bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Usefulness of heart rhythm complexity in heart failure detection and diagnosis
Authors: Tsai Cheng-Hsuan , Ma Hsi-Pin , Lin Yen-Tin , Hung Chi-Sheng , Huang Shan-Hsuan , Chuang Bei-Lin , Lin Chen , Lo Men-Tzung , Peng Chung-Kang , Lin Yen-Hung
Published: September 2020

Heart failure (HF) is a major cardiovascular disease worldwide, and the early detection and diagnosis remain challenges. Recently, heart rhythm complexity analysis, derived from non-linear heart rate variability (HRV) analysis, has been proposed as a non-invasive method to detect diseases and predict outcomes. In this study, we aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of heart rhythm complexity in HF patients. We prospectively analyzed 55 patients with symptomatic HF with impaired left ventricular ejection fraction and 97 participants without HF symptoms and normal LVEF as controls. Traditional linear HRV parameters and heart rhythm complexity including detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) and multiscale entropy (MSE) were analyzed. The traditional linear HRV, MSE parameters and DFAα1 were significantly lower in HF patients compared with controls. In regression analysis, DFAα1 and MSE scale 5 remained significant predictors after adjusting for multiple clinical variables. Among all HRV parameters, MSE scale 5 had the greatest power to differentiate the HF patients from the controls in receiver operating characteristic curve analysis (area under the curve: 0.844). In conclusion, heart rhythm complexity appears to be a promising tool for the detection and diagnosis of HF.
Morphological and physiological factors contributing to early vigor in the elite rice cultivar 9,311
Authors: Shi Zai , Chang Tian-Gen , Chen Faming , Zhao Honglong , Song Qingfeng , Wang Mengyao , Wang Yanjie , Zhou Zhiwei , Wang Chongrong , Zhou Shao-Chuan , Wang Baoshan , Chen Genyun , Zhu Xin-Guang
Published: September 2020

Huanghuazhan (HHZ) and 9,311 are two elite rice cultivars in China. They have achieved high yield through quite different mechanisms. One of the major features that gives high yield capacity to 9,311 is its strong early vigor, i.e., faster establishment of its seedling as well as its better growth in its early stages. To understand the mechanistic basis of early vigor in 9,311, as compared to HHZ the cultivar, we have examined, under controlled environmental conditions, different morphological and physiological traits that may contribute to its early vigor. Our results show that the fresh weight of the seeds, at germination, not only determined the seedling biomass at 10 days after germination (DAG), but was also responsible for ~ 80% of variations in plant biomass between the two cultivars even up to 30 DAG. Furthermore, the 9,311 cultivar had a larger root system, which led to its higher nitrogen uptake capacity. Other noteworthy observations about 9,311 being a better cultivar than HHZ are: (i) Ten out of 15 genes involved in nitrogen metabolism were much more highly expressed in its roots; (ii) it had a higher water uptake rate, promoting better root-to-shoot nitrogen transfer; and (iii) consistent with the above, it had higher leaf photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance. All of the above identified features explain, to a large extent, why the 9,311, as compared to HHZ, exhibits much more vigorous early growth.
Agricultural land is the main source of stream sediments after conversion of an African montane forest
Authors: Stenfert Kroese Jaqueline , Batista Pedro V. G. , Jacobs Suzanne R. , Breuer Lutz , Quinton John N. , Rufino Mariana C.
Published: September 2020

In many parts of Africa, soil erosion is an important problem, which is evident from high sediment yields in tropical montane streams. Previous studies in Kenya pointed to a large contribution from catchments cultivated by smallholder farmers. This led to the hypothesis that unpaved tracks and gullies are the main sediment sources in smallholder agriculture catchments of the highlands of Kenya. The aim of this study was to investigate the sediment sources with sediment fingerprinting to generate the knowledge base to improve land management and to reduce sediment yields. Four main sediment sources (agricultural land, unpaved tracks, gullies and channel banks) and suspended sediments were analysed for biogeochemical elements as potential tracers. To apportion the catchments target sediment to different sources, we applied the MixSIAR un-mixing modelling under a Bayesian framework. Surprisingly, the fingerprinting analysis showed that agricultural land accounted for 75% (95% confidence interval 63–86%) of the total sediment. Channel banks contributed 21% (8–32%), while the smallest contributions to sediment were generated by the unpaved tracks and gullies with 3% (0–12%) and 1% (0–4%), respectively. Erosion management strategies should target agricultural lands with an emphasis on disconnecting unpaved tracks form hillslope source areas to reduce sediment yields to Lake Victoria.
Towards the differential diagnosis of prostate cancer by the pre-treatment of human urine using ionic liquids
Authors: Pereira Matheus M. , Calixto João D. , Sousa Ana C. A. , Pereira Bruno J. , Lima Álvaro S. , Coutinho João A. P. , Freire Mara G.
Published: September 2020

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is the most widely used clinical biomarker for the diagnosis and monitoring of prostate cancer. Most available techniques for PSA quantification in human fluids require extensive sample processing and expensive immunoassays that are often unavailable in developing countries. The quantification of PSA in serum is the most common practice; however, PSA is also present in human urine, although less used in diagnosis. Herein we demonstrate the use of ionic-liquid-based aqueous biphasic systems (IL-based ABS) as effective pre-treatment strategies of human urine, allowing the PSA detection and quantification by more expedite equipment in a non-invasive matrix. If properly designed, IL-based ABS afford the simultaneous extraction and concentration of PSA (at least up to 250-fold) in the IL-rich phase. The best ABS not only allow to concentrate PSA but also other forms of PSA, which can be additionally quantified, paving the way to their use in differential prostate cancer diagnosis.
Manure application increased crop yields by promoting nitrogen use efficiency in the soils of 40-year soybean-maize rotation
Authors: Hua Wei , Luo Peiyu , An Ning , Cai Fangfang , Zhang Shiyu , Chen Kun , Yang Jinfeng , Han Xiaori
Published: September 2020

