bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Discovering environmental management opportunities for infectious disease control
Authors: Beltrame Ludovica , Rose Vineer Hannah , Walker Josephine G. , Morgan Eric R. , Vickerman Peter , Wagener Thorsten
Published: March 2021

Climate change and emerging drug resistance make the control of many infectious diseases increasingly challenging and diminish the exclusive reliance on drug treatment as sole solution to the problem. As disease transmission often depends on environmental conditions that can be modified, such modifications may become crucial to risk reduction if we can assess their potential benefit at policy-relevant scales. However, so far, the value of environmental management for this purpose has received little attention. Here, using the parasitic disease of fasciolosis in livestock in the UK as a case study, we demonstrate how mechanistic hydro-epidemiological modelling can be applied to understand disease risk drivers and the efficacy of environmental management across a large heterogeneous domain. Our results show how weather and other environmental characteristics interact to define disease transmission potential and reveal that environmental interventions such as risk avoidance management strategies can provide a valuable alternative or complement to current treatment-based control practice.
Short and long-read genome sequencing methodologies for somatic variant detection; genomic analysis of a patient with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Roberts Hannah E. , Lopopolo Maria , Pagnamenta Alistair T. , Sharma Eshita , Parkes Duncan , Lonie Lorne , Freeman Colin , Knight Samantha J. L. , Lunter Gerton , Dreau Helene , Lockstone Helen , Taylor Jenny C. , Schuh Anna , Bowden Rory , Buck David
Published: March 2021

Recent advances in throughput and accuracy mean that the Oxford Nanopore Technologies PromethION platform is a now a viable solution for genome sequencing. Much of the validation of bioinformatic tools for this long-read data has focussed on calling germline variants (including structural variants). Somatic variants are outnumbered many-fold by germline variants and their detection is further complicated by the effects of tumour purity/subclonality. Here, we evaluate the extent to which Nanopore sequencing enables detection and analysis of somatic variation. We do this through sequencing tumour and germline genomes for a patient with diffuse B-cell lymphoma and comparing results with 150 bp short-read sequencing of the same samples. Calling germline single nucleotide variants (SNVs) from specific chromosomes of the long-read data achieved good specificity and sensitivity. However, results of somatic SNV calling highlight the need for the development of specialised joint calling algorithms. We find the comparative genome-wide performance of different tools varies significantly between structural variant types, and suggest long reads are especially advantageous for calling large somatic deletions and duplications. Finally, we highlight the utility of long reads for phasing clinically relevant variants, confirming that a somatic 1.6 Mb deletion and a p.(Arg249Met) mutation involving TP53 are oriented in trans.
Comparison of Plasmodium ovale curtisi and Plasmodium ovale wallikeri infections by a meta-analysis approach
Authors: Mahittikorn Aongart , Masangkay Frederick Ramirez , Kotepui Kwuntida Uthaisar , Milanez Giovanni De Jesus , Kotepui Manas
Published: March 2021

Malaria caused by Plasmodium ovale species is considered a neglected tropical disease with limited information about its characteristics. It also remains unclear whether the two distinct species P. ovale curtisi and P. ovale wallikeri exhibit differences in their prevalence, geographic distribution, clinical characteristics, or laboratory parameters. Therefore, this study was conducted to clarify these differences to support global malaria control and eradication programs. Studies reporting the occurrence of P. ovale curtisi and P. ovale wallikeri were explored in databases. Differences in proportion, clinical data, and laboratory parameters between the two species were estimated using a random-effects model and expressed as pooled odds ratios (ORs), mean difference (MD), or standardized MD depending on the types of extracted data. The difference in geographical distribution was visualized by mapping the origin of the two species. A total of 1453 P. ovale cases extracted from 35 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The p-value in the meta-analyses provided evidence favoring a real difference between P. ovale curtisi malaria cases (809/1453, 55.7%) and P. ovale wallikeri malaria cases (644/1453, 44.3%) (p: 0.01, OR 1.61, 95% CI 0.71–3.63, I2: 77%). Subgroup analyses established evidence favoring a real difference between P. ovale curtisi and P. ovale wallikeri malaria cases among the imported cases (p: 0.02, 1135 cases). The p value in the meta-analyses provided evidence favoring a real difference in the mean latency period between P. ovale curtisi (289 cases) and P. ovale wallikeri malaria (266 cases) (p: 0.03, MD: 27.59, 95% CI 1.99–53.2, I2: 94%), total leukocyte count (p < 0.0001, MD: 840, 95% CI 610–1070, I2: 0%, two studies) and platelet count (p < 0.0001, MD: 44,750, 95% CI 2900–60,500, I2: 32%, three studies). Four continents were found to have reports of P. ovale spp., among which Africa had the highest number of reports for both P. ovale spp. in its 37 countries, with a global proportion of 94.46%, and an almost equal distribution of both P. ovale spp., where P. ovale curtisi and P. ovale wallikeri reflected 53.09% and 46.90% of the continent’s proportion, respectively. This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis to demonstrate the differences in the characteristics of the two distinct P. ovale species. Malaria caused by P. ovale curtisi was found in higher proportions among imported cases and had longer latency periods, higher platelet counts, and higher total leukocyte counts than malaria caused by P. ovale wallikeri. Further studies with a larger sample size are required to confirm the differences or similarities between these two species to promote malaria control and effective eradication programs.
Data-driven optimized control of the COVID-19 epidemics
Authors: Shirin Afroza , Lin Yen Ting , Sorrentino Francesco
Published: March 2021

