bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Buoyancy control in ammonoid cephalopods refined by complex internal shell architecture
Authors: Peterman David J. , Ritterbush Kathleen A. , Ciampaglio Charles N. , Johnson Erynn H. , Inoue Shinya , Mikami Tomoyuki , Linn Thomas J.
Published: April 2021

The internal architecture of chambered ammonoid conchs profoundly increased in complexity through geologic time, but the adaptive value of these structures is disputed. Specifically, these cephalopods developed fractal-like folds along the edges of their internal divider walls (septa). Traditionally, functional explanations for septal complexity have largely focused on biomechanical stress resistance. However, the impact of these structures on buoyancy manipulation deserves fresh scrutiny. We propose increased septal complexity conveyed comparable shifts in fluid retention capacity within each chamber. We test this interpretation by measuring the liquid retained by septa, and within entire chambers, in several 3D-printed cephalopod shell archetypes, treated with (and without) biomimetic hydrophilic coatings. Results show that surface tension regulates water retention capacity in the chambers, which positively scales with septal complexity and membrane capillarity, and negatively scales with size. A greater capacity for liquid retention in ammonoids may have improved buoyancy regulation, or compensated for mass changes during life. Increased liquid retention in our experiments demonstrate an increase in areas of greater surface tension potential, supporting improved chamber refilling. These findings support interpretations that ammonoids with complex sutures may have had more active buoyancy regulation compared to other groups of ectocochleate cephalopods. Overall, the relationship between septal complexity and liquid retention capacity through surface tension presents a robust yet simple functional explanation for the mechanisms driving this global biotic pattern.
A graph neural network framework for causal inference in brain networks
Authors: Wein S. , Malloni W. M. , Tomé A. M. , Frank S. M. , Henze G. -I. , Wüst S. , Greenlee M. W. , Lang E. W.
Published: April 2021

A central question in neuroscience is how self-organizing dynamic interactions in the brain emerge on their relatively static structural backbone. Due to the complexity of spatial and temporal dependencies between different brain areas, fully comprehending the interplay between structure and function is still challenging and an area of intense research. In this paper we present a graph neural network (GNN) framework, to describe functional interactions based on the structural anatomical layout. A GNN allows us to process graph-structured spatio-temporal signals, providing a possibility to combine structural information derived from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) with temporal neural activity profiles, like that observed in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Moreover, dynamic interactions between different brain regions discovered by this data-driven approach can provide a multi-modal measure of causal connectivity strength. We assess the proposed model’s accuracy by evaluating its capabilities to replicate empirically observed neural activation profiles, and compare the performance to those of a vector auto regression (VAR), like that typically used in Granger causality. We show that GNNs are able to capture long-term dependencies in data and also computationally scale up to the analysis of large-scale networks. Finally we confirm that features learned by a GNN can generalize across MRI scanner types and acquisition protocols, by demonstrating that the performance on small datasets can be improved by pre-training the GNN on data from an earlier study. We conclude that the proposed multi-modal GNN framework can provide a novel perspective on the structure-function relationship in the brain. Accordingly this approach appears to be promising for the characterization of the information flow in brain networks.
A comprehensive evaluation of early potential risk factors for disease aggravation in patients with COVID-19
Authors: Tang Qiang , Liu Yanwei , Fu Yingfeng , Di Ziyang , Xu Kailiang , Tang Bo , Wu Hui , Di Maojun
Published: April 2021

The 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) has become an unprecedented public crisis. We retrospectively investigated the clinical data of 197 COVID-19 patients and identified 88 patients as disease aggravation cases. Compared with patients without disease aggravation, the aggravation cases had more comorbidities, including hypertension (25.9%) and diabetes (20.8%), and presented with dyspnoea (23.4%), neutrophilia (31.5%), and lymphocytopenia (46.7%). These patients were more prone to develop organ damage in liver, kidney, and heart (P < 0.05). A multivariable regression analysis showed that advanced age, comorbidities, dyspnea, lymphopenia, and elevated levels of Fbg, CTnI, IL-6, and serum ferritin were significant predictors of disease aggravation. Further, we performed a Kaplan–Meier analysis to evaluate the prognosis of COVID-19 patients, which suggested that 64.9% of the patients had not experienced ICU transfers and survival from the hospital.
AD Course Map charts Alzheimer’s disease progression
Authors: Koval Igor , Bône Alexandre , Louis Maxime , Lartigue Thomas , Bottani Simona , Marcoux Arnaud , Samper-González Jorge , Burgos Ninon , Charlier Benjamin , Bertrand Anne , Epelbaum Stéphane , Colliot Olivier , Allassonnière Stéphanie , Durrleman Stanley
Published: April 2021

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by the progressive alterations seen in brain images which give rise to the onset of various sets of symptoms. The variability in the dynamics of changes in both brain images and cognitive impairments remains poorly understood. This paper introduces AD Course Map a spatiotemporal atlas of Alzheimer’s disease progression. It summarizes the variability in the progression of a series of neuropsychological assessments, the propagation of hypometabolism and cortical thinning across brain regions and the deformation of the shape of the hippocampus. The analysis of these variations highlights strong genetic determinants for the progression, like possible compensatory mechanisms at play during disease progression. AD Course Map also predicts the patient’s cognitive decline with a better accuracy than the 56 methods benchmarked in the open challenge TADPOLE. Finally, AD Course Map is used to simulate cohorts of virtual patients developing Alzheimer’s disease. AD Course Map offers therefore new tools for exploring the progression of AD and personalizing patients care.
Extraordinary spin to orbital angular momentum conversion on guided zone plates
Authors: Acebal Pablo , Carretero Luis , Blaya Salvador
Published: April 2021

