bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anomalous Laterally Stressed Kinetically Trapped DNA Surface Conformations
Authors: Prokhorov Valery V. , Barinov Nikolay A. , Prusakov Kirill A. , Dubrovin Evgeniy V. , Frank-Kamenetskii Maxim D. , Klinov Dmitry V.
Published: May 2021

Highlights

DNA kinking is inevitable for the highly anisotropic 1D–1D electrostatic interaction with the one-dimensionally periodically charged surface.

The double helical structure of the DNA kinetically trapped on positively charged monomolecular films comprising the lamellar templates is strongly laterally stressed and extremely perturbed at the nanometer scale.

The DNA kinetic trapping is not a smooth 3D—> 2D conformational flattening but is a complex nonlinear in-plane mechanical response (bending, tensile and unzipping) driven by the physics beyond the scope of the applicability of the linear worm-like chain approximation.

Up to now, the DNA molecule adsorbed on a surface was believed to always preserve its native structure. This belief implies a negligible contribution of lateral surface forces during and after DNA adsorption although their impact has never been elucidated. High-resolution atomic force microscopy was used to observe that stiff DNA molecules kinetically trapped on monomolecular films comprising one-dimensional periodically charged lamellar templates as a single layer or as a sublayer are oversaturated by sharp discontinuous kinks and can also be locally melted and supercoiled. We argue that kink/anti-kink pairs are induced by an overcritical lateral bending stress (> 30 pNnm) inevitable for the highly anisotropic 1D-1D electrostatic interaction of DNA and underlying rows of positive surface charges. In addition, the unexpected kink-inducing mechanical instability in the shape of the template-directed DNA confined between the positively charged lamellar sides is observed indicating the strong impact of helicity. The previously reported anomalously low values of the persistence length of the surface-adsorbed DNA are explained by the impact of the surface-induced low-scale bending. The sites of the local melting and supercoiling are convincingly introduced as other lateral stress-induced structural DNA anomalies by establishing a link with DNA high-force mechanics. The results open up the study in the completely unexplored area of the principally anomalous kinetically trapped DNA surface conformations in which the DNA local mechanical response to the surface-induced spatially modulated lateral electrostatic stress is essentially nonlinear. The underlying rich and complex in-plane nonlinear physics acts at the nanoscale beyond the scope of applicability of the worm-like chain approximation.
Enhancement of photocatalytic by Mn3O4 spinel ferrite decorated graphene oxide nanocomposites
Authors: Imboon Tanawat , Khumphon Jeerawan , Yotkuna Khrongkhwan , Tang I-Ming , Thongmee Sirikanjana
Published: May 2021

The hydrothermal process was used to prepare Mn3O4/x%GO nanocomposites (NC’s) having different ratios of the Mn3O4nanoparticles (NP’s) on the surface of graphene oxide (GO) sheet. SEM image showed that the Mn3O4NP’s were distributed over the surface of GO sheet. HRTEM images exhibited the lattice fringe arising from the (101) plane of the Mn3O4NP’s having the interplanar d-spacing of 0.49 nm decorating on the surface of GO. The electronic absorption spectra of Mn3O4/x%GO NC’s also show broad bands from 250 to 550 nm. These bands arise from the d–d crystal field transitions of the tetrahedral Mn3+species and indicate a distortion in the crystal structure. Photo-catalytic activity of spinel ferrite Mn3O4NP’s by themselves was low but photo-catalytic activity is enhanced when the NP’s are decorating the GO sheet. Moreover, the Mn3O4/10%GO NC’s showed the best photo-catalytic activity. This result comes from the formation of Mn–O–C bond that confirm by FT-IR. This bond would facilitate the transfer of the photoelectrons from the surfaces of the NP’s to the GO sheets. PL emission which is in the violet–red luminescent region shows the creation of defects in the fabricated Mn3O4NP’s nanostructures. These defects create the defect states to which electrons in the VB can be excited to when the CB. The best degradation efficiency was achieved by the Mn3O4NP’s when they were used to decorate the GO sheets in the Mn3O4/10%GO NC’s solution.

Highlights

Lattice fringe of Mn3O4 with an interplanar d-spacing of 0.49 nm for (101) plane.

Photocatalytic activity of spinel ferrite Mn3O4 nanoparticles by itself is low.

Number of photoelectrons created depends on number of Mn3O4 on a given area of GO

The bonding of the Mn3O4 to the GO sheet would be though a Mn–O–C junction.

The degradation processes were accelerated by Mn3O4/10%GO nanocomposites

Graphic abstract
Mechanical properties of plasma polymer films: a review
Authors: Carneiro de Oliveira Jamerson , Airoudj Aissam , Kunemann Philippe , Bally-Le Gall Florence , Roucoules Vincent
Published: May 2021

Plasma polymers are micro-, or more commonly, nano-sized coatings that can be deposited on a variety of substrates through different approaches. The versatility of these polymers is incremented by the possibility to use other precursors than conventional polymerization reactions and by potential changes in the polymerization mechanisms according to the intrinsic physical and chemical properties of the plasma. That flexibility offers a fruitful ground to a great range of scientific and engineering fields, but it also brings many challenges for universalization of empirical observations. In this review, the use of different precursors, substrates and changes in plasma external parameters were evaluated as common, but not necessarily ideal nor exhaustive, variables for the analysis of mechanical properties of plasma polymer films. The commonly reported trends are complemented with the exceptions, and a variety of hypothesis drawn by the empirical observations are shown. The techniques and methods used for determining the mechanical properties of plasma polymers, the effect of post-treatments on them and some applications are evaluated. Finally, a general conclusion highlighting the challenges of the field is provided.

