bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improved designs for pET expression plasmids increase protein production yield in Escherichia coli
Authors: Shilling Patrick J. , Mirzadeh Kiavash , Cumming Alister J. , Widesheim Magnus , Köck Zoe , Daley Daniel O.
Published: May 2020

The pET series of expression plasmids are widely used for recombinant protein production in Escherichia coli. The genetic modules controlling transcription and translation in these plasmids were first described in the 1980s and have not changed since. Herein we report design flaws in these genetic modules. We present improved designs and demonstrate that, when incorporated into pET28a, they support increases in protein production. The improved designs are applicable to most of the 103 vectors in the pET series and can be easily implemented.
Adaptive laboratory evolution enhances methanol tolerance and conversion in engineered Corynebacterium glutamicum
Authors: Wang Yu , Fan Liwen , Tuyishime Philibert , Liu Jiao , Zhang Kun , Gao Ning , Zhang Zhihui , Ni Xiaomeng , Feng Jinhui , Yuan Qianqian , Ma Hongwu , Zheng Ping , Sun Jibin , Ma Yanhe
Published: May 2020

Synthetic methylotrophy has recently been intensively studied to achieve methanol-based biomanufacturing of fuels and chemicals. However, attempts to engineer platform microorganisms to utilize methanol mainly focus on enzyme and pathway engineering. Herein, we enhanced methanol bioconversion of synthetic methylotrophs by improving cellular tolerance to methanol. A previously engineered methanol-dependent Corynebacterium glutamicum is subjected to adaptive laboratory evolution with elevated methanol content. Unexpectedly, the evolved strain not only tolerates higher concentrations of methanol but also shows improved growth and methanol utilization. Transcriptome analysis suggests increased methanol concentrations rebalance methylotrophic metabolism by down-regulating glycolysis and up-regulating amino acid biosynthesis, oxidative phosphorylation, ribosome biosynthesis, and parts of TCA cycle. Mutations in the O-acetyl-l-homoserine sulfhydrylase Cgl0653 catalyzing formation of l-methionine analog from methanol and methanol-induced membrane-bound transporter Cgl0833 are proven crucial for methanol tolerance. This study demonstrates the importance of tolerance engineering in developing superior synthetic methylotrophs.
Zirconium stable isotope analysis of zircon by MC-ICP-MS: methods and application to evaluating intra-crystalline zonation in a zircon megacryst
Authors: Tompkins Hannah G. D. , Zieman Lisa J. , Ibañez-Mejia Mauricio , Tissot François L. H.
Published: May 2020

An analytical protocol for Zr stable isotope analysis using a double-spike is described and applied to understanding mass-dependent isotopic fractionation in carbonatitic magmatic systems driven by zircon crystallization.
The classification and application of cyclodextrin polymers: a review
Authors: Tian Bingren , Liu Jiayue
Published: May 2020

After introducing the concept of cyclodextrin polymers, their classification and applications have been summarized.
Understanding the structural phase transitions in lithium vanadium phosphate cathodes for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Oh Woong , Park Hyunyoung , Jin Bong-Soo , Thangavel Ranjith , Yoon Won-Sub
Published: May 2020

Inconspicuous two-phase reaction during Li0V2(PO4)3–Li2V2(PO4)3 phase transition in Li3V2(PO4)3 cathode.
Surface polymer imprinted optical fibre sensor for dose detection of dabrafenib
Authors: He Chenyang , Ledezma Ulises Hernandez , Gurnani Pratik , Albelha Thais , Thurecht Kristofer J. , Correia Ricardo , Morgan Stephen P. , Patel Poulam , Alexander Cameron , Korposh Sergiy
Published: May 2020

Dabrafenib is one of the most widely used of the new generation of targeted anti-cancer drugs.
Biomimetic oral targeted delivery of bindarit for immunotherapy of atherosclerosis
Authors: Yin Luqi , Peng Cuiping , Tang Yue , Yuan Yuchuan , Liu Jiaxing , Xiang Tingting , Liu Feila , Zhou Xing , Li Xiaohui
Published: May 2020

Yeast microcapsule based biomimetic delivery of bindarit at a low dose exerts a good oral targeted therapeutic effect on atherosclerosis.
Photo-regulated supramolecular star with a pillar[6]arene-coated metal–organic polyhedron (MOP) core
Authors: Hao Xiang , Leng Zejian , Sun Dan , Peng Feng , Yasin Akram
Published: May 2020

We report a photo-regulated supramolecular star centered by a pillar[6]arene-coated metal–organic polyhedron (MOP) core.
Rotation of a helical coordination polymer by mechanical grinding
Authors: Rath Bibhuti Bhusan , Kole Goutam Kumar , Morris Samuel Alexander , Vittal Jagadese J.
Published: May 2020

Mechanical grinding causes anisotropic cell volume expansion, which facilitates the misaligned arms containing olefin functional groups in the neighbouring strands of the photo-inert helical coordination polymer to align to undergo [2+2] cycloaddition reaction.
Is breaking of a hydrogen bond enough to lead to drug resistance?
Authors: Dávila-Rodríguez María José , Freire Thales Souza , Lindahl Erik , Caracelli Ignez , Zukerman-Schpector Julio , Friedman Ran
Published: May 2020

Mutations lead to drug resistance by perturbing intra-molecular interactions, e.g. hydrogen bonds. Using the Abl/dasatinib complex as a model, resistance mutations were studied revealing subtle thermodynamic relations contributing to drug resistance.
The engineering of decameric d-fructose-6-phosphate aldolase A by combinatorial modulation of inter- and intra-subunit interactions
Authors: Yang Xiaohong , Wu Lian , Li Aipeng , Ye Lidan , Zhou Jiahai , Yu Hongwei
Published: May 2020