It is great of importance to better understand the effects of the long-term fertilization on crop yields, soil properties and nitrogen (N) use efficiency in a rotation cropping cultivation system under the conditions of frequent soil disturbance. Therefore, a long-term field experiment of 40 years under soybean-maize rotation was performed in a brown soil to investigate the effects of inorganic and organic fertilizers on crop yields, soil properties and nitrogen use efficiency. Equal amounts of 15N-labelled urea with 20.8% of atom were used and uniformly applied into the micro-plots of the treatments with N, NPK, M1NPK, M2NPK before soybean sowing, respectively. Analyses showed that a total of 18.3–32.5% of applied N fertilizer was taken up by crops in the first soybean growing season, and that the application of manure combining with chemical fertilizer M2NPK demonstrated the highest rate of 15N recovery and increased soil organic matter (SOM) and Olsen phosphorus (Olsen P), thereby sustaining a higher crop yield and alleviating soil acidification. Data also showed that no significant difference was observed in the 15N recovery from residue N in the second maize season plant despite of showing a lower 15N recovery compared with the first soybean season. The recovery rates of 15N in soils were ranged from 38.2 to 49.7% by the end of the second cropping season, and the residuals of 15N distribution in soil layers revealed significant differences. The M2NPK treatment demonstrated the highest residual amounts of 15N, and a total of 50% residual 15N were distributed in a soil layer of 0–20 cm. Our results showed that long-term application of organic fertilizers could effectively promote N use efficiency by increasing SOM and improving soil fertility, and thus leading to an increase in crop yields. This study will provide a scientific reference and guidance for improving soil sustainable productivity by manure application.
Connectivity mapping of glomerular proteins identifies dimethylaminoparthenolide as a new inhibitor of diabetic kidney disease
Authors: Klein Julie , Caubet Cécile , Camus Mylène , Makridakis Manousos , Denis Colette , Gilet Marion , Feuillet Guylène , Rascalou Simon , Neau Eric , Garrigues Luc , Thillaye du Boullay Olivier , Mischak Harald , Monsarrat Bernard , Burlet-Schiltz Odile , Vlahou Antonia , Saulnier-Blache Jean Sébastien , Bascands Jean-Loup , Schanstra Joost P.
Published: September 2020

While blocking the renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) has been the main therapeutic strategy to control diabetic kidney disease (DKD) for many years, 25–30% of diabetic patients still develop the disease. In the present work we adopted a systems biology strategy to analyze glomerular protein signatures to identify drugs with potential therapeutic properties in DKD acting through a RAAS-independent mechanism. Glomeruli were isolated from wild type and type 1 diabetic (Ins2Akita) mice treated or not with the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) ramipril. Ramipril efficiently reduced the urinary albumin/creatine ratio (ACR) of Ins2Akita mice without modifying DKD-associated renal-injuries. Large scale quantitative proteomics was used to identify the DKD-associated glomerular proteins (DKD-GPs) that were ramipril-insensitive (RI-DKD-GPs). The raw data are publicly available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD018728. We then applied an in silico drug repurposing approach using a pattern-matching algorithm (Connectivity Mapping) to compare the RI-DKD-GPs’s signature with a collection of thousands of transcriptional signatures of bioactive compounds. The sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide was identified as one of the top compounds predicted to reverse the RI-DKD-GPs’s signature. Oral treatment of 2 months old Ins2Akita mice with dimethylaminoparthenolide (DMAPT, a water-soluble analogue of parthenolide) for two months at 10 mg/kg/d by gavage significantly reduced urinary ACR. However, in contrast to ramipril, DMAPT also significantly reduced glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Using a system biology approach, we identified DMAPT, as a compound with a potential add-on value to standard-of-care ACEi-treatment in DKD.
Compact organic liquid dielectric resonator antenna for air pressure sensing using soft material
Authors: Low Jen-Hahn , Chee Pei-Song , Lim Eng-Hock , Lee Kim-Yee
Published: September 2020

For the first time, a flexible and deformable liquid dielectric resonator antenna (LDRA) is proposed for air pressure sensing. The proposed LDRA can be made very compact as it has employed liquidized organic dielectric with high dielectric constant (~ 33) with low loss tangent (~ 0.05). Here, a soft elastomer container has been fabricated using soft-lithography method for holding the liquid, and an air cavity is tactfully embedded into the central part of a cylindrical DRA to form an annular structure that can be used for sensing air pressure. It will be shown that the inclusion of the air cavity is essential for making the antenna structure sensitive to pressure changes. Simulations and experiments have been conducted to verify the functionalities of the proposed organic LDRA as microwave radiator and as air pressure sensor. It has been proven to have higher antenna gain than the water LDRA in the frequency range of 1.8–2.8 GHz, while achieving a good air pressure sensitivity of 270 MHz/bar.
Carbene modification and reversible crosslinking of silver nanoparticles for controlled antibacterial activity
Authors: Jing Liling , Moloney Mark G. , Xu Hao , Liu Lian , Sun Wenqiang , Li Junying , Yang Pengfei
Published: September 2020

