bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Folic acid fortification of double fortified salt
Authors: Modupe Oluwasegun , Siddiqui Juveria , Jonnalagadda Akhila , Diosady Levente L.
Published: July 2021

The addition of folic acid to Double Fortified Salt (with iron and iodine) aims to simultaneously ameliorate three major micronutrient deficiencies in vulnerable populations. To make Triple Fortified Salt, we added folic acid to the iodine solution (first method) and the iron premix (second method) that are used to fortify salt with iron and iodine. When added through the solution, sodium carbonate was needed to dissolve folic acid and to adjust pH. Alternately, folic acid was added either to the iron core or sandwiched between the core and TiO2 layer of the iron premix. Folic acid and iodine were stable in all cases, retaining more than 70% of the added micronutrients after six months at 45 °C/60–70% relative hu. Adding folic acid to the premix's iron core is preferred as folic acid retention was slightly higher, and the added folic acid did not impact the salt's colour. The additional cost for adding the micronutrients to salt is about 27¢/person per year. Folic acid in the fortified salt made with the preferred method was stable in cooking and did not affect selected cooked foods' sensory properties. The technology is a cost-effective approach for simultaneously combating iron, iodine, and folic acid deficiencies.
Feather protein lysate optimization and feather meal formation using YNDH protease with keratinolytic activity afterward enzyme partial purification and characterization
Authors: Goda Doaa A. , Bassiouny Ahmad R. , Abdel Monem Nihad M. , Soliman Nadia A. , Abdel-Fattah Yasser R.
Published: July 2021

Incubation parameters used for the creation of a protein lysate from enzymatically degraded waste feathers using crude keratinase produced by the Laceyella sacchari strain YNDH were optimized using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM); amino acids quantification was also estimated. The optimization elevated the total protein to 2089.5 µg/ml through the application of the following optimal conditions: a time of 20.2 h, a feather concentration (conc.) of 3 g%, a keratinase activity of 24.5 U/100 ml, a pH of 10, and a cultivation temperature of 50 °C. The produced Feather Protein Lysate (FPL) was found to be enriched with essential and rare amino acids. Additionally, this YNDH enzyme group was partially purified, and some of its characteristics were studied. Crude enzymes were first concentrated with an Amicon Ultra 10-k centrifugal filter, and then concentrated proteins were applied to a "Q FF" strong anion column chromatography. The partially purified enzyme has an estimated molecular masses ranging from 6 to 10 kDa. The maximum enzyme activity was observed at 70 °C and for a pH of 10.4. Most characteristics of this protease/keratinase group were found to be nearly the same when the activity was measured with both casein and keratin-azure as substrates, suggesting that these three protein bands work together in order to degrade the keratin macromolecule. Interestingly, the keratinolytic activity of this group was not inhibited by ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), or iron-caused activation, indicating the presence of a mixed serine–metallo enzyme type.
Bayesian analysis of home advantage in North American professional sports before and during COVID-19
Authors: Higgs Nico , Stavness Ian
Published: July 2021

Home advantage in professional sports is a widely accepted phenomenon despite the lack of any controlled experiments at the professional level. The return to play of professional sports during the COVID-19 pandemic presents a unique opportunity to analyze the hypothesized effect of home advantage in neutral settings. While recent work has examined the effect of COVID-19 restrictions on home advantage in European football, comparatively few studies have examined the effect of restrictions in the North American professional sports leagues. In this work, we infer the effect of and changes in home advantage prior to and during COVID-19 in the professional North American leagues for hockey, basketball, baseball, and American football. We propose a Bayesian multi-level regression model that infers the effect of home advantage while accounting for relative team strengths. We also demonstrate that the Negative Binomial distribution is the most appropriate likelihood to use in modelling North American sports leagues as they are prone to overdispersion in their points scored. Our model gives strong evidence that home advantage was negatively impacted in the NHL and NBA during their strongly restricted COVID-19 playoffs, while the MLB and NFL showed little to no change during their weakly restricted COVID-19 seasons.
The conserved ASTN2/BRINP1 locus at 9q33.1–33.2 is associated with major psychiatric disorders in a large pedigree from Southern Spain
Authors: Pol-Fuster Josep , Cañellas Francesca , Ruiz-Guerra Laura , Medina-Dols Aina , Bisbal-Carrió Bàrbara , Ortega-Vila Bernat , Llinàs Jaume , Hernandez-Rodriguez Jessica , Lladó Jerònia , Olmos Gabriel , Strauch Konstantin , Heine-Suñer Damià , Vives-Bauzà Cristòfol , Flaquer Antònia
Published: July 2021

We investigated the genetic causes of major mental disorders (MMDs) including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder I, major depressive disorder and attention deficit hyperactive disorder, in a large family pedigree from Alpujarras, South of Spain, a region with high prevalence of psychotic disorders. We applied a systematic genomic approach based on karyotyping (n = 4), genotyping by genome-wide SNP array (n = 34) and whole-genome sequencing (n = 12). We performed genome-wide linkage analysis, family-based association analysis and polygenic risk score estimates. Significant linkage was obtained at chromosome 9 (9q33.1–33.2, LOD score = 4.11), a suggestive region that contains five candidate genes ASTN2, BRINP1, C5, TLR4 and TRIM32, previously associated with MMDs. Comprehensive analysis associated the MMD phenotype with genes of the immune system with dual brain functions. Moreover, the psychotic phenotype was enriched for genes involved in synapsis. These results should be considered once studying the genetics of psychiatric disorders in other families, especially the ones from the same region, since founder effects may be related to the high prevalence.
Spatio-temporal expression pattern and role of the tight junction protein MarvelD3 in pancreas development and function
Authors: Heymans Charlotte , Delcorte Ophélie , Spourquet Catherine , Villacorte-Tabelin Mylah , Dupasquier Sébastien , Achouri Younes , Mahibullah Siam , Lemoine Pascale , Balda Maria S. , Matter Karl , Pierreux Christophe E.
Published: July 2021

