bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mediated amperometry as a prospective method for the investigation of electroporation
Authors: Simonis Povilas , Garjonyte Rasa , Stirke Arunas
Published: November 2020

Pulsed electric field effects induced in a membrane, as well as intracellular structures, depend on cell type, field and media parameters. To achieve desired outcomes, membranes should be permeabilized in a controlled manner, and thus efficiency of electroporation should be investigated in advance. Here, we present a framework for using mediated amperometry as a prospective method for the investigation of electroporation and its effects on cellular machinery. Whole-cell sensors with single mediator systems comprised of hydrophilic or lipophilic mediators were successfully employed to investigate membrane permeability as well as cellular responses. Exposure of yeast cells to single electric field pulse (τ = 300 µs, E = 16 kV/cm) resulted in up to tenfold increase of current strength mediated with hydrophilic mediators. Exposure to PEF resulted in decrease of menadione mediated current strength (from 138 ± 15 to 32 ± 15 nA), which could be completely compensated by supplementing electrolyte with NADH.
Chemical composition and biological effects of kratom (Mitragyna speciosa): In vitro studies with implications for efficacy and drug interactions
Authors: Todd D. A. , Kellogg J. J. , Wallace E. D. , Khin M. , Flores-Bocanegra L. , Tanna R. S. , McIntosh S. , Raja H. A. , Graf T. N. , Hemby S. E. , Paine M. F. , Oberlies N. H. , Cech N. B.
Published: November 2020

The safety and efficacy of kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) for treatment of pain is highly controversial. Kratom produces more than 40 structurally related alkaloids, but most studies have focused on just two of these, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. Here, we profiled 53 commercial kratom products using untargeted LC–MS metabolomics, revealing two distinct chemotypes that contain different levels of the alkaloid speciofoline. Both chemotypes were confirmed with DNA barcoding to be M. speciosa. To evaluate the biological relevance of variable speciofoline levels in kratom, we compared the opioid receptor binding activity of speciofoline, mitragynine, and 7-hydroxymitragynine. Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine function as partial agonists of the human µ-opioid receptor, while speciofoline does not exhibit measurable binding affinity at the µ-, δ- or ƙ-opioid receptors. Importantly, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine demonstrate functional selectivity for G-protein signaling, with no measurable recruitment of β-arrestin. Overall, the study demonstrates the unique binding and functional profiles of the kratom alkaloids, suggesting potential utility for managing pain, but further studies are needed to follow up on these in vitro findings. All three kratom alkaloids tested inhibited select cytochrome P450 enzymes, suggesting a potential risk for adverse interactions when kratom is co-consumed with drugs metabolized by these enzymes.
Rapid mono and biexponential 3D-T1ρ mapping of knee cartilage using variational networks
Authors: Zibetti Marcelo V. W. , Johnson Patricia M. , Sharafi Azadeh , Hammernik Kerstin , Knoll Florian , Regatte Ravinder R.
Published: November 2020

In this study we use undersampled MRI acquisition methods to obtain accelerated 3D mono and biexponential spin–lattice relaxation time in the rotating frame (T1ρ) mapping of knee cartilage, reducing the usual long scan time. We compare the accelerated T1ρmaps obtained by deep learning-based variational network (VN) and compressed sensing (CS). Both methods were compared with spatial (S) and spatio-temporal (ST) filters. Complex-valued fitting was used for T1ρparameters estimation. We tested with seven in vivo and six synthetic datasets, with acceleration factors (AF) from 2 to 10. Median normalized absolute deviation (MNAD), analysis of variance (ANOVA), and coefficient of variation (CV) were used for analysis. The methods CS-ST, VN-S, and VN-ST performed well for accelerating monoexponential T1ρmapping, with MNAD around 5% for AF = 2, which increases almost linearly with the AF to an MNAD of 13% for AF = 8, with all methods. For biexponential mapping, the VN-ST was the best method starting with MNAD of 7.4% for AF = 2 and reaching MNAD of 13.1% for AF = 8. The VN was able to produce 3D-T1ρmapping of knee cartilage with lower error than CS. The best results were obtained by VN-ST, improving CS-ST method by nearly 7.5%.
Infant expectations of instant or delayed gratification
Authors: Luo Yuyan , Pattanakul Duangporn
Published: November 2020

Choices between immediate gratification and long-term (but larger) gains are prevalent in human life, which is why the decision-making processes to delay gratification have been studied extensively throughout different developmental ages. Children’s delay-of-gratification behaviors have been examined in the well-known “marshmallow test,” in which 3- to 5-year-olds are given a marshmallow and told by an experimenter that they can eat it immediately or wait for an unspecified duration of time (which can be capped at 15 min) until the experimenter returns so that they can receive another marshmallow. Children's wait time has been viewed as a good indicator of their later development. Here we show that a group of 22-month-old infants (N = 32) already held expectations about others’ choices in a violation-of-expectation looking-time task modeled after the marshmallow test. The infants expected an agent to defer gratification based on a speaker’s promise of the second marshmallow available in the future, but to eat the currently attainable marshmallow when the speaker made no such promise. Our findings indicate an early-emerging understanding of others’ choices of delayed or instant gratification and shed new light on the development of delay-of-gratification behaviors.
Dual mechanisms of ictal high frequency oscillations in human rhythmic onset seizures
Authors: Smith Elliot H. , Merricks Edward M. , Liou Jyun-You , Casadei Camilla , Melloni Lucia , Thesen Thomas , Friedman Daniel J. , Doyle Werner K. , Emerson Ronald G. , Goodman Robert R. , McKhann Guy M. , Sheth Sameer A. , Rolston John D. , Schevon Catherine A.
Published: November 2020

