bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Why do we need another book about unbounded dependencies? A review article on Chaves & Putnam’sUnbounded Dependency Constructions
Authors: BORSLEY ROBERT D.
Published: November 2021

Unbounded dependencies (UDs), inwh-interrogatives, relative clauses and other constructions, have been a major focus of syntactic research for more than half a century. The most widely assumed approach analyzes them in terms of movement and views island phenomena as largely a matter of syntax. Both these positions are problematic. Moreover, they stem from assumptions that have been at the heart of syntactic theorizing for many decades. Chaves and Putnam present evidence that both the dominant approach to UDs and the general approach to syntax from which it derives are flawed. They argue for a non-movement approach to UDs and a largely non-syntactic approach to island phenomena, and for an approach to syntax which has the relation between linguistic knowledge and language use and the complexity of acceptability judgements as central concerns. Their book is an important one that could have a major impact both on research on UDs and on syntactic research more generally.
Exile, Mobility, and Re-territorialisation in Aceh and Colonial Indonesia
Authors: Gedacht Joshua
Published: November 2021

For centuries, trading companies and colonial officials have sought to manipulate indigenous Asian kingdoms by banishing recalcitrant elites, thereby discouraging resistance and ensuring compliance. Less examined by scholars is how colonial officials adapted this tool in their efforts to manage mobility and achieve territorialisation at the turn of the twentieth century. Applying Josiah Heyman and Howard Campbell's framework of “re-territorialisation” to make sense of how states harness mobile flows for the purpose of redrawing boundaries and producing new political spaces, this article will examine Dutch strategies for incorporating the sultanate of Aceh into the Netherlands East Indies. Site of an infamous multi-decade war of insurgency and pacification between 1873 and the early 1900s, this Sumatran kingdom had long resisted imperial subjugation. Dutch authorities eventually moved to complete its elusive ambition of conquest by leveraging distance and forcibly sending Acehnese elites to “training schools” in Java. By fusing exile with pedagogy, colonial officials hoped to transform Acehnese elites into loyal servants of the colonial centre. Rancorous debates about the deposed Acehnese sultan, however, illustrated the limitations of such re-territorialisation schemes and the resiliency of alternative Asian geographies.
Association between food insecurity and major depressive episodes amid Covid-19 pandemic: results of four consecutive epidemiological surveys from southern Brazil
Authors: Santos Leonardo Pozza , Schäfer Antônio Augusto , Meller Fernanda Oliveira , Crochemore-Silva Inacio , Nunes Bruno Pereira , Harter Jenifer , Pellegrini Débora da Cruz Payão , Loret de Mola Christian
Published: November 2021

Objective:

To assess the association between household food insecurity (FI) and major depressive episodes (MDE) amid Covid-19 pandemic in Brazil.

Design:

Cross-sectional study carried out with data from four consecutive population-based studies.

Setting:

The study was conducted between May and June 2020, in Bagé, a Brazilian southern city. Household FI was measured using the short-form version of the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale. Utilising the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, we used two different approaches to define MDE: the cut-off point of ≥ 9 and the diagnostic criteria proposed by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR). Association between FI and MDE was analysed using crude and adjusted Poisson regression models.

Participants:

1550 adults (≥ 20 years old).

Results:

The prevalence of household FI was 29·4 % (95 % CI 25·0, 34·4). MDE prevalence varied from 4·4 % (95 % CI 3·1, 6·0), when we used the DSM-IV-TR criteria to define this condition, to 9·6 % (95 % CI 7·3, 12·5) of the sample, when we used the cut-off point of ≥ 9 as definition. The prevalence of MDE was more than two times higher in those individuals living with FI, independent of the criteria adopted to define the outcome. Adjustment for potential confounders did not change the association’s magnitude.

Conclusions:

Household FI has been positively associated with MDE amid Covid-19 pandemic, independent of socio-demographic characteristics of participants. Actions are needed to warrant basic living conditions to avoid FI and hunger and its consequences for the Brazilian population, especially those consequences linked to mental health disorders.
Empirical path loss models for 5G wireless sensor network in coastal pebble/sand environments
Authors: Basyigit Ibrahim Bahadir
Published: November 2021

Propagation modeling of small/big pebbles and air-dry/wet sand environments for wireless sensor networks has not been extensively studied in the 5G frequency band. This study is necessary for the proper coverage planning and efficient operation of wireless sensors in various applications such as monitoring summer sporting activities, and environmental/ground surveillance on coastal pebble/sand environments, or tracking pebble mobility and including the rescue of the flood-type avalanche in Gravel-Bed Rivers. In this study, empirical path loss models are proposed for wireless sensor networks in pebble/sand environments at two discrete frequencies, namely 3.5 and 4.2 GHz. The theoretical models and proposed models are compared to indicate the accuracy of proposed models in predicting the path loss in these environments. Additionally, R-squared and RMSE values of eight different generated models are calculated in the range of 0.931–0.877 and 2.284–2.837, respectively. These comparisons indicate that empirical model parameters have a significant effect on the path loss model.
Delirmanagement in der Palliative Care
Authors: Seiler Annina , Meyer Rafael , Boettger Soenke
Published: November 2021

