bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does a school snack make a difference? An evaluation of the World Food Programme emergency school feeding programme in Lebanon among Lebanese and Syrian refugee children
Authors: Jamaluddine Zeina , Akik Chaza , Safadi Gloria , Abou Fakher Sara , El-Helou Nehmat , Moussa Soha , Anid Dominique , Ghattas Hala
Published: February 2022

Objective:

To investigate the effects of providing a daily healthy school snack on children’s nutritional, social and educational outcomes and explore stakeholders’ perceptions of an emergency school feeding programme (SFP).

Design:

Convergence triangulation mixed-methods study design. Associations were examined between receiving the school feeding intervention and children’s outcomes using multivariable regression models. Quantitative data were complemented with interviews and focus group discussions with parents and staff.

Setting:

In vulnerable communities in Lebanon, the World Food Programme has implemented an emergency SFP targeting Lebanese (attending morning sessions) and Syrian refugee children (attending afternoon sessions) in public schools.

Participants:

Children from ten intervention schools (morning n 403; afternoon n 379) and ten matched control schools (morning n 399; afternoon n 401), as well as twenty-nine parents and twenty-two school staff members.

Results:

Diet diversity was higher in intervention schools as compared with control with a significantly higher consumption of dairy products, nuts and fruit in both sessions. Child-reported food insecurity experience was lower in children attending the afternoon session of intervention v. control schools. The SFP intervention was associated with higher school engagement and sense of school community in the morning session only. While the SFP was significantly associated with higher attendance for children in afternoon sessions only, it was significantly associated with school retention of children in both sessions.

Conclusions:

A daily healthy snack potentially acts as an incentive to improve children’s nutritional outcomes, school engagement, sense of belonging, equality between students and improvement in children’s attendance and retention in public schools.
Our place in the universe: Alexander Wendt and quantum mechanics
Authors: Kydd Andrew H.
Published: February 2022

Alexander Wendt claims that quantum physics explains deep mysteries about human consciousness and offers a radical new understanding of human behavior and social interaction. However, the claims rest on flawed interpretations of quantum theory, fringe literatures and metaphorical, almost mystical uses of quantum concepts and buzzwords. He fails to provide any account of human conflict, and defends an almost theological view of the importance of humanity in the universe that is incompatible with a scientific perspective.
Implementation of international humanitarian law: The work of Latin American international humanitarian law committees
Authors: Macias Betancourt Oscar G.
Published: February 2022

Respect for international humanitarian law (IHL) in the battlefield is contingent on the measures undertaken in peacetime. Indeed, satisfactory compliance with IHL rests in the implementation of multiple measures at the domestic level crossing different spheres, including legislative, administrative and educational. In most latitudes, governments and other stakeholders coordinate these measures in what is known as National Committees for the Implementation of International Humanitarian Law. The article addresses the practice of these bodies in Latin America and provides alternatives to enhance their work.
A Physical Basis for the Overstatement of Low Clouds at Night by Conventional Satellite Infrared‐Based Imaging Radiometer Bi‐Spectral Techniques
Authors: Miller Steven D. , Noh Yoo‐Jeong , Grasso Lewis D. , Seaman Curtis J. , Ignatov Alexander , Heidinger Andrew K. , Nam SungHyun , Line William E. , Petrenko Boris
Published: February 2022

Marine boundary layer (MBL) clouds, ubiquitous to the world’s oceans, help govern the radiative balance of Earth’s climate system. Satellite remote sensing provides the most practical means to monitor cloud worldwide. Whereas visible‐based detection of MBL clouds from environmental satellites is relatively straightforward during the daytime, the night presents challenges. In certain conditions, the conventional infrared (IR) methods used for nocturnal cloud detection, such as the commonly used 11–3.9 μm brightness temperature difference, offer poor thermal and spectral contrast between clouds and the clear‐sky background—resulting in missed clouds. A less explored question is to what extent these IR techniques overstate the cloud field. The Day/Night Band (DNB), a novel low‐light sensor carried on the Joint Polar Satellite System constellation, is helping to address this question. By way of its daytime‐analog moonlight reflectance cloud detection, the DNB reveals situations where IR‐based techniques yield false‐alarm low clouds. These problems occur in conditions of cool surface and a warm/moist lower atmosphere, prevalent in areas of coastal upwelling, tidal mixing, river estuaries, and along oceanic fronts and cyclonic eddies. We show how differential sensitivity to MBL moisture can trigger algorithmic thresholds for cloud detection. Presented here are examples illustrating the problem and an evaluation of our hypothesis against idealized radiative transfer simulations. We consider the implications of such artifacts, including climate data records of sea surface temperature which rely upon IR‐based nocturnal cloud masks. The results provide a framework for designing algorithmic improvements to nighttime MBL cloud detection.
DNAJB8 in small extracellular vesicles promotes Oxaliplatin resistance through TP53/MDR1 pathway in colon cancer
Authors: Wang Zheng , Li Yi , Mao Rui , Zhang Yu , Wen Jun , Liu Qian , Liu Yanjun , Zhang Tongtong
Published: February 2022