High frequency oscillations (HFOs) are bursts of neural activity in the range of 80 Hz or higher, recorded from intracranial electrodes during epileptiform discharges. HFOs are a proposed biomarker of epileptic brain tissue and may also be useful for seizure forecasting. Despite such clinical utility of HFOs, the spatial context and neuronal activity underlying these local field potential (LFP) events remains unclear. We sought to further understand the neuronal correlates of ictal high frequency LFPs using multielectrode array recordings in the human neocortex and mesial temporal lobe during rhythmic onset seizures. These multiscale recordings capture single cell, multiunit, and LFP activity from the human brain. We compare features of multiunit firing and high frequency LFP from microelectrodes and macroelectrodes during ictal discharges in both the seizure core and penumbra (spatial seizure domains defined by multiunit activity patterns). We report differences in spectral features, unit-local field potential coupling, and information theoretic characteristics of high frequency LFP before and after local seizure invasion. Furthermore, we tie these time-domain differences to spatial domains of seizures, showing that penumbral discharges are more broadly distributed and less useful for seizure localization. These results describe the neuronal and synaptic correlates of two types of pathological HFOs in humans and have important implications for clinical interpretation of rhythmic onset seizures.
Evidence for a cryptic parasitoid species reveals its suitability as a biological control agent
Authors: Seehausen M. Lukas , Ris Nicolas , Driss Laetitia , Racca Alessandro , Girod Pierre , Warot Sylvie , Borowiec Nicolas , Toševski Ivo , Kenis Marc
Published: November 2020

Uncertainty about the taxonomic status and the specificity of a species commonly prevent its consideration as a candidate for biological control of pest organisms. Here we use a combination of molecular analysis and crossing experiments to gather evidence that the parasitoid wasp Ganaspis brasiliensis, a candidate for biological control of the invasive spotted wing drosophila Drosophila suzukii, is a complex of at least two cryptic species. Complementary experiments demonstrate that individuals from one genetic group readily parasitize several drosophila species regardless of their food source while individuals from the other one are almost exclusively specific to larvae feeding in ripening fruits. Because only D. suzukii attacks ripening fruits in its area of invasion, parasitoids from this second group appear to be well suited as a biological control agent. Our study demonstrates the need for a combination of biosystematics with biological and ecological investigations for the development of safe and efficient biological control programs.
Chemogenetic selective manipulation of nucleus accumbens medium spiny neurons bidirectionally controls alcohol intake in male and female rats
Authors: Strong C. E. , Hagarty D. P. , Brea Guerrero A. , Schoepfer K. J. , Cajuste S. M. , Kabbaj M.
Published: November 2020

The nucleus accumbens (NAc), considered the hub of reward circuitry, is comprised of two medium spiny neuron (MSN) subtypes that are classified by their enrichment of dopamine 1 (D1) or 2 (D2) receptors. While reports indicate that alcohol increases excitatory neurotransmission exclusively on NAc D1-MSNs in male rats, it remains unknown how NAc MSNs control alcohol intake in either sex. Therefore, this study investigated how NAc MSNs mediate alcohol intake by using Drd1a-iCre and Drd2-iCre transgenic rats of both sexes. Intra-NAc infusions of Cre-inducible viral vectors containing stimulatory (hM3Dq) or inhibitory (hM4Di) designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) were delivered after 4-weeks of alcohol intake, and clozapine-N-oxide (CNO) was administered to selectively manipulate NAc MSNs. Our results show that activation of NAc D1-MSNs increased alcohol intake 1-, 4-, and 24-h after the start of drinking while inhibition decreased it 1-h after the start of drinking, with no sex differences observed at any time point. Activation of NAc D2-MSNs had no impact on alcohol intake while inhibition increased alcohol intake in Drd2-iCre rats for 1-h in males and 4-h in females. These findings suggest opposing roles for how NAc D1- and D2-MSNs modulate alcohol intake in rats of both sexes.
Novel sex-specific influence of parental factors on small-for-gestational-age newborns
Authors: Tian Meng Yuan , Wen Shi Wu , Retnakaran Ravi , Wang Hao Ren , Ma Shu Juan , Chen Meng Shi , Wang Xiao Lei , Lin Hui Jun , Tan Hong Zhuan
Published: November 2020

Since fetal programming is sex-specific, there may also be sex-specific in parental influences on newborn birth weight. We aimed to investigate the influence of parental factors on small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants of different sexes. Based on a pre-pregnancy cohort, multivariate logistic regression was used. 2275 couples were included for analysis. Significant associations were observed among paternal height, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), and SGA in male infants; among maternal height, pre-pregnancy BMI, and SGA in female infants, and among other maternal factors and SGA in both male and female infants. Such sex specificity may be related to genetic, epigenetic, or hormonal influences between parents and infants. In conclusion, there is a sex specificity in the effect of parental height and pre-pregnancy BMI on SGA. The data suggest that future studies on infants should consider the sex-specific differences between the effects of genetic or environmental factors and infants.
Practice modality of motor sequences impacts the neural signature of motor imagery
Authors: Krüger Britta , Hettwer Meike , Zabicki Adam , de Haas Benjamin , Munzert Jörn , Zentgraf Karen
Published: November 2020

