bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non-Pregnant and Pregnant Women’s Femininity Preferences in Male Faces: Tests Based on Within- and Between-Sex Sexual Dimorphism Facial Manipulations
Authors: Wen Fangfang , Zuo Bin , Wang Yang , Ma Shuhan , Song Shijie , Zhang Hongxia
Published: January 2021

Past research on women’s preferences for male facial masculinity in Western cultures has produced inconsistent results. Some inconsistency may be related to the use of different facial stimulus manipulations (e.g., between-sex sexual dimorphic facial manipulation or within-sex sexual dimorphic facial manipulation) that do not perfectly avoid non-facial cues, and pregnancy status may also influence women’s face preferences. We therefore recruited pregnant and nonpregnant Chinese women and manipulated the sexual dimorphism of male facial stimuli to explore the influences of manipulation methods, non-facial cues, and pregnancy status on face preferences. Results showed that: (1) in contrast with a general masculinity preference observed in Western cultures, both pregnant and nonpregnant Chinese women preferred feminized and neutral male faces generally; (2) pregnant women’s preference for feminized male faces was stable across manipulation methods, while nonpregnant women preferred feminized male faces except under between-sex sexual dimorphism manipulation; and (3) manipulation methods, rather than non-facial cues, influenced participants’ face preferences. Specifically, women showed the strongest preferences for femininity when face stimuli were manipulated by within-sex sexual dimorphic facial manipulation, followed by unmanipulated faces and between-sex sexual dimorphic facial manipulation. This effect was stronger for nonpregnant women in the unmanipulated condition and for pregnant women in the between-sex sexual dimorphic facial manipulation. This research provides empirical evidence of women’s preferences for sexual dimorphism in male faces in a non-Western culture, as well as the effects of facial manipulation methods, pregnancy status, and the interactions between these factors.
The Inhibitory Effect of Political Conservatism on Consumption: The Case of Fair Trade
Authors: Usslepp Thomas , Awanis Sandra , Hogg Margaret K , Daryanto Ahmad
Published: January 2021

Fair trade has been researched extensively. However, our understanding of why consumers might be reluctant to purchase fair trade goods, and the associated potential barriers to the wider adoption of fair trade products, is incomplete. Based on data from 409 USA participants, our study demonstrates some of the psychological processes that underlie the rejection of fair trade products by conservatives. Our findings show that political conservatism affects fair trade perspective-taking and fair trade identity, and these latter two subsequently affect fair trade purchase intention. The decrease in fair trade perspective-taking and fair trade identity are two psychological features that potentially shield conservatives from the appeals of fair trade products. We extend prior research on the effects of political ideology on consumption not only by demonstrating the predisposition of highly conservative consumers towards prosocial consumption, but also by showing the internal functioning of the conservative decision-making process. We further demonstrate that the effect of conservatism on fair trade purchase deliberation is moderated by age and income. Age reduces the negative effect of conservatism on fair trade perspective-taking, whereas income heightens the negative effect of conservatism on fair trade perspective-taking. Our results suggest that fair trade initiatives can target the conservative consumer segment in high-income countries with a greater chance of success when applying marketing strategies that make perspective-taking redundant and that aim at younger consumers with lower incomes.
Dopaminergic Modulation of Forced Running Performance in Adolescent Rats: Role of Striatal D1 and Extra-striatal D2 Dopamine Receptors
Authors: Toval Angel , Garrigos Daniel , Kutsenko Yevheniy , Popović Miroljub , Do-Couto Bruno Ribeiro , Morales-Delgado Nicanor , Tseng Kuei Y. , Ferran José Luis
Published: January 2021

Improving exercise capacity during adolescence impacts positively on cognitive and motor functions. However, the neural mechanisms contributing to enhance physical performance during this sensitive period remain poorly understood. Such knowledge could help to optimize exercise programs and promote a healthy physical and cognitive development in youth athletes. The central dopamine system is of great interest because of its role in regulating motor behavior through the activation of D1 and D2 receptors. Thus, the aim of the present study is to determine whether D1 or D2 receptor signaling contributes to modulate the exercise capacity during adolescence and if this modulation takes place through the striatum. To test this, we used a rodent model of forced running wheel that we implemented recently to assess the exercise capacity. Briefly, rats were exposed to an 8-day period of habituation in the running wheel before assessing their locomotor performance in response to an incremental exercise test, in which the speed was gradually increased until exhaustion. We found that systemic administration of D1-like (SCH23390) and/or D2-like (raclopride) receptor antagonists prior to the incremental test reduced the duration of forced running in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, locomotor activity in the open field was decreased by the dopamine antagonists. Interestingly, this was not the case following intrastriatal infusion of an effective dose of SCH23390, which decreased motor performance during the incremental test without disrupting the behavioral response in the open field. Surprisingly, intrastriatal delivery of raclopride failed to impact the duration of forced running. Altogether, these results indicate that the level of locomotor response to incremental loads of forced running in adolescent rats is dopamine dependent and mechanistically linked to the activation of striatal D1 and extra-striatal D2 receptors.
Mechanism of active silica nanofluids based on interface-regulated effect during spontaneous imbibition
Authors: Song Xu-Guang , Zhao Ming-Wei , Dai Cai-Li , Wang Xin-Ke , Lv Wen-Jiao
Published: January 2021

