bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detecting early myocardial ischemia in rat heart by MALDI imaging mass spectrometry
Authors: Aljakna Khan Aleksandra , Bararpour Nasim , Gorka Marie , Joye Timothée , Morel Sandrine , Montessuit Christophe A. , Grabherr Silke , Fracasso Tony , Augsburger Marc , Kwak Brenda R. , Thomas Aurélien , Sabatasso Sara
Published: March 2021

Diagnostics of myocardial infarction in human post-mortem hearts can be achieved only if ischemia persisted for at least 6–12 h when certain morphological changes appear in myocardium. The initial 4 h of ischemia is difficult to diagnose due to lack of a standardized method. Developing a panel of molecular tissue markers is a promising approach and can be accelerated by characterization of molecular changes. This study is the first untargeted metabolomic profiling of ischemic myocardium during the initial 4 h directly from tissue section. Ischemic hearts from an ex-vivo Langendorff model were analysed using matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI IMS) at 15 min, 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, and 4 h. Region-specific molecular changes were identified even in absence of evident histological lesions and were segregated by unsupervised cluster analysis. Significantly differentially expressed features were detected by multivariate analysis starting at 15 min while their number increased with prolonged ischemia. The biggest significant increase at 15 min was observed for m/z 682.1294 (likely corresponding to S-NADHX—a damage product of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH)). Based on the previously reported role of NAD+/NADH ratio in regulating localization of the sodium channel (Nav1.5) at the plasma membrane, Nav1.5 was evaluated by immunofluorescence. As expected, a fainter signal was observed at the plasma membrane in the predicted ischemic region starting 30 min of ischemia and the change became the most pronounced by 4 h. Metabolomic changes occur early during ischemia, can assist in identifying markers for post-mortem diagnostics and improve understanding of molecular mechanisms.
Comparative transcriptome and metabolome profiling reveal molecular mechanisms underlying OsDRAP1-mediated salt tolerance in rice
Authors: Wang Yinxiao , Huang Liyu , Du Fengping , Wang Juan , Zhao Xiuqin , Li Zhikang , Wang Wensheng , Xu Jianlong , Fu Binying
Published: March 2021

Integration of transcriptomics and metabolomics data can provide detailed information for better understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying salt tolerance in rice. In the present study, we report a comprehensive analysis of the transcriptome and metabolome of rice overexpressing theOsDRAP1gene, which encodes an ERF transcription factor and was previously identified to be conferring drought tolerance. Phenotypic analysis showed thatOsDRAP1overexpression (OE) improved salt tolerance by increasing the survival rate under salt stress.OsDRAP1affected the physiological indices such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) to enhance redox homeostasis and membrane stability in response to salt stress. Higher basal expression ofOsDRAP1resulted in differential expression of genes that potentially function in intrinsic salt tolerance. A core set of genes with distinct functions in transcriptional regulation, organelle gene expression and ion transport were substantially up-regulated in the OE line in response to salt stress, implying their important role inOsDRAP1-mediated salt tolerance. Correspondingly, metabolome profiling detected a number of differentially metabolites in the OE line relative to the wild type under salt stress. These metabolites, including amino acids (proline, valine), organic acids (glyceric acid, phosphoenolpyruvic acid and ascorbic acid) and many secondary metabolites, accumulated to higher levels in the OE line, demonstrating their role in salt tolerance. Integration of transcriptome and metabolome analysis highlights the crucial role of amino acids and carbohydrate metabolism pathways inOsDRAP1-mediated salt tolerance.
The discovery of a novel knockdown resistance (kdr) mutation A1007G on Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) from Malaysia
Authors: Zuharah Wan Fatma , Sufian Maryam
Published: March 2021

The usage of insecticide rendered the successful vector control program with the high usage of the pyrethroid. However, the intensive and extensive use of pyrethroid, causing resistance in Aedesaegypti and hampered the control program. Knockdown resistance (kdr) resulting from the Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel (VGSC) is one of the mechanisms of resistance in pyrethroid group insecticide. Investigating the phenotypic status of Ae.aegypti mosquitoes is a lead in knowing the current resistance status and as an indicator of the genotypic resistance. In this study, we investigate the resistance in phenotypic and genotypic of Ae.aegypti with a new kdr mutation point A1007G was detected. Using the adult bioassay, we tested the phenotypic resistance from the Selangor state against 0.75% permethrin, 0.05% deltamethrin with and without the addition of PBO synergist. Permethrin-resistant and deltamethrin-resistant, including susceptible samples, were subjected to genotyping analysis on mutation point in domain II and domain III of Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel (VGSC). Adult bioassay revealed that the Ae.aegypti was highly resistance toward 0.75% permethrin and 0.05% deltamethrin. The bioassay with the presence of PBO synergist showed an increment of mortality rate, but Ae.aegypti status is still resistance towards both insecticides. Genotyping result showed that three common kdr mutations (S989P, V1016G, and F1534C) have existed in the Ae.aegypti population. A new novel mutation on A1007G was also detected in this population, which is the first time reported. This study has brought a piece of information on the current resistance status in Ae.aegypti in Malaysia. The detection of new mutation point of A1007G has added the knowledge on the resistance in mosquitoes. Thus, this study will aid with the decision making in the usage of insecticides in the vector control program; before this invaluable insecticide rendered ineffective in killing mosquitoes.
Agreement and reliability of the Feline Grimace Scale among cat owners, veterinarians, veterinary students and nurses
Authors: Evangelista Marina C. , Steagall Paulo V.
Published: March 2021

