bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Author Correction: Bone morphogenetic protein 7 promotes resistance to immunotherapy
Authors: Cortez Maria Angelica , Masrorpour Fatemeh , Ivan Cristina , Zhang Jie , Younes Ahmed I. , Lu Yue , Estecio Marcos R. , Barsoumian Hampartsoum B. , Menon Hari , da Silva Caetano Mauricio , Ramapriyan Rishab , Schoenhals Jonathan E. , Wang Xiaohong , Skoulidis Ferdinandos , Wasley Mark D. , Calin George , Hwu Patrick , Welsh James W.
Published: October 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Objective assessment of patellar maltracking with 3 T dynamic magnetic resonance imaging: feasibility of a robust and reliable measuring technique
Authors: Frings Jannik , Dust Tobias , Krause Matthias , Ohlmeier Malte , Frosch Karl-Heinz , Adam Gerhard , Warncke Malte , Maas Kai-Jonathan , Henes Frank Oliver
Published: October 2020

Patellofemoral maltracking predisposes the patellofemoral joint to instability. The purpose of this study was to provide a reliable dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measuring technique for patellofemoral maltracking, and to investigate the influence of anatomical risk factors (AF) on patellar maltracking. Ten patients (2 males,8 females, average 19 years) with clinical maltracking and 20 controls (10 males,10 females,average 28 years) were examined with a dynamic, multi-slice gradient-echo MRI sequence, during repetitive flexion(40°) and full extension, in an open-chain-active-movement. In a 30-s time frame three simultaneous transverse slices were acquired.
Dynamic mediolateral translation and dynamic tilt were measured at defined positions, by two independent examiners. Reproducibility was tested in a set of five knees. Common AFs for patellar maltracking (tibial-tuberosity-to-trochlear-groove-(TT-TG)-distances, trochlea-sulcus-angle, trochlea-sulcus-depth, lateral-trochlear-inclination and Caton-Deschamps-Index) were analyzed in consensus, using standard static MRI sequences. In patients, dynamic mediolateral translation was significantly greater in patients (12.4 ± 6.9 mm vs. − 0.1 ± 2.3 mm, p < 0.001) and the patella was positioned significantly more laterally (17.5 ± 6.9 mm vs. 3.1 ± 2.4 mm, p < 0.001) compared to controls. During movement, the patella tilted 16.3 ± 13.1° laterally in patients and 1.9 ± 4.3° medially in controls (dynamic tilt) (p < 0.002). All AFs were significantly different between patients and controls. Pathological TT-TG-distances, Caton-Deschamps-Indices and trochlea-sulcus-angles strongly correlated with dynamic patellar translation and dynamic patellar tilt (p < 0.001). In the patient population, the primary pathologies for maltracking were lateralized-tibial-tubercle (n = 5), trochlea dysplasia n = 2, patella alta (n = 3). Interrater-reliability for translation and tilt-measurement was excellent (0.971/0.976, 95% CIs 0.939–0.986/0.950–0.988). Dynamic MRI reliably differentiates between abnormal and physiological patellar tracking. Dynamic tracking and tilt strongly correlate with measurable AFs, which reinforces their clinical use and validates the presented technique.
Comparative study between deep learning and QSAR classifications for TNBC inhibitors and novel GPCR agonist discovery
Authors: Tsou Lun K. , Yeh Shiu-Hwa , Ueng Shau-Hua , Chang Chun-Ping , Song Jen-Shin , Wu Mine-Hsine , Chang Hsiao-Fu , Chen Sheng-Ren , Shih Chuan , Chen Chiung-Tong , Ke Yi-Yu
Published: October 2020

Machine learning is a well-known approach for virtual screening. Recently, deep learning, a machine learning algorithm in artificial neural networks, has been applied to the advancement of precision medicine and drug discovery. In this study, we performed comparative studies between deep neural networks (DNN) and other ligand-based virtual screening (LBVS) methods to demonstrate that DNN and random forest (RF) were superior in hit prediction efficiency. By using DNN, several triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) inhibitors were identified as potent hits from a screening of an in-house database of 165,000 compounds. In broadening the application of this method, we harnessed the predictive properties of trained model in the discovery of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) agonist, by which computational structure-based design of molecules could be greatly hindered by lack of structural information. Notably, a potent (~ 500 nM) mu-opioid receptor (MOR) agonist was identified as a hit from a small-size training set of 63 compounds. Our results show that DNN could be an efficient module in hit prediction and provide experimental evidence that machine learning could identify potent hits in silico from a limited training set.
Circadian regulation of diel vertical migration (DVM) and metabolism in Antarctic krill Euphausia superba
Authors: Piccolin Fabio , Pitzschler Lisa , Biscontin Alberto , Kawaguchi So , Meyer Bettina
Published: October 2020

Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) are high latitude pelagic organisms which play a key ecological role in the ecosystem of the Southern Ocean. To synchronize their daily and seasonal life-traits with their highly rhythmic environment, krill rely on the implementation of rhythmic strategies which might be regulated by a circadian clock. A recent analysis of krill circadian transcriptome revealed that their clock might be characterized by an endogenous free-running period of about 12–15 h. Using krill exposed to simulated light/dark cycles (LD) and constant darkness (DD), we investigated the circadian regulation of krill diel vertical migration (DVM) and oxygen consumption, together with daily patterns of clock gene expression in brain and eyestalk tissue. In LD, we found clear 24 h rhythms of DVM and oxygen consumption, suggesting a synchronization with photoperiod. In DD, the DVM rhythm shifted to a 12 h period, while the peak of oxygen consumption displayed a temporal advance during the subjective light phase. This suggested that in free-running conditions the periodicity of these clock-regulated output functions might reflect the shortening of the endogenous period observed at the transcriptional level. Moreover, differences in the expression patterns of clock gene in brain and eyestalk, in LD and DD, suggested the presence in krill of a multiple oscillator system. Evidence of short periodicities in krill behavior and physiology further supports the hypothesis that a short endogenous period might represent a circadian adaption to cope with extreme seasonal photoperiodic variability at high latitude.
Status of early hearing detection and intervention in South Korea: a nationwide population-based study of national infant health checkup
Authors: Park Su-Kyoung , Chang Jiwon , Im Gi Jung , Ahn Joong Ho , Lee Jun Ho , do Han Kyung , Chung Jong Woo , Kim Jin-Sook , Jang Hyunsook , Lee Seung Hwan
Published: October 2020

The aim of this study was to evaluate the status of early hearing detection and intervention after newborn hearing screening (NHS) in South Korea. A retrospective review of Korean national health insurance service data of all infants receiving the 4-month old national infant health checkup between 2010 and 2016 from a nationwide population-based database was conducted. Based on the results of the NHS-administered hearing questionnaires as part of the national infant health checkup, individuals were classified into “pass” (1,730,615 infants) or “refer” (10,941 infants) groups. Next, an analysis was conducted of age and the frequencies of tracking audiologic tests and surgeries of the middle ear (ME) and cochlear implants (CI). Diagnostic auditory brainstem response and audiometry, and surgeries of ME and CI were significantly performed more and earlier in the refer group compared with the pass group. For infants in the pass group who were presumed to have delayed or acquired hearing loss, the time of the first audiology tests and CI surgery was significantly delayed compared to those in the refer group; the average ages for first CI were 37 and 52 months in the refer group and pass group, respectively. Therefore, for early detection of delayed-onset hearing loss, regular hearing screening programs should be considered throughout the preschool ages.
Evidence for signatures of ancient microbial life in paleosols
Authors: Frindte Katharina , Lehndorff Eva , Vlaminck Stefan , Werner Katharina , Kehl Martin , Khormali Farhad , Knief Claudia
Published: October 2020

Loess-paleosol sequences are terrestrial archives of past climate change. They may host traces of ancient microbial life, but little information is available on the recovery of microbial biomarkers from such deposits. We hypothesized that microbial communities in soil horizons up to an age of 127 kyr carry information related to past environments. We extracted DNA from a loess-paleosol sequence near Toshan, Northern Iran, with 26 m thick deposits showing different degrees of soil development, performed quantitative PCR and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Periods of soil formation archived within the loess sediment led to higher diversity and bacterial abundance in the paleosol horizons. Community composition fluctuated over the loess-paleosol sequence and was mainly correlated with age and depth, (ADONIS R2 < 0.14, P ≤ 0.002), while responses to paleosol soil traits were weaker. Phyla like Bacteriodetes, Proteobacteria or Acidobacteria were more prevalent in paleosol horizons characterized by intense soil formation, while weakly developed paleosols or loess horizons hosted a higher percentage and diversity of Actinobacteria. Taken together, our findings indicate that the microbial community in loess-paleosol sequences carries signatures of earlier environmental conditions that are preserved until today.
Establishment and validation of an in vitro co-culture model for oral cell lines using human PBMC-derived osteoclasts, osteoblasts, fibroblasts and keratinocytes
Authors: Steller Daniel , Scheibert Alexandra , Sturmheit Tabea , Hakim Samer G.
Published: October 2020

Indirect co-culture models with osteoclasts including oral cell lines may be influenced by M-CSF and RANKL in the common cell medium. Therefore, we investigated the viability and proliferation of osteoblasts (OB), fibroblasts (FB) and oral keratinocytes (OK) under stratified medium modification and assessed the differentiation of osteoclasts in each co-culture. The impact of M-CSF and RANKL in the common OC co-culture was assessed for OB, FB and OK via MTT assay via DAPI control. The multinuclearity and function of OC were evaluated by light microscopy, DAPI staining, resorption assay and FACS analysis. The PBMC showed the highest differentiation into OC after an incubation period of 7 days. Furthermore, co-culture with OB enhanced the number of differentiated multinucleated OC in comparison with monoculture, whereas co-culture with OK decreased PBMC multinuclearity and OC differentiation. FB did not influence the number of differentiated OC in a co-culture. RANKL and M-CSF reduction had no impact on OC differentiation in co-culture with FB or OB, whereas this medium modification for OK attenuated PBMC multinuclearity and OC differentiation in all approaches. Supplementation of RANKL and M-CSF can be modified for a co-culture of PBMC with FB or OB without disturbing OC differentiation. Thus, pathogenic processes of bone remodelling involving OB, OC, FB and OK in the oral cavity can be investigated thoroughly.
Post-inflammatory behavioural despair in male mice is associated with reduced cortical glutamate-glutamine ratios, and circulating lipid and energy metabolites
Authors: Chan Shi Yu , Probert Fay , Radford-Smith Daniel E. , Hebert Jennifer C. , Claridge Timothy D. W. , Anthony Daniel C. , Burnet Philip W. J.
Published: October 2020