The ultra-low permeability reservoir is regarded as an important energy source for oil and gas resource development and is attracting more and more attention. In this work, the active silica nanofluids were prepared by modified active silica nanoparticles and surfactant BSSB-12. The dispersion stability tests showed that the hydraulic radius of nanofluids was 58.59 nm and the zeta potential was − 48.39 mV. The active nanofluids can simultaneously regulate liquid–liquid interface and solid–liquid interface. The nanofluids can reduce the oil/water interfacial tension (IFT) from 23.5 to 6.7 mN/m, and the oil/water/solid contact angle was altered from 42° to 145°. The spontaneous imbibition tests showed that the oil recovery of 0.1 wt% active nanofluids was 20.5% and 8.5% higher than that of 3 wt% NaCl solution and 0.1 wt% BSSB-12 solution. Finally, the effects of nanofluids on dynamic contact angle, dynamic interfacial tension and moduli were studied from the adsorption behavior of nanofluids at solid–liquid and liquid–liquid interface. The oil detaching and transporting are completed by synergistic effect of wettability alteration and interfacial tension reduction. The findings of this study can help in better understanding of active nanofluids for EOR in ultra-low permeability reservoirs.
Evaluating Biomass Ash Properties as Influenced by Feedstock and Thermal Conversion Technology towards Cement Clinker Production with a Lower Carbon Footprint
Authors: Tosti Lorenzo , van Zomeren André , Pels Jan R. , Comans Rob N. J.
Published: January 2021

Purpose: This study evaluates the potential of biomass ash as raw clinker material and the influence of biomass feedstock and thermal conversion technology on biomass ash properties. Methods: A set of criteria for biomass feedstock and ash properties (i.e. CaO/SiO2 ratio and burnability) are established. A large dataset was collected and the best combination of biomass feedstock and conversion technology regarding the desired ash quality was identified. Results: Wood biomass has the highest potential to provide the right CaO/SiO2 ratio which is needed to form clinker minerals. Bark content and exogenous Si inclusion in wood biomass have a large influence on the CaO/SiO2 ratio. Paper sludge is composed of Ca, Si and Al and can potentially serve as a source of cement elements. Wood fly ash from pulverized fuel combustion can substitute a considerable amount of raw clinker materials due to its similar burnability. The replacement ratio is determined by the content of adverse elements in the ash (i.e. MgO2 and P2O5). Conclusion: Using biomass ash to lower the CO2 emission from clinker production depends on the joint effort of bioenergy producers, by providing higher quality biomass ash, and cement makers, by adapting the kiln operation to enable a high level of raw material replacement by biomass ash.The presented evaluation of the ash production chain, from biomass selection through combustion technology and ash management, provides new insights and recommendations for both stakeholders to facilitate this sustainable development.

Graphic Abstract
Caps-OWKG: a capsule network model for open-world knowledge graph
Authors: Wang Yuhan , Xiao Weidong , Tan Zhen , Zhao Xiang
Published: January 2021

Knowledge graphs are typical multi-relational structures, which is consisted of many entities and relations. Nonetheless, existing knowledge graphs are still sparse and far from being complete. To refine the knowledge graphs, representation learning is utilized to embed entities and relations into low-dimensional spaces. Many existing knowledge graphs embedding models focus on learning latent features in close-world assumption but omit the changeable of each knowledge graph.In this paper, we propose a knowledge graph representation learning model, called Caps-OWKG, which leverages the capsule network to capture the both known and unknown triplets features in open-world knowledge graph. It combines the descriptive text and knowledge graph to get descriptive embedding and structural embedding, simultaneously. Then, the both above embeddings are used to calculate the probability of triplet authenticity. We verify the performance of Caps-OWKG on link prediction task with two common datasets FB15k-237-OWE and DBPedia50k. The experimental results are better than other baselines, and achieve the state-of-the-art performance.
Hydrochar-derived adsorbent for the removal of diclofenac from aqueous solution
Authors: Kimbi Yaah Velma Beri , Zbair Mohamed , Botelho de Oliveira Sérgio , Ojala Satu
Published: January 2021

The characteristics and diclofenac adsorption properties of a carbon adsorbent prepared from palm kernel shells were studied. The adsorbent prepared via hydrothermal carbonization followed by an activation in nitrogen flow had a mesoporous structure with homogenous pore distribution and the specific surface area of 131 m2g−1. The Raman spectra showed a formation of graphene or graphite structures in the material during activation with small number of defects based on its ID/IGratio of about 0.5. The FTIR analysis showed both a qualitative and quantitative decrease in the functional groups of the raw material after activation. The developed adsorbent was found to be effective in the removal of diclofenac with 95% maximum removal at pH 2, adsorbent dose of 15 gL−1and adsorbate dose of 50 mgL−1. Diclofenac adsorption followed the Langmuir isotherm model with correlation coefficient R2 > 0.98. The adsorption kinetics was explained by the second-order kinetic model with rate constant (K2) 0.869 min−1. The interaction via aromatic π–π stacking and hydrogen bonding between -OH groups of phenol and carboxylic acid groups of DCF are leading to a good adsorption efficiency despite of the low surface area of the adsorbent.

