bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reducing the use of inhaled corticosteroids in mild-moderate COPD: an observational study in east London
Authors: Cole James N. , Mathur Rohini A. , Hull Sally A.
Published: July 2020

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are often prescribed for worsening breathlessness, exacerbation frequency or lung function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In mild-moderate disease and infrequent exacerbations, treatment risks may outweigh benefits and ICS may be withdrawn safely under supervision. A systematic ICS deprescribing programme for patients with mild-moderate COPD was introduced in an east London Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) in April 2017. Primary care patient record analysis found that prescribing fell from 34.9% (n = 701) in the 18 months pre-intervention to 26.9% (n = 538) by the second year of implementation, decreasing 0.84% per quarter post intervention (p = 0.006, linear regression). The relative decrease was greater than the comparison CCG (23.0% vs. 9.9%). Only South Asian ethnicity was associated with increased cessation (odds ratio 1.48, confidence interval (CI) 1.09–2.01), p = 0.013, logistic regression). Patient outcome data were not collected. A primary care-led programme comprising local education, financial incentivisation and consultant support led to a significant decrease in ICS prescribing.
Dedifferentiation: inspiration for devising engineering strategies for regenerative medicine
Authors: Yao Yongchang , Wang Chunming
Published: July 2020

Cell dedifferentiation is the process by which cells grow reversely from a partially or terminally differentiated stage to a less differentiated stage within their own lineage. This extraordinary phenomenon, observed in many physiological processes, inspires the possibility of developing new therapeutic approaches to regenerate damaged tissue and organs. Meanwhile, studies also indicate that dedifferentiation can cause pathological changes. In this review, we compile the literature describing recent advances in research on dedifferentiation, with an emphasis on tissue-specific findings, cellular mechanisms, and potential therapeutic applications from an engineering perspective. A critical understanding of such knowledge may provide fresh insights for designing new therapeutic strategies for regenerative medicine based on the principle of cell dedifferentiation.
Food texture influences on satiety: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Stribiţcaia Ecaterina , Evans Charlotte E. L. , Gibbons Catherine , Blundell John , Sarkar Anwesha
Published: July 2020

Obesity is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths. Development of satiety-enhancing foods is considered as a promising strategy to reduce food intake and promote weight management. Food texture may influence satiety through differences in appetite sensations, gastrointestinal peptide release and food intake, but the degree to which it does remains unclear. Herein, we report the first systematic review and meta-analyses on effects of food texture (form, viscosity, structural complexity) on satiety. Both solid and higher viscous food reduce hunger by − 4.97 mm (95% confidence interval (CI) − 8.13, − 1.80) and − 2.10 mm (95% CI − 4.38, 1.18), respectively compared to liquid and low viscous food. An effect of viscosity on fullness (95% CI 5.20 (2.43, 7.97) and a moderate effect of the form of food (95% CI − 26.19 (− 61.72, − 9.35) on food intake were noted. Due to the large variation among studies, the results should be interpreted cautiously and modestly.
Physiological correlates of cognitive load in laparoscopic surgery
Authors: Zakeri Zohreh , Mansfield Neil , Sunderland Caroline , Omurtag Ahmet
Published: July 2020

Laparoscopic surgery can be exhausting and frustrating, and the cognitive load experienced by surgeons may have a major impact on patient safety as well as healthcare economics. As cognitive load decreases with increasing proficiency, its robust assessment through physiological data can help to develop more effective training and certification procedures in this area. We measured data from 31 novices during laparoscopic exercises to extract features based on cardiac and ocular variables. These were compared with traditional behavioural and subjective measures in a dual-task setting. We found significant correlations between the features and the traditional measures. The subjective task difficulty, reaction time, and completion time were well predicted by the physiology features. Reaction times to randomly timed auditory stimuli were correlated with the mean of the heart rate ($$r = - 0.29$$

r
=
-
0.29

) and heart rate variability ($$r = 0.4$$

r
=
0.4

). Completion times were correlated with the physiologically predicted values with a correlation coefficient of 0.84. We found that the multi-modal set of physiology features was a better predictor than any individual feature and artificial neural networks performed better than linear regression. The physiological correlates studied in this paper, translated into technological products, could help develop standardised and more easily regulated frameworks for training and certification.
Microencapsulated algal feeds as a sustainable replacement diet for broodstock in commercial bivalve aquaculture
Authors: Willer David F. , Furse Samuel , Aldridge David C.
Published: July 2020

The global bivalve shellfish industry makes up 25% of aquaculture, is worth USD $17.2 billion year−1, and relies upon a supply of juvenile bivalves produced by adult broodstock in hatcheries. Today large quantities of live algae are grown to feed broodstock at $220 kg−1, driving highly unsustainable energy and resource use. New advances in algal and microencapsulation technology provide solutions. We developed microencapsulated Schizochytrium algae diets, which can be produced sustainably at < $2 kg−1 from organic side-streams, and are shelf-stable to minimise waste. Physiological, histological, and cutting-edge metabolomic analyses demonstrate that in commercial settings sustainable microencapsulated diets facilitate improved sexual development and 12 × greater omega-3 levels in oysters relative to conventional live algal diets. Every tonne bivalve protein produced instead of fish spares 9 ha, 67 tonnes CO2, and 40,000 L freshwater. Further research into microencapsulated diets could support bivalve industry expansion, and contribute towards a step-change in sustainable global food production through improved aquaculture practices.
Phonon anharmonicities and ultrafast dynamics in epitaxial Sb2Te3
Authors: Bragaglia V. , Ramsteiner M. , Schick D. , Boschker J. E. , Mitzner R. , Calarco R. , Holldack K.
Published: July 2020