Motor imagery is conceptualized as an internal simulation that uses motor-related parts of the brain as its substrate. Many studies have investigated this sharing of common neural resources between the two modalities of motor imagery and motor execution. They have shown overlapping but not identical activation patterns that thereby result in a modality-specific neural signature. However, it is not clear how far this neural signature depends on whether the imagined action has previously been practiced physically or only imagined. The present study aims to disentangle whether the neural imprint of an imagined manual pointing sequence within cortical and subcortical motor areas is determined by the nature of this prior practice modality. Each participant practiced two sequences physically, practiced two other sequences mentally, and did a behavioural pre-test without any further practice on a third pair of sequences. After a two-week practice intervention, participants underwent fMRI scans while imagining all six sequences. Behavioural data demonstrated practice-related effects as well as very good compliance with instructions. Functional MRI data confirmed the previously known motor imagery network. Crucially, we found that mental and physical practice left a modality-specific footprint during mental motor imagery. In particular, activation within the right posterior cerebellum was stronger when the imagined sequence had previously been practiced physically. We conclude that cerebellar activity is shaped specifically by the nature of the prior practice modality.
Riboflavin, vitamin B2, attenuates NLRP3, NLRC4, AIM2, and non-canonical inflammasomes by the inhibition of caspase-1 activity
Authors: Ahn Huijeong , Lee Geun-Shik
Published: November 2020

Riboflavin is commonly taken as a nutritional supplement, and it converts to coenzymes during the process of energy production from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Although riboflavin is considered to be an anti-inflammatory vitamin because of its antioxidant properties, the effects of riboflavin on inflammasome have been not reported. Inflammasome, a cytosolic surveillance protein complex, leads to the activation of caspase-1, cytokine maturation, and pyroptosis. In the present study, riboflavin attenuated the indicators of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in macrophages, such as the maturation and secretion of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, and caspase-1; the formation of Asc pyroptosome; and the cleavage of gasdermin D. In addition, the oral and peritoneal administration of riboflavin inhibited the peritoneal production of IL-1β and IL-18 in a mouse model. Mechanistically, riboflavin prevented mitochondrial perturbations, such as mitochondrial ROS production and mitochondrial DNA release, which trigger the NLRP3 inflammasome assembly. Riboflavin was further confirmed to disrupt the activity of caspase-1, and it also inhibited the AIM2, NLRC4, and non-canonical inflammasomes. Therefore, riboflavin has both an antioxidant effect and an anti-inflammasome property that regulates the inflammatory response.
The smart activatable P2&3TT probe allows accurate, fast, and highly sensitive detection of Staphylococcus aureus in clinical blood culture samples
Authors: López-Álvarez Marina , Heuker Marjolein , Schoenmakers Jorrit W. A. , van Dam Gooitzen M. , McNamara James O. , van Dijl Jan Maarten , van Oosten Marleen
Published: November 2020

Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB) is associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. Yet, there is currently no adequate diagnostic test for early and rapid diagnosis of SAB. Therefore, this study was aimed at exploring the potential for clinical implementation of a nuclease-activatable fluorescent probe for early diagnosis of SAB. To this end, clinical blood culture samples from patients with bloodstream infections were incubated for 1 h with the “smart” activatable P2&3TT probe, the total assay time being less than 2 h. Cleavage of this probe by the secreted S. aureus enzyme micrococcal nuclease results in emission of a readily detectable fluorescence signal. Incubation of S. aureus-positive blood culture samples with the P2&3TT probe resulted in 50-fold higher fluorescence intensity levels than incubation with culture-negative samples. Moreover, incubation of the probe with non-S. aureus-positive blood cultures yielded essentially background fluorescence intensity levels for cultures with Gram-negative bacteria, and only ~ 3.5-fold increased fluorescence intensity levels over background for cultures with non-S. aureus Gram-positive bacteria. Importantly, the measured fluorescence intensities were dose-dependent, and a positive signal was clearly detectable for S. aureus-positive blood cultures with bacterial loads as low as ~ 7,000 colony-forming units/mL. Thus, the nuclease-activatable P2&3TT probe distinguishes clinical S. aureus-positive blood cultures from non-S. aureus-positive blood cultures and culture-negative blood, accurately, rapidly and with high sensitivity. We conclude that this probe may enhance the diagnosis of SAB.
Cardiac adverse events associated with chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine exposure in 20 years of drug safety surveillance reports
Authors: Cohen Isaac V. , Makunts Tigran , Moumedjian Talar , Issa Masara A. , Abagyan Ruben
Published: November 2020

Chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) are on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medications for treating non-resistant malaria, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In addition, both drugs are currently used off-label in hospitals worldwide and in numerous clinical trials for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, CQ and HCQ use has been associated with cardiac side effects, which is of concern due to the higher risk of COVID-19 complications in patients with heart related disorders, and increased mortality associated with COVID-19 cardiac complications. In this study we analyzed over thirteen million adverse event reports form the United States Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System to confirm and quantify the association of cardiac side effects of CQ and HCQ. Additionally, we identified several confounding factors, including male sex, NSAID coadministration, advanced age, and prior diagnoses contributing to drug related cardiotoxicity. These findings may help guide therapeutic decision making and ethical trial design for COVID-19 treatment.
Large amplitude vibrations of imperfect spider web structures
Authors: Kaewunruen Sakdirat , Ngamkhanong Chayut , Xu Simiao
Published: November 2020

