bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Testosterone therapy masculinizes speech and gender presentation in transgender men
Authors: Hodges-Simeon Carolyn R. , Grail Graham P. O. , Albert Graham , Groll Matti D. , Stepp Cara E. , Carré Justin M. , Arnocky Steven A.
Published: February 2021

Voice is one of the most noticeably dimorphic traits in humans and plays a central role in gender presentation. Transgender males seeking to align internal identity and external gender expression frequently undergo testosterone (T) therapy to masculinize their voices and other traits. We aimed to determine the importance of changes in vocal masculinity for transgender men and to determine the effectiveness of T therapy at masculinizing three speech parameters: fundamental frequency (i.e., pitch) mean and variation (fo and fo-SD) and estimated vocal tract length (VTL) derived from formant frequencies. Thirty transgender men aged 20 to 40 rated their satisfaction with traits prior to and after T therapy and contributed speech samples and salivary T. Similar-aged cisgender men and women contributed speech samples for comparison. We show that transmen viewed voice change as critical to transition success compared to other masculine traits. However, T therapy may not be sufficient to fully masculinize speech: while fo and fo-SD were largely indistinguishable from cismen, VTL was intermediate between cismen and ciswomen. fo was correlated with salivary T, and VTL associated with T therapy duration. This argues for additional approaches, such as behavior therapy and/or longer duration of hormone therapy, to improve speech transition.
Towards an effective sensing technology to monitor micro-scale interface loosening of bioelectronic implants
Authors: Soares dos Santos Marco P. , Bernardo Rodrigo , Henriques Luís , Ramos A. , Ferreira Jorge A. F. , Furlani Edward P. , Torres Marques A. , Simões José A. O.
Published: February 2021

Instrumented implants are being developed with a radically innovative design to significantly reduce revision surgeries. Although bone replacements are among the most prevalent surgeries performed worldwide, implant failure rate usually surpasses 10%. High sophisticated multifunctional bioelectronic implants are being researched to incorporate cosurface capacitive architectures with ability to deliver personalized electric stimuli to peri-implant target tissues. However, the ability of these architectures to detect bone-implant interface states has never been explored. Moreover, although more than forty technologies were already proposed to detect implant loosening, none is able to ensure effective monitoring of the bone-implant debonding, mainly during the early stages of loosening. This work shows, for the first time, that cosurface capacitive sensors are a promising technology to provide an effective monitoring of bone-implant interfaces during the daily living of patients. Indeed, in vitro experimental tests and simulation with computational models highlight that both striped and circular capacitive architectures are able to detect micro-scale and macro-scale interface bonding, debonding or loosening, mainly when bonding is weakening or loosening is occurring. The proposed cosurface technologies hold potential to implement highly effective and personalized sensing systems such that the performance of multifunctional bioelectronic implants can be strongly improved. Findings were reported open a new research line on sensing technologies for bioelectronic implants, which may conduct to great impacts in the coming years.
Equilibrium phase diagram and thermal responses of charged DNA-virus rod-suspensions at low ionic strengths
Authors: Kang Kyongok
Published: February 2021

The collective behavior of DNA is important for exploring new types of bacteria in the means of detection, which is greatly interested in the understanding of interactions between DNAs in living systems. How they self-organize themselves is a physical common phenomenon for broad ranges of thermodynamic systems. In this work, the equilibrium phase diagrams of charged chiral rods (fd viruses) at low ionic strengths (below a few mM) are provided to demonstrate both replicas of (or self-organized) twist orders and replica symmetry breaking near high concentration glass-states. By varying the ionic strengths, it appears that a critical ionic strength is obtained below 1–2 mM salt, where the twist and freezing of nematic domains diverge. Also, the microscopic relaxation is revealed by the ionic strength-dependent effective Debye screening length. At a fixed low ionic strength, the local orientations of twist are shown by two different length scales of optical pitch, in the chiral-nematic N* phase and the helical domains $$H_{D}$$

H
D

, for low and high concentration, respectively. RSB occurs in several cases of crossing phase boundary lines in the equilibrium phase diagram of DNA-rod concentration and ionic strength, including long-time kinetic arrests in the presence of twist orders. The different pathways of PATH I, II and III are due to many-body effects of randomized orientations for charged fd rods undergoing long-range electrostatic interactions in bulk elastic medium. In addition, the thermal stability are shown for chiral pitches of the N* phase and the abnormal cooling process of a specific heat in a structural glass. Here, the concentration-driven twist-effects of charged DNA rods are explored using various experimental methods involving image-time correlation, microscopic dynamics in small angle dynamic light scattering, optical activity in second harmonic generation, and differential scanning calorimetry for the glass state.
Effect of repetition on the behavioral and neuronal responses to ambiguous Necker cube images
Authors: Maksimenko Vladimir , Kuc Alexander , Frolov Nikita , Kurkin Semen , Hramov Alexander
Published: February 2021