In this study we report on the investigation of epitaxially grown Sb2Te3 by employing Fourier-Transform transmission Spectroscopy (FTS) with laser-induced Coherent Synchrotron Radiation (CSR) in the Terahertz (THz) spectral range. Static spectra in the range between 20 and 120 cm−1 highlight a peculiar softening of an in-plane IR-active phonon mode upon temperature decrease, as opposed to all Raman active modes which instead show a hardening upon temperature decrease in the same energy range. The phonon mode softening is found to be accompanied by an increase of free carrier concentration. A strong coupling of the two systems (free carriers and phonons) is observed and further evidenced by exciting the same phonon mode at 62 cm−1 within an ultrafast pump-probe scheme employing a femtosecond laser as pump and a CSR single cycle THz pulse as probe. Separation of the free carrier contribution and the phonon resonance in the investigated THz range reveals that, both damping of the phonon mode and relaxation of hot carriers in the time domain happen on the same time scale of 5 ps. This relaxation is about a factor of 10 slower than expected from the Lorentz time-bandwidth limit. The results are discussed in the framework of phonon scattering at thermal and laser induced transient free carriers.
Detrended fluctuation analysis of gait dynamics when entraining to music and metronomes at different tempi in persons with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Moumdjian Lousin , Maes Pieter-Jan , Dalla Bella Simone , Decker Leslie M. , Moens Bart , Feys Peter , Leman Marc
Published: July 2020

In persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), synchronizing walking to auditory stimuli such as to music and metronomes have been shown to be feasible, and positive clinical effects have been reported on step frequency and perception of fatigue. Yet, the dynamic interaction during the process of synchronization, such as the coupling of the steps to the beat intervals in music and metronomes, and at different tempi remain unknown. Understanding these interactions are clinically relevant, as it reflects the pattern of step intervals over time, known as gait dynamics. 28 PwMS and 29 healthy controls were instructed to walk to music and metronomes at 6 tempi (0–10% in increments of 2%). Detrended fluctuation analysis was applied to calculate the fractal statistical properties of the gait time-series to quantify gait dynamics by the outcome measure alpha. The results showed no group differences, but significantly higher alpha when walking to music compared to metronomes, and when walking to both stimuli at tempi + 8, + 10% compared to lower tempi. These observations suggest that the precision and adaptation gain differ during the coupling of the steps to beats in music compared to metronomes (continuous compared to discrete auditory structures) and at different tempi (different inter-beat-intervals).
Parallel reaction monitoring revealed tolerance to drought proteins in weedy rice (Oryza sativa f. spontanea)
Authors: Han Bing , Ma Xiaoding , Cui Di , Geng Leiyue , Cao Guilan , Zhang Hui , Han Longzhi
Published: July 2020

Drought is a complicated abiotic stress factor with severe effects on rice growth and production. Weedy rice is a valuable genetic resource that possesses a strong capacity for drought tolerance, cold tolerance, and salt tolerance, and is an excellent material for studying rice tolerance. Here, according to comprehensive tolerance to drought index D, accession WR16 was selected based on strong drought tolerance among 133 studied weedy red rice germplasms. WR16 was compared with Oryza sativa ssp. Japonica. cv. IAPAR-9, a reference genotype originating from Brazil. In addition, accession WR24 was classified as moderately tolerant to drought accessions. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses were combined to identify 38 co-upregulated proteins related to drought tolerance, and targeted parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) was used to precisely quantify and verify nine proteins in the complex backgrounds. Result showed that six proteins were significantly (Fisher's exact P value < 0.05) related to drought tolerance in accessions WR16 and WR24. Among them, OS09T0478300-01, OS09T0530300-01, and OS01T0800500-01 formed a combined defense system to respond to drought stress in weedy rice. Results of these studies provide comprehensive information for precisely identifying and verifying tolerance to drought proteins and lay a solid theoretical foundation for research on drought tolerance mechanisms.
Unbiased identification of novel subclinical imaging biomarkers using unsupervised deep learning
Authors: Waldstein Sebastian M. , Seeböck Philipp , Donner René , Sadeghipour Amir , Bogunović Hrvoje , Osborne Aaron , Schmidt-Erfurth Ursula
Published: July 2020

