bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Probiotics synergized with conventional regimen in managing Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Sun Hairong , Zhao Feiyan , Liu Yuanyuan , Ma Teng , Jin Hao , Quan Keyu , Leng Bing , Zhao Junwu , Yuan Xiaoling , Li Zhenguang , Li Fang , Kwok Lai-Yu , Zhang Shukun , Sun Zhihong , Zhang Jinbiao , Zhang Heping
Published: May 2022

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is mainly managed by pharmacological therapy (e.g., Benserazide and dopamine agonists). However, prolonged use of these drugs would gradually diminish their dopaminergic effect. Gut dysbiosis was observed in some patients with PD, suggesting close association between the gut microbiome and PD. Probiotics modulate the host’s gut microbiota beneficially. A 3-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted to investigate the beneficial effect of probiotic co-administration in patients with PD. Eighty-two PD patients were recruited and randomly divided into probiotic [n = 48; Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Probio-M8 (Probio-M8), Benserazide, dopamine agonists] and placebo (n = 34; placebo, Benserazide, dopamine agonists) groups. Finally, 45 and 29 patients from Probio-M8 and placebo groups provided complete fecal and serum samples for further omics analysis, respectively. The results showed that Probio-M8 co-administration conferred added benefits by improving sleep quality, alleviating anxiety, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Metagenomic analysis showed that, after the intervention, there were significantly more species-level genome bins (SGBs) of Bifidobacterium animalis, Ruminococcaceae, and Lachnospira, while less Lactobacillus fermentum and Klebsiella oxytoca in Probio-M8 group (P < 0.05). Interestingly, Lactobacillus fermentum correlated positively with the scores of UPDRS-III, HAMA, HAMD-17, and negatively with MMSE. Klebsiella oxytoca correlated negatively with feces hardness. Moreover, co-administering Probio-M8 increased SGBs involved in tryptophan degradation, gamma-aminobutyric acid, short-chain fatty acids, and secondary bile acid biosynthesis, as well as serum acetic acid and dopamine levels (P < 0.05). Taken together, Probio-M8 synergized with the conventional regimen and strengthened the clinical efficacy in managing PD, accompanied by modifications of the host’s gut microbiome, gut microbial metabolic potential, and serum metabolites.
Observation of dimension-crossover of a tunable 1D Dirac fermion in topological semimetal NbSixTe2
Authors: Zhang Jing , Lv Yangyang , Feng Xiaolong , Liang Aiji , Xia Wei , Mo Sung-Kwan , Chen Cheng , Xue Jiamin , Yang Shengyuan A. , Yang Lexian , Guo Yanfeng , Chen Yanbin , Chen Yulin , Liu Zhongkai
Published: May 2022

Condensed matter systems in low dimensions exhibit emergent physics that does not exist in three dimensions. When electrons are confined to one dimension (1D), some significant electronic states appear, such as charge density wave, spin-charge separations, and Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) topological state. However, a clear understanding of how the 1D electronic properties connects with topology is currently lacking. Here we systematically investigated the characteristic 1D Dirac fermion electronic structure originated from the metallic NbTe2 chains on the surface of the composition-tunable layered compound NbSixTe2 (x = 0.40 and 0.43) using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. We found the Dirac fermion forms a Dirac nodal line structure protected by the combined $$\widetilde {M_y}$$

M

y

̃

and time-reversal symmetry T and proves the NbSixTe2 system as a topological semimetal, in consistent with the ab-initio calculations. As x decreases, the interaction between adjacent NbTe2 chains increases and Dirac fermion goes through a dimension-crossover from 1D to 2D, as evidenced by the variation of its Fermi surface and Fermi velocity across the Brillouin zone in consistence with a Dirac SSH model. Our findings demonstrate a tunable 1D Dirac electron system, which offers a versatile platform for the exploration of intriguing 1D physics and device applications.
Prognostic significance of crown-like structures to trastuzumab response in patients with primary invasive HER2 + breast carcinoma
Authors: Birts Charles N. , Savva Constantinos , Laversin Stéphanie A. , Lefas Alicia , Krishnan Jamie , Schapira Aron , Ashton-Key Margaret , Crispin Max , Johnson Peter W. M. , Blaydes Jeremy P. , Copson Ellen , Cutress Ramsey I. , Beers Stephen A.
Published: May 2022

Obesity can initiate, promote, and maintain systemic inflammation via metabolic reprogramming of macrophages that encircle adipocytes, termed crown-like structures (CLS). In breast cancer the presence of CLS has been correlated to high body mass index (BMI), larger mammary adipocyte size and postmenopausal status. However, the prognostic significance of CLS in HER2 + breast cancer is still unknown. We investigated the prognostic significance of CLS in a cohort of 69 trastuzumab-naïve and 117 adjuvant trastuzumab-treated patients with primary HER2 + breast cancer. Immunohistochemistry of tumour blocks was performed for CLS and correlated to clinical outcomes. CLS were more commonly found at the adipose-tumour border (B-CLS) (64.8% of patients). The presence of multiple B-CLS was associated with reduced time to metastatic disease (TMD) in trastuzumab treated patients with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2but not those with BMI < 25 kg/m2. Phenotypic analysis showed the presence of CD32B + B-CLS was strongly correlated to BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2and reduced TMD in trastuzumab treated patients. Multivariable analysis suggested that CD32B + B-CLS positive tumours are associated with shorter TMD in trastuzumab-treated patients (HR 4.2 [95%CI, (1.01–17.4). This study indicates adipose-tumour border crown-like structures that are CD32B + potentially represent a biomarker for improved personalisation of treatment in HER2-overexpressed breast cancer patients.
Maternal serum proteomic profiles of pregnant women with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Gutaj Paweł , Matysiak Jan , Matuszewska Eliza , Jaskiewicz Katarzyna , Kamińska Dorota , Światły-Błaszkiewicz Agata , Szczapa Tomasz , Kalantarova Anastasia , Gajecka Marzena , Wender-Ozegowska Ewa
Published: May 2022

