bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A global reptile assessment highlights shared conservation needs of tetrapods
Authors: Cox Neil , Young Bruce E. , Bowles Philip , Fernandez Miguel , Marin Julie , Rapacciuolo Giovanni , Böhm Monika , Brooks Thomas M. , Hedges S. Blair , Hilton-Taylor Craig , Hoffmann Michael , Jenkins Richard K. B. , Tognelli Marcelo F. , Alexander Graham J. , Allison Allen , Ananjeva Natalia B. , Auliya Mark , Avila Luciano Javier , Chapple David G. , Cisneros-Heredia Diego F. , Cogger Harold G. , Colli Guarino R. , de Silva Anslem , Eisemberg Carla C. , Els Johannes , Fong G. Ansel , Grant Tandora D. , Hitchmough Rodney A. , Iskandar Djoko T. , Kidera Noriko , Martins Marcio , Meiri Shai , Mitchell Nicola J. , Molur Sanjay , Nogueira Cristiano de C. , Ortiz Juan Carlos , Penner Johannes , Rhodin Anders G. J. , Rivas Gilson A. , Rödel Mark-Oliver , Roll Uri , Sanders Kate L. , Santos-Barrera Georgina , Shea Glenn M. , Spawls Stephen , Stuart Bryan L. , Tolley Krystal A. , Trape Jean-François , Vidal Marcela A. , Wagner Philipp , Wallace Bryan P. , Xie Yan
Published: April 2022

Comprehensive assessments of species’ extinction risks have documented the extinction crisis1 and underpinned strategies for reducing those risks2. Global assessments reveal that, among tetrapods, 40.7% of amphibians, 25.4% of mammals and 13.6% of birds are threatened with extinction3. Because global assessments have been lacking, reptiles have been omitted from conservation-prioritization analyses that encompass other tetrapods4–7. Reptiles are unusually diverse in arid regions, suggesting that they may have different conservation needs6. Here we provide a comprehensive extinction-risk assessment of reptiles and show that at least 1,829 out of 10,196 species (21.1%) are threatened—confirming a previous extrapolation8 and representing 15.6 billion years of phylogenetic diversity. Reptiles are threatened by the same major factors that threaten other tetrapods—agriculture, logging, urban development and invasive species—although the threat posed by climate change remains uncertain. Reptiles inhabiting forests, where these threats are strongest, are more threatened than those in arid habitats, contrary to our prediction. Birds, mammals and amphibians are unexpectedly good surrogates for the conservation of reptiles, although threatened reptiles with the smallest ranges tend to be isolated from other threatened tetrapods. Although some reptiles—including most species of crocodiles and turtles—require urgent, targeted action to prevent extinctions, efforts to protect other tetrapods, such as habitat preservation and control of trade and invasive species, will probably also benefit many reptiles.
Phases of stability during major hydroclimate change ending the Last Glacial in the Levant
Authors: Müller Daniela , Neugebauer Ina , Ben Dor Yoav , Enzel Yehouda , Schwab Markus J. , Tjallingii Rik , Brauer Achim
Published: April 2022

In-depth understanding of the reorganization of the hydrological cycle in response to global climate change is crucial in highly sensitive regions like the eastern Mediterranean, where water availability is a major factor for socioeconomic and political development. The sediments of Lake Lisan provide a unique record of hydroclimatic change during the last glacial to Holocene transition (ca. 24–11 ka) with its tremendous water level drop of ~ 240 m that finally led to its transition into the present hypersaline water body—the Dead Sea. Here we utilize high-resolution sedimentological analyses from the marginal terraces and deep lake to reconstruct an unprecedented seasonal record of the last millennia of Lake Lisan. Aragonite varve formation in intercalated intervals of our record demonstrates that a stepwise long-term lake level decline was interrupted by almost one millennium of rising or stable water level. Even periods of pronounced water level drops indicated by gypsum deposition were interrupted by decades of positive water budgets. Our results thus highlight that even during major climate change at the end of the last glacial, decadal to millennial periods of relatively stable or positive moisture supply occurred which could have been an important premise for human sedentism.
Antibody response to double SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination in Japanese kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Fujieda Kumiko , Tanaka Akihito , Kikuchi Ryosuke , Takai Nami , Saito Shoji , Yasuda Yoshinari , Fujita Takashi , Kato Masashi , Furuhashi Kazuhiro , Maruyama Shoichi
Published: April 2022

Immunocompromised patients, especially those who undergo kidney transplantation, have lower antibody levels following SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination. The situation of transplant treatment, such as transplant source and immunosuppressive drugs, is different in Japan than that in other countries. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify whether antibody acquisition rates differ between Japan and other countries. This retrospective study included patients with post-kidney transplant who were attending at the Nagoya University Hospital. The anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody titers were measured between 3 weeks and 3 months after vaccination. Seventy-three patients (45 men and 28 women) were included. Of these, 23 (31.5%) showed antibody presence, and the rates of antibody acquisition were very low than those in the control group (100.0% vs. 31.5%, P < 0.05). Antibody acquisition rates were associated with body mass index (odds ratio [OR]: 1.21, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04–1.39, P < 0.05) and the duration between transplantation and vaccination (OR: 1.01, 95% CI: 1.00–1.02, P < 0.05). The immunosuppressive drugs used were: prednisolone in all cases, tacrolimus in 89.0%, cyclosporine in 9.6%, and mofetil mycophenolate in 97.3%. None of the patients were excluded from receiving two doses of the vaccine due to adverse effects. The study indicated that vaccination-induced antibody acquisition rates against SARS-CoV-2 were extremely low in Japanese patients who underwent post-kidney transplantation. Thus, despite two doses of vaccination, it is necessary to closely monitor infection control in such patients.
Distribution of bacteriologically positive and bacteriologically negative pulmonary tuberculosis in Northwest China: spatiotemporal analysis
Authors: Jiang Hualin , Sun Xiaolu , Hua Zhongqiu , Liu Haini , Cao Yi , Ren Dan , Qi Xin , Zhang Tianhua , Zhang Shaoru
Published: April 2022

Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is a major health issue in Northwest China. Most previous studies on the spatiotemporal patterns of PTB considered all PTB cases as a whole; they did not distinguish notified bacteriologically positive PTB (BP-PTB) and notified bacteriologically negative PTB (BN-PTB). Thus, the spatiotemporal characteristics of notified BP-PTB and BN-PTB are still unclear. A retrospective county-level spatial epidemiological study (2011–2018) was conducted in Shaanxi, Northwest China. In total, 44,894 BP-PTB cases were notified, with an average annual incidence rate of 14.80 per 100,000 persons between 2011 and 2018. Global Moran’s I values for notified BP-PTB ranged from 0.19 to 0.49 (P < 0.001). Anselin’s local Moran’s I analysis showed that the high–high (HH) cluster for notified BP-PTB incidence was mainly located in the southernmost region. The primary spatiotemporal cluster for notified BP-PTB (LLR = 612.52, RR = 1.77, P < 0.001) occurred in the central region of the Guanzhong Plain in 2011. In total, 116,447 BN-PTB cases were notified, with an average annual incidence rate of 38.38 per 100,000 persons between 2011 and 2018. Global Moran’s I values for notified BN-PTB ranged from 0.39 to 0.69 (P < 0.001). The HH clusters of notified BN-PTB were mainly located in the north between 2011 and 2014 and in the south after 2015. The primary spatiotemporal cluster for notified BN-PTB (LLR = 1084.59, RR = 1.85, P < 0.001) occurred in the mountainous areas of the southernmost region from 2014 to 2017. Spatiotemporal clustering of BP-PTB and BN-PTB was detected in the poverty-stricken mountainous areas of Shaanxi, Northwest China. Our study provides evidence for intensifying PTB control activities in these geographical clusters.
Obstetric outcomes during delivery hospitalizations among obese pregnant women in the United States
Authors: Rubens Muni , Ramamoorthy Venkataraghavan , Saxena Anshul , McGranaghan Peter , Veledar Emir , Hernandez Agueda
Published: April 2022

The rates of both maternal and fetal adverse outcomes increase significantly with higher body mass index. The aim of this study was to calculate national estimates of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes and associated hospitalization cost among obese pregnant women using a national database. This study was a retrospective analysis of data retrieved from Nationwide Inpatient Sample database, collected during 2010–2014. The primary outcomes of this study were adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, hospital length of stay, and hospitalization cost. There was a total of 18,687,217 delivery-related hospitalizations, of which 1,048,323 were among obese women. Obese women were more likely to have cesarean deliveries (aOR 1.70, 95% CI 1.62–1.79) and labor inductions (aOR 1.51, 95% CI 1.42–1.60), greater length of stay after cesarean deliveries (aOR 1.14, 95% CI 1.08–1.36) and vaginal deliveries (aOR 1.48, 95% CI 1.23–1.77). They were also more likely to have pregnancy-related hypertension, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, premature rupture of membranes, chorioamnionitis, venous thromboembolism, excessive fetal growth, and fetal distress. Obese pregnant women had significantly greater risk for adverse obstetrical outcomes, which substantially increased the hospital and economic burden. Risk stratification of pregnant patients based on obesity could also help obstetricians to make better clinical decisions and improve patient outcomes.
Characterization of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from patients suspected of pulmonary or bubonic plague during the Madagascar epidemic in 2017
Authors: Rakotondrasoa Andriniaina , Andrianonimiadana Lova Maminirina , Rahajandraibe Soloandry , Razafimahatratra Solohery , Andrianaivoarimanana Voahangy , Rahelinirina Soanandrasana , Crucitti Tania , Brisse Sylvain , Jeannoda Victor , Rajerison Minoarisoa , Collard Jean-Marc
Published: April 2022

Klebsiella pneumoniae can lead to a wide range of diseases including pneumonia, bloodstream and urinary tract infections. During a short period of a pulmonary plague epidemic in October 2017 in Madagascar, 12 K. pneumoniae isolates were identified in ten sputum and two buboes aspirate samples. These isolates were from 12 patients suspected of plague, without epidemiological relationships, but were negative for Yersinia pestis in culture. Data were collected from the plague national surveillance system. The isolates were characterized by antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole-genome sequencing. Real-time PCR was performed to confirm the presence of K. pneumoniae DNA in buboes. All isolates were identified as K. pneumoniae sensu stricto. Five isolates were extended-spectrum β-lactamases producers; eleven different sequence types were identified. Five isolates belonged to known hypervirulent sequence types. Our results demonstrate community-acquired pneumonia caused by K. pneumoniae isolates in patients suspected of plague stressing the importance of bed-side differential diagnosis.
Significance of the broad non-bony attachments of the anterior cruciate ligament on the tibial side
Authors: Muro Satoru , Kim Jiyoon , Tsukada Sachiyuki , Akita Keiichi
Published: April 2022