This study aimed to evaluate the agreement and reliability of the Feline Grimace Scale (FGS) among cat owners, veterinarians, veterinary students and nurses/technicians. Raters (n = 5/group) scored 100 images using the FGS (ear position, orbital tightening, muzzle tension, whiskers position and head position). Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to assess inter- and intra-rater reliability. Agreement between each group and the veterinarian group (gold-standard) was calculated using the Bland–Altman method. Effects of gender, age and number of cats owned on FGS scores were assessed using linear mixed models. Inter-rater reliability was good for FGS final scores (ICC > 0.8). The muzzle and whiskers yielded lower reliability (ICC = 0.39 to 0.74). Intra-rater reliability was excellent for students and veterinarians (ICC = 0.91), and good for owners and nurses (ICC = 0.87 and 0.81, respectively). A very good agreement between all groups and veterinarians (bias < 0.1 and narrow limits of agreement) was observed. Female raters assigned higher FGS scores than males (p = 0.006); however, male raters were underrepresented in this study. Scores were not affected by age or number of cats owned. The FGS is reliable for feline acute pain assessment when used by individuals with different experience.
Shared associations identify causal relationships between gene expression and immune cell phenotypes
Authors: Gasperi Christiane , Chun Sung , Sunyaev Shamil R. , Cotsapas Chris
Published: March 2021

Genetic mapping studies have identified thousands of associations between common variants and hundreds of human traits. Translating these associations into mechanisms is complicated by two factors: they fall into gene regulatory regions; and they are rarely mapped to one causal variant. One way around these limitations is to find groups of traits that share associations, using this genetic link to infer a biological connection. Here, we assess how many trait associations in the same locus are due to the same genetic variant, and thus shared; and if these shared associations are due to causal relationships between traits. We find that only a subset of traits share associations, with many due to causal relationships rather than pleiotropy. We therefore suggest that simply observing overlapping associations at a genetic locus is insufficient to infer causality; direct evidence of shared associations is required to support mechanistic hypotheses in genetic studies of complex traits.
A near-infrared emitting MOF: controlled encapsulation of a fluorescein sensitizer at the time of crystal growth
Authors: Collet Guillaume , Hrvat Antonio , Eliseeva Svetlana V. , Besnard Céline , Kovalenko Anton , Petoud Stéphane
Published: March 2021

Pore-entrapped fluorescein molecules act as antenna to sensitize the NIR emission of Yb3+ cations of the MOF structure.
Ab initio investigation of the role of the d-states occupation on the adsorption properties of H2, CO, CH4 and CH3OH on the Fe13, Co13, Ni13 and Cu13 clusters
Authors: Felício-Sousa Priscilla , Andriani Karla F. , Da Silva Juarez L. F.
Published: March 2021

Here, we report a theoretical investigation, based on density functional theory, into the role of the d-states occupation on the adsorption properties of CH4, CO, H2 and CH3OH on 3d 13-atom transition-metal (TM13) clusters (TM = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu).
Drastic improvement in detection limits in energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence geometry utilizing micro-focused bremsstrahlung excitation in thin-film sample specimen
Authors: Sanyal Kaushik , Kanrar Buddhadev , Dhara Sangita
Published: March 2021

Lowest detection limit achieved down to 0.4–4 ng mL−1 till date in a lab based XRF instrument.
Energy and economic advantages of simultaneous hydrogen and biogas production in microbial electrolysis cells as a function of the applied voltage and biomass content
Authors: Segundo-Aguilar Ariadna , González-Gutiérrez Linda V. , Payá Víctor Climent , Feliu Juan , Buitrón Germán , Cercado Bibiana
Published: March 2021

Simultaneous dual production of hydrogen and methane at 0.43 V and 65% biomass enables an economic benefit of 0.010 USD per kg COD removed.
In situ synthesis of methane using Ag–GDC composite electrodes in a tubular solid oxide electrolytic cell: new insight into the role of oxide ion removal
Authors: Biswas Saheli , Kulkarni Aniruddha P. , Fini Daniel , Giddey Sarbjit , Bhattacharya Sankar
Published: March 2021

In situ synthesis of methane in a single-temperature zone SOEC in the absence of any methanation catalyst is a completely electrochemical phenomenon governed by the thermodynamic equilibrium of various reactions.
Identification of carbon deposition and its removal in solid oxide fuel cells by applying a non-conventional diagnostic tool
Authors: Subotić Vanja , Harter Philipp , Kusnezoff Mihails , Napporn Teko W. , Schroettner Hartmuth , Hochenauer Christoph
Published: March 2021

