bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiplex quantification of C-terminal alpha-1-antitrypsin peptides provides a novel approach for characterizing systemic inflammation
Authors: Bigalke Arite , Sponholz Christoph , Schnabel Claudia , Bauer Michael , Kiehntopf Michael
Published: March 2022

C-terminal peptides (CAAPs) of the highly abundant serine protease alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1AT) have been identified at various lengths in several human materials and have been proposed to serve as putative biomarkers for a variety of diseases. CAAPs are enzymatically formed and these enzymatic activities are often associated with excessive immune responses (e.g. sepsis, allergies). However, most of those CAAPs have been either detected using in vitro incubation experiments or in human materials which are not easily accessible. To gain a comprehensive understanding about the occurrence and function of CAAPs in health and disease, a LC–MS/MS method for the simultaneous detection of nine CAAPs was developed and validated for human plasma (EDTA and lithium-heparin) and serum. Using this newly developed method, we were able to detect and quantify five CAAPs in healthy individuals thereby providing an initial proof for the presence of C36, C37, C40 and C44 in human blood. Concentrations of four CAAPs in a clinical test cohort of patients suffering from sepsis were significantly higher compared to healthy controls. These results reveal that in addition to C42 other fragments of A1AT seem to play a crucial role during systemic infections. The proposed workflow is simple, rapid and robust; thus this method could be used as diagnostic tool in routine clinical chemistry as well as for research applications for elucidating the diagnostic potential of CAAPs in numerous diseases. To this end, we also provide an overview about the current state of knowledge for CAAPs identified in vitro and in vivo.
Genic and non-genic SNP contributions to additive and dominance genetic effects in purebred and crossbred pig traits
Authors: Mohammadpanah Mahshid , Ayatollahi Mehrgardi Ahmad , Gilbert Hélène , Larzul Catherine , Mercat Marie-José , Esmailizadeh Ali , Momen Mehdi , Tusell Llibertat
Published: March 2022

The present research has estimated the additive and dominance genetic variances of genic and intergenic segments for average daily gain (ADG), backfat thickness (BFT) and pH of the semimembranosus dorsi muscle (PHS). Further, the predictive performance using additive and additive dominance models in a purebred Piétrain (PB) and a crossbred (Piétrain × Large White, CB) pig population was assessed. All genomic regions contributed equally to the additive and dominance genetic variations and lead to the same predictive ability that did not improve with the inclusion of dominance genetic effect and inbreeding in the models. Using all SNPs available, additive genotypic correlations between PB and CB performances for the three traits were high and positive (> 0.83) and dominance genotypic correlation was very inaccurate. Estimates of dominance genotypic correlations between all pairs of traits in both populations were imprecise but positive for ADG-BFT in CB and BFT-PHS in PB and CB with a high probability (> 0.98). Additive and dominance genotypic correlations between BFT and PHS were of different sign in both populations, which could indicate that genes contributing to the additive genetic progress in both traits would have an antagonistic effect when used for exploiting dominance effects in planned matings.
Mice recognize 3D objects from recalled 2D pictures, support for picture-object equivalence
Authors: Cohen Sarah J. , Cinalli David A. , Ásgeirsdóttir Herborg N. , Hindman Brandon , Barenholtz Elan , Stackman Robert W.
Published: March 2022

Picture-object equivalence or recognizing a three-dimensional (3D) object after viewing a two-dimensional (2D) photograph of that object, is a higher-order form of visual cognition that may be beyond the perceptual ability of rodents. Behavioral and neurobiological mechanisms supporting picture-object equivalence are not well understood. We used a modified visual recognition memory task, reminiscent of those used for primates, to test whether picture-object equivalence extends to mice. Mice explored photographs of an object during a sample session, and 24 h later were presented with the actual 3D object from the photograph and a novel 3D object, or the stimuli were once again presented in 2D form. Mice preferentially explored the novel stimulus, indicating recognition of the “familiar” stimulus, regardless of whether the sample photographs depicted radially symmetric or asymmetric, similar, rotated, or abstract objects. Discrimination did not appear to be guided by individual object features or low-level visual stimuli. Inhibition of CA1 neuronal activity in dorsal hippocampus impaired discrimination, reflecting impaired memory of the 2D sample object. Collectively, results from a series of experiments provide strong evidence that picture-object equivalence extends to mice and is hippocampus-dependent, offering important support for the appropriateness of mice for investigating mechanisms of human cognition.
Role of senescent cells in the motile behavior of active, non-senescent cells in confluent populations
Authors: Gabuardi Thamara Liz , Lee Hyun Gyu , Lee Kyoung J.
Published: March 2022

