bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A rotationally focused flow (RFF) microfluidic biosensor by density difference for early-stage detectable diagnosis
Authors: Kim Noori , Han Kyungsup , Su Pei-Chen , Kim Insup , Yoon Yong-Jin
Published: April 2021

Label-free optical biosensors have received tremendous attention in point-of-care testing, especially in the emerging pandemic, COVID-19, since they advance toward early-detection, rapid, real-time, ease-of-use, and low-cost paradigms. Protein biomarkers testings require less sample modification process compared to nucleic-acid biomarkers’. However, challenges always are in detecting low-concentration for early-stage diagnosis. Here we present a Rotationally Focused Flow (RFF) method to enhance sensitivity(wavelength shift) of label-free optical sensors by increasing the detection probability of protein-based molecules. The RFF is structured by adding a less-dense fluid to focus the target-fluid in a T-shaped microchannel. It is integrated with label-free silicon microring resonators interacting with biotin-streptavidin. The suggested mechanism has demonstrated 0.19 fM concentration detection along with a significant magnitudes sensitivity enhancement compared to single flow methods. Verified by both CFD simulations and fluorescent flow-experiments, this study provides a promising proof-of-concept platform for next-generation lab-on-a-chip bioanalytics such as ultrafast and early-detection of COVID-19.
Application of regularized regression to identify novel predictors of mortality in a cohort of hemodialysis patients
Authors: Werfel Stanislas , Lorenz Georg , Haller Bernhard , Günthner Roman , Matschkal Julia , Braunisch Matthias C. , Schaller Carolin , Gundel Peter , Kemmner Stephan , Hayek Salim S. , Nusshag Christian , Reiser Jochen , Moog Philipp , Heemann Uwe , Schmaderer Christoph
Published: April 2021

Cohort studies often provide a large array of data on study participants. The techniques of statistical learning can allow an efficient way to analyze large datasets in order to uncover previously unknown, clinically relevant predictors of morbidity or mortality. We applied a combination of elastic net penalized Cox regression and stability selection with the aim of identifying novel predictors of mortality in a cohort of prevalent hemodialysis patients. In our analysis we included 475 patients from the “rISk strAtification in end-stage Renal disease” (ISAR) study, who we split into derivation and confirmation cohorts. A wide array of examinations was available for study participants, resulting in over a hundred potential predictors. In the selection approach many of the well established predictors were retrieved in the derivation cohort. Additionally, the serum levels of IL-12p70 and AST were selected as mortality predictors and confirmed in the withheld subgroup. High IL-12p70 levels were specifically prognostic of infection-related mortality. In summary, we demonstrate an approach how statistical learning can be applied to a cohort study to derive novel hypotheses in a data-driven way. Our results suggest a novel role of IL-12p70 in infection-related mortality, while AST is a promising additional biomarker in patients undergoing hemodialysis.
A non-destructive sugar-feeding assay for parasite detection and estimating the extrinsic incubation period of Plasmodium falciparum in individual mosquito vectors
Authors: Guissou Edwige , Waite Jessica L. , Jones Matthew , Bell Andrew S. , Suh Eunho , Yameogo Koudraogo B. , Djègbè Nicaise , Da Dari F. , Hien Domonbabele F. D. S. , Yerbanga Rakiswende S. , Ouedraogo Anicet G. , Dabiré Kounbobr Roch. , Cohuet Anna , Thomas Matthew B. , Lefèvre Thierry
Published: April 2021

Despite its epidemiological importance, the time Plasmodium parasites take to achieve development in the vector mosquito (the extrinsic incubation period, EIP) remains poorly characterized. A novel non-destructive assay designed to estimate EIP in single mosquitoes, and more broadly to study Plasmodium–Anopheles vectors interactions, is presented. The assay uses small pieces of cotton wool soaked in sugar solution to collect malaria sporozoites from individual mosquitoes during sugar feeding to monitor infection status over time. This technique has been tested across four natural malaria mosquito species of Africa and Asia, infected with Plasmodium falciparum (six field isolates from gametocyte-infected patients in Burkina Faso and the NF54 strain) and across a range of temperatures relevant to malaria transmission in field conditions. Monitoring individual infectious mosquitoes was feasible. The estimated median EIP of P. falciparum at 27 °C was 11 to 14 days depending on mosquito species and parasite isolate. Long-term individual tracking revealed that sporozoites transfer onto cotton wool can occur at least until day 40 post-infection. Short individual EIP were associated with short mosquito lifespan. Correlations between mosquito/parasite traits often reveal trade-offs and constraints and have important implications for understanding the evolution of parasite transmission strategies.
Functional similarity between TGF-beta type 2 and type 1 receptors in the female reproductive tract
Authors: Ni Nan , Fang Xin , Li Qinglei
Published: April 2021

Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling plays critical roles in reproductive development and function. TGFβ ligands signal through the TGFβ receptor type 2 (TGFBR2)/TGFBR1 complex. As TGFBR2 and TGFBR1 form a signaling complex upon ligand stimulation, they are expected to be equally important for propagating TGFβ signaling that elicits cellular responses. However, several genetic studies challenge this concept and indicate that disruption of TGFBR2 or TGFBR1 may lead to contrasting phenotypic outcomes. We have shown that conditional deletion of Tgfbr1 using anti-Mullerian hormone receptor type 2 (Amhr2)-Cre causes oviductal and myometrial defects. To determine the functional requirement of TGFBR2 in the female reproductive tract and the potential phenotypic divergence/similarity resulting from conditional ablation of either receptor, we generated mice harboring Tgfbr2 deletion using the same Cre driver that was previously employed to target Tgfbr1. Herein, we found that conditional deletion of Tgfbr2 led to a similar phenotype to that of Tgfbr1 deletion in the female reproductive tract. Furthermore, genetic removal of Tgfbr1 in the Tgfbr2-deleted uterus had minimal impact on the phenotype of Tgfbr2 conditional knockout mice. In summary, our results reveal the functional similarity between TGFBR2 and TGFBR1 in maintaining the structural integrity of the female reproductive tract.
Male courtship song drives escape responses that are suppressed for successful mating
Authors: Arez Eliane , Mezzera Cecilia , Neto-Silva Ricardo M. , Aranha Márcia M. , Dias Sophie , Moita Marta A. , Vasconcelos Maria Luísa
Published: April 2021

