bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Automatic detection of non-perfusion areas in diabetic macular edema from fundus fluorescein angiography for decision making using deep learning
Authors: Jin Kai , Pan Xiangji , You Kun , Wu Jian , Liu Zhifang , Cao Jing , Lou Lixia , Xu Yufeng , Su Zhaoan , Yao Ke , Ye Juan
Published: September 2020

Vision loss caused by diabetic macular edema (DME) can be prevented by early detection and laser photocoagulation. As there is no comprehensive detection technique to recognize NPA, we proposed an automatic detection method of NPA on fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) in DME. The study included 3,014 FFA images of 221 patients with DME. We use 3 convolutional neural networks (CNNs), including DenseNet, ResNet50, and VGG16, to identify non-perfusion regions (NP), microaneurysms, and leakages in FFA images. The NPA was segmented using attention U-net. To validate its performance, we applied our detection algorithm on 249 FFA images in which the NPA areas were manually delineated by 3 ophthalmologists. For DR lesion classification, area under the curve is 0.8855 for NP regions, 0.9782 for microaneurysms, and 0.9765 for leakage classifier. The average precision of NP region overlap ratio is 0.643. NP regions of DME in FFA images are identified based a new automated deep learning algorithm. This study is an in-depth study from computer-aided diagnosis to treatment, and will be the theoretical basis for the application of intelligent guided laser.
Using behavioral rhythms and multi-task learning to predict fine-grained symptoms of schizophrenia
Authors: Tseng Vincent W.-S. , Sano Akane , Ben-Zeev Dror , Brian Rachel , Campbell Andrew T. , Hauser Marta , Kane John M. , Scherer Emily A. , Wang Rui , Wang Weichen , Wen Hongyi , Choudhury Tanzeem
Published: September 2020

Schizophrenia is a severe and complex psychiatric disorder with heterogeneous and dynamic multi-dimensional symptoms. Behavioral rhythms, such as sleep rhythm, are usually disrupted in people with schizophrenia. As such, behavioral rhythm sensing with smartphones and machine learning can help better understand and predict their symptoms. Our goal is to predict fine-grained symptom changes with interpretable models. We computed rhythm-based features from 61 participants with 6,132 days of data and used multi-task learning to predict their ecological momentary assessment scores for 10 different symptom items. By taking into account both the similarities and differences between different participants and symptoms, our multi-task learning models perform statistically significantly better than the models trained with single-task learning for predicting patients’ individual symptom trajectories, such as feeling depressed, social, and calm and hearing voices. We also found different subtypes for each of the symptoms by applying unsupervised clustering to the feature weights in the models. Taken together, compared to the features used in the previous studies, our rhythm features not only improved models’ prediction accuracy but also provided better interpretability for how patients’ behavioral rhythms and the rhythms of their environments influence their symptom conditions. This will enable both the patients and clinicians to monitor how these factors affect a patient’s condition and how to mitigate the influence of these factors. As such, we envision that our solution allows early detection and early intervention before a patient’s condition starts deteriorating without requiring extra effort from patients and clinicians.
Genomic profiling of bacterial and fungal communities and their predictive functionality during pulque fermentation by whole-genome shotgun sequencing
Authors: Chacón-Vargas Katherine , Torres Julian , Giles-Gómez Martha , Escalante Adelfo , Gibbons John G.
Published: September 2020

Pulque is a culturally important 4,000-year-old traditional Mexican fermented drink. Pulque is produced by adding fresh aguamiel (agave sap) to mature pulque, resulting in a mixture of microbial communities and chemical compositions. We performed shotgun metagenomic sequencing of five stages of pulque fermentation to characterize organismal and functional diversity. We identified 6 genera (Acinetobacter, Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Leuconostoc, Saccharomyces and Zymomonas) and 10 species (Acinetobacter boissieri, Acinetobacter nectaris, Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis, Lactococcus lactis, Lactococcus piscium, Lactococcus plantarum, Leuconostoc citreum, Leuconostoc gelidum, Zymomonas mobilis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) that were present ≥ 1% in at least one stage of pulque fermentation. The abundance of genera and species changed during fermentation and was associated with a decrease in sucrose and increases in ethanol and lactic acid, suggesting that resource competition shapes organismal diversity. We also predicted functional profiles, based on organismal gene content, for each fermentation stage and identified an abundance of genes associated with the biosynthesis of folate, an essential B-vitamin. Additionally, we investigated the evolutionary relationships of S. cerevisiae and Z. mobilis, two of the major microbial species found in pulque. For S. cerevisiae, we used a metagenomics assembly approach to identify S. cerevisiae scaffolds from pulque, and performed phylogenetic analysis of these sequences along with a collection of 158 S. cerevisiae strains. This analysis suggests that S. cerevisiae from pulque is most closely related to Asian strains isolated from sake and bioethanol. Lastly, we isolated and sequenced the whole-genomes of three strains of Z. mobilis from pulque and compared their relationship to seven previously sequenced isolates. Our results suggest pulque strains may represent a distinct lineage of Z. mobilis.
Satellite DNA-like repeats are dispersed throughout the genome of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas carried by Helentron non-autonomous mobile elements
Authors: Vojvoda Zeljko Tanja , Pavlek Martina , Meštrović Nevenka , Plohl Miroslav
Published: September 2020