Despite improvement in the care of diabetes over the years, pregnancy complicated by type 1 diabetes (T1DM) is still associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. To date, proteomics studies have been conducted to identify T1DM biomarkers in non-pregnant women, however, no studies included T1DM pregnant women. In this study serum proteomic profiling was conducted in pregnant women with T1DM in the late third trimester. Serum samples were collected from 40 women with T1DM and 38 healthy controls within 3 days before delivery at term pregnancy. Significant differences between serum proteomic patterns were revealed, showing discriminative peaks for complement C3 and C4-A, kininogen-1, and fibrinogen alpha chain. Quantification of selected discriminative proteins by ELISA kits was also performed. The serum concentration of kininogen-1 was significantly lower in women with T1DM than in controls. There were no significant differences in serum concentrations of complement C3 and complement C4-A between study groups. These data indicate that pregnant women with T1DM have a distinct proteomic profile involving proteins in the coagulation and inflammatory pathways. However, their utility as biomarkers of pregnancy complications in women with T1DM warrants further investigation.
Persistent elevation of lysophosphatidylcholine promotes radiation brain necrosis with microglial recruitment by P2RX4 activation
Authors: Kondo Natsuko , Sakurai Yoshinori , Takata Takushi , Kano Kuniyuki , Kume Kyo , Maeda Munetoshi , Takai Nobuhiko , Suzuki Shugo , Eto Fumihiro , Kikushima Kenji , Wanibuchi Hideki , Miyatake Shin-Ichi , Kajihara Takayuki , Oda Shoji , Setou Mitsutoshi , Aoki Junken , Suzuki Minoru
Published: May 2022

Brain radiation necrosis (RN) or neurocognitive disorder is a severe adverse effect that may occur after radiation therapy for malignant brain tumors or head and neck cancers. RN accompanies inflammation which causes edema or micro-bleeding, and no fundamental treatment has been developed. In inflammation, lysophospholipids (LPLs) are produced by phospholipase A2 and function as bioactive lipids involved in sterile inflammation in atherosclerosis or brain disorders. To elucidate its underlying mechanisms, we investigated the possible associations between lysophospholipids (LPLs) and RN development in terms of microglial activation with the purinergic receptor P2X purinoceptor 4 (P2RX4). We previously developed a mouse model of RN and in this study, measured phospholipids and LPLs in the brains of RN model by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) analyses. We immune-stained microglia and the P2RX4 in the brains of RN model with time-course. We treated RN model mice with ivermectin, an allosteric modulator of P2RX4 and investigate the effect on microglial activation with P2RX4 and LPLs’ production, and resulting effects on overall survival and working memory. We revealed that LPLs (lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), lysophosphatidyl acid, lysophosphatidylserine, lysophosphatidylethanolamine, lysophosphatidylinositol, and lysophosphatidylglycerol) remained at high levels during the progression of RN with microglial accumulation, though phospholipids elevations were limited. Both microglial accumulation and activation of the P2RX4 were attenuated by ivermectin. Moreover, the elevation of all LPLs except LPC was also attenuated by ivermectin. However, there was limited prolongation of survival time and improvement of working memory disorders. Our findings suggest that uncontrollable increased LPC, even with ivermectin treatment, promoted the development of RN and working memory disorders. Therefore, LPC suppression will be essential for controlling RN and neurocognitive disorder after radiation therapy.
Learning models for forecasting hospital resource utilization for COVID-19 patients in Canada
Authors: Zhang Jianfei , Pathak Harini Sanjay , Snowdon Anne , Greiner Russell
Published: May 2022

Hospitals in Canada are facing a crisis-level shortage of critical supplies and equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic. This motivates us to create predictive models that can use Canada COVID-19 data and pandemic-related factors to accurately forecast 5 quantities—three related to hospital resource utilization (i.e., the number of hospital beds, ICU beds, and ventilators that will be needed by COVID-19 patients) and two to the pandemic progress (i.e., the number of COVID-19 cases and COVID-19 deaths)—several weeks in advance. We developed a machine learning method that can use information (i.e., resource utilization, pandemic progress, population mobility, weather condition, and public policy) currently known about a region since March 2020, to learn multiple temporal convolutional network (TCN) models every week; each used for forecasting the weekly average of one of these 5 quantities in Canada (respectively, in six specific provinces) for each, in the next 1 (resp., 2,3,4) weeks. To validate the effectiveness of our method, we compared our method, versus other standard models, on the COVID-19 data and hospital resource data, on the tasks of predicting the 116 values (for Canada and its six most populated provinces), every week from Oct 2020 to July 2021, and the 20 values (only for Canada) for four specific times within 9 July to 31 Dec 2021. Experimental results show that our 4640 TCN models (each forecasting a regional target for a specific future time, on a specific date) can produce accurate 1,2,3,4-week forecasts of the utilization of every hospital resource and pandemic progress for each week from 2 Oct 2020 to 2 July 2021, as well as 80 TCN models for each of the four specified times within 9 July and 31 Dec 2021. Compared to other baseline and state-of-the-art predictive models, our TCN models yielded the best forecasts, with the lowest mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). Additional experiments, on the IHME COVID-19 data, demonstrate the effectiveness of our TCN models, in comparison with IHME forecasts. Each of our TCN models used a pre-defined set of features; we experimentally validate the effectiveness of these features by showing that these models perform better than other models that instead used other features. Overall, these experimental results demonstrate that our method can accurately forecast hospital resource utilization and pandemic progress for Canada and for each of the six provinces.
Multi-storm analysis reveals distinct zooplankton communities following freshening of the Gulf of Mexico shelf by Hurricane Harvey
Authors: Topor Z. M. , A. Genung M. , Robinson K. L.
Published: May 2022

