bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rainey and the Russians: Arctic archaeology, ‘Eskimology’ and Cold War cultural diplomacy
Authors: Meskell Lynn
Published: June 2022

This article recounts an untold chapter in the life of archaeologist Froelich Rainey, specifically his ambition to collaborate with Soviet scholars and deploy his personal networks to foster mutual understanding across the Iron Curtain during the height of the Cold War. The picaresque and implausible life of Rainey, who entered wartime Vienna in the turret of a B-52 bomber and was a State Department consultant with CIA connections, frantic anti-communist and advisor to Henry Kissinger, reveals just what was at stake for research in the frozen north. Here, I uncover Rainey’s work on ice—from his archaeological explorations in Alaska and his vision for a network of Arctic archaeologists to his internationalist aspirations for world peace. Without doubt, Rainey was a fascinating character, but he also occupied a position from which a wide range of values can be excavated—about politics, security, race and global order in mid-century transitions.
Revision des e-Learnings zum Grundkurs Abdomen der Young Sonographers
Authors: Walter Robin , Räschle Nino , Blunier Anne-Sophie , Jeker Lia
Published: June 2022

Zusammenfassung. Ausgangslage: Das e-Learning der Young Sonographers wurde 2017 erstellt und beinhaltet die theoretischen Inhalte sowie das Vorgehen der praktischen Untersuchungstechnik des Grundkurses Abdomen. Damit das Lehrmittel auch künftig optimal für die Ultraschallausbildung in der Schweiz ist, wurde dieses e-Learning nun überarbeitet. Methodik: Als Grundlage für die Revision dienten Rückmeldungen von diversen Expertinnen und Experten sowie von Teilnehmenden, Tutorierenden und Prüfenden. Resultate und Diskussion: In den Rückmeldungen zeigten sich fünf Kategorien, die einer Bearbeitung bedurften: Untersuchungsabläufe besser strukturieren, Inkohärenz zwischen Text und Video beheben, Video bzw. Text in Schriftform sinnvoll kombinieren, präziseres Benennen von Handlungen und sämtlichen sonstigen Angaben, Umfang der einzelnen Module aufeinander abstimmen. Nach Korrektur dieser Schwachpunkte wurden neue Drehbücher geschrieben, die mittels Videoaufnahmen neu verfilmt wurden. Die digital optimierte Umsetzung auf der Website läuft zum Zeitpunkt der Publikation noch.
Electrospun carbon nanofibre-assisted patterning of metal oxide nanostructures
Authors: Islam Monsur , Dolle Christian , Sadaf Ahsana , Weidler Peter G. , Sharma Bharat , Eggeler Yolita M. , Mager Dario , Korvink Jan G.
Published: June 2022

This work establishes carbon nanofibre-mediated patterning of metal oxide nanostructures, through the combination of electrospinning and vapor-phase transport growth. Electrospinning of a suitable precursor with subsequent carbonization results in the patterning of catalyst gold nanoparticles embedded within carbon nanofibres. During vapor-phase transport growth, these nanofibres allow preferential growth of one-dimensional metal oxide nanostructures, which grow radially outward from the nanofibril axis, yielding a hairy caterpillar-like morphology. The synthesis of metal oxide caterpillars is demonstrated using zinc oxide, indium oxide, and tin oxide. Source and substrate temperatures play the most crucial role in determining the morphology of the metal oxide caterpillars, whereas the distribution of the nanofibres also has a significant impact on the overall morphology. Introducing the current methodology with near-field electrospinning further facilitates user-defined custom patterning of metal oxide caterpillar-like structures.
Contribution of schizophrenia polygenic burden to longitudinal phenotypic variance in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome
Authors: Alver Maris , Mancini Valentina , Läll Kristi , Schneider Maude , Romano Luciana ,   Estonian Biobank Research Team, Milani Lili , Nelis Mari , Mägi Reedik , Esko Tõnu , Metspalu Andres , Mägi Reedik , Dermitzakis Emmanouil T. , Eliez Stephan , Reymond Alexandre
Published: June 2022

While the recurrent 22q11.2 deletion is one of the strongest genetic risk factors for schizophrenia (SCZ), variability of its associated neuropsychiatric endophenotypes reflects its incomplete penetrance for psychosis development. To assess whether this phenotypic variability is linked to common variants associated with SCZ, we studied the association between SCZ polygenic risk score (PRS) and longitudinally acquired phenotypic information of the Swiss 22q11.2DS cohort (n = 97, 50% females, mean age 17.7 yr, mean visit interval 3.8 yr). The SCZ PRS with the best predictive performance was ascertained in the Estonian Biobank (n = 201,146) with LDpred. The infinitesimal SCZ PRS model showed the strongest capacity in discriminating SCZ cases from controls with one SD difference in SCZ PRS corresponding to an odds ratio (OR) of 1.73 (95% CI 1.57–1.90, P = 1.47 × 10−29). In 22q11.2 patients, random-effects ordinal regression modelling using longitudinal data showed SCZ PRS to have the strongest effect on social anhedonia (OR = 2.09, P = 0.0002), and occupational functioning (OR = 1.82, P = 0.0003) within the negative symptoms course, and dysphoric mood (OR = 2.00, P = 0.002) and stress intolerance (OR = 1.76, P = 0.0002) within the general symptoms course. Genetic liability for SCZ was additionally associated with full scale cognitive decline (β = –0.25, P = 0.02) and with longitudinal volumetric reduction of the right and left hippocampi (β = –0.28, P = 0.005; β = –0.23, P = 0.02, respectively). Our results indicate that the polygenic contribution to SCZ acts upon the threshold-lowering first hit (i.e., the deletion). It modifies the endophenotypes of 22q11.2DS and augments the derailment of developmental trajectories of negative and general symptoms, cognition, and hippocampal volume.
Comprehensive multiplexed immune profiling of the ductal carcinoma in situ immune microenvironment regarding subsequent ipsilateral invasive breast cancer risk
Authors: Almekinders Mathilde M. , Bismeijer Tycho , Kumar Tapsi , Yang Fei , Thijssen Bram , van der Linden Rianne , van Rooijen Charlotte , Vonk Shiva , Sun Baohua , Parra Cuentas Edwin R. , Wistuba Ignacio I. , Krishnamurthy Savitri , Visser Lindy L. , Seignette Iris M. , Hofland Ingrid , Sanders Joyce , Broeks Annegien , Love Jason K. , Menegaz Brian , Wessels Lodewyk , Thompson Alastair M. , de Visser Karin E. , Hooijberg Erik , Lips Esther , Futreal Andrew , Wesseling Jelle ,   Grand Challenge PRECISION Consortium, Lips Esther , Wesseling Jelle , Wessels Lodewyk , Futreal Andrew , Thompson Alastair M.
Published: June 2022

