bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rice safety and control of penoxsulam-resistant and -susceptible barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) populations with soil-applied herbicides
Authors: Liu Tingting , Yu Jialin , Fang Jiapeng , Dong Liyao
Published: March 2021

Resistance to penoxsulam among barnyardgrass populations is prevalent in rice fields in China. Seeds of penoxsulam-resistant (AXXZ-2) and penoxsulam-susceptible (JLGY-3) barnyardgrass populations, as well as the seeds of two rice varieties, including Wuyungeng32 (WY) and Liangyou669 (LY), were planted in plastic pots and then treated with a rate titration of acetochlor, anilofos, butachlor, clomazone, oxadiazon, pendimethalin, pretilachlor, pyraclonil, or thiobencarb. The two barnyardgrass populations exhibited similar susceptibility to acetochlor, anilofos, butachlor, oxadiazon, pretilachlor, or pyraclonil. However, the susceptibility differed between the barnyardgrass populations in response to clomazone, pendimethalin, and thiobencarb. For AXXZ-2, herbicide rates that caused 50% reduction in shoot biomass from the nontreated control (GR50) were 179, >800, and 1,798 g ha−1 for clomazone, pendimethalin, and thiobencarb, respectively; whereas JLGY-3 GR50 values were 61, 166, and 552 g ha−1, respectively. Both rice varieties demonstrated excellent tolerance to acetochlor, butachlor, oxadiazon, pretilachlor, and thiobencarb. However, substantial rice damage was observed when anilofos and clomazone were used. Anilofos at 352 g ha−1 and clomazone at 448 g ha−1 reduced rice shoot biomass by 41% and 50% from the nontreated, respectively. Averaged across herbicide rates, clomazone use resulted in a reduction in rice shoot biomass from that of the nontreated control by 52% and 34% for WY and LY, respectively; and pendimethalin use resulted in a reduction in rice shoot biomass from the nontreated control by 25% and 9% for WY and LY, respectively.
Cranberry response to sulfentrazone rate, timing, and application volume
Authors: Besançon Thierry E. , Ghantous Katherine M. , Sandler Hilary A.
Published: March 2021

The recent registration of sulfentrazone, a selective, soil-applied, PRE herbicide labeled for control of various weeds in cranberry, expanded the number of modes of action that could be used in the crop. A 2018 preliminary study in Massachusetts showed that high rates of sulfentrazone applied at the cabbage head stage reduced the number of flowering uprights (vertical stems) without impacting the final yield. To clarify the use patterns needed to promote crop safety when using sulfentrazone, six studies were conducted in New Jersey and Massachusetts in 2019 and 2020. Studies compared sulfentrazone applications made at two timings (spring dormant, SD; or cabbage head [CH] stage), two rates (280 and 420 g ai ha−1), and three application volumes simulating either chemigation (3,740 L ha−1) or boom application (190 L ha−1 alone or followed by 0.25 cm water wash-off). Boom application studies in New Jersey in 2018 and 2019 did not show significant long-lasting injury (necrosis or stunting). However, a comprehensive observation of cranberry uprights 8 wk after treatment showed a high rate of terminal bud necrosis, a reduction in the number of reproductive structures, and the development of axillary shoots associated with a high rate of sulfentrazone applied at CH. A mitigation study conducted in 2019 and 2020 confirmed the safety of chemigated sulfentrazone at the high rate with no yield reduction, regardless of crop stage at application. Washing off the herbicide from the cranberry canopy immediately after boom application did prevent the necrosis of terminal bud and the related development of nonproductive secondary shoots. Considering the results of this study, application of sulfentrazone over the top of cranberry vine before scales of the terminal bud start loosening would be prudent practice at this time.
Sonografische Wandveränderungen der steinfreien Gallenblase – ein diagnostisches und therapeutisches Dilemma
Authors: Urban Maximilian , Bergamin Irina , Osterwalder Joseph
Published: March 2021

Zusammenfassung. Es gibt verschiedene Ursachen für die relativ häufig auftretenden sonografischen Veränderungen von Gallenblasenwand und Umgebung. Ihre Interpretation ist nicht selten eine grosse Herausforderung für die behandelnde Ärztin/den behandelnden Arzt und wird hier kurz diskutiert. Bei unserer Patientin sind diese Veränderungen auf eine Hepatitis A zurückzuführen, wobei Letztere für multiple extrahepatische Manifestationen verantwortlich zeichnet. In Kenntnis dieser Ätiologie sollte auf eine Gallenblasenentfernung verzichtet werden, um unnötige Komplikationen zu vermeiden.
Bienen, Wespen, Schlangen – eine retrospektive Analyse von Unfällen mit Tieren beim Bergwandern in den Schweizer Alpen
Authors: Gasser Benedikt Andreas , Schaub Robin
Published: March 2021

