bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Culturomics revealed the bacterial constituents of the microbiota of a 10-year-old laboratory culture of planarian species S. mediterranea
Authors: Kangale Luis Johnson , Raoult Didier , Fournier Pierre-Edouard , Ghigo Eric
Published: December 2021

The planarian species Schmidtea mediterranea is a flatworm living in freshwater that is used in the research laboratory as a model to study developmental and regeneration mechanisms, as well as antibacterial mechanisms. However, the cultivable microbial repertoire of the microbes comprising its microbiota remains unknown. Here, we characterized the bacterial constituents of a 10-year-old laboratory culture of planarian species S. mediterranea via culturomics analysis. We isolated 40 cultivable bacterial species, including 1 unidentifiable species. The predominant phylum is Proteobacteria, and the most common genus is Pseudomonas. We discovered that parts of the bacterial flora of the planarian S. mediterranea can be classified as fish pathogens and opportunistic human pathogens.
Evaluation of 2D super-resolution ultrasound imaging of the rat renal vasculature using ex vivo micro-computed tomography
Authors: Andersen Sofie Bech , Taghavi Iman , Kjer Hans Martin , Søgaard Stinne Byrholdt , Gundlach Carsten , Dahl Vedrana Andersen , Nielsen Michael Bachmann , Dahl Anders Bjorholm , Jensen Jørgen Arendt , Sørensen Charlotte Mehlin
Published: December 2021

Super-resolution ultrasound imaging (SRUS) enables in vivo microvascular imaging of deeper-lying tissues and organs, such as the kidneys or liver. The technique allows new insights into microvascular anatomy and physiology and the development of disease-related microvascular abnormalities. However, the microvascular anatomy is intricate and challenging to depict with the currently available imaging techniques, and validation of the microvascular structures of deeper-lying organs obtained with SRUS remains difficult. Our study aimed to directly compare the vascular anatomy in two in vivo 2D SRUS images of a Sprague–Dawley rat kidney with ex vivo μCT of the same kidney. Co-registering the SRUS images to the μCT volume revealed visually very similar vascular features of vessels ranging from ~ 100 to 1300 μm in diameter and illustrated a high level of vessel branching complexity captured in the 2D SRUS images. Additionally, it was shown that it is difficult to use μCT data of a whole rat kidney specimen to validate the super-resolution capability of our ultrasound scans, i.e., validating the actual microvasculature of the rat kidney. Lastly, by comparing the two imaging modalities, fundamental challenges for 2D SRUS were demonstrated, including the complexity of projecting a 3D vessel network into 2D. These challenges should be considered when interpreting clinical or preclinical SRUS data in future studies.
Disrupted functional connectivity in PD with probable RBD and its cognitive correlates
Authors: Oltra Javier , Campabadal Anna , Segura Barbara , Uribe Carme , Marti Maria Jose , Compta Yaroslau , Valldeoriola Francesc , Bargallo Nuria , Iranzo Alex , Junque Carme
Published: December 2021

Recent studies associated rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) with severe cognitive impairment and brain atrophy. However, whole-brain functional connectivity has never been explored in this group of PD patients. In this study, whole-brain network-based statistics and graph-theoretical approaches were used to characterize resting-state interregional functional connectivity in PD with probable RBD (PD-pRBD) and its relationship with cognition. Our sample consisted of 30 healthy controls, 32 PD without probable RBD (PD-non pRBD), and 27 PD-pRBD. The PD-pRBD group showed reduced functional connectivity compared with controls mainly involving cingulate areas with temporal, frontal, insular, and thalamic regions (p < 0.001). Also, the PD-pRBD group showed reduced functional connectivity between right ventral posterior cingulate and left medial precuneus compared with PD-non pRBD (p < 0.05). We found increased normalized characteristic path length in PD-pRBD compared with PD-non pRBD. In the PD-pRBD group, mean connectivity strength from reduced connections correlated with visuoperceptual task and normalized characteristic path length correlated with processing speed and verbal memory tasks. This work demonstrates the existence of disrupted functional connectivity in PD-pRBD, together with abnormal network integrity, that supports its consideration as a severe PD subtype.
Responses of functional traits in cavity-nesting birds to logging in subtropical and temperate forests of the Americas
Authors: Schaaf Alejandro A. , Gomez Daniela , Tallei Ever , Vivanco Constanza G. , Ruggera Román A.
Published: December 2021

Logging causes changes in habitat structure, which can potentially lead to variations in taxonomic and functional richness of biodiversity. Studies on how functional traits in birds are affected by logging operations can provide an important element for the understanding of ecosystem processes. In this paper, we examined how logging in subtropical Andean forests influenced taxonomic and functional diversity of cavity-nesting birds. We used these results to compare how logging affected ecosystem functions in temperate and subtropical forests of the Americas. We used point-counts to examine the effects of logging on taxonomic and functional traits in avian communities (Functional Richness, Functional evenness, Functional Divergence, and Community-weighted mean). We found that logging changed bird richness and abundance, although it had no effect on the functional response to the measured traits. The comparison of our results with those of temperate forests of Canada and Chile reveals differences in the functional richness of birds in these habitats, with a lower impact of logging on functional traits. We highlight the importance of including functional traits in the analyses, since the reduction in the species richness and abundance may not be translated into functional changes within the ecosystem.
Effect of electron-withdrawing fluorine and cyano substituents on photovoltaic properties of two-dimensional quinoxaline-based polymers
Authors: Lee Seok Woo , Hussain MD. Waseem , Shome Sanchari , Ha Su Ryong , Oh Jae Taek , Whang Dong Ryeol , Kim Yunseul , Kim Dong-Yu , Choi Hyosung , Chang Dong Wook
Published: December 2021

