bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How Fault Rocks Form and Evolve in the Shallow San Andreas Fault
Authors: Williams Randolph T. , Rowe Christie D. , Okamoto Kristina , Savage Heather M. , Eves Erin
Published: November 2021

We document the mechanical and geochemical processes of fault rock development in the shallow San Andreas fault (Mojave segment), and quantify their importance in shaping the mineralogy, grain size, fabric, and frictional characteristics of gouge. Through a combination of field and laboratory analysis of an extensive suite of shallow (<150 m) drill cores, we show that fault rocks evolved from a granodiorite protolith via three main processes: distributed microfracturing/pulverization; cataclastic flow and incipient fabric development; and production of authigenic illite/smectite during fluid‐rock interaction. The interdependence of these mechanical and geochemical processes results in a diverse suite of fault rocks, and causes significant changes in frictional strength. Spatial variations in the effects of these mechanisms, as manifested in fault‐rock mineralogy and geochemistry, indicate marked variations in their relative contribution to fault‐rock evolution. These data reveal a complex San Andreas fault with multiple principal slip zones and damaged and altered rock hosting numerous interconnected secondary slip surfaces. The resulting picture of the San Andreas Fault zone suggests a substantial departure from the simple structures envisioned for near‐surface seismogenenic faults in numerical models is required, and may inform future efforts to forecast peak ground accelerations during southern California earthquakes.
Olivine Dissolution in Simulated Lung and Gastric Fluid as an Analog to the Behavior of Lunar Particulate Matter Inside the Human Respiratory and Gastrointestinal Systems
Authors: Hendrix Donald A. , Hurowitz Joel A. , Glotch Timothy D. , Schoonen Martin A. A.
Published: November 2021

With the Artemis III mission scheduled to land humans on the Moon in 2025, work must be done to understand the hazards lunar dust inhalation would pose to humans. In this study, San Carlos olivine was used as an analog of lunar olivine, a common component of lunar dust. Olivine was dissolved in a flow‐through apparatus in both simulated lung fluid and 0.1 M HCl (simulated gastric fluid) over a period of approximately 2 weeks at physiological temperature, 37°C. Effluent samples were collected periodically and analyzed for pH, iron, silicon, and magnesium ion concentrations. The dissolution rate data derived from our measurements allow us to estimate that an inhaled 1.0 μm diameter olivine particle would take approximately 24 years to dissolve in the human lungs and approximately 3 weeks to dissolve in gastric fluid. Results revealed that inhaled olivine particles may generate the toxic chemical, hydroxyl radical, for up to 5–6 days in lung fluid. Olivine dissolved in 0.1 M HCl for 2 weeks transformed to an amorphous silica‐rich solid plus the ferric iron oxy‐hydroxide ferrihydrite. Olivine dissolved in simulated lung fluid shows no detectable change in composition or crystallinity. Equilibrium thermodynamic models indicate that olivine in the human lungs can precipitate secondary minerals with fibrous crystal structures that have the potential to induce detrimental health effects similar to asbestos exposure. Our work indicates that inhaled lunar dust containing olivine can settle in the human lungs for years and could induce long‐term potential health effects like that of silicosis.
Temperature‐Dependence of the Clear‐Sky Feedback in Radiative‐Convective Equilibrium
Authors: Kluft Lukas , Dacie Sally , Brath Manfred , Buehler Stefan A. , Stevens Bjorn
Published: November 2021

We quantify the temperature‐dependence of the clear‐sky climate sensitivity in a one‐dimensional radiative‐convective equilibrium model. The atmosphere is adjusted to fixed surface temperatures between 280 and 330 K while preserving other boundary conditions in particular the relative humidity and the CO2 concentration. We show that an out‐of‐bounds usage of the radiation scheme rapid radiative transfer model for GCMs (RRTMG) can lead to an erroneous decrease of the feedback parameter and an associated “bump” in climate sensitivity as found in other modeling studies. Using a line‐by‐line radiative transfer model, we find no evidence for a strengthening of the longwave radiative feedback for surface temperatures between 305 and 320 K. However, the line‐by‐line simulations also show a slight decrease in climate sensitivity when surface temperatures exceed 310 K. This decrease is caused by water‐vapor masking the radiative forcing at the flanks of the CO2 absorption band, which reduces the total radiative forcing by about 18%.
A New Technique to Diagnose the Geomagnetic Field Based on a Single Circular Current Loop Model
Authors: Rong Z. J. , Wei Y. , Klinger Lucy , Yamauchi M. , Xu W. Y. , Kong D. L. , Cui J. , Shen C. , Yang Y. Y. , Zhu R. X. , Zhong J. , Chai L. H.
Published: November 2021

