bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The long non-coding RNA HOTAIRM1 promotes tumor aggressiveness and radiotherapy resistance in glioblastoma
Authors: Ahmadov Ulvi , Picard Daniel , Bartl Jasmin , Silginer Manuela , Trajkovic-Arsic Marija , Qin Nan , Blümel Lena , Wolter Marietta , Lim Jonathan K. M. , Pauck David , Winkelkotte Alina Marie , Melcher Marlen , Langini Maike , Marquardt Viktoria , Sander Felix , Stefanski Anja , Steltgens Sascha , Hassiepen Christina , Kaufhold Anna , Meyer Frauke-Dorothee , Seibt Annette , Kleinesudeik Lara , Hain Anika , Münk Carsten , Knobbe-Thomsen Christiane Brigitte , Schramm Alexander , Fischer Ute , Leprivier Gabriel , Stühler Kai , Fulda Simone , Siveke Jens T. , Distelmaier Felix , Borkhardt Arndt , Weller Michael , Roth Patrick , Reifenberger Guido , Remke Marc
Published: September 2021

Glioblastoma is the most common malignant primary brain tumor. To date, clinically relevant biomarkers are restricted to isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) gene 1 or 2 mutations and O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to contribute to glioblastoma pathogenesis and could potentially serve as novel biomarkers. The clinical significance ofHOXATranscript Antisense RNA, Myeloid-Specific 1 (HOTAIRM1) was determined by analyzingHOTAIRM1in multiple glioblastoma gene expression data sets for associations with prognosis, as well as, IDH mutation andMGMTpromoter methylation status. Finally, the role ofHOTAIRM1in glioblastoma biology and radiotherapy resistance was characterized in vitro and in vivo. We identifiedHOTAIRM1as a candidate lncRNA whose up-regulation is significantly associated with shorter survival of glioblastoma patients, independent from IDH mutation andMGMTpromoter methylation. Glioblastoma cell line models uniformly showed reduced cell viability, decreased invasive growth and diminished colony formation capacity uponHOTAIRM1down-regulation. Integrated proteogenomic analyses revealed impaired mitochondrial function and determination of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels confirmed increased ROS levels uponHOTAIRM1knock-down.HOTAIRM1knock-down decreased expression of transglutaminase 2 (TGM2), a candidate protein implicated in mitochondrial function, and knock-down ofTGM2mimicked the phenotype ofHOTAIRM1down-regulation in glioblastoma cells. Moreover,HOTAIRM1modulates radiosensitivity of glioblastoma cells both in vitro and in vivo. Our data support a role forHOTAIRM1as a driver of biological aggressiveness, radioresistance and poor outcome in glioblastoma. TargetingHOTAIRM1may be a promising new therapeutic approach.
Inhibition of nuclear receptor RORα attenuates cartilage damage in osteoarthritis by modulating IL-6/STAT3 pathway
Authors: Liang Tongzhou , Chen Taiqiu , Qiu Jincheng , Gao Wenjie , Qiu Xianjian , Zhu Yuanxin , Wang Xudong , Chen Yanbo , Zhou Hang , Deng Zhihuai , Li Pengfei , Xu Caixia , Peng Yan , Liang Anjing , Su Peiqiang , Gao Bo , Huang Dongsheng
Published: September 2021

Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by cartilage destruction, chronic inflammation, and local pain. Evidence showed that retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor-α (RORα) is crucial in cartilage development and OA pathogenesis. Here, we investigated the role and molecular mechanism of RORα, an important member of the nuclear receptor family, in regulating the development of OA pathologic features. Investigation into clinical cartilage specimens showed that RORα expression level is positively correlated with the severity of OA and cartilage damage. In an in vivo OA model induced by anterior crucial ligament transaction, intra-articular injection of si-Rora adenovirus reversed the cartilage damage. The expression of cartilage matrix components type II collagen and aggrecan were elevated upon RORα blockade. RNA-seq data suggested that the IL-6/STAT3 pathway is significantly downregulated, manifesting the reduced expression level of both IL-6 and phosphorylated STAT3. RORα exerted its effect on IL-6/STAT3 signaling in two different ways, including interaction with STAT3 and IL-6 promoter. Taken together, our findings indicated the pivotal role of the RORα/IL-6/STAT3 axis in OA progression and confirmed that RORα blockade improved the matrix catabolism in OA chondrocytes. These results may provide a potential treatment target in OA therapy.
Signaling through TLR5 mitigates lethal radiation damage by neutrophil-dependent release of MMP-9
Authors: Brackett Craig M. , Greene Kellee F. , Aldrich Alyssa R. , Trageser Nicholas H. , Pal Srabani , Molodtsov Ivan , Kandar Bojidar M. , Burdelya Lyudmila G. , Abrams Scott I. , Gudkov Andrei V.
Published: September 2021

Acute radiation syndrome (ARS) is a major cause of lethality following radiation disasters. A TLR5 agonist, entolimod, is among the most powerful experimental radiation countermeasures and shows efficacy in rodents and non-human primates as a prophylactic (radioprotection) and treatment (radiomitigation) modality. While the prophylactic activity of entolimod has been connected to the suppression of radiation-induced apoptosis, the mechanism by which entolimod functions as a radiomitigator remains poorly understood. Uncovering this mechanism has significant and broad-reaching implications for the clinical development and improvement of TLR5 agonists for use as an effective radiation countermeasure in scenarios of mass casualty resulting from accidental exposure to ionizing radiation. Here, we demonstrate that in contrast to radioprotection, neutrophils are essential for the radiomitigative activity of entolimod in a mouse model of lethal ARS. Neutrophils express functional TLR5 and rapidly exit the bone marrow (BM), accumulate in solid tissues, and release MMP-9 following TLR5 stimulation which is accompanied by an increase in the number of active hematopoietic pluripotent precursors (HPPs) in the BM. Importantly, recombinant MMP-9 by itself has radiomitigative activity and, in the absence of neutrophils, accelerates the recovery of the hematopoietic system. Unveiling this novel TLR5-neutrophil-MMP-9 axis of radiomitigation opens new opportunities for the development of efficacious radiation countermeasures to treat ARS following accidental radiation disasters.
Superlubric polycrystalline graphene interfaces
Authors: Gao Xiang , Ouyang Wengen , Urbakh Michael , Hod Oded
Published: September 2021

