bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on valuable metal incorporation in the Fe–Al precipitate during neutralization of LIB leach solution
Authors: Chernyaev Alexander , Wilson Benjamin P. , Lundström Mari
Published: December 2021

The role of aluminum concentration and pH in the purification of waste Li-ion battery leach solution was investigated using NaOH and LiOH as neutralization agents ([H2SO4] = 0.313 M, t = 6 h). Solution was prepared from synthetic chemicals to mimic real battery leach solution. Results demonstrate that pH (3.5–5.5) has a significant effect on the precipitation of metals (Fe, Al, Ni, Cu, Co, Mn, and Li), whereas higher temperature (T = 30 and 60 °C) decreases the precipitation pH of metals. Iron and aluminum were both found to precipitate at ca. pH 4 and the presence of aluminum in PLS clearly decreased the separation efficiency of Fe vs. active material metals (Ni, Co, Li). In the absence of dissolved aluminum, Fe precipitated already at pH 3.5 and did not result in the co-precipitation of other metals. Additionally, the Al-free slurry had a superior filtration performance. However, aluminum concentrations of 2 and 4 g/L were found to cause loss of Ni (2–10%), Co (1–2%) and Li (2–10%) to the Fe-Al hydroxide cake at pH 4. The use of LiOH (vs. NaOH) resulted in 50% lower co-precipitation of Ni, Co and Li. Overall, these results demonstrate that hydroxide precipitation can be an effective method to remove iron from battery waste leach solutions at aluminum concentrations of < 2 g/L only. Although the highest level of lithium loss in the cake was found at pH 4, the loss was shown to decrease with increasing pH.
Modelling ocean acidification effects with life stage-specific responses alters spatiotemporal patterns of catch and revenues of American lobster, Homarus americanus
Authors: Tai Travis C. , Calosi Piero , Gurney-Smith Helen J. , Cheung William W. L.
Published: December 2021

Ocean acidification (OA) affects marine organisms through various physiological and biological processes, yet our understanding of how these translate to large-scale population effects remains limited. Here, we integrated laboratory-based experimental results on the life history and physiological responses to OA of the American lobster, Homarus americanus, into a dynamic bioclimatic envelope model to project future climate change effects on species distribution, abundance, and fisheries catch potential. Ocean acidification effects on juvenile stages had the largest stage-specific impacts on the population, while cumulative effects across life stages significantly exerted the greatest impacts, albeit quite minimal. Reducing fishing pressure leads to overall increases in population abundance while setting minimum size limits also results in more higher-priced market-sized lobsters (> 1 lb), and could help mitigate the negative impacts of OA and concurrent stressors (warming, deoxygenation). However, the magnitude of increased effects of climate change overweighs any moderate population gains made by changes in fishing pressure and size limits, reinforcing that reducing greenhouse gas emissions is most pressing and that climate-adaptive fisheries management is necessary as a secondary role to ensure population resiliency. We suggest possible strategies to mitigate impacts by preserving important population demographics.
Multiomics analysis of soybean meal induced marine fish enteritis in juvenile pearl gentian grouper, Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂
Authors: Zhang Wei , Tan Beiping , Deng Junming , Haitao Zhang
Published: December 2021

As an important protein source, soybean products can cause intestinal inflammation and injury in many animals including human beings, particularly infants and juvenile individuals. Research in this field has been performed for terrestrial animals and fish, but still lacks integrity and systematicness. In this study, the main biological processes in the intestinal tract of marine fish juvenile pearl gentian grouper in the state of soybean meal-induced enteritis (SBMIE) were analyzed. A total of 720 groupers with an approximate initial weight of 12.5 g were randomly divided into three groups: the fish meal (FM) control group, the 20% SBM group (SBM20), and the SBM40 group (n = 4). Three iso-nitrogenous and iso-lipidic diets were prepared and fed to fish for 10 weeks. Each barrel contained a water volume of about 1 m3 in and was exposed to natural light and temperature. Results indicated that the growth and physiology of groupers fed with SBM were significantly negatively affected, with the gene expressions of intestinal structural protein abnormal. 16SrDNA high-throughput sequencing showed that the intestinal microflora played an important role in the pathogenesis of pearl gentian grouper SBMIE, which may activate a variety of pathogen pattern recognition receptors, such as toll-like receptors (TLRs), RIG-I-like receptors, and nod-like receptors. Transcriptome analysis revealed that changes of the SBMIE signaling pathway in pearl gentian groupers were conservative to some extent than that of terrestrial animals and freshwater fish. Moreover, the TLRs-nuclear factor kappa-B signaling pathway becomes activated, which played an important role in SBMIE. Meanwhile, the signal pathways related to nutrient absorption and metabolism were generally inhibited. Metabolomics analysis showed that isoflavones and saponins accounted for a large proportion in the potential biomarkers of pearl gentian grouper SBMIE, and most of the biomarkers had significantly positive or negative correlations with each other; 56 metabolites were exchanged between intestinal tissues and contents, which may play an important role in the development of enteritis, including unsaturated fatty acids, organic acids, amino acids, vitamins, small peptides, and nucleotides, etc. These results provide a basic theoretical reference for solving the intestinal issues of fish SBMIE and research of inflammatory bowel disease in mammals.
Spatial variation of perfusion MRI reflects cognitive decline in mild cognitive impairment and early dementia
Authors: Morgan Catherine A. , Melzer Tracy R. , Roberts Reece P. , Wiebels Kristina , Mutsaerts Henk J. M. M. , Spriggs Meg J. , Dalrymple-Alford John C. , Anderson Tim J. , Cutfield Nicholas J. , Deib Gerard , Pfeuffer Josef , Addis Donna Rose , Kirk Ian J. , Tippett Lynette J.
Published: December 2021