Zusammenfassung. Delir ist eine der häufigsten neuropsychiatrischen Komplikationen bei Personen mit einer fortgeschrittenen unheilbaren Erkrankung. Delir am Lebensende tritt häufig auf, wird aber oft übersehen, nicht diagnostiziert oder falsch/nicht behandelt. Delirien sind auch bei palliativer Situation – so weit möglich – zu behandeln, weil persistierende delirante Zustände die Fragilität der Patientinnen und Patienten erhöhen, die körperliche Funktionalität einschränken und die Lebenszeit verkürzen. Zudem lösen akute Verwirrtheitszustände hohen Distress bei Betroffenen und deren Angehörigen aus, beeinträchtigen die Lebensqualität und verhindern ein würdevolles Sterben. Während Halluzinationen und Visionen am Lebensende in der Medizin als Delirium interpretiert und als solches behandelt werden, wird dieses Phänomen von der philosophischen und theologischen Hermeneutik als eine Ressource interpretiert, die den Betroffenen und deren Angehörigen helfen kann, sich mit vergangenen Lebensereignissen zu versöhnen und sich mit dem Sterbeprozess auseinanderzusetzen. Das Auftreten von Visionen am Lebensende in Abgrenzung zum Delir ist jedoch noch wenig untersucht und bedarf einer genaueren Exploration.
Kachexie – ein Cluster an Verlusten
Authors: Christ Sebastian M. , Blum David
Published: November 2021

Zusammenfassung. Kachexie kommt bei Krebs und anderen schweren unheilbaren Krankheiten vor. Kachexie ist häufig unterdiagnostiziert und unterbehandelt. Sie geht mit Gewichts- und Muskelverlust einher und beruht in der Regel auf einer systemischen Entzündung. Verschiedene Symptome, wie etwa Appetitlosigkeit, sind damit assoziiert, und die Auswirkungen auf Patientinnen und Patienten sowie Angehörige sind erheblich. Eine gute Erfassung und ein stadiengerechtes multimodales Vorgehen, das neben der Therapie der Grundkrankheit und supportiven Massnahmen auch Ernährung und Bewegung beinhaltet, ist angezeigt. Am Lebensende stehen die Symptomkontrolle und psychosoziale Begleitung im Vordergrund.
Frühe Integration der Palliative Care – eine Begriffsbestimmung für die Praxis
Authors: Schlau Hannah
Published: November 2021

Zusammenfassung. Die Integration der Palliative Care in die Behandlung von Patienteninnen und Patienten mit chronisch fortschreitenden oder nicht heilbaren Erkrankung, kann bereits zu einem frühen Zeitpunkt im Krankheitsverlauf sinnvoll sein. Durch den integrativen Ansatz von krankheitsspezifischer und palliativer Therapie kann die Lebensqualität der Betroffenen verbessert werden. Verschiedene Aspekte wie Symptomlinderung, Entscheidungsfindung, Vorausplanung, Netzwerkaufbau oder Support für die Angehörigen können aus der bio-psycho-sozial-spirtuellen Perspektive behandelt werden. Der Artikel gibt eine Übersicht über die wichtigsten Aspekte der frühzeitigen Integration der Palliative Care und zeigt, auch anhand konkreter Beispiele, wie die Integration in die Praxis erfolgen kann.
Warm and Cold Episodes in Western Pacific Warm Pool and Their Linkage With ENSO Asymmetry and Diversity
Authors: Chen Hui , Shi Jian , Jin Yishuai , Geng Tao , Li Chun , Zhang Xingzhi
Published: November 2021

This study investigates the role of temperature anomalies over the western Pacific warm pool (WPWP) in the asymmetry and diversity of El Niño‐Southern Oscillation. Based on observations, we select 12 cold and 13 warm WPWP episodes averaged over July to October. Using composite analyses, we reveal that the occurrence probability of El Niño events is much larger following the cold episodes than that of La Niña events related to warm episodes. The main reason for the different frequencies is that the westerlies associated with cold episodes are stronger and located eastwards than the easterlies for warm episodes, exerting more effective influences on the sea surface temperature in central‐eastern equatorial Pacific through Bjerknes feedback. As for intensity, the El Niño events tend to be stronger when the cold anomalies over WPWP are stronger, evidenced by both observations and Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 simulations. The warming rate from July to October for El Niño events following cold episodes is three times greater than that of other historical events, denoting a prominent contribution from WPWP to the quick development of El Niño. Furthermore, we highlight the implication of WPWP on El Niño diversity with a greater probability of EP‐type El Niño under a colder WPWP state and successive westerly wind bursts. As such, the cold state of WPWP can provide an effective modification for the earlier operational prediction on El Niño intensity and flavors. On the contrary, the warm WPWP state may not be useful for future La Niña alerts.
The role of exosomal lncRNAs in cancer biology and clinical management
Authors: Zhang Wuwen , Wang Qinshi , Yang Yi , Zhou Siyuan , Zhang Ping , Feng Tongbao
Published: November 2021

Exosomes play a vital role in cell–cell communication within the cancer microenvironment. Exosomal long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are important regulators in cancer development and are involved in multiple processes, including cancer cell proliferation, angiogenesis, metastasis, drug resistance, and immunomodulation. Changes in the levels of exosomal lncRNAs often appear with the occurrence and development of cancer. Therefore, exosomal lncRNAs can be used as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Exosomal lncRNAs can also indicate the treatment response of patients receiving chemotherapy. Moreover, exosomal lncRNAs are potential therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. In this review, we summarize the role of exosomal lncRNAs in cancer biology as well as in clinical management. A more comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the role of exosomal lncRNAs in cancer may help us better understand the mechanism of cancer development and clinically manage cancer patients.
Gabapentin and pregabalin in bipolar disorder, anxiety states, and insomnia: Systematic review, meta-analysis, and rationale
Authors: Hong James S. W. , Atkinson Lauren Z. , Al-Juffali Noura , Awad Amine , Geddes John R. , Tunbridge Elizabeth M. , Harrison Paul J. , Cipriani Andrea
Published: November 2021