The effects of corrugated grain boundaries on the frictional properties of extended planar graphitic contacts incorporating a polycrystalline surface are investigated via molecular dynamics simulations. The kinetic friction is found to be dominated by shear induced buckling and unbuckling of corrugated grain boundary dislocations, leading to a nonmonotonic behavior of the friction with normal load and temperature. The underlying mechanism involves two effects, where an increase of dislocation buckling probability competes with a decrease of the dissipated energy per buckling event. These effects are well captured by a phenomenological two-state model, that allows for characterizing the tribological properties of any large-scale polycrystalline layered interface, while circumventing the need for demanding atomistic simulations. The resulting negative differential friction coefficients obtained in the high-load regime can reduce the expected linear scaling of grain-boundary friction with surface area and restore structural superlubricity at increasing length-scales.
Assembly defects of human tRNA splicing endonuclease contribute to impaired pre-tRNA processing in pontocerebellar hypoplasia
Authors: Sekulovski Samoil , Devant Pascal , Panizza Silvia , Gogakos Tasos , Pitiriciu Anda , Heitmeier Katharina , Ramsay Ewan Phillip , Barth Marie , Schmidt Carla , Tuschl Thomas , Baas Frank , Weitzer Stefan , Martinez Javier , Trowitzsch Simon
Published: September 2021

Introns of human transfer RNA precursors (pre-tRNAs) are excised by the tRNA splicing endonuclease TSEN in complex with the RNA kinase CLP1. Mutations in TSEN/CLP1 occur in patients with pontocerebellar hypoplasia (PCH), however, their role in the disease is unclear. Here, we show that intron excision is catalyzed by tetrameric TSEN assembled from inactive heterodimers independently of CLP1. Splice site recognition involves the mature domain and the anticodon-intron base pair of pre-tRNAs. The 2.1-Å resolution X-ray crystal structure of a TSEN15–34 heterodimer and differential scanning fluorimetry analyses show that PCH mutations cause thermal destabilization. While endonuclease activity in recombinant mutant TSEN is unaltered, we observe assembly defects and reduced pre-tRNA cleavage activity resulting in an imbalanced pre-tRNA pool in PCH patient-derived fibroblasts. Our work defines the molecular principles of intron excision in humans and provides evidence that modulation of TSEN stability may contribute to PCH phenotypes.
Nance-Horan Syndrome-like 1 protein negatively regulates Scar/WAVE-Arp2/3 activity and inhibits lamellipodia stability and cell migration
Authors: Law Ah-Lai , Jalal Shamsinar , Pallett Tommy , Mosis Fuad , Guni Ahmad , Brayford Simon , Yolland Lawrence , Marcotti Stefania , Levitt James A. , Poland Simon P. , Rowe-Sampson Maia , Jandke Anett , Köchl Robert , Pula Giordano , Ameer-Beg Simon M. , Stramer Brian Marc , Krause Matthias
Published: September 2021

Cell migration is important for development and its aberrant regulation contributes to many diseases. The Scar/WAVE complex is essential for Arp2/3 mediated lamellipodia formation during mesenchymal cell migration and several coinciding signals activate it. However, so far, no direct negative regulators are known. Here we identify Nance-Horan Syndrome-like 1 protein (NHSL1) as a direct binding partner of the Scar/WAVE complex, which co-localise at protruding lamellipodia. This interaction is mediated by the Abi SH3 domain and two binding sites in NHSL1. Furthermore, active Rac binds to NHSL1 at two regions that mediate leading edge targeting of NHSL1. Surprisingly, NHSL1 inhibits cell migration through its interaction with the Scar/WAVE complex. Mechanistically, NHSL1 may reduce cell migration efficiency by impeding Arp2/3 activity, as measured in cells using a Arp2/3 FRET-FLIM biosensor, resulting in reduced F-actin density of lamellipodia, and consequently impairing the stability of lamellipodia protrusions.
Design principles of collateral sensitivity-based dosing strategies
Authors: Aulin Linda B. S. , Liakopoulos Apostolos , van der Graaf Piet H. , Rozen Daniel E. , van Hasselt J. G. Coen
Published: September 2021

Collateral sensitivity (CS)-based antibiotic treatments, where increased resistance to one antibiotic leads to increased sensitivity to a second antibiotic, may have the potential to limit the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. However, it remains unclear how to best design CS-based treatment schedules. To address this problem, we use mathematical modelling to study the effects of pathogen- and drug-specific characteristics for different treatment designs on bacterial population dynamics and resistance evolution. We confirm that simultaneous and one-day cycling treatments could supress resistance in the presence of CS. We show that the efficacy of CS-based cycling therapies depends critically on the order of drug administration. Finally, we find that reciprocal CS is not essential to suppress resistance, a result that significantly broadens treatment options given the ubiquity of one-way CS in pathogens. Overall, our analyses identify key design principles of CS-based treatment strategies and provide guidance to develop treatment schedules to suppress resistance.
Gut bacteria identified in colorectal cancer patients promote tumourigenesis via butyrate secretion
Authors: Okumura Shintaro , Konishi Yusuke , Narukawa Megumi , Sugiura Yuki , Yoshimoto Shin , Arai Yuriko , Sato Shintaro , Yoshida Yasuo , Tsuji Shunya , Uemura Ken , Wakita Masahiro , Matsudaira Tatsuyuki , Matsumoto Tomonori , Kawamoto Shimpei , Takahashi Akiko , Itatani Yoshiro , Miki Hiroaki , Takamatsu Manabu , Obama Kazutaka , Takeuchi Kengo , Suematsu Makoto , Ohtani Naoko , Fukunaga Yosuke , Ueno Masashi , Sakai Yoshiharu , Nagayama Satoshi , Hara Eiji
Published: September 2021

