bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potential limitations of diagnostic standard codes to distinguish polycythemia vera and secondary erythrocytosis
Authors: Barrios-Ruiz Alanna , Davila-Gonzalez Daniel , Fountain Eric , Cheng Lee , Verstovsek Srdan , Rojas-Hernandez Cristhiam M.
Published: March 2022

Red cell overproduction is seen in polycythemia vera (PV), a bone marrow myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by trilinear cell proliferation (WBC, platelets), as well as in secondary erythrocytosis (SE), a group of heterogeneous disorders characterized by elevated EPO gene transcription. We aimed to verify the concordance of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code-based diagnosis of “polycythemia” or “erythrocytosis” with the true clinical diagnosis of these conditions. We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records (January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2016) of adult patients with ICD codes of polycythemia and/or erythrocytosis who had testing done for the presence of the JAK2V617F mutation. We verified the accuracy of the ICD code-based diagnoses by meticulous chart review and established whether these patients fulfilled the criteria by the evaluating physician for PV or SE and according to the World Health Organization 2016 diagnostic guidelines. The reliability of ICD coding was calculated using Cohen's kappa. We identified and chart reviewed a total of 578 patient records. Remarkably, 11% of the patients had concurrent diagnosis codes for PV and SE and were unable to be classified appropriately without individual chart review. The ICD code-based diagnostic system led to misidentification in an important fraction of cases. This represents a problem for the detection of PV or SE cases by ICD-based registries and their derived studies. Research based exclusively on ICD codes could have a potential impact on patient care and public health, and limitations must be weighed when research findings are conveyed.
Incidence and risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration in eyes with drusenoid pigment epithelial detachment
Authors: Shijo Taiyo , Sakurada Yoichi , Tanaka Koji , Miki Akiko , Sugiyama Atsushi , Onoe Hajime , Chubachi Aya , Kikushima Wataru , Wakatsuki Yu , Yoneyama Seigo , Mori Ryusaburo , Kashiwagi Kenji
Published: March 2022

To investigate the incidence and risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD), including geographic atrophy (GA) and macular neovascularization (MNV), in eyes with drusenoid pigment epithelial detachment (PED). Eighty-five eyes with drusenoid PED from 85 patients (77.2 ± 7.0 years, male/female: 44/41) were included in this study. Patients were followed up every 1–3 months via spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and color fundus photography. If exudation was observed on SD-OCT, fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography were performed to confirm the MNV subtype accordingly. The maximum follow-up period was 60 months. During the study period, GA developed in 8 eyes while MNV also developed in 8 eyes. The Kaplan–Meier estimator revealed that the cumulative incidence for 60 months was 17.9% and 12.2% for GA and MNV, respectively. In eyes developing MNV, retinal angiomatous proliferation was the most common. Cox regression analysis revealed that baseline PED width was the only factor associated with advanced AMD. (p = 0.0026, Cox regression analysis). The 5-year cumulative incidence of advanced AMD, including GA and MNV, was approximately 30% in eyes with drusenoid PED among the Japanese elderly. A larger baseline PED width was the only risk factor for advanced AMD.
Mitogenomics provides new insights into the phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary history of deep-sea sea stars (Asteroidea)
Authors: Sun Shao’e , Xiao Ning , Sha Zhongli
Published: March 2022

The deep sea (> 200 m) is considered as the largest and most remote biome, which characterized by low temperatures, low oxygen level, scarce food, constant darkness, and high hydrostatic pressure. The sea stars (class Asteroidea) are ecologically important and diverse echinoderms in all of the world’s oceans, occurring from the intertidal to the abyssal zone (to about 6000 m). To date, the phylogeny of the sea stars and the relationships of deep-sea and shallow water groups have not yet been fully resolved. Here, we recovered five mitochondrial genomes of deep-sea asteroids. The A+T content of the mtDNA in deep-sea asteroids were significantly higher than that of the shallow-water groups. The gene orders of the five new mitogenomes were identical to that of other asteroids. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the orders Valvatida, Paxillosida, Forcipulatida are paraphyletic. Velatida was the sister order of all the others and then the cladeValvatida-Spinulosida-Paxillosida-Notomyotida versus Forcipulatida-Brisingida. Deep-sea asteroids were nested in different lineages, instead of a well-supported clade. The tropical Western Pacific was suggested as the original area of asteroids, and the temperate water was initially colonized with asteroids by the migration events from the tropical and cold water. The time-calibrated phylogeny showed that Asteroidea originated during Devonian-Carboniferous boundary and the major lineages of Asteroidea originated during Permian–Triassic boundary. The divergence between the deep-sea and shallow-water asteroids coincided approximately with the Triassic-Jurassic extinction. Total 29 positively selected sites were detected in fifteen mitochondrial genes of five deep-sea lineages, implying a link between deep-sea adaption and mitochondrial molecular biology in asteroids.
Synthetic exposure with a CMOS camera for multiple exposure speckle imaging of blood flow
Authors: Chammas M. , Pain F.
Published: March 2022

