bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk Factors for In-Hospital Mortality from COVID-19 Among Nursing Home Patients—An Urban Center Experience
Authors: Vahia Amit , Sharma Mamta , Johnson Leonard , Bhargava Ashish , Saravolatz Louis , Szpunar Susan
Published: November 2021

Background: As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, special attention is focused on high-risk patients. In this study, we assessed the risk factors for COVID-19 mortality in nursing home patients. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we reviewed the electronic medical records of SARS-COV-2 PCR–positive nursing-home patients between March 8 and June 14, 2020. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Risk factors were compared between those who were discharged or died using the Student t test, the Mann-Whitney U test, χ2 analysis, and logistic regression. Results: Among 169 hospitalized nursing-home patients, the case fatality rate was 43.2%. The mean age was 72.3 ± 13.8 years; 92 patients (54.4%) were male; and 112 patients (66.3%) were black. Within the first day of hospitalization, 83 (49%) patients developed fever. On admission, 24 (14.2%) patients were hypotensive. Leukopenia, lymphopenia, and thrombocytopenia were present in 20 (12%), 91 (53%), and 40 (23.7%) patients, respectively. Among the inflammatory markers, elevations in CRP and ferritin levels occurred in 79% and 24%, respectively. Intensive care admission was needed for 40 patients (23.7%). Septic shock occurred in 25 patients (14.8%). Patients over the age of 70 were more likely to die than younger patients (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.2– 4.1; P = .20). Patients with a fever on admission were more likely to die than those who were afebrile (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.08–3.8; P = .03). Also, 66.7% hypotensive patients died compared to 39.3% normotensive patients (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.2–7.7 P = .01). Intubated patients died more often than those not intubated, 78.4% versus 33.3%, respectively (OR=7.3, p < 0.001, CI 3.1, 17.2) Factors significantly associated with death included higher mean qSofa (p < 0.001), higher median Charlson scores (0.02), thrombocytopenia (p = 0.04) and lymphocytopenia (0.04). From multivariable logistic regression, independent factors associated with death were Charlson score (OR=1.2, p=0.05), qSofa (OR=2.0, p=0.004), thrombocytopenia (OR = 3.0, p = 0.01) and BMI less than 25 (OR = 3.5, p=0.002). Conclusions: Our multivariable analysis revealed that patients with a greater burden of comorbidities, lower BMI, higher qSOFA sepsis score, and thrombocytopenia had a higher risk of death, perhaps because of severe infection despite a robust immune response.

Funding: No

Disclosures: None
Luminescence dating of a late Middle Pleistocene glacial advance in eastern England
Authors: Gibbard Philip L. , Bateman Mark D. , Leathard Jane , West R.G.
Published: November 2021

Previous investigation of isolated landforms, on the eastern margin of the East Anglian Fenland, England, has demonstrated that they represent an ice-marginal delta and alluvial fan complex deposited at the margin of an ice lobe that entered the Fenland during the ‘Tottenhill glaciation’ (termed the ‘Skertchly Line’). They have been attributed, based on regional correlations, to a glaciation during the Late Wolstonian (i.e. Late Saalian) Substage (Drenthe Stadial, early Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 6). This paper aimed to test this correlation by directly optically luminescence dating, for the first time, sediments found within the Skertchly Line at Shouldham Thorpe, Norfolk, and Maidscross Hill, Suffolk, together with those in associated kame terrace deposits at Watlington, Norfolk. Ages ranged from 244 ± 10 ka to 12.8 ± 0.46 ka, all the results being younger than MIS 8 with some clearly showing the landforms have been subsequently subjected to periglacial processes, particularly during the Late Devensian Substage (∼MIS 2). Most of the remainder fall within the range 169–212 ka and could be assigned to MIS 6, thus confirming the previously proposed age of the glaciation. The local and regional implications of these conclusions are discussed, the maximum ice limit being linked to that of the Amersfoort–Nijmegen glaciotectonic ridge limit in the central Netherlands.
Basic income and its applicability in Turkey
Authors: Çakmak Şahin Senem , Kılıç İbrahim Engin
Published: November 2021

In search of justice in income distribution and easy access to necessities by everyone, basic income (BI) has become one of the main topics of conversation. However, there is no comprehensive study on the cost and effect of BI in Turkey. This study aims to set a theoretical framework for BI, compare different views on the topic, evaluate implementations from the world, and analyze the feasibility of a BI program in Turkey by estimating its costs and distributional consequences using a tax–benefit microsimulation. The results show that, although it improves the income distribution, implementing a basic income scheme financed by income tax would impose a significant burden on the upper half of the income distribution due to widespread poverty and income inequality. In the baseline, individual-based scenario, every individual aged 15 or above is granted a BI equal to the poverty line, while children below age 15 are granted 30 percent of this amount. This plan costs 17.77 percent of the gross domestic product and it is covered by multiplying current income tax by 3.54. Implementation of this plan decreases the poverty rate from 12.43 percent to zero and the Gini index from 0.388 to 0.181.
Minmaxing of Bayesian Improved Surname Geocoding and Geography Level Ups in Predicting Race
Authors: Clark Jesse T. , Curiel John A. , Steelman Tyler S.
Published: November 2021