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) system capable of exhibiting different particle size at different temperature was developed, which depended on the extent of Diels–Alder (DA) reaction of bismaleimide with furan. Thus, Ag NPs were functionalized on the surface by a furyl-substituted carbene through an insertion reaction. Subsequent reversible DA crosslinking achieved a controlled aggregation with different particle size, which gives a series of different antibacterial activity. These Ag NPs were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), and Nanoparticle Size Analyzer. The aggregation of the Ag NPs could be reliably adjusted by varying the temperature of DA/reverse-DA reaction. The antibacterial activity was assessed using the inhibition zone method against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), which decreased first and then increased in agreement with the size evolution of Ag NPs. This approach opens a new horizon for the carbene chemistry to modify silver nanoparticles with variable size and give controlled antibacterial activity.
Reconfigurable honeycomb metamaterial absorber having incident angular stability
Authors: Shabanpour Javad , Beyraghi Sina , Oraizi Homayoon
Published: September 2020

Ultrawide-angle electromagnetic wave absorbers with excellent mechanical properties are required in many diverse applications such as sensing, and stealth technologies. Here, a novel 3D reconfigurable metamaterial absorber (MMA) consisting of honeycomb and VO2 films is proposed. The proposed MMA exhibits a strong absorptivity above 90% in the widest incident angle up to $$87^\circ $$

87
∘

for TM- and TE polarized oblique incidences for THz wave propagating in yoz-plane. Under normal incidence, when VO2 films are in the insulating state, the proposed absorber exhibits high absorptivity in the frequency band of 1–4 THz. By increasing the temperature of the whole structure, the structural transformation of VO2 occurs and turns into the metallic phase. We have shown that under oblique incidence, the ohmic losses of VO2 films especially those parallel to the direction of the incident electric field are the most important absorption principles of the proposed MMA. Due to the ultra wide-angle absorption (angular stability) and mechanical performance, it is expected that the presented MMA may find potential applications, such as camouflage technologies, electromagnetic interference, imaging, and sensing. To the best knowledge of authors, the proposed MMA configuration exhibits the absorptivity in the widest incident angle ever reported.
Millennial climate oscillations controlled the structure and evolution of Termination II
Authors: Domínguez-Villar David , Vázquez-Navarro Juan A. , Krklec Kristina , Lojen Sonja , López-Sáez José A. , Dorado-Valiño Miriam , Fairchild Ian J.
Published: September 2020

The controls that affect the structure and timing of terminations are still poorly understood. We studied a tufa deposit from the Iberian Peninsula that covers Termination II (T-II) and whose chronology was synchronized to speleothem records. We used the same chronology to synchronize ocean sediments from the North Atlantic to correlate major climate events in a common timescale. We identify two stages within T-II. The first stage started with the increase of boreal summer integrated solar insolation, and during this stage three millennial climate oscillations were recorded. These oscillations resulted from complex ocean–atmosphere interactions in the Nordic seas, caused by the progressive decay of Northern Hemisphere ice-sheets. The second stage commenced after a glacial outburst that caused the collapse of the Thermohaline Circulation, a massive Heinrich event, and the onset of the Bipolar Seesaw Mechanism (BSM) that eventually permitted the completion of T-II. The pace of the millennial oscillations during the first stage of T-II controlled the onset of the second stage, when the termination became a non-reversible and global phenomenon that accelerated the deglaciation. During the last the two terminations, the BSM was triggered by different detailed climate interactions, which suggests the occurrence of different modes of terminations.
Multi-task deep learning for cardiac rhythm detection in wearable devices
Authors: Torres-Soto Jessica , Ashley Euan A.
Published: September 2020

Wearable devices enable theoretically continuous, longitudinal monitoring of physiological measurements such as step count, energy expenditure, and heart rate. Although the classification of abnormal cardiac rhythms such as atrial fibrillation from wearable devices has great potential, commercial algorithms remain proprietary and tend to focus on heart rate variability derived from green spectrum LED sensors placed on the wrist, where noise remains an unsolved problem. Here we develop DeepBeat, a multitask deep learning method to jointly assess signal quality and arrhythmia event detection in wearable photoplethysmography devices for real-time detection of atrial fibrillation. The model is trained on approximately one million simulated unlabeled physiological signals and fine-tuned on a curated dataset of over 500 K labeled signals from over 100 individuals from 3 different wearable devices. We demonstrate that, in comparison with a single-task model, our architecture using unsupervised transfer learning through convolutional denoising autoencoders dramatically improves the performance of atrial fibrillation detection from a F1 score of 0.54 to 0.96. We also include in our evaluation a prospectively derived replication cohort of ambulatory participants where the algorithm performed with high sensitivity (0.98), specificity (0.99), and F1 score (0.93). We show that two-stage training can help address the unbalanced data problem common to biomedical applications, where large-scale well-annotated datasets are hard to generate due to the expense of manual annotation, data acquisition, and participant privacy.
A gene prioritization method based on a swine multi-omics knowledgebase and a deep learning model
Authors: Fu Yuhua , Xu Jingya , Tang Zhenshuang , Wang Lu , Yin Dong , Fan Yu , Zhang Dongdong , Deng Fei , Zhang Yanping , Zhang Haohao , Wang Haiyan , Xing Wenhui , Yin Lilin , Zhu Shilin , Zhu Mengjin , Yu Mei , Li Xinyun , Liu Xiaolei , Yuan Xiaohui , Zhao Shuhong
Published: September 2020