Cerebral blood flow (CBF) measured with arterial spin labelling (ASL) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reflects cerebral perfusion, related to metabolism, and arterial transit time (ATT), related to vascular health. Our aim was to investigate the spatial coefficient of variation (sCoV) of CBF maps as a surrogate for ATT, in volunteers meeting criteria for subjective cognitive decline (SCD), amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and probable Alzheimer’s dementia (AD). Whole-brain pseudo continuous ASL MRI was performed at 3 T in 122 participants (controls = 20, SCD = 44, MCI = 45 and AD = 13) across three sites in New Zealand. From CBF maps that included all grey matter, sCoV progressively increased across each group with increased cognitive deficit. A similar overall trend was found when examining sCoV solely in the temporal lobe. We conclude that sCoV, a simple to compute imaging metric derived from ASL MRI, is sensitive to varying degrees of cognitive changes and supports the view that vascular health contributes to cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Gut microbiota develop towards an adult profile in a sex-specific manner during puberty
Authors: Korpela Katri , Kallio Sampo , Salonen Anne , Hero Matti , Kukkonen Anna Kaarina , Miettinen Päivi J. , Savilahti Erkki , Kohva Ella , Kariola Laura , Suutela Maria , Tarkkanen Annika , de Vos Willem M. , Raivio Taneli , Kuitunen Mikael
Published: December 2021

Accumulating evidence indicates that gut microbiota may regulate sex-hormone levels in the host, with effects on reproductive health. Very little is known about the development of intestinal microbiota during puberty in humans. To assess the connection between pubertal timing and fecal microbiota, and to assess how fecal microbiota develop during puberty in comparison with adult microbiota, we utilized a Finnish allergy-prevention-trial cohort (Flora). Data collected at 13-year follow-up were compared with adult data from a different Finnish cohort. Among the 13-year-old participants we collected questionnaire information, growth data from school-health-system records and fecal samples from 148 participants. Reference adult fecal samples were received from the Health and Early Life Microbiota (HELMi) cohort (n = 840). Fecal microbiota were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing; the data were correlated with pubertal timing and compared with data on adult microbiota. Probiotic intervention in the allergy-prevention-trial cohort was considered as a confounding factor only. The main outcome was composition of the microbiota in relation to pubertal timing (time to/from peak growth velocity) in both sexes separately, and similarity to adult microbiota. In girls, fecal microbiota became more adult-like with pubertal progression (p = 0.009). No such development was observed in boys (p = 0.9). Both sexes showed a trend towards increasing relative abundance of estrogen-metabolizing Clostridia and decreasing Bacteroidia with pubertal development, but this was statistically significant in girls only (p = 0.03). In girls, pubertal timing was associated positively with exposure to cephalosporins prior to the age of 10. Our data support the hypothesis that gut microbiota, particularly members of Ruminococcaceae, may affect pubertal timing, possibly via regulating host sex-hormone levels.

Trial registration The registration number for the allergy-prevention-trial cohort: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00298337, registered 1 March 2006—Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00298337. The adult-comparison cohort (HELMi) is NCT03996304.
Non-monotonic variation of the Kramers point band gap with increasing magnetic doping in BiTeI
Authors: Shikin A. M. , Rybkina A. A. , Estyunin D. A. , Klimovskikh I. I. , Rybkin A. G. , Filnov S. O. , Koroleva A. V. , Shevchenko E. V. , Likholetova M. V. , Voroshnin V. Yu. , Petukhov A. E. , Kokh K. A. , Tereshchenko O. E. , Petaccia L. , Di Santo G. , Kumar S. , Kimura A. , Skirdkov P. N. , Zvezdin K. A. , Zvezdin A. K.
Published: December 2021

Polar Rashba-type semiconductor BiTeI doped with magnetic elements constitutes one of the most promising platforms for the future development of spintronics and quantum computing thanks to the combination of strong spin-orbit coupling and internal ferromagnetic ordering. The latter originates from magnetic impurities and is able to open an energy gap at the Kramers point (KP gap) of the Rashba bands. In the current work using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) we show that the KP gap depends non-monotonically on the doping level in case of V-doped BiTeI. We observe that the gap increases with V concentration until it reaches 3% and then starts to mitigate. Moreover, we find that the saturation magnetisation of samples under applied magnetic field studied by superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer has a similar behaviour with the doping level. Theoretical analysis shows that the non-monotonic behavior can be explained by the increase of antiferromagnetic coupled atoms of magnetic impurity above a certain doping level. This leads to the reduction of the total magnetic moment in the domains and thus to the mitigation of the KP gap as observed in the experiment. These findings provide further insight in the creation of internal magnetic ordering and consequent KP gap opening in magnetically-doped Rashba-type semiconductors.
Preclinical therapeutics ex ovo quail eggs as a biomimetic automation-ready xenograft platform
Authors: Rasmussen Samuel V. , Berlow Noah E. , Price Lisa Hudson , Mansoor Atiya , Cairo Stefano , Rugonyi Sandra , Keller Charles
Published: December 2021