Tight junction complexes are involved in the establishment and maintenance of cell polarity and the regulation of signalling pathways, controlling biological processes such as cell differentiation and cell proliferation. MarvelD3 is a tight junction protein expressed in adult epithelial and endothelial cells. In Xenopus laevis, MarvelD3 morphants present differentiation defects of several ectodermal derivatives. In vitro experiments further revealed that MarvelD3 couples tight junctions to the MEKK1-JNK pathway to regulate cell behaviour and survival. In this work, we found that MarvelD3 is expressed from early developmental stages in the exocrine and endocrine compartments of the pancreas, as well as in endothelial cells of this organ. We thoroughly characterized MarvelD3 expression pattern in developing pancreas and evaluated its function by genetic ablation. Surprisingly, inactivation of MarvelD3 in mice did not alter development and differentiation of the pancreatic tissue. Moreover, tight junction formation and organization, cell polarization, and activity of the JNK-pathway were not impacted by the deletion of MarvelD3.
Soret–Dufour impact on a three-dimensional Casson nanofluid flow with dust particles and variable characteristics in a permeable media
Authors: Shaheen Naila , Ramzan Muhammad , Alshehri Ahmed , Shah Zahir , Kumam Poom
Published: July 2021

In this study, the effects of variable characteristics are analyzed on a three-dimensional (3D) dusty Casson nanofluid flow past a deformable bidirectional surface amalgamated with chemical reaction and Arrhenius activation energy. The surface is deformable in the direction of the x-axis and y-axis. The motion of the flow is induced due to the deformation of the surface. The impression of Soret and Dufour's effects boost the transmission of heat and mass. The flow is analyzed numerically with the combined impacts of thermal radiation, momentum slip, and convective heat condition. A numerical solution for the system of the differential equations is attained by employing the bvp4c function in MATLAB. The dimensionless parameters are graphically illustrated and discussed for the involved profiles. It is perceived that on escalating the Casson fluid and porosity parameters, the velocity field declines for fluid-particle suspension. Also, for augmented activation energy and Soret number, the concentration field enhances. An opposite behavior is noticed in the thermal field for fluctuation in fluid-particle interaction parameters for fluid and dust phase. Drag force coefficient increases on escalating porosity parameter and Hartmann number. On amplifying the radiation parameter heat and mass flux augments. A comparative analysis of the present investigation with an already published work is also added to substantiate the envisioned problem.
DNA fingerprinting, fixation-index (Fst), and admixture mapping of selected Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea [L.] Verdc.) accessions using ISSR markers system
Authors: Khan Md Mahmudul Hasan , Rafii Mohd Y. , Ramlee Shairul Izan , Jusoh Mashitah , Al Mamun Md , Halidu Jamilu
Published: July 2021

As a new crop in Malaysia, forty-four Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L. verdc.) genotypes were sampled from eleven distinct populations of different origins to explore the genetic structure, genetic inconsistency, and fixation index. The Bambara groundnut, an African underutilized legume, has the capacity to boost food and nutrition security while simultaneously addressing environmental sustainability, food availability, and economic inequalities. A set of 32 ISSRs were screened out of 96 primers based on very sharp, clear, and reproducible bands which detected a total of 510 loci with an average of 97.64% polymorphism. The average calculated value of PIC = 0.243, RP = 5.30, H = 0.285, and MI = 0.675 representing the efficiency of primer set for genetic differentiation among the genotypes. The ISSR primers revealed the number of alleles (Na = 1.97), the effective number of alleles (Ne = 1.38), Nei's genetic diversity (h = 0.248), and a moderate level of gene flow (Nm = 2.26) across the genotypes studied. The estimated Shannon’s information index (I = 0.395) indicates a high level of genetic variation exists among the accessions. Based on Nei’s genetic dissimilarity a UPMGA phylogenetic tree was constructed and grouped the entire genotypes into 3 major clusters and 6 subclusters. PCA analysis revealed that first principal component extracted maximum variation (PC1 = 13.92%) than second principal component (PC2 = 12.59%). Bayesian model-based STRUCTURE analysis assembled the genotypes into 3 (best ΔK = 3) genetic groups. The fixation-index (Fst) analysis narrated a very great genetic diversity (Fst = 0.19 to 0.40) exists within the accessions of these 3 clusters. This investigation specifies the effectiveness of the ISSR primers system for the molecular portrayal of V. subterranea genotypes that could be used for genetic diversity valuation, detection, and tagging of potential genotypes with quick, precise, and authentic measures for this crop improvement through effective breeding schemes.
Downhill hiking improves low-grade inflammation, triglycerides, body weight and glucose tolerance
Authors: Drexel Heinz , Mader Arthur , Saely Christoph H. , Tautermann Gerda , Dopheide Jörn F. , Vonbank Alexander
Published: July 2021

