bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emergent bacterial community properties induce enhanced drought tolerance in Arabidopsis
Authors: Yang Nan , Nesme Joseph , Røder Henriette Lyng , Li Xuanji , Zuo Zhangli , Petersen Morten , Burmølle Mette , Sørensen Søren Johannes
Published: November 2021

Drought severely restricts plant production and global warming is further increasing drought stress for crops. Much information reveals the ability of individual microbes affecting plant stress tolerance. However, the effects of emergent bacterial community properties on plant drought tolerance remain largely unexplored. Here, we inoculated Arabidopsis plants in vivo with a four-species bacterial consortium (Stenotrophomonas rhizophila, Xanthomonas retroflexus, Microbacterium oxydans, and Paenibacillus amylolyticus, termed as SPMX), which is able to synergistically produce more biofilm biomass together than the sum of the four single-strain cultures, to investigate its effects on plant performance and rhizo-microbiota during drought. We found that SPMX remarkably improved Arabidopsis survival post 21-day drought whereas no drought-tolerant effect was observed when subjected to the individual strains, revealing emergent properties of the SPMX consortium as the underlying cause of the induced drought tolerance. The enhanced drought tolerance was associated with sustained chlorophyll content and endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) signaling. Furthermore, our data showed that the addition of SPMX helped to stabilize the diversity and structure of root-associated microbiomes, which potentially benefits plant health under drought. These SPMX-induced changes jointly confer an increased drought tolerance to plants. Our work may inform future efforts to engineer the emergent bacterial community properties to improve plant tolerance to drought.
VEGF-A, PDGF-BB and HB-EGF engineered for promiscuous super affinity to the extracellular matrix improve wound healing in a model of type 1 diabetes
Authors: White Michael J. V. , Briquez Priscilla S. , White David A. V. , Hubbell Jeffrey A.
Published: November 2021

Chronic non-healing wounds, frequently caused by diabetes, lead to lower quality of life, infection, and amputation. These wounds have limited treatment options. We have previously engineered growth factors to bind to exposed extracellular matrix (ECM) in the wound environment using the heparin-binding domain of placental growth factor-2 (PlGF-2123–144), which binds promiscuously to ECM proteins. Here, in the type 1 diabetic (T1D) NOD mouse model, engineered growth factors (eGFs) improved both re-epithelialization and granulation tissue formation. eGFs were even more potent in combination, and the “triple therapy” of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-PlGF-2123–144), platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB-PlGF-2123–144), and heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF-PlGF-2123–144) both improved wound healing and remained at the site of administration for significantly longer than wild-type growth factors. In addition, we also found that changes in the cellular milieu of a wound, including changing amounts of M1 macrophages, M2 macrophages and effector T cells, are most predictive of wound-healing success in the NOD mouse model. These results suggest that the triple therapy of VEGF-PlGF-2123–144, PDGF-BB-PlGF-2123–144, and HB-EGF-PlGF-2123–144may be an effective therapy for chronic non-healing wounds in that occur as a complication of diabetes.
Evaluation of PD-L1 and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in paired pretreatment biopsies and post neoadjuvant chemotherapy surgical specimens of breast carcinoma
Authors: Hoffmann Lucas Grecco , Sarian Luis Otavio , Vassallo José , de Paiva Silva Geisilene Russano , Ramalho Susana Oliveira Botelho , Ferracini Amanda Canato , da Silva Araujo Karina , Jales Rodrigo Menezes , Figueira Deayra Emyle , Derchain Sophie
Published: November 2021

Herein it was evaluated the impact of PD-L1 immunohistochemical expression and stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (sTIL) counts in pretreatment needle core biopsy on response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) for patients with breast carcinomas (BC). In 127 paired pre- and post-NACT BC specimens, immunohistochemical expression of PD-L1 was evaluated in stroma and in neoplastic cells. In the same samples sTILs were semi-quantified in tumor stroma. Post-NACT specimens were histologically rated as having residual cancer burden (RCB of any degree), or with complete pathological response (pCR). PD-L1 expression and higher sTIL counts were associated with histological grade 3 BC. PD-L1 expression was also associated with the non-luminal-HER2+ and triple negative immunohistochemical profiles of BC. Pathological complete response was associated with histological grade 3 tumors, and with the non-luminal-HER2+ and triple negative profiles. Additionally, our results support an association between PD-L1 expression and pCR to NACT. It was also observed that there is a trend to reduction of sTIL counts in the post-NACT specimens of patients with pCR. Of note, PD-L1 was expressed in half of the hormone receptor positive cases, a finding that might expand the potential use of immune checkpoint inhibitors for BC patients.
Modulation of initial movement for double potential targets with specific time constraints
Authors: Onagawa Ryoji , Kudo Kazutoshi
Published: November 2021

In goal-directed behavior, individuals are often required to plan and execute a movement with multiple competing reach targets simultaneously. The time constraint assigned to the target is an important factor that affect the initial movement planning, but the adjustments made to the starting behavior considering the time constraints specific to each target have not yet been clarified. The current study examined how humans adjusted their motor planning for double potential targets with independent time constraints under a go-before-you-know situation. The results revealed that the initial movements were modulated depending on the time constraints for potential targets. However, under tight time constraints, the performance in the double-target condition was lower than the single-target condition, which was a control condition implemented to estimate performance when one target is ignored. These results indicate that the initial movement for multiple potential targets with independent time constraints can be modified, but the planning is suboptimal.
Comparison of liver scintigraphy and the liver-spleen contrast in Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI on liver function tests
Authors: Mori Hiroshige , Machimura Hanaka , Iwaya Amika , Baba Masaru , Furuya Ken
Published: November 2021

