bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epigenetic regulation of B cells and its role in autoimmune pathogenesis
Authors: Xiao Fan , Rui Ke , Shi Xiaofei , Wu Haijing , Cai Xiaoyan , Lui Kathy O. , Lu Qianjin , Ballestar Esteban , Tian Jie , Zou Hejian , Lu Liwei
Published: October 2022

B cells play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Although previous studies have shown many genetic polymorphisms associated with B-cell activation in patients with various autoimmune disorders, progress in epigenetic research has revealed new mechanisms leading to B-cell hyperactivation. Epigenetic mechanisms, including those involving histone modifications, DNA methylation, and noncoding RNAs, regulate B-cell responses, and their dysregulation can contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Patients with autoimmune diseases show epigenetic alterations that lead to the initiation and perpetuation of autoimmune inflammation. Moreover, many clinical and animal model studies have shown the promising potential of epigenetic therapies for patients. In this review, we present an up-to-date overview of epigenetic mechanisms with a focus on their roles in regulating functional B-cell subsets. Furthermore, we discuss epigenetic dysregulation in B cells and highlight its contribution to the development of autoimmune diseases. Based on clinical and preclinical evidence, we discuss novel epigenetic biomarkers and therapies for patients with autoimmune disorders.
Role of housing in blood pressure control: a review of evidence from the Smart Wellness Housing survey in Japan
Authors: Umishio Wataru , Ikaga Toshiharu , Kario Kazuomi , Fujino Yoshihisa , Suzuki Masaru , Ando Shintaro , Hoshi Tanji , Yoshimura Takesumi , Yoshino Hiroshi , Murakami Shuzo ,   on behalf of the SWH survey group
Published: October 2022

Current countermeasures for preventing hypertension emphasize only improvements to lifestyle. Recently, improving life environment has attracted attention, in parallel with publication of the WHO Housing and health guidelines. We quantitatively evaluated the relationship between housing thermal environment and blood pressure (BP) in a real-world setting. We conducted a nationwide, prospective intervention study—the Smart Wellness Housing survey—in Japan, as a non-randomized controlled trial. The intervention was the retrofitting of thermal insulation in houses. Participant recruitment was done by construction companies in all 47 prefectures of Japan. Measurements of home BP and indoor temperature at 1.0 m above the floor in the living room, changing room, and bedroom were taken for 2 weeks before and after the intervention each winter (November–March) of FY 2014–2019. As of July 2022, over 2500 households and 5000 participants were registered in the database. We found that (1) about 90% of Japanese lived in cold homes (minimum indoor temperature <18 °C), (2) indoor temperature was non-linearly associated with home BP, (3) morning systolic BP (SBP) was more sensitive than evening SBP to changes in indoor temperature, (4) SBP was influenced by indoor temperature change particularly in older participants and women, (5) unstable indoor temperature was associated with large BP variability, and (6) insulation retrofitting intervention significantly reduced home BP, especially in hypertensive patients. We proposed that the BP reduction effect of the life-environment is comparable to that achievable by lifestyle.
A consensus statement on detection of hippocampal sharp wave ripples and differentiation from other fast oscillations
Authors: Liu Anli A. , Henin Simon , Abbaspoor Saman , Bragin Anatol , Buffalo Elizabeth A. , Farrell Jordan S. , Foster David J. , Frank Loren M. , Gedankien Tamara , Gotman Jean , Guidera Jennifer A. , Hoffman Kari L. , Jacobs Joshua , Kahana Michael J. , Li Lin , Liao Zhenrui , Lin Jack J. , Losonczy Attila , Malach Rafael , van der Meer Matthijs A. , McClain Kathryn , McNaughton Bruce L. , Norman Yitzhak , Navas-Olive Andrea , de la Prida Liset M. , Rueckemann Jon W. , Sakon John J. , Skelin Ivan , Soltesz Ivan , Staresina Bernhard P. , Weiss Shennan A. , Wilson Matthew A. , Zaghloul Kareem A. , Zugaro Michaël , Buzsáki György
Published: October 2022

Decades of rodent research have established the role of hippocampal sharp wave ripples (SPW-Rs) in consolidating and guiding experience. More recently, intracranial recordings in humans have suggested their role in episodic and semantic memory. Yet, common standards for recording, detection, and reporting do not exist. Here, we outline the methodological challenges involved in detecting ripple events and offer practical recommendations to improve separation from other high-frequency oscillations. We argue that shared experimental, detection, and reporting standards will provide a solid foundation for future translational discovery.
Rapid joule heating improves vitrification based cryopreservation
Authors: Zhan Li , Han Zonghu , Shao Qi , Etheridge Michael L. , Hays Thomas , Bischof John C.
Published: October 2022

Cryopreservation by vitrification has far-reaching implications. However, rewarming techniques that are rapid and scalable (both in throughput and biosystem size) for low concentrations of cryoprotective agent (CPA) for reduced toxicity are lacking, limiting the potential for translation. Here, we introduce a joule heating–based platform technology, whereby biosystems are rapidly rewarmed by contact with an electrical conductor that is fed a voltage pulse. We demonstrate successful cryopreservation of three model biosystems with thicknesses across three orders of magnitude, including adherent cells (~4 µm),Drosophila melanogasterembryos (~50 µm) and rat kidney slices (~1.2 mm) using low CPA concentrations (2–4 M). Using tunable voltage pulse widths from 10 µs to 100 ms, numerical simulation predicts that warming rates from 5 × 104to 6 × 108 °C/min can be achieved. Altogether, our results present a general solution to the cryopreservation of a broad spectrum of cellular, organismal and tissue-based biosystems.
Predicting the structure of large protein complexes using AlphaFold and Monte Carlo tree search
Authors: Bryant Patrick , Pozzati Gabriele , Zhu Wensi , Shenoy Aditi , Kundrotas Petras , Elofsson Arne
Published: October 2022

