bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrated Wound Recognition in Bandages for Intelligent Treatment
Authors: He Xuecheng , Yang Shijie , Liu Conghui , Xu Tailin , Zhang Xueji
Published: October 2020

The mismatch between irregular wounds and fixed dressings is an important but long‐neglected problem in wound management, which may cause imprecise or incomplete care outcomes. Continuous advances in the internet, Internet of Things, and materials science put forward higher requirements in precise wound treatment. Herein, an integrated wound recognition strategy is demonstrated by extracting digital geometric information of specific irregular wounds. Such online wound image scanning and recognition integrated with offline intelligent material fabrication can greatly reduce incomplete wound closure or potential irritation toward normal tissue around the wound site. As a proof‐of‐concept, an active matrix of Ag‐modified gelatin on bandages demonstrates promising antibacterial properties for practical application. In vivo mouse experiment reveals that wound‐customized bands enable precisely fitting in the irregular wound bed, resulting in accelerating wound healing efficiency. Such wound recognitions in a bandage involve multidisciplinary technology including image identification, computer modeling nanomaterial fabrication and modification, presenting a broad potential of personalized wound healthcare for a wide variety of clinical applications.
Bioinspired Anti‐Plateau–Rayleigh‐Instability on Dual Parallel Fibers
Authors: Wang Pengwei , Zhou Jiajia , Xu Bojie , Lu Cong , Meng Qing'an , Liu Huan
Published: October 2020

The Plateau–Rayleigh instability (PRI) is a well‐known phenomenon where a liquid column always breaks up into droplets to achieve the minimization of surface energy. It normally leads to the non‐uniformity of a liquid film, which, however, is unfavorable for the fluid coating process. So far, strategies to overcome this instability rely on either the surfactants, UV/high‐temp curing treatments, or specific chemical reactions, which suffer from both limited liquid composition and complicated experimental conditions. Natural mulberry silk, a typical composite fiber, is produced by silkworms through a similar fluidic coating process, but exhibits a remarkably uniform and smooth surface. Drawing inspiration, it is revealed that the unique dual parallel fibers are capable of overcoming the PRI during the fluid coating process. Such anti‐PRI ability is attributable to the changes in the Laplace pressure difference caused by the alternative asymmetry of the liquid film, as has been demonstrated by both a force analysis on the irregular liquid film and theoretical simulation according to the stability of the liquid on parallel fibers in the fluid coating process. The strategy is applicable for preparing various smooth functional coatings on fibers, which offers new perspectives for fluid coating and microfluidic technologies.
Tunable Ferromagnetism and Thermally Induced Spin Flip in Vanadium‐Doped Tungsten Diselenide Monolayers at Room Temperature
Authors: Pham Yen Thi Hai , Liu Mingzu , Jimenez Valery Ortiz , Yu Zhuohang , Kalappattil Vijaysankar , Zhang Fu , Wang Ke , Williams Teague , Terrones Mauricio , Phan Manh‐Huong
Published: October 2020

The outstanding optoelectronic and valleytronic properties of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have triggered intense research efforts by the scientific community. An alternative to induce long‐range ferromagnetism (FM) in TMDs is by introducing magnetic dopants to form a dilute magnetic semiconductor. Enhancing ferromagnetism in these semiconductors not only represents a key step toward modern TMD‐based spintronics, but also enables exploration of new and exciting dimensionality‐driven magnetic phenomena. To this end, tunable ferromagnetism at room temperature and a thermally induced spin flip (TISF) in monolayers of V‐doped WSe2 are shown. As vanadium concentration increases, the saturation magnetization increases, which is optimal at ≈4 at% vanadium; the highest doping level ever achieved for V‐doped WSe2 monolayers. The TISF occurs at ≈175 K and becomes more pronounced upon increasing the temperature toward room temperature. The TISF can be manipulated by changing the vanadium concentration. The TISF is attributed to the magnetic‐field‐ and temperature‐dependent flipping of the nearest W‐site magnetic moments that are antiferromagnetically coupled to the V magnetic moments in the ground state. This is fully supported by a recent spin‐polarized density functional theory study. The findings pave the way for the development of novel spintronic and valleytronic nanodevices and stimulate further research.
Six Birds with One Stone: Versatile Nanoporphyrin for Single‐Laser‐Triggered Synergistic Phototheranostics and Robust Immune Activation
Authors: Sun Yue , Zhang Yifan , Gao Ye , Wang Pan , He Gang , Blum Nicholas T. , Lin Jing , Liu Quanhong , Wang Xiaobing , Huang Peng
Published: October 2020

Simultaneous photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) can reduce the risks of drug leakage, body burden, and preparation complexity in traditional combination PDT/PTT. Here, a versatile nanoporphyrin (Pp18‐lipos) self‐assembled from lipid–purpurin 18 conjugates (Pp18‐lipids) and pure lipids is presented. The as‐prepared Pp18‐lipos with 2 mol% Pp18‐lipids can perform effective PDT and fluorescence imaging. The Pp18‐lipos with 65 mol% Pp18 can perform potent PTT and photoacoustic imaging. The chelation of Mn2+ endows the Pp18‐lipids‐Mn2+ a high T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging contrast. Notably, pretreatment of low‐dose PDT facilitates the endocytosis and tumor accumulation of Pp18‐lipos, thus achieving synergistic PDT/PTT. Upon exposure to a single 705 nm‐laser, the combination of PDT/PTT achieves a significantly higher tumor growth inhibition rate than PDT or PTT alone. In addition, it is found that the synergistic PDT/PTT triggers more potent anti‐tumor immune response including tumor infiltration of immune cells and release of related cytokines.
Polydopamine Film Self‐Assembled at Air/Water Interface for Organic Electronic Memory Devices
Authors: Wang Huaping , Jiang Qianqing , Yang Jie , Li Dong , Zhou Xiahong , Cai Le , Yu Gui
Published: October 2020

