockers in milk
Authors: Wu Ci , Ning Xingshuang , Chen Xi , Ma Junfeng , Zhao Qun , Zhao Li , Zhu Guozhi , Shi Song
Published: August 2021

Novel phosphonic acid-functionalized porous organic polymers were synthesized through direct knitting method. It shows high adsorption efficiency and high adsorption capacity for multiple β-agonists and β-blockers analysis.
Oxidative coupling of bio-alcohols mixture over hierarchically porous perovskite catalysts for sustainable acrolein production
Authors: Essehaity Al-Shaimaa M. , Abd ElHafiz Dalia R. , Aman Delvin , Mikhail Sara , Abdel-Monem Yasser K.
Published: August 2021

The figure illustrates the potential of perovskite as a catalyst for acrolein production via simultaneous oxidative coupling of renewable alcohols (ethanol and methanol) followed by aldol condensation of pre-formed aldehydes to form acrolein.
Characterization of protein–ligand interactions by SABRE
Authors: Mandal Ratnamala , Pham Pierce , Hilty Christian
Published: August 2021

Protein–ligand binding interactions are characterized by the para-H2 based hyperpolarization technique SABRE and flow-NMR. Binding to the protein is identified by R2 change of a ligand first interacting with the Ir polarization transfer catalyst.
Modulation of the electronic structure and thermoelectric properties of orthorhombic and cubic SnSe by AgBiSe2 alloying
Authors: Chandra Sushmita , Arora Raagya , Waghmare Umesh V. , Biswas Kanishka
Published: August 2021

AgBiSe2 alloying in SnSe tailors its crystal and electronic structures, which boost its thermoelectric figure of merit to 1.3.
Single-ion conducting polymer electrolytes as a key jigsaw piece for next-generation battery applications
Authors: Gao Jingyi , Wang Cong , Han Dong-Wook , Shin Dong-Myeong
Published: August 2021

A review of the physicochemical properties of single-ion conducting polymer electrolytes is presented. The standard characterization method, remarkable electrochemical properties and perspectives are further highlighted.
Interfacial modulation achieving a flexible anode of FeP/N-doped C@carbon cloth with a robust structure for high areal capacity lithium storage
Authors: Wang Weijuan , Xu Hui , Yu Genxi , Chen Daming , Sun Shangqi , Zhou Min , Chen Jian
Published: August 2021

This proposed interfacial strategy with significant capability in improving the mass loading of active materials can benefit the development of high areal capacity flexible electrodes.
A thermally insulated solar evaporator coupled with a passive condenser for freshwater collection
Authors: Cheng Shuwen , Sun Zhehao , Wu Yang , Gao Peng , He Jiaxin , Yin Zongyou , Liu Liying , Li Gang
Published: August 2021

A solar evaporation and passive electricity-independent freshwater recovery unisystem to achieve high evaporation efficiency and freshwater recovery rate through an evaporator consisting of carbonized reed stalk arrays and a chimney-like condenser.
Microenvironment-responsive DNA-conjugated albumin nanocarriers for targeted therapy
Authors: Yu Jiayu , Zhang Jianing , Jin Jing , Jiang Wei
Published: August 2021

A responsive DNA–BSA nanocarrier loaded with DOX for cancer cell-targeted delivery and therapy under acidic conditions and the presence of deoxyribonuclease I is reported.
“Don’t eat me/eat me”-combined apoptotic body analogues for efficient targeted therapy of triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Zhang Kailong , Fu Huanru , Xing Chao , Luo Yi , Cheng Fangfang , Fu Qiang , Huang Yujie , Qiu Longxin
Published: August 2021

Apoptotic body analogues have successfully inherited the anti-phagocytosis (“don’t eat me”) and specific homologous targeting (“eat me”) capacities from parent cells.
An insight study into the parameters altering the emission of a covalent triazine framework
Authors: Bika Panagiota , Giannakopoulou Tatiana , Osokin Vitaly , Li Mo , Todorova Nadia , Kaidatzis Andreas , Taylor Robert A. , Trapalis Christos , Dallas Panagiotis
Published: August 2021

Covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) synthesized through the nucleophilic substitution of 4,4′-bipyridine on the carbon atoms of cyanuric chloride were studied as fluorescent sensors.
Type-III organic/two-dimensional multi-layered phototransistors with promoted operation speed at the communication band
Authors: Han Jiayue , Zhang Chaoyi , Peng Silu , Zhang Xingchao , Liu Xianchao , Zhou Hongxi , Wu Zhiming , Yu He , Wang Jun
Published: August 2021

