bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attention Deficit
Authors: Liberman Samson ,   Romanian Academy - Iasi Branch
Published: June 2021

The aim of this paper is a socio-philosophical analysis of attention deficit phenomenon, which is being detected at the intersection of several subject areas (psychiatry, theory of journalism, economics). The main methodological instrument of the study is a Marxist principle of alienation. Alienation of attention, which, on the one hand, is being understood as a process of producing attention as a commodity, and on the other one – as the process of producing a person as a user of the platform, provides the methodological basis, necessary for a holistic view of the phenomenon. The main differences of attention alienation from alienation of labor and desire are considered within the paper. The possibility of a modern form of alienation is associated primarily with the emergence of the new forms of capital – platforms, providing infrastructure for the interaction of other users and aimed at collection and procession of large amounts of data. The main aspects of attention management: game, content sharing and design have been distinguished within the paper. The main consequences of alienation of attention for the structure of the individual and society have been spelled out. The effects of the spread of gaming techniques of attention management and content distribution techniques specific to social networks have been considered. It being is suggested that there is a correlation between the spread of ADHD diagnosis and the spread of attention management technologies, and, as well, between the distribution of attention management technology and the ‘renaissance’ of social in the social theory.
It’s a Wrap: A New Dimension for Sinusoids
Authors: Wan Anna , Ivy Jessica
Published: June 2021

An activity connects the features of sinusoid curves to tangible manipulatives printed on a 3D printer.
Problems to Ponder
Authors: Rawding Molly , Ingrassia Steve
Published: June 2021

Problems to Ponder provides 28 varying, classroom-ready mathematics problems that collectively span PK–12, arranged in the order of the grade level. Answers to the problems are available online. Individuals are encouraged to submit a problem or a collection of problems directly to mtlt@nctm.org. If published, the authors of problems will be acknowledged.
GPS: Distributive Property throughout the Grades
Authors: Ozgun-Koca S. Asli , Hagan Kelly
Published: June 2021

Growing Problem Solvers provides four original, related, classroom-ready mathematical tasks, one for each grade band. Together, these tasks illustrate the trajectory of learners’ growth as problem solvers across their years of school mathematics.
Diplôme et mise à l’épreuve des compétences des immigrants qualifiés dans les entreprises : une comparaison France-Québec
Authors: Dupuis Jean-Pierre , Segal Jean-Pierre
Published: June 2021

Nous analysons, dans une perspective comparative, le rôle du diplôme et de la mise à l’épreuve des compétences dans la réussite d’une intégration dans les entreprises en France et au Québec pour des immigrants déjà dotés d’une solide qualification professionnelle. Nous nous appuyons sur les récits des parcours migratoires et professionnels de 42 immigrants qualifiés. Notre analyse fait ressortir que bien que le diplôme et la mise à l’épreuve des compétences restent importants dans les deux cas, ils ne sont pas évalués de la même façon dans les deux contextes.
Entre attrait et répulsion : atouts et faiblesses de l’image de la Russie à l’étranger
Authors: Kastouéva-Jean Tatiana
Published: June 2021

À la recherche d’une meilleure image, la Russie met en place tout un arsenal de soft power depuis le milieu des années 2000 selon un modèle occidental. Cependant, l’impact de ces outils est limité : l’image de la Russie reste ternie par l’absence d’un modèle attractif et par la priorité qu’elle continue à donner à la force militaire et à des méthodes d’influence loin d’être « douces ». Depuis l’annexion de la Crimée, ces derniers outils se sont considérablement renforcés, dégradant encore plus son image. Cependant, une partie de l’audience internationale, y compris au sein des élites et populations occidentales, est séduite par la vigueur de la nouvelle posture russe et le leadership autoritaire de Vladimir Poutine. La politique étrangère russe, adossée à un puissant dispositif informationnel, est au coeur de la nouvelle image de la Russie qui valorise son altérité, la légitimité de son action et son rôle central sur les plus grands dossiers d’actualité.
Medications against drugs: Development of medications to prevent and treat substance use disorders
Authors: Montoya Ivan Dario
Published: June 2021

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a significant public health concern. Unfortunately, there are few safe and effective medications to treat SUD and efficacy is suboptimal. There are important financial and scientific obstacles to develop new compounds, but recent advances in the discovery of new brain receptors and neurocircuits are offering opportunities to develop new pharmacotherapies. A systematic scientific approach to develop medications is required to demonstrate their safety and efficacy, bring it to market, and prescribe it to patients. The purpose of this manuscript is to provide a general overview of the challenges and opportunities in medications development for SUD, describe the phased approach of this development, the medications approved, and those that appear most promising.
Amorphous Calcium Phosphate Biomaterials with High Specific Surface Area
Authors:   , Vecstaudža Jana
Published: June 2021

The Doctoral Thesis is devoted to synthesis and characterization of amorphous calcium phosphate materials with emphasis on their specific surface area. Ways of optimization of an existing synthesis method are investigated experimentally as well as the development of a new synthesis method for obtaining amorphous calcium phosphate with specific surface area value close to the biological calcium phosphate (>100 m2/g). Amorphous calcium phosphate obtained with the developed method is studied for its structure, stability, thermal properties, furthermore, dense amorphous calcium phosphate bioceramics has been developed using the principles of cold sintering process. The developed biomaterials are intended for bone tissue replacement and regeneration. The Thesis is prepared as a collection of articles. It contains a summary and four publications.
Insomnia and HRQoL of Indonesians with Chronic Pain: The Role of Catastrophizing and Anxiety
Authors: Shabrina Fariza Nur , Asih Sali Rahadi
Published: June 2021