In this study, strong electron-withdrawing fluorine (F) and cyano (CN) substituents are selectively incorporated into the quinoxaline unit of two-dimensional (2D) D–A-type polymers to investigate their effects on the photovoltaic properties of the polymers. To construct the 2D polymeric structure, electron-donating benzodithiophene and methoxy-substituted triphenylamine are directly linked to the horizontal and vertical directions of the quinoxaline acceptor, respectively. After analyzing the structural, optical, and electrochemical properties of the resultant F- and CN-substituted polymers, labeled as PBCl-MTQF and PBCl-MTQCN, respectively, inverted-type polymer solar cells with a non-fullerene Y6 acceptor are fabricated to investigate the photovoltaic performances of the polymers. It is discovered that the maximum power conversion efficiency of PBCl-MTQF is 7.48%, whereas that of PBCl-MTQCN is limited to 3.52%. This significantly reduced PCE of the device based on PBCl-MTQCN is ascribed to the formation of irregular, large aggregates in the active layer, which can readily aggravate the charge recombination and charge transport kinetics of the device. Therefore, the photovoltaic performance of 2D quinoxaline-based D–A-type polymers is significantly affected by the type of electron-withdrawing substituent.
Integrative measurement analysis via machine learning descriptor selection for investigating physical properties of biopolymers in hairs
Authors: Takamura Ayari , Tsukamoto Kaede , Sakata Kenji , Kikuchi Jun
Published: December 2021

Integrative measurement analysis of complex subjects, such as polymers is a major challenge to obtain comprehensive understanding of the properties. In this study, we describe analytical strategies to extract and selectively associate compositional information measured by multiple analytical techniques, aiming to reveal their relationships with physical properties of biopolymers derived from hair. Hair samples were analyzed by multiple techniques, including solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), time-domain NMR, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis. The measured data were processed by different processing techniques, such as spectral differentiation and deconvolution, and then converted into a variety of “measurement descriptors” with different compositional information. The descriptors were associated with the mechanical properties of hair by constructing prediction models using machine learning algorithms. Herein, the stepwise model refinement via selection of adopted descriptors based on importance evaluation identified the most contributive descriptors, which provided an integrative interpretation about the compositional factors, such as α-helix keratins in cortex; and bounded water and thermal resistant components in cuticle. These results demonstrated the efficacy of the present strategy to generate and select descriptors from manifold measured data for investigating the nature of sophisticated subjects, such as hair.
Combined effects of double mutations on catalytic activity and structural stability contribute to clinical manifestations of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency
Authors: Pakparnich Phonchanan , Sudsumrit Sirapapha , Imwong Mallika , Suteewong Teeraporn , Chamchoy Kamonwan , Pakotiprapha Danaya , Leartsakulpanich Ubolsree , Boonyuen Usa
Published: December 2021

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is the most common enzymopathy in humans, affecting ~ 500 million worldwide. A detailed study of the structural stability and catalytic activity of G6PD variants is required to understand how different mutations cause varying degrees of enzyme deficiency, reflecting the response of G6PD variants to oxidative stress. Furthermore, for G6PD double variants, investigating how two mutations jointly cause severe enzyme deficiency is important. Here, we characterized the functional and structural properties of nine G6PD variants: G6PD Gaohe, G6PD Mahidol, G6PD Shoklo, G6PD Canton, G6PD Kaiping, G6PD Gaohe + Kaiping, G6PD Mahidol + Canton, G6PD Mahidol + Kaiping and G6PD Canton + Kaiping. All variants were less catalytically active and structurally stable than the wild type enzyme, with G6PD double mutations having a greater impact than single mutations. G6PD Shoklo and G6PD Canton + Kaiping were the least catalytically active single and double variants, respectively. The combined effects of two mutations were observed, with the Canton mutation reducing structural stability and the Kaiping mutation increasing it in the double mutations. Severe enzyme deficiency in the double mutants was mainly determined by the trade-off between protein stability and catalytic activity. Additionally, it was demonstrated that AG1, a G6PD activator, only marginally increased G6PD enzymatic activity and stability.
Impact of Cymbopogon flexuosus (Poaceae) essential oil and primary components on the eclosion and larval development of Aedes aegypti
Authors: Castillo-Morales Ruth Mariela , Serrano Sugey Ortiz , Villamizar Adriana Lisseth Rodríguez , Mendez-Sanchez Stelia Carolina , Duque Jonny E.
Published: December 2021

The current study describes the effects of sub-lethal concentrations and constituent compounds (citral and geranyl acetate) of Cymbopogon flexuosus essential oil (EO) on the development of Aedes aegypti. We treated eggs with 6, 18, or 30 mg L−1 and larvae with 3 or 6 mg L−1 of EO and its major compounds (citral and geranyl acetate). Citral and geranyl acetate were evaluated at 18, 30, and 42 mg L−1 and compared with commercial growth inhibitors (diflubenzuron and methoprene). We measured larval head diameter, siphon length, and larval length. Finally, we examined concentrations of molt hormone (MH) and juvenile hormone III (JH III) using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. All geranyl acetate concentrations decreased egg hatching, while EO altered molting among larval instars and between larvae and pupae, with an increase in the larval length (3 mg L−1: 6 ± 0.0 mm; 6 mg L−1: 6 ± 0.7 mm) and head width (3 mg L−1: 0.8 ± 0 mm; 6 mg L−1: 0.8 ± 0.0 mm) compared with the control group. We did not detect chromatographic signals of MH and JH III in larvae treated with C. flexuosus EO or their major compounds. The sub-lethal concentrations C. flexuosus EO caused a similar effect to diflubenzuron, namely decreased hormone concentrations, an extended larval period, and death.
Coupled changes in western South Atlantic carbon sequestration and particle reactive element cycling during millennial-scale Holocene climate variability
Authors: Dias Bruna B. , Piotrowski Alexander M. , Barbosa Cátia F. , Venancio Igor M. , Chiessi Cristiano M. , Albuquerque Ana Luiza S.
Published: December 2021

