bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced NRT1.1/NPF6.3 expression in shoots improves growth under nitrogen deficiency stress in Arabidopsis
Authors: Sakuraba Yasuhito , Chaganzhana  , Mabuchi Atsushi , Iba Koh , Yanagisawa Shuichi
Published: February 2021

Identification of genes and their alleles capable of improving plant growth under low nitrogen (N) conditions is key for developing sustainable agriculture. Here, we show that a genome-wide association study using Arabidopsis thaliana accessions suggested an association between different magnitudes of N deficiency responses and diversity in NRT1.1/NPF6.3 that encodes a dual-affinity nitrate transporter involved in nitrate uptake by roots. Various analyses using accessions exhibiting reduced N deficiency responses revealed that enhanced NRT1.1 expression in shoots rather than in roots is responsible for better growth of Arabidopsis seedlings under N deficient conditions. Furthermore, polymorphisms that increased NRT1.1 promoter activity were identified in the NRT1.1 promoter sequences of the accessions analyzed. Hence, our data indicated that polymorphism-dependent activation of the NRT1.1 promoter in shoots could serve as a tool in molecular breeding programs for improving plant growth in low N environments.
Identification of a conserved virion-stabilizing network inside the interprotomer pocket of enteroviruses
Authors: Flatt Justin W. , Domanska Aušra , Seppälä Alma L. , Butcher Sarah J.
Published: February 2021

Enteroviruses pose a persistent and widespread threat to human physical health, with no specific treatments available. Small molecule capsid binders have the potential to be developed as antivirals that prevent virus attachment and entry into host cells. To aid with broad-range drug development, we report here structures of coxsackieviruses B3 and B4 bound to different interprotomer-targeting capsid binders using single-particle cryo-EM. The EM density maps are beyond 3 Å resolution, providing detailed information about interactions in the ligand-binding pocket. Comparative analysis revealed the residues that form a conserved virion-stabilizing network at the interprotomer site, and showed the small molecule properties that allow anchoring in the pocket to inhibit virus disassembly.
Alkanes increase the stability of early life membrane models under extreme pressure and temperature conditions
Authors: Misuraca Loreto , Demé Bruno , Oger Philippe , Peters Judith
Published: February 2021

Terrestrial life appeared on our planet within a time window of [4.4–3.5] billion years ago. During that time, it is suggested that the first proto-cellular forms developed in the surrounding of deep-sea hydrothermal vents, oceanic crust fractures that are still present nowadays. However, these environments are characterized by extreme temperature and pressure conditions that question the early membrane compartment’s capability to endure a stable structural state. Recent studies proposed an adaptive strategy employed by present-day extremophiles: the use of apolar molecules as structural membrane components in order to tune the bilayer dynamic response when needed. Here we extend this hypothesis on early life protomembrane models, using linear and branched alkanes as apolar stabilizing molecules of prebiotic relevance. The structural ordering and chain dynamics of these systems have been investigated as a function of temperature and pressure. We found that both types of alkanes studied, even the simplest linear ones, impact highly the multilamellar vesicle ordering and chain dynamics. Our data show that alkane-enriched membranes have a lower multilamellar vesicle swelling induced by the temperature increase and are significantly less affected by pressure variation as compared to alkane-free samples, suggesting a possible survival strategy for the first living forms.
A minimal model for structure, dynamics, and tension of monolayered cell colonies
Authors: Sarkar Debarati , Gompper Gerhard , Elgeti Jens
Published: February 2021

The motion of cells in tissues is an ubiquitous phenomenon. In particular, in monolayered cell colonies in vitro, pronounced collective behavior with swirl-like motion has been observed deep within a cell colony, while at the same time, the colony remains cohesive, with not a single cell escaping at the edge. Thus, the colony displays liquid-like properties inside, in coexistence with a cell-free “vacuum” outside. We propose an active Brownian particle model with attraction, in which the interaction potential has a broad minimum to give particles enough wiggling space to be collectively in the fluid state. We demonstrate that for moderate propulsion, this model can generate the fluid-vacuum coexistence described above. In addition, the combination of the fluid nature of the colony with cohesion leads to preferred orientation of the cell polarity, pointing outward, at the edge, which in turn gives rise to a tensile stress in the colony—as observed experimentally for epithelial sheets. For stronger propulsion, collective detachment of cell clusters is predicted. Further addition of an alignment preference of cell polarity and velocity direction results in enhanced coordinated, swirl-like motion, increased tensile stress and cell-cluster detachment.
Country-level conditions like prosperity, democracy, and regulatory culture predict individual climate change belief
Authors: Levi Sebastian
Published: February 2021

Decades after the scientific community agreed on the existence of human-made climate change, substantial parts of the world’s population remain unaware or unconvinced that human activity is responsible for climate change. Belief in human-made climate change continues to vary strongly within and across different countries. Here I analyse data collected by the Gallup World Poll between 2007 and 2010 on individual attitudes across 143 countries, using a random forest model, to show that country-level conditions like environmental protection, civil liberty, and economic development are highly predictive of individual climate change belief. Individual education and internet access, in contrast, are correlated to climate change awareness, but much less to belief in climate change’s anthropogenic causes. I also identify non-linear pattern in which country-level circumstances relate to individual climate change belief. The local importance of most predictors varies strongly across countries, indicating that each country has its relatively unique set of correlates of climate change belief.
A shift in the ocean circulation has warmed the subpolar North Atlantic Ocean since 2016
Authors: Desbruyères Damien , Chafik Léon , Maze Guillaume
Published: February 2021