Insomnia and chronic pain share the same catastrophizing cognitive tendency. The high prevalence of insomnia and chronic pain was found in the urban population. Seeing the interaction between both in influencing individuals is imperative. Most studies in insomnia and pain are conducted in the Western population, with little to no research conducted in Indonesian urban population. As a part longitudinal chronic pain study, this research explored (a) the mediating role of pain catastrophizing in linking insomnia with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and (b) the moderating role of anxiety trait in influencing the mediation within Indonesian adults with chronic pain. The data were gathered through self-administered online questionnaires, and the moderated-mediation analyses were conducted at the beginning phase of the longitudinal study. The results from 415 participants validated that pain catastrophizing partially mediated the relationship between insomnia and HRQoL. Furthermore, no significant moderating effect of anxiety trait was found. People with insomnia showed rumination, worry, and dysfunctional beliefs regarding their sleep, which generalized into catastrophic thoughts regarding their pain experience. This pain catastrophizing in turn influenced the HRQoL. Interventions that simultaneously target both catastrophic thoughts in insomnia and pain would prove to be beneficial in mitigating pain among Indonesian adults.
The Search for Mediating and Moderating Effects in Psychological Research on Urban Society
Authors: Ambadar Zara
Published: June 2021

The Search for Mediating and Moderating Effects in Psychological Research on Urban Society
The Effects of Family Functioning Dimensions on the Subjective Well-being among High School Students
Authors: - Hafshoh - , Saleh Airin Yustikarini
Published: June 2021

Subjective well-being in school offers myriad benefits for the overall development and well-being of students and is thus crucial. This study examines the effects of the family functioning dimensions of cohesion, flexibility, and communication on subjective well-being displayed by students on school premises. An aggregate of 475 students from five high schools in Greater Jakarta participated in this study. The Brief Adolescents’ Subjective Well-Being in School Scale was administered to measure subjective well-being in school. The Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale and the Family Communication Scale were employed to measure family functioning. The results revealed that family flexibility and family communication positively and significantly affected the subjective well-being of students. Family communication exerted a more substantial influence than the other dimensions of family functioning because it could enhance the other dimensions. Prospective studies should investigate more specific student characteristics, such as living independently without parents or living with a single parent.
Regional perceptions of the 'ejque'
Authors: Wright Robyn
Published: June 2021

This paper explores the language attitudes of listeners from six different regions of Spain, Asturias, Castile and León, Castile-La Mancha, the Canary Islands, Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, towards a nonsibilant variant of coda /s/, the velarized /s/. This velar pronunciation, known by some as the ejque madrileño, has previously been found to index a Madrid identity for Madrileño listeners, though the traits ascribed such a speaker are quite negative. The current paper finds that like Madrileños themselves, participants from Asturias and Castile and León also associate velarized /s/ with Madrid. Participants from Castile-La Mancha, the Canary Islands, Catalonia and the Balearic Islands do not consider the velarized variant to be Madrileño. Furthermore, differing judgments of the nonsibilant /s/ are found among the regions tested, with participants from Catalonia and the Balearic Islands showing the most negative judgments while participants from Castile-La Mancha show no negative variable effect in their judgments. It is found that all of these out-group listeners do not show as severe of judgments as those seen by in-group members (Madrilenos themselves) in previous literature.
VOS Puzzle
Authors: Sobin Nicholas , Zavala S. Regina
Published: June 2021

The subject (S) in Spanish sentences may appear post–verbally and even sentence–finally following an object (O). Further, in post–verbal SO/OS pairs, the first element asymmetrically c–commands the second element. Previous analyses of the VOS phenomenon encounter difficulties in accounting for this asymmetric c–command relation and/or for Case and subject–verb agreement involving the VOS subject. We argue here that these Spanish SO/OS pairs operate in parallel to English double–objects (Larson 1988). Based on the work of Phillips (1997) and others, we propose a top–down approach to sentence derivation which resolves the problems with VOS sentences encountered by other analyses and which obviates the need for devices such as pro to account for ‘pro–drop’ sentences.
Transcriptome analysis of Sonneratia caseolaris seedlings under chilling stress
Authors: Yang Yong , Zheng Chunfang , Zhong Cairong , Lu Tianxi , Gul Juma , Jin Xiang , Zhang Ying , Liu Qiang
Published: June 2021