Satellite DNAs (satDNAs) are long arrays of tandem repeats typically located in heterochromatin and span the centromeres of eukaryotic chromosomes. Despite the wealth of knowledge about satDNAs, little is known about a fraction of short, satDNA-like arrays dispersed throughout the genome. Our survey of the Pacific oysterCrassostrea gigassequenced genome revealed genome assembly replete with satDNA-like tandem repeats. We focused on the most abundant arrays, grouped according to sequence similarity into 13 clusters, and explored their flanking sequences. Structural analysis showed that arrays of all 13 clusters represent central repeats of 11 non-autonomous elements namedCg_HINE,which are classified into theHelentronsuperfamily of DNA transposons. Each of the described elements is formed by a unique combination of flanking sequences and satDNA-like central repeats, coming from one, exceptionally two clusters in a consecutive order. While some of the detectedCg_HINEelements are related according to sequence similarities in flanking and repetitive modules, others evidently arose in independent events. In addition, some of theCg_HINE’s central repeats are related to the classicalC. gigassatDNA, interconnecting mobile elements and satDNAs. Genome-wide distribution ofCg_HINEimplies non-autonomousHelentronsas a dynamic system prone to efficiently propagate tandem repeats in theC. gigasgenome.
Local management and landscape structure determine the assemblage patterns of spiders in vegetable fields
Authors: Saqib Hafiz Sohaib Ahmed , Chen Junhui , Chen Wei , Pozsgai Gabor , Akutse Komivi Senyo , Ashraf Muhammad Furqan , You Minsheng , Gurr Geoff M.
Published: September 2020

Both field- and landscape-scale factors can influence the predator communities of agricultural pests, but the relative importance and interactions between these scales are poorly understood. Focusing on spiders, an important taxon for providing biological control, we tested the influence of field- and landscape-scale factors on structuring the spider communities in a highly dynamic brassica agroecosystem. We found that local factors (pesticide-use and crop type) and forested landscape significantly influenced the abundance and species richness of spiders, whilst grassland patches significantly affected the spider species richness. Correlation results demonstrated that assemblage patterns of most spider families positively responded to the interplay between local factors and forest patches in the landscape. The spiders abundance was greatest in cauliflower crops surrounded with forest and grassland patches in landscape. Similarly, ordination analyses revealed that organic fields of cauliflower in forested landscapes had a strong positive association with the abundance and species richness of spiders. In contrast, insecticide and synthetic fertilizer-treated fields of Chinese cabbage in landscapes with little non-crop habitat reduced the abundance and species richness of spiders. Our results highlight the extent of interaction between local- and landscape-scale factors, help explain recently reported inconsistent effects of landscape factors on conservation biological control.
Modulation of contractions in the small intestine indicate desynchronization via supercritical Andronov–Hopf bifurcation
Authors: Parsons Sean P. , Huizinga Jan D.
Published: September 2020

The small intestine is covered by a network of coupled oscillators, the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC). These oscillators synchronize to generate rhythmic phase waves of contraction. At points of low coupling, oscillations desynchronise, frequency steps occur and every few waves terminates as a dislocation. The amplitude of contractions is modulated at frequency steps. The phase difference between contractions at a frequency step and a proximal reference point increased slowly at first and then, just at the dislocation, increased rapidly. Simultaneous frequency and amplitude modulation (AM/FM) results in a Fourier frequency spectrum with a lower sideband, a so called Lashinsky spectrum, and this was also seen in the small intestine. A model of the small intestine consisting of a chain of coupled Van der Pol oscillators, also demonstrated simultaneous AM/FM at frequency steps along with a Lashinsky spectrum. Simultaneous AM/FM, together with a Lashinsky spectrum, are predicted to occur when periodically-forced or mutually-coupled oscillators desynchronise via a supercritical Andronov–Hopf bifurcation and have been observed before in other physical systems of forced or coupled oscillators in plasma physics and electrical engineering. Thus motility patterns in the intestine can be understood from the viewpoint of very general dynamical principles.
Influence of host genetics in shaping the rumen bacterial community in beef cattle
Authors: Abbas Waseem , Howard Jeremy T. , Paz Henry A. , Hales Kristin E. , Wells James E. , Kuehn Larry A. , Erickson Galen E. , Spangler Matthew L. , Fernando Samodha C.
Published: September 2020

In light of recent host-microbial association studies, a consensus is evolving that species composition of the gastrointestinal microbiota is a polygenic trait governed by interactions between host genetic factors and the environment. Here, we investigated the effect of host genetic factors in shaping the bacterial species composition in the rumen by performing a genome-wide association study. Using a common set of 61,974 single-nucleotide polymorphisms found in cattle genomes (n = 586) and corresponding rumen bacterial community composition, we identified operational taxonomic units (OTUs), Families and Phyla with high heritability. The top associations (1-Mb windows) were located on 7 chromosomes. These regions were associated with the rumen microbiota in multiple ways; some (chromosome 19; position 3.0–4.0 Mb) are associated with closely related taxa (Prevotellaceae, Paraprevotellaceae, and RF16), some (chromosome 27; position 3.0–4.0 Mb) are associated with distantly related taxa (Prevotellaceae, Fibrobacteraceae, RF16, RFP12, S24-7, Lentisphaerae, and Tenericutes) and others (chromosome 23; position 0.0–1.0) associated with both related and unrelated taxa. The annotated genes associated with identified genomic regions suggest the associations observed are directed toward selective absorption of volatile fatty acids from the rumen to increase energy availability to the host. This study demonstrates that host genetics affects rumen bacterial community composition.
Structure-based inhibitors targeting the alpha-helical domain of the Spiroplasma melliferum histone-like HU protein
Authors: Agapova Yuliya K. , Altukhov Dmitry A. , Timofeev Vladimir I. , Stroylov Victor S. , Mityanov Vitaly S. , Korzhenevskiy Dmitry A. , Vlaskina Anna V. , Smirnova Eugenia V. , Bocharov Eduard V. , Rakitina Tatiana V.
Published: September 2020