Emerging evidence is revealing that alterations in gut microbiota are associated with colorectal cancer (CRC). However, very little is currently known about whether and how gut microbiota alterations are causally associated with CRC development. Here we show that 12 faecal bacterial taxa are enriched in CRC patients in two independent cohort studies. Among them, 2 Porphyromonas species are capable of inducing cellular senescence, an oncogenic stress response, through the secretion of the bacterial metabolite, butyrate. Notably, the invasion of these bacteria is observed in the CRC tissues, coinciding with the elevation of butyrate levels and signs of senescence-associated inflammatory phenotypes. Moreover, although the administration of these bacteria into ApcΔ14/+ mice accelerate the onset of colorectal tumours, this is not the case when bacterial butyrate-synthesis genes are disrupted. These results suggest a causal relationship between Porphyromonas species overgrowth and colorectal tumourigenesis which may be due to butyrate-induced senescence.
Multi-species single-cell transcriptomic analysis of ocular compartment regulons
Authors: Gautam Pradeep , Hamashima Kiyofumi , Chen Ying , Zeng Yingying , Makovoz Bar , Parikh Bhav Harshad , Lee Hsin Yee , Lau Katherine Anne , Su Xinyi , Wong Raymond C. B. , Chan Woon-Khiong , Li Hu , Blenkinsop Timothy A. , Loh Yuin-Han
Published: September 2021

The retina is a widely profiled tissue in multiple species by single-cell RNA sequencing studies. However, integrative research of the retina across species is lacking. Here, we construct the first single-cell atlas of the human and porcine ocular compartments and study inter-species differences in the retina. In addition to that, we identify putative adult stem cells present in the iris tissue. We also create a disease map of genes involved in eye disorders across compartments of the eye. Furthermore, we probe the regulons of different cell populations, which include transcription factors and receptor-ligand interactions and reveal unique directional signalling between ocular cell types. In addition, we study conservation of regulons across vertebrates and zebrafish to identify common core factors. Here, we show perturbation of KLF7 gene expression during retinal ganglion cells differentiation and conclude that it plays a significant role in the maturation of retinal ganglion cells.
Persistence of plant-mediated microbial soil legacy effects in soil and inside roots
Authors: Hannula S. Emilia , Heinen Robin , Huberty Martine , Steinauer Katja , De Long Jonathan R. , Jongen Renske , Bezemer T. Martijn
Published: September 2021

Plant-soil feedbacks are shaped by microbial legacies that plants leave in the soil. We tested the persistence of these legacies after subsequent colonization by the same or other plant species using 6 typical grassland plant species. Soil fungal legacies were detectable for months, but the current plant effect on fungi amplified in time. By contrast, in bacterial communities, legacies faded away rapidly and bacteria communities were influenced strongly by the current plant. However, both fungal and bacterial legacies were conserved inside the roots of the current plant species and their composition significantly correlated with plant growth. Hence, microbial soil legacies present at the time of plant establishment play a vital role in shaping plant growth even when these legacies have faded away in the soil due the growth of the current plant species. We conclude that soil microbiome legacies are reversible and versatile, but that they can create plant-soil feedbacks via altering the endophytic community acquired during early ontogeny.
Strong intrinsic room-temperature ferromagnetism in freestanding non-van der Waals ultrathin 2D crystals
Authors: Wu Hao , Zhang Wenfeng , Yang Li , Wang Jun , Li Jie , Li Luying , Gao Yihua , Zhang Liang , Du Juan , Shu Haibo , Chang Haixin
Published: September 2021

Control of ferromagnetism is of critical importance for a variety of proposed spintronic and topological quantum technologies. Inducing long-range ferromagnetic order in ultrathin 2D crystals will provide more functional possibility to combine their unique electronic, optical and mechanical properties to develop new multifunctional coupled applications. Recently discovered intrinsic 2D ferromagnetic crystals such as Cr2Ge2Te6, CrI3 and Fe3GeTe2 are intrinsically ferromagnetic only below room temperature, mostly far below room temperature (Curie temperature, ~20–207 K). Here we develop a scalable method to prepare freestanding non-van der Waals ultrathin 2D crystals down to mono- and few unit cells (UC) and report unexpected strong, intrinsic, ambient-air-robust, room-temperature ferromagnetism with TC up to ~367 K in freestanding non-van der Waals 2D CrTe crystals. Freestanding 2D CrTe crystals show comparable or better ferromagnetic properties to widely-used Fe, Co, Ni and BaFe12O19, promising as new platforms for room-temperature intrinsically-ferromagnetic 2D crystals and integrated 2D devices.
VEGA is an interpretable generative model for inferring biological network activity in single-cell transcriptomics
Authors: Seninge Lucas , Anastopoulos Ioannis , Ding Hongxu , Stuart Joshua
Published: September 2021