Zusammenfassung. Bergwandern erfreut sich grosser Beliebtheit. Trotzdem sind mit dieser Sportart gewisse Gefahren verbunden, wozu auch Vorfälle mit Tieren gehören. Retrospektiv wurden alle Bergwandernotfälle (n = 10 185) der Beobachtungsperiode 2009–2018 anhand des Registers des Schweizer Alpen-Clubs (SAC) analysiert, darunter 104 Bergnotfälle mit Beteiligung von Tieren. Der durchschnittliche NACA-Score lag bei 3,2 ± 1,6 und über die Hälfte der Bergnotfälle wies einen NACA-Score >4 auf, was mit einem lebensbedrohlichen Zustand verbunden sein kann. Aufgeteilt nach Tierart waren bei mehr als der Hälfte Insekten beteiligt (Bienen, Wespen, Hummeln, Hornissen), gefolgt von (mit je knapp einem Viertel) Huftieren bzw. Schlangen. Drei Ereignisse führten zum Tod, wobei bei allen Huftiere (Mutterkuhherde, Pferd, Stier) ursächlich waren, weshalb es empfehlenswert ist, bei Weidepassagen Distanz zu diesen Tieren zu wahren.
Optical spin-symmetry breaking for high-efficiency directional helicity-multiplexed metaholograms
Authors: Naveed Muhammad Ashar , Ansari Muhammad Afnan , Kim Inki , Badloe Trevon , Kim Joohoon , Oh Dong Kyo , Riaz Kashif , Tauqeer Tauseef , Younis Usman , Saleem Murtaza , Anwar Muhammad Sabieh , Zubair Muhammad , Mehmood Muhammad Qasim , Rho Junsuk
Published: March 2021

Helicity-multiplexed metasurfaces based on symmetric spin–orbit interactions (SOIs) have practical limits because they cannot provide central-symmetric holographic imaging. Asymmetric SOIs can effectively address such limitations, with several exciting applications in various fields ranging from asymmetric data inscription in communications to dual side displays in smart mobile devices. Low-loss dielectric materials provide an excellent platform for realizing such exotic phenomena efficiently. In this paper, we demonstrate an asymmetric SOI-dependent transmission-type metasurface in the visible domain using hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) nanoresonators. The proposed design approach is equipped with an additional degree of freedom in designing bi-directional helicity-multiplexed metasurfaces by breaking the conventional limit imposed by the symmetric SOI in half employment of metasurfaces for one circular handedness. Two on-axis, distinct wavefronts are produced with high transmission efficiencies, demonstrating the concept of asymmetric wavefront generation in two antiparallel directions. Additionally, the CMOS compatibility of a-Si:H makes it a cost-effective alternative to gallium nitride (GaN) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) for visible light. The cost-effective fabrication and simplicity of the proposed design technique provide an excellent candidate for high-efficiency, multifunctional, and chip-integrated demonstration of various phenomena.
A novel combination therapy targeting ubiquitin-specific protease 5 in MYCN-driven neuroblastoma
Authors: Cheung Belamy B. , Kleynhans Ane , Mittra Rituparna , Kim Patrick Y. , Holien Jessica K. , Nagy Zsuzsanna , Ciampa Olivia C. , Seneviratne Janith A. , Mayoh Chelsea , Raipuria Mukesh , Gadde Satyanarayana , Massudi Hassina , Wong Iris Poh Ling , Tan Owen , Gong Andrew , Suryano Aldwin , Diakiw Sonya M. , Liu Bing , Arndt Greg M. , Liu Tao , Kumar Naresh , Sangfelt Olle , Zhu Shizhen , Norris Murray D. , Haber Michelle , Carter Daniel R. , Parker Michael W. , Marshall Glenn M.
Published: March 2021

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are effective in MYCN-driven cancers, because of a unique need for HDAC recruitment by the MYCN oncogenic signal. However, HDAC inhibitors are much more effective in combination with other anti-cancer agents. To identify novel compounds which act synergistically with HDAC inhibitor, such as suberanoyl hydroxamic acid (SAHA), we performed a cell-based, high-throughput drug screen of 10,560 small molecule compounds from a drug-like diversity library and identified a small molecule compound (SE486-11) which synergistically enhanced the cytotoxic effects of SAHA. Effects of drug combinations on cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis and colony forming were assessed in a panel of neuroblastoma cell lines. Treatment with SAHA and SE486-11 increased MYCN ubiquitination and degradation, and markedly inhibited tumorigenesis in neuroblastoma xenografts, and, MYCN transgenic zebrafish and mice. The combination reduced ubiquitin-specific protease 5 (USP5) levels and increased unanchored polyubiquitin chains. Overexpression of USP5 rescued neuroblastoma cells from the cytopathic effects of the combination and reduced unanchored polyubiquitin, suggesting USP5 is a therapeutic target of the combination. SAHA and SE486-11 directly bound to USP5 and the drug combination exhibited a 100-fold higher binding to USP5 than individual drugs alone in microscale thermophoresis assays. MYCN bound to the USP5 promoter and induced USP5 gene expression suggesting that USP5 and MYCN expression created a forward positive feedback loop in neuroblastoma cells. Thus, USP5 acts as an oncogenic cofactor with MYCN in neuroblastoma and the novel combination of HDAC inhibitor with SE486-11 represents a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of MYCN-driven neuroblastoma.
Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals that targeting HSP90 suppresses PDAC progression by restraining mitochondrial bioenergetics
Authors: Hu Li-Peng , Zhou Kai-Xia , Huo Yan-Miao , Liu De-Jun , Li Qing , Yang Min-Wei , Huang Pei-Qi , Xu Chun-Jie , Tian Guang-Ang , Yao Lin-Li , Zhang Xue-Li , Wang Ya-Hui , Li Jun , Zhang Zhi-Gang , Jiang Shu-Heng , Xing Xin , Wang Xu , Qin Wei-Ting , Yang Qin
Published: March 2021