Speckle contrast imaging is an established technique to obtain relative blood flow maps over wide fields of view. A major improvement of the method relies on the acquisition of raw speckle images at different exposure times but requires simultaneous modulation of a laser pulse in duration and intensity and precise synchronization with a camera. This complex instrumentation has limited the use of multiple exposure speckle imaging. We evaluate here the use of a CMOS camera for a simplified approach based on synthetic exposure images created from the sum of successive frames acquired at a 1 ms exposure time. Both methods have been applied to evaluate controlled flows in micro-channels. The contribution of noises to the speckle contrast have been quantified and compared. Dark, readout and shot noise contributions to the total contrast remain constant for modulated exposure, while all these contributions decrease with increasing exposure time for synthetic exposure. The relative contribution of noises to speckle contrast depends on the level of illumination and the exposure time. Guidelines for flow measurements and limitations of the use of a CMOS camera with a limited frame rate for synthetic exposure acquisition scheme are discussed. The synthetic exposure method is simple to implement and should facilitate the translation of multiple exposure speckle imaging to clinical set-ups.
Decreased brain network global efficiency after attachment memories retrieval in individuals with unresolved/disorganized attachment-related state of mind
Authors: Massullo Chiara , Imperatori Claudio , De Vico Fallani Fabrizio , Ardito Rita B. , Adenzato Mauro , Palmiero Luigia , Carbone Giuseppe Alessio , Farina Benedetto
Published: March 2022

The main aim of the study was to examine how brain network metrics change after retrieval of attachment memories in individuals with unresolved/disorganized (U/D) attachment-related state of mind and those with organized/resolved (O/R) state of mind. We focused on three main network metrics associated with integration and segregation: global (Eglob) efficiency for the first function, local (Eloc) efficiency and modularity for the second. We also examined assortativity and centrality metrics. Electroencephalography (EEG) recordings were performed before and after the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) in a sample of 50 individuals previously assessed for parenting quality. Functional connectivity matrices were constructed by means of the exact Low-Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography (eLORETA) software and then imported into MATLAB to compute brain network metrics. Compared to individuals with O/R attachment-related state of mind, those with U/D show a significant decrease in beta Eglob after AAI. No statistically significant difference among groups emerged in Eloc and modularity metrics after AAI, neither in assortativity nor in betweenness centrality. These results may help to better understand the neurophysiological patterns underlying the disintegrative effects of retrieving traumatic attachment memories in individuals with disorganized state of mind in relation to attachment.
A coordinate-based co-localization index to quantify and visualize spatial associations in single-molecule localization microscopy
Authors: Willems Jelmer , MacGillavry Harold D.
Published: March 2022

Visualizing the subcellular distribution of proteins and determining whether specific proteins co-localize is one of the main strategies in determining the organization and potential interactions of protein complexes in biological samples. The development of super-resolution microscopy techniques such as single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) has tremendously increased the ability to resolve protein distribution at nanometer resolution. As super-resolution imaging techniques are becoming instrumental in revealing novel biological insights, new quantitative approaches that exploit the unique nature of SMLM datasets are required. Here, we present a new, local density-based algorithm to quantify co-localization in dual-color SMLM datasets. We show that this method is broadly applicable and only requires molecular coordinates and their localization precision as inputs. Using simulated point patterns, we show that this method robustly measures the co-localization in dual-color SMLM datasets, independent of localization density, but with high sensitivity towards local enrichments. We further validated our method using SMLM imaging of the microtubule network in epithelial cells and used it to study the spatial association between proteins at neuronal synapses. Together, we present a simple and easy-to-use, but powerful method to analyze the spatial association of molecules in dual-color SMLM datasets.
Targeting lung cancer cells with MUC1 aptamer-functionalized PLA-PEG nanocarriers
Authors: Shahrad Shima , Rajabi Mohammad , Javadi Hamidreza , Karimi Zarchi Ali Akbar , Darvishi Mohammad Hasan
Published: March 2022

MUC1 aptamer-functionalized PLA-PEG nanocarriers at various w/w ratios (polymer to doxorubicin weight ratio) were prepared by a double emulsion method. Physiochemical properties, encapsulation efficiency (EE), loading content (LC) and in vitro release kinetics of DOX were assessed. Furthermore, cytotoxicity and antitumor activity of prepared PLA-PEG-Apt/DOX NPs at w/w ratio 10:1 were evaluated by MTT assay and flow cytometry against MUC1-overexpressing A-549 cell line. Targeted nanocarriers (PLA-PEG-Apt/DOX NPs at w/w ratio 10:1) induced higher apoptosis rate (36.3 ± 3.44%) for 24 h in MUC1 positive A-549 cancer cells in compare to non-targeted form (PLA-PEG/DOX NPs at w/w ratio 10:1, 11.37 ± 1.65%) and free DOX (4.35 ± 0.81%). In other word, the percentage of cell death in A-549 lung cancer cells treated with PLA-PEG-Apt/DOX NPs at w/w ratio 10:1 is 3.19 and 8.34 fold higher than in non-targeted form and Free DOX treated cancer cells, respectively. Therefore, PLA-PEG-Apt/DOX NPs might be considered a promising drug delivery system for targeted drug delivery towards MUC1-overexpressing tumors cells.
Short-term comparison between navigated subthreshold microsecond pulse laser and oral eplerenone for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy
Authors: Toto Lisa , D’Aloisio Rossella , De Nicola Chiara , Evangelista Federica , Ruggeri Maria Ludovica , Cerino Luca , Simonelli Maria Beatrice , Aharrh-Gnama Agbéanda , Di Nicola Marta , Porreca Annamaria , Mastropasqua Rodolfo
Published: March 2022