Sonneratia caseolaris is a native mangrove species found in China. It is fast growing and highly adaptable for mangrove afforestation, but suffered great damage by chilling event once introduced to high latitude area. To understand the response mechanisms under chilling stress, physiological and transcriptomic analyses were conducted. The relative electrolyte conductivity, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, soluble sugar content and soluble protein content increased significantly under chilling stress. This indicated that S. caseolaris suffered great damage and increased the levels of osmoprotectants in response to the chilling stress. Gene expression comparison analysis of S. caseolaris leaves after 6 h of chilling stress was performed at the transcriptional scale using RNA-Seq. A total of 168,473 unigenes and 3,706 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses showed that the DEGs were mainly involved in carbohydrate metabolism, antioxidant enzyme, plant hormone signal transduction, and transcription factors (TFs). Sixteen genes associated with carbohydrate metabolism, antioxidant enzyme, phytohormones and TFs were selected for qRT-PCR verification, and they indicated that the transcriptome data were reliable. Our work provided a comprehensive review of the chilling response of S. caseolaris at both physiological and transcriptomic levels, which will prove useful for further studies on stress-responses in mangrove plants.
iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic analysis of heat stress-induced mechanisms in pepper seedlings
Authors: Wang Jing , Liang Chengliang , Yang Sha , Song Jingshuang , Li Xuefeng , Dai Xiongze , Wang Fei , Juntawong Niran , Tan Fangjun , Zhang Xilu , Jiao Chunhai , Zou Xuexiao , Chen Wenchao
Published: June 2021

Background

As one of the most important vegetable crops, pepper has rich nutritional value and high economic value. Increasing heat stress due to the global warming has a negative impact on the growth and yield of pepper.

Methods

To understand the heat stress response mechanism of pepper, an iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic analysis was employed to identify possible heat-responsive proteins and metabolic pathways in 17CL30 and 05S180 pepper seedlings under heat stress.

Result

In the present study, we investigated the changes of phenotype, physiology, and proteome in heat-tolerant (17CL30) and heat-sensitive (05S180) pepper cultivars in response to heat stress. Phenotypic and physiological changes showed that 17CL30 had a stronger ability to resist heat stress compared with 05S180. In proteomic analysis, a total of 3,874 proteins were identified, and 1,591 proteins were considered to participate in the process of heat stress response. According to bioinformatic analysis of heat-responsive proteins, the heat tolerance of 17CL30 might be related to a higher ROS scavenging, photosynthesis, signal transduction, carbohydrate metabolism, and stress defense, compared with 05S180.
Spatial patterns and associations of tree species at different developmental stages in a montane secondary temperate forest of northeastern China
Authors: Liu Jia , Bai Xuejiao , Yin You , Wang Wenguang , Li Zhiqiang , Ma Pengyu
Published: June 2021

Background

Secondary forests have become the major forest type worldwide. Research on spatial patterns and associations of tree species at different developmental stages may be informative in understanding the structure and dynamic processes of secondary forests.

Methods

In this study, we used point pattern analysis to analyze the spatial patterns and associations of tree species at seedling, sapling and adult stages in a 4ha plot in the montane secondary temperate forest of northeastern China.

Results

We found that species showed similar patterns at seedling, sapling and adult stages, and aggregation was the dominant pattern. The spatial patterns of tree species were mainly affected by habitat heterogeneity. In addition, the strength of positive or negative associated pattern among tree species would decrease with developmental stages, which attributed to neighborhood competition and plant size increasing.

Conclusions

Our results indicated that the spatial patterns and associations of tree species at seedling and sapling stages partly reflected that at adult stage; habitat heterogeneity and neighborhood competition jointly contributed to species coexistence in this secondary forest.
The effect of source credibility on bullshit receptivity
Authors: Ilić Sandra , Damnjanović Kaja
Published: June 2021

Pseudo‐profound bullshit pertains to grammatically and syntactically correct but meaningless sentences, that, due to syntactical correctness appear as made to communicate something and research shows that people deem them profound. However, the effect of differing source credibility on bullshit profoundness evaluations has, to our knowledge, not yet been tested. We presented participants with pseudo‐profound bullshit alone and with authors of different credibility. In order to partly replicate and extend on the findings regarding mechanisms of receptivity and sensitivity to bullshit we collected profoundness evaluations for mundane statements and proverbs, and different measures of analytic thinking. Ascribing credible authors leads to an increase while ascribing uncredible authors leads to a decrease in profoundness evaluations. Cognitive reflection protects against the tendency to evaluate any type of statement as profound and drives better differentiation between pseudo‐ and conventionally truly profound, while positive views about actively open‐minded thinking enable stronger effects of uncredible authorship.
Electrically Driven Microengineered Bioinspired Soft Robots
Authors: Shin Su Ryon , Migliori Bianca , Miccoli Beatrice , Li Yi‐Chen , Mostafalu Pooria , Seo Jungmok , Mandla Serena , Enrico Alessandro , Antona Silvia , Sabarish Ram , Zheng Ting , Pirrami Lorenzo , Zhang Kaizhen , Zhang Yu Shrike , Wan Kai‐tak , Demarchi Danilo , Dokmeci Mehmet R. , Khademhosseini Ali
Published: June 2021

To create life‐like movements, living muscle actuator technologies have borrowed inspiration from biomimetic concepts in developing bioinspired robots. Here, the development of a bioinspired soft robotics system, with integrated self‐actuating cardiac muscles on a hierarchically structured scaffold with flexible gold microelectrodes is reported. Inspired by the movement of living organisms, a batoid‐fish‐shaped substrate is designed and reported, which is composed of two micropatterned hydrogel layers. The first layer is a poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogel substrate, which provides a mechanically stable structure for the robot, followed by a layer of gelatin methacryloyl embedded with carbon nanotubes, which serves as a cell culture substrate, to create the actuation component for the soft body robot. In addition, flexible Au microelectrodes are embedded into the biomimetic scaffold, which not only enhance the mechanical integrity of the device, but also increase its electrical conductivity. After culturing and maturation of cardiomyocytes on the biomimetic scaffold, they show excellent myofiber organization and provide self‐actuating motions aligned with the direction of the contractile force of the cells. The Au microelectrodes placed below the cell layer further provide localized electrical stimulation and control of the beating behavior of the bioinspired soft robot.
Synthesis of 1‐Pyrroline by Denitrogenative Ring Expansion of Cyclobutyl Azides under Thermal Conditions
Authors: Miki Yuya , Tomita Naohito , Ban Kazuho , Sajiki Hironao , Sawama Yoshinari
Published: June 2021

