bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quaternary functionalized mesoporous adsorbents for ultra-high kinetics of CO2 capture from air
Authors: Wang Tao , Wang Xinru , Hou Chenglong , Liu Jun
Published: December 2020

Obstacles to widespread deployments of direct air capture of CO2 (DAC) lie in high material and energy costs. By grafting quaternary ammonium (QA) functional group to mesoporous polymers with high surface area, a unique DAC adsorbent with moisture swing adsorption (MSA) ability and ultra-high kinetics was developed in this work. Functionalization is designed for efficient delivery of QA group through mesopores to active substitution sites. This achieved ultra-high kinetics adsorbent with half time of 2.9 min under atmospheric environment, is the highest kinetics value reported among DAC adsorbents. A cyclic adsorption capacity of 0.26 mmol g−1 is obtained during MSA process. Through adsorption thermodynamics, it is revealed that adsorbent with uniform cylindrical pore structure has higher functional group efficiency and CO2 capacity. Pore structure can also tune the MSA ability of adsorbent through capillary condensation of water inside its mesopores. The successful functionalization of mesoporous polymers with superb CO2 adsorption kinetics opens the door to facilitate DAC adsorbents for large-scale carbon capture deployments.
The antiplatelet agent revacept prevents the increase of systemic thromboxane A2 biosynthesis and neointima hyperplasia
Authors: Alberti Sara , Zhang Qianqian , D’Agostino Ilaria , Bruno Annalisa , Tacconelli Stefania , Contursi Annalisa , Guarnieri Simone , Dovizio Melania , Falcone Lorenza , Ballerini Patrizia , Münch Götz , Yu Ying , Patrignani Paola
Published: December 2020

Neointima hyperplasia is a crucial component of restenosis after coronary angioplasty. We have hypothesized that enhanced generation of platelet-derived thromboxane (TX)A2 in response to vascular damage plays a critical role in neointimal hyperplasia and that antiplatelet agents may mitigate it. In cocultures of human platelets and coronary artery smooth muscle cells (CASMC), we found that platelets induced morphologic changes and enhanced the migration of CASMC. The exposure of platelets to Aspirin [an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1] reduced the generation of TXA2 and prevented the morphological and functional changes induced by platelets in CASMC. Platelet-derived TXA2 induced COX-2 and enhanced prostaglandin (PG)E2 biosynthesis in CASMC, a known mechanism promoting neointimal hyperplasia. COX-2 induction was prevented by different antiplatelet agents, i.e., Aspirin, the TP antagonist SQ29,548, or Revacept (a dimeric soluble GPVI-Fc fusion protein). The administration of the novel antiplatelet agent Revacept to C57BL/6 mice, beginning three days before femoral artery denudation, and continuing up to seven days after injury, prevented the increase of the systemic biosynthesis di TXA2 and reduced femoral artery intima-to-media area and the levels of markers of cell proliferation and macrophage infiltration. Revacept might serve as a therapeutic agent for percutaneous coronary angioplasty and stent implantation.
X-ray inactivation of RNA viruses without loss of biological characteristics
Authors: Afrough Babak , Eakins Jonathan , Durley-White Sarah , Dowall Stuart , Findlay-Wilson Stephen , Graham Victoria , Lewandowski Kuiama , Carter Daniel P. , Hewson Roger
Published: December 2020

In the event of an unpredictable viral outbreak requiring high/maximum biosafety containment facilities (i.e. BSL3 and BSL4), X-ray irradiation has the potential to relieve pressures on conventional diagnostic bottlenecks and expediate work at lower containment. Guided by Monte Carlo modelling and in vitro 1-log10 decimal-reduction value (D-value) predictions, the X-ray photon energies required for the effective inactivation of zoonotic viruses belonging to the medically important families of Flaviviridae, Nairoviridae, Phenuiviridae and Togaviridae are demonstrated. Specifically, it is shown that an optimized irradiation approach is attractive for use in a multitude of downstream detection and functional assays, as it preserves key biochemical and immunological properties. This study provides evidence that X-ray irradiation can support emergency preparedness, outbreak response and front-line diagnostics in a safe, reproducible and scalable manner pertinent to operations that are otherwise restricted to higher containment BSL3 or BSL4 laboratories.
Acceleration predicts energy expenditure in a fat, flightless, diving bird
Authors: Hicks Olivia , Kato Akiko , Angelier Frederic , Wisniewska Danuta M. , Hambly Catherine , Speakman John R. , Marciau Coline , Ropert-Coudert Yan
Published: December 2020

Energy drives behaviour and life history decisions, yet it can be hard to measure at fine scales in free-moving animals. Accelerometry has proven a powerful tool to estimate energy expenditure, but requires calibration in the wild. This can be difficult in some environments, or for particular behaviours, and validations have produced equivocal results in some species, particularly air-breathing divers. It is, therefore, important to calibrate accelerometry across different behaviours to understand the most parsimonious way to estimate energy expenditure in free-living conditions. Here, we combine data from miniaturised acceleration loggers on 58 free-living Adélie penguins with doubly labelled water (DLW) measurements of their energy expenditure over several days. Across different behaviours, both in water and on land, dynamic body acceleration was a good predictor of independently measured DLW-derived energy expenditure (R2 = 0.72). The most parsimonious model suggested different calibration coefficients are required to predict behaviours on land versus foraging behaviour in water (R2 = 0.75). Our results show that accelerometry can be used to reliably estimate energy expenditure in penguins, and we provide calibration equations for estimating metabolic rate across several behaviours in the wild.
Blink rate as a measure of stress and attention in the domestic horse (Equus caballus)
Authors: Mott Richard O. , Hawthorne Susan J. , McBride Sebastian D.
Published: December 2020