The combinatorial modulation of inter- and intra-subunit interactions was demonstrated to show promise for engineering multimeric enzymes.
A crystalline solid adduct of sulfathiazole–amantadine: the first dual-drug molecular salt containing both antiviral and antibacterial ingredients
Authors: Wang Ling-Yang , Yu Yue-Ming , Yu Ming-Chao , Li Yan-Tuan , Wu Zhi-Yong , Yan Cui-Wei
Published: May 2020

The physicochemical properties and bioactivity of a newly synthesized dual-drug molecular salt, sulfathiazole–amantadine, are theoretically and experimentally studied.
Dynamic characterization of crystalline fluorophores with conformationally flexible tetrahydrocarbazole frameworks
Authors: Colin-Molina Abraham , Velázquez-Chávez Diego , Jellen Marcus J. , Rodríguez-Cortés Lizbeth A. , Cifuentes-Quintal Miguel Eduardo , Merino Gabriel , Rodríguez-Molina Braulio
Published: May 2020

Fluorescent compounds 2 and 3 have been prepared by using Ullmann-type coupling reactions. Solid-state NMR (13C CPMAS and 2H) and periodic DFT computations were used to determine that intramolecular motion coexists with emission in these crystals.
Facile one-pot solvothermal synthesis of CdTe nanorods and their photoelectrical properties
Authors: Zhong Binnian , Kang Weifeng , Zhang Zhiwei , Zhang Linhui , Ma Bin
Published: May 2020

Uniform CdTe nanorods were synthesized by a PVP-assisted solvothermal process. By assembling CdTe NRs into photodetectors, 2.51 μA of photocurrent and 0.106 A W−1 of responsivity were obtained respectively.
Influence of alkaline-earth metal substitution on structure, electrical conductivity and oxygen transport properties of perovskite-type oxides La0.6A0.4FeO3−δ(A = Ca, Sr and Ba)
Authors: Song Jia , Ning De , Bouwmeester Henny J. M.
Published: May 2020

Revisiting the electrical conduction and oxygen transport properties of alkaline-earth metal substituted La0.6A0.4FeO3−δ(A = Ca, Sr and Ba) perovskite oxides.
Kinetics of 1H–13C multiple-contact cross-polarization as a powerful tool to determine the structure and dynamics of complex materials: application to graphene oxide
Authors: Raya Jésus , Bianco Alberto , Hirschinger Jérôme
Published: May 2020

Structural and dynamical details are probed by kinetics of 1H–13C single- and multiple-contact cross-polarization in graphene oxide.
Understanding the first half-ALD cycle of the ZnO growth on hydroxyl functionalized carbon nanotubes
Authors: Guerrero-Sánchez J. , Borbon-Nunez H. A. , Tiznado H. , Takeuchi Noboru
Published: May 2020

Initial stages of the ZnO growth on hydroxyl functionalized carbon nanotubes: the first half-ALD reaction mediated by a ligand exchange reaction.
Tuning the melting point of selected ionic liquids through adjustment of the cation's dipole moment
Authors: Rabideau Brooks D. , Soltani Mohammad , Parker Rome A. , Siu Benjamin , Salter E. Alan , Wierzbicki Andrzej , West Kevin N. , Davis James H.
Published: May 2020

Adjusting the dipole moment of an ionic liquid cation through fluorine substitution for hydrogen tunes the melting point.
Irreproducibility in the triboelectric charging of insulators: evidence of a non-monotonic charge versus contact time relationship
Authors: Zhang Jinyang , Su Chao , Rogers Fergus J. M. , Darwish Nadim , Coote Michelle L. , Ciampi Simone
Published: May 2020

Contact electrification: irreproducibility of triboelectric charging magnitudes. Using Faraday pail measurements we show that a monotonous charging slope holds only left or right of a material-specific charge-peak point.
Nonadiabatic sunlight harvesting
Authors: Calderón Leonardo F. , Pachón Leonardo A.
Published: May 2020

Light-harvesting systems display highly non-trivial decoherence rates due to the numerous energy-time scales.
UV-visible absorption spectrum of FAD and its reduced forms embedded in a cryptochrome protein
Authors: Schwinn Karno , Ferré Nicolas , Huix-Rotllant Miquel
Published: May 2020

Simulation of UV-vis absorption spectra of cryptochromes and flavoproteins requires an explicit account of vibrations of the flavin chromophore embedded in protein.
Metal–organic framework-based nanomaterials for photocatalytic hydrogen peroxide production
Authors: Chen Xiaolang , Kondo Yoshifumi , Kuwahara Yasutaka , Mori Kohsuke , Louis Catherine , Yamashita Hiromi
Published: May 2020

Metal–organic frameworks act as efficient photocatalysts for visible-light driven hydrogen peroxide production in a single-phase system and two-phase system.
Cooking and electronic cigarettes leading to large differences between indoor and outdoor particle composition and concentration measured by aerosol mass spectrometry
Authors: Omelekhina Yuliya , Eriksson Axel , Canonaco Francesco , Prevot Andre S. H. , Nilsson Patrik , Isaxon Christina , Pagels Joakim , Wierzbicka Aneta
Published: May 2020

This study assesses aerosol chemical composition PM1 (<1 μm) with the state-of-the-art techniques inside and outside of an occupied residence.
Manufacturing pure cellulose films by recycling ionic liquids as plasticizers
Authors: Li Longhui , Zhang Yun , Sun Yanling , Sun Shuang , Shen Guancheng , Zhao Peng , Cui Jingqiang , Qiao Haiyu , Wang Yunming , Zhou Huamin
Published: May 2020