Tropical cyclones can highly modify coastal ecosystems through interactions between their unique set of meteorological traits and an ecosystem’s antecedent conditions. As such, resultant changes to biological community structure are likely storm-specific, yet our understanding of cyclone effects on marine communities is limited compared to communities in terrestrial and freshwater habitats. Using northwestern Gulf of Mexico (NWGOM) mesozooplankton data, we tested: (1) for differences between storm and non-storm community structure and dispersion; (2) if post-storm communities varied between one another; (3) if salinity drove differences; and (4) if physical drivers of abundance and evenness varied between storm and non-storm communities. Mesozooplankton community structure following Hurricanes Harvey, Ike, Rita, and during five non-storm years were analyzed. Post-Ike, post-Rita, and non-storm communities were similar while post-Harvey communities were distinct from non-storm years. A structural equation model revealed stratification and abundance drove community evenness. Post-Harvey mesozooplankton were more abundant in low salinity waters; a pattern muted during non-storm years. NWGOM mesozooplankton community structure was generally resilient to hurricane effects, except when large changes in salinity occurred. Our findings suggest resource availability for planktivorous predators and energy transfer within coastal food webs is altered following cyclones with high precipitation rates.
Alteration in DNA-binding affinity of Wilms tumor 1 protein due to WT1 genetic variants associated with steroid - resistant nephrotic syndrome in children
Authors: Bezdicka Martin , Kaufman Filip , Krizova Ivana , Dostalkova Alzbeta , Rumlova Michaela , Seeman Tomas , Vondrak Karel , Fencl Filip , Zieg Jakub , Soucek Ondrej
Published: May 2022

Approximately one third of children with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) carry pathogenic variants in one of the many associated genes. The WT1 gene coding for the WT1 transcription factor is among the most frequently affected genes. Cases from the Czech national SRNS database were sequenced for exons 8 and 9 of the WT1 gene. Eight distinct exonic WT1 variants in nine children were found. Three children presented with isolated SRNS, while the other six manifested with additional features. To analyze the impact of WT1 genetic variants, wild type and mutant WT1 proteins were prepared and the DNA-binding affinity of these proteins to the target EGR1 sequence was measured by microscale thermophoresis. Three WT1 mutants showed significantly decreased DNA-binding affinity (p.Arg439Pro, p.His450Arg and p.Arg463Ter), another three mutants showed significantly increased binding affinity (p.Gln447Pro, p.Asp469Asn and p.His474Arg), and the two remaining mutants (p.Cys433Tyr and p.Arg467Trp) showed no change of DNA-binding affinity. The protein products of WT1 pathogenic variants had variable DNA-binding affinity, and no clear correlation with the clinical symptoms of the patients. Further research is needed to clarify the mechanisms of action of the distinct WT1 mutants; this could potentially lead to individualized treatment of a so far unfavourable disease.
Reliability of shear wave elastography for the assessment of gastrocnemius fascia elasticity in healthy individual
Authors: Zhou Jiping , Lin Yuyi , Zhang Jiehong , Si’tu Xingxian , Wang Ji , Pan Weiyi , Wang Yulong
Published: May 2022

The mechanical properties of the deep fascia, particularly their stiffness, strongly affect the development of muscle pathologies (such as compartment syndrome) and the action of the muscles. However, the mechanical characteristics of the deep muscular fascia are still not clearly understood. The present study focuses on examining the reliability of ultrasonic shear wave elastography (USWE) devices in quantifying the shear modulus of the gastrocnemius fascia in healthy individuals, particularly their ability to measure the shear modulus of the deep fascia of the gastrocnemius during ankle dorsiflexion. Twenty-one healthy males (age: 21.48 ± 1.17 years) participated in the study. Using USWE, the shear moduli of the medial gastrocnemius fascia (MGF) and lateral gastrocnemius fascia (LGF) were quantified at different angles during passive lengthening. The two operators took turns measuring each subject’s MGF and LGF over a 1-h period, and operator B took an additional measurement 2 h later. For the intra-operator test, the same subjects were measured again at the same time of day 5 days later. Both the intrarater [intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.846–0.965)] and interrater (ICC = 0.877–0.961) reliability values for measuring the shear moduli of the MGF and LGF were rated as excellent; the standard error of the mean (SEM) was 3.49 kPa, and the minimal detectable change (MDC) was 9.68 kPa. Regardless of the ankle angle, the shear moduli of the LGF were significantly greater than that of the MGF (p < 0.001). Significant increases in the shear moduli of both the MGF and the LGF were observed in the neutral position compared to the relaxed position. These results indicate that USWE is a reliable technique to assess the shear modulus of the gastrocnemius fascia and detect its dynamic changes during ankle dorsiflexion. USWE can be used for biomechanical studies and intervention experiments concerning the deep fascia.
Differential effects of acute and chronic antagonist and an irreversible antagonist treatment on cocaine self-administration behavior in rats
Authors: Wetzel Hanna N. , Tsibulsky Vladimir L. , Norman Andrew B.
Published: May 2022

