bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficient Linear dsDNA Tagging Using Deoxyuridine Excision**
Authors: Strobel Eric J.
Published: September 2021

Site‐specific strategies for exchanging segments of dsDNA are important for DNA library construction and molecular tagging. Deoxyuridine (dU) excision is an approach for generating 3’ ssDNA overhangs in gene assembly and molecular cloning procedures. Unlike approaches that use a multi‐base pair motif to specify a DNA cut site, dU excision requires only a dT→dU substitution. Consequently, excision sites can be embedded in biologically active DNA sequences by placing dU substitutions at non‐perturbative positions. In this work, I describe a molecular tagging method that uses dU excision to exchange a segment of a dsDNA strand with a long synthetic oligonucleotide. The core workflow of this method, called deoxyUridine eXcision‐tagging (dUX‐tagging), is an efficient one‐pot reaction: strategically positioned dU nucleotides are excised from dsDNA to generate a 3’ overhang so that additional sequence can be appended by annealing and ligating a tagging oligonucleotide. The tagged DNA is then processed by one of two procedures to fill the 5’ overhang and remove excess tagging oligo. To facilitate its widespread use, all dUX‐tagging procedures exclusively use commercially available reagents. As a result, dUX‐tagging is a concise and easily implemented approach for high‐efficiency linear dsDNA tagging.
Design of a Full‐Consensus Glutamate Decarboxylase and Its Application to GABA Biosynthesis
Authors: Takagi Hiroshi , Kozuka Kohei , Mimura Kenta , Nakano Shogo , Ito Sohei
Published: September 2021

Glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) catalyses the decarboxylation of L‐glutamate to gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA). Improvement of the enzymatic properties of GAD is important for the low‐cost synthesis of GABA. In this study, utilizing sequences of enzymes homologous with GAD from lactic acid bacteria, highly mutated GADs were designed using sequence‐based protein design methods. Two mutated GADs, FcGAD and AncGAD, generated by full‐consensus design and ancestral sequence reconstruction, had more desirable properties than native GADs. With respect to thermal stability, the half‐life of the designed GADs was about 10 °C higher than that of native GAD. The productivity of FcGAD was considerably higher than those of known GADs; more than 250 mg/L of purified enzyme could be produced in the E. coli expression system. In a production test using 26.4 g of l‐glutamate and 3.0 g of resting cells, 17.2 g of GABA could be prepared within one hour, without purification, in a one‐pot synthesis.
Synthesis and Hydrogen‐Bond Patterns of Aryl‐Group Substituted Silanediols and ‐triols from Alkoxy‐ and Chlorosilanes
Authors: Kannengießer Jan‐Falk , Briesenick Max , Meier Dennis , Huch Volker , Morgenstern Bernd , Kickelbick Guido
Published: September 2021

Organosilanols typically show a high condensation tendency and only exist as stable isolable molecules under very specific steric and electronic conditions at the silicon atom. In the present work, various novel representatives of this class of compounds were synthesized by hydrolysis of alkoxy‐ or chlorosilanes. Phenyl, 1‐naphthyl, and 9‐phenanthrenyl substituents at the silicon atom were applied to systematically study the influence of the aromatic substituents on the structure and reactivity of the compounds. Chemical shifts in29Si NMR spectroscopy in solution, correlated well with the expected electronic situation induced by the substitution pattern on the Si atom.1H NMR studies allowed the detection of strong intermolecular hydrogen bonds. Single‐crystal X‐ray structures of the alkoxides and the chlorosilanes are dominated by π‐π interactions of the aromatic systems, which are substituted by strong hydrogen bonding interactions representing various structural motifs in the respective silanol structures.
Novel ARHGAP23‐FER fusion in a metastatic spindle cell–predominant neoplasm with a myofibroblastic phenotype and a sustained metabolic response to lorlatinib
Authors: Sadaf Alina , Szabo Sara , Ferguson Katelyn , Sorger Joel I. , Sumegi Janos , Bridge Julia A. , Pressey Joseph G.
Published: September 2021

A metastatic spindle‐cell soft‐tissue neoplasm was found to carry a novel ARHGAP23‐FER fusion. The tumor showed a rapid and sustained metabolic response to tyrosine kinase inhibitor lorlatinib.
A New Metric for Evaluating DFT Calculated Proton and Carbon Chemical Shifts of Natural Products and Organic Compounds
Authors: Pierens Gregory K.
Published: September 2021

The calculation of DFT (density functional theory) chemical shifts have become an important technique for the verification of a proposed structure. An easily calculated metric developed for proton and carbon chemical shifts of natural products and organic compounds, the calculated chemical shift index (CCSI), has been developed, which uses the deviation of each pair of calculated and experimental chemical shifts. The mean absolute deviation (MAD), which is commonly used as the goodness of fit metric for DFT calculated chemical shifts, can conceal large deviations in the calculated data. A classification strategy is also proposed for the CCSI to highlight when further assessment of the NMR data is required.
Evaluation of exposure to environmental stressors on heat‐shock protein 70 expression in normal oral keratinocyte cells
Authors: Sheykhbahaei Nafiseh , Koopaie Maryam , Ansari Mandana
Published: September 2021

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the effect of cortisol, estrogen, and nicotine on heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) expressions at the level of normal oral mucosa keratinocyte cells.