The liver-spleen contrast (LSC) using hepatobiliary-phase images could replace the receptor index (LHL15) in liver scintigraphy; however, few comparative studies exist. This study aimed to verify the convertibility from LSC into LHL15. In 136 patients, the LSC, not at 20 min, but at 60 min after injecting gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid was compared with the LHL15, albumin–bilirubin (ALBI) score, and the related laboratory parameters. The LHL15 was also compared with their biochemical tests. The correlation coefficients of LSC with LHL15, ALBI score, total bilirubin, and albumin were 0.740, –0.624, –0.606, and 0.523 (P < 0.00001), respectively. The correlation coefficients of LHL15 with ALBI score, total bilirubin, and albumin were –0.647, –0.553, and 0.569 (P < 0.00001), respectively. The linear regression equation on the estimated LHL15 (eLHL15) from LSC was eLHL15 = 0.460 · LSC + 0.727 (P < 0.00001) and the coefficient of determination was 0.548. Regarding a contingency table using imaging-based clinical stage classification, the degree of agreement between eLHL15 and LHL15 was 65.4%, and Cramer's V was 0.568 (P < 0.00001). Therefore, although the LSC may be influenced by high total bilirubin, the eLHL15 can replace the LSC as an index to evaluate liver function.
Dual mode imaging in mid infrared with thermal signal reconstruction for innovative diagnostics of the “Monocromo” by Leonardo da Vinci
Authors: Daffara Claudia , Parisotto Simone , Mariotti Paola Ilaria , Ambrosini Dario
Published: November 2021

Dual mode imaging in the mid infrared band, a joint use of thermography and quasi-thermal reflectography, was recently proposed as a full field diagnostic tool in cultural heritage. Here we discuss for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, a detailed application of such non destructive technique to the diagnostics of frescoes, with an emphasis on the location of detachments. We also investigate the use of a thermographic method based on TSR (thermal signal reconstruction), in a long pulse stimulus scheme, as well as the spatial registration of thermal images after post-processing analysis to their visible counterpart, so as to obtain a fine resolution diagnostic map. As an exemplar case study, we report about the application of dual mode imaging with a 500 $${\upmu }\hbox {m}$$

μ
m

pixel size at object plane on the “Monocromo”, a fresco by Leonardo da Vinci located in the Sforza Castle (Milan, Italy). Our technique was used to guide the conservators during the restoration works, opening new perspectives in artwork diagnostics.
Tropical instability wave modulation of chlorophyll-a in the Equatorial Pacific
Authors: Shi Wei , Wang Menghua
Published: November 2021

The global daily gap-free chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) data derived using the data interpolating empirical orthogonal functions (DINEOF) technique from observations of the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) in 2020 and the in situ measurements at the Tropical Ocean Atmosphere (TAO) moorings are used to characterize and quantify the biological variability modulated by the tropical instability wave (TIW). Our study aims to understand how ocean physical processes are linked to biological variability. In this study, we use the TAO in situ measurements and the coincident VIIRS Chl-a data to identify the mechanism that drives ocean biological variability corresponding to the TIW. Satellite observations show that the TIW-driven Chl-a variability stretched from 90°W to 160°E in the region. The enhanced Chl-a pattern propagated westward and moderately matched the cooler sea surface temperature (SST) patterns in the Equatorial Pacific Ocean. In fact, the Chl-a variation driven by the TIW is about ± 30% of mean Chl-a values. Furthermore, the time series of Chl-a at 140°W along the equator was found to be in phase with sea surface salinity (SSS) at 140°W along the equator at the TAO mooring since late May 2020. The cross-correlation coefficients with the maximum magnitude between Chl-a and SST, Chl-a and SSS, and Chl-a and dynamic height were –0.46, + 0.74, and –0.58, respectively, with the corresponding time lags of about 7 days, 1 day, and 8 days, respectively. The different spatial patterns of the cooler SST and enhanced Chl-a are attributed to the phase difference in Chl-a and SST. Indeed, a Chl-a peak normally coincided with a SSS peak and vice versa. This could be attributed to the consistency in the change in nutrient concentration with respect to the change of SSS. The vertical distributions of the temperature and salinity at 140°W along the equator reveal that the TIW leads to changes in both salinity and nutrient concentrations in the sea surface, and consequently drives the Chl-a variability from late May until the end of the year 2020.
Anisotropic scaling for 3D topological models
Authors: Rufo S. , Griffith M. A. R. , Lopes Nei , Continentino Mucio A.
Published: November 2021

A proposal to study topological models beyond the standard topological classification and that exhibit breakdown of Lorentz invariance is presented. The focus of the investigation relies on their anisotropic quantum critical behavior. We study anisotropic effects on three-dimensional (3D) topological models, computing their anisotropic correlation length critical exponent $$\nu$$
ν
obtained from numerical calculations of the penetration length of the zero-energy surface states as a function of the distance to the topological quantum critical point. A generalized Weyl semimetal model with broken time-reversal symmetry is introduced and studied using a modified Dirac equation. An approach to characterize topological surface states in topological insulators when applied to Fermi arcs allows to capture the anisotropic critical exponent $$\theta =\nu _{x}/\nu _{z}$$

θ
=

ν
x

/

ν
z

. We also consider the Hopf insulator model, for which the study of the topological surface states yields unusual values for $$\nu$$
ν
and for the dynamic critical exponent z. From an analysis of the energy dispersions, we propose a scaling relation $$\nu _{\bar{\alpha }}z_{\bar{\alpha }}=2q$$