By incorporating type-III HAT-CN/Bi2O2Se onto graphene, graphene/C60/Bi2O2Se shows a significant improvement of operation speed (3 dB up to 2 kHz) at the communication band with a detectivity of up to 1.2 × 1011Jones.
Voice Therapy According to the Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System: Expert Consensus Ingredients and Targets
Authors: Van Stan Jarrad H. , Whyte John , Duffy Joseph R. , Barkmeier-Kraemer Julie , Doyle Patricia , Gherson Shirley , Kelchner Lisa , Muise Jason , Petty Brian , Roy Nelson , Stemple Joseph , Thibeault Susan , Tolejano Carol Jorgensen
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Clinical trials have demonstrated that standardized voice treatment programs are effective for some patients, but identifying the unique individual treatment ingredients specifically responsible for observed improvements remains elusive. To address this problem, the authors used a taxonomy of voice therapy, the Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System (RTSS), and a Delphi process to develop the RTSS-Voice (expert consensus categories of measurable and unique voice treatment ingredients and targets).

Method

Initial targets and ingredients were derived from a taxonomy of voice therapy. Through six Delphi Rounds, 10 vocal rehabilitation experts rated the measurability and uniqueness of individual treatment targets and ingredients. After each round, revisions (guided by the experts' feedback) were finalized among a primary reader (a voice therapy expert) and two external readers (rehabilitation experts outside the field of voice). Consensus was established when the label and definition of an ingredient or target reached a supramajority threshold (≥ 8 of 10 expert agreement).

Results

Thirty-five target and 19 ingredient categories were agreed to be measurable, unique, and accurate reflections of the rules and terminology of the RTSS. Operational definitions for each category included differences in the way ingredients are delivered and the way individual targets are modified by those ingredients.

Conclusions

The consensus labels and operationalized ingredients and targets making up the RTSS-Voice have potential to improve voice therapy research, practice, and education/training. The methods used to develop these lists may be useful for other speech, language, and hearing treatment specifications.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.15243357
Differential At-Risk Pediatric Outcomes of Parental Sensitivity Based on Hearing Status
Authors: Jamsek Izabela A. , Holt Rachael Frush , Kronenberger William G. , Pisoni David B.
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of parental sensitivity in language and neurocognitive outcomes in children who are deaf and/or hard of hearing (DHH).

Method

Sixty-two parent–child dyads of children with normal hearing (NH) and 64 of children who are DHH (3–8 years) completed parent and child measures of inhibitory control/executive functioning and child measures of sentence comprehension and vocabulary. The dyads also participated in a video-recorded, free-play interaction that was coded for parental sensitivity.

Results

There was no evidence of associations between parental sensitivity and inhibitory control or receptive language in children with NH. In contrast, parental sensitivity was related to children's inhibitory control and all language measures in children who are DHH. Moreover, inhibitory control significantly mediated the association between parental sensitivity and child language on the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals–Fifth Edition Following Directions subscale (6–8 years)/Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals Preschool–Second Edition Concepts and Following Directions subscale (3–5 years). Follow-up analyses comparing subgroups of children who used hearing aids (
n
= 29) or cochlear implants (CIs;
n
= 35) revealed similar correlational trends, with the exception that parental sensitivity showed little relation to inhibitory control in the group of CI users.

Conclusions

Parental sensitivity is associated with at-risk language outcomes and disturbances in inhibitory control in young children who are DHH. Compared to children with NH, children who are DHH may be more sensitive to parental behaviors and their effects on emerging inhibitory control and spoken language. Specifically, inhibitory control, when scaffolded by positive parental behaviors, may be critically important for robust language development in children who are DHH.
Speech-Language Pathologist's Race, But Not Caseload Composition, Is Related to Self-Report of Selection of Diverse Books
Authors: Harris Sierrah , Owen Van Horne Amanda
Published: August 2021

Purpose

We provide a preliminary report on speech-language pathologists' (SLPs) practices with regard to the selection of representative materials for clinical service delivery.

Method

We conducted a pilot survey of the practices of SLPs serving children under age 9 years, asking them about the books used, their own race, and the racial composition of their caseload. The survey was begun by 181 SLPs. Complete responses from 22 Black SLPs and 79 White SLPs were coded for the race of the protagonist of the named books and the rationale given for book selection.

Results

Black SLPs were more likely than White SLPs to report selecting books with people and selecting books with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color protagonists. For neither group did the book selection align with their own reported intents to select diverse books. SLP race and the racial composition of caseloads were tightly aligned. Thus, we lacked the power to determine if caseload composition uniquely predicted diverse books selection or motivations provided.