Recycling ionic liquids as plasticizers, a green manufacturing method of pure cellulose films which can be used as electronic substrates is successfully demonstrated.
Evidence for photochemical synthesis of fluoromethane
Authors: Sturgeon Ralph E. , Pagliano Enea
Published: May 2020

Cu2+ – assisted photomethylation of fluoride in dilute acetic acid medium is suggested to occur by radical halogen atom transfer, with Cu(ii) acting in a catalytic capacity.
CO2-based atomic/molecular layer deposition of lithium ethylene carbonate thin films
Authors: Heiska Juho , Madadi Milad , Karppinen Maarit
Published: May 2020

CO2is used as a precursor in atomic/molecular layer deposition (ALD/MLD) for the fabrication of lithium ethylene carbonates, which are the organic species that naturally form in the solid electrolyte interphase of a typical lithium-ion battery.
Cobalt-based layered double hydroxides revisited: evidence for oxidizing radical generation
Authors: Macedo Rafael dos Santos , Boni Fazzi Rodrigo , da Costa Ferreira Ana Maria , Constantino Vera Regina Leopoldo
Published: May 2020

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) containing transition metal elements such as cobalt show interesting reactivity related to the complexity of cobalt chemistry.
Single-pot template-free synthesis of a glycerol-derived C–Si–Zr mesoporous composite catalyst for fuel additive production
Authors: Kumar Saurabh , Viswanadham Nagabhatla , Saxena Sandeep K. , Selvamani Arumugam , Diwakar Jitendra , Al-Muhtaseb Ala’a H.
Published: May 2020

The C–Si–Zr material synthesized from bio-derived waste glycerol, ZrO(NO3)2 and TEOS exhibits excellent catalytic activity for tri-acetin production from low-value glycerol.
Oxidative cyclization of thiosemicarbazide: a chemodosimetric approach for the highly selective fluorescence detection of cerium(iv)
Authors: Shaikh Ahad , Mukherjee Pallabi , Ta Sabyasachi , Bhattacharyya Arunasis , Ghosh Abhijit , Das Debasis
Published: May 2020

A simple thiosemicarbazide-based chemodosimeter was employed to detect Ce4+ ion through turn-on fluorescence.
A size-controlled green synthesis of silver nanoparticles by using the berry extract of Sea Buckthorn and their biological activities
Authors: Wei Simin , Wang Yinghui , Tang Zhishu , Hu Jinhang , Su Rui , Lin Jingjie , Zhou Tuan , Guo Hui , Wang Nan , Xu Rongrong
Published: May 2020

Herein, by using the Sea Buckthorn berry extract, we present a new eco-friendly approach for green synthesis of AgNPs, which reveal superior antioxidation and anticancer but poor antimicrobial activities.
Transition metal ions induced secondary structural transformation in a hydrophobized short peptide amphiphile
Authors: Singh Ramesh , Mishra Narendra Kumar , Singh Narendra , Rawal Parveen , Gupta Puneet , Joshi Khashti Ballabh
Published: May 2020

Transition metal ions mediate the secondary structural transformation of hydrophobized sPA and can be applied to the design and development of stimuli-responsive nanomaterials.
Fast and easy conversion of ortho amidoaryldiselenides into the corresponding ebselen-like derivatives driven by theoretical investigations
Authors: Nascimento Vanessa , Cordeiro Pâmella Silva , Arca Massimiliano , Marini Francesca , Sancineto Luca , Braga Antonio Luiz , Lippolis Vito , Iwaoka Michio , Santi Claudio
Published: May 2020

The in silico predicted Se⋯N interaction on amidoarylselenenyl iodides has been experimentally exploited for the efficient synthesis of N-substituted benzoisoselenazol-3(2H)-ones, benzoisothiazol-3(2H)-ones and ebselen, recently reported as potent antiviral agent against Sars-Cov2.
Novel phthalocyanine-based micelles/PNIPAM composite hydrogels: spatially/temporally controlled drug release triggered by NIR laser irradiation
Authors: Li Lu , Zhao Wancheng , Qu Zheng , Shi Lei , Tan Shengnan , Ha Enna , Jia Tao , Sun Tiedong
Published: May 2020

Near-infrared (NIR) light-responsive hydrogels hold significant potential for biomedical application, especially in the remote-controlled release of anticancer drugs.
Hierarchical self-assembly of an azobenzene dyad with inverted amide connection into toroidal and tubular nanostructures
Authors: Saito Takuho , Yagai Shiki
Published: May 2020

Inversion of the amide connectivity of an azobenzene dyad, which self-assembles into chiral toroids and nanotubes, improves the thermal stability of the assemblies, however it negatively affects supramolecular chirality.
Cyclometalated Ir(iii) complexes towards blue-emissive dopant for organic light-emitting diodes: fundamentals of photophysics and designing strategies
Authors: Lee Sunhee , Han Won-Sik
Published: May 2020

The fundamental photophysics of cyclometalated Ir(iii) complexes and surveys design strategies for efficient blue phosphorescent Ir(iii) complexes are summarised.
Improving catalysis for electrochemical water splitting using a phosphosulphide surface
Authors: Yin Lisi , Ding Xinran , Wei Wenxian , Wang Yihui , Zhu Zizheng , Xu Kai , Zhao Ziming , Zhao Hong , Yu Tingting , Yang Tao
Published: May 2020

A yolk–shell-structured porous phosphosulphide catalyst exhibits superior activities towards the hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions in water splitting in an alkaline electrolyte.
Dependence on co-adsorbed water in the reforming reaction of ethanol on a Rh(111) surface
Authors: Hsia Yu-Yao , Chien Po-Cheng , Lee Lu-Hsin , Lai Yu-Ling , Yu Li-Chung , Hsu Yao-Jane , Wang Jeng-Han , Luo Meng-Fan
Published: May 2020