The Subpolar North Atlantic is known for rapid reversals of decadal temperature trends, with ramifications encompassing the large-scale meridional overturning and gyre circulations, Arctic heat and mass balances, or extreme continental weather. Here, we combine datasets derived from sustained ocean observing systems (satellite and in situ), idealized observation-based modelling (advection-diffusion of a passive tracer), and a machine learning technique (ocean profile clustering) to document and explain the most-recent and ongoing cooling-to-warming transition of the Subpolar North Atlantic. Following a gradual cooling of the region that was persisting since 2006, a surface-intensified and large-scale warming sharply emerged in 2016 following an ocean circulation shift that enhanced the northeastward penetration of warm and saline waters from the western subtropics. The long ocean memory of the Subpolar North Atlantic implies that this advection-driven warming is likely to persist in the near-future with possible implications for the Atlantic multidecadal variability and its global impacts.
Determination of perfluoroalkyl acids in different tissues of graminaceous plants
Authors: Ferrario Claudia , Valsecchi Sara , Lava Roberto , Bonato Marco , Polesello Stefano
Published: February 2021

A method for the determination of 12 perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA) in vegetal samples was proposed.
Photocatalytic oxygen evolution triggered by photon upconverted emission based on triplet–triplet annihilation
Authors: Kageshima Yosuke , Tateyama Shutaro , Kishimoto Fuminao , Teshima Katsuya , Domen Kazunari , Nishikiori Hiromasa
Published: February 2021

Upconverted emission from the composites of a triplet sensitizer and a singlet emitter intercalated in a layered clay compound accelerated photocatalytic oxygen evolution from water using Mo:BiVO4 photocatalysts coexisting in the aqueous dispersion.
Toxicity and chemical transformation of silver nanoparticles in A549 lung cells: dose-rate-dependent genotoxic impact
Authors: Bobyk Laure , Tarantini Adeline , Beal David , Veronesi Giulia , Kieffer Isabelle , Motellier Sylvie , Valsami-Jones Eugenia , Lynch Iseult , Jouneau Pierre-Henri , Pernet-Gallay Karin , Aude-Garcia Catherine , Sauvaigo Sylvie , Douki Thierry , Rabilloud Thierry , Carriere Marie
Published: February 2021

Acute exposure of A549 cells to Ag-NPs induces stronger effects on DNA integrity, ROS level, cell metabolism and cell cycle than repeated exposure. Ag-NPs dissolves in both exposure conditions and Ag ions recombine with thiolated proteins.
Discovery of novel JAK2 and EGFR inhibitors from a series of thiazole-based chalcone derivatives
Authors: Sanachai Kamonpan , Aiebchun Thitinan , Mahalapbutr Panupong , Seetaha Supaphorn , Tabtimmai Lueacha , Maitarad Phornphimon , Xenikakis Iakovos , Geronikaki Athina , Choowongkomon Kiattawee , Rungrotmongkol Thanyada
Published: February 2021

The Janus kinase (JAK) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have been considered as potential targets for cancer therapy due to their role in regulating proliferation and survival of cancer cells.
An intelligent T1–T2 switchable MRI contrast agent for the non-invasive identification of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques
Authors: Pan Chunshu , Lin Junjie , Zheng Jianjun , Liu Chuang , Yuan Bo , Akakuru Ozioma Udochukwu , Zubair Iqbal M. , Fang Qianlan , Hu Jiapeng , Chen Jia , Lin Jie , Dai Qi , Guo Xiuyu , Li Zihou , Zhang Tao , Xu Chen , Ma Xuehua , Chen Tianxiang , Wu Aiguo , Jin Yinhua
Published: February 2021

A T1–T2 switchable MRI contrast agent, hyaluronic acid-modified iron oxide nanoparticle–polyacrylic acid, is used for the identification of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques by macrophage phagocytosis. It could reveal promising enhancement in MRI.
Mapping mechanical properties of living cells at nanoscale using intrinsic nanopipette–sample force interactions
Authors: Kolmogorov Vasilii S. , Erofeev Alexander S. , Woodcock Emily , Efremov Yuri M. , Iakovlev Aleksei P. , Savin Nikita A. , Alova Anna V. , Lavrushkina Svetlana V. , Kireev Igor I. , Prelovskaya Alexandra O. , Sviderskaya Elena V. , Scaini Denis , Klyachko Natalia L. , Timashev Peter S. , Takahashi Yasufumi , Salikhov Sergey V. , Parkhomenko Yuri N. , Majouga Alexander G. , Edwards Christopher R. W. , Novak Pavel , Korchev Yuri E. , Gorelkin Petr V.
Published: February 2021

Mechanical properties of living cells determined by cytoskeletal elements play a crucial role in a wide range of biological functions.
Tunable upconversion of holmium sublattice through interfacial energy transfer for anti-counterfeiting
Authors: Huang Rong , Liu Songbin , Huang Jinshu , Liu Huiming , Hu Zhiyong , Tao Lili , Zhou Bo
Published: February 2021

We report a mechanistic strategy towards the tunable upconversion of holmium sublattice through interfacial energy transfer under both steady-state and non-steady-state excitations, showing great promise in anti-counterfeiting.
A superhydrophobic covalent zeolitic imidazolate framework-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane hybrid material as a highly efficient and reusable sorbent for organic solvents
Authors: Loganathan Pushparaj , K. K. R. Datta , Shanmugan Swaminathan
Published: February 2021

