bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of removal and adsorption enhancement of high-flux hemodialyzers in convective therapies by a novel in vitro uremic matrix
Authors: Gomez Miquel , Bañon-Maneus Elisenda , Arias-Guillén Marta , Maduell Francisco
Published: October 2020

Adsorption properties of hemodialyzers are traditionally retrieved from diffusive treatments and mainly focused on inflammatory markers and plasma proteins. The possible depurative enhancement of middle and high molecular weight solutes, as well as protein-bound uremic toxins by adsorption in convective treatments, is not yet reported. We used discarded plasma exchanges from uremic patients and out-of-date erythrocytes as a novel in vitro uremic precursor matrix to assess removal and adsorption patterns of distinct material and structure but similar surface hemodialyzers in hemodialysis and on-line hemodiafiltration treatments. We further related the obtained results to the possible underlying membrane pore blocking mechanisms. Convection improved removal but slightly enhanced adsorption in the cellulosic and synthetic dialyzers tested. The polymethylmethacrylate hemodialyzer obtained the highest extracted ($$M_{ext}$$

M

ext

) and adsorbed ($$M_{ads}$$

M

ads

) mass values when submitted to hemodiafiltration for all molecules analyzed including albumin ($$M_{ext}=15.8\pm 3.9$$

M

ext

=
15.8
±
3.9

 g, $$M_{ads}=44.3\pm 11.5$$

M

ads

=
44.3
±
11.5

 mg), whereas the polyamide membrane obtained substantial lower results even for this molecule ($$M_{ext}=2.2\pm 1.2$$

M

ext

=
2.2
±
1.2

 g, $$M_{ads}=4.2\pm 0.7$$

M

ads

=
4.2
±
0.7

 mg) under the same treatment parameters. Hemodiafiltration in symmetric and enlarged pore hemodialyzers enhances removal and adsorption by internal pore deposition (intermediate pore-blocking) for middle and high molecular weight toxins but leads to substantial and deleterious albumin depuration.
Integral correlation for uneven and differently sampled data, and its application to the Law Dome Antarctic climate record
Authors: Roberts Jason L. , Jong Lenneke M. , McCormack Felicity S. , Curran Mark A. , Moy Andrew D. , Etheridge David M. , Greenbaum Jamin S. , Young Duncan A. , Phipps Steven J. , Xue Wenyue , van Ommen Tas D. , Blankenship Donald D. , Siegert Martin J.
Published: October 2020

We present a new simple and efficient method for correlation of unevenly and differently sampled data. This new method overcomes problems with other methods for correlation with non-uniform sampling and is an easy modification to existing correlation based codes. To demonstrate the usefulness of this new method to real-world examples, we apply the method with good success to two glaciological examples to map the ages from a well-dated ice core to a nearby core, and by tracing isochronous layers within the ice sheet measured from ice-penetrating radar between the two ice core sites.
Transcriptome analysis of alternative splicing in the pathogen life cycle in human foreskin fibroblasts infected with Trypanosoma cruzi
Authors: Jung Hyeim , Han Seonggyun , Lee Younghee
Published: October 2020

Trypanosoma cruzi is an intracellular protozoan parasite that causes Chagas disease as a zoonotic pathogen. The parasite has been shown to remodel expression in the host transcriptome under different conditions. Although alternative splicing (AS) is involved in virtually every biological function in eukaryotes, including cellular differentiation and responses to immune reactions, host AS events that occur as a result of T. cruzi infection have yet to be explored. In this study, we bioinformatically investigated the transcriptome AS dynamics of T. cruzi (Y strain) infected human foreskin fibroblasts using RNA-Seq data captured over four timepoints (4, 24, 48, and 72 h post infection (hpi)). We identified 1768, 399, 250, and 299 differentially expressed exons (AS exons) at 4, 24, 48, and 72 hpi, respectively, showing that host AS mechanism may have a significant role in the intracellular life cycle of the parasite. We present an exon skipping event in HDAC7, which is a candidate gene that is important in the parasite’s cell cycle. To sum up, this bioinformatics analysis of transcriptome may provide new potential insight into AS regulation in human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) cells infected by T. cruzi and into its implication to the parasite life cycle. Moreover, identified AS genes may provide new potential molecular candidates for improving treatment.
CmLOX10 positively regulates drought tolerance through jasmonic acid -mediated stomatal closure in oriental melon (Cucumis melo var. makuwa Makino)
Authors: Xing Qiaojuan , Liao Jingjing , Cao Songxiao , Li Meng , Lv Tinghui , Qi Hongyan
Published: October 2020

Drought stress severely impairs plant growth and production. Lipoxygenase (LOX), a master regulator for lipid peroxidation, is critical for direct or indirect response to abiotic stresses. Here, we found that drought stress induced the transcription of CmLOX10 in leaves of oriental melon seedlings. Reverse genetic approaches and physiological analyses revealed that silencing CmLOX10 increased drought susceptibility and stomatal aperture in oriental melon seedlings, and that ectopic overexpression of CmLOX10 in Arabidopsis enhanced drought tolerance and decreased the stomatal aperture. Moreover, the transcription of jasmonic acid (JA)-related genes and JA accumulation were significantly induced in CmLOX10-overexpressed Arabidopsis, which were reversely suppressed in CmLOX10-silenced seedlings during the stage of drought stress. Foliar application of JA further verified that JA enhanced drought tolerance and induced stomatal closure in leaves of melon seedlings. In addition, the feedback regulation of CmLOX10 was induced by JA signaling, and the expression level of CmMYC2 was increased by JA and drought treatment. Yeast one-hybrid analysis showed that CmMYC2 directly bound to the promoter of CmLOX10. In summary, we identified the important roles of CmLOX10 in the regulation of drought tolerance in oriental melon seedlings through JA- mediated stomatal closure and JA signaling-mediated feedback through CmMYC2.
Experimental study on the influence of locked-in stress on the uniaxial compressive strength and elastic modulus of rocks
Authors: Liu Xin , Geng Hansheng , Xu Hongfa , Yang Yinhao , Ma Linjian , Dong Lu
Published: October 2020