Exercise is a well-established tool for cardiovascular risk reduction. Particularly eccentric exercise, which essentially means walking downwards could favour more people becoming physically active. With the present controlled study, we tested the hypothesis that eccentric exercise can improve insulin sensitivity, triglyceride handling, body mass index, glucose tolerance and inflammation. We allocated 127 healthy sedentary individuals to one of two groups: (i) an active group of 102 individuals walking downwards a predefined route three to five times per week over two months, covering a difference in altitude of 540 m; for the upward route a cable car was used, for which adherence was recorded electronically and (ii) a matched control group of 25 individuals who stayed sedentary. Fasting and postprandial metabolic profiles were obtained at baseline and after two months. Compared to baseline, eccentric exercise significantly improved HOMA insulin resistance (1.94 ± 1.65 vs. 1.71 ± 1.36 (µU−1 ml) × ((mmol/l)−122.5); p = 0.038) and resulted in a decrease in fasting glucose (97 ± 15 vs. 94 ± 9 mg dl−1; p = 0.025) and glucose tolerance (238 ± 50 vs. 217 ± 47 mg dl−1 h−1; p < 0.001), whereas these parameters did not change significantly in the control group. Eccentric exercise significantly improved triglyceride tolerance (1923 ± 1295 vs. 1670 ± 1085 mg dl−1 h−1; p = 0.003), whereas triglyceride tolerance remained unchanged in the control group (p = 0.819). Furthermore, body mass index (27.7 ± 4.3 vs. 27.4 ± 4.3 kg m−2; p = 0.003) and C-reactive protein (0.27 ± 0.42 vs. 0.23 ± 0.25 mg dl−1; p = 0.031) were significantly lowered in the eccentric exercise group but not in the control group. Downhill walking, a type of exercise is a promising unusual exercise modality with favorable effects on body mass index, insulin action, on postprandial glucose and triglyceride handling and on C-reactive protein.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00386854.
Comparison of liver biopsies before and after direct-acting antiviral therapy for hepatitis C and correlation with clinical outcome
Authors: Saldarriaga Omar A. , Dye Bradley , Pham Judy , Wanninger Timothy G. , Millian Daniel , Kueht Michael , Freiberg Benjamin , Utay Netanya , Stevenson Heather L.
Published: July 2021

Direct-acting antivirals (DAA) have replaced interferon (IFN)-based therapies for hepatitis C virus. In this retrospective clinical study, we examined differences in histopathologic features in paired liver biopsies collected from the same patient before and after DAA and correlated these findings with clinical outcome. Biopsies (n = 19) were evaluated by quantitative imaging analysis to measure steatosis and fibrosis. Most patients had decreased steatosis in their post-treatment, follow-up biopsies. However, one patient had a striking increase in steatosis (from 0.86 to 6.32%) and later developed decompensated cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This patient had a marked increase in fibrosis between biopsies, with a CPA of 6.74 to 32.02. Another patient, who already had bridging fibrosis at the time of her pre-treatment biopsy, developed cholangiocarcinoma after DAA. Even though the overall inflammatory activity in the post-treatment biopsies significantly decreased after treatment, 60% of patients had persistent portal lymphocytic inflammation. In summary, DAAs decreased steatosis and hepatic inflammation in most patients, although some may have persistence of lymphocytic portal inflammation. Patients known to have advanced fibrosis at treatment initiation and who have other risk factors for ongoing liver injury, such as steatosis, should be followed closely for the development of adverse outcomes, such as portal hypertension and primary liver cancers.
Weakened overturning and tide control the properties of Oyashio Intermediate Water, a key water mass in the North Pacific
Authors: Mensah Vigan , Ohshima Kay. I.
Published: July 2021

The western subarctic Pacific exhibits major biological productivity fed by the Oyashio Current and its two source waters: Western Subarctic Water, which supplies nutrients from the subarctic Pacific, and cold Okhotsk Sea Intermediate Water (OSIW), which supplies iron from the Sea of Okhotsk. We created seasonal climatologies of water properties to understand how the long-term trend (~ 50 years) and 18.6-year tidal cycle affect the Oyashio Intermediate Water (OYW). We found that over the trend, decreased OSIW outflow due to weakening of North Pacific overturning modifies OYW in winter. Meanwhile, OSIW outflow increases (decreases) in strong (weak) tide years. We predict that the opposite effects of the trend and strong tide will lead to stagnation of OYW properties until the mid-2020s, followed by accelerated warming until the mid-2030s (weak tide). A predicted 1 °C increase in OYW temperature and 50% decrease in OSIW content between 1960 and 2040 potentially have significant impact on biological productivity and carbon drawdown in the North Pacific.
Manipulation of surface charges of oil droplets and carbonate rocks to improve oil recovery
Authors: Hou Jian , Han Ming , Wang Jinxun
Published: July 2021

