bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of shear dynamics in biofilm formation
Authors: Tsagkari Erifyli , Connelly Stephanie , Liu Zhaowei , McBride Andrew , Sloan William T.
Published: April 2022

There is growing evidence that individual bacteria sense and respond to changes in mechanical loading. However, the subtle responses of multispecies biofilms to dynamic fluid shear stress are not well documented because experiments often fail to disentangle any beneficial effects of shear stress from those delivered by convective transport of vital nutrients. We observed the development of biofilms with lognormally distributed microcolony sizes in drinking water on the walls of flow channels underflow regimes of increasing complexity. First, where regular vortices induced oscillating wall shear and simultaneously enhanced mass transport, which produced the thickest most extensive biofilms. Second, where unsteady uniform flow imposed an oscillating wall shear, with no enhanced transport, and where the biomass and coverage were only 20% smaller. Finally, for uniform steady flows with constant wall shear where the extent, thickness, and density of the biofilms were on average 60% smaller. Thus, the dynamics of shear stress played a significant role in promoting biofilm development, over and above its magnitude or mass transfer effects, and therefore, mechanosensing may prevail in complex multispecies biofilms which could open up new ways of controlling biofilm structure.
Age and sex effects across the blood proteome after ionizing radiation exposure can bias biomarker screening and risk assessment
Authors: Langen Britta , Vorontsov Egor , Spetz Johan , Swanpalmer John , Sihlbom Carina , Helou Khalil , Forssell-Aronsson Eva
Published: April 2022

Molecular biomarkers of ionizing radiation (IR) exposure are a promising new tool in various disciplines: they can give necessary information for adaptive treatment planning in cancer radiotherapy, enable risk projection for radiation-induced survivorship diseases, or facilitate triage and intervention in radiation hazard events. However, radiation biomarker discovery has not yet resolved the most basic features of personalized medicine: age and sex. To overcome this critical bias in biomarker identification, we quantitated age and sex effects and assessed their relevance in the radiation response across the blood proteome. We used high-throughput mass spectrometry on blood plasma collected 24 h after 0.5 Gy total body irradiation (15 MV nominal photon energy) from male and female C57BL/6 N mice at juvenile (7-weeks-old) or adult (18-weeks-old) age. We also assessed sex and strain effects using juvenile male and female BALB/c nude mice. We showed that age and sex created significant effects in the proteomic response regarding both extent and functional quality of IR-induced responses. Furthermore, we found that age and sex effects appeared non-linear and were often end-point specific. Overall, age contributed more to differences in the proteomic response than sex, most notably in immune responses, oxidative stress, and apoptotic cell death. Interestingly, sex effects were pronounced for DNA damage and repair pathways and associated cellular outcome (pro-survival vs. pro-apoptotic). Only one protein (AHSP) was identified as a potential general biomarker candidate across age and sex, while GMNN, REG3B, and SNCA indicated some response similarity across age. This low yield advocated that unisex or uniage biomarker screening approaches are not feasible. In conclusion, age- and sex-specific screening approaches should be implemented as standard protocol to ensure robustness and diagnostic power of biomarker candidates. Bias-free molecular biomarkers are a necessary progression towards personalized medicine and integral for advanced adaptive cancer radiotherapy and risk assessment.
Trends in female breast cancer incidence, mortality, and survival in Austria, with focus on age, stage, and birth cohorts (1983–2017)
Authors: Ilic Lazo , Haidinger Gerald , Simon Judit , Hackl Monika , Schernhammer Eva , Papantoniou Kyriaki
Published: April 2022

Breast cancer (BC) is the most commonly diagnosed malignant disease and the leading cause of cancer death in women in Austria. We investigated overall and subgroup-specific female breast cancer rates to provide a comprehensive analysis of trends over several decades. Incidence, mortality, and survival, as well as age-, stage-, and birth cohort-specific incidence were analysed using nationwide cancer registry data on 163,694 cases of female breast cancer in Austria (1983–2017). Annual percentage changes were estimated using joinpoint regression. BC incidence underwent linear increases until 1997 and reversed with statistically non-significant declines until 2017. After initial increases in BC-specific mortality, rates were stable from 1989 through 1995 and started declining thereafter, although statistically non-significantly after 2011. Overall BC-specific survivals, as well as survivals according to the calendar period of diagnosis, increased throughout the observation period. Incidence in younger women (aged 44 and lower) showed linear increases, whereas for women aged 45 and higher mostly stable or decreasing rates were observed. Localised BC incidence increased markedly and started declining only in 2012. Distant disease-BC incidence decreased through the whole observation period and incidence of regionalised BC started declining in 2000. Birth cohort-specific incidence peaked in women born between 1935 and 1949 (ages 45–74). In conclusion, the incidence of BC in younger women is increasing, while overall female BC incidence and mortality are stable with non-significant declines. Further, increases in the incidence of early-stage BC (localised) seem disproportionately high in comparison to more modest decreases in late-stage BC incidence (regionalised and distant disease).
Comprehensive decoding mental processes from Web repositories of functional brain images
Authors: Menuet Romuald , Meudec Raphael , Dockès Jérôme , Varoquaux Gael , Thirion Bertrand
Published: April 2022