Memristive devices have shown promising applications in various fields (e.g., non‐volatile memory, reconfigurable switches, and bio‐inspired neuromorphic computing). Despite the significant advances in this field, the exploration of nanomaterials with tunable composition, thickness, dimension, and conductivity for memristive devices is still in great necessity. Here, the transformation of the ultrathin film polydopamine (PDA) obtained at air/water interface from amorphous to quasi‐ordered structure is revealed. Owing to the unique feature, the self‐assembled PDA film at air/water interface is firstly employed as the active material in constructing write‐once‐read‐many‐times (WORM) memory devices. With an increase in the applied electric field, the device shows a switching from high resistance state (HRS, OFF state) to low resistance state (LRS, ON state) with a high ON/OFF current ratio of >103. Furthermore, the abundant amidogen and phenolic hydroxyl group enable the in situ Ag nanoparticle decoration on the PDA film, which can be further used in the construction of anisotropic volatile memristors with a high ON/OFF current ratio (>104), exceptional stability and good integrability.
Anisotropic Stiffness Adhesives for High Shear Forces on Soft Substrates
Authors: van Assenbergh P. , Haring Frank , Dijksman Joshua A. , Dodou Dimitra
Published: October 2020

Reversible attachment on soft substrates is useful in a range of applications, including soft robotics and soft‐tissue surgical instrumentation. On rigid substrates, the use of micropatterned adhesives has been extensively explored. It has been shown that surface micropatterns provide conformability, thereby enabling the formation and preservation of contact with the substrate. On soft, deformable substrates, on the other hand, surface micropatterns largely lose their functionality. Alternative mechanisms have to be explored to maximize conformability and thus formation and preservation of contact on soft substrates. 3D‐printing is used to fabricate adhesives with internal cylindrical pores of various configurations leading to different combinations of high/low normal/shearing stiffness, and shear forces are measured on glass and on soft elastomeric substrates. On the glass substrate, shear forces are highest for the adhesives with the lowest normal stiffness, independently from their shear stiffness. On the soft substrates, the highest shear forces are achieved for the adhesives combining low normal stiffness, enabling contact formation, with high shear stiffness, promoting contact preservation. The beneficial effect of such anisotropic stiffness on shear forces increased with the deformability of the substrate.
Research Progresses on Interfaces in Solid‐State Sodium Batteries: A Topic Review
Authors: Zhang Wei , Zhao Chen‐De , Wu Xing‐Long
Published: October 2020

Solid‐state sodium batteries (SSSBs) are considered as promising candidates for next‐generation energy storage applications due to the probability to achieve safer and higher energy density characteristics. However, though SSSBs can avoid using combustible organic liquid electrolytes, the development of such novel batteries is hindered by some critical challenges. Particularly, comprehensive understandings of interfacial stability between solid‐state electrolyte and two electrodes is still absent and thus there is a long way to go for practical applications of SSSBs. In this regard, this review focuses on the grand challenges, fundamental mechanisms, and viable design strategies associated with the interfaces in SSSBs. First, the differences between liquid‐ and solid‐state batteries are compared, and the challenges remaining to be conquered are pointed out. Second, a variety of interfaces, such as interphase formation, interface between electrode and electrolyte, as well as interface of interparticle, are discussed in detail to guide the engineering of the interfaces. Following the obtained insights, systematic perspectives are listed at last to form a basis for further development of advanced SSSBs.
Humidity‐Dependent Characteristics of Few‐Layer MoS2 Field Effect Transistors
Authors: Yang Hui , Cai Sa , Wu Dongping , Fang Xiaosheng
Published: October 2020

2D semiconductors, such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), are emerging materials for field effect transistor (FET) channels in the field of nano‐electronics. These atomically thin 2D films are particularly sensitive to moisture due to their large specific surface area, making them promising candidates for humidity sensing applications. Studies on MoS2 FET humidity sensor have indicated that there are two key factors contributing to the performance of such devices: the number of MoS2 layer and the gate bias. However, no existing work has revealed the exact relation between humidity and electrical properties for few‐layer MoS2 FETs. Here, the effect of humidity on the electrical transport properties for back‐gated tri‐ and six‐layer MoS2 FETs is explored. The on‐state current of the tri‐layer MoS2 FET is heavily dependent on the relative humidity while that of the six‐layer MoS2 FET remains nearly unchanged when relative humidity varies. Moreover, a linear relationship between the hysteresis and relative humidity is found in both tri‐layer and six‐layer MoS2 FETs. These results advance the understanding of the dependence of electronic properties on relative humidity for few‐layer MoS2 FET.
Quantum Confinement and Thickness‐Dependent Electron Transport in Solution‐Processed In2O3 Transistors
Authors: Isakov Ivan , Faber Hendrik , Mottram Alexander D. , Das Satyajit , Grell Max , Regoutz Anna , Kilmurray Rebecca , McLachlan Martyn A. , Payne David J. , Anthopoulos Thomas D.
Published: October 2020