Racial identification is a critical factor in understanding a multitude of important outcomes in many fields. However, inferring an individual’s race from ecological data is prone to bias and error. This process was only recently improved via Bayesian improved surname geocoding (BISG). With surname and geographic-based demographic data, it is possible to more accurately estimate individual racial identification than ever before. However, the level of geography used in this process varies widely. Whereas some existing work makes use of geocoding to place individuals in precise census blocks, a substantial portion either skips geocoding altogether or relies on estimation using surname or county-level analyses. Presently, the trade-offs of such variation are unknown. In this letter, we quantify those trade-offs through a validation of BISG on Georgia’s voter file using both geocoded and nongeocoded processes and introduce a new level of geography—ZIP codes—to this method. We find that when estimating the racial identification of White and Black voters, nongeocoded ZIP code-based estimates are acceptable alternatives. However, census blocks provide the most accurate estimations when imputing racial identification for Asian and Hispanic voters. Our results document the most efficient means to sequentially conduct BISG analysis to maximize racial identification estimation while simultaneously minimizing data missingness and bias.
Icebreaking polar class research vessels: New Antarctic fleet capabilities
Authors: Rogan-Finnemore Michelle , Ojeda Miguel , Paz Acosta Jorge Manuel , Bretel Patrice , Browne Nick , Flått Stig , Shuoren Wang , Sliester Randolph
Published: November 2021

Supporting Antarctic scientific investigation is the job of the national Antarctic programmes, the government entities charged with delivering their countries’ Antarctic research strategies. This requires sustained investment in people, innovative technologies, Antarctic infrastructures, and vessels with icebreaking capabilities. The recent endorsement of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Polar Code (2015) means that countries must address challenges related to an ageing icebreaking vessel fleet. Many countries have recently invested in and begun, or completed, builds on new icebreaking Polar research vessels. These vessels incorporate innovative technologies to increase fuel efficiency, to reduce noise output, and to address ways to protect the Antarctic environment in their design. This paper is a result of a Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP) project on new vessel builds which began in 2018. It considers the recent vessel builds of Australia’s RSV Nuyina, China’s MV Xue Long 2, France’s L’Astrolabe, Norway’s RV Kronprins Haakon, Peru’s BAP Carrasco, and the United Kingdom’s RRS Sir David Attenborough. The paper provides examples of purposeful consideration of science support requirements and environmental sustainability in vessel designs and operations.
Reduced emotion regulatory selection flexibility in post-traumatic stress disorder: converging performance-based evidence from two PTSD populations
Authors: Fine Naomi B. , Ben-Aharon Noa , Armon Daphna Bardin , Seligman Zivya , Helpman Liat , Bloch Miki , Hendler Talma , Sheppes Gal
Published: November 2021

Background

Contemporary views of emotion dysregulation in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) highlight reduced ability to flexibly select regulatory strategies according to differing situational demands. However, empirical evidence of reduced regulatory selection flexibility in PTSD is lacking. Multiple studies show that healthy individuals demonstrate regulatory selection flexibility manifested in selecting attentional disengagement regulatory strategies (e.g. distraction) in high-intensity emotional contexts and selecting engagement meaning change strategies (e.g. reappraisal) in low-intensity contexts. Accordingly, we hypothesized that PTSD populations will show reduced regulatory selection flexibility manifested in diminished increase in distraction (over reappraisal) preference as intensity increases from low to high intensity.

Methods

Study 1 compared student participants with high (N = 22) post-traumatic symptoms (PTS, meeting the clinical cutoff for PTSD) and participants with low (N = 22) post-traumatic symptoms. Study 2 compared PTSD diagnosed women (N = 31) due to childhood sexual abuse and matched non-clinical women (N = 31). In both studies, participants completed a well-established regulatory selection flexibility performance-based paradigm that involves selecting between distraction and reappraisal to regulate negative emotional words of low and high intensity.

Results

Beyond demonstrating adequate psychometric properties, Study 1 confirmed that relative to the low PTS group, the high PTS group presented reduced regulatory selection flexibility (p = 0.01, $\eta _{\rm p}^2$ = 0.14). Study 2 critically extended findings of Study 1, in showing similar reduced regulatory selection flexibility in a diagnosed PTSD population, relative to a non-clinical population (p = 0.002, $\eta _{\rm p}^2$ = 0.114).

Conclusions

Two studies provide converging evidence for reduced emotion regulatory selection flexibility in two PTSD populations.
Long-term follow-up of subvalvular aortic stenosis in children: a single-centre experience
Authors: Ramoğlu Mehmet G. , Karagözlü Selen , Uçar Tayfun , Eyileten Zeynep , Uysalel Adnan , Atalay Semra , Tutar Ercan
Published: November 2021

Objective:

The aim of this study is to evaluate clinical and surgical outcomes of children with subaortic stenosis, to determine the risk factors for surgery and reoperation and to compare isolated subaortic stenosis and those concomitant with CHDs.

Methods:

The study involved 80 children with subaortic stenosis. The patients were first classified as isolated and CHD group, and the isolated group was further classified as membranous/fibromuscular group. The initial, pre-operative, post-operative and the most recent echocardiographic data, demographic properties and follow-up results of the groups were analysed and compared. The correlation of echocardiographic parameters with surgery and reoperation was evaluated.

Results:

There was a significant male predominance in all groups. The frequency of the membranous type was higher than the fibromuscular type in the whole and the CHD group. The median time to the first operation was 4.6 years. Thirty-five (43.7%) patients underwent surgery, 5 of 35 (14%) patients required reoperation. The rate of surgery was similar between groups, but reoperation was significantly higher in the isolated group. The gradient was the most important factor for surgery and reoperation in both groups. In the isolated group besides gradient, mitral-aortic separation was the only echocardiographic parameter correlated with surgery and reoperation.