A repeated presentation of an item facilitates its subsequent detection or identification, a phenomenon of priming. Priming may involve different types of memory and attention and affects neural activity in various brain regions. Here we instructed participants to report on the orientation of repeatedly presented Necker cubes with high (HA) and low (LA) ambiguity. Manipulating the contrast of internal edges, we varied the ambiguity and orientation of the cube. We tested how both the repeated orientation (referred to as a stimulus factor) and the repeated ambiguity (referred to as a top-down factor) modulated neuronal and behavioral response. On the behavioral level, we observed higher speed and correctness of the response to the HA stimulus following the HA stimulus and a faster response to the right-oriented LA stimulus following the right-oriented stimulus. On the neuronal level, the prestimulus theta-band power grew for the repeated HA stimulus, indicating activation of the neural networks related to attention and uncertainty processing. The repeated HA stimulus enhanced hippocampal activation after stimulus onset. The right-oriented LA stimulus following the right-oriented stimulus enhanced activity in the precuneus and the left frontal gyri before the behavioral response. During the repeated HA stimulus processing, enhanced hippocampal activation may evidence retrieving information to disambiguate the stimulus and define its orientation. Increased activation of the precuneus and the left prefrontal cortex before responding to the right-oriented LA stimulus following the right-oriented stimulus may indicate a match between their orientations. Finally, we observed increased hippocampal activation after responding to the stimuli, reflecting the encoding stimulus features in memory. In line with the large body of works relating the hippocampal activity with episodic memory, we suppose that this type of memory may subserve the priming effect during the repeated presentation of ambiguous images.
Assessing robustness of carotid artery CT angiography radiomics in the identification of culprit lesions in cerebrovascular events
Authors: Le Elizabeth P. V. , Rundo Leonardo , Tarkin Jason M. , Evans Nicholas R. , Chowdhury Mohammed M. , Coughlin Patrick A. , Pavey Holly , Wall Chris , Zaccagna Fulvio , Gallagher Ferdia A. , Huang Yuan , Sriranjan Rouchelle , Le Anthony , Weir-McCall Jonathan R. , Roberts Michael , Gilbert Fiona J. , Warburton Elizabeth A. , Schönlieb Carola-Bibiane , Sala Evis , Rudd James H. F.
Published: February 2021

Radiomics, quantitative feature extraction from radiological images, can improve disease diagnosis and prognostication. However, radiomic features are susceptible to image acquisition and segmentation variability. Ideally, only features robust to these variations would be incorporated into predictive models, for good generalisability. We extracted 93 radiomic features from carotid artery computed tomography angiograms of 41 patients with cerebrovascular events. We tested feature robustness to region-of-interest perturbations, image pre-processing settings and quantisation methods using both single- and multi-slice approaches. We assessed the ability of the most robust features to identify culprit and non-culprit arteries using several machine learning algorithms and report the average area under the curve (AUC) from five-fold cross validation. Multi-slice features were superior to single for producing robust radiomic features (67 vs. 61). The optimal image quantisation method used bin widths of 25 or 30. Incorporating our top 10 non-redundant robust radiomics features into ElasticNet achieved an AUC of 0.73 and accuracy of 69% (compared to carotid calcification alone [AUC: 0.44, accuracy: 46%]). Our results provide key information for introducing carotid CT radiomics into clinical practice. If validated prospectively, our robust carotid radiomic set could improve stroke prediction and target therapies to those at highest risk.
Micro-continuum approach for mineral precipitation
Authors: Yang Fengchang , Stack Andrew G. , Starchenko Vitalii
Published: February 2021

Rates and extents of mineral precipitation in porous media are difficult to predict, in part because laboratory experiments are problematic. It is similarly challenging to implement numerical methods that model this process due to the need to dynamically evolve the interface of solid material. We developed a multiphase solver that implements a micro-continuum simulation approach based on the Darcy–Brinkman–Stokes equation to study mineral precipitation. We used the volume-of-fluid technique in sharp interface implementation to capture the propagation of the solid mineral surface. Additionally, we utilize an adaptive mesh refinement method to improve the resolution of near interface simulation domain dynamically. The developed solver was validated against both analytical solution and Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian approach to ensure its accuracy on simulating the propagation of the solid interface. The precipitation of barite (BaSO4) was chosen as a model system to test the solver using variety of simulation parameters: different geometrical constraints, flow conditions, reaction rate and ion diffusion. The growth of a single barite crystal was simulated to demonstrate the solver’s capability to capture the crystal face specific directional growth.
Categorizing SHR and WKY rats by chi2 algorithm and decision tree
Authors: Tsai Ping-Rui , Chen Kun-Huang , Hong Tzay-Ming , Wang Fu-Nien , Huang Teng-Yi
Published: February 2021

Classifying mental disorder is a big issue in psychology in recent years. This article focuses on offering a relation between decision tree and encoding of fMRI that can simplify the analysis of different mental disorders and has a high ROC over 0.9. Here we encode fMRI information to the power-law distribution with integer elements by the graph theory in which the network is characterized by degrees that measure the number of effective links exceeding the threshold of Pearson correlation among voxels. When the degrees are ranked from low to high, the network equation can be fit by the power-law distribution. Here we use the mentally disordered SHR and WKY rats as samples and employ decision tree from chi2 algorithm to classify different states of mental disorder. This method not only provides the decision tree and encoding, but also enables the construction of a transformation matrix that is capable of connecting different metal disorders. Although the latter attempt is still in its fancy, it may have a contribution to unraveling the mystery of psychological processes.
Possible interference of Bacillus thuringiensis in the survival and behavior of Africanized honey bees (Apis mellifera)
Authors: Libardoni Gabriela , Neves Pedro Manuel Oliveira Janeiro , Abati Raiza , Sampaio Amanda Roberta , Costa-Maia Fabiana Martins , de Souza Vismara Edgar , Lozano Everton Ricardi , Potrich Michele
Published: February 2021