Knowledge of the anatomy of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is important to understand the function and pathology of the knee joint. However, on the tibial side of ACL, its structural relationships with the articular cartilage and lateral meniscus remain unclear. Furthermore, conventional research methods are limited to analyzing the bone attachments. We provide a comprehensive, three-dimensional anatomical description of the tibial side of the ACL that questions the principle that “a ligament is necessarily a structure connecting a bone to another bone.” In our study, 11 knees from 6 cadavers were used for macroscopic anatomical examinations, serial-section histological analyses, and three-dimensional reconstructions. The attachments of the tibial side of ACL consisted of attachments to the bone (102.6 ± 27.5 mm2), articular cartilage (40.9 ± 13.6 mm2), and lateral meniscus (6.5 ± 4.6 mm2), suggesting that the ACL has close structural relationships with the articular cartilage and lateral meniscus. Our study demonstrates that the tibial side of the ACL is not attached to the bone surface only and provides new perspectives on ligamentous attachments. Considering its attachment to the articular cartilage would enable more accurate functional evaluations of the mechanical tensioning of the ACL.
Chromosome-encoded IpaH ubiquitin ligases indicate non-human enteroinvasive Escherichia
Authors: Dranenko Natalia O. , Tutukina Maria N. , Gelfand Mikhail S. , Kondrashov Fyodor A. , Bochkareva Olga O.
Published: April 2022

Until recently, Shigella and enteroinvasive Escherichia coli were thought to be primate-restricted pathogens. The base of their pathogenicity is the type 3 secretion system (T3SS) encoded by the pINV virulence plasmid, which facilitates host cell invasion and subsequent proliferation. A large family of T3SS effectors, E3 ubiquitin-ligases encoded by the ipaH genes, have a key role in the Shigella pathogenicity through the modulation of cellular ubiquitination that degrades host proteins. However, recent genomic studies identified ipaH genes in the genomes of Escherichia marmotae, a potential marmot pathogen, and an E. coli extracted from fecal samples of bovine calves, suggesting that non-human hosts may also be infected by these strains, potentially pathogenic to humans. We performed a comparative genomic study of the functional repertoires in the ipaH gene family in Shigella and enteroinvasive Escherichia from human and predicted non-human hosts. We found that fewer than half of Shigella genomes had a complete set of ipaH genes, with frequent gene losses and duplications that were not consistent with the species tree and nomenclature. Non-human host IpaH proteins had a diverse set of substrate-binding domains and, in contrast to the Shigella proteins, two variants of the NEL C-terminal domain. Inconsistencies between strains phylogeny and composition of effectors indicate horizontal gene transfer between E. coli adapted to different hosts. These results provide a framework for understanding of ipaH-mediated host-pathogens interactions and suggest a need for a genomic study of fecal samples from diseased animals.
High altitude is associated with pTau deposition, neuroinflammation, and myelin loss
Authors: Iacono Diego , Murphy Erin K. , Sherman Paul M. , Chapapas Holly , Cerqueira Bianca , Christensen Christine , Perl Daniel P. , Sladky John
Published: April 2022

Mammals are able to adapt to high altitude (HA) if appropriate acclimation occurs. However, specific occupations (professional climbers, pilots, astronauts and other) can be exposed to HA without acclimation and be at a higher risk of brain consequences. In particular, US Air Force U2-pilots have been shown to develop white matter hyperintensities (WMH) on MRI. Whether WMH are due to hypoxia or hypobaria effects is not understood. We compared swine brains exposed to 5000 feet (1524 m) above sea level (SL) with 21% fraction inspired O2 (FiO2) (Control group [C]; n = 5) vs. 30,000 feet (9144 m) above SL with 100% FiO2 group (hypobaric group [HYPOBAR]; n = 6). We performed neuropathologic assessments, molecular analyses, immunohistochemistry (IHC), Western Blotting (WB), and stereology analyses to detect differences between HYPOBAR vs. Controls. Increased neuronal insoluble hyperphosphorylated-Tau (pTau) accumulation was observed across different brain regions, at histological level, in the HYPOBAR vs. Controls. Stereology-based cell counting demonstrated a significant difference (p < 0.01) in pTau positive neurons between HYPOBAR and C in the Hippocampus. Higher levels of soluble pTau in the Hippocampus of HYPOBAR vs. Controls were also detected by WB analyses. Additionally, WB demonstrated an increase of IBA-1 in the Cerebellum and a decrease of myelin basic protein (MBP) in the Hippocampus and Cerebellum of HYPOBAR vs. Controls. These findings illustrate, for the first time, changes occurring in large mammalian brains after exposure to nonhypoxic-hypobaria and open new pathophysiological views on the interaction among hypobaria, pTau accumulation, neuroinflammation, and myelination in large mammals exposed to HA.
Point cloud registration method for maize plants based on conical surface fitting—ICP
Authors: Zhang Kai’xing , Chen He , Wu Hao , Zhao Xiu’yan , Zhou Chang’an
Published: April 2022

Reconstructing three-dimensional (3D) point cloud model of maize plants can provide reliable data for its growth observation and agricultural machinery research. The existing data collection systems and registration methods have low collection efficiency and poor registration accuracy. A point cloud registration method for maize plants based on conical surface fitting—iterative closest point (ICP) with automatic point cloud collection platform was proposed in this paper. Firstly, a Kinect V2 was selected to cooperate with an automatic point cloud collection platform to collect multi-angle point clouds. Then, the conical surface fitting algorithm was employed to fit the point clouds of the flowerpot wall to acquire the fitted rotation axis for coarse registration. Finally, the interval ICP registration algorithm was used for precise registration, and the Delaunay triangle meshing algorithm was chosen to triangulate the point clouds of maize plants. The maize plant at the flowering and kernel stage was selected for reconstruction experiments, the results show that: the full-angle registration takes 57.32 s, and the registration mean distance error is 1.98 mm. The measured value’s relative errors between the reconstructed model and the material object of maize plant are controlled within 5%, the reconstructed model can replace maize plants for research.
Nephrotoxicity evaluation and proteomic analysis in kidneys of rats exposed to thioacetamide
Authors: Lim Ji-youn , Jung Woon-Won , Kim Woojin , Moon Kyoung-Sik , Sul Donggeun
Published: April 2022