A robust, fluorine-free, superhydrophobic ZIF-POSS hybrid material is prepared by a post-covalent reaction between ZIF-90 and POSS-NH2 via imine bond formation. The ZIF-POSS material is highly effective and reusable sorbent for organic solvents.
Photodynamic therapy: photosensitizers and nanostructures
Authors: Escudero Alberto , Carrillo-Carrión Carolina , Castillejos Ma Carmen , Romero-Ben Elena , Rosales-Barrios Christian , Khiar Noureddine
Published: February 2021

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses photosensitizers (PSs) to treat some skin and eye diseases, and certain types of cancer. In this review, we summarise the strategies to design PSs and how they can be incorporated into different nanostructures.
Box-copper catalyzed asymmetric inverse-electron-demand oxa-hetero-Diels–Alder reaction for efficient synthesis of spiro pyranyl-oxindole derivatives
Authors: Li Nai-Kai , Sun Bing-Bing , Chen Jun-Bo , Yang Hao-Di , Wang Bai-Lin , Yu Jie-Qiang , Wang Xing-Wang , Wang Zheng
Published: February 2021

A chiral Box/Cu catalyzed asymmetric IEDDA reaction between isatin-derived β,γ-unsaturated α-ketoesters and electron-rich olefins was developed, which provided chiral spiro oxindole-pyrans in excellent yields with excellent stereoselectivities.
Gelserancines A–E, monoterpenoid indole alkaloids with unusual skeletons from Gelsemium elegans
Authors: Gu Ji-Hong , Zhang Wei , Cai Wen-Ying , Fu Xiao-Xue , Zhou Hong-Ling , Li Ni-Ping , Tian Hai-Yan , Liu Jun-Shan , Ye Wen-Cai , Wang Lei
Published: February 2021

Five monoterpenoid indole alkaloids (MIAs) with unusual skeletons, gelserancines A–E (1–5), were isolated from the roots of Gelsemium elegans.
The highly efficient removal of HCN over Cu8Mn2/CeO2 catalytic material
Authors: Yi Zhihao , Sun Jie , Li Jigang , Yang Yulin , Zhou Tian , Wei Shouping , Zhu Anna
Published: February 2021

In this work, porous CeO2 flower-like spheres loaded with bimetal oxides were prepared to achieve effective removal of HCN in the lower temperature region of 30–150 °C.
Research progress on the applications of paper chips
Authors: Tong Xin , Ga Lu , Zhao Ruiguo , Ai Jun
Published: February 2021

Due to the modern pursuit of the quality of life, science and technology have rapidly developed, resulting in higher requirements for various detection methods based on analytical technology.
Hexagonal cluster Mn-MOF nanoflowers with super-hydrophilic properties for efficient and continuous solar-driven clean water production
Authors: Wang Jiulong , Wang Weike , Mu Xueyang , Li Zhengtong , Wang Chengbing
Published: February 2021

Superhydrophilic, robust, hexagonal prism cluster Mn-MOF nanoflowers with superior solar thermal conversion performance are grown on surface of soft copper mesh as a conformal and uniform coating for a stable, portable and efficient solar evaporator.
A fluorometric and colorimetric dual-signal nanoplatform for ultrasensitive visual monitoring of the activity of alkaline phosphatase
Authors: An Jia , Hu Yongqin , Liu Guoyi , Chen Meizhu , Chen Rubing , Lyu Ying , Yuan Mengdi , Luo Mengfei , Liu Yufei
Published: February 2021

Considering the limited sensitivity and accuracy of single-signal assay strategies, the multi-signal assay strategy has sparked significant excitement in recent years.
Highly luminescent near-infrared Cu-doped InP quantum dots with a Zn–Cu–In–S/ZnS double shell scheme
Authors: Kim Jiyong , Choi Hyung Seok , Wedel Armin , Yoon Suk-Young , Jo Jung-Ho , Kim Hyun-Min , Han Chul-Jong , Song Hong-Joo , Yi Jeong-Min , Jang Jong-Shik , Zschiesche Hannes , Lee Bum-Joo , Park Kyoungwon , Yang Heesun
Published: February 2021

Highly emissive, Stokes-shifted near-IR InP:Cu QDs were realized through the unconventional combination of a ZCIS/ZnS double shelling scheme.
A coumarin-based “off–on” fluorescent probe for highly selective detection of hydrogen sulfide and imaging in living cells
Authors: Ou Luying , Guo Rui , Lin Weiying
Published: February 2021

We designed a novel coumarin-based “off–on” fluorescent probe for detection of hydrogen sulfide changes in living cells.
A facile and practical preparation of P-chiral phosphine oxides
Authors: Xu Ronghua , Gao Zhenhua , Yu Yiteng , Tang Yehua , Tian Duanshuai , Chen Tian , Chen Yibing , Xu Guangqing , Shi Enxue , Tang Wenjun
Published: February 2021

A practical and cost-effective synthetic method of P-chiral diarylalkyl, aryldialkyl, and triaryl phosphine oxides by using readily available chiral diphenyl-2-pyrrolidinemethanol as the auxiliary is developed. The long-standing racemization issue during solvolysis has been addressed.
A review of solvent freeze-out technology for protein crystallization
Authors: Ming Hui , Zhu Ming-Fu , Li Lu , Liu Qing-Bin , Yu Wen-Hua , Wu Zi-Qing , Liu Yong-Ming
Published: February 2021

In this review, we summarize important advances in solvent freeze-out (SFO) technology for protein crystallization, including the background of SFO, its fundamental principle, and some crucial conditions and factors for optimizing SFO technology.
The mechanism of the gold(i)-catalyzed Meyer–Schuster rearrangement of 1-phenyl-2-propyn-1-ol via 4-endo-dig cyclization
Authors: Sorbelli Diego , Segato Jacopo , Del Zotto Alessandro , Belpassi Leonardo , Zuccaccia Daniele , Belanzoni Paola
Published: February 2021

