bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The League of Nations and the post-Ottoman recolonization of the Nile Valley: The imperial Matryoshka of Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, 1922–1924
Authors: Potì Giorgio
Published: March 2022

This article addresses the Anglo-Egyptian dispute over Sudan following the Ottoman defeat in World War One and Cairo’s nominal independence in 1922. Drawing from Foreign Office documents, League of Nations archives, Egyptian parliamentary records and contemporary academic jurisprudence, it traces the failed Egyptian attempt to activate the settlement mechanisms of the Covenant after the assassination of the British governor of Sudan. In parallel, the article investigates the British preparations to face international arbitration, including the hypothetical request for a League mandate over Sudan. Through Cairo’s and London’s perceptions, we can grasp the global reach of the Geneva organization beyond its limited membership and agency. Although the League undertook no measures, the possibility of its intervention triggered competing legal arguments, as well as rival discourses of Egyptian and Sudanese self-determination. Thus, this essay sheds light on a recolonization process pre-dating World War Two. The clash of British and Egyptian imperial projects in the Nile Valley warns historians against forcing a teleology of the end of empire on the interwar roots of decolonization.
Lost In Translation
Authors: Moran Jerome
Published: March 2022

Languages are cultural epiphenomena: they, and their varieties, emerge at stages of development in the life of a culture. In some important respects they are peculiar to their culture, and the meanings of certain terms used in the language of their culture are not therefore readily transferable to the languages of other cultures. There are culturally-laden terms that do not have semantic equivalents in the languages of other cultures. Generally speaking, translations can more easily reproduce semantic equivalents that are culturally neutral. So, the term ‘dog’ is able to be translated in most other languages, since whatever term is used has the same recognised referent. The efficacy of translation generally depends upon the nature and number of semantic equivalents that are culturally neutral. The trouble is that there is a large number of terms that are not semantically equivalent because they are not culturally neutral; the greater the number, the less the efficacy of translation. It would seem, therefore, that translation cannot in many instances convey what is distinctive of the culture of the original language.
Western United States and Canada perspective: are herbicide-resistant crops the solution to herbicide-resistant weeds?
Authors: Brunharo Caio A. C. G. , Gast Roger , Kumar Vipan , Mallory-Smith Carol A. , Tidemann Breanne D. , Beckie Hugh J.
Published: March 2022

Herbicide-resistant (HR) crops are widely grown throughout the United States and Canada. These crop-trait technologies can enhance weed management and therefore can be an important component of integrated weed management (IWM) programs. Concomitantly, evolution of HR weed populations has become ubiquitous in agricultural areas where HR crops are grown. Nevertheless, crop cultivars with new or combined (stacked) HR traits continue to be developed and commercialized. This review, based on a symposium held at the Western Society of Weed Science annual meeting in 2021, examines the impact of HR crops on HR weed management in the U.S. Great Plains, U.S. Pacific Northwest, and the Canadian Prairies over the past 25 yr and their past and future contributions to IWM. We also provide an industry perspective on the future of HR crop development and the role of HR crops in resistance management. Expanded options for HR traits in both major and minor crops are expected. With proper stewardship, HR crops can reduce herbicide-use intensity and help reduce selection pressure on weed populations. However, their proper deployment in cropping systems must be carefully planned by considering a diverse crop rotation sequence with multiple HR and non-HR crops and maximizing crop competition to effectively manage HR weed populations. Based on past experiences in the cultivation of HR crops and associated herbicide use in the western United States and Canada, HR crops have been important determinants of both the selection and management of HR weeds.
Living With Fire and the Need for Diversity
Authors: Stoof C. R. , Kettridge N.
Published: March 2022

The 2018–2021 wildfire seasons were a glimpse of the future: deadly damaging fires in Mediterranean regions and high fire activity outside the typical fire season, also in temperate and boreal areas. This challenge cannot be solved with the traditional mono‐disciplinary approach of fire suppression. There is a critical need to change fire management from fire resistance to landscape resilience: Living with fire. Climate change thereby creates an urgency for understanding the integrated drivers of fire impacts and risks, and for designing creative and effective risk reduction, management and communication strategies. We argue that achieving this integrated fire management requires inter‐ and transdisciplinary research based on four axes of diversity: combining cross‐geography, cross‐risk, and cross‐sector approaches while embracing social diversity. This requires a new way of training our future experts, a broader way of defining scientific excellence, and stimulation of opportunities for people from various disciplines and sectors to meet and learn.
Toward a Global Model for Soil Inorganic Phosphorus Dynamics: Dependence of Exchange Kinetics and Soil Bioavailability on Soil Physicochemical Properties
Authors: Wang Ying‐Ping , Huang Yuanyuan , Augusto Laurent , Goll Daniel S. , Helfenstein Julian , Hou Enqing
Published: March 2022

The representation of phosphorus (P) cycling in global land models remains quite simplistic, particularly on soil inorganic phosphorus. For example, sorption and desorption remain unresolved and their dependence on soil physical and chemical properties is ignored. Empirical parameter values are usually based on expert knowledge or data from few sites with debatable global representativeness in most global land models. To overcome these issues, we compiled from data of inorganic soil P fractions and calculated the fraction of added P remaining in soil solution over time of 147 soil samples to optimize three parameters in a model of soil inorganic P dynamics. The calibrated model performed well (r2 > 0.7 for 122 soil samples). Model parameters vary by several orders of magnitude, and correlate with soil P fractions of different inorganic pools, soil organic carbon and oxalate extractable metal oxide concentrations among the soil samples. The modeled bioavailability of soil P depends on, not only, the desorption rates of labile and sorbed pool, inorganic phosphorus fractions, the slope of P sorbed against solution P concentration, but also on the ability of biological uptake to deplete solution P concentration and the time scale. The model together with the empirical relationships of model parameters on soil properties can be used to quantify bioavailability of soil inorganic P on various timescale especially when coupled within global land models.
Model Order Reduction for Water Quality Dynamics
Authors: Wang Shen , Taha Ahmad F. , Chakrabarty Ankush , Sela Lina , Abokifa Ahmed A.
Published: March 2022