We herein report an efficient and systematic synthesis of 1‐pyrrolines from cyclobutyl azides under thermal and neutral conditions. The reaction proceeded without any additional reagents, and nitrogen was generated as the sole by‐product. Furthermore, the generated 1‐pyrrolines could be continuously transformed into pyrroles, N‐Boc‐amines, and oxaziridines in an one‐pot manner.

magnified image
Bioelektrokatalytische Cofaktor‐Regeneration und CO2‐Fixierung in einem redoxaktiven Hydrogel durch stereoselektive C‐C‐Bindungsknüpfung
Authors: Castañeda‐Losada Leonardo , Adam David , Paczia Nicole , Buesen Darren , Steffler Fabian , Sieber Volker , Erb Tobias J. , Richter Michael , Plumeré Nicolas
Published: June 2021

Die nachhaltige Abscheidung und Umwandlung von Kohlendioxid (CO2) ist ein Schlüssel für das Erreichen einer kreislauforientierten Kohlenstoffwirtschaft. Die Bioelektrokatalyse verspricht, dieses Ziel zu erreichen. Die funktionale Integration von CO2‐fixierenden Enzymen in Materialien zur Elektrodenfunktionalisierung für die Elektrosynthese stereochemisch komplexer Moleküle muss jedoch erst noch demonstriert werden. Hier wird die stromgetriebene regio‐ und stereoselektive Inkorporation von CO2 in Crotonyl‐CoA durch eine NADPH‐abhängige enzymatische reduktive Carboxylierung gezeigt. Die Coimmobilisierung einer Ferredoxin‐NADP+‐Reduktase und einer Crotonyl‐CoA‐Carboxylase/‐Reduktase in einem mit 2,2′‐Viologen modifizierten Hydrogel ermöglichte ein gekoppeltes NADPH‐Recycling samt stereoselektiver Bildung von (2S)‐Ethylmalonyl‐CoA, einem Zwischenprodukt zu Multi‐Kohlenstoff‐Produkten aus CO2, mit 92±6 % faradayscher Effizienz und mit einer Rate von 1,6±0,4 μmol cm−2 h−1.
On‐Surface Decarboxylation Coupling Facilitated by Lock‐to‐Unlock Variation of Molecules upon the Reaction
Authors: Wang Shaoshan , Li Zhuo , Ding Pengcheng , Mattioli Cristina , Huang Wujun , Wang Yang , Gourdon André , Sun Ye , Chen Mingshu , Kantorovich Lev , Yang Xueming , Rosei Federico , Yu Miao
Published: June 2021

On‐surface synthesis (OSS) involving relatively high energy barriers remains challenging due to a typical dilemma: firm molecular anchor is required to prevent molecular desorption upon the reaction, whereas sufficient lateral mobility is crucial for subsequent coupling and assembly. By locking the molecular precursors on the substrate then unlocking them during the reaction, we present a strategy to address this challenge. High‐yield synthesis based on well‐defined decarboxylation, intermediate transition, and hexamerization is demonstrated, resulting in an extended and ordered network exclusively composed of the newly synthesized macrocyclic compound. Thanks to the steric hindrance of its maleimide group, we attain a preferential selection of the coupling. This work unlocks a promising path to enrich the reaction types and improve the coupling selectivity hence the structual homogeneity of the final product for OSS.
Bioelectrocatalytic Cofactor Regeneration Coupled to CO2 Fixation in a Redox‐Active Hydrogel for Stereoselective C−C Bond Formation
Authors: Castañeda‐Losada Leonardo , Adam David , Paczia Nicole , Buesen Darren , Steffler Fabian , Sieber Volker , Erb Tobias J. , Richter Michael , Plumeré Nicolas
Published: June 2021

The sustainable capture and conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) is key to achieving a circular carbon economy. Bioelectrocatalysis, which aims at using renewable energies to power the highly specific, direct transformation of CO2 into value added products, holds promise to achieve this goal. However, the functional integration of CO2‐fixing enzymes onto electrode materials for the electrosynthesis of stereochemically complex molecules remains to be demonstrated. Here, we show the electricity‐driven regio‐ and stereoselective incorporation of CO2 into crotonyl‐CoA by an NADPH‐dependent enzymatic reductive carboxylation. Co‐immobilization of a ferredoxin NADP+ reductase and crotonyl‐CoA carboxylase/reductase within a 2,2′‐viologen‐modified hydrogel enabled iterative NADPH recycling and stereoselective formation of (2S)‐ethylmalonyl‐CoA, a prospective intermediate towards multi‐carbon products from CO2, with 92±6 % faradaic efficiency and at a rate of 1.6±0.4 μmol cm−2 h−1. This approach paves the way for realizing even more complex bioelectrocatalyic cascades in the future.
Effect of the Linking Group on the Thermoelectric Properties of Poly(Schiff Base)s and Their Metallopolymers
Authors: Li Jiahua , Wang Zitong , Sun Zelin , Xu Linli , Wong Wai‐Yeung
Published: June 2021