Optimizing the impact on the economy of control strategies aiming at containing the spread of COVID-19 is a critical challenge. We use daily new case counts of COVID-19 patients reported by local health administrations from different Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) within the US to parametrize a model that well describes the propagation of the disease in each area. We then introduce a time-varying control input that represents the level of social distancing imposed on the population of a given area and solve an optimal control problem with the goal of minimizing the impact of social distancing on the economy in the presence of relevant constraints, such as a desired level of suppression for the epidemics at a terminal time. We find that with the exception of the initial time and of the final time, the optimal control input is well approximated by a constant, specific to each area, which contrasts with the implemented system of reopening ‘in phases’. For all the areas considered, this optimal level corresponds to stricter social distancing than the level estimated from data. Proper selection of the time period for application of the control action optimally is important: depending on the particular MSA this period should be either short or long or intermediate. We also consider the case that the transmissibility increases in time (due e.g. to increasingly colder weather), for which we find that the optimal control solution yields progressively stricter measures of social distancing. We finally compute the optimal control solution for a model modified to incorporate the effects of vaccinations on the population and we see that depending on a number of factors, social distancing measures could be optimally reduced during the period over which vaccines are administered to the population.
Development of brain atlases for early-to-middle adolescent collision-sport athletes
Authors: Zou Yukai , Zhu Wenbin , Yang Ho-Ching , Jang Ikbeom , Vike Nicole L. , Svaldi Diana O. , Shenk Trey E. , Poole Victoria N. , Breedlove Evan L. , Tamer Gregory G. , Leverenz Larry J. , Dydak Ulrike , Nauman Eric A. , Tong Yunjie , Talavage Thomas M. , Rispoli Joseph V.
Published: March 2021

Human brains develop across the life span and largely vary in morphology. Adolescent collision-sport athletes undergo repetitive head impacts over years of practices and competitions, and therefore may exhibit a neuroanatomical trajectory different from healthy adolescents in general. However, an unbiased brain atlas targeting these individuals does not exist. Although standardized brain atlases facilitate spatial normalization and voxel-wise analysis at the group level, when the underlying neuroanatomy does not represent the study population, greater biases and errors can be introduced during spatial normalization, confounding subsequent voxel-wise analysis and statistical findings. In this work, targeting early-to-middle adolescent (EMA, ages 13–19) collision-sport athletes, we developed population-specific brain atlases that include templates (T1-weighted and diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging) and semantic labels (cortical and white matter parcellations). Compared to standardized adult or age-appropriate templates, our templates better characterized the neuroanatomy of the EMA collision-sport athletes, reduced biases introduced during spatial normalization, and exhibited higher sensitivity in diffusion tensor imaging analysis. In summary, these results suggest the population-specific brain atlases are more appropriate towards reproducible and meaningful statistical results, which better clarify mechanisms of traumatic brain injury and monitor brain health for EMA collision-sport athletes.
Antimicrobial and physical properties of experimental endodontic sealers containing vegetable extracts
Authors: dos Santos Daniela Coelho , da Silva Barboza Andressa , Schneider Lara Rodrigues , Cuevas-Suárez Carlos Enrique , Ribeiro Juliana Silva , Damian Melissa Feres , Campos Angela Diniz , Lund Rafael Guerra
Published: March 2021

To assess the antimicrobial activity and the physical properties of resin-based experimental endodontic sealers with the incorporation of vegetable extracts obtained from Bixa orellana, Mentha piperita, and Tagetes minuta species. The extracts were obtained and characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS), and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis, and Candida albicans. The extracts were individually incorporated into a dual-cure experimental sealer at a mass concentration of 0.5%. A commercial reference RealSeal was used. The sealers were evaluated by measuring the setting time, degree of conversion, dimensional stability, radiopacity, flow, and film thickness of these materials, also and its antimicrobial effect was evaluated using the direct contact test. Data were statistically analyzed by analysis of variance and Tukey’s post-hoc test at α = 0.05 significance level. The physical properties were not influenced by the addition of the vegetable extracts (p > 0.05). For S. mutans, only T. minuta and B. orellana groups presented antibacterial activity after 24 h of contact (p < 0.05). All extracts evidenced an antibacterial effect against E. faecalis (p < 0.05). The experimental sealers hold promise as a novel vegetable sealer with great antimicrobial activity and also great physical–mechanical properties. Nonetheless, more studies are needed.
A postbiotic from Aspergillus oryzae attenuates the impact of heat stress in ectothermic and endothermic organisms
Authors: Kaufman J. D. , Seidler Y. , Bailey H. R. , Whitacre L. , Bargo F. , Lüersen K. , Rimbach G. , Pighetti G. M. , Ipharraguerre I. R. , Ríus A. G.
Published: March 2021