A state‐space representation of water quality (WQ) dynamics describing disinfectant (e.g., chlorine) transport dynamics in drinking water distribution networks has been recently proposed. Such representation is a byproduct of space‐ and time‐discretization of the partial differential equations modeling transport dynamics. This results in a large state‐space dimension even for small networks with tens of nodes. Although such a state‐space model provides a model‐driven approach to predict WQ dynamics, incorporating it into model‐based control algorithms or state estimators for large networks is challenging and at times intractable. To that end, this paper investigates model order reduction (MOR) methods for WQ dynamics with the objective of performing post‐reduction feedback control. The presented investigation focuses on reducing state‐dimension by orders of magnitude, the stability of the MOR methods, and the application of these methods to model predictive control.
Disparate Seasonal Nitrate Export From Nested Heterogeneous Subcatchments Revealed With StorAge Selection Functions
Authors: Nguyen Tam V. , Kumar Rohini , Musolff Andreas , Lutz Stefanie R. , Sarrazin Fanny , Attinger Sabine , Fleckenstein Jan H.
Published: March 2022

Understanding catchment controls on catchment solute export is a prerequisite for water quality management. StorAge Selection (SAS) functions encapsulate essential information about catchment functioning in terms of discharge selection preference and solute export dynamics. However, they lack information on the spatial origin of solutes when applied at the catchment scale, thereby limiting our understanding of the internal (subcatchment) functioning. Here, we parameterized SAS functions in a spatially explicit way to understand the internal catchment responses and transport dynamics of reactive dissolved nitrate (N‐NO3). The model was applied in a nested mesoscale catchment (457 km2), consisting of a mountainous partly forested, partly agricultural subcatchment, a middle‐reach forested subcatchment, and a lowland agricultural subcatchment. The model captured flow and nitrate concentration dynamics not only at the catchment outlet but also at internal gauging stations. Results reveal disparate subsurface mixing dynamics and nitrate export among headwater and lowland subcatchments. The headwater subcatchment has high seasonal variation in subsurface mixing schemes and younger water in discharge, while the lowland subcatchment has less pronounced seasonality in subsurface mixing and much older water in discharge. Consequently, nitrate concentration in discharge from the headwater subcatchment shows strong seasonality, whereas that from the lowland subcatchment is stable in time. The temporally varying responses of headwater and lowland subcatchments alternate the dominant contribution to nitrate export in high and low‐flow periods between subcatchments. Overall, our results demonstrate that the spatially explicit SAS modeling provides useful information about internal catchment functioning, helping to develop or evaluate spatial management practices.
Large‐Sample Evaluation of Radar Rainfall Nowcasting for Flood Early Warning
Authors: Imhoff R. O. , Brauer C. C. , van Heeringen K. J. , Uijlenhoet R. , Weerts A. H.
Published: March 2022

To assess the potential of radar rainfall nowcasting for early warning, nowcasts for 659 events were used to construct discharge forecasts for 12 Dutch catchments. Four open‐source nowcasting algorithms were tested: Rainymotion Sparse (RM‐S), Rainymotion DenseRotation (RM‐DR), Pysteps deterministic (PS‐D), and probabilistic (PS‐P) with 20 ensemble members. As benchmark, Eulerian Persistence (EP) and zero precipitation input (ZP) were used. For every 5‐min step in the available nowcasts, a discharge forecast with a 12‐hr forecast horizon was constructed. Simulations using the observed radar rainfall were used as reference. Rainfall and discharge forecast errors were found to increase with both increasing rainfall intensity and spatial variability. For the discharge forecasts, this relationship depends on the initial conditions, as the forecast error increases more quickly with rainfall intensity when the groundwater table is shallow. Overall, discharge forecasts using RM‐DR, PS‐D, and PS‐P outperform the other methods. Threshold exceedance forecasts were assessed by using the maximum event discharge as threshold. Compared to benchmark ZP, an exceedance is, on average, forecast 223 (EP), 196 (RM‐S), 213 (RM‐DR), 119 (PS‐D), and 143 min (PS‐P) in advance. The EP results are counterbalanced by both a high false alarm ratio (FAR) and inconsistent forecasts. Contrarily, PS‐D and PS‐P produce lower FAR and inconsistency index values than all other methods. All methods advance short‐term discharge forecasting compared to no rainfall forecasts at all, though all have shortcomings. As forecast rainfall volumes are a crucial factor in discharge forecasts, a future focus on improving this aspect in nowcasting is recommended.
A cross-species spatiotemporal proteomic analysis identifies UBE3A-dependent signaling pathways and targets
Authors: Pandya Nikhil J. , Meier Sonja , Tyanova Stefka , Terrigno Marco , Wang Congwei , Punt A. Mattijs , Mientjes E. J. , Vautheny Audrey , Distel Ben , Kremer Thomas , Elgersma Ype , Jagasia Ravi
Published: March 2022