The analyses of multi-omics data have revealed candidate genes for objective traits. However, they are integrated poorly, especially in non-model organisms, and they pose a great challenge for prioritizing candidate genes for follow-up experimental verification. Here, we present a general convolutional neural network model that integrates multi-omics information to prioritize the candidate genes of objective traits. By applying this model to Sus scrofa, which is a non-model organism, but one of the most important livestock animals, the model precision was 72.9%, recall 73.5%, and F1-Measure 73.4%, demonstrating a good prediction performance compared with previous studies in Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa. Additionally, to facilitate the use of the model, we present ISwine (http://iswine.iomics.pro/), which is an online comprehensive knowledgebase in which we incorporated almost all the published swine multi-omics data. Overall, the results suggest that the deep learning strategy will greatly facilitate analyses of multi-omics integration in the future.
The rebirth and evolution of Bezymianny volcano, Kamchatka after the 1956 sector collapse
Authors: Shevchenko Alina V. , Dvigalo Viktor N. , Walter Thomas R. , Mania Rene , Maccaferri Francesco , Svirid Ilya Yu. , Belousov Alexander B. , Belousova Marina G.
Published: September 2020

Continued post-collapse volcanic activity can cause the rise of a new edifice. However, details of such edifice rebirth have not been documented yet. Here, we present 7-decade-long photogrammetric data for Bezymianny volcano, Kamchatka, showing its evolution after the 1956 sector collapse. Edifice rebirth started with two lava domes originating at distinct vents ~400 m apart. After 2 decades, activity became more effusive with vents migrating within ~200 m distance. After 5 decades, the activity focused on a single vent to develop a stratocone with a summit crater. We determine a long-term average growth rate of 26,400 m3/day, allowing us to estimate the regain of the pre-collapse size within the next 15 years. Numerical modeling explains the gradual vents focusing to be associated with loading changes, affecting magma pathways at depth. This work thus sheds light on the complex regrowth process following a sector collapse, with implications for regrowing volcanoes elsewhere.
Poly-γ-glutamic acid derived nanopolyplexes for up-regulation of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase to augment tumor active targeting and enhance synergistic antitumor therapy by regulating intracellular redox homeostasis
Authors: Yu Fangying , Zhu Yun , Liu Yupeng , Qiu Guoxi , Shang Xuwei , Meng Tingting , Yuan Hong , Hu Fuqiang
Published: September 2020

The active targeting strategy has achieved inspiring progress for drug accumulation in tumor therapy; however, the insufficient expression level of many potential receptors poses challenges for drug delivery.
Regulation of the cathode for amphi-charge storage in a redox electrolyte for high-energy lithium-ion capacitors
Authors: Zhang Yunlong , Chao Huixia , Liu Haiyan , Wang Xiaoshan , Xing Wei , Hu Han , Wu Mingbo
Published: September 2020

Lithium-ion capacitors with an amphi-charge-storable cathode operated in a redox electrode offer enhanced energy density.
Cyclodextrin-derived polymer networks for selective molecular adsorption
Authors: Phillips Bailey , Wang Chenxu , Tu Xinman , Chang Che-Hsuan , Banerjee Sarbajit , Al-Hashimi Mohammed , Hu Wei , Fang Lei
Published: September 2020

A facile synthetic method is developed to afford cyclodextrin-derived polymer networks that exhibit high selectivity in capturing certain organic compounds in water.
Photoredox/palladium co-catalyzed propargylic benzylation with internal propargylic carbonates
Authors: Zhou Zhao-Zhao , Jiao Rui-Qiang , Yang Ke , Chen Xi-Meng , Liang Yong-Min
Published: September 2020

The developed photo/palladium dual catalytic system provided a novel route to internal propargylic benzylation products. A radical coupling mechanism between the propargylic radical and benzyl radical was proposed.
Second-order programming the synthesis of metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Fishburn Mitchell G. , Skelton Dayne R. , Telfer Shane G. , Wagner Pawel , Richardson Christopher
Published: September 2020

The first example of ‘one-pot’ coordinate-covalent synthetic programming for metal–organic frameworks is reported.
Leveraging synthetic chlorins for bio-imaging applications
Authors: Hernández-Gil Javier , Lewis Jason S. , Reiner Thomas , Drain Charles Michael , Gonzales Junior
Published: September 2020

Synthetic chlorins are not only fluorescent, the modulation of the tetrapyrrole system can also chelate metal ions.
Ligand geometry directs the packing and symmetry of one-dimensional helical motifs in lead oxide naphthoates and biphenylcarboxylates
Authors: Hammer Arden C. , Jia Xiwen , Zeller Matthias , Coughlin Ezra J. , Zhang Weiguo , Oertel Catherine M.
Published: September 2020

The orientation of a ligand's bulk with respect to the coordinating group controls packing and symmetry in new lead oxide carboxylates.
Structural diversity and modification in Ni(ii) coordination polymers: a peculiar phenomenon of reversible structural transformation between a 1D ladder and 2D layer
Authors: Chen Chia-Jou , Lee Wei-Te , Hu Ji-Hong , Mahat Chhetri Pradhumna , Chen Jhy-Der
Published: September 2020