Methods

In this in vitro study, keratinocytes were derived from rat oral cavity and cultured. Stressors were applied, including three groups, group 1: estrogen to simulate the postmenopausal state; group 2: cortisol to simulate psychological stress situation; group 3: nicotine to simulate smoking state. To determine the exact nature of keratinocyte cells, two surface markers, cytokeratin 18 and cytokeratin 14 were examined using the flow cytometry method. Then, the immunocytochemistry technique with three repetitions in each group was used to evaluate the HSP70 expression before and after applying the stressor.

Results

HSP70 expressions in the three stressor groups (estrogen, cortisol, and nicotine) were significantly lower than in the control group (p = 0.0001). The HSPs expression difference between cortisol and nicotine was statistically significant (p = 0.0001). Based on the results of MTT analysis, the mean cell viability of oral mucosal keratinocytes in all three intervention groups decreased compared to the control group. In the cortisol and nicotine groups, cell death was significantly higher than in the control group. In the estrogen group, cell death was significantly lower than in the nicotine group (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

The specific concentrations of cortisol, estrogen, and nicotine as stressors can effectively reduce the expression of HSP70 in normal oral mucosal keratinocytes. These phenomena can be effective in cell viability and the development of oral lichen planus.
Supranutritional selenium suppresses ROS‐induced generation of RANKL‐expressing osteoclastogenic CD4+ T cells and ameliorates rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Qin Jiahuan , Huang Xia , Wang Naiqi , Zhou Pengcheng , Zhang Hao , Chen Zhian , Liang Kaili , Gong Dongcheng , Zeng Qunxiong , Niu Peng , Chen Anping , Yuan Lin , Yang Zhaohui , Su Linchong , Shen Nan , Deng Jun , Yu Di
Published: September 2021

Objective

The benefit of Se supplementation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been tested in clinical trials, but results remain inconclusive. The objective of this study was to specifically investigate the potential benefit of supranutritional Se by examining human samples from an area with supranutritional Se intake and testing a mouse model of RA.

Methods

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from RA patients (N = 57) and healthy controls (HC, N = 71) from an area of supranutritional Se intake (Enshi, Hubei, China) were analysed by flow cytometry. Serum cytokine and Se levels were measured by cytometric beads array (CBA) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS), respectively. With sufficient or supranutritional selenium intake, mice were induced with collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA) and examined for disease activity and immunopathology. The influence of Se supplementation in the generation of RANKL‐expressing osteoclastogenic CD4+ T cells was investigated by in vitro assays.

Results

In Enshi city, HC showed the above‐normal concentrations of serum Se concentrations while RA patients were enriched in the normal range (70–150 ng mL−1) or below. RA patients with higher Se levels demonstrated milder disease and lower levels of C‐reactive protein, IL‐6, RANKL and Th17 cells. In the mouse CIA model, supranutritional Se supplementation delayed disease onset, ameliorated joint pathology and reduced CD4+CD44+RANKL+ T cells. Se supplementation could suppress RANKL expression in cultured mouse Th17 cells.

Conclusion

Supranutritional Se suppresses RANKL‐expressing osteoclastogenic CD4+ T cells and could be beneficial to RA, which warrants formal testing in randomised clinical trials.
The equine metabolism of the catechol‐O‐methyltransferase enzyme inhibitor nitecapone
Authors: Stanley Shawn , Deng Derek , Van den Berg Koos , Foo Hsiao Ching
Published: September 2021

The abuse of performance‐enhancing catecholamine‐based stimulants, such as levodopa, is controlled in horse racing through the application of a regulatory threshold for the common major metabolite. However, catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) enzyme inhibitors can be used to restrict the catalysis of the stimulant, and so the concurrent administration of both substances would be a viable strategy to enhance racing performance while removing the risk of exceeding the threshold. A 200 mg dose of nitecapone, a COMT inhibitor, was administered to a Thoroughbred horse, and we have analysed the blood (≤24 h) and urine (≤48 h) samples that were collected. The extracts, analysed by UHPLC coupled to a high‐resolution accurate mass spectrometer, were consistent with the presence of nitecapone glucuronide in all the samples collected. An in‐depth examination of the samples was then carried out using targeted accurate mass extracted ion chromatograms to identify whether the metabolites that have been found in other species were also present in the extracts. Once these were tentatively identified, MS/MS experiments were conducted on some of the metabolites (M1–M5), as well as decomposition products (DP1 and DP2), to verify that spectrum included MS fragments were consistent with their proposed structures. The accumulated data provided evidence that is consistent with this drug having been converted into many metabolites and a few decomposition products. An unexpected finding was that O‐methylation was a very minor pathway until after the reduction of the 2,4‐pentanedione side chain had occurred.
Additive genetic variance for traits least related to fitness increases with environmental stress in the desert locust,Schistocerca gregaria
Authors: Chapuis Marie‐Pierre , Pélissié Benjamin , Piou Cyril , Chardonnet Floriane , Pagès Christine , Foucart Antoine , Chapuis Elodie , Jourdan‐Pineau Hélène
Published: September 2021