Graphic abstract
Existential Approaches and Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Challenges and Potential
Authors: Heidenreich Thomas , Noyon Alexander , Worrell Michael , Menzies Ross
Published: January 2021

Existential concerns such as death, responsibility, meaninglessness, and isolation not only are the hallmark of existential psychotherapy but also are frequently encountered by CBT therapists—nevertheless, due to epistemological and ideological differences, existential and CBT approaches to psychotherapy had little overlap historically. During recent years, existential issues are increasingly discussed in empirical clinical psychology, e.g., the potential role of the fear of death for a variety of mental disorders by Iverach et al. (Clinical Psychology Review, 34(7), 580–593, 2014), and there is increasing experimental evidence for a causal rather than correlational role of death anxiety discussed by Menzies and Dar-Nimrod (Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 126(4), 367–377, 2017). Further, existential concerns are common themes in CBT discussed by Grober et al. (Psychotherapeut, 61(3), 229–236, 2016) and may play an important role in the training of CBT therapists discussed by Worrell et al. (Journal of Psychotherapy and Counselling Psychology Reflections, 3(1), 9–16, 2018) as well as in personal therapy and supervision.
Ghost Imaging with Deep Learning for Position Mapping of Weakly Scattered Light Source
Authors: Mizutani Yasuhiro , Kataoka Shoma , Uenohara Tsutomu , Takaya Yasuhiro
Published: January 2021

We propose ghost imaging (GI) with deep learning to improve detection speed. GI, which uses an illumination light with random patterns and a single-pixel detector, is correlation-based and thus suitable for detecting weak light. However, its detection time is too long for practical inspection. To overcome this problem, we applied a convolutional neural network that was constructed based on a classification of the causes of ghost image degradation. A feasibility experiment showed that when using a digital mirror device projector and a photodiode, the proposed method improved the quality of ghost images.
Enhanced electrochemical performances of activated carbon (AC)-nickel-metal organic framework (SIFSIX-3-Ni) composite and ion-gel electrolyte based supercapacitor
Authors: Lee Kyu Seok , Seo Ye Ji , Jeong Hyeon Taek
Published: January 2021

In this study, we investigated that the activated carbon (AC)-based supercapacitor and introduced SIFSIX-3-Ni as a porous conducting additive to increase its electrochemical performances of AC/SIFSIX-3-Ni composite-based supercapacitor. The AC/SIFSIX-3-Ni composites are coated onto the aluminum substrate using the doctor blade method and conducted an ion-gel electrolyte to produce a symmetrical supercapacitor. The electrochemical properties of the AC/SIFSIX-3-Ni composite-based supercapacitor are evaluated through cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and galvanostatic charge/discharge tests (GCD). The AC/SIFSIX-3-Ni composite-based supercapacitor showed reasonable capacitive behavior in various electrochemical measurements, including CV, EIS, and GCD. The highest specific capacitance of the AC/SIFSIX-3-Ni composite-based supercapacitor was 129 F g−1 at 20 mV s−1.
Data-Driven Requirements Elicitation: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Lim Sachiko , Henriksson Aron , Zdravkovic Jelena
Published: January 2021

Requirements engineering has traditionally been stakeholder-driven. In addition to domain knowledge, widespread digitalization has led to the generation of vast amounts of data (Big Data) from heterogeneous digital sources such as the Internet of Things (IoT), mobile devices, and social networks. The digital transformation has spawned new opportunities to consider such data as potentially valuable sources of requirements, although they are not intentionally created for requirements elicitation. A challenge to data-driven requirements engineering concerns the lack of methods to facilitate seamless and autonomous requirements elicitation from such dynamic and unintended digital sources. There are numerous challenges in processing the data effectively to be fully exploited in organizations. This article, thus, reviews the current state-of-the-art approaches to data-driven requirements elicitation from dynamic data sources and identifies research gaps. We obtained 1848 hits when searching six electronic databases. Through a two-level screening and a complementary forward and backward reference search, 68 papers were selected for final analysis. The results reveal that the existing automated requirements elicitation primarily focuses on utilizing human-sourced data, especially online reviews, as requirements sources, and supervised machine learning for data processing. The outcomes of automated requirements elicitation often result in mere identification and classification of requirements-related information or identification of features, without eliciting requirements in a ready-to-use form. This article highlights the need for developing methods to leverage process-mediated and machine-generated data for requirements elicitation and addressing the issues related to variety, velocity, and volume of Big Data for the efficient and effective software development and evolution.
IL SISTEMA ELETTORALE RESTA CATTIVO
Authors: Sartori Giovanni
Published: January 2021

Introduzione

Si è scritto da più parti che questa volta il Mattarellum ha funzionato,
visto che ha prodotto un sistema di alternanza bipolare fondato su adeguate
maggioranze di governo e quindi, presumibilmente, su governi stabili. Sì, un
governo che può contare su una maggioranza di 107 seggi alla Camera e di 46
seggi al Senato è un governo che dovrebbe durare per tutta la legislatura. E
anche il progresso bipolare delle elezioni del 2001 rispetto a quelle del
1994 e del 1996 è indubbio. In passato ai vincitori è sempre mancata una
maggioranza in una delle due Camere. E così come al governo Berlusconi del
‘94 occorreva il sostegno determinante di Bossi (che venne lestamente a
mancare), analogamente al governo dell'Ulivo occorreva il sostegno esterno
di Rifondazione Comunista (che venne gradualmente meno e che non ci fu mai
in politica atlantica). Questa volta non è più così. Questa volta Berlusconi
può tenere anche senza Bossi.
New signatures of the spin gap in quantum point contacts
Authors: Hudson K. L. , Srinivasan A. , Goulko O. , Adam J. , Wang Q. , Yeoh L. A. , Klochan O. , Farrer I. , Ritchie D. A. , Ludwig A. , Wieck A. D. , von Delft J. , Hamilton A. R.
Published: January 2021