Artificial intelligence has recently made a disruptive impact in medical imaging by successfully automatizing expert-level diagnostic tasks. However, replicating human-made decisions may inherently be biased by the fallible and dogmatic nature of human experts, in addition to requiring prohibitive amounts of training data. In this paper, we introduce an unsupervised deep learning architecture particularly designed for OCT representations for unbiased, purely data-driven biomarker discovery. We developed artificial intelligence technology that provides biomarker candidates without any restricting input or domain knowledge beyond raw images. Analyzing 54,900 retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) volume scans of 1094 patients with age-related macular degeneration, we generated a vocabulary of 20 local and global markers capturing characteristic retinal patterns. The resulting markers were validated by linking them with clinical outcomes (visual acuity, lesion activity and retinal morphology) using correlation and machine learning regression. The newly identified features correlated well with specific biomarkers traditionally used in clinical practice (r up to 0.73), and outperformed them in correlating with visual acuity ($$\hbox {R}^{2} = 0.46$$R2=0.46 compared to $$\hbox {R}^{2} = 0.29$$R2=0.29 for conventional markers), despite representing an enormous compression of OCT imaging data (67 million voxels to 20 features). In addition, our method also discovered hitherto unknown, clinically relevant biomarker candidates. The presented deep learning approach identified known as well as novel medical imaging biomarkers without any prior domain knowledge. Similar approaches may be worthwhile across other medical imaging fields.
Integration of palaeo-and-modern food webs reveal slow changes in a river floodplain wetland ecosystem
Authors: Kattel Giri R. , Eyre Bradley D. , Gell Peter A.
Published: July 2020

Large rivers, including the Murray River system in southeast Australia, are disturbed by many activities. The arrival of European settlers to Australia by the mid-1800s transformed many floodplain wetlands of the lower Murray River system. River impoundment and flow regulation in the late 1800s and, from the 1930s, resulted in species invasion, and elevated nutrient concentrations causing widespread eutrophication. An integrated palaeoecology, and palaeo-and-modern food web approach, incorporating mixing models, was undertaken to reveal changes in a regulated wetland (i.e. Kings Billabong). The lack of preserved sediment suggests the wetland was naturally intermittent before 1890. After this time, when used as a water retention basin, the wetland experienced net sediment accumulation. Subfossil cladocerans, and δ13C of Daphnia, chironomid, and bulk sediment, all reflected an early productive, likely clear water state and shifts in trophic state following river regulation in the 1930s. Food web mixing models, based on δ13C and δ15N in subfossil and modern Daphnia, fish, and submerged and emergent macrophytes, also indicated a shift in the trophic relationships between fish and Daphnia. By the 1970s, a new state was established but a further significant alteration of nitrogen and carbon sources, and trophic interactions, continued through to the early 2000s. A possible switch from Daphnia as a prey of Australian Smelt could have modified the food web of the wetland by c. 2006. The timing of this change corresponded to the expansion of emergent macrophytes possibly due to landscape level disruptions. The evidence of these changes suggests a need for a broader understanding of the evolution of wetlands for the management of floodplains in the region.
An in-silico study of cancer cell survival and spatial distribution within a 3D microenvironment
Authors: Cortesi Marilisa , Liverani Chiara , Mercatali Laura , Ibrahim Toni , Giordano Emanuele
Published: July 2020

3D cell cultures are in-vitro models representing a significant improvement with respect to traditional monolayers. Their diffusion and applicability, however, are hampered by the complexity of 3D systems, that add new physical variables for experimental analyses. In order to account for these additional features and improve the study of 3D cultures, we here present SALSA (ScAffoLd SimulAtor), a general purpose computational tool that can simulate the behavior of a population of cells cultured in a 3D scaffold. This software allows for the complete customization of both the polymeric template structure and the cell population behavior and characteristics. In the following the technical description of SALSA will be presented, together with its validation and an example of how it could be used to optimize the experimental analysis of two breast cancer cell lines cultured in collagen scaffolds. This work contributes to the growing field of integrated in-silico/in-vitro analysis of biological systems, which have great potential for the study of complex cell population behaviours and could lead to improve and facilitate the effectiveness and diffusion of 3D cell culture models.
Comparison of bacterial communities between midgut and midgut contents in two silkworms, Antheraea pernyi and Bombyx mori
Authors: Wang Huan , Zhang Jing-Yu , Wang Xiao-Meng , Hu Hua-Lei , Xia Run-Xi , Li Qun , Zhu Xu-Wei , Wang Tian-Mao , Liu Yan-Qun , Qin Li
Published: July 2020

Bacterial communities living inside the midgut of insects have been attracting increasing interest. Previous studies have shown that both the midgut and midgut contents harbor bacterial communities. However, whether the bacterial communities of the insect midgut are similar to those of the insect midgut contents (including the peritrophic membrane, food particles, and digestive fluids secreted by the midgut in this study) remains unknown. In the present study, we analyzed two economically important silkworms, the Chinese oak silkworm Antheraea pernyi (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) and the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae), through Illumina MiSeq technology to address this issue. In A. pernyi larvae, 17 phyla and 162 genera were found in the midgut, while 7 phyla and 36 genera were found in the midgut contents. For B. mori larvae, 30 phyla and 465 genera were found in the midgut, but 22 phyla and 344 genera were found in the midgut contents. This evidence from the two silkworms suggests that the bacterial composition and diversity in the midgut are more diverse than those in the midgut contents. Principal component analysis revealed a significant difference in the bacterial community structure between the midgut and midgut contents of B. mori. To our knowledge, this is the first study to compare the bacterial communities between the midgut and midgut contents in insects, and the results will provide useful information for probing the functional differentiation within the midgut in the future.
Cecal motility and the impact of Lactobacillus in feather pecking laying hens
Authors: van Staaveren Nienke , Krumma Julia , Forsythe Paul , Kjaer Joergen B. , Kwon Isabelle Y. , Mao Yu-Kang , West Christine , Kunze Wolfgang , Harlander-Matauschek Alexandra
Published: July 2020