Heat stress is detrimental to food-producing animals and animal productivity remains suboptimal despite the use of heat abatement strategies during summer. Global warming and the increase of frequency and intensity of heatwaves are likely to continue and, thus, exacerbate the problem of heat stress. Heat stress leads to the impairment of physiological and cellular functions of ectothermic and endothermic animals. Therefore, it is critical to conceive ways of protecting animals against the pathological effects of heat stress. In experiments with endothermic animals highly sensitive to heat (Bos taurus), we have previously reported that heat-induced systemic inflammation can be ameliorated in part by nutritional interventions. The experiments conducted in this report described molecular and physiological adaptations to heat stress using Drosophila melanogaster and dairy cow models. In this report, we expand previous work by first demonstrating that the addition of a postbiotic from Aspergillus oryzae (AO) into the culture medium of ectothermic animals (Drosophila melanogaster) improved survival to heat stress from 30 to 58%. This response was associated with downregulation of genes involved in the modulation of oxidative stress and immunity, most notably metallothionein B, C, and D. In line with these results, we subsequently showed that the supplementation with the AO postbiotic to lactating dairy cows experiencing heat stress decreased plasma concentrations of serum amyloid A and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, and the expression of interleukin-6 in white blood cells. These alterations were paralleled by increased synthesis of energy-corrected milk and milk components, suggesting enhanced nutrient partitioning to lactogenesis and increased metabolic efficiency. In summary, this work provides evidence that a postbiotic from AO enhances thermal tolerance likely through a mechanism that entails reduced inflammation.
Author Correction: NT5C2 methylation regulatory interplay between DNMT1 and insulin receptor in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Chen Yng‑Tay , Lin Wei‑De , Liao Wen‑Ling , Tsai Ya‑Ching , Liao Jiunn‑Wang , Tsai Fuu‑Jen
Published: March 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
An exploratory investigation on spatiotemporal parameters, margins of stability, and their interaction in bilateral vestibulopathy
Authors: Herssens Nolan , Saeys Wim , Vereeck Luc , Meijer Kenneth , van de Berg Raymond , Van Rompaey Vincent , McCrum Christopher , Hallemans Ann
Published: March 2021

Integration of accurate vestibular, visual, and proprioceptive information is crucial in managing the centre of mass in relation to the base of support during gait. Therefore, bilateral loss of peripheral vestibular function can be highly debilitating when performing activities of daily life. To further investigate the influence of an impaired peripheral vestibular system on gait stability, spatiotemporal parameters, step-to-step variability, and mechanical stability parameters were examined in 20 patients with bilateral vestibulopathy and 20 matched healthy controls during preferred overground walking. Additionally, using a partial least squares analysis the relationship between spatiotemporal parameters of gait and the margins of stability was explored in both groups. Patients with bilateral vestibulopathy showed an increased cadence compared to healthy controls (121 ± 9 vs 115 ± 8 steps/min; p = 0.02; d = 0.77). In addition, although not significant (p = 0.07), a moderate effect size (d = 0.60) was found for step width variability (Coefficient of Variation (%); Bilateral vestibulopathy: 19 ± 11%; Healthy controls: 13 ± 5%). Results of the partial least squares analysis suggest that patients with peripheral vestibular failure implement a different balance control strategy. Instead of altering the step parameters, as is the case in healthy controls, they use the single and double support phases to control the state of the centre of mass to improve the mechanical stability.
Amorphous cellulose nanofiber supercapacitors
Authors: Fukuhara Mikio , Kuroda Tomoyuki , Hasegawa Fumihiko , Hashida Toshiyuki , Takeda Mitsuhiro , Fujima Nobuhisa , Morita Masahiro , Nakatani Takeshi
Published: March 2021

Despite the intense interest in cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) for biomedical and engineering applications, no research findings about the electrical energy storage of CNF have been reported yet. Here, we present the first electroadsorption effects of an amorphous cellulose nanofiber (ACF) supercapacitor, which can store a large amount of electricity (221 mJm−2, 13.1 Wkg−1). The electric storage can be attributed to the entirely enhanced electroadsorption owing to a quantum-size effect by convexity of 17.9 nm, an offset effect caused by positive polar C6=O6 radicles, and an electrostatic effect by appearance of the localised electrons near the Na ions. The supercapacitor also captures both positive and negative electricity from the atmosphere and in vacuum. The supercapacitor could illuminate a red LED for 1 s after charging it with 2 mA at 10 V. Further gains might be attained by integrating CNF specimens with a nano-electromechanical system (NEMS).
Author Correction: Uncovering the sources of DNA found on the Turin Shroud
Authors: Barcaccia Gianni , Galla Giulio , Achilli Alessandro , Olivieri Anna , Torroni Antonio
Published: March 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Zinc deficiency is highly prevalent and spatially dependent over short distances in Ethiopia
Authors: Belay Adamu , Gashu Dawd , Joy Edward J. M. , Lark R. Murray , Chagumaira Christopher , Likoswe Blessings H. , Zerfu Dilnesaw , Ander E. Louise , Young Scott D. , Bailey Elizabeth H. , Broadley Martin R.
Published: March 2021