The dependence of charge carrier mobility on semiconductor channel thickness in field‐effect transistors is a universal phenomenon that has been studied extensively for various families of materials. Surprisingly, analogous studies involving metal oxide semiconductors are relatively scarce. Here, spray‐deposited In2O3 layers are employed as the model semiconductor system to study the impact of layer thickness on quantum confinement and electron transport along the transistor channel. The results reveal an exponential increase of the in‐plane electron mobility (µe) with increasing In2O3 thickness up to ≈10 nm, beyond which it plateaus at a maximum value of ≈35 cm2 V−1 s−1. Optical spectroscopy measurements performed on In2O3 layers reveal the emergence of quantum confinement for thickness <10 nm, which coincides with the thickness that µe starts deteriorating. By combining two‐ and four‐probe field‐effect mobility measurements with high‐resolution atomic force microscopy, it is shown that the reduction in µe is attributed primarily to surface scattering. The study provides important guidelines for the design of next generation metal oxide thin‐film transistors.
Soil chemical properties following a one‐time spent drilling mud application on native prairie
Authors: Amarakoon Inoka , Zvomuya Francis , Larney Francis J. , Olson Andrew F. , DeMaere Paul R.
Published: October 2020

Landspraying while drilling (LWD) is an approved disposal method for water‐based drilling mud (WBM) systems in western Canada, where the mud is applied either on arable or vegetated land. This study examined the effects of a single LWD application (0, 15, 20, 40, or 80 m3 ha−1) on native prairie soil properties. Results from the study showed a significant increase in Na concentration and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) in the 0‐ to 7.5‐cm depth. However, the highest SAR attained (3.46) after application at the 80 m3 ha−1 rate remained below levels considered detrimental to soil structure. Electrical conductivity (EC) also increased with the LWD rate but peaked at levels (447 μS cm−1 in the 0‐ to 2.5‐cm depth) much lower than the threshold for most plant species, and the effects on EC had disappeared by the end of the first year of mud application. Available P concentration (modified Kelowna method), averaged across sampling times and the two depths (0‐ to 2.5‐ and 2.5‐ to 7.5‐cm), increased from 7.4 to 11 mg kg−1 as LWD rate increased from 0 to 80 m3 ha−1. Although the available P remained at concentrations suboptimum for most crops, such concentrations may impact native prairie vegetation adapted to very low P. Drilling mud applications generally had no significant effect on available N. The application of WBM systems on the native prairie at recommended rates in western Canada may not be detrimental to soil quality and plant growth in this ecosystem.
Prognostic prediction of resectable colorectal liver metastasis using the apparent diffusion coefficient from diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Yoshikawa Masato , Morine Yuji , Yamada Shinichiro , Miyazaki Katsuki , Tokuda Kazunori , Saito Yu , Arakawa Yusuke , Ikemoto Tetsuya , Imura Satoru , Shimada Mitsuo
Published: October 2020

Aim

Diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI‐MRI) is used to predict tumor malignancy. Here we explored the role of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in the treatment of patients with resectable colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM).

Methods

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were conducted using a Signa HDe or Signa Explorer 1.5‐T scanner (GE Healthcare). ADC maps were calculated using DWI with b values of 0, 20, and 800 s/mm2. We enrolled 60 patients who underwent upfront hepatic resection for CRLM and divided them into ADC‐high (n = 30) and ADC‐low (n = 30) groups. Clinicopathological variables of the groups were compared. Immunohistochemical analysis of HIF‐1α expression in tumor tissues was performed, and the relationship between the ADC value and HIF‐1α expression was evaluated.

Results

The disease‐free survival rate of the ADC‐low group was significantly lower than that of the ADC‐high group (P < .05). Univariate analysis revealed that tumor number (more than five), synchronous metastasis, and low ADC were prognostic factors. Multivariate analysis identified low ADC as an independent prognostic factor. Furthermore, the ADC‐low group more frequently expressed high levels of HIF‐1α than the ADC‐high group.

Conclusion

Low ADC values were an independent prognostic factor of resectable CRLM and correlated with HIF‐1α expression.
Five thousand years of bellyaches: Exploring boron concentration in ancient populations of the Atacama Desert
Authors: Arriaza Bernardo , Blumenstiel David , Amarasiriwardena Dulasiri , Standen Vivien G. , Vizcarra Arnoldo
Published: October 2020

Objectives

This study explores whether ancient Atacama Desert populations in northern Chile were exposed to endemic boron contamination.

Materials and methods

Using Laser Ablation‐Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Mass Spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS), we studied 144 strands of ancient mummy hair, ranging from 3000 B.C. to 1500 A.D., excavated from the Lluta, Azapa, and Camarones valleys in northern Chile. We tested whether these ancient populations showed signs of significant boron concentration in hair tissue.

Results

On average, all individuals from these valleys showed high boron concentrations, ranging from 1.5 to 4 times above the average boron concentration in contemporary hair (baseline <0.85 μg/g). The boron concentration in mummy hair varied according to the main geographic areas mentioned above.

Conclusions

The rivers of northern Chile have high geogenic boron concentrations. They contain 38 times above the recommended limit for human consumption. Geogenic boron contamination likely played a role in population morbidity and the types of crops that were cultivated in antiquity. The ancient populations were chronically affected by boron overexposure, suggesting that ancient geogenic water contamination should be considered when discussing the biocultural trajectories of ancient populations.
Assessment of physiological disturbances during pre‐ and early postnatal development based on microscopic analysis of human deciduous teeth from the Late Epipaleolithic site of Shubayqa 1 (Jordan)
Authors: Kierdorf Horst , Witzel Carsten , Bocaege Emmy , Richter Tobias , Kierdorf Uwe
Published: October 2020

Objectives

To study pre‐ and early postnatal tooth formation and to analyze the effects of physiological disturbances on enamel and dentin formation in deciduous teeth of infants from the Late Epipaleolithic (Natufian) site Shubayqa 1.

