bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of deep learning with traditional models to predict preventable acute care use and spending among heart failure patients
Authors: Lewis Maor , Elad Guy , Beladev Moran , Maor Gal , Radinsky Kira , Hermann Dor , Litani Yoav , Geller Tal , Pines Jesse M. , Shapiro Nathan l. , Figueroa Jose F.
Published: January 2021

Recent health reforms have created incentives for cardiologists and accountable care organizations to participate in value-based care models for heart failure (HF). Accurate risk stratification of HF patients is critical to efficiently deploy interventions aimed at reducing preventable utilization. The goal of this paper was to compare deep learning approaches with traditional logistic regression (LR) to predict preventable utilization among HF patients. We conducted a prognostic study using data on 93,260 HF patients continuously enrolled for 2-years in a large U.S. commercial insurer to develop and validate prediction models for three outcomes of interest: preventable hospitalizations, preventable emergency department (ED) visits, and preventable costs. Patients were split into training, validation, and testing samples. Outcomes were modeled using traditional and enhanced LR and compared to gradient boosting model and deep learning models using sequential and non-sequential inputs. Evaluation metrics included precision (positive predictive value) at k, cost capture, and Area Under the Receiver operating characteristic (AUROC). Deep learning models consistently outperformed LR for all three outcomes with respect to the chosen evaluation metrics. Precision at 1% for preventable hospitalizations was 43% for deep learning compared to 30% for enhanced LR. Precision at 1% for preventable ED visits was 39% for deep learning compared to 33% for enhanced LR. For preventable cost, cost capture at 1% was 30% for sequential deep learning, compared to 18% for enhanced LR. The highest AUROCs for deep learning were 0.778, 0.681 and 0.727, respectively. These results offer a promising approach to identify patients for targeted interventions.
Comparing right- and left sided injection-drug related infective endocarditis
Authors: Clarelin Allan , Rasmussen Magnus , Olaison Lars , Ragnarsson Sigurdur
Published: January 2021

The aim of the study was to compare background characteristics, microbiology and outcome of patients with right-sided and left-sided intravenous drug use (IDU) associated infective endocarditis (IE). A nationwide retrospective study using the Swedish Registry on Infective Endocarditis between 2008 and 2019 was conducted. A total of 586 people with IDU-IE were identified and divided into left-sided (n = 204) and right-sided (n = 382) IE. Descriptive statistics, Cox-regression and Kaplan–Meier survival estimates were used. The mean age of patients in the left-sided group was 46 years compared to 35 years in the right-sided group, p < 0.001. Left-sided IE had a higher proportion of females. Staphylococcus aureus was the causative pathogen in 48% of cases in the left-sided group compared to 88% in the right-sided group. Unadjusted and adjusted long-term survival was better in right-sided IE compared to left-sided IE. Independent predictors of long-term mortality were increasing age, end-stage renal disease, nosocomial infection, brain emboli and left-sided IE. Left-sided IE was common in people with IDU but the proportion of females with left-sided IE was low. S. aureus was twice as common in right-sided IE compared to left-sided IE, and the long-term prognosis of right sided IDU-associated IE was better compared to left-sided IE despite the fact that few were operated.
Comprehensive analysis of metastatic gastric cancer tumour cells using single-cell RNA-seq
Authors: Wang Bin , Zhang Yingyi , Qing Tao , Xing Kaichen , Li Jie , Zhen Timing , Zhu Sibo , Zhan Xianbao
Published: January 2021

Gastric cancer (GC) is a leading cause of cancer-induced mortality, with poor prognosis with metastasis. The mechanism of gastric carcinoma lymph node metastasis remains unknown due to traditional bulk-leveled approaches masking the roles of subpopulations. To answer questions concerning metastasis from the gastric carcinoma intratumoural perspective, we performed single-cell level analysis on three gastric cancer patients with primary cancer and paired metastatic lymph node cancer tissues using single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq). The results showed distinct carcinoma profiles from each patient, and diverse microenvironmental subsets were shared across different patients. Clustering data showed significant intratumoural heterogeneity. The results also revealed a subgroup of cells bridging the metastatic group and primary group, implying the transition state of cancer during the metastatic process. In the present study, we obtained a more comprehensive picture of gastric cancer lymph node metastasis, and we discovered some GC lymph node metastasis marker genes (ERBB2, CLDN11 and CDK12), as well as potential gastric cancer evolution-driving genes (FOS and JUN), which provide a basis for the treatment of GC.
Improved agreement and diagnostic accuracy of a cuffless 24-h blood pressure measurement device in clinical practice
Authors: Socrates Thenral , Krisai Philipp , Vischer Annina S. , Meienberg Andrea , Mayr Michael , Burkard Thilo
Published: January 2021