Due to the high-efficiency energy absorption and high-tension strength material properties of spider silk, many researchers have studied the mechanical properties and microstructure of the spider web. The concept of spider web structure has been recognized to be adopted for structural engineering aspect. The structure of spider web and its material properties have been studied for decades. However, the fundamental free vibration mode shapes and their corresponding frequencies have never been fully investigated. This study investigates the nonlinear characteristics in the large-amplitude free vibration of imperfect spider web structures using finite element analysis. The spider web applies the concept of elastic cables taking only axial deformation into account. The finite element models of a spider web considering geometric nonlinearities are employed. It should be noted that spider web could experience large deformation when the spider uses its silk to catch prey. This research aims at analyzing the linear and geometric nonlinear behaviour of imperfect spider web structure. Four different types of imperfect spider web: spiral imperfect spider web, radial imperfect spider web, central imperfect spider web, and circular rings imperfect spider web, are considered. It is found that pretension in spider silk plays a significant role in nonlinear vibration characteristics of the spider web. Moreover, the radial thread damaged tends to have a greater effect on structural free vibration of spider web in comparison with other imperfections. The outcome will help a structural engineer to adapt the concept of spider web, its properties, and damage patterns for any larger structures.
Placenta-derived macaque trophoblast stem cells: differentiation to syncytiotrophoblasts and extravillous trophoblasts reveals phenotypic reprogramming
Authors: Schmidt Jenna Kropp , Keding Logan T. , Block Lindsey N. , Wiepz Gregory J. , Koenig Michelle R. , Meyer Michael G. , Dusek Brittany M. , Kroner Kamryn M. , Bertogliat Mario J. , Kallio Avery R. , Mean Katherine D. , Golos Thaddeus G.
Published: November 2020

Nonhuman primates are excellent models for studying human placentation as experimental manipulations in vitro can be translated to in vivo pregnancy. Our objective was to develop macaque trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) as an in vitro platform for future assessment of primate trophoblast development and function. Macaque TSC lines were generated by isolating first and second trimester placental villous cytotrophoblasts followed by culture in TSC medium to maintain cellular proliferation. TSCs grew as mononuclear colonies, whereas upon induction of syncytiotrophoblast (ST) differentiation multinuclear structures appeared, indicative of syncytium formation. Chorionic gonadotropin secretion was > 4000-fold higher in ST culture media compared to TSC media. The secretion of chorionic gonadotropin by TSC-derived ST reflects a reprogramming of macaque TSCs to an earlier pregnancy phenotype. Characteristic trophoblast hallmarks were defined in TSCs and ST including expression of C19MC miRNAs and the macaque placental nonclassical MHC class I molecule, Mamu-AG. Extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) were derived that express macaque EVT markers Mamu-AG and CD56, and also secrete high levels of MMP2. Our analyses of macaque TSCs suggests that these cells represent a proliferative, self-renewing population capable of differentiating to STs and EVTs in vitro thereby establishing an experimental model of primate placentation.
Activating Hydroperoxides by Vanadium(V) Compounds
Authors: Hartung Jens
Published: November 2020

Compounds of vanadium(v) activate hydroperoxides via two border mechanisms. The first mechanism operates in hydroperoxide-mediated oxidations catalysed by protonated orthovanadates in protic solvents, as encountered in marine bromoperoxidases. The substrate to be oxidized by bromoperoxidases is bromide, requiring hydrogen peroxide to be converted into an electrophile. A scale allowing estimating peroxide electrophilicity uses σ*(O,O)-orbital energies. Anionic vanadium(v) peroxides σ*(O,O) energies are above limit, defined by the energy of the corresponding orbital in hydrogen peroxide – a substrate that in pH-neutral environment is inert toward bromide. Adequate peroxide electrophilicity in the bromoperoxidase reaction is attainable from the side-on-conformer of orthovanadium(v) peroxoic, transferring with virtually no activation energy the proximal peroxide oxygen to bromide from the octahydrate. The second border mechanism operates when donating substituents at orthovanadate(v) and hydroperoxide compensate withdrawing orbital effects of the metal in peroxy compounds of vanadium(v), for example in trialkyl orthovanadate-catalysed oxidations by TBHP in aprotic solvents. Side-on conformation in such cases does not stabilize σ(O,O) and σ*(O,O), but assists heterolytically breaking the peroxide bond, and the bond between vanadium and the distal peroxide oxygen for being transferred to a reductant.
Peroxo-vanadium Complexes as Sustainable Catalysts in Oxidations, Halogenations and Other Organic Transformations
Authors: Sabuzi F. , Pomarico G. , Conte V. , Galloni P.
Published: November 2020