Post-inflammatory behaviours in rodents are widely used to model human depression and to test the efficacy of novel anti-depressants. Mice injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) display a depressive-like phenotype twenty-four hours after endotoxin administration. Despite the widespread use of this model, the mechanisms that underlie the persistent behavioural changes after the transient peripheral inflammatory response remain elusive. The study of the metabolome, the collection of all the small molecule metabolites in a sample, combined with multivariate statistical techniques provides a way of studying biochemical pathways influenced by an LPS challenge. Adult male CD-1 mice received an intraperitoneal injection of either LPS (0.83 mg/kg) or saline, and were assessed for depressive-like behaviour 24 h later. In a separate mouse cohort, pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expression and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomics measurements were made in brain tissue and blood. Statistical analyses included Independent Sample t-tests for gene expression data, and supervised multi-variate analysis using orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis for metabolomics. Both plasma and brain metabolites in male mice were altered following a single peripheral LPS challenge that led to depressive-like behaviour in the forced swim test. The plasma metabolites altered by LPS are involved in energy metabolism, including lipoproteins, glucose, creatine, and isoleucine. In the brain, glutamate, serine, and N-acetylaspartate (NAA) were reduced after LPS, whereas glutamine was increased. Serine-modulated glutamatergic signalling and changes in bioenergetics may mediate the behavioural phenotype induced by LPS. In light of other data supporting a central imbalance of glutamate-glutamine cycling in depression, our results suggest that aberrant central glutaminergic signalling may underpin the depressive-like behaviours that result from both inflammation and non-immune pathophysiology. Normalising glutaminergic signalling, rather than seeking to increase serotonergic signalling, might prove to be a more coherent approach to the development of new treatments for mood disorder.
Sedimentary DNA tracks decadal-centennial changes in fish abundance
Authors: Kuwae Michinobu , Tamai Hiromichi , Doi Hideyuki , Sakata Masayuki K. , Minamoto Toshifumi , Suzuki Yoshiaki
Published: October 2020

Far too little is known about the long-term dynamics of populations for almost all macro-organisms. Here, we examined the utility of sedimentary DNA techniques to reconstruct the dynamics in the “abundance” of a species, which has not been previously defined. We used fish DNA in marine sediments and examined whether it could be used to track the past dynamics of pelagic fish abundance in marine waters. Quantitative PCR for sedimentary DNA was applied on sediment-core samples collected from anoxic bottom sediments in Beppu Bay, Japan. The DNA of three dominant fish species (anchovy, sardine, and jack mackerel) were quantified in sediment sequences spanning the last 300 years. Temporal changes in fish DNA concentrations are consistent with those of landings in Japan for all three species and with those of sardine fish scale concentrations. Thus, sedimentary DNA could be used to track decadal-centennial dynamics of fish abundance in marine waters.
Caffeine inhibits Notum activity by binding at the catalytic pocket
Authors: Zhao Yuguang , Ren Jingshan , Hillier James , Lu Weixian , Jones Edith Yvonne
Published: October 2020

Notum inhibits Wnt signalling via enzymatic delipidation of Wnt ligands. Restoration of Wnt signalling by small molecule inhibition of Notum may be of therapeutic benefit in a number of pathologies including Alzheimer’s disease. Here we report Notum activity can be inhibited by caffeine (IC50 19 µM), but not by demethylated caffeine metabolites: paraxanthine, theobromine and theophylline. Cellular luciferase assays show Notum-suppressed Wnt3a function can be restored by caffeine with an EC50 of 46 µM. The dissociation constant (Kd) between Notum and caffeine is 85 µM as measured by surface plasmon resonance. High-resolution crystal structures of Notum complexes with caffeine and its minor metabolite theophylline show both compounds bind at the centre of the enzymatic pocket, overlapping the position of the natural substrate palmitoleic lipid, but using different binding modes. The structural information reported here may be of relevance for the design of more potent brain-accessible Notum inhibitors.
A cyclodextrin-decorated plasmonic gold nanosatellite substrate for selective detection of bipyridylium pesticides
Authors: Koh Eun Hye , Moon Ji-Young , Kim Sung-Youn , Lee Won-Chul , Park Sung-Gyu , Kim Dong-Ho , Jung Ho Sang
Published: October 2020

A cyclodextrin-decorated gold nanosatellite (AuNSL) substrate was developed as a surface-enhanced Raman scattering sensor for the selective sensing of bipyridylium pesticides such as paraquat (PQ), diquat (DQ), and difenzoquat (DIF).
H2 evolution from H2O via O–H oxidative addition across a 9,10-diboraanthracene
Authors: Taylor Jordan W. , Harman W. Hill
Published: October 2020

The water reactivity of the boroauride complex ([Au(B2P2)][K(18-c-6)]; (B2P2, 9,10-bis(2-(diisopropylphosphino)-phenyl)-9,10-dihydroboranthrene) and its corresponding two-electron oxidized complex, Au(B2P2)Cl, are presented.
Late-stage functionalization of peptides via a palladium-catalyzed C(sp3)–H activation strategy
Authors: Zhan Bei-Bei , Jiang Meng-Xue , Shi Bing-Feng
Published: October 2020