Focusing systems with high numerical aperture can be used to convert spin angular momentum into orbital angular momentum with efficiencies of 50%, while for low numerical apertures this conversion vanishes. In this paper, based on the properties of binary Fresnel zone plates, we propose a structure that is achieved by making an accurate selection of the width and the depth of the rings. This allows us to obtain a large increase in the spin to orbital angular momentum conversion of the resulting focusing fields, and it also has the special characteristic that the obtained conversion is higher for low numerical aperture structures, where standard focusing systems do not work. The ability of the system to perform this extraordinary conversion is demonstrated by FDTD methods and an analytical model developed using a combination of guided mode theory for the structure and Stratton–Chu diffraction theory.
The effect of deep vein thrombosis on major adverse limb events in diabetic patients: a nationwide retrospective cohort study
Authors: Wang Po-Chang , Chen Tien-Hsing , Chung Chang-Min , Chen Mei-Yen , Chang Jung-Jung , Lin Yu-Sheng , Chu Pao-Hsien , Peng Yun-Shing , Lin Ming-Shyan
Published: April 2021

Little is known about the association between deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and arterial complications in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to assess the influence of prior DVT on major adverse limb events (MALEs) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in T2DM. A total of 1,628,675 patients with T2DM with or without a history of DVT from 2001 to 2013 were identified in the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan. Before matching, the patients in the DVT group (n = 2020) were older than the control group (66.3 vs. 58.3 years). Patients in the DVT group were more likely to be female than the control group (54.3% vs. 47.5%). Before matching, the DVT group had higher prevalence of most comorbidities, more prescription of antiplatelet, antihypertensive agents and insulins, but less prescription of metformin and sulfonylurea. During a mean follow-up of 5.2 years (standard deviation: 3.9 years), the matched DVT group (n = 2017) have a significantly increased risk of MALE (8.4% vs. 5.2%; subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR] 1.60, 95% CI 1.34–1.90), foot ulcer (5.2% vs. 2.6%, SHR 1.96, 95% CI 1.57–2.45), gangrene (3.4% vs. 2.3%, SHR 1.44, 95% CI 1.10–1.90) and amputation (2.5% vs. 1.7%; SHR 1.42, 95% CI 1.03–1.95) than the 10,085 matched controls without DVT. They also tended to have a greater risk of all-cause mortality (38.1% vs. 33.1%; hazard ratio [HR] 1.18, 95% CI 1.09–1.27) and systemic thromboembolism (4.2% vs. 2.6%; SHR 1.56, 95% CI 1.22–1.99), respectively. We showed the presence of DVT may be associated with an increased risk of MALEs, major amputation, and thromboembolism, contributing to a higher mortality rate in T2DM.
Dynamic changes of acquired maternal SARS-CoV-2 IgG in infants
Authors: Wang Xia , Yang Pu , Zheng Junwen , Liu Pin , Wei Cong , Guo Juanjuan , Zhang Yuanzhen , Zhao Dongchi
Published: April 2021

At present, there are still ambiguous reports about the perinatal infection of infants born to mothers infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The dynamic characteristics of infantile serum antibodies born to mother with SARS-CoV-2 has not been well described. In this study, we analyzed the seroconversion of 27 newborns born to 26 pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2. The SARS-CoV-2 IgG positive rate of parturient was 80.8%, and half of their infants obtained maternal IgG. IgG transfer rates were 18.8% and 81.8% in those infants whose mother infected less and more than 2 weeks before delivery. In the first two months of life, the IgG level of infants dropped sharply to one tenth of that at birth. These results suggest that maternal SARS-CoV-2 IgG provides limited protection for infants.
Methylglyoxal induces p53 activation and inhibits mTORC1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells
Authors: Zhang Xinmiao , Rodriguez-Niño Angelica , Pastene Diego O. , Pallavi Prama , van den Born Jacob , Bakker Stephan J. L. , Krämer Bernhard K. , Yard Benito A.
Published: April 2021

Methylglyoxal (MGO), a precursor of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), is regarded as a pivotal mediator of vascular damage in patients with diabetes. We have previously reported that MGO induces transcriptional changes compatible with p53 activation in cultured human endothelial cells. To further substantiate this finding and to explore the underlying mechanisms and possible consequences of p53 activation, we aimed (1) to provide direct evidence for p53 activation in MGO-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), (2) to assess putative mechanisms by which this occurs, (3) to analyze down-stream effects on mTOR and autophagy pathways, and (4) to assess the potential benefit of carnosine herein. Exposure of HUVECs to 800 µM of MGO for 5 h induced p53 phosphorylation. This was paralleled by an increase in TUNEL and γ-H2AX positive cells, indicative for DNA damage. Compatible with p53 activation, MGO treatment resulted in cell cycle arrest, inhibition of mTORC1 and induction of autophagy. Carnosine co-treatment did not counteract MGO-driven effects. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that MGO elicits DNA damage and p53 activation in HUVECs, resulting in modulation of downstream pathways, e.g. mTORC1.
Association between MIF gene promoter rs755622 and susceptibility to coronary artery disease and inflammatory cytokines in the Chinese Han population
Authors: Luo Jun-Yi , Fang Bin-Bin , Du Guo-Li , Liu Fen , Li Yan-Hong , Tian Ting , Li Xiao-Mei , Gao Xiao-Ming , Yang Yi-Ning
Published: April 2021