ν

α

¯

z

α

¯

=
2
q

and $$\theta =\nu _{x}/\nu _{z}=z_{z}/z_{x}$$

θ
=

ν
x

/

ν
z

=

z
z

/

z
x

for $$\nu$$
ν
and z that only depends on the Hopf insulator Hamiltonian parameters p and q and the axis direction $$\bar{\alpha }$$

α

¯

. An anisotropic quantum hyperscaling relation is also obtained.
Characterizing the postnatal hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis response of in utero heat stressed pigs at 10 and 15 weeks of age
Authors: Maskal Jacob M. , Brito Luiz F. , Duttlinger Alan W. , Kpodo Kouassi R. , McConn Betty R. , Byrd Christopher J. , Richert Brian T. , Marchant Jeremy N. , Lay Donald C. , Perry Shelbi D. , Lucy Matthew C. , Safranski Tim J. , Johnson Jay S.
Published: November 2021

In utero heat stress alters postnatal physiological and behavioral stress responses in pigs. However, the mechanisms underlying these alterations have not been determined. The study objective was to characterize the postnatal hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis response of in utero heat-stressed pigs. Pigs were subjected to a dexamethasone suppression test followed by a corticotrophin releasing hormone challenge at 10 and 15 weeks of age. Following the challenge, hypothalamic, pituitary, and adrenal tissues were collected from all pigs for mRNA abundance analyses. At 10 weeks of age, in utero heat-stressed pigs had a reduced (P < 0.05) cortisol response to the corticotrophin releasing hormone challenge versus controls. Additionally, the cortisol response tended to be greater overall (P < 0.10) in 15 versus 10-week-old pigs in response to the dexamethasone suppression test. The cortisol response tended to be reduced overall (P < 0.10) in 15 versus 10-week-old pigs in response to the corticotrophin releasing hormone challenge. Hypothalamic corticotropin releasing hormone mRNA abundance tended to be greater (P < 0.10) in in utero heat-stressed versus control pigs at 15-weeks of age. In summary, in utero heat stress altered some aspects of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis related to corticotropin releasing hormone signaling, and age influenced this response.
Developing a pro-angiogenic placenta derived amniochorionic scaffold with two exposed basement membranes as substrates for cultivating endothelial cells
Authors: Shariatzadeh Siavash , Shafiee Sepehr , Zafari Ali , Tayebi Tahereh , Yazdanpanah Ghasem , Majd Alireza , Haj-Mirzaian Arvin , Bahrami Soheyl , Niknejad Hassan
Published: November 2021

Decellularized and de-epithelialized placenta membranes have widely been used as scaffolds and grafts in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Exceptional pro-angiogenic and biomechanical properties and low immunogenicity have made the amniochorionic membrane a unique substrate which provides an enriched niche for cellular growth. Herein, an optimized combination of enzymatic solutions (based on streptokinase) with mechanical scrapping is used to remove the amniotic epithelium and chorion trophoblastic layer, which resulted in exposing the basement membranes of both sides without their separation and subsequent damages to the in-between spongy layer. Biomechanical and biodegradability properties, endothelial proliferation capacity, and in vivo pro-angiogenic capabilities of the substrate were also evaluated. Histological staining, immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining for collagen IV, and scanning electron microscope demonstrated that the underlying amniotic and chorionic basement membranes remained intact while the epithelial and trophoblastic layers were entirely removed without considerable damage to basement membranes. The biomechanical evaluation showed that the scaffold is suturable. Proliferation assay, real-time polymerase chain reaction for endothelial adhesion molecules, and IHC demonstrated that both side basement membranes could support the growth of endothelial cells without altering endothelial characteristics. The dorsal skinfold chamber animal model indicated that both side basement membranes could promote angiogenesis. This bi-sided substrate with two exposed surfaces for cultivating various cells would have potential applications in the skin, cardiac, vascularized composite allografts, and microvascular tissue engineering.
Right atrium size in the general population
Authors: Keller Karsten , Sinning Christoph , Schulz Andreas , Jünger Claus , Schmitt Volker H. , Hahad Omar , Zeller Tanja , Beutel Manfred , Pfeiffer Norbert , Strauch Konstantin , Blankenberg Stefan , Lackner Karl J. , Prochaska Jürgen H. , Schulz Eberhard , Münzel Thomas , Wild Philipp S.
Published: November 2021

Echocardiography is the most common routine cardiac imaging method. Nevertheless, only few data about sex-specific reference limits for right atrium (RA) dimensions are available. Transthoracic echocardiographic RA measurements were studied in 9511 participants of the Gutenberg-Health-Study. A reference sample of 1942 cardiovascular healthy subjects without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was defined. We assessed RA dimensions and sex-specific reference limits were defined using the 95th percentile of the reference sample. Results showed sex-specific differences with larger RA dimensions in men that were attenuated by standardization for body-height. RA-volume was 20.2 ml/m in women (5th–95th: 12.7–30.4 ml/m) and 26.1 ml/m in men (5th–95th: 16.0–40.5 ml/m). Multivariable regressions identified body-mass-index (BMI), coronary artery disease (CAD), chronic heart failure (CHF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) as independent key correlates of RA-volume in both sexes. All-cause mortality after median follow-up-period of 10.7 (9.81/11.6) years was higher in individuals who had RA volume/height outside the 95% reference limit (HR 1.70 [95%CI 1.29–2.23], P = 0.00014)). Based on a large community-based sample, we present sex-specific reference-values for RA dimensions normalized for height. RA-volume varies with BMI, CHF, CAD and AF in both sexes. Individuals with RA-volume outside the reference limit had a 1.7-fold higher mortality than those within reference limits.
Comparative assessment of antimicrobial, antiradical and cytotoxic activities of cannabidiol and its propyl analogue cannabidivarin
Authors: Russo Chiara , Lavorgna Margherita , Nugnes Roberta , Orlo Elena , Isidori Marina
Published: November 2021