A cuffless blood pressure (BP) device (TestBP) using pulse transit time is in clinical use, but leads to higher BP values compared to a cuff-based 24 h-BP reference device (RefBP). We evaluated the impact of a recent software update on BP results and TestBP’s ability to differentiate between normo- and hypertension. 71 individuals had TestBP (Somnotouch-NIBP) and RefBP measurements simultaneously performed on either arm. TestBP results with software version V1.5 were compared to V1.4 and RefBP. Mean 24 h (± SD) BP for the RefBP, TestBP-V1.4 and TestBP-V1.5 were systolic 134.0 (± 17.3), 140.8 (± 20) and 139.1 (± 20) mmHg, and diastolic 79.3 (± 11.7), 85.8 (± 14.1) and 83.5 (± 13.0) mmHg, respectively (p-values < 0.001). TestBP-V1.5 area under the curve (95% confidence interval) versus RefBP for hypertension detection was 0.92 (0.86; 0.99), 0.94 (0.88; 0.99) and 0.77 (0.66; 0.88) for systolic and 0.92 (0.86; 0.99), 0.92 (0.85; 0.99) and 0.84 (0.74; 0.94) for diastolic 24 h, awake and asleep BP respectively. TestBP-V1.5 detected elevated systolic/diastolic mean 24 h-BP with a 95%/90% sensitivity and 65%/70% specificity. Highest Youden’s Index was systolic 133 (sensitivity 95%/specificity 80%) and diastolic 87 mmHg (sensitivity 81%/specificity 98%). The update improved the agreement to RefBP. TestBP was excellent for detecting 24 h and awake hypertensive BP values but not for asleep BP values.
Vasohibin-1 rescues erectile function through up-regulation of angiogenic factors in the diabetic mice
Authors: Song Kang-Moon , Kim Woo Jean , Choi Min-Ji , Kwon Ki-Dong , Limanjaya Anita , Ghatak Kalyan , Ock Jiyeon , Yin Guo Nan , Sato Yasufumi , Hong Soon-Sun , Ryu Ji-Kan , Suh Jun-Kyu
Published: January 2021

Neovascularization of the erectile tissue emerges as a beneficial curative approach to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). Here we for the first time report the unexpected role of vasohibin-1 (VASH1), mainly known as an anti-angiogenic factor, in restoring erectile function in diabetic mice. A diabetic patient has lower cavernous VASH1 expression than in the potent man. VASH1 was mainly expressed in endothelial cells. There were significant decreases in cavernous endothelial cell and pericyte contents in VASH1 knockout mice compared with those in wild-type mice, which resulted in impairments in erectile function. Intracavernous injection of VASH1 protein successfully restored erectile function in the diabetic mice (~ 90% of control values). VASH1 protein reinstated endothelial cells, pericytes, and endothelial cell–cell junction proteins and induced phosphorylation of eNOS (Ser1177) in the diabetic mice. The induction of angiogenic factors, such as angiopoietin-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor, is responsible for cavernous angiogenesis and the restoration of erectile function mediated by VASH1. Altogether, these findings suggest that VASH1 is proangiogenic in diabetic penis and is a new potential target for diabetic ED.
Non-disruptive uptake of anionic and cationic gold nanoparticles in neutral zwitterionic membranes
Authors: Canepa Ester , Salassi Sebastian , Simonelli Federica , Ferrando Riccardo , Rolandi Ranieri , Lambruschini Chiara , Canepa Fabio , Dante Silvia , Relini Annalisa , Rossi Giulia
Published: January 2021

The potential toxicity of ligand-protected nanoparticles (NPs) on biological targets is crucial for their clinical translation. A number of studies are aimed at investigating the molecular mechanisms shaping the interactions between synthetic NPs and neutral plasma membranes. The role played by the NP surface charge is still widely debated. We compare, via liposome leakage assays, the perturbation induced by the penetration of sub-6 nm anionic and cationic Au NPs into model neutral lipid membranes composed of the zwitterionic 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC). Our charged Au NPs are functionalized by a mixture of the apolar 1-octanethiol and a ω-charged thiol which is either the anionic 11-mercapto-1-undecanesulfonate or the cationic (11-mercaptoundecyl)-N,N,N-trimethylammonium. In both cases, the NP uptake in the bilayer is confirmed by quartz crystal microbalance investigations. Our leakage assays show that both negatively and positively charged Au NPs do not induce significant membrane damage on POPC liposomes when penetrating into the bilayer. By means of molecular dynamics simulations, we show that the energy barrier for membrane penetration is the same for both NPs. These results suggest that the sign of the NP surface charge, per se, does not imply different physicochemical mechanisms of interaction with zwitterionic lipid membranes.
Personalized treatment options for chronic diseases using precision cohort analytics
Authors: Ng Kenney , Kartoun Uri , Stavropoulos Harry , Zambrano John A. , Tang Paul C.
Published: January 2021

To support point-of-care decision making by presenting outcomes of past treatment choices for cohorts of similar patients based on observational data from electronic health records (EHRs), a machine-learning precision cohort treatment option (PCTO) workflow consisting of (1) data extraction, (2) similarity model training, (3) precision cohort identification, and (4) treatment options analysis was developed. The similarity model is used to dynamically create a cohort of similar patients, to inform clinical decisions about an individual patient. The workflow was implemented using EHR data from a large health care provider for three different highly prevalent chronic diseases: hypertension (HTN), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and hyperlipidemia (HL). A retrospective analysis demonstrated that treatment options with better outcomes were available for a majority of cases (75%, 74%, 85% for HTN, T2DM, HL, respectively). The models for HTN and T2DM were deployed in a pilot study with primary care physicians using it during clinic visits. A novel data-analytic workflow was developed to create patient-similarity models that dynamically generate personalized treatment insights at the point-of-care. By leveraging both knowledge-driven treatment guidelines and data-driven EHR data, physicians can incorporate real-world evidence in their medical decision-making process when considering treatment options for individual patients.
Coastal wetlands can be saved from sea level rise by recreating past tidal regimes
Authors: Sadat-Noori Mahmood , Rankin Caleb , Rayner Duncan , Heimhuber Valentin , Gaston Troy , Drummond Christopher , Chalmers Anita , Khojasteh Danial , Glamore William
Published: January 2021