This work investigates the effect of the surface charges of oil droplets and carbonate rocks in brine and in surfactant solutions on oil production. The influences of the cations in brine and the surfactant types on the zeta-potentials of both oil droplets and carbonate rock particles are studied. It is found that the addition of anionic and cationic surfactants in brine result in both negative or positive zeta-potentials of rock particles and oil droplets respectively, while the zwitterionic surfactant induces a positive charge on rock particles and a negative charge on oil droplets. Micromodels with a CaCO3 nanocrystal layer coated on the flow channels were used in the oil displacement tests. The results show that when the oil-water interfacial tension (IFT) was at 10−1 mN/m, the injection of an anionic surfactant (SDS-R1) solution achieved 21.0% incremental oil recovery, higher than the 12.6% increment by the injection of a zwitterionic surfactant (SB-A2) solution. When the IFT was lowered to 10−3 mM/m, the injection of anionic/non-ionic surfactant SMAN-l1 solution with higher absolute zeta potential value (ζoil + ζrock) of 34 mV has achieved higher incremental oil recovery (39.4%) than the application of an anionic/cationic surfactant SMAC-l1 solution with a lower absolute zeta-potential value of 22 mV (30.6%). This indicates that the same charge of rocks and oil droplets improves the transportation of charged oil/water emulsion in the porous media. This work reveals that the surface charge in surfactant flooding plays an important role in addition to the oil/water interfacial tension reduction and the rock wettability alteration.
Crustal structure in the Campanian region (Southern Apennines, Italy) from potential field modelling
Authors: Kelemework Y. , Milano M. , La Manna M. , de Alteriis G. , Iorio M. , Fedi M.
Published: July 2021

We present a 3D model of the main crustal boundaries beneath the Campanian region and the onshore and offshore surrounding areas, based on high-resolution potential field data. Our main objective is the definition of the main structural interfaces in the whole Campanian region from gravity and magnetic data, thanks to their ability to define them on a regional and continuous way. The complex morphology of the Mesozoic carbonate platform, which is fundamental to constrain the top of geothermal reservoir, was reconstructed by inverting the vertical gradient of gravity. We assumed local information from seismic models and boreholes to improve the model. We modeled the deep crustal structures by spectral analysis of Bouguer gravity and magnetic data. The inferred depth estimates indicate a shallow crystalline basement below the Tyrrhenian crust and the Apulian foreland and a significant depression beneath the Bradanic foredeep. The map of the Moho boundary shows a NE-SE verging trough below the Southern Apennine chain and two pronounced uplifts beneath the foreland and the Tyrrhenian crust. We also estimated the depth to the magnetic bottom, showing a thick magnetic crust below the mountain chain and shallow depths where the crustal heat flow is high. The models were compared with seismic sections along selected profiles; a good agreement was observed, despite of some inherent lower resolution for the gravity modelling from spectral methods. The regional covering and the continuity of our estimated crustal interfaces make it a new and valid reference for further geological, geophysical and geothermal studies, especially in areas such as northern and eastern Campania, where there is an incomplete geophysical and geological information.
Experimental investigation into the effects of composition and microstructure on the tensile properties and failure characteristics of different gypsum rocks
Authors: Ma Hongfa , Chen Shaojie , Song Yanqi , Yin Dawei , Li Xiangshang , Li Xiaolong
Published: July 2021

The present work investigated the differences in the composition and internal microstructure of four types gypsum rock—fiber gypsum, transparent gypsum, alabaster, and ordinary gypsum by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and Brazilian split test, and analyzed its effects on the tensile strength and fracture characteristics of gypsum rock. For alabaster, fiber gypsum, transparent gypsum, and ordinary gypsum, CaSO4·2H2O is the main component with 72.78%, 72.72%, 72.57%, and 71.51% content, and tensile strength of 1.79, 2.22, 3.22, and 4.35 MPa, respectively. In addition, the fracture line is arc-shaped, vertical, and zigzag for fiber gypsum, ordinary and transparent gypsums, and alabaster, respectively. On the microscopic level, fiber gypsum has an evident striated structure while the gradual increased pore development for alabaster, transparent gypsum, and ordinary gypsum. Gypsum rock has an obvious layered crystal structure with the increase of CaSO4·2H2O, contributing to the phenomenon with a larger grain size and lower tensile strength. In addition, the number of particles for alabaster, transparent gypsum, and ordinary gypsum increased in turn, while their particle size decreased uniformly, indicating that the lower CaSO4·2H2O content, the more sufficient energy accumulation and release. This paper can provide a theoretical basis for the analysis of the mechanical properties of rocks with different mineral composition and contribute to the design for different ore grades mining.
Associations of community, famliy and early individual factors with body mass index z-scores trajectories among Chinese children and adolescents
Authors: Liang Jing , Zheng Si , Li Xuyang , Xiao Dianmin , Wang Peigang
Published: July 2021

The prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity is increasing. This study aimed to examine trajectories of BMI z-scores among Chinese children and the potential determinants including early individual, family and community factors. Group-based trajectory modeling was employed to identify BMI z-scores trajectories of children aged 2–18 years using the five waves data (2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018) of the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS). Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to determine the association between early individual, family, community factors and BMI z-scores trajectories of children. We identified three trajectories for boys and girls, named Class 1 as “not-overweight”, Class 2 as “persistent rapid descending but overweight during pre-school age”, and Class 3 as “rapid rising up to school age and then become-overweight” class. Macrosomia (OR 1.772; 95% CI 1.188–2.644) and being a single child (OR 2.038; 95% CI 1.453–2.859) were more likely to belong in Class 3 among boys. Girls living in the advantaged communities (OR 1.539; 95% CI 1.052–2.252), rural-living (OR 1.558; 95% CI 1.133–2.142) and with none social integration (OR 1.496; 95% CI 1.07–2.091) were more likely to belong in Class 2. There are heterogeneous BMI z-scores trajectories of children aged 2–18, and pre-school age is a critical window that could predict the long-term growth patterns. BMI z-scores trends need to be monitored during pre-school age, focusing on those at higher risk of later overweight obesity status, and targeted interventions at the early individual, family, community levels are essential.
Antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity of green synthesis silver nanoparticles targeting skin and soft tissue infectious agents
Authors: Mussin Javier , Robles-Botero Viviana , Casañas-Pimentel Rocío , Rojas Florencia , Angiolella Letizia , San Martín-Martínez Eduardo , Giusiano Gustavo
Published: July 2021