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is an essential mediator of atherosclerotic plaque progression and instability leading to intracoronary thrombosis, therefore contributing to coronary artery disease (CAD). In this study, we investigated the relationship between MIF gene polymorphism and CAD in Chinese Han population. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP, rs755622, rs1007888 and rs2096525) of MIF gene were genotyped by TaqMan genotyping assay in 1120 control participants and 1176 CAD patients. Coronary angiography was performed in all CAD patients and Gensini score was used to assess the severity of coronary artery lesions. The plasma levels of MIF and other inflammatory mediators were measured by ELISA. The CAD patients had a higher frequency of CC genotype and C allele of rs755622 compared with that in control subjects (CC genotype: 6.5% vs. 3.9%, P = 0.008, C allele: 24.0% vs. 20.6%, P = 0.005). The rs755622 CC genotype was associated with an increased risk of CAD (OR: 1.804, 95%CI: 1.221–2.664, P = 0.003). CAD patients with a variation of rs755622 CC genotype had significantly higher Gensini score compared with patients with GG or CG genotype (all P < 0.05). In addition, the circulating MIF level was highest in CAD patients carrying rs755622 CC genotype (40.7 ± 4.2 ng/mL) and then followed by GC (37.9 ± 3.4 ng/mL) or GG genotype (36.9 ± 3.7 ng/mL, all P < 0.01). Our study showed an essential relationship between the MIF gene rs755622 variation and CAD in Chinese Han population. Individuals who carrying MIF gene rs755622 CC genotype were more susceptible to CAD and had more severe coronary artery lesion. This variation also had a potential influence in circulating MIF levels.
Synaptic AP2 CCV life cycle regulation by the Eps15, ITSN1, Sgip1/AP2, synaptojanin1 interactome
Authors: Mishra R. , Sengül G. F. , Candiello E. , Schu P.
Published: April 2021

The AP1/σ1B knockout causes impaired synaptic vesicle recycling and enhanced protein sorting into endosomes, leading to severe intellectual disability. These disturbances in synaptic protein sorting induce as a secondary phenotype the upregulation of AP2 CCV mediated endocytosis. Synapses contain canonical AP2 CCV and AP2 CCV with a more stable coat and thus extended life time. In AP1/σ1B knockout synapses, pool sizes of both CCV classes are doubled. Additionally, stable CCV of the knockout are more stabilised than stable wt CCV. One mechanism responsible for enhanced CCV stabilisation is the reduction of synaptojanin1 CCV levels, the PI-4,5-P2 phosphatase essential for AP2 membrane dissociation. To identify mechanisms regulating synaptojanin1 recruitment, we compared synaptojanin1 CCV protein interactome levels and CCV protein interactions between both CCV classes from wt and knockout mice. We show that ITSN1 determines synaptojanin1 CCV levels. Sgip1/AP2 excess hinders synaptojanin1 binding to ITSN1, further lowering its levels. ITSN1 levels are determined by Eps15, not Eps15L1. In addition, the data reveal that reduced amounts of pacsin1 can be counter balanced by its enhanced activation. These data exemplify the complexity of CCV life cycle regulation and indicate how cargo proteins determine the life cycle of their CCV.
Changes in oral flora of patients with functional dyspepsia
Authors: Liu Xu-juan , Xie Wen-rui , Wu Li-hao , Ye Zhi-ning , Zhang Xue-yuan , Zhang Ran , He Xing-xiang
Published: April 2021

To explore the changes in oral flora in people with functional dyspepsia (FD). Unstimulated saliva was collected from 21 FD patients diagnosed according to the Rome IV criteria and from 12 healthy controls (HCs) for 16SrRNA sequencing. The pH of saliva samples and community periodontal index (CPI) were tested. The prevalence of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) was obtained by the methane-and hydrogen-based breath test. At the phylum level, FD patients had a higher relative abundance of Spirochaetes and a lower relative abundance of Fusobacteria, TM7 and Proteobacteria than HCs (p < 0.01). In the saliva, Kingella and Abiotrophia genus levels showed significant changes between the FD and HC groups (p < 0.01). Salivary species level marker Intermedia was significantly different between FD and HC groups (p < 0.01). The oral pH of FD patients was higher than that of HCs (p < 0.01). The mean CPI of the FD group was 1.52 and that of the HC group was 0.17 (p < 0.01). Moreover, 71.4% of the FD group was positive for SIBO. The oral flora of FD patients was different from that of HCs. Spirochaetes, Kingella, Abiotrophia, and Intermedia may be diagnostic indicators of FD.
Chemotype of damask rose with oleic acid (9 octadecenoic acid) and its antimicrobial effectiveness
Authors: Ghavam Mansureh , Afzali Afsaneh , Manca Maria Letizia
Published: April 2021

Essential oils are natural products that have great antimicrobial potential value against many fungi and bacteria. Rosa damascena Mill. is one of the most important aromatic species of the Rosaceae family from which essential oil and economically valuable products can be obtained. The present study was designed to investigate the major compositions of the essential oil of this plant in Isfahan region of Iran and to identify its antibacterial and antifungal effects against 11 microorganisms causing human diseases and food spoilage. The essential oil was extracted by using the Clevenger apparatus and was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) technique. Its antimicrobial activity was evaluated by well diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericide concentration (MBC). The results showed that the most important compounds of the essential oil were nonadecane (24.72%), heneicosane (19.325%), oleic acid (17.63%), and citronellol (12.61%). The results also showed that the highest inhibition zone of rose essential oil was against Aspergillus brasiliensis (15.00 ± 0.00 mm) and had a significant effect on Klebsiella pneumoniae (~ 8.00 mm). Also the rose oil had a significant inhibition and lethal effect against Candida albicans (MIC and MBC ~ 125 μg/mL), which is equivalent to the nystatin antibiotic (~ 125 μg/mL). Therefore, the essential oil of Damask rose can be considered as an alternative natural product for the prevention and treatment of fungal diseases in humans and against food spoilage as well.
Accessory pathway analysis using a multimodal deep learning model
Authors: Nishimori Makoto , Kiuchi Kunihiko , Nishimura Kunihiro , Kusano Kengo , Yoshida Akihiro , Adachi Kazumasa , Hirayama Yasutaka , Miyazaki Yuichiro , Fujiwara Ryudo , Sommer Philipp , El Hamriti Mustapha , Imada Hiroshi , Takemoto Makoto , Takami Mitsuru , Shinohara Masakazu , Toh Ryuji , Fukuzawa Koji , Hirata Ken-ichi
Published: April 2021