Article highlights

The mechanical properties of plasma polymers are evaluated as a function of selected parameters.

The techniques of characterization of mechanical properties of plasma polymers are summarized.

A discussion of future and current demands for the analysis of mechanical properties of plasma polymers is done.
AI-based soft-sensor for shelf life prediction of ‘Kesar’ mango
Authors: Dutta Jayita , Deshpande Parijat , Rai Beena
Published: May 2021

This paper presents prediction of shelf-life of ‘Kesar’ cultivar of mangoes stored under specified conditions based on their respiration rate and ripeness levels. A deep-CNN was fine-tuned on 1524 image data of mangoes stored under different conditions to classify the ripeness levels of mangoes as ‘unripe’, ‘early-ripe’, ‘partially-ripe’ and ‘ideally-ripe’. CO2 respiration rate (RRCO2) was further calculated using principle of enzyme kinetics to establish a correlation between RRCO2 and ripeness levels. A Support Vector Regression model was employed to predict the shelf life and ripeness levels of mangoes under different storage conditions, thereby creating an AI based soft-sensor. The developed methodology can be used for other climacteric fruits besides mangoes. This solution can be used by producers and distributors for post-harvest handling of climacteric fruits like mango. It will also aid retailers in taking dynamic decisions with respect to pricing, logistics and storage conditions to be maintained to get the desired ripening rate, thus, contributing to reduction of wastage of fruits and subsequent economic losses.

Article highlights

Variation in CO2 respiration rate of ‘Kesar’ mangoes over different maturity stages were observed under different supply chain scenarios simulated in lab environment

AI models were developed based on respiration rate and ripeness levels for prediction of shelf life of mangoes under different supply chain scenarios.

These models once deployed helps all stake holders in fruit supply chain to take dynamic decisions such as repricing, recycling and repurposing based on the predicted shelf life thus minimizing wastage and maximizing profit.
Shedding light on the role of CX3CR1 in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia
Authors: Chamera Katarzyna , Szuster-Głuszczak Magdalena , Basta-Kaim Agnieszka
Published: May 2021

Schizophrenia has a complex and heterogeneous molecular and clinical picture. Over the years of research on this disease, many factors have been suggested to contribute to its pathogenesis. Recently, the inflammatory processes have gained particular interest in the context of schizophrenia due to the increasing evidence from epidemiological, clinical and experimental studies. Within the immunological component, special attention has been brought to chemokines and their receptors. Among them, CX3C chemokine receptor 1 (CX3CR1), which belongs to the family of seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors, and its cognate ligand (CX3CL1) constitute a unique system in the central nervous system. In the view of regulation of the brain homeostasis through immune response, as well as control of microglia reactivity, the CX3CL1–CX3CR1 system may represent an attractive target for further research and schizophrenia treatment. In the review, we described the general characteristics of the CX3CL1–CX3CR1 axis and the involvement of this signaling pathway in the physiological processes whose disruptions are reported to participate in mechanisms underlying schizophrenia. Furthermore, based on the available clinical and experimental data, we presented a guide to understanding the implication of the CX3CL1–CX3CR1 dysfunctions in the course of schizophrenia.
Effects of Local Administration of Tranexamic Acid on Reducing Postoperative Blood Loss in Surgeries for Closed, Sanders III–IV Calcaneal Fractures: A Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Zhong Lang , Liu Yu , Wang Yongcai , Wang Hongchuan
Published: May 2021

Purpose

To investigate whether local administration of tranexamic acid (TXA) is effective in postoperative blood loss reduction in surgeries for Sanders III–IV calcaneal fractures.

Methods

Calcaneal fracture patients who were hospitalized in our hospital from August 2014 to April 2018 and underwent open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) via lateral approach with an L-shaped incision were included in the present study. 53 Patients were randomly divided into three groups, groups A (17), B (17) and C (19). Twenty milliliters of 10 mg/ml and 20 mg/ml TXA solution were perfused into the incision of patients in group A and group B, respectively. Twenty milliliters of saline were perfused into the incision of patients in group C as control. The volume of postoperative drainage, postoperative blood test, coagulation test, and wound complications were analyzed to evaluate the effectiveness of local administration of TXA on blood loss reduction.

Results

The amount of drainage at 24 and 48 h after the procedure was 110 ± 170, 30 ± 10 ml and 130 ± 160, 20 ± 17 ml for patients in group A and group B, respectively. The corresponding numbers for patients in group C were 360 ± 320, 20 ± 10 ml. The difference between group A and group C was statistically significant, so was the difference between group B and group C. No statistically significant difference was found between group A and group B. Postoperative blood test results revealed that the levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit were significantly higher in group A and group B when each compared to that of group C. In contrast, no difference was found between group A and group B. No significant difference was found between each experimental group and the control group in terms of platelet counts, prothrombin time (P.T.), activated partial prothrombin time (APTT), and wound complications.