The gabapentinoids, gabapentin, and pregabalin, target the α2δ subunits of voltage-gated calcium channels. Initially licensed for pain and seizures, they have become widely prescribed drugs. Many of these uses are off-label for psychiatric indications, and there is increasing concern about their safety, so it is particularly important to have good evidence to justify this usage. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the evidence for three of their common psychiatric uses: bipolar disorder, anxiety, and insomnia. Fifty-five double-blind randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and 15 open-label studies were identified. For bipolar disorder, four double-blind RCTs investigating gabapentin, and no double-blind RCTs investigating pregabalin, were identified. A quantitative synthesis could not be performed due to heterogeneity in the study population, design and outcome measures. Across the anxiety spectrum, a consistent but not universal effect in favour of gabapentinoids compared to placebo was seen (standardised mean difference [SMD] ranging between -2.25 and -0.25). Notably, pregabalin (SMD -0.55, 95% CI -0.92 to -0.18) and gabapentin (SMD -0.92, 95% CI -1.32 to -0.52) were more effective than placebo in reducing preoperative anxiety. In insomnia, results were inconclusive. We conclude that there is moderate evidence of the efficacy of gabapentinoids in anxiety states, but minimal evidence in bipolar disorder and insomnia and they should be used for these disorders only with strong justification. This recommendation applies despite the attractive pharmacological and genetic rationale for targeting voltage-gated calcium channels.
Geometric network analysis provides prognostic information in patients with high grade serous carcinoma of the ovary treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors
Authors: Elkin Rena , Oh Jung Hun , Liu Ying L. , Selenica Pier , Weigelt Britta , Reis-Filho Jorge S. , Zamarin Dmitriy , Deasy Joseph O. , Norton Larry , Levine Arnold J. , Tannenbaum Allen R.
Published: November 2021

Network analysis methods can potentially quantify cancer aberrations in gene networks without introducing fitted parameters or variable selection. A new network curvature-based method is introduced to provide an integrated measure of variability within cancer gene networks. The method is applied to high-grade serous ovarian cancers (HGSOCs) to predict response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and to rank key genes associated with prognosis. Copy number alterations (CNAs) from targeted and whole-exome sequencing data were extracted for HGSOC patients (n = 45) treated with ICIs. CNAs at a gene level were represented on a protein–protein interaction network to define patient-specific networks with a fixed topology. A version of Ollivier–Ricci curvature was used to identify genes that play a potentially key role in response to immunotherapy and further to stratify patients at high risk of mortality. Overall survival (OS) was defined as the time from the start of ICI treatment to either death or last follow-up. Kaplan–Meier analysis with log-rank test was performed to assess OS between the high and low curvature classified groups. The network curvature analysis stratified patients at high risk of mortality with p = 0.00047 in Kaplan–Meier analysis in HGSOC patients receiving ICI. Genes with high curvature were in accordance with CNAs relevant to ovarian cancer. Network curvature using CNAs has the potential to be a novel predictor for OS in HGSOC patients treated with immunotherapy.
Global phylogeny of Treponema pallidum lineages reveals recent expansion and spread of contemporary syphilis
Authors: Beale Mathew A. , Marks Michael , Cole Michelle J. , Lee Min-Kuang , Pitt Rachel , Ruis Christopher , Balla Eszter , Crucitti Tania , Ewens Michael , Fernández-Naval Candela , Grankvist Anna , Guiver Malcolm , Kenyon Chris R. , Khairullin Rafil , Kularatne Ranmini , Arando Maider , Molini Barbara J. , Obukhov Andrey , Page Emma E. , Petrovay Fruzsina , Rietmeijer Cornelis , Rowley Dominic , Shokoples Sandy , Smit Erasmus , Sweeney Emma L. , Taiaroa George , Vera Jaime H. , Wennerås Christine , Whiley David M. , Williamson Deborah A. , Hughes Gwenda , Naidu Prenilla , Unemo Magnus , Krajden Mel , Lukehart Sheila A. , Morshed Muhammad G. , Fifer Helen , Thomson Nicholas R.
Published: November 2021

Syphilis, which is caused by the sexually transmitted bacterium Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum, has an estimated 6.3 million cases worldwide per annum. In the past ten years, the incidence of syphilis has increased by more than 150% in some high-income countries, but the evolution and epidemiology of the epidemic are poorly understood. To characterize the global population structure of T. pallidum, we assembled a geographically and temporally diverse collection of 726 genomes from 626 clinical and 100 laboratory samples collected in 23 countries. We applied phylogenetic analyses and clustering, and found that the global syphilis population comprises just two deeply branching lineages, Nichols and SS14. Both lineages are currently circulating in 12 of the 23 countries sampled. We subdivided T. p.pallidum into 17 distinct sublineages to provide further phylodynamic resolution. Importantly, two Nichols sublineages have expanded clonally across 9 countries contemporaneously with SS14. Moreover, pairwise genome analyses revealed examples of isolates collected within the last 20 years from 14 different countries that had genetically identical core genomes, which might indicate frequent exchange through international transmission. It is striking that most samples collected before 1983 are phylogenetically distinct from more recently isolated sublineages. Using Bayesian temporal analysis, we detected a population bottleneck occurring during the late 1990s, followed by rapid population expansion in the 2000s that was driven by the dominant T. pallidum sublineages circulating today. This expansion may be linked to changing epidemiology, immune evasion or fitness under antimicrobial selection pressure, since many of the contemporary syphilis lineages we have characterized are resistant to macrolides.
The unusual cell wall of the Lyme disease spirochaete Borrelia burgdorferi is shaped by a tick sugar
Authors: DeHart Tanner G. , Kushelman Mara R. , Hildreth Sherry B. , Helm Richard F. , Jutras Brandon L.
Published: November 2021