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), an entomopathogenic bacterium, has been used as bioinsecticides for insect pest control worldwide. Consequently, the objective of this work was to evaluate the possible effects of commercial formulations of Bt products, Dipel and Xentari, on the survival and behavior of Africanized honey bees (Apis mellifera). Bioassays were performed on foragers and newly emerged (24-h-old) bees that received the products mixed in the food. Their survival and behavior were evaluated through the vertical displacement tests and the walk test, analyzed using software Bee-Move. Then, histological analysis of the mesenterium was performed. As control treatment was used sterile water. The honey bees’ survival was evaluated for between 1 and 144 h. No interference of B. thuringiensis, Dipel and Xentari, in the survival of Africanized honey bees were found. Only Xentari interfered with vertical displacement behavior of newly emerged (24-h-old) bees. Both the products tested were selective and safe for A. mellifera.
Eliciting the silent lucensomycin biosynthetic pathway in Streptomyces cyanogenus S136 via manipulation of the global regulatory gene adpA
Authors: Yushchuk Oleksandr , Ostash Iryna , Mösker Eva , Vlasiuk Iryna , Deneka Maksym , Rückert Christian , Busche Tobias , Fedorenko Victor , Kalinowski Jörn , Süssmuth Roderich D. , Ostash Bohdan
Published: February 2021

Actinobacteria are among the most prolific sources of medically and agriculturally important compounds, derived from their biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) for specialized (secondary) pathways of metabolism. Genomics witnesses that the majority of actinobacterial BGCs are silent, most likely due to their low or zero transcription. Much effort is put into the search for approaches towards activation of silent BGCs, as this is believed to revitalize the discovery of novel natural products. We hypothesized that the global transcriptional factor AdpA, due to its highly degenerate operator sequence, could be used to upregulate the expression of silent BGCs. Using Streptomyces cyanogenus S136 as a test case, we showed that plasmids expressing either full-length adpA or its DNA-binding domain led to significant changes in the metabolome. These were evident as changes in the accumulation of colored compounds, bioactivity, as well as the emergence of a new pattern of secondary metabolites as revealed by HPLC-ESI-mass spectrometry. We further focused on the most abundant secondary metabolite and identified it as the polyene antibiotic lucensomycin. Finally, we uncovered the entire gene cluster for lucensomycin biosynthesis (lcm), that remained elusive for five decades until now, and outlined an evidence-based scenario for its adpA-mediated activation.
Statistical characteristics of the spatial distribution of wind and snowfall in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Region
Authors: Yu Xuetao , Zhang Yajing , Liu Qingkuan , Jia Yaya , Gao Ling , Bu Jianqing
Published: February 2021

In the current design specification of building structure, the basic wind pressure and basic snow pressure are two independent values, and it is impossible to acquire both of these values when snow and wind occur at the same time. Taking parameters such as snowfall intensity, snowfall amount, wind speed, and wind direction as indicators, the value of the combined distribution of wind and snowfall in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region of China was extracted. A joint distribution map of the daily average snowfall among the top-ten largest consecutive snowfall events and the daily average wind scale from the first day of snowfall to the fifth day after the snowfall were obtained. The study found that after a heavy snowfall in the Zhangjiakou area, the accumulated wind power was large and, although the wind speed was favorable for the occurrence of snowdrifts, the snowfall was light. After a heavy snowfall in the Shijiazhuang area, the accumulated wind power was small, and the probability of snowdrift formation was low. In the eastern regions of Cangzhou, Beijing, Tianjin, Tangshan, and Qinhuangdao, the accumulated wind force was relatively large after a heavy snowfall, and the probability of windblown snow was relatively high.
Development of a reverse transcription loop mediated isothermal amplification assay for the detection of Mouse reovirus type 3 in laboratory mice
Authors: Lu Taofeng , Tao Lingyun , Yu Haibo , Zhang Hui , Wu Yanjun , Wu Shuguang , Zhou Jie
Published: February 2021

Mouse reovirus type 3 (Reo-3) infection is a viral disease that is harmful for laboratory mice. No rapid and accurate detection methods are currently available for this infection. In this study, we describe a rapid, simple, closed-tube, one step, reverse transcription-loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay for Reo-3 and compare our assay with indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Three sets of RT-LAMP primers were designed by sequence analysis of a specific conserved sequence of the Reo-3 S1 gene. Using RS2 primer set, the RT-LAMP assay required 60 min at 65 °C to amplify the S1 gene in one step by using Reo-3 RNA template and had no cross-reactivity with the other related pathogens, such as Sendai virus (SV), pneumonia virus of mice (PVM), mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), Ectromelia virus (Ect), minute virus of mice (MVM), P. pneumotropica, B. bronchiseptica, K. pneumonia and P. aeruginosa. in our LAMP reaction system. The limit of detection (LOD) of our RT-LAMP assay is 4 fg/μL. The established RT-LAMP assay enabled visual detection when fluorescence detection reagents were added, and was demonstrated to be effective and efficient. We tested 30 clinical blood samples and five artificial positive samples from SPF mice, the concordance between the two methods for blood samples was 100% compared with indirect ELISA and RT-PCR. Considering its performance, specificity, sensitivity, and repeatability, the developed RT-LAMP could be a valuable tool to supply a more effective Reo-3 detection method in laboratory animal quality monitoring.
Functionally selective activation of the dopamine receptor D2 is mirrored by the protein expression profiles
Authors: Wenk Deborah , Ignatchenko Vladimir , Macklin Andrew , Hübner Harald , Gmeiner Peter , Weikert Dorothée , Pischetsrieder Monika , Kislinger Thomas
Published: February 2021