A﻿bstract

Continental shelves have the potential to remove atmospheric carbon dioxide via the biological pump, burying it in seafloor sediments. The efficiency of marine carbon sequestration changes rapidly due to variations in biological productivity, organic carbon oxidation, and burial rate. Here we present a high temporal resolution record of marine carbon sequestration changes from a western South Atlantic shelf site sensitive to Brazil Current-driven upwelling. The comparison of biological records to rare earth element (REE) patterns from authigenic oxides shows a strong relationship between higher biological productivity and stronger particle reactive element cycling (i.e. REE cycling) during rapid climate change events. This is the first evidence that authigenic oxides archive past changes in upper ocean REE cycling by the exported organic carbon. In addition, our data suggest that Brazil Current-driven upwelling varies on millennial-scales and in time with continental precipitation anomalies as registered in Brazilian speleothems during the Holocene. This indicates an ocean–atmosphere control on the biological pump, most probably related to South American monsoon system variability.
Differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells to chondrocytes using electrospraying
Authors: Nosoudi Nasim , Hart Christoph , McKnight Ian , Esmaeilpour Mehdi , Ghomian Taher , Zadeh Amir , Raines Regan , Ramirez Vick Jaime E.
Published: December 2021

An important challenge in the fabrication of tissue engineered constructs for regenerative medical applications is the development of processes capable of delivering cells and biomaterials to specific locations in a consistent manner. Electrospraying live cells has been introduced in recent years as a cell seeding method, but its effect on phenotype nor genotype has not been explored. A promising candidate for the cellular component of these constructs are human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs), which are multipotent stem cells that can be differentiated into fat, bone, and cartilage cells. They can be easily and safely obtained from adipose tissue, regardless of the age and sex of the donor. Moreover, these cells can be maintained and expanded in culture for long periods of time without losing their differentiation capacity. In this study, hASCs directly incorporated into a polymer solution were electrosprayed, inducing differentiation into chondrocytes, without the addition of any exogenous factors. Multiple studies have demonstrated the effects of exposing hASCs to biomolecules—such as soluble growth factors, chemokines, and morphogens—to induce chondrogenesis. Transforming growth factors (e.g., TGF-β) and bone morphogenetic proteins are particularly known to play essential roles in the induction of chondrogenesis. Although growth factors have great therapeutic potential for cell-based cartilage regeneration, these growth factor-based therapies have presented several clinical complications, including high dose requirements, low half-life, protein instability, higher costs, and adverse effects in vivo. The present data suggests that electrospraying has great potential as hASCs-based therapy for cartilage regeneration.
Effect of hypoproteinemia on the mortality of sepsis patients in the ICU: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Hu Jing , Lv Chenwei , Hu Xingxing , Liu Jiangyun
Published: December 2021

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of hypoproteinemia on the prognosis of sepsis patients and the effectiveness of exogenous albumin supplementation. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in adult ICUs. The subjects were 1055 sepsis patients in MIMIC III database from June 2001 to October 2012. There were no interventions. A total of 1055 sepsis patients were enrolled and allocated into two groups based on the lowest in-hospital albumin level: 924 patients were in the hypoproteinemia group (the lowest in-hospital albumin ≤ 3.1 g/dL) and 131 patients were in the normal group (the lowest in-hospital albumin > 3.1 g/dL). A total of 378 patients [331 (35.8%) were in the hypoproteinemia group, and 47 (35.9%) were in the normal group] died at 28 days, and no statistically significant difference was found between the two groups (P = 0.99). The survival analysis of the 28-day mortality rate was performed using the Cox proportional risk model and it was found that the lowest in-hospital albumin level showed no significant effect on the 28-day mortality rate (P = 0.18, 95%CI). Patients in the hypoproteinemia group exhibited a longer length of stay in ICU and hospital and more complications with AKI than those in the normal group. However, multivariate regression analysis found that there was no statistical significance between the two groups. In addition, multivariate regression analysis showed that patients in the hypoproteinemia group had a shorter time without vasoactive drugs and time without mechanical ventilation than those in the normal group (P < 0.01). In the subgroup analysis, univariate analysis and multivariate regression analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the 28-day mortality rate (39.6% vs 37.5%, P = 0.80), the proportion of mechanical ventilation time (P = 0.57), and vasoactive drug time (P = 0.89) between patients with and without albumin supplementation. However, patients in the albumin supplementation group had a longer length of ICU stay and hospital stay than those in the non-supplementation group (P < 0.01). Albumin level may be an indicator of sepsis severity, but hypoproteinemia has no significant effect on the mortality of sepsis patients. Despite various physiological effects of albumin, the benefits of albumin supplementation in sepsis patients need to be evaluated with caution.
Polydopamine assisted transformation of ZnO from nanospheres to nanosheets grown in nanoporous BiVO4 films for improved photocatalytic performance
Authors: Yuan Hao , Li Jiaxin , Zhang Wenjie , Wang Deting , Wang Lin , Chu Shuai , Zhai Wei , Ding Lei , Jiao Zhengbo
Published: December 2021

A BiVO4/ZnO nanosheet heterostructure has been fabricated on stainless steel mesh by a solid-solution drying and calcination method, during which ZnO spheres were converted to nanosheets with the aid of polydopamine.
Impact of the coordination of multiple Lewis acid functions on the electronic structure and vnconfiguration of a metal center
Authors: Parkin Gerard
Published: December 2021