Cannabidiol and cannabidivarin are phytocannabinoids produced by Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa. Cannabidiol has been studied more extensively than its propyl analogue cannabidivarin. Therefore, we performed a battery of in vitro biological assays to compare the cytotoxic, antiradical and antibacterial activities of both cannabinoids. Potential mitochondrial metabolism alterations, DNA synthesis inhibition, and plasma membrane damage were studied by MTT assay, BrdU-ELISA and LDH assay of cancer and normal human cells exposed to cannabinoids. ABTS and DPPH assays were performed to observe the effects of the cannabinoids on free radicals. Microbial susceptibility tests were performed to study the activity of the cannabinoids in two bacterial species implicated in human infections, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The results showed that the cannabinoids induced medium levels of cytotoxicity in cancer and normal cells at concentrations ranging from 15.80 to 48.63 and from 31.89 to 151.70 µM, respectively, after 72 h of exposure. Cannabinoids did not exhibit a strong antioxidant capacity in scavenging ABTS or DPPH radicals. No evident differences were observed between the two cannabinoids in antimicrobial activity, except with respect to S. aureus, which showed greater susceptibility to cannabidiol than to cannabidivarin after 72 h of exposure.
NTCU induced pre-malignant and malignant stages of lung squamous cell carcinoma in mice model
Authors: Zakaria Muhammad Asyaari , Rajab Nor Fadilah , Chua Eng Wee , Selvarajah Gayathri Thevi , Masre Siti Fathiah
Published: November 2021

Mice have served as an excellent model to understand the etiology of lung cancer for years. However, data regarding dual-stage carcinogenesis of lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) remain elusive. Therefore, we aim to develop pre-malignant (PM) and malignant (M) lung SCC in vivo using N-nitroso-tris-chloroethylurea (NTCU). BALB/C mice were allotted into two main groups; PM and M groups which received treatment for 15 and 30 weeks, respectively. Then, the mice in each main group were allotted into three groups; control, vehicle, and cancer (n = 6), which received normal saline, 70% acetone, and 0.04 M NTCU by skin painting, respectively. Histopathologically, we discovered a mix of hyperplasia, metaplasia, and dysplasia lesions in the PM group and intracellular bridge; an SCC feature in the M group. The M group was positive for cytokeratin 5/6 protein which confirmed the lung SCC subtype. We also found significantly higher (P < 0.05) epithelium thickness in the cancer groups as compared to the vehicle and control groups at both the PM and M. Overall, this study discovered that NTCU is capable of developing PM and M lung SCC in mice model at appropriate weeks and the vehicle group was suggested to be adequate as control group for future research.
Biocompatible graphene-zirconia nanocomposite as a cyto-safe immunosensor for the rapid detection of carcinoembryonic antigen
Authors: Lin Lih Poh , Tham Shiau-Ying , Loh Hwei-San , Tan Michelle T. T.
Published: November 2021

Graphene-based materials have gained remarkable attention in numerous disciplines owing to their unique electrochemical properties. Out of various hybridized nanocomposites, graphene-zirconia nanocomposite (GZ) was distinctive due to its biocompatibility.
Zirconia nanoparticles serve as spacers that reduce the stacking of graphene and improve the electrochemical performance of the material. Considering that lungs and skin suffer the greatest exposure to nanoparticles, this study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of the as-synthesized GZ nanocomposites on MRC5 (lung cells) and HaCaT (skin cells) via morphological observation and cell viability assay using 3-(4,5 dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-(2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) tetrazolium (MTT). GZ-treated cells showed a comparable proliferation rate and morphology with untreated cells under microscopic evaluation. Based on MTT results, the IC50 values of GZ were > 500 µg/ml for MRC5 and HaCaT cells. The excellent biocompatibility was the supremacy of GZ over other nanocomposites applied as electrode materials in biosensors. GZ was functionalized with biolinker for the detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). The proposed immunosensor exhibited good responses towards CEA detection, with a 4.25 pg/ml LOD and correlation coefficient of R2 = 0.99 within a linear working range from 0.01 to 10 ng/ml. The performance of the immunosensor to detect CEA present in human serum was also evaluated. Good recovery of CEA was found, suggesting that the proposed immunosensor possess a high affinity to CEA even in a complex biological matrix, rendering it a promising sensing platform for real sample analysis and open a new way for the detection of cancer-associated proteins.
AMPK activator O304 improves metabolic and cardiac function, and exercise capacity in aged mice
Authors: Ericsson Madelene , Steneberg Pär , Nyrén Rakel , Edlund Helena
Published: November 2021

Age is associated with progressively impaired, metabolic, cardiac and vascular function, as well as reduced work/exercise capacity, mobility, and hence quality of life. Exercise exhibit positive effects on age-related dysfunctions and diseases. However, for a variety of reasons many aged individuals are unable to engage in regular physical activity, making the development of pharmacological treatments that mimics the beneficial effects of exercise highly desirable. Here we show that the pan-AMPK activator O304, which is well tolerated in humans, prevented and reverted age-associated hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, and improved cardiac function and exercise capacity in aged mice. These results provide preclinical evidence that O304 mimics the beneficial effects of exercise. Thus, as an exercise mimetic in clinical development, AMPK activator O304 holds great potential to mitigate metabolic dysfunction, and to improve cardiac function and exercise capacity, and hence quality of life in aged individuals.
Unidirectional spin Hall magnetoresistance in epitaxial Cr/Fe bilayer from electron-magnon scattering
Authors: Nguyen Thanh Huong Thi , Nguyen Van Quang , Jeong Seyeop , Park Eunkang , Jang Heechan , Lee Nyun Jong , Lee Soogil , Park Byong-Guk , Cho Sunglae , Lee Hyun-Woo , Hong Jung-Il , Kim Sanghoon
Published: November 2021

