bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mycoremediation and toxicity assessment of textile effluent pertaining to its possible correlation with COD
Authors: Rajhans Geetanjali , Barik Adyasa , Sen Sudip Kumar , Masanta Amrita , Sahoo Naresh Kumar , Raut Sangeeta
Published: August 2021

Globally, textile industries are one of the major sectors releasing dye pollutants. This is the first report on the positive correlation between toxicity and chemical oxygen demand (COD) of textile effluent along with the proposed pathway for enzymatic degradation of acid orange 10 using Geotrichum candidum within a very short stretch of time (18 h). Removal efficiency of this mycoremedial approach after 18 h in terms of chemical oxygen demand, biological oxygen demand, total suspended solids, salinity, color and dye concentration in the treated effluent reached to 98.5%, 56.3%,73.2%, 64%, 89% and 87% respectively. Also there was a decrease in pH of the treated effluent. FTIR analysis of the treated effluent confirmed biodegradation. The LCMS analysis showed the degradation of acid orange 10, which was confirmed by the formation of two biodegradation products, 7-oxo-8-iminonapthalene-1,3-disulfonate and nitrosobenzene, which subsequently undergoes stepwise hydrogenation and dehydration to form aniline via phenyl hydroxyl amine as intermediate. The X-ray diffraction studies showed that heavy metal content in the treated effluent has reduced along with decrease in % crystallinity, indicating biodegradation. The connection between toxicity and COD was also inveterated using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Further the toxicological studies indicated the toxicity of raw textile effluent and relatively lower toxic nature of metabolites generated after biodegradation by G. candidum.
Conformational dynamics of androgen receptors bound to agonists and antagonists
Authors: Gim Hyo Jin , Park Jiyong , Jung Michael E. , Houk K. N.
Published: August 2021

The androgen receptor (AR) is critical in the progression of prostate cancer (PCa). Small molecule antagonists that bind to the ligand binding domain (LBD) of the AR have been successful in treating PCa. However, the structural basis by which the AR antagonists manifest their therapeutic efficacy remains unclear, due to the lack of detailed structural information of the AR bound to the antagonists. We have performed accelerated molecular dynamics (aMD) simulations of LBDs bound to a set of ligands including a natural substrate (dihydrotestosterone), an agonist (RU59063) and three antagonists (bicalutamide, enzalutamide and apalutamide) as well as in the absence of ligand (apo). We show that the binding of AR antagonists at the substrate binding pocket alter the dynamic fluctuations of H12, thereby disrupting the structural integrity of the agonistic conformation of AR. Two antagonists, enzalutamide and apalutamide, induce considerable structural changes to the agonist conformation of LBD, when bound close to H12 of AR LBD. When the antagonists bind to the pocket with different orientations having close contact with H11, no significant conformational changes were observed, suggesting the AR remains in the functionally activated (agonistic) state. The simulations on a drug resistance mutant F876L bound to enzalutamide demonstrated that the mutation stabilizes the agonistic conformation of AR LBD, which compromises the efficacy of the antagonists. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the structural fluctuations shows that the binding of enzalutamide and apalutamide induce conformational fluctuations in the AR, which are markedly different from those caused by the agonist as well as another antagonist, bicalutamide. These fluctuations could only be observed with the use of aMD.
Unique transition of yielding mechanism and unexpected activation of deformation twinning in ultrafine grained Fe-31Mn-3Al-3Si alloy
Authors: Bai Yu , Kitamura Hiroki , Gao Si , Tian Yanzhong , Park Nokeun , Park Myeong-heom , Adachi Hiroki , Shibata Akinobu , Sato Masugu , Murayama Mitsuhiro , Tsuji Nobuhiro
Published: August 2021

Tensile mechanical properties of fully recrystallized TWIP steel specimens having various grain sizes (d) ranging from 0.79 μm to 85.6 μm were investigated. It was confirmed that the UFG specimens having the mean grain sizes of 1.5 μm or smaller abnormally showed discontinuous yielding characterized by a clear yield-drop while the specimens having grain sizes larger than 2.4 μm showed normal continuous yielding. In-situ synchrotron radiation XRD showed dislocation density around yield-drop in the UFG specimen quickly increased. ECCI observations revealed the nucleation of deformation twins and stacking faults from grain boundaries in the UFG specimen around yielding. Although it had been conventionally reported that the grain refinement suppresses deformation twinning in FCC metals and alloys, the number density of deformation twins in the 0.79 μm grain-sized specimen was much higher than that in the specimens with grain sizes of 4.5 μm and 15.4 μm. The unusual change of yielding behavior from continuous to discontinuous manner by grain refinement could be understood on the basis of limited number of free dislocations in each ultrafine grain. The results indicated that the scarcity of free dislocations in the recrystallized UFG specimens changed the deformation and twinning mechanisms in the TWIP steel.
Fast and accurate exhaustive higher-order epistasis search with BitEpi
Authors: Bayat Arash , Hosking Brendan , Jain Yatish , Hosking Cameron , Kodikara Milindi , Reti Daniel , Twine Natalie A. , Bauer Denis C.
Published: August 2021