Peptidoglycan—a mesh sac of glycans that are linked by peptides—is the main component of bacterial cell walls. Peptidoglycan provides structural strength, protects cells from osmotic pressure and contributes to shape. All bacterial glycans are repeating disaccharides of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) β-(1–4)-linked to N-acetylmuramic acid (MurNAc). Borrelia burgdorferi, the tick-borne Lyme disease pathogen, produces glycan chains in which MurNAc is occasionally replaced with an unknown sugar. Nuclear magnetic resonance, liquid chromatography–mass spectroscopy and genetic analyses show that B. burgdorferi produces glycans that contain GlcNAc–GlcNAc. This unusual disaccharide is chitobiose, a component of its chitinous tick vector. Mutant bacteria that are auxotrophic for chitobiose have altered morphology, reduced motility and cell envelope defects that probably result from producing peptidoglycan that is stiffer than that in wild-type bacteria. We propose that the peptidoglycan of B. burgdorferi probably evolved by adaptation to obligate parasitization of a tick vector, resulting in a biophysical cell-wall alteration to withstand the atypical torque associated with twisting motility.
The genome of the diatom Chaetoceros tenuissimus carries an ancient integrated fragment of an extant virus
Authors: Hongo Yuki , Kimura Kei , Takaki Yoshihiro , Yoshida Yukari , Baba Shuichiro , Kobayashi Genta , Nagasaki Keizo , Hano Takeshi , Tomaru Yuji
Published: November 2021

Diatoms are one of the most prominent oceanic primary producers and are now recognized to be distributed throughout the world. They maintain their population despite predators, infections, and unfavourable environmental conditions. One of the smallest diatoms, Chaetoceros tenuissimus, can coexist with infectious viruses during blooms. To further understand this relationship, we sequenced the C. tenuissimus strain NIES-3715 genome. A gene fragment of a replication-associated gene from the infectious ssDNA virus (designated endogenous virus-like fragment, EVLF) was found to be integrated into each 41 Mb of haploid assembly. In addition, the EVLF was transcriptionally active and conserved in nine other C. tenuissimus strains from different geographical areas, although the primary structures of their proteins varied. The phylogenetic tree further suggested that the EVLF was acquired by the ancestor of C. tenuissimus. Additionally, retrotransposon genes possessing a reverse transcriptase function were more abundant in C. tenuissimus than in Thalassiosira pseudonana and Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Moreover, a target site duplication, a hallmark for long interspersed nuclear element retrotransposons, flanked the EVLF. Therefore, the EVLF was likely integrated by a retrotransposon during viral infection. The present study provides further insights into the diatom-virus evolutionary relationship.
Highly diastereoselective cascade [5 + 1] double Michael reaction, a route for the synthesis of spiro(thio)oxindoles
Authors: Moghaddam Firouz Matloubi , Saberi Vahid , Karimi Ashkan
Published: November 2021

The first diastereoselective synthesis of spirothiooxindoles is reported via the Michael reaction between thiooxindoles and dibenzalacetones. The reaction was conducted without any catalyst or additive under green conditions, i.e., ethanol as the solvent and at room temperature. In addition, the described robust method benefits from scalability, simple work-up, and column chromatography-free purification. This work demonstrates the art of governing regio- and stereoselectivity, which has been discussed in the light of Density Functional Theory calculations. Our method represents the first synthesis of spiro[cyclohexanone-thiooxindoles] with the relative configuration of the aryl moieties at the cyclohexanone ring as cis. The obtained cis-spirothiooxindoles, can be used to afford cis-spirooxindoles, which their synthesis had not been explored before. According to our molecular docking studies, cis-spirooxindoles demonstrate higher binding affinities than corresponding trans-spirooxindoles for the OPRT domain of the Leishmania donovani uridine 5′-monophosphate synthase (LdUMPS). Thus, the reported method may eventually be utilized to develop new hit compounds for leishmaniasis treatment.
Atmosphere similarity patterns in boreal summer show an increase of persistent weather conditions connected to hydro-climatic risks
Authors: Hoffmann Peter , Lehmann Jascha , Fallah Bijan , Hattermann Fred F.
Published: November 2021

Recent studies have shown that hydro-climatic extremes have increased significantly in number and intensity in the last decades. In the Northern Hemisphere such events were often associated with long lasting persistent weather patterns. In 2018, hot and dry conditions prevailed for several months over Central Europe leading to record-breaking temperatures and severe harvest losses. The underlying circulation processes are still not fully understood and there is a need for improved methodologies to detect and quantify persistent weather conditions. Here, we propose a new method to detect, compare and quantify persistence through atmosphere similarity patterns by applying established image recognition methods to day to day atmospheric fields. We find that persistent weather patterns have increased in number and intensity over the last decades in Northern Hemisphere mid-latitude summer, link this to hydro-climatic risks and evaluate the extreme summers of 2010 (Russian heat wave) and of 2018 (European drought). We further evaluate the ability of climate models to reproduce long-term trend patterns of weather persistence and the result is a notable discrepancy to observed developments.
High-titer rheumatoid factor seropositivity predicts mediastinal lymphadenopathy and mortality in rheumatoid arthritis-related interstitial lung disease
Authors: Tyker Albina , Ventura Iazsmin Bauer , Lee Cathryn T. , Strykowski Rachel , Garcia Nicole , Guzy Robert , Jablonski Renea , Vij Rekha , Strek Mary E. , Chung Jonathan H. , Adegunsoye Ayodeji
Published: November 2021