Materials and methods

Ten deciduous teeth from six infants (ages at death between 21 and 239 days) were analyzed by light and scanning electron microscopy.

Results

Marked prism cross‐striations and an abnormal wavy course of the prisms were recorded in pre‐ and postnatal enamel of all analyzed teeth. Single or multiple accentuated incremental lines were observed in prenatal enamel of nine teeth and in postnatal enamel of eight teeth. Accentuated Andresen lines and broader zones exhibiting an enhanced calcospheritic pattern were recorded in the pre‐ and postnatally formed dentin of nine teeth.

Discussion

The structural abnormalities in the pre‐ and postnatally formed enamel of the infants are considered indicative of chronic stress that negatively affected the activity of secretory ameloblasts. The structural aberrations in pre‐ and postnatal dentin denote that odontoblasts were also affected by this stress. The presence of single or multiple accentuated incremental lines in pre‐ and postnatal enamel is interpreted as reflecting (short‐term) impacts of higher intensity superimposed on the chronic stress. Our findings suggest compromised maternal health affecting the late fetus and compromised health in newborns. Although limited by the small number of analyzed individuals, the present study contributes to the knowledge of maternal and early infant health conditions in Late Epipaleolithic populations.
Rivastigmine in Parkinson's Disease Dementia with Orthostatic Hypotension
Authors: Espay Alberto J. , Marsili Luca , Mahajan Abhimanyu , Sturchio Andrea , Pathan Rashidkhan , Pilotto Andrea , Elango Damodaran S. , Pezous Nicole , Masellis Mario , Gomez‐Mancilla Baltazar
Published: October 2020

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate if the cognitive benefit of rivastigmine is affected by the presence of orthostatic hypotension (OH) in patients with Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD).

Methods

We conducted a post hoc analysis on 1,047 patients with PDD from 2 randomized controlled trials comparing rivastigmine versus placebo at week 24 (n = 501) and rivastigmine patch versus capsule at week 76 (n = 546). A drop ≥ 20 mm Hg in systolic blood pressure (SBP) or ≥ 10 in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) upon standing classified subjects as OH positive (OH+); otherwise, OH negative (OH‐). The primary end point was the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale ‐ Cognitive subscale (ADAS‐Cog) at week 24 and the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (MDRS) at week 76, using intention‐to‐treat with retrieved dropout at week 24 and observed cases at week 76, consistent with the original analyses.

Results

Overall safety was comparable between OH+ (n = 288, 27.5%) and OH‐ (n = 730, 69.7%), except for higher frequency of syncope (9.2%) in the OH+ placebo arm. The placebo‐adjusted effect of rivastigmine on ADAS‐Cog at week 24 was 5.6 ± 1.2 for OH+ and 1.9 ± 0.9 in OH‐ (p = 0.0165). Among subjects with OH, the MDRS change from baseline at week 76 was higher for rivastigmine capsules versus patch (10.6 ± 2.9 vs ‐1.5 ± 3.0, p = 0.031). The overall prevalence of OH was lower for rivastigmine than placebo at week 24 (28.3% vs 44.6%, p = 0.0476).

Interpretation

The cognitive benefit from rivastigmine is larger in patients with PDD with OH, possibly mediated by a direct antihypotensive effect. ANN NEUROL 2021;89:91–98
NOTCH2NLC Intermediate‐Length Repeat Expansions Are Associated with Parkinson Disease
Authors: Shi Chang‐he , Fan Yu , Yang Jing , Yuan Yan‐peng , Shen Si , Liu Fen , Mao Cheng‐yuan , Liu Han , Zhang Shuo , Hu Zheng‐wei , Fan Li‐yuan , Li Meng‐jie , Fan Shi‐heng , Liu Xiao‐jing , Xu Yu‐ming
Published: October 2020

NOTCH2NLC GGC repeat expansions were recently identified in neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID); however, it remains unclear whether they occur in other neurodegenerative disorders. This study aimed to investigate the role of intermediate‐length NOTCH2NLC GGC repeat expansions in Parkinson disease (PD). We screened for GGC repeat expansions in a cohort of 1,011 PD patients and identified 11 patients with intermediate‐length repeat expansions ranging from 41 to 52 repeats, with no repeat expansions in 1,134 controls. Skin biopsy revealed phospho‐alpha‐synuclein deposition, confirming the PD diagnosis in 2 patients harboring intermediate‐length repeat expansions instead of NIID or essential tremor. Fibroblasts from PD patients harboring intermediate‐length repeat expansions revealed NOTCH2NLC upregulation and autophagic dysfunction. Our results suggest that intermediate‐length repeat expansions in NOTCH2NLC are potentially associated with PD. ANN NEUROL 2021;89:182–187
Optogenetic Spreading Depression Elicits Trigeminal Pain and Anxiety Behavior
Authors: Harriott Andrea M. , Chung David Y. , Uner Aylin , Bozdayi Refik O. , Morais Andreia , Takizawa Tsubasa , Qin Tao , Ayata Cenk
Published: October 2020

Objective

Cortical spreading depression (SD) is an intense depolarization underlying migraine aura. Despite the weight of evidence linking SD to the pain phase of migraine, controversy remains over a causal role of SD in cephalgia because of the invasive nature of previous SD induction methods. To overcome this problem, we used a novel minimally invasive optogenetic SD induction method and examined the effect of SD on behavior.