Angelman syndrome (AS) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder caused by the loss of neuronal E3 ligase UBE3A. Restoring UBE3A levels is a potential disease-modifying therapy for AS and has recently entered clinical trials. There is paucity of data regarding the molecular changes downstream of UBE3A hampering elucidation of disease therapeutics and biomarkers. Notably, UBE3A plays an important role in the nucleus but its targets have yet to be elucidated. Using proteomics, we assessed changes during postnatal cortical development in an AS mouse model. Pathway analysis revealed dysregulation of proteasomal and tRNA synthetase pathways at all postnatal brain developmental stages, while synaptic proteins were altered in adults. We confirmed pathway alterations in an adult AS rat model across multiple brain regions and highlighted region-specific differences. UBE3A reinstatement in AS model mice resulted in near complete and partial rescue of the proteome alterations in adolescence and adults, respectively, supporting the notion that restoration of UBE3A expression provides a promising therapeutic option. We show that the nuclear enriched transketolase (TKT), one of the most abundantly altered proteins, is a novel direct UBE3A substrate and is elevated in the neuronal nucleus of rat brains and human iPSC-derived neurons. Taken together, our study provides a comprehensive map of UBE3A-driven proteome remodeling in AS across development and species, and corroborates an early UBE3A reinstatement as a viable therapeutic option. To support future disease and biomarker research, we present an accessible large-scale multi-species proteomic resource for the AS community (https://www.angelman-proteome-project.org/).
Liquid biopsies to monitor and direct cancer treatment in colorectal cancer
Authors: Mauri Gianluca , Vitiello Pietro Paolo , Sogari Alberto , Crisafulli Giovanni , Sartore-Bianchi Andrea , Marsoni Silvia , Siena Salvatore , Bardelli Alberto
Published: March 2022

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent and deadly cancers worldwide. Despite recent improvements in treatment and prevention, most of the current therapeutic options are weighted by side effects impacting patients’ quality of life. Better patient selection towards systemic treatments represents an unmet clinical need. The recent multidisciplinary and molecular advancements in the treatment of CRC patients demand the identification of efficient biomarkers allowing to personalise patient care. Currently, core tumour biopsy specimens represent the gold-standard biological tissue to identify such biomarkers. However, technical feasibility, tumour heterogeneity and cancer evolution are major limitations of this single-snapshot approach. Genotyping circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) has been addressed as potentially overcoming such limitations. Indeed, ctDNA has been retrospectively demonstrated capable of identifying minimal residual disease post-surgery and post-adjuvant treatment, as well as spotting druggable molecular alterations for tailoring treatments in metastatic disease. In this review, we summarise the available evidence on ctDNA applicability in CRC. Then, we review ongoing clinical trials assessing how liquid biopsy can be used interventionally to guide therapeutic choice in localised, locally advanced and metastatic CRC. Finally, we discuss how its widespread could transform CRC patients’ management, dissecting its limitations while suggesting improvement strategies.
Elucidating mechanisms of genetic cross-disease associations at the PROCR vascular disease locus
Authors: Stacey David , Chen Lingyan , Stanczyk Paulina J. , Howson Joanna M. M. , Mason Amy M. , Burgess Stephen , MacDonald Stephen , Langdown Jonathan , McKinney Harriett , Downes Kate , Farahi Neda , Peters James E. , Basu Saonli , Pankow James S. , Tang Weihong , Pankratz Nathan , Sabater-Lleal Maria , de Vries Paul S. , Smith Nicholas L. ,   CHARGE Hemostasis Working Group, Dehghan Abbas , Heath Adam S. , Morrison Alanna C. , Reiner Alex P. , Johnson Andrew , Richmond Anne , Peters Annette , van Hylckama Vlieg Astrid , McKnight Barbara , Psaty Bruce M. , Hayward Caroline , Ward-Caviness Cavin , O’Donnell Christopher , Chasman Daniel , Strachan David P. , Tregouet David A. , Mook-Kanamori Dennis , Gill Dipender , Thibord Florian , Asselbergs Folkert W. , Leebeek Frank W. G. , Rosendaal Frits R. , Davies Gail , Homuth Georg , Temprano Gerard , Campbell Harry , Taylor Herman A. , Bressler Jan , Huffman Jennifer E. , Rotter Jerome I. , Yao Jie , Wilson James F. , Bis Joshua C. , Hahn Julie M. , Desch Karl C. , Wiggins Kerri L. , Raffield Laura M. , Bielak Lawrence F. , Yanek Lisa R. , Kleber Marcus E. , Mueller Martina , Kavousi Maryam , Mangino Massimo , Conomos Matthew P. , Liu Melissa , Brown Michael R. , Jhun Min-A , Chen Ming-Huei , de Maat Moniek P. M. , Peyser Patricia A. , Elliot Paul , Wei Peng , Wild Philipp S. , Morange Pierre E. , van der Harst Pim , Yang Qiong , Le Ngoc-Quynh , Marioni Riccardo , Li Ruifang , Damrauer Scott M. , Cox Simon R. , Trompet Stella , Felix Stephan B. , Völker Uwe , Koenig Wolfgang , Jukema J. Wouter , Guo Xiuqing , Gelinas Amy D. , Schneider Daniel J. , Janjic Nebojsa , Samani Nilesh J. , Ye Shu , Summers Charlotte , Chilvers Edwin R. , Danesh John , Paul Dirk S.
Published: March 2022

Many individual genetic risk loci have been associated with multiple common human diseases. However, the molecular basis of this pleiotropy often remains unclear. We present an integrative approach to reveal the molecular mechanism underlying the PROCR locus, associated with lower coronary artery disease (CAD) risk but higher venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk. We identify PROCR-p.Ser219Gly as the likely causal variant at the locus and protein C as a causal factor. Using genetic analyses, human recall-by-genotype and in vitro experimentation, we demonstrate that PROCR-219Gly increases plasma levels of (activated) protein C through endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) ectodomain shedding in endothelial cells, attenuating leukocyte–endothelial cell adhesion and vascular inflammation. We also associate PROCR-219Gly with an increased pro-thrombotic state via coagulation factor VII, a ligand of EPCR. Our study, which links PROCR-219Gly to CAD through anti-inflammatory mechanisms and to VTE through pro-thrombotic mechanisms, provides a framework to reveal the mechanisms underlying similar cross-phenotype associations.
Tryptophan depletion results in tryptophan-to-phenylalanine substitutants
Authors: Pataskar Abhijeet , Champagne Julien , Nagel Remco , Kenski Juliana , Laos Maarja , Michaux Justine , Pak Hui Song , Bleijerveld Onno B. , Mordente Kelly , Navarro Jasmine Montenegro , Blommaert Naomi , Nielsen Morten M. , Lovecchio Domenica , Stone Everett , Georgiou George , de Gooijer Mark C. , van Tellingen Olaf , Altelaar Maarten , Joosten Robbie P. , Perrakis Anastassis , Olweus Johanna , Bassani-Sternberg Michal , Peeper Daniel S. , Agami Reuven
Published: March 2022