Conclusions

There is a need to better understand selection of materials by SLPs as it relates to culturally competent practice. Additional methods (focus groups and purposive sampling) would be required to fully understand the social pressures and motivations influencing SLP decisions.
COVID-19, Face Masks, and Social Interaction: How a Global Pandemic Is Shining a Light on the Importance of Face-to-Face Communication
Authors: Grieco-Calub Tina M.
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to discuss the impact of COVID-19 mitigation strategies on face-to-face communication. The article covers three main areas: the effect of face masks and social distancing on aspects of communication, including speech production, speech recognition, and emotion recognition; the effect of face masks on access to visual speech cues; and downstream effects of poor speech recognition on language and cognitive abilities.

Conclusions

The use of face masks and social distancing are proven mitigation strategies to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and other airborne diseases. However, these strategies may place individuals with hearing, speech, and language disorders at greater risk for communication problems in their daily lives. Practitioners who work directly with these patients should consider these issues when discussing communication strategies with their patients.
No‐reference image quality assessment based on multiscale feature representation
Authors: Li Junhui , Qiao Shuang , Zhao Chenyi , Zhang Tian
Published: August 2021

The no‐reference image quality assessment (NR‐IQA) method can evaluate the distortions in an image without the reference image. However, due to the diversity of the image contents and distortion types, it is hard for the existing NR‐IQA algorithms to obtain competitive performance on both synthetically and authentically distorted images. To address the problem, a multiscale feature representation‐based NR‐IQA method that performs well for both synthetic and authentic distortions is proposed. This model consists of two parts: The feature extraction part and the feature fusion part. First, part of the Res2Net‐50 network is chosen as the feature extraction part due to its high ability in increasing the range of receptive fields. Then, the feature fusion part consisting of a novel residual block and two fully connected layers is designed to fuse the extracted features and realize the quality score mapping. After a series of stepwise optimization experiments, the most competitive network architecture consisting of the feature extraction part and the feature fusion part is obtained. Comprehensive experiments on the LIVE, TID2013, CSIQ, KADID‐10k, KonIQ‐10K, and LIVE challenge databases demonstrate that the proposed method can work powerfully on both the synthetic and authentic distortions and also has a strong generalization ability.
Quasi-universality of the magnetic deformation of neutron stars in general relativity and beyond
Authors: Soldateschi J. , Bucciantini N. , Del Zanna L.
Published: August 2021

Neutron stars are known to host extremely powerful magnetic fields. Among its effects, one of the consequences of harbouring such fields is the deformation of the neutron star structure, leading, together with rotation, to the emission of continuous gravitational waves. On the one hand, the details of their internal magnetic fields are mostly unknown. Likewise, their internal structure, encoded by the equation of state, is highly uncertain. Here, we present a study of axisymmetric models of isolated magnetised neutron stars for various realistic equations of state considered viable by observations and nuclear physics constraints. We show that it is possible to find simple relations between the magnetic deformation of a neutron star, its Komar mass, and its circumferential radius in the case of purely poloidal and purely toroidal magnetic configurations that satisfy the criterion for equilibrium in the Bernoulli formalism. Such relations are quasi-universal, meaning that they are mostly independent from the equation of state of the neutron star. Thanks to their formulation in terms of potentially observable quantities, as we discuss, our results could help to constrain the magnetic properties of the neutron star interior and to better assess the detectability of continuous gravitational waves by isolated neutron stars, without knowing their equation of state. Our results are derived both in general relativity and in scalar-tensor theories (one of the most promising extensions of general relativity), in this case by also considering the scalar charge. We show that even in this case, general relations that account for deviations from general relativity still hold, which could potentially be used to set constraints on the gravitational theory.
A revised cone model and its application to non-radial prominence eruptions
Authors: Zhang Q. M.
Published: August 2021

Context. The traditional cone models achieve great success in studying the geometrical and kinematic properties of halo coronal mass ejections (CMEs).

Aims. In this Letter, a revised cone model is proposed to investigate the properties of CMEs as a result of non-radial prominence eruptions.

Methods. The cone apex is located at the source region of an eruption instead of the Sun center. The cone axis deviates from the local vertical by an inclination angle of θ1 and an angle of ϕ1. The length and angular width of the cone are r and ω, respectively.

Results. The model was successfully applied to two CMEs originating from the western limb on 2011 August 11 and 2012 December 7. By comparing the projections of the cones with the CME fronts simultaneously observed by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory and the Extreme-Ultraviolet Imager on board the ahead Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory, the properties of the CMEs were derived, including the distance, angular width, inclination angle, deviation from the plane of the sky, and true speed in space.

Conclusions. This revised cone model provides a new and complementary approach in exploring the whole evolutions of CMEs.