Solvent polarity affects the mechanism of the Meyer–Schuster rearrangement of 1-phenyl-2-propyn-1-ol, with apolar solvents triggering the active role of the counterion.
Influence of ligand substituent conformation on the spin state of an iron(ii)/di(pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine complex
Authors: Kulmaczewski Rafal , Howard Mark J. , Halcrow Malcolm A.
Published: February 2021

The temperature of the solution-phase spin-crossover equilibrium in iron(ii) complexes of 4-alkylsulfanyl-2,6-di{pyrazol-1-yl}pyridine (bppSR) complexes depends strongly on the alkylsulfanyl substituent.
Broad-spectrum pharmacological activity of Australian propolis and metabolomic-driven identification of marker metabolites of propolis samples from three continents
Authors: Bhuyan Deep Jyoti , Alsherbiny Muhammad A. , Low Mitchell Nolan , Zhou Xian , Kaur Kirandeep , Li George , Li Chun Guang
Published: February 2021

The broad-spectrum pharmacological activity of Australian propolis and identification of key markers of propolis samples from Australia, Brazil and China.
Surface modification for improving the photoredox activity of CsPbBr3nanocrystals
Authors: Akhil Syed , Dutt V. G. Vasavi , Mishra Nimai
Published: February 2021

The redox-active surface of lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs)'s with a high photoinduced electron transfer rate makes them an ideal candidate for photocatalytic applications.
Cellulose nanocrystalline and sodium benzenesulfonate-doped polypyrrole nano-hydrogel/Au composites for ultrasensitive detection of carcinoembryonic antigen
Authors: Huang Xiangrong , Ni Zhuoyao , Su Haiping , Shang Yazhuo , Liu Honglai , He Yifan , Meng Hong , Dong Yinmao
Published: February 2021

Scheme illustrates the fabrication procedures of the proposed immunosensor. The proposed immunosensor shows ultrasensitive detection of carcinoembryonic antigen.
Stabilizing self-assembled nano-objects using light-driven tetrazole chemistry
Authors: Nardi Martina , Scherer Torsten , Yang Liang , Kübel Christian , Barner-Kowollik Christopher , Blasco Eva
Published: February 2021

Tetrazole-driven photochemistry is exploited for the stabilization of self-assembled morphologies via light-triggered nitrile imine carboxylic acid ligation (NICAL).
ε-Thionocaprolactone: an accessible monomer for preparation of degradable poly(vinyl esters) by radical ring-opening polymerization
Authors: Ivanchenko Oleksandr , Authesserre Ugo , Coste Guilhem , Mazières Stéphane , Destarac Mathias , Harrisson Simon
Published: February 2021

Readily accessible ε-thionocaprolactone can be copolymerized with vinyl esters under radical polymerization conditions to produce copolymers containing degradable thioester and thioacetal linkages.
Vertically oriented MoS2/WS2 heterostructures on reduced graphene oxide sheets as electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Lee Hoon Ju , Lee Suk Woo , Hwang Hyuntae , Yoon Seong In , Lee Zonghoon , Shin Hyeon Suk
Published: February 2021

One pot synthesis of vertical MoS2/WS2 heterostructures on reduced graphene oxide sheets (MoS2/WS2/rGO) showing high catalytic activity for HER.
A nanoprobe for fluorescent monitoring of microRNA and targeted delivery of drugs
Authors: Zuo Chen , Guo Yongcan , Li Junjie , Peng Zhiping , Bai Shulian , Yang Shuangshuang , Wang Ding , Chen Hui , Xie Guoming
Published: February 2021

A DNA-hybrid-gated core–shell upconversion nanoprobe is prepared for both fluorescent monitoring of miR-21 and on-demand delivery of DOX. It showed good selectivity towards miR-21 and demonstrated specific cytotoxic efficacy towards MCF-7 cells.
Novel sustainable materials from waste plastics: compatibilized blend from discarded bale wrap and plastic bottles
Authors: Gupta Arvind , Misra Manjusri , Mohanty Amar K.
Published: February 2021

This work studies a novel sustainable polymeric material made from a reactive blend of two agri-food waste plastics, with the new material showing strong promise for value-added industrial uses.
Application of [PVI-SO3H]NO3 as a novel polymeric nitrating agent with ionic tags in preparation of high-energetic materials
Authors: Sepehrmansourie Hassan , Zarei Mahmoud , Zolfigol Mohammad Ali , Mehrzad Amin , Hafizi-Atabak Hamid Reza
Published: February 2021

In this paper, poly(vinyl imidazole) sulfonic acid nitrate [PVI-SO3H]NO3 awas synthesized and fully characterized. Then, it was used for the preparation of energetic materials.
Hole-rich CoP nanosheets with an optimized d-band center for enhancing pH-universal hydrogen evolution electrocatalysis
Authors: Geng Shuo , Tian Fenyang , Li Menggang , Guo Xin , Yu Yongsheng , Yang Weiwei , Hou Yanglong
Published: February 2021

The creation of holes on the surface of CoP can optimize the d-band center of CoP for enhancing the HER activity. And this method can direct us to design more transition metal compound-based hole-rich catalysts.
Intrinsic lamellar defects containing atomic Cu in Cu2X (X = S, Se) thermoelectric materials
Authors: Wei Yuyu , Lu Ping , Zhu Chenxi , Zhao Kunpeng , Lu Xiaoyue , Su Hong , Shi Xun , Chen Lidong , Xu Fangfang
Published: February 2021