Climate change driven Sea Level Rise (SLR) is creating a major global environmental crisis in coastal ecosystems, however, limited practical solutions are provided to prevent or mitigate the impacts. Here, we propose a novel eco-engineering solution to protect highly valued vegetated intertidal ecosystems. The new ‘Tidal Replicate Method’ involves the creation of a synthetic tidal regime that mimics the desired hydroperiod for intertidal wetlands. This synthetic tidal regime can then be applied via automated tidal control systems, “SmartGates”, at suitable locations. As a proof of concept study, this method was applied at an intertidal wetland with the aim of restabilising saltmarsh vegetation at a location representative of SLR. Results from aerial drone surveys and on-ground vegetation sampling indicated that the Tidal Replicate Method effectively established saltmarsh onsite over a 3-year period of post-restoration, showing the method is able to protect endangered intertidal ecosystems from submersion. If applied globally, this method can protect high value coastal wetlands with similar environmental settings, including over 1,184,000 ha of Ramsar coastal wetlands. This equates to a saving of US$230 billion in ecosystem services per year. This solution can play an important role in the global effort to conserve coastal wetlands under accelerating SLR.
Temporal division of labor in an aphid social system
Authors: Shibao Harunobu , Kutsukake Mayako , Fukatsu Takema
Published: January 2021

Temporal division of labor, or age polyethism, in which altruistic caste individuals change their tasks with aging, is widely found in bees and ants (Hymenoptera) and also in other social insects. Here we report the discovery of elaborate age polyethism in a social aphid (Hemiptera). Tuberaphis styraci is a gall-forming aphid in which monomorphic first instar nymphs differentiate into normal nymphs and soldiers upon second instar molt. Soldiers neither grow nor reproduce but perform gall cleaning and colony defense. Using an artificial diet rearing system, we collected age-defined groups of soldiers and monitored their social behaviors. We observed that young soldiers tend to clean whereas old soldiers preferentially attack, thereby verifying age-dependent task switching from housekeeping to defense. Strategic sampling, age estimation and behavioral observation of soldiers from natural galls revealed that (1) young cleaning soldiers tend to inhabit upper gall regions with adult insects, (2) old attacking soldiers tend to be distributed in lower gall regions, particularly around the gall openings, and (3) the gall structure is linked to intra-nest movement, aging and task switching of soldiers in an adaptive manner. These results highlight an evolutionary parallelism comparable to the sophisticated temporal division of labor observed in honeybee colonies.
Delayed discharge is associated with higher complement C3 levels and a longer nucleic acid-negative conversion time in patients with COVID-19
Authors: Lin Peihuang , Chen Wenhuang , Huang Hongbo , Lin Yijian , Cai Maosheng , Lin Dongheng , Cai Hehui , Su Zhijun , Zhuang Xibin , Yu Xueping
Published: January 2021

To determine factors associated with delayed discharge of hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). This retrospective cohort study included 47 patients with COVID-19 admitted to three hospitals in Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, China, between January 21, 2020 and March 6, 2020. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with delayed discharge. The median length of hospital stay was 22 days. Patients in the delayed discharge group (length of hospital stay ≥ 21 days, n = 27) were more likely to have diarrhea, anorexia, decreased white blood cell counts, increased complement C3 and C-reactive protein levels, air bronchograms, undergo thymalfasin treatment, and take significantly longer to convert to a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) RNA-negative status than those in the control group (length of hospital stay, < 21 days; n = 20). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the time to SARS-CoV-2 RNA-negative conversion (odds ratio [OR]: 1.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09–2.04, P = 0.01) and complement C3 levels (OR 1.14 95% CI 1.02–1.27, P = 0.03) were the only risk factors independently associated with delayed discharge from the hospital. Dynamic monitoring of complement C3 and SARS-CoV-2 RNA levels is useful for predicting delayed discharge of patients.
Methionine restriction plus overload improves skeletal muscle and metabolic health in old mice on a high fat diet
Authors: Swaminathan Anandini , Fokin Andrej , Venckūnas Tomas , Degens Hans
Published: January 2021

Methionine restriction (MR) has been shown to reduce the age-induced inflammation. We examined the effect of MR (0.17% methionine, 10% kCal fat) and MR + high fat diet (HFD) (0.17% methionine, 45% kCal fat) on body mass, food intake, glucose tolerance, resting energy expenditure, hind limb muscle mass, denervation-induced atrophy and overload-induced hypertrophy in young and old mice. In old mice, MR and MR + HFD induced a decrease in body mass. Muscle mass per body mass was lower in old compared to young mice. MR restored some of the HFD-induced reduction in muscle oxidative capacity. The denervation-induced atrophy of the m. gastrocnemius was larger in animals on MR than on a control diet, irrespective of age. Old mice on MR had larger hypertrophy of m. plantaris. Irrespective of age, MR and MR + HFD had better glucose tolerance compared to the other groups. Young and old mice on MR + HFD had a higher resting VO2 per body mass than HFD group. Mice on MR and MR + HFD had a resting respiratory quotient closer to 0.70, irrespective of age, indicating an increased utilization of lipids. In conclusion, MR in combination with resistance training may improve skeletal muscle and metabolic health in old age even in the face of obesity.
Flow control in a laminate capillary-driven microfluidic device
Authors: Jang Ilhoon , Kang Hyunwoong , Song Simon , Dandy David S. , Geiss Brian J. , Henry Charles S.
Published: January 2021