The rock contains many inclusions which produce high locked-in stress under the ground stress. In order to study the influence of locked-in stress on the mechanical properties of rocks, the rock-like materials and nitrile rubber particles are used to make a test block of the rock-like model which contains inclusions. The rubber particles will expand as the test block is heated, which creates locked-in stress in the inclusions. Uniaxial compression tests of similar model blocks with different locked-in stresses and different inclusion contents were performed by using a water bath and MTS-5T uniaxial compression testing machine. The results show that the peak strength and elastic modulus decreased with the increasement of locked-in stress and inclusion content. In the meantime, the relationship among the peak strength, the elastic modulus of the test piece, the locked-in stress and the inclusion content were obtained with the help of a mathematical fitting analysis of the quantitative formula. Furthermore, the expression and value curve of the joint impact factor are calculated. This paper evaluates the importance of the locked-in stress in the mechanical properties of the rock-like material and provide a guide for other researchers to further investigate the locked-in stress in rocks.
Hafnium isotope constraints on the nature of the mantle beneath the Southern Lau basin (SW Pacific)
Authors: Yan Quanshu , Straub Susanne , Castillo Paterno , Zhang Haitao , Tian Liyan , Shi Xuefa
Published: October 2020

New Hf isotope data provide new insights into the nature of the mantle beneath the southern Lau basin, adding new constraints on the displacement process of the Pacific mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB)-type mantle by the Indian MORB-type mantle. The Hf isotopic ratios (176Hf/177Hf) of submarine lavas from the eastern Lau spreading center (ELSC) range from 0.283194 (εHf = 14.92) to 0.283212 (εHf = 15.54), with an average value of 0.283199 (εHf = 15.11) whereas those from the Valu Fa ridge (VFR) vary from 0.283221 (εHf = 15.88) to 0.283200 (εHf = 15.14), with an average of 0.283214 (15.61), indicating that ELSC lavas have a slightly more radiogenic Hf isotopic composition than VFR lavas. In contrast to the results from previous studies, the new Hf analyses combined with previous Nd isotope data clearly show that both VFR and ELSC have the distinct Hf–Nd isotope composition of the so-called DUPAL isotopic anomaly in the Indian MORB-type mantle. The DUPAL isotopic signature at VFR demonstrates for the first time that the inflow of the Indian MORB-type mantle has reached the southern tip of tectonic propagation in the southern Lau basin.
Flowering season of vernal herbs is shortened at elevated temperatures with reduced precipitation in early spring
Authors: Nam Bo Eun , Kim Jae Geun
Published: October 2020

Vernal herbs are exposed to the risk of climate change under spring frost and canopy closure. Although vernal herbs contribute to the biodiversity of the understorey layer in temperate forests, few studies assessed the effect of climate change on the phenology of the herbs. To examine phenological shifts in flowering seasons of vernal herb species caused by climate change, a greenhouse experiment was conducted using four species (Adonis amurensis, Hepatica nobilis var. japonica, Viola phalacrocarpa, and Pulsatilla cernua) under two temperature conditions (ambient or elevated temperature) and two precipitation conditions (convective or reduced precipitation). Experimental warming advanced overall aspects of the flowering timing including the first and last day of flowering. The growth of flowering stalk was also promoted by elevated temperature. Effects of decreased precipitation varied among species, which advanced the last day of the flowering of the later flowering species. Consequently, a decrease in overall flowering period length was observed. These results indicate that overall, climate change results in a shortening of the flowering season of vernal herb species, specifically at a higher temperature and under conditions of less precipitation.
BTEX biodegradation by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum W1 and its proposed BTEX biodegradation pathways
Authors: Wongbunmak Akanit , Khiawjan Sansanee , Suphantharika Manop , Pongtharangkul Thunyarat
Published: October 2020

Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and (p-, m- and o-) xylene (BTEX) are classified as main pollutants by several environmental protection agencies. In this study, a non-pathogenic, Gram-positive rod-shape bacterium with an ability to degrade all six BTEX compounds, employed as an individual substrate or as a mixture, was isolated. The bacterial isolate was identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum strain W1. An overall BTEX biodegradation (as individual substrates) by strain W1 could be ranked as: toluene > benzene, ethylbenzene, p-xylene > m-xylene > o-xylene. When presented in a BTEX mixture, m-xylene and o-xylene biodegradation was slightly improved suggesting an induction effect by other BTEX components. BTEX biodegradation pathways of strain W1 were proposed based on analyses of its metabolic intermediates identified by LC–MS/MS. Detected activity of several putative monooxygenases and dioxygenases suggested the versatility of strain W1. Thus far, this is the first report of biodegradation pathways for all of the six BTEX compounds by a unique bacterium of the genus Bacillus. Moreover, B. amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum W1 could be a good candidate for an in situ bioremediation considering its Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status and a possibility to serve as a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR).
Analysis of the serial circulating tumor cell count during neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer patients
Authors: Gwark Sungchan , Kim Jisun , Kwon Nak-Jung , Kim Kyoung-Yeon , Kim YongNam , Lee Cham Han , Kim Young Hun , Kim Myoung Shin , Hong Sung Woo , Choi Mi Young , Jeon Byung Hee , Chang Suhwan , Yu Jonghan , Park Ji Yeon , Lee Hee Jin , Lee Sae Byul , Chung Il Yong , Ko Beom Seok , Kim Hee Jeong , Lee Jong Won , Son Byung Ho , Ahn Jin-Hee , Jung Kyung Hae , Kim Sung-Bae , Gong Gyung-Yub , Ahn Sei Hyun
Published: October 2020