Chemotherapy is one of the most frequently used therapies for the treatment of colon cancer (COAD). However, Oxaliplatin (L-OHP) resistance is a major obstacle to the effective treatment of COAD. Here, we investigated whether DNAJB8, a heat shock protein 40 (HSP40) family protein, could be used for the prognosis and therapy of L-OHP resistance in COAD. Treatment with small interfering RNA targeting DNAJB8 could restore the response to L-OHP in vitro and in vivo. On the mechanism, we demonstrated that DNAJB8 could interact with TP53 and inhibit the ubiquitination degradation of TP53, leading to MDR1 upregulation which promotes colon cancer L-OHP resistance. We found that small extracellular vesicle (sEV)-mediated transfer of DNAJB8 from L-OHP-resistant COAD cells to sensitive cells contributed to L-OHP resistance. A prognostic signature based on the DNAJB8 levels in both tissue and serum showed that COAD patients with high-risk scores exhibited significantly worse overall survival and disease-free survival than patients with low-risk scores. These results indicate that DNAJB8 levels in serum sEVs may serve as a biomarker for COAD. DNAJB8 from sEVs might be a promising therapeutic target for L-OHP resistance and a prognostic predictor of clinical response.
Electro-mechanically switchable hydrocarbons based on [8]annulenes
Authors: Tasić Magdalena , Ivković Jakov , Carlström Göran , Melcher Michaela , Bollella Paolo , Bendix Jesper , Gorton Lo , Persson Petter , Uhlig Jens , Strand Daniel
Published: February 2022

Pure hydrocarbons with shape and conjugation properties that can be switched by external stimuli is an intriguing prospect in the design of new responsive materials and single-molecule electronics. Here, we develop an oligomeric [8]annulene-based material that combines a remarkably efficient topological switching upon redox changes with structural simplicity, stability, and straightforward synthesis: 5,12-alkyne linked dibenzo[a,e]cyclooctatetraenes (dbCOTs). Upon reduction, the structures accommodate a reversible reorganization from a pseudo-conjugated tub-shape to a conjugated aromatic system. This switching in oligomeric structures gives rise to multiple defined states that are deconvoluted by electrochemical, NMR, and optical methods. The combination of stable electromechanical responsivity and ability to relay electrons stepwise through an extended (pseudo-conjugated) π-system in partially reduced structures validate alkyne linked dbCOTs as a practical platform for developing new responsive materials and switches based on [8]annulene cores.
Recruitment of two Ndc80 complexes via the CENP-T pathway is sufficient for kinetochore functions
Authors: Takenoshita Yusuke , Hara Masatoshi , Fukagawa Tatsuo
Published: February 2022

To form functional kinetochores, CENP-C and CENP-T independently recruit the KMN (Knl1C, Mis12C, and Ndc80C) network onto the kinetochores. To clarify the functions of the KMN network on CENP-T, we evaluated its roles in chicken DT40 cell lines lacking the CENP-C-KMN network interaction. By analyzing mutants lacking both CENP-T-Mis12C and CENP-C-Mis12C interactions, we demonstrated that Knl1C and Mis12C (KM) play critical roles in the cohesion of sister chromatids or the recruitment of spindle checkpoint proteins onto kinetochores. Two copies of Ndc80C (N-N) exist on CENP-T via Mis12C or direct binding. Analyses of cells specifically lacking the Mis12C-Ndc80C interaction revealed that N-N is needed for proper kinetochore-microtubule interactions. However, using artificial engineering to directly bind the two copies of Ndc80C to CENP-T, we demonstrated that N-N functions without direct Mis12C binding to Ndc80C in native kinetochores. This study demonstrated the mechanisms by which complicated networks play roles in native kinetochores.
Highly efficient and salt rejecting solar evaporation via a wick-free confined water layer
Authors: Zhang Lenan , Li Xiangyu , Zhong Yang , Leroy Arny , Xu Zhenyuan , Zhao Lin , Wang Evelyn N.
Published: February 2022

Recent advances in thermally localized solar evaporation hold significant promise for vapor generation, seawater desalination, wastewater treatment, and medical sterilization. However, salt accumulation is one of the key bottlenecks for reliable adoption. Here, we demonstrate highly efficient (>80% solar-to-vapor conversion efficiency) and salt rejecting (20 weight % salinity) solar evaporation by engineering the fluidic flow in a wick-free confined water layer. With mechanistic modeling and experimental characterization of salt transport, we show that natural convection can be triggered in the confined water. More notably, there exists a regime enabling simultaneous thermal localization and salt rejection, i.e., natural convection significantly accelerates salt rejection while inducing negligible additional heat loss. Furthermore, we show the broad applicability by integrating this confined water layer with a recently developed contactless solar evaporator and report an improved efficiency. This work elucidates the fundamentals of salt transport and offers a low-cost strategy for high-performance solar evaporation.
EBV miRNAs BART11 and BART17-3p promote immune escape through the enhancer-mediated transcription of PD-L1
Authors: Wang Jie , Ge Junshang , Wang Yian , Xiong Fang , Guo Jiayue , Jiang Xianjie , Zhang Lishen , Deng Xiangying , Gong Zhaojian , Zhang Shanshan , Yan Qijia , He Yi , Li Xiayu , Shi Lei , Guo Can , Wang Fuyan , Li Zheng , Zhou Ming , Xiang Bo , Li Yong , Xiong Wei , Zeng Zhaoyang
Published: February 2022