Conclusion

Local administration of TXA is effective in the reduction of postoperative blood loss in surgeries for Sanders III–IV types of calcaneal fractures without notably associated side effects.
The Neuroanatomy of Transgender Identity: Mega-Analytic Findings From the ENIGMA Transgender Persons Working Group
Authors: Mueller Sven C. , Guillamon Antonio , Zubiaurre-Elorza Leire , Junque Carme , Gomez-Gil Esther , Uribe Carme , Khorashad Behzad S. , Khazai Behnaz , Talaei Ali , Habel Ute , Votinov Mikhail , Derntl Birgit , Lanzenberger Rupert , Seiger Rene , Kranz Georg S. , Kreukels Baudewijntje P.C. , Kettenis Peggy T. Cohen , Burke Sarah M. , Lambalk Nils B. , Veltman Dick J. , Kennis Mathilde , Sánchez Francisco J. , Vilain Eric , Fisher Alessandra Daphne , Mascalchi Mario , Gavazzi Gioele , Orsolini Stefano , Ristori Jiska , Dannlowski Udo , Grotegerd Dominik , Konrad Carsten , Schneider Maiko Abel , T’Sjoen Guy , Luders Eileen
Published: May 2021

Background

In contrast to cisgender persons, transgender persons identify with a different gender than the one assigned at birth. Although research on the underlying neurobiology of transgender persons has been accumulating over the years, neuroimaging studies in this relatively rare population are often based on very small samples resulting in discrepant findings.

Aim

To examine the neurobiology of transgender persons in a large sample.

Methods

Using a mega-analytic approach, structural MRI data of 803 non-hormonally treated transgender men (TM, n = 214, female assigned at birth with male gender identity), transgender women (TW, n = 172, male assigned at birth with female gender identity), cisgender men (CM, n = 221, male assigned at birth with male gender identity) and cisgender women (CW, n = 196, female assigned at birth with female gender identity) were analyzed.

Outcomes

Structural brain measures, including grey matter volume, cortical surface area, and cortical thickness.

RESULTS

Transgender persons differed significantly from cisgender persons with respect to (sub)cortical brain volumes and surface area, but not cortical thickness. Contrasting the 4 groups (TM, TW, CM, and CW), we observed a variety of patterns that not only depended on the direction of gender identity (towards male or towards female) but also on the brain measure as well as the brain region examined.

Clinical Translation

The outcomes of this large-scale study may provide a normative framework that may become useful in clinical studies.

Strengths and Limitations

While this is the largest study of MRI data in transgender persons to date, the analyses conducted were governed (and restricted) by the type of data collected across all participating sites.

CONCLUSION

Rather than being merely shifted towards either end of the male-female spectrum, transgender persons seem to present with their own unique brain phenotype.
Hyporheic Exchange Driven by Submerged Rigid Vegetation: A Modeling Study
Authors: Yuan Yue , Chen Xiaobing , Cardenas M. Bayani , Liu Xiaofeng , Chen Li
Published: May 2021

Flow‐vegetation interaction affects fluid flow hydraulics and associated material transport in river corridors. Concomitant changes in pressure within the flow field due to the presence of vegetation may act as a driver for the formation of hyporheic flow across the sediment‐water interface. This potentially important process, however, has yet to be studied. In order to investigate vegetation‐induced hyporheic exchange, a series of numerical models of interlinked surface‐subsurface flow modified by plant stems was conducted. Periodically staggered plant stem arrays on a flat sediment bed were considered within a coupled multiphysics computational fluid dynamics approach. Plants were idealized as rigid cylinders and arranged in different streamwise and spanwise spacing distances. Each vegetation array was then subjected to a broad range of flow Reynolds Numbers (Re). The results showed that hyporheic flow occurs in all conditions with the presence of vegetation. The vegetation‐induced hyporheic flux is found to be a function of Re via a power law. The flux increases with interstem space until the space reaches the distance that rigid stems no longer affect the flow structures in the vicinity of each other. Larger intervegetation distances lead to a larger hyporheic zone. A direct comparison with bedform‐induced hyporheic flow showed that vegetation can induce higher hyporheic flux through relatively shallower exchange zones. The results of all the simulations were synthesized into predictive models for hyporheic flux, bulk residence time and exchange depth based on drag coefficient, vegetation density, and Reynolds Number.
Resonance Scattering by a Circular Dielectric Cylinder
Authors: Shestopalov Yury
Published: May 2021

A unified approach is developed for the analysis of singularities of the scattered field and vanishing of scattering harmonics. Rigorous proofs are presented of the existence of complex resonance singularities of the solution to the problem of the plane wave scattering by a circular homogeneous dielectric cylinder. The method employs a mathematically correct approach of the spectral theory of open structures involving generalized conditions at infinity when complex resonance frequencies may be considered. The result is obtained by verifying the existence of complex singularities of the series solution coefficients considered as functions of the problem parameters. The recently developed theory of generalized cylindrical polynomials (GCPs) is used that enables one to reduce determination of singularities (resonances) to finding zeros (real or complex) of a particular subfamily of GCPs.
Examining the Tolerance of GNSS Receiver Phase Tracking Loop Under the Effects of Severe Ionospheric Scintillation Conditions Based on Its Bandwidth
Authors: Portella Igor Ponte , de O Moraes Alison , da Silva Pinho Marcelo , Sousasantos Jonas , Rodrigues Fabiano
Published: May 2021