Cardiac accessory pathways (APs) in Wolff–Parkinson–White (WPW) syndrome are conventionally diagnosed with decision tree algorithms; however, there are problems with clinical usage. We assessed the efficacy of the artificial intelligence model using electrocardiography (ECG) and chest X-rays to identify the location of APs. We retrospectively used ECG and chest X-rays to analyse 206 patients with WPW syndrome. Each AP location was defined by an electrophysiological study and divided into four classifications. We developed a deep learning model to classify AP locations and compared the accuracy with that of conventional algorithms. Moreover, 1519 chest X-ray samples from other datasets were used for prior learning, and the combined chest X-ray image and ECG data were put into the previous model to evaluate whether the accuracy improved. The convolutional neural network (CNN) model using ECG data was significantly more accurate than the conventional tree algorithm. In the multimodal model, which implemented input from the combined ECG and chest X-ray data, the accuracy was significantly improved. Deep learning with a combination of ECG and chest X-ray data could effectively identify the AP location, which may be a novel deep learning model for a multimodal model.
The efficacy of CRISPR-mediated cytosine base editing with the RPS5a promoter in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Choi Minkyung , Yun Jae-Young , Kim Jun-Hyuk , Kim Jin-Soo , Kim Sang-Tae
Published: April 2021

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing is an important and versatile technology in modern biological research. Recent advancements include base-editing CRISPR tools that enable targeted nucleotide substitutions using a fusion protein comprising a nickase variant of Cas9 and a base deaminase. Improvements in base editing efficiencies and inheritable of edited loci need to be made to make CRISPR a viable system in plants. Here, we report efficiency of cytosine base editors (CBEs) in Arabidopsis thaliana by applying the strong endogenous RPS5a promoter to drive the expression of nickase Cas9 and either rAPOBEC1 from rat (BE3) or the PmCDA1 activation-induced cytidine deaminase from sea lamprey (AIDv2). Compared with the strong heterologous CaMV35S promoter of viral origin, the RPS5a promoter improved CBE efficiency by 32% points with the number of T1 plants showing over 50% conversion ratio when the LFY gene was targeted. CBE induced nonsense mutations in LFY via C-to-T conversion, which resulted in loss-of-function lfy phenotypes; defects in LFY function were associated with the targeted base substitutions. Our data suggest that optimal promoter choice for CBE expression may affect base-editing efficiencies in plants. The results provide a strategy to optimize low-efficiency base editors and demonstrate their applicability for functional assays and trait development in crop research.
Medical records-based chronic kidney disease phenotype for clinical care and “big data” observational and genetic studies
Authors: Shang Ning , Khan Atlas , Polubriaginof Fernanda , Zanoni Francesca , Mehl Karla , Fasel David , Drawz Paul E. , Carrol Robert J. , Denny Joshua C. , Hathcock Matthew A. , Arruda-Olson Adelaide M. , Peissig Peggy L. , Dart Richard A. , Brilliant Murray H. , Larson Eric B. , Carrell David S. , Pendergrass Sarah , Verma Shefali Setia , Ritchie Marylyn D. , Benoit Barbara , Gainer Vivian S. , Karlson Elizabeth W. , Gordon Adam S. , Jarvik Gail P. , Stanaway Ian B. , Crosslin David R. , Mohan Sumit , Ionita-Laza Iuliana , Tatonetti Nicholas P. , Gharavi Ali G. , Hripcsak George , Weng Chunhua , Kiryluk Krzysztof
Published: April 2021

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) represents a slowly progressive disorder that is typically silent until late stages, but early intervention can significantly delay its progression. We designed a portable and scalable electronic CKD phenotype to facilitate early disease recognition and empower large-scale observational and genetic studies of kidney traits. The algorithm uses a combination of rule-based and machine-learning methods to automatically place patients on the staging grid of albuminuria by glomerular filtration rate (“A-by-G” grid). We manually validated the algorithm by 451 chart reviews across three medical systems, demonstrating overall positive predictive value of 95% for CKD cases and 97% for healthy controls. Independent case-control validation using 2350 patient records demonstrated diagnostic specificity of 97% and sensitivity of 87%. Application of the phenotype to 1.3 million patients demonstrated that over 80% of CKD cases are undetected using ICD codes alone. We also demonstrated several large-scale applications of the phenotype, including identifying stage-specific kidney disease comorbidities, in silico estimation of kidney trait heritability in thousands of pedigrees reconstructed from medical records, and biobank-based multicenter genome-wide and phenome-wide association studies.
Impact of Rap-Phr system abundance on adaptation of Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Gallegos-Monterrosa Ramses , Christensen Mathilde Nordgaard , Barchewitz Tino , Koppenhöfer Sonja , Priyadarshini B. , Bálint Balázs , Maróti Gergely , Kempen Paul J. , Dragoš Anna , Kovács Ákos T.
Published: April 2021