As polymer‐based thermoelectric (TE) materials possess attractive features such as light weight, flexibility, low toxicity and ease of processibility, an increasing number of conducting polymers and their composites with high TE performances have been developed in recent years. Up to date, however, the research focusing on the structure‐performance relationship remains rare. In this paper, two series of poly(Schiff base)s with either C=C or C≡C linker and their metallopolymers were synthesized and doped with single‐walled carbon nanotubes to evaluate how the linking groups affected the TE properties of the resulting composites. Apart from the effect exerted by the morphology, experimental results suggested that the linkers played a key role in determining the band gaps, preferred molecular conformation and extent of conjugation of the polymers, which became key factors that influenced the TE properties of the resulting materials. Additionally, upon coordination with transition metal ions, the TE properties could be tuned readily.
Cip2A modulates osteogenic differentiation via the ERK‐Runx2 pathway in MG63 cells
Authors: Son Hyo‐Eun , Jang Won‐Gu
Published: June 2021

Cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (Cip2A) is an oncoprotein that promotes the development of several types of cancer. However, its molecular function in osteoblast differentiation remains unclear. In this study, we found that Cip2A was upregulated under osteogenic conditions in MG63 cells. Besides, overexpression of Cip2A significantly increased the expression of Runt‐related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Inversely, the knockdown of Cip2A in MG63 cells suppressed osteoblast differentiation. Cip2A expression during osteogenic differentiation was mediated by extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) activation. Taken together, our results suggest that Cip2A plays important role in regulating osteoblast differentiation by inducing ERK phosphorylation in MG63 cells.
Modulating tyrosine sulfation of recombinant antibodies in CHO cell culture by host selection and sodium chlorate supplementation
Authors: Liu Ren , Zhang Yixiao , Kumar Amit , Huhn Steven , Hullinger Laurie , Du Zhimei
Published: June 2021

Background

Tyrosine sulfation is a post‐translational modification found on many surface receptors and plays an important role in cell‐cell and cell‐matrix interactions. However, tyrosine sulfation of therapeutic antibodies has only been reported very recently. Because of potential potency and immunogenicity concerns, tyrosine sulfation needs to be controlled during the manufacturing process.

Methods and results

In this study, we explored methods to modulate antibody tyrosine sulfation during cell line development and upstream production process. We found that tyrosine sulfation levels were significantly different in various Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines due to differential expression of genes in the sulfation pathway including tyrosylprotein sulfotransferase 2 (TPST2) and the sulfation substrate transporter SLC35B2. We also screened chemical inhibitors to reduce tyrosine sulfation in CHO culture and found that sodium chlorate could significantly inhibit tyrosine sulfation while having minimal impact on cell growth and antibody production. We further confirmed this finding in a standard fed‐batch production assay. Sodium chlorate at 16 mM markedly inhibited tyrosine sulfation by more than 50% and had no significant impact on antibody titer or quality.

Conclusion

These data suggest that we can control tyrosine sulfation by selecting CHO cell lines based on the expression level of TPST2 and SLC35B2 or adding sodium chlorate in upstream production process.
Total Synthesis of Aetokthonotoxin, the Cyanobacterial Neurotoxin Causing Vacuolar Myelinopathy
Authors: Ricardo Manuel G. , Schwark Markus , Llanes Dayma , Niedermeyer Timo H. J. , Westermann Bernhard
Published: June 2021

Aetokthonotoxin has recently been identified as the cyanobacterial neurotoxin causing Vacuolar Myelinopathy, a fatal neurologic disease, spreading through a trophic cascade and affecting birds of prey such as the bald eagle in the USA. Here, we describe the total synthesis of this specialized metabolite. The complex, highly brominated 1,2’‐biindole could be synthesized via a Somei‐type Michael reaction as key step. The optimised sequence yielded the natural product in five steps with an overall yield of 29 %.
Neural Network Representations for Studying Gas‐Surface Reaction Dynamics: Beyond the Born‐Oppenheimer Static Surface Approximation†
Authors: Zhou Xueyao , Zhang Yaolong , Yin Rongrong , Hu Ce , Jiang Bin
Published: June 2021

In the past a few years, there has been significant progress in theoretical characterizations of gas‐surface reaction dynamics at the atomic level. One of the major breakthroughs is the machine learning representations of the potential energy surfaces and related properties for molecules on metal surfaces from first‐principles, particularly neural networks based methods. In this review, we focus on recent advances of the development and applications of high‐dimensional symmetry‐preserving neural network representations in gas‐surface systems, which have enabled efficient Born‐Oppenheimer molecular dynamics simulations with inclusion of all molecular and surface degrees of freedom, as well as some nonadiabatic molecular dynamics simulations with effective treatment of hot electrons, at the density function theory level. Despite these advances, further challenges remain. More accurate electronic structure theories and more efficient machine learning (and active learning) algorithms are needed towards a more quantitative description of more complex gas‐surface reactions involving multiple surfaces and adsorbates or multiple electronic states.
Apple allergy: Causes and factors influencing fruits allergenic properties–Review
Authors: Siekierzynska Aleksandra , Piasecka‐Kwiatkowska Dorota , Myszka Aleksander , Burzynska Marta , Sozanska Barbara , Sozanski Tomasz
Published: June 2021