Measuring animal stress is fundamentally important for assessing animal emotional state and welfare. Conventional methods of quantifying stress (cortisol levels, heart rate/heart rate variability) require specialist equipment and are not instantly available. Spontaneous blink rate (SBR) has previously been used to measure stress responses in humans and may provide a non-invasive method for measuring stress in other animal species. Here we investigated the use of SBR as a measure of stress in the domestic horse. SBR was measured before and during a low-stress event (sham clipping) and compared with heart rate variability and salivary cortisol. For the entire sample, there was a reduction in SBR (startle response) during the first minute of clipping. For horses reactive to clipping, the initial reduction in SBR was followed by an increase above baseline whereas the SBR of the non-reactive horses quickly returned to baseline. For the entire sample, SBR correlated with heart rate variability and salivary cortisol. We have demonstrated that SBR is a valid fast alternative measure of stress in horses, but the initial 'startle' response must be considered when using this parameter as a measure of animal stress.
Vital signs assessed in initial clinical encounters predict COVID-19 mortality in an NYC hospital system
Authors: Rechtman Elza , Curtin Paul , Navarro Esmeralda , Nirenberg Sharon , Horton Megan K.
Published: December 2020

Timely and effective clinical decision-making for COVID-19 requires rapid identification of risk factors for disease outcomes. Our objective was to identify characteristics available immediately upon first clinical evaluation related COVID-19 mortality. We conducted a retrospective study of 8770 laboratory-confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 from a network of 53 facilities in New-York City. We analysed 3 classes of variables; demographic, clinical, and comorbid factors, in a two-tiered analysis that included traditional regression strategies and machine learning. COVID-19 mortality was 12.7%. Logistic regression identified older age (OR, 1.69 [95% CI 1.66–1.92]), male sex (OR, 1.57 [95% CI 1.30–1.90]), higher BMI (OR, 1.03 [95% CI 1.102–1.05]), higher heart rate (OR, 1.01 [95% CI 1.00–1.01]), higher respiratory rate (OR, 1.05 [95% CI 1.03–1.07]), lower oxygen saturation (OR, 0.94 [95% CI 0.93–0.96]), and chronic kidney disease (OR, 1.53 [95% CI 1.20–1.95]) were associated with COVID-19 mortality. Using gradient-boosting machine learning, these factors predicted COVID-19 related mortality (AUC = 0.86) following cross-validation in a training set. Immediate, objective and culturally generalizable measures accessible upon clinical presentation are effective predictors of COVID-19 outcome. These findings may inform rapid response strategies to optimize health care delivery in parts of the world who have not yet confronted this epidemic, as well as in those forecasting a possible second outbreak.
Nanofabrication of synthetic nanoporous geomaterials: from nanoscale-resolution 3D imaging to nano-3D-printed digital (shale) rock
Authors: Goral Jan , Deo Milind
Published: December 2020

Advances in imaging have made it possible to view nanometer and sub-nanometer structures that are either synthesized or that occur naturally. It is believed that fluid dynamic and thermodynamic behavior differ significantly at these scales from the bulk. From a materials perspective, it is important to be able to create complex structures at the nanometer scale, reproducibly, so that the fluid behavior may be studied. New advances in nanoscale-resolution 3D-printing offer opportunities to achieve this goal. In particular, additive manufacturing with two-photon polymerization allows creation of intricate structures. Using this technology, a creation of the first nano-3D-printed digital (shale) rock is reported. In this paper, focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) nano-tomography image dataset was used to reconstruct a high-resolution digital rock 3D model of a Marcellus Shale rock sample. Porosity of this 3D model has been characterized and its connected/effective pore system has been extracted and nano-3D-printed. The workflow of creating this novel nano-3D-printed digital rock 3D model is described in this paper.
Doxorubicin increases permeability of murine small intestinal epithelium and cultured T84 monolayers
Authors: Cray Paul , Sheahan Breanna J. , Cortes Jocsa E. , Dekaney Christopher M.
Published: December 2020

Enteric bacteria and/or their products are necessary for doxorubicin (DXR)-induced small intestine mucosal damage. While DXR does not induce gross loss of epithelium, others have shown elevated serum endotoxin after DXR administration. However, the mechanism of movement is unknown. We hypothesized that DXR treatment resulted in increased paracellular translocation of bacteria or bacterial products through the small intestinal epithelium. We measured permeability after DXR administration using transepithelial resistance and macromolecular flux and assessed tight junctional gene expression and protein localization both in vitro using T84 cells and ex vivo using murine jejunum. DXR treatment increased flux of 4 kDa dextrans in mouse jejenum, but increased flux of 4, 10 and 20 kDa dextrans in T84 cells. Following DXR, we observed increased permeability, both in vitro and ex vivo, independent of bacteria. DXR induced increased expression of Cldn2 and Cldn4 in murine small intestine but increased only CLDN2 expression in T84 cells. DXR treatment induced disorganization of tight junctional proteins. We conclude that DXR increases paracellular transit of small macromolecules, including bacterial products, through the epithelium, by altering expression of tight junctional components and dynamic loosening of cellular tight junctions.
Shared volatile organic compounds between camel metabolic products elicits strong Stomoxys calcitrans attraction
Authors: Getahun Merid Negash , Ahuya Peter , Ngiela John , Orone Abel , Masiga Daniel , Torto Baldwyn
Published: December 2020