Activated T cells secrete interferon-γ, which triggers intracellular tryptophan shortage by upregulating the indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) enzyme1–4. Here we show that despite tryptophan depletion, in-frame protein synthesis continues across tryptophan codons. We identified tryptophan-to-phenylalanine codon reassignment (W>F) as the major event facilitating this process, and pinpointed tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase (WARS1) as its source. We call these W>F peptides ‘substitutants’ to distinguish them from genetically encoded mutants. Using large-scale proteomics analyses, we demonstrate W>F substitutants to be highly abundant in multiple cancer types. W>F substitutants were enriched in tumours relative to matching adjacent normal tissues, and were associated with increased IDO1 expression, oncogenic signalling and the tumour-immune microenvironment. Functionally, W>F substitutants can impair protein activity, but also expand the landscape of antigens presented at the cell surface to activate T cell responses. Thus, substitutants are generated by an alternative decoding mechanism with potential effects on gene function and tumour immunoreactivity.
Fire (plus) flood (equals) beach: coastal response to an exceptional river sediment discharge event
Authors: Warrick Jonathan A. , Vos Kilian , East Amy E. , Vitousek Sean
Published: March 2022

Wildfire and post-fire rainfall have resounding effects on hillslope processes and sediment yields of mountainous landscapes. Yet, it remains unclear how fire–flood sequences influence downstream coastal littoral systems. It is timely to examine terrestrial–coastal connections because climate change is increasing the frequency, size, and intensity of wildfires, altering precipitation rates, and accelerating sea-level rise; and these factors can be understood as contrasting accretionary and erosive agents for coastal systems. Here we provide new satellite-derived shoreline measurements of Big Sur, California and show how river sediment discharge significantly influenced shoreline positions during the past several decades. A 2016 wildfire followed by record precipitation increased sediment discharge in the Big Sur River and resulted in almost half of the total river sediment load of the past 50 years (~ 2.2 of ~ 4.8 Mt). Roughly 30% of this river sediment was inferred to be littoral-grade sand and was incorporated into the littoral cell, causing the widest beaches in the 37-year satellite record and spreading downcoast over timescales of years. Hence, the impact of fire–flood events on coastal sediment budgets may be substantial, and these impacts may increase with time considering projected intensification of wildfires and extreme rain events under global warming.
Optical coherence tomography and imaging biomarkers as outcome predictors in diabetic macular edema treated with dexamethasone implant
Authors: Chou Hung-Da , Wu Cheng-Hsiu , Chiang Wei-Yu , Chen Nan-Ni , Hwang Yih-Shiou , Chen Kuan-Jen , Lai Chien-Hsiung , Wu Pei-Chang , Chen Yi-Hao , Yeung Ling , Shao Shih-Chieh , Lai Chi-Chun , Wu Wei-Chi
Published: March 2022

In this retrospective, multicenter study, we determined the predictive value of imaging biomarkers in diabetic macular edema (DME) outcomes following dexamethasone (DEX) implant(s). Sixty-seven eyes of 47 patients’ best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central foveal thickness (CFT) on optical coherence tomography (OCT) before and after intravitreal DEX implants were evaluated. Baseline imaging biomarkers were graded using fundus photography and OCT, and the predictive value of biomarkers for significant treatment effects at six months was analyzed. Six months after 2.0 ± 0.8 (mean ± SD) DEX implants, 35 (52%) and 16 (24%) eyes had CFT reduction ≥ 10% from baseline and decreased to < 300 µm, respectively. BCVA improved ≥ 3 lines in 15 (22%) and remained stable in 38 (57%) eyes. At six months, eyes with severe intraretinal cyst (IRC), abundant hyperreflective dots (HRD), and moderate or severe hard exudate had a significantly higher chance of CFT reduction ≥ 10%. Eyes with abundant HRD at baseline and those underwent three DEX implants were more likely to achieve CFT < 300 µm. Eyes with DME and severe IRC, abundant HRD, or moderate-to-severe hard exudate at baseline were more likely to show a significant reduction in CFT six months after DEX implant.
Genomic evolution and adaptation of arthropod-associated Rickettsia
Authors: El Karkouri Khalid , Ghigo Eric , Raoult Didier , Fournier Pierre-Edouard
Published: March 2022