This study aims to evaluate the performance of phase‐locked loop (PLL) under the presence of distinct scintillation patterns in the signal. Scintillation is very common in low‐latitude regions due to the ionospheric dynamics. Under strong scintillation scenario the occurrence of deep fading events is usually registered and may cause severe degradation in the communication. The investigation conducted in this study uses the amplitude scintillation index S4, the decorrelation time, and the bandwidthas main parameters. The study evaluates 54 different combinations of these parameters. The results indicate that in order to minimize the occurrence of cycle slips in the output phase of the PLL, the most appropriate tracking loop bandwidthdepends on the values of both S4and, which characterize the scintillation fading pattern. Simulations showed that as the S4index increases, the automatic increment in the PLL bandwidth may not be the best choice as the performance depends on the temporal characteristics of the scintillating signal. The analysis showed that, among the configurations tested, the equivalent noise bandwidth of 10 Hz achieved the best performance overall. The investigation also showed that choosing the wrong parameter regarding the PLL bandwidth may increase the probability of cycle slip by up to 10 times during fading events.
A Multivariate Approach to Generate Synthetic Short‐To‐Medium Range Hydro‐Meteorological Forecasts Across Locations, Variables, and Lead Times
Authors: Brodeur Zachary P. , Steinschneider Scott
Published: May 2021

The use of hydro‐meteorological forecasts in water resources management holds great promise as a soft pathway to improve system performance. Methods for generating synthetic forecasts of hydro‐meteorological variables are crucial for robust validation of forecast use, as numerical weather prediction hindcasts are only available for a relatively short period (10–40 years) that is insufficient for assessing risk related to forecast‐informed decision‐making during extreme events. We develop a generalized error model for synthetic forecast generation that is applicable to a range of forecasted variables used in water resources management. The approach samples from the distribution of forecast errors over the available hindcast period and adds them to long records of observed data to generate synthetic forecasts. The approach utilizes the Skew Generalized Error Distribution (SGED) to model marginal distributions of forecast errors that can exhibit heteroskedastic, auto‐correlated, and non‐Gaussian behavior. An empirical copula is used to capture covariance between variables, forecast lead times, and across space. We demonstrate the method for medium‐range forecasts across Northern California in two case studies for (1) streamflow and (2) temperature and precipitation, which are based on hindcasts from the NOAA/NWS Hydrologic Ensemble Forecast System (HEFS) and the NCEP GEFS/R V2 climate model, respectively. The case studies highlight the flexibility of the model and its ability to emulate space‐time structures in forecasts at scales critical for water resources management. The proposed method is generalizable to other locations and computationally efficient, enabling fast generation of long synthetic forecast ensembles that are appropriate for risk analysis.
Late Paleozoic Depositional Environments and Sediment Transport Directions of the Itararé Group Rocks From the State of São Paulo, Brazil, Determined From Rock Magnetism and Magnetic Anisotropy
Authors: Bilardello Dario
Published: May 2021

Sedimentary rocks of the Itararé Group, deposited during the Late Paleozoic Ice Age in the Paraná Basin of South America, were collected throughout the state of São Paulo, Brazil, for an anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and rock‐magnetic study. A recent paleomagnetic study conducted on the same samples had determined that these rocks were largely remagnetized during the Cretaceous; however, rock‐magnetic experiments demonstrate that the AMS is dominantly carried by paramagnetic minerals and therefore is unaffected by the secondary magnetic overprints. AMS data are analyzed in terms of their shape and orientation, and according to the relationship between the q‐value (magnetic lineation/foliation) and the imbrication angle (β) of the minimum susceptibility axes with respect to bedding (q–β diagram). Using multiple lines of evidence, we demonstrate that AMS records primary sedimentary fabrics that reflect the depositional environments and paleocurrent conditions in which these rocks were deposited. The magnetic fabrics consistently record a SE‐NW paleocurrent orientation, with dominant direction of transport to the NW throughout the entire state of São Paulo, in agreement with ice flow and sediment transport directions reported from limited numbers of sites possessing sedimentary structures and ice‐kinematic indicators.
Claire L. Parkinson Receives the 2020 Roger Revelle Medal
Authors:   AGU
Published: May 2021

Claire L. Parkinson was awarded the 2020 Roger Revelle Medal at the virtual AGU Fall Meeting in December. The medal is for “outstanding contributions in atmospheric sciences, atmosphere-ocean coupling, atmosphere-land coupling, biogeochemical cycles, climate or related aspects of the Earth system.”
Does Organization in Turbulence Influence Ozone Removal by Deciduous Forests?
Authors: Clifton Olivia E. , Patton Edward G.
Published: May 2021