Persuasion is a crucial component of the courtship ritual needed to overcome contact aversion. In fruit flies, it is well established that the male courtship song prompts receptivity in female flies, in part by causing sexually mature females to slow down and pause, allowing copulation. Whether the above receptivity behaviours require the suppression of contact avoidance or escape remains unknown. Here we show, through genetic manipulation of neurons we identified as required for female receptivity, that male song induces avoidance/escape responses that are suppressed in wild type flies. First, we show that silencing 70A09 neurons leads to an increase in escape, as females increase their walking speed during courtship together with an increase in jumping and a reduction in pausing. The increase in escape response is specific to courtship, as escape to a looming threat is not intensified. Activation of 70A09 neurons leads to pausing, confirming the role of these neurons in escape modulation. Finally, we show that the escape displays by the female result from the presence of a courting male and more specifically from the song produced by a courting male. Our results suggest that courtship song has a dual role, promoting both escape and pause in females and that escape is suppressed by the activity of 70A09 neurons, allowing mating to occur.
Tracing the origin of the crayfish plague pathogen, Aphanomyces astaci, to the Southeastern United States
Authors: Martín-Torrijos Laura , Martínez-Ríos María , Casabella-Herrero Gloria , Adams Susan B. , Jackson Colin R. , Diéguez-Uribeondo Javier
Published: April 2021

The oomycete Aphanomyces astaci is an emerging infectious pathogen affecting freshwater crayfish worldwide and is responsible for one of the most severe wildlife pandemics ever reported. The pathogen has caused mass mortalities of freshwater crayfish species in Europe and Asia, and threatens other susceptible species in Madagascar, Oceania and South America. The pathogen naturally coexists with some North American crayfish species that are its chronic carriers. Presumptions that A. astaci originated in North America are based on disease outbreaks that followed translocations of North American crayfish and on the identification of the pathogen mainly in Europe. We studied A. astaci in the southeastern US, a center of freshwater crayfish diversity. In order to decipher the origin of the pathogen, we investigated (1) the distribution and haplotype diversity of A. astaci, and (2) whether there are crayfish species-specificities and/or geographical restrictions for A. astaci haplotypes. A total of 132 individuals, corresponding to 19 crayfish species and one shrimp species from 23 locations, tested positive for A. astaci. Mitochondrial rnnS and rnnL sequences indicated that A. astaci from the southeastern US exhibited the highest genetic diversity so far described for the pathogen (eight haplotypes, six of which we newly describe). Our findings that A. astaci is widely distributed and genetically diverse in the region supports the hypothesis that the pathogen originated in the southeastern US. In contrast to previous assumptions, however, the pathogen exhibited no clear species-specificity or geographical patterns.
Tunneling current and noise of entangled electrons in correlated double quantum dot
Authors: Maslova N. S. , Arseyev P. I. , Mantsevich V. N.
Published: April 2021

We developed general approach for the analysis of tunneling current and its zero frequency noise for a wide class of systems where electron transport occurs through the intermediate structure with localized electrons. Proposed approach opens the possibility to study electron transport through multi-electron correlated states and allows to reveal the influence of spatial and spin symmetry of the total system on the electron transport. This approach is based on Keldysh diagram technique in pseudo-particle representation taking into account the operator constraint on the number of pseudo-particles, which gives the possibility to exclude non-physical states. It was shown that spatial and spin symmetry of the total system can block some channels for electron transport through the correlated quantum dots. Moreover, it was demonstrated that the stationary tunneling current and zero frequency noise in correlated coupled quantum dots depend on initial state of the system. In the frame of the proposed approach it was also shown that for the parallel coupling of two correlated quantum dots to the reservoirs tunneling current and its zero frequency noise are suppressed if tunneling occurs through the entangled triplet state with zero total spin projection on the z axis or enhanced for the tunneling through the singlet state in comparison with electron transport through the uncorrelated localized single-electron state. Obtained results demonstrate that two-electron entangled states in correlated quantum dots give the possibility to tune the zero frequency noise amplitude by blocking some channels for electron transport that is very promising in the sense of two-electron entangled states application in quantum communication and logic devices. The obtained nonmonotonic behavior of Fano factor as a function of applied bias is the direct manifestation of the possibility to control the noise to signal ration in correlated quantum dots. We also provide detailed calculations of current and noise for both single type of carriers and two different types of carriers in the presence and in the absence of Coulomb interaction in Supplementary materials.
Experimental study exploring the factors that promote rib fragility in the elderly
Authors: Liebsch Christian , Hübner Shamila , Palanca Marco , Cristofolini Luca , Wilke Hans-Joachim
Published: April 2021

