bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
NAT10‐mediated mRNA N4‐acetylcytidine modification promotes bladder cancer progression
Authors: Wang Ganping , Zhang Ming , Zhang Yiming , Xie Yanqi , Zou Jiepeng , Zhong Jianye , Zheng Zhijia , Zhou Xianghui , Zheng Yuhang , Chen Binshen , Liu Chunxiao
Published: May 2022

Background

Dysregulation of the epitranscriptome causes abnormal expression of oncogenes in the tumorigenic process. Previous studies have shown that NAT10 can regulate mRNA translation efficiency through RNA acetylation. However, the role of NAT10‐mediated acetylation modification in bladder cancer remains elusive.

Methods

The clinical value of NAT10 was estimated according to NAT10 expression pattern based on TCGA data set and the tumor tissue array. Acetylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing was utilized to explore the role of NAT10 in mRNA ac4C modification. Translation efficiency and mRNA stability assay were applied to study the effect of NAT10‐deletion on target genes. The nude mouse model and genetically engineered mice were conducted to further verify the characteristics of NAT10 in promoting BLCA progression and regulating downstream targets.

Results

NAT10 was essential for the proliferation, migration, invasion, survival and the stem‐cell‐like properties of bladder cancer cell lines. NAT10 was responsible for mRNA ac4C modification in BLCA cells, including BCL9L, SOX4 and AKT1. Deficient NAT10 in both xenograft and transgenic mouse models of bladder cancer reduced the tumor burden. Furthermore, acetylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing data and RNA immunoprecipitation qPCR results revealed that NAT10 is responsible for a set of ac4C mRNA modifications in bladder cancer cells. Inhibition of NAT10 led to a loss of ac4C peaks in these transcripts and represses the mRNA's stability and protein expression. Mechanistically, the ac4C reduction modification in specific regions of mRNAs resulting from NAT10 downregulation impaired the translation efficiency of BCL9L, SOX4 and AKT1 as well as the stability of BCL9L, SOX4.

Conclusions

In summary, these findings provide new insights into the dynamic characteristics of mRNA's post‐transcriptional modification via NAT10‐dependent acetylation and predict a role for NAT10 as a therapeutic target in bladder cancer.

Highlights

NAT10 is highly expressed in BLCA patients and its abnormal level predicts bladder cancer progression and low overall survival rate. NAT10 is necessary and sufficient for BLCA tumourigenic properties.

NAT10 is responsible for ac4C modification of target transcripts, including BCL9L, SOX4 and AKT1.

NAT10 may serve as an effective and novel therapeutic target for BLCA.
Exosome‐transmitted miR‐769‐5p confers cisplatin resistance and progression in gastric cancer by targeting CASP9 and promoting the ubiquitination degradation of p53
Authors: Jing Xinming , Xie Mengyan , Ding Kun , Xu Tingting , Fang Yuan , Ma Pei , Shu Yongqian
Published: May 2022

Background

Cisplatin resistance is the main cause of poor clinical prognosis in patients with gastric cancer (GC). Yet, the exact mechanism underlying cisplatin resistance remains unclear. Recent studies have suggested that exocrine miRNAs found in the tumor microenvironment participate in tumor metastasis and drug resistance.

Methods

Exosomes isolated from BGC823 and BGC823/DDP culture medium were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and differential ultracentrifugation, and miRNA expression profiles of BGC823 and BGC823/DDP cells derived exosomes were analyzed using miRNA microarray. In vivo and in vitro assays were used to identify roles of exosomal miR‐769‐5p and clarify the mechanism of exosomal miR‐769‐5p regulated the crosstalk between sensitive and resistant GC cells.

Results

In this study, we found that cisplatin‐resistant GC cells communicated with the tumor microenvironment by secreting microvesicles. MiR‐769‐5p was upregulated in GC tissues and enriched in the serum exosomes of cisplatin‐resistant patients. The biologically active miR‐769‐5p could be integrated into exosomes and delivered to sensitive cells, spreading cisplatin resistance. Underlying cellular and molecular mechanism was miR‐769‐5p targeting CASP9, thus inhibiting the downstream caspase pathway and promoting the degradation of the apoptosis‐related protein p53 through the ubiquitin‐proteasome pathway. Targeting miR‐769‐5p with its antagonist to treat cisplatin‐resistant GC cells can restore the cisplatin response, confirming that exosomal miR‐769‐5p can act as a key regulator of cisplatin resistance in GC.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that exosome‐transmitted miR‐769‐5p confers cisplatin resistance and progression in gastric cancer by targeting CASP9 and promoting the ubiquitination degradation of p53. These findings reveal exosomal miR‐769‐5p derived from drug‐resistant cells can be used as a potential therapeutic predictor of anti‐tumor chemotherapy to enhance the effect of anti‐cancer chemotherapy, which provides a new treatment option for GC.
Opposing forces of cardiogenic shock: left ventricular outflow obstruction, severe mitral regurgitation, and left ventricular dysfunction in Takotsubo cardiomyopathy
Authors: Methvin Laura , Liu Spencer D. , Dodge Shayne E. , Gilstrap Lauren G.
Published: May 2022