Associating brain systems with mental processes requires statistical analysis of brain activity across many cognitive processes. These analyses typically face a difficult compromise between scope—from domain-specific to system-level analysis—and accuracy. Using all the functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) statistical maps of the largest data repository available, we trained machine-learning models that decode the cognitive concepts probed in unseen studies. For this, we leveraged two comprehensive resources: NeuroVault—an open repository of fMRI statistical maps with unconstrained annotations—and Cognitive Atlas—an ontology of cognition. We labeled NeuroVault images with Cognitive Atlas concepts occurring in their associated metadata. We trained neural networks to predict these cognitive labels on tens of thousands of brain images. Overcoming the heterogeneity, imbalance and noise in the training data, we successfully decoded more than 50 classes of mental processes on a large test set. This success demonstrates that image-based meta-analyses can be undertaken at scale and with minimal manual data curation. It enables broad reverse inferences, that is, concluding on mental processes given the observed brain activity.
Spinning ice floes reveal intensification of mesoscale eddies in the western Arctic Ocean
Authors: Manucharyan Georgy E. , Lopez-Acosta Rosalinda , Wilhelmus Monica M.
Published: April 2022

Under-ice eddies are prevalent in the major circulation system in the western Arctic Ocean, the Beaufort Gyre. Theoretical studies hypothesize that the eddy-driven overturning and the ice-ocean drag are crucial mechanisms of the gyre equilibration in response to atmospheric winds. However, due to severe weather conditions and limitations of remote sensing instruments, there are only sparse eddy observations in the ice-covered Arctic Ocean. Hence, the evolution of the under-ice eddy field, its impact on the gyre variability, and their mutual response to the ongoing Arctic warming remain uncertain. Here, we infer the characteristics of the under-ice eddy field by establishing its tight connection to the angular velocities of isolated spinning sea ice floes in marginal ice zones. Using over two decades of satellite observations of marginal ice zones in the western Arctic Ocean, we identified and tracked thousands of floes and used idealized eddy modeling to infer the interannual evolution of the eddy energetics underneath the ice. We find that the eddy field is strongly correlated to the strength of the Beaufort Gyre on interannual timescales, which provides the major observational evidence consistent with the hypothesis of the gyre equilibration by eddies. The inferred trends over the past two decades signify that the gyre and its eddy field have been intensifying as the sea ice cover has been declining. Our results imply that with continuing sea ice decline, the eddy field and the Beaufort Gyre will keep intensifying and leading to enhanced transport of freshwater and biogeochemical tracers.
Organocatalytic activity of granaticin and its involvement in bactericidal function
Authors: Nishiyama Tatsuya , Enomoto Narumi , Nagayasu Reina , Ueda Kenji
Published: April 2022

We previously discovered that actinorhodin, a benzoisochromanequinone antibiotic produced by Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2), serves as a catalyst facilitating the oxidation of ascorbic acid and cysteine (PNAS 48:17,152, 2014). In the present study, we screened for similar ascorbic acid-oxidizing activity in the culture broth of various Streptomyces spp., and discovered marked activity in the culture broth of Streptomyces vietnamensis. The principle active compound was granaticin, a pigmented antibiotic that is structurally related to actinorhodin. The absence of any metals in the purified granaticin fraction indicated that granaticin was an organocatalyst. Granaticin catalyzed the oxidation of L-ascorbic acid, generating L-dehydroascorbic acid and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio, with 15 times higher reactivity than that of actinorhodin at an optimum pH of 7.0. Granaticin also oxidizes sulfhydryl compounds, including L-cysteine and glutathione. Growth inhibitory assays demonstrated that knockout mutants of the catalase gene exhibit high sensitivity to granaticin. The results suggest that the bactericidal activity of granaticin is exerted by the oxidation of sulfhydryl groups of cellular components and the toxicity of H2O2 generated during the oxidation reaction.
Postural control during turn on the light task assisted by functional electrical stimulation in post stroke subjects
Authors: Sousa Andreia S. P. , Moreira Juliana , Silva Claudia , Mesquita Inês , Silva Augusta , Macedo Rui , Santos Rubim
Published: April 2022

Postural control mechanisms have a determinant role in reaching tasks and are typically impaired in post-stroke patients. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) has been demonstrated to be a promising therapy for improving upper limb (UL) function. However, according to our knowledge, no study has evaluated FES influence on postural control. This study aims to evaluate the influence of FES UL assistance, during turning on the light task, in the related postural control mechanisms. An observational study involving ten post-stroke subjects with UL dysfunction was performed. Early and anticipatory postural adjustments (EPAs and APAs, respectively), the weight shift, the center of pressure and the center of mass (CoM) displacement were analyzed during the turning on the light task with and without the FES assistance. FES parameters were adjusted to improve UL function according to a consensus between physiotherapists’ and patients’ perspectives. The ANOVA repeated measures, Paired sample t and McNemar tests were used to compare postural control between the assisted and non-assisted conditions. When the task was assisted by FES, the number of participants that presented APAs increased (p = 0.031). UL FES assistance during turning on the light task can improve postural control in neurological patients with UL impairments.
Ontogeny and caudal autotomy fracture planes in a large scincid lizard, Egernia kingii
Authors: Barr James I. , Boisvert Catherine A. , Trinajstic Kate , Bateman Philip W.
Published: April 2022

