bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RETRACTED ARTICLE: MYC-mediated upregulation of PNO1 promotes
glioma tumorigenesis by activating THBS1/FAK/Akt signaling
Authors: Chen Xu , Guo Zheng-Qian , Cao Dan , Chen Yong , Chen Jian
Published: March 2021

PNO1 has been reported to be involved in tumorigenesis, however, its
role in glioma remains unexplored. In the present study, PNO1 expression in glioma
from on-line databases, cDNA, and tissue microarrays was upregulated and associated
with poor prognosis. PNO1 knockdown inhibits tumor cell growth and invasion both in
vitro and in vivo; whereas PNO1 overexpression promoted cell proliferation and
invasion in vitro. Notably, PNO1 interacted with THBS1 and the promotion of glioma
by PNO1 overexpression could be attenuated or even reversed by simultaneously
silencing THBS1. Functionally, PNO1 was involved in activation of FAK/Akt pathway.
Moreover, overexpressing MYC increased PNO1 promoter activity. MYC knockdown
decreased PNO1 and THBS1 expression, while inhibited cell proliferation and
invasion. In conclusion, MYC-mediated upregulation of PNO1 contributes to glioma
progression by activating THBS1/FAK/Akt signaling. PNO1 was reported to be a tumor
promotor in the development and progression of glioma and may act as a candidate of
therapeutic target in glioma treatment.
Genome-wide haplotype association study in imaging genetics using whole-brain sulcal openings of 16,304 UK Biobank subjects
Authors: Karkar Slim , Dandine-Roulland Claire , Mangin Jean-François , Le Guen Yann , Philippe Cathy , Deleuze Jean-François , Pierre-Jean Morgane , Le Floch Edith , Frouin Vincent
Published: March 2021

Neuroimaging-genetics cohorts gather two types of data: brain imaging and genetic data. They allow the discovery of associations between genetic variants and brain imaging features. They are invaluable resources to study the influence of genetics and environment in the brain features variance observed in normal and pathological populations. This study presents a genome-wide haplotype analysis for 123 brain sulcus opening value (a measure of sulcal width) across the whole brain that include 16,304 subjects from UK Biobank. Using genetic maps, we defined 119,548 blocks of low recombination rate distributed along the 22 autosomal chromosomes and analyzed 1,051,316 haplotypes. To test associations between haplotypes and complex traits, we designed three statistical approaches. Two of them use a model that includes all the haplotypes for a single block, while the last approach considers each haplotype independently. All the statistics produced were assessed as rigorously as possible. Thanks to the rich imaging dataset at hand, we used resampling techniques to assess False Positive Rate for each statistical approach in a genome-wide and brain-wide context. The results on real data show that genome-wide haplotype analyses are more sensitive than single-SNP approach and account for local complex Linkage Disequilibrium (LD) structure, which makes genome-wide haplotype analysis an interesting and statistically sound alternative to the single-SNP counterpart.
The limits of normal approximation for adult height
Authors: Slavskii Sergei A. , Kuznetsov Ivan A. , Shashkova Tatiana I. , Bazykin Georgii A. , Axenovich Tatiana I. , Kondrashov Fyodor A. , Aulchenko Yurii S.
Published: March 2021

Adult height inspired the first biometrical and quantitative genetic studies and is a test-case trait for understanding heritability. The studies of height led to formulation of the classical polygenic model, that has a profound influence on the way we view and analyse complex traits. An essential part of the classical model is an assumption of additivity of effects and normality of the distribution of the residuals. However, it may be expected that the normal approximation will become insufficient in bigger studies. Here, we demonstrate that when the height of hundreds of thousands of individuals is analysed, the model complexity needs to be increased to include non-additive interactions between sex, environment and genes. Alternatively, the use of log-normal approximation allowed us to still use the additive effects model. These findings are important for future genetic and methodologic studies that make use of adult height as an exemplar trait.
A multiplexed, automated evolution pipeline enables scalable discovery and characterization of biosensors
Authors: Townshend Brent , Xiang Joy S. , Manzanarez Gabriel , Hayden Eric J. , Smolke Christina D.
Published: March 2021

Biosensors are key components in engineered biological systems, providing a means of measuring and acting upon the large biochemical space in living cells. However, generating small molecule sensing elements and integrating them into in vivo biosensors have been challenging. Here, using aptamer-coupled ribozyme libraries and a ribozyme regeneration method, de novo rapid in vitro evolution of RNA biosensors (DRIVER) enables multiplexed discovery of biosensors. With DRIVER and high-throughput characterization (CleaveSeq) fully automated on liquid-handling systems, we identify and validate biosensors against six small molecules, including five for which no aptamers were previously found. DRIVER-evolved biosensors are applied directly to regulate gene expression in yeast, displaying activation ratios up to 33-fold. DRIVER biosensors are also applied in detecting metabolite production from a multi-enzyme biosynthetic pathway. This work demonstrates DRIVER as a scalable pipeline for engineering de novo biosensors with wide-ranging applications in biomanufacturing, diagnostics, therapeutics, and synthetic biology.
Defensive functions provoke similar psychophysiological reactions in reaching and comfort spaces
Authors: Ruggiero G. , Rapuano M. , Cartaud A. , Coello Y. , Iachini T.
Published: March 2021

