bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
2 deoxy-D-glucose augments the mitochondrial respiratory chain in heart
Authors: Aiestaran-Zelaia Irati , Sánchez-Guisado María Jesús , Villar-Fernandez Marina , Azkargorta Mikel , Fadon-Padilla Lucia , Fernandez-Pelayo Uxoa , Perez-Rodriguez Diego , Ramos-Cabrer Pedro , Spinazzola Antonella , Elortza Félix , Ruíz-Cabello Jésus , Holt Ian J.
Published: April 2022

2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) has recently received emergency approval for the treatment of COVID-19 in India, after a successful clinical trial. SARS-CoV-2 infection of cultured cells is accompanied by elevated glycolysis and decreased mitochondrial function, whereas 2DG represses glycolysis and stimulates respiration, and restricts viral replication. While 2DG has pleiotropic effects on cell metabolism in cultured cells it is not known which of these manifests in vivo. On the other hand, it is known that 2DG given continuously can have severe detrimental effects on the rodent heart. Here, we show that the principal effect of an extended, intermittent 2DG treatment on mice is to augment the mitochondrial respiratory chain proteome in the heart; importantly, this occurs without vacuolization, hypertrophy or fibrosis. The increase in the heart respiratory chain proteome suggests an increase in mitochondrial oxidative capacity, which could compensate for the energy deficit caused by the inhibition of glycolysis. Thus, 2DG in the murine heart appears to induce a metabolic configuration that is the opposite of SARS-CoV-2 infected cells, which could explain the compound’s ability to restrict the propagation of the virus to the benefit of patients with COVID-19 disease.
Proteomic networks associated with tumor-educated macrophage polarization and cytotoxicity potentiated by heat-killed tuberculosis
Authors: Putri Denise U. , Feng Po-Hao , Lin Chiou-Feng , Haryana Sofia M. , Soesatyo Marsetyawan H. N. E. , Lee Kang-Yun , Han Chia-Li
Published: April 2022

Local administration of attenuated mycobacterium has been used as a cancer treatment adjuvant to re-boost patient immune responses with variable clinical outcomes. We aimed to clarify the impact of attenuated heat-killed tuberculosis (HKTB) on tumor-associated macrophages which play critical roles in shaping immunological regulation in the tumor microenvironment. Upon HKTB stimulation, both primary macrophages derived from the peripheral blood of healthy subjects and from lung cancer patients as well as THP1-derived classically activated macrophages (Ms) and tumor-educated macrophages (TEMs) were polarized into the proinflammatory phenotype, as characterized by increased expression cluster of differentiation 86. A quantitative proteomic analysis revealed that stimulated TEMs were unable to activate the toll-like receptor 2, signal transducer and activator of transcription 1, or nuclear factor-κB signaling. Instead, they showed distinct intercellular adhesion molecule 1 signaling, impaired cell adhesion, and mitochondrial dysfunction. These molecular mechanisms might contribute to lower cytotoxicity of HKTB-stimulated TEMs against A549 cells via the release of distinct inflammatory cytokines compared to HKTB-stimulated Ms. Our study provides an unbiased and systematic interpretation of cellular and molecular alterations of HKTB-reeducated macrophages which should help illuminate potential strategies of HKTB-stimulated macrophage-based combination therapy for cancer treatment.
Network analysis reveals dysregulated functional patterns in type II diabetic skin
Authors: Liu Chunan , Ram Sudha , Hurwitz Bonnie L.
Published: April 2022

Skin disorders are one of the most common complications of type II diabetes (T2DM). Long-term effects of high blood glucose leave individuals with T2DM more susceptible to cutaneous diseases, but its underlying molecular mechanisms are unclear. Network-based methods consider the complex interactions between genes which can complement the analysis of single genes in previous research. Here, we use network analysis and topological properties to systematically investigate dysregulated gene co-expression patterns in type II diabetic skin with skin samples from the Genotype-Tissue Expression database. Our final network consisted of 8812 genes from 73 subjects with T2DM and 147 non-T2DM subjects matched for age, sex, and race. Two gene modules significantly related to T2DM were functionally enriched in the pathway lipid metabolism, activated by PPARA and SREBF (SREBP). Transcription factors KLF10, KLF4, SP1, and microRNA-21 were predicted to be important regulators of gene expression in these modules. Intramodular analysis and betweenness centrality identified NCOA6 as the hub gene while KHSRP and SIN3B are key coordinators that influence molecular activities differently between T2DM and non-T2DM populations. We built a TF-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network to reveal the novel mechanism (miR-21-PPARA-NCOA6) of dysregulated keratinocyte proliferation, differentiation, and migration in diabetic skin, which may provide new insights into the susceptibility of skin disorders in T2DM patients. Hub genes and key coordinators may serve as therapeutic targets to improve diabetic skincare.
The T allele of TCF7L2 rs7903146 is associated with decreased glucose tolerance after bed rest in healthy older adults
Authors: Fry Jean L. , Munson Brooke D. , Thompson Katherine L. , Fry Christopher S. , Paddon-Jones Douglas , Arentson-Lantz Emily J.
Published: April 2022