One dimensional semiconductor systems with strong spin-orbit interaction are both of fundamental interest and have potential applications to topological quantum computing. Applying a magnetic field can open a spin gap, a pre-requisite for Majorana zero modes. The spin gap is predicted to manifest as a field dependent dip on the first 1D conductance plateau. However, disorder and interaction effects make identifying spin gap signatures challenging. Here we study experimentally and numerically the 1D channel in a series of low disorder p-type GaAs quantum point contacts, where spin-orbit and hole-hole interactions are strong. We demonstrate an alternative signature for probing spin gaps, which is insensitive to disorder, based on the linear and non-linear response to the orientation of the applied magnetic field, and extract a spin-orbit gap ΔE ≈ 500 μeV. This approach could enable one-dimensional hole systems to be developed as a scalable and reproducible platform for topological quantum applications.
Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in COVID-19 convalescent blood using a coronavirus antigen microarray
Authors: de Assis Rafael R. , Jain Aarti , Nakajima Rie , Jasinskas Algis , Felgner Jiin , Obiero Joshua M. , Norris Philip J. , Stone Mars , Simmons Graham , Bagri Anil , Irsch Johannes , Schreiber Martin , Buser Andreas , Holbro Andreas , Battegay Manuel , Hosimer Philip , Noesen Charles , Adenaiye Oluwasanmi , Tai Sheldon , Hong Filbert , Milton Donald K. , Davies D. Huw , Contestable Paul , Corash Laurence M. , Busch Michael P. , Felgner Philip L. , Khan Saahir
Published: January 2021

The current practice for diagnosis of COVID-19, based on SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing of pharyngeal or respiratory specimens in a symptomatic patient at high epidemiologic risk, likely underestimates the true prevalence of infection. Serologic methods can more accurately estimate the disease burden by detecting infections missed by the limited testing performed to date. Here, we describe the validation of a coronavirus antigen microarray containing immunologically significant antigens from SARS-CoV-2, in addition to SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, common human coronavirus strains, and other common respiratory viruses. A comparison of antibody profiles detected on the array from control sera collected prior to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic versus convalescent blood specimens from virologically confirmed COVID-19 cases demonstrates near complete discrimination of these two groups, with improved performance from use of antigen combinations that include both spike protein and nucleoprotein. This array can be used as a diagnostic tool, as an epidemiologic tool to more accurately estimate the disease burden of COVID-19, and as a research tool to correlate antibody responses with clinical outcomes.
Pillar-beam structures prevent layered cathode materials from destructive phase transitions
Authors: Wang Yuesheng , Feng Zimin , Cui Peixin , Zhu Wen , Gong Yue , Girard Marc-André , Lajoie Gilles , Trottier Julie , Zhang Qinghua , Gu Lin , Wang Yan , Zuo Wenhua , Yang Yong , Goodenough John B. , Zaghib Karim
Published: January 2021

Energy storage with high energy density and low cost has been the subject of a decades-long pursuit. Sodium-ion batteries are well expected because they utilize abundant resources. However, the lack of competent cathodes with both large capacities and long cycle lives prevents the commercialization of sodium-ion batteries. Conventional cathodes with hexagonal-P2-type structures suffer from structural degradations when the sodium content falls below 33%, or when the integral anions participate in gas evolution reactions. Here, we show a “pillar-beam” structure for sodium-ion battery cathodes where a few inert potassium ions uphold the layer-structured framework, while the working sodium ions could diffuse freely. The thus-created unorthodox orthogonal-P2 K0.4[Ni0.2Mn0.8]O2 cathode delivers a capacity of 194 mAh/g at 0.1 C, a rate capacity of 84% at 1 C, and an 86% capacity retention after 500 cycles at 1 C. The addition of the potassium ions boosts simultaneously the energy density and the cycle life.
Directed transforming of coke to active intermediates in methanol-to-olefins catalyst to boost light olefins selectivity
Authors: Zhou Jibin , Gao Mingbin , Zhang Jinling , Liu Wenjuan , Zhang Tao , Li Hua , Xu Zhaochao , Ye Mao , Liu Zhongmin
Published: January 2021

Methanol-to-olefins (MTO), the most important catalytic process producing ethylene and propylene from non-oil feedstocks (coal, natural gas, biomass, CO2, etc.), is hindered by rapid catalyst deactivation due to coke deposition. Common practice to recover catalyst activity, i.e. removing coke via air combustion or steam gasification, unavoidably eliminates the active hydrocarbon pool species (HCPs) favoring light olefins formation. Density functional theory calculations and structured illumination microscopy reveal that naphthalenic cations, active HCPs enhancing ethylene production, are highly stable within SAPO-34 zeolites at high temperature. Here, we demonstrate a strategy of directly transforming coke to naphthalenic species in SAPO-34 zeolites via steam cracking. Fluidized bed reactor-regenerator pilot experiments show that an unexpectedly high light olefins selectivity of 85% is achieved in MTO reaction with 88% valuable CO and H2and negligible CO2as byproducts from regeneration under industrial-alike continuous operations. This strategy significantly boosts the economics and sustainability of MTO process.
Pyrinap ligands for enantioselective syntheses of amines
Authors: Liu Qi , Xu Haibo , Li Yuling , Yao Yuan , Zhang Xue , Guo Yinlong , Ma Shengming
Published: January 2021