Rates of stress (Takotsubo) cardiomyopathy have increased during the coronavirus pandemic due to social stressors, even in patients who are not infected with the virus. At times, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) may present as cardiogenic shock. Herein, we present a case during the pandemic of shock from TC secondary to left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO), mitral regurgitation (MR), and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. The contrasting management strategy of LVOTO, MR, and LV failure was cause for clinical challenge, and we highlight the balance of treating these opposing forces.
Electrochemical Sensing Platform Based on Graphene Oxide‐chitosan for Simultaneous Determination of some Antihypertensive Drugs
Authors: Nabizadeh Hassan , Feyzi Bahareh , Ahmad Salarian Amir , Reza Abtahi Seyed , Mohammadi Ali , Hami Zahra
Published: May 2022

The development of selective and simple methods for the determination of different analytes is of great interest. This is the first time to show the applicability of graphene oxide‐chitosan (GO‐CS) nanocomposite for designing an electrochemical nanosensor for determination of Amlodipine, Valsartan, and Hydrochlorothiazide, simultaneously. Differential pulse voltammetrics current of AML, HCT, and VAL increased linearly in the ranges of 0.1–110, 0.1–110, and 1–230 μM with LOD of 5.5×10−2, 3.5×10−2 and 8.6×10−2 μM, respectively. Finally, GO‐CS/GCE was used for the detection of these drugs in commercial tablets and compared with the reference method (HPLC).
Trusted authority based session key agreement and authentication algorithm for smart grid networks
Authors: Nyangaresi Vincent Omollo , Abd‐Elnaby Mohammed , Eid Mahmoud M. A. , Nabih Zaki Rashed Ahmed
Published: May 2022

The information exchanged over the smart grid networks is sensitive and private. As such, proper mechanisms must be put in place to protect these messages from security and privacy violations. Although many schemes have been presented in literature to address these challenges, a number of them rarely consider concurrent authentication of smart meters, while some are inefficient or still lack some of the smart grid network security and privacy requirements. In this article, a novel concurrent smart meters authentication algorithm is presented, based on some trusted authority. Formal security analysis of this algorithm is executed using Burrows‐Abadi‐Needham logic, which shows that this algorithm provides strong authentication among the smart meter, utility service provider and trusted authority. In addition, session keys are independently computed and verified between the smart meter and utility service provider with the help of the trusted authority. Informal security analysis shows that this algorithm provides device anonymity, perfect forward key secrecy, strong mutual authentication and is resilient against replay, de‐synchronization, privileged insider, impersonation, eavesdropping, side‐channel, and traceability attacks. In terms of performance, the proposed algorithm exhibits the least communication and computation overheads when compared with other related schemes.
Low noise amplifier design with enhanced noise and gain performance using transformer boosting method for millimeter‐wave applications
Authors: Agarwal Nitin , Gupta Manish , Kumar Manish
Published: May 2022

In low noise amplifier (LNA) design, achieving minimum noise figure (NF) and enhanced gain is equally important in the field of communication. The major aim of this design with previous methods are those having implemented in the topology of design like metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor at common source connection topology, pole‐based transformer boosting, and dual feedback technique. However, these methods fail to reach the desired performance due to their low NF and low gain. In order to overcome these failures and their causes, this article presented a topology in LNA design using a transformer as boosting component to improve the performance of NF and gain for millimeter‐wave applications. It has three common gate stages connected in cascode form, and three transformers are acquired to link the drain to the input signal. Transformers permit radio frequency feeding signal from drain to source, and output from the previous stage is connected to the input of the next stage. This connection increases the gain of the circuit and an enlarged coupling coefficient of value “1,” which minimizes noise. The unilateral coefficient remains to be 1, to make the circuit stable throughout execution. NF value can be minimized by properly selecting conductance coefficient and S‐parameter values. Since the transformer is used to provide feedback in this circuit, stability condition has to be analyzed carefully. Output load value is selected optimum as it creates an impact on the stability of LNA. This topology implemented in LNA design helps to increase the gain by boosting the signal input, and hence, in turn, it increases overall gain performance. Similarly, while executing this optimal LNA design using transformer boosting technique in CADENCE software, this LNA exhibits a minimum NF of 3 dB at 30 GHz and power gain of 12.2 dB at 50 GHz in measurement. Comparatively, the proposed LNA design overruns conventional methods and consumes a power supply of 1.1 V.
Reporting delays and the information content of off‐market trades
Authors: Frino Alex , Galati Luca , Gerace Dionigi
Published: May 2022

This paper examines the impact of reporting delays in off‐market trades on informed trading and information efficiency. We examine this issue using a natural experiment in Financial Times Stock Exchange futures contracts provided by the Intercontinental Exchange, which eliminated the ability of market participants to request a delay in reporting smaller sized off‐market trades in 2018. We find that, while reporting delays increase the time taken to release information to the market by the length of the reporting delay, thereby prima facie reducing information efficiency, such delays encourage informed trading and potentially increase the informativeness of trading and, therefore, information efficiency.
The Value of Public–Private Partnerships
Authors: Cartwright Echo D.
Published: May 2022

Public–private partnerships have withstood the test of time for centuries. Most large infrastructure projects and commercial innovations were brought to life with private investment, labor, and government support. The allocation of private capital with supportive fiscal and tax policies built the agricultural economy, brought about the industrial revolution, constructed the interstate rail and highway systems, developed the water and sewage public works projects that facilitated the development of urban centers, and developed the energy infrastructure supporting the high‐tech, clean energy economy. It is time again for the government to articulate its vision and harness the power of competitive markets to bring that vision to life.
Primary renal sarcoma with SS18::POU5F1 gene fusion
Authors: Argani Pedram , Matoso Andres , Gross John M. , Zhang Yanming , SoRelle Jeffrey A. , Gagan Jeffrey , Antonescu Cristina R. , Palsgrove Doreen
Published: May 2022