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is reportedly the first identified human tumor virus, and is closely related to the occurrence and development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), gastric carcinoma (GC), and several lymphomas. PD-L1 expression is elevated in EBV-positive NPC and GC tissues; however, the specific mechanisms underlying the EBV-dependent promotion of PD-L1 expression to induce immune escape warrant clarification. EBV encodes 44 mature miRNAs. In this study, we find that EBV-miR-BART11 and EBV-miR-BART17-3p upregulate the expression of PD-L1 in EBV-associated NPC and GC. Furthermore, EBV-miR-BART11 targets FOXP1, EBV-miR-BART17-3p targets PBRM1, and FOXP1 and PBRM1 bind to the enhancer region of PD-L1 to inhibit its expression. Therefore, EBV-miR-BART11 and EBV-miR-BART17-3p inhibit FOXP1 and PBRM1, respectively, and enhance the transcription of PD-L1 (CD274, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/29126), resulting in the promotion of tumor immune escape, which provides insights into potential targets for EBV-related tumor immunotherapy.
Widespread occurrence of covalent lysine–cysteine redox switches in proteins
Authors: Rabe von Pappenheim Fabian , Wensien Marie , Ye Jin , Uranga Jon , Irisarri Iker , de Vries Jan , Funk Lisa-Marie , Mata Ricardo A. , Tittmann Kai
Published: February 2022

We recently reported the discovery of a lysine–cysteine redox switch in proteins with a covalent nitrogen–oxygen–sulfur (NOS) bridge. Here, a systematic survey of the whole protein structure database discloses that NOS bridges are ubiquitous redox switches in proteins of all domains of life and are found in diverse structural motifs and chemical variants. In several instances, lysines are observed in simultaneous linkage with two cysteines, forming a sulfur–oxygen–nitrogen–oxygen–sulfur (SONOS) bridge with a trivalent nitrogen, which constitutes an unusual native branching cross-link. In many proteins, the NOS switch contains a functionally essential lysine with direct roles in enzyme catalysis or binding of substrates, DNA or effectors, linking lysine chemistry and redox biology as a regulatory principle. NOS/SONOS switches are frequently found in proteins from human and plant pathogens, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and also in many human proteins with established roles in gene expression, redox signaling and homeostasis in physiological and pathophysiological conditions.
Efficient spin current source using a half-Heusler alloy topological semimetal with back end of line compatibility
Authors: Shirokura Takanori , Fan Tuo , Khang Nguyen Huynh Duy , Kondo Tsuyoshi , Hai Pham Nam
Published: February 2022

Topological materials, such as topological insulators (TIs), have great potential for ultralow power spintronic devices, thanks to their giant spin Hall effect. However, the giant spin Hall angle (θSH > 1) is limited to a few chalcogenide TIs with toxic elements and low melting points, making them challenging for device integration during the silicon Back-End-of-Line (BEOL) process. Here, we show that by using a half-Heusler alloy topological semi-metal (HHA-TSM), YPtBi, it is possible to achieve both a giant θSH up to 4.1 and a high thermal budget up to 600 °C. We demonstrate magnetization switching of a CoPt thin film using the giant spin Hall effect of YPtBi by current densities lower than those of heavy metals by one order of magnitude. Since HHA-TSM includes a group of three-element topological materials with great flexibility, our work opens the door to the third-generation spin Hall materials with both high θSH and high compatibility with the BEOL process that would be easily adopted by the industry.
Analysis of surface temperature variation of lakes in China using MODIS land surface temperature data
Authors: Xie Cong , Zhang Xin , Zhuang Long , Zhu Ruixi , Guo Jie
Published: February 2022

China has a great wealth of lake resources over a great spatial extent and these lakes are highly sensitive to climate changes through their heat and water budgets. However, little is known about the changes in lake surface water temperature (LSWT) across China under the climate warming conditions over the past few decades. In this study, MODIS land surface temperature (LST) data were used to examine the spatial and temporal (diurnal, intra-annual, and inter-annual) variations in LSWT of China’s lakes during 2001–2016. Our results indicated that 169 large lakes included in the study exhibited an overall increasing trend in LSWT, with an average rate of 0.26 °C/decade. The increasing rate of nighttime LSWT is 0.31 °C/decade, faster than that of daytime temperature (0.21 °C/decade). Overall, 121 (71.6%) lakes showed an increase in daytime temperature with a mean rate of 0.38 °C/decade, while the rest 48 (28.4%) lakes decreased in temperature with a mean rate of − 0.21 °C/decade. We also quantitatively analyzed the relationship of the lake surface temperature and diurnal temperature differences (DTDs) with geographical location, topography, and lake morphometry by utilizing multivariate regression analysis. Our analysis suggested that the geographical location (latitude and longitude) and topography (altitude) were primary driving factors in explaining the national lake water temperature variation (P < 0.001), which were also mediated by morphometric factors such as lake surface area and volume. Moreover, the diurnal lake temperature variations were significantly correlated with altitude, latitude, and lake surface area (R2 = 0.426, P < 0.001). Correlation analyses of LSWT trend and air temperature trend for each lake indicated that LSWT was positively correlated with air temperature in both daytime and nighttime for most lakes.
Variations in the physical demands and technical performance of professional soccer teams over three consecutive seasons
Authors: Akyildiz Zeki , Nobari Hadi , González-Fernández Francisco Tomás , Praça Gibson Moreira , Sarmento Hugo , Guler Aytek Hikmet , Saka Esat Kaan , Clemente Filipe Manuel , Figueiredo António J.
Published: February 2022