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest cancers, which lacks effective treatment strategies. There is an urgent need for the development of new strategies for PDAC therapy. The genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity of PDAC cancer cell populations poses further challenges in the clinical management of PDAC. In this study, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing to characterize PDAC tumors from KPC mice. Functional studies and clinical analysis showed that PDAC cluster 2 cells with highly Hsp90 expression is much more aggressive than the other clusters. Genetic and pharmacologic inhibition of Hsp90 impaired tumor cell growth both in vitro and in vivo. Further mechanistic study revealed that HSP90 inhibition disrupted the interaction between HSP90 and OPA1, leading to a reduction in mitochondrial cristae amount and mitochondrial energy production. Collectively, our study reveals that HSP90 might be a potential therapeutic target for PDAC.
Mammillary body atrophy and other MRI correlates of school-age outcome following neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy
Authors: Annink Kim V. , de Vries Linda S. , Groenendaal Floris , Eijsermans Rian M. J. C. , Mocking Manouk , van Schooneveld Monique M. J. , Dudink Jeroen , van Straaten Henrica L. M. , Benders Manon J. N. L. , Lequin Maarten , van der Aa Niek E.
Published: March 2021

The mammillary bodies (MB) and hippocampi are important for memory function and are often affected following neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). The aim of this study was to assess neurodevelopmental outcome in 10-year-old children with HIE with and without therapeutic hypothermia. Additional aims were to assess the associations between MB atrophy, brain volumes (including the hippocampi), white matter microstructure and neurodevelopmental outcome at school-age. Ten-year-old children with HIE were included, who were treated with therapeutic hypothermia (n = 22) or would have qualified but were born before this became standard of care (n = 28). Children completed a neuropsychological and motor assessment and MRI. Mammillary bodies were scored as normal or atrophic at 10 years. Brain volumes were segmented on childhood MRI and DTI scans were analysed using tract-based spatial statistics. Children with HIE suffered from neurocognitive and memory problems at school-age, irrespective of hypothermia. Hippocampal volumes and MB atrophy were associated with total and performance IQ, processing speed and episodic memory in both groups. Normal MB and larger hippocampi were positively associated with global fractional anisotropy. In conclusion, injury to the MB and hippocampi was associated with neurocognition and memory at school-age in HIE and might be an early biomarker for neurocognitive and memory problems.
The analysis of GSTA1 promoter genetic and functional diversity of human populations
Authors: Mlakar Vid , Curtis Patricia Huezo-Diaz , Armengol Marc , Ythier Victor , Dupanloup Isabelle , Hassine Khalil Ben , Lesne Laurence , Murr Rabih , Mlakar Simona Jurkovic , Nava Tiago , Ansari Marc
Published: March 2021

GSTA1 encodes a member of a family of enzymes that function to add glutathione to target electrophilic compounds, including carcinogens, therapeutic drugs, environmental toxins, and products of oxidative stress. GSTA1 has several functional SNPs within its promoter region that are responsible for a change in its expression by altering promoter function. This study aims to investigate distributions of GSTA1 promoter haplotypes across different human populations and to assess their impact on the expression of GSTA1. PHASE 2.1.1 was used to infer haplotypes and diplotypes of six GSTA1 promoter SNPs on 2501 individuals from 26 populations classified by the 1000 Genomes Project into five super-populations that included Africa (N = 660), America (N = 347), East Asia (N = 504), Europe (N = 502), and South Asia (N = 488). We used pairwise FST analysis to compare sub-populations and luciferase reporter assay (LRA) to evaluate the impact of each SNP on activation of transcription and interaction with other SNPs. The distributions of GSTA1 promoter haplotypes and diplotypes were significantly different among the different human populations. Three new promoter haplotypes were found in the African super-population. LRA demonstrated that SNPs at -52 and -69 has the most impact on GSTA1 expression, however other SNPs have a significant impact on transcriptional activity. Based on LRA, a new model of cis-elements interaction is presented. Due to the significant differences in GSTA1 diplotype population frequencies, future pharmacogenomics or disease-related studies would benefit from the inclusion of the complete GSTA1 promoter haplotype based on the newly proposed metabolic grouping derived from the LRA results.
Accurate surface ultraviolet radiation forecasting for clinical applications with deep neural network
Authors: Raksasat R. , Sri-iesaranusorn P. , Pemcharoen J. , Laiwarin P. , Buntoung S. , Janjai S. , Boontaveeyuwat E. , Asawanonda P. , Sriswasdi S. , Chuangsuwanich E.
Published: March 2021

Exposure to appropriate doses of UV radiation provides enormously health and medical treatment benefits including psoriasis. Typical hospital-based phototherapy cabinets contain a bunch of artificial lamps, either broad-band (main emission spectrum 280–360 nm, maximum 320 nm), or narrow-band UV B irradiation (main emission spectrum 310–315 nm, maximum 311 nm). For patients who cannot access phototherapy centers, sunbathing, or heliotherapy, can be a safe and effective treatment alternative. However, as sunlight contains the full range of UV radiation (290–400 nm), careful sunbathing supervised by photodermatologist based on accurate UV radiation forecast is vital to minimize potential adverse effects. Here, using 10-year UV radiation data collected at Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, we developed a deep learning model for UV radiation prediction which achieves around 10% error for 24-h forecast and 13–16% error for 7-day up to 4-week forecast. Our approach can be extended to UV data from different geographical regions as well as various biological action spectra. This will become one of the key tools for developing national heliotherapy protocol in Thailand. Our model has been made available athttps://github.com/cmb-chula/SurfUVNet.
Expression of inflammatory interleukins and selected miRNAs in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Dutkowska Agata , Szmyd Bartosz , Kaszkowiak Marcin , Domańska-Senderowska Daria , Pastuszak-Lewandoska Dorota , Brzeziańska-Lasota Ewa , Kordiak Jacek , Antczak Adam
Published: March 2021

