bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Suchtartiges Arbeiten: Persönlichkeitsfaktoren und berufliche Rahmenbedingungen
Authors: Pannier Maximilian , Fauth-Bühler Mira
Published: July 2021

Zusammenfassung. Fragestellung: Suchtartiges Arbeiten stellt ein ernst zu nehmendes Problem in unserer Gesellschaft dar. In dieser Studie wird der Frage nachgegangen, welche Rolle berufliche Rahmenbedingungen (Entgrenzung der Arbeit) und Persönlichkeitsfaktoren (Big Five) bei suchtartigem Arbeiten spielen. Methode: 111 Erwerbstätige im Alter von 19 bis 66 Jahren beantworteten online den Persönlichkeitstest Big Five Inventory-SOEP, den Fragebogen zur Erfassung zentraler Merkmale der Arbeit 4.0 und die Skala zur Erfassung von Arbeitssucht. Die statistischen Auswertungen (Korrelationsanalysen, moderierte Regressionsanalyse) erfolgten mittels „R“ und „PSPP“. Ergebnisse: Suchtartiges Arbeiten korreliert signifikant mit Entgrenzung (r = .208), Neurotizismus (r = .356) und dem Alter der Probanden (r = -.321). Alle drei Prädiktoren zusammen erklären insgesamt 29 Prozent der Varianz von suchtartigem Arbeiten. Es konnte kein moderierender Effekt der Variablen Entgrenzung der Arbeit auf den Zusammenhang zwischen Neurotizismus und suchtartigem Arbeiten gefunden werden. Schlussfolgerungen: Neben dem Persönlichkeitsfaktor Neurotizismus und dem Alter spielen bei der Vorhersage suchtartigen Arbeitens auch das Ausmaß der Entgrenzung der Arbeit eine relevante Rolle. Die Ergebnisse sind vor dem Hintergrund der Covid-19-Pandemie relevant, da bei Mitarbeitern im Homeoffice die Grenzen von Arbeit und Privatleben besonders stark verwischen.
How Do Fractures Influence Hyporheic Exchange in Sedimentary Rock Riverbeds?
Authors: Chow R. , Parker B. L. , Steelman C. M. , Thoms A. , Nowak W.
Published: July 2021

Bedrock rivers represent a hydrogeological environment in which surface water flows along an exposed bedrock surface. Studies of hyporheic exchange have exclusively involved rivers composed of unconsolidated fluvial sediments, leaving a critical knowledge gap. This study evaluates the conditions that could support bedform‐scale hyporheic exchange within a fractured sedimentary bedrock river based on field data collected near Guelph, Canada. Hyporheic exchange at the bedform‐scale was evaluated by numerically modeling the migration of a conservative solute tracer through a bedrock riverbed within a two‐dimensional vertical cross‐section along the flow direction. A stochastic discrete fracture‐matrix framework was developed to represent measured subsurface fractured bedrock properties, producing a probabilistic distribution of potential hyporheic exchange pathways. Flow and transport model results indicate that: (a) bedform‐scale hyporheic exchange within a bedrock river exists with high fluid flow velocities in fractures, yet long solute residence times due to diffusion across the fracture‐matrix boundary; (b) the coincidence of fractures and hydrodynamic head gradients across the riverbed controls the spatial extent of bedform‐scale hyporheic exchange; and (c) the potential variability in hyporheic exchange residence time is large (i.e., tens of years) due to the inherent variability in facture network properties. Our field‐based numerical study indicates that the average (median) residence time may not be a good proxy for the potential natural attenuation capacity of a fractured sedimentary bedrock riverbed and that hyporheic exchange has the potential to emplace surface water contaminants within the fractured porous rock matrix that could become a long‐term source of trace contaminants.
SARS-CoV-2 infection in the mouse olfactory system
Authors: Ye Qing , Zhou Jia , He Qi , Li Rui-Ting , Yang Guan , Zhang Yao , Wu Shu-Jia , Chen Qi , Shi Jia-Hui , Zhang Rong-Rong , Zhu Hui-Ming , Qiu Hong-Ying , Zhang Tao , Deng Yong-Qiang , Li Xiao-Feng , Liu Jian-Feng , Xu Ping , Yang Xiao , Qin Cheng-Feng
Published: July 2021

SARS-CoV-2 infection causes a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations in humans, and olfactory dysfunction is one of the most predictive and common symptoms in COVID-19 patients. However, the underlying mechanism by which SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to olfactory disorders remains elusive. Herein, we demonstrate that intranasal inoculation with SARS-CoV-2 induces robust viral replication in the olfactory epithelium (OE), not the olfactory bulb (OB), resulting in transient olfactory dysfunction in humanized ACE2 (hACE2) mice. The sustentacular cells and Bowman’s gland cells in the OE were identified as the major target cells of SARS-CoV-2 before invasion into olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs). Remarkably, SARS-CoV-2 infection triggers massive cell death and immune cell infiltration and directly impairs the uniformity of the OE structure. Combined transcriptomic and quantitative proteomic analyses revealed the induction of antiviral and inflammatory responses, as well as the downregulation of olfactory receptor (OR) genes in the OE from the infected animals. Overall, our mouse model recapitulates olfactory dysfunction in COVID-19 patients and provides critical clues for understanding the physiological basis for extrapulmonary manifestations of COVID-19.
Overweight and obesity in pregnancy: their impact on epigenetics
Authors: Reichetzeder Christoph
Published: July 2021

Over the last few decades, the prevalence of obesity has risen to epidemic proportions worldwide. Consequently, the number of obesity in pregnancy has risen drastically. Gestational overweight and obesity are associated with impaired outcomes for mother and child. Furthermore, studies show that maternal obesity can lead to long-term consequences in the offspring, increasing the risk for obesity and cardiometabolic disease in later life. In addition to genetic mechanisms, mounting evidence demonstrates the induction of epigenetic alterations by maternal obesity, which can affect the offspring’s phenotype, thereby influencing the later risk of obesity and cardiometabolic disease. Clear evidence in this regard comes from various animal models of maternal obesity. Evidence derived from clinical studies remains limited. The current article gives an overview of pathophysiological changes associated with maternal obesity and their consequences on placental structure and function. Furthermore, a short excurse is given on epigenetic mechanisms and emerging data regarding a putative interaction between metabolism and epigenetics. Finally, a summary of important findings of animal and clinical studies investigating maternal obesity-related epigenetic effects is presented also addressing current limitations of clinical studies.
A nonS-locus F-box gene breaks self-incompatibility in diploid potatoes
Authors: Ma Ling , Zhang Chunzhi , Zhang Bo , Tang Fei , Li Futing , Liao Qinggang , Tang Die , Peng Zhen , Jia Yuxin , Gao Meng , Guo Han , Zhang Jinzhe , Luo Xuming , Yang Huiqin , Gao Dongli , Lucas William J. , Li Canhui , Huang Sanwen , Shang Yi
Published: July 2021

Potato is the third most important staple food crop. To address challenges associated with global food security, a hybrid potato breeding system, aimed at converting potato from a tuber-propagated tetraploid crop into a seed-propagated diploid crop through crossing inbred lines, is under development. However, given that most diploid potatoes are self-incompatible, this represents a major obstacle which needs to be addressed in order to develop inbred lines. Here, we report on a self-compatible diploid potato, RH89-039-16 (RH), which can efficiently induce a mating transition from self-incompatibility to self-compatibility, when crossed to self-incompatible lines. We identify the S-locusinhibitor (Sli) gene in RH, capable of interacting with multiple allelic variants of the pistil-specific S-ribonucleases (S-RNases). Further, Sli gene functions like a general S-RNase inhibitor, to impart SC to RH and other self-incompatible potatoes. Discovery of Sli now offers a path forward for the diploid hybrid breeding program.
Ramp-to-threshold dynamics in a hindbrain population controls the timing of spontaneous saccades
Authors: Ramirez Alexandro D. , Aksay Emre R. F.
Published: July 2021

Organisms have the capacity to make decisions based solely on internal drives. However, it is unclear how neural circuits form decisions in the absence of sensory stimuli. Here we provide a comprehensive map of the activity patterns underlying the generation of saccades made in the absence of visual stimuli. We perform calcium imaging in the larval zebrafish to discover a range of responses surrounding spontaneous saccades, from cells that display tonic discharge only during fixations to neurons whose activity rises in advance of saccades by multiple seconds. When we lesion cells in these populations we find that ablation of neurons with pre-saccadic rise delays saccade initiation. We analyze spontaneous saccade initiation using a ramp-to-threshold model and are able to predict the times of upcoming saccades using pre-saccadic activity. These findings suggest that ramping of neuronal activity to a bound is a critical component of self-initiated saccadic movements.
Inflammatory monocytes promote pre-engraftment syndrome and tocilizumab can therapeutically limit pathology in patients
Authors: Jin Linlin , Sun Zimin , Liu Huilan , Zhu Xiaoyu , Zhou Yonggang , Fu Binqing , Zheng Xiaohu , Song Kaidi , Tang Baolin , Wu Yun , Zhu Jiang , Sun Rui , Tian Zhigang , Wei Haiming
Published: July 2021

Unrelated cord blood transplantation (UCBT) is an effective treatment for hematopoietic disorders. However, this attractive approach is frequently accompanied by pre-engraftment syndrome (PES), severe cases of PES are associated with enhanced mortality and morbidity, but the pathogenesis of PES remains unclear. Here we show that GM-CSF produced by cord blood-derived inflammatory monocytes drives PES pathology, and that monocytes are the main source of IL-6 during PES. Further, we report the outcome of a single arm, single-center clinical study of tocilizumab in the treatment of steroid-refractory severe PES patients (www.chictr.org.cn ChiCTR1800015472). The study met the primary outcome measure since none of the patients was nonrelapse death during the 100 days follow-up. The study also met key secondary outcomes measures of neutrophil engraftment and hematopoiesis. These findings offer a therapeutic strategy with which to tackle PES and improve nonrelapse mortality.
Tropical cyclones cumulatively control regional carbon fluxes in Everglades mangrove wetlands (Florida, USA)
Authors: Zhao Xiaochen , Rivera-Monroy Victor H. , Farfán Luis M. , Briceño Henry , Castañeda-Moya Edward , Travieso Rafael , Gaiser Evelyn E.
Published: July 2021

Mangroves are the most blue-carbon rich coastal wetlands contributing to the reduction of atmospheric CO2 through photosynthesis (sequestration) and high soil organic carbon (C) storage. Globally, mangroves are increasingly impacted by human and natural disturbances under climate warming, including pervasive pulsing tropical cyclones. However, there is limited information assessing cyclone’s functional role in regulating wetlands carbon cycling from annual to decadal scales. Here we show how cyclones with a wide range of integrated kinetic energy (IKE) impact C fluxes in the Everglades, a neotropical region with high cyclone landing frequency. Using long-term mangrove Net Primary Productivity (Litterfall, NPPL) data (2001–2018), we estimated cyclone-induced litterfall particulate organic C (litter-POC) export from mangroves to estuarine waters. Our analysis revealed that this lateral litter-POC flux (71–205 g C m−2 year−1)—currently unaccounted in global C budgets—is similar to C burial rates (69–157 g C m−2 year−1) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC, 61–229 g C m−2 year−1) export. We proposed a statistical model (PULITER) between IKE-based pulse index and NPPL to determine cyclone’s impact on mangrove role as C sink or source. Including the cyclone’s functional role in regulating mangrove C fluxes is critical to developing local and regional climate change mitigation plans.
A unique volatile signature distinguishes malaria infection from other conditions that cause similar symptoms
Authors: Pulido Hannier , Stanczyk Nina M. , De Moraes Consuelo M. , Mescher Mark C.
Published: July 2021

Recent findings suggest that changes in human odors caused by malaria infection have significant potential as diagnostic biomarkers. However, uncertainty remains regarding the specificity of such biomarkers, particularly in populations where many different pathological conditions may elicit similar symptoms. We explored the ability of volatile biomarkers to predict malaria infection status in Kenyan schoolchildren exhibiting a range of malaria-like symptoms. Using genetic algorithm models to explore data from skin volatile collections, we were able to identify malaria infection with 100% accuracy among children with fever and 75% accuracy among children with other symptoms. While we observed characteristic changes in volatile patterns driven by symptomatology, our models also identified malaria-specific biomarkers with robust predictive capability even in the presence of other pathogens that elicit similar symptoms.
Body mass index has an impact on preoperative symptoms but not clinical outcome in acute cauda equina syndrome
Authors: Butenschoen Vicki M. , Abulhala Shadi , Meyer Bernhard , Gempt Jens
Published: July 2021

Cauda equina syndrome (CES) presents a surgical emergency with treatment required within 48 h. Symptoms include reduced saddle sensation, micturition difficulties, and/or anal sphincter impairment. Controversy exists regarding the effect on and coincidence of overweight with CES. We performed a retrospective case–control study of all patients treated surgically for acute complete and incomplete CES in our neurosurgical department from 2009 to 2020, focusing on the preoperative BMI and postoperative neurological outcome. In addition, we performed a comprehensive literature review. Fifty patients with CES were included, of whom 96% suffered from a decompensated lumbar spinal stenosis or disc prolapse between the L4/5 and L5/S1 levels. Our cohort population was overweight but not obese: mean BMI was 27.5 kg/m2, compared with 27.6 kg/m2 in patients with degenerative spine surgery. BMI did not significantly influence the postoperative outcome, but it did affect preoperative symptoms and surgery duration. Symptom duration significantly differed depending on the underlying cause for CES. The literature review revealed sparse evidence, with only four clinical case series presenting contradictory results. We provide a comprehensive literature review on the current evidence regarding CES and obesity and conclude that we did not observe an association between obesity and CES occurrence. Patients with CES and other degenerative spinal pathologies belong to an overweight but not obese population. Body Mass Index has an impact on preoperative symptoms but not clinical outcome in acute CES.
Efficacy and safety of phacoemulsification plus goniosynechialysis and trabectome in patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma
Authors: Wang Yu , Liang Zhi-qiao , Zhang Yu , Hennein Lauren , Han Ying , Wu Hui-juan
Published: July 2021

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of combined phacoemulsification, intraocular lens implantation, goniosynechialysis (GSL), and trabectome in patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG). Twenty patients (22 eyes) of PACG treated with combined phacoemulsification, intraocular lens implantation, GSL, and trabectome between September 2017 and September 2020 were included in this case series study. The intraocular pressure (IOP), number of glaucoma medications, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were recorded at baseline, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Successful surgery was defined as IOP < 21 mmHg with or without IOP-lowering medications. IOP was decreased significantly from 22.07 ± 6.62 mmHg at baseline to 15.06 ± 3.39 mmHg at 12 months’ follow-up (p = 0.001). The number of glaucoma medications was significantly reduced from 2.68 ± 1.17 preoperatively to 0.78 ± 0.73 at 12 months’ follow-up (p < 0.01). The rate of successful surgery was 88.9% at 12 months. The reduction in IOP showed a positive correlation with baseline IOP (p < 0.001), and the reduction in number of glaucoma medications was positively correlated with baseline number of glaucoma medications (p < 0.001). There were no vision-threatening complications intraoperatively or postoperatively. Combined phacoemulsification, IOL implantation, GSL, and trabectome were effective and safe in PACG patients in this study. These combined surgical techniques may be useful in PACG patients, especially those with long term and extensive peripheral anterior synechiae.
Differentiation of embryonic stem cells into a putative hair cell-progenitor cells via co-culture with HEI-OC1 cells
Authors: Carpena Nathaniel T. , Chang So-Young , Abueva Celine D. G. , Jung Jae Yun , Lee Min Young
Published: July 2021

Several studies have shown how different cell lines can influence the differentiation of stem cells through co-culture systems. The House Ear Institute-Organ of Corti 1 (HEI-OC1) is considered an important cell line for in vitro auditory research. However, it is unknown if HEI-OC1 cells can promote the differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). In this study, we investigated whether co-culture of ESCs with HEI-OC1 cells promotes differentiation. To this end, we developed a co-culture system of mouse ESCs with HEI-OC1 cells. Dissociated or embryonic bodies (EBs) of ESCs were introduced to a conditioned and inactivated confluent layer of HEI-OC1 cells for 14 days. The dissociated ESCs coalesced into an EB-like form that was smaller than the co-cultured EBs. Contact co-culture generated cells expressing several otic progenitor markers as well as hair cell specific markers. ESCs and EBs were also cultured in non-contact setup but using conditioned medium from HEI-OC1 cells, indicating that soluble factors alone could have a similar effect. The ESCs did not form into aggregates but were still Myo7a-positive, while the EBs degenerated. However, in the fully differentiated EBs, evidence to prove mature differentiation of inner ear hair cell was still rudimentary. Nevertheless, these results suggest that cellular interactions between ESCs and HEI-OC1 cells may both stimulate ESC differentiation.
An automatic spike sorting algorithm based on adaptive spike detection and a mixture of skew-t distributions
Authors: Toosi Ramin , Akhaee Mohammad Ali , Dehaqani Mohammad-Reza A.
Published: July 2021

Developing high-density electrodes for recording large ensembles of neurons provides a unique opportunity for understanding the mechanism of the neuronal circuits. Nevertheless, the change of brain tissue around chronically implanted neural electrodes usually causes spike wave-shape distortion and raises the crucial issue of spike sorting with an unstable structure. The automatic spike sorting algorithms have been developed to extract spikes from these big extracellular data. However, due to the spike wave-shape instability, there have been a lack of robust spike detection procedures and clustering to overcome the spike loss problem. Here, we develop an automatic spike sorting algorithm based on adaptive spike detection and a mixture of skew-t distributions to address these distortions and instabilities. The adaptive detection procedure applies to the detected spikes, consists of multi-point alignment and statistical filtering for removing mistakenly detected spikes. The detected spikes are clustered based on the mixture of skew-t distributions to deal with non-symmetrical clusters and spike loss problems. The proposed algorithm improves the performance of the spike sorting in both terms of precision and recall, over a broad range of signal-to-noise ratios. Furthermore, the proposed algorithm has been validated on different datasets and demonstrates a general solution to precise spike sorting, in vitro and in vivo.
Activated carbon preparation from eucalyptus wood chips using continuous carbonization–steam activation process in a batch intermittent rotary kiln
Authors: Mopoung Sumrit , Dejang Nuchjira
Published: July 2021

The production of activated carbon from eucalyptus wood chips by steam activation in a 2000 kg batch intermittent rotary kiln with continuous carbonization–steam activation process conducted at 500 °C to 700 °C was studied. The activated carbon products were characterized by FTIR, SEM–EDS, Raman spectroscopy, and BET analysis. Percent yields, iodine number, and methylene blue number of the produced activated carbon materials were measured as well. It was shown that the percent yields of the activated carbon materials made in the temperature range from 500 to 700 °C are 21.63 ± 1.52%–31.79 ± 0.70% with capacities of 518–737 mg I2/g and 70.11–96.93 mg methylene blue/g. The BET surface area and micropore volume of the activated carbons are 426.8125–870.4732 m2/g and 0.102390–0.215473 cm3/g, respectively. The steam used in the process could create various oxygen containing surface functional groups such as –CO and –COC groups. In addition, it could also increase the amorphous nature of the activated carbon product. These properties of the activated carbon products are increased with increasing steam activation temperature from 500 to 700 °C. As a result, the activated carbon materials produced at activation temperatures of 600 °C and 700 °C exhibit higher adsorption.
Common cortical areas have different neural mechanisms for covert and overt visual pursuits
Authors: Morishige Ken-ichi , Hiroe Nobuo , Sato Masa-aki , Kawato Mitsuo
Published: July 2021

Although humans can direct their attention to visual targets with or without eye movements, it remains unclear how different brain mechanisms control visual attention and eye movements together and/or separately. Here, we measured MEG and fMRI data during covert/overt visual pursuit tasks and estimated cortical currents using our previously developed extra-dipole, hierarchical Bayesian method. Then, we predicted the time series of target positions and velocities from the estimated cortical currents of each task using a sparse machine-learning algorithm. The predicted target positions/velocities had high temporal correlations with actual visual target kinetics. Additionally, we investigated the generalization ability of predictive models among three conditions: control, covert, and overt pursuit tasks. When training and testing data were the same tasks, the largest reconstructed accuracies were overt, followed by covert and control, in that order. When training and testing data were selected from different tasks, accuracies were in reverse order. These results are well explained by the assumption that predictive models consist of combinations of three computational brain functions: visual information-processing, maintenance of attention, and eye-movement control. Our results indicate that separate subsets of neurons in the same cortical regions control visual attention and eye movements differently.
A multicenter, hospital-based and non-inferiority study for diagnostic efficacy of automated whole breast ultrasound for breast cancer in China
Authors: Xin Yujing , Zhang Xinyuan , Yang Yi , Chen Yi , Wang Yanan , Zhou Xiang , Qiao Youlin
Published: July 2021

This study is the first multi-center non-inferiority study that aims to critically evaluate the effectiveness of HHUS/ABUS in China breast cancer detection. This was a multicenter hospital-based study. Five hospitals participated in this study. Women (30–69 years old) with defined criteria were invited for breast examination by HHUS, ABUS or/and mammography. For BI-RADS category 3, an additional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test was provided to distinguish the true negative results from false negative results. For women classified as BI-RADS category 4 or 5, either core aspiration biopsy or surgical biopsy was done to confirm the diagnosis. Between February 2016 and March 2017, 2844 women signed the informed consent form, and 1947 of them involved in final analysis (680 were 30 to 39 years old, 1267 were 40 to 69 years old).For all participants, ABUS sensitivity (91.81%) compared with HHUS sensitivity (94.70%) with non-inferior Z tests, P = 0.015. In the 40–69 age group, non-inferior Z tests showed that ABUS sensitivity (93.01%) was non-inferior to MG sensitivity (86.02%) with P < 0.001 and HHUS sensitivity (95.44%) was non-inferior to MG sensitivity (86.02%) with P < 0.001. Sensitivity of ABUS and HHUS are all superior to that of MG with P < 0.001 by superior test.For all participants, ABUS specificity (92.89%) was non-inferior to HHUS specificity (89.36%) with P < 0.001. Superiority test show that specificity of ABUS was superior to that of HHUS with P < 0.001. In the 40–69 age group, ABUS specificity (92.86%) was non-inferior to MG specificity (91.68%) with P < 0.001 and HHUS specificity (89.55%) was non-inferior to MG specificity (91.68%) with P < 0.001. ABUS is not superior to MG with P = 0.114 by superior test. The sensitivity of ABUS/HHUS is superior to that of MG. The specificity of ABUS/HHUS is non-inferior to that of MG. In China, for an experienced US radiologist, both HHUS and ABUS have better diagnostic efficacy than MG in symptomatic individuals.
Epidemiological overview of multidimensional chromosomal and genome toxicity of cannabis exposure in congenital anomalies and cancer development
Authors: Reece Albert Stuart , Hulse Gary Kenneth
Published: July 2021

Cannabis and cannabinoids are implicated in multiple genotoxic, epigenotoxic and chromosomal-toxic mechanisms and interact with several morphogenic pathways, likely underpinning previous reports of links between cannabis and congenital anomalies and heritable tumours. However the effects of cannabinoid genotoxicity have not been assessed on whole populations and formal consideration of effects as a broadly acting genotoxin remain unexplored. Our study addressed these knowledge gaps in USA datasets. Cancer data from CDC, drug exposure data from National Survey of Drug Use and Health 2003–2017 and congenital anomaly data from National Birth Defects Prevention Network were used. We show that cannabis, THC cannabigerol and cannabichromene exposure fulfill causal criteria towards first Principal Components of both: (A) Down syndrome, Trisomies 18 and 13, Turner syndrome, Deletion 22q11.2, and (B) thyroid, liver, breast and pancreatic cancers and acute myeloid leukaemia, have mostly medium to large effect sizes, are robust to adjustment for ethnicity, other drugs and income in inverse probability-weighted models, show prominent non-linear effects, have 55/56 e-Values > 1.25, and are exacerbated by cannabis liberalization (P = 9.67 × 10–43, 2.66 × 10–15). The results confirm experimental studies showing that cannabinoids are an important cause of community-wide genotoxicity impacting both birth defect and cancer epidemiology at the chromosomal hundred-megabase level.
Phenotypic and genetic variation of ultraviolet–visible-infrared spectral wavelengths of bovine meat
Authors: Bittante Giovanni , Savoia Simone , Cecchinato Alessio , Pegolo Sara , Albera Andrea
Published: July 2021

Spectroscopic predictions can be used for the genetic improvement of meat quality traits in cattle. No information is however available on the genetics of meat absorbance spectra. This research investigated the phenotypic variation and the heritability of meat absorbance spectra at individual wavelengths in the ultraviolet–visible and near-infrared region (UV–Vis-NIR) obtained with portable spectrometers. Five spectra per instrument were taken on the ribeye surface of 1185 Piemontese young bulls from 93 farms (13,182 Herd-Book pedigree relatives). Linear animal model analyses of 1481 single-wavelengths from UV–Vis-NIRS and 125 from Micro-NIRS were carried out separately. In the overlapping regions, the proportions of phenotypic variance explained by batch/date of slaughter (14 ± 6% and 17 ± 7%,), rearing farm (6 ± 2% and 5 ± 3%), and the residual variances (72 ± 10% and 72 ± 5%) were similar for the UV–Vis-NIRS and Micro-NIRS, but additive genetics (7 ± 2% and 4 ± 2%) and heritability (8.3 ± 2.3% vs 5.1 ± 0.6%) were greater with the Micro-NIRS. Heritability was much greater for the visible fraction (25.2 ± 11.4%), especially the violet, blue and green colors, than for the NIR fraction (5.0 ± 8.0%). These results allow a better understanding of the possibility of using the absorbance of visible and infrared wavelengths correlated with meat quality traits for the genetic improvement in beef cattle.
Innovative finding of 266-nm laser regulating CD90 levels in SDSCs
Authors: Hsiao Ray-Ling , Chen Yen-Chung , Huang Mei-Yue , Chen Chiang-Yun , Lin Yu-Wei , Wu Chung-Yi
Published: July 2021

We used light to irradiate skin-derived stem cells and tried to find any cellular protein alterations 24 h after illumination. A 266-nm laser with four intensities was used, and of the nine cell markers that were surveyed in our trials, only CD90 was downregulated at an intensity of 20 μJ for 10 s. Repeated illuminations from the 266-nm laser at seven intensities revealed that CD90 expression was downregulated 14.6–28.8%, depending on light intensity. The maximal effect was noted at an intensity of 30 μJ for 2 s. This innovative finding reveals that a 266-nm laser can regulate protein expression in skin-derivative stem cells.
A practical way to enhance the synthesis of N8−from an N3−precursor, studied by both computational and experimental methods
Authors: Alzaim Safa , Wu Zhiyi , Benchafia El Mostafa , Young Joshua , Wang Xianqin
Published: July 2021

The synthesis of polymeric nitrogen (PN), a promising oxygen reduction reaction catalyst belonging to a general family of materials containing all-nitrogen molecules or clusters, is shown to be enhanced by UV light.
Facile synthesis of ultralong hydroxyapatite nanowires using wormlike micelles as soft templates
Authors: Zhao Junhua , Hu Qin , Lei Yinlin , Gao Chuanhua , Zhang Pinjie , Zhou Bo , Zhang Gongjun , Song Weijie , Lou Xiaoge , Zhou Xiaoli
Published: July 2021

Ultralong hydroxyapatite nanowires were synthesized by formation of an entangled long wormlike micelle structure in a three-phase reaction system.
First-principles calculations to investigate the effects of strain, electric field, and atom impurity on the electronic and magnetic properties of RuX2 (X = S, Se) nanosheets
Authors: Abdullahi Yusuf Zuntu , Ahmad Sohail
Published: July 2021

An experimental group (Angew. Chem., Int. Ed., 2021, 60, 7013–7017) has recently demonstrated the synthesis of two-dimensional (2D) RuSe2. The bang-gap increases when bi-axial strain increases from −5% to −1% (−5% to 1%)  for and then decreases beyond these strain points.
Incorporation of homogeneous organometallic catalysts into metal–organic frameworks for advanced heterogenization: a review
Authors: Kumar Sandeep , Mohan Brij , Tao Zhiyu , You Hengzhi , Ren Peng
Published: July 2021

The heterogenization of homogeneous organometallic catalysts by incorporation into MOFs using different strategies, MOF selection, OMC selection, and the use of hybrid heterogeneous catalysts OMC@MOFs in catalytic applications are summarized and discussed.
Towards high-areal-capacity aqueous zinc–manganese batteries: promoting MnO2 dissolution by redox mediators
Authors: Lei Jiafeng , Yao Yanxin , Wang Zengyue , Lu Yi-Chun
Published: July 2021

A mediator strategy is proposed to facilitate MnO2 dissolution and recover ‘lost’ capacity from exfoliated MnO2, which improves the cycling stability at high areal capacity of Zn–Mn2+/MnO2 batteries.
New steroid saponins from Dioscorea zingiberensis yam and their medicinal use against I/R via anti-inflammatory effect
Authors: Xue Zhaowei , Cao Zhen , Jin Ming , Zhang Xinxin , Wang Xinrui , Dou Jianwei , Zhu Yuhong , Ito Yoichiro , Guo Zengjun
Published: July 2021

Steroid saponins are the medicinal compounds and nutrition ingredients of medicine food homologous (MFH) Dioscorea zingiberensis C. H. Wright (D. zingiberensis) yam.
A promising strategy for investigating the anti-aging effect of natural compounds: a case study of caffeoylquinic acids
Authors: Li Rong , Tao Mingfang , Wu Ting , Zhuo Zhang , Xu Tingting , Pan Siyi , Xu Xiaoyun
Published: July 2021

The combination of molecular docking and a worm mutant model is a promising strategy to predict and verify the anti-aging effects of natural compounds.
Effect of starch-hydrocolloid complexes with heat-moisture treatment on in vivo digestibility
Authors: Yang Jie , Zhou Shuai , Gu Zhengbiao , Cheng Li , Cui Chun , Shen Yanqin , Hong Yan
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of starch-hydrocolloid (gum arabic, xanthan gum, and guar gum) complexes with heat-moisture treatment (HMT) on in vivo digestibility.
Cognizing the crystallization aspects of NaCaPO4 concomitant 53S bioactive-structures and their imprints in in vitro bio-mineralization
Authors: Riju Chandran R. , Chitra S. , Vijayakumari S. , Bargavi P. , Balakumar S.
Published: July 2021

Compositional and bio-physico-chemical characteristic features of bioactive glasses are of great importance in biomedical field.
Enhancing Co/Co2VO4 Li-ion battery anode performances via 2D–2D heterostructure engineering
Authors: Wang Kun , Hu Yongyuan , Pei Jian , Jing Fengyang , Qin Zhongzheng , Kong Huabin , Wang Jinli , Zhou Yumin , Chen Gang
Published: July 2021

A unique Co/Co2VO4 composite with 2D–2D heterostructure provides excellent cycle stability at high current density as an anode material for LIBs, which is attributed to a proposed mechanism of “active center's charge transfer—capacity compensation”.
Study on the application of ultrasonic wave in the removal of microbiofouling on PMMA surface
Authors: Zheng Liang , Zeng Yufan , Li Yuefan , Zheng Jing
Published: July 2021

Ultrasound has been used for antifouling on the surface of medical devices or food utensils, but it is rarely applied in marine anti‐biofouling on underwater instruments. To understand whether ultrasonic antifouling is suitable for underwater optical windows, the effect of ultrasonic conditions including frequency, power and duration on the removal of microbiofouling on the surface of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), a type of common optical material, was investigated in this study by three‐factor and three‐level orthogonal experiments. Before and after the ultrasonic treatment, both surface morphology and fouling degree of PMMA samples immersed in Escherichia coli suspension and seawater were characterized and quantified using laser scanning microscope. The results showed that ultrasonic treatment can effectively remove microfouling from the PMMA surface under suitable conditions. Ultrasonic technology has a great potential for the control of microfouling on the marine optical instruments. When compared with power and duration, ultrasonic frequency has a more significant effect on antifouling efficacy of ultrasound. It is useful for PMMA samples exposed to seawater within 2 days to conduct an antifouling treatment under the condition of an ultrasonic frequency of 20 kHz, ultrasonic power of 40 W, and ultrasonic duration of 7 min.
A new FWHT‐CMF‐DFE based approach for channel equalization in CP‐free OFDM systems
Authors: Aykırı Gazihan , Avcı Büşra , Savaşcıhabeş Asuman , Özen Ali
Published: July 2021

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) has been widely used in wireless communication systems due to its robustness against the frequency selectivity of fading channels. It provides optimal performance and it also meets the requirements of the next generation communication systems. Although OFDM has these advantages, its spectrum efficiency is usually degraded significantly due to the use of cyclic prefix (CP). In this paper, motivated to deal with this issue, the combined structure of Fast Walsh‐Hadamard Transform (FWHT) and Time Domain Equalizer (TDE) is proposed to use in CP‐free OFDM systems. The results validated by Monte Carlo simulations decipher the improved performances in terms of spectral efficiencies, bit error rate, peak to average power ratio and out of band emission for using this structure over frequency selective multipath fading channels in CP‐free OFDM systems. The acquired simulation results have illustrated that the proposed method provides 20% spectral efficiency without compromising the BER performance.
Robust methods for estimating the orientation and position of IMU and MARG sensors
Authors: Kim Seong Uk , Lee Jaeuk , Yoon Jinsung , Ko Sang‐Ki , Kim Jongmin
Published: July 2021

The inertial measurement unit (IMU) and magnetic, angular rate, and gravity (MARG) sensor orientation and position are widely used in the medical, robotics, and other fields. In general, the orientations can be defined by the integration of angular velocity data, and the positions are also computed from the double integration of acceleration data. However, the acceleration and angular velocity data are often inaccurate due to measurement errors which arise when the sensor moves quickly. Therefore, the orientations and positions significantly differ from the actual values. To address these issues, several techniques are proposed for the accurate measurement of IMU and MARG sensor orientations and positions. The proposed optimization method is applied to raw sensor data to compute faithful orientations by stabilizing and accelerating the convergence of the optimization process. Furthermore, a deep neural network based on 1D convolutional neural network (CNN) layers is proposed to predict the desired velocity from raw acceleration data. The method is validated qualitatively and quantitatively with an optical motion capture (mocap) system. The experimental results show that the proposed method significantly improves orientation and position estimations compared to those of other approaches.
Abell 1430: A merging cluster with exceptional diffuse radio emission
Authors: Hoeft M. , Dumba C. , Drabent A. , Rajpurohit K. , Rossetti M. , Nuza S. E. , van Weeren R. J. , Meusinger H. , Botteon A. , Brunetti G. , Shimwell T. W. , Cassano R. , Brüggen M. , Röttgering H. J. A. , Gastaldello F. , Lovisari L. , Yepes G. , Andrade-Santos F. , Eckert D.
Published: July 2021

Context. Diffuse radio emission has been found in many galaxy clusters, predominantly in massive systems which are in the state of merging. The radio emission can usually be classified as relic or halo emission, which are believed to be related to merger shocks or volume-filling turbulence, respectively. Recent observations have revealed radio bridges for some pairs of very close galaxy clusters. The mechanisms that may allow one to explain the high specific density of relativistic electrons, which are necessary to explain the radio luminosity of these bridge regions, have been poorly explored until now.

Aims. When inspecting the first data release of the LOFAR Two-Metre Sky Survey (LoTSS), we discovered diffuse radio emission in the galaxy cluster Abell 1430. Here, we aim to determine the dynamical state of the cluster and characterise the diffuse radio emission.

Methods. We analysed the LoTSS data in detail and complemented them with recent Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array observations in the L-band. To study the dynamical state of the cluster, we analysed XMM-Newton data, Chandra data, and Sloan Digital Sky Survey data. Moreover, we compared our results to clusters extracted from THE THREE HUNDRED PROJECT cosmological simulation.

Results. We find that Abell 1430 consists of two components, namely A1430-A and A1430-B, with a mass ratio of about 2:1. The massive component shows diffuse radio emission which can be classified as radio halo which shows a low radio power at 1.4 GHz with respect to the mass of the cluster. Most interestingly, there is extended diffuse radio emission in the following dubbed as the ‘Pillow’ according to its morphology, which is apparently related to A1430-B and which is neither typical halo nor typical relic emission. The origin of this emission is puzzling. We speculate that the two components of Abell 1430 undergo an off-axis merger. In this scenario, A1430-B is moving towards the main cluster component and may have compressed and stirred the medium in the filament between the two cluster components.

Conclusions. We have discovered evidence for diffuse radio emission related to the low-density intracluster or intergalactic medium in Abell 1430. To date, only a few examples of emission originating from such regions are known. These discoveries are crucial to constrain possible acceleration mechanisms which may allow us to explain the presence of relativistic electrons in these regions. In particular, our results indicate a spectral index of α144 MHz1.5 GHz = −1.4±0.5 for the Pillow. If upcoming observations confirm a slope as flat as −1.4 or even flatter, this would pose a challenge for the electron acceleration scenarios.
Hunting the relatives of benzonitrile: Rotational spectroscopy of dicyanobenzenes
Authors: Chitarra Olivia , Lee Kin Long Kelvin , Buchanan Zachary , Melosso Mattia , McGuire Brett A. , Goubet Manuel , Pirali Olivier , Martin-Drumel Marie-Aline
Published: July 2021

Context. The recent interstellar detections of –CN containing aromatic species, namely benzonitrile, 1-cyanonaphthalene, and 2-cyanonaphthalene, bring renewed interest in related molecules that could participate in similar reaction networks.

Aims. To enable new interstellar searches for benzonitrile derivatives, the pure rotational spectra of several related species need to be investigated in the laboratory.

Methods. We have recorded the pure rotational spectra of ortho- and meta-dicyanobenzene in the centimetre and millimetre-wave domains. Assignments were supported by high-level quantum chemical calculations. Using Markov chain Monte Carlo simulations, we also searched for evidence of these molecules towards TMC-1 using the GOTHAM survey.

Results. Accurate spectroscopic parameters are derived from the analysis of the experimental spectra, allowing for reliable predictions at temperatures of interest (i.e. 10–300 K) for astronomical searches. Our searches in TMC-1 for both ortho- and meta-isomers provide upper limits for the abundances of the species.
Integrated Use of AHP-GIS-Remote sensing predicting potential areas of coffee plants: a case study of buffer zone of Ta Dung Nature park, Vietnam
Authors: Pham Mai Phuong , Vu Dinh Duy , Tong Thi Hanh , Nguyen Thi Mai Huong , Sandlersky Robert
Published: July 2021

Ta Dung Nature park is an important ecological region, its buffer zone currently has coffee as the main crop. However, declines in coffee yields result in a relative reduction in spending power by households. This study aimed to assess land potential to proposal the land for coffee cultivation. Sustainable agriculture must nurture healthy ecosystems and support the sustainable management of land and natural resources. An approach based on integrated use of the Analytical Hierarchy ProcessGeographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing (AHP-GIS-RS) developed using 13 environmental sub-factors. Study result showed the land of development of current coffee cultivation have had an effect from the most important criteria is soil type (0.24), followed by land use cover unit (0.17) and irrigation system (0.15). Sub-factors (SF9: rock expose above soil; SF11 : flood status, SF1 2: irrigation system) have the largest “potential” land for coffee plants. Coffee plantation was recommended to orient in 6,82 % total of study area by the possibility of expanding cultivated area. A framework of potential model was provided for other industry crops in other study areas in Vietnam.
Photosynthetic activity and productivity of potato plants when using foliar dressings with complex micronutrients and humate
Authors: Savina Olga , Afinogenova Svetlana , Krishtafovich Valentina , Baikhozhaeva Bakhytkul
Published: July 2021

The article presents the results of many years of research on the effect of foliar dressing with complex fertilizers and humate on photosynthetic activity and productivity of potato plants of Gala and Latona varieties. The following options have been studied: 1) without treatment (control); 2) dressing with Ekorost humate at a dose of 0.2-0.4 l/ha; 3) dressing with micronutrient Strada N at a dose of 3-5 l/ha; 4) dressing with micronutrient Strada R at a dose of 3-5 l/ha. The treatment was carried out twice during the growing season: when full shoots appeared and 14 days after the first one. Determination of the leaf area and calculation of the photosynthetic potential were carried out according to the VNIIKH method (1967) three times during the growing season in the following phases: budding, flowering, and the beginning of withering away of lower leaves. The crop was harvested by the method of continuous harvesting of the accounting area of the plots with weighing. The effectiveness of the studied agrotechnical methods has been proved. The best variant of the investigated ones is the use of Strada R. The plants of this variant formed a more powerful assimilation apparatus and had the highest photosynthetic potential, which ultimately affected the yield of tubers. The increase in the yield of two varieties of potatoes was 21.8-23.1 % in relation to the control. Gala variety turned out to be more responsive to the action of vegetative treatments in comparison with Latona variety.
Anion content in Russian rice samples due to increased adaptability to dehydration
Authors: Goncharova Yulia , Gapishko Nadezhda , Ochkas Nikolay , Goncharov Sergey
Published: July 2021

Dehydration is characteristic of plants when exposed to a number of stresses: drought, salinity, high and low temperatures, and the defense mechanisms against it are similar when exposed to various stressors. The mechanism of adaptation to salinity in different plants is not the same. But the increased content of chloride and sulfate ions can indirectly release salt-tolerant specimens with a tolerance mechanism that provides the possibility of greater accumulation of salts without harm to the plant. The content of Cl - ions varied in 50 studied rice samples from 7.6 - 55%. In terms of the amount of sulfate ions, the range of variation was also high, from 1, 19% to 46, 51%. The content of nitrate ions varied least of all in the test material (from 0.37% to 15, 22%). 10 samples had a Cl ion content of more than 30%, which allows them to be recommended as sources according to the characteristic, these are the varieties: Privolniy, Vizit, Courage, Rapan, Smuglyanka. Anahit, Olympus. The varieties Privolniy Mars, Gamma, Olympus contained a high concentration of nitrate ions. Sulfate ions accumulated most of all in the following samples: Anahit, Vizit, Orion, Istok, Regulus. The isolated samples can be sources of both adaptability to drought and salinity.
Xenobiotics: a Threat to the Health of Living Organisms
Authors: Kucherenko Svetlana V. , Ovcharenko Alla M. , Pushenko Sergey L.
Published: July 2021

The article summarizes and analyzes the main impacts of various xenobiotics or their groups on the human body and the consequences of such exposure. The study suggests the refinements to the generally accepted classification of xenobiotics’ origins. The paper also describes the molecular mechanism of foreign substances biotransformation in a human body. The metabolism of xenobiotics differs due to their forms and types’ varieties. The factors of influence on chemicals’ metabolism are also of great importance. Individual features of the metabolism may be associated with genetic differences in the activity of metabolic enzymes. The research results further the comprehension of the exposure pathways and health impacts of the xenobiotics and their metabolites.