Inpatient populations are at increased risk of hyperglycemia due to factors such as medications, physical inactivity and underlying illness, which increases morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, clinicians have limited tools available to prospectively identify those at greatest risk. We evaluated the ability of 10 common genetic variants associated with development of type 2 diabetes to predict impaired glucose metabolism. Our research model was a simulated inpatient hospital stay (7 day bed rest protocol, standardized diet, and physical inactivity) in a cohort of healthy older adults (n = 31, 65 ± 8 years) with baseline fasting blood glucose < 100 mg/dL. Participants completed a standard 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at baseline and post-bed rest. Bed rest increased 2-h OGTT blood glucose and insulin independent of genetic variant. In multiple regression modeling, the transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) rs7903146 T allele predicted increases in 2-h OGTT blood glucose (p = 0.039). We showed that the TCF7L2 rs7903146 T allele confers risk for loss of glucose tolerance in nondiabetic older adults following 7 days of bed rest.
Spatial epidemiology of hemorrhagic disease in Illinois wild white-tailed deer
Authors: Dorak Sheena J. , Varga Csaba , Ruder Mark G. , Gronemeyer Peg , Rivera Nelda A. , Dufford Douglas R. , Skinner Daniel J. , Roca Alfred L. , Novakofski Jan , Mateus-Pinilla Nohra E.
Published: April 2022

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) and bluetongue (BT) are vector-borne viral diseases that affect wild and domestic ruminants. Clinical signs of EHD and BT are similar; thus, the syndrome is referred to as hemorrhagic disease (HD). Syndromic surveillance and virus detection in North America reveal a northern expansion of HD. High mortalities at northern latitudes suggest recent incursions of HD viruses into northern geographic areas. We evaluated the occurrence of HD in wild Illinois white-tailed deer from 1982 to 2019. Our retrospective space–time analysis identified high-rate clusters of HD cases from 2006 to 2019. The pattern of northward expansion indicates changes in virus-host-vector interactions. Serological evidence from harvested deer revealed prior infection with BTV. However, BTV was not detected from virus isolation in dead deer sampled during outbreaks. Our findings suggest the value of capturing the precise geographic location of outbreaks, the importance of virus isolation to confirm the cause of an outbreak, and the importance of expanding HD surveillance to hunter-harvested wild white-tailed deer. Similarly, it assists in predicting future outbreaks, allowing for targeted disease and vector surveillance, helping wildlife agencies communicate with the public the cause of mortality events and viral hemorrhagic disease outcomes at local and regional scales.
Changes to the gut microbiota of a wild juvenile passerine in a multidimensional urban mosaic
Authors: Maraci Öncü , Corsini Michela , Antonatou-Papaioannou Anna , Jünemann Sebastian , Sudyka Joanna , Di Lecce Irene , Caspers Barbara A. , Szulkin Marta
Published: April 2022

Urbanisation is a major anthropogenic perturbation presenting novel ecological and evolutionary challenges to wild populations. Symbiotic microorganisms residing in the gastrointestinal tracts (gut) of vertebrates have mutual connections with host physiology and respond quickly to environmental alterations. However, the impact of anthropogenic changes and urbanisation on the gut microbiota remains poorly understood, especially in early development. To address this knowledge gap, we characterised the gut microbiota of juvenile great tits (Parus major) reared in artificial nestboxes and in natural cavities in an urban mosaic, employing two distinct frameworks characterising the urban space. Microbial diversity was influenced by cavity type. Alpha diversity was affected by the amount of impervious surface surrounding the breeding location, and positively correlated with tree cover density. Community composition differed between urban and rural sites: these alterations covaried with sound pollution and distance to the city centre. Overall, the microbial communities reflect and are possibly influenced by the heterogeneous environmental modifications that are typical of the urban space. Strikingly, the choice of framework and environmental variables characterising the urban space can influence the outcomes of such ecological studies. Our results open new perspectives to investigate the impact of microbial symbionts on the adaptive capacity of their hosts.
The use of renin angiotensin aldosterone system inhibitors may be associated with decreased mortality after cancer surgery
Authors: Oh Ah Ran , Park Jungchan , Lee Jong-Hwan , Min Jeong Jin , Gook Joonhee , Jang Jae Ni , Lee Seung-Hwa , Kim Kyunga , Ahn Joonghyun
Published: April 2022

Renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors are antihypertensive agents with conflicting results on protective effects against some types of cancer. In light of these controversies, we aimed to study the effects of RAAS inhibitors in patients undergoing cancer surgery. From March 2010 to December 2019, consecutive adult patients with antihypertensive drug prescription at discharge after cancer surgery were enrolled and divided into two groups according to RAAS inhibitors prescription. The primary outcome was 5-year mortality after surgery. Secondary outcomes included mortalities during 3-year and 1-year follow-ups and cancer-specific mortality and recurrence rates during 5-, 3-, and 1-year follow-ups. A total of 19,765 patients were divided into two groups according to RAAS inhibitor prescription at discharge: 8,374 (42.4%) patients in the no RAAS inhibitor group and 11,391 (57.6%) patients in the RAAS inhibitor group. In 5022 pairs of propensity-score matched population, 5-year mortality was significantly lower in the RAAS inhibitor group (11.4% vs. 7.4%, hazard ratio [HR] 0.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.64–0.83, P < 0.001), and 5-year recurrence rate was also lower for the RAAS inhibitor group (5.3% vs. 3.7%, HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.68–0.99, P = 0.04). In our analysis, RAAS inhibitor was associated with decreased 5-year mortality in hypertensive patients who underwent cancer surgery. Prescription of RAAS inhibitor in accordance with current guidelines may be associated with improved mortality after cancer surgery.
Super-strong magnetic field-dominated ion beam dynamics in focusing plasma devices
Authors: Morace A. , Abe Y. , Honrubia J. J. , Iwata N. , Arikawa Y. , Nakata Y. , Johzaki T. , Yogo A. , Sentoku Y. , Mima K. , Ma T. , Mariscal D. , Sakagami H. , Norimatsu T. , Tsubakimoto K. , Kawanaka J. , Tokita S. , Miyanaga N. , Shiraga H. , Sakawa Y. , Nakai M. , Azechi H. , Fujioka S. , Kodama R.
Published: April 2022