Here we report bisphenol derivatives of fluorene (BDFs) as a new type of chemical probes targeting a histone-like HU protein, a global regulator of bacterial nucleoids, via its dimerization interface perturbation. BDFs were identified by virtual screening and molecular docking that targeted the core of DNA-binding β-saddle-like domain of the HU protein from Spiroplasma melliferum. However, NMR spectroscopy, complemented with molecular dynamics and site-directed mutagenesis, indicated that the actual site of the inhibitors’ intervention consists of residues from the α-helical domain of one monomer and the side portion of the DNA-binding domain of another monomer. BDFs inhibited DNA-binding properties of HU proteins from mycoplasmas S. melliferum, Mycoplasma gallicepticum and Escherichia coli with half-maximum inhibitory concentrations in the range between 5 and 10 µM. In addition, BDFs demonstrated antimicrobial activity against mycoplasma species, but not against E. coli, which is consistent with the compensatory role of other nucleoid-associated proteins in the higher bacteria. Further evaluation of antimicrobial effects of BDFs against various bacteria and viruses will reveal their pharmacological potential, and the allosteric inhibition mode reported here, which avoids direct competition for the binding site with DNA, should be considered in the development of small molecule inhibitors of nucleoid-associated proteins as well as other types of DNA-binding multimeric proteins.
Monitoring of heat-induced carcinogenic compounds (3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol esters and glycidyl esters) in fries
Authors: Wong Yu Hua , Goh Kok Ming , Nyam Kar Lin , Cheong Ling Zhi , Wang Yong , Nehdi Imededdine Arbi , Mansour Lamjed , Tan Chin Ping
Published: September 2020

3-Monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) esters and glycidyl esters (GE) are heat-induced contaminants which form during oil refining process, particularly at the high temperature deodorization stage. It is worth to investigate the content of 3-MCPD and GE in fries which also involved high temperature. The content of 3-MCPD esters and GE were monitored in fries. The factors that been chosen were temperature and duration of frying, and different concentration of salt (NaCl). The results in our study showed that the effect was in the order of concentration of sodium chloride < frying duration < frying temperature. The content of 3-MCPD esters was significantly increased whereas GE was significantly decreased, when prolong the frying duration. A high temperature results in a high 3-MCPD ester level but a low GE level in fries. The present of salt had contributed significant influence to the generation of 3-MCPD. The soaking of potato chips in salt showed no significant effect on the level of GE during the frying. The oil oxidation tests showed that all the fries were below the safety limit. Hence, the frying cycle, temperature and the added salt to carbohydrate-based food during frying should be monitored.
Planktonic foraminifera genomic variations reflect paleoceanographic changes in the Arctic: evidence from sedimentary ancient DNA
Authors: Pawłowska Joanna , Wollenburg Jutta E. , Zajączkowski Marek , Pawlowski Jan
Published: September 2020

Deciphering the evolution of marine plankton is typically based on the study of microfossil groups. Cryptic speciation is common in these groups, and large intragenomic variations occur in ribosomal RNA genes of many morphospecies. In this study, we correlated the distribution of ribosomal amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) with paleoceanographic changes by analyzing the high-throughput sequence data assigned to Neogloboquadrina pachyderma in a 140,000-year-old sediment core from the Arctic Ocean. The sedimentary ancient DNA demonstrated the occurrence of various N. pachyderma ASVs whose occurrence and dominance varied through time. Most remarkable was the striking appearance of ASV18, which was nearly absent in older sediments but became dominant during the last glacial maximum and continues to persist today. Although the molecular ecology of planktonic foraminifera is still poorly known, the analysis of their intragenomic variations through time has the potential to provide new insight into the evolution of marine biodiversity and may lead to the development of new and important paleoceanographic proxies.
Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase 1 (PARP1) restrains MyoD-dependent gene expression during muscle differentiation
Authors: Matteini Francesca , Andresini Oriella , Petrai Stefano , Battistelli Cecilia , Rossi Marianna Nicoletta , Maione Rossella
Published: September 2020

The myogenic factor MyoD regulates skeletal muscle differentiation by interacting with a variety of chromatin-modifying complexes. Although MyoD can induce and maintain chromatin accessibility at its target genes, its binding and trans-activation ability can be limited by some types of not fully characterized epigenetic constraints. In this work we analysed the role of PARP1 in regulating MyoD-dependent gene expression. PARP1 is a chromatin-associated enzyme, playing a well recognized role in DNA repair and that is implicated in transcriptional regulation. PARP1 affects gene expression through multiple mechanisms, often involving the Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of chromatin proteins. In line with PARP1 down-regulation during differentiation, we observed that PARP1 depletion boosts the up-regulation of MyoD targets, such as p57, myogenin, Mef2C and p21, while its re-expression reverts this effect. We also found that PARP1 interacts with some MyoD-binding regions and that its presence, independently of the enzymatic activity, interferes with MyoD recruitment and gene induction. We finally suggest a relationship between the binding of PARP1 and the loss of the activating histone modification H3K4me3 at MyoD-binding regions. This work highlights not only a novel player in the epigenetic control of myogenesis, but also a repressive and catalytic-independent mechanisms by which PARP1 regulates transcription.
A serial multiparametric quantitative magnetic resonance imaging study to assess proteoglycan depletion of human articular cartilage and its effects on functionality
Authors: Hafner Tobias , Schock Justus , Post Manuel , Abrar Daniel Benjamin , Sewerin Philipp , Linka Kevin , Knobe Matthias , Kuhl Christiane , Truhn Daniel , Nebelung Sven
Published: September 2020