Rib fractures represent a common injury type due to blunt chest trauma, affecting hospital stay and mortality especially in elderly patients. Factors promoting rib fragility, however, are little investigated. The purpose of this in vitro study was to explore potential determinants of human rib fragility in the elderly. 89 ribs from 13 human donors (55–99 years) were loaded in antero-posterior compression until fracture using a material testing machine, while surface strains were captured using a digital image correlation system. The effects of age, sex, bone mineral density, rib level and side, four global morphological factors (e.g. rib length), and seven rib cross-sectional morphological factors (e.g. cortical thickness, determined by μCT), on fracture load were statistically examined using Pearson correlation coefficients, Mann–Whitney U test as well as Kruskal–Wallis test with Dunn-Bonferroni post hoc correction. Fracture load showed significant dependencies (p < 0.05) from bone mineral density, age, antero-posterior rib length, cortical thickness, bone volume/tissue volume ratio, trabecular number, trabecular separation, and both cross-sectional area moments of inertia and was significantly higher at rib levels 7 and 8 compared to level 4 (p = 0.001/0.013), whereas side had no significant effect (p = 0.989). Cortical thickness exhibited the highest correlation with fracture load (r = 0.722), followed by the high correlation of fracture load with the area moment of inertia around the longitudinal rib cross-sectional axis (r = 0.687). High correlations with maximum external rib surface strain were detected for bone volume/tissue volume ratio (r = 0.631) and trabecular number (r = 0.648), which both also showed high correlations with the minimum internal rib surface strain (r =  − 0.644/ − 0.559). Together with rib level, the determinants cortical thickness, area moment of inertia around the longitudinal rib cross-sectional axis, as well as bone mineral density exhibited the largest effects on human rib fragility with regard to the fracture load. Sex, rib cage side, and global morphology, in contrast, did not affect rib fragility in this study. When checking elderly patients for rib fractures due to blunt chest trauma, patients with low bone mineral density and the mid-thoracic area should be carefully examined.
Transcriptomic phases of periodontitis lesions using the nonhuman primate model
Authors: Ebersole Jeffrey L. , Nagarajan Radhakrishnan , Kirakodu Sreenatha , Gonzalez Octavio A.
Published: April 2021

We used a nonhuman primate model of ligature-induced periodontitis to identify patterns of gingival transcriptomic after changes demarcating phases of periodontitis lesions (initiation, progression, resolution). A total of 18 adult Macaca mulatta (12–22 years) had ligatures placed (premolar, 1st molar teeth) in all 4 quadrants. Gingival tissue samples were obtained (baseline, 2 weeks, 1 and 3 months during periodontitis and at 5 months resolution). Gene expression was analyzed by microarray [Rhesus Gene 1.0 ST Array (Affymetrix)]. Compared to baseline, a large array of genes were significantly altered at initiation (n = 6049), early progression (n = 4893), and late progression (n = 5078) of disease, with the preponderance being up-regulated. Additionally, 1918 genes were altered in expression with disease resolution, skewed towards down-regulation. Assessment of the genes demonstrated specific profiles of epithelial, bone/connective tissue, apoptosis/autophagy, metabolism, regulatory, immune, and inflammatory responses that were related to health, stages of disease, and tissues with resolved lesions. Unique transcriptomic profiles occured during the kinetics of the periodontitis lesion exacerbation and remission. We delineated phase specific gene expression profiles of the disease lesion. Detection of these gene products in gingival crevicular fluid samples from human disease may contribute to a better understanding of the biological dynamics of the disease to improve patient management.
Interface induced diffusion
Authors: Gurbán S. , Sulyok A. , Menyhárd Miklos , Baradács E. , Parditka B. , Cserháti C. , Langer G. A. , Erdélyi Z.
Published: April 2021

Interface induced diffusion had been identified in a thin film system damaged by electron bombardment. This new phenomenon was observed in Al2O3 (some nm thick)/Si substrate system, which was subjected to low energy (5 keV) electron bombardment producing defects in the Al2O3 layer. The defects produced partially relaxed. The rate of relaxation is, however, was different in the vicinity of the interface and in the "bulk" parts of the Al2O3 layer. This difference creates an oxygen concentration gradient and consequently oxygen diffusion, resulting in an altered layer which grows from the Al2O3/Si substrate interface. The relative rate of the diffusion and relaxation is strongly temperature dependent, resulting in various altered layer compositions, SiO2 (at room temperature), Al2O3 + AlOx + Si (at 500 °C), Al2O3 + Si (at 700 °C), as the temperature during irradiation varies. Utilizing this finding it is possible to produce area selective interface patterning.
Competing risk model to determine the prognostic factors and treatment strategies for elderly patients with glioblastoma
Authors: Liu Zhuo-yi , Feng Song-shan , Zhang Yi-hao , Zhang Li-yang , Xu Sheng-chao , Li Jing , Cao Hui , Huang Jun , Fan Fan , Cheng Li , Jiang Jun-yi , Cheng Quan , Liu Zhi-xiong
Published: April 2021

The prognostic factors and optimal treatment for the elderly patient with glioblastoma (GBM) were poorly understood. This study extracted 4975 elderly patients (≥ 65 years old) with histologically confirmed GBM from Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. Firstly, Cumulative incidence function and cox proportional model were utilized to illustrate the interference of non-GBM related mortality in our cohort. Then, the Fine-Gray competing risk model was applied to determine the prognostic factors for GBM related mortality. Age ≥ 75 years old, white race, size > 5.4 cm, frontal lobe tumor, and overlapping lesion were independently associated with more GBM related death, while Gross total resection (GTR) (HR 0.87, 95%CI 0.80–0.94, P = 0.010), radiotherapy (HR 0.64, 95%CI 0.55–0.74, P < 0.001), chemotherapy (HR 0.72, 95%CI 0.59–0.90, P = 0.003), and chemoRT (HR 0.43, 95%CI 0.38–0.48, P < 0.001) were identified as independently protective factors of GBM related death. Based on this, a corresponding nomogram was conducted to predict 3-, 6- and 12-month GBM related mortality, the C-index of which were 0.763, 0.718, and 0.694 respectively. The calibration curve showed that there was a good consistency between the predicted and the actual mortality probability. Concerning treatment options, GTR followed by chemoRT is suggested as optimal treatment. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy alone also provide moderate clinical benefits.
Biological treatment of hazardous heavy metals by Streptomyces rochei ANH for sustainable water management in agriculture
Authors: Hamdan Amira M. , Abd-El-Mageed Heba , Ghanem Nevine
Published: April 2021