Unidirectional Spin Hall magnetoresistance (USMR) is a non-linear phenomenon recently observed in ferromagnet (FM)/nonmagnetic metal (NM) bilayer structures. Two very different mechanisms of USMR have been proposed; one relies on the current-direction-dependence of electron-magnon scattering in a FM layer, and the other on the current-direction-dependence of the spin accumulation at the FM/NM interface. In this study, we investigate the USMR in epitaxial Cr/Fe bilayers finding that the USMR is significantly enhanced when the Fe magnetization is aligned to a particular crystallographic direction where the magnon magnetoresistance (MMR) by the electron-magnon scattering becomes stronger. This highlights the importance of the electron-magnon scattering for the understanding of USMR in Cr/Fe bilayers. Our result also suggests a route to enhance the efficiency of magnon generation in the magnonic devices. Lastly, we discuss the Ising-type spin exchange as a possible origin of the crystallographic direction dependences of the USMR and the MMR.
Exploring the solid form landscape of the antifungal drug isavuconazole: crystal structure analysis, phase transformation behavior and dissolution performance
Authors: Voronin Alexander P. , Vasilev Nikita A. , Surov Artem O. , Churakov Andrei V. , Perlovich German L.
Published: November 2021

Phase transformation of ISV solid forms during dissolution.
89Y chemical shift anisotropy: a sensitive structural probe of layered yttrium hydroxides revealed by solid-state NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations
Authors: Liu Zhengmao , Liang Lixin , Xiao Dong , Ji Yi , Zhao Zhenchao , Xu Jun , Hou Guangjin
Published: November 2021

A combination of solid-state NMR (ssNMR) spectroscopy and DFT calculations revealed that the89Y CSA is a sensitive probe to detect the subtle structural changes in layered yttrium hydroxides.
Femtochemistry of bimolecular reactions from weakly bound complexes: computational study of the H + H′OD → H′OH + D or HOD + H′ exchange reactions
Authors: Voute Alexandre , Gatti Fabien , Møller Klaus B. , Henriksen Niels E.
Published: November 2021

The femtochemistry of the reaction between H and HOD, initiated by the photodissociation of HCl in the weakly bound complex (HCl)⋯(HOD), is explored in this computational work. Despite non-reactive scattering is the most probable outcome, H-to-H and H-to-D exchange products can be observed in different proportions whereas no products of the abstraction reaction channel are detectable.
Chemically modified nucleic acids and DNA intercalators as tools for nanoparticle assembly
Authors: De Fazio Angela F. , Misatziou Doxi , Baker Ysobel R. , Muskens Otto L. , Brown Tom , Kanaras Antonios G.
Published: November 2021

The chemical manipulation of DNA offers new tools to tune the properties of nanoparticle self assemblies.
Pathways towards managing cost and degradation risk of fast charging cells with electrical and thermal controls
Authors: Song Juhyun , Liu Zhe , Knehr Kevin W. , Kubal Joseph J. , Kim Hong-Keun , Dees Dennis W. , Nelson Paul A. , Ahmed Shabbir
Published: November 2021

This work demonstrates pathways toward affordable, fast-charging Li-ion batteries by implementing a constant-risk charging protocol with active thermal management.
Tannin extract from maritime pine bark exhibits anticancer properties by targeting the epigenetic UHRF1/DNMT1 tandem leading to the re-expression of TP73
Authors: Ashraf Waseem , Ahmad Tanveer , Almalki Naif A. R. , Krifa Mounira , Zaayter Liliyana , Pizzi Antonio , Muller Christian D. , Hamiche Ali , Mély Yves , Bronner Christian , Mousli Marc
Published: November 2021

Maritime pine bark is a rich source of polyphenolic compounds and is commonly employed as a herbal supplement worldwide.
Hop-derived fraction rich in beta acids and prenylflavonoids regulates the inflammatory response in dendritic cells differently from quercetin: unveiling metabolic changes by mass spectrometry-based metabolomics
Authors: Sommella Eduardo , Verna Giulio , Liso Marina , Salviati Emanuela , Esposito Tiziana , Carbone Daniela , Pecoraro Camilla , Chieppa Marcello , Campiglia Pietro
Published: November 2021

Metabolomics highlights that Hop fraction rich in bitter acids and prenylflavonoids modulates dendritic cells inflammatory status.
Protective mechanism of mung bean coat against hyperlipidemia in mice fed with a high-fat diet: insight from hepatic transcriptome analysis
Authors: Hou Dianzhi , Liu Fang , Ren Xin , Shen Qun , Zhou Sumei
Published: November 2021

The potential underlying mechanism of mung bean coat against hyperlipidemia was related to the activation of the PPAR pathway.
Lactation-dependent vertical transmission of natural probiotics from the mother to the infant gut through breast milk
Authors: Qi Ce , Zhou Jingbo , Tu Huayu , Tu Rundan , Chang Hong , Chen Jie , Li Duo , Sun Jin , Yu Renqiang
Published: November 2021