Rheumatoid arthritis-related interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) is a common connective tissue disease-related ILD (CTD-ILD) associated with high morbidity and mortality. Although rheumatoid factor (RF) seropositivity is a risk factor for developing RA-ILD, the relationship between RF seropositivity, mediastinal lymph node (MLN) features, and disease progression is unknown. We aimed to determine if high-titer RF seropositivity predicted MLN features, lung function impairment, and mortality in RA-ILD. In this retrospective cohort study, we identified patients in the University of Chicago ILD registry with RA-ILD. We compared demographic characteristics, serologic data, MLN size, count and location, and pulmonary function over 36 months among patients who had high-titer RF seropositivity (≥ 60 IU/ml) and those who did not. Survival analysis was performed using Cox regression modeling. Amongst 294 patients with CTD-ILD, available chest computed tomography (CT) imaging and serologic data, we identified 70 patients with RA-ILD. Compared to RA-ILD patients with low-titer RF, RA-ILD patients with high-titer RF had lower baseline forced vital capacity (71% vs. 63%; P = 0.045), elevated anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide titer (122 vs. 201; P = 0.001), CT honeycombing (50% vs. 80%; P = 0.008), and higher number of MLN ≥ 10 mm (36% vs. 76%; P = 0.005). Lung function decline over 36 months did not differ between groups. Primary outcomes of death or lung transplant occurred more frequently in the high-titer RF group (HR 2.8; 95% CI 1.1–6.8; P = 0.028). High-titer RF seropositivity was associated with MLN enlargement, CT honeycombing, and decreased transplant-free survival. RF titer may be a useful prognostic marker for stratifying patients by pulmonary disease activity and mortality risk.
Assessment of the pollution levels of potential toxic elements in urban vegetable gardens in southwest China
Authors: Gao Jianing , Zhang Dan , Proshad Ram , Uwiringiyimana Ernest , Wang Zifa
Published: November 2021

Vegetable gardens are increasingly common in urban areas and can provide numerous societal benefits; however, contamination with potential toxic elements (PTEs) due to urbanization and industrialization is cause for concern. The present study aimed to assess the source of contamination and pollution levels in urban garden soils, as well as the health risks for adults and children consuming vegetables grown in such environments. Various types of vegetable samples and their corresponding soils from 26 community gardens were collected throughout Chengdu City in southwestern China. The results showed that leafy vegetables, particularly lettuce leaves and Chinese cabbage, had relatively higher levels of Cd (0.04 mg/kg FW) and Pb (0.05 mg/kg FW), while higher levels of As (0.07 mg/kg FW), Cr (0.07 mg/kg FW), and Hg (0.003 mg/kg FW) were found in amaranths, tomatoes, and Houttuynia cordatas, respectively. The pollution indices revealed that the vegetable purplish soils were relatively more polluted by Cd and As, and the concentrations of these metals in vegetables were correlated with their concentrations in the soils. Principal component analysis grouped the PTEs in two dimensions that cumulatively explained 62.3% of their variation, and hierarchical clustering identified two distinct clusters indicating that Cr originated from a unique source. The health risk assessment revealed that exposure to As and Cd induced the greatest non-carcinogenic risk, whereas Cr was most likely to cause cancer risks. Furthermore, contaminated vegetable consumption was riskier for children than adults. The critical factors contributing to PTE contamination in vegetable gardens were determined to be vegetable species, total soil element content, soil pH, and soil organic matter content. Overall, Cr and As pollution present the greatest concern, and community health care services must enact more effective regulatory and preventative measures for urban gardens in terms of PTEs.
Blood phenylalanine reduction reverses gene expression changes observed in a mouse model of phenylketonuria
Authors: Manek Rachna , Zhang Yao V. , Berthelette Patricia , Hossain Mahmud , Cornell Cathleen S. , Gans Joseph , Anarat-Cappillino Gulbenk , Geller Sarah , Jackson Robert , Yu Dan , Singh Kuldeep , Ryan Sue , Bangari Dinesh S. , Xu Ethan Y. , Kyostio-Moore Sirkka R. M.
Published: November 2021

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a genetic deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) in liver resulting in blood phenylalanine (Phe) elevation and neurotoxicity. A pegylated phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PEG-PAL) metabolizing Phe into cinnamic acid was recently approved as treatment for PKU patients. A potentially one-time rAAV-based delivery of PAH gene into liver to convert Phe into tyrosine (Tyr), a normal way of Phe metabolism, has now also entered the clinic. To understand differences between these two Phe lowering strategies, we evaluated PAH and PAL expression in livers of PAHenu2 mice on brain and liver functions. Both lowered brain Phe and increased neurotransmitter levels and corrected animal behavior. However, PAL delivery required dose optimization, did not elevate brain Tyr levels and resulted in an immune response. The effect of hyperphenylalanemia on liver functions in PKU mice was assessed by transcriptome and proteomic analyses. We observed an elevation in Cyp4a10/14 proteins involved in lipid metabolism and upregulation of genes involved in cholesterol biosynthesis. Majority of the gene expression changes were corrected by PAH and PAL delivery though the role of these changes in PKU pathology is currently unclear. Taken together, here we show that blood Phe lowering strategy using PAH or PAL corrects both brain pathology as well as previously unknown lipid metabolism associated pathway changes in liver.
Neuron-specific enolase level is a useful biomarker for distinguishing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis from cervical spondylotic myelopathy
Authors: Tsukahara Akihiro , Hosokawa Takafumi , Nishioka Daisuke , Kotani Takuya , Ishida Shimon , Takeuchi Tohru , Kimura Fumiharu , Arawaka Shigeki
Published: November 2021

