bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A biodegradable film based on cellulose and thiazolidine bearing UV shielding property
Authors: Baseer Rasha A. , Dacrory Sawsan , El Gendy Mohamed A. M. , Ewies Ewies F. , Kamel Samir
Published: May 2022

The current rationale is exploring new eco-friendly UV- shielding films based on cellulose and thiazolidine. Cellulose was oxidized to dialdehyde cellulose (DAC) and tricarboxy cellulose (TCC) by periodate and TEMPO/periodate/hypochlorite, respectively. While E-3-amino-5-(phenyldiazenyl)-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one (TH) was synthesized by coupling diazonium salt with the 5-methylene of 2-thioxo-4-thiazolidinone. DAC was then coupled with TH via Schiff base reaction and incorporated onto TCC with different ratios to get UV-shielding films. 1HNMR, infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to investigate the chemical structure of the synthesized materials. In addition, the films' morphology, thermal, mechanical, and UV-shielding properties were investigated. The UV-shielding studies revealed that the film with 10% DAC-TH has 99.88, 99.99, and 96.19% UV-blocking (UVB), UV-absorbance (UVA), and Ultra-violet protection (UPF), respectively. Moreover, the prepared films demonstrated promising antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. Finally, the prepared films showed no cytotoxic effects on normal human skin fibroblast's HFB-4 cell line.
Age-based spatial distribution of workers is resilient to worker loss in a subterranean termite
Authors: Lee Sang-Bin , Chouvenc Thomas , Mizumoto Nobuaki , Mullins Aaron , Su Nan-Yao
Published: May 2022

Elaborate task allocation is key to the ecological success of eusocial insects. Termite colonies are known for exhibiting age polyethism, with older instars more likely to depart the reproductive center to access food. However, it remains unknown how termites retain this spatial structure against external disturbances. Here we show that a subterranean termiteCoptotermes formosanusShiraki combines age polyethism and behavioral flexibility to maintain a constant worker proportion at the food area. Since this termite inhabits multiple wood pieces by connecting them through underground tunnels, disastrous colony splitting events can result in the loss of colony members. We simulated this via weekly removal of all individuals at the food area. Our results showed that termites maintained a worker proportion of ~ 20% at the food area regardless of changes in total colony size and demographic composition, where younger workers replaced food acquisition functions to maintain a constant worker proportion at the food area. Food consumption analysis revealed that the per-capita food consumption rate decreased with younger workers, but the colony did not compensate for the deficiency by increasing the proportion of workers at the feeding site. These results suggest that termite colonies prioritize risk management of colony fragmentation while maintaining suitable food acquisition efficiency with the next available workers in the colony, highlighting the importance of task allocation for colony resiliency under fluctuating environments.
Efficient deformation mechanisms enable invasive cancer cells to migrate faster in 3D collagen networks
Authors: Laforgue Laure , Fertin Arnold , Usson Yves , Verdier Claude , Laurent Valérie M.
Published: May 2022

Cancer cell migration is a widely studied topic but has been very often limited to two dimensional motion on various substrates. Indeed, less is known about cancer cell migration in 3D fibrous-extracellular matrix (ECM) including variations of the microenvironment. Here we used 3D time lapse imaging on a confocal microscope and a phase correlation method to follow fiber deformations, as well as cell morphology and live actin distribution during the migration of cancer cells. Different collagen concentrations together with three bladder cancer cell lines were used to investigate the role of the metastatic potential on 3D cell migration characteristics. We found that grade-3 cells (T24 and J82) are characterized by a great diversity of shapes in comparison with grade-2 cells (RT112). Moreover, grade-3 cells with the highest metastatic potential (J82) showed the highest values of migration speeds and diffusivities at low collagen concentration and the greatest sensitivity to collagen concentration. Our results also suggested that the small shape fluctuations of J82 cells are the signature of larger migration velocities. Moreover, the displacement fields generated by J82 cells showed significantly higher fiber displacements as compared to T24 and RT112 cells, regardless of collagen concentration. The analysis of cell movements enhanced the fact that bladder cancer cells were able to exhibit different phenotypes (mesenchymal, amoeboid). Furthermore, the analysis of spatio-temporal migration mechanisms showed that cancer cells are able to push or pull on collagen fibers, therefore producing efficient local collagen deformations in the vicinity of cells. Our results also revealed that dense actin regions are correlated with the largest displacement fields, and this correlation is enhanced for the most invasive J82 cancer cells. Therefore this work opens up new routes to understand cancer cell migration in soft biological networks.
Functional in-vitro evaluation of the non-specific effects of BCG vaccination in a randomised controlled clinical study
Authors: Wilkie Morven , Tanner Rachel , Wright Daniel , Lopez Ramon Raquel , Beglov Julia , Riste Michael , Marshall Julia L. , Harris Stephanie A. , Bettencourt Paulo J. G. , Hamidi Ali , van Diemen Pauline M. , Moss Paul , Satti Iman , Wyllie David , McShane Helen
Published: May 2022

Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG), the only currently licenced tuberculosis vaccine, may exert beneficial non-specific effects (NSE) in reducing infant mortality. We conducted a randomised controlled clinical study in healthy UK adults to evaluate potential NSE using functional in-vitro growth inhibition assays (GIAs) as a surrogate of protection from four bacteria implicated in infant mortality. Volunteers were randomised to receive BCG intradermally (n = 27) or to be unvaccinated (n = 8) and were followed up for 84 days; laboratory staff were blinded until completion of the final visit. Using GIAs based on peripheral blood mononuclear cells, we observed a significant reduction in the growth of the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia following BCG vaccination, but no effect for the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae. There was a modest association between S. aureus nasal carriage and growth of S. aureus in the GIA. Our findings support a causal link between BCG vaccination and improved ability to control growth of heterologous bacteria. Unbiased assays such as GIAs are potentially useful tools for the assessment of non-specific as well as specific effects of TB vaccines. This study was funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02380508, 05/03/2015; completed).
Partially-covered fractal induced turbulence on fins thermal dissipation
Authors: Chew Soon Hong , Hoi Su Min , Tran Manh-Vu , Foo Ji Jinn
Published: May 2022

The impacts of partially-covered fractal grids induced turbulence on the forced convective heat transfer across plate-fin heat sink at Reynolds number ReDh = 22.0 × 103 were numerically and experimentally investigated. Results showed that partially covered grids rendered a higher thermal dissipation performance, with partially-covered square fractal grid (PCSFG) registering an outstanding increase of 43% in Nusselt number relative to the no grid configuration. The analyzation via an in-house developed single particle tracking velocimetry (SPTV) system displayed the findings of unique “Turbulence Annulus” formation, which provided a small degree of predictivity in the periodic annulus oscillations. Further assessments on PCSFG revealed the preferred inter-fin flow dynamics of (i) high flow velocity, (ii) strong turbulence intensity, (iii) vigorous flow fluctuations, (iv) small turbulence length scale, and (v) heightened decelerated flow events. These features stemmed from the coupling effects of multilength-scale fractal bar thicknesses in generating a veracity of eddy sizes, and a vertical segmentation producing heightened mass flow rate while inducing favourable wake-flow structures to penetrate inter-fin regions. Teeming effects of such energetic eddies within plate-fin array unveiled a powerful vortex shedding effect, with PCSFG achieving fluctuation frequency f = 18.5 Hz close to an optimal magnitude. The coaction of such traits limits the growth of fin boundary layers, providing superior thermal transfer capabilities which benefits the community in developing for higher efficiency heat transfer systems.
Characterization of Castellani nineteenth-century gold jewellery by in situ micro-XRF spectroscopy
Authors: Manca Rosarosa , Scrivano Simona , Manfriani Chiara , Ager Vàzquez Francisco J. , Ortega-Feliu Inés , Ferretti Marco , Respaldiza Miguel Angel , Benvenuti Marco
Published: May 2022

The material characterization of nineteenth-century artifacts is of great interest, due both to the breakthrough technological advances and to the unprecedented spread of forgeries of antiquities which took place in that period. However, this type of artifacts has been largely overlooked in the past. In this paper we present the compositional analysis of gold jewels by the Castellani, one of the most important families of goldsmiths in nineteenth-century Europe. The use of a portable micro-XRF spectrometer, specifically developed for jewellery analysis at the Centro Nacional de Aceleradores (Seville), allowed us to analyse, in a completely non-invasive way, the alloys, joining techniques and surface treatments of the jewels of the Castellani collection at the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia in Rome. The addition to the spectrometer of a second X-rays detector with a zinc filter allowed us to check the possible presence of low amounts of cadmium, a metal added to gold soldering only from the nineteenth century and often used in authenticity studies. Moreover, the relative intensities of the Au X-ray lines were studied in order to check non-invasively the presence of surface enrichments in gold.
Robustness of superconductivity to external pressure in high-entropy-alloy-type metal telluride AgInSnPbBiTe5
Authors: Kasem Md. Riad , Nakahira Yuki , Yamaoka Hitoshi , Matsumoto Ryo , Yamashita Aichi , Ishii Hirofumi , Hiraoka Nozomu , Takano Yoshihiko , Goto Yosuke , Mizuguchi Yoshikazu
Published: May 2022

High-entropy-alloy (HEA) superconductors are a new class of disordered superconductors. However, commonality of superconducting characteristics of HEA materials is unclear. Here, we have investigated the crystal and electronic structure, and the robustness of superconducting states in a HEA-type metal telluride (MTe; M = Ag, In, Sn, Pb, Bi) under high pressure, and the results were compared with the pressure effects for a middle-entropy system (AgPbBiTe3) and a reference system of PbTe. When the crystal structure is CsCl-type, all phases show superconductivity under high pressure but exhibit different pressure dependences of the transition temperature (Tc). For PbTe, its Tc decreases with pressure. In contrast, the Tc of HEA-type AgInSnPbBiTe5 is almost independent of pressure, for pressures ranging from 13.0 to 35.1 GPa. Those results suggest that the robustness of superconductivity to external pressure is linked to the configurational entropy of mixing at the M site in MTe. Since the trend is quite similar to previous work on a HEA (Ti–Zr–Hf–Nb–Ta), where the robustness of superconductivity was observed up to ~ 200 GPa, we propose that the robustness of superconductivity under high pressure would be a universal feature in HEA-type superconductors.
Increase of Parkin and ATG5 plasmatic levels following perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy
Authors: Tarocco Anna , Morciano Giampaolo , Perrone Mariasole , Cafolla Claudia , Ferrè Cristina , Vacca Tiziana , Pistocchi Ginevra , Meneghin Fabio , Cocchi Ilaria , Lista Gianluca , Cetin Irene , Greco Pantaleo , Garani Giampaolo , Stella Marcello , Natile Miria , Ancora Gina , Savarese Immacolata , Campi Francesca , Bersani Iliana , Dotta Andrea , Tiberi Eloisa , Vento Giovanni , Chiodin Elisabetta , Staffler Alex , Maranella Eugenia , Di Fabio Sandra , Wieckowski Mariusz R. , Giorgi Carlotta , Pinton Paolo
Published: May 2022