We evaluated the prognostic implications of the circulating tumor cell (CTC) count in non-metastatic, HER2-negative breast cancer patients who failed to achieve pathologic complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT). A total of 173, non-metastatic breast cancer patients treated with NCT were prospectively enrolled. CTCs were obtained from blood drawn pre-NCT and post-NCT using a SMART BIOPSY SYSTEM isolation kit (Cytogen Inc., Seoul, Korea) with immunofluorescence staining. Excluding 26 HER2-positive patients, Relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) related to the CTC count and the association of the CTC count with the treatment response to given therapy were analyzed in 147 HER2-negative patients. Among 147 HER2-negative patients, 28 relapses (19.0%) and 13 deaths (8.8%, all breast cancer-specific) were observed during a median follow-up of 37.3 months. One hundred and seven patients (72.8%) were hormone receptor-positive, and 40 patients (27.2%) had triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). One or more CTCs were identified in 88 of the 147 patients (59.9%) before NCT and 77 of the 134 patients (52.4%) after NCT. In the entire HER2-negative patient cohort, the initial nodal status was the most significant factor influencing RFS and OS. In TNBC, 11 patients (27.5%) achieved pCR and patients that failed to achieve pCR with ≥ 5 CTCs after NCT, showed worse RFS (HR, 10.66; 95% CI, 1.80–63.07; p = 0.009) and OS (HR, 14.00; 95% CI, 1.26–155.53; p = 0.032). The patients with residual tumor and a high number of the CTCs after NCT displayed the worse outcome. These findings could provide justification to launch a future, well designed trial with longer follow-up data to obtain regulatory approval for clinical use of the assay, especially for the ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer subset.
Simulation of atherosclerotic plaque growth using computational biomechanics and patient-specific data
Authors: Pleouras Dimitrios S. , Sakellarios Antonis I. , Tsompou Panagiota , Kigka Vassiliki , Kyriakidis Savvas , Rocchiccioli Silvia , Neglia Danilo , Knuuti Juhani , Pelosi Gualtiero , Michalis Lampros K. , Fotiadis Dimitrios I.
Published: October 2020

Atherosclerosis is the one of the major causes of mortality worldwide, urging the need for prevention strategies. In this work, a novel computational model is developed, which is used for simulation of plaque growth to 94 realistic 3D reconstructed coronary arteries. This model considers several factors of the atherosclerotic process even mechanical factors such as the effect of endothelial shear stress, responsible for the initiation of atherosclerosis, and biological factors such as the accumulation of low and high density lipoproteins (LDL and HDL), monocytes, macrophages, cytokines, nitric oxide and formation of foams cells or proliferation of contractile and synthetic smooth muscle cells (SMCs). The model is validated using the serial imaging of CTCA comparing the simulated geometries with the real follow-up arteries. Additionally, we examine the predictive capability of the model to identify regions prone of disease progression. The results presented good correlation between the simulated lumen area (P < 0.0001), plaque area (P < 0.0001) and plaque burden (P < 0.0001) with the realistic ones. Finally, disease progression is achieved with 80% accuracy with many of the computational results being independent predictors.
A new perspective on the interaction between the Vg/VGLL1-3 proteins and the TEAD transcription factors
Authors: Mesrouze Yannick , Aguilar Gustavo , Bokhovchuk Fedir , Martin Typhaine , Delaunay Clara , Villard Frédéric , Meyerhofer Marco , Zimmermann Catherine , Fontana Patrizia , Wille Roman , Vorherr Thomas , Erdmann Dirk , Furet Pascal , Scheufler Clemens , Schmelzle Tobias , Affolter Markus , Chène Patrick
Published: October 2020

The most downstream elements of the Hippo pathway, the TEAD transcription factors, are regulated by several cofactors, such as Vg/VGLL1-3. Earlier findings on human VGLL1 and here on human VGLL3 show that these proteins interact with TEAD via a conserved amino acid motif called the TONDU domain. Surprisingly, our studies reveal that the TEAD-binding domain of Drosophila Vg and of human VGLL2 is more complex and contains an additional structural element, an Ω-loop, that contributes to TEAD binding. To explain this unexpected structural difference between proteins from the same family, we propose that, after the genome-wide duplications at the origin of vertebrates, the Ω-loop present in an ancestral VGLL gene has been lost in some VGLL variants. These findings illustrate how structural and functional constraints can guide the evolution of transcriptional cofactors to preserve their ability to compete with other cofactors for binding to transcription factors.
Periodontitis and the subsequent risk of glaucoma: results from the real-world practice
Authors: Sun Kuo-Ting , Shen Te-Chun , Chen Shih-Chueh , Chang Chia-Ling , Li Ching‐Hao , Li Xin , Palanisamy Kalaiselvi , Hsia Ning-Yi , Chang Wen-Shin , Tsai Chia-Wen , Bau Da-Tian , Li Chi-Yuan
Published: October 2020