Conclusion:

Reoperation is higher in isolated subaortic stenosis but similar in membranous and fibromuscular types. Early surgery may be beneficial in preventing aortic insufficiency but does not affect the rate of reoperation. Higher initial gradients are associated with adverse outcomes, recurrence and reoperation.
Altered Reinforcement Learning from Reward and Punishment in Anorexia Nervosa: Evidence from Computational Modeling
Authors: Wierenga Christina E. , Reilly Erin , Bischoff-Grethe Amanda , Kaye Walter H. , Brown Gregory G.
Published: November 2021

Objectives:

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is associated with altered sensitivity to reward and punishment. Few studies have investigated whether this results in aberrant learning. The ability to learn from rewarding and aversive experiences is essential for flexibly adapting to changing environments, yet individuals with AN tend to demonstrate cognitive inflexibility, difficulty set-shifting and altered decision-making. Deficient reinforcement learning may contribute to repeated engagement in maladaptive behavior.

Methods:

This study investigated learning in AN using a probabilistic associative learning task that separated learning of stimuli via reward from learning via punishment. Forty-two individuals with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-5 restricting-type AN were compared to 38 healthy controls (HCs). We applied computational models of reinforcement learning to assess group differences in learning, thought to be driven by violations in expectations, or prediction errors (PEs). Linear regression analyses examined whether learning parameters predicted BMI at discharge.

Results:

AN had lower learning rates than HC following both positive and negative PE (p < .02), and were less likely to exploit what they had learned. Negative PE on punishment trials predicted lower discharge BMI (p < .001), suggesting individuals with more negative expectancies about avoiding punishment had the poorest outcome.

Conclusions:

This is the first study to show lower rates of learning in AN following both positive and negative outcomes, with worse punishment learning predicting less weight gain. An inability to modify expectations about avoiding punishment might explain persistence of restricted eating despite negative consequences, and suggests that treatments that modify negative expectancy might be effective in reducing food avoidance in AN.
Investigation of field output factors using IAEA-AAPM TRS-483 code of practice recommendations and Monte Carlo simulation for 6 MV photon beams
Authors: Yabsantia Sumalee , Suriyapee Sivalee , Phaisangittisakul Nakorn , Oonsiri Sornjarod , Sanghangthum Taweap , Seuntjens Jan
Published: November 2021

Introduction:

This study aims to experimentally determine field output factors using the methodologies suggested by the IAEA-AAPM TRS-483 for small field dosimetry and compare with the calculation from Monte Carlo (MC) simulation.

Methods:

The IBA-CC01, Sun Nuclear EDGE and IBA-SFD detectors were employed to determine the uncorrected and the corrected field output factors for 6 MV photon beams. Measurements were performed at 100 cm source to axis distance, 10 cm depth in water, and the field sizes ranged from 1 × 1 to 10 × 10 cm2. The use of field output correction factors proposed by the TRS-483 was utilised to determine field output factors. The measured field output factors were compared to that calculated using the egs_chamber user code.

Results:

The decrease in the percentage standard deviation of the measured three detectors was observed after applying the field output correction factors. Measured field output factors using CC01 and EDGE detectors agreed with MC values within 3% for field sizes down to 1 × 1 cm2, except the SFD detector.

Conclusions:

The corrected field output factors agree with the calculation from MC, except the SFD detector. CC01 and EDGE are suitable for determining field output factors, while the SFD may need more implementation of the intermediate field method.
Conjugate Photoelectron Energy Spectra Derived From Coincident FUV and Radio Measurements
Authors: Urco J. M. , Kamalabadi F. , Kamaci U. , Harding B. J. , Frey H. U. , Mende S. B. , Huba J. D. , England S. L. , Immel T. J.
Published: November 2021

We present a method for estimating incident photoelectrons' energy spectra as a function of altitude by combining global scale far‐ultraviolet (FUV) and radio‐occultation (RO) measurements. This characterization provides timely insights important for accurate interpretation of ionospheric parameters inferred from the recently launched Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) observations. Quantification of photoelectron impact is enabled by the fact that conjugate photoelectrons (CPEs) directly affect FUV airglow emissions but not RO measurements. We demonstrate a technique for estimation of photoelectron fluxes and their spectra by combining coincident ICON and COSMIC2 measurements and show that a significant fraction of ICON‐FUV measurements is affected by CPEs during the winter solstice. A comparison of estimated photoelectron fluxes with measured photoelectron spectra is used to gain further insights into the estimation method and reveals consistent values within 10–60 eV.
How the Source Depth of Coastal Upwelling Relates to Stratification and Wind
Authors: He Jing , Mahadevan Amala
Published: November 2021

Wind‐driven coastal upwelling is an important process that transports nutrients from the deep ocean to the surface, fueling biological productivity. To better understand what affects the upward transport of nutrients (and many other properties such as temperature, salinity, oxygen, and carbon), it is necessary to know the depth of source waters (i.e., “source depth”) or the density of source waters (“source density”). Here, we focus on the upwelling driven by offshore Ekman transport and present a scaling relation for the source depth and density by considering a balance between the wind‐driven upwelling and eddy‐driven restratification processes. The scaling suggests that the source depth varies as (τ/N)1/2, while the source density goes as (τ1/2N3/2), where τ is the wind stress and N is the stratification. We test these relations using numerical simulations of an idealized coastal upwelling front with varying constant wind forcing and initial stratification, and we find good agreement between the theory and numerical experiments. This work highlights the importance of considering stratification in wind‐driven upwelling dynamics, especially when thinking about how nutrient transport and primary production of coastal upwelling regions might change with increased ocean warming and stratification.
Stable Isotopes in Precipitation and Meteoric Water: Sourcing and Tracing the North American Monsoon in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah
Authors: Tulley‐Cordova C. L. , Putman A. L. , Bowen G. J.
Published: November 2021