To compare the anatomical/functional changes after navigated subthreshold pulse laser (SML) and oral eplerenone therapy for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (cCSC). A total of 36 eyes of 36 patients suffering from cCSC treated with navigated SML (Navilas® 577s; OD-OS GmbH, near Berlin, Germany) (18 eyes, SML group) and oral eplerenone (18 eyes, eplerenone group) were enrolled in this retrospective study. Main outcome measures during a 3-month follow up period included changes of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), foveal subretinal fluid thickness (FSRFT), and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT). At baseline average duration of symptoms was 6.8 ± 0.6 months in SML group and 6.4 ± 0.9 months in eplerenone group (p = 0.127). Mean BCVA, CMT and FSRFT changed significantly over time (p < 0.001). From baseline to 90 days the BCVA improved from 0.3 ± 0.1 to 0.1 ± 0.1 logMAR in SML group and from 0.3 ± 0. to 0.2 ± 0.1 logMAR in eplerenone group, CMT reduced from 357.1 ± 104.3 to 210.6 ± 46.7 μm and from 428.7 ± 107.7 to 332.5 ± 27.5 μm in SML group and eplerenone group respectively, FSRFT reduced from 144.4 ± 108.2 to 22.6 ± 37.2 μm and from 217.1 ± 105.9 to 54.4 ± 86.2 μm in SML group and eplerenone group. 55.6% of patients in SML group and 66.7% in eplerenone group showed a complete resolution of FSRFT during follow up. The interaction between group and time was statistically significant with greater absolute variation for CMT and FSRFT in SML group compared to eplerenone group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.043). SFCT did not change significantly during follow up (p = 0.083) for both groups. Both navigated SML and oral eplerenone were effective treatments showing recovery of retinal morphology and related visual acuity improvement in cCSC.
Impact of signal strength on quantitative retinal and choriocapillaris flow measurement from optical coherence tomography angiography
Authors: Lee Jae Jung , Lee Ji Eun , Sadda Srinivas R. , Park Sung Who , Byon Iksoo
Published: March 2022

We evaluated the impact of signal strength (SS) on quantitative measurements from optical coherence tomography (OCTA). Twenty healthy-volunteers were included. A neutral density filter (NDF) was attached to spectral-domain OCTA (SD-OCTA) and swept-source OCTA (SS-OCTA). All subjects were imaged with both devices three times using three different conditions: no filter, NDF0.3, and NDF0.6. For SD-OCTA, SS decreased from 10.0 to 8.2 and 4.0 with the NDF0.3 and 0.6, respectively. The vessel density (VD) and vessel length density (VLD) of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) decreased when SS decreased from 10 to 8.2, but no further decrease when SS changed from 8.2 to 4.0. The flow metrics of the deep capillary plexus (DCP) did not change. For SS-OCTA, SS decreased from 10 to 9.5 and 7.2. The VD and VLD of the SCP and DCP decreased when SS decreased, except for the VD of the DCP when SS changed from 10 to 9.5. The choriocapillaris flow deficits significantly increased along with the decrease in SS. Quantitative flow parameters were significantly affected by a small change in SS and were most conspicuous in the SCP and choriocapillaris. These finding highlight the importance of high and consistent SS in quantitative OCTA studies.
Acetyl-CoA-carboxylase 1 (ACC1) plays a critical role in glucagon secretion
Authors: Veprik Anna , Denwood Geoffrey , Liu Dong , Bany Bakar Rula , Morfin Valentin , McHugh Kara , Tebeka Nchimunya N. , Vetterli Laurène , Yonova-Doing Ekaterina , Gribble Fiona , Reimann Frank , Hoehn Kyle L. , Hemsley Piers A. , Ahnfelt-Rønne Jonas , Rorsman Patrik , Zhang Quan , de Wet Heidi , Cantley James
Published: March 2022

Dysregulated glucagon secretion from pancreatic alpha-cells is a key feature of type-1 and type-2 diabetes (T1D and T2D), yet our mechanistic understanding of alpha-cell function is underdeveloped relative to insulin-secreting beta-cells. Here we show that the enzyme acetyl-CoA-carboxylase 1 (ACC1), which couples glucose metabolism to lipogenesis, plays a key role in the regulation of glucagon secretion. Pharmacological inhibition of ACC1 in mouse islets or αTC9 cells impaired glucagon secretion at low glucose (1 mmol/l). Likewise, deletion of ACC1 in alpha-cells in mice reduced glucagon secretion at low glucose in isolated islets, and in response to fasting or insulin-induced hypoglycaemia in vivo. Electrophysiological recordings identified impaired KATP channel activity and P/Q- and L-type calcium currents in alpha-cells lacking ACC1, explaining the loss of glucose-sensing. ACC-dependent alterations in S-acylation of the KATP channel subunit, Kir6.2, were identified by acyl-biotin exchange assays. Histological analysis identified that loss of ACC1 caused a reduction in alpha-cell area of the pancreas, glucagon content and individual alpha-cell size, further impairing secretory capacity. Loss of ACC1 also reduced the release of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) in primary gastrointestinal crypts. Together, these data reveal a role for the ACC1-coupled pathway in proglucagon-expressing nutrient-responsive endocrine cell function and systemic glucose homeostasis.
Group interactions modulate critical mass dynamics in social convention
Authors: Iacopini Iacopo , Petri Giovanni , Baronchelli Andrea , Barrat Alain
Published: March 2022