Background

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is treated to prevent subsequent ipsilateral invasive breast cancer (iIBC). However, many DCIS lesions will never become invasive. To prevent overtreatment, we need to distinguish harmless from potentially hazardous DCIS. We investigated whether the immune microenvironment (IME) in DCIS correlates with transition to iIBC.

Methods

Patients were derived from a Dutch population-based cohort of 10,090 women with pure DCIS with a median follow-up time of 12 years. Density, composition and proximity to the closest DCIS cell of CD20+ B-cells, CD3+CD8+ T-cells, CD3+CD8− T-cells, CD3+FOXP3+ regulatory T-cells, CD68+ cells, and CD8+Ki67+ T-cells was assessed with multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) with digital whole-slide analysis and compared between primary DCIS lesions of 77 women with subsequent iIBC (cases) and 64 without (controls).

Results

Higher stromal density of analysed immune cell subsets was significantly associated with higher grade, ER negativity, HER-2 positivity, Ki67 ≥ 14%, periductal fibrosis and comedonecrosis (P < 0.05). Density, composition and proximity to the closest DCIS cell of all analysed immune cell subsets did not differ between cases and controls.

Conclusion

IME features analysed by mIF in 141 patients from a well-annotated cohort of pure DCIS with long-term follow-up are no predictors of subsequent iIBC, but do correlate with other factors (grade, ER, HER2 status, Ki-67) known to be associated with invasive recurrences.
Hypocrystalline ceramic aerogels for thermal insulation at extreme conditions
Authors: Guo Jingran , Fu Shubin , Deng Yuanpeng , Xu Xiang , Laima Shujin , Liu Dizhou , Zhang Pengyu , Zhou Jian , Zhao Han , Yu Hongxuan , Dang Shixuan , Zhang Jianing , Zhao Yingde , Li Hui , Duan Xiangfeng
Published: June 2022

Thermal insulation under extreme conditions requires materials that can withstand complex thermomechanical stress and retain excellent thermal insulation properties at temperatures exceeding 1,000 degrees Celsius1–3. Ceramic aerogels are attractive thermal insulating materials; however, at very high temperatures, they often show considerably increased thermal conductivity and limited thermomechanical stability that can lead to catastrophic failure4–6. Here we report a multiscale design of hypocrystalline zircon nanofibrous aerogels with a zig-zag architecture that leads to exceptional thermomechanical stability and ultralow thermal conductivity at high temperatures. The aerogels show a near-zero Poisson’s ratio (3.3 × 10−4) and a near-zero thermal expansion coefficient (1.2 × 10−7 per degree Celsius), which ensures excellent structural flexibility and thermomechanical properties. They show high thermal stability with ultralow strength degradation (less than 1 per cent) after sharp thermal shocks, and a high working temperature (up to 1,300 degrees Celsius). By deliberately entrapping residue carbon species in the constituent hypocrystalline zircon fibres, we substantially reduce the thermal radiation heat transfer and achieve one of the lowest high-temperature thermal conductivities among ceramic aerogels so far—104 milliwatts per metre per kelvin at 1,000 degrees Celsius. The combined thermomechanical and thermal insulating properties offer an attractive material system for robust thermal insulation under extreme conditions.
Structural basis for SHOC2 modulation of RAS signalling
Authors: Liau Nicholas P. D. , Johnson Matthew C. , Izadi Saeed , Gerosa Luca , Hammel Michal , Bruning John M. , Wendorff Timothy J. , Phung Wilson , Hymowitz Sarah G. , Sudhamsu Jawahar
Published: June 2022