Zinc (Zn) is an essential nutrient for human health. In Ethiopia, a high prevalence of Zn deficiency has been reported. To explore demographic variation and spatial dependencies in the Zn status of the Ethiopian population, we analyzed archived serum samples (n = 3373) from the 2015 Ethiopian National Micronutrient Survey (ENMS), a cross-sectional survey of young children, school-age children, women of reproductive age (WRA) and men conducted in all 9 regions and two city administration of Ethiopia. Serum Zn concentrations, measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICPMS), were compared to thresholds based on age, sex, fasting status, and time of blood collection, after adjusting for inflammation status. Median serum Zn concentration of the population was 57.5 μg dL−1. Overall, it is estimated that 72% of the population was Zn deficient, with high prevalence in all demographic groups. Spatial statistical analysis showed that there was spatial dependence in Zn status of WRA at distances of up to 45 km. Zinc deficiency is spatially dependent over short distances. Although WRA in most areas are likely to be Zn deficient, prevalence of deficiency varies at regional scale and between rural and urban inhabitants, suggesting there is scope to explore drivers of this variation, prioritize nutritional interventions, and to design more representative surveillance programs.
Novel candidate factors predicting the effect of S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Mitachi Katsutaka , Ariake Kyohei , Shima Hiroki , Sato Satoko , Miura Takayuki , Maeda Shimpei , Ishida Masaharu , Mizuma Masamichi , Ohtsuka Hideo , Kamei Takashi , Igarashi Kazuhiko , Unno Michiaki
Published: March 2021

The collagen gel droplet-embedded drug sensitivity test (CD-DST) was revealed to be useful for predicting the effect of S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, collection of an adequate number of PDAC cells is difficult due to the surrounding fibroblasts. Thus, the aim of this study was to discover novel biomarkers to predict chemosensitivity based on the CD-DST results. Proteomics analysis was performed using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). Candidate proteins were validated in patients with 5-FU CD-DST results via immunohistochemistry (IHC). The relationships between the candidate proteins and the effect of the adjuvant S-1 were investigated via IHC. Among the 2696 proteins extracted by LC–MS/MS, C1TC and SAHH could accurately predict the CD-DST results. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) was significantly improved in the IHC-positive group compared with the IHC-negative group in both factors. The negative group did not show a significant difference from the group that did not receive S-1. The double-positive group was associated with significantly prolonged RFS compared to the no adjuvant chemotherapy group. C1TC and SAHH have been shown to be useful biomarkers for predicting 5-FU sensitivity as a substitute for the CD-DST in adjuvant chemotherapy for PDAC.
Author Correction: Human kidney clonal proliferation disclose lineage-restricted precursor characteristics
Authors: Cohen-Zontag Osnat , Gershon Rotem , Harari-Steinberg Orit , Kanter Itamar , Omer Dorit , Pleniceanu Oren , Tam Gal , Oriel Sarit , Ben-Hur Herzl , Katz Guy , Dotan Zohar , Kalisky Tomer , Dekel Benjamin , Pode-Shakked Naomi
Published: March 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Progression of prostate carcinoma is promoted by adipose stromal cell-secreted CXCL12 signaling in prostate epithelium
Authors: Su Fei , Daquinag Alexes C. , Ahn Songyeon , Saha Achinto , Dai Yulin , Zhao Zhongming , DiGiovanni John , Kolonin Mikhail G.
Published: March 2021

Aggressiveness of carcinomas is linked with tumor recruitment of adipose stromal cells (ASC), which is increased in obesity. ASC promote cancer through molecular pathways not fully understood. Here, we demonstrate that epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in prostate tumors is promoted by obesity and suppressed upon pharmacological ASC depletion in HiMyc mice, a spontaneous genetic model of prostate cancer. CXCL12 expression in tumors was associated with ASC recruitment and localized to stromal cells expressing platelet-derived growth factor receptors Pdgfra and Pdgfrb. The role of this chemokine secreted by stromal cells in cancer progression was further investigated by using tissue-specific knockout models. ASC deletion of CXCL12 gene in the Pdgfr + lineages suppressed tumor growth and EMT, indicating stroma as the key source of CXCL12. Clinical sample analysis revealed that CXCL12 expression by peritumoral adipose stroma is increased in obesity, and that the correlating increase in Pdgfr/CXCL12 expression in the tumor is linked with decreased survival of patients with prostate carcinoma. Our study establishes ASC as the source of CXCL12 driving tumor aggressiveness and outlines an approach to treatment of carcinoma progression.
β-catenin-promoted cholesterol metabolism protects against cellular senescence in naked mole-rat cells
Authors: Chee Woei-Yaw , Kurahashi Yuriko , Kim Junhyeong , Miura Kyoko , Okuzaki Daisuke , Ishitani Tohru , Kajiwara Kentaro , Nada Shigeyuki , Okano Hideyuki , Okada Masato
Published: March 2021