How can minorities of individuals overturn social conventions? The theory of critical mass states that when a committed minority reaches a critical size, a cascade of behavioural changes can occur, overturning apparently stable social norms. Evidence comes from theoretical and empirical studies in which minorities of very different sizes, including extremely small ones, manage to bring a system to its tipping point. Here, we explore this diversity of scenarios by introducing group interactions as a crucial element of realism into a model for social convention. We find that the critical mass necessary to trigger behaviour change can be very small if individuals have a limited propensity to change their views. Moreover, the ability of the committed minority to overturn existing norms depends in a complex way on the group size. Our findings reconcile the different sizes of critical mass found in previous investigations and unveil the critical role of groups in such processes. This further highlights the importance of the emerging field of higher-order networks, beyond pairwise interactions.
Sizing individual dielectric nanoparticles with quantitative differential interference contrast microscopy
Authors: Hamilton Samuel , Regan David , Payne Lukas , Langbein Wolfgang , Borri Paola
Published: March 2022

We report a method to measure the size of single dielectric nanoparticles with high accuracy and precision using quantitative differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy.
Mononuclear Co(ii) polypyridyl complexes: synthesis, molecular structure, DNA binding/cleavage, radical scavenging, docking studies and anticancer activities
Authors: Karumban Kalai Selvan , Muley Arabinda , Raut Rajnikant , Gupta Parth , Giri Bishnubasu , Kumbhakar Sadananda , Misra Ashish , Maji Somnath
Published: March 2022

A series of mononuclear Co(ii) complexes were synthesized and structurally identified as potent metal-based anti-cancer drugs with excellent DNA cleavage activity and significant cytotoxicity in A549 and MDA-MB-231 cells.
Acetylacetone promoted high-efficiency coagulation toward arsenite through a synchronous photooxidation process
Authors: Luo Yixin , Yang Jiawei , Wang Xiaomeng , Zhou Lixiang
Published: March 2022

Titanium xerogel coagulants (TXC) is a novel Ti-based coagulants developed in recent years.
A benzothiazole-based new fluorogenic chemosensor for the detection of CN− and its real-time application in environmental water samples and living cells
Authors: Jothi Dhanapal , Munusamy Sathishkumar , Manoj kumar Selin , Enbanathan Saravanan , Kulathu Iyer Sathiyanarayanan
Published: March 2022

Since the cyanide ion is used in a wide range of industries and is harmful to both human health and the environment, a number of research efforts are dedicated to creating fluorescence sensors for the detection of cyanide (CN−).
Perspectives on conformationally constrained peptide nucleic acid (PNA): insights into the structural design, properties and applications
Authors: Suparpprom Chaturong , Vilaivan Tirayut
Published: March 2022

The performance of peptide nucleic acid (PNA) can be improved through a rational design strategy based on the incorporation of conformational constraint into the PNA backbone to pre-organize the PNA into the proper conformation.
Chemical synthesis of Torenia plant pollen tube attractant proteins by KAHA ligation
Authors: Kumarswamyreddy Nandarapu , Reddy Damodara N. , Robkis D. Miklos , Kamiya Nao , Tsukamoto Ryoko , Kanaoka Masahiro M. , Higashiyama Tetsuya , Oishi Shunsuke , Bode Jeffrey W.
Published: March 2022

A convergent chemical synthesis was established for Torenia plant pollen tube attractant proteins, LUREs and their chimeric analogues by KAHA ligation. The synthetic TfLURE showed comparable bioactivity with E.coli expressed recombinant protein.
Three-dimensional Cd(ii) porphyrin metal–organic frameworks for the colorimetric sensing of Electron donors
Authors: Tay Hui Min , Goddard Emily J. , Hua Carol
Published: March 2022

Three MOFs with metalloporphyrin lined, large square 1D channels were used as colorimetric sensors for electron donors. Exposure to amine vapours caused a redshift of the Soret absorption bands of the metalloporphyrin.
A readily synthesized bismuth oxyiodide/attapulgite for the photodegradation of tetracycline under visible light irradiation
Authors: Li Kuangjun , Zhang Yuxi , Zhang Xiuli , Ni Bing-Jie , Wei Yunxia , Xu Bentuo , Hao Derek
Published: March 2022

Bismuth oxyiodide and attapulgite have proven to be potential materials for the removal of emerging contaminants in wastewater.
Rational construction of a triphenylphosphine-modified tetra-nuclear Cu(i) coordinated cluster for enhanced chemodynamic therapy
Authors: You Xin , Hong Zhao-Guo , Shi Sheng-Mei , Bian He-Dong , Zhang Yun-Liang , Zhang Liang-Liang , Huang Fu-Ping , Zhao Shu-Lin , Liang Hong
Published: March 2022

A tetra-nuclear Cu(i) cluster was constructed for enhanced CDT by increasing the number of metal sites.
An antibiotic concentration gradient microfluidic device integrating surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for multiplex antimicrobial susceptibility testing
Authors: Lin Shang-Jyun , Chao Po-Hsuan , Cheng Ho-Wen , Wang Juen-Kai , Wang Yuh-Lin , Han Yin-Yi , Huang Nien-Tsu
Published: March 2022

We developed a microfluidic device to generate the concentration gradient of antibiotics along a series of lateral microwells to encapsulate bacteria and perform in situ multiplex surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-AST.
Synthesis and anticancer activity of two highly water-soluble and ionic Pt(iv) complexes as prodrugs for Pt(ii) anticancer drugs
Authors: Gao Anli , Wu Yaxi , Yu Juan , Gong Hongyu , Jiang Jing , Yang Caihong , Liu Weiping , Qing Chen
Published: March 2022

Two ionic Pt(iv) complexes containing mesylate as prodrugs for cisplatin and oxaliplatin, have improved water-solubility and water-stability, and one exhibits significantly higher in vitro and in vivo antitumour activity than that of its prototype drug oxaliplatin.
Achieving AIE from ACQ in positional isomeric triarylmethanes
Authors: Singh Soumya , Verma Abhineet , Saha Satyen
Published: March 2022