Brain injury at birth is an important cause of neurological and behavioral disorders. Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a critical cerebral event occurring acutely or chronically at birth with high mortality and morbidity in newborns. Therapeutic strategies for the prevention of brain damage are still unknown, and the only medical intervention for newborns with moderate-to-severe HIE is therapeutic hypothermia (TH). Although the neurological outcome depends on the severity of the initial insult, emerging evidence suggests that infants with mild HIE who are not treated with TH have an increased risk for neurodevelopmental impairment; in the current clinical setting, there are no specific or validated biomarkers that can be used to both correlate the severity of the hypoxic insult at birth and monitor the trend in the insult over time. The aim of this work was to examine the presence of autophagic and mitophagic proteins in bodily fluids, to increase knowledge of what, early at birth, can inform therapeutic strategies in the first hours of life. This is a prospective multicentric study carried out from April 2019 to April 2020 in eight third-level neonatal intensive care units. All participants have been subjected to the plasma levels quantification of both Parkin (a protein involved in mitophagy) and ATG5 (involved in autophagy). These findings show that Parkin and ATG5 levels are related to hypoxic-ischemic insult and are reliable also at birth. These observations suggest a great potential diagnostic value for Parkin evaluation in the first 6 h of life.
Exogenous gonadotropin-releasing hormone counteracts the adverse effect of scrotal insulation on testicular functions in bucks
Authors: Yousef Mohamed S. , Megahed Gaber A. , Abozed Gamal F. , Hayder Mohamed , Abd-Elhafeez Hanan H. , Rawy Mohamed S.
Published: May 2022

This study determined the effects of scrotal insulation on testicular functions in bucks and evaluated the impact of exogenous gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) administration before scrotal insulation on sperm production and testicular vascular dynamics. Twelve bucks were randomly divided into three groups: scrotal-insulated animals without GnRH treatment (INS), scrotal-insulated animals treated previously with GnRH (GnRH + INS), and animals without insulation as controls (CON). Doppler ultrasonography was used to evaluate testicular vascular changes, and semen samples were collected to assess seminal parameters. Testicular samples were collected from slaughtered bucks at the end of the experiment for histological investigations and immunohistochemical analysis for caspase 3 (apoptotic marker), and a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF; hypoxic marker) evaluation. Sperm motility drastically decreased (33%) in the INS group on day 8 compared with those in the GnRH + INS and CON groups (58% and 85%, respectively). Testicular blood flow significantly decreased for 3 and 2 weeks in the INS and GnRH + INS groups, respectively. The pulsatility index (PI) reached pretreatment values at 5 and 4 weeks after insulation in the INS and GnRH + INS groups, respectively. The resistance index (RI) values increased in both insulated groups for the first 2 weeks and decreased to control values 4 weeks after insulation. However, the maximum velocity (VP) started to increase reaching pretreatment values by the 5th and 3rd weeks after insulation in the INS and GnRH + INS groups, respectively. Histological investigations showed a marked reduction in lipid inclusions in Sertoli cells in the GnRH + INS group compared with those in the INS group. The distributions of both caspase 3 and VEGF decreased in the GnRH + INS group compared with those in the INS group. This study showed that the administration of a single dose of GnRH delayed the negative effects of scrotal insulation on different seminal traits and revealed the pivotal role of GnRH in compensating testicular insulation in bucks.
Transitions of foliar mycobiota community and transcriptome in response to pathogenic conifer needle interactions
Authors: Ata Jessa P. , Ibarra Caballero Jorge R. , Abdo Zaid , Mondo Stephen J. , Stewart Jane E.
Published: May 2022

Profiling the host–mycobiota interactions in healthy vs. diseased forest ecosystems helps understand the dynamics of understudied yet increasingly important threats to forest health that are emerging due to climate change. We analyzed the structural and functional changes of the mycobiota and the responses of Pinus contorta in the Lophodermella needle cast pathosystem through metabarcoding and metatranscriptomics. When needles transitioned from asymptomatic to symptomatic, dysbiosis of the mycobiota occurred, but with an enrichment of Lophodermella pathogens. Many pathogenicity-related genes were highly expressed by the mycobiota at the necrotrophic phase, showing an active pathogen response that are absent in asymptomatic needles. This study also revealed that Lophodermella spp. are members of a healthy needle mycobiota that have latent lifestyles suggesting that other pine needle pathogens may have similar biology. Interestingly, Pinus contorta upregulated defense genes in healthy needles, indicating response to fungal recognition, while a variety of biotic and abiotic stresses genes were activated in diseased needles. Further investigation to elucidate the possible antagonistic interplay of other biotic members leading to disease progression and/or suppression is warranted. This study provides insights into microbial interactions in non-model pathosystems and contributes to the development of new forest management strategies against emerging latent pathogens.
QSAR study of phenolic compounds and their anti-DPPH radical activity by discriminant analysis
Authors: Lu Ang , Yuan Shi-meng , Xiao Huai , Yang Da-song , Ai Zhi-qiong , Li Qi-Yan , Zhao Yu , Chen Zhuang-zhi , Wu Xiu-mei
Published: May 2022