Methods

Optogenetic SD was induced as a single event or repeatedly every other day for 2 weeks. End points, including periorbital and hindpaw mechanical allodynia, mouse grimace, anxiety, and working memory, were examined in male and female mice.

Results

A single SD produced bilateral periorbital mechanical allodynia that developed within 1 hour and resolved within 2 days. Sumatriptan prevented periorbital allodynia when administered immediately after SD. Repeated SDs also produced bilateral periorbital allodynia that lasted 4 days and resolved within 2 weeks after the last SD. In contrast, the hindpaw withdrawal thresholds did not change after repeated SDs suggesting that SD‐induced allodynia was limited to the trigeminal region. Moreover, repeated SDs increased mouse grimace scores 2 days after the last SD, whereas a single SD did not. Repeated SDs also increased thigmotaxis scores as a measure of anxiety. In contrast, neither single nor repeated SDs affected visuospatial working memory. We did not detect sexual dimorphism in any end point.

Interpretation

Altogether, these data show a clinically congruent causal relationship among SD, trigeminal pain, and anxiety behavior, possibly reflecting SD modulation of hypothalamic, thalamic, and limbic mechanisms. ANN NEUROL 2021;89:99–110
Z‐Selective α‐Arylation of α,β‐Unsaturated Nitriles via [3,3]‐Sigmatropic Rearrangement
Authors: Chen Mengyuan , Liang Yuchen , Dong Taotao , Liang Weijian , Liu Yanping , Zhang Yage , Huang Xin , Kong Lichun , Wang Zhi‐Xiang , Peng Bo
Published: October 2020

The Morita‐Baylis–Hillman (MBH) reaction and [3, 3]‐sigmatropic rearrangement are two paradigms in organic synthesis. We have merged the two types of reactions to achieve [3,3]‐rearrangement of aryl sulfoxides with α,β‐unsaturated nitriles. The reaction was achieved by sequentially treating both coupling partners with electrophilic activator (Tf2O) and base, offering an effective approach to prepare synthetically versatile α‐aryl α,β‐unsaturated nitriles with Z‐selectivity through direct α‐C‐H arylation of unmodified α,β‐unsaturated nitriles. The control experiments and DFT calculations support a four‐stage reaction sequence, including the assembly of Tf2O activated aryl sulfoxide with α,β‐unsaturated nitrile, MBH‐like Lewis base addition, [3,3]‐rearrangement, and E1cB‐elimination. Among these stages, the Lewis base addition is diastereoselective and E1cB‐elimination is cis‐selective, which could account for the remarkable Z‐selectivity of the reaction.
Maßgeschneiderte SAM‐Synthetasen zur enzymatischen Herstellung von AdoMet‐Analoga mit Photoschutzgruppen und zur reversiblen DNA‐Modifizierung in Kaskadenreaktionen
Authors: Michailidou Freideriki , Klöcker Nils , Cornelissen Nicolas V. , Singh Rohit K. , Peters Aileen , Ovcharenko Anna , Kümmel Daniel , Rentmeister Andrea
Published: October 2020

Die Methylierung und Demethylierung von DNA, RNA und Proteinen stellt einen wichtigen Regulationsmechanismus dar. Um die Funktionen dieser Modifikationen aufzuklären, wären Werkzeuge nützlich, die die sequenzspezifische Blockierung und zeitlich präzise Freisetzung der entsprechenden Stellen ermöglichen. S‐Adenosyl‐L‐Methionin (AdoMet)‐Analoga erweisen sich in Kombination mit Methyltransferasen (MTasen) als nützlich bei der Kartierung oder Blockierung und Freisetzung von MTase‐Zielsequenzen. Allerdings war ihre enzymatische Herstellung bisher auf aliphatische Gruppen am Schwefelatom beschränkt. Wir konnten eine SAM‐Synthetase aus Cryptosporidium hominis (PS‐ChMAT) für die effiziente Herstellung von AdoMet‐Analoga mit Photoschutzgruppen entwickeln, die von keiner der bisher bekannten WT‐MATs akzeptiert werden. Die Kristallstruktur von PS‐ChMAT bei 1.87 Å zeigt, wie das Photoschutzgruppen tragende AdoMet‐Analogon in der Enzymtasche vorliegt und bahnte den Weg für die Entwicklung einer thermostabilen MAT aus Methanocaldococcus jannaschii. Die PS‐MATs sind mit DNA‐ und RNA‐MTasen kompatibel und ermöglichen die sequenzspezifische Modifizierung einer Plasmid‐DNA (“Schreiben”) sowie die lichtgesteuerte Entfernung (“Löschen”).
Disease‐Associated Tau Phosphorylation Hinders Tubulin Assembly within Tau Condensates
Authors: Savastano Adriana , Flores David , Kadavath Harindranath , Biernat Jacek , Mandelkow Eckhard , Zweckstetter Markus
Published: October 2020