Rickettsia species are endosymbionts hosted by arthropods and are known to cause mild to fatal diseases in humans. Here, we analyse the evolution and diversity of 34 Rickettsia species using a pangenomic meta-analysis (80 genomes/41 plasmids). Phylogenomic trees showed that Rickettsia spp. diverged into two Spotted Fever groups, a Typhus group, a Canadensis group and a Bellii group, and may have inherited their plasmids from an ancestral plasmid that persisted in some strains or may have been lost by others. The results suggested that the ancestors of Rickettsia spp. might have infected Acari and/or Insecta and probably diverged by persisting inside and/or switching hosts. Pangenomic analysis revealed that the Rickettsia genus evolved through a strong interplay between genome degradation/reduction and/or expansion leading to possible distinct adaptive trajectories. The genus mainly shared evolutionary relationships with α-proteobacteria, and also with γ/β/δ-proteobacteria, cytophagia, actinobacteria, cyanobacteria, chlamydiia and viruses, suggesting lateral exchanges of several critical genes. These evolutionary processes have probably been orchestrated by an abundance of mobile genetic elements, especially in the Spotted Fever and Bellii groups. In this study, we provided a global evolutionary genomic view of the intracellular Rickettsia that may help our understanding of their diversity, adaptation and fitness.
Modelling of the transmission dynamics of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in hospitals and design of control strategies
Authors: Changruenngam Suttikiat , Modchang Charin , Bicout Dominique J.
Published: March 2022

Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) has emerged as a major threat to global public health. Epidemiological and infection controls associated with CRKP are challenging because of several potential elements involved in a complicated cycle of transmission. Here, we proposed a comprehensive mathematical model to investigate the transmission dynamics of CRKP, determine factors affecting the prevalence, and evaluate the impact of interventions on transmission. The model includes the essential compartments, which are uncolonized, asymptomatic colonized, symptomatic colonized, and relapsed patients. Additionally, symptomatic colonized and relapsed patients were further classified into subpopulations according to their number of treatment failures or relapses. We found that the admission of colonized patients and use of antibiotics significantly impacted the endemic transmission in health care units. Thus, we introduced the treatment efficacy, defined by combining the treatment duration and probability of successful treatment, to characterize and describe the effects of antibiotic treatment on transmission. We showed that a high antibiotic treatment efficacy results in a significantly reduced likelihood of patient readmission in the health care unit. Additionally, our findings demonstrate that CRKP transmission with different epidemiological characteristics must be controlled using distinct interventions.
Fresh cassava root replacing cassava chip could enhance milk production of lactating dairy cows fed diets based on high sulfur-containing pellet
Authors: Prachumchai Rittikeard , Cherdthong Anusorn , Wanapat Metha , So Sarong , Polyorach Sineenart
Published: March 2022

The experiment objective was to assess the shifting effect from cassava chip (CC) to fresh cassava root (FC) affected feed utilization, rumen metabolism, cyanide-using bacteria, and milk quality in lactating Thai Friesian dairy cows fed diets based on high sulfur-containing pellet (PS). Four lactating Thai Friesian dairy cows of 481.5 ± 31.3 kg BW (about 4 years old were allocated with four treatments in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. The four treatments were: replacement FC for CC at 0%, 60%, 80%, and 100% dry matter (DM), respectively. Feed intakes for four diets in terms of total dry matter intake (kg/day and % BW) was linearly correlated with levels of replacement of FC (p < 0.01). Digestibilities of crude protein (CP), DM, organic matter (OM), amylase-treated neutral detergent fiber (aNDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) did not change with increasing levels of FC in the diet (p > 0.05). Moreover, the total bacterial counts and cyanide population utilizing bacteria cubically increased with an increase of FC replacement (p < 0.01). The effect of CC substitution with FC in the PS diet was cubically increased on blood thiocyanate concentrations (p < 0.01). In addition, the propionate (C3) concentration at 0 and 4 h post-feeding changed significantly among treatments (p < 0.01), which were linearly improved with an increasing dose of replacement FC and were highest when FC was replaced at 100%. The yield of 3.5% fat-corrected milk was high in the treatment with the replacement of FC as compared to the control (p < 0.01). The yield of fat and milk fat percentages was high (p < 0.01) in the group with the replacement of FC as compared to feed with no diet replaced. The milk thiocyanate concentration was cubically enhanced when levels of FC replacement increased (p < 0.01) and was the highest when FC was replaced at 100%. As the amount of FC replacement was raised, the somatic cell count in the milk decreased linearly (p < 0.01). In conclusion, the replacement of FC at 100% in PS could enhance the feed intake, microbial populations, total volatile fatty acid (VFA), C3 concentration, milk yield, and milk quality.
Impact of drying methods on the yield and chemistry of Origanum vulgare L. essential oil
Authors: Caputo Lucia , Amato Giuseppe , de Bartolomeis Pietro , De Martino Laura , Manna Francesco , Nazzaro Filomena , De Feo Vincenzo , Barba Anna Angela
Published: March 2022

Oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) is mainly cultivated, both as fresh and dried herb, for several purposes, such as ailments, drugs, and spices. To evaluate the influence of some drying methods on the chemical composition of the essential oil of oregano, its aerial parts were dehydrated by convective drying techniques (shade, static oven), microwave-assisted heating (three different treatments) and osmotic treatment. The oils were analyzed by GC-FID and GC–MS. The highest essential oil yield was achieved from microwave and shade drying methods. In total, 39 components were found, with carvacrol (ranging from 56.2 to 81.4%) being the main constituent; other compounds present in lower amounts were p-cymene (1.6–17.7%), γ-terpinene (0.8–14.2%), α-pinene (0.1–2.1%), thymol methyl ether (0.4–1.8%) and thimoquinone (0.5–3.5%). The essential oil yields varied among the different treatments as well as the relative compositions. The percentages of p-cymene, γ-terpinene and α-pinene decreased significantly in the dried sample compared with the fresh sample; on the other hand, carvacrol, isoborneol and linalool increased significantly in the dried materials. The choice of the drying method for obtaining the essential oil therefore appears crucial not only in relation to the higher yield but also and above all in reference to the percentage presence of components that can direct the essential oil toward an appropriate use.
Processes of molecular adsorption and ordering enhanced by mechanical stimuli under high contact pressure
Authors: Watanabe Seiya , Tadokoro Chiharu , Miyake Koji , Sasaki Shinya , Nakano Ken
Published: March 2022