Non-conventional online monitoring tools enable identification of the degradation in solid oxide fuel cells at its preliminary stage.
High-performance Zn2SnO4anodes enabled by MOF-derived MnO decoration and carbon confinement for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Chen Hongyan , Zhou Jiajing , Guo Fuyuan , Wang Yaqian , Chen Yue , Liang Yan , Xu Yunlong , Zhang Huang
Published: March 2021

Materials optimization of Zn2SnO4composites by incorporating biomass and metal–organic framework derivatives was proposed for high-energy lithium-ion batteries.
Polarization-dependence of the Raman response of free-standing strained Ce0.8Gd0.2O2 membranes
Authors: Konetschny Alexander , Weinhold Marcel , Heiliger Christian , Elm Matthias T. , Klar Peter J.
Published: March 2021

Polarization-dependent measurements show that the Raman signal of free-standing strained GDC membranes is a superposition of three modes originating from the F2g mode. Thus, a different average Raman shift is found for the light polarizations used.
Can the sensitivity of energetic materials be tuned by using hydrogen bonds? Another look at the role of hydrogen bonding in the design of high energetic compounds
Authors: Kretić Danijela S. , Radovanović Jelena I. , Veljković Dušan Ž.
Published: March 2021

The influence of hydrogen bonding on the electrostatic potentials and sensitivity of selected energetic molecules was studied by quantum chemical calculations.
Electrochemical oxidative synthesis of 1,3,4-thiadiazoles from isothiocyanates and hydrazones
Authors: Ma Zhongxiao , Hu Xiao , Li Yanni , Liang Deqiang , Dong Ying , Wang Baoling , Li Weili
Published: March 2021

A metal- and oxidant-free electrosynthesis of 2-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazoles through tandem addition/chemoselective C–S coupling.
A series of meroterpenoids with rearranged skeletons from an endophytic fungus Penicillium sp. GDGJ-285
Authors: Mo Tu-Xiang , Huang Xi-Shan , Zhang Wen-Xiu , Schäberle Till F. , Qin Jiang-Ke , Zhou De-Xiong , Qin Xiao-Ya , Xu Zhao-Long , Li Jun , Yang Rui-Yun
Published: March 2021

Five new meroterpenoids (1–5), including three novel skeleton meroterpenoids, peniclactones A–C (1–3), and two new isoaustinone analogues (4 and 5), 6-hydroxyisoaustinone (4) and 6-ketoisoaustinone (5), were isolated from the fungus Penicillium sp. GDGJ-285.
Studying protein folding in health and disease using biophysical approaches
Authors: Zhang Hong , Gong Weibin , Wu Si , Perrett Sarah
Published: March 2021

Protein folding is crucial for normal physiology including development and healthy aging, and failure of this process is related to the pathology of diseases including neurodegeneration and cancer. Early thermodynamic and kinetic studies based on the unfolding and refolding equilibrium of individual proteins in the test tube have provided insight into the fundamental principles of protein folding, although the problem of predicting how any given protein will fold remains unsolved. Protein folding within cells is a more complex issue than folding of purified protein in isolation, due to the complex interactions within the cellular environment, including post-translational modifications of proteins, the presence of macromolecular crowding in cells, and variations in the cellular environment, for example in cancer versus normal cells. Development of biophysical approaches including fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques and cellular manipulations including microinjection and insertion of noncanonical amino acids has allowed the study of protein folding in living cells. Furthermore, biophysical techniques such as single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy and optical tweezers allows studies of simplified systems at the single molecular level. Combining in-cell techniques with the powerful detail that can be achieved from single-molecule studies allows the effects of different cellular components including molecular chaperones to be monitored, providing us with comprehensive understanding of the protein folding process. The application of biophysical techniques to the study of protein folding is arming us with knowledge that is fundamental to the battle against cancer and other diseases related to protein conformation or protein–protein interactions.
Affinity maturation: highlights in the application of in vitro strategies for the directed evolution of antibodies
Authors: Chan Denice T.Y. , Groves Maria A.T.
Published: March 2021

Affinity maturation is a key technique in protein engineering which is used to improve affinity and binding interactions in vitro, a process often required to fulfil the therapeutic potential of antibodies. There are many available display technologies and maturation methods developed over the years, which have been instrumental in the production of therapeutic antibodies. However, due to the inherent limitations in display capacity of these technologies, accommodation of expansive and complex library builds is still a challenge. In this article, we discuss our recent efforts in the affinity maturation of a difficult antibody lineage using an unbiased approach, which sought to explore a larger sequence space through the application of DNA recombination and shuffling techniques across the entire antibody region and selections using ribosome display. We also highlight the key features of several display technologies and diversification methods, and discuss the strategies devised by different groups in response to different challenges. Particular attention is drawn to examples which are aimed at the expansion of sequence, structural or experimental diversity through different means and approaches. Here, we provide our perspectives on these methodologies and the considerations involved in the design of effective strategies for the directed evolution of antibodies.
COVID-19 – die praxisorientierte Perspektive von Advanced Practice Nurses
Authors: Keienburg Christa , Kilian Jessica , Pelz Sabrina
Published: March 2021