Preclinical cancer research ranges from in vitro studies that are inexpensive and not necessarily reflective of the tumor microenvironment to mouse studies that are better models but prohibitively expensive at scale. Chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assays utilizing Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) are a cost-effective screening method to precede and minimize the scope of murine studies for anti-cancer efficacy and drug toxicity. To increase the throughput of CAM assays we have built and optimized an 11-day platform for processing up to 200 quail eggs per screening to evaluate drug efficacy and drug toxicity caused by a therapeutic. We demonstrate ex ovo concordance with murine in vivo studies, even when the in vitro and in vivo studies diverge, suggesting a role for this quail shell-free CAM xenograft assay in the validation of new anti-cancer agents.
The association between gut microbiome affecting concomitant medication and the effectiveness of immunotherapy in patients with stage IV NSCLC
Authors: Verschueren M. V. , van der Welle C. M. Cramer - , Tonn M. , Schramel F. M. N. H. , Peters B. J. M. , van de Garde E. M. W.
Published: December 2021

Several observational studies suggested that gut microbiome-affecting-medication impairs the effectiveness of immunotherapy in patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We postulated that if the effectiveness of immunotherapy is affected by drug-related changes of the microbiome, a stronger association between the use of co-medication and overall survival (OS) will be observed in patients treated with immunotherapy as compared to patients treated with chemotherapy. In a retrospective matched cohort study, immunotherapy patients were matched (1:1) to patients treated with chemotherapy in the pre immunotherapy era. The association between the use of antibiotics, opioids, proton pump inhibitors, metformin and other antidiabetics on OS was assessed with multivariable cox-regression analyses. Interaction tests were applied to investigate whether the association differs between patients treated with immuno- or chemotherapy. A total of 442 patients were studied. The use of antibiotics was associated with worse OS (adjusted Hazard Ratio (aHR) 1.39, p = 0.02) independent of the type of therapy (chemotherapy or immunotherapy). The use of opioids was also associated with worse OS (aHR 1.33, p = 0.01). The other drugs studied showed no association with OS. Interaction term testing showed no effect modification by immuno- or chemotherapy for the association of antibiotics and opioids with OS. The use of antibiotics and opioids is similarly associated with worse outcomes in both chemotherapy and immunotherapy treated NSCLC patients. This suggests that the association is likely to be a consequence of confounding rather than disturbing the composition of the microbiome.
New statistical model for misreported data with application to current public health challenges
Authors: Moriña David , Fernández-Fontelo Amanda , Cabaña Alejandra , Puig Pedro
Published: December 2021

The main goal of this work is to present a new model able to deal with potentially misreported continuous time series. The proposed model is able to handle the autocorrelation structure in continuous time series data, which might be partially or totally underreported or overreported. Its performance is illustrated through a comprehensive simulation study considering several autocorrelation structures and three real data applications on human papillomavirus incidence in Girona (Catalonia, Spain) and Covid-19 incidence in two regions with very different circumstances: the early days of the epidemic in the Chinese region of Heilongjiang and the most current data from Catalonia.
A novel paper MAP method for rapid high resolution histological analysis
Authors: Lee Mirae , Woo Jiwon , Kim Doh-Hee , Yang Yu-Mi , Lee Eunice Yoojin , Kim Jung-Hee , Kang Seok-Gu , Shim Jin-Kyung , Park Jeong-Yoon
Published: December 2021

Three-dimensional visualization of cellular and subcellular-structures in histological-tissues is essential for understanding the complexities of biological-phenomena, especially with regards structural and spatial relationships and pathologlical-diagnosis. Recent advancements in tissue-clearing technology, such as Magnified Analysis of Proteome (MAP), have significantly improved our ability to study biological-structures in three-dimensional space; however, their wide applicability to a variety of tissues is limited by long incubation-times and a need for advanced imaging-systems that are not readily available in most-laboratories. Here, we present optimized MAP-based method for paper-thin samples, Paper-MAP, which allow for rapid clearing and subsequent imaging of three-dimensional sections derived from various tissues using conventional confocal-microscopy. Paper-MAP successfully clear tissues within 1-day, compared to the original-MAP, without significant differences in achieved optical-transparency. As a proof-of-concept, we investigated the vasculature and neuronal-networks of a variety of human and rodent tissues processed via Paper-MAP, in both healthy and diseased contexts, including Alzheimer’s disease and glioma.
PCBP1 regulates the transcription and alternative splicing of metastasis‑related genes and pathways in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Huang Shuai , Luo Kai , Jiang Li , Zhang Xu-Dong , Lv Ying-Hao , Li Ren-Feng
Published: December 2021