Under environmental stress, previously hidden additive genetic variation can be unmasked and exposed to selection. The amount of hidden variation is expected to be higher for life history traits, which strongly correlate to individual fitness, than for morphological traits, in which fitness effects are more ambiguous. However, no consensual pattern has been recovered yet, and this idea is still debated in the literature. Here, we hypothesize that the classical categorization of traits (i.e., life history and morphology) may fail to capture their proximity to fitness. In the desert locust,Schistocerca gregaria, a model organism for the study of insect polyphenism, we quantified changes in additive genetic variation elicited by lifetime thermal stress for ten traits, in which evolutionary significance is known. Irrespective of their category, traits under strong stabilizing selection showed genetic invariance with environmental stress, while traits more loosely associated with fitness showed a marked increase in additive genetic variation in the stressful environment. Furthermore, traits involved in adaptive phenotypic plasticity (growth compensation) showed either no change in additive genetic variance or a change of moderate magnitude across thermal environments. We interpret this mitigated response of plastic traits in the context of integrated evolution to adjust the entire phenotype in heterogeneous environments (i.e., adaptiveness of initial plasticity, compromise of phenotypic compensation with stress, and shared developmental pathway). Altogether, our results indicate, in agreement with theoretical expectations, that environmental stress can increase available additive genetic variance in some desert locust traits, but those closely linked to fitness are largely unaffected. Our study also highlights the importance of assessing the proximity to fitness of a trait on a case‐by‐case basis and in an ecologically relevant context, as well as considering the processes of canalization and plasticity, involved in the control of phenotypic variation.
Porous Organic Compounds – Small Pores on the Rise
Authors: Kunde Tom , Pausch Tobias , Schmidt Bernd M.
Published: September 2021

Porous materials are important for various energy‐related technologies such as catalysis and separation. While porous organic cage compounds are a rather recent addition to the field of porous materials, these discrete nanocavities have since emerged as a versatile functional‐materials platform, facilitated by the solubility of the materials in common organic solvents. In contrast to other frameworks, organic cages are assembled first from modular building blocks in solution and then packed in the solid‐state in a next step. In this minireview, we highlight examples of porous organic cages with focus on how the intrinsic nanopore can be controlled and utilized, especially focusing on their synthesis and the gas sorption properties of smaller intrinsic pores of porous organic cage compounds, porous macrocycles, and other related compounds.
Effect of omega‐3 fatty acids supplementation on indirect blood markers of exercise‐induced muscle damage: Systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Xin Gao , Eshaghi Hesam
Published: September 2021

Background

Omega 3 fatty acids supplementation may have an attenuative effect on exercise‐induced muscle damage (EIMD) through the cell membrane stabilization. The purpose of the present meta‐analysis was to evaluate the effects of omega 3 fatty acids supplementation, on indirect blood markers of muscle damage following EIMD in trained and untrained individuals.

Methods

Scopus, Medline, and Google scholar systematically searched up to January 2021. The Cochrane Collaboration tool was used for the quality of studies. Random‐effects model, weighted mean difference (WMD), and 95% confidence interval (CI) were applied for the overall effect estimating. The heterogeneity between studies was evaluated applying the chi‐squared and I2statistic.

Results

The outcomes showed a significant effect of omega 3 supplementation on reducing creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and myoglobin (Mb) concentrations. In addition, a subgroup analysis indicated a significant reduction in CK, LDH, and Mb concentrations, based on follow‐ups after exercise, studies duration, time of supplementation, and training status.

Conclusion

The current meta‐analysis indicated an efficacy of omega 3 in reducing CK, LDH, and Mb serum concentration among healthy individuals, overall and in subgroups analysis. Thus, omega 3 should be considered as a priority EIMD recovery agent in interventions.
Airway cilia recovery post lung transplantation
Authors: Suryadinata Randy , Levin Kovi , Holsworth Lynda , Paraskeva Miranda , Robinson Philip
Published: September 2021

Background

Normally functioning airway cilia is essential for efficient mucociliary clearance to protect the airway from various insults. Impaired clearance may lead to increased risk of infections and progressive lung damage. Significant morbidity in the immediate post lung transplantation period is associated with airway infection, which we hypothesize may be caused by impaired cilia function.

Methods

Airway cilia beating pattern (CBP) and frequency (CBF) were studied on brushing samples taken from above and below the transplant anastomosis of adult lung transplant recipients (n = 20) during routine bronchoscopies at 6, 12, and 26 weeks posttransplant. Bronchoaveolar Lavage (BAL) samples were also collected at each time points.

Results

At 6 weeks posttransplant (n = 16), CBP from the donated lung showed reduced beating amplitude with the overall CBF 2.28 Hz slower than the patients' native upper airway cilia (median ± SIQR: 5.36 ± 0.93 Hz vs. 7.64 ± 0.92 Hz, p value < .001). At 12 weeks (n = 16), donor lungs CBP showed recovery with the difference in CBF reduced to 0.74 Hz (6.36 ± 1.46 Hz vs. 7.10 ± 0.86 Hz, p value < .05). Impaired cilia function was not associated with positive BAL cultures.