The RAS–RAF pathway is one of the most commonly dysregulated in human cancers1–3. Despite decades of study, understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying dimerization and activation4of the kinase RAF remains limited. Recent structures of inactive RAF monomer5and active RAF dimer5–8bound to 14-3-39,10have revealed the mechanisms by which 14-3-3 stabilizes both RAF conformations via specific phosphoserine residues. Prior to RAF dimerization, the protein phosphatase 1 catalytic subunit (PP1C) must dephosphorylate the N-terminal phosphoserine (NTpS) of RAF11to relieve inhibition by 14-3-3, although PP1C in isolation lacks intrinsic substrate selectivity. SHOC2 is as an essential scaffolding protein that engages both PP1C and RAS to dephosphorylate RAF NTpS11–13, but the structure of SHOC2 and the architecture of the presumptive SHOC2–PP1C–RAS complex remain unknown. Here we present a cryo-electron microscopy structure of the SHOC2–PP1C–MRAS complex to an overall resolution of 3 Å, revealing a tripartite molecular architecture in which a crescent-shaped SHOC2 acts as a cradle and brings together PP1C and MRAS. Our work demonstrates the GTP dependence of multiple RAS isoforms for complex formation, delineates the RAS-isoform preference for complex assembly, and uncovers how the SHOC2 scaffold and RAS collectively drive specificity of PP1C for RAF NTpS. Our data indicate that disease-relevant mutations affect complex assembly, reveal the simultaneous requirement of two RAS molecules for RAF activation, and establish rational avenues for discovery of new classes of inhibitors to target this pathway.
Structures and mechanism of the plant PIN-FORMED auxin transporter
Authors: Ung Kien Lam , Winkler Mikael , Schulz Lukas , Kolb Martina , Janacek Dorina P. , Dedic Emil , Stokes David L. , Hammes Ulrich Z. , Pedersen Bjørn Panyella
Published: June 2022

Auxins are hormones that have central roles and control nearly all aspects of growth and development in plants1–3. The proteins in the PIN-FORMED (PIN) family (also known as the auxin efflux carrier family) are key participants in this process and control auxin export from the cytosol to the extracellular space4–9. Owing to a lack of structural and biochemical data, the molecular mechanism of PIN-mediated auxin transport is not understood. Here we present biophysical analysis together with three structures of Arabidopsis thaliana PIN8: two outward-facing conformations with and without auxin, and one inward-facing conformation bound to the herbicide naphthylphthalamic acid. The structure forms a homodimer, with each monomer divided into a transport and scaffold domain with a clearly defined auxin binding site. Next to the binding site, a proline–proline crossover is a pivot point for structural changes associated with transport, which we show to be independent of proton and ion gradients and probably driven by the negative charge of the auxin. The structures and biochemical data reveal an elevator-type transport mechanism reminiscent of bile acid/sodium symporters, bicarbonate/sodium symporters and sodium/proton antiporters. Our results provide a comprehensive molecular model for auxin recognition and transport by PINs, link and expand on a well-known conceptual framework for transport, and explain a central mechanism of polar auxin transport, a core feature of plant physiology, growth and development.
Comparability of clinical trials and spontaneous reporting data regarding COVID-19 vaccine safety
Authors: Luo Chongliang , Du Jingcheng , Cuker Adam , Lautenbach Ebbing , Asch David A. , Poland Gregory A. , Tao Cui , Chen Yong
Published: June 2022

Severe adverse events (AEs) after COVID-19 vaccination are not well studied in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) due to rarity and short follow-up. To monitor the safety of COVID-19 vaccines (“Pfizer” vaccine dose 1 and 2, “Moderna” vaccine dose 1 and 2, and “Janssen” vaccine single dose) in the U.S., especially regarding severe AEs, we compare the relative rankings of these vaccines using both RCT and the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) data. The risks of local and systemic AEs were assessed from the three pivotal COVID-19 vaccine trials and also calculated in the VAERS cohort consisting of 559,717 reports between December 14, 2020 and September 17, 2021. AE rankings of the five vaccine groups calculated separately by RCT and VAERS were consistent, especially for systemic AEs. For severe AEs reported in VAERS, the reported risks of thrombosis and GBS after Janssen vaccine were highest. The reported risk of shingles after the first dose of Moderna vaccine was highest, followed by the second dose of the Moderna vaccine. The reported risk of myocarditis was higher after the second dose of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. The reported risk of anaphylaxis was higher after the first dose of Pfizer vaccine. Limitations of this study are the inherent biases of the spontaneous reporting system data, and only including three pivotal RCTs and no comparison with other active vaccine safety surveillance systems.
Detection by metagenomic functional analysis and improvement by experimental evolution of β-lactams resistance genes present in oil contaminated soils
Authors: Álvarez-Marín M. Teresa , Zarzuela Laura , Camacho Eva M. , Santero Eduardo , Flores Amando
Published: June 2022

The spread of antibiotic resistance genes has become a global health concern identified by the World Health Organization as one of the greatest threats to health. Many of antimicrobial resistance determinants found in bacterial pathogens originate from environmental bacteria, so identifying the genes that confer resistance to antibiotics in different habitats is mandatory to better understand resistance mechanisms. Soil is one of the most diverse environments considered reservoir of antimicrobial resistance genes. The aim of this work is to study the presence of genes that provide resistance to antibiotics used in clinical settings in two oil contaminated soils by metagenomic functional analysis. Using fosmid vectors that efficiently transcribe metagenomic DNA, we have selected 12 fosmids coding for two class A β-lactamases, two subclass B1 and two subclass B3 metallo-β-lactamases, one class D β-lactamase and three efflux pumps that confer resistance to cefexime, ceftriaxone, meropenem and/or imipenem. In some of them, detection of the resistance required heterologous expression from the fosmid promoter. Although initially, these environmental genes only provide resistance to low concentrations of antibiotics, we have obtained, by experimental evolution, fosmid derivatives containing β-lactamase ORFs with a single base substitution, which substantially increase their β-lactamase activity and resistance level. None of the mutations affect β-lactamase coding sequences and are all located upstream of them. These results demonstrate the presence of enzymes that confer resistance to relevant β-lactams in these soils and their capacity to rapidly adapt to provide higher resistance levels.
A sustainable acoustic customization of open porous materials using recycled plastics
Authors: Caniato Marco , Cozzarini Luca , Schmid Chiara , Gasparella Andrea
Published: June 2022