The space around the body crucially serves a variety of functions, first and foremost, preserving one’s own safety and avoiding injury. Recent research has shown that emotional information, in particular threatening facial expressions, affects the regulation of peripersonal-reaching space (PPS, for action with objects) and interpersonal-comfort space (IPS, for social interaction). Here we explored if emotional facial expressions may similarly or differently affect both spaces in terms of psychophysiological reactions (cardiac inter-beat intervals: IBIs, i.e. inverse of heart rate; Skin Conductance Response amplitude: SCR amplitude) and spatial distance. Through Immersive Virtual Reality technology, participants determined reaching-distance (PPS) and comfort-distance (IPS) from virtual confederates exhibiting happy/angry/neutral facial expressions while being approached by them. During these interactions, spatial distance and psychophysiological reactions were recorded. Results revealed that when interacting with angry virtual confederates the distance increased similarly in both comfort-social and reaching-action spaces. Moreover, interacting with virtual confederates exhibiting angry rather than happy or neutral expressions provoked similar psychophysiological activations (SCR amplitude, IBIs) in both spaces. Regression analyses showed that psychophysiological activations, particularly SCR amplitude in response to virtual confederates approaching with angry expressions, were able to predict the increase of PPS and IPS. These findings suggest that self-protection functions could be the expression of a common defensive mechanism shared by social and action spaces.
Likelihood-based approach to discriminate mixtures of network models that vary in time
Authors: Arnold Naomi A. , Mondragón Raul J. , Clegg Richard G.
Published: March 2021

Discriminating between competing explanatory models as to which is more likely responsible for the growth of a network is a problem of fundamental importance for network science. The rules governing this growth are attributed to mechanisms such as preferential attachment and triangle closure, with a wealth of explanatory models based on these. These models are deliberately simple, commonly with the network growing according to a constant mechanism for its lifetime, to allow for analytical results. We use a likelihood-based framework on artificial data where the network model changes at a known point in time and demonstrate that we can recover the change point from analysis of the network. We then use real datasets and demonstrate how our framework can show the changing importance of network growth mechanisms over time.
An incentive-based mitigation strategy to encourage coexistence of large mammals and humans along the foothills of Indian Western Himalayas
Authors: Badola Ruchi , Ahmed Tanveer , Gill Amanat Kaur , Dobriyal Pariva , Das Goura Chandra , Badola Srishti , Hussain Syed Ainul
Published: March 2021

Escalation of human–wildlife conflict (HWC) is a barrier to the conservation of ecological corridors across the globe. The existing mechanisms to counter HWC are either economically and socially taxing, or ineffective for long-term management. We assessed HWC in the corridor linking the Rajaji and Corbett Tiger Reserves in Uttarakhand, India, and its drivers, along with the benefits derived by local communities from the forest. We designed an innovative incentive-based mitigation mechanism to encourage coexistence of people and wildlife around the corridor. Costs incurred due to conflict and benefits derived from the forest were assessed using semi-structured questionnaire-based personal interviews (n = 757) with representatives from forest dependent households (hh). Fuelwood (1678.7 ± 131 kg hh−1 year−1), fodder (4772 ± 186 kg hh−1 year−1) and green/dry grass (3359 ± 104 kg hh−1 year−1) contributed 3 ± 1%, 6 ± 0.5% and 9 ± 1%, respectively, to the annual income of dependent households. 69% of the households practising agriculture reported crop damage by wild animals, 19% of the households that owned livestock reported livestock loss, and 1.58% reported attack on humans resulting in injuries. The cost incurred due to crop raiding and livestock depredation was US $ 159.83 ± 1.0 hh−1 year−1 and US $ 229.32 ± 34.0 hh−1 year−1, respectively. Crop loss was positively associated with the number of crops grown per season and cultivation of sugarcane, wheat and pulses, and negatively with distance from forest and cultivation of fodder and finger millet. Livestock depredation was negatively associated with distance from forest and positively with number of livestock owned, primarily calves. The accounting profit from cultivating a hectare of land, in the absence of crop depredation by wild animals, was estimated at US $ 3571.84 ha−1 year−1 and US $ 361.44 ha−1 year−1 for the plains and hills, respectively. This value can be used to calculate the payments to be paid to local communities to encourage them to adopt HWC resistant agricultural and pastoralism practices. The net present value of benefits from participating in the payments to encourage coexistence programme for 5 years, discounted at 12%, was US $ 12,875.7 ha−1 for the plains and US $ 1302.9 ha−1 for the hills.
The ZNF76 rs10947540 polymorphism associated with systemic lupus erythematosus risk in Chinese populations
Authors: Qi Yuan-yuan , Cui Yan , Lang Hui , Zhai Ya-ling , Zhang Xiao-xue , Wang Xiao-yang , Liu Xin-ran , Zhao Ya-fei , Ning Xiang-hui , Zhao Zhan-zheng
Published: March 2021