Thioacetamide (TAA) was administered orally at 0, 10, and 30 mg/kg body weight (BW) daily to Sprague–Dawley rats aged 6–7 weeks for 28 consecutive days. Nephrotoxicity and proteomics were evaluated in the kidneys of rats exposed to TAA. The BW decreased, however, the relative kidneys weight increased. No significant histopathologic abnormalities were found in the kidneys. The numbers of monocytes and platelets were significantly increased. However, the mean corpuscular volume and hematocrit values were decreased significantly in rats exposed to 30 mg/kg BW TAA. The expression levels of Kim-1 and NGAL were increased 4 to 5-fold in the kidneys, resulting in significant nephrotoxicity. Proteomic analysis was conducted and a total of 5221 proteins spots were resolved. Of these, 3 and 21 protein spots were up- and downregulated, respectively. The validation of seven proteins was performed by Western blot analysis. The expression level of ASAP2 was significantly upregulated, whereas RGS14, MAP7Dl, IL-3Rα, Tmod1, NQO2, and MUP were reduced. Sixteen isoforms of MUP were found by the 2DE immunoblot assay and were significantly downregulated with increasing exposure to TAA. MUP isoforms were compared in the liver, kidneys, and urine of untreated rats and a total of 43 isoforms were found.
Detection of environmental pollutant cadmium in water using a visual bacterial biosensor
Authors: Hui Chang-ye , Guo Yan , Li Han , Gao Chao-xian , Yi Juan
Published: April 2022

Cadmium (Cd) contamination in water and soil is considered an environmental pollutant. Food crops can absorb and accumulate bioavailable Cd. Continuous monitoring of Cd levels in the environment can minimize exposure and harm to humans. Visual pigments have been demonstrated to have great potential in the development of minimal-equipment biosensors. In the present study, a metabolically engineered bacterium was employed to produce blue-purple pigment violacein responsive to toxic Cd(II). The high stability of the bisindole pigment contributed to determining the violacein at wavelengths of 578 nm. Visual and quantifiable signals could be captured after a 1.5-h Cd(II) exposure. This novel biosensor showed significantly stronger responses to Cd(II) than to other heavy metals including Pb(II), Zn(II), and Hg(II). A significant increase in pigment signal was found to respond to as low as 0.049 μM Cd(II). The naked eye can detect the color change when violacein-based biosensor is exposed to 25 μM Cd(II). A high-throughput method for rapid determination of soluble Cd(II) in environmental water was developed using a colorimetric microplate.
A VSV-based assay quantifies coronavirus Mpro/3CLpro/Nsp5 main protease activity and chemical inhibition
Authors: Heilmann Emmanuel , Costacurta Francesco , Geley Stephan , Mogadashi Seyad Arad , Volland Andre , Rupp Bernhard , Harris Reuben Stewart , von Laer Dorothee
Published: April 2022

Protease inhibitors are among the most powerful antiviral drugs. However, for SARS-CoV-2 only a small number of protease inhibitors have been identified thus far and there is still a great need for assays that efficiently report protease activity and inhibition in living cells. Here, we engineer a safe VSV-based system to report both gain- and loss-of-function of coronavirus main protease (Mpro/3CLpro/Nsp5) activity in living cells. We use SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro in this system to confirm susceptibility to known inhibitors (boceprevir, GC376, PF-00835231, and PF-07321332/nirmatrelvir) and reevaluate other reported inhibitors (baicalein, ebselen, carmofur, ethacridine, ivermectin, masitinib, darunavir, and atazanavir). Moreover, we show that the system can be adapted to report both the function and the chemical inhibition of proteases from different coronavirus species as well as from distantly related viruses. Together with the fact that live cell assays also reflect compound permeability and toxicity, we anticipate that this system will be useful for both identification and optimization of additional coronavirus protease inhibitors.
Assessing the contribution of diazotrophs to microbial Fe uptake using a group specific approach in the Western Tropical South Pacific Ocean
Authors: Lory C , Van Wambeke F , Fourquez M , Barani A , Guieu C , Tilliette C , Marie D , Nunige S , Berman-Frank I , Bonnet S
Published: April 2022

Diazotrophs are often limited by iron (Fe) availability in the oligotrophic ocean. The Western Tropical South Pacific (WTSP) ocean has been suggested as an intense N2 fixation area due to Fe fertilizations through shallow hydrothermal activity. Yet, the Fe demand of diazotrophs in their natural habitat, where they cohabit with other microbial organisms also requiring Fe, remains unknown. Here we develop and apply a method consisting of coupling 55Fe uptake experiments with cell-sorting by flow cytometry, and provide group-specific rates of in situ Fe uptake by the microbial community in the WTSP, in addition to bulk and size fractionation rates. We reveal that the diazotrophs Crocosphaera watsonii and Trichodesmium contribute substantially to the bulk in situ Fe uptake (~33% on average over the studied area), despite being numerically less abundant compared to the rest of the planktonic community. Trichodesmium had the highest cell-specific Fe uptake rates, followed by C. watsonii, picoeukaryotes, Prochlorococcus, Synechococcus and finally heterotrophic bacteria. Calculated Fe:C quotas were higher (by 2 to 52-fold) for both studied diazotrophs compared to those of the non-diazotrophic plankton, reflecting their high intrinsic Fe demand. This translates into a diazotroph biogeographical distribution that appears to be influenced by ambient dissolved Fe concentrations in the WTSP. Despite having low cell-specific uptake rates, Prochlorococcus and heterotrophic bacteria were largely the main contributors to the bulk Fe uptake (~23% and ~12%, respectively). Overall, this group-specific approach increases our ability to examine the ecophysiological role of functional groups, including those of less abundant and/or less active microbes.
Why local and non-local terms are essential for second harmonic generation simulation?
Authors: Foucaud Yann , Dufrêche Jean-François , Siboulet Bertrand , Duvail Magali , Jonchère Alban , Diat Olivier , Vuilleumier Rodolphe
Published: April 2022