Complex genetic diseases may be modulated by a large number of epistatic interactions affecting a polygenic phenotype. Identifying these interactions is difficult due to computational complexity, especially in the case of higher-order interactions where more than two genomic variants are involved. In this paper, we present BitEpi, a fast and accurate method to test all possible combinations of up to four bi-allelic variants (i.e. Single Nucleotide Variant or SNV for short). BitEpi introduces a novel bitwise algorithm that is 1.7 and 56 times faster for 3-SNV and 4-SNV search, than established software. The novel entropy statistic used in BitEpi is 44% more accurate to identify interactive SNVs, incorporating a p-value-based significance testing. We demonstrate BitEpi on real world data of 4900 samples and 87,000 SNPs. We also present EpiExplorer to visualize the potentially large number of individual and interacting SNVs in an interactive Cytoscape graph. EpiExplorer uses various visual elements to facilitate the discovery of true biological events in a complex polygenic environment.
The effect of genetic polymorphisms on treatment duration following premolar extraction
Authors: Yu Jiyon , Choi Yoon Jeong , Choi Sung-Hwan , Jung Han-Sung , Lee Ji Hyun , Cha Jung-Yul
Published: August 2021

To elucidate genetic factors affecting orthodontic treatment duration, we employed targeted next-generation sequencing on DNA from the saliva of 117 patients undergoing orthodontic treatment after premolar extraction. The clinical characteristics of patients are summarized, and the association of clinical variables with treatment duration was assessed. Patients whose treatment duration deviated from the average were classified into an extreme long group or an extreme short group. We identified nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of six genes that significantly differed in the two groups via targeted sequencing. The frequency of the CC genotypes of WNT3A, SPP1 (rs4754, rs9138), and TNFSF11, TT genotype of SPP1 (rs1126616), and GG genotype of SFRP2 was significantly higher in the extreme long group than in the short group. In the extreme short group, the TC genotype of SPP1, AA genotype of P2RX7, CT genotype of TNFSF11, and AG genotype of TNFRSF11A tended to exhibit higher frequency than in the long group. Taken together, we identified genetic polymorphisms related to treatment duration in Korean orthodontic patients undergoing premolar extraction. Our findings could lead to further studies predicting the prolongation of the orthodontic treatment duration, and will be of great aid to patients as well as orthodontists.
Neural burst codes disguised as rate codes
Authors: Williams Ezekiel , Payeur Alexandre , Gidon Albert , Naud Richard
Published: August 2021

The burst coding hypothesis posits that the occurrence of sudden high-frequency patterns of action potentials constitutes a salient syllable of the neural code. Many neurons, however, do not produce clearly demarcated bursts, an observation invoked to rule out the pervasiveness of this coding scheme across brain areas and cell types. Here we ask how detrimental ambiguous spike patterns, those that are neither clearly bursts nor isolated spikes, are for neuronal information transfer. We addressed this question using information theory and computational simulations. By quantifying how information transmission depends on firing statistics, we found that the information transmitted is not strongly influenced by the presence of clearly demarcated modes in the interspike interval distribution, a feature often used to identify the presence of burst coding. Instead, we found that neurons having unimodal interval distributions were still able to ascribe different meanings to bursts and isolated spikes. In this regime, information transmission depends on dynamical properties of the synapses as well as the length and relative frequency of bursts. Furthermore, we found that common metrics used to quantify burstiness were unable to predict the degree with which bursts could be used to carry information. Our results provide guiding principles for the implementation of coding strategies based on spike-timing patterns, and show that even unimodal firing statistics can be consistent with a bivariate neural code.
Verification of the electromagnetic deep-penetration effect in the real world
Authors: Baccarelli Paolo , Calcaterra Alessandro , Frezza Fabrizio , Mangini Fabio , Ricciardella Nicholas , Simeoni Patrizio , Tedeschi Nicola
Published: August 2021

The deep penetration of electromagnetic waves into lossy media can be obtained by properly generating inhomogeneous waves. In this work, for the very first time, we demonstrate the physical implementation and the practical relevance of this phenomenon. A thorough numerical investigation of the deep-penetration effects has been performed by designing and comparing three distinct practical radiators, emitting either homogeneous or inhomogeneous waves. As concerns the latter kind, a typical Menzel microstrip antenna is first used to radiate improper leaky waves. Then, a completely new approach based on an optimized 3-D horn TEM antenna applied to a lossy prism is described, which may find applications even at optical frequencies. The effectiveness of the proposed radiators is measured using different algorithms to consider distinct aspects of the propagation in lossy media. We finally demonstrate that the deep penetration is possible, by extending the ideal and theoretical evidence to practical relevance, and discuss both achievements and limits obtained through numerical simulations on the designed antennas.
White matter tracts characteristics in habitual decision-making circuit underlie ritual behaviors in anorexia nervosa
Authors: Tadayonnejad Reza , Pizzagalli Fabrizio , Murray Stuart B. , Pauli Wolfgang M. , Conde Geena , Bari Ausaf A. , Strober Michael , O’Doherty John P. , Feusner Jamie D.
Published: August 2021

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a difficult to treat, pernicious psychiatric disorder that has been linked to decision-making abnormalities. We examined the structural characteristics of habitual and goal-directed decision-making circuits and their connecting white matter tracts in 32 AN and 43 healthy controls across two independent data sets of adults and adolescents as an explanatory sub-study. Total bilateral premotor/supplementary motor area-putamen tracts in the habit circuit had a significantly higher volume in adults with AN, relative to controls. Positive correlations were found between both the number of tracts and white matter volume (WMV) in the habit circuit, and the severity of ritualistic/compulsive behaviors in adults and adolescents with AN. Moreover, we found a significant influence of the habit circuit WMV on AN ritualistic/compulsive symptom severity, depending on the preoccupations symptom severity levels. These findings suggest that AN is associated with white matter plasticity alterations in the habit circuit. The association between characteristics of habit circuit white matter tracts and AN behavioral symptoms provides support for a circuit based neurobiological model of AN, and identifies the habit circuit as a focus for further investigation to aid in development of novel and more effective treatments based on brain-behavior relationships.
A web-based survey of contact lens-related adverse events among the Japanese female population
Authors: Ono Koichi , Murakami Akira , Haishima Yuji
Published: August 2021