Water, collagen, and proteoglycans determine articular cartilage functionality. If altered, susceptibility to premature degeneration is increased. This study investigated the effects of enzymatic proteoglycan depletion on cartilage functionality as assessed by advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) techniques under standardized loading. Lateral femoral condylar cartilage-bone samples from patients undergoing knee replacement (n = 29) were serially imaged by Proton Density-weighted and T1, T1ρ, T2, and T2* mapping sequences on a clinical 3.0 T MRI scanner (Achieva, Philips). Using pressure-controlled indentation loading, samples were imaged unloaded and quasi-statically loaded to 15.1 N and 28.6 N, and both before and after exposure to low-concentrated (LT, 0.1 mg/mL, n = 10) or high-concentrated trypsin (HT, 1.0 mg/mL, n = 10). Controls were not treated (n = 9). Responses to loading were assessed for the entire sample and regionally, i.e. sub- and peri-pistonally, and zonally, i.e. upper and lower sample halves. Trypsin effects were quantified as relative changes (Δ), analysed using appropriate statistical tests, and referenced histologically. Histological proteoglycan depletion was reflected by significant sub-pistonal decreases in T1 (p = 0.003) and T2 (p = 0.008) after HT exposure. Loading-induced changes in T1ρ and T2* were not related. In conclusion, proteoglycan depletion alters cartilage functionality and may be assessed using serial T1 and T2 mapping under loading.
Metagenome analysis using serum extracellular vesicles identified distinct microbiota in asthmatics
Authors: Lee Ji-Hyang , Choi Jun-Pyo , Yang Jinho , Won Ha-Kyeong , Park Chan Sun , Song Woo-Jung , Kwon Hyouk-Soo , Kim Tae-Bum , Kim Yoon-Keun , Park Hae-Sim , Cho You Sook
Published: September 2020

Different patterns of bacterial communities have been reported in the airways and gastrointestinal tract of asthmatics when compared to healthy controls. However, the blood microbiome of asthmatics is yet to be investigated. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether a distinct serum microbiome is observed in asthmatics by metagenomic analysis of serum extracellular vesicles (EVs). We obtained serum from 190 adults with asthma and 260 healthy controls, from which EVs were isolated and analyzed. The bacterial composition of asthmatics was significantly different from that of healthy controls. Chao 1 index was significantly higher in the asthma group, while Shannon and Simpson indices were higher in the control group. At the phylum level, Bacteroidetes was more abundant in asthmatics, while Actinobacter, Verrucomicrobia, and Cyanobacteria were more abundant in healthy controls. At the genus level, 24 bacterial genera showed differences in relative abundance between asthmatics and controls, with linear discriminant analysis scores greater than 3. Further, in a diagnostic model based on these differences, a high predictive value with a sensitivity of 0.92 and a specificity of 0.93 was observed. In conclusion, we demonstrated distinct blood microbiome in asthma indicating the role of microbiome as a potential diagnostic marker of asthma.
Introduction and Fundamental Principles of Ambipolar Materials
Authors: Ren Yi , Han Su-Ting , Zhou Ye
Published: September 2020

This book focuses on ambipolar materials and related devices. An introductory description on the fundamental properties and theories of ambipolar materials and devices is first presented. Then, the synthesis and properties of various state-of-the-art ambipolar materials, the operation principles and electrical performance of their devices, as well as several ambipolar device architectures are discussed. Various applications based on ambipolar devices are also presented. Lastly, we point out the remaining challenges, comprising material design and device fabrication, that need to be confronted in achieving ambipolar charge transport, and propose several possible strategies.
Bilayer Structures with Ambipolar Properties
Authors: Yan Y. , Zhang M.
Published: September 2020

This chapter mainly describes the related work of ambipolar field-effect transistors based on the bilayer structure. The semiconductor materials mainly focus on organic small molecules and polymers, and some bilayer structures based on organic–inorganic hybrid materials are also involved. The internal mechanism of ambipolar properties in devices is explained. The directions for development and device challenges are described and discussed.
Controllable Synthesis of Two-dimensional Layered Transition Metal Chalcogenides and Their Heterostructures
Authors: Zhang Lu-Hua , Li Henan , Shi Yumeng
Published: September 2020

Transition metal dichalcogenide monolayers have attracted great research interest and have shown great potential for application in next-generation integrated circuits. Among all the bottom–up synthetic approaches, chemical vapor deposition provides superior control of the sheet thickness and uniformity in a scalable size. The strategies to synthesize two-dimensional layers and their heterostructures are highlighted. Uniform and defect-free layered materials are highly desired for high-performance electronics and optoelectronics.
Ambipolar Two-dimensional Materials and Synaptic Devices for Neuromorphic Computing
Authors: Liu Yanming , Tian He , Ren Tian-Ling
Published: September 2020