The development of functionally selective or biased ligands is a promising approach towards drugs with less side effects. Biased ligands for G protein-coupled receptors can selectively induce G protein activation or β-arrestin recruitment. The consequences of this selective action on cellular functions, however, are not fully understood. Here, we investigated the impact of five biased and balanced dopamine D2 receptor agonists and antagonists on the global protein expression in HEK293T cells by untargeted nanoscale liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The proteome analysis detected 5290 protein groups. Hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis based on the expression levels of 1462 differential proteins led to a separation of antagonists and balanced agonist from the control treatment, while the biased ligands demonstrated larger similarities to the control. Functional analysis of affected proteins revealed that the antagonists haloperidol and sulpiride regulated exocytosis and peroxisome function. The balanced agonist quinpirole, but not the functionally selective agonists induced a downregulation of proteins involved in synaptic signaling. The β-arrestin-preferring agonist BM138, however, regulated several proteins related to neuron function and the dopamine receptor-mediated signaling pathway itself. The G protein-selective partial agonist MS308 influenced rather broad functional terms such as DNA processing and mitochondrial translation.
High resolution cryo EM analysis of HPV16 identifies minor structural protein L2 and describes capsid flexibility
Authors: Goetschius Daniel J. , Hartmann Samantha R. , Subramanian Suriyasri , Bator Carol M. , Christensen Neil D. , Hafenstein Susan L.
Published: February 2021

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a significant health burden and leading cause of virus-induced cancers. HPV is epitheliotropic and its replication is tightly associated with terminal keratinocyte differentiation making production and purification of high titer virus preparations for research problematic, therefore alternative HPV production methods have been developed for virological and structural studies. In this study we use HPV16 quasivirus, composed of HPV16 L1/L2 capsid proteins with a packaged cottontail rabbit papillomavirus genome. We have achieved the first high resolution, 3.1 Å, structure of HPV16 by using a local subvolume refinement approach. The high resolution enabled us to build L1 unambiguously and identify L2 protein strands. The L2 density is incorporated adjacent to conserved L1 residues on the interior of the capsid. Further interpretation with our own software for Icosahedral Subvolume Extraction and Correlated Classification revealed flexibility, on the whole-particle level through diameter analysis and local movement with inter-capsomer analysis. Inter-capsomer expansion or contraction, governed by the connecting arms, showed no bias in the magnitude or direction of capsomer movement. We propose that papillomavirus capsids are dynamic and capsomers move as rigid bodies connected by flexible linkers. The resulting virus structure will provide a framework for continuing biochemical, genetic and biophysical research for papillomaviruses. Furthermore, our approach has allowed insight into the resolution barrier that has previously been a limitation in papillomavirus structural studies.
European Society of Cardiology/European Society of Hypertension versus the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines on the cut-off values for early hypertension: a microvascular perspective
Authors: Shokr H. , Gherghel D.
Published: February 2021

The aim of this study was to investigate retinal and peripheral microvascular function in asymptomatic individuals that fall into different BP groups when using either the ESC/ESH or the ACC/AHA guidelines. Retinal and peripheral microvascular function was assessed in 358 participants by means of dynamic retinal vessel analysis and digital thermal monitoring, respectively. Blood pressure and lipid panel were also evaluated. Retinal vascular function measured in all groups belonging to the ACC/ASH classifications were within the normal values for age-matched normal population. Individuals classed as grade 1 hypertension according to the ESC/ESH guidelines, however, exhibited a significantly decreased artery baseline (p = 0.0004) and MC (p = 0.040), higher slopeAD (p = 0.0018) and decreased vein MC (p = 0.0446) compared to age matched normal individuals. In addition, they also had significant lower artery baseline, artery BDF, MD and MC than individuals classed as stage 1 hypertension based on the ACC/ASH guidelines (p = 0.00022, p = 0.0179, p = 0.0409 and p = 0.0329 respectively). Peripheral vascular reactivity (aTR) was lower in ESC /ESH grade I compared to those graded ACC/ASH stage I hypertension (p = 0.0122). The conclusion of this study is that microvascular dysfunctions is present at multiple levels only in individuals with ESC/ESH grade 1 hypertension. This observation could be important when deciding personalised care in individuals with early hypertensive changes.
Pooled testing with replication as a mass testing strategy for the COVID-19 pandemics
Authors: Žilinskas Julius , Lančinskas Algirdas , Guarracino Mario R.
Published: February 2021

During the COVID-19 pandemic it is essential to test as many people as possible, in order to detect early outbreaks of the infection. Present testing solutions are based on the extraction of RNA from patients using oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal swabs, and then testing with real-time PCR for the presence of specific RNA filaments identifying the virus. This approach is limited by the availability of reactants, trained technicians and laboratories. One of the ways to speed up the testing procedures is a group testing, where the swabs of multiple patients are grouped together and tested. In this paper we propose to use the group testing technique in conjunction with an advanced replication scheme in which each patient is allocated in two or more groups to reduce the total numbers of tests and to allow testing of even larger numbers of people. Under mild assumptions, a 13 ×  average reduction of tests can be achieved compared to individual testing without delay in time.
Comparisons of fall armyworm haplotypes between the Galápagos Islands and mainland Ecuador indicate limited migration to and between islands
Authors: Nagoshi Rodney N. , Vizuete Joanna Lizeth Allauca , Murúa M. Gabriela , Garcés-Carrera Sandra
Published: February 2021