Tumours are characterised by an ability to avoid immune destruction and the presence of cancer-associated inflammation. Better understanding of the link between lung cancer and such inflammation is vital for early detection and personalized treatment. Thus, we examined the mRNA expression of interleukins IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17 and miR-9, miR-122 as potential useful biomarkers of NSCLC. Tumour tissues, non-cancerous tissue and blood samples were collected from 39 patients with primary NSCLC undergoing surgical treatment. The selected RNA was isolated from tissue samples and selected miRNAs from peripheral blood exosomes. This RNA was transcribed to cDNA and quantified using RT-qPCR. Significantly higher expression of the selected interleukins was observed in non-cancerous than tumour tissue, and IL-6 was significantly higher in the tumour tissue of patients with a history of ≤ 40 pack-years (PYs) (2.197, IQR: 0.821–4.415) than in those with > 40 PYs (0.461, IQR: 0.372–0.741; p = 0.037). It is clear that inflammatory processes play a role in NSCLC, as indicated by the upregulation of IL-1β and IL-6 in tumour and adjacent tissue, and that smoking has a strong influence on inflammation in tumourigenesis, demonstrated by the upregulation of IL-6 in tumour samples among patients with ≤ 40 PYs compared to > 40 PYs.
Electrode and electrolyte configurations for low frequency motion energy harvesting based on reverse electrowetting
Authors: Adhikari Pashupati R. , Tasneem Nishat T. , Reid Russell C. , Mahbub Ifana
Published: March 2021

Increasing demand for self-powered wearable sensors has spurred an urgent need to develop energy harvesting systems that can reliably and sufficiently power these devices. Within the last decade, reverse electrowetting-on-dielectric (REWOD)-based mechanical motion energy harvesting has been developed, where an electrolyte is modulated (repeatedly squeezed) between two dissimilar electrodes under an externally applied mechanical force to generate an AC current. In this work, we explored various combinations of electrolyte concentrations, dielectrics, and dielectric thicknesses to generate maximum output power employing REWOD energy harvester. With the objective of implementing a fully self-powered wearable sensor, a “zero applied-bias-voltage” approach was adopted. Three different concentrations of sodium chloride aqueous solutions (NaCl-0.1 M, NaCl-0.5 M, and NaCl-1.0 M) were used as electrolytes. Likewise, electrodes were fabricated with three different dielectric thicknesses (100 nm, 150 nm, and 200 nm) of Al2O3 and SiO2 with an additional layer of CYTOP for surface hydrophobicity. The REWOD energy harvester and its electrode–electrolyte layers were modeled using lumped components that include a resistor, a capacitor, and a current source representing the harvester. Without using any external bias voltage, AC current generation with a power density of 53.3 nW/cm2 was demonstrated at an external excitation frequency of 3 Hz with an optimal external load. The experimental results were analytically verified using the derived theoretical model. Superior performance of the harvester in terms of the figure-of-merit comparing previously reported works is demonstrated. The novelty of this work lies in the combination of an analytical modeling method and experimental validation that together can be used to increase the REWOD harvested power extensively without requiring any external bias voltage.
The comprehensive changes in soil properties are continuous cropping obstacles associated with American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) cultivation
Authors: Li Chongwei , Chen Guozhong , Zhang Jianlong , Zhu Ping , Bai Xinfu , Hou Yuping , Zhang Xingxiao
Published: March 2021

This study aims to verify the time-variant feature of American ginseng (AG) continuous cropping obstacles and to explore the factors impeding continuous cropping. We verified the feature with a plant-soil feedback pot experiment and then investigated the factors by comparing the properties of control soils that had not been previously used for growing ginseng (CS) with those of soils with a 10-year-crop-rotation cycle following the growth of AG (RS). It’s found that the survival rate of AG in RS was lower than that in CS. The RS had lower pH, available potassium content, and urease activity. Additionally, p-coumaric, p-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, caffeic, and cinnamic acid levels were lower in RS than in CS, but salicylic acid levels showed the opposite pattern. RS had higher Rhodanobacter and lower Acidothermus, Sphingomonas relative abundances in bacterial community. It’s also found that many bacteria were substantially correlated with phenolic acids and soil physiochemical properties. Results indicate that even after 10-year crop rotation, the negative effects of prior continuous cropping of AG has not been eliminated. The growth of AG can be affected negatively with deterioration of soil physicochemical properties and with lower levels of phenolic acids which promote pathogen reproduction. Probiotics reduction also weighs. Moreover, biotic factors are interrelated with abiotic ones. Therefore, it can be inferred that the comprehensive change of soil properties is the main obstacle for continuous cropping.
Polyphenolic and molecular variation in Thymus species using HPLC and SRAP analyses
Authors: Sarfaraz Danial , Rahimmalek Mehdi , Saeidi Ghodratollah
Published: March 2021