The purpose of this study was twofold: (i) to analyze the seasonal variations in the physical demands of Turkish Super League teams considering their status in the final rankings and (ii) to analyze the seasonal variations in the technical performance of Turkish Super League teams considering their status in the final rankings. This study followed an observational analytic retrospective design. In the last three seasons of the Turkish Super League (2015–2016, 2016–2017 and 2017–2018), 918 football matches, 54 teams, 25,029 observations were made. The Sentio Sports optical tracking system was used to quantify the physical demands and technical execution of players in all matches. No significant differences of external load were found between seasons analyzed (p > 0.05). The number of lost balls, ball touches in the central corridor, and goals from set pieces increased from season one to the others (p < 0.05), while the number of successful dribbles reduced over time (p < 0.05). As conclusion, it seems not occurred a progressive change in external load over the seasons, while an evolutionary trends regarding technical variables were observed.
A machine learning-based on-demand sweat glucose reporting platform
Authors: Sankhala Devangsingh , Sardesai Abha Umesh , Pali Madhavi , Lin Kai-Chun , Jagannath Badrinath , Muthukumar Sriram , Prasad Shalini
Published: February 2022

Diabetes is a chronic endocrine disease that occurs due to an imbalance in glucose levels and altering carbohydrate metabolism. It is a leading cause of morbidity, resulting in a reduced quality of life even in developed societies, primarily affected by a sedentary lifestyle and often leading to mortality. Keeping track of blood glucose levels noninvasively has been made possible due to diverse breakthroughs in wearable sensor technology coupled with holistic digital healthcare. Efficient glucose management has been revolutionized by the development of continuous glucose monitoring sensors and wearable, non/minimally invasive devices that measure glucose concentration by exploiting different physical principles, e.g., glucose oxidase, fluorescence, or skin dielectric properties, and provide real-time measurements every 1–5 min. This paper presents a highly novel and completely non-invasive sweat sensor platform technology that can measure and report glucose concentrations from passively expressed human eccrine sweat using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and affinity capture probe functionalized sensor surfaces. The sensor samples 1–5 µL of sweat from the wearer every 1–5 min and reports sweat glucose from a machine learning algorithm that samples the analytical reference values from the electrochemical sweat sensor. These values are then converted to continuous time-varying signals using the interpolation methodology. Supervised machine learning, the decision tree regression algorithm, shows the goodness of fit R2 of 0.94 was achieved with an RMSE value of 0.1 mg/dL. The output of the model was tested on three human subject datasets. The results were able to capture the glucose progression trend correctly. Sweet sensor platform technology demonstrates a dynamic response over the physiological sweat glucose range of 1–4 mg/dL measured from 3 human subjects. The technology described in the manuscript shows promise for real-time biomarkers such as glucose reporting from passively expressed human eccrine sweat.
Artificial intelligence in positioning between mandibular third molar and inferior alveolar nerve on panoramic radiography
Authors: Choi Eunhye , Lee Soohong , Jeong Eunjae , Shin Seokwon , Park Hyunwoo , Youm Sekyoung , Son Youngdoo , Pang KangMi
Published: February 2022

Determining the exact positional relationship between mandibular third molar (M3) and inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) is important for surgical extractions. Panoramic radiography is the most common dental imaging test. The purposes of this study were to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) model to determine two positional relationships (true contact and bucco-lingual position) between M3 and IAN when they were overlapped in panoramic radiographs and compare its performance with that of oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) specialists. A total of 571 panoramic images of M3 from 394 patients was used for this study. Among the images, 202 were classified as true contact, 246 as intimate, 61 as IAN buccal position, and 62 as IAN lingual position. A deep convolutional neural network model with ResNet-50 architecture was trained for each task. We randomly split the dataset into 75% for training and validation and 25% for testing. Model performance was superior in bucco-lingual position determination (accuracy 0.76, precision 0.83, recall 0.67, and F1 score 0.73) to true contact position determination (accuracy 0.63, precision 0.62, recall 0.63, and F1 score 0.61). AI exhibited much higher accuracy in both position determinations compared to OMFS specialists. In determining true contact position, OMFS specialists demonstrated an accuracy of 52.68% to 69.64%, while the AI showed an accuracy of 72.32%. In determining bucco-lingual position, OMFS specialists showed an accuracy of 32.26% to 48.39%, and the AI showed an accuracy of 80.65%. Moreover, Cohen’s kappa exhibited a substantial level of agreement for the AI (0.61) and poor agreements for OMFS specialists in bucco-lingual position determination. Determining the position relationship between M3 and IAN is possible using AI, especially in bucco-lingual positioning. The model could be used to support clinicians in the decision-making process for M3 treatment.
Global illumination rendering versus volume rendering for the forensic evaluation of stab wounds using computed tomography
Authors: Fukumoto Wataru , Kitera Nobuo , Mitani Hidenori , Sueoka Takahiro , Kondo Shota , Kawashita Ikuo , Nakamura Yuko , Nagao Masataka , Awai Kazuo
Published: February 2022

We compared three-dimensional (3D) CT images of stabbing victims subjected to volume-rendering (VR) or global illumination-rendering (GIR), a new technique now available for the reconstruction of 3D CT images. It simulates the complete interactions of photons with the scanned object, thereby providing photorealistic images. The diagnostic value of the images was also compared with that of macroscopic photographs. We used postmortem 3D CT images of 14 stabbing victims who had undergone autopsy and CT studies. The 3D CT images were subjected to GIR or VR and the 3D effect and the smoothness of the skin surface were graded on a 5-point scale. We also compared the 3D CT images of 37 stab wounds with macroscopic photographs. The maximum diameter of the wounds was measured on VR and GIR images and compared with the diameter recorded at autopsy. The overall image-quality scores and the ability to assess the stab wounds were significantly better on GIR than VR images (median scores: VR = 3 vs GIR = 4, p < 0.01). The mean difference between the wound diameter measured on VR and GIR images and at autopsy were both 0.2 cm, respectively. For the assessment of stab wounds, 3D CT images subjected to GIR were superior to VR images. The diagnostic value of 3D CT GIR image was comparable to that of macroscopic photographs.
Facile and robust fabrication of hierarchical Au nanorods/Ag nanowire SERS substrates for the sensitive detection of dyes and pesticides
Authors: Wang Shiqiang , Sun Bing , Jiang Huiyun , Jin Yan , Feng Junjie , An Fei , Wang Haozhi , Xu Wei
Published: February 2022