Phenolic compounds (PCs) could be applied to reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and are used to prevent and treat diseases related to oxidative stress. QSAR study was applied to elucidate the relationship between the molecular descriptors and physicochemical properties of polyphenol analogues and their DPPH radical scavenging capability, to guide the design and discovery of highly-potent antioxidant substances more efficiently. PubMed database was used to collect 99 PCs with antioxidant activity, whereas, 105 negative PCs were found in ChEMBL database; their molecular descriptors were generated with Python's Rdkit package. While the molecular descriptors significantly related to the antioxidant activity of PCs were filtered by t-test. The prediction QSAR model was then established by discriminant analysis, and the obtained model was verified by the back-substitution and Leave-One-Out cross-validation methods along with heat map. It was revealed that the anti-DPPH radical activity of PCs was correlated with the drug-likeness and molecular fingerprints, physicochemical, topological, constitutional and electronic property. The established QSAR model could explicitly predict the antioxidant activity of polyphenols, thus were applicable to evaluate the potential of candidates as antioxidants.
Proliferation of osteoblast precursor cells on the surface of TiO2 nanowires anodically grown on a β-type biomedical titanium alloy
Authors: Fanton Leonardo , Loria Frida , Amores Mario , Pazos M. Ruth , Adán Cristina , García-Muñoz Rafael A. , Marugán Javier
Published: May 2022

Studies have shown that anodically grown TiO2 nanotubes (TNTs) exhibit excellent biocompatibility. However, TiO2 nanowires (TNWs) have received less attention. The objective of this study was to investigate the proliferation of osteoblast precursor cells on the surfaces of TNWs grown by electrochemical anodization of a Ti-35Nb-7Zr-5Ta (TNZT) alloy. TNT and flat TNZT surfaces were used as control samples. MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured on the surfaces of the samples for up to 5 days, and cell viability and proliferation were investigated using fluorescence microscopy, colorimetric assay, and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed lower cell proliferation rates on the TNW surface compared to control samples without significant differences in cell survival among experimental conditions. Contact angles measurements showed a good level of hydrophilicity for the TNWs, however, their relatively thin diameter and their high density may have affected cell proliferation. Although more research is necessary to understand all the parameters affecting biocompatibility, these TiO2 nanostructures may represent promising tools for the treatment of bone defects and regeneration of bone tissue, among other applications.
Molecular epidemiology and collaboration of siderophore-based iron acquisition with surface adhesion in hypervirulent Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from wound infections
Authors: Tahmasebi Hamed , Dehbashi Sanaz , Nasaj Mona , Arabestani Mohammad Reza
Published: May 2022

Iron/siderophore uptake may play an important role in the biofilm formation and secretion of extracellular proteins inPseudomonas aeruginosaisolates. In the present study, the role of siderophores, heme, and iron regulatory genes in the virulence ofPseudomonas aeruginosaisolates collected from wound infection was investigated. Three hundred eighty-four (384) swab samples were collected from wound infection and identified by phenotypic methods. The quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) method was evaluated for the gene expressions study. Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) was used to screen unique sequence types (ST) and clonal complexes (CC). Fifty-five (55)P. aeruginosaisolates were detected in all swab samples. Also, 38 (69.1%) isolates formed biofilm. The prevalence of virulence factor genes was as follows: plcN(67.2%),exoY(70.9%),exoA(60.0%),phzM(58.1%),plcH(50.9%),lasB(36.3%),aprA(69.1%),lasA(34.5%),nanI(74.5%),exoU(70.9%),exoS(60.0%),exoT(63.6%) andalgD(65.4%). According to qRT-PCR, genes regulating iron uptake were highly expressed in the toxigenic isolate. The highest expressions levels were observed forhemO, hasR,andpvdAgenes in the biofilm-forming isolates. The MLST data confirmed a high prevalence of ST1, ST111, and ST235, with six, five, and 12 clusters, respectively. ST235 and ST1 were the most present among the biofilm-forming and toxigenic strains. Also, thenuoDgene with 54 andguaAwith 19 showed the highest and lowest number of unique alleles. We demonstrated that iron/siderophore uptake is sufficient for biofilm formation and an increase in the pathogenesis ofP. aeruginosa. These results suggest that the iron/siderophore uptake system may alter the MLST types ofP. aeruginosaand predispose to bacterial pathogenesis in wound infections.
Effects of molecular characteristics and microstructure of amaranth particle sizes on dough rheology and wheat bread characteristics
Authors: Coţovanu Ionica , Mironeasa Silvia
Published: May 2022

The aim of this research is to investigate the molecular features and microstructure of amaranth flour (AF) fractions and their partial replacement effect of wheat flour (WF) on the chemical composition, dough dynamic rheology, technological and sensory characteristics of bread. The microstructure and molecular characteristics of AF were depending on their particle size (PS). When WF replacement increased and PS decreased the composite flour was richest in protein, lipids, and ash, while the moisture and carbohydrates of these flours decreased. Dynamic rheological behavior revealed significant variations depending on PS and replacement level. Bread volume and firmness increased when more than 15% AF from large PS replaced WF, while medium and small PS at 5–15% replacements was increased the loaf porosity. Chroma values decreased and samples became darker when the replacement level increased. Moreover, replacement of WF with various AF fractions impacted bread sensory characteristics, obtaining better acceptance for large and medium PS up to 10%.
Effect of vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade and internal limiting membrane peeling on eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Jun Sung Yeon , Hwang Daniel Duck-Jin
Published: May 2022