We report the first case of a primary renal undifferentiated sarcoma harboring an SS18::POU5F1 gene fusion. The patient was a 38 year‐old male diagnosed with a 5 cm renal tumor which invaded the adrenal gland and extended into the renal vein. Microscopically, the neoplasm had a predominantly undifferentiated round cell morphology, with areas of rhabdoid and spindle cell growth. Similar to the previously reported cases with this fusion, by immunohistochemistry the neoplasm expressed S100 protein and epithelial markers (diffuse EMA, focal cytokeratin), suggesting the possibility of a myoepithelial phenotype. This report documents another example of a fusion‐positive undifferentiated soft tissue sarcoma occurring as a primary renal neoplasm, adding to the already broad list of such entities. It highlights the crucial role of molecular analysis in establishing a specific diagnosis given the overlapping morphology and immunophenotypes such entities may exhibit.
Tonic excitation of nucleus reuniens decreases prefrontal‐hippocampal coordination during slow‐wave states
Authors: Hauer Brandon E. , Pagliardini Silvia , Dickson Clayton T.
Published: May 2022

The nucleus reuniens of the thalamus (RE) is an important node between the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the hippocampus (HPC). Previously, we have shown that its mode of activity and its influence in mPFC–HPC communication is dependent upon brain state. During slow‐wave states, RE units are closely and rhythmically coupled to the ongoing mPFC‐slow oscillation (SO), while during activated (theta) states, RE neurons fire in an arrhythmic and tonically active manner. Inactivating the RE selectively impoverishes coordination of the SO between mPFC and HPC and interestingly, both mPFC and RE stimulation during the SO cause larger responses in the HPC than during theta. It is unclear if the activity patterns within the RE across states may play a role in both phenomena. Here, we optogenetically excited RE neurons in a tonic fashion to assess the impact on mPFC‐HPC coupling. This stimulation decreased the influence of mPFC stimulation in the HPC during SO states, in a manner similar to what is observed across state changes into theta. Importantly, this type of stimulation had no effect on evoked responses during theta. Perhaps more interestingly, tonic optogenetic excitation of the RE also decreased mPFC‐HPC SO coherence. Thus, it may not be the integrity of the RE per se that is responsible for efficient communication between mPFC and HPC, but rather the particular state in which RE neurons find themselves. Our results have direct implications for how distant brain regions can communicate most effectively, an issue that is ultimately important for activity‐dependent processes occurring during slow‐wave sleep‐dependent memory consolidation.
A neural network‐based framework to understand the type 2 diabetes‐related alteration of the human gut microbiome
Authors: Guo Shun , Zhang Haoran , Chu Yunmeng , Jiang Qingshan , Ma Yingfei
Published: May 2022

The identification of microbial markers adequate to delineate the disease‐related microbiome alterations from the complex human gut microbiota is of great interest. Here, we develop a framework combining neural network (NN) and random forest, resulting in 40 marker species and 90 marker genes identified from the metagenomic data set (185 healthy and 183 type 2 diabetes [T2D] samples), respectively. In terms of these markers, the NN model obtained higher accuracy in classifying the T2D‐related samples than other methods; the interaction network analyses identified the key species and functional modules; the regression analysis determined that fasting blood glucose is the most significant factor (p < 0.05) in the T2D‐related alteration of the human gut microbiome. We also observed that those marker species varied little across the case and control samples greatly shift in the different stages of the T2D development, suggestive of their important roles in the T2D‐related microbiome alteration. Our study provides a new way of identifying the disease‐related biomarkers and analyzing the role they may play in the development of the disease.
Diagnosis and management of adverse food reactions in dogs and cats
Authors: Hardy Jon , Gajanayake Isuru
Published: May 2022

Background: Food allergies are not as common as clients believe, although they are commonly self diagnosed by pet owners. This phenomenon is also seen in human medicine, where self and parenteral diagnoses of food allergies far outnumber actual diagnoses by trained medical professionals. Adverse food reactions (AFRs) in dogs and cats can manifest with a diverse array of clinical signs; therefore, the diagnosis requires a careful and systematic approach, including the exclusion of many other conditions that can mimic AFRs.

Aim of the article: This article outlines the approach to diagnosing AFR in cats and dogs and the diet options available for diet trials and management of food allergies and intolerances.
Microanalysis of the stomach of southern white‐breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor): Histological, histochemical, immunohistochemical, and scanning electron microscopic studies
Authors: Almasi Maryam , Goodarzi Nader
Published: May 2022