Amines are a class of compounds of essential importance in organic synthesis, pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Due to the importance of chirality in many practical applications of amines, enantioselective syntheses of amines are of high current interest. Here, we wish to report the development of (R,Ra)-N-Nap-Pyrinap and (R,Sa)-N-Nap-Pyrinap ligands working with CuBr to catalyze the enantioselective A3-coupling of terminal alkynes, aldehydes, and amines affording optically active propargylic amines, which are platform molecules for the effective derivatization to different chiral amines. With a catalyst loading as low as 0.1 mol% even in gram scale reactions, this protocol is applied to the late stage modification of some drug molecules with highly sensitive functionalities and the asymmetric synthesis of the tubulin polymerization inhibitor (S)-(-)-N-acetylcolchinol in four steps. Mechanistic studies reveal that, unlike reported catalysts, a monomeric copper(I) complex bearing a single chiral ligand is involved in the enantioselectivity-determining step.
Homeostatic regulation of STING by retrograde membrane traffic to the ER
Authors: Mukai Kojiro , Ogawa Emari , Uematsu Rei , Kuchitsu Yoshihiko , Kiku Fumika , Uemura Takefumi , Waguri Satoshi , Suzuki Takehiro , Dohmae Naoshi , Arai Hiroyuki , Shum Anthony K. , Taguchi Tomohiko
Published: January 2021

Coat protein complex I (COP-I) mediates the retrograde transport from the Golgi apparatus to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Mutation of the COPA gene, encoding one of the COP-I subunits (α-COP), causes an immune dysregulatory disease known as COPA syndrome. The molecular mechanism by which the impaired retrograde transport results in autoinflammation remains poorly understood. Here we report that STING, an innate immunity protein, is a cargo of the retrograde membrane transport. In the presence of the disease-causative α-COP variants, STING cannot be retrieved back to the ER from the Golgi. The forced Golgi residency of STING results in the cGAS-independent and palmitoylation-dependent activation of the STING downstream signaling pathway. Surf4, a protein that circulates between the ER/ ER-Golgi intermediate compartment/ Golgi, binds STING and α-COP, and mediates the retrograde transport of STING to the ER. The STING/Surf4/α-COP complex is disrupted in the presence of the disease-causative α-COP variant. We also find that the STING ligand cGAMP impairs the formation of the STING/Surf4/α-COP complex. Our results suggest a homeostatic regulation of STING at the resting state by retrograde membrane traffic and provide insights into the pathogenesis of COPA syndrome.
Two-dimensional ferroelectric channel transistors integrating ultra-fast memory and neural computing
Authors: Wang Shuiyuan , Liu Lan , Gan Lurong , Chen Huawei , Hou Xiang , Ding Yi , Ma Shunli , Zhang David Wei , Zhou Peng
Published: January 2021

With the advent of the big data era, applications are more data-centric and energy efficiency issues caused by frequent data interactions, due to the physical separation of memory and computing, will become increasingly severe. Emerging technologies have been proposed to perform analog computing with memory to address the dilemma. Ferroelectric memory has become a promising technology due to field-driven fast switching and non-destructive readout, but endurance and miniaturization are limited. Here, we demonstrate the α-In2Se3 ferroelectric semiconductor channel device that integrates non-volatile memory and neural computation functions. Remarkable performance includes ultra-fast write speed of 40 ns, improved endurance through the internal electric field, flexible adjustment of neural plasticity, ultra-low energy consumption of 234/40 fJ per event for excitation/inhibition, and thermally modulated 94.74% high-precision iris recognition classification simulation. This prototypical demonstration lays the foundation for an integrated memory computing system with high density and energy efficiency.
Engineering fluorinated-cation containing inverted perovskite solar cells with an efficiency of >21% and improved stability towards humidity
Authors: Wang Xiao , Rakstys Kasparas , Jack Kevin , Jin Hui , Lai Jonathan , Li Hui , Ranasinghe Chandana Sampath Kumara , Saghaei Jaber , Zhang Guanran , Burn Paul L. , Gentle Ian R. , Shaw Paul E.
Published: January 2021

Efficient and stable perovskite solar cells with a simple active layer are desirable for manufacturing. Three-dimensional perovskite solar cells are most efficient but need to have improved environmental stability. Inclusion of larger ammonium salts has led to a trade-off between improved stability and efficiency, which is attributed to the perovskite films containing a two-dimensional component. Here, we show that addition of 0.3 mole percent of a fluorinated lead salt into the three-dimensional methylammonium lead iodide perovskite enables low temperature fabrication of simple inverted solar cells with a maximum power conversion efficiency of 21.1%. The perovskite layer has no detectable two-dimensional component at salt concentrations of up to 5 mole percent. The high concentration of fluorinated material found at the film-air interface provides greater hydrophobicity, increased size and orientation of the surface perovskite crystals, and unencapsulated devices with increased stability to high humidity.
Machine learning enables design automation of microfluidic flow-focusing droplet generation
Authors: Lashkaripour Ali , Rodriguez Christopher , Mehdipour Noushin , Mardian Rizki , McIntyre David , Ortiz Luis , Campbell Joshua , Densmore Douglas
Published: January 2021

Droplet-based microfluidic devices hold immense potential in becoming inexpensive alternatives to existing screening platforms across life science applications, such as enzyme discovery and early cancer detection. However, the lack of a predictive understanding of droplet generation makes engineering a droplet-based platform an iterative and resource-intensive process. We present a web-based tool, DAFD, that predicts the performance and enables design automation of flow-focusing droplet generators. We capitalize on machine learning algorithms to predict the droplet diameter and rate with a mean absolute error of less than 10 μm and 20 Hz. This tool delivers a user-specified performance within 4.2% and 11.5% of the desired diameter and rate. We demonstrate that DAFD can be extended by the community to support additional fluid combinations, without requiring extensive machine learning knowledge or large-scale data-sets. This tool will reduce the need for microfluidic expertise and design iterations and facilitate adoption of microfluidics in life sciences.
Hepatocyte-specific IL11 cis-signaling drives lipotoxicity and underlies the transition from NAFLD to NASH
Authors: Dong Jinrui , Viswanathan Sivakumar , Adami Eleonora , Singh Brijesh K. , Chothani Sonia P. , Ng Benjamin , Lim Wei Wen , Zhou Jin , Tripathi Madhulika , Ko Nicole S. J. , Shekeran Shamini G. , Tan Jessie , Lim Sze Yun , Wang Mao , Lio Pei Min , Yen Paul M. , Schafer Sebastian , Cook Stuart A. , Widjaja Anissa A.
Published: January 2021