COVID-19 stellt die klinische Gesundheitsversorgung vor große Herausforderungen. Unspezifische Symptome, der divergente Krankheitsverlauf, eingeschränkte medikamentöse Optionen sowie die sich schnell wandelnden Erkenntnisse erschweren die intensivpflegerische Versorgung. Zusätzlich beeinflussen zusätzliche strenge Isolations- und Desinfektionsmaßnahmen den Pflegealltag. Professionelle Pflege kann und sollte nicht ohne Nähe zum Menschen stattfinden. Die Ergebnisse, Erfahrungen, Strategien und Gedanken aus unserer Arbeitsgruppe Critical Care des Deutschen Netzwerks für Advanced Practice Nursing g. e. V. über COVID-19 möchten wir aus der Expertise als APNs veröffentlichen.
Novel cryoballoon 180° ablation system for treatment of Barrett’s esophagus-related neoplasia: a first-in-human study
Authors: Overwater Anouk , van Munster Sanne N. , Nagengast Wouter B. , Pouw Roos E. , Bergman Jacques J. G. H. M. , Schoon Erik J. , Weusten Bas L. A. M.
Published: March 2021

Background The novel 180° cryoballoon (CbAS180) enables semicircumferential treatment over a length of 3 cm per application. This first-in-human study evaluates its feasibility, efficacy, and safety for the treatment of Barrett’s esophagus (BE) neoplasia.

Methods This multicenter study consisted of dose-finding and extension phases. Dose-finding started with the lowest dose possible (1.0 mm/s). For each dose, six patients were treated circumferentially over a 3-cm length. The dose was increased until the median BE regression was ≥ 60 % without serious adverse events (SAEs). In the extension phase, the dose was confirmed in 19 new patients. The outcomes were technical success, BE regression after one treatment, and SAEs.

Results 25 patients (median Prague C0M3) were included (6 dose-finding/19 extension). In two patients, the CbAS180 could not be applied because of unstable balloon positioning. The technical success rate was 96 % (22 /23). In the six dose-finding patients, the starting dose resulted in median BE regression of 94 % (95 % confidence interval [CI] 60 %–97 %) without SAEs and was thus considered effective. Overall median BE regression was 80 % (95 %CI 60 %–90 %).

Conclusion Single-session CbAS180 seems feasible, safe, and effective, and is a promising technique for the treatment of patients with BE neoplasia.
Physician Workflow in Two Distinctive Emergency Departments: An Observational Study
Authors: Patel Vimla L. , Denton Courtney A. , Soni Hiral C. , Kannampallil Thomas G. , Traub Stephen J. , Shapiro Jason S.
Published: March 2021

Objectives We characterize physician workflow in two distinctive emergency departments (ED). Physician practices mediated by electronic health records (EHR) are explored within the context of organizational complexity for the delivery of care.

Methods Two urban clinical sites, including an academic teaching ED, were selected. Fourteen physicians were recruited. Overall, 62 hours of direct clinical observations were conducted characterizing clinical activities (EHR use, team communication, and patient care). Data were analyzed using qualitative open-coding techniques and descriptive statistics. Timeline belts were used to represent temporal events.

Results At site 1, physicians, engaged in more team communication, followed by direct patient care. Although physicians spent 61% of their clinical time at workstations, only 25% was spent on the EHR, primarily for clinical documentation and review. Site 2 physicians engaged primarily in direct patient care spending 52% of their time at a workstation, and 31% dedicated to EHRs, focused on chart review. At site 1, physicians showed nonlinear complex workflow patterns with a greater frequency of multitasking and interruptions, resulting in workflow fragmentation. In comparison, at site 2, a less complex environment with a unique patient assignment system, resulting in a more linear workflow pattern.

Conclusion The nature of the clinical practice and EHR-mediated workflow reflects the ED work practices. Physicians in more complex organizations may be less efficient because of the fragmented workflow. However, these effects can be mitigated by effort distribution through team communication, which affords inherent safety checks.
A Perioperative Care Display for Understanding High Acuity Patients
Authors: Novak Laurie Lovett , Wanderer Jonathan , Owens David A. , Fabbri Daniel , Genkins Julian Z. , Lasko Thomas A.
Published: March 2021

Background The data visualization literature asserts that the details of the optimal data display must be tailored to the specific task, the background of the user, and the characteristics of the data. The general organizing principle of a concept-oriented display is known to be useful for many tasks and data types.

Objectives In this project, we used general principles of data visualization and a co-design process to produce a clinical display tailored to a specific cognitive task, chosen from the anesthesia domain, but with clear generalizability to other clinical tasks. To support the work of the anesthesia-in-charge (AIC) our task was, for a given day, to depict the acuity level and complexity of each patient in the collection of those that will be operated on the following day. The AIC uses this information to optimally allocate anesthesia staff and providers across operating rooms.

Methods We used a co-design process to collaborate with participants who work in the AIC role. We conducted two in-depth interviews with AICs and engaged them in subsequent input on iterative design solutions.

Results Through a co-design process, we found (1) the need to carefully match the level of detail in the display to the level required by the clinical task, (2) the impedance caused by irrelevant information on the screen such as icons relevant only to other tasks, and (3) the desire for a specific but optional trajectory of increasingly detailed textual summaries.