Many lizard species use caudal autotomy, the ability to self-amputate a portion of the tail, as an effective but costly survival strategy. However, as a lizard grows, its increased size may reduce predation risk allowing for less costly strategies (e.g., biting and clawing) to be used as the primary defence. The King’s skink (Egernia kingii) is a large scincid up to approximately 244 mm snout to vent length (SVL) in size when adult. Adults rely less on caudal autotomy than do juveniles due to their size and strength increase during maturation. It has been hypothesised that lower behavioural reliance on autotomy in adults is reflected in loss or restriction of caudal vertebrae fracture planes through ossification as caudal intra-vertebral fracture planes in some species ossify during ontogenetic growth. To test this, we used micro-CT to image the tails of a growth series of seven individuals of E. kingii. We show that fracture planes are not lost or restricted ontogenetically within E. kingii, with adults retaining between 39–44 autotomisable vertebrae following 5–6 non-autotomisable vertebrae. Even though mature E. kingii rely less on caudal autotomy than do juveniles, this research shows that they retain the maximum ability to autotomise their tails, providing a last resort option to avoid threats. The potential costs associated with retaining caudal autotomy are most likely mitigated through neurological control of autotomy and E. kingii’s longevity.
sTREM-1 promotes the phagocytic function of microglia to induce hippocampus damage via the PI3K–AKT signaling pathway
Authors: Lu Li , Liu Xuan , Fu Juanhua , Liang Jun , Hou Yayi , Dou Huan
Published: April 2022

Soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) is a soluble form of TREM-1 released during inflammation. Elevated sTREM-1 levels have been found in neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) patients; yet, the exact mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigated the role of sTREM-1 in brain damage and its underlying mechanism. The sTREM-1 recombinant protein (2.5 μg/3 μL) was injected into the lateral ventricle of C57BL/6 female mice. After intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection, the damage in hippocampal neurons increased, and the loss of neuronal synapses and activation of microglia increased compared to the control mice (treated with saline). In vitro. after sTREM-1 stimulation, the apoptosis of BV2 cells decreased, the polarization of BV2 cells shifted to the M1 phenotype, the phagocytic function of BV2 cells significantly improved, while the PI3K–AKT signal pathway was activated in vivo and in vitro. PI3K–AKT pathway inhibitor LY294002 reversed the excessive activation and phagocytosis of microglia caused by sTREM-1 in vivo and in vitro, which in turn improved the hippocampus damage. These results indicated that sTREM-1 activated the microglial by the PI3K–AKT signal pathway, and promoted its excessive phagocytosis of the neuronal synapse, thus inducing hippocampal damage. sTREM-1 might be a potential target for inducing brain lesions.
Burden of polycystic ovary syndrome in the Middle East and North Africa region, 1990–2019
Authors: Motlagh Asghari Kimia , Nejadghaderi Seyed Aria , Alizadeh Mahasti , Sanaie Sarvin , Sullman Mark J. M. , Kolahi Ali-Asghar , Avery Jodie , Safiri Saeid
Published: April 2022

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most important contributing factors to infertility. In this study, we report the burden of PCOS by age and sociodemographic index (SDI) for the 21 countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Publicly available data on the point prevalence, incidence and years lived with disability (YLDs), from 1990 to 2019, were retrieved from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 study for the 21 countries in MENA. The results are presented with age-standardised numbers and rates per 100,000 population, along with their corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). In 2019, the age-standardised point prevalence and incidence rate for PCOS in the MENA region were 2079.7 (95% UI: 1392.0 to 2812.3) and 77.2 (95% UI: 51.6 to 105.4) per 100,000, respectively, which represents a 37.9% (95% UI: 31.7 to 45.0) and a 33.7% (95% UI: 27.7 to 40.3) increase since 1990, respectively. Also in 2019, the age-standardised YLD rate of PCOS in this region was 18.7 (95% UI: 7.8 to 37.9) per 100,000 women, which has increased by 36.1% (95% UI: 29.4 to 43.4) since 1990. Kuwait [25.4 (10.7, 51.2)] had the highest age-standardised YLD rate, while Afghanistan [10.8 (10.1, 49.2)] had the lowest. Moreover, the largest increase in the YLD rate, from 1990 to 2019, was seen in Sudan [90.3% (64.1, 120.9)], whereas no country decreased during the measurement period. The total prevalent number and point prevalence of PCOS (per 100,000) were both highest in the 20–24 age group. The prevalence of PCOS was highest among women of reproductive age, but decreased rapidly after 45 years of age. Moreover, at the country level there was a positive association between SDI and the age-standardised YLD rates of PCOS. The growing prevalence and burden of PCOS in the MENA region highlights the need to implement cost-effective preventive programs, especially for women in their third decade of life, and in MENA countries with higher SDI levels.
Development and validation of a web-based headache diagnosis questionnaire
Authors: Kim Kyung Min , Kim A Ra , Lee Wonwoo , Jang Bo Hyun , Heo Kyoung , Chu Min Kyung
Published: April 2022