IL11 is important for fibrosis in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) but its role beyond the stroma in liver disease is unclear. Here, we investigate the role of IL11 in hepatocyte lipotoxicity. Hepatocytes highly express IL11RA and secrete IL11 in response to lipid loading. Autocrine IL11 activity causes hepatocyte death through NOX4-derived ROS, activation of ERK, JNK and caspase-3, impaired mitochondrial function and reduced fatty acid oxidation. Paracrine IL11 activity stimulates hepatic stellate cells and causes fibrosis. In mouse models of NASH, hepatocyte-specific deletion of Il11ra1 protects against liver steatosis, fibrosis and inflammation while reducing serum glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels and limiting obesity. In mice deleted for Il11ra1, restoration of IL11 cis-signaling in hepatocytes reconstitutes steatosis and inflammation but not fibrosis. We found no evidence for the existence of IL6 or IL11 trans-signaling in hepatocytes or NASH. These data show that IL11 modulates hepatocyte metabolism and suggests a mechanism for NAFLD to NASH transition.
The role of water in host-guest interaction
Authors: Rizzi Valerio , Bonati Luigi , Ansari Narjes , Parrinello Michele
Published: January 2021

One of the main applications of atomistic computer simulations is the calculation of ligand binding free energies. The accuracy of these calculations depends on the force field quality and on the thoroughness of configuration sampling. Sampling is an obstacle in simulations due to the frequent appearance of kinetic bottlenecks in the free energy landscape. Very often this difficulty is circumvented by enhanced sampling techniques. Typically, these techniques depend on the introduction of appropriate collective variables that are meant to capture the system’s degrees of freedom. In ligand binding, water has long been known to play a key role, but its complex behaviour has proven difficult to fully capture. In this paper we combine machine learning with physical intuition to build a non-local and highly efficient water-describing collective variable. We use it to study a set of host-guest systems from the SAMPL5 challenge. We obtain highly accurate binding free energies and good agreement with experiments. The role of water during the binding process is then analysed in some detail.
Improvement of obesity-associated disorders by a small-molecule drug targeting mitochondria of adipose tissue macrophages
Authors: Wang Yawei , Tang Binlin , Long Lei , Luo Peng , Xiang Wei , Li Xueru , Wang Huilan , Jiang Qingzhi , Tan Xu , Luo Shenglin , Li Huijuan , Wang Ziwen , Chen Zelin , Leng Yu , Jiang Zhongyong , Wang Yang , Ma Le , Wang Rui , Zeng Chunyu , Liu Zujuan , Wang Yu , Miao Hongming , Shi Chunmeng
Published: January 2021

Pro-inflammatory activation of adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) is causally linked to obesity and obesity-associated disorders. A number of studies have demonstrated the crucial role of mitochondrial metabolism in macrophage activation. However, there is a lack of pharmaceutical agents to target the mitochondrial metabolism of ATMs for the treatment of obesity-related diseases. Here, we characterize a near-infrared fluorophore (IR-61) that preferentially accumulates in the mitochondria of ATMs and has a therapeutic effect on diet-induced obesity as well as obesity-associated insulin resistance and fatty liver. IR-61 inhibits the classical activation of ATMs by increasing mitochondrial complex levels and oxidative phosphorylation via the ROS/Akt/Acly pathway. Taken together, our findings indicate that specific enhancement of ATMs oxidative phosphorylation improves chronic inflammation and obesity-related disorders. IR-61 might be an anti-inflammatory agent useful for the treatment of obesity-related diseases by targeting the mitochondria of ATMs.
Transcriptional and morphological profiling of parvalbumin interneuron subpopulations in the mouse hippocampus
Authors: Que Lin , Lukacsovich David , Luo Wenshu , Földy Csaba
Published: January 2021

The diversity reflected by >100 different neural cell types fundamentally contributes to brain function and a central idea is that neuronal identity can be inferred from genetic information. Recent large-scale transcriptomic assays seem to confirm this hypothesis, but a lack of morphological information has limited the identification of several known cell types. In this study, we used single-cell RNA-seq in morphologically identified parvalbumin interneurons (PV-INs), and studied their transcriptomic states in the morphological, physiological, and developmental domains. Overall, we find high transcriptomic similarity among PV-INs, with few genes showing divergent expression between morphologically different types. Furthermore, PV-INs show a uniform synaptic cell adhesion molecule (CAM) profile, suggesting that CAM expression in mature PV cells does not reflect wiring specificity after development. Together, our results suggest that while PV-INs differ in anatomy and in vivo activity, their continuous transcriptomic and homogenous biophysical landscapes are not predictive of these distinct identities.
Atomically thin photoanode of InSe/graphene heterostructure
Authors: Zheng Haihong , Lu Yizhen , Ye Kai-Hang , Hu Jinyuan , Liu Shuai , Yan Jiawei , Ye Yu , Guo Yuxi , Lin Zhan , Cheng Jun , Cao Yang
Published: January 2021

