bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tailoring photosensitive ROS for advanced photodynamic therapy
Authors: Sai Duc Loc , Lee Jieun , Nguyen Duc Long , Kim Young-Pil
Published: April 2021

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been considered a noninvasive and cost-effective modality for tumor treatment. However, the complexity of tumor microenvironments poses challenges to the implementation of traditional PDT. Here, we review recent advances in PDT to resolve the current problems. Major breakthroughs in PDTs are enabling significant progress in molecular medicine and are interconnected with innovative strategies based on smart bio/nanomaterials or therapeutic insights. We focus on newly developed PDT strategies designed by tailoring photosensitive reactive oxygen species generation, which include the use of proteinaceous photosensitizers, self-illumination, or oxygen-independent approaches. While these updated PDT platforms are expected to enable major advances in cancer treatment, addressing future challenges related to biosafety and target specificity is discussed throughout as a necessary goal to expand the usefulness of PDT.
One-year outcomes after treatment with a drug-coated balloon catheter system for lower urinary tract symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: Kaplan Steven A. , Pichardo Merycarla , Rijo Edwin , Espino Gustavo , Lay Ramon Rodriguez , Estrella Rafael
Published: April 2021

Background

This is the first report of the 1-year outcomes of the EVEREST-I study evaluating the safety and efficacy of the Optilume® BPH Catheter System, a prostatic paclitaxel-coated balloon catheter system, for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Methods

Subjects were men >50 years old with moderate-to-severe LUTS secondary to BPH, peak urinary flow rate of 5–15 ml/s, prostatic urethra length 30–55 mm, and prostate volume 20–80 g. All were treated with the Optilume BPH Catheter System and followed at Foley removal, 2 weeks, 30 days, 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment. The primary endpoint was the proportion of subjects with ≥40% improvement in International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). The rate of post-procedural complications was evaluated.

Results

Eighty subjects were treated at six sites in Latin America and 75 completed the 1-year follow-up. The percent of subjects with an improvement ≥40% in IPSS from baseline was 81% at 3 months and 1 year. IPSS improved from 22.3 at baseline to 7.9 at 1 year, Qmax improved from 10.9 to 18.4 ml/s, and IPSS QoL improved from 4.6 to 1.3. Post-procedural complications included common urologic events and the rate of complications was significantly impacted by device diameter.

Conclusions

Treatment with the minimally invasive Optilume BPH Catheter System is safe and showed subjective and objective improvements in LUTS. Benefits were rapid and persisted through 1 year. The initial results warrant further evaluation of this therapy as a treatment option for patients with LUTS related to BPH.
Modeling the ecology of parasitic plasmids
Authors: Lopez Jaime G , Donia Mohamed S , Wingreen Ned S
Published: April 2021

Plasmids are autonomous genetic elements that can be exchanged between microorganisms via horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Despite the central role they play in antibiotic resistance and modern biotechnology, our understanding of plasmids’ natural ecology is limited. Recent experiments have shown that plasmids can spread even when they are a burden to the cell, suggesting that natural plasmids may exist as parasites. Here, we use mathematical modeling to explore the ecology of such parasitic plasmids. We first develop models of single plasmids and find that a plasmid’s population dynamics and optimal infection strategy are strongly determined by the plasmid’s HGT mechanism. We then analyze models of co-infecting plasmids and show that parasitic plasmids are prone to a “tragedy of the commons” in which runaway plasmid invasion severely reduces host fitness. We propose that this tragedy of the commons is averted by selection between competing populations and demonstrate this effect in a metapopulation model. We derive predicted distributions of unique plasmid types in genomes—comparison to the distribution of plasmids in a collection of 17,725 genomes supports a model of parasitic plasmids with positive plasmid–plasmid interactions that ameliorate plasmid fitness costs or promote the invasion of new plasmids.
Correction to: Genome-wide gene-environment interactions in neuroticism: an exploratory study across 25 environments
Authors: Werme Josefin , van der Sluis Sophie , Posthuma Danielle , de Leeuw Christiaan A.
Published: April 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-021-01334-6
Spontaneous and deliberate creative cognition during and after psilocybin exposure
Authors: Mason N. L. , Kuypers K. P. C. , Reckweg J. T. , Müller F. , Tse D. H. Y. , Da Rios B. , Toennes S. W. , Stiers P. , Feilding A. , Ramaekers J. G.
Published: April 2021

Creativity is an essential cognitive ability linked to all areas of our everyday functioning. Thus, finding a way to enhance it is of broad interest. A large number of anecdotal reports suggest that the consumption of psychedelic drugs can enhance creative thinking; however, scientific evidence is lacking. Following a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group design, we demonstrated that psilocybin (0.17 mg/kg) induced a time- and construct-related differentiation of effects on creative thinking. Acutely, psilocybin increased ratings of (spontaneous) creative insights, while decreasing (deliberate) task-based creativity. Seven days after psilocybin, number of novel ideas increased. Furthermore, we utilized an ultrahigh field multimodal brain imaging approach, and found that acute and persisting effects were predicted by within- and between-network connectivity of the default mode network. Findings add some support to historical claims that psychedelics can influence aspects of the creative process, potentially indicating them as a tool to investigate creativity and subsequent underlying neural mechanisms. Trial NL6007; psilocybin as a tool for enhanced cognitive flexibility;https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/6007.
The anatomy of past abrupt warmings recorded in Greenland ice
Authors: Capron E. , Rasmussen S. O. , Popp T. J. , Erhardt T. , Fischer H. , Landais A. , Pedro J. B. , Vettoretti G. , Grinsted A. , Gkinis V. , Vaughn B. , Svensson A. , Vinther B. M. , White J. W. C.
Published: April 2021

Data availability and temporal resolution make it challenging to unravel the anatomy (duration and temporal phasing) of the Last Glacial abrupt climate changes. Here, we address these limitations by investigating the anatomy of abrupt changes using sub-decadal-scale records from Greenland ice cores. We highlight the absence of a systematic pattern in the anatomy of abrupt changes as recorded in different ice parameters. This diversity in the sequence of changes seen in ice-core data is also observed in climate parameters derived from numerical simulations which exhibit self-sustained abrupt variability arising from internal atmosphere-ice-ocean interactions. Our analysis of two ice cores shows that the diversity of abrupt warming transitions represents variability inherent to the climate system and not archive-specific noise. Our results hint that during these abrupt events, it may not be possible to infer statistically-robust leads and lags between the different components of the climate system because of their tight coupling.
Role of DegQ in differential stability of flagellin subunits in Vibrio vulnificus
Authors: Jung You-Chul , Lee Mi-Ae , Kim Han-Shin , Lee Kyu-Ho
Published: April 2021

Biofilm formation of Vibrio vulnificus is initiated by adherence of flagellated cells to surfaces, and then flagellum-driven motility is not necessary during biofilm maturation. Once matured biofilms are constructed, cells become flagellated and swim to disperse from biofilms. As a consequence, timely regulations of the flagellar components’ expression are crucial to complete a biofilm life-cycle. In this study, we demonstrated that flagellins’ production is regulated in a biofilm stage-specific manner, via activities of a protease DegQ and a chaperone FlaJ. Among four flagellin subunits for V. vulnificus filament, FlaC had the highest affinities to hook-associated proteins, and is critical for maturating flagellum, showed the least susceptibility to DegQ due to the presence of methionine residues in its DegQ-sensitive domains, ND1 and CD0. Therefore, differential regulation by DegQ and FlaJ controls the cytoplasmic stability of flagellins, which further determines the motility-dependent, stage-specific development of biofilms.
A thermodynamic platform for evaluating the energy efficiency of combined power generation and desalination plants
Authors: Ng Kim Choon , Burhan Muhammad , Chen Qian , Ybyraiymkul Doskhan , Akhtar Faheem Hassan , Kumja M. , Field Robert W. , Shahzad Muhammad Wakil
Published: April 2021

In seawater desalination, the energy efficiency of practical processes is expressed in kWh_electricity or low-grade-heat per m3 of water produced, omitting the embedded energy quality underlying their generation processes. To avoid thermodynamic misconceptions, it is important to recognize both quality and quantity of energy consumed. An unmerited quantitative apportionment can result in inferior deployment of desalination methods. This article clarifies misapprehensions regarding seeming parity between electricity and thermal sources that are sequentially cogenerated in power plants. These processes are represented by heat engines to yield the respective maximum (Carnot) work potentials. Equivalent work from these engines are normalized individually to give a corresponding standard primary energy (QSPE), defined via a common energy platform between the adiabatic flame temperature of fuel and the surroundings. Using the QSPE platform, the energy efficiency of 60 desalination plants of assorted types, available from literature, are compared retrospectively and with respect to Thermodynamic Limit.
Digital image processing to detect subtle motion in stony coral
Authors: Li Shuaifeng , Roger Liza M. , Kumar Lokender , Lewinski Nastassja A. , Klein-Seetharaman Judith , Gagnon Alex , Putnam Hollie M. , Yang Jinkyu
Published: April 2021

Coral reef ecosystems support significant biological activities and harbor huge diversity, but they are facing a severe crisis driven by anthropogenic activities and climate change. An important behavioral trait of the coral holobiont is coral motion, which may play an essential role in feeding, competition, reproduction, and thus survival and fitness. Therefore, characterizing coral behavior through motion analysis will aid our understanding of basic biological and physical coral functions. However, tissue motion in the stony scleractinian corals that contribute most to coral reef construction are subtle and may be imperceptible to both the human eye and commonly used imaging techniques. Here we propose and apply a systematic approach to quantify and visualize subtle coral motion across a series of light and dark cycles in the scleractinian coral Montipora capricornis. We use digital image correlation and optical flow techniques to quantify and characterize minute coral motions under different light conditions. In addition, as a visualization tool, motion magnification algorithm magnifies coral motions in different frequencies, which explicitly displays the distinctive dynamic modes of coral movement. Specifically, our assessment of displacement, strain, optical flow, and mode shape quantify coral motion under different light conditions, and they all show that M. capricornis exhibits more active motions at night compared to day. Our approach provides an unprecedented insight into micro-scale coral movement and behavior through macro-scale digital imaging, thus offering a useful empirical toolset for the coral research community.
Three-dimensional (3D) polymer—metal–carbon framework for efficient removal of chemical and biological contaminants
Authors: Sasidharan V , Sachan Deepa , Chauhan Divya , Talreja Neetu , Ashfaq Mohammad
Published: April 2021

The continuously increased existence of contaminants such as chemical and biological mainly dye, bacteria, and heavy metals ions (HMI) in water bodies has increased environmental concern due to their hostile effects on living things. Therefore, there is necessity to be developed newer materials that skirmishes such environmental menace. The present works focus on the synthesis of a novel three-dimensional (3D) polymer-metal–carbon (3D-PMC) framework for the exclusion of contaminants (chemical and biological) from water bodies. Initially, polyurethane (PU) foam was treated with nitric acid and used as a framework for the development of 3D-PMC materials. The copper nanosheet (Cu-NS) was deposited onto the functionalized PU foam to produce Cu-NS-PU material. The mechanically exfoliated graphene was mixed with chitosan to produce a graphene-chitosan homogenous suspension. The produce homogenous suspension was deposited Cu-NS-PU for the development of the 3D-PMC framework. The prepared 3D-PMC framework was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDX), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-rays diffraction (XRD) analysis. The prepared 3D-PMC framework was subjected to various adsorption parameters to assess the sorption ability of the material. The prepared 3D-PMC framework was effectively used for the removal of chromium (Cr) metal ions and Congo-red (CR) dye from the water system. The synthesis of the 3D-PMC framework is simple, novel, cost-effective, and economically viable. Therefore, the prepared 3D-PMC framework has the potential to be used as a filter assembly in water treatment technologies.
Spatial distribution and risk factors of adverse treatment outcomes of tuberculosis in Guizhou, China, 2013–2018
Authors: Zhou Jian , Ma Xiaoxue , Tian Juan , Hong Feng , Li Jinlan
Published: April 2021

The incidence of Tuberculosis (TB) in Guizhou province has ranked to be the top four among the 31 China provinces. The spatial distribution and influencing factors of adverse outcomes of TB in Guizhou are unclear. In our study, the cases information of TB in Guizhou province from 2013 to 2018 was collected, we analyzed the spatial distribution and clusters of five adverse outcomes of TB with ArcMap10.2 software, used logistics regression analysis to assessed risk factors and used Chi-square analysis to analyze variation trend of the five adverse outcomes. A total of 237, 806 cases information of TB were collected. The proportion of adverse outcomes in TB patients was 6.18%, among which adverse reactions accounted for 1.05%, lost to follow-up accounted for 1.44%, treatment failed accounted for 1.15%, died accounted for 2.31%, switch to MDR accounted for 0.24%. The component ratio of adverse outcomes showed an upward trend (P < 0.05).Regional clustering existed in each of adverse outcomes (P < 0.05). There were high-risk minorities, gender, age, occupation, type of diagnosis, Therapeutic category existed in adverse outcomes of TB. Miao and Dong had a higher risk in adverse reaction of TB compared with Han. Women had a higher risk in adverse reactions than men, and a lower risk of lost to follow-up, failed, and died. Retreated patients had a higher risk of adverse outcomes. Timely monitoring and active intervention should be carried out for some high-risk areas and groups, including middle-aged and elderly patients, rural patients, floating patients, severe patients and retreated patients during the process of patient diagnosis and treatment.
A decade-long silent ground subsidence hazard culminating in a metropolitan disaster in Maceió, Brazil
Authors: Vassileva Magdalena , Al-Halbouni Djamil , Motagh Mahdi , Walter Thomas R. , Dahm Torsten , Wetzel Hans-Ulrich
Published: April 2021

Ground subsidence caused by natural or anthropogenic processes affects major urban areas worldwide. Sinkhole formation and infrastructure fractures have intensified in the federal capital of Maceió (Alagoas, Brazil) since early 2018, forcing authorities to relocate affected residents and place buildings under demolition. In this study, we present a 16-year history (2004–2020) of surface displacement, which shows precursory deformations in 2004–2005, reaching a maximum cumulative subsidence of approximately 200 cm near the Mundaú Lagoon coast in November 2020. By integrating the displacement observations with numerical source modelling, we suggest that extensive subsidence can be primarily associated with the removal of localized, deep-seated material at the location and depth where salt is mined. We discuss the accelerating subsidence rates, influence of severe precipitation events on the aforementioned geological instability, and related hazards. This study suggests that feedback destabilization mechanisms may arise in evaporite systems due to anthropogenic activities, fostering enhanced and complex superficial ground deformation.
Predicting the clinical management of skin lesions using deep learning
Authors: Abhishek Kumar , Kawahara Jeremy , Hamarneh Ghassan
Published: April 2021

Automated machine learning approaches to skin lesion diagnosis from images are approaching dermatologist-level performance. However, current machine learning approaches that suggest management decisions rely on predicting the underlying skin condition to infer a management decision without considering the variability of management decisions that may exist within a single condition. We present the first work to explore image-based prediction of clinical management decisions directly without explicitly predicting the diagnosis. In particular, we use clinical and dermoscopic images of skin lesions along with patient metadata from the Interactive Atlas of Dermoscopy dataset (1011 cases; 20 disease labels; 3 management decisions) and demonstrate that predicting management labels directly is more accurate than predicting the diagnosis and then inferring the management decision ($$13.73 \pm 3.93\%$$

13.73
±
3.93
%

and $$6.59 \pm 2.86\%$$

6.59
±
2.86
%

improvement in overall accuracy and AUROC respectively), statistically significant at $$p < 0.001$$

p
<
0.001

. Directly predicting management decisions also considerably reduces the over-excision rate as compared to management decisions inferred from diagnosis predictions (24.56% fewer cases wrongly predicted to be excised). Furthermore, we show that training a model to also simultaneously predict the seven-point criteria and the diagnosis of skin lesions yields an even higher accuracy (improvements of $$4.68 \pm 1.89\%$$

4.68
±
1.89
%

and $$2.24 \pm 2.04\%$$

2.24
±
2.04
%

in overall accuracy and AUROC respectively) of management predictions. Finally, we demonstrate our model’s generalizability by evaluating on the publicly available MClass-D dataset and show that our model agrees with the clinical management recommendations of 157 dermatologists as much as they agree amongst each other.
Rethinking GPS navigation: creating cognitive maps through auditory clues
Authors: Clemenson Gregory D. , Maselli Antonella , Fiannaca Alexander J. , Miller Amos , Gonzalez-Franco Mar
Published: April 2021

GPS navigation is commonplace in everyday life. While it has the capacity to make our lives easier, it is often used to automate functions that were once exclusively performed by our brain. Staying mentally active is key to healthy brain aging. Therefore, is GPS navigation causing more harm than good? Here we demonstrate that traditional turn-by-turn navigation promotes passive spatial navigation and ultimately, poor spatial learning of the surrounding environment. We propose an alternative form of GPS navigation based on sensory augmentation, that has the potential to fundamentally alter the way we navigate with GPS. By implementing a 3D spatial audio system similar to an auditory compass, users are directed towards their destination without explicit directions. Rather than being led passively through verbal directions, users are encouraged to take an active role in their own spatial navigation, leading to more accurate cognitive maps of space. Technology will always play a significant role in everyday life; however, it is important that we actively engage with the world around us. By simply rethinking the way we interact with GPS navigation, we can engage users in their own spatial navigation, leading to a better spatial understanding of the explored environment.
EYS mutations and implementation of minigene assay for variant classification in EYS-associated retinitis pigmentosa in northern Sweden
Authors: Westin Ida Maria , Jonsson Frida , Österman Lennart , Holmberg Monica , Burstedt Marie , Golovleva Irina
Published: April 2021

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of inherited retinal degenerations. The ortholog of Drosophila eyes shut/spacemaker, EYS on chromosome 6q12 is a major genetic cause of recessive RP worldwide, with prevalence of 5 to 30%. In this study, by using targeted NGS, MLPA and Sanger sequencing we uncovered the EYS gene as one of the most common genetic cause of autosomal recessive RP in northern Sweden accounting for at least 16%. The most frequent pathogenic variant was c.8648_8655del that in some patients was identified in cis with c.1155T>A, indicating Finnish ancestry. We also showed that two novel EYS variants, c.2992_2992+6delinsTG and c.3877+1G>A caused exon skipping in human embryonic kidney cells, HEK293T and in retinal pigment epithelium cells, ARPE-19 demonstrating that in vitro minigene assay is a straightforward tool for the analysis of intronic variants. We conclude, that whenever it is possible, functional testing is of great value for classification of intronic EYS variants and the following molecular testing of family members, their genetic counselling, and inclusion of RP patients to future treatment studies.
Identification of critical amino acid residues in the regulatory N-terminal domain of PMEL
Authors: Mitchell Susan M. , Graham Morven , Liu Xinran , Leonhardt Ralf M.
Published: April 2021

The pigment cell-specific protein PMEL forms a functional amyloid matrix in melanosomes onto which the pigment melanin is deposited. The amyloid core consists of a short proteolytic fragment, which we have termed the core-amyloid fragment (CAF) and perhaps additional parts of the protein, such as the PKD domain. A highly O-glycosylated repeat (RPT) domain also derived from PMEL proteolysis associates with the amyloid and is necessary to establish the sheet-like morphology of the assemblies. Excluded from the aggregate is the regulatory N-terminus, which nevertheless must be linkedin cisto the CAF in order to drive amyloid formation. The domain is then likely cleaved away immediately before, during, or immediately after the incorporation of a new CAF subunit into the nascent amyloid. We had previously identified a 21 amino acid long region, which mediates the regulatory activity of the N-terminus towards the CAF. However, many mutations in the respective segment caused misfolding and/or blocked PMEL export from the endoplasmic reticulum, leaving their phenotype hard to interpret. Here, we employ a saturating mutagenesis approach targeting the motif at single amino acid resolution. Our results confirm the critical nature of the PMEL N-terminal region and identify several residues essential for PMEL amyloidogenesis.
Metamorphic microdiamond formation is controlled by water activity, phase transitions and temperature
Authors: Kotková J. , Fedortchouk Y. , Wirth R. , Whitehouse M. J.
Published: April 2021

Metamorphic diamonds hosted by major and accessory phases in ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic terranes represent important indicators of deep subduction and exhumation of continental crust at convergent plate boundaries. However, their nucleation and growth mechanisms are not well understood due to their small size and diversity. The Bohemian microdiamond samples represent a unique occurrence of monocrystalline octahedral and polycrystalline cubo-octahedral microdiamonds in two different metasedimentary rock types. By combining new and published data on microdiamonds (morphology, resorption, associated phases, carbon isotope composition) with P–T constraints from their host rocks, we demonstrate that the peak P–T conditions for the diamond-bearing UHP rocks cluster along water activity-related phase transitions that determine the microdiamond features. With increasing temperature, the diamond-forming medium changes from aqueous fluid to hydrous melt, and diamond morphology evolves from cubo-octahedral to octahedral. The latter is restricted to the UHP-UHT rocks exceeding 1100 °C, which is above the incongruent melting of phengite, where microdiamonds nucleate along a prograde P–T path in silicate-carbonate hydrous melt. The observed effect of temperature on diamond morphology supports experimental data on diamond growth and can be used for examining growth conditions of cratonic diamonds from kimberlites, which are dominated by octahedra and their resorbed forms.
Comparison of Argentinean microbiota with other geographical populations reveals different taxonomic and functional signatures associated with obesity
Authors: Pesoa Susana A. , Portela Nestor , Fernández Eduardo , Elbarcha Osvaldo , Gotteland Martin , Magne Fabien
Published: April 2021

Accumulating evidence suggests that various genetic and environmental factors contribute to the development of obesity. Among the latter, the gut microbiota has emerged as a critical player in the regulation of human metabolism and health and the development of non-communicable chronic diseases. Considering that no information on this matter is available in Argentina, our aim was to identify the microorganisms associated with obesity as well as their potential functionality. Using high throughput sequencing of 16SrRNA bacterial gene and diverse bioinformatics tools, we observed that the gut microbiota of obese and overweight individuals differs qualitatively and quantitatively from that from their lean counterparts. The comparison of the gut microbiota composition in obese subjects from Argentina, US and UK showed that the beta diversity significantly differs among the three countries, indicating that obesity-associated microbiota composition changes according to the geographical origin of the individuals. Moreover, four distinct microbiotypes were identified in obese individuals, whose prevalence and metabolic pathway signature differed according to the country, indicating that obesity associated dysbiosis would comprise several structures. In summary, identification of distinct taxonomic signatures associated with obesity might be a novel promising tool to stratify patients based on their microbiome configuration to design strategies for managing obesity.
Cardiometabolic diseases, frailty, and healthcare utilization and expenditure in community-dwelling Chinese older adults
Authors: Gao Ke , Li Bo-Lin , Yang Lei , Zhou Dan , Ding Kang-Xi , Yan Ju , Gao Ya-Jie , Huang Xiao-Rui , Zheng Xiao-Pu
Published: April 2021

This study investigated associations between cardiometabolic diseases, frailty, and healthcare utilization and expenditure among Chinese older adults. The participants were 5204 community-dwelling adults aged at least 60 years from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Five cardiometabolic diseases were assessed including hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, cardiac diseases and stroke. Frailty status was based on five criteria: slowness, weakness, exhaustion, inactivity, and shrinking. Participants were deemed frailty if they met at least three criteria. As the number of cardiometabolic diseases increased, so did the prevalence of frailty, and the proportion of healthcare utilization, including outpatient visit and inpatient visit. Moreover, the total healthcare expenditure and the odds of catastrophic health expenditure were increased with the number of cardiometabolic disorders. After adjusting for covariates, cardiometabolic diseases were positively associated with higher odds of frailty, incurring outpatient and inpatient visit. And individuals with 2 or more cardiometabolic diseases had a higher odds of catastrophic health expenditure than persons with non-cardiometabolic disease. Participants who were frailty were more likely to report higher odds of healthcare utilization. These findings suggest that both cardiometabolic diseases and frailty assessment may improve identification of older adults likely to require costly, extensive healthcare.
Non-destructive methods for fruit quality evaluation
Authors: Bratu Ana-Maria , Popa Cristina , Bojan Mihaela , Logofatu Petre Catalin , Petrus Mioara
Published: April 2021

This work studies the evolution in time of several varieties of apples with application in quality storage maintenance. Two different methods were used to evaluate long-stored apples for better sorting and degradation assessment. The first method was laser photoacoustic spectroscopy for the detection of ethylene and ethanol compounds from the internal atmosphere of apples. The second method was multispectral imaging that measures the image and the spectrum combined and also can be used to address features such as ripening and external defects. The experiments showed that, the ethylene value decreases and the value of ethanol increases, which sometimes we may associate with a drift of the images toward darker tones, because the apple is slowly degrading. Non-invasive, real-time inspection can reveal when the degradation process begins, improving the capability of sorting, maintaining their quality and storability.
Author Correction: A model-based quantification of startle reflex habituation in larval zebrafish
Authors: Beppi Carolina , Straumann Dominik , Bögli Stefan Yu
Published: April 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Gas-mediated liquid metal printing toward large-scale 2D semiconductors and ultraviolet photodetector
Authors: Li Qian , Lin Ju , Liu Tian-Ying , Zhu Xi-Yu , Yao Wen-Hao , Liu Jing
Published: April 2021

A gas-mediated fabrication of centimeter-scale two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors and ultraviolet photodetector by a liquid metal-based printing was reported. Various large-scale 2D materials (Ga2O3, In2O3, SnO) were demonstrated to be directly printed at ambient air on different substrates. Such printing represents a generic, fast, clean, and scalable technique to quickly manufacture 2D semiconductors. The electrical properties were explored to quantify the printed 2D films, which were somewhat deficient in previous studies. In particular, to explore and facilitate the advantages of this 2D semiconductor in functional electronic applications, strategies for realizing fully printed Ga2O3/Si heterojunction photodetector via low-temperature and low-cost processes were developed. The device exhibits excellent sensibility and rapid photoresponse times. This work offers feasible way to develop high-performance ultraviolet photodetector for mass production. It also suggests a promising direction for making large-scale 2D photoelectronic and electronic systems and is expected to be extensively useful in the coming time.
Author Correction: Preserved wake-dependent cortical excitability dynamics predict cognitive fitness beyond age-related brain alterations
Authors: Van Egroo Maxime , Narbutas Justinas , Chylinski Daphne , Villar González Pamela , Ghaemmaghami Pouya , Muto Vincenzo , Schmidt Christina , Gaggioni Giulia , Besson Gabriel , Pépin Xavier , Tezel Elif , Marzoli Davide , Le Goff Caroline , Cavalier Etienne , Luxen André , Salmon Eric , Maquet Pierre , Bahri Mohamed Ali , Phillips Christophe , Bastin Christine , Collette Fabienne , Vandewalle Gilles
Published: April 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-021-01995-5
Single-molecule determination of chemical equilibrium of DNA intercalation by electrical conductance
Authors: Zhang Lu , Kaneko Satoshi , Fujii Shintaro , Kiguchi Manabu , Nishino Tomoaki
Published: April 2021

The association of organic dye to DNA was investigated by single-molecule conductance. The binding isotherm obtained from single-molecule measurements leads to determination of the association constant.
Room-temperature synthesis, growth mechanisms and opto-electronic properties of organic–inorganic halide perovskite CH3NH3PbX3 (X = I, Br, and Cl) single crystals
Authors: Bari Maryam , Wu Hua , Bokov Alexei A. , Ali Rana Faryad , Tailor Hamel N. , Gates Byron D. , Ye Zuo-Guang
Published: April 2021

Growth of MAPbX3 (X = I, Br, and Cl) single crystals by room temperature crystallization (RTC) method, and the crystallization pathway illustrated by the solubility curve of MAPbCl3 in DMSO, compared with inverse temperature crystallization (ITC) method.
Polarization-resolved single-molecule tracking reveals strange dynamics of fluorescent tracers through a deep rubbery polymer network
Authors: Mahato Jaladhar , Bhattacharya Sukanya , Sharma Dharmendar K. , Chowdhury Arindam
Published: April 2021

Simultaneous tracking of the translational and rotational movement of single-molecule tracers allowed identification of genuine immobility and provided new insights into the local structure and dynamics in complex environments such as soft materials.
Toward a microscopic model of light absorbing dissolved organic compounds in aqueous environments: theoretical and experimental study
Authors: Karimova Natalia V. , Alves Michael R. , Luo Man , Grassian Vicki H. , Gerber R. Benny
Published: April 2021

A microscopic model for one type of m-CDOM were established.
Examination of aggregation-induced enhanced emission in a propeller-shaped chiral nonconjugated blue emitter from restricted intramolecular rotation and J-type π⋯π stacking interactions
Authors: Yakalı Gül
Published: April 2021

To get rid of aggregation-caused quenching in the solid phase, generally observed in π-conjugated planar molecules, a new chiral nonconjugated molecule with propeller-shaped blue emitter is prepared and characterized, and its photoluminescence behavior investigated.
Highly efficient, ultralow turn-on voltage red and white organic light-emitting devices based on a novel exciplex host
Authors: Song Jian , Zhang Fujun , Yang Liping , Chen Keming , Li Asu , Sheng Ren , Duan Yu , Chen Ping
Published: April 2021

We have prepared high-performance white OLEDs based on exciplex systems and blue ultra-thin FIrPic layers, exhibiting a low turn-on voltage of 2.2 V with a maximum power efficiency of 34.1 lm W−1, and the CIE coordinate (0.33,0.33) at 1000 cd m−2.
Are the rates of dexter transfer in TADF hyperfluorescence systems optically accessible?
Authors: Haase Nils , Danos Andrew , Pflumm Christof , Stachelek Patrycja , Brütting Wolfgang , Monkman Andrew P.
Published: April 2021

Dexter quenching is a likely loss mechanism in hyperfluorescent OLEDS, but changes in delayed emission kinetics in analogous optical experiments come from something else.
The preparation and characterization of high-performance mesoporous carbon from a highly π-conjugated polybenzoxazine precursor
Authors: Liu Huan , Zhou Zi-yuan , Li Shi-han , Lu Bing-an , Zhao Hong-wei , Liu Qing-quan
Published: April 2021

This work focusing on the effects of chemical structure can broaden the study of functional mesoporous carbon.
Quantitative trace metal determinations in cell culture media using LS-APGD-MS and ICP-OES with free/bound species differentiation following polymer fiber separations
Authors: Hall Katja A. , Paing Htoo W. , Marcus R. Kenneth
Published: April 2021

The use of LS-APGD-MS is demonstrated for applications in cell culture media analysis and validated by ICP-OES. Use of simple polymer fiber injector loop allows determinations of the relative freevs.bound fractions of the metals.
Facile antibacterial materials with turbine-like structure for P. aeruginosa infected scald wound healing
Authors: Tao Qin , Guo Lixia , Diao Haipeng , Feng Liheng
Published: April 2021

Turbine-like organic molecules were developed and applied to the treatment of P. aeruginosa infected scald wounds. It effectively alleviates the dilemma that P. aeruginosa is prone to develop antimicrobial resistance during the disease treatment.
In situnanoscale visualization of solvent effects on molecular crystal surfaces
Authors: Herzberg Mikkel , Larsen Anders S. , Hassenkam Tue , Madsen Anders Ø. , Rantanen Jukka
Published: April 2021

Atomic force microscopy and molecular dynamics simulations probed the crystallinity and hydrophobicity of a paracetamol crystal surface in water–ethanol mixtures. We observe the formation of a dynamic heterogenous disordered surface (DHDS) layer.
First-principles investigation of electronic, mechanical and thermoelectric properties of graphene-like XBi (X = Si, Ge, Sn) monolayers
Authors: Bafekry Asadollah , Yagmurcukardes Mehmet , Akgenc Berna , Ghergherehchi Mitra , Mortazavi Bohayra
Published: April 2021

Herein, we investigate the stability and intrinsic properties of XBi (X = Ge, Si, or Sn) monolayer by using DFT calculations. SiBi is a semiconductor, while GeBi and SnBi exhibit metallic behavior. Moreover, SiBi is a good thermoelectric material with increasing temperature.
Contact resistance stability and cation mixing in a Vulcan-based LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 slurry for semi-solid flow batteries
Authors: Jacas Biendicho Jordi , Hemesh Avireddy , Izquierdo Victor , Flox Cristina , Morante Joan Ramon
Published: April 2021

Electrical contact resistance and cation mixing have been identified as physico-chemical factors limiting the performance of semi-solid flow batteries.
Interaction of dicoordinate phosphorus with boranes: chemistry of 3a,6a-diaza-1,4-diphosphapentalene as masked phosphinidene
Authors: Panova Yulia , Khristolyubova Alexandra , Zolotareva Natalia , Sushev Vyacheslav , Galperin Vadim , Rumyantcev Roman , Fukin Georgy , Kornev Alexander
Published: April 2021

The variety of reaction products of DDP with boranes is determined by the nature of DDP, which is a masked phosphinidene.
Conversion of Pd(i) off-cycle species into highly efficient cross-coupling catalysts
Authors: Liu Yaxu , Voloshkin Vladislav A. , Scattolin Thomas , Cavallo Luigi , Dereli Busra , Cazin Catherine S. J. , Nolan Steven P.
Published: April 2021

A simple and eco-friendly protocol to convert off-cycle Pd(i) dimeric species into catalytically active air and moisture stable [Pd(NHC)Cl2]2 is presented.
Integrating molecular design and crystal engineering approaches in non-humidified intermediate-temperature proton conductors based on a Dawson-type polyoxometalate and poly(ethylene glycol) derivatives
Authors: Ogiwara Naoki , Tomoda Masahiro , Miyazaki Shotaro , Weng Zhewei , Takatsu Hiroshi , Kageyama Hiroshi , Misawa Toshiyuki , Ito Takeru , Uchida Sayaka
Published: April 2021

Crystalline composites of Dawson-type polyoxometalates, alkali–metal ions as counter cations, and poly(ethylene glycol)s offer efficient proton conduction under non-humidified conditions.
Bactericidal urea crown ethers target phosphatidylethanolamine membrane lipids
Authors: Herschede Sarah R. , Gneid Hassan , Dent Taylor , Jaeger Ellen B. , Lawson Louise B. , Busschaert Nathalie
Published: April 2021

In this manuscript we report a small molecule that can selectively bind to the bacterial lipid phosphatidylethanolamine and consequently functions as an antibacterial agent against certain Gram-positive bacteria.
Pseudo-tetrahedral vs. pseudo-octahedral ErIII single molecule magnets and the disruptive role of coordinated TEMPO radical
Authors: Brzozowska Maria , Handzlik Gabriela , Kurpiewska Katarzyna , Zychowicz Mikołaj , Pinkowicz Dawid
Published: April 2021

Tetrahedral ErIII complexes are potential candidates for high-performance single molecule magnets (SMMs).
A telluride shell on plasmonic Au nanoparticles: amorphous/crystalline phase and shape evolution engineering via aqueous cation exchange
Authors: Su Mengyao , Li Xinyuan , Xu Meng , Wan Xiaodong , Wang Hongzhi , Bai Bing , Rong Hongpan , Liu Jiajia , Liu Jia , Zhang Jiatao
Published: April 2021

Using aqueous cation exchange synthesis strategy for the first time, we have synthesis Au@PbTe core–shell nanocrystals with engineering of amorphous/crystalline phase and shape evolution facilely.
Stereospecific cyanation of the olefinic C–H bond enabled by 1,4-rhodium migration
Authors: Lu Xiaosa , Huang Yinhua
Published: April 2021

Rhodium-catalyzed stereospecific cyanation of the olefinic C–H bond for the synthesis of β,β-disubstituted acrylonitriles has been developed.
Facile synthesis of 4-acetoxyindoles via PhI(OAc)2-mediated dearomatization of 2-alkynylanilines
Authors: Wang Yue , He Qiuqin , Fan Renhua
Published: April 2021

A simple process for rapid synthesis of 4-aetoxyindoles from readily available 2-alkynylanilines via dearomatization was reported.
Planar tetracoordinate fluorine atoms
Authors: Castillo-Toraya Gabriela , Orozco-Ic Mesías , Dzib Eugenia , Zarate Ximena , Ortíz-Chi Filiberto , Cui Zhong-hua , Barroso Jorge , Merino Gabriel
Published: April 2021

The first global minima with a planar tetracoordinate fluorine atom are introduced. Their stabilization depends mainly on subtle ionic interactions and an adequate cavity.
Developmental Courses in Childhood Dysarthria: Longitudinal Analyses of Auditory-Perceptual Parameters
Authors: Haas Elisabet , Ziegler Wolfram , Schölderle Theresa
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The aim of this longitudinal study was to describe developmental courses of childhood dysarthria against the background of typical speech motor development by collecting auditory-perceptual data.

Method

Fourteen children (four girls, 10 boys; 5;1–8;4 [years;months] at Time 1) with neurological conditions (CNC) and 14 typically developing children (CTD) matched for age and gender were assessed at three points in time over an 18-month period. Speech samples were collected using the Bogenhausener Dysarthrie Skalen–Kindliche Dysarthrien (BoDyS-KiD; in English: Bogenhausen Dysarthria Scales–Childhood Dysarthria), a German tool for the assessment of childhood dysarthria, and analyzed by means of nine perceptual scales covering all clinically relevant speech components. Age normalization was performed according to a method published recently. Data from the matched controls were used to estimate whether the gradients of the CNC group's developmental trajectories exceeded those of typical development.

Results

The children with neurological conditions presented heterogeneous speech profiles with a wide range of severity. At the group level, relatively stable trajectories of the age-normalized dysarthria total score were found over the observation period. The nine perceptual scales showed more or less parallel developments. All patients except two followed the growth curve describing the developmental course of the typically developing children.

Conclusions

Most children took advantage of the developmental dynamics as they developed parallel to the age norm. With its comprehensive description of the developmental courses of 14 children with neurological conditions, this study may contribute to a more valid, statistically verified clinical assessment of the course of childhood dysarthria.
Online Control of Voice Intensity in Late Bilinguals' First and Second Language Speech Production: Evidence From Unexpected and Brief Noise Masking
Authors: Cai Xiao , Yin Yulong , Zhang Qingfang
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Speech production requires the combined efforts of feedforward control and feedback control subsystems. The primary purpose of this study is to explore whether the relative weighting of auditory feedback control is different between the first language (L1) and the second language (L2) production for late bilinguals. The authors also make an exploratory investigation into how bilinguals' speech fluency and speech perception relate to their auditory feedback control.

Method

Twenty Chinese–English bilinguals named Chinese or English bisyllabic words, while being exposed to 30- or 60-dB unexpected brief masking noise. Variables of language (L1 or L2) and noise condition (quiet, weak noise, or strong noise) were manipulated in the experiment. L1 and L2 speech fluency tests and an L2 perception test were also included to measure bilinguals' speech fluency and auditory acuity.

Results

Peak intensity analyses indicated that the intensity increases in the weak noise and strong noise conditions were larger in L2-English than L1-Chinese production. Intensity contour analysis showed that the intensity increases in both languages had an onset around 80–140 ms, a peak around 220–250 ms, and persisted till 400 ms post vocalization onset. Correlation analyses also revealed that poorer speech fluency or L2 auditory acuity was associated with larger Lombard effect.

Conclusions

For late bilinguals, the reliance on auditory feedback control is heavier in L2 than in L1 production. We empirically supported a relation between speech fluency and the relative weighting of auditory feedback control, and provided the first evidence for the production–perception link in L2 speech motor control.
A Cadaveric and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Investigation of the Salpingopharyngeus
Authors: Perta Karen , Kalmar Eileen , Bae Youkyung
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The aim of the study was to update our information regarding the salpingopharyngeus (SP) muscle using cadaveric and in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. Primary objectives were to (a) observe the presence/absence of the muscle and (b) quantify and describe its dimensions and course.

Method

SP specimens from 19 cadavers (10 women, nine men) were analyzed. Following head bisection, measurements of SP, including width of the cartilaginous attachment (CW) and width of the superior muscle base (SMW), were taken before and after removal of the overlying mucosa. In addition, SP was analyzed in 15 healthy subjects (eight men, seven women) using high-resolution three-dimensional MRI data. CW and SMW measures were replicated in the paraxial MRI view.

Results

The presence of the salpingopharyngeal fold and muscle was confirmed bilaterally in all cadaveric and living subjects. Following mucosa removal, mean cadaveric CW and SMW measurements were 5.6 and 3.8 mm, respectively. Mean in vivo CW and SMW were 6.1 and 3.7 mm, respectively. Results from the hierarchical regression analyses revealed that, in both cadaveric and living groups, SMW is dependent on the relationship between age and body weight, after controlling for sex.

Conclusions

The salpingopharyngeal fold and SP muscle are always present bilaterally and can be quantified at the superior origin using both cadaveric and in vivo three-dimensional MRI data. Though both the superior origin and inferior course of SP are highly variable, the size of the SP muscle is dependent on characteristics known to affect muscle fibers, such as the relationship between age and body weight. Given the consistent and quantifiable presence of the SP muscle, its potential role in velopharyngeal function for speech and swallowing is reconsidered.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.14347859