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a typical autoimmune disease with a strong genetic disposition. Genetic studies have revealed that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in zinc finger protein (ZNF)-coding genes are associated with susceptibility to autoimmune diseases, including SLE. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the correlation between ZNF76 gene polymorphisms and SLE risk in Chinese populations. A total of 2801 individuals (1493 cases and 1308 controls) of Chinese Han origin were included in this two-stage genetic association study. The expression of ZNF76 was evaluated, and integrated bioinformatic analysis was also conducted. The results showed that 28 SNPs were associated with SLE susceptibility in the GWAS cohort, and the association of rs10947540 was successfully replicated in the independent replication cohort (Preplication = 1.60 × 10−2, OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.03–1.37). After meta-analysis, the association between rs10947540 and SLE was pronounced (Pmeta = 9.62 × 10−6, OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.15–1.44). Stratified analysis suggested that ZNF76 rs10947540 C carriers were more likely to develop relatively high levels of serum creatinine (Scr) than noncarriers (CC + CT vs. TT, p = 9.94 × 10−4). The bioinformatic analysis revealed that ZNF76 rs10947540 was annotated as an eQTL and that rs10947540 was correlated with decreased expression of ZNF76. Remarkably, significantly reduced expression of ZNF76 was confirmed by expression data from both our laboratory and an array-based expression database. Taken together, these results suggest that ZNF76 rs10947540 is a possible susceptibility factor associated with SLE susceptibility. The mechanism underlying the relationship between ZNF76 and SLE pathogenesis still requires further investigation.
Exercise training and burdock root (Arctium lappa L.) extract independently improve abdominal obesity and sex hormones in elderly women with metabolic syndrome
Authors: Ha Min-Seong , Yook Jang Soo , Lee Minchul , Suwabe Kazuya , Jeong Woo-Min , Kwak Jae-Jun , Soya Hideaki
Published: March 2021

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) is increasing among the elderly, and new lifestyle-based treatment strategies are warranted. We conducted a randomized, double-blind controlled trial of the effects of aquatic exercise (AE) and/or consumption of burdock root extract (BE) on body composition and serum sex hormones, i.e., testosterone, estradiol, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) in elderly women with MS. The percentage of abdominal fat was decreased in the AE group. Waist circumference was increased in the control (CON) group, but not in the other groups. SHBG and estradiol levels were enhanced by both AE and BE and correlated with changes in fat-related body composition. DHEA-S levels only increased in the BE group, which was consistent with changes in lean body mass. Testosterone levels decreased in the CON group, which correlated with changes in lean body mass, skeletal muscle mass, body fat, and waist circumference. Our findings suggested that the combined AE/BE intervention exerted no synergistic and/or additive effects on any sex-related outcome measures in elderly women with MS.
Groundwater extraction reduces tree vitality, growth and xylem hydraulic capacity in Quercus robur during and after drought events
Authors: Skiadaresis Georgios , Schwarz Julia , Stahl Kerstin , Bauhus Jürgen
Published: March 2021

Climate change is expected to pose major direct and indirect threats to groundwater-dependent forest ecosystems. Forests that concurrently experience increased rates of water extraction may face unprecedented exposure to droughts. Here, we examined differences in stem growth and xylem hydraulic architecture of 216 oak trees from sites with contrasting groundwater availability, including sites where groundwater extraction has led to reduced water availability for trees over several decades. We expected reduced growth and xylem hydraulic capacity for trees at groundwater extraction sites both under normal and unfavourable growing conditions. Compared to sites without extraction, trees at sites with groundwater extraction showed reduced growth and hydraulic conductivity both during periods of moderate and extremely low soil water availability. Trees of low vigour, which were more frequent at sites with groundwater extraction, were not able to recover growth and hydraulic capacity following drought, pointing to prolonged drought effects. Long-term water deficit resulting in reduced CO2assimilation and hydraulic capacity after drought are very likely responsible for observed reductions in tree vitality at extraction sites. Our results demonstrate that groundwater access maintains tree function and resilience to drought and is therefore important for tree health in the context of climate change.
GWAS reveal a role for the central nervous system in regulating weight and weight change in response to exercise
Authors: Watanabe Louis P. , Riddle Nicole C.
Published: March 2021

Body size and weight show considerable variation both within and between species. This variation is controlled in part by genetics, but also strongly influenced by environmental factors including diet and the level of activity experienced by the individual. Due to the increasing obesity epidemic in much of the world, there is considerable interest in the genetic factors that control body weight and how weight changes in response to exercise treatments. Here, we address this question in the Drosophila model system, utilizing 38 strains of the Drosophila Genetics Reference Panel. We use GWAS to identify the molecular pathways that control weight and weight changes in response to exercise. We find that there is a complex set of molecular pathways controlling weight, with many genes linked to the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS also plays a role in the weight change with exercise, in particular, signaling from the CNS. Additional analyses revealed that weight in Drosophila is driven by two factors, animal size, and body composition, as the amount of fat mass versus lean mass impacts the density. Thus, while the CNS appears to be important for weight and exercise-induced weight change, signaling pathways are particularly important for determining how exercise impacts weight.
Identification of geographical origins of Panax notoginseng based on HPLC multi-wavelength fusion profiling combined with average linear quantitative fingerprint method
Authors: Bai Jing , Yue Pan , Dong Qiang , Wang Fang , He Chengyan , Li Yang , Guo Jinlin
Published: March 2021