The gut-microbiota-brain axis is implicated in the development of behavioural disorders in mammals. As such, its potential role in disruptive feather pecking (FP) in birds cannot be ignored. Birds with a higher propensity to perform FP have distinct microbiota profiles and feed transit times compared to non-pecking counterparts. Consequently, we hypothesize that the gut microbiota is intimately linked to FP and gut motility, which presents the possibility of using probiotics to control FP behaviour. In the present study, we aim to assess the relationship between cecal motility and the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus in chickens classified as peckers (P, 13 birds) and non-peckers (NP, 17 birds). We show that cecal contractions were 68% less frequent and their amplitude increased by 58% in the presence of L. rhamnosus. Furthermore, the number of FP bouts performed by P birds was positively correlated with contraction velocity and amplitude. We present the first account of gut motility measurements in birds with distinct FP phenotypes. Importantly, the present work demonstrates the clear impact of a probiotic on cecal contractions. These findings lay the foundation for identifying biological differences between P and NP birds which will support the development of FP control strategies.
Terpinen-4-ol and nystatin co-loaded precursor of liquid crystalline system for topical treatment of oral candidiasis
Authors: Francisconi Renata Serignoli , Maquera-Huacho Patricia Milagros , Tonon Caroline Coradi , Calixto Giovana Maria Fioramonti , de Cássia Orlandi Sardi Janaína , Chorilli Marlus , Spolidorio Denise Madalena Palomari
Published: July 2020

This study was performed to develop a liquid crystalline system (LCS) incorporated with terpinen-4-ol and nystatin to evaluate its antifungal, antibiofilm, and synergistic/modulatory activity against Candida albicans. The LCS was composed of a dispersion containing 40% propoxylated and ethoxylated cetyl alcohol, 40% oleic acid, and 0.5% chitosan dispersion. According to analysis by polarized light microscopy, rheology, and mucoadhesion studies, the incorporation of 100% artificial saliva increased the pseudoplasticity, consistency index, viscosity, and mucoadhesion of the formulation. The minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum fungicidal concentration, and rate of biofilm development were used to evaluate antifungal activity; the LCS containing terpinen-4-ol and nystatin effectively inhibited C. albicans growth at a lower concentration, displaying a synergistic action. Therefore, LCS incorporated with terpinen-4-ol and nystatin is a promising alternative for preventing and treating infections and shows potential for the development of therapeutic strategies against candidiasis.
Cas13b-dependent and Cas13b-independent RNA knockdown of viral sequences in mosquito cells following guide RNA expression
Authors: Tng Priscilla Ying Lei , Carabajal Paladino Leonela , Verkuijl Sebald Alexander Nkosana , Purcell Jessica , Merits Andres , Leftwich Philip Thomas , Fragkoudis Rennos , Noad Rob , Alphey Luke
Published: July 2020

Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes are vectors of the RNA viruses chikungunya (CHIKV) and dengue that currently have no specific therapeutic treatments. The development of new methods to generate virus-refractory mosquitoes would be beneficial. Cas13b is an enzyme that uses RNA guides to target and cleave RNA molecules and has been reported to suppress RNA viruses in mammalian and plant cells. We investigated the potential use of the Prevotella sp. P5-125 Cas13b system to provide viral refractoriness in mosquito cells, using a virus-derived reporter and a CHIKV split replication system. Cas13b in combination with suitable guide RNAs could induce strong suppression of virus-derived reporter RNAs in insect cells. Surprisingly, the RNA guides alone (without Cas13b) also gave substantial suppression. Our study provides support for the potential use of Cas13b in mosquitoes, but also caution in interpreting CRISPR/Cas data as we show that guide RNAs can have Cas-independent effects.
Piezotronic-enhanced oxygen evolution reaction enabled by a Au/MoS2 nanosheet catalyst
Authors: Bian Juanjuan , Sun Chunwen
Published: July 2020

Herein, the energy band of the Au nanoparticles/MoS2 nanosheets is modulated by ultrasonic vibration to induce piezoelectric catalytic effect, which effectively enhances the OER performance and dye decomposition reaction.
Enantioselective and regioselective aza-Friedel–Crafts reaction of electron-rich phenols with isatin-derived ketimines
Authors: Cai Liu , Liu Xiangshuai , Wang Jie , Chen Li , Li Xin , Cheng Jin-Pei
Published: July 2020

An efficient asymmetric aza-Friedel–Crafts reaction of phenols with isatin-derived ketimines is described.
Unusually strong hydrogen bond cooperativity in particular (H2O)20clusters
Authors: Kananenka Alexei A. , Skinner J. L.
Published: July 2020

We “engineered” a water cluster with the strongest hydrogen bond ever found in neutral water and studied the origin of its unusual strength as well as the structural, vibrational, and NMR properties of the cluster.
Probing the conformational landscape and thermochemistry of DNA dinucleotide anions via helium nanodroplet infrared action spectroscopy
Authors: Thomas Daniel A. , Chang Rayoon , Mucha Eike , Lettow Maike , Greis Kim , Gewinner Sandy , Schöllkopf Wieland , Meijer Gerard , von Helden Gert
Published: July 2020