AlphaFold can predict the structure of single- and multiple-chain proteins with very high accuracy. However, the accuracy decreases with the number of chains, and the available GPU memory limits the size of protein complexes which can be predicted. Here we show that one can predict the structure of large complexes starting from predictions of subcomponents. We assemble 91 out of 175 complexes with 10–30 chains from predicted subcomponents using Monte Carlo tree search, with a median TM-score of 0.51. There are 30 highly accurate complexes (TM-score ≥0.8, 33% of complete assemblies). We create a scoring function, mpDockQ, that can distinguish if assemblies are complete and predict their accuracy. We find that complexes containing symmetry are accurately assembled, while asymmetrical complexes remain challenging. The method is freely available and accesible as a Colab notebook https://colab.research.google.com/github/patrickbryant1/MoLPC/blob/master/MoLPC.ipynb.
Standardized measurement of dielectric materials’ intrinsic triboelectric charge density through the suppression of air breakdown
Authors: Liu Di , Zhou Linglin , Cui Shengnan , Gao Yikui , Li Shaoxin , Zhao Zhihao , Yi Zhiying , Zou Haiyang , Fan Youjun , Wang Jie , Wang Zhong Lin
Published: October 2022

Triboelectric charge density and energy density are two crucial factors to assess the output capability of dielectric materials in a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). However, they are commonly limited by the breakdown effect, structural parameters, and environmental factors, failing to reflect the intrinsic triboelectric behavior of these materials. Moreover, a standardized strategy for quantifying their maximum values is needed. Here, by circumventing these limitations, we propose a standardized strategy employing a contact-separation TENG for assessing a dielectric material’s maximum triboelectric charge and energy densities based on both theoretical analyses and experimental results. We find that a material’s vacuum triboelectric charge density can be far higher than previously reported values, reaching a record-high of 1250 µC m−2 between polyvinyl chloride and copper. More importantly, the obtained values for a dielectric material through this method represent its intrinsic properties and correlates with its work function. This study provides a fundamental methodology for quantifying the triboelectric capability of dielectric materials and further highlights TENG’s promising applications for energy harvesting.
Three-dimensional hierarchically porous MoS2 foam as high-rate and stable lithium-ion battery anode
Authors: Wei Xuan , Lin Chia-Ching , Wu Chuanwan , Qaiser Nadeem , Cai Yichen , Lu Ang-Yu , Qi Kai , Fu Jui-Han , Chiang Yu-Hsiang , Yang Zheng , Ding Lianhui , Ali Ola. S. , Xu Wei , Zhang Wenli , Hassine Mohamed Ben , Kong Jing , Chen Han-Yi , Tung Vincent
Published: October 2022

Architected materials that actively respond to external stimuli hold tantalizing prospects for applications in energy storage, wearable electronics, and bioengineering. Molybdenum disulfide, an excellent two-dimensional building block, is a promising candidate for lithium-ion battery anode. However, the stacked and brittle two-dimensional layered structure limits its rate capability and electrochemical stability. Here we report the dewetting-induced manufacturing of two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide nanosheets into a three-dimensional foam with a structural hierarchy across seven orders of magnitude. Our molybdenum disulfide foam provides an interpenetrating network for efficient charge transport, rapid ion diffusion, and mechanically resilient and chemically stable support for electrochemical reactions. These features induce a pseudocapacitive energy storage mechanism involving molybdenum redox reactions, confirmed by in-situ X-ray absorption near edge structure. The extraordinary electrochemical performance of molybdenum disulfide foam outperforms most reported molybdenum disulfide-based Lithium-ion battery anodes and state-of-the-art materials. This work opens promising inroads for various applications where special properties arise from hierarchical architecture.
Radiation-driven acceleration in the expanding WR140 dust shell
Authors: Han Yinuo , Tuthill Peter G. , Lau Ryan M. , Soulain Anthony
Published: October 2022

The Wolf–Rayet (WR) binary system WR140 is a close (0.9–16.7 mas; ref.1) binary star consisting of an O5 primary and WC7 companion2and is known as the archetype of episodic dust-producing WRs. Dust in WR binaries is known to form in a confined stream originating from the collision of the two stellar winds, with orbital motion of the binary sculpting the large-scale dust structure into arcs as dust is swept radially outwards. It is understood that sensitive conditions required for dust production in WR140 are only met around periastron when the two stars are sufficiently close2–4. Here we present multiepoch imagery of the circumstellar dust shell of WR140. We constructed geometric models that closely trace the expansion of the intricately structured dust plume, showing that complex effects induced by orbital modulation may result in a ‘Goldilocks zone’ for dust production. We find that the expansion of the dust plume cannot be reproduced under the assumption of a simple uniform-speed outflow, finding instead the dust to be accelerating. This constitutes a direct kinematic record of dust motion under acceleration by radiation pressure and further highlights the complexity of the physical conditions in colliding-wind binaries.
Increased genetic variation of A(H3N2) virus from influenza surveillance at the end of the 2016/2017 season for Shanghai port, China
Authors: Zhang Zilong , Li Shenwei , Zhu Xiaolin , Hou Jian , Zhang Hong , Zhao Baihui , Tian Zhengan
Published: October 2022