Adsorbed molecular films, referred to as boundary films in tribology, are widely used in various industrial products as a keyway for surface functionalisation, such as lubricity, wettability, and adhesion. Because boundary films are thin nanometre-scale molecular layers and can easily be removed, their formation process cannot be elucidated in detail. In this study, to analyse the growth dynamics of boundary films, the film thickness and molecular orientation of the boundary film of a fatty acid used as an additive in rolling contact as mechanical stimuli were measured in situ. The measurements were performed on simple test lubricants, which were composed of n-hexadecane and stearic acid, at rolling tribological condition between steel and glass (or sapphire) surfaces by ultrathin film interferometry combined with sum-frequency generation spectroscopy according to a unique protocol. The results quantitatively demonstrate shear-induced boundary film formation. The insight gained from these results is anticipated to enable the formulation of high-performance lubricant additives to further reduce friction loss and high-performance glues that can be freely designed for removability.
Study on the risk of soil heavy metal pollution in typical developed cities in eastern China
Authors: Li Yan , Dong Zhen , Feng Dike , Zhang Xiaomian , Jia Zhenyi , Fan Qingbin , Liu Ke
Published: March 2022

Enrichment of heavy metals in urban soils has become a major regional environmental risk. At present, research on the soil heavy metals in cities lacks risk spatial correlation analyses between different heavy metals, and there is a relative lack of assessments of the ecological and health risks. We selected Wuxi, a typical developed city of eastern China, collected and tested the contents of heavy metals in the urban soils of Wuxi in May 2020. Combined with Pb isotope analysis, ecological and health risk assessment, we found that the high heavy metal concentrations in Wuxi are mainly located in the central and western regions, and that the changes in spatial fluctuation are relatively small. The Pb isotopes in the urban soils of Wuxi are distributed in areas, such as those are related to coal combustion, automobile exhaust and urban garbage, indicating that the heavy metals in the urban soils of Wuxi are affected by human activities such as coal combustion and automobile exhaust. The average value of the potential ecological risk index of soil heavy metal Cd is 80.3 (the threshold: 40), which represents a high-risk state. Whether adults or children, the risk of soil heavy metals via ingestion is much higher than that through skin exposure. High health risk values are present in the central area of Wuxi and decrease in a ring-shaped pattern, which is similar to the population distribution of Wuxi and greatly increases the potential risk from soil heavy metals, which should be given close attention. We should develop and use clean energy to replace petroleum fossil fuels, especially in densely populated areas. This study provides technical support for the prevention and control of urban heavy metal pollution.
Long term development of diastolic dysfunction and heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction in heart transplant recipients
Authors: Vejpongsa Pimprapa , Torre-Amione Guillermo , Marcos-Abdala Hernan G. , Kumar Salil , Youker Keith , Bhimaraj Arvind , Nagueh Sherif F.
Published: March 2022

Heart transplant recipients (HTX) have several risk factors for heart failure which can trigger pro-inflammatory and fibrosis factors and set into motion pathophysiologic changes leading to diastolic dysfunction and HFpEF. The objective of the study was to determine if HTX recipients with dyspnea have diastolic dysfunction and HFpEF. Twenty-five HTX were included. LV systolic and diastolic functions were evaluated using conductance catheters to obtain pressure volume loops. LV function was assessed at rest and during moderate intensity exercise of the upper extremities. A significant increase occurred in LV minimal pressure (3.7 ± 3.3 to 6.5 ± 3.5 mmHg) and end diastolic pressure or EDP (11.5 ± 4 to 18 ± 3.8 mmHg, both P < 0.01) with exercise. With exercise, the time constant of LV relaxation shortened in 2, was unchanged in 3, and increased in the remaining patients (group results: rest 40 ± 11.6 vs 46 ± 9 ms, P < 0.01). LV chamber stiffness constant was abnormally increased in all but 2 patients. Indices of LV systolic properties were normal at rest but failed to augment with exercise. In 15 who agreed to blood draw, inflammation and fibrosis markers were obtained. A significant association was observed between LV EDP and Pro-Col III N-terminal (r = 0.58, P = 0.024) and IL-1-soluble receptor (r = 0.59, P = 0.02) levels. HTX have diastolic dysfunction and can develop HFpEF several years after cardiac transplantation. The abnormally increased LV chamber stiffness and the prolongation or lack of shortening of the time constant of LV relaxation with exercise are the underlying reasons behind the observed changes in LV diastolic pressures with exercise.
Optimization of the ultrasonic roll extrusion process parameters based on the SPEA2SDE algorithm
Authors: Wang Xiaoqiang , Wang Haojie , Wang Paigang , Liu Zhifei
Published: March 2022

To obtain the optimal processing parameters of ultrasonic roll extrusion, 42CrMo bearing steel was taken as the research object, and the orthogonal test method was used to design an ultrasonic roll extrusion experiment with spindle speed, feed speed, static pressure and amplitude as parameters. Based on the orthogonal test data, the prediction models of surface roughness, surface residual stress and surface hardness were established by a multiple regression method, and the reliability of the model was verified. An algorithm combining SPEA2 and the shift density estimation strategy (SPEA2SDE) was introduced. The performance of the SPEA2SDE algorithm, NSGA II algorithm and SPEA2 algorithm is tested and compared on a three-dimensional test function set to verify its effectiveness. The SPEA2SDE algorithm are used to solve the multi-objective optimization model to obtain the optimal combination of processing parameters, and the ultrasonic roll extrusion experiment is carried out. The research results show that the surface roughness, surface residual stress and surface hardness optimized by the SPEA2SDE algorithm are in good agreement with the experimental values, and the average error is controlled within 10%, which shows that the algorithm can achieve high precision. It can effectively solve the multi-objective optimization problem of ultrasonic roll extrusion process parameters and can be used to guide actual production machining.
A novel method for miRNA detection based on target-triggered transcription of a light-up RNA aptamer
Authors: Lee Seoyoung , Kim Hansol , Park Yeonkyung , Park Hyun Gyu
Published: March 2022