We present novel flow control methods including valve, mixing control, and flow rate control applicable to the laminate capillary-driven microfluidic devices.
Engineering the atomic arrangement of bimetallic catalysts for electrochemical CO2 reduction
Authors: Xie Linfeng , Liang Jiashun , Priest Cameron , Wang Tanyuan , Ding Dong , Wu Gang , Li Qing
Published: January 2021

Engineering the atomic arrangement of bimetallic catalysts can improve the efficiency and selectivity of electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) to form highly valued chemicals.
Developing design tools for introducing and tuning structural order in ionic liquids
Authors: Renier Olivier , Bousrez Guillaume , Yang Mei , Hölter Milena , Mallick Bert , Smetana Volodymyr , Mudring Anja-Verena
Published: January 2021

Ionic liquids – ionic crystals – ionic liquid crystals? Structural order in imidazolium-based ILs, a series of asymmetrical 1-dodecyl-2-methyl-3-alkylimidazolium bromides, [C12C1Cnim][Br] with n = 0–12.
Organic solvates in the Cambridge Structural Database
Authors: Werner Jen E. , Swift Jennifer A.
Published: January 2021

Data informatics methods applied to the Cambridge Structural Database reveal shifting trends in solvate formation and inherent biases in the symmetry and packing fraction of solvates and their solvent-free analogues.
Insights into the translational and rotational dynamics of cations and anions in protic ionic liquids by means of NMR fast-field-cycling relaxometry
Authors: Overbeck Viviane , Schröder Henning , Bonsa Anne-Marie , Neymeyr Klaus , Ludwig Ralf
Published: January 2021

NMR Fast-Field-Cycling (FFC) relaxometry provides important information about translational and rotational dynamics of hydrogen bonded protic ionic liquids (PILs).
Mechanical creep instability of nanocrystalline methane hydrates
Authors: Cao Pinqiang , Sheng Jianlong , Wu Jianyang , Ning Fulong
Published: January 2021

Fundamental creep mechanisms of nanocrystalline methane hydrates are revealed, which are of importance to evaluate the mechanical stability of gas hydrate-bearing sediments in both terrestrial and planetological environments.
Theoretical study of the pyrolysis of β-1,4-xylan: a detailed investigation on unimolecular concerted reactions
Authors: Goussougli M. , Sirjean B. , Glaude P.-A. , Fournet R.
Published: January 2021

A theoretical study of the thermal decomposition of β-1,4-xylan, a model polymer of hemicelluloses, is proposed for the first time.
Harnessing the power of transition metals in solid-phase peptide synthesis and key steps in the (semi)synthesis of proteins
Authors: Laps Shay , Satish Gandhesiri , Brik Ashraf
Published: January 2021

In this review, we highlight, summarize, and evaluate the use of various transition metals in the chemical synthesis of peptides and proteins with emphasis on recent developments in this exciting research area.
Synthesis, structural studies, and redox chemistry of bimetallic [Mn(CO)3] and [Re(CO)3] complexes
Authors: Henke Wade C. , Kerr Tyler A. , Sheridan Thomas R. , Henling Lawrence M. , Takase Michael K. , Day Victor W. , Gray Harry B. , Blakemore James D.
Published: January 2021

The properties of a family of mono- and bimetallic [Mn(CO)3] and [Re(CO)3] complexes have been explored. The results show that 2,2′-bipyrimidine effectively supports heterobimetallic species featuring Group 7 tricarbonyl motifs.
On the CN−⋯K coordination modes in Kn[M6−n(CN)6]·xH2O: first evidence of CN−⋯K electron-deficient bonding
Authors: Avila Manuel , Torres Lucero , Montero-Alejo Ana L. , Reguera Leslie , Reguera Edilso
Published: January 2021

The occurrence of electron-deficient bonding (3c–2e or 4c–2e) between the CN− ligand N end and K+ is reported for the structures of Kn[M6−n(CN)6]·xH2O. The atypical N-bipodal and N-tripodal coordination CN−···K+ agrees with these bonding models.
The main anthocyanin monomer of Lycium ruthenicum Murray induces apoptosis through the ROS/PTEN/PI3K/Akt/caspase 3 signaling pathway in prostate cancer DU-145 cells
Authors: Li Zhan-Long , Mi Jia , Lu Lu , Luo Qing , Liu Xi , Yan Ya-Mei , Jin Bo , Cao You-Long , Zeng Xiao-Xiong , Ran Lin-Wu
Published: January 2021

Pt3G inhibits DU-145 cell proliferation and induces apoptosis through the ROS/PTEN/PI3K/Akt/caspase-3 signaling pathway.
Air atmospheric photocatalytic oxidation by ultrathin C,N-TiO2nanosheets
Authors: Cheng Xiuyan , Zhang Jianling , Liu Lifei , Zheng Lirong , Zhang Fanyu , Duan Ran , Sha Yufei , Su Zhuizhui , Xie Fei
Published: January 2021

Here we propose the high-performance photocatalytic oxidation of thioanisole under mild conditions (air and 25 °C under sacrificial reagent-, co-catalyst- and redox mediator-free conditions) using ultrathin C,N-TiO2nanosheets.
Double bonus: surfactant-assisted biomass pelleting benefits both the pelleting process and subsequent enzymatic saccharification of the pretreated pellets
Authors: Gong Chunxiao , Bryant Nathan , Meng Xianzhi , Bhagia Samarthya , Pu Yunqiao , Xin Donglin , Bender Koch Christian , Felby Claus , Thygesen Lisbeth Garbrecht , Ragauskas Arthur , Thomsen Sune Tjalfe
Published: January 2021