Kinetic trapping in helium nanodroplets enables measurement of conformer thermochemistry via infrared spectroscopy at 0.4 K.
Origin of the 29Si NMR chemical shift in R3Si–X and relationship to the formation of silylium (R3Si+) ions
Authors: Huynh Winn , Conley Matthew P.
Published: July 2020

The origin in deshielding of 29Si NMR chemical shifts in R3Si–X, where X = H, OMe, Cl, OTf, [CH6B11X6], toluene, and OX (OX = surface oxygen), as well as iPr3Si+ and Mes3Si+ were studied using DFT methods.
Frustrated Lewis pairs with thermally activated delayed fluorescence properties: activation of formaldehyde
Authors: Lee Young Hoon , Nam Eun Bi , Lee Junseong , Lee Sang Uck , Lee Min Hyung
Published: July 2020

Activation of formaldehyde (FA) by frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) consisting of bulky phosphines with a donor–acceptor unit and B(C6F5)3 led to the formation of FLP–FA adducts that exhibit a thermally activated delayed fluorescence.
Electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution under neutral pH conditions: current understandings, recent advances, and future prospects
Authors: Zhou Zheng , Pei Zengxia , Wei Li , Zhao Shenlong , Jian Xian , Chen Yuan
Published: July 2020

This review summarizes the latest advances in hydrogen evolution reaction under neutral conditions to enlighten future researches.
Direct evidence for thickening nanoscale organic films at soil biogeochemical interfaces and its relevance to organic matter preservation
Authors: Huang Xizhi , Li Yiwei , Guggenberger Georg , Kuzyakov Yakov , Liu Bi-Feng , Wu Jinshui
Published: July 2020

Microbial-mediated thickening of the organic layer at the soil–water interface limits the bioavailability of nutrients and protects organic matter.
Effects of pomegranate peel extract and vitamin E on the inflammatory status and endothelial function in hemodialysis patients: a randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Jafari Tina , Fallah Aziz A. , Reyhanian Ali , Sarmast Elham
Published: July 2020

This study showed that combination therapy with PPE and Vit E is more effective than single therapy to ameliorate inflammation and vascular function in hemodialysis patients.
Insights into the potential benefits of black soybean (Glycine maxL.) polyphenols in lifestyle diseases
Authors: Yamashita Yoko , Sakakibara Hiroyuki , Toda Toshiya , Ashida Hitoshi
Published: July 2020

Black soybean (Glycine maxL.), a cultivar containing abundant polyphenols in its seed coat such as anthocyanins and flavan-3-ols, has been reported to possess various health benefits toward lifestyle diseases.
A hierarchical Ru-bearing alumina/magnetic iron-oxide composite for the magnetically heated hydrogenation of furfural
Authors: Gyergyek Sašo , Kocjan Andraž , Grilc Miha , Likozar Blaž , Hočevar Brigita , Makovec Darko
Published: July 2020

Ruthenium catalyzed and magnetically heated hydrogenation of furfural in a slurry-type reactor is demonstrated in this work.
Enrichment of glycopeptides using environmentally friendly wood materials
Authors: Zhou Yuye , Sheng Xia , Garemark Jonas , Josefsson Leila , Sun Licheng , Li Yuanyuan , Emmer Åsa
Published: July 2020

Enrichment of IgG glycopeptides using environmentally friendly wood materials.
Functional B@mCN-assisted photocatalytic oxidation of biomass-derived pentoses and hexoses to lactic acid
Authors: Ma Jiliang , Li Yancong , Jin Dongnv , Ali Zulfiqar , Jiao Gaojie , Zhang Junqiang , Wang Shuo , Sun Runcang
Published: July 2020

The integration of biorefining and photocatalysis is the most promising approach to enable green and efficient synthesis of biomass-based high value chemicals.
Histone lysine specific demethylase 1 inhibitors
Authors: Mehndiratta Samir , Liou Jing-Ping
Published: July 2020

LSD1 plays a pivotal role in numerous biological functions.
Effect of Fe(iii)-based MOFs on the catalytic efficiency of the tandem cyclooxidative reaction between 2-aminobenzamide and alcohols
Authors: Dang Minh-Huy Dinh , Nguyen Trang Thi Minh , Nguyen Linh Ho Thuy , Nguyen Trang Thi Thu , Phan Thang Bach , Tran Phuong Hoang , Doan Tan Le Hoang
Published: July 2020

Fe-MOFs were used as efficient heterogeneous catalysts in the tandem cyclooxidative reaction under microwave irradiation.
A sulfur, nitrogen dual-doped porous graphene nanohybrid for ultraselective Hg(ii) separation over Pb(ii) and Cu(ii)
Authors: Tian Hua , Guo Jianrong , Pang Zili , Hu Minghua , He Junhui
Published: July 2020

A specific 2D porous nanostructure and multi-binding ligands endow SNPG with outstanding selectivity and ability to separate Hg(ii) over Pb(ii) and Cu(ii).
Cation-exchange construction of ZnSe/Sb2Se3 hollow microspheres coated by nitrogen-doped carbon with enhanced sodium ion storage capability
Authors: Wang Yuyu , Cao Dongxu , Zhang Kailiang , Kang Wenpei , Wang Xiaotong , Ma Ping , Wan Yufen , Cao Dongwei , Sun Daofeng
Published: July 2020