The current study aimed to evaluate whether cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neuron-specific enolase (NSE) levels are elevated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and are effective in distinguishing ALS from cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). We retrospectively evaluated 45 patients with ALS, 23 with CSM, 28 controls, and 10 with Parkinson’s disease (PD) who underwent analysis of CSF NSE levels. The control group comprised patients aged above 45 years who underwent lumbar puncture because of suspected neurological disorders that were ruled out after extensive investigations. CSF NSE levels were evaluated using the electro-chemiluminescent immunoassay. The ALS group had significantly higher CSF NSE levels than the CSM and control groups (P < 0.001 for both comparisons). The CSM, control, and PD groups did not significantly differ in terms of CSF NSE levels. A receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to assess the diagnostic value of CSF NSE levels in distinguishing ALS from CSM. The area under the curve for CSF NSE levels was 0.86. The optimal cutoff value was 17.7 ng/mL, with a specificity of 87% and a sensitivity of 80%. Hence, CSF NSE levels are elevated in ALS and are effective in distinguishing ALS from CSM.
N-fertilizer postponing application improves dry matter translocation and increases system productivity of wheat/maize intercropping
Authors: Xu Ke , Chai Qiang , Hu Falong , Fan Zhilong , Yin Wen
Published: November 2021

Intercropping increases the grain yield to feed the ever-growing population in the world by cultivating two crop species on the same area of land. It has been proven that N-fertilizer postponed topdressing can boost the productivity of cereal/legume intercropping. However, whether the application of this technology to cereal/cereal intercropping can still increase grain yield is unclear. A field experiment was conducted from 2018 to 2020 in the arid region of northwestern China to investigate the accumulation and distribution of dry matter and yield performance of wheat/maize intercropping in response to N-fertilizer postponed topdressing application. There were three N application treatments (referred as N1, N2, N3) for maize and the total amount were all 360 kg N ha−1. N fertilizer were applied at four time, i.e. prior to sowing, at jointing stage, at pre-tasseling stage, and at 15 days post-silking stage, respectively. The N3 treatment was traditionally used for maize production and allocations subjected to these four stages were 2:3:4:1. The N1 and N2 were postponed topdressing treatments which allocations were 2:1:4:3 and 2:2:4:2, respectively. The results showed that the postponed topdressing N fertilizer treatments boosted the maximum average crop growth rate (CGR) of wheat/maize intercropping. The N1 and N2 treatments increased the average maximum CGR by 32.9% and 16.4% during the co-growth period, respectively, and the second average maximum CGR was increased by 29.8% and 12.6% during the maize recovery growth stage, respectively, compared with the N3 treatment. The N1 treatment was superior to other treatments, since it increased the CGR of intercropped wheat by 44.7% during the co-growth period and accelerated the CGR of intercropped maize by 29.8% after the wheat had been harvested. This treatment also increased the biomass and grain yield of intercropping by 8.6% and 33.7%, respectively, compared with the current N management practice. This yield gain was primarily attributable to the higher total translocation of dry matter. The N1 treatment increased the transfer amount of intercropped wheat by 28.4% from leaf and by 51.6% from stem, as well as increased the intercropped maize by 49.0% of leaf, 36.6% of stem, and 103.6% of husk, compared to N3 treatment, respectively. Integrated the N fertilizer postponed topdressing to the wheat/maize intercropping system have a promotion effect on increasing the translocation of dry matter to grain in vegetative organs. Therefore, the harvest index of intercropped wheat and maize with N1 was 5.9% and 5.3% greater than that of N3, respectively. This demonstrated that optimizing the management of N fertilizer can increase the grain yield from wheat/maize intercropping via the promotion of accumulation and translocation of dry matter.
Infarct growth precedes cerebral thrombosis following experimental stroke in mice
Authors: Göb Vanessa , Voll Maximilian G. , Zimmermann Lena , Hemmen Katherina , Stoll Guido , Nieswandt Bernhard , Schuhmann Michael K. , Heinze Katrin G. , Stegner David
Published: November 2021

Ischemic stroke is among the leading causes of disability and death worldwide. In acute ischemic stroke, successful recanalization of occluded vessels is the primary therapeutic aim, but even if it is achieved, not all patients benefit. Although blockade of platelet aggregation did not prevent infarct progression, cerebral thrombosis as cause of secondary infarct growth has remained a matter of debate. As cerebral thrombi are frequently observed after experimental stroke, a thrombus-induced impairment of the brain microcirculation is considered to contribute to tissue damage. Here, we combine the model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) with light sheet fluorescence microscopy and immunohistochemistry of brain slices to investigate the kinetics of thrombus formation and infarct progression. Our data reveal that tissue damage already peaks after 8 h of reperfusion following 60 min MCAO, while cerebral thrombi are only observed at later time points. Thus, cerebral thrombosis is not causative for secondary infarct growth during ischemic stroke.
Foraging dive frequency predicts body mass gain in the Adélie penguin
Authors: Lescroël Amélie , Schmidt Annie , Elrod Megan , Ainley David G. , Ballard Grant
Published: November 2021

Quantifying food intake in wild animals is crucial to many ecological and evolutionary questions, yet it can be very challenging, especially in the marine environment. Because foraging behavior can be inferred from dive recordings in many marine creatures, we hypothesized that specific behavioral dive variables can indicate food intake. To test this hypothesis, we attached time-depth recorders to breeding Adélie penguins also implanted with RFID tags that crossed a weighbridge as they traveled to and from the ocean to feed their chicks. The weighbridge reported how much mass the penguin had gained during a foraging trip. The variables that explained a significant amount of the change in body mass while at sea were the number of foraging dives per hour (46%) and the number of undulations per hour (12%). Most importantly, every increment of 1 in the rate of foraging dives per hour equated to a penguin gaining an average 170 g of mass, over the course of a 6–60 h foraging trip. These results add to a growing understanding that different metrics of foraging success are likely appropriate for different species, and that assessing the types and frequencies of dives using time-depth recorders can yield valuable insights.
Blood–brain barrier penetrating liposomes with synergistic chemotherapy for glioblastoma treatment
Authors: Zhang Ying , Qu Haijing , Xue Xiangdong
Published: November 2021