As Moore's law approaches its limits, it is gradually harder to achieve the more and more complex tasks with computers with conventional von Neumann architecture. The hardware circuits for neuromorphic computing, with low power and high computing density, have attracted a lot of attention. Based on these requirements, how to choose the appropriate circuit components for neuromorphic computing becomes very important. Ambipolar synaptic devices with tunable and versatile behaviours, as a new type of circuit component, can mimic both excitatory and inhibitory behaviours, which has great potential in neuromorphic computing. In this chapter, we will introduce the definitions of ambipolar materials and synaptic devices. Then, the characteristics and applications of the synaptic devices will be discussed. The differences between conventional and ambipolar synaptic devices will also be compared. Finally, we will introduce the possibility of applying ambipolar synaptic devices in array to achieve more complex work.
Disrupted intracellular redox balance with enhanced ROS generation and sensitive drug release for cancer therapy
Authors: Sang Dongmiao , Li Xiaofeng , Xu Zhikun , Lin Huiming , Guo Changhong , Qu Fengyu
Published: September 2020

A nanocomposite reveals GSH-sensitive drug release that consumes intracellular GSH to disturb redox homeostasis, promoting PDT efficiency.
Peptide modified polycations with pH triggered lytic activity for efficient gene delivery
Authors: Chen Xiaojing , Xu Kai , Yu Jing , Zhao Xiaodan , Zhang Qiang , Zhang Yanfeng , Cheng Yilong
Published: September 2020

C6M3 peptide modified polycations can mediate efficient gene delivery through pH triggered lytic activity for endo/lysosomal escape.
Ultrafast acoustic vibrations of Au–Ag nanoparticles with varying elongated structures
Authors: Zhao Xin , Nie Zhaogang , Feng Yuhua , Zhao Weiren , Zhang Jiahua , Zhang Wenchun , Maioli Paolo , Loh Zhi-Heng
Published: September 2020

Femtosecond pump–probe spectroscopy combined with FEM simulations reveals the acoustic vibrational properties of elongated Au–Ag nano-objects with original morphologies.
Simple corrections for the static dielectric constant of liquid mixtures from model force fields
Authors: Cardona Javier , Jorge Miguel , Lue Leo
Published: September 2020

A correction scheme to improve predictions of dielectric constants of liquid mixtures from pair-wise additive force fields that considers electronic polarizability contributions and charge scaling.
Sodium niobate based hierarchical 3D perovskite nanoparticle clusters
Authors: Branzi Lorenzo , Back Michele , Cortelletti Paolo , Pinna Nicola , Benedetti Alvise , Speghini Adolfo
Published: September 2020

NaNbO3 hierarchical 3D nanostructures are prepared by a one-step microwave assisted method by choosing the proper reaction temperature.
High stability and luminance efficiency thieno[2,3-d]pyridazine-based iridium complexes and their applications in high-performance yellow OLEDs
Authors: Mei Qunying , Sheng Ren , Cheng Wei , Zhang Jie , Wang Ping , Mei Qunbo , Chen Ping , Tong Bihai
Published: September 2020

An OLED based on complex 1 shows promising efficiencies of 18.2%, 58.5 cd A−1 and 45.9 lm W−1 which are 40% higher than those of PO-01.
Pseudohalide HCN aggregate ions: [N3(HCN)3]−, [OCN(HCN)3]−, [SCN(HCN)2]− and [P(CN·HCN)2]−
Authors: Harloff Jörg , Schulz Axel , Stoer Philip , Villinger Alexander
Published: September 2020

Synthesis and structural characterization of the highly labile pseudohalide HCN aggregate ions: [N3(HCN)3]−, [OCN(HCN)3]−, [SCN(HCN)2]− and [P(CN·HCN)2]−.
MOF-derived hollow Co4S3/C nanosheet arrays grown on carbon cloth as the anode for high-performance Li-ion batteries
Authors: Shi Mingchen , Wang Qiang , Hao Junwei , Min Huihua , You Hairui , Liu Xiaomin , Yang Hui
Published: September 2020

Cobalt sulfide (Co4S3) is considered as one of the most promising anode materials for lithium-ion batteries owing to its high specific capacity.
The hyperglycemic regulatory effect of sprouted quinoa yoghurt in high-fat-diet and streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic mice via glucose and lipid homeostasis
Authors: Obaroakpo Joy Ujiroghene , Nan Wenlong , Hao Liyu , Liu Lu , Zhang Shuwen , Lu Jing , Pang Xiaoyang , Lv Jiaping
Published: September 2020

Recently, we have proposed that quinoa yoghurt (QY) has the anti-diabetic properties based on an in vitro study.
Hydrophilic surfaces from simple dip-coating method: amphiphilic block copolymers with zwitterionic group form antifouling coatings under atmospheric conditions
Authors: Noguchi Aya , Masuda Tsukuru , Chen Chuqiao , Yoshizawa Shoichi , Isu Norifumi , Takai Madoka
Published: September 2020

Amphiphilic block copolymers with zwitterionic group form antifouling coatings under atmospheric conditions by a dip-coating method.
Green synthesis of upconversion nanocrystals by adjusting local precursor supersaturation under aqueous conditions
Authors: Li Su , Chen Jie , Tang Yu Ying , Hu Lin Yu , Qian Wen Hui , Zhu Dong , Chen Peng
Published: September 2020

We describe a green synthesis of upconversion nanocrystals (UCNs) by adjusting local precursor supersaturation under aqueous conditions at low temperature with size and phase control as well as high production yield.
Identification of nanomaterials by the volume specific surface area (VSSA) criterion: application to powder mixes
Authors: Dazon Claire , Fierro Vanessa , Celzard Alain , Witschger Olivier
Published: September 2020