ZnSe/Sb2Se3@NC hollow microsphere is designed via a cation-exchange method, providing fast reaction kinetics, which supports the better cycling stability and superior rate performance.
Access to a stabilized i-motif DNA structure through four successive ligation reactions on a cyclopeptide scaffold
Authors: Devaux Alexandre , Bonnat Laureen , Lavergne Thomas , Defrancq Eric
Published: July 2020

Four successive chemical ligations were used for the assembly of a sophisticated biomolecular system allowing the formation of a stabilized i-motif DNA at pH 7.
Azoreductase-triggered fluorescent nanoprobe synthesized by RAFT-mediated polymerization-induced self-assembly for drug release
Authors: Zhou Yechun , Wang Zhe , Wang Yuqing , Li Lishan , Zhou Nianchen , Cai Yuanli , Zhang Zhengbiao , Zhu Xiulin
Published: July 2020

Herein, micelles loaded with doxorubicin (DOX) in situ were synthesized by polymerization-induced self-assembly. Furthermore, the DOX-loaded micelles showed release and fluorescence change, owing to azoreductase-triggered azo bond cleavage.
Direct fluorination as a one-step ATRP initiator immobilization for convenient surface grafting of phenyl ring-containing substrates
Authors: He Taijun , Xing Zhenyu , Wang Yixing , Wu Difeng , Liu Yang , Liu Xiangyang
Published: July 2020

Direct fluorination is proposed as a one-step ATRP initiator immobilization and the C–F added on the phenyl ring is demonstrated to be more suitable for initiation of ATRP.
Dimerization–cyclization reactions of isocyanoaryl-tethered alkylidenecyclobutanes via a triplet biradical mediated process
Authors: Tao Le-Yi , Wei Yin , Shi Min
Published: July 2020

A triplet biradical mediated dimerization–cyclization reaction of isocyanoaryl-tethered alkylidenecyclobutanes to construct macrocyclic skeletons including dihydroquinoline and quinoline units has been reported.
A core–shell structure of cobalt sulfide//G-ink towards high energy density in asymmetric hybrid supercapacitors
Authors: Chebrolu Venkata Thulasivarma , Balakrishnan Balamuralitharan , Selvaraj Aravindha Raja , Kim Hee-Je
Published: July 2020

New atom substitution in transition metals is a promising strategy for improving the performance of supercapacitors (SCs).
Advances in local and systemic drug delivery systems for post-surgical cancer treatment
Authors: Aquib Md , Juthi Ajkia Zaman , Farooq Muhammad Asim , Ali Manasik Gumah , Janabi Alhamzah Hasan Waheed , Bavi Sneha , Banerjee Parikshit , Bhosale Raghunath , Bavi Rohit , Wang Bo
Published: July 2020

Graphical representation of local and systemic drug delivery systems.
Knockdown of TRIM52 alleviates LPS-induced inflammatory injury in human periodontal ligament cells through the TLR4/NF-κB pathway
Authors: Liu Peng , Cui Lijun , Shen Lifang
Published: July 2020

Tripartite motif-containing (TRIM) 52 (TRIM52) is a vital regulator of inflammation. However, the function and mechanisms of TRIM52 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory injury of human periodontal ligament cells (HPDLCs) in periodontitis remain undefined. In the present research, gene expression was determined using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. The effect of TRIM52 on LPS-induced inflammatory injury was evaluated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, flow cytometry, and enyzme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We found that TRIM52 expression was up-regulated in LPS-treated HPDLCs. Knockdown of TRIM52 alleviated LPS-induced proliferative inhibition and apoptosis promotion in HPDLCs, as evidenced by a decrease in cleaved caspase-3 expression and caspase-3 activity. Silencing TRIM52 suppressed LPS-induced inflammatory response of HPDLCs, as indicated by the decrease in interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels, and increase in IL-10 levels. TRIM52 knockdown inhibited LPS-induced activation of TLR4/nuclear factor-κ B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Taken together, knockdown of TRIM52 mitigated LPS-induced inflammatory injury via the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, providing an effective therapeutic target for periodontitis.
Lnc GNG12-AS1 knockdown suppresses glioma progression through the AKT/GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway
Authors: Xiang Zijin , Lv Qiaoli , Chen Xueru , Zhu Xiuting , Liu Shikun , Li Dangchi , Peng Xiangdong
Published: July 2020

Background: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are increasingly being regarded as regulators of glioma development. Notably, some studies report that GNG12-AS1 plays important functions and molecular mechanism in breast cancer, but there are no existing studies in glioma.

Objective: To analyze the biological functions and potential mechanisms of GNG12-AS1 in glioma.

Methods: We detected the expression of GNG12-AS1 in glioma tissues through analyzing TCGA data as well as our clinical samples. We then evaluated cell proliferation through MTT assay and colony formation and cell migration by transwell assay, wound healing assay and single cell tracking assay. After, we analyzed the effects of the AKT/GSK-3β/β-catenin through Western blotting and utilized the β-catenin agonist SKL2001 for the rescue experiment.

Results: GNG12-AS1 was highly expressed in glioma tissues. The silence of GNG12-AS1 inhibited the proliferation, migration and epithelial–mesenchymal transition of glioma cells, and reduced the activity of the AKT/GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway. Notably, SKL2001 could reverse cell migration as well as β-catenin expression in glioma cells with lower GNG12-AS1 expression.