The North American Monsoon (NAM) is an important source of precipitation across the southwestern United States. The approximate northern boundary of this feature crosses the Navajo Nation (NN), in the Four Corners region, where NAM rains have long been important to the livelihoods of Native Americans. Relatively little is known about the characteristics and hydrological significance of the NAM in this region. Here, we report a new 4 yr record of stable H and O isotope ratios in monsoon‐season rainfall and water resources across the NN. Monthly precipitation samples collected at 39 sites document a characteristic pattern of 2H‐ and 18O‐enrichment associated with monsoonal precipitation. These changes are weakly correlated with local precipitation amount, however, and the correlation that does exist is dominated by sub‐cloud evaporation effects. In contrast to precipitation amount, monsoon‐season isotopic values exhibited little spatial variability across the region, and after correction for sub‐cloud evaporation NN values were similar to those from a site in southern Arizona. Airmass back trajectory analysis suggests that the uniformly high NAM precipitation water isotope ratios across the region may reflect (a) a region‐wide shift from mid‐latitude to low‐latitude moisture sources at the onset of the peak monsoon, and (b) substantial land‐surface recycling of NAM moisture in upwind regions. Comparison of precipitation water isotope data with surface and groundwater values implies that, despite its hydroclimatic significance, monsoon rainfall contributes little to subsurface water resources. This highlights the monsoon's importance for warm‐season land‐surface ecology and hydrology critical to residents in the Four Corners region.
Single cell-derived spheroids capture the self-renewing subpopulations of metastatic ovarian cancer
Authors: Velletri Tania , Villa Carlo Emanuele , Cilli Domenica , Barzaghi Bianca , Lo Riso Pietro , Lupia Michela , Luongo Raffaele , López-Tobón Alejandro , De Simone Marco , Bonnal Raoul J. P. , Marelli Luca , Piccolo Stefano , Colombo Nicoletta , Pagani Massimiliano , Cavallaro Ugo , Minucci Saverio , Testa Giuseppe
Published: November 2021

High Grade Serous Ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is a major unmet need in oncology, due to its precocious dissemination and the lack of meaningful human models for the investigation of disease pathogenesis in a patient-specific manner. To overcome this roadblock, we present a new method to isolate and grow single cells directly from patients’ metastatic ascites, establishing the conditions for propagating them as 3D cultures that we refer to as single cell-derived metastatic ovarian cancer spheroids (sMOCS). By single cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) we define the cellular composition of metastatic ascites and trace its propagation in 2D and 3D culture paradigms, finding that sMOCS retain and amplify key subpopulations from the original patients’ samples and recapitulate features of the original metastasis that do not emerge from classical 2D culture, including retention of individual patients’ specificities. By enabling the enrichment of uniquely informative cell subpopulations from HGSOC metastasis and the clonal interrogation of their diversity at the functional and molecular level, this method provides a powerful instrument for precision oncology in ovarian cancer.
Independent control of mean and noise by convolution of gene expression distributions
Authors: Gerhardt Karl P. , Rao Satyajit D. , Olson Evan J. , Igoshin Oleg A. , Tabor Jeffrey J.
Published: November 2021

Gene expression noise can reduce cellular fitness or facilitate processes such as alternative metabolism, antibiotic resistance, and differentiation. Unfortunately, efforts to study the impacts of noise have been hampered by a scaling relationship between noise and expression level from individual promoters. Here, we use theory to demonstrate that mean and noise can be controlled independently by expressing two copies of a gene from separate inducible promoters in the same cell. We engineer low and high noise inducible promoters to validate this result in Escherichia coli, and develop a model that predicts the experimental distributions. Finally, we use our method to reveal that the response of a promoter to a repressor is less sensitive with higher repressor noise and explain this result using a law from probability theory. Our approach can be applied to investigate the effects of noise on diverse biological pathways or program cellular heterogeneity for synthetic biology applications.
Structural insights into proteolytic activation of the human Dispatched1 transporter for Hedgehog morphogen release
Authors: Li Wanqiu , Wang Linlin , Wierbowski Bradley M. , Lu Mo , Dong Feitong , Liu Wenchen , Li Sisi , Wang Peiyi , Salic Adrian , Gong Xin
Published: November 2021

The membrane protein Dispatched (Disp), which belongs to the RND family of small molecule transporters, is essential for Hedgehog (Hh) signaling, by catalyzing the extracellular release of palmitate- and cholesterol-modified Hh ligands from producing cells. Disp function requires Furin-mediated proteolytic cleavage of its extracellular domain, but how this activates Disp remains obscure. Here, we employ cryo-electron microscopy to determine atomic structures of human Disp1 (hDisp1), before and after cleavage, and in complex with lipid-modified Sonic hedgehog (Shh) ligand. These structures, together with biochemical data, reveal that proteolytic cleavage opens the extracellular domain of hDisp1, removing steric hindrance to Shh binding. Structure-guided functional experiments demonstrate the role of hDisp1–Shh interactions in ligand release. Our results clarify the mechanisms of hDisp1 activation and Shh morphogen release, and highlight how a unique proteolytic cleavage event enabled acquisition of a protein substrate by a member of a family of small molecule transporters.
Nitrogen-incorporation activates NiFeOx catalysts for efficiently boosting oxygen evolution activity and stability of BiVO4 photoanodes
Authors: Zhang Beibei , Yu Shiqiang , Dai Ying , Huang Xiaojuan , Chou Lingjun , Lu Gongxuan , Dong Guojun , Bi Yingpu
Published: November 2021