A novel method for miRNA detection based on target-triggered transcription of light-up RNA aptamer was developed.
Lone pair driven anisotropy in antimony chalcogenide semiconductors
Authors: Wang Xinwei , Li Zhenzhu , Kavanagh Seán R. , Ganose Alex M. , Walsh Aron
Published: March 2022

The unique electronic and optical properties of Sb2S3 and Sb2Se3 are connected to their underlying crystal structures and chemical bonding.
Superconductivity in Mo–P compounds under pressure and in double-Weyl semimetal Hex-MoP2
Authors: Tu Xin-Hai , Bo Tao , Liu Peng-Fei , Yin Wen , Hao Ning , Wang Bao-Tian
Published: March 2022

In this work, we predict five new global stable Mo–P weak phonon-mediated superconductors in the pressure range of 0–300 GPa via the CALYPSO code and in a metastable double-Weyl semimetal hex-MoP2.
Electrocatalytic synthesis of α,α-gem-dihalide ketones from α-mono-halide ketones and unexpected dimer condensation
Authors: Zhou Bei , He Yu-Juan , Tao Yun-Feng , Liu Lan-Xiang , Hu Min , Chang Zu-Hui , Lei Hong , Lin Jun , Lin Tong , Du Guan-Ben
Published: March 2022

Starting from α-mono-halide ketone, this paper demonstrates a novel electrocatalytic method of halogenation for α,α-gem-dihalide ketone synthesis and a NaOH-mediated dimer condensation reaction for keto-ester synthesis.
Divergent C(sp2)–H arylation of heterocycles via organic photoredox catalysis
Authors: Ren Jie , Pi Chao , Cui Xiuling , Wu Yangjie
Published: March 2022

Introducing aryl moieties into heterocyclic scaffolds is a key step in the syntheses of natural products, drugs, and functional materials.
Use of single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for the study of zinc oxide nanoparticles released from fabric face masks
Authors: Suwanroek Wanida , Sumranjit Jitapa , Wutikhun Tuksadon , Siripinyanond Atitaya
Published: March 2022

An analytical method based on single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS) was developed to study the release of ZnO nanoparticles from fabric face mask samples upon washing.
IL-2 secretion-based sorting of single T cells using high-throughput microfluidic on-cell cytokine capture
Authors: Dimatteo Robert , Di Carlo Dino
Published: March 2022

Secretion encoding workflow in which cells are co-encapsulated with anti-cytokine capture and detection probes in drops using a parallelized step emulsification device. Cells recovered from the emulsion are analysed and sorted by flow cytometry.
A high-performance polarization-sensitive and stable self-powered UV photodetector based on a dendritic crystal lead-free metal-halide CsCu2I3/GaN heterostructure
Authors: Zou Can , Liu Qing , Chen Kai , Chen Fei , Zhao Zixuan , Cao Yunxuan , Deng Congcong , Wang Xingfu , Li Xiaohang , Zhan Shaobin , Gao Fangliang , Li Shuti
Published: March 2022

Here, we demonstrate a high-performance and stable polarization-sensitive UV photodetector based on a dendritic crystal lead-free metal-halide CsCu2I3/GaN vertical heterostructure.
Design, synthesis, and in vitro and in vivo anticancer activity studies of new (S)-Naproxen thiosemicarbazide/1,2,4-triazole derivatives
Authors: Han M.İhsan , Tunç Cansu Ümran , Atalay Pınar , Erdoğan Ömer , Ünal Gökhan , Bozkurt Mehmet , Aydın Ömer , Çevik Özge , Küçükgüzel Ş. Güniz
Published: March 2022

This study includes the synthesis of new Naproxen derivatives and in vitro–in vivo molecular mechanistic studies.
Versailles project on advanced materials and standards (VAMAS) interlaboratory study on measuring the number concentration of colloidal gold nanoparticles
Authors: Minelli Caterina , Wywijas Magdalena , Bartczak Dorota , Cuello-Nuñez Susana , Infante Heidi Goenaga , Deumer Jerome , Gollwitzer Christian , Krumrey Michael , Murphy Karen E. , Johnson Monique E. , Montoro Bustos Antonio R. , Strenge Ingo H. , Faure Bertrand , Høghøj Peter , Tong Vivian , Burr Loïc , Norling Karin , Höök Fredrik , Roesslein Matthias , Kocic Jovana , Hendriks Lyndsey , Kestens Vikram , Ramaye Yannic , Contreras Lopez Maria C. , Auclair Guy , Mehn Dora , Gilliland Douglas , Potthoff Annegret , Oelschlägel Kathrin , Tentschert Jutta , Jungnickel Harald , Krause Benjamin C. , Hachenberger Yves U. , Reichardt Philipp , Luch Andreas , Whittaker Thomas E. , Stevens Molly M. , Gupta Shalini , Singh Akash , Lin Fang-hsin , Liu Yi-Hung , Costa Anna Luisa , Baldisserri Carlo , Jawad Rid , Andaloussi Samir E. L. , Holme Margaret N. , Lee Tae Geol , Kwak Minjeong , Kim Jaeseok , Ziebel Johanna , Guignard Cedric , Cambier Sebastien , Contal Servane , Gutleb Arno C. , “Kuba” Tatarkiewicz Jan , Jankiewicz Bartłomiej J. , Bartosewicz Bartosz , Wu Xiaochun , Fagan Jeffrey A. , Elje Elisabeth , Rundén-Pran Elise , Dusinska Maria , Kaur Inder Preet , Price David , Nesbitt Ian , O′ Reilly Sarah , Peters Ruud J. B. , Bucher Guillaume , Coleman Dennis , Harrison Angela J. , Ghanem Antoine , Gering Anne , McCarron Eileen , Fitzgerald Niamh , Cornelis Geert , Tuoriniemi Jani , Sakai Midori , Tsuchida Hidehisa , Maguire Ciarán , Prina-Mello Adriele , Lawlor Alan J. , Adams Jessica , Schultz Carolin L. , Constantin Doru , Thanh Nguyen Thi Kim , Tung Le Duc , Panariello Luca , Damilos Spyridon , Gavriilidis Asterios , Lynch Iseult , Fryer Benjamin , Carrazco Quevedo Ana , Guggenheim Emily , Briffa Sophie , Valsami-Jones Eugenia , Huang Yuxiong , Keller Arturo A. , Kinnunen Virva-Tuuli , Perämäki Siiri , Krpetic Zeljka , Greenwood Michael , Shard Alexander G.
Published: March 2022