Microbial bioremediation of heavy metals-polluted industrial effluents has been adopted as one of the most effective eco-friendly tool to cope up with the harmful effects of metals. This study was designed to investigate the biosorption potential of marine actinomycetes isolated from the Alexandrian Mediterranean Seacoast, Egypt, with their potential use in metal remediation of industrial effluents. Among the nine marine actinomycetes isolates, Streptomyces rochei ANH showed the highest versatile metal resistance capability with MIC values of 125 mg/l for Cr6+ and 60 mg/l for both Cd2+ and Pb2+. Additionally, scanning electron micrographs showed complete disintegration of Cr6+-treated biomass compared with the control ones where spores remained intact and connected in long chains. The study also aimed to improve the percentage of Cr6+ biosorption by S. rochei ANH biomass using the statistical designs of Plackett–Burman and Box-Behnken where up to 85% of Cr6+ removal was recorded under the following conditions: pH (5), incubation temperature (30 °C), contact time (3 h), agitation speed (90 rpm), initial Cr6+ concentration (50 mg/l) and living biomass concentration (10 mg/ml). The results also showed that the percentage of Cr6+ biosorption by S. rochei ANH decreased gradually beyond these values. Moreover, the results revealed that the use of the biomass of S. rochei ANH is an effective biotechnological agent for the biological treatment of heavy metal-contaminated tannery effluent where the percentages of metal removal were in the following order: Ni2+ (100%) ≥ Cu2+  ≥ Mn2+  ≥ Fe2+  > Pb2+ (95%) ≥ Cd2+  > Cr6+ (86%). Furthermore, the treated effluent exhibited a stimulating effect on the germination process of Lepidium sativum seeds. Therefore, the present study implies that S. rochei ANH can be considered a powerful candidate to mitigate hazardous heavy metals pollution from industrial effluents and improve the water quality for agricultural purposes.
Gait analysis may distinguish progressive supranuclear palsy and Parkinson disease since the earliest stages
Authors: Amboni Marianna , Ricciardi Carlo , Picillo Marina , De Santis Chiara , Ricciardelli Gianluca , Abate Filomena , Tepedino Maria Francesca , D’Addio Giovanni , Cesarelli Giuseppe , Volpe Giampiero , Calabrese Maria Consiglia , Cesarelli Mario , Barone Paolo
Published: April 2021

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a rare and rapidly progressing atypical parkinsonism. Albeit existing clinical criteria for PSP have good specificity and sensitivity, there is a need for biomarkers able to capture early objective disease-specific abnormalities. This study aimed to identify gait patterns specifically associated with early PSP. The study population comprised 104 consecutively enrolled participants (83 PD and 21 PSP patients). Gait was investigated using a gait analysis system during normal gait and a cognitive dual task. Univariate statistical analysis and binary logistic regression were used to compare all PD patients and all PSP patients, as well as newly diagnosed PD and early PSP patients. Gait pattern was poorer in PSP patients than in PD patients, even from early stages. PSP patients exhibited reduced velocity and increased measures of dynamic instability when compared to PD patients. Application of predictive models to gait data revealed that PD gait pattern was typified by increased cadence and longer cycle length, whereas a longer stance phase characterized PSP patients in both mid and early disease stages. The present study demonstrates that quantitative gait evaluation clearly distinguishes PSP patients from PD patients since the earliest stages of disease. First, this might candidate gait analysis as a reliable biomarker in both clinical and research setting. Furthermore, our results may offer speculative clues for conceiving early disease-specific rehabilitation strategies.
Author Correction: Spike bursting in a dragonfly target-detecting neuron
Authors: Fabian Joseph M. , Wiederman Steven D.
Published: April 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Author Correction: Mitochondrial plastid DNA can cause DNA barcoding paradox in plants
Authors: Park Hyun-Seung , Jayakodi Murukarthick , Lee Sae Hyun , Jeon Jae-Hyeon , Lee Hyun-Oh , Park Jee Young , Moon Byeong Cheol , Kim Chang-Kug , Wing Rod A. , Newmaster Steven G. , Kim Ji Yeon , Yang Tae-Jin
Published: April 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Coarse-grained force-field for large scale molecular dynamics simulations of polyacrylamide and polyacrylamide-gels based on quantum mechanics
Authors: Zheng Mei , Jaramillo-Botero Andres , Ju Xue-hai , Goddard William A.
Published: April 2021

Developing a coarse-grained force field for polyacrylamide based on quantum mechanics equation of state.
Smart fibers for energy conversion and storage
Authors: Ma Wujun , Zhang Yang , Pan Shaowu , Cheng Yanhua , Shao Ziyu , Xiang Hengxue , Chen Guoyin , Zhu Liping , Weng Wei , Bai Hao , Zhu Meifang
Published: April 2021

This review summarizes the achievements of fiber-shaped nanogenerators, solar cells, supercapacitors and batteries.
C–F-rich oil drop as a non-expendable fluid interface modifier with low surface energy to stabilize a Li metal anode
Authors: Yang Qifan , Hu Jiulin , Meng Junwei , Li Chilin
Published: April 2021

A strategy for non-expendable fluid interface modification is proposed by interposing a C–F-rich PFPE oil drop with a low surface energy onto a Li metal anode to address the problem of deformation.
Spectral and kinetic manifestations of chain flexibility and polarity in the reversible photoisomerization of spironaphthoxazine-based acrylic copolymers
Authors: Hamrang Vahid , Mahdavian Ali Reza
Published: April 2021

Future advances in photoresponsive materials essentially depend on our knowledge about how the substrates, and typically their Tg and polarity, affect their photochromic properties.
Enhanced photocatalytic activity of phosphorene under different pH values using density functional theory (DFT)
Authors: Habiba Mamori , Abdelilah Benyoussef , Abdallah El Kenz , Abdelhafed Taleb , Ennaoui Ahmed , Khadija El Maalam , Omar Mounkachi
Published: April 2021