This study was designed to provide more detailed knowledge on the stomach histochemistry and immunohistochemistry in the southern white‐breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor). Two animals were used in the present work. Periodic acid Schiff's (PAS) and Alcian blue were used for histochemical purposes. SOX9, gastrin, serotonin, and glucagon markers were traced immunohistochemically. The mucosa was extremely folded in the fundus with numerous opening of glands. The body and pylorus mucosa were almost smooth and equipped with gastric gland openings. A simple columnar epithelium covered the stomach entirely. Cardiac glands region was mucus secreting with both positive and negative reactions to PAS. Fundic mucosa was contained cardiac glands near to the cardia, and toward the body it was divided into the light and dark zones. These zones and body contained proper gastric gland, which constituted of parietal, chief, and mucous neck cells. These glands contained PAS‐positive cells on their basal portions. The pyloric glands were mucus secreting but negative for PAS. All gastric glands were Alcian blue‐negative, but epithelium showed moderate reaction especially in the pylorus. SOX and gastrin were express highly in the body and fundus. The expression of serotonin and glucagon was rare. Comparatively, some similarities between the stomach of hedgehog and dog can be assumed. The present findings provide additional information concerning the histochemical characteristics and endocrine cells distribution in the stomach of the southern white‐breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor). Further detailed studies are required to enhance the current knowledge on histophysiology of the digestive system in this species as a pet and exotic animal.

Highlights

The stomach was simple glandular type.

The fundus was divided into light and dark zones similar to the dog.

The proper gastric glands were periodic acid Schiff's positive at their basal parts.
Effectiveness of washing in reducing lead concentrations of lettuce grown in urban garden soils
Authors: Egendorf Sara Perl , Li Emily , He Elise , Cheng Zhongqi , Spliethoff Henry M. , Shayler Hannah A. , Russell‐Anelli Jonathan , King Thomas , McBride Murray B.
Published: May 2022

Urban gardeners contribute to sustainable cities and often take great care to limit exposure to soil contaminants like lead (Pb). Although best management practices (BMPs) like mulching to reduce soil splash can limit crop contamination, they may not eliminate all contamination for leafy greens, which trap soil particles. How effective is washing at removing Pb contamination from leafy greens when using BMPs? Are certain washing techniques more effective than others? We present results from two experiments addressing these questions. We grew lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) in homogenized high‐Pb (∼1,150 mg kg–1) and low‐Pb (∼90 mg kg–1) soils in Brooklyn, NY, and Ithaca, NY. Our results show that washing can remove 75–94% of Pb from lettuce, including that remaining after the use of contamination‐reducing BMPs. It was estimated that washing removed 97% of Pb deposited by splash, which is the dominant source of Pb, and removed 91% deposited by downward deposition. All washing techniques were effective at reducing Pb levels, with differences in effectiveness ranked as: commercial soak > vinegar soak > water soak (and water rinse not significantly different from vinegar or water soak). Washing crops grown in low‐Pb soils is also important. Without washing, lettuce grown in low‐Pb soil may still have Pb levels above the European Commission comparison value. We offer these empirical findings and recommendations in support of urban growers.
An efficient strategy for synthesis of new functionalized furo[3,2‐c]pyridin‐4(5H)‐one derivatives under mild conditions
Authors: Tao Jiahao , Li Chunmei , Zhou Kaini , Huan Yongcan , Yuan Yongjie , Liu Ali , Zhang Furen , Qi Chenze , Shen Zhenlu
Published: May 2022

In this study, we prepared a series of 5‐alkyl‐2,6‐dimethyl‐3‐arylfuro[3,2‐c]pyridin‐4(5H)‐one derivatives via the reaction of 1‐substitued 4‐hydroxy‐6‐methylpyridin‐2(1H)‐ones with various nitrostyrenes using triethylamine as catalyst. This strategy not only provided various new 5‐alkyl‐2,6‐dimethyl‐3‐arylfuro[3,2‐c]pyridin‐4(5H)‐ones, but also expanded the scope of application of active intermediate nitrostyrenes. Meanwhile, this method has the advantages of inexpensive and easily available starting materials, step economy, metal‐free catalytic system, good to excellent yields and operational simplicity. A total of 22 heterocyclic compounds were obtained to exhibit a broad substrate scope of the strategy.
The efficacy of BNT162b2 (Pfizer–BioNTech) and CoronaVac vaccines in patients with cancer
Authors: Simsek Melih , Yasin Ayse I. , Besiroglu Mehmet , Topcu Atakan , Sucuoglu Isleyen Zehra , Seker Mesut , Turk Haci Mehmet
Published: May 2022

Although vaccination is efficacious and prevents infection in the general population, there is limited data about Coronavirus disease‐19 (Covid‐19) occurrence after vaccination in cancer patients. It was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of BNT162b2 (Pfizer–BioNTech) and CoronaVac vaccines against Covid‐19 in patients with cancer. In this single‐center, retrospective, cross‐sectional, and descriptive study, the data of cancer patients referred to the medical oncology clinic of a university hospital were analyzed. The sample of the study consisted of cancer patients who had Covid‐19 or were vaccinated against Covid‐19. A total number of 2578 patients were included in the study. Of the patients, 2000 have never been infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and 578 patients have had a positive reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) for Covid‐19. It was found that 2094 patients (81.2%) were fully vaccinated, and 484 patients (18.8%) did not receive full‐dose vaccination. A statistically significant difference in Covid‐19 occurrence was found between the patients who had full‐dose vaccination or not (p = 0.000). In in‐group comparisons of full‐dose vaccinated patients, while no difference was observed between two doses of BNT162b2 (Pfizer–BioNTech) and three doses of CoronaVac (p = 0.432), a statistically significant difference was observed between all other groups (p < 0.005). When the data of 578 patients who experienced Covid‐19 was analyzed, a statistically significant difference was observed between the groups who were full‐dose vaccinated and those who were not (p = 0.000). It is recommended that this vulnerable patient group should be prioritized in vaccination programs, and full‐dose vaccination (at least two doses of vaccines) should be completed as soon as possible.
Influence of cyanobacterial inoculants, elevated carbon dioxide, and temperature on plant and soil nitrogen in soybean
Authors: Sanyal Shravani , Chakrabarti Bidisha , Prasanna Radha , Bhatia Arti , Kumar Soora N. , Purakayastha Tapan J. , Joshi Ritika , Sharma Abhilasha
Published: May 2022