We demonstrate the relevance of the Volume Specific Surface Area to identify nanopowder mixes based on either spherical constituent particles with bimodal size distributions, or fiber-like constituent particles with unimodal size distributions.
Selectively enhanced Raman/fluorescence spectra in photonic–plasmonic hybrid structures
Authors: Qian Jisong , Zhu Zebin , Yuan Jing , Liu Ying , Liu Bing , Zhao Xiangwei , Jiang Liyong
Published: September 2020

Selectively enhanced Raman/fluorescence spectra can be realized in hybrid structures constructed with a microsphere resonator and gold nanoparticles.
Ultrasound-assisted synthesis of BiVO4/C-dots/g-C3N4Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts for degradation of minocycline hydrochloride and Rhodamine B: optimization and mechanism investigation
Authors: Yang Qiang , Wei Siqi , Zhang Limei , Yang Rui
Published: September 2020

BiVO4/C-Dots/g-C3N4Z-scheme photocatalyst with carbon dots as the electron mediators efficiently degrades minocycline hydrochloride and dye wastewater.
Nano-fluorescent probes based on DNA-templated copper nanoclusters for fast sensing of thiocyanate
Authors: Lei Tao , Huang Ting , Wang Tianze , Yu Peng , Qing Taiping , Nie Beixi
Published: September 2020

A fast and label-free fluorescent sensor was developed to determine SCN−via inhibiting the formation of DNA-templated copper nanoclusters (CuNCs).
Silicon nanoparticles coated with nanoporous carbon as a promising anode material for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Xu Hang , Ding Mingtao , Li Dongni , Liu Yu , Jiang Yinshan , Li Fangfei , Xue Bing
Published: September 2020

As a promising anode candidate, silicon (Si) nanoparticles have been widely studied for use in lithium ion batteries.
Dealkoxylation of N-alkoxyamides without an external reductant driven by Pd/Al cooperative catalysis
Authors: Suzuki Hirotsugu , Shiomi Takahiro , Yoneoka Kenji , Matsuda Takanori
Published: September 2020

Lewis acid-assisted palladium-catalysed dealkoxylation of N-alkoxyamides has been realised in the absence of an external reductant.
Ultra-low thermal conductivity and high thermoelectric performance realized in a Cu3SbSe4 based system
Authors: Li J. M. , Ming H. W. , Zhang B. L. , Song C. J. , Wang L. , Xin H. X. , Zhang J. , Qin X. Y. , Li D.
Published: September 2020

Cu3SbSe4-Based materials were fabricated through Sn-doping and AgSb0.98Ge0.02Se2 incorporation and their thermoelectric properties were investigated in the temperature range from 300 K to 675 K.
Decoding glycans: deciphering the sugary secrets to be coherent on the implication
Authors: Sharma Shreya , Shekhar Shashank , Sharma Bhasha , Jain Purnima
Published: September 2020

A glycan toolbox for pathogenic and cancerous interventions. The review article sheds light on the sweet secrets of this complex structure.
Automated multiplex nucleic acid tests for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2, influenza A and B infection with direct reverse-transcription quantitative PCR (dirRT-qPCR) assay in a centrifugal microfluidic platform
Authors: Ji Minghui , Xia Yun , Loo Jacky , Li Lang , Ho Ho-Pui , He Jianan , Gu Dayong
Published: September 2020

Development of a microfluidic disc-direct reverse-transcription quantitative PCR platform to perform automated multiplex nucleic acid tests for rapid multiplex detection of disease infection.
Supermolecule-assisted imaging of low-molecular-weight quaternary-ammonium compounds by MALDI-MS of their non-covalent complexes with cucurbit[7]uril
Authors: Chen Di , Han Jun , Yang Juncong , Schibli David , Zhang Zhenzhong , Borchers Christoph H.
Published: September 2020

Cucurbit[7]uril was used to form non-covalent complexes with low-molecular-weight quaternary-ammonium compounds for their indirect analysis by MALDI-MS.
Quantitative study of unsaturated transport of glycerol through aquaglyceroporin that has high affinity for glycerol
Authors: Rodriguez Roberto A. , Chan Ruth , Liang Huiyun , Chen Liao Y.
Published: September 2020

In addition to the single-glycerol mechanism for saturable kinetics, a second transport pathway becomes more significant at higher substrate concentrations, resulting in unsaturable transport characteristics of an aquaglyceroporin.
Liposomal N-acylethanolamine-hydrolyzing acid amidase (NAAA) inhibitor F96 as a new therapy for colitis
Authors: Xiu Yangyan , Wang Kaizhen , Chen Jingfang , Zhuo Zhiqiang , Xiu Yanghui
Published: September 2020

Liposomal NAAA inhibitor F96 exhibits potent therapeutic activities against colitis.
Lessons learned in engineering interrupted adenylation domains when attempting to create trifunctional enzymes from three independent monofunctional ones
Authors: Lundy Taylor A. , Mori Shogo , Garneau-Tsodikova Sylvie
Published: September 2020

Interrupted adenylation (A) domains are fascinating examples of multifunctional enzymes with high potential for engineering. Here, limits were established in engineering trifunctional interrupted A domains.
Comparative study of gold and silver interactions with amino acids and nucleobases
Authors: Buglak Andrey A. , Kononov Alexei I.
Published: September 2020

Our calculations showed that amino acids stabilize gold nanoclusters; binding energy between organics and gold is higher than between organics and silver.
Synthesis, biological evaluation, and in silico studies of novel chalcone- and pyrazoline-based 1,3,5-triazines as potential anticancer agents
Authors: Moreno Leydi M. , Quiroga Jairo , Abonia Rodrigo , Lauria Antonino , Martorana Annamaria , Insuasty Henry , Insuasty Braulio
Published: September 2020