Conclusions: GNG12-AS1 regulates proliferation and migration of glioma cells through the AKT/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling and can perhaps be a new target for the treatment of glioma.
Prioritised experience replay based on sample optimisation
Authors: Wang Xuesong , Xiang Haopeng , Cheng Yuhu , Yu Qiang
Published: July 2020

The sample‐based prioritised experience replay proposed in this study is aimed at how to select samples to the experience replay, which improves the training speed and increases the reward return. In the traditional deep Q‐networks (DQNs), it is subjected to random pickup of samples into the experience replay. However, the effect of each sample is different for the training process of agent. A better sampling method will make the agent training more effective. Therefore, when selecting a sample to the experience replay, the authors first allow the agent to learn randomly through the sample optimisation network, and take the average value returned after each study, so that the mean value is used as a threshold for selecting samples to the experience replay. Second, on the basis of sample optimisation, the authors increase the priority update and use the idea of reward‐shaping to give additional reward values to the returns of certain samples, which speeds up the agent training. Compared with traditional DQN and the prioritised experience replay DQN, this study uses OpenAI Gym as platform to improve agent learning efficiency.
Parameter analysis on multi‐factorial evolutionary algorithm
Authors: Xu Qingzheng , Zhang Jianhang , Fei Rong , Li Wei
Published: July 2020

As a novel and representative multi‐task optimisation (MTO) paradigm, multi‐factorial evolutionary algorithm (MFEA) can solve multiple self‐contained tasks simultaneously. Its overall performance highly depends on control parameters. The aim of this research work is to analyse three parameters, namely, probability of individual learning, probability of intra‐crossover and probability of inter‐crossover, controlled by the user. Experimental results on MTO problems demonstrate the superiority of MFEA with a smaller probability of individual learning in a fair competitive environment. While the influence of probabilities of intra‐crossover and inter‐crossover is unpredictable based on the task's features, the basic selection principle and the optimal value are provided based on massive simulated data.
Biases in galaxy cluster velocity dispersion and mass estimates in the small Ngal regime
Authors: Ferragamo A. , Rubiño-Martín J. A. , Betancort-Rijo J. , Munari E. , Sartoris B. , Barrena R.
Published: July 2020

Aims. We present a study of the statistical properties of three velocity dispersion and mass estimators: biweight, gapper, and standard deviation for a small number of galaxies (Ngal ≤ 75).

Methods. Using a set of 73 numerically simulated galaxy clusters, we first characterised the statistical bias and the variance for each one of the three estimators (biweight, gapper, and standard deviation) in the determination of the velocity dispersion and the dynamical mass of the clusters through the σ–M relation. These results were used to define a new set of unbiased estimators that are able to correct for these statistical biases with a minimum increase in associated variance. We also used the same set of numerical simulations to characterise two other physical biases that affect the estimates: the effect of velocity segregation on the selection of cluster members, and the effect of using cluster members within different physical radii from the cluster centre.

Results. The standard deviation (and its unbiased counterpart) is the estimator with the lowest variance estimator after the biweight and gapper. The effect of velocity segregation in the selection of galaxies within the sub-sample of the most massive galaxies in the cluster introduces a bias of 2% in the velocity dispersion estimate when it is calculated using a quarter of the most massive cluster members. We also find a dependence of the velocity dispersion estimate on the aperture radius as a fraction of R200. This is consistent with previous results in the literature.

Conclusions. The proposed set of unbiased estimators effectively provides a correction of the velocity dispersion and mass estimates from the statistical and physical effects discussed above for small numbers of cluster members. When these new estimators are applied to a subset of simulated observations, they can retrieve bias-corrected values for the mean velocity dispersion and the mean mass; the standard deviation has the lowest variance. Although for a single galaxy cluster the statistical and physical effects discussed here are comparable to or slightly smaller than the bias introduced by interlopers, they are relevant when ensemble properties and scaling relations for large number of clusters are studied.
The future large obliquity of Jupiter
Authors: Saillenfest Melaine , Lari Giacomo , Courtot Ariane
Published: July 2020

Aims. We aim to determine whether Jupiter’s obliquity is bound to remain exceptionally small in the Solar System, or if it could grow in the future and reach values comparable to those of the other giant planets.

Methods. The spin-axis of Jupiter is subject to the gravitational torques from its regular satellites and from the Sun. These torques evolve over time due to the long-term variations of its orbit and to the migration of its satellites. With numerical simulations, we explore the future evolution of Jupiter’s spin axis for different values of its moment of inertia and for different migration rates of its satellites. Analytical formulas show the location and properties of all relevant resonances.

Results. Because of the migration of the Galilean satellites, Jupiter’s obliquity is currently increasing, as it adiabatically follows the drift of a secular spin-orbit resonance with the nodal precession mode of Uranus. Using the current estimates of the migration rate of the satellites, the obliquity of Jupiter can reach values ranging from 6° to 37° after 5 Gyr from now, according to the precise value of its polar moment of inertia. A faster migration for the satellites would produce a larger increase in obliquity, as long as the drift remains adiabatic.