We investigated the combined effect of silicone tamponade and the internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling and investigated whether timing of peeling of the ILM affects the outcomes of vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade in eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Here, we examined 63 eyes (58 patients) with PDR, which underwent vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade and stepwise removal of silicone oil. ILM peeling was performed just before oil injection (group 1; 33 eyes, 30 patients) or after oil removal (group 2; 30 eyes, 28 patients). Visual acuity and retinal and choroidal thicknesses were compared between the groups. Thinning of the inner retina, including the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer and macular retinal nerve fiber layer, was evident at 1 year after surgery in both groups. Thinning of the total retina (P = 0.019) and inner retina (P = 0.008) was significantly correlated with final visual acuity. There was no considerable between-group difference observed in final visual acuity, intraocular pressure, or retinal or choroidal thickness at 1 year after surgery. The incidence of epiretinal membrane was higher during silicone endo-tamponade in group 2 (P = 0.033). Visual recovery and macular configuration in eyes with PDR are not affected by whether the ILM is peeled before or after silicone oil tamponade.
Stress–strain and acoustic emission characteristics of cement-based materials used to simulate soft rock with fractures
Authors: Liu Han-dong , Liu Jing-jing , Zhang Shi-ying , Feng Ling-yun , Qiu Lei
Published: May 2022

Instability failure in rock mass engineering is closely related to expansion of joint fissures. In this study, uniaxial compression tests and acoustic emission (AE) measurements were carried out simultaneously on specimens of soft rock-like material with different fracture angles and connectivity values to better understand their influence on the deformation and failure of the material. The stress–strain curve and AE signal of fractured soft rock-like material are similar to those of intact soft rock-like; specifically, they exhibit a compaction, elastic deformation, stable fracture development, and unstable fracture development. The main differences between fractured and intact material occur during post-peak failure stage. Under the combined influence of fracture angle and connectivity, the uniaxial compressive strength of fractured soft rock-like material ($$f_{cu}^{^{\prime}}$$

f

cu

′

) is lower than that of the intact soft rock-like material (fcu), and can be described by the relationship $$f_{cu}^{^{\prime}} = f_{cu} \cdot \alpha$$

f

cu

′

=

f

cu

·
α

, where $$\alpha$$
α
is the strength reduction coefficient, fitted as $$\alpha = 0.8228 + 0.00411x - 0.00789y$$

α
=
0.8228
+
0.00411
x
-
0.00789
y

. In this equation, x is the fracture angle ($$^\circ$$

∘

) and y is the fracture connectivity (%). Under uniaxial compression, the main types of secondary cracks were wing cracks and secondary coplanar cracks. The specimen with a fracture angle of 30° mainly underwent tensile failure under loading, whereas those with fracture angles of 45° and 60°mainly experienced shear failure under high-connectivity conditions (45%).
A longitudinal analysis of serum adiponectin levels and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women in Taiwan
Authors: Tai Tong-Yuan , Chen Chi-Ling , Tsai Keh-Song , Tu Shih-Te , Wu Jin-Shang , Yang Wei-Shiung
Published: May 2022

Since bone and fat mass are derived from mesenchyme in early development, adipokines secreted by adipose tissue may have an effect on bone metabolism. The relationship between adiponectin and bone mineral density (BMD) has been inconsistent in previous reports, with results being dependent on age, gender, menopausal status and bone sites. We investigated the relationship between serum adiponectin levels and the BMD of proximal femur and vertebrae bones in a 96-week longitudinal study of post-menopausal women with repeated measures of both. Linear regression models were used to determine the relation between adiponectin and BMD at each time point cross-sectionally, and a generalized estimating equation (GEE) model was used to investigate the longitudinal trends. Among 431 subjects, 376 (87%) provided baseline adiponectin measurements and 373 provided more than two measurements for longitudinal analysis. The means of serum adiponectin and BMD decreased with time. In linear regression models, adiponectin at baseline, the 48th week and the 96th week appeared to be inversely associated with BMD of proximal femur bone, but not lumbar spine after adjusting for age and various confounders. However, they all turn insignificant with further adjustment of body mass index. The inverse association between adiponectin and BMD of proximal femur is substantiated by all generalized equation models. Before adding the BMI in the model, the increase of 1 mg/dL of adiponectin can accelerate the decrease of proximal femur BMD by 0.001 (SE = 0.0004, p = 0.008). With BMI in the model, the drop rate was 0.0008 (SE = 0.0004, p = 0.026) and remained similar with further adjustment of two bone turnover markers. In this longitudinal analysis with both adiponectin and BMD measured at three time points, we demonstrate that with the increase of adiponectin level, the decline of proximal femur BMD in postmenopausal women accelerated during a period of 96 weeks.
The evaluation of IMERG and ERA5-Land daily precipitation over China with considering the influence of gauge data bias
Authors: Xie Wenhao , Yi Shanzhen , Leng Chuang , Xia Defeng , Li Mingli , Zhong Zewen , Ye Jianfeng
Published: May 2022