A novel series of triazin-chalcones (7,8)a–g and triazin-N-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)pyrazolines (9,10)a–g were synthesized and evaluated for their anticancer activity against nine different cancer strains.
pH-Tolerant giant vesicles composed of cationic lipids with imine linkages and oleic acids
Authors: Sawada Daichi , Hirono Ayana , Asakura Kouichi , Banno Taisuke
Published: September 2020

Giant vesicles composed of cationic lipids having an imine linkage and oleic acid were stable at strong acidic conditions.
Effect of soybean milk fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum HFY01 isolated from yak yogurt on weight loss and lipid reduction in mice with obesity induced by a high-fat diet
Authors: Li Chong , Liu Huilin , Yang Jiao , Mu Jianfei , Wang Ranran , Zhao Xin
Published: September 2020

Soybean milk fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum HFY01 (LP-HFY01) was used for weight and lipid reduction in mice with obesity induced by a high-fat diet.
Inside polyMOFs: layered structures in polymer-based metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Bentz Kyle C. , Gnanasekaran Karthikeyan , Bailey Jake B. , Ayala Sergio , Tezcan F. Akif , Gianneschi Nathan C. , Cohen Seth M.
Published: September 2020

In this report, we explore the internal structural features of polyMOFs consisting of equal mass ratios of metal-coordinating poly(benzenedicarboxylic acid) blocks and non-coordinating poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) blocks.
Linking gas diffusion electrode composition to CO2 reduction in a flow cell
Authors: Lees Eric W. , Mowbray Benjamin A. W. , Salvatore Danielle A. , Simpson Grace L. , Dvorak David J. , Ren Shaoxuan , Chau Jacky , Milton Katherine L. , Berlinguette Curtis P.
Published: September 2020

X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy links catalyst layer composition to the selectivity of CO2 reduction in flow reactors.
Vacancy-induced anion and cation redox chemistry in cation-deficient F-doped anatase TiO2
Authors: Li Haoxin , Li Yining , Zhao Xiaolin , Wang Youwei , Huang Kexian , Qiu Wujie , Wang Jifen , Liu Jianjun
Published: September 2020

Synergistic redox chemistry of anions and cations in cation-deficient F-doped anatase TiO2.
Enhanced thermoelectric performance of SWNT/organic small molecule (OSM) hybrid materials by tuning of the energy level of OSMs
Authors: Kim Tae-hoon , Jang Jae Gyu , Hong Jong-In
Published: September 2020

The SWNT/dmBT hybrid with a low barrier of 0.06 eV between SWNT and dmBT showed a maximum Seebeck coefficient of 78.5 μV K−1 and a power factor of 183.9 μW m−1 K−1, 1.5 and 4.6 times higher compared to the SWNT/dCNBT with a high barrier of 0.64 eV.
Permittivity boosting in “yellow” (Nb + In) co-doped TiO2
Authors: Taniguchi Hiroki , Sato Daiki , Nakano Akitoshi , Terasaki Ichiro
Published: September 2020

Unusual effects of post annealing on optical and dielectric properties of (Nb0.5In0.5)0.01Ti0.99O2(NITO-1.0%) are reported in the present study.
Ion diffusion coefficients in poly(3-alkylthiophenes) for energy conversion and biosensing: role of side-chain length and microstructure
Authors: Harris Jonathan K. , Ratcliff Erin L.
Published: September 2020

Electrochemically deposited conductive polymers, with their ion imprinted channels, can increase ion transport speed by three orders of magnitude over their spin coated counterparts by eliminating energetic traps for ion movement.
Attentional Bias Among Adolescents Who Stutter: Evidence for a Vigilance–Avoidance Effect
Authors: Rodgers Naomi H. , Lau Jennifer Y. F. , Zebrowski Patricia M.
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine group and individual differences in attentional bias toward and away from socially threatening facial stimuli among adolescents who stutter and age- and sex-matched typically fluent controls.

Method

Participants included 86 adolescents (43 stuttering, 43 controls) ranging in age from 13 to 19 years. They completed a computerized dot-probe task, which was modified to allow for separate measurement of attentional engagement with and attentional disengagement from facial stimuli (angry, fearful, neutral expressions). Their response time on this task was the dependent variable. Participants also completed the Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents (SAS-A) and provided a speech sample for analysis of stuttering-like behaviors.

Results

The adolescents who stutter were more likely to engage quickly with threatening faces than to maintain attention on neutral faces, and they were also more likely to disengage quickly from threatening faces than to maintain attention on those faces. The typically fluent controls did not show any attentional preference for the threatening faces over the neutral faces in either the engagement or disengagement conditions. The two groups demonstrated equivalent levels of social anxiety that were both, on average, very close to the clinical cutoff score for high social anxiety, although degree of social anxiety did not influence performance in either condition. Stuttering severity did not influence performance among the adolescents who stutter.