Conclusion This study reports a real-world clinical informatics development project that engaged users as co-designers. Our process led to the user-preferred design of a single binary flag to identify the subset of patients needing further investigation, and then a trajectory of increasingly detailed, text-based abstractions for each patient that can be displayed when more information is needed.
A Unique Case of Replantation of Previously Replanted Fingers
Authors: Bharathi Ravindra , Bhardwaj Praveen , Varadharajan Vigneswaran , Venkatramani Hari , Sabapathy S Raja
Published: March 2021

Replantation of digital amputations is now the accepted standard of care. However, rarely will a replantation surgeon be presented with amputated fingers which have been previously replanted. In our literature search, we could find only one publication where a replanted thumb suffered amputation and was successfully replanted again. We report the technical challenges and the outcome of replanting two fingers which suffered amputation 40 months after the initial replantation and were successfully replanted again. Replantation was critical since the amputated fingers were the only two complete fingers in that hand which had initially suffered a four-finger amputation. The second-time replantation of previously replanted fingers is reported to allay the concern of the reconstructive surgeon when faced with this unique situation of “repeat amputation of the replanted finger.” Second-time replantation is feasible and is associated with high-patient satisfaction. Replantation must be attempted especially in the event of multiple digit amputations.
Investigation of Tissue Transglutaminase Antibody Normalization in Response to Gluten-Free Diet in Children with Celiac Disease
Authors: Ebrahimi Mohsen Pour , Alimadadi Hosein , Najafi Mehri , Vasei Mohammad , Rahmani Parisa
Published: March 2021

A very limited amount of data are available regarding the follow-up of celiac disease (CD) treatment in Iran. The aim of this study is to investigate antitissue transglutaminase (atTG) normalization interval and the associated factors in CD patients. This retrospective study included CD patients enrolled in Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. The initial atTG titer and histological evaluation (with Marsh grade ≥2) were recorded. The atTG titer was assessed in each follow-up until the time of normalization where children were strictly on gluten-free diet. The age at the time of diagnosis, gender, Marsh grade at the time of diagnosis, other comorbidities, and family history of CD patients were recorded to determine the association of these factors with antibody normalization interval. In total, 71 patients were recruited in the study of which 34 (47.89%) subjects had atTG level below 20 U/mL at the average interval of 31.36 ( ±  2.89) months (95% confidence interval: 25.7–37.02). There was no significant difference between the antibody normalization interval and different age ranges and Marsh grade. Cox regression demonstrated that gender, age ranges, Marsh grade, positive family history of CD, and the presence of comorbidities did not significantly predict longer antibody normalization interval.
High-power solid-state amplifier for superconducting radio frequency cavity test facility
Authors: Jain Akhilesh , Sharma Deepak Kumar , Gupta Alok Kumar , Pathak Kriti , Lad M. R.
Published: March 2021

A horizontal test facility is set up at the Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology to test the superconducting radio frequency dressed cavities. Along with the cryomodule, control instrumentation, and the power coupler, this facility incorporates a high-power solid-state amplifier for establishing the desired cavity voltage gradient during the testing. This article describes the design, construction, rigorous testing, and measured results of this high-power solid-state radio frequency amplifier and its constituent components. Its maximum output power is 36 kW (average) at the operating frequency of 650 MHz. Its main features are its modular and scalable design with in-house developed constituent components. These components include 500 W, 20 dB gain modules, novel two-tier radial dividers, combiners, power sensors, and aperture-coupled directional couplers. Their excellent reprise performance for the multiple quantities confirms the design methodology presented here. The measured wall plug efficiency of this 36 kW amplifier is 43.6%, and its power gain is 86 dB. The designed radial combiner is highly efficient (power-combining efficiency of 98.4%), and the directional coupler exhibits a very low loss (insertion loss of 0.05 dB).
Hydrogenation driven structural transformation and adjustable electronic properties of epitaxial La0.3Sr0.7MnO3−
δ
films
Authors: Jin Dun , Hu Sixia , Huang Haoliang , Qiu Peiqi , Lu Yalin , Zeng Xierong , Zhou Haiping , Li Xiaohua , Huang Chuanwei
Published: March 2021

Manganites (R1−xAxMnO3, R = rare-earth cation and A = alkali or alkaline earth cation) host an immense number of phases and electronic properties, which can be mainly manipulated through conventional structural control such as metallic cations, oxygen concentration, or misfit strain. However, their practical applications are heavily hindered due to the requirement of rigid synthesis conditions and prolonged treatment time. Herein, a subtle hydrogenation of canonical epitaxial La0.3Sr0.7MnO3 films gives rise to a series of structural transformations ranging from the perovskite to the intermediate state and to the brownmillerite one, accompanied by tunable electronic performances from the antiferromagnetic insulating phase to the weak magnetic insulating one. Moreover, the hydrogenated La0.3Sr0.7MnO3−δ films show an ultra-high magnetic temperature (>400 K). The efficient modulations of the crystalline structure and functionalities of manganite oxides using the facile hydrogenation process enable practical applications of high-temperature magnetic insulators in spintronic devices.
Two enantiomeric perovskite ferroelectrics with a high Tc raised by inserting intermolecular hydrogen bonds
Authors: Ye Hui , Hu Wang-Hua , Xu Wei-Jian , Zeng Ying , Chen Xiao-Xian , Huang Rui-Kang , Zhang Wei-Xiong , Chen Xiao-Ming
Published: March 2021