Recent advances in the late-stage modification of peptides via palladium-catalyzed C(sp3)–H functionalization are summarized.
Monitoring the multiphasic evolution of bismuth telluride nanoplatelets
Authors: Subrati Ahmed , Kim Yeonho , Al Wahedi Yasser , Tzitzios Vasileios , Alhassan Saeed , Kim Hae Jin , Lee Sanggil , Sakellis Elias , Boukos Nikos , Stephen Samuel , Lee Sang Moon , Lee Jin Bae , Fardis Michael , Papavassiliou Georgios
Published: October 2020

Bismuth telluride hexagonal nanoplatelets originate from electronically distinct thicker Bi-rich triangular nanoplatelets while being centrally knitted by Te nanorods.
Chemical short-range order in derivative Cr–Ta–Ti–V–W high entropy alloys from the first-principles thermodynamic study
Authors: Sobieraj Damian , Wróbel Jan S. , Rygier Tomasz , Kurzydłowski Krzysztof J. , El Atwani Osman , Devaraj Arun , Martinez Saez Enrique , Nguyen-Manh Duc
Published: October 2020

Density Functional Theory (DFT), Cluster Expansion and Monte Carlo simulations have been carried out to investigate the short-range ordering in high-entropy alloys in Cr–Ta–Ti–V–W system as a function of temperature and composition.
Coherent manipulation of the internal state of ultracold 87Rb133Cs molecules with multiple microwave fields
Authors: Blackmore Jacob A. , Gregory Philip D. , Bromley Sarah L. , Cornish Simon L.
Published: October 2020

We explore coherent multi-photon processes in 87Rb133Cs molecules using 3-level lambda and ladder configurations of rotational and hyperfine states, and discuss their relevance to future applications in quantum computation and quantum simulation.
Distinctive stability of a free-standing monolayer clay mineral nanosheet via transmission electron microscopy
Authors: Akita Ikumi , Ishida Yohei , Yonezawa Tetsu
Published: October 2020

The distinctive stability of the monolayer clay mineral demonstrated by electron diffraction.
Smart soft supramolecular hybrid hydrogels modulated by Zn2+/Ag NPs with unique multifunctional properties and applications
Authors: Priyanka  , Kumar Anil
Published: October 2020

Zn2+/Ag in Zn2+-Ag NPs@β-FeOOH@5′-CMP induce puckering of ribose in 5′-CMP to produce stimulus-responsive soft supramolecular hydrogels with superb mechanical features, sustained drug release and SERS activity indicating its biomedical potential.
Stepwise spin-state switching in a manganese(iii) complex
Authors: Ghosh Subrata , Bagchi Sukanya , Das Mayurika , Kamilya Sujit , Mondal Abhishake
Published: October 2020

Detailed magneto-structural correlation in a mononuclear manganese(iii) complex exhibiting reversible two-step spin-state switching has been reported.
Nondestructive quantification of single-cell nuclear and cytoplasmic mechanical properties based on large whole-cell deformation
Authors: Ren Jifeng , Li Yongshu , Hu Shuhuan , Liu Yi , Tsao Sai Wah , Lau Denvid , Luo Guannan , Tsang Chi Man , Lam Raymond H. W.
Published: October 2020

Nondestructive quantification of cytoplasm and nucleus elasticity based on multiple levels of cell deformation.
Metalloproteomics for molecular target identification of protein-binding anticancer metallodrugs
Authors: Steel Tasha R , Hartinger Christian G
Published: October 2020

Proteomics has played an important role in elucidating the fundamental processes occuring in living cells. Translating these methods to metallodrug research (‘metalloproteomics’) has provided a means for molecular target identification of metal-based anticancer agents which should signifcantly advance the research field. In combination with biological assays, these techniques have enabled the mechanisms of action of metallodrugs to be linked to their interactions with molecular targets and aid understanding of their biological properties. Such investigations have profoundly increased our knowledge of the complex and dynamic nature of metallodrug–biomolecule interactions and have provided, at least for some compound types, a more detailed picture on their specific protein-binding patterns. This perspective highlights the progression of metallodrug proteomics research for the identification of non-DNA targets from standard analytical techniques to powerful metallodrug pull-down methods.
Spatially resolved thermoelectric effects inoperandosemiconductor–metal nanowire heterostructures
Authors: Gächter Nadine , Könemann Fabian , Sistani Masiar , Bartmann Maximilian G. , Sousa Marilyne , Staudinger Philipp , Lugstein Alois , Gotsmann Bernd
Published: October 2020

The thermoelectric properties of a nanoscale germanium segment connected by aluminium nanowires are studied using scanning thermal microscopy.
Kinase and GPCR polypharmacological approach for the identification of efficient anticancer medicines
Authors: Park Hwangseo , Jung Hoi-Yun , Mah Shinmee , Kim Kewon , Hong Sungwoo
Published: October 2020

Bifunctional molecules that inhibit casein kinase 1 delta and simultaneously antagonize muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M3 were identified.
Total synthesis of thioamycolamide A via a biomimetic route
Authors: Pan Chengqian , Kuranaga Takefumi , Kakeya Hideaki
Published: October 2020