Characteristics of cell migration in a confluent population depend on the nature of cell-to-cell interactions as well as cell-intrinsic properties such as the directional persistence in crawling. In addition, biological tissues (or cell cultures) almost always carry anisotropies and they too can significantly affect cell motility. In the light of this viewpoint, the emergence of cellular senescences in a confluent population of active cells raises an interesting question. Cellular senescence is a process through which a cell enters a permanent growth-arrest state and generally exhibits a dramatic body expansion. Therefore, randomly emerging senescent cells transform an initially homogeneous cell population to a “binary mixture” of two distinct cell types. Here, using in vitro cultures of MDA-MB-231 cells we investigate how spatially localized cellular senescence affect the motility of active cells within a confluent population. Importantly, we estimate the intercellular surface energy of the interface between non-senescent and senescent MDA-MB-231 cells by combining the analysis on the motile behaviors of non-senescent cells encircling senescent cells and the result of extensive numerical simulations of a cellular Potts model. We find that the adhesion of normal cells to senescent cells is much weaker than that among normal cells and that the ‘arclength’ traveled by a normal cell along the boundary of a senescent cell, on average, is several times greater than the persistence length of normal cell in a densely packed homogeneous population. The directional persistent time of normal cell during its contact with a senescent cell also increases significantly. We speculate that the phenomenon could be a general feature associated with senescent cells as the enormous expansion of senescent cell’s membrane would inevitably decrease the density of cell adhesion molecules.
Buffering the impacts of extreme climate variability in the highly engineered Tigris Euphrates river system
Authors: Abdelmohsen Karem , Sultan Mohamed , Save Himanshu , Abotalib Abotalib Z. , Yan Eugene , Zahran Khaled H.
Published: March 2022

More extreme and prolonged floods and droughts, commonly attributed to global warming, are affecting the livelihood of major sectors of the world’s population in many basins worldwide. While these events could introduce devastating socioeconomic impacts, highly engineered systems are better prepared for modulating these extreme climatic variabilities. Herein, we provide methodologies to assess the effectiveness of reservoirs in managing extreme floods and droughts and modulating their impacts in data-scarce river basins. Our analysis of multiple satellite missions and global land surface models over the Tigris-Euphrates Watershed (TEW; 30 dams; storage capacity: 250 km3), showed a prolonged (2007–2018) and intense drought (Average Annual Precipitation [AAP]: < 400 km3) with no parallels in the past 100 years (AAP during 1920–2020: 538 km3) followed by 1-in-100-year extensive precipitation event (726 km3) and an impressive recovery (113 ± 11 km3) in 2019 amounting to 50% of losses endured during drought years. Dam reservoirs captured water equivalent to 40% of those losses in that year. Additional studies are required to investigate whether similar highly engineered watersheds with multi-year, high storage capacity can potentially modulate the impact of projected global warming-related increases in the frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall and drought events in the twenty-first century.
Digital twin-driven variant design of a 3C electronic product assembly line
Authors: Yan Douxi , Sha Weinan , Wang Dewen , Yang Jiafeng , Zhang Shenghui
Published: March 2022

Large-scale personalization is becoming a reality. To ensure market competitiveness and economic benefits, enterprises require rapid response capability and flexible manufacturing operations. However, variant design and production line reconfiguration are complicated because it involves the commissioning, replacement, and adaptive integration of equipment and remodification of control systems. Herein, a digital twin-driven production line variant design is presented. As a new technology, the digital twin can realize the parallel control from the physical world to the digital world and accelerate the design process of the production line through a virtual–real linkage. Simultaneously, the actual production line can be simulated to verify the rationality of the design scheme and avoid cost wastage. Four key technologies are described in detail, and a production line variant design platform based on digital twin is built to support rapid production line variant design. Finally, experiments using a smartphone assembly line as an example are performed; the results demonstrate that the proposed method can realize production line variant design and increase production efficiency.
Human milk oligosaccharide-sharing by a consortium of infant derived Bifidobacterium species
Authors: Walsh Clodagh , Lane Jonathan A. , van Sinderen Douwe , Hickey Rita M.
Published: March 2022

Bifidobacteria are associated with a host of health benefits and are typically dominant in the gut microbiota of healthy, breast-fed infants. A key adaptation, facilitating the establishment of these species, is their ability to consume particular sugars, known as human milk oligosaccharides (HMO), which are abundantly found in breastmilk. In the current study, we aimed to characterise the co-operative metabolism of four commercial infant-derived bifidobacteria (Bifidobacterium bifidum R0071, Bifidobacterium breve M-16V, Bifidobacterium infantis R0033, and Bifidobacterium infantis M-63) when grown on HMO. Three different HMO substrates (2′-fucosyllactose alone and oligosaccharides isolated from human milk representing non-secretor and secretor status) were employed. The four-strain combination resulted in increased bifidobacterial numbers (> 21%) in comparison to single strain cultivation. The relative abundance of B. breve increased by > 30% during co-cultivation with the other strains despite demonstrating limited ability to assimilate HMO in mono-culture. HPLC analysis revealed strain-level variations in HMO consumption. Metabolomics confirmed the production of formate, acetate, 1,2-propanediol, and lactate with an overall increase in such metabolites during co-cultivation. These results support the concept of positive co-operation between multiple bifidobacterial strains during HMO utilisation which may result in higher cell numbers and a potentially healthier balance of metabolites.
Spatiotemporal profiling of the bovine oviduct fluid proteome around the time of ovulation
Authors: Mahé Coline , Lavigne Régis , Com Emmanuelle , Pineau Charles , Locatelli Yann , Zlotkowska Aleksandra Maria , Almiñana Carmen , Tsikis Guillaume , Mermillod Pascal , Schoen Jennifer , Saint-Dizier Marie
Published: March 2022