Deep learning architectures such as variational autoencoders have revolutionized the analysis of transcriptomics data. However, the latent space of these variational autoencoders offers little to no interpretability. To provide further biological insights, we introduce a novel sparse Variational Autoencoder architecture, VEGA (VAE Enhanced by Gene Annotations), whose decoder wiring mirrors user-provided gene modules, providing direct interpretability to the latent variables. We demonstrate the performance of VEGA in diverse biological contexts using pathways, gene regulatory networks and cell type identities as the gene modules that define its latent space. VEGA successfully recapitulates the mechanism of cellular-specific response to treatments, the status of master regulators as well as jointly revealing the cell type and cellular state identity in developing cells. We envision the approach could serve as an explanatory biological model for development and drug treatment experiments.
Restructuring highly electron-deficient metal-metal oxides for boosting stability in acidic oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Liu Xinghui , Xi Shibo , Kim Hyunwoo , Kumar Ashwani , Lee Jinsun , Wang Jian , Tran Ngoc Quang , Yang Taehun , Shao Xiaodong , Liang Mengfang , Kim Min Gyu , Lee Hyoyoung
Published: September 2021

The poor catalyst stability in acidic oxidation evolution reaction (OER) has been a long-time issue. Herein, we introduce electron-deficient metal on semiconducting metal oxides-consisting of Ir (Rh, Au, Ru)-MoO3 embedded by graphitic carbon layers (IMO) using an electrospinning method. We systematically investigate IMO’s structure, electron transfer behaviors, and OER catalytic performance by combining experimental and theoretical studies. Remarkably, IMO with an electron-deficient metal surface (Irx+; x > 4) exhibit a low overpotential of only ~156 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and excellent durability in acidic media due to the high oxidation state of metal on MoO3. Furthermore, the proton dissociation pathway is suggested via surface oxygen serving as proton acceptors. This study suggests high stability with high catalytic performance in these materials by creating electron-deficient surfaces and provides a general, unique strategy for guiding the design of other metal-semiconductor nanocatalysts.
Eight-hours conventional versus adaptive deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Bocci Tommaso , Prenassi Marco , Arlotti Mattia , Cogiamanian Filippo Maria , Borellini Linda , Moro Elena , Lozano Andres M. , Volkmann Jens , Barbieri Sergio , Priori Alberto , Marceglia Sara
Published: September 2021

This study compares the effects on motor symptoms between conventional deep brain stimulation (cDBS) and closed-loop adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS) in patients with Parkinson’s Disease. The aDBS stimulation is controlled by the power in the beta band (12–35 Hz) of local field potentials recorded directly by subthalamic nucleus electrodes. Eight subjects were assessed in two 8-h stimulation sessions (first day, cDBS; second day, aDBS) with regular levodopa intake and during normal daily activities. The Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) part III scores, the Rush scale for dyskinesias, and the total electrical energy delivered to the tissues per second (TEEDs) were significantly lower in the aDBS session (relative UPDRS mean, cDBS: 0.46 ± 0.05, aDBS: 0.33 ± 0.04, p = 0.015; UPDRS part III rigidity subset mean, cDBS: 2.9143 ± 0.6551 and aDBS: 2.1429 ± 0.5010, p = 0.034; UPDRS part III standard deviation cDBS: 2.95, aDBS: 2.68; p = 0.047; Rush scale, cDBS 2.79 ± 0.39 versus aDBS 1.57 ± 0.23, p = 0.037; cDBS TEEDs mean: 28.75 ± 3.36 µj s−1, aDBS TEEDs mean: 16.47 ± 3.33, p = 0.032 Wilcoxon’s sign rank test). This work further supports the safety and effectiveness of aDBS stimulation compared to cDBS in a daily session, both in terms of motor performance and TEED to the patient.
Application of dielectric barrier discharge for improving food shelf life and reducing spoilage
Authors: Roy Subrata , Choudhury Bhaswati , Johnson Judith , Schindler-Tyka Alexander
Published: September 2021

Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) based ozone therapy is an attractive non-thermal, additive-free and environment-friendly alternative to traditional food processing technologies. Its practical application is dependent on economical ozone generation and optimum ozone dosage. This study investigates the one-time and periodic application of a compact (48 cu. cm), lightweight (55 g), low power, low temperature, DBD ozone generator for treatment of spoilage inocula prepared from combinations of spoiled green beans, grape tomatoes, lettuce and strawberries. A one-time exposure of 126–136 ppm of average ozone concentration produced by the DBD generator over 3 min and 15 min resulted in at least 1 and 4 log reduction, respectively, in microbial colonies present in the spoilage inocula. Daily exposure of 128.7 ppm average ozone concentration over 3 min under similar conditions showed that inhibition through periodic exposure can successfully inhibit the growth of both bacteria and mold species with at least 5 log reduction of microbial colonies. Visual inspection of whole fruits and vegetables with similar 3-min daily exposure showed the potential of ozone therapy to at least double the shelf-life of food products. For the daily exposures, energy required by the DBD ozone generator was calculated as 0.39 $$\pm $$
±
0.06 kJ/day.
Assessment of the structural and functional characteristics of human mesenchymal stem cells associated with a prolonged exposure of morphine
Authors: Carano Francesco , Teti Gabriella , Ruggeri Alessandra , Chiarini Francesca , Giorgetti Arianna , Mazzotti Maria C. , Fais Paolo , Falconi Mirella
Published: September 2021