To assess the safety of cosmetic contact lenses and to identify other factors of contact lens (CL)-related complications for Japanese females. A web-based, cross-sectional, observational survey of complications related to CL use was performed. The frequencies of complications were compared between transparent and cosmetic CLs. Besides lens pigmentation, age, replacement schedule, total experience, daily wear time, location of purchase, stacking of CLs, CL exchange with friends, compliance to hygiene procedure, replacement of CLs at intervals longer than recommended, and CL wear overnight were considered as risk factors. Logistic regression analyses were performed to calculate the odds ratios. A total of 3803 Japanese females were analyzed. The frequency of adverse events was 33.4% (95%CI 31.3–35.4%) and 35.7% (95%CI 33.5–38.0%) for transparent and cosmetic CLs, respectively. In a multivariate model, statistically significant factors associated with complications included the following: quarterly schedule lenses, replacement at intervals longer than recommended, compliance to hygiene procedure, overnight wearing, purchase at physical shops and on the internet, and longer daily wearing time. Most of the risk-increasing behaviors are preventable. The role of public health ophthalmology is to increase awareness and to improve CL use behaviors.
Restricted differentiative capacity of Wt1-expressing peritoneal mesothelium in postnatal and adult mice
Authors: Wilm Thomas P. , Tanton Helen , Mutter Fiona , Foisor Veronica , Middlehurst Ben , Ward Kelly , Benameur Tarek , Hastie Nicholas , Wilm Bettina
Published: August 2021

Previously, genetic lineage tracing based on the mesothelial marker Wt1, appeared to show that peritoneal mesothelial cells have a range of differentiative capacities and are the direct progenitors of vascular smooth muscle in the intestine. However, it was not clear whether this was a temporally limited process or continued throughout postnatal life. Here, using a conditional Wt1-based genetic lineage tracing approach, we demonstrate that the postnatal and adult peritoneum covering intestine, mesentery and body wall only maintained itself and failed to contribute to other visceral tissues. Pulse-chase experiments of up to 6 months revealed that Wt1-expressing cells remained confined to the peritoneum and failed to differentiate into cellular components of blood vessels or other tissues underlying the peritoneum. Our data confirmed that the Wt1-lineage system also labelled submesothelial cells. Ablation of Wt1 in adult mice did not result in changes to the intestinal wall architecture. In the heart, we observed that Wt1-expressing cells maintained the epicardium and contributed to coronary vessels in newborn and adult mice. Our results demonstrate that Wt1-expressing cells in the peritoneum have limited differentiation capacities, and that contribution of Wt1-expressing cells to cardiac vasculature is based on organ-specific mechanisms.
Bedside microdialysis for detection of early brain injury after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
Authors: Mölström Simon , Nielsen Troels Halfeld , Nordström Carl H. , Forsse Axel , Möller Sören , Venö Sören , Mamaev Dmitry , Tencer Tomas , Schmidt Henrik , Toft Palle
Published: August 2021

Bedside detection and early treatment of lasting cerebral ischemia may improve outcome after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). This feasibility study explores the possibilities to use microdialysis (MD) for continuous monitoring of cerebral energy metabolism by analyzing the draining cerebral venous blood. Eighteen comatose patients were continuously monitored with jugular bulb and radial artery (reference) MD following resuscitation. Median time from cardiac arrest to MD was 300 min (IQR 230–390) with median monitoring time 60 h (IQR 40–81). The lactate/pyruvate ratio in cerebral venous blood was increased during the first 20 h after OHCA, and significant differences in time-averaged mean MD metabolites between jugular venous and artery measurements, were documented (p < 0.02). In patients with unfavorable outcome (72%), cerebral venous lactate and pyruvate levels remained elevated during the study period. In conclusion, the study indicates that jugular bulb microdialysis (JBM) is feasible and safe. Biochemical signs of lasting ischemia and mitochondrial dysfunction are frequent and associated with unfavorable outcome. The technique may be used in comatose OHCA patients to monitor biochemical variables reflecting ongoing brain damage and support individualized treatment early after resuscitation.
Identifying organ dysfunction trajectory-based subphenotypes in critically ill patients with COVID-19
Authors: Su Chang , Xu Zhenxing , Hoffman Katherine , Goyal Parag , Safford Monika M. , Lee Jerry , Alvarez-Mulett Sergio , Gomez-Escobar Luis , Price David R. , Harrington John S. , Torres Lisa K. , Martinez Fernando J. , Campion Thomas R. , Wang Fei , Schenck Edward J.
Published: August 2021