According to pharmacological theory, the magnitude of an agonist-induced response is related to the number of receptors occupied. If there is a receptor reserve, when the number of receptors is altered the fractional occupancy required to maintain this set number of receptors will change. Therefore, any change in dopamine receptor number will result in a change in the concentration of cocaine required to induce the satiety response. Rats that self-administered cocaine were treated with the irreversible monoamine receptor antagonist, EEDQ, or were infused continuously for 14 days with the D1-like antagonist, SCH23390, treatments known to decrease or increase, respectively, the number of dopamine receptors with a concomitant decrease or increase in response to dopaminergic agonists. The rate of cocaine maintained self-administration increased or decreased in rats treated with EEDQ or withdrawn from chronic SCH23390 infusion, respectively. After EEDQ treatment, the effect ratio of a single dose of SCH23390 or eticlopride were unchanged, indicating that the same SCH23390- and eticlopride-sensitive receptor populations (presumably dopamine) mediated the accelerated cocaine self-administration. Changing the receptor reserve is a key determinant of the rate of cocaine self-administration because the resulting increased or decreased concentration of cocaine results in an accelerated or decelerated rate of cocaine elimination as dictated by first-order kinetics.
Sex-specific associations of comorbidome and pulmorbidome with mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: results from COSYCONET
Authors: Trudzinski Franziska C. , Jörres Rudolf A. , Alter Peter , Walter Julia , Watz Henrik , Koch Andrea , John Matthias , Lommatzsch Marek , Vogelmeier Claus F. , Kauczor Hans-Ulrich , Welte Tobias , Behr Jürgen , Tufman Amanda , Bals Robert , Herth Felix J. F. , Kahnert Kathrin ,   The COSYCONET Study Group, Andreas Stefan , Bals Robert , Behr Jürgen , Kahnert Kathrin , Bewig Burkhard , Buhl Roland , Ewert Ralf , Stubbe Beate , Ficker Joachim H. , Gogol Manfred , Grohé Christian , Hauck Rainer , Held Matthias , Jany Berthold , Henke Markus , Herth Felix , Höffken Gerd , Katus Hugo A. , Kirsten Anne-Marie , Watz Henrik , Koczulla Rembert , Kenn Klaus , Kronsbein Juliane , Kropf-Sanchen Cornelia , Lange Christoph , Zabel Peter , Pfeifer Michael , Randerath Winfried J. , Seeger Werner , Studnicka Michael , Taube Christian , Teschler Helmut , Timmermann Hartmut , Virchow J. Christian , Vogelmeier Claus , Wagner Ulrich , Welte Tobias , Wirtz Hubert
Published: May 2022

In patients with COPD, it has not been comprehensively assessed whether the predictive value of comorbidities for mortality differs between men and women. We therefore aimed to examine sex differences of COPD comorbidities in regard with prognosis by classifying comorbidities into a comorbidome related to extrapulmonary disorders and a pulmorbidome, referring to pulmonary disorders. The study population comprised 1044 women and 1531 men with the diagnosis of COPD from COSYCONET, among them 2175 of GOLD grades 1–4 and 400 at risk. Associations of comorbidities with mortality were studied using Cox regression analysis for men and women separately. During the follow-up (median 3.7 years) 59 women and 159 men died. In men, obesity, hypertension, coronary artery disease, liver cirrhosis, osteoporosis, kidney disease, anaemia and increased heart rate (HR) predict mortality, in women heart failure, hyperuricemia, mental disorders, kidney disease and increased HR (p < 0.05 each). Regarding the pulmorbidome, significant predictors in men were impairment in diffusion capacity and hyperinflation, in women asthma and hyperinflation. Similar results were obtained when repeating the analyses in GOLD 1–4 patients only. Gender differences should be considered in COPD risk assessment for a tailored approach towards the treatment of COPD.

Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01245933.
A data plane security model of segmented routing based on SDP trust enhancement architecture
Authors: Wang Liang , Ma Hailong , Jiang Yiming , Tang Yin , Zu Shuodi , Hu Tao
Published: May 2022

Segment routing (SR) technology is a new network functional technology derived from MPLS technology and based on SDN. Combining SR with software-defined perimeter (SDP), a new network security technology, is expected to solve the traditional problems such as data monitoring, denial of service, and new threats such as loop attack and label detection faced by SR data plane. Focusing on the security management of access devices in the SR data plane, first, this paper proposes an SR security model SbSR (SDP-based SR) based on SDP trust enhancement architecture, then, two-level SDP AH trust verification mechanism and 4 trust management mechanisms including initial trust value, trust evaluation, trust renewal, trust inheritance are designed. In the trust evaluation mechanism as the core of the model, System cloud grey model (1,1) weighted Markov prediction model is introduced to obtain real-time trust based on the historical behavior of device nodes, and 4 indexes, namely benign message ratio, loyal forwarding ratio, forwarding ratio stationarity coefficient, packet rate stationarity coefficient, are introduced to distinguish malicious devices from normal devices. Finally, the simulation test results of 5 security functions and security costs show that the proposed architecture can solve port scanning, traffic monitoring, topology detection, loop attack, and DoS attack of SR network data plane with an average access delay cost of 2.84 s for each new network agent, and realize multi-faceted protection of SR network data plane.
Impact of shear wave dispersion slope analysis for assessing the severity of myocarditis
Authors: Amioka Naofumi , Takaya Yoichi , Nakamura Kazufumi , Kondo Megumi , Akazawa Kaoru , Ohno Yuko , Ichikawa Keishi , Nakayama Rie , Saito Yukihiro , Akagi Satoshi , Miyoshi Toru , Yoshida Masashi , Morita Hiroshi , Ito Hiroshi
Published: May 2022