Combining traditional medicine with nanotechnology therefore opens the door to innovative strategies for treating skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) and also contributes to the fight against the rise of antimicrobial resistance. Acanthospermum australe (Loefl.) Kuntze is a medicinal plant used by indigenous peoples in northeastern Argentina to treat SSTIs. Spherical and stable silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) of 14 ± 2 nm were synthesized from the aqueous extract of A. australe and silver nitrate. The antimicrobial activity against main species causing SSTIs and cytotoxicity on peripheral blood mononuclear cells of AgNP solution and its synthesis components were evaluated. Compared to its synthesis components, AgNP solution showed greater antimicrobial activity and lower cytotoxicity. The antimicrobial activity of AgNPs was due to the silver and not to the metabolites of the aqueous extract present on the surface of the nanoparticles. The plant extract played an important role in the formation of stable AgNPs and acted as a modulator of cytotoxic and immune responses.
Dynamic mechanical interaction between injection liquid and human tissue simulant induced by needle-free injection of a highly focused microjet
Authors: Miyazaki Yuta , Usawa Masashi , Kawai Shuma , Yee Jingzu , Muto Masakazu , Tagawa Yoshiyuki
Published: July 2021

This study investigated the fluid–tissue interaction of needle-free injection by evaluating the dynamics of the cavity induced in body-tissue simulant and the resulting unsteady mechanical stress field. Temporal evolution of cavity shape, stress intensity field, and stress vector field during the injection of a conventional injection needle, a proposed highly focused microjet (tip diameter much smaller than capillary nozzle), and a typical non-focused microjet in gelatin were measured using a state-of-the-art high-speed polarization camera, at a frame rate up to 25,000 f.p.s. During the needle injection performed by an experienced nurse, high stress intensity lasted for an order of seconds (from beginning of needle penetration until end of withdrawal), which is much longer than the order of milliseconds during needle-free injections, causing more damage to the body tissue. The cavity induced by focused microjet resembled a funnel which had a narrow tip that penetrated deep into tissue simulant, exerting shear stress in low intensity which diffused through shear stress wave. Whereas the cavity induced by non-focused microjet rebounded elastically (quickly expanded into a sphere and shrank into a small cavity which remained), exerting compressive stress on tissue simulant in high stress intensity. By comparing the distribution of stress intensity, tip shape of the focused microjet contributed to a better performance than non-focused microjet with its ability to penetrate deep while only inducing stress at lower intensity. Dynamic mechanical interaction revealed in this research uncovered the importance of the jet shape for the development of minimally invasive medical devices.
Fabrication of solderable intense pulsed light sintered hybrid copper for flexible conductive electrodes
Authors: Jang Yong-Rae , Jeong Robin , Kim Hak-Sung , Park Simon S.
Published: July 2021

Additively printed circuits provide advantages in reduced waste, rapid prototyping, and versatile flexible substrate choices relative to conventional circuit printing. Copper (Cu) based inks along with intense pulsed light (IPL) sintering can be used in additive circuit printing. However, IPL sintered Cu typically suffer from poor solderability due to high roughness and porosity. To address this, hybrid Cu ink which consists of Cu precursor/nanoparticle was formulated to seed Cu species and fill voids in the sintered structure. Nickel (Ni) electroplating was utilized to further improve surface solderability. Simulations were performed at various electroplating conditions and Cu cathode surface roughness using the multi-physics finite element method. By utilizing a mask during IPL sintering, conductivity was induced in exposed regions; this was utilized to achieve selective Ni-electroplating. Surface morphology and cross section analysis of the electrodes were observed through scanning electron microscopy and a 3D optical profilometer. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis was conducted to investigate changes in surface compositions. ASTM D3359 adhesion testing was performed to examine the adhesion between the electrode and substrate. Solder-electrode shear tests were investigated with a tensile tester to observe the shear strength between solder and electrodes. By utilizing Cu precursors and novel multifaceted approach of IPL sintering, a robust and solderable Ni electroplated conductive Cu printed electrode was achieved.
Comparison between the trapezius and adductor pollicis muscles as an acceleromyography monitoring site for moderate neuromuscular blockade during lumbar surgery
Authors: Oh Seok Kyeong , Park Sangwoo , Lim Byung Gun , Kim Young Sung , Kim Heezoo , Kong Myoung Hoon
Published: July 2021

Acceleromyography at the adductor pollicis located in a distal part of the body may not reflect the degree of neuromuscular blockade (NMB) at the proximally located muscles manipulated during lumbar surgery. We investigated the usefulness and characteristics of acceleromyographic monitoring at the trapezius for providing moderate NMB during lumbar surgery. Fifty patients were randomized to maintain a train-of-four count 1–3 using acceleromyography at the adductor pollicis (group A; n = 25) or the trapezius (group T; n = 25). Total rocuronium dose administered intraoperatively [mean ± SD, 106.4 ± 31.3 vs. 74.1 ± 17.6 mg; P < 0.001] and surgical satisfaction (median [IQR], 7 [5–8] vs. 5 [4–5]; P < 0.001) were significantly higher in group T than group A. Lumbar retractor pressure (88.9 ± 12.0 vs. 98.0 ± 7.8 mmHg; P = 0.003) and lumbar muscle tone in group T were significantly lower than group A. Time to maximum block with an intubating dose was significantly shorter in group T than group A (44 [37–54] vs. 60 [55–65] sec; P < 0.001). Other outcomes were comparable. Acceleromyography at the trapezius muscle during lumbar surgery required a higher rocuronium dose for moderate NMB than the adductor pollicis muscle, thereby the consequent deeper NMB provided better surgical conditions. Trapezius as proximal muscle may better reflect surgical conditions of spine muscle.
Insight into diatom frustule structures using various imaging techniques
Authors: Zgłobicka Izabela , Gluch Jürgen , Liao Zhongquan , Werner Stephan , Guttmann Peter , Li Qiong , Bazarnik Piotr , Plocinski Tomasz , Witkowski Andrzej , Kurzydlowski Krzysztof J.
Published: July 2021