The migration of the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is of topical interest because of its recent introduction and rapid dissemination throughout the Eastern Hemisphere. This study compares fall armyworm from island and mainland locations in Ecuador to estimate migration behavior. The Galápagos Islands is a province of Ecuador whose mainland coast lies approximately 1000 km to the west and is the closest major land mass. Air transport modeling indicates that natural migration from the mainland to the Galápagos is unlikely, suggesting that most, if not all, the introgressions of mainland fall armyworm into the Galápagos are occurring through trade-assisted transport in contaminated cargo, which is offloaded at the Galápagos port of entry in San Cristóbal island. Haplotype studies are consistent with this limited migration and further show divergence in the fall armyworm from San Cristóbal with those from the neighboring island of Santa Cruz despite their close proximity (less than 100 km distance) and favorable winds for inter-island flights. These observations indicate that water poses a significant barrier for moth migration in this region, with human-assisted transport probably playing a more important role than natural migration.
Resistance development characteristics of reared German cockroach (Blattodea: Blattellidae) to chlorpyrifos
Authors: Hou Weiyuan , Xin Juanjuan , Lu Hui
Published: February 2021

Understanding the process of resistance development of German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.), in detail is necessary to potentially delay the development of insecticides resistance by rotation or discontinuation of insecticides at the right time. In this study, we investigated the resistance development of the reared German cockroach to chlorpyrifos (CPF) for 23 generations from susceptible cockroaches. CPF 50% lethal dose (LD50) and resistance ratio of each generation cockroaches were determined. The CPF LD50 to each generation cockroaches was used as the insecticide selection pressure of this generation by topical application. The resistance development curve was depicted according to the CPF LD50 to all 23 generations of cockroaches. As a result, a highly resistant German cockroach cohort to CPF, which the resistance ratio was 21.63, was obtained after 23 generations’ selection. During the selection, the cockroaches developed low resistance from F1 to F5, moderate resistance from F6 to F12, and high resistance from F13 to F23. There was a rapid resistance increase every 5–7 generations. The resistance growing showed relatively slow from F1 to F11. The fastest growing phase of the resistance was from F12 to F20, in which accounted for more than 80% of the total resistance increase in 23 generations. The development of resistance to CPF tended to slow down from F21 to F23. These findings may provide a basis for the rational use of insecticides, delaying the development of resistance by rotation or discontinuation.
Surface morphology and payload synergistically caused an enhancement of the longitudinal relaxivity of a Mn3O4/PtOx nanocomposite for magnetic resonance tumor imaging
Authors: Ji Sihan , Chen Yaodong , Zhao Xianglong , Cai Yunyu , Zhang Xiaopeng , Sun Feilong , Chen Qi , Deng Qingmei , Wang Changhao , Ma Kun , Hong Bo , Liang Changhao
Published: February 2021

A surface porous morphology and PtOx payload synergistically induced an enhancement of the r1 value to 20.48 mM−1 s−1 in a Mn3O4/PtOx nanocomposite for MR imaging.
Combination strategies for antithrombotic biomaterials: an emerging trend towards hemocompatibility
Authors: Ashcraft Morgan , Douglass Megan , Chen YuJie , Handa Hitesh
Published: February 2021

This minireview introduces the emerging trend of combining antithrombotic surface design strategies for improved hemocompatibility.
Introducing a squaramide-based self-immolative spacer for controlled drug release
Authors: Ximenis Marta , Sampedro Angel , Martínez-Crespo Luis , Ramis Guillem , Orvay Francisca , Costa Antonio , Rotger Carmen
Published: February 2021

Herein we report the design, synthesis and assessment of the first example of a squaramide-based self-immolative system triggered by an enzymatic reduction.
Singlet fission in naturally-organized carotenoid molecules
Authors: Quaranta Annamaria , Krieger-Liszkay Anja , Pascal Andrew A. , Perreau François , Robert Bruno , Vengris Mikas , Llansola-Portoles Manuel J.
Published: February 2021

We have investigated the photophysics of aggregated lutein/violaxanthin in daffodil chromoplasts.
Ab initio study of metal carbide hydrides in the 2.25Cr1Mo0.25V steel
Authors: He Min , Onwudinanti Chidozie , Zheng Yaoting , Wu Xiaomei , Zhang Zaoxiao , Tao Shuxia
Published: February 2021

2.25Cr1Mo0.25V is a state-of the-art alloy used in the fabrication of modern hydrogenation reactors.
Ursolic acid enhances stress resistance, reduces ROS accumulation and prolongs life span in C. elegans serotonin-deficient mutants
Authors: Naß Janine , Abdelfatah Sara , Efferth Thomas
Published: February 2021

UA acts through serotonin receptors to enhance stress resistance and prolong life span in C. elegans.
Metal-free efficient thiolation of C(sp2) functionalization via in situ-generated NHTS for the synthesis of novel sulfenylated 2-aminothiazole and imidazothiazole
Authors: Kadam Shuddhodan N. , Ambhore Ajay N. , Kamble Rahul D. , Wakhradkar Mahesh G. , Gavhane Priya D. , Gaikwad Milind V. , Gunturu Krishna Chaitanya , Dawane Bhaskar S.
Published: February 2021