Evaluating the accuracy of the satellite and reanalysis precipitation products is very important for understanding their uncertainties and potential applications. However, because of underestimation existing in commonly used evaluation benchmark, gauge precipitation data, it is necessary to investigate the influence of systematic errors in gauge data on the performance evaluation of satellite and reanalysis precipitation datasets. Daily satellite-based IMERG and model-based ERA5-Land, together with gauge precipitation data, were collected with the period from 2005 to 2016 over China in this study. Daily corrections for precipitation biases from wind-induced undercatch, wetting loss, and trace error were made for gauge measurements. A set of metrics, including relative bias, Kling-Gupta efficiency, frequency bias, and critical success index, were used to evaluate and intercompare the performances of IMERG and ERA5-Land against original and bias-corrected gauge data in different locations, years, seasons, climatic zones, classes of precipitation events, and precipitation phases. The results have shown that: After removing the bias in gauge data, the relative biases of IMERG and ERA5-Land both significantly decline. The noticeable changes of their accuracy occur and vary with different locations, years, seasons, climatic zones, and precipitation phases. Furthermore, the frequency biases of IMERG and ERA5-Land rise in no precipitation events and decline in light, moderate, heavy, and extreme precipitation events. The detection capability of IMERG and ERA5-Land in no and light precipitation events is also obviously affected. Therefore, this study has demonstrated the significant influence of systematic gauge precipitation errors on the assessment of IMERG and ERA5-Land and reinforces the necessity to remove negative bias in gauge data before using it as the benchmark.
Cross-hemispheric SST propagation enhances the predictability of tropical western Pacific climate
Authors: Sun Cheng , Liu Yusen , Wei Tian , Kucharski Fred , Li Jianping , Wang Chunzai
Published: May 2022

The tropical western Pacific (TWP) has profound influences on climate. ENSO is an important source of interannual variability of TWP SST, but extratropical precursors are far less known. Here we show a significant interhemispheric influence from subtropical Southwest Pacific (SWP) on the TWP. Observational analysis suggests that SWP SST in boreal spring has strong coherence with TWP 6 months later. The spring SWP warming signal exhibits a unique interhemispheric propagation embedded in the southerly cross-equatorial flow over the western Pacific. The wind-evaporation-SST feedback initiates and maintains the progression of warm SST anomalies toward the TWP in autumn. The climate model successfully reproduces such an interhemispheric SST propagation. The seasonal evolution of SST variability improves the predictability of the warm pool SST by about 6 months. An SWP SST-based prediction model shows considerable hindcast skill (r = 0.80, p < 0.01), indicating that it is a valuable precursor of the TWP.
Microfluidics delivery of DARPP-32 into HeLa cells maintains viability for in-cell NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Sciolino Nicholas , Liu Anna , Breindel Leonard , Burz David S. , Sulchek Todd , Shekhtman Alexander
Published: May 2022

High-resolution structural studies of proteins and protein complexes in a native eukaryotic environment present a challenge to structural biology. In-cell NMR can characterize atomic resolution structures but requires high concentrations of labeled proteins in intact cells. Most exogenous delivery techniques are limited to specific cell types or are too destructive to preserve cellular physiology. The feasibility of microfluidics transfection or volume exchange for convective transfer, VECT, as a means to deliver labeled target proteins to HeLa cells for in-cell NMR experiments is demonstrated. VECT delivery does not require optimization or impede cell viability; cells are immediately available for long-term eukaryotic in-cell NMR experiments. In-cell NMR-based drug screening using VECT was demonstrated by collecting spectra of the sensor molecule DARPP32, in response to exogenous administration of Forskolin.
Antiobesity drug-likeness properties and pancreatic lipase inhibition of a novel low molecular weight lutein oxidized product, LOP6
Authors: Shamarao Nagashree , Chethankumar Mukunda
Published: May 2022

Elevated expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ), a key regulator of adipogenesis, leads to lipid accumulation and obesity.
Development of a sustainable nanosensor using green Cu nanoparticles for simultaneous determination of antibiotics in drinking water
Authors: Ben Jaballah Menyar , Ambily Rajendran Anand , Prieto-Simón Beatriz , Dridi Chérif
Published: May 2022

Simple, eco-friendly & cost-effective antibiotic nanosensor development for drinking water quality monitoring.
Atomic insight into short helical peptide comprised of consecutive multiple aromatic residues
Authors: Misra Rajkumar , Vijayakanth Thangavel , Shimon Linda J. W. , Adler-Abramovich Lihi
Published: May 2022

Single crystal conformation and super helical assembly of two helical peptides comprised of sequential multiple phenylalanines are reported.
Topological motifs in dicyanamides of transition metals
Authors: Merabet Layachi , Vologzhanina Anna V. , Setifi Zouaoui , Kaboub Lakhmissi , Setifi Fatima
Published: May 2022

Topological analysis of all known dicyanamides (dca) of metal ions was carried out. Regularities observed were applied in the design of five novel compounds.
Ti3C2Tx/rGO aerogel towards high electromagnetic wave absorption and thermal resistance
Authors: Shang Siyang , Zhao Na , Chen Yongqiang , Wang Xiaohan , Hu Feiyue , Fan Bingbing , Zhao Biao , Lu Hongxia , Wang Hailong , Zhang Rui
Published: May 2022

A Ti3C2Tx MXene/rGO composite aerogel was synthesized by facile hydrothermal and freeze-drying treatment. The aerogel shows excellent microwave absorption performance, a broad effective bandwidth, outstanding thermal insulation and resistance.
Stoichiometric network analysis in reaction networks yielding spontaneous mirror symmetry breaking in a prebiotic atmosphere
Authors: Bourdon-García Rubén Danilo , Ágreda Jesús , Burgos-Salcedo Javier , Hochberg David , Ribó Josep M. , Bargueño Pedro , Estupiñan Salamanca Andrés
Published: May 2022