Molecular ferroelectrics have promising potential as next-generation flexible electronic materials by the advantage of flexibility, structural tunability, and easy processability. However, an obstacle in expanding their promising applications is effectively raising the ferroelectric transition temperature (Tc) necessary for practical applications, especially under high-temperature operating conditions. Herein, taking the advantage of a hydroxyl group that could form stronger hydrogen bonds to insert/tune host–guest and guest–guest interactions, we employed the 3-hydroxypyrrolidine cation to construct two new enantiomeric hexagonal perovskite ferroelectrics, (R)-3-OH-(C4H9N)[CdCl3] and (S)-3-OH-(C4H9N)[CdCl3]. Both of them undergo a ferroelectric phase transition from C2221 to P21 with a high Tc of 350 K, which is 110 K and 47 K higher than that of their parent compound (C4H10N)[CdCl3] (240 K) and F-substituted analogues (R/S)-3-F-(C4H9N)[CdCl3] (303 K), respectively. These findings well demonstrate that, besides the F-substitution strategy, an OH-substitution strategy provides an important and practical way in designing high-Tc ferroelectrics.
An improved multiphase lattice Boltzmann flux solver for the simulation of incompressible flow with large density ratio and complex interface
Authors: Yang Liuming , Shu Chang , Chen Zhen , Hou Guoxiang , Wang Yan
Published: March 2021

The recently developed multiphase lattice Boltzmann flux solver (MLBFS) overcomes the limitations in the multiphase lattice Boltzmann method (MLBM), such as the coupled time step and mesh step, uniform meshes, and complex distribution functions (DFs) treatment at the boundary. Unlike the original MLBFS deduced from the standard lattice Boltzmann method, an improved multiphase lattice Boltzmann flux solver (IMLBFS) is proposed based on the Chapman–Enskog analysis of the MLBM which has a source term stemming from the density contrast and surface tension force. In this way, the surface tension force is considered when reconstructing the numerical interface fluxes, which gives the present method stronger physical basis. As a result, the IMLBFS is more stable than the MLBFS. Moreover, the IMLBFS simplifies the process of reconstructing interface fluxes and avoids the complicated calculation of the source term in the MLBM. Some moments of the DFs and source terms are directly given as macroscopic variables to avoid additional computations and storage. This strategy ensures that the IMLBFS even has higher computational efficiency than the MLBFS. To test the proposed IMBFS for large-density-ratio flows, complex interfacial changes and high Reynolds number (up to 10 000), several typical problems are studied, including the static Laplace law, the droplet spreading on a flat surface, the unsteady Rayleigh–Taylor instability, the bubble rising under buoyancy, and the droplet splashing on a thin film. Simulations suggest that the present method predicts smaller spurious velocities, and it is more stable and efficient than the original MLBFS.
From single-particle-like to interaction-mediated plasmonic resonances in graphene nanoantennas
Authors: Müller Marvin M. , Kosik Miriam , Pelc Marta , Bryant Garnett W. , Ayuela Andrés , Rockstuhl Carsten , Słowik Karolina
Published: March 2021

Plasmonic nanostructures attract tremendous attention as they confine electromagnetic fields well below the diffraction limit while simultaneously sustaining extreme local field enhancements. To fully exploit these properties, the identification and classification of resonances in such nanostructures is crucial. Recently, a novel figure of merit for resonance classification has been proposed [Müller et al., J. Phys. Chem. C 124, 24331–24343 (2020)] and its applicability was demonstrated mostly to toy model systems. This novel measure, the energy-based plasmonicity index (EPI), characterizes the nature of resonances in molecular nanostructures. The EPI distinguishes between either a single-particle-like or a plasmonic nature of resonances based on the energy space coherence dynamics of the excitation. To advance the further development of this newly established measure, we present here its exemplary application to characterize the resonances of graphene nanoantennas. In particular, we focus on resonances in a doped nanoantenna. The structure is of interest, as a consideration of the electron dynamics in real space might suggest a plasmonic nature of selected resonances in the low doping limit but our analysis reveals the opposite. We find that in the undoped and moderately doped nanoantenna, the EPI classifies all emerging resonances as predominantly single-particle-like, and only after doping the structure heavily, the EPI observes plasmonic response.
Flame self-interactions in an open turbulent jet spray flame
Authors: Malkeson S. P. , Ahmed U. , Pillai A. L. , Chakraborty N. , Kurose R.
Published: March 2021