A direct metal-free approach for the synthesis of novel sulfenylated 2-aminothiazole and imidazothiazole derivatives at room temperature is reported via an in situ-generated electrophilic thiolating agent.
A novel photochemical sensor based on quinoline-functionalized phenazine derivatives for multiple substrate detection
Authors: Wei Tai-Bao , Dong Hong-Qiang , Ma Xiao-Qiang , Yang Qing-Yu , Wang Zhong-Hui , Guan Wen-Li , Zhang Yun-Fei , Zhang You-Ming , Yao Hong , Lin Qi
Published: February 2021

A novel photochemical sensor based on quinoline-functionalized phenazine derivatives for highly sensitive detection of multiple substrates (l-Arg, CO2, and pH) was designed and synthesized.
Carbon nanotubes coupled with layered graphite to support SnTe nanodots as high-rate and ultra-stable lithium-ion battery anodes
Authors: Chen Huanhui , Ke Guanxia , Wu Xiaochao , Li Wanqing , Mi Hongwei , Li Yongliang , Sun Lingna , Zhang Qianling , He Chuanxin , Ren Xiangzhong
Published: February 2021

SnTe exhibits a layered crystal structure, which enables fast Li-ion diffusion and easy storage, and is considered to be a promising candidate for an advanced anode material.
Purcell-enhanced photoluminescence of few-layer MoS2 transferred on gold nanostructure arrays with plasmonic resonance at the conduction band edge
Authors: Kim Hyunwoo , Moon Seunghyun , Kim Jongwoo , Nam Sang Hwan , Kim Dong Hwan , Lee Jeong Seop , Kim Kyoung-Ho , Kang Evan S. H. , Ahn Kwang Jun , Kim Taewan , Shin ChaeHo , Suh Yung Doug
Published: February 2021

Plasmonic nanostructures of Au nanotriangles and nanodisks are coupled with few-layer MoS2 inducing photoluminescence (PL) enhancement. The underlying mechanisms were investigated with the experimentally quantified enhancement factors.
On the design, functions, and biomedical applications of high-throughput dielectrophoretic micro-/nanoplatforms: a review
Authors: Li Yalin , Wang Yan , Wan Keming , Wu Mingxue , Guo Lei , Liu Xiaomin , Wei Gang
Published: February 2021

The design of high-throughput dielectrophoretic micro-/nanoplatforms exhibits potential biomedical applications.
Short syntheses of 1-substituted dibenzothiophene derivatives
Authors: Welsh Erin N. , Robertson Katherine N. , Speed Alexander W. H.
Published: February 2021

A one-pot double benzyne cascade allows rapid access to 1-substituted dibenzothiophene derivatives, including cross-coupling partners and a chiral amine.
NaI/KI/NH4I and TBHP as powerful oxidation systems: use in the formation of various chemical bonds
Authors: Ghosh Prasanjit , Ganguly Bhaskar , Das Sajal
Published: February 2021

An unique combination of MI-TBHP (M = Na, K, NH4) oxidation system has ameliorated the metal-free access to construct various chemical bonds and appeared as an impeccable synthetic manoeuvre for the construction of complex molecular frameworks.
An electrochemical immunosensor coupling a bamboo-like carbon nanostructure substrate with toluidine blue-functionalized Cu(ii)-MOFs as signal probes for a C-reactive protein assay
Authors: Li Mei , Xia Xiaojuan , Meng Shuang , Ma YuChan , Yang Tong , Yang Yunhui , Hu Rong
Published: February 2021

A sandwich immunosensor based on a toluidine blue (Tb) loaded metal organic framework (Cu(ii)-HKUST-1/Tb) as the signal label and a nitrogen-doped 3D carbon nanostructure as the immobilizing matrix was constructed for the detection of C-reactive protein.
Decoration of silver nanoparticles on nitrogen-doped nanoporous carbon derived from zeolitic imidazole framework-8 (ZIF-8) via in situ auto-reduction
Authors: Veeramani Vediyappan , Van Chi Nguyen , Yang Yi-Lin , Hong Huong Nguyen Thi , Van Tran Thuan , Ahamad Tansir , Alshehri Saad M. , Wu Kevin C.-W.
Published: February 2021

Unremoved metal residue and no utilization of reducing agent could be applied for synthesizing metal-supported catalyst.
Immobilization techniques of a photocatalyst into and onto a polymer membrane for photocatalytic activity
Authors: Zakria Hazirah Syahirah , Othman Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan , Kamaludin Roziana , Sheikh Abdul Kadir Siti Hamimah , Kurniawan Tonni Agustiono , Jilani Asim
Published: February 2021

This article reviews the various techniques of immobilizing a photocatalyst into and onto the polymer membrane for pollutant removal and as a problem solver in handling suspended photocatalyst issues from the previous literature.
Intelligent stimuli-responsive nano immunomodulators for cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Li Yanhua , Zhang Xia , Liu Xiaohan , Pan Wei , Li Na , Tang Bo
Published: February 2021

Progress relating to intelligent stimuli-responsive nano immunomodulators for cancer immunotherapy is highlighted. Suggestions for constructing new strategies have been put forward, which will advance the clinical development of cancer immunotherapy.
Bacillus subtilisspore surface display of photodecarboxylase for the transformation of lipids to hydrocarbons
Authors: Karava Marianna , Gockel Peter , Kabisch Johannes
Published: February 2021