This study aimed to elucidate the utility of a novel ultrasound-based technique, shear wave dispersion slope (SWDS) analysis, which estimates tissue viscosity, for evaluating the severity of myocardial inflammation. Experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) at different disease phases [3-week (acute phase): n = 10, 5-week (subacute phase): n = 9, and 7-week (late phase): n = 11] were developed in male Lewis rats. SWDS was measured in the right and the left ventricular free walls (RVFW and LVFW) under a retrograde perfusion condition. Histological myocardial inflammation was evaluated by CD68 staining. The accumulation of CD68-positive cells was severe in the myocardium of the EAM 3-week group. The median (interquartile range) SWDS of RVFW was significantly higher in the EAM 3-week group [9.9 (6.5–11.0) m/s/kHz] than in the control group [5.4 (4.5–6.8) m/s/kHz] (P = 0.034). The median SWDS of LVFW was also significantly higher in the EAM 3-week group [8.1 (6.4–11.0) m/s/kHz] than in the control group [4.4 (4.2–4.8) m/s/kHz] (P = 0.003). SWDS and the percentage of CD68-positive area showed a significant correlation in RVFW (R2 = 0.64, P < 0.001) and LVFW (R2 = 0.73, P < 0.001). This study showed that SWDS was elevated in ventricular walls with acute inflammation and also significantly correlated with the degree of myocardial inflammation. These results suggest the potential of SWDS in estimating the histological severity of acute myocarditis.
Blue-shifted and strongly-enhanced light emission in transition-metal dichalcogenide twisted heterobilayers
Authors: Ko Jung Sun , Jang Chan Wook , Lee Won Jun , Kim Jae Kuk , Kim Hyeong Ku , Liu Boqing , Lu Yuerui , Crosse J. A. , Moon Pilkyung , Kim Sung , Choi Suk-Ho
Published: May 2022

Moiré heterostructures produced by twisted heterojunction of transition-metal dichalcogenides are recognized as novel platforms for unique and tunable means of controlling the optical phenomena including photoluminescence (PL). Despite some interesting results on the PL peak shifts by the heterojunction at twist angles (θ) far from 0 or 60°, all of them are redshifts. Here, we first report blue shift of energy and strong enhancement of intensity in the PL by twisted heterojunction of MoS2 and WS2 monolayers (MLs) in a particular range of θ. The PL peak energy of the heterobilayer steeply increases (about 120 meV) as θ gets closer to 15 or 52° from 3 or 57°, respectively and reaches a plateau at around 2.01 eV in the θ range from 15 to 52°, higher than that of the separate MoS2 or WS2 ML. The PL intensity shows a similar θ-dependent behavior with its magnitude in the plateau being ∼4 or 80 times larger than that of the WS2 or MoS2 ML, respectively. These novel light-emission behaviors are well explained with reference to theoretical predictions on the avoided crossing between the intralayer and interlayer excitons. Our findings highlight extendable tuning and remarkable enhancement of light emission from two-dimensional semiconductors by a simple approach of twisted heterojunction in a proper θ range, very useful for their optoelectronic device applications.
Structure and morphology of 2H-MoTe2 monolayer on GaAs(111)B grown by molecular-beam epitaxy
Authors: Ohtake Akihiro , Yang Xu , Nara Jun
Published: May 2022

The structure and morphology of monolayer 2H-MoTe2 on GaAs(111)B grown by molecular-beam epitaxy have been studied using scanning tunneling microscopy, electron diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The MoTe2 film grown and annealed under the Te-rich condition is mainly composed of a pure 2H phase, while, under the Te-deficient conditions, the 2H-MoTe2 phase begins to evolve into nanowire-like structures owing to the desorption of Te. The 2H-MoTe2(0001) film on GaAs(111)B exhibits two types of energetically favorable epitaxial orientations; one is a perfect alignment of [11$$\overline{2}$$

2

¯

0]MoTe2 // [1$$\overline{1}$$

1

¯

0]GaAs, and the other shows a slight in-plane rotation of ± 0.77∘, which reduces the effective lattice mismatch between MoTe2 and GaAs.
Aerosol capture and coronavirus spike protein deactivation by enzyme functionalized antiviral membranes
Authors: Mills Rollie , Vogler Ronald J. , Bernard Matthew , Concolino Jacob , Hersh Louis B. , Wei Yinan , Hastings Jeffrey Todd , Dziubla Thomas , Baldridge Kevin C. , Bhattacharyya Dibakar
Published: May 2022

The airborne nature of coronavirus transmission makes it critical to develop new barrier technologies that can simultaneously reduce aerosol and viral spread. Here, we report nanostructured membranes with tunable thickness and porosity for filtering coronavirus-sized aerosols, combined with antiviral enzyme functionalization that can denature spike glycoproteins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in low-hydration environments. Thin, asymmetric membranes with subtilisin enzyme and methacrylic functionalization show more than 98.90% filtration efficiency for 100-nm unfunctionalized and protein-functionalized polystyrene latex aerosol particles. Unfunctionalized membranes provided a protection factor of 540 ± 380 for coronavirus-sized particle, above the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s standard of 10 for N95 masks. SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein on the surface of coronavirus-sized particles was denatured in 30 s by subtilisin enzyme-functionalized membranes with 0.02-0.2% water content on the membrane surface.
Nonlocal interaction engineering of 2D roton-like dispersion relations in acoustic and mechanical metamaterials
Authors: Wang Ke , Chen Yi , Kadic Muamer , Wang Changguo , Wegener Martin
Published: May 2022