Microbes commonly display great genetic plasticity, which has allowed them to colonize all ecological niches on Earth. Bacillus subtilis is a soil-dwelling organism that can be isolated from a wide variety of environments. An interesting characteristic of this bacterium is its ability to form biofilms that display complex heterogeneity: individual, clonal cells develop diverse phenotypes in response to different environmental conditions within the biofilm. Here, we scrutinized the impact that the number and variety of the Rap-Phr family of regulators and cell-cell communication modules of B. subtilis has on genetic adaptation and evolution. We examine how the Rap family of phosphatase regulators impacts sporulation in diverse niches using a library of single and double rap-phr mutants in competition under 4 distinct growth conditions. Using specific DNA barcodes and whole-genome sequencing, population dynamics were followed, revealing the impact of individual Rap phosphatases and arising mutations on the adaptability of B. subtilis.
Gut mycobiota alterations in patients with COVID-19 and H1N1 infections and their associations with clinical features
Authors: Lv Longxian , Gu Silan , Jiang Huiyong , Yan Ren , Chen Yanfei , Chen Yunbo , Luo Rui , Huang Chenjie , Lu Haifeng , Zheng Beiwen , Zhang Hua , Xia Jiafeng , Tang Lingling , Sheng Guoping , Li Lanjuan
Published: April 2021

The relationship between gut microbes and COVID-19 or H1N1 infections is not fully understood. Here, we compared the gut mycobiota of 67 COVID-19 patients, 35 H1N1-infected patients and 48 healthy controls (HCs) using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 3-ITS4 sequencing and analysed their associations with clinical features and the bacterial microbiota. Compared to HCs, the fungal burden was higher. Fungal mycobiota dysbiosis in both COVID-19 and H1N1-infected patients was mainly characterized by the depletion of fungi such as Aspergillus and Penicillium, but several fungi, including Candida glabrata, were enriched in H1N1-infected patients. The gut mycobiota profiles in COVID-19 patients with mild and severe symptoms were similar. Hospitalization had no apparent additional effects. In COVID-19 patients, Mucoromycota was positively correlated with Fusicatenibacter, Aspergillus niger was positively correlated with diarrhoea, and Penicillium citrinum was negatively correlated with C-reactive protein (CRP). In H1N1-infected patients, Aspergillus penicilloides was positively correlated with Lachnospiraceae members, Aspergillus was positively correlated with CRP, and Mucoromycota was negatively correlated with procalcitonin. Therefore, gut mycobiota dysbiosis occurs in both COVID-19 patients and H1N1-infected patients and does not improve until the patients are discharged and no longer require medical attention.
New Challenges in Forensic DNA Analysis
Authors: Vennemann M.
Published: April 2021

Over the last decades, forensic DNA analysis became one of the most powerful tools of forensic science. It is now possible to identify a trace donor with very high evidential value. This chapter describes developments and solutions of forensic DNA analysis from the first case in which this technology was used to current challenges.
Challenges in Fire Investigation
Authors: Johnson S. , Harrison K. , Dean J.
Published: April 2021

This chapter introduces what fire investigation is and why it is necessary. It explores, through a case study and analysis of key issues, the challenges that are faced by fire investigators and those who support them. It finishes with some of the general problems for fire investigation and the more specific issues related to the chemistry of fire scenes.
Encapsulating bacteria in alginate-based electrospun nanofibers
Authors: Diep Emily , Schiffman Jessica D.
Published: April 2021

We developed GRAS nanofibers for the delivery of viable bacteria into the gut. Model bacterium were encapsulated in alginate-based nanofibers via electrospinning and a bacteria loading of 2.74 × 105 CFU g−1 of mat was achieved.
Near-infrared dyes for two-photon absorption in the short-wavelength infrared: strategies towards optical power limiting
Authors: Pascal Simon , David Sylvain , Andraud Chantal , Maury Olivier
Published: April 2021

The recent advances in the field of two-photon absorbing chromophores in the short-wavelength infrared spectral range (SWIR 1100–2500 nm) are summarized, highlighting the development of optical power limiting devices in this spectral range.
An ultrathin and compact electron transport layer made from novel water-dispersed Fe3O4 nanoparticles to accomplish UV-stable perovskite solar cells
Authors: Fang Song , Chen Bo , Gu Bangkai , Meng Linxing , Lu Hao , Li Chang Ming
Published: April 2021

Here we report a UV stable perovskite solar cell with an Fe2O3 ETL made by spin-coating water dispersed Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Devices show nearly no decrease of PCE upon continuous exposure to very high UV light irradiation for 10 hours.
KOH-mediated stereoselective alkylation of 3-bromooxindoles for the synthesis of 3,3′-disubstituted oxindoles with two contiguous all carbon quaternary centres
Authors: Devi Manju , Jadhav Amol P. , Singh Ravi P.
Published: April 2021

The stereoselective synthesis of 3,3′-disubstituted oxindoles having all-carbon quaternary stereocenters has been achieved using KOH as a base with an excellent diastereomeric ratio (98 : 2).
Polysulfide driven degradation in lithium–sulfur batteries during cycling – quantitative and high time-resolution operando X-ray absorption study for dissolved polysulfides probed at both electrode sides
Authors: Zech Claudia , Hönicke Philipp , Kayser Yves , Risse Sebastian , Grätz Olga , Stamm Manfred , Beckhoff Burkhard
Published: April 2021