The diatom shell is an example of complex siliceous structure which is a suitable model to demonstrate the process of digging into the third dimension using modern visualization techniques. This paper demonstrates importance of a comprehensive multi-length scale approach to the bio-structures/materials with the usage of state-of-the-art imaging techniques. Imaging of diatoms applying visible light, electron and X-ray microscopy provide a deeper insight into the morphology of their frustules.
Mobile app validation: a digital health scorecard approach
Authors: Sedhom Ramy , McShea Michael J. , Cohen Adam B. , Webster Jonathan A. , Mathews Simon C.
Published: July 2021

While digital health solutions continue to grow in number and in complexity, the ability for stakeholders in healthcare to easily discern quality lags far behind. This challenge is in part due to the lack of a transparent and standardized approach to validation. Evaluation of mobile health applications (apps) is further burdened by low barriers to development and direct-to-user marketing, leading to a crowded and confusing landscape. In this context, we investigated the pragmatic application of a previously described framework for digital health validation, the Digital Health Scorecard, in a cohort of 22 popular mobile health oncology apps. The apps evaluated using this framework performed poorly, scoring 49.4% across all evaluation criteria as a group. Performance across component domains varied considerably with cost scoring highest at 100%, usability at 56.7%, technical at 37.3%, and clinical at 15.9%. satisfaction of prospectively determined end-user requirements derived from patient, family, and clinician consensus scored 37.2%. While cost outperformed consistently and usability was adequate, the results also suggested that apps suffered from significant technical limitations, were of limited clinical value, and generally did not do what end users wanted. These large gaps further support the need for transparent and standardized evaluation to help all stakeholders in healthcare improve the quality of mobile health.
Serial disparity in the carnivoran backbone unveils a complex adaptive role in metameric evolution
Authors: Figueirido Borja , Martín-Serra Alberto , Pérez-Ramos Alejandro , Velasco David , Pastor Francisco J. , Benson Roger J.
Published: July 2021

Organisms comprise multiple interacting parts, but few quantitative studies have analysed multi-element systems, limiting understanding of phenotypic evolution. We investigate how disparity of vertebral morphology varies along the axial column of mammalian carnivores — a chain of 27 subunits — and the extent to which morphological variation have been structured by evolutionary constraints and locomotory adaptation. We find that lumbars and posterior thoracics exhibit high individual disparity but low serial differentiation. They are pervasively recruited into locomotory functions and exhibit relaxed evolutionary constraint. More anterior vertebrae also show signals of locomotory adaptation, but nevertheless have low individual disparity and constrained patterns of evolution, characterised by low-dimensional shape changes. Our findings demonstrate the importance of the thoracolumbar region as an innovation enabling evolutionary versatility of mammalian locomotion. Moreover, they underscore the complexity of phenotypic macroevolution of multi-element systems and that the strength of ecomorphological signal does not have a predictable influence on macroevolutionary outcomes.
Function-adaptive clustered nanoparticles reverse Streptococcus mutans dental biofilm and maintain microbiota balance
Authors: Ostadhossein Fatemeh , Moitra Parikshit , Altun Esra , Dutta Debapriya , Sar Dinabandhu , Tripathi Indu , Hsiao Shih-Hsuan , Kravchuk Valeriya , Nie Shuming , Pan Dipanjan
Published: July 2021

Dental plaques are biofilms that cause dental caries by demineralization with acidogenic bacteria. These bacteria reside inside a protective sheath which makes any curative treatment challenging. We propose an antibiotic-free strategy to disrupt the biofilm by engineered clustered carbon dot nanoparticles that function in the acidic environment of the biofilms. In vitro and ex vivo studies on the mature biofilms ofStreptococcus mutansrevealed >90% biofilm inhibition associated with the contact-mediated interaction of nanoparticles with the bacterial membrane, excessive reactive oxygen species generation, and DNA fragmentation. An in vivo examination showed that these nanoparticles could effectively suppress the growth ofS. mutans. Importantly, 16S rRNA analysis of the dental microbiota showed that the diversity and richness of bacterial species did not substantially change with nanoparticle treatment. Overall, this study presents a safe and effective approach to decrease the dental biofilm formation without disrupting the ecological balance of the oral cavity.
Systems biology informed neural networks (SBINN) predict response and novel combinations for PD-1 checkpoint blockade
Authors: Przedborski Michelle , Smalley Munisha , Thiyagarajan Saravanan , Goldman Aaron , Kohandel Mohammad
Published: July 2021