In the present research, inter and intra genetic variability of 77 accessions belonging to 11 Thymus species were assessed using eight SRAP primer combinations. High polymorphism (98.3%) was observed in the studied species. The cluster analysis classified Thymus species into five main groups. According to molecular variance (AMOVA) analysis, 63.14% of total genetic variation was obtained within the species, while 36.86% of variation was observed among species. STRUCTURE analysis was also performed to estimate the admixture of species. For instance, T. carmanicus and T. transcaspicus revealed high admixtures. HPLC analysis also demonstrated the presence of rosmarinic acid (32.3–150.7 mg/100 g DW), salvianolic acid (8–90 mg/100 g DW), and cinnamic acid (1.7–32.3 mg/100 g DW) as major phenolic acids, as well as apigenin, epicatechin, and naringenin as the major flavonoids. The highest phenolic and flavonoid contents were detected in T. transcaspicus (37.62 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) g−1 DW) and T. vulgaris (8.72 mg quercetin equivalents (QE) g−1 DW), respectively. The antioxidant properties and total phenolic of Thymus species were examined using DPPH and β-carotene-linoleic acid model systems and consequently T. vulgaris and T. pubescens were detected with the highest and the lowest antioxidant activities respectively. Cluster and principal Components Analysis (PCA) of the components classified the species in to three groups. Finally, similarity within some species was observed comparing molecular and phytochemical markers. For instance, T. vulgaris separated from other species according to major polyphenolic profiles and molecular analyses, as well as T. transcaspicus, T. carmanicus, and T. fedtschenkoi that were clustered in the same groups.
Clinical significance of Annexin A2 expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma and its influence on cell proliferation, migration and invasion
Authors: Ma Yingyi , Wang Haiye
Published: March 2021

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common malignant epithelial neoplasm of the head and neck, with poorer prognosis. There is lack of specific targets for diagnosis and treatment of OSCC at present. Annexin A2 (ANXA2) is involved in cell angiogenesis, invasion, proliferation and metastasis. In this study, the significance and effect of ANXA2 on OSCC and OSCC cells were explored from the clinical and basic study. First, ANXA2 expression in OSCC tissues and adjacent non-cancer tissues of 124 patients were detected, and the correlation between ANXA2 expression and clinical parameters were analyzed. The results found that ANXA2 was highly expressed in OSCC tissues, and was associated with the TNM stage, tumor differentiation, lymph node metastasis and poor survival of OSCC patients. The expression of ANXA2 in OSCC cells were higher than the normal oral cells. And knockdown of ANXA2 by transfecting ANXA2-siRNA could suppress the proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of OSCC cells. Overall, ANXA2 expression is correlated with poor survival of OSCC patients, and silencing of ANXA2 suppress the proliferation, migration and invasion of OSCC cells.
Combined LC–MS/MS and 16S rDNA analysis on mice under high temperature and humidity and Herb Yinchen protection mechanism
Authors: Wang Yao , Chen Jiayi , Tang Jianbang , Xiao Jiedong , Zheng Yuhua , Tang Liting , Luo Huanhuan
Published: March 2021

With increased global warming, the impact of high temperature and humidity (HTH) on human health is increasing. Traditional Chinese medicine describes the Herb Yinchen as a remedy for reducing heat and eliminating dampness. This study focused on the impact of HTH conditions on mice and the potential protective effect of Herb Yinchen. Five male Balb/c mouse groups included two normal control groups, two HTH-exposed groups, and one Yinchen-treated group. For either three or ten days, normal and HTH-exposed mice were housed under normal or HTH (33 ± 2 °C,85% relative humidity) conditions, respectively. Yinchen-treated mice, housed under HTH conditions, received the Herb Yinchen decoction for three days. Metabolite profiles of plasma and liver samples from each group were analyzed using LC–MS/MS. Fecal DNA was extracted for 16S rDNA analysis to evaluate the intestinal microbiome. Spearman correlation analysis was performed on metabolites, bacteria, and bile acids that differed between the groups. We found that HTH altered the host metabolite profiles and reduced microbial diversity, causing intestinal microbiome imbalance. Interestingly, Herb Yinchen treatment improved HTH-mediated changes of the metabolite profiles and the intestinal microbiome, restoring them to values observed in normal controls. In conclusion, our study reveals that HTH causes intestinal bacterial disturbances and metabolic disorders in normal mice, while Herb Yinchen could afford protection against such changes.
Mapping at the nanometer scale the effects of sea-salt derived chlorine on cinnabar and lead white by using delayed image extraction in ToF-SIMS
Authors: Iorio M. , Sodo A. , Graziani V. , Branchini P. , Casanova Municchia A. , Ricci M. A. , Salvadori O. , Fiorin E. , Tortora L.
Published: March 2021

In this work, an innovative analytical approach focused on the use of advanced imaging techniques for the chemical mapping of degradation and/or restoration products is proposed.
Immunomodulatory potential of chitosan-based materials for cancer therapy: a systematic review of in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies
Authors: Lima Beatriz V. , Oliveira Maria J. , Barbosa Mário A. , Gonçalves Raquel M. , Castro Flávia
Published: March 2021

Chitosan (Ch) has recently been used in different studies as an immune adjuvant with ability to modulate the tumor microenvironment (TME).
Characterization of defect levels in β-Ga2O3 single crystals doped with tantalum
Authors: Liu Haoyue , Zhang Naiji , Yin Junhua , Xia Changtai , Feng Zhe Chuan , He Kaiyan , Wan Lingyu , Mohamed H. F.
Published: March 2021

Optical properties and defect characterization of Ta-doped β-Ga2O3 single crystals grown by the optical floating zone method.
pH and redox triggered doxorubicin release from covalently linked carbon dots conjugates
Authors: Hettiarachchi Sajini D. , Kirbas Cilingir Emel , Maklouf Heidi , Seven Elif S. , Paudyal Suraj , Vanni Steven , Graham Regina M. , Leblanc Roger M.
Published: March 2021