The aim of this study was to establish a method for geographical origins identification of Panax notoginseng (P. notoginseng) based on abundant chromatographic spectral information. Characteristic fingerprints of P. notoginseng extracts samples were generated by Multi-wavelength Fusion Profiling (MWFP) method based on the HPLC fingerprints established at three wavelengths of 203 nm, 270 nm and 325 nm. The samples grouping results calculated with the averagely linear quantified fingerprint method (ALQFM) and the unsupervised statistical methods based on fusion fingerprints matches with the geographical origins. The Multi-wavelength Fusion Profiling (MWFP) method has been successfully applied to identification of geographical origins of P. notoginseng and shows the advantages compared with single—channel fingerprints. In addition, eight physiologically active components, including four saponins, two flavones and two amino acids, were identified from the most relevant ingredients of P. notoginseng geographical origins by fusion fingerprint-efficacy relationship analysis. Besides the recognized active saponins, other categories of active ingredients such as flavonoids and amino acids should be paid attention to in the producing areas identification or the quality judgment of P. notoginseng.
Demographic effects on facial emotion expression: an interdisciplinary investigation of the facial action units of happiness
Authors: Fan Yingruo , Lam Jacqueline C. K. , Li Victor O. K.
Published: March 2021

Understanding demographic difference in facial expression of happiness has crucial implications on social communication. However, prior research on facial emotion expression has mostly focused on the effect of a single demographic factor (typically gender, race, or age), and is limited by the small image dataset collected in laboratory settings. First, we used 30,000 (4800 after pre-processing) real-world facial images from Flickr, to analyze the facial expression of happiness as indicated by the intensity level of two distinctive facial action units, the Cheek Raiser (AU6) and the Lip Corner Puller (AU12), obtained automatically via a deep learning algorithm that we developed, after training on 75,000 images. Second, we conducted a statistical analysis on the intensity level of happiness, with both the main effect and the interaction effect of three core demographic factors on AU12 and AU6. Our results show that females generally display a higher AU12 intensity than males. African Americans tend to exhibit a higher AU6 and AU12 intensity, when compared with Caucasians and Asians. The older age groups, especially the 40–69-year-old, generally display a stronger AU12 intensity than the 0–3-year-old group. Our interdisciplinary study provides a better generalization and a deeper understanding on how different gender, race and age groups express the emotion of happiness differently.
Incorporating a molecular antenna in diatom microalgae cells enhances photosynthesis
Authors: Leone Gabriella , De la Cruz Valbuena Gabriel , Cicco Stefania Roberta , Vona Danilo , Altamura Emiliano , Ragni Roberta , Molotokaite Egle , Cecchin Michela , Cazzaniga Stefano , Ballottari Matteo , D’Andrea Cosimo , Lanzani Guglielmo , Farinola Gianluca Maria
Published: March 2021

Diatom microalgae have great industrial potential as next-generation sources of biomaterials and biofuels. Effective scale-up of their production can be pursued by enhancing the efficiency of their photosynthetic process in a way that increases the solar-to-biomass conversion yield. A proof-of-concept demonstration is given of the possibility of enhancing the light absorption of algae and of increasing their efficiency in photosynthesis by in vivo incorporation of an organic dye which acts as an antenna and enhances cells’ growth and biomass production without resorting to genetic modification. A molecular dye (Cy5) is incorporated in Thalassiosira weissflogii diatom cells by simply adding it to the culture medium and thus filling the orange gap that limits their absorption of sunlight. Cy5 enhances diatoms’ photosynthetic oxygen production and cell density by 49% and 40%, respectively. Cy5 incorporation also increases by 12% the algal lipid free fatty acid (FFA) production versus the pristine cell culture, thus representing a suitable way to enhance biofuel generation from algal species. Time-resolved spectroscopy reveals Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) from Cy5 to algal chlorophyll. The present approach lays the basis for non-genetic tailoring of diatoms’ spectral response to light harvesting, opening up new ways for their industrial valorization.
Restoration of the hip geometry after two-stage exchange with intermediate resection arthroplasty for periprosthetic joint infection
Authors: Hubert Jan , Beil Frank Timo , Rolvien Tim , Ries Christian , Frosch Stephan , Saul Dominik , Hawellek Thelonius
Published: March 2021

Two-stage exchange with intermediate resection arthroplasty (RA) is a well-established surgical procedure in the treatment of chronic periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), whereby a higher failure rate of final hip geometry restoration due to tissue contraction is controversially discussed. The aim was to evaluate radiographic changes of hip geometry parameters during PJI treatment and to determine the impact of the intermediate RA on the final joint restoration after reimplantation of a total hip arthroplasty (reTHA). Radiographic parameters (leg length (LL), femoral offset (FO), horizontal/vertical acetabular center of rotation distance (h/vCORD)) of 47 patients (mean age: 64.1 years) were measured on standard radiographs of the pelvis and compared between four different stages during PJI treatment (pre-replacement status (preTHA), primary total hip arthroplasty (pTHA), RA and reTHA). The RA duration (mean: 10.9 months) and the number of reoperations during this period (mean: n = 2.0) as well as their impact on hip geometry restoration were evaluated. Between preTHA and pTHA/reTHA an equivalent restoration was measured regarding the FO (p < 0.001/p < 0.001) and hCORD (p = 0.016/p < 0.001), but not regarding the LL and vCORD. In contrast, analysis revealed no influence of RA and an equivalent reconstruction of LL (p = 0.003), FO (p < 0.001), v/hCORD (p = 0.039/p = 0.035) at reTHA compared to pTHA. Furthermore, RA duration (p = 0.053) and the number of reoperations after RA (p = 0.134) had no impact on radiographic hip geometry restoration. The two-stage exchange with intermediate RA does not alter the preexisting hip joint parameters, whereby a good restoration of the final hip geometry, independent of the duration or the number of reoperations, can be achieved.
Controlled synthesis of various Fe2O3 morphologies as energy storage materials
Authors: Hang Bui Thi , Anh Trinh Tuan
Published: March 2021