The sources of animal odours are highly diverse, yet their ecological importance, in host–vector communication, remains unexplored. Here, using the camel (host)–Stomoxys calcitrans (vector) interaction, we collected and analyzed the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) of camels from four of its different odour sources: breath, body (skin), urine, and dung. On non-metric model multivariate analyses of VOCs we show that substantial chemo-diversity exists between metabolic products associated with an individual camel. VOCs from the four metabolic products were distinct and widely segregated. Next, we show electrophysiologically, that VOCs shared between metabolic products activated more Olfactory Sensory Neurons (OSNs) and elicited strong behavioural attractive responses from S. calcitrans under field conditions independent of geography. In our extended studies on house flies, the behavioural response to these VOCs appears to be conserved. Overall, our results establish that VOCs from a range of metabolic products determine host–vector ecological interactions and may provide a more rigorous approach for discovery of unique and more potent attractants.
Secretagogin expression in the mouse olfactory bulb under sensory impairments
Authors: Pérez-Revuelta L. , Téllez de Meneses P. G. , López M. , Briñón J. G. , Weruaga E. , Díaz D. , Alonso J. R.
Published: December 2020

The interneurons of the olfactory bulb (OB) are characterized by the expression of different calcium-binding proteins, whose specific functions are not fully understood. This is the case of one of the most recently discovered, the secretagogin (SCGN), which is expressed in interneurons of the glomerular and the granule cell layers, but whose function in the olfactory pathway is still unknown. To address this question, we examined the distribution, generation and activity of SCGN-positive interneurons in the OB of two complementary models of olfactory impairments: Purkinje Cell Degeneration (PCD) and olfactory-deprived mice. Our results showed a significant increase in the density of SCGN-positive cells in the inframitral layers of olfactory-deprived mice as compared to control animals. Moreover, BrdU analyses revealed that these additional SCGN-positive cells are not newly formed. Finally, the neuronal activity, estimated by c-Fos expression, increased in preexisting SCGN-positive interneurons of both deprived and PCD mice -being higher in the later- in comparison with control animals. Altogether, our results suggest that the OB possesses different compensatory mechanisms depending on the type of alteration. Particularly, the SCGN expression is dependent of olfactory stimuli and its function may be related to a compensation against a reduction in sensory inputs.
Microbe-set enrichment analysis facilitates functional interpretation of microbiome profiling data
Authors: Kou Yan , Xu Xiaomin , Zhu Zhengnong , Dai Lei , Tan Yan
Published: December 2020

The commensal microbiome is known to influence a variety of host phenotypes. Microbiome profiling followed by differential abundance analysis has been established as an effective approach to study the mechanisms of host-microbiome interactions. However, it is challenging to interpret the collective functions of the resultant microbe-sets due to the lack of well-organized functional characterization of commensal microbiome. We developed microbe-set enrichment analysis (MSEA) to enable the functional interpretation of microbe-sets by examining the statistical significance of their overlaps with annotated groups of microbes that share common attributes such as biological function or phylogenetic similarity. We then constructed microbe-set libraries by query PubMed to find microbe-mammalian gene associations and disease associations by parsing the Disbiome database. To demonstrate the utility of our novel MSEA methodology, we carried out three case studies using publicly available curated knowledge resource and microbiome profiling datasets focusing on human diseases. We found MSEA not only yields consistent findings with the original studies, but also recovers insights about disease mechanisms that are supported by the literature. Overall, MSEA is a useful knowledge-based computational approach to interpret the functions of microbes, which can be integrated with microbiome profiling pipelines to help reveal the underlying mechanism of host-microbiome interactions.
Acute and subacute psychoactive effects of Kambô, the secretion of the Amazonian Giant Maki Frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor): retrospective reports
Authors: Schmidt Timo Torsten , Reiche Simon , Hage Caroline L. C. , Bermpohl Felix , Majić Tomislav
Published: December 2020

Kambô, the secretion of the Amazonian Giant Leaf Frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor) contains a plethora of bioactive peptides and was originally used by indigenous communities from the Amazon basin as medicine for improving hunting capacities. In the last 20 years, Kambô has spread to Western urban healing circles. To date it is still controversial whether the acute effects of Kambô include alterations of consciousness similar to known psychoactive substance like serotonergic psychedelics. Here we retrospectively assessed psychological effects of Kambô in a sample of anonymous users (n = 22, mean age: 39 years, ± 8.5; 45.5% female), administering standardized questionnaires for the assessment of altered states of consciousness (ASC), including the Altered States of Consciousness Rating Scale, the Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory (PCI), the Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ), the Challenging Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) for acute effects and the Persisting Effects Questionnaire (PEQ) and a scale assessing connectedness for subacute effects. The intensity of retrospectively reported acute psychological effects remained on a mild to moderate level, with no psychedelic-type distortions of perception or thinking. Conversely, persisting effects were predominantly described as positive and pleasant, revealing high scores on measures of personal and spiritual significance.
Hyperentanglement concentration of nonlocal two-photon six-qubit systems via the cross-Kerr nonlinearity
Authors: Liu Qian , Song Guo-Zhu , Qiu Tian-Hui , Zhang Xiao-Min , Ma Hong-Yang , Zhang Mei
Published: December 2020