A novel biomass processing approach that adding surfactant during pelleting and using the pellets for pretreatment and enzymatic saccharification was proposed.
Mononuclear copper(ii) Schiff base complex: synthesis, structure, electrical analysis and protein binding study
Authors: Ghosh Mrinmoy , Sepay Nayim , Rizzoli Corrado , Ghosh Chandan Kumar , Banerjee Abhijit , Saha Sandip
Published: January 2021

A mononuclear copper(ii)-Schiff base complex has been explored for dual applications – complete electrical analysis and BSA protein binding study.
Synthesis and luminescence properties of two Ir(iii) complexes containing styrene-modified phenylpyridine ligands
Authors: Wu Shaoguang , Wang Youjia , Zhao Yuling , Wang Ruidong , Hailin Ma , Yu Tianzhi
Published: January 2021

Two green-emitting iridium(iii) complexes containing styrene-modified phenylpyridine ligands have been synthesized for OLEDs.
Hierarchical nanostructures self-assembled from δ-MnO2 ultrathin nanosheets and Mn3O4 octahedrons for efficient room-temperature HCHO oxidation
Authors: Qi Lifang , Le Yao , Wang Chao , Lei Rui , Wu Tian
Published: January 2021

Self-assembling ultrathin active δ-MnO2 nanosheets and Mn3O4 octahedrons into hierarchical texture enhances room-temperature formaldehyde oxidation at a low-level of Pt.
Stabilization of caesium ions by simple organic molecules: crystal structures of Cs(OXL) (OXL = oxalurate anion) and the CsOH/cyanuric acid co-crystal Cs3(CYH3)4(OH)3 (CYH3 = cyanuric acid)
Authors: Isaia Francesco , Garau Alessandra , Castellano Carlo , Demartin Francesco , Aragoni M. Carla , Arca Massimiliano , Caltagirone Claudia , Lippolis Vito , Pivetta Tiziana
Published: January 2021

The reported X-ray crystal structures show that both the organic moieties form robust homomeric ribbons based on strong and articulated N–H⋯O hydrogen bonds.
Ala–Ala dipeptides with a semi-perfluoroalkyl chain: chirality driven molecular packing difference and self-assembly driven chiral transfer
Authors: Zhang Lianglin , Lin Shuwei , Li Yi , Li Baozong , Yang Yonggang
Published: January 2021

The chirality of amino acids triggered the chiral molecular stacking of dipeptides and, eventually, transferred to the semi-perfluoroalkyl chain.
A bio-inspired fluorescent nano-injectable hydrogel as a synergistic drug delivery system
Authors: Xu Yue , Yang Mingming , Ma Qiyue , Di Xiang , Wu Guolin
Published: January 2021

A nano-injectable hydrogel with fluorescence properties and controlled sequential release of dual drugs.
Corrosion behavior of additive manufactured Ti-6Al-4V in sulfamic acid cleaning solution
Authors: Qiu Wenbin , Wei Yongqiang , Chen Aijun , Deng Hao , Zhou Lvjun , Zuo Hanyang , Chen Longqing , Xia Zuxi , Wang Hui , Tang Jun
Published: January 2021

The specific microstructural features and phase composition lead to different corrosion behaviors of SPS and additive manufactured Ti-6Al-4V alloys.
Novel fluorescent biosensor for carcinoembryonic antigen determination via atom transfer radical polymerization with a macroinitiator
Authors: Ba Yanyan , Zhang Jingyu , Sun Yuzhi , Liu Yanju , Yang Huaixia , Kong Jinming
Published: January 2021

A novel fluorescence method for CEA via β-CD and BIBB-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) was reported.
Synthesis of Pd nanonetworks with abundant defects for oxygen reduction electrocatalysis
Authors: Li Xiang , Peng Xinyuan , Wang Yixuan , Yan Bo
Published: January 2021

The Pd nanonetworks with abundant defects were synthesized by a one-pot method for enhanced oxygen reduction reaction performance.
Synthesis of optically active 2-amino-1′-benzyl-2′,5-dioxo-5H-spiro[indeno[1,2-b]pyran-4,3′-indoline]-3-carbonitriles catalyzed by a bifunctional squaramide derived from quinine
Authors: Wang Yuanyuan , Wei Zhonglin , Cao Jungang , Liang Dapeng , Lin Yingjie , Duan Haifeng
Published: January 2021

The first organocatalytic asymmetric reaction of propylene malononitrile with oxoindole and 1,3-indandione for the synthesis of chiral indeno-spiro compounds has been developed.
Core–shell structured nanoporous N-doped carbon decorated with embedded Co nanoparticles as bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts for rechargeable Zn–air batteries
Authors: Chen Xiaowen , Gao Jingxia , Wang Luyuan , Zhu Ping , Zhao Xinsheng , Wang Guoxiang , Liu Sa
Published: January 2021

Highly active core–shell structured PNC@CoNC was successfully prepared and used as an effective air–electrode catalyst in advanced Zn–air batteries.
Metal-catalyzed C–S bond formation using sulfur surrogates
Authors: Sundaravelu Nallappan , Sangeetha Subramani , Sekar Govindasamy
Published: January 2021

This review presents the metal-catalyzed C–S bond-formation reaction to access organosulfur compounds using various sulfur surrogates with an extended discussion on the reaction mechanism, regioselectivity of product and pharmaceutical application.
Advances in deep eutectic solvents and water: applications in metal- and biocatalyzed processes, in the synthesis of APIs, and other biologically active compounds
Authors: Cicco Luciana , Dilauro Giuseppe , Perna Filippo Maria , Vitale Paola , Capriati Vito
Published: January 2021