Air pollution from vehicle emissions is a major problem in developing countries. Consequently, the use of iron-based rechargeable batteries, which is an effective method of reducing air pollution, have been extensively studied for electric vehicles. The structures and morphologies of iron particles significantly affect the cycle performance of iron-based rechargeable batteries. The synthesis parameters for these iron materials also remarkably influence their structures, shapes, sizes, and electrochemical properties. In this study, we fabricated α-Fe2O3 materials with various shapes and sizes via a facile hydrothermal route and investigated the effects of raw materials on their structures, morphologies, and properties. The structural characteristics of the synthesized iron oxides were studied via X-ray diffraction using scanning electron microscopy. Results indicate that changing the concentration of raw materials modified the structure and morphology of the synthesized α-Fe2O3 particles, that is, the desired shape and size of α-Fe2O3 can be controlled. The effects of the structure and morphology of α-Fe2O3 particles on their electrochemical characteristics were investigated. The results show that the morphology and shape of the iron oxide particles remarkably affected the redox reaction rate and discharge capacity of the Fe2O3/C composite electrodes. Among the synthesized α-Fe2O3 materials, the cubic-shaped α-Fe2O3 exhibited the highest discharge capacity. This material is a potential candidate for application in iron-based aqueous batteries. Our results may facilitate not only the controlled synthesis of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles for potential technical applications but also the production of electrode materials with high capacity and good cycle performance for iron-based rechargeable batteries.
Linear and non linear measures of pupil size as a function of hypnotizability
Authors: Lanatà Antonio , Greco Alberto , Ciardelli Mirco , Uvelli Allison , Fratini Elisabetta , Manzoni Diego , Scilingo Enzo P. , Santarcangelo Enrica L. , Sebastiani Laura
Published: March 2021

Higher arousal and cortical excitability have been observed in high hypnotizable individuals (highs) with respect to low hypnotizables (lows), which may be due to differences in the activation of ascending activating systems. The present study investigated the possible hypnotizability-related difference in the cortical noradrenergic tone sustained by the activity of the Locus Coeruleus which is strongly related to pupil size. This was measured during relaxation in three groups of participants—highs (N = 15), lows (N = 15) and medium hypnotizable individuals (mediums, N = 11)—in the time and frequency domains and through the Recurrence Quantification Analysis. ECG and Skin Conductace (SC) were monitored to extract autonomic indices of relaxation (heart interbeats intervals, parasympathetic component of heart rate variability (RMSSD) and tonic SC (MeanTonicSC). Most variables indicated that participants relaxed throughout the session. Pupil features did not show significant differences between highs, mediums and lows, except for the spectral Band Median Frequency which was higher in mediums than in lows and highs at the beginning, but not at the end of the session.Thus, the present findings of pupil size cannot account for the differences in arousal and motor cortex excitability observed between highs and lows in resting conditions.
Effect of captopril on post-infarction remodelling visualized by light sheet microscopy and echocardiography
Authors: Roostalu Urmas , Thisted Louise , Skytte Jacob Lercke , Salinas Casper Gravesen , Pedersen Philip Juhl , Hecksher-Sørensen Jacob , Rolin Bidda , Hansen Henrik H. , MacKrell James G. , Christie Robert M. , Vrang Niels , Jelsing Jacob , Zois Nora Elisabeth
Published: March 2021

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, among them captopril, improve survival following myocardial infarction (MI). The mechanisms of captopril action remain inadequately understood due to its diverse effects on multiple signalling pathways at different time periods following MI. Here we aimed to establish the role of captopril in late-stage post-MI remodelling. Left anterior descending artery (LAD) ligation or sham surgery was carried out in male C57BL/6J mice. Seven days post-surgery LAD ligated mice were allocated to daily vehicle or captopril treatment continued over four weeks. To provide comprehensive characterization of the changes in mouse heart following MI a 3D light sheet imaging method was established together with automated image analysis workflow. The combination of echocardiography and light sheet imaging enabled to assess cardiac function and the underlying morphological changes. We show that delayed captopril treatment does not affect infarct size but prevents left ventricle dilation and hypertrophy, resulting in improved ejection fraction. Quantification of lectin perfused blood vessels showed improved vascular density in the infarct border zone in captopril treated mice in comparison to vehicle dosed control mice. These results validate the applicability of combined echocardiographic and light sheet assessment of drug mode of action in preclinical cardiovascular research.
Broadband wide-angle terahertz antenna based on the application of transformation optics to a Luneburg lens
Authors: Amarasinghe Yasith , Mendis Rajind , Shrestha Rabi , Guerboukha Hichem , Taiber Jochen , Koch Martin , Mittleman Daniel M.
Published: March 2021