Both local and non-local effects are crucial to simulate the second harmonic generation signal using an ad-hoc method based on the hyperpolarisability: the chemical environment of the molecules and the quadrupolar contribution must be considered.
Tuning the structural stability and spin-glass behavior in α-MnO2nanotubes by Sn ion doping
Authors: Liu Xin , Xie Yang , Hu Zhiwei , Lin Hong-Ji , Chen Chien-Te , Dong Liang , Zhang Yahui , Wang Qing , Luo Shao-Hua
Published: April 2022

Substitution of Sn4+in α-MnO2improves its structural stability and reveals the influence of disorder on its spin-glass behavior.
Structural transformations in cobalt(ii) coordination polymers constructed from flexible N,N′-bis(3-pyridylmethyl)sebacoamide and benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid
Authors: Hu Ji-Hong , Liu Yuan-Chin , Liu Yu-Hsiang , Chen Jhy-Der
Published: April 2022

Hydro(solvo)thermal reactions of cobalt(ii) salts, N,N′-bis(3-pyridylmethyl)sebacoamide, and benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid afforded diverse coordination polymers that exhibit structural transformations.
A dual-ratiometric optical thermometry based on Sr2LaF7:Er3+ crystal-implanted pliable fibers
Authors: Li C. , Li Y. , Pun E. Y. B. , Lin H.
Published: April 2022

Potential applications of composite fibers.
Robust hole transport material with interface anchors enhances the efficiency and stability of inverted formamidinium–cesium perovskite solar cells with a certified efficiency of 22.3%
Authors: Chen Rui , Liu Sanwan , Xu Xiaojia , Ren Fumeng , Zhou Jing , Tian Xueying , Yang Zhichun , Guanz Xinyu , Liu Zonghao , Zhang Shasha , Zhang Yiqiang , Wu Yongzhen , Han Liyuan , Qi Yabing , Chen Wei
Published: April 2022

Herein, we report the use of pyridine anchoring group functionalized poly(triarylamine) (p-PY) as a hole transport layer at buried interfaces between the ITO and formamidinium–cesium perovskite layer to enhance the efficiency and stability of inverted PSCs.
Quantifying the impacts of non-carbonic acid (NCA) stress on dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) generation in the granitic-hosted watershed, Huangshan UNESCO Global Geopark, China
Authors: Jiang Yongbin , Guo Min , Xiao Tangfu , Ji Hongbing
Published: April 2022

DIC generation in carbonate dissolution in acidic granitic-soil is promoted by H2SO4, perturbed by HNO3, little affected by organic acids.
Controlled release of carnosine from poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) beads using nanomechanical magnetic trigger towards the treatment of glioblastoma
Authors: Habra Kinana , Morris Robert H. , McArdle Stéphanie E. B. , Cave Gareth W. V.
Published: April 2022

Nanometer scale rods of superparamagnetic iron oxide have been encapsulated, along with the anti-cancer therapeutic carnosine, inside porous poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microbeads with a uniform morphology, synthesised using microfluidic arrays.
Frequency upconversion based thermally stable molybdate phosphors in a temperature sensing probe
Authors: Pattnaik Sasank , Mondal Manisha , Mukhopadhyay Lakshmi , Basak Susmita , Rai Vineet Kumar , Giri Rajiv , Singh Vijay
Published: April 2022

Er3+–Yb3+ co-doped NaGd(MoO4)2 phosphors with different concentrations of Er3+ and Yb3+ ions have been successfully synthesized via a high-temperature solid-state reaction method.
N-doped graphitized porous carbon derived from N-rich polymer for improved supercapacitor performance
Authors: Bian Jianqing , Zheng Mengmeng , Chen Qibin , Liu Honglai
Published: April 2022

A facile K2FeO4 activation strategy to prepare N-doped graphitized porous carbons (NGPCs) with a superior capacitive performance and rate capability.
Convenient and flexible syntheses of gem-dimethyl carboxylic triggers via mono-selective β-C(sp3)–H arylation of pivalic acid with ortho-substituted aryl iodides
Authors: Huang Yongliang , Du Yu , Su Weiping
Published: April 2022

A Pd(ii)-catalyzed C(sp3)–H mono-arylation of pivalic acid is presented, implementing the convenient and flexible synthesis of trimethyl-lock-type triggers – 3-aryl-2,2-dimethylpropanoic acids bearing ortho-activatable substituents.
Controlled synthesis of trimetallic nitrogen-incorporated CoNiFe layered double hydroxide electrocatalysts for boosting the oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Nguyen Anh Thi Nguyet , Kim Minji , Shim Jun Ho
Published: April 2022

A trimetallic nitrogen-incorporated CoNiFe exhibited good catalytic properties toward the oxygen evolution reaction, e.g., high stability and low overpotential (318 mV at 10 mA cm−2).
Development of nano- and microdevices for the next generation of biotechnology, wearables and miniaturized instrumentation
Authors: Gomez Palacios Luna R. , Bracamonte A. Guillermo
Published: April 2022

This is a short communication based on recent high-impact publications related to how various chemical materials and substrate modifications could be tuned for nano- and microdevices, where their application for high point-of-care bioanalysis and further applications in life science is discussed.
Retraction: Structural characterization of ginseng cyclopeptides and detection of capability to induce apoptosis in gastrointestinal cancer cells
Authors: Fisher Laura
Published: April 2022