Conclusion

Reduced cilia function is evident in the first 12 weeks post lung transplant, with both CBP and CBF returning to levels of function indistinguishable to the patients' upper airway cilia beyond this time.
MicroRNA‐210 repression facilitates advanced glycation end‐product (AGE)‐induced cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis via JNK activation
Authors: Lin Kuan‐Ho , Ng Shang‐Chuan , Paul Catherine R. , Chen Hong‐Chen , Zeng Ren‐You , Liu Jian‐Sheng , Padma Viswanadha V. , Huang Chih‐Yang , Kuo Wei‐Wen
Published: September 2021

Hyperglycemia results in the formation of reactive oxygen species which in turn causes advanced glycation end products (AGEs) formation, leading to diabetic cardiomyopathy. Our previous study showed that AGE‐induced reactive oxygen species‐dependent apoptosis is mediated via protein kinase C delta (PKCδ)‐enhanced mitochondrial damage in cardiomyocytes. By using microRNA (miRNA) database, miRNA‐210 was predicted to target c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK), which were previously identified as downstream of PKCδ in regulating mitochondrial function. Therefore, we hypothesized that miR‐210 mediates PKCδ‐dependent upregulation of JNK to cause cardiac mitochondrial damage and apoptosis following AGE exposure. AGE‐exposed cells showed activated cardiac JNK, PKCδ, and apoptosis, which were reversed by treatment with a JNK inhibitor and PKCδ‐KD (deficient kinase). Cardiac miR‐210 and mitochondrial function were downregulated following AGE exposure. Furthermore, JNK was upregulated and involved in AGE‐induced mitochondrial damage. Interestingly, luciferase activity of the miR‐210 mimic plus JNK WT‐3′‐untranslated region overexpressed group was significantly lower than that of miR‐210 mimic plus JNK MT‐3′UTR group, indicating that JNK is a target of miR‐210. Moreover, JNK activation induced by AGEs was reduced by treatment with the miR‐210 mimic and reversed by treatment with the miR‐210 inhibitor, indicating the regulatory function of miR‐210 in JNK activation following AGE exposure. Additionally, JNK‐dependent mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis were reversed following treatment with the miR‐210 mimic, while the miR‐210 inhibitor showed no effect on JNK‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in AGE‐exposed cardiac cells. Taken together, our study showed that PKCδ‐enhanced JNK‐dependent mitochondrial damage is mediated through the reduction of miR‐210 in cardiomyocytes following AGE exposure.
New prognostic factor for hepatitis B virus‐related decompensated cirrhosis: Ratio of monocytes to HDL‐cholesterol
Authors: Wu Qianxia , Mao Weilin
Published: September 2021

Aim

Hepatitis B virus‐related decompensated cirrhosis (HBV‐DeCi) has a high mortality rate, and it remains a challenge to predict its outcomes in clinical practice. We aimed to determine the association between monocyte‐to‐HDL‐cholesterol ratio (MHR) and short‐term prognosis in HBV‐DeCi patients.

Methods

A total of 145 HBV‐DeCi patients were enrolled. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify predictors of mortality. The findings were validated by a receiver operating characteristic analysis using the area under the curve (AUC).

Results

A total of 20 (13.8%) patients had died 30 days after admission. MHR was markedly increased in the non‐survivors compared with the survivors. In the multivariate analysis, MHR was identified as an independent risk factor for mortality, with a significant predictive value (AUC = 0.825; sensitivity, 90.0%; specificity, 62.4%).

Conclusions

Elevated MHR is associated with increased mortality rate in HBV‐DeCi patients.
Occupational stress among teachers of learners with special needs
Authors: Adigun Olufemi Timothy , Mngomezulu Thanduxolo Peace
Published: September 2021

This study assessed the prediction of occupational stress through personality traits, gender and occupational stress among teachers of learners with special needs (TLSN) from the southwest, Nigeria. The transactional stress theory provided a framework for the study. Data were collected through a paper–pencil self‐completed questionnaire. Data collected were analysed by descriptive and inferential statistics at 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and p < 0.05. The response rate was 94.4%. A total of 287 male and 185 female TLSN participated in this study. Findings revealed a significant association between extraversion, agreeableness; openness, conscientiousness, neuroticism and occupational stress of TLSN. Participants with extraversion and openness both has highest likelihood of exhibiting occupational stress. Male TLSN had a greater likelihood of exhibiting occupational stress. The study concluded that male TLSN with extraversion and openness personality traits has high proportion of occupational stress. Based on the findings, appropriate recommendations were made.
Post‐treatment serum Wisteria floribunda agglutinin‐positive mac‐2‐binding protein level is a useful predictor of hepatocellular carcinoma development after hepatitis C virus eradication
Authors: Sato Shunsuke , Tsuzura Hironori , Kita Yuji , Ikeda Yuji , Kabemura Daishi , Sato Sho , Amano Nozomi , Yatagai Noboru , Murata Ayato , Shimada Yuji , Genda Takuya
Published: September 2021

Aims

Recent advances of direct‐acting antiviral drugs for hepatitis C virus (HCV) have dramatically improved the sustained virologic response (SVR) rate, but hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development rarely occurs even in patients who achieve an SVR. Wisteria floribunda agglutinin‐positive mac‐2‐binding protein (WFA+‐M2BP) was recently developed as a noninvasive biomarker of liver fibrosis. However, the association between the WFA+‐M2BP level and HCC development after the achievement of an SVR is unclear.