Foams are commonly used as sound absorbers and thermal insulators for many industrial and construction applications. The insulating materials market is currently dominated by inorganic fibres like glass and mineral wool, as well as plastic foams. However, worldwide plastics consumption produces huge amounts of waste, generating concerns about soil, air and especially seawater pollution. Hence, new methods for recycling marine microplastic litter according to cleaner production criteria are being sought. This paper presents a novel, sustainable and eco-friendly foamy material made of microplastic waste, namely polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polystyrene (PS), incorporated into a bio-based matrix. Samples with different compositions were prepared and then characterized for sound absorption properties. Evidence is presented of very good acoustic performances and of how the acoustic characteristics of the end product can be customized using different microplastic content and type. This allows envisioning many industrial and civil applications for this novel open-cell material.
The ventral midline thalamus coordinates prefrontal–hippocampal neural synchrony during vicarious trial and error
Authors: Stout John J. , Hallock Henry L. , George Allison E. , Adiraju Suhaas S. , Griffin Amy L.
Published: June 2022

When faced with difficult choices, the possible outcomes are considered through a process known as deliberation. In rats, deliberation is thought to be reflected by pause-and-reorienting behaviors, better known as vicarious trial and errors (VTEs). While VTEs are thought to require medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and dorsal hippocampal (dHPC) interactions, no empirical evidence has yet demonstrated such a dual requirement. The nucleus reuniens (Re) of the ventral midline thalamus is anatomically connected with both the mPFC and dHPC, is required for HPC-dependent spatial memory tasks, and is critical for mPFC-dHPC neural synchronization. Currently, it is unclear if, or how, the Re is involved in deliberation. Therefore, by examining the role of the Re on VTE behaviors, we can better understand the anatomical and physiological mechanisms supporting deliberation. Here, we examined the impact of Re suppression on VTE behaviors and mPFC-dHPC theta synchrony during asymptotic performance of a HPC-dependent delayed alternation (DA) task. Pharmacological suppression of the Re increased VTE behaviors that occurred with repetitive choice errors. These errors were best characterized as perseverative behaviors, in which some rats repeatedly selected a goal arm that previously yielded no reward. We then examined the impact of Re suppression on mPFC-dHPC theta synchrony during VTEs. We found that during VTEs, Re inactivation was associated with a reduction in mPFC-dHPC theta coherence and mPFC-to-dHPC theta directionality. Our findings suggest that the Re contributes to deliberation by coordinating mPFC-dHPC neural interactions.
Transnasal sphenopalatine ganglion block for pain relief during panretinal photocoagulation laser for diabetic retinopathy: a pre and post interventional study
Authors: Sanatkar Mehdi , Bazvand Fatemeh
Published: June 2022

This study was performed to utilize transnasal Sphenopalatine Ganglion (SPG) block for pain reliving during panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) in diabetic patients with diabetic retinopathy. This pre and post interventional study was performed on 20 patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The first PRP treatment session of all the patients is performed with no transnasal SPG block, but before holding the second session, all the patients underwent transnasal SPG block and pain levels during and after PRP were compared to each other. Before the transnasal SPG block, each nostril of all the cases was inspected for finding any obstruction in each PRP session. Transnasal SPG block was also performed in with 2% lidocaine. The mean age of the included cases was 52.84 ± 8.62 years old (from 36 to 72 years old). All the cases underwent two PRP lasers treatment sessions with the same characteristic (spot size, power and duration) for each patient. In the first and second PRP treatment sessions, the mean NRS scores were obtained immediately after the PRP laser (8.4 vs. 4.2), 15 min (8.2 vs. 4.2), 1 h (8.0 vs. 4.1), and 24 h (5.4 vs. 3.6) after the PRP respectively. The mean NRS scores significantly reduced during the second PRP treatment session compared to the first session (p < 0.001). Transnasal SPG block is a safe and effective strategy used for relieving pain caused by the PRP laser treatment in patients with diabetic retinopathy.
Dry pick-and-flip assembly of van der Waals heterostructures for microfocus angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy
Authors: Masubuchi Satoru , Sakano Masato , Tanaka Yuma , Wakafuji Yusai , Yamamoto Takato , Okazaki Shota , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Li Jincai , Ejima Hirotaka , Sasagawa Takao , Ishizaka Kyoko , Machida Tomoki
Published: June 2022

We present a dry pick-and-flip assembly technique for angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) of van der Waals heterostructures. By combining Elvacite2552C acrylic resin and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ionic liquid, we prepared polymers with glass transition temperatures (Tg) ranging from 37 to 100 ℃. The adhesion of the polymer to the 2D crystals was enhanced at $${T}_{\text{g}}$$

T
g

. By utilizing the difference in $${T}_{\text{g}}$$

T
g

, a 2D heterostructure can be transferred from a high-$${T}_{\text{g}}$$

T
g

polymer to a lower-$${T}_{\text{g}}$$

T
g

polymer, which enables flipping its surface upside down. This process is suitable for assembling heterostructures for ARPES, where the top capping layer should be monolayer graphene. The laser-based micro-focused ARPES measurements of 5-layer WTe2, 3-layer MoTe2, 2-layer WTe2/few-layer Cr2Ge2Te6, and twisted double bilayer WTe2 demonstrate that this process can be utilized as a versatile sample fabrication method for investigating the energy spectra of 2D heterostructures.
Development of diverse coding metamaterial structure for radar cross section reduction applications
Authors: Ramachandran Tayaallen , Faruque Mohammad Rashed Iqbal , Islam Mohammad Tariqul , Khandaker Mayeen Uddin , Al-mugren K. S.
Published: June 2022