The quantitative evolution of dissolved polysulfides at both electrode sides of lithium–sulfur batteries is determined with operando X-ray spectrometry.
Ultrasmall Mo2C nanocrystals embedded in N-doped porous carbons as a surface-dominated capacitive anode for lithium-ion capacitors
Authors: Liu Xufei , Zhang Xiaofang , Dou Yu , Mei Peng , Ma Xiaolan , Yang Yingkui
Published: April 2021

Confinement of Mo2C nanocrystals into N-doped carbons for a surface-dominated capacitive anode coupling with a capacitor-type cathode to achieve an optimal energy-power-lifespan balance.
Controlled synthesis of Bi2O2CO3 nanorods with enhanced photocatalytic performance
Authors: Peng Yin , Liu Meng-Qi , Zhao Nan-Nan , Kan Peng-Fei
Published: April 2021

Bi2O2CO3 nanorod is synthesized via solid–gas high temperature method and exhibits excellent photocatalytic activity for degrading salicylic acid.
Challenges in the synthesis of corannulene-based non-planar nanographenes on Au(111) surfaces
Authors: Wang Tao , Lawrence James , Sumi Naoya , Robles Roberto , Castro-Esteban Jesus , Rey Dulce , Mohammed Mohammed S. G. , Berdonces-Layunta Alejandro , Lorente Nicolas , Pérez Dolores , Peña Diego , Corso Martina , de Oteyza Dimas G.
Published: April 2021

The on-surface synthesis of corannulene-based non-planar nanographenes was studied with the aid of bond-resolving scanning tunneling microscopy.
A pharmacological perspective of banana: implications relating to therapeutic benefits and molecular docking
Authors: Sarma Partha Pratim , Gurumayum Nonibala , Verma Akalesh Kumar , Devi Rajlakshmi
Published: April 2021

This review emphasizes the major compounds present in different parts of banana and their significant pharmacological activities with special reference to diabetes and cancer, which are further validatedvia in silicomolecular docking studies.
Rhodamine phenol-based fluorescent probe for the visual detection of GB and its simulant DCP
Authors: Zhang Shouxin , Zhou Chuan , Yang Bo , Zhao Yue , Wang Lingyun , Yuan Bo , Li Heguo
Published: April 2021

Rhodamine phenol-based fluorescent probes have been synthesized. The probe RBNP demonstrates a rapid response and extreme low limit detection to diethylchlorophosphate and can rapidly and visually detect a real nerve agent GB in vapor.
Layer-by-layer assembly in nanochannels: assembly mechanism and applications
Authors: Zhang Shouwei , Xia Fan , Demoustier-Champagne Sophie , Jonas Alain M.
Published: April 2021

Layer-by-layer assembly in nanochannels offers fascinating opportunities to create multifunctional nanomaterials, as reviewed in this article, focusing on mechanisms and recent applications of the resulting materials.
Photo-crosslinked polymer cubosomes as a recyclable nanoreactor in organic solvents
Authors: Kwon Jun Ho , Kim Jiwon , Kim Kyoung Taek
Published: April 2021

Photo-crosslinked polymer cubosomes can work as robust nanoreactor under organic solvent condition without structural degradation.
Highly efficient oxidative cleavage of olefins with O2 under catalyst-, initiator- and additive-free conditions
Authors: Ou Jinhua , He Saiyu , Wang Wei , Tan Hong , Liu Kaijian
Published: April 2021

Without employing any external catalyst, initiator and additives, an efficient and eco-friendly protocol has been developed for the synthesis of carbonyl compound via 1,4-dioxane- promoted oxidation of olefins with atmospheric O2 as the sole oxidant.
Rotational excitation of C2H− anion in collision with H2
Authors: Toumi Insaf , Yazidi Ounaies , Najar Faouzi
Published: April 2021

The discovery of anions in the interstellar medium has shown that they are very reactive species.
Promotion effects of flavonoids on browning induced by enzymatic oxidation of tyrosinase: structure–activity relationship
Authors: Lu Yao , Xu Yi , Song Meng-Ting , Qian Ling-Ling , Liu Xiao-Lin , Gao Rong-Yao , Han Rui-Min , Skibsted Leif H. , Zhang Jian-Ping
Published: April 2021

Browning promotion by the enzymatic oxidation of flavonoids and ʟ-dopa.
Stress-induced phase-alteration in solution processed indium selenide thin films during annealing
Authors: Mondal Bipanko Kumar , Mostaque Shaikh Khaled , Islam Md. Ariful , Hossain Jaker
Published: April 2021

This article demonstrates the successful synthesis of indium selenide thin films by a spin coating method in air using thiol-amine cosolvents.
3D mesoporous structure assembled from monoclinic M-phase VO2 nanoflakes with enhanced thermochromic performance
Authors: Molloro Liboro Hundito , Tain Shouqin , Belachew Neway , Owusu Kwadwo Asare , Zhao Xiujian
Published: April 2021

Herein, 3D mesoporous structures assembled from monoclinic M-phase VO2 nanoflakes were successfully synthesized for enhanced thermochromic performance.
Rationalization of chirality transfer and fast conformational changes in a tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine-based cage
Authors: Qiu Gege , Khatmi Djamel Eddine , Martinez Alexandre , Nava Paola
Published: April 2021

Chirality transfer and conformational changes are rationalized for a chiral covalent cage.
Photocatalytic decarboxylative amidosulfonation enables direct transformation of carboxylic acids to sulfonamides
Authors: Nguyen Vu T. , Haug Graham C. , Nguyen Viet D. , Vuong Ngan T. H. , Arman Hadi D. , Larionov Oleg V.
Published: April 2021