We present an efficient hyperentanglement concentration protocol (hyper-ECP) for two-photon six-qubit systems in nonlocal partially hyperentangled Bell states with unknown parameters. In our scheme, we use two identical partially hyperentangled states which are simultaneously entangled in polarization and two different longitudinal momentum degrees of freedom (DOFs) to distill the maximally hyperentangled Bell state. The quantum nondemolition detectors based on the cross-Kerr nonlinearity are used to realize the parity checks of two-photon systems in three DOFs. The hyper-ECP can extract all the useful entanglement source, and the success probability can reach the theory limit with the help of iteration. All these advantages make our hyper-ECP useful in long-distance quantum communication in the future.
Computational insights into RNAi-based therapeutics for foot and mouth disease of Bos taurus
Authors: Sahu Tanmaya Kumar , Gurjar Anoop Kishor Singh , Meher Prabina Kumar , Varghese Cini , Marwaha Sudeep , Rao Govind Pratap , Rai Anil , Guleria Neha , Basagoudanavar Suresh H. , Sanyal Aniket , Rao Atmakuri Ramakrishna
Published: December 2020

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) endangers a large number of livestock populations across the globe being a highly contagious viral infection in wild and domestic cloven-hoofed animals. It adversely affects the socioeconomic status of millions of households. Vaccination has been used to protect animals against FMD virus (FMDV) to some extent but the effectiveness of available vaccines has been decreased due to high genetic variability in the FMDV genome. Another key aspect that the current vaccines are not favored is they do not provide the ability to differentiate between infected and vaccinated animals. Thus, RNA interference (RNAi) being a potential strategy to control virus replication, has opened up a new avenue for controlling the viral transmission. Hence, an attempt has been made here to establish the role of RNAi in therapeutic developments for FMD by computationally identifying (i) microRNA (miRNA) targets in FMDV using target prediction algorithms, (ii) targetable genomic regions in FMDV based on their dissimilarity with the host genome and, (iii) plausible anti-FMDV miRNA-like simulated nucleotide sequences (SNSs). The results revealed 12 mature host miRNAs that have 284 targets in 98 distinct FMDV genomic sequences. Wet-lab validation for anti-FMDV properties of 8 host miRNAs was carried out and all were observed to confer variable magnitude of antiviral effect. In addition, 14 miRBase miRNAs were found with better target accessibility in FMDV than that of Bostaurus. Further, 8 putative targetable regions having sense strand properties of siRNAs were identified on FMDV genes that are highly dissimilar with the host genome. A total of 16 SNSs having > 90% identity with mature miRNAs were also identified that have targets in FMDV genes. The information generated from this study is populated at http://bioinformatics.iasri.res.in/fmdisc/ to cater the needs of biologists, veterinarians and animal scientists working on FMD.
Cognitive impairment is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of elderly population
Authors: Apaijai Nattayaporn , Sriwichaiin Sirawit , Phrommintikul Arintaya , Jaiwongkam Thidarat , Kerdphoo Sasiwan , Chansirikarnjana Sirintorn , Thongmung Nisakron , Mahantassanapong Usanee , Vathesatogkit Prin , Kitiyakara Chagriya , Sritara Piyamitr , Chattipakorn Nipon , Chattipakorn Siriporn C.
Published: December 2020

Cognitive impairment is commonly found in the elderly population. Evidence suggests that mitochondrial function in lymphocytes are potential biomarkers in the progression of neurodegeneration, as peripheral mitochondrial function is associated with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in the elderly population. Therefore, we hypothesize that impaired mitochondrial ATP production and oxidative stress in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are associated with cognitive impairment in the elderly population. Data were collected from 897 participants from the EGAT (The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand) cohort. The participants were classified to be in the normal cognition group (n = 428) or mild cognitive impairment group (n = 469), according to their MoCA score. The association of mitochondrial function and cognitive status was analyzed by binary logistic regression analysis. MCI participants had higher age, systolic blood pressure, waist/hip ratio, and lower plasma high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, when compared to the normal cognition group. In addition, estimated glomerular filtration rate were lower in the MCI group than those in the normal cognition group. Collectively, MCI is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction in PBMCs as indicated by decreasing mitochondrial ATP production, increasing proton leak, and oxidative stress, in the elderly population, independently of the possible confounding factors in this study.
Inscribing diffraction grating inside silicon substrate using a subnanosecond laser in one photon absorption wavelength
Authors: Sugimoto Kozo , Matsuo Shigeki , Naoi Yoshiki
Published: December 2020

Using focused subnanosecond laser pulses at $$1.064\,\upmu \hbox {m}$$

1.064

μ
m

wavelength, modification of silicon into opaque state was induced. While silicon exhibits one-photon absorption at this wavelength, the modification was induced inside $$300\,\upmu \hbox {m}$$

300

μ
m

-thick silicon substrate without damaging top or bottom surfaces. The depth range of the focus position was investigated where inside of the substrate can be modified without damaging the surfaces. Using this technique, diffraction gratings were inscribed inside silicon substrate. Diffraction from the gratings were observed, and the diffraction angle well agreed with the theoretical value. These results demonstrate that this technique could be used for fabricating infrared optical elements in silicon.
Spatial heterogeneities of human-mediated dispersal vectors accelerate the range expansion of invaders with source–destination-mediated dispersal
Authors: Takahashi Daisuke , Park Young-Seuk
Published: December 2020

Rapid range expansions of invasive species are a major threat to ecosystems. Understanding how invasive species increase their habitat ranges and how environmental factors, including intensity of human activities, influence dispersal processes is an important issue in invasion biology, especially for invasive species management. We have investigated how spatially heterogeneous factors influence range expansion of an invasive species by focusing on long-distance dispersal, which is frequently assisted by human activities. We have developed models varying two underlying processes of a dispersal event. These events are described by source and destination functions that determine spatial variations in dispersal frequency and the probability of being a dispersal destination. Using these models, we investigated how spatially heterogeneous long-distance dispersal influences range expansion. We found that: (1) spatial variations in the destination function slow down late population dynamics, (2) spatial variations in the source function increase the stochasticity of early population dynamics, and (3) the speed of early population dynamics changes when both the source and the destination functions are spatially heterogeneous and positively correlated. These results suggest an importance of spatial heterogeneity factors in controlling long-distance dispersal when predicting the future spread of invasive species.
Association of genetically predicted blood sucrose with coronary heart disease and its risk factors in Mendelian randomization
Authors: Zhang Ting , Au Yeung Shiu Lun , Schooling C. Mary
Published: December 2020