PCBP1 is a multifunctional RNA-binding protein (RBP) expressed in most human cells and is involved in posttranscriptional gene regulation. PCBP1 regulates the alternative splicing, translation and RNA stability of many cancer-related genes and has been identified as a potential tumour suppressor gene. PCBP1 inhibits the invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, but there are few studies on the specific regulatory target and mechanism of RBPs in HCC, and it is unclear whether PCBP1 plays a role in tumour metastasis as a splicing factor. We analysed the regulation of gene expression by PCBP1 at the transcriptional level. We obtained and analysed PCBP1-knockdown RNA-seq data and eCLIP-seq data of PCBP1 in HepG2 cells and found that PCBP1 widely regulates the alternative splicing and expression of genes enriched in cancer-related pathways, including extracellular matrix, cell adhesion, small molecule metabolic process and apoptosis. We validated five regulated alternative splicing events affected by PCBP1 using RT-qPCR and found that there was a significant difference in the expression of APOC1 and SPHK1 between tumour and normal tissues. In this study, we provided convincing evidence that human PCBP1 profoundly regulates the splicing of genes associated with tumour metastasis. These findings provide new insight into potential markers or therapeutic targets for HCC treatment.
A single dose of Ultraviolet-A induces proteome remodeling and senescence in primary human keratinocytes
Authors: Valerio Hellen Paula , Ravagnani Felipe Gustavo , Ronsein Graziella Eliza , Di Mascio Paolo
Published: December 2021

Epidermal photoaging contributes to skin fragility over time and it is a risk factor for skin cancer. Photoaging has been associated for a long time with exposure to Ultraviolet-A (UVA) light, the predominant component of the solar ultraviolet radiation. While the cellular mechanisms underlying UVA-induced photoaging in the dermis have been well characterized, UVA’s action on the epidermis remains elusive. Here, proteomic analysis was conducted to derive the cellular responses induced by an environmentally relevant dose of UVA in primary human keratinocytes. We also investigated the effects of UVA on non-transformed immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT cells), bearing potentially oncogenic mutations. We showed that UVA induces proteome remodeling and senescence in primary keratinocytes, eliciting potent antioxidant and pro-inflammatory responses. Additionally, we showed that UVA modulates the secretory phenotype of these cells to the extent of inducing paracrine oxidative stress and immune system activation in pre-malignant keratinocytes. These observations offer insights into the cellular mechanisms by which UVA drives photoaging in the skin.
A machine learning pipeline revealing heterogeneous responses to drug perturbations on vascular smooth muscle cell spheroid morphology and formation
Authors: Vaidyanathan Kalyanaraman , Wang Chuangqi , Krajnik Amanda , Yu Yudong , Choi Moses , Lin Bolun , Jang Junbong , Heo Su-Jin , Kolega John , Lee Kwonmoo , Bae Yongho
Published: December 2021

Machine learning approaches have shown great promise in biology and medicine discovering hidden information to further understand complex biological and pathological processes. In this study, we developed a deep learning-based machine learning algorithm to meaningfully process image data and facilitate studies in vascular biology and pathology. Vascular injury and atherosclerosis are characterized by neointima formation caused by the aberrant accumulation and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) within the vessel wall. Understanding how to control VSMC behaviors would promote the development of therapeutic targets to treat vascular diseases. However, the response to drug treatments among VSMCs with the same diseased vascular condition is often heterogeneous. Here, to identify the heterogeneous responses of drug treatments, we created an in vitro experimental model system using VSMC spheroids and developed a machine learning-based computational method called HETEROID (heterogeneous spheroid). First, we established a VSMC spheroid model that mimics neointima-like formation and the structure of arteries. Then, to identify the morphological subpopulations of drug-treated VSMC spheroids, we used a machine learning framework that combines deep learning-based spheroid segmentation and morphological clustering analysis. Our machine learning approach successfully showed that FAK, Rac, Rho, and Cdc42 inhibitors differentially affect spheroid morphology, suggesting that multiple drug responses of VSMC spheroid formation exist. Overall, our HETEROID pipeline enables detailed quantitative drug characterization of morphological changes in neointima formation, that occurs in vivo, by single-spheroid analysis.
Correlation between elastic modulus and clinical severity of pathological scars: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Hang Jing , Chen Jie , Zhang Weixin , Yuan Tao , Xu Yang , Zhou Bingrong
Published: December 2021

Though widely used to assess pathological scars, the modified Vancouver Scar Scale (mVSS) is neither convenient nor objective. Shear wave elastography (SWE) is used to evaluate the stiffness of pathological scars. We aimed to determine the correlation between mVSS score and elastic modulus (EM) measured by SWE for pathological scars. Clinical information including ultrasound (US) results of the enrolled patients with pathological scars was analyzed. The clinical severity of the pathological scars was evaluated by mVSS. Skin stiffness, as represented by EM, was calculated using SWE. The average EM of the whole scar (EMWHOLE), hardest part of the scar (EMHARDEST), and normal appearance of the skin around the scar (EMNORMAL) were also recorded. Enrolled in this study were 69 pathological scars, including 28 hypertrophic scars and 41 keloids. The univariable regression analyses showed that the EM of pathological scars was closely related to mVSS score, while the linear multivariable regression analyses showed no significantly correlation. Curve fitting and threshold effect analysis revealed that when EMWHOLE was less than 166.6 kPa or EMHARDEST was less than 133.07 kPa, EM was positively correlated with mVSS score. In stratified analysis, there was no significant linear correlation and threshold effect between EMWHOLE and mVSS score in hypertrophic scars or keloids. However, the fully adjusted smooth curves presented a linear association between mVSS score and EMHARDEST in keloids (the adjusted β [95% CI] was 0.010 [0.001, 0.018]), but a threshold and nonlinear association were found in hypertrophic scars. When EMHARDEST was less than 156.13 kPa, the mVSS score increased along with the hardest scar part stiffness; the adjusted β (95% CI) was 0.024 (0.009, 0.038). In conclusion, EM of pathological scars measured by SWE were correlated with mVSS within a threshold range, and showed different association patterns in hypertrophic scars and keloids.
The agglomeration and dispersion dichotomy of human settlements on Earth
Authors: Strano Emanuele , Simini Filippo , De Nadai Marco , Esch Thomas , Marconcini Mattia
Published: December 2021