Influenza A(H3N2) virus exhibited complex seasonal patterns to evade pre-existing antibodies, resulting in changes in the antigenicity of the viron surface protein hemagglutinin (HA). To monitor the currently imported influenza viruses as well as to assess the capacity of health emergencies at the Shanghai port, we collected respiratory specimens of passengers from different countries and regions including some of Europe with influenza-like illness at the Shanghai port during 2016/2017, examined amino acid substitutions, and calculated the perfect-match vaccine efficacy using the p epitope model. Phylogenetic analysis of the HA genes revealed that influenza A(H3N2) viruses belonging to eight subclades were detected, and three amino acid substitutions in the subclade 3C.2a.4 were also added. Besides, two epidemic influenza virus strains were found in the 2016/2017 winter and 2016 summer. The results of lower predicted vaccine effectiveness in summer suggest that the imported A(H3N2) strains were not a good match for the A/Hong Kong/4801/2014 vaccine strain since the summer of 2017. Therefore, the Shanghai Port might stop the risk of the international spread of influenza for the first time, and curb the entry of A(H3N2) from overseas at the earliest stage of a probable influenza pandemic.
Evaluation of corrosion performance of superhydrophobic PTFE and nanosilica coatings
Authors: Haji-Savameri Mohammad , Irannejad Ahmad , Norouzi-Apourvari Saeid , Schaffie Mahin , Hemmati-Sarapardeh Abdolhossein
Published: October 2022

Corrosion protection of metals is of paramount importance in different sectors of industry. One of the emerging techniques to prevent or reduce the damaging effects of this phenomenon is to apply superhydrophobic coatings on the susceptible surfaces. In this study, corrosion protection of steel is investigated by fabricating superhydrophobic coatings, using one-step electrodeposition process of nanosilica hybrid film and spraying process of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) on steel surface and also preparation of micro/nano-composite coatings. The anti-corrosion behavior of the nanosilica hybrid film and PTFE coating with two types of microparticles including Al2O3 powder and glass beads in primer layer, and overcoat layer with and without SiO2 nanoparticles is studied. TOEFL polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) tests are conducted on coated steel samples to examine their corrosion performance in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution at a temperature of 25 °C. The results showed that the combination of superhydrophobic properties and low conductivity significantly improves the corrosion resistance. Evaluating the effect of adding SiO2 nanoparticles to the overcoat layer in PTFE coating showed that the nanoparticles improve the corrosion resistance of PTFE coatings by sealing up some defects and pores in the coating. Investigation of corrosion resistance of coatings showed that, the corrosion resistance of nanosilica film is lower than that of PTFE coatings. The best sample obtained in this study, namely the PTFE coating with glass beads microparticles in primer layer and SiO2 nanoparticles in overcoat layer, reduced the corrosion rate by nearly 80 times.
Metformin alleviates neurocognitive impairment in aging via activation of AMPK/BDNF/PI3K pathway
Authors: Ameen Omnia , Samaka Rehab M. , Abo-Elsoud Reda A. A.
Published: October 2022

Slowing down age-related neurocognitive impairment has been a challenge. We evaluated the therapeutic effects of metformin in d-galactose-induced aging. Additionally, we studied the potential molecular mechanisms that could be responsible for metformin's anti-aging effects. Thirty male rats were equally divided into: 1—control group, which received saline solution, 2—d-galactose (D-gal) group, which received d-galactose (100 mg/kg/day) by gastric lavage for eight weeks, and 3—d-galactose + Metformin (D-gal + Met) treated group, which received d-galactose + metformin (200 mg/kg/day) by gastric lavage for eight weeks. Neurocognitive assessment was done. Measurement of inflammatory, oxidative stress, and BDNF biomarkers was performed. AMPK and PI3K genes expression were assessed. Hippocampal tissues were dissected for histopathological and immunohistochemical studies. D-gal resulted in neurocognitive impairments, elevation of inflammatory biomarkers, altered oxidative stress markers, decreased BDNF, decreased expression of synaptophysin and Bcl2 with increased expression of Caspase-3, and down-regulation of AMPK and PI3K genes. Neurodegenerative changes were present in the hippocampus. Metformin restored significantly D-gal induced neurodegenerative changes. We concluded that metformin could alleviate age-induced neurocognitive deficit via amelioration of neuroinflammation, attenuation of oxidative stress, reduction of apoptosis, as well as promotion of synaptic plasticity. These mechanisms could be mediated via the activation of the AMPK/BDNF/PI3K pathway.
Marine subsidies produce cactus forests on desert islands
Authors: Wilder Benjamin T. , Becker Amanda T. , Dettman David L.
Published: October 2022

In island systems, nitrogen-rich seabird guano is a marine subsidy that can shape terrestrial plant communities. In zones of nutrient upwelling such as the Gulf of California, copious seabird guano is commonplace on bird islands. Several bird islands host regionally unique cactus forests, especially of the large columnar cactus, cardón (Pachycereus pringlei). We show that a chain of interactions across the land-sea interface yields an allochthonous input of nitrogen in the form of seabird guano, fueling the production of some of the densest cactus populations in the world. Fish, seabird, guano, soil, and cactus samples were taken from the representative seabird island of San Pedro Mártir for nitrogen stable isotope ratio measurements, which were compared to soil and cactus samples from other seabird and non-seabird Gulf islands and terrestrial ecosystems throughout the range of the cardón. Isla San Pedro Mártir δ15N values are distinctively high, ranging from fish + 17.7, seabird + 19.7, guano + 14.8, soil + 34.3 and cactus + 30.3 compared to average values across non-bird sites of + 13.0 (N = 213, S.D. = 3.7) for soil and + 9.8 (N = 212, S.D. = 3.4) for cactus. These δ15N values are among the highest ever reported for plants. Seabird island soil and cactus δ15N values were consistently significantly enriched relative to mainland and non-bird islands, a relationship expected due to the progressive volatilization of14N rich ammonia from decomposing guano deposits. Our findings demonstrate that seabird-mediated marine nutrient deposits provide the source for solubilized nitrogen on desert islands, which stimulate terrestrial plant production in the cardón cactus beyond that seen in either mainland ecosystems or non-seabird islands.
A cross-cultural comparison of ethnocentrism and the intercultural willingness to communicate between two collectivistic cultures
Authors: Yousaf Muhammad , Ahmad Muneeb , Ji Deqiang , Huang Dianlin , Raza Syed Hassan
Published: October 2022