We suggest spore display as a simple and cost efficient strategy for the production of immobilized photodecarboxylase utilized for the conversion of oils to biofuels.
Anisotropic swelling of anisotropic elastic panels
Authors: Wood H. G. , Hanna J. A.
Published: February 2021

A simple problem of unidirectional gradients in transverse swelling of anisotropic elastic plates reveals a surprisingly rich set of behaviors, including bifurcations from axisymmetric to twisted shapes.
Viscoelasticity of 3D actin networks dictated by the mechanochemical characteristics of cross-linkers
Authors: Wei X. , Fang C. , Gong B. , Yao J. , Qian J. , Lin Y.
Published: February 2021

In this study, we report a computational investigation on how the mechanochemical characteristics of crosslinking molecules influence the viscoelasticity of three dimensional F-actin networks, an issue of key interest in analyzing the behavior of living cells and biological gels.
Shape-driven entropic self-assembly of an open, reconfigurable, binary host–guest colloidal crystal
Authors: Moore Timothy C. , Anderson Joshua A. , Glotzer Sharon C.
Published: February 2021

A binary, athermal system of concave host plus convex guest particles is studied, showing self-assembly of a unique host–guest structure. We show how entropy stabilizes the crystal, and offer a promising route to in situ reconfigurability.
Alpha helical surfactant-like peptides self-assemble into pH-dependent nanostructures
Authors: Castelletto Valeria , Seitsonen Jani , Ruokolainen Janne , Hamley Ian W.
Published: February 2021

A designed surfactant-like peptide is shown, using a combination of cryogenic-transmission electron microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering, to have remarkable pH-dependent self-assembly properties.
Universality class of the motility-induced critical point in large scale off-lattice simulations of active particles
Authors: Maggi Claudio , Paoluzzi Matteo , Crisanti Andrea , Zaccarelli Emanuela , Gnan Nicoletta
Published: February 2021

Performing large-scale simulations of active particles and employing finite-size-scaling analysis, we provide exhaustive evidence that motility-induced critical point belongs to the Ising universality class.
A review on acoustic droplet ejection technology and system
Authors: Guo Qing , Su Xiao , Zhang Xingguo , Shao Mengchuan , Yu Haixia , Li Dachao
Published: February 2021

The acoustic droplet ejection (ADE) technology has revolutionized fluid handling with its contactless, highly precise, and fast fluid transfer by means of acoustic energy.
A-site perovskite oxides: an emerging functional material for electrocatalysis and photocatalysis
Authors: Li Xue , Zhao Haitao , Liang Jie , Luo Yonglan , Chen Guang , Shi Xifeng , Lu Siyu , Gao Shuyan , Hu Jianming , Liu Qian , Sun Xuping
Published: February 2021

This review summarizes the recent progress of A-site perovskite oxides as an emerging functional material for electrocatalysis and photocatalysis applications.
Tuning the composition of heavy metal-free quaternary quantum dots for improved photoelectrochemical performance
Authors: Liu Cheng , Tong Xin , Channa Ali Imran , Li Xin , Long Zhihang , Feng Huijie , You Yimin , Wang Rui , Lin Feng , Dee Chang Fu , Vomiero Alberto , Wang Zhiming M.
Published: February 2021

The optical properties of heavy metal-free quaternary CuZnInS3 QDs can be optimized by tuning the composition, which is promising for improving the efficiency of QDs-PEC hydrogen generation.
Cyclodextrin capped gold nanoparticles (AuNP@CDs): from synthesis to applications
Authors: Wang Yichuan , Han Yufen , Tan Xiaoling , Dai Yu , Xia Fan , Zhang Xiaojin
Published: February 2021

The synthesis of AuNP@CDs is summarized according to the type and order of bonding. The applications of AuNP@CDs are also highlighted.
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) sensing using an aerosol jet printed organic electrochemical transistor (OECT)
Authors: Majak Darren , Fan Jiaxin , Kang Seongdae , Gupta Manisha
Published: February 2021

Δ9-THC can be detected using an aerosol jet printed OECT with high sensitivity and less than 3% error.
Dual amyloid cross-seeding reveals steric zipper-facilitated fibrillization and pathological links between protein misfolding diseases
Authors: Zhang Yanxian , Zhang Mingzhen , Liu Yonglan , Zhang Dong , Tang Yijing , Ren Baiping , Zheng Jie
Published: February 2021

In vitro cross-interactions between three different amyloid peptides of GNNQQNY, Aβ, and hIAPP demonstrate the pathological links between three different amyloid diseases of Alzheimer, type 2 diabetes, and Prion diseases.
A new ensemble modeling method for multivariate calibration of near infrared spectra
Authors: Wang Kaiyi , Bian Xihui , Tan Xiaoyao , Wang Haitao , Li Yankun
Published: February 2021

A new ensemble modeling method based on PLS, MC sampling and LASSO was proposed for multivariate calibration of near infrared spectra.
Tuning the transdermal transport by application of external continuous electric field: a coarse-grained molecular dynamics study
Authors: Machado Neila , Callegaro Clarissa , Christoffolete Marcelo Augusto , Martinho Herculano
Published: February 2021

A low intensity (22–23 mV nm−1) electric field enables the formation of water-rich lipid vesicles across the stratum corneum.
2D LC as a tool for standardization of Foenugraeci semen extracts containing compounds with anti-Helicobacter pylori activity
Authors: Król-Kogus Barbara , Głód Daniel , Hałasa Rafał , Krauze-Baranowska Mirosława , Pobłocka-Olech Loretta
Published: February 2021