The number of electrons that a metal center provides to the bonding orbitals for coordination of multiple π-acceptor ligands is not a direct function of the number of ligands, and consideration must be given to the availability of metal orbitals.
Comment on “In Defence of Oxidation States” by N. C. Norman and P. G. Pringle, Dalton Transactions, 2022, 51, DOI: 10.1039/D0DT03914D
Authors: Green Jennifer C.
Published: December 2021

A comment on “In defence of oxidation states” by N. C. Norman and P. G. Pringle: a historical perspective on the Covalent Bond Classification and the use of Valency Number in this context.
Facile synthesis of an organic/inorganic hybrid 2D structure tincone film by molecular layer deposition
Authors: Baek GeonHo , Lee Seunghwan , Kim Hye-mi , Choi Su Hwan , Park Jin-Seong
Published: December 2021

ALD/MLD hybrid 2D tincone films were investigated structurally post-annealing. GIWAXS showed that individual benzene ring bonds were combined with the SnO layer in a repeated arrangement of the tincone monomer.
Synthesis and characterisation of an enantiomerically pure scandium pentadienyl complex and its application in the polymerisation of rac-lactide
Authors: Münster Katharina , Raeder Jan , Walter Marc D.
Published: December 2021

An enantiomerically pure constrained geometry scandium complex featuring a pentadienyl moiety was synthesised. The complex efficiently catalyses the polymerisation of rac-lactide to give slightly heterotactic, amorphous poly-(lactide).
Boosting heterogeneous Fenton reactions for degrading organic dyes via the photothermal effect under neutral conditions
Authors: Yan Bin , Shi Ziqi , Lin Jiayou , Zhang Ling , Han Linbo , Shi Xingwei , Yang Qin
Published: December 2021

Rapid removal of organic dyes from neutral wastewater by photothermal effect.
Facile growth of a Sb2Se3 nanorod array induced by a MoSe2 interlayer and its application in 3D p–n junction solar cells
Authors: Park Si-Nae , Kim Se-Yun , Lee Sang-Ju , Sung Shi-Joon , Yang Kee-Jeong , Kang Jin-Kyu , Kim Dae-Hwan
Published: December 2021

A Sb2Se3 nanorod array was uniformly grown by co-evaporation on a MoSe2 interlayer. MoSe2 interlayer improves the preferential growth and contact quality of Sb2Se3 nanorods.
Inhibition of N-type calcium ion channels by tricyclic antidepressants – experimental and theoretical justification for their use for neuropathic pain
Authors: Cardoso Fernanda C. , Schmit Matthieu , Kuiper Michael J. , Lewis Richard J. , Tuck Kellie L. , Duggan Peter J.
Published: December 2021

Experimental and theoretical evidence that the blockade of CaV2.2 ion channels by TCAs is partially responsible for their analgesic effects.
A self-amplifying nanodrug to manipulate the Janus-faced nature of ferroptosis for tumor therapy
Authors: Zhang Mengzhu , Qin Xiaohan , Zhao Zhipeng , Du Qian , Li Qian , Jiang Yue , Luan Yuxia
Published: December 2021

A self-amplifying nanodrug was precisely designed to reprogram the Janus-faced nature of ferroptosis via harnessing the positive role of ferroptosis along with reversing its inherent negative role to achieve optimal ferroptotic tumor therapy.
Tandem aza-Michael addition–vinylogous aldol condensation: synthesis of N-bridged pyridine fused quinolones
Authors: Gummidi Lalitha , Muddassar Altaf , Sharma Gangavaram V. M. , Murugesh V. , Suresh Surisetti
Published: December 2021

The first base mediated tandem aza-Michael addition–vinylogous aldol condensation is reported for the construction of highly substituted N-bridged pyridine fused quinolone derivatives in high yields.
Construction of aziridine, azetidine, indole and quinoline-like heterocycles via Pd-mediated C–H activation/annulation strategies
Authors: Qiu Mengyu , Fu Xuegang , Fu Peng , Huang Jianhui
Published: December 2021

N-Heterocycles can be found in natural products and drug molecules and are indispensable components in the area of organic synthesis, medicinal chemistry and materials science.
Isoindolinone synthesis through Rh/Cu-catalyzed oxidative C–H/N–H annulation of N-methoxy benzamides with saturated ketones
Authors: Du Xiao , Hu Yuntao , Yang Darun , Huang Decai , Yang Wendi , Wu Hailong , Zhao Huaiqing
Published: December 2021

A Rh/Cu cocatalytic system for the synthesis of isoindolinones from N-methoxybenzamide and saturated ketones is established, which shows good compatibility with a broad range of substrates and functional groups.
Elemental analysis: an important purity control but prone to manipulations
Authors: Kandioller Wolfgang , Theiner Johannes , Keppler Bernhard K. , Kowol Christian R.
Published: December 2021

Elemental analysis is a powerful analytical tool for purity determination. However, it is prone to manipulations. Herein, we introduce an approach to provide original elemental analysis data, allowing verification of the currently just listed values.
Promotional mechanism of enhanced denitration activity with Cu modification in a Ce/TiO2–ZrO2 catalyst for a low temperature NH3-SCR system
Authors: Zhang Wei , Tang Yunhao , Xiao Wei , Ruan Min , Yin Yanshan , Song Quanbin , Xie Kang , Qin Chuan , Dong Mengyao , Zhou Yunhe , Li Jie
Published: December 2021