Cellular condensation of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) through liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) allows dynamic compartmentalization and regulation of biological processes. The IDP tau, which promotes the assembly of microtubules and is hyperphosphorylated in Alzheimer's disease, undergoes LLPS in solution and on the surface of microtubules. Little is known, however, about the influence of tau phosphorylation on its ability to nucleate microtubule bundles in conditions of tau LLPS. Herein, we show that unmodified tau as well as tau phosphorylated at disease‐associated epitopes condense into liquid‐like droplets. Although tubulin partitioned into and reached high concentrations inside all tau droplets, it was unable to grow into microtubules form the inside of droplets formed by tau phosphorylated at the AT180 epitope (T231/S235). In contrast, neither phosphorylation of tau in the repeat domain nor at its tyrosine residues inhibited the assembly of tubulin from tau droplets. Because LLPS of IDPs has been shown to promote different types of cytoskeletal assembly, our study suggests that IDP phosphorylation might be a broadly used mechanism for the modulation of condensate‐mediated cytoskeletal assembly.
Energy Efficient Ultrahigh Flux Separation of Oily Pollutants from Water with Superhydrophilic Nanoscale Metal–Organic Framework Architectures
Authors: Mähringer Andre , Hennemann Matthias , Clark Timothy , Bein Thomas , Medina Dana D.
Published: October 2020

The rising demand for clean water for a growing and increasingly urban global population is one of the most urgent issues of our time. Here, we introduce the synthesis of a unique nanoscale architecture of pillar‐like Co‐CAT‐1 metal–organic framework (MOF) crystallites on gold‐coated woven stainless steel meshes with large, 50 μm apertures. These nanostructured mesh surfaces feature superhydrophilic and underwater superoleophobic wetting properties, allowing for gravity‐driven, highly efficient oil–water separation featuring water fluxes of up to nearly one million L m−2 h−1. Water physisorption experiments reveal the hydrophilic nature of Co‐CAT‐1 with a total water vapor uptake at room temperature of 470 cm3 g−1. Semiempirical molecular orbital calculations shed light on water affinity of the inner and outer pore surfaces. The MOF‐based membranes enable high separation efficiencies for a number of liquids tested, including the notorious water pollutant, crude oil, affording chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentrations below 25 mg L−1 of the effluent. Our results demonstrate the great impact of suitable nanoscale surface architectures as a means of encoding on‐surface extreme wetting properties, yielding energy‐efficient water‐selective large‐aperture membranes.
Engineered SAM Synthetases for Enzymatic Generation of AdoMet Analogs with Photocaging Groups and Reversible DNA Modification in Cascade Reactions
Authors: Michailidou Freideriki , Klöcker Nils , Cornelissen Nicolas V. , Singh Rohit K. , Peters Aileen , Ovcharenko Anna , Kümmel Daniel , Rentmeister Andrea
Published: October 2020

Methylation and demethylation of DNA, RNA and proteins has emerged as a major regulatory mechanism. Studying the function of these modifications would benefit from tools for their site‐specific inhibition and timed removal. S‐Adenosyl‐L‐methionine (AdoMet) analogs in combination with methyltransferases (MTases) have proven useful to map or block and release MTase target sites, however their enzymatic generation has been limited to aliphatic groups at the sulfur atom. We engineered a SAM synthetase from Cryptosporidium hominis (PC‐ChMAT) for efficient generation of AdoMet analogs with photocaging groups that are not accepted by any WT MAT reported to date. The crystal structure of PC‐ChMAT at 1.87 Å revealed how the photocaged AdoMet analog is accommodated and guided engineering of a thermostable MAT from Methanocaldococcus jannaschii. PC‐MATs were compatible with DNA‐ and RNA‐MTases, enabling sequence‐specific modification (“writing”) of plasmid DNA and light‐triggered removal (“erasing”).
Semi‐interpenetrating gel polymer electrolyte based on PVDF‐HFP for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Luo Kaili , Shao Dingsheng , Yang Li , Liu Lei , Chen Xiaoyi , Zou Changfei , Wang Dong , Luo Zhigao , Wang Xianyou
Published: October 2020

Poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF‐HFP)‐based gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) is considered one of the promising candidate electrolytes in the polymer lithium ion battery (LIB) because of its free standing, shape versatility, security, flexibility, lightweight, reliability, and so on. However, the pristine PVDF‐HFP GPE cannot still meet the requirement of large‐scale LIBs and other electrochemical devices due to its relatively low ionic conductivity and deterioration of mechanical strength caused by the incorporation of organic liquid electrolyte into the polymer matrix as well as high cost. In order to overcome above deficiencies of PVDF‐HFP based GPE, ultraviolet (UV)‐curable semi‐interpenetrating polymer network is designed and synthesized through UV‐irradiation technique, and the as‐prepared semi‐interpenetrating matrix is constituted by pentaerythritol tetracrylate polymer network and PVDF‐HFP. The ionic conductivity of the optimized GPE is as high as 5 × 10−4 S/cm and electrochemical window is up to 4.8 V at room temperature. Especially, the LIB prepared by GPE shows the high initial discharge specific capacity of 151 mAh/g at 0.5 C and good rate capability. Therefore, the semi‐interpenetrating GPE based on PVDF‐HFP exhibits a promising prospect for the application of rechargeable LIBs.
The slow rise of technology: Computer vision techniques in fish population connectivity
Authors: Lopez‐Marcano Sebastian , Brown Christopher J. , Sievers Michael , Connolly Rod M.
Published: October 2020

Technological advancements in data collection and analysis are producing a new generation of ecological data. Among these, computer vision (CV) has received increased attention for its robust capabilities for rapidly processing large volumes of digital imagery.

In marine ecosystems, the study of fish connectivity provides fundamental information for assessing fisheries stocks, designing and implementing protected areas and understanding the impact of habitat loss. While the field of fish connectivity has benefited from technological advancements, the extent to which novel techniques, such as CV, have been utilized has not been assessed. To inform future directions and developments, this study reviewed the current use of CV in fish connectivity research, quantified how the implementation of such technology in fish connectivity research compared with other areas of marine research and described how this field could benefit from CV.