Despite their widespread use for performing advanced electromagnetic properties, metamaterial suffers from several restrictions in this technological era. Generally, technology affects the way individuals communicate, learn, think and plays an important role in society today. For this reason, there has been a surge of interest in a coding metamaterial field that possesses the ability to manipulate electromagnetic waves and realize different functionalities. This research work investigates circular-shaped coding metamaterial for microwave frequency applications through several analyses. First, the 1-bit coding metamaterial that is made up of only “0” and “1” elements with 0 and π phase responses by adopting two types of unit cells such as square-shaped Rogers RT6002 substrate material with and without metamaterial structure were analysed in this work. The proposed element ‘1’ successfully manifests several more than 180○ phase responses at several frequency ranges, for instance, 7.35 to 9.48 GHz, 12.87 to 14.25 GHz and 17.49 to 18 GHz (C, X, and Ku-bands), respectively. Besides that, three types of coding sequences were proposed and the radar cross-section (RCS) reduction values of the designs were numerically calculated by utilising Computer Simulation Technology (CST) software. Meanwhile, the single-layered coding metamaterial with 6 lattices was compared with double and triple-layered metamaterial structures. At 2 GHz, the triple-layered structure exhibit reduced RCS values with near to − 30 dBm2 for all coding sequences. Therefore, the transmission coefficient results of the triple-layered coding metamaterial sequences were numerically calculated. Several advanced coding metamaterial designs were constructed and the properties were discussed in terms of RCS values and scattering patterns. Meanwhile, the scattering and effective medium parameters of the unit cell metamaterial structure were also analysed in this work. In a nutshell, the 1-bit coding metamaterial in a controlled sequence can control electromagnetic waves and realize different functionalities.
A quartz crystal microbalance method to quantify the size of hyaluronan and other glycosaminoglycans on surfaces
Authors: Srimasorn Sumitra , Souter Luke , Green Dixy E. , Djerbal Lynda , Goodenough Ashleigh , Duncan James A. , Roberts Abigail R. E. , Zhang Xiaoli , Débarre Delphine , DeAngelis Paul L. , Kwok Jessica C. F. , Richter Ralf P.
Published: June 2022

Hyaluronan (HA) is a major component of peri- and extra-cellular matrices and plays important roles in many biological processes such as cell adhesion, proliferation and migration. The abundance, size distribution and presentation of HA dictate its biological effects and are also useful indicators of pathologies and disease progression. Methods to assess the molecular mass of free-floating HA and other glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are well established. In many biological and technological settings, however, GAGs are displayed on surfaces, and methods to obtain the size of surface-attached GAGs are lacking. Here, we present a method to size HA that is end-attached to surfaces. The method is based on the quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) and exploits that the softness and thickness of films of grafted HA increase with HA size. These two quantities are sensitively reflected by the ratio of the dissipation shift (ΔD) and the negative frequency shift (− Δf) measured by QCM-D upon the formation of HA films. Using a series of size-defined HA preparations, ranging in size from ~ 2 kDa tetrasaccharides to ~ 1 MDa polysaccharides, we establish a monotonic yet non-linear standard curve of the ΔD/ − Δfratio as a function of HA size, which reflects the distinct conformations adopted by grafted HA chains depending on their size and surface coverage. We demonstrate that the standard curve can be used to determine the mean size of HA, as well as other GAGs, such as chondroitin sulfate and heparan sulfate, of preparations of previously unknown size in the range from 1 to 500 kDa, with a resolution of better than 10%. For polydisperse samples, our analysis shows that the process of surface-grafting preferentially selects smaller GAG chains, and thus reduces the average size of GAGs that are immobilised on surfaces comparative to the original solution sample. Our results establish a quantitative method to size HA and other GAGs grafted on surfaces, and also highlight the importance of sizing GAGs directly on surfaces. The method should be useful for the development and quality control of GAG-based surface coatings in a wide range of research areas, from molecular interaction analysis to biomaterials coatings.
Eligibility for minithoracotomy aortic valve replacement: from Van Praet classification to complex scanner measurements
Authors: Barthelemy Yann , Camilleri Lionel , Pereira Bruno , Farhat Mehdi , Cassagnes Lucie , d’Ostrevy Nicolas
Published: June 2022

Van Praet proposed a classification to predict the ease of minithoracotomy aortic valve replacement (MT-AVR) based on the position of the aorta in the thorax. We have evaluated the relevance of complex computed tomography (CT) scan measurements to predict the ease of performing a MT-AVR. The first 57 patients who underwent MT-AVR from February 2018 to June 2020 were selected prior to surgery using Van Praet's IA and IB classes. We made additional measurements on aorta position related to the chest and the incision on the preoperative CT scan. The main objective was to correlate complex CT measurements with different operating durations. Van Praet criteria were significantly related to the distance from the center of the aorta to the midline (p value < 0.001), the distance from the center of the aortic ring to the midline (p value = 0.013) and aorto-sternal angle (p < 0.001). We did not find a correlation between CT criteria and the different surgical steps durations in patients belonging to Van Praet classes IA and IB. Our cohort of Van Praet class Ia and Ib patients were able to benefit from a MT-AVR without the need for conversion. Complex CT measurements do not provide additional information to predict surgical difficulties. This classification appears to be sufficient to determine a patient's eligibility for MT-AVR, even for a surgeon experienced in sternotomy in his first MT-AVR.
An integrated assessment of land use impact, riparian vegetation and lithologic variation on streambank stability in a peri-urban watershed (Nigeria)
Authors: Okeke Chukwueloka A. U. , Uno Jonathan , Academe Sunday , Emenike PraiseGod Chidozie , Abam Tamunoene K. S. , Omole David Olugbenga
Published: June 2022