An on-line LC-LC-DAD-ESI-MS method was established for quantitation of C-glycosylflavones in fenugreek seeds. Anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of standardized 70% methanol extract from fenugreek seeds and vitexin has been demonstrated.
Correction: Factors impacting lipid digestion and nutraceutical bioaccessibility assessed by standardized gastrointestinal model (INFOGEST): oil droplet size
Authors: Tan Yunbing , Zhang Zhiyun , Liu Jinning , Xiao Hang , McClements David Julian
Published: February 2021

Correction for ‘Factors impacting lipid digestion and nutraceutical bioaccessibility assessed by standardized gastrointestinal model (INFOGEST): oil droplet size’ by Yunbing Tan et al., Food Funct., 2020, 11, 9936–9946, DOI: 10.1039/D0FO01505A.
Synergistic construction of bifunctional and stable Pt/HZSM-5-based catalysts for efficient catalytic cracking ofn-butane
Authors: Sun Huaqian , Zhang Yaoyuan , Li Yuming , Song Weiyu , Huan Qing , Lu Junling , Gao Yang , Han Shanlei , Gao Manglai , Ma Yingjie , Yu Hongjian , Wang Yajun , Cui Guoqing , Zhao Zhen , Xu Chunming , Jiang Guiyuan
Published: February 2021

We report herein a strategy for designing stable Pt/HZSM-5-based bifunctional catalysts by a two-step ALD process, which demonstrates superior performance in the catalytic cracking ofn-butane.
Non-depleting reformation of immunosuppressive myeloid cells to broaden the application of anti-PD therapy
Authors: Peng Si-Yuan , Chen Lei , Deng Rong-Hui , Li Hao , Liu Xin-Hua , Zheng Di-Wei , Wu Cong-Cong , Liu Chuan-Jun , Sun Zhi-Jun , Zhang Xian-Zheng
Published: February 2021

Traditional methods of depleting tumor-associated myeloid cells via chemotherapy can easily lead to the re-recruitment of them, eventually resulting in chemo-resistance and presenting obstacles in immunotherapy.
Development of a thermally stable Pt catalyst by redispersion between CeO2 and Al2O3
Authors: Lan Li , Huang Xin , Zhou Weiqi , Li Hongmei , Xiang Junhuai , Chen Shanhu , Chen Yaoqiang
Published: February 2021

Ce/Pt/Al undergoes redispersion of Pt upon hydrothermal aging, resulting in higher dispersion and consequently superior three-way catalytic performance of Ce/Pt/Al-a.
An anti-aggregation NIR-II heptamethine-cyanine dye with a stereo-specific cyanine for imaging-guided photothermal therapy
Authors: Qian Hongyun , Cheng Quan , Tian Youliang , Dang Huiping , Teng Changchang , Yan Lifeng
Published: February 2021

Polypeptide based nanoparticles of hydrophilic quaternary stereo-specific cyanine (HQS-Cy) have been synthesized, which show efficient NIR-II imaging-guided photothermal therapy for cancer.
Triple‐harmonic‐droop control strategy for accurate harmonic power sharing in low‐voltage islanded microgrids
Authors: Alizadeh Ebrahim , Birjandi Aliakbar Motie , Hamzeh Mohsen
Published: February 2021

This paper proposes a power sharing control scheme for power electronics interfaced distributed generation to attain accurate harmonic power dispatch as well as unbalanced power sharing. The proposed controller is composed of two main blocks: 1) a harmonic power sharing unit, which leads to an accurate harmonic power sharing, and 2) individual triple‐droop control units separately applied to the control unit of each phase, which properly provide unbalanced power sharing. For this purpose, a virtual harmonic conductance concept is developed to control the inherent impedance of the inverter under non‐linear load conditions. As a result, the fundamental power sharing performance as well as the harmonic power dispatch accuracy is ensured. Simulation results from an islanded microgrid prototype using the CIGRE low‐voltage distribution network are provided to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
On the convexity condition for the Semi-Geostrophic system
Authors: Tudorascu Adrian
Published: February 2021

We show that conservative distributional solutions to the Semi-Geostrophic systems in a rigid domain are in some well-defined sense critical points of a time-shifted energy functional involving measure-preserving rearrangements of the absolute density and momentum, which arise as one-parameter flow maps of continuously differentiable, compactly supported divergence free vector fields. We also show directly, with no recourse to Monge-Kantorovich theory, that the convexity requirement on the modified pressure potentials arises naturally if these critical points are local minimizers of said energy functional for any admissible vector field. The obligatory connection with the Monge-Kantorovich theory is addressed briefly.
The social impact of mine closure in the Jiu Valley
Authors: Kovacs Izabella , Simion Sorin , Irimia Alin , Tuhuţ Ligia Ioana , Florea Gheorghe Daniel
Published: February 2021

The impact of transition periods is experienced by the local population and economy as a result of mining activities closure and dismissal of a large number of workers followed by diversification of employment and career reorientation opportunities. The aim of the paper is to highlight the impact generated by closure of mining operations on local society and economy as well as identifying opportunities for harmonious development of communities in the Jiu Valley. Following the assessment of the social impact of mining activities closure, we found a rising tendency of unemployment rate among the middle-aged population that did not benefit from vocational retraining and the growing tendency of young people to leave the region for strictly economic reasons leading to widespread social aging.