Probable surface NH3-SCR reaction mechanism over CuCe/TiO2-ZrO2 catalyst is proposed to follow the E–R mechanism and the L–H mechanism, while the E–R mechanism dominates in the reaction and the oxidation of NO closes the catalytic cycle.
Two cyclometalated Pt(ii) complexes showing reversible phosphorescence switching due to grinding-induced destruction and crystallization-induced formation of supramolecular dimer structure
Authors: Yuan Qin-Zhen , Wan Fu-Shun , Shen Ting-Ting , Cao Deng-Ke
Published: December 2021

Two Pt(ii) complexes 1 and 2 reveal similar supramolecular dimer structure, in which two [Pt(dfppy/ppy)(pbdtmi)]+ cations connect each other through the π⋯π stacking interaction. Thus these complexes show reversible phosphorescence switching by grinding and crystallization with toluene.
A highly sensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrate prepared on a hydrophobic surface using controlled evaporation
Authors: Sinha Rajeev K.
Published: December 2021

In the present work, we report the fabrication of a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate on a simple and easily fabricable hydrophobic surface.
Outstanding flame retardancy for poly(vinyl alcohol) achieved using a resveratrol/tannic acid complex
Authors: Lin Yuan , Chen Jialian , Li Hongzhou
Published: December 2021

The rigid molecular structure of biobased resveratrol/tannic acid (RETA) complex increases the residual amount of RETA-poly(vinyl alcohol) after complete combustion.
Luminescence properties, energy transfer and thermal stability of white emitting phosphor Sr3(PO4)2:Ce3+/Tb3+/Mn2+ for white LEDs
Authors: Ma Yingshan , Fu Suyue , Zhao Yichang , Liu Chunjiao , Li Leipeng , Wang Zhijun , Suo Hao , Wang Dawei , Zhao Jinxin , Li Panlai
Published: December 2021

The tunable emission phosphor was realized by the energy transfer.
Effect of calcination temperature and Ti substitution on optical properties of (Fe,Cr)2O3 cool black pigment prepared by spray pyrolysis
Authors: Hwang Jin Soo , Jung Kyeong Youl
Published: December 2021

Ti-Dispersed (Fe,Cr)2O3 cool black pigment particles synthesized by a spray pyrolysis process showed improvement in NIR reflectance by about 10.0% and heat-shielding performance.
A scalable, ecofriendly, and cost-effective lithium metal protection layer from a Post-it note
Authors: Kim Yeonsong , Choi Jun , Youk Ji Ho , Lee Byoung-Sun , Yu Woong-Ryeol
Published: December 2021

A low-cost, ecofriendly, and scalable paper-derived protective layer is designed to achieve excellent electrochemical performance.
A DFT study on the mechanism of HCl and CO2 capture by CaO
Authors: Ma Xiaotong , Huang Xingkang , Feng Tai , Mu Mingfei , Hu Xiude
Published: December 2021

HCl exhibits a preferred interaction with the O atom of CaO (100) surface, with the adsorption energy of −1.85 eV. HCl and CO2 are in competition with one another at the O site. The presence of HCl inhibits CO2 adsorption and promotes CO2 desorption.
Toward benchmarking theoretical computations of elementary rate constants on catalytic surfaces: formate decomposition on Au and Cu
Authors: Muramoto Eri , Chen Wei , Jia Xiwen , Friend Cynthia M. , Sautet Philippe , Madix Robert J.
Published: December 2021

The underlying factors that result in the high pre-exponential factors for formate decomposition on Au and Cu(110) surfaces and the origins of differences between experiment and theory that may arise are reported.
Enhanced electrocatalytic activity of a layered triple hydroxide (LTH) by modulating the electronic structure and active sites for efficient and stable urea electrolysis
Authors: Patil Komal , Babar Pravin , Bae Hyojung , Jo Eunae , Jang Jun Sung , Bhoite Pravin , Kolekar Sanjay , Kim Jin Hyeok
Published: December 2021

NiCoFe-LTH nanosheet arrays on a nickel foam substrate act as an efficient and stable electrocatalyst for urea electrolysis, which needs only 1.49 V for 10 mA cm−2.
The effects of electric fields on the mechanical properties and microstructure of ex vivo porcine brain tissues
Authors: Zhang Chi , Zhao Hongwei
Published: December 2021

As a popular tool for regulating the physiological conditions of the brain and treating brain diseases, electrotherapy has become increasingly mature in clinical applications.
Covalent organic framework based multifunctional self-sanitizing face masks
Authors: Ding Luo-Gang , Wang Song , Yao Bing-Jian , Wu Wen-Xiu , Kan Jing-Lan , Liu Yueyue , Wu Jiaqiang , Dong Yu-Bin
Published: December 2021

A COF-based multifunctional reusable face mask, which exhibits solar-powered self-sanitizing ability with excellent antibacterial and antiviral performance via a triple-modal synergistic treatment, is reported.
Enhancing the energy storage capacity of graphene supercapacitors via solar heating
Authors: Yu Xinling , Li Nian , Zhang Shudong , Liu Cui , Chen Liqing , Xi Min , Song Yanping , Ali Sarmad , Iqbal Obaid , Han Mingyong , Jiang Changlong , Wang Zhenyang
Published: December 2021

A solar-thermal micro-supercapacitor with a novel light absorbing structure shows enhanced energy storage capacity under solar irradiation.
In situ gelation regulating micro-electric fields to induce Li deposition in quasi-solid-state lithium metal batteries
Authors: Wang Qiyu , Xu Xiangqun , Hong Bo , Bai Maohui , Li Jie , Zhang Zhian , Lai Yanqing
Published: December 2021