There is a prevalent notion regarding divergence in the extent of ethnocentrism and the intercultural willingness to communicate across cultures. Given this cultural divergence, research is replete with comparative studies of ethnocentrism and the intercultural willingness to communicate between individualistic and collectivistic cultures. However, to our knowledge, a comparison of these crucial cultural tendencies within and their consequences for collectivistic cultures has been overlooked. Thus, this study provides a cross-cultural comparison of ethnocentrism and the intercultural willingness to communicate among university students from two collectivist cultures, i.e., Pakistan and China. The researchers employed a cross-sectional design. A sample of 775 students was collected using a survey technique. The findings show that Pakistani students are more ethnocentric and have a lower intercultural willingness to communicate than Chinese students. Moreover, males were found to be more ethnocentric and less willing to communicate in intercultural settings than females in both countries. These findings validate the notion of ethnocentrism divergence across collectivistic countries and its influence on the intercultural willingness to communicate. Additionally, they demonstrate the role of demographic attributes in evolving ethnocentrism and the intercultural willingness to communicate. Accordingly, these findings also confirm the ecological assumption that contextual factors, such as demographic attributes (e.g., past interactions with foreigners), influence communication schemas. Therefore, concerning its management, these findings suggest that increased people-to-people interactions between the two focal countries can better foster their mutual understanding to reap an increased harvest of the fruits of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Five material tissue decomposition by dual energy computed tomography
Authors: Lochschmidt Maximilian E. , Gassenhuber Melina , Riederer Isabelle , Hammel Johannes , Birnbacher Lorenz , Busse Madleen , Boeckh-Behrens Tobias , Ikenberg Benno , Wunderlich Silke , Liesche-Starnecker Friederike , Schlegel Jürgen , Makowski Marcus R. , Zimmer Claus , Pfeiffer Franz , Pfeiffer Daniela
Published: October 2022

The separation of mixtures of substances into their individual components plays an important role in many areas of science. In medical imaging, one method is the established analysis using dual-energy computed tomography. However, when analyzing mixtures consisting of more than three individual basis materials, a physical limit is reached that no longer allows this standard analysis. In addition, the X-ray attenuation coefficients of chemically complicated basis materials may not be known and also cannot be determined by other or previous analyses. To address these issues, we developed a novel theoretical approach and algorithm and tested it on samples prepared in the laboratory as well as on ex-vivo medical samples. This method allowed both five-material decomposition and determination or optimization of the X-ray attenuation coefficients of the sample base materials via optimizations of objective functions. After implementation, this new multimodal method was successfully tested on self-mixed samples consisting of the aqueous base solutions iomeprol, eosin Y disodiumsalt, sodium chloride, and pure water. As a first proof of concept of this technique for detailed material decomposition in medicine we analyzed exact percentage composition of ex vivo clots from patients with acute ischemic stroke, using histological analysis as a reference standard.
Distribution and seasonal abundance of Biomphalaria snails and their infection status with Schistosoma mansoni in and around Lake Tana, northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Hailegebriel Tamirat , Nibret Endalkachew , Munshea Abaineh
Published: October 2022

Biomphalaria snails, namely B. pfeifferi and B. sudanica, are the principal intermediate hosts for Schistosoma mansoni infection in Ethiopia. Epidemiological studies of Biomphalaria snails and their infection status with S. mansoni is vital for public health planning. This study aimed to assess the spatial and seasonal abundance of Biomphalaria snails as well as their infection status with S. mansoni around Lake Tana, northwest Ethiopia. Malacological survey was conducted from January 2021 to December 2021 in ten different collection sites in and around Lake Tana. Snail collection was performed for 20 min from each collection site seasonally (four times in a year) using a standard scoop and handpicking from aquatic vegetation. All collected snails were carefully examined based on their morphological features and all live Biomphalaria snails were subjected to cercariae shedding experiment. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the prevalence of S. mansoni infection and its relationship with snail collection sites and seasons. A total of 3886 freshwater snails were collected from ten collection sites around Lake Tana. Out of the total snails collected, 1606 (41.3%; 95% CI 39.77–42.89%) were Biomphalaria spp. The highest (374) and the lowest numbers (98) of Biomphalaria snails were collected from Shinne River and Qunzela Lakeshore, respectively. Out of the 1375 live Biomphalaria snails, 14.4% (95% CI 12.59–16.37%) snails shed cercariae, but only 4.87% (95% CI 3.79–6.15%) were cercariae of S. mansoni. The infection prevalence of S. mansoni ranged from 10.59% at the Cherechera site to 1.49% at Gumara River. Biomphalaria snail infections with S. mansoni cercariae were observed throughout the season, the highest and the lowest infection rates being in the spring and summer seasons. Significant differences in the prevalence of S. mansoni infection in Biomphalaria snails were observed across study sites and seasons (p < 0.05). Biomphalaria snails were the most abundant freshwater snails found in nearly all of snail collection sites throughout the year. It was revealed that nearly five percent of Biomphalaria snails were infected with S. mansoni cercariae. This study highlights the importance of appropriate snail control strategies to support the ongoing prevention and control of schistosomiasis around Lake Tana.
Parametrically optimized feather degradation by Bacillus velezensis NCIM 5802 and delineation of keratin hydrolysis by multi-scale analysis for poultry waste management
Authors: Sharma Isha , Pranaw Kumar , Soni Hemant , Rawat Hemant Kumar , Kango Naveen
Published: October 2022