The interior of the synthetic unit cells and their interactions determine the wave properties of metamaterials composed of periodic lattices of these cells. While local interactions with the nearest neighbors are well appreciated, nonlocal beyond-nearest-neighbor interactions are often considered as a nuisance. Here, by introducing a versatile effectively two-dimensional metamaterial platform for airborne sound and elastic waves, we exploit nonlocal effects as a powerful design tool. Within a simplified discrete model, we analytically show that the lowest band can be engineered by Fourier synthesis, where the $$N$$
N
-th order Fourier coefficient is determined by the $$N$$
N
-th nearest-neighbor interaction strength. Roton-like dispersion relations are an example. The results of the discrete model agree well with a refined model and with numerical calculations. In addition, we engineer the passage of waves from a local metamaterial into a nonlocal metamaterial by carefully tailoring the transition region between the two.
Insights into the molecular triggers of parosmia based on gas chromatography olfactometry
Authors: Parker Jane K. , Kelly Christine E. , Gane Simon B.
Published: May 2022

Background

Parosmia is a debilitating condition in which familiar smells become distorted and disgusting, with consequences for diet and mental health. It is a feature of post-infectious olfactory loss, particularly resulting from COVID-19. There is currently little understanding of its pathophysiology, and the prevailing hypothesis for the underlying mechanism is aberrant growth of regenerating olfactory sensory neurons after damage.

Methods

We use gas-chromatograph olfactometry to individually present components of a complex olfactory mixture as a rapid screening tool for assessment of both quantitative and qualitative olfactory dysfunction in those with and without parosmia. This allows them to report the associated sensory effects and to identify those molecules which are altered or parosmic in nature.

Results

Here we show 15 different molecular triggers of this symptom. These trigger molecules are common to many in the parosmic volunteer group and share certain characteristics such as extremely low olfactory threshold and common molecular structure

Conclusions

We posit that specific highly odour-active molecules are the cause of the parosmic symptom in most cases and initiate the sense of disgust, suggesting that parosmia is, at least in part, a receptor-level phenomenon.
Effect of local coordination on catalytic activities and selectivities of Fe-based catalysts for N2 reduction
Authors: Zhang Xiaohui , Wang Tianyi , Zhang Congyun , Zou Yihui , Ren Jun , Cai Pengcheng , Sun Chenghua , Yang Dongjiang
Published: May 2022

Electrochemical reduction of nitrogen is considered a promising route for achieving green and sustainable ammonia synthesis under ambient conditions.
Portable apparatus for high spatial and temporal resolution of in situ real-time surface albedo measurement in agricultural fields
Authors: Eichler Sarah E.
Published: May 2022

Portable apparatus directly measures albedo from sensing areas <1000 m2 and captures differences from crops, seasons, and sub-hourly snowmelt.
Regional anticoagulation magnetic artificial blood vessels constructed by heparin-PLCL core–shell nanofibers for rapid deployment of veno-venous bypass
Authors: Liu Peng , Yang Lifei , Shi Aihua , Qian Yerong , Liu Xin , Dong Dinghui , Zhang Xufeng , Lv Yi , Xiang Junxi
Published: May 2022

A novel magnetic artificial blood vessel constructed with heparin-PLCL core–shell nanofibers to overcome the limitations of venovenous bypass (VVB), which is promising for improving patient outcomes after complex liver surgery.
Supramolecular-mediated dual-functional DNA nanocomposites for programmable cancer therapy
Authors: Chu Hongqian , Meng Xiaoyi , Liu Bingjie , Liu Congzhi , Cheng Yue , Sun Zhaogang , Wang Yong
Published: May 2022

The supramolecular-mediated dual-functional DNA nanocomposites for programmable chemodynamic therapy (CDT) and chemotherapy (CT).
Machine learning for non-additive intermolecular potentials: quantum chemistry to first-principles predictions
Authors: Graham Richard S. , Wheatley Richard J.
Published: May 2022

Via a generally applicable method, we interpolate ab initio calculations of intermolecular interactions and produce successful first-principles predictions.
Modulation of the elasticity of single crystal, 1-D metal dimethylglyoximato complexesviasolid solution effect
Authors: Sugimoto Akira , Kusumoto Sotaro , Nakaya Manabu , Sekine Yoshihiro , Lindoy Leonard F. , Hayami Shinya
Published: May 2022

Novel elastic crystals with metal complexes are reported. The flexibility of solid solution crystals of the complexes varies with the proportion of metal ions present in the crystals.
Perceptions on the treatment of apparent isotope effects during the analyses of reaction rate and mechanism
Authors: Gao Xin , Yu Xi-Yang , Chang Chun-Ran
Published: May 2022

This article presents a recap of the fundamental concepts and relations of KIE, EIE and AIE, and a concise review on the selected applications of isotope effects throughout heterogeneous catalysis.
Electronic structure and interfacial features of triphenylamine- and phenothiazine-based hole transport materials for methylammonium lead iodide perovskite solar cells
Authors: Coppola Carmen , Pecoraro Adriana , Muñoz-García Ana B. , Infantino Rossella , Dessì Alessio , Reginato Gianna , Basosi Riccardo , Sinicropi Adalgisa , Pavone Michele
Published: May 2022

The electronic properties of the recently designed HTM1 and its interface with MAPI (001) have been investigated by first-principles DFT calculations.
Colloidal stabilities and deposition behaviors of chromium (hydr)oxides in the presence of dissolved organic matters: role of coprecipitation and adsorption
Authors: Zhu Shishu , Mo Yijun , Xing Jia , Luo Wendan , Jin Chao , Qiu Rongliang
Published: May 2022

The coprecipitation or surface adsorption of dissolved organic matters determined the colloidal stabilities and deposition behaviors of Cr (hydr)oxides.
A wholly biological method for galactaric acid production from pectin by the combination of enzymatic hydrolysis and resting-cell catalysis
Authors: Hua Xia , Zhang ChenHui , Han Jian , Xu Yong
Published: May 2022