Information technology advances may help in conducting epidemiological studies using web-based surveys. Questionnaire-based headache diagnosis should be validated against the doctor’s diagnosis. This study aimed to develop and validate a web-based diagnostic questionnaire for migraine, probable migraine (PM), and tension-type headache (TTH). We constructed a seven-item questionnaire for diagnosing migraine, PM, and TTH. A web-based survey was conducted among adults aged 20–59 years; migraine, PM, and TTH were diagnosed based on the responses. Validation interview was performed via telephone by a neurologist within 1 month after the web-based interview. Finally, 256 participants completed both web-based survey and validation interview. Of them, 121 (47.3%), 65 (25.4%), 61 (23.8%), and 9 (3.5%) were diagnosed with migraine, PM, TTH, and unclassified headache (UH), respectively in the web-based survey, whereas 119 (46.5%), 60 (23.4%), 74 (28.9%), 2 (0.8%), and 1 (0.4%) were diagnosed with migraine, PM, TTH, UH, and primary stabbing headache, respectively in the validation interview. The best agreement was found in migraine (sensitivity: 92.6%; specificity: 94.8%; kappa coefficient: 0.875), followed by TTH (sensitivity: 78.4%; specificity: 98.4%; kappa coefficient: 0.809). PM showed the least agreement (sensitivity: 85.0%; specificity: 92.9%; kappa coefficient: 0.757). In conclusion, our questionnaire is valid in identifying these headache disorders.
The associations between health-related physical fitness and fasting blood glucose in war veterans: a population-based study
Authors: Kasović Mario , Štefan Lovro , Kalčik Zvonimir
Published: April 2022

The main purpose of the study was to analyze the associations between health-related physical fitness and fasting blood glucose in war veterans. In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 764 men and women aged 45–75 years, who were part of the Homeland War between 1990 and 1995 (33.5% women). Health-related physical fitness included: (1) fat mass and fat-free mass (body composition), (2) push-ups in 30 s (muscular dynamic endurance of upper extremities), (3) sit-ups in 30 s (repetitive upper body strength), (4) chair-stands in 30 s (lower body strength), (5) sit-and-reach test (flexibility) and (6) the 2-min step test (cardiorespiratory function). Laboratory measurement of fasting blood glucose was performed according to standardized procedures in resting seated position after a 12-h overnight fast. Generalized estimating equations with multiple regression models were used to calculate the associations between health-related physical fitness and fasting blood glucose. In men, fasting blood glucose was significantly correlated with fat-free mass (β = − 0.25, p < 0.001), push-ups in 30 s (β = − 0.55, p < 0.001), chair-stands in 30 s (β = − 0.50, p < 0.001), sit-ups in 30 s (r = − 0.45, p < 0.001), the sit-and reach test (r = − 0.46, p < 0.001) and the 2-min step test (r = − 0.19, p < 0.001), while fat mass was positively correlated with fasting blood glucose (β = 0.14, p = 0.004). In women, fasting blood glucose was significantly correlated with fat mass (β = 0.20, p = 0.002), fat-free mass (β = − 0.15, p = 0.014), push-ups in 30 s (β = − 0.49, p < 0.001), chair-stands in 30 s (β = − 0.43, p < 0.001), sit-ups in 30 s (β = − 0.52, p < 0.001), the sit-and reach test (β = − 0.40, p < 0.001) and the 2-min step test (β = − 0.35, p < 0.001). This study shows that fasting blood glucose may be predicted by health-related physical fitness test in war veterans.
Procyanidin C1 from Viola odorata L. inhibits Na+,K+-ATPase
Authors: Heger Tomas , Zatloukal Marek , Kubala Martin , Strnad Miroslav , Gruz Jiri
Published: April 2022

Members of theViolagenus play important roles in traditional Asian herbal medicine. This study investigates the ability ofViola odorataL. extracts to inhibit Na+,K+-ATPase, an essential animal enzyme responsible for membrane potential maintenance. The root extract ofV. odoratastrongly inhibited Na+,K+-ATPase, while leaf and seeds extracts were basically inactive. A UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS metabolomic approach was used to identify the chemical principle of the root extract’s activity, resulting in the detection of 35,292 features. Candidate active compounds were selected by correlating feature area with inhibitory activity in 14 isolated fractions. This yielded a set of 15 candidate compounds, of which 14 were preliminarily identified as procyanidins. Commercially available procyanidins (B1, B2, B3 and C1) were therefore purchased and their ability to inhibit Na+,K+-ATPase was investigated. Dimeric procyanidins B1, B2 and B3 were found to be inactive, but the trimeric procyanidin C1 strongly inhibited Na+,K+-ATPase with an IC50of 4.5 µM. This newly discovered inhibitor was docked into crystal structures mimicking the Na3E1∼P·ADP and K2E2·Pistates to identify potential interaction sites within Na+,K+-ATPase. Possible binding mechanisms and the principle responsible for the observed root extract activity are discussed.
Effects of time-restricted feeding and type of food on fertility competence in female mice
Authors: Konishi Nafuko , Matsumoto Hiroshi , Hashimoto Shu , Gamage Udayanga Sanath Kankanam , Tachibana Daisuke , Fukuda Aisaku , Morimoto Yoshiharu , Koyama Masayasu
Published: April 2022

We assessed the effects of feeding regimen (ad libitum vs. time-restricted food access) and type of food (normal chow (NC: 12% fat) vs. moderately high calorie diet (mHCD: 31% fat)) on fertility competence of female mice. Mice fed mHCD had higher number of oocytes than mice fed NC. On the other hand, when mice were fed NC under time-restricted access to food (NT), the developmental rate to the blastocyst per number of normally fertilized ova was significantly decreased compared to others. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in oocytes increased in time-restricted food access and NC group. Transcriptome analysis of whole ovarian tissues from these mice showed a change in the cholesterol metabolism among the four groups. Time-restricted food access decreased serum LDL cholesterol level in both NC and mHCD groups. Moreover, the number of atretic follicles increased in NT mice compared to ad libitum food access mice. The present study shows that mHCD feeding increases the number of ovulated oocytes and that time-restricted feeding of NC impairs the developmental competence of oocytes after fertilization, probably due to the changes in serum cholesterol levels and an increase in the ROS content in oocytes.
In situ analysis of the bulk and surface chemical compositions of organic aerosol particles
Authors: Qian Yuqin , Brown Jesse B. , Huang-Fu Zhi-Chao , Zhang Tong , Wang Hui , Wang ShanYi , Dadap Jerry I. , Rao Yi
Published: April 2022