COVID-19-associated respiratory failure offers the unprecedented opportunity to evaluate the differential host response to a uniform pathogenic insult. Understanding whether there are distinct subphenotypes of severe COVID-19 may offer insight into its pathophysiology. Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score is an objective and comprehensive measurement that measures dysfunction severity of six organ systems, i.e., cardiovascular, central nervous system, coagulation, liver, renal, and respiration. Our aim was to identify and characterize distinct subphenotypes of COVID-19 critical illness defined by the post-intubation trajectory of SOFA score. Intubated COVID-19 patients at two hospitals in New York city were leveraged as development and validation cohorts. Patients were grouped into mild, intermediate, and severe strata by their baseline post-intubation SOFA. Hierarchical agglomerative clustering was performed within each stratum to detect subphenotypes based on similarities amongst SOFA score trajectories evaluated by Dynamic Time Warping. Distinct worsening and recovering subphenotypes were identified within each stratum, which had distinct 7-day post-intubation SOFA progression trends. Patients in the worsening suphenotypes had a higher mortality than those in the recovering subphenotypes within each stratum (mild stratum, 29.7% vs. 10.3%, p = 0.033; intermediate stratum, 29.3% vs. 8.0%, p = 0.002; severe stratum, 53.7% vs. 22.2%, p < 0.001). Pathophysiologic biomarkers associated with progression were distinct at each stratum, including findings suggestive of inflammation in low baseline severity of illness versus hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in higher baseline severity of illness. The findings suggest that there are clear worsening and recovering subphenotypes of COVID-19 respiratory failure after intubation, which are more predictive of outcomes than baseline severity of illness. Distinct progression biomarkers at differential baseline severity of illness suggests a heterogeneous pathobiology in the progression of COVID-19 respiratory failure.
Genome-wide analysis of HECT E3 ubiquitin ligase gene family in Solanum lycopersicum
Authors: Sharma Bhaskar , Saxena Harshita , Negi Harshita
Published: August 2021

The E3 ubiquitin ligases have been known to intrigue many researchers to date, due to their heterogenicity and substrate mediation for ubiquitin transfer to the protein. HECT (Homologous to the E6-AP Carboxyl Terminus) E3 ligases are spatially and temporally regulated for substrate specificity, E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme interaction, and chain specificity during ubiquitylation. However, the role of the HECT E3 ubiquitin ligase in plant development and stress responses was rarely explored. We have conducted an in-silico genome-wide analysis to identify and predict the structural and functional aspects of HECT E3 ligase members in tomato. Fourteen members of HECT E3 ligases were identified and analyzed for the physicochemical parameters, phylogenetic relations, structural organizations, tissue-specific gene expression patterns, and protein interaction networks. Our comprehensive analysis revealed the HECT domain conservation throughout the gene family, close evolutionary relationship with different plant species, and active involvement of HECT E3 ubiquitin ligases in tomato plant development and stress responses. We speculate an indispensable biological significance of the HECT gene family through extensive participation in several plant cellular and molecular pathways.
Climate-smart agriculture practices influence weed density and diversity in cereal-based agri-food systems of western Indo-Gangetic plains
Authors: Jat Hanuman S. , Kumar Virender , Kakraliya Suresh K. , Abdallah Ahmed M. , Datta Ashim , Choudhary Madhu , Gathala Mahesh K. , McDonald Andrew J. , Jat Mangi L. , Sharma Parbodh C.
Published: August 2021

Climate-smart agriculture (CSA)-based management practices are getting popular across South-Asia as an alternative to the conventional system for particular weed suppression, resources conservation and environmental quality. An 8-year study (2012–2013 to 2019–2020) was conducted to understand the shift in weed density and diversity under different CSA-based management practices called scenarios (Sc). These Sc involved: Sc1, conventional tillage (CT)-based rice–wheat system with flood irrigation (farmers’ practice); Sc2, CT-rice, zero tillage (ZT)-wheat–mungbean with flood irrigation (partial CA-based); Sc3, ZT rice–wheat–mungbean with flood irrigation (partial CSA-based rice); Sc4, ZT maize–wheat–mungbean with flood irrigation (partial CSA-based maize); Sc5, ZT rice–wheat–mungbean with subsurface drip irrigation (full CSA-based rice); and Sc6, ZT maize–wheat–mungbean with subsurface drip irrigation (full CSA-based maize). The most abundant weed species were P. minor > A. arvensis > M. indicus > C. album and were favored by farmers’ practice. However, CSA-based management practices suppressed these species and favored S. nigrum and R. dentatus and the effect of CSAPs was more evident in the long-term. Maximum total weed density was observed for Sc1, while minimum value was recorded under full CSA-based maize systems, where seven weed-species vanished, and P. minor density declined to 0.33 instead of 25.93 plant m−2 after 8-years of continuous cultivation. Full CSA-based maize–wheat system could be a promising alternative for the conveniently managed rice–wheat system in weed suppression in north-west India.
Large-scale assessment of lepidopteran soybean pests and efficacy of Cry1Ac soybean in Brazil
Authors: Horikoshi Renato J. , Dourado Patrick M. , Berger Geraldo U. , de S. Fernandes Davi , Omoto Celso , Willse Alan , Martinelli Samuel , Head Graham P. , Corrêa Alberto S.
Published: August 2021