Stoichiometric network analysis (SNA) was used to study the spontaneous mirror symmetry breaking of several models based on the Kondepudi–Nelson model and the Strecker reaction, under atmosphere conditions and energy sources of the primitive earth.
Significant enhancement of lattice thermal conductivity of monolayer AlN under bi-axial strain: a first principles study
Authors: Banerjee Anibrata , Das Bikram Kumar , Chattopadhyay Kalyan Kumar
Published: May 2022

An extensive study of the effects of bi-axial strain and finite sample size on the lattice thermal conductivity of AlN monolayers through first principles methodologies.
The coordination chemistry of oxide and nanocarbon materials
Authors: Bekyarova Elena , Conley Matthew P.
Published: May 2022

This perspective applies descriptors commonly used for ligands in coordination chemistry to transition metals interacting with extended surfaces.
Constructing active copper species in Cu-zeolites for coal-gas-SCR and elucidating the synergistic catalytic function of CuO and Cu2+ ion species
Authors: Cheng Jie , Zheng Dahai , Dai Chengna , Xu Ruinian , Liu Ning , Yu Gangqiang , Wang Ning , Chen Biaohua
Published: May 2022

Cu-ZSM-5-IE+CP exhibited excellent catalytic performance as a result of the synergistic effect between CuO and Cu2+ species.
20(S)-Protopanaxadiol decreases atherosclerosis in ApoE KO mice by increasing the levels of LDLR and inhibiting its binding with PCSK9
Authors: Huang Ye-Wei , Zhang Meng , Wang Li-Tian , Nie Yan , Yang Jin-Bo , Meng Wen-Luer , Wang Xuan-jun , Sheng Jun
Published: May 2022

Our results demonstrate that PPD directly binds to the extracellular domain of LDLR and inhibits the interaction between PCSK9 and LDLR, thereby increasing the levels of LDLR and alleviating atherosclerosis in HFD-fed ApoE KO mice.
A review on single crystal and thin film Si–Ge alloy: growth and applications
Authors: Basu Ranita
Published: May 2022

Dual application of Si–Ge alloy in thermoelectric and BICMOS in the semiconductor industry.
Two-dimensional benzo[1,2-b : 4,5-b′]difurans as donor building blocks for the formation of novel donor–acceptor copolymers
Authors: Gott-Betts Carmen L. , Burney-Allen Alfred A. , Wheeler David L. , Jeffries-EL Malika
Published: May 2022

In this work, two novel donor–acceptor copolymers comprising a two-dimensional benzodifuran monomer were synthesized. The impact of alkyl chain substitution and co-monomer electron accepting strength was investigated.
Imidazolium-based ionic liquids with increasing alkyl chain length of cations decrease the stability and fibrillation propensity of lysozyme
Authors: Kushwaha Pratibha , Prabhu N. Prakash
Published: May 2022

Imidazolium ionic liquids with longer alkyl side chains show a larger destabilization effect on lysozyme. Increased hydrophobicity of the IL increases its binding affinity and inhibits the fibril formation of lysozyme.
Ugi and Passerini reactions enable the incorporation of ΔAA into N-alkylated peptides and depsipeptides
Authors: Concepción Odette , Peñaloza Francisco J. , López Jhon Jairo , Cabrera-Barjas Gustavo , Jiménez Claudio A. , Paixão Márcio W. , de la Torre Alexander F.
Published: May 2022

Isocyanide-based multicomponent reactions enable the incorporation of different dehydroamino acids under mild conditions.
3D printing of MXene composite hydrogel scaffolds for photothermal antibacterial activity and bone regeneration in infected bone defect models
Authors: Nie Ran , Sun Yue , Lv Huixin , Lu Ming , Huangfu Huimin , Li Yangyang , Zhang Yidi , Wang Dongyang , Wang Lin , Zhou Yanmin
Published: May 2022

The design of bifunctional 3D printed scaffolds GelMA/β-TCP/sodium alginate (Sr2+)/MXene provides an effective strategy for the personalized treatment of infected bone defects and broadens the biomedical application of 2D nanomaterial MXenes.
Conducting polymers as bio-mimetic multistep macromolecular sensors of working conditions: polyindole/polyvinyl alcohol hybrid film senses electrical and chemical working ambient
Authors: Rajan Lijin , Sidheekha Madari Palliyalil , Shabeeba Aranhikundan , Ismail Yahya A.
Published: May 2022

Conducting polymers can be considered as model materials for designing motors sensing working conditions while working without additional connectivity as they mimic the electrochemical reactions of biological muscles comprising macro molecular motors.
Silica sulfuric acid coated on SnFe2O4MNPs: synthesis, characterization and catalytic applications in the synthesis of polyhydroquinolines
Authors: Esmaili Soheila , Khazaei Ardeshir , Ghorbani-Choghamarani Arash , Mohammadi Masoud
Published: May 2022

An efficient and heterogeneous novel magnetic solid sulfuric acid, immobilized on silica functionalized SnFe2O4, was successfully synthesized, characterized, and employed as a novel recoverable nanocatalyst for the synthesis of biologically active polyhydroquinoline derivatives.
Selective Fe(ii)-fluorescence sensor with validated two-consecutive working range using N,S,I-GQDs associated with garlic extract as an auxiliary green chelating agent
Authors: Pimsin Nipaporn , Keawprom Chayanee , Areerob Yonrapach , Limchoowong Nunticha , Sricharoen Phitchan , Nuengmatcha Prawit , Oh Won-Chun , Chanthai Saksit
Published: May 2022