A facile and robust approach to fabricate various hierarchical Au nanorods/Ag nanowire substrates for the detection of dyes and pesticides.
Titania-supported molybdenum oxide combined with Au nanoparticles as a hydrogen-driven deoxydehydration catalyst of diol compounds
Authors: Hacatrjan Schanth , Liu Lujie , Gan Jianxing , Nakagawa Yoshinao , Cao Ji , Yabushita Mizuho , Tamura Masazumi , Tomishige Keiichi
Published: February 2022

The first molybdenum-based heterogeneous deoxydehydration catalyst using H2 as a reducing agent was developed, while typical deoxydehydration systems use more expensive rhenium as the active center.
Application of NMR relaxometry for real-time monitoring of the removal of metal ions from water by synthetic clays
Authors: Marchesi Stefano , Nascimbene Simone , Guidotti Matteo , Bisio Chiara , Carniato Fabio
Published: February 2022

The removal of paramagnetic metal ions from aqueous solutions with a synthetic saponite clay was monitored in real time by 1H NMR relaxometry.
Biphasic effect of sulforaphane on angiogenesis in hypoxia via modulation of both Nrf2 and mitochondrial dynamics
Authors: Wang Yaqian , Chen Fangfang , Zhang Yuan , Zheng Xiangyu , Liu Shiyan , Tang Meijuan , Wang Ziling , Wang Pan , Bao Yongping , Li Dan
Published: February 2022

Proposed mechanism of biphasic effect of SFN on angiogenesis in hypoxia.
DNA origami frame filled with two types of single-stranded tiles
Authors: Chen Congzhou , Xu Jin , Ruan Luoshan , Zhao Haiyan , Li Xin , Shi Xiaolong
Published: February 2022

We combined two types of DNA SSTs with DNA origami to develop a different approach to assemble a filled nanostructure with predesigned shapes. SSTs will assemble to a desired rigid shape after they fill within a thin border.
Double noncovalent network chitosan/hyperbranched polyethylenimine/Fe3+ films with high toughness and good antibacterial activity
Authors: Xu Kaijie , Dai Qingyin , Dong Kaiqiang , Wei Ningsi , Qin Zhiyong
Published: February 2022

Double noncovalent network chitosan/hyperbranched polyethylenimine/Fe3+ films.
Multiplex metal-detection based assay (MMDA) for COVID-19 diagnosis and identification of disease severity biomarkers
Authors: Zhou Ying , Yuan Shuofeng , To Kelvin Kai-Wang , Xu Xiaohan , Li Hongyan , Cai Jian-Piao , Luo Cuiting , Hung Ivan Fan-Ngai , Chan Kwok-Hung , Yuen Kwok-Yung , Li Yu-Feng , Chan Jasper Fuk-Woo , Sun Hongzhe
Published: February 2022

A MMDA platform is developed by using metal-tagged antibodies as reporting probes combined with machine learning algorithms, as a general strategy for highly multiplexed biofluid assay.
Constructing a superior Co–Mo HDS catalyst from a crystalline precursor separated from the impregnating solution
Authors: Liang Jilei , Wu Mengmeng , Zhang Zhihai , Wang Hao , Huang Tingting , Zhao Lin , Liu Yunqi , Liu Chenguang
Published: February 2022

A Co tetra-capped Keggin crystalline Co4Mo12 was separated from the impregnating solution via a self-assembly strategy and used as a molecular platform to reveal the sulfidation procedure of a precursor in the construction of a superior HDS catalyst.
Mg ion pre-intercalated MnO2 nanospheres as high-performance cathode materials for aqueous Zn-ion batteries
Authors: Xu Pu , Yi Huimin , Shi Gejun , Xiong Zhennan , Hu Yingying , Wang Ruilin , Zhang Huihui , Wang Baofeng
Published: February 2022

Mesoporous MnO2 nanospheres were prepared by in situ Mg ion pre-intercalation via a simple chemical method. The prepared MnO2 shows a high reversible capacity (247 mA h g−1 at 0.3 A g−1).
Structure-activity relationship and bioactivity studies of neurotrophic trans-banglene
Authors: Gohil Khyati , Kazmi M. Zain H. , Williams Florence J.
Published: February 2022

The synthesis and bioactivity of neurotrophic banglenes and derivatives is described, establishing a structure–activity relationship which enables future mechanistic studies.
Silver-mediated radical oxytrifluoromethylation of unsaturated carboxylic acids for the synthesis of γ-trifluoromethylthio lactones
Authors: Ru-Jian Yu , Zhang Chun-Yan , Hai-Yan Huang , Pei Wang , Fu Wen-Yu , Cheng Jian-Xin , Xiong Yan-Shi
Published: February 2022