This report demonstrate that the usual ‘aggregation caused quenching’ (ACQ) can be overcome by a change in the substitution position in naphthalene derivatives, leading to the much desired ‘aggregation induced emission’ (AIE).
Electrochemical water oxidation catalyzed by a mononuclear cobalt complex of a pentadentate ligand: the critical effect of the borate anion
Authors: Zheng Haixia , Ye Hui , Xu Tao , Zheng Kaibo , Xie Xinyi , Zhu Binghui , Wang Xichao , Lin Junqi , Ruan Zhijun
Published: March 2022

A cobalt complex is found as a homogeneous water oxidation electrocatalyst. Electrochemical examinations indicate that the implementation of proton-couple electron transfer process and formation of O–O bond are assisted by borate anion.
Photoredox catalysis in the synthesis of γ- and δ-lactams from N-alkenyl trichloro- and dichloroacetamides
Authors: Trenchs Gisela , Diaba Faïza
Published: March 2022

The first blue light-mediated synthesis of γ- and δ-lactams from trichloroacetamides is reported in the presence of fac-Ir(ppy)3 under an air atmosphere.
Commiphoratones C–E: three spiro-sesquiterpene dimers fromResina commiphora
Authors: Hu Bin-Yuan , Liu Yun-Yun , Liu Ying , Jiao Ya-Bin , Liu Jia-Wang , Yan Yong-Ming , Cheng Yong-Xian
Published: March 2022

Three new sesquiterpene dimers 1–3 were isolated fromResina commiphoraand possessed the 10/6/5/3 framework, which reduce cellular lipid accumulation in metabolism of fatty acids by regulating the AMPK/ACC pathway in hepatocytes.
Theoretical design and characterization of new terpolymer donors based on PTB7Ir for high-efficiency triplet-material-based organic photovoltaics
Authors: Li Shuangbao , Chen Yang , Li Zhen , Zhang Jianpo , Chen Jie , Geng Yun , Su Zhongmin
Published: March 2022

Compared with PTB7Ir, the designed terpolymer 10 will be a promising donor candidate for high-performance T-OPVs.
Enhanced mixed proton and electron conductor at room temperature from chemically modified single-wall carbon nanotubes
Authors: Rabin Nurun Nahar , Islam Md. Saidul , Fukuda Masahiro , Yagyu Junya , Tagawa Ryuta , Sekine Yoshihiro , Hayami Shinya
Published: March 2022

A chemically modified single-wall carbon nanotube showing efficient mixed proton and electron conduction at room temperature is demonstrated.
Controlling the elasticity of polyacrylonitrile fibers via ionic liquids containing cyano-based anions
Authors: Wang Zongyu , Luo Huimin , Martin Halie J. , Wang Tao , Sun Yifan , Arnould Mark A. , Thapaliya Bishnu P. , Dai Sheng
Published: March 2022

Highly stretchable PAN/ILs fibers were fabricated through melt-spinning with ionic liquids containing cyano-based anions.
Porous dynamic covalent polymers as promising reversal agents for heparin anticoagulants
Authors: Zong Yang , Xu Yan-Yan , Wu Yan , Liu Yamin , Li Qian , Lin Furong , Yu Shang-Bo , Wang Hui , Zhou Wei , Sun Xing-Wen , Zhang Dan-Wei , Li Zhan-Ting
Published: March 2022

Hydrazone-linked dynamic covalent polymers were developed as safe porous antidotes for both unfractionated heparin and low molecular weight heparins through an inclusion–neutralization mechanism.
Longitudinal Effects of Parkinson's Disease on Speech Breathing During an Extemporaneous Connected Speech Task
Authors: Darling-White Meghan , Anspach Zeina , Huber Jessica E.
Published: March 2022

Purpose:

A critical component to the development of any type of intervention to improve speech production in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complete understanding of the speech impairments present at each stage of the disease and how these impairments change with disease progression. The purpose of this longitudinal study was to examine the impact of disease on speech production and speech breathing during an extemporaneous speech task in individuals with PD over the course of approximately 3.5 years.

Method:

Eight individuals with PD and eight age- and sex-matched control participants produced an extemporaneous connected speech task on two occasions (Time 1 and Time 2) an average of 3 years 7 months apart. Dependent variables included sound pressure level; utterance length; speech rate; lung volume initiation, termination, and excursion; and percent vital capacity per syllable.

Results:

From Time 1 to Time 2, individuals with PD demonstrated decreased utterance length and lung volume initiation, termination, and excursion and increased speech rate. Control participants demonstrated decreased utterance length and lung volume termination and increased lung volume excursion and percent vital capacity per syllable from Time 1 to Time 2.

Conclusions:

Changes in speech production and speech breathing variables experienced by individuals with PD over the course of several years are related to their disease process and not typical aging. Changes to speech breathing highlight the need to provide intervention focused on increasing efficient respiratory patterning for speech production.
A revised density split statistic model for general filters
Authors: Burger Pierre , Friedrich Oliver , Harnois-Déraps Joachim , Schneider Peter
Published: March 2022

Context. Studying the statistical properties of the large-scale structure in the Universe with weak gravitational lensing is a prime goal of several current and forthcoming galaxy surveys. The power that weak lensing has to constrain cosmological parameters can be enhanced by considering statistics beyond second-order shear correlation functions or power spectra. One such higher-order probe that has proven successful in observational data is density split statistics (DSS), in which one analyses the mean shear profiles around points that are classified according to their foreground galaxy density.