Understanding the composition of the oviduct fluid (OF) is crucial to better comprehend the microenvironment in which sperm capacitation, fertilization and early embryo development take place. Therefore, our aim was to determine the spatiotemporal changes in the OF proteome according to the anatomical region of the oviduct (ampulla vs. isthmus), the proximity of the ovulating ovary (ipsilateral vs. contralateral side) and the peri-ovulatory stage (pre-ovulatory or Pre-ov vs. post-ovulatory or Post-ov). Oviducts from adult cyclic cows were collected at a local slaughterhouse and pools of OF were analyzed by nanoLC-MS/MS and label-free protein quantification (n = 32 OF pools for all region × stage × side conditions). A total of 3760 proteins were identified in the OF, of which 65% were predicted to be potentially secreted. The oviduct region was the major source of variation in protein abundance, followed by the proximity of the ovulating ovary and finally the peri-ovulatory stage. Differentially abundant proteins between regions, stages and sides were involved in a broad variety of biological functions, including protein binding, response to stress, cell-to-cell adhesion, calcium homeostasis and the immune system. This work highlights the dynamic regulation of oviduct secretions and provides new protein candidates for interactions between the maternal environment, the gametes and the early embryo.
Systolic and diastolic function during cycling at the respiratory threshold between elderly and young healthy individuals
Authors: Magnani Sara , Mulliri Gabriele , Roberto Silvana , Ghiani Giovanna , Sechi Fabio , Stagi Silvia , Marini Elisabetta , Bassareo Pier Paolo , Spranger Marty D. , Crisafulli Antonio
Published: March 2022

The hemodynamic consequences of aging have been extensively investigated during maximal incremental exercise. However, less is known about the effects of aging on hemodynamics during submaximal steady-state exercise. The aim of the present investigation was to compare the hemodynamics of healthy elderly and young subjects during an exercise bout conducted at the gas threshold (GET) intensity. Two groups of healthy, physically active subjects were studied: the elderly group—EG (n = 11; > 60 years old) and the young group—YG (n = 13; < 35 years old). Both groups performed a 5-min rectangular exercise test at the GET intensity. Hemodynamics were measured using echocardiography. The main finding was that stroke volume responses were higher in the YG than the EG (72.5 ± 16.7 vs. 52.4 ± 8.4 ml, respectively). The increased stroke volume capacity in the YG was the consequence of a greater capacity to increase cardiac preload and contractility and, to a lesser extent, to reduce systemic vascular resistance. Importantly, the atrial contribution to ventricular diastolic filling was substantially higher in the YG when compared to the EG.
Ultrasensitive nano-gold labelled, duplex lateral flow immunochromatographic assay for early detection of sugarcane mosaic viruses
Authors: Thangavelu Raja Muthuramalingam , Kadirvel Nithya , Balasubramaniam Parameswari , Viswanathan Rasappa
Published: March 2022

Sugarcane is one of the important food and bioenergy crops, cultivated all over the world except European continent. Like many other crops, sugarcane production and quality are hampered by various plant pathogens, among them viruses that infect systemically and cause severe impact to cane growth. The viruses are efficiently managed by their elimination through tissue culture combined with molecular diagnostics, which could detect virus titre often low at 10–12 g mL−1. To harmonize the virus diagnostics by molecular methods, we established a nanocatalysis-based high sensitive lateral flow immunochromatographic assay (LFIA) simultaneously to detect two major sugarcane viruses associated with mosaic disease in sugarcane. LFIA is known for poor sensitivity and stability with its signalling conjugates. However, we synthesized positively charged Cysteamine-gold nanoparticles and used them to prepare highly stable to sensitive immunoconjugates and as a colourimetric detection label. Further nanogold signal enhancement was performed on LFIA to obtain a high detection sensitivity, which is higher than the conventional immunoassays. The linear detection range of the nano-LIFA was 10–6 to 10–9 g mL−1, and with the signal enhancement, the LOD reached up to 10–12 g ml−1. This research paper provides relative merits and advancement on nano-LFIA for specific detection of sugarcane viruses in sugarcane for the first time.
Randomized clinical trial of streaming dichoptic movies versus patching for treatment of amblyopia in children aged 3 to 7 years
Authors: Jost Reed M. , Hudgins Lindsey A. , Dao Lori M. , Stager David R. , Luu Becky , Beauchamp Cynthia L. , Hunter Jeffrey S. , Giridhar Prashanthi , Wang Yi-Zhong , Birch Eileen E.
Published: March 2022

Contrast-rebalanced dichoptic movies have been shown to be an effective binocular treatment for amblyopia in the laboratory. Yet, at-home therapy is a more practical approach. In a randomized clinical trial, we compared dichoptic movies, streamed at-home on a handheld 3D-enabled game console, versus patching as amblyopia treatment. Sixty-five amblyopic children (3–7 years; 20/32–125) were randomly assigned to one of two parallel arms, binocular treatment (3 movies/week) or patching (14 h/week). The primary outcome, change in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at the 2-week visit was completed by 28 and 30, respectively. After the primary outcome, both groups of children had the option to complete up to 6 weeks of binocular treatment. At the 2-week primary outcome visit, BCVA had improved in the movie (0.07 ± 0.02 logMAR; p < .001) and patching (0.06 ± 0.01 logMAR; p < 0.001) groups. There was no significant difference between groups (CI95%: − 0.02 to 0.04; p = .48). Visual acuity improved in both groups with binocular treatment up to 6 weeks (0.15 and 0.18 logMAR improvement, respectively). This novel, at-home, binocular movie treatment improved amblyopic eye BCVA after 2 weeks (similar to patching), with additional improvement up to 6 weeks. Repeated binocular visual experience with contrast-rebalanced binocular movies provides an additional treatment option for amblyopia.