The discovery of the expression of opioid receptors in the skin and their role in orchestrating the process of tissue repair gave rise to questions regarding the potential effects of clinical morphine treatment in wound healing. Although short term treatment was reported to improve tissue regeneration, in vivo chronic administration was associated to an impairment of the physiological healing process and systemic fibrosis. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) play a fundamental role in tissue regeneration. In this regard, acute morphine exposition was recently reported to impact negatively on the functional characteristics of hMSCs, but little is currently known about its long-term effects. To determine how a prolonged treatment could impair their functional characteristics, we exposed hMSCs to increasing morphine concentrations respectively for nine and eighteen days, evaluating in particular the fibrogenic potential exerted by the long-term exposition. Our results showed a time dependent cell viability decline, and conditions compatible with a cellular senescent state. Ultrastructural and protein expression analysis were indicative of increased autophagy, suggesting a relation to a detoxification activity. In addition, the enhanced transcription observed for the genes involved in the synthesis and regulation of type I collagen suggested the possibility that a prolonged morphine treatment might exert its fibrotic potential risk, even involving the hMSCs.
Audible acoustics from low-magnitude fluid-induced earthquakes in Finland
Authors: Lamb Oliver D. , Lees Jonathan M. , Malin Peter E. , Saarno Tero
Published: September 2021

Earthquakes are frequently accompanied by public reports of audible low-frequency noises. In 2018, public reports of booms or thunder-like noises were linked to induced earthquakes during an Engineered Geothermal System project in the Helsinki Metropolitan area. In response, two microphone arrays were deployed to record and study these acoustic signals while stimulation at the drill site continued. During the 11 day deployment, we find 39 earthquakes accompanied by possible atmospheric acoustic signals. Moment magnitudes of these events ranged from $$-0.07$$

-
0.07

to 1.87 with located depths of 4.8–6.5 km. Analysis of the largest event revealed a broadband frequency content, including in the audible range, and high apparent velocities across the arrays. We conclude that the audible noises were generated by local ground reverberation during the arrival of seismic body waves. The inclusion of acoustic monitoring at future geothermal development projects will be beneficial for studying seismic-to-acoustic coupling during sequences of induced earthquakes.
Enhancing esophageal repair with bioactive bilayer mesh containing FGF
Authors: Cesur Ozkan , Tanir Tugba Endogan , Celepli Pinar , Ozarslan Fatma , Hucumenoglu Sema , Karaibrahimoglu Adnan , Hasirci Nesrin
Published: September 2021

We aimed to prepare a bioactive and biodegradable bilayer mesh formed by fibroblast growth factor (FGF) loaded gelatin film layer, and poly ε-caprolactone (PCL) film layer, and to investigate its treatment efficacy on esophageal anastomosis. It is envisaged that the bioactive mesh in in vivo model would improve tissue healing in rats. The full thickness semicircular defects of 0.5 × 0.5 cm2 were created in anterior walls of abdominal esophagus. The control group had abdominal esophagus isolated with distal esophageal blunt dissection, and sham group had primary anastomosis. In the test groups, the defects were covered with bilayer polymeric meshes containing FGF (5 μg/2 cm2), or not. All rats were sacrificed for histopathology investigation after 7 or 28 days of operation. The groups are coded as FGF(−)-7th day, FGF(+)-7th day, and FGF(+)-28th day, based on their content and operation day. Highest burst pressures were obtained for FGF(+)-7th day, and FGF(+)-28th day groups (p < 0.005) and decreased inflammation grades were observed. Submucosal and muscular collagen deposition scores were markedly increased in these groups compared to sham and FGF(−)-7th day groups having no FGF (p = 0.002, p = 0.001, respectively). It was proved that FGF loaded bioactive bilayer mesh provided effective repair, reinforcement and tissue healing of esophageal defects.
An elastic fiber based on phononic crystals
Authors: Motaei Farzaneh , Bahrami Ali
Published: September 2021

In this study, a novel elastic phononic crystal fiber has been presented for the first time. This proposed structure can expand the sonic communications field, significantly. In order to realize the elastic fiber performance, solid–solid phononic crystal has been utilized. The phononic crystal structure operates as cladding in surroundings and central region acts as core of fiber by elimination of rods. Incident acoustic waves with transverse polarization have confined and propagated in the core region of the phononic crystal fiber. Two types of phononic crystal fiber with different core radii have been investigated. Incident elastic waves can confine in the core region with confinement factor higher than 500. Also, longitudinal losses have been achieved low and equal to 0.35 dB/km.
Dual-functional gold–iron oxide core–satellite hybrid nanoparticles for sensitivity enhancement in biosensors via nanoplasmonic and preconcentration effects
Authors: Chen Yi-Chen , Chou Yu-Chen , Chang Jui-Han , Chen Li-Ting , Huang Chun-Jen , Chau Lai-Kwan , Chen Yen-Ling
Published: September 2021

Using dual-functional gold–iron oxide core–satellite hybrid nanoparticles with magnetic preconcentration in the fiber optic nanogold-linked sorbent assay significantly improves the limit of detection.
Direct determination of boscalid in grape samples by differential pulse voltammetry using a carbon paste electrode
Authors: Liberato Priscila Azevedo , Okumura Leonardo Luiz , de Souza Silva Astréa Filomena , Aleixo Herbert , Silva Júnio Gonçalves , Diniz Juliana Aparecida , Oliveira André Fernando
Published: September 2021

A new methodology to determine directly the fungicide boscalid (BSC) was developed and applied in 100% juice, peel extracts, pulp and seeds purple grape (Vitis labrusca L.) with a working carbon paste electrode (CPE) without sample preparation.
Colorimetric assay based on arginine-functionalized gold nanoparticles for the detection of dibutyl phthalate in Baijiu samples
Authors: Yan Yumei , Qu Yuan , Du Rui , Zhou Wenfeng , Gao Haixiang , Lu Runhua
Published: September 2021