We assessed the associations of genetically instrumented blood sucrose with risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and its risk factors (i.e., type 2 diabetes, adiposity, blood pressure, lipids, and glycaemic traits), using two-sample Mendelian randomization. We used blood fructose as a validation exposure. Dental caries was a positive control outcome. We selected genetic variants strongly (P < 5 × 10–6) associated with blood sucrose or fructose as instrumental variables and applied them to summary statistics from the largest available genome-wide association studies of the outcomes. Inverse-variance weighting was used as main analysis. Sensitivity analyses included weighted median, MR-Egger and MR-PRESSO. Genetically higher blood sucrose was positively associated with the control outcome, dental caries (odds ratio [OR] 1.04 per log10 transformed effect size [median-normalized standard deviation] increase, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.002–1.08, P = 0.04), but this association did not withstand allowing for multiple testing. The estimate for blood fructose was in the same direction. Genetically instrumented blood sucrose was not clearly associated with CHD (OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.997–1.02, P = 0.14), nor with its risk factors. Findings were similar for blood fructose. Our study found some evidence of the expected detrimental effect of sucrose on dental caries but no effect on CHD. Given a small effect on CHD cannot be excluded, further investigation with stronger genetic predictors is required.
Uncovering topographically hidden features in 2D MoSe2 with correlated potential and optical nanoprobes
Authors: Moore David , Jo Kiyoung , Nguyen Christine , Lou Jun , Muratore Christopher , Jariwala Deep , Glavin Nicholas R.
Published: December 2020

Developing characterization strategies to better understand nanoscale features in two-dimensional nanomaterials is of crucial importance, as the properties of these materials are many times driven by nanoscale and microscale chemical and structural modifications within the material. For the case of large area monolayer MoSe2 flakes, kelvin probe force microscopy coupled with tip-enhanced photoluminescence was utilized to evaluate such features including internal grain boundaries, edge effects, bilayer contributions, and effects of oxidation/aging, many of which are invisible to topographical mapping. A reduction in surface potential due to n-type behavior was observed at the edge of the flakes as well as near grain boundaries. Potential phase mapping, which corresponds to the local dielectric constant, depicted local biexciton and trion states in optically-active regions of interest such as grain boundaries. Finally, nanoscale surface potential and photoluminescence mapping was performed at several stages of oxidation, revealing that various oxidative states can be evaluated during the aging process. Importantly, all of the characterization performed in this study was non-destructive and rapid, crucial for quality evaluation of an exciting class of two-dimensional nanomaterials.
A validated lineage-derived somatic truth data set enables benchmarking in cancer genome analysis
Authors: Shand Megan , Soto Jose , Lichtenstein Lee , Benjamin David , Farjoun Yossi , Brody Yehuda , Maruvka Yosef , Blainey Paul C. , Banks Eric
Published: December 2020

Existing cancer benchmark data sets for human sequencing data use germline variants, synthetic methods, or expensive validations, none of which are satisfactory for providing a large collection of true somatic variation across a whole genome. Here we propose a data set, Lineage derived Somatic Truth (LinST), of short somatic mutations in the HT115 colon cancer cell-line, that are validated using a known cell lineage that includes thousands of mutations and a high confidence region covering 2.7 gigabases per sample.
Renin–angiotensin system impairs macrophage lipid metabolism to promote age-related macular degeneration in mouse models
Authors: Nagai Norihiro , Kawashima Hirohiko , Toda Eriko , Homma Kohei , Osada Hideto , Guzman Naymel A. , Shibata Shinsuke , Uchiyama Yasuo , Okano Hideyuki , Tsubota Kazuo , Ozawa Yoko
Published: December 2020

Metabolic syndrome, a condition involving obesity and hypertension, increases the risk of aging-associated diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Here, we demonstrated that high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice accumulated oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) in macrophages through the renin–angiotensin system (RAS). The ox-LDL-loaded macrophages were responsible for visual impairment in HFD mice along with a disorder of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), which is required for photoreceptor outer segment renewal. RAS repressed ELAVL1, which reduced PPARγ, impeding ABCA1 induction to levels that are sufficient to excrete overloaded cholesterol within the macrophages. The ox-LDL-loaded macrophages expressed inflammatory cytokines and attacked the RPE. An antihypertensive drug, angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) blocker, resolved the decompensation of lipid metabolism in the macrophages and reversed the RPE condition and visual function in HFD mice. AT1R signaling could be a future therapeutic target for macrophage-associated aging diseases, such as AMD.
Endocrine Disruptor Effects on Estrogen, Androgen and Thyroid Pathways: Recent Advances on Screening and Assessment
Authors: Kucheryavenko Olena , Vogl Silvia , Marx-Stoelting Philip
Published: December 2020

In this chapter, we present a basic introduction to endocrine disruption as well as information on recent advances in screening for and assessments of effects related to the estrogen, androgen and thyroid part of the endocrine system. Respective modes of action, schematic adverse outcome pathways and respective assays are briefly summarized as well as adverse effects observed in animal studies that may be indicative of related endocrine adversities.
Quantitative detection of morphine based on an up-conversion luminescent system
Authors: Zhao Xue , Fu Yusheng , Ren Chunhui , Guo Jinhong , Kang Yuejun
Published: December 2020