Clincaltrials.gov identifier: NCT03825107 (31/01/2019).
Adiponectin accumulation in the retinal vascular endothelium and its possible role in preventing early diabetic microvascular damage
Authors: Sakaue Taka-aki , Fujishima Yuya , Fukushima Yoko , Tsugawa-Shimizu Yuri , Fukuda Shiro , Kita Shunbun , Nishizawa Hitoshi , Ranscht Barbara , Nishida Kohji , Maeda Norikazu , Shimomura Iichiro
Published: March 2022

Adiponectin (APN), a protein abundantly secreted from adipocytes, has been reported to possess beneficial effects on cardiovascular diseases in association with its accumulation on target organs and cells by binding to T-cadherin. However, little is known about the role of APN in the development of diabetic microvascular complications, such as diabetic retinopathy (DR). Here we investigated the impact of APN on the progression of early retinal vascular damage using a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mouse model. Our immunofluorescence results clearly showed T-cadherin-dependent localization of APN in the vascular endothelium of retinal arterioles, which was progressively decreased during the course of diabetes. Such reduction of retinal APN accompanied the early features of DR, represented by increased vascular permeability, and was prevented by glucose-lowering therapy with dapagliflozin, a selective sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor. In addition, APN deficiency resulted in severe vascular permeability under relatively short-term hyperglycemia, together with a significant increase in vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and a reduction in claudin-5 in the retinal endothelium. The present study demonstrated a possible protective role of APN against the development of DR.
Comparisons between the circular restricted three-body and bi-circular four body problems for transfers between the two smaller primaries
Authors: de Almeida Junior Allan Kardec , de Almeida Prado Antonio Fernando Bertachini
Published: March 2022

Important properties of the dynamics of a spacecraft can be obtained from the Circular Restricted Three Body Problem and the Bi-Circular Bi-planar Four Body Problem. In this work, both systems are compared under the perspective of the costs involved in a transfer between the smaller primaries. An analytical approach shows several properties of the perturbation due to the gravity of the Sun and the motion of the smaller primaries around it over a spacecraft in the region of interest, like its behavior at and around the barycenter or at any point in a circle around the Sun. The costs involved in transfers between the smaller primaries are numerically evaluated and analyzed using the newly developed Theory of Functional Connections. The results show that the influence of this perturbation over the costs is significant for systems like the Sun–Earth–Moon or Sun–Mars–Phobos. On the other hand, it is also shown that this influence may be negligible for other very different systems, like the Sun–Saturn–Titan or Sun–Ida–Dactyl. Maps of perturbation are drawn in the region of interest, which can be used for mission designers. Finally, a new approach to describe the influence of the Sun over the tides of the smaller primaries is proposed under the Four Body Problem model.
Bumble bees exhibit body size clines across an urban gradient despite low genetic differentiation
Authors: Austin Matthew W. , Tripodi Amber D. , Strange James P. , Dunlap Aimee S.
Published: March 2022

Environmental heterogeneity resulting from human-modified landscapes can increase intraspecific trait variation. However, less known is whether such phenotypic variation is driven by plastic or adaptive responses to local environments. Here, we study five bumble bee (Apidae: Bombus) species across an urban gradient in the greater Saint Louis, Missouri region in the North American Midwest and ask: (1) Can urban environments induce intraspecific spatial structuring of body size, an ecologically consequential functional trait? And, if so, (2) is this body size structure the result of plasticity or adaptation? We additionally estimate genetic diversity, inbreeding, and colony density of these species—three factors that affect extinction risk. Using ≥ 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci per species and measurements of body size, we find that two of these species (Bombus impatiens, Bombus pensylvanicus) exhibit body size clines across the urban gradient, despite a lack of population genetic structure. We also reaffirm reports of low genetic diversity in B. pensylvanicus and find evidence that Bombus griseocollis, a species thought to be thriving in North America, is inbred in the greater Saint Louis region. Collectively, our results have implications for conservation in urban environments and suggest that plasticity can cause phenotypic clines across human-modified landscapes.
Ecological niche modelling and climate change in two species groups of huntsman spider genus Eusparassus in the Western Palearctic
Authors: Moradmand Majid , Yousefi Masoud
Published: March 2022

The huntsman spiders’ genus Eusparassus are apex arthropod predators in desert ecosystems of the Afrotropical and Palearctic ecoregions. The Eusparassus dufouri and E. walckenaeri clades are two distinct taxonomic, phylogenetic, and geographic units concerning morphology, molecular phylogeny, and spatial data; but little is known about their ecological niche. We applied the maximum-entropy approach and modelled ecologic niches of these two phylogenetically closely related clades. Ecological niches of the two clades were compared using identity and background tests and two different metrics, the Schooner’s D and Warren’s I. We also predicted the impacts of climate change on the distribution of the two clades. The results of the identity test showed that the ecological niches of the two clades were different in geographic space but were similar in environmental space. While results of the background test revealed that the ecological niches of the two clades were similar in geographic and environmental space. This indicated that “niche conservatism” had an important role over the evolutionary time of allopatric diversification. However, the normalized difference vegetation index vs. topographic heterogeneity had influenced the niches of the dufouri and walckenaeri clades, respectively. The analyses recovered that the two clades’ climatically suitable habitats will increase under future climate (the year 2070). However, since the two clades are characterized by the narrow range of environmental optimum and the accordingly high limits of tolerance, they are vulnerable to climate change.
Pleiotropic actions of phenothiazine drugs are detrimental to Gram-negative bacterial persister cells
Authors: Mohiuddin Sayed Golam , Nguyen Thao Vy , Orman Mehmet A.
Published: March 2022