Climate change affects nitrogen dynamics in crops and diazotrophic microorganisms with carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestering potential such as cyanobacteria can be promising options. The interactions of three cyanobacterial formulations (Anabaena laxa, Calothrix elenkinii and Anabaena torulosa–Bradyrhizobium japonicum biofilm) on plant and soil nitrogen in soybean, were investigated under elevated CO2 and temperature conditions. Soybean plants were grown inside Open Top Chambers under ambient and elevated (550 ± 25 ppm) CO2 concentrations and elevated temperature (+2.5–2.8°C). Interactive effect of elevated CO2 and cyanobacterial inoculation through A. laxa and Anabaena torulosa–B. japonicum biofilm led to improved growth, yield, nodulation, nitrogen fixation, and seed N in soybean crop. Nitrogenase activity in nodules increased in A. laxa and biofilm treatments, with an increase of 55% and 72%, respectively, over no cyanobacterial inoculation treatment. Although high temperature alone reduced soil microbial biomass carbon, dehydrogenase activity, and soil available N, the combined effect of CO2 and temperature were stimulatory; cyanobacterial inoculation further led to an increase under all the conditions. The highest seed N uptake (758 mg plant−1) was recorded with cyanobacterial biofilm inoculation under elevated CO2 with control temperature conditions. The positive interactions of elevated CO2 and cyanobacterial inoculation, particularly through A. laxa and A. torulosa–B. japonicum biofilm inoculation highlights their potential in counteracting the negative impact of changing climate along with enhancing plant and soil N in soybean.
A comparison of methods for enriching network meta‐analyses in the absence of individual patient data
Authors: Proctor Tanja , Zimmermann Samuel , Seide Svenja , Kieser Meinhard
Published: May 2022

During drug development, a biomarker is sometimes identified as separating a patient population into those with more and those with less benefit from evaluated treatments. Consequently, later studies might be targeted, while earlier ones are performed in mixed patient populations. This poses a challenge in evidence synthesis, especially if only aggregated data are available. Starting from this scenario, we investigate three commonly used network meta‐analytic estimation methods, the naive estimation approach, the stand‐alone analysis, and the network meta‐regression. Additionally, we adapt and modify two methods, which are used in evidence synthesis to combine randomized controlled trials with observational studies, the enrichment‐through‐weighting approach, and the informative prior estimation. We evaluate all five methods in a simulation study with 32 scenarios using bias, root‐mean‐squared‐error, coverage, precision, and power. Additionally, we revisit a clinical data set to exemplify and discuss the application. In the simulation study, none of the methods was observed to be clearly favorable over all investigated scenarios. However, the stand‐alone analysis and the naive estimation performed comparably or worse than the other methods in all evaluated performance measures and simulation scenarios and are therefore not recommended. While substantial between‐trial heterogeneity is challenging for all estimation approaches, the performance of the network meta‐regression, the enriching‐through weighting approach and the informative prior approach was dependent on the simulation scenario and the performance measure of interest. Furthermore, as these estimation methods are drawing slightly different assumptions, some of which require the presence of additional information for estimation, we recommend sensitivity‐analyses wherever possible.
Soil mineral nitrogen regulation by a novel porous material in structurally degraded soils
Authors: Xu Lingying , Yu Quanbo , Wang Meiyan , Yang Jizhou , Xu Shengxiang , Shi Xuezheng , Xie Xinqiao , Zhao Xu , Gao Jichao , Zhang Yanyu
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND

The availability of soil nitrogen (N) decreases as the structure of agricultural soils degrades. Traditional methods focus on organic amendments that indirectly affect the porosity and N content of soil. Due to the low efficiency of such amendments, new materials, particularly highly porous materials, are needed to improve the quality of soil, which has opened new directions.

RESULTS

The addition of 2 to 7 mm of porous clay ceramic (PLC) significantly increased the fresh weight of Brassica chinensis. The soil aeration porosity (>50 μm) increased by 0.69% on average in response to 1% PLC application. Soil NO3−‐N, NH4+‐N and mineral N increased by 3.3, 1.3 and 4.6 mg kg−1 on average, respectively, following a 1% PLC application rate. The initial N content of the high PLC treatments was the lowest in the incubation experiment. The parameters of soil N mineralization, i.e. potentially mineralizable N (N0), the first‐order rate constant (k) and the mineralization composite index (N0 × k), increased obviously as the amount of PLC increased. Porosities larger than 1000 μm were significantly more positively correlated with the parameters of soil N mineralization than those <500 μm. The Pearson correlation coefficients suggested that high porosity, mineral N and N0 values had significant positive relationships with the fresh weights in double seasons.