Intrinsic lamellar defects containing atomic copper have been revealed in Cu2X (X = S, Se) materials by structural and chemical analysis at the atomic scale, providing new insight into the investigation of the copper precipitation mechanism.
Tracing plant–environment interactions from organismal to planetary scales using stable isotopes: a mini review
Authors: McNicol Gavin , Yu Zhongjie , Berry Z. Carter , Emery Nathan , Soper Fiona M. , Yang Wendy H.
Published: February 2021

Natural isotope variation forms a mosaic of isotopically distinct pools across the biosphere and flows between pools integrate plant ecology with global biogeochemical cycling. Carbon, nitrogen, and water isotopic ratios (among others) can be measured in plant tissues, at root and foliar interfaces, and in adjacent atmospheric, water, and soil environments. Natural abundance isotopes provide ecological insight to complement and enhance biogeochemical research, such as understanding the physiological conditions during photosynthetic assimilation (e.g. water stress) or the contribution of unusual plant water or nutrient sources (e.g. fog, foliar deposition). While foundational concepts and methods have endured through four decades of research, technological improvements that enable measurement at fine spatiotemporal scales, of multiple isotopes, and of isotopomers, are advancing the field of stable isotope ecology. For example, isotope studies now benefit from the maturation of field-portable infrared spectroscopy, which allows the exploration of plant–environment sensitivity at physiological timescales. Isotope ecology is also benefiting from, and contributing to, new understanding of the plant–soil–atmosphere system, such as improving the representation of soil carbon pools and turnover in land surface models. At larger Earth-system scales, a maturing global coverage of isotope data and new data from site networks offer exciting synthesis opportunities to merge the insights of single-or multi-isotope analysis with ecosystem and remote sensing data in a data-driven modeling framework, to create geospatial isotope products essential for studies of global environmental change.
Passivity‐based controllers for ZVS quasi‐resonant boost converter
Authors: Shipra Kumari , Sharma Shambhu N. , Maurya Rakesh
Published: February 2021

There is a consistent demand for reliable, efficient, small‐sized, and light weight power supply for electronics devices. To meet the aforesaid requirements, Quasi Resonant converters are being used due to low switching losses, high efficiency, small size and weight. With these motivations, in this paper, two different methodologies of passivity‐based controllers namely (EL‐PBC and PCH‐PBC) are proposed for Zero Voltage Switching Quasi Resonant (ZVS‐QR) boost converter to regulate the output voltage. First, the Euler‐Lagrange (EL) formulation is used to derive state‐space equations for ZVS‐QR boost converter under different operating modes and then, average state‐space model is developed using generalized state space average (GSSA) technique. In order to improve the dynamic performance of the ZVS‐QR boost converter, the aforesaid passivity‐based controllers are designed and its stability analysis is carried out. The entire system is developed with Sim Power System toolbox of MATLAB software and validated through OP‐5142 real time simulator. Steady state and dynamic performances are examined under several operating conditions. It is observed that the passivity‐based controllers of the paper achieve robustness against the uncertainties at the input and the load side. It is compared with benchmark PI controller as well.
Spatial basis functions based fault localisation for linear parabolic distributed parameter systems
Authors: Feng Yun
Published: February 2021

Fault localisation for distributed parameter systems is as important as fault detection but is seldom discussed in the literature. The main reason is that an infinite number of sensors in the space are needed to construct a distributed residual signal, which is nearly impossible in practice. In this study, a fault detection and localisation filter which only uses a finite number of sensors is initiated based on an approximated ordinary differential equation model. Considering the limitations on computation resources for higher‐order models in practice, a novel set of spatial basis functions is applied to the reduced‐order fault detection and localisation filter design. Under certain conditions, the novel spatial basis functions obtain smaller state truncation error while the order is lower compared to the mostly used eigenfunctions of the spatial operator.
Non‐iterative blind deconvolution algorithm based on power‐law distribution
Authors: Gao Weizhe , Xu Xuebin , Yang Yikang , Zhang Zhiguang
Published: February 2021

The spectral amplitude of most natural images is approximately isotropic and follows the power law. In this study, the authors propose a new non‐iterative blind image deconvolution algorithm that builds an isosceles curve model to approximate the spectrum amplitude of the real image. In the authors’ proposed algorithm, the optical transfer function (OTF) is obtained by comparing the reconstructed and degraded spectra. Then they employ the integrated multidirectional comprehensive estimation to reduce the OTF estimation error. The restored image is then obtained by applying the estimated OTF and the Wiener filter. Experiments on image deconvolution tasks indicate that the proposed algorithm provides a significant performance gain by obtaining an accurate OTF, reducing ringing artefacts compared with existing algorithms, and realising real‐time image restoration.
End to end system for hazy image classification and reconstruction based on mean channel prior using deep learning network
Authors: Satrasupalli Sivaji , Daniel Ebenezer , Guntur Sitaramanjaneya Reddy , Shehanaz Shaik
Published: February 2021