The geomagnetic field originates from interior dynamo currents and can be approximated well by a simple dipolar field in the vicinity of Earth's surface. Given that the dipolar field is induced by a current loop, it is possible to invert the loop parameters by tracing the sampled magnetic field geometry. Drawing on the analysis of field geometric structure with sampled field dataset, we develop, in this study, a new technique to invert the interior current source, which is based on a single circular current loop model. Unlike previous studies, this technique has the ability to separate and solve the optimal loop parameters successively, including the location of the loop center, the loop axis, the radius, and the carried electric current. Applications to the International Geomagnetic Reference Field and the sampled magnetic field dataset by the spacecraft of the Swarm mission demonstrate that our technique‐derived loop center, loop axis, and magnetic moment are consistent with previous estimations by the eccentric dipole model, which shows the reasonability and effectiveness of this technique. Moreover, our technique can be reduced to fit an eccentric dipole model and is particularly useful for inversions of the geometry of interior current sources. Thus, it could be applied widely in the fields of planetary magnetism and palaeomagnetism. Further applications and constraints are discussed, with some cautions given.
Dairy Methane Emissions in California's San Joaquin Valley Inferred With Ground‐Based Remote Sensing Observations in the Summer and Winter
Authors: Heerah Sajjan , Frausto‐Vicencio Isis , Jeong Seongeun , Marklein Alison R. , Ding Yifan , Meyer Aaron G. , Parker Harrison A. , Fischer Marc L. , Franklin Jonathan E. , Hopkins Francesca M. , Dubey Manvendra
Published: November 2021

The dairy industry in the San Joaquin Valley (SJV) is one of California’s largest methane (CH4) sources. Reducing dairy emissions is a priority for the state’s climate change plans. Observations of current dairy CH4 emissions are key to monitoring actions taken toward this goal. To help support this, we present new ground‐based measurements of atmospheric column‐averaged CH4 mixing ratio (XCH4) gradients across a group of 600 dairies in the central SJV using EM27/SUN solar spectrometers. We used measurements from the 2019 summer and 2020 winter seasons for a top‐down emission inversion based on the WRF‐STILT model. Our top‐down estimates of the region’s dairy emissions range from 90% to 183% of the current CALGEM inventory’s emissions of 277 Gg/yr. In contrast to the strong temperature dependence found by earlier dairy CH4 emission studies, we also find that our top‐down emissions during the winter measurement days are comparable to the summer measurement days, possibly due to seasonal changes in dairy management practices and meteorological conditions. Furthermore, we find significant interday variability in our measurements and find that our emission estimates overlap with earlier top‐down studies and bottom‐up inventories in this region. Our study demonstrates how analysis of ground‐based remotely sensed CH4 gradient observations can help improve our understanding of CH4 sources at scales relevant to mitigation policy. It also reflects the need for long‐term monitoring of CH4 emissions in the region and at individual facilities to better understand their emissions.
Ocean Surface Radial Velocity Imaging in the AT‐INSAR Velocity Bunching Model: A Functional Approach
Authors: Pérez Fabricio , Moreles Miguel Angel , Morales‐Barcenas J. Héctor
Published: November 2021

Images obtained by airborne along‐track interferometric synthetic aperture radar (AT‐INSAR), provide tools to obtain ocean surface properties, such as the radial velocities of sea surface elevations. The estimation of these radial velocities from AT‐INSAR images is the interest of this work. We assume the Velocity Bunching Model relating the complex AT‐INSAR image at a point in the image plane, with the radial velocity of a scatterer point in the sea surface. The relation is by means of a nonlinear integral operator. Consequently, the estimation of radial velocities amounts to the solution of nonlinear and oscillatory integral equations. Our proposal is to solve the latter by Newton's methods on Hilbert function spaces, the so‐called optimize then discretize approach. The effectiveness is illustrated by means of numerical simulations evaluating the reconstruction of the radial velocities and the AT‐INSAR image. We show that this continuous version is accurate, and faster than the classical discretize then optimize version. A physical comparison is also carried out with the interferometric velocities.
GABAA and NMDA receptor density alterations and their behavioral correlates in the gestational methylazoxymethanol acetate model for schizophrenia
Authors: Kiemes Amanda , Gomes Felipe V. , Cash Diana , Uliana Daniela L. , Simmons Camilla , Singh Nisha , Vernon Anthony C. , Turkheimer Federico , Davies Cathy , Stone James M. , Grace Anthony A. , Modinos Gemma
Published: November 2021

Hippocampal hyperactivity driven by GABAergic interneuron deficits and NMDA receptor hypofunction is associated with the hyperdopaminergic state often observed in schizophrenia. Furthermore, previous research in the methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM) rat model has demonstrated that repeated peripubertal diazepam administration can prevent the emergence of adult hippocampal hyperactivity, dopamine-system hyperactivity, and associated psychosis-relevant behaviors. Here, we sought to characterize hippocampal GABAAand NMDA receptors in MAM-treated rats and to elucidate the receptor mechanisms underlying the promising effects of peripubertal diazepam exposure. Quantitative receptor autoradiography was used to measure receptor density in the dorsal hippocampus CA1, ventral hippocampus CA1, and ventral subiculum. Specifically, [3H]-Ro15-4513 was used to quantify the density of α5GABAAreceptors (α5GABAAR), [3H]-flumazenil to quantify α1-3;5GABAAR, and [3H]-MK801 to quantify NMDA receptors. MAM rats exhibited anxiety and schizophrenia-relevant behaviors as measured by elevated plus maze and amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion (AIH), although diazepam only partially rescued these behaviors. α5GABAAR density was reduced in MAM-treated rats in all hippocampal sub-regions, and negatively correlated with AIH. Ventral hippocampus CA1 α5GABAAR density was positively correlated with anxiety-like behavior. Dorsal hippocampus CA1 NMDA receptor density was increased in MAM-treated rats, and positively correlated with AIH. [3H]-flumazenil revealed no significant effects. Finally, we found no significant effect of diazepam treatment on receptor densities, potentially related to the only partial rescue of schizophrenia-relevant phenotypes. Overall, our findings provide first evidence of α5GABAAR and NMDA receptor abnormalities in the MAM model, suggesting that more selective pharmacological agents may become a novel therapeutic mechanism in schizophrenia.
Spatial regulation of cell motility and its fitness effect in a surface-attached bacterial community
Authors: Şimşek Emrah , Dawson Emma , Rather Philip N , Kim Minsu
Published: November 2021