The design of antennas for terahertz systems remains a significant challenge. These antennas must provide very high gain to overcome significant free-space path loss, which limits their ability to broadcast or receive a beam over a wide angular range. To circumvent this limitation, here we describe a new device concept, based on the application of quasi-conformal transformation optics to the traditional Luneburg lens. This device offers the possibility for wide-angle beam steering and beam reception over a broad bandwidth, scalable to any frequency band in the THz range.
Roadmap towards solar fuel synthesis at the water interface of liposome membranes
Authors: Pannwitz Andrea , Klein David M. , Rodríguez-Jiménez Santiago , Casadevall Carla , Song Hongwei , Reisner Erwin , Hammarström Leif , Bonnet Sylvestre
Published: March 2021

This tutorial review describes the physical–chemical aspects one must consider when building photocatalytic liposomes for solar fuel production.
Microfluidic platform for serial mixing experiments with in operando nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Authors: Plata Marek , Hale William , Sharma Manvendra , Werner Jörn M. , Utz Marcel
Published: March 2021

Coupling of pressure-driven microfuidics and NMR spectroscopy allows in operando observation of serial mixing experiments.
C4-aldehyde of guaiazulene: synthesis and derivatisation
Authors: Williams Georgia E. , Kociok-Köhn Gabriele , James Tony D. , Lewis Simon E.
Published: March 2021

The C4 methyl group of guaiazulene can be transformed into the corresponding aldehyde in a chemo- and regioselective manner. This aldehyde is a versatile building block from which C4-alkenylated guaiazulenes that exhibit halochromism may be accessed.
A one-pot fluorogenic cascade cyclization reaction via BF3-sensing
Authors: Mandal Moumi , Mahapatra Ajit Kumar , Kar Arik
Published: March 2021

A new class of fluorescent probe has been designed to selectively senses toxic BF3. The incredible boost in the fluorescence intensity together with an exceptionally low detection limit utilize it function as a gas phase BF3 sensor in a portable form.
Aptamer-based proximity labeling guides covalent RNA modification
Authors: Englert Daniel , Matveeva Regina , Sunbul Murat , Wombacher Richard , Jäschke Andres
Published: March 2021

An aptamer-based proximity-induced inverse electron demand Diels–Alder reaction for fluorescent modification of RNAs is described.
Sulfur defect rich Mo-Ni3S2 QDs assisted by O–CO chemical bonding for an efficient electrocatalytic overall water splitting
Authors: Chen Honglei , Yu Zebin , Jiang Ronghua , Huang Jun , Hou Yanping , Zhang Yongqing , Zhu Hongxiang , Wang Bing , Wang Mi , Tang Wenjun
Published: March 2021

Developing earth-abundant and highly efficient electrocatalysts is critical for further development of a system.
Novel synthesis of fused spiro piperidone-cyclopropanes from cyclopropyl amides and electron-deficient alkenes
Authors: Han Xiao-Dan , Peng Gao-Liang , Wang Hui-Bin , Wu Lei , Fu Jian-ping , Tang Zhong-Sheng , Hu Ju-Wu , Xiong Wei
Published: March 2021

A novel tactic for the atom economical synthesis of bridged O,O-ketal fused spiro pyridone-cyclopropane derivatives 3 with excellent yields and good diastereoselectivity derived from 1-acylcyclopropanecarboxamides 1 and acrolein has been developed.
Efficient metal-free organic room temperature phosphors
Authors: Nidhankar Aakash D. , Goudappagouda  , Wakchaure Vivek C. , Babu Sukumaran Santhosh
Published: March 2021

A summary of the extremely efficient organic phosphors that utilized the best possible ways to manipulate the fate of triplet excitons for achieving a long lifetime along with impressive quantum yield and afterglow properties is provided.
Interfacial engineering facilitating robust Li6.35Ga0.15La3Zr1.8Nb0.2O12 for all-solid-state lithium batteries
Authors: Fan Hongyang , Wei Fuxin , Luo Jianchuan , Wu Shufen , Jian Xiying , Lan Weijie , Zhang Kai , Zeng Ronghua , Chen Hongyu , Zhao Ruirui
Published: March 2021

A composite polymer/ceramic/composite polymer sandwiched electrolyte (CPCCPE) is proposed in this article, allowing fluent lithium-ion transport across the interface and improving the solid-solid interfacial contact.
The relationship among Girdin DNA methylation, its high expression, and immune infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma: Clues from in silico analysis
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Ke Yang , Lei Xuefen , Liu Xin , Li Hai , Shi Runjiao , Wang Lin
Published: March 2021

Objective: The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship among Girdin DNA methylation, its high expression, and immune infiltration in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Materials and methods: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) databases were used to compare Girdin mRNA expression between HCC tissues and normal tissues, and determine the relationship between Girdin expression and HCC prognosis. TCGA database was also used to analyze the expression of Girdin and its methylation status, as well as the relationship between Girdin DNA methylation and HCC prognosis. The Tumor IMmune Estimation Resource (TIMER) database was used to explore the correlation between Girdin expression and HCC immune infiltration.