In situ gelation regulating micro-electric fields to induced Li deposition exhibits admirable cycling performance in quasi-solid-state lithium metal battery.
Covalent organic polymers with solid-state dual-color fluorescence tunable by ultraviolet irradiation
Authors: Chen Yan , Li Wei , Gao Rong-Zhi , Wang Xiao-Han , Tang An-Na , Kong De-Ming
Published: December 2021

The luminous color of dual fluorescence COPs can be tuned by using UV irradiation treatment, and the potential applications of the COPs in WLED, information encryption and UV radiation monitoring are also exemplified.
Extending the FIP bias sample to magnetically active stars
Authors: Seli B. , Oláh K. , Kriskovics L. , Kővári Zs. , Vida K. , Balázs L. G. , Laming J. M. , van Driel-Gesztelyi L. , Baker D.
Published: December 2021

Context.The different elemental abundances of the photosphere and the corona are striking features of not only the Sun, but of other stars as well. This phenomenon is known as the first ionisation potential (FIP) effect, and its strength can be characterized by the FIP bias, the logarithmic abundance difference between low- and high-FIP elements in the corona, compared to the photosphere. The FIP bias was shown to depend on the surface temperature of the star.

Aims.We aim to extend theTeff−FIP bias relationship to a larger stellar sample and analyse the effect of other astrophysical parameters on the relation (e.g. surface gravity, age, activity indicators).

Methods.We compiled FIP bias and other parameters for 59 stars for which coronal composition is available, now including evolved stars. Using principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis, we searched for correlations with other astrophysical parameters within the sample that may influence the stellar FIP bias.

Results.Adding stars to theTeff−FIP bias diagram unveiled new features in its structure. In addition to the previously known relationship, there appears to be a second branch: a parallel sequence about 0.5 dex above it. While theTeffremains the main determinant of the FIP bias, other parameters such as stellar activity indicators also have influence. We find three clusters in the FIP bias determinant parameter space. One distinct group is formed by the evolved stars. Two groups contain main sequence stars in continuation separated roughly by the sign change of the FIP-bias value.

Conclusions.The new branch of theTeff−FIP bias diagram contains stars with higher activity level, in terms of X-ray flux and rotational velocity. The Rossby number also seems to be important, indicating possible dependence on the type of dynamo operating in these stars influencing their FIP bias. The two main-sequence clusters run from the earliest spectral types of A-F with shallow convection zones through G-K-early-M stars with gradually deeper convection zones, and they end with the fully convective M dwarf stars, depicting the change of the dynamo type with the internal differences of the main sequence stars in connection with the FIP-bias values.
Probing the progenitors of spinning binary black-hole mergers with long gamma-ray bursts
Authors: Bavera Simone S. , Fragos Tassos , Zapartas Emmanouil , Ramirez-Ruiz Enrico , Marchant Pablo , Kelley Luke Z. , Zevin Michael , Andrews Jeff J. , Coughlin Scott , Dotter Aaron , Kovlakas Konstantinos , Misra Devina , Serra-Perez Juan G. , Qin Ying , Rocha Kyle A. , Román-Garza Jaime , Tran Nam H. , Xing Zepei
Published: December 2021

Long-duration gamma-ray bursts are thought to be associated with the core-collapse of massive, rapidly spinning stars and the formation of black holes. However, efficient angular momentum transport in stellar interiors, currently supported by asteroseismic and gravitational-wave constraints, leads to predominantly slowly-spinning stellar cores. Here, we report on binary stellar evolution and population synthesis calculations, showing that tidal interactions in close binaries not only can explain the observed subpopulation of spinning, merging binary black holes but also lead to long gamma-ray bursts at the time of black-hole formation. Given our model calibration against the distribution of isotropic-equivalent energies of luminous long gamma-ray bursts, we find that ≈10% of the GWTC-2 reported binary black holes had a luminous long gamma-ray burst associated with their formation, with GW190517 and GW190719 having a probability of ≈85% and ≈60%, respectively, being among them. Moreover, given an assumption about their average beaming fraction, our model predicts the rate density of long gamma-ray bursts, as a function of redshift, originating from this channel. For a constant beaming fraction fB ∼ 0.05 our model predicts a rate density comparable to the observed one, throughout the redshift range, while, at redshift z ∈ [0, 2.5], a tentative comparison with the metallicity distribution of observed LGRB host galaxies implies that between 20% to 85% of the observed long gamma-ray bursts may originate from progenitors of merging binary black holes. The proposed link between a potentially significant fraction of observed, luminous long gamma-ray bursts and the progenitors of spinning binary black-hole mergers allows us to probe the latter well outside the horizon of current-generation gravitational wave observatories, and out to cosmological distances.
Was steuert unsere (verhängnisvolle) Essensfreude?
Authors: Verchen Arno W. de Pay
Published: December 2021