This review highlights recent advances in metal- and biocatalyzed transformations, in the synthesis of APIs and other biologically active compounds, when employing deep eutectic solvents and water as environmentally responsible solvents.
Synthesis of 4-amino-5-allenylisoxazoles via gold(i)-catalysed propargyl aza-Claisen rearrangement
Authors: Tsuda Masato , Morita Taiki , Fukuhara Shintaro , Nakamura Hiroyuki
Published: January 2021

Propargyl aza-Claisen rearrangement of 4-propargylaminoisoxazoles 1 proceeded in the presence of cationic gold(i) catalysts to give 4-amino-5-allenylisoxazoles 2 in good to high yields.
Additive-induced ordered structures formed by PC71BM fullerene derivatives
Authors: Komarov Pavel V. , Malyshev Maxim D. , Yang Tsu-Che , Chiang Cheng-Ting , Liao Hu-Li , Guseva Daria V. , Rudyak Vladimir Yu. , Ivanov Viktor A. , Tung Shih-Huang
Published: January 2021

We report the first observation of molecular self-assemblies of PC71BM in mixtures with high boiling octane based additives.
Binding of chloroaurate to polytyrosine-PEG micelles leads to an anti-Turkevich pattern of reduction
Authors: Iakimov Nikolai P. , Romanyuk Andrey V. , Grozdova Irina D. , Dets Elisabeth A. , Alov Nikolai V. , Sharanov Pavel Yu. , Maksimov Sergey V. , Savilov Serguei V. , Abramchuk Sergey S. , Ksenofontov Alexander L. , Eremina Elena A. , Melik-Nubarov Nikolay S.
Published: January 2021

Here we report formation of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) in micelles of polytyrosine-PEG copolymers that combine the properties of a reducer and a stabilizer.
A predictive model for additions to N-alkyl pyridiniums
Authors: Knight Brian J. , Tolchin Zachary A. , Smith Joel M.
Published: January 2021

Disclosed in this communication is a thorough study on the dearomative addition of organomagnesium nucleophiles to N-alkyl pyridinium electrophiles.
Sepsis plasma-derived exosomal miR-1-3p induces endothelial cell dysfunction by targeting SERP1
Authors: Gao Min , Yu Tianyi , Liu Dan , Shi Yan , Yang Peilang , Zhang Jie , Wang Jizhuang , Liu Yan , Zhang Xiong
Published: January 2021

Acute lung injury (ALI) is the leading cause of death in sepsis patients. Exosomes participate in the occurrence and development of ALI by regulating endothelial cell inflammatory response, oxidative stress and apoptosis, causing serious pulmonary vascular leakage and interstitial edema. The current study investigated the effect of exosomal miRNAs on endothelial cells during sepsis. We found a significant increase in miR-1-3p expression in cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) rats exosomes sequencing and sepsis patients’ exosomes, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro. However, the specific biological function of miR-1-3p in ALI remains unknown. Therefore, mimics or inhibitors of miR-1-3p were transfected to modulate its expression in HUVECs. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, contraction, permeability, and membrane injury were examined via cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), flow cytometry, phalloidin staining, Transwell assay, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, and Western blotting. The miR-1-3p target gene was predicted with miRNA-related databases and validated by luciferase reporter. Target gene expression was blocked by siRNA to explore the underlying mechanisms. The results illustrated increased miR-1-3p and decreased stress-associated endoplasmic reticulum protein 1 (SERP1) expression both in vivo and in vitro. SERP1 was a direct target gene of miR-1-3p. Up-regulated miR-1-3p inhibits cell proliferation, promotes apoptosis and cytoskeleton contraction, increases monolayer endothelial cell permeability and membrane injury by targeting SERP1, which leads to dysfunction of endothelial cells and weakens vascular barrier function involved in the development of ALI. MiR-1-3p and SERP1 may be promising therapeutic candidates for sepsis-induced lung injury.
ACE2 gene transfer ameliorates vasoreparative dysfunction in CD34+ cells derived from diabetic older adults
Authors: Joshi Shrinidh , Montes de Oca Ildamaris , Maghrabi Ahmad , Lopez-Yang Christine , Quiroz-Olvera Julio , Garcia Charles A. , Jarajapu Yagna Prasada Rao
Published: January 2021

Diabetes increases the risk for ischemic vascular diseases, which is further elevated in older adults. Bone marrow-derived hematopoietic CD34+ stem/progenitor cells have the potential of revascularization; however, diabetes attenuates vasoreparative functions. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the vasoprotective enzyme of renin–angiotensin system in contrast with the canonical angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). The present study tested the hypothesis that diabetic dysfunction is associated with ACE2/ACE imbalance in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) and that increasing ACE2 expression would restore reparative functions. Blood samples from male and female diabetic (n=71) or nondiabetic (n=62) individuals were obtained and CD34+ cells were enumerated by flow cytometry. ACE and ACE2 enzyme activities were determined in cell lysates. Lentiviral (LV) approach was used to increase the expression of soluble ACE2 protein. Cells from diabetic older adults (DB) or nondiabetic individuals (Control) were evaluated for their ability to stimulate revascularization in a mouse model of hindlimb ischemia (HLI). DB cells attenuated the recovery of blood flow to ischemic areas in nondiabetic mice compared with that observed with Control cells. Administration of DB cells modified with LV-ACE2 resulted in complete restoration of blood flow. HLI in diabetic mice resulted in poor recovery with amputations, which was not reversed by either Control or DB cells. LV-ACE2 modification of Control or DB cells resulted in blood flow recovery in diabetic mice. In vitro treatment with Ang-(1-7) modified paracrine profile in diabetic CD34+ cells. The present study suggests that vasoreparative dysfunction in CD34+ cells from diabetic older adults is associated with ACE2/ACE imbalance and that increased ACE2 expression enhances the revascularization potential.
Epigenetic modifications of the renin–angiotensin system in cardiometabolic diseases
Authors: Elgazzaz Mona , Lazartigues Eric
Published: January 2021

Cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs) are among the most prevalent and the highest mortality diseases. Single disease etiology such as gene mutation, polymorphisms, or environmental exposure has failed to explain the origin of CMD. This can be evident in the discrepancies in disease susceptibility among individuals exposed to the same environmental insult or who acquire the same genetic variation. Epigenetics is the intertwining of genetic and environmental factors that results in diversity in the disease course, severity, and prognosis among individuals. Environmental exposures modify the epigenome and thus provide a link for translating environmental impact on changes in gene expression and precipitation to pathological conditions. Renin–angiotensin system (RAS) is comprising genes responsible for the regulation of cardiovascular, metabolic, and glycemic functions. Epigenetic modifications of RAS genes can lead to overactivity of the system, increased sympathetic activity and autonomic dysfunction ultimately contributing to the development of CMD. In this review, we describe the three common epigenetic modulations targeting RAS components and their impact on the susceptibility to cardiometabolic dysfunction. Additionally, we highlight the therapeutic efforts of targeting these epigenetic imprints to the RAS and its effects.
An iterative algorithm for discrete Lyapunov matrix equations
Authors: Wu Ai‐Guo , Zhang Ying , Sun Hui‐Jie , Duan Hua‐Jie
Published: January 2021

In this paper, an iterative algorithm is established to solve discrete Lyapunov matrix equations. In this algorithm, a tuning parameter is introduced such that the iterative solution can be updated by using a combination of the information in the last step and the previous step. Some conditions for the convergence of the proposed algorithm are given. In addition, an approach is also developed to choose the optimal tuning parameter such that the algorithm achieves its fastest convergence rate. A numerical example is employed to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
New mass-loss rates of B supergiants from global wind models
Authors: Krtička J. , Kubát J. , Krtičková I.
Published: January 2021

Massive stars lose a significant fraction of mass during their evolution. However, the corresponding mass-loss rates are rather uncertain, especially for evolved stars. To improve this, we calculated global line-driven wind models for Galactic B supergiants. Our models predict radial wind structure and particularly the mass-loss rates and terminal velocities directly from basic stellar parameters. The hydrodynamic structure of the flow is consistently determined from the photosphere in nearly hydrostatic equilibrium to supersonically expanding wind. The radiative force is derived from the solution of the radiative transfer equation in the comoving frame. We provide a simple formula that predicts theoretical mass-loss rates as a function of stellar luminosity and effective temperature. The mass-loss rate of B supergiants slightly decreases with temperature down to about 22.5 kK, where the region of recombination of Fe IV to Fe III starts to appear. In this region, which is about 5 kK wide, the mass-loss rate gradually increases by a factor of about 6. The increase of the mass-loss rate is associated with a gradual decrease of terminal velocities by a factor of about 2. We compared the predicted wind parameters with observations. While the observed wind terminal velocities are reasonably reproduced by the models, the situation with mass-loss rates is less clear. The mass-loss rates derived from observations that are uncorrected for clumping are by a factor of 3 to 9 higher than our predictions on cool and hot sides of the studied sample, respectively. These observations can be reconciled with theory assuming a temperature-dependent clumping factor that is decreasing toward lower effective temperatures. On the other hand, the mass-loss rate estimates that are not sensitive to clumping agree with our predictions much better. Our predictions are by a factor of about 10 lower than the values currently used in evolutionary models appealing for reconsideration of the role of winds in the stellar evolution.
A Review and Comparative Analysis on Energy Transition in China’s Three Emerging Urban Agglomerations
Authors: Hou Jianchao , Jian Jinhua , Liu Pingkuo
Published: January 2021

With the aggravation of environmental pollution and the overuse of fossil energy, a sustainable transition to using the low-carbon and clean energy is perceived to be an inevitable trend. The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, the Yangtze River Delta and the Pearl River Delta are the three most important economic circles in China. One purpose of energy transition in those Three Urban Agglomerations is to enable the energy system to have a higher share of clean energy. This paper introduces the current situation in terms of energy endowment, production and consumption in the three urban agglomerations, discusses the policy environment from the aspects of development planning, supporting mechanism and policy tools. We further analyse the barriers of the energy transition in the three urban agglomerations by using Institution-Economy-Technology-Behaviour (IETB) conceptual model. Through this research, we know that reducing the carbon emissions is a priority in energy transition and increasing the utilization of renewable energy has become the consensus in the three urban agglomerations. In addition, reasonable energy development policies can impel the energy investment and the technology innovation to accelerate energy transition. Moreover, in the designated “highly polluting” industry sectors, energy supply enterprises and energy-consuming enterprises establish green-development incentive mechanisms and adopt technological innovation in order to promote energy transition.
The Feedback Effect of Rare Earth Development Policy on Economy and Society
Authors: Ma Jie , Li Menglian
Published: January 2021