Adsorbed ethanol molecules penetrated readily through pre-adsorbed water to react at the Rh surface; they decomposed at a promoted probability.
Facile synthesis of a direct Z-scheme BiOCl–phosphotungstic acid heterojunction for the improved photodegradation of tetracycline
Authors: Tong Haijuan , Shi Bingfang , Zhao Shulin
Published: May 2020

A one-step hydrothermal approach for synthesizing BiOCl–phosphotungstic acid (BiOCl–HPW) heterojunctions is proposed. The prepared BiOCl–HPW heterojunction exhibited good stability and photocatalytic activity.
A chitosan-based edible film with clove essential oil and nisin for improving the quality and shelf life of pork patties in cold storage
Authors: Venkatachalam Karthikeyan , Lekjing Somwang
Published: May 2020

This study assessed chitosan (CS)-based edible films with clove essential oil (CO) and nisin (NI) singly or in combination, for improving quality and shelf life of pork patties stored in cold conditions.
Correction: Narrowing band gap and enhanced visible-light absorption of metal-doped non-toxic CsSnCl3 metal halides for potential optoelectronic applications
Authors: Islam Jakiul , Hossain A. K. M. Akther
Published: May 2020

Correction for ‘Narrowing band gap and enhanced visible-light absorption of metal-doped non-toxic CsSnCl3 metal halides for potential optoelectronic applications’ by Jakiul Islam et al., RSC Adv., 2020, 10, 7817–7827, DOI: 10.1039/C9RA10407K.
Continuous liquid-phase synthesis of nickel phosphide nanoparticles in a helically coiled tube reactor
Authors: Zheng Huidong , Li Donglin , Chen Jingjing , Liu Jie , Yan Zuoyi , Oyama S. Ted
Published: May 2020

Liquid-phase synthesis of Ni2P in different flow types.
Exceeding the volcano relationship in oxygen reduction/evolution reactions using single-atom-based catalysts with dual-active-sites
Authors: Li Xiyu , Duan Sai , Sharman Edward , Zhao Yuan , Yang Li , Zhuo Zhiwen , Cui Peng , Jiang Jun , Luo Yi
Published: May 2020

Both a linear OER activity trend that reaches an ideal 0 V overpotential and a new volcano ORR activity trend with the volcano apex around ideal 1.23 V limiting potential are associated with our dual-active-site designs.
Ultrahigh photothermal temperature in a graphene/conducting polymer system enables contact thermochemical reaction
Authors: Chai Yuqiao , Ma Hui , Ma Xinlei , Zhang Xinyue , He Yonglin , Wang Yapei , Jiang Qianqian , Wang Xusheng , Ji Junhui , Xue Mianqi
Published: May 2020

The ultrahigh photothermal temperatures, achieved in a graphene and conducting polymer system, can be used for various contact thermochemical reactions.
Surface-functionalized palladium catalysts for electrochemical CO2 reduction
Authors: Xia Rong , Zhang Sheng , Ma Xinbin , Jiao Feng
Published: May 2020

Surface modifying is a promising way to manipulate metal catalyst properties in electrochemical CO2 reduction.
Hydrogels toughened by biominerals providing energy-dissipative sacrificial bonds
Authors: Fukao Kazuki , Tanaka Kazuki , Kiyama Ryuji , Nonoyama Takayuki , Gong Jian Ping
Published: May 2020

Inspired from toughening mechanism of bone tissues, hydrogels, toughened by low crsytalline hydroxyapatite as sacrificial bonds, were created.
From spin-crossover to single molecule magnetism: tuning magnetic properties of Co(ii) bis-ferrocenylterpy cations via supramolecular interactions with organocyanide radical anions
Authors: Xie Haomiao , Vignesh Kuduva R. , Zhang Xuan , Dunbar Kim R.
Published: May 2020

TCNQ (7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane) anion-radical derivatives were used to fine tune the magnetic properties of the [CoII(Fctp)2]2+ (Fctp = 4′-(2-ferrocenyl)-2,2′:6′2′′-terpyridine) cation in the solid state.
Phase control for quasi-2D blue emitters by spacer cation engineering
Authors: Tam Ho Won , Leung Tik Lun , Sun Wenting , Liu Fangzhou , Ma Chao , Sing Wong Kam , Lončarić Ivor , Grisanti Luca , Ovčar Juraj , Skoko Željko , Popović Jasminka , Djurišić Aleksandra B.
Published: May 2020

Efficient energy funneling in the quasi-2D perovskite exhibiting sky-blue emission is achieved by phase control utilizing a phenyl-alkyl spacer cation.
Aggregation-state engineering and emission switching in D–A–D′ AIEgens featuring dual emission, MCL and white electroluminescence
Authors: Tan Ji-Hua , Chen Wen-Cheng , Ni Shao-Fei , Qiu Zhipeng , Zhan Yingying , Yang Zhiwen , Xiong Jingwen , Cao Chen , Huo Yanping , Lee Chun-Sing
Published: May 2020

D–A–D′ AIEgens exhibit dual emission involving a blue TADF (monomer) and an orange TADF/RTP (dimer), which are switchable via aggregation-state engineering, and demonstrate high contrast MCL as well as white EL emission with high CRI.
Synergism between SLC6A14 blockade and gemcitabine in pancreactic cancer: a 1H-NMR-based metabolomic study in pancreatic cancer cells
Authors: Cai Aimin , Zheng Hailun , Chen Zhiwei , Lin Xinlu , Li Chen , yao Qing , Bhutia Yangzom D. , Ganapathy Vadivel , Chen Ruijie , Kou Longfa
Published: May 2020