An eco-friendly wholly biological method for galactaric acid preparation from pectin with three steps including enzymolysis, purification and catalysis.
Hard-to-soft transition-enhanced piezoelectricity in poly(vinylidene fluoride) via relaxor-like secondary crystals activated by high-power ultrasonication
Authors: Rui Guanchun , Allahyarov Elshad , Li Ruipeng , Taylor Philip L. , Zhu Lei
Published: May 2022

High piezoelectricity is achieved for uniaxially stretched poly(vinylidene fluoride) films via a hard-to-soft transition after high-power ultrasonication. The d31 reaches as high as 76 ± 1.2 pC N−1 at 65 °C and the high d31 can persist up to 110 °C.
Construction of a multidimensional CdS@MoS2heterojunction for enhancing the activity and transfer efficiency of photogenerated carriers
Authors: Ma Wenxuan , Zhang Chenggong , Hao Shuhua , Xing Yupeng , Zhao Gang , Qiu Shipeng , Zhang Changwen , Wang Xiaoke
Published: May 2022

A CdS@MoS2composite photocatalyst exhibits excellent photocatalytic activity to replace noble metals by constructing a n–n heterojunction.
Quantification of carbohydrates in human serum using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry with the stable isotope-labeled internal standard method
Authors: Zhang Ming-Jia , Zhao Jin-Hui , Tang Ying-Shu , Meng Fan-Yu , Gao Si-Qi , Han Su , Hou Shao-Ying , Liu Li-Yan
Published: May 2022

Comparison of two derivatization approaches (silylation and acylation) for carbohydrate separation based on optimizing reaction conditions by artificial neural networks.
Efficient hydrodesulfurization of dibenzothiophene over core–shell Ni/Al2O3@SOD and Mo/Al2O3 composite catalysts
Authors: Sun Kun , Yang Ge , Han Jiaxin , Chai Yongming , Li Yanpeng , Wang Chunzheng , Mintova Svetlana , Liu Chenguang , Guo Hailing
Published: May 2022

A DBT HDS reaction scheme based on different composite catalysts (Ni/Al2O3@SOD–Mo/Al2O3 and Ni/Al2O3–Mo/Al2O3) is proposed.
Achiral copper clusters helically confined in self-assembled chiral nanotubes emitting circularly polarized phosphorescence
Authors: Wang Ya-Jie , Jin Yan , Shi Xiao-Yan , Dong Xi-Yan , Zang Shuang-Quan
Published: May 2022

Achiral Cu5− cluster coassembled with a chiral amphiphile to afford helical nanotubes, where the Cu5− cluster was confined within the nanotubes, forming helical arrangement with emerged chiroptical activities (CD and CPP), with a large gabs up to 0.018.
Silver-catalyzed regioselective 1,6-hydroarylation of para-quinone methides with anilines and phenols
Authors: Xiong Biquan , Xu Shipan , Xu Weifeng , Liu Yu , Zhang Limin , Tang Ke-Wen , Yin Shuang-Feng , Wong Wai-Yeung
Published: May 2022

A novel and facile method for the Ag-catalyzed regioselective 1,6-hydroarylation of para-quinone methides (p-QMs) with anilines and phenols has been established, and a broad range of anilines (primary secondary, tertiary), phenols and p-QMs are well tolerated.
Total synthesis of huperserratines A and B
Authors: Deng Zhen-Tao , Wu Xing-De , Yuan Zai-Feng , Yu Nai-Rong , Ou Yu-Fei , Zhao Qin-Shi
Published: May 2022

The first total synthesis of two macrocyclic Lycopodium alkaloids, huperserratines A and B, in 12 steps.
Rhodium-catalyzed reaction of diazoquinones with allylboronates to synthesize allylphenols
Authors: Rao Junxin , Zhao Jianli , Zhu Xin , Guo Zhen , Wang Chengming , Zhou Cong-Ying
Published: May 2022

A rhodium-catalyzed reaction of diazoquinones and allylboronates was developed, which provides access to a range of substituted allylphenols under mild conditions.
Rapid quantification of ethanol content in aqueous solutions using a ratiometric fluorescent sensor
Authors: Shen Tianruo , Tan Davin , Shanmugham Meyammai , Liu Xiaogang
Published: May 2022

We proposed a simple method for ratiometrically detecting the ethanol content in aqueous solutions using a low-cost and commercially available dye – acridine.
Correction: SARS-CoV-2 and approaches for a testing and diagnostic strategy
Authors: Hristov Delyan R. , Gomez-Marquez Jose , Wade Djibril , Hamad-Schifferli Kimberly
Published: May 2022

Correction for ‘SARS-CoV-2 and approaches for a testing and diagnostic strategy’ by Delyan R. Hristov et al., J. Mater. Chem. B, 2021, 9, 8157–8173, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TB00674F.
Stability investigation of the titanium-based eco-friendly perovskite-like antifluorite Cs2TiBr6
Authors: He Yizhou , Guo Xiaowei , Zheng Huiyi , Xv Liyifei , Li Shaorong
Published: May 2022

The air, oxygen, moisture, thermal, and illumination stability of Cs2TiBr6are investigated.
Pure bromide-based inorganic perovskite sky-blue light-emitting diodes through phase control by the NiOx anode interface
Authors: Sun Kai , Bao Zhiqiang , Guo Xiaoyang , Ou Jianfeng , Lv Ying , Zou Deyue , Song Li , Li Yantao , Liu Xingyuan , Liang Jingqiu
Published: May 2022