China is rich in rare earths (RE). However, the exploitation of rare earths not only promoted the social and economic development, but also produced negative environmental externalities, so the relevant departments issued policies and regulations to carry out pollution control work. This paper made a macroanalysis of China firstly. And then this paper took Jiangxi province as the main research area, which compared with Inner Mongolia, Guangdong, Sichuan and Fujian. This paper used the method of non-radial SBM to measure policy execution efficiency. Based on calculating the social and economic development indicator, economic development and social development indicator, this paper explored the feedback correlation of policy execution efficiency and the development of society and economy by grey relational analysis. The results showed that China reduced its dependence on rare earth resources. However, the efficiency of policy implementation needs to be improved. Effective implementation of rare earth industry policy has a feedback effect on social and economic development. From the perspective of case analysis, the implementation efficiency of vegetation destruction policy in Jiangxi province is higher than that of air pollution policy. The overall policy implementation efficiency of Jiangxi province has a strong feedback effect on the overall level of social and economic development, among which the air pollution and water pollution policy implementation efficiency has a relatively obvious feedback effect on social and economic development.
Influence of cement slurry heat release on physical properties of marine hydrate reservoirs during well cementing
Authors: Zheng Mingming , Wang Xiaoyu , Wang Zhilin , Zhou Kerui , Wang Kai , Dong Gang , Liu Tianle
Published: January 2021

Natural gas hydrates gradually become the focus of new energy resources, and the study of hydrate exploitation is growing vigorously during recent years. Well cementing is an important process during energy exploitation, especially when encounters hydrate bearing sediments in deep-water oil and gas drilling, showing great research significance and becoming a research hotspot. In this study, the exploratory well of SH2 of GMGS-1 project is chosen as the object of study, a cementing model of two dimensions based on this exploratory well is build, the invasion process of cement slurry is reappeared by TOUGH+HYDRATE, and the physical properties response of hydrate reservoirs during the cementing process is analyzed based on the numerical simulation data. In which, a view of “continuous stage simulation” to solve the problem of dynamic heat release of cement slurry is created and used for the first time. Result illustrated that the invasion behavior of cement slurry almost only occurred during the stage of holding pressure, the temperature has significantly increased in the area of reservoir which is invaded by cement slurry. At the same time, a large amount of decomposed hydrate have generated gas and water, which form high pressure region and transfer toward the deeper of reservoir. However, the variation in the temperature is not significant and the hydrate barely no longer decomposed in those area which outside or even though close to this area. There also have generated secondary hydrate closed to the area of decomposition and formed high saturation zone of hydrate. The results also proved the feasibility of “continuous stage simulation”, and played a guiding significance for the field well cementing.
The effect of climate change on building heating and cooling energy demand in China
Authors: Bai Lujian , Song Bing
Published: January 2021

Climate has a key impact on building energy efficiency. The impact of climate change on heating and cooling degree-days of China during the past 60 years was studied in this paper. The meteorological data of 613 cities published by National Climate Center of China was applied in this research. The study results showed that the impact of climate change on the spatial distribution characteristics of heating and cooling degree-days is obvious. The area with HDD18 °C over 2000 d·°C has dramatic shrunk during recent 30 years compared with the period from 1964 to 1983, while the area with CDD26 °C over 90 d·°C has expanded during recent 30 years. The impact of climate change on the HDD18 °C and CDD26 °C of each city is inhomogeneity. The decrease of HDD18 °C mainly occurred in the north and northwest of China, and the increase of CDD26 mainly occurred in the southeast of China. The outcomes of this paper may provide a theoretical basis for building energy efficiency design in future.
Measurement, Temporal-spatial Evolution Characteristics and Countermeasures of High-quality Agricultural Development in China
Authors: Zhao Yu , Zhu Jichan , Zhang Yu
Published: January 2021

The evaluation system of China’s high-quality agricultural development is constructed from four aspects: efficiency improvement, innovation-driven, green development, and coordinated sharing, which level is measured based on the entropy weight method (EWM), Besides, using the Theil index decomposition, spatial clustering and convergence theory, this paper analyzes the temporal-spatial evolution characteristics of high-quality agricultural development from 2003 to 2017. The results show that it has obvious spatial agglomeration and convergence in China. First, the quality of China’s agricultural development has steadily improved; besides, the provinces with it are mainly concentrated in the major grain-producing areas in the Northeast Plain and the Yangtze River Basin. Second, it is characterized by conditional convergence in China, and there are also club convergence in major grain-producing areas and non-major grain-producing areas. Third, the conditional convergence rate is 0.067-0.071, the half-life is about 11-12 years, the conditional convergence rate of the main and the non-main production area are 0.095 and 0.075, and the half-life is about 8 years and 10 years, respectively. Finally, combined with the specific statistical indicators, this paper sorted out the reasons restricting the high-quality development of agriculture in various regions and put forward the corresponding countermeasures.
Variable bandwidth kernel regression estimation
Authors: Nakarmi Janet , Sang Hailin , Ge Lin
Published: January 2021

In this paper we propose a variable bandwidth kernel regression estimator fori.i.d. observations in ℝ2to improve the classical Nadaraya-Watson estimator. The bias is improved to the order ofO(hn4) under the condition that the fifth order derivative of the density function and the sixth order derivative of the regression function are bounded and continuous. We also establish the central limit theorems for the proposed ideal and true variable kernel regression estimators. The simulation study confirms our results and demonstrates the advantage of the variable bandwidth kernel method over the classical kernel method.