Die moderne Zivilisation und das überreichliche Nahrungs- und Lebensmittelangebot in unserer Zeit haben das ursprüngliche, auf das Überleben ausgerichtete Essverhalten stark verändert. Dem wird weder in der universitären ärztlichen Ausbildung noch bei politischen Entscheidungen zielführend und wirkungsvoll Rechnung getragen. Im komplexen Geschehen rund um das Essverhalten spielt das Gehirnbelohnungssystem die zentrale Rolle. Die Essensaufnahme wird von einem Glücksgefühl begleitet. Der Gewöhnungseffekt richtet sich allerdings nach „Immer Mehr“ aus und unterscheidet nicht mehr zwischen gesund und ungesund. Mit der Selbstkontrolle kann das Gehirnbelohnungssystem „aufgeschoben“ werden. Da die weit verbreiteten Genussmittel, Alkohol, Nikotin, Drogen, aber auch Medikamente, das „(Schein-)Glückhormon“ Dopamin im Darm und Gehirn exprimieren und kurzfristige Glückgefühle erzeugen, wird die Selbstkontrolle über eine verminderte Ansprechbarkeit des Gehirnbelohnungssystems gestört, mit der Folge eines Konsums kalorien- und fettreicher Nahrung. Die meist schwierige Auflösung des resultierenden Konflikts zwischen Begehrlichkeit und Gesundheit macht aber nachhaltig glücklicher. Eine kohlenhydratlastige und eiweißarme Nahrungszufuhr erzeugt über den Mangel an essenziellen Aminosäuren – wichtige Elemente der Serotonin- und Dopaminproduktion – ein wiederholt gesteigertes Hungergefühl, das besser über eiweißreiche, fett- und kohlenhydratarme vegetabile Nahrungsmittel (Gemüsesorten, Hülsenfrüchte) gestillt werden sollte. Um die Stressresilienz zu verbessern, aktiviert unter Belastungsbedingungen Zucker das Gehirnbelohnungssystem sehr rasch und erzeugt ein Glückgefühl mit Gewöhnungseffekt. Die komplexen Zusammenhänge werden ausgewählt dargestellt, aus denen sich die „Sucht“ nach Zucker, Hyperalimentation und Verknüpfungen mit der Entwicklung depressiver Zustände ergeben. Als Fazit wird, auch bei noch vorhandenen Wissenslücken, die Überzeugung vertreten, dass nur unter der synoptischen Berücksichtigung der systemischen Faktoren auf das Esshalten eine Primär- und Sekundärprävention, insbesondere bei Kindern und Jugendlichen, erfolgreich sein kann.
Prävention des Typ-2-Diabetes
Authors: Bretschneider Maxi Pia , Schwarz Peter E.H.
Published: December 2021

Vor 18 Jahren wurde die Arbeitsgemeinschaft Prävention des Typ-2-Diabetes der Deutschen Diabetesgesellschaft gegründet 1. Viele Maßnahmen wurden seitdem initiiert, sehr viele auch verworfen, andere entstanden intuitiv aus der Ärzteschaft, den Diabetes-Behandlungsteams, aber auch Krankenkassen und anderen Beteiligten. Wir haben in dieser Zeit sehr viel gelernt, haben es jedoch ehrlicherweise nicht geschafft, die Prävention des Typ-2-Diabetes in unserem klinischen, aber auch persönlichen Alltag ankommen zu lassen. Dafür gab es pekuniäre als auch legislative Hürden, die der Umsetzung von Prävention im Rahmen der Gesundheitsversorgung nur wenig Raum einräumten. Politische Prioritäten waren, obwohl es ein Gesetz mit diesem Namen gab, letztendlich andere. Trotz alledem haben wir im Kleinen und vereinzelt auch im Großen gelernt, wie Prävention funktionieren kann. Die Entwicklung der Digitalisierung in den letzten Monaten kann das Fass zum Überlaufen bringen, sodass Prävention tatsächlich, vielleicht nicht im klinischen Alltag, aber in unserem Alltag ankommt. Möglicherweise hat es diese 18–20 Jahre gebraucht, bis sich wissenschaftliche Evidenz gemeinsam mit einer technologischen Entwicklung zu einem kraftvollen Samen vereinigt, aus dem am Ende ein starker Baum der Prävention des Typ-2-Diabetes wächst.
Elastografía cuantitativa en la evaluación de nódulos tiroideos
Authors: Franco Carolina Uliaque , Laborda Ricardo Herrero , Ángulo Elena Hervias , Riaguas Ana Almenara , Pardo Francisco Javier Berdún
Published: December 2021

Objetivo Evaluar retrospectivamente la capacidad diagnóstica de la elastografía cuantitativa para determinar la posibilidad de malignidad o benignidad de los nódulos tiroideos benignos y malignos, y determinar su utilidad para así decidir qué nódulos deberán ser sometidos a punción aspirativa con aguja fina (PAAF).

Pacientes y métodos Se analizaron 203 nódulos tiroideos de 195 pacientes remitidos por el Servicio de Endocrinología para estudio citológico durante el año 2018. A todos ellos se les realizó ecografía convencional, elastografía cuantitativa y PAAF. Se realizó un análisis estadístico mediante regresión logística, que pone en relación la probabilidad de que un nódulo sea sospecho de malignidad y el valor de la elasticidad medido en kilopascales (kPa) y el ratio elastográfico.

Resultados Existe una relación significativa y positiva entre el resultado citológico de Bethesda V/VI y los kPas/ratio elastográfico. Se recomienda realizar PAAF a aquellos nódulos con valores superiores a 25kPa y/o ratio elastográfico superior a 1,5.

Conclusión La elastografía cuantitativa es una herramienta útil que, junto a otros parámetros ecográficos, ayudaría a predecir o sospechar la malignidad de un nódulo tiroideo y a una mejor selección para la PAAF.
IgG Avidity in Samples Collected on Filter Paper: Importance of The Early Diagnosis of Congenital Toxoplasmosis
Authors: Souza Jéssica Yonara de , Gomes Taynara Cristina , Rezende Hanstter Hallison Alves , Storchilo Heloisa Ribeiro , Rodrigues Patrícia Giffron , Castro Ana Maria de
Published: December 2021

Objective The purpose of the present study is to standardize and evaluate the use of the immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody avidity test on blood samples from newborns collected on filter paper to perform the heel test aiming at its implementation in ongoing programs.