The coordination of 5-tert-IPA2− ligands, the relaxation of the interdigitated 2D net and the breaking and connecting of the bis-pyridyl-bis-amide ligand demonstrate the peculiar reversible structural transformation between a 1D ladder and 2D layer.
Simple thiophene-bridged D–π–A type chromophores for DSSCs: a comprehensive study of their sensitization and co-sensitization properties
Authors: Keremane Kavya S. , Abdellah Islam M. , Naik Praveen , El-Shafei Ahmed , Adhikari Airody Vasudeva
Published: September 2020

DSSCs were fabricated using new dyes T1–4 as sensitizers/co-sensitizers along with the MH-12 dye. This work highlights the optimization of various factors involved in the cell as well as a complete analysis on their structure-performance behaviour.
Accessing slow diffusion in solids by employing metadynamics simulation
Authors: Pramanik Krishnanjan , Borah Sangkha , Kumar P. Padma
Published: September 2020

Exploring the microscopic mechanism and energetics of ion transport by employing a metadynamics technique.
Improving alkane dehydrogenation activity on γ-Al2O3 through Ga doping
Authors: Abdelgaid Mona , Dean James , Mpourmpakis Giannis
Published: September 2020

Doping the surface of γ-Al2O3 with gallium enhances the alkane dehydrogenation catalytic activity.
Versatility of the bis(iminopyrrolylmethyl)amine ligand: tautomerism, protonation, helical chirality, and the secondary coordination sphere with halogen bonds in the formation of copper(ii) and nickel(ii) complexes
Authors: Kumar Rajnish , Guchhait Tapas , Subramaniyan Vasudevan , Schulzke Carola , Mani Ganesan
Published: September 2020

Showcasing the versatility of bis(iminopyrrolylmethyl)amine ligands: central amine coordination, protonation, tautomerism, chirality, and halogen bonds in the second coordination sphere.
Esculin and ferric citrate-incorporated sturgeon skin gelatine as an antioxidant film for food packaging to preventEnterococcus faecaliscontamination
Authors: Tian Lei , Liang Chengyuan , Fu Chao , Qiang Taotao , Liu Yuzhi , Ju Xingke , Shi Zhenfeng , Xia Juan , Li Han
Published: September 2020

Herein, a sturgeon skin gelatine film combined with esculin and ferric citrate was developed as an edible food packaging material to preventEnterococcus faecalis(E. faecalis) contamination.
Introducing multi-energy ratios as an alternative to multi-energy calibration for Br determination via high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace molecular absorption spectrometry. A case study
Authors: Garde Raúl , Nakadi Flávio V. , García-Ruiz Esperanza , Resano Martín
Published: September 2020

Two different multi-signal calibration approaches are examined and their benefits for solving matrix effects for HR CS GFMAS demonstrated.
Topochemical synthesis of low-dimensional nanomaterials
Authors: Zhang Qicheng , Peng Wenchao , Li Yang , Zhang Fengbao , Fan Xiaobin
Published: September 2020

Over the past several decades, nanomaterials have been extensively studied owing to having a series of unique physical and chemical properties that exceed those of conventional bulk materials.
FLP-catalysis meets hydrogen-bond activation
Authors: Sitte Nikolai A. , Köring Laura , Roesky Peter W. , Paradies Jan
Published: September 2020

The potential of two chiral amidines and three non-chiral boranes in the metal-free hydrogen activation was explored.
Rhodium-catalyzed iminoiodane-mediated oxyamidation studies of 5-vinyluracil derivatives using aryl and alkyl sulfamates
Authors: Wang Zhaoxin , Jin Zongxin , Zhong Quanxing , Zhang Yinan , Wu Yan , Ma Yujiao , Sun Hua , Yu Peng , Dodd Robert H.
Published: September 2020

Highly functionalized uracil derivatives were synthesized by regioselective intermolecular 1,2-oxyamidation of 5-vinyluracils. Selected products displayed significant α-glucosidase inhibition.
Organic synthesis of high added value molecules with MOF catalysts
Authors: Martín Nuria , Cirujano Francisco G.
Published: September 2020

Recent examples of organic synthesis of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals in confined spaces of MOFs are highlighted and compared with silica-based ordered porous solids, such as zeolites or mesoporous (organo)silica.
Two colours of light drive PET–RAFT photoligation
Authors: Delafresnaye Laura , Jung Kenward , Boyer Cyrille , Barner-Kowollik Christopher
Published: September 2020

By fusing the realms of photopolymerisation and photoligation, our contribution exploits two orthogonal wavelengths of visible light to readily synthesise and functionalise well defined polymers from a unique dual functionality RAFT agent.
Rational synthesis of epoxy-functional spheres, worms and vesicles by RAFT aqueous emulsion polymerisation of glycidyl methacrylate
Authors: Hatton Fiona L. , Derry Matthew J. , Armes Steven P.
Published: September 2020

The rational synthesis of epoxy-functional diblock copolymer nano-objects has been achieved by RAFT aqueous emulsion polymerisation of glycidyl methacrylate under mild conditions (50 °C, pH 7) to preserve the epoxy groups.
Sophora interruptaBedd. root-derived flavonoids as prominent antiviral agents against Newcastle disease virus
Authors: Bhuvaneswar Cherukupalle , Rammohan Aluru , Bhaskar Baki Vijaya , Babu Pappithi Ramesh , Naveen Gujjar , Gunasekar Duvvuru , Madhuri Subbiah , Reddanna Pallu , Rajendra Wudayagiri
Published: September 2020