In this paper, a simple and innovative colorimetric method is established, which is based on DBP-induced aggregation of arginine functionalized gold nanoparticles (ARG-AuNPs), and can be used for the sensitive determination of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) in Baijiu samples.
Correction: Sexual pheromone detection using PANI·Ag nanohybrid and PANI/PSS nanocomposite nanosensors
Authors: Martinazzo Janine , Brezolin Alexandra Nava , Paschoalin Rafaella Takehara , Soares Andrey Coatrini , Steffens Juliana , Steffens Clarice
Published: September 2021

Correction for ‘Sexual pheromone detection using PANI·Ag nanohybrid and PANI/PSS nanocomposite nanosensors’ by Janine Martinazzo et al., Anal. Methods, 2021, 13, 3900–3908, DOI: 10.1039/d1ay00987g.
Luminescence switch based on the acid/base induced reversibility of covalent bonds in lanthanide(iii) complexes
Authors: Kachi-Terajima Chihiro , Okubo Miku , Ikeda Mari , Habata Yoichi
Published: September 2021

We report an exceptional example of Tb(iii) luminescence switching using a reversible covalent bond to modify the ligand structure of the Tb(iii) complex.
A novel 3D Zn-coordination polymer based on a multiresponsive fluorescent sensor demonstrating outstanding sensitivities and selectivities for the efficient detection of multiple analytes
Authors: Liu Yu , Wang Yan , Zhang Xiao-Sa , Sheng Yu-Shu , Li Wen-Ze , Yang Ai-Ai , Luan Jian , Liu Hong-Zhu , Wang Zhong-Gang
Published: September 2021

A Zn-CP exhibits remarkable fluorescence behaviours and stability in a wide range of pH values. It can become an outstanding candidate in the selective sensing of Fe3+, Mg2+, Cr2O72−, MnO4−, NB and NM at a lower detection limit.
Mechanistic investigation of the aerobic oxidation of 2-pyridylacetate coordinated to a Ru(ii) polypyridyl complex
Authors: Sousa Sinval F. , Ertem Mehmed Z. , Faustino Leandro A. , Machado Antonio Eduardo. H. , Concepcion Javier J. , Maia Pedro I. S. , Patrocinio Antonio Otavio T.
Published: September 2021

A new ruthenium complex with the 2-pyridyl-acetate ligand was synthesized. The coordinated ligand is oxidized by molecular O2 to yield the α-keto-derivative. The reaction mechanism was fully investigated with important implications for catalysis.
A reliable procedure to obtain environmentally relevant nanoplastic proxies
Authors: Blancho Florent , Davranche Mélanie , Fumagalli Francesco , Ceccone Giacomo , Gigault Julien
Published: September 2021

More environmentally relevant nanoplastic models are urgently needed.
Fluorescent wood sponge toward selective detection and efficient removal of Cr(vi)
Authors: Zheng Dingyuan , Yao Wenrui , Sun Ce , Chen Xiaojian , Zhou Jiyuan , Wang Baiwang , Tan Haiyan , Zhang Yanhua , Wang Yonggui
Published: September 2021

A novel fluorescent wood sponge was constructed combining hierarchical porous wood sponge and carbon dots via chemical bonding, which could simultaneously detect and remove hexavalent Cr(vi) in an aqueous medium.
Microbial factories: monitoring vitamin B2 production by Escherichia coli in microfluidic cultivation chambers
Authors: Jusková Petra , Schmitt Steven , Armbrecht Lucas , Dittrich Petra S.
Published: September 2021

We present a microfluidic chamber system for bacterial cultivation enabling dynamic studies of a secreted product of the bacterial biosynthesis.
Optimum in ligand density for conductivity in polymer electrolytes
Authors: Schauser Nicole S. , Richardson Peter M. , Nikolaev Andrei , Cooke Piper , Kliegle Gabrielle A. , Susca Ethan M. , Johnson Keith , Wang Hengbin , Read de Alaniz Javier , Clément Raphaële , Segalman Rachel A.
Published: September 2021

Optimization of Li+ conductivity relies on a balance between ligand presence and the ability of the chains to rearrange locally to facilitate transport.
Plasmons: untangling the classical, experimental, and quantum mechanical definitions
Authors: Gieseking Rebecca L. M.
Published: September 2021

Plasmons have been widely studied over the past several decades because of their ability to strongly absorb light and localize its electric field on the nanoscale, leading to applications in spectroscopy, biosensing, and solar energy storage.
In situ growth of metal-free snowflake-like 1D/2D phosphorus element heterostructures for photocatalytic overall pure-water splitting
Authors: Zhao Ling , Fu Hanping , Jian Lishan , Zeng Yating , Liu Liran , Liang Qingshuang , Xiao Xiufeng
Published: September 2021

In this work, we report a novel phosphorus element heterostructure with a snowflake-like morphology consisting of 1D rod-like black phosphorus (BP) and 2D flake-like red phosphorus (RP).
Hierarchical structure of molybdenum disulfide-reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite for the development of a highly efficient serotonin biosensing platform
Authors: Chaudhary Chhaya , Kumar Suveen , Chandra Ramesh
Published: September 2021

Molybdenum disulfide-reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite based immunosensor for the serotonin detection.
A helix foldamer oligopeptide improves intracellular stability and prolongs protein expression of the delivered mRNA
Authors: Uchida Satoshi , Yamaberi Yuto , Tanaka Masakazu , Oba Makoto
Published: September 2021

The oligopeptide structure impacts the intracellular stability of mRNA to prolong protein expression, solving a major issue of mRNA nanomedicine.
MOF-derived CoNi,CoO,NiO@N–C bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts for liquid and all-solid-state Zn–air batteries
Authors: Duan Xinde , Ren Shuangshuang , Ge Fayuan , Zhu Xukun , Zhang Mingdao , Zheng Hegen
Published: September 2021