Enormous amounts of keratinaceous waste make a significant and unexploited protein reserve that can be utilized through bioconversion into high-value products using microbial keratinases. This study was intended to assess the keratinase production from a newly isolated B. velezensis NCIM 5802 that can proficiently hydrolyze chicken feathers. Incubation parameters used to produce keratinase enzyme were optimized through the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with chicken feathers as substrate. Optimization elevated the keratinase production and feather degradation by 4.92-folds (109.7 U/mL) and 2.5 folds (95.8%), respectively. Time-course profile revealed a direct correlation among bacterial growth, feather degradation, keratinase production and amino acid generation. Biochemical properties of the keratinase were evaluated, where it showed optimal activity at 60 °C and pH 10.0. The keratinase was inhibited by EDTA and PMSF, indicating it to be a serine–metalloprotease. Zymography revealed the presence of four distinct keratinases (Mr ~ 100, 62.5, 36.5 and 25 kDa) indicating its multiple forms. NMR and mass spectroscopic studies confirmed the presence of 18 free amino acids in the feather hydrolysates. Changes in feather keratin brought about by the keratinase action were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and spectroscopic (FTIR, Raman) analyses, which showed a decrease in the total crystallinity index (TCI) (1.00–0.63) and confirmed the degradation of its crystalline domain. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the sequential structural changes occurring in the feather keratin during degradation. Present study explored the use of keratinolytic potential of the newly isolated B. velezensis NCIM 5802 in chicken feather degradation and also, unraveled the underlying keratin hydrolysis mechanism through various analyses.
Early-season plant-to-plant spatial uniformity can affect soybean yields
Authors: Pereyra Valentina M. , Bastos Leonardo M. , de Borja Reis André Froes , Melchiori Ricardo J. M. , Maltese Nicolas E. , Appelhans Stefania C. , Vara Prasad P. V. , Wright Yancy , Brokesh Edwin , Sharda Ajay , Ciampitti Ignacio A.
Published: October 2022

Increased soybean (Glycine max L. Merril) seed costs have motivated interest in reduced seeding rates to improve profitability while maintaining or increasing yield. However, little is known about the effect of early-season plant-to-plant spatial uniformity on the yield of modern soybean varieties planted at reduced seeding rates. The objectives of this study were to (i) investigate traditional and devise new metrics for characterizing early-season plant-to-plant spatial uniformity, (ii) identify the best metrics correlating plant-to-plant spatial uniformity and soybean yield, and (iii) evaluate those metrics at different seeding rate (and achieved plant density) levels and yield environments. Soybean trials planted in 2019 and 2020 compared seeding rates of 160, 215, 270, and 321 thousand seeds ha−1 planted with two different planters, Max Emerge and Exact Emerge, in rainfed and irrigated conditions in the United States (US). In addition, trials comparing seeding rates of 100, 230, 360, and 550 thousand seeds ha−1 were conducted in Argentina (Arg) in 2019 and 2020. Achieved plant density, grain yield, and early-season plant-to-plant spacing (and calculated metrics) were measured in all trials. All site-years were separated into low- (2.7 Mg ha−1), medium- (3 Mg ha−1), and high- (4.3 Mg ha−1) yielding environments, and the tested seeding rates were separated into low (< 200 seeds m−2), medium (200–300 seeds m−2), and high (> 300 seeds m−2) levels. Out of the 13 metrics of spatial uniformity, standard deviation (sd) of spacing and of achieved versus targeted evenness index (herein termed as ATEI, observed to theoretical ratio of plant spacing) showed the greatest correlation with soybean yield in US trials (R2 = 0.26 and 0.32, respectively). However, only the ATEI sd, with increases denoting less uniform spacing, exhibited a consistent relationship with yield in both US and Arg trials. The effect of spatial uniformity (ATEI sd) on soybean yield differed by yield environment. Increases in ATEI sd (values > 1) negatively impacted soybean yields in both low- and medium-yield environments, and in achieved plant densities below 200 thousand plants ha−1. High-yielding environments were unaffected by variations in spatial uniformity and plant density levels. Our study provides new insights into the effect of early-season plant-to-plant spatial uniformity on soybean yields, as influenced by yield environments and reduced plant densities.
Zn (II)-porphyrin-based photochemically green synthesis of novel ZnTPP/Cu nanocomposites with antibacterial activities and cytotoxic features against breast cancer cells
Authors: Tehrani Nejad Sajedeh , Rahimi Rahmatollah , Rabbani Mahboubeh , Rostamnia Sadegh
Published: October 2022