Gemcitabine is the first-line chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer. To overcome the often-acquired gemcitabine resistance, other drugs are used in combination with gemcitabine. It is well-known that cancer cells reprogram cellular metabolism, coupled with the up-regulation of selective nutrient transporters to feed into the altered metabolic pathways. Our previous studies have demonstrated that the amino acid transporter SLC6A14 is markedly up-regulated in pancreatic cancer and that it is a viable therapeutic target. α-Methyltryptophan (α-MT) is a blocker of SLC6A14 and is effective against pancreatic cancer in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that α-MT could synergize with gemcitabine in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. We investigated the effects of combination of α-MT and gemcitabine on proliferation, migration, and apoptosis in a human pancreatic cancer cell line, and examined the underlying mechanisms using 1H-NMR-based metabolomic analysis. These studies examined the intracellular metabolite profile and the extracellular metabolite profile separately. Combination of α-MT with gemcitabine elicited marked changes in a wide variety of metabolic pathways, particularly amino acid metabolism with notable alterations in pathways involving tryptophan, branched-chain amino acids, ketone bodies, and membrane phospholipids. The metabolomic profiles of untreated control cells and cells treated with gemcitabine or α-MT were distinctly separable, and the combination regimen showed a certain extent of overlap with the individual α-MT and gemcitabine groups. This represents the first study detailing the metabolomic basis of the anticancer efficacy of gemcitabine, α-MT and their combination.
A virus that has gone viral: amino acid mutation in S protein of Indian isolate of Coronavirus COVID-19 might impact receptor binding, and thus, infectivity
Authors: Saha Priyanka , Banerjee Arup Kumar , Tripathi Prem Prakash , Srivastava Amit Kumar , Ray Upasana
Published: May 2020

Since 2002, β coronaviruses (CoVs) have caused three zoonotic outbreaks, SARS-CoV in 2002, MERS-CoV in 2012, and the recent outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 late in 2019 (also named as COVID-19 or novel coronavirus 2019 or nCoV2019). Spike (S) protein, one of the structural proteins of this virus plays key role in receptor (ACE2) binding and thus virus entry. Thus, this protein has attracted scientists for detailed study and therapeutic targeting. As the nCoV2019 takes its course throughout the world, more and more sequence analyses are being done and genome sequences are being deposited in various databases. From India, two clinical isolates have been sequenced and the full genome has been deposited in GenBank. We have performed sequence analyses of the Spike protein of the Indian isolates and compared with that of the Wuhan, China (where the outbreak was first reported). While all the sequences of Wuhan isolates are identical, we found point mutations in the Indian isolates. Out of the two isolates, one was found to harbor a mutation in its receptor-binding domain (RBD) at position 407. At this site, arginine (a positively charged amino acid) was replaced by isoleucine (a hydrophobic amino acid that is also a C-β branched amino acid). This mutation has been seen to change the secondary structure of the protein at that region and this can potentially alter receptor binding of the virus. Although this finding needs further validation and more sequencing, the information might be useful in rational drug designing and vaccine engineering.
Continuum of Care Following Sports-Related Concussion
Authors: Brown Jessica , Knollman-Porter Kelly
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Although guidelines have changed regarding federally mandated concussion practices since their inception, little is known regarding the implementation of such guidelines and the resultant continuum of care for youth athletes participating in recreational or organized sports who incur concussions. Furthermore, data regarding the role of speech-language pathologists in the historic postconcussion care are lacking. Therefore, the purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the experiences of young adults with history of sports-related concussion as it related to injury reporting and received follow-up care.

Method

Participants included 13 young adults with history of at least one sports-related concussion across their life span. We implemented a mixed-methods design to collect both quantitative and qualitative information through structured interviews. Participants reported experiencing 42 concussions across the life span—26 subsequent to sports injuries.

Results

Twenty-three concussions were reported to a parent or medical professional, 14 resulted in a formal diagnosis, and participants received initial medical care for only 10 of the incidents and treatment or services on only two occasions. Participants reported concussions to an athletic trainer least frequently and to parents most frequently. Participants commented that previous experience with concussion reduced the need for seeking treatment or that they were unaware treatments or supports existed postconcussion. Only one concussion incident resulted in the care from a speech-language pathologist.

Conclusion

The results of the study reported herein shed light on the fidelity of sports-related concussion care management across time. Subsequently, we suggest guidelines related to continuum of care from injury to individualized therapy.
On the formation of hydrogen-deficient low-mass white dwarfs
Authors: Battich Tiara , Althaus Leandro G. , Córsico Alejandro H.
Published: May 2020

Context. Two of the possible channels for the formation of low-mass (M⋆ ≲ 0.5 M⊙) hydrogen-deficient white dwarfs are the occurrence of a very-late thermal pulse after the asymptotic giant-branch phase or a late helium-flash onset in an almost stripped core of a red giant star.

Aims. We aim to asses the potential of asteroseismology to distinguish between the hot flasher and the very-late thermal pulse scenarios for the formation of low-mass hydrogen-deficient white dwarfs.

Methods. We computed the evolution of low-mass hydrogen-deficient white dwarfs from the zero-age main sequence in the context of the two evolutionary scenarios. We explore the pulsation properties of the resulting models for effective temperatures characterizing the instability strip of pulsating helium-rich white dwarfs.

Results. We find that there are significant differences in the periods and in the period spacings associated with low radial-order (k ≲ 10) gravity modes for white-dwarf models evolving within the instability strip of the hydrogen-deficient white dwarfs.