Developing low-cost and highly efficient catalysts toward the efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is highly desirable for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. Herein, we demonstrated that N-incorporation could efficiently activate NiFeOx catalysts for significantly enhancing the oxygen evolution activity and stability of BiVO4 photoanodes, and the photocurrent density has been achieved up to 6.4 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V (vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), AM 1.5 G). Systematic studies indicate that the partial substitution of O sites in NiFeOx catalysts by low electronegative N atoms enriched the electron densities in both Fe and Ni sites. The electron-enriched Ni sites conversely donated electrons to V sites of BiVO4 for restraining V5+ dissolution and improving the PEC stability, while the enhanced hole-attracting ability of Fe sites significantly promotes the oxygen-evolution activity. This work provides a promising strategy for optimizing OER catalysts to construct highly efficient and stable PEC water splitting devices.
Publisher Correction: Characterisation of factors contributing to the performance of nonwoven fibrous matrices as substrates for adenovirus vectored vaccine stabilisation
Authors: Dulal Pawan , Gharaei Robabeh , Berg Adam , Walters Adam A. , Hawkins Nicholas , Claridge Tim D. W. , Kowal Katarzyna , Neill Steven , Ritchie Adam J. , Ashfield Rebecca , Hill Adrian V. S. , Tronci Giuseppe , Russell Stephen J. , Douglas Alexander D.
Published: November 2021

The original version of this Article contained an error.
Single cell imaging-based chromatin biomarkers for tumor progression
Authors: Venkatachalapathy Saradha , Jokhun Doorgesh S. , Andhari Madhavi , Shivashankar G. V.
Published: November 2021

Tumour progression within the tissue microenvironment is accompanied by complex biomechanical alterations of the extracellular environment. While histopathology images provide robust biochemical markers for tumor progression in clinical settings, a quantitative single cell score using nuclear morphology and chromatin organization integrated with the long range mechanical coupling within the tumor microenvironment is missing. We propose that the spatial chromatin organization in individual nuclei characterises the cell state and their alterations during tumor progression. In this paper, we first built an image analysis pipeline and implemented it to classify nuclei from patient derived breast tissue biopsies of various cancer stages based on their nuclear and chromatin features. Replacing H&E with DNA binding dyes such as Hoescht stained tissue biopsies, we improved the classification accuracy. Using the nuclear morphology and chromatin organization features, we constructed a pseudo-time model to identify the chromatin state changes that occur during tumour progression. This enabled us to build a single-cell mechano-genomic score that characterises the cell state during tumor progression from a normal to a metastatic state. To gain further insights into the alterations in the local tissue microenvironments, we also used the nuclear orientations to identify spatial neighbourhoods that have been posited to drive tumor progression. Collectively, we demonstrate that image-based single cell chromatin and nuclear features are important single cell biomarkers for phenotypic mapping of tumor progression.
Hydroclimate change in the Garhwal Himalaya, India at 4200 yr BP coincident with the contraction of the Indus civilization
Authors: Niederman E. A. , Porinchu D. F. , Kotlia B. S.
Published: November 2021

High-resolution analysis of a 3.80 m sediment core recovered from Deoria Tal, a mid-elevation lake located at 2393 m a.s.l. in the Garhwal Himalaya, documents long-term and abrupt hydroclimate fluctuations in northern India during the mid- to late Holocene. The sediment chronology, based on ten 14C dates, indicates the core spans 5200 years. Non-destructive, radiological imaging approaches (X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray imaging, and CT scans) were used to assess the response of the lake system to changing hydroclimatic conditions. Variations in elemental concentrations and sediment density evidenced notable hydroclimate change episodes centered at 4850, 4200, and 3100 cal yr BP. Elevated detrital input, greater sediment density, decreased lake ventilation, and lower autochthonous productivity reflects lake deepening between 4350 and 4200 cal yr BP. An abrupt shift in elemental concentrations and sediment density indicated the onset of lake drawdown at 4200 cal yr BP and a negative hydroclimate anomaly between 4200 and 4050 cal yr BP. Lower detrital flux, decreased sediment density, increased oxygenation, and higher autochthonous productivity, reflects a reduction in lake volume between 3200 and 3100 cal yr BP. The potential link between abrupt climate change at 4200 cal yr BP and the contraction of the Indus civilization is explored.
Naturally occurring van der Waals heterostructure lengenbachite with strong in-plane structural and optical anisotropy
Authors: Dasgupta Arindam , Yang Xiaodong , Gao Jie
Published: November 2021