CONCLUSION

The application of PLC increased soil aeration and enhanced the availability of soil N, which yielded large vegetable harvests in clayey soils in the short term. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Trapped modes in a fluid with three layers topped by a rigid lid
Authors: Cal Filipe S. , Dias Gonçalo A.S. , Pereira Bruno M.A.M.
Published: May 2022

We consider trapping of linear water waves by a submerged horizontal cylinder in a three‐layer fluid topped by a rigid lid. Trapped modes correspond to time harmonic oscillations with finite energy of the fluid surrounding a submerged structure and can be found as eigenfunctions of a certain spectral boundary‐value problem. Our main result is a geometric condition relating the cross sections of the submerged parts of the obstacles and the line integrals along the parts of the interfaces pierced by the obstacles and guaranteeing the existence of trapped modes: This follows from variational techniques applied to a suitable operator formulation of the problem. Several examples of structures (piercing or not the interfaces between the fluid layers) satisfying the condition and supporting trapped modes are given.
Al2O3‐Coated, Single Crystal Zr/Y co‐Doped High‐Ni NCM Cathode Materials for High‐Performance Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhou Guishu , Wei Yanwei , Li Hanwen , Wang Changyao , Huang Xianwu , Yang Dong
Published: May 2022

High Ni‐layered oxides are promising cathode candidates for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) owing to their high‐specific capacity, high energy density, and low cost. However, their thermal and cycling performances often suffer from the inevitable interfacial reactions, oxygen loss, transition metal dissolution, and irreversible H2‐H3 lattice distortion. Herein, small doses of Zr/Y co‐doped and Al2O3 coated single‐crystal high‐Ni NCM (LiNi0.83Co0.12Mn0.05O2) materials (ZrY‐NCM@Al) are synthesized via a facile high‐temperature solid‐state reaction. The Al2O3 surface coating works as a protective layer to inhibit the side reaction on the interface between electrodes and electrolytes. The Zr/Y co‐doping improves the structural stability of the NCM and suppresses the irreversible structure transition from H2 to H3. When ZrY‐NCM@Al is used as a cathode, the square‐aluminum‐shell full battery with artificial graphite anode exhibits a high capacity of 50 Ah and a high energy density of 230 Wh kg−1. After 1000 cycles at 45 °C and 1 C constant current and constant voltage (CCCV), the battery retained 89.2% of its capacity and an energy density of 204 Wh kg−1, demonstrating excellent thermal and cycling performances. This study paves a novel route to the fabrication of high‐Ni cathode materials for LIBs with excellent cycling and thermal stability.
An Ab Initio Study of Clusters as Building Blocks for Crystals: From Prussian Blue Analogs to Hybrid Perovskites
Authors: Seriani Nicola
Published: May 2022

Cluster‐based crystals containing the (Nb6Cl12)2+ or (Ta6Cl12)2+ clusters, including the well‐known Nb6Cl14, K4Nb6Cl18, and the Prussian blue analog (Me4N)2 [MnNb6Cl12(CN)6], have been investigated by density functional theory. The electronic structure of the cluster is the same for all compounds, with a semiconducting gap of around 1 eV between occupied and empty states, in the range of interest for solar energy applications. Calculations suggest that these clusters could be used as cations in hybrid organic–inorganic perovskites, as a substitute for toxic Pb2+. Moreover, bandgaps, band alignment, and hydrogen adsorption calculations show that the designed cluster‐based hybrid perovskites have potential as intermediate band materials for photovoltaics, and as photocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction.
Accurate First‐Principles Treatment of the High‐Temperature Cubic Phase of Hafnia
Authors: Bichelmaier Sebastian , Carrete Jesús , Nelhiebel Michael , Madsen Georg K. H.
Published: May 2022

HfO2 is an important high‐k dielectric and ferroelectric, exhibiting a complex potential energy landscape with several phases close in energy. It is, however, a strongly anharmonic solid, and thus describing its temperature‐dependent behavior is methodologically challenging. An approach based on self‐consistent, effective harmonic potentials (EHP) to study the potential energy surface (PES) of anharmonic materials is proposed. The introduction of a reweighting procedure enables the usage of unregularized regression methods by efficiently utilizing the information contained in every data point obtained from density functional theory. The approach is detailed and tested on the example of the high‐temperature cubic phase of HfO2. It is demonstrated how the correction term for the deviation between the EHP and the true PES can be calculated directly from the same sampling used for determining the EHP. The calculated temperature‐dependent physical properties are in agreement with existing experimental data, thereby opening for the predictive treatment of HfO2 over a wide temperature range.
Well‐Paired‐Seq: A Size‐Exclusion and Locally Quasi‐Static Hydrodynamic Microwell Chip for Single‐Cell RNA‐Seq
Authors: Yin Kun , Zhao Meijuan , Lin Li , Chen Yingwen , Huang Shanqing , Zhu Chun , Liang Xuan , Lin Fanghe , Wei Haopai , Zeng Huimin , Zhu Zhi , Song Jia , Yang Chaoyong
Published: May 2022