Faecalibacterium, Blautia and Lachnoclostridium transferred from the mother to the infant's gut with lactation dependence. S. salivarius, B. longum and L. gasseri transferred from the maternal gut to the breast milk and newborn gut.
Continuous-flow syntheses of alloy nanoparticles
Authors: Kusada Kohei , Kitagawa Hiroshi
Published: November 2021

This review summarizes the continuous-flow syntheses of alloy nanoparticles. The details of flow reactors and their chemistry to synthesize core–shell, segregated, solid-solution types of alloy NPs, and high-entropy alloy NPs are introduced.
Oligomeric procyanidins inhibit insulin fibrillation by forming unstructured and off-pathway aggregates
Authors: Chen Shaohuang , Yin Huiting , Zhang Lei , Liu Rui , Qi Wei , He Zhimin , Su Rongxin
Published: November 2021

Effects of natural polyphenols on insulin fibrillation were compared. OPCs show potent inhibitory effects at all stages of insulin fibrillation and redirect the insulin aggregation pathway via the formation of unstructured, off-pathway aggregates.
Systematic laboratory approach to produce Mg-rich carbonates at low temperature
Authors: Al Disi Zulfa Ali , Zouari Nabil , Attia Essam , Al-Asali Mazen , Al Saad Al-Kuwari Hamad , Sadooni Fadhil , Dittrich Maria , Bontognali Tomaso R. R.
Published: November 2021

Carbonates with a mol% of Mg above 40 were obtained exclusively in the presence of organic molecules. The mode used to add carbonate to the solution obtaining supersaturation has a significant impact on the forming mineral phase.
Efficient recovery of Cr(vi) from electroplating wastewater by iron-modified sludge-based hollow-structured porous carbon: coexistence effects and competition for adsorption
Authors: Cheng Han , Liu Yali , Li Xin , He Haidong , Kang Xiaorong
Published: November 2021

Mechanism for the adsorption of hexavalent chromium and methyl orange in a binary system.
Structure modulation of g-C3N4in TiO2{001}/g-C3N4hetero-structures for boosting photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Authors: Shang Qianqian , Fang Yuzhen , Yin Xingliang , Kong Xiangjin
Published: November 2021

The structure of g-C3N4in the prepared TiO2{001}/g-C3N4hetero-structures could be modulated from BCN to CN-NS, CN-NC or CN-QD by tuning the synthetic temperature.
Autocatalyzed and heterogeneously catalyzed esterification kinetics of glycolic acid with ethanol
Authors: Reyes Laura , Nikitine Clémence , Vilcocq Léa , Fongarland Pascal
Published: November 2021

In this study, the kinetics of the esterification of glycolic acid with ethanol homogeneously autocatalyzed and heterogeneously catalyzed are investigated.
Coupling isolated Ni single atoms with sub-10 nm Pd nanocrystals embedded in porous carbon frameworks to boost oxygen electrocatalysis for Zn–air batteries
Authors: Wang Shangzhi , Lin Zinan , Li Mengmeng , Yu Zehan , Zhang Minjun , Gong Mingxing , Tang Yawen , Qiu Xiaoyu
Published: November 2021

Atomically dispersed Ni sites are coupled with sub-5 nm Pd nanocrystals embedded in carbon frameworks to form a bifunctional catalyst, which could serve as a highly efficient catalyst for the ORR, OER, and Zn–air batteries.
Phase and interface engineering of nickel carbide nanobranches for efficient hydrogen oxidation catalysis
Authors: Ji Wangjin , Zhan Changhong , Li Deyu , Xu Yong , Zhang Ying , Wang Lu , Liu Liangbin , Wang Yu , Chen Wenxing , Geng Hongbo , Huang Xiaoqing
Published: November 2021

A heterogeneous Ni/Ni3C interface has been constructed through carefully annealing a classic metal carbide of Ni3C, where the strong interfacial synergy can regulate the binding strengths of *H and *OH and thus enhance the HOR performance.
Cocatalyst engineering of a narrow bandgap Ga-La5Ti2Cu0.9Ag0.1O7S5 photocatalyst towards effectively enhanced water splitting
Authors: Xiao Qi , Xiao Jiadong , Vequizo Junie Jhon M. , Hisatomi Takashi , Nakabayashi Mamiko , Chen Shanshan , Pan Zhenhua , Lin Lihua , Shibata Naoya , Yamakata Akira , Takata Tsuyoshi , Domen Kazunari
Published: November 2021

The hydrogen evolution activity of Ga-doped La5Ti2Cu0.9Ag0.1O7S5 (Ga-LTCA) was boosted by loading a Rh cocatalyst having uniform dispersion and intimate contact.
The synthesis and application of novel benzodithiophene based reactive mesogens with negative wavelength dispersion birefringence
Authors: Allen James D. W. , Adlem Kevin , Heeney Martin
Published: November 2021

The factors influencing negative wavelength dispersion are investigated for a series of benzodithiophene based photopolymerisable liquid crystals.
CFNet: Context fusion network for multi‐focus images
Authors: Zhang Kang , Wu Zhiliang , Yuan Xia , Zhao Chunxia
Published: November 2021