Vanadium in its high-oxidation state can activate hydrogen peroxide and other alkyl hydroperoxides, generating highly active oxidising species, namely vanadium peroxido-complexes. Several studies have been performed to deeply investigate structural features and reactivity of such species. In this chapter, the application of V-peroxido-complexes in oxidation and halogenation reactions will be discussed. Specifically, oxidation of different hydrocarbon substrates (i.e., alkanes, alkenes, aromatics), alcohols, phenols and sulphides, as well as the catalytic bromination reaction of diverse organic substrates will be addressed. Notably, vanadium peroxido-complexes result in effective catalysts to perform these transformations in very mild conditions. Importantly, the feasibility of the proposed procedures on a large scale allows their exploitation for appealing applicative purposes. Examples of lignin valorisation, fuel desulfurization, as well as clean synthetic methodologies for developing interesting building blocks for synthetic, industrial and pharmaceutic applications will be summarised.
Catalysis by Oxometalates and Their Microheterogeneous Media
Authors: Lodh J. , Roy S.
Published: November 2020

Applications of oxometalates in catalysis have been a long and ongoing endeavour. In this chapter, in addition to archiving the chemistry of oxometalates in catalysing oxidative, reductive and photoredox reactions along with acid and base catalysed reactions, we will highlight examples of reactions that can harvest energy. We will go further and introduce the micro-heterogeneous media or the state of soft-oxometalates in diverse catalysis. The overview concludes with a perspective on the future directions of catalysis research with oxometalates.
Vanadium-catalyzed Olefin Oligomerization, Polymerization and Copolymerization
Authors: Zhang Shu , Zhang Wenjuan
Published: November 2020

Vanadium catalysts, among the most important ones, display unique characteristics in olefin polymerization, namely in the preparation of amorphous polymers in ethylene/propylene/non-conjugated diene copolymerization, syndiotactic polypropylene in propylene polymerization and polyethylene with high-molecular weight. In this chapter, the efficient vanadium catalysts with various ligands for olefin oligomerization, polymerization and copolymerization will be introduced in detail.
Vanadium-catalysed Olefin Metathesis and Related Chemistry
Authors: Nomura Kotohiro
Published: November 2020

In this chapter, reported syntheses of vanadium–alkylidene complexes and some of their reactions and applications as catalysts for ring-opening metathesis polymerisation (ROMP) of cyclic olefins are summarised. (Imido)vanadium(v)-alkylidene complexes of the type V(CHSiMe3)(NR)(X)(L)n [R=adamantyl, aryl; X=phenoxide, alkoxide etc.; L=PMe3 etc.; n=1,2] exhibit moderate to remarkable catalytic activities for the ROMP of norbornene and the derivatives. The ligand modification in V(CHSiMe3)(N-2,6-Cl2C6H3)[OC(CF3)3](PMe3)2 enables the cis-specific ROMP; the activity increased at high temperature (80 °C) with high specificity (>98%) upon addition of PMe3. The activities were affected by the ligand substituents, and V(CHSiMe3)(N-2,6-Cl2C6H3)(OC6Cl5)(PMe3)2 catalyses ROMP of cycloheptene and cis-cyclooctene; the ROMP of cis-cyclooctene proceeded in a living manner even at 80 °C.
Vanadium-induced Oxidative and Reductive Coupling
Authors: Amaya T. , Hirao T.
Published: November 2020

One-electron oxidation capability with Lewis acidity of oxovanadium(v) compounds allows oxidative carbon–carbon bond formation. A combination of boron enolate and silyl enol ether is effective for the selective cross-oxidative coupling. Ligand-coupling reactions, which are coupling reactions of organic substituents on main-group organometallic compounds, are also induced by oxidation with oxovanadium(v) compounds. As main-group metals, Al, Zn, B, etc., can be used in these reactions. Low-valent vanadiums or titaniums contribute to reductive coupling reactions as a catalyst, as exemplified by pinacol coupling reaction, which requires the presence of chlorosilane and co-reductant, zinc. Use of an heterobimetallic catalyst consisted of vanadium and titanium permits the selective cross-coupling between aryl and aliphatic aldehydes.
Reductive Dioxygen Activation by Biomimetic Vanadium Complexes
Authors: Drouza C. , Keramidas A.
Published: November 2020

The high importance of the peroxido-vanadium complexes in many oxidative catalytic reactions has enhanced the research interest in investigating molecular oxygen activation by ligation of O2 on vanadium metal ions. Dioxygen (O2) is a benign, cheap and economically viable oxidant. The activation of O2 by metal ions is a key challenge for modeling biological processes and in applications such as the homogeneous oxidative alkane functionalization, the production of hydrogen peroxide and emerging energy technologies. The activation of O2 by vanadium complexes may involve either coordination and partial reduction of O2 or, in rare cases, the attack of O2 on the organic ligand activated by ligation to metal ion. In this chapter, the advances of dioxygen activation by simple functional vanadium complexes will be reviewed.
Vanadium in Catalytically Proceeding Natural Processes
Authors: Rehder Dieter
Published: November 2020

Vanadium plays a pivotal role in two enzymes, vanadium-dependent nitrogenases present in several bacterial strains, and vanadate-dependent haloperoxidases found in various brown and red sea-weeds and in hyphomycetes. Nitrogenases convert dinitrogen to ammonium ions but eventually also exhibit carbon monoxide and alkyne reductase activity. Haloperoxidases oxidise, with the help of peroxide, halides to hypohalous acids. As a phosphate antagonist, vanadate can interact with substrates otherwise subjected to phosphatase activity. Moreover, amavadin – a non-oxidovanadium compound found in amanita mushrooms – displays catalase and peroxidase activity.
Vanadium Catalysis Relevant to Nitrogenase
Authors: Pan Hung-Ruei , Hsu Hua-Fen
Published: November 2020