In this study, an ultrasensitive up-conversion luminescent system for the quantitative detection of morphine was developed, and the UCNPs are used probes in LFIA.
Probing the methotrexate–protein interactions by proteomics and thermostability assay for drug resistance study
Authors: Zhang Wenbo , Li Xiaoying , Zhang Xiaolei , Dong Yan , Hu Lianghai
Published: December 2020

Quantitative proteomics combined with thermostability assay provide a novel strategy for the study of mechanisms on drug action and resistance.
Selective transmembrane transport of Aβ protein regulated by tryptophan enantiomers
Authors: Zhu Fei , Wang Wenqian , Zhang Fan , Dhinakaran Manivannan Kalavathi , Wang Yingqian , Wang Rui , Cheng Jing , Toimil-Molares Maria Eugenia , Trautmann Christina , Li Haibing
Published: December 2020

Aβ protein is preferentially transported through the l-tryptophan modified nanochannel due to the chiral interaction.
Interplay of weak noncovalent interactions in alkoxybenzylidene derivatives of benzohydrazide and acetohydrazide: a combined experimental and theoretical investigation and lipoxygenase inhibition (LOX) studies
Authors: Ahmed Muhammad Naeem , Arif Muneeba , Andleeb Hina , Ali Shah Syed Wadood , Arshad Ifzan , Tahir Muhammad Nawaz , Rocha Mariana , Gil Diego M.
Published: December 2020

Three hydrazide-based Schiff bases have been synthesized and characterized by IR, UV-vis and X-ray diffraction methods. A detail analysis of intermolecular interactions has been performed by Hirshfeld surface analysis and DFT calculations.
Metalloradical complex Co–C˙Ph3 catalyzes the CO2 reduction in gas phase: a theoretical study
Authors: Tang Chuan-Kai , Li Ya-Zhou , Zhou Zhong-Jun , Ma Fang , Mo Yirong
Published: December 2020

Two advantages of metalloradical: serves as an initiator of CO2 reduction and provides transition metal hydrogen complex (TMHC).
Liquid/liquid interface in periodic boundary condition
Authors: Vatin Marin , Duvail Magali , Guilbaud Philippe , Dufrêche Jean-François
Published: December 2020

Phase diagram showing the most stable interface shape for a liquid–liquid mixture in periodic boundary condition.
Synthesis and characterization of N-heterocyclic carbene–M⋯OEt2 complexes (M = Cu, Ag, Au). Analysis of solvated auxiliary-ligand free [(NHC)M]+ species
Authors: Muñoz-Castro Alvaro , Wang Guocang , Ponduru Tharun Teja , Dias H. V. Rasika
Published: December 2020

We report the synthesis, characterization and computational analysis of coinage metal-ether and related –OH2 complexes supported by N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHC), SIPr and Et2CAAC.
Exothermic methane coupling with ethylene as a hydrogen acceptor toward two-step methane conversion to ethylene
Authors: Nishimura Naoyuki , Tojo Masahiro
Published: December 2020

Exothermic methane coupling with ethylene as a hydrogen acceptor was proposed, which allows splitting of direct methane coupling forming ethylene into a two-step reaction (it permits reaction splitting) involving ethane cracking, a common industrial process.
Enhancement of electromagnetic interference shielding from the synergism between Cu@Ni nanorods and carbon materials in flexible composite films
Authors: Li Ruosong , Wang Shuai , Bai Peiwei , Fan Bingbing , Zhao Biao , Zhang Rui
Published: December 2020

A series of composite films containing poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), carbon nanotubes, graphene and bimetallic nanorods, in which copper was wrapped with nickel (Cu@Ni), were fabricated via solution casting and compression molding.
Solution-processed ITO nanoparticles as hole-selective electrodes for mesoscopic lead-free perovskite solar cells
Authors: Song Donghoon , Hsu Liang Yu , Tseng Chien-Ming , Diau Eric Wei-Guang
Published: December 2020

All-solution-processable ITO nanoparticulate electrodes were developed to replace carbon electrodes in mesoscopic hybrid tin-based PSCs to attain a record efficiency of 5.4%.
A scaffold hopping strategy to generate new aryl-2-amino pyrimidine MRSA biofilm inhibitors
Authors: Weig Alexander W. , Barlock Samantha L. , O'Connor Patrick M. , Marciano Orry M. , Smith Richard , Ernst Robert K. , Melander Roberta J. , Melander Christian
Published: December 2020

Infections that stem from bacterial biofilms are difficult to eradicate.
Optimization of electron beam-deposited silver nanoparticles on zinc oxide for maximally surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Cook Andrew L. , Haycook Christopher P. , Locke Andrea K. , Mu Richard R. , Giorgio Todd D.
Published: December 2020

Fabrication and anneal parameters of electron beam-deposited silver nanoparticles can be optimized to maximize surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy of dilute analytes.
Schottky barrier lowering due to interface states in 2D heterophase devices
Authors: Jelver Line , Stradi Daniele , Stokbro Kurt , Jacobsen Karsten Wedel
Published: December 2020

Interface states of metallic origin enhance the tunneling and significantly reduce the effective Schottky barrier height of phase-engineered MoTe2 junctions.
The reversible inter-conversion of copper(ii) dimers bearing phenolate-based ligands in their monomers: theoretical and experimental viewpoints
Authors: Agarwal Pratibha , Kumar Akhilesh , Richa  , Verma Indresh , Erande Rohan D. , Kłak Julia , Mota Antonio J. , Arora Himanshu , Rajput Amit
Published: December 2020