Multi‐focus image fusion aims to generate a clear image by fusing multiple source images. Existing deep learning‐based fusion methods often neglect the context information resulting in the loss of detail information. To address this issue, a context fusion network to merge multi‐focus images, namely CFNet, is proposed. Specifically, a context fusion module is proposed to make full use of low‐level pixels and high‐level semantic features. Particularly, the pyramid fusion mechanism and cross‐scale transfer strategy are adopted to ensure the visual and semantic consistency of the fused image. Meanwhile, to extract salient features more effectively, a spatial attention mechanism is introduced to enhance these features. Further, the pyramid loss is used to progressively refine the fused features at each scale. Experimental results show that the proposed method is superior to some existing methods in both qualitative and quantitative evaluation.
Building high-performance integrated optical devices using subwavelength grating metamaterials -INVITED
Authors: Sánchez-Postigo Alejandro , Ginel-Moreno Pablo , Ortega-Moñux Alejandro , Wangüemert-Pérez J. Gonzalo , Halir Robert , Pereira-Martín Daniel , Hadij-ElHouati Abdelfettah , Schmid Jens H. , Wang Shurui , Vachon Martin , Xu Dan-Xia , Ye Winnie N. , Soler Penadés Jordi , Nedeljkovic Milos , Mashanovich Goran Z. , Cheben Pavel , Molina-Fernández Íñigo
Published: November 2021

The use of subwavelength grating structures in silicon waveguides have fuelled the development of integrated optical components with superior performance. By a judicious lithographic patterning of the grating, the optical properties of the synthesized metamaterial can be accurately tailored. In this work, we review our latest advances in subwavelength-grating-engineered silicon and germanium planar devices.
Heterostructured silicon-germanium-silicon p-i-n avalanche photodetectors for chip-integrated optoelectronics -INVITED
Authors: Benedikovic Daniel , Virot Leopold , Aubin Guy , Hartmann Jean-Michel , Amar Farah , Le Roux Xavier , Alonso-Ramos Carlos , Dado Milan , Cassan Eric , Marris-Morini Delphine , Fedeli Jean-Marc , Boeuf Frederic , Szelag Bertrand , Vivien Laurent
Published: November 2021

Optical photodetectors are at the forefront of photonic research since the rise of integrated optics. Photodetectors are fundamental building blocks for chip-scale optoelectronics, enabling conversion of light into an electrical signal. Such devices play a key role in many surging applications from communication and computation to sensing, biomedicine and health monitoring, to name a few. However, chip integration of optical photodetectors with improved performances is an on-going challenge for mainstream optical communications at near-infrared wavelengths. Here, we present recent advances in heterostructured silicon-germanium-silicon p-i-n photodetectors, enabling high-speed detection on a foundry-compatible monolithic platform.
Integrated circular optical phased array
Authors: Liu Qiankun , Smy Tom , Atieh Ahmad , Cheben Pavel , Sánchez-Postigo Alejandro , Ye Winnie N.
Published: November 2021

Existing OPAs are typically based on 2D rectangular arrays or 1D linear arrays. Both approaches present a limited field-of-view (FOV) due to the presence of the grating lobes when the element spacing is larger than λ/2. To address the need for an increased steering range, we propose a new design strategy of an OPA system utilizing a 2D circular phased array, with a substantially increased FOV. We present a circular OPA using a demonstrated antenna element design, with an 820-element array. A steering range ΩSR calculated as a solid angle of 0.51π sr, and an angular beamwidth of 0.22°, was achieved. The array exhibits a sidelobe suppression larger than 10 dB, and a FOV of 2π sr. Although the performance is limited by the far field pattern of the individual antenna we chose, our circular OPA achieved, to the best of our knowledge, the largest steering range reported to date compared to the state-of-the-art integrated optical phased arrays reported in literature.
Investigations on the surface quality of grinded inner contours using different manufacturing strategies on fused silica
Authors: Binder Marcel , Henkel Sebastian , Bliedtner Jens
Published: November 2021

In the field of optical manufacturing, fused silica has a high and constantly growing application potential. Its material advantages, such as low thermal expansion and high thermal shock resistance, as well as its high transparency from the ultraviolet to the infrared spectral range, result in a large number of application fields. For example, manufacturing processes in semiconductor technology require high-quality quartz materials throughout the wafer handling process to avoid non-permissible contamination and to withstand the high process temperatures. Another example are monolithic components for fiber preform manufacturing, where internal contours with high aspect ratios (e.g. component length to component diameter) and high surface qualities are required to draw fiber types with special properties. The demands on the complexity and accuracy of these components are constantly increasing, which is accompanied by the need to analyse and optimize modern CNC manufacturing techniques more and more. In the following, investigations on the grinding of internal contours with a high aspect ratio are presented, in which the influence of an ultrasonic assistance as well as different machining strategies are considered.
What can optical engineers learn from Leonardo?
Authors: Livshits I.L. , Faehnle O.
Published: November 2021

Optics in general is an old science. Many brilliant researchers have created both theory and practice in this field. Some of their achievements are still in use, some are unjustly forgotten. In this paper we tried to rethink some points of ancient scientists to show that they had «seeds» which are still important ourdays. In particular, the applicability of the "golden section" from nature to the modern, computational process of optical system design was tested experimentally. Design principles, current challenges, possible solutions and some applications are discussed. They could be used, for example, in optical design, at the stage of starting scheme or help making decision of optical system producibility.
Efficient coupling of free propagating light into Whispering Gallery Modes
Authors: Zambrana-Puyalto Xavier , D’Ambrosio Davide , Gagliardi Gianluca
Published: November 2021

Whispering Gallery Mode resonators are dielectric structures with cylindrical symmetry. They are typically excited with an evanescent field leaking out of a tapered fiber or a waveguide. It is also known that they can be excited with free propagating beams. In this work, we use a recently developed analytical model which quantitatively describes the coupling of free propagating beams into Whispering Gallery Modes for spherical particles. Using this model, we have been able to theoretically quantify the mode purity and the coupling efficiency of a resonant Whispering Gallery Mode of an order j*= 1456. We have observed that the transverse position of the beam plays a crucial role in determining the mode purity and coupling efficiency. Last but not least, we have verified that the coupling efficiency as well as the Q-factor predicted by our model are in an outstanding agreement with the experimental values measured on a microresonator of the same dimensions as the simulated one.
Indistinguishable Photons from a Single Molecule under Pulsed Excitation
Authors: Lombardi Pietro , Colautti Maja , Duquennoy Rocco , Murtaza Ghulam , Majumder Prosenjit , Toninelli Costanza
Published: November 2021