Outdoor images are having several applications including autonomous vehicles, geo‐mapping, and surveillance. It is a common phenomenon that the images captured outdoor are prone to noise, which arises due to natural and manmade extreme atmospheric conditions such as haze, fog, and smog. Importantly in autonomous vehicle navigation, it is very important to recover the ground truth image to get the better decision by the system. Estimation of the transmission map and air‐light is very crucial in recovering the ground truth image. In this study, the authors proposed a new method to estimate the transmission map based on a mean channel prior (MCP), which represents the depth map to estimate the transmission map. The authors proposed a deep neural network to identify the hazy image for the further dehazing process. In this study, the authors presented, two novel contributions, first an MCP‐based image dehazing and second, a deep neural network‐based identification of hazy images as a pre‐processing block in the proposed end to end system. The proposed deep learning network using the TensorFlow platform provided validation accuracy of 93.4% for hazy image classification. Finally, the proposed MCP‐based dehazing network showed better performance in terms of peak‐signal‐to‐noise ratio, structural similarity index, and computational time than that of existing methods.
Numerical modeling of lander interaction with a low-gravity asteroid regolith surface
Authors: Thuillet Florian , Zhang Yun , Michel Patrick , Biele Jens , Kameda Shingo , Sugita Seiji , Tatsumi Eri , Schwartz Stephen R. , Ballouz Ronald-Louis
Published: February 2021

Context.The JAXA asteroid sample return mission Hayabusa2 reached its target (162173) Ryugu in June 2018 and released the European (CNES-DLR) lander MASCOT in October 2018. MASCOT successfully landed on the surface, and the Hayabusa2 Optical Navigation Camera system has been able to image parts of the MASCOT trajectory.

Aims.This work builds on our previous study of interactions between a landing package and a granular material in the context of MASCOT on Ryugu. The purpose is to expand our knowledge on this topic and to help constrain physical properties of surfaces by considering the actual trajectory of MASCOT and observations of Ryugu from Hayabusa2.

Methods.We ran a new campaign of numerical simulations using theN-body codepkdgravwith the soft-sphere discrete element method by expanding the parameter space to characterize the actual landing scenario of MASCOT on Ryugu. The surface was modeled as a granular medium, but we also considered a large boulder in the bed at various depths and a rigid wall representing a cliff. MASCOT was faithfully modeled as the actual lander, and we considered different impact angles, speeds, and surface slopes. We were particularly interested in the outgoing-to-incoming speed ratio of MASCOT during the landing process.

Results.We found that a boulder in the bed generally increases both the stochasticity of the outcomes and the speed ratio, with larger increases when the boulder sits closer to the surface. We also found that the surface slope does not affect our previous results and that the impact speed does not affect the speed ratio for moderate-friction granular material. Finally, we found that a speed ratio as low as 0.3, as estimated in the actual scenario, can occur with a solid-rock surface, not only with a soft surface, because the geometry of the lander is nonspherical. This means that we must infer the physical properties of the surface from outcomes such as the speed ratio with caution: it depends on the lander geometry.
Three Lyman-α-emitting filaments converging to a massive galaxy group at z = 2.91: discussing the case for cold gas infall
Authors: Daddi E. , Valentino F. , Rich R. M. , Neill J. D. , Gronke M. , O’Sullivan D. , Elbaz D. , Bournaud F. , Finoguenov A. , Marchal A. , Delvecchio I. , Jin S. , Liu D. , Strazzullo V. , Calabro A. , Coogan R. , D’Eugenio C. , Gobat R. , Kalita B. S. , Laursen P. , Martin D. C. , Puglisi A. , Schinnerer E. , Wang T.
Published: February 2021

We have discovered a 300 kpc-wide giant Lyman-α (Lyα) nebula centered on the massive galaxy group RO-1001 at z = 2.91 in the Cosmic Evolution Survey field. Keck Cosmic Web Imager observations reveal three cold gas filaments converging into the center of the potential well of its ∼4 × 1013 M⊙ dark matter halo, hosting 1200 M⊙ yr−1 of star formation as probed by Atacama Large Millimeter Array and NOrthern Extended Millimeter Array observations. The nebula morphological and kinematics properties and the prevalence of blueshifted components in the Lyα spectra are consistent with a scenario of gas accretion. The upper limits on active galactic nuclei activity and overall energetics favor gravity as the primary Lyα powering source and infall as the main source of gas flows to the system. Although interpretational difficulties remain, with outflows and likely also photoionization with ensuing recombination still playing a role, this finding provides arguably an ideal environment to quantitatively test models of cold gas accretion and galaxy feeding inside an actively star-forming massive halo at high redshift.
Properties of stream interaction regions at Earth and Mars during the declining phase of SC 24
Authors: Geyer Paul , Temmer Manuela , Guo Jingnan , Heinemann Stephan G.
Published: February 2021

Aims.We inspect the evolution of stream interaction regions (SIRs) from Earth to Mars, covering the distance range 1–1.5 AU, over the declining phase of solar cycle 24 (2014–2018). So far, studies only analyzed SIRs measured at Earth and Mars at different times. We compare existing catalogs for both heliospheric distances and arrive at a clean dataset for the identical time range. This allows a well-sampled statistical analysis and for the opposition phases of the planets an in-depth analysis of SIRs as they evolve with distance.

Methods.We use in situ solar wind data from OMNI and the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN spacecraft as well as remote sensing data from Solar Dynamics Observatory. A superposed epoch analysis is performed for bulk speed, proton density, temperature, magnetic field magnitude and total perpendicular pressure. Additionally, a study of events during the two opposition phases of Earth and Mars in the years 2016 and 2018 is conducted. SIR related coronal holes with their area as well as their latitudinal and longitudinal extent are extracted and correlated to the maximum bulk speed and duration of the corresponding high speed solar wind streams following the stream interaction regions.