Results: Girdin expression was elevated in HCC tissues compared with that in normal tissues. The degree of methylation at cg03188526, a CpG site in the Girdin gene body, was positively correlated with Girdin mRNA expression, while high Girdin expression and cg03188526 hypermethylation were both correlated with poor HCC prognosis. Additionally, HCC tissue with high Girdin expression exhibited abundant immune infiltration, and the high Girdin expression was associated with a worse prognosis in macrophage-enriched HCC specimens.

Conclusion: Our findings indicated that Girdin likely functions as an oncogene in HCC and that hypermethylation at cg03188526 in the Girdin gene body may explain the high Girdin expression levels in HCC tissue. Furthermore, we report for the first time that the adverse effects of high Girdin expression in HCC patients may be partially mediated by tumor macrophage infiltration.
Study on the detection method of holes in composite insulator rods
Authors: Zhang Sida , Cheng Li , Liu Yunfan , Liao Ruijin , Wang Tingting , Huang Huan
Published: March 2021

The holes in composite insulator rods are a type of quality defects. However, not all holes can be identified by the dye penetration test according to existing standards and some holes can cause abnormal heating of the composite insulator during operation. Micro‐computed tomography is used to study the structure of these holes. Based on the pore structure, the holes are classified as dependent or independent. The dependent hole is formed by several interconnected adjacent pores and the overlong equivalent penetration path makes it cannot be effectively identified by the standard dye penetration test. Considering the structure of the dependent hole, ethanol gas was used to increase the effectiveness of the dye penetration test. The experimental results show that the detection rate of dependent holes is approximately 80% as the ethanol concentration is close to saturation, and the porosity can be inferred based on the number of penetration points.
Two‐stage robust optimal scheduling of cooperative microgrids based on expected scenarios
Authors: Sang Bo , Zhang Tao , Liu Yajie , Liu Lingshun , Shi Zhichao
Published: March 2021

Cooperative microgrids (CMGs) can effectively solve the energy interaction between microgrids (MGs) while increasing the penetration rate of renewable energy systems (RESs) and reducing the interaction frequency with the grid. However, the uncertainty of RESs will bring new challenges to the energy management and economic dispatch of CMGs, especially in increasing the number of MGs connected to the grid. Taking into account this uncertainty, it is extremely unlikely that the forecast uncertainty information will be at the worst values in every period, and this forecast uncertainty information is near the expected values in most cases. Therefore, a two‐stage robust optimal model under expected scenarios for CMGs is proposed in this study to improve the conservatism of traditional models and minimise the daily cost. In this model, the first‐stage decision results (FDRs) are determined by minimising the daily cost of CMGs under the expected scenarios. The proposed model is transformed based on two‐stage zero‐sum game theory and dual theory, a column and constraint generation algorithm is first used to test the robust feasibility of the FDR, and the second‐stage decision results can be obtained without changing the FDR. Case studies verify that the proposed model can effectively solve energy transactions between MGs while mitigating the uncertainty disturbances in the operation of CMGs.
Performance enhancement of image segmentation analysis for multi‐grade tumour classification in MRI image
Authors: Somas Kandan Rathinam , Murugeswari Muthuvel
Published: March 2021

Medical applications have a massive footprint in human's day‐to‐day life. Among that, MRI has a significant role, as it incorporates a significant impact on a brain tumour. Segmenting the tumour from MRI is substantial, but it is a time‐consuming process. Both the normal and abnormal tissues found in the brain look similar, which increases the difficulty of the tumour detection process. The digital image needs to be processed to obtain an exact tumour detection result. The tumour detection process comprises five different stages, such as pre‐processing, segmentation, feature extraction, feature selection, and classification. In this proposed work, hybrid wavelet Hadamard transform and grey‐level co‐occurrence matrix are included for feature extraction. Feature selection utilises sequential forward selection, which is an easy greedy search algorithm. This algorithm chooses only the predominant features for classification. The classification uses a hybrid support vector machine and adaptive emperor penguin optimisation. The experimental analysis shows the efficiency of the proposed work in terms of accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity values by computing the true positive, false positive, true negative, and false negative.
Optimized deep learning model for mango grading: Hybridizing lion plus firefly algorithm
Authors: Tripathi Mukesh Kumar , Maktedar Dhananjay D.
Published: March 2021

This paper intends to present an automated mango grading system under four stages (1) pre‐processing, (2) feature extraction, (3) optimal feature selection and (4) classification. Initially, the input image is subjected to the pre‐processing phase, where the reading, sizing, noise removal and segmentation process happens. Subsequently, the features are extracted from the pre‐processed image. To make the system more effective, from the extracted features, the optimal features are selected using a new hybrid optimization algorithm termed the lion assisted firefly algorithm (LA‐FF), which is the combination of LA and FF, respectively. Then, the optimal features are given for the classification process, where the optimized deep convolutional neural network (CNN) is deployed. As a major contribution, the configuration of CNN is fine‐tuned via selecting the optimal count of convolutional layers. This obviously enhances the classification accuracy in grading system. For fine‐tuning the convolutional layers in the deep CNN, the LA‐FF algorithm is used so that the classifier is optimized. The grading is evaluated on the basis of healthydiseased, ripeunripe and bigmediumvery big cases with respect to type I and type II measures and the performance of the proposed grading model is compared over the other state‐of‐the‐art models.
Core asymmetry influence on transmission line parameters of three‐core power cables
Authors: Li Yan , Wouters Peter A. A. F. , Wagenaars Paul , Liu Yunpeng , Zhao Tao , Song Zhuoran
Published: March 2021