A concise total synthesis of thioamycolamide A was accomplished as a key step of thio-Michael addition via a biomimetic route.
Inter-regulated d-band centers of the Ni3B/Ni heterostructure for boosting hydrogen electrooxidation in alkaline media
Authors: Yang Fulin , Han Pengyu , Yao Na , Cheng Gongzhen , Chen Shengli , Luo Wei
Published: October 2020

Ni3B/Ni heterostructures with optimized hydrogen/hydroxyl binding energies have been constructed for effective alkaline hydrogen oxidation electrocatalysis.
Structure-based drug repurposing to inhibit the DNA gyrase of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: GL Balasubramani , Rajput Rinky , Gupta Manish , Dahiya Pradeep , Thakur Jitendra K. , Bhatnagar Rakesh , Grover Abhinav
Published: October 2020

Drug repurposing is an alternative avenue for identifying new drugs to treat tuberculosis (TB). Despite the broad-range of anti-tubercular drugs, the emergence of multi-drug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) H37Rv, as well as the significant death toll globally, necessitates the development of new and effective drugs to treat TB. In this study, we have employed a drug repurposing approach to address this drug resistance problem by screening the drugbank database to identify novel inhibitors of the Mtb target enzyme, DNA gyrase. The compounds were screened against the ATPase domain of the gyrase B subunit (MtbGyrB47), and the docking results showed that echinacoside, doxorubicin, epirubicin, and idarubicin possess high binding affinities against MtbGyrB47. Comprehensive assessment using fluorescence spectroscopy, surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy (SPR), and circular dichroism (CD) titration studies revealed echinacoside as a potent binder of MtbGyrB47. Furthermore, ATPase, and DNA supercoiling assays exhibited an IC50 values of 2.1–4.7 µM for echinacoside, doxorubicin, epirubicin, and idarubicin. Among these compounds, the least MIC90 of 6.3 and 12 μM were observed for epirubicin and echinacoside, respectively, against Mtb. Our findings indicate that echinacoside and epirubicin targets mycobacterial DNA gyrase, inhibit its catalytic cycle, and retard mycobacterium growth. Further, these compounds exhibit potential scaffolds for optimizing novel anti-mycobacterial agents that can act on drug-resistant strains.
Dynamic event‐triggered cooperative formation control for UAVs subject to time‐varying disturbances
Authors: Wei Lili , Chen Mou , Li Tao
Published: October 2020

The dynamic event‐triggered cooperative formation control problem for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) subject to time‐varying disturbances is studied. A single UAV is described by a second‐order kinematical model and the desired formation is constructed by utilising the leader–follower framework, in which the leader UAV provides the desired trajectory for each follower. Unknown external disturbances are assumed to be composed of multiple frequency waves and appropriate disturbance observers are designed. A dynamic event‐triggered mechanism is proposed with its triggering threshold being dynamically adjustable rather than a fixed constant, which can reduce data transmissions more effectively and meanwhile avoid the Zeno behaviour. Then a distributed event‐triggered control scheme is developed for the UAV formation and two sufficient conditions on asymptotical stability of the resulting closed loop system are derived. Furthermore, controller gains, observer gains, and triggering parameters can be jointly obtained by solving the desired linear matrix inequality (LMI). Finally, a simulated example is given to illustrate the obtained results.
Impulsive control design for output tracking of probabilistic Boolean control networks
Authors: Wang Jing , Liu Yansheng , Li Haitao
Published: October 2020

This study investigates the impulsive control for the output tracking of probabilistic Boolean control networks (PBCNs) by the algebraic state‐space representation method. Firstly, a novel system with augmented control is established by regarding the impulsive time as a special kind of control, which is equivalent to the considered impulsive PBCN (IPBCN). Secondly, based on the largest control invariant subset, a necessary and sufficient condition is proposed to design impulsive control for the output tracking problem of IPBCNs. Moreover, a constructive method is put forward to design the state feedback controller and state‐dependent impulsive time sequence. Finally, an example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the obtained results.
A search for millimeter emission from the coldest and closest brown dwarf with ALMA
Authors: Petry Dirk , Ivanov Valentin D.
Published: October 2020

Context. WISE J085510.83−071442.5 (W0855) is a unique object: with Teff ≈ 250 K it is the coldest known brown dwarf (BD), located at only ≈2.2 pc form the Sun. It is extremely faint, which makes any astronomical observations difficult. However, at least one remotely similar ultra-low-mass object, the M9 dwarf TVLM 513-46546, has been shown to be a steady radio emitter at frequencies up to 95 GHz with superimposed active states where strong, pulsed emission is observed.

Aims. Our goal is to determine the millimeter radio properties of W0855 with deep observations around 93 GHz (3.2 mm) in order to investigate whether radio astrometry of this object is feasible and to measure or set an upper limit on its magnetic field.

Methods. We observed W0855 for 94 min at 85.1–100.9 GHz on 24 December 2019 using 44 of the Atacama Large millimeter Array (ALMA) 12 m antennas. We used the standard ALMA calibration procedure and created the final image for our analysis by accommodating the Quasar 3C 209, the brightest nearby object by far. Furthermore, we created a light curve with a 30 s time resolution to search for pulsed emission.

Results. Our observations achieve a noise RMS of 7.3 μJy beam−1 for steady emission and of 88 μJy for 30 s pulses in the aggregated bandwidth (Stokes I). There is no evidence for steady or pulsed emission from the object at the time of the observation. We derive 3σ upper limits of 21.9 μJy on the steady emission and of 264 μJy on the pulsed emission of W0855 between 85 GHz and 101 GHz.