The soybean technology MON 87701 × MON 89788, expressing Cry1Ac and conferring tolerance to glyphosate, has been widely adopted in Brazil since 2013. However, pest shifts or resistance evolution could reduce the benefits of this technology. To assess Cry1Ac soybean performance and understand the composition of lepidopteran pest species attacking soybeans, we implemented large-scale sampling of larvae on commercial soybean fields during the 2019 and 2020 crop seasons to compare with data collected prior to the introduction of Cry1Ac soybeans. Chrysodeixis includens was the main lepidopteran pest in non-Bt fields. More than 98% of larvae found in Cry1Ac soybean were Spodoptera spp., although the numbers of Spodoptera were similar between Cry1Ac soybean and non-Bt fields. Cry1Ac soybean provided a high level of protection against Anticarsia gemmatalis, C. includens, Chloridea virescens and Helicoverpa spp. Significant reductions in insecticide sprays for lepidopteran control in soybean were observed from 2012 to 2019. Our study showed that C. includens and A. gemmatalis continue to be primary lepidopteran pests of soybean in Brazil and that Cry1Ac soybean continues to effectively manage the target lepidopteran pests. However, there was an increase in the relative abundance of non-target Spodoptera spp. larvae in both non-Bt and Cry1Ac soybeans.
Heterogeneous mental health development during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
Authors: Ellwardt Lea , Präg Patrick
Published: August 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic and the mitigation measures by governments have upended the economic and social lives of many, leading to widespread psychological distress. We explore heterogeneity in trajectories of psychological distress during the pandemic in the United Kingdom and relate this heterogeneity to socio-demographic and health factors. We analyze nine waves of longitudinal, nationally representative survey data from the UK Household Longitudinal Study ($$N=15{,}914$$

N
=
15
,
914

), covering the period from early 2020 to mid-2021. First, latent class mixture modelling is used to identify trajectories of psychological distress. Second, associations of the trajectories with covariates are tested with multinomial logistic regressions. We find four different trajectories of distress: continuously low, temporarily elevated, repeatedly elevated, and continuously elevated distress. Nearly two fifths of the population experienced severely elevated risks of distress during the pandemic. Long-term distress was highest among younger people, women, people living without a partner, those who had no work or lost income, and those with previous health conditions or COVID-19 symptoms. Given the threat of persistent stress on health, policy measures should be sensitized to the unintended yet far-reaching consequences of non-pharmaceutical interventions.
Design and modeling of a planar graphene structure as a terahertz cyclotron radiation source
Authors: Planillo Jordan , Alves Fabio
Published: August 2021

With incredibly high carrier mobility and saturation velocity, graphene would be an ideal candidate for a miniaturized solid-state cyclotron radiation source. A planar semicircular graphene arc geometry was investigated for emission in the 0.5–1.5 THz range. Analytical studies, confirmed by finite element simulations, show that the emitted THz frequencies are inversely proportional to the arc radius given a fixed charge-carrier velocity. The simulations show that the desired frequency spectrum can be obtained with design radii ranging from 50 to 150 nm. Interestingly, the radiated spectrum is independent of the frequency of the stimulation of the graphene nano-arcs. The simulations also indicate that the total output power correlates well with the Larmor formulation. The device is expected to emit 1 nW/cm2, which confirms the findings of existing research in this field. Such a design could yield a scalable and cost-effective THz source.
The immune status, oxidative and epigenetic changes in tissues of turkeys fed diets with different ratios of arginine and lysine
Authors: Ognik Katarzyna , Mikulski Dariusz , Konieczka Paweł , Tykałowski Bartłomiej , Krauze Magdalena , Stępniowska Anna , Nynca Anna , Jankowski Jan
Published: August 2021

In the present experiment, it was assumed that the appropriate dietary ratio of arginine (Arg) to lysine (Lys) can improve the immune status and growth performance of turkeys. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of two inclusion rates of Arg relative to Lys in turkey diets with Lys content consistent with National Research Council (NRC) recommendations or 10% higher on the immune status of birds and indicators of protein and DNA damage due to oxidation, nitration or epigenetic changes. Another goal was to determine which dietary Arg:Lys ratio stimulates the immune response of turkeys vaccinated against Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale. The experiment was performed on 576 turkeys randomly assigned to four groups with two levels of Lys (low = NRC recommendation or high = NRC + 10%) and two levels of Arg (95% or 105% Arg relative to the content of dietary Lys). It was found that the Lys content of turkey diets should be 10% higher than that recommended by the NRC and combined with the higher Arg level (105% of Lys). Although the above Arg:Lys ratio did not improve the growth performance of birds, it stimulated their immune system and reduced protein nitration as well as protein and DNA oxidation.
Mirror neurons are modulated by grip force and reward expectation in the sensorimotor cortices (S1, M1, PMd, PMv)
Authors: Atique Md Moin Uddin , Francis Joseph Thachil
Published: August 2021

Mirror Neurons (MNs) respond similarly when primates make or observe grasping movements. Recent work indicates that reward expectation influences rostral M1 (rM1) during manual, observational, and Brain Machine Interface (BMI) reaching movements. Previous work showed MNs are modulated by subjective value. Here we expand on the above work utilizing two non-human primates (NHPs), one maleMacacaRadiata (NHP S) and one femaleMacacaMulatta (NHP P), that were trained to perform a cued reward level isometric grip-force task, where the NHPs had to apply visually cued grip-force to move and transport a virtual object. We found a population of (S1 area 1–2, rM1, PMd, PMv) units that significantly represented grip-force during manual and observational trials. We found the neural representation of visually cued force was similar during observational trials and manual trials for the same units; however, the representation was weaker during observational trials. Comparing changes in neural time lags between manual and observational tasks indicated that a subpopulation fit the standard MN definition of observational neural activity lagging the visual information. Neural activity in (S1 areas 1–2, rM1, PMd, PMv) significantly represented force and reward expectation. In summary, we present results indicating that sensorimotor cortices have MNs for visually cued force and value.
Real-time SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic and variants tracking over multiple candidates using nanopore DNA sequencing
Authors: Stüder François , Petit Jean-Louis , Engelen Stefan , Mendoza-Parra Marco Antonio
Published: August 2021