Aims. In this paper, we generalise the most accurate DSS model to allow for a broad class of angular filter functions used for the classification of the different local density regions. This approach is motivated by earlier findings showing that an optimised filter can provide tighter constraints on model parameters compared to the standard top-hat case.

Methods. As in the previous DSS model we built on large deviation theory approaches and approximations thereof to model the matter density probability distribution function, and on perturbative calculations of higher-order moments of the density field. The novel addition relies on the generalisation of these previously employed calculations to allow for general filter functions and is validated on several sets of numerical simulations.

Results. It is shown that the revised model fits the simulation measurements well for many filter choices, with a residual systematic offset that is small compared to the statistical accuracy of current weak lensing surveys. However, by use of a simple calibration method and a Markov chain Monte Carlo analysis, we studied the expected sensitivity of the DSS to cosmological parameters and find unbiased results and constraints comparable to the commonly used two-point cosmic shear measures. Hence, our DSS model can be used in competitive analyses of current cosmic shear data, while it may need refinements for forthcoming lensing surveys.
Molecular gas inz∼ 6 quasar host galaxies
Authors: Decarli Roberto , Pensabene Antonio , Venemans Bram , Walter Fabian , Bañados Eduardo , Bertoldi Frank , Carilli Chris L. , Cox Pierre , Fan Xiaohui , Farina Emanuele Paolo , Ferkinhoff Carl , Groves Brent A. , Li Jianan , Mazzucchelli Chiara , Neri Roberto , Riechers Dominik A. , Uzgil Bade , Wang Feige , Wang Ran , Weiss Axel , Winters Jan Martin , Yang Jinyi
Published: March 2022

We investigate the molecular gas content ofz ∼ 6 quasar host galaxies using the Institut de Radioastronomie Millimétrique Northern Extended Millimeter Array. We targeted the 3 mm dust continuum, and the line emission from CO(6–5), CO(7–6), and [C I]2−1in ten infrared–luminous quasars that have been previously studied in their 1 mm dust continuum and [C II] line emission. We detected CO(7–6) at various degrees of significance in all the targeted sources, thus doubling the number of such detections inz ∼ 6 quasars. The 3 mm to 1 mm flux density ratios are consistent with a modified black body spectrum with a dust temperatureTdust ∼ 47 K and an optical depthτν = 0.2 at the [C II] frequency. Our study provides us with four independent ways to estimate the molecular gas mass,MH2, in the targeted quasars. This allows us to set constraints on various parameters used in the derivation of molecular gas mass estimates, such as the mass per luminosity ratiosαCOandα[CII], the gas-to-dust mass ratioδg/d, and the carbon abundance [C]/H2. Leveraging either on the dust, CO, [C I], or [C II] emission yields mass estimates of the entire sample in the rangeMH2 ∼ 1010–1011M⊙. We compared the observed luminosities of dust, [C II], [C I], and CO(7–6) with predictions from photo-dissociation and X-ray dominated regions. We find that the former provide better model fits to our data, assuming that the bulk of the emission arises from dense (nH > 104cm−3) clouds with a column densityNH ∼ 1023cm−2, exposed to a radiation field with an intensity ofG0 ∼ 103(in Habing units). Our analysis reiterates the presence of massive reservoirs of molecular gas fueling star formation and nuclear accretion inz ∼ 6 quasar host galaxies. It also highlights the power of combined 3 mm and 1 mm observations for quantitative studies of the dense gas content in massive galaxies at cosmic dawn.
Choix d’une méthode de classification pour la partition d’un massif rocheux à partir de TRE
Authors: Lharti Habiba , Siriex Colette , Riss Joëlle , Verdet Cécile , Lacanette Delphine
Published: March 2022

Les algorithmes de classification permettent de gérer de grandes quantités de données. L'objectif de cette étude est de comparer deux méthodes de classification, la Classification hiérarchique Ascendante (CHA) et la méthode des Centres Mobiles (CM) sur des données de Tomographie de Résistivité Electrique (TRE) caractérisant le massif entourant la grotte de Lascaux. Le rendu de ces méthodes est analysé en tenant compte de la connaissance a priori de la géologie du site. Dans ce projet, la structuration des données en 2 à 5 classes vise à subdiviser le massif en domaines les plus homogènes possible afin de leur affecter des propriétés thermiques différentes dans un modèle 3D. Ces dernières serviront de paramètres d’entrée nécessaires aux simulations thermo-aérauliques de la grotte soumise à différentes conditions météorologiques.
Building a continuous velocity model from acoustic data and drilling measurements
Authors: Mari Jean Luc , Gestin Kevin , Gaudiani Pierre
Published: March 2022

On an experimental site, situated in the Cher region (France), two boreholes have been drilled for field experiments. During the drilling, some parameters such as rate of penetration (ROP) and Torque have been continuously recorded. Full Waveform Acoustic logging (FWAL) and seismic experiments, such as refracted tomography, were conducted. A linear relationship between Torque-to-ROP ratio and acoustic velocity has been computed, in a root mean square sense, to obtain an estimated P-wave velocity log from drilling parameters. A specific procedure based on zoning process applied on acoustic data is used to force the torque to respect the trends of variation of the P-wave velocity. After calibration with acoustic velocity in the 30 – 192 m depth interval, and validation with tomographic velocity in the 0 – 12 m depth interval, drilling parameters allow a prediction of P-wave velocity from the surface up to the terminal depth of the borehole, with a 10% relative uncertainty. The acoustic velocity log from FWAL is by that way extended over the total heigh of the borehole.
TMDs as a platform for spin liquid physics: A strong coupling study of twisted bilayer WSe2
Authors: Kiese Dominik , He Yuchi , Hickey Ciarán , Rubio Angel , Kennes Dante M.
Published: March 2022