Periodontitis is a multifactorial inflammatory disease that can cause tooth loss and contribute to systemic inflammation. It is suggested that periodontitis may be associated with the development of glaucoma. Based on data from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database, a retrospective cohort study was conducted to investigate the risk of developing glaucoma in patients with periodontitis. The periodontitis cohort consisted of newly diagnosed adult patients (n = 194,090, minimum age = 20 years) between 2000 and 2012. The comparison group included age-, gender-, and diagnosis date-matched people without periodontitis (n = 194,090, minimum age = 20 years). Incident glaucoma was monitored until the end of 2013. Hazard ratios (HRs) with confidence intervals (CIs) were established based on the Cox proportional hazard models. The risk of developing glaucoma was higher in patients with periodontitis than those without periodontitis (31.2 vs. 23.3 patients per 10,000 person-years, with an adjusted HR of 1.26 [95% CI 1.21–1.32]). A high risk was evident even after stratifying by age (adjusted HRs = 1.34 [1.26–1.44] for ages 20–49, 1.24 [1.13–1.36] for ages ≥ 65, and 1.20 [1.12–1.29] for ages 50–64 years), sex (adjusted HRs = 1.33 [1.24–1.41] and 1.21 [1.14–1.28] for men and women, respectively), presence of comorbidity (adjusted HRs = 1.38 [1.29–1.47] and 1.18 [1.12–1.25] for without and with comorbidity, respectively), and corticosteroid use (adjusted HRs = 1.27 [1.21–1.33] and 1.21 [1.08–1.35] for without and with corticosteroid use, respectively). Specifically, patients with periodontitis exhibited a significantly high risk of primary open-angle glaucoma (adjusted HR = 1.31 [1.21–1.32]) but not for primary closed-angle glaucoma (adjusted HR = 1.05 [0.94–1.17]). People with periodontitis are at a greater risk of glaucoma than individuals without periodontitis. Ocular health should be emphasized for such patients, and the underlying mechanisms need further investigation.
Genomic predictions and genome-wide association studies based on RAD-seq of quality-related metabolites for the genomics-assisted breeding of tea plants
Authors: Yamashita Hiroto , Uchida Tomoki , Tanaka Yasuno , Katai Hideyuki , Nagano Atsushi J. , Morita Akio , Ikka Takashi
Published: October 2020

Effectively using genomic information greatly accelerates conventional breeding and applying it to long-lived crops promotes the conversion to genomic breeding. Because tea plants are bred using conventional methods, we evaluated the potential of genomic predictions (GPs) and genome-wide association studies (GWASs) for the genetic breeding of tea quality-related metabolites using genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) detected from restriction site-associated DNA sequencing of 150 tea accessions. The present GP, based on genome-wide SNPs, and six models produced moderate prediction accuracy values (r) for the levels of most catechins, represented by ( −)-epigallocatechin gallate (r = 0.32–0.41) and caffeine (r = 0.44–0.51), but low r values for free amino acids and chlorophylls. Integrated analysis of GWAS and GP detected potential candidate genes for each metabolite using 80–160 top-ranked SNPs that resulted in the maximum cumulative prediction value. Applying GPs and GWASs to tea accession traits will contribute to genomics-assisted tea breeding.
Squeezed-light-driven force detection with an optomechanical cavity in a Mach–Zehnder interferometer
Authors: Lee Chang-Woo , Lee Jae Hoon , Seok Hyojun
Published: October 2020

We analyze the performance of a force detector based on balanced measurements with a Mach–Zehnder interferometer incorporating a standard optomechanical cavity. The system is driven by a coherent superposition of coherent light and squeezed vacuum field, providing quantum correlation along with optical coherence in order to enhance the measurement sensitivity beyond the standard quantum limit. We analytically find the optimal measurement strength, squeezing direction, and squeezing strength at which the symmetrized power spectral density for the measurement noise is minimized below the standard quantum limit. This force detection scheme based on a balanced Mach–Zehnder interferometer provides better sensitivity compared to that based on balanced homodyne detection with a local oscillator in the low frequency regime.
Experimental and theoretical evidence of dihydrogen bonds in lithium amidoborane
Authors: Magos-Palasyuk Ewelina , Litwiniuk Aleksander , Palasyuk Taras
Published: October 2020

In situ high-pressure synchrotron X-ray diffraction, Raman scattering, and complementary first-principles calculations have revealed that structural and spectroscopic properties of lithium amidoborane compound are largely determined by multiple heteropolar dihydrogen bonds. The crystal structure of the compound is stabilized by dimeric complexes, wherein molecular ions bind together by intermolecular dihydrogen bonds of unconventional type. This strong intermolecular coupling determines stable character of the crystal structure in the pressure range up to ~ 30 GPa and is spectroscopically manifested by pronounced changes related to molecular vibrations of the amino group: the splitting of stretching modes, the anomalous behavior of wagging modes as well as Fermi resonance due to vibrational coupling of bending and stretching modes, significantly enhanced above 10 GPa. Unconventional nature of dihydrogen bonds is confirmed by the frequency increase, blueshift, of NH stretching modes with pressure. A role of certain hydrogen mediated interactions in the process of dehydrogenation of ammonia borane and its alkali metal derivatives is speculated. Findings presented here call for reconsideration of hydrogen release mechanism from alkali metal ammonia borane derivatives. The work makes significant contribution towards establishing the general theory of ubiquitous and versatile hydrogen mediated interactions.
Activation of CD8 T cells accelerates anti-PD-1 antibody-induced psoriasis-like dermatitis through IL-6
Authors: Tanaka Ryota , Ichimura Yuki , Kubota Noriko , Saito Akimasa , Nakamura Yoshiyuki , Ishitsuka Yosuke , Watanabe Rei , Fujisawa Yasuhiro , Kanzaki Mirei , Mizuno Seiya , Takahashi Satoru , Fujimoto Manabu , Okiyama Naoko
Published: October 2020