Preparation of trifluoromethylthiolated phthalides via trifluoromethylthio lactonization.
3D printed linear soft multi-mode actuators expanding robotic applications
Authors: Drury Ryan , Sencadas Vitor , Alici Gursel
Published: February 2022

A new soft 3D printable elastomer allows for improvements to soft pneumatic actuators that can both expand and contract under different pressures. The actuators exhibit excellent performance metrics and are shown to be viable in soft mobile robots.
Toward the limits of complexity of interstellar chemistry: Rotational spectroscopy and astronomical search for n- and i-butanal
Authors: Sanz-Novo M. , Belloche A. , Rivilla V. M. , Garrod R. T. , Alonso J. L. , Redondo P. , Barrientos C. , Kolesniková L. , Valle J. C. , Rodríguez-Almeida L. , Jimenez-Serra I. , Martín-Pintado J. , Müller H. S. P. , Menten K. M.
Published: February 2022

Context. In recent times, large organic molecules of exceptional complexity have been found in diverse regions of the interstellar medium.

Aims. In this context, we aim to provide accurate frequencies of the ground vibrational state of two key aliphatic aldehydes, n-butanal and its branched-chain isomer, i-butanal, to enable their eventual detection in the interstellar medium. We also want to test the level of complexity that interstellar chemistry can reach in regions of star formation.

Methods. We employ a frequency modulation millimeter-wave absorption spectrometer to measure the rotational features of n- and i-butanal. We analyze the assigned rotational transitions of each rotamer separately using the A-reduced semirigid-rotor Hamiltonian. We use the spectral line survey ReMoCA performed with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array to search for n- and i-butanal toward the star-forming region Sgr B2(N). We also search for both aldehydes toward the molecular cloud G+0.693−0.027 with IRAM 30 m and Yebes 40 m observations. The observational results are compared with computational results from a recent gas-grain astrochemical model.

Results. Several thousand rotational transitions belonging to the lowest-energy conformers of two distinct linear and branched isomers have been assigned in the laboratory spectra up to 325 GHz. A precise set of the relevant rotational spectroscopic constants has been determined for each structure as a first step toward identifying both molecules in the interstellar medium. We report non-detections of n-and i-butanal toward both sources, Sgr B2(N1S) and G+0.693-0.027. We find that n- and i-butanal are at least 2-6 and 6-18 times less abundant than acetaldehyde toward Sgr B2(N1S), respectively, and that n-butanal is at least 63 times less abundant than acetaldehyde toward G+0.693−0.027. While propanal is not detected toward Sgr B2(N1S) either, with an abundance at least 5–11 lower than that of acetaldehyde, propanal is found to be 7 times less abundant than acetaldehyde in G+0.693−0.027. Comparison with astrochemical models indicates good agreement between observed and simulated abundances (where available). Grain-surface chemistry appears sufficient to reproduce aldehyde ratios in G+0.693−0.027; gas-phase production may play a more active role in Sgr B2(N1S). Model estimates for the larger aldehydes indicate that the observed upper limits may be close to the underlying values.

Conclusions. Our astronomical results indicate that the family of interstellar aldehydes in the Galactic center region is characterized by a drop of one order of magnitude in abundance at each incrementation in the level of molecular complexity.
Irreducibility of Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation driven by degenerate noise
Authors: Gao Peng
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we study irreducibility of Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation which is driven by an additive noise acting only on a finite number of Fourier modes. In order to obtain the irreducibility, we first investigate the approximate controllability of Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation driven by a finite-dimensional force, the proof is based on Agrachev-Sarychev type geometric control approach. Next, we study the continuity of solving operator for deterministic Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation. Finally, combining the approximate controllability with continuity of solving operator, we establish the irreducibility of Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation.
Mehr als Inhalte: Was KrebspatientInnen bei professioneller
psychosozialer Unterstützung wichtig ist
Authors: Engesser Deborah , Krauß Oliver , Briest Susanne , Stolzenburg Jens-Uwe , Singer Susanne
Published: February 2022

Ziel der Studie Ziel der Studie war herauszufinden, welche Erwartungen
KrebspatientInnen an professionelle psychosoziale Unterstützung
haben.

Methodik Im Rahmen einer multizentrischen prospektiven Studie wurden
KrebspatientInnen zwei Jahre nach ihrer Diagnose befragt, was sie von
professioneller psychosozialer Unterstützung erwarten. Aus den
Freitextantworten wurden gemäß qualitativer Methoden Kategorien
gebildet und alle Antworten kodiert.

Ergebnisse 447 PatientInnen wurden
kontaktiert, für die Auswertung lagen 285 Antworten vor. PatientInnen
war der Erhalt von Informationen sowie Austausch mit genug Zeit für
Zuhören wichtig. Als Resultat der Unterstützung
wünschten sie sich vor allem die Förderung psychischer
Stärke.

Diskussion Neben den Inhalten sind Aspekte des
„wie“ der Unterstützung sehr wichtig, vor allem
Aufmerksamkeit und fachliche Kompetenz. Es sollte genug Zeit für das
Eingehen auf individuelle Bedürfnisse zur Verfügung
stehen.