Retraction of ‘Structural characterization of ginseng cyclopeptides and detection of capability to induce apoptosis in gastrointestinal cancer cells’ by Zhuo Liu et al., RSC Adv., 2019, 9, 29847–29855, https://doi.org/10.1039/C9RA03965A.
Retraction: Synthesis of xanthone derivatives and anti-hepatocellular carcinoma potency evaluation: induced apoptosis
Authors: Fisher Laura
Published: April 2022

Retraction of ‘Synthesis of xanthone derivatives and anti-hepatocellular carcinoma potency evaluation: induced apoptosis’ by Jie Liu et al., RSC Adv., 2019, 9, 40781–40791, https://doi.org/10.1039/C9RA06408G.
Surface engineering of MXenes for energy and environmental applications
Authors: Su Tongming , Ma Xiaohan , Tong Jianhua , Ji Hongbing , Qin Zuzeng , Wu Zili
Published: April 2022

This paper reviews the surface engineering, including surface termination groups, surface functionalization, surface defects and surface oxidation, of MXenes, and their impact on energy and environmental applications of MXenes.
Dual-crosslinking side chains with an asymmetric chain structure: a facile pathway to a robust, self-healable, and re-dissolvable polysiloxane elastomer for recyclable flexible devices
Authors: Lin Ziqian , Deng Haoyu , Hou Yang , Liu Xiaoxuan , Xu Ruijie , Xiang Hongping , Peng Zhongquan , Rong Minzhi , Zhang Mingqiu
Published: April 2022

A strategy of dual-crosslinking side chains with an asymmetric chain structure can facilely fulfill robustly self-healable and re-dissolvable polysiloxane elastomer, ensuring the large-scale applications in recyclable flexible devices and adhesives.
Recent progress on mixed transition metal nanomaterials based on metal–organic frameworks for energy-related applications
Authors: He Yangzhuo , Yin Zhuo , Wang Ziwei , Wang Han , Xiong Weiping , Song Biao , Qin Hong , Xu Piao , Zeng Guangming
Published: April 2022

Versatile types of MOF-derived mixed transition metal nanomaterials are summarized in terms of synthetic routes. The applications of those materials in energy storage and conversion, including LIBs, SCs, ORR, OER and HER are discussed.
Sustainable development of graphitic carbon nanosheets from plastic wastes with efficient photothermal energy conversion for enhanced solar evaporation
Authors: Aizudin Marliyana , Goei Ronn , Ong Amanda Jiamin , Tan Yong Zen , Lua Shun Kuang , Poolamuri Pottammel Rafeeque , Geng Hongbo , Wu Xing-Long , Yoong Tok Alfred Ling , Ang Edison Huixiang
Published: April 2022

Plastic wastes are converted into two-dimensional carbon nanosheets with a graphitic-like structure and interlayer channels for improved solar evaporation performance.
Lipid-coated CaCO3-PDA nanoparticles as a versatile nanocarrier to enable pH-responsive dual modal imaging-guided combination cancer therapy
Authors: Ma XinXing , Wang Chunjie , Dong Ziliang , Hu Chunhong , Feng Liangzhu
Published: April 2022

Multifunctional DiR-DOX-Gd@pCaCO3-PEG nanoparticles were constructed and explored for enabling pH-responsive dual modal imaging-guided combined photothermal therapy and chemotherapy.
Preparation and characterization of biomimetic gradient multi-layer cell-laden scaffolds for osteochondral integrated repair
Authors: Li Mingxin , Song Ping , Wang Wenzhao , Xu Yang , Li Jun , Wu Lina , Gui Xingyu , Zeng Zhimou , Zhou Zhigang , Liu Ming , Kong Qingquan , Fan Yujiang , Zhang Xingdong , Zhou Changchun , Liu Lei
Published: April 2022

A cell-laden tissue engineering scaffold for osteochondral integrated repair is one of the ideal strategies for osteochondral lesions.
Tumor-responsive nanomedicine based on Ce3+-modulated up-/downconversion dual-mode emission for NIR-II imaging-guided dynamic therapy
Authors: Wang Qiang , Ye Jin , Wang Jikun , Liu Mengting , Li Chunsheng , Lv Wubin , Liu Shuang , Niu Na , Xu Jiating , Fu Yujie
Published: April 2022

The lanthanide-doped nanoparticles with upconversion and NIR-II downconversion dual-mode emissions were coated with copper and manganese silicate nanospheres and modified with sodium alginate for NIR-II imaging and dynamic therapy.
Structural modification on tetraphenylpyrazine: from polarity enhanced emission to polarity quenching emission and its intramolecular charge transfer mechanism
Authors: Wu Haozhong , Du Lili , Luo Juanjuan , Wang Zhiming , Phillips David Lee , Qin Anjun , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: April 2022

Both molecular conformations and hole–electron distribution impacted by the solvent polarity, can cause an enhanced or reduced emission of TPP structures, which provides a general intramolecular charge transfer rule and guidelines for PEE.
Superconducting properties in doped 2M-WS2 from first principles
Authors: Paudyal Hari , Margine Elena R.
Published: April 2022

First-principles calculations combined with the Migdal-Eliashberg formalism are used to explore the superconducting properties of 2M-WS2 under doping.
High-performance, low-voltage organic field-effect transistors using thieno[3,2-b]thiophene and benzothiadiazole co-polymers
Authors: Amna Bibi , Isci Recep , Siddiqi Humaira M. , Majewski Leszek A. , Faraji Sheida , Ozturk Turan
Published: April 2022