The goal of this work was to use the pyrolysis process to synthesize graphene quantum dots doped with garlic extract (as N,S-GQDs) and simultaneously co-doped with iodine (as I-GQDs).
Functionalized thiazolidone-decorated lanthanum-doped copper oxide: novel heterocyclic sea sponge morphology for the efficient detection of dopamine
Authors: Amara Umay , Mahmood Khalid , Hassan Maria , Hanif Muhammad , Khalid Muhammad , Usman Muhammad , Shafiq Zahid , Latif Usman , Ahmed Muhammad Mahboob , Hayat Akhtar , Nawaz Mian Hasnain
Published: May 2022

Sea sponge-shaped La@CuO-decorated O-, N-, and S-rich DMT-wrapped GPE for DA detection.
The co-adsorption of thymohydroquinone dimethyl ether (THQ) and coumarin present in the aqueous extract of Ayapana triplinervis on mild steel and its protection in hydrochloric acid up to 323 K: computational and physicochemical studies
Authors: Rani AT Jeeja , Thomas Asha , Kuruvilla Mathew , Arshad Muhammed , Joseph Abraham
Published: May 2022

This study evaluates the corrosion inhibition property of the aqueous and alcoholic leaf extracts of the medicinal plant Ayapana triplinervis.
N-Doped natural albite mineral as green solid catalyst for efficient isomerization of glucose into fructose in water
Authors: Ren Jiabing , Ye Xin , Shi Xiaoyu , Xu Huixing , Wu Lanxin , Wang Tianfu
Published: May 2022

A green and effiecient N-doped mineral catalyst (i.e., CS/Ab) prepared by biomass waste and natural albite was explotied for glucose-to-fructose isomerization.
Cell surface photoengineering enables modeling of glycocalyx shedding dynamics
Authors: Purcell Sean C. , Zhang Michelle H. , Honigfort Daniel J. , Ng Hans Jefferson C. , Michalak Austen L. , Godula Kamil
Published: May 2022

Engineering cell surfaces with light-responsive mucin mimetic glycopolymers enables modeling of mucosal glycocalyx shedding and its possible roles in mucosal epithelium protection.
Transition in the growth mode of plasmonic bubbles in binary liquids
Authors: Detert Marvin , Chen Yibo , Zandvliet Harold J. W. , Lohse Detlef
Published: May 2022

Observation and explanation of a transition in the growth mode of plasmonic microbubbles in binary liquids.
Few-layer MXene Ti3C2Tx supported Ni@C nanoflakes as a catalyst for hydrogen desorption of MgH2
Authors: Peng Cong , Yang Cuizhen , Zhang Qingan
Published: May 2022

Significant improvement in hydrogen storage properties of MgH2 is achieved by using Ti3C2Tx-supported Ni@C nanoflakes as a catalyst due to highly dispersed catalytic phases and Ti3C2Tx nanosheets.
Evolution of optical nonlinearity within a graphene/Bi2Te3 heterostructure
Authors: Lan Jia-Chi , Yang Chan-Shan , Chen Chun-Hu , Cheng Cheng-Maw , Liu Hong , Lee Chao-Kuei
Published: May 2022

Effect of passive Q-switched solid-state laser for different absorption behaviours of absorbers.
A colorimetric, NIR, ultrafast fluorescent probe for ferric iron detection based on the PET mechanism and its multiple applications
Authors: He Yuqing , Sun Xiaofei , Yan Xiaomei , Li Yang , Zhong Keli , Tang Lijun
Published: May 2022

A novel colorimetric, NIR fluorescent probe for ultrafast detection of Fe3+ based on the PET mechanism has been developed. This probe can detect Fe3+ in actual water samples and image Fe3+ in living cells as well as be used for anti-counterfeiting ink.
Philosophy for Adolescents:Using Fables to Support Critical Thinking and Advanced Language Skills
Authors: Nippold Marilyn A. , Marr Erin
Published: May 2022

Purpose:

In this clinical focus article, we discuss the nature of critical thinking, its importance for adolescents, and its interaction with later language development. We also introduce a language arts program,Philosophy for Adolescents. The program aims to support critical thinking, narrative and expository discourse, and the use of complex syntax and literate vocabulary.

Method:

In designingPhilosophy for Adolescents, we examined research from education, psychology, philosophy, and speech-language pathology in the areas of critical thinking and narrative discourse. The resulting program encourages students to think independently, listen to others, offer reasons and evidence to support their views, and express themselves with accuracy, clarity, and efficiency. Implementation is illustrated with a case study of a 12-year-old girl.

Results:

Although critical thinking improves during adolescence, many students struggle in this area, particularly in the ability to offer reasons and evidence to support their views. This suggests that these adolescents could benefit from instruction in critical thinking. Research also indicates that competence in critical thinking is associated with narrative and expository discourse, and with the use of complex syntax and literate words such as metacognitive verbs. Instruction usingPhilosophy for Adolescentsmay be carried out in small groups or individually by a speech-language pathologist working collaboratively with a teacher, teaching assistant, or other professional. Designed for flexible application, the program may be used with adolescents who have language disorders and those who have typical language development.

Conclusion:

Research is necessary to evaluate the program with students from diverse backgrounds, having differing levels of language competence and academic achievement.

Supplemental Material:

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.19736059