The review found that the use of remote camera systems in fish connectivity research is increasing, but the implementation of automated analysis of digital imagery has been slow. Successful implementation and expansion of CV frameworks in aquaculture and coral reef ecology suggest that CV techniques could greatly benefit fish connectivity research.

A case study of potential use of CV in fish connectivity research, scaling up optimal foraging models to predict marine population connectivity, highlights how beneficial it could be.

The capacity for CV techniques to be adopted alongside traditional approaches, the unparalleled speed, accuracy and reliability of these approaches and the benefits of being able to study ecosystems along multiple spatial–temporal scales, all make CV a valuable tool for assessing connectivity. Ultimately, these technologies can assist data‐driven decisions that directly influence the health and productivity of marine ecosystems.
Interactions of larval dynamics and substrate preference have ecological significance for benthic biodiversity and Ostrea edulis Linnaeus, 1758 in the presence of Crepidula fornicata
Authors: Preston Joanne , Fabra Monica , Helmer Luke , Johnson Emma , Harris‐Scott Eric , Hendy Ian W.
Published: October 2020

Populations of the European flat oyster Ostrea edulis have experienced catastrophic declines across Europe and subsequent spread of the non‐native species Crepidula fornicata has led to its occurrence in exceptionally high densities in some areas previously dominated by O. edulis.

Spatial and temporal concurrence of C. fornicata larvae within the zooplankton community occurs throughout the O. edulis spawning season. A C. fornicata larval peak density of 374.7 ± 96.5 larvae/ml (mean ± SD) was observed in Langston Harbour sympatrically with O. edulis density of 45.7 ± 20.1 larvae/ml in early August. Overall oyster larvae contribution to the zooplankton community was higher in Portsmouth Harbour (12%) than C. fornicata contribution (9.6%), whilst the opposite occurred in Langstone (oysters, 11.7%; C. fornicata, 12%).

Larval abundance is not reflected in recruitment on the seabed, owing to the conspecific substrate preference of O. edulis. Settlement of O. edulis spat was significantly greater on settlement discs covered with recently deceased oyster shells; 6.7 ± 1.2 (mean ± SE) spat/disc vs old smooth oyster shells, 2.7 ± 1.3, C. fornicata shell 1.7 ± 0.3, cemented discs 2 ± 1 or the plastic control disc 0.7 ± 0.7.

Settlement substrate type matters in the presence of high benthic and larval densities of C. fornicata. The Solent has become a substrate‐limited system for O. edulis; substrate management or reef deployment is required to restore a self‐recruiting population.

Finally, although C. fornicata may provide functional equivalence in terms of filtering services, it supports a significantly different and less biodiverse faunal community from that of O. edulis. Therefore C. fornicata does not provide equivalence as an ecosystem engineer and mechanisms of ecological phase shift are occurring within areas dominated by this invasive species.
Design and synthesis of pyrazole–pyrazoline hybrids as cancer‐associated selective COX‐2 inhibitors
Authors: Akhtar Wasim , Marella Akranth , Alam Mohammad Mumtaz , Khan Mohemmed F. , Akhtar Mymoona , Anwer Tariq , Khan Farah , Naematullah Md. , Azam Faizul , Rizvi Moshahid A. , Shaquiquzzaman Mohammad
Published: October 2020

In continuation of our previous work on cancer and inflammation, 15 novel pyrazole–pyrazoline hybrids (WSPP1–15) were synthesized and fully characterized. The formation of the pyrazoline ring was confirmed by the appearance of three doublets of doublets in 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectra exhibiting an AMX pattern for three protons (HA, HM, and HX) of the pyrazoline ring. All the synthesized compounds were screened for their in vitro anticancer activity against five cell lines, that is, MCF‐7, A549, SiHa, COLO205, and HepG2 cells, using the MTT growth inhibition assay. 5‐Fluorouracil was taken as the positive control in the study. It was observed that, among them, WSPP11 was found to be active against A549, SiHa, COLO205, and HepG2 cells, with IC50 values of 4.94, 4.54, 4.86, and 2.09 µM. All the derivatives were also evaluated for their cytotoxicity against HaCaT cells. WSPP11 was also found to be nontoxic against normal cells (cell line HaCaT), with an IC50 value of more than 50 µM. The derivatives were also evaluated for their in vitro anti‐inflammatory activity by the protein (egg albumin) denaturation assay and the red blood cell membrane stabilizing assay, using diclofenac sodium and celecoxib as standard. Compounds that showed significant anticancer and anti‐inflammatory activities were further studied for COX‐2 inhibition. The manifestation of a higher COX‐2 selectivity index of WSPP11 as compared with other derivatives and an in vitro anticancer activity against four cell lines further established that compounds that were more selective toward COX‐2 also exhibited a better spectrum of activity against various cancer cell lines.
The social logic of irrigation. Accessibility based approach towards evaluating the water management infrastructure of the archaeological site of Miran
Authors: Hanus Kasper
Published: October 2020

The article presents a new method for an assessment of past water–human interactions. The method is based on a tool developed by space syntax pioneers Bill Hillier and Julienne Hanson: a gamma graph analysis representing ‘permeability’ of buildings. The article discusses how this tool was altered in order to model a water management system. Subsequently, the method is tested on a case study – an ancient oasis‐city of Miran in north‐western China. The positive verification makes the author argue that the introduced method can provide new insight into the relations of power interlinked with water management.
Connecting copula properties with reliability properties of coherent systems
Authors: Navarro Jorge , Durante Fabrizio , Fernández‐Sánchez Juan
Published: October 2020