Methods Blood samples from newborns were collected on filter paper simultaneously with the heel prick test. All samples were subjected to immunoglobulin M IgM and IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Peripheral blood was collected again in the traditional way and on filter paper from newborns with high IgG levels (33). Three types of techniques were performed, the standard for measuring IgG in serum, adapted for filter paper and the technique of IgG avidity in serum and on filter paper. The results of the avidity test were classified according to the Rahbari protocol.

Results Among the 177 samples, 17 were collected in duplicate from the same child, 1 of peripheral blood and 1 on filter paper. In this analysis, 1 (5.88%) of the 17 samples collected in duplicate also exhibited low IgG avidity, suggesting congenital infection. In addition, the results obtained from serum and filter paper were in agreement, that is, 16 (94.12%) samples presented high avidity, with 100% agreement between the results obtained from serum and from filter paper.

Conclusion The results of the present study indicate that the avidity test may be another valuable method for the diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis in newborns.
Epilepsy and Sleep in the ATR-X Syndrome
Authors: Mierlo Petra van , Braakman Hilde , Vandenbussche Nele , Schelhaas Helenius Jurgen , Pillen Sigrid
Published: December 2021

Background This study explores the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and treatment of epilepsy and sleep disorders in α thalassemia mental retardation (ATR-X) syndrome.

Design In this cross-sectional study, 37 participants with ATR-X syndrome aged 1.8 to 44 years were studied using a customized epilepsy questionnaire, review of electroencephalography (EEG) findings, the modified Sleep Questionnaire of Simonds and Parraga and 2-week sleep diary.

Results Eleven participants had a clinical diagnosis of generalized epilepsy (29.7%). Seizure types were generalized tonic-clonic seizures, absences, and myoclonia. Interictal EEG recordings in participants with GTCS showed no epileptic discharges in 78%. Similarly, EEG recordings during myoclonia and absences often demonstrated no epileptic discharges. Sleep problems (difficulty falling or maintaining sleep, and early awakening) were reported in 70%. Participants with reported sleep problems went to bed earlier (p = 0.027) and had a lower sleep efficiency (p < 0.01) than participants without sleep problems, but as a group they both had a sufficient total sleep time (9 hours and 52 minutes vs. 10 hours and 55 minutes). Sixteen participants (43.2) used medication to improve sleep (predominantly melatonin n = 10), being effective in only two.

Conclusion One-third of participants with ATR-X syndrome had a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy, but the absence of EEG abnormalities in suspected epileptic seizures questions this diagnosis in these patients. EEG recording during seizure like symptoms is warranted before making an epilepsy diagnosis. Seventy percent experienced sleep problems, although total sleep time was normal in most participants. Long bedtimes might have a negative influence on sleep efficiency.
The impact of Covid-19 on Belgian mental health care: A Delphi study among psychosocial health professionals, patients, and informal caretakers
Authors: Van den Cruyce Nele , Van Hoof Elke , Godderis Lode , Gerard Sylvie , Van Leuven Frédérique
Published: December 2021

The Covid-19 pandemic is primarily viewed as a threat to physical health, and therefore, biomedical sciences have become an integral part of the public discourse guiding policy decisions. Nonetheless, the pandemic and the measures implemented have an impact on the population’s psychosocial health. The impact of Covid-19 on the psychosocial care system should be thoroughly investigated to mitigate this effect. In this context, the present study was conducted to establish a consensus about the impact of Covid-19 on psychosocial health and the care system in Belgium. Using the Belgian Superior Health Council’s expert database, a three-round Delphi consensus development process was organized with psychosocial experts (i.e., professionals, patients, and informal caregiver representatives). Overall, 113 of the 148 experts who participated in round 1 fully completed round 2 (76% response rate). Consensus (defined as >70% agreement and an interquartile interval (IQR) of no more than 2) was reached in round 2 for all but three statements. Fifty experts responded to round 3 by providing some final nuances, but none of them reaffirmed their positions or added new points to the discussion (44.25% response rate). The most robust agreement (>80%) was found for three statements: the pandemic has increased social inequalities in society, which increase the risk of long-term psychosocial problems; the fear of contamination creates a constant mental strain on the population, wearing people out; and there is a lack of strategic vision about psychosocial care and an underestimation of the importance of psychosocial health in society. Our findings show that experts believe the psychosocial impact of Covid-19 is underappreciated, which has a negative impact on psychosocial care in Belgium. Several unmet needs were identified, but so were helpful resources and barriers. The Delphi study’s overarching conclusion is that the pandemic does not affect society as a whole in the same way or with the same intensity. The experts, thereby, warn that the psychosocial inequalities in society are on the rise.
Quasi-doublets of non-Kramers Ho3+ ion and magnetic ordering of holmiumfrancisite-analog Cu3Ho(SeO3)2O2Cl
Authors: Klimin S. A. , Berdonosov P. S. , Kuznetsova E. S.
Published: December 2021

Optical spectroscopy of the f-f transitions in the non-Kramers Ho3+ ion was performed in a wide temperature range, from 4 K to room temperature, to study magnetic properties of the francisite-like holmium compound Cu3Ho(SeO3)2O2Cl. Despite the absence of symmetry doublets of the Ho3+ ion, its quasi-doublets were found, which are split in the exchange field acting on holmium ions in the magnetically ordered state of the crystal under study. From the splittings, the temperature of magnetic ordering was found, TN = 38 K. Two quasi-doublets of Ho3+ ion, namely, the ground and the first excited ones, with the energy gap 25 cm−1, contribute to the low-temperature magnetism of Cu3Ho(SeO3)2O2Cl. The energy structure of crystal-field levels of the ground multiplet 5I8 of the holmium ion was investigated, and the contribution of the rare-earth ion to the heat capacity of Cu3Ho(SeO3)2O2Cl was calculated.