Use of immune checkpoint inhibitors that target programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) can lead to various autoimmune-related adverse events (irAEs) including psoriasis-like dermatitis. Our observations on human samples indicated enhanced epidermal infiltration of CD8 T cells, and the pathogenesis of which appears to be dependent on IL-6 in the PD-1 signal blockade-induced psoriasis-like dermatitis. By using a murine model of imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like dermatitis, we further demonstrated that PD-1 deficiency accelerates skin inflammation with activated cytotoxic CD8 T cells into the epidermis, which engage in pathogenic cross-talk with keratinocytes resulting in production of IL-6. Moreover, genetically modified mice lacking PD-1 expression only on CD8 T cells developed accelerated dermatitis, moreover, blockade of IL-6 signaling by anti-IL-6 receptor antibody could ameliorate the dermatitis. Collectively, PD-1 signal blockade-induced psoriasis-like dermatitis is mediated by PD-1 signaling on CD8 T cells, and furthermore, IL-6 is likely to be a therapeutic target for the dermatitis.
Quantum-critical scale invariance in a transition metal alloy
Authors: Nakajima Yasuyuki , Metz Tristin , Eckberg Christopher , Kirshenbaum Kevin , Hughes Alex , Wang Renxiong , Wang Limin , Saha Shanta R. , Liu I-Lin , Butch Nicholas P. , Campbell Daniel , Eo Yun Suk , Graf David , Liu Zhonghao , Borisenko Sergey V. , Zavalij Peter Y. , Paglione Johnpierre
Published: October 2020

Quantum-mechanical fluctuations between competing phases induce exotic collective excitations that exhibit anomalous behavior in transport and thermodynamic properties, and are often intimately linked to the appearance of unconventional Cooper pairing. High-temperature superconductivity, however, makes it difficult to assess the role of quantum-critical fluctuations in shaping anomalous finite-temperature physical properties. Here we report temperature-field scale invariance of non-Fermi liquid thermodynamic, transport, and Hall quantities in a non-superconducting iron-pnictide, Ba(Fe1/3Co1/3Ni1/3)2As2, indicative of quantum criticality at zero temperature and applied magnetic field. Beyond a linear-in-temperature resistivity, the hallmark signature of strong quasiparticle scattering, we find a scattering rate that obeys a universal scaling relation between temperature and applied magnetic fields down to the lowest energy scales. Together with the dominance of hole-like carriers close to the zero-temperature and zero-field limits, the scale invariance, isotropic field response, and lack of applied pressure sensitivity suggests a unique quantum critical system unhindered by a pairing instability.
Turmeric – The Miraculous Herb from Ancient India and its Historical Background
Authors: Akhila K. S. , Gopi Sreeraj
Published: October 2020

Even though Ayurveda utilises drugs of plant, animal and mineral origin for the purposes of treatment, most of the Ayurvedic formulations consist of herbal drugs. Turmeric (haridra) is an important drug among them. It has been used as a food ingredient and medicine for centuries, which indicates its great medicinal value. Haridra is a part of many Ayurvedic formulations as well as being used as a single medicine, both for internal and external application. For some minor surgical procedures in Ayurveda such as ksharasutra and jalookavacharana, haridra choorna is must. It is a drug with thiktha (bitter) katu (pungent) rasa (taste), rooksha (dryness) laghu (lightness) guna (quality), ushna (hot) veerya (potency), katu (pungent) vipaka (post-digestive taste) and it balances all three doshas: kapha, pitha and vata. The four varieties of haridra: haridra, amara haridra, vana haridra, daru haridra are different in their properties. Among them, haridra is considered to be the common turmeric, Curcuma longa Linn. In various Ayurveda treatises the different mode of application of haridra for various diseases has been mentioned. It is indicated as a part of formulations such as choorna (powder), lepa (medicated paste), medicinal decoction, oils, etc.
Curcumin: A Potential Molecule for the Prevention and Treatment of Inflammatory Diseases
Authors: Shabnam Bano , Harsha Choudhary , Thakur Krishan Kumar , Khatoon Elina , Kunnumakkara Ajaikumar B.
Published: October 2020

Chronic inflammatory diseases are a major health concern nowadays as they cause a large number of deaths and most of the drugs developed for these diseases are not devoid of long-term adverse side effects. In addition, it is now well-established that chronic inflammation triggers the onset and development of many chronic diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases, etc. Therefore, there is an urgent need to control inflammation using novel anti-inflammatory agents that are safe, efficacious and affordable. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that many agents derived from Mother Nature have anti-inflammatory properties. One such agent, curcumin, originating from the golden spice, turmeric, has high potential in ameliorating chronic inflammatory diseases with lesser side effects. This compound has shown potential therapeutic effect against allergic rhinitis, asthma, chronic gastritis, chronic kidney disease, chronic prostatitis, gingivitis, inflammatory bowel disease, nephritis, oral lichen planus, oral mucositis, oral submucous fibrosis, osteoarthritis, peptic ulcer, periodontitis, rheumatoid arthritis, tropical pancreatitis, ulcerative proctitis, uveitis, etc. as evident from many preclinical and clinical studies. The current chapter discusses the anti-inflammatory potential of curcumin against these inflammatory diseases with special focus on clinical trials.
Biological Activities of Non-curcuminoids
Authors: Yeap Swee Keong , Ho Wan Yong
Published: October 2020