Human settlements on Earth are scattered in a multitude of shapes, sizes and spatial arrangements. These patterns are often not random but a result of complex geographical, cultural, economic and historical processes that have profound human and ecological impacts. However, little is known about the global distribution of these patterns and the spatial forces that creates them. This study analyses human settlements from high-resolution satellite imagery and provides a global classification of spatial patterns. We find two emerging classes, namely agglomeration and dispersion. In the former, settlements are fewer than expected based on the predictions of scaling theory, while an unexpectedly high number of settlements characterizes the latter. To explain the observed spatial patterns, we propose a model that combines two agglomeration forces and simulates human settlements’ historical growth. Our results show that our model accurately matches the observed global classification (F1: 0.73), helps to understand and estimate the growth of human settlements and, in turn, the distribution and physical dynamics of all human settlements on Earth, from small villages to cities.
Impact of reducing day 1 dexamethasone dose in anthracycline-containing regimens on acute gastrointestinal symptoms associated with breast cancer treatment
Authors: Saito Yoshitaka , Takekuma Yoh , Takeshita Takashi , Sugawara Mitsuru
Published: December 2021

The potential of steroid sparing from day 2 onward is reported in anthracycline-containing regimens for breast cancer treatment. We evaluated whether the reduction of dexamethasone (DEX) dose from 9.9 to 6.6 mg on day 1 is possible in anthracycline-containing treatments. Patients receiving anthracycline-containing regimens were divided into control (9.9 mg DEX on day 1) and reduced (6.6 mg DEX on day 1) groups, and retrospectively evaluated. The complete response (CR) rate and the incidence and severity of nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and fatigue were evaluated. The CR rate in the acute phase (day 1) was 63.1% and 38.1% in the control and reduced groups, respectively, with significant difference (P = 0.01) between the groups. However, no difference was found in the delayed phase (days 2–7). The incidence of anorexia and vomiting during treatment was not statistically different. Severity of nausea tended to, but not statistically, worsen while anorexia significantly worsened in the reduced group. Multivariate analysis suggested that patients < 55 years, with non- or less-alcohol drinking habit (< 5 days/week), and administered reduced-DEX dosage on day 1, have a higher risk of acute nausea development. Thus, reducing day 1 DEX dose in anthracycline-containing regimens is not suitable for acute nausea management.
Oscillatory electroencephalographic patterns of arithmetic problem solving in fourth graders
Authors: Brunner Clemens , Koren Nikolaus A. , Scheucher Judith , Mosbacher Jochen A. , De Smedt Bert , Grabner Roland H. , Vogel Stephan E.
Published: December 2021

Numerous studies have identified neurophysiological correlates of performing arithmetic in adults. For example, oscillatory electroencephalographic (EEG) patterns associated with retrieval and procedural strategies are well established. Whereas fact retrieval has been linked to enhanced left-hemispheric theta ERS (event-related synchronization), procedural strategies are accompanied by increased bilateral alpha ERD (event-related desynchronization). It is currently not clear if these findings generalize to children. Our study is the first to investigate oscillatory EEG activity related to strategy use and arithmetic operations in children. We assessed ERD/ERS correlates of 31 children in fourth grade (aged between nine and ten years) during arithmetic problem solving. We presented multiplication and subtraction problems, which children solved with fact retrieval or a procedure. We analyzed these four problem categories (retrieved multiplications, retrieved subtractions, procedural multiplications, and procedural subtractions) in our study. In summary, we found similar strategy-related patterns to those reported in previous studies with adults. That is, retrieval problems elicited stronger left-hemispheric theta ERS and weaker alpha ERD as compared to procedural problems. Interestingly, we observed neurophysiological differences between multiplications and subtractions within retrieval problems. Although there were no response time or accuracy differences, retrieved multiplications were accompanied by larger theta ERS than retrieved subtractions. This finding could indicate that retrieval of multiplication and subtraction facts are distinct processes, and/or that multiplications are more frequently retrieved than subtractions in this age group.
Dogs (canis familiaris) underestimate the quantity of connected items: first demonstration of susceptibility to the connectedness illusion in non-human animals
Authors: Lõoke Miina , Marinelli Lieta , Agrillo Christian , Guérineau Cécile , Mongillo Paolo
Published: December 2021

In humans, numerical estimation is affected by perceptual biases, such as those originating from the spatial arrangement of elements. Different animal species can also make relative quantity judgements. This includes dogs, who have been proposed as a good model for comparative neuroscience. However, dogs do not show the same perceptual biases observed in humans. Thus, the exact perceptual/cognitive mechanisms underlying quantity estimations in dogs and their degree of similarity with humans are still a matter of debate. Here we explored whether dogs are susceptible to the connectedness illusion, an illusion based on the tendency to underestimate the quantity of interconnected items. Dogs were first trained to choose the larger of two food arrays. Then, they were presented with two arrays containing the same quantity of food, of which one had items interconnected by lines. Dogs significantly selected the array with unconnected items, suggesting that, like in humans, connectedness determines underestimation biases, possibly disrupting the perceptual system’s ability to segment the display into discrete objects. The similarity in dogs’ and humans’ susceptibility to the connectedness, but not to other numerical illusions, suggests that different mechanisms are involved in the estimation of quantity of stimuli with different characteristics.
Genomics and transcriptomics landscapes associated to changes in insulin sensitivity in response to endurance exercise training
Authors: Takeshita Louise Y. , Davidsen Peter K. , Herbert John M. , Antczak Philipp , Hesselink Matthijs K. C. , Schrauwen Patrick , Weisnagel S. John , Robbins Jeremy M. , Gerszten Robert E. , Ghosh Sujoy , Sarzynski Mark A. , Bouchard Claude , Falciani Francesco
Published: December 2021