Time‐domain reflectometry applied for power cable diagnostics employs transmission line parameters to determine signal shape and delay. This paper proposes to utilize pulse reflection measurement to evaluate the symmetry of a three‐core power cable as part of production quality assessment. For a rotation‐symmetric three‐core power cable, transmission line parameters can be obtained analytically, and with modal analysis propagation channels can be decoupled. Asymmetry caused by inaccurate core positioning complicates the decoupling process. This paper utilizes the “field‐circuit” approach for the analysis. The finite element method is used to obtain the electromagnetic field distribution for two types of asymmetry introduced in a cable design. Modal analysis results are validated by considering asymmetry as a perturbation of the symmetric cable design. The influence of asymmetry on the time‐domain pulse response is simulated. Deviation from a symmetric configuration is observable, in particular in terms of propagation velocity, which can be employed to assess cable manufacturing accuracy.
Time evolution of gaps in stellar streams in axisymmetric Stäckel potentials
Authors: Koppelman Helmer H. , Helmi Amina
Published: March 2021

Context. When a subhalo interacts with a cold stellar stream, the otherwise nearly smooth distribution of stars is disturbed, and this creates a gap. The properties of these gaps depend on the interaction parameters. Their characterisation could thus lead to a determination of the mass spectrum of the perturbers and might reveal the existence of dark subhalos orbiting the Milky Way.

Aims. Our goal is to construct a fully analytical model of the formation and evolution of gaps embedded in streams orbiting in a realistic Milky Way potential.

Methods. To this end, we extended our previous model for spherical potentials and predict the properties of gaps in streams evolving in axisymmetric Stäckel potentials. We used action-angles and their simple behaviour to calculate the divergence of initially nearby orbits that are slightly perturbed by the interaction with a subhalo.

Results. Our model, corroborated by N-body experiments, predicts that the size of a gap grows linearly with time. We obtain analytical expressions for the dependences of the growth rate on the orbit of the stream, the properties of the subhalo (mass and scale radius), and the geometry of the encounter (relative velocity and impact parameter). We find that the density at the centre of the gap decreases with time as a power law in the same way as the density of a stream. This causes the density contrast between a pristine and a perturbed stream on the same orbit to asymptotically reach a constant value that only depends on the encounter parameters.

Conclusions. We find that at a fixed age, smallish gaps are sensitive mostly to the mass of the subhalo, while gaps formed by subhalo flybys with a low relative velocity, or when the stream and subhalo move in parallel, are degenerate to the encounter parameters.
The initial gas-phase sulfur abundance in the Orion Molecular Cloud from sulfur radio recombination lines
Authors: Goicoechea Javier R. , Cuadrado Sara
Published: March 2021

The abundances of chemical elements and their depletion factors are essential parameters for understanding the composition of the gas and dust that are ultimately incorporated into stars and planets. Sulfur is an abundant but peculiar element in the sense that, despite being less volatile than other elements (e.g., carbon), it is not a major constituent of dust grains in diffuse interstellar clouds. Here, we determine the gas-phase carbon-to-sulfur abundance ratio, [C]/[S], and the [S] in a dense star-forming cloud from new radio recombination lines (RRLs) detected with the Yebes 40m telescope – at relatively high frequencies (∼40 GHz ≃ 7 mm) and angular resolutions (down to 36″) – in the Orion Bar, a rim of the Orion Molecular Cloud (OMC). We detect nine Cnα RRLs (with n = 51–59) as well as nine narrow line features separated from the Cnα lines by δv = −8.4 ± 0.3 km s−1. Based on this velocity separation, we assign these features to sulfur RRLs, with little contribution of RRLs from the more condensable elements Mg, Si, or Fe. Sulfur RRLs lines trace the photodissociation region of the OMC. In these neutral gas layers, up to AV ≃ 4, the ions C+ and S+ lock in most of the C and S gas-phase reservoir. We determine a relative abundance of [C]Ori/[S]Ori = 10.4 ± 0.6 and, adopting the same [C]Ori measured in the translucent gas toward star θ1 Ori B, an absolute abundance of [S]Ori = (1.4 ± 0.4)⋅10−5. This value is consistent with emission models of the observed sulfur RRLs if N(S+) ≃ 7⋅1017 cm−2 (beam-averaged). The [S]Ori is the “initial” sulfur abundance in the OMC, before an undetermined fraction of the [S]Ori goes into molecules and ice mantles in the cloud interior. The inferred abundance [S]Ori matches the solar abundance, thus implying that there is little depletion of sulfur onto rocky dust grains, with D(S) = 0.0 ± 0.2 dex.