Dry deposition is an important sink of tropospheric ozone and influences background and episodic ozone air pollution. Plant canopies remove ozone through uptake by plant stomata, leaf cuticles, and soil. Stomatal uptake of ozone injures vegetation, thereby altering local‐to‐global water and carbon cycling. Observed ozone fluxes are used to inform dry deposition parameterizations in chemical transport models but represent the net influence of several poorly constrained processes. Advancing understanding of the processes controlling dry deposition is key for building predictive ability of the terrestrial ozone sink and plant damage. Here, we constrain the influence of spatial structure in turbulence on ozone dry deposition with large eddy simulation coupled to a multilayer canopy model. We investigate whether organized turbulence separates areas of efficient leaf uptake from areas of high or low ozone mixing ratios. We simulate summertime midday conditions at three homogenous deciduous forests with varying leaf area, soil moisture, and ambient humidity. Sensitivity simulations perturb atmospheric stability, parameters related to ozone dry deposition, how quickly stomata respond to local atmospheric variations, and entrainment of ozone from atmospheric boundary layer growth. Overall, we find a low covariance between ozone and leaf uptake, in part due to counteracting influences from micrometeorological variations on ozone and leaf uptake individually versus the influence of leaf uptake on ozone. The low covariance between ozone and leaf uptake suggests that dry deposition parameterizations and interpretations of ozone flux observations can ignore the influence of organized turbulence on dry deposition.
Volumetric capnography pre- and post-surfactant during initial resuscitation of premature infants
Authors: Williams Emma E. , Dassios Theodore , Hunt Katie A. , Greenough Anne
Published: May 2021

Background

Volumetric capnography allows for continuous monitoring of expired tidal volume and carbon dioxide. The slope of the alveolar plateau of the capnogram (SIII) could provide information regarding ventilation homogeneity. We aimed to assess the feasibility of measuring SIII during newborn resuscitation and determine if SIII decreased after surfactant indicating ventilation inhomogeneity improvement.

Methods

Respiratory function traces of preterm infants resuscitated at birth were analysed. Ten capnograms were constructed for each infant: five pre- and post-surfactant. If a plateau was present SIII was calculated by regression analysis.

Results

Thirty-six infants were included, median gestational age of 28.7 weeks and birth weight of 1055 g. Average time between pre- and post-surfactant was 3.2 min. Three hundred and sixty capnograms (180 pre and post) were evaluated. There was adequate slope in 134 (74.4%) capnograms pre and in 100 (55.6%) capnograms post-surfactant (p = 0.004). Normalised for tidal volume SIII pre-surfactant was 18.89 mmHg and post-surfactant was 24.86 mmHg (p = 0.006). An increase in SIII produced an up-slanting appearance to the plateau indicating regional obstruction.

Conclusion

It was feasible to evaluate the alveolar plateau pre-surfactant in preterm infants. Ventilation inhomogeneity increased post-surfactant likely due to airway obstruction caused by liquid surfactant present in the airways.

Impact

Volumetric capnography can be used to assess homogeneity of ventilation by SIII analysis.

Ventilation inhomogeneity increased immediately post-surfactant administration during the resuscitation of preterm infants, producing a characteristic up-slanting appearance to the alveolar plateau.

The best determinant of alveolar plateau presence in preterm infants was the expired tidal volume.
p63 suppresses the ability of pregnancy-identified mammary epithelial cells (PIMECs) to drive HER2-positive breast cancer
Authors: Eyermann Christopher E. , Li Jinyu , Alexandrova Evguenia M.
Published: May 2021

While pregnancy is known to reduce a woman’s life-long risk of breast cancer, clinical data suggest that it can specifically promote HER2 (human EGF receptor 2)-positive breast cancer subtype (HER2+ BC). HER2+ BC, characterized by amplification of HER2, comprises about 20% of all sporadic breast cancers and is more aggressive than hormone receptor-positive breast cancer (the majority of cases). Consistently with human data, pregnancy strongly promotes HER2+ BC in genetic mouse models. One proposed mechanism of this is post-pregnancy accumulation of PIMECs (pregnancy-identified mammary epithelial cells), tumor-initiating cells for HER2+ BC in mice. We previously showed that p63, a homologue of the tumor suppressor p53, is required to maintain the post-pregnancy number of PIMECs and thereby promotes HER2+ BC. Here we set to test whether p63 also affects the intrinsic tumorigenic properties of PIMECs. To this end, we FACS-sorted YFP-labeled PIMECs from p63+/−;ErbB2 and control p63+/+;ErbB2 females and injected their equal amounts into immunodeficient recipients. To our surprise, p63+/− PIMECs showed increased, rather than decreased, tumorigenic capacity in vivo, i.e., significantly accelerated tumor onset and tumor growth, as well as increased self-renewal in mammosphere assays and proliferation in vitro and in vivo. The underlying mechanism of these phenotypes seems to be a specific reduction of the tumor suppressor TAp63 isoform in p63+/− luminal cells, including PIMECs, with concomitant aberrant upregulation of the oncogenic ΔNp63 isoform, as determined by qRT-PCR and scRNA-seq analyses. In addition, scRNA-seq revealed upregulation of several cancer-associated (Il-4/Il-13, Hsf1/HSP), oncogenic (TGFβ, NGF, FGF, MAPK) and self-renewal (Wnt, Notch) pathways in p63+/−;ErbB2 luminal cells and PIMECs per se. Altogether, these data reveal a complex role of p63 in PIMECs and pregnancy-associated HER2+ BC: maintaining the amount of PIMECs while suppressing their intrinsic tumorigenic capacity.
VSIG4(+) peritoneal macrophages induce apoptosis of double-positive thymocyte via the secretion of TNF-α in a CLP-induced sepsis model resulting in thymic atrophy
Authors: Cho Hae-Yun , Yang Yun Gyeong , Jeon Youkyoung , Lee Chae-Kwan , Choi InHak , Lee Soo-Woong
Published: May 2021