Tumor microenvironment responsive drug delivery systems are potential approaches to reduce the acute toxicity caused by high-dose cancer chemotherapy.
Facile synthetic route to exfoliate high quality and super-large lateral size graphene-based sheets and their applications in SERS and CO2gas sensing
Authors: Singh Ningthoujam Somorjit , Mayanglambam Franco , Nemade Harshal B. , Giri P. K.
Published: March 2021

Super-large lateral size of graphene-based sheets by mild heating and their applications in SERS and CO2gas sensing.
Ag coated 3D-Cu foam as a lithiophilic current collector for enabling Li2S-based anode-free batteries
Authors: Cheng Hao , Gao Cheng , Cai Ning , Wang Miao
Published: March 2021

Ag coated three-dimensional Cu foam is introduced as a lithiophilic current collector to regulate the lithium deposition for Li2S-based anode-free batteries.
Emission wavelength control of CsPb(Br1−xClx)3 nanocrystals for blue light-emitting diode applications
Authors: Cho Seung-Bum , Jung Jin-Woo , Kim Yoon Seok , Cho Chang-Hee , Park Il-Kyu
Published: March 2021

A facile synthetic method of CsPb(Br1−xClx)3 halide perovskite nanocrystals, which emit light with the wavelengths ranging from green to blue based on an anion exchanging reaction using a halide exchange additive was reported.
Adsorption of double-stranded ribonucleic acids (dsRNA) to iron (oxyhydr-)oxide surfaces: comparative analysis of model dsRNA molecules and deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA)
Authors: Sodnikar Katharina , Parker Kimberly M. , Stump Simona R. , ThomasArrigo Laurel K. , Sander Michael
Published: March 2021

Systematic adsorption studies reveal comparable adsorption characteristics of dsRNA and DNA to iron oxides, suggesting that information on DNA adsorption in soils can inform dsRNA fate predictions in environmental risk assessment of RNAi crops.
Metals in microplastics: determining which are additive, adsorbed, and bioavailable
Authors: Catrouillet Charlotte , Davranche Mélanie , Khatib Imane , Fauny Corentin , Wahl Aurélie , Gigault Julien
Published: March 2021

Microplastics from the North Atlantic Gyre deposited on Guadeloupe beaches were sampled and characterized.
Preparation and characterization of multifunctional nanofibers containing metal–organic frameworks and Cu2O nanoparticles: particulate matter capture and antibacterial activity
Authors: Jang Sanha , Jung Sungwoo , Song Sehwan , Lee Sungmin , Lee Haksoo , Cho Eunyeong , Lee Hee Jung , Park Sungkyun , Youn Buhyun , Park Kang Hyun
Published: March 2021

Protection from particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) and microorganisms using MOFs (metal–organic frameworks) and nanoparticles used in filtration has been a major challenge.
The latest strategies in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic: the role of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Mallakpour Shadpour , Azadi Elham , Hussain Chaudhery Mustansar
Published: March 2021

In this review, we summarize and highlight the latest achievements based on nanoparticles in the fight against COVID-19.
An electrostatic repulsion strategy for a highly selective and sensitive “switch-on” fluorescence sensor of ascorbic acid based on the cysteamine-coated CdTe quantum dots and cerium(iv)
Authors: Guo Yifei , Du Jingjing , Li Jianjun , Yang Ran , Harrington Peter de B. , Li Zhaohui
Published: March 2021

A highly selective “switch-on” fluorescence approach for sensing of ascorbic acid (AA) based on the system of CA-CdTe QDs-Ce4+-AA was developed.
Biomass derived carbon dot decorated ssDNA for a ‘turn-on’ fluorescent assay for detection ofStaphylococcus aureusMNase
Authors: Hunsur Ravikumar Chandan , Nair G. Vishnu , M. P. Raghavendra , Surareungchai Werasak , Thakur Archana , Balakrishna R. Geetha
Published: March 2021

A novel ‘turn on’ fluorescence aptasensor based on an energy transfer mechanism has been designed using ssDNA conjugated carbon dots (C-dots) and graphene oxide (GO).
Simple synthesis of crooked Ag2Te nanotubes and their photoelectrical properties
Authors: Zhong Binnian , Wang Xinqing , Bi Yanyu , Kang Weifeng , Zhang Linhui
Published: March 2021

Crooked Ag2Te nanotubes were prepared through homogeneous precipitation and the photoelectric properties of the film-based photodetector were investigated.
A reasonably designed 2D WS2 and CdS microwire heterojunction for high performance photoresponse
Authors: Zhou Yuchen , Zhang Li , Gao Wei , Yang Mengmeng , Lu Jianting , Zheng Zhaoqiang , Zhao Yu , Yao Jiandong , Li Jingbo
Published: March 2021

Reasonably designed a mixed-dimensional heterojunction comprising multilayer WS2, CdS microwire, and a few-layer WS2 for high performance photoresponse.
Understanding the nature and location of hydroxyl groups on hydrated titania nanoparticles
Authors: Mino Lorenzo , Morales-García Ángel , Bromley Stefan T. , Illas Francesc
Published: March 2021

Our work studies hydroxylated photoactive anatase TiO2 nanoparticles using experimental and theoretical infrared spectra. We thus provide detailed insights into the coverage-dependent distribution of hydroxyl groups and their vibrational modes.
Structure-based design of 5′-substituted 1,2,3-triazolylated oseltamivir derivatives as potent influenza neuraminidase inhibitors
Authors: Wang Pengfei , Oladejo Babayemi O. , Li Chenning , Fu Lifeng , Zhang Shanshan , Qi Jianxun , Lv Xun , Li Xuebing
Published: March 2021