This chapter focuses on vanadium nitrogenase and vanadium complexes showing catalytic reactivity relevant to nitrogenase. The structural and catalytic features of the protein are described. Examples of synthetic vanadium complexes serving as catalysts for (1) dinitrogen reduction to ammonia, (2) silylation of N2 into silylamine and (3) reduction and disproportionation of N2H4 into NH3 are documented.
Candida albicans steryl 6-O-acyl-α-d-mannosides agonize signalling through Mincle
Authors: Nguyen Tram , Hosono Yuki , Shimizu Takashi , Yamasaki Sho , Williams Spencer J.
Published: November 2020

Cholesteryl and ergosteryl 6-O-acyl-α-d-mannosides from Candida albicans signal through the innate immunity receptor Mincle.
Hierarchical Z-scheme Fe2O3@ZnIn2S4 core–shell heterostructures with enhanced adsorption capacity enabling significantly improved photocatalytic CO2 reduction
Authors: Zhao Zihan , Shi Chuanxin , Shen Qi , Li Wenjuan , Men Dandan , Xu Bo , Sun Yiqiang , Li Cuncheng
Published: November 2020

The challenge of sunlight-driven CO2 reduction is to achieve efficient photocatalysts with exceptional molecule adsorption ability and efficient charge-separation efficiency.
Construction of high-nuclear 4p–4f heterometallic {Ln11Ge12} cluster-organic frameworks with high-sensitivity luminescence sensing of Fe3+ in aqueous solution
Authors: Li Leilei , Cai Bin , Pang Donghui , Du Xinxin , Yin Xingliang , Wang Huaiwei , Yang Jie , Li Dacheng , Dou Jianmin
Published: November 2020

The [Pr11Ge12] 4p–4f cluster-organic framework shows highly selective and sensitive sensing of Fe3+ in aqueous solution.
Circular dichroism, anisotropy and absorption spectroscopy of chlorophyll b in methanol and mixed methanol–water solutions
Authors: Kjær Christina , Jones Nykola C. , Stockett Mark H. , Hoffmann Søren Vrønning , Nielsen Steen Brøndsted
Published: November 2020

Synchrotron radiation CD and anisotropy spectroscopy reveal intricacies of chlorophyll b aggregate formation mediated by water.
DRACON: disconnected graph neural network for atom mapping in chemical reactions
Authors: Nikitin Filipp , Isayev Olexandr , Strijov Vadim
Published: November 2020

We formulate a reaction prediction problem in terms of node-classification in a disconnected graph of source molecules and generalize a graph convolution neural network for disconnected graphs.
Malvidin-3-O-arabinoside ameliorates ethyl carbamate-induced oxidative damage by stimulating AMPK-mediated autophagy
Authors: Li Yuting , Xu Yang , Xie Jiahong , Chen Wei
Published: November 2020

Blueberry anthocyanin malvidin-3-O-arabinoside inhibited ethyl carbamate-induced oxidative damageviapromotion of AMPK-mediated autophagy.
Confinement of PMo12 in hollow SiO2-PMo12@rGO nanospheres for high-performance lithium storage
Authors: Hu Hanbin , Jia Xueying , Wang Jiaxin , Chen Wei , He Lei , Song Yu-Fei
Published: November 2020

High-performance lithium storage was achieved by the confinement of PMo12 in hollow SiO2-PMo12@rGO nanocomposites.
Ruthenium/acid co-catalyzed reductive α-phosphinoylation of 1,8-naphthyridines with diarylphosphine oxides
Authors: Guan Rongqing , Zhao He , Cao Liang , Jiang Huanfeng , Zhang Min
Published: November 2020

By an in situ coupling-interrupted transfer hydrogenation strategy, a direct construction of novel α-phosphinoyl 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthyridines via ruthenium/acid co-catalyzed reductive α-phosphinoylation of 1,8-naphthyridines with diarylphosphine oxides is demonstrated.
Amplified piezoelectrically actuated on-chip flow switching for a rapid and stable microfluidic fluorescence activated cell sorter
Authors: Cai Kunpeng , Mankar Shruti , Maslova Anastasia , Ajiri Taiga , Yotoriyama Tasuku
Published: November 2020

With the potential to avoid cross-contamination, eliminate bio-aerosols, and minimize device footprints, microfluidic fluorescence-activated cell sorting (μ-FACS) devices could become the platform for the next generation cell sorter.
Effects of Al-dopant at Ni or Co sites in LiNi0.6Co0.3Ti0.1O2 on interlayer slabs (Li–O) and intralayer slabs (TM–O) and their influence on the electrochemical performance of cathode materials
Authors: Wan Azizan Wan Aida Hazwani , Kasim Muhd Firdaus , Elong Kelimah , Rusdi Roshidah , Mohd Rosnan Rizuan , Kamarulzaman Norlida
Published: November 2020

Al substitute into Ni site increase Li–O and reduce M–O atomic distance lead to excellent cycleability with high energy density.
Fabrication of a PVDF membrane with tailored morphology and properties via exploring and computing its ternary phase diagram for wastewater treatment and gas separation applications
Authors: Ashtiani S. , Khoshnamvand M. , Číhal P. , Dendisová M. , Randová A. , Bouša D. , Shaliutina-Kolešová A. , Sofer Z. , Friess K.
Published: November 2020