Curcuma longa L. (C. longa), more commonly known as turmeric, is a spice used in treating various diseases traditionally. Some of the traditional applications including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and liver protective activities of turmeric have been validated in a number of cell- and animal-based studies where many of the bioactivities were found to be associated with curcumin, the most abundant curcuminoid in the rhizome of C. longa. Curcuminoids represent the most abundant, and thus most widely studied group of more than 200 compounds that have been identified in C. longa. Besides curcuminoids, sesquiterpenes is another important group of active compounds in C. longa that have also been shown to enhance the bioactivities of curcumin. In this chapter, we hope to provide an overview of the reported bioactivities of the major sesquiterpenes in C. longa. Greater emphasis is given to bisabolane-type sesquiterpenes and β-elemene, which represent the major group of non-curcuminoids and the most extensively studied non-curcuminoid of C. longa, respectively.
Toxicology Aspects of Turmeric
Authors: Borse Swapnil P. , Kulkarni Abhishek S. , Koshia Hemant , Vasu Kamala K. , Nivsarkar Manish
Published: October 2020

Turmeric (Curcuma longa), from the Zingiberaceae family, is an important herb. Its rhizomes are widely used throughout the world as a principal spice and drug. Turmeric is taken as a therapeutic adjuvant assuming that it is fully safe with different drugs and/or herbal formulations. However, this may or may not always be the case. This depends on the intensity and type of drug(s)–herb(s)–disease(s) interactions. These include pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions. Turmeric and especially curcumin hold the potential to inhibit or alter important drug metabolizing enzymes (DMEs) and drug transporters (DTs); this can directly affect the serum concentration of a drug that may result in serious side effects. For instance, co-administration of turmeric with warfarin results in bleeding. Additionally, turmeric has around 200 identified chemical constituents that need to be studied for both safety and efficacy considering them singly and in holistic combination. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that turmeric is subjected to a high standard of scientific testing.
Challenges and prospects of polyatomic ions’ intercalation in the graphite layer for energy storage applications
Authors: Patil Shivaraj B. , Liao Hsiang-Ju , Wang Di-Yan
Published: October 2020

This review focuses on unraveling the reaction mechanisms of the intercalation of polyatomic ions into GICs by in situ techniques, correlated with computational studies.
Na2CO3-modified CaO-based CO2 sorbents: the effects of structure and morphology on CO2 uptake
Authors: Kurlov Alexey , Kierzkowska Agnieszka M. , Huthwelker Thomas , Abdala Paula M. , Müller Christoph R.
Published: October 2020

TGA, Na K-edge XAS and FIB-SEM allowed us to understand the degradation of the CO2 uptake of Na2CO3-modified CaO CO2 sorbents.
Effects of cone angle and length of nanopores on the resistive pulse quality
Authors: Bakouei Mostafa , Abdorahimzadeh Seyedamirhosein , Taghipoor Mojtaba
Published: October 2020

Sensing performance of nanopore platforms used for resistive pulse sensing is investigated by considering sensitivity, pulse amplitude and duration as pulse quality criteria.
Water–gas shift reaction co-catalyzed by polyoxometalate (POM)–gold composites: the “magic” role of POMs
Authors: Lang Zhongling , Li Yangguang , Clotet Anna , Poblet Josep M.
Published: October 2020

We computationally investigated the WGSR mechanism on POM supported gold and revealed the role of POMs. A direct pathway by formation of COOHads from the co-adsorbed H2O and CO is proposed.
An octadentate bis(semicarbazone) macrocycle: a potential chelator for lead and bismuth radiopharmaceuticals
Authors: Lange Jaclyn L. , Davey Patrick R. W. J. , Ma Michelle T. , White Jonathan M. , Morgenstern Alfred , Bruchertseifer Frank , Blower Philip J. , Paterson Brett M.
Published: October 2020

A cyclen bearing semicarbazone pendant groups forms complexes with Bi3+ and Pb2+ and was radiolabeled with the alpha-emitting radioisotope 213Bi.
The core of the matter – arene substitution determines the coordination and catalytic behaviour of tris(1-phosphanyl-1′-ferrocenylene)arene gold(i) complexes
Authors: Straube Axel , Coburger Peter , Michak Marvin , Ringenberg Mark R. , Hey-Hawkins Evamarie
Published: October 2020

Four C3-symmetric tris-phosphanes coordinate gold(i) differently depending on their tris(ferrocenyl)arene backbone with implications on electrochemical and catalytic performance.
Highly qualified InP based QDs through a temperature controlled ZnSe shell coating process and their DFT calculations
Authors: Seo Haewoon , Park Ju Hyun , Kwon O.-Hoon , Kwon O.Pil , Kwak Sang Kyu , Kim Sang-Wook
Published: October 2020

In the InP/ZnSe core/shell QD formation, the higher shell coating temperature resulted in regular tetrahedron shape and narrow emission FWHM.
Acetylated lignin nanoparticles as a possible vehicle for photosensitizing molecules
Authors: Marchand Guillaume , Fabre Gabin , Maldonado-Carmona Nidia , Villandier Nicolas , Leroy-Lhez Stéphanie
Published: October 2020

Lignins are underused and abundant bio-sourced polymers with various potential applications.
Supramolecular organization and optical properties of BODIPY derivatives in Langmuir–Schaefer films
Authors: Marfin Yu. S. , Usoltsev S. D. , Kazak A. V. , Vodyanova O. S. , Novikova N. E. , Verin I. A. , Rumyantsev E. V. , Kholodkov I. V. , Merkushev D. A.
Published: October 2020