Conclusions. The measurement of the period spacings for pulsation modes with periods shorter than ∼500 s may be used to distinguish between the two scenarios. Moreover, period-to-period asteroseismic fits of low-mass pulsating hydrogen-deficient white dwarfs can help to determine their evolutionary history.
The Fornax Deep Survey with VST
Authors: Spavone M. , Iodice E. , van de Ven G. , Falcón-Barroso J. , Raj M. A. , Hilker M. , Peletier R. P. , Capaccioli M. , Mieske S. , Venhola A. , Napolitano N. R. , Cantiello M. , Paolillo M. , Schipani P.
Published: May 2020

Context. This work is based on deep multi-band (g, r, i) data from the Fornax Deep Survey with the VLT Survey Telescope (VST). We analyse the surface brightness profiles of the 19 bright early-type galaxies (ETGs; mB ≤ 15 mag) inside the virial radius of the Fornax cluster (Rvir ∼ 0.7 Mpc), in the mass range 8 × 108 ≤ M* ≤ 1.2 × 1011 M⊙.

Aims. The main aim of this work is to identify signatures of accretion onto galaxies by studying the presence of outer stellar haloes and to understand their nature and occurrence. Our analysis also provides a new and accurate estimate of the intra-cluster light inside the virial radius of Fornax.

Methods. We performed multi-component fits to the azimuthally averaged surface brightness profiles available for all sample galaxies. This allows us to quantify the relative weight of all components in the galaxy structure that contribute to the total light. In addition, we derived the average g − i colours in each component identified by the fit, as well as the azimuthally averaged g − i colour profiles, to correlate them with the stellar mass of each galaxy and the location inside the cluster.

Results. We find that in the most massive (1010 ≤ M ≤ 1011 M⊙) and reddest ETGs the fraction of light in, probably accreted, haloes (50%–90%) is much larger than in the other galaxies. All of these are located in the high-density region of the cluster (≤0.4Rvir ∼ 0.3 Mpc), belonging to the north-south clump (NS clump). Less massive galaxies (109 ≤ M ≤ 1010 M⊙) have an accreted mass fraction that is lower than 30%, have bluer colours, and reside in the low-density regions of the cluster. The colour profiles of the ETGs with the largest accreted mass fraction tend to flatten in the outskirts of the galaxy, that is beyond the transition radius from the central in situ to the ex situ accreted component. Inside the virial radius of the cluster (∼0.7 Mpc), the total luminosity of the intra-cluster light, compared with the total luminosity of all cluster members (bright galaxies and dwarfs), is about 34%.

Conclusions. Inside the Fornax cluster there is a clear correlation between the amount of accreted material in the stellar haloes of galaxies and the density of the environment in which those galaxies reside. By comparing this quantity with theoretical predictions and previous observational estimates, there is a clear indication that the driving factor for the accretion process is the total stellar mass of the galaxy, which agrees with the hierarchical accretion scenario. Massive galaxies in the NS clump, with the largest accreted mass fractions, went through pre-processing in a group environment before this group merged with the main cluster early on. At the present epoch of the Fornax assembly history, these galaxies are the major contribution to the stellar density in the core of the cluster.
Factors lead to return to sports and recreational activity after total knee replacement
Authors: Plassard Jeremy , Masson Jean Baptiste , Malatray Matthieu , Swan John , Luceri Francesco , Roger Julien , Batailler Cécile , Servien Elvire , Lustig Sébastien
Published: May 2020

Introduction: The number of total knee replacements performed (TKR) is increasing and so are patient expectations and functional demands. The mean age at which orthopedic surgeons may indicate TKR is decreasing, and therefore return to sport (RTS) after TKR is often an important expectation for patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the mid-term RTS, recreational activities, satisfaction level, and forgotten joint level after TKR. Methods: Between January 2015 and December 2016, 536 TKR (same implant design, same technique) were performed in our center. The mean age at survey was 69 years with a mean follow-up of 43 months. All patients who did not have a follow-up in the last 6 months were called. Finally, 443 TKR were analyzed. RTS was assessed using the University of California Los Angeles Scale (UCLA), forgotten joint score (FJS), and Satisfaction Score. Results: In this study, 85% of patients had RTS after TKR with a mean UCLA score increasing from 4.48 to 5.92 and a high satisfaction rate. Satisfaction with activity level was 93% (satisfied and very satisfied patients). The RTS is more important for people with a higher preoperative UCLA score and a lower American Society of Anesthesiologist score (ASA). Each point increase in ASA score is associated with reduced probability to RTS by 52%. Discussion: RTS and recreational activity were likely after TKR with a high satisfaction score. Preoperative condition and activity are the two most significant predictive factors for RTS. Level of evidence: Retrospective case series, level IV.
Long-term performance of oxidized zirconium on conventional and highly cross-linked polyethylene in total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Carli Alberto V. , Patel Anay R. , Cross Michael B. , Mayman David J. , Carroll Kaitlin M. , Pellicci Paul M. , Jerabek Seth A.
Published: May 2020