Thymic atrophy in sepsis is a critical disadvantage because it induces immunosuppression and increases the mortality rate as the disease progresses. However, the exact mechanism of thymic atrophy has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we discovered a novel role for VSIG4-positive peritoneal macrophages (V4(+) cells) as the principal cells that induce thymic atrophy and thymocyte apoptosis. In CLP-induced mice, V4(+) cells were activated after ingestion of invading microbes, and the majority of these cells migrated into the thymus. Furthermore, these cells underwent a phenotypic shift from V4(+) to V4(−) and from MHC II(low) to MHC II(+). In coculture with thymocytes, V4(+) cells mainly induced apoptosis in DP thymocytes via the secretion of TNF-α. However, there was little effect on CD4 or CD8 SP and DN thymocytes. V4(−) cells showed low levels of activity compared to V4(+) cells. Thymic atrophy in CLP-induced V4(KO) mice was much less severe than that in CLP-induced wild-type mice. In addition, V4(KO) peritoneal macrophages also showed similar activity to V4(−) cells. Taken together, the current study demonstrates that V4(+) cells play important roles in inducing immunosuppression via thymic atrophy in the context of severe infection. These data also suggest that controlling the function of V4(+) cells may play a crucial role in the development of new therapies to prevent thymocyte apoptosis in sepsis.
Imino(silyl)disilenes: application in versatile bond activation, reversible oxidation and thermal isomerization
Authors: Holzner Richard , Porzelt Amelie , Karaca Uhut S. , Kiefer Fiona , Frisch Philipp , Wendel Daniel , Holthausen Max C. , Inoue Shigeyoshi
Published: May 2021

Use of the SitBu2Me group in imino(silyl)disilenes is crucial: The highly stable disilene 2 provides access to versatile reactivity with various small molecules, whereas selective thermal isomerization yields A2SiSiB2 type disilene 9.
Spectral clustering based on histogram of oriented gradient (HOG) of coal using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy
Authors: Chen Ji , Zhan Kaiping , Li Qingzhou , Tang Zhiyang , Zhu Chenwei , Liu Ke , Li Xiangyou
Published: May 2021

Histogram of oriented gradients (HOG) was introduced in the unsupervised spectral clustering in LIBS. After clustering, the spectra of different matrices were clearly distinguished, and the accuracy of quantitative analysis of coal was improved.
Fabrication of a microcapsule extinguishing agent with a core–shell structure for lithium-ion battery fire safety
Authors: Zhang Weixin , Wu Lin , Du Jinqiao , Tian Jie , Li Yan , Zhao Yuming , Wu Hao , Zhong Yunhui , Cao Yuan-Cheng , Cheng Shijie
Published: May 2021

Microcapsule technology was used to encapsulate the prepared fire extinguishing agent and attach it to the surface of lithium-ion batteries. This work creates a new lithium-ion battery security protection strategy, and can be extended to the safety design of other batteries.
Selective visible-light driven highly efficient photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to C2H5OH by two-dimensional Cu2S monolayers
Authors: Wang Shiyan , Bai Xiaowan , Li Qiang , Ouyang Yixin , Shi Li , Wang Jinlan
Published: May 2021

Low limiting potential, high product selectivity, strong visible light absorbance and satisfactory band edge positions make Cu2S monolayers a very compelling photocatalyst for CO2 reduction.
Formation of amidino-borate derivatives by a multi-component reaction
Authors: Li Jun , Daniliuc Constantin G. , Kehr Gerald , Erker Gerhard
Published: May 2021

Amidino-borate derivatives are formed in a five-component reaction between an olefin, three arylisocyanide equivalents and the dimethyl sulfide adduct of the bulky borane (Fmes)BH2.
Peroxymonosulfate activation by tea residue biochar loaded with Fe3O4 for the degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride: performance and reaction mechanism
Authors: Wang Qirui , Shi Yixuan , Lv Shiyi , Liang Ying , Xiao Pengfei
Published: May 2021

The prepared tea residue biochar loaded with Fe3O4 has high-efficiency and environmental potential for activating peroxymonosulfate to degrade tetracycline hydrochloride.
Preparing high purity λ-Ti3O5 and Li/λ-Ti3O5 as high-performance electromagnetic wave absorbers
Authors: Fu Xiankai , Chen Wanqi , Hao Xiaowen , Zhang Zhimin , Tang Ruolan , Yang Bo , Zhao Xiang , Zuo Liang
Published: May 2021

The states of the micro-electric field will be changed by the structure control. Li doping can improve the microwave absorption properties of λ-Ti3O5.
Distributed gradient descent method with edge‐based event‐driven communication for non‐convex optimization
Authors: Adachi T. , Hayashi N. , Takai S.
Published: May 2021