A simple and efficient strategy for sky-blue perovskite light-emitting diodes based on pure bromide perovskites without any doping is presented.
Heterogeneous metal oxide channel structure for ultra-high sensitivity phototransistor with modulated operating conditions
Authors: Zhou Kuan-Ju , Chen Po-Hsun , Zheng Yu-Zhe , Tai Mao-Chou , Wang Yu-Xuan , Chien Ya-Ting , Sun Pei-Jun , Huang Hui-Chun , Chang Ting-Chang , Sze Simon M.
Published: May 2022

In this study, a thin-film transistor with a heterogeneous channel structure was introduced into oxide semiconductors to improve their electrical properties, which resulted in high mobility and lower subthreshold swing (S.S.).
Impact of covid-19 on date palm production in Morocco
Authors: Hassani aboou-mehdi Fatima , Abdelouhab Mohamed , Alem Chakib , Lahrech Khadija
Published: May 2022

As for the whole world, the Coronavirus crisis generated in Morocco a significant shock on supply as well as on demand, putting several activities in slow motion. Like the different economic sectors, the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L) sector which presents a real natural and cultural wealth of the country has suffered drastically in the confinement period. This study targets some palm groves of the Draa-Tafilalet region in the provinces of Errachidia, through a field survey on 30 farms and aims to measure the impact of Covid-19 on their agricultural activities. We conclude that this double health and economical disease has the potential to disturb the date supply chain.
Algorithm for optimizing the lifetime of solar batteries and the energy consumption of a smart house
Authors: Youssra Doudou , Abdeljabbar Cherkaoui
Published: May 2022

The increase in energy demand as well as the problems related to the environment are two main factors that push developing countries to focus their interest on the smart house. Their installation will allow to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, fight against global warming and save energy. Indeed, a smart grid must be instrumental in both setting up a good management of the decentralized production which provides a reliable electrical supply, and in organizing the storage of energy in batteries which are the weak point of a smart house installation. The modeled and simulated system represents the most reliable management method, using an algorithm that will improve the photovoltaic production, to minimize the use of the public grid in order to reduce the energy cost. This algorithm decreases the charge/discharge cycle of the battery, and increases their longevity. The coming further researches would allow the identification of useful parameters that increase the lifetime of solar batteries in order to solve the current smart house problem.
Characterization of milk coagulation based on the velocity of backscattered acoustic waves
Authors: Nidae Jaafari , Amghar A. , Bakkali F.
Published: May 2022

Sereval techniques based on ultrasound have been proposed for quality control of food products. They have shown that the use of ultrasonic techniques is very useful for quality control of certain food products and can be automated to allow rapid measurements while ensuring high accuracy. In this paper, we investigated three signal processing methods to calculate the group velocity of the acoustic wave: The Cross-correlation, Spectrum Ratio, and Smoothed Pseudo-Wigner-Ville transform to evaluate the use of ultrasonic measurements allow to characterize the milk coagulation process by correlating acoustic properties and coagulation process characteristics.
Development process to bearing fault diagnostic and prognostic for the predictive maintenance era
Authors: Bouyahrouzi El Mahdi , El Kihel Bachir
Published: May 2022

Today, the manufacturing industry seeks to improve competitiveness by converging on new technologies to ensure a new engine of growth, moreover, systems based on IoT and artificial intelligence are increasingly used in this convergence. This new industry must meet the challenges of productivity and competitiveness to interconnect the physical and digital world in which machines, information systems, and products communicate permanently, all to reduce consumers and maintain productivity gains and optimize them in terms of energy consumed reduced breakdowns... This article presents an original and innovative contribution. A new model has been proposed that summarizes an approach based on machine learning, intending to perform predictive maintenance based on artificial neural networks, considering the values acquired by sensors in real-time, it allows us a fast and very low implementation of predictive maintenance, particularly important for companies. The model is validated in real situations. The results show a very high level of accuracy.
A solution for the management of the passengers’ shuttle buses of the port Tanger MED Passagers
Authors: Amrani Akdi Ahmed , Astito Abdelali , Bsiss Mohammed , Ouardouz Mustapha
Published: May 2022

The present paper discusses a solution for managing the fleet of vehicles destined to servicing the passengers of the harbour station of the port Tanger MED Passagers. This solution can be divided on two components: first, we formulate a linear program describing the current situation at the station using a variant of the vehicle routing problem – multi-trip vehicle routing problem with divisible pickups and deliveries, and we solve it, then we have un package of web and mobile applications destined to improve the communication and data transfer between all users of the system, that is, the driver of the shuttle bus, the field operator and the operator of the control room. The simulations show that indeed this system answers the need of the port.
Clustering analysis of human navigation trajectories in a visuospatial memory locomotor task using K-Means and hierarchical agglomerative clustering
Authors: Annaki Ihababdelbasset , Rahmoune Mohammed , Bourhaleb Mohammed , Berrich Jamal , Zaoui Mohamed , Castilla Alexandre , Berthoz Alain , Cohen Bernard
Published: May 2022

Throughout this study, we employed unsupervised machine learning clustering algorithms, namely K-Means [1] and hierarchical agglomerative clustering (HAC) [2], to explore human locomotion and wayfinding using a VR Magic Carpet (VMC) [3], a table test version known as the Corsi Block Tapping task (CBT) [4]. This variation was carried out in the context of a virtual reality experimental setup. The participants were required to memorize a sequence of target positions projected on the rug and walk to each target figuring in the displayed sequence. the participant’s trajectory was collected and analyzed from a kinematic perspective. An earlier study [5] identified three different categories, but the classification remained ambiguous, implying that they include both kinds of individuals (normal and patients with cognitive spatial impairments). On this basis, we utilized K-Means and HAC to distinguish the navigation behavior of patients from normal individuals, emphasizing the most important discrepancies and then delving deeper to gain more insights.