Conclusions. Despite its peculiarly small current value, the obliquity of Jupiter is no different from other obliquities in the Solar System: It is equally sensitive to secular spin-orbit resonances and it will probably reach comparable values in the future.
Applicability of Low Frequency Transmission Technology in Offshore Wind Power Transmission Scene
Authors: Yang Jian , Ge Jing , Jiang Zuofu , Zhang Chi , Lv Jianhua , Ying Guode , Wu Haohua
Published: July 2020

This paper investigates the worldwide development status of wind power and the main opinions and advantages of offshore wind power development in the industry, and summarizes that the development of offshore wind power will be in the direction of large capacity and distant sea area. At the same time, the distribution of wind energy resources in China’s coastal areas is investigated, and combined with the constraints of offshore wind energy development in China, it is concluded that offshore wind power development in China will also develop to distant sea areas. Secondly, three transmission modes including power frequency AC, flexible HVDC and low frequency AC are briefly described, and the technical economy of the three modes is analyzed with typical cases. In addition, the technical feasibility of 400 MW offshore wind power Grid-connected through low-frequency transmission technology is verified by system model building and simulation. Thirdly, combined with the development trend of offshore wind power, current research and manufacturing level, the opportunities and challenges of the application of low frequency transmission technology are analyzed. Finally, the main points of this paper are summarized. It is preliminarily clear that the low-frequency transmission mode has better technical and economic performance within a certain transmission distance, and can be used as a beneficial supplement to the conventional power frequency and flexible HVDC transmission mode.
Medium and long-term wind energy forecasting method considering multi-scale periodic pattern
Authors: Lin Yisha , Lu Zongxiang , Qiao Ying , Li Mingjie , Liang Zhifeng
Published: July 2020

Medium and long-term weather sequence forecast becomes unreliable beyond two weeks since the weather is a chaotic system. Using values of same months for electricity prediction of wind power is the usual method. This approach defaults wind power output with annual cycle law. However, the periodic pattern can be very complicated in fact with multiple time scales. This paper proposes an approach with multi-scale periodic pattern considered. The application of parametric estimation on cumulative distribution function avoids the difficulty of predicting the power curve. Meteorological condition is considered to some extent via multi-scale periodic pattern explored basing on historical energy data. This work is an exploration for medium and long-term wind power forecasting that can well adapt to existing conditions. It has better prediction accuracy than the method without multi-scale periodicity considered.
Realization of A Knowledge-based Intelligent System for Power Dispatching Plan Management
Authors: Liu Qi , Xu Yaoyi , Zhan Peng , Li Xin , Wu Qike
Published: July 2020

With the expanding of power grid scale in Chinese metropolis, the task intensity of power dispatchers increases rapidly in regulation of the power system operation structure and states to deal with everyday scheduled maintenance. In this paper, we propose a knowledge-based intelligent system developed to deal with daily management of the power dispatching plans. The system will analyse all the operation state changing tasks arranged for the next day and group the plans according to their association. It will automatically check the security of each power dispatching plan and generate the corresponding dispatching-order tickets. The proposed system builds up power grid ontology knowledge and first-order logic rules and integrates techniques of knowledge reasoning, natural language understanding and network topology analysis. Application shows that it can effectively realize the day-ahead power dispatching plan management (PDPM) instead of the human dispatchers.
Probabilistic evaluation of renewable energy curtailment under forward electricity market
Authors: Jiang Jiheng , Qiao Ying , Lu Zongxiang , Ran Liang , Ma Ming , Li Jin , Wang Feng
Published: July 2020

Forward electricity market has emerged as a pivotal section for the electricity transaction to keep stakeholders away from price risk and electricity shortage. But the forward contract of conventional unit partially limits the unit output before operation, leading to the curtailed generation share of renewable energy source (RES). Modeling and assessing this impact is of great significance for system planning and market supervision. The central thesis of this paper is to find out the impact of forward market on RES curtailment. A probabilistic evaluation model for RES accommodation is proposed, taking the curtailment rate as a main evaluation index. We mainly research financial contract and physical contract, modeling the impact of them on thermal unit minimum load capacity and power load in evaluation model. The simulation is conducted in a simplified system, which reveals the change of RES curtailment with renege penalty, contract price and execution generation curve.
Development of DC Energy Meter for Renewable Energy Application
Authors: Gajera P N , Parikh K S , Gupta V , Gupta H
Published: July 2020

The world we live in, is becoming more and more dependent on electrical energy, which, sadly, still heavily relies on outdated techniques involving the burning of fossil fuels. Fortunately, more and more people are accepting the fact that this system simply isn’t sustainable in the longer-run. Even if air pollution wasn’t a huge factor, the shortage of these resources is something that is bound to happen in the nearest future, and it would pose an impassable obstacle towards the future growth of mankind. Hence, importance of renewable energy is such an important trend for the future of mankind. At present, net AC meters are available for measurement of four quadrant energy, which is used at output of both on grid and off grid solar inverter. This meter can measure both, energy fed into the grid and energy utilize from the grid. However Energy generated by solar panel cannot be measured directly. Even in off grid inverter the present net meter cannot measure energy generated by solar panel. In case of DC micro grid, where DC energy is used/ consumed directly by the load, the present net meter cannot be used as they can be used in AC energy measurement only. With the launch and implementation of national energy saving and emission reduction policies in relation to distributed power supply by renewable power generation, the DC energy metering technology will become an inevitable trend, breaking the landscape dominated by AC in the field of electric energy metering. This paper describes introduction, block diagram [1], Hardware and software description for development of dc energy meter.