This paper considers an event‐driven distributed non‐convex optimization algorithm for a multi‐agent system, where each agent has a non‐convex cost function. The goal of the multi‐agent system is to minimize the global objective function, which is the sum of these local cost functions, in a distributed manner. To this end, each agent updates the own state by a consensus‐based gradient descent algorithm. The local information exchange among neighbor agents is carried out with an event‐triggered scheme to achieve consensus with less inter‐agent communication. Convergence to a critical point of the objective function and the validity of the proposed algorithm in numerical examples are shown.
Gait recognition based on sparse linear subspace
Authors: Wen Junqin , Wang Xiuhui
Published: May 2021

Gait recognition has broad application prospects in intelligent security monitoring. However, due to the variability of human walking states and the complexity of external conditions during sample collection, gait recognition is still facing many challenges. Among them, gait recognition algorithms based on shallow learning are hard to achieve the correct recognition rate required by many applications, while the amount of gait training data cannot meet the needs of model training based on deep learning. To solve the above problem, this paper presents a novel gait recognition scheme based on sparse linear subspace. First, frame‐by‐frame gait energy images (ffGEIs) are extracted as primary gait features and sparse linear subspace technology is used to represent them for dimension reduction. Second, a new gait classification algorithm based on support vector machine is presented, which adopts Gaussian radial basis function (RBF) kernels to achieve cross‐view gait recognition. Finally, the proposed gait recognition approach is evaluated on two open‐accessed gait databases to demonstrate its performance.
Robustly correlated key‐medical image for DNA‐chaos based encryption
Authors: Aouissaoui Ichraf , Bakir Toufik , Sakly Anis
Published: May 2021

Medical images include confidential and sensitive information about patients. Hence, ensuring the security of these images is a crucial requirement. This paper proposes an efficient and secure medical image encryption‐decryption scheme based on deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), one‐dimensional chaotic maps (tent and logistic maps), and hash functions (SHA‐256 and MD5). The first part of the proposed scheme is the key generation based on the hash functions of the image and its metadata. The key then is highly related and intensely sensitive to the original image. The second part is the rotation and permutation of the first two MSB bit‐plans of the medical image to reduce its black background that produces redundant DNA encoded sequences. The third part is the DNA encoding‐decoding using dynamically chosen DNA rules for every 2‐bit pixel value through the logistic map. Meanwhile, the confusion‐diffusion is performed using the tent map and XOR operation. Simulation results and security analysis prove the good encryption effects of the proposed scheme compared to the state‐of‐art methods with a correlation of 6.66617e‐7 and a very large key space of 2624. Furthermore, the proposed system has a strong ability to resist various common attacks such as chosen/known‐plaintext attacks and cropping/noise attacks.
Synthesis and characterization of antibacterial silver nanoparticles using essential oils of crown imperial leaves, bulbs and petals
Authors: Zakeri Zohreh , Allafchian Alireza , Vahabi Mohammad Reza , Jalali Seyed Amir Hossein
Published: May 2021

In this research, the essential oils obtained from leaves, bulbs and petals of crown imperial plant are used as reducing agents to fabricate silver nanoparticles. The aromatic hydrocarbons, alkenes, ketenes and alkaloids are among the compounds identified in the essential oils as detected by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The characteristics of silver nanoparticles are investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and XRD. The chemical groups and surface resonance characteristics of the samples are revealed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and UV‐Visible spectroscopy, accordingly. The field emission scanning electron microscopy results show that the silver nanoparticles form nanoscale spheres with a mean diameter of 27 ± 14 nm in case of the sample obtained by essential oil of petals as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. This sample shows a UV‐Visible absorption band at 450 nm. The antibacterial activity of the silver nanoparticles shows a remarkable inhibition capability against all of the tested bacteria, with the sample obtained from petals exhibiting the strongest antibacterial effect in agreement with the obtained minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration values. The cell viability assay using Vero cell line reveals a nearly constant viability rate above 125 μg/mL of silver nanoparticles.
A new dual‐input high step‐up DC–DC converter with reduced switches stress and low input current ripple
Authors: Samadian Ataollah , Hashemzadeh Seyed Majid , Marangalu Milad Ghavipanjeh , Maalandish Mohammad , Hosseini Seyed Hossein
Published: May 2021

In this paper, a novel structure of non‐isolated dual‐input ultra‐high step‐up DC–DC converter with low voltage stress across semiconductor elements and low input current ripple is suggested. In the presented converter, when the power switches are turned‐OFF, two inputs inductors become series and the input current ripple will be reduced. This topology benefits from the superiorities of voltage multiplier cell and coupled inductor. The voltage conversion ratio can be controlled by coupled inductor turns ratio and duty cycle of power switches. So, the voltage conversion ratio of the suggested structure is flexible. Using the voltage multiplier cell not only increases the voltage gain, but also the voltage stress across power switches and diodes is decreased. In order to confirm the presented structure performance, the theoretical study includes operation principle and steady‐state analysis, and simulation results are provided. Also, the suggested converter has been compared with other similar converters versus voltage gain, efficiency, number of components, maximum voltage across switches and diodes. Finally, a 350 W experimental prototype of the converter is built to shows the effectiveness of the presented converter.
A new adaptive track correlation method for multiple scenarios
Authors: Cui Yaqi , Liu Yu , Tang Tiantian , Zhu Hongfeng
Published: May 2021