Results.We find that while the entire solar wind high speed stream shows no expansion as it evolves from Earth to Mars, the crest of the high speed stream profile broadens by about 17%, and the magnetic field and total pressure by about 45% around the stream interface. The difference between the maximum and minimum values in the normalized superposed profiles increases slightly or stagnates from 1–1.5 AU for all parameters, except for the temperature. A sharp drop at zero epoch time is observed in the superposed profiles for the magnetic field strength at both heliospheric distances. The two opposition phases reveal similar correlations of in situ data with coronal hole parameters for both planets. Maximum solar wind speed has a stronger dependence on the latitudinal extent of the respective coronal hole than on its longitudinal extent. We arrive at an occurrence rate of fast forward shocks three times higher at Mars than at Earth.
Miec: A Bayesian hierarchical model for the analysis of nearby young open clusters
Authors: Olivares J. , Bouy H. , Sarro L. M. , Moraux E. , Berihuete A. , Galli P. A. B. , Miret-Roig N.
Published: February 2021

Context. The analysis of luminosity and mass distributions of young stellar clusters is essential to understanding the star-formation process. However, the gas and dust left over by this process extinct the light of the newborn stars and can severely bias both the census of cluster members and itsss luminosity distribution.

Aims. We aim to develop a Bayesian methodology to infer, with minimal biases due to photometric extinction, the candidate members and magnitude distributions of embedded young stellar clusters.

Methods. We improve a previously published methodology and extend its application to embedded stellar clusters. We validate the method using synthetically extincted data sets of the Pleiades cluster with varying degrees of extinction.

Results. Our methodology can recover members from data sets extincted up to Av ∼ 6 mag with accuracies, true positive, and contamination rates that are better than 99%, 80%, and 9%, respectively. Missing values hamper our methodology by introducing contaminants and artifacts into the magnitude distributions. Nonetheless, these artifacts vanish through the use of informative priors in the distribution of the proper motions.

Conclusions. The methodology presented here recovers, with minimal biases, the members and distributions of embedded stellar clusters from data sets with a high percentage of sources with missing values (> 96%).
Longitudinal variation characteristics of stable isotope ratios of suspended particulate organic matter in the headwaters of the Qingjiang River, China
Authors: Gao Jian , Zehui Zhang  , Zhong Ping , Cheng Yang  , Liao Mingjun , Jiao Yiying
Published: February 2021

To determine the sources and characteristics of suspended particulate organic matter (SPOM), the spatial distribution of carbon and nitrogen and their isotopic values (δ13C and δ15N) were measured from upstreamto downstream (i.e.site 1 to site 4) in the head waters of the Qingjiang River in central China. The mean annual SPOM δ15N and δ13C values varied between sites but exhibited a unimodal pattern. The mean annual δ15N increased from site 1 (2.5‰) to 3 (5.3‰), followed by a major decrease to 2.2‰ at site 4. Furthermore, the mean annual δ13C varied unimodally, being the most positiveat sites 1 (−21.6‰) and 4 (−22.8‰) followed by sites 2 (−24.5‰) and 3 (−26.4‰). In particular, the mean SPOM δ15N and δ13C in the tailwaters from a domestic wastewater treatment plant, which was located approximately 0.3 km upstream of site 4, were 2.2‰ and −25.6‰, respectively. The SPOM C/N values from stream water at site 4 (8.5 ± 1.5) and tailwater (6.2 ± 0.9) were similar. Collectively, the results suggested that wastewater treatment plant tailwater influenced the stable isotope values of SPOM in the stream and affected the variation trendfrom upstream to downstream.
Literaturübersicht zur Therapie der CNO mit TNF-α-Inhibitoren
Authors: Hospach Toni , Hedrich Christian
Published: February 2021

Die optimale Therapie der Chronisch Nichtbakteriellen Osteomyelitis (CNO) ist zum jetzigen Zeitpunkt nicht geklärt. Neben NSAR werden kurzfristig Glukokortikoide, konventionelle Basismedikamente (Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs: kDMARDs), Bisphosphonate und Biologika eingesetzt. Die vorliegende Arbeit thematisiert diesen differenzialtherapeutischen Aspekt mit Schwerpunkt auf den Tumornekrosefaktor-α-Inhibitoren (TNF-i).
Ein Überblick über die Osteoimmunologie
Authors: Lösser Lennart , Rauner Martina
Published: February 2021

Osteoimmunologie beschreibt die Wechselwirkungen zwischen dem Immunsystem und dem Knochenstoffwechsel. Besonders bei rheumatischen Erkrankungen sind die Auswirkungen der Osteoimmunologie gut ersichtlich, da viele entzündliche rheumatische Erkrankungen mit lokalen Knochenerosionen und Osteoporose einhergehen. Die Zellen des Immunsystems, welche die chronische Entzündung aufrechterhalten, führen gleichzeitig zu einer Stimulation der Osteoklastogenese und somit der Knochenresorption. Osteoblasten hingegen werden in ihrer Funktion unterdrückt und damit bleiben die knochenregenerativen Prozesse aus. Die Aufschlüsselung der zugrundeliegenden Mechanismen der Knochendestruktion ist aktuell Gegenstand intensiver Forschung und könnte zu neuen therapeutischen Strategien führen, um die Knochengesundheit bei Patienten mit rheumatischen Erkrankungen aufrechtzuerhalten. Dieser Artikel gibt einen kurzen Überblick über das Feld der Osteoimmunologie und fokussiert insbesondere auf den Einfluss des Immunsystems auf die Knochenresorption.
Diagnose, Differenzialdiagnose und Diagnostik bei Osteoporose
Authors: Maus Uwe , Schultz Katharina , Bühring Björn
Published: February 2021