This study focuses on synthesizing novel nanocomposites, zinc(II)tetrakis(4-phenyl)porphyrin/Cu nanoparticles (ZnTPP/Cu-NPs),with antibacterial activity, fabricated through a single-step green procedure. In this regard, the self-assembly of ZnTPP was carried out through an acid–base neutralization method to prepare ZnTPP nanoparticles. Then, the copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) were grown on ZnTPP nanoparticles through a visible-light irradiated photochemical procedure in the absence and presence of polyacrylic acid (PAA) as a modulator. The effect of PAA on the morphological properties of the prepared nanocomposites was evaluated. Eventually, the antibacterial activity of nanocomposites with different morphologies was investigated. In this way, the average zone of inhibition growth of diameter, minimum inhibitory concentration, and minimum bactericidal concentration values was determined. Besides, the cytotoxicity of the nanocomposites was evaluated by (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay MCF-7and (HEK-293) cell lines. The specific features of the synthesized nanocomposites identified them as antibacterial compounds which have therapeutic effects on breast cancer.
Ecological risk and health risk analysis of soil potentially toxic elements from oil production plants in central China
Authors: Gan Lu , Wang Jiangping , Xie Mengyun , Yang Bokai
Published: October 2022

In this study, the enrichment factor (EF) and pollution load index (PLI) were used to evaluate the pollution of potential toxic elements (PTEs) in the soil near the oil production plants in central China, and the potential ecological risk (PER) and human health risk (HHR) assessment model were used to evaluate the PER and HHR caused by the soil PTEs in the study area. The mean EFs of all PTEs were greater than 1, PTEs have accumulated to varying degrees, especially Cr, Ni and Pb were the most serious. The average value of PLI was 2.62, indicating that the soil PTEs were seriously polluted. The average $${E}_{r}^{i}$$

E

r

i

values of PTEs were Cr > Pb > Cd > Ni > As > Cu > Zn > Mn, of which Cr, Pb, Cd and Ni were at medium and above PER levels. Both adults and children in the study area suffered from varying degrees of non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks. The total hazard index (THI) values of children (7.31) and adults (1.03) were all > 1, and the total carcinogenic risk index (TCRI) of children (9.44E−04) and adults (5.75E−04) were also > 10–4. In particular, the hazardous quotient (HQ) of Cr and Pb for children under the oral intake route were 4.91 and 1.17, respectively, caused serious non-carcinogenic risk. And the carcinogenic risk index (CRI) values of the PTEs in adults and children under the three exposure routes were Cr > Ni >  > As > Pb >  > Cd. Among them, the CRI values of Cr and Ni in children and adults by oral intake were both greater than 10–4, showing a strong carcinogenic risk. The results will provide scientific basis for environmental protection and population health protection in this area.
Multi-octave metasurface-based refractory superabsorber enhanced by a tapered unit-cell structure
Authors: Karimi Habil Mojtaba , Ghahremani Maryam , Zapata–Rodríguez Carlos J.
Published: October 2022

An ultra-broadband metasurface-based perfect absorber is proposed based on a periodic array of truncated cone-shaped $$\text {TiO}_2$$

TiO
2

surrounded by TiN/$$\text {TiO}_2$$

TiO
2

conical rings. Due to the refractory materials involved in the metasurface, the given structure can keep its structural stability at high temperatures. The proposed structure can achieve a broadband spectrum of 4.3 µm at normal incidence spanning in the range of 0.2–4.5 µm with the absorption higher than $$90\%$$

90
%

and the average absorption around $$94.71\%$$

94.71
%

. The absorption can be tuned through the angle of the cone. By optimizing geometrical parameters, a super absorption is triggered in the range of 0.2–3.25 µm with the absorption higher than 97.40$$\%$$
%
and substantially average absorption over 99$$\%$$
%
. In this regard, the proposed structure can gather more than $$99\%$$

99
%

of the full spectrum of solar radiation. Furthermore, the absorption of the designed structure is almost insensitive to the launching angle up to $$50^\circ $$

50
∘

for TE polarization, while it has a weak dependence on the incident angle for TM polarization. The proposed structure can be a promising candidate for thermal energy harvesting and solar absorption applications.
Measurement of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness with a deep learning algorithm in ischemic optic neuropathy and optic neuritis
Authors: Razaghi Ghazale , Hedayati Ehsan , Hejazi Marjaneh , Kafieh Rahele , Samadi Melika , Ritch Robert , Subramanian Prem S. , Aghsaei Fard Masoud
Published: October 2022

This work aims at determining the ability of a deep learning (DL) algorithm to measure retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness from optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans in anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) and demyelinating optic neuritis (ON). The training/validation dataset included 750 RNFL OCT B-scans. Performance of our algorithm was evaluated on 194 OCT B-scans from 70 healthy eyes, 82 scans from 28 NAION eyes, and 84 scans of 29 ON eyes. Results were compared to manual segmentation as a ground-truth and to RNFL calculations from the built-in instrument software. The Dice coefficient for the test images was 0.87. The mean average RNFL thickness using our U-Net was not different from the manually segmented best estimate and OCT machine data in control and ON eyes. In NAION eyes, while the mean average RNFL thickness using our U-Net algorithm was not different from the manual segmented value, the OCT machine data were different from the manual segmented values. In NAION eyes, the MAE of the average RNFL thickness was 1.18 ± 0.69 μm and 6.65 ± 5.37 μm in the U-Net algorithm segmentation and the conventional OCT machine data, respectively (P = 0.0001).
SNP allele calling of Illumina Infinium Omni5-4 data using the butterfly method
Authors: Andersen Mikkel Meyer , Christiansen Steffan Noe , Andersen Jeppe Dyrberg , Eriksen Poul Svante , Morling Niels
Published: October 2022