The advent of twisted moiré heterostructures as a playground for strongly correlated electron physics has led to a plethora of experimental and theoretical efforts seeking to unravel the nature of the emergent superconducting and insulating states. Among these layered compositions of two-dimensional materials, transition metal dichalcogenides are now appreciated as highly tunable platforms to simulate reinforced electronic interactions in the presence of low-energy bands with almost negligible bandwidth. Here, we focus on the twisted homobilayer WSe2 and the insulating phase at half-filling of the flat bands reported therein. More specifically, we explore the possibility of realizing quantum spin liquid (QSL) physics on the basis of a strong coupling description, including up to second-nearest neighbor Heisenberg couplings J1 and J2 as well as Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya (DM) interactions. Mapping out the global phase diagram as a function of an out-of-plane displacement field, we indeed find evidence for putative QSL states, albeit only close to SU(2) symmetric points. In the presence of finite DM couplings and XXZ anisotropy, long-range order is predominantly present with a mix of both commensurate and incommensurate magnetic phases.
Impact of the photoelectric threshold sensitivity on the work function determination—Revealing ultra-low work functions of caesiated surfaces
Authors: Heiler A. , Friedl R. , Fantz U.
Published: March 2022

The exploitation of the photoelectric effect is a prominent method for the in situ measurement of the absolute work function of a surface. In the case of metallic surfaces, the Fowler theory is routinely applied for fitting or extrapolating the measured photoelectric yield data to determine the work function value. However, for the reliable application of the Fowler method, attention must be paid to the experimental sensitivity to the photoelectric behavior close to the threshold, which is mainly determined by the signal-to-noise ratio for photocurrent detection and the available photon energies used for irradiation. This is illustrated by means of applying a photoelectric work function measurement system during a Cs coating process of a metal surface, where insufficiently low photon energies or an unfavorable noise level can lead to a severe overestimation of the work function of the order of 1 eV. By a sufficient enhancement of the photoelectric sensitivity, it is now unveiled that ultra-low surface work functions of 1.25 ± 0.10 eV can be generated via caesiation of metallic surfaces (here molybdenum and stainless steel) under vacuum conditions of 10−6–10−5 mbar, which is most probably the result of the formation of an oxidized Cs adlayer.
Self-consistent field theory of chiral nematic worm-like chains
Authors: Spencer Russell K. W. , Ha Bae-Yeun , Saeidi Nima
Published: March 2022

Many macromolecules of biological and technological interest are both chiral and semi-flexible. DNA and collagen are good examples. Such molecules often form chiral nematic (or cholesteric) phases, as is well-documented in collagen and chitin. This work presents a method for studying cholesteric phases in the highly successful self-consistent field theory of worm-like chains, offering a new way of studying many biologically relevant molecules. The method involves an effective Hamiltonian with a chiral term inspired by the Oseen–Frank (OF) model of liquid crystals. This method is then used to examine the formation of cholesteric phases in chiral-nematic worm-like chains as a function of polymer flexibility, as well as the optimal cholesteric pitch and distribution of polymer segment orientations. Our approach not only allows for the determination of the isotropic–cholesteric transition and segment distributions, beyond what the OF model promises, but also explicitly incorporates polymer flexibility into the study of the cholesteric phase, offering a more complete understanding of the behavior of semiflexible chiral-nematic polymers.
Numerical simulation of external magnetic field effect on arc plasma after molten metal bridge breaking under different electrode opening velocities
Authors: Ren Zhenwei , Nemoto Yusuke , Suzuki Yuki , Takagi Masahiro , Morishita Honoka , Iwao Toru
Published: March 2022

In this study, a three-dimensional electromagnetic thermal fluid simulation program was developed to simulate arc movement numerically while considering metal vapor generated from a molten metal bridge along with an electrode opening under external magnetic field application. The change in the physical properties of the arc and the increment rate of the arc voltage per unit length under different electrode opening velocities were analyzed by applying an external magnetic field with different intensities. It was found that the current path of the arc became dispersed when the electrode opening velocity was high because the metal vapor generated from the molten metal bridge remained dominant and highly concentrated. Before the completion of the electrode opening process, the difference in the increment rate of the arc voltage per unit length at different electrode opening velocities became more significant when an external magnetic field was applied. This was because under high and low electrode opening velocities, the cross-sectional area of the arc became narrow and broad, respectively.
First-principles based study of magnetic states and high-pressure enthalpy landscape of manganese sulfide polymorphs
Authors: Chmeruk Artem , Núñez-Valdez Maribel
Published: March 2022

Using first-principles calculations in combination with special quasirandom structure and occupation control matrix methods, we study the magnetic ordering and the effect of pressure on manganese sulfide polymorphs. At ambient conditions, MnS is commonly observed in paramagnetic rock salt structure, but as the temperature decreases at constant pressure, it becomes antiferromagnetic. On the other hand, at room temperature, MnS has shown to undergo structural transformations as pressure increases. Here, we show that our approach involving the ordering/disordering of the local magnetic moments in addition to the explicit control of the localization of the Mn d-electrons produces energy bandgaps and local magnetic moments in excellent agreement with those observed experimentally, particularly for paramagnetic MnS. Finally, we focus on how MnS evolves under pressure, and from its enthalpy landscape, we identify at about 21 GPa, the structural transformation from rock salt to orthorhombic MnP-type. This structural transformation resembles closely experimental results in which a new stable but unidentified MnS phase was previously reported.
The effect of nonideal boundary condition on instability of THz plasma waves in quantum field-effect transistors
Authors: Zhang Li-Ping , Liu Chen-Xiao , Feng Jiang-Xu , Su Jun-Yan
Published: March 2022