A series of new linear conjugated polymers incorporating different substituted thieno[3,2-b]thiophenes as donor, acetylene as π-bridge and benzothiadiazole as acceptor units were synthesizedviaPd-catalyzed Sonogashira cross-coupling polymerization.
Impact identification and assessment of cyber contingencies on measurement availability of power systems
Authors: Wang Ziyu , Wang Jingyu , Shi Dongyuan , Duan Xianzhong
Published: April 2022

Extensive adoption of Information and Communication Technologies makes power systems and communication systems more tightly coupled to form cyber‐physical power systems. It causes power systems to be growingly susceptible to cyber contingencies. Cyber contingencies may sabotage measurement availability, further disrupt the observability analysis in state estimation, and thus threaten the stable operation of power systems. This paper investigates the impact of cyber contingencies on measurement availability. A workflow is presented to achieve accurate and meticulous impact identification under intricate communication architectures with various cyber contingencies. And a set of indicators are proposed to quantitatively evaluate measurement availability. Case studies demonstrate that the proposed method is effective in identifying and assessing the impact of cyber contingencies on measurement availability. Meanwhile, the proposed workflow and indicators can also be employed to dynamically evaluate the system's resilience in protecting measurement transmission against hypothetical cyber contingencies, which could benefit the offline planning and online operation of cyber‐physical power systems
Wetting characteristics of the hydrophobic material surface through condensation
Authors: Wu Xiaohan , Cao Bin , Wang Liming , Zhang Chuyan
Published: April 2022

Composite insulators are generally considered to have excellent anti‐pollution flashover performance, but recently there has been a flashover accident on the indoor clean insulator in China, which is suspected to be related to the wetting of insulators through condensation. Therefore, this paper studied the water condensation on hydrophobic surfaces. The changes in the mass, length, and proportion of the water droplets on the hydrophobic surface during the wetting process were measured, and the influence of wetting degree on the flashover characteristics was studied. It was found that the insulator surface temperature lower than the dew point is a prerequisite for the wetting of the clean hydrophobic surface, and the wetting velocity increases with the electric field. The results could provide some reference for understanding the insulator flashover accidents.
A tightly‐coupled compressed‐state constraint Kalman Filter for integrated visual‐inertial‐Global Navigation Satellite System navigation in GNSS‐Degraded environments
Authors: Lee Yu Dam , Kim La Woo , Lee Hyung Keun
Published: April 2022

Efficient multi‐sensor fusion is crucial to provide accurate pose estimates for navigating various next‐generation autonomous vehicles such as self‐driving cars, personal air vehicles, urban air mobilities, and electronic vertical take‐off and landing aircraft with respect to a unified global reference frame. The integration of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and Inertial Navigation System (INS) provides globally uniform coordinate information, and the Visual‐Inertial Odometry (VIO) gives stable and accurate local pose estimates. However, the error of the integrated INS/GNSS increases rapidly in GNSS‐challenged environments, and the VIO system suffers from the long‐term error accumulation. To cope with these difficulties, this paper proposes a new tightly coupled Visual‐Inertial‐GNSS (VIG) system to achieve robust and drift‐free pose estimation utilising GNSS raw measurements, image features, and inertial measurements. A novel compressed state constraint Kalman Filter (CSCKF) is formulated to combine time‐propagated feature measurements and differential GNSS observations to aid INS. Compared to the conventional integrated navigation systems, the proposed CSCKF‐based VIG system is advantageous in maintaining the minimum number of states without unnecessary state augmentation and no loss of performance. The proposed system is evaluated by field experiments in different GNSS availability situations. The results show that accuracy is improved significantly in GNSS‐degraded environments compared to that of the conventional systems.
Le scolyte des fruits du caféier, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferr.) détecté en Guadeloupe
Authors: Dufour Bernard Pierre , Diman Christiane , de San Mateo Aurélie , Mouttet Raphaëlle
Published: April 2022

Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) ou scolyte des fruits du caféier est le ravageur le plus redoutable pour cette culture. Il est actuellement présent dans la presque totalité des régions productrices de café dans le monde, le dernier grand territoire atteint étant la Papouasie Nouvelle Guinée, où il a été officiellement signalé en 2017. Le scolyte a également été découvert dans deux départements français d’Outre-mer d’où il était absent jusqu’alors, la Martinique en 2012, puis tout récemment la Guadeloupe en début d’année 2021. Il représente pour cette région une menace pour l’existence même de la caféiculture qui fait partie de son patrimoine historique. Le scolyte a été détecté à la périphérie puis au cœur de la zone où le caféier est traditionnellement cultivé. Les mesures prises par les autorités locales pour freiner la dispersion du ravageur donnent déjà suite à des recommandations en matière de lutte qui seront adaptées à la situation agronomique et économique de la filière café.
Low energy kaon-nuclei interaction studies at DAΦNE
Authors: Piscicchia Kristian , Cargnelli Michael , Del Grande Raffaele , Fabbietti Laura , Marton Johann , Moskal Pawel , Scordo Alessandro , Sirghi Diana , Skurzok Magdalena , Doce Oton Vazquez , Wycech Slavomir , Zmeskal Johann , Branchini Paolo , Czerwinski Eryk , De Leo Veronica , De Lucia Erika , Di Cicco Alessandro , Diociaiuti Eleonora , Fermani Paolo , Fiore Salvatore , Martini Matteo , Del Rio Elena Perez , Selce Andrea , Silarski Michal , Curceanu Catalina
Published: April 2022