Bank erosion is an important source of sediment and phosphorus to inland fluvial systems and is generally responsible for more than half of the total watershed sediment export. Numerous studies have quantified bank erosion and the spatio-temporal variation of sediment flux in different watersheds. However, there is sparse research to date on the linkages between bank erosion/accretion and sediment export under different land uses, especially in rapidly evolving peri-urban watersheds. This research, therefore, integrated remote sensing techniques and repeated field survey of erosion pin plots to quantify bank erosion and sediment flux in the 80 km2 Nkisi River watershed (NRW), southeast Nigeria, over a three-year period. The impact of land use change on streambank erosion was evaluated by utilising remotely sensed Landsat datasets of 2003, 2010, 2016 and 2019. Geotechnical tests were used to characterise the lithologic properties of the banks, while the Bank Stability and Toe Erosion Model (BSTEM) was used to determine the stability of the banks under various hydrological conditions and mechanical properties of the riparian vegetation. Mean bank recession rates increased from 10.7 cm during the 2017–2018 monitoring period to 17.5 cm for the 2019–2020 monitoring period. The percentage of total watershed export ascribed to bank erosion in the three stream reaches varied from 6.6 to 44.9%. The high rates of bank erosion and accretion within the NRW were attributed to rapid changes in land use, which evolved from grassland and woodland to cropland, built-up and bare land. The BSTEM accurately predicted the high erosion rates of the streambanks and showed that riparian vegetation has a mechanical effect on bank stability. However, the mechanical effect diminishes as the depth to water table rises during high streamflow events.
Frequency of gestational malaria and maternal–neonatal outcomes, in Northwestern Colombia 2009–2020
Authors: Cardona-Arias Jaiberth Antonio , Carmona-Fonseca Jaime
Published: June 2022

Research on Gestational Malaria (GM) is scarce in America's. In the few available studies in Colombia, the analysis of immunological or parasitological aspects predominates, with few analyzes of epidemiological aspects. The objectives were to determine the frequency of GM and submicroscopic infections (positive with PCR and negative with thick blood smears), to identify obstetric and malaria history associated with GM, and to describe maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with GM, in northwestern Colombia. A retrospective study with records of 825 pregnant women was conducted. qPCR and thick blood smear were performed. Frequencies were determined with 95% confidence intervals. Comparisons were made with the Chi-square test, Mann–Whitney U test, and prevalence ratios adjusted in a log-binomial model. The frequency of GM was 35.8% (95% CI 32.4–39.1) of submicroscopic infection was 16.2% (95% CI 13.7–18.8). According to the multivariable model, the subgroups with the highest frequency of GM were pregnant women without healthcare coverage (32.3%), in the third trimester of pregnancy (30.5%), nulliparous (35.6%), and with a previous diagnosis of malaria in the current pregnancy (64.0%). GM was associated with more frequency of gestational anemia, infection in neonates, and lower birth weight. The results indicate in a precise and direct way that malaria control in this northwestern region of Colombia is far from adequate, which is even more serious considering the affectations for the mother and the neonate.
The effect of angular dispersion on THz data transmission
Authors: Shrestha Rabi , Fang Zhaoji , Guerboukha Hichem , Sen Priyangshu , Hernandez-Cardoso Goretti G. , Castro-Camus Enrique , Jornet Josep M. , Mittleman Daniel M.
Published: June 2022

One of the key distinctions between legacy low-frequency wireless systems and future THz wireless transmissions is that THz links will require high directionality, to overcome the large free-space path loss. Because of this directionality, optical phenomena become increasingly important as design considerations. A key example lies in the strong dependence of angular radiation patterns on the transmission frequency, which is manifested in many different situations including common diffraction patterns and the emission from leaky-wave apertures. As a result of this effect, the spectral bandwidth at a receiver is nonlinearly dependent on the receiver’s angular position and distance from the transmitter. In this work, we explore the implications of this type of effect by incorporating either a diffraction grating or a leaky wave antenna into a communication link. These general considerations will have significant implications for the robustness of data transmissions at high frequencies.
Retrospective detection for V-type OPNAs exposure via phosphonylation and disulfide adducts in albumin
Authors: Wang Jin , Sun Fengjuan , Lu Xiaogang , Gao Runli , Pei Chengxin , Wang Hongmei
Published: June 2022

Organophosphorus nerve agents (OPNAs) that damage the central nervous system by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase activity, pose severe threats to human health and life security. Reliable biomarkers that quickly and accurately detect OPNAs exposure are urgently needed to help diagnose quickly and treat in time. Albumins that covalently bind to OPNAs could serve as important targets for retrospective verification of OPNAs exposure. The goal of this study is to explore the potential biomarkers in albumins with high reactivity and good stability and expand the group of potential biomarkers in different species for detecting the exposure of V-type OPNAs including O-ethyl S-(2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl) methylphosphonothioate (VX), O-isobutyl S-(2(diethylamino)ethyl) methylphosphonothioate (VR), and O-butyl S-(2-(diethylamino)ethyl) methylphosphonothioate (Vs). Taking human serum albumin (HSA), bovine serum albumin (BSA) and rabbit serum albumin (RSA) as the research objectives, multiple active sites including phosphonylation and disulfide adduct sites were observed in albumins from different species. Numerous phosphonylation sites labeled by all agents in one type of albumin were found. Among the different species, four shared phosphonylation sites with high reactivity include K499, K549, K249, and Y108. In addition, Y108 on ETY*GEMADCCAK, Y287 on Y*ICENQDSISSK, Y377 on TY*ETTLEK and Y164 on YLY*EIAR in HSA were stably phosphonylated by all agents in gradient concentration, making them stable and suitable potential biomarkers for V-type OPNAs exposure. Notably, Y108 on ETY*GEMADCCAK in HSA, on DTY*GDVADCCEK in RSA, and on ETY*GDMADCCEK in BSA were highly reactive to all V-type agents, regardless of species. It was also successfully labeled in HSA exposed to class V agents in gradient concentration. Y108 is expected to be used to screen and identify the exposure of V-type agents in the retrospective research. Disulfide adducts sites, consisted of four sites in HSA and two sites in BSA were also successfully labeled by V-type agents, and characteristic ion fragments from these disulfide adducts were also identified by secondary mass spectrometry. Molecular simulation of the stably modified sites were conducted to discover the promoting factors of covalent adduct formation, which help further clarify formation mechanism of albumin adducts at active sites.
Characterization of liquid products obtained from catalytic binary co-cracking of residual fuel oil with various waste plastics
Authors: Kasar Pamreishang , Ahmaruzzaman Md.
Published: June 2022