Methods and Results

We examined the association between WFA+‐M2BP and HCC development in 522 HCV patients who achieved an SVR (Interferon [IFN]‐based therapy, n = 228; IFN‐free therapy, n = 294). Multivariate analysis revealed that a high WFA+‐M2BP level at SVR week 24 after treatment (SVR24) (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.215, P = 0.020), low platelet counts (HR = 0.876, P = 0.037), and old age (HR = 1.073, P = 0.012) were independent risk factors for HCC development regardless of the treatment regimen. Receiver operator characteristics curve analysis revealed that a WFA+‐M2BP level at SVR24 of ≥1.62 cut‐off index (COI) was the cut‐off value for the prediction of HCC development (adjusted HR = 12.565, 95% CI 3.501–45.092, P < 0.001). The 3‐ and 5‐year cumulative incidences of HCC were 1% and 1.6% in patients with low WFA+‐M2BP at SVR24 (<1.62 COI), and 4.7% and 12.5% in patients with high WFA+‐M2BP (≥1.62 COI) were, respectively (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The assessment of liver fibrosis using the WFA+‐M2BP level at SVR24 is a useful predictor of HCC development after HCV eradication even in the IFN‐free therapy era.
HIV acquisition in pregnancy: implications for mother‐to‐child transmission at the population level in sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Marston Milly , Risher Kathryn , Mahy Mary I.
Published: September 2021

Introduction

A recent sero‐discordant couple study showed an elevated risk of HIV‐acquisition during the pregnancy/postpartum period per‐condomless‐coital‐act. This, along with previous studies, has led to concern over possible increased risk of mother‐to‐child (vertical) transmission, due to the initial high viral load in the first months after seroconversion, in a time when the woman and health services may be unaware of her status. This study looks at whether behavioural differences during the pregnant/postpartum period could reduce the impact of elevated risk of HIV acquisition per‐condomless‐coital‐act at the population level.

Methods

We used data from 60 demographic and health surveys from 32 sub‐Saharan African countries. Using the HIV status of couples, we estimated differences in serodiscordancy between HIV‐negative women who were pregnant/postpartum compared to those who were not pregnant/postpartum. We compare the risk of sexual activity over the pregnant/postpartum period to those not pregnant/postpartum. Using these risks of serodiscordancy and sexual activity along with estimates of increased HIV risk in the pregnancy/postpartum period per‐condomless‐coital‐act, we estimated a population‐level risk of HIV acquisition and acute infection, during pregnancy/postpartum compared to those not pregnant/postpartum.

Results

Sexual activity during pregnancy/postpartum varies considerably. In general, sexual activity is high in the first trimester of pregnancy, then declines to levels lower than among women not pregnant/postpartum, and is at its lowest in the first months postpartum. Adjusted for age and survey, pooled results show HIV‐negative pregnant women are less likely to have an HIV‐positive partner compared to those not pregnant/postpartum (risk ratio (RR) = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.68–0.89) and comparing the postpartum period (RR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.73–0.99). Estimated population‐level risk for HIV acquisition and acute infection in pregnancy/postpartum was lower than would be inferred directly from per‐condomless‐coital‐act estimates in most countries, over the time of most risk of mother‐to‐child transmission, though there was variation by country and month of pregnancy/postpartum.

Conclusions

Estimates of population‐level HIV acquisition risk in sub‐Saharan Africa should not be taken directly from per‐condomless‐coital‐act studies to estimate vertical transmission. Changes in sexual behaviour and differences in HIV‐serodiscordancy during pregnancy/postpartum reduce the impact of increased risk of HIV acquisition per‐condomless‐coital‐act, this will vary by region.
Long‐term straw mulching in a no‐till field improves soil functionality and rice yield by increasing soil enzymatic activity and chemical properties in paddy soils
Authors: Iqbal Anas , Khan Abdullah , Green Stefan J , Ali Izhar , He Liang , Zeeshan Muhammad , Luo Yuqiong , Wu Xiaoyan , Wei Shangqin , Jiang Ligeng
Published: September 2021

Background

The degradation in soil quality over the last four decades poses a major threat to the sustainability of the puddled transplanted rice (Oryza sativa L.) system in southern China. Conservation tillage practices (CTPs) such as no‐tillage and crop straw mulching (SM) are considered effective strategies for achieving sustainable crop production.

Aims

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of different CTPs on crop yield and soil properties in an ongoing long‐term field experiment (2008–2020), particularly changes in soil chemical properties and enzymatic activities and their relationship with rice grain yield.

Methods

Five treatments including conventional tillage (CT), CT and straw retention, CT and SM (CT‐SM), no‐tillage (NT), and NT and SM (NT‐SM) were applied at a field scale over a period of 12 years. In Years 11 (2019) and 12 (2020), soil samples were collected at two depths (0–10 cm and 10–20 cm) after rice harvesting. Soil chemical traits, enzymatic activities, and rice production were measured in response to different CTPs treatments, and differences between treatments were assessed.

Results

Soil pH, soil organic carbon, total nitrogen (N), available N, total phosphorus (P), and available P were significantly higher in CTP treatments, compared with CT. The activities of soil enzymes including invertase, acid phosphatase, urease, catalase, β‐glucosidase, and cellulase were significantly higher in CTP soils, compared with CT soils. A general trend of lower enzyme activity was observed at the deeper soil depth. The NT‐SM treatment fields consistently produced the highest grain yield and larges differences in edaphic properties relative to the CT fields; however, all CTP treatments lead to significant increases in grant yield and edaphic properties relative to CT. A correlation analysis demonstrated that the enhancement in soil enzymatic activities contributed to soil quality and grain yield of rice.