Formation of thin-film nanomaterials, promising for nanoelectronic applications, with a given structure based on four new BODIPY dyes.
The effect of ethenyltrimethoxysilane modification of nano bioactive glass on the physiochemical and mechanical properties and in vitro bioactivity of poly(lactide-co-glycolide)/poly(trimethylene carbonate) composite
Authors: Qi Jin , Zhang Tianyao , Xiao Jianping , Zhang Qianmao , Xiong Chengdong
Published: October 2020

The new biodegradable PLGA/PTMC/YDH-NBG composite with excellent mechanical properties and good in vitro bioactivity.
DFT investigation on Lewis base-catalyzed Lewis acid-mediated reactions: hypervalent silicon species as chiral organocatalysts in (direct) aldol reactions
Authors: Rossi Sergio , Benaglia Maurizio , Raimondi Laura Maria
Published: October 2020

The stereoselective organocatalytic addition of silyl enol ethers to aromatic aldehydes catalyzed by bisphosphoramides and the direct aldol reaction between ketones and aromatic aldehydes promoted by phosphinoxides in the presence of tetrachlorosilane were investigated by the DFT approach.
Theoretical study on functionalized acrylonitrile compounds with a large second-order nonlinear optical response
Authors: Gong Lijing , Ma Cheng , Liu Tiejun , Lv Jinkai , Xun Xianchao
Published: October 2020

The nonlinear optical properties of the studied compounds were studied with the help of DFT calculations.
KB-templated in situ synthesis of highly dispersed bimetallic NiFe phosphides as efficient oxygen evolution catalysts
Authors: Li Yunheng , Ge Lin , Zhou Yajun , Li Liang , Li Wei , Xu Jieyu , Li Yongsheng
Published: October 2020

KB-templated in situ synthesized highly dispersed bimetallic NiFe phosphides function as efficient oxygen evolution catalysts.
Multifunctional organic field effect transistors constructed with photochromic molecules
Authors: Xu Cheng , Zhang Junji , Xu Wei , Tian He
Published: October 2020

Introducing photochromic units into the electronic material system allows the reversible tuning of the output signals of a photochromic OFET by light triggers, resulting in a remote-controllable device with potential applications.
Capacitive behavior of activated carbons obtained from coffee husk
Authors: Ramirez Nathalia , Sardella Fabiana , Deiana Cristina , Schlosser Anja , Müller Dennis , Kißling Patrick A. , Klepzig Lars F. , Bigall Nadja C.
Published: October 2020

This paper analyzes the electrochemical and physicochemical properties of activated carbons developed from coffee husk through different activation routes.
Intriguing electronic structure and photocatalytic performance of blueP–SMSe and blueP–SeMS (M = Mo, W) van der Waals heterostructures
Authors: Ahmad S. , Ahmad Iftikhar , Van N. , Amin B.
Published: October 2020

The stacking geometry and electronic and photocatalytic properties of vdW heterostructures based on blueP and Janus SMSe and SeMS (M = Mo, W) monolayers are investigated using first principles calculations.
Sustainable hydrogen-rich syngas from steam reforming of bio-based acetic acid over ZnO and CeO2–ZnO supported Ni-based catalysts
Authors: Luo Shan , Sun Fazhe , Fu Peng , Sun Qi , Wang Jianlin
Published: October 2020

Variation of hydrogen-rich syngas from steam reforming of bio-based acetic acid over Ni/ZnO and Ni/CeO2–ZnO catalysts was assessed.
Stable carbamate pathway towards organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites and aromatic imines
Authors: Lee Kyu Hyung , Kim Sun Joo , Park Hee Sun , Lim Byung Wook , Lee Byeongno , Park Young Jun , Nam Wonwoo , Hur Nam Hwi
Published: October 2020

A stable solid carbamate (MAC) composed of CH3NH3+and CH3NHCO2−units exhibits high reactivity toward inorganic iodide and aromatic aldehyde.
The rise of continuous flow biocatalysis – fundamentals, very recent developments and future perspectives
Authors: De Santis Piera , Meyer Lars-Erik , Kara Selin
Published: October 2020

Very recent developments in the field of biocatalysis in continuously operated systems. Special attention on the future perspectives in this key emerging technological area ranging from process analytical technologies to digitalization.
Meeting key synthetic challenges in amanitin synthesis with a new cytotoxic analog: 5′-hydroxy-6′-deoxy-amanitin
Authors: Pryyma Alla , Matinkhoo Kaveh , Wong Antonio A. W. L. , Perrin David M.
Published: October 2020

Elucidating a highly diastereoselective sulfoxidation ofS-deoxy-amanitin to afford α-amanitin and a more synthetically accessible analog of near-native toxicity.
A copper-catalyzed asymmetric oxime propargylation enables the synthesis of the gliovirin tetrahydro-1,2-oxazine core
Authors: Cowper Nicholas G. W. , Hesse Matthew J. , Chan Katie M. , Reisman Sarah E.
Published: October 2020

The bicyclic tetrahydro-1,2-oxazine subunit of gliovirin is synthesized through a diastereoselective copper-catalyzed cyclization of an N-hydroxyamino ester.
The extent of protein hydration dictates the preference for heterogeneous or homogeneous nucleation generating either parallel or antiparallel β-sheet α-synuclein aggregates
Authors: Camino José D. , Gracia Pablo , Chen Serene W. , Sot Jesús , de la Arada Igor , Sebastián Víctor , Arrondo José L. R. , Goñi Félix M. , Dobson Christopher M. , Cremades Nunilo
Published: October 2020