Despite good adherence to supervised endurance exercise training (EET), some individuals experience no or little improvement in peripheral insulin sensitivity. The genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are currently not understood. By investigating genome-wide variants associated with baseline and exercise-induced changes (∆) in insulin sensitivity index (Si) in healthy volunteers, we have identified novel candidate genes whose mouse knockouts phenotypes were consistent with a causative effect on Si. An integrative analysis of functional genomic and transcriptomic profiles suggests genetic variants have an aggregate effect on baseline Si and ∆Si, focused around cholinergic signalling, including downstream calcium and chemokine signalling. The identification of calcium regulated MEF2A transcription factor as the most statistically significant candidate driving the transcriptional signature associated to ∆Si further strengthens the relevance of calcium signalling in EET mediated Si response.
Self-selective ferroelectric memory realized with semimetalic graphene channel
Authors: Jung Sungchul , Park Jinyoung , Kim Junhyung , Song Wonho , Jo Jaehyeong , Park Hyunjae , Kong Myong , Kang Seokhyeong , Sheeraz Muhammad , Kim Ill Won , Kim Tae Heon , Park Kibog
Published: December 2021

A new concept of read-out method for ferroelectric random-access memory (FeRAM) using a graphene layer as the channel material of bottom-gated field effect transistor structure is demonstrated experimentally. The transconductance of the graphene channel is found to change its sign depending on the direction of spontaneous polarization (SP) in the underlying ferroelectric layer. This indicates that the memory state of FeRAM, specified by the SP direction of the ferroelectric layer, can be sensed unambiguously with transconductance measurements. With the proposed read-out method, it is possible to construct an array of ferroelectric memory cells in the form of a cross-point structure where the transconductance of a crossing cell can be measured selectively without any additional selector. This type of FeRAM can be a plausible solution for fabricating high speed, ultra-low power, long lifetime, and high density 3D stackable non-volatile memory.
Exceptional points in oligomer chains
Authors: Downing Charles Andrew , Saroka Vasil Arkadievich
Published: December 2021

Symmetry underpins our understanding of physical law. Open systems, those in contact with their environment, can provide a platform to explore parity-time symmetry. While classical parity-time symmetric systems have received a lot of attention, especially because of the associated advances in the generation and control of light, there is much more to be discovered about their quantum counterparts. Here we provide a quantum theory which describes the non-Hermitian physics of chains of coupled modes, which has applications across optics and photonics. We elucidate the origin of the exceptional points which govern the parity-time symmetry, survey their signatures in quantum transport, study their influence for correlations, and account for long-range interactions. We also find how the locations of the exceptional points evolve as a function of the chain length and chain parity, capturing how an arbitrary oligomer chain transitions from its unbroken to broken symmetric phase. Our general results provide perspectives for the experimental detection of parity-time symmetric phases in one-dimensional arrays of quantum objects, with consequences for light transport and its degree of coherence.
Configurable pixelated skyrmions on nanoscale magnetic grids
Authors: Zhang Xichao , Xia Jing , Shirai Keiichiro , Fujiwara Hiroshi , Tretiakov Oleg A. , Ezawa Motohiko , Zhou Yan , Liu Xiaoxi
Published: December 2021

Topological spin textures can serve as non-volatile information carriers. Here we study the current-induced dynamics of an isolated magnetic skyrmion on a nanoscale square-grid pinning pattern formed by orthogonal defect lines with reduced magnetic anisotropy. The skyrmion on the square grid can be pixelated with a quantized size of the grid. We demonstrate that the position, size, and shape of skyrmion on the square grid are electrically configurable. The skyrmion center is quantized to be on the grid and the skyrmion may show a hopping motion instead of a continuous motion. We find that the skyrmion Hall effect can be perfectly prohibited due to the pinning effect of the grid. The pixelated skyrmion can be harnessed to build future programmable racetrack memory, multistate memory, and logic computing device. Our results will be a basis for digital information storage and computation based on pixelated topological spin textures on artificial pinning patterns.
Quantitative analysis of non-equilibrium systems from short-time experimental data
Authors: Manikandan Sreekanth K. , Ghosh Subhrokoli , Kundu Avijit , Das Biswajit , Agrawal Vipin , Mitra Dhrubaditya , Banerjee Ayan , Krishnamurthy Supriya
Published: December 2021