Conclusions

The results of this long‐term field study indicate that the use of CTPs in paddy soil can benefit farmers in southern China by improving soil functionality and sustainability and the grain yield of rice.
How does rituximab fit in the treatment algorithm of myasthenia gravis?
Authors: Kushlaf Hani , Li Yuebing
Published: September 2021

See article on pages 651‐656 in this issue
Investigations of granular specimen size effect in interface shear box test using a micro‐polar continuum description
Authors: Bauer Erich , Ebrahimian Babak
Published: September 2021

Parametric studies were carried out to investigate the effects of specimen size and interface friction angle on the mechanical behaviour of a cohesionless granular material in the interface shear box test under constant normal load and plane strain conditions. For a description of the pressure and density dependent properties of granular materials such as sand, a micro‐polar hypoplastic continuum model is used. Numerical simulations were performed to obtain the evolution of the deformations and the shear resistance for three different specimen lengths and interface friction angles using the finite element method in the updated Lagrange frame. Due to the presence of lateral rigid boundaries of the shear box, the deformations and the stresses became significantly inhomogeneous within the granular specimen. Correspondingly, the mobilised interface shear resistance and the deformation field within the specimen were not uniform along the interface. In the case of higher interface friction angles, the evolution of the mechanical quantities along the interface can also be influenced by the specimen size. It is shown that the calculated average friction angle mobilised along a rough interface is influenced by the shear box length and it can be lower than the prescribed one. In addition, the influence of sidewall friction inside the shear box frame was explored in terms of the response of the specimen. The results of the micro‐polar hypoplastic model were also compared with those obtained from the corresponding non‐polar version of the model to clarify the role of polar effects within the granular body. The numerical results provide new insights into the microstructural effects of the granular material on the mobilisation of the interface friction angle and indicate the complexities and difficulties to precisely determine and interpret the interface friction angle, obtained from the classical interface shear box experiment.
Harmaline isolated from Peganum harmala suppresses growth of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma through targeting mTOR
Authors: Zhang Yuanyuan , Shi Xiaodan , Xie Xiaomeng , Laster Kyle Vaughn , Pang Mengjun , Liu Kangdong , Hwang Joonsung , Kim Dong Joon
Published: September 2021

Harmaline is a naturally occurring β‐carboline alkaloid that is isolated from Peganum harmala. It has shown efficacy in treating Parkinson's disease and has been reported to exhibit antimicrobial and anticancer properties. However, the molecular mechanism of harmaline in the context of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) has not been characterized. Here, we report that harmaline attenuates ESCC growth by directly targeting the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Harmaline strongly reduced cell proliferation and anchorage‐independent cell growth. Additionally, harmaline treatment induced G2/M phase cell‐cycle arrest through upregulation of p27. The results of in vitro and cell‐based assays showed that harmaline directly inhibited the activity of mTOR kinase and the phosphorylation of its downstream pathway components. Depletion of mTOR using an shRNA‐mediated strategy in ESCC cell lines indicated that reduced mTOR protein expression levels are correlated with decreased cell proliferation. Additionally, we observed that the inhibitory effect of harmaline was dependent upon mTOR expression. Notably, oral administration of harmaline suppressed ESCC patient‐derived tumor growth in vivo. Taken together, harmaline is a potential mTOR inhibitor that might be used for therapeutically treating ESCC.
Synthesis of benzo[b]phosphole‐based alkynylgold(I) complexes with resistive memory properties modulated by donor–acceptor chromophores
Authors: Cheng Yat‐Hin , Hong Eugene Yau‐Hin , Leung Ming‐Yi , Lai Shiu‐Lun , Yam Vivian Wing‐Wah
Published: September 2021

A class of benzo[b]phosphole‐based alkynylgold(I) complexes has been synthesized and characterized. These complexes share a similar benzo[b]phosphole ligand, in which the phosphole moiety is substituted with various π‐conjugated units with different donor strengths, namely phenoxazinylphenyl, tris(di‐tert‐butylcarbazolyl)phenyl and 2,4‐dimethylphenyl moieties. These phosphole‐containing gold(I) complexes are found to be strongly luminescent in toluene with tunable emission maxima and possess solvatochromic behaviors, suggesting an emission of metal‐perturbed intraligand charge transfer origin. Cyclic voltammetry studies reveal that the presence of gold(I) metal center strongly perturbs the electronic properties of the phosphole moiety of the resultant complexes, which can be further fine‐tuned by the auxiliary ligand on the gold(I) center. In the resistive memory studies, devices based on these alkynylgold(I) complexes exhibit satisfactory binary memory behaviors, demonstrating low threshold voltages in narrow distributions, high durability and low misreading rates. Such performances are believed to be originated from a field‐induced charge transfer of the alkynylgold(I) complexes, in which the electron‐accepting phosphole‐gold(I) unit plays a crucial role in stabilizing the charge transfer state and that led to the observed resistive switching and memory behavior.
The Science of Seeing Science: Examining the Visuality Hypothesis
Authors: Best Lisa , Goggin Claire
Published: September 2021