Understanding the chemical and physical properties of particles is an important scientific, engineering, and medical issue that is crucial to air quality, human health, and environmental chemistry. Of special interest are aerosol particles floating in the air for both indoor virus transmission and outdoor atmospheric chemistry. The growth of bio- and organic-aerosol particles in the air is intimately correlated with chemical structures and their reactions in the gas phase at aerosol particle surfaces and in-particle phases. However, direct measurements of chemical structures at aerosol particle surfaces in the air are lacking. Here we demonstrate in situ surface-specific vibrational sum frequency scattering (VSFS) to directly identify chemical structures of molecules at aerosol particle surfaces. Furthermore, our setup allows us to simultaneously probe hyper-Raman scattering (HRS) spectra in the particle phase. We examined polarized VSFS spectra of propionic acid at aerosol particle surfaces and in particle bulk. More importantly, the surface adsorption free energy of propionic acid onto aerosol particles was found to be less negative than that at the air/water interface. These results challenge the long-standing hypothesis that molecular behaviors at the air/water interface are the same as those at aerosol particle surfaces. Our approach opens a new avenue in revealing surface compositions and chemical aging in the formation of secondary organic aerosols in the atmosphere as well as chemical analysis of indoor and outdoor viral aerosol particles.
Parallel water photo-oxidation reaction pathways in hematite photoanodes: implications for solar fuel production
Authors: Tsyganok Anton , Monroy-Castillero Paulino , Piekner Yifat , Yochelis Arik , Rothschild Avner
Published: April 2022

Potentiodynamic discharge measurements of hematite photoanodes, supported by micro-kinetic modeling, indicate that parallel reaction pathways prevail in water photo-oxidation. Their co-existence may lead to collective phenomena with complex dynamics.
Polyclonal aptamer libraries as binding entities on a graphene FET based biosensor for the discrimination of apo- and holo-retinol binding protein 4
Authors: Kissmann Ann-Kathrin , Andersson Jakob , Bozdogan Anil , Amann Valerie , Krämer Markus , Xing Hu , Raber Heinz Fabian , Kubiczek Dennis H. , Aspermair Patrik , Knoll Wolfgang , Rosenau Frank
Published: April 2022

We report a sensor based on polyclonal aptamer libraries which is capable of label-free discrimination between retinol binding protein 4 isoforms (an important biomarker for kidney disease and diabetes) at sub-nM concentrations.
Effects of iRGD conjugation density on the in vitro and in vivo properties of cylindrical polymer brushes
Authors: Yin Changfeng , Xiao Panpan , Liang Mengke , Li Jia , Sun Ying , Jiang Xiqun , Wu Wei
Published: April 2022

Cylindrical polymer brushes with different iRGD conjugation densities were synthesized and iRGD density effects on their biological properties were obtained.
Discovery of novel druggable pockets on polyomavirus VP1 through crystallographic fragment-based screening to develop capsid assembly inhibitors
Authors: Osipov Evgenii M. , Munawar Ali H. , Beelen Steven , Fearon Daren , Douangamath Alice , Wild Conor , Weeks Stephen D. , Van Aerschot Arthur , von Delft Frank , Strelkov Sergei V.
Published: April 2022

Crystallographic screening with drug-like fragments was performed on main capsid protein VP1 of BK polyomavirus. 144 binding fragments clustering to six pockets were established, opening up a perspective of designing capsid assembly inhibitors.
Electroreduction of N2 to NH3 catalyzed by a Mn/Re(111) single-atom alloy catalyst with high activity and selectivity: a new insight from a first-principles study
Authors: Cao Ning , Zhang Nan , Qiu Yong-Qing , Liu Chun-Guang
Published: April 2022

Periodic density functional theory calculations show that a Mn/Re(111) single-atom alloy may be an excellent catalyst with high activity and selectivity for the electrocatalytic N2 reduction reaction.
Assessment of the combined radiative effects of black carbon in the atmosphere and snowpack in the Northern Hemisphere constrained by surface observations
Authors: Shi Tenglong , Chen Yang , Xing Yuxuan , Niu Xiaoying , Wu Dongyou , Cui Jiecan , Zhou Yue , Pu Wei , Wang Xin
Published: April 2022

In this study, the total radiative effect of black carbon (BC) in both the atmosphere and seasonal snowpack across the snow-covered area has been investigated over the Northern Hemisphere.
Magnetite–reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite as an efficient heterogeneous Fenton catalyst for the degradation of tetracycline antibiotics
Authors: Scaria Jaimy , Nidheesh Puthiya Veetil
Published: April 2022

Effective Fenton degradation of tetracycline over magnetite nanoclusters supported on reduced graphene oxide was observed.
Effect of cooking duration on carotenoid content, digestion and potential absorption efficiencies among refined semolina and whole wheat pasta products
Authors: Oduro-Obeng Hannah , Apea-Bah Franklin B. , Wang Kun , Fu Bin Xiao , Beta Trust
Published: April 2022