We report a simple approach for tailoring the morphology of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membranes fabricated using a nonsolvent induced phase separation (NIPS) method that sustains both the hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties.
Macro‐pixel‐wise CNN‐based filtering for quality enhancement of light field images
Authors: Huang H. , Schiopu I. , Munteanu A.
Published: November 2020

The Letter introduces a novel filtering method based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for quality enhancement of light field (LF) images captured by a plenoptic camera and compressed using high‐efficiency video coding (HEVC). The method takes advantage of the macro‐pixel (MP) structure specific to the LF images and proposes a novel MP‐wise filtering approach based on a novel deep neural network architecture. The proposed CNN‐based method achieves an outstanding performance when HEVC is employed without its in‐loop filters. Experimental results show high luminance‐peak signal‐to‐noise ratio (Y‐PSNR) gains and average Y‐Bjøntegaard delta (BD)‐rate savings of over HEVC on a large data set.
Resources of the Manchurian pheasant (Phasianus colchicus pallasi) in the Amur region
Authors: Toushkin Aleksandr , Toushkina Alia , Matveeva Olga , Senchik Aleksandr
Published: November 2020

This article is based on the materials of long-term (2000-2019) data of winter route census (WMA) of the Manchurian pheasant population inhabiting the Amur Region. The main limiting factors causing fluctuations in the number of these bird species have been identified. The spatial distribution of birds by habitat within the range in the study area is considered. In winter, the main ecological factors that determine the features of the spatial distribution and the success of wintering of grouse birds in a sharply continental climate with monsoon features are the presence and abundance of available food and the state of the snow cover. In some cases, it is deep snow that determines the success of bird wintering. At night, at extremely low temperatures and strong winds, birds die from a lack of snow cover: either the snow cover is not deep enough, or a crust is formed (when thawing / due to wind). In the spring-summer period, the main limiting factors for birds that survived the winter are weather and climatic conditions that affect the survival of clutch and young stock; natural emergencies (fires, floods, floods, etc.), diseases, anthropogenic factors, etc.
Morphofunctional changes in the digestive organs of pigs under the influence of soy processing product-okara
Authors: Karamushkina Svetlana , Kuryatova Elena , Gruzdova Olesay , Kornilova Alena
Published: November 2020

Okara obtained by processing soy grown in the Amur region contains twice as much raw and digestible protein as the product produced in the Western regions of our country. According to zootechnical analysis, it contains a mass fraction of crude protein of 29.58% and the amount of digested protein of 266.22 g. Its unnormalized use as a protein Supplement during intensive fattening of pigs causes fatty dystrophy of acinar cells and infiltrative growth of adipose and connective tissue, degenerative degeneration of the endocrine part of the glandular epithelium of the pancreas. Observed in liver cirrhotic transformation and protein-fatty degeneration of hepatocytes In 12-duodenum of piglets us were diagnosed with moderate diffuse chronic atrophic duodenitis, which manifests as thinning of the mucosa, flattening of surface epithelium, reducing the number of crypts and villi. The results of histological studies of the main digestive glands (pancreas and liver), as well as the small intestine allow us to conclude that soy Okara from Amur producers has a negative effect on the morpho-functional state of the digestive system, and as a result, a decrease in the digestibility and digestibility of nutritional components of the feed.
Influence of experimental feed additives on growth, development and productivity of young pigs
Authors: Gerasimovich Alexander , Gogulov Vyacheslav , Chabaev Magomed
Published: November 2020

Pig farming is one of the dynamically developing branches of animal husbandry. Of all the factors that determine the success of the livestock industry, the most important is biologically complete animal feeding, which makes it possible to realize the genetic potential of animals. Numerous scientific developments show that the use of local non-traditional feed additives in combination with probiotic and enzymatic preparations in pig feeding is currently promising. The geographical location of the Amur region makes it possible to widely use cheap seaweed in animal feeding. In the course of scientific research, scientists have already proven the effectiveness of feeding brown algae to animals. As for the red algae, the representative of which is anfeltia red, research on its use in pig feeding in the Amur region was conducted for the first time. Ahnfeltia red contains a small amount of regulated organic and biologically active substances. The aim of experimental studies was to study the effect of feeding red anfeltia separately and together with the enzymatic probiotic “Vitacell” on the metabolism and productivity of young pigs. In the process of conducting scientific and economic balance (physiological) experiments established that the inclusion in the feed of angelli red together with probiotic “of Vitacell” helped to increase average daily gains, increase the intensity of metabolic processes and to improve the fattening qualities of young pigs.
The impact assessment of environmental factors on ascariasis incidence
Authors: Martsev Anton
Published: November 2020

In order to make effective managerial decisions regarding sanitary-epidemiological and preventive measures, the environmental factors potentially affecting the ascariasis epidemic process in the Vladimir region (Russia) have been searched. The archived statistics on ascariasis incidence among the population has been analyzed concerning the state of the environment, socio-economic situation, as well as climate indicators in region. Statistical data processing and correlation and regression analysis have been performed using the STATISTICA software. The maps have been compiled and edited using ArcView 3.1 GIS and standard Paint computer programs. The study showed that climatic environmental parameters determining the possibility of ascaris developing eggs in the environment reaching the infective stage retain the leading role in ascariasis epidemiology in the Vladimir region. The regional factor influencing the epidemic process is air pollution from stationary objects. The mathematical equation was made to forecast the morbidity level in the region. The obtained data can be used for risk assessment of ascariasis infection in order to ensure biological safety in the region.
A study of new varieties of spring wheat selected at Far Eastern State Agrarian University in crop variety nurseries
Authors: Mishenko Larisa , Terekhin Mikhail , Terekhin Nikolai
Published: November 2020

The most important provision for ensuring high, stable spring wheat yields is the cultivation of new varieties, adapted to local agricultural conditions. Amur region’s specific climate and rapid development of fungal diseases during the vegetation period require particular crop varieties that are resistant to adverse factors. To create a variety that combines several targeted parameters that are stably manifested under different vegetation conditions in different years is a difficult and troublesome task since in many cases the needed features have an inverse dependence. The following paper presents the results of a three-year study of new varieties of spring wheat from cultivation nurseries. The data of field studies on the height of plants and their resistance to lodging and diseases, the duration of vegetation season, and productivity are presented. The analysis of grain quality of new varieties of wheat from Far Eastern State Agrarian University selection for hardness, natural weight, and kernel size was conducted. Most of the studied cultivation samples are medium-sized, quite resistant to lodging, successfully withstanding significant soil excessive moistening. Against natural infection background, some varieties are resistant to such dangerous, widespread infections as dust-brand, grain fusariose, and kernel black point of grain. Varieties with yields above standard, which can be classified by the quality of grain as valuable and strong wheat were identified. As part of the analysis of obtained data on several economically valuable traits, four promising spring wheat varieties can be distinguished to recommend them for the federal variety test: KSI-6, 13, 17, 18.
Effect of Light Simplified Cultivation Mode on Growth and Yield of Rice under Straw Returning Condition
Authors: Cang Baifeng , Jiang Hao , Ma Rong , Li Yunzhe , Cui Jingjing , Wu Zhihai
Published: November 2020

In order to study the application of light and simplified cultivation mode in straw returning field. In the experiment, two treatments of straw returning and non-straw returning were used under the light simplified cultivation mode, and the differences of tiller number, dry matter accumulation, leaf area index, chlorophyll and yield were studied. Field cultivation experiments were carried out with Jihong 9 and Jinongda 138. The results showed that the yields of Jihong 9 and Jinongda138 straw returning to the field under the light and simplified cultivation mode were 2.00% and 3.63% higher than those under the non-straw returning mode. The total grain number in the yield components increased by 3.35% and 11.60% respectively. Dry matter increased by 19.70% and 7.66% in mature period. The leaf area index (LAI) and SPAD value in the later period of straw returning were higher than those in the non-straw returning, and the number of effective tillers was lower. Light and simplified cultivation can be used as a new mode of rice high-yield cultivation under straw returning, which improves the total grain number, leaf area index, SPAD value and dry matter in the later stage, and increases rice yield. The yield advantage of Jinongda 138 under straw returning (SJ138) is more significant.
The influence of diatomite on the growth and development of Hordeum sativum on ordinary chernozem polluted with benzo[a]pyrene
Authors: Barakhov Anatoly , Minkina Tatiana , Dudnikova Tamara , Chernikova Natalia , Lebedenko Viacheslav , Ponomareva Svetlana , Shvedova Svetlana , Rudoy Dmitry , Olshevskaya Anastasiya , Polushkin Oleg
Published: November 2020

The effect of various doses of diatomite introduced into soil artificially contaminated by benzo[a]pyrene was analyzed. The negative effect of benzo[a]pyrene on the growth of barley (Hordeum sativum distichum) seedlings and reduction of toxic effect of polyarene on plants after implementation of diatomite as a sorbent into contaminated soil are shown. A significant increase (by 2–3 times) of the plant growth in contaminated soil with the addition of diatomite has been revealed. The introduction of 2.5% diatomite into contaminated soil had the significant positive effect on barley seedlings.
Influence of powder from tuber topinambur on the consumer properties of venison cutlets in storage
Authors: Zaсhesova Inessa , Kolobov Stanislav , Shagaeva Natalia
Published: November 2020

For the first time, studies were conducted on changes in the consumer properties of cutlets with powder from Jerusalem artichoke tubers during storage. In solving these problems, generally accepted special organoleptic, physicochemical, microbiological, structural and mechanical methods for studying the properties of finished products were used. It has been established that venison cutlets with Jerusalem artichoke tubers powder are characterized by greater stability of consumer properties compared to cutlets without Jerusalem artichoke tubers powder. During freezing and subsequent storage of cutlets, a decrease in water binding capacity and an increase in losses during heat treatment were noted. It should be noted that these changes were less pronounced in cutlets with powder from Jerusalem artichoke tubers, compared with cutlets without powder from Jerusalem artichoke tubers. It was found that cutlets with powder from Jerusalem artichoke tubers produced with powder from Jerusalem artichoke tubers showed a lower level of lipid oxidation compared to cutlets without powder from Jerusalem artichoke tubers. The results of the tasting assessment confirmed the high quality of venison cutlets with Jerusalem artichoke tubers powder.