The naked mole-rat (NMR; Heterocephalus glaber) exhibits cancer resistance and an exceptionally long lifespan of approximately 30 years, but the mechanism(s) underlying increased longevity in NMRs remains unclear. In the present study, we report unique mechanisms underlying cholesterol metabolism in NMR cells, which may be responsible for their anti-senescent properties. NMR fibroblasts expressed β-catenin abundantly; this high expression was linked to increased accumulation of cholesterol-enriched lipid droplets. Ablation of β-catenin or inhibition of cholesterol synthesis abolished lipid droplet formation and induced senescence-like phenotypes accompanied by increased oxidative stress. β-catenin ablation downregulated apolipoprotein F and the LXR/RXR pathway, which are involved in cholesterol transport and biogenesis. Apolipoprotein F ablation also suppressed lipid droplet accumulation and promoted cellular senescence, indicating that apolipoprotein F mediates β-catenin signaling in NMR cells. Thus, we suggest that β-catenin in NMRs functions to offset senescence by regulating cholesterol metabolism, which may contribute to increased longevity in NMRs.
A single donor is sufficient to produce a highly functional in vitro antibody library
Authors: Erasmus M. Frank , D’Angelo Sara , Ferrara Fortunato , Naranjo Leslie , Teixeira André A. , Buonpane Rebecca , Stewart Shaun M. , Nastri Horacio G. , Bradbury Andrew R. M.
Published: March 2021

Antibody complementarity determining region diversity has been considered to be the most important metric for the production of a functional antibody library. Generally, the greater the antibody library diversity, the greater the probability of selecting a diverse array of high affinity leads. According to this paradigm, the primary means of elevating library diversity has been by increasing the number of donors. In the present study we explored the possibility of creating an in vitro antibody library from a single healthy individual, showing that the number of lymphocytes, rather than the number of donors, is the key criterion in the production of a diverse and functional antibody library. We describe the construction of a high-quality phage display library comprising 5 × 109human antibodies by applying an efficient B cell extraction protocol from a single donor and a targeted V-gene amplification strategy favoring specific antibody families for their improved developability profiles. Each step of the library generation process was followed and validated by next generation sequencing to monitor the library quality and diversity. The functionality of the library was tested using several therapeutically relevant targets for which a vast number of different antibodies with desired biophysical properties were obtained.
A Vaspin–HSPA1L complex protects proximal tubular cells from organelle stress in diabetic kidney disease
Authors: Nakatsuka Atsuko , Yamaguchi Satoshi , Eguchi Jun , Kakuta Shigeru , Iwakura Yoichiro , Sugiyama Hitoshi , Wada Jun
Published: March 2021

Proximal tubular cells (PTCs) are crucial for maintaining renal homeostasis, and tubular injuries contribute to progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). However, the roles of visceral adipose tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor (vaspin) in the development of DKD is not known. We found vaspin maintains PTCs through ameliorating ER stress, autophagy impairment, and lysosome dysfunction in DKD. Vaspin−/− obese mice showed enlarged and leaky lysosomes in PTCs associated with increased apoptosis, and these abnormalities were also observed in the patients with DKD. During internalization into PTCs, vaspin formed a complex with heat shock protein family A (Hsp70) member 1 like (HSPA1L) as well as 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78). Both vaspin-partners bind to clathrin heavy chain and involve in the endocytosis. Notably, albumin-overload enhanced extracellular release of HSPA1L and overexpression of HSPA1L dissolved organelle stresses, especially autophagy impairment. Thus, vapsin/HSPA1L-mediated pathways play critical roles in maintaining organellar function of PTCs in DKD.
Machine learning autonomous identification of magnetic alloys beyond the Slater-Pauling limit
Authors: Iwasaki Yuma , Sawada Ryohto , Saitoh Eiji , Ishida Masahiko
Published: March 2021

Discovery of new magnets with high magnetization has always been important in human history because it has given birth to powerful motors and memory devices. Currently, the binary alloy Fe3Co1 exhibits the largest magnetization of any stable alloys explained by the Slater-Pauling rule. A multi-element system is expected to include alloys with magnetization beyond that of Fe3Co1, but it has been difficult to identify appropriate elements and compositions because of combinatorial explosion. In this work, we identified an alloy with magnetization beyond that of Fe3Co1 by using an autonomous materials search system combining machine learning and ab-initio calculation. After an autonomous and automated exploration in the large material space of multi-element alloys for six weeks, the system unexpectedly indicated that Ir and Pt impurities would enhance the magnetization of FeCo alloys, despite both impurity elements having small magnetic moments. To confirm this experimentally, we synthesized FexCoyIr1-x-y and FexCoyPt1-x-y alloys and found that some of them have magnetization beyond that of Fe3Co1.
Dipole patterns in tropical precipitation were pervasive across landmasses throughout Marine Isotope Stage 5
Authors: Nilsson-Kerr Katrina , Anand Pallavi , Holden Philip B. , Clemens Steven C. , Leng Melanie J.
Published: March 2021

Most of Earth’s rain falls in the tropics, often in highly seasonal monsoon rains, which are thought to be coupled to the inter-hemispheric migrations of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone in response to the seasonal cycle of insolation. Yet characterization of tropical rainfall behaviour in the geologic past is poor. Here we combine new and existing hydroclimate records from six large-scale tropical regions with fully independent model-based rainfall reconstructions across the last interval of sustained warmth and ensuing climate cooling between 130 to 70 thousand years ago (Marine Isotope Stage 5). Our data-model approach reveals large-scale heterogeneous rainfall patterns in response to changes in climate. We note pervasive dipole-like tropical precipitation patterns, as well as different loci of precipitation throughout Marine Isotope Stage 5 than recorded in the Holocene. These rainfall patterns cannot be solely attributed to meridional shifts in the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone.
Reduced solvent and reagent amounts: effect on carbonyl dinitrophenylhydrazone measurements at low concentrations
Authors: García-Alonso Susana , Bernal-Páez Ana María , Pérez-Pastor Rosa María
Published: March 2021