Bacterial persister cells are temporarily tolerant to bactericidal antibiotics but are not necessarily dormant and may exhibit physiological activities leading to cell damage. Based on the link between fluoroquinolone-mediated SOS responses and persister cell recovery, we screened chemicals that target fluoroquinolone persisters. Metabolic inhibitors (e.g., phenothiazines) combined with ofloxacin (OFX) perturbed persister levels in metabolically active cell populations. When metabolically stimulated, intrinsically tolerant stationary phase cells also became OFX-sensitive in the presence of phenothiazines. The effects of phenothiazines on cell metabolism and physiology are highly pleiotropic: at sublethal concentrations, phenothiazines reduce cellular metabolic, transcriptional, and translational activities; impair cell repair and recovery mechanisms; transiently perturb membrane integrity; and disrupt proton motive force by dissipating the proton concentration gradient across the cell membrane. Screening a subset of mutant strains lacking membrane-bound proteins revealed the pleiotropic effects of phenothiazines potentially rely on their ability to inhibit a wide range of critical metabolic proteins. Altogether, our study further highlights the complex roles of metabolism in persister cell formation, survival and recovery, and suggests metabolic inhibitors such as phenothiazines can be selectively detrimental to persister cells.
Mapping the effects of physical and chemical reduction parameters on local atomic distributions within bimetallic nanoparticles
Authors: Johnson Hannah M. , Dasher Acacia M. , Monahan Madison , Seifert Soenke , Moreau Liane M.
Published: March 2022

Chemical and physical reduction parameters can be used to tune the composition, morphology, and alloy homogeneity of mixed-metal AgAu nanoparticles.
Pt(ii)-coordinated tricomponent self-assemblies of tetrapyridyl porphyrin and dicarboxylate ligands: are they 3D prisms or 2D bow-ties?
Authors: Benavides Paola A. , Gordillo Monica A. , Yadav Ashok , Joaqui-Joaqui M. Andrey , Saha Sourav
Published: March 2022

Thermodynamically favored heteroleptic coordination of Pt(ii) corners with tetrapyridyl porphyrins and dicarboxylate ligands produces 2D bow-tie shaped complexes instead of previously mischaracterized 3D tetragonal prisms.
Enzymology of standalone elongating ketosynthases
Authors: Chen Aochiu , Jiang Ziran , Burkart Michael D.
Published: March 2022

Ketosynthases (KSs) accept substrates from the acyl carrier protein (ACP) to catalyse carbon–carbon bond formation in fatty acid and polyketide biosynthesis. In this review, we delineate the enzymology of standalone elongating ketosynthases with a focus on the enzyme gates.
A self-powered flexible UV-visible photodetector with high photosensitivity based on BiFeO3/XTiO3 (Sr, Zn, Pb) multilayer films
Authors: Li Ze , Zhao Yu , Li Weili , Peng Yazhou , Zhao Wenyue , Wang Zhao , Shi Lei , Fei Weidong
Published: March 2022

Under the action of Eb, UV absorption layer and Eh, the responsivity (7.4, 1.3 mA W−1) and detectivity (7.5 × 1011, 3 × 1010 jones) were achieved in BFO/ZT multilayers at zero bias with 365 and 500 nm lights, the properties on Ni substrates were verified.
Iron-chalcogenide-based electrode materials for electrochemical energy storage
Authors: Wang Xiaojun , Wei Qing , Li Haichang , Sun Jingrui , Li Huifang , He Yan , Liu Zhiming
Published: March 2022

Iron-chalcogenide-based materials are promising electrode candidates in electrochemical energy storage devices because of their high specific capacities, abundant resources, low cost and environmental friendliness.
Copper mesh supported nickel nanowire array as a catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction in high current density water electrolysis
Authors: Gao Denghe , Ji Shan , Wang Hui , Wang Xuyun , Linkov Vladimir , Wang Rongfang
Published: March 2022

Hydrogen generation by water splitting using various renewable energy sources will play an important role in the sustainable green energy supply of the future.
Mulberrin inhibitsBotrytis cinereafor strawberry storage by interfering with the bioactivity of 14α-demethylase (CYP51)
Authors: Liu Lu , Wang Hongsu , Lin Li , Gao Yawen , Niu Xiaodi
Published: March 2022

MBN inhibitedB. cinereaby targeting CYP51 and significantly improved the preservation of the fruit infection model byB. cinerea.
Progress of tip-enhanced Raman scattering for the last two decades and its challenges in very recent years
Authors: Pienpinijtham Prompong , Kitahama Yasutaka , Ozaki Yukihiro
Published: March 2022