Background

Apple tree fruits (Malus × domesticaBorkh.) are a rich source of nutrients and nutraceuticals and are recommended as a part of the healthy, staple diet. However, apples could be also the cause of allergies including severe reactions. Allergies to fruits like apples are predominantly associated with pollinosis. In North and Central Europe, sensitisation to apples is caused mainly by cross‐reactive birch pollen aeroallergen, whereas in the Mediterranean area of Europe, apple allergy is mostly associated with allergies to peach. The allergenicity of apples differ across cultivars but only a few varieties were studied. Some factors changing apples allergenicity were identified, including unmodifiable and potentially modifiable factors for example cultivation method, ripening stage and storage conditions.

Aim

This review presents current knowledge about the molecular basis of apple allergenicity and factors influencing its level.

Conclusions

Selecting cultivars with low potential of allergenicity, removing apple peel and heat treatment could reduce the risk of severe allergy reaction incidence and presumably can be used in birch pollen immunotherapy.
Investigation of the urinary excretion of prednisolone and metabolites after nasal administration: Relevance to doping control
Authors: Deventer Koen , Polet Michael , Van Gansbeke Wim , Hooghe Fiona , Van Hoecke Helen , Van Eenoo Peter
Published: June 2021

Glucocorticosteroid use in sport is restricted to non‐systemic (nasal/ophtamological/dermatological/intra‐articular) use. Systemic use is prohibited because of strong inflammatory suppressing effects. Prednisolone is a GC proven to be very effective in the treatment of nasal congestions and allergic rhinitis and its therapeutic use is allowed. To establish normal urinary concentration ranges for nasally administered prednisolone, an excretion study was performed with Sofrasolone® (nasal‐inhaler). Six volunteers were administered a high dose (4.5 mg prednisolone in four gifts over a 9‐h period). Samples were analysed using a validated LC–MS/MS method monitoring prednisolone (PRED) and the metabolites prednisone (PREDON), 20β‐dihydroprednisolone (20βPRED) and 20α‐dihydroprednisolone (20αPRED) in the total fraction (glucuroconjugated and free). Maximum concentrations were 266, 500, 350 and 140 ng/ml for PRED, PREDON, 20βPRED and 20αPRED, respectively. These results show that the current reporting limit of 30 ng/ml in urine can be easily exceeded after therapeutic use. Hence, to avoid false‐positive findings related to nasal application, this limit should be increased. To investigate the degree of glucuronidation of PRED and its metabolites also the free fraction was investigated. This shows that PREDON has the highest glucuroconjugation (50%). PRED, 20βPRED and 20αPRED only show less than 20% conjugation.
Accumulation of endogenous and exogenous nucleic acids in “Touch DNA” components on hands
Authors: Burrill Julia , Hotta Rachel , Daniel Barbara , Frascione Nunzianda
Published: June 2021

Successful forensic DNA profiling from handled items is increasingly routine in casework. This “touch DNA” is thought to contain both cellular and acellular nucleic acid sources. However, there is little clarity on the origins or characteristics of this material. The cellular component consists of anucleate, terminally differentiated corneocytes (assumed to lack DNA), and the occasional nucleated cell. The acellular DNA source is fragmentary, presumably cell breakdown products. This study examines the relative contributions each component makes to the hand‐secretions (endogenous) and hand‐accumulations (exogenous) by recovering rinses from the inside and outside of worn gloves. Additionally, cellular and acellular DNA was measured at timepoints up to 2 h after hand washing, both with and without interim contact. Microscopic examination confirmed cell morphology and presence of nucleic acids. Following the novel application of a hair keratinocyte lysis method and plasma‐DNA fragment purification to hand rinse samples, DNA profiles were generated from both fractions. Exogenous cell‐free DNA is shown to be a significant source of touch DNA, which reaccumulates quickly, although its amplifiable nuclear alleles are limited. Endogenous DNA is mostly cellular in origin and provides more allelic information consistently over time.
Efficient electrocatalytic oxidation of NADH by highly dispersible in situ N‐doped ionic liquid‐functionalized graphene nanosheets
Authors: Bhunia Prasenjit , Dutta Kingshuk
Published: June 2021

A suitable β‐nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) probe shall be capable of decreasing the oxidation overpotential and improving the electron transfer rate by direct electrocatalytic oxidation of NADH. Taking advantage of the combination of N‐doped graphene and ionic liquid (IL) as an electrocatalyst, a facile and useful approach comprising covalent grafting of imidazolium IL on reduced graphene oxide (ie, rGO‐IL) and in situ insertion of N‐atoms within the graphene framework, using the grafted IL as the N‐source (ie, N‐rGO‐IL), is demonstrated in this study. Additionally, their electrocatalytic efficiency toward NADH oxidation is systematically analyzed. Remarkably low peak potentials at 0.141 and 0.125 V and high current signals are observed for rGO‐IL‐ and N‐rGO‐IL‐modified electrodes, respectively, in presence of 200 μM NADH. Furthermore, the current‐time response is recorded at significantly low working potential of 0.0 V and ‐0.05 V, using rGO‐IL‐ and N‐rGO‐IL‐modified glassy carbon electrode, respectively, on injecting 5 μM NADH in successive steps. The response shows a good linear relationship from 5 to 30 μM of successive addition of NADH, with demonstration of correlation coefficients of 0.98 and 0.99, as well as good sensitivity of 50.0 and 39.0 nA μM−1 cm−2 (S/N = 3), respectively, for N‐rGO‐IL and rGO‐IL.
Investigation of microbial community structure and its potential for biomethane production by co‐digestion of cassava pulp and distillery stillage
Authors: Witchayapong Chonradee , Piromyou Pongdet , Boontawan Pailin , Tittabutr Panlada , Boontawan Apichat
Published: June 2021