We connect copula properties with stochastic comparisons between order statistics (k‐out‐of‐n systems) and coherent systems with dependent components. The copula dependence properties lead to marginal distribution‐free ordering properties between systems. Conversely, ordering properties of systems lead to properties (or new proofs of properties) for the baseline copulas. These relationships can be used to explain the meaning of mathematical properties and/or functional inequalities arising in the class of copulas. Some illustrative examples are provided including series and parallel systems with two or three components. The procedure introduced here can be applied to various system structures, even in high dimensions. In practice they can be used to determine various facets of dependency among the components of a system.
Maternal Dietary Factors and the Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review of Existing Evidence
Authors: Zhong Caichen , Tessing Jillian , Lee Brian K. , Lyall Kristen
Published: October 2020

Prenatal maternal diet is a critical factor in offspring neurodevelopment. Emerging evidence suggests that prenatal diet may also play a role in the etiology autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This review summarizes studies published in English that examined prenatal nutrients or maternal diet in association with ASD from PubMed as of July 2020. Thiry‐six studies from nine countries were included in this systematic review; these focused on multivitamin (n = 5), prenatal vitamin (n = 3), folic acid (FA; n = 14), Vitamin D (n = 11), polyunsaturated fatty acid or fish/supplement intake (n = 7), iron (n = 3), Vitamin B12 (n = 1), calcium (n = 1), magnesium (n = 1), and broad maternal dietary habits (n = 3). Overall, higher or moderate intake of prenatal/multivitamin, FA, and Vitamin D was associated with reductions in odds of ASD, though results have not been uniform and there is a need to clarify differences in findings based on biomarkers versus reported intake. Evidence was inconclusive or insufficient for other nutrients. Differences in the timing and measurement of these dietary factors, as well as potential residual confounding, may contribute to existing discrepancies. Key areas for future research to better understand the role of maternal diet in ASD include the need to address potential critical windows, examine the combined effect of multiple nutrients, and consider interactions with genetic or environmental factors.

Lay Summary

Maternal diet during pregnancy is important for child neurodevelopment. We reviewed 36 studies examining maternal diet and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and found that prenatal vitamin/multivitamin use and adequate intake of folic acid and Vitamin D were each associated with lower likelihood of having a child with ASD. Future studies on these and other dietary factors are needed to better understand the role of maternal diet in the development of ASD. Autism Res 2020, 13: 1634–1658. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research and Wiley Periodicals LLC
Ultraviolet advanced oxidation for indirect and direct potable reuse in California
Authors: Bernados Brian
Published: October 2020

There is high interest in the use of ultraviolet (UV) treatment processes for potable reuse. Advanced and alternative technologies are reviewed at the California Division of Drinking Water. UV is the predominant process used for advanced oxidation (AOP) for projects involved in potable reuse. Potable reuse with and without AOP is discussed. UV AOP is highly effective at inactivating microbiological pathogens and oxidization of organics that pass through the reverse osmosis (RO) membrane. While RO is extremely effective at removing most organic chemicals, there are a few, such as N‐nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), that are removed at less than 90% because of factors such as low molecular weight. With a high dose of UV, the N‐N bond is broken and thus can be used to degrade nitrosamines, such as NDMA. UV AOP is also highly effective at removing many unregulated compounds such as 1,4‐dioxane and other chemical pollutants that may be found at trace levels in RO permeate.
Developing a treatment for hand‐clapping maintained by automatic reinforcement using sensory analysis, noncontingent reinforcement, and thinning
Authors: Slocum Sarah K. , Yatros Nicolette , Scheithauer Mindy
Published: October 2020

Two subjects diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and related disabilities who engaged in hand‐clapping maintained by automatic reinforcement participated in this study. We conducted a sensory analysis to evaluate matched stimuli that functioned as an abolishing operation or extinction for different sources of sensory reinforcement. Finally, we implemented noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) using the stimuli found to compete in the assessment to reduce the target behavior, and we thinned item availability. Results showed a decrease in hand‐clapping, and hand‐clapping remained low when we thinned the schedule of reinforcement. This research further elucidates how NCR can treat problem behavior maintained by automatic reinforcement.
Control of leached beta‐glucan levels from depth filters by an improved depth filtration flush strategy
Authors: Holstein Melissa , Jang Dongyoun , Urrea Christine , Botta Lakshmi Sirisha , Grimm William , Ghose Sanchayita , Li Zheng Jian
Published: October 2020

Beta‐glucans are polysaccharides of D‐glucose monomers linked by (1–3) beta‐glycosidic bonds, are found to have a potential immunogenicity risk in biotherapeutic products, and are labeled as process contaminants. A common source of beta‐glucans is from the cellulose found in traditional depth filter media. Typically, beta‐glucan impurities that leach into the product from the primary clarification depth filters can be removed by the subsequent bind‐and‐elute affinity chromatography capture step. Beta‐glucans can also be removed by a bind‐and‐elute cation exchange chromatography step, which is useful for removing beta‐glucans introduced by a post‐Protein A depth filtration step. However, the increasing prevalence of flowthrough polishing chromatography poses a challenge for beta‐glucan removal due to the lack of any bind‐and‐elute chromatography steps after the post‐Protein A depth filter. In this work, a depth filter flush strategy was developed to control beta‐glucan leaching into the product pool. Different loading conditions for the depth filtration and subsequent chromatography steps were evaluated to determine the robustness of the optimized flush strategy. Carry through runs demonstrated greater than two‐fold reduction in beta‐glucan levels using the optimized wash as compared to standard filter flush conditions.