Recycling polymeric waste and heavy oil residues are important for energy recovery and raw material processing. Catalytic pyrolysis is a unique technology used to generate alternative energy, and it can stands out to be one of the environmentally friendly and alternative routes for the generation of renewable energy. Limited study has been reported in the literature on the co-cracking of residual fuels with waste plastics to establish its properties and potential. In this study, we have characterized the products in liquid form resulting from the co-cracking of residual fuel oil (RFO) with plastic waste in an isothermal condition. The characterization was carried out using nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR & 13C NMR), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), bomb calorimetry, and ultimate analyzer, in addition to the characterization of the flashpoint, pour point, and density. As a result of co-cracking, the liquid exhibits a significant decline in the overall molecular weight and an increase in the content of saturated aliphatic carbon and a decrease in the protonated aromatic carbons with aliphatic compounds as the primary constituent were observed from the spectra, having a pour point of 291.15–192.15 K and high calorific values between 42–45 MJ/kg. The characteristics of the liquid reveal a synergistic effect of co-cracking and demonstrate the potential of the co-cracking process of waste plastics with residual fuel to be an alternate source of energy and added-value chemical product recovery routes.
Prebiotic Chemistry of Nucleobases and Nucleotides
Authors: Burcar B. T. , Menor-Salván C.
Published: June 2022

The origin of biological nucleic acids and its building blocks is still an open question, for which have been proposed several routes and geochemical scenarios. For the origin of RNA, two general approaches are under study and debate: its prebiotic formation by chemical routes from simple precursors in the right geochemical conditions, or its origin as an evolutionary product resulting from a complex chemical space of pre-RNA molecules and supramolecular assemblies, with a key role of non-biological nucleobases and nucleotides. In both cases, for the origin of its building nucleobases and its nucleosides/nucleotides, recent studies have highlighted the importance of urea in the process. Urea is a versatile molecule that could have formed in a prebiotic environment based on “warm little ponds” of viscous eutectic solutions – environments which favor the formation of nucleobases, nucleosides, and as a promoter of the incorporation of phosphate in early organophosphates and nucleotides. We will summarize in this chapter the main prebiotic routes and processes for the origin of nucleobases and nucleotides, in which urea could have played a central role, including some historical notes that could help to contextualize what are we thinking now in the origin of nucleic acids building blocks, and how did we get there.
Metalated covalent organic frameworks: from synthetic strategies to diverse applications
Authors: Guan Qun , Zhou Le-Le , Dong Yu-Bin
Published: June 2022

This review highlights the recent advances of metalated covalent organic frameworks, including synthetic strategies and applications, and discusses the current challenges and future directions.
Production of butanol from lignocellulosic biomass: recent advances, challenges, and prospects
Authors: Guo Yuan , Liu Yi , Guan Mingdong , Tang Hongchi , Wang Zilong , Lin Lihua , Pang Hao
Published: June 2022

Due to energy and environmental concerns, biobutanol is gaining increasing attention as an alternative renewable fuel owing to its desirable fuel properties.
Solid phase extraction on reverse phase chromatographic media subjected to stresses expected for extraterrestrial implementation
Authors: Ferrance Jerome P.
Published: June 2022

Reverse phase solid phase extraction matrices were tested using standard analytes then exposed to space flight stresses to ensure functionality when deployed for liquid sample analysis on remote bodies.
Visible-light-driven PhSSPh-catalysed regioselective hydroborylation of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds with NHC-boranes
Authors: Liu Xinghua , Shen Yujing , Lu Cheng , Jian Yongchan , Xia Shuangshuang , Gao Zhaoliang , Zheng Yihan , An Yuanyuan , Wang Yubin
Published: June 2022

A facile and efficient method for radical regioselective hydroboration of α,β-unsaturated esters, amides, and nitriles with NHC-boranes was developed.
Transition metal catalyzed selective B(3)–H or B(4)–H amination of o-carboranes via dehydrogenative BH/NH cross-coupling
Authors: Lyu Hairong , Xie Zuowei
Published: June 2022

Catalyst control of selectivity in vertex-specific cage BH amination via dehydrogenative cage B–H/N–H cross-coupling of o-carboranes with free amines has been achieved.
A simple and rapid mix-and-read assay for sensitive detection of O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase
Authors: Liu Ming-Hao , Yu Wan-Tong , Yang Xiao-Yun , Li Yueying , Zhang Yan , Zhang Chun-Yang
Published: June 2022