The aim of the AMADEUS experiment is to investigate the lowenergy antikaon interaction with nucleons and nuclei, exploiting the unique lowmomentum beam of kaons produced by the DAΦNE collider at LNF-INFN, to constrain hadronic nuclear physics models in the strangeness -1 sector. As a first step the data collected in 2004/2005 by the KLOE collaboration, consisting in a complex of K−absorptions in H,4He,9Be and12C, was analyzed, leading to the first invariant mass spectroscopic study with very low momentum (about 100 MeV) in-flight K−captures. A dedicated pure Carbon target was also implemented in the central region of the KLOE detector, providing a high statistic reference sample of pure at-rest K−nuclear interaction. The first measurement of the non-resonant transition amplitude $\left| {{T_{{K^ - }n \to \Lambda {\pi ^ - }}}} \right|$ at $\sqrt s = 33$ MeV below the ${\text{\bar KN}}$ threshold is presented, in relation with the Λ(1405) properties studies.
BRAND – exploring transverse polarization of electrons emitted in neutron decay
Authors: Bodek K. , Choi J. , De Keukeleere L. , Dhanmeher K. , Engler M. , Gupta G. , Kozela A. , Lojek K. , Pysz K. , Ries D. , Rozpedzik D. , Severijns N. , Soldner T. , Yazdandoost N. , Young A.R. , Zejma J.
Published: April 2022

Neutron and nuclear beta decay correlation coefficients are sensitive to the exotic scalar and tensor interactions that are not included in the Standard Model (SM). The proposed experiment BRAND will measure simultaneously seven neutron correlation coefficients:H,L,N,R,S,UandVthat depend on the transverse electron polarization – a quantity which vanishes in the SM. Five of these correlations:H,L,S,UandVwere never attempted experimentally before. The expected impact of the proposed experiment is comparable to that of frequently measured “traditional” correlation coefficients (a,b,A,B,D) but offers completely different systematics and additional sensitivity to imaginary parts of the scalar and tensor couplings. In order to demonstrate the feasibility of the challenging techniques such as the event-by-event decay kinematics reconstruction together with the electron polarimetry a test setup was installed at the cold neutron beam line PF1B at the Laue-Langevin Institute, Grenoble, France. In this contribution, the results of the first run as well as plans for the run in Autumn 2021 will be discussed.
Bleeding Complications Associated with Pregnancy with Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Gonzalez-Porras Jose Ramon , Palomino Danylo , Vaquero-Roncero Luis Mario , Bastida Jose María
Published: April 2022

Introduction Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) during pregnancy has received little attention from researchers. Reliable information about the outcome of mothers and newborns is required to properly counsel women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Our primary outcomes were the frequency and severity of maternal and neonatal bleeding events in the setting of ITP in pregnancy. Mode of delivery, neonatal thrombocytopenia, and maternal/infant mortality were secondary outcomes.

Material and Methods We comprehensively reviewed the prospective studies that enrolled ≥20 pregnant women with primary ITP. Two reviewers, blinded to each other, searched Medline and Embase up to February 2021. Meta-analyses of the maternal and newborn outcomes were performed. Weighted proportions were estimated by a random-effects model.

Results From an initial screening of 163 articles, 15 were included, encompassing 1,043 pregnancies. The weighted event rate for bleeding during pregnancy was 0.181 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.048–0.494). Most of these were nonsevere cases. The weighted event rates were 0.053 (95% CI, 0.020–0.134) for severe postpartum hemorrhage, 0.014 (95% CI, 0.008–0.025) for intracerebral hemorrhage, and 0.122 (0.095–0.157) for severe thrombocytopenia events in neonates (platelet count <50,000/μL). There were no reliable predictors of severe neonatal thrombocytopenia. The incidence of neonatal mortality was 1.06%. There were no maternal deaths.

Conclusion Primary ITP in pregnant women is rarely associated with poor outcomes.
Simulating the IMA Recipient Site for DIEP Flap Surgery: A New Model for Dynamic Microsurgery Simulation with Real-Time Respiration and a Pilot Study
Authors: Ziolkowski Natalia I. , Sun Kimberly Z. , McMillan Catherine , Ryzynski Agnes , Snell Laura , Lipa Joan E.
Published: April 2022

Background Breast reconstruction (BR) using autologous free flaps has been shown to have numerous psychosocial and quality-of-life benefits. Unfortunately, the microsurgical learning curve is quite steep due to some unique operative challenges. Currently, there is no realistic simulation model that captures real-life respiratory excursion and the depth of internal mammary vessels within the compact recipient site. The purpose of this study was to delineate intraoperative measurements of depth and motion, describe the resulting simulation model, and conduct a pilot study evaluating the simulator as an educational resource.

Methods This is a single-center, ethics-approved study. For the intraoperative measurements, all consecutive patients undergoing free flap BR using internal mammary vessels as recipients were recruited. Patient and intraoperative factors as well as intraoperative measurements were recorded. A dynamic model was developed based on intraoperative parameters. For the pilot study, plastic and reconstructive surgery trainees were recruited to complete a hand-sewn internal mammary artery (IMA) anastomosis using the new simulator and completed objective questionnaires pre- and postsimulation. Subjective feedback was recorded and themes determined.

Results Fifteen operative sites were analyzed. Flap pocket was found to be between 4 and 5 cm in depth with vertical excursion of 3.7 ± 1.0mm and a respiratory rate of 9 to 14 breaths/minute. Previous radiation, rib space, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, heart rate, tidal volume, and respiratory rate showed no correlation to vessel depth/excursion. Laterality, rib space, BMI, radiation, vitals, and tidal volume had no correlation with vessel movement. Twenty-two trainees were included in the pilot. An increase in confidence and mixed results for anxiety was reported.

Conclusion This study reports a novel microsurgical simulation model that provides a realistic deep inferior epigastric perforator free flap BR IMA anastomosis experience. It replicates movement of vessels in situ with real-time respiratory excursion and similar physical structures of the internal mammary system. This model shows promising results for increased use in microsurgical education.