High energy density physics is the field of physics dedicated to the study of matter and plasmas in extreme conditions of temperature, densities and pressures. It encompasses multiple disciplines such as material science, planetary science, laboratory and astrophysical plasma science. For the latter, high energy density states can be accompanied by extreme radiation environments and super-strong magnetic fields. The creation of high energy density states in the laboratory consists in concentrating/depositing large amounts of energy in a reduced mass, typically solid material sample or dense plasma, over a time shorter than the typical timescales of heat conduction and hydrodynamic expansion. Laser-generated, high current–density ion beams constitute an important tool for the creation of high energy density states in the laboratory. Focusing plasma devices, such as cone-targets are necessary in order to focus and direct these intense beams towards the heating sample or dense plasma, while protecting the proton generation foil from the harsh environments typical of an integrated high-power laser experiment. A full understanding of the ion beam dynamics in focusing devices is therefore necessary in order to properly design and interpret the numerous experiments in the field. In this work, we report a detailed investigation of large-scale, kilojoule-class laser-generated ion beam dynamics in focusing devices and we demonstrate that high-brilliance ion beams compress magnetic fields to amplitudes exceeding tens of kilo-Tesla, which in turn play a dominant role in the focusing process, resulting either in a worsening or enhancement of focusing capabilities depending on the target geometry.
Automated estimation of cancer cell deformability with machine learning and acoustic trapping
Authors: Lee O-Joun , Lim Hae Gyun , Shung K. Kirk , Kim Jin-Taek , Kim Hyung Ham
Published: April 2022

Cell deformability is a useful feature for diagnosing various diseases (e.g., the invasiveness of cancer cells). Existing methods commonly inflict pressure on cells and observe changes in cell areas, diameters, or thickness according to the degree of pressure. Then, the Young’s moduli (i.e., a measure of deformability) of cells are estimated based on the assumption that the degrees of the changes are inversely proportional to Young’s moduli. However, manual measurements of the physical changes in cells are labor-intensive, and the subjectivity of the operators can intervene during this step, thereby causing considerable uncertainty. Further, because the shapes of cells are nonuniform, we cannot ensure the assumption for linear correlations of physical changes in cells with their deformability. Therefore, this study aims at measuring non-linear elastic moduli of live cells (degrees of cell deformability) automatically by employing conventional neural networks (CNN) and multilayer perceptrons (MLP) while preserving (or enhancing) the accuracy of the manual methods. First, we obtain photomicrographs of cells on multiple pressure levels using single-beam acoustic tweezers, and then, we suggest an image preprocessing method for emphasizing changes in cell areas on the photomicrographs. The CNN model is trained to measure the ratios of the cell area change at each pressure level. Then, we apply the multilayer perceptron (MLP) to learn the correlations of the cell area change ratios according to the pressure levels with cell deformability. The accuracy of the CNN was evaluated using two types of breast cancer cells: MDA-MB-231 (invasive) and MCF-7 (noninvasive). The MLP was assessed using five different beads (Young’s moduli from 0.214 to 9.235 kPa), which provides standardized reference data of the non-linear elastic moduli of live cells. Finally, we validated the practicality of the proposed system by examining whether the non-linear elastic moduli estimated by the proposed system can distinguish invasive breast cancer cells from noninvasive ones.
Efficacy of electromechanical-assisted gait training on clinical walking function and gait symmetry after brain injury of stroke: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Nam Yeon Gyo , Ko Mun Jung , Bok Soo Kyung , Paik Nam-Jong , Lim Chi-Yeon , Lee Jin Won , Kwon Bum Sun
Published: April 2022

Electromechanical-assisted gait training may be an effective intervention to promote motor recovery after brain injury. However, many studies still have difficulties in clarifying the difference between electromechanical-assisted gait training and conventional gait training. To evaluate the effectiveness of electromechanical-assisted gait training compared to that of conventional gait training on clinical walking function and gait symmetry of stroke patients. We randomly assigned patients with stroke (n = 144) to a control group (physical therapist-assisted gait training) and an experimental group (electromechanical gait training). Both types of gait training were done for 30 min each day, 5 days a week for 4 weeks. The primary endpoint was the change in functional ambulatory category (FAC). Secondary endpoints were clinical walking functions and gait symmetries of swing time and step length. All outcomes were measured at baseline (pre-intervention) and at 4 weeks after the baseline (post-intervention). FAC showed significant improvement after the intervention, as did clinical walking functions, in both groups. The step-length asymmetry improved in the control group, but that in the experimental group and the swing-time asymmetry in both groups did not show significant improvement. In the subgroup analysis of stroke duration of 90 days, FAC and clinical walking functions showed more significant improvement in the subacute group than in the chronic group. However, gait symmetries did not show any significant changes in either the subacute or the chronic group. Electromechanically assisted gait training by EXOWALK was as effective as conventional gait training with a physiotherapist. Although clinical walking function in the subacute group improved more than in the chronic group, gait asymmetry did not improve for either group after gait training.