Single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐seq) is a powerful technology for revealing the heterogeneity of cellular states. However, existing scRNA‐seq platforms that utilize bead‐based technologies suffer from a large number of empty microreactors and a low cell/bead capture efficiency. Here, Well‐paired‐seq is presented, which consists of thousands of size exclusion and quasi‐static hydrodynamic dual wells to address these limitations. The size‐exclusion principle allows one cell and one bead to be trapped in the bottom well (cell‐capture‐well) and the top well (bead‐capture‐well), respectively, while the quasi‐static hydrodynamic principle ensures that the trapped cells are difficult to escape from cell‐capture‐wells, achieving cumulative capture of cells and effective buffer exchange. By the integration of quasi‐static hydrodynamic and size‐exclusion principles, the dual wells ensure single cells/beads pairing with high density, achieving excellent efficiency of cell capture (≈91%), cell/bead pairing (≈82%), and cell‐free RNA removal. The high utilization of microreactors and single cells/beads enable to achieve a high throughput (≈105 cells) with low collision rates. The technical performance of Well‐paired‐seq is demonstrated by collecting transcriptome data from around 200 000 cells across 21 samples, successfully revealing the heterogeneity of single cells and showing the wide applicability of Well‐paired‐seq for basic and clinical research.
Reevaluation of Photoluminescence Intensity as an Indicator of Efficiency in Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Campanari Valerio , Martelli Faustino , Agresti Antonio , Pescetelli Sara , Nia Narges Yaghoobi , Di Giacomo Francesco , Catone Daniele , O'Keeffe Patrick , Turchini Stefano , Yang Bowen , Suo Jiajia , Hagfeldt Anders , Di Carlo Aldo
Published: May 2022

The photoluminescence (PL) intensity is often used as an indicator of the performance of perovskite solar cells and indeed the PL technique is often used for the characterization of these devices and their constituent materials. Herein, a systematic approach is presented to the comparison of the conversion efficiency and the PL intensity of a cell in both open‐circuit (OC) and short‐circuit (SC) conditions and its application to multiple heterogeneous devices. It is shown that the quenching of the PL observed in SC conditions is a good parameter to assess the device efficiency. The authors explain the dependence of the PL quenching ratio between OC and SC on the cell efficiency with a simple model that is also able to estimate the carrier extraction time of a device.
Positive Role of Inhibiting CZTSSe Decomposition on Intrinsic Defects and Interface Recombination of 12.03% Efficient Kesterite Solar Cells
Authors: Xu Bin , Qin Xiatong , Lin Jianjun , Chen Jiaqi , Tong Hanyu , Qi Ruijuan , Yue Fangyu , Chen Ye , Yang Pingxiong , Chu Junhao , Sun Lin
Published: May 2022

Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) solar cells, which are emerging as promising photovoltaic devices, are currently suffering serious issues of large open‐circuit voltage deficit and low fill factor. Decomposition of CZTSSe is one of many factors limiting the efficiency improvement of CZTSSe solar cells, which can lead to the deviation of the chemical environment during the synthesis of CZTSSe. Herein, the Sn‐vapor is provided during the synthesis of CZTSSe to inhibit the decomposition, and the effect of decomposition on the intrinsic defects and interface recombination are systematically investigated. The high‐quality CZTSSe without the secondary phase and with the low ZnSn and CuZn acceptor defects density is obtained. By inhibiting the decomposition, the recombination activation energy at depletion region is improved and the interface defect density is dramatically decreased, indicating the interface recombination is effectively reduced. Consequently, the performance of CZTSSe thin film solar cells, especially the open‐circuit voltage and fill factor, has been significantly improved. Finally, based on the excellent CZTSSe film, a photovoltaic device with 12.03% efficiency (active area efficiency is 12.96%) is prepared. These encouraging results provide a new route to controlling the defects and interface recombination of CZTSSe solar cells.
Cooperation bias in regional policy: Is competition neglected?
Authors: Reiner Christian , Benner Maximilian
Published: May 2022

Rising market power across the OECD countries raises the question how industrial policies address the role of competition, including on the regional level. Based on a multifaceted understanding of competition and cooperation between firms in the conceptual literature, this article examines the role of competition-enhancing interventions in regional innovation policies under the smart specialisation approach. Drawing on quantitative and qualitative analysis of the strategic orientation of smart specialisation strategies in 18 European regions, the article finds that regional policies apply a range of competition-enhancing interventions but still fall short of seizing the ample room for encouraging intraregional interfirm competition. While theory suggests that competition and cooperation are complements in promoting regional innovation, the limited focus of regional policies on interfirm competition might imply a bias in favour of cooperation at the expense of the productivity-enhancing role of interfirm competition. Hence, we argue that regional policies could benefit from a rebalancing by considering the use of more competition-enhancing interventions. This finding is particularly relevant for the process of smart specialisation since balancing competition and cooperation provides an additional rationale for calls in the literature to prevent rent-seeking by incumbent firms in the policymaking process.
A generic asset model for implementing product digital twins in smart remanufacturing
Authors: Kerin Mairi , Pham Duc Truong , Huang Jun , Hadall Jeremy
Published: May 2022

A digital twin is a “live” virtual replica of a sensorised component, product, process, human, or system. It accurately copies the entity being modelled by capturing information in real time, or near real time, from the entity, through embedded sensors and the Internet-of-Things. Many applications of digital twins in the manufacturing industry have been investigated. This article focuses on, and contributes to, the development of product digital twins to reduce the impact of quantity, quality, and demand uncertainties in remanufacturing. Starting from issues specific to remanufacturing, the article derives the functional requirements for a product digital twin for remanufacturing and proposes a Unified Modelling Language (UML) model of a generic asset to be remanufactured. The model is used in an example which highlights the need to translate existing knowledge and data into an integrated system to realise a product digital twin, capable of supporting remanufacturing process planning.
The effects of revealing the prosecution of political corruption on local finances
Authors: Artés Joaquín , Jiménez Juan Luis , Perdiguero Jordi
Published: May 2022