Lengenbachite is a naturally occurring layered mineral formed with alternating stacks of two constituent PbS-like and M2S3-like two-dimensional (2D) material layers due to the phase segregation process during the formation. Here, we demonstrate to achieve van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures of lengenbachite down to a few layer-pair thickness by mechanical exfoliation of bulk lengenbachite mineral. The incommensurability between the constituent isotropic 2D material layers makes the formed vdW heterostructure exhibit strong in-plane structural anisotropy, which leads to highly anisotropic optical responses in lengenbachite thin flakes, including anisotropic Raman scattering, linear dichroism, and anisotropic third-harmonic generation. Moreover, we exploit the nonlinear optical anisotropy for polarization-dependent intensity modulation of the converted third-harmonic optical vortices. Our study establishes lengenbachite as a new natural vdW heterostructure-based 2D material with unique optical properties for realizing anisotropic optical devices for photonic integrated circuits and optical information processing.
Amazon methane budget derived from multi-year airborne observations highlights regional variations in emissions
Authors: Basso Luana S. , Marani Luciano , Gatti Luciana V. , Miller John B. , Gloor Manuel , Melack John , Cassol Henrique L. G. , Tejada Graciela , Domingues Lucas G. , Arai Egidio , Sanchez Alber H. , Corrêa Sergio M. , Anderson Liana , Aragão Luiz E. O. C. , Correia Caio S. C. , Crispim Stephane P. , Neves Raiane A. L.
Published: November 2021

Atmospheric methane concentrations were nearly constant between 1999 and 2006, but have been rising since by an average of ~8 ppb per year. Increases in wetland emissions, the largest natural global methane source, may be partly responsible for this rise. The scarcity of in situ atmospheric methane observations in tropical regions may be one source of large disparities between top-down and bottom-up estimates. Here we present 590 lower-troposphere vertical profiles of methane concentration from four sites across Amazonia between 2010 and 2018. We find that Amazonia emits 46.2 ± 10.3 Tg of methane per year (~8% of global emissions) with no temporal trend. Based on carbon monoxide, 17% of the sources are from biomass burning with the remainder (83%) attributable mainly to wetlands. Northwest-central Amazon emissions are nearly aseasonal, consistent with weak precipitation seasonality, while southern emissions are strongly seasonal linked to soil water seasonality. We also find a distinct east-west contrast with large fluxes in the northeast, the cause of which is currently unclear.
A ratiometric ESIPT probe based on 2-aza-Cope rearrangement for rapid and selective detection of formaldehyde in living cells
Authors: Quan Tingting , Liang Zhenhao , Pang Huaiting , Zeng Guanling , Chen Tongsheng
Published: November 2021

A ratiometric ESIPT probe, FormAFP, has been developed for rapid, selective and sensitive detection of FA via 2-aza-Cope rearrangement. The probe also showed a fast response (<20 min) to both exogenous and endogenous FA in living cells.
Light-driven dissipative self-assembly of a peptide hydrogel
Authors: Liu Mengmeng , Creemer Cassidy N. , Reardon Thomas J. , Parquette Jon R.
Published: November 2021

In this work, we describe a spiropyran–peptide conjugate that assembles into a transient nanofiber hydrogel, which persists under visible light irradiation but dissipates when the light source is removed.
MOF-derived ruthenium-doped amorphous molybdenum dioxide hybrid for highly efficient hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline media
Authors: Han Ji-Yuan , Cai Sheng-Hao , Zhu Ji-Yu , Yang Shuang , Li Ji-Sen
Published: November 2021

Ruthenium-doped amorphous molybdenum dioxide coupled with a reduced graphene oxide hybrid (Ru-MoO2@PC/rGO) is synthesized using polyoxometalate-based MOFs/GO as a precursor.
Photo-modulated supramolecular self-assembly of ortho-nitrobenzyl ester-based alkynylplatinum(ii) 2,6-bis(N-alkylbenzimidazol-2′-yl)pyridine complexes
Authors: Cheung Andy Shun-Hoi , Chan Michael Ho-Yeung , Po Charlotte , Hong Eugene Yau-Hin , Yam Vivian Wing-Wah
Published: November 2021

The enhanced supramolecular self-assembly behaviors of photo-caged platinum(ii) complexes have been triggered by applying light as the external stimulus.
Cp*Rh(iii)/boron hybrid catalysis for directed C–H addition to β-substituted α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids
Authors: Tanaka Ryo , Hirata Yuki , Kojima Masahiro , Yoshino Tatsuhiko , Matsunaga Shigeki
Published: November 2021

The C–H bond addition reaction of 2-phenylpyridine derivatives with α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids catalyzed by Cp*Rh(iii)/BH3·SMe2 is reported.
Fabrication and magnetic–electronic properties of van der Waals Cr4Te5 ferromagnetic films
Authors: Wang Weiyuan , Fan Jiyu , Liu Hao , Zheng Huan , Ma Chunlan , Zhang Lei , Sun Yunbin , Wang Caixia , Zhu Yan , Yang Hao
Published: November 2021

The layered Cr4Te5 epitaxial film was fabricated by PLD technology. It displays a PM–FM phase transition and retains a FM ordering state up to room temperature.
Phase B vanadium dioxide: characteristics, synthesis and applications
Authors: Zhang Yujing , Chen Nan , Zhou Yang , Lai Haojie , Liu Pengyi , Xie Weiguang
Published: November 2021

Starting from the numerous and unique characteristics of VO2(B), we will introduce to readers the research progress of VO2(B) in recent years, including the detailed mainstream methods for its preparation and popular fields of application.
Deciphering the mechanism of action of 5FDQD and the design of new neutral analogues for the FMN riboswitch: a well-tempered metadynamics simulation study
Authors: Wakchaure Padmaja D. , Ganguly Bishwajit
Published: November 2021