Sulfonamides are now accessible directly from carboxylic acids by a one-step, tricomponent decarboxylative amidosulfonation that provides the missing link between the two key functionalities.
Bulging and budding of lipid droplets from symmetric and asymmetric membranes: competition between membrane elastic energy and interfacial energy
Authors: Wang Meng , Yi Xin
Published: April 2021

Lipid droplet formation in symmetric and asymmetric membranes are regulated by the membrane bending rigidity, tension and spontaneous curvature, droplet size, and interfacial energy.
Ultrahigh water permeation with a high multivalent metal ion rejection rate through graphene oxide membranes
Authors: Dai Fangfang , Zhou Feng , Chen Junlang , Liang Shanshan , Chen Liang , Fang Haiping
Published: April 2021

A simple fabrication program of graphene oxide (GO) membranes was developed in this work. The GO membranes exhibit ultrahigh water permeances together with high multivalent ion rejection rates.
A novel carbon aerogel enabling respiratory monitoring for bio-facial masks
Authors: Ding Chenfeng , Liu Yuan , Xie Peitao , Lan Jinle , Yu Yunhua , Fu Xuewei , Yang Xiaoping , Zhong Wei-Hong
Published: April 2021

A unique hard carbon aerogel as the piezoresistive sensor for a respiratory monitoring facial mask made of composite nanofibrils is reported. This study provides a new strategy for design of multifunctional facial masks.
Stability of the CsPbI3perovskite: from fundamentals to improvements
Authors: Yao Zhun , Zhao Wangen , Liu Shengzhong (Frank)
Published: April 2021

The techniques to identify phase structures of CsPbI3perovskite are summarized. The stability is assessed based on its intrinsic characters and the external stimulation and some physical mechanisms to enhance the CsPbI3stability are proposed.
2D molecular crystal templated organic p–n heterojunctions for high-performance ambipolar organic field-effect transistors
Authors: Guo Siyu , Yao Jiarong , Wang Ying , Zhang Lijuan , Zhai Fei , Zhang Xiali , Feng Yiyu , Feng Wei , Zhang Xiaotao , Jie Jiansheng , Yang Fangxu , Li Rongjin , Hu Wenping
Published: April 2021

2D molecular crystals were used as the templates to produce bilayer p–n heterojunctions for high-performance ambipolar organic field-effect transistors.
Ultra-sensitive triethylamine sensors based on oxygen vacancy-enriched ZnO/SnO2 micro-camellia
Authors: Zhang Yong-Hui , Wang Chao-Nan , Gong Fei-Long , Chen Jun-Li , Xie Ke-Feng , Zhang Hao-Li , Fang Shao-Ming
Published: April 2021

The gas sensing response of ZnO–SnO2-10 and the the adsorption energy of TEA on ZnO–SnO2-10 were enhanced 4.7 folds and 2.34 folds, respectively compared to that of the pure ZnO.
The Use of Generalizability Theory to Inform Sampling of Educator Language Used With Preschoolers With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Ford Andrea L. B. , Johnson LeAnne D.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

A myriad features can impact the nature, frequency, and length of adult–child interactions important for language learning. Empirical investigations of language learning opportunities for young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) provide limited generalizable insight, with inferences more constrained to the sample than is often considered. The aim of this study was to explore a multidimensional understanding of reliability and define optimal measurement procedures for a measurement approach used to examine the language of preschool educators interacting with children with ASD.

Method

We employed the logic of Generalizability Theory to differentiate sources of error for two measurement facets,
occasion
and
observer
. We video-recorded four 15-min occasions of educator–child interactions for 11 participants with ASD during free-play in their respective inclusive preschool classrooms. Two trained observers coded all videos for six educator language variables: open-ended questions/statements, choice questions, yes/no questions, imitation prompts, statements, and other talk.

Results

The generalizability studies illustrated that, across all variables measured, observer accounted for little to no error. Occasion, however, accounted for much of the error for all language variables. To determine the number of occasions needed to achieve stable estimates of the variables, we manipulated occasion in the decision study. Five to more than 15 occasions were needed to achieve stability in educator language variables.

Conclusion

To advance our understanding of the language learning environments of preschool classrooms that serve children with ASD, researchers must understand how aspects of the measurement design in those environments, such as occasion, impact the inferences they make.
Optical spectroscopy of blazars for the Cherenkov Telescope Array
Authors: Goldoni P. , Pita S. , Boisson C. , Max-Moerbeck W. , Kasai E. , Williams D. A. , D’Ammando F. , Navarro-Aranguiz V. , Backes M. , Barres de Almeida U. , Becerra-Gonzalez J. , Cotter G. , Hervet O. , Lenain J.-P. , Lindfors E. , Sol H. , Wagner S.
Published: April 2021

Context. Blazars are the most numerous class of high-energy (HE; E ∼ 50 MeV−100 GeV) and very high-energy (VHE; E ∼ 100 GeV−10 TeV) gamma-ray emitters. Currently, a measured spectroscopic redshift is available for only about 50% of gamma-ray BL Lacertae objects (BL Lacs), mainly due to the difficulty in measuring reliable redshifts from their nearly featureless continuum-dominated optical spectra. The knowledge of the redshift is fundamental for understanding the emission from blazars, for population studies and also for indirect studies of the extragalactic background light and searches for Lorentz invariance violation and axion-like particles using blazars.

Aims. This paper is the first in a series of papers that aim to measure the redshift of a sample of blazars likely to be detected with the upcoming Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA), a ground-based gamma-ray observatory.