Fundamental disciplinary differences may be traceable to the use of visual representations, with researchers in the physical and life sciences relying more heavily on visuality. Our goal was to examine how inscriptions are used by scientists in different disciplines. We analyzed 2,467 articles from journals in biology, criminology and criminal justice, gerontology, library and information science, medicine, psychology, and sociology. Proportion of page space dedicated to graphs, tables, and non-graph illustrations was calculated. A Visuality Index was defined as the proportion of page space dedicated to visual depictions of data and non-data information. An ANOVA indicated a statistically significant difference between disciplines, interaction between inscription type and discipline, with articles published in biology journals dedicating more page space to graphs. The significant overlap in inscription use and visuality indicates imperfect disciplinary demarcation, suggesting similar methodological and data analytic practices within a discipline and between subdisciplines.
How Can We Statistically Analyze the Achievement of Diagrammatic Competency from High School Regular Tests?
Authors: Uesaka Yuri , Saso Shun , Akisawa Takeshi
Published: September 2021

Owing to the recent global changes in education goals, students nowadays need to achieve ‘key competencies’ in school. ‘Diagrammatic competency’ is an essential part of such competencies. To cultivate diagrammatic competency, it is necessary to evaluate teachers and students and provide feedback on the students’ degree of achieving diagrammatic competency. Regular school tests can provide useful opportunities for assessing such achievement. However, in such tests, Japanese high schools mainly focus on evaluating the understanding of learning contents rather than the development of competencies (such as diagrammatic competency). The current study was a collaboration between educational psychologists and a high school mathematics teacher. Together they modified a regular school test to incorporate tasks that require diagrammatic competency to solve them, thus enabling the assessment of such achievement. The study was conducted in an actual high school. The students’ performance was analyzed using cognitive diagnostic models [1], which statistically estimate how well students have mastered the elements of cognitive abilities and skills required to solve problems, generating ‘attribute mastery probabilities’. The attribute mastery probabilities obtained demonstrated that students’ achievement of diagrammatic competency was insufficient, indicating a need for cultivating such competency in subject learning instruction provided in schools.
Die weiteren Reformdynamiken – ein spekulativer Ausblick
Authors: Janßen Melike , Schimank Uwe , Sondermann Ariadne
Published: September 2021

Dieses Kapitel wendet sich, ausgehend von den Untersuchungsergebnissen, alternativen Zukunftsszenarien zu, die als Resultat sehr unterschiedliche künftige Ausgestaltungen des deutschen Hochschulsystems zur Folge hätten. Wenn die gegenwärtige ‚Großwetterlage‘ in der Professorenschaft durch die rekonstruierten Typen gekennzeichnet ist: Wie könnte sich das unter welchen Randbedingungen – einschließlich weiterer hochschulpolitischer Interventionen – weiter entwickeln? Und welche Auswirkungen könnten sich auf Forschung und Lehre ergeben? Wir können diese Fragen, die jedem, der auf die eine oder andere Weise ins Hochschulsystem involviert ist, unter den Nägeln brennen sollten, hier nicht beantworten, sondern nur über mögliche Antworten spekulieren. Aber wir weisen auf das, was mit der beruflichen Identität der ProfessorInnen weiter geschehen könnte, als einen Teil der Antwort hin, den zu ignorieren ignorant wäre.
Datenbasis und Sampling
Authors: Klie Anna Wiebke
Published: September 2021

Zu Beginn der Durchführung der quantitativen Studie stand die Autorin dieser Arbeit vor der Herausforderung, sich ein Bild über den Forschungsgegenstand in der Breite machen zu müssen und war entsprechend mit der Frage konfrontiert, wie sich anhand festgelegter Definitionskriterien Bruttostichproben für Deutschland, einzelne Bundesländer oder Kommunen bestimmen lassen.
Integration of Algorithm-Based Optimization into the Design Process of Industrial Buildings: A Case Study
Authors: Konrad Mirjam , Saez Dana , Trautz Martin
Published: September 2021

Algorithm-based optimization is widely applied in many fields like industrial production, resulting in state-of-the-art workflows in the production process optimization. This project takes the cultural lag of conventional industrial architecture design as a motivation to investigate the implementation of algorithm-based optimization into traditional design processes. We argue that an enhanced way of architectural decision-making is possible. Current approaches use a translation of the whole design problem into a single, overly complicated optimization system. Contrary to that, this paper presents a novel workflow that defines precise design steps and applies optimizations only if suitable. Furthermore, this method can generate relevant results for factory planning design problems with contradicting factors, making it a promising approach for the complex challenges of i.e. resource-efficient building.
From Separation to Incorporation - A Full-Circle Application of Computational Approaches to Performance-Based Architectural Design
Authors: Chen Yuhan , Lu Youyu , Gu Tianyi , Bian Zhirui , Wang Likai , Tong Ziyu
Published: September 2021