A temozolomide and pro-apoptotic peptide co-loading liposome with blood–brain barrier penetrating capability exhibits highly synergistic and effective anti-tumor effect on both subcutaneous and intracranial glioblastoma mouse models.
Ultrathin non-doped thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitting layer for highly efficient OLEDs
Authors: Nanda Gyana Prakash , Sk Bahadur , Yadav Nisha , Rajamanickam Suresh , Deori Upasana , Mahashaya Rahul , Zysman-Colman Eli , Rajamalli Pachaiyappan
Published: November 2021

The ultrathin (~1 nm) emissive layer of a TADF emitter shows 2.6 times higher EQE with high brightness than conventional (30 nm) non-doped OLED devices.
Iridium-catalyzed enantioselective intramolecular hydroarylation of allylic aryl ethers devoid of a directing group on the aryl group
Authors: Ohmura Toshimichi , Kusaka Satoshi , Suginome Michinori
Published: November 2021

The Ir/(S)-DTBM-SEGPHOS catalyst promotes intramolecular hydroarylation of allylic aryl ethers without assistance from a directing group on the aryl groups.
Tandem vinyl radical Minisci-type annulation on pyridines: one-pot expeditious access to azaindenones
Authors: Xia Dong , Duan Xin-Fang
Published: November 2021

A new regiospecific alkylative/alkenylative cascade annulation of pyridines has been achieved, providing an expeditious access to azaindenones and related compounds with the problem of C2/C4 regioselectivity of pyridines being well addressed.
Correction: Enhanced 5f-δ bonding in [U(C7H7)2]−: C K-edge XAS, magnetism, and ab initio calculations
Authors: Qiao Yusen , Ganguly Gaurab , Booth Corwin H. , Branson Jacob A. , Ditter Alexander S. , Lussier Daniel J. , Moreau Liane M. , Russo Dominic R. , Sergentu Dumitru-Claudiu , Shuh David K. , Sun Taoxiang , Autschbach Jochen , Minasian Stefan G.
Published: November 2021

Correction for ‘Enhanced 5f-δ bonding in [U(C7H7)2]−: C K-edge XAS, magnetism, and ab initio calculations’ by Yusen Qiao et al., Chem. Commun., 2021, 57, 9562–9565, DOI: 10.1039/D1CC03414F.
Supercritical hydrothermal synthesis of UO2+x: stoichiometry, crystal shape and size, and homogeneity observed using 23Na-NMR spectroscopy of (U, Na)O2+x
Authors: Tabata Chihiro , Shirasaki Kenji , Sunaga Ayaki , Sakai Hironori , Li Dexin , Konaka Mariko , Yamamura Tomoo
Published: November 2021

The hydrothermal synthesis of pure uranium dioxide under supercritical water (SCW) conditions was investigated using a starting material composed of a uranyl(vi) nitrate solution at 450 °C.
Improved thermoelectric properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes/Ag2Seviacontrolling the composite ratio
Authors: Chen Nana , Ren Chaojun , Sun Like , Xue Haoyue , Yang Han , An Xue , Yang Xiaoyu , Zhang Jiajing , Che Ping
Published: November 2021

MWCNTs/Ag2Se composites were synthesizedviaa facile hydrothermal method; higher electrical conductivity and lower thermal conductivity were simultaneously achieved compared with Ag2Se, resulting in enhanced thermoelectric performance.
The effect of temperature on the kinetics of enhanced amide bond formation from lactic acid and valine driven by deep eutectic solvents
Authors: Tsai Yi-Ting , Huang Cong-Wei , Yu Sheng-Sheng
Published: November 2021

Deep eutectic solvents provide a fast route to peptides by regulating the copolymerization between hydroxy acids and amino acids.
First-principles calculations on the resistance and electronic properties of H2 adsorption on a CoO–SnO2 heterojunction surface
Authors: He Yunxia , Li Jing , Tao Lin , Nie Shuai , Fang Timing , Yin Xitao , Wang Qi
Published: November 2021

Under the oxygen conditions, the presence of a heterojunction makes the adsorption of H2 more stable according to the electron density.
Correction: Improving the piezoelectric strain and anti-reduction properties of K0.5Na0.5NbO3-based ceramics sintered in a reducing atmosphere
Authors: Cen Zhenyong , Xu Ze , Li Longtu , Wang Xiaohui
Published: November 2021

Correction for ‘Improving the piezoelectric strain and anti-reduction properties of K0.5Na0.5NbO3-based ceramics sintered in a reducing atmosphere’ by Zhenyong Cen et al., Dalton Trans., 2021, 50, 8851–8862, DOI: 10.1039/D1DT01059J.
Impact of grid connectivity on cost and location of green ammonia production: Australia as a case study
Authors: Salmon Nicholas , Bañares-Alcántara René
Published: November 2021

Grid connectivity for green ammonia can reduce costs and have negative carbon emissions if the process acts as an electricity consumer/producer.
Assessing the environmental effects related to quantum dot structure, function, synthesis and exposure
Authors: Giroux Marissa S. , Zahra Zahra , Salawu Omobayo A. , Burgess Robert M. , Ho Kay T. , Adeleye Adeyemi S.
Published: November 2021

Quantum dots (QDs) have unique properties, which make them valuable in some commercial technologies. This review discusses the major types and applications of QDs, their potential environmental exposures, fates, and adverse effects on organisms.
Magnetic bio-flocculation for cost-effective fast organic matter pre-concentration for sewage with enhanced capture and settling of sludge
Authors: Chen Shuting , Xing Yukun , Ou Huimin , Liang Hongyue , Song Xuening , Wang Tongyu , Liu Xiang , Jin Zhengyu
Published: November 2021