Trial registration: KCT0003411 Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS), Republic of Korea.
Decoupling between SARS-CoV-2 transmissibility and population mobility associated with increasing immunity from vaccination and infection in South America
Authors: Fiori Marcelo , Bello Gonzalo , Wschebor Nicolás , Lecumberry Federico , Ferragut Andrés , Mordecki Ernesto
Published: April 2022

All South American countries from the Southern cone (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay) experienced severe COVID-19 epidemic waves during early 2021 driven by the expansion of variants Gamma and Lambda, however, there was an improvement in different epidemic indicators since June 2021. To investigate the impact of national vaccination programs and natural infection on viral transmission in those South American countries, we analyzed the coupling between population mobility and the viral effective reproduction number $$R_t$$

R
t

. Our analyses reveal that population mobility was highly correlated with viral $$R_t$$

R
t

from January to May 2021 in all countries analyzed; but a clear decoupling occurred since May–June 2021, when the rate of viral spread started to be lower than expected from the levels of social interactions. These findings support that populations from the South American Southern cone probably achieved the conditional herd immunity threshold to contain the spread of regional SARS-CoV-2 variants circulating at that time.
Timing of endoscopy in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding
Authors: Kim Jeemyoung , Gong Eun Jeong , Seo Myeongsook , Park Jong Kyu , Lee Sang Jin , Han Koon Hee , Kim Young Don , Jeong Woo Jin , Cheon Gab Jin , Seo Hyun Il
Published: April 2022

The optimal timing of endoscopy in patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) remains controversial. In this study, we investigated the clinical outcomes of urgent endoscopy in patients with UGIB compared with elective endoscopy. From January 2016 to December 2018, consecutive patients who visited the emergency department and underwent endoscopy for clinical manifestations of acute UGIB, including variceal bleeding, were eligible. Urgent endoscopy (within 6 h) and elective endoscopy (after 6 h) were defined as the time taken to perform endoscopy after presentation to the emergency department. The primary outcome was mortality rate within 30 days. A total of 572 patients were included in the analysis. Urgent endoscopy was performed in 490 patients (85.7%). The 30-day mortality rate did not differ between the urgent and elective endoscopy groups (5.3% and 6.1%, p = 0.791). There was no difference regarding the recurrent bleeding rate, total amount of transfusion, or length of hospital between the groups. In multivariate analysis, age and the amount of transfusion were associated with mortality. Urgent endoscopy was not associated with a lower 30-day mortality rate compared with elective endoscopy in patients with acute UGIB.
Association between life-style, metabolic syndrome and lower urinary tract symptoms and its impact on quality of life in men ≥ 40 years
Authors: Jeong Ji Bong , Lee Jung Hoon , Choo Min Soo , Ahn Dong-Won , Kim Su Hwan , Lee Dong Seok , Cho Min Chul , Son Hwancheol , Jeong Hyeon , Yoo Sangjun
Published: April 2022

We aimed to assess the relationship between lifestyle-related variables, metabolic syndrome, and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men ≥ 40 years. We also assessed the impact of these variables on quality of life. From 2014 to 2020, 5355 men who underwent health check-ups with I-PSS questionnaires at our institute were included in the analysis. The impact of LUTS on sleep disorders and moderate to severe degrees of stress were assessed. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine the variables associated with LUTS and prostate volume. Moderate and severe LUTS were present in 1317 (24.6%) and 211 (3.9%) men, respectively. Moderate and severe LUTS were significantly associated with the presence of sleep disorders and stress. On multivariable analysis, age, amount of life-long smoking, marital status, income, job, and decreased HDL-cholesterol were associated with the presence of moderate to severe LUTS. Although older age and the amount of life-long smoking was associated with both voiding and storage sub-score, socioeconomic status, including marital status and income were only associated with storage sub-score. In men ≥ 40 years, stable socioeconomic status, in addition to older age, and life-long smoking amount are associated with the presence of moderate to severe LUTS, which worsens sleep quality and stress level, by worsen storage sub-score.
Pyrethroid-piperonyl butoxide (PBO) nets reduce the efficacy of indoor residual spraying with pirimiphos-methyl against pyrethroid-resistant malaria vectors
Authors: Syme Thomas , Gbegbo Martial , Obuobi Dorothy , Fongnikin Augustin , Agbevo Abel , Todjinou Damien , Ngufor Corine
Published: April 2022

Pirimiphos-methyl is a pro-insecticide requiring activation by mosquito cytochrome P450 enzymes to induce toxicity while PBO blocks activation of these enzymes in pyrethroid-resistant vector mosquitoes. PBO may thus antagonise the toxicity of pirimiphos-methyl IRS when combined with pyrethroid-PBO ITNs. The impact of combining Olyset Plus and PermaNet 3.0 with Actellic 300CS IRS was evaluated against pyrethroid-resistant Anopheles gambiae s.l. in two parallel experimental hut trials in southern Benin. The vector population was resistant to pyrethroids and PBO pre-exposure partially restored deltamethrin toxicity but not permethrin. Mosquito mortality in experimental huts was significantly improved in the combinations of bendiocarb IRS with pyrethroid-PBO ITNs (33–38%) compared to bendiocarb IRS alone (14–16%, p < 0.001), demonstrating an additive effect. Conversely, mortality was significantly reduced in the combinations of pirimiphos-methyl IRS with pyrethroid-PBO ITNs (55–59%) compared to pirimiphos-methyl IRS alone (77–78%, p < 0.001), demonstrating evidence of an antagonistic effect when both interventions are applied in the same household. Mosquito mortality in the combination was significantly higher compared to the pyrethroid-PBO ITNs alone (55–59% vs. 22–26% p < 0.001) showing potential of pirimiphos-methyl IRS to enhance vector control when deployed to complement pyrethroid-PBO ITNs in an area where PBO fails to fully restore susceptibility to pyrethroids.
Variations in leaf water status and drought tolerance of dominant tree species growing in multi-aged tropical forests in Thailand
Authors: Unawong Weerapong , Yaemphum Siriphong , Nathalang Anuttara , Chen Yajun , Domec Jean-Christophe , Tor-ngern Pantana
Published: April 2022