The conversion of the studied dimers into their monomers by an acid and the regeneration of the dimeric core from the monomer by a base is rationalized.
Non-enzymatic electrochemical glucose sensing by Cu2O octahedrons: elucidating the protein adsorption signature
Authors: Rakshit Soumyadipta , Ghosh Srabanti , Roy Rimi , Bhattacharya Subhash Chandra
Published: December 2020

Developing an electrochemical biosensor based on Cu2O octahedrons for rapid, sensitive and highly selective detection of glucose in real samples with an unprecedented analysis of their protein adsorption signature.
Time-resolved SANS reveals pore-forming peptides cause rapid lipid reorganization
Authors: Nguyen Michael H. L. , DiPasquale Mitchell , Rickeard Brett W. , Yip Caesar G. , Greco Kaity N. , Kelley Elizabeth G. , Marquardt Drew
Published: December 2020

Time-resolved SANS showed alamethicin and melittin promote DMPC lipid vesicle mixing and perturb DMPC kinetics in similar ways.
Hydration effects and negative dielectric constant of nano-confined water between cation intercalated MXenes
Authors: Jalali Hossein , Khoeini Farhad , Peeters Francois M. , Neek-Amal Mehdi
Published: December 2020

A model for the electric double layer capacitor is constructed where water molecules are strongly confined in two-dimensional slits of MXene.
DNA introduces an independent temperature responsiveness to thermosensitive microgels and enables switchable plasmon coupling as well as controlled uptake and release
Authors: Eisold Sabine , Hoppe Alvarez Laura , Ran Ke , Hengsbach Rebecca , Fink Gerhard , Centeno Benigno Silvia , Mayer Joachim , Wöll Dominik , Simon Ulrich
Published: December 2020

DNA-microgel hybrid systems with dual thermal responsiveness are suited for programmed and reversible uptake and release of molecular and nanoparticulate guest compounds in biological environments.
Surface roughness and substrate induced symmetry-breaking: influence on the plasmonic properties of aluminum nanostructure arrays
Authors: Zhang Feifei , Plain Jérôme , Gérard Davy , Martin Jérôme
Published: December 2020

The top surface roughness of Al nanodisk has significant influences on the substrate-induced out-of-plane quadrupolar mode Q and in-plane dipolar mode D.
Tuneable interfacial surfactant aggregates mimic lyotropic phases and facilitate large scale nanopatterning
Authors: Bergendal Erik , Gutfreund Philipp , Pilkington Georgia A. , Campbell Richard A. , Müller-Buschbaum Peter , Holt Stephen A. , Rutland Mark W.
Published: December 2020

Self-assembly of insoluble surfactants imposes curvature restrictions on the air–water interface which leads to 3D nanopatterns that can be deposited onto solid surfaces.
Polarized emission of CdSe nanocrystals in magnetic field: the role of phonon-assisted recombination of the dark exciton
Authors: Qiang Gang , Golovatenko Aleksandr A. , Shornikova Elena V. , Yakovlev Dmitri R. , Rodina Anna V. , Zhukov Evgeny A. , Kalitukha Ina V. , Sapega Victor F. , Kaibyshev Vadim Kh. , Prosnikov Mikhail A. , Christianen Peter C. M. , Onushchenko Aleksei A. , Bayer Manfred
Published: December 2020

Optical phonon-assisted emission of dark excitons controls the intensity and maximum position of σ− and σ+ polarized photoluminescence of CdSe nanocrystals.
Highly diastereo- and enantioselective organocatalytic synthesis of trifluoromethylated erythritols based on the in situ generation of unstable trifluoroacetaldehyde
Authors: Funabiki Kazumasa , Gotoh Toshiya , Kani Ryunosuke , Inuzuka Toshiyasu , Kubota Yasuhiro
Published: December 2020

A highly diastereo- and enantioselective organocatalytic method to synthesise erythritols bearing a trifluoromethyl group has been investigated.
Heat-resistant and robust biobased benzoxazine resins developed with a green synthesis strategy
Authors: Sha Xin-Long , Yuan Li , Liang Guozheng , Gu Aijuan
Published: December 2020

Two high-performance biobased benzoxazine resins from mono-phenols are developed with a green synthesis strategy.
The in situ “grafting from” approach for the synthesis of polymer brushes on upconversion nanoparticles via NIR-mediated RAFT polymerization
Authors: Hu Lingjuan , Hao Qianqian , Wang Linan , Cui Zhe , Fu Peng , Liu Minying , Qiao Xiaoguang , Pang Xinchang
Published: December 2020

Through NIR-mediated RAFT polymerization, surface growth of polymer brushes on UCNPs was realized based on an efficient in situ ligand exchange.
A hydrolytically stable Ce(iv) complex of glutarimide-dioxime
Authors: Yang Qiaomu , Qiao Yusen , McSkimming Alex , Moreau Liane M. , Cheisson Thibault , Booth Corwin H. , Lapsheva Ekaterina , Carroll Patrick J. , Schelter Eric J.
Published: December 2020

Glutarimide-dioxime, a proligand known for its strongly electron-donating properties that has been studied for applications in uranium-sequestration from seawater, is considered here for stabilization of the cerium(iv) cation.
The design and fabrication of ultrahigh-performance supercapacitor electrodes from bimetallic PBA/Ni(OH)2/Co3O4/NF quaternary hybrid nanocomposites
Authors: Xiong Dengke , Lu Chunxiao , Chen Chen , Wang Jiang , Chen Jinlei , Yi Fei-Yan , Ma Xinghua
Published: December 2020