Phosphorene, a new two-dimensional material, was investigated theoretically as a promising photocatalyst material.
Label-free electrochemical immunosensor based on gold nanoparticle/polyethyleneimine/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites for the ultrasensitive detection of cancer biomarker matrix metalloproteinase-1
Authors: Liu Xinke , Lin Lu-Yin , Tseng Fu-Yen , Tan Yu-Cheng , Li Jian , Feng Li , Song Lijun , Lai Chih-Fang , Li Xiaohua , He Jr-Hau , Sakthivel Rajalakshmi , Chung Ren-Jei
Published: April 2021

Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) is associated with many types of cancers, including oral, colorectal, and brain cancers.
An electrochemical sensor based on hierarchical nickel oxide nanostructures doped with indium ions for voltammetric simultaneous determination of sunset yellow and tartrazine colorants in soft drink powders
Authors: Moarefdoust Mohammad Mehdi , Jahani Shohreh , Moradalizadeh Mehran , Motaghi Mohammad Mehdi , Foroughi Mohammad Mehdi
Published: April 2021

Electrochemical sensor based on 3D raspberry-like In3+/NiO hierarchical nano-structure modified glassy carbon electrode for simultaneous detecting of sunset yellow and tartrazine was fabricated.
User-defined, temporal presentation of bioactive molecules on hydrogel substrates using supramolecular coiled coil complexes
Authors: Grewal M. Gregory , Gray Vincent P. , Letteri Rachel A. , Highley Christopher B.
Published: April 2021

The ability to spatiotemporally control the presentation of relevant biomolecules in synthetic culture systems has gained significant attention as researchers strive to recapitulate the endogenous extracellular matrix (ECM) in vitro.
Nonblinking carbon dots for imaging and tracking receptors on a live cell membrane
Authors: Wang Qian , Feng Zhenzhen , He Hua , Hu Xiang , Mao Jian , Chen Xiaoliang , Liu Lihua , Wei Xiaoyun , Liu Di , Bi Simin , Wang Xiaojuan , Ge Baosheng , Yu Daoyong , Huang Fang
Published: April 2021

Nonblinking carbon dots have been developed by stacking abundant aromatic domains onto a carbon core, which enables long-term imaging and tracking of receptors on a live cell membrane.
Quantitative helix handedness bias through a single H vs. CH3 stereochemical differentiation
Authors: Bindl Daniel , Heinemann Elisabeth , Mandal Pradeep K. , Huc Ivan
Published: April 2021

A single stereogenic center determines the stereochemistry of multiturn aromatic helices and outweighs chiral units that have the opposite effect.
Examination of the short-range structure of molten salts: ThF4, UF4, and related alkali actinide fluoride systems
Authors: Ocádiz-Flores J. A. , Gheribi A. E. , Vlieland J. , de Haas D. , Dardenne K. , Rothe J. , Konings R. J. M. , Smith A. L.
Published: April 2021

The short-range structures of molten alkali actinide fluoride salts were studied using in situ EXAFS combined with molecular dynamics simulations.
Water mobility in MoS2 nanopores: effects of the dipole–dipole interaction on the physics of fluid transport
Authors: Abal João P. K. , Barbosa Marcia C.
Published: April 2021

The role of the Water–MoS2 dipole–dipole interaction on the physics of fluid transport.
Broadening the scope of high structural dimensionality nanomaterials using pyridine-based curcuminoids
Authors: Rodríguez-Cid Laura , Qian Wenjie , Iribarra-Araya Joseline , Etcheverry-Berríos Álvaro , Martínez-Olmos Eulalia , Choquesillo-Lazarte Duane , Sañudo Eva Carolina , Roubeau Olivier , López-Periago Ana María , González-Campo Arántzazu , Planas José G. , Soler Mònica , Domingo Concepción , Aliaga-Alcalde Núria
Published: April 2021

We forecast the relevance of synthetic curcuminoids (CCMoids) in the creation of coordination polymers (CPs) by showing a set of three novel CPs synthesized with the exclusive use of a CCMoid and ZnII sources under mild conditions.
A flame-retardant polymer electrolyte for high performance lithium metal batteries with an expanded operation temperature
Authors: Xiang Jingwei , Zhang Yi , Zhang Bao , Yuan Lixia , Liu Xueting , Cheng Zexiao , Yang Yan , Zhang Xinxin , Li Zhen , Shen Yue , Jiang Jianjun , Huang Yunhui
Published: April 2021

The well-designed flame-retardant polymer electrolyte greatly improves the safety and cycle life of high energy density lithium metal batteries.
Designing efficient spin Seebeck-based thermoelectric devices via simultaneous optimization of bulk and interface properties
Authors: Kim Min Young , Park Sang J. , Kim Gi-Yeop , Choi Si-Young , Jin Hyungyu
Published: April 2021

We describe two strategies to enhance the thermoelectric conversion efficiency of spin Seebeck devices and demonstrate a simultaneous realization of them via a simple heat treatment scheme.
Use of sequential extraction and mercury stable isotope analysis to assess remobilization of sediment-bound legacy mercury
Authors: Crowther Elizabeth R. , Demers Jason D. , Blum Joel D. , Brooks Scott C. , Johnson Marcus W.
Published: April 2021

Mercury isotope ratios suggest remobilization of recalcitrant legacy mercury from streambed sediment to stream water and biofilm.
Solvent-free, ultrafast and ultrathin PDMS coating triggered by plasma for molecule separation and release
Authors: Li Yintao , Luo Zisheng , Li Gangfeng , Belwal Tarun , Lin Xingyu
Published: April 2021

An ultrafast, solvent-free PDMS coating method triggered by plasma was developed for ultrathin coating on various nanostructured substrates at room temperature.
Exploring different methods of cellulose extraction for 14C dating
Authors: Cercatillo Silvia , Friedrich Michael , Kromer Bernd , Paleček Dragana , Talamo Sahra
Published: April 2021