Large-scale abandoned agricultural areas in Southeast Asia resulted in patches of forests of multiple successions and characteristics, challenging the study of their responses to environmental changes, especially under climatic water stress. Here, we investigated seasonal variation in leaf water status and drought tolerance of dominant tree species in three multi-aged tropical forests, ranging from 5 to > 200 years old, with contrasting soil moisture in Thailand. Seasonal variation in leaf water status differed among the forests with trees in young and intermediate sites demonstrating larger differences between seasons than the old-growth forest. Although vulnerability to embolism curves revealed that trees in old-growth forest were potentially more sensitive to declining leaf water status than others, they were predicted to lose < 5% of their hydraulic capacity as opposed to 13% for the trees in the younger sites. Our results suggest that the responses to water stress of tree species in different forest ages greatly vary with a tendency of trees in younger sites to be more resilience than those in older sites. Such information would benefit the selection of tree species that could adapt well to specific environments, thus improving the strategies for managing forests of different ages under a warmer future.
Analysis of stiffness and damping performance of the composite leaf spring
Authors: Zou Xiaojun , Zhang Bao , Yin Guodong
Published: April 2022

Lightweight design of leaf springs is conducive to reducing fuel consumption and improving vehicle comfort. The weight of leaf spring can be reduced obviously by using composite material. Stiffness and damping are the key factors that affect the properties of the leaf spring. The influence of the glass fiber laying angle and volume content on the stiffness and damping of the composite leaf spring was analyzed through experiment and simulation. The results show that the stiffness and damping properties of the leaf springs are related to the fiber laying angle and the fiber volume content. When the volume content and the number of layers are constant, the stiffness shows a nonlinear decreasing relationship with the laying angle, and the damping coefficient increases linearly with the laying angle. When the laying angle and the number of layers are constant, the stiffness increases linearly with the fiber volume content; the damping coefficient has a nonlinear decreasing relationship with the fiber volume content. The type of research can provide theoretical basis and reference for the design, analysis and optimization of composite leaf spring.
ULSA: unified language of synthesis actions for the representation of inorganic synthesis protocols
Authors: Wang Zheren , Cruse Kevin , Fei Yuxing , Chia Ann , Zeng Yan , Huo Haoyan , He Tanjin , Deng Bowen , Kononova Olga , Ceder Gerbrand
Published: April 2022

A Unified Language of Synthesis Actions (ULSA) for describing inorganic synthesis is developed to help create a synthesis ontology and a solid foundation for autonomous robotic synthesis.
Giant strain responses and relaxor characteristics in lead-free (Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3–BaZrO3 ferroelectric thin films
Authors: Wang Zhe , Zhao Jinyan , Niu Gang , Ren Wei , Zhang Nan , Zheng Kun , Quan Yi , Wang Lingyan , Zhuang Jian , Cai Henghui , Li Xin , Wang Genshui , Liu Ming , Jiang Zhuangde , Zhao Yulong
Published: April 2022

A giant macro-scale strain value of 1.31% was obtained in the BNT-4BZ thin films, which is determined by the combination of domain switching and reversible electric-field-induced phase transitions between relaxor state and ferroelectric phase.
Electro-optical π-radicals: design advances, applications and future perspectives
Authors: Murto Petri , Bronstein Hugo
Published: April 2022

Perspectives on carbon-centred neutral π-radicals are discussed in terms of materials design, optical and electrochemical properties, target applications and intriguing research directions that deserve further attention.
Organic ferroelectric croconic acid: a concise survey from bulk single crystals to thin films
Authors: Mohapatra Sambit , Cherifi-Hertel Salia , Kuppusamy Senthil Kumar , Schmerber Guy , Arabski Jacek , Gobaut Benoît , Weber Wolfgang , Bowen Martin , Da Costa Victor , Boukari Samy
Published: April 2022

This review presents a bird's eye view of the current understanding on various forms of the hydrogen bonded organic ferroelectric croconic acid.
Pressure-assisted electrokinetic injection for the stacking of biogenic amines gives enhancement factor up to 1000 in CE with UV detection
Authors: Yang Xue , He Lili , Xu Zhongqi
Published: April 2022

Pressure-assisted electrokinetic injection (PAEKI) was applied for stacking of positively charged biogenic amines (BAs) to improve the sensitivity of capillary electrophoresis (CE).
Acceleration of the pre-oxidation process by tuning the degree of sulfurization for promoted oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Xie Junfeng , Dong Changgang , Li Jiechen , Guo Min , Zhao Ying , Kang Luyao , Gao Wen , Lei Fengcai , Tang Bo
Published: April 2022

In this work, Co-based nanocatalysts with variable degrees of sulfurization (DoS) were fabricated for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER).
Highly selective recognition of the Al(ClO4)3 molecule by a mono-pyrene substituted thiacalix[4]arene chemosensor
Authors: Zhao Jiang-Lin , Xuan Shuguang , Chen Kai , Redshaw Carl , Chen Yan , Jin Zongwen
Published: April 2022

Chemosensor TCA-Py exhibited a high recognition selectivity toward the Al(ClO4)3 molecule due to the synergy between the Al3+ cation and ClO4− anion.
Cubic core–shell structure of NiCoSx/CoS2 as a high-efficiency tri-functional catalyst for Zn–air battery and overall water splitting
Authors: Wang Bingqian , Liu Jianyu , Ge Huaiyun , Fan Siwei , Zhang Guanghui , Zhao Lingxue , Li Guangda
Published: April 2022

Cubic core–shell NiCoSx/CoS2 composite catalyst was successfully prepared on the basis of K3[Co(CN)6], which exhibited an excellent bifunctional catalytic activity for ORR and OER, small ΔE values and long-term durability.
Efficient neutralization of core ionized species in an aqueous environment
Authors: Pelimanni Eetu , Hans Andreas , Heikura Emilia , Huttula Marko , Patanen Minna
Published: April 2022