On a surface, microorganisms grow into a multi-cellular community. When a community becomes densely populated, cells migrate away to expand the community’s territory. How microorganisms regulate surface motility to optimize expansion remains poorly understood. Here, we characterized surface motility of Proteus mirabilis. P. mirabilis is well known for its ability to expand its colony rapidly on a surface. Cursory visual inspection of an expanding colony suggests partial migration, i.e., one fraction of a population migrates while the other is sessile. Quantitative microscopic imaging shows that this migration pattern is determined by spatially inhomogeneous regulation of cell motility. Further analyses reveal that this spatial regulation is mediated by the Rcs system, which represses the expression of the motility regulator (FlhDC) in a nutrient-dependent manner. Alleviating this repression increases the colony expansion speed but results in a rapid drop in the number of viable cells, lowering population fitness. These findings collectively demonstrate how Rcs regulates cell motility dynamically to increase the fitness of an expanding bacterial population, illustrating a fundamental trade-off underlying bacterial colonization of a surface.
Glycoprotein PTGDS promotes tumorigenesis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma by MYH9-mediated regulation of Wnt–β-catenin–STAT3 signaling
Authors: Hu Shunfeng , Ren Shuai , Cai Yiqing , Liu Jiarui , Han Yang , Zhao Yi , Yang Juan , Zhou Xiangxiang , Wang Xin
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Glycoprotein prostaglandin D2 synthase (PTGDS) is a member of the lipocalin superfamily and plays dual roles in prostaglandins metabolism and lipid transport. PTGDS has been involved in various cellular processes including the tumorigenesis of solid tumors, yet its role in carcinogenesis is contradictory and the significance of PTGDS in hematological malignancies is ill-defined. Here, we aimed to explore the expression and function of PTGDS in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), especially the potential role of PTGDS inhibitor, AT56, in lymphoma therapy. Remarkable high expression of PTGDS was found in DLBCL, which was significantly correlated with poor prognosis. PTGDS overexpression and rhPTGDS were found to promote cell proliferation. Besides, in vitro and in vivo studies indicated that PTGDS knockdown and AT56 treatment exerted an anti-tumor effect by regulating cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, and invasion, and enhanced the drug sensitivity to adriamycin and bendamustine through promoting DNA damage. Moreover, the co-immunoprecipitation-based mass spectrum identified the interaction between PTGDS and MYH9, which was found to promote DLBCL progression. PTGDS inhibition led to reduced expression of MYH9, and then declined activation of the Wnt-β-catenin-STAT3 pathway through influencing the ubiquitination and degradation of GSK3-β in DLBCL. The rescue experiment demonstrated that PTGDS exerted an oncogenic role through regulating MYH9 and then the Wnt-β-catenin-STAT3 pathway. Based on point mutation of glycosylation sites, we confirmed the N-glycosylation of PTGDS in Asn51 and Asn78 and found that abnormal glycosylation of PTGDS resulted in its nuclear translocation, prolonged half-life, and enhanced cell proliferation. Collectively, our findings identified for the first time that glycoprotein PTGDS promoted tumorigenesis of DLBCL through MYH9-mediated regulation of Wnt-β-catenin-STAT3 signaling, and highlighted the potential role of AT56 as a novel therapeutic strategy for DLBCL treatment.
Functional delivery of lncRNA TUG1 by endothelial progenitor cells derived extracellular vesicles confers anti-inflammatory macrophage polarization in sepsis via impairing miR-9-5p-targeted SIRT1 inhibition
Authors: Ma Wentao , Zhang Weihong , Cui Bing , Gao Jing , Liu Qiuhong , Yao Mengying , Ning Hanbing , Xing Lihua
Published: November 2021

The delivery of biomolecules by extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) has been proven to ameliorate sepsis, yet the therapeutic mechanism remains to be elucidated. Taurine upregulated gene 1 (TUG1) is a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) that is downregulated in sepsis. The current study was designed to explore the role of EPCs derived EVs transmitting TUG1 in macrophage polarization and macrophage-mediated inflammation in a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis mouse model. TUG1 was underexpressed in CLP-induced sepsis, and its reexpression induced anti-inflammatory macrophage polarization and suppressed macrophage-medicated inflammatory injury to the pulmonary vascular endothelium. EPCs derived EVs transmitted TUG1 to promote M2 macrophage polarization. Luciferase, RIP, and RNA pull-down assays showed that TUG1 could competitively bind to microRNA-9-5p (miR-9-5p) to upregulate the expression of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1). Furthermore, EPCs derived EVs transmitted TUG1 to promote M2 macrophage polarization through the impairment of miR-9-5p-dependent SIRT1 inhibition. Finally, EPCs derived EVs carrying TUG1 were verified to ameliorate sepsis-induced organ damage in the murine model. In summary, EPCs derived EVs transmit TUG1 to attenuate sepsis via macrophage M2 polarization. This study also highlights the proinflammatory mechanism associated with miR-9-5p-mediated inhibition of SIRT1, which contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the pathogenesis of sepsis.
DOK3 maintains intestinal homeostasis by suppressing JAK2/STAT3 signaling and S100a8/9 production in neutrophils
Authors: Loh Jia Tong , Lee Koon-Guan , Lee Alison P. , Teo Joey Kay Hui , Lim Hsueh Lee , Kim Susana Soo-Yeon , Tan Andy Hee-Meng , Lam Kong-Peng
Published: November 2021

How pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) depends on the complex interplay of host genetics, microbiome and the immune system is not fully understood. Here, we showed that Downstream of Kinase 3 (DOK3), an adapter protein involved in immune signaling, confers protection of mice from dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. DOK3-deficiency promotes gut microbial dysbiosis and enhanced colitis susceptibility, which can be reversed by the transfer of normal microbiota from wild-type mice. Mechanistically, DOK3 exerts its protective effect by suppressing JAK2/STAT3 signaling in colonic neutrophils to limit their S100a8/9 production, thereby maintaining gut microbial ecology and colon homeostasis. Hence, our findings reveal that the immune system and microbiome function in a feed-forward manner, whereby DOK3 maintains colonic neutrophils in a quiescent state to establish a gut microbiome essential for intestinal homeostasis and protection from IBD.
Akt inhibitor augments anti-proliferative efficacy of a dual mTORC1/2 inhibitor by FOXO3a activation in p53 mutated hepatocarcinoma cells
Authors: Patra Tapas , Meyer Keith , Ray Ratna B. , Kanda Tatsuo , Ray Ranjit
Published: November 2021

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancy-related deaths. p53 mutation in HCC associates with worse clinicopathologic features including therapeutic limitation. A combination of targeted therapy may have some advantages. Akt/mTOR signaling contributes to the regulation of cell proliferation and cell death. Akt inhibitor (AZD5363) and mTORC1/2 dual inhibitor (AZD8055) are in a clinical trial for HCC and other cancers. In this study, we examined whether these inhibitors successfully induce antiproliferative activity in p53 mutant HCC cells, and the underlying mechanisms. We observed that a combination of AZD5363 and AZD8055 treatment synergizes antiproliferative activity on p53 mutated or wild-type HCC cell lines and induces apoptotic cell death. Mechanistic insights indicate that a combination of AZD5363 and AZD8055 activated FOXO3a to induce Bim-associated apoptosis in p53 mutated HCC cells, whereas cells retaining functional p53 enhanced Bax. siRNA-mediated knock-down of Bim or Bax prevented apoptosis in inhibitor-treated cells. We further observed a combination of treatment inhibits phosphorylation of FOXO3a and protects FOXO3a from MDM2 mediated degradation by preventing the phosphorylation of Akt and SGK1. FOXO3a accumulates in the nucleus under these conditions and induces Bim transcription in p53 mutant HCC cells. Combination treatment in the HCC cells expressing wild-type p53 causes interference of FOXO3a function for direct interaction with functional p53 and unable to induce Bim-associated cell death. On the other hand, Bim-associated cell death occurs in p53 mutant cells due to uninterrupted FOXO3a function. Overall, our findings suggested that a combined regimen of dual mTORC1/2 and Akt inhibitors may be an effective therapeutic strategy for HCC patients harboring p53 mutation.
CD98-induced CD147 signaling stabilizes the Foxp3 protein to maintain tissue homeostasis
Authors: Geng JieJie , Chen Ruo , Yang Feng-fan , Lin Peng , Zhu Yu-meng , Fu Xianghui , Wang Ke , Feng Zhuan , Wu Jiao , Zhang Hai , Li Qi-jing , Chen Zhi-Nan , Zhu Ping
Published: November 2021

Regulatory T cell (Treg) stability is necessary for the proper control of immune activity and tissue homeostasis. However, it remains unclear whether Treg stability must be continually reinforced or is established during development under physiological conditions. Foxp3 has been characterized as a central mediator of the genetic program that governs Treg stability. Here, we demonstrate that to maintain Foxp3 protein expression, Tregs require cell-to-cell contact, which is mediated by the CD147-CD98 interaction. As Tregs are produced, CD147, which is expressed on their surface, is stimulated by CD98, which is widely expressed in the physiological environment. As a result, CD147’s intracellular domain binds to CDK2 and retains it near the membrane, leading to Foxp3 dephosphorylation and the prevention of Foxp3 degradation. In addition, the optimal distribution of Foxp3+ Tregs under both pathological and physiological conditions depends on CD98 expression. Thus, our study provides direct evidence that Foxp3-dependent Treg stability is reinforced in the periphery by the interaction between CD147 and CD98 in the surrounding environment. More importantly, Tregs with high CD147 expression effectively inhibit inflammatory responses and maintain Foxp3 stability, which has guiding significance for the application of Tregs in immunotherapy.
What support do caregivers of people with visual impairment receive and require? An exploratory study of UK healthcare and charity professionals’ perspectives
Authors: Enoch Jamie , Dickinson Christine , Subramanian Ahalya
Published: November 2021

Background

Previous research has established that some informal caregivers (relatives/friends) of people with visual impairment (PVI) may require support themselves. However, there is limited understanding of how healthcare services and sight charities in the UK currently support caregivers. This study was therefore conducted to explore what support, information, and advice healthcare and charity professionals (HCCPs) currently provide for caregivers, and which additional support HCCPs would recommend in order to benefit caregivers.