Since December 2019, a novel coronavirus responsible for a severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) is accountable for a major pandemic situation. The emergence of the B.1.1.7 strain, as a highly transmissible variant has accelerated the world-wide interest in tracking SARS-CoV-2 variants’ occurrence. Similarly, other extremely infectious variants, were described and further others are expected to be discovered due to the long period of time on which the pandemic situation is lasting. All described SARS-CoV-2 variants present several mutations within the gene encoding the Spike protein, involved in host receptor recognition and entry into the cell. Hence, instead of sequencing the whole viral genome for variants’ tracking, herein we propose to focus on the SPIKE region to increase the number of candidate samples to screen at once; an essential aspect to accelerate diagnostics, but also variants’ emergence/progression surveillance. This proof of concept study accomplishes both at once, population-scale diagnostics and variants' tracking. This strategy relies on (1) the use of the portable MinION DNA sequencer; (2) a DNA barcoding and a SPIKE gene-centered variant’s tracking, increasing the number of candidates per assay; and (3) a real-time diagnostics and variant’s tracking monitoring thanks to our software RETIVAD. This strategy represents an optimal solution for addressing the current needs on SARS-CoV-2 progression surveillance, notably due to its affordable implementation, allowing its implantation even in remote places over the world.
Optimizing the layer thickness of sol–gel-derived TiO2 coating on polyetheretherketone
Authors: Hayashi Makoto , Shimizu Takayoshi , Imamura Masashi , Fujibayashi Shunsuke , Yamaguchi Seiji , Goto Koji , Otsuki Bungo , Kawai Toshiyuki , Okuzu Yaichiro , Matsuda Shuichi
Published: August 2021

Sol–gel-derived TiO2 coatings have been confirmed to effectively promote bone-bonding behavior on polyetheretherketone (PEEK) surfaces; however, the optimal layer thickness to maximize the osseointegration and adhesive performance has not been yet determined. In this study, we applied sol–gel-derived TiO2 coatings with different layer thicknesses (40 and 120 nm) on PEEK implants to determine the effects of layer thickness on the surface characteristics, adhesive strength, and bone bonding capabilities (including histological osseointegration). The surface analysis results of both coated implants indicated no significant differences concerning the water contact angle, layer adhesion strength, and apatite formation ability in a simulated body fluid. Additionally, the in vivo biomechanical tests revealed a higher bone-bonding strength for both coated PEEK implants (compared with that of the uncoated sample). It was thus concluded that the factor of layer thickness marginally influences the bioactive advantages attained by sol–gel-derived TiO2 coatings on PEEK surfaces, highlighting the significant versatility and clinical availability of this coating technology.
New strategies for base frame fabrication in microtia reconstruction
Authors: Li Yiyuan , Li Datao , Xu Zhicheng , Zhang Ruhong , Zhang Qun , Xu Feng , Chen Xia
Published: August 2021

The base frame provides a stable support for the helix, antihelix, and tragus–antitragus complex in microtia reconstruction, and this support is vital to attain a highly defined outline for a reconstructed auricle. The success of base frame sculpting depends on appropriate treatment of the cartilage, mainly the sixth and seventh costal cartilages, which may have different characteristics. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the relevant details for base frame fabrication under various scenarios. Between 2016 and 2019, a total of 352 patients with microtia underwent autologous auricular reconstruction. Concerning the different sizes and characteristics of the costal cartilage used for the base frame reconstruction, we describe the related methods for fabrication and introduce corresponding strategies for proper management. We found that 90% of the patients responded at follow-up, and 76% of them were satisfied with the cosmetically refined auricle with harmonious integrity. The elaborate design and appropriate utilization of costal cartilage for base frame sculpting is one of the most significant and fundamental processes in microtia reconstruction. It contributes to achieving a clearly defined outline of the auricle with harmonious integrity, which is as important as the other projected subunits.
A phase I/II study of rovalpituzumab tesirine in delta-like 3—expressing advanced solid tumors
Authors: Mansfield Aaron S. , Hong David S. , Hann Christine L. , Farago Anna F. , Beltran Himisha , Waqar Saiama N. , Hendifar Andrew E. , Anthony Lowell B. , Taylor Matthew H. , Bryce Alan H. , Tagawa Scott T. , Lewis Karl , Niu Jiaxin , Chung Christine H. , Cleary James M. , Rossi Michael , Ludwig Carrianne , Valenzuela Ricardo , Luo Yan , Aggarwal Rahul
Published: August 2021

Delta-like protein 3 (DLL3) is highly expressed in solid tumors, including neuroendocrine carcinomas/neuroendocrine tumors (NEC/NET). Rovalpituzumab tesirine (Rova-T) is a DLL3-targeting antibody-drug conjugate. Patients with NECs and other advanced DLL3-expressing tumors were enrolled in this phase I/II study (NCT02709889). The primary endpoint was safety. Two hundred patients were enrolled: 101 with NEC/NET (large-cell NEC, gastroenteropancreatic NEC, neuroendocrine prostate cancer, and other NEC/NET) and 99 with other solid tumors (melanoma, medullary thyroid cancer [MTC], glioblastoma, and other). The recommended phase II dose (RP2D) was 0.3 mg/kg every 6 weeks (q6w) for two cycles. At the RP2D, grade 3/4 adverse events included anemia (17%), thrombocytopenia (15%), and elevated aspartate aminotransferase (8%). Responses were confirmed in 15/145 patients (10%) treated at 0.3 mg/kg, including 9/69 patients (13%) with NEC/NET. Rova-T at 0.3 mg/kg q6w had manageable toxicity, with antitumor activity observed in patients with NEC/NET, melanoma, MTC, and glioblastoma.
Affiblot: a dot blot-based screening device for selection of reliable antibodies
Authors: Svobodova Zuzana , Novotny Jakub , Ospalkova Barbora , Slovakova Marcela , Bilkova Zuzana , Foret Frantisek
Published: August 2021