MOF-derived CoNi,CoO,NiO@NC bifunctional electrocatalysts for the ORR and OER have been prepared via pyrolysis, exhibiting ultra-high catalytic activity and promising performance in liquid- and all-solid-state Zn–air batteries.
Charge transfer driven by redox dye molecules on graphene nanosheets for room-temperature gas sensing
Authors: Liu Wenbo , Zeng Junwei , Gao Yixun , Li Hao , Rooij Nicolaas Frans de , Umar Ahmad , Algarni Hamed , Wang Yao , Zhou Guofu
Published: September 2021

Special functional groups to modify the surface of graphene have received much attention since they enable the charge transfer enhancement, thus realizing gas-sensing at room temperature.
Stimuli-responsive hydrogel microcapsules for the amplified detection of microRNAs
Authors: Chang Wen-Hsin , Lee Yi-Fang , Liu Yen-Wenn , Willner Itamar , Liao Wei-Ching
Published: September 2021

A method for the synthesis of stimuli-responsive QDs-loaded DNA hydrogel microcapsules is demonstrated. The functionality of miRNA-responsive switches in the shell of microcapsules enables the microcapsules to sense the disease-associated miRNAs.
Structure–property relationships of core-substituted diaryl dihydrophenazine organic photoredox catalysts and their application in O-ATRP
Authors: Price Mariel J. , Puffer Katherine O. , Kudisch Max , Knies Declan , Miyake Garret M.
Published: September 2021

Photoinduced organocatalyzed atom-transfer radical polymerization (O-ATRP) is a controlled radical polymerization technique that can be driven using low-energy, visible light and makes use of organic photocatalysts.
Linking the enhanced deep NO oxidation of a ferroelectric K0.5Bi0.5TiO3 nanowire photocatalyst to its spontaneous polarization and oxygen vacancies
Authors: Liang Qingrong , Li Guian , Rao Fei , Zheng Guozhong , Ma Haoxuan , Li Shiping , Hojamberdiev Mirabbos , Wang Qizhao , Zhu Gangqiang
Published: September 2021

The mechanism of NOx photo-oxidation and the pathway of photogenerated charge carries mechanism over K0.5Bi0.5TiO3 photocatalyst.
Halogenated sodium/lithium monocarba-closo-decaborates: syntheses, characterization, and solid-state ionic conductivity
Authors: Li Shouhu , Qiu Pengtao , Kang Jia-Xin , Shi Zhenpu , Zhang Yichun , Ma Yiming , Chen Xuenian
Published: September 2021

A series of halogenated monocarba-closo-decaborates, M[closo-1-CHB9H8-6-X] (M = Na, Li; X = Br, I) and M[closo-1-CHB9H4-6,7,8,9,10-I5] (M = Na, Li) have been synthesized for investigating the influence of halogenation on the thermal stability, phase transition and ionic conductivity.
Highly dispersed CoP on three-dimensional ordered mesoporous FeP for efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen production
Authors: Wu Yuchen , Wang Yongjia , Wang Zhiwei , Li Xiuting
Published: September 2021

Electrocatalytic hydrogen production is hindered by the high cost or low efficiency of electrocatalysts.
Sustainable by design, large Stokes shift benzothiadiazole derivatives for efficient luminescent solar concentrators
Authors: Ceriani Chiara , Corsini Francesca , Mattioli Giuseppe , Mattiello Sara , Testa Daniele , Po Riccardo , Botta Chiara , Griffini Gianmarco , Beverina Luca
Published: September 2021

The combination of a de novo design approach and micellar catalysis enables the preparation of innovative luminophores connecting efficiency and sustainability for the preparation of thin film luminescent solar concentrators.
γ-GeSe nanotubes: a one-dimensional semiconductor with high carrier mobility potential for photocatalytic water splitting
Authors: Li Lijian , Zhao Chen , Zhang Long , Zhu Yingtao
Published: September 2021

Gamma-GeSe nanotube with visible region absorption, suitable band edge positions and high hole mobility for water splitting.
A two‐layer attack‐robust protocol for IoT healthcare security
Authors: Afsaneh Sharafi , Sepideh Adabi , Ali Movaghar , Salah Al‐Majeed
Published: September 2021

The majority of studies in the field of developing identification and authentication protocols for Internet of Things (IoT) used cryptographic algorithms. Using brain signals is also a relatively new approach in this field. EEG signal‐based authentication algorithms typically use feature extraction algorithms that require high processing time. On the other hand, the dynamic nature of the EEG signal makes its use for identification/authentication difficult without relying on feature extraction. This paper presents an EEG‐and fingerprint‐based two‐stage identification‐authentication protocol for remote healthcare, which is fast, robust, and multilayer‐based. A modified Euclidean distance pattern matching method is proposed to match the EEG signal in the identification stage due to its dynamic nature. The authentication stage is also an optimized method with the Genetic Algorithm (GA), which utilizes a modified Diffie–Hellman algorithm. Due to the vulnerability of the Diffie–Hellman algorithm to different types of attacks, the parameters used for this algorithm are extracted from the fingerprint and the EEG signal of the patient to provide a fast and robust authentication method. The proposed method is evaluated using data from patients with spinal cord injuries. Simulating results demonstrated high identification and authentication accuracy of the proposed method. Furthermore, it is extremely fast and efficient.
A stochastic framework for secure reconfiguration of active distribution networks
Authors: Ahmadi Seyed‐Alireza , Vahidinasab Vahid , Ghazizadeh Mohammad Sadegh , Giaouris Damian
Published: September 2021