In this work, we propose to reduce the content of reagents to determine carbonyl compounds by 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH). Improvements obtained are described.
Reductase-catalyzed tetrahydrobiopterin regeneration alleviates the anti-competitive inhibition of tyrosine hydroxylation by 7,8-dihydrobiopterin
Authors: Xu Yinbiao , Li Youran , Li Leyun , Zhang Liang , Ding Zhongyang , Shi Guiyang
Published: March 2021

l-Tyrosine hydroxylation by tyrosine hydroxylase is a significant reaction for preparing many nutraceutical and pharmaceutical chemicals.
Oil & gas produced water retention ponds as potential passive treatment for radium removal and beneficial reuse
Authors: McDevitt Bonnie , McLaughlin Molly C. , Blotevogel Jens , Borch Thomas , Warner Nathaniel R.
Published: March 2021

Oil and gas extraction generates large volumes of produced water (PW) in regions that are water-stressed. PW can be passively treated in retention ponds prior to beneficial use. Oxic conditions lead to sequestration and lower bioavailability of Ra.
The impact of emulsion droplet size on in vitro lipolysis rate and in vivo plasma uptake kinetics of triglycerides and vitamin D3 in rats
Authors: Dille Morten J. , Baydin Tuna , Kristiansen Kåre A. , Draget Kurt I.
Published: March 2021

Emulsions with smaller droplets are more rapidly lipolyzed in the intestine, resulting in increased uptake to plasma of triglycerides. However, the uptake of vitamin D3 from the same emulsions is not significantly affected by droplet size.
Nucleic acid-driven aggregation-induced emission of Au nanoclusters for visualizing telomerase activity in living cells andin vivo
Authors: Ran Xiang , Wang Zhenzhen , Pu Fang , Ju Enguo , Ren Jinsong , Qu Xiaogang
Published: March 2021

A probe based on nucleic acid-driven aggregation-induced emission of Au nanoclusters was designed for sensitive detection of telomerase and imaging in living cells andin vivo.
A green and facile strategy for the fabrication of all-natural porous proteinaceous microspheres
Authors: Jiang Hang , Hu Xiaofeng , Li Yunxing , Ngai To
Published: March 2021

An all-natural proteinaceous porous microsphere is fabricated from an oil-in-(ethanol/water)-in-oil double emulsion.
Clicking of organelle-enriched probes for fluorogenic imaging of autophagic and endocytic fluxes
Authors: Liu Xianjun , Xiang Mei-Hao , Zhou Wen-Jing , Wang Fenglin , Chu Xia , Jiang Jian-Hui
Published: March 2021

A new strategy is developed for direct fluorogenic imaging of autophagic and endocytic fluxes via clicking of organelle-enriched trans-cyclooctenol and tetrazine derived probes.
Suspect and non-target screening: the last frontier in environmental analysis
Authors: González-Gaya B. , Lopez-Herguedas N. , Bilbao D. , Mijangos L. , Iker A. M. , Etxebarria N. , Irazola M. , Prieto A. , Olivares M. , Zuloaga O.
Published: March 2021

This review evaluates the state of the art of suspect and non-target screening techniques including sampling, sample treatment, instrumental analysis, data processing and an examination of recent applications in xenobiotics' environmental occurrence.
Oxidation of methane to methanol over Pd@Pt nanoparticles under mild conditions in water
Authors: Chen Jianjun , Wang Sikai , Peres Laurent , Collière Vincent , Philippot Karine , Lecante Pierre , Chen Yaoqiang , Yan Ning
Published: March 2021

Pd@Pt core–shell colloidal nanoparticles efficiently catalyse the direct oxidation of methane to methanol with high selectivity using H2O2in water.
The selective oxidation of glycerol over metal-free photocatalysts: insights into the solvent effect on catalytic efficiency and product distribution
Authors: Zhang Pingbo , Yue Chengguang , Fan Mingming , Haryonob Agus , Leng Yan , Jiang Pingping
Published: March 2021

Solvent effect in selective aerobic oxidation of glycerol over O-doped g-C3N4 was studied combining with control experiments and DFT theory calculation. Notably, a novel oxidative esterification of glycerol to yield esters was discovered in CH3CN.
Correction: Beyond “decorative” 2D supramolecular self-assembly: strategies towards functional surfaces for nanotechnology
Authors: Sosa-Vargas Lydia , Kim Eunkyoung , Attias André-Jean
Published: March 2021

Correction for ‘Beyond “decorative” 2D supramolecular self-assembly: strategies towards functional surfaces for nanotechnology’ by Lydia Sosa-Vargas et al., Mater. Horiz., 2017, 4, 570–583, DOI: 10.1039/C7MH00127D.
Solid-state reversible optical switch based on two dendritic molecules with dual sensitivity of mechanochromism and photochromism
Authors: Yang Yuhui , He Zhe , He Junzhao , Li Yuqing , Chen Yilong , Jiang Guohua
Published: March 2021

Achieving excellent solid photochromic properties by designing dendritic chromophores.
Rhodium(iii)-catalyzed annulation of enamides with sulfoxonium ylides toward isoquinolines
Authors: Hong Chao , Yu Shuling , Liu Zhanxiang , Zhang Yuhong
Published: March 2021