Methods

HCCPs filled out an online survey, distributed among UK-based professional bodies and charity partners. Of 104 individuals who consented to participate, 68 (65%) HCCPs completed the survey in September–November 2019. Participants responded to Likert-type questions about how they interact with and support caregivers of PVI. Thirty-eight (56%) participants provided responses to open-ended questions about improving support for caregivers; qualitative analysis was conducted using the Framework Method.

Results

The survey showed that caregiver support activities most commonly undertaken related to onward signposting (90% (95% CI: 82–97%) of participants), or providing information about low vision aids and adaptations (85% (95% CI: 77–94%)), compared to activities focused on broader caregiver wellbeing. In open-ended responses, HCCPs highlighted the difficulties caregivers face in navigating an under-resourced and complex system. They recommended improving coordination and accessibility of information, as well as provision of emotional support and tangible assistance such as respite care and financial support.

Conclusions

The study suggests that HCCPs perceive significant unmet needs among caregivers of PVI, and would welcome further resources, information, and training to support caregivers.
Aggregation-induced emission luminogens for image-guided surgery in non-human primates
Authors: Zhong Danni , Chen Weiyu , Xia Zhiming , Hu Rong , Qi Yuchen , Zhou Bo , Li Wanlin , He Jian , Wang Zhiming , Zhao Zujin , Ding Dan , Tian Mei , Tang Ben Zhong , Zhou Min
Published: November 2021

During the past two decades, aggregation-induced emission luminogens (AIEgens) have been intensively exploited for biological and biomedical applications. Although a series of investigations have been performed in non-primate animal models, there is few pilot studies in non-human primate animal models, strongly hindering the clinical translation of AIE luminogens (AIEgens). Herein, we present a systemic and multifaceted demonstration of an optical imaging-guided surgical operation via AIEgens from small animals (e.g., mice and rabbits) to rhesus macaque, the typical non-human primate animal model. Specifically, the folic conjugated-AIE luminogen (folic-AIEgen) generates strong and stable fluorescence for the detection and surgical excision of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs). Moreover, with the superior tumor/normal tissue ratio and rapid tumor accumulation, folic-AIEgen successfully images and guides the precise resection of invisible cancerous metastases. Taken together, the presented strategies of folic-AIEgen based fluorescence intraoperative imaging and visualization-guided surgery show potential for clinical applications.
Gold nanoparticle-based colorimetric aptasensor for rapid detection of multiple mycotoxins in rice
Authors: Li Rui , Li Linzhi , Huang Tianzeng , Liu Xing , Chen Qi , Jin Guiying , Cao Hongmei
Published: November 2021

A novel, simple and rapid colorimetric aptasensor for multiple mycotoxins (ochratoxin A (OTA) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)) detection was developed using unmodified gold nanoparticles (AuNPs).
Recent progress in the fabrication of flexible materials for wearable sensors
Authors: Liu Hengxin , Wang Li , Lin Guimei , Feng Yihua
Published: November 2021

The latest progress relating to the fabrication of materials for wearable sensors, including flexible materials, electrode materials, and new biodegradable materials, is reviewed. We think flexible materials will have broad application prospects.
Moisture-resistant Nb-based fluoride K2NbF7:Mn4+and oxyfluoride phosphor K3(NbOF5)(HF2):Mn4+: synthesis, improved luminescence performance and application in warm white LEDs
Authors: Pang Ge , Hong Feng , Liu Xiaoyi , Zhang Yunxiao , Zhang Chunyan , Dong Tengri , Fu Zhendong , Liu Guixia , Wang Jinxian , Li Dan , Dong Xiangting
Published: November 2021

Herein, high-efficiency Nb-based oxyfluoride K3(NbOF5)(HF2):Mn4+and fluoride K2NbF7:Mn4+phosphors were successfully synthesized using different amounts of HF acid solutions by a simple co-precipitation method.
Electrochemistry and energy conversion features of protonic ceramic cells with mixed ionic-electronic electrolytes
Authors: Zvonareva Inna , Fu Xian-Zhu , Medvedev Dmitry , Shao Zongping
Published: November 2021

The current review highlights features of electron transport in proton-conducting electrolytes and possible ways of its eliminating to increase performance and efficiency of the related protonic ceramic electrochemical cells.
Transparent photodetectors based on polyoxometalate modified electrospun ZnO homojunction nanowire intersection arrays
Authors: Zheng Yuxiao , Xu Xueying , Li Fengrui , Chen Weilin , Gong Jian , Wang Chunlei
Published: November 2021

We use electrospinning to modify ZnO NWs with POMs. The composite exhibits the features of a p-type semiconductor and matches the Eg of ZnO. The PDs prepared by POMs@ZnO NWs can work under zero bias conditions and show good light responsivity.
Large-Stokes-shifted yellow photoluminescence emission from an imide and polyimides forming multiple intramolecular hydrogen bonds
Authors: Liang Naiqiang , Kuwata Shigeki , Ishige Ryohei , Ando Shinji
Published: November 2021