The bioaccessibility of carotenoids from cereal -based foods is influenced by the food matrix or type, food processing and carotenoid species.
Changes in lipid profile and SOX-2 expression in RM-1 cells after co-culture with preimplantation embryos or with deproteinated blastocyst extracts
Authors: Morato Nicolás M. , Hallett Judy E. , Wang Wen-Hung , Elzey Bennett D. , Cresswell Gregory M. , Cooper Bruce R. , Ferreira Christina R.
Published: April 2022

Mouse prostate cancer cells (RM-1) metabolically interacted with pre-implantation embryos over three days of co-culture. This interaction impacted RM-1 cells SOX-2 gene expression and lipid profile.
Linear and star-shaped π-conjugated oligoanilines: a review on molecular design in syntheses and properties
Authors: Moini N. , Jahandideh A. , Shahkarami F. , Kabiri K. , Piri F.
Published: April 2022

Molecular Design and Synthesis of Linear and Star-shaped π-conjugated Oligoanilines with reversible optoelectrochemical properties.
The synergetic effect of the mixed phase of NiMoO4 with a 1D–2D–3D hierarchical structure for a highly efficient and stable urea oxidation reaction
Authors: Zhang Yao , Guo Haoran , Li Xinpan , Ren Wenlu , Song Rui
Published: April 2022

Benefitting from the unique 1D–2D–3D hierarchical structure and the synergetic effects of α and β phases of NiMoO4, α/β-NiMoO4@NF exhibits better UOR performance that can save hydrogen production energy and purify urea-containing wastewater.
Facile synthesis of carbon and oxygen vacancy co-modified TiNb6O17 as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Shang Yunfan , Lu Suyang , Zheng Wei , Wang Rui , Liang Zi , Huang Yushuo , Mei Jun , Yang Ye , Zeng Wenwen , Zhan Haoran
Published: April 2022

Carbon and oxygen vacancy co-modified TiNb6O17 is synthesized through a facile sol–gel reaction. It possesses good electrochemical performance, thus is believed to be a potential anode material for large-scale applications.
A dual-response fluorescent probe for simultaneously monitoring polarity and ATP during autophagy
Authors: Jiang Wen-Li , Wang Zhi-Qing , Tan Zhi-Ke , Mao Guo-Jiang , Fei Junjie , Li Chun-Yan
Published: April 2022

A dual-response fluorescent probe named Lyso-NRB is designed and synthesized, which is used for visualizing the fluctuation of polarity and ATP simultaneously in lysosomes during autophagy.
A proteolytic functional amyloid digests pathogenic amyloids
Authors: Mondal Tanmay , Mandal Bhubaneswar
Published: April 2022

A new triad-based proteolytic functional amyloid (PFA) cleaved Aβ1-40 site-selectively and digested extracellular pathogenic amyloid plaques. Such amyloid-destructors are the first ‘‘amyloid-destroying’’ amyloids.
Tumor acidity-responsive polymeric nanoparticles to promote intracellular delivery of zoledronic acid by PEG detachment and positive charge exposure for enhanced antitumor potency
Authors: Chou Ya-Hsuan , Liu Yu-Ling , Hsu Tsai-Ching , Yow Jia-Le , Tzang Bor-Show , Chiang Wen-Hsuan
Published: April 2022

Through tumor acidity-triggered dePEGylation and positive charge exposure, ZA-carrying hybrid nanoparticles substantially promote cellular uptake and antitumor efficacy.
High energy harvesting performance in flexible piezocomposites by synergistic design of the piezoelectric phase and conductive phase
Authors: Zhao Jun , Zheng Mupeng , Gao Xin , Zhu Mankang , Hou Yudong
Published: April 2022

An excellent power generation performance with good anti-vibration fatigue performance is achieved in the 5BCZT/0.1CNTs/PVDF piezocomposite by the synergistic design of the piezoelectric phase and conductive phase.
Supramolecular topology controlled self-healing conformal hydrogels for stable human–machine interfaces
Authors: Wang Chengyu , Zhang Jin , Chen Hao , Wang Zhengfu , Huang Caihua , Tan Yebang
Published: April 2022

Self-healing conformal hydrogels based on supramolecular topology are prepared and they can be used as sensors for stable human–machine interfaces.
Bidentate aliphatic quaternary ammonium ligand-stabilized CsPbBr3perovskite nanocrystals with high PLQY (92.3%) and superior stability
Authors: Li Ye , Cai Miaoling , Shen Mengling , Cai Yuting , Xie Rong-Jun
Published: April 2022

A new bidentate ligand strategy was employed to prepare CsPbBr3NCs, where the DTDB ligand can be tightly anchored to the surface of the NCs with the double N+sites. The as-synthesized DTDB-CsPbBr3NCs show superior purification endurance and thermal stability.
Synthesis, crystal structure, tropicity and charge transport properties of diindenothienothiophene derivatives
Authors: Jousselin-Oba Tanguy , Mamada Masashi , Wright Karen , Marrot Jérôme , Adachi Chihaya , Yassar Abderrahim , Frigoli Michel
Published: April 2022

Bond lengths analysis highlights their closed-shell structures and gives insight on the bond lengths of diindenoacene diradicaloids. They are low band gap molecules with high electron affinity and exhibit ambipolar behavior in OFETs.
Speech-Language Pathologist Reading Survey: Scope of Practice, Training, Caseloads, and Confidence
Authors: Loveall Susan J. , Pitt Adrienne R. , Rolfe Kimberly G. , Mann Jamie
Published: April 2022

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to examine speech-language pathologists' (SLPs) opinions on their scope of practice related to reading, self-reported background training, current caseloads, and confidence in their abilities to define, assess, and provide effective treatment for reading-related difficulties.