An efficient rhodium(iii)-catalyzed C–H activation followed by intermolecular annulation between enamides and sulfoxonium ylides has been developed.
Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial activity applications of grafted copolymer alginate-g-poly(N-vinyl imidazole)
Authors: Abdellatif Soliman Soliman Mehawed , Sanad Mohamed Fathi , Shalan Ahmed Esmail
Published: March 2021

N-Vinyl imidazole was grafted onto sodium alginate (PNVI-g-NaAlg) through a free radical polymerization technique in aqueous solution using potassium persulfate (K2S2O8, KPS) initiator material.
Enabling highly (R)-enantioselective epoxidation of styrene by engineering unique non-natural P450 peroxygenases
Authors: Zhao Panxia , Chen Jie , Ma Nana , Chen Jingfei , Qin Xiangquan , Liu Chuanfei , Yao Fuquan , Yao Lishan , Jin Longyi , Cong Zhiqi
Published: March 2021

H2O2-dependent epoxidation of unfunctionalized styrenes is achieved with high (R)-enantioselectivity and moderate to excellent TONs by combining site-mutated variants of cytochrome P450BM3 monooxygenase and a dual-functional small molecule (DFSM).
Acid-triggered interlayer sliding of two-dimensional copper(i)–organic frameworks: more metal sites for catalysis
Authors: Zhou Hou-Gan , Xia Ri-Qin , Zheng Ji , Yuan Daqiang , Ning Guo-Hong , Li Dan
Published: March 2021

The addition of TFA can trigger the interlay sliding of 2D copper(i) organic frameworks prepared by combing the chemistry of MOFs and COFs. The variation of interlay stacking largely affected the porosity, chemical stability and catalytic activities.
Nitrogen and phosphorus co-doped ultrathin carbon nanosheets as superior cathode catalysts for Zn–air batteries
Authors: Chen Aling , Yi Qingfeng , Sheng Kuang , Wang Yuebing , Chen Jiangchuan , Xiang Kaiwen , Nie Huidong , Zhou Xiulin
Published: March 2021

Nitrogen and phosphorus co-doped mesoporous ultrathin carbon nanosheets prepared by a NaCl template method present outstanding ORR activity and can be used as superior cathode catalysts for Zn–air batteries.
Behavioral Treatment for Benign Vocal Fold Lesions in Children: A Systematic Review
Authors: Feinstein Hagar , Abbott Katherine Verdolini
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This systematic review aims to identify, classify, and evaluate existing information regarding treatment for benign vocal fold lesions in children and to identify gaps and limitations that may limit effective pediatric voice treatment.

Method

A literature search was performed using electronic databases (PubMed and Google Scholar) as well as reference lists from previous reviews, studies, and books. Included in the present review are studies that described behavioral treatment for children with benign vocal fold lesions presumed to be phonotraumatic (vocal fold nodules and edema).

Results

Twenty-one studies were eligible for inclusion in the review. Eight different research designs were used, and three intervention types were identified: direct voice intervention (voice training), indirect treatment (vocal hygiene or counseling), and comparative studies that contrasted different treatment methods. The most commonly used treatment method was eclectic direct intervention, which focused on vocal exercises or voicing patterns. Postintervention improvement was reported in all studies. In general, findings suggested an advantage of direct over indirect intervention and of longer treatment duration over short-term approaches.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that behavioral voice therapy may be generally effective in treating children with vocal fold nodules. Several limitations emerged in the corpus of studies reviewed including heterogeneity of research methods, missing information about outcome measures, and inappropriate statistical analyses. Thus, a need exists for further well-designed controlled studies to enhance the body of knowledge about developmental factors affecting vocal treatment outcomes, in particular, vocal fold structure as well as cognitive and linguistic development.
RETRACTED: Design and implementation of construction prediction and management platform based on building information modelling and three‐dimensional simulation technology in Industry 4.0
Authors: Sun Hailing , Fan Miao , Sharma Ashutosh
Published: March 2021

In competitive growth and Industry 4.0, construction prediction and management have a key role. To find a way to provide a simulation method for the damage assessment of buildings and Industry 4.0, building information modelling technology is the most suitable choice. This work presents and analyses the building material from design modelling to model information extraction, virtual construction, and an imported virtual simulation engine. A simulation system has been built to understand the force and material collision detection of buildings, and a three‐dimensional (3D) simulation platform is developed based on the Unity3D engine. A 3D display of building model and simulation data is realized in this work based on the simulation software platform. The results show that the building 3D simulation images constructed by the designed system are high definition, take little time, and have excellent performance. The outcomes are realized in terms of the engineering cost ratio and have energy consumption and efficiency values of 20% and 40%, respectively, which are much better than the traditional method. Efficiency has also improved to 76% from the traditional method using the proposed method, which makes it a robust platform for construction prediction and management in industries. The virtual simulation technology is applied to solve problems of building design and damage assessment. The influence of this technology on the overall design of the building is discussed, followed by future development directions for industrial automation.
The shape synthesis of 3D electrically‐small conducting surface antennas
Authors: Alakhras A. , McNamara D.A.
Published: March 2021