Anti-PD-1 immunotherapy has recently shown tremendous success for the treatment of several aggressive cancers. However, variability and unpredictability in treatment outcome have been observed, and are thought to be driven by patient-specific biology and interactions of the patient’s immune system with the tumor. Here we develop an integrative systems biology and machine learning approach, built around clinical data, to predict patient response to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy and to improve the response rate. Using this approach, we determine biomarkers of patient response and identify potential mechanisms of drug resistance. We develop systems biology informed neural networks (SBINN) to calculate patient-specific kinetic parameter values and to predict clinical outcome. We show how transfer learning can be leveraged with simulated clinical data to significantly improve the response prediction accuracy of the SBINN. Further, we identify novel drug combinations and optimize the treatment protocol for triple combination therapy consisting of IL-6 inhibition, recombinant IL-12, and anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in order to maximize patient response. We also find unexpected differences in protein expression levels between response phenotypes which complement recent clinical findings. Our approach has the potential to aid in the development of targeted experiments for patient drug screening as well as identify novel therapeutic targets.
DeepEMhancer: a deep learning solution for cryo-EM volume post-processing
Authors: Sanchez-Garcia Ruben , Gomez-Blanco Josue , Cuervo Ana , Carazo Jose Maria , Sorzano Carlos Oscar S. , Vargas Javier
Published: July 2021

Cryo-EM maps are valuable sources of information for protein structure modeling. However, due to the loss of contrast at high frequencies, they generally need to be post-processed to improve their interpretability. Most popular approaches, based on global B-factor correction, suffer from limitations. For instance, they ignore the heterogeneity in the map local quality that reconstructions tend to exhibit. Aiming to overcome these problems, we present DeepEMhancer, a deep learning approach designed to perform automatic post-processing of cryo-EM maps. Trained on a dataset of pairs of experimental maps and maps sharpened using their respective atomic models, DeepEMhancer has learned how to post-process experimental maps performing masking-like and sharpening-like operations in a single step. DeepEMhancer was evaluated on a testing set of 20 different experimental maps, showing its ability to reduce noise levels and obtain more detailed versions of the experimental maps. Additionally, we illustrated the benefits of DeepEMhancer on the structure of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA polymerase.
Large-scale phenotyping of 1,000 fungal strains for the degradation of non-natural, industrial compounds
Authors: Navarro David , Chaduli Delphine , Taussac Sabine , Lesage-Meessen Laurence , Grisel Sacha , Haon Mireille , Callac Philippe , Courtecuisse Régis , Decock Cony , Dupont Joëlle , Richard-Forget Florence , Fournier Jacques , Guinberteau Jacques , Lechat Christian , Moreau Pierre-Arthur , Pinson-Gadais Laetitia , Rivoire Bernard , Sage Lucile , Welti Stéphane , Rosso Marie-Noëlle , Berrin Jean-Guy , Bissaro Bastien , Favel Anne
Published: July 2021

Fungal biotechnology is set to play a keystone role in the emerging bioeconomy, notably to address pollution issues arising from human activities. Because they preserve biological diversity, Biological Resource Centres are considered as critical infrastructures to support the development of biotechnological solutions. Here, we report the first large-scale phenotyping of more than 1,000 fungal strains with evaluation of their growth and degradation potential towards five industrial, human-designed and recalcitrant compounds, including two synthetic dyes, two lignocellulose-derived compounds and a synthetic plastic polymer. We draw a functional map over the phylogenetic diversity ofBasidiomycotaandAscomycota, to guide the selection of fungal taxa to be tested for dedicated biotechnological applications. We evidence a functional diversity at all taxonomic ranks, including between strains of a same species. Beyond demonstrating the tremendous potential of filamentous fungi, our results pave the avenue for further functional exploration to solve the ever-growing issue of ecosystems pollution.
Essential roles of plexin-B3+ oligodendrocyte precursor cells in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Nihonmatsu-Kikuchi Naomi , Yu Xiu-Jun , Matsuda Yoshiki , Ozawa Nobuyuki , Ito Taeko , Satou Kazuhito , Kaname Tadashi , Iwasaki Yasushi , Akagi Akio , Yoshida Mari , Toru Shuta , Hirokawa Katsuiku , Takashima Akihiko , Hasegawa Masato , Uchihara Toshiki , Tatebayashi Yoshitaka
Published: July 2021

The role of oligodendrocyte lineage cells, the largest glial population in the adult central nervous system (CNS), in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains elusive. Here, we developed a culture method for adult oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (aOPCs). Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) promotes survival and proliferation of NG2+ aOPCs in a serum-free defined medium; a subpopulation (~5%) of plexin-B3+ aOPCs was also found. FGF2 withdrawal decreased NG2+, but increased plexin-B3+ aOPCs and Aβ1-42 secretion. Plexin-B3+ aOPCs were distributed throughout the adult rat brain, although less densely than NG2+ aOPCs. Spreading depolarization induced delayed cortical plexin-B3+ aOPC gliosis in the ipsilateral remote cortex. Furthermore, extracellular Aβ1-42 accumulation was occasionally found around plexin-B3+ aOPCs near the lesions. In AD brains, virtually all cortical SPs were immunostained for plexin-B3, and plexin-B3 levels increased significantly in the Sarkosyl-soluble fractions. These findings suggest that plexin-B3+ aOPCs may play essential roles in AD pathogenesis, as natural Aβ-secreting cells.
Resonating dimer–monomer liquid state in a magnetization plateau of a spin-$$\frac{1}{2}$$ kagome-strip Heisenberg chain
Authors: Morita Katsuhiro , Sota Shigetoshi , Tohyama Takami
Published: July 2021