Exploring influenza neuraminidase inhibitors by targeting the charged residues near the entrance of the 150-cavity.
Gold nanoparticles grafted with chemically incompatible ligands
Authors: Wolska Joanna M. , Błażejewska Aleksandra , Tupikowska Martyna , Pociecha Damian , Górecka Ewa
Published: March 2021

A Janus-type lamellar structure is formed from gold nanoparticles grafted with chemically incompatible mesogenic ligands. Metallic NP-rich sublayers are separated by ligand-rich sublayers of various composition due to the ligand segregation.
Strain effects on stability, electronic and optical properties of two-dimensional C4X2 (X = F, Cl, Br)
Authors: Shu Huabing
Published: March 2021

Strain effects on properties of C4X2 (X = F, Cl, Br).
Predicting Communicative Participation in Adults Across Communication Disorders
Authors: Jin Jingyu Linna , Baylor Carolyn , Yorkston Kathryn
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to explore the extent to which communicative participation differs across diagnoses and if there are common predictor variables for communicative participation across diagnoses.

Method

Survey data on self-report variables including communicative participation were collected from 141 community-dwelling adults with communication disorders due to Parkinson's disease, cerebrovascular accident, spasmodic dysphonia, or vocal fold immobility (VFI). Analysis of covariance was used to determine communicative participation differences between diagnoses, with age, sex, and hearing status as covariates. Sequential entry linear regression was used to examine associations between communicative participation and variables representing a range of psychosocial constructs across diagnoses.

Results

The VFI group had the least favorable communicative participation differing significantly from Parkinson's disease and spasmodic dysphonia groups. Self-rated speech/voice severity, self-rated effort, mental health, perceived social support, and resilience contributed to variance in communicative participation when pooled across diagnoses. The relationship between communicative participation and the variables of effort and resilience differed significantly when diagnosis was considered.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that communicative participation restrictions may vary across some diagnoses but not others. People with VFI appear to differ from other diagnosis groups in the extent of participation restrictions. Effort and resilience may play different roles in contributing to communicative participation in different disorders, but constructs such as social support, severity, and mental health appear to have consistent relationships with communicative participation across diagnoses. The findings can help clinicians identify psychosocial factors beyond the impairment that impact clients' communication in daily situations.
English and Spanish Predictors of Grade 3 Reading Comprehension in Bilingual Children
Authors:   Language and Reading Research Consortium (LARRC) María Adelaida Restrepo Kate Cain Carol Mesa Gloria Yeomans-Maldonado, Mesa Carol , Yeomans-Maldonado Gloria
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the kindergarten, first-, and second-grade predictors of reading comprehension in bilingual children. Specifically, we evaluated the role that Spanish and English skills play in predicting English reading comprehension in third grade.

Method

As part of a longitudinal study, 248 bilingual children were followed from prekindergarten to third grade. Participants completed Spanish and English measures in the spring of each academic year. We reported results on measures of oral language, memory, and literacy skills that were 1administered in kindergarten, first, second, and third grade.

Results

Analysis under the structural equation modeling framework indicated that English oral language and word reading are the strongest predictors of English reading comprehension in third grade. Furthermore, results supported previous evidence indicating that Spanish language skills make significant direct and indirect contributions to the English oral language and word reading skills that predict reading comprehension.

Discussion

This study provides a comprehensive view of the language resources that Spanish–English bilinguals use for reading comprehension. In light of previous evidence, we discuss our findings and offer theoretical and practical implications.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.14083373
Performance evaluation of deep neural networks for forecasting time‐series with multiple structural breaks and high volatility
Authors: Kaushik Rohit , Jain Shikhar , Jain Siddhant , Dash Tirtharaj
Published: March 2021

The problem of automatic and accurate forecasting of time‐series data has always been an interesting challenge for the machine learning and forecasting community. A majority of the real‐world time‐series problems have non‐stationary characteristics that make the understanding of trend and seasonality difficult. The applicability of the popular deep neural networks (DNNs) as function approximators for non‐stationary TSF is studied. The following DNN models are evaluated: Multi‐layer Perceptron (MLP), Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), and RNN with Long Short‐Term Memory (LSTM‐RNN) and RNN with Gated‐Recurrent Unit (GRU‐RNN). These DNN methods have been evaluated over 10 popular Indian financial stocks data. Further, the performance evaluation of these DNNs has been carried out in multiple independent runs for two settings of forecasting: (1) single‐step forecasting, and (2) multi‐step forecasting. These DNN methods show convincing performance for single‐step forecasting (one‐day ahead forecast). For the multi‐step forecasting (multiple days ahead forecast), the methods for different forecast periods are evaluated. The performance of these methods demonstrates that long forecast periods have an adverse effect on performance.
TWE‐WSD: An effective topical word embedding based word sense disambiguation
Authors: Jia Lianyin , Tang Jilin , Li Mengjuan , You Jinguo , Ding Jiaman , Chen Yinong
Published: March 2021

Word embedding has been widely used in word sense disambiguation (WSD) and many other tasks in recent years for it can well represent the semantics of words. However, the existing word embedding methods mostly represent each word as a single vector, without considering the homonymy and polysemy of the word; thus, their performances are limited. In order to address this problem, an effective topical word embedding (TWE)‐based WSD method, named TWE‐WSD, is proposed, which integrates Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) and word embedding. Instead of generating a single word vector (WV) for each word, TWE‐WSD generates a topical WV for each word under each topic. Effective integrating strategies are designed to obtain high quality contextual vectors. Extensive experiments on SemEval‐2013 and SemEval‐2015 for English all‐words tasks showed that TWE‐WSD outperforms other state‐of‐the‐art WSD methods, especially on nouns.
Head‐related transfer function–reserved time‐frequency masking for robust binaural sound source localization
Authors: Liu Hong , Yuan Peipei , Yang Bing , Yang Ge , Chen Yang
Published: March 2021