The concentration efficiency with stirring outperformed that with aeration reaching 88.2% without additional chemicals. Magnetic seeds and magnetic field enhanced the capture and settling performance of sludge.
Hypocaloric diet with lower meal frequency did not affect weight loss, body composition and insulin responsiveness, but improved lipid profile: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Grangeiro Érika Duarte , Trigueiro Mariana Silva , Siais Leysimar de Oliveira , Paiva Hilana Moreira , Sola-Penna Mauro , Alves Marcelo Ribeiro , Rosado Eliane Lopes
Published: November 2021

Dietary approaches are essential to control obesity, but the effectiveness of changes in meal frequency (MF) as a strategy for body weight loss or maintenance remain unclear.
Sodium alginate/soybean protein–epigallocatechin-3-gallate conjugate hydrogel beads: evaluation of structural, physical, and functional properties
Authors: Hu Miao , Du Xiaoqian , Liu Guannan , Huang Yuyang , Qi Baokun , Li Yang
Published: November 2021

Sodium alginate (SA) hydrogel beads have been extensively studied as delivery systems for bioactive compounds.
A CO2-mediated base catalysis approach for the hydration of triple bonds in ionic liquids
Authors: Tang Minhao , Zhang Fengtao , Zhao Yanfei , Wang Yuepeng , Ke Zhengang , Li Ruipeng , Zeng Wei , Han Buxing , Liu Zhimin
Published: November 2021

CO2 mediates ILs to serve as base catalysts for the activation of triple bonds, which achieves hydration of nitriles and CC containing compounds to carbonyl compounds under metal-free conditions.
Fluorinated triphenylenes and a path to short tailed discotic liquid crystals: synthesis, structure and transport properties
Authors: Li Zhe , Powers Mitchell , Ivey Kayla , Adas Sonya , Ellman Brett , Bunge Scott D. , Twieg Robert J.
Published: November 2021

We present a versatile synthesis method capable of creating triphenylene discotic liquids with enhanced control of the number and type of tails. The compounds obtained from this method include a discotic liquid crystal with unusually short methoxy tails.
Liquid metals as soft electromechanical actuators
Authors: Cole Tim , Tang Shi-Yang
Published: November 2021

The unique properties of gallium based liquid metals (GaLMs) can be harnessed for realising various effects, enabling the formation of numerous soft electromechanical actuators and eventually lead to applications in more complex systems.
Electroless nickel plating on a biomineral-based sponge structure
Authors: Takeoka Hiroaki , Seike Musashi , Nakamura Yoshinobu , Imai Hiroaki , Oaki Yuya , Fujii Syuji
Published: November 2021

A 3-dimensional porous material prepared by transferring a sponge structure of a biomineral is coated by nickel via aqueous electroless plating.
pH dependent sensitization of europium in a hydrogen bonded three-dimensional metal–organic compound with (4966)2(4462)3 topology: luminescence titration and time-resolved studies
Authors: Daga Pooja , Hui Sayani , Sarkar Sourav , Majee Prakash , Singha Debal Kanti , Mahata Partha , Mondal Sudip Kumar
Published: November 2021

A europium-doped MOC shows interesting metal and ligand-centered luminescence response from pH 2 to 11.
The discovery of a superhard P-type transparent semiconductor: Al2.69B50
Authors: Zheng Xu , Yan Dayu , Yi Changjiang , Zhu Jinlong , Zhang Qinghua , Zhai Junyi , Ma Teng , Zhu Pinwen , Li Hui , Gu Lin , Zhao Yusheng , Yao Yugui , Shi Youguo , Yu Xiaohui , Jin Changqing
Published: November 2021

Al2.69B50 is a multifunctional material showing various excellent properties, which has great implication for the development of highly efficient electronic devices and promotion of relevant applications.
Facile synthesis of a heterostructured lanthanum-doped SnO2 anchored with rGO for asymmetric supercapacitors and photocatalytic dye degradation
Authors: Asaithambi S. , Sakthivel P. , Karuppaiah M. , Balaji V. , Yuvakkumar R. , Velauthapillai Dhayalan , Ravi G.
Published: November 2021

Owing to its good redox properties, excellent electron–hole pair generation, wide band gap and outstanding chemical stability, SnO2 has been considered as a promising bifunctional material for supercapacitors as well as photocatalysts, but its poor conductivity and low surface area limit the specific capacitance and catalytic efficiency.
Controlled delivery of gold nanoparticle-coupled miRNA therapeuticsviaan injectable self-healing hydrogel
Authors: van der Ven Casper F. T. , Tibbitt Mark W. , Conde João , van Mil Alain , Hjortnaes Jesper , Doevendans Pieter A. , Sluijter Joost P. G. , Aikawa Elena , Langer Robert S.
Published: November 2021

A novel injectable hydrogel drug delivery platform introduces miRNA therapeutics coupled to gold nanoparticles to cells in a 3D bioprinted heart valve disease model.
One-pot construction of nitrogen-rich polymeric ionic porous networks for effective CO2 capture and fixation
Authors: Ai Chenxiang , Ke Xinquan , Tang Juntao , Tang Xincun , Abu-Reziq Raed , Chang Jian , Yuan Jinyin , Yu Guipeng , Pan Chunyue
Published: November 2021

A scale-up strategy through combing nucleophilic substitution and quaternisation chemistry was developed to build highly porous ionic networks with high CO2 storage capacity and high catalytic efficiency for CO2 conversion even under 1800 ppm CO2.