In performance-based architectural design, most existing techniques and design approaches to assisting designers are primarily for a single design problem such as building massing, spatial layouts, or facade design. However, architectural design is a synthesis process that considers multiple design problems. Thus, for achieving an overall improvement in building performance, it is critical to incorporate computational techniques and methods into all key design problems. In this regard, this paper presents a full-circle application of different computational design approaches and tools to exploit the potential of building performance in driving architectural design towards more novel and sustainable buildings as well as to explore new research design paradigms for performance-based architectural design in real-world design scenarios. This paper takes a commercial complex building design as an example to demonstrate how building performance can be incorporated into different building design problems and reflect on the limitations of existing tools in supporting the architectural design.
Measuring Human Perception of Biophilically-Driven Design with Facial Micro-expressions Analysis and EEG Biosensor
Authors: Macruz Andrea , Bueno Ernesto , Palma Gustavo G. , Vega Jaime , Palmieri Ricardo A. , Wu Tan Chen
Published: September 2021

This paper investigates the role technology and neuroscience play in aiding the design process and making meaningful connections between people and nature. Using two workshops as a vehicle, the team introduced advanced technologies and Quantified Self practices that allowed people to use neural data and pattern recognition as feedback for the design process. The objective is to find clues to natural elements of human perception that can inform the design to meet goals for well-being. A pattern network of geometric shapes that achieve a higher level of monitored meditation levels and point toward a positive emotional valence is proposed. By referencing biological forms found in nature, the workshops utilized an algorithmic process that explored how nature can influence architecture. To measure the impact, the team used FaceOSC for capture and an Artificial Neural Network for micro-expression recognition, and a MindWave sensor manufactured by NeuroSky, which documented the human response further. The methodology allowed us to establish a boundary logic, ranking geometric shapes that suggested positive emotions and a higher level of monitored meditation levels. The results pointed us to a deeper level of understanding relative to geometric shapes in design. They indicate a new way to predict how well-being factors can clarify and rationalize a more intuitive design process inspired by nature.
Additive Manufacture of Cellulose Based Bio-Material on Architectural Scale
Authors: Wei Yimeng , Markopoulou Areti , Zhu Yuanshuang , Martin Eduardo Chamorro , Kirova Nikol
Published: September 2021

There are severe environmental and ecological issues once we evaluate the architecture industry with LCA (Life Cycle Assessment), such as emission of CO2 caused by necessary high temperature for producing cement and significant amounts of Construction Demolition Waste (CDW) in deteriorated and obsolete buildings. One of the ways to solve these problems is Bio-Material. CELLULOSE and CHITON is the 1st and 2nd abundant substance in nature (Duro-Royo, J.: Aguahoja_Programmable Water-based Biocomposites for Digital Design and Fabrication across Scales. MIT, pp. 1–3 (2019)), which means significantly potential for architectural dimension production. Meanwhile, renewability and biodegradability make it more conducive to the current problem of construction pollution. The purpose of this study is to explore Cellulose Based Biomaterial and bring it into architectural scale additive manufacture that engages with performance in the material development, with respect to time of solidification and control of shrinkage, as well as offering mechanical strength. At present, the experiments have proved the possibility of developing a cellulose-chitosan- based composite into 3D-Printing Construction Material (Sanandiya, N.D., Vijay, Y., Dimopoulou, M., Dritsas, S., Fernandez, J.G.: Large-scale additive manufacturing with bioinspired cellulosic materials. Sci. Rep. 8(1), 1–5 (2018)). Moreover, The research shows that the characteristics (Such as waterproof, bending, compression, tensile, transparency) of the composite can be enhanced by different additives (such as xanthan gum, paper fiber, flour), which means it can be customized into various architectural components based on Performance Directional Optimization. This solution has a positive effect on environmental impact reduction and is of great significance in putting the architectural construction industry into a more environment-friendly and smart state.
Application of 6-Dof Robot Motion Planning in Fabrication
Authors: Wu Hao , Lu Ming , Zhou XinJie , Yuan Philip F.
Published: September 2021

In practical robotic construction work, such as laying bricks and painting walls, obstructing objects are encountered and motion planning needs to be done to prevent collisions. This paper first introduces the background and results of existing work on motion planning and describes two of the most mainstream methods, the potential field method, and the sampling-based method. How to use the probabilistic route approach for motion planning on a 6-axis robot is presented. An example of a real bricklaying job is presented to show how to obtain point clouds and increase the speed of computation by customizing collision and ignore calculations. Several methods of smoothing paths are presented and the paths are re-detected to ensure the validity of the paths. Finally, the flow of the whole work is presented and some possible directions for future work are suggested. The significance of this paper is to confirm that a relatively fast motion planning can be achieved by an improved algorithmic process in grasshopper.
Joint Descriptive Modeling (JDM) for Assembly-Aware Timber Structure Design
Authors: Lharchi Ayoub , Thomsen Mette Ramsgaard , Tamke Martin
Published: September 2021

Joints design is an essential step in the process of designing timber structures. Complex architectural topologies require thorough planning and scheduling, as it is necessary to consider numerous factors such as structural stability, fabrication capabilities, and ease of assembly. This paper introduces a novel approach to timber joints design that embed both fabrication and assembly considerations within the same model to avoid mistakes that might cause delays and further expenses. We developed a workflow that allows us to identify the fundamental data to describe a given joint geometry, machine-independent fabrication procedures, and the assembly sequence. Based on this, we introduce a comprehensive descriptive language called Joint Descriptive Model (JDM) that leverages industry standards to convert a joint into a usable output for both fabrication and assembly simulations. Finally, we suggest a seed of a joint’s library with some common joints.