We have developed a simple and rapid mix-and-read assay for the sensitive detection of O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase activity.
Probing the self-assembly process of amphiphilic tetrahedral DNA frameworks
Authors: Liang Chengpin , Chen Jielin , Li Mingqiang , Ge Zhilei , Fan Chunhai , Shen Jianlei
Published: June 2022

A label-free method was developed to directly probe the self-assembly process of amphiphilic DNA nanostructures.
Centroid⋯centroid and hydrogen bond interactions as robust supramolecular units for crystal engineering: X-ray crystallographic, computational and urease inhibitory investigations of 1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-a]phthalazines
Authors: Zaib Sumera , Ibrar Aliya , Ramay Marriyam , Zahra Shabab , Hökelek Tuncer , Simpson Jim , McAdam Christopher John , Awwad Nasser S. , Ibrahium Hala A. , Frontera Antonio , Khan Imtiaz
Published: June 2022

The antiparallel π-stacked dimer of compound 6 (left) presenting a large dimerization energy (ΔE5= −11.2 kcal mol−1) and confirming its relevance in the solid state of compound 6. 3D binding mode of 6 (right) docked in the catalytic domain of urease.
Proton-conducting metal–organic frameworks with linkers containing anthracenyl and sulfonate groups
Authors: Ho Tsai-En , Datta Amitabha , Lee Hon Man
Published: June 2022

Co(dia)1.5(Hsip)(H2O)·H2O (1) and Zn2(μ-OH)(dia)2(sip)·2H2O (2) were prepared from the same set of ligand precursors. They exhibited bnn and dia topologies, respectively. Factors that contributed to the higher proton conductivity of 1 were presented.
Recognition of quinolone antibiotics by the multidrug efflux transporter MexB ofPseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Gervasoni Silvia , Malloci Giuliano , Bosin Andrea , Vargiu Attilio V. , Zgurskaya Helen I. , Ruggerone Paolo
Published: June 2022

Putative binding modes (BMs) of quinolones to the bacterial efflux transporter MexB were identified. Multiple interaction patterns are possible, supporting the hypothesis that substrates oscillate between different BMs with similar affinity.
Electrically-driven robust tuning of lattice thermal conductivity
Authors: Zhou E , Wei Donghai , Wu Jing , Qin Guangzhao , Hu Ming
Published: June 2022

Ultralow thermal conductivity is achieved in bilayer graphene, monolayer silicene, and germanene by applying external electric field.
g-C3N4/TiO2-B{100} heterostructures used as promising photocatalysts for water splitting from a hybrid density functional study
Authors: Yuan Xiaojia , Liu Xiaojie
Published: June 2022

Fabrication of heterostructures has been shown to be a good strategy to improve photocatalytic performance.
pH-Induced reversible conversion between non-Pickering and Pickering high internal phase emulsion
Authors: Zhang Ying , Luo Pan , Liu Ya , Li Hanmin , Li Xiaojiang , Lu Hongsheng , Wu Yuanpeng , Liu Dongfang
Published: June 2022

Solid-stabilized high internal phase emulsions have received extensive attention.
Structural characterisation of nanoalloys for (photo)catalytic applications with the Sapphire library
Authors: Jones Robert M. , Rossi Kevin , Zeni Claudio , Vanzan Mirko , Vasiljevic Igor , Santana-Bonilla Alejandro , Baletto Francesca
Published: June 2022

We present an open-source library, Sapphire, to classify the characteristics of nanoalloys through several structural analysis techniques. We focus on using geometrical descriptors to make predictions on a given nanoparticle's catalytic activity.
Micro-object manipulation by decanol liquid lenses
Authors: Yang Yijing , Chen Rong , Zhu Xun , Ye Dingding , Yang Yang , Li Wei , Li Dongliang , Li Haonan , Liao Qiang
Published: June 2022

A smart strategy is proposed for excellently manipulating micro-objects on an air–liquid interface by decanol liquid lenses.
Efficient homogeneous electrochemical water oxidation by a copper(ii) complex with a hexaaza macrotricyclic ligand
Authors: Lin Junqi , Zheng Shenke , Hong Li , Yang Xueli , Lv Weixiang , Li Yichang , Dai Chang , Liu Shanshan , Ruan Zhijun
Published: June 2022

A copper complex [CuII(L)](ClO4)2 with a hexaaza macrotricyclic ligand is found to be an efficient homogeneous electrocatalyst for water oxidation with onset overpotential of 480 mV and a turnover frequency of 3.65 s−1.
Non-covalent interactions in the glutathione peroxidase active center and their influence on the enzyme activity
Authors: Tupikina Elena Yu.
Published: June 2022

The stabilising role of non-covalent interactions in the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase has been confirmed by quantum chemical methods.
Bis-borylated arylisoquinoline-derived dyes with a central aromatic core: towards efficient fluorescent singlet-oxygen photosensitizers
Authors: Campos-González René , Vázquez-Domínguez Pablo , Remón Patricia , Nájera Francisco , Collado Daniel , Pérez-Inestrosa Ezequiel , Boscá Francisco , Ros Abel , Pischel Uwe
Published: June 2022

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon chromophores that show an ideal bipartition between fluorescence and singlet oxygen production have been developed.
Rapid preparation of N-CNTs/P(AA-co-AM) composite hydrogel via frontal polymerization and its mechanical and conductive properties
Authors: Li Bin , Xu Xiaojia , Hu Zhigang , Li Yongjing , Zhou Mengjing , Liu Jizhen , Jiang Yajun , Wang Peng
Published: June 2022

This study provides a rapid and low-energy method for the preparation of nanocomposite hydrogels with excellent mechanical properties and electrical conductivity.