The extent of protein hydration modulates the free energy barrier of both heterogeneous and homogeneous α-synuclein nucleation, leading to the formation of distinct amyloid polymorphs depending on the water activity of the protein microenvironment.
A supramolecular silicone dielectric elastomer with a high dielectric constant and fast and highly efficient self-healing under mild conditions
Authors: Sun Haibin , Liu Xueying , Liu Suting , Yu Bing , Ning Nanying , Tian Ming , Zhang Liqun
Published: October 2020

A silicone dielectric elastomer with simultaneous high dielectric constant, fast and efficient self-healing ability at mild conditions was prepared by constructing supramolecular network assembled by coordination bonds and hydrogen bonds.
Incorporation of alkylthio side chains on benzothiadiazole-based non-fullerene acceptors enables high-performance organic solar cells with over 16% efficiency
Authors: Cheung Andy Man Hong , Yu Han , Luo Siwei , Wang Zhen , Qi Zhenyu , Zhou Wentao , Arunagiri Lingeswaran , Chang Yuan , Yao Huatong , Ade Harald , Yan He
Published: October 2020

This is the first time alkylthio chains are employed on Y6-like NFAs to achieve organic solar cells of power conversion efficiency higher than 16%.
Dynamic evolution of isolated Ru–FeP atomic interface sites for promoting the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Shang Huishan , Zhao Zhenghang , Pei Jiajing , Jiang Zhuoli , Zhou Danni , Li Ang , Dong Juncai , An Pengfei , Zheng Lirong , Chen Wenxing
Published: October 2020

An isolated Ru-modified FeP catalyst was designed with boosted catalytic performance for the hydrogen evolution reaction. Further, we revealed that the bond-length-extended isolated Ru(+3)–P4–Fe serve as active sites through operando XAS analysis.
One-pot synthesis of a stable and cost-effective silver particle-free ink for inkjet-printed flexible electronics
Authors: Yang Wendong , Mathies Florian , Unger Eva L. , Hermerschmidt Felix , List-Kratochvil Emil J. W.
Published: October 2020

A do-it-yourself silver particle-free ink is presented, which shows good stability, low cost and excellent printability. The ink is formulated in selected alcohols. Highly conductive silver patterns were printed on both glass and flexible substrates.
Optimal control of the two-dimensional Vlasov-Maxwell system
Authors: Weber Jörg
Published: October 2020

The time evolution of a collisionless plasma is modeled by the Vlasov-Maxwell system which couples the Vlasov equation (the transport equation) with the Maxwell equations of electrodynamics. We only consider a two-dimensional version of the problem since existence of global, classical solutions of the full three-dimensional problem is not known. We add external currents to the system, in applications generated by coils, to control the plasma properly. After considering global existence of solutions to this system, differentiability of the control-to-state operator is proved. In applications, on the one hand, we want the shape of the plasma to be close to some desired shape. On the other hand, a cost term penalizing the external currents shall be as small as possible. These two aims lead to minimizing some objective function. We restrict ourselves to only such control currents that are realizable in applications. After that, we prove existence of a minimizer and deduce first order optimality conditions and the adjoint equation.
Seismic vulnerability assessment of a high-rise molten-salt solar tower based on incremental dynamic analysis
Authors: Sun Weiwei , D’Ayala Dina , Fu Jinxing , Gu Wentao , Feng Jun
Published: October 2020

This paper investigates the seismic performance of a high-rise molten-salt solar tower by finite element modelling. The integrated and separated models for solar tower based on the concrete damage plastic model are validated by matching the behaviour of similar reinforced concrete chimney specimens. The modal analysis demonstrates the first four modes of the solar tower are translational vibration. Seismic simulations are developed through the incremental dynamic analysis. The most disadvantageous position of the tower is all concentrated in the opening section under multidirectional seismic excitations. The top displacement of the tower under bidirectional and three-directional earthquake actions is larger than that under unidirectional earthquake actions. The results of the seismic vulnerability assessment show that when the PGA equals to 0.035g, the tower will be intact; when the PGA equals to 0.1g (design peak ground acceleration), the probability of the moderate damage state is within 1.5%; when the PGA equals to 0.22g (maximum considered earthquake), the probability of the destruction state is below 0.7%. The seismic partitioned fragility analysis of the tower under multidirectional earthquake excitations illustrates that there are two peaks in the vulnerability surfaces. The anti-collapse analysis indicates the tower has a good seismic performance under multidirectional seismic excitations.
Research on production simulation method of integrated energy system
Authors: Hua Guanghui , Xu Xiaohui , Zhang Yong , Shi Tao
Published: October 2020

In this paper, a production simulation method of regional integrated energy system considering the randomness of the scene is proposed to solve the production decision problem of integrated energy system including wind power, photovoltaic and other intermittent renewable energy sources. This method firstly establishes the typical scenario set of the integrated energy system operation with the corresponding random probability through cluster analysis. Secondly, taking the regional integrated energy system as the object, a production decision model and algorithm with the goal of minimizing the expected energy consumption cost are proposed. Finally, the effectiveness of the model algorithm is verified by a case study.
Bidding strategy of pumped storage power station in spot market considering different optimization periods
Authors: Zhou Li , Liu Peiliang , Liu Sijia , Lan Zhou , Shen Shuyi , Sun Feifei , He Yongxiu
Published: October 2020

Pumped storage power station has multiple functions, such as alleviating the contradiction between peak and valley, to ensure the safe and economic operation of power grid. In the non market stage, pumped storage power stations mainly obey the system operator’s scheduling. In the market stage, pumped storage power stations in China are likely to participate in the competitive power market and provide peak power, frequency regualtion and recovery services. The paper studies the bidding strategies of the pumped storage power stations participating in the power market, and provides decision support for the pumped storage power stations to maximize market returns.