Die systemische Osteoporose ist gekennzeichnet durch einen Rückgang von Knochenmasse und Knochenstruktur und führt zu einem erhöhten Frakturrisiko. Das Risiko für eine Osteoporose wird beeinflusst vom Lebensalter, dem Geschlecht und weiteren Risikofaktoren. Die rheumatoide Arthritis als chronisch entzündliche Erkrankung der Gelenke führt neben der systemischen Osteoporose zusätzlich zu einer lokalen, periartikulären Osteoporose und auch im fortgeschrittenen Stadium zur Gelenkdestruktion. Daher ist eine möglichst frühe Diagnostik und ggfs. Therapie wichtig. In dem vorliegenden Beitrag sollen die notwendigen Schritte zur Diagnostik und zum Ausschluss von Differenzialdiagnosen aufgezeigt werden. In einem weiteren Beitrag wird die Therapie der Osteoporose geschildert.
Development and Assessment of a Video-Based Intervention to Improve Rhinoplasty Informed Consent
Authors: Hakimi Amir Aaron , Standiford Lauren , Chang Edward , Wong Brian Jet-Fei
Published: February 2021

There has been a growing interest in improving the informed consent process to ensure patients truly understand the benefits, risks, and alternatives of their procedures. Herein, we sought to describe the production of an educational video to supplement the traditional rhinoplasty informed consent process. Additionally, we evaluate satisfaction and risk recall among prospective rhinoplasty patients who participated in the video-assisted informed consent process. One author attended 30 rhinoplasty consultations where informed consent was performed and generated 65 questions related to the benefits, risks, alternatives, and general knowledge of rhinoplasty operations. A video of the senior author answering these questions was filmed and edited to 25 minutes. Prospective rhinoplasty patients watched the video before their initial consultation and were asked to complete two surveys assessing their satisfaction with the video-assisted process as well as their ability to recall risks discussed in the video. Understandability and actionability of the video was assessed by three independent reviewers using the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool. Postvideo surveys were completed by 40 patients. Patients strongly agreed that the video informed them about rhinoplasty risks and benefits (4.90/5.00), effectively answered their questions and/or concerns (4.78/5.00), and provided adequate information before surgery (4.85/5.00). Participants strongly recommended that all prospective patients watch the video prior to surgery (4.97/5.00). Participants on average correctly answered 4.00 ± 0.877 out of five risk recall questions. There was no statistically significant difference in risk recall performance between college graduates (4.19 ± 0.602) and those who did not graduate college (3.79 ± 1.08), p = 0.076. No significant correlation was found between patient age and recall performance (r = –0.011), p = 0.943. The overall mean understandability and actionability scores for the video were 100%. Video-assisted informed consent for rhinoplasty may enhance and overcome limitations to the traditional verbal consent process by ensuring comprehensive, standardized, and readily understandable information.
Effects of Cryotherapy on Temperature Change in Caudal Thigh Muscles of Dogs
Authors: Janas Krysta , Millis Darryl , Levine David , Keck Melissa
Published: February 2021

Objective The aim of the study reported here was to determine the effect of cryotherapy on the caudal thigh muscles of dogs. We hypothesized that temperature changes would be greatest in superficial tissues and decrease with tissue depth.

Study Design Eight mixed-breed dogs (mean weight 21.2 kg, mean age 3.3 years) were studied. Temperature was measured at the skin surface and at depths of 1.0 and 3.0 cm below the skin using needle thermistor probes that were inserted beneath the site of cold pack application. Treatment consisted of a standard 1.0°C cold pack applied for 20 minutes. Temperature was recorded every minute for the 20 minute cold pack treatment, and for 80 minutes following treatment.

Results Cutaneous temperatures significantly decreased (p < 0.01), with rapid rewarming of the skin following cold pack removal. Tissue cooling was less profound with increasing tissue depths, but was still significant (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in muscle temperature between haired and clipped limbs.

Conclusion A single application of a cold pack to the caudal thigh muscles of dogs for 20 minutes resulted in significant temperature reduction at all tissue depths (p < 0.05). This decrease persisted for ∼60 minutes. The presence of hair did not have a significant effect on muscle cooling (p > 0.05).
Cerebrospinal Fluid and Serum C-Reactive Protein among Children with Acute Encephalitis Syndrome
Authors: Kumar Durgesh , Kumar Dinesh , Tiwari Alok , Sharma Nishant , Yadav Rajesh Kumar , Shukla Krishan Mohan
Published: February 2021

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the positivity of C-reactive protein (CRP) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum in children presented with clinical diagnosis of acute encephalitis syndrome (AES).

Methods A total of 164 children between 6 months and 14 years with clinical diagnosis of AES were investigated. Qualitative CRP (slide agglutination) was determined in CSF and serum sample of each patient. On the basis of clinical examination and investigations, all the patients were divided into four groups as pyogenic meningitis, viral encephalitis, tuberculous meningitis, and cerebral malaria. The positivity of CRP in CSF and serum were compared in these groups.

Results CSF CRP was found to be positive in the majority of patients with pyogenic meningitis and a statistically significant (p ≤ 0.001) association was found between CSF CRP and final diagnosis of AES, while this association was nonsignificant (p = 0.141) in case of serum CRP. When we compared the CSF and serum CRP, serum CRP was found to be more suggestive of tuberculous meningitis, viral encephalitis, and cerebral malaria while CSF CRP was more sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of pyogenic meningitis.

Conclusion The sensitivity and specificity of CSF CRP for pyogenic meningitis was quite high. Serum CRP with a high sensitivity can be used as a screening test for different types of meningitis and cerebral malaria; however, its diagnostic accuracy has yet to be established.