Method:

SLPs (
N
= 271) from across the United States completed an online survey assessing their opinions on scope of practice, education and training in reading, and confidence in defining, assessing, and treating reading-related difficulties.

Results:

A majority of respondents agreed that the identification, assessment, prevention, and intervention of reading disabilities are all within the scope of practice of SLPs. However, a majority also reported that literacy instruction is more heavily the responsibility of teachers than SLPs, and approximately half felt similarly regarding prevention, assessment, identification, and intervention of reading disabilities. Many respondents did not feel that their training in reading was adequate and felt that more graduate coursework should be dedicated to literacy. There was a lot of variability in responses when asked how often respondents focus on reading skills with clients, ranging from almost daily to never; however, results indicate that SLPs rarely administer reading assessments. Overall, respondents were more confident in their ability to define versus assess or provide therapy for various reading subskills.

Conclusion:

Despite SLPs agreeing that reading is within their scope of practice and feeling confident in some aspects of reading, graduate programs for speech-language pathology may need to provide greater training in literacy, especially related to reading assessment and diagnosis.
Fault location method based on structure‐preserving state estimation for distribution networks
Authors: Hu Kaiqiang , Cai Yu , Cai Zexiang , Li Xiaohua , Cen Bowei , Chen Yuanju
Published: April 2022

The development and application of information and communication technology in distribution networks (DNs) brings new and abundant measurement data, and this has inspired many solutions for the monitoring, protection and control application of DNs. Against this background, a novel fault location method based on structure‐preserving state estimation (SPSE) is proposed to enhance the fault location performance of DNs. A SPSE model that reflects the change in the network topology during fault incidents is constructed by combining classical measurement equations with newly introduced topology equations. Then, a unified faulted structure‐preserving topology model that eliminates the influence of uncertain fault location point is presented. According to the calculated measurement residual indices and the equivalent fault current for each state estimation (SE) section, the location of the fault is determined. Considering different fault scenarios in a distribution network, the performance of the proposed method is tested by using MATLAB software. Moreover, the factors of sensor accuracy, the bad data and data missing issues are considered. The test results demonstrate that the method can precisely determine the real location of fault and has good robustness to possible data anomalies.
EU‐Net: A novel semantic segmentation architecture for surface defect detection of mobile phone screens
Authors: Pan Jiawei , Zeng Deyu , Tan Qi , Wu Zongze , Ren Zhigang
Published: April 2022

Manual or conventional image processing algorithms are commonly used to detect surface problems on mobile phone screens. However, inefficiency and inflexibility are disadvantages. Although the semantic segmentation method has high adaptability and accuracy, it also has a low defect detection efficiency due to its excessive parameters. In order to increase defect detection efficiency, a novel efficient encoder–decoder architecture termed MB encoder–decoder architecture based on MBConv blocks, and that it reduces the number of parameters used in semantic segmentation methods i presented. In addition, by applying the MB encoder–decoder design to the U‐Net, the efficient U‐Net (EU‐Net) is proposed. It confirms the MB encoder–decoder architecture's superiority. Then, EU‐Net to mobile phone surface defect detection in real industrial scenarios. Experimental results on a dataset show the superiority of the proposed algorithm and it can meet the real‐time requirement of industrial production.
Influence of parasitic coupling on current sharing in paralleled SiC MOSFET devices
Authors: Zhang Haoran , Ke Junji , Peng Jiaoyang , Sun Peng , Zhao Zhibin
Published: April 2022

This paper comprehensively investigates the current distribution behaviours of paralleled SiC MOSFET devices under the parasitic coupling between gate and power loops. Three types of connection that are commonly adopted in actual applications, comprising common source connection (CSC), Kelvin source connection (KSC) and hybrid source connection (HSC), are thoroughly discussed. The influence mechanism of mismatch in values for three parasitic inductances on current sharing during different switching periods is studied in theory. Simulations and experiments are also carried out and results are used to validate the theoretical analysis. Parasitic capacitance, common source and quasi common source parasitic inductance couplings are the three main coupling modes between gate loop and power loop in a circuit with paralleled SiC MOSFETs. The current imbalance is mainly due to the variation of gate‐source voltage generated by the mismatch in the parasitic inductances through the three coupling paths. This paper aims to provide an insight into current sharing mechanism of paralleled devices with circuit parasitic mismatches. Influence of every parasitic inductance under each of the three coupling modes is investigated and recommendation made on choice of coupling mode and viable switching speed and current balance tradeoff that can be adopted in a practical system design.
Strategy for demand side management effectiveness assessment via a stochastic risk‐based bidding approach in a multi‐energy microgrid containing combined cooling, heat and power and photovoltaic units
Authors: Nosratabadi Seyyed Mostafa , Moshizi Hadi Najafizadeh , Guerrero Josep M.
Published: April 2022