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Numerically simulated influence of positive ions on the propagation of a positive streamer initiated in an argon plasma jet
Authors: Li Xuechen , Wang Dongdong , Chen Junyu , Wu Jiacun , Zhao Na , Jia Pengying , Wu Kaiyue
Published: February 2022

A plasma jet with inert working gas operates in a streamer discharge mechanism. The propagation behavior of streamers determines the distribution of active species, which play a key role in the applications of plasma jets. To make clear streamer behavior under the influence of residual positive ions, a two-dimensional fluid model based on the continuity, the conservation, and Poisson's equations is employed to numerically investigate the dynamic behavior of a positive streamer when it approaches a cloud of positive ions with different densities and scales. Results indicate that the streamer always propagates along the axis and passes through the cloud of positive ions if the ions are rarefied (1.0 × 1016 m−3 in the core), which behaves like a free streamer. If the ion cloud has a medium density (5.0 × 1016 m−3 in the core), the streamer first deflects upward when it approaches the vicinity of the ion cloud and then deflects downward when it departs from the ion cloud, leaving a detouring track. The detouring track is also left if the ions are fairly dense (1.0 × 1017 m−3 in the core). However, the detouring process is fulfilled by the relay of two streamers, which are initiated at the jet nozzle and inside the ion cloud, respectively. Moreover, the velocity of the streamer is simulated with varying ion densities, voltage amplitudes, and gap widths. In addition, the deflection amplitude of the detouring track is investigated as a function of the voltage amplitude, gap width, ion density, cloud position, and cloud scale.
The run-and-tumble particle model with four-states: Exact solution at zero temperature
Authors: Frydel Derek
Published: February 2022

This paper considers the four-state run-and-tumble particle model (RTP) at zero temperature. The model is an extension of the RTP model in one-dimension for two drift velocities, v=±v0. This model is exactly solvable and imparts valuable insights for systems with finite temperature. However, at zero temperature, it yields uniform distributions for all parameter values and fails to provide any information about the structure of stationary distributions. To arrive at the model that more completely describes a zero temperature case, it is necessary to increase the number of discrete velocities. The four-state model with drifts v=±v0,±γv0 (where 0≤γ≤1) is the simplest such an extension. In this paper, the four-state model at zero temperature is solved exactly and analyzed. The resulting stationary distributions indicate that fast particles accumulate at the walls and the slow particles are depleted. Taken all particles together, a dominant trend is accumulation, similar to what is observed for the two-state model for D > 0, however, reflecting a different physics behind it.
It’s a trap: effective methods for monitoring house mouse populations in grain-growing regions of south-eastern Australia
Authors: Brown Peter R. , Henry Steve , Pech Roger P. , Cruz Jennyffer , Hinds Lyn A. , Van de Weyer Nikki , Caley Peter , Ruscoe Wendy A.
Published: February 2022

Abstract Context Wild house mice cause substantial economic damage to grain crops in Australia, particularly during mouse plagues. Populations were monitored to detect changes in abundance, with data from surveys used in models to forecast likely mouse outbreaks. However, it is not always feasible to use live-trapping (the ‘gold standard’) for assessing mouse abundance at a large number of monitoring sites spread across south-eastern Australia. A range of alternative methods was tried to assist the grains industry with strategic decisions to reduce crop damage. Aims The aim of this work was to determine which survey methods could provide useful and effective indexes of mouse abundance across a large area. Methods Monitoring of mouse populations was conducted at representative grain farms by using (1) live-trapping at long-term ‘benchmark’ sites (n = 2), and (2) mouse chew cards and active burrow counts at ‘rapid-assessment’ sites (n = 44 farms across 5 regions). Monitoring was conducted for 22 monitoring sessions over 7.5 years through low, medium and high mouse abundance conditions. Key results Live-trapping provided the most useful, but most resource-intensive, information. There were strong relationships between the index of mouse abundance from live-trapping with mouse chew cards and active burrow counts at a local (explaining 63% and 71% of variation respectively) and regional (explaining 71% and 81% of variation respectively) scales. The same quantitative relationship held between the mouse chew cards and trapping regardless of season and year. However, the relationship between active burrow counts and trapping was best in winter and autumn seasons. There was a strong relationship between mouse abundance from live-trapping and active burrows across 1 ha grids (R2 = 0.88). We determined there were 1.3 ± 0.2 (mean ± s.e.) mice per active burrow. Conclusions Live-trapping supplemented with data from chew cards and active burrows remains sufficient to monitor a wide range of sites to show regional trends. Implications It is likely that live-trapping will need to be used for the foreseeable future to provide useful parameters such as breeding condition and population abundance that are required for the forecast models. Supplementary monitoring at rapid-assessment sites (using chew cards in all seasons and active burrow counts particularly in autumn and winter), that can be collected easily without the need for animal handling, will provide additional indications of region-specific changes in mouse abundance and activity.
Diverse methylotrophic methanogenic archaea cause high methane emissions from seagrass meadows
Authors: Schorn Sina , Ahmerkamp Soeren , Bullock Emma , Weber Miriam , Lott Christian , Liebeke Manuel , Lavik Gaute , Kuypers Marcel M. M. , Graf Jon S. , Milucka Jana
Published: February 2022

Significance

Seagrass meadows colonize shallow coastlines around the world and represent sites of intense carbon cycling. Due to their capacity to produce methane, seagrass ecosystems constitute net sources of methane to the atmosphere. Here, we identify key processes and microorganisms responsible for methane formation in seagrass-covered sediments in the Mediterranean Sea. Our work shows that methane is solely formed from methylated compounds that are produced and released by the plant itself. Due to the persistence of these compounds in buried plant material, microbial methane production continues long after the death of the living plant. These results provide a comprehensive understanding of methane production in seagrass habitats, thereby contributing to our knowledge on these important blue carbon ecosystems.
The origin of volatile elements in the Earth–Moon system
Authors: Borg Lars E. , Brennecka Gregory A. , Kruijer Thomas S.
Published: February 2022