Introduction: Polyethylene wear and subsequent osteolysis remain obstacles to the long-term survivorship of total hip arthroplasty (THA). Highly cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) with radical quenching represents a massive leap forward with dramatically improved wear rates compared to ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). In this study we evaluate the wear of UHMWPE and XLPE coupled with oxidized zirconium (OxZr) femoral heads. Methods: A longitudinal, retrospective analysis was performed identifying consecutive patients who received a 28-mm OxZr-on-polyethylene primary THA from 2003 to 2004 by a single, high-volume arthroplasty surgeon. Patients were divided into two groups: those that received (1) UHMWPE liner and (2) a highly XLPE liner. Patients were included if clinical follow-up was complete to 2014 or later. Radiographic analysis was performed by two blinded observers. Measures included cup position, annual linear wear rate, and presence of osteolysis. Pairwise comparisons, correlations, and inter-rater reliability were calculated. Results: Eighty patients were in the UHMWPE group with an average follow-up of 10 ± 1.23 years and 88 patients in the XLPE group with an average of 10 ± 1.03-year follow-up. Average age (68) was similar between groups (p = 0.288). Observer reliability was excellent for cup abduction (ICC = 0.940), anteversion (ICC = 0.942), and detection of osteolysis (ICC = 0.811). Annual linear wear rates were significantly higher (p = 1 × 10−19) with UHMWPE (0.21 ± 0.12 mm/year) compared to XLPE (0.05 ± 0.03 mm/year). Linear wear rate was significantly correlated to decreasing acetabular abduction (p = 0.035). Osteolysis was noted only in the UHMWPE group, with 17 patients (21.2%) exhibiting acetabular osteolysis and 37 (46.3%) patients exhibiting femoral osteolysis. Conclusions: OxZr coupled with XLPE showed minimal wear and no osteolysis at 10-year follow up. The yearly linear penetration rate is similar to that seen in other studies of XLPE THA. A careful longitudinal follow-up will be required to determine if advanced bearings such as OxZr or ceramic can show improved performance in the second decade of implantation.
Association between the side of levator Ani muscle trauma and fetal
position at birth – a prospective observational study
Authors: Kimmich Nina , Birri Jana , Zimmermann Roland , Kreft Martina
Published: May 2020

Introduction Trauma of the levator ani muscle (LAM) is common after
vaginal birth and can most reliably be diagnosed by 3-dimensional (3D)
translabial ultrasound (TLUS). Multiple risk factors are known in general, but
not in association to a specific side of the body. Therefore, our aim was to
evaluate different impact factors which cause LAM trauma on either side of the
body or bilateral by focusing on the fetal position at birth.

Material and Methods As part of a prospective cohort study between
3/2017 and 4/2019, we analyzed vaginal births of nulliparous
women with singletons in vertex presentation≥36+0 gestational
weeks. We evaluated their pelvic floor for hematomas, partial and complete LAM
avulsions by 3D TLUS 2–4 days postpartum and searched for an association
between the affected body side and different fetal, maternal and obstetrical
factors.

Results 71 out of 213 women (33.3%) suffered from LAM trauma
– 17 (23.9%) on the right side, 20 (28.2%) on the left
side and 34 (47.9%) bilateral. No association between the different
evaluated factors and the affected body side could be identified, except for the
quality of fetal heart rate tracing.

Conclusions No significant impact factors of LAM trauma could be
associated with a specific side of the body. Other possible mechanisms need
investigation in the future, such as the time of the birth canal and the fetus
to adapt to each other, including adequate time for the tissue to stretch and
the fetus to rotate into the ideal position within the LAM hiatus.
Entfernen eines unbeschichteten Metallstents aus den Gallenwegen 6 Jahre nach Implantation bei chronisch kalzifizierender Pankreatitis
Authors: Hentschel Florian , Lüth Stefan
Published: May 2020

Standard in der Therapie benigner Stenosen der Gallenwege sind beschichtete Metallstents oder das Multistenting mit Plastikstents. Unbeschichtete Metallstents werden nicht empfohlen, da sie bei längerer Liegezeit einwachsen und es bisher als unmöglich galt, sie mit vertretbarem Risiko zu entfernen.

Wir berichten von einer Patientin mit chronisch kalzifizierender Pankreatitis und Cholestase, die nach frustranem Multistenting mit insgesamt 15 Stentwechseln einen unbeschichteten Metallstent als Zweitlinientherapie in den Ductus hepatocholedochus implantiert bekam. Nachdem dieser Stent sechs Jahre lang gelegen hatte und in dieser Zeit insgesamt 19-mal per Ballondurchzug gereinigt werden musste, stellte sich die Indikation zur Entfernung.

Ins Lumen des unbeschichteten Stents wurde ein 2 cm längerer, beschichteter Metallstent von gleichem Kaliber eingelegt. Dieser wurde 9 Monate vor Ort belassen und in dieser Zeit einmal gereinigt. Abschließend wurden beide Stents per ERCP zunächst teleskopartig auseinandergezogen, dann vorsichtig mit der Zange mobilisiert und schließlich komplett aus dem Gallengang entfernt. Die Patientin blieb im weiteren Verlauf beschwerdefrei und ohne Cholestase.

Die Stent-in-Stent-Technik zum Entfernen unbeschichteter Stents wurde erstmals für den Ösophagus beschrieben. Unser Fall zeigt, dass sie auch in den Gallenwegen und auch nach längerer Liegezeit anwendbar ist.
Oil sector and CO2 emissions in Saudi Arabia: asymmetry analysis
Authors: Mahmood Haider , Alkhateeb Tarek Tawfik Yousef , Furqan Maham
Published: May 2020

Saudi Arabia is an oil-abundant country, and gather a significant portion of its income from the oil sector. Owing to the country’s over-dependency on the oil sector, increasing greenhouse gas emissions due to economic growth have often been neglected. The present research aims to estimate the effects of non-oil income per capita, the oil sector income share, urbanisation, and gasoline price on the CO2 emissions per capita in Saudi Arabia throughout 1970–2014. We use the latest nonlinear cointegration technique to estimate the asymmetrical effects of the oil sector on CO2 emissions. We found a long-run relationship in our hypothesised model. We also found a positive impact of non-oil income and urbanisation on CO2 emissions per capita and a negative effect of gasoline price. Moreover, a positive asymmetrical impact of oil income share on CO2 emissions is observed. The increasing oil income share has a more significant positive impact on CO2 emissions than that of decreasing oil income share. Moreover, the effect of increasing oil income share is found greater than non-oil income, urbanisation, and gasoline price. It is suggested to use tight environmental policies while formulating economic growth and urbanisation policies. Further, the economy should cut down its dependency on the oil sector to ensure a cleaner environment.
Calabi–Yau generalized complete intersections and aspects of cohomology of sheaves
Authors: Jia Qiuye , Lin Hai
Published: May 2020