Achieving high-efficiency photoelectrochemical water splitting requires a better understanding of ion kinetics, e.g., diffusion, adsorption and reactions, near the photoelectrode’s surface. However, with macroscopic three-dimensional electrodes, it is often difficult to disentangle the contributions of surface effects to the total photocurrent from that of various factors in the bulk. Here, we report a photoanode made from a InSe crystal monolayer that is encapsulated with monolayer graphene to ensure high stability. We choose InSe among other photoresponsive two-dimensional (2D) materials because of its unique properties of high mobility and strongly suppressing electron–hole pair recombination. Using the atomically thin electrodes, we obtained a photocurrent with a density >10 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode, which is several orders of magnitude greater than other 2D photoelectrodes. In addition to the outstanding characteristics of InSe, we attribute the enhanced photocurrent to the strong coupling between the hydroxide ions and photo-generated holes near the anode surface. As a result, a persistent current even after illumination ceased was also observed due to the presence of ions trapped holes with suppressed electron-hole recombination. Our results provide atomically thin materials as a platform for investigating ion kinetics at the electrode surface and shed light on developing next-generation photoelectrodes with high efficiency.
Host CDK-1 and formin mediate microvillar effacement induced by enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli
Authors: Huang Cheng-Rung , Kuo Cheng-Ju , Huang Chih-Wen , Chen Yu-Ting , Liu Bang-Yu , Lee Chung-Ta , Chen Po-Lin , Chang Wen-Tsan , Chen Yun-Wen , Lee Tzer-Min , Hsieh Hui-Chen , Chen Chang-Shi
Published: January 2021

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) induces changes to the intestinal cell cytoskeleton and formation of attaching and effacing lesions, characterized by the effacement of microvilli and then formation of actin pedestals to which the bacteria are tightly attached. Here, we use a Caenorhabditis elegans model of EHEC infection to show that microvillar effacement is mediated by a signalling pathway including mitotic cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) and diaphanous-related formin 1 (CYK1). Similar observations are also made using EHEC-infected human intestinal cells in vitro. Our results support the use of C. elegans as a host model for studying attaching and effacing lesions in vivo, and reveal that the CDK1-formin signal axis is necessary for EHEC-induced microvillar effacement.
Genetic and pharmacological inhibition of the nuclear receptor RORα regulates TH17 driven inflammatory disorders
Authors: Wang Ran , Campbell Sean , Amir Mohammed , Mosure Sarah A. , Bassette Molly A. , Eliason Amber , Sundrud Mark S. , Kamenecka Theodore M. , Solt Laura A.
Published: January 2021

Full development of IL-17 producing CD4+ T helper cells (TH17 cells) requires the transcriptional activity of both orphan nuclear receptors RORα and RORγt. However, RORα is considered functionally redundant to RORγt; therefore, the function and therapeutic value of RORα in TH17 cells is unclear. Here, using mouse models of autoimmune and chronic inflammation, we show that expression of RORα is required for TH17 cell pathogenicity. T-cell-specific deletion of RORα reduces the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and colitis. Reduced inflammation is associated with decreased TH17 cell development, lower expression of tissue-homing chemokine receptors and integrins, and increased frequencies of Foxp3+ T regulatory cells. Importantly, inhibition of RORα with a selective small molecule antagonist mostly phenocopies our genetic data, showing potent suppression of the in vivo development of both chronic/progressive and relapsing/remitting EAE, but with no effect on overall thymic cellularity. Furthermore, use of the RORα antagonist effectively inhibits human TH17 cell differentiation and memory cytokine secretion. Together, these data suggest that RORα functions independent of RORγt in programming TH17 pathogenicity and identifies RORα as a safer and more selective therapeutic target for the treatment of TH17-mediated autoimmunity.
Electron cascade for distant spin readout
Authors: van Diepen Cornelis J. , Hsiao Tzu-Kan , Mukhopadhyay Uditendu , Reichl Christian , Wegscheider Werner , Vandersypen Lieven M. K.
Published: January 2021

The spin of a single electron in a semiconductor quantum dot provides a well-controlled and long-lived qubit implementation. The electron charge in turn allows control of the position of individual electrons in a quantum dot array, and enables charge sensors to probe the charge configuration. Here we show that the Coulomb repulsion allows an initial charge transition to induce subsequent charge transitions, inducing a cascade of electron hops, like toppling dominoes. A cascade can transmit information along a quantum dot array over a distance that extends by far the effect of the direct Coulomb repulsion. We demonstrate that a cascade of electrons can be combined with Pauli spin blockade to read out distant spins and show results with potential for high fidelity using a remote charge sensor in a quadruple quantum dot device. We implement and analyse several operating modes for cascades and analyse their scaling behaviour. We also discuss the application of cascade-based spin readout to densely-packed two-dimensional quantum dot arrays with charge sensors placed at the periphery. The high connectivity of such arrays greatly improves the capabilities of quantum dot systems for quantum computation and simulation.
Clinical, pathological, and PAM50 gene expression features of HER2-low breast cancer
Authors: Schettini Francesco , Chic Nuria , Brasó-Maristany Fara , Paré Laia , Pascual Tomás , Conte Benedetta , Martínez-Sáez Olga , Adamo Barbara , Vidal Maria , Barnadas Esther , Fernández-Martinez Aranzazu , González-Farre Blanca , Sanfeliu Esther , Cejalvo Juan Miguel , Perrone Giuseppe , Sabarese Giovanna , Zalfa Francesca , Peg Vicente , Fasani Roberta , Villagrasa Patricia , Gavilá Joaquín , Barrios Carlos H. , Lluch Ana , Martín Miguel , Locci Mariavittoria , De Placido Sabino , Prat Aleix
Published: January 2021