This work reports the mechanism of binding of the neutral ligand 5FDQD with the FMN riboswitch and illustrates the crucial role of substituents in achieving higher binding affinity with the FMN riboswitch.
Appraising the potency of small molecule inhibitors and their graphene surface-mediated organizational attributes on uric acid–melamine clusters
Authors: Chattaraj Krishna Gopal , Paul Sandip
Published: November 2021

Theobromine and allopurinol effectively break uric acid–melamine clusters on a 2D surface and, thus, impersonate the exact essence of the precipitation of kidney stones.
Production of levulinic acid and alkyl levulinates: a process insight
Authors: Di Menno Di Bucchianico Daniele , Wang Yanjun , Buvat Jean-Christophe , Pan Yong , Casson Moreno Valeria , Leveneur Sébastien
Published: November 2021

We review the use of lignocellulosic biomass for the production of levulinic acid and levulinates. We consider the production processes and their environmental and economic impact.
Design strategies of phosphorus-containing catalysts for photocatalytic, photoelectrochemical and electrocatalytic water splitting
Authors: Chen Lei , Ren Jin-Tao , Yuan Zhong-Yong
Published: November 2021

The innovational strategies to design P-containing catalysts with enhanced photo-/electro-catalytic water splitting activity are reviewed with respect to phase modifying, foreign elements introducing, morphology tailoring and interface engineering.
Intestinal explant barrier chip: long-term intestinal absorption screening in a novel microphysiological system using tissue explants
Authors: Eslami Amirabadi Hossein , Donkers Joanne M. , Wierenga Esmée , Ingenhut Bastiaan , Pieters Lisanne , Stevens Lianne , Donkers Tim , Westerhout Joost , Masereeuw Rosalinde , Bobeldijk-Pastorova Ivana , Nooijen Irene , van de Steeg Evita
Published: November 2021

The Intestinal Explant Barrier Chip (IEBC) mechanically fixes human and porcine intestinal tissue explants between an apical and basolateral microchannel and is the first microphysiological system to study intestinal drug absorptionex vivo.
Immuno-biosensor on a chip: a self-powered microfluidic-based electrochemical biosensing platform for point-of-care quantification of proteins
Authors: Haghayegh Fatemeh , Salahandish Razieh , Zare Azam , Khalghollah Mahmood , Sanati-Nezhad Amir
Published: November 2021

Optimized self-contained microfluidic platform allows for single-step detection of proteins, through passive delivery of the dry-stored reagents required for immunosensing. Novel autonomous performance of the platform advances the point-of-care utilization of electrochemical protein sensing.
Elucidating the effect of the spacer and the luminescence mechanism of SRB hosted in a LDH interlayer
Authors: Legentil Paul , Leroux Fabrice , Mahiou Rachid , Therias Sandrine , Boyer Damien , Reveret François , Nauton Lionel , Thery Vincent , Valleix Rodolphe , Chadeyron Geneviève
Published: November 2021

The optical properties of LDH–DS/SRB powders were optimized by adjusting the alkyl chain length of the organic spacer between adjacent LDH sheets. In-depth study of the fluorescence dynamics enabled to propose a de-excitation mechanism.
Novel insights into nanomaterials for immunomodulatory bone regeneration
Authors: Cui Ya , Li Hairui , Li Yaxin , Mao Lixia
Published: November 2021

Bone defect repair caused by trauma, congenital malformation, tumors, infection or systemic diseases remains the focus of attention in regeneration medicine.
The versatile roles of neutral donor ligands in tuning catalyst performance for the ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters
Authors: Dong Xiang , Robinson Jerome R.
Published: November 2021

The use of neutral donor ligands is an effective strategy to modify catalyst structure and performance in the synthesis of sustainable polymers through the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic esters.
Identification of fosaprepitant as a novel GSTP1 inhibitor through structure-based virtual screening, molecular dynamics simulation, and biological evaluation
Authors: Lin Hao , Sun Wenxiu , Zeng Tao , Li Hengda , Xu Chenming , Chen Yan , Yin Wu
Published: November 2021

The workflow of virtual screening for the discovery of GSTP1 inhibitors.
Preparation and application of a flower-rod-like Bi2S3/Co3O4/rGO/nickel foam supercapacitor electrode
Authors: Wang Ziwen , Lu Baichuan , Zhang Xiaokun , Lu Shixiang , Xu Wenguo
Published: November 2021

Herein, we have prepared a new nanocomposite Bi2S3/Co3O4/rGO/Ni foam substrate electrode through hydrothermal synthesis and an annealing process.
Ruthenium(ii)-catalyzed regioselective 1,6-conjugate addition of umpolung aldehydes as carbanion equivalents
Authors: Kang Hyotaik , Li Chao-Jun
Published: November 2021

Highly regioselective 1,6-conjugate addition was developed using hydrazone as carbanion equivalent catalyzed by ruthenium under mild conditions.
Etching C6CoK3N6-induced ZnCdS for improved hydrogen evolution
Authors: Li Yanbing , Li Youji , Jin Zhiliang , Tsubaki Noritatsu
Published: November 2021

The design and construction of advanced functional structures for photocatalysts has been proven to be an extremely effective approach to greatly enhance their properties toward higher solar-driven water splitting efficiency.
Enhanced thermal management performance of nanofibrillated cellulose composite with highly thermally conductive boron phosphide
Authors: Hu Jiajun , Xia Hongyan , Hou Xinguang , Yang Ting , Si Kang , Wang Yi , Wang Laili , Shi Zhongqi
Published: November 2021