The traditional track correlation methods have problems such as limitation of the application scenarios, unstable performances and poor practicalities. To solve those problems, a new adaptive track correlation method for multiple scenarios was proposed in this paper using the theories and methods from machine learning. Through interpreting and translating the track correlation problem in the field of information fusion into the classification recognition problem in the field of machine learning, the new method was derived based on deep convolutional neural networks. The association performance and adaptation capabilities of the proposed method had been validated by simulation experiments. The results show that the proposed method is better than the traditional methods with respect to association performance and adaptation capabilities, and can solve the track association problems for multiple scenarios, for example sensors have systematic errors and targets are dense or in formation. Thus, it can be predicted that the proposed method would have a well‐applied foreground.
Matrix pencil method for topography‐adaptive digital beam‐forming in synthetic aperture radar
Authors: Rommel Tobias , Huber Sigurd , Younis Marwan , Chandra Madhu
Published: May 2021

Spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) with digital beam‐forming (DBF) in elevation uses very sharp time‐variant antenna beams to improve the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and range ambiguity‐to‐signal ratio. In acquisition scenarios of imprecisely known Earth topography, however, antenna pointing might be mismatched with surface geometry. To handle this issue, it is suggested that preprocessing is applied to DBF to determine the angle of the incident echo signal on the planar antenna array. The authors derive a method that estimates the direction of arrival on the acquired raw data with high accuracy in real time. The method is based on the matrix pencil, which is a common approach in mathematics for solving linear equation systems. As a key innovation, this paper describes further improvements and adaptions to SAR scenarios and provides a possible concept for practical implementation. For proof of concept, a series of different simulation tasks is performed.
Standard solar models: Perspectives from updated solar neutrino fluxes and gravity-mode period spacing
Authors: Salmon S. J. A. J. , Buldgen G. , Noels A. , Eggenberger P. , Scuflaire R. , Meynet G.
Published: May 2021

Context.Thanks to the vast and exquisite set of observations that have been made available for the Sun, our star is by far an ideal target for testing stellar models with a unique precision. A recent issue under consideration in the field is related to the progress in the solar surface abundances derivation that has led to a decrease of the solar metallicity. While the former high-metallicity models were in fair agreement with other observational indicators from helioseismology and solar neutrino fluxes, it is no longer the case for low-metallicity models. This issue has become known as ‘the solar problem’. Recent data are, however, promising to shed a new light on it. For instance, in 2020, the Borexino Collaboration released the first-ever complete estimate of neutrinos emitted in the CNO cycle, which has reaffirmed the role of the neutrino constraints in the solar modelling process and their potential in exploring related issues. In parallel, a newly claimed detection of solar gravity modes of oscillation offers another opportunity for probing the stratification in the Sun’s central layers.

Aims.We propose combining the diagnoses from neutrinos and helioseismology, both from pressure and gravity modes, in assessing the predictions of solar models. We compare in detail the different physical prescriptions currently at our disposal with regard to stellar model computations.

Methods.We build a series of solar standard models based on a variation of the different physical ingredients directly affecting the core structure: opacity, chemical mixture, nuclear reactions rates. We compare the predictions of these models to their observational counterparts for the neutrinos fluxes, gravity-mode period spacing, and low-degree pressure mode frequency ratios.

Results.The CNO neutrino flux confirms previous findings, exhibiting a preference for high-metallicity models. Nevertheless, we find that mild modification of the nuclear screening factors can re-match low-metallicity model predictions to observed fluxes, although it does not restore the agreement with the helioseismic frequency ratios. Neither the high-metallicity or low-metallicity models are able to reproduce the gravity-mode period spacing. The disagreement is huge, more than 100σto the observed value. Reversely, the family of standard models narrows the expected range of the Sun’s period spacing: between ∼2150 and ∼2190 s. Moreover, we show this indicator can constrain the chemical mixture, opacity, and – to a lower extent – nuclear reactions in solar models.
The Cosmic Large-Scale Structure in X-rays (CLASSIX) Cluster Survey
Authors: Böhringer Hans , Chon Gayoung , Trümper Joachim
Published: May 2021

The Perseus-Pisces supercluster is known as one of the largest structures in the nearby Universe that has been charted by the galaxy and galaxy cluster distributions. For the latter mostly clusters from the Abell catalogue have been used. Here we take a new approach to a quantitative characterisation of the Perseus-Pisces supercluster using a statistically complete sample of X-ray luminous galaxy groups and clusters from our CLASSIX galaxy cluster redshift survey. We used a friends-of-friends technique to construct the supercluster membership. We also studied the structure of the Southern Great Wall, which merges with the Perseus-Pisces supercluster with a slightly increased friends-of-friends linking length. In this work we discuss the geometric structure of the superclusters, compare the X-ray luminosity distribution of the members with that of the surroundings, and provide an estimate of the supercluster mass. These results establish Perseus-Pisces as the largest superstructure in the Universe at redshifts z ≤ 0.03. With the new data this supercluster extends through the zone of avoidance, which has also been indicated by some studies of the galaxy distribution by means of HI observations. We investigated whether the shapes of the member groups and clusters in X-rays are aligned with the major axis of the supercluster. We find no evidence for a pronounced alignment, except for the ellipticities of Perseus and AWM7, which are aligned with the separation vector of the two systems and weakly with the supercluster.