A report on a palm-sized dot blot-based device that allows simultaneous semi-quantitative comparison of up to five antibodies from different suppliers regarding their affinity/avidity, cross-reactivity, and batch-to-batch reliability.
Raman tweezers as an alternative diagnostic tool for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
Authors: Soysal Kaan Batu , Parlatan Seyma , Mastanzade Metban , Ozbalak Murat , Yenerel Mustafa Nuri , Unlu Mehmet Burcin , Basar Gunay , Parlatan Ugur
Published: August 2021

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare disease. Combination of Raman tweezers and machine learning is a candidate to be the next diagnosis method. Band component analysis reveals the chemical structure of the RBCs.
Emerging investigator series: examination of the gastrointestinal lipidome of largemouth bass exposed to dietary single-walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Wormington Alexis M. , Robinson Sarah E. , Gabrielli David , Nouri Mohammad-Zaman , Coker Eric S. , Denslow Nancy D. , Sabo-Attwood Tara , Bisesi Joseph H.
Published: August 2021

The results of this research indicate that though SWCNTs are unlikely to be absorbed in the gastrointestinal system, they do cause disruption of the gastrointestinal lipidome.
Treatment of brackish water reverse osmosis brine using only solar energy
Authors: Said Ibrahim A. , Fuentes Naomi , He Ze , Xin Ruikun , Zuo Kuichang , Walker W. Shane , Li Qilin
Published: August 2021

Nanophotonics enhanced solar membrane distillation as a solar-powered treatment is implemented for treating reverse osmosis (RO) brine. The proposed process efficiently uses sunlight to desalinate RO brine and maximize its water recovery.
Vapor–solid–solid growth dynamics in GaAs nanowires
Authors: Maliakkal Carina B. , Tornberg Marcus , Jacobsson Daniel , Lehmann Sebastian , Dick Kimberly A.
Published: August 2021

The dynamics of layer growth in nanowires with a solid catalyst is compared to that with a liquid catalyst.
Hybrid nanostructures for electrochemical potassium storage
Authors: Vijaya Kumar Saroja Ajay Piriya , Li Benxia , Xu Yang
Published: August 2021

This review presents the research progress in utilising hybrid nanostructures to address the challenges in K-ion, K–S and K–Se batteries, and highlights the promise of electrochemical potassium storage for next-generation energy storage technologies.
A review on the preparation, microstructure, and photocatalytic performance of Bi2O3 in polymorphs
Authors: Zahid Abdul Hannan , Han Qiaofeng
Published: August 2021

The primitive and advanced approaches for the synthesis of various Bi2O3 polymorphs for photocatalytic applications are reviewed. The temperature-dependent phase transformation, morphology, and phase junction in Bi2O3 phases are presented.
Cetuximab-Ag2S quantum dots for fluorescence imaging and highly effective combination of ALA-based photodynamic/chemo-therapy of colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Hashemkhani Mahshid , Demirci Gozde , Bayir Ali , Muti Abdullah , Sennaroglu Alphan , Mohammad Hadi Layla , Yaghini Elnaz , Loizidou Marilena , MacRobert Alexander J. , Yagci Acar Havva
Published: August 2021

Highly effective and selective killing of EGFR(+)-colorectal cancer cell lines was achieved with targeted PDT and PDT/chemotherapy combination using theranostic nanoparticles.
Tunable electron and hole injection channels at plasmonic Al–TiO2 interfaces
Authors: Ma Jie , Zhang Xindan , Gao Shiwu
Published: August 2021

As the size of the Al nanocluster increases, the plasmon redshifts in energy, and the charge transfer is tuned from a net hole to a net electron transfer.
SERS monitoring of local pH in encapsulated therapeutic cells
Authors: Zhang Yizhi , Gallego Idoia , Plou Javier , Pedraz Jose Luis , Liz-Marzán Luis M. , Ciriza Jesus , García Isabel
Published: August 2021

pH-Sensitive SERS-encoded plasmonic particles are able to screen, image and characterize pH variations in encapsulated therapeutic cells provoked by changes in their viability.
Molecular-level design of excellent reversible thermochromic polydiacetylene materials with the simultaneous enhancement of multiple performances
Authors: Dong Wenjie , Zhang Renzhe , Lin Guanhua
Published: August 2021

Schematic view of the molecular structures of PDA–Glu in a PDA–Glu vesicle and the PDA–Glu/PDMS film.
Flower-like bimetal Ni/Co-based metal–organic-framework materials with adjustable components toward high performance solid-state supercapacitors
Authors: Ren Fuyong , Ji Yajun , Chen Fei , Qian Yiyi , Tian Jingjing , Wang Juncen
Published: August 2021

Flower-like bimetal Ni/Co-based metal–organic-framework materials with adjustable components toward high performance solid-state supercapacitors.
The conversion of ether bonds to hydroxyl via a base-promoted rearrangement of cyclic phosphine oxides
Authors: Li Zhan-Cai , Zhang Yu , Yan Bing-Xia , Wang Xiao-Ning , Zhai De-Hua , Li Qiang , Zheng Hong-Xing , Zhao Chang-Qiu
Published: August 2021