The two flavonoids, maackiain and echinoisoflavanone from roots ofSophora interruptaBedd. have shown prominentin vitroantiviral activities by preventing viral replication and transcription than Ribavirin against NDV in DF-1 cells.
Hydrothermal control, characterization, growth mechanism, and photoluminescence properties of highly crystalline 1D Eu(OH)3 nanostructures
Authors: Ji Xiang , Hu Pingjing , Li Xiangzi , Zhang Longwei , Sun Jian
Published: September 2020

Six types of 1D Eu(OH)3 nanostructures with typical morphologies, including short hexagonal prism, long hexagonal prism, coiling rod, short rod, long rod, and nanobunch, were synthesized via the hydrothermal route using EuCl3 and NaOH as materials.
New perspective of a nano-metal preparation pathway based on the hexahydro-closo-hexaborate anion
Authors: Liu Jun , Zhao Xue , Zhang Haibo
Published: September 2020

Today, metal-based nanomaterials play an increasingly important role in the energy, environment, medical and health fields.
Mechanism of the evolution of pore structure during the preparation of activated carbon from Zhundong high-alkali coal based on gas–solid diffusion and activation reactions
Authors: Liang Dingcheng , Xie Qiang , Liu Jinchang , Xie Fei , Liu Deqian , Wan Chaoran
Published: September 2020

Decoupled the activation process into gas–solid diffusion and reaction, and revealed an evolution mechanism of pore structure during the preparation of activated carbon.
How does the Li-distribution in the 16d sites determine the stability of A3(Li,Ti5)O12 (A = Li and Na)?
Authors: Tada Kohei , Ozaki Hiroyuki , Kiyobayashi Tetsu , Kitta Mitsunori , Tanaka Shingo
Published: September 2020

Li3(Li,Ti5)O12 (LTO) is a stable and safe negative electrode material for Li-ion batteries, and its Na substitute Na3(Li,Ti5)O12 (NTO) is a counterpart for the Na-ion battery.
Thermogravimetric analysis of soot combustion in the presence of ash and soluble organic fraction
Authors: Zhang Qian , Fang Jia , Meng Zhongwei , Chen Chen , Qin Zihan
Published: September 2020

Soot (Printex U, PU) combustion in the presence of ash and soluble organic fraction (SOF) was studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).
Redox mediators accelerate electrochemically-driven solubility cycling of molecular transition metal complexes
Authors: Lee Katherine J. , Lodaya Kunal M. , Gruninger Cole T. , Rountree Eric S. , Dempsey Jillian L.
Published: September 2020

We present an example of electrochemically-driven solubility cycling of a molecular transition metal complex and report a novel strategy for catalytically enhancing the oxidation of an insoluble material using homogeneous redox mediators.
Post translational modification-assisted cancer immunotherapy for effective breast cancer treatment
Authors: Theivendran Shevanuja , Tang Jie , Lei Chang , Yang Yannan , Song Hao , Gu Zhengying , Wang Yue , Yang Yang , Jin Lei , Yu Chengzhong
Published: September 2020

The nano-enabled post-translational modification assisted strategy for effective cancer immunotherapy.
Fast protein analysis enabled by high-temperature hydrolysis
Authors: Wang Yuchen , Zhang Wenpeng , Ouyang Zheng
Published: September 2020

A high-temperature microreaction system is developed for fast and selective hydrolysis of proteins, enabling direct analysis of protein biomarkers by mass spectrometry.
Seeing luminescence appear as crystals crumble. Isolation and subsequent self-association of individual [(C6H11NC)2Au]+ions in crystals
Authors: Luong Lucy M. C. , Lowe Christopher D. , Adams Alexandria V. , Moshayedi Venoos , Olmstead Marilyn M. , Balch Alan L.
Published: September 2020

Non-luminescent crystals of [(C6H11NC)2Au](AsF6)·C6H6readily lose benzene to form the green-luminescent polymorph of [(C6H11NC)2Au](AsF6) rather than the blue-luminescent polymorph.
Catalysis using transition metal complexes featuring main group metal and metalloid compounds as supporting ligands
Authors: Takaya Jun
Published: September 2020

Recent development in catalytic application of transition metal complexes having an M–E bond (E = main group metal or metalloid element), which is stabilized by a multidentate ligand, is summarized.
Thermal shape fluctuations of a two-dimensional compressible droplet
Authors: Villemot François , Calmettes Antoine , Durand Marc
Published: September 2020

Thermal fluctuations of a two-dimensional compressible droplet.
Nano-toughening of transparent wearable sensors with high sensitivity and a wide linear sensing range
Authors: Peng Shuhua , Wu Shuying , Yu Yuyan , Blanloeuil Philippe , Wang Chun H.
Published: September 2020

A new highly sensitive and stretchable strain sensor with excellent linearity and optical transparency has been developed by toughening of microcracks within the thin conductive films.
Structure based virtual screening identifies small molecule effectors for the sialoglycan binding protein Hsa
Authors: Agarwal Rupesh , Bensing Barbara A. , Mi Dehui , Vinson Paige N. , Baudry Jerome , Iverson Tina M. , Smith Jeremy C.
Published: September 2020