This paper analyzes the financial implications on local public budgets of disseminating information about the prosecution of political corruption at the local level. We build a database from a wave of corruption scandals in Spain to use a quasi-experimental design and find that after corruption is revealed, both local public revenues and expenditures decrease significantly (approximately by 7 and 5%, respectively) in corruption-ridden municipalities. The effect lasts for a period of time equivalent to a full electoral term and comes mostly from other economic agents’ unwillingness to fund or start new projects in municipalities where the prosecution of corruption has been revealed. These results imply that if one of the consequences of corruption is the inefficient allocation of funds to areas where corrupt politicians can extract more rents, the revelation of the corruption scandal frees up resources that can be used to fund activities with a higher social return.
Flavobacterium hungaricum sp. nov. a novel soil inhabitant, cellulolytic bacterium isolated from plough field
Authors: Máté Rózsa , Kutasi József , Bata-Vidács Ildikó , Kosztik Judit , Kukolya József , Tóth Erika , Bóka Károly , Táncsics András , Kovács Gábor , Nagy István , Tóth Ákos
Published: May 2022

A Gram-negative bacterial strain, named Kb82, was isolated from agricultural soil and a polyphasic approach was used for characterisation and to determine its taxonomic position. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the highest similarity was found with Flavobacterium artemisiae SYP-B1015 (98.2%). The highest ANI (83.3%) and dDDH (26.5%) values were found with Flavobacterium ginsenosidimutans THG 01 and Flavobacterium fluviale HYN0086T, respectively. The isolate is aerobic with rod-shaped cells, positive for catalase and negative for oxidase tests. The DNA G+C content is 34.7 mol%. The only isoprenoid quinone is menaquinone 6 (MK-6). The major fatty acids are iso-C15:0, summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c/C16:1ω6c) and iso-C17:0 3OH. The major polar lipid is phosphatidylethanolamine. On the bases of phenotypic characteristics and analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences, it is concluded that strain Kb82T represents a novel species in the Flavobacterium genus, for which the name Flavobacterium hungaricum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the species is strain Kb82T (= LMG 31576T = NCAIM B.02635T).
Glycerol-bound oxidized fatty acids: formation and occurrence in peanuts
Authors: Störmer Lars , Globisch Martin , Henle Thomas
Published: May 2022

For peanuts, roasted at 170 °C, the formation of selected glycerol-bound oxidized fatty acids (GOFAs), namely 9-oxononanoic acid (9-ONA), azelaic acid (AZA) and octanoic acid, was observed by GC-MS (EI). The content of octanoic acid as well as AZA increased with continuous roasting time (from 59 mg/kg peanut oil to 101 mg/kg peanut oil and from not detectable to 8 mg/kg peanut oil, respectively), whereas the content of 9-ONA initially decreased from 25 mg/kg peanut oil to 8 mg/kg peanut oil (20 min) and increased again up to 37 mg/kg peanut oil following roasting for 40 min. Due to its aldehyde function, 9-ONA could contribute to amino acid side chain modifications as a result of lipation, which could directly influence the functional properties of peanut proteins. Both 9-ONA and octanoic acid are potential markers of thermal processes. Furthermore, in model experiments using methyl linoleate and methyl oleate, up to 18 oxidized fatty acids could be identified as methyl esters, 9-ONA as well as octanoic acid as major components and a faster formation of GOFAs under roasting conditions (170 °C, 20 min). In addition, 9-ONA contributes to the formation of AZA and octanoic acid in both free and bound form as a result of oxidative subsequent reactions in presence of iron (III).
Dark halo, a new biomarker in macular neovascularization: comparison between OCT angiography and ICGA—a pilot prospective study
Authors: Fossataro Federica , Cennamo Gilda , Montorio Daniela , Clemente Lidia , Costagliola Ciro
Published: May 2022

Purpose

To compare optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) in terms of reliability in detecting dark halo in patients affected by age-related macular degeneration (AMD) complicated with type 1 macular neovascularization (MNV).

Methods

Eighty-nine eyes of 89 patients were analyzed at the University of Naples Federico II between January 2018 and October 2021. Each patient underwent a complete ophthalmological evaluation including fluorescein angiography, ICGA, spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), and OCTA. OCTA and ICGA images of dark halo were compared. The paired Student’s test and intraclass correlation coefficients were used to evaluate the differences in dark halo measurements between OCTA and ICGA images.

Results

Thirty-six eyes of 36 patients were included in this prospective study. Dark halo area was significantly larger in OCTA than in ICGA (1.49 ± 1.8 mm2 vs. 0.54 ± 0.5 mm2; p = 0.001). Moreover, the agreement between the two types of devices for measuring dark halo areas was poor, with a low intraclass coefficient correlation (0.397).

Conclusion

OCTA could be a useful and necessary tool to investigate dark halo in neovascular AMD due to its ability to visualize the areas of reduced vessel density around MNV in greater detail compared to ICGA.

Clinical trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05108285