Biphenyl derived secondary phosphine oxides having 2′-hydroxyl were prepared.
Photocatalytic three-component annulation enabling stereoselective generation of (Z)-thiochromene 1,1-dioxides
Authors: Song Ke-Xian , Qin Xiao-Yan , Ma Zi-Xuan , Geng Fang-Zhou , Hao Wen-Juan , Tu Shu-Jiang , Jiang Bo
Published: August 2021

A new photocatalytic three-component annulation of 2-alkynylaryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates with γ-hydroxyl terminal alkynes and sodium metabisulfite is reported and used to produce a series of (Z)-thiochromene 1,1-dioxides.
Evaluation of P-bridged biaryl phosphine ligands in palladium-catalysed Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reactions
Authors: Lamola Jairus L. , Moshapo Paseka T. , Holzapfel Cedric W. , Maumela Munaka Christopher
Published: August 2021

Efficient palladium catalyst systems consisting of bench-stable biaryl phosphacycles and Pd(OAc)2are described for Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reactions of a diverse array of aryl halides and arylboronic acids.
Manifold dynamic non-covalent interactions for steering molecular assembly and cyclization
Authors: Song Shaotang , Wang Lulu , Su Jie , Xu Zhen , Hsu Chia-Hsiu , Hua Chenqiang , Lyu Pin , Li Jing , Peng Xinnan , Kojima Takahiro , Nobusue Shunpei , Telychko Mykola , Zheng Yi , Chuang Feng-Chuan , Sakaguchi Hiroshi , Wong Ming Wah , Lu Jiong
Published: August 2021

A real-space characterization of dynamic non-covalent interactions in molecular assemblies and chemical reactions at the atomic bond level.
A cobalt oxide–polypyrrole nanocomposite as an efficient and stable electrode material for electrocatalytic water oxidation
Authors: Morales Daniela V. , Astudillo Catalina N. , Anastasoaie Veronica , Dautreppe Baptiste , Urbano Bruno F. , Rivas Bernabé L. , Gondran Chantal , Aldakov Dmitry , Chovelon Benoit , André Dominique , Putaux Jean-Luc , Lancelon-Pin Christine , Sirach Selim , Ungureanu Eleonora-Mihaela , Costentin Cyrille , Collomb Marie-Noëlle , Fortage Jérôme
Published: August 2021

CoOx nanoparticles electrogenerated in a polypyrrole film as an efficient catalytic material for water oxidation to O2.
Critically Appraising Systematic Reviews in the Field of Speech-Language Pathology: A How-to Guide for Clinician Readers
Authors: Donohue Cara , Carnaby Giselle , Garand Kendrea L. (Focht)
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This tutorial will provide speech-language pathologists with foundational knowledge about systematic reviews and their importance in everyday practice. It will also assist clinicians in developing critical appraisal skills so that current research can be translated judiciously to clinical environments for patient care. Systematic reviews are often regarded as the highest level of research evidence for implementing best evidence-based practice, because they synthesize research findings from multiple high-quality research studies, identify methodological weaknesses and biases from the studies included, and assist in illuminating areas for future research work based on current gaps in the literature. While systematic reviews can provide comprehensive knowledge to inform clinical practice, few speech-language pathologists receive training on appraising and applying the findings from systematic reviews appropriately within clinical settings.

Conclusion

Clinicians within the field of speech-language pathology can use the framework provided in this tutorial to evaluate systematic reviews as a preliminary step for determining appropriate assessment and treatment methods for implementing evidence-based practice within clinical settings.
The Neural Underpinnings of Processing Newly Taught Semantic Information: The Role of Retrieval Practice
Authors: Haebig Eileen , Leonard Laurence B. , Deevy Patricia , Schumaker Jennifer , Karpicke Jeffrey D. , Weber Christine
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Recent behavioral studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of implementing retrieval practice into learning tasks for children. Such approaches have revealed that repeated spaced retrieval (RSR) is particularly effective in promoting children's learning of word form and meaning information. This study further examines how retrieval practice enhances learning of word meaning information at the behavioral and neural levels.

Method

Twenty typically developing preschool children were taught novel words using an RSR learning schedule for some words and an immediate retrieval (IR) learning schedule for other words. In addition to the label, children were taught two arbitrary semantic features for each item. Following the teaching phase, children's learning was tested using recall tests. In addition, during the 1-week follow-up, children were presented with pictures and an auditory sentence that correctly labeled the item but stated correct or incorrect semantic information. Event-related brain potentials (ERPs) were time locked to the onset of the words noting the semantic feature. Children provided verbal judgments of whether the semantic feature was correctly paired with the item.

Results

Children recalled more labels and semantic features for items that had been taught in the RSR learning schedule relative to the IR learning schedule. ERPs also differentiated the learning schedules. Mismatching label–meaning pairings elicited an N400 and late positive component (LPC) for both learning conditions; however, mismatching RSR pairs elicited an N400 with an earlier onset and an LPC with a longer duration, relative to IR mismatching label–meaning pairings. These ERP timing differences indicated that the children were more efficient in processing words that were taught in the RSR schedule relative to the IR learning schedule.

Conclusions

Spaced retrieval practice promotes learning of both word form and meaning information. The findings lay the necessary groundwork for better understanding of processing newly learned semantic information in preschool children.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.15063060