Quaternary PBA/Ni(OH)2/Co3O4/NF hybrid nanocomposites were successfully fabricated through a step-by-step strategy with 2D substrate, 1D column, and 3D PBA porous structures, which exhibited promising supercapacitor performance.
Palladium-catalyzed directing group assisted and regioselectivity reversed cyclocarbonylation of arylallenes with 2-iodoanilines
Authors: Wang Jian-Shu , Yao Lingyun , Ying Jun , Luo Xiaoling , Wu Xiao-Feng
Published: December 2020

A palladium-catalyzed regioselective cyclocarbonylation ofN-(2-pyridyl)sulfonyl (N-SO2Py)-2-iodoanilines with allenes was developed. The regioselectivity of arylallenes was reversed. Control experiments and DFT calculations were performed to understand the reaction details.
Material balance in the O2 electrode of Li–O2 cells with a porous carbon electrode and TEGDME-based electrolytes
Authors: Ue Makoto , Asahina Hitoshi , Matsuda Shoichi , Uosaki Kohei
Published: December 2020

The material balance in the O2 electrode of a Li–O2 cell with a Ketjenblack-based porous carbon electrode and a tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether-based electrolyte under more practical conditions of less electrolyte amount and high areal capacity.
Ritter-enabled catalytic asymmetric chloroamidation of olefins
Authors: Steigerwald Daniel C. , Soltanzadeh Bardia , Sarkar Aritra , Morgenstern Cecilia C. , Staples Richard J. , Borhan Babak
Published: December 2020

Intermolecular haloamination reactions are challenging due to the high halenium affinity of the nitrogen atom. This is circumvented by using acetonitrile as an attenuated nucleophile, resulting in an enantioselective halo-Ritter reaction.
Three-component three-bond forming cascade via palladium photoredox catalysis
Authors: Bellotti Peter , Koy Maximilian , Gutheil Christian , Heuvel Steffen , Glorius Frank
Published: December 2020

Highly modular three-bond three-component cascade featuring palladium as dual photoredox/cross coupling catalyst.
Microfluidic synthesis of high-valence programmable atom-like nanoparticles for reliable sensing
Authors: Li Jing , Shi Huayi , Chen Runzhi , Wu Xiaofeng , Cheng Jiayi , Dong Fenglin , Wang Houyu , He Yao
Published: December 2020

A novel synthetic strategy is presented for microfluidic preparation of programmable atom-like nanoparticles with high valences and high yields.
Tandem diaza-Cope rearrangement polymerization: turning intramolecular reaction into powerful polymerization to give enantiopure materials for Zn2+ sensors
Authors: Hwang Soon-Hyeok , Choi Tae-Lim
Published: December 2020

Herein, we report a new tandem diaza-Cope rearrangement polymerization synthesizing enantiopure polymers with defect-free C–C bond formation. Furthermore, these polymers can be applied as high-performance turn-on Zn2+ sensors.
Magttice: a lattice model for hard-magnetic soft materials
Authors: Ye Huilin , Li Ying , Zhang Teng
Published: December 2020

Magnetic actuation has emerged as a powerful and versatile mechanism for diverse applications, ranging from soft robotics, biomedical devices to functional metamaterials.
State-of-the-art surface oxide semiconductors of liquid metals: an emerging platform for development of multifunctional two-dimensional materials
Authors: Karbalaei Akbari Mohamamd , Verpoort Francis , Zhuiykov Serge
Published: December 2020

Two-dimensional (2D) surface oxide films of post-transition liquid metals and their alloys have been recently introduced as an emerging category of ultra-thin functional semiconductor materials with fascinating physico-chemical and structural characteristics.
Understanding the reaction mechanism and performances of 3d transition metal cathodes for all-solid-state fluoride ion batteries
Authors: Zhang Datong , Yamamoto Kentaro , Ochi Aika , Wang Yanchang , Yoshinari Takahiro , Nakanishi Koji , Nakano Hiroyuki , Miki Hidenori , Nakanishi Shinji , Iba Hideki , Uchiyama Tomoki , Watanabe Toshiki , Amezawa Koji , Uchimoto Yoshiharu
Published: December 2020

Fluoride ion batteries (FIBs) are regarded as promising energy storage devices, and it is important and urgent to develop cathode materials with high energy densities for use in FIBs.
Synchronously improved graphitization and surface area in a 3D porous carbon network as a high capacity anode material for lithium/sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Liu Haimi , Zeng Weihao , Yang Yue , Chen Junxin , Zhao Yuwei , Mu Shichun
Published: December 2020

Using bifunctional silica as a catalyst for graphitization and a templating agent for pore-formation, high graphitization and surface area are synchronously realized in porous N/P doped carbonaceous materials.
Progress in and application prospects of advanced and cost-effective iron (Fe)-based cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Wang Xuan , Roy Swagata , Shi Qinhao , Li Yong , Zhao Yufeng , Zhang Jiujun
Published: December 2020

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have received extensive attention in recent years and are expected to become one of the alternatives to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs).
Enhanced N2affinity of 1T-MoS2with a unique pseudo-six-membered ring consisting of N–Li–S–Mo–S–Mo for high ambient ammonia electrosynthesis performance
Authors: Patil Shivaraj B. , Chou Hung-Lung , Chen Yu-Mei , Hsieh Shang-Hsien , Chen Chia-Hao , Chang Chia-Che , Li Shin-Ren , Lee Yi-Cheng , Lin Ying-Sheng , Li Hsin , Chang Yuan Jay , Lai Ying-Huang , Wang Di-Yan
Published: December 2020

Selective electrocatalytic NH3synthesis using Li intercalated 1T-MoS2.