This paper proposes an efficient risk‐based infrastructure management approach for a multi‐energy microgrid to assess the effectiveness of demand‐side management (DSM) through a stochastic strategy. The studied microgrid consists of photovoltaic and combined cooling, heat and power as the energy generation units and load aggregator with the aim of DSM. Based on this structure, day‐ahead operational scheduling is investigated for the microgrid in different scenarios in both summer and winter seasons. The risk consideration is also performed in the bidding procedure dealing with different scenarios and variable prices and probabilities. In this study, the conditional value at risk index is considered to assess the amount of risk and is also studied from two perspectives. In the first case, the level of risk acceptable to the investor, the load aggregator, is selected, and its impact on the day‐ahead scheduling is examined. In the second case, the effect of different levels of risk‐taking and their importance on the scheduling procedure are examined. The main purpose is to show the shortcomings of the traditional DSM method when load management is done for private companies with a certain level of risk and prepare the ground for future studies to solve them.
Oncologie et psychiatrie
Authors: Giroux Élodie , Gansel Yannis , Basbous Lama , Tinland Julia , Sujobert Pierre , Darrason Marie , Gauld Christophe
Published: April 2022

L’oncologie est souvent considérée par les défenseurs d’une psychiatrie scientifique comme un modèle médical à imiter. Psychiatres, oncologues et philosophes, nous proposons dans cet article une autre manière d’envisager les relations entre oncologie et psychiatrie, en promouvant l’intérêt d’un dialogue entre ces disciplines, convaincus de leur potentiel enrichissement réciproque et, en particulier, des apports possibles de la psychiatrie à l’oncologie. Nous proposons d’étudier chacune des manières de faire face aux difficultés épistémologiques et éthiques rencontrées dans l’approche des maladies. Nous pensons que psychiatrie et oncologie peuvent apprendre l’une de l’autre, dans le contexte commun de maladies chroniques qu’il s’agit de gérer plutôt que de guérir, grâce au potentiel qu’offrent le recueil de données massives et leur traitement biostatistique pour l’identification de marqueurs permettant d’individualiser les traitements, ainsi que grâce à l’attention renouvelée accordée à la dimension temporelle et processuelle de ces maladies, notamment dans le cadre de modèles de « stadification » (ou staging).
Positionspapier – Zur Qualität der Implantologie in der ärztlichen
und zahnärztlichen Versorgung
Authors: Zeitz Peter , Rychlik Reinhard P. T. , Herold Bodo , Fehn Karsten
Published: April 2022

Die Medical Device Regulation (MDR)

Am 25. Mai 2017 wurde durch das Europäische Parlament die Verordnung (EU)
2017/745 über Medizinprodukte (Medical Device Regulation
– MDR) verabschiedet. Sie reguliert die Zulassung von Medizinprodukten
in Europa mit dem Ziel, die Patientensicherheit zu verbessern. Der Gegenstand
der MDR wird im Amtsblatt der Europäischen Union wie folgt
beschrieben:
Pulsed versus Continuous Tones for Evaluating the Loudness of Tinnitus
Authors: Henry James A. , Meikle Mary B.
Published: April 2022

Loudness balance techniques are commonly employed to match the loudness of tinnitus using either pulsed or continuous tones; however, it is not known whether the tone duration affects the observed loudness matches. In this study, hearing thresholds and tinnitus loudness matches were measured in 26 subjects with chronic tinnitus using both pulsed and continuous tones. Subjects' thresholds and loudness matches were determined at 11 frequencies between 0.5 and 10 kHz. No significant differences were found between pulsed versus continuous measures, either for thresholds or for loudness matches. There were, however, nine subjects (34.5% of the group) who showed relatively large differences (≥10 dB) at one or more test frequencies. These "outlier" values did not show systematic trends; some were positive, some negative. In conclusion, studies employing group data appear to be comparable if group sizes are sufficiently large (e.g., ≥ 25 subjects). Studies employing smaller numbers of subjects may, however, be vulnerable to potential positive or negative biases introduced by one or more outliers.

Abbreviations: ANOVA = analysis of variance
Disentangling types of lattice disorder impacting superconductivity in Sr2RuO4 by quantitative local probes
Authors: Goodge Berit H. , Nair Hari P. , Baek David J. , Schreiber Nathaniel J. , Miao Ludi , Ruf Jacob P. , Waite Emily N. , Carubia Philip M. , Shen Kyle M. , Schlom Darrell G. , Kourkoutis Lena F.
Published: April 2022

The unconventional superconductivity in Sr2RuO4 is infamously susceptible to suppression by small levels of disorder such that it has been most commonly studied in extremely high-purity bulk crystals. Here, we harness local structural and spectroscopic scanning transmission electron microscopy measurements in epitaxial thin films of Sr2RuO4 to disentangle the impact of different types of crystalline disorder on superconductivity. We find that cation off-stoichiometry during growth gives rise to two distinct types of disorder: mixed-phase structural inclusions that accommodate excess ruthenium and ruthenium vacancies when the growth is ruthenium-deficient. Several superconducting films host mixed-phase intergrowths, suggesting this microstructural disorder has relatively little impact on superconductivity. In a non-superconducting film, on the other hand, we measure a high density of ruthenium-vacancies (∼14%) with no significant reduction in the crystallinity of the film. The results suggest that ruthenium vacancy disorder, which is hidden to many structural probes, plays an important role in suppressing superconductivity. We discuss the broader implications of our findings to guide the future synthesis of this and other layered systems.