This study compared results of nanoparticle number concentration measurements collected from 74 instruments hosted across 50 laboratories, providing users with useful discussion and reference data to assess and benchmark their measurement capability.
Synthesis of novel C-nucleoside analogues bearing an anomeric cyano and a 1,2,3-triazole nucleobase as potential antiviral agents
Authors: Sierocki Pierre , Gaillard Krystal , Arellano Reyes Ruben Arturo , Donnart Chloé , Lambert Emilie , Grosse Sandrine , Arzel Laurence , Tessier Arnaud , Guillemont Jerome , Mathé-Allainmat Monique , Lebreton Jacques
Published: March 2022

We report the synthesis of C-nucleosides with a quaternary carbon at the anomeric position tethered to a 4-substituted 1,2,3-triazole ring and a cyano group, which were developed as potential antiviral agents.
Secondary metabolites from marine sponges of the genus Agelas: a comprehensive update insight on structural diversity and bioactivity
Authors: Chu Mei-Jun , Li Meng , Ma He , Li Ping-Lin , Li Guo-Qiang
Published: March 2022

The marine sponges of the genus Agelas, are unique and yet under-investigated pools for discovery of natural products with fabulous molecular diversity and myriad interesting biological activities.
Noncovalent interactions induced self-association in anthraquinone-iron aqueous redox flow batteries
Authors: Xia Lixing , Zhang Yujing , Zhang Heng , Jiang Shan , Lv Qianglong , Huo Wenbo , Chu Fengming , Wang Fuzhi , Li Hui , Tan Zhan'ao
Published: March 2022

A pH-neutral aqueous anthraquinone-iron flow battery is demonstrated. The self-association of the anthraquinone is realized via noncovalent interactions.
Chemically symmetric and asymmetric self-driven rigid dumbbells in a 2D polymer gel
Authors: Kumar Praveen , Theeyancheri Ligesh , Chakrabarti Rajarshi
Published: March 2022

Computer simulations of rigid dumbbells in a 2D polymer gel show that self-propulsion results in faster translational and rotational dynamics and facilitates its mesh to mesh motion.
Dual-responsive zwitterion-modified nanopores: a mesoscopic simulation study
Authors: Miao Zhaohong , Chen Zheng , Wang Li , Zhang Lizhi , Zhou Jian
Published: March 2022

DPD simulations were adopted to study the pH- and salt-responsiveness of nanopores modified by zwitterionic PCBMA brushes, in which the switching of nanopores can be modulated by the grafting density and chain length of brushes.
A photochromic and scintillation Eu-MOF with visual X-ray detection in bright and dark environments
Authors: Sun Yu-He , Li Chun-Lei , Wang Wen-Fei , Wang Shuai-Hua , Li Pei-Xin , Guo Guo-Cong
Published: March 2022

A rare earth MOF with both X-ray induced photochromic and scintillation properties is reported. The two functions all arise from the highly effective X-ray absorption and can be used for simple X-ray detection in different environments.
Absolute configuration determination of pharmaceutical crystalline powders by MicroED via chiral salt formation
Authors: Wang Bo , Bruhn Jessica F. , Weldeab Asmerom , Wilson Timothy S. , McGilvray Philip T. , Mashore Michael , Song Qiong , Scapin Giovanna , Lin Yiqing
Published: March 2022

One can confidently assign the absolute configuration of a chiral molecule using crystalline powders, via microcrystal electron diffraction (MicroED) analysis.
Probing the flux of mitochondrial potassium using an azacrown-diketopyrrolopyrrole based highly sensitive probe
Authors: Kumar G. Dinesh , Banasiewicz Marzena , Wrzosek Antoni , Kampa Rafal P. , Bousquet Manon H. E. , Kusy Damian , Jacquemin Denis , Szewczyk Adam , Gryko Daniel T.
Published: March 2022

The mitochondrial K+ concentration changes resulting from stimulation with nigericin can be observed via emission modulation of a novel diketopyrrolopyrrole-based probe.
Non-aqueous synthesis of high-quality Prussian blue analogues for Na-ion batteries
Authors: Geng Weiguang , Zhang Ziheng , Yang Zelong , Tang Huaiyuan , He Guang
Published: March 2022

A novel non-aqueous MW-ST method has been developed for the synthesis of high quality Prussian blue cathodes for Na-ion batteries.
Ruthenium-catalyzed oxidative coupling of vinylene carbonate with isoxazoles: access to fused anthranils
Authors: Kumar Pravin , Kapur Manmohan
Published: March 2022

A ruthenium-catalyzed oxidative coupling of vinylene carbonate with isoxazoles has been developed to achieve the direct C–H formylmethylation of a diverse array of arylisoxazoles utilizing the isoxazole ring as the directing group.