We consider generalized complete intersection manifolds in the product space of projective spaces and work out useful aspects pertaining to the cohomology of sheaves over them. First, we present and prove a vanishing theorem on the cohomology groups of sheaves for subvarieties of the ambient product space of projective spaces. We then prove a birational equivalence between configuration matrices of complete intersection Calabi–Yau manifolds. We also present a formula of the genus of curves in generalized complete intersection manifolds. Some of these curves arise as the fixed point locus of certain symmetry group action on the generalized complete intersection Calabi–Yau manifolds. We also make a blowing-up along curves by which one can generate new Calabi–Yau manifolds. Moreover, an approach on spectral sequences is used to compute Hodge numbers of generalized complete intersection Calabi–Yau manifolds and the genus of curves therein.
Synthesis and dimensional control of CsPbBr3 perovskite nanocrystals using phosphorous based ligands
Authors: McGrath Fiona , Ghorpade Uma V. , Ryan Kevin M.
Published: May 2020

Nanocrystals of the inorganic perovskite, CsPbBr3, display outstanding photo-physical properties, making them ideal for next generation optical devices. However, the typical combination of oleic acid and oleylamine ligands employed in their synthesis is easily displaced, leading to poor stability that can hinder their applicability. In this work, we look toward the replacement of the oleic acid and amine with phosphorous-based ligands. We synthesize CsPbBr3 nanocrystals using an oleylamine/alkylphosphonic acid combination with near perfect monodispersity with the ability to tune the bandgap by varying the alkyl chain length. We further investigate the replacement of the oleylamine giving a ligand combination of alkylphosphonic acid/trioctylphosphine oxide for perovskite nanocrystal nucleation and growth. This combination is typical for the widely studied metal chalcogenide synthesis and in our study with CsPbBr3 yields a pure phase perovskite.
Randomized multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis of long time series
Authors: Zhou Fang-Xin , Wang Sheng , Han Guo-Sheng , Jiang Shan , Yu Zu-Guo
Published: May 2020

A novel general randomized method is proposed to investigate multifractal properties of long time series. Based on multifractal temporally weighted detrended fluctuation analysis (MFTWDFA), we obtain randomized multifractal temporally weighted detrended fluctuation analysis (RMFTWDFA). The innovation of this algorithm is applying a random idea in the process of dividing multiple intervals to find the local trend. To test the performance of the RMFTWDFA algorithm, we apply it, together with the MFTWDFA, to the artificially generated time series and real genomic sequences. For three types of artificially generated time series, consistency tests are performed on the estimated h(q), and all results indicate that there is no significant difference in the estimated h(q) of the two methods. Meanwhile, for different sequence lengths, the running time of RMFTWDFA is reduced by over ten times. We use prokaryote genomic sequences with large scales as real examples, the results obtained by RMFTWDFA demonstrate that these genomic sequences show fractal characteristics, and we leverage estimated exponents to study phylogenetic relationships between species. The final clustering results are consistent with real relationships. All the results reflect that RMFTWDFA is significantly effective and timesaving for long time series, while obtaining an accuracy statistically comparable to other methods.
Wake events during early three-dimensional transition of a circular cylinder placed in shear flow
Authors: De Arnab Kumar , Sarkar Sandip
Published: May 2020

Three-dimensional (3D) direct numerical simulations are carried out for shear flows past a circular cylinder in the early 2D (two-dimensional)–3D transition regime. The effect of incoming shear is buried in a source term employing a velocity transformation. Wake transition events are inspected for both planar and span-wise shear flows. Parallel, time-mean-symmetric shedding for planar shear and oblique vortex shedding for span-wise shear are observed with a near wake roll-up vortical structure. Vortex splits and dislocations are found without any order in time for moderate shear, while they give way to visibly higher levels of instabilities at higher shear rates. Mode “B” instabilities are noted for planar shear, while opposite streamwise vortices align in parallel horizontal layers for span-wise shear. Local Strouhal frequency (Stz) drops inside a span-wise cell for span-wise shear with finite jumps across cell boundaries. Wavelet multiresolution analysis indicates a strong flushing effect, triggered by vortex dislocations, which gives rise to a new frequency event. The dominant span-wise mode indicates periodic forcing of mode “A” instabilities at a rate close to the inverse of local Strouhal number. In contrast, the streamwise velocity modes result in a global span-wise similarity. Intrinsic secondary instabilities play a vital role in span-wise shear cases. The addition of planar shear makes the downstream defect layer nearly span-wise-invariant. However, the velocity defect is entirely controlled by the span-wise shear. The momentum thickness exhibits streamwise growth, similar to the Blasius profile. The shape factor of such profiles indicates a delay in laminar–turbulent transition for span-wise shear.
Magnetic frustration induced liquid-like short-range ordering in cubic Mn1.5Cr1.5O4
Authors: Dwivedi G. D. , Wang C. W. , Kumawat Sagar Mal , Chou H.
Published: May 2020

In this report, we have done a detailed investigation on temperature-dependent neutron diffraction patterns to reveal the existence of short-range magnetic ordering above Néel temperature, which persists at low temperature in cubic spinel Mn1.5Cr1.5O4. The inverse susceptibility curve starts to deviate from the Curie–Weiss law below T′ (∼170 K). The magnetic diffuse scattering around the (111) peak also shows a similar feature, which confirms the development of a short-range magnetic correlation below 170 K. This diffuse scattering shows a maximum at TN, 56 K, and then starts to normalize to the magnetic Bragg peaks below TN but never becomes zero. The magnetic frustration present in the system induces a liquid-like short-range ordering, which co-exists along with the long-range ordering in the ferrimagnetic state.