Highly frustrated spin systems such as the kagome lattice are a treasure trove of new quantum states with large entanglements. Herein, we study the spin-$$\frac{1}{2}$$

1

2

Heisenberg model on a kagome-strip chain, which is a one-dimensional kagome lattice, using the density matrix renormalization group method. Calculating the central charge and entanglement spectrum for the kagome-strip chain, we find a gapless spin liquid state with doubly degenerate entanglement spectra in a 1/5 magnetization plateau. We also obtain a gapless low-lying continuum in the dynamic spin structure calculated using the dynamical density matrix renormalization group method. We then propose a resonating dimer–monomer liquid state that meets these features.
Observation-based selection of climate models projects Arctic ice-free summers around 2035
Authors: Docquier David , Koenigk Torben
Published: July 2021

Arctic sea ice has been retreating at an accelerating pace over the past decades. Model projections show that the Arctic Ocean could be almost ice free in summer by the middle of this century. However, the uncertainties related to these projections are relatively large. Here we use 33 global climate models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 6 (CMIP6) and select models that best capture the observed Arctic sea-ice area and volume and northward ocean heat transport to refine model projections of Arctic sea ice. This model selection leads to lower Arctic sea-ice area and volume relative to the multi-model mean without model selection and summer ice-free conditions could occur as early as around 2035. These results highlight a potential underestimation of future Arctic sea-ice loss when including all CMIP6 models.
Determination of organic chlorine in water via AlCl derivatization and detection by high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace molecular absorption spectrometry
Authors: Abad Carlos , Mimus Stefanie , Recknagel Sebastian , Jakubowski Norbert , Panne Ulrich , Becker-Ross Helmut , Huang Mao-Dong
Published: July 2021

Fast and simple separation and quantification of organic from inorganic chlorine in water by solid-phase extraction and molecular absorption spectrometry.
A light-activatable photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy based on a diarylethene derivative
Authors: Zhang Jian , Zhang Ran , Liu Kaiqiang , Li Yong , Wang Xu , Xie Xilei , Jiao Xiaoyun , Tang Bo
Published: July 2021

A light-activatable photosensitizer based on a diarylethene-derivative, DAE-TPE, was developed for PDT. Upon UV exposure, the opened form of DAE-TPE NPs was converted to the closed form and photosensitization was efficiently activated.
Copper/Lewis base cooperatively catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of Morita–Baylis–Hillman carbonates with azomethine ylides
Authors: Hu Yimin , Yan Zhengyang , Shi Wangyu , Liao Jianning , Liu Min , Pan Ting , Wang Wei , Wu Yongjun , Hao Xianghong , Guo Hongchao
Published: July 2021

In this paper, an asymmetric allylic alkylation of easily available azomethine ylides with Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH) carbonates through a copper (i)/Lewis base cooperative catalysis strategy has been realized.
Recent advances in synthesis and crystal structures of metal pentazolate salts
Authors: Xia Honglei , Zhang Wenquan , Cao Yuteng , Zhang Qinghua
Published: July 2021

Pentazole is a good nitrogen-donor ligand to prepare intriguing structures. Herein, the synthesis and crystal structures of all reported metal pentazolate salts were summarized and the future prospects in this field were also discussed.
Boron position-dependent surface reconstruction and electronic states of boron-doped diamond(111) surfaces: anab initiostudy
Authors: The Anh Le , Catalan Francesca Celine I. , Kim Yousoo , Einaga Yasuaki , Tateyama Yoshitaka
Published: July 2021

Dependence of DOS on the boron's positions on a diamond(111) surface. In the bulk, boron interacts with carbon sp3and shows p-type characters. On the surface, boron strongly interacts with carbon sp2and exhibits surface states in the midgap.
Silver oxide model surface improves computational simulation of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy on silver nanoparticles
Authors: Harroun Scott G. , Zhang Yaoting , Chen Tzu-Heng , Chang Huan-Tsung , Vallée-Bélisle Alexis
Published: July 2021

For simulation of SERS on silver nanoparticles, Ag2O can provide a more accurate result than standard model surfaces such as Ag+, Ag, Ag4+ and Ag4.
Simple models for the quick estimation of ground state hydrogen tunneling splittings in alcohols and other compounds
Authors: Medel Robert
Published: July 2021

Hydrogen tunneling splittings in alcohols can be predicted with minimal effort using DFT calculations in the harmonic approximation, the isotope effect even without any quantum chemical calculation.
Reversible photoluminescence modulation of monolayer MoS2 on a ferroelectric substrate by light irradiation and thermal annealing
Authors: Wang Peng , Wang Jian , Zheng Yun , Shi Hongyan , Sun Xiudong , Liu Wenjun , Gao Bo
Published: July 2021

Light irradiation and thermal annealing produced reversible surface charge distribution in Fe:LiNbO3 and hence reversibly modulated the optical properties of the supporting monolayer MoS2.
Stereoelectronic power of oxygen in control of chemical reactivity: the anomeric effect is not alone
Authors: Alabugin Igor V. , Kuhn Leah , Medvedev Michael G. , Krivoshchapov Nikolai V. , Vil’ Vera A. , Yaremenko Ivan A. , Mehaffy Patricia , Yarie Meysam , Terent’ev Alexander O. , Zolfigol Mohammad Ali
Published: July 2021

The chameleonic properties of oxygen accounts for the diverse reactivity of O-functionalities and their profound role in organic synthesis.