Quantum light sources are crucial for the future of quantum photonic technologies and, among them, single photons on-demand are key resources in quantum communications and information processing. Ideal quantum emitters providing indistinguishable photons in a clocked manner, negligible decoherence and spectral diffusion, and with potential for scalability are today still a major challenge. We report on photostable and indistinguishable single photon emission from dibenzoterrylene molecules isolated in anthracene nanocrystals (DBT:Ac NCs) at 3K. The visibility of two-photon interference is preserved even when they are separated more than thirty times the excited-state lifetime, or ten fluorescence cycles. One of the advantages of organic molecules is the low-cost mass production of nominally identical emitters, that also allow for on-chip integration. These aspects combined with high spectral stability and coherence make them promising for applications and future quantum technologies.
Stimulated Raman Microscopy Implemented by Three Femtosecond Laser Sources
Authors: Ranjan Rajeev , Antonietta Ferrara Maria , Sirleto Luigi
Published: November 2021

In this work, the implementation of a femtosecond Stimulated Raman Scattering microscope, equipped with three femtosecond laser sources: a Titanium-Sapphire (Ti:Sa), an optical parametric oscillator (OPO), and a second harmonic generator (SHG); is presented. Our microscope is designed so that it can cover all the regions of Raman spectra, taking advantage of two possible laser combinations. The first, Ti:Sa and OPO laser beams, which cover the C-H region (>2800 cm-1 ) in stimulated Raman gain (SRG) modality, whereas the second, Ti:Sa and SHG laser beams, covering the C-H region and the fingerprint region in stimulated Raman losses (SRL) modality. The successful realization of the microscope is demonstrated, reporting images of polystyrene beads using both SRL and SRG modalities.
Dynamical imaging of local photovoltage at semiconductor surface by photo-assisted ultrafast scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Zaghloul Mohamed , Pietralunga Silvia M. , Irde Gabriele , Sala Vittorio , Cerullo Giulio , Chen Hao , Isella Giovanni , Lanzani Guglielmo , Zani Maurizio , Tagliaferri Alberto
Published: November 2021

Photo-assisted Ultrafast Scanning Electron Microscopy (USEM) maps the dynamics of surface photovoltages and local electric fields in semiconducting samples. Photovoltages and their gradients close to surface affect the emission yield and the detection efficiency of secondary electrons (SE), leading to photoexcited SE 2D patterns. In this work, we present a method to characterize the evolution of the patterns up to ultrafast regime. These results reveal the role of surface states in affecting the external field dynamics at picoseconds. Moreover, we show that tiny changes in surface preparation express deeply different photoexcited voltage signals. We investigate the relation between the surface chemistry of Si and photo-induced SE contrast.
Efficient carrier-envelope phase tunable mid-infrared frequency combs based on CW-seeded optical parametric generation
Authors: Roiz Mikhail , Lai Jui-Yu , Karhu Juho , Vainio Markku
Published: November 2021

We present an efficient method for generating frequency combs in the mid-infrared (MIR) spectral range in bulk lithium niobate crystals as well as in waveguides. Our approach is simple and robust, since it is based on single-pass configuration of femtosecond Optical Parametric Generation (OPG) seeded by a telecom continuous-wave laser. Precise and fast tuning of the seed laser allows to rapidly change the offset frequency of the generated MIR comb independent of its repetition rate. The MIR comb offset frequency is inherently known, so its direct detection is not required. An additional degree of freedom that further complements the versatility of our light source is a unique way of repetition rate or mode spacing adjustments. This is achieved by our new concept of coherent multi-seeding that depending on the configuration allows for pulse train modulation and mode spacing, or repetition rate division by an integer number.
Mid-infrared parametric wavelength conversion seeded with fiber optical parametric sources
Authors: Battle Ronan A. , Chandran Anita M. , Runcorn Timothy H. , Mussot Arnaud , Kudlinski Alexandre , Murray Robert T. , Taylor J. Roy
Published: November 2021

A new method of seeding X2 optical parametric converters with X3 fiber optical parametric sources is introduced. We demonstrate a tunable mid-infrared source operating at around 3 µm with the technique and discuss the potential of this architecture.
Near-single-cycle pulses generated through post-compression on FAB1 laser at ATTOLAB-Orme facility
Authors: Hergott Jean-François , Marroux Hugo J. B. , Lopez-Martens Rodrigo , Réau Fabrice , Lepetit Fabien , Tcherbakoff Olivier , Auguste Thierry , Maeder Lucie , Chen Xiaowei , Bussière Benoit , Paul Pierre-Mary , D’Oliveira Pascal , Salières Pascal
Published: November 2021

Generating high-energy few-cycle pulses is key in the study of light-matter interaction in the regime of high field physics. Attosecond science possess the necessary time resolution to study the underlying fundamental processes but requires repetitions rates on the order the kilohertz and stabilization of the Carrier-Envelope Phase. We present here a post-compression stage delivering 3.8fs pulses with 2.5mJ coupled to a Ti: Sa based 1 kHz TW-class laser which can deliver 17.8fs pulses with 350mrad shot to shot CEP noise. This is the first step towards high-energy few-cycle post-compression of the FAB laser at ATTOLAB-Orme.