We introduce a within-sample SNP calling method, called the “butterfly method”, that improves the quality of SNP calling with the Illumina Infinium Omni5-4 SNP Kit. This was done by improving how no-calls are determined from allele signal intensities. High confidence of SNP allele calling is extremely important in forensic genetics and clinical diagnostics. This paper is accompanied by two open-source R packages, and that make SNP calling easy by helping with bookkeeping and giving easy access to meta-information about the SNPs typed with the Illumina Infinium Omni5-4 Kit (including chromosome, probe type, and SNP bases). We compared the results from our method with those obtained with the Illumina GenomeStudio software (which does not provide sample and SNP specific genotype probabilities or other quality measures), and with whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Given the signal intensities, the SNP calling quality was optimised using a threshold for the a posteriori probability of a SNP belonging to a SNP cluster. By lowering the a posteriori probability threshold for no-calls, we obtained a higher call rate than GenomeStudio. Using a higher a posteriori probability threshold, we achieved a higher concordance with the WGS data than GenomeStudio. Our method had SNP call and concordance rates with WGS data of approximately 99%.
A metal–organic framework loaded paper-based chemiluminescence sensor for trace acetone detection in exhaled breath
Authors: Lv Congcong , Hou Yue , Guo Yanli , Ma Xiaohu , Zhang Yu , Liu Yuchuan , Jin Yan , Li Baoxin , Liu Wei
Published: October 2022

A paper-based CL gas sensor was established for sensitive detection of trace acetone in exhaled breath. UiO-66 with an adsorption function was in situ synthesized on the paper-based device.
Spontaneous oxidation of I− in water microdroplets and its atmospheric implications
Authors: Xing Dong , Yuan Xu , Liang Chiyu , Jin Tianyun , Zhang Shuquan , Zhang Xinxing
Published: October 2022

Water microdroplets can oxidize I− into I˙, presenting a previously unknown source of I˙ and I2 in atmospheric water.
Macrocyclic enforcement of twist in a secondary amide: reactivity and influence on photoisomerisation
Authors: Pathak Dibyajyoti , Srivastava Aasheesh
Published: October 2022

A twisted secondary amide residue incorporated within a constricted penta-azamacrocycle (cDP2) containing a photoisomerizable diazobenzene residue reacts with nucleophiles and cleaves the macrocycle.
Correction: Nitroxyl radical-containing flexible porous coordination polymer for controllable size-selective aerobic oxidation of alcohols
Authors: Wang Ping , Xue Ziqian , Otake Ken-ichi , Kitagawa Susumu
Published: October 2022

Correction for ‘Nitroxyl radical-containing flexible porous coordination polymer for controllable size-selective aerobic oxidation of alcohols’ by Ping Wang et al., Chem. Commun., 2022, 58, 9026–9029, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC02772K.
Fragmentation dynamics of CH3Clq+ (q = 2,3): theory and experiment
Authors: Bhatt Pragya , Maiyelvaganan K. R. , Prakash M. , Palaudoux J. , Safvan C. P. , Hochlaf M.
Published: October 2022

We use advanced theoretical treatments and energetic ion collision induced fragmentation to investigate the unimolecular decomposition dynamics of CH3Clq+ (q = 2,3) ions, where both obvious bond breaking and bond rearrangement products are observed.
Transition-metal decorated graphdiyne monolayer as an efficient sensor toward phosphide (PH3) and arsine (AsH3)
Authors: Singsen S. , Thasami N. , Tangpakonsab P. , Bae H. , Lee H. , Hussain T. , Kaewmaraya T.
Published: October 2022

Graphdiyne (GDY), a two-dimensional (2D) carbon, uniquely possesses mixed sp–sp2 hybridization, uniform nano-sized porous structure, semiconducting character, and excellent electrical conductivity.
Influence of potential well thickness on the carrier transport characteristics of InGaAs quantum dot laser diodes
Authors: Dong Hailiang , Jia Zhigang , Jia Wei , Liang Jian , Wang Zhiyong , Xua Bingshe
Published: October 2022

The characteristics of InGaAs quantum dot laser diodes have been investigated by inserting InGaAs wells of different thicknesses in the active zone.
Robotic cell assembly to accelerate battery research
Authors: Zhang Bojing , Merker Leon , Sanin Alexey , Stein Helge S.
Published: October 2022

Demonstration of the first robotic battery assembly system for academia that offers superhuman reproducibility and full data lineage tracking.
Hydrophobic species-enabled acid–base multi-catalysis for stereoselective access to renewable trans-anethole
Authors: Liu Yixuan , Li Mingrui , Liu Tengyu , Tan Jinyu , Rokhum Samuel Lalthazuala , Zhang Heng , Yang Song , Li Hu
Published: October 2022

A green and sustainable route was developed to stereoselectively produce biomass-based trans-AN (90% selectivity) over an acid–base bifunctional catalyst through cascade transfer hydrogenation and dehydration.
Engineering the synthesized colloidal CuInS2 passivation layer in interface modification for CdS/CdSe quantum dot solar cells
Authors: Liang Zhijun , Chen Yifan , Zhang Rui , Zhang Kai , Ba Kaikai , Lin Yanhong , Wang Dejun , Xie Tengfeng
Published: October 2022

Developing a colloidal CuInS2 passivation layer for modifying the CdS/CdSe interface to suppress charge recombination for the first time.
Durable flexible direct current generation through the tribovoltaic effect in contact-separation mode
Authors: Meng Jia , Pan Chongxiang , Li Longwei , Guo Zi Hao , Xu Fan , Jia Luyao , Wang Zhong Lin , Pu Xiong
Published: October 2022