Conclusion

This study provides preliminary evidence for a vigilance–avoidance pattern of attentional allocation to threatening social stimuli among adolescents who stutter.
Harmonic model validation of power generation units
Authors: Malekian Kaveh , Safargholi Farhad , Schufft Wolfgang , Dreyer Thomas , Cassoli Jair , Adloff Stephan , Ackermann Florian , Moghadam Hasanali , Rogalla Soenke , Kaatz Gesa , Meyer Marc Florian , Mueller Sascha , Athamna Issam , Daniel Sven , Klosse Rainer , Santjer Fritz , Weise Bernd
Published: September 2020

This study addresses the validation of harmonic models for power generation units considering practical aspects associated with test‐bench and on‐site measurements. A new method is proposed for the harmonic model validation. This method has been developed within the joint research project ‘NetzHarmonie,’ which deals with the study of harmonic emissions of renewable energy sources in the power system. The main idea for model validation is to compare the harmonic voltage–current characteristic of the model with the measured harmonic voltage–current pairs. This idea is implemented in a practical process by considering measurement uncertainties as well as the time variation of harmonics. In the validation process, measurement data should meet the given requirements to verify whether they are suitable for the task of validation. The application of the proposed model validation process to photovoltaic and wind power generation units with different topologies and power classes is thoroughly addressed as well. The application of the proposed process is illustrated in detail for selected harmonic orders from these measurement campaigns. This study aims to provide a scientific foundation for the consideration of the harmonic model validation of power generation units in future standards.
Strong dependence of Type Ia supernova standardization on the local specific star formation rate
Authors: Rigault M. , Brinnel V. , Aldering G. , Antilogus P. , Aragon C. , Bailey S. , Baltay C. , Barbary K. , Bongard S. , Boone K. , Buton C. , Childress M. , Chotard N. , Copin Y. , Dixon S. , Fagrelius P. , Feindt U. , Fouchez D. , Gangler E. , Hayden B. , Hillebrandt W. , Howell D. A. , Kim A. , Kowalski M. , Kuesters D. , Leget P.-F. , Lombardo S. , Lin Q. , Nordin J. , Pain R. , Pecontal E. , Pereira R. , Perlmutter S. , Rabinowitz D. , Runge K. , Rubin D. , Saunders C. , Smadja G. , Sofiatti C. , Suzuki N. , Taubenberger S. , Tao C. , Thomas R. C.
Published: September 2020

As part of an on-going effort to identify, understand and correct for astrophysics biases in the standardization of Type Ia supernovae (SN Ia) for cosmology, we have statistically classified a large sample of nearby SNe Ia into those that are located in predominantly younger or older environments. This classification is based on the specific star formation rate measured within a projected distance of 1 kpc from each SN location (LsSFR). This is an important refinement compared to using the local star formation rate directly, as it provides a normalization for relative numbers of available SN progenitors and is more robust against extinction by dust. We find that the SNe Ia in predominantly younger environments are ΔY = 0.163 ± 0.029 mag (5.7σ) fainter than those in predominantly older environments after conventional light-curve standardization. This is the strongest standardized SN Ia brightness systematic connected to the host-galaxy environment measured to date. The well-established step in standardized brightnesses between SNe Ia in hosts with lower or higher total stellar masses is smaller, at ΔM = 0.119 ± 0.032 mag (4.5σ), for the same set of SNe Ia. When fit simultaneously, the environment-age offset remains very significant, with ΔY = 0.129 ± 0.032 mag (4.0σ), while the global stellar mass step is reduced to ΔM = 0.064  ±  0.029 mag (2.2σ). Thus, approximately 70% of the variance from the stellar mass step is due to an underlying dependence on environment-based progenitor age. Also, we verify that using the local star formation rate alone is not as powerful as LsSFR at sorting SNe Ia into brighter and fainter subsets. Standardization that only uses the SNe Ia in younger environments reduces the total dispersion from 0.142  ±  0.008 mag to 0.120  ±  0.010 mag. We show that as environment-ages evolve with redshift, a strong bias, especially on the measurement of the derivative of the dark energy equation of state, can develop. Fortunately, data that measure and correct for this effect using our local specific star formation rate indicator, are likely to be available for many next-generation SN Ia cosmology experiments.
Bayesian estimate of the superfluid moments of inertia from the 2016 glitch in the Vela pulsar
Authors: Montoli A. , Antonelli M. , Magistrelli F. , Pizzochero P. M.
Published: September 2020

Context. The observation of the first pulse-to-pulse glitch in the Vela pulsar opens a new window among theoretical speculations on the internal dynamics of neutron stars as it allows us for testing models to factor in the circumstances of the first moments of a glitch. Several works in the literature have already considered the observational and physical parameters of the star by employing a minimal model with three rigidly rotating components.

Aims. We improve the analytical study of the minimal three-component model for pulsar glitches by solving it with generic initial conditions for the two initial lags of their superfluid components. The purpose is to use this solution to fit the data of the 2016 Vela glitch by employing a Bayesian approach and to obtain a probability distribution for the physical parameters of the model and for observational parameters, such as the glitch rise time and the relaxation timescale.

Methods. The fit is achieved through Bayesian inference. Due to the presence of an increase in the timing residuals near the glitch time, an extra magnetospheric component was added to the three-component model to deal with this phenomenon. A physically reasonable, non-informative prior was set on the different parameters of the model, so that the posterior distribution could be compared with state-of-the-art information obtained from microphysical calculations. By considering a model with a tightened prior on the moment of inertia fractions and by comparing it with the original model by means of Bayesian model selection, we studied the possibility of a crust-limited superfluid reservoir.

Results. We obtained the posterior distribution for the moment of inertia fractions of the superfluid components, the coupling parameters, and the initial velocity lags between the components. An analysis of the inferred posterior also confirmed the presence of an overshoot in that glitch and set an upper limit of ∼6 s on the glitch rise timescale. The comparison between the two models with different priors on the moment of inertia fractions appears to indicate a need for a core participation in the glitch phenomenon, regardless of the uncertain strength of the entrainment coupling.