Conclusions. Together with the recent non-detection of W0855 at 4–8 GHz, our constraints on the steady and pulsed emission from W0855 confirm that the object is neither radio-loud nor magnetospherically particularly active.
Assessment of quality and safety indicators of beverages made from vegetable raw materials
Authors: Belousova Аnna I. , Donchenko Lyudmila V.
Published: October 2020

Organoleptic and physical and chemical parameters of new pectin-containing beverages based on vegetable juices are given. Their compliance with the requirements of the technical regulations of the Customs Union in terms of safety indicators was confirmed. The conclusion about the feasibility of setting up new types of beverages for production was made.
Decision support system for technological maintenance of seeding machines
Authors: Kapustin Vasiliy , Nemtinov Kirill , Nemtinova Yulia , Nemtinov Vladimir
Published: October 2020

In this paper, we consider information support for decisionmaking in technological maintenance of agricultural machines before and during technological operations that guarantee their high quality and contribute to improving production efficiency: increasing crop yields up to 30%; increasing shift productivity by 10 ... 12%; reducing fuel consumption per unit of work performed by 5 ... 8%; reducing downtime due to technical reasons up to 20%. The authors have developed an information and logical model for decision support that allows them to select the best option for carrying out technological maintenance of agricultural machines depending on the current state of machine’s components and mechanisms and specified agro-technical requirements. To implement the information and logic model, the software environment of the CLIPS expert system is used, including a full-fledged object-oriented COOL language. The model was tested on the example of technological maintenance of seeding machines.
Optimization of parameters and operating modes of the rotary working body for harrowing agricultural crops
Authors: Serguntsov Alexander , Serguntsova Victoria
Published: October 2020

The rotary working body with evenly spaced needles along the perimeter is a flat disk (rotating in a longitudinally vertical plane). The technological process of interaction with the soil consists in the fact that when the rotary disk is rolled in the soil layer, the needle is inserted into it, crushing and shifting the soil in the direction of rotation. The degree of soil loosening, rotating freely in a longitudinal vertical plane of the needle disk on the axis depends on several parameters: disk diameter, number of needles, speed, and soil properties. An experimental study of needle working bodies was performed in terms of the influence of the disk size, the number of needles and the speed of movement on the process of soil crumbling.
Design features of agricultural transporting technological device equipped with agrophilic wheel mower
Authors: Popov Sergey , Komissarov Dmitry , Lavrov Alexander , Gulyaev Anatoly , Davydov Valery
Published: October 2020

Now days there is no a single mass-produced vehicle for agriculture which does not match requirements of the state standard for the maximum allowable impact of movers on the soil. This leads to significant losses and under-harvest of agricultural products. As a promising direction for increasing the efficiency of the transport infrastructure of agricultural production, it is proposed to develop an environmentally friendly transport and technological chassis for agricultural purposes.
Common Reed as a Renewable Energy Resource for Pellet Production
Authors: Kostin Vasiliy , Kochetkov Vladimir , Sokolova Natalya , Vasenev Ivan
Published: October 2020

Renewable reed biomass has traditionally been used for various purposes. Currently, an energy-dependent society is returning to the use of natural energy sources. The paper is devoted to the study of reed reserves in the Lower Volga region, production technology, and quality assessment of pellets from it. Reed mowing with further production of fuel pellets from biomass will not only provide the local population or small enterprises with energy but also solve a number of environmental problems. The main environmental problem is the high fire hazard of reed beds. The main characteristics of the pellets that have been investigated by the authors are humidity, ash content, calorific value, and the composition of the ash residue. When granulating shredded cormophytic biomass, the main process parameter affecting the fuel pellet quality is the moisture content of the raw materials, which has been determined experimentally. To improve the consumer properties of the granules, binders were also experimentally selected. Binders should not reduce the calorific value and impair the composition of the ash residue
Cooling efficiency of filler unit in non-chemical cooling tower with advanced contact surface
Authors: Madyshev Ilnur , Kharkov Vitaly , Dmitriev Andrey
Published: October 2020

The paper deals with a pressing problem on the effective cooling of circulating water at industrial plants using the evaporative cooling towers. A new design of the cooling tower is developed that prevents the biological fouling of the equipment surfaces without the use of chemicals. The design of the filler unit with the inclined-corrugated plates and the metal mesh provides the advanced gas-liquid contact surface. An evaluation of the cooling efficiency of the inclined corrugated contact elements is performed by means of the volumetric coefficient values of heat transfer in the gas phase. From experimental data, it has been found that with increasing the wetting density, the volumetric heat transfer coefficients also increase at the same mean-flow air velocity. A comparative analysis of Merkel numbers for the developed filler unit with the existing analogs as the characteristic of cooling capacity indicated its superiority.
Trencher equipment
Authors: Letopolsky A. B. , Korchagin P. A. , Teterina I. A. , Demidenko A. I.
Published: October 2020

The article reflects the results of theoretical studies aimed at improving the equipment of the chain trencher. The proposed design allows the development of trenches on the sides of the pipeline. In addition, with the help of a cutter drum equipped with a rotary mechanism, the equipment removes soil from under the repaired pipe section. To confirm the health of the proposed technical solution, calculations were made of the power of consumption on the drive chain of the work equipment and cutter drum. When developing the design, calculations were made to determine the diameter of the shaft and check the splined joint for crumpling.
Osipovs’s fire nozzles as a means of combating environmental pollution
Authors: Osipov Arthur
Published: October 2020