Cassava pulp (CP), a by‐product of the tapioca starch industry, has been recognized as a high potential substrate for bio‐gas production due to its high carbon content. In this work, co‐digestion between CP and distiller stillage (DS) was investigated with the main objective to improve the system stability as well as to enhance the biogas production. The effect of five different CP:DS ratios including 1:0, 1:0.5, 1:1, 0.5:1, and 0:1 based on volatile solids (VS) was carried out. The result showed that the co‐digestion of CP and DS is a promising approach for increasing the cumulative methane yield by 65.57%–222.19% compared to the digestion of CP alone. The highest methane yield of 685.10 ml/g VS was obtained at the CP:DS of 1:1. The bacterial and archaeal communities were analyzed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. The bacterial community of CP:DS ratio was dominated by Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Chloroflexi phylum whilst Methanosarcina (Methanosarcina barkeri) dominated the methanogenic archaeal community. This work demonstrated the adaptation of co‐digestion resulting in a higher methane production with a higher stability of the system. The result could pave a way for a highly efficient co‐digestion system in a larger scale biogas production.
The hydrology of glacier‐bed overdeepenings: Sediment transport mechanics, drainage system morphology, and geomorphological implications
Authors: Swift Darrel A. , Tallentire Guy D. , Farinotti Daniel , Cook Simon J. , Higson William J. , Bryant Robert G.
Published: June 2021

Evacuation of basal sediment by subglacial drainage is an important mediator of rates of glacial erosion and glacier flow. Glacial erosion patterns can produce closed basins (i.e., overdeepenings) in glacier beds, thereby introducing adverse bed gradients that are hypothesized to reduce drainage system efficiency and thus favour basal sediment accumulation. To establish how the presence of a terminal overdeepening might mediate seasonal drainage system evolution and glacial sediment export, we measured suspended sediment transport from Findelengletscher, Switzerland during late August and early September 2016. Analyses of these data demonstrate poor hydraulic efficiency of drainage pathways in the terminus region but high sediment availability. Specifically, the rate of increase of sediment concentration with discharge was found to be significantly lower than that anticipated if channelized flow paths were present. Sediment availability to these flow paths was also higher than would be anticipated for discrete bedrock‐floored subglacial channels. Our findings indicate that subglacial drainage in the terminal region of Findelengletscher is dominated by distributed flow where entrainment capacity increases only marginally with discharge, but flow has extensive access to an abundant sediment store. This high availability maintains sediment connectivity between the glacial and proglacial realm and means daily sediment yield is unusually high relative to yields exhibited by similar Alpine glaciers. We present a conceptual model illustrating the potential influence of ice‐bed morphology on subglacial drainage evolution and sediment evacuation mechanics, patterns and yields, and recommend that bed morphology should be an explicit consideration when monitoring and evaluating glaciated basin sediment export rates.
The effects of tillage induced surface roughness, slope and discharge rate on soil detachment by concentrated flow: An experimental study
Authors: Sun Jiaqian , Zhang Naichang , Shi Mingxin , Zhai Yanbin , Wu Faqi
Published: June 2021

Soil erosion in sloping cropland is a key water and soil conservation issue in the Loess Plateau region, China. How surface roughness influences soil detachment remains unclear due to the inconsistent results obtained from existing studies. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effects of tillage practices on soil detachment rate in sloping cropland and establish an accurate empirical model for the prediction of soil detachment rates. A series of movable bed experiments were conducted on sloping surfaces under three different tillage practices (manual dibbling, manual hoeing, and contour drilling), with a smooth surface (non‐tillage) as a control. The research indicated that soil detachment rate significantly increased with roughness (p < 0.05) since the average soil detachment rate was the highest under the contour drilling treatment (6.762 g m−2 s−1), followed by manual hoeing (4.180 g m−2 s−1), and manual dibbling (3.334 g m−2 s−1); the lowest detachment rate was observed under the non‐tillage treatment (3.214 g m−2 s−1). Slope gradient and unit discharge rate were positively correlated with soil detachment rate and proved to be more influential than soil surface roughness. Four composite hydraulic parameters were introduced to estimate soil detachment rate on tilled surfaces. Regression analyses revealed that stream power was the most effective predictor of soil detachment rate compared with unit length shear force, shear stress, and unit stream power. By integrating surface roughness as a variable, the detachment rate could be accurately described as a nonlinear function of stream power and surface roughness. The results of the present study indicate that tillage practice could influence soil loss on sloping cropland, considering the higher soil detachment rates under all tillage practices tested compared with non‐tillage. The results are attributed mainly to concentrated flow caused by the high water storage levels on tilled surfaces, which could damage surface microtopography and, subsequently, the development of headcuts.
Brd4 Inactivation Increases Adenoviral Delivery of BMP2 for Paracrine Stimulation of Osteogenic Differentiation as a Gene Therapeutic Concept to Enhance Bone Healing
Authors: Paradise Christopher R , De La Vega Rodolfo E , Galvan M Lizeth , Carrasco Margarita E , Thaler Roman , van Wijnen Andre J , Dudakovic Amel
Published: June 2021