Fragmentation dynamics of argon–water heteroclusters upon high energy electron irradiation were monitored with Auger electron–ion–ion coincidence spectroscopy, providing selectivity to the ionization site and the electronic decay process.
Process intensification of element extraction using centrifugal contactors in the nuclear fuel cycle
Authors: Baker Alastair , Fells Alex , Carrott Michael J. , Maher Chris J. , Hanson Bruce C.
Published: April 2022

This review focuses on consolidating the sequential selective element extraction performed in the process intensification equipment known as Centrifugal Contactors (CCs), the unpredicted precipitation that arises, and finally solutions for inhibiting in situ solids formation.
Generation of aryl radicals fromin situactivated homolytic scission: driving radical reactions by ball milling
Authors: Yang Xinjie , Wang Hao , Zhang Yanhua , Su Weike , Yu Jingbo
Published: April 2022

The need for an operationally straightforward application of radical chemistry has led researchers to explore practical strategies to obtain and trap radicals.
Quantitative isothermal amplification on paper membranes using amplification nucleation site analysis
Authors: Sullivan Benjamin P. , Chou Yu-Shan , Bender Andrew T. , Martin Coleman D. , Kaputa Zoe G. , March Hugh , Song Minyung , Posner Jonathan D.
Published: April 2022

We report a novel method for the quantification of isothermal amplification reactions on paper membranes using discrete fluorescent amplification nucleation sites.
A conjugated 2D covalent organic framework as a drug delivery vehicle towards triple negative breast cancer malignancy
Authors: Das Sabuj Kanti , Roy Sraddhya , Das Ananya , Chowdhury Avik , Chatterjee Nabanita , Bhaumik Asim
Published: April 2022

A novel biocompatible COF, TRIPTA is used as a drug delivery carrier for cisplatin in TNBC cells. It delivered cisplatin effectively, which inhibited the proliferation and migration of TNBC cells by increasing the cytotoxicity of cisplatin.
Successful CO2 reduction under visible light photocatalysis using porous NiO nanoparticles, an atypical metal oxide
Authors: Sahoo Atanu , Chowdhury Arpita Hazra , Manirul Islam Sk. , Bala Tanushree
Published: April 2022

An efficient, one-pot wet chemical synthesis strategy for the preparation of NiO nanoparticles has been reported which has acted as an efficient photocatalyst for the conversion of CO2 into formaldehyde.
Improvement of quasi-solid-state supercapacitors based on a “water-in-salt” hydrogel electrolyte by introducing redox-active ionic liquid and carbon nanotubes
Authors: Fan Le-Qing , Geng Cheng-Long , Deng Xu-Geng , Chen Jiao-Juan , Wu Zheng-Xue , Huang Yun-Fang , Wu Ji-Huai
Published: April 2022

A carbon-based quasi-solid-state supercapacitor based on a redox-active WIS hydrogel electrolyte exhibits a wide operating voltage and high specific energy.
Terminal groups play an important role in enhancing the performance of organic solar cells based on non-fused electron acceptors
Authors: Li Fengting , Fan Xin-Heng , Gao Cai-Yan , Yang Lian-Ming
Published: April 2022

Acceptors (O-IC and O-IC2F) with different terminals have different effects when combined with the donor (D18) to form a device.
Novel easily separable core–shell Fe3O4/PVP/ZIF-8 nanostructure adsorbent: optimization of phosphorus removal from Fosfomycin pharmaceutical wastewater
Authors: Abdelmigeed Mai O. , Sadek Ahmed H. , Ahmed Tamer S.
Published: April 2022

The synthesis of an easily separable novel core–shell Fe3O4/PVP/ZIF-8 nanostructure adsorbent and its usage for Fosfomycin pharmaceutical wastewater treatment.
Retraction: Structural characterization and anti-inflammatory potency of Mesobuthus martensii Karsch oligopeptides in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophages
Authors: Fisher Laura
Published: April 2022

Retraction of ‘Structural characterization and anti-inflammatory potency of Mesobuthus martensii Karsch oligopeptides in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophages’ by Man Zheng et al., RSC Adv., 2019, 9, 24822–24832, https://doi.org/10.1039/C9RA01623F.
Retraction: Anti-inflammatory potency of Locusta migratoria manilensis cyclopeptides in mast cells and macrophages
Authors: Fisher Laura
Published: April 2022

Retraction of ‘Anti-inflammatory potency of Locusta migratoria manilensis cyclopeptides in mast cells and macrophages’ by Jie Liu et al., RSC Adv., 2019, 9, 31296–31305, https://doi.org/10.1039/C9RA06284J.
Retraction: Structural characterization of Momordica charantia L. (Cucurbitaceae) oligopeptides and the detection of their capability in non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells: induction of apoptosis
Authors: Fisher Laura
Published: April 2022

Retraction of ‘Structural characterization of Momordica charantia L. (Cucurbitaceae) oligopeptides and the detection of their capability in non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells: induction of apoptosis’ by Jiao Dong et al., RSC Adv., 2019, 9, 8300–8309, https://doi.org/10.1039/C9RA00090A.
Retraction: Structural characterization of Mesobuthus martensii Karsch peptides and anti-inflammatory potency evaluation in human vascular endothelial cells
Authors: Fisher Laura
Published: April 2022

Retraction of ‘Structural characterization of Mesobuthus martensii Karsch peptides and anti-inflammatory potency evaluation in human vascular endothelial cells’ by Man Zheng et al., RSC Adv., 2019, 9, 19365–19374, https://doi.org/10.1039/C9RA01609K.
Regulating the excited state chirality to fabricate high-performance-solid-state circularly polarized luminescence materials
Authors: Han Jianlei , Shi Yonghong , Jin Xue , Yang Xuefeng , Duan Pengfei
Published: April 2022

In situ instant crystallization significantly boosts the CPL performance in which both large circular polarization and high luminescence efficiency are achieved due to the chiral supramolecular arrangement of chromophores in the crystalline state.
Effect of network topology and crosslinker reactivity on microgel structure and ordering at liquid–liquid interface
Authors: Gumerov Rustam A. , Rudyak Vladimir Yu. , Gavrilov Alexey A. , Chertovich Alexander V. , Potemkin Igor I.
Published: April 2022

Polymer microgels synthesized in silico were studied at liquid–liquid interface via mesoscopic computer simulations and compared to microgels with ideal (diamond-like) structure.
A porphyrin-triazatruxene dyad for ratiometric two-photon fluorescent sensing of intracellular viscosity
Authors: Wang Yi , Lei Tong , Zhang Jinghui , Gong Lei , Yang Yanjie , Ma Xiaolin , Wen Yongqiang , Du Hongwu , Qi Dongdong , Bian Yongzhong , Liu Zhiqiang , Jiang Jianzhuang
Published: April 2022

A new fluorescent viscosity rotor (TAT-ZnPor) shows highly improved two-photon action cross section and sensitive ratiometric response to mitochondrial viscosity in living cells.
Bubble-assisted HIFU ablation enabled by calcium peroxide
Authors: Wang Chunmei , Li Zhifang , Bai Jianwen
Published: April 2022

The CaO2@SiO2 nanoparticles could release O2 and H2O2, achieving enhancement of US imaging signals and improved potency of HIFU surgery, which augmented by the conversion of unstable H2O2 into O2.
Two-component polymers embedded with tungsten oxide nanoparticles toward broadband and nonvolatile photomemory
Authors: Zhang Mingyue , Miao Jingying , Liu Hongfang , Fu Shencheng , Li Xin , Tao Yuxin , Qi Xiuping , Zhang Xintong
Published: April 2022

Two-component polymers can shield external oxygen and promote proton diffusion. Permanent and colorful hologram memory is realized under broadband excitation of tungsten oxide embedded in PVA/PAA matrices.
Colours of velvet noise
Authors: Meyer‐Kahlen Nils , Schlecht Sebastian J. , Välimäki Vesa
Published: April 2022

Velvet noise is a sparse ternary pseudo‐random signal containing only a small portion of non‐zero values. In this work, the derivation of the spectral properties of velvet noise is presented. In particular, it is shown that the original velvet noise is white, i.e. has a constant power spectrum. For velvet noise variants with altered probability of polarity, the spectral characteristics are analytically derived. Crushed additive velvet noise is shown to have potential in the design of coloured sparse noise sequences, which are useful in acoustic signal processing.
Pure hardware design and implementation on FPGA of an EKF based accelerated SoC estimator for a lithium‐ion battery in electric vehicles
Authors: Jemmali Sabeur , Manaï Bilal , Hamouda Mahmoud
Published: April 2022

The State of Charge monitoring is a key operation for the safety and reliability of electric vehicles. The Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) is a powerful algorithm that enables an accurate estimation of the SoC under noisy measurement conditions. However, its real‐time implementation needs a higher computation burden and lots of resources. To achieve a faster run‐time and an accelerated SoC estimation, this paper proposes a pure hardware implementation technique on FPGA of the EKF algorithm without soft‐core. Moreover, a new protocol is designed to ensure a flexible data transfer between the FPGA and the external interface. The effectiveness of the proposed hardware architecture is validated on a Hardware‐In‐the‐Loop platform that consists of a Xilinx FPGA board Zynq‐7000 and LabVIEW. The obtained SoC average estimation errors are close to the literature outcomes and are equal to 0.84% in continuous load profile and 5.34% in dynamic load profile. Moreover, the average prediction error of the battery voltage is equal to 34.9 mV. The results are obtained with the benefits of low energy consumption and high operation speed to run one iteration of the EKF core. Indeed, the FPGA consumes only 530 mW and needs a run‐time equal to 1.025 μs at a 100 MHz clock frequency.
Direct current grid‐based doubly‐fed induction generator wind turbines: Real‐time control and stability analysis
Authors: Akhbari Allahyar , Rahimi Mohsen , Khooban Mohammad Hassan
Published: April 2022

Commonly, a simple topology consisting of a single diode‐rectifier and pulse‐width‐modulation (PWM) converter is used for the connection of the doubly‐fed induction generator‐based wind turbines (DFIG‐WTs) to the DC grid, in which the rotor‐side converter (RSC) and the stator diode‐rectifier are linked to the common DC bus. But, this topology suffers from less flexibility due to the requirement of matching the stator nominal voltage with the DC grid. Hence, in this paper, a buck converter is added to the DFIG‐WT topology and two methods are proposed to control the power converters, where in the first one, the RSC regulates the active power and stator flux linkage, and in the second one, the RSC regulates the DC bus voltage and stator flux linkage. Then, the small‐signal stability and the performance of the DFIG‐WT system with the mentioned control strategies are compared analytically and through the off‐line simulations. At last, a real‐time hardware‐in‐the‐loop (HIL) emulation‐based OPAL‐RT is carried out to investigate the performance of the proposed control methods from a practical perspective.
The Fornax3D project: Discovery of ancient massive merger events in the Fornax cluster galaxies NGC 1380 and NGC 1427
Authors: Zhu Ling , van de Ven Glenn , Leaman Ryan , Pillepich Annalisa , Coccato Lodovico , Ding Yuchen , Falcón-Barroso Jesús , Iodice Enrichetta , Navarro Ignacio Martin , Pinna Francesca , Corsini Enrico Maria , Gadotti Dimitri A. , Fahrion Katja , Lyubenova Mariya , Mao Shude , McDermid Richard , Poci Adriano , Sarzi Marc , de Zeeuw Tim
Published: April 2022

We report the discovery of ancient massive merger events in the early-type galaxies NGC 1380 and NGC 1427, members of the Fornax galaxy cluster. Both galaxies have been observed by the MUSE integral-field-unit instrument on the VLT as part of the Fornax3D project. By fitting recently developed population-orbital superposition models to the observed surface brightness, stellar kinematic, age, and metallicity maps, we obtain the stellar orbits, age, and metallicity distributions of each galaxy. We then decompose each galaxy into multiple orbital-based components, including a dynamically hot inner stellar halo component that is identified as the relic of past massive mergers. By comparing to analogs from cosmological galaxy simulations, chiefly TNG50, we find that the formation of such a hot inner stellar halo requires the merger with a now-destroyed massive satellite galaxy of $ 3.7_{-1.5}^{+2.7} \times 10^{10} $ M⊙ (about one-fifth of its current stellar mass) in the case of NGC 1380 and of $ 1.5_{-0.7}^{+1.6} \times10^{10} $ M⊙ (about one-fourth of its current stellar mass) in the case of NGC 1427. Moreover, we infer that the last massive merger in NGC 1380 happened ∼10 Gyr ago based on the stellar age distribution of the regrown dynamically cold disk, whereas the merger in NGC 1427 ended t ≲ 8 Gyr ago based on the stellar populations in its hot inner stellar halo. The major merger event in NGC 1380 is the first one with both merger mass and merger time quantitatively inferred in a galaxy beyond the local volume. Moreover, it is the oldest and most massive merger uncovered in nearby galaxies so far.
Minimizing plasma temperature for antimatter mixing experiments
Authors: Hunter E.D. , Amsler C. , Breuker H. , Chesnevskaya S. , Costantini G. , Ferragut R. , Giammarchi M. , Gligorova A. , Gosta G. , Higaki H. , Kanai Y. , Killian C. , Kletzl V. , Kraxberger V. , Kuroda N. , Lanz A. , Leali M. , Mäckel V. , Maero G. , Malbrunot C. , Mascagna V. , Matsuda Y. , Migliorati S. , Murtagh D.J. , Nagata Y. , Nanda A. , Nowak L. , Pasino E. , Romé M. , Simon M.C. , Tajima M. , Toso V. , Ulmer S. , Uggerhøj U. , Venturelli L. , Weiser A. , Widmann E. , Wolz T. , Yamazaki Y. , Zmeskal J. ,   (The ASACUSA-Cusp Collaboration)
Published: April 2022

The ASACUSA collaboration produces a beam of antihydrogen atoms by mixing pure positron and antiproton plasmas in a strong magnetic field with a double cusp geometry. The positrons cool via cyclotron radiation inside the cryogenic trap. Low positron temperature is essential for increasing the fraction of antihydrogen atoms which reach the ground state prior to exiting the trap. Many experimental groups observe that such plasmas reach equilibrium at a temperature well above the temperature of the surrounding electrodes. This problem is typically attributed to electronic noise and plasma expansion, which heat the plasma. The present work reports anomalous heating far beyond what can be attributed to those two sources. The heating seems to be a result of the axially open trap geometry, which couples the plasma to the external (300 K) environment via microwave radiation.
Proposal for new measurements of muonic helium hyperfine structure at J-PARC
Authors: Fukumura Seiso , Strasser Patrick , Ino Takashi , Oku Takayuki , Okudaira Takuya , Kanda Sohtaro , Kitaguchi Masaaki , Shimomura Koichiro , Shimizu Hirohiko M. , Torii Hiroyuki A. , Nishimura Shoichiro
Published: April 2022

The measurement of the ground state hyperfine structure of muonic helium has the potential to improve the precision of the mass of the negative muon by a factor of 50 or more. The mass of the negative muon is very important because it enables us to test the CPT theorem by comparison with positive muon mass. We aim to measure the hyperfine structure of muonic helium with a precision 1000 times higher than previous experiments [1,2] using the highintensity muon beam at J-PARC and have already obtained results better than the current precision in zero-field measurements in a test experiment in March 2021. To further improve the precision, we plan to measure in a high magnetic field and incorporate a technique that can produce highly polarized muonic helium atom [3]. In this paper, we will report on these developments.
Main Features of the SIDDHARTA-2 Apparatus for Kaonic Deuterium X-Ray Measurements
Authors: Tüchler Marlene , Sirghi Florin , Bazzi M. , Bosnar D. , Bragadireanu M. , Carminati M. , Cargnelli M. , Clozza A. , Curceanu C. , Deda G. , Del Grande R. , De Paolis L. , Fiorini C. , Guaraldo C. , Iliescu M. , Iwasaki M. , King P. , Levi Sandri P. , Marton J. , Miliucci M. , Moskal P. , Napolitano F. , Niedzwiecki S. , Piscicchia K. , Scordo A. , Sgaramella F. , Shi H. , Silarski M. , Sirghi D. , Skurzok M. , Spallone A. , Vazquez Doce O. , Widmann E. , Zmeskal J.
Published: April 2022

The low-energy, non-perturbative regime of QCD can be studied directly by X-ray spectroscopy of light kaonic atoms. The SIDDHARTA-2 experiment, located at the DAΦNE collider, aims to measure the 2p → 1s transition in kaonic deuterium for the first time to extract the antikaon-nucleon scattering lengths. This measurement is impeded, inter alia, by the low K−d X-ray yield. Hence, several updates have been implemented on the apparatus to increase the signal-to-background ratio, which are discussed in detail in this paper: a lightweight gas target cell, novel Silicon Drift Detectors for the X-ray detection with excellent performance, and a veto system for active background suppression. The experiment has undergone a first preparatory run during DAΦNE’s commissioning phase in 2021, concluding with a successful kaonic helium measurement.