The classification of the main types of fires is provided, their effect on environmental pollution and adversely affecting people’s health is noted. The harmful effect of the consequences of forest fires on the ecology is shown, the main toxic substances released into the atmosphere are given. The harm caused by industrial fires of flammable and combustible liquids is analyzed. The specifics of extinguishing these fires and the need for Osipovs’s fire nozzles are substantiated. Design features of Osipovs’s fire nozzles are considered. The basics of calculating their tactical and technical characteristics are given. The effectiveness of their practical application in extinguishing forest and industrial fires of oil products is shown. Analytical studies of literary material were conducted. Calculation according empirical formulas and schemes is provided. Polygon and full-scale tests of Osipovs’s manual and fire monitors are presented. As a result of theoretical and experimental studies, the design was optimized and the tactics of using these fire nozzles in a fire were developed. The practical application of Osipovs’s manual and fire monitors allows get better the working conditions of nozzlemans, increasing fire fighting efficiency, reducing environmental pollution and improving its ecology.
Influence of vehicle emissions on the male generative system of Aesculus hippocastanum L.
Authors: Ibragimova Evelina , Manankova Olga
Published: October 2020

The article presents the results of a study of the impact of vehicle emissions on populations of Aesculus hippocastanum L. growing along roads with different traffic intensities. It was found that in areas of heavy vehicle traffic there is an increased level of abortive pollen production. Plant populations increasing the formation of damaged gametes with increasing anthropogenic load on phytocoenoses can be used for phytoindication of the environmental pollution degree. In areas with heavy traffic, pollutants have an average toxic effect on the gametogenesis of Aesculus hippocastanum L. The quality and degree of damage to the pollen zone formed by plants can serve as a bio-test of the mutagenic effect of environmental factors that have a modifying effect on male gametophyte of higher plants.
Recent Advances in Catalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of Pyrazolones with a Tetrasubstituted Stereogenic Center at the 4-Position
Authors: Pedro José R. , Vila Carlos , Carceller-Ferrer Laura , Blay Gonzalo
Published: October 2020

Pyrazolone [2,4-dihydro-3H-pyrazol-4-one] represents one of the most important five-membered nitrogen heterocycles which is present in numerous pharmaceutical drugs and molecules with biological activity. Recently, many catalytic methodologies for the asymmetric synthesis of chiral pyrazolones have been established with great success, specially, for the synthesis of pyrazolones bearing a tetrasubstituted stereocenter at C-4. This review summarizes these excellent research studies since 2018, including representative examples and some mechanistic pathways explaining the observed stereochemistry.

1 Introduction

2 Catalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of Chiral Pyrazolones with a Full Carbon Tetrasubstituted Stereocenter at C-4

3 Catalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of Chiral Pyrazolones with a Quaternary Carbon Stereocenter at C-4 bearing a Heteroatom

4 Catalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of Chiral Spiropyrazolones

5 Conclusion
Adenomyosis: Mechanisms and Pathogenesis
Authors: Zhai Junyu , Vannuccini Silvia , Petraglia Felice , Giudice Linda C.
Published: October 2020

Adenomyosis is a common disorder of the uterus, and is associated with an enlarged uterus, heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), pelvic pain, and infertility. It is characterized by endometrial epithelial cells and stromal fibroblasts abnormally found in the myometrium where they elicit hyperplasia and hypertrophy of surrounding smooth muscle cells. While both the mechanistic processes and the pathogenesis of adenomyosis are uncertain, several theories have been put forward addressing how this disease develops. These include intrinsic or induced (1) microtrauma of the endometrial–myometrial interface; (2) enhanced invasion of endometrium into myometrium; (3) metaplasia of stem cells in myometrium; (4) infiltration of endometrial cells in retrograde menstrual effluent into the uterine wall from the serosal side; (5) induction of adenomyotic lesions by aberrant local steroid and pituitary hormones; and (6) abnormal uterine development in response to genetic and epigenetic modifications. Dysmenorrhea, HMB, and infertility are likely results of inflammation, neurogenesis, angiogenesis, and contractile abnormalities in the endometrial and myometrial components. Elucidating mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of adenomyosis raise possibilities to develop targeted therapies to ameliorate symptoms beyond the current agents that are largely ineffective. Herein, we address these possible etiologies and data that support underlying mechanisms.
The Effect of Hearing Loss on Localization of Amplitude-Panned and Physical Sources
Authors: Ellis Gregory M. , Souza Pamela E.
Published: October 2020