The progress made in tip-enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) over the last two decades and its challenges in very recent years are reviewed, including novel techniques of tip fabrication, liquid TERS, EC-TERS, UHV-TERS, and angstrom-resolved TERS.
Template free-synthesis of cobalt–iron chalcogenides [Co0.8Fe0.2L2, L = S, Se] and their robust bifunctional electrocatalysis for the water splitting reaction and Cr(vi) reduction
Authors: Pandit Manzoor Ahmad , Hemanth Kumar Dasari Sai , Ramadoss Manigandan , Chen Yuanfu , Muralidharan Krishnamurthi
Published: March 2022

The ease of production of materials and showing multiple applications are appealing in this modern era of advanced technology. Cobalt–iron chalcogenides showing multiple application is reported.
Recent advances in various applications of nickel cobalt sulfide-based materials
Authors: Xue Gaofei , Bai Tian , Wang Weiguo , Wang Senjing , Ye Meidan
Published: March 2022

In this review, we focus on the recent applications of Ni–Co–S materials (NCSs) in energy storage devices, electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, sensors and microwave absorption, and highlight the intercommunity of NCSs in different application fields.
Constructing a full-space internal electric field in a hematite photoanode to facilitate photogenerated-carrier separation and transfer
Authors: Zhou Zhongyuan , Wang Yiyi , Li Liujing , Yang Liguo , Niu Yongsheng , Yu Youzhu , Guo Yao , Wu Shaolong
Published: March 2022

An internal electric field with controllable direction and full-space action scope is constructed through gradient Sn-doping into a hematite photoanode, which achieves the highest saturated photocurrent density for gradient-decreasing doping.
Highly transparent, mechanical, and self-adhesive zwitterionic conductive hydrogels with polyurethane as a cross-linker for wireless strain sensors
Authors: Wang Haibo , Li Xiaoyi , Ji Ying , Xu Junhuai , Ye Zhifan , Wang Shuang , Du Xiaosheng
Published: March 2022

In this work, a novel macromolecular cross-linker MPU based on WPU was applied to synthesize multifunctional conductive hydrogels, which were assembled as highly transparent, mechanical, and self-adhesive wireless strain sensors.
One-dimensional luminescent tetrabutylammonium lead halide perovskite synthesized with deep eutectic solvents
Authors: Hu Qichuan , Yu Hailong , Gong Shunfa , Han Qiuju , Wu Wenzhi
Published: March 2022

The mixture of TBAX powder and PbX2 powder were heated and then naturally cooled to form DES-TBAX/PbX2 for the first time, and 1D(TBA)4Pb5Br14−xClx·HBr(Cl)·2H2O and TBAPbI3 perovskites were formed in the DES-TBAX/PbX2 with good thermal stability.
Protein-based (bio)materials: a way toward high-performance graphene enzymatic biosensors
Authors: Silvestri Alessandro , Wang Faxing , Feng Xinliang , Cortajarena Aitziber L. , Prato Maurizio
Published: March 2022

Protein-based (bio) materials improves the storage and operational stability of graphene-based enzymatic biosensors.
Perceptions of Using Fluency-Enhancing Techniques: A Survey of Graduate Student Experiences
Authors: Palasik Scott Thomas , Hughes Charles , Ellis Kellie
Published: March 2022

Purpose:

Experiential learning has been a vital part of graduate education in health professions, in speech-language pathology, and when teaching students about fluency disorders. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of graduate students regarding their use of three different fluency-enhancing techniques (FETs): easy onsets, controlled phrasing, and slower rate of speech.

Method:

These FETs were used by 198 graduate students in a variety of public speaking situations chosen by the participants. Ratings of comfort, anxiety, and perceived listener favorability were collected to examine if graduate students had a preference toward one FET, if they felt more comfortable and less anxious with multiple experiences using these FETs, and which technique the students perceived as the most favorable to listeners.

Results:

Findings showed that slower rate of speech was the most comfortable FET, whereas easy onsets produced the most anxiety. Interestingly, graduate students perceived that listeners significantly favored their use of easy onsets as compared to the other two FETs. Finally, graduate students felt significantly more comfortable, less anxious, and more positive regarding perceived listener favorability with multiple experiences practicing each FET.

Conclusions:

This study takes an important step toward assessing what we do as instructors and how students feel about performing FETs. With more research from students, instructors, and listeners, our field can gain a better understanding of how we can best educate future generations of speech-language pathologists who will serve individuals who stutter.
Multi‐stage part‐aware graph convolutional network for skeleton‐based action recognition
Authors: Qin Xiaofei , Li Hao , Liu Yuru , Yu Jiabin , He Changxiang , Zhang Xuedian
Published: March 2022