Novel antibody-drug conjugates against HER2 are showing high activity in HER2-negative breast cancer (BC) with low HER2 expression (i.e., 1+ or 2+ and lack of ERBB2 amplification). However, the clinical and molecular features of HER2-low BC are yet to be elucidated. Here, we collected retrospective clinicopathological and PAM50 data from 3,689 patients with HER2-negative disease and made the following observations. First, the proportion of HER2-low was higher in HR-positive disease (65.4%) than triple-negative BC (TNBC, 36.6%). Second, within HR-positive disease, ERBB2 and luminal-related genes were more expressed in HER2-low than HER2 0. In contrast, no gene was found differentially expressed in TNBC according to HER2 expression. Third, within HER2-low, ERBB2 levels were higher in HR-positive disease than TNBC. Fourth, HER2-low was not associated with overall survival in HR-positive disease and TNBC. Finally, the reproducibility of HER2-low among pathologists was suboptimal. This study emphasizes the large biological heterogeneity of HER2-low BC, and the need to implement reproducible and sensitive assays to measure low HER2 expression.
Epicutaneous immunization with modified vaccinia Ankara viral vectors generates superior T cell immunity against a respiratory viral challenge
Authors: Pan Youdong , Liu Luzheng , Tian Tian , Zhao Jingxia , Park Chang Ook , Lofftus Serena Y. , Stingley Claire A. , Yan Yu , Mei Shenglin , Liu Xing , Kupper Thomas S.
Published: January 2021

Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) was recently approved as a smallpox vaccine. Variola is transmitted by respiratory droplets and MVA immunization by skin scarification (s.s.) protected mice far more effectively against lethal respiratory challenge with vaccinia virus (VACV) than any other route of delivery, and at lower doses. Comparisons of s.s. with intradermal, subcutaneous, or intramuscular routes showed that MVAOVA s.s.-generated T cells were both more abundant and transcriptionally unique. MVAOVA s.s. produced greater numbers of lung Ova-specific CD8+ TRM and was superior in protecting mice against lethal VACVOVA respiratory challenge. Nearly as many lung TRM were generated with MVAOVA s.s. immunization compared to intra-tracheal immunization with MVAOVA and both routes vaccination protected mice against lethal pulmonary challenge with VACVOVA. Strikingly, MVAOVA s.s.-generated effector T cells exhibited overlapping gene transcriptional profiles to those generated via intra-tracheal immunization. Overall, our data suggest that heterologous MVA vectors immunized via s.s. are uniquely well-suited as vaccine vectors for respiratory pathogens, which may be relevant to COVID-19. In addition, MVA delivered via s.s. could represent a more effective dose-sparing smallpox vaccine.
The influence of water–rock interactions on household well water in an area of high prevalence chronic kidney disease of unknown aetiology (CKDu)
Authors: McDonough Liza K. , Meredith Karina T. , Nikagolla Chandima , Banati Richard B.
Published: January 2021

Poor drinking water quality in household wells is hypothesised as being a potential contributor to the high prevalence of chronic kidney disease of uncertain aetiology (CKDu) among the farming communities of the Medawachchiya area, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. One of the natural processes that can affect water quality is the dissolution of minerals contained within an aquifer by water–rock interactions (WRIs). Here we present a comprehensive assessment of WRIs and their influence on the water chemistry in household wells and spring waters in the Medawachchiya area by combining measurements of environmental isotopes, such as strontium, lithium and stable carbon isotopes and inorganic chemistry parameters, and modelling geochemical mass balance reactions between rainfall and groundwater samples. Our results reveal the presence of strontium, dissolved from both silicate and carbonate minerals, with high isotopic (87Sr/86Sr) ratios of up to 0.7316. Geochemical mass balance modelling and prior 87Sr/86Sr studies on the Wanni Complex bedrock suggest these strontium values may be the result of biotite dissolution. We also identify lithium and uranium contributed from the dissolution of silicates, albeit at concentrations too low to constitute a known health risk. In contrast, the levels of magnesium and calcium in our samples are high and demonstrate that, despite the felsic bedrock, well water chemistry in the Medawachchiya area is dominated by carbonate dissolution.
Quantitative image analysis of microbial communities with BiofilmQ
Authors: Hartmann Raimo , Jeckel Hannah , Jelli Eric , Singh Praveen K. , Vaidya Sanika , Bayer Miriam , Rode Daniel K. H. , Vidakovic Lucia , Díaz-Pascual Francisco , Fong Jiunn C. N. , Dragoš Anna , Lamprecht Olga , Thöming Janne G. , Netter Niklas , Häussler Susanne , Nadell Carey D. , Sourjik Victor , Kovács Ákos T. , Yildiz Fitnat H. , Drescher Knut
Published: January 2021

Biofilms are microbial communities that represent a highly abundant form of microbial life on Earth. Inside biofilms, phenotypic and genotypic variations occur in three-dimensional space and time; microscopy and quantitative image analysis are therefore crucial for elucidating their functions. Here, we present BiofilmQ—a comprehensive image cytometry software tool for the automated and high-throughput quantification, analysis and visualization of numerous biofilm-internal and whole-biofilm properties in three-dimensional space and time.