Novel polyimides and an imide compound having multiple intramolecular hydrogen bonds exhibit large Stokes-shifted yellow fluorescence via ESIPT.
The conceptual profile of equilibrium and its contributions to the teaching of chemical equilibrium
Authors: Costa Maurício Bruno da Silva , dos Santos Bruno Ferreira
Published: November 2021

The learning of scientific concepts is one of the main research subjects in science education. Although little used, the theory of conceptual profiles allows the study of this knowledge, taking into account the presence of different ways of thinking about a certain concept in the same individual. This study aimed to build a conceptual profile for the concept of equilibrium and, based on this profile, relate it to the teaching and learning process of chemical equilibrium. Four zones were proposed to comprise the profile, called intuitive, static, kinetic and energetic. Subsequently, we analyzed the responses obtained in a questionnaire by students of Chemistry courses in order to group similar ways of speaking into categories related to the concept of equilibrium and the proposed zones for the conceptual profile. In the answers, we found some alternative conceptions already identified by the literature. Based on the results, the proposed zones for the conceptual profile of equilibrium indicate that establishing associations between the state of chemical equilibrium and the notion of equality can lead to conceptual errors and, therefore, it is suggested to give priority to the notion of stability. We also propose the use of studies on the History and Philosophy of Sciences applied to the teaching of chemical equilibrium to stimulate the emergence, dialogue and enrichment between the zones of conceptual profile in individuals.
Novel differential power processing topology for the mitigation of mismatch in photovoltaic systems
Authors: Luz Caio M. A. , Tofoli Fernando L. , Ribeiro Enio R.
Published: November 2021

Energy harvesting from photovoltaic (PV) strings is significantly affected by partial shading. To address this problem, several power‐electronics‐based methods have been proposed in the literature. In this context, this letter presents an enhanced differential power processing topology. This novel solution allows obtaining soft switching, as well as the operation at lower switching frequencies, considering good trade‐offs between the number of modules of the string and component count. The proposed differential power processing approach is thoroughly analysed and compared with both the traditional bypass diode method and the PV‐to‐PV architecture through simulations carried out in MATLAB/Simulink environment.
Multisource‐multitarget cooperative positioning based on the fusion of inter‐vehicle relative vector in internet of vehicles
Authors: Shi Shuming , Yue Bingjian , Jia Suhua , Ma Xiaofan , Lin Nan
Published: November 2021

Accurate positioning is a fundamental prerequisite for intelligent connected vehicles (ICVs). Based on global navigation satellite systems, absolute positioning of ICVs can be augmented by cooperative positioning (CP) which fused the state‐related information shared in vehicular networks. Common CP relies on communication signals or special equipment to measure the distance between vehicles. This kind of ranging is suffering from multipath and non‐line of sight and hinders the improvement of CP. Using vehicle‐to‐target relative vectors (V2T‐RVs) based on on‐board sensors, which is immune to multipath and non‐line‐of‐sight, a distributed fusion framework named multisource‐multitarget cooperative positioning is proposed in this paper. Without knowing which target the V2T‐RVs are originated from, the positioning problem is converted into a multi‐target tracking problem by converting the V2T‐RVs into global coordinate. Then, a classic ellipse gate (EG) algorithm is used to pair the ICVs and the converted measurements. Finally, the sequential Kalman filter (KF) is used to complete the state estimation under multiple measurements and obtain the improved absolute position. The above EGKF method is verified in two scenarios generated by microscopic traffic simulator. Performance results show that the EGKF method within multisource‐multitarget cooperative positioning can significantly improve the positioning accuracy.
Image semantic segmentation method based on improved ERFNet model
Authors: Ye Dexue , Han Rubing
Published: November 2021

In order to solve the problems in the existing image semantic segmentation methods, such as the poor segmentation accuracy of small target object and the difficulty in segmentation of small target area, an image semantic segmentation method based on improved ERFNet model is proposed. Firstly, combining the asymmetric residual module and the weak bottleneck module, the ERFNet network model is improved to improve the running speed and reduce the loss of precision. Then, global pooling is used to fuse the feature channels after pyramid pooling to preserve more important feature information. Finally, the network model is implemented based on PyTorch deep learning framework, and the proposed method is demonstrated by experiments, in which the model retraining method is adopted to learn and train it. The experimental results show that the proposed method improves the segmentation ability of small‐scale objects and reduces the possibility of misclassification. The average pixel accuracy (MPA) and average intersection merge ratio (MIOU) of the proposed method are higher than those of other contrast methods.
Kinematic properties of white dwarfs
Authors: Raddi Roberto , Torres Santiago , Rebassa-Mansergas Alberto , Maldonado Jesús , Camisassa María E. , Koester Detlev , Gentile Fusillo Nicola Pietro , Tremblay Pier-Emmanuel , Dimpel Markus , Heber Ulrich , Cunningham Tim , Ren Juan-Juan
Published: November 2021

Context. Kinematic and chemical tagging of stellar populations have both revealed much information on the past and recent history of the Milky Way, including its formation history, merger events, and mixing of populations across the Galactic disk and halo.