Recently, graph convolutional networks have shown excellent results in skeleton‐based action recognition. This paper presents a multi‐stage part‐aware graph convolutional network for the problems of model over complication, parameter redundancy and lack of long‐dependence feature information. The structure of this network has a multi‐stream input and two‐stream output, which can greatly reduce the complexity and improve the accuracy of the model without losing sequence information. The two branches of the network have the same backbone, which includes 6 multi‐order feature extraction blocks and 3 temporal attention calibration blocks, and the outputs of the two branches are fused together. In multi‐order feature extraction block, a channel‐spatial attention mechanism and a graph condensation module are proposed, which can extract more distinguishable feature and identify the relationship between parts. In temporal attention calibration block, the temporal dependencies between frames in the skeleton sequence are modeled. Experimental results show that the proposed network outperforms many mainstream methods on NTU and Kinetics datasets, for example, it achieves 92.4% accuracy on the cross‐subject benchmark of NTU‐RGBD60 dataset.
Process and temperature robust time‐difference amplifier with analog calibration
Authors: Melo‐Pinzón Uriel A. , Flores‐Verdad Guillermo Espinosa
Published: March 2022

An analogue calibration CMOS circuit for a time‐difference amplifier is presented and compared over a digital calibration scheme in terms of process and temperature variations. Time‐difference amplifiers (TA) are used in time‐to‐digital converters (TDC) for improving conversion resolution. In TA‐based TDC, global variations (process, temperature, and voltage) are dominant over local variations (mismatch) if analogue approaches are used over the digital ones, where the matching between many cells is highly required. Unlike the digital calibration circuit, the proposed analogue approach based on a charge pump improves the TA gain performance against process and temperature variations. The simulations of the proposed TA in a 180 nm CMOS technology showed a 12% reduction in process and temperature variations with a maximum power consumption of 130 μW at 100 MHz operation frequency.
Erwartungen an die physiotherapeutische Behandlung – Ergebnisse einer Online-Befragung von in Deutschland lebenden Erwachsenen
Authors: Zander Carla Maria , Gerlach Julia , De Santis Karina Karolina
Published: March 2022

Hintergrund Die Ausbildungswege der Physiotherapie in Deutschland sind heterogen gestaltet. Dadurch lassen sich derzeit keine einheitlichen Kernkompetenzen und somit kein konsistentes Berufsbild der Physiotherapie in Deutschland definieren.

Ziel Untersuchung der Erwartungen von in Deutschland lebenden Erwachsenen an eine physiotherapeutische Behandlung. Diese Erwartungen können als Spiegel betrachtet werden, wie die Gesellschaft die Kompetenzen der Physiotherapierenden wahrnimmt.

Methode Querschnittstudie mit Ad-Hoc-Stichprobe von in Deutschland lebenden Erwachsenen mittels Online-Umfrage. Ermittlung der Erwartungen mit 17 Items zu Maßnahmen in den Kategorien „Aktive Therapie“, „Passive Therapie“ und „Edukation/Beratung“. Die Daten wurden deskriptiv als Häufigkeiten und anhand des Chi-Quadrat-Tests analysiert.

Ergebnisse 325/487 (67 %) Teilnehmende beantworteten die Umfrage vollständig. Von 325 Teilnehmenden sind 68 % weiblich, 76 % zwischen 18 und 34 Jahre alt und 77 % haben ihren Wohnort in Norddeutschland. Die Mehrheit erwarteten Maßnahmen der Kategorie „Aktive Therapie“ (Steigerung der körperlichen Aktivität, der allgemeinen Fitness und des Fitnessniveaus), „Passive Therapie“ (Tapen, Massage und Wärme-/Kältetherapie) und „Edukation/Beratung“ (zur allgemeinen Gesundheit, Verhinderung von Krankheiten, Gewichtsreduktion und Ernährung). Die Erwartungen der Teilnehmenden mit oder ohne vorherige Erfahrungen mit einer physiotherapeutischen Behandlung stimmten annährend überein.

Schlussfolgerung Die Teilnehmenden erwarteten in einer physiotherapeutischen Behandlung eine Kombination aus aktiven, passiven und edukativen Maßnahmen. Damit diese Erwartungen der Teilnehmenden zukünftig den tatsächlichen Kompetenzen der Physiotherapierenden entsprechen, sollten die Ausbildungsinhalte in Deutschland insbesondere hinsichtlich der Edukation angepasst werden.
Interventional Treatment Options in Children with Extracranial Vascular Malformations
Authors: Schmidt Vanessa F. , Olivieri Martin , Häberle Beate , Masthoff Max , Deniz Sinan , Sporns Peter B. , Wohlgemuth Walter A. , Wildgruber Moritz
Published: March 2022

Extracranial vascular malformations vary greatly and belong to the complex field of orphan diseases and can involve all segments of the vascular tree: arteries, capillaries, and veins, and similarly the lymphatic system. The classification according to the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA) represents an important guidance for selecting appropriate therapy. Although many of the principles of endovascular treatment, including image-guided sclerotherapy and embolization, are similar in adult and pediatric practice, there are some distinct differences regarding the treatment of vascular malformations of children. Thus, it is crucial to involve longer-term plan about managing these chronic diseases and their impact on a growing child. This review provides a detailed overview over the clinical presentation of venous, lymphatic, and arteriovenous malformations in children and emphasizes the specifics of their interventional treatment options, including distinct pediatric dose limitations and procedure-related side effects.
Gezielte Entfernung axillärer Lymphknoten nach Kohlenstoffmarkierung bei Patientinnen mit primär systemisch behandeltem Mammakarzinom
Authors: Hartmann Steffi , Stachs Angrit , Kühn Thorsten , de Boniface Jana , Banys-Paluchowski Maggie , Reimer Toralf
Published: March 2022