Abstract Background Clinics are increasingly turning toward using virtual environments to demonstrate and validate hearing aid fittings in “realistic” listening situations before the patient leaves the clinic. One of the most cost-effective and straightforward
ways to create such an environment is through the use of a small speaker array and amplitude panning. Amplitude panning is a signal playback method used to change the perceived location of a source by changing the level of two or more loudspeakers. The perceptual consequences (i.e., perceived
source width and location) of amplitude panning have been well-documented for listeners with normal hearing but not for listeners with hearing impairment. Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptual consequences of amplitude panning for listeners with hearing
statuses from normal hearing through moderate sensorineural hearing losses. Research Design Listeners performed a localization task. Sound sources were broadband 4 Hz amplitude-modulated white noise bursts. Thirty-nine sources (14 physical) were produced by either physical
loudspeakers or via amplitude panning. Listeners completed a training block of 39 trials (one for each source) before completing three test blocks of 39 trials each. Source production method was randomized within block. Study Sample Twenty-seven adult listeners (mean age 52.79,
standard deviation 27.36, 10 males, 17 females) with hearing ranging from within normal limits to moderate bilateral sensorineural hearing loss participated in the study. Listeners were recruited from a laboratory database of listeners that consented to being informed about available studies.
Data Collection and Analysis Listeners indicated the perceived source location via touch screen. Outcome variables were azimuth error, elevation error, and total angular error (Euclidean distance in degrees between perceived and correct location). Listeners' pure-tone averages
(PTAs) were calculated and used in mixed-effects models along with source type and the interaction between source type and PTA as predictors. Subject was included as a random variable. Results Significant interactions between PTA and source production method were observed for
total and elevation errors. Listeners with higher PTAs (i.e., worse hearing) did not localize physical and panned sources differently whereas listeners with lower PTAs (i.e., better hearing) did. No interaction was observed for azimuth errors; however, there was a significant main effect of
PTA. Conclusion As hearing impairment becomes more severe, listeners localize physical and panned sources with similar errors. Because physical and panned sources are not localized differently by adults with hearing loss, amplitude panning could be an appropriate method for
constructing virtual environments for these listeners.
Company versus consumer performance: does brand community identification foster brand loyalty and the consumer’s personal brand?
Authors: Confente Ilenia , Kucharska Wioleta
Published: October 2020

This study investigates the effect of community identification in building brand loyalty (attitudinal and behavioural) and a personal brand via social networks. The proposed model explained the main community identification antecedents and how identification can lead to enhanced company and consumer performance. This study adopts the theoretical lens of uses and gratifications theory and identifies three motivational drivers of community identification: relationship-oriented motives, self-oriented motives and brand content-oriented motives. The data were analysed with a structural equation modelling method based on a convenience sample collected through a survey. This study extends the body of knowledge about the outcomes from an active social media usage, based on a UGT perspective. It relates community identification and its drivers to loyalty. Besides, it links community identification with personal branding, which is considered as a vital outcome expected by social media users. The findings suggested that self-oriented motives represented a key driver for taking part in an online community. In addition, community identification represents to be an important antecedent to build attitudinal loyalty rather than behavioural loyalty. Consequently, community identification was also found to be a significant driver for building a user’s personal brand.
On the phase-space catastrophes in dynamics of the quantum particle in an optical lattice potential
Authors: Ćosić M. , Petrović S. , Bellucci S.
Published: October 2020

We have investigated the dynamics of a quantum particle in the optical lattice potential. Initially, the quantum particle was represented by a Gaussian wave packet, located in the center of the well. The corresponding Schrödinger equation was solved explicitly by the method of the Chebyshev global propagation. Obtained solutions were also used for the construction of the Wigner functions. We found a great number of local abrupt changes of the solution shape. To explain this behavior, we used the fact that structurally stable systems, which form the largest class of the low dimensional dynamical systems, can be modeled and classified according to the catastrophe theory. All important features of the exact solution were explained on the basis of the mathematical properties of the catastrophic model. Such an approach enabled us to extract relevant information out of numerical solutions without employing any kind of approximations. We have investigated the influence of the Wigner catastrophes on the details of the quantum-classical correspondence breakdown. The wave packet was found to expand rapidly, filling the whole classically available area of the phase space. It was found that its self-interference pattern saturates quickly. A region of the phase space emerges in which the Wigner function oscillations transform into the singularity driven fluctuations. Once this region covers the whole area of the phase space, a wave packet dynamics enters into the new regime where its Wigner function fluctuates around the ergodic average. It will be shown that all mentioned processes are caused by the proliferation of the catastrophes and their mutual interactions.
A multi-spectral polarimetric imager for atmospheric profiling of aerosol and thin cloud: Prototype design and sub-orbital performance
Authors: Kozun M. N. , Bourassa A. E. , Degenstein D. A. , Loewen P. R.
Published: October 2020

We report on the development of a novel multi-spectral polarimetric imager for atmospheric remote sensing of aerosol and cloud properties. The instrument concept, called the Aerosol Limb Imager (ALI), is ultimately intended for satellite measurements from a low Earth orbit. It utilizes a coupling of a dual transducer acousto-optic tunable filter and a liquid crystal rotator to provide dual linear polarization observations over a wide spectral range covering 600 nm–1500 nm. In the limb, or side-viewing, geometry, these measurements provide the capability to resolve vertical and horizontal distributions of aerosol and cloud properties such as extinction coefficient, optical depth, and particle distribution parameters. Here, we present the design and performance of an ALI prototype. Lab characterization of the instrument is used to develop a mathematical instrument model to predict signal levels under various atmospheric conditions. Results from a sub-orbital flight of the ALI prototype on a stabilized high-altitude stratospheric balloon gondola are presented that show the first known polarimetric, multi-spectral images of the limb radiance. The signal levels obtained agree reasonably well with those predicted by the instrument model using radiative transfer calculations for typical atmospheric conditions.