BP powders with high thermal conductivity were synthesized by a facile molten salt method and used as thermal conductive fillers to prepare nanofibrillated cellulose composite film with higher thermal conductivity.
Interfacial engineering of nickel/iron/ruthenium phosphides for efficient overall water splitting powered by solar energy
Authors: Cai Sheng-Hao , Chen Xiao-Nan , Huang Meng-Jie , Han Ji-Yuan , Zhou Yu-Wei , Li Ji-Sen
Published: November 2021

Exploiting high-performance, low-cost, and robust bifunctional catalysts toward electrochemical water splitting is of great importance, but remains challenging.
Phase engineering of dual active 2D Bi2O3-based nanocatalysts for alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction electrocatalysis
Authors: Wu Ziyang , Mei Jun , Liu Qiong , Wang Sen , Li Wei , Xing Shihui , Bai Juan , Yang Jianping , Luo Wei , Guselnikova Olga , O'Mullane Anthony P. , Gu Yuantong , Yamauchi Yusuke , Liao Ting , Sun Ziqi
Published: November 2021

In situ fabricated Bi2O3 nanosheets with both α-Bi2O3 and BixNi alloy phases, simultaneously contributing to the water dissociation step and the hydrogen formation step, demonstrate high HER electrocatalytic activity in alkaline media.
High-index facets and multidimensional hotspots in Au-decorated 24-faceted PbS for ultrasensitive and recyclable SERS substrates
Authors: Kang Hao-Sen , Long Ming-Yang , Zhou Tao , Liu Jin-Chuang , Duan Yi-Tong , Ma Liang , Chen Xiang-Bai , Ding Si-Jing , Zhou Li
Published: November 2021

24-faceted PbS–Au hybrids are prepared and used as ultrasensitive and recyclable SERS substrates due to their high-index facets, strong visible-near-infrared light absorption, multidimensional hotspots, abundant hotspots, and efficient charge transfer.
Ambulatory Voice Biofeedback: Acquisition and Retention of Modified Daily Voice Use in Patients With Phonotraumatic Vocal Hyperfunction
Authors: Van Stan Jarrad H. , Ortiz Andrew J. , Sternad Dagmar , Mehta Daryush D. , Huo Chuanbing , Hillman Robert E.
Published: November 2021

Purpose:

Voice ambulatory biofeedback (VAB) has potential to improve carryover of therapeutic voice use into daily life. Previous work in vocally healthy participants demonstrated that motor learning inspired variations to VAB produced expected differences in acquisition and retention of modified daily voice use. This proof-of-concept study was designed to evaluate whether these VAB variations have the same desired effects on acquisition and retention in patients with phonotraumatic vocal hyperfunction (PVH).

Method:

Seventeen female patients with PVH wore an ambulatory voice monitor for 6 days: three baseline days, one biofeedback day, one short-term retention day, and one long-term retention day. Short- and long-term retention were 1- and 7-days postbiofeedback, respectively. Patients were block-randomized to receive one of three types of VAB: 100%, 25%, and Summary. Performance was measured in terms of adherence time below a subject-specific vocal intensity threshold.

Results:

All three types of VAB produced a biofeedback effect with 13 out of 17 patients displaying an increase in adherence time compared to baseline days. Additionally, multiple patients from each VAB group increased their adherence time during short- and/or long-term retention monitoring compared to baseline.

Conclusions:

These findings show that VAB can be associated with acquisition and retention of desired voice use in patients with PVH. Specifically, all three feedback types improved multiple patients' performance and retention for up to 1 week after biofeedback removal. Future work can investigate the impact of incorporating VAB into voice therapy.
Dandelion Seeds Adjust for Flight Attitude to Fly Farther
Authors: Piccone Ashley
Published: November 2021

More realistic flight conditions show the flow pattern around airborne dandelion seeds
Reduction of efficiency droop in c-plane InGaN/GaN light-emitting diodes using a thick single quantum well with doped barriers
Authors: Chow Y. C. , Lynsky C. , Wu F. , Nakamura S. , DenBaars S. P. , Weisbuch C. , Speck J. S.
Published: November 2021

We report on c-plane InGaN/GaN single quantum well (QW) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) of different well widths (3 or 9 nm) with and without doped barriers. QW barriers were doped with the aim of reducing the internal electric field (FQW) in the QW to increase the electron-hole overlap, therefore increasing the recombination rates and resulting in the reduction of the efficiency droop. We, indeed, observed, through biased photocurrent spectroscopy, a reduction in FQW with doped barriers, with FQW being in the same direction of the p-n junction field at zero bias as opposed to the junction field for LEDs without doped barriers. Even with the improvement in the ground state wavefunction overlap, the ground state transition rate remains low for thick QWs. Transitions through excited states were observed for both thick QW LEDs with and without doped barriers. The thick QW LED without doped barriers displayed low external quantum efficiency (EQE), likely as a result of the carrier overflow due to the poor confinement of carriers in the excited states. On the other hand, for LEDs with doped barriers, the flatter band in the QW resulting from the lower FQW reduces the energy separation between the eigenstates, leading to better confinement of carriers in the excited states. With doped barriers, we demonstrated a low efficiency droop 9-nm-thick single QW LED with a peak EQE of 42% at 40 A/cm2 and an EQE of 36% at 400 A/cm2.