Die Markierung und gezielte Entfernung initial suspekter axillärer Lymphknoten bei Mammakarzinom-Patientinnen, die eine primäre Systemtherapie erhalten und anschließend klinisch und/oder bildgebend keine suspekten Lymphknoten mehr aufweisen, wird aktuell sowohl in Deutschland als auch international als Alternative zur kompletten axillären Lymphknoten-Dissektion diskutiert und praktiziert. Hierzu wird derzeit die Tätowierung der suspekten Lymphknoten mit hochgereinigter Kohlenstoffsuspension im Rahmen klinischer Studien untersucht. Im Vergleich zu anderen Techniken sind Vorteile dieser Methode die hohe Detektionsrate des Lymphknotens intraoperativ, der Verzicht auf Lokalisationsverfahren unmittelbar präoperativ und die geringen Kosten. Im Folgenden sollen die praktische Durchführung der Lymphknotentätowierung und die aktuelle Datenlage zu dieser Methode erörtert werden.
Update Mammakarzinom 2021 Teil 3 – aktuelle Entwicklungen bei der Behandlung von Brustkrebspatientinnen mit frühen Krankheitsstadien: Übersicht und Beurteilung von speziellen Therapiesituationen durch ein internationales Expertenpanel
Authors: Fehm Tanja N. , Stickeler Elmar , Fasching Peter A. , Janni Wolfgang , Kolberg-Liedtke Cornelia , Kolberg Hans-Christian , Lüftner Diana , Müller Volkmar , Schütz Florian , Thomssen Christoph , Belleville Erik , Behrens Annika , Bader Simon , Untch Michael , Welslau Manfred , Würstlein Rachel , Thill Marc , Krug David , Hartkopf Andreas D.
Published: March 2022

Kontinuierlich neue Studienergebnisse führen wiederholt zu aktualisierten Therapieempfehlungen und Leitlinien. Insbesondere beim Mammakarzinom wurden in den letzten Jahren einige Studien veröffentlicht, welche die Behandlung des frühen und fortgeschrittenen Mammakarzinoms deutlich verändert haben. Dies bedeutet jedoch nicht, dass die Meinungen aller Experten bei speziellen Fragen übereinstimmen. Gerade die Diversität bezüglich der Interpretation der Leitlinien und Studienergebnisse reflektiert die sich ständig ändernde Datenlage und ihre Komplexität sowie die Verfügbarkeit von neuen Medikamenten. Für die Therapie von Patientinnen mit frühen Stadien des Mammakarzinoms sind in den letzten Jahren neue Substanzen wie Pertuzumab, T‑DM1, Neratinib, Capecitabin und weitere hinzugekommen. Des Weiteren gibt es erste Ergebnisse zum Einsatz von CDK4/6-Inhibitoren in der adjuvanten Situation. Nicht zuletzt wird nach wie vor diskutiert, wie Multigentests eingesetzt werden können, um den Einsatz von Chemotherapien bei bestimmten Patientinnen vermeiden zu können. Diese Übersichtsarbeit fasst den Datenstand zusammen und veröffentlich die Abstimmungsergebnisse der St.‑Gallen-Brustkrebskonferenz 2021 zum Mammakarzinom in frühen Krankheitsstadien.
A Study on the Role of Urinary Congophilia in Early Detection of Preeclampsia
Authors: Rani Anjali , Jain Madhu , Dash Debabrata , Mishra Surendra P. , Mohammadzadehasl Milad
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Preeclampsia and eclampsia are important causes of maternal morbidity. Preeclapmtic women secrete misfolded proteins in the urine. Buhimschi et al had developed a new test for diagnosis of preeclampsia. This test is based on staining of misfolded protein with Congo red dye. Misfolded proteins are derived from syncytiotrophoblast microparticles (STBMs). These STBM are membrane bound vesicles and contain misfolded proteins. In preeclampsia, glomeruli of kidneys are disrupted and these damaged protein reach the urine.

Aim and Objective

This study aimed to investigate the role of urinary congophilia in early prediction of preeclampsia.

Materials and Methods

This test was done in 250 pregnant women attending the Gynaecological Outpatient Department. Urine sample of early morning was taken and test was done in the Department of Biochemistry. The included pregnant women were of gestational age between 14 and 18 weeks. The staining of urine with Congo red dye was done and washed with methanol. The retention of dye was interpreted with naked eye. The more retention of dye, the more chances of developing preeclampsia later. The patients were followed-up till delivery. The patents who developed preeclampsia later part of pregnancy were recorded. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and past history and body mass index were also recorded.

Results

Out of 250 patients, 30 developed preeclampsia later. A total of 34 patients were having positive urinary congophilia and only 20 patients developed preeclampsia later. MAP more than 90 mm Hg is abnormal but 66.7% of patients who developed preeclampsia had MAP >90 mm Hg. In 16.7% of patients, who developed preeclampsia later, had positive past history of hypertension. In 66.7% of patients, who were positive for urinary congophilia, later developed preeclampsia.

Conclusion

Preeclampsia and eclampsia are important causes of maternal mortality and morbidity. So, early detection can prevent complications and timely management. Urinary congophilia is one of such test which can help in early prediction of preeclampsia. If it is combined with past maternal history and MAP, it gives more good results. The detection rate is much higher if signs and symptoms of preeclampsia are noticed timely.