The application of a shape synthesis process for electrically‐small three‐dimensional (3D) conducting surface antennas is described. A script (shaping manager) links a computational electromagnetics engine and genetic optimisation algorithm, and implements a prescribed process that shapes the antenna from any specified starting shape until a self‐resonant structure is produced whose performance satisfies requirements incorporated into an objective function defined in the shaping manager. Examples of successfully shape synthesized 3D antennas are discussed.
Frequency support control of two‐stage photovoltaic grid‐connected system based on virtual governor
Authors: Li Hui , Tan Hongtao , Bao Guangqing , Xie Xiangjie , Chai ZhaoSen , Yang Tian , Ding Kun
Published: March 2021

Given the urgent need for photovoltaic (PV) energy to participate in grid frequency regulation, a control strategy of the DC/DC converter of a two‐stage PV system based on the virtual governor (PV‐VG) is proposed in this paper. First, a one‐step PV maximum power point estimation (MPPE) method is proposed, which can obtain the reference voltage corresponding to the maximum power point and the power deload point, and some complex iterative calculations and sampling processes are circumvented. Then, based on the constant DC bus voltage of the two‐stage PV system, the coupling mathematical model of boost circuit duty cycle (D) and PV output power is established. According to the power setting and frequency deviation, the D is taken as the direct control target to reflect the direct coupling characteristics of D and grid frequency (f‐D) so that the PV system can adjust the output power reference independently according to the grid frequency deviation. Finally, a simulation model is built in Matlab/Simulink and RT‐LAB, and the results show that the accuracy of the proposed one‐step MPPE method is over 99.8%, and the correctness and efficiency of the PV‐VG control strategy are verified in some case study.
Bi‐level equilibrium of energy retailer–smart energy hub game in integrated energy market
Authors: Sheikhi Aras , Khazeni Sepideh , Rayati Mohamad , Ashourizadeh Alireza
Published: March 2021

An integrated view of energy markets has led to the introduction of new market participants named energy retailers (ERs). Competition among ERs in an integrated market greatly improves market performance in areas such as sustainability, supply security, and environmental awareness. ER performance is evaluated in an integrated market with emission penalty reduction in the objective function. Bi‐level programming is used to model an ER game, and the equilibria of different configurations are compared. In the game's first level, ERs offer various energy carrier selling prices to optimise profits. In the second level, consumers respond by switching from the retail market to minimise their energy bills. This complex problem is simplified utilising a discretisation method based on Nash theory. The configuration scenarios include different structures, components, and ER–user transactions. The effectiveness of the proposed configuration scenarios is validated by their implementation in an illustrative case study. Energy retailers purchase energy from various sources including bilateral contracts with energy suppliers, wholesale market participation, and self‐generation. Electricity retailers explicitly represent the difficulties of energy procurement and bidding strategies. Simulation results for the proposed energy system model indicate better performance than that of the base case and a noticeable increment in retailer profit.
Detecting and locating cyber and physical stresses in smart grids using the k‐nearest neighbour analysis of instantaneous correlation of states
Authors: Hasnat Md Abul , Rahnamay‐Naeini Mahshid
Published: March 2021

Monitoring the state of smart grids and detecting abnormalities are challenging tasks due to their large size, distributed nature, and complex and stochastic dynamics. Large deployment of sensors and monitoring devices, such as Phasor Measurement Units, provides a large volume of data about the state of the system, which presents both new opportunities and challenges in monitoring these systems. Different types of cyber‐attacks have targeted the important function of monitoring smart grids and the integrity of the collected data. The multivariate time series of the state of components are analysed through their instantaneous correlation. The effects of multiple cyber‐attacks and single line failures in the system on the instantaneous correlations are discussed. Moreover, a machine learning method is proposed to use the features selected from instantaneous correlations in a k‐Nearest Neighbour classification for real‐time detection and locating of stresses. The presented method shows a promising performance, which has been evaluated under a large number of simulated scenarios.
Ecological problems of the Russian coast of the south gulf of Finland
Authors: Vitjazeva Olga , Kozhuhov Igor , Naumova Larisa
Published: March 2021

The present work is an analytical review of the operating characteristics of the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland, which makes it possible to assess its state from the point of view of ecology. As a geographical and social object, this natural ecosystem can be reasonably included in the list of areas of potential ecological risk. This is due to active fishing activities and the development of sea cargo transshipment complexes in this area, taking into account the territorial advantages of local harbors. We believe that, with further accumulation of factual material, it will, with sufficient probability, determine the trends in the further development of this ecosystem. In the proposed work, the kinematics of coastal water flows near the southern coast was investigated as a factor contributing to the distribution of harmful impurities along the open part of the coast. Heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbons were selected here as indicator pollutants. At the same time, the article does not consider in detail the issues of the influence of specific sources of pollution on the state of the ecosystem as a whole. The meaning of its writing, as planned, is to find a correlation between the pollution scheme of a given coast and the natural specifics of the local hydrological regime. When writing the article, the basis for the analytical study was the factual material that was once obtained by the forces of the Maritime Academy in the process of performing coastal field work at this facility. Further, the article contains the results of hydrochemical and geochemical testing of natural waters and modern bottom sediments of the Gulf, borrowed from domestic and foreign sources.