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a cardiovascular disease often caused by bacteria of the viridans group of streptococci, which includes Streptococcus gordonii and Streptococcus sanguinis. Previous research has found that serine-rich repeat (SRR) proteins on the S. gordonii bacterial surface play a critical role in pathogenesis by facilitating bacterial attachment to sialylated glycans displayed on human platelets. Despite their important role in disease progression, there are currently no anti-adhesive drugs available on the market. Here, we performed structure-based virtual screening using an ensemble docking approach followed by consensus scoring to identify novel small molecule effectors against the sialoglycan binding domain of the SRR adhesin protein Hsa from the S. gordonii strain DL1. The screening successfully predicted nine compounds which were able to displace the native ligand (sialyl-T antigen) in an in vitro assay and bind competitively to Hsa. Furthermore, hierarchical clustering based on the MACCS fingerprints showed that eight of these small molecules do not share a common scaffold with the native ligand. This study indicates that SRR family of adhesin proteins can be inhibited by diverse small molecules and thus prevent the interaction of the protein with the sialoglycans. This opens new avenues for discovering potential drugs against IE.
Prothymosin α activates type I collagen to develop a fibrotic placenta in gestational diabetes
Authors: Wu Hung-Tsung , Kang Lin , Su Yu-Chu , Ou Horng-Yih , Chan Fu-Yu , Chen Yi-Cheng , Su Bing-Hua , Wang Yi-Shiang , Wu Chao-Liang , Shiau Ai-Li , Wu Pensée
Published: September 2020

High-risk pregnancies, such as pregnancies with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), are becoming more common and as such, have become important public health issues worldwide. GDM increases the risks of macrosomia, premature infants, and preeclampsia. Although placental dysfunction, including fibrosis is associated with the development of GDM, factors that link these observations remain unknown. Prothymosin α (ProTα) is expressed in the placenta and is involved in cell proliferation and immunomodulation. It also plays an important role in insulin resistance and fibrosis. However, the role of ProTα in GDM is still unclear. In the present study, we found that fibrosis-related protein expressions, such as type I collagen (Col-1) were significantly increased in the placentae of ProTα transgenic mice. With elevated fibrosis-related protein expressions, placental weights significantly increased in GDM group. In addition, placental and circulating ProTα levels were significantly higher in patients with GDM (n=39), compared with the healthy group (n=102), and were positively correlated with Col-1 expression. Mice with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced GDM had increased ProTα, fasting blood glucose, Col-1, and placental weight, whereas plasma insulin levels were decreased. ProTα overexpression enhanced nuclear factor κB (NFκB) activation to increase fibrosis-related protein expressions in 3A-Sub-E trophoblasts, while treatment with an NFκB inhibitor reversed the effect of ProTα on fibrosis-related protein expressions. We further investigated whether ProTα is regulated by hyperglycemia-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS). In conclusion, ProTα increases the amount of placental connective tissue and thus contributes to the pathogenesis of placental fibrosis in GDM. Therefore, ProTα may be a novel therapeutic target for GDM.
Diagnostic Assessment in Primary Progressive Aphasia: An Illustrative Case Example
Authors: Europa Eduardo , Iaccarino Leonardo , Perry David C. , Weis Elizabeth , Welch Ariane E. , Rabinovici Gil D. , Miller Bruce L. , Gorno-Tempini Maria Luisa , Henry Maya L.
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Diagnosis and classification of primary progressive aphasia (PPA) requires confirmation of specific speech and language symptoms, highlighting the important role of speech-language pathologists in the evaluation process. The purpose of this case report is to inform speech-language pathologists regarding current practices for diagnostic assessment in PPA, describing standard approaches as well as complementary, state-of-the-art procedures that may improve diagnostic precision.

Method

We describe the diagnostic evaluation of a 49-year-old woman with complaints of progressive word-finding difficulty. She completed standard neurological, neuropsychological, and speech-language evaluations, as well as magnetic resonance and positron emission tomography imaging of her brain. In addition, a history of developmental speech, language, and learning abilities was obtained, as well as genetic testing and assessment of cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers. We discuss the evaluation results in the context of the most current research related to PPA diagnosis.

Conclusion

Detailed behavioral assessment, thorough intake of symptom history and neurodevelopmental differences, multimodal neuroimaging, and comprehensive examination of genes and biomarkers are of paramount importance for detecting and characterizing PPA, with ramifications for early behavioral and/or pharmacological intervention.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.12771113
Bounded decoupling control for flexible‐joint robot manipulators with state estimation
Authors: Cheng Xin , Liu Huashan
Published: September 2020

This study proposes a bounded controller for flexible‐joint robot manipulators that only requires state measurements of joint motors. Firstly, the singular perturbation theory is used to decouple the dynamics model of the flexible‐joint robot manipulator into slow and fast subsystems. Then, a saturated adaptive scheme combining backstepping control and radial basis function neural network approximator is applied to make the controller bounded and simplify the control law for the slow subsystem, and a new filtering operator is used in the fast subsystem to enhance the overall performance. Furthermore, the extended Kalman filter is involved to eliminate the states measurements of links in the closed‐loop tracking control. Finally, the stability of the whole system is analysed and the effectiveness of the proposed approach is verified.
Model predictive control for integrated longitudinal and lateral stability of electric vehicles with in‐wheel motors
Authors: Zhang Lin , Chen Hong , Huang Yanjun , Guo Hongyan , Sun Haobo , Ding Haitao , Wang Nian
Published: September 2020