Automatic reconfiguration is one of the key actions in self‐healing distribution networks. In these networks, after detecting and isolating the faulted portion, an automatic reconfiguration procedure is performed to restore the maximum possible affected loads without further interruptions during repair operations. This procedure becomes more complicated in the networks with integrated distributed generation units as they can bring security challenges for the reconfigured network after a fault event. To overcome these challenges, a stochastic framework is proposed here. In this framework, the reconfiguration procedure is conducted with a fast and reliable method which is based on the graph theory. Besides, the security challenges of utilizing distributed generations after an event are highlighted. Then, since a faulted network is more prone to subsequent faults, different actions of changing the distribution generations output power, preventing the insecure increment of short circuit capacity, and also considering the loadability improvement are proposed in the reconfiguration framework. Then in the final stage, the vulnerability of the distribution system to the uncertainties of load demand is resolved through a chance‐constrained programming‐based approach. To see the performance of the proposed stochastic framework, it is tested on a standard test system and the results prove its goodness and applicability for real distribution networks.
A comprehensive survey: Image deraining and stereo‐matching task‐driven performance analysis
Authors: Du Shuangli , Liu Yiguang , Zhao Minghua , Shi Zhenghao , You Zhenzhen , Li Jie
Published: September 2021

Deraining has been attracting a lot of attention from researchers, and various methods have been proposed, especially deep‐networks are widely adopted in recent years. Their structures and learning become more and more complicated and diverse, making it difficult to analyze the contributions and improvements. In this paper, a comprehensive review for current rain removal methods is first provided to show their contributions. Specifically, they are reviewed in terms of handing rain streaks and rain mist. Second, besides evaluating their rain removal ability, they are also evaluated in terms of their impact on subsequent stereo‐matching task. To this end, a new deraining dataset is first prepared, called Rain‐Kitti2012 and Rain‐Kitti2015. They are created by adding rain part to clean image‐pairs in Kitti2012 and Kitti2015. By then, nine state‐of‐the‐art deraining methods are evaluated with full‐reference and no‐reference image quality assessment metrics. Furthermore, the blurriness and distortion types introduced during deraining are measured. Finally, three learning‐based stereo matching methods are compared, and they take the outputs of deraining methods as inputs. It is further discussed how derained images influence the accuracy of stereo matching, which can provide some insight for jointly handling rain removal and stereo matching.

1: A comprehensive review for the current rain removal methods is provided. They are categorized into rain‐streak‐oriented and rain‐mist‐oriented approaches in terms of degradation type, and are categorized into model‐driven and data‐driven approaches in terms of methodology. 2: A new image deraining dataset is introduced, which is the first dataset that can be used to perform stereo‐matching‐driven evaluation for deraining methods. The dataset is created by adding rain part to clean images in KITTI2012 and KITTI2015. 3: We evaluate 9 deep learning based deraining methods with full‐reference and no‐ reference metrics. In addition, the types of distortions produced by these methods are discussed and measured quantitatively. And, the impact of 9 deraining methods on the subsequent stereo matching task is evaluated, which can provide some insight on how to design stereo matching task‐driven deraining methods.
Data gap decomposed by auxiliary modality for NIR‐VIS heterogeneous face recognition
Authors: Sun Rui , Shan Xiaoquan , Zhang Han , Gao Jun
Published: September 2021

In the dark scene at night, the face images captured by ordinary visible light (VIS) are generally poor quality and very dim, while the near‐infrared (NIR) can capture high definition and recognizable face images at night. The NIR‐VIS Heterogeneous face recognition has become a hot research field, which helps to build an all‐weather face recognition system. NIR‐VIS HFR is sophisticated because of the large visual difference between NIR images and VIS images. In order to reduce the difficulty of such cross‐modality invariant feature learning, this paper proposes a cross‐modality data gap decomposed by auxiliary modality method (DGD) for NIR‐VIS HFR. First, the brightness component (Y component) of VIS image YCbCr space is used as the auxiliary modality to decompose the cross‐modality data gap. The lightness component retained the structural information of VIS image and was similar to the colour information of NIR modality; in this way, the huge gap between the NIR data and the VIS data is decomposed into two smaller gaps, thus reducing the difficulty of network learning. Second, the data of the three modalities are input into the weight sharing network and training under the combined guidance of cross‐modality gap decomposition loss and intra‐modality gap loss; in this way, the modality invariant features can be learned faster and better. Extensive experiments were conducted on two commonly used datasets CASIA NIR‐VIS 2.0 and Oulu‐CASIA NIR‐VIS to evaluate DGD method. Experimental results indicate DGD method has competitive performance compared with the latest methods.
Identification of photovoltaic‐generation‐characteristic at real‐time conditions by improved single‐diode model
Authors: Nguyen Tuyen Duc , Le Thinh Viet , Fujita Goro
Published: September 2021

The dramatic penetration of sustainable energy systems, including photovoltaic (PV) systems, has profoundly affected the stability and the reliability of the power system. Hence, determining the generation characteristics of PV systems has been becoming a crucial task in planning and dispatching the power system. However, since the generation of PV systems is profoundly impacted by the weather conditions, especially the irradiance and the temperature, producing a PV model, which performs well at various conditions, has been a challenging task for years. In this paper, we present a model to determine the PV generation characteristics by obtaining the current‐voltage (I–V) curves of the single‐diode model. First, the three key points, including the open‐circuit point, the short‐circuit point, and the maximum power point, are estimated from the historical data based on an improved regression model. After that, a new algorithm is proposed, which ensures the model always converges at any temperature and irradiance conditions. The proposed model is validated by comparing with recently published models and the measured data from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, USA. Compared to previous numerical models, the proposed model is capable of determining the generation characteristics of PV systems at anomaly conditions (anomalously low irradiance and anomalously high irradiance) with high accuracy and fast speed. The validated results demonstrate the accuracy and the reliability of the proposed model in determining the generation characteristics of PV modules at real‐time conditions.