A three-dimensional direct numerical simulation database of an open turbulent jet spray flame representing a laboratory-scale burner configuration has been analyzed to investigate flame self-interactions (FSIs) in the presence of flow induced shear, to the best of the authors' knowledge, for the first time. The FSI occurrences [i.e., unburned gas mixture pockets (UBGPs), tunnel formations (TFs), tunnel closures (TCs), and burned gas mixture pockets (BGPs)] have been identified across the flame at different axial locations. It has been found that the interplays between turbulence, droplet evaporation, and chemistry have a significant influence on the topological nature of the flame surface. Close to the jet exit, the FSI events are found to occur toward the burned gas side of the flame, but moving further away from the jet exit, there are significant occurrences of FSI events within the flame where increasingly fuel-rich, low Damköhler number conditions occur. In this study, the FSI events have been found to be predominantly TFs and TCs, which is consistent with previous analyses of turbulent premixed flames and combustion of droplet-laden mixtures. However, non-negligible occurrences of UBGPs and BGPs are also observed in this case. The results obtained from this analysis have important implications from a modeling perspective where flame topologies have a significant influence on the nature of the flame surface, which will, in turn, affect the flame-surface based modeling approaches. Accordingly, the findings of the current analysis may need to be accounted for during the development of flame surface-based closures in the context of turbulent spray flames.
Confining and channeling sound through coupled resonators
Authors: Zhou Yun , Bandaru Prabhakar R. , Sievenpiper Daniel F.
Published: March 2021

Confining sound is of significant importance for the manipulation and routing of acoustic waves. We propose a Helmholtz resonator (HR) based subwavelength sound channel formed at the interface of two metamaterials for this purpose. The confinement is quantified through (i) a substantial reduction of the pressure and (ii) an increase in a specific acoustic impedance (defined by the ratio of the local pressure to the sound velocity)—to a very large value outside the channel. The sound confinement is robust to frequency as well as spatial disorder at the interface, as long as the interface related edge mode is situated within the bandgap. A closed acoustic circuit was formed by introducing controlled disorder in the HR units at the corners, indicating the possibility of confining sound to a point.
Control of low-frequency Lamb wave propagation in plates by boundary condition manipulation
Authors: Lissenden Cliff J. , Hakoda Christopher N. , Shokouhi Parisa
Published: March 2021

Locally resonant metasurfaces can control the propagation of Lamb wave modes in a plate. The resonator is typically designed through frequency matching: adjusting its geometry and/or materials properties by trial and error until its resonance frequency matches the frequency of the target Lamb wave mode. We demonstrate that although frequency matching appears effective for controlling the A0 wave mode, it may fail in the case of the S0 mode. This paper proposes a fundamentally different approach to design a specific metasurface to forbid the propagation of a prescribed Lamb wave mode in a plate. The proposed approach is based upon manipulating the boundary conditions on the top surface of the plate. Different types of Cauchy boundary conditions applied to the surface are shown to control the reflections and mode conversions of low-frequency A0 and S0 Lamb waves. Even a small patch with the modified boundary conditions can be effective. Finally, we show that a local “clamping” resonator that assimilates Cauchy boundary conditions on the surface of the plate changes the plate dispersion characteristics resulting in mode conversion and reflection. This finding provides a rational procedure to design a specific metasurface. The surface-mounted resonators enable control of wave propagation in plates without compromising structural integrity, are easily installed, and can be retrofit to the existing planar structures. The numerical results agree well with the experimental results reported in the literature.
Monotone path-connectedness of Chebyshev sets in three-dimensional spaces
Authors: Alimov A. R. , Bednov B. B.
Published: March 2021

We characterize the three-dimensional Banach spaces in which any Chebyshev set is monotone path-connected. Namely, we show that in a three-dimensional space

each Chebyshev set is monotone path- connected if and only if one of the following two conditions is satisfied: any exposed point of the unit sphere of

is a smooth point or

(that is, the unit sphere of

is a cylinder).

Bibliography: 17 titles.
What’s wrong with the Australian River Assessment System (AUSRIVAS)?
Authors: Chessman Bruce C.
Published: March 2021

The Australian River Assessment System (AUSRIVAS or AusRivAS) is a national biomonitoring scheme that supposedly assesses the ‘biological health’ of rivers. AUSRIVAS outputs observed-over-expected (O/E) indices derived from macroinvertebrate survey data obtained both at a site to be assessed and at designated reference sites. However, AUSRIVAS reference sites lack any consistent or quantified status, and, therefore, AUSRIVAS O/E indices have no particular meaning. Moreover, many studies have found AUSRIVAS O/E to be a weak or inconsistent indicator of exposure to anthropogenic or human-influenced stressors. Poor performance by AUSRIVAS may relate to numerous factors including the following: (1) variable reference-site status, (2) inappropriate model predictors, (3) limitations of O/E indices, (4) inconstant sampling methods, and (5) neglect of non-seasonal temporal variability. The indices Ephemeroptera–Plecoptera–Trichoptera (EPT) and stream invertebrate grade number – average level (SIGNAL) provide alternatives that have often outperformed AUSRIVAS O/E in comparative tests. In addition, bioassessment of Australian rivers might be advanced by the development of diagnostic methods to identify the stressors causing ecological impact rather than merely to infer impact intensity and assign quality ratings to assessment sites.
Architecturally complex
O
-glycopeptidases are customized for mucin recognition and hydrolysis
Authors: Pluvinage Benjamin , Ficko-Blean Elizabeth , Noach Ilit , Stuart Christopher , Thompson Nicole , McClure Hayden , Buenbrazo Nakita , Wakarchuk Warren , Boraston Alisdair B.
Published: March 2021