This study investigates an integrated wheel slip, yaw rate, and sideslip angle control via torque vectoring to improve both the longitudinal and lateral stability of electric vehicles (EVs) with four in‐wheel motors. The algorithm is developed based on model predictive control (MPC) and thus can optimally reach a balance among different objectives while considering actuation and state constraints. Firstly, to deal with tyre non‐linearity and variations in the lateral tyre forces due to changes in tyre slip ratios, the mechanism of using torque vectoring to improve vehicle stability is analysed. Then, a non‐linear tyre model is introduced into the predictive model to characterise the tyre force coupling relationship. Here, a linear‐parameter‐varying (LPV) model is employed, which is derived by linearising the nonlinear vehicle model online. Moreover, the stability control of EVs with in‐wheel motors is transformed into a constrained online optimisation problem and solved using the proposed LPV‐MPC method. Finally, the proposed LPV‐MPC is compared with some existing well‐established techniques from literature in different test scenarios. The obtained results demonstrate that the LPV‐MPC approach could reduce the computational burden and shows a precise longitudinal control and obviously improves the lateral stability.
FRA lookup charts for the quantitative determination of winding axial displacement fault in power transformers
Authors: Tahir Mehran , Tenbohlen Stefan
Published: September 2020

Frequency response analysis (FRA) has gained attention as a reliable diagnostic tool, to assess the mechanical integrity of power transformers, due to standardised FRA measurement methods. However, the assessment of FRA results is still a challenge as it demands skilful personnel for diagnosis. Since there is no definitive and reliable code available for FRA interpretation. In this study, the three‐dimensional (3D) finite integration technique is used to simulate the physical geometrical dimensions of a three‐phase transformer which emulate the behaviour of real transformer and frequency response measurements. This novel method eliminates the need for lumped parameter circuit models, as it provides the ability to extract the FRA signatures directly from the 3D winding model. Axial displacement of different levels is simulated in several connection schemes. It was found that variation of the inter‐winding capacitance due to the axial displacement possesses a linear relationship with the degree of axial displacement fault. This provides the possibility for the quantitative determination of winding axial displacement fault using FRA. A simple mathematical relation is derived for calculating the variation of inter‐winding capacitance and a geometrical factor is introduced to generalise the method. Finally, lookup charts are introduced to diagnose axial displacement fault in different transformers.
Limiting surge arrester failure under direct lightning strokes for attaining service continuity of distribution networks
Authors: Sabiha Nehmdoh A.
Published: September 2020

This study introduces an arrangement of surge arrester, Rogowski coil, and triac to attain service continuity of distribution networks. This new arrangement is proposed to limit the arrester failure due to lightning flashes striking distribution feeders. The arrester failure is probably happened due to the increase of absorbed energy over the withstand capability. As the lightning flash has multiple discharges, an equivalent single wave model is computed to evaluate the arrester discharge energy. The arrester discharge current is monitored using a single Rogowski coil. Then, the arrester's dynamic characteristic (current–voltage) is utilised to estimate the discharge energy using only the arrester current. The arrester and associated Rogowski coil are distributed in an 11 kV distribution network. Due to travelling‐waves reflections of the direct lightning striking the distribution feeder, the discharge energy of the installed arresters in the network is different than the computed energy using the lightning flash current as an impulse current source directly applied on the arrester device. Finally, the parallel triac with the arrester is suggested and triggered for limiting the arrester's failure. The detailed model of this proposed arrangement is evaluated via an electromagnetic simulation software. The failure assessment is statistically evaluated using the MATLAB software.
Reliability evaluation and analysis of multi‐terminal interconnect power distribution system with flexible multi‐state switch
Authors: Liu Wenxia , Huang Yuchen , Yang Yanhui , Liu Xin
Published: September 2020

In order to help flexible multi‐state switch (FMSS) access the power system, a reliability evaluation method for multi‐terminal interconnected power distribution systems with FMSS is proposed. First, according to the physical structure and operation mode of FMSS, a reliability model of FMSS is established. Then, by exploring how FMSS access strategy changes the system operation mode as well as network structure, a load recovery method for disconnected side is designed and the factors affecting the system reliability are refined. Finally, the sequential Monte Carlo is applied to evaluate the reliability of the multi‐terminal interconnected distribution system with FMSS, and the influence of FMSS access strategy on the system reliability is quantitatively analysed in two different systems. The cases verify the effectiveness of the method, and the results show that: (i) the access of FMSS and the proposed load recovery strategy can significantly enhance the system reliability, (ii) the access position, capacity and reliability of FMSS affect system reliability, (iii) the improvement of system reliability is optimal when the FMSS with a large capacity connected to the end of the system, and close to important loads. This research can provide theoretical support for the planning of flexible interconnected power distribution system.
Review of advanced techniques for multi‐gigabit visible light communication
Authors: Rahman Muhammad Towfiqur , Bakibillah Abu Saleh Md , Parthiban Rajendran , Bakaul Masuduzzaman
Published: September 2020

Visible light communication (VLC) is a promising candidate for future indoor wireless communication. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are popular choices as transmitters for VLC, since they are energy efficient and have the ability to provide illumination and data transmission simultaneously. VLC is attractive for reasons such as security, the ability to use a licence free spectrum, and broad bandwidth. Previous review articles on VLC mainly focused on VLC network algorithms, implementation challenges, system design, applications, and physical layer technologies. Unlike the existing reviews, this study presents state‐of‐the‐art VLC systems for high‐speed data communication in the gigabit range and the techniques to achieve such high data rates. In addition, concepts such as LED modelling and fabrication process, recent commercial advancements of VLC products, and hybrid/heterogeneous networks to achieve high data rate are highlighted in this study. For this purpose, some key technologies of VLC systems, including channel equalisation from both transmitter and receiver sides, higher‐order modulation techniques, wavelength division multiplexing, multiple input multiple output technology, LED modelling, and advanced fabrication processes are discussed. This study also covers recent advancements in commercialisation of VLC technology, and recent progress made by various research groups.