Methods. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to select those hard spectrum gamma-ray blazars detected with the Fermi-LAT telescope still lacking redshift measurements, but likely to be detected by CTA in 30 hours of observing time or less. Optical observing campaigns involving deep imaging and spectroscopic observations were organised to efficiently constrain their redshifts. We performed deep medium- to high-resolution spectroscopy of 19 blazar optical counterparts with the Keck II, SALT, and ESO NTT telescopes. We searched systematically for spectral features and, when possible, we estimated the contribution of the host galaxy to the total flux.

Results. We measured eleven firm spectroscopic redshifts with values ranging from 0.1116 to 0.482, one tentative redshift, three redshift lower limits including one at z ≥ 0.449 and another at z ≥ 0.868. Four BL Lacs show featureless spectra.
Prospects for observing the low-density cosmic web in Lyman-αemission
Authors: Witstok Joris , Puchwein Ewald , Kulkarni Girish , Smit Renske , Haehnelt Martin G.
Published: April 2021

Mapping the intergalactic medium (IGM) in Lyman-α emission would yield unprecedented tomographic information on the large-scale distribution of baryons and potentially provide new constraints on the UV background and various feedback processes relevant to galaxy formation. In this work, we use a cosmological hydrodynamical simulation to examine the Lyman-α emission of the IGM resulting from collisional excitations and recombinations in the presence of a UV background. We focus on gas in large-scale-structure filaments in which Lyman-α radiative transfer effects are expected to be moderate. At low density the emission is primarily due to fluorescent re-emission of the ionising UV background as a result of recombinations, while collisional excitations dominate at higher densities. We discuss prospects of current and future observational facilities to detect this emission and find that the emission of filaments of the cosmic web are typically dominated by the halos and galaxies embedded in these filaments, rather than by the lower-density filament gas outside halos. Detecting filament gas directly would require a very long exposure with a MUSE-like instrument on the ELT. Our most robust predictions that act as lower limits indicate this would be slightly less challenging at lower redshifts (z ≲ 4). We also find that there is a large amount of variance between fields in our mock observations. High-redshift protoclusters appear to be the most promising environment to observe the filamentary IGM in Lyman-α emission.
The kinematics of Small Magellanic Cloud star clusters
Authors: Piatti Andrés E.
Published: April 2021

We report results of the proper motions of 25 known Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) clusters (ages ∼ 1–10 Gyr old) derived from Gaia EDR3 data sets. When these mean proper motions were gathered with existent radial velocity measurements to compose the clusters’ velocity vectors, we found the parameter values of a rotation disk that best resemble their observed motions, namely: central coordinates and distance, inclination and position angle of the line-of-nodes, proper motion in right ascension and declination, systemic velocity, rotation velocity, and velocity dispersion. The SMC cluster rotation disk seems to be, at some level, kinematically synchronized with the rotation of the field red giants recently modeled using DR2 data sets. Such a rotation disk is seen in the sky as a tilted edge-on disk, with a velocity dispersion perpendicular to it that is twice as large as that in the plane of the disk. Because the direction perpendicular to the disk is nearly aligned with the Magellanic Bridge, we interpret the larger velocity dispersion as a consequence of the SMC velocity stretching caused by the tidal interaction with the Large Magellanic Cloud. Rotation alone does not seem sufficient to explain the observed kinematic behaviors in the SMC.
Optimal decision in MC supply chain with overconfident retailer based on the newsvendor model
Authors: Cheng Bayi , Li Ruofan , Zhu Xiaoxi , Zhou Mi , Cao Xiongfei
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we analyze the optimal order-quantity decisions in a supply chain with mass customization (MC) manufacturer and overconfident retailers. First, we consider a newsvendor model in which an unbiased retailer sells mass customized products. The retailer needs to make order quantity decisions before the selling season. Meanwhile, the supplier is a mass customization manufacturer and implements modular production. The supply process is uncertain, as the real quantity the retailer received is the order quantity multiplied by a random yield rate. Second, two overconfident models are considered and theorems are proposed. In the first model, the behavioral bias of overconfidence only affects the retailer’s judgment of variance of market demand. In the second model, the behavior bias of overconfidence affects not only the retailer’s cognition of the variance of market demand, but also his cognition of the expectation of market demand. In addition, the relationship between the optimal decisions and the modularity level is obtained. Finally, we provide managerial insights for the decision makers of the retailers and the manufacturers on order quantity and modularity level, respectively.
Megaprojects—mega failures? The politics of aspiration and the transformation of rural Kenya
Authors: Müller-Mahn Detlef , Mkutu Kennedy , Kioko Eric
Published: April 2021

Megaprojects are returning to play a key role in the transformation of rural Africa, despite controversies over their outcome. While some view them as promising tools for a ‘big push’ of modernization, others criticize their multiple adverse effects and risk of failure. Against this backdrop, the paper revisits earlier concepts that have explained megaproject failures by referring to problems of managerial complexity and the logics of state-led development. Taking recent examples from Kenya, the paper argues for a more differentiated approach, considering the symbolic role infrastructure megaprojects play in future-oriented development politics as objects of imagination, vision, and hope. We propose to explain the outcomes of megaprojects by focusing on the ‘politics of aspiration’, which unfold at the intersection between different actors and scales. The paper gives an overview of large infrastructure projects in Kenya and places them in the context of the country´s national development agenda ‘Vision 2030′. It identifies the relevant actors and investigates how controversial aspirations, interests and foreign influences play out on the ground. The paper concludes by describing megaproject development as future making, driven by the mobilizing power of the ‘politics of aspiration’. The analysis of megaprojects should consider not only material outcomes but also their symbolic dimension for desirable futures.
Multicolored quantum dots enable white light applications
Authors: Johnson-Groh Mara
Published: April 2021

One-step hydrothermal process creates white light, carbon quantum dots for fabrication white LEDs.