Aims. We present the first detailed 3D kinematic analysis of a sample of 3133 white dwarfs that used Gaia astrometry plus radial velocities, which were measured either by Gaia or by ground-based spectroscopic observations. The sample includes either isolated white dwarfs that have direct radial velocity measurements, or white dwarfs that belong to common proper motion pairs that contain nondegenerate companions with available radial velocities. A subset of common proper motion pairs also have metal abundances that have been measured by large-scale spectroscopic surveys or by our own follow-up observations.

Methods. We used the white dwarfs as astrophysical clocks by determining their masses and total ages through interpolation with dedicated evolutionary models. We also used the nondegenerate companions in common proper motions to chemically tag the population. Combining accurate radial velocities with Gaia astrometry and proper motions, we derived the velocity components of our sample in the Galactic rest frame and their Galactic orbital parameters.

Results. The sample is mostly located within ∼300 pc from the Sun. It predominantly contains (90–95%) thin-disk stars with almost circular Galactic orbits, while the remaining 5–10% of stars have more eccentric trajectories and belong to the thick disk. We identified seven isolated white dwarfs and two common proper motion pairs as halo members. We determined the age – velocity dispersion relation for the thin-disk members, which agrees with previous results that were achieved from different white dwarf samples without published radial velocities. The age – velocity dispersion relation shows signatures of dynamical heating and saturation after 4–6 Gyr. We observed a mild anticorrelation between [Fe/H] and the radial component of the average velocity dispersion, showing that dynamical mixing of populations takes place in the Galactic disk, as was detected through the analysis of other samples of FGK stars.

Conclusions. We have shown that a white dwarf sample with accurate 3D kinematics and well-measured chemical compositions enables a wider understanding of their population in the solar neighborhood and its connection with the Galactic chemodynamics. The legacy of existing spectroscopic surveys will be boosted by the availability of upcoming larger samples of white dwarfs and common proper motion pairs with more uniform high-quality data.
An estimation of theGaiaEDR3 parallax bias from stellar clusters and Magellanic Clouds data
Authors: Maíz Apellániz J.
Published: November 2021

Context.The early-thirdGaiadata release (EDR3) parallaxes constitute the most detailed and accurate dataset that currently can be used to determine stellar distances in the solar neighborhood. Nevertheless, there is still room for improvement in their calibration and systematic effects can be further reduced in some circumstances.

Aims.The aim of this paper is to determine an improvedGaiaEDR3 parallax bias as a function of magnitude, color, and ecliptic latitude using a single method applied to stars in open clusters, globular clusters, the Large Magellanic Cloud, and the Small Magellanic Cloud.

Methods.I study the behavior of the residuals or differences between the individual (stellar) parallaxes and the group parallaxes, which are assumed to be constant for the corresponding cluster or galaxy. This was done by first applying the Lindegren et al. (2021b, A&A, 649, A4) zero point and then calculating a new zero point from the residuals of the first analysis.

Results.The Lindegren zero point shows very small residuals as a function of magnitude between individual and group parallaxes forG> 13 but significant ones for brighter stars, especially blue ones. The new zero point reduces those residuals, especially in the 9.2 <G< 13 range. Thekfactor that is used to convert from catalog parallax uncertainties to external uncertainties is small (1.1–1.7) for 9.2 <G< 11 andG> 13, intermediate (1.7–2.0) for 11 <G< 13, and large (>2.0) forG< 9.2. Therefore, significant corrections are needed to calculate distance uncertainties fromGaiaEDR3 parallaxes for some stars. There is still room for improvement if future analyses add information from additional stellar clusters, especially for red stars withG< 11 and blue stars withG< 9.2. I also calculatedkfor stars with RUWE values between 1.4 and 8.0 and for stars with six-parameter solutions, allowing for a correct estiimation of their uncertainties.
Technical Note: First Use of Endonasal Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy – Feasibility and Proof of Concept
Authors: Wenda Nina , Kiesslich Ralf , Gosepath Jan
Published: November 2021

Introduction Probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (p-CLE) is a method for real-time in vivo visualization of mucosal changes on a cellular level. Due to the size of the endoscopes, it was mainly used in the gastrointestinal tract so far. First investigations on head and neck carcinoma described the oropharyngeal application. The further miniaturization of the laser probe now allows endonasal application and, thus, first experiences with the investigation of endonasal neoplasms.

Objectives The aim of the present investigation is to elucidate, based on the morphological criteria validated in the oropharynx, whether these criteria be transferred in a similar way to the endonasal mucosa.

Methods We conducted p-CLE (Cellvizio, Paris, France) with intravenous fluorescein staining in endoscopic sinus surgery in a patient with sinonasal inverted papilloma and a histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma. We compared the cellular visualization of pathological changes with those of healthy mucosa in the same specimen, and also with our former findings in the oropharynx.

Results Endonasal p-CLE proved to be quite feasible in the surgical setting, and the transfer of malignancy criteria in analogy to histological examination could be optically retraced. Furthermore, additional criteria for tissue dignity assessment were obtained.

Conclusion Our results suggest that endonasal application of p-CLE represents a valuable extension of the diagnostic repertoire available to date by an additional real-time analysis of the nasal mucosa. This is of particular value in surgically challenging anatomical areas such as the paranasal sinuses.