Bromodomain (BRD) proteins are histone code interpreters that recognize acetylated lysines and link the dynamic state of chromatin with the transcriptional machinery. Here, we demonstrate that ablation of the Brd4 gene in primary mouse bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells via a conditional Brd4fl/fl allele suppresses osteogenic lineage commitment. Remarkably, loss of Brd4 function also enhances expression of genes in engineered adenoviral vectors, including Cre recombinase and green fluorescent protein (GFP). Similarly, vector‐based expression of BMP2 mRNA and protein levels are enhanced upon Brd4 depletion in cells transduced with an adenoviral vector that expresses BMP2 (Ad‐BMP2). Importantly, Brd4 depletion in MC3T3‐E1 and human adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs) transduced with Ad‐BMP2 enhances osteogenic differentiation of naïve MC3T3‐E1 cells via paracrine mechanisms based on transwell and conditioned medium studies. Our studies indicate that Brd4 depletion enhances adenoviral transgene expression in mammalian cells, which can be leveraged as a therapeutic strategy to improve viral vector‐based gene therapies. © 2021 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Radiosynthesis of 3H‐ and 14C‐labeled Veliparib
Authors: Vaidyanathan Srirajan , Reed Aimee , Du Jia
Published: June 2021

Veliparib, a potent PARP inhibitor used against multiple cancerous cells such as metastatic melanoma, breast, non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and prostatic cancer, is required for absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) and environmental toxicology assessments studies. Tritium‐labeled Veliparib was prepared via the tritiodebromination using tritium gas (T2) in two steps. [14C]Veliparib was achieved through an asymmetric synthetic route in seven radioactive steps starting from [14C] (S)‐benzyl 2‐aminopropanoate.
Efficacy comparison of three rapid antigen tests for SARS‐CoV‐2 and how viral load impact their performance
Authors: Blairon Laurent , Cupaiolo Roberto , Thomas Isabelle , Piteüs Sébastien , Wilmet Alain , Beukinga Ingrid , Tré‐Hardy Marie
Published: June 2021

More and more rapid antigen tests for the diagnosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) appear in the market with varying performance. The sensitivity of these tests heavily depends on the viral load, extrapolated by the threshold cycle (Ct). It is therefore essential to verify their performance before their inclusion in routine. The Coronavirus Ag Rapid Test Cassette Bio‐Rad, the GSD NovaGen SARS‐CoV‐2 (COVID‐19) Antigen Rapid Test, and the Aegle Coronavirus Ag Rapid Test Cassette were evaluated on 199 samples: 150 fresh samples from the routine and positive in quantitative reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR), nine fresh samples negative in RT‐qPCR, and 40 frozen samples, taken before the discovery of SARS‐CoV‐2 but positive for other respiratory viruses. Positive RT‐qPCR samples were categorized according to their Ct: Ct < 20 (18.7%), ≥ 20–< 25 (27.3%), ≥ 25–< 30 (18.7%), ≥ 30–35 (17.3%), and > 35 (18.0%). Sensitivities (95% confidence interval) for Ct below 25 were 95.7% (92.4–98.9), 97.1% (94.4–99.8), and 97.1% (94.4–99.8) for GSD NovaGen, Bio‐Rad, and Aegle, respectively but drastically dropped when Ct exceeded 27. Among samples with previously diagnosed viruses, seven false‐positive results were found with GSD NovaGen only (specificity 85.7%). Equivalent, high sensitivities were observed with the highest viral load samples. The GSD NovaGen assay showed less specificity. Although the three kits tested in this study are inadequate for routine testing in a high throughput laboratory, they can help to quickly identify the most infectious patients and screen their close contacts in an environment where molecular tests are not readily available.
Biphasic anaphylaxis after exposure to the first dose of Pfizer‐BioNTech COVID‐19 mRNA vaccine
Authors: Abi Zeid Daou Christophe , Natout Mohammad A. , El Hadi Nadine
Published: June 2021

In the setting of a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) global pandemic and increased disease burden, vaccination has become one of the major solutions. With the increase in vaccination numbers worldwide, it is important to stay vigilant to the potential side effects and life‐threatening complications of such vaccines. We report the case of a 30‐year‐old male with a biphasic allergic reaction post messenger (mRNA) Pfizer‐BioNTech COVID‐19 vaccination. Several reports of allergic reactions have been cited in the literature after the administration of the mRNA Pfizer‐BioNTech COVID‐19 vaccine. It is important to keep a high index of suspicion in severe anaphylactic cases as some patients may have a recurrence of symptoms after discharge. It is crucial to acknowledge the potential risk of anaphylaxis in select individuals and have the appropriate measures in place to deal with adverse events. In case of severe symptoms, the administration of epinephrine is advised to prevent the development of a delayed biphasic anaphylactic reaction.