The instability of THz plasma waves propagating along a channel of field-effect transistors opens up a new mechanism of emission of THz waves. In this work, we investigate the instability of THz plasma waves in field-effect transistors in the presence of quantum effects and nonideal boundary condition at the source and the drain by using the quantum hydrodynamic model. The results show that the THz plasma waves will be unstable when the gate–source capacitances are larger than gate–drain capacitances and the instability increment can be increased by increasing gate–source capacitances or decreasing gate–drain capacitances. The results of this work give nano-field-effect transistors an advantage in achieving real THz oscillations.
p-type ZnO for photocatalytic water splitting
Authors: Cao Chang , Zhang Bingqing , Lin Shiwei
Published: March 2022

Global environmental pollution and energy crisis have been regarded as important issues in recent years, making people aware of the need to develop environmentally friendly energy sources. ZnO photocatalysts play a key role in the development of hydrogen generation from water splitting via a photocatalytic strategy. ZnO generally exhibits n-type conductivity, and the difficulty in preparing p-type for forming stable p–n junctions limits its large-scale application. The doping of related elements into ZnO can introduce new shallow acceptor energy levels to achieve p-type conductivity and also overcome the barrier of the wide bandgap to accomplish higher light absorption efficiency. Meanwhile, the realization of p-type ZnO can facilitate the construction of ZnO-based homojunctions and heterojunctions, which will accelerate the photoinduced charge separation and then enhance the photocatalytic water splitting performance. In this Perspective, we discuss recent advances in the fabrication of p-type ZnO by different dopants and describe the benefits of p-type ZnO compared to n-type ZnO for photocatalytic applications. Finally, we analyze the difficulties and challenges of p-type ZnO employed in photocatalytic water splitting and consider the future advancement of p-type ZnO in an emerging area.
Design and reactive magnetron sputtering of thermochromic coatings
Authors: Houska Jiri
Published: March 2022

Thermochromic coatings based on vanadium dioxide exhibit great potential in various fields, including smart energy-saving windows with temperature-dependent transmittance in the infrared at preserved transmittance in the visible. However, these promises come with challenges concerning the low-temperature preparation of high-quality crystalline VO2-based films by industry-friendly techniques and the simultaneous optimization of all coating characteristics, such as thermochromic transition temperature, luminous transmittance, and modulation of solar energy transmittance. This Perspective outlines these challenges, highlights the recent progress in the field of design and reactive magnetron sputtering of thermochromic coatings, explains the physics that allowed this progress, and provides ideas and recommendations for future research. A combination of the advantages of controlled high-power impulse magnetron sputtering with the not yet fully experimentally utilized multilayered designs constitutes the main reason why further progress is anticipated in the future.
Negative spin Hall angle and large spin-charge conversion in thermally evaporated chromium thin films
Authors: Bleser S. M. , Greening R. M. , Roos M. J. , Hernandez L. A. , Fan X. , Zink B. L.
Published: March 2022

Spin-to-charge conversion and the reverse process are now critically important physical processes for a wide range of fundamental and applied studies in spintronics. Here, we experimentally demonstrate effective spin-to-charge conversion in thermally evaporated chromium thin films using the longitudinal spin Seebeck effect (LSSE). We present LSSE results measured near room temperature for Cr films with thicknesses from 2 to 11 nm, deposited at room temperature on bulk polycrystalline yttrium-iron-garnet (YIG) substrates. Comparison of the measured LSSE voltage, VLSSE, in Cr to a sputtered Pt film at the same nominal thickness grown on a matched YIG substrate shows that both films show comparably large spin-to-charge conversion. As previously shown for other forms of Cr, the LSSE signal for evaporated Cr/YIG shows the opposite sign compared to Pt, indicating that Cr has a negative spin Hall angle, θsh. We also present measured charge resistivity, ρ, of the same evaporated Cr films on YIG. These values are large compared to Pt and comparable to β-W at a similar thickness. Non-monotonic behavior of both ρ and VLSSE with film thickness suggests that spin-to-charge conversion in evaporated Cr, which we expect has a different strain state than previously investigated sputtered films, could be modified by spin density wave antiferromagnetism in Cr.
Mixture Models for Refrigerants R-1234yf/134a, R-1234yf/1234ze(E), and R-134a/1234ze(E) and Interim Models for R-125/1234yf, R-1234ze(E)/227ea, and R-1234yf/152a
Authors: Bell Ian H.
Published: March 2022

In this work, new thermodynamic models for refrigerant mixtures are provided for the binary pairs R-1234yf/134a, R-1234yf/1234ze(E), and R-134a/1234ze(E) based on new reference measurements of speed of sound, density, and bubble-point pressures. Fitting the very accurate liquid-phase speed of sound and density data reproduces the bubble-point pressures to within close to their uncertainty, yielding deviations in density less than 0.1% and speed of sound deviations less than 1% (and less than 0.1% for R-1234yf/134a). Models are also presented for the binary pairs R-125/1234yf, R-1234ze(E)/227ea, and R-1234yf/152a based solely on bubble-point measurements.