Further investigation and validation will be necessary.
Coronary Artery Fistulae in Adult: Two Decades of Experience in Clinical Presentation, Angiographic Feature, and Management
Authors: Taskesen Tuncay , Osei Kofi , Hamilton Russell , Ugwu Justin , Shivapour Daniel , Tannenbaum Mark , Ghali Magdi
Published: November 2021

Coronary artery fistula (CAF) in adults is a rare but significant coronary artery anomaly. Main data on that rare disease were mostly obtained from case reports and small studies. In presented study, we share our two-decade experience on the clinical and angiographic characteristics of CAF.

The data were collected retrospectively by analyzing the angiographic data between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2019. Demographic data, clinical data, laboratory, and cardiac catheterization reports were reviewed.

CAFs were found in 40 patients (0.06%). There were 22 male (55%) patients. The mean age was 61.2 years. Twenty-nine patients (72.5%) had small, 4 patients (10%) had medium, and 7 patients (17.5%) had large CAFs. The majority of study population had solitary CAF (n = 31, 77.5%). The pulmonary artery is the major side of fistula drainage (n = 20, 50%). The study population was divided into two groups as follow: group 1—small CAFs 29 (72.5%), group 2—medium and large CAF (MLCAF) 11 (27.5%). Patients with MLCAFs had more atrial fibrillation, abnormal coronary morphology, and multiple fistulae. In patients with hemodynamically significant CAFs, 7 (17.5%) patients had surgical ligation and 3 (7.5%) patients had transcutaneous closure. Three patients died during mean follow-up period of 5 years.

The incidence and the pattern of CAFs in our study were similar to previous studies. Clinical course of small fistulae was benign. Symptomatic MLCAFs need to be treated by transcatheter or surgical way and should be individualized per patient.
Immunoexpression of PD-L1 and PD-1 and Its Clinicopathological Correlation in Urothelial Carcinomas
Authors: Kumar Utpal , Anthony Michael Leonard , Sahai Rishabh , Mittal Ankur , Durgapal Prashant , Kishore Sanjeev
Published: November 2021

Introduction Urothelial carcinomas are the most common types of bladder tumors that have recently shown a changing trend in treatment protocols with the introduction and approval of immune checkpoint inhibitors. The most important immune checkpoint lies with the PD-1–PD-L1 axis. Although multiple drugs have been approved, there is uncertainty about patient selection criteria and diagnostic assays. Recent studies related to the laboratory-developed tests have opened up the horizon of PD-1 and PD-L1 immunohistochemistry even at resource-constrained laboratories. We propose to study these immunohistochemistry markers in our laboratory using newer clones.

Materials and Methods We selected 116 consecutive cases of transurethral bladder tumor resection from our laboratory archive and applied PD-1 and PD-L1 immunohistochemistry. The study was approved by the institution's ethics committee.

Results We found high expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 in urothelial carcinoma even with different cut-offs of PD-L1. Muscle invasion, lamina invasion, and grade of carcinoma had a statistically significant effect on the expression; however, age and sex did not affect the expression.

Conclusion Based on our current study, we can conclude that the clones used in our study show high expression in urothelial carcinoma and can aid in patient selection and treatment protocol, irrespective of age and sex.
First-Trimester Reference Intervals for Thyroid Function Testing among Women Screened at a Tertiary Care Hospital in India
Authors: Nanda Rachita , Nayak Prasanta Kumar , Patel Suprava , Mohapatra Eli , Agrawal Sarita
Published: November 2021

Objectives Due to differences in the method of assay and population-specific factors, each laboratory needs to establish its own gestation-specific reference intervals (GRIs) for thyroid hormones.

Materials and Methods Three-hundred forty-one women with less than 14 weeks gestation were screened at a tertiary care hospital in Chhattisgarh, India. Serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4), and thyroid peroxidase antibody (anti-TPO) were measured using an ADVIA Centaur XP immunoassay.

GRIs (2.5th and 97.5th percentiles) were determined for TSH and fT4. TSH and fT4 concentrations were converted to multiples of the median (MoM) values. Effect of maternal age, gestational age, and maternal weight was analyzed.

Statistical Analysis Quantitative variables were expressed as means and standard deviations (SD), and qualitative variables were expressed as frequencies and percentages. Normality of the data was checked using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. Values that were normally distributed were expressed only as means and SD. Those that were not normally distributed were expressed as medians and interquartile range. For all statistical analysis, p < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results First-trimester GRI was 0.245 to 4.971 mIU/L for TSH, 10.2 to 18.9 pmol/L for fT4, and 27.0 to 56.89 kIU/L for anti-TPO. There was no significant difference in the mean serum TSH (p = 0.920), fT4 (p  = 0.714), or anti-TPO (p = 0.754) values among women in 4 to 7th week and 7 to 14th week of gestation. The 1st and 99th centile MoMs were 0.03 and 4.09 for TSH and 0.66 and 1.39 for fT4. There was a significant positive correlation between the maternal weight and TSH MoM values (p = 0.027, r = 0.120).

Conclusion These laboratory- and first-trimester-specific GRI for TSH and fT4 shall help in proper diagnosis and treatment of subclinical thyroid dysfunctions. TSH and fT4 MoM values can be used to indicate high or low values in a quantitative manner independent of the reference ranges and may be used by other laboratories.