The tribovoltaic effect is demonstrated by contact-separation motions of a dynamic Schottky interface, achieving exceptional electrical output performances and avoiding abrasion issues.
Combined chemoenzymatic strategy for sustainable continuous synthesis of the natural product hordenine
Authors: Gianolio Stefania , Roura Padrosa David , Paradisi Francesca
Published: October 2022

To improve sustainability, safety and cost-efficiency of synthetic methodologies, biocatalysis can be a helpful ally.
Efficient biodiesel production from rice bran oil using magnetite immobilized-recombinant lipase from probiotic Bacillus licheniformis
Authors: Maroju Pranay Amruth , Ganesan Ramakrishnan , Ray Dutta Jayati
Published: October 2022

With increasingly stringent environmental regulations, the pursuit of sustainable energy warrants approaches that are benign by design.
Will the next generation of chemical plants be in miniaturized flow reactors?
Authors: Monbaliu Jean-Christophe M. , Legros Julien
Published: October 2022

Will miniaturised flow reactors initiate a new paradigm for a more localized, safe and reliable chemical production to overcome current crises?
A reusable fluorescence Eu-based coordination polymer for the detection of Zr4+ ions in aqueous media
Authors: Chen Mingyu , Wang Ming , Liu Cheng , Yang Tao , Zhou Xinhui , You Yujian
Published: October 2022

A fluorescence coordination polymer [Eu(L)1.5(phen)(H2O)] (1, H2L = 9,10-anthracenedicarboxylic acid) was prepared. 1 represents a fluorescence turn-off sensing material for Zr4+ ions with an excellent detection performance.
Understanding the regioselectivity of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazoles alkylation
Authors: Reynard Guillaume , Moisan-Labelle Julien , Parent Étienne , Lebel Hélène
Published: October 2022

A novel rational to account for the selectivity of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazole alkylation.
Synthesis ofN-alkenylisoquinolinonesviapalladium-catalyzed cyclization/C4–O bond cleavage of oxazolidines
Authors: Xu Xianjun , Huang Liliang , Smits Eva , Zhong Ling , Feng Huangdi , Van der Eycken Erik V.
Published: October 2022

A palladium-catalyzed cascade ring-opening reaction to synthesizeN-alkenylisoquinolinonesviacyclization and C–O bond cleavage is reported.
A DFT study on the formation of heterocycles via iodine(iii)-promoted ring expansion reactions
Authors: Lussari Natália , Khan Ajmir , Pilli Ronaldo A. , Dos Santos Alcindo A. , Silva Luiz F. , Braga Ataualpa A. C.
Published: October 2022

Combined computational–experimental study to elucidate the mechanism of HTIB-promoted ring expansion reaction of bicyclic heterocycles bearing an exocyclic double bond.
Piezoelectric polarization-induced internal electric field manipulation of the photoelectrochemical performance in Nd, Co codoped BiFeO3
Authors: Li Jinzhe , Liu Zhihua , Zhou Jianguo , Guo Zhengang
Published: October 2022

Investigation of the synergistic mechanism of element doping and piezoelectric polarization to improve the catalytic activity of BiFeO3.
Disposable paper-based PET fluorescence probe linked with calix[4]arene for lithium and phosphate ion detection
Authors: Soni Heni , Prasad Jyoti , Pandya Alok , Soni Saurabh S. , Sutariya Pinkesh G.
Published: October 2022

As a part of our ongoing research, we have synthesized a new fluorescence probe, p-C4A, based on a calix[4]arene substituted with 4-aminoquinoline moieties with amide linkages for lithium and phosphate ions.
Ring -opening of polythiolactones to construct protein-imprinted nanospheres with high recognition and regulation capabilities
Authors: Wang Mingqi , Zhang Guoxian , Liu Qing , Wei Mengmeng , Ren Yafeng , Fa Shixin , Zhang Qiuyu
Published: October 2022

This work proposes a novel protein imprinted strategy by crosslinking multifunctionlized polythiolactone nanospheres. The prepared protein imprinted magnetic nanospheres show tunable rebinding capacity and specificity for bovine serum albumin.
Effect of N-alkylation in N-carboxyanhydride (NCA) ring-opening polymerization kinetics
Authors: Salas-Ambrosio Pedro , Tronnet Antoine , Badreldin Mostafa , Ji Sifan , Lecommandoux Sebastien , Harrisson Simon , Verhaeghe Pierre , Bonduelle Colin
Published: October 2022

N-carboxyanhydrides ring-opening polymerization (ROP) showed that electron-donating groups of the N-alkylation enhanced the ROP kinetic rates through an inductive effect that could counterbalance the steric hindrance during the propagation.
Solid-state degradation and visual detection of the nerve agent GB by SA@UiO-66-NH2@PAMAM hydrogel
Authors: Shen Ao , Hao Xiaohui , Zhang Lifeng , Du Man , Li Mengwen , Zhao Yongwei , Li Ziqi , Hou Lala , Duan Ruochen , Yang Yunxu
Published: October 2022

A new sodium alginate (SA) composite hydrogel for rapid solid-state degradation of organophosphorus derivatives and can be used to monitor hydrolysis of nerve agent GB.
High spin Fe3+-related bonding strength and electron transfer for sensitive and stable SERS detection
Authors: Zheng Xinlu , Wu Xiao , Zhang Letian , Kang Jianjian , Zhou Man , Zhong Yang , Zhang Jinlong , Wang Lingzhi
Published: October 2022

The SERS performance of trimetallic MIL-101(FeNiTi) and the spin state of Fe3+is positively correlated. The SERS enhancement mechanism is explored regarding the bonding strength and charge transfer between molecules and MIL-101.