Significance

Host-adapted bacteria, both pathogenic and commensal, have developed multimodular enzymatic systems to cope with the complex glycans found in the host environment, such as the highly competitive gut niche. Among these deployed enzymatic arsenals are
O
-glycopeptidases, which uniquely target proteins with
O
-linked glycan modification. Through meticulous structural and functional analyses, we probe the molecular basis of glycan recognition and illuminate the complete structure of an ultramultimodular
O
-glycopeptidase. This provides extraordinary insight into glycan recognition in the catalytic site of this unique class of peptidase. It also reveals how noncatalytic carbohydrate binding by ancillary modules and substrate recognition in the
O
-glycopeptidase active site can be specifically coordinated in three-dimensional space.
Dynamics of hydraulic and contractile wave-mediated fluid transport duringDrosophilaoogenesis
Authors: Imran Alsous Jasmin , Romeo Nicolas , Jackson Jonathan A. , Mason Frank M. , Dunkel Jörn , Martin Adam C.
Published: March 2021

Significance

Fluid flow plays an important role during oogenesis. From insects to mice, oocytes mature by acquiring cytoplasm from sister germ cells, yet the biological and physical mechanisms underlying this transport process remain poorly understood. To study the dynamics of “nurse cell dumping” in fruit flies, we combined direct imaging with flow-network modeling and found that the intercellular pattern and time scale of transport are in accordance with a fundamental hydraulic pressure law. Changes in actomyosin contractility are observed only in the second phase of nurse cell dumping as surface waves that drive transport to completion. These results show that tandem physical and biological mechanisms are required for complete and directional cytoplasmic transport into the egg cell.
RETRACTED: The imprinted lncRNA
Peg13
regulates sexual preference and the sex-specific brain transcriptome in mice
Authors: Keshavarz Maryam , Tautz Diethard
Published: March 2021

Mammalian genomes include many maternally and paternally imprinted genes. Most of these are also expressed in the brain, and several have been implicated in regulating specific behavioral traits. Here, we have used a knockout approach to study the function of
Peg13
, a gene that codes for a fast-evolving lncRNA (long noncoding RNA) and is part of a complex of imprinted genes on chromosome 15 in mice and chromosome 8 in humans. Mice lacking the 3′ half of the transcript look morphologically wild-type but show distinct behavioral differences. They lose interest in the opposite sex, instead displaying a preference for wild-type animals of the same sex. Further, they show a higher level of anxiety, lowered activity and curiosity, and a deficiency in pup retrieval behavior. Brain RNA expression analysis reveals that genes involved in the serotonergic system, formation of glutamatergic synapses, olfactory processing, and estrogen signaling—as well as more than half of the other known imprinted genes—show significant expression changes in
Peg13
-deficient mice. Intriguingly, these pathways are differentially affected in the sexes, resulting in male and female brains of
Peg13
-deficient mice differing more from each other than those of wild-type mice. We conclude that
Peg13
is part of a developmental pathway that regulates the neurobiology of social and sexual interactions.
Aggression heuristics underlie animal dominance hierarchies and provide evidence of group-level social information
Authors: Hobson Elizabeth A. , Mønster Dan , DeDeo Simon
Published: March 2021

Significance

In animal conflict, the more information individuals have about their social world the better decisions they can make about whom to fight. Determining what animals “know,” however, has proved difficult. We reverse-engineer how information about an individual’s rank structures their aggression. Applying this method to species from ants to primates, we found that while most groups use simple rules to choose fights some groups used more information-rich patterns. A key result is that these information-rich patterns were not restricted to species thought to be more cognitively sophisticated and that their use varied within species. Our work connects sociality with information, provides possibilities for comparative analyses, and opens avenues to study the relationship between individual decision-making and social outcomes.
Elevated cerebrospinal fluid cytokine levels in tuberculous meningitis predict survival in response to dexamethasone
Authors: Whitworth Laura J. , Troll Rajan , Pagán Antonio J. , Roca Francisco J. , Edelstein Paul H. , Troll Mark , Tobin David M. , Phu Nguyen Hoan , Bang Nguyen Duc , Thwaites Guy E. , Thuong Nguyen Thuy Thuong , Sewell Roger F. , Ramakrishnan Lalita
Published: March 2021

Significance

Despite appropriate antibiotic treatment, tuberculous meningitis carries a high mortality ascribed to overexuberant inflammation. Genetic variations in the enzyme, LTA4H, alter inflammation, with individuals carrying the inflammation-associatedLTA4Hvariant benefitting from antiinflammatory steroids administered alongside antibiotics. A prior study found poor correlation betweenLTA4Hgenotype and cerebrospinal fluid levels of cytokines, key mediators of inflammation. The study used “frequentist” statistical methods that can fail to detect true differences. Using Bayesian statistics, which can detect significant differences not found by frequentist methods, we found good correlation betweenLTA4Hgenotype and cytokine levels, and cytokine levels and outcome even independent ofLTA4Hgenotype. These findings suggest that LTA4H and additional inflammation factors affect outcome and suggest tailoring steroid therapy to cytokine levels.