Various time‐frequency (T‐F) masks are being applied to sound source localization tasks. Moreover, deep learning has dramatically advanced T‐F mask estimation. However, existing masks are usually designed for speech separation tasks and are suitable only for single‐channel signals. A novel complex‐valued T‐F mask is proposed that reserves the head‐related transfer function (HRTF), customized for binaural sound source localization. In addition, because the convolutional neural network that is exploited to estimate the proposed mask takes binaural spectral information as the input and output, accurate binaural cues can be preserved. Compared with conventional T‐F masks that emphasize single speech source–dominated T‐F units, HRTF‐reserved masks eliminate the speech component while keeping the direct propagation path. Thus, the estimated HRTF is capable of extracting more reliable localization features for the final direction of arrival estimation. Hence, binaural sound source localization guided by the proposed T‐F mask is robust under noisy and reverberant acoustic environments. The experimental results demonstrate that the new T‐F mask is superior to conventional T‐F masks and lead to the better performance of sound source localization in adverse environments.
Optimized viewport‐adaptive 360‐degree video streaming
Authors: Chen Xiaolei , Wu Di , Ahmad Ishfaq
Published: March 2021

Because of the rapid growth of head‐mounted displays and 5G networking deployment, 360‐degree video has become increasingly popular. To generate the real experience of a virtual environment, 360‐degree videos require an ultrahigh resolution and frame rate to cover an omnidirectional view. These two prerequisites impose challenges for the transmission bandwidth and storage capacity of 360‐degree video streaming. To reduce bandwidth and storage waste while providing a good immersive experience, we propose an optimized viewport‐adaptive 360‐degree video streaming method using high‐efficiency video coding tiling, motion‐constrained tile sets and MPEG dynamic adaptive streaming over HTTP spatial relationship description. The paper describes the rigorous design of the optimized system, which can assign different bitrates to different tiles in the viewport. The experimental results show that the proposed streaming system compares favourably with existing methods in terms of bitrate savings and storage capacity reduction.
Relating brain structure images to personality characteristics using 3D convolution neural network
Authors: Cao Lixian , Liang Yanchun , Lv Wei , Park Kaechang , Miura Yasuhiro , Shinomiya Yuki , Yoshida Shinichi
Published: March 2021

The Keras deep learning framework is employed to study MRI brain data in a preliminary analysis of brain structure using a convolutional neural network. The results obtained are matched with the content of personality questionnaires. The Big Five personality traits provide easy differentiation for dividing personalities into different groups. Until now, the highest accuracy obtained from the results of personality prediction from the analysis of brain structure is about 70%. Although there is still no effective evidence to prove a clear relationship between brain structure and personality, the obtained results could prove helpful in understanding the basic relationship between brain structure and personality characteristics.
On the perspective of grid architecture model with high TSO‐DSO interaction
Authors: Betancourt‐Paulino Pedro , Chamorro Harold R. , Soleimani Milad , Gonzalez‐Longatt Francisco , Sood Vijay K. , Martinez Wilmar
Published: March 2021

The conventional structure of operating transmission and distribution systems is currently experiencing new challenges in maintaining the system operability with the significant changes such renewable energy sources inclusion, technology development, infrastructure revolution, and services provision. A futuristic operation management paradigm at the high level of interaction between Transmission System Operators (TSOs) and Distribution System Operators (DSOs) is presented that supports the usage of flexibility services to simplify the congestion management, and ancillary services procurement by involving the DSO actively in the DSO‐TSO boundaries and the downstream network. The architecture considers new actors such as Distributed Services Aggregator, Prosumers, and Services Market Operators. A comparison between the typical grid structure (including the short‐term smart grid requirements) and the proposed one is presented considering different actors and interactions involved in the operation management of the grid. The opportunities and challenges of the proposed architecture are discussed.
Optimal integration of interconnected water and electricity networks
Authors: Alhazmi Mohannad , Dehghanian Payman
Published: March 2021

With the widespread deployment of advanced heterogeneous technologies and growing complexity in our modern society, there is an increasing demand for risk‐aware management and joint operation of interconnected infrastructures and lifeline networks. The coordination between Power and Water Networks (PWNs) is urgently needed as water networks are one of the most energyintensive critical infrastructures. This paper proposes a framework for day‐ahead operation optimization and coordination of the interconnected Joint Power and Water Networks (JPWNs). Unlike the state‐of‐the‐art where PWNs are individually operated in their respective domains, we present an integrated framework for PWNs that conjoins the Optimal Power Flow (OPF) mechanisms in power grids with innovative operation models of the water networks. Piece‐wise linearization is applied to the nonlinear hydraulic operating constraints to convert the proposed optimization model into a mixed‐integer linear programming (MILP) formulation. The suggested framework is applied to a 15‐node water network jointly operated with the IEEE 9‐bus and IEEE 57‐bus test power systems. The simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed framework, resulting in cost reduction and energy‐saving when both systems’ operation is jointly optimized. The results show that the proposed methodology is scalable and computationally‐efficient when applied to larger‐scale systems.