Significance

Understanding the history of volatile species such as water in the Earth–Moon system is a major objective of planetary science. In this work, we use the moderately volatile element Rb, which has a long-lived isotope (87Rb) that decays to87Sr, to show that lunar volatile element depletion was not caused by the Moon-forming impact. The Rb–Sr systematics of lunar rocks mandate that the bodies involved in the impact that formed the Earth–Moon system were depleted in volatile elements relative to the bulk solar system prior to the impact. As such, Earth’s relatively small proportion of water is either primarily indigenous or was added after the Giant Impact from a source that contained essentially no moderately volatile elements.
Identification of Fenton-like active Cu sites by heteroatom modulation of electronic density
Authors: Zhou Xiao , Ke Ming-Kun , Huang Gui-Xiang , Chen Cai , Chen Wenxing , Liang Kuang , Qu Yunteng , Yang Jia , Wang Ying , Li Fengting , Yu Han-Qing , Wu Yuen
Published: February 2022

Significance

The Fenton-like process based on peroxymonosulfate (PMS) has been widely investigated and recognized as a promising alternative in recent years for the degradation of persistent organic pollutants. However, the sluggish kinetics of PMS activation results in prohibitive costs and substantial chemical inputs, impeding its practical applications in water purification. This work demonstrates that tuning the electronic structure of single-atom sites at the atomic level is a powerful approach to achieve superior PMS activation kinetics. The Cu-based catalyst with the optimized electronic structure exhibits superior performance over most of the state-of-the-art heterogeneous Fenton-like catalysts, while homogeneous Cu(II) shows very poor activity. This work provides insights into the electronic structure regulation of metal centers and structure–activity relationship at the atomic level.
Research on the thermal failure mechanism of an opposed-contact gallium arsenide photoconductive semiconductor switch in avalanche mode
Authors: Sun Yue , Hu Long , Li Yongdong , Zhu Li , Dang Xin , Hao Qingsong , Li Xin
Published: February 2022

The switching mechanism and the thermal process of a gallium arsenide (GaAs) photoconductive semiconductor switch (PCSS) with an opposed-contact is investigated by numerical simulation of the two-dimensional (2D) structure using temperature-dependent physical parameters of the carriers in GaAs. Triggered by a low-energy laser pulse, the PCSS switches on due to the formation and evolution of multiple powerful avalanche domains. The 2D evolving characteristics of the avalanche domains on the two sides of photogenerated plasma during the switching transient are comparatively analysed. It is found that the ionizing centre of each domain moves with the drift of accumulated electrons inside the domain. Meanwhile, the evolution of avalanche domains causes an obvious thermal effect along the drift path of ionizing centres during the switch-on stage of PCSS. Then, the temperature keeps increasing at the edge of the anode and cathode although the switching current starts dropping after the conduction of PCSS, and finally peaks at ∼491 K and ∼541 K, respectively. The simulation results indicate that the 2D filamentary current flows along the drift path of ionizing centres inside the avalanche domains, which finally leads to filamentary erosion after continuous operation of the PCSS. On the basis of numerical simulation, an experiment with opposed-contact GaAs PCSS with 2.5 mm gap at the bias field of ∼90 kV cm−1 is performed. The thermal erosion is found to initially accumulate at the edge of the electrodes and then spreads along the current channel into the GaAs substrate, which is in accordance with the simulation results and analysis.
Covalent organic framework wrapped by graphene oxide as an efficient sulfur host for high performance lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Hu Zongjie , Yan Gaojie , Zhao Jinchen , Zhang Xiaojie , Feng Yi , Qu Xiongwei , Ben Haijie , Shi Jingjing
Published: February 2022

The practical application of lithium–sulfur battery is seriously limited by the loss of active substances and the deterioration of cycle stability caused by the ‘shuttle effect’ of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs). In this work, graphene oxide (GO) coated covalent organic framework (COF) compound materials were synthesized as sulfur host material in spray-drying process. The polar groups on COF can efficiently adsorb LiPSs through lithiophilic interaction, which can reduce the ‘shuttle effect’ caused by soluble LiPSs. Besides, GO in the outer layer can wrap discrete sulfur to reduce the loss of active substances, which further improves the cycle stability of the cathode. The COF@GO/S cathode exhibits a high initial specific capacity of 848.4 mAh g−1 and retains a capacity of 601.1 mAh g−1 after 500 cycles at 1 C counting with a low capacity fading of 0.058% per cycle.
Sub-nanosecond operations on superconducting quantum register based on Ramsey patterns
Authors: Bastrakova Marina , Klenov Nikolay , Ruzhickiy Vsevolod , Soloviev Igor , Satanin Arkady
Published: February 2022

An ultrafast qubit control concept is proposed and analyzed theoretically to reduce the duration of operations with single and multiple superconducting qubits. It is based on the generation of Ramsey fringes due to unipolar sub-nanosecond control pulses. The interference of waves of qubit states population propagating forward and backward in time play a key role in the concept. The influence of the shape and duration of control pulses on the contrast of the interference pattern is revealed in the frame of Ramsey’s paradigm. Protocols for the observation of Ramsey oscillations and an implementation of various gate operations are developed for flux qubits. We also suggest a notional engineering solution for creating the required sub-nanosecond control pulses with the desired shape and amplitude. It is demonstrated that this makes it possible to control the quantum states of the system with a fidelity of more than 99%.