Evaluation of different cellulose extraction protocols to obtain reliable radiocarbon ages especially from trees of glacial period.
Green water-based binders for LiFePO4/C cathodes in Li-ion batteries: a comparative study
Authors: Zhang Xiaojing , Ge Xinyi , Shen Zhigang , Ma Han , Wang Jingshi , Wang Shuai , Liu Lei , Liu Beibei , Liu Lixin , Zhao Yizhi
Published: April 2021

Compared with environmentally harmful binder polyvinylidene fluoride for Li-ion battery cathodes, green water-based binders have large content of carboxyl groups, which can provide additional lithium ion transfer channels to improve rate performance.
Screen printing of multi-mode emission NaYF4:Yb,Er(Tm)/NaYF4:Ce,Mn composites for anti-counterfeiting applications
Authors: Liu Wenjing , Zhang Wenjun , Liu Ruxin , Li Guojing
Published: April 2021

NaYF4:Yb,Er(Tm)/NaYF4:Ce,Mn composites were prepared by a hydrothermal method, and an anti-counterfeiting printed pattern can display different colors under different ambient lights.
Tailoring the properties of 3d transition metal complexes with different N-cycloalkyl-substituted tetrazoles
Authors: Braun Vanessa , Wurzenberger Maximilian H. H. , Weippert Valentin , Stierstorfer Jörg
Published: April 2021

N-Cycloalkyl-substituted tetrazoles were coordinated with different late 3d transition metal(ii) salts to give moderately sensitive energetic coordination compounds.
In situhydrothermal synthesis of polar second-order nonlinear optical selenate Na5(SeO4)(HSeO4)3(H2O)2
Authors: Wu Chao , Jiang Xingxing , Lin Lin , Wu Tianhui , Lin Zheshuai , Huang Zhipeng , Humphrey Mark G. , Zhang Chi
Published: April 2021

An alkali–metal selenate nonlinear optical (NLO) crystal, Na5(SeO4)(HSeO4)3(H2O)2, which possesses good second-order nonlinear optical properties, has been obtained by mildin situhydrothermal synthesis.
Fe3O4@Sap/Cu(ii): an efficient magnetically recoverable green nanocatalyst for the preparation of acridine and quinazoline derivatives in aqueous media at room temperature
Authors: Kazemnejadi Milad , Nasseri Mohammad Ali , Sheikh Safoora , Rezazadeh Zinat , Alavi Gol Seyyedeh Ameneh
Published: April 2021

A highly efficient, robust, and green protocol has been developed for the synthesis of acridine and quinazoline derivatives in water under mild reaction conditions using a Fe3O4@Sap/Cu(ii) nanocomposite as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst.
Quantification of the mesh structure of bundled actin filaments
Authors: Cavanna Francis , Alvarado José
Published: April 2021

Actin bundle networks change their structure at different concentrations of actin and bundling agents.
Solution-based chemical pre-alkaliation of metal-ion battery cathode materials for increased capacity
Authors: Kapaev Roman R. , Stevenson Keith J.
Published: April 2021

Solution-based pre-alkaliation of various cathode materials can be performed using alkali metal salts derived from aromatic compounds.
Atomic layer deposition of photoelectrocatalytic material on 3D-printed nanocarbon structures
Authors: Ng Siowwoon , Zazpe Raul , Rodriguez-Pereira Jhonatan , Michalička Jan , Macak Jan M. , Pumera Martin
Published: April 2021

Combining two advanced layer-by-layer manufacturing techniques, low-temperature atomic layer deposition of MoS2on a customizable 3D-printed nanocarbon surface, for photoelectrochemical energy conversion system.
The behaviour of lithium at high metallicity in the Milky Way
Authors: Charbonnel C. , Borisov S. , de Laverny P. , Prantzos N.
Published: April 2021

Aims. We revisit large spectroscopic data sets for field stars from the literature to derive the upper Li envelope in the high metallicity regime in our Galaxy.

Methods. We take advantage of Gaia EDR3 data and state-of-the-art stellar models to precisely determine the position of the sample dwarf stars in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram.

Results. The highest Li abundances are found in field metal-rich warm dwarfs from the GALAH survey, located on the hot side of the Li-dip. Their mean Li value agrees with what was recently derived for warm dwarfs in metal-rich clusters, pointing towards a continuous increase of Li up to super-solar metallicity. However, if only cool dwarfs are considered in GALAH, as done in the other literature surveys, it is found that the upper Li envelope decreases at super-solar metallicities, blurring the actual Li evolution picture. We confirm the suggestion that field and open cluster surveys that found opposite Li behaviour in the high metallicity regime do not sample the same types of stars: The first ones, with the exception of GALAH, miss warm dwarfs that can potentially preserve their original Li content.

Conclusions. Although we can discard the bending of the Li upper envelope at high metallicity derived from the analysis of cool star samples, we still need to evaluate the effects of atomic diffusion on warm, metal-rich early-F and late-A type dwarfs before deriving the actual Li abundance at high metallicity.
Up-date: Renewable energy and climate change
Authors: Sayigh Ali
Published: April 2021