Estimating entropy production directly from experimental trajectories is of great current interest but often requires a large amount of data or knowledge of the underlying dynamics. In this paper, we propose a minimal strategy using the short-time Thermodynamic Uncertainty Relation (TUR) by means of which we can simultaneously and quantitatively infer the thermodynamic force field acting on the system and the (potentially exact) rate of entropy production from experimental short-time trajectory data. We benchmark this scheme first for an experimental study of a colloidal particle system where exact analytical results are known, prior to studying the case of a colloidal particle in a hydrodynamical flow field, where neither analytical nor numerical results are available. In the latter case, we build an effective model of the system based on our results. In both cases, we also demonstrate that our results match with those obtained from another recently introduced scheme.
Encapsulation of bryostatin-1 by targeted exosomes enhances remyelination and neuroprotection effects in the cuprizone-induced demyelinating animal model of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Wu Xiao-Yu , Liao Bao-Ying , Xiao Dan , Wu Wen-Cheng , Xiao Yun , Alexander Tyler , Song Sheng-Jiao , Zhao Zhuo-Hua , Zhang Yuan , Wang Zhen-Hai , Wang Li-Bin , Li Xing
Published: December 2021

Schematic representation of ExoPs + Bryo-1 treatment promoted myelin regeneration in the CPZ-induced demyelinated model.
Evaluation of novel nutraceuticals based on the combination of oat beta-glucans and a green coffee phenolic extract to combat obesity and its comorbidities. A randomized, dose–response, parallel trial
Authors: Mateos Raquel , García-Cordero Joaquín , Bravo-Clemente Laura , Sarriá Beatriz
Published: December 2021

Consumption of a nutraceutical combining oat beta-glucans and a decaffeinated green coffee extract rich in phenolic compounds shows beneficial effects in obese/overweight adults.
Synthesis of alkynamides through reaction of alkyl- or aryl-substituted alkynylaluminums with isocyanates
Authors: Cho Soohong , Lee Yeonjoo , Lee Kyeongmin , Lee Hwiwoong , Lee Yunmi , Jung Byunghyuck
Published: December 2021

A broad range of alkynamides were efficiently synthesized through Et3N-catalyzed alumination of terminal alkynes with AlMe3, followed by nucleophilic addition of alkynylaluminums to isocyanates.
Construction of sulfur-containing compounds with anti-cancer stem cell activity using thioacrolein derived from garlic based on nature-inspired scaffolds
Authors: Yoneda Taichi , Kojima Naoto , Matsumoto Takahiro , Imahori Daisuke , Ohta Tomoe , Yoshida Tatsusada , Watanabe Tetsushi , Matsuda Hisashi , Nakamura Seikou
Published: December 2021

We reported for the first time that thioacroleinproduced by allicin, a major component in garlic, undergoes the regioselective sequential double Diels–Alder reaction.
A novel dual-functional fluorescent probe for imaging viscosity and cysteine in living system
Authors: Fu Manlin , Wang Kai , Ma Qiancheng , Zhu Jiaqi , Bian Mianli , Zhu Qing
Published: December 2021

We firstly report a high-sensitivity and -selectivity near-infrared imaging probe (FCV) for tracking intracellular viscosity and endogenous cysteine. This dual-functional probe displays excellent photostability and large Stokes shifts.
The influence of α-coordinating groups of aldehydes on E/Z-selectivity and the use of quaternary ammonium counter ions for enhanced E-selectivity in the Julia–Kocienski reaction
Authors: Rehman Mintu , Surendran Sravya , Siddavatam Nagendra , Rajendar Goreti
Published: December 2021

Enhanced E-selectivity of olefins in Julia-Kocienski reaction of aldehydes with α-coordinating groups is demonstrated using TBAB. A systematic study is presented to show the chelation effect and size of the protecting group on E/Z-selectivity.
Diversity-oriented routes to thiopeptide antibiotics: total synthesis and biological evaluation of micrococcin P2
Authors: Hwang Hee-Jong , Son Young-Jin , Kim Dahyun , Lee Jusuk , Shin Yun-Jeong , Kwon Yonghoon , Ciufolini Marco A.
Published: December 2021

The first synthesis of micrococcin P2 has been achieved by late-stage Suzuki coupling of a macrocyclic boronic acid with a 2-bromothiazole.
Ag(i)-Promoted homo-dimerization of 2-(alk-2-yn-1-onyl)-1-alkynylbenzenes via a [4 + 2] cycloaddition of benzopyrylium ions: access to structurally unique naphthalenes
Authors: Baire Beeraiah , Santhi Jampani
Published: December 2021

Discovery and development of a Ag(i)-promoted, homodimerization of benzopyrylium ions (generated from 2-(alk-2-yn-1-onyl)-1-alkynylbenzenes) via a [4 + 2] cycloaddition, for the synthesis of naphthalenes is reported.
Molecular tetrominoes: selective masking of the donor π-face to control the configuration of donor–acceptor complexes
Authors: Sartucci Jenna L. , Maity Arindam , Mohanan Manikandan , Bertke Jeffery , Kertesz Miklos , Gavvalapalli Nagarjuna
Published: December 2021

π-face masking opens up a new pathway to control the location of acceptor along the donor backbone and consequently donor–acceptor binding interaction strength and percentage of acceptor ionization.
Interconnectivity and morphology control of poly-high internal phase emulsions under photo-polymerization
Authors: Kim Subeen , Kim Jongmin Q. , Choi Siyoung Q. , Kim KyuHan
Published: December 2021

We here demonstrate that the interconnectivity and morphology of photo-polymerized HIPEs can be controlled by changing the type of initiators and stabilizers, and the intensity of light.
Electroactive 3D printable poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-graft-poly(ε-caprolactone) copolymers as scaffolds for muscle cell alignment
Authors: Dominguez-Alfaro Antonio , Criado-Gonzalez Miryam , Gabirondo Elena , Lasa-Fernández Haizpea , Olmedo-Martínez Jorge L. , Casado Nerea , Alegret Nuria , Müller Alejandro J. , Sardon Haritz , Vallejo-Illarramendi Ainara , Mecerreyes David
Published: December 2021

Graft copolymers between conducting PEDOT and biodegradable PCL were synthesized and investigated for 3D printing scaffolds for patterning of muscle cells.
Chloride corrosion behavior on heating pipeline made by AISI 304 and 316 in reclaimed water
Authors: Chen Xi , Liu Hongyan , Sun Xiang , Zan Botao , Liang Meisheng
Published: December 2021

It would be economical if heating pipes were used to transport reclaimed water during its idle period. The most important thing is to study the causes and processes of the corrosion on it for practical application.
Fabrication of a surface type humidity sensor based on methyl green thin film, with the analysis of capacitance and resistance through neutrosophic statistics
Authors: Afzal Usama , Ahmad Naveed , Zafar Qayyum , Aslam Muhammad
Published: December 2021

In this work, we propose a humidity sensor based on methyl green thin film.
Materials characterization of TiO2 nanotubes decorated by Au nanoparticles for photoelectrochemical applications
Authors: Pisarek Marcin , Krawczyk Mirosław , Kosiński Andrzej , Hołdyński Marcin , Andrzejczuk Mariusz , Krajczewski Jan , Bieńkowski Krzysztof , Solarska Renata , Gurgul Magdalena , Zaraska Leszek , Lisowski Wojciech
Published: December 2021

The structural and chemical modification of TiO2 NTs by the deposition of a well-controlled Au deposit (0.01 mg cm−1) was investigated using a combination of microscopic (SEM, STEM), analytical measurements (XPS, SERS, UV-Vis, XRD) and photoelectrochemical investigations.
Effective screen-printed potentiometric devices modified with carbon nanotubes for the detection of chlorogenic acid: application to food quality monitoring
Authors: Abd-Rabboh Hisham S. M. , Amr Abd El-Galil E. , Naglah Ahmed M. , Almehizia Abdulrahman A. , Kamel Ayman H.
Published: December 2021

All-solid state screen-printed electrodes were fabricated for chlorogenic acid (CGA) detection.
Correction: Nanoarchitectonics of p-type BiSbTe with improved figure of merit via introducing PbTe nanoparticles
Authors: Li Yuanyue , Ren Mengna , Sun Zhongsen , Yao Zhao
Published: December 2021

Correction for ‘Nanoarchitectonics of p-type BiSbTe with improved figure of merit via introducing PbTe nanoparticles’ by Yuanyue Li et al., RSC Adv., 2021, 11, 36636–36643, DOI: 10.1039/D1RA07138F.
Coiled flow inverter mediated synthesis of activated carbon fiber-supported Ni nanoparticles
Authors: Pophali Amol , Kajala Rakshit , Ali Haider , Verma Nishith , Nigam K. D. P.
Published: December 2021

A single-stage continuous flow process for the synthesis of Ni nanoparticle-dispersed activated carbon fibers is developed using CFI technology.
Bridging steady-state and stick-slip fracture propagation in glassy polymers
Authors: Nziakou Yannick , George Matthieu , Fischer Guillaume , Bresson Bruno , Tiennot Mathilde , Roux Stephane , Halary Jean Louis , Ciccotti Matteo
Published: December 2021

Imaging by AFM the slowly propagating crack tip in glassy polymers unravels a common description of steady-state and stick-slip fracture.
A wirelessly multi stimuli-responsive ultra-sensitive and self-healable wearable strain sensor based on silver quantum dots of 3D organo-hydrogel nanocomposites
Authors: Alkabes Hend A. , Elksass Samar , El-Kelany Khaled E. , El-Kemary Maged
Published: December 2021

Novel multifunctional flexible strain sensors with enhanced properties have become an urgent requirement to comprehensively study the challenges of monitoring the full-range of human activities.
Analysis of strawberry promising varieties and selected forms by resistance to red stele root rot using molecular markers
Authors: Lyzhin Alexander , Luk’yanchuk Irina
Published: December 2021

The analysis of the allelic state of the Rpf1 red stele root rot gene in 14 promising foreign strawberry varieties and 6 selected forms of the I.V. Michurin FSC breeding was completed. The Rpf1 gene in a heterozygous state was identified in strawberry forms 61-15 (Bylinnaya × Olimpiyskaya nadezhda), 69-29 (Feyerverk × Bylinnaya), and 72-71 (Privlekatelnaya × Bylinnaya), which makes it possible to recommend them for involvement in breeding work to create resistant to P. fragariae var. fragariae strawberry varieties. Strawberry varieties Lebedushka, Elianny, Florence, Malwina, Monterey, Polka, Verona, Vima Tarda Asia, Chamora Turusi, Clery, Flamenco, Salsa and Symphony, and selected forms 56-5 (Gigantella Maxim × Privlekatelnaya), 69-42 (Feyerverk × Bylinnaya) and 35-16 (922-67 × Maryshka) have a recessive homozygous genotype.