The Climate Change crisis is worsening daily. We must start to-day and not to-morrow limiting CO2emission globally. The Antarctic is melting with alarming speed and causing sea water levels to rise by 24 inches in the Southern Hemisphere. Central Australia is experiencing its worst ever drought and forest fires causing immense damage; on 55 days in 2019 temperatures rose to 48°C while the ground temperature reached 62°C. Vast tracts of land have been burned with loss of life, homes, produce and wildlife. Yet government reaction was skeptical of the Climate Change connection. At the same time Europe and England have had extreme rainfall and serious extensive flooding. Nowadays many countries have started to take Climate Change extremely seriously and put together plans to reduce or stop the use of coal and other fossil fuels. Most countries have pledged to stop using fossil fuels by 2030. The transport industry accounts for the major part of air pollution through the use of motor vehicles, ships and air transport. In this paper it is demonstrated that motor car usage contributes more than 3500 million metric tons of CO2each year. UK in November 2020 pledged to combat Climate Change and reduce the emission of CO2by 50% by 2030. Recently it has announced a ten- point drive to eliminate fossil fuels in transport, agriculture, industry and homes by 2035.Ajman should follow suit and use UK as an example. This paper will summarize the progress of renewable energy globally with examples. Renewable Energy is now a major source of generating electricity worldwide. It is clean, abundant and low cost.
Immuntherapie verlängert das Gesamtüberleben
Authors: Krome Susanne
Published: April 2021

Klassische Chemotherapien überwinden nicht die Blut-Hirn-Schranke und sind deshalb gegen zerebrale Metastasen solider Tumoren ungeeignet. Demgegenüber gibt es für Checkpoint-Inhibitoren präklinische und klinische Belege, dass sie die Blut-Hirn-Schranke überwinden und bei primären und sekundären Hirntumoren wirksam sind. Eine aktuelle retrospektive Studie unterstützt die Effektivität von Immuntherapien bei verschiedenen Malignomen mit Gehirnmetastasierung.
Wie sollte Yoga in der Therapie der Anorexia nervosa ausgeführt werden? Eine qualitative Pilotstudie zu hilfreich erlebten Yoga-Strategien aus Sicht von Patientinnen
Authors: Schindke Corinna , Gisch Ulrike A. , Gumz Antje
Published: April 2021

Eine veränderte Interozeption ist ein zentrales Korrelat der Anorexia nervosa (AN) und stellt einen potentiellen Ansatz in der Genesung der AN dar. Erste Ergebnisse zur Wirksamkeit von Yoga als körperorientierte Methode in der Therapie der AN sind vielversprechend. Dennoch liegen bislang unzureichende empirische Befunde bezüglich der Frage vor, auf welche Weise Yoga-Strategien und Yoga-Elemente wie Körperhaltungen, Entspannungs-, Atem-, und Meditationsübungen eingesetzt werden sollten. Vor diesem Hintergrund führten wir eine qualitative Pilotstudie mit einer Stichprobe von n=6 Patientinnen mit AN durch, die sich im Anschluss an eine klinische stationäre Behandlung in einer pädagogisch-therapeutischen Facheinrichtung der Jugend- und Eingliederungshilfe (SGB VIII/XII) befanden. Die Studienteilnehmerinnen erhielten eine einstündige Hatha-Yoga-Intervention über mindestens 12 Wochen. Nach der Yoga-Intervention wurden ½- bis 1-stündige halbstrukturierte Leitfadeninterviews zu den Erfahrungen mit den verwendeten Yoga-Strategien durchgeführt. Die Interviews wurden mittels Grounded Theory ausgewertet. Auf der obersten Analyseebene wurden 4 Kategorien differenziert: Angaben 1) zum Beschwerdebild der Studienteilnehmerinnen, 2) zu als hilfreich erlebten Elementen des therapeutischen Rahmens, 3) zu als hilfreich erlebten Yoga-Strategien sowie 4) zu subjektiv wahrgenommenen Konsequenzen der Yoga-Strategien. Bezüglich der als hilfreich erlebten Yoga-Strategien ergaben die Analysen 4 Subkategorien: Merkmale 1) der Bewegungselemente, 2) der Meditations- und Atemübungen, 3) der Entspannungsübungen sowie 4) allgemeine Hinweise zur Durchführung. Die Ergebnisse geben erste Hinweise für die Konzeption von Yoga in der Therapie der AN und zu potentiellen Wirkmechanismen. Weiterführende qualitative sowie quantitative Studien zu u. a. Wirksamkeit, Kontraindikationen oder Mediator- sowie Moderatorvariablen sind erforderlich, um das Potenzial von Yoga in der Therapie der AN noch besser bewerten zu können.
Role of CEUS in Vascular Pathology
Authors: Cantisani Vito , Di Leo Nicola , David Emanuele , Clevert Dirk-André
Published: April 2021

In recent years, the implementation of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in clinical practice has opened new horizons in the arterial pathologies research field, since this technique is able to supply new sets of data that can be crucial in patient management. The main applications of CEUS in the arterial system are the detection, characterization, and follow-up of carotid plaques and endoleaks after EVAR. Other situations in which CEUS was demonstrated to be a useful tool are large vessel vasculitis, dissections, and untreated aneurysms. In carotid atherosclerosis CEUS is not only able to acquire quantitative data about stenosis but also to perform a qualitative assessment of the plaque. The most important plaque features that CEUS is able to depict are ulceration, neovascularization, and the presence of inflammatory infiltrates. All of these factors contribute to plaque vulnerability. Thus, CEUS is crucial in order to allow better risk stratification and management of patients. In follow-up after EVAR, CEUS shows sensitivity and specificity values similar to CTA while ensuring several advantages, such as lower cost and the absence of ionizing radiation and nephrotoxic agents. Moreover, CEUS is able to offer real-time evaluation of endoleaks and thus is a useful tool in cases that are ambiguous on CTA. Most limitations are patient-related and are the same as in all other ultrasound techniques, such as high BMI and meteorism.
Sich endlich wieder ganz selbst fühlen
Authors: Heim Thomas M.
Published: April 2021

Eine Krebserkrankung und deren Behandlung fordern den Betroffenen viel ab, körperlich und seelisch. Oft ist das so viel, dass die Angst aufkommt, darunter zu zerbrechen. Viele fühlen sich wie in einer unerbittlichen Mühle eng getakteter und oft extrem belastender organmedizinischer Therapien. Regelmäßige Yogaübungen können dann eine wertvolle Unterstützung bedeuten. Krebskranke erleben dabei Entspannung, innere Ruhe und Selbstwirksamkeit.
Früherkennung von psychischer Komorbidität in der
stationären dermatologischen und internistischen Versorgung: Darstellung
eines neuen Versorgungskonzeptes
Authors: Kohlmann Sebastian , Köster Felix-Wilhelm , Braunschneider Lea-Elena , Meier Anja Hermann , Lohse Ansgar W. , Schneider Stefan W. , Loeper Siobhan , Löwe Bernd
Published: April 2021

Dieser Artikel erläutert die Entwicklung und Implementierung einer
psychosomatischen Früherkennungsmaßnahme in der
stationären somatischen Versorgung. Circa jede:r sechste
stationär somatisch behandelte Patient:in ist von einer psychischen
Störung betroffen. Schätzungen gehen davon aus, dass nur die
Hälfte der Betroffenen korrekt erkannt wird. Folglich bleibt ein
Großteil der Patienten unbehandelt. Um diese Versorgungslücke zu
adressieren, wurde eine psychosomatische Früherkennungsmaßnahme
von einer interdisziplinären Arbeitsgruppe entwickelt. Die Erkennung
basiert auf dem Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4). Der PHQ-4 ist ein
psychometrisch sehr gut evaluierter ultra-kurzer Screening-Fragebogen zur
Erkennung von depressiven Störungen und Angststörungen.
Für die Implementierung in der stationären Routineversorgung
wurde der PHQ-4 als Formular in die elektronische Patientenakte programmiert.
Dieses Formular wird beim Aufnahmegespräch durch Mitarbeitende der
Pflege durchgeführt. Ergibt das PHQ-4 Screening-Ergebnis einen Hinweis
auf das Vorliegen einer psychischen Komorbidität und
äußert der Patient Bedarf, wird automatisch ein
psychosomatisches Konsil beauftragt. Die Umsetzung in die klinische Routine
erfolgte auf vier internistischen sowie drei dermatologischen Stationen des
Universitätsklinikums Hamburg-Eppendorf. Die in der elektronischen
Patientenakte implementierte Früherkennung ist eine minimal
aufwändige, wenig zeitintensive und praktikable Methode, Patienten durch
eine schnelle interdisziplinäre Weiterverweisung ganzheitlich zu
versorgen. Eine Evaluation der Kosten-Effektivität, der klinischen
Effizienz sowie der Akzeptanz steht noch aus.
Aza-Peterson Olefinations: Rapid Synthesis of (E)-Alkenes
Authors: Britten Thomas K. , McLaughlin Mark G. , Basson Ashley J. , Roberts Dean D.
Published: April 2021

An aza-Peterson olefination methodology to access 1,3-dienes and stilbene derivatives from the corresponding allyl- or benzyltrimethylsilane is described. Silanes can be deprotonated using Schlosser’s base and added to N-phenyl imines or ketones to directly give the desired products in high yields.
Cyanoacetylenic Alcohols: Molecules of Interstellar Relevance in the Synthesis of Essential Heterocycles, Amino Acids, Nucleobases and Nucleosides
Authors: Trofimov Boris A. , Mal’kina Anastasiya G.
Published: April 2021

Cyanoacetylenic alcohols, R1R2C(OH)C≡C–CN, the closest derivatives of cyanoacetylene, an abundant interstellar molecule, are now becoming important compounds in the area of modern organic synthesis that tends to mimic Nature. The presence of highly reactive C≡C and C≡N bonds in close proximity to a hydroxy group endows cyanoacetylenic alcohols with a chemical trinity of mutually influencing functions, leading to a myriad number of chemical transformations. All reactions of cyanoacetylenic alcohols parallel modern organic synthesis, whilst being biomimetic. To react, they do not need transition metals (and in most cases, no metals at all, except for physiologically indispensable Na+ and K+), proceed at ambient temperature and often in aqueous media. Fundamentally, their reactions are 100% atom-economic because they are almost exclusively addition processes. Typically, the cyano, acetylene and hydroxy functions of cyanoacetylenic alcohols behave as an inseparable entity, leading to reaction products with multiple functional groups. This allows hydroxy, carbonyl, carboxylic, imino, amino, amido, cyanoamido, cyano, various P-containing, ether and ester functions, along with double bonds, different fundamental heterocycles (furans, furanones, pyrazoles, oxazoles, pyridines, pyrimidines, purines, etc.) and diverse polycyclic systems to be integrated in a single molecular architecture. This review focuses on an analysis and generalization of the knowledge that has accumulated on the chemistry of cyanoacetylenic alcohols, mostly over the past 15 years.

1 Introduction

2 Nucleophilic Addition to Cyanoacetylenic Alcohols and Subsequent Transformations of the Adducts

3 Annulation with Nonaromatic Nitrogen Heterocycles

4 Annulation with Aromatic Nitrogen Heterocycles

5 Modification of Amino Acids

6 Modifications of Nucleobases

7 Modification of Nucleosides

8 Conclusion
N-Selenocyanato-Dibenzenesulfonimide: A New Electrophilic Selenocyanation Reagent
Authors: Chen Zhi-Min , Zhu Deng , Ye Ai-Hui
Published: April 2021

A new electrophilic selenocyanation reagent N-seleno­cyanato-dibenzenesulfonimide was readily prepared in two steps from commercially available dibenzenesulfonimide for the first time. A variety of electrophilic selenocyanato reactions of nucleophiles have been achieved using it as selenocyanato source under mild and simple conditions. Numerous SeCN-containing compounds were obtained in moderate to excellent yields. Meanwhile, a Lewis acid mediated tandem selenocyanation/cyclization reaction of alkenes with phenols, which provided simple